SHARON LAST NIGHT I stood outside the door of Tony Vane’s house, waiting for him. Aislinn had assured me he would arrive with his vegetable of a wife, but at this point, that seemed unlikely. I had been standing there for almost two hours without any sign of him, and it was getting pretty late. Getting into the estate had already been hard enough; the idea of going through that stress again was unappealing. I was dressed decently, wearing a long blue dress that covered my knees. It was important to look the part, so Tony would buy my act. With my hair tied back and no makeup or jewelry on, I looked innocent, like an unsuspecting beauty. Too bad all that effort seemed to be going to waste. I took out my phone and dialed Aislinn’s number, intending to inform her that our plan had flopped. She had assured me Tony would show up, so the failure was on her. Her number was unreachable. I cursed under my breath. If it weren’t for the fact that she was paying so well, I wouldn’t let her
SHARON As we reached the staircase leading to the rooms above, I turned to Tony and suggested, “Sir, I think it would be best if you moved her room downstairs. Considering her condition, life would be much easier for her if she didn’t have to go up and down the stairs so often.” Tony paused to consider my words, then nodded in agreement. "You're right," he said. "Wait here, I'll quickly bring down her bags." I stood downstairs, offering a reassuring smile to Britney, telling her softly that everything would be fine. I had to be extra careful with my behavior because Aislinn had warned me that the living room was monitored by cameras. A few minutes later, Tony returned, carrying two large suitcases. “These are the things I could get for now,” he said, handing them to me. “If you need anything else of hers, you can go upstairs and get it. Also, her doctor’s checkup is every Friday. Remind me in case I get too busy and forget. I’m counting on you to look after her, okay?” I n
SHARON"Is there a problem, Maya?" Tony asked, his voice edged with curiosity.I sighed softly, feeling the tension in the air. "I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. Diesel. Your wife seemed agitated, and after struggling to communicate with her, I figured it was because she was worried about you. She seemed relieved when I offered to serve you tea, and that's why I made a cup and brought it to you. I'm worried she might not get any sleep otherwise."He sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "I don't know why she worries so much. It's always something."I stretched out my hand, offering the cup with a smile that I hoped seemed genuine. As he reached out to take it from me, I noticed his gaze lingering. His eyes swept down, lingering on my breasts before slowly traveling down my legs. It wasn’t subtle, and I bit the inside of my cheek, keeping the smile in place.He took the cup from me, his voice almost a whisper as he said, "Thanks."I stood there, silently observing as he moved to his desk, t
MARIANNEI opened my eyes slowly, blinking against the soft morning light streaming through the curtains. Stretching my arm across the bed, I winced as a dull ache reminded me of how sore my body was despite the analgesic pills I had taken last night. Every muscle seemed to protest as I moved, tempting me to stay in bed just a little longer. But I knew that wasn't a good idea. There was too much to do.I reluctantly reached for my phone and noticed a message from Sharon. Reading about how much progress she had made immediately brought a smile to my face. According to our agreement, she had sent me a video of her force-feeding Britney with the substance I had given her, and a picture of her, lying naked in Tony's bed—the very same bed I had once shared with him. A dark satisfaction swelled inside me.I sighed, feeling so much better due to Sharon's competency. Everything was falling into place. I freshened up quickly, set up my things, and got dressed, ready for the day ahead.On my wa
TROYI instantly pulled away from Marianne the moment our lips touched. I had made her a promise and could not afford to get carried away."I'm so sorry," I said quickly. "I don’t know what came over me."Her cheeks flushed red as she shook her head. "No, it’s not... I’m sorry too. I made a mistake as well.""That’s a first," I teased, and we both smiled, the tension easing a little. Yet, despite the levity, I couldn’t deny the weight of what my mom had told me about Aislinn. It gnawed at me, affecting me more than I cared to admit.My feelings were a tangled mess. For so long, Aislinn’s memory had been something I cherished, a sacred part of me I thought would never change. And yet here I was, undeniably drawn to the woman standing before me while my memories of Aislinn had become corrupted. The conflict in my heart was unbearable.But what was Aislinn's real story? I had to hear her side. I had already gone through those videos, even though it pained me to watch them. Nothing in the
