I ran up the stairs, my breath hitching as I wiped at the tears streaming down my face. The cold marble was unkind beneath my bare feet, but I barely noticed. My shoe dangled from Lucas’s hand as he called out behind me, his deep voice tinged with concern.“Tiff, stop! What happened? Talk to me!”I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. My chest felt like it was caving in, and the walls of the mansion seemed to close in with every step. By the time I reached our bedroom, the tears were blinding. I flung the door shut behind me and collapsed onto the bed, curling up against the headboard.The room was dark, but it didn’t matter. It matched the hollow ache in my chest, the endless void of emotions I couldn’t contain.A moment later, the door creaked open. Lucas stepped inside, his silhouette framed by the faint light from the hallway. He closed the door softly and set my shoe down near the dresser.“Tiff,” he said gently, The bed dipped under his weight as he sat beside me, his hand gently brushing
Tacoma, Seattle — 2016, June 12thAt the Rivera MansionThe mansion loomed in darkness as I stumbled through the grand double doors. The polished floors glinted faintly under the soft moonlight that filtered through the towering windows. I wasn’t drunk, but my head buzzed slightly from the margaritas Ashley insisted I try during our talk. She was a bartender after all, and mixing drinks was her language of comfort—I couldn’t blame her.My heels clicked faintly against the marble as I made my way to the kitchen. The cavernous silence of the house pressed against my ears, broken only by the sound of the faucet as I filled a glass with cold water. The icy liquid rushed down my throat, quenching the sudden dryness that came with the memory of my fight with Ethan.The argument played back in vivid fragments: harsh words hurled like daggers, his sharp retorts, and the ever-present shadow of his family. I set the glass down, gripping the counter as frustration tightened its grip on me. I knew
Four Years LaterSeattle State PrisonThe sharp clang of metal echoed through the cellblock as two guards strolled past my cell, their conversation low and filled with disinterest. The pungent smell of cigarettes wafted into the room, making me cough. I’d never liked the smell of cigars, but tonight, I’d have to endure much worse.I sat on the thin mattress of my cot, staring at the cracked ceiling, counting each second that passed. My heart raced with anticipation and fear. It was Saturday—the day prisoners were allowed a semblance of freedom. Some roamed the perimeter; others congregated in the cleaning house. This small reprieve was my opportunity.The sound of keys jangling broke my thoughts. A female guard appeared outside my cell, her face hardened by years of service.“Sadie Manchester. Elaine Rivera.”I stood, exchanging a glance with Sadie, my cellmate and closest ally. Together, we followed the guard down the cold corridor toward the cleaning house. Sadie had been my lifeline
Author’s POVAt the Rivera mansion, the air was heavy with the scent of freshly brewed coffee as Nicole curled up on the plush armchair in the living room. The steady patter of last night’s rain still lingered in the chilly morning air, making her crave the warmth of her mug. Her gaze darted between the numerous newspapers spread before her, her sharp eyes scanning every headline and detail with an intensity only she could muster.Delaney, the house help, walked in carrying yet another stack of freshly delivered papers, her arms burdened with the weight of the day’s news.“There seems to be a lot of buzz today,” Nicole remarked, setting down her half-empty mug. Her voice carried a tinge of curiosity as she spoke to her husband, Copper, who had just emerged from their bedroom, still buttoning his shirt.“Let’s hope the stock market’s dipped in our favor. That would be news worth celebrating,” Copper replied dryly, his voice betraying the fatigue of another long day managing the Rivera C
The day I fell into that water was the day I died. Not physically—no, that would have been easier—but mentally. The part of me that was hopeful, forgiving, and naive was stripped away by the cold rush of the river. I let my old self wash away with the current. What emerged was someone colder, harder, with a single mission etched into my very bones: to find Ethan’s murderer and make them pay.Pay for separating me from my daughter. Pay for throwing me in jail. Pay for taking my husband from me in cold blood. Whoever they are, they’ll face justice—my kind of justice—and when I find them, God help them.After I was shot in the back and the ankle, the river became my salvation. I’d never been much of a swimmer, but survival has a way of sharpening your instincts. I clawed my way to the riverbank, gasping and shivering, and let fate decide what was next. It brought me to the doorstep of a common villager who found me, half-dead, and nursed me back to health. For a month, I lingered in the s
Lucas Grayson?Ashley nodded absently, her gaze drifting to a man who had just passed by, his large mole a prominent feature on his head. I couldn't help but snicker under my breath. I didn’t know the man, but he was clearly another regular in this gritty bar. As I tried to recall the name Lucas Grayson, something tugged at the edge of my memory—something familiar, but too far out of reach. It was probably someone I should know. If I did, he'd be one of the high-society types that I mingled with back when I was part of the Rivera family. I shook my head. But then again, it wouldn't be too surprising if he owned a bar. Rich people had a way of spending their money on things they didn't need—bars, clubs, and all those expensive toys."Heard he bought this place like two weeks ago," Ashley continued, pulling me from my thoughts. She took my hand and led me behind the bar, an area I was decidedly not prepared to work in today. I hadn’t expected this. Heck, I didn’t even know how to mix dri
