"You know each other?" Maui asked, tilting her head between me and Daryl.
I laughed nervously, feeling the heat creep up my neck. "We just met a few days ago," I said, my gaze flitting between them.Daryl's eyes, dark and intense, held mine. "And you've been avoiding me ever since," he stated, his voice a low rumble.I choked, a cough escaping my lips. "I'm not avoiding you," I protested, shaking my head."Is that so?" Daryl challenged, his gaze unwavering. I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest.Maui looked at me, her brow furrowed with confusion. "What's going on?" she asked. I couldn't believe it. This was too much of a coincidence."You should still give him your resume," Maui said, her voice firm as we stood outside Daryl's office. "I'll go now. Good luck on your new job.""You're leaving now?" I asked, my voice laced with surprise. She nodded, her eyes filled with regret."I have a meeting at one. I can't be with yoThe moment Tyler and Joana halted before us, Daryl's voice, sharp as a knife, sliced through the air, "Do you know them?" Tyler, a smirk playing on his lips, responded, "Of course! I'm her brother. And you are?" My head spun in disbelief. His words, laced with a chilling familiarity, sent a shiver down my spine. "Don't talk to him like that, Tyler," I hissed, my voice barely a whisper. But my warning was lost on him. He just glared back, his eyes burning with a fire I didn't recognize. He took a step closer, his shadow looming over me. His lips moved, forming words that were meant for my ears alone. The air grew thick with unspoken menace."You just got a divorce, Tyra. And you're already dating?" His words, a low murmur, were laced with a hint of judgement. I rolled my eyes, the gesture more a reflex than a conscious decision."WHAT THE—" The rest of my response died in my throat. The sheer audacity of his question, the sheer nerve of hi
"Wait, what?" I blinked, my mind struggling to process Daryl's words. He stared at me, his expression a mix of amusement and bewilderment."I said, we're buying you a new car," he repeated, his voice calm but laced with a hint of something else, something I couldn't quite place. My heart stuttered. "The company's footing the bill?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. Daryl nodded his head, a slow, deliberate motion that seemed to stretch the silence between us. “Yes!" My breath caught in my throat. “Yes?” I echoed, the word hanging in the air, heavy with disbelief and a growing sense of unease. I knew I was repeating myself, but the reality of the situation was still sinking in, a lead weight settling in my stomach."Can you help me choose?" I asked, my voice a little hesitant. Daryl's laughter, a warm, rumbling sound, filled the space between us."Of course," he said, his eyes twinkling. "I'd love to help you find the perfect
“Nice to meet you!” I forced a smile, shaking her hand. The awkwardness of the moment hung heavy in the air.“Thank you for your hard work, Tyra!” Helena’s voice was warm, but I couldn't shake the feeling that her smile was a little too bright, a little too forced.“Let her do her work.” Daryl’s voice was a low rumble beside me, and I felt a jolt of surprise. He was already there, his gaze fixed on Helena. His presence, unexpected and unwelcome, amplified the tension in the room.“Yeah, I will leave now.” The words felt hollow, my smile fading as I turned towards the door. I couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. I was supposed to be focused on my work, not caught in this awkward dance of forced pleasantries and unspoken tension.Helena’s laughter echoed through the hallway, a mocking reminder of my presence in Daryl’s office. I tried to bury myself in work, but her laughter, coupled with Daryl’s earlier behavior, gnawed at my mind. Why was he acting so…f
As the weeks turned into months at Daryl's company, I learned to understand his communication style. My initial assumptions about his treatment of me faded, replaced by the realization that he was simply a kind person. Dizziness struck me mid-elevator ride. I leaned against the wall, the sensation uncomfortably familiar—it had been weeks since I'd felt this way. The elevator doors opened, and I stepped into Daryl's office, my usual routine a stark contrast to the unsettling feeling that lingered. As I reached my desk and began to tidy up, a tingling sensation started in my stomach. The wave of nausea hit me hard, and I raced to the bathroom, barely making it in time. What was wrong with me? After a quick rinse with mouthwash, I returned to my desk, feeling drained. Daryl was already deep in work, his focus a stark contrast to my own disorientation. I tried to settle back into my tasks. Then, Daryl's voice broke through the quiet, calling
The weight of my body felt like a leaden blanket. I opened my eyes to a blinding white. My throat was dry, and a dull ache throbbed in my head. I saw Joana, curled up asleep on the couch, her face pale in the harsh light. I tried to call out to her, but my voice was a hoarse whisper. The door creaked open, and Daryl and Tyler stepped in, their faces etched with concern. They saw me awake and immediately called for the doctor. A flurry of activity followed, nurses bustling around, instruments clicking, voices murmuring. I lay there, enveloped in the cacophony, until the doctor finally spoke, his calm voice a beacon in the storm. "Ms. Sandoval, can you tell me how you're feeling?" The doctor's voice was calm and reassuring, her eyes focused on me. I met her gaze, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over me. "A bit dizzy," I managed to say, my voice a little shaky. She nodded, her expression unreadable. "And when was your last menstrual
