SebastianI watch her walk toward me, each step deliberate and careful, as if she’s afraid she might shatter under the weight of her own decision.Elizabeth’s green dress clings to her figure, the slit teasing the length of her legs with every movement. The faint glow of the porch light dances across her skin, and I catch myself staring longer than I should.I wasn’t expecting her to say yes.When I asked her to dinner, I thought she’d hesitate, maybe deflect or make an excuse. But she surprised me, her soft “yes” echoing in my mind since the moment it left her lips. Now she’s here, her delicate beauty tugging at something I swore I’d buried a long time ago.I have no room for feelings, just vengeance. Vengeance for the man who killed my daughter's mother. My wife, my love.This wasn’t supposed to happen. Elizabeth wasn’t supposed to affect me like this.She’s just a pawn in a game that’s been years in the making.Tonight is about delivering the first blow, shaking Christopher’s world
ElizabethI can feel the weight of the decision I have just made.I look into Sebastine's desire, written all over.The warmth of his body is drawing me in. I can feel Sebastian's hand on my back, unzipping my dress. This time I am a willing participant, and I want him.Sebastine's hands explore me, touching me like I am something precious, something breakable. I let out a soft moan, grabbing his hair and pushing his head to my neck.His lips devour my skin, and without warning, I feel his hands on my thighs. Sebastian sets me down on the carpeted grass gently. I reach for him, planting my lips on his, ready for any consequences that follow.“Are you sure you want this?” Sebastian asks breathily...“I want you, Sebastine.”He smiles, quickly taking off his coat.I reach for him and place my hands around his neck. I pull him closer and let my hand explore him. Rubbing his hairy chest, I can feel him untie the straps to my dress. His mouth finding its way to my neck. He raises his hands
SebastianThe grass beneath me is damp and cold, a sharp contrast to the heat that clings to my skin.Sweat trickles down my temple, underneath me, but I hardly notice.The night is quiet except for the sound of her breathing, unsteady, like the rhythm of my own heart. Elizabeth lays a few feet away, her hands drawn to her chest, as if shielding herself from the world. Her eyes are fixed on the dark sky, but I can see the torment swirling in them.And God, I can feel my own.The weight of it sits heavy in my chest, a piercing ache that spreads with every second I stare at her. Tonight was supposed to be a turning point.And it is, just not the one I had expected, though.Everything had been set, every piece meticulously placed on the board. I was so close—so damn close—to delivering the first blow to Christopher.days of planning, scheming, and waiting, and all I had to do was to show up with, get a few pictures taken, and tomorrow, it would have been all over the papers. One command,
ElizabethI feel lighter today. Giddy, even.As I walk around the house, there’s a spring in my step I haven’t felt in years. I can’t explain it fully, but it feels like hope—new, fragile hope, bubbling up inside me and giving me strength.For the first time in forever, I’ve made up my mind. I’m leaving Christopher. There will be no more manipulations, no more playing dirty games. I simply need to be smarter.My fingers tremble as I sit in front of the vanity, brushing a layer of blush across my cheekbones. Last night I was reborn.My reflection looks back at me, and for once, I recognise the woman staring back. I’m not just Christopher Bell’s wife anymore. I’m Elizabeth—a woman who deserves more, who *will* have more. I swipe mascara onto my lashes, the dark pigment making my brown eyes look sharper, more alive. I smile, and it feels real. I’m ready.Today, I have so many plans. So many things to do. Chief among them is seeing my son. Edward. My heart aches at the thought of him, his
ElizabethI sit in my car, staring at the house that was once my happy place. It looms in front of me, large and cold, like a reminder of how shitty my life has become.The thought of going inside makes me sick to my stomach. My fingers grip the steering wheel tightly as if holding on to it will somehow stop the ache spreading through my chest.Celia’s voice plays in my head, her cruel words looping over and over. What did you think would happen after you lost all those pregnancies?I clench my jaw, swallowing hard.How did I let it get this far?How desperate I must be to endure years of insults from Christopher and his family. The audacity that man has—to take Edward without even telling me. “He has no right,” I whisper to myself, shaking my head in disbelief.Taking a deep breath, I force myself to move.My legs feel like lead as I drag myself out of the car and up the steps to the front door.My hand hesitates on the handle before I finally push it open. The quiet hum of the house
SebastianThe scent of Elizabeth still clings to me. I can’t get her out of my head.It’s been two days since we were together under the stars, two days since I touched her soft skin, kissed her, and held her like she was the only thing that mattered.Her smell, her taste, the feel of her—it’s driving me insane. And yet, nothing. No word from her. Is she avoiding me?Christopher is back from the wild goose chase I sent him on.I saw him at the meeting earlier today, storming around, snapping at everyone.He’s furious, and it’s because of me. My friend played his part perfectly—promising Christopher an investment only to back out at the last second.Watching Christopher’s face twist in frustration had been sweet, almost too easy. My plan is working. Piece by piece, I’m dismantling his perfect little empire. But now, with Elizabeth, it feels different. She’s under my skin, making me question everything.She hasn’t been to the office since that night. Is she regretting what happened? Or