The picture in my hand began to blur, becoming translucent, and I quickly realized the reason. My tears. I dabbed at them with the corner of a clean cloth and then looked at her again. My God, she’s grown so big. A wide grin spread across my face as I stared at her. Her eyes, still the same marine blue, had grown even brighter. Her dark hair, once a messy bundle, was now styled in neat bangs. And her smile... it was just like her dad’s."That's your girl," Ashley said, tapping me on the shoulder. I nodded, pride swelling in my chest.“I’ve got to see her, Ash. Soon. Real soon.” The thought of holding her again, seeing that smile in person, was all I could think about.“I know, but you won’t break the ice with her until everything is over.” Ashley poured herself another cup of tea. She definitely needed it after last night’s drinking spree.“I know that,” I replied, rubbing my chin as I tried to devise a plan. But nothing came to mind. How would I even begin? The thought of facing my da
I blinked rapidly, trying to clear the fog in my mind. What do I tell him? Lying has never been my strong suit, and right now, it felt like I was trapped in a lie I hadn't even started. I glanced over at Ashley, who was buried in her usual whirlwind of orders, and sighed. I needed her. She was the queen of handling uncomfortable situations, but right now, I was on my own.I turned back to Hunter. He was still sitting there, waiting for an answer with a look of expectation. I was running out of excuses. My fingers absently traced the counter as I tried to form a response. Luckily, just then, a lady walked up to the bar and asked for a margarita. I seized the opportunity to distract myself by preparing the drink. It gave me time to think, time to figure out what the hell I was going to say to Hunter.As I mixed the margarita, my mind raced. Hunter didn’t seem like the typical type of guy who would poke around in people’s business, but there was something about him that made me nervous. H
I ran up the stairs, my breath hitching as I wiped at the tears streaming down my face. The cold marble was unkind beneath my bare feet, but I barely noticed. My shoe dangled from Lucas’s hand as he called out behind me, his deep voice tinged with concern.“Tiff, stop! What happened? Talk to me!”I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. My chest felt like it was caving in, and the walls of the mansion seemed to close in with every step. By the time I reached our bedroom, the tears were blinding. I flung the door shut behind me and collapsed onto the bed, curling up against the headboard.The room was dark, but it didn’t matter. It matched the hollow ache in my chest, the endless void of emotions I couldn’t contain.A moment later, the door creaked open. Lucas stepped inside, his silhouette framed by the faint light from the hallway. He closed the door softly and set my shoe down near the dresser.“Tiff,” he said gently, The bed dipped under his weight as he sat beside me, his hand gently brushing
Diana sighed dramatically, fanning herself with a manicured hand as she plopped into a chair besides her brother Cooper. “Remember when we used to run through the orchards behind the estate? Our clothes caked in mud, and Mrs. Haddock would chase us with that dreadful broom?”Cooper laughed, the sound bubbling up like champagne fizz. “And you’d always blame it on me,” he said, nudging Diana playfully. “As if anyone believed you.”“I was very convincing!” Diana retorted, feigning indignation. “You were just a terrible liar.”Cooper chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “I remember the time you convinced us all there was treasure buried near the gazebo. We spent hours digging in the dirt, only to find an old biscuit tin filled with rusted nails.”Diana grinned mischievously. “I maintain it was treasure! You just didn’t appreciate my vision. Ethan was the only one that appreciated me”I smiled faintly, the warmth of their memories washing over me like sunlight, but I couldn’t fully
ELAINE POVThe soft glow of the chandelier bathed the grand staircase in golden light as I descended, my heels clicking softly against the polished wood. The black dress Jacqueline had tailored for me clung perfectly to my frame, its high slit brushing against my thigh with each step. My hair was swept into an elegant updo, a few loose strands framing my face, and the necklace Lucas had bought me sparkled faintly against my collarbone.Lucas stood at the base of the stairs, his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his tailored navy suit. His sharp jawline was cleanly shaven, and the crisp white shirt beneath his jacket made his tan skin stand out even more. For someone who often downplayed his appearance, he looked effortlessly striking.His gaze found me as I reached the midpoint, his blue eyes darkening as they swept over me. He shifted slightly, pulling one hand out of his pocket to adjust the cuffs of his jacket—a nervous tell I’d picked up on over the months.When I reached
