Dera’s povDetective Jameson’s voice cut through the cold air, “Where is Emma?” I sighed inwardly and gave up on any further pretense. “The old warehouse on 5 th and main, you will find her in the east wing, second floor.” Detective Martin tightened his eyes at me, “Is she alive?” I nodded, “Yes, she is. I didn’t hurt her.” Jameson said, “We will see about that.” In the next few minutes, the police’s radios came alive with orders to the dispatched units. I waited an eternity until the door burst open and Jameson’s face cleared. “She is safe, we found her right where you said.” I swallowed down guilt. Martin said, “Tell us about Emma’s kidnapping. How did you do it?” Briefly, I told them, from Vivian’s appearance to our elaborate plan. I admitted, “I helped Vivian take Emma at the gala party. We dismissed her maid and just took her.” After they asked me about my motives and Vivian’s role in Haylee’s death, I shook my head, “I didn’t know about this, it was all Vivian’s doing.” However,
Rosa’s pov Shivering in the hospital waiting room, I paced back and forth as I clutched my phone with sweaty hands—my heart racing in response to what Detective Jameson had just said."Emma’s safe, Rosa. We found her."That feeling came within a second, tears pouring out of my eyes. All I could do now was wait, the seconds never-ending, every tick of the clock amplifying my growing excitement—and stomach pains—at having sat out an entire round. Shakily, I looked toward the door hoping to see my daughter walking in so that I could hold her tiny body and again feel the warmth of those little arms around me.The minutes felt like hours. I heard voices out in the hall, muffled sounds of footsteps and talking. Every noise had me jerking my head up in hopes it would be Emma, that this wait would finally end.Finally, the door creaked open and my heart skipped a beat. There she was – my sweet Emma. There was my mother, small in frame, standing in the doorway with Detective Jameson and a ki
RosaThe sound of my phone buzzing made me groan as I tossed from one end of the bed to the other still not opening my eyes while using my hand to trace where it was. God, this weekend be nice, I took the break from work because I thought I needed it, now who’s it. "Where is this phone?" I reluctantly opened up my eyes screening my bed and I finally found it on the bed stand where the sound was coming from. I answered the call without checking the Caller as always with a sleepy voice. "Rosalinda on the line. How may I help you?" I asked, my eyes still half closed and I was sure if I wasn't holding myself then I would have dozed off to sleep back."My Rosa.” That was the last voice I ever thought of hearing, really now. Your Rosa? That sure cleared off all the sleep on my face and called me to my right senses.I cleared my throat and fondled my nails. "Yes, How may I help you?" I asked, I wasn't even ready for her chit chat because she would always act like she cared but in the end,
RosaHe glared at me and I stood there waiting for him to apologize but instead he walked past me still talking on phone with whoever he might be communicating with.I just lost my patience and whatever respect I had, if he had at least bumped into someone, he should apologize for what he had done."Young man." I yelled as I ran to him dragging him by his cloth back to me causing murmurs in the store.Everyone's attention was now focused on us. "How dare you! You bumped into me, wasted my food and smoothie and you couldn’t even apologize or do something to amend whatever you just did.” I yelled at him.It was enough that I was frustrated already but I can’t let one guy ruin my mood completely, it’ll be completely unfair, ahhhh.He stared at me for a while, his expression cold and with no remorse, “Cat got your tongue.” I frowned."So how much do you need for me to compensate you? It was just food right? I didn’t hit you with my car or anything?" He asked which caught me off guard.Who
James Staring at the lady opposite me, I wouldn’t lie that I picked an interest on her, especially when she talked to me at the restaurant the other time.When she came in, if anyone told me she wouldn’t greet her father, then I’ll have argued, the way she spoke to her mother completely threw me off.The hatred on her face was evident and I couldn’t help but wonder why she was like that.Then there comes the eldest daughter. Sarah Andrew. To be honest, I would rather go for Sarah than this crazy lady but I just want her.I just want to get revenge on what she had done to meet at the restaurant and maybe this was the right way but that’s after the meeting.I just fixed my directions at her. She was the last daughter of the house. I thought the last daughter is always the sweetest but then this one wasn't at all. She was the opposite."Are we just going to sit here and watch each other's mouth?" I heard her ask impatiently.Why was she this impatient? Everyone else has things to do rig
Rosa"What?" We both yelled in unison, anger written all over my face.My sis was busy talking to dad in annoyance but I have heard enough of them, “Enough!” I shout.I faced James, “Why will you say you want me? I’m not a tool, I’m human and you heard them when they said Sarah is the one to get married to you, I don’t want you and it’s simple.”His parents stood up, “We’ll prepare for the wedding, try to talk to your daughter.” And with that they left leaving the guy, he looked at me and stood up.“I don’t want to chose you as much as you don’t want me. But wouldn’t you be a perfect negotiating partner for the stock they wanted.” He smirked, Sarah stopped complaining and stared in shock before he went out.“What’s going on here?” I faced them, Sarah did same. Mom explained the company is facing crisis and they had no choice but to create a wedding alliance with his family and since Sarah loved him, they decided to marry her off to him.But now that he chose me then I have no choice b
