Mason"Right for who?" The words fell from my lips like venom. My breath came heavy as I exhaustion creeped in. Every pulse of my heart fueling my fury. "I was in a coma, Dad! I couldn't defend myself! I couldn't even vote on this!"As my father stammered a helpless protest, I turned my back to him, marching out of the waiting area, past the nurses, and into the sterile corridor. The walls felt like they were closing in on me. The air thickened with this weight I had never felt before, igniting a desperation to reclaim what was lost.And then there was her, the orchestrator of chaos, the source of my pain."Where is she?" I demanded from a stricken nurse, whose eyes widened in shock. "Where's Vanessa? I want to see her!""I- hm- I don't know who that is?" she stumbled, her gaze shifting nervously.But I was determined to find Ondina. I had to! And I was going to no matter what. I just greeted to get ahold of Vanessa first. I found myself in a world I no longer recognized. People’s f
OndinaStanding in the apartment she once shared with Camille felt bittersweet. It was the day she would move in with Raphael. She felt both anxious and excited.She had never lived a man before and even thought she was basically already moved in, it still felt like new territory. Not to mention being engaged. Life felt like it was moving so fast and at times it could be overwhelming.Ondina still couldn't believe he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Her thought went back to the day he proposed, and her heart swelled with love. He's so romantic. Her life right now felt like a fairytale, making it that much harder to wrap her head around it."Holy shit Onny," Camille busted out as she sat on Ondina's bed."You really snagged a billionaire." Shock danced around Camille's face then quickly turned to excitement."Camie, cut it out." Camille stood abruptly lol the bed and began to jump animatedly."You're getting married to a fucking billionaire!" Camille stopped abruptly and
OndinaShe knew this day would come eventually but it was still overwhelming for her. She would be meeting his mother for the first time, and from all of the things she’d heard about her, she worried that she wouldn't like her. With love came expectations, particularly the kind of expectations that lurked in the shadows of family. "I really want you to come," he had said, his russet gaze steady. "She needs to see how wonderful you are. I need her to understand.""I'm not like the women she knows," She replied, her voice trembling. "I don't come from money or social standing.""But you have wit and heart," he insisted, his dark hair catching the light. "Once she finally meets you, I know she will love you."Ondina wanted to believe him. She really wanted to embrace the glimmer of hope he offered, but her reflection in his eyes mirrored the scars of her past she felt. Her family had been a thunderstorm of chaos, love distorted into violence. All of her efforts to be accepted were me
Ondina"Raphael, you don't have to fight this battle for me," she said. Her voice barely a whisper.His face hardened, ignoring Ondina's request. "My happiness is not defined by the opinions of others. I love Ondina. She's not just some means to an end or a trophy to flaunt. She is everything I want." Ondina looked away as his words ached her heart in the most beautiful of ways. "Did you not say the same thing about Celeste at one point?" Hearing his mother say that name confused her. Where do I remember that name?"I won't let you dictate my life or my heart. I choose Ondina."His mother's expression was a mixture of shock and fury that simmered beneath the surface. "I expected better from you, Raphael. She's not one of us." He stood to his feet. "Mother, 'one of us' should mean having a kind heart, and Ondina embodies that. Unlike Celeste. That woman has no care for anyone but herself and you think she's a better choice for me?"Raphael's words penetrated Ondina’s heart. Wait, a
RaphaelDinner with my mother was defiantly one for the books, but thankfully it ended on a good note. In fact, just as I told Ondina, my mother adores her now. Over the past three months, my mother was stubborn at first, insisting I marry Celeste, but once she seen I wasn't budging, she finally reached out to Ondina. It felt refreshing having both the women I love get along and enjoy each other's company. Even now, they are both out for a spa day. It was my mother's idea. She still felt sorry for how poorly she had treated her at the beginning and insisted that she treat her any chance she had. I had work to finish up, so I didn't mind her stealing my woman away for a few hours. Our wedding was set to take place in two weeks, and I had a few surprises up my sleeve. I had been on the phone all morning with Camille trying to figure out how we could get Ondina on bord without her being overwhelmed but unfortunately, we both were out of ideas. I had figured with her having a quick get
Raphael"It's been years since we've seen mi Ondas, it feels a bit out of place hearing about her. All we have are the memories of how she was when she was a teenager." Sadness consumed her features."I'm sure she has matured, and her selfish ways have changed."Hearing someone call Ondina selfish felt so foreign to me. She was actually the complete opposite."I can understand that. I, myself was a bit of a handful as an adolescent. Thankfully, I outgrew it. If I hadn't, I'm quite sure your daughter wouldn't have even looked my way."This made her smile. There was a mixture of happiness and sadness that tangled in her eyes."Yes." She sat quietly for a moment before she spoke again."She doesn't know that we're here?" she asked with a look of defeat. Anna looked as if she was holding her breath."No. She doesn't, but I thought it important to have her family here with her on her wedding day." Anna's expression resembled her mother's.I was worried that they might come full of resentme