ElizabethI see Sebastian in a different light. He is no longer the man who I slept with; he is now my protector. He is tense and determined. But it’s his eyes that catch me—dark, stormy, full of something I can’t quite name. Anger? Fear? Concern? All of it, maybe.“Where are we going?” I ask, my voice quieter than I intended. I’m trying to sound steady, but my ribs ache with every breath, and the words come out shaky.“You need to see a doctor,” he replies, glancing at me for a moment before turning his eyes back to the road. His knuckles grip the steering wheel so tightly I can see the tension in his hands.“I can’t,” I say quickly, panic rising in my chest. “I can’t go to the hospital. I can’t risk any of this getting out.”His jaw tightens, and his fingers flex on the wheel as if he’s holding himself back.“You know what? I don’t care, Elizabeth,” he says sharply. “All I know is that I need to make sure you’re okay. This isn’t up for debate.”“Sebastian, please.” My voice cracks,
SebastianI sit across from her as she sleeps, the dim light of the room casting soft shadows over her face. She looks so delicate, so fragile. Her chest rises and falls unevenly, as if even breathing is a struggle.I can see the bruises on her neck, faint but unmistakable, like fingerprints left behind by someone who had no right to touch her.It’s strange seeing her like this. Vulnerable. Elizabeth is always so guarded, her sharp tongue and stubbornness her armor. But now, as she lies here, battered and bruised, I can see the cracks in her walls. I hate it. I hate how someone could do this to her.I run a hand through my hair and lean back in my chair, never taking my eyes off her.A part of me wants to reach out, to hold her hand, to promise her that everything will be okay. But I can’t. Not yet. She wouldn’t believe me anyway.The sound of my father’s footsteps pulls me from my thoughts. I glance up as he enters the room, carrying two glasses of whiskey. He hands me one without a
Elizabeth“Who knew Seattle had so many psychiatric hospitals?” Eric’s voice cuts through the tense silence as he thumbs through the list on his phone, the light from the screen illuminating his face in the dim confines of my car. I glance at him from the driver’s seat, exhaustion weighing heavily on both of us. The rain streaks down the windshield, the rhythmic tapping a sharp contrast to the frustration brewing between us. “I’m starting to think that we might not find her, I mean what if they moved her somewhere else?” I mutter, gripping the steering wheel tighter. My knuckles are white, and my patience is nonexistent. Eric exhales loudly, his head dropping back against the seat. “None of the hospitals have confirmed or denied her presence. It's the same rehearsed answers every time: ‘We can’t share patient information. Privacy laws. Blah, blah, blah.’” “What the hell are we going to do?” I snap, my frustration boiling over. Eric doesn’t answer immediately, his mind churn
SebastianThe cottage sits in a clearing, its weathered wooden exterior blending into the dense background. The air is cool, and heavy with the scent of damp earth and pine. I sit on the old porch steps, nursing a tumbler of coffee in one hand, my phone in the other. Eric leans against the railing, his sharp features drawn tight with frustration, while James, broad and rough around the edges, paces the dirt path in front of us, the gravel crunching beneath his boots. "What did they find?" James bellows, his Southern drawl thicker than usual, a clear sign he’s losing his patience. Eric sighs, running a hand through his hair. "The men went to the location where the video was taken," he begins. "Elizabeth was there. Witnesses say she was taken by two men. They work for some asylum. Beyond that, I don’t have many details." I interrupt, the weight of my own thoughts pressing against my chest. "Celeste knows I was sleeping with Elizabeth." Both men stop what they’re doing and star
ChristopherI storm into the bedroom, slamming the door shut behind me. My coat slips from my shoulders, falling to the floor in a heap, but I don't care. My mind is too clouded with rage, and frustration gnawing at every fiber of my being. My chest tightens with every breath I take, and my hands are trembling—whether from anger or exhaustion, I don’t know anymore. Sebastian Valdez. That name alone makes my blood boil. He has taken everything from me—my company, my goddamn legacy. Bell Energies was my birthright, my family's empire, and now it's rotting in his filthy hands. I want to rip him apart, piece by piece, watch him suffer like I have these past few months. The thought consumes me, fuels my every waking moment. I stop in my tracks, my pulse pounding in my ears. A flash of red catches my eye. I freeze. The figure stands near the window, facing away from me, bathed in the soft glow of the city lights spilling through the curtains. Long, flowing red hair cascades dow
