Monday came faster than I thought it would. Before Maryam left for work, she motivated me. "You can do it. Don’t doubt yourself. I believe in you, and if anybody doesn’t see what I see in you, screw them."Today, my fate hinges on the simplest answer: yes or no. Time moved painfully slow, the hands of the clock drawing lazily as I waited. I couldn’t go back to sleep after Maryam woke up and prayed at dawn, as Muslims do five times a day. Instead, I tried to distract myself, and at first, I succeeded. But when she left for work, I was alone again, caught in the web of 'what ifs.'I gave myself one last look, brushing my hair to look more presentable, then walked down the road and hailed a cab. Wow, Daphne, look at you. The same girl who wandered around and couldn’t afford the bare minimum is now hailing a cab. Funny how life works. I’m trying my best not to exert too much energy, saving it for my little Alex.Upon reaching the house, I punched in the security code, unlocking the door.
So far, life has been better than I could have ever imagined. I have gotten the job and it has been nothing short of peaceful. This is my second month working for Sebastian, and as I transition into my next trimester, everything seems to be falling into place. Well, apart from pregnancy pangs, the constant need to throw up and soreness. I’ve found people who love me—people who truly care. Ella is more than just my boss’s daughter now, she’s become the younger sibling I never had. It's funny how close we've grown. As if we were mates. There was that one night when she fell ill with a high fever. I spent the entire night in tears, panicking. Hawthorne had to comfort me, which was ironic since it should've been the other way around. But at that moment, I realized just how much I loved her. Way more than I ever thought my heart was capable of. I’ve moved in completely now, though I still go home on weekends to see Maryam. It has become like a ritual, with us binge-watching and catching
THIRD PERSON POV Sebastian Hawthorne had been restless all day, an odd sense of anxiety eating away at him for no apparent reason. He had left the house early, glancing at Daphne's peaceful sleeping form before deciding not to wake her. Instead, he scribbled a quick note and left it on the kitchen island, thinking nothing of it at the time. Because he noticed, her constant naps these days were very alarming. Was she sick? His mind was on the trip that was set to Japan to meet a client in a week, finalizing work in California before he could leave. The meeting with Arthur, a business partner for the collaboration with Cafe Luxe, on the upcoming trade fair, had gone smoothly. Unknowing to him, the calls from Daphne, because he had put his phone on work mode before the meeting commenced. "Thank you, Mr. Hawthorne, I look forward to working with you.""Likewise," Sebastian responded, shaking Arthur's hand, his mind already shifting to the rest of his day.As Arthur left, Sebastian fin
Daphne’s POVUrghh! Why does my body feel like I’ve been hit by a train? I tried to move, but my limbs were heavy, like someone had filled them with lead. A wave of sterile hospital smell flooded my nostrils, making my stomach churn. Great! I thought bitterly. I blinked against the blinding white lights overhead, trying to adjust. Slowly, my vision cleared, and I saw Seb slouched in an uncomfortable chair beside me. His large frame looked comically cramped, like he could barely fit. If I weren’t in this mess, I’d have laughed at how grumpy he looked.But then it all rushed back, hitting me like a punch to the gut. The anonymous call... My baby.. My baby!Panic shot through me as I tried to sit up, the sudden movement making Seb jerk awake. His eyes locked onto mine, sharp with worry, and a hint of something else—disappointment, maybe? "No, no, lie back down," he barked like I was a child.“But… but… my baby!” I stammered, my voice shaky as my gaze darted around the room, searching
We walked back home, and everything was as if I had never left. Seb was still distant, and it killed me. I knew I said I didn’t want to be confronted, that I wanted to run away from my responsibilities like I always did, but today… today, I needed him to say something, anything. His silence, though—his silence was slowly tearing me apart.“Go freshen up. You need to take your medication. If you need anything, call for me,” he said, pulling Ella along with him, giving me the space I didn’t ask for.I nodded, shame gnawing at me as they left. Standing alone in front of the mirror, I hesitated, raising my shirt over the small bump. It barely looked like anything, more like a little belly fat. But it was there, undeniably present. This was the first time I had looked at it without layers of clothing between us.My eyes fell to the branded scar on my stomach. The sight of it sent bitter, hot tears streaming down my face. I could feel that day as if it were happening all over again.FLASHBA
Sebastian’s POV“What? Since when?” My voice came out harsher than I intended. I knew Daphne was a lot of things, but never in a million years did I think she had been married. Yet, there was something in her eyes—the hurt, the kind that ran deep. “His name is Nathaniel,” she continued, her voice trembling, and I could see unshed tears glistening in her eyes, as though she were battling bitter memories.Nathaniel? The name triggered something in my mind. The day I found her unconscious, I had retrieved her phone, and the last name on her call log was ‘Nate.’ He had called repeatedly. I answered once, but he had hung up the moment I spoke. Was it the same person? “Is he still in your life?” I asked, my heart hammering against my rib cage for reasons I didn’t fully understand. The thought of another man being tied to her made something stir inside me—something raw and unfamiliar.She shook her head, her expression darkening. “No, he… he killed me.”Her words hit like a punch to the gu
