🥺🥺 Ava Wolf, Palvinder Kaur, Noah, vistor6108, Mary, Visitor9528, thank you so much for the top ups. Y'all made me smile amidst my stressful day today. Thank you. I can't thank all of you readers enough. EVERYONE OF YOU reading this book!!❤️❤️❤️
BRIAN'S POVI repeatedly slapped the passport against my palm, relishing in immense satisfaction as I walked to my car. It had taken longer than I had anticipated to get it done but I was finally holding it. My ticket to leave this place without being spotted by anyone.Best part, I was taking the woman I love along. Everything was falling into place. I smiled to myself as I got in my car. Aunt Helena had no idea how smart I could be. By the time she'll realize anything, we'd be long gone. Far long gone! To a place where no one can ever find us! Our disappearance would be a huge disappointment to Aunt Helena. It would put a big hole in her plans.As I sat in my car, my hand rested idling on the steering wheel. I gaze through the windshield, staring fixated at nothing ahead, my mind traveling back to that day at the hospital.★★★Flash back★★★“I've lost him.” She was crying profusely. “We failed.”I glanced over to Lucy curled on the gurney, an irritated look draped my expression.
MAURICE POV It was a long drive. It had been two hours ago since Lucy agreed to take me to the place she talked about, yet we still hadn't reached. We kept taking neverending turns and corners. “Are we there yet?” I asked like an impatient child eager to reach the park sooner. “No. It's right up that corner.” Lucy replied. “How many more corners are we going to take?” Exasperation embellished my tone. “How did you even come to know about this place?” I asked out of my impatience and eagerness to quickly reach Glenda. The long hours of driving was beginning to make me rethink my decision. I couldn't help but begin to consider that this may be a ploy to distract me. “Um, he brought me here one time when we needed to talk privately. This is his hideout.” she spoke shyly. From the sound of her voice and the expression on her face, I understood that this was where they came to do all their plotting. Could Brian and Lucy still be working together? Could this also be one of
GLENDA'S POV I didn't want to accept how foolish I had been. How gullible I was. How blindingly trusting I was. “Elsa, please tell me this is all not true. Tell me this is all a prank. Say it. Laugh all this off… Say you're joking!” I yelled at her. I shook my head as though doing that would dispel everything that I had heard. “You are a liar! I don't believe you!” I broke into a sob. “I trusted you, Elsa. I loved you! I trusted you!... You were my sister! That's how much I cherished you.” I spilled through my teary, pain-filled voice. “And I hate you! I hate you Glenda! I hate you!” She countered, panting with dark rage. The room was filled with the heat of the hate emanating from her. The stench of her loath towards me was palpable in the ambience of the room. It felt so surreal. Like acting out a scene with the evil villain. Only, this was far from a dream or a movie. It was my sick reality. I could never have thought Elsa, whom I considered akin to my sister, harbored su
GLENDA'S POVI approached my room with trepidation, fearing what sight awaited me on the other side of the door. The image already forming in my mind was gut-wrenching. I hoped it wasn't what I was thinking but I'd be foolish to believe otherwise."You like it, yeah? You like how I hit it right? Damn, you feel so mighty good. The best I've had in days!" I heard the male voice, a voice I recognized all too well. It was Brian, my boyfriend. The Brian I had left everything for. The same Brian I had abandoned my family for. The Brian I worked my ass off while he did nothing but lived off the paltry sum I earned at the cafe.I peeled the door open as quietly as I had come in. At any time, I could recognize the naked male figure who had his back to me with slender white legs wrapped around his waist. My mouth was left agape, my hands began trembling, and my eyes blurred with tears at the sight before me. I couldn't watch it anymore. "Brian?" I whispered as I trembled back into the living
GLENDA'S POV "And the prodigal daughter returns!" My aunt Helena chimed but not with excitement as she opened the doors for me."Let me guess, he dumped you!" She added with a triumphant smile as she noticed the lines of dried tears on my face."Hello Aunt." I greeted in a small voice, my head kept low in shame. I thought I had escaped this life. It turns out I had only taken a short break from it."Hello to you!" She shot back, not sounding welcoming. She shifted to the side to give me passage. Her nose wrinkled in disgust like I was a piece of trash.I didn't blame her. I did feel like a piece of trash, worthless and stupid. Very stupid. I let Brian deceive me. His betrayal had stripped me of any ounce of dignity I had left.I struggled alone with my suitcase into the house and Aunt Helena just stood by watching me. It has always been like this. I have always been alone, taking care of myself alone."Where's my father?" I inquired of her. Desperately avoiding her eyes. I was feeli
