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
Two years had come and gone since the untimely passing of my beloved husband, Theron. The pain of his absence still reverberated within me, but life went on, as it always does. I found solace in the comforting arms of our three children, Wisdom, Triumph, and Athro. Together, we stood strong, leaning on one another as we navigated the unpredictable journey of grief.In this time of sorrow, there was one constant source of support that held us all together: Mother Tanna. She had been my rock throughout this tumultuous period, offering her unwavering love and guidance when I needed it the most. Tanna had known Theron since we were young, and her bond with our family was unbreakable.On a sunny afternoon, as rays of golden light filtered through a canopy of trees, I found myself standing before Theron's grave. The marble headstone, etched with his name and the dates that bookended his life, stood as a somber reminder of our loss. I gently traced his name with my fingertips, a bittersweet
My heart was beating even faster than before. Earlier, the police with Theron were shooting against Herod's men. "Athara, are you still there?""Y-Yes, Theron. Are there more enemies?""Ugh...damn," Theron moaned weakly but surely in pain, making me stand up without thinking that an enemy might see me."Theron? What happened to you? Are you hurt?!" I asked him worriedly. "I-I am not," he said even though it was obvious that he was hurt. I held tightly to the end of the cement beds. Now I realize where I am. I was inside the morgue of this abandoned hospital. "Theron, do not lie! Are you hurt? Don't hide anything from me, Theron! What's happening to you?!""N-Nothing! Don't worry because I'm fine. The best thing you can do is to stay there and not come out!"I walked out of the morgue, my heart pounding in my chest. The sound of gunshots still echoed through the empty halls of the abandoned hospital, but my thoughts were solely focused on Theron. I knew deep down that he had been s
My right hand trembled as it swam inside my bag. I pulled my hand back when I caught the object I intended to pick up from it. It was my phone. I let out a sigh when my phone was in front of my face. "Love, we can not go ahead with the plan if you hesitate. We'll just find another way to catch Herodotus," Theron said to me as he grabbed my left hand that had fallen to the side of my body. I looked at him and smiled. "Theron, I don't hesitate. I just can't help but feel nervous and scared."He positioned himself behind me. He hugged me while his chin rested on my shoulder. "We can talk to Officer Lucas," he continued. I shook my head before facing him. I know that he was full of concern for me. The worries in his eyes were readable."I can't back down, Theron. It's here. We're here. If Herodotus doesn't put an end to his evil, I ... we will."He just smiled and pulled me closer to him. He gave me a tight hug. My nervousness and fear gradually disappeared because of my husband's hu
It was noticeable that my husband was not very energetic. I didn't talk to him and I didn't apologize after I slapped him. I'm tired of the setup of our life. It's tiring to hide. I think it's better to live like other people, that's why I've made up my mind to coordinate with the police to make Herodotus' greed over. I informed Mother Tanna of my plan. We are now sitting on a sofa. We are next to each other. My right hand was locked between her two palms. We stared at each other at this time. "Have you really made up your mind to do this thing, child?""Mother Tanna, I'm not backing down anymore. This is for my family. This is for all of us. I know it's scary but it's not right that we'll be afraid forever. I've always wanted all of this to end," I said. You can see the fear in Mother Tanna's eyes. He pressed holding my hand. "Child, how about your husband?"I pressed my lips together. I breathed deeply. "He's against my decision, mother. We haven't spoken for a few days after I
I kept staring at Lucas. I just saw his mouth open but what he was saying didn't sink into my mind. "What?"He adjusted his seat. "What I said is let's make your wife a bait. Athara is what he wanted to get from you, right? If he agrees to meet Athara, then surely that will be our chance to catch him completely."I stood up and immediately shook my head. His way of arresting Herodotus was wrong. My wife will be destroyed the way he wants. There's nonway I would let Athara be in that unsecured plan! "I'm sorry, Lucas. I won't bet my wife on this. What if my wife gets hurt? No way. I can't afford to lose Athara."Lucas gave me a blank look. I know he wants to go ahead with the plan. It was obvious to him that he wanted to convince me. "Look, Theron. Athara is the only way we can catch Herodotus. Security is tight at his house and I'm sure it will be difficult for us to get close to him because he is cunning.""I don't want Athara to be involved—""I will allow myself to be the bait
The sun was beginning its descent, casting a warm golden glow across the city streets. It had been a long day, and I was eager to head home and find solace in the sanctuary of my humble abode. I stepped out of the office building, briefcase in hand, ready to leave this chaotic world behind.As I made my way towards the parking lot, a familiar unease nestled in the pit of my stomach. Glancing in the side mirror of my car, I caught a glimpse of a sleek, black sedan parked a few meters away. A chill ran down my spine as I recognized the license plate – it was Herodotus' car.Herodotus. The name alone sent shivers down my spine and evoked memories of a painful past. He was a man filled with darkness, an insidious force who sought to claim what was rightfully mine. And now, it seemed that he was lurking in the shadows once again, like a wolf patiently stalking its prey.I knew I couldn't afford to be complacent. Herodotus was relentless, a force to be reckoned with. He wouldn't stop until
I glanced over at Athara as she fastened her seatbelt. The worry etched on her face was plain to see. Herodotus's relentless pursuit had reached a dangerous level, and it was imperative that we stay together, even on a simple trip to the store. With a deep breath, I mustered up the courage to voice my concerns."Athara," I began softly, "we need to stick together. I don't want to alarm you, but Herodotus is looking for you. He's become obsessed, and I fear he might try to take you away."Athara's eyes widened, and I could see fear creeping into her gaze. I reached out and placed a reassuring hand on her arm, hoping to convey some semblance of comfort."I will, Theron. Don't worry" she whispered, her voice trembling. "What does he want with me anymore? He got your company and the trust of the board."I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. The truth was too complicated, too painful. Herodotus's motives remained shrouded in mystery, his obsession with Athara unfathomable."S
The water kissed my skin as I was under the shower. Tears were sprouting in the corner of my eyes and slowly forming transparent balls before they were rolling down my face. I knew that it would come to happen. I already accepted the fact that I couldn't please the board and they would wish me to leave my position, but I am not used to it. I remembered the moment that Mommy Thaira and Daddy Rondelle gave me the power to take care of the company. I poured my whole being into the company to improve it and achieve goals. I was the reason why the company was on top now. There are many things I want to happen and achieve as the CEO of the company, but I know they will never happen. I no longer have the right to decide what is good for the company because I am no longer in charge of it. I don't know why the board didn't want daddy to be the CEO again. What they really wanted was Herodotus. They chose Herodotus who was greedy and a traitor to lead the company. After I finished taking a
As the sun stretched its golden rays across the room, casting a warm glow over the embrace between Mommy Thaira, Daddy Rondelle, and our children, my heart swelled with a mixture of joy and apprehension. It had been days since their visit, and I had been eagerly awaiting this moment, longing to be in the presence of the ones who had showered me with love and affection. Little did I know that their visit would bring unsuspected turns, unraveling a tangled web of emotions.The laughter of our children echoed in the air as they clung tightly to their grandparents, their innocent faces filled with pure delight. "We miss you so much, kiddos!""We miss you too, granny and grappa!"It was a beautiful sight, one that filled my soul with immense gratitude that they had found such unconditional love in Mommy and Daddy. But beneath the joyous reunion, an underlying tension pulsed, making my heart race with anticipation.After the initial flurry of affectionate greetings, Mommy and Daddy asked f