**Valerie**A sense of uneasiness filled me as I emptied my drink in hand and placed the glass on the table. “I should probably head home and rest; I still have work to submit by Monday,” I lied. My eyes were a bit heavy just after a few glasses.“Val,” she placed a hand on mine, her eyes piercing into my skin. “You won't have to.”Something about the way she said it sent shivers down my spine. And strangely, Amelia's words echoed in my head. *You'll find out soon enough. Let's just say you won't be a problem for much longer.*I just considered Amelia a blabbermouth. But now that I think about it, could there be more to her statement?I looked at Tessa's hand and then her face, and I saw a tiny smirk on her lips that seemed more off than usual.“Ohh,” I mumbled, pulling my hand away from hers. I did not want to ask her what that statement meant; I was scared to. I was scared of the next words that might come out of her mouth, so I decided it'd be best to just leave.Standing to my fee
**Third person**Karen's mansion later that night.“The deed is done.” The hired man stood before Karen, hands at his back, while his expression was stoic. Karen placed a leg over the other, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "And the body?" She asked, her voice low.“The car went over a cliff. The cops will find it soon enough,” he replied.Karen nodded, a cold smile spreading across her face. "Good. Make sure there are no loose ends.”“Yes, ma'am.”Just then, Victor entered the room, and Karen immediately turned to him with a smile. “You're just on time; everything turned out just fine,” she blurted out with a smile, forgetting that they weren't alone. The realization hit her, and she regained her composure at once, clearing her throat as she looked away from Victor. “So how's Amanda? Is she getting better?” she asked with a straight face.Victor's expression flickered, a brief hesitation before responding. "She's... fine. Recovering well."Then he bowed slightly and made to lea
**Third person** At the Stone's Enterprises, Lucas shoved his hands into his pocket, his gaze fixed on somewhere outside the window. “So it is authentic?” He asked Calvin. Calvin nodded. “Yes, as far as the experts could tell.” Lucas clenched his jaw slightly and then drew in a sharp breath. “Then that means she lied?” “I wouldn't exactly say that though,” he paused. “You remember that our findings were a bit strange.” “Mmhm,” Lucas hummed thoughtfully, his head bobbing slightly. “And what have you been about to get on that anonymous person?” "Uh..." Calvin hesitated. There wasn't much he could have gathered in a few days. Lucas pulled out a hand from his pocket, ran it through his hair, and then turned to look at Calvin. “Valerie said that he has texted her just twice,” he stated. “The first was something trivial, and then this.” Calvin furrowed his brow slightly. “Something trivial?” he asked. But Lucas continued anyway, ignoring Calvin's question. “And the initials he
**Third person**Valerie had just stepped into Harrisons Enterprises.She was wearing a black stiletto, her lips painted a bright shade of red that matched her fitted dress. Lucas was walking by her side, while the cops were behind them.Adam ran up to them as soon as he saw Valerie. “Val… Valerie… I was so worried,” he confessed, his eyes sparkling and his entire teeth on display. Then he turned, his expression becoming serious. “Mr. Stone?” Adam bowed slightly. “I hope there's no problem, especially since you brought..." His eyes darted to the three policemen briefly. “...company.”Lucas’s expression remained grim. “They'll be leaving with the person who tried to murder my fiance.”“Mur… Murder?” Adam stuttered, his eyes widening in shock. “Someone tried to kill Valerie?” And at that moment, Adam immediately reached for Valerie’s hand. “Are you okay?”Lucas furrowed his brow at the scene, his hand flying to break their contact. Then he pulled Valerie close before shooting a glare a
**Valerie**I walked back to my office, a surge of satisfaction coursing through me. One man down; next would be Karen. Taking a sharp breath, the events of that night replayed in my mind. I had somehow managed to get a second chance.***Few days ago***I slowly opened my eyes, taking in the surroundings. The table, chair, wall… This wasn't my room. So where was I?Rubbing my eyes with the back of my palm to ward off sleepiness, I said up gently. The images of the last thing I could remember flashed through my head, and a shiver ran down my spine.Tessa spiking my drink... Me trying to get away... the men trying to carry me afterwards... And then my mind went blank. But why did they bring me here? I thought they must have killed me by now. I wrapped my trembling arms around my chest in fear as my mind reeled. “Wait, am I in heaven?” I murmured to myself.“Do you really think you'd go to heaven if you died?” A voice startled me. I looked up to see Lucas."Lucas?" My voice was barel
**Third person**Karen stormed into her office, slamming the door behind her. She paced back and forth, her anger boiling over as Valerie's words replayed in her mind.*Amelia said the same thing on Friday. Guess who's going to sleep in a cell tonight?*Karen's fist clenched, and she gritted her teeth. “How dare she threaten me?” she thundered, her hands flying to her table. And object after object, she tossed them at the wall before finally swiping all the papers off the table.Then suddenly, she stopped and picked up her phone, her mind drifting to the bastard who told her that the job was done, that Valerie was dead."Answer," she growled into the receiver as soon as he picked up.A hesitant voice spoke on the other end. "Ma'am?""Why is she still alive?" Karen demanded. There was a pause before the voice responded. “Who?” His confusion was evident in his voice.