Daphne’s POV:Since that day, everything between Sebastian and me has changed. It's like the universe decided to shift overnight. The distance that once defined us started fading, replaced by an unexpected closeness. But nothing in my life comes without complications.Nate kept calling. Every time his name flashed on my phone, it felt like someone lit a fire inside my chest—a slow burn of anxiety that I couldn't control. He was relentless, and I could tell it pissed Sebastian off, though he rarely said it aloud. Instead, his frustration lingered in the heavy silences, in the way his jaw clenched when my phone rang, in the way his eyes flickered with something deeper every time I looked at him.Each time Nate called, it felt like my fake death was disentangling. I had confirmed that I was till alive. There was no going back now—no pretending that the woman he saw months ago was just someone who looked like me. No. He knew. And so did I.In an attempt to shield me, Sebastian bought me a
It had been two days since Sebastian left for Japan. The moment he landed, he called to let us know he’d arrived safely and to wish us goodnight. Hearing his voice was a comfort, but the house felt emptier without him.Ella and I spent our days reading together and working on her assignments. She was such a smart girl—often, she ended up teaching me things about her schoolwork. I found it heartwarming, seeing how eager she was to learn and share her knowledge.That evening, I was stirring a pot of onion soup I had decided to make for her. I wanted to surprise Ella with something different, something that wasn’t part of our usual routine. The rich aroma filled the kitchen, and I couldn’t help but feel pleased with my little experiment.My phone buzzed. It was a text from Mr. Hawthorne.**Mr. Hawthorne:** You look scrumptious in those pants. Want me to take them off? I bet you’d look better. 😉A ridiculous smile spread across my face as I read his message, feeling like an absolute fool
Daphne’s POVI watched him slowly as I revealed the biggest truth of my life. A mountain I had carried all alone, weighing me down at every turn. But Sebastian didn’t flinch at all. Instead, he pressed my hand tightly, as though what I’d just said was nothing.“I… I…” I stammered, unsure where to even begin. “My stalker is connected to Matthew, I saw the mark. We’re all tied to him, and I’m terrified he’s here to exact revenge on me for killing him.” My heart raced as I lifted the veil of my past, the words tearing free like a dam breaking.Sebastian remained calm, his thumb drawing lazy circles on my palm. He didn’t interrupt or judge. He simply listened. I searched his eyes, to find nothing. That silent acceptance was more than I deserved.“I know you, Daphne,” he said softly, steadying his voice. “I know you had your reasons.”His eyes held mine, offering a safe space in which to release the poison I’d been holding for years. For the first time, I didn't convince myself but “belie
Sebastian’s POVI furrowed my brows, following the direction of her trembling finger. She tried to form words, but her voice failed her. I could feel a pang of panic crawling slowly through my chest. “Him? Who?” I asked with worry. I scanned the hallway, but it was empty. There was no one there. What was she so terrified of?“Shh.” I cupped her face gently. “You’re safe with me. I promise.”Her wide, panicked eyes met mine, and for a moment, I felt her relax, her body leaning into mine. I guided her to a nearby chair, holding her close until her breathing steadied.“Take me home,” she whispered, her voice hollow as she stared at the wall, unblinking.“Home? But we’re here for an appointment—”Before I could finish, she erupted, slamming her fists against my chest. “Take me home! Fucking take me home right now!”Her outburst stunned me. I had never seen her act this way—so violent, so unhinged. Something was deeply wrong. Her fear wasn’t just fear; it was terror.“Daphne, please.” I r
Sebastian’s POVI watched her out of the corner of my eye during the ride. She was uneasy, fidgeting with her fingers, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery as though it could save her from something. It didn’t take much to see the storm swirling in her mind. She hadn’t expected me to come with her. That much was clear. But what wasn’t clear were the secrets she carried. The more I tried to dig, the deeper I fell into it with no answers. But I wasn't done, not yet.There was so much she wasn’t telling me, and I had sworn to uncover each of them. One by one.She was doing something to me, something I wasn’t prepared for. I had built my walls high over the years, fortified them with every scar and betrayal. Yet here I was, letting them crumble for her. And the irony? She wasn’t even trying.If anything, I was the one clawing to climb over her walls instead. And I didn’t mind. I didn’t need her to lower them for me. I’d scale them, brick by brick, no matter how long it took.The silence
