(ARIELLE’S POV) I returned home feeling a whirlwind of different things in my mind. My eyes were open, but not quite focused on anything in particular. It felt like I stood at a crossroads, burdened by the weight of past choices and the one glaring decision looming ahead. I sighed with relief, t
I shook my head sadly as my eyes welled up with tears. “Woah, honey. It’s okay,” my mother said soothingly as she sat beside me on the sofa and took me in her arms. “You’re okay. Do you want to talk about it?” she asked softly. “It’s all just so overwhelming,” I began. I narrated everything that h
(REBECCA’S POV) I showed up to work with a ready smile on my face, not for anything in particular —because the day was just as ordinary as any other. I moved through the motions of my role at the restaurant with efficient muscle memory for most of the day. “Who’s taking the order for table eight?
“Yeah,” Stephen concurred with a nod. He always agreed with anything she said. I could tell he was hopelessly smitten. It explained why he was hurt that Arielle had received an exceptionally good looking visitor the other day. I shook my head with a small smile at the thought. “Alright. That’d be a
(SOFIA’S POV) "Ms Sofia, this is Rachel from the card services department. Unfortunately, your credit card has been declined for the transaction you attempted today." My hand froze on the edge of the phone. “What the hell? Say it again??” “The payment could not be processed. Is there another card
A warning bell instantly went off in my head, a sign that all was not well. But I pushed it aside, deciding things were not serious. As long as I got help, whatever tone or name she used on me doesn't matter. “ I need your help, Mom,” I began. “I need you to talk to Jared for me. Please. You know
(SOFIA’S POV) I lay down on my back, staring aimlessly at the ceiling. The sound of the humidifier in the background was my only touch with reality. My mind flashed back to the past. The first man I ever married was wealthy — decades older, but wealthy. That’s what mattered to me at the time. He p
I dialed his number and waited hopefully as the dial tone rang. “Hello?” he answered. The background was a bit noisy. “Hi. This is Sofia,” I introduced and paused hesitantly. There was a long pause on the other end and I had to look at the screen to be sure he was still on the call. “Sofia. Why
(DWAYNE’S POV.) For moments after Arielle spoke I remained silent, clenching and unclenching my fists in fury. I gritted my teeth so hardly they might have turned into fine power under the pressure. Nothing made sense. Jared opened his mouth to speak and closed it. Arielle remained silent herself,
(ARIELLE'S POV) In Flåm, a small town in Norway, I experienced the most peaceful autumn and early winter of my life. When I first arrived with Dwayne, the country was bathed in autumn colors—crisp air, golden leaves, and a quiet stillness that seemed to soften the weight of my soul. Three months p
(ARIELLE'S POV) In Flåm, a small town in Norway, I experienced the most peaceful autumn and early winter of my life. When I first arrived with Dwayne, the country was bathed in autumn colors—crisp air, golden leaves, and a quiet stillness that seemed to soften the weight of my soul. Three months p
(ARIELLE'S POV) In Flåm, a small town in Norway, I experienced the most peaceful autumn and early winter of my life. When I first arrived with Dwayne, the country was bathed in autumn colors—crisp air, golden leaves, and a quiet stillness that seemed to soften the weight of my soul. Three months p
But his expression and his stance didn't change. “I won't leave her. She needs me.” I sighed, feeling helpless. I looked to Mrs Meyers for help, but she didn't look like she could do any better than I was doing, so I decided to try all alone. “Listen to me, Buddy. You're not leaving your precious
(JARED'S POV) I remained in that position, rocking Arielle gently, until her trembling subsided and she fell asleep in my arms. I gently laid her down on the bed, making sure not to disturb her. As I stepped back, the door went open and Mrs Meyers stepped in. “What happened?” She asked, her eyes b
But his expression and his stance didn't change. “I won't leave her. She needs me.” I sighed, feeling helpless. I looked to Mrs Meyers for help, but she didn't look like she could do any better than I was doing, so I decided to try all alone. “Listen to me, Buddy. You're not leaving your precious
(JARED'S POV) I remained in that position, rocking Arielle gently, until her trembling subsided and she fell asleep in my arms. I gently laid her down on the bed, making sure not to disturb her. As I stepped back, the door went open and Mrs Meyers stepped in. “What happened?” She asked, her eyes b
“You’ve been almost non-existent for awhile now,” he began. I remained silent, my eyes still fixed on the empty nothingness before me. “I just thought the longer I waited to tell you this… I’m afraid for you, Arielle. I’m bot saying you won’t survive this. It’s just… You deserve to know the truth