CandaceOn the outside, she smiled at Charles as she made fun of him. Every word and every gesture, carefully calculated, but inside, I burned with hatred. My eyes followed Harald and Glory, who had moved away from the table under the pretext that Harald wanted to show his father something in the office. I knew that was just a way for Harald to escape and go after Glory.He kept his smile as he watched them from the corners of his eyes. They didn't take so long as to not arouse suspicion, but that didn't stop the fire of anger from burning inside me. The pain of betrayal was unbearable, but I hid it well. Charles, next to me, continued to talk excitedly about plans for the baby, completely oblivious to the storm brewing inside me.I took a deep breath and got up, inviting Glory to go to the kitchen. "Glory, come help me with something in the kitchen. It'll be quick."She hesitated for a moment, but eventually agreed, following me into the kitchen. As soon as we entered, I closed the d
GloryThe scene in the kitchen never left my mind. Seeing Harald protect Candace was like being stabbed in the heart, the blade spinning and tearing everything inside. I couldn't understand what was happening. Harald had always been by my side, steady as a rock through the storms we faced, but now he seemed distant, as if something between us had changed irreversibly. Candace's pregnancy was a barrier between us that I didn't know how to overcome. "Did he fall in love with her? Is it because of the baby?" Thoughts swirled in my head, creating a storm that I couldn't control—a torrent that threatened to drown me with each new wave of doubt.In the kitchen, Harald knelt beside Candace, concern written all over his face. I was there, looking at him, trying to maintain my composure as my world crumbled around me. “She just tripped, it was nothing serious,” I said, but my voice cracked a little, betraying the emotion I was trying to hide behind a mask of indifference.Candace took advanta
CandaceThat morning marked a true triumph for me. I felt like a queen in my kingdom, and finally, Harald seemed to recognize the essential role I played in his life. Every worried look from him was a small victory, a brick in the castle of illusions I had patiently built over the years. I knew he was finally seeing me. Finally, he realized that I was someone who mattered. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing the truth I had always known: that I was indispensable to him.I lay in bed, wrapped in soft, luxurious blankets that tickled my skin, as he moved around the room with purposeful but careful steps. The room was softly lit by the morning sunlight streaming in through the windows, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Harald was arranging the pillows with precision, ensuring I was as comfortable as possible. With his every gesture, I felt a spark of hope light up inside me, as if every adjustment and every movement were a silent symbol that he cared.“Do you need anything
GloryI was waiting for him at our usual place, the hideaway hidden in the bushes behind the mansion. It was our sanctuary, a place where the world seemed to stop and only the two of us existed. The leaves swayed gently in the wind, whispering secrets that only lovers understood. I had spent the entire morning wrapped in anxiety, a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. I hadn't been able to talk to him, but the hope that Harald still felt something for me guided me here, as if that feeling were a magnetic force that I couldn't resist.The air was cool, and the sun's rays danced between the leaves, casting whimsical shadows on the ground. My heart was heavy, full of uncertainty and doubt. I was there, moved by a fragile hope that he would come to meet me. Every second felt like an eternity, and with every moment that passed, doubt grew, nestling at my side like an unwanted companion.When we spoke briefly in the bathroom at Harald and Candace's house, it was all so fleeting. The wo
HaraldMy father looked at us with a slight smile on his lips, clearly not suspecting the true meaning of our hug. "I just wanted to make sure you two were okay," he said, nodding as he walked over. "After what happened to Candace today, anyone would be shaken."Glory and I exchanged a quick look, taking the opportunity to follow his train of thought. "Yes, it was quite a scare," I said, trying to keep my voice as steady as possible. "It just took me by surprise, and Glory was kind enough to calm me down."Glory nodded, with a soft smile that masked the tension we both felt. "It was a complicated day for all of us," she added, maintaining an understanding tone.Charles, oblivious to our lie, seemed to accept the explanation easily. "Life is full of surprises, isn't it?" he said, before leaning back in the leather chair with a sigh. "Speaking of surprises, there's something else I'd like to discuss with you, Harald."Intrigued, I looked at him, feeling a tingle of worry on the back of
NancyFrom the small window of my captivity, I watched Candace and Harald get into the car. They laughed, exchanging knowing glances as if they were the very embodiment of sin. The sight filled me with a mix of revulsion and curiosity. So, those two were still together? Even after everything? I shook my head, trying to push away the thoughts that were gnawing at me from within. My mind was just searching for something to cling to—a minimal distraction to prevent me from sinking further into the depression that consumed me day after day. The smell of mold permeated the small, dark room where Bruce kept me locked up. The heavy air seemed to carry the weight of my anguish, making each breath an effort. Every minute in here was a torment, and every thought I had led me back to the horrific moments I was trying to forget or, at the very least, trying to survive.I wondered if anyone would notice if I disappeared for good. I didn’t know how many days had passed since Bruce brought me back
NancyThe next morning, the door to my confinement creaked open, and Bruce walked in. The same mischievous smile was plastered on his face, and I knew he believed he had finally broken me. He was convinced he had subdued me and that I was a defeated woman, ready to return to his feet."Good morning, Nancy," he said with a false sweetness that disgusted me. "Today is a new beginning for us."I simply nodded, keeping my eyes downcast, as if I were embarrassed. I knew he thrived on this submission and that it fed his twisted ego. Bruce, so arrogant, had no idea that the woman he thought he had tamed was merely waiting for the right moment to act."Come on," he ordered, extending his hand to me. "It's time to get out of here. You'll take a bath, get dressed, and maybe even eat something decent."I slowly got up, my body weak from days of confinement, and accepted his hand, allowing him to think I needed his help. As we walked through the mansion’s hallways, I smelled the familiar scents o
CandaceA few months had passed since I discovered I was pregnant. I still vividly remembered the shock and, in some ways, disbelief when I saw the positive result. It changed everything—my life, my future, and my relationship with Harald. But what surprised me the most was the change within myself. I had never imagined myself as a mother; I had never been the type of woman who dreamed of children and family. And yet, here I was, anxious, touching my belly that was beginning to show, and feeling an emotion I had never experienced before.I wondered where this new Candace had been hiding inside me all this time. That cold, calculating woman, always in control, was suddenly revealing someone different—someone who wanted to care, love, and protect.I looked at myself in the mirror, running my hands over the smooth curve of my belly. “You’ve changed me,” I whispered, as if speaking to the baby. “You’ve changed everything.”My reflections were interrupted by the sound of the door opening.