Sarah pov.The day started off perfectly. Richard and I were on our way to a little restaurant down the street that we’d read great things about. He kept his hand in mine, swinging it slightly, and the warm, tropical breeze ruffled my hair. I felt happy, lighter than I had in months. This trip was everything I had hoped it would be—a chance for us to reconnect, to be in our own world, away from the daily grind.As we entered the restaurant, the smell of fresh seafood and sizzling spices greeted us, and my stomach rumbled in anticipation. We found a cozy table by the window, with a view of the beach just down the street, and settled in, glancing at the menu and chatting about what to order.But then I saw her. Isabelle.There she was, just a few tables away, scanning the menu like she’d just walked in. I felt my shoulders tense. What were the odds? It was such a small island, I guessed, but still, it felt strange. It was the third time now that we’d bumped into her, and each time i
Sarah pov.The rest of our days in Hawaii felt like a breath of fresh air. Isabelle was nowhere in sight, and I finally let myself relax. It was just the two of us again, enjoying everything this beautiful island had to offer. We snorkeled, ate more fresh pineapple than I thought possible, and watched the sun dip into the ocean every evening. My unease from our previous encounters faded slowly, replaced by the warm, comforting feeling that I could finally let my guard down. This was what I had wanted all along—peace, just Richard and me, without any odd distractions.As the trip came to an end, I felt a strange relief. Don’t get me wrong—I loved Hawaii, every beach and sunset, every little moment we shared here. But leaving meant leaving Isabelle behind, and I was more than okay with that. I didn’t even want to think about her as we packed up, heading back to our daily lives and routines. We had gotten what we came for—a much-needed recharge—and I was eager to take that feeling
Sarah pov.Richard glanced over at me, concern clear on his face. “Sarah, do you think we could help her out? Just for tonight?”Why the change of mind?“I…” I hesitated, feeling my stomach twist. “Maybe we could help her get into a hotel like you said, Richard. I mean, that’s probably for the best, right?”Isabelle managed a weak smile, waving her hand like it wasn’t a big deal. “No, no, A hotel is fine,” she said, voice soft. “You two shouldn’t have to do that. I’ll be alright. I just need to find my way around a bit.”But Richard didn’t look convinced, and I could feel the gears turning in his mind. “Come on, Isabelle,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s not a problem. You can stay with us for the night, and tomorrow, we’ll help you get sorted out with a hotel. Right, Sarah?”Why did he change his mind? He was about to lodge a hotel before.I didn’t want to argue with him, not right here on the sidewalk in front of Isabelle. I nodded slowly, managing a polite smile. “Of course,” I s
Sarah pov.That morning, I woke up hoping Isabelle would be on her way. Maybe she’d slip out with a polite thank you and let us have our life back. I knew it was a long shot, but I needed things to feel normal again, especially since Richard had completely dismissed my worries last night.When I walked out to the living room, though, I stopped dead in my tracks. Isabelle was sitting at the kitchen table, chatting with Richard over breakfast like she’d lived here for years. She didn’t even seem like she was getting ready to leave.“Good morning, Sarah!” Isabelle called, smiling like we were best friends.I forced a smile back, grabbing my coffee mug and pouring myself a cup. I could feel a knot of irritation forming in my stomach. How long did she plan to stay?“Sarah, you wouldn’t believe what Isabelle’s been dealing with,” he said, shaking his head. “She tried checking in at a budget motel nearby last night, but apparently, there was a break-in the night before. They warned her it
Richard pov“Richard, can we talk?”I paused mid-step on my way to the kitchen, catching the unmistakable edge in Sarah’s voice. Her arms were crossed, her brows furrowed like they’d been all week. I could guess what this was about. Isabelle. Again.“Sure,” I said, trying to sound casual, though I could already feel a headache brewing. I leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “What’s on your mind?”Sarah hesitated, glancing toward the living room where Isabelle had just gone. “Don’t you think it’s weird? How she’s always around, how she keeps inserting herself into everything?”I tried not to groan. I knew this was coming, but I’d hoped we were past it after our last talk. “Sarah, come on,” I said with a laugh. “You’re not still jealous, are you?”Her eyes flashed. “Jealous? Seriously, Richard? I’m not—okay, fine. Maybe I am a little. But it’s not just that! I can feel something’s… off about her.”I straightened up, shaking my head with a small smile. “You’re reading too much into
Sarah’s POVI don’t know when exactly the unease grew more intense, but it was there now, gnawing at the edges of my thoughts every time I saw Isabelle. She was always around, always smiling that too-bright smile or lingering just a little too close to Richard. “Sarah, you’re overthinking it,” I muttered to myself for the tenth time that day. But even as I said it, I knew it wasn’t true. Something about Isabelle didn’t sit right with me. It wasn’t just the way she talked to Richard, though that was bad enough. It was the way she looked at him, like he was the only thing in the room that mattered. And Richard, being Richard, was completely oblivious. I spotted them in the kitchen one afternoon, Isabelle leaning against the counter, laughing at something he said. Her laugh was too loud, too eager, and the way she tilted her head made my stomach twist. I cleared my throat as I entered, making sure they noticed me. Isabelle straightened up, her smile faltering for just a second b