Raphael"Is my dad here too?""No! He couldn't make it. Your mother said he was under the weather." Ondina snorted at my announcement, reminding me of her sister from earlier."Of course, he's sick! Even after all these years, he still finds a reason to avoid me!" She was now pacing.I had never seen Ondina this angry before and I honestly hope I never make her this angry again. I looked over to Camille for help and quickly regretted it the moment she opened her mouth."Oh, Onny, you need to calm down!""Calm down? You calm the fuck down! It's your guys's fault this is happening in the first place!"I watched her pace back and forth while biting her fingernails and I felt guilty for being the cause of her anxiety."My love, I'm sorry." I stood and made my way over to her. I expected her to pull away from me but instead she didn't."I should have talked with you about this first instead of just throwing it at you like this." I cupped her cheek in my hand, and she leaned into it as if s
OndinaOndina's heart pounded rapidly in her chest as she waited for Raphael to get the call that her mother and sister were outside. She had agreed to the meeting because she knew that deep down, she missed them and wanted a relationship, but at the same time, she also couldn't forget how they cast her out instead of taking her side. Raphael was right, she needed closure.Sometimes, it can be frustrating how much he knows me. She thought to herself with a smile on her face. Camille was telling Ondina about her final week of shooting and how she wanted her and Raphael to be at the seasons premier even though it was a few months away."Make sure y'all save the date for that!" A smile broke across Ondina's face. She was genuinely proud of her friend. No one knew how hard Camille worked to get where she is other than Ondina.Through all the ups and downs, they were always there for each other. It was amazing how life was going for them, Camille finally getting that big role and Ondina ge
Five years later...I woke up to the ringing of an alarm clock. Like always, it was Ondina's. She had a million of them set for every ten minutes. What for? I had no idea, but today, it wasn't just an annoyance. It was a painful reminder of the chaos that was about to erupt. Fire year old twins were a force of nature. The ringing of the alarm grew louder. I groaned, reaching for the snooze button, but a gentle hand stopped me. "Don't even think about it," Ondina murmured, her voice laced with a sleepy smile. "The monsters will be here any minute."I still couldn't believe I was married to a woman so beautiful. Her dark hair was a tangled mess against the silk pillow and her eyes were still heavy with sleep, but the warmth radiating from her was undeniable. She was, indeed, my everything, and now, carrying our third child, she possessed a radiant glow that made my heart ache with a love so strong it sometimes felt like a physical weight."Monsters?" I teased, pulling her closer. "I
RaphaelI was just finishing up paperwork she my office door opened and in walked Celeste. She swung her hips a little too hard and she smelled of expensive perfume."Raphy, darling," she purred, the word sounding like a hiss on her tongue. "So good of you to see me.""Celeste," I replied.I was already annoyed and just wanted together this over with. "I wasn't aware I had a choice. Your unannounced visit last night hardly left me one."She ignored the chairs and sat her ass on the edge of my desk. Her crimson lips curved into a practiced pout. "Oh, don't be like that, Raphy. I just wanted to see you. To catch up."My jaw tightened. "Catch up? By crashing into my home, heavily intoxicated, and physically assaulting my wife?"Her perfectly practiced pout faltered and was replaced by a flicker of annoyance. "Ondina was being dramatic. It was merely a little… disagreement with her.""A disagreement that involved you grabbing her hair and screaming about how she stole your life?" "He
RaphaelThis could not be happening. Not tonight. Not when Ondina was finally happy. She lunged herself forward, trying to wrap her arms around my waist but I stiff armed her in the forehead."Celeste," I whispered."How did you find our- that doesn't matter." Trying to keep my voice calm I stated."You need to leave.""Leave?" she shrieked, Loud enough for the entire house to hear her. "Leave? After everything? After you promised me forever? You were supposed to be mine, Raphy!"Ondina appeared behind me, her face a mask of confusion and then, registration."How the fuck did you get here?" Ondina positioned herself between me and Celeste."Ondina!" Celeste shrieked again, pointing a wobbly finger in her face. "You! How does it feel living MY life?! I was supposed to be Mrs. Lahsen! I was supposed to live in this house! I was supposed to-" before she could continue, Ondina pushed her in the chest."Back up or I'll call the police!" Before Celeste could launch into another tirade, An
