The figure turned around, and I got a clear look at who it was."Oh, Catherine.""Oh, Catherine? You don't sound happy to see your mother-in-law," she huffed, a trace of annoyance in her voice.Did I say that out loud?"I'm just tired. Why are you here?" I began to take my shoes off. "And why does the house smell like an ice cream vending machine?" I tried not to sniff too loudly, but the vanilla scent was overwhelming.She turned back to flipping pancakes. "Oh, the house smelled like a flower garden, which is not much of a fancy scent. Besides, I'm having a friend over, and she likes this scent, so I thought, why not go for a change?"I rolled my eyes. "So... why are you here?""To take care of my son's house. I don't need permission to do that, do I?" She looked back at me with a very condescending smile."No, you don't. Make yourself at home. The maids will give you whatever you need," I said, turning to leave, but stopped halfway when she called my name."Why don't you go move you
I stuffed my dried undies back into their bag and dropped it in the closet. With a sigh, I went back to the door to see if Catherine's visitors were still there. From the top of the stairs, I could see the living room teeming with women who were clearly in no hurry to leave. Resigned, I grabbed my car keys and bag, heading downstairs. As I became visible to the living room, all eyes turned to me. Catherine had a scowl on her face, and the other women just stared blankly.There was no greeting. Why? Because they were friends with the previous Luna. One plus one equals two.I turned to Catherine, whose scowl vanished the moment the women looked at her. “I'm going out, don't wait up.”“You can stay for a late lunch,” she said, getting up and ushering the women to the dining room. “I made mac and cheese, your favorite.”“They're not my favorite, and I'm late to wherever I'm going.” I honestly didn't know where I was going. I had tried to sleep, but the women's loud laughter had made it im
I fumbled for my phone, hands shaking, and dialed the emergency services. My voice trembled as I explained my situation, giving them my location as best as I could."Please, hurry," I urged, my anxiety spiking as I glanced back at the burnt car and people from around staring at it and me. "My car just blew up"The operator assured me help was on the way, and I hung up, trying to steady my breathing. Standing by the side of the road, I felt utterly alone and vulnerable. The deserted stretch of road, with its silence only broken by the occasional rustle of leaves, did nothing to calm my nerves.While waiting for help to arrive, my mind wandered back to the events of the day. Catherine and her friends, the heated confrontation, the nightmare that wouldn't let go—all of it seemed to converge in this moment of crisis. I felt like the universe was testing me, pushing me to my limits.Minutes later, the sound of sirens pierced the air, and I saw the flashing lights of a fire truck and a tow
I didn't know where to turn or who to talk to. Victor wasn't an option, I just couldn't bring myself to tell what has been going on. And the rest of the people I trusted were few and far between, and I didn't want to burden them with my troubles. But the need for connection, for someone to understand, was overwhelming. I felt so alone, adrift in a sea of my own emotions that I couldn't control.Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. I tried to hold them back, but the effort was futile. They spilled over, running down my cheeks in silent streams. That was how close I was to breaking.I needed to put an end to all this, to put the pieces of myself back together. But in that moment, standing by the side of the road, all I could do was cry. I cried for the pain, for the fear, for the exhaustion that had seeped into every fiber of my being. I cried for all my lost and how long I was planning to keep enduring.I didn't have all the answers. I didn't know how I was going to move for
The backyard was beautifully arranged. A large table with chairs around it stood at the center, adorned with a variety of food and drinks. Maids stood discreetly nearby, ready to assist. The setting was picturesque, with twinkling lights hanging from the trees and a gentle breeze adding a touch of freshness to the evening.This was my first time here, and the beauty of the place did help soothe my nerves a bit. Before joining the gathering outside, I had to fulfill a small but important duty. Cecil guided me inside to greet her sick grandmother who was upstairs. We climbed the wooden staircase, and was soon in the room. Her grandmother lay in bed, surrounded by flowers and family photos. Frail appearance and dull eyes. They were older maids in with her and it was quiet in there."Hello, Mrs. Whitmore," I said gently, approaching her bedside while Cecil stood behind me."Luna, it's so nice to finally meet you," She replied, her voice weak but welcoming. "Cecil has told me so much abou
Everybody has a lucky month and June clearly wasn't mine. Literally.After the gathering, I didn’t feel like joining the games everyone else had chosen to play. I was emotionally drained and just wanted to leave early. I waved Cecil goodbye, and also had to swear on everybody's life that it wasn't because of her or what happened earlier. She offered to drive me home but I declined, she was pregnant and she needed her family more than she needed me.After thanking her for inviting me, I walked to out of the building where I had ordered a ride.The cab arrived shortly, and I slid into the back seat, giving the driver an address before settling in. I pulled out my phone and began scrolling through the internet, desperate for a distraction from the turmoil in my mind. Fortunately, there was no mention of my accident on the pack's blog. I knew the uproar it would cause if people got wind of what had happened. The idea that someone might be targeting the Luna would send waves of fear throug
