《THREADS OF DECEPTION》 Prolong Humming to herself, Rebecca set the dining table for dinner--the rhythmic clinking of plates was a comforting backdrop to her evening routine. But suddenly, a violent knock at the door shattered the calm. "Who''s there?" she called out, placing the plates on the table before heading to the door. As she turned the knob, the door was forcefully pushed aside, and men in black jackets stormed in. Their guns were drawn, and their threatening presence was undeniable. Rebecca staggered back, her heart pounding. The men''s menacing demeanour was clear as they entered, their faces resolute and unfeeling. "What¡­ what do you want?" she stammered, her voice trembling as she looked from one menacing face to another. The gang leader, Benjamin, pushed past her and barked an order, "Get the boy!" "What boy?" Rebecca''s voice cracked with fear. Moving toward the men advancing towards her rooms, she cried, "What do you want? Who are you?" Benjamin grabbed Rebecca''s arms and shoved her to the ground. "Don''t move, woman!" he snapped, aiming his gun at her. "No!" Rebecca''s cry was filled with anguish as the men rough-handled her kids out of the room. Tears streamed down her face, her heart breaking at their distress. "Mom!" Kate called out, her voice filled with fear. Though blind, she could sense the chaos and tension. "Mom!" Kate''s sobs were heart-wrenching as Rebecca''s pleas grew more desperate. Rebecca''s heart raced. Her kids meant everything to her; the thought of losing them was unbearable. She shook her head in disbelief, unable to process the horror unfolding before her. "Take them away," Benjamin ordered, gesturing towards Kate and Josh. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡± Josh yelled, his voice filled with defiance. At just fifteen, he stood firm, glaring at Scott, one of the men who loomed over him. ¡°Leave us alone!¡± Josh¡¯s tousled dark hair fell into his sharp, determined eyes, which burned with anger despite the fear he tried to suppress. Though slender for his age, his stance radiated surprising strength, a testament to his resilient spirit¡ªa boy unwilling to yield. The men laughed at his outburst, their amusement echoing in the small space. Scott wagged a finger at him, smirking. ¡°Don¡¯t be stubborn, kid.¡± With a rough shove, he pushed Josh toward the door, his laughter cutting through the boy¡¯s growing frustration. "No! Leave my son alone!" Rebecca screamed desperately. When she stood to reach for Josh, Benjamin shot her in the neck; she collapsed to the ground and gasped in pain, her vision blurring, and her hand barely grazed Josh''s face as she fell.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "Mom! No!" Josh''s screamed with horror. Tears streamed down his face while struggling to break free from the men holding him. "Let me go! Mom! Mom!" he cried, fighting against his captors. "You little brat!" Benjamin muttered as he hit Josh on the head with his gun. Josh''s world went black as he lost consciousness, Kate''s cries fading into the darkness.
Moaning softly, Josh¡¯s eyes fluttered open. He found himself enveloped in darkness, the cold floor beneath his feet his only point of contact. Attempting to stand, his legs buckled, and he sank back onto the hard wooden chair. A sharp gasp escaped him as the rope binding his wrists dug painfully into his skin. Struggling to loosen his hands, Josh froze at the sound of a creaking hinge. The noise stopped briefly, followed by the muffled thud of a closing door. The faint, deliberate taps of heels echoed through the room, and then¡ªsuddenly¡ªa harsh white light flooded the space, blinding him. Josh screwed up his face, his head bowed. Blinking rapidly, his vision adjusted, and the cold, grey concrete floor beneath him came into focus. He looked up, the sound of heels drawing nearer, and realised he was tied to a chair in the centre of a stark cement-walled room. Through his blurry sight, Josh spotted a young woman stepping into view. She wore a fitted blue dress under a sleek black jacket. Her smirk was sharp, and her piercing brown eyes exuded an unsettling confidence as they locked onto his. ¡°Hello, Josh,¡± the woman greeted, her tone deceptively soft as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Josh blinked, fear etched into his expression. ¡°Who are you? Did you send those men? What do you want? Where¡¯s my sister?¡± ¡°She¡¯s safe¡ªfor now,¡± the woman replied coolly. ¡°And she¡¯ll stay that way, provided you do exactly as I say.¡± Josh¡¯s voice trembled. ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to replace someone¡ªand spy for me,¡± she said, her tone unwavering. ¡°Replace someone? Spy?¡± Josh¡¯s confusion was evident, his words stumbling. ¡°Exactly,¡± she confirmed, leaning closer until her hands rested lightly on his shoulders. ¡°You¡¯re going to take your twin brother¡¯s place.¡± ¡°T-twin brother?¡± Josh stuttered, his shock evident. The woman nodded, her smirk deepening. ¡°Yes, Josh. You have a twin brother; his name is Jeff. He¡¯s with your aunt, Mrs Anderson. Your real mother died when you were both babies. From what I¡¯ve gathered, your father killed her. On the day she died, your nanny, Rebecca, took you and fled.