A week had passed since the doctor's appointment, the same one where Mariana decided she would not remain unmoved by the facts. Now she and James found themselves at a crossroads, trying to balance the protection of their secret and the search for answers. Nervous, James was aware that his "mistress" was planning something risky. He felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, but he also understood Mariana's need for information about Maxmilian.That afternoon, Mariana sat in front of her laptop, discreetly researching private detectives in the area. She knew she needed to find someone reliable, discreet, and capable of uncovering the truth without arousing suspicion.After hours of meticulous research, Mariana found a name that looked promising: Daniel Reynolds, a renowned private detective known for his ability to solve complex cases."So, what do you think?" asks Mariana, showing James the investigator's profile."Have you checked his credentials?""Yes. They're great. He'
"James," Mariana whispers, staring at the car's inside rearview mirror. "What is it?" "I think there's a car following us." The man looks at the automobile, which, in fact, seemed to be right behind them. "It's all right. I think it's just a coincidence." As if to test his own theory, James sped up a little more, taking an adjacent road that would not take them to their new house. The black car pulled into the same street. Nervous, Mariana's "butler" tried once again to enter a path that was not part of the original route. To confirm his fear, the car continued steadily in pursuit. The girl's breathing began to fail. "Calm down, it's okay," James murmured, but it was obvious that she was not. What were the chances that just on the day Maximilian's ex-wife decided to put a stop to this situation, some crazy person would start following them around? This was no coincidence. With his thoughts racing, trying in vain to find some other escape route, James can only think of two th
The conversation with the two law enforcement officers was, at best, tiresome. At worst, horrible.The two policemen were about the same size, age, and build. The expression on their faces was not the best either. It was evident that they were treating the couple with a certain disregard.James also noticed that they didn't act like normal policemen. With each passing minute, his suspicion grew.When after ten measly minutes the cops started walking back to their vehicle, the man walked up to them."Wait."One of the men turns to him, and the other continues walking to the car as if he had not even heard anything."My mistress and I are very scared. Is there absolutely nothing they can do? You won't even take us to the police station to file a report?"The policeman spits out the gum he was chewing before smiling at James, but there was sarcasm present in his expression."Listen here, butler. I don't think you understand the gravity of your situation yet."Before James can ask anythin
Without fear of sounding rude or offensive, James, fearing that Mariana would have another breakdown, takes the cell phone from Mariane and quickly gets up from the couch."James!" she complains."Leave those worries to me, Mariana.""But that affects me directly too!""I know. But please let me take things from here on out, okay? I don't want you to lose your baby."Upon hearing those words, the girl bites her lip to hold back the tears. How could she continue her pregnancy with calm and tranquility when everything around her was in complete chaos?Mariana's friend reads the e-mail."First of all, I need to tell you from the beginning: we are in a complete jam, involved up to our necks in a much more complex and cruel plot that I would never have expected. However, it is obvious that even though they are very good at what they do, they are not perfect. Worse still: they underestimated me. I will be in constant contact with you, so keep your eyes open.A friend."Frowning, James rerea
Mariana is puzzled by the sudden change in James' expression. She puts the bowl of cereal aside and turns completely to him, feeling a mixture of curiosity and anxiety."What is it?" she asks, her voice revealing a slight tremor of expectation.James scratches the back of his neck, looking away for a moment before fixing his eyes on hers."I... I don't even know how to say this to you, but... Look. First of all I want to apologize to you.""Apology for what?""For being quiet all this time. For not...being totally clear."Mariana raises one of her eyebrows. James has always been quite eloquent, having worked in journalism for much of his life, but there and now the man seemed to be a shy student presenting a poster to the rest of the class."What are you talking about? Did something happen?""Yes. Yes, it happened. And... I'm sorry.""But I should apologize to you for what? For you nott telling me sooner, or for what happened, whatever it is?""Both."Mariana puts her hands on her wai
Mariana bites her lip, trying in vain to calm down and understand things. Then, in a breath of her voice, the girl says:"Yes."That simple answer seems to turn on a flickering light on James' face, who was surely hoping for a negative. Subtly, the man strokes Mariana's rosy cheeks, with all the delicacy in the world. She snuggles into his touch, but her eyes are still curious, dazzled by the discovery and the surprise that still gripped her."James," she murmurs.The man's nose brushes against hers as he slowly brushes his own lips against hers.The kiss is quite sweet, soft and whispery, like the spring breeze on flowers.Every touch, every snap, and every movement is subtle and not at all disrespectful, as if James was pondering that the time was not right for that passion to be fully demonstrated.Mariana opens her eyes and frowns as she places her hand on her own belly."The baby kicked," she says in surprise, smiling immediately afterwards."That's good. I always knew he liked
Sitting at his own office desk, Maxmilian Philips swallowed his cigar and put it in the ashtray, staring at the computer in front of him. A knock on the door sounded. "Hello, sir. I brought you some water and coffee."And of course, that was Michelle, who even after all the confusion and eventual death of Mariana, was still in office.Max just stared at her and thanked her with his eyes as he clicked and typed.The woman with red hair tied up in a bun, social uniform, and lips painted crimson felt the icy stare of her own boss, but said nothing. Propping the tray on the table, she took the opportunity to examine her lover further."He's so tense. Are you still sad about the death of your ex-wife?"Maxmilian's dark eyes almost pierced through her."Michelle, I'll let you ponder the question itself rather than answer it."Shocked, the secretary puts one of her hands on her waist."Why are you talking to me that way? I haven't done anything to you.""Of course. I'm sorry, Michelle."The
!James flips through the newspaper page, sighs, and puts it back on the nightstand next to the bed. Mariana, who is reading a book, notices the obvious disturbance in the man."What's wrong?""The lack of news is driving me crazy, to say the least.""We knew it would take some time for Daniel to find out everything he could to help us. His absence is a good sign.""Do you really think so?""I do.""Well, I think we're too confident, and something terrible has probably happened to that detective. You know our phone call was tapped, and the police in this town already know who we are. We're trapped."Mariana sets the book aside and places her hand on her belly."I thought you were a little more confident than that.""And I was. But...""But?"Initially, James says nothing, just stares at a fixed point on the wall.Mariana insists, "But?""But it's been two weeks since we last had contact with him. And so far, we haven't received a single sign of life.""Don't be silly. What about the s