It was a stormy night, both outside and within me. My heart was heavy with the weight of the revelations that had been unveiled. I made my way through the rain-soaked cobblestone streets, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts and emotions.I could hardly believe what I had discovered. Tired and desperate, I sought solace in the comforting presence of Mother Tanna. She had always been my rock, a guiding light amidst the sea of darkness that surrounded me. Trusting her judgment, I confided in her the betrayal I had experienced at the hands of Herod.As I poured out my heart to Mother Tanna, her brows furrowed in concern. The wrinkles on her wise face seemed to deepen, reflecting the depth of my pain. She listened intently, her eyes filled with compassion as I recounted the lies and deceit that had become entangled in my life.With a gentle touch, she held my trembling hands and softly spoke, "My dear Theron, trust is a fragile thing. It can strengthen or shatter in an instant. It pai
I stood in front of the grand mirror, a reflection of my own journey etched into the lines upon my face. Tears streamed down my cheeks, a bittersweet mix of joy and longing. My eldest son, Athro, walked into the room and his eyes widened at the sight before him. He could see the emotions playing across my face, a mirror of my own heart."Mother, what's the matter?" Athro asked, concerned, lacing his voice as he reached out to touch my trembling hand.I turned to face him, the tears still flowing, a shaky smile dancing at the corners of my lips. "Oh, my dear Athro, something wonderful has happened," I whispered, struggling to find the right words to express the depths of my emotions.Athro's eyes widened with curiosity, his gaze searching mine for answers. "Tell me, papa. Please, I can see the happiness radiating from you, but I need to understand."I took a deep breath, willing myself to compose the tidal wave of emotions that threatened to spill forth. "Athro, my love, have you ever
I am inside my office now. I thought that if Eliana was Athara, then who was the girl we buried in South Carolina? I couldn't recognize its face anymore, because it was burnt. The telephone rang so I answered the call. "Hello.""Theron, I always follow Herod. He goes back and forth to a building where there is a doctor there.""I know what he's doing there, Keigan. It's also true that Eliana is my wife who we thought died from the fire.""How did you know?""Eliana and I met again, we agreed to have a second DNA test with my son. The result was positive.""Shit, Duffins! You've been making me tired of being a detective lately but the truth is that you already know that Eliana is your wife. What's your plan? Do our friends know?"I sighed. I hate Herod but I didn't want to slander him to our other friends. "Dude, this isn't the time to tell them what Herod did. I know they're just going to scold that one.""Not just scolding, dude. They might even kill him.""So please, Keigan, don'
••Eliana••I dangled my feet above the shimmering water of the swimming pool, the midday sun casting a warm glow upon me. Wearing my two-piece swimsuit, I attempted to immerse myself in the refreshing water, hoping it would provide some form of solace amidst the tumultuous storm of confusion that raged within me. I was still preoccupied with the revelations that had unfurled since my arrival in this strange town of Brookville.According to my husband, I was Eliana, his beloved wife. That was the truth I had known, the truth that had guided me through my life up until now. But, in a twist of fate, a DNA test result suggested that I was someone entirely different: Athara Swans-Duffins, the wife of my husband's cousin. It was a name I had no recollection of, a life I had no memories of living.Lost in my thoughts, I subconsciously trailed my fingers along the edge of the pool, the cool water reminding me of the endless depths that surrounded me--the depths of my forgotten past. I closed
I waited anxiously for what seemed like an eternity, my heartbeat quickening with every passing second. The sound of footsteps echoing through the hallway signified my husband Herod's departure from our grand estate. This was the moment I had been yearning for, the opportunity to escape the confines of my gilded cage and seek solace elsewhere. It was risky, I knew, but I couldn't bear to remain a captive in my own home any longer.As I glanced around, I realized that the maid, Sarah, was preoccupied with her duties, tending to the needs of the household. Her keen eyes were momentarily averted, and I seized the chance to slip away unnoticed. My heart pounded in my chest as I crept silently through the opulent corridors, my every movement shrouded in secrecy. It was nerve-wracking, yet thrilling to be emancipated from the watchful gaze of the household staff.Finally, I found myself standing outside the imposing iron gates that led to freedom. The world beyond beckoned to me like a sire
Fear coursed through my veins like a rushing river as Herod's forceful grip pushed me against the cold, unforgiving wall. The sheer anger radiating from him was palpable, seeping into every crack and crevice of the room. My breath caught in my throat, and my trembling body betrayed my growing trepidation. What had I done to evoke such a reaction?As I struggled to steady my racing thoughts, Herod's piercing eyes locked onto mine, demanding my attention as if I were a mere puppet in his control. His voice, filled with a volatile mix of fury and something else almost impossible to decipher, resonated in the silence of the room."You must not ask about your past," he seethed, his words flooding the space between us. "Focus on the present, on the path ahead."Confusion mingled with my fear, leaving me paralyzed in his grasp. Memories flickered on the periphery of my consciousness, but they remained tantalizingly out of reach. Herod's demand felt oppressive, suffocating, as if a shroud had
••Theron••Rome's message lit up the chat group, urging us to have a well-deserved Saturday out. A wave of excitement washed over me as I read his words, and I knew this was the opportunity I had been waiting for. It had been years since I last had a night out with friends, and the thought of letting loose and indulging in some good company felt like a balm for my weary soul.I walked into the living room, where Mother Tanna was sitting in her favorite armchair, engrossed in a book. "Mother," I said, clearing my throat. "I have something to tell you."She looked up, her eyes meeting mine with a curious glance. "What is it, my dear?" she asked, her voice warm and comforting."I'm going out tonight," I replied, my voice filled with a mix of excitement and guilt. "With my friends, from the chat group. We're planning to have a good time."A smile tugged at the corners of Mother Tanna's lips. She closed her book and placed it gently on a side table. "Oh, darling," she said, her voice filled
The clock on the wall continued its relentless march in the silence of the empty house. I stood there, clutching the glass of water in my hand, feeling the coldness seep into my palm, but it did little to numb the pain that radiates through my entire being. The events of the evening weighed heavily on my heart, threatening to crush my spirit.Herod, the name reverberated in my mind, a bitter reminder of the betrayal that had torn our family apart. He had been like a brother to me once, a confidant, but now he was a treacherous shadow in my life. His actions had not only stolen my wife but had shattered the very foundation of trust on which we had built our relationship."How could he? How could he twist my life like that? We are cousins! We are f-family."I longed for solace, a respite from the stormclouds that seemed to perpetually hover over my head. With a heavy sigh, I made my way up the stairs, the weight of the world seemingly carried on my slumped shoulders. The faint sound of