The days blurred into each other, each one more unbearable than the last. It had been nearly a week since Regan last stepped foot in the house. I went through the motions like a ghost. Mornings began with waking up to an empty bed, the sheets on his side still perfectly smooth. I would wander down to the dining room, where Susan and the others set out breakfast, their expressions carefully neutral. Most of the time, I didn’t touch the food. The taste of anything felt foreign to me, and my stomach churned at the thought of eating.I spent hours trying to distract myself, but everything I did felt hollow. The books I picked up went unread after a few pages. The TV droned on in the background. Even music, which had always been my escape, felt unbearable.Every evening, I found myself sitting by the living room window, staring out at the driveway. My phone was always within arm’s reach, its screen lighting up every now and then with messages or calls from people I couldn’t bring myself to
The car door slammed shut, and I hesitated for a moment, glancing at the towering gates in front of me. My heart thudded painfully against my ribcage, but I forced myself to take a deep breath. Marianne was already walking ahead of me.I stepped out of the car. My eyes swept over the grand estate. Marianne was leading me into the house, but I felt a disconnect like I was walking into a place I didn’t belong.I adjusted my red dress. The fabric clung to my body, creating the illusion of confidence, of control. It was bold, daring even. I thought of it as my armor, a way to hide the weakness that had been creeping through my veins for the past week. The dress, a tight-fitting, satin fabric, shimmered slightly under the light, cut just above my knees. The hemline was sharp and clean. It was a fiery red, the kind of color that demanded attention. The deep red mimicked the color of my lips.Marianne glanced over her shoulder, giving me a nod of approval as she led me inside, her heels cli
The women around the table giggled, a high-pitched, practiced sound that filled the room. The blonde woman, who had commented earlier, leaned in.“Oh, I must say, your stepmother has always had an eye for fashion,” she commented, eyeing my red dress. “She’s always been the one to make everything look effortlessly chic.”Marianne smiled at the compliment, her lips curling upward, though I could see the flicker of something dark in her eyes as she glanced at me. It was brief, but it was there.“Well, it’s not all me. Anastasia certainly knows how to shock us all, doesn’t she?” She turned toward me, her eyes narrowing just slightly as she added, “She’s always been quite the surprise.”The comment surprised me, and I could feel the eyes of the women around the table shift, their interest piqued. I kept my gaze steady, refusing to let any of the unease bubbling in my chest show on my face.“Yes,” one of the other women, a brunette with perfectly manicured nails, chimed in, “It’s so rare to
The women had slowly made their exits. Caroline, however, was the last to rise, her movements deliberate but stiff. She gave me a polite nod, a faint smile pulling at her lips, but I could see the tension in her shoulders, the way she held herself back from saying more.“Take care, Anastasia. Call me if you need anything else.” She reached up, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear in an almost affectionate gesture before she held my hands. Her eyes are almost apologetic. "We should talk some other time. Something we didn’t do after what happened"I nodded absently, feeling her pressed my hands. A weak smile flickered on my lips, though I didn’t feel it as I watched her disappear from my sight.I was left alone with Marianne, who had stood from her chair. Her heels clicked sharply on the polished floor. The cool evening air hit me like a slap in the face as we stepped out into the open. Once inside the car, it was unnervingly quiet. Marianne sat across from me, her eyes unfocused,
The living room was dim, lit only by a few scattered lamps, and there, slouched on the couch, was Regan. His usually immaculate appearance was disheveled—his shirt untucked, his tie loose, and his hair a mess. But what struck me the most was the empty bottle of whiskey in his hand and the way he barely seemed to notice my presence as I walked closer. He was drunk.I stood frozen for a moment, taking in the sight of him. My heart ached a tight pain that spread through my chest, making it hard to breathe.“Regan,” I whispered. My knees felt weak, but I forced myself closer to him, ignoring the way the maids stood frozen behind me.He sat slumped in the chair, clutching a half-empty bottle like it was the only thing keeping him upright. His head hung low. I knelt in front of him, my hand hesitating before reaching out. “Regan,” I pleaded softly, “please… you need to stop. You need to sleep. You’re—”His eyes snapped open, bloodshot and wild, and his hand lashed out before I could even re
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the faint outline of my reflection in the window. The storm had quieted, leaving only a steady drizzle against the glass. My chest felt hollow, the weight of Regan’s words still pressing against me like a phantom ache.The door creaked open, and I didn’t need to turn around to know it was him. His presence was unmistakable—heavy, like a shadow you couldn’t shake.“Anastasia,” he said, his tone sharper than necessary. I didn’t respond, my hands gripping the fabric of my dress tightly. He sighed; the sound laced with impatience. “Your mother called. She’s arranged a trip for us—two days at some resort by the coast.”I blinked, “A trip?”“Yes,” He stepped further into the room. “She thinks it’ll be… good for us.” His words dripped with disdain, but there was something else in his voice—a reluctance, a sense of obligation he couldn’t shake.I turned to face him, my eyes meeting his. “And you agreed?”He shrugged, “What was I supposed to say? No? Sh
The car pulled up to the edge of the beach, and as soon as I stepped out, the scent of the ocean hit me—fresh, salty, and oddly calming. I glanced around, taking in the private beach stretching endlessly before us. The sand was so white it almost looked untouched, the kind of pristine that made you hesitant to leave a footprint. I’d seen beaches like this dozens of times, from the Amalfi Coast to private islands in the Maldives, but they never failed to leave me in awe.“Wow,” I murmured, unable to stop myself. Regan didn’t respond. He was too busy pulling his phone from his pocket, already distracted as the driver unloaded our bags from the trunk. The beach house stood a little further back. The house was striking—modern, minimalistic, and drenched in sunlight. Glass walls reflected the ocean, and the sleek wooden decks were accented with lush greenery. It was the kind of property that screamed exclusivity, even by my standards.The driver handed me my suitcase with a polite smile,
I woke up slowly, my eyes fluttering open to the soft light filtering through the window. For a moment, I was confused. The bed felt colder than it had the night before. I blinked, trying to push the lingering fog of sleep away. I sat up, glancing around the room. The door was ajar, and the faint sound of something clattering in the kitchen caught my attention. Curiosity tugged at me, so I pushed off the bed, walked toward the window. I peeked out at the view—blue sky, the calm waves of the ocean stretching into the horizon—and for a moment, everything felt surreal. After a brief moment of peace, my stomach growled loudly, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten anything since the flight the day before. I made my way to the bathroom, quickly brushing my teeth and washing my face before heading toward the source of the sound. When I reached the kitchen, I froze in the doorway. Regan was there, but not the Regan I was used to seeing. He was cooking, his movements fluid as he worked over the
A few feet away, a guy swung off a gorgeous black and chrome motorcycle, pulling off his helmet in one smooth, practiced motion. He shook out messy, dark hair that flopped slightly over his forehead, then casually tapped at his phone, probably answering some boring business call.He was tall, lean but broad-shouldered, dressed in a fitted white shirt and dark jeans, a silver chain hanging loosely around his neck. He looked effortless—expensive without even trying. His boots were clean but worn, like he actually used them, and his watch probably cost more than most people’s rent.Definitely rich. Definitely reckless enough to park a beauty like that out here.As I crept closer, pretending to scroll on my phone, I caught him speaking into his call."Yeah, it's Alex Wright. I'll be there in five."Alex Wright.Cute name for a cute face.Too bad for him.I sauntered right up to him, still casually puffing on the cigarette
Phoenix’s POV(New Character Unlocked!)The airport was a blur behind me, nothing but noise, dragging suitcases, and a few too many side-eyes at my rainbow hair. I couldn't care less. Let them stare. I'd dye it neon green next time, just to spite them.Phoenix Alvira Saavedra.Protector of blood.I had barely tossed my designer duffel into the passenger seat of my sleek black Porsche 911 Turbo S before I was tearing out of the airport driveway, engine roaring like a beast that couldn’t be tamed. No text, no warning. Surprise was half the funWhen I pulled up to the driveway, though, her house was too still, too quiet. Just her maids fluttering nervously at the front door like they were waiting for a bomb to drop."Miss Anastasia is at the park, ma’am," one of them chirped, her voice way too high, her eyes flickering nervously toward my boots and leather jacket.
