The atmosphere in the house shifts dramatically now that Anna is staying with us. It's as if the very air has grown thicker and more oppressive. I feel her presence even when I don’t see her, a constant reminder of her history with Nathaniel. Every corner of this house now seems tainted with her presence. I can’t shake the feeling that she’s here to reclaim something I thought was mine.To cope, I’ve chosen to spend most of my time upstairs, hiding away from the tension she brings. I keep myself busy with anything I can think of, from rearranging my wardrobe to rereading old books. Anything to keep me from having to face her—to hear her voice, to see her face. I can hear her sometimes, her laughter ringing through the halls, and it makes my skin crawl.She has been exaggerating everything from her accident to keep Nathaniel close. Every time he shows signs of leaving her side, she winces or lets out a small cry, and he stays. His attentiveness towards her scares me; what if his feeling
I feel a wave of nausea wash over me, and my stomach churns uncomfortably. I make my way to the bathroom, trying to steady myself against the walls. Once there, I realize something is wrong. I see the spotting and feel panic surge through me. This can’t be happening. Not now. Not with everything else going on."Liza!" I call out, my voice trembling.I hear footsteps pounding up the stairs, and Liza bursts into the room, Nathaniel following close behind. His face is etched with worry."What's wrong?" he asks, reaching out to touch my arm."It's just cramps; I don’t think I have ever felt them this strong. Girl problems, you know," I lie, my voice barely above a whisper. "Can I speak to Liza alone, please?"Nathaniel looks reluctant, his eyes searching mine for any sign of what’s really going on. Finally, he nods and steps out of the room, closing the door behind him."Liza," I say, my voice cracking as I pull her into the bathroom. "I’m spotting. Am I losing the baby?"Her face pales,
It’s a relief getting Back home, Nathaniel is waiting for us, his expression a mix of eagerness and worry. "What did the doctor say?" he asks, pulling me into his arms.“I'm okay; it's just exhaustion, and I might be coming down with something.” I look up to him. "Relax; I will be fine in time for the wedding.” I let out a laugh to soften the mood. He smiles, and he moves in to give me a kiss. I can smell whiskey on him. Nathaniel hates whiskey and never drinks in the middle of the day. Nathaniel’s grip tightens around me. "I'm glad you are okay.” He takes me into the house.Anna is lounging on the couch, a bottle of whiskey almost gone. The two glasses on the table catch my attention.“Don’t worry, me and Nathaniel were just catching up, like old times.” Anna's voice sends a stab through my chest. Everything she says holds so much weight.I shrug. “I am going upstairs; I need to rest.”What did Anna mean? It doesn’t matter; she’s leaving in two days. But a lot can happen in two days,
I’m a mess. The suitcase sprawls open on the bed, half-packed, mocking my futile attempts to hold my life together. Each item I throw into it feels like I’m tearing a piece of my heart away, discarding memories, dreams, and hopes. My hands tremble, fingers slipping on zippers and clasps, as I struggle to breathe through my sobs. This again. My heart is getting torn out for the second time in as many months.“Megra, stop! Please, just stop and think about what you’re doing.” Liza’s voice cuts through the air, soft yet desperate. She stands in the doorway, her eyes wide with worry. “Wait for Nathaniel to come back from work. You two need to talk before making such a hasty decision. You can't just leave. Why would you let that vile woman come in and destroy everything?”I shake my head, tears streaming down my face. “I can’t, Liza. If I see him, I won’t be able to leave. He’ll remind me of our contract, and I won’t have the strength to go. And he chose to betray me.”Liza steps closer, h
I slide into the back seat of the taxi, the door closing with a soft thud. As the car pulls away from the curb, I look back at the house one last time. It looms in the distance, a monument to a life that wasn’t meant to be.As we drive away, my thoughts swirl with memories. The laughter, the arguments, and the tender moments that made me believe in a future with Nathaniel. And then the betrayal, the pain, and the realization that I could never be enough for him. That he could never see me as more than a contract or an obligation. Why did he choose to sleep with me right after doing the same with Anna? Why did he say she meant nothing to him if he was just going to bring her to our house? Why wouldn’t he just ask me to leave instead of doing the same thing his nephew did?The city blurs by outside the window, and I press my forehead against the cool glass, trying to calm my racing heart. So many thoughts. I think of my mother, her strength, and her resilience. She raised me alone, and
NathanielI’m driving home, my hands steady on the wheel, but inside, I’m buzzing with excitement. The sun is setting, casting a golden glow over the horizon, matching the warmth in my chest. Today is a rare, perfect day. Anna is leaving tomorrow, taking with her the shadow and guilt of my infidelity. Megra will never know. I feel a tremendous weight lifting off my shoulders at the thought.As I pull into the driveway and park, anticipation quickens my steps. Today is special. Today, Megra’s wedding dress arrives. I can’t wait to see her reaction and to witness the joy and excitement in her eyes. I rush into the house, my heart pounding with happiness.“Megra?” I call out, expecting her sweet voice to greet me. Silence. The house feels unusually still. “Megra, where are you?”No answer. A slight unease creeps into my excitement, but I brush it off. She must be upstairs, or maybe out in the garden. I stride through the hallway, my footsteps echoing ominously. The house seems uncomforta
