MORGANA FOSTERThe sun was setting when I finished my physiotherapy session. I had tea and cookies with Winnie and Alessandra. It was a pleasant afternoon. The air in the main garden was magnificent and fragrant, the plants and flowers adding color to the landscape. It was beginning to get dark, and orange and red dominated the sky as the sun went down.Ryan had gone to work, it was a Friday, and he was getting ready for his weekend off. Even though we haven't had much contact over the years, I know his routine completely. When we got inside, I had to go up to the bedroom floor to get a special dress for dinner. The door to his room was open, showing his figure standing on the edge of the bed finishing putting on a pair of black flannel pants.What a beautiful ass.A really shapely ass, perfect in a white boxer.The sight became even more disturbing when he began to put on his shirt and button it up in a ritual that in my mind seemed like the sexiest thing in the world. All right, I wa
MORGANA FOSTER In the living room, Ryan was sipping on a glass of whisky. His eyes widened, and I could swear I saw him stop breathing. Setting the glass aside, he walked to the edge of the stairs, extending his arm to assist me down."You look beautiful," he said, clearing his throat."Hm? What did you say?" I asked, pretending not to have heard."I said that..." He swallowed hard. "You look beautiful.""Oh! Thank you," I forced a smile. "Can we go?""Of course," With one hand holding mine and the other on my back, we walked to the car.It was funny to imagine Ryan Burke so nervous. Hilarious. His hand on my back trembled a bit, the atmosphere outside the car was electric and enticing. His eyes couldn't help but linger on my exposed cleavage. He opened the door, I got in, and he shut it, walking to the driver's seat.I was about to fasten my seatbelt when he did it for me, making sure it was securely fastened."You're safe," he said, glancing at the dress again and lingering too long
RYAN BURKECrafty little sneak. She told everyone about Elena's pregnancy. Without giving me a chance to soften the blow. I know my grandfather thinks Elena is an ambitious and scheming woman, my grandmother also has no better references to the mother of my child, but what could I do now? Abandon Elena? We went out to the dining room. Uncomfortable.My mother and grandparents stared at me seriously. I knew I had broken all the family principles, maintaining a relationship outside of marriage. But in my defense, we had an agreement. I never promised to reciprocate her feelings.And now I'm paying for it. After dinner, the ladies gathered for tea and my grandfather gave me a commanding look to follow him to the office.In the middle of the office was a small round table of dark wood with a huge bouquet of white tulips. The walls were filled with paintings.Some works acquired at antique auctions.To the right, there was an imposing "U"-shaped sofa that comfortably accommodated ten people
MORGANA FOSTERThe office is shrouded in a thin haze of smoke. Grandpa Burke is seated in his chair with a cigar between his lips, his icy expression turning into an inviting smile. It was hard not to feel intimidated by his imposing presence, yet at the same time comforting."You shouldn't be smoking, Grandpa," I admonished, taking a seat in the chair opposite him."Don't tell your grandma," he replied, winking like a teenager. "Well, dear, I heard Ryan. Now I want to hear from you, start!"I took a deep breath and placed my hands on the table."I want a divorce, Grandpa," my voice came out firmer than I expected, though the sigh that followed betrayed the tumultuous feelings within me. "Ryan never loved me! I don't believe it's going to happen now."His eyes pierced mine, seeking the truth that I myself was still trying to understand. It was comforting to have someone like him by my side, someone who understood and supported me, even in the face of the toughest decisions."I understa
MORGANA FOSTEREverything is so clear now in my head, how much I want this to end. The anguish filling my chest is enormous, I couldn't be more relieved that we've reached this moment. I believe Grandpa Burke will keep his promise to make him sign the divorce papers.We're in the car heading home. Ryan seems completely different, with a glow of anger lighting up his eyes like sharp needles. His silence was what worried me the most. I preferred it when he yelled; I had a clear view of what was waiting for me. I sigh heavily against the car dashboard as he remains focused on the road.His eyes lift in the rearview mirror as the light from another car catches up to us."We're being followed," he said calmly, his voice sounding hoarse and cold."What?" I ask, shaking and looking back.He rubs his temples and puts one hand on my leg, massaging my thigh. "Stay calm," he says. His eyes are gentle and give me a sense of security. "I'll keep driving home as usual.""Ryan, what if it's my stalke
