*** Raven ***Janice’s unease was palpable, a dark cloud hovering over her usual sharp demeanor. She stood in the corner, her fingers gripping the wine glass like it was the only thing keeping her grounded. My eyes narrowed as I tried to piece together what had shaken her so deeply. The flowers—those damned flowers—were a piece of the puzzle, a clue to the stalker who had been lurking in the shadows. But before I could dig deeper, the door opened, and Anthony and Maggie walked in.Hyacinth greeted them with her usual warmth, but my stomach churned. Their arrival felt... calculated. My plan was unraveling, and I didn’t like it.The evening pressed on, the room filling with laughter and the clinking of glasses. My mother and Hyacinth had outdone themselves with finger snacks and drinks, creating an atmosphere that felt almost too perfect. Eino, ever the social butterfly, was already deep in conversation with my friends, his familiarity with Anthony raising my suspicions. Venla, graceful
*** Hyacinth ***The soft glow of the moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a serene ambiance in our bedroom. Raven’s arms were wrapped around me, his warmth seeping into my skin as we lay there, basking in the afterglow of our love. His fingers traced lazy patterns on my arm, and I couldn’t help but smile, feeling utterly cherished. Raven made me feel like the most important person in the world, like nothing else mattered when we were together. His love was my sanctuary, a place where I could be completely myself, vulnerable and unguarded.As we made our way downstairs, his hand never left my side, his possessive and tender touch. I loved how he always seemed to need to be close to me as if even the slightest distance was too much. His PJ pants hung low on his hips, and I couldn’t help but admire the way his muscles moved with every step. Raven was effortlessly handsome, his dark hair tousled, his eyes always holding a hint of mischief. But it wasn’t just his looks that ca
**Raven**The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the house. I was already on edge after Irene handed me that letter, “This is surprisingly yours, sir.” Irene said. The single black rose in the bouquet for Hyacinth sent a chill down my spine. A black rose meant something dark. Whoever sent it knew too much, and I wasn’t about to let anything threaten my wife. I slid the letter into my pocket, determined to deal with it later.“That’s for Hyacinth,” I pointed to the bouquet. “Burn it.” “Yes, sir.” She nodded and went back to the guard’s house while I went back inside the house. I went close by the windowsill and watched as they lit up As I turned, Hyacinth descended the stairs, her hair tousled from sleep, her eyes still heavy with drowsiness. She was breathtaking, even in her half-awake state. I met her at the bottom step, pulling her into my arms. Her lips met mine, soft and warm, and for a moment, the world faded away. But of course, Patricia had to
*** Hyacinth ***My beloved keyboards. I was over the moon as I arranged the new ones, each encased in the protective acrylic covers my husband had gifted me. Vintage mechanical designs—each one a masterpiece. I adored them, worshiped them even. But for now, I’d be using the keyboard Raven had bought for me, the one that felt like an extension of my thoughts, my creativity.“Hyacinth,” my mother-in-law’s voice chimed in, pulling me from my reverie. I turned around, my fingers lingering on the keys for a moment longer.“Yes, Mom?” I replied, my voice soft but attentive.“We’re off to check on the place for our New Year celebration. It won’t be in the city, but somewhere where we can watch the fireworks,” she explained, her tone light and cheerful.“Yes,” I agreed, though a flicker of unease passed through me. Fireworks in the woods? I couldn’t help but think of the birds, the animals—the chaos it might bring to them. But we’d only be watching from afar, and perhaps that made it alright.
*** Hyacinth ***The drive back to the main city was a blur of passing lights and idle chatter, but the moment we stopped by BGC, the air shifted. Conti’s cafe stood there, a familiar haven, and the promise of Mango Bravo ice cream was enough to lift my spirits. But as soon as I stepped out of the car, my heart stuttered. There they were—Venla, her tall, elegant frame impossible to miss, and Rose, her laughter ringing out like a bell. They stood there, shopping bags in hand, sharing a moment that felt too intimate for my comfort. My stomach twisted. Rosie’s presence always spelled trouble, and the thought of her whispering venom into Venla’s ear made my chest tighten. Venla would tell Eino, and then… I shook my head, trying to dispel the anxiety clawing at me. “No,” I told myself. “I shouldn’t care.”Patricia nudged me, her touch grounding. “Come on,” she said, her voice firm but kind. “Let’s get the cake.” I followed her into the store, my eyes darting back to the glass wall where
**Raven**I had identified the type of paper and the fountain pen used in the mysterious letter. I’d even enlisted an expert to analyze the nib, the ink, and the handwriting. The results had arrived earlier that day, but for now, my focus was singular. I needed to know whose handwriting this was. The answer felt close, yet elusive.“Raven!” Hyacinth’s voice pierced through the silence as she burst through the door, her chest heaving as though she’d been running for miles. She leaned against the doorframe, catching her breath, her eyes wide with urgency. “Come out, now!”