MARIANNE Sitting in the living room, I waited until Troy appeared with all his bags. As he walked out, he seemed quite angry, his jaw clenched, and his eyes fixed forward as if to avoid meeting mine. He didn’t bother to spare me a glance, and it felt like a knife was being driven into my heart. The urge to stop him, to tell him that I didn’t want him to go, that I needed him, was almost unbearable. Every fiber of my being wanted to reach out, to call his name, to close the distance that had grown between us. But I remained frozen on the couch, as if the weight of my decision had cemented me in place. The sound of his car starting and driving away filled the house with a hollow emptiness, and a pang of loneliness settled deep in my chest. I couldn’t help but wonder, "Is this the end for us? Would I ever see him again? What if he never wants anything to do with me again?" I stood abruptly, the desperation rising inside me. I rushed to the door, flinging it open with a wild hope
TROYAfter Marianne rudely asked me to leave her house, I got upset, packed my bags, and left. However, after driving a short distance from her house, I stopped. I tried to make sense of her actions, but nothing came to mind. I believed something I had done must have upset her. But couldn't she just tell me what it was? I went over everything we did that day and furrowed my brows when I remembered Sharon, the escort. When I had first seen her, my eyes had stayed glued to her because she reminded me of the first time I met Aislinn on a runway. Her beautiful and sexy legs had been the first thing that caught my attention, and a while after that, I fell head over heels in love with her. Thinking about it, I recalled that Marianne had offered to pay Sharon so she could serve me for a night. At the time, I had taken it as a joke, but what if Marianne got upset and kicked me out because I had been staring? Picking up my phone, I decided to call her and ask if she was upset because
TROYAs I knelt on the floor, groaning in anger, the harsh sound of liquid spilling jolted me from my thoughts. I looked up and saw fuel steadily leaking from the damaged trucks. A cold shiver ran down my spine, and a sense of imminent danger washed over me. Rising to my feet, I took one last glance around. I knew it was only a matter of time before the ambulances, fire trucks, and police would arrive, their sirens blaring through the stillness of the night. The last thing I wanted was to get caught in that mess. I needed to vanish before they flooded the scene with flashing lights and endless questions. Perhaps because it was on the outskirts, no crowds gathered to gawk at the accident. The isolation was unnerving, amplifying the eerie silence. Just as I began to walk away, a realization hit me like a punch to the gut. There was no blood. My steps faltered. My breath caught in my throat. My eyes widened in shock as I turned back to take a closer look at Marianne's car, scrutinizin
TROY I left the station a few minutes later, got into my car, and quickly drove away, my eyes constantly checking the rearview mirror. Once I was convinced that no one was tailing us, I pulled over at a quiet, secluded spot and had Marianne return to the passenger seat. "Are you okay?" I asked, breaking the heavy silence after driving for what felt like an eternity. She sighed, her voice weary. "I've been better. Honestly, I’m surprised you followed me. I thought you left." I nodded, keeping my gaze on the road. "Yeah, I was leaving when I realized I’d forgotten something. On my way back to get it, I saw you leaving the house. I tried calling, but you wouldn't answer, so I followed you." She gave a small nod. "I see. Sorry about that. I must've been too panicked to even notice the call. I lost my phone in the crash, but it's not a big deal." I glanced at her, concern etched across my face. "But how did you survive the crash?" I asked, curiosity and worry lacing my tone. S
MARIANNE After Troy left, I closed my eyes and pushed my lower body forward, sinking deeper into the couch. My mind wandered, heavy with regret. I had wanted to ask him to stay, but the words stuck in my throat. I was terrified that if he stayed, I wouldn’t have the strength to hold myself back if he made advances toward me again. I exhaled slowly, letting my eyes fall shut, but the peace I sought was fleeting. One of the most harrowing moments of my life crashed into my thoughts; I was gripping the steering wheel, glancing frantically at the rearview mirror, then at the road ahead, fully aware that my death was inevitable. Two monstrous trucks bore down on me from both sides, their headlights flashing like the eyes of predators ready to strike, threatening to crush me between them. The space around me felt suffocating, the roar of their engines drowning out my racing thoughts. At the last possible moment, I realized I had already stopped my car and unbuckled my seatbelt, and th
