NoahWhy did Clara act so differently today? Her question concerned me. “Do you believe in true love that never ends in betrayal?”Was she trying to plant a seed of mistrust in me about Raymond? Or was it just a simple question, a passing thought? I didn’t want to overthink it. After everything that happened today, I wasn’t in the mood for mind games.I glanced at her, trying to decipher her intentions. I chose my words carefully. “I think true love is rare, but it does exist. It’s something that needs to be nurtured, cared for… It’s not always perfect, but it’s worth fighting for. And I believe some couples would never betray each other.”She looked at me with an unreadable expression. Before she could answer, Neil and Raymond arrived back at the table. Neil’s happy smile was replaced by a pale face and tired eyes. I knelt down, instantly concerned. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” I asked, gently brushing a hand through his hair.Raymond stepped forward, his expression filled with worr
Noah"What do you think of Clara?" The question had been gnawing at me all day. It grew more urgent with every passing moment. As I lay there in bed, waiting for Raymond’s answer, I felt a knot of anxiety tighten in my stomach. What would he say? Did he notice the same things I did? But the silence that followed was unsettling.I strained my ears, trying to catch his response. But all I could hear was his deep, steady breathing. It dawned on me that Raymond had already fallen asleep. He was unaware of my question, my worries, or my fears. Part of me was relieved—perhaps it was better not to know what he thought. Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe I was just being paranoid.A wave of guilt washed over me. Raymond hadn’t done anything wrong, at least nothing concrete. Why was I letting these thoughts poison my mind? I whispered into the darkness, "Goodnight, Raymond." I leaned in, brushing my lips against his cheek, feeling the roughness of his slight stubble. "I love you," I added softl
NoahNeil and I spent the day cocooned in the warmth of our home. I was glad to be surrounded by the simple joys that came with his gentle presence. It took my mind off… other things.Neil was extra sweet and cuddly when he was sick. His little body curled into mine as we watched movies, played board games, and worked on puzzles. I made him his favorite chicken noodle soup, the steam rising in comforting waves. And when night fell, I helped him with a warm bath. The water soothed his tired muscles, and he giggled softly as I scrubbed his back with a washcloth."Mommy, will you stay with me until I fall asleep?" Neil asked, his voice small and tired as I tucked him into bed."Of course, sweetheart," I whispered, brushing a stray curl from his forehead before pressing a kiss to his warm skin. "I'll be right here."I sat beside him, humming softly as his eyelids fluttered and closed. His breathing evened out into the rhythm of sleep. The house was quiet, save for the occasional creak of
NoahI covered my mouth to suppress the scream that threatened to escape. “No, Clara, don’t…” Raymond’s words echoed in my mind, each syllable dripping with an implication I wasn’t ready to face. What had she tried with him? My thoughts swirled in a storm of suspicion, fear, and denial. I desperately wanted to believe that it was nothing. Just the incoherent ramblings of a man too drunk to know what he was saying. But the doubt gnawed at me. An insidious force that I couldn’t shake.I looked down at Raymond. He was sleeping peacefully, oblivious to the turmoil inside me. His face, even in sleep, held a serene beauty. The kind that had always drawn me to him. I remembered all the special times we’d shared—through darkness and light, he had always been by my side. The way he saved me from Owen and Josie’s betrayal, how he stood by me through the horror of the Blackwoods. And my favorite memories of all: the magical years we spent on the island with Neil. Raymond had always been my ro
NoahI didn’t know how to explain the feeling that washed over me when I saw Clara suddenly appear in Neil’s room. My breath caught in my throat. My heart was pounding in my chest as I took in the sight of her standing there. She stood so still, almost as if she were part of the shadows. Her presence felt intrusive, unsettling. Especially in this most sacred space—Neil’s room, where I should have felt nothing but warmth and safety.“What are you doing in here, Clara?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. Though a tremor of unease slipped through. It was late—too late for casual visits, and certainly too late for wandering around a child’s room.Clara turned to me, startled. She obviously hadn’t heard me come in. Her face was unreadable in the dim light. “I heard Neil,” she said softly, almost too softly. “It sounded like he was having a nightmare. I came in to check on him. I didn’t want to wake you or Raymond, so I thought I’d make sure everything was okay.”Her explanation was r
NoahAfter I picked up the pin, I took a moment to inspect Neil's bedroom more thoroughly. I moved his slippers aside and checked the floor for anything else that might be out of place. My heart raced as I scanned every inch of the room.But everything seemed normal—no more pins, no strange objects, nothing out of the ordinary. I began to wonder if I had overreacted. Maybe it really was just an accident, a pin that had somehow found its way to the floor. I sighed, trying to shake off the lingering unease.Gently, I leaned over to kiss Neil's forehead. I brushed a stray curl away from his peaceful face. He was still sound asleep, undisturbed by the late-night drama that had unfolded around him."Sweet dreams, my son," I whis
NoahRaymond leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on Clara with genuine interest. “What kind of wish, Clara?”Clara hesitated for a moment, as if weighing her words carefully. Then her face lit up with excitement. “I’ve been thinking… I’d really love to travel with you all. Like a family vacation. We could just relax, and enjoy each other’s company.”Neil’s eyes widened with pure joy. “Travel? Ooh! Can I come? Can I come?” He was practically bouncing in his seat. The prospect of an adventure filled him with boundless energy.I forced a smile, trying to match their enthusiasm. But inside, my mind was racing. Clara’s request was reasonable on the surface—a young woman who had lost h
NoahClara and I stood side by side in front of the boutique mirror. The fluorescent lights reflected off her flawless skin. She wore nothing but the blue bikini she had just picked out. Her confidence was almost palpable.The sight of her standing there, admiring herself, made my blood simmer. It wasn’t just the bikini. Or even the fact that it was the same shade of blue that Raymond had always said suited me best.It was the audacity. The sheer nerve she had to all but tell me that she intended to wear this bikini to impress my husband.I clenched my fists, feeling the sharp edges of my nails dig into my palms. Inside, I was fuming. A storm of emotions was swirling in my chest.