"Wait, what?" I inquired, the words hanging in the air as I tried to grasp his question. Perhaps I had simply misinterpreted his words."I'm asking about your relationship status," Daryl responded, prompting me to regard him with a newfound seriousness."Why the sudden interest, sir?" I pressed further, our eyes locked in a silent exchange."It's nothing, just idle curiosity," he deflected with a casual nod, a hint of mystery lingering in his gaze."Do you have any questions for me?" he asked, his voice smooth and expectant. One question immediately sprang to mind."Are you single, sir?" I blurted out, my cheeks flushing slightly. To my surprise, he didn't seem fazed by my boldness."Yes," he replied, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. I simply nodded, my curiosity became more intense.My legs felt like lead as I walked away, a knot of anger tightening in my stomach. How could he deny her? I'd seen it all, the way he looked at her, the way he hel
“What’s happening here?” I blurted, my voice a tremor in the sudden silence. Their grins, wide and knowing, sent a shiver down my spine.“So, you’re thinking Helena’s Daryl’s girlfriend?” The man’s words were a slow, deliberate drawl, each syllable dripping with a chilling amusement. He was like Laxus, the first time I’d met him, a presence that commanded attention, a force I couldn’t quite understand.“That’s what it looks like,” I managed, my voice barely a whisper. The man nodded slowly, his eyes gleaming with a hidden knowledge.“I’m Helena’s boyfriend,” he said, his voice a low rumble, “Yazi, by the way.” He extended his hand, his grip firm and unwavering, a silent challenge that sent a wave of unease crashing over me.My eyes darted to his hand, a wave of apprehension washing over me, before I hesitantly shook it."Tyra," I said, offering my hand. He smiled, his eyes lingering on Daryl for a moment before returning to me. "It's so nice to mee
"What's wrong with being divorced?" Daryl's words hung in the air, making no sense to me. I blinked, trying to process what he'd just said."Did you hear me?" I asked, my voice laced with confusion.He nodded, his gaze unwavering. "Yeah, so what's wrong with that?" he repeated.I shook my head, unable to believe what I was hearing. "You're out of your mind," I whispered, looking away.I heard his chuckle, a mocking sound that grated on my nerves. His words still echoed in my head, leaving a bitter taste. I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me flustered. Turning on my heel, I grabbed my bag and marched toward the elevator, my steps purposeful. As I pressed the button for the ground floor, I saw Daryl emerge from his office, but I didn't acknowledge him. I was done with this conversation, done with this day."Wait—" His voice trailed off as the elevator doors closed, leaving me with a sense of forebo
I was adrift in a sea of darkness, my senses overwhelmed by the oppressive silence. Yet, through the void, I heard them – voices like faint echoes, like whispers from a forgotten dream. Though their words were unclear, their tones were unmistakable.A gentle hand shook my shoulder, a familiar voice whispering my name. "Tyra, please wake up now. Marco is waiting for you." The sound was faint, muffled, as if from a great distance. I tried to respond, but my throat felt constricted, my voice trapped. Then, a different voice, high-pitched and urgent, pierced through the fog. "Mommy, wake up!" It was Marco, his little voice filled with a desperate plea. The ache in my heart intensified, a wave of longing washing over me. I missed him so much.A beacon of light, blindingly bright, drew my gaze. I stumbled towards it, my vision blurring, the world around me a swirling kaleidoscope of colors. As the light softened, I saw them, their faces familiar yet distor
Tyla Ralene's POVAfter hearing those words from Mika, I felt a wave of nausea rise within me. It was as if my stomach had been twisted into a knot, the bile threatening to burst forth. She wanted her brother, Laxus, to be hers, but their bond was one of blood, not desire. Even though she was adopted, she was still his sister, a fact etched in their shared history.My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat echoing the chaos swirling within me. I pressed Marco further behind me. Every muscle in my body tensed, anticipating the deafening crack of a gunshot, the searing pain that would follow."You just disgust me!" I blurted out, the words a desperate attempt to break through the icy grip of fear that had seized me. My voice, though shaky, held a surprising note of defiance. Mika's laughter, a harsh, grating sound, ripped through the tense silence. The sound was so unexpected, so jarring, that it momentarily disarmed me. It was the
Lara Michaela's POVThe world tilted on its axis that day. I was eight, a carefree child oblivious to the secrets hidden beneath the surface of my life. It was during one of those ordinary evenings, as I sat nestled in the corner of the living room, that I overheard my parents' hushed conversation. Their voices, usually filled with laughter and warmth, were laced with a strange tension. I strained to catch their words, a sense of unease creeping into my young heart. "It's just...she's been acting differently lately," my mother said, her voice tinged with worry. "I think she's starting to notice.""We can't keep it from her forever," my father replied, his voice heavy with a weight I couldn't comprehend. "But we need to find the right time, the right way to tell her." The word "her" pierced through the fog of my confusion. It was me they were talking about. But what were they hiding? My mind raced, desperately trying to piece together the fragmen
