Carter couldn’t shake the unease that had settled over him since Loretta’s visit. He’d noticed how she and his wife, Iris, had become inseparable lately, their laughter filling the house more often than his own conversations with Iris.One evening, as Iris set the table for dinner, Carter approached her, trying to mask his apprehension.“Iris, can we talk for a moment?”She looked up, a hint of concern in her eyes. “Of course, what’s on your mind?”“It’s about Loretta,” he began, choosing his words carefully. “I feel like you two have been spending a lot of time together.”Iris smiled, a touch of amusement in her expression. “Is someone feeling left out?”“It’s not that,” Carter replied, forcing a chuckle. “I just… I have a bad feeling about her.”Iris’s smile faded. “A bad feeling? Carter, she’s been a great friend, especially with everything going on with Grandma Martha.”“I know, and I appreciate that,” he said, his tone earnest. “But something doesn’t sit right with me. I don’t th
Carter Windsor paced Hugh’s apartment, the tension in his shoulders evident. Hugh leaned against the kitchen counter, watching his friend with a mix of concern and intrigue.“You know,” Hugh began, breaking the silence, “you can’t keep letting this Loretta woman rattle you. You need to get ahead of her.”Carter stopped pacing and turned to Hugh. “You think I don’t know that? She’s holding fake pictures over my head, and if Iris ever sees them…”Hugh smirked, crossing his arms. “If Iris ever sees them, you’ll be in a hell of a mess.”“That’s not funny,” Carter snapped.“I’m not laughing,” Hugh replied calmly. “Look, we need a plan, and I think I know just the person to help us.”Carter raised an eyebrow. “Who?”Hugh grinned and pulled out his phone. “Jake. He’s still with the police, right? Let’s see what dirt he can dig up on Loretta.”About an hour later, Jake, their mutual friend from the police department, called back. Carter and Hugh were on speakerphone, anxiously waiting.“You g
Carter sat across from Ollie in Hugh’s dimly lit apartment, the tension so thick it felt like the air could shatter. Ollie’s hands were trembling as he stared at his phone. The guilt was written all over his face, but he kept avoiding Carter’s eyes.“You’re not telling me everything,” Carter said, his tone low and cutting.Ollie flinched. “I am!”Carter leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. “No, you’re not. You said she has pictures, videos, and an audio recording. That doesn’t just happen by accident. What exactly did you do, Ollie?”Ollie shifted uncomfortably, looking to Hugh for some kind of backup, but Hugh just raised an eyebrow and waited.“I didn’t sleep with her,” Ollie finally mumbled.“Didn’t you?” Carter’s voice was sharp now. “Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like you’re in just as deep as I am—if not worse.”“I didn’t!” Ollie snapped, his voice breaking. “We… we hung out a few times, okay? She recorded us talking and took pictures without my knowledge. I don’t know
Carter sat in the living room, his leg bouncing anxiously as the soft ticking of the clock on the wall seemed to mock him. The house was quiet, too quiet, except for his own restless movements. The image of his grandmother’s sharp gaze lingered in his mind, the way she had looked at him and Iris after Loretta had been dragged away.“Nothing happens in this family without my knowledge.”Her words had been calm, but the implication had shaken him to his core.He ran his hands through his hair for what felt like the hundredth time that night, frustration bubbling just under the surface. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Grandma Martha knew about his and Iris’s sham marriage. If she knew, what would she do? Would she expose them? Cut him off? Destroy everything he’d built?“Carter?” Iris’s soft voice broke the silence. She stood in the doorway, her robe tied loosely around her waist, her hair slightly tousled as if she’d been asleep—or trying to sleep.He looked up, his expression strain
The warm afternoon sunlight bathed the lush gardens of the Windsor estate, casting golden rays across the pristine lawns. Carter leaned against a stone column near the main mansion, his phone in hand, half-listening to a podcast while keeping one eye on the driveway. He had just finished a meeting when the butler interrupted him with a request from his grandmother.“She wants me to what?” Carter asked incredulously.“Take a stroll with her in the park,” the butler repeated, his expression neutral.Carter sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I don’t have time for a stroll. Tell her I—”“Carter Windsor,” Grandma Martha’s sharp voice rang from the entrance. She was already approaching, her cane tapping rhythmically against the stone steps. “You do not refuse me.”Carter straightened instinctively, pocketing his phone. “Grandma, I was just—”“No excuses,” she interrupted, her tone firm. “We’re going for a walk, and you’re coming with me. Let’s go.”There was no room for argument. Res
The grand ballroom radiated luxury, its intricate gold mouldings and cascading chandeliers reflecting the evening’s energy. The event Grandma Martha had been chosen to host was the highlight of the season, drawing in the most influential names in the city. Weeks of meticulous planning had culminated on this night, and Iris found herself at the epicentre of it all.As she stood near the entrance, greeting guests alongside Grandma Martha, she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. The older woman was a picture of poise, her emerald gown shimmering as she extended polite nods and brief smiles to the city’s elite. Iris, on the other hand, felt like a child pretending to belong in a world far removed from her own.“You’re doing fine,” Grandma Martha said quietly, sensing Iris’s tension.Iris forced a smile. “I hope so. I just don’t want to mess this up.”“You won’t,” Grandma Martha replied with certainty. “Tonight is about showcasing what the Windsors can do, and you’ve done an exceptional jo
