CHAPTER 013
I stepped inside the house, which was muted but not the peaceful calm. It was heavy, as if the walls were closing in on me. I walked towards the living room, my heart pounding. Sprawled like a queen on her throne was Lilith on the couch. She had her legs crossed, a phone in one hand and a glass of red wine in the other. When she heard me, she looked up, and that infuriating smirk spread across her face.
She snorted, her voice rasping with mockery and filling up with surprise. “Back so soon?” “I thought you’d finally grown a spine and left for good.”
I stopped in the doorway, gripping the frame so hard my knuckles went white. “We need to talk.”
Her smirk never wavered as she tilted her head. “Oh? ‘What could we possibly have to talk about?’”
Moving into the room, each movement was deliberate, accomplished with a weight and a heaviness, as if I were preparing to fight. The simple words I wanted to hear came tumbling out of me. “I want to know the truth, Lilith.”
A sharp, cruel sound of laughter bounced off the walls. “The truth? You already know, sweetheart. ‘You’re just too scared to admit it to yourself.’”
I snapped: “Stop playing games.” “Say what you have to say.”
She put her back down and swirled her wine. She set the glass down and said, “Fine.” “You want the truth? Rowan and I were in love. Genuine love. It’s not the pathetic, one-sided thing you’ve been chasing all these years.”
I refused to show it as her words hit like a punch to the gut. I forced my jaw tight to keep my voice from sounding steady. “You’re lying.”
She raised an eyebrow and shot back, “Am I?” “Do you think Rowan ever chose you?” Your family forced him into this. He’s always belonged to me.”
I curled my hands into fists, causing my nails to bite into my palms. If that’s true, where is he? Why did he marry me?”
She said sharply, “Because your precious daddy left him no choice.” It was like a knife through me, her tone. "Rowan became the hero your family needed and played the rescuer."
Her words hurt, but I swallowed the pain and moved closer. Do you think tearing me down hones you than me? Does Rowan respect you for this?”
Her glass was forgotten, but she stood now, meeting my gaze head-on. Her green eyes glinted with some malice. She said softly but venomously, 'Oh, Sarah …' No one respects him, lopsided you. You’re nothing to him. You never were.”
I couldn't breathe; I fought for shallow gasps, and my chest felt tight. I wouldn’t let her see me cry, though. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of knowing she’d gotten to me. I said, sharp and unsteady, “At least I’m not a liar and a manipulator.” “You’ll never win, Lilith. Not with him. Not with anyone.”
Her lips curled into a sneer. “And what are you, Sarah? A little girl desperate for a man who doesn’t love her? Do you think anyone looks at you like anything other than a pathetic, broken woman?”
Something inside me snapped. I shoved her back before I could think. Her eyes widened in shock, then narrowed in rage, and she stumbled.
She hissed, lunging at me, “You little—” She scratched her nails down my arm, and I gasped, trying to push her away.
A door slammed somewhere in the house, and Rowan was there. He thundered through the room with his voice.
“What the hell is going on?”
Immediately Lilith shifted gears, and her face crumpled into a mask of innocence. “She attacked me,” she whimpered, grabbing at her arm as if I’d hurt her. “She— I was just sitting here and she—”
“She’s lying!” I yelled, my voice cracking. “She’s been goading me all night,” he said.
Rowan’s icy blue eyes looked at me, his face unreadable. “That’s enough, Sarah.”
“Are you serious?” My voice shook with anger and disbelief as I said. “After everything she’s done , do you will take her side?”
His gaze didn’t falter. “You need to stop this. Now.”
Lilith reached over to him, brushing his arm with her calculated move. “She’s out of control, Rowan. 'I was only trying to help her see the truth,’” he said.
“Help?” I let out a bitter laugh. “You’ve been trying to destroy me since I met you.”
“Enough!” Through the air, a whip cracked, and Rowan’s voice cracked. His tone softened, and he turned to Lilith. “Go upstairs. I’ll handle this.”
