Cynthia Dion:I walked with the shovel while people kept looking at me in fright. I entered the pack, and the guards squared up, seeing the shovel in my hands as I dragged it, and it made a loud noise.A car behind me was driven by Atticus, whose presence made the guards let me walk around with that shovel in my hands. I made my way to the mansion and found my father in the garden. The instant he looked at me, he almost choked on the coffee he was sipping.This asshole killed my sister, and he was sitting over here and enjoying a good cup of tea."Cynthia!" he asked, "where are you coming from?" He didn’t even know that the guards outside the mansion were on duty to make sure he didn’t leave.Maleeka and Mara, who seemed to have come out to see me and Atticus, gasped and stepped back. Mr. Holt stepped back and disappeared into the mansion, but it wasn’t their day.Not yet.My eyes were fixated on my father, the devil, who looked clueless until he stared at the shovel in my hand. His f
Cynthia Dion:A few days have passed since I bid farewell to Flora at her proper funeral, but I haven't felt like myself since then. Fortunately, nobody tested my patience during my mourning period. Atticus also ensured that none of his pack members or Mara came too close to me.He had taken time off from his office as he was gearing up for exams and had been urging me to give it a shot too. I'm not sure who told him that the best way to take your mind off something is to hit the books, but honestly, it doesn't quite work that way.After several days, I finally ventured out of the bedroom to join everyone for breakfast. Atticus advised me to keep my emotions in check because he had some important announcements to make.I stepped out in a blue dress, not quite in the mood to tolerate anyone's nonsense that day. All eyes were on me, but there was a collective hush in the room.I was sure Maleeka had found yet another reason to harbor ill feelings toward me. My eccentric family was a bit
Cynthia Dion:"I'll be waiting," I flashed her a wide smile. "Let's see who ends up regretting staying here." With a wink, Maleeka stumbled to her feet, heading for her room, when suddenly she spread her arms and sat down as if feeling dizzy."What's going on with her? Is this some new game?" I didn't even bother asking her if she was okay, while Mara began offering her water and rubbing her back."That's the difference between you and her," Maleeka grunted, closing her eyes to steady herself.Indeed, there was a significant distinction between us. Little did she know that Mara was not only rubbing her back.Mara held Maleeka's hand and guided her back to her room while she called the doctor. The female doctor spent a few moments in the room, and when she emerged, she wore a broad smile on her face."She--," she began but stopped, looking at me. "Are you Cynthia Dion?" She inquired, and it struck me as odd that she seemed more focused on me than her patient."Yes, that's me," I confir
Cynthia Dion:I don’t know how long they stayed out because it seemed like only an hour when my bedroom door opened and closed. I was jolted awake by the noise, straightening my back to see who had come to my room."Atticus! Weren’t you supposed to be with them?" I rubbed my eyes in confusion, glancing at the clock on the wall. He had come early. I thought they would at least take a few hours because Mara had made some plans for a movie night as well."Well, as soon as the food arrived, I packed it and dashed here. I mean, I wasn’t really feeling the vibe, and besides, you were here," he said, holding the food bags with a sweet smile."You didn’t have to skip the celebration plans for me," I didn’t want to focus on him, on us. There might come a day when I will finally be able to forgive him, but it is too soon for now.He sat down on the bed and shook his head very steadily. "I couldn’t eat thinking you were left alone," he didn’t raise his eyes at me when talking about being worried
Cynthia Dion:I spent the night thinking about ways I could counteract their plan, and it occurred to me that I have a powerful leverage if they decide to proceed. I stayed peacefully that night without any worry. They had stopped frightening me. It was my time and my moment to shine. The next morning was odd; they were all strangely happy in the garden.I had a feeling that they would go with the plan because the moment Atticus and I joined them, Maleeka did something she had not done before."I wanted to speak to Cynthia in front of all of you," she said, a mild smile playing on her lips while Mara appeared resolute."If it's about the same issues, I would suggest not bringing it up for now," Atticus looked exhausted from our daily arguments at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He had been working hard, and we were turning the mansion into a war zone for him."I'm trying to offer her peace and a truce," Maleeka jumped in to explain herself, prompting Mr. Holt to raise an eyebrow in conf
Cynthia Dion:It struck me as amusing how everyone readily gave him a pass when he claimed that I had seduced him into committing the unforgivable act of killing his own child. It seemed as though they believed his excuse somehow mitigated the gravity of the crime. Maleeka, driven by an unhealthy obsession with him, appeared willing to go to extreme lengths, even contemplating self-harm, whenever Atticus spoke against him."Stay back from my wife!" Atticus thundered in his deep, resonant voice, effectively preventing Mr. Holt from advancing any further.Determined not to become a victim of physical aggression, I stood my ground. Though I braced myself for a potential attack, Atticus' protective stance ensured Mr. Holt couldn't simply just raise his hand on me anymore. While I anticipated his reaction to the damning recording, I remained prepared for any assault."Get away from me!" Maleeka witnessed Atticus defending me, and the sight stung enough to provoke her into shouting at him a
Cynthia Dion:"She's accusing me, wow!" Mr. Holt finally spoke up. He rose from behind Maleeka, shaking his head in disapproval."You! Watch your tongue," Maleeka pointed at me. If she weren't pregnant, she might have tried to confront me physically. Atticus had stepped in front of me, ensuring I could continue speaking without any physical interference."What? I'm just stating the truth. Besides, why did you assume I was accusing you? I said she wants you!" I smirked secretly while maintaining eye contact with him.The tension I've created feels familiar. This is how they used to corner me before."This is crazy! I love Atticus," Mara began crying, and it made sense why. The two of them knew they had been involved behind everybody's back."Cynthia! On what basis are you saying this? Did you hear her say that or anything?" Atticus asked me very politely, without a hint of hostility in his gaze."Yes! That's amazing. Now listen to what she has to say. Don't you remember how she loves t
Cynthia Dion:"You should help me!" Mara shouted from over the gate, but I paid little attention to her. After Atticus kicked her out, we returned to the living room to find Maleeka in tears and disbelief. I observed her unraveling in hysteria as her weapon against me backfired. Mr. Holt appeared shameless, likely grappling with the realization of how much I knew about him and Mara."I can’t believe s---he would tur-----n out to be t----his way," Maleeka cried, her words punctuated by hiccups. This betrayal seemed to cut deeper than her husband's actions and the subsequent blame placed on some alleged seduction.As Maleeka lifted her face, her eyes held a profound sadness. It wasn’t only me she had wronged; her ill-conceived plan with Mara had also shattered her brother's trust."Atticus! Please, trust me! She convinced me to do this. She told me that if I didn’t comply, Cynthia would stay here and ensure harm befell my child," she pleaded, casting a desperate look at Atticus, who wor