Lea had been staring at the ceiling for too long. Her eyes ached but she couldn't bear to shut her eyes. She glanced at the phone. Jake had promised he would come back in the morning. Would she be disturbing him by calling in the middle of the night? But she couldn't stop herself from picking the phone and hitting the dial pad. He answered right after the first ring. " Jake! " Her voice faded. " Yes, Lea! Is everything alright? " Asked. He didn't sound like he was sleeping. He wasn't even at home. She could hear car sounds in the background. " Where are you? I can't sleep. No matter how much I try. " Lea was fighting to hold back tears. " Lea, please don't cry. I will be there right away! I am not far from the hospital. " Jake was already sprinting with Phill on his heels. " No! I am fine. I mean no need to rush. I am just... Jake I am missing our old life. You, me and aunt. I want to go back. I want to go home to the hills. Right now. I need to. Will you take me? "Jake abruptly
Late into the night, the house was quiet except for the occasional creak of the old wooden floors. The cool breeze from the hills outside drifted in through the open windows, carrying the scent of fresh earth.Jake was in the kitchen, preparing a traditional noodle dish. The rich aroma of the noodle soup, spiced with local herbs and vegetables, filled the air.Lea lounged on the single couch, a soft blanket draped over her. The cozy warmth of the living room, combined with the rhythmic sound of Jake chopping vegetables, made her feel relaxed and at ease.From the kitchen, the sound of pots clinking and the delicious aroma of a home-cooked meal filled the air. Jake was bustling around, humming a tune she vaguely remembered from their younger days.The kitchen, living room and bedroom were all in the same space. "Jake, you sure you know what you're doing in there?" Lea called out," I can help,you know. I am just a little unwell not completely invalid."Jake peeked his head around the corn
Lea's POV“Jake, is everything alright?” I asked, noting the tense lines on his face. He gave me a quick, strained smile.“Yeah, Lea, everything’s fine. Come on, let’s finish our meal,” he replied, his voice forcedly cheerful. He led me back to the table, and we sat down to eat. The noodle soup was delicious, just like he promised. We chatted about old memories and shared a few laughs, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Jake was trying too hard to act normal, and it made me uneasy.After dinner, Jake insisted on cleaning up. I watched him from the couch, my eyes half-closed as I feigned sleep. He moved with a restlessness that betrayed his calm demeanor.When he was done, he came over and tucked me in, brushing a kiss on my forehead. “Goodnight, Lea. Get some rest.” I mumbled a soft “Goodnight” and closed my eyes, waiting until I heard the door click shut behind him.I immediately opened my eyes and sat and listened to what he was doing intently. Jake was pacing t
Lea's POVUnable to sleep, I found myself back on the couch, drawn to the journal I had found earlier. The worn leather cover and faded pages spoke of years gone by, and I felt a strange compulsion to uncover its secrets.Opening the journal, I was met with my aunt’s neat handwriting. The first few entries were mundane, detailing everyday life and events prior to my adoption into her household. But as I read on, the tone shifted. The entries became more serious, more urgent."March 15, 2002 - It’s been a month since the accident. That’s what I’ve told Lea, and that’s what I’ll tell everyone else. But the truth is far more horrifying. Thomas and Emily didn’t die in an accident. They were murdered."WHAT!!!!!! My heart stopped as I read the words. Murdered? I sat up straight, my eyes scanning the pagey, desperate for more information."March 20, 2002 - I’ve hidden the truth from Lea to protect her. The people who killed her parents are dangerousI can’t let Lea know the truth. She’s
Jake's POV The sun was just beginning to rise as I pulled up to the house on my bike, exhausted from riding all night. The cool morning air did little to calm the turmoil in my mind. I cut the engine and looked around, expecting to see some sign of Lea,my lifeline, but the house was eerily quiet.Was she still sleeping? I rushed inside and peeked in from the window. She was not on the couch. “Lea?” I called out, my voice echoing through the empty space. Panic started to bubble up inside me as I realized the helicopter was gone. “Lea!” I ran inside, my heart pounding. The house felt hollow, devoid of the warmth and life it had held the night before. I frantically checked every room, calling her name, but there was no response. The bed was unmade, the kitchen untouched, and the garage was just as I had left it.Pulling out my phone, I switched it on and saw a barrage of missed calls and messages. My hands trembled as I scrolled through them, hoping for some clue about where Lea c
A leap into the future Lea's POV PHEW!!! I sat in my new office, a far cry from the days spent in the hospital and that old house in the hills. The large glass walls behind me offered a panoramic view of the city, but I barely noticed. The banner of the Sully industries flew across the billboards across the city. My desk was cluttered with papers and files, and my computer screen displayed a long list of emails. I adjusted my glasses and pushed back a stray lock of hair that had escaped my tight bun. The coat and formal attire made me feel like a different person, but this was who I needed to beI was so deep in work that I didn’t hear the door open. Suddenly, I felt small arms wrap around my shoulders from behind. My heart skipped a beat, and I looked down to see tiny hands. I turned my head slightly and saw a pair of bright eyes and a mischievous grin that looked just like Jake’s. “Mommy!” the little boy exclaimed, his voice full of joy. "Hey there, buddy,” I said, my voice
Trigger warning / drug abuse Jake's POV I lounged in the jacuzzi, the warm water bubbling around me, but I barely felt its soothing effect. My body was bare, the result of hours spent at the gym ever since Lea had left again, three years ago. My muscles were more pronounced than ever,shoulders were broader, arms and thighs thicker and stronger but it didn’t bring me the satisfaction I’d hoped for. It was a distraction, nothing more.I didn’t blame her for walking away this time. After everything she learned about my family being involved in her family's murder, I completely understood her decision. Phill and I did everything we could to make sure she got everything she deserved and more. We fought to make her legal struggles as smooth as possible. It was a constant battle to keep our mother from interfering or causing trouble for Lea, but we did what we could.Lea didn't know that we helped, of course. All I wanted was to make things easy for her, give her comfort. Despite ou
Lea's POV Kai and I were happily getting ready in our spacious walk-in wardrobe, sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows and casting a warm glow on the polished wood and glass. The room was filled with neatly organized rows of clothes, shoes, and accessories, everything in its place. Yet everything felt out of place. "Mommy, can I wear my dinosaur shirt?" Kai asked, his small hands rummaging through his drawer filled with colorful clothes. "Of course you can, sweetheart," I said, smiling at his enthusiasm. "Let’s find your favorite green shorts to go with it." I was going through one of my sluggish days. I had those days quite often where I would just slouch back and relax. Had it not been for Kai's day care, I wouldn't have bothered to get up. But I promised the little one I would drop him off that day. He grinned, holding up his dinosaur shirt with pride. "Roar! I'm a dinosaur!" "Roar! You're the cutest dinosaur ever," I agreed, helping him into his shirt an