RosaThey were shocked after all the explanation I gave them and even Clarissa pitied me, she knew how much I have wanted a lovely marriage and not one of this.After we ate breakfast, we all dressed up and decided to stay in watching movies but Henry suggested shopping to clear off our minds.This was the third shopping mall we would be going in and it truly walked out because I forgot almost everything going on with me.He would pay for everything that we ate and whatever thing that needed to be paid. We even took pictures together.Clarissa excused herself because there was a client causing issues at work and she said she wanted to fly back to Florida. Even though I insisted Henry following her, she said I needed someone by my side to cheer me up.We escort her to the airport and after her plane took off, we both left to another shopping mall. I walked inside the mall hand in hand with Henry.This was a dressing mall and it looked unique but not like my own, “Their mall is so beaut
Rosa’s POV I stared in horror, seeing the sight before me; They kissed, they fucking kissed right in front of me, I can’t believe this guy, he held unto her neck and angled her head for better access to her mouth and when she moaned, I lost it “James.” I roared, pushing them apart, “Don’t you realize that we just got married, it’s not even up to 12 hours yet and you’re already cheating on me, who the fuck is this bitch?”“Are you crazy? Who are you calling a bitch? You must be the hoe here cos how can you say you got married to someone and he’ll bring someone else to your home, you must be pretty terrible in bed for him to do that.” the girl said looking at her red-painted nails. “Calm down Dera, she’s not worth you bursting your nerve over.” James replied, pulling her towards him “James.” I called again, “Why are you doing this to me? not today of all days.” he tightened his hands around her waist and gave her ass a little squeeze “Stop it baby.” Dera giggled and stood on her tipt
Rosa’s pov Shivering in the hospital waiting room, I paced back and forth as I clutched my phone with sweaty hands—my heart racing in response to what Detective Jameson had just said."Emma’s safe, Rosa. We found her."That feeling came within a second, tears pouring out of my eyes. All I could do now was wait, the seconds never-ending, every tick of the clock amplifying my growing excitement—and stomach pains—at having sat out an entire round. Shakily, I looked toward the door hoping to see my daughter walking in so that I could hold her tiny body and again feel the warmth of those little arms around me.The minutes felt like hours. I heard voices out in the hall, muffled sounds of footsteps and talking. Every noise had me jerking my head up in hopes it would be Emma, that this wait would finally end.Finally, the door creaked open and my heart skipped a beat. There she was – my sweet Emma. There was my mother, small in frame, standing in the doorway with Detective Jameson and a ki
Dera’s povDetective Jameson’s voice cut through the cold air, “Where is Emma?” I sighed inwardly and gave up on any further pretense. “The old warehouse on 5 th and main, you will find her in the east wing, second floor.” Detective Martin tightened his eyes at me, “Is she alive?” I nodded, “Yes, she is. I didn’t hurt her.” Jameson said, “We will see about that.” In the next few minutes, the police’s radios came alive with orders to the dispatched units. I waited an eternity until the door burst open and Jameson’s face cleared. “She is safe, we found her right where you said.” I swallowed down guilt. Martin said, “Tell us about Emma’s kidnapping. How did you do it?” Briefly, I told them, from Vivian’s appearance to our elaborate plan. I admitted, “I helped Vivian take Emma at the gala party. We dismissed her maid and just took her.” After they asked me about my motives and Vivian’s role in Haylee’s death, I shook my head, “I didn’t know about this, it was all Vivian’s doing.” However,
Dera’s povWhen the news came on my TV screen, I thought for a second it was a nightmare. There was Vivian's face, her every word on the Thames air between us, releasing all those secrets I'd spent years masterminding and concealing. Each word shot through me with a sense of brutality. The room was too small and closed all around me. I stumbled backward as if the earth opened up and my legs turned to jelly.My hands shook so much that the words came out, "No," tighter and higher than Fourth of July fireworks. "This can not be happening, no."A flood of panic engulfed me — rapid and all-consuming. I felt the vise of dread squeezing every inch of oxygen out of my lungs, my chest constricting tightly. I needed to move. Now.As I exited the door, I caught my handbag and almost knocked a glass down in the process; fingers trembling as they tapped in a number only ever used for such an emergency. I shakily brought the phone to my ear and heard it ring once before a calm, steady voice I kne