ELAINE’S POVLara set down two plates of scrambled eggs on the dining table, her movements precise, almost mechanical, before she walked off, casting me a warm but fleeting glare. I watched her retreating figure disappear into the hallway as the soft tap of footsteps echoed against the marble floors behind me.Lucas came into view, his presence commanding yet oddly casual. Without a word, he leaned down, his lips brushing against my cheek—close enough to the corner of my lips to send a quiet shiver down my spine. The warmth of his gesture lingered even as he pulled away and slid into the seat opposite mine.My eyes trailed over his relaxed outfit, the earthy tones of his loose brown sweatshirt with a zippered front blending effortlessly with his matching sweatpants. He was barefoot, his posture unguarded, an easy contrast to the quiet storm brewing within me. His eyes caught mine, and he smiled—a soft, crinkled smile that deepened the faint lines at the corners of his eyes.“You look
ELAINE POVAsh lay sprawled out lazily on the lounge chair by the pool the next morning, the sunlight casting a warm glow over her. Her yellow-shaded sunglasses framed her face, hiding her eyes but not the relaxed smile that played on her lips. The black dots on her white bikini stood out, accentuating her slim figure as she languidly stretched out, one arm resting over her head, the other delicately holding a glass of what looked like fruit juice. It better be juice, I thought. She's pregnant, and it's the only drink her body will tolerate these days.I took a moment to admire her from a distance, soaking in the peaceful scene. The pool's surface shimmered, mirroring the clear blue sky, the perfect backdrop for a morning of relaxation. Deciding to join her, I slipped into my own swimsuit—a sleek black two-piece. The fabric clung to my body as I adjusted the straps and made my way over. The cool stone beneath my feet felt refreshing, and I couldn't help but notice how the air smelled
ELAINE POVI sit in the dark living room of the mansion, my legs curled up in front of me on the couch, and my arms folded around my knees. The silence presses down, heavier with every tick of the ornate grandfather clock in the corner. The faint flicker of a single candle illuminates the room, casting restless shadows on the walls. I can’t stop glancing at the door, hoping to hear the creak of it opening, the sound of their footsteps. Anything.Lucas had said he was taking Ash out for some fresh air and to visit the bar. It’s something he’s done before when the weight of everything became too much for her with her current pregnant state. I didn’t question it. Not at first. But now, hours later, my worry is a living, breathing thing, curling in my chest and making it hard to focus. Where are they?My phone sits untouched on the coffee table, screen dark. I’ve checked it a dozen times, scrolling through missed calls that don’t exist and messages that haven’t come. Lucas always texts me
Lucas POVI grip Ash’s hand tightly as we step into the warehouse. The air inside is stale, laced with dust and the faint smell of mildew, and every creak of the wooden floorboards feels like a warning. I’m not about to let anything happen to her. A single scratch on her, and Elaine would never speak to me again—not in this life, at least. She’s already been suspicious of me ever since she uncovered that little mystery about my presence at the Riveras’ house on the night of the murder. I’ve been walking a razor’s edge ever since.“Stay close to me at all times,” I tell Ash, my voice firm. She rolls her eyes but nods nonetheless. Typical Ash—defiant even in the face of danger.The warehouse is eerily quiet, just as Larry and Riley described. Shelves groan under the weight of old books, their spines cracked and faded with time. Cobwebs drape every corner like grim banners, and a fine layer of dust coats the tables, disturbed only by the scurrying of rats. It’s as though this place hasn’t
With how persistent I was, Lara finally decided to make me hot chili sauce. The thing is terrible, and I don't plan on eating it, but I just felt bossing Lara around would've made me feel better, but I wasn't ok. The shredded pieces of papers that were littered all over the counter, is a constant reminder, that I'm slowly losing it.Since Diana came over yesterday, I haven't been able to think straight. If Nicole seriously files for adoption and all that, I may just lose my parenting rights as a mother. Already, the media would tag it as a woman who killed her husband, the child is better off without her.Shit!Nothing is helping me right now. Maybe, I just need a stroll or something. But I can't, because Lucas took Ellie for a long walk, and they aren't back. Ash decided to head to the bar today, but Lucas made sure she was being watched by Larry.Now, it's just me, Lara, and of course, Harry. Th
"Should I be worried?" Lucas asks when he steps on the porch and his eyes meet mine. My hands are clenched and my eyes fuming with anger. I don't know what fuels me but I swing my palm until it connects with his left cheek. His eyes narrow as he glares at me. "What was that for?""You dare ask me that?..." I scoff. "You... liar!" I yell, hitting at his chest. I look crazy right now but I need to let go of this doubt in me. I need him to tell me that he didn't do this. I really need him to."What the fuck are you talking about Elaine!" He suddenly grabs my shoulder, forcing me to look him in the eyes. I try to wiggle away but his grip is strong. "Please, talk to me""You...you were in the house the night of the murder" I sob and his eyes fall. He didn't deny it or try to argue, he was really there. My chest constrict. Is Lucas who he really says he is?have I been sleeping with Ethan'