BELLA“Gosh, I need to get this guy out of my head,” I muttered, half to myself, half to my friends as I scanned their faces for ideas.Dorcas raised a brow. “How about Painful Regret?”Before I could answer, Debby jumped in, leaning forward with a gleam in her eye. “No, let’s make it punchier. Something like Revenge on My Husband.”I nodded slowly. “Okay… I like where we’re going, but I still feel like we’re missing something.”Elowen, usually quiet, finally spoke up. “Why not My Lover Next Door?”“Wow,” I breathed, surprised by how creative they were. “You guys are brilliant. Alright, here’s what we’ll do: each of us will brainstorm our ideas. We’ll outline the plot, build out the characters, write some dialogue. Then we’ll share our progress in the group chat.”Debby raised her hand with a grin. “Where are we setting this?”“Los Angeles,” I decided, feeling a spark of excitement. “We’re going to make this script unforgettable.”Over the next two weeks, I barely slept. My mind buzze
DAVIDThis is crossing a line. I know how hard Bella has been working putting in late nights and doing everything possible to make sure she wins. Her presentation was impressive, but if I just hand her the win, people will start putting two and two together.I text her, lifting my chin slightly to catch her attention. The second she glances at her phone, a small smile curves on her lips. That’s my girl, I think, barely hiding my own grin. Bella didn’t even need her original work to knock this out of the park that’s what I call boss moves.BELLAAs soon as I feel my phone buzz, I glance down. A message from David reads, You’ve got this. You can present this without a hitch. I believe in you.The words sink in. No one’s ever really believed in me except Dad and Elowen. And now there’s David, practically a stranger, telling me he’s got my back.Then it hits me. Vivian. This is her doing. I swear, she’s not going to get away with this. I’m still fuming when David strides to the front of t
DAVID“How dare you?” My voice cut through the silence as I caught sight of Bella, swaying slightly as she stood at the entrance to the third-floor corridor. I had warned her more than once. Why couldn’t she listen?I reached out, my hand circling her wrist with a controlled but firm grip. Her eyes met mine with a hazy defiance, lips curving slightly upward as though she found the situation amusing. "What are you doing here?" I demanded, my voice a sharp whisper. "I told you to stay away."Her gaze wavered, catching the dim light in the hallway as she tried to pull back. "You don’t get to tell me what I know," she muttered, a faint slur in her words as she stumbled again, nearly falling before I steadied her. Strands of her hair framed her flushed face, and she smirked, her eyes slightly glazed."You’ve been drinking." I spoke it as a fact, a simmering annoyance tightening my grip momentarily."I… didn’t drink," she mumbled, though her words betrayed her. She looked down, and for a se
BELLA I waited, tense and watchful, glancing out the window as if I could make David leave faster. Breakfast was quiet. Jasper, my little “popcorn,” sat nibbling his toast. He looked up as I entered, and his soft face crinkled into a frown.“What’s the matter, sweetheart?” I asked, a gentle smile on my lips.“I waited for you yesterday, but you never came home.” His voice was small, yet hurt, piercing me with guilt.“I’m so sorry, my popcorn. I was... working late.” The lie tasted bitter. “But why were you waiting for me?”He blinked, glancing down at his plate. “I wanted you to read me a story,” he whispered.My chest tightened. “I promise I’ll make it up to you tonight,” I said, pressing a tender kiss to his forehead.Then I caught sight of David at the table, stoic and focused on his food. I didn’t want him here, clouding the morning. “Aren’t you heading to work?” I asked, my voice trying to sound casual.He paused mid-bite, lifting his gaze, his eyes sharp as glass. “And why do y
BELLA The last thing I remember was Jasper’s desperate voice cutting through the haze: “Dad, don’t hurt her!” I know I wasn’t supposed to go to the third floor, but my curiosity had overpowered me, and now I’m paying for it. When I open my eyes, I’m back in my room, head pounding. The room blurs before me, and then I hear a frantic voice nearby. “She’s awake!” Julie, one of the maids, exclaims as she rushes to my side. Her eyes are wide, taking in my every feature with worry. “Are you okay?” Her voice trembles with genuine concern, something I’m not used to. I touch my forehead, wincing at the dull ache. “I… I think so,” I murmur, though the memory is cloudy. “You’ve been out for three days,” she says, her voice a mix of relief and lingering fear. “We were all so worried, especially Jasper. He refused to leave your side.” Three days? My mind stumbles over the words. “Three days?” I try to push myself up, but my body feels heavy, unsteady. “I... I need to work…” Julie gently pres
BELLA I tried to hide the tears in my eyes as the door creaked open, and Jasper rushed in, his small frame full of relief and worry.“You’re awake!” His voice was almost a whisper, but his excitement was unmistakable as he climbed onto the bed. Before I could say a word, his hands cupped my cheeks, tilting my face toward him. “Why are you crying?” he asked, his eyes searching mine, the concern there so intense it caught me off guard.I forced a smile, rubbing my eyes. “I’m not crying, silly. It’s just… water. Sometimes it happens.”He didn’t look convinced, and I could feel him watching me even as I looked away. “I thought you were at your grandfather’s house,” I said, hoping to shift his attention.“I was, but when I heard you were awake, I told Grandpa I didn’t want to fish anymore. I had to come see you.” His words were so simple, yet they struck something deep inside me.I tried to tease, masking the tightness in my throat. “Oh, so you missed me?” I tickled his sides, and he brok
