𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 ⅩⅦ

Giselle's POV

Months had passed since we left Neverland and returned to Los Angeles. The ranch had been like a little dream — a bubble where nothing could touch us. But now we were back in the real world, back to Havenhurst... back to business.

Michael's condition had been moving faster than either of us expected. The white patches on his skin had spread across his back, chest, and arms. At first, he had tried to hide it — always dressing in long sleeves and wearing gloves even around the house — but now... he didn't have much of a choice.

The doctors told him it was something called vitiligo... something that couldn't be stopped. It had eaten away at the caramel tone of his skin little by little — leaving pale, colorless streaks across his body.

Michael didn't like to talk about it much. He just kept his head down and followed whatever the doctors said — staying out of the sun, walking around with that black umbrella everywhere he went.

I could see how it was weighing on him — how self-conscious he was getting. But no matter what... I still thought he was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen.

If I had to tell him that a thousand times a day, I would.

The business side of things had been... quiet — almost too quiet. Michael and Prince finally reached an agreement, but something told me it was only temporary.

Michael didn't trust him — I didn't either.

Prince was still up in the Bay Area, handling his own turf, but I could feel his presence even from miles away — like some dark cloud always looming over us.

For now, Michael wanted to focus on us — on planning the wedding.

I was already up in the clouds thinking about it — what dress I would wear, what flowers I wanted... if Mama would walk me down the aisle.

But I couldn't enjoy it fully... not when my heart was heavy with worry.

It had been a whole week since Solange or I had heard from Aaliyah.

I sat on the couch, twisting the gold snake pendant around my neck — the same one Michael had given me when we first got together. Solange was next to me, legs crossed, chewing her gum like she was trying to bite down her own anxiety.

"I'm telling you, Gigi... something ain't right," she said, her voice low.

I glanced at the phone sitting on the table, hoping it would ring.

"You know how Aaliyah is, Sol... she probably just got caught up with one of them dancers she's always messing with."

Solange shook her head, her big hoop earrings swaying.

"No... she would've called by now. Even if she was laid up somewhere, she'd at least hit me with a page."

I bit my lip, trying to push down the little knot of fear twisting in my stomach.

Aaliyah never went this long without checking in — not with both of us.

"You think... Prince got to her?" I whispered, afraid to even say his name out loud.

Solange's eyes flicked up to me, sharp and dark.

"I don't know, Gigi... but with all this shit going on around Michael... I wouldn't put it past him."

I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling that familiar chill creep up my spine.

Michael had been trying to protect me from all of this — trying to keep me in some little fantasy where nothing bad could touch us.

But I wasn't stupid.

I knew exactly what kind of man I was marrying.

And if Prince was out there trying to hurt Michael... I knew damn well he wouldn't hesitate to come after the people he loved too.

The thought made me sick to my stomach.

I glanced out the window, watching the rain streak down the glass.

"I should talk to Michael..." I murmured.

Solange snorted, popping her gum.

"You really think he gon' let you anywhere near this mess? He won't even let you go to the goddamn grocery store without one of them bodyguards breathing down your neck."

I sighed, leaning back against the couch.

She was right...

Michael barely let me out of his sight these days.

Ever since that attack in Beverly Hills, he'd had me on lockdown — moving me from Havenhurst to Neverland and back again like some secret little package he had to keep hidden.

Part of me hated it...

But the other part?

The part that still carried all that fear deep in my chest?

I couldn't lie...

It made me feel safe.

I glanced down at the diamond on my finger, twisting it slowly.

"I just want us to be happy, Sol..." I whispered.

Solange's tough little face softened — just for a second.

"We will be, sis... but you gotta wake up. This life you walked into with Michael? It ain't no fairytale."

I swallowed hard, looking down at my hands.

I already knew that.

I just didn't want to believe it.

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Later that night, I was lying in bed when Michael slipped into the room, still smelling like rain and cigarette smoke from whatever business he'd been handling.

He sat down on the edge of the mattress, brushing his hand over my hair.

"You still worried about your girl?" he murmured, like he could read my mind.

I nodded slowly.

Michael sighed, leaning down to press a soft kiss to my forehead.

"I'ma put some of the boys on it... see if they can find her."

I blinked up at him, surprised.

"You'd do that?"

His dark eyes locked on mine — soft, but serious.