She just smirked one last time and brushed past me, deliberately bumping her shoulder into mine. I trembled as I stood there, watching her disappear up the stairs.
“How can you defend her?” I asked, turning to Rowan. My voice was thick with tears I hadn't shed. “Everything she’s done to me, to us?”
He ran a hand through his dark hair and sighed. “Sarah, you don’t understand.”
I begged them, 'Then make me understand.' “Why do you keep protecting her?”
There was a moment of softening in his expression, and I thought I saw regret. His face hardened again, but just as quickly. He spoke low and chilling, “Don’t push her.” “I’m afraid you won’t like what happens next.”
His words sat there like an angry storm cloud, thick and suffocating. I tried to respond, but the words wouldn’t come. He turned and walked away before I could even think, leaving me in silence.
My legs were too weak to hold me, so I sank onto the couch. His warning twisted and turned in my mind like a knife. What did he have over Lilith? What was he so desperate to protect?
Why did it feel like I was the one being punished?
CHAPTER 014The air in my room was suffocating—the kind of weight that clung to your chest and wouldn’t let go. It was dark; the only light from my laptop, and the only sound was he faint hum of the laptop fan. Megan’s email was open, and her message was brief and to the point. She never asked questions, never had. That’s why I trusted her.My finger hesitated momentarily, and I clicked the first link. A news article popped up, its bold headline sending a chill through me: “The Missing Whistleblower and Pharma Giant.”I scanned the text, and my heart sank. Robert Gaines. I didn’t know his name, but I knew his story. At one point, Gaines was a former employee of Flint Pharmaceuticals who had filed complaints about unethical business practices. He vanished just weeks later. No trace. No leads. The article said the case had gone cold, but his family had desperately pleaded for answers. Rowan’s name was barely mentioned, just a shadow at the story's edge, and the company denied involvemen
CHAPTER 015The hallway outside of Jervis’s apartment smelled like old carpet and cleaning solution, the kind that barely covered up the years of wear and tear. My hand trembled slightly as I raised my fist to knock on the door, and I hesitated. Everything felt heavier tonight—my breath, my heartbeat, even the air seemed to press against my chest.The door swung open before I could make contact, and there he was. Jervis. His blonde hair was a tousled mess, as he’d just been running his fingers through it before turning his fists and anger over something in frustration. His glasses were crooked on his nose, but his eyes softened when they landed on me. His familiar presence loosened the knot in my stomach for a moment.He stepped aside to let me in, saying, "Sarah." "I was wondering when you'd come."I walked past him, but I couldn’t find the words. His apartment was warm compared to the icy knot of tension coiled inside my chest. He went through the door leading into his dorm—all of w
CHAPTER 001The only thing you could hear was the espresso machine humming to itself and the slight scrape of a chair against the wooden floor. The streets of New York were blanketed in a pristine layer of white snow that fell steadily outside. I leaned slightly against the window, pretending to clean a stubborn smudge that didn’t actually exist, and my breath fogged the glass.People my age walked down the street out there, their laughter muted by the thick panes of glass. Outside they stopped in a group, bundled into scarves and coats and carrying armsful of paper bags from the bakery next door. Another girl pressed a muffin to her face; her eyes widened, announcing the muffin to her friend in a way that may or may not have been a joke. Their voices filled with warmth and joy; they laughed.I didn’t know I was staring until one of them looked up and made eye contact. I embarrassed myself quickly, turning away and concentrating hard on the counter that I was wiping down. Regret gnawe
