"George…" I rush to his side, momentarily erasing the tension and decisions of the past moments. I kneel beside him, my heart racing as I see the blood seeping through the bandage. The wound has opened up. Panic wells up within me, the urgency to save him overpowering any lingering doubts.Gritting my teeth, I summon all the strength I have and manage to pull him up into a sitting position. His weight is heavy, and his body is weak from the ordeal he's been through. With each step, I can feel his labored breath against my shoulder and his consciousness slipping away.As I exit the room, the cold air of the corridor hits me, adding to the tension that already coils around my chest. George's head lolls against my shoulder, his face pale and strained. The urgency pushes me forward, my determination to save him fueling every step. My arms ache from the effort, but I refuse to let go.We finally came out of the villa, and my breath came in short gasps, a mix of exhaustion and adrenaline. W
I come back to my parents’ house. Mom and Dad rush over, their faces etched with worry and relief. Mom's arms envelop me in a tight embrace, and her voice quivers as she speaks, "Oh, dear, you scared us to death."Dad's eyes hold a complex blend of fear and regret as he explains, "Those men tied us up, and we couldn't help you. Thank goodness you and the kids are fine."Gently freeing myself from my mother's embrace, I can't help but ask the question that's been burning in my mind: "Where are they?""They are resting…" Mom's sentence is cut short as my two bundles of energy burst out of the bedroom, Evan and Barbe running toward me in unison, their voices filled with relief, "Mommy!""My babies." A lump forms in my throat as I kneel down; my arms open wide, and they rush into my embrace. Tears well up in my eyes as the weight of the situation slowly lifts—my children are safe."Two men came and dropped them here early this morning." Dad's voice breaks through the emotional moment.Loo
George’s POV…As I watch Vivian retreat, my heart plummets and the realization of her distancing hits me with a dull ache. Without a second thought, I reach out, desperation lacing my voice and say, "Vivian, wait. Don't push me away. I miss you. I want to be with you." Her wrist is in my grip, but her gaze is unwavering, and her voice is cold. "Don't touch me."The force with which she jerks her hand away sends a jolt through me, making me unsteady due to my already weakened state. I stumble backward, a fiery pain radiating from my chest, where my wound resides. Clutching at my chest, I wince as the pain courses through me, the wound having reopened and staining my clothes with blood.Vivian turns away, her seeming indifference to my suffering piercing deeper than any physical pain. It's as if she no longer cares; her emotional distance is a reflection of the distance she has put between us.The weight of my past actions, my betrayals, hangs heavy in the air, and I'm acutely aware tha
His grip on my arm is tight, almost crushing my bones. Panic wells up inside me as I look into his cold, impassive face. Is he going to take revenge on me for not letting him into the house last night?Desperate to resist, I protest, "What are you doing?"But my words seem feeble in the face of his determination.He shoves me into the back seat with an urgency that only heightens my anxiety, and in the blink of an eye, he's beside me, the door slamming shut and locking me in. The driver initiates the journey without delay, and my heart races faster as I furiously attempt to open the locked door.Fury burns in my eyes as I turn my attention to George, demanding answers like, "Where are you taking me?"His voice is as icy as his gaze as he replies, "To my place," his focus unwaveringly on the road ahead.My protests grow louder and more desperate, a reflection of my increasing fear. "No… I don't want to go there. Stop the car right now!""Listen, Vivian," he interjects, his voice unyiel
The rapid pounding of my heart matches the urgency with which I dial George's number. The call connects immediately; his voice is light and almost carefree as he greets me, "Hey, how are you doing?"His words are like salt in an open wound, igniting a spark of anger within me. The audacity of his question, given the situation, grates on my nerves. The time for pleasantries and games is long past."How dare you ask me that? Do you think I'm enjoying being cooped up here?" My voice carries a simmering fury, laced with the frustration that's been building for weeks.He chuckles and says, his response a stark contrast to my seething anger. "I’ll be there in half an hour. Wait for me."Beep…The line goes dead, leaving me to stare at the phone in disbelief. The combination of his casual attitude and the feeling of being brushed aside fuels my irritation to new heights."Huh!" My scowl deepens as I mutter to myself, my frustration palpable. "He just hung up on me!"A surge of prickling anno
As I move closer to Vivian, I can smell her scent, and it's driving me wild. I haven't seen her in five years, but my attraction to her is still as strong as ever. In fact, it's even stronger. I can't control myself anymore. I'm drawn to her like a moth to a flame. My heart races as I get closer to her.I can feel my pulse racing as I move closer to her. My senses are heightened, and I can feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins. My fingers tremble as I reach out to touch her face. Her skin feels soft and smooth under my fingertips. I can't help but be captivated by her beauty.My mind goes blank as I stare into her eyes. They sparkle with an intensity that makes my heart skip a beat. I can tell she wants me, too. I can sense the tension between us building. I lean in closer, my lips barely grazing hers. I can hear her ragged breathing, and it only turns me on more.Without another thought, I rip her dress apart and knead her breast, savoring the feeling of her warm flesh under
