DAVIDThe early morning air feels crisp against my skin as I sit on the patio, laptop balanced on my knees. The garden stretches before me, lush and serene, a stark contrast to the storm brewing in my mind. I’ve been up since dawn, going over my plans. Today, everything has to fall into place.A faint rumble breaks the silence, growing louder until a sleek black Lamborghini pulls into the driveway. Janet steps out, her stilettos clicking against the pavement, exuding confidence as she walks toward me."Nice car," I say, leaning back in my chair, a smirk tugging at my lips. "But it’s Grandpa’s, isn’t it?"She rolls her eyes, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "You don’t have to embarrass me first thing in the morning. And for your information, what’s Grandpa’s is technically mine too.""Really?" I arch a brow, feigning skepticism. "So you’re his favorite now?""Obviously," she says, settling into the chair beside me. Her smug grin tells me she’s enjoying this little victory."Alright
DAVID "Don’t you think we should tell Bella this time?" Janet’s voice cut through the silence, firm but soft, her words laced with concern. "The last time we didn’t, it broke her. She had to leave the house, and honestly, I was terrified we’d lose her for good." Her lips curved into a wistful smile. "I don’t want to miss out on such a beautiful sister-in-law."I leaned back in my chair, her words hitting me like a wave. She was right Bella deserved to know. But the fear clung to me like a shadow. What if she couldn’t handle the truth? What if it shattered her all over again? The thought of losing Bella, even for a moment, tightened my chest."David." Janet’s voice softened now, a gentle nudge pulling me from my thoughts. "We need to tell her. This is about her, and she has a right to know."I exhaled, my fingers hovering over my phone screen before I finally dialed Bella’s number. The familiar tone rang once, then twice, before her warm voice came through."Babe?" she answered."Can
DAVID The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows over the winding road as I drove us back to the mansion. The air inside the car was heavy, weighed down by the unspoken truths that seemed to hang between us. Janet sat beside me, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her knuckles white. She stared out the window, but I knew her mind was far from the passing scenery.“I know what you’re thinking,” I said quietly, glancing at her from the corner of my eye.Her gaze didn’t waver. “Do you?”“You want to tell the world that your father didn’t die by accident,” I replied. “That he was murdered. Just like mine.”Janet turned to me, her eyes wide, her lips trembling with words she couldn’t bring herself to say. I reached over, briefly covering her hand with mine. “We’ll figure it out,” I assured her. “With your drawing of the truck driver and the old newspaper clippings, we’re getting closer to the truth.”Her fingers relaxed under mine, and a faint smile tugged at her lips. “We’
DAVIDThe air in the room was thick with tension, each of us lost in the unspoken questions that hung between us. Bella fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve, her eyes darting toward the drawing on the table. Janet’s hands rested in her lap, clenched tightly enough to turn her knuckles white. I leaned forward, breaking the silence.“Bella,” I said, my voice low but firm, “we need to visit your dad. He might know more about this man.” I tapped the drawing for emphasis, my gaze locked on hers.Her hesitation was brief, but it didn’t go unnoticed. “Maybe later,” she said softly, her words almost drowned out by the ticking of the clock on the wall.I nodded, leaning back in my chair and pulling out my phone. A notification flashed on the screen an unread message from Bella’s father, Western. I swiped it open, and my brow furrowed as I read:I think Mrs. Williams has figured out the truth about Bella’s pendant. Do you think you’re still safe, Father?My jaw tightened. A second message arriv
DAVIDThe air was thick with unspoken questions as we drove to Austin Village. Bella sat beside me, her hands resting on her swollen belly, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery. Janet sat in the back, quiet for once, her arms crossed as if holding in the weight of her own thoughts.The tension was palpable. None of us spoke, but I knew we were all thinking the same thing: finding the truth.When we pulled up in front of Mr. Adams' house, it looked as charming as Bella had described it a modest home with a colorful garden that seemed to pulse with life even in the fading light of day. Bella smiled faintly as she stepped out of the car, her eyes scanning the familiar surroundings."I’ll go get my dad. He’s probably in the garden," she said, her tone light but her steps hesitant.I stood beside her, teasing, “We’ll go together. He’s not just your dad anymore—he’s ours now.”She rolled her eyes, pushing me playfully. “Come on, David. Don’t be clingy. It’s just a short walk, and I’ll be b
DAVID“You can’t just leave us at home and go alone, David,” Janet said, her tone sharp, almost cutting through the heavy silence in the room.I leaned back against the wall, crossing my arms as I faced her. Her jaw was clenched, her brows furrowed in defiance. "I can’t risk you getting hurt," I replied evenly, my voice firm.Janet scoffed, throwing her hands in the air. "We’re talking about my parents here!" she snapped, pacing the length of the room like a caged lion."And we’re also talking about my parents!" Bella chimed in, her voice calm but no less resolute as she stood from the couch, one hand instinctively resting on her rounded belly.I exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of my nose. They were both determined, but my mind was made up. Bella was too far along in her pregnancy, and Janet... she was fierce, but she wasn’t trained for this. Not for him.“You’re both staying here," I said, my tone leaving no room for argument. "I’ll bring him back. Once he’s here, you can ask hi
