REINA I frantically scanned the deserted streets, my heart racing with every passing second. "Andrew!" I screamed, my voice echoing off the buildings. Ethan's hand clasped mine, his grip tight with reassurance. As we sprinted through the neighborhood, I felt like I was losing my mind. Every alleyway and side street seemed to stretch on forever. The chill of the evening air clung to my skin, but my fear and adrenaline numbed me to it. We turned a corner, and my gaze locked onto the playground where Andrew loved to play. The swings creaked ominously in the wind, the slide gleaming like a skeletal finger. Memories of laughter and picnics flooded my mind, and my breath caught. "Ethan," I whispered, my voice trembling. "He was here. I know it." Ethan's eyes followed mine, his expression softening. "We'll find him," he promised, his voice low and steady. I rushed toward the playground, Ethan's arm wrapping around my shoulders. Together, we searched every inch, calling Andrew's name u
REINA Ethan's arms still wrapped around me, holding me together as we sat on the couch, the silence between us heavy with unspoken fears. My mind raced with the same haunting question: who could be monstrous enough to steal my child?"Who could do this?" I whispered, my voice barely audible, the words trembling on my lips.Ethan's eyes narrowed, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Victor's still a possibility," he said, his tone laced with concern.I shuddered at the mention of his name, memories of Victor's obsession with me flooding back. His fixation had nearly destroyed us before, and now...now he might have Andrew."But Lucy..." Ethan trailed off, his voice dripping with skepticism.My mind flashed back to Lucy's betrayal, her deceitful smile etched in my memory. "She's capable of this, isn't she?" I asked, my words laced with venom.Ethan's expression turned grim, his jaw clenched. "We can't rule her out," he admitted.I thought of Lucy's cunning, her ability to manipulate ot
REINA Detective James arrived, his eyes scanning the clue. "Where did you find this?" he asked, his gaze locking onto the scribbled words. "Hidden behind Andrew's nightstand," Ethan replied, his voice firm. Detective James's gaze narrowed. "The handwriting looks familiar," he muttered, his mind already racing with connections. I leaned in, studying the clue intensely. A faint symbol caught my eye, stirring a mix of fear and recognition. My heart skipped a beat as I whispered, "The Omega sign." Ethan's eyes met mine, filled with questions. "What does it mean?" he asked. Memories flooded back, and I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "It's Victor's organization," I explained. "They used it as a signature, a calling card." Detective James's expression turned grim, his jaw clenched. "This confirms Victor's involvement," he stated. Ethan's face darkened. "We have to bring him in," he urged. But I knew Victor's reach was vast, his resources and connections a formidable obstacl
REINA We burst through the door, guns drawn, our flashlights illuminating the cramped space. Andrew's whimpering grew louder, and my heart raced with every step. Ethan swept the room, his gaze locking onto the figures huddled in the corner. Victor's henchmen. My blood boiled. "Let him go," Ethan growled, his gun trained on the nearest thug. The henchmen sneered, their eyes cold and calculating. One stepped forward, Andrew clutched in his meaty grasp. "You'll never take him alive," he snarled. My eyes locked on Andrew, his eyes wide with fear. Ethan edged forward, his gun unwavering. "Let. Him. Go." The standoff was palpable, tension hanging like a live wire. The henchman's grip on Andrew tightened, and I saw red. "Don't hurt him!" I screamed. Ethan's voice remained calm, icy. "Last chance." The henchman sneered, but a flicker of doubt danced in his eyes. Suddenly, he shoved Andrew forward, and I lunged, catching my son in a desperate hug. Ethan's gun never wavered. "G
ETHANI studied Lucy's face, searching for any sign of deception. Her eyes seemed sincere, but I knew better than to trust appearances."Reina, we need to consider Lucy's offer," I said, my voice low and measured.Reina's gaze narrowed. "We can't trust her, Ethan.""I know," I replied. "But Lucy knows Victor's plans. Her information could be invaluable."Reina's expression remained skeptical. "And what's to stop her from betraying us again?"I turned to Lucy. "That's the question, isn't it?"Lucy's eyes flashed with determination. "I swear, Ethan, I've had enough of Victor's manipulation. I want out."I weighed the risks and benefits, my mind racing with scenarios.With Lucy's help, we might finally bring Victor down.But at what cost?If Lucy betrayed us again...No, I couldn't let doubt consume me."Alright, Lucy," I said, my voice firm. "You're in. But one wrong move, and you're out."Lucy's face lit up with gratitude.Reina's disapproval was palpable."Let's move," I said, my gaze
ETHAN I sprang into action, my reflexes honed from years of training. Victor's finger tightened on the trigger, and I knew I had mere milliseconds to react. "Andrew, no!" Reina screamed. I lunged forward, my body shielding Andrew from the potential bullet. My hand closed around Victor's wrist, twisting it sharply. The gun clattered to the deck, skidding across the floor. Victor's eyes widened in rage, his face reddening. "You'll pay for this," he snarled. I slammed him against the boat's railing, my grip unyielding. "Reina, get Andrew to safety," I ordered. Reina's tear-stained face appeared beside me, her eyes locked on Andrew. "Come on, baby," she whispered, pulling Andrew into a tight hug. Lucy stepped forward, her gun trained on Victor. "It's over," she said, her voice firm. Victor's gaze flicked between us, his expression twisted in defeat. "You'll never win," he spat. I tightened my grip on Victor's wrist. "We already have," I growled. Victor's eyes gleamed wit
