Paulina stood in the living room, her mind full of emotions as she stared at James.
The man she had once loved, the man who had broken her heart into a thousand pieces, was standing before her, concerned and unaware of the sins he would commit in the future. She knew what was coming, knew how his love would turn to betrayal, how his charm would morph into cold indifference.
But now, as he stood there, offering her comfort in a moment that had once been the start of their union, Paulina felt a strange mix of anger and confusion. How could she be mad at him for something he hadn’t done yet? And yet, the knowledge of his future infidelity burned inside her, making her sick with the thought of what was to come.
“Paulina,” James said softly, stepping closer to her, “what’s going on? You’re scaring me. Did something happen?”
Paulina’s heart pounded in her chest as she took a step back, her resolve hardening.
“James,” she said, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and determination, “I need you to leave. Right now.”
James blinked, his brow furrowing in confusion. “Leave? What are you talking about? Paulina, I’m here to take care of you. You just lost your parents, and you’re not thinking straight. Let’s just sit down, and—”
“No,” Paulina cut him off, her voice growing stronger.
“I need you to leave my house. Now.”
James stood frozen; shock written all over his face. He looked at her as if trying to decipher what had gotten into her.
“Paulina, are you sure you’re, okay? You’re not making any sense. We need to talk about this.”
She could see the genuine concern in his eyes, the confusion at her sudden change in demeanor. For a fleeting moment, Paulina felt a pang of guilt. This was the man she had loved, the man who had stood by her during one of the darkest moments of her life. But then, the image of him in bed with Alexis flashed before her eyes, and her resolve solidified.
“Please, just go,” Paulina repeated, her voice cold and distant.
“I don’t want to see you right now.”James hesitated, still trying to process her words.
“Paulina, I don’t understand. I’m your boyfriend. I’m here for you. Why are you pushing me away?”
For a moment, Paulina wavered. How could she be angry with him for a crime he hadn’t yet committed? But then she remembered the years of pain, the humiliation, the betrayal.
She couldn’t let herself be swayed by the man he was now, not when she knew what he would become.
“Just go, James,” she said, her voice firm. “Please, leave.”He opened his mouth to protest, but something in her tone made him stop.
He nodded slowly, his eyes filled with hurt and confusion. “Okay, if that’s what you really want, I’ll go.
“ But I’m here for you, Paulina. If you need anything, just call me.”
She didn’t respond, her gaze fixed on the floor as she waited for him to leave.
She heard him hesitate for a moment, then the sound of his footsteps retreating.
The door clicked shut behind him, and Paulina finally let out the breath she didn’t realize she had been holding.She felt a strange mix of relief and unease.
She had just chased away the man who would ruin her life, but it felt surreal, like she was acting out a scene from a play rather than living her own life. An hour passed in silence, with Paulina sitting alone in the dimly lit living room, her mind racing.
She replayed the events of the past hour over and over, questioning her actions, wondering if she had done the right thing.
Could she really change the future? Was it even possible, or was she just delaying the inevitable?As she sat there, lost in thought, a soft knock on the door broke her reverie.
Her heart skipped a beat, anxiety creeping in. Who could it be? James, coming back to plead with her? Someone else? She hesitated, then slowly made her way to the door.
She opened it to find Alexis standing there, her face pale and tear-streaked. Paulina’s stomach churned at the sight of her half-sister, the woman who would one day betray her in the most unforgivable way
.She remembered her words. ‘I will ruin you before you ruin me bitch”
“Paulina,” Alexis said softly, her voice filled with emotion,
“I just wanted to check on you. I know how hard this must be for you.”Paulina stared at her, her emotions filled with anger, sadness, and something else—disgust.
This was the woman who would betray her, who would sleep with her husband and shatter what little was left of her life.
Yet here she was, pretending to be a caring sister, offering comfort like nothing was wrong.
“Come in,” Paulina said quietly, stepping aside to let Alexis in. She couldn’t let her suspicion show, couldn’t reveal that she knew what the future held.
She had to play along, for now.
As Alexis entered, she glanced around the room before turning back to Paulina.
“I know I’m just your half-sister,” she began, her voice shaky, “and I know I was an illegitimate child, but I’ve always felt so grateful to you, Paulina. You’ve always treated me like a real sister, even when you didn’t have to.”