Iris leaned against the kitchen counter, nursing a glass of water and staring at the reflection of the moonlight on the tiled floor. The events of the evening replayed in her mind, but one moment in particular had stuck with her—the strange conversation with Grandma Martha after everyone had left the party.It had started innocently enough. They’d sat on the mansion’s balcony, sipping wine and gazing at the stars. Iris had felt relaxed for the first time all evening.“You’ve done well tonight,” Grandma Martha said, her voice softer than usual.“Thank you,” Iris replied. “I couldn’t have done it without your trust in me.”Grandma Martha smirked. “I trusted you because I knew you could rise to the occasion. And I must say, you’ve surpassed my expectations.”Iris blushed. Compliments from Grandma Martha were rare and hard-earned.They sat in silence for a while, the stillness of the night settling over them. Then Grandma Martha broke it with an unexpected question.“So, how is your marri
IRIS"Well, here goes nothing."I took a deep breath, shut my eyes and hit the plastic piggy bank sharply with a small hammer. I opened one eye, then the other."Holy crow!" I cried as I spread out the bills on the kitchen counter.There was money here. Lots of it. How had I ever managed to save so much money in just under a year? I glanced at the clock. It was still hours before Ollie was due home, but what was that saying again?Time flies when you're having fun.And I was going to have a lot of fun buying my husband the best, most expensive wedding anniversary gift I had ever given him. I spent the next fifteen minutes straightening out the bills and counting them. As soon as I finished, I changed and headed straight for the most renowned jewellery store in the city. From the store's window, one could see the pieces they had on display, sitting on soft velvet cushions. I had window-shopped here more times than I could count. Now I actually had enough money to buy something.Getting
Iris leaned against the kitchen counter, nursing a glass of water and staring at the reflection of the moonlight on the tiled floor. The events of the evening replayed in her mind, but one moment in particular had stuck with her—the strange conversation with Grandma Martha after everyone had left the party.It had started innocently enough. They’d sat on the mansion’s balcony, sipping wine and gazing at the stars. Iris had felt relaxed for the first time all evening.“You’ve done well tonight,” Grandma Martha said, her voice softer than usual.“Thank you,” Iris replied. “I couldn’t have done it without your trust in me.”Grandma Martha smirked. “I trusted you because I knew you could rise to the occasion. And I must say, you’ve surpassed my expectations.”Iris blushed. Compliments from Grandma Martha were rare and hard-earned.They sat in silence for a while, the stillness of the night settling over them. Then Grandma Martha broke it with an unexpected question.“So, how is your marri
The grand ballroom radiated luxury, its intricate gold mouldings and cascading chandeliers reflecting the evening’s energy. The event Grandma Martha had been chosen to host was the highlight of the season, drawing in the most influential names in the city. Weeks of meticulous planning had culminated on this night, and Iris found herself at the epicentre of it all.As she stood near the entrance, greeting guests alongside Grandma Martha, she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. The older woman was a picture of poise, her emerald gown shimmering as she extended polite nods and brief smiles to the city’s elite. Iris, on the other hand, felt like a child pretending to belong in a world far removed from her own.“You’re doing fine,” Grandma Martha said quietly, sensing Iris’s tension.Iris forced a smile. “I hope so. I just don’t want to mess this up.”“You won’t,” Grandma Martha replied with certainty. “Tonight is about showcasing what the Windsors can do, and you’ve done an exceptional jo
The warm afternoon sunlight bathed the lush gardens of the Windsor estate, casting golden rays across the pristine lawns. Carter leaned against a stone column near the main mansion, his phone in hand, half-listening to a podcast while keeping one eye on the driveway. He had just finished a meeting when the butler interrupted him with a request from his grandmother.“She wants me to what?” Carter asked incredulously.“Take a stroll with her in the park,” the butler repeated, his expression neutral.Carter sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I don’t have time for a stroll. Tell her I—”“Carter Windsor,” Grandma Martha’s sharp voice rang from the entrance. She was already approaching, her cane tapping rhythmically against the stone steps. “You do not refuse me.”Carter straightened instinctively, pocketing his phone. “Grandma, I was just—”“No excuses,” she interrupted, her tone firm. “We’re going for a walk, and you’re coming with me. Let’s go.”There was no room for argument. Res
