VIVIAN The doctor hesitated, his eyes shifting to Mrs. Anderson, then back to me.“You have Asteron Syndrome.”“What?”The words hit me like a freight train. Asteron Syndrome? The same illness Jack had been fighting for years? The same illness that took Lily’s life?My chest tightened. I couldn’t breathe."No," I whispered, shaking my head. "That can't be true..."But the look on the doctor’s face told me otherwise.“You’ve shown early symptoms,” he continued. “The nosebleeds, dizziness… it all lines up.”I felt the room spin, my body growing weak like the air had been sucked out of me.Asteron Syndrome?It didn’t make sense. It was genetic. Hereditary. I wasn’t related to Jack or Lily.How could this be happening to me?I turned slowly, my eyes locking onto Mrs. Anderson. Her face was as pale as mine, her lips slightly parted in shock.“How?” I asked, barely audible. “How do I have this? You said it was hereditary, right? It runs in the family. So why... why do I have it?”My voice
VIVIAN I slowly stirred awake, my eyelids fluttered open, and I found myself staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. Confusion surged through me as I realized I was lying on a large, plush bed, far softer than anything I’d ever slept on before.Where am I?I blinked a few times, struggling to make sense of my surroundings. The room was elegantly furnished, with a window to my right showing the sky now clear and blue, though I could tell it had rained heavily.Panic flared in my chest as I forced myself to sit up. My muscles ached, and a sharp pain shot through my head, making me wince.Just as I managed to pull myself halfway up, the door creaked open. A familiar figure stepped into the room, his eyes immediately locking onto mine.It was him.The guy from the hospital, back at college.The one who has offered to take me out for lunch, the one whose name I never really caught.His expression softened as he approached the bed. “Hey, take it easy,” he said, his voice so calm and soothing.
JACKI slammed the front door behind me, the sound echoing through the sitting room. My heart raced as I glanced around, looking for any sign of my mother. What the hell was going on?Vivian had only left for a few days to get some checkups, and now everything had descended into chaos.I raced home as soon as I got the call…..my mother’s frantic voice still echoing in my head: Vivian’s missing, and there’s more. She has Asteron Syndrome.Asteron Syndrome. How was that possible? It was a genetic illness, one that I'm still battling with, the same illness that took my sister’s life. But Vivian wasn’t really family by blood. She was adopted. How could she possibly have the same disease?I couldn't wrap my head around it, and the panic in my chest only grew with each passing second. I had to get answers.I stormed through the house, finally finding my mother in her bedroom. She sat at the edge of her bed, her face pale but composed as she stared at a cup of tea."Mother," I snapped, not
JACK I stood there, stunned by Vivian’s response. She wasn’t leaving. She didn’t want to come with me.My mind raced, trying to process the fact that she had chosen to stay with Sebastian, the doctor we barely knew. The thought made my stomach twist with frustration.“Vivian, can we just talk... privately?” I pleaded, my voice softening as I tried to keep the tension in check.She hesitated for a moment before nodding slightly. “Alright.”We stepped into a side room, I could feel the weight of everything pressing down on us as I turned to face her, struggling to find the right words.“I heard,” I started, taking a breath, “about the Asteron Syndrome. I didn’t know... I was shocked.”Vivian’s eyes narrowed slightly. “And now you care? Why, Jack? You didn’t seem all that concerned before.”Her words cut deep, and I couldn’t blame her. She was right. I hadn’t been the most caring or attentive person to her, especially not after everything that had happened. But something inside me had
VIVIAN This week has been hell for me.I’ve cried my eyes out more than I thought was possible, but even the tears feel empty now. I’m exhausted. Tired of crying, tired of everything. And here, I am battling this sickness that could take my life any day. It feels like my body’s betraying me, just like the rest of my life has.I wish I had died back then with my parents in that accident. Because ever since they left me, it’s been nothing but a mess. No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to escape the pain, the confusion, the loneliness. It just keeps piling up, suffocating me.As I walked into the grand entrance of Mrs Anderson's mansion alongside Jack, the weight of everything felt unbearable.“Lily!” Mrs Anderson cried, rushing towards me with her arms outstretched. “ Where have you been? We've been so worried!”I froze. Shot her a side- eye and clenched my jaw. Lily. She called me Lily again. The name stung like a slap on my face. I wasn’t Lily. I would never be Lily.Just as
