Was it so out of reach to think she would do this to me? Definitely not.Yet there were still little doubts. Two weeks had passed. Two weeks without any trouble. I hadn't seen or neared her, letting go of any suspicions of the past. Why would she suddenly spring up and hurt me? Was it my suspicions of her that day that led her ? Was this planned? Did she do it alone?Was I thinking too much?“You need to sleep.” Jon said, his voice springing me out of my thoughts. I looked up as his hand cupped my cheek.“You've had a long day. You need to rest. Don't bother coming to work tomorrow and stay inside as much as you can. Log off all social media too. I don't want you getting hurt.”It all made sense. I nodded, savoring his kiss to my forehead. Panic slipped in as he pulled away from our embrace.He was leaving? I swallowed thickly.I knew it was necessary for him to actually follow his word and yet…Before he could stand up I stopped him, holding his wrist.“Don't leave. Not yet.” I rush
EvaI had to reread it three more times before it fully sank in. Pushing away my laptop, I tore my gaze to the nearest wall, completely stricken.‘What the hell?’ I rubbed my face lightly before looking back at the open monitor. Through the short distance I'd made, the text still remained the same and the feeling was more and more sinister every time I looked at it. I quickly averted my gaze, focusing on the nearest wall instead.Who sent this? It had to be a prank or a practical joke.Right?I fought the urge to look back at it. After a while I gave up and brought my laptop closer to me.There was no use keeping something like this. I should just delete it and get it over with. Clicking in the email again I reached out to the “”DELETE “ button. It was right there, shining like a beacon. Deleting it would be so easy.And yet, I stopped.The timing was too coincidental. No matter how much I wanted to write it off as nothing I couldn't. An anonymous email texting me about ‘truth’ afte
EvaMy heart hammered in my chest. There was no doubt about it that what they were saying was true.The lies no doubt had to do with those fake pictures on the news, but the past?Something in me clenched. I suspected that Brienne had something to do with this, the question was what exactly had she done?Shutting my eyes, all the thoughts culminated in a painful cacophony in my head.Viktor's voice. His proud glare and sneer six years ago.“Why are you acting so surprised? It's nothing you haven't done before.”The look he'd given me two weeks ago with his accusing glare.“Just like you did to me.”These pictures. Fake texts and pictures that were apparently dated back to while I was dating him. The contorted story on that news.Broke up with me for cheating…A sharp breath left me as I opened my eyes. It felt like I was drowning and finally reached the surface. My hands were shaking, but I moved forward to type.‘What do you know?’Desperation creeped up my senses. I thought I could
Eva The moment I heard the door shut behind me, I knew he was back. My gaze remained on the television as his footsteps approached before I felt a set of arms wrap around my shoulders. “Good evening my love,” he groaned against my neck, the slight vibrations mustered a smile from me despite my mood. “You don't sound like it,” I quipped lightly, noting his weary voice. He sounded even more worn than yesterday and I was sure he looked more than he felt. “You know me so well.” He huffed against my collarbone. The fact that he couldn't muster a flirtatious comment was proof enough of his exhaustion. “Enough about me. How was your day?” he asked, looking at me. I faltered instantly, but quickly recovered. After the visit I had, I was far from okay. The uncertainty of my talk with Julienne and the weight of what I knew but couldn't say was in me, and an unsettled anxiety remained in my gut. But I couldn't tell him anything about it. Forcing a smile before I turned to him, I
WARNING: Implied Sexual Assault. Brienne “Cheers!” The clinking of our glasses mixed in with the pulsating bass of the nightclub we were in. The noises from the people below us were drowned out thanks to our private room. I took another sip of my wine before leaning back, wrapping my free arm around Viktor. Seven of us were inside the VIP room for our own personal celebration.It was just like the good old days in college where we would go to parties to celebrate our wins. What could I say? Old habits died hard. I wasn't completely dumb about business. With my ‘counsel’ and Geoffery's encouragement, he'd set up the announcement closer than ever. It wouldn't make a difference either way, but it was a smart move. According to Viktor, Jonathan Salvador had agreed without a fuss. Why wouldn't he when his company was now at stake? With the coming announcement of their partnership with S.Corps, it was a win for Viktor. The company would get both the benefits of the partnershi
BrienneHer words were like icy water slipping into my veins. I whipped my head back to her, seeing her open face.She knew everything? How? My mind raced as I gauged what to say next.“I have no idea what you're talking about.” I bit out, trying to pretend.“Don't lie,” she bit back, “it's not that hard to tell. An anonymous tip? Really?”“There are only a few people who know that much information about my life and there's only one who has threatened me. You're the only person I know who could have done this.”‘What the…’ I stood stunned.Disbelief filled me as she glared. Everything she said was true, but none of it was any actual proof. Just her deductions.She didn't even mention HIM. “Is that all you know?” My tone was sarcastic but I internally gauged her, trying to hide my suspicion and fear.The slight hesitation on her face told me all I needed to know. She quickly raised her chin in a mask of confidence.“I need to hear it from you,” she said, “Viktor confirmed my suspicion
