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
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
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
“How could you do this to me?” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the roar of the stormy rain outside. The cold, metallic taste of betrayal placed at the tip of my tongue. My words felt hollow, swallowed by the endless void of silence that hung between us. I searched his eyes, hoping for a glimpse of the man I once knew, but all I found was emptiness. “WHY???” This time I scream at the top of my lungs, my heart beating frantically against my ribcage. His silence was infuriating me. “Answer me, Nate,” I demanded, my voice cracking under the weight of my anguish. I could feel the desperation clawing at my throat, threatening to choke me if he didn’t speak. He clutches the champagne flute in his right hand, swirling it lazily as he takes sips without a care in the world. The arrogance in his posture made my skin crawl. Meanwhile, I’m left ranting like a madwoman. But indeed, I am mad… I am a woman in love, madly in love, and it's driving me to the edge. “Say something!” I p
“Don’t listen to her, Nate, don’t be gullible and fall for her words. She wants what I have, she wants to be more. Just because I am pregnant, she’s lying through her teeth. Don’t forget she is barren.” I flinch at her words, unable to believe what is unfolding before my very eyes. Ever Since I was 20, I was constantly told that I was barren from specialized doctors, that I was unable to conceive. I raved up and down like a psychopath looking for ways…, for solutions… even though, then, it seemed impossible. It was one of the darkest moments in my life, and I was in a very bad state. But at the time, that didn’t stop Nate. He loved me with his entire being and didn’t think that was an issue at all, he always assured me and told me that it didn’t matter to him, it was not supposed to be a barrier between two lovers. He accepted me for who I was. He promised we’d get through it side by side, even if we had to adopt children of our own. We were actually planning on doing that few mont
The cold felt like a living thing, wrapping itself around me tightly like a merciless predator. Sinking its icy claws into my flesh, clawing at my bones. I won’t be shocked if I get hypertonia by the end of the day. I had always thought I knew what cold was… growing up in a world that had never been kind to me or offered any warmth. But this.. this was something different. Something alive, something malevolent. It was all time consuming. I huddled in a corner, my arms wrapped around my knees, trying to preserve what little body heat I had left. The darkness was oppressive, broken only by the faintest sliver of light that managed to seep in through the cracks in the heavy door. It made me question myself, what if they are right? What if I am useless? I can't even protect myself not to talk about my unborn child.My breath came in short and unstable. It was the only sound in the walls I was confined in, a cellar I would prefer to call it. Apart from the faint drip of water as it fe
She stepped inside, her boots crunching on the frost-covered floor, the sound echoing in the silence. Her breath formed white clouds in the air, the same as mine, but while mine were ragged and desperate, hers were calm, and measured. She enjoyed this, I knew. She enjoyed seeing me like this—broken, helpless.“Look at you,” she taunts, “Reduced to nothing, just like you deserve.”I kept my gaze fixed on the ground, my teeth chattering uncontrollably. I didn’t want to look at her, didn’t want to see the glee in her eyes, the satisfaction of seeing me like this. But I knew she wouldn’t let me hide for long.“Look at me,” she commanded, her voice sharp and cold.I hesitated, but then slowly, I lifted my head. Our eyes met, and I was struck by how much she looked like me—or rather, how much I should have looked like her. She was everything I was not—strong, confident, cruel. She had the life that should have been mine. I was her. Her lips curled into a smile as she reached into the bag
The creak of the door was almost inaudible, but in the suffocating silence, it sounded like a thunderclap. Nate’s silhouette cut a dark, menacing figure as he stepped inside, his shoulders stiff with anger. I could hardly breathe as I watched him, my heart pounding in my chest.He slammed the door behind him, the jarring noise echoing through the small space. I flinched, my hands gripping the edge of my rumpled blouse as if it could anchor me against the storm brewing in his eyes. His face was contorted, twisted with a fury I’d seen before but never to this extent.He threw a stack of documents toward me with an aggression that made my stomach churn.The papers scattered across the floor like leaves in a storm, their contents glaring up at me.“What are these?” I knew exactly what they were but I just couldn't believe it, talkless of accepting it. All the exhaustion seemed to leave my body and I jerked forward. “Do not fucking waste my time Daphne, you can clearly see what those are.
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