DAVID The house reeked of stale alcohol, the kind that clung to your nostrils and refused to leave. Broken bottles crunched under my boots as I stepped inside, scanning the dimly lit room. A toppled chair lay near the corner, and a table was split down the middle as if someone had taken an axe to it. The place wasn’t just messy it was chaos frozen in time.But Matthew wasn’t here.I raised my hand, signaling the guards to hold their positions. Something felt wrong. The air had a stillness to it, a suffocating quiet that screamed of a trap. Slowly, we began to back out, each step deliberate, calculated.Then, I heard it."David."The voice came from somewhere in the shadows, low and hoarse, like it had crawled out of a grave. My eyes snapped to the source.Matthew stepped into the light, his grey hair wild and unkempt, his clothes hanging loose like they didn’t belong to him. He swayed slightly, his breath heavy with liquor, but his eyes were sharp, unyielding."I knew you’d come," he
Adam Bella"What do you mean?" I asked, staring at Michael my boyfriend, or at least, the man I thought he was as he blocked me from entering his apartment.His eyes held no remorse, no flicker of the love we had shared for six long years. The man I thought I knew stood before me now, cold and distant.It was as if I were nothing more than an inconvenience, a piece of trash he could toss aside without a second thought."I'm sorry, Bella, but we can't be together anymore. We can just be friends. I'm focused on building my career, and I need a woman of my class. We're no longer in the same caliber.I know you helped me through school, but I can't end up with you. I'm a manager now, aiming for something higher. I can support you with some money."His words cut deeper with each sentence. My chest tightened, my breath quickened. I blinked rapidly, trying to process what he had just said when a woman's voice cut through the fog in my mind.I turned, and there she was Vivan, my colleague. She
DAVID The house reeked of stale alcohol, the kind that clung to your nostrils and refused to leave. Broken bottles crunched under my boots as I stepped inside, scanning the dimly lit room. A toppled chair lay near the corner, and a table was split down the middle as if someone had taken an axe to it. The place wasn’t just messy it was chaos frozen in time.But Matthew wasn’t here.I raised my hand, signaling the guards to hold their positions. Something felt wrong. The air had a stillness to it, a suffocating quiet that screamed of a trap. Slowly, we began to back out, each step deliberate, calculated.Then, I heard it."David."The voice came from somewhere in the shadows, low and hoarse, like it had crawled out of a grave. My eyes snapped to the source.Matthew stepped into the light, his grey hair wild and unkempt, his clothes hanging loose like they didn’t belong to him. He swayed slightly, his breath heavy with liquor, but his eyes were sharp, unyielding."I knew you’d come," he
DAVID“You can’t just leave us at home and go alone, David,” Janet said, her tone sharp, almost cutting through the heavy silence in the room.I leaned back against the wall, crossing my arms as I faced her. Her jaw was clenched, her brows furrowed in defiance. "I can’t risk you getting hurt," I replied evenly, my voice firm.Janet scoffed, throwing her hands in the air. "We’re talking about my parents here!" she snapped, pacing the length of the room like a caged lion."And we’re also talking about my parents!" Bella chimed in, her voice calm but no less resolute as she stood from the couch, one hand instinctively resting on her rounded belly.I exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of my nose. They were both determined, but my mind was made up. Bella was too far along in her pregnancy, and Janet... she was fierce, but she wasn’t trained for this. Not for him.“You’re both staying here," I said, my tone leaving no room for argument. "I’ll bring him back. Once he’s here, you can ask hi
DAVIDThe air was thick with unspoken questions as we drove to Austin Village. Bella sat beside me, her hands resting on her swollen belly, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery. Janet sat in the back, quiet for once, her arms crossed as if holding in the weight of her own thoughts.The tension was palpable. None of us spoke, but I knew we were all thinking the same thing: finding the truth.When we pulled up in front of Mr. Adams' house, it looked as charming as Bella had described it a modest home with a colorful garden that seemed to pulse with life even in the fading light of day. Bella smiled faintly as she stepped out of the car, her eyes scanning the familiar surroundings."I’ll go get my dad. He’s probably in the garden," she said, her tone light but her steps hesitant.I stood beside her, teasing, “We’ll go together. He’s not just your dad anymore—he’s ours now.”She rolled her eyes, pushing me playfully. “Come on, David. Don’t be clingy. It’s just a short walk, and I’ll be b
