The mention of Olivia hit me like a physical punch. The lady who had tormented me, who had been the cause of so much pain and confusion. “Olivia?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper. “You mean Olivia who’s been making my life miserable?”“Yes,” she said, her voice breaking. “I didn’t know. I swear, I didn’t know she would turn out like this. I thought I was doing the right thing.”I felt a surge of anger and betrayal. “So you have been aware all this time? How could you not know she would turn out like this? How could you let this happen?”“I’m so sorry, Nina,” she sobbed. “I never wanted this. I never wanted any of this. But now that we know the truth, we can make things right. We can bring our family back together.”“Really? Bring our family back together?” I echoed, in pain. “How am I supposed to do that after everything that’s happened? Do you know the level of pain she has caused me?”“I don’t know,” she admitted, her voice filled with desperation. “But we have to try. W
We continued talking but I wasn't settled yet. I looked for every slight opportunity to continue my conversation with Olivia but it seemed none was happening. As the evening was approaching, I couldn't shake the lingering questions in my mind. The more I thought about it, the more I realized there were still unresolved issues, particularly with Olivia. After the emotional reunion and the revelations about our past, one question burned brightly in my mind: What would happen now with Henry?I needed to know where Olivia stood, especially since our relationship had always been strained. I decided it was time to talk to her alone. I found her in the kitchen, cleaning up after dinner."Olivia, can we talk outside for a minute?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.She looked up, with surprise in her eyes. "Sure," she replied, drying her hands on a towel. We walked out to the backyard, the cool evening air providing a welcome contrast to the emotional heat of the day.We stood in awkwar
Olivia’s decision to end things with Henry had weighed heavily on her mind. She knew it was the right thing to do, not just for herself, but for the fragile relationship she was trying to build with me. As she walked up to Henry's front door, her heart beat heavily in her chest. She had no idea how he would react, but she knew she had to be strong for the sake of me,Nina.She took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. A few moments later, Henry opened the door, and his face lightened up when he saw her."Olivia, how are you? Come in," he said, stepping aside to let her in."Thanks, Henry," Olivia replied, her voice steady though her hands were trembling.They moved to the living room, and Henry gestured for her to sit on the couch. "So, what's up? You sounded serious on the phone."Olivia took another deep breath, trying to prepare herself for what she was about to say. "Henry, there's something we need to talk about."Henry’s smile faded, and a look of concern crossed his face. "What
The sun had barely risen when Henry decided he needed to talk to Olivia one more time as his friend had advised him the previous day. He couldn't afford to lose Olivia, who would take care of his family? The thought of having a talk with Nina hasn't crossed his mind yet and he did not want to be alone. “How can she just walk in to inform him that she doesn't want him again?” He asked himself softly.He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to the story that she had said. He picked up his phone and called his best friend, hoping for some support."Hey, can you come with me to visit Olivia? I really need to talk to her as we had agreed, but I need a friend to accompany me" Henry asked, his voice a mix of urgency and uncertainty."Yeah, that’s true. It's necessary you talk to her before it gets too late. But Sorry, man. I've got something urgent to take care of today. But you got this. Just be honest and listen to what she has to say. Don't argue with her, just find a
After a few days off, I returned to work at the café. It was like stepping back into another world after a tumultuous time. The recent revelations and family drama had left me drained, but I knew I had to move on regardless. As I stepped into the café, the familiar sounds and smells were a comforting reminder that some things in life would remain constant no matter how long they have been.My boss, Mr. Johnson, greeted me with a concerned look as I walked in. "Nina, can we talk in my office for a moment?"Office again? I thought within myself. I just arrived expecting to begin work but this man wouldn't let me. He noticed that I was silent for some time, then he asked me the question again.I nodded, trying not to be show that I wasn't comfortable. "Sure, Mr. Johnson."We walked into his office, and he closed the door behind us. I could feel his eyes on me, trying to gauge my emotional state. I sat down, and he took a seat across from me, leaning forward with a serious expression."Ni
