Victoria found herself slipping into a quiet routine, days blending together with a rhythm she could almost predict. The house felt emptier without Ethan around during school hours, but there was a certain calm to it. Still, a heaviness lingered in her chest, a sense that something was missing—something beyond the layers of suspicion and doubt that had crept in.It was midweek when Sophie reached out again, her voice light and teasing through the phone. “Alright, Vicky, I’m calling in a favor. We’re going to the gallery this weekend. You’re coming, and you’re going to leave your worries at home. Deal?”Victoria hesitated, her mind buzzing with thoughts of everything she needed to handle, but there was something about Sophie’s persistence that tugged at her. She wasn’t ready to talk about what was brewing under the surface, but maybe… maybe a change of scenery would do her good. Just a few hours of quiet, of being somewhere that didn’t hold any reminders of the chaos creeping into her
As they wandered deeper into the gallery, Sophie chattered on about the abstract pieces, her voice a steady background hum. Victoria’s mind, however, had started to drift. The gallery felt like a space where she could almost forget about everything—about Daniel, about the nagging questions that had followed her for weeks. The soft murmur of voices, the gentle rustle of footsteps, the cool hum of the air conditioning—all of it brought a calmness she hadn’t felt in a long time.They turned a corner, and there, standing with his back slightly turned, was Zander.Victoria froze.She knew Zander. Of course, she did. He was Daniel’s half-brother, the one Daniel had always spoken about with such thinly veiled contempt. Zander was a ghost in their shared history, a name never mentioned without a sharp edge to it. Daniel had made it clear how little he cared for his half-brother, how much he resented Zander’s very existence. Yet, despite the tension between them, Zander always seemed to exist
Victoria parked her car in the school lot, glancing at the clock on her dashboard. She was early, but she preferred it that way—better to settle in and avoid awkward small talk with the other parents. She stepped out, smoothing down her blouse, and headed toward the entrance, the faint hum of children’s laughter in the distance pulling a small smile to her lips.The parents-teacher event was already buzzing when she arrived. Brightly colored posters lined the walls, and the chatter of proud parents mingled with the occasional cries of younger siblings. Victoria scanned the room until she spotted Ethan’s class.“Mom!” Ethan’s voice broke through the noise as he ran up to her, his face lighting up with excitement. He hugged her around the waist, and for a moment, the weight of the past few weeks melted away.“Hey, buddy,” she said, kneeling to his level. “Excited to show me what you’ve been up to?”Ethan nodded vigorously, taking her hand and leading her toward a display of projects. “L
Victoria’s phone buzzed just as she stepped into her car, her art supplies neatly packed on the passenger seat. She smiled when she saw Sophie’s name flashing on the screen. Sliding her finger across the screen, she answered, “Hey, Soph!”“Vic! So, how was it? Your first day back in the art world?” Sophie’s voice practically bubbled with excitement, her enthusiasm infectious.“It was… amazing,” Victoria admitted, her lips curving into a smile. “I didn’t expect to feel so—” She paused, searching for the right word. “Liberated.”“I told you!” Sophie exclaimed, and Victoria could imagine her best friend bouncing with glee on the other end. “I knew it would be perfect for you. Did you meet anyone interesting?”“A few people. There’s this woman, Ella, who’s super friendly. She helped me get started. And the instructor—Marcel—he’s kind of eccentric but very encouraging.”“I love this for you, Vic,” Sophie said, her tone softening. “You deserve to have something just for you, you know?”“Tha
Victoria sat in her favorite corner of the art studio, her hands nervously smoothing the edges of an untouched canvas. She didn’t need to start painting yet; her mind was already swirling with emotions that no brush could capture. The faint sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, and soon Zander appeared in the doorway, his sharp features softened by the dim afternoon light.“Mind if I come in?” Zander’s voice was gentle, almost hesitant.Victoria looked up and managed a small smile. “Of course not. I could use the company.”He stepped inside, his presence both comforting and unsettling. Zander had a way of grounding her while simultaneously stirring feelings she didn’t fully understand—or dare to explore. He pulled a chair closer, sitting just far enough to respect her space but close enough to signal his intention to listen.“I figured you might want to talk,” he said, leaning forward slightly. “About… everything.”She sighed, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sweater. “Wh
FLASHBACKThe Blackwood estate gleamed in the pale light of dusk, a fortress of wealth and power. For Zander, it had always felt more like a battleground. As he sat in his studio, fingers idly tracing the edge of a wine glass, memories began to stir, vivid and unrelenting, pulling him into a time when the rivalry between him and Daniel burned at its fiercest.Ten years ago, the summer air carried a suffocating weight as Zander returned home from Europe. His music tour had been a resounding success, with critics praising his compositions as visionary. Yet, stepping back into the Blackwood estate, the accolades felt hollow. Here, success wasn’t celebrated—it was scrutinized.That evening, the family gathered in the grand dining hall, its opulence marred by the palpable tension between brothers. Michael Blackwood, the family patriarch, sat at the head of the table, his presence as commanding as the crystal chandeliers above.“Zander,” Michael began, his deep voice cutting through the sil