MORGANA FOSTERI have no idea how much time passes from the call until the patrol car and paramedics arrive. My head completely disconnects from what's happening around me. I remain seated in the same spot as Ryan goes out to talk to the police.Cold fingers of fear grip my spine. I'm grappling with my own panic when a detective, the same one from the hospital, comes to take my statement."Mrs. Burke?" His tone is firm and gentle. I nod in agreement."Can we take your statement now?""Of course." I manage to speak, small tears falling down my face as I wipe them away with the back of my hand. "We had just arrived home. We came from dinner at my husband's grandparents' house. A car followed us but lost track halfway. When I entered, I took off my shoes at the entrance and went to the kitchen to make tea. I saw a figure, as if someone was passing towards the living room, and then heard a noise of something breaking. I grabbed the knife in the kitchen to defend myself. I found my husband
RYAN BURKEShe was running away. After everything last night, she kept running away from me, and I kept wanting her more and more with all my being. Maybe, today, she'll stop running away from me like the devil runs away from the cross. Just once. Even with all this, I can't stop thinking about her naked body, her damn perfect breasts and thick thighs. Nor can I stop thinking about how perfect they would look with my face between them. I took the last sip of coffee as I watched her walk away down the corridor, swaying her hips and involuntarily rolling her perfect ass. Yes, I'm completely obsessed with her. I've been craving her ever since I discovered that I can like everything about her. From her fiery personality to her toenails.Every day she surprises me, whether with her intelligence or her altruism. Especially when she overcame her pride and took care of Elena. God! I totally forgot about Elena. Everything's a mess lately, but Elena is the mother of my son.I pull my cell phone
MORGANA FOSTERI leave the room, leaving Ryan behind in bewilderment after our kiss. Everything is going very well. Too well. I didn't know he'd accept this plan so easily. I'm nervous, but well, I don't want to fear anything.I want to pay him back. It was the most pleasurable shit of my life to see his face twist with rage when I made him the offer. Yes, I'm having more fun with this than I can describe.I go back to studying the anatomy book again, ridding myself of any thoughts of last night's attack. I'll let Ryan worry about that, he said he'd sort it out, so let him. Some security technicians from JBR Enterprises come in the afternoon to change all the alarms and locks on the house. I go into the office while they do their work.After the system has been completely renovated, they leave. I feel a bit better now.Ryan has passed the office door many times in the last hour. Casting several glances at me. Restless. His eyes have a strange flare every time I catch him looking this w
MORGANA FOSTERI hurried down the hallway with my heart beating fast and my breath catching. If she found me, I was done for. I ducked under the table, covering my body with the curtain, trying not to make any noise."Gotcha!" The little blonde head ran towards me, stumbling in front of me. The bright blue eyes, as clear as Ryan's, stared at me with a toothless, gleaming smile."Oh, Alanis," I replied, patting the little one's head, "you found me, huh?"Alanis laughed, a childish, joy-filled laugh that filled the room. She pointed to the makeshift hiding spot under the table."'I found you, Auntie, but you're terrible at this!'" she exclaimed, her eyes still filled with amusement.I rolled my eyes affectionately, knowing my hiding attempt was useless. "'You're too smart, Alanis. I can't escape you, it seems.'"The little one got up and sat beside me, playing with her fingers as she looked at me. "'You look sad, Morgana. Why?'"I smiled, trying to disguise my feelings in front of her i
Four months later, Rookgaard, California. Burke's grandparents' house."The trial is in a week," Sorya says. "Do you want to go?"The dining table, once filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses and utensils, is now immersed in complete silence. I look around to make sure I'm not alone in my silence. I swallow the bitter ache of the hours of terror I suffered at the hands of the two women."I don't feel like seeing them again," I mutter, feeling a lump forming in my throat. "Just the thought of sharing the same space with them fills me with anger.""And you don't have to go if you don't want to!" Elena says, laying her hand on mine, giving me a warm smile. Her cheeks are rosy, and her belly is huge. The baby will be born soon.I give her a weak smile and mumble a quiet thank you to her. At first, I never thought I'd feel comfortable beside my 'rival,' but now that she's engaged to James, her presence is no longer a threat to me.
