“Are you even listening to me, Daphne? I don’t want you to get hurt.” Maryam’s voice echoed through the phone, her tone sharp with concern. “Don’t forget he’s still your boss. You work under him, and you can’t afford to jeopardize your position. I’ve told you before, and I’ll tell you again—this isn’t just about you anymore.” I sighed, gripping the phone tightly. “But—” “Ah, ah! No buts. I’m not saying Maya is a bad person, but you need to be careful, okay?” Her words stung because I knew she was right. The call was exactly what I needed, a grounding reminder to let things go and not think so deeply about it, especially if I didn’t want to dig myself an even bigger hole. After we hung up, I tried to calm my mind, but from upstairs, I could hear Maya’s booming voice, ringing out confidently, echoing through the walls. I closed my eyes, wondering if there was something more between her and Sebastian. She just seemed so… comfortable here. Comfortable with him. A bitterness crept u
Ever since that day, Maya’s visits have become incessant and unannounced, each time a reminder of her hidden motives. She doesn’t even try to make it subtle at all. Her intentions are practically written in the way she watches me, the way her eyes linger a moment too long. It’s so obvious she has a scheme up her sleeve, a scheme I sense but can’t quite grasp. Yet, no one else seems to notice. Not even Sebastian. He thinks I’m overreacting, “acting indifferent,” as he calls it. But he doesn’t see what I see.Tonight, we’re all sitting around the dining table, pretending that Maya’s presence isn’t as invasive as it feels. I’m trying to focus on Ella’s laughter, her innocent smile as she picks at her food when Maya’s voice cuts through the moment like a knife. She’s eyes me and her tone dripping with a mix of faux concern and thinly veiled judgment.“Daphne Dear, don’t you think it would be better to cut those grapes in half for Ella?” Her lips curl in a practiced smile, but her eyes
It was already the next day, and I hadn’t done much except some minor chores while I anxiously awaited Ella’s return from school.When she finally burst through the door after school, her energy filled the space between us. We slipped into our daily routine, the kind of easy camaraderie that felt like a warm blanket. But as the afternoon wore on, the time moved very fast and I still hadn’t dressed for my appointment.After a quick shower, I stood in front of the mirror, dressed in a summer dress with a plunging V-line that showcased my cleavage. I brushed my hair, carefully applying a touch of makeup, but the reflection staring back at me made my stomach churn in a way I couldn’t quite articulate. Fresh tears stung my eyes, and I pressed a hand to my mouth, fighting the wave of despair washing over me.I hated the sight of myself with makeup, the way I looked so much like Claire. Memories, dark and suffocating, flooded my mind, dragging me back to a time I wished to forget. The tears
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
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
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
“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
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
Daphne’s POV My body shook, a buzzing filling my ears, tears blurring my vision. “I can’t believe this, Seb. I fucking can’t believe this,” I choked out, hugging him tightly, soaking his t-shirt as he held me close. “I’m happy that you’re happy, Daphne. You fought so well,” Seb whispered in my ear, his voice also shaky. Was this it? The end of Charles Sinclair? The end of the torment, the years of abuse, the never-ending cycle, all because of his selfish desires? It felt surreal. After the sentence was delivered, I watched Mom spiral. She couldn’t comprehend it, seeing the man she had placed on such a high pedestal come crashing down. Richard quickly took her away, but not before giving me a nod of acknowledgement. Seeing Mom like that tugged at my heart. She had ruined not just her life, but ours too. She had stayed with a man who repeatedly hurt her, and it had shattered me time and time again. But I had finally come to terms with it. I wasn’t responsible for her choices.
Daphne’s POV “This is the bank transaction, showing all the dirty work and exploitations,” Nathaniel said, spreading the thick sheaf of papers across the table. Sebastian’s eyes scanned the documents, his brow furrowed. “They’re rigging oil prices too,” he muttered. “Just how rich and powerful is Charles? He couldn’t have done this alone. There’s government involvement here, somewhere.” Nathaniel was back, thank God. Richard had been feeding us information over the phone, piecing together the puzzle of Charles’s illicit activities. After countless meetings with prestigious authorities, and after what felt like an eternity of legislative deliberation, we finally had it: an arrest warrant. But there was a problem. Intelligence suggested Charles was about to flee the country. Someone within the legislative body had tipped him off. Thankfully, Charles was tracked down to his private retreat, a secluded estate far from the city. The apprehension was swift and decisive. He would
Two Weeks Later “That’s great news!” I exclaimed, pulling Seb and Claire into a hug, joy bubbling inside me. We were gathered around the table, Skyping Nathaniel, who had finally gotten his hands on the NGO’s bank statements and transaction records. “I’ll be back first thing tomorrow, and the chase will finally be over,” Nathaniel muttered with a cashmere smile. It had been two long weeks since Nathaniel traveled to investigate the NGO. Given his position in the ministry, he was able to gain access quickly, posing as an agent sent by me. Charles had been notified by the NGO of my request for the bank statements. Richard informed us that he had been desperately trying to track me down, still clueless about how I’d accessed the files. He was currently hiding in one of his estates in Suncity, under the pretense of being out of town. Our investigation had uncovered vital information, including receipts for bombs and weapons purchased under Charles’s name, weapons that led to the mas
