The morning passed by quickly. I really wish I could go home and take a long nap. But unfortunately, I can’t. Whoever said adult life gives you more freedom. They’re liars. I had barely taken a proper sip of my coffee when my assistant, Mia, knocked lightly on the door of my office. She peeked inside, holding her tablet close to her chest.“Ms, just a quick reminder—you’ve been invited to the Heritage Gala this evening. It's happening at the Grand Atrium Hotel. The car is supposed to be ready by five."I blinked. Right. The Heritage Gala. I had completely forgotten about it."Thank you, Mia. I’ll wrap things up early then."She gave a polite nod before disappearing down the hall.Despite the early chaos, the rest of the day seemed to breeze by. I felt oddly light. I smiled to myself as I grabbed my coat and bag, ready to leave.But as soon as I stepped out of the building and into the parking lot, the sight that greeted me made my stomach sink.My car tires—both on the driver's side
My body tensed slightly, the air growing a little too heavy, and I didn’t know why. Something just didn’t feel right.Cedric turned to me with a glint in his eyes that I couldn’t quite read. I thought this guy was simple, but I guess in this room full of people, the word “simple” wouldn’t sound right after all. “So, Isabella,” he began, his tone light but I could sense he was just pretending. “Are you Hayden’s girlfriend?”The question caught me off guard. My lips parted, but the words didn’t immediately come out.Cedric continued before I could even respond, “You know, my sister and Hayden have a long history.”I blinked at him. “Fiona and Hayden are close?” I asked, trying to steady my voice, even though my chest felt like it was tightening.Cedric chuckled softly, tilted his head, then glanced at Dominic. “Not Dominic, Cassie,” he clarified, enunciating the name clearly. My heart stopped.He turned back to me, still smiling. “I mean, the three of you did have a long history toget
Hayden and I walked in silence toward the parking lot. My hand was still in his, but it felt like there was a glass wall between us.Just as we reached the car, I stopped abruptly, pulling my hand away from his. Hayden immediately turned to me, confusion flashing across his face."Bella? What's wrong?" he asked, his voice low and careful.I didn’t answer right away. I kept my eyes on him, gathering every stray thought running wild in my head. Finally, I found my voice."I’ve been trying to understand everything," I muttered. "You said before that you couldn’t tell me what was bothering you, and I respected that. I really did." I took a step closer to him, needing him to see how much I meant it. "But now... maybe you can at least give me assurance. That what happened inside there—with that Cedric—isn’t something I should be worried about."Hayden’s eyes dropped to the ground. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, looking every bit as tired as I felt."Nothing will happen," he sa
The early morning light slipped through the cracks of the curtains, painting faint gold lines across the bed. I stirred awake, groggily opening my eyes, my body still heavy with sleep. Slowly, I turned to my side and found Hayden beside me, sleeping peacefully, a soft snore escaping his lips.A small, sad smile tugged at my mouth. I brushed a few strands of hair from his forehead and leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss against his temple. He didn’t move, he just let out a deeper sigh before settling again.I slipped out of bed quietly, grabbing my purse and phone before heading out.One of the things Kara had found, one of the things that really got me worried, was that Hayden had regularly visited a mental health clinic years ago. Right after Cassie’s death. The timing wasn’t a coincidence. It couldn’t be. Whether it was guilt, grief, or something worse, I needed to know what demons he was fighting. That’s why I’m going to that clinic to find the details I need. My car rumbled softly
Later that evening, I parked in front of the house and immediately heard chaos bursting from the living room.I opened the door, and a squeal echoed through the space.Hayden was running after Blake, who was waving a sock triumphantly above his head, giggling like a madman. “Give it back, you little thief!” Hayden laughed, nearly tripping over the coffee table.Blake was fast for someone his size, ducking under furniture, tossing pillows to block Hayden’s path. I had to cover my mouth to stifle a laugh.When I travelled my gaze around the room, in the cone row my eyes, I saw two people standing across the room, standing near the doorway were Uncle Nathaniel and Auntie Elena. Elena spotted me instantly, her face lighting up.“Oh, sweetie, there you are!” she chirped, bustling over to me in her high heels as if they were sneakers. “Are you okay? You look rather tired. Is Hayden treating you right? If he’s not, just say the word, and I’ll set him straight!”I laughed as she cupped my fac
I was already running a bit behind schedule when I rushed out of the house, tossing my bag into the passenger seat and starting the car. Today’s meeting wasn’t in the city, but somewhere a little more private. Aleo Country Club, a good thirty-minute drive from here.The roads were quiet the deeper I drove. Fewer cars, fewer houses, just long stretches of trees and grasslands. It wasn’t creepy, not really. Just… serene. I even opened my windows to catch the fresh breeze of the morning air.I was halfway there when the car gave a weird jolt. I frowned and tapped the gas, but nothing. “Uhh…what now?” Another jolt. Then the engine sputtered like it was choking. And then — silence.“Seriously?” I muttered, hitting the steering wheel lightly. I tried the ignition again. It coughed, clicked, then died.“Great, just another one of my bad days.” I pulled over to the side, looking around trying to find someone that could help me. However, there was nothing but empty fields and trees. Not even
