I keep my pace steady as I slowly make my way to the doors to unlock them with my key, placing the bags down first, with my hand on my hip, just as I have seen our housekeeper do for years. If someone is watching us or has cameras, I can’t let anyone suspect us. Almost inside… This place is heavil
Standing up, I strip out of several layers of clothes and ready the gun I’ve brought. Just in case. I need to get Mom out of here, but I don’t trust using my phone not knowing who I can call. Who is close enough to come to my help? Dad’s strange message is now making me worry about him, too. What
ZAIA. I look down at my gun on the bed and trying to keep my heart steady, I grab the gun and spin around, swinging it at the person creeping up on me. It’s a man. He’s tall and clearly well-built, wearing black sweatpants and a hoodie. It’s all I see as a low snarl escapes him and he shoves me ba
ZAIA. “Dad!” I shout, “What on earth are you doing in my home? Without even knocking!” I come to a halt as I come face to face with Annette. She’s holding a cup of tea in her hand and looks shocked to see me. “Where is Dad?” I ask. She frowns. “Your father has been on a business trip for the la
“What number?” I ask, now frowning. “He never… Oh Goddess, I told him to pass you the number in person! He wanted to see the children before the business trip! Who knows if the number will still work and I worked so hard to get it! So he never stopped at your pack…” Realisation dawns upon her, and
ZAIA. Please say this is a lie… His words through the phone echo in my mind, making everything else fade away. “Zaia!” Annette’s distant shout echoes in my mind as I fall to my knees, broken. Sebastian left me. Tears stream down my cheeks as I clutch my chest. The pain I feel is far worse than
I turn away, my eyes stinging as I stare out through the open window at the moon above. Nothing can fix this… They enter and Atticus leaves the door open a crack, murmuring something about the children being asleep. He sits on the floor beside the bed, stretching his legs out, but I know he’s conc
ZAIA. “My patience is gone, and I don’t want to resort to any harsh methods, but I will if I have to,” I warn dangerously, my eyes flashing as I look over at Annalise. “Who was the person you talked to back in Atticus’s pack on New Year’s Eve?” It’s the following day and although I did not get any