Vivian’s pov An unforgiving sterile light from a sickening fluorescent bulb flickered above us. I was cold. The sort of cold that slipped in under skin and bone and crept beneath the marrow. I felt the cold seeping in through my clothes, but the metal seat under me was just as frigid—no escape, no comfort. Hugging myself as if to suppress an instinct that wanted to clutch down on something clear, corporeal. But nothing—nothing save the silence of the little, inhuman interrogation room.I could feel the shaking in my hands; weariness from the restraints around my wrists inside the hospital. Then, directly across from me, two detectives sat still as slugs, their eyes trained on my face. Detective Martin was stone-faced, his inscrutable visage unreadable except for the dark eyes that bore down on me as if they could cut through steel. Beside him was Detective Jameson, his jaw set as tight as a drum with ill-concealed disdain. Then there was every little twitch of his expression that scr
Dera’s povAs the news of my diagnosis played and replayed over and over in my head like a creepy song that gets stuck inside your brain, I stood paralyzed in front of my closet. Note — Vivian attempted suicide and was taken to the hospital. These words from my informant stung worse than I thought they would, sending chills down my spine. This wasn't supposed to happen. Vivian was meant to be the one who just won't go away, plotting her way into our lives even if she had to do it from behind bars. And now, there she lay somewhere in the liminal space between life and death, all because something—someone—had broken her beyond repair.I brought my hands to the closet, shaking, pulled out a dress and put it on. When the silk slipped down my grip, cool against my skin yet with memories rippling through my mind like wisps of smoke. Vivian had been all sorts of things on that list: an ally, a risk, a liability—but I had never thought of her as exposed. My brain spun in crazy, continuous cir
Vivian’s povSitting in my freezing, dark cell that reality started to settle down over me like a hammer on anvil. The walls—harsh, solid boulder plastered in clammy, damp stains—grew closer and closer by the second which spilt every inhalation of air until each breath became a hard task. Now this was my life, caged, shorn of strength, hunted. How had everything gone so wrong? How could it have come to pass that my entire existence, once built upon ambition, cleverness and determination, was reduced to the constraints of this wretched little cell? My hand grazed across the floor and clenched into a fist at the sensation of hard, uninviting cement under my fingertips — the only anchor keeping me tethered as bitterness washed over me like an endless tide.I thought of Haylee. And there was the ghost of her—the last shattered vision etched on my brain; those round accusing eyes fixed in a gentle beseech before the darkness descended. And James. How he had hated me, how that hate hung hea
Rosa's POVStill, I felt a chill creep into my bones, a shiver of guilt settling in; as if my secret were made flesh and blood. I cheated on James, the man I loved, with Alex. And that night haunted me, mocking me. I was living a lie, acting as if everything done was right.My behaviors throughout my day became much more random. I would say something snotty to James about the smallest things, and then instantly feel terrible. My mind would wander, reminiscing about that cold November night. James saw the difference, asked if everything was good, I said no. How could I tell him? How was I supposed to confess my cheating?Then on this day I was doing errands and ran into Alex. His eyes studied mine, a devilish grin forming on his mouth. Low, sexy, his voice whispered across the gap "Rosa." "I've missed you." My heart skipped a beat. Alex held on to my arm as I attempted to move around him. "Don't play games, Rosa. You know what we shared." All of a sudden, the guilt hit me hard and hot
James' POVI held Rosa close to my chest, feeling her warmth, her love, I knew last night was more than just making love. I knew how much it meant to her. I finally could hold the love of my life close, we have come a long way, from being enemies to falling so deeply for each other.My phone buzzed on the nightstand, breaking the silence. I silenced it, not wanting to disturb Rosa, but it buzzed again, almost Immediately, I wondered who could be disturbing my phone while I was trying to rekindle my love for Rosa. I carefully excused myself from Rosa's grasp, trying not to wake her. But as I moved, she stirred, her eyes fluttering open."James?" she whispered, her voice husky from sleep. I smiled, my heart skipping a beat."Go back to sleep," I whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face. But Rosa's eyes remained open, locked onto mine. Tension. I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. Gaze narrowed."What about?""What's wrong?" she asked, sensing my"Detective Martin called," I
Dera’s PovI settled into my leather armchair wearing nothing but my red panties, staring at nothing, cradling my whiskey glass in my hands. The dim lighting of my apartment cast long shadows on the walls, a fitting backdrop for my twisted thoughts. My phone buzzed on my glass table, breaking the silence. I picked it up, my eyes scanning the text sent by an unknown number"Vivian's lawyer is pushing for a deal.”My lips curled into a sly smile as I typed out a response."Make sure it doesn't happen.”The plan was unfolding perfectly. Rosa suspected nothing. But Vivian...Vivian knew. She'd always known. Memories flooded my mind - our past, our twisted games. Vivian had been so blinded by love and trust towards me. And I'd used that. Exploited it. Now, Vivian sat in prison, unaware of the true enemy. Me.I can’t let her harm the man I loved , I am the only one permitted to harm him .The doorbell rang, distracting me from my deep thoughts. Slide into my rob then moved towards the door"U