TROY I opened my eyes and found myself lying in a bed, shirtless. The room felt oddly familiar, though I knew it wasn’t mine. Turning to my left, I saw Marianne sitting beside me. Suddenly, the memory of her lying in a pool of blood flooded back. I bolted upright. "Marianne? Is this a dream?" "Troy, how do you feel?" she asked, her voice steady, though her eyes showed concern. I cupped her face, my heart racing at the thought that this could all be a dream. "Marianne," I gasped, my eyes welling up. She looked at me, slightly startled by my intensity. "Yes, it's me, Troy." Without thinking, I pulled her into a tight embrace. "I thought I lost you... I can't believe you're here." She gently pulled back, her expression questioning. "Why? What do you remember?" I released her from the hug, holding her hands instead, "There was an attacker. He opened fire as soon as you opened the door. You closed it and dropped to the floor while I ran to get my gun. When I came back, the
TROYThe moment Aislinn said she was back, my expression shifted into one of pure irritation. I knew it wasn’t fair—I owed it to her to at least listen to her side of the story. But my emotions got the best of me. Nevertheless, I replied, “Wrong number!” and hung up. Marianne was staring at me intently, her eyes studying my face, and I knew she could tell my mood had been completely ruined by the call. The pain in my arm, which I had momentarily stopped feeling thanks to being so immersed in our conversation, suddenly resurfaced and began to sting, only adding to my frustration. “Where were we?” I asked, trying to mask the anger and physical discomfort that gnawed at me. She held my gaze for a few moments before offering a small, knowing smile. “Well, we were talking about Tony. He’s currently having sex with Mildred, and you mentioned that he is enjoying himself." Her voice grew colder, more calculated. “In reality, this is just part of the disaster I’m about to throw him
MARIANNE I opened my eyes in the morning and rolled off my bed, stretching as I took in the light filtering through the curtains. It had been a while since I slept so soundly. Perhaps it was because I had gone to bed earlier than usual, or maybe it was the sense of purpose I felt knowing what I had planned for the day. After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I stepped out of my room in search of Troy. It was strange how much I now craved the attention he used to give me, the playful teasing that once felt intrusive had become something I unconsciously longed for. I had been the one who insisted he stop flirting and saying things that made me blush. I told him to keep it professional, to focus on the mission. Yet now, as he respected my wishes, I realized how much I had enjoyed his seduction. Without even realizing it, I had grown fond of the way he looked at me, the sly comments that would make me smirk despite myself. Yesterday, I had even asked an unbelievable question—
Alva stretched her legs cautiously, testing her ankle with a few steps. Then, with a sudden burst of confidence, she strode across her room and twirled around. “Perfect!” she declared to the empty space. “Goodbye, crutches. Hello, independence!” Vidar, walking by her room, poked his head in. “Did you just say goodbye to inanimate objects? Should I be concerned?” Alva grinned. “Laugh all you want, Vidar. You don’t know what it’s like to walk with crutches or limp around.” “True,” Vidar agreed, leaning against the doorframe. “But you’re walking fine now, so no slacking for you, especially during this workshop. You’ll be networking like a pro.” “Networking?” Alva groaned. “Why does that sound like a punishment?” Vidar smirked. “Because it is. But you’ll survive. I’ll make sure of it.” At this time, Thea was pacing her room, muttering under her breath. “If Alva hadn’t come along, I would’ve been the one going on this trip with Vidar,” her voice dripped with resentment as s
Freya sat nervously in the corner of the small eatery. Her hands were clenched tightly in her lap. The place was warm and simple, with soft chatter and the clinking of plates filling the room. Across from her, Jonas leaned back in his chair, watching her closely. His gaze was sharp but didn’t feel mean. “Relax, Freya,” Jonas said, a small smile on his face. “You look like I called you here to yell at you.” Freya shifted in her seat, trying to smile back. “It’s not that… I just don’t know why you wanted to meet.” “Let’s start with dinner,” he said, pointing at the menu in front of them. Freya shook her head quickly. “I already ate. I’m not hungry.” Jonas raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue. He set the menu aside and leaned forward, his face turning serious. “Alright, let’s get to the point. Freya, I was angry with you before. Because of what you did, I kept misunderstanding Alva, and things between us got bad.” Freya’s stomach twisted with guilt. She opened her mouth to apol
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