Raphael"Are you sure we can pull this off, Raf?" she asked, her voice tight as she surveyed the mountain of unopened boxes in the living room."The movers have it all covered, my love. Don't stress. " I kissed her forehead."It's just, with it being the twins' birthday, and the family dinner... it's all happening so fast." I could understand why she would be overwhelmed.not only was the twins birthday, it was also moving day. I wrapped my arms around her, burying my face in her beautiful curls. "Hey, breathe. We've got this, little flower. I'm here, aren't I? And besides, you're forgetting the cater we hired." She chuckled, some of the tension left her shoulders. "you're right. I'm over reacting. I need to calm down.""Exactly! Now, tell me, what's priority number one?""Getting Cam and Camie's play area set up. If they're happy, we're all happy." We exchanged smiles.She was right. Those two could bring the the sky down on us if they weren't happy, but they were the best kind of
MasonBreathing was becoming a task for me. Every breath hitched a ragged protest against the pain that I was feeling every day, but today... today was different. The air hung heavier. It was like I could feel my time running out. I knew. Today was the end, and Ondina words clung to my heart. "You're gonna die here, and no one will miss you." A sigh escaped my lips. I could tase the blood in my lungs. My vision was patchy and it burned to keep my eyes open. They had gotten used to the dark after months of being in it, but now, they were struggling against the glow of that one single bulb I hadn't know was there. Ondina forgot to turn it off and this was a new kind of torture.I was left here, visibly able to see just how far gone I was. In the dark, I couldn't see much detail of myself, but now, I could see everything. I was far from the man I used to be, and I had no one to blame but myself. Regret was a useless emotion now. A luxury I could no longer afford, but it was there and
OndinaHis face was gaunt, his eyes sunken and hollow. His hair was longer and his facial hair was unkept, like he hadn't shaves in months. His clothes were worn and filthy, clinging to his sickly frame. He looked like he hadn't eaten in months. He was looking up at her, his eyes wide with a flicker of... 'was it hope?'Ondina took a step back when the memories crashed down on her like a tidal wave of horror and pain.She could remember the fear, the sting of the restraints cutting into her skin, and the relentless torment. She could remember his cruel laughters as he had enjoyed her suffering and how he mocked her as she cried. The memory that paralyzed her the most was his haunting groans of Camilles name as he repeated it over and over again while he used her body for his own gratification. She remembered the agonizing pain of premature labor and the fear for her unborn children as the darkness swallowed her whole. She remembered every single detail.He had taken everything from he
OndinaThree days earlierAfter a sleepless night, Ondina watched as Anna cooed over the twins. "You're a lifesaver," Ondina said, forcing a smile. "I'll be back as soon as I can.""Take your time," Anna said, already distracted with a game of peek-a-boo. "They're in good hands."Ondina kissed each of her twins on the top of their heads she said her goodbyes. "Be good for Anna," she murmured, her voice thick with a mother's anxiousness."They'll be perfect angels, Onny, now shoo." Anna fanned Ondina towards the door.Ondina slipped out the door, her heart pounding in her chest. She drove carefully. Once she was on the highway, she pressed down on the accelerator. She was feeling every bit of anxious, but she needed answers. The drive was agonizing. Doubts gnawed at her. What if she was wrong? What if she was overreacting? But then she was flooded with the memory of the look on Raphael's face every time he told her he had a business trip, and her resolve hardened.Finally, she rea
RaphaelAs I stepped onto the balcony, the crisp morning air caressed my face. Sunrise bled across the horizon, painting the building tops in hues of rose and gold. It was a beautiful day. A perfect day, almost.Inside, Ondina was stirring, the soft laughter of our twins, was already filling the air, letting us know they were awake. The thought of them tugged a smile onto my face. Two perfect, healthy babies. I was truly blessed. After everything, we were finally moving forward in a positive direction.I leaned against the metal railing, the cold was slowly creeping into my hoodie, but I barely noticed. My gaze began to drift towards the light traffic beneath me as my thought began to consume me. It's bee six months. Six months that we've had him. Six months of torture, and I still didn't feel the satisfaction I though I would.Thomas stepped beside me, his face looked strained. "Coffee's on," he muttered he lit a cigarette with a shaky hand."When did you get her?" I asked, pushing
OndinaOndina stirred her tea as she stared aimlessly. Raphael's conversation with Thomas kept playing on repeat in Ondina's head. 'What is he hiding from me?' She felt desperate to know who was in that cabin, and why Raphael was so desperate to keep it secret that he would lie to her.Ondina knew Raphael wasn't always forthcoming, but this felt different. It felt deliberate, and it made her feel uncomfortable. Her gaze drifted to the two sleeping infants in their bassinets. Cameron looked so much like his father, and Camille was a miniature version of herself. They were the reason she needed to know. Their fragile, innocent lives deserved a foundation built on truth, not secrets.Taking a deep breath, Ondina reached for her phone. She scrolled through her contacts until she found Raphael's mother's number. She played out in her head what she wanted to ask, but had no idea how she should go about it. After a few minutes, she took a deep breath and dialed. after a few rings, his mother