REINAI collapsed onto Ethan's couch, Andrew snuggled tightly in my arms. The warmth of Ethan's living room enveloped us, a haven from the chaos.But I couldn't shake off the emotions swirling inside.Grief.Guilt.Gratitude.They tangled together, a toxic mix threatening to consume me.I buried my face in Andrew's hair, tears streaming down my face.How could Lucy do this?How could she betray us?The questions echoed through my mind, a relentless drumbeat.Ethan sat beside me, his gentle hand on my shoulder."Reina, it's okay," he whispered.But it wasn't okay.I felt like I'd failed Andrew, failed to protect him.Guilt gnawed at my soul, its razor-sharp teeth tearing me apart."I should have known," I sobbed.Ethan pulled me close, Andrew still clutched in my arms."You couldn't have known," he soothed.But I couldn't shake off the feeling of responsibility.Lucy's betrayal cut deep.We'd trusted her.And she'd used that trust to manipulate us.I shuddered, memories flooding back.
LUCYMemories swirled in my mind like a maelstrom, threatening to drown me. The cold cell walls closed in, suffocating me, as I struggled to comprehend how my life had unraveled.How did I end up here, trapped in this bleak reality?My thoughts drifted back to the beginning, to Victor, the charismatic and driven individual who had captivated me in college. Our bond was forged in ambition, our passion and idealism igniting a fire that promised to change the world."Together, we'll change the world," Victor had promised, his eyes burning with conviction.I had believed him, entrusting my heart and future to his vision.But as our relationship deepened, Victor's true nature slowly revealed itself – control, manipulation, and gaslighting. I was trapped, ensnared in a web of deceit and fear.Yet, I stayed, seduced by the promise of a better future, for Andrew's sake.Victor's words echoed in my mind, "Our son will be the key to our success." I thought he meant a better life, not a pawn in
EthanI could not sit still. Not after everything that has been happening.My fingers drummed against the edge of the hotel desk as my eyes looked towards the door for the hundredth time. I had double-checked the lock, slid the chain in place, and even propped a chair under the handle. But it was not enough. Not when I knew someone was following me.All these things felt like deja vu because something like this has happened to me before I moved to the country my family is in. Why was all these messing up with my life? “They have been watching us. There are cameras in the house.” I remembered Reina's words. And now this being tailed by a black car, the creeping feeling that every step I took was being tracked. I ran my hands through my hair and each strand was damp with sweat. I felt trapped and powerless, and it was eating me alive.My phone buzzed on the desk. I snatched it up, my heart pounding, hoping it was Reina. It was not.It was Carl. He never backed down even when I told
Reina I was scared to death, unaware of what to do. Ethan had been yelling at me that I should call the cops. “Call the cops now! Reina!” I wish I could. My hands were shaking and I could not dial the number correctly. When I was able to call the cops, the line operator answered and I heard a faint knock at the back door. My breath caught in my throat.“Reina?” Ethan’s voice came in again. I knew he heard the noise. “They are at the back door,” I whispered with tears streaming down my face. I could not believe that I would be crying this minute. See what we have gotten ourselves into. “Get out of there,” he said. “Now.”“I can’t. It's not that easy,” I said, my voice barely audible.“Then hide,” he said. “Go somewhere safe and stay there until the police arrive. I’m on my way, Reina. I promise.”On your way? Oh, Ethan. I know that you haven't booked a flight yet even though you pleaded with me that you will book the next available flight. I hung up and bolted toward the pantr
ReinaThe house has always been this quiet in the past few days. The kind of quiet that made every creak of the floorboards and every faint rustle outside feel like something heavy. I sat at the kitchen table, staring at the unknown number on my phone screen. My hands were trembling as I read the message again.“You’re in over your head, Mrs. Reina. Tell your husband to back off and leave Japan or you will both regret it.I had seen my fair share of threats in my career. The angry competitors, disgruntled clients, jealous rivals but this was different and more dangerous. I knew Ethan was in danger. I knew I was in danger. But what chilled me to the bone was the realization that whoever sent this message didn’t just know about us, they were watching us. They had their eyes on us. I felt like I was suffocating, the walls of the house closing in around me. I needed air. I needed to breathe. I ran outside so that I wouldn't faint and the cool night breeze kept on hitting my face as I