The silence in the police station was deafening, punctuated only by the occasional cough or the shuffling of papers. It had been a week since Marco was taken. One week of sleepless nights, haunted by nightmares of him being hurt, of him being scared. My mind wouldn't rest, wouldn't allow me to imagine anything but the worst. The police, despite their best efforts, hadn't found any trace of him. All I could do was cry, a silent, gut-wrenching sob that seemed to shake my very core. Tyler sat beside me, his hand resting reassuringly on my shoulder. He hadn't left my side since the moment we received the news. We'd had our share of disagreements, our fair share of arguments, but in this moment, all that faded away. He was my rock, my anchor in the storm. “Water?” he asked softly, his voice a gentle tremor in the oppressive stillness. I took the offered bottle, the cool liquid a small comfort against the burning ache in my throat. “Thank you,” I whispered, my vo
The fluorescent lights of the mall buzzed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the polished floors. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic rhythm that mirrored the frantic search for Marco. I'd scoured every corner, every store, every nook and cranny, but he was nowhere to be found. The security guard, a burly man with a tired expression, finally agreed to show me the CCTV footage. "It'll take a while," he grumbled, "but we'll get you what you need." I nodded, my voice a mere whisper, my eyes glued to the screen as the grainy images flickered to life. The hours crawled by, each tick of the clock an agonizing reminder of Marco's absence. The police, bless their souls, were doing their best, but I couldn't help but feel a gnawing suspicion. A part of me knew it was irrational, that blaming Laxus wouldn't bring Marco back."Tyra!" Joana and Tyler appeared, their faces etched with worry. "Have you heard anything?" Tyler asked, his voice s
Daryl's decision to take a step back had been a surprise, but not an unwelcome one. A part of me, the part that had always been practical and cautious, welcomed the space it created. It allowed me to breathe, to sort through the tangled mess of emotions that had been swirling within me. But the truth was, I was confused. Deeply, profoundly confused. I loved Daryl, I truly did. He was kind, supportive, and had a way of making me feel safe and seen. He was everything I thought I wanted, everything I thought I needed. And then Laxus reappeared. He was like a ghost from a past life, a memory I thought I had buried deep within me. But the moment I saw him, the years melted away. The feelings I thought I had left behind, the feelings I thought I had moved on from, surged back with a force I hadn't anticipated. It wasn't just the feelings for Laxus that were confusing me. It was the realization that what I truly craved, what I truly needed, was a complete fam
The icy grip of fear had settled over me, a chilling response to Laxus's words. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. His words echoed in my mind, a relentless assault on my composure. But then, a flicker of defiance ignited within me. A smirk played on my lips as I decided to face him, to confront the storm brewing within his eyes. "Can you even comprehend the gravity of what you're saying?" I challenged him, my voice steady despite the tremor in my heart. He simply stared at me, his gaze unwavering, his silence a deafening roar."That will never happen," I declared, my voice firm, my resolve unwavering. I turned on my heel and walked back into our house, leaving him standing there, a monument to his own self-destruction. The days that followed were filled with a tense silence. Laxus didn't attempt to contact me, his absence a tangible presence in my life. We had reached a crossroads, a point of no return. We decided to co-parent Marco, a fragile truce in t
The weight of the single white rose felt heavy in my hand as I looked down at my father's casket. The polished mahogany gleamed under the soft, dim lights of the cemetery, reflecting the faces of mourners gathered around. My father, once so full of life, now lay still, his face serene but unfamiliar in death. I squeezed Marco's hand, his tiny fingers gripping mine tightly. He was only four, but he understood that his Grandpa was gone. With a deep breath, I tossed the rose onto the casket, its petals landing softly on the dark wood. A choked sob escaped my lips as I whispered, "Goodbye, Dad. I'll see you again." The words felt hollow, a promise I couldn't quite believe. Picking up Marco, I carried him away from the casket, his small body a comforting weight against my chest. I smiled down at him, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. "Look, Marco," I said, pointing to the framed photograph of my father, its edges softened by t
The air hung heavy with the scent of pine needles and damp earth, a familiar aroma that always clung to the woods behind their house. "Tyra, honey!" The sound of Dad's voice, usually robust and full of laughter, was strained, almost a whisper carried on the wind. I spun around, searching for him amidst the towering trees, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. "Where are you, Dad?" I called out, my voice trembling slightly. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat echoing the unease that had settled in my stomach. I started walking, drawn by the faintest echo of his voice, but the path ahead was unfamiliar, a tangle of fallen branches and moss-covered rocks. "Just stay there, honey." His voice, though weak, held a reassuring warmth. I stopped, my hand instinctively reaching for the worn leather strap of my backpack, a familiar comfort in the face of the unknown. "Remember that I love you, honey. I love you, and your br