Nova York — Seven years before.
Mr. Adams drove me to a huge villa in his car, and I confess I didn’t believe there was such an incredible place beyond the buildings and the grey city. Surprisingly, there is plenty of green, especially in this residential neighborhood through which he drives, passing through large iron gates. The estate is so large that I’m surprised. I knew that my father was a wealthy man who came from an aristocratic family... but seeing it with my own eyes now gives me a chill in my stomach.When he parks the car, I start to hyperventilate. My hands are sweating, even with the intense cold that affects my body and makes me shiver.“Don’t worry, girl,” Mr. Adams says, catching my fearful eyes. “This isn’t the family home... it belongs to Mike alone.”Oh, that’s right, he’s read the letter and already knows what they think of me.I turn my eyes to the large classic mansion, its large pillars and windows, and the centuries-old trees thatElisa and I met during the darkest period of my life. And she seemed like a light that brought warmth back to my body... It was a single night that changed my whole life... a memory I cherish, even though it reminds me of my powerlessness, of how I was a puppet in my parents’ hands.We talked about the past, about our pain. Elisa understood me; she also had lost the people she loved most. A lonely soul, but one who had learned to live in solitude, and her fire of life brought warmth to my body, to my soul.Elisa gave me everything I could ever want without me even dreaming of it. But my life wasn’t mine. Everything I was, had, and should be belonged to my family, to their whims. It was always my father’s absolute decree, my mother’s narcissism. What matters is the power obtained by influence, by the old money that moves this world. Everything perfectly aligned with the gears of society, just as my family wanted — an old family, old customs, and suffocating traditions t
When the sun rises with the start of another week, I feel an extreme sense of foreboding. It’s as if my body had already sensed a chill even before winter arrived. A terrible nausea forced me to look for a stomach medicine, but that didn’t do much good, as my intuition kept screaming in my head that the day would be tough.Things seem calmer with my father, but not between him and Julian... not that they’ve really tried to make any other contact. That worries me, honestly... I never wanted to shake their friendship, but I feel responsible for it now.Hah, I just hope this storm vanishes soon...Just like this discomfort of mine.For now, I just need to put on a smile and get through this day, dealing with the bomb that’s to come. However, the moment I arrive at the office — late because of the morning sickness, I sense a great tension in the air. The employees are gathered in small groups, spread around each other’s desks, chatting. Even when I arrive, they don’t dis
No... It can’t be.The photo on the laptop... Isn’t Laura?“The culprit is Grace Miller, 20 years old, from Nevada. She’s only been with the company a few months.” Jackson says, then turns his eyes to Julian, who is frowning.Honestly, I feel like I’ve been punched in the chest. I can’t believe it... Is Grace really the culprit?“No... It can’t be...” I mutter, my voice shaky and my eyes down. I look at my hands, feeling my stomach twist even more... But Jackson pays no attention to me; he simply sighs and says, “No mistake, Mr. Adams.”Julian is silent for a few moments, and then his heavy footsteps catch my ears. He’s walking to the door with a slightly closed expression, and I wish I knew what was going through his mind at the moment, even if I can’t even follow mine now. He opens the door and calls out loudly, his commanding voice shaking me, “Grace Mill
As soon as Jackson leaves the room, I let out the breath I hadn’t even noticed I’d been holding. I run my hand through my hair, brushing back the brown waves, and sigh. My anxious eyes go to Julian, who remains seated in complete silence. I still can’t read his expression, but somehow, I can imagine what’s going on in his mind... “You don’t believe that Grace is really behind this, do you?” I say slowly, and Julian finally rests his eyes on me. “Of course not.” He also sighs, relaxing his back on the chair. “But either way, she needs to be punished for starting all this.”“I believe her, Julian.”“I believe her too, but there’s nothing we can do... The only trace Jackson has found is of the first photo — the one Grace took.”“But how? I really don’t think she did it all by herself... How would she know about these inactive accounts? She h
Just as I said, I spent the day discreetly watching Laura.In fact, she didn’t even go near the I.T. floor or meet any of their staff. Curiously, her mood was also great, as if a burden had been lifted from her shoulders... And indeed, it has. I look at Tyler’s messages, the summary he sent me of what happened after I left the club with Julian... something I don’t regret, of course, but I wish I’d seen for myself.Tyler (Owner), Sunday 08:27 am:After you left, we stayed for another hour at most.Your friend Cathy stayed there, so I don’t think the girl suspected anything.I didn’t see any sign of Laura. I don’t know if she was there, but I stuck to the plan.I put the Grace girl in a cab, even though she asked if I couldn’t take her home.I think I did something interesting because she asked
When the cab finally pulled up next to a nice restaurant, I let out the breath I hadn’t even noticed I was holding. Julian pulls up a little behind, and we watch Laura get out and enter the establishment with elegance. It’s not a five-star restaurant, those extremely expensive ones with a specific type of customer, but it is elegant and modern. Unfortunately, there are no large windows that allow us to look inside, which makes me anxious and uncertain.I sigh, resting my back on the car seat... “Damn.” “At least you were right... She really did go to meet someone.” Julian says, tapping his thumb on the steering wheel.“But we won’t know who she’s meeting with...” I grumble with shrunken shoulders. “Should we go in?”Julian brings his hand up to my face and strokes it slowly, catching my fearful eyes... “Sure, why not? I’m hungry anyway.”I give him a bright smile and n
“Tyler?” Laura asks, stealing the words from my mouth, “What are you doing here?”“I was at home, of course. Have you forgotten where I live? Of course not, right? Since you’ve been knocking on my door so often these days. Oh, and if I’m not mistaken, you got to know this restaurant because I used to bring you here.” Tyler replies slowly, crossing his arms and looking directly at Laura, who remains pale, blinking. “Laura...” Jackson calls her slowly, looking around cautiously.“Can you not do that now, Tyler?” She stutters, looking at him with fearful, begging eyes.“What? You called me this morning and last night... I thought you were missing me.” Tyler gives a sarcastic smile, and I confess that I’m so tense that I can barely enjoy the panicked expression on Laura’s face. “Do you even have the face to deny it?”“What’s he saying?” Jackson asks, this time in a slightly louder, harsher voice — and now he really does sound like the man I know. “Laura?”“Jackson, my love...” She opens
I glance at the watch on my wrist, the slender pointers ticking as the seconds pass by. I tilt my head, now staring at the ceiling, the bright light mixing with the moonlight coming through the window. Outside, night has fallen, and there is no one else in the building except for the security guards and other employees who work the night shift.Honestly, I’d like to be at home in Angelee’s warmth, but here I am, in my office, three hours after the end of work time, waiting to finish what I’ve let go on longer than it should.“I can’t let that Tyler guy take all the credit, huh?” I mutter to myself, taking a deep breath...Suddenly, I hear the sound of the elevator, which is too loud in the silence of the night on this empty floor, and I watch the boy finally walk towards my office through the window, and I don’t let him waste time to knock on the door — I just nod as our eyes meet.And just like that, he opens the d