TROY Marianne went silent, her eyes clouded with complicated emotions. I could see the internal battle raging within her, but I waited, giving her the space to speak. Almost an eternity later, she finally admitted, "Yes, I am falling in love with you, Troy. But I don't want to. I know without a doubt that you are close to me now because of this face. The real Aislinn is the person you love, and when my revenge—and yours—is over, we will part ways. I'll eventually change my face to what it once looked like and return to my reality." She hesitated, her voice softening. "Troy, I've had my fair share of marriage. Never again. I don’t want to fall in love, get married, or be with another man in any intimate sense. I don't want to get hurt once again and you, Troy....you make it very hard. All I care about right now is my revenge, but your constant flirting and teasing is making me distracted—and worse, attracted to you. It’s stirring feelings in me that I never realized existed. Fe
TROY "What are you doing here, Mom?" I asked incredulously, standing at the door with a deep frown. "You left me no choice," she replied, her voice steady but filled with the weight of expectation. I sighed, stepping aside to let her in. "Say what you need to say and then leave," I told her, making no effort to offer her a seat. She gave a bitter smile. "Wow, Troy. Your mother travels at night, shows up at your house, and this is the reception she gets? All because of that woman, isn't it? I know she's in there." "You should know by now that emotional blackmail doesn’t work on me," I replied, my tone dripping with irritation. "Remember this, Mom: for as long as you oppose the woman who means the world to me, expect nothing good from me." She sighed, frustrated. "Fine. I came here today to prove to you that the woman lying in your bedroom right now is not good for you. I know it upsets you to hear this, but you're my son, and it's my responsibility to protect you." "You kn
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
Alva sat by the window, the golden sunlight pouring over her as she gently caressed her rounded belly. She had just registered her marriage to Jonas a week ago in a quiet ceremony, their rings simple yet meaningful. Though their wedding celebration had been postponed until after the baby’s arrival, her heart was full. But today, she was restless. “I miss Mom,” Alva said softly, turning to Jonas, who was busy arranging a small pile of baby clothes they had recently bought. “I want to visit her.” Jonas looked up with a gentle smile, crossing the room to kneel in front of her. “Then let’s go,” he said, taking her hands in his. “You’re her pride and joy. I know seeing you will make her day.” As they prepared to leave, Alva suddenly gasped, clutching her stomach. A rush of water spilled onto the floor. “Jonas…” she whispered, her voice trembling. Jonas was at her side in an instant. “Your water broke,” he said, his voice steady despite the panic rising in his chest. “It’s time.”
A few days after the press conference, Jonas stood outside his parents' home, holding Alva’s hand. The house was an impressive estate surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant flowers, reflecting the warmth and grandeur of the Stanford family. Jonas turned to Alva with a reassuring smile. “Nervous?” he asked, squeezing her hand gently. “A little,” Alva admitted, glancing at the imposing double doors. “Meeting your parents officially is a big deal, Jonas.” Jonas chuckled, leaning in to kiss her forehead. “Trust me, they’ll love you as much as I do.” As they stepped inside, Alva was immediately enveloped in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Jonas’s mother, Marianne, rushed forward, her arms outstretched. “Alva!” she exclaimed, pulling her into a heartfelt hug. “It’s so wonderful to see you again. Jonas has told us so much about you.” Alva smiled, touched by Marianne’s warmth. “Thank you, Mrs. Stanford. It’s an honor to meet you again.” “None of that formality,” Marianne said, waving he
A few days after the workshop ended, Alva returned home with Vidar and Jonas. The trio’s spirits were high, their bond stronger than ever after the eventful days they’d shared. But their cheerful mood took a sobering turn when they learned about Thea’s actions. Sitting in the living room, Karina explained everything; Thea’s betrayal, the recording, and her banishment to Australia. Alva’s face showed a mix of disbelief and relief. “She really tried to have me killed?” Alva whispered, shaking her head. “I can’t believe it.” Vidar clenched his fists. “It’s a good thing she’s gone. If she weren’t, I don’t know what I would’ve done.” Jonas nodded in agreement. “Your mom handled it well. And I think Australia is more mercy than she deserved.” Karina sighed. “It wasn’t easy, but it had to be done. I couldn’t risk her harming you, Alva.” She reached out, taking Alva’s hand. “You’re safe now, and that’s all that matters.” That evening, Alva and Vidar invited Jonas to join them for dinner
As Nikolai held Freya in his arms, steadying her after her fall, their eyes locked. Time seemed to slow, the patter of rain on the windows fading into the background. Freya’s lips parted slightly as she gazed up at him, her cheeks flushed, her breath soft and quick. Neither of them spoke. They didn’t need to. The intensity in Nikolai’s gaze was mirrored in Freya’s own, and before they realized it, their faces inched closer. Their breaths mingled, and then their lips met in a soft, hesitant kiss. The kiss deepened quickly, fueled by the tension that had been building between them. Nikolai’s hands slid to Freya’s waist, pulling her closer, while Freya’s fingers curled into his shirt, clinging to him as if afraid to let go. The warmth of their connection surged through them, igniting something neither of them had felt before. Freya tilted her head, giving him better access as Nikolai’s lips moved with hers, their passion growing. As Nikolai guided her onto the couch, he looked into
