TYSHA"Congrats again to our basketball player," I chirped to Aiden as we dropped off my family at my parents’ house. Thank God things were looking up. Despite Aiden missing his team's first game, they still snagged the win, making up for all the earlier drama.After the victory, we decided to have a little celebration and grabbed lunch outside. Charles, though, was as quiet as a church mouse. He wasn't showing any signs of lingering anger, but he sure wasn't giving off any forgiveness vibes either. It felt like he was putting on a show for my family and the kids. I tried to chat him up a few times, but he stayed as cold as a polar bear's toe.Still, I had to hand it to him. He stuck around just like he promised, and that counted for something."Thanks, Mommy," Aiden uttered as he planted a kiss on my cheek. That simple gesture made me smile, warming my heart. Among the twins, Aiden was usually the less affectionate one, so every time he initiated a kiss, it felt like a little victory
TYSHA Never have I ever imagined Charles could do such a thing to me. After he left, I stayed on the floor of my living room, still processing what he just did to me. I should have taken his attempt to hit me in his car as a hint that he could do more horrible things like that. The memories of what happened with him were like a heavy weight pressing down on my chest, making it hard to breathe. I trusted him and yet he betrayed me in the most horrific way possible. Yes, I had betrayed him too but was that enough reason to do this to me? I could still feel his hands on me, rough and forceful, ignoring my pleas for him to stop. The fear that ate my whole system at that moment, the feeling of helplessness as I realized what he was trying to do... it was all still so vivid, like a nightmare that I couldn't wake up from. And then the assault that followed, the violence and aggression that he showed when I tried to fight back. How could someone I thought I knew so well, someone I care
RUEI used to take advantage of my expertise in not giving a fuck. But ever since I loved someone dearly, I couldn't help but care about things—especially when it's about Tysha. The moment I found her, I found my weakness as well. The pain I felt when the woman I loved dearly ordered me to leave was unbearable. It felt like my heart shattered into a million pieces, yet I had to keep up the facade of indifference.I totally understood her mother's hate for me. Her treatment was totally okay with me. But what I couldn't stomach was Charles.Growing up in wealth, envy was a foreign concept to me. My family provided everything I needed, and I was accustomed to getting what I wanted. However, outside the gymnasium, when Tysha demanded I leave simply because Charles didn't want me there, I felt envy creeping in.Charles had something I wanted so badly. God, I wanted to be in his position so damn bad!A cocktail of emotions—hate, envy, and embarrassment—raged within me, but now, fury consu
TYSHA Why does Madeline need to talk to Rue too? Madeline's decision to involve him in our conversation puzzled me. I couldn't understand why she felt the need to include him in important matters she wanted to discuss with me. But, yeah, it seemed I had no choice in the matter. Despite my desire for Rue to stay away and not have the opportunity to pester me about my cuts and bruises, we both followed Madeline when she led us to her office. The atmosphere in Madeline's office was quiet, with only the ticking of the clock on the wall breaking the silence. She took her seat behind her desk and nodded at both Rue and me, gesturing for us to sit. “Have a seat, both of you,” she offered as she settled into her swivel chair. Rue and I took our places in the chairs in front of her desk. Before she got straight to the point, she noticed the band-aid on my forehead. Gosh! It was such a bad idea to put one on; it made my injury painfully obvious. “What happened to your forehead, Tysha?
TYSHA What the fucking hell?!I never expected Rue to refuse Madeline's proposal. After she poured her heart out to us, expressing how important Mason Academy was to her, the audacity of that arrogant billionaire to turn down her plea was beyond belief.Sure, he wasn't obligated to agree right away, but come on! Basic human decency, anyone? Especially considering his vast wealth, investing a few million in a school wouldn't dent his pocket.As Rue's callous response hung in the air, I couldn't help but feel deeply sorry for Madeline. She had tried her best, but it seemed she was up against a heartless billionaire. The embarrassment and pain etched on her face after Rue's refusal were unbearable to witness.The pain in her eyes was so palpable that it infected me too.After Rue and I left her office, I couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt. So, I knew I had to do my part to help.I knew Madeline included me in her attempt to persuade Rue because she likely suspected that Rue and I w
TYSHAAm I ready to go back in Isla Llevaste? The place where my relationship with Rue first advanced?Just the thought of it gave me butterflies in my stomach. It's where Rue and I took that big step forward in our relationship. But back then, things between us were... complicated.Reality had a funny way of creeping in, didn't it? Rue and I had hit some rough patches lately. We had grown apart, lost in our own doubts and insecurities. Going back to Isla Llevaste would definitely have felt like revisiting a chapter of my life that I wasn't sure I was ready to confront.Still, after Charles showed me his true colors and hurt me last time, I started to reconsider Rue as the better guy in my life. There was a part of me that yearned for a sense of possibility and hope that in Isla Llevaste, Rue and I could be reminded of what brought us together in the first place. Maybe it was naive, but I couldn't help but wonder if returning to that place might reignite the spark between us.Then aga
TYSHA “So, you’re going for a work conference?” Papa asked, his eyes peering over his glasses. I nodded, avoiding eye contact. Gosh! How many lies do I have to make in this lifetime? “Yes, a very important one,” I said, hoping my voice didn’t betray my nervousness. Since I couldn’t go without talking to my kids and securing them first, I told my parents about the three-day trip. But I didn’t tell them I would be with Rue because for sure, they would be fuming mad at me. Mama set down her cup with a clink. “We’re happy to watch Aiden and Addison, Tysha. You go and focus on your work.” I smiled, grateful for their understanding. It made me feel relief. I was really worried about my kids. Even when I left them in my parents’ house for a day, I missed them right away. What more if I wouldn’t be able to see them for three days and two nights? Gosh! I would lose my mind! Actually, I’m already losing some screws in my head. “Thank you, both of you. I’ve wrttien a list of their favo
TYSHA The day before my island trip with Rue, I decided to finally drop my kids at my parents' house. The car ride was filled with the twins’ excited chatter about their upcoming stay with their Granny and Pops. As we pulled into the driveway, I could see my parents peeking through the curtains, their faces lighting up at the sight of their grandchildren. “We’re here!” I announced, as Aiden and Addison unbuckled their seatbelts and scrambled out of the car, their small feet hitting the pavement with eager thuds. My mother opened the door before we could even knock, her arms wide open. “Come here, you two!” she exclaimed, as the twins rushed to hug her. “Be good for Granny and Pops,” I said, kneeling down to hug them both. “And don’t give them too much trouble, okay?” Aiden looked up at me, his eyes serious. “We’ll be super good, Mommy. Promise.” Addison nodded in agreement, her arms still wrapped around my mother. “We’ll help Granny with the cookies,” she added. I stood up, m