" Enough of your nonsense! ” Elizabeth stood up, slamming her own fists on the table, growling in response." Take your dirty a** out of my house. I am not going to tolerate any more harassment. ” " Harassment? You are the one harassing me, Lizzy! How dare you cut off all my cards at once. You blocked and froze all my accounts. I couldn't even pay for my drinks! ” Mr.Cole staggered forward. On cue from Elizabeth, male butlers jumped forward and held back Mr.Cole, restraining his arms. It only aggravated his violence and he jumped up and down as they held him back. " What are you doing, Elizabeth? I am your husband! " He shrieked on top of his voice. Jake stared at the man, in his exquisite suit, a boot that might have cost a fortune. He kept staring and wondering what difference was there between this man, supposedly his biological father who gave him away at birth, and the father he had grown up with, also a drunk head but with worn out slippers and tattered clothes. No that Ja
Suddenly , Jake's phone blasted through the silence . He glanced at the screen with panic and immediately excused himself. " I need to take this. It's from the hospital. " He sprinted from there. Phill rushed after him. " Yes, I am. What happened to her? What???? When? " Jake ran as he spoke. Phill caught up to him, really quick. He grabbed Jake by his shoulder and pulled him around. " Jake? What happened to Lea? " He asked, concern etched all over his face. Jake glanced up and down, taking a good look at him. In all the commotion of their new found dynamics, he had almost forgotten the dynamic that they shared. Jake scoffed at that realisation and said, " They wouldn't call me if it was about, Lea. They would call you. You got her admitted at your hospital. You are her doctor. She is under your care. ” Phill's hand dropped from Jake's shoulder. " Jake, I... " He stammered, clearly feeling uneasy but he didn't know how to react. " Don't worry, I understand. You and Lea might b
Jake stayed beside their aunt's hospital bed, his hand enveloping her frail, trembling one.She was struggling to breathe again. Her breaths were shallow and rapid. The doctors had managed to stabilize her fifteen minutes ago, but then, her condition was deteriorating again."Shh, it's okay. Just breathe slowly," Jake murmured, his voice steady, trying to mask his own rising fear. "In and out, nice and easy.Remember how you taught us to swim? Blow your bubbles. You can do it! ”Her eyes darted around the room, wild with panic, but she focused on Jake, gripping his hand as if it were her lifeline. "Jake... Jake, I can't..." she gasped, struggling to catch her breath. "I'm right here. Just focus on me," he said softly, squeezing her hand reassuringly.Suddenly, her eyes cleared, and she tried to push herself up. Her eyes fluttered and she suddenly sat up with a jolt. She ripped off her oxygen mask, her breath was labored but her eyes were sharp with an unexplained urgency. "Jake," she ras
Lea’s eyes were red-rimmed from crying, her hand resting over her hip. She looked tired, sleep deprived,grief etched on every fibre.She stood by her aunt’s grave, her black dress clinging to her pregnant belly. She looked fragile, her face pale and drawn, but there was a stubborn resolve in her eyes. She had insisted on being here, defying the doctors and her own body's protests. The air was heavy with the scent of rain, the sky a blanket of grey. The sky was overcast, as if mourning with them. A cool breeze rustled the leaves. Jake stood a few feet away, his eyes never leaving Lea. His hands were buried in his pockets.His eyebrows furrowed.He was lost deep in thought. Phill was there too.The last guests had left, leaving the three of them alone.Lea’s fingers traced the edges of the gravestone, her voice barely a whisper. “She always believed in me..." Her voice trailed off. Jake stepped closer, his face was a mask of a lot of emotions of which concern was very prominent. “Lea, yo
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