Clara 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.
NoahClara stood before us in her new bikini. The vibrant blue fabric clung to her like a second skin. The sight of her so boldly displaying herself sent a shockwave through me. I could feel the blood drain from my face. My stomach twisted into knots. A sickening combination of disbelief and anger bubbled up inside me. How could she be so utterly unaware—or worse, completely aware—of how inappropriate her actions were?Raymond, too, seemed taken aback. His eyes widened briefly in surprise before he quickly averted his gaze. A flush of embarrassment crept up his neck. “Clara,” he said in a stern voice, “That’s something you should save for the seaside, not wear here at home.”Clara’s response was immediate. Her face morphed into an expression of innocent surprise. “Oh! I’m so sorry,” she exclaimed, her voice dripping with sweetness. “I didn’t mean to make anyone uncomfortable. I just wanted to see if you liked it.”Her words were like sugar-coated poison. I had to force myself not to
NoahAs our private jet ascended into the clouds, I couldn’t help but feel a swirl of emotions deep within me. We were on our way back to the island where Raymond, Neil, and I had once lived for five magical years. The island had been our sanctuary, our home. Until life had pulled us back into the chaos of the mainland. I glanced over at Raymond, who was seated beside me. His hand was warmly wrapped around mine. His eyes sparkled with the same mixture of excitement and nostalgia that I felt. Neil, sitting by the window, was practically bouncing in his seat. His face was pressed against the glass as he watched the world shrink below us.“It’s going to be just like old times,” Raymond whispered to me. His voice was filled with a hope that I wanted so desperately to share.I smiled back at him, squeezing his hand. “Yes, just like old times,” I echoed. Though a small part of me remained guarded. I wanted to believe that this trip would bring us back to those carefree days. But the weigh
NoahClara was drowning! My heart pounded as I ran toward the shore. But Raymond was ahead of me, sprinting down the beach. His eyes were locked on Clara’s struggling form.Without a second thought, he dove into the water, swimming with powerful strokes toward her. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched them. I felt helpless on the shore. Neil, who had been building a sandcastle nearby, looked up in confusion. His face paled as he realized what was happening.“Mommy, what’s going on? Is Clara going to be okay?” he asked, his voice trembling with fear.“She’ll be fine,” I said, though my voice lacked conviction. “Your dad is going to get her.”I held Neil close, my eyes never leaving the water. Every second felt like an eternity as I watched Raymond reach Clara. He got to her just in time, wrapping his strong arms around her frail, trembling body. She clung to him desperately, her face pale with terror. He pulled her toward the shore with all his strength. The waves fought against
NoahNo! No, it couldn’t be. My worst nightmare had become a reality. Clara was kissing Raymond. I caught only a split second of the kiss before Raymond pulled back, his eyes widening in shock as they met mine. I was already spinning around, running as fast as my legs would carry me. Tears blurred my vision. My heart was pounding, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I fled.Not this. Not again. I couldn’t lose my marriage like this. Not after everything we’d been through. Memories of Owen and Josie’s betrayal crashed into me, merging with the fresh agony of what I’d just witnessed. My Raymond… How could he do this to me? I thought he loved me, truly and deeply. I had given him everything—my heart, my soul, my trust, even after Owen had shattered me. Raymond knew how much this would hurt me. He knew how fragile my trust was after what I’d been through. How could he be so blind? How could he fall for Clara's dirty tricks?I couldn’t bear it. The image of Clara’s lips on his, the way s
NoahI could feel my heart pounding in my chest. Fear and disgust churned in my stomach. This man was too much. Everything was too much. I didn’t want his attention, his offer, any of it. I just wanted to escape—to be anywhere but here, dealing with anything but this.I awkwardly adjusted the short, revealing dress I’d hastily slipped on over my bikini before fleeing the villa. The fabric clung uncomfortably to my damp skin. I felt horribly exposed, like every part of me was on display. I could feel his eyes lingering on my body, sending a cold shiver down my spine.“Please, just leave me alone,” I managed to choke out, my voice strained and trembling. I wasn’t sure if he would listen or if he would keep pushing. But I had to try. I couldn’t let this go any further.For a moment, he hesitated. His eyes narrowed as he seemed to weigh his options. The smirk on his lips faltered, just for a second. I hoped he would back off.But then, just as quickly, his expression hardened. He leaned ba
NoahThe man’s heavy arms draped across my shoulders, his grip tight and suffocating. His breath reeked of alcohol as he leaned in closer. The stench mixed with the smell of sweat and the sticky humidity of the small bathroom. “I knew you wanted me the second you walked in here, beautiful,” he slurred, his words oozing with drunken arrogance. “In fact, you need me.”My heart raced in my chest. The terror of the situation froze me in place for a split second before my instincts kicked in. “Leave me alone!” I cried out, struggling against his grip, trying desperately to break free. But his arms tightened around me like a vise. His hands were rough and intrusive as they roamed my body.“Help! Somebody help me!” I screamed, the sound reverberating off the tiled walls.It felt like the words barely left my throat before his greasy hand clamped over my mouth, muffling my cries. Panic surged through me. My breaths came in short, desperate gasps as I twisted and squirmed, trying to free mysel
NoahClara's face paled as I marched toward her, fury radiating off me in waves. She’d been caught off guard. For a moment, her confident facade faltered. Neil’s innocent, wide eyes darted between us. His confusion was evident as he clung to his floaty, unaware of the emotional storm brewing between the adults.I could feel the anger pulsing through me, making my hands shake. But then, as I looked down at Neil, my heart clenched. His innocent gaze locked onto mine. His small face was scrunched in worry, as if he barely recognized me.“Mommy?” he asked, his voice small and uncertain. “What did Auntie Clara do?”His innocence, so pure and untouched by the chaos surrounding him, jolted me back to reality. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the tempest within me. This was my son—my little boy who didn’t deserve to be dragged into this mess.“Sorry, buddy,” I said, my voice softening as I knelt down at the poolside. “Auntie Clara made Mommy very angry, but it’s not something you need to w
NoahNeil’s words hit me like a punch to the gut. I felt tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. I hadn’t realized how much he’d been absorbing, how deeply this was affecting him. My sweet, innocent boy—he shouldn’t have to carry the weight of our problems.I reached out, pulling him into my lap. I wrapped my arms around him tightly. “Oh, sweetheart,” I whispered, my voice choking with emotion. “Mommy just needs some time to think. I promise, we will always love you and take care of you. No matter what happens.”Neil snuggled closer. “I love you, Mommy,” he whispered.“I love you too, baby,” I replied, kissing the top of his head. I wanted to hold him like this forever, to kee