In a dimly lit room, a woman's breath was resonating so loudly as she panted for air, seemingly uncomfortable as she arched her back, clawing at the sheets beneath her body, her face and neck red, completely intoxicated, her eyes looking left and right as if searching for something. The door suddenly creaked open, allowing the light from outside to enter. Isabella saw this and her eyes darted in the direction of the door. She saw a figure coming in and her body trembled even more. “What do we have here,” A dark voice penetrates her ears and for some reason, the heaviness she felt in her body subsided upon hearing the man's dark yet alluring voice. “Tsk! It seems Alfred is taking my joke too seriously, actually bringing a woman into my room,” Isabella can feel the mattress shift down as the man sat beside her. The man reeked of alcohol, probably drunk. In the dark, she could see his faint appearance. The light of the moon perfectly casted on the man's face. “Did you purp
Isabella opened her eyes when she felt warmth on her face. The light of the sun casted perfectly in her bare face, creating an enthralling scene that would surely hypnotize men who would see her.Her eyes glowed with a leisure glint in them as she assessed what was happening around her, drowsy from the event that happened last night.She tried to move and get the white blanket off of her but the moment she made the slightest movement, a nerve-wracking pain spread all throughout her body.“What the…” She hissed, touching her buttocks. She gritted her teeth as she placed her feet down the floor.“Where am I, and what happened? Why do I feel like I got run over by a train?” she mumbled to herself, massaging her temples.She got up, still suppressing the pain from her lower body. When she got up, she was about to walk away when she saw in her peripheral vision, the tinge of blood in the white cover of the mattress. “What is this?” Her heart raced, and not a second passed, sh
I was already running a bit behind schedule when I rushed out of the house, tossing my bag into the passenger seat and starting the car. Today’s meeting wasn’t in the city, but somewhere a little more private. Aleo Country Club, a good thirty-minute drive from here.The roads were quiet the deeper I drove. Fewer cars, fewer houses, just long stretches of trees and grasslands. It wasn’t creepy, not really. Just… serene. I even opened my windows to catch the fresh breeze of the morning air.I was halfway there when the car gave a weird jolt. I frowned and tapped the gas, but nothing. “Uhh…what now?” Another jolt. Then the engine sputtered like it was choking. And then — silence.“Seriously?” I muttered, hitting the steering wheel lightly. I tried the ignition again. It coughed, clicked, then died.“Great, just another one of my bad days.” I pulled over to the side, looking around trying to find someone that could help me. However, there was nothing but empty fields and trees. Not even
Later that evening, I parked in front of the house and immediately heard chaos bursting from the living room.I opened the door, and a squeal echoed through the space.Hayden was running after Blake, who was waving a sock triumphantly above his head, giggling like a madman. “Give it back, you little thief!” Hayden laughed, nearly tripping over the coffee table.Blake was fast for someone his size, ducking under furniture, tossing pillows to block Hayden’s path. I had to cover my mouth to stifle a laugh.When I travelled my gaze around the room, in the cone row my eyes, I saw two people standing across the room, standing near the doorway were Uncle Nathaniel and Auntie Elena. Elena spotted me instantly, her face lighting up.“Oh, sweetie, there you are!” she chirped, bustling over to me in her high heels as if they were sneakers. “Are you okay? You look rather tired. Is Hayden treating you right? If he’s not, just say the word, and I’ll set him straight!”I laughed as she cupped my fac
The early morning light slipped through the cracks of the curtains, painting faint gold lines across the bed. I stirred awake, groggily opening my eyes, my body still heavy with sleep. Slowly, I turned to my side and found Hayden beside me, sleeping peacefully, a soft snore escaping his lips.A small, sad smile tugged at my mouth. I brushed a few strands of hair from his forehead and leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss against his temple. He didn’t move, he just let out a deeper sigh before settling again.I slipped out of bed quietly, grabbing my purse and phone before heading out.One of the things Kara had found, one of the things that really got me worried, was that Hayden had regularly visited a mental health clinic years ago. Right after Cassie’s death. The timing wasn’t a coincidence. It couldn’t be. Whether it was guilt, grief, or something worse, I needed to know what demons he was fighting. That’s why I’m going to that clinic to find the details I need. My car rumbled softly