“What’s the rush?” I asked, calmly sliding the analysis report into my desk drawer before standing. My wife looked flustered, her cheeks flushed, and her hair slightly disheveled. I approached her, my curiosity piqued. “What’s going on?”Without a word, she grabbed my hand and pulled me downstairs, her grip firm yet trembling with excitement. We stepped into the garden, where a peculiar sight awaited us: a delivery sof
***Raven***I don’t have concrete evidence that Anthony is the one behind the assault on the private investigator. He’s currently in the hospital, and we’ve already collected his statement. The investigator also found a sample of Anthony’s handwriting, which I sent for forensic analysis. The results were inconclusive—while the handwriting matched, there were peculiarities in each stroke. The forensic expert Janice consulted pointed out that handwriting can be replicated, and some people even share similar styles naturally. But would Hyacinth’s stalker go to such lengths to deceive me? It’s a question that gnaws at the edges of my mind, leaving me restless.“Raven,” Hyacinth’s voice broke through my thoughts, soft and drowsy. I thought she was asleep, but she sat up, her arms wrapping around my back in a warm, sleepy embrace. “You’re still awake.”“Sorry, babe,” I murmured, turning to face her. Her eyes were half-lidded, her hair tousled from sleep, and her expression a mix of concern
**Rosie**It’s the perfect way to ruin Hyacinth in the eyes of those who know her. Too bad Dad isn’t here to witness it. I have all the intimate videos of Hyacinth and Raven from their teenage years, filmed in her bedroom. Not many people know they were step-siblings back then. I haven’t shown Venla the footage of Raven and Hyacinth. She might think I’m unethical. But my friends are well aware of how close Hyacinth and Raven were during their teens. The awkward, ugly teenager Hyacinth somehow managed to seduce a handsome boy like Raven. Then again, men will sleep with anyone, regardless of looks. “I’m so glad you invited me last minute, Auntie,” I said to Darcy, flashing my most innocent smile. She responded with a hum and a lopsided grin. “Oh, dear. This place isn’t exactly your father’s style,” she remarked, though her comment made little sense to me. No matter—I’m here to have fun and ruin this party. “Venla, dear,” Darcy called out sweetly. “I’ve prepared a room for you and Ei
–Hyacinth–I planned it to be in Switzerland. Patricia always wanted to go there. So we made it. Raven and I decided to let them go wherever they want. While he and I stayed in our hotel room to make love. I promised him. That we would go crazy in bed once he’s fully recovered. It’s still his birthday week. Besides, my husband is all that matters now. I may not be able to give him children but this one happiness… maybe it’ll fill up his wants. “I am loving your body, right now.” He said while admiring me on a fitted dress that I put on for our afternoon walk. We’ll be meeting them in the restaurant that they found a few blocks from our hotel. “Really? I think I am fatter than before.” I approached her as he caressed my curves. “Oh, these… mama mia!” He grinned. I laughed and pushed his hair forward. “Let’s go. I want to eat and also enjoy this place.” “Okay, okay.” He bounced his head. “I don’t want my wife to get hungry. Hungry wife, disaster life.” He said as playfully as I sma
–Hyacinth–I quickly tucked the letter away, my fingers trembling slightly as I realized it could ruin the night for Raven. No, not tonight. Not on his birthday. I stepped outside, handed the bouquet to a passing housekeeper with a grateful smile, and whispered, "Thank you," before rushing back in.And the letter? I buried the storm of emotions twisting inside me. Because this isn’t just about me anymore. This time, I’m protecting him. I’m protecting Raven.The door burst open from the bathroom. “Love!” Raven called out, his voice bright and boyish.I turned with a soft smile. “Yes?”He peeked his head around the doorframe with that mischievous grin of his. “I was thinking… quick party, then make love?”I laughed, arching a brow. “You’re not fully recovered yet. So, we can’t—unless~”“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled, waving a hand. “I know. No more food poisoning, I swear.”“Mmhmm,” I hummed, unconvinced.He walked over, draping himself across the bed. “So, who knocked earlier?”I avoided h
–Hyacinth–I sighed, stomach churning. Ugh, probably too much soda. I rushed to the bathroom, hoping it would pass. That’s when it hit me—I hadn’t gotten my period.I froze, hand instinctively reaching for my chest. Tender. Really tender.“Oh, shit,” I muttered. “Am I pregnant… or is this just PMS?”No. Couldn’t be. I stopped taking the pill, yeah, but Raven had a low sperm count and we always used condoms… right?“This is just PMS,” I told myself, firm. “Just premenstrual weirdness. Totally normal. Nothing to see here.”I cleaned myself up and was just reaching for toilet paper when Raven knocked.“Come on, babe!” he called.I opened the door just enough to peek out.“I’m not feeling great,” I said, nudging him inside. “Your turn.”He rushed past me like a man on a mission. “Thanks! But hey, we still have places to be, remember?”“Yeah, yeah,” I said with a laugh.The door shut, and a groan came from inside.“You okay in there?” I asked, amused. “Want me to get you some medicine?”“Y