NathanielI'm lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to find solace in sleep. The sheets feel cold, and the emptiness beside me is a stark reminder of what I've lost. Megra's absence is like a gaping wound, festering with every passing moment. I can't believe she left. I close my eyes, trying to imagine how hurt she must have been and the look of betrayal etched on her face. How did it come to this? I tried so hard not to let her find out my mistake.The darkness in the room mirrors the chaos in my mind. I turn on my side, clutching the pillow she used to rest her head on, and inhale deeply, hoping to catch a lingering scent of her. But it's gone, just like her. How can I fix this? How can I make things right with Megra now that she knows about my infidelity? My thoughts swirl, tangle, and messy. Guilt gnaws at me, relentless and unforgiving.I feel like I'm suffocating, the weight of my actions pressing down on my chest. The room feels stifling, the air thick with regret. I thr
Anna.Nothing hurts more than rejection. Coming back to San Francisco was never part of my plan, but here I am, standing on the cusp of a life I once knew so intimately. The city’s foggy embrace feels colder than I remember, or perhaps it’s the chill of my own bitterness seeping through. My intentions are clear: reclaim Nathaniel. The news of his engagement to someone named Megra hit me like a bolt of lightning, and I knew I had to act fast.I never imagined Nathaniel would fall in love again. He is mine, and I do not share. Not after what we had. He was mine, always mine. Determined to get him back, I have a plan. I walked into his office with confidence, hoping to seduce him and remind him of what we shared. I was amazed to see her resemblance to me. Wow, Nathaniel was trying to replace me. Of course, he fell into my arms. Passionately, we touched, and I could see him light up.I can still feel his breath on me. I thought I could see a spark in his eyes. I was swept away when he tol
Epilogue MegraWe stand quietly in front of my mother’s gravestone, feeling the earth beneath my feet solid and cool, like an anchor to this moment. The air is still, the sky washed in muted shades of grey as though the world is holding its breath with me. My eyes trace the familiar letters etched into the smooth stone:**Iris Adams** **Loving Mother, Wife, Daughter, and Sister.**The words feel heavier than usual today, each title pulling me back into memories I’ve spent years trying to bury. There’s something so final about seeing her name like this. My mother. The one person who was always there for me, always strong, always protecting me. And yet, she carried so many secrets. I think about the life she left behind to raise me on her own—the family I only just found out about. All that time, it was just the two of us. She gave up so much, not for herself but for me.A gust of wind stirs the leaves around the graveyard, and I close my eyes, letting the cool air brush against my ski
MegraMusic floats in the air, soft and melodious, filling the room with a sense of calm and joy. I take in a deep breath, letting the sound settle into my bones, feeling its soothing rhythm steady my racing heart. It’s been a year—one long, tumultuous year since everything happened with Becca. A year of healing, of working to forget the chaos Nathaniel and I faced. A year of finding peace, of finding ourselves, of watching Nathaniel become the most wonderful father to the most beautiful daughter.I close my eyes for a moment, holding on to the feeling of peace. When I open them again, I’m staring at myself in the mirror. My eyes glisten with tears as I take in my reflection—my wedding gown flowing around me like a cascade of dreams. It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen, pure white and delicate, with lace that trails down to the floor. I feel like a princess, like the heroine of a story I once dreamed about but never thought would come true.“Oh my gosh, Megra, you look amazin
MegraIt's been a few days since the fire, since Becca's death. I should feel lighter, like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, but instead, there's a different heaviness inside me. I can't quite name it—grief, guilt, relief, maybe all of them tangled together. I stand in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. Mia is perched on the vanity, watching me with her bright eyes. I meet her gaze in the mirror, offering a small smile, though it doesn’t quite reach my eyes.I pick up a small powder puff and begin to dab it gently against my cheeks. The cool, smooth texture of the powder calms me slightly, a welcome distraction from the storm of emotions swirling inside me. Nathaniel is home now, his health restored, his body healing. I’m grateful for that. The newspapers have been full of stories about his heroics, praising him for his bravery. The police cleared his name after searching Becca’s apartment. They found her journals, her twisted plans. It’s all out in the open now.