Hayden and I walked in silence toward the parking lot. My hand was still in his, but it felt like there was a glass wall between us.Just as we reached the car, I stopped abruptly, pulling my hand away from his. Hayden immediately turned to me, confusion flashing across his face."Bella? What's wrong?" he asked, his voice low and careful.I didn’t answer right away. I kept my eyes on him, gathering every stray thought running wild in my head. Finally, I found my voice."I’ve been trying to understand everything," I muttered. "You said before that you couldn’t tell me what was bothering you, and I respected that. I really did." I took a step closer to him, needing him to see how much I meant it. "But now... maybe you can at least give me assurance. That what happened inside there—with that Cedric—isn’t something I should be worried about."Hayden’s eyes dropped to the ground. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, looking every bit as tired as I felt."Nothing will happen," he sa
My body tensed slightly, the air growing a little too heavy, and I didn’t know why. Something just didn’t feel right.Cedric turned to me with a glint in his eyes that I couldn’t quite read. I thought this guy was simple, but I guess in this room full of people, the word “simple” wouldn’t sound right after all. “So, Isabella,” he began, his tone light but I could sense he was just pretending. “Are you Hayden’s girlfriend?”The question caught me off guard. My lips parted, but the words didn’t immediately come out.Cedric continued before I could even respond, “You know, my sister and Hayden have a long history.”I blinked at him. “Fiona and Hayden are close?” I asked, trying to steady my voice, even though my chest felt like it was tightening.Cedric chuckled softly, tilted his head, then glanced at Dominic. “Not Dominic, Cassie,” he clarified, enunciating the name clearly. My heart stopped.He turned back to me, still smiling. “I mean, the three of you did have a long history toget
The morning passed by quickly. I really wish I could go home and take a long nap. But unfortunately, I can’t. Whoever said adult life gives you more freedom. They’re liars. I had barely taken a proper sip of my coffee when my assistant, Mia, knocked lightly on the door of my office. She peeked inside, holding her tablet close to her chest.“Ms, just a quick reminder—you’ve been invited to the Heritage Gala this evening. It's happening at the Grand Atrium Hotel. The car is supposed to be ready by five."I blinked. Right. The Heritage Gala. I had completely forgotten about it."Thank you, Mia. I’ll wrap things up early then."She gave a polite nod before disappearing down the hall.Despite the early chaos, the rest of the day seemed to breeze by. I felt oddly light. I smiled to myself as I grabbed my coat and bag, ready to leave.But as soon as I stepped out of the building and into the parking lot, the sight that greeted me made my stomach sink.My car tires—both on the driver's side
It was quiet, almost too quiet, when I finally found the courage to ask.I looked at Hayden, his face slightly turned away, as if avoiding what he knew was coming. My heart felt like it had been wrung out, twisted and bruised from the weight of everything I had learned, everything I had seen, and most of all, everything he had failed to say."Why did you lie to me?" I asked, voice barely above a whisper.Hayden didn’t answer. Not immediately. His jaw tensed. His hands fidgeted at his sides. But his eyes, his eyes couldn’t meet mine.The silence between us wasn’t just silence. It was loud and deafening. It pierced through the walls I had tried to build for myself."Can you really not tell me?" I asked again, softer this time.He turned his head slowly, eyes finally meeting mine. There was pain in them. Pain and conflict. He hesitated, then shook his head.My heart sank, but I nodded. I tried to understand. He must have his reason for not telling me.I stepped forward and cupped his fac
I got home late that night. Way too late.The driveway was empty and quiet, and the porch light was the only thing still on. I stood outside for a moment, staring at the house. It looked the same as always, but I wasn’t. Not after what I saw, not after what I heard.I don’t want to be affected by what’s happening, but I am…and I don’t know how to stop this feeling coursing through my heart. Sigh.I opened the door quietly and stepped inside. The living room was dark, the silence stretching far too deep. I didn’t even bother turning on the lights. My legs moved on their own, carrying me upstairs. I just wanted to see Blake to calm myself down. I pushed open his door slowly trying not make any noise as possible. He was curled up beneath his blankets, his tiny fists tucked under his cheek as his chest rose and fell slowly. I let out a quiet sigh, one that seemed to drag all the weight from my shoulders. I watched him for a few more seconds, just making sure. Then I gently closed the
We roamed the halls like shadows.For a building so guarded on the outside, the inside felt... ordinary. Almost too ordinary. White walls. Polished floors. A faint scent of paper and air freshener. It looked like any high-end office complex you’d find downtown—quiet, professional, boring even. No alarms. No red sirens. No looming sense of dread.Except, maybe, the one hammering in my chest.We moved carefully, glancing around every corner before slipping into rooms. Most of them were unlocked. I half-expected to find people inside, or something, anything, that screamed you shouldn’t be here. But all I saw were shelves stacked with binders, boxes labeled with codes, and desks that were probably neatly cleaned.“This is anticlimactic,” Dominic muttered as he flipped through a folder marked F04-Secondary Entry Logs.“Keep your voice down,” I hissed, scanning another stack of documents that meant nothing to me. Numbers. Charts. Reports that could’ve belonged to any logistics firm in the c