POV DrakeI watch the clock move, that unbearable noise it keeps making. Tick-tock, tick-tock, like a countdown to death or the sound of a bomb about to explode. Maybe that's it. Because right now, I'm about to explode. But I had no choice, I panicked when Scarlett came home and asked me all these questions about how my therapy with the doctor was going. I came because if I didn't, she was going to be on my case for the rest of my life, and God only knows how insufferable my sister can be when she gets down to it. The movement of the clock is starting to annoy me. But if I turn my head, it'll be even worse, because I'll have to face this doctor who can probe my soul and guess my darkest secrets. I've been sitting there for over an hour, pretending he's not there. But I can feel his gaze on the back of my neck and hear him tapping the table with his pen. I have to admit, though, that I really appreciate the fact that he doesn't force me to talk; it's as if he's trying to put me at ease
POV LisaMy mother pours me a cup of coffee, then does the same for Maddie. I place a kiss on her cheek and head for the door. I've been late all week, so today I can't afford to be late. "Not so fast, young lady! "my mother shouts. "But I'm already late, Mom! "I say, pouting."All you had to do was get up a little earlier, sit down and eat. " "Mom, I have to...""I said sit down young lady. " I let out a sigh and sit down opposite my sister, who's laughing behind her coffee cup. I throw a bun at her head under my mother's reproving gaze. So I take a piece of toast with Nutella on it and bite into it. Then I take a sip of coffee. "I completely forgot to tell you that I ran into the son of Dad's former solicitor. ""Manson?" My mother asks, arching an eyebrow. I nod and continue eating."To think that this man didn't even deign to come and see us once after your father's disappearance; he turned his back on us, just like all the others! And to think your father considered him a f
POV DrakeAfter the man leaves, I decide to call my friend Lucas, the detective I've hired to investigate Lisa's family. "Drake?" "Hi, Lucas. " "How are you? I heard what happened to you and was a little dreading the moment I had to come and see you. " "I don't feel like talking about that right now, you see. I'd rather talk about something else. ""I'm not sure it's the right time for you to talk about that, you're still sick. ""That bastard just walked out of my house and clearly threatened me. You don't think I'm just going to stand by, do you? ""He threatened you? I seriously think you should be wary of this man, he's dangerous. ""I'm not afraid of him, I'm not afraid of anyone. All I want is for him to leave Lisa's family alone. ""I investigated and traced it back to a notary in town. ""Who is he? ""He's the son of Mr. Simon's notary. It was he who was in charge of all his property, I say was because he's dead and today it's his son who's in charge of the firm. ""So wh
POV LisaWhen the doors to Drake's apartment close behind him, the first thing I ask myself is what the hell am I doing here? I've been insulted in this house, called names. It even got to the point where I told myself I'd never set foot in this house again. But all it took was one little word from him and I was back like a lost soul, because he told me to. Not ordered. However, he did owe me some explanations, such as how he knew my father's solicitor's son and what he was doing there. I put my bag on a sofa and sit down on it. My body jerks and I start shaking so violently that I collapse onto the carpet. From where I'm lying, I can see Drake coming towards me with a worried expression, my vision is blurred and I'm starting to find it harder and harder to breathe. What the hell is happening to me? My eyes close and I hear a thud, then someone grabs my head and gently shakes me."Baby, open your eyes. " Tears begin to fall from my eyes and I feel the gentle caress of a hand on my ch
POV BrianLisa doesn't even give me time to speak as she's already hung up. I look at my phone with a puzzled expression. What the hell just happened there? I wanted to invite her to dinner and I would have offered her a book by one of her favorite authors, a brand new release that I had signed. If only she knew how much money it cost me to have that copy of the book signed! I pick up the book and throw it on the floor. Luckily for me, my wife isn't here, she's gone away for a few days to see her mother. So much the better, at least this way I won't have to put up with her Botox-filled face. I walk the length of my room, disturbed by what Lisa has said. What could she be talking about? All the harm my family and I had done to hers? What kind of story is that? What evil is she talking about? I get up and run out of my room, then down the stairs. "Honey, are you there? "I go downstairs to find my mother in the small living room where she is comfortably installed and I place a kiss on
POV Drake. I enter the doctor's office with a grim expression on my face, and he looks at me worriedly. I answer nothing and close the door behind me. "It seems you've had a very bad week, Mr Lancaster. ""Can't you tell? " He answers nothing and walks over to the drawer where he took the chessboard last time. He walks over to the small table and places it on it. "You promised me we'd finish our game, you. Do you remember that? " I have to bite my tongue twice to keep from telling him to go fuck himself. Do I really look like I want to play? I'm worried sick about Lisa, she's rejecting my calls. I'm paralyzed on this armchair, unable to do anything, I want to get up and run to her. But I can't. Because of me. Only because of myself. "I really don't feel like playing doctor. My head's not in it at the moment. ""Then what's on your mind? " The words want to break through the barrier of my lips, but again I hold back from speaking. It's just too hard. And I know that because of t
POV Lisa. "You'll get back to me eventually. "I glance at Drake's text, before rolling my eyes. If he thinks I'm going to give in to him that easily, he's mistaken. It's been a week since I learned what he did behind my back. I really try to understand him, I try with all my heart to find excuses for him, but in the end, I tell myself he has no excuse. He had no right to pry into my life like that, into my father's life, not to say my whole family's life. What's more, he did it without talking to me, which I find unacceptable. However, it opened my eyes to the true face of the people around me. Deep down, I knew that Tony Moncrief was a despicable being, but I had no idea of the depth of his darkness. The only question that came to mind was why? Why does this man hate us so much? What did we ever do to him? Was his hatred aimed solely at my father, or at our entire family, given that he apparently continues to lash out at me? The results of Drake's investigation opened my eyes. I'
POV Drake.She shudders at my voice and freezes. I've surprised her. Good, that was my intention. Because I too fell four stories today when I saw her on that terrace with him. I've asked Lucas to put two men on her side for protection. I'm getting to know Lisa and I'm beginning to know that her silence is never a good sign. Especially when she's this angry. I know very well that she's about to do something stupid, like trying to get revenge on her own, for example, but I know very well that it's a bad idea, she can't face this man on her own. He's bloody dangerous! But she's stubborn, maybe even more so than I am, knowing that she went to see this guy and that he put his hands on her, and that she let him do it, really pisses me off. I take her hand and pull her onto my legs. "You didn't come to work today. " "What? You're watching me now? ""Lisa... " "Let go of me! "she cuts me off. If I could have carried her, I would have done it myself. But I can't. So I motion to Zack to he