GLENDA'S POVMaybe I'm cursed or destined to experience mishaps in this life. It's been barely forty-eight hours since I caught my boyfriend cheating and now I am getting married to a man twenty-six years older than me.Sent off like an animal for the attornment of the sins of my family. Could I even say I have a family? Family don't treat each other the way mine was treating me.What did I ever do to deserve this treatment? I guess my crime was in being born. Curse the day of my birth!"Sign here." The registrar's voice startled me out of my reverie. I took the pen from him, wielding it with an unsteady hold.My eyes blurred as I signed off my freedom. A tear trickled down my face."Keep it together Glenda! You're not the only one here." Dad whispered in anger.I wasn't even allowed to feel pain. I didn't have the liberty to express my hurt. I was no human before them. I was nothing but a worthless tool, picked up at will.My life was a rollercoaster, taking turns at will. I had no c
GLENDA'S POVI struggled to recover from the numbing shock. I bowed my head to look away from him. It was at that moment he saw me. His eyes grew wide with surprise, confusion and disgust etched on his face.Nana beamed at Brian, taking his attention away from me for a split second and they said their hellos. "Your father's wife." Nana offered, noticing the way he was staring me down.Maurice had continued his feasting a little over naturally. He swallowed his food and wiped at the corners of his mouth before speaking."It's nice of you to join us for dinner after, how long has it been?""It's nice to see you too, Dad," Brian replied, returning his father's indifferent attitude. His eyes remained on me even while he spoke to his father."You got married.""Isn't she beautiful?""Isn't she too young for you?" "Makes it all the more better, wouldn't you agree?""You're a pathetic old man.""I don't see why you're so upset about my marriage. You should grow up.""And be like you? I'll
MAURICE'S POV"How are you feeling this morning?" I asked Glenda as she joined me for breakfast.Last night, I walked into a scene of her coughing and wheezing. It looked pretty bad. She said something got stuck in her throat. Brian just stood there watching her. He couldn’t even help the poor girl. I wonder where I went wrong with him."I'm fine. Thank you." She spoke shyly.She looked tired. Her eyes were drawn with exhaustion. I could tell she barely got any sleep last night and it didn't help that she had gone to bed without dinner."Hope you worked up an appetite. You didn't eat last night."She looked surprised and then bowed her head in embarrassment. I bet she didn't think I cared to notice. Of course, I didn't want her sick. It would ruin my plans."If you don't like the food, I can ask them to make you something else," Nana interjected.This was one of the qualities I loved about Nana; her kindness. I was a firsthand benefactor of it.Nana has always been very supportive of
GLENDA'S POV I didn't want to accept how foolish I had been. How gullible I was. How blindingly trusting I was. “Elsa, please tell me this is all not true. Tell me this is all a prank. Say it. Laugh all this off… Say you're joking!” I yelled at her. I shook my head as though doing that would dispel everything that I had heard. “You are a liar! I don't believe you!” I broke into a sob. “I trusted you, Elsa. I loved you! I trusted you!... You were my sister! That's how much I cherished you.” I spilled through my teary, pain-filled voice. “And I hate you! I hate you Glenda! I hate you!” She countered, panting with dark rage. The room was filled with the heat of the hate emanating from her. The stench of her loath towards me was palpable in the ambience of the room. It felt so surreal. Like acting out a scene with the evil villain. Only, this was far from a dream or a movie. It was my sick reality. I could never have thought Elsa, whom I considered akin to my sister, harbored su
MAURICE POV It was a long drive. It had been two hours ago since Lucy agreed to take me to the place she talked about, yet we still hadn't reached. We kept taking neverending turns and corners. “Are we there yet?” I asked like an impatient child eager to reach the park sooner. “No. It's right up that corner.” Lucy replied. “How many more corners are we going to take?” Exasperation embellished my tone. “How did you even come to know about this place?” I asked out of my impatience and eagerness to quickly reach Glenda. The long hours of driving was beginning to make me rethink my decision. I couldn't help but begin to consider that this may be a ploy to distract me. “Um, he brought me here one time when we needed to talk privately. This is his hideout.” she spoke shyly. From the sound of her voice and the expression on her face, I understood that this was where they came to do all their plotting. Could Brian and Lucy still be working together? Could this also be one of
BRIAN'S POVI repeatedly slapped the passport against my palm, relishing in immense satisfaction as I walked to my car. It had taken longer than I had anticipated to get it done but I was finally holding it. My ticket to leave this place without being spotted by anyone.Best part, I was taking the woman I love along. Everything was falling into place. I smiled to myself as I got in my car. Aunt Helena had no idea how smart I could be. By the time she'll realize anything, we'd be long gone. Far long gone! To a place where no one can ever find us! Our disappearance would be a huge disappointment to Aunt Helena. It would put a big hole in her plans.As I sat in my car, my hand rested idling on the steering wheel. I gaze through the windshield, staring fixated at nothing ahead, my mind traveling back to that day at the hospital.★★★Flash back★★★“I've lost him.” She was crying profusely. “We failed.”I glanced over to Lucy curled on the gurney, an irritated look draped my expression.