“Fucking idiot,” she cursed. “Who did I ask you to get rid of?” “Valerie Thorne? What's the fuss about?” The man spoke
**Valerie**I walked into the knitting club, scanning the room for the familiar faces. Then I spotted Frances and Grandma, chatting and clicking their knitting needles. A bright smile plastered on my face, and my heart swelled with emotion as I made my way over to them."Hey, girl!" Frances exclaimed, tapping on the seat beside her and gesturing for me to sit. "We were just talking about you; it's been a while.”“Yeah,” I smiled again, taking a seat beside them.Frances leaned towards me. “The getaway dick got you real good, didn't it?” She whispered into my ear.I sputtered a cough, almost choking on my own spit.My cheeks turned red with embarrassment, and my lips spread into a small cheesy smile as I recalled my conversation with her at the bar. I cleared my throat and then looked up to meet her expectant eyes. Ah... Guess that wasn't a rhetorical question.Then I equally leaned towards her. “Wasn't quite what I was expecting,” I confessed in a whisper.She gasped softly. “Wait… D
**Third person**I sipped my coffee, my eyes locked onto Matthew's. “When I'm done with Karen, my parents are next.”Then my gaze shifted from him to somewhere beside his chair. “I need to know how my mom felt conspiring against her own daughter.” I sucked my teeth and wiped my face as a stray tear escaped from the side of my eye.“I wonder what it was like for her. Was it easy? Did she hesitate?” My chest tightened, and my voice came out in broken pieces. “Who knows, maybe she probably even brought up the idea. But still, I'd never understand why.”“Valerie,” Matt called out, placing a comforting palm on my shoulder. And from my tear-blurred eyes, I could see his jaw clench. “What good is having a family anyway? when all they do is betray and abandon you?”I shrugged, trying to seem unaffected even though it still hurt like yesterday. “Well, I'm fine now. That's all in the past. I don't have a family anymore.” I said, trying to keep my voice firm. He nodded and then gave my shoulder
**Lucas**“Valerie!” I shouted as I watched the taxi drive away with her.“Fuck!!” I yelled. I ran a palm across my face, my heart pounding as I pulled at my hair. Why do I keep fucking things up? Just why??!I groaned and then jogged back to the garage, deciding to drive to her house. “I hope she's headed home,” I muttered frustratedly.How was I supposed to explain things to her when I clearly know how this looks? But how do I convince her? I'm quite sure that nothing happened. Even though I was drunk, at least I'd remember bits and pieces of the sex afterwards—that's if it did happen—but there was nothing at all. Nothing.Just as I approached my car, Angela blocked my path. “What are you doing?” she asked.I shrugged, moved away from her and took another route, but she was quick to block my way again. “Why are you going after her when I'm here?”“Angela. Move,” I gritted out slowly, my patience wearing thin.“Why? I'm the one who loves you. I can make you happy.” Then her eyes dil
**Valerie**“Karen?” I echoed, my heart racing, and he nodded.“Just be quiet,” he whispered and gave me a reassuring look before stepping out.After he left, I moved to the door and pressed myself against it, my ears straining to eavesdrop on their conversation.“Hey babe, what do you say about lunch?” I heard him say to Karen.“Lunch?” Came her response.I imagine her face was twisted into a scowl because he continued, “I don't know why you think that about me. I'm sorry, okay? I'm not behind those pranks.”A pause. Then, “Why are you acting so strangely right now?" Karen's voice asked. "You didn't give a shit that I thought you were responsible for the pranks. So why are you apologizing all of a sudden?”“That's not it,” he chuckled, but I could hear the tremble in it. “I thought your meeting ended a while ago. What are you still doing here?” I heard the clinking of heels get closer and closer to the door. Then it stopped.“Let's talk things over. Let's go for lunch, okay?” I ima
**Valerie**I was sitting across from Tessa at work, my mind wandering and a thousand thoughts trooping in.So they're not my parents? Explains everything.Or did Karen just say I'm not her sister to make her seem less bad?But if they're not my parents, then who are they? Are my real parents still alive? Where are they?“Val?” Tessa's voice snapped me out of my daze.I blinked rapidly to suppress the tears welling in my eyes before I looked up at her. “Uhm, yeah?”She studied my face for a moment. “You good?”I nodded. “Yeah, sure." I tried to make my voice seem cheerful. "What's up?”She side-eyed me, her face screaming, ‘I know you're not fine, but it's okay if you don't want to tell me what's wrong.’ Then she pushed a document over to me.My face lit up, my eyes shifting from the document that was now in my hand to her face. “Is this what I think it is?”"Who knows?” She smiled, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Check it out."My hands got to work immediately, opening the envelope
**Valerie**“Wait…” He paused, processing my words. Then a proud laugh ripped from his throat. “That was intentional?”I smiled but didn't say a word. I just allowed him to take his time and catch his breath until he spoke up again.“But doesn't that mean you'll lose Adam as an ally?” He asked with a thoughtful expression.I shrugged. “I don't have use for him anymore,” I replied sincerely.