“Where exactly are we going?”“It’s a surprise,” he said, carrying me toward his bedroom. “But first, let’s get you cleaned up. You do look like a mess” He set me down gently on the edge of the bed and went to the bathroom to prepare the shower. I could hear the water running, and the sound was oddly soothing. When he returned, he had a warm, inviting and infectious smile on his face.“Come on, let’s clean you up,” he said, extending his hand.I took his hand and let him lead me to the bathroom. The steam from the hot water filled the room, enveloping us in a cozy warmth. He helped me undress. Once I was under the warm spray, he carefully washed my hair, his fingers massaging my scalp in a way that made me feel both relaxed and I almost fell asleep.As he rinsed out the shampoo, I closed my eyes and let the water wash away the remnants of my tears and the stress of the past few days. For the first time in what felt like forever, I began to feel a sense of calm.After the shower, he w
As we continued driving through the winding path surrounded by trees, I noticed the scenery starting to open up. We emerged from the dense woods onto a wide expanse that looked like a private airfield. I blinked in surprise, taking in the sight of a sleek private plane parked on the tarmac.The driver turned the car toward the airfield.Victor asked with a smile playing on his lips as he glanced at me. "Surprised?"I nodded, still processing the sight. "Definitely. This is your surprise?"He chuckled. "Part of it. We have a bit of traveling to do."The driver pulled the car to a stop near the plane and got out, coming around to open my door. As I stepped out, the cool night air hit me, and I shivered slightly. Victor immediately took off his coat and draped it around my shoulders, enveloping me in warmth and the faint scent of his cologne."Thank you," I murmured He smiled and took my hand, guiding me toward the plane. "Come on."I looked around the wide space, I almost screamed. It
Leo’s POVShock couldn’t even describe how I felt when Michael and Greg were in the same room as us. It was hard not to show my displeasure as I watched them sit eagerly, rubbing their palms at the delicacy presented to them. While Michael was just interested in whatever this was, Greg cast furtive glances at me, but I paid him no attention.The least he could have done was to have informed me beforehand that my best friend had offered him an invitation to have dinner at the house. I could have told him to decline. If he had, Michael would have done the same, and I wouldn’t have had to watch Lila so uncomfortable.She squirmed in her seat, not looking up from the table. Her plate was empty, as she had yet to take what she wanted. But she had already been accosted, so I doubted she was interested in whatever was in those dishes.“This is amazing,” Michael gushed like a child who had just been handed his favorite candy. “I’m sitting in the same room as Leo and Armani. I can’t wait to te
Ana stepped into the pharmacy on her way to Victor's, with a sense of urgency. She made her way to the counter, her eyes scanning the shelves until she found what she was looking for. Birth control pills. She grabbed a pack, paid for it quickly, and left the store, her mind already focused on the night ahead. Hoping no one's attention was in her.Once outside, she took a deep breath and fished the packet out of her bag. She popped a pill into her mouth and swallowed it dry, anticipating her arrival at the mansion. She could feel the excitement building, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she imagined what was to come.Arriving at the house, she let herself in with the spare key he had given her. The house was quiet, save for the soft hum of voices coming from the dining room. She walked in and found him sitting at the dining table, engrossed in a live Zoom call. His laptop was open in front of him, and two businessmen were visible on the screen, discussing some important matte
After getting the things he needed at the store, Carlos' uncle, Frances decided not to drive straight home if maybe not. Instead, he took a detour to a dimly lit tea shop. He parked in front and walked on foot to a bar a bit farther away. It might be calculated move on his part, a way to throw off anyone who might be following him.Entering the bar, he found a secluded corner and settled in, ordering a few less alcoholic drinks. He knew he needed to stay awake, and nit get drunk. As he sipped his drink, he kept an eye on the door, waiting for his contact to show up. He was told this bar sold cookies, and despite the unusual setting, he couldn't resist ordering some.An hour passed, and there was still no sign of his contact. He ordered another drink, more out of a need to maintain his cover than a desire for alcohol. The bar was a typical dive, with dim lighting and the smell of stale beer hanging in the air. He tried to stay calm, but the wait was beginning to get to him.After wait