Vivian’s POV…When I wake up the next morning, I find myself in George’s arms. The haze of sleep gradually lifts, replaced by a sudden surge of awareness. The memory of last night comes crashing back, causing my heart to race and my cheeks to burn with embarrassment.The realization of my own actions hits me like a wave, and I'm flooded with a mix of emotions: regret, confusion, and a tinge of shame.How could I make such mistakes?My internal struggle to keep my distance from him seems to have failed spectacularly. I've spent the last five years avoiding any intimate relationships, determined to focus on my children and my own well-being. But last night, something in me gave way, and the yearning for affection and connection took over.The walls I had built around myself crumbled in an instant, and the dam of pent-up desires burst forth, leaving me vulnerable to his touch.But now I regret it. I should have resisted and controlled myself. How could I have let my guard down and allowe
My words infuriate her beyond her tolerance level."You, filthy woman. I’ll kill you." Megan lunges over me, her eyes blazing with fury.But before she can reach me, I quickly sidestep and grab her arm, using her momentum against her. She stumbles forward, off balance, and I take advantage of the opportunity to wrap my arms around her waist, pinning her arms to her sides.With fierce determination, I drag her backward, away from the door, and slam her onto the floor. The air rushes out of her lungs as she hits the ground, and for a moment, she lies there, dazed and helpless.I straddle her, my legs on either side of her hips, and lean down, my face inches from hers. My breath comes in short gasps, and my heart races with adrenaline. I feel a surge of power and satisfaction as I look down at her, finally at my mercy.I yank on her hair, making her whine.Megan's eyes flash with anger and humiliation. She struggles against my hold, trying to buck me off, but I maintain my position, my m
A few months later…The narrator’s POV…The sun bathed the elegant garden in a soft, golden glow as George and Vivian stood beneath a pristine white gazebo, surrounded by a sea of vibrant flowers.The venue for their wedding was nothing short of breathtaking, with its lavish decorations and stunning floral arrangements that seemed to burst with color and life. It was as if the very earth itself was celebrating their union.Vivian, radiant in her ivory lace wedding gown, held a bouquet of exquisite roses in various shades of pink and white, their delicate fragrance filling the air. George, in his dashing black tuxedo, looked every bit the handsome groom, a broad smile gracing his lips.The gazebo was adorned with billowing white fabric, which fluttered gently in the warm breeze. Crystal chandeliers hung from above, casting a soft, enchanting glow over the entire scene. The aisle was strewn with rose petals, creating a path of delicate beauty for Vivian to walk down.As Vivian took her
In the meantime, Evan and Barbe enter. Their faces light up with a grin when they see me awake."Mommy!" The voices that reach my ears are filled with excitement and pure delight. They rush over to me.With open arms, I welcome them eagerly. The warmth of their tiny bodies envelops me, and tears of joy stream down my cheeks. Their presence is a balm to my soul, soothing away the lingering echoes of fear and pain. I hold them close, cherishing every moment of their embrace."My babies," I murmur, my voice quivering with emotion. "Mommy is here. Mommy is fine."Evan's eyes glisten with unshed tears as he speaks, his voice trembling with a mixture of relief and lingering anxiety. "You scared us," he admits, his emotions raw and unfiltered. "Barbe has been crying a lot."I brush away their tears, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Shhh, my darlings. Mommy is fine. Look, I'm smiling. Give me your precious smiles."Their grins are like radiant sunshine, and I revel in the warmth of their lo
The guards had been looking for the man who sprayed the powder on the wedding gowns. They finally caught him and interrogated him, and he revealed that Michael had paid him to do that to frame me.He confessed everything to the police.I ordered the PR department to make a statement. Finally, the crisis in the company has been resolved, but Vivian is still unconscious.Thirty-six long hours have elapsed, and her continued unconsciousness gnaws at my very core. I sit by her bedside, my hand clutching hers as if it could coax her back to consciousness. I long for her to awaken, to see those beautiful eyes once again, to hear her voice, and to feel her presence fill the room.Evan and Barbe are worried as well. Tears stain their young faces as they grapple with the fear that their mother may never awaken. It breaks my heart to see them in such despair, and I pull them close, enveloping them in a desperate attempt to offer solace."Why is she not waking up?" Barbe's voice trembles as she