VICTORIAThe dining room was as grand as ever, yet suffocating under the weight of unspoken expectations. Rita Blackwood, my mother-in-law, sat at the head of the table, her demeanor regal, her sharp gaze cutting through the room like a finely honed blade. Across from her, I felt the familiar tension coil in my stomach, the kind that only arose when I knew a confrontation was brewing.“So, Victoria,” she began, dabbing her lips with a linen napkin before placing it down with exaggerated precision. “I’ve been hearing about your art again.”Her tone wasn’t accusatory, not outright. But there was a distinct note of disapproval woven through her words, as if my art were some hobby too frivolous for someone carrying the Blackwood name.“Yes,” I replied, keeping my voice steady. “I’ve been working on some pieces for an exhibit I’m planning. It’s something I’ve been putting a lot of thought into.”Rita’s lips pursed, the corners of her mouth twitching as if she were holding back a particular
The night had fallen, and the house was quiet, save for the hum of the refrigerator and the distant rustle of the wind outside. I sat on the edge of the bed, the weight of the past few days pressing down on me.My mind swirled with questions, anger, and a deep, gnawing ache in my chest. I could still feel the heat of the argument with Rita, the sting of her disapproval lingering like a bad taste in my mouth. But beneath that, something else had begun to grow—a quiet, dangerous thought that threatened to consume me.I stood up abruptly, pacing back and forth across the room. My fingers brushed against the corner of the dresser, my gaze moving to the window, where the moonlight spilled across the floor. The quiet seemed to mock me, reminding me of the stillness in my own heart.Daniel’s betrayal wasn’t something I had ever expected. I had always known he was distant at times, but the affair with Isabelle—that was something different. That had shattered something inside me, something I w
R-18The wedding was a blast. Every people that Victoria loved was there, it was far different from the wedding she had, 7 years ago. Victoria was now at the veranda of their house, the reception was held into their house garden where she personally took care of the flowers, looking below, with a glass of champagne on her right hand. She was now wearing her chiffon dress as her reception dress. A hand suddenly snaked around her wait, she doesn’t have to look who was it. No one would dare to get their hand on her, the moment, Zander announced she was his wife. “Are you tired?” Zander muttered and drop a soft kissed near her ears. “Nah, just happy,” She said while glancing at the party in front of her, “After seven years of fake and failed marriage, I never thought that I could be this happy again, the last time that I remembered that I was genuinely happy was when Ethan was born,” “The last time that I got so happy was when you told me you love me too,” Victoria chuckled, and s
R-18The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the backyard, where the soft murmur of the evening breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers. Victoria sat on the back porch, her legs tucked beneath her, watching the tranquility unfold around her. The city hummed in the distance, but here, in this small pocket of serenity, everything felt perfect.Zander joined her quietly, settling beside her on the steps, a glass of wine in hand. He offered it to her with a soft smile, the warmth in his eyes more intimate than words.“To new beginnings,” he said, his voice low, and the look he gave her seemed to say so much more.Victoria accepted the glass, feeling the coolness of the wine against her fingertips, the familiar strength of his presence beside her. “To new beginnings,” she echoed, taking a sip, the rich taste spreading across her tongue. She glanced around at their friends—Ethan and Sophie, laughing by the grill, teasing each other about their cooking skills. Th
The evening had settled in, a peaceful quiet enveloping the apartment, broken only by the soft clink of glasses and the faint hum of city life in the distance. Victoria sat on the couch, a glass of wine in hand, her eyes focused on the canvas before her.The room was filled with the aroma of fresh paint, an ever-present reminder of the work she poured her soul into. Zander, sitting across from her, leaned back in the chair, his eyes fixed on her with a quiet admiration.“You know,” Zander said, breaking the comfortable silence, “sometimes I can’t help but wonder what our life will look like in a few years.”Victoria’s fingers paused on the brush, her eyes lifting to meet his. “What do you mean?”Zander smiled, his gaze steady. “I mean, we’ve come so far already, and I keep thinking about where we’re going. I want to know your dreams. Not just about today or tomorrow, but about the future. What do you see for us?”Victoria sat back, her mind racing. She had never fully allowed herself