Richard’s POVLiving with Sarah and Isabelle under one roof felt like walking a tightrope over a pit of fire. No matter what I said or did, someone was bound to get burned. Sarah’s mood had soured over the past few weeks, her usual warmth replaced by sharp glares and clipped words. Isabelle, on the other hand, wore this perpetual mask of sweetness that was starting to feel… off. “Richard,” Sarah said one morning, her voice low but edged. She was standing by the sink, her hand gripping the counter like it was the only thing keeping her upright. “Can we talk?” I can keep count of the “can we talk?” from her.I sighed, setting my coffee down. Here we go again. “Sure. What’s wrong now?” She flinched at my tone, but her expression hardened. “It’s Isabelle. I can’t do this anymore. She’s too… involved.” “Involved?” I echoed, frowning. “She’s just trying to be helpful.” Sarah’s laugh was bitter, humorless. “Helpful? Richard, she knows things about us that we never told her. She’s
Sarah pov.I purposely did not bring up the photos that I saw in Isabelle’s belongings yet because I need to have just more than pictures to prove her wrong.At first, I convinced myself it was paranoia. After everything Richard and I had been through, wasn’t it natural to be a little on edge? But the coincidences kept piling up, each one more unsettling than the last.I sat on the edge of our bed that morning, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My hair looked dull, my skin paler than usual. I felt off—nauseous even—but I told myself it was the stress.“Sarah, you can’t keep ignoring this,” I muttered to myself, running a hand over my face. I hadn’t been sleeping well, and the tension in the house was eating away at me.When Richard appeared in the doorway, I forced a smile. “Morning,” I said, but my voice sounded weak even to me.“Morning,” he replied, leaning against the frame. “You look tired.”“Gee, thanks,” I said dryly.He chuckled softly and walked over to kiss my forehea
Richard pov.The weeks that followed were like a dream, the kind of dream I never wanted to wake up from. Sarah’s recovery was nothing short of miraculous. She was her old self again—strong, radiant, and filled with the kind of joy that seemed to light up any room she entered. And our daughter? She was growing so fast, already wrapping us—and everyone else—in her tiny fingers. But the best part of it all? We were finally preparing for our wedding. Sarah wanted something small and intimate, just us and our closest family and friends. She’d always talked about having a garden wedding, surrounded by nature, with the sun setting in the background. And that’s exactly what we were going to do. The morning was a flurry of activity. Zoe was in charge of decorations, barking orders at Martins, who looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. “Martins, the flowers go on the left,” Zoe said, hands on her hips. “They look fine where they are,” Martins shot back, holding up a bouquet of
Richard pov.Weeks passed. Life felt like a blur of hospital visits, endless updates from doctors, and quiet moments spent in Sarah’s room. I was there every day, holding her hand, speaking softly to her, willing her to wake up. Zoe and Martins tried their best to keep things light whenever they visited, cracking jokes or telling stories, but even they couldn’t hide their worry. The NICU had become another constant in my life. Our daughter was thriving despite her premature birth, a tiny fighter who seemed determined to make it through. I’d visit her every evening after sitting with Sarah, watching her tiny chest rise and fall under the glow of the incubator’s lights. She was the only glimmer of hope in an otherwise dark time. “Hey, little one,” I whispered one night, my hand resting on the incubator. “Your mom’s going to wake up soon. She has to. She wouldn’t leave us like this.” It was a quiet morning when the miracle happened. I was sitting in Sarah’s room, flipping through
Richard pov.The morning of the trial felt heavy. I left the hospital earlier than usual, making sure Zoe would stay with Sarah. Despite the overwhelming dread, there was a part of me that felt strangely numb, as if my emotions had run dry after weeks of worry and anger. Martins met me outside the courthouse, impeccably dressed in his usual sharp suit. He clapped a hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding. “Today’s a big step forward,” he said. “Remember, this trial is about getting justice, not reopening wounds. You’re here to see Susan held accountable, not to punish yourself for her actions.”I nodded, though his words didn’t settle the unease churning in my gut. The courtroom was cold, and even though I’d prepared myself for this moment, seeing Susan seated across the room made my stomach twist. She didn’t look like someone riddled with guilt; she looked indifferent, like this was just another ordinary day. The prosecution opened with a detailed timeline of events, recou
