NancyThe room was still dark, and there was a silence that mixed with the soft heat of our bodies close together. The surrounding walls were barely visible, just shadows moving as the dim lamplight flickered. The room, of course, was small, simple, but at that moment it seemed to be the only refuge in the world. We were there, Jake and I, as if time had stopped, as if the rest of the world didn't exist.Jake was still lying next to me, his breathing was deep but not calm. I could feel the tension still present, as if he were on the verge of telling me things that were somehow still unknown to me. The bed we were in, with its soft cotton sheets and weathered pillows, felt like a safe space but also a stage for the important decisions we needed to make. The muffled sound of the winter wind outside only intensified the silence that surrounded us."Love," Jake murmured, turning to look at me. His eyes, still marked by the weight of the memories he had shared with me, now shone with renew
Nancy"For our plan to work, you need to go back to the hospital, Nancy. No one can suspect anything, especially Bruce," said Jake, his eyes full of concern.My lungs filled with air, but my chest felt tight. I wanted to refuse, I wanted to scream that I wouldn't walk away from him again, but I knew he was right. Still, the words refused to come out, and the only thing I managed was a pained whisper: "Jake, don't ask me that...not again."He looked at me intently, his hand cupping my face with a tenderness that seemed to melt all my resistance. "I don't want to either, Nancy. Believe me, every second away from you is torture, but it's necessary. Bruce can't suspect anything, not even for a second. I promise it will be the last time we're apart like this. Soon... Very soon, we will be together forever. Nothing will separate us."The warmth of his hand against my face comforted me, but the feeling of imminent loss made his every gesture even more precious. I leaned towards him, seeking
NancyThe hospital was freezing, cold like Bruce's indifference. The white, almost clinical walls reflected the intense light of the chandeliers, creating an environment devoid of any welcome. The rhythmic and constant sound of monitoring machines filled the space, accompanying the firm and hurried steps of nurses and doctors who walked through the corridors. I remained lying motionless on that bed, pretending that the sedatives were still taking effect. But, of course, that wasn't the case. I was fully aware. I heard every detail around me—every sigh, every muffled conversation. It was a necessary act. I knew what I needed to do, and part of that required Bruce to believe I was the obedient wife he always wanted. The one who didn't question, who accepted her decisions without thinking twice. I heard the hospital room door open with a subtle creak, and Bruce's heavy footsteps entered the room. He wasted no time greeting the doctors or thanking them for their care. For him, these peo
NancyBruce continued to sweat coldly, and soon his hand was on his chest. "Nancy...my medicine...where's my medicine?" he asked, his voice cracking with pain.I looked up slowly, without rushing. "I already told you, in the desk drawer, as always, Bruce."He tried to get up from the chair, but his legs gave way. "Nancy, help me!", His voice was now a desperate cry for help."You've always been strong, Bruce. You don't need my help, remember?" I spoke coldly, remembering all the times he humiliated me for not being 'strong enough'.Bruce tried to crawl to the drawer, his fingers shaking. "No... I can't... Help me, please.""Please?" I said, slowly standing up, heading towards him. "When did you ask me for something like that, Bruce? Don't you remember the times you ignored me?"He was out of breath, struggling to open the drawer. "Nancy... I'm...dying."I leaned over, watching his face contort in pain. "Dying? How ironic, isn't it? Maybe that's what you deserve."He gasped, eyes wide.
NancyThe phone only rang twice, and before I could process it, Amber's worried voice broke out on the other end, high-pitched and almost shrill. "Mom, are you okay? Please tell me you're okay!" Amber asked, her voice filled with palpable concern, the tension almost boiling over. "I just saw the news... They said Dad ran away. What's going on? You need to tell me everything!"I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm amidst the whirlwind of emotions. "Amber, honey, I'm fine. There's no need to worry about me. Things have gotten a little... complicated, but I'm handling it all, I promise." My words were sincere, but I knew they were far from conveying the gravity of the situation."Complicated? Mom, this is much more than complicated! He's being hunted by the police! Don't you think it's better to come to New York? You can stay here with me and Peter. I can't rest easy knowing you're there alone. We can take care of you, I promise!” The concern in her voice was genuine, and I could f
NancyBruce was there, in the basement, tied to that old chair that I dragged to the darkest corner. The dim light illuminated his dirty, scarred face, but it didn't soften the panicked look he gave me every time I opened the door. I used to be afraid of that look, but not anymore. Now, I was the one in control.For years, I was the perfect wife. The silent woman he manipulated as he pleased as he built his empire of lies and destruction. I knew everything—every dirty secret, every wicked scheme, but I kept quiet. Keep quiet, because I had a plan. There was no point in facing him while he was still strong, while everyone around us still believed his lies. I waited for the right moment. And that moment had finally arrived. Bruce, the man who once commanded everything with a simple snap of his fingers, now stood there, helpless, tied to my mercy, begging for his life.He watched me silently as I walked towards him. My footsteps echoed across the concrete floor, creating slow, somber mus
HaraldI'm standing in front of the mirror, trying to straighten my tie, but my fingers are shaking. No matter how much I try to stay calm, anxiety grows inside me. Today, I will testify in court. I was summoned not as a simple citizen but as Harald Morton, son of Charles Morton and brother of Bruce Morton, two figures who, to me, represent everything that is wrong with the world.I look at my reflection and try to convince myself that I'm prepared, but the truth is that I've never been so lost. Likewise, I, the renegade son, the one who was expelled and ignored by his own family, am now the only visible face of the Mortons. My father is dead, my brother is gone, and here I am, the last Morton, as if their curse has fallen upon me. I feel as if the weight of all this family's crimes and shame is about to crush my shoulders."You don't have to do this," I murmur, not looking away from the mirror, as if I'm trying to convince myself.I hear footsteps behind me, and before I can prepare
HaraldSitting in the section reserved for the defendant, my sweaty hands rested on my knees. The courtroom was packed, and the air was thick with murmurs and looks of contempt. I couldn't lift my head to look at anyone; shame weighed on me like an unbreakable chain. The judge began reading the crimes my family was being tried for, and with each word uttered, the burden grew. My name was tied to all of this, even though I had never had a direct hand in the business. But as Charles Morton's son and Bruce's brother, my presence was inevitable. I was a Morton, and now I was paying for it.As the judge described the evidence, I saw the grim faces of those who had been victims of our family. There were many stories of lives destroyed by the greed and power the Mortons had accumulated over the years. As I tried to distance myself from this weight, I felt myself sinking more and more into the mud they created. Each statement was a blow, each report was an open wound that burned inside.I kne