MegraThe world around me is blurry, shifting in and out of focus. I blink slowly, trying to clear my vision. The ceiling above me is white, harshly bright against my eyes. I feel heavy, like I'm sinking into the hospital bed beneath me. My head throbs, my body aches, and every breath feels like it takes more effort than the last. I hear a steady beep—machines. I’m in a hospital.I remember flames, smoke, Becca's twisted smile. My chest tightens as I recall Nathaniel rushing into the fire. "Nathaniel?" I croak out, my voice barely a whisper, dry and cracked. Panic surges through me, tightening my throat. I try to sit up, but my body protests. "Nathaniel?"A familiar voice, gentle and soothing, cuts through the fog of my thoughts. "He’s fine, my darling." I turn my head slowly, and there she is—Liza, standing beside me. Her face is calm, but I can see the worry in her eyes.“Liza…” I manage, my voice weak. “Where is he? I have to see him. I have to know he’s okay.”She steps closer, ta
Megra“Nathaniel!” I scream, my voice tearing through the chaos as he bursts into the living room, Andrew right behind him. Smoke fills the air, thick and suffocating, and for a moment, all I can see are their silhouettes moving through the haze. My heart leaps with desperate, wild hope. They’ve come for me. They’ve come to save me.Becca’s laugh slices through the air, sharp and cold. Her eyes, wild with madness, flick from Nathaniel to me, and her lips curl into a sinister smile. “You see?” she snarls, her voice dripping with venom. “Even now, even in the face of danger, they run to you. Everyone runs to you, like moths to a flame. Well, then, they deserve your fate.”I watch, my breath catching in my throat, as she pulls a lighter from her pocket, the small flame flickering in the dim light. Fear claws at my insides. “Becca, no!” I shout, but she’s not listening. Her eyes are fixed on Nathaniel and Andrew, her hand steady as she holds the lighter.“Get back!” Becca screams, her voi
The Story of Becca Megra’s eyes are wide with fear, her lips trembling as she pleads. Her voice is a desperate whisper, filled with a panic that only fuels my resolve. She looks so small, so helpless, chained and bound. “Please, Becca,” she begs, her voice cracking. “Why are you doing this? Why?” I pause for a moment, staring at her. My eyes bore into hers, searching, dissecting. It’s like I’m looking right into her soul, seeing every little thing she’s ever taken from me, every single moment she’s made me feel small, insignificant, unwanted. I want her to feel that pain now to understand what she’s done. “I don’t think you should die just yet,” I say slowly, letting the words hang in the air, “without knowing the whole story.” I grab a wooden chair from the corner, dragging it across the floor with a slow, deliberate scrape that echoes through the room. I’m savouring the moment, relishing the fear in her eyes. I set the chair down in front of her and sit, crossing my legs calmly,
The Story of Becca.I watch as Megra cautiously approaches the front door of her Stockton home, her eyes darting around as if she knows someone is watching her. She’s always been so paranoid, always looking over her shoulder. But today, her vigilance won’t save her. Today, she’s all mine.From my car parked across the street, I can see her every move. My heart races with excitement, my breath quickening as I prepare for what’s to come. I’ve waited so long for this moment, planning every detail. She has no idea what’s waiting for her. She thinks she’s safe here, in her own home. How wrong she is.I smile, a dark, twisted smile. She deserves what’s coming to her. After everything she’s done, after everything she’s taken from me, she deserves this. I glance at the metal rod on the seat next to me, my fingers itching to grab it and feel its weight in my hand. I can’t wait any longer. I need to do this now.“She made me do it,” I whisper to myself, my voice filled with venom. “She made me k
NathanielI squeeze Anna’s hand, feeling the coldness of her skin against my own. Her eyes are glassy with pain and fear, but there’s a spark of clarity in them. Her usual well-maintained red hair in knots. She’s been through hell, but I need answers. "Anna," I say softly, leaning closer, "do you know where Becca took Megra?"She shakes her head, her breath coming in shallow gasps. "No," she whispers, her voice trembling. "I don’t know where she took her. I… I wish I did."I swallow back the frustration rising in my throat. "How did you find out it was Becca?" I press, hoping she has more information, something that could help us.Anna closes her eyes for a moment, as if gathering her strength. "I started having my suspicions after I saw the newspaper article," she begins slowly. "The one calling you an adulterer. Only you, Megra, and I knew about… about the divorce, about all of it. But I told Becca, I confided in her… Nathaniel, I thought she was my friend, but now I am sure she leak
NathanielI rush through the hospital doors, my heart pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat. I have to find out if what happened to Anna has anything to do with Megra's disappearance. I can't shake the feeling that everything is connected—that Megra is in danger, and time is running out."Andrew!" I shout, scanning the crowded hallway, pushing past people as I move further inside. My voice echoes off the sterile walls, blending with the noise of the busy hospital. I see him standing by the nurse's station, his face pale and tight with worry. When he hears me, he turns, and his eyes widen. He rushes over, and I can see the tension in his every step."What the fuck is going on, Nathaniel?" Andrew demands, grabbing my arm, his grip tight, almost bruising. What the hell is happening?""I don't know," I snap, pulling my arm free, my breath coming in ragged bursts. "But that's what I intend to find out." I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Megra got a phone call," I explain