We stood, gazing into each other's eyes while promising a lot of things that our mouths could not express. But our little emotional cocoon was bursted by a harsh crashing sound, and the raucous noises of a lot of people talking all at once."What is going on?" Moore asked as we both looked over the railings to the ground below."We can't make out much from up here. I have to go down and make sure Christie's okay!""I'm coming with you."Just as we approached the landing that led to the sitting room, I could make out my mother's loud and frantic voice, and my heart skipped a beat. My goodness, let nothing be wrong with Mom or my baby!I made a mad dash towards the drawn window blinds and ignored Moore's warning yell for me to slow down."Mom! Mom, what's going on!?""Oh, Amber," she choked back a sob as we reached for each other, "those people out there...out of nowhere... I don't know why they're doing this!""Doing what? Are you okay?""They have been throwing stones at the building f
I sucked in a sharp breath, the pressure pressed down on my neck made it hard for me to even breathe. My head was pressed back hard against the pillow beneath as the figure above me pressed down even harder than before.The darkness made it impossible for me to see who it was, I only felt cold palms grasped at my throat. My eyes flew open in both shock and panic, small ragged gasps escaped my throat as I felt the air start to leave me. My heart, once quickly beating slowed in tempo and my eyes widened in desperation.No, I couldn't die. I can't die just yet — at least not in this way. I couldn't let them kill me like this.Small coughs erupted from my lips, I wheezed, now desperate to survive, and used my last bit of strength to scream for help as I pushed the figure back with all my might.My push made the figure fall to the ground and I used that opportunity to reach for my light lamp as I coughed painfully, and gasped greedily for breath. The lamp came on, its light wasn't bright b
My chest fell and rose as I watched the police take Louisa. I couldn't believe she had escaped from the prison. I knew she wanted to harm me, she was desperate to cause me pain but I didn't expect her to break away from prison."No, you just can't —" Louisa's protest was cut short when the officers grabbed her arm as they led her to the van. The officer turned to me and I bit hard on my lip.My thoughts had begun to wander off. Will it keep happening over and over again? Did I deserve no peace? Why did Louisa cause me pain on things I didn't know about?I couldn't understand it. I whipped my head to Moore when I felt his soothing touch that caused my heart to pound. He pressed my hand softly and I looked up at him.His eyes held the warmest and softest expression I could read; I could read the hope and pain that hid behind his lids."Stop it. Stop it, Moore, you can't keep touching her that way. I hate it!" Louisa yelled as her eyes bore holes into my skin. Veins popped out on her for
I exhaled as I held onto the luggage. After Mum eavesdropped on the conversation, she offered to protect Christie. She insisted Moore and I went on a honeymoon A weird feeling tugged at my chest and worry filled my heart. Dreadful images filled my brain as I thought of it. Is it safe to leave Christie alone? I shut my eyes as I pondered on it. Of course, it was, my prolactin hormone was just at work. Christie will be safe. "Amber," Moore called and I opened my eyes. He gave me a warm smile and took the luggage from me while I turned to Christie. After this, I will make sure I get to spend time with her. "Christie" I called and bent down to her level. We were in front of the building about to leave but I had to make sure I talked to her. "Be fine, okay? Mum will come back soon. Take care okay?" Her giggle filled my ears and she pulled me into a hug which I reciprocated. I broke the hug and peppered her face with kisses which made her chortle. She was indeed a sweetheart! "Bye M
Mum and Christie… They were dead. How? Why? My heart pounded and a pool of tears found its way to the back of my eyes. They threatened to pour as I stared at Moore hastily driving towards the house. The tires screeched and he drove past other cars. With the way he drove, every other person could tell it was an emergency — an emergency because I needed to see him. I wasn't able to believe it. No, my dreaded thoughts couldn't have come to reality. Mum and Christie couldn't be dead. I'm sure the call was a prank call. I was excited yesterday — I was problem-free. It couldn't have happened. My Christie will be safe. But then it rang in my head again. If Christie was in danger, then it was my fault. I was probably the worst mother on earth. We left France in the morning. We took the next flight back here. I needed to be sure the call was fake; I needed Mum and Christie here with me. Thankfully, Moore's car came to a halt in our compound and I rushed out. I picked up my heels
Moore was quiet. I couldn't blame him. My heart was too heavy, and what I was feeling could not be expressed in words. But his care, concern, and need to make me feel better warmed my heart. The door swung open, and the person responsible for our abduction finally stepped into the room. "It's about time you showed yourself, coward," Moore bit out at the approaching figure who didn't spare him a glance. She was focused on me. My heart skipped a beat as my eyes locked with familiar orbs. No way. This could not be. But it was: Alicia, my step-sister. The one who had torn our family and separated me from Moore all those years ago. The mix of anger and fear welled up inside me, but I held my ground, refusing to show any sign of weakness. "Well, well, well! We meet again, sister," she sneered and cackled, swinging a silver Swiss Army paring knife. I was sorely tempted to scream at her and wipe that smirk off her face, but I pulled myself together. Don't give her satisfaction. Alic
