LilyI woke up that morning feeling very strange even as I tried to put a finger on why I was feeling that way. I didn’t know what caused this but my whole body was restless as I began pacing about. Noah wasn’t in, he didn’t even sleep in the house the previous night because of a business meeting he had to attend and now, I just couldn’t get it out of ny head that there was something going on with him.I sat up in bed, trying to shake off the remnants of a dream I couldn’t quite remember. The room felt oddly still, and the early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a pale glow over everything. I rubbed my eyes and took a deep breath, hoping the feeling would pass but it lingered, gnawing at me with a sense of urgency that I couldn't explain.I reached for my phone on the nightstand, almost knocking over the glass of water I kept there. My hands trembled slightly as I dialed Noah's number. He was always my anchor, the one who could calm my nerves with just a few words.
NoahIt was a quiet Thursday evening, the kind where the world seemed to slow down just enough for introspection to creep in. I sat on the old, creaky chair in my study, staring at the flickering screen of my laptop. The words I had typed earlier in the day seemed to mock me now. They were supposed to be a proposal for a new project at work, but my mind kept wandering back to Lily.The thought of her warm smile and the way her eyes lit up when she talked about something she loved always brought a smile to my face but tonight, that smile felt strained, burdened by the weight of the truth I had been hiding from her."Everything's fine," I had told her just last night when she asked me how I was doing. The lie slipped out so easily, almost as if I believed it myself but deep down, I knew it wasn't fine. I wasn't fine. Our relationship wasn't fine. And the worst part? I wasn't even sure why."Noah, are you okay?" she had asked, her voice tinged with concern. Her hand had gently brushed my
Lily“Something was wrong, definitely wrong. I could see it in Noah’s eyes, the way he talked and his mannerism and I knew that he had heard something that he shouldn’t have.I couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted in Noah. It was subtle at first, like the quiet rustling of leaves on a windless day, but as the days went by, the changes became more pronounced. It wasn't just the way he moved or the new hesitations in his speech; it was in the very air around him.Noah had always been direct, his words like arrows aimed straight at the target, but lately, his conversations with me had taken on a peculiar, almost evasive quality."Hey, Lily," he said one evening as we were sitting in the park. His voice was softer, less assured. I looked up from my book, scanning his face for clues."Yeah, Noah?" I replied, trying to keep my tone light and casual. I didn't want to spook him, but I was desperate to understand what was going on.He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture I’d
NoahAs I sat in my office, staring at the towering stacks of files that seemed to multiply by the hour, my mind wandered. It wasn’t the daunting workload that occupied my thoughts, but rather a single, vivid image—Lily.The moment I heard the news about her, my heart had skipped a beat, and the weight of that information had been pressing on me ever since. I knew I couldn’t keep it to myself. I had to talk to Ethan, my brother, my confidant, the only person I could truly trust with something so personal and delicate.I picked up my phone, my fingers trembling slightly as I dialed Ethan’s number. The ringing seemed to drag on forever before I finally heard his familiar voice on the other end.“Hey Noah, what’s up?” Ethan’s tone was light, but I could hear the underlying concern. He knew I wouldn’t call during work hours unless it was important.“Ethan, I need you to come to my office. It’s urgent,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.There was a pause, and then, “I’ll be there in
EthanThe moment I saw the picture of Natalie holding up that banner, calling Noah a fraud, a wave of anger and hurt crashed over me, nearly knocking the breath from my lungs. The bright, almost gleeful expression on her face as she held the sign made my stomach churn with a mix of rage and despair. I could feel my fists clenching involuntarily, my nails digging into my palms as I imagined squeezing the life out of her for this public disgrace she had brought upon my brother and our family.The hurt was a sharp, bitter taste in my mouth, and the anger was a burning fire in my chest. I couldn't understand how someone who had once been so close to my brother, who had shared in his joys and sorrows, could now be the source of such humiliation and pain. I wouldn’t blame her though but instead, i would blame my brother for even having anything to do with her seeing that she was mentally unstable."Noah, you need to end this," I said, my voice barely controlled as I handed him back the ipad
NatalieI knew from the moment I decided to take drastic measures that it wouldn't be hard to follow through. Mrs. Donovan had been a thorn in my side for too long, her stern lectures and disdainful glares making it clear she didn't think I was good enough for her precious son, Noah but Noah and I were meant to be together, and I would do whatever it took to make him see that. I had warned her, hadn't I? I told her to make Noah take me back. I gave her ample time to persuade him, to make him realize that leaving me was the biggest mistake of his life but she didn't listen. She never took me seriously.“And now, you are going to suffer for your foolishness.” I mocked.As I watched the flames engulf Mrs. Donovan's house, I felt a surge of twisted satisfaction. The fire crackled and roared, an angry beast consuming everything in its path. I could see Mrs. Donovan through the window, her eyes wide with terror as she stumbled through the smoke. I almost laughed out loud when I saw her run