ElizabethI turn around slowly, her soft voice still playing in my ears. She stands there—tall, striking. Her red hair cascades over her pale shoulders, framing a face that feels oddly familiar. Her green eyes, bright yet holding something deeper, meet mine with a mix of curiosity and warmth. "Hey," I say, my voice unsure, testing the word on my tongue. "Hi," she replies with a friendly smile. "I'm Sarah." Sarah. The name hits me like a wave, crashing into my chest and leaving me breathless. I don’t know why, but it feels... significant. Familiar in a way that makes no sense. The connection is instant and electric, and I don't understand it. Sarah sits across from me, her movements light, almost too graceful for a place like this. "What’s your name?" she asks, her voice laced with an innocent curiosity like she’s eager to know me. I hesitate, a lump forming in my throat. "I... I don't remember," I admit, forcing a small, awkward smile. "They call me Jane here." Sa
SebastianI pace the length of my office, my footsteps heavy against the polished floor. My jaw is clenched so tightly it hurts, but I don’t care. My thoughts are racing, each one more frantic than the last. "Find out where that video was taken," I bark at my assistant. My voice comes out sharper than I intended, but I don’t have the patience to care. She nods briskly, her eyes wide with urgency, and rushes out without another word. The door shuts behind her, leaving me and eric alone with the deafening silence and my pounding heart. Then, Eric’s voice explodes through the quiet, his phone pressed tightly to his ear. "She's alive, Dad!" His voice cracks with raw emotion. "She's alive!" I freeze. Eric lowers the phone slowly, his fingers trembling, and turns to face me. A wide grin stretches across his face, pure relief radiating from him like a beacon. For a moment, I just stare at him, the words echoing in my mind. She's alive. Relief crashes over me, so sudden and
ElizabethThe room is dark, but I can still make out the shapes of the walls, the shadows pooling in the corners. This place feels like a prison, and I’ve been counting every second since I woke up here. The padded walls mock me, their softness hiding the cruelty of my situation. My legs feel restless, and my body wired with tension. I’ve been staying in my room, pretending to sleep, watching, waiting. They think I’ve given up. I haven’t. Dr. Maggie’s face flashes in my mind. That fake smile she gave me when she said the flyers were distributed. "Someone will call," she said with such conviction as if she cared. But I knew the truth when I saw the flyers crumpled in her bin. She lied to me. She doesn’t want me to leave. I can’t stay here anymore. I glance at the small pile of items I’ve managed to gather: Dr. Maggie’s stolen keycard, a long coat swiped from a visitor weeks ago. I’ve been planning this for a month, using every moment to map out routines, shifts, and patte
SebastianIt’s been a month. Thirty days since the explosion that almost killed off the Alexanders. A month since Christopher lost his place at Bell Energies and I stepped into his shoes.Shoes that don’t fit and probably never will. All I have dreamt of for years was to get my revenge on Christopher, but I am not enjoying it.And yet, here I am, sitting at this goddamn desk, staring at reports and contracts, pretending like any of this matters. None of it does. Not without Elizabeth. Not without the woman pilling at my heartstrings. Not without our baby. I run a hand through my hair, leaning back in the chair that still reeks of Christopher’s cologne. The office feels suffocating, the air stale, and every corner a reminder of him. He’s too quiet these days, playing along like some obedient lapdog. But I know better. I know him. A cornered animal is the most dangerous kind. Whatever Christopher is planning, it’ll be calculated, brutal, and thorough. He’s not done. Not by a long sho
ElizabethThe fire roars. The images still fresh in my mind. Even with my eyes open, the flames are still there, burning brighter and hotter than anything I’ve ever seen.The heat, the smoke choking me, the sheer helplessness… It’s all so vivid, so real, like it’s still happening.I blink rapidly, trying to push the memories away.My hands grip the edges of the blanket wrapped around me, knuckles white.Someone tried to kill me. Here. In this hospital. In this place I’m supposed to be safe.But I’m not safe.I sit in the sterile room with its pale walls and the faint scent of antiseptic, trying to make sense of everything. My head pounds with frustration.I don’t know who I am. I don’t know why someone would want to kill me. And worst of all, I don’t know where I belong.“Jane. Jane!”I look up at the sound of Dr. Maggie’s voice, startled. It takes me a moment to remember that’s what she calls me now. Jane. It feels foreign, like wearing someone else’s clothes.Dr. Maggie’s kind eyes
ChristopherThe sight of Edward playing in the corner of the room barely registers as I sit back in the leather chair, staring at the untouched glass of whisky in my hand.My chest feels heavy, like there’s a weight pressing against my ribs. The crackling fire in the hearth does nothing to ease the cold knot in my stomach. Elizabeth. She almost died.The thought keeps replaying in my head like a haunting melody, over and over.I picture her surrounded by flames, choking on smoke, her face twisted in terror.My Elizabeth—the mother of my child.How scared must she have been?How close was she to losing her life? My throat tightens at the idea, and I grip the armrest of the chair until my knuckles turn white.Guilt washes over me like a tidal wave, relentless and consuming. I glance at Edward. He’s laughing, spinning a toy car across the floor, his tiny face lit up with pure joy.If he ever finds out what I have done in the name of self-preservation, will he forgive me?He’s oblivious t