Ana spent the rest of her morning and early afternoon in blissful solitude. She played games on her phone, The hours slipped by unnoticed, and soon she felt the heavy pull of sleep. Without bothering to change, she curled up on her bed and napped.When she woke up, it was late afternoon. The house was quieter now, the bustle of the morning's chaos having subsided. She stretched and took a moment to reorient herself, then decided it was time to freshen up and shake off the remnants of sleep. She wanted to make the most of her remaining free time before the annual packs' meeting.She dressed up in a casual chiffon dress, applied a little makeup, grabbed her bag and left her room, moving quietly through the house. She tried her best to avoid any lingering annoying family members, not wanting to risk another confrontation or forced interaction, or even an insult regarding her choice not to get pregnant. As she stepped outside, the cool afternoon air greeted her. Smelt like summer was just
The girl jumped, her face paling as she stammered an apology and quickly scurried away. Ana watched her go, irritation still simmering. She put in her key, twisted until she heard a click and then shd pushed the door open, entering her sanctuary. She took a moment to breathe, willing herself to calm down. The last thing she needed was to let anyone down there see her rattled.She freshened up quickly, splashing cold water on her face and running a brush through her hair. She changed into something more presentable, even though the effort felt wasted. These breakfasts were always the same—forced smiles and shallow conversations, or just them plainly trying to piss her off Descending the stairs. Damon was seated at the head of the table, with Catherine by the left, there was someone else by the right and he gestured the lady to move when he saw me approaching.Well, let's just not start on the part where he just acted nice and weird, like he's been doing lately.Victor, predictably, wa
The next morning, Ana lounged in the living room, munching on popcorn while Zara massaged her feet. She watched as Catherine, always the attention-seeker, prepared an extravagant breakfast. As usual, Catherine had invited almost the entire Pierce family for a feast without bothering to inform anyone beforehand. It was such a Catherine thing to do—spontaneous, inconsiderate, and utterly exhausting for everyone else involved.The kitchen was a chaotic mess of clattering pots and pans, the smell of cooking food thick in the air. Selene and the other maids bustled around, trying to keep up with her relentless pace. Ana watched them with detached amusement, knowing full well that any call for help from Catherine would be met with thinly veiled disdain.Catherine, in her own world, directed the maids with sharp commands, her voice carrying over the noise. Ana knew better than to engage. She had learned long ago that nothing she did would ever be good enough for Catherine, and she had stoppe
In the dimly lit warehouse, the men lounged around, a sense of nonchalance hanging in the air. The men were taking a break from their gruesome duties, their faces reflecting a mix of boredom and tiredness and maybe a bit sleepines. The smell of sweat, smoke, and faint hints of blood filled the room."Hey, you got another one of those?" one of the men asked, nodding toward a cigarette as he sprawled on a worn-out couch."Sure," another replied, tossing him a pack. "We're gonna need something stronger if we have to go back to work soon.""Tell me about it," the first man muttered, lighting his cigarette and taking a deep drag. He exhaled slowly, the smoke curling up towards the ceiling. "I’m tired of babysitting that old woman. shouldn't we just clear her. I wonder why she's here.""Seriously man, but orders are orders," the second man shrugged, leaning back and closing his eyes. "Besides, we’ve got that other guy to keep things interesting."In the corner of the warehouse, their other
Ana woke up early the next morning, the soft morning light filtering through her bedroom window, she was driven home last night after dinner by Jules under Victor's order since he refused to let her hail a taxi. She stretched, shaking off the remnants of sleep. Today was the day she would prepare for the annual packs' meeting, an event that required her to be both presentable and versatile. The meeting was a significant occasion, filled with formal discussions and various activities, and she needed to look her best, but to beat the gossips and also build her confidence.As she dressed after freshening up, her thoughts turned to her wardrobe. Many of her clothes seemed dull and uninspired, and so was the ones she bought earlier for the meeting. She decided it was time to update her collection. Grabbing her phone, she made a quick list of the essentials she needed: a few new dresses, some casual outfits, and accessories to match. She also noted that she might need a couple of versatile
Lucas stood up, pondering her words. He exchanged a glance with the leader of the men, who gave a slight nod."You did the right thing by telling us, Maria," Lucas said. "We'll make sure your grandchildren are safe. But you need to understand that if I find out you lied, your grandkids wouldn't be safe in my hands either"She nodded vehemently, tears streaming down her face. "I swear, everything I just told you is the truth. Please, just protect them. They’re all I have left."He gave her a small, almost pitying smile, that to a normal eye would look a bit forced. "Very well then. We'll do our best. Remember, Maria, trust is a fragile thing. Don't give us a reason to break it.""I promise, I'm not lying"As they left her alone in the warehouse, her heart sank into a deep pit of despair, her mind racing with thoughts of her grandchildren. Outside, Lucas walked briskly to his car, which was parked just outside the warehouse. He climbed into the driver's seat, leaving the door open for a