Carter sat in the living room, his leg bouncing anxiously as the soft ticking of the clock on the wall seemed to mock him. The house was quiet, too quiet, except for his own restless movements. The image of his grandmother’s sharp gaze lingered in his mind, the way she had looked at him and Iris after Loretta had been dragged away.“Nothing happens in this family without my knowledge.”Her words had been calm, but the implication had shaken him to his core.He ran his hands through his hair for what felt like the hundredth time that night, frustration bubbling just under the surface. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Grandma Martha knew about his and Iris’s sham marriage. If she knew, what would she do? Would she expose them? Cut him off? Destroy everything he’d built?“Carter?” Iris’s soft voice broke the silence. She stood in the doorway, her robe tied loosely around her waist, her hair slightly tousled as if she’d been asleep—or trying to sleep.He looked up, his expression strain
Carter sat across from Ollie in Hugh’s dimly lit apartment, the tension so thick it felt like the air could shatter. Ollie’s hands were trembling as he stared at his phone. The guilt was written all over his face, but he kept avoiding Carter’s eyes.“You’re not telling me everything,” Carter said, his tone low and cutting.Ollie flinched. “I am!”Carter leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. “No, you’re not. You said she has pictures, videos, and an audio recording. That doesn’t just happen by accident. What exactly did you do, Ollie?”Ollie shifted uncomfortably, looking to Hugh for some kind of backup, but Hugh just raised an eyebrow and waited.“I didn’t sleep with her,” Ollie finally mumbled.“Didn’t you?” Carter’s voice was sharp now. “Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like you’re in just as deep as I am—if not worse.”“I didn’t!” Ollie snapped, his voice breaking. “We… we hung out a few times, okay? She recorded us talking and took pictures without my knowledge. I don’t know
Carter Windsor paced Hugh’s apartment, the tension in his shoulders evident. Hugh leaned against the kitchen counter, watching his friend with a mix of concern and intrigue.“You know,” Hugh began, breaking the silence, “you can’t keep letting this Loretta woman rattle you. You need to get ahead of her.”Carter stopped pacing and turned to Hugh. “You think I don’t know that? She’s holding fake pictures over my head, and if Iris ever sees them…”Hugh smirked, crossing his arms. “If Iris ever sees them, you’ll be in a hell of a mess.”“That’s not funny,” Carter snapped.“I’m not laughing,” Hugh replied calmly. “Look, we need a plan, and I think I know just the person to help us.”Carter raised an eyebrow. “Who?”Hugh grinned and pulled out his phone. “Jake. He’s still with the police, right? Let’s see what dirt he can dig up on Loretta.”About an hour later, Jake, their mutual friend from the police department, called back. Carter and Hugh were on speakerphone, anxiously waiting.“You g
Carter couldn’t shake the unease that had settled over him since Loretta’s visit. He’d noticed how she and his wife, Iris, had become inseparable lately, their laughter filling the house more often than his own conversations with Iris.One evening, as Iris set the table for dinner, Carter approached her, trying to mask his apprehension.“Iris, can we talk for a moment?”She looked up, a hint of concern in her eyes. “Of course, what’s on your mind?”“It’s about Loretta,” he began, choosing his words carefully. “I feel like you two have been spending a lot of time together.”Iris smiled, a touch of amusement in her expression. “Is someone feeling left out?”“It’s not that,” Carter replied, forcing a chuckle. “I just… I have a bad feeling about her.”Iris’s smile faded. “A bad feeling? Carter, she’s been a great friend, especially with everything going on with Grandma Martha.”“I know, and I appreciate that,” he said, his tone earnest. “But something doesn’t sit right with me. I don’t th
Carter leaned against the railing of the balcony, sipping his coffee as the morning sun bathed the garden in a golden glow. Below him, Iris and Loretta were seated at the patio table, their heads bent close together in animated conversation. Their laughter drifted up to him, light and carefree, and yet it sent a pang of unease coursing through him.He couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.Over the past few weeks, Iris and Loretta had become practically inseparable. At first, it had seemed harmless—Loretta was the nurse assigned to care for Grandma Martha, and Iris had taken it upon herself to help. She’d even invited Loretta to their mansion a few times, saying it was only fair to return the hospitality.But now, Loretta was at their home more often than she was at the grand mansion. She lingered during tea breaks, offered to help with household tasks that weren’t hers, and even joined them for dinner once or twice. It was as if she was making herself part of their l
The hospital security room was stifling, both in temperature and tension. Carter stepped in, scanning the scene before him. Iris sat rigidly in one chair, her arms crossed and a defiant tilt to her chin. Across from her, Charlotte dabbed at her nose with a tissue, glaring daggers at her cousin-in-law. Ollie paced furiously between them like a caged animal. “Finally,” Ollie barked when he saw Carter. “Get your wife under control.” Carter arched an eyebrow. “Excuse me?” “You heard me,” Ollie snapped, pointing at Iris. “She attacked Charlotte!” Iris shot to her feet. “She slapped me first! What was I supposed to do, just stand there and take it?” “Like a civilized person, yes!” Ollie roared. “You don’t just—” “Okay, that’s enough,” Carter interrupted, stepping between them. He turned to Ollie, his voice calm but firm. “You don’t raise your voice at her.” Ollie’s jaw clenched. “You’re seriously taking her side right now? You weren’t even here!” “I don’t need to be here to know she