“Fucking bastard is getting what he deserves,” Matt seconded with a nod. There was a brief pause on the other end before he spoke again. “There's something I want to tell you about that Gary Miller. How does the weekend sound? It's not urgent.”“Yeah, there's that guy,” I sighed out. “Weekend's fine for me, Matt.”“Okay, good, I'll see you then.”“Yeah, bye.”The line went dead, and I placed my phone away, my mind shifting to the bug in Adam's bedroom and what new recordings it must have acquired.After the bloodbath yesterday, Karen must have had some things to say. Actually, not ‘some’... She mus
**Third person**Karen let out another loud laugh. Her tone was filled with mockery and amusement. “I should have known something was wrong when ‘Ashleeey’ didn't come for you.” She air-quoted the word ‘Ashley,’ disdain resting on her tongue.Then she paused, her smile vanishing completely and replaced with a fierce look. "If Ashley's ghost was truly roaming around, you'd be the first one she attacks!” She spat. “After all, you're the son of a bitch who killed his pregnant wife!”Adam recoiled, taken aback by Karen's words. He scoffed, disbelief clouding his features. How could she put it on him? When she was just as bad.“You must be delusional,” he snarled, facing his wife head-on. “Why do you think she wouldn't have come for you? Aren't you the whore of a sister who was sleeping with her man?!” He let his disgust-filled eyes rake over her. “Plus you fucking killed her too!”Karen lounged forward, her face contorted in rage as her palm flew in the air, aiming for Adam's face. But Ad
**Valerie**Adam's eyes caught mine for a brief moment, and I could see the anger beneath his calm facade. I swallowed and looked away, not wanting to figure out what he was thinking. I wasn't scared, though. I shouldn't be. I couldn't be.Lucas reached for my hand and gave it a light squeeze. I smiled and looked up at him, grateful for the support he didn't even know that I needed.I held onto his hand for a few more minutes, just enjoying the warmth and comfort his touch brought. My gaze roamed the emptying hall, my eyes catching some members of security rushing up to the stage with towels in hand.“Maybe we should leave now,” I suggested to Lucas after a while.At this point, they'd carried Mr. and Mrs. Harrison off stage. The hall was basically empty, save for Adam and Karen, who remained in their seats, and a few workers still roaming about.Lucas seemed to search my face for a moment before speaking. “We could take our time if you want.”Take our time?“Why?" I blurted out with
**Valerie**Even Adam gasped. I watched his shoulders sag in what I believe was defeat.The man’s eyes scanned the room slowly, searching for last-minute bids. Though his eyes lingered on Adam for a while, perhaps expecting him to counter the offer.I rolled my eyes at him. Really? He should end this already.“Pièce de résistance has been sold for twenty million dollars,” the auctioneer shouted, his face beaming.The room erupted into applause as Lucas was declared the winner. I leaned over, my voice barely audible. “Twenty million dollars?”Adam's defeat was satisfying, but I didn't like the fact that Lucas had to spend so much money in the process.Lucas smirked, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he leaned forward. “I told you I'd get it, didn't I?” he muttered casually, more of a statement than a question. So I didn't answer; I just shook my head slightly.“Our next piece for tonight is the exquisite ‘Midnight Mirage’ by Alexis LaRue,” the auctioneer announced, shifting our focu
**Valerie** My brows furrowed in confusion. How? Why would he say that? He doesn't even know that I'm married. But before I had any time to process his words, he turned to Freya. "This is Valerie Thorne. She's the most beautiful woman in the world, and she's my girlfriend." He brushed my hair slightly with his free hand, the touch sending a shiver down my spine. Most beautiful woman in the world? My cheeks turned a bright shade of red as I extended a hand to her. The woman didn't take my hand. Instead, her smile faltered, a flicker of disdain crossing her features. "Oh, you're his girlfriend?" she echoed, the words laced with a chilling disbelief. Before I could respond, Lucas cut through the awkward silence. "Yup. And nice catching up, but we should get going." His tone was firm, effectively brushing off her condescension. A surge of pride and satisfaction coursed through me as I watched Freya's smile vanish completely, replaced by a look of stunned disbelief. We moved a
**Valerie**Saturday night,My eyes caught my parents, and I felt the air knock out of my lungs. Mrs. Harrison, my mother, was looking as elegant as usual. She was wearing a sleeveless ball gown, her hair styled into a fringe and ponytail, and her arm locked onto my dad's.My dad, ever the charmer, was laughing with a man I recognized. He was one of the big investors at the Harrisons' company.I could imagine what Dad was saying to the man. ‘We’re on the verge of a revolutionary breakthrough, and with your support, we can make it happen.‘ It was his typical way of luring new investors or encouraging old investors to invest more.Then suddenly, his eyes met mine. I reached for a glass of wine from a passing tray and gulped everything at once, the liquid doing very little to calm my frayed nerves.“Are you okay?” Lucas, who was standing beside me, asked.I tore my eyes from Peter Harrison, my gaze sweeping across the room, taking in the grand ballroom shimmering like wonderland. It was