MORGANA FOSTER"You're really dumb, Mr. Burke!" Alessandra says, pressing the gun barrel against my head.I swallow hard, feeling the pressure and weight of the metal barrel on my head. My eyes automatically widen as if the whole world stops spinning when I hear the gun being cocked."Let's negotiate," Ryan says calmly, looking at the men with him, who step back a bit. "What do you want?""We've already said," Winnie replies this time. "16 million dollars in my account. By noon... And maybe I'll release this one here."She says, pulling my head back, which tilts backward. The taste of iron fills my mouth. Maybe this is it. A fight over money."Even if I wanted to, that's a lot of money," he replies."See? Mrs. Burke," Alessandra says with a laugh. "He doesn't think you're worth it.""In the end, all the Burke's are the same. Why are you so stubborn?" Winnie says, turning to face me. "Maybe he'll take us seriously if we shoot her. What do you think?"My breath remains irregular, my hea
MORGANA FOSTER"Missed me?" Alessandra's unmistakable voice cuts through the entire shed, invading my ears.A new flood of emotions fills my soul as I spot her profile appearing in the corner of my eye until she's fully in front of me.How did I let myself be fooled by that silly story of her becoming a nurse to take care of her mother?"What happened?" Alessandra sneers with a disdainful expression on her face. "Cat got your tongue?""I think she's a bit surprised that you're my daughter," Winnie declares.Alessandra walks over to Winnie's side and leans on the counter. I hadn't noticed before, but there's a short resemblance between the two. I feel completely different now. Foolish for never noticing anything strange about them.I swallow hard as I watch the two of them. I can't believe this is true. Part of me wants to completely deny that I could be so blind."What are we going to do with her?" Alessandra says, turning to her mother."I don't know," Winnie replies with a satisfied
RYAN BURKEI practically flew down the road incessantly without the certainty that I'll find her well. The damn phone rings so many times that I can't keep count. It rings eight times and goes to voicemail again."Hello, you've reached Doctor Foster, please leave your message after the beep."I insist on calling again, the echoing sound as the phone rings is deafening."Come on, Morgana!" I speak nervously. "Come on, pick up!""Hello, you've reached Doctor Foster, please leave your message after the beep."I slam both hands on the steering wheel in frustration.I pray in my heart that she's just too tired to hear the phone ringing. In fact, the adrenaline pumping through me, boiling like lava, begs to all the gods that she's just asleep in our room.I press down on the accelerator with a tight heart, thoughts that she might be in danger consume me entirely. I fear it might already be too late to reach her. Ronan's car is following me, I know it's him because I saw my mom getting into
MORGANA FOSTERShe gives a bitter smile as she finishes her speech. I can't imagine her pain, but I understand that it hurts. She paused, taking a breath, while I absorbed every word. The intensity of the moment deepened with each revelation."However, the compensation didn't bring my loved ones back," she continued, her gaze fixed on some point beyond me. "And the person responsible for maintaining that machine, who didn't do his job properly, was none other than your father, Morgana. He was the supervisor that night. And he wasn't there to ensure that everything was working properly."A chill ran down my spine. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My father, responsible for two deaths?"So, you think I should pay for his mistakes?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.Winnie gave a bitter smile. "No, Morgana. You don't understand. It's not just about revenge. It's about justice. He continued with his life, as if nothing had happened. As if any amount could pay for my son's lif
MORGANA FOSTERI wake up feeling a tight grip around my wrists, chest, and ankles. My suspicion is confirmed when I pull them and feel the rope scraping against my skin. I raise my head slowly, still feeling a heavy weight on it, accompanied by a throbbing buzz in my ear.I open and close my eyes a few times, getting used to the low light of the place. My mouth is completely dry; I run my lips around my tongue, partially moistening them.There's no noise outside. At least not near where I am.I try not to panic and breathe slowly to catch my breath.I see my bare feet and nails covered in dirt and small pieces of grass. Looking up, I spot the floating particles of dust coming through a tiny glass window. I look to the side, and the walls are cast iron. As if I'm in some sort of container or warehouse shed. The smell of mold and rust is faint but can be sensed in the environment.The floor is dirty, with dust everywhere. My dress is slightly torn at the hem, with tape wrapped around th
RYAN BURKEThe day at the company was chaotic. With Uncle Ned's departure, things spiraled out of control too quickly. Many questions arose about how things reached this point and went unnoticed by us all this time. And with all this situation, it fell to me to analyze all the transactions and operations carried out by him and his team. There were many suspicions and many discrepancies in the information.I had to inform Stefan and Nick about the recent events so they could be prepared to support my aunt Cibila. I assured them that I wouldn't involve the police in this out of consideration for our friendship and because we're family, but he would have to leave the company without any rights.Which is not unfair. I also passed on the information to my grandfather, who didn't have a very different reaction from the shareholders, but Grandpa Burke would handle Ned differently. And that was their problem. I spent the whole day analyzing every single transaction he made. There was a lot to
MORGANA FOSTERI remember little of being fully awake. Memories are jumbled in my mind like a giant, torturous blur. I feel my body being lifted from the chair and dragged outside the mansion. I can't scream, nor could I. My arms are lifted and pulled back, she drags me through the property with agony.Can I scream? But...Who would hear me? Bethany is with John. Ryan is at the company. I let Tyron off his duties earlier, James is taking care of Elena, and Alessandra hasn't been with us for months.What I can't get out of my head is how my stalker could be Winnie? What did I do to her? Why would she kidnap me or attempt on my life? I only met her after the Burkes, there was no real reason for her to target me.I couldn't believe it was her, my stalker. She who had always been so kind and friendly. The sweet woman who took care of all of us. It didn't seem real to me! How did this happen? How could she do such a thing?The blurry images of corridors and furniture passing through my eye