RENEEIt had been four days since I arrived in Aspen—four blissful days since Robert had whisked me away on a private plane to the luxurious cabin he owned. A beautiful recap? So, the day after we arrived, he was mostly involved in work-related activities while I was out and about in the city. On the second, however, we spent meaningful time together. The next day, he took me to a car racing event, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Then, we had lunch at a prominent Italian restaurant. When we returned to the cabin, Robert took me on a long romantic walk over the cabin grounds before taking me to the bedroom, where he passionately made love to me for hours. And I loved every minute of it. I could still feel his body against mine, his firm, warm hands grabbing my hips as he pushed into my feminine warmth. The sensation of him between my thighs and being entirely consumed by him would always be etched into my brain. Being with Robert constantly altered my brain chemistry. It was nothing new.
ROBERT"The lady is with me." I firmly repeated, wrapping my arms around Renee's waist and drawing her close. I sized up the man before me, noting his thin frame, dark eyes, and brown hair trimmed short and spiked at one end. He was impeccably dressed, as was everyone else in the room, but something about him stood out. I suddenly became wary of him for no apparent reason. Perhaps it was the determined expression on his face and his straight stance. Or maybe it was how he held his head high, a cheeky grin on his face as he scrutinized me with undisguised attention. "And you are?" He asked, his attention drawn back to Renee as if anticipating an answer from her. He made no mistake concealing his feelings for her.I hated it. Hated the way he fucking looked at her, like a predator assessing its prey. It enraged me and made me want to strike him in the face and wipe that arrogant look off. But I restrained myself. I forced myself to remain calm, maintaining a neutral expression even as
Envy is the cowardly side of Hate, and all her ways are bleak and desolate. ~ Henry Abbey.~•~AMANDA I was listening to a crime podcast about a woman who committed suicide in her toilet with an acid bath. The only thing that kept her from dying on impact was a tiny piece of metal that had embedded itself into her skin, preventing the chemical from spreading — it sounded absurd that something as insignificant as a metallic piece could delay her death for a few seconds. But this was a crime story. That tidbit was probably fabricated to make the story more twisted and dramatic. The show was a popular one called Serial. I'd become accustomed to hearing the voices of detectives and crime fans debating unsolved murders. It was the type of show where one might listen to everything from common facts to conspiracy theories and deep evil secrets, ranging from drug overdoses to random acts of violence, such as serial killer cases and accidents. Each one appealed to my dark side and entertaine
RENEE The silk fabric covering my eyes was tight and uncomfortable, but the anticipation of where Robert was taking me made the discomfort bearable. The sensation kept me going, and my heart pounded as I followed him with a barely restrained thrill. He kept my body pressed against his, his arms possessively clutching my waist. Now and then, my lips would touch the back of his neck in a fleeting kiss — one that would have been more intimate if not for our current circumstances. Nevertheless, the aroma of piney forests and lush grasses confirmed my guess - we were on the cabin grounds.We'd left the art exhibit moments before, and in the limo, Robert pulled out a blindfold from his pocket and urged me to close my eyes. My brows furrowed in astonishment, and I'd wanted to object, but he didn't give me the chance. Instead, smiling, he’d kissed me sweetly on the forehead and said, “This is part of something special I've prepared for you tonight, baby girl. So obey me.” He finished. Bef
ROBERT "I'm glad you had a good time, Renee. It has been a joy to host you.""Thank you so much for everything. This was incredible." Renee responded in kind I watched her eyes flit over my shoulder when she finished her last sentence.Her shoulders stooped slightly, indicating she wasn't only talking about Mrs. Herbert's hospitality. She meant more with her comments, which were directed at me. I knew it, and as my gaze remained fixed on her and the frail older woman sweetly holding her, I c ouldn't stop the smile from dancing about my lips. Of course, she'd had a fantastic time here thanks to me, and my grin deepened just thinking about it. It hadn't been difficult persuading the staff to make this cabin extra special for our first romantic holiday, and Mrs. Herbert had been the ideal company for Renee whenever I was away. The previous several days had been nothing short of a frenzy of activity and absolute heaven with the love of my life. If I could turn back time, I would. I wi
RENEE As I repeatedly vomited into the toilet, I battled to keep my breathing under control.This morning, I woke with a pounding headache and a parched tongue. My throat was like sandpaper, and my skin was clammy. I'd taken a long hot shower, eaten breakfast, and was about to start getting dressed when I realized I was feeling worse than ever. I felt lightheaded, and a wave of nausea came over me like an unexpected storm. From then on, everything went downhill. I'd run to the bathroom in nothing but a towel, throwing up everything I'd eaten. I retched uncontrollably till my stomach ached. My nostrils were filled with the icy stink of my vomit, my eyes burned with unshed tears, and my vision swirled erratically.The cold tiles of the bathroom floor dug into my bare knees, leaving behind icy, pinprick sensations that did nothing to relieve my suffering. This was horrible, and I was on the verge of passing out. But my sheer willpower kept me upright—that and Nicole's presence beside m