"No, Moore," I replied, my voice heavy with determination. "She's cost me too much. We did the same with Louisa, and she only escaped. I won't let Alicia slip through our fingers again." "Amber, we will make sure the police do their job well if that's what you're afraid of. But we can't take the laws into our hands just like that. Let's follow due processes," Moore's voice pleaded with me from the driver's seat, his words laced with reason and the hope for justice. He tried to convince me that we should turn Alicia over to the police, and let them handle the consequences of her actions. But I couldn't bring myself to comply. Not this time. The weight of our past, the pain Alicia had inflicted upon me, resurfaced with every word. Forgiveness and love had always been one-sided, a futile attempt on my part to salvage what was lost. Now, it was time for me to take control of my destiny. And that will begin by making sure that nobody, starting with Alicia, could ever hurt me or my love
"Come on up, Amber. We have to head home." He rose and held out his hand towards me. I shook my head. "I can manage. You go and start the car. Get it running. I just need a moment to breathe," I uttered. I could barely recognize my voice. It was rusty, and I felt pains in the back of my throat when I spoke. Scrambling to my feet, I sighed. "Well. This is it. I'm only leaving this place, but you're forever in my heart." The scorching desert sun bore down on my weary shoulders as I stumbled towards the car. The weight of grief still sat heavy in my chest. All I wanted to do was escape the suffocating air of this wilderness. As I neared the car, my vision blurred, and the world around me swirled into an incoherent mess of colors. Darkness crept in, swallowing my consciousness, and I crumpled to the ground. "Amber!" I heard Moore's panicked cry a distance away, and the shuffling of his footfalls as he rushed to my side to gather my fragile form into his arms. "Amber, Amber are
EIGHTEEN YEARS LATER "Mom, do you think I'll do well today?" George asked, a touch of nervousness in his voice. I paused in adjusting the collar of his soccer jersey and turned around to look at him and myself in the mirror. I understood where his fears came from. George had a crucial tournament to play in, and he was the star player of his team. That came with a lot of expectations from people, which put a lot of responsibilities on his eighteen-year-old shoulders. I smiled warmly at him, making sure he saw years of love and support in my eyes that weren't going away for any reason. "You've trained hard, George. You'll go out there and give it your all. No matter the outcome, your father and I will always be proud of you." He grinned. "Thanks, Mom," he gave me a hasty kiss on the cheek and sat on the bed to put on his boots. The pride in my heart swelled as I watched him tie his shoelaces. "Hey Mom, how long does it take Dad to retrieve my soccer jacket? I'm almost finished
"Hey...you okay?" Moore asked softly, his eyebrows furrowed in concern. "I'm fine. I guess the spin on the beach has me a little dizzy. But I loved it." Soft sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm bluish glow in the room. I sat on our bed, resting my back on a pile of pillows Moore had earlier stacked against the headboard. Moore lay beside me. His arms surrounded my swollen belly protectively, and his fingers made circular ticklish patterns. They made me giggle. We marveled at the miracle growing within me. Our baby, our little bundle of joy. "George is going to be such a lucky child," Moore's s voice held awe and tenderness. We had talked about naming him and agreed to name him George after my father. "And you, my love, will be an amazing mother. And you're an amazing psychologist. What do you think about practicing again after George is born?" I let out a soft sigh in agreement, but a hint of uncertainty lingered in my eyes. "I don't know, Moore. Pract
"Come on up, Amber. We have to head home." He rose and held out his hand towards me. I shook my head. "I can manage. You go and start the car. Get it running. I just need a moment to breathe," I uttered. I could barely recognize my voice. It was rusty, and I felt pains in the back of my throat when I spoke. Scrambling to my feet, I sighed. "Well. This is it. I'm only leaving this place, but you're forever in my heart." The scorching desert sun bore down on my weary shoulders as I stumbled towards the car. The weight of grief still sat heavy in my chest. All I wanted to do was escape the suffocating air of this wilderness. As I neared the car, my vision blurred, and the world around me swirled into an incoherent mess of colors. Darkness crept in, swallowing my consciousness, and I crumpled to the ground. "Amber!" I heard Moore's panicked cry a distance away, and the shuffling of his footfalls as he rushed to my side to gather my fragile form into his arms. "Amber, Amber are