Paulina clenched her fists, the words cutting through her like a knife. She remembered how those same sentiments had once made her heart soften, how she had believed in Alexis’ sincerity, how she had let her guard down. But now, knowing what she knew, those words only filled her with revulsion.“Thank you, Alexis,” Paulina said, forcing herself to keep her voice steady.
“That means a lot.”
Alexis stepped closer, her eyes brimming with tears.
“I know things have been difficult between us, but I want you to know that I’m here for you. You don’t have to go through this alone.”
Paulina’s stomach twisted with the bitterness of irony. How many times had Alexis said those same words, only to betray her when it suited her? How many times had she believed in the facade of sisterly love, only to be stabbed in the back?But now, Paulina was different.
She wasn’t the naive girl she had been ten years ago. She wouldn’t fall for the same lies, and wouldn't be swayed by false emotions.
She had been given a second chance, and she wasn’t going to let it slip through her fingers.
“I appreciate that, Alexis,” Paulina said, her voice calm and controlled. “But I need some time alone right now. I hope you understand.”
Alexis nodded, though there was a flicker of something in her eyes—disappointment, perhaps, or even suspicion.
“Of course, Paulina. I’ll be here if you need me.”
Paulina watched as Alexis turned to leave, her heart pounding in her chest. This was her chance to change everything, to prevent the betrayal that had once destroyed her. But how? How could she navigate this new reality, knowing what she knew?
Just as Alexis reached the door, she paused and turned back to Paulina, a strange look in her eyes. “You know, Paulina, I’ve always wondered… if things had been different, if I hadn’t been born out of wedlock, do you think we would have been closer? Like real sisters?”
Paulina felt a chill run down her spine. The question was loaded, heavy with implications that Paulina couldn’t fully decipher. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out.
Last time when she had been faced with this question, she had said yes to Alexis but now she couldn’t.
Alexis smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter now, does it?”
Before Paulina could react, Alexis turned and left, the door clicking shut behind her. Paulina stood there, her mind racing. Something was wrong, something was off.
Had Alexis somehow sensed that something had changed? Or was this ju
st paranoia creeping in?
Paulina’s heart pounded as she realized that the game had already begun.
Paulina couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at her.She moved to the window and peeked through the curtains, watching as Alexis walked down the driveway making a phone call, which seemed quite suspicious. Her half-sister’s movements were slow, deliberate. Paulina’s heart pounded in her chest as she watched Alexis glance back at the house before getting into her car. Paulina let the curtain fall back into place, her mind spinning with questions. Alexis had always been skilled at hiding her true feelings, at playing the role of the caring sister when it suited her. But now, with the knowledge of the future, Paulina saw everything through a different lens. She couldn’t trust anyone, especially not Alexis.“What do I do now?”. Paulina whispered to herself, her voice trembling. She had been given a second chance, a chance to rewrite her fate. But the enormity of the task was overwhelming. She had to think, had to plan, there was no room for mistakes.She paced the living room, tryi
Paulina sat in her mother and father's antique study, the air thick with dust and memories. Her arms shook barely as she held the letter from her father, his phrases echoing in her mind: "Trust no person, not even those who proportion your blood." She studied the road again, her heart sinking. Her father had left her a warning, however, what turned into what she purports to take with it now?She placed the letter down on the desk, watching the rows of books her father had once loved. The room hadn’t changed in ten years, yet the entirety of her existence had. She becomes again—again before the lies, the betrayal, and the heartbreak. It needed to have felt like a blessing, but as an alternative, it felt like she changed into strolling on the edge of a cliff, one wrong step away from falling into darkness.Paulina’s thoughts have been interrupted with the aid of a knock at the door. Her heart jumped, her body worrying. "Who ought to it's at this hour?" she muttered to herself, the unea
Paulina sat on the dining room table, her mind swirling in a countless loop of doubt and fear. Her father’s letter still haunted her, its cryptic warning repeating in her mind: "Trust nobody, no longer even individuals who share your blood." Every look from James, each word from Alexis, or even each gesture from Elijah felt laced with hidden meanings. But the truth was slippery, and he or she wasn’t certain whom she may want to rely on anymore.Her telephone buzzed at the table, snapping her out of her mind. She picked it up, seeing a message from Elijah: “Need to talk. Meet me at the antique library in an hour.”Paulina’s stomach twisted. Elijah has been developing greater excessive, greater possessiveness because she’d returned to the beyond. She couldn’t shake the sensation that there was something he wasn’t telling her, something darkish lurking under his smooth phrases and quiet demeanor. But for now, she wanted him. He changed into the simplest character who knew a part of the f