Richard’s voice cut through the heavy silence, the words pulling us against the unspoken emotions hanging in the air. “Now that everything is done, and we have the documents, with Charles’s signature… all you have to do is sign, and the NGO is legally yours.” His jaw was clenched and his gaze distant. He tried to hold it together after Mother left, but I could see the cracks forming. This was just as hard for Richard as it was for me, maybe even harder. Mother had made her choice—time and time again, she chose Father, no matter the cost. Richard kept fighting for her, trying to pull her back from the edge, but she didn’t want to be saved. She never did. Sebastian broke the tension, his voice gentle as he gathered the papers. “She will, once she finds stability. Let’s go home, Daphne you need to rest.” He drew me away from a broken Claire. I turned to Richard, my voice firm with conviction despite the ache in my chest. “Thank you, Richard, for everything. I will see to it that Cha
Daphne’s POV “M…Mother?” I whispered, the word catching in my throat. The sight that greeted me was a brutal shock. She was disheveled, almost broken. Her lip was split and bleeding, a thin line of crimson tracing its path down her pale skin. Her face, usually vibrant and carefully made-up, was ashen, almost ghostly. “Wh…what’s going on? Why do you look like this?” I stammered, my throat tightening with fear and disbelief. I had expected to see my mother, but this ravaged, vulnerable woman was a stranger. She clutched a thick Manila folder to her chest, her knuckles white. Her eyes darted nervously between us, finally settling on Richard. “I don’t have much time,” she said, her voice was barely audible, very strained and thin. “These are the files. They belong to you. Only you can have full access. The name of the NGO is ‘Project Chilia.’ All the necessary details are inside.” She hurried on, her words tumbling out in a rush, “But I must warn you, everything still runs under you
Daphne’s POV The next day arrived with an unpleasant swiftness. The air in the house hung heavy, thick with unspoken anxieties. Our collective patience felt like a frayed rope, stretched to its breaking point. We sat in an uncomfortable silence at the breakfast table, the clinking of cutlery the only sound disturbing the quiet. Sebastian had made breakfast, but no one seemed to have much of an appetite. The doorbell rang, a sharp sound that shattered the tense atmosphere. Sebastian exchanged a quick, worried glance with me. "Wait here," he said cautiously, his voice low. I nodded, my anxiety spiking. Claire shifted in her seat, clearing her throat uncomfortably. I glanced at her, sensing she had something to say. But I was beyond conversation. The return to the forest had stirred something within me, a raw reminder of her past actions, how she had brutalized me, and her constant ridicule. Ever since I came back home, she made me feel unwelcome, telling me harsh words. Forgiveness
I snorted, listening to Sebastian recount his first impressions of me, a genuine laugh bubbling up from my chest.“I mean…why wouldn’t I be skeptical?” he teased, a playful glint in his eyes. “You gave me ample reasons. First, you trampled my shoes, and second, you bolted from the hospital like a bat out of hell.”“Oh, please,” I groaned, burying my face in a nearby pillow, a wave of embarrassment washing over me. “Don’t make me relive those days.”Sebastian chuckled a warm sound that resonated through the room. “I should’ve known you were anything but ordinary. You entered my life like a force of nature.” I peeked at him from beneath the pillow’s soft fabric. A genuine smile graced his features as he shook his head in amused disbelief.“I thought you hated me,” I mumbled, not entirely blaming him. My initial behavior hadn’t exactly been endearing.“Oh, Daphne,” he said softly, a hint of tenderness in his voice. “You definitely got on my nerves…but I have a small confession to make. Y
Daphne’s POV A chilling dread settled over me. “I… I don’t understand,” I stammered, my world tilting on its axis. What could Richard possibly mean by saying I was the key? He gave a dry chuckle. “No one truly grasps the extent of Charles’s evil. Look at us,” he gestured to the group. “We all bear the scars of his influence, don’t we?” My gaze swept across Nate, Claire, and even Richard himself. Each of us carried a distinct torment, almost like a confirmation of Charles’s destructive power. “And here’s the kicker,” Richard continued, his voice laced with a bitter irony. “Mr. Calloway is the one who orchestrated your kidnapping, Daphne.” The name hit me like a physical blow. Mr. Callaway? One of my father’s business associates? The man who had… tried to….force himself on me last night? A wave of nausea surged through me. I retched, the contents of my stomach emptying onto the floor. Sebastian immediately wrapped his arms around me, his voice was like a soothing balm. “It’s al
THIRD PERSON POV FLASHBACK BEGINS The dogs barked wildly on a stormy night, their growls cutting through the eerie silence. The entire universe seemed cloaked in darkness, a heavy omen pressing down on the night. “I think something’s going on in the house. And from the sound of it, it’s bad,” Theo, the watchman, muttered to himself as he quickly sent a message to Richard. Richard, who had been restless all night, saw the notification and sat upright, his unease deepening. Richard had worked at the Sinclair residence for over a decade and knew every family secret. Though he didn’t have access to Charles’s numerous private dealings—something no one, not even Charles’s wife, possessed—he was privy to much more than anyone suspected. Richard was working as a double agent for a business associate of Charles, Mr. Calloway, who was also a trafficker. Calloway’s goal was to bring Charles down and seize his empire. Fueled by a thirst for vengeance, Richard had long buried any trace