¡± ¡°No,¡± Josh whispered, shaking his head vehemently. ¡°That¡¯s not true.¡± ¡°Oh, but it is, darling,¡± she said, her voice smooth and taunting. ¡°You and your brother look so alike that no one will ever notice when you take his place.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t do it!¡± Josh protested, his voice breaking as tears brimmed in his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re heartless.¡± ¡°You can call me whatever you like,¡± she replied icily, cupping his face. ¡°But you will do it.¡± Josh''s voice was barely audible. ¡°If I refuse... will you hurt my sister?¡± Her smile widened, but her eyes remained cold. ¡°You¡¯re a quick learner, Josh. I¡¯m glad you understand.¡± ¡°You¡¯re a monster,¡± he choked out, his words filled with anguish. ¡°You killed my mother!¡± ¡°And I¡¯ll kill your sister if you don¡¯t comply,¡± she said, her voice as chilling as her stare. Josh trembled, his breath uneven as he hung his head. ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± he whispered, his spirit broken. ¡°Good boy,¡± she cooed, her smile returning as she gently kissed his forehead. ¡°Your sister will stay safe as long as you follow my instructions. Do you understand?¡± Numbly, Josh nodded, unable to speak. "Good," the woman said, a sly smile curling across her lips. The Strain of Secrets ¡°Mr White, who sustained severe back injuries from a car accident last month, has resigned as chairman of Berliny Company. The board of directors is now preparing to select a new chairman from Mr. White¡¯s daughters: Alisha White, Alison White, and Alicia White¡­¡± The news continued on the television. Alison White turned to her mother, her olive-black eyes reflecting a mix of apprehension and resolve. Rose, a dignified woman in her fifties with short black hair and sharp, observant eyes, watched her daughter with concern and curiosity. ¡°What do think will happen now, Mom?¡± Alison asked, her voice tinged with anxiety. Rose gave her daughter a reassuring smile. ¡°Feeling scared now?¡± Alison sighed deeply, her gaze shifting back to the TV. She clutched a pillow tightly as if it could anchor her swirling emotions. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she admitted. ¡°Alicia!¡± She exclaimed. ¡°She¡¯s always my greatest problem. Always Dad¡¯s favourite, and¡­¡± Her voice trailed off as the sitting room door creaked open, and Alicia entered. Alicia White, the youngest of the family, walked in a striking purple gown adorned with glittering silver stones. Her long, curly black hair framed her face, and her olive-black eyes sparkled with a mixture of confidence and amusement. ¡°Oh, Alicia!¡± Alison exclaimed, her surprise evident. ¡°You look stunning. And it¡¯s a surprise to see you here.¡± Alicia chuckled warmly. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you, Alison.¡± She embraced her sister and then turned to their mother. ¡°Mom!¡± Alicia greeted Rose with a bright smile. ¡°Ah, my dear,¡± Rose said, her eyes lighting up with affection. ¡°How have you been? You haven¡¯t checked in since you moved out.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mom,¡± Alicia said, walking over to Rose and wrapping her in a hug. ¡°I¡¯ve been swamped with things. I¡¯ve missed you so much.¡± She laughed lightly, her eyes glistening. ¡°You¡¯re looking beautiful, my girl,¡± Rose said, caressing Alicia¡¯s cheek. ¡°Are you coming from somewhere special? You look like you¡¯ve been to a party.¡± Alicia nodded, her smile widening. ¡°Yeah, I went to my boyfriend¡¯s birthday party.¡±Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! ¡°Boyfriend?¡± Alison burst out laughing. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re talking about that jerk, Wilson?¡± Alicia¡¯s smile faltered, and she turned to Alison, her expression darkening. ¡°What do you mean by that? I¡¯ve told you before to stop badmouthing him. If you don¡¯t like him, fine, but keep it to yourself!¡± Rose raised an eyebrow, puzzled. ¡°Wilson? Who is he, and why is Alice calling him a jerk?¡± Alicia cleared her throat as Alison was about to speak and turned to her mother with a big smile, ¡°Don¡¯t mind Alice, Mom. Wilson is my boyfriend and the love of my life.¡± Rose¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Really? It¡¯s unusual to see you so animated about a guy. He must have made quite an impression.¡± ¡°Exactly, Mom,¡± Alicia said, her smile radiant. ¡°I¡¯m surprised myself. He must have stolen my heart.¡± ¡°But what about Jeff? Weren¡¯t you dating him?¡± Rose tilted her head, her expression full of curiosity as she gave Alicia a questioning look. Alison interjected, ¡°It¡¯s obvious Jeff has feelings for her.¡± Alicia glared at Alison. ¡°How would you know? Are you friends with him? Do you know him better than I do?¡± Rose, sensing the escalating tension, intervened softly. ¡°Easy, easy, girls. Let¡¯s not fight.¡± Alicia¡¯s anger flared. ¡°You need to tell Alison to stay out of my relationship. It¡¯s none of her business.