Two days after my conversation with Henry, I received a message that filled me with a mix of fear and happiness. “Sophie and James would return from school today, it will be better if we go pick them together. Hope that's okay?” I read aloud.I heaved a sigh of relief and remained silent for a few minutes before I responded with a yes.The idea of seeing my children again made me feel uncertain, but I also felt a deep-seated anxiety. How would I explain everything to them? And what about Henry's sister, who had been their guardian since I left? “Oh my goodness!” I exclaimed as I cupped my cheeks in my hand.I spent the morning gathering my thoughts and mustering the courage I needed. I sent my boss a message that I wouldn't be coming due to an emergency I had. He wouldn't say no for sure so I made preparations to go to the school. When I arrived, Henry was already there, waiting by the entrance. He gave me a welcoming smile, and I returned it, trying to ensure that I was steady.As th
When the kids were finally asleep and the house quieted down for the night, I felt a pull toward the servants' quarters, where Maria stayed. She was so happy to see me back. She had always been more than just a housekeeper to me; she was a confidante, a friend, and a surrogate mother figure in many ways I could describe.As I made my way through the dimly lit corridors, my mind was filled with thoughts and emotions. There was so much to share. I needed to talk to someone who could offer me guidance, and Maria had always been that person.When I reached her room, I knocked gently on the door. She opened it almost immediately, her face lighting up with a warm smile. "Oh my goodness! Who am I seeing? Nina! Come in, come in."Seeing her after these few months made me so emotional. I opened my hands to give her a warm embrace. The only word that I was able to say at that point was “Maria”I stepped inside, and she closed the door behind me. The room was warm and familiar, filled with the c
"Mom, Dad," Sophie began, with a little shaky voice, "Aunt Clarissa is back."I felt my heart skip a beat, and I stood up in shock and anxiety coursing through me. Clarissa's return was the last thing I had expected. “Henry, what is that supposed to mean?” I asked in anger. He stood up and placed a reassuring hand on my arm. "Nina, please calm down. I wasn't expecting her to show up. I'll handle this, I promise" he said firmly.I nodded, trying to steady my breathing as Henry left the room to confront Clarissa. I could hear their voices rising in argument, but I forced myself to stay out of their business. The kids needed me more than ever, and I couldn't let my own emotions get the best of me. Not now, when I wanted things to fall into their right places."Come here, you two," I said, patting the couch beside me. Sophie and James sat down but I noticed that their eyes were wide with confusion and worry. I took a deep breath, ready to have a long and honest conversation with my child
Marcus lay on the cold, concrete floor, in the ocean of his blood, his breath came in ragged gasps. His once confident, domineering presence was now reduced to a pitiful, broken man struggling to fight for his life. Kelly stood over him, with the gun still trembling in her hand. The shock of what she had just done was written all over her.Marcus’s eyes, once filled with cold calculation, now held a flicker of disappointment, anger, and perhaps even a trace of betrayal. He coughed, and the movement sent a fresh wave of pain through his body, he stretched his hand out toward Kelly, but his fingers wavered as if trying to grasp something just out of reach.“Kelly,” Marcus whispered. “Why…why did you do this? I thought…we were on the same side. I thought we agreed… to get revenge.”Kelly’s lips shook as she looked down at him, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. The man lying before her was a shadow of the person she had once known, the man who had manipulated her, twisted her emotions,
The door finally creaked open, and the sound echoed through the warehouse like a gunshot. Nina’s breath caught in her throat as Marcus walked in with Nurse Kelly. The sight of her sent a wave of shock through the room, the collective gasps of everyone echoed in the silence. Kelly’s presence was unexpected, and for a brief moment, everyone seemed frozen in place, as their minds struggled to process this new development.Nina’s eyes locked onto Kelly’s, searching for some sign of what was going to happen next. On the other hand, Kelly’s expression was unreadable. But there was a look in her eyes that sent a chill down Nina’s spine.Marcus stopped in the middle of the room, studying the faces around him with a predatory gaze. He seems to enjoy the fear he saw in their faces. He moved closer to Nina. “I told you, but you wouldn't listen. You wanted to see what I could do. Right?” He asked her as he wiped a tear from her eyes.“See what you’ve caused. Everyone is in a mess because of you.