As Karina watched Thea being dragged away, her resolve only hardened. "No matter what happens, I will never let you come back, Thea. I’ll make all the necessary arrangements to ensure that even if I’m no longer alive, you’ll never harm my daughter again," she thought coldly. Meanwhile, at Fjord Garden, Freya sat in the now-empty restaurant, her heart sinking with each passing minute. The rain continued to pour, and the once-romantic atmosphere now felt gloomy and cold. Glances from other patrons made her feel self-conscious, as though they were silently judging her for being stood up. Her phone had lost service, and she couldn’t reach Nikolai. Frustrated and embarrassed, she decided to leave. She walked out into the rain, clutching her small bag as she began looking for a cab. In her haste, her phone slipped out of her hand, splashing into a shallow puddle. "Damn it," she muttered, crouching to pick it up and wiping it off with her damp sleeve. The rain soaked through her clothes,
The next day, Nikolai couldn’t keep the grin off his face as he prepared for his second date with Freya after work. He had spent the entire night replaying moments from their first date, unable to think of anything else. Every time her laughter echoed in his mind, he found himself smiling like a fool. At the same time, Freya was already dressed and ready, her excitement bubbling over. She had chosen a light floral sundress that flowed beautifully around her, paired with simple sandals and a small clutch bag. She couldn’t stop thinking about Nikolai, her heart racing every time she imagined his smile or the way he had looked at her the night before. As Freya waited, her phone rang, and she picked up immediately when she saw Alva’s name. "Alva!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. Freya shared everything about her date with Nikolai, thanking Alva profusely for making it possible. Alva, equally thrilled, recounted her own dramatic day at the auction, sharing every de
Vidar folded his arms, staring at Mina with a mixture of disgust and disbelief. His voice was cold as he spoke. "You know, Mina," he began, "after I found my long-lost sister, I was looking forward to introducing her to you. I thought you two could be friends, and maybe there was even a future for us. But you revealed your true colors before it ever came to that." Mina opened her mouth to speak, but Vidar raised a hand, silencing her. "I’m happy I realized your disgusting nature before I gave you a status in my life. Don’t ever come near me or my sister again," he said firmly. "And, oh....get ready to explain yourself in court for defaming Alva." Mina’s face paled. She turned to Emilie, who was just as shocked as a lot of people to learn that Alva was Vidar’s sister. Mina dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face as she begged. "Vidar, please, I’m sorry! I love you so much. I thought Alva was your new girlfriend. I was blinded by jealousy. I would never have done this i
Mina’s hands trembled as she rummaged through Alva’s purse, her desperation growing with each passing second. She overturned every pocket, searching thoroughly, but the bracelet was nowhere to be found. Her heart raced, her mind spinning in disbelief. "I put it here!" she thought frantically. "I know I did!" In a final act of desperation, Mina turned the purse upside down, spilling its contents onto the floor. A few items fell out: some feminine wipes, a sleek black card, and a few dollar notes. The crowd watched in stunned silence as she crouched down, furiously pawing through the small pile. Alva stood above her, her gaze calm but piercing. She folded her arms, watching Mina humiliate herself. As Mina’s panic grew, Alva’s mind flashed back to the bathroom. She recalled how, through the mirror, she had seen Mina slip the bracelet into her purse while pretending to adjust her makeup. Alva had already been on guard, having noticed Mina’s earlier conversation with Emilie. Jonas had
Nikolai arrived at Aurora Bistro, a picturesque lakeside restaurant with a rustic charm. The bistro’s warm glow under string lights reflected on the tranquil water, creating an intimate and magical ambiance. He parked his car and walked toward the entrance, his nerves tingling with anticipation. As Nikolai entered, his eyes landed on Freya, who was already seated at a table near the window overlooking the lake. The sight of her momentarily took his breath away. She wore a deep emerald green dress that complimented her fair complexion. The soft fabric flowed effortlessly, cinching at the waist and flaring slightly at her knees. Her hair was styled in loose waves that framed her delicate features, and her light makeup highlighted her natural beauty. Freya’s bright smile, however, was what truly stole Nikolai’s attention. He approached the table with a grin. “Freya, you look absolutely stunning. I feel like I’m at a gala instead of a dinner date.” Freya blushed, smoothing her dress