NathanielI’m staring into my glass, watching the amber liquid swirl, when Liza's voice cuts through the fog in my mind. “Nathaniel, why have you been drinking and partying like this?” Her tone is sharp, but I can hear the underlying concern.I look up at her. “What’s the point, Liza? I’ve lost everything. What does it matter if I let loose a bit?”Liza’s eyes harden. “You’re the head of the Welsh family, or at least you were Nathaniel. I raised you better than this. You have responsibilities.”The words hit me like a slap. She’s right, of course. I’ve been running from my duties, pretending to drown my guilt and fear in alcohol. But facing it feels like staring into an abyss. So much is going on, and I have nobody to confide in. I cannot risk putting Liza in danger, and for my plan to work, I need to look helpless.Before I can respond, Liza’s phone rings. She glances at the screen and frowns. “It’s Conor,” she says, excusing herself and stepping away to answer. “Hello? What’s happen
NathanielI feel the weight of my guilt pressing down on me. Not telling anyone about the stalker, keeping it all to myself—it was a mistake. I can see the anger in Conor’s eyes as we face each other in the living room. The tension in the air is palpable, almost suffocating. Megra sits on the couch, her face pale and drawn, her eyes flicking between Conor and me. Liza stands near the table, her expression a mix of concern and frustration.“How could you not tell us about the stalker?” Conor’s voice is loud, bordering on a shout. The veins in his neck are bulging, and his fists clenched at his sides. “You put Megra’s life in danger!”I try to keep my voice steady, reminding myself that tonight was not about me but the guilt and anger churn within me. “It’s more complicated than you think. None of you know the whole story.”“Complicated? That’s your excuse?” Conor’s eyes blaze with fury. “You were aware of the situation, Nathaniel. You have no right to keep secrets that affect Megra’s sa
MegraI sit there in shock, trying to process everything Nathaniel just revealed. The guilt in his eyes, the way he’s judged by everyone in the room—it hits me hard. Nathaniel’s been going through all of this alone, and now we know he’s been trying to protect me, even if it means keeping secrets. My emotions are a tangled mess of confusion, anger, and aching sadness.Liza and I sit at the table, examining the photos and trying to piece together the timeline. The images blur as tears sting my eyes, but I blink them away, focusing on the task at hand. The first photo catches my attention—a grainy shot of me, drunk in the little black dress from the night I met Nathaniel.“Nathaniel, come here,” I call out, my voice trembling.He walks over, looking at the photo with me. Our eyes meet, and a peculiar realisation dawns on us both.“This can’t be right,” I whisper, my heart pounding.Conor joins us, his expression curious. “What can’t be right?”“There’s no way the stalker would have known
MegraThe countryside rolls by in a blur of green, the trees waving like old friends as we drive along the smooth road. Nostalgia hits me hard as I sit in Nathaniel’s car, memories flooding back from the first time we drove to his family's countryside home. The first time, he made his feelings for me evident.The peace of the green plains and the serenity of the open fields offer a stark contrast to the chaos my life has become. My thoughts drift back to that first drive and the excitement and nervousness I felt. I remember how Nathaniel and I talked about everything and nothing, our laughter filling the car. The way he glanced at me, his eyes were soft and full of promise. I also remember how frightened I was. It was the first time I thought I was being followed.The rhythmic motion of the car and the familiar landscape start to soothe me. But then Nathaniel’s voice breaks through my thoughts.“Do you think Conor is okay with you taking my help?” he asks, his eyes briefly meeting min
Megra"Hello, Megra, I know it's you. Cat got your tongue?" Anna's voice pierces through the silence, chilling me to the bone. The coldness in her tone sends a shiver down my spine. I can feel the smile on her face. I can feel her satisfaction as she hurls her insults. I grip my phone tighter, struggling to find the words to explain why I called Nathaniel so late. How do I explain myself to her?"Why are you calling Nathaniel, you little bitch?" Anna's voice is sharp and accusing. "Why are you calling him at all?"A wave of guilt and shame washes over me. "I..." I start, but Anna cuts me off."Haven't you given up yet, Megra? Haven't you realised that you've already lost him?" Her words are like knives, cutting deep. "Our baby will be here soon. So please stop playing the innocent, defenceless girl. Nathaniel sees right through you, and so do I. You need to stay away from him."I hear Nathaniel's voice in the background, angry and demanding. "Anna, what the fuck are you doing with my
MegraLiza and I are packing our bags, the weight of everything that has happened is pressing down on me. The room is a mess of clothes and essentials hastily thrown into suitcases. I feel like I'm suffocating, each breath heavy with fear and uncertainty.Liza glances at me, her eyes filled with worry. "What are we going to do, Megra? The stalker seems to be following us everywhere."I shake my head, my mind racing. "I don't know, Liza. I just don't know."Conor walks in, his expression grim. "Megra, I need to talk to you in private."I feel a knot tighten in my stomach. "Liza, can you give us a minute?"She nods reluctantly and leaves the room, casting a worried glance back at me.Conor walks towards me, taking my hand gently. "Megra, you're not safe here. It's clear that Nathaniel can't keep you safe. Even if he wants to, the stalker seems to be focused on both you and him."I pull my hand away, anger bubbling up inside me. "It's not about Nathaniel, and it's not his fault. He wasn'
NathanielI grip the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turn white. The engine roars beneath me as I speed down the winding country road, the headlights cutting through the darkness. My heart pounds in my chest, a relentless drumbeat matching the intensity of my thoughts. Every twist and turn of the road feels like a twist in my gut, and I struggle to keep my emotions in check. Beside me, Liza sits quietly, her eyes darting nervously between me and the road.I break the silence, my voice tight with urgency. "Did you see anyone when the car was set on fire?"Liza shakes her head, her voice trembling slightly. "No, we were asleep. Conor was the one who woke us up. He was shouting for us to get out of bed. By the time we got downstairs, everything was already in flames."A cold sweat breaks out on my forehead. "And Megra? Is she okay?" The question feels heavy on my tongue, loaded with fear and concern.Liza hesitates, her eyes reflecting the dim light from the dashboard. "She wa
MegraThe noise of the plane’s engines fades into the background as I sit, staring blankly out the window at the endless expanse of sky. My mind keeps circling back to the letter I wrote to Liza, replaying the words over and over. Guilt twists in my stomach, a constant, gnawing presence. I imagine her reading it, the confusion and betrayal she must have felt.The look on her face haunts me, even though I wasn’t there to see it. My heart aches as I think of Nathaniel, wondering what he must be thinking. The anger, the disbelief—especially after he promised to fix things and be with me. The baby kicks, a gentle reminder that this decision isn’t just about me. Every time I think of Nathaniel, the kicks seem to come, as if the baby is responding to my turmoil.I can’t shake the uneasiness that settles over me whenever Conor is around. The only reason I agreed to leave with him was for the sake of my child, to protect this little life growing inside me. But being around Conor feels... wron
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