"I'd do anything for you, baby."

My heart squeezed so hard it hurt.

I sat up, wrapping my arms around his neck and burying my face in his chest.

"I love you..." I whispered against his skin.

Michael's arms tightened around me, his lips brushing over my hair.

"I love you more, Mrs. Jackson."

I smiled faintly, but deep down... that knot in my stomach still wouldn't go away.

I had a feeling this was only the calm before the storm.

And something told me...

Prince was far from finished with us.

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Michael's POV

Two days had passed since I sent some of my boys out to look for Aaliyah.

I couldn't stand seeing Giselle like that — pacing the house, chewing on her nails, eyes glassy from crying. She tried to hide it from me, but I knew she hadn't been sleeping.

If something happened to her friend... I knew she'd never forgive herself.

I had Cris and Eddie working the streets, asking questions — sliding money into the right hands. South L.A. talks if you know how to listen.

By the second night, my phone rang.

I snatched it off the nightstand, heart thudding.

"Yeah?"

"It's Cris, boss... we found her."

I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding.

"Where?"

"She was holed up in some crackhouse down in Watts... looked like they been holding her there for a few days. She got some bruises, but she's breathing."

I squeezed my eyes shut, pinching the bridge of my nose.

Prince.

I knew that motherfucker was behind this.

He was trying to send a message — trying to remind me that he could still reach the people I loved, even from miles away.

That shit was gonna cost him...

But not now.

Not yet.

First, I needed to get Aaliyah home.

"You bringing her to Havenhurst?" I asked, keeping my voice steady.

"Yeah, we on our way now."

"Make sure she's cleaned up... give her whatever she needs. I'll handle the rest."

Cris paused for a second before lowering his voice.

"You want me to... press her? See if she knows anything?"

"Nah," I muttered.

"If she wants to talk... she'll talk."

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Michael hung up the phone, a heavy breath leaving his chest. Two days of searching, and finally, they had found Aaliyah. His men told him she was shaken but alive — something he wasn't about to take for granted in a world like his.

He glanced out the window of his office, the afternoon sun casting long shadows over Havenhurst. Prince might have been lying low, but Michael knew better than to trust a snake. His mind raced with what could have happened to Aaliyah — whether this was some message Prince was trying to send him.

With his jaw clenched, he dialed Giselle's number.

"Hello?" her voice was soft, but he could tell she'd been crying.

"They found her, baby," he said, voice low. "She's on her way here."

There was silence on the line before he heard a shaky breath.

"Oh, thank God..." Giselle whispered.

Michael leaned against the wall, shutting his eyes for a second. "I need you to stay close to the house... I don't want you out there until I figure out what the hell happened."

"I will... thank you, Michael."

The sound of her relief made his chest tighten. He didn't want her thanking him — he wanted her safe. He wanted her out of this life before it could drag her under like it did him.

But for now... all he could do was protect what was his.

By the time Aaliyah got to Havenhurst, the whole house was buzzing.

Giselle was waiting by the front door, pacing back and forth with Solange clutching her arm.

When Cris and Eddie pulled up, Aaliyah stumbled out of the car looking like a ghost — her lip busted, one eye swollen shut, and her hair a mess.

Gigi ran to her, wrapping her arms around her and crying into her neck.

"It's okay, mami... you're safe now... you're safe..."

Aaliyah clung to her like she was the only thing keeping her from falling apart.

I stood back by the gate, watching everything from the shadows.

Aaliyah's eyes flicked up and locked onto mine for a second — dark, tired... but sharp.

I knew that look.

She'd seen something.

She knew something.

But she'd only tell Gigi.

That was fine by me.

I had bigger things to deal with.

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Later that night, I found Giselle in the guest room sitting on the bed with Aaliyah, holding her hand while Solange braided her hair.

They all went quiet when I walked in.

Giselle looked up at me with those soft brown eyes — eyes that always made me weak.

"You okay?" I asked her.

She nodded slowly, squeezing Aaliyah's hand.

"I'm better now."

I leaned against the doorframe, sliding my hands into my pockets.

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I laid awake that night, holding her close against my chest...

But no matter how tight I held her, I couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was coming.

Prince wasn't done with me.

Not by a long shot.

He was out there, watching... waiting...

And sooner or later, he was gonna come for everything I loved.

I just hoped I was ready when he did.