The morning of the wedding arrived with a warm, golden hue filling the sky. It was a perfect day, as though the world had conspired to give them this one, flawless moment. Victoria stood in front of the mirror, taking in the reflection of the woman she had become.The dress she wore, a simple yet elegant design of lace and satin, glimmered with the soft light that streamed in from the window. Her makeup was light, and her hair was softly curled, framing her face in delicate waves. She felt beautiful, not just in appearance, but in every way that truly mattered.“Mommy!” Ethan’s voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her away from the mirror. She turned around to see him standing at the door, eyes wide with excitement, wearing his little suit. He looked so much like Zander that it made her heart ache with love.“Hey, my handsome boy,” Victoria said, crouching down to his level. She brushed her fingers through his hair, feeling a lump rise in her throat.“I’m ready, Mommy,” Ethan sai
Victoria sat at the dining table, her phone in hand, scrolling through endless wedding inspiration posts. Zander walked in from the living room, a cup of coffee in hand, and sat down across from her.“You’re deep into wedding mode, huh?” Zander chuckled, watching as Victoria flipped through photos.Victoria sighed, running her fingers through her hair. “I just want everything to feel right, you know? Nothing too extravagant, but still special. It has to be perfect for us.”Zander leaned back in his chair, his eyes softening as he watched her. “We’ll make it perfect. You don’t have to stress. It’s about us—our family—and the people who love us.”Victoria smiled, grateful for his calm demeanor. “I know, I know. It’s just hard to narrow down choices when everything is so… big. I don’t want to overwhelm Ethan or make him feel like it’s all too much.”Zander reached over and gently placed his hand over hers. “It’ll be easy, love. Whatever we do, it’ll be just right because it’s ours. Ethan
The sun had begun to dip below the horizon, casting a soft glow over the balcony where Victoria and Sophie sat side by side, a quiet evening breeze brushing through their hair. The past few years had been a whirlwind of change, growth, and, sometimes, heartbreak—but in this moment, the two women found solace in each other’s company, reflecting on the journey that had brought them to this point.Sophie took a deep breath, staring out at the city lights below. “It’s crazy, isn’t it? How much has changed in such a short time.”Victoria nodded, her fingers idly tracing the rim of her wine glass. “I never thought we’d end up here, Sophie. I don’t know where I thought I’d be, but it wasn’t this.”“Yeah,” Sophie said with a laugh, her voice tinged with nostalgia. “I remember when you first told me about Ethan’s father, and all that drama with Zander. I thought, ‘How is she going to get through all of this?’”Victoria chuckled, the memory of those chaotic days bringing a bittersweet smile to
Ethan sat at the kitchen table, his small hands gripping a crayon as he carefully drew shapes on the piece of paper in front of him. His tongue stuck out in concentration as he shaded in a house, a tree, and a bright sun in the corner. Victoria watched him from the counter, a warm smile tugging at her lips.Zander, who had just finished making breakfast, placed a plate of pancakes in front of her before sitting down next to Ethan. He ruffled Ethan’s hair, his touch gentle. “How’s the masterpiece coming along, buddy?”Ethan beamed up at him, his eyes sparkling with pride. “It’s almost done! I’m going to make it perfect, just like you said.”Victoria couldn’t help but chuckle at his determination. It had been like this for weeks now—Ethan was always eager to learn, to create, to take on new challenges. Ever since they moved into the house, he had become more energetic, more confident. He was flourishing, thriving in this environment that was filled with love, safety, and encouragement.
Victoria stepped through the front door, feeling the cool air conditioning hit her face as she walked into the living room. The house was spacious—modern, but cozy, with light wooden floors that gleamed under the soft lighting. A large sectional sofa rested in the center of the room, complemented by a sleek coffee table. The walls were a soft, neutral beige, with just the right amount of warmth from the sunlight pouring through the windows.“Do you like it?” Zander asked, standing beside her with a hopeful look on his face. His hands were stuffed into the pockets of his jeans, and his eyes gleamed with excitement.Victoria smiled, walking further into the room. “I love it,” she said, taking in the high ceilings, the contemporary decor, and the natural light. “It’s perfect. It feels… like home.”Zander grinned, his arms crossing as he took a step closer. “Yeah? I was a little nervous, honestly. I wanted it to feel right for you too.”“It feels right,” she repeated, her voice soft. She
The soft afternoon sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the living room. Victoria sat on the couch, her legs tucked under her as she gazed out the window, lost in thought.She had spent so much of her life trying to figure out who she was and where she belonged. She had spent years resenting her mother, Rita, for things that had happened in their past, but now, she found herself in a place where understanding, though still delicate, was beginning to bloom.The doorbell rang, pulling Victoria from her thoughts. She straightened up, wiping the faintest trace of tears from her eyes. It had been a quiet day, one where memories had bubbled up, and the weight of everything that had transpired felt heavier than usual. But there was something in her that told her this day would be different.She opened the door to find Rita standing there, a gentle smile on her face. There was no anger or resentment, just a tentative peace in her expression that made Victoria pause.“Ma