Hey guys! I just want to say thank you for the support you've shown me🤭💝. It means a lot to me. Comment down below who your favorite character(s) is. Mine are David and Nate👀😉. Don’t forget to vote and leave a thumbs up if you are enjoying the story so far. See you guys tomorrow!
The amount of times Rory had been unconscious was boggling. At this point, she didn’t even want to wake up, but she did. Rory rubbed her eyes when she opened them. She groaned and wanted to sit up, but her eyes landed on Daniel’s head resting on her bed. He was sleeping. “Awwwn.” She cooed because Lucas was also sleeping beside her. “Dani.” She whispered. “Da-ni-el” Daniel finally raised his head. He looked so cute, with his bedhead and disoriented eyes. He was confused at first, but his eyes widened when he saw Rory smiling at him. “Koala! You’re awake! How are you feeling? Are you alright?” His loud voice stirred Lucas on the bed. “Sssh! You’ll wake Luke” “What happened?” She asked. The last thing she remembered was going to the bathroom. “We’ll discuss that later. I’m going to call Nate” He said as he stood up and went to call Nate. Rory just laid back down and hugged Lucas. *** Nate entered the room with the whole gang. “Rory, you’re awake!” Asher ga
The car door opened and a woman wearing a large sun hat stepped out. She dawned a white chiffon top, and a pencil pink skirt that stopped a few inches above her ankles, and had a small slit at the right. Every click she made with her pink high heels, resonated with confidence. Her steps were slow, almost cat-like and the only thing one could see was her painted red lips and her manicured and delicate hands holding her red triangular purse. She passed through the Gates of the Devane Mansion but halted when her butterfly necklace fell to the ground and into a puddle. One of the 6 bodyguards accompanying her, who held the security guards of the Devane Mansion at gunpoint to let them in when they refused and chased them out after, wanted to pick up the necklace for her, but she held up her hand and continued to walk towards the house. “Oh, look at what the rain dragged in a bunch of strays.” Her voice was high-spirited and drawled out, with one side of her lips raised. Hector was s
The painting competition had begun. Rory had already submitted her painting and she was shortlisted to participate and she was the first on the list. As a celebration, Daniel asked Rory on their first official date. She video-called Kay to help her pick a dress. “What do you think I should wear?” She asked while rummaging through her closet that was bigger than a studio apartment. “I’m still at a loss for words that you freaking married Daniel Froster!” “That is not why I called you, Kay,” Rory said as she threw different dresses on the floor in frustration. “Why do none of these dresses make any fucking sense!?” The designers of these custom-made dresses would burst into tears if they heard Rory’s words. “Maybe you should calm down and look for something simple and elegant.” “Easy for you to say. You aren’t dating anyone and you’ve been on your first date which means…” She trailed off when her eyes locked on a blue baby doll dress. The lower part of the dress featured
It was the day of the in-person Painting competition. The competition was meant to only be for a day with three rounds which two out of the three would feature live painting. This was an international competition where renowned artists were here to be judges and most were going to be spectators looking to take competitors that didn't win but had talent as their apprentice. Rory was already in the lead because of her entry and her friends from school were going to support her, but only Oliver was coming from the other side of her friend's aisle. Daniel had to, unfortunately, attend a very important business meeting, however, he was going to come immediately after he was done. The rest also had things to attend to. The arena was already packed with people and all that was left was for the judges to arrive, completely. The sound of scattered chatter echoed and there was a high table for the judges close to where the barricades were and the rest was for the contestants to show their
“I’m disqualified? Why am I being disqualified” Rory narrowed her eyes. “An information was sent to the organizers that the piece you used to enter the competition was bought from an online gallery called, K and P gallery. Also,” the moderator continued, “another video of you setting off the fire alarm was captured on the security cameras”. The other artists gasped. “How could you do something like that, Rory? Here I was thinking that you were talented. How many times will you resort to cheap tricks to win?” Clara said looking appalled. “What do you mean ‘how many times’? Do you know her?” A contestant asked Clara. “She’s my schoolmate and my best friend’s older sister. It doesn't matter, at least the truth is in the light.” Clara sighed. “How can you be so shameless? We worked our asses off for this competition and you walk in here and think it's a joke. You are an example of beauty without character and brains!” “Please get the fuck out of here! We don’t need the likes of you
Clara found it difficult to breathe. Every single time she had a plan to destroy Rory, the blue-eyes witch always had a way to escape. Why was she so lucky every single time? Why did everyone always flock to her defense? What was so special about her that even the youngest most renowned artist in the world supported her? It wasn’t fair. She balled her fists, her nails piercing into her palm, but the sting she felt was nothing compared to the hatred her head pounded.“What evidence could you possibly have? Who knows if it’s forged?,” she walked over to the female judge and said, “Girls like Rory have always had things easy for them through the pretty privilege. See how many men have come to her rescue all because she played damsel in distress.”Rory chuckled. “In your eyes, beautiful women can only achieve things just because they are pretty. I don’t even think acid can clear your vision because your image of life is completely distorted.”“You said you have evidence, so let’s get this
