MARIANNE “What!” Doctor Raymond exclaimed, his voice a mix of shock and concern. “What are you saying, Marianne? I know you wanted to be a mother before and…” “No,” I interrupted, my voice firm but my heart unsteady. “I am not ready to be a mother. Not right now.” He hesitated, studying my expression before speaking. “I need to tell you something. There’s a high chance you’ll never conceive again.” The words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I kept my composure. I nodded slowly, swallowing the lump forming in my throat. “Okay, I can live with that. There are so many motherless children out there who need someone to look after them. When I’m ready to be a mother, I’ll fill that gap. I’ll adopt a few children and love them as my own.” “Are you sure?” he asked, his voice softer now, almost hesitant. “Yes,” I replied, but the resolve in my voice didn’t match the storm brewing inside me. He sighed deeply, almost as if he could sense my inner turmoil. “Alright, if you’ve mad
MARIANNE When I arrived at my old apartment, I paused outside, scanning my surroundings with a cautious eye. The air felt heavy, as if it carried an unspoken warning. It was still my house though. With a deep breath, I approached the keypad, and entered the code. As the door clicked open, I stepped into silence. The house was eerily still, void of the warmth and familiarity it once held. “Sharon?” I called out, my voice echoing in the empty space. No answer. I fished out my phone and dialed her number, only to be met with a dead line. The same number that had called me earlier was suddenly unreachable. I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me that something terrible was about to happen, but not to me. Determined to figure out what was going on, I began searching the house. My steps were quick and purposeful, the creak of the wooden floors beneath me the only sound. As I ascended the stairs two at a time, a faint noise stopped me in my tracks. It was coming from the CCTV room. I
MARIANNE HOURS EARLIER My dream lingered as I woke, the soft voice of a little girl calling me "Mommy" fading into the morning haze. My chest felt tight, as though her voice had reached into the very core of my being and left an imprint I couldn’t erase. I washed my face, staring at my reflection, trying to shake the dream off. The face staring back at me seemed foreign—cold, calculated, and so far removed from the woman I used to be. I had to make a decision. I couldn’t delay anymore. Dr. Raymond was waiting for my answer, and I knew I needed to face him today. But as I dried my face with the towel, a nagging thought struck me. There was something I had ignored earlier—a file I hadn’t bothered to open. Curious, I grabbed my phone and opened it. My brows furrowed as I noticed it was an audio file from Sharon. I pressed play. The voices that came through made me lift my brows. Aislinn. Sharon. I listened intently as Aislinn spoke with venom, her words sharp and deliberat
MARIANNE The sharp crack of the gunshot shattered the tense silence, the bullet tearing through the glass bottle and embedding itself in the wall behind it. Aislinn's blood-curdling screams filled the room, echoing like a symphony of anguish as chaos erupted. The four bodyguards who had flanked her bolted in a panicked frenzy, their loyalty dissolving in the face of danger. Aislinn collapsed to her knees, her trembling hands clawing at her face, now marred by the searing acid. Angry red burns crept across her skin, and her scorched clothes hung in tatters, exposing her charred arms. Her guttural cries reverberated around us. Suddenly, the muffled sound of a scuffle filtered in from outside. My grip tightened on the gun as I instinctively aimed it at the door, my pulse thrumming like a war drum. The commotion ebbed, replaced by an eerie stillness that stretched taut. Sharon stepped closer, the glint of her knife catching the dim light. Her knuckles whitened around the hilt as
MARIANNE Troy opened the door and helped me out, his grip still firm on my hand. Sharon stepped out as well, her eyes briefly meeting mine. “I need to speak with her,” Sharon said, addressing Troy as she handed him his keys. He sighed in irritation. “No, you can’t.” “Please. It’s important,” she insisted, her voice steady but firm. I pulled my hand away from Troy’s grip, my expression stern. “I’m not a child,” I said firmly. "I can decide for myself." Troy folded his arms, his sharp gaze fixed on me as though he was trying to unravel my thoughts. He didn’t argue, just stood there, waiting. Sharon stepped forward, her face pale but determined, and motioned for me to follow her. “What do you want to say?” I asked, folding my arms, after we'd moved away from Troy. Sharon hesitated, biting her lip before speaking. “The video you saw earlier at your house… I’m the one who left it in the CCTV room for you to watch. I didn’t know how else to tell you… that I tried to seduce
TROY The days without Marianne felt like an eternity, harder than I ever imagined. Every moment away from her was a sharp reminder of the emptiness she left behind. Despite my anger at her, I was desperate—desperate to have her back in my life, in my arms. It was as though my heart couldn’t beat properly without her. I realized, perhaps too late, how deeply I loved her. That desperate love made me agree to something I would have never considered before—working with Sharon. “What exactly is your plan?” I asked, trying to sound calm, though my chest felt tight. Sharon had promised to reunite me with Marianne, and though I didn’t trust her, I was willing to take the risk. The old me would never have given Sharon the time of day. After all, she’d tried to throw herself at me in the past—a clear red flag. But now, even knowing I shouldn’t trust someone like her, I clung to the sliver of hope she offered. She smiled slyly and leaned closer. “Can I have your number?” I raised an
TROY I kissed Marianne on her forehead and cupped her face, my eyes drilling into hers as I asked excitedly, "Really? Are you really pregnant?" She nodded, her face crumbling as tears spilled down her cheeks. "Yes," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I almost got rid of it, Troy. I almost got rid of our child. I wasn’t thinking straight. I just…" Her voice broke, and she couldn’t continue. "Shh, it’s okay. It’s okay," I said softly, pulling her into my arms again. I held her tightly, feeling her trembling against me. "But you didn’t, Marianne. You didn’t go through with it, and that’s what matters now." She sniffled, her tears soaking into my shirt. "Yeah," she murmured. "Thanks to my doctor. He made me think things through. He… he saved our baby." Holding her face gently in my hands, I gave her a small, reassuring smile. "Remind me to thank him someday," I said, trying to lighten the mood. My hand moved to her belly, resting there as if I could already feel the life grow
TWENTY SIX YEARS LATER Alva Berg and her best friend, Freya Strand, stood outside the shiny supermarket, staring at the sleek building. Its glass doors opened and closed as people walked in and out, each dressed in expensive clothes and holding car keys to luxury vehicles. "Come on, let’s go in," Alva said with excitement, tugging on Freya’s hand. Freya shook her head quickly. "No, Alva. I don’t think that’s a good idea. Look at the kind of people going in there. They all have fancy cars, expensive clothes... I don’t want to embarrass myself." Alva rolled her eyes and gave her a playful nudge. "Freya, that’s exactly why we should go in. Let’s not let them intimidate us. Come on, trust me." Freya hesitated. "What are you even hoping to gain from this?" she asked, crossing her arms. Alva grinned mischievously. "You’ll find out when we’re inside." With some reluctance, Freya let herself be dragged along. As they stepped inside, the cold air conditioning hit them, and the scent of
Freya’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she grabbed Alva’s hand tightly. “You’re incredible. I knew you were destined for greatness, Alva, but CEO? That’s next-level stuff. I’m so proud of you!” “Thank you,” Alva replied, squeezing her friend’s hand. “And when the time comes, you can come work with me in the company. We’ll run it together.” Freya’s lip quivered, and she blinked rapidly, trying to keep her tears in check. “Alva, you’re the best friend anyone could ask for. No, scratch that—you’re the best human being alive.” Alva giggled. “Don’t cry, Freya. Save the waterworks for the CEO inauguration.” “I can’t help it!” Freya wailed dramatically before pulling Alva into a bone-crushing hug. “I’m the luckiest person in the world to have you.” As Freya finally released her, she wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand, smiling brightly. “So… can I come on this fancy business trip too? I’ll hide in your suitcase.” Alva shook her head, laughing. “No can do.” “Why not?
Thea’s fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her teeth ground against each other as she watched Alva bask in the warmth of everyone’s affection. The realization hit her like a slap to the face—Alva had planned this. She had the evidence all along and had played the helpless victim, crying her way into everyone’s hearts. And Thea? Thea had walked right into her trap. Her head began to spin as her mind screamed, 'I was outsmarted by her?' “How could I be so foolish?” Thea muttered under her breath, her voice so low only she could hear it. Karina’s voice snapped Thea out of her angry thoughts. “I will think of a befitting punishment for what you’ve done,” Karina said, her gaze icy as she looked down at her daughter sprawled on the floor, still feigning remorse. “Mom, I didn’t....” “You’re grounded for a month, for now, until I think of a much better punishment,” Karina declared firmly, cutting off Thea’s weak protest. Thea’s mouth dropped open. Grounded? She
Alva’s hands trembled as tears streamed down her cheeks, her voice barely audible. “Why does this always happen to me?” she whispered, clutching her chest as though trying to hold her breaking heart together. Vidar stepped closer, his voice steady yet soothing. “Don’t cry, Alva. Everyone makes mistakes. What matters here is that the jewelry is yours, and you have every right to take it whenever you want.” Her mother, Karina, nodded firmly, moving to stand beside Vidar. “He’s right, Alva. What’s mine is yours. You’re my daughter—feel free to take anything you need, anytime.” Karina’s voice held a protective tone, though her furrowed brows betrayed her inner conflict. Alva glanced at her mother, her lips quivering. “But I didn’t even know the jewelry existed until now.” Before Karina could respond, Nikolai interjected, his jaw tight with anger. “Alva didn’t put that jewelry there. Someone else did this, and I won’t spare them.” Vidar placed a firm hand on Nikolai’s shoulde