NoahThe moment the call came, my world turned upside down. The words from the other end of the line hit me like a freight train."Noah, our mother has been attacked. She's in the hospital." My heart pounded so loudly I could barely hear the rest.I bolted from my office, leaving a whirlwind of papers in my wake. Ethan was right behind me, shouting my name but all I could think about was Mom."Mom's been attacked, Ethan! We have to go!" I yelled over my shoulder as I reached my car, fumbling with the keys in my shaking hands.Ethan's face was pale, eyes wide with a mix of fear and determination. "Noah, wait! Just—"But there was no waiting. I jumped into the driver's seat and started the engine with a roar. Ethan barely managed to dive into the passenger seat before I sped off, tires screeching against the asphalt."Noah, slow down!" Ethan pleaded, gripping the door handle as I took a sharp corner at breakneck speed."We won't do Mom any good if we crash on the way there."I could hea
LilyAs soon as I got the call from Ethan, the world around me seemed to blur. His voice, normally steady and reassuring, was tinged with a tremor that sent shivers down my spine."Lily," he said, his words coming out in a rush, "Mom's been attacked. She's in the hospital... it's critical."My heart rate sped up, a drumbeat of panic thrumming through my veins. I could barely comprehend the words, each syllable feeling like a physical blow. Mrs Donovan, sweet and gentle who had always treated me like family, was now lying in a hospital bed fighting for her life. It was unthinkable. I clutched the phone tighter, my knuckles turning white as a pack of emotions flooded my system—fear, worry, and a growing sense of helplessness."I'll be right there," I managed to say, my voice cracking. "Ethan, hang in there. I'm coming."I didn't waste a second. Throwing on the nearest pair of shoes, I grabbed my keys and bolted out the door. The drive to the hospital felt like a surreal nightmare. My mi
LilyThe moment I walked up to the front door, a strange but exciting feeling bubbled up inside me. It was like my whole body was tingling with anticipation, even though I had no idea why. There was no reason for this giddy feeling, or at least none that I could see but something told me that I was about to walk into the most pleasant surprise of my life. I paused for a second before opening the door, letting the sensation wash over me, wondering what could possibly be waiting on the other side.As I stepped inside, the first thing I noticed was the soft, delicate petals of my favorite flowers—lilies—scattered all over the floor. They formed a beautiful, fragrant path leading further into the house. My heart skipped a beat as I took in the sight, my eyes wide with amazement. This was all too perfect, too magical. I followed the trail, my breath catching in my throat, my mind racing with possibilities.And then, I saw him—Noah, my love, my heart, my everything. He was there, at the end
NoahI knew it was time. I could feel it in every beat of my heart, in the way my breath caught whenever Lily walked into the room, and in the way her laughter filled the empty spaces in my soul. We'd been through so much together—every trial, every challenge had only strengthened the bond we shared. There was no doubt in my mind that she was the one, my other half, the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I had thought about it for a long time, turning the idea over in my mind, imagining the look in her eyes when I finally asked her that all-important question. But today, as I sat in the quiet of the morning, I knew there was no better time than now."Ethan," I called out, my voice trembling slightly as I walked into his room. He was sitting on the edge of his bed, scrolling through his phone, but he looked up at me immediately, sensing the seriousness in my tone. I hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words to say. Ethan had always been my rock, my confidan
NoahI walked into my mother’s house that morning, the scent of freshly brewed coffee lingering in the air as Monica and Charles were engaged in their usual morning routine. Their eyes lit up when they saw me, a subtle reminder of how my presence could break the monotony of their workday.“Good morning, Noah!” Monica greeted me with a bright smile, her enthusiasm evident even before she glanced up from her paperwork.“Morning, Monica. Charles,” I said, acknowledging Charles with a nod. “I’ve got some important news. Lily and our daughter are coming back soon.”The room buzzed with a sudden wave of excitement. Monica’s eyes widened, and she quickly straightened her desk, the anticipation clear on her face.“Really? That’s wonderful news!” she exclaimed.“We’ve missed them so much. It’s been too long.”Charles, who had been quietly organizing files, looked up with a grin that spoke volumes. “It’s about time, Noah. We’ve been eagerly waiting for their return. The house isn’t the same wit