"No, Moore," I replied, my voice heavy with determination. "She's cost me too much. We did the same with Louisa, and she only escaped. I won't let Alicia slip through our fingers again." "Amber, we will make sure the police do their job well if that's what you're afraid of. But we can't take the laws into our hands just like that. Let's follow due processes," Moore's voice pleaded with me from the driver's seat, his words laced with reason and the hope for justice. He tried to convince me that we should turn Alicia over to the police, and let them handle the consequences of her actions. But I couldn't bring myself to comply. Not this time. The weight of our past, the pain Alicia had inflicted upon me, resurfaced with every word. Forgiveness and love had always been one-sided, a futile attempt on my part to salvage what was lost. Now, it was time for me to take control of my destiny. And that will begin by making sure that nobody, starting with Alicia, could ever hurt me or my love
Moore was quiet. I couldn't blame him. My heart was too heavy, and what I was feeling could not be expressed in words. But his care, concern, and need to make me feel better warmed my heart. The door swung open, and the person responsible for our abduction finally stepped into the room. "It's about time you showed yourself, coward," Moore bit out at the approaching figure who didn't spare him a glance. She was focused on me. My heart skipped a beat as my eyes locked with familiar orbs. No way. This could not be. But it was: Alicia, my step-sister. The one who had torn our family and separated me from Moore all those years ago. The mix of anger and fear welled up inside me, but I held my ground, refusing to show any sign of weakness. "Well, well, well! We meet again, sister," she sneered and cackled, swinging a silver Swiss Army paring knife. I was sorely tempted to scream at her and wipe that smirk off her face, but I pulled myself together. Don't give her satisfaction. Alic
Mum and Christie… They were dead. How? Why? My heart pounded and a pool of tears found its way to the back of my eyes. They threatened to pour as I stared at Moore hastily driving towards the house. The tires screeched and he drove past other cars. With the way he drove, every other person could tell it was an emergency — an emergency because I needed to see him. I wasn't able to believe it. No, my dreaded thoughts couldn't have come to reality. Mum and Christie couldn't be dead. I'm sure the call was a prank call. I was excited yesterday — I was problem-free. It couldn't have happened. My Christie will be safe. But then it rang in my head again. If Christie was in danger, then it was my fault. I was probably the worst mother on earth. We left France in the morning. We took the next flight back here. I needed to be sure the call was fake; I needed Mum and Christie here with me. Thankfully, Moore's car came to a halt in our compound and I rushed out. I picked up my heels
I exhaled as I held onto the luggage. After Mum eavesdropped on the conversation, she offered to protect Christie. She insisted Moore and I went on a honeymoon A weird feeling tugged at my chest and worry filled my heart. Dreadful images filled my brain as I thought of it. Is it safe to leave Christie alone? I shut my eyes as I pondered on it. Of course, it was, my prolactin hormone was just at work. Christie will be safe. "Amber," Moore called and I opened my eyes. He gave me a warm smile and took the luggage from me while I turned to Christie. After this, I will make sure I get to spend time with her. "Christie" I called and bent down to her level. We were in front of the building about to leave but I had to make sure I talked to her. "Be fine, okay? Mum will come back soon. Take care okay?" Her giggle filled my ears and she pulled me into a hug which I reciprocated. I broke the hug and peppered her face with kisses which made her chortle. She was indeed a sweetheart! "Bye M
My chest fell and rose as I watched the police take Louisa. I couldn't believe she had escaped from the prison. I knew she wanted to harm me, she was desperate to cause me pain but I didn't expect her to break away from prison."No, you just can't —" Louisa's protest was cut short when the officers grabbed her arm as they led her to the van. The officer turned to me and I bit hard on my lip.My thoughts had begun to wander off. Will it keep happening over and over again? Did I deserve no peace? Why did Louisa cause me pain on things I didn't know about?I couldn't understand it. I whipped my head to Moore when I felt his soothing touch that caused my heart to pound. He pressed my hand softly and I looked up at him.His eyes held the warmest and softest expression I could read; I could read the hope and pain that hid behind his lids."Stop it. Stop it, Moore, you can't keep touching her that way. I hate it!" Louisa yelled as her eyes bore holes into my skin. Veins popped out on her for
I sucked in a sharp breath, the pressure pressed down on my neck made it hard for me to even breathe. My head was pressed back hard against the pillow beneath as the figure above me pressed down even harder than before.The darkness made it impossible for me to see who it was, I only felt cold palms grasped at my throat. My eyes flew open in both shock and panic, small ragged gasps escaped my throat as I felt the air start to leave me. My heart, once quickly beating slowed in tempo and my eyes widened in desperation.No, I couldn't die. I can't die just yet — at least not in this way. I couldn't let them kill me like this.Small coughs erupted from my lips, I wheezed, now desperate to survive, and used my last bit of strength to scream for help as I pushed the figure back with all my might.My push made the figure fall to the ground and I used that opportunity to reach for my light lamp as I coughed painfully, and gasped greedily for breath. The lamp came on, its light wasn't bright b