JACKI stood beside the police officer, my mind racing as he tapped on the screen, rewinding the footage.“There,” the officer muttered, pointing at the screen.I leaned in closer, watching as the figure appeared briefly on camera. Dressed in all black, the intruder moved swiftly, and just as we’d feared, his face was hidden behind a mask. The footage barely gave us anything to work with before the screen went black, leaving us staring at a blur of darkness.“The intruder spray-painted the lens,” the officer explained, sighing as he stepped back. “Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing. They disabled the camera before we could get a good look at them.”I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling inside me. “So, you’re telling me there’s nothing we can use?”The officer shook his head. “Not from the cameras. We’re checking the surrounding areas now, but unless the intruder left something behind, it’s going to be tough.”I bit down on the inside of my cheek. "Did they find
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, Jack, and Clara sat in the hospital room, a heavy silence filling the room as they watched Vivian, still unmoving in her hospital bed.Mrs. Anderson, sitting stiffly in her chair, broke the silence. "It’s been three weeks, and still... no change. I just hope she doesn’t...”Her voice faltered before she whispered, "die… especially because of the baby.”Jack’s eyes snapped to his mother, his face hardening as a cold anger bubbled up inside him. He shot her a sharp look. "The baby? That’s what you’re worried about?"Mrs. Anderson turned, surprised by his tone. "Of course, I’m concerned about Vivian too, but you know how delicate this is. Her condition... the baby’s survival…"Jack stood abruptly, his hands clenched into fists by his sides. "No, Mom. You don't get it. She’s not just some vessel for the baby. She’s Vivian. And she’s lying there fighting for her life, and all you can think about is…."Mrs. Anderson’s eyes widened as she quickly rose to her feet, de
JACKClara and I left the hospital room and walked in silence through the hospital corridors, making our way toward the cafeteria.Finally, I broke the silence."Clara," I began, my voice low. "I wanted to apologize for… well, for the last time you were at the house."Clara glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. "You mean when I found out Vivian was pregnant? Or when everything just went to hell afterward?"I winced. "Both," I admitted. "Vivian didn’t tell you because… she knew how much you liked me. She didn’t want to hurt you."Clara sighed, her steps slowing as we neared the cafeteria doors. "I figured that much," she murmured. "And honestly, I’ve had time to think about it. It hurt, yeah, but I’ve gotten over it. What matters right now is that Vivian is okay." She paused, her eyes meeting mine. "I’ve already forgiven both of you, Jack. Holding onto that anger won’t help anyone, least of all Vivian."Her words hit me harder than I expected, and for a moment, I just stood there, proces
JACK A soft tapping on my shoulder pulled me from the darkness. I blinked, my mind still clouded with the nightmare that clung to me. My heart was raced, and my chest ached with the weight of grief that hadn’t yet left me.“Jack?” a voice whispered gently.I slowly lifted my head, my vision clearing as I looked up. Clara stood over me, a wide smile on her face, her eyes shining with something I hadn’t seen in a while.“Clara…?” I mumbled, my voice groggy.Disoriented, I rubbed my eyes, the vivid image of Vivian lying lifeless under that cold, white sheet still burning in my mind. The reality of it clung to me, dragging me down.But Clara didn’t seem concerned with that. She bounced on the balls of her feet, practically bursting with excitement. “Jack! You’ve got to wake up!” she said, her voice bubbling with joy.“What...?” I shook my head, trying to shake off the fog of sleep. “What’s going on?”“She’s awake!” Clara’s words hit me like a bolt of lightning. Before I could proce
SEBASTIAN I stood there, leaning against the edge of my desk, trying to keep my mind from spiraling out of control. Every second felt heavier, knowing what I knew now…about John, about Vivian. I could barely think straight, but I needed to keep calm. For Vivian.The door creaked open, and there he was. John.He entered the room with his usual calm demeanor, a smile tugging at his lips. “Sebastian,” he greeted, nodding toward me as he shut the door behind him. “Have you gone to check on Vivian again?” he said playfully. “I was thinking of checking in on her myself.”I crossed my arms, my eyes never leaving him. “You’re planning to check on her, huh?” I asked coldly.“Planning to finish what you started, right?”John’s smile faltered, his brow furrowing in confusion. “What?” “What are you talking about?”I stepping forward. “You heard me, John. Finish what you started. You’re going to greet her to make sure you did a thorough job, right?”He blinked, clearly thrown off by my words
VIVIAN I sat in front of the mirror, my hands gliding over the soft fabric of my dress.This was supposed to be a happy day, but the whirlwind of everything that had happened kept my thoughts spinning.I picked up the brush from the drawer and slowly began to run it through my hair, staring at the long, brown waves cascading down my shoulders. The brush moved slowly through my hair, and I watched it, as if it could somehow give me the answers I was still searching for.I took a deep breath, grateful. Grateful for surviving, for the life of my unborn child who had miraculously survived, despite everything. I pressed my hand gently against my belly, feeling a sense of awe at the tiny life growing inside me. The thought of losing my child had been unbearable, but here we were. Both of us still here.And now, the nightmare was over. The intruder, the one who had stalked me, invaded my home, poisoned me….John, of all people was finally behind bars, charged with attempted murder.Even
VIVIAN When we reached the doorway, I saw my foster parents standing by the counter, proudly admiring their creation ….a perfectly frosted cake with white icing on top.I grinned, raising an eyebrow. "I had no idea you both had secret baking skills. Let’s just hope it tastes as good as it smells."Mrs. Anderson let out a soft laugh, waving me over. "Why don’t you be the judge of that, dear? Come on, have a taste!"Jack pulled out a chair for me, and I sat down at the table as she carefully sliced a piece of the cake and set it on a small plate in front of me.I picked up the fork, cutting into the soft cake, and took a bite. It practically melted in my mouth, the perfect balance of sweet and buttery.“Mmm…” I smiled, swallowing. “I have to admit, this is really good. I’m impressed.”Mr Anderson chuckled, leaning against the counter with a smug grin. “Well, of course it’s sweet and that’s because of me.”Mrs Anderson rolled her eyes, nudging him playfully. “Oh, please, Richard. All y
JACK I stared at my parents, completely frozen. Their laughter echoed in my ears, but it didn’t make any sense. How could they be laughing? How could they have known?The cake I’d been holding slipped from my hands, landing with on the floor. I barely noticed it as I shot up from my seat, placing my hand on my head, trying to piece it all together.“What... what is going on here?” My voice was shaky, my heart pounding in my chest. “You’re telling me you’ve known all along? Why didn’t you say anything? I... I need you to explain.”My mother's smile softened, and she reached out to calm me. “Jack, darling, sit down, let me explain. It’s not as shocking as you think.”I took a step back, still not understanding. “No, I’m not sitting down. You’re telling me you knew this whole time? You knew Vivian was pregnant with my child, and you didn’t say a word? I... I don’t understand.”My dad still calm and composed, stood up from his seat. “Jack, we did what we thought was best. We knew... w
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