ReinaThe sun was just beginning to set when I heard the sharp knock on the door. It was unusual. I wasn’t expecting anyone.I froze, my mind immediately flashing back to Leonard’s warnings and Detective Daniels’ advice to stay vigilant. For a moment, I considered not answering, but the knock came again, louder this time.“Reina, it’s me,” a familiar voice called out.Leonard.My stomach churned as I tiptoed to the peephole. Sure enough, there he was, standing in a crisp black suit, his expression unreadable.I opened the door just enough to see him. “What are you doing here?” I asked sharply.“We need to talk,” Leonard said, his voice calm but urgent.“We have nothing to talk about,” I replied, starting to close the door.He pushed it open slightly, his hand on the frame. “Please, Reina. This is important. It’s about Ethan.”That made me pause. I didn’t trust Leonard as far as I could throw him, but the mention of Ethan pulled at my resolve. Reluctantly, I stepped aside and let him i
EthanI stood by the window in my hotel room, staring at the city lights shining brightly against the night sky.The streets below were alive with honking cars and I could hear laughter, and the distant thrum of music right here in my room. Yet inside this room, the silence I felt indifferent. I felt something that I could not quite shake off. The events of the last two days replayed in my mind like a broken record. The redhead, the alcohol, the shame. And Carl, my so-called friend who had managed to vanish when I needed him most.I clenched my fists, anger bubbling under the surface. “You are an idiot, Ethan,” I muttered to myself. “An absolute idiot.”My phone buzzed on the bedside table, snapping me out of my thoughts. I reached for it, half-expecting Reina’s name to light up the screen. But it wasn’t her.It was Carl. “Come on dude. Let me be.”I hated the way I was dwelling on all of these. I had work to do and I haven't been able to do anything yet. For a moment, I conside
ReinaThe dinner with Leonard didn't go as expected. As usual, he was cutting through corners. If he knew that I had submitted his name to the cops, maybe he would have given me more information. I was left to rack my brain over this. This was something that was meant to be the detectives work but I have not gotten any report from them. I wanted to call them to ask if they are making any progress but I guess I should just wait for some time. I sat at my desk, staring at my computer screen. The article I had been reading earlier blurred before my eyes. Leonard's words from the night before were still looping in my head. How would I get him to tell me all I need to know?Ethan was in Japan and some unknown people see plotting to kill him. Getting anything from Leonard seemed impossible especially when I knew that he was more interested in my body. But, I can't give in him or anyone. I was w married woman and I had a child. "They see Ethan as a threat,” I repeated as I thought alou
EthanThe cold shower did little to wash away the guilt clinging to my skin. I stood there, water pouring over me, hoping the icy sting would calm the storm in my chest. But it didn’t.I was haunted by memories and all I could see and hear and feel were The redhead’s laughter, her touch, the softness of her lips. it all kept on haunting leaving a relentless echo in my mind.“You are a fool, Ethan,” I muttered, slamming my fist against the tiled wall. “A bloody fool. How could you do such a thing?”I turned off the shower and stepped out, grabbing a towel. My reflection in the fogged-up mirror stared back at me. I looked like a total stranger. A stranger with bloodshot eyes and a fucked up face. This was not me. This was not the man I promised Reina I would be.Reina. My sweet wife. Her face swam before my eyes and I could still see her bright smile, the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed. What would she think of me now? Would she even look at me the same way if she knew what
ReinaThe clock on my desk kept ticking loudly and I wondered if it was because I was paying attention to even the little things that I was able to hear it. On a normal day, I would care less about a clock. The sound of the clock was made louder by the silence that engulfed the house. At first, I was sketching a few designs that I was going to put up for sale in the online market but my attention became divided when I remembered that there was something I had to do quickly. tapped my pen against the edge of my notebook, staring at the half-written page in front of me. Research on Leonard had consumed my thoughts for the past two days, but the deeper I dug, the murkier things became.Something about him didn’t sit right with me.I sighed, pushing the notebook aside and reaching for my phone. My messages with Ethan stared back at me, our recent exchange still fresh.“Hey. Busy morning. I will call you tonight. Miss you.”His words these days had been reassuring, but something felt of
EthanI woke up to the sound of a door closing softly, followed by the faint click of heels on the floor. My head throbbed, pounding restlessly that made even the dim morning light coming through the curtains feel unbearable. Letting out a soft groan I tried to sit up, but the heaviness in my limbs kept me pinned to the bed.And then it hit me. I was naked. In her. By this time. I blinked, looking down to see the rumpled sheets tangled around my naked body. My stomach twisted as I began to remember what happened last night. The memories kept flooding back and I could not move. Her red hair glowed under the blue lights. Her laughter. Her hands. Her lips.Oh, my God! What have I done?The door clicked shut, and I turned just in time to catch a glimpse of her fiery hair as she disappeared down the hallway. She didn’t say goodbye. She didn’t even look back.I sat up quickly, clutching the sheets as if they could shield and protect me from the shame threatening to consume me. My cl