***Five Years Later*** You might be wondering about the young man who showed up at the hospital four years ago. Yes, that was Rachael’s uncle, Clark. But you might be thinking, “Rachael was an orphan!” And you’d be right. However, miracles do happen. Clark, Rachael’s father’s brother, had been se
“Uncle Damian is here!” he shouted, his voice filled with excitement. He bolted towards Damian, who welcomed him with open arms, a hearty laugh escaping him as he caught Jamal in a tight hug. “Hey, kiddo! Look at you, all dressed up,” Damian said, his eyes twinkling with affection. He handed Jamal
She had always been cautious about letting someone into her heart again, especially someone so prominent and influential. The fear of repeating past mistakes and the agony of potential heartbreak had made her hesitant. Yet, Damian had changed that. Despite knowing the full extent of her history—h
Rachael and Damian raced forward, their hearts pounding as they watched Jamal teeter on the edge of a fall. But just before he could hit the ground, Jamal managed to catch himself, landing on one knee instead. He quickly popped back up, dusting off his pants with a proud grin on his face. "I’m Sup
Trailing behind Daniel was his mother, Chloe—Rachael’s best friend and her rock through life’s toughest moments. Chloe waved as she approached, a bright smile lighting up her features. There was something comforting about seeing her, a reminder of all the ups and downs they had weathered together.
Rachael stepped away from the noise, finding a quieter corner away from the laughter and splashing water. She pulled out her phone, dialing Damian’s number, and impatiently waited for him to pick up. “Hey, babe,” Damian’s voice came through, slightly muffled but still warm and familiar. Rachael le
The sounds of the party faded into a distant buzz; all she could hear was the frantic beating of her heart and the rapid, shallow breaths she was struggling to take. Parents and lifeguards quickly sprang into action, rushing to the pool's edge, their voices a jumble of urgency and concern. But t
Rachael’s head whipped around, her heart leaping into her throat. Her eyes scanned the area, and then she saw him-her son, Jamal, running towards her with a broad, innocent smile on his face. Her vision blurred with tears as she rushed forward, her legs feeling like they had a new burst of energy.
Racheal leaned heavily against the doorframe, her breath hitching as Damian stepped into the room. The way he moved, carrying the pizza box with effortless confidence, his broad shoulders stretching the fabric of his fitted shirt, sent a wave of longing coursing through her. The dim moonlight from t
Racheal stood by the window, the city sprawled below her like a glittering web of false promises and broken dreams. The distant hum of traffic blended with the soft crackle of her cigarette, a haze of smoke curling upward and cloaking her like an aura of defiance. Her lips curled into a calculated s
The officer’s roar of pain cut through the terminal like a whip, sharp and visceral. “Shit!” he bellowed, yanking his arm back, his face contorting in a grotesque mask of fury. His eyes burned with rage as he swung his arm toward the small girl clinging to Evelyn’s side, his hand pushing her rough
Mommy?” Daisy's voice was barely a whisper, fragile and trembling. “Where are we going?” Evelyn's throat tightened, a knot of emotions threatening to choke her. How could she explain this to a six-year-old? How could she tell her that everything they knew was falling apart, that their lives had b
The silence in the room was thick, suffocating, as Maddox's voice cut through it like a blade. “You’re sure about that?” His words were sharp, precise, probing, and designed to corner her. “Because we’ve heard some interesting stories, Mrs. Evelyn. You wouldn’t want to lie to us, would you?” The qu
"Fuck! Fuck!" she muttered, her voice a panicked whisper. "Breathe, Evelyn. Breathe!" But the air was thick, suffocating, as though the walls themselves were collapsing in on her. Every inch of her screamed for her to run, to hide, to do something—anything—to escape the inevitable. Her pulse quicke
The third officer, Lynch, who had been silently observing until now, finally stirred, crossing his arms over his chest. His expression was thoughtful, his eyes narrowing as if mentally dissecting the situation. Lynch was the quiet type, the one who rarely spoke unless he had something important to
“Wake up, you piece of shit!” Officer Xavier’s voice boomed, shaking the dark, musty room. He stood over Victor, a six-foot tower of muscle and fury, and with no hesitation, threw a bucket of ice-cold water over his face. The sudden shock jolted Victor, his body spasming as the freezing liquid seepe
Rachel’s anguished sobs filled the sterile hospital room, a melody of heartbreak that cut through the oppressive silence. Each gasp, each cry, was a raw, visceral expression of her grief. Damian sat beside her, his own tears falling freely, his forehead pressed against hers. His voice, hoarse from e