Hyacinth I’ve always dreamed of touring Europe, and now, with our budget secured, we finally could. The private jet made the trip hassle-free, and as we stepped onto foreign soil, I intertwined my fingers with my husband’s. But he brushed my hand away, handing me my purse instead. I pouted, only for him to secure his own bag across his chest before resting a firm hand on my waist. My irritation melted into a grin when he winked at me. “So, this is the surprise birthday trip you planned for me?” he asked. “Yes,” I confirmed. “I would’ve preferred it if we were alone, you know.” His grin turned wicked as he wiggled his brows. “Locked in our room for days—lazy, indulgent, just us. I’d never get tired of that.” “But I would,” I shot back, squinting up at him. “It’s bad for me.” He laughed as I did, then pushed open the door to the first café we spotted. The place wasn’t crowded, but the rich aroma of coffee and pastries was intoxicating. My eyes locked onto the cinnamon Dani
–Patricia–I had invited Anthony with Hyacinth’s approval, and they unexpectedly showed up together. I was surprised that Hyacinth had brought our favorite yogurt set, while Raven handed me the apple container.“You can eat all of that since you’re single,” Raven remarked with a pitying look. It was irritating, but I had to endure his constant jibes—after all, my best friend was paying me to tolerate his face.I put the yogurt in the fridge, only to be interrupted by a hand that appeared behind me, placing something next to it. I turned, nearly colliding noses with the newcomer. He quickly raised his hand and apologized, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”“No, it’s fine,” I replied with a grin. “You’re not trying to flirt with me, are you?” I teased.“What if I am?” he shot back, laughing and nodding.“You’ll have to ask my best friend’s permission first,” I quipped.He chuckled and patted my arm. “Sure thing. By the way, I have some questions,” he said, extending his arm. I gracefu
***Raven*** Rosie had put on quite the show. After days of comforting my wife and convincing her not to blame herself, it seemed to be working—somewhat. But I needed to double down. I had to find that last copy and destroy it, especially now that my wife was gaining fame. Maybe we should stop attending galas altogether. “Why are you packing so much?” I asked as she counted a few items. “We’re off to Europe,” she replied casually. “Babe, we’re not going to Finland again,” I teased. “I didn’t say Finland,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I have work.” “You can work from there. Besides, I made sure the jet is packed.” She winked and held up a piece of lingerie—tempting, to say the least. “Wow, second honeymoon?” I approached her, but she raised a finger to stop me, carefully placing the lingerie into the luggage. “Now I remember—our anniversary is coming up,” I said, walking around her and pulling her waist toward me. “Are you planning to make love to me?” “No way! After
–Raven–As soon as I answered his call, the first thing I heard was his heavy breathing.“I will kill her. I will kill Hyacinth,” Samuel said, as though Hyacinth wasn’t his daughter. His words sent chills down my spine. Even his own flesh and blood—he wanted her dead.“Killing Hyacinth won’t do you any good, Samuel,” I replied, keeping my tone casual.“She said something to Rosie. She must have. Now, tell me—what else did she say to Rosie?”I frowned.“I have no idea what you’re talking about. And whatever Hyacinth said must be true.”“I will end you both!”I sighed and hung up, immediately calling Samuel’s nurse. She answered after a few moments.“What’s going on in there?” I asked.“Unfortunately, Miss Rosie sent a message. She tried to overdose on pills. She’s currently in the emergency room.”I was silent for a moment, processing the news. Rosie—always desperate for attention. No, she wasn’t just seeking attention; she was demanding it. Just earlier, she had threatened Hyacinth, v
—Stalker’s Point of View—Smelling her, touching her—it almost drove me insane. But it wasn’t just her that consumed me. It was something our family was meant to possess. Her mother was perfect. The epitome of intelligence. A woman who had it all, despite being a commoner, not royalty. Yet everyone wanted her as their daughter-in-law. A genius in everything… except love. “I was thinking that maybe Hyacinth was also a victim of love.” I stood, pacing around my desk, glancing at the piles of recently filed cases. Boring paperwork, but necessary. Even the bomb incident was just another file to clean up. I hadn’t meant to kill anyone—just to isolate her. If everyone around her was gone, taking her would be effortless. But no matter how many times I tried, they clung to her. Maybe I should ruin her relationship with Darcy. “How do I do that?” My fingers tapped against the windowsill as I watched Hyacinth step out of her apartment across the street, her bodyguards trailing like
–Hyacinth— I was certain she intended to become my husband’s mistress. Proposing in front of me? Bold. But I had seen Raven flinch multiple times. That woman—Minerva—sat across from him, her foot subtly grazing his ankle, then sliding higher, testing his restraint. Raven’s discomfort was palpable. His glare could have scorched her where she sat. When our orders arrived, I draped my hand possessively over his lap. He shifted under my touch, but I only leaned closer, crossing my legs to shield him from Minerva’s advances. Let her try. “If you want, you can visit the site with us,” Colton offered. “Are we hiking, or…?” I trailed off, waiting. “Fly. We’ll fly,” Dane cut in, grinning. “I’ll be your pilot.” Raven’s hand settled on my thigh, a silent claim. “Let me taste that,” he murmured, nodding toward my tuna. Without hesitation, I fed him a bite, rice and all. Colton groaned. “Oh, come on! I don’t want to be a third wheel here.” I smirked. “Minerva’s here. You don’t