¡± She glared at Alison before turning back to her mother. ¡°You¡¯re such a grump, Alicia. I was only joking,¡± Alison said, exasperated. ¡°Thanks! I don¡¯t appreciate jokes, Alison. And I¡¯d like to take my leave now.¡± Alicia stood up, her frustration evident. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re leaving already?¡± Rose asked her tone a mix of disappointment and concern. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mom,¡± Alicia said abruptly. ¡°I need to go.¡± ¡°Hold on, Alicia. I don¡¯t¡ª¡± Rose started, but her words cut off as Mr White entered the room, his secretary, Olive, manoeuvring his wheelchair with careful precision. The room fell silent instantly, the air thick with unspoken tension. Seeing her father, Alicia¡¯s face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger. Without another word, she moved swiftly towards the door. Mr. White¡¯s gaze followed her every step, his expression a blend of fear, longing, and helplessness. As he watched Alicia storm out, his face grew pained, and his hands trembled on the arms of his wheelchair. The sight of his daughter leaving in such a manner cut him deeply, he sighed heavily as he was weighed down by sorrow and regret. Rose noticed Mr. White¡¯s reaction and exchanged a conspiratorial glance with Alison. ¡°You should go to your room and rest, White,¡± she said, observing his trembling hands. Mr. White, aware of his wife¡¯s gaze, placed his hands on his lap to steady them. ¡°I¡¯ll do that,¡± he agreed quietly. Olive wheeled him away, leaving Rose and Alice in the still room. Alison¡¯s gaze followed her father¡¯s departure with a cold, irritated look. Once Mr. White was out of sight, she hissed, ¡°He always pisses me off. Everything is always about Alicia. That old fool¡­¡± Frustrated, she threw the pillow she was holding and stormed out of the sitting room. Watching her daughter leave, Rose''s lips curved into a sly smile. Nightmare It was late at night when Mr White¡¯s younger self shoved the door open, thunder rumbling with cracks of lightning as the rain fell heavily. He teetered in his drunken state, and Alicia, still a teenager, ran to her father and steadied him. ¡°Father!¡± she cried, struggling to support him. She glanced at the door for any sign of Olive, her father¡¯s secretary, for help, but there was no sign of him. Where is he? she wondered, then looked back at Mr White. ¡°You need to come with me, Dad. I¡¯ll help you to your room,¡± she said, guiding him towards the stairs. ¡°Why did you get yourself this drunk?¡± she muttered, almost talking to herself. She had never seen her father in such a state, and it worried her as Mr White blenched and stumbled along the way to his room. Once in the room, Alicia carefully led him to the bed. As she tried to help him lie down, he suddenly pushed her onto the bed and pulled himself over her. Considering his drunken state, Alicia tried to push him off, but Mr White pinned her arms down. Alicia gasped and struggled. ¡°Let me go, Dad! What are you doing?¡± ¡°Shuuuu!¡± Mr White muttered, and Alicia fell silent, staring at his face, confused by what he was trying to do. ¡°Can¡¯t you feel it¡¯s stuffy? You need to get yourself out of this dress!¡± Mr White murmured. He grunted as Alicia resisted him, fighting to keep her dress on. ¡°Be a good girl! Be a good girl!¡± he warned irritably, forcing kisses onto her lips. ¡°Stop! Stop, Dad! Stop!¡± Alicia cried. ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ please¡­ please!¡± She shouted the last word aloud, jerking awake from her nightmare, panting and sweating profusely. She switched on the white bedside lamp and buried her face in her hands. She stayed like that for a few minutes until her breathing steadied. She looked at the ceiling, sighed, then glanced at the clock on the shelf. It was 6:10 am. She listened to the ticking of the second hand in the silence. As it reached the 12, she yawned and climbed out of bed. Just as she was about to enter the bathroom, her phone beeped. She walked to the dressing table to check it. ¡°HAPPY NEW MONTH!¡± flashed on the phone¡¯s screen as she unlocked it. ¡°IT¡¯S MAY, DARLING. Wishing you all the best.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. A smile crept over Alicia¡¯s face; she sat on the armchair at her dressing table and replied: ¡°THANKS, JEFF. And I wish you the same.¡± Realising he wasn¡¯t online, she texted Wilson ¡°NEW MONTH¡± with her best wishes before finally heading into the bathroom for her morning shower. ********************************************************************** Alicia was dusting off the chairs in the sitting room when she heard a knock at the door. She was surprised to see Jeff so early in the morning. Jeff stood at the door, his pink lips smiling. His tall, wiry frame was dressed in jeans, a jacket over a white round-neck shirt, and joggers, paired with sneakers. His black, curly flat-top hair complemented his fair skin, giving him an elegant look. He held a small white carrier bag. ¡°You!¡± Alicia blinked at Jeff and laughed. ¡°It¡¯s early. I wasn¡¯t expecting you.¡± ¡°I knew you wouldn¡¯t,¡± he said, nