Days Later Amelia was sitting in her room, staring blankly at the novel she had been trying to read for the past hour. The words blurred together as her mind wandered back to the tension that had filled the house since Cynthia and Jacob had moved in. Richard barely spoke to her or her mother anymore. All his attention was now on Cynthia and the boy he’d claimed as his son. Amelia could feel her anger simmering just beneath the surface. Cynthia’s constant belittling comments, her thinly veiled insults about how Amelia was “too pampered” or “had it too easy.” Richard, of course, said nothing, seemingly oblivious to the tension in the house. His attention was wholly devoted to Cynthia and Jacob, as if Amelia and her mother didn’t even exist. The shift was subtle at first, but it became undeniable when Cynthia began asking Amelia to do menial tasks. It started innocently—“Amelia, can you help Jacob with his homework?” or “Amelia, do you mind setting the table?”—but it quickly es
AVA It had been days since we returned from that cursed vacation. The villa was supposed to be a retreat, a place to unwind and reconnect, but it had nearly been our end. I could still feel the icy water swallowing me, the terror of sinking deeper, my lungs screaming for air. Every night, I jolted awake, heart pounding, the drowning feeling pulling me back into that nightmare. And every night, Liam was there—his arms strong around me, his voice a soothing lull, whispering, “I’ve got you. You’re safe. We’re safe.” I didn’t want to think about it anymore—about how Uncle John’s twisted plan had almost killed us. We were back, alive, and I needed to focus on that. "Liam?" I called, standing by the window, watching the sun rise slowly over the city skyline. The golden light felt like a promise of something better, something more. "What do you think about going out today? Just… us." He looked up from the bed where he had been buried in. His brow furrowed for a second, then softened
AVA The storm outside was relentless, rain hammering against the windows like a never-ending rhythm of tension. I slipped out of bed carefully, not wanting to wake Liam. His steady breathing told me he was still asleep, or at least pretending to be. I didn’t want to think too much about that. Padding downstairs, I made my way to the kitchen, craving something to calm my nerves—a glass of water, anything to break the silence that clung to me like damp air. As I reached the bottom of the stairs, the dim light from the kitchen caught my attention. I wasn’t alone. My heart gave a slight jolt. Davies was there, leaning against the counter, a glass of something strong in his hand. “Couldn’t sleep either, huh?” he asked, his voice low and smooth, like the man himself. His eyes, however, held that familiar glint—the one that always made me uneasy. The one that felt like he saw right through me and enjoyed what he saw. “No,” I replied, my voice tight. “Just came down for some water.” I c
DAYS LATER Cynthia stood in the living room, her arms crossed defiantly. Jacob, her young son, played quietly on the floor, oblivious to the tension that filled the air. Richard paced back and forth, frustration evident in his furrowed brow. “Jacob can’t be around Amelia anymore,” Cynthia’s voice pierced through the stillness of the living room, sharp and accusatory. She had stumbled upon Amelia being hostile towards Jacob and she intended to use it to her ultimate advantage. “I don’t want my son around anyone who might hurt him,” Cynthia continued. “Amelia is a liability.” “Cynthia, you can’t just come in here and make wild accusations,” Richard said, trying to maintain his composure. Cynthia shot him an incredulous look. “You think I’m making this up? Amelia has been openly hostile toward Jacob! I won’t let him be around someone who might harm him.” “I never threatened Jacob!” Amelia interjected upon entering the living room with fire in her eyes. “This is ridiculous.” Cynthi
Cynthia's plan had been in motion for weeks, and now it was beginning to bear fruit. Richard had started spending more time away Isabella, citing business and meetings, but everyone knew where he was. He was always with her—Cynthia—and his bastard son, Jacob. It felt like he got the family he always truly wanted. He’d would always take Jacob and Cynthia out, regardless of the effect it would have on his reputation. Isabella, now isolated in her own home, could feel the weight of Cynthia’s growing influence. And she felt totally helpless. In the living room, Amelia sat quietly, watching her mother move around with a noticeable sadness. Isabella barely spoke these days, and when she did, her voice was tired, as if she’d lost a piece of herself. “Mom, you need to do something,” Amelia finally broke the silence, her voice thick with frustration. Isabella sighed, placing a cup of tea in front of her daughter. “What can I do, Amelia? He’s your father. He’s been like this sinc
AVA I lay in bed, wrapped in the warmth of Liam’s arms, the soft glow of the morning sun casting a warm hue over us. His chest rose and fell gently against my back, each breath igniting a spark of comfort and desire deep within me. I could feel his heartbeat, steady and reassuring, a rhythm that felt like home. “Have I told you how beautiful you are?” Liam murmured, his voice low and intimate. I turned slightly to face him, a playful smile dancing on my lips. “Not in the last five minutes.” He chuckled softly, brushing a thumb along my cheek. “Well, consider yourself informed,” he said, leaning in to capture my lips in a slow, lingering kiss. As our mouths moved together, the world outside faded away. My fingers tangled in his hair, and I could feel the heat radiating from him, drawing me closer. I deepened the kiss, pouring all my longing into that moment, savoring the taste of him—warm and intoxicating. When we finally pulled apart, both breathless, I felt a rush of bold
Cynthia stood by the kitchen window, peeking through the curtains to make sure no one was watching. Her eyes glinted with cold calculation as she looked down at the small bottle of olive oil in her hand. She had planned this perfectly. A wicked smile curled her lips. Sacrificing her own son wasn’t something that bothered her. After all, it was a means to an end—her end goal of controlling Richard entirely. Cynthia peered around the corner to check if the coast was clear. She listened intently for any signs of life from the other rooms—silence. Satisfied, she moved swiftly, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. Slipping into the kitchen, she opened a drawer and pulled out a small bottle of olive oil. A wicked smile curved her lips as she twisted the cap off, pouring a thin, nearly invisible stream of oil along the top three steps of the staircase. She quickly wiped the bottle clean, placed it back where it belonged, and took a deep breath. "This should be enough," s
The sun streamed through the large windows of Richard’s mansion, casting an almost serene glow over the breakfast table—a stark contrast to the tension that weighed heavily in the air. Richard sat at the head of the table, his eyes fixed on his phone, seemingly oblivious to the thick cloud of discomfort that hung over his family. Across from him, Amelia sat stiffly, her hands folded tightly in her lap. The events of the previous night still haunted her, her father's harsh accusations ringing in her ears. Cynthia, seated beside Richard, was the only one who appeared completely at ease, her lips curled into a slight, smug smile as she calmly spread butter on her toast. Isabella quietly sipped her coffee, her eyes flicking between her daughter and Richard, unsure of how to break the silence. She could feel Amelia’s simmering anger and hurt from across the table, and her heart ached to fix it. But she knew it wasn’t that simple anymore. The clinking of silverware was the only sound