LilyThe evening sun cast a warm, golden glow across the room as I sat by the window, my hands resting on my swollen belly. The baby kicked softly, a gentle reminder of the life growing inside me, a life that would soon be born into a world of peace and safety—thanks to Noah. I couldn’t help but smile as I thought about how much he had done for us, how he had moved mountains to ensure that I never had to face the nightmares that had once haunted my every waking moment. I knew I was safe, and that knowledge was a comfort I clung to with every fiber of my being.“Noah,” I whispered, my voice barely audible, as if saying his name would summon him. I could almost feel his presence, his unwavering strength, and the way he always seemed to know exactly what I needed, even when I didn’t know it myself. “You’ve given me everything I never knew I needed. How did I get so lucky?”It hadn’t been easy. I knew that. There were days when I could see the exhaustion in his eyes, the weight of the wor
Noah The moment I stepped into the police station, the air felt thick with tension. The fluorescent lights flickered slightly, casting a cold, sterile glow over the room. My heart pounded in my chest, but I forced myself to remain calm. I knew what I had to do, and I wasn’t about to let my emotions betray me. As I approached the front desk, the officer on duty barely glanced up from his paperwork. "Name?" he asked in a monotone voice, as if he had done this a thousand times before. "Noah," I replied, my voice steady. "I'm here to speak with Detective Carter about Natalie." The officer finally looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he recognized the name. "Wait here," he muttered before picking up the phone and making a quick call. Moments later, a tall man with graying hair and a stern expression emerged from a side door. Detective Carter. He gave me a once-over, his eyes lingering a little too long as if trying to read me before I even opened my mouth. "Noah," he said, his
Lily As I rocked my baby to sleep, the rhythmic motion of the chair seemed to lull not just the little one but also my restless thoughts. The night was quiet, save for the soft, steady breathing of my child against my chest, but my mind was anything but calm. There was this gnawing feeling at the pit of my stomach, an unease that I couldn't shake off no matter how much I tried to convince myself that everything was fine. I hadn't heard from Noah in hours, which wasn't entirely unusual—he was a busy man, after all. But tonight, the silence felt different, more profound, like an omen hovering over me, warning me that something was off. I looked down at my baby, their innocent faces so peaceful, so unaware of the turmoil swirling inside me. I should be focusing on them, on this perfect moment, but instead, my thoughts kept drifting back to Noah. "He’s fine," I whispered to myself, almost as if saying it out loud would make it true. "He’s always fine." Yet, the words felt hollow, like
Ethan I was lounging on the couch, trying to unwind after a long day when my phone buzzed in my pocket. The screen lit up with Noah’s name, and a knot tightened in my stomach. We hadn’t spoken in a few days, and I could sense the urgency in his voice the moment I picked up. "Ethan," he said, skipping any formalities. His voice was steady, but I could hear the underlying tension. "Did you do what I asked? Did you hide all the evidence of Natalie’s disappearance?" I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice calm and reassuring. "Yeah, Noah. I took care of everything. I made sure there’s no trace left behind. No one’s going to find anything." There was a brief silence on the other end, and I could almost picture Noah running a hand through his hair, a habit he had when he was deep in thought or worried. "Good," he finally said, though he didn’t sound entirely convinced. "But we’ve got a problem. The police... they’re snooping around. They’ve been asking questions, poking into pl
Noah I was sitting in my office, the warm glow of the afternoon sun filtering through the blinds, casting long shadows across the room. The paperwork on my desk seemed never-ending, a constant reminder of the chaos Natalie had unleashed on my life. I had been trying to focus, to push all thoughts of her out of my mind, but the gnawing anxiety was hard to shake. My pen hovered over a document, the ink pooling at the tip as I paused, lost in thought. Just then, the door creaked open, and my secretary, a woman who rarely showed any emotion, stepped in with an unusually tense expression. I looked up, catching the tightness in her jaw, the way she hesitated for a fraction of a second before speaking. "Boss" she began, her voice steady but laced with something I couldn't quite place. "There are some policemen at the reception. They’re asking to see you in connection to the disappearance of... Natalie." The mention of her name sent a cold shiver down my spine, but I forced myself to rema
Lily It had been a long day, and the quiet of the evening settled around me like a heavy blanket, reminding me of just how much I missed the familiar buzz of the office. With a sigh, I reached for my phone, my fingers instinctively finding Monica’s number. As the line rang, I felt a pang of homesickness wash over me, stronger than I had anticipated. The warmth of her voice when she answered immediately brought a smile to my face. “Lily! It’s so good to hear from you! We’ve all been missing you so much around here,” Monica’s voice was full of genuine enthusiasm, and I could almost picture her bright smile on the other end of the line. “Chris was just saying the other day how quiet the place has been without you.” I couldn’t help but laugh softly, the sound of her voice easing the tightness in my chest. “I miss you guys too, more than I can even say. It’s strange being away for so long. Sometimes I feel like I’m missing out on everything happening back at the office.” “We’re just c