RENEE THERE WAS NOTHING BUT DARKNESS. A thick black veil engulfed me, and I couldn't see a thing. I couldn't move, and my limbs stiffened. Then SILENCE. It was smothering and left me feeling empty and hollow. Like a dead person. Like nothing. And all I wanted to do was scream for rescue. I wanted to scream, wail, and tear my throat out. But I couldn't. I could only stay motionless and silent. DARKNESS AGAIN. It threatened to suck me in. To suffocate and consume me. I wished it would all end. The terror. The agony.Then, all of a sudden, it did stop—and in its place, a weird sound echoed in my ears, making itself heard.It sounded like a gentle hum at first, but then I realized it was the steady tick of a nearby clock. But I was mistaken. It wasn't a clock that was ticking. The sound was a muted buzzing—constant beeping machines accompanied by various whirring noises and people conversing. It sounded far away. As I sought to figure out what they were saying, I burst through the dar
RENEE It took me thirty seconds to understand what Nicole said. Thirty seconds, during which the entire world slowed down. Every heartbeat pounding hard against my chest increasingly solidified as a single word echoed over and over in my head. Pregnant. I was carrying a child inside me. Robert’s child. Our child.My goodness! In nine months, I’d be a mother. For nine fucking months, I'd carry a living, breathing human inside of me! As I took it all in, a moment of clarity hit. This explained the weight gain Sally noticed, my persistent nausea, and the morning sickness. The feeling in the pit of my stomach that came when I overate or drank alcohol. This explained it all. Everything was starting to make sense. I also remembered a conversation with Robert the day before about having mini-us’s someday. It’d seemed like an idyllic fantasy at the time, but now the reality was so much crueler."Oh, my God." My voice cracked as tears streamed down my cheeks, mixed with the sweat and drie
RENEEI had no idea where Robert was taking me tonight, and I didn't ask.He'd told me it was a surprise, and though I was used to him spoiling me, tonight felt different.Was it because this was our first date in months or because we had so much to celebrate? I couldn’t say.And so, when our vehicle stopped in front of a large, automated gate I instantly recognized from the first—and only—time he brought me here, I didn't try to hide my confusion."The hangar?!" I asked after we bypassed security, and the car crept forward to the main building.Robert got out, walking around to open my door. He held his arm out to help me down, but I ignored him and stepped out on my own."Are we flying out for this date?" I asked again as we approached the building, its massive entrance doors sliding open."Yes, we are, baby," he replied immediately, wrapping an arm around me from behind and guiding me through the doors.As we entered the hangar, which looked exactly as I remembered it, with its bri
ROBERT On the way home, my phone buzzed with a text. ‘All is set, sir,’ it read, followed by a wink emoji. ‘Congratulations in advance!’ The text was from Mark, who was to coordinate the surprise I’d planned for Renee tonight—the surprise marking the start of our new chapter. Smirking as I read the message, I quickly typed thanks, before sliding the phone into my breast pocket and taking a glance out the window. The car pulled into the driveway, and before the driver could get out to open my door, I was stepping out. The house staff warmly greeted me as I entered, and one informed me that Renee was in the backyard garden. Nodding gratefully, I made my way there. Sure enough, I spotted her. She stood near the daisies—her miracle flowers she called them. She once told me about a dream where she saw a whole field of daisies. And now she was determined to grow them everywhere in our garden. I smiled softly as I stood there, admiring and taking in every detail of her gorge
ROBERT I watched as the officers led Amanda out of the courtroom, her shackled hands clasped behind her back and her head hanging low. She looked broken. Defeated. And whereas she'd walked in confidently earlier, flashing a smug grin at me, now her feet dragged, and she didn't dare to look up. She couldn't, though, not after all that’d happened. Seeing her like this, knowing she finally got her karma, a bitter satisfaction curled in my chest. Finally, she got what she deserved. After the chaos, the wreck—the way she'd torn through my life, Renee's, and so many others—she would finally pay. This was her end. Her retribution. And it was brutal, yes, but it was also entirely fitting. "Yes," I breathed out, an invisible weight, one I'd carried for far too long, lifting from my chest. "Damn, I feel good," I murmured under my breath, and a smile formed on my lips. God! I couldn't wait to get home to Renee. I couldn't wait to tell her it was all over. That we’d won, and Aman