CHAPTER 002As soon as I stepped in the air inside the house felt different. It smelled warm, like roasted chicken and herbs, but the smell made me want to taint. Maybe it was just the weight of the air or the way Mom and Lilith sat silently across from me at the dining table, their faces blank, unreadable. At the head of the table, Dad looked stiff, as if he were guarding something most important. Mom didn’t look up. “You’re late.” Her voice was as sharp as a knife cutting through the space where only quiet should have been. I set my bag down near the door, mumbled, “I came as fast as I could.” She frowned and moved a plate closer to Dad. “Dinner’s cold now.” I walked to the table and sat down in the empty chair farthest from everyone else. My hands were clenched so tightly in my lap that they hurt. No one spoke. It was just the clinking of silver ware on plates, and it made my skin crawl. Dad finally broke the silence, clearing his throat loudly. His voice was calm but fir
CHAPTER 003After I spoke, the room went dead silent. I didn’t look away, all eyes were on me. My words fell like a stone in a pond; ripples out, and settled in an awkward, heavy quiet. My chest pounded and I kept my face calm, I stood my ground. The first to break the silence was Lilith. She laughed a sharp, mocking laugh that I couldn’t stand. She smirked, “Run away?” “And where would you go, Sarah?” “Do you think you’re brave enough for that?” I forced my voice to stay steady and said evenly, “I don’t think.” “I know. And I mean it.” Lilith snorted, crossing her arms as if she didn’t believe me. On the other hand, Mom looked furious. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her face had gone red, and she glared at me. She shook her voice, “You’ve lost your mind.” “This is not a game, Sarah. You don’t just get to make demands,” he said. I met her gaze and said, “I’m not making demands.” I’m asking for basic respect. You want me to get married? Fine. I won’t do it on your terms a
CHAPTER 004The reception peaked with soft chatter and clinking glasses in the room. My friends were all around me, their smiles were bright, but thin, like they were trying too hard. They congratulated one by one.One said, her voice warm, yet strained, 'you look beautiful.'Another added, “Congratulations.” Starting new… a new life… it must be exciting… for you… right.I smiled, but it wavered. “Thanks,” I said. I could hear the pity in their words. I didn’t feel like they meant to hurt me, but I felt it all the same. This wasn’t a romantic beginning to them. This was an arranged marriage, not a marriage of love, a deal made by my family. I didn’t let it bother me, though. Not today. Not on my wedding day. Because I loved Rowan. And that love was enough. I held my hands to the delicate lace of my wedding dress, the soft fabric being cool under my fingers. It hugged my body just right, and it fit perfectly, and for the first time in my life I felt beautiful. It had been a m
CHAPTER 005THREE YEARS LATERThe grocery store was busy, the chatter hummed and the carts clinked. Trying to ignore the noise around me, I moved through the aisles looking at my list. This was the last task on my long list for the day, and dinner needed to be made. I heard someone say my name and reached for a carton of milk. “Sarah?” The voice pulled me out of my thoughts, and I froze. Turning, I saw him. Jervis Stone. My heart skipped a beat. I hadn’t seen him in years, but he was the same—tall, confident, with the same easy smile I remembered from high school. I blinked in surprise, saying, “Jervis.” “I didn’t expect to see you here,” he said. He stepped closer, and said “Likewise.” “How long has it been?” I brushed a strand of hair out of my face and said, “Too long.” He said, with a warm tone, “You haven’t changed much.” I smiled, genuinely, and replied, “Neither have you.” He leaned casually against the cart, then asked, “What brings you back to town?” 'I mo
CHAPTER 006My body was trembling with silent sobs, and I stood outside the door. Through the crack, Lilith’s voice came, sharp and mocking, each moan a cruel reminder of all I’d never been to Rowan. Each sound cut deeper, stabbing a knife into my chest.Tears streamed down my face, my lips quivered. I thought of all the nights I had spent with Rowan, the pain, the biting of my lips to keep from crying out. He had never looked at me the way he looked at her. It had never been gentle, because he had never cared enough to make it so. It was always cold, mechanical, something he never asked for. Until now, I thought that was all there was.I slid down the wall until I was sitting on the cold floor, pressing my back against it. The sounds from the room didn’t stop, and I felt a strange mix of shame and rage. I tried to block them out but my hands clenched into fists and they were relentless. Lilith’s laughter was echoey and taunting in my ears.Was I really so naive? If I had really thoug