BELLA"Can you take us to the park?" I told the taxi driver, feeling Jasper's little hands clutch onto me like I was his life raft. I glanced down at him, suppressing a smile at how tightly he was holding on.“Is this your first time taking a taxi?” I asked, amused by his grip.His wide eyes glanced up at me. “Yes, it’s my first time,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. He wasn’t letting go for anything.I couldn’t help but smile. David Copperfield’s only child, riding in a taxi. If only the world knew. I gently lifted him onto my lap, making sure he felt safe, his small hands never loosening their hold on me.As we arrived at the park, the sight hit me immediately. Families everywhere, kids squealing in laughter, running from swings to slides with boundless energy. Jasper's eyes lit up like I’d never seen before."There are so many kids here!" he squealed, bouncing in my lap.“Yep, lots of kids,” I chuckled, taking in his excitement. His gaze darted from one group to anoth
BELLA My heart hammered as I cradled Jasper on my lap, his little head already drooping with exhaustion. Had I really seen her? That smirk… the chill it sent through me still lingered. Lizzy. Here. I glanced out the window, as if I’d spot her lurking in the shadows. I just needed to get home, to feel safe, to call Elowen and unravel this dread coiling inside me. She’s the only one I can talk to. As soon as we stepped inside, I saw David. Normally, his presence threw me off, made me feel… watched, almost. But now? My focus was on Jasper. Without a word, I let him go as he dashed to David, throwing his arms around his father’s legs. I barely glanced their way as I slipped upstairs, my hands shaking as I grabbed my phone and dialed Elowen’s number. "Babe, what’s up?" Her voice was a balm of familiarity, though her tone held a tinge of worry. "I’ve been trying to reach you! Your number wasn’t going through. I was about to storm your house, but, you know… your husband.” “Elowen, i
BELLA The room felt suffocating, the weight of unspoken questions pressing against my chest. I stepped out into the garden, the cool evening air offering little relief from the storm inside me. The golden hues of the setting sun bathed the garden in a warm glow, but my thoughts were far from calm. From a distance, Jasper’s laughter rippled through the air, light and carefree. He crouched beside a patch of marigolds, meticulously arranging his toy trucks in neat rows. His small hands moved with focus, his head tilted in concentration—a gesture so achingly familiar, it stole my breath. I leaned against the gazebo, folding my arms as I studied him. Every feature mirrored my own: the same thick, wavy hair and almond-shaped eyes that seemed to hold the world within them. It was like looking into a reflection of my childhood. My chest tightened. Could it really be true? Could he be my son? I swallowed the thought before it could take root. No assumptions, not yet. Pulling my phon
DAVIDBella’s hand slipped into mine, her fingers warm, steady, like a silent anchor in the storm of my thoughts. I could feel her watching me, the way her breath held just a little tighter, as if she were waiting for me to reveal something important, something heavy. Her gaze was soft, patient, but her eyes those eyes were filled with questions. I had to tell her now, before the silence swallowed us whole.“I need to tell you something,” I began, my voice rough, like I hadn’t used it in years. I pulled in a shaky breath, trying to steady my nerves. “You know I’m Jasper’s biological father, right?”She didn’t flinch, didn’t pull her hand away. Instead, she just looked at me, her brow furrowed slightly as if processing my words. Her lips parted, and I could see the wheels turning behind her eyes. “Yes, I know,” she said quietly, her voice betraying none of the surprise I felt. “Nobody knows except... well, except you. You’ve kept that part of your life a secret.”I swallowed, nodding,
DAVID “Who could that be?” I muttered, lowering Bella gently onto the bed. She curled into the sheets, her hair spilling over the pillow, her flushed face glowing with post-kiss warmth. My gut tightened, unease bubbling as I strode to the door.When I swung it open, Mrs. Williams stood there, her perfectly sculpted smile greeting me like a storm waiting to erupt. Her gaze flicked downward for a split second, and a mischievous glint lit her eyes. I didn’t have to look down to know what she’d seen.“Hope I’m not interrupting anything,” she said, her voice layered with mock innocence.Heat crept up my neck as I grabbed Bella’s pillow and shifted it in front of me. Her laugh was light but deliberate, like a dagger teasing its target.“Come in,” I said, stepping aside and silently cursing the timing.Bella appeared from the bed, her eyes widening in surprise as she rushed forward.“Mom!” she said, her tone a mix of joy and confusion.Mrs. Williams enveloped her in an embrace, smoothing do
