KIAN’S POV Things are back to normal. Except that I do not exactly know what normal means anymore. Now that grandfather is gone, everything has returned to the way they used to be after Leslie left–dull and lifeless. In her absence, nothing interests me, not even work that has been my solace for
Then she places her palm on her belly, rubbing it gently, “You’re helping us create a good life for our son and I am grateful for that. Please accept my gifts, take as many as you want. It’s on me.” When she notices that everyone isn’t looking at her anymore, she turns her head to look behind her.
“I already told you that I will not let you treat me the way you see fit, Kian. I am carrying your—” “You are carrying my child! Yes! I know that! I can see it Beverly, you don’t have to remind me every goddamn time. And just like I have also said countless times, I am not denying you or our child
TRAVIS’ POVI feel an exhilarating rush of satisfaction the moment my fist connects to his face. God, I’ve been itching to do that all week but I have held myself back because of Leslie. Because she’s such a sweet soul who doesn’t condone any form of violence even when it’s directed towards a bastar
“Travis, you are right on time. Join us.” She says in a welcoming tone. “Of course, I can't turn down the offer for a free meal.” I say, settling into one of the many seats in the dining room. “Wait here, I’ll go get dad.” I nod and watch her leave. She seems happier, lighter and that just makes
KIAN’S POVI drum my fingers impatiently on my car’s steering wheel, my chest tight with both anticipation and mild nervousness. The windows of my car are shut tightly and tinted black so that no one outside can see me. I chose this very car for that one reason–I can’t be seen. At least not yet. My
LESLIE’S POV I open the front door to find Dianne standing there with a brown box in both hands. I smile at her and attempt to take it from her but she doesn’t let me, shoving her way through while I step to the side to let her in. I shut the door and follow behind her. She stops short in the mid
“Thank you so much, Dianne.” “It’s what I get paid for.” She says, standing and grabbing her bag. “I should probably leave.” My face falls, “But you just got here.” “I have to return to the office and round up a few things.” I look at the time and see that there’s only twenty more minutes
LESLIE’S POV I join Kian’s mother outside the room, closing the door behind me. She is still stewing in anger, face red with rage that’s waiting to be unleashed. Usually, I would do anything to pacify her so I wouldn't be at the receiving end of that unbridled rage. Now? Irritation is all I feel at
LESLIE’S POV (One Week Later) “If the police show up again, spray them in the face with the fire extinguisher or something.” Cole’s irritated voice filters through my phone’s speaker and it makes me crack a smile for the first time in a week. “Pretty sure I would get arrested for that.” “Not
LESLIE’S POV My reflexes work faster than they ever have. Fast enough to help me roll away, and bump into Beverly in the process. Mike relentlessly stalks towards me and that’s when I get a good look at his affected leg. I time his movement and before he can take another angry swing of his weapon
LESLIE’S POV Seconds after Beverly crumples to the ground, my breath is still caught in my throat. I’m still trembling as I watch her sprawled on the floor, body jerking uncontrollably. I’m amazed at my strength to still remain standing despite the traumatising scene in front of me. To still grip t
LESLIE’S POV Our hearts are already in our mouths before we see what jumped at us—a ginormous rat, every bit as scared as us. It runs at full speed and scurries into the nearby bush. “All clear.” She mutters and we both step into the shed using her phone’s flashlight. It’s a full shed; a bunch of
LESLIE’S POV We’re barely two minutes away from the abandoned school gate when the engine starts to sputter, the entire truck shaking with the intensity. “No…no…no…no, not now!” Beverly lets out a panicked groan. I am preoccupied with looking behind us to make sure we’re not being followed but at
LESLIE’S POV Kian doesn’t know it—the name of Mike’s sister. I can tell from the way his entire face has gone even paler than it was before. Earlier, it had been pale from the pain of the injuries from the accident that I still don’t know the extent of. Now, he has turned ashen from something m
LESLIE’S POV The sound of my name reaches me from somewhere distant. The sound is repeated just like the throbbing ache in my head. When I finally manage to pry open my eyes, the feeling of deja vu washes over me. My hands and legs are bound tightly just like three years ago in that warehouse.
BEVERLY’S POV The familiar beeping sound that comes from my phone causes me to jerk upright. My eyes train on the screen, following the movement of a blinking red dot on the map. He’s on the move. I slam a couple of bills on the coffee table before hurrying out of the cafe where I had been havi