CHAPTER 015The hallway outside of Jervis’s apartment smelled like old carpet and cleaning solution, the kind that barely covered up the years of wear and tear. My hand trembled slightly as I raised my fist to knock on the door, and I hesitated. Everything felt heavier tonight—my breath, my heartbeat, even the air seemed to press against my chest.The door swung open before I could make contact, and there he was. Jervis. His blonde hair was a tousled mess, as he’d just been running his fingers through it before turning his fists and anger over something in frustration. His glasses were crooked on his nose, but his eyes softened when they landed on me. His familiar presence loosened the knot in my stomach for a moment.He stepped aside to let me in, saying, "Sarah." "I was wondering when you'd come."I walked past him, but I couldn’t find the words. His apartment was warm compared to the icy knot of tension coiled inside my chest. He went through the door leading into his dorm—all of w
CHAPTER 014The air in my room was suffocating—the kind of weight that clung to your chest and wouldn’t let go. It was dark; the only light from my laptop, and the only sound was he faint hum of the laptop fan. Megan’s email was open, and her message was brief and to the point. She never asked questions, never had. That’s why I trusted her.My finger hesitated momentarily, and I clicked the first link. A news article popped up, its bold headline sending a chill through me: “The Missing Whistleblower and Pharma Giant.”I scanned the text, and my heart sank. Robert Gaines. I didn’t know his name, but I knew his story. At one point, Gaines was a former employee of Flint Pharmaceuticals who had filed complaints about unethical business practices. He vanished just weeks later. No trace. No leads. The article said the case had gone cold, but his family had desperately pleaded for answers. Rowan’s name was barely mentioned, just a shadow at the story's edge, and the company denied involvemen
CHAPTER 013I stepped inside the house, which was muted but not the peaceful calm. It was heavy, as if the walls were closing in on me. I walked towards the living room, my heart pounding. Sprawled like a queen on her throne was Lilith on the couch. She had her legs crossed, a phone in one hand and a glass of red wine in the other. When she heard me, she looked up, and that infuriating smirk spread across her face.She snorted, her voice rasping with mockery and filling up with surprise. “Back so soon?” “I thought you’d finally grown a spine and left for good.”I stopped in the doorway, gripping the frame so hard my knuckles went white. “We need to talk.”Her smirk never wavered as she tilted her head. “Oh? ‘What could we possibly have to talk about?’”Moving into the room, each movement was deliberate, accomplished with a weight and a heaviness, as if I were preparing to fight. The simple words I wanted to hear came tumbling out of me. “I want to know the truth, Lilith.”A sharp, cru
CHAPTER 013I stepped inside the house, which was muted but not the peaceful calm. It was heavy, as if the walls were closing in on me. I walked towards the living room, my heart pounding. Sprawled like a queen on her throne was Lilith on the couch. She had her legs crossed, a phone in one hand and a glass of red wine in the other. When she heard me, she looked up, and that infuriating smirk spread across her face.She snorted, her voice rasping with mockery and filling up with surprise. “Back so soon?” “I thought you’d finally grown a spine and left for good.”I stopped in the doorway, gripping the frame so hard my knuckles went white. “We need to talk.”Her smirk never wavered as she tilted her head. “Oh? ‘What could we possibly have to talk about?’”Moving into the room, each movement was deliberate, accomplished with a weight and a heaviness, as if I were preparing to fight. The simple words I wanted to hear came tumbling out of me. “I want to know the truth, Lilith.”A sharp, cru
