***Hyacinth***The afternoon sun cast a golden hue over the city as my husband left for a brief meeting, leaving Patricia and me to our own devices. We had just enjoyed a hearty meal, and now, with our fur coats wrapped snugly around us, thick tights, and winter boots protecting us from the chill, we were ready to take on the day. My mother-in-law, the meticulous planner, had already curated our wardrobes for the season, ensuring we were prepared for every social event and occasion. Patricia, my ever-reluctant best friend, had initially refused to join me for the upcoming gala, but I had managed to persuade her. After all, what’s a gala without your partner-in-crime?We were set to stay in the city for two or three months, and our schedule was packed to the brim. There was little room for boredom between self-defense classes, Finnish language lessons, and social engagements. Patricia, the brains of our duo, had already mapped out our days with military precision.As we strolled throug
***Hyacinth***I examined the Polaroid camera I had recently purchased, its surface adorned with charming little trinkets. For some reason, it reminded me of *her*—the woman who had once used a similar camera to manipulate my husband. A faint sigh escaped my lips, but I quickly shook off the memory. Turning to my best friend, Patricia, I admired her effortless elegance. We were twinning in matching trench coats, hers in a deep burgundy and mine in a soft beige. She was a natural behind the lens, and I couldn’t wait to capture some moments together.“So, where are you two off to?” My husband’s voice broke the silence. He was lounging on the sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window, still in his pajamas, a book resting in his hands. I glanced at him, my brows furrowing slightly.“Shopping, baby!” I replied with a playful grin.“Hmm,” he murmured, not looking up from his book. “Last I checked, you both had a self-defense class today.”“That’s only for four hours, and it’s in the afternoon,” I
***Patricia***My mental health is hanging by a thread. I’m barely holding it together, yet here I am, trying to advise my best friend, Hyacinth, who’s even more unstable than I am. The weight of her daily trauma makes my struggles feel almost trivial in comparison. Just this morning, I was lost in the fantasy world of my ebook, a temporary escape from reality. Now? My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts, conjuring up countless scenarios of how to catch the bastard who’s been tormenting us. I imagine shoving his face into a cloud of pollen, watching him suffer as Hyacinth has suffered. The thought brings me a twisted sense of satisfaction.I sighed deeply, my fingers drumming restlessly on the coffee table. My eyes flicked to Seth as he placed a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka in front of me. His calm demeanor was both comforting and irritating. “Miss,” he said, his voice steady, “I think you need to work on your flexibility. Hyacinth is used to beatings. You’re not.”I frowned, my pride stingi
***Stalker’s Point of View***Her long, black, curly hair wasn’t particularly thick when we first met, but now it was. Thicker, healthier, more vibrant. Perhaps the stress of her failing marriage had lifted. Or maybe she finally had the money to invest in those luxurious hair treatments she deserved.I’ve dreamed of burying my face in those luscious curls, breathing in her essence. That’s why I stole her silk hair cap—the one she wears at night to preserve those perfect waves. Now, it’s pressed against my face as I pleasure myself, her scent intoxicating me. Rosemary… jojoba oil… whatever shampoo she uses, it’s divine.My bedroom in New York is a shrine to her. The walls are plastered with enlarged photographs of her face—sleeping, smiling, unaware. Some are candid shots I took while hiding in her cabin in Finland; others are meticulously printed from her social media. Her eyes follow me wherever I move, a constant reminder of my obsession.In one corner of the room, a glass display c
***Raven***Sleep eluded me entirely after I finished reading Hyacinth’s journal. My mind raced, piecing together every fragment of information, every clue. The thought that it could be Anthony gnawed at me, but I dismissed it. She was always safe when Anthony was around. At least, that’s what I wanted to believe. My suspicions shifted to Eino. His background was sparse, but what I knew painted a picture of a privileged young man dabbling in astrology—a rich kid with a penchant for exploring the world. His family had recently ventured into home security systems—cameras, digital surveillance, the works. I’d already checked the systems they installed at the cabin and traced their origins. Their sister company, or rather, their small-scale business, seemed innocuous enough. But something about Eino didn’t sit right with me. He was the lead I needed to focus on. “You haven’t slept at all, my love,” Hyacinth’s voice broke through my thoughts. She was bundling up in layers, pulling on a p
***Hyacinth***My heart was a storm, each beat a thunderclap of dread. Every time my eyes caught a glimpse of a bouquet of flowers, my pulse quickened, and a cold sweat broke out on my skin. The world felt like it was closing in, my thoughts a tangled mess. My stomach churned, and my mind was a whirlwind of fear and confusion. I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t breathe. My body trembled uncontrollably, as if the ground beneath me was shaking.“So, do we still have to pick up that coffee or what?” Patricia’s voice broke through my haze, her tone laced with concern. “You know, you can just stay here. I’ll pick it up.”“No, we go. They need coffee and food too,” I insisted, my voice barely steady. I pulled my hood over my head, shielding myself from the world as I followed Patricia into the café. Two bodyguards trailed behind us, their presence both comforting and a stark reminder of the danger that seemed to lurk around every corner. Seth waited in the car, his watchful eyes scanning the surr
***Raven***My body ached, but thankfully, nothing was broken. The memory of the black pickup truck slamming into my car replayed in my mind. I had just unfastened my seatbelt and was reaching for the cake in the backseat when the impact hit. The force wasn’t as devastating as it could have been—I’d managed to avoid the worst of it—but the shock still lingered, leaving me sore and on edge.When we arrived home, the female trainer was already waiting. Hyacinth glanced at her, her expression a mix of curiosity and apprehension, as Seth made the introductions. “This is Crissa Peskov. She’ll be your trainer and fitness coach,” Seth said, his tone formal yet reassuring. Hyacinth smiled warmly and extended her hand. “Hello, I’m Hyacinth, and this is my best friend, Patricia.” “Pleasure to meet you both,” Crissa replied, her Russian accent lending a melodic quality to her words. Hyacinth turned to me, her eyes pleading. “Can we cancel today’s training?” I shook my head firmly. “No.
**Hyacinth**After four grueling hours of self-defense training, I had envisioned a quiet evening of rest and relaxation. I knew my body would be sore tomorrow, and the thought of Raven’s amorous intentions for the night made me wince. But, as fate would have it, our plans changed. Raven received an invitation to dinner from a friend who lived on the same penthouse floor.As I soaked in a long, luxurious bath, Raven filled me in on our hosts, Mrs. Rachel Vanderbilt and her husband. They owned the entire building and had taken a liking to Raven. He explained how they had invested in his company early on, helping him build his empire alongside his father’s legacy. The Vanderbilts were old-money billionaires, a stark contrast to Raven’s self-made success.With Irene’s assistance, I blow-dried my hair and applied a touch of makeup—something I rarely did on my own. Raven presented me with a sleek black dress that complemented his casual yet elegant outfit. I sighed, longing to lounge in com
–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