VIVIAN I knocked on Jack’s door, feeling the coolness of the ice cubes wrapped in a towel against my palm. My heart was still racing from everything that had happened. The slap. The look on Jack’s face. The way he’d pulled me out of that house without a single glance back.When he didn’t answer right away, I nudged the door open and stepped inside. Jack was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring out the window, lost in thought."Your face is red," I said softly, stepping closer. "I brought some ice. Thought you might need it."For a moment, Jack didn’t move. He just kept staring ahead, but then his gaze shifted to me. I half-expected him to tell me to leave, like he always did. But he didn’t.Instead, he nodded, and I moved to sit beside him, gently pressing the cold towel against the red imprint of his father’s hand on his cheek.He winced slightly but didn’t pull away.“You didn’t deserve that,” I said quietly, my gaze fixed on his face. “I’m sorry.”He let out a short breath,
VIVIAN Jack’s hands were gentle as he laid me back on the bed, his touch sending a shiver through my body.My heart pounded in my chest as his fingers brushed my waist, slowly sliding down to the waistband of my jeans.He met my gaze, silently asking for permission, and I gave him a small nod.He unbuttoned my jeans and slid them off in one slow movement, never breaking eye contact. There was something hypnotic about the way he looked at me….like I was the only person in the world.His lips returned to mine, softer this time as his hand traced a slow line down my waist, brushing over my skin until it met the fabric of my panties.I inhaled sharply, trying to catch my breath as his lips kissed my collarbone before moving lower, brushing over my chest.When his mouth reached my nipple, I couldn’t help the gasp that escaped my lips. His tongue drew slow circles around it while his other hand massaged my other breast, the warmth of his lips sending shivers down my spine.His hand then
SEBASTIAN I stood outside my car, my palms sweaty as I waited in front of the address Vivian had sent me. I checked my watch again, my heart thudding in my chest. Tonight had to go perfectly. I had a plan, and I was hoping that everything would play out like I envisioned.I tried to calm my nerves, adjusting my shirt and running a hand through my hair for what felt like the hundredth time.Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the front door opened, and there she was. Walking down the steps, she took my breath away. My heart stuttered, caught in my throat as I stared at her. She was... stunning, more than I'd ever imagined.The long black dress she wore clung to her curves, showcasing an hourglass shape I hadn’t fully noticed before.The color of the dress complimented her skin so well, making her look effortlessly perfect. Her lips….nude lipstick that perfectly matched her complexion were enough to make me forget how to breathe.Vivian didn’t need much makeup.. she never
VIVIAN I took a deep breath as I looked down at my daughter, Callie, standing in front of me, her big blue eyes piercing through mine….Oh she looked just like me. “Mommy, you’re beautiful,” she said with a bright smile, her little hands clutching a bouquet of flowers. “Thank you, sweetheart,” I replied, my heart swelling with love. “You’re the most beautiful flower girl in the whole world.” As I gazed at her, I couldn’t help but marvel at how much she had grown in just three years. It felt like just yesterday that I held her in my arms for the first time, and now she was here, radiant and full of joy, ready to be part of my special day. Taking her hand, I walked slowly toward the church doors. The moment I stepped inside, a hush fell over the guests, and every head turned to face us. I felt like a scene from a movie, the soft light filtering through the stained glass illuminating the path before me. My heart raced as I took it all in, overwhelmed by the love that surroun
THREE YEARS LATER The art gallery buzzed with excitement as guests admired the vibrant paintings, each piece telling a story of passion, struggle, and triumph. The space was beautifully lit, with soft music playing in the background. Clara stood at the front of the room, a warm smile on her face as she addressed the crowd.“Thank you, everyone, for being here tonight,” Clara began, her voice filled with emotion. She paused for a moment, taking in the sight of the people who had come to support her. “This gallery has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and seeing it come to life tonight is nothing short of surreal.”The audience clapped politely, and Clara took a breath, glancing at the art behind her before continuing. “I’ve always believed that art is a reflection of our journey….the ups, the downs, the moments that define who we are. And tonight, I’m honored to share that journey with all of you.”As the applause quieted down, Clara’s expression softened, and h
VIVIANWe barely had time to close the door before Jack's hands were all over me. His lips crashed against mine, hungry, desperate, as he backed me up against the wall, his body pressing firmly into mine. My heart raced, matching the rhythm of his rapid, heated kisses. He pulled my coat off, tossing it aside with a low growl as his fingers traced over my skin, igniting every inch of me.“I’ve been waiting for this all night,” he murmured against my lips, his hands slipping down to the tip of my dress, ready to pull it up.But just as the heat was building between us, Jack’s phone buzzed. He ignored it, not breaking the kiss, his hand already sliding up my thigh. The buzzing continued, persistent, as he groaned in frustration, finally glancing at the screen.“It’s the family lawyer,” he muttered.I stilled, pulling back just enough to catch my breath. “You should probably answer that.”Jack sighed, clearly annoyed, but nodded. He pulled out his phone, pressing the speaker button.