DAVIDThe air in the room was thick with tension, each of us lost in the unspoken questions that hung between us. Bella fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve, her eyes darting toward the drawing on the table. Janet’s hands rested in her lap, clenched tightly enough to turn her knuckles white. I leaned forward, breaking the silence.“Bella,” I said, my voice low but firm, “we need to visit your dad. He might know more about this man.” I tapped the drawing for emphasis, my gaze locked on hers.Her hesitation was brief, but it didn’t go unnoticed. “Maybe later,” she said softly, her words almost drowned out by the ticking of the clock on the wall.I nodded, leaning back in my chair and pulling out my phone. A notification flashed on the screen an unread message from Bella’s father, Western. I swiped it open, and my brow furrowed as I read:I think Mrs. Williams has figured out the truth about Bella’s pendant. Do you think you’re still safe, Father?My jaw tightened. A second message arriv
DAVID The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows over the winding road as I drove us back to the mansion. The air inside the car was heavy, weighed down by the unspoken truths that seemed to hang between us. Janet sat beside me, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her knuckles white. She stared out the window, but I knew her mind was far from the passing scenery.“I know what you’re thinking,” I said quietly, glancing at her from the corner of my eye.Her gaze didn’t waver. “Do you?”“You want to tell the world that your father didn’t die by accident,” I replied. “That he was murdered. Just like mine.”Janet turned to me, her eyes wide, her lips trembling with words she couldn’t bring herself to say. I reached over, briefly covering her hand with mine. “We’ll figure it out,” I assured her. “With your drawing of the truck driver and the old newspaper clippings, we’re getting closer to the truth.”Her fingers relaxed under mine, and a faint smile tugged at her lips. “We’
DAVID "Don’t you think we should tell Bella this time?" Janet’s voice cut through the silence, firm but soft, her words laced with concern. "The last time we didn’t, it broke her. She had to leave the house, and honestly, I was terrified we’d lose her for good." Her lips curved into a wistful smile. "I don’t want to miss out on such a beautiful sister-in-law."I leaned back in my chair, her words hitting me like a wave. She was right Bella deserved to know. But the fear clung to me like a shadow. What if she couldn’t handle the truth? What if it shattered her all over again? The thought of losing Bella, even for a moment, tightened my chest."David." Janet’s voice softened now, a gentle nudge pulling me from my thoughts. "We need to tell her. This is about her, and she has a right to know."I exhaled, my fingers hovering over my phone screen before I finally dialed Bella’s number. The familiar tone rang once, then twice, before her warm voice came through."Babe?" she answered."Can
DAVIDThe early morning air feels crisp against my skin as I sit on the patio, laptop balanced on my knees. The garden stretches before me, lush and serene, a stark contrast to the storm brewing in my mind. I’ve been up since dawn, going over my plans. Today, everything has to fall into place.A faint rumble breaks the silence, growing louder until a sleek black Lamborghini pulls into the driveway. Janet steps out, her stilettos clicking against the pavement, exuding confidence as she walks toward me."Nice car," I say, leaning back in my chair, a smirk tugging at my lips. "But it’s Grandpa’s, isn’t it?"She rolls her eyes, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "You don’t have to embarrass me first thing in the morning. And for your information, what’s Grandpa’s is technically mine too.""Really?" I arch a brow, feigning skepticism. "So you’re his favorite now?""Obviously," she says, settling into the chair beside me. Her smug grin tells me she’s enjoying this little victory."Alright
DAVIDBella’s expression told me everything I needed to know. She tried to mask it with that soft, disarming smile, but I wasn’t fooled. I’ve lived with her long enough to recognize the storm brewing behind her eyes. She’d promised to let me take the lead, but I knew better. The mystery surrounding her parents and Elowen’s cryptic behavior had already consumed her.And that scared me.Elowen’s father, Mr. Western, wasn’t just dangerous he was lethal. The kind of man who didn’t think twice before crossing moral lines. I couldn’t let Bella step into his world unprepared, not when she was carrying my child.Bella brushed past me, her hand brushing mine as she moved toward the bedroom. “I’m tired, David. I’m going to bed.” Her voice was soft, but I caught the faint edge of exhaustion beneath it.I nodded, forcing a smile. “Okay, babe.” Leaning in, I kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes, and for a fleeting moment, I saw the vulnerability she rarely showed. Watching her retreat down the
BELLAThe sunlight streamed through my curtains, warming my face. I blinked against the brightness, groaning softly. My body felt heavy, the memory of last night a blur. Did I really fall asleep in the car?I sat up, the silky sheets pooling around my waist. My room looked untouched, pristine as always, but the faint scent of David’s cologne lingered in the air. Of course. He must have carried me in just like he carries Jasper when the little boy falls asleep during movie nights. The thought made me smile.A quick glance at the clock wiped the smile off my face. “Crap!” I shot out of bed, grabbing my towel as I rushed into the bathroom.The shower sprayed cold water at first, making me shiver, but I welcomed the jolt. Today was big. A visitor was coming to the office, though my boss hadn’t shared who it was. Not that it mattered. I needed to bring my A-game. Just because David owned the company didn’t mean I could slack off. Nobody except Elowen knew we were together, and I intended t