Rory was of course given extra time to repaint her work. When she was done, the remaining top 30 contestants went on stage one by one to defend their work. The first two rounds eliminated 35 people each.Rory was the 17th person to go on stage and she uncovered her portrait. The theme was: ‘Dreamscapes beyond the Veil’.The audience and even some of the artists were confused by what she painted, yet it lured them in, refusing them the ability to look away. The judges and experts in the art world looked at it in wonder and furrowed brows.The Veiled One," stood as a testament to Rory’s innovative spirit and boundless creativity. This enigmatic painting drew the viewer in with its ethereal allure, inviting them to unravel the secrets hidden beneath its translucent layers.As one gazed upon the artwork, they were met with a figure enveloped in a series of gelatinous, transparent veils. These delicate membranes appeared to shimmer and glow, casting an otherworldly light upon the surround
Her eyes were focused on her phone. The living room was quiet except for Aurora’s occasional laughs, her manicured smooth fingers clacking across the keypad and the frequent ‘dings’ coming from her phone.Her hair was in its usual messy bun, she wore Daniel’s shirt that was more of a gown on her, and her legs were bare.“Madam, we have a um… unanticipated presence.” Butler Zoe informed her, his brows furrowed.Rory didn't look up and asked, “Who?”“Your stepmother.”Her hands typing rapidly on her phone, stopped. She looked at Butler Zoe, eyes shining and her head tilted to the side.“I can assure you, our estate is private and no one is allowed to enter without confirming from us. I'll ask the security team to tell her to leave and that she isn't allowed here.” he was about to walk away but Rory called him back.“Let her in…” she said. “Untouched.” Butler Zoe hesitated but when he saw that she diverted her attention back to her phone, he sighed and went to do as he was told.Aurora
Rory’s gaze locked onto the tail lights flashing like taunts in the distance. The night was thick, the road weaving like a black ribbon through the desolate countryside. Nate gripped the wheel beside her, jaw clenched and eyes narrowed in concentration, while Oliver sat in the backseat, his laptop balanced on his knees, fingers flying over the keys.“They’re gaining speed,” Rory muttered, adrenaline flooding her veins. “Can you keep up, Nate?”He gave her a quick, fierce nod. “I’m not letting him get away with Daniel.” His voice was tight with determination, as he pressed down harder on the gas. The engine roared in response, pushing the car forward as it veered dangerously around another sharp bend.Oliver’s face glowed from the laptop screen in the backseat. “I’m trying to hack into Jordan’s phone,” he said, his tone laced with urgency. “If I can disrupt his GPS or disable the car remotely, it’ll give us an advantage.”Rory threw a glance over her shoulder. “How long will that take?
“Right!” She yelled, jerking away from Jordan’s evil touch. “Really? Well, I’m sorry, love. Your guess is wrong!” Jordan informed her and she closed her eyes, trying to stop the tears from flowing.“Please don't kill them! Please!” She pleaded and Jordan clicked his tongue repeatedly. “Awww. But you should have guessed properly!” He brought out a gun and shot the woman on the right in the head. ‘Bam!’“No!” She shrieked. “No, no, no! You monster! You freak of nature! No wonder your parents die! They deserved to die than to see the monster that you've become! Yes! They deserve to die!”“What did you just say?” His head snapped to hers, looking her dead in the eyes, his gun pointed at her, daring her to speak.The gunshot echoed in her ears over and over again but she didn't care. He should get it over with. “I said that your parents deserved to die the way that they did! Who would want to have a deformed and debased being as their son? I most certainly would not even if my life depen
[Trigger Warning: Mention and mild depiction of SA. I tried my best to shorten it.]***They said darkness enveloped you when you were dead. However, Rory felt the opposite. Darkness shrouded her because she was hopeless. Because no one was going to save her but herself. That's what she did. She played the part of a docile girl after the beatings Jordan had given her. She stopped saying, ‘Fuck You’ and curled herself into a ball and sobbed. Jordan crouched down beside her, as her shoulders shook. “Awww. Weren't you the one who wanted to pretend to be brave, Aurora? You know I like you like this. Weak, defenseless, and helpless.” He reached out and touched her hair, twirling them in his fingers but Rory kept shaking, tears streaming down her face.It felt like a thousand horses were stampeding on her body and that she was being thrown off a cliff, over and over again that the pain became a sound. It was a sound at this point, pushing her to the brink of insanity.Jordan smiled, a rea
The table was the only thing dividing Oliver and Daniel. But what kept Daniel calm was a mystery to Oliver as the video on his laptop played. Daniel had aged badly. He had stubble, his eyes were heavy, and dark circles covered the beauty of his steel eyes, still, the sharpness in them swirled as he peered at the screen. What was playing was a blurry video of a woman in the car who had almost hit Nana Clarisse as she tried to escape. It was very fleeting and unclear but he got a glimpse of those blue eyes and he knew who it was. His Koala. “How is the old woman?” he asked monotonously. Life had been sucked out of him these past few weeks and to make matters worse Rory’s family had been attacking his company non-stop because they blamed Daniel for everything. Oliver understood that they had lost their daughter twice and this was a normal reaction but how did this solve the problem? Although both sides were working together to save Rory. That was the most important thing at this poi
The car sped down the road, its headlights cutting through the night like blades. The hum of the engine was the only sound in the tight space, broken occasionally by the crackle of the walkie-talkie. Rory packed at the side of the road, gathering her thoughts. “This is The Riddler to Sleeping Beauty, do you copy?” Jordan’s voice came over the static. “The Riddler. I like ‘The Riddler’ but that’s already taken. What about ‘The Puzzler’? No that sounds terrible. What do you think, Sleeping Beauty?” Aurora hesitated, her fingers gripping the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles whitened. Her eyes narrowed in on her target. The task he gave her was to run over Nana Clarisse, who was buying something beside the road. He wanted her to kill her Nana? How could she? How would she? “Sleeping beauty? I asked you a question. Which name do you want me to use? I need an answer.” Rory would never take for granted his light and playful tone. He never joked around. Everything he said was
Aurora awoke with a pounding headache, her temples throbbing in rhythm with her heartbeat. A low groan escaped her lips as her eyes fluttered open, but she instantly regretted the movement. The world around her was dim, blurred. She could feel the rough wood pressing against her back, the cold bite of tightly knotted ropes digging into her wrists and ankles. Panic gripped her, sharp and immediate. She was tied to a chair. As her senses slowly returned, fragments of memory surged forward in jagged flashes. The sound of a gunshot echoed in her mind. Zoe... Butler Zoe was shot. Her heart clenched, bile rising in her throat. The old man, who had cared for her like a father, had died. For her. Because of her. A tear slipped down her cheek, unbidden and burning. She quickly blinked it away. She couldn't break now. Zoe's sacrifice couldn't be in vain. She had to get out. Her eyes swept her surroundings light barely illuminated the large, grey expanse. It was barren and cold. The place l
Daniel stepped into the dimly lit house, expecting the usual stillness, but instead, a strange scent filled the air—coppery, metallic. His pulse quickened as he scanned the room, his eyes freezing at a horrifying sight. Butler Zoe, his loyal companion, sat slumped against the couch, blood staining his white shirt, the fabric darkened around a bullet wound in his chest. “Zoe!” Daniel’s voice broke as he rushed forward, falling to his knees. His hands hovered over the wound, shaking, unsure where to press, where to help. Zoe’s breath was shallow, each inhale a desperate grasp for life. “Mr. Daniel…” Zoe’s voice was faint, almost swallowed by the gurgling sound in his throat. He tried to lift his head, but the effort seemed monumental. “Where’s Rory?” Daniel’s voice was frantic now, his hands pressing harder against Zoe’s wound, trying to stop the relentless flow of blood. “Where’s my wife, Zoe? What happened? Tell me!” Zoe’s eyes fluttered, struggling to focus. His lips parted, but t
Aurora sat at the long, polished oak table, the clink of silverware on china filling the air. The dining room was imposing with its towering walls lined with ancestral portraits that seemed to watch her every move. Her family—the family she had only just found out about—sat across from her, each holding a strange, silent tension. It was as though she were a foreign object, placed delicately on the surface of their world, and no one was quite sure what to do with her. Her mother, Anita, sat at the head of the table, her face a carefully constructed mask of poise, though Aurora could see the warmth of curiosity beneath. Her eyes darted occasionally to Aurora, as though she couldn't quite believe her daughter was real. Her father, Romero, gripped his wine glass a little too tightly. Emiliano sat across from her, Santiago beside her, and Diego, another brother she just found out that she had sat beside Santi. Then there was Antonio. Her twin brother was seated directly across from her.
Daniel was behind his desk, Oliver seated in front of the desk and Rory at his side. “First, we have to put all the clues we've had so far for the past three years,” Daniel said. “Three years? Didn't everything start this year?” Rory furrowed brows. “I’ve been receiving threatening messages from an unknown number after Blaire’s banquet. The first one was sent to Malcolm: ‘Sleeping beauty has pricked her finger.’” “And you didn't think to tell me? That my kidnapping was not by the Devanes?” Rory’s voice hardened. She wondered what other things he was hiding. Their hug at the hospital didn't mean their relationship was fixed. She wasn't sure if their relationship could ever be mended. “Let’s not stray off-topic for now. We know that the person involved likes riddles but is more straightforward when speaking to Daniel which means he has a personal vendetta against Daniel. Targeting Daniel is the goal since he attacked his mother first.” “The person also loves anagrams and is