Thea's tears fell freely as she sobbed in the middle of the room, her voice trembling. “I can’t believe this is happening. I’ve only ever wanted the best for this family.....for us. And now, you’re all treating me like I’m an outsider.” She sniffled, glancing around the room with a pitiful expression. “I was only trying to help. Alva is my sister, and I just wanted to make sure she’s on the right path.” Alva softened her gaze. She stepped forward, her voice calm yet firm. “You’re right, Thea. Maybe you’re only doing this because you care.” The room fell silent, everyone staring at Alva as she faced Thea directly. “If you think this is your way of helping me, then I’ll prove to you that I don’t need saving,” Alva said gently. “What would it take for you to believe that I didn’t take the jewelry?” Thea hesitated, her lips twitching as if she was weighing her next words. Finally, she spoke, her voice tinged with resolve. “If we searched your room and didn’t find the jewelry, I’d bel
The room was tense. The weight of Thea's accusations hung in the air like a storm cloud, thick and suffocating. Alva stood in the middle of the chaos, her face calm. “You’re all acting like I’m the villain here!” Thea’s voice cracked with frustration, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “I can’t just sit back and let Mom be wronged. I love Alva, she’s my sister. But it kills me to think that she could do something like this to the person who’s given her everything!”Alva scoffed but she didn’t respond. Thea turned to the others, her voice softening, as if she were pleading for their understanding. “Even if Alva wanted the jewelry, that wouldn’t have been a bad thing. Mom was already planning to give it to her. But stealing it? That’s what hurts. Seeing my sister hurt my mother is unbearable.We all know Alva didn't grow up with us. She had a rough life and no one knows how many times she must have stolen, just to survive. How can we help her if she doesn't acknowledge her pr
Freya’s gaze lingered on Nikolai like he was a piece of art she couldn’t quite stop admiring. Alva smirked, nudging her lightly with her elbow. “Hey, Freya." Freya’s eyes brimmed with tears, but before a single drop could fall, Alva held out her hand, stopping her. “Please, save me all the drama,” she teased, breaking the tension with her signature wit. Freya broke into a grin as Alva pulled her into a tight hug. It was like old times again, the invisible wall that had separated them melting away. “Have you forgiven me?” Freya asked, her voice tinged with excitement and nervousness. “How can I stay mad at my bestie?” Alva replied, though her tone softened. “What you did really hurt me, Freya. If you ever betray me again, I swear I’ll never forgive you.” Freya pulled back, shaking her head furiously. “I’ll never dare to betray you ever again. I promise.” Their heartfelt moment was interrupted by Nikolai’s voice. “What are you two whispering about?” he asked, his sharp ey
Alva finally found her grandfather’s room after wandering down the quiet hallways. The door creaked softly as she knocked and pushed it open, revealing him sitting upright in bed, a pair of reading glasses perched on his nose, and a thick book cradled in his hands. “Grandpa,” she whispered, a wave of relief washing over her. He looked up, his eyes twinkling with warmth. “Alva, sweetheart. What are you doing up this late?” “I wanted to check on you,” she said, limping over on her crutches. “Nikolai told me your blood pressure spiked earlier. I got worried.” He chuckled, setting the book aside. “That brother of yours is worse than a mother hen. He’s been fussing over me all day, insisting I stay in bed. I feel fine, truly.” Alva dropped onto a chair by his bed, her crutches leaning against the wall. “You can’t blame him. We all just want you to be okay.” Her grandfather reached out, taking her hand in his. “And I am okay, as long as I see you smiling. Come here.” He patted th
Alva’s breath caught as she took an instinctive step back, her hands tightening around the crutches she used for balance. The confident smile on her face melted away, replaced by an icy stare that she directed straight at Jonas. “What do you want?” she demanded, her voice sharp and unwavering. Jonas took a hesitant step closer, his hands raised as if to placate her. “I want to explain something to you,” he said, his tone earnest. “We didn’t finish our conversation earlier.” Alva snorted, the sound low and dismissive. She shifted her weight slightly, her crutches squeaking against the pavement. “I’m not interested in anything you have to say,” she said coldly, brushing past him with deliberate indifference. The tap of her crutches against the ground echoed with her resolve as she began to walk away. “I don’t love Emilie,” Jonas’s voice suddenly broke through the tension, the words striking her like a thunderclap. “It’s you, Alva.” She froze. The night air seemed to thicken, wrappi
Freya’s sniffles echoed through her small, cozy apartment as she sat on the couch hugging a pillow. Her eyes were red and puffy, and the tissue box beside her had taken quite the hit. No matter how hard she tried to stop crying, memories of Alva flooded her mind.She remembered the time they’d challenged each other to eat an entire cake in one sitting, only to get sick halfway through. And who could forget the time they’d tried to dye their hair but ended up with Freya’s turning green and Alva’s an unfortunate shade of orange? There was also the time when they pretended to be big shots, went into a clothing store and tried on the most ridiculous outfits in a store just to laugh at each other in the mirror.Freya let out a watery chuckle at the memories before fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. “I should’ve just returned the card,” she muttered, wiping her nose. “I wouldn’t have lost my best friend if I’d just given it back.”She sat there, wallowing, when another thought struck her