Inside the cold warehouse, the air was thick with tension. Nina sat bound to a chair. She watched the movement of Marcus in fear. After some time of pacing around, he stood before her with a twisted smile on his face. The sight of him made her blood boil, but she knew she had to keep her composure. Any sign of disobedience could set him off, and the last thing she wanted was to put her family in more danger. He leaned forward to kiss her, but she quickly turned her face.Marcus had been making jest of her for what felt like hours. Every now and then, he would lean in close, his breath hot against her ear as he whispered threats.“You’re so predictable, Nina,” Marcus sneered, pacing back and forth in front of her. “You’re always trying to be the hero, always thinking you can outsmart me. But look where that’s gotten you. Tied up and at my mercy. I thought you’d recognise me when I came, but No!. Can't you see that you're dumb?”Nina’s jaw clenched as she fought the urge to spit in his
Henry's heart pounded as he drove towards the east of the town. He called Olivia to ensure that they were safe while he also informed them about his movements, his thoughts were consumed with fear and anger. “Please be safe out there.” Olivia managed to say.“Sure, be more vigilant as well.” Henry said as dropped the phone.The lead he had just received from Maria felt promising, but he couldn't shake the fear that something terrible might happen to Nina before he could reach her. The idea of Marcus holding her captive, possibly harming her, made Henry's blood boil. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, as he sped down the road.The sudden ring of his phone startled him. He quickly glanced at the caller ID and felt a cold chill run down his spine. It was Marcus. “My goodness!” He exclaimed loudly as he pulled by the road.Henry hesitated for just a moment before answering, trying to prepare his mind for whatever twisted words would come through the line."Henry," Marcus’s voice came
"Doctor?" Nina said, her voice tinged with confusion. "Why didn't you inform us that you were coming? We weren’t expecting you at all."The doctor didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he stepped closer, his eyes fixed on her in a way that sent a chill down her spine. Before she could react, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a gun. Nina's heart stopped, and she took a step back, fear paralyzing her."Don’t be a fool, shut your mouth and get into the car," he ordered, his voice cold and unfamiliar. It was then that she noticed something else, his face wasn’t right. The more she looked at him, the more she realized this wasn’t the doctor. His eyes were different Then, with a swift movement, he ripped off what she now saw was a mask, revealing his true face.It was Marcus.Nina’s blood ran cold as she recognized him. His face looked more cruel than before, and his eyes were filled with malice. She tried to scream, but no sound came out. Instead, she found herself frozen on th
“Take it here, and drop it there.” Nina said as she held her husband closely.“We’re doing it, my darling.” Henry told his wife. “I can't wait to start life again with you.Just then, Henry’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen and saw Kelly’s name flashing. He tapped the screen and put it on speaker. “Henry, listen to me,” Kelly’s voice was urgent, filled with fear. “Don’t go anywhere. Marcus is out there. I just saw him, he looked like he was heading to your house. And I'm very sure he’s planning something.”Marcus had instructed Kelly to call him so that they would be able to know their new location.Henry exchanged a look with Nina, as his heart was pounding. “We need to stay back,” he said, his voice tight with urgency.“Oh my!” What's all these? She asked as she ran outside to alert everyone.“Get inside, now,” Nina ordered, ushering everyone back into the house. They moved quickly. Inside, they locked the doors and pulled the curtains shut. Henry’s mind raced
Kelly looked around in fear as she tried to find her way out of the strange environment. Her heart pounded in her chest with every step she took. She knew Marcus’s men were around, but she had to take the chance. She moved quietly, trying to find an escape route. Just as she thought she was close to a lonely road, Marcus suddenly appeared in front of her."Where do you think you're going, Kelly?" Marcus's voice was low and demeaning.Kelly got startled. She tried to back away, but Marcus stepped closer, his eyes were cold and calculating. "Why are you trying to escape?" he asked, his tone threatening. "Don't you think you are putting yourself in more danger? Hey my darling Kelly, No one leaves under my custody."Kelly swallowed hard, trying to muster her courage but his cold laughter made her angry. She raised her hand to give him a slap but Marcus prevented it quickly and resumed laughing at her in a mocking tone.Kelly felt helpless, she fell on her knees and tears started dropping
Henry knew they were playing a more dangerous game so he decided to get started on the difficult task of processing their visas to leave the country. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but it was their best chance at escaping the clutches of Marcus and Kelly. He made secret calls and filled out the necessary documents, all while keeping a watchful eye on his family.Meanwhile, Marcus grew increasingly desperate and angry. He started calling Clarissa, Nina, and Henry relentlessly, hoping to instill fear and make them slip up. But Henry and Nina had already decided to ignore his calls, understanding that engaging with him would only make matters worse. Clarissa, however, answered one of his calls out of frustration and a desire to confront him."Hello?" Clarissa said, her voice trembling slightly."Clarissa, it's Marcus," came the cold, familiar voice. "You thought you could run away and hide?""I’m not hiding, Marcus," Clarissa retorted. "I’m trying to live my life without your threats."“Ar
Nina held Henry's hand firmly, not wanting him to move an inch. “Henry, please I beg you. Don't go.”“Nina just hold on.” He whispered softly. Henry gave a signal for Clarissa to take the kids to their rooms while he took the next step.Henry glanced through the peephole cautiously. When he recognized the man standing outside, he breathed a slight sigh of relief. It was their neighbor, Mr. Thompson, who lived just three houses down. Henry opened the door slowly, ensuring there were no unexpected surprises waiting behind the familiar face. He wondered what had brought him here, his family just moved here and they barely go out."Good evening, Mr. Thompson," Henry greeted, attempting to hide the unease in his voice."Evening, Henry," Mr. Thompson replied, stepping inside quickly. "I hope everything is going smoothly?”“Sure,” he responded with a nod.“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but some people were asking about you and your family, they had your pictures with them too. But the