GLENDA'S POV “Don't you want to hear my story?” She asked, pouting her lips, feigning childish annoyance. I was finding it difficult to understand everything going on. I had never seen this side of Elsa. She looked like some deranged psychopath. “Elsa. What…” I could barely formulate my thoughts into words before a forceful, painful sting shot through me. The electric sensation began from the cheek of my face, spreading pain, surprise and fear through my body. I stared at Elsa in utter disbelief. Did she… Did she just slap me? “You don't get to ask the questions.” She commanded in an icy tone. “Now, back to the story.” The iciness in her voice disappeared almost immediately as it had appeared. She was acting like a person with multiple personalities. I stared at her speechlessly, still reeling from the pain of the slap she had given me. She cleared her throat and began. “There was a beautiful woman who fell in love with a man. But sadly, the man did not return the woman’s love
MAURICE'S POV I walked back into the house taking quick long angry strides heading back to my study. My face contoured into a growl as I muttered angrily to myself.“Did they find her?” A voice asked.I stopped and turned. I hadn't noticed the presence of anyone seated in the living room. Nora materialized before me. “Has she been found?” She asked again. Worry and anticipation embellished her expression.The eagerness in her gaze only added to my fury. It was a stupid lead. A total waste of my time. Utterly pointless!There was no trace of Glenda where they had thought they had a lead. I wondered what their team was doing as regards to this case. Absolutely nothing! And my infuriation was growing with each passing time.I averted her gaze. I was too pissed to break the bad news to her. I scanned the area of the living room and then set my gaze on Lucy.“Why are you still here?” I interrogated her icily.She seemed to cower under my demeaning stare.“I was concerned.” Her voice was
GLENDA'S POV She came closer and sat beside me, darting her head behind her constantly as though checking if she was being followed. “I knew I'd find you here.” She whispered. Her alert gaze roved around the room. Oh thank Goodness! Finally someone was here to help me. “Elsa… Elsa.” I called out weakly, a tinge of excitement and hope adorned my gruff voice. “Elsa. Brian. Please get me out of here.” I mumbled. “I know.” She whispered in response and placed her right index finger over her lips. “Keep it down.” She darted behind her again. I immediately understood. We needed to stay quiet so we didn't alert my captor. I nodded vigorously to the best of meager strength. “Don't worry, I'll get you out of here.” She reassured me and tried to help me sit up. “You're weak.” She commented. She struggled to lift my limp body. It didn't help that I couldn't assist her by at least raising myself. Whatever Brian had been feeding me was still working actively inside me. “He has been feedi
MAURICE'S POVI took the next available flight back to London. All the while keeping constant communication with Nora regarding Glenda's return.I could feel it in my guts that Glenda was in trouble. It was confirmed when I returned late that night and Glenda was still nowhere to be found.There was no trace of her except for the blood that stained the vanity table and the telltale of someone being dragged on the floor.Incompetent staffs! How could someone enter the house without being noticed? Were they all asleep?I wasted no time informing the police. The evidence present, all pointed to the fact that Glenda has been kidnapped and investigations kicked off immediately.That was three days ago. Three days since the investigation to determine Glenda's whereabouts began and three days of no result.No one knew how she left the house. No one had seen her and no one knew who had abducted her. It was all too mysterious.So chaotic that it turned me into a frantic mess. Not knowing the
GLENDA'S POV A loud thumping sound woke me from the darkness I was floating in. It seemed to grow louder, increasing in its disturbing volume. I felt dizzy, hazy, like a clouded mist. I tried to move but my limbs felt too heavy to comply. Slowly, I fluttered my eyelids open. I was welcomed by a dim yellow light shining brightly beside me. I shut back my eyes. My head was aching badly. I tried to move again, propel myself and access my environment, but the aching weight in my head kept pulling me down. I shut my eyes and cursed at my failed attempt. I opened my eyes again and squinted past the yellow light to look around my environment. My eyes roved over the strange and unfamiliar setting. This was not my room. Where was I? How did I get here? The throbbing pain in my head increased as I tried to remember. Such a simple task brought me such intense pain. After a minute of trying, the memories came flooding into my mind. The bathroom. The feeling that I was being watched. The fe
MAURICE'S POV“What do you mean by you can't find Glenda? Isn't she at home?” My cold voice shot at Nora.I had just checked into my hotel room and was calling to inform Glenda. Her phone had been ringing non-stop with no response. I did try calling her earlier too when my flight landed but there was no response either. I assumed she must have been napping or up to something that kept her busy.Regardless, I expected her to be with her phone and to return my call at the earliest. I took some time to get myself settled and tried calling her again.Feeling frustrated after several attempts of being unable to reach Glenda, I called the house line only for Nora to tell me that Glenda wasn't home.“I just came from her room. She asked me to make dinner and that she'll come down to have it. That was four hours ago. The food was getting cold, so I went upstairs to inquire from her if she had changed her mind regarding dinner. But she wasn't there.” Nora explained over the phone.I found her