VIVIAN I stared down at Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, their faces pale with shock and fear, the heat from the bathroom still suffocating them as they struggled to breathe. The air felt thick, choking, but I could feel nothing but the cold satisfaction swelling inside me."Do you even know who I am?" I asked.Mrs. Anderson's tear-filled eyes darted to mine, confusion twisting her features. "Wha…What are you talking about?" she stammered.I knelt down, bringing my face closer to hers. "I'm Vivian Thompson," I said slowly, watching as the realization dawned in her eyes. "The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson. The lawyers you murdered years ago... and made it look like an accident."A gasp escaped her lips, her face draining of any remaining color. She turned to her husband, who was equally as stunned, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he struggled to process my words.“No… no, that’s not true!” Mr. Anderson croaked, his voice hoarse from the heat. “We didn’t….”“Don’t lie,” I snapped,
VIVIAN I followed Jack out of the room, my heart beating so fast as we made our way down the hallway to his parents’ bedroom. The weight of my swollen belly slowed me down, but the urgency in Jack’s stride kept me moving."Why would she be calling from inside the house?" Jack muttered under his breath, his brow furrowed in confusion.We reached the door to his parents’ room, but it was silent. Jack pushed it open, revealing an empty space. The bed was neatly made, and everything was in its place, but there was no sign of his parents.“Mom? Dad?” Jack called out, his voice echoing.No answer.I glanced around, a sense of unease crawling up my spine. "Jack… where are they?"Just as Jack was about to speak, we heard a faint voice coming from behind the bathroom door. His mother's voice, weak and strained. “Jack… we’re in here. Help us…”Jack’s eyes darted to me, his expression filled with worry. We moved closer to the bathroom door, and Jack knocked softly. “Mom? What happened? Why
SEBASTIAN I sat on the edge of the couch, my leg bouncing as I kept glancing at the clock. Two minutes late. Not that I was counting…okay, I was, but only because I couldn’t wait to see her. This was, what, our tenth time meeting? And yet, the butterflies in my stomach still showed up every single time.I leaned back, rubbing my palms together. Tonight was the night. I was finally going to ask Clara out….make this official. Vivian had been the one to introduce us, though she still swore it wasn’t a setup. I knew better, though, and I wasn’t complaining. Not one bit.Just then, I heard the door click open. My heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face as I turned toward the sound. I’d given her a key a few days ago, so now she had free access to my place. Too soon? Maybe, but it just felt... right.As she stepped inside, looking as perfect as always, I tried to play it cool, but my grin betrayed me. "Two minutes late," I said, crossing my arms in
VIVIAN As soon as the door to the room clicked shut, I let out a long breath, sinking onto the bed, my swollen belly feeling like it weighed me down more than usual. Jack leaned against the door, his face cracking into a wide grin."Well, that was something," he whispered, his voice low as he walked over to me.I couldn’t help but laugh, the tension we had carried all day finally dissolving in the privacy of our room. "Tell me about it," I replied, shaking my head. "I didn’t know you were such a good actor, pulling out that blood-soaked handkerchief like you were actually dying."Jack smirked, sitting down beside me and brushing a hair from my face. "Me? I wasn’t the one who had tears streaming down my face, convincing everyone I was terrified for my life. You nearly had me convinced."I laughed harder this time, placing a hand on my stomach, feeling the baby shift inside me. "I surprised myself, to be honest. I didn’t know I could turn on the waterworks like that. The trick is to
JACKI stepped out of the car and moved quickly to Vivian's side, offering my hand to help her out. Her belly had grown significantly, and she placed her hand in mine with a soft smile, her baby bump already showing at seven months. She moved slowly, careful with every step, and I held onto her protectively, steadying her as she place her feet on the floor."Easy there," I murmured, squeezing her hand gently.She sighed, resting her free hand on her swollen stomach. "Feels like I'm carrying a whole football team in here."I chuckled, trying to ease the tension I knew we both felt as we stood outside the my parents house. The maids rushed over to take our luggage, bowing respectfully. We nodded at them, though our minds were elsewhere."Welcome back, Master Jack," one of the maids greeted.I barely acknowledged her, my thoughts too focused on what was waiting inside. Vivian and I exchanged a glance, the same unspoken understanding passing between us. We had known this day was comi
Mrs Anderson I leaned back in the armchair, my hands trembling as I reached for the glass of water on the side table. My body ached in ways it never had before, my chest tight, my energy depleted. It was as if my very life was draining away, piece by piece.It had been months since I started feeling this way…months of unexplained fatigue, dizziness, and sharp pains that came out of nowhere. I had tried to convince myself it was nothing, just a sign of aging, but deep down, I knew something was wrong. Something far worse.Business wasn’t going well either. Of all the wealth and assets we had carefully built, only the original four companies remained profitable. Everything else... it was falling apart. Investors pulling out, partners abandoning us, deals crumbling before our eyes.My husband was faring no better. He had become irritable, plagued by constant headaches and chest pains, but like me, he tried to dismiss it, burying himself in what was left of our failing empire. We h