Morning had already come by and we have returned to the Hawthorne residence. Sebastian remained skeptical about the situation and suggested getting a new apartment for Maryam and me, saying the area on its own wasn't safe but we turned down his offer. Instead, he stationed security at the front of the house, always on standby. The gesture warmed my heart because it wasn’t just about me; Sebastian genuinely cared about the people in my life as well.Despite the comfort of his concern, things still felt awkward. I hadn’t spoken about what happened the other night, and while Sebastian didn’t push, I could see the unspoken questions lingering on the tip of his tongue.The fact that I had a stalker didn’t sit right with him. He wanted to press charges and dig deeper into the case, but I refused. His anger was evident and after a little heated argument before he left for the office, he gave in, but not without a warning : “This conversation isn’t over, Daphne. I’m done with your bullshit a
That same statement made my body grow cold. He was the anonymous man calling and threatening me, and now he had revealed himself. Why did he wait so long? And what was his aim? My head hurt the more I tried to piece it together. Just then, the door burst open. “Oh my God, Daphne, are you okay?” Maryam rushed to my side, dropping her groceries on the floor as she knelt before me. She pulled me into a hug, rocking me back and forth. I couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t move. I just sat there, numb and unresponsive. In fact, at that moment, I couldn’t think of anything. Then the scent of him invaded my nostrils. Sebastian! He was staring at me intently with his jaw clenched as his eyes darted between my phone and me. Fresh tears pooled in my eyes, and before I could stop myself, I started crying again. Sebastian rushed to my side, collapsing beside Maryam. “Hey, Are you okay?” His voice quivered slightly as I shook my head ‘No’ in response. “Shh, it’s okay. You’re safe.” He placed a
“Wh…who are you?” I managed to choke out, with my body trembling but he chuckled darkly. “Oh, my sweet, naive Daphne. Or lest I say… Claire?” He smirked, striding slowly toward me, circling like a predator. I moved back until my spine hit the cold wall. Before I could react further, he lunged forward, grabbing me roughly to stop my retreat. Then it hit me. My eyes widened with realization as my trembling fingers pointed at him. “Y…you’re my stalker,” I gasped, recognizing that same godforsaken hoodie and the unmistakable frame of the man who had been watching me from a distance while I worked at Café Luxe. “What do you want from me? I don’t even know you!” Panic clawed at my chest, making it harder to breathe. “Oh, honey, you don’t know me, but I know you like the back of my hand.” I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood, the metallic tang invading my senses. My world began to tilt as nausea crept in, forcing me to place a shaking hand over my stomach for comfort. I wouldn't l
Daphne’s POVWalking down the street, tossing rocks at my feet, I tried to convince myself I was doing better. But then, everything came crashing down yet again. I refused to let it break me, even though everything about Sebastian affected me in ways I didn’t want to admit.I hailed a taxi and got in. I was back in the same cycle I swore I’d moved on from, relying on others to make myself feel worthy. Maybe it was time to seriously reconsider seeing a therapist. “Where to, ma’am?” the taxi driver’s voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality.“District Street,” I said, smiling to myself. For a second, I almost wanted to say, “Just drive.” It would have been such a heroine moment, like something right out of a movie. Instead, I gave him the address and leaned back, letting the scenery blur by.Before long, we arrived, and I thanked him, hopping out in front of the house. How much I missed it. Maybe I would go to the pub and meet up with James and Liv, I hadn’t seen the
Sebastian’s POV “Oh my God, Ella. Come here.” Just then, Daphne runs over to her.“Heyyy!” Maya’s voice pierces through the fog in my mind. The man turns to us, but before I can see his face clearly, he hurries away.They approach us, and Ella rushes to me with so much excitement, unaware of the dangers lurking in the shadows. “Daddy!”Maya immediately starts barking at Daphne, whose brows furrow in bitterness. “How could you be so reckless huh? Did you lose your brain cells in whatever hell hole you crawled from?”“Don’t you dare talk to me like that, Maya? Who do you think you are to question me?” Daphne snaps back.“Didn't you see it? How could you let her wander around like that? What if something had happened?” Maya challenged.“But nothing happened, did it? You were clearly putting meaning into things. The man you saw has a daughter Ella’s age and they had been playing together.” Daphne defended, shaking her head in disbelief. But that wasn't it, her attitude was becoming into
Sebastian’s POV“Dang it!” I throw my phone across the couch as the phone rings with no answers yet again, I pace back and forth in the living room, with unease settling at the pit of my stomach.I came home to an empty house, every appliance turned off. I looked everywhere for them, and dread slowly overtook me as I wondered if something had happened to them. It felt like not a single soul lived in the silence of the house.But then, the estate watchman told me he saw Daphne with Ella, hailing a cab but he doesn’t know where they went.“Calm down, Seby. They’re alright,” Maya says, approaching me and placing a freshly manicured finger on my shoulder.I plop onto the couch, nodding, though I am anything but calm. “Did you hear him? A cab? My Ella in a fucking cab?? You don’t get it, Maya. Wait—hold on.” My eyes widen with a terrible realization dawns on me. I’ve completely forgotten about Daphne’s appointment. What if they’re at the hospital? For a split moment, guilt washes through m