Your worst sin is that you have destroyed and betrayed yourself for nothing. ~ Fyodor Dostoevsky. ~•~AMANDA TWO MONTHS LATER Typically, a day begins when the clock strikes midnight, and the seconds tick.For some, it begins at seven a.m. or earlier. But today, my day began when the courthouse doors swung open and the bailiff ushered me and my lawyer into the courtroom. As we walked in, a hushed murmur rippled through the room, and for a moment, my stomach clenched—not in nervousness, but in anticipation. Which was strange given my crimes.Any prisoner convicted of murder would probably feel fear. Fear of their impending punishment, fear of the unknown consequences of their actions, fear of being executed. They'd also feel guilty, combine that with a sense of helplessness, and voila!But see, I wasn't just any prisoner. I was Amanda Clarke, and I feared no one. I feared nothing. As a convict who'd hired the best defense attorney in the country—my lawyer's record was pristine wi
RENEE "Look who's getting out of these four bleached walls today!" Nicole squealed with delight the moment she entered the room. She ran toward me, arms outstretched. "I'm so happy, Renee." She sniffled. "So fucking happy." "As am I," I said, hugging her with all my strength. "Where's Mom?" I asked. "She's at home, er, the mansion, preparing for your arrival," Nicole said. "I suspect you're going to eat a lot today, my friend," she added, and I laughed. "I can only imagine." I groaned and let go of her when Robert and the nurse assigned to check me out of the hospital arrived. She pushed a wheelchair into the room, signaling it was time for me to leave. As Robert turned to greet Nicole, the nurse, a petite young lady, attended to me. She introduced herself, asked a few questions, provided some healthcare instructions, and then it was time to fill out the discharge paperwork, which Robert quickly took charge of. As usual, he wasn’t letting me lift a finger. It’d been
ROBERTShe was awake.God, she was awake.I couldn't believe it, but as my legs carried me across the room and toward her, yes, Renee was awake. She was alive. She was conscious. And she was looking at me with teary brown eyes, muttering my name repeatedly. As I reached her bedside in a flash, and despite the doctor's warnings to take things easy, I pulled her into my arms and hugged her hard. Tight. Bone crushingly. The tears dropped faster than ever, and I cried. I sobbed. I turned into a blubbering mess, not caring about the doctor or nurses in the room. I just let the fucking grief out because it was about damn time. "Oh, God... Oh, Renee..." I mumbled, my voice breaking as I buried my face in her hair. "I... I thought you wouldn't make it. I thought I had lost you forever." My body shook violently as I spoke, but it didn’t stop my arms from tightening around her. I wanted to permanently hold her close. To never, ever let go of her."You didn't lose me." She whispered, her v
RENEE My dreams were a blur. I saw everything and nothing. I remembered everything and nothing. There was sunshine, and there was rain. There was light, and there was darkness. It was all so beautiful, but so terrifying. It was like time stopped, and I could do nothing about it. Everything felt surreal and I couldn't make sense of it. But then, suddenly… a feeling overtook me—a familiar feeling. The feeling of being alive. Of being whole. Of being complete. There was no more pain, blurry dreams, distorted visions, or anything else. There was only peace. And that peace woke me up. That peace made me move. That peace snapped me from my trance. Eyes fluttering open, the first thing I saw was a white ceiling. Then white walls and curtains. I blinked several times to orient myself to where I was, but the room appeared unfamiliar. It looked like… a hospital room. But why would I be there? I blinked slowly, trying to adjust my eyes to the sunlight streaming through
‘You’re my sunshine. My only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey. You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you… please don’t take my sunshine away.’The sky really was grey, almost black in its intensity. It looked like a storm could burst out at any moment and unleash its wrath on anything within sight. But he didn't care. Robert. He just stood in the field of daisies, arms crossed, staring up at the gray sky as if it were the most wondrous thing in the world. And he was singing. Singing with that bassy, beautiful voice of his. The one Renee had fallen for. That made her heart skip a beat and sent butterflies fluttering through her stomach. ‘When the sky is dark, and the clouds are thick, I will keep you warm through the rain. And I will always be with you through the wind and snow. I love you. I love you. I love you.’He kept singing, his voice carrying through the air and reverberating throughout the field, causing even the smallest flowers to sway gently to his me
ROBERT“…bad news, Robert. You need to get here. Renee… She was drugged. Or poisoned. I…I'm not sure, but she fainted. She’s in a critical condition, and her life is hanging on by a thread…”Nicole's words swarmed and raced in my mind like angry gnats as I rushed past the hospital's reception, the busy ER nurses and medics, and through the bustling hospital corridors to the VIP room reserved exclusively for the Clarke household.I could hear my heart thumping steadily, but the agony was nothing compared to the million terrifying thoughts flying through my mind. Every thought brought me back to that single word. Drugged. Or was it…Poisoned?Renee had been poisoned. Fuck no!This couldn’t be real. What I’d heard on the phone earlier wasn’t true, neither was this situation. It was a prank. Maybe someone, Nicole or Renee herself, was pulling a cruel joke on me.Yes. That’s it. And by the heavens, my woman was okay. She was at the mansion, and the party was still in full swing. She wasn’t