Paulina’s heart pounded as she lifted the phone to her ear. “Hello?”“Paulina, it’s me,” James’ voice came through, cold and measured. There was no warmth, no hint of affection. It was as if they were already strangers.“What is it, James?” she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. She glanced at Elijah, who was watching her intently, his jaw clenched.“I think we need to talk,” James said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I’m coming by the house later. There’s something we need to discuss, face to face.”Paulina’s mind raced. She hadn’t been expecting this—James calling her so suddenly, wanting to meet. Was he onto her? Did he suspect that she knew more than she let on?“What’s this about?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.“You’ll know soon enough,” James replied. “I’ll see you tonight.”Before she could respond, the line went dead.Paulina lowered the phone, her hands shaking slightly as she set it down on the table. Her mind was spinning, panic creeping into
Paulina’s heart raced as James’ words hung in the air, suffocating her. His demand echoed in her mind, the icy realization that he was making his move now—just as he had before. But this time, she wasn’t the naive woman who would hand him everything without a fight.She took a slow, steady breath, forcing herself to maintain her composure. Her palms were sweaty, but she clenched her fists, determined to hold her ground. “You want me to step aside?” she asked, her voice tight, but she refused to let him hear the fear in it. “And let you run my family’s company?”James’ eyes gleamed with that cold, calculating look she’d come to despise. “You and I both know you’re not capable of running things on your own, Paulina,” he said, stepping closer. His voice was smooth, dripping with manipulation. “You’ve been too distracted, too fragile since your parents passed away. You need someone strong, someone who understands how to handle the board, the business… and everything that comes with it.”P
Paulina sighed as she carefully arranged the tea set on the tray, her hands trembling slightly as she heard the loud voice of her mother-in-law echo through the halls."Paulina! Have you made the tea, or are you too busy daydreaming again?" Mrs. Whitney called out from the living room, her tone dripping with disdain.Paulina took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "Yes, Mother. It’s ready. I’ll bring it right in."She walked into the wide living room in the house, sometimes she’d forget that she actually grew up in this very house with her parents, ever since she got married to her husband and her mother-in-law moved in, it’s almost like they did a complete makeover of the place making it unrecognizable. Without looking up, Mrs. Whitney spoke condescendingly, "It’s about time. Honestly, Paulina, how did you ever manage before you married my son?" If Paulina could get a penny for every time her mother-in-law asked her such a question she would have been a millionaire by now
The next day happened to be Paulina’s half sister’s birthday. So she tried to surprise her sister in her apartment since there was no work on that day. As she got into the house with her spare key, she noticed that something seemed a little off. Paulina stood frozen in the hallway as she approached Alexis' room, curiosity filling her. She hesitated for a moment, not sure whether invading her sister's personal space was worth it, but then a wave of determination washed over her. She would just peep. Taking a deep breath, she turned the knob and pushed the door open only for her to be broken by what she had seen, as it had made her stomach churn. James was in her sister’s bed, his arm wrapped casually over the bare back of Alexis, she couldn’t believe it was her own step-sister. The sheets were tangled around their bodies, and the room reeked of sex and alcohol.Paulina gasped, the sound tearing through the silence of the room. Both James and Alexis jolted up, their eyes wide wi
Paulina’s eyes opened, her vision blurry as she tried to focus on her surroundings. She felt disoriented, her mind hazy with confusion. The last thing she remembered was falling down the stairs, the pain shooting through her body, and the darkness that had swallowed her whole. But now, she was lying her head on a table, the cool surface pressing against her cheek. Slowly, she pushed herself up, wincing as she did. Her heart raced as she looked around, trying to make sense of what had happened.She was in her living room, but something was off. The room looked different—familiar, yet somehow wrong. She glanced down at herself and noticed she was wearing a black dress, simple and elegant, the kind one would wear to a funeral. Her hands trembled as she ran them over the fabric, her breath catching in her throat. “What… what is going on?” she whispered to herself, her voice shaky. Her mind raced as she tried to piece together the fragments of her memory. The last thing she remembe