Brienne He was so attached to her, confessing how he loved her, helping her. He'd changed because of her, constantly by her side as the poster child for college sweethearts. The eventual breakup I hoped would happen in time never happened and soon enough she was moving into his penthouse after college.‘Unfair.’ I thought. She'd taken everything I wanted.The opportunity I was waiting for she'd stolen from me. She, who had nothing to offer, had him wrapped around her finger in that innocent gaze.Her, a nobody, took him from me.I probably should have been born an actress with how good I was at pretending. I played the friend role well, being by her side and comforting her when it mattered. Just like Geoffrey did for Viktor, I hid my absolute disdain for her for the time being and the promise of more. I'd sworn to myself that I was going to take him back and get rid of her once and for all. And I did.As I reached the VIP room the place was completely deserted. I must have been in t
BrienneTHREE DAYS LATER: Humming to myself, I looked at the two earrings. Gold or opal? Which was I going to wear today?After seconds of contemplation, I sighed annoyed. Had Julienne been here, perhaps she would have given a good suggestion. For all the trash she came from, she at least had a less than mediocre taste.After a few seconds, I looked at my two choices once more and picked up the gold. It felt a bit gaudy for my tastes, but what did it matter? There was nothing wrong with looking a bit gaudy for a special occasion, and this was most certainly a special occasion.Today was the day of the announcement. I wasn't excited for the event as to what it meant. Helping Viktor and raising the reputation of the company was only a plus side compared to the joy of getting retribution for her and that fiancee of hers embarrassing me, but I was excited for a completely different reason.Because with the announcement there would be a second announcement; one of the fixed date of our we
EvaShock rang over me in waves as her words rang through my mind. I could feel some people's eyes on mine but I couldn't care less. “Eva?”His voice snapped me back. Looking up I meet Viktor's eyes on mine. The concern clear on his face grounded me a little.Blinking frantically, I shook my head, trying to process.“Can you repeat that?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.“I've been arrested.”Julienne repeated through the line and my grip tightened . She didn't sound bothered, her voice completely neutral and dare I say, emotionless. But I knew better.The moment we became friends we'd opened up to each other. She constantly kept her exterior tough out of survival but I knew better than anyone how vulnerable one could be. She was already happy going through college what the hell could have changed?After a few more seconds of silence, a sound I recognized as a sigh came through.“Technically it's not really an arrest. It's the college security that detained me and now I neede
Eva“I'm sorry love, I have to stay here longer.” Jon's voice rang through the phone. “What do you mean? You promised the kids you'd be back for the festival,” I tried to keep my tone neutral even as irritation sprang through me.“I know. Something came up that's really important. I'll make it up to them, I promise.”My jaw clenched in response. “Jonathan, it's been a month. Nearly two since they've seen you.” I said as carefully as I could, yet it was hard to keep my frustrations away from the phone.He sighed, sounding exasperated, like he was the one frustrated.“What do you want me to tell you Eva?” he asked and I snapped.“I want answers!” My voice rose and I shut my eyes instantly to calm down. Once I reeled myself in I spoke again.“Everytime I asked, you constantly told me it was ‘okay’ yet you do this. You've constantly been out of the city doing Goodness knows what. What the hell is wrong with you?”“Nothing's wrong. I just need to work out some things.”“Things that you h
Viktor It took me a few more seconds to process it wasn't her room but ours, or what once used to be. The same room I hadn't touched in months.“It had been six years since I entered, yet the place looked how I remembered. Not a thing out of place,” she said, shaking her head,She took a step closer towards me and close up I saw the walls shift down, the neutral look replaced with something sadder that made my heart clench.“Seeing it made me realize something. I thought I was doing the best I could, keeping my distance. I was still holding you to the past. I thought I'd let go, but when it came to the kids. It reared its head the moment you found out about them." She continued “I’d forgiven but not fully. I was afraid to face that part of myself until last night in the same way I was afraid to face the present you. Even though I knew that you'd changed, a part of me was still holding you to those days wondering if you were going to do something else.”Those last words were like a p
