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.
Glory I was lying in the hotel bed, checking the clock for the tenth time in just a few minutes. Every second that passed made my heart race faster. The walls, which once seemed cozy, now suffocate me with their silence. These secret escapades with Harald were the only moments when I felt alive, away from the pressures of the Morton mansion and Charles' critical gaze. But that afternoon, something was wrong. Harald had never been this late. I looked at my phone, hoping for a message or call explaining his absence. Nothing. The discomfort in my chest was growing, mixed with anger and disappointment. Maybe Candace had done something. She could easily have pretended to feel ill to keep him by her side. That wouldn’t be new. But why didn’t he call? Do I mean so little to him? Frustration hit me, but I quickly decided it wasn’t worth dwelling on. I threw my things into my bag and left the hotel, my mind already formulating a plan. I couldn't leave traces of my displeasure. Not only that
CandaceThat morning, as I sat at the breakfast table, I noticed that Harald seemed distracted. His eyes were fixed on the phone screen, and his fingers were typing quickly as if he were trying to resolve an urgent issue. My heart tightened a bit. He had always been so present with me lately, but now… Was he talking to Glory, that bitch?I tried to push the thought away, but insecurity overwhelmed me. The idea of Harald still meeting with Glory made me uneasy, even knowing that he was trying to be a good husband because of our baby. I needed to know what was going on."Who are you talking to?" I asked, trying to sound casual, but my voice faltered a little.Harald looked up, apparently surprised by the question. "I’m talking to my father," he replied, letting out a heavy sigh as he set his phone aside. Just hearing the word "father" made the tension radiate from him.I tried to decipher his expression, but his face was a mix of exhaustion and frustration. It wasn’t just the weight of
GloryThe afternoon dragged on, and time seemed to stretch into a suffocating eternity. I was in my room, seated in the armchair near the window, watching the garden outside. The colors of autumn were beginning to tint the leaves, and the cold wind whispered promises of change. But inside me, everything felt stagnant, frozen in a routine of expectations and disappointments.Since Nancy left, the house has become quieter, but not pleasantly. It was a heavy silence, pressing on my chest and keeping me constantly on edge, as if something was about to crumble. Charles, my husband, had been increasingly distant and irritable. Our conversations were monotonous, just the basics to keep up appearances. The only thing keeping me going was the hope of seeing Harald. But even he seemed more distant lately.Suddenly, a light knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I turned, feeling a spark of hope that it might be a message from Harald, but I was surprised to see Nancy. She entered the room