DAVIDThe shrill wail of police sirens cut through the dawn, jolting me from my restless sleep. Groaning, I pushed the heavy duvet aside and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. A knock sounded at the door just as I raked a hand through my disheveled hair.“Come in,” I said, voice hoarse from sleep.The door creaked open, revealing one of the maids. She stood in the doorway, her hands clasped nervously in front of her.“Sir, the police are here. And, um… there are reporters outside too,” she said, her voice trembling slightly.Reporters? My brows furrowed as I processed her words. I remembered calling the police last night to pick up Western and Peter, but reporters weren’t part of the plan. Unless…“Alright, I’ll be down in a minute,” I told her. She bowed and slipped out quietly.Reaching for my phone on the nightstand, I dialed the chief of police. He picked up on the first ring.“We’re at the gate,” he said briskly, his voice almost drowned out by the background chatter.“How d
DAVID“You see,” Peter said, his grin widening, his voice dripping with venom, “sometimes the monsters aren’t hiding under your bed. They’re sitting at the dinner table.”Elowen’s face froze, her breath catching in her throat. She looked at Peter, then at her father, who had shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Western’s usual air of defiance was nowhere to be seen; his gaze was fixed on the cold cement floor, his shoulders slumped like a man carrying the weight of his sins.Peter’s voice turned colder, sharper. “Where do I even begin? Should I start from before you were born, Elowen? Do you even know who your father really is? He kidnapped your biological mother. She never left his side never had the chance to because he made sure of it until the day she died.”Elowen stepped back as if Peter’s words were blows, her trembling hand pressed against her mouth. “What are you talking about?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.Peter smirked, his eyes glinting with satisfaction as he g
DAVIDThe sound of gravel crunching beneath the car tires faded as I stepped out into the cool night air. My guards hauled Western out of the vehicle, his body slumped but still exuding defiance. Shadows danced across his bruised face under the pale glow of the outdoor lights. Without a word, they dragged him toward the basement door, the sharp clink of their boots echoing against the stone walls.I turned to the maids waiting by the entrance. “Take Mrs. Williams to a guest room,” I instructed, my voice calm but firm.Before they could move, her soft voice interrupted. “Can I see Sofia before I sleep?”Her words tugged at something deep within me. Sofia. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to hearing Bella called that, even if it was her given name. I managed a smile, masking my unease.“I’ll bring her to your room,” I promised gently.She gave a small nod, her face weary yet hopeful, and followed the maids inside.Beside me, Janet shifted her weight impatiently. Her silence didn’t fool m
DAVID“If that’s the case, wait by the car. I’ll join you shortly,” I said, waving Janet and Elowen toward the door. Their hesitant footsteps faded down the hallway as I leaned back in my chair and exhaled deeply.Picking up my phone, I dialed John, my head of security.“I need you in my office. Now,” I said, my voice sharp.“Yes, sir,” came his immediate reply.Minutes later, a brisk knock echoed through the room.“Come in,” I called, standing as the door opened to reveal John. He stepped inside and gave a small bow, his expression calm but alert.“I need fifteen of our best men,” I said, walking toward him. “Make sure they’re trained to handle weapons. Bring the finest gear we’ve got bulletproof vests, high-grade firearms, everything. And prepare four bulletproof cars. We’re moving out soon.”John nodded, his posture rigid. “Anything else, sir?”“Yes,” I said, my tone grim. “This mission isn’t a negotiation. If anyone gets in our way, take them down.”“Understood,” he said, and with
DAVIDThe moment I slid into the driver’s seat, frustration bubbled over. My fists slammed into the steering wheel, and I let out a guttural scream that echoed in the enclosed space. This wasn’t supposed to happen. This wasn’t the plan. Everything was crumbling, and Bella God, what would I tell Bella?The car door creaked as Janet leaned forward from the back seat, her touch soft but questioning.“What happened? Where is Mrs. Williams?” Her voice trembled with urgency.I clenched the wheel tighter, the leather groaning under my grip. The memory of the scene played over in my mind like a haunting reel. If only I had forced Mrs. Williams into the car earlier made her stay with Janet this wouldn’t have happened.“Western took her,” I finally spat out, each word like venom on my tongue.“What?” Her voice cracked, her face paling as her eyes searched mine for answers. “How is that even possible?”“There’s no time for explanations,” I said, my voice sharper than intended. “I need a solution
DAVIDThe room was eerily silent, the kind of silence that pressed against your chest. Bella sat curled on the couch, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. Mrs. Williams stood by the window, her arms crossed as she gazed out into the evening light, her expression unreadable. I leaned back in my armchair, fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest. My patience was running thin, but I wasn’t about to show it.The sound of soft footsteps approached the door, and then one of my maids appeared. She bowed slightly before speaking.“Sir, there is a lady here. She claims to be ma’am’s friend,” she said, her voice measured but tinged with curiosity.A smirk tugged at my lips. So, Elowen finally decided to show up.“What’s her name?” I asked, sitting forward, my gaze sharp.“She said her name is Elowen. Should I let her in?”“Bring her in,” I commanded.The maid disappeared, and moments later, she returned with Elowen in tow. Her face, a canvas of shock and confusion, made it clear she hadn