Viktor Hell. That's where I felt like I was right now.I groaned against the blinding lights. Pain hammered through my head. I'd forgotten how bad times like this could be. As I sat up, my memories began to flood back.After leaving her home I had gone to the penthouse. I didn't even know how it started. First it was one drink without hesitation and then another and another until my mind became a blurry haze. Yet I could still recall why it started. I shut my eyes tightly for a different reason altogether. The last sight of Anthea, my daughter, choking because of the candy i bought her. Cory's scream and Eva's green eyes, wild with panic.“Get out.”Eva's words echoed in my mind.The familiar self-loathing and guilt washed over me, threatening to drown me under. Things were getting better, but like always I had ruined everything. Just like that I'd backslid, months of progress gone under the bottom of a bottle.‘Pathenic’ I scoffed to myself.A flash of a hazy memory stopped me in
EvaThe scent of antiseptic stung my nose as I waited in the hospital lobby.Penelope’s presence helped. She had come in a few moments ago, even while I was spaced out with Cory on my lap. The moment she hugged me, I couldn't stop myself from breaking down again.“Everything’s going to be okay.” She whispered to me. I closed my eyes in response. Goodness knew I wished I could believe it.I didn’t know what to feel. We had gotten her there in time, but I still couldn't get my mind off it. It was just like the second time that this happened. I was on my own, alone, scared.“Miss Greene?” The voice made me look up instantly to find the doctor there. All thoughts slipped by as I stood up carefully.“Doctor? How is my-”“Your daughter is fine,” he said, “you brought her in early so it was just a mild allergic reaction she suffered. She's still asleep but when she wakes up she'll be fully ready to discharge.”A sigh of relief left me instantly. She was fine. My baby was fine.Cory was sti
ONE MONTH LATEREva“When are you coming back?” I asked, rifling through clothes as frustration brewed up in me.“Soon.” Jon’s voice rang through terse and neutral. It made my brows furrow.“So, in a week? Cory and Anthea miss you.” I said, trying to ignore the coldness in his tone.“I…Eva I don’t know yet.” His words gave me whiplash, making me flinch.“Okay.” I said.Frustration brewed inside me but I kept silent.The moment the call ended I dropped the phone like a dead weight, clenching and unclenching my arms for control. What the hell? This wasn’t the first time, at least not within this month.After telling him of my decision to include Viktor and Grace into the children’s lives the day I'd made the decision, he was completely supportive. I still sensed displeasure, however no matter how much I tried to assure him, he said that it was fine. Although he was never present while Viktor and Grace were around, he still looked well.It happened so gradually. At first he wasn’t pr
Eva I was completely frozen under the scrutiny of my best friend’s stare as she flickered between us. Even if he wasn't touching me like before, his closeness was suspicious enough. For a moment everything was still…until the moment the twins slipped out beside her. “Mom!” they chorused and my gaze shifted to their innocent smiles. Without he's they rushed to greet me and I pushed my panic away, forcing a smile. “Hey, babies. Did you enjoy your time at Aunt Penelope?” I hugged them, ruffling their hair to make them giggle and nod in agreement. Looking back up to face Penelope felt sheepish. Her expression said plenty, a mix of disbelief and recognition. I could hear her unsaid words without thinking. I tried to pass a pleading one of my own to tell her that I'd explain after this. “Mom?” I tore my eyes away to meet Anthea’s stare but she wasn't looking at me but behind me, no doubt at Viktor. ‘Oh,’ I quickly stood up, looking at him before turning back to the chil
82EvaThe doorbell rang. I was ready, sucking in a breath before standing up.I tampered down any impulse to clean aside anything within the room more than necessary despite the urge to hide it away. He needed to see the reality of their natural environment.Passing by the strewn toys I left alone made me think back to Cory and Anthea.A swift call from them moved the sleepover Penelope spent with them to them staying with her for the entire day while I sorted things out. It was already evening and they were still with her. Considering it was evening she was no doubt also on her way to my home.She wasn't the one standing by the door at the moment however.I forced myself to relax before opening the door, his cerulean eyes meeting mine immediately.“Hi,” Viktor said.The air felt awkward yet I let him slip inside, murmuring a greeting before stepping back. He looked overwhelmed as he looked around and I couldn't blame him when I was the same way.If it wasn't for what happened earli
EvaI worked up to darkness and dim lighting engulfing me. My eyes felt heavy and my body ached but the smell of food woke me up further.It didn't take long for the past memories and pain to seep in. Swallowing hoarsely, I nearly broke down in tears again until“You're awake,”Jon's voice jolted me. I looked up to find him moving towards me, a plate in his hand along with the familiar aroma of pasta.Sitting up, I tried to smile when he reached. “Are you okay now?” He asked,“Yeah,” I nodded my voice hoarse from unuse.After crying for so long, I didn't know when I just…passed out. But looking around I was sure that a few hours had passed.I should have considered it a relief compared to holding it in, but looking at him only made more guilt swell into me.“I shouldn't have…I'm sorry for coming here unannounced.” I shifted uncomfortably. “It's okay.” Was all he said.“I'm sorry,” my voice cracked as I spoke. Even still I shouldn't have to use him as a crutch.“What happened? Or is