Richard pov.The call from the police came just after dawn, jarring me awake in the cold, uncomfortable chair next to Sarah’s hospital bed. I fumbled with my phone, heart pounding as I stepped into the hallway to answer.“We’ve located Susan,” the officer said. “She’s in custody. We’d like you to come down to the station.”My grip tightened around the phone. The relief I felt was fleeting, quickly replaced by anger. “I’ll be there,” I said, my voice low.Zoe appeared beside me as I hung up. She had been sitting with Sarah through the night, taking turns with Martins to ensure I wasn’t alone. Her eyes were heavy with exhaustion, but her concern for Sarah mirrored my own.“Was that about Susan?” she asked.I nodded. “They’ve got her. I’m heading to the station.”“I’m coming with you,” she said firmly.“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Stay here. I need someone I trust to be with Sarah.”She hesitated, then sighed. “Fine. But keep me updated.”When I arrived at the police station, Martin
Richard pov.The cold, sterile environment of the police station did nothing to settle the unease that had been gnawing at me since Sarah’s fall. Sitting across from Isabelle in the small interrogation room only amplified it. She looked different—disheveled, almost feral—but her eyes still held that same unhinged intensity I remembered from before. Martins sat beside me, arms crossed, his body language radiating skepticism and disgust. The officer standing by the door had warned us to keep the conversation civil, but I wasn’t here to trade pleasantries. “Why, Isabelle?” My voice was steady, but my hands clenched into fists under the table. “Why did you hurt Sarah?” She tilted her head, a slow, deliberate movement that made my skin crawl. Then, she smiled—a twisted, almost childlike grin. “She wanted to take you from me,” she said, her tone eerily calm. I blinked, the sheer absurdity of her words momentarily robbing me of speech. “Take me from you? Isabelle, how many times
Richard pov.Morning came soon. The soft hum of the machines in Sarah’s room provided a false sense of calm, but every beep reminded me she was hanging on by a thread. My chest felt heavy with every passing second, waiting for her to open her eyes, to tell me everything would be okay. Zoe and Martins stayed close, their presence quiet but steady. Zoe would occasionally bring coffee or attempt to distract me with updates on the baby, but my focus stayed on Sarah.Martins had taken over the logistics—coordinating with hospital staff, keeping everyone updated, and ensuring the security team outside wasn’t slacking. It was just after 7 a.m. when my phone buzzed in my pocket, the vibration snapping me out of my daze. I saw the caller ID and immediately stepped out of the room to take the call. “This better be good,” I snapped, my voice low but sharp. “Mr. Wright,” a familiar voice responded—it was Derek, head of my security team. “We’ve apprehended Isabelle.” The words didn’t re
Richard povThe living room buzzed with life—laughter, the clinking of glasses, and warm chatter filled the air. Guests had arrived, carrying brightly wrapped gifts and wide smiles. It should have been a joyful day, a celebration of new life. But all I could feel was unease twisting in my gut like a knot that wouldn’t come undone. Martins nudged me as I stood by the window, eyes darting to the security guards stationed discreetly outside. “Hey, CIA,” he joked, his tone light. “You might wanna dial it down before Sarah figures out you’ve turned the baby shower into a covert operation.” I managed a thin smile. “Just being cautious.” Martins chuckled. “Yeah, cautious is your middle name. You’re so tense, you might scare the baby into coming early.” His humor didn’t land. I couldn’t shake the image of Sarah falling down those stairs from my mind—a thought that had no basis but still felt like an omen. Isabelle was out there. I didn’t know where, and that made her a threat.
Sarah pov.I woke up feeling like I was floating on air. Memories of last night flooded back—the soft glow of fairy lights, Richard’s face as he knelt before me, the ring that sparkled on my finger. I glanced at my hand, letting the sunlight catch the diamond, and smiled. It still felt surreal. The baby stirred, a gentle nudge reminding me she was there. “Good morning, little one,” I murmured, rubbing my belly. She responded with another kick, and my heart swelled. Today was going to be beautiful, filled with friends and laughter at the baby shower. But as I climbed out of bed and pulled on a robe, a faint unease settled in the back of my mind. Something I couldn’t quite place. When I reached the kitchen, the smell of coffee and the sound of laughter greeted me. Zoe was sitting at the counter, holding a steaming mug, while Martins leaned back in his chair, mid-joke. “Ah, our glowing bride-to-be!” Martins said with exaggerated flair, waving his hands like a magician. I roll
Richard pov.It had been a month since our trip to the nearby town. Sarah was now in her eighth month, and every day, I marveled at how gracefully she handled the ups and downs of pregnancy. But today was about more than just her strength—it was about giving her a moment to remember forever. I had planned a re-engagement surprise for her, one that would let her know how much she meant to me, now and always.“Martins, hurry up with the banner!” I called out as my best friend tried to figure out which end of the ribbon went where. He muttered something about not being a decorator, but I ignored him.The house was chaotic, but the good kind. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself as I rushed from one end of the living room to the other, adjusting balloons and making sure the decorations didn’t look like a Pinterest project gone wrong. I wanted everything to be perfect for Sarah. After everything we’d been through, she deserved that—and more.“Richard, mate, you need to chill,” Ma