On the way, I receive a video message on my phone from the chief security officer. It is the video recorded on the pendant.As the video message unfolds on my phone's screen, I am drawn into a vortex of shocking revelations. The images and sounds contained within this digital tape serve as a bitter pill to swallow, awakening me to the harsh truth that I've been living a carefully crafted lie for years.My eyes widen in disbelief. The guilt and regret that surge within me is like a turbulent sea, threatening to overwhelm my senses.Vivian, the woman who has always been there for me and who has loved me unconditionally, emerges as the true heroine of that fateful kidnapping incident.I thought it was Megan who saved me from the kidnappers back then, but it was Vivian. Megan twisted the facts and acted as if she risked her life to save me. In reality, she ran away, leaving me in danger while Vivian fought back with the goons. She even partially lost her memory.Tears well up in my eyes,
My body twists and jerks in an attempt to evade the blows, but her strikes find their mark, the impact sending shockwaves of agony through me.Blood drips down my face. I cry out in pain and fear. Each blow feels like a stab of darkness, threatening to extinguish any hope of survival.Megan has gone crazy. She won’t stop until she kills me. But I don’t want to die, not like this, until I punish her. I need to tell George everything."George…" My voice is a raw scream of pain as I plead for George, hoping that somehow my cry will reach him and that he will come to my rescue.Everything is turning black. My eyes are getting closed. I feel a sense of lightness as if I am flying."Vivian…" His voice echoes in my ears, a lifeline that seems just out of reach. Is he truly here, or is he a mirage born from my desperation?The room blurs and the edges of my vision grow hazy as if reality is slipping through my fingers. My body is weakening with every passing minute. I feel like I am leaving t
All the scenes are playing as a recording in front of my eyes. I feel like I am reliving the terror of the past.The goons take us to an abandoned house on the hilltop. They throw us on the cold floor and close the door. The room we're trapped in feels like a desolate prison, cold and damp. The muffled sounds of the outside world barely penetrate the thick walls.George is still unconscious. His forehead is bleeding. I'm driven by a fierce determination to protect him. I tear my dress with my teeth and use the fabric as an impromptu bandage to staunch the bleeding. His vulnerability, lying there unconscious, tugs at my heartstrings.I glance around the room, my eyes landing on the meager comforts of a mattress and a blanket. Gently, I drag George over to the mattress, huddling close to him and pulling the blanket around us, seeking whatever warmth and reassurance it can provide.As the night wears on, George's condition worsens. His fever rises, and he trembles in his fitful sleep.In
Her eyes blazed with a mad intensity, her pupils dilating as she spoke. "I loved him since I was a child," she said, her voice low and even. "I always wanted to be around him, play with him, and marry him. But he liked to play with you. I hated you for grabbing his attention."Megan's confession is both unsettling and tragic. Her childhood infatuation with George has festered into a twisted obsession, and her jealousy of my connection with him has fueled her hatred. Her admission paints a grim picture of her psyche, revealing the depths of her delusion.I feel a cold dread creeping up my spine as she continues to speak. Her words are laced with venom, her anger and resentment palpable.Why is she saying such things? Has she mistaken me for someone else?I have no recollection of playing with George. George and I had never met before high school. I narrow my eyes, trying to process her words.I struggle again, trying to break free from her grasp. But Megan is too strong, her hold too s
As my consciousness gradually returns, the world around me materializes in fragments. The grimy, dilapidated surroundings of the room come into focus, casting an eerie atmosphere that matches the unsettling situation I'm in. Cobwebs cling to corners; shadows dance on the walls of my vision.My head feels heavy, and my ears still ring from the blow I received. I blink, trying to clear my vision, and my heart skips a beat when I realize I'm bound to a chair.The voices, hushed but audible, pierce through the haze in my mind. My senses sharpen, and I strain to listen, piecing together the conversation unfolding before me."I told you to stay away from here. Why did you come here?"I squint as I find this voice familiar. It’s Michael’s voice. Who is he talking with?"Ugh…" I groan and try to free my hands from the ropes that are restraining me.A second voice joins the conversation, and my heart sinks as I recognize it.Megan.The pieces fall into place, and I'm struck by the cruel revela
A few days later…Megan visits me when Vivian is away. I can't help but feel a wave of annoyance wash over me.She is so shameless. She has the nerve to show up in front of me again."George, oh, my God. Look at you, how badly you have been injured." She comes closer to me with tears in her eyes.I used to feel sad whenever I saw her cry. But now I can see through her malicious nature hidden beneath this pitiful exterior. Megan is pretentious. Her tears and sweet words can’t change my perception of her anymore. I now know how cunning she is.She tries to reach out and touch my face, but I swat her hand away instinctively. I don't want her touching me; doesn't she understand that? I glare at her, my eyes flashing with warning."I have completely lost my patience with you, Megan," I growl, my voice low and menacing. "Stop trying to get closer to me. Get lost."She gives me a hurt look as if she is the one who has been wronged. "How could you say such a thing to me?" she asks, her voice