CHAPTER 012The elegance of the setting was akin to a battlefield in disguise. The soft glow of the chandelier illuminated the crystal glasses, while the silverware stood off to the side, untouched, and tension simmered between us. Across from me, Lilith sat with a weaponized smirk of cruelty. The light illuminated her blonde hair, casting a shimmering halo around the devilish light in her eyes.He sat at the head of the table, his face distant as Rowan took a sip from his glass. Despite the torment, he remained silent and unfazed. The oppressive atmosphere had destroyed my appetite so that every bite of food felt like swallowing stones.Lilith’s voice rang out syrupy sweet.”Sarah.” That sent a shiver down my spine. Tonight you’ve been so quiet. You’re not even here, almost.”I tightened my grip on the fork until the metal dug into my palm. “I have nothing to say.”Her gentle laughter resonated like a hammer on a chalkboard. “Well, you should. It must be exhausting to act like the per
CHAPTER 011The light was dim, and the dim light cast long shadows on the walls. I gripped the edge of the desk with my trembling hands. Rowan’s footsteps echoed down the hall, every one of them slowly tightening the knot in my stomach. I didn’t have much time. The polished surface held the photo I had found, its torn edges taunting me with answers I'd never get. Who was she, and why did Rowan keep her from me?His voice, near silence, sliced through. “Sarah.”I froze. I turned to face him; the air grew heavier, suffocating. In the doorway he stood, his tall figure blocking the faint light falling from the hallway. His eyes were glacial, sharp enough to cut. They homed in on the desk where the photo and papers were. “What are you doing in here?” His voice was calm—too calm. That made it worse. It was a moment of tranquility before the impending chaos.I forced the words out, my throat tight, ‘I was looking for answers.’ "These are the answers I found, and they don't align with what y
CHAPTER 010: Sarah Discovers Rowan’s Sinister Connection The house was unnaturally quiet—the quiet that pressed on my chest and made my breathing hard. My fingers curled into the fabric of my skirt, my mind racing, and I sat on the edge of the bed. Lilith’s words for days had haunted me. ‘You have no idea what he’s done for you.’ Her smugness in her tone and the curl of her lips into that infuriating smirk was like a needle in my brain.I couldn’t shake it. I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I glanced at the hallway, where Rowan’s study stood, like a forbidden gate. Maybe the answers I needed were hidden with the secrets he wouldn’t tell me. I stood, legs shaky but resolved. I couldn’t spend a moment longer living this life filled with lies and half-truths. I pushed the door to his study open, and it creaked softly. It was heavy inside air thickened with the smell of leather and wood. In the centre sat Rowan’s desk, a monument to his authority. It was perfectly organized, and everything
Chapter 009: Jervis Offers Sarah an Unexpected Escape. In the peaceful sanctuary of the park, the chaos of my life was absent. The crisp air nipped at my skin as the bare branches of the trees stretched toward a gray sky, and tall shadows twisted darkly like veins along that frozen pond. The sound resembled the innocent laughter of children from the playground, and it seemed almost unrent.I curled my fingers into my coat and pulled it tighter around me. The chill wasn’t enough to keep me out. Lilith's taunts and Rowan's suffocating control swirled in my mind, each memory digging more profound than the last, tearing me apart. The only reprieve I had was being here, away from the house. Still, even here, my mind was heavy, weighing me down.A small part of me had hoped he would find me. I couldn’t help it; it was stupid and pathetic, but I couldn’t help it. I couldn’t help but recall the warmth of Jervis’s smile and how he looked at me like I meant something. No one had looked at me li
Chapter 008: Lilith’s Dangerous Game and a Shocking Revelation!Dinner had been unbearable. Rowan had barely spoken to me, his eyes darting between his phone and Lilith’s too loud laughter from the other side of the table. I stood at the sink, scrubbing plates that weren’t even mine, as my mind turned over with frustration. The maid installed a water tank on the flat roof and positioned a ladder inside the house to access the water. She then pumped it into a bucket, which she dragged into the house every morning and night for me to wash with, if I remembered to ask for it.I turned off the faucet and stacked the last plate on the drying rack, but I didn’t go upstairs. Voices. The voices in Rowan's study were low and sharp. I froze, straining to listen. It was Rowan and Lilith.Lilith hissed, slowly through the thick wooden door, ‘You’re losing your grip.’ “She’s starting to notice things,” he said.Rowan’s voice was tense. “She doesn’t know anything.” “It wouldn’t matter even if she di