The gravel crunched beneath our shoes as we followed the winding path deeper into the trees. I tucked my hands into the pockets of my sweater, breathing in the cold, crisp air that somehow still wasn’t enough to clear the fog inside my head.We were still walking quietly when, out of nowhere, a sharp, familiar voice cut through the heavy air.I turned my head and there she was—Zarina.I felt Ava stiffen beside me immediately, ready for whatever was about to happen. Thankfully, the park had already begun to empty. The sun was sinking, and there were no curious bystanders.Zarina's steps were quick and sharp, her heels clicking with every furious stride until she stood a few feet away. Her doe-like eyes pinned me like a dagger, full of rage."You really have some nerve," Zarina hissed. She stepped forward, hand twitching at her side, and for a split second, I saw her hand lift—as if she were seriously considering slapping me.But Ava was faste
When I finally reached outside, the heavy doors of the terrace yard shutting behind me, the first tear slipped down my cheek before I could even stop it. Another followed, and another, until my vision blurred.Ava and Sheila rushed toward me the second they saw me, their faces etched with worry. Ava gripped my arm gently, her brows furrowed as she tried to catch my gaze."Anastasia, what happened? Are you okay? What’s wrong?" she asked urgently, her voice rising with panic.Sheila hovered close, her hand resting lightly on my back, grounding me, waiting for me to say something, anything. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t even form the words."I just..." I croaked out, blinking furiously against the tears still spilling freely down my face. "I just want to get out of here. Please."That was all I said. And that was all they needed.Without a word, Sheila nodded fiercely, wrapping an arm around me as they guided me quickly back to t
The wind stirred again, stronger this time, whipping strands of my hair around my face, making the hem of my dress flutter wildly against my knees. I tucked the loose hair behind my ear again, but it was pointless—the breeze only pulled it free a moment later. It was as if even the world itself refused to let this moment be still.Regan shifted, his jaw clenching, the warmth that had flickered briefly in his eyes vanishing. His shoulders stiffened, his whole posture changing, becoming closed off—cold. The sharpness in his expression was unmistakable now, like my presence alone was grating against him.“Well?" he said, his voice tight, clipped. "What do you want to say, Anastasia? Why couldn't you just say it over the phone like a normal person?"The way he said my name—sharp, almost annoyed—stung more than I cared to admit. I felt the words catch in my throat for a second, but I swallowed them down, forcing myself to speak without letting my voice crack.
I saw his expression shift instantly—surprise flashing across his handsome features, confusion knitting into the crease of his brow. Without a word, he took a few slow steps forward, each one deliberate, closing the distance between us until we stood face to face.And there we were. Breathing the same air. Yet feeling worlds apart.My palms grew clammy, fingers instinctively tightening around the soft fabric of my dress. My heart beat faster, almost painfully, each thud a wild drum against my ribs. I could feel the panic blooming quietly inside me, spreading its tremors into my bones, rooting my feet to the ground.The silence between us was deafening. Neither of us spoke. Neither of us moved.We just stared at each other, locked in this strange moment, as if any wrong move would shatter whatever was holding us together—or perhaps, whatever was left. It was the first time we had seen each other again after that confrontation in our house. The time I saw him sleeping with Zarina, the t
The car slowed to a stop at the edge of the Garden Café's private entrance.It was exactly how I had requested it. Empty. Private.The building itself was beautiful—a modern, elegant glass structure with wide-open archways leading to a sprawling outdoor yard that overlooked the city below. The afternoon sun painted the stone path golden, and a light breeze teased the white drapes framing the open terrace. The view was breathtaking, but even the beauty of it couldn’t settle the pounding in my chest.Ava killed the engine, pulling her sunglasses down and peering around skeptically. "Well. It’s a graveyard. Very fitting for whatever dramatic conversation you’re about to have."Sheila shifted nervously in her seat, glancing at me. "You sure you wanna do this alone, Stasia? We can wait inside. Hide behind a plant. Throw things if he says something stupid."I laughed under my breath, touched beyond words. I reached over, squeezing Sheila’s hand and then Ava’s shoulder. "No. I need to do th
The low sound of the engine filled the car, a background noise against the sound of traffic outside. Ava was behind the wheel, her sunglasses perched on her nose, one hand casually resting at twelve o'clock on the steering wheel. Her hair—that wild ginger bun—bounced slightly every time we hit a bump. Sheila was in the passenger seat, legs tucked up like a kid, fiddling with the radio stations every five seconds and earning glares from Ava.And me?I was curled up in the backseat, leaning against the window, staring out at the blur of the city as it rushed past. It should have been a normal car ride. It should have felt like any other day.But it didn’t.Because today...Today I was going to face Regan again."Are you sure you’ll be okay, Tasia?" Sheila asked for what felt like the millionth time, twisting halfway in her seat to look at me.I smiled faintly, "Yes, I’ll be fine."Ava snorted loudly, adjusting her grip o
Sheila laughed and shoved her playfully. "Please, I’m the life of this party. You’re the sidekick, four-eyes.""Four-eyes? Bold words coming from someone who tripped over a flat sidewalk last week!"Sheila scowled. "Did Tasia tell you that? It was uneven!""It was flat," Ava shot back without missing a beat. "Gravity personally requested you fall over to entertain the public."I couldn't stop laughing, hiding my face behind my hand as the two of them bickered like no time had passed at all. It was chaotic, it was loud, it was messy—And it was home.Sheila turned to me with an exaggerated sigh. "You see what I put up with? You should pay me hazard fees just for being friends with her."Ava rolled her eyes and leaned casually against the table. "Yeah, yeah. You’re welcome for making your life interesting."Susan and Elise were trying—and failing—to hide their giggles as they discreetly stepped