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
The sun beat down on the pristine tennis court as Athro and I engaged in a challenging match. It had been a few days since I had received the shocking news about my wife's supposed death, and amidst the whirlwind of emotions, the only escape I could find was on the court. Little did I know that another twist of fate awaited me on this scorching afternoon.As we volleyed back and forth, the familiar chiming of my phone interrupted the rhythm of the game. Athro shot me a curious glance as I reached for my pocket and retrieved the device. My heart raced as I saw Keigan's name flashing on the screen. Without wasting a second, I answered the call, but my voice betrayed the anxiety that crept within me."Keigan? What is it?" I asked, my throat tight with anticipation.His voice on the other end sounded urgent. "Theron, you need to hear this. I've uncovered something, something that turns everything upside down."I froze, the racket slipping from my fingers as his words hit me like an electr
I couldn't believe my ears. The words that had just come out of Herod's mouth echoed in my mind, shattering the fragile semblance of normalcy I had built for myself. I stared at the screen of the TV, dumbfounded. How could this be true? How could everything I believed about myself be nothing more than a lie?Mother Tanna, sensing my distress, came to my side, her gentle touch offering solace amidst the chaos in my mind. Her comforting presence grounded me, and I turned to look at her, seeking answers, seeking reassurance.Her eyes, usually filled with warmth and compassion, now held a deep sadness. She knew the truth, the truth that Herod had just unveiled to the world. I longed to hear her voice, to have her explain everything, but I couldn't. My voice had been taken away from me, just like my identity.I had always known I was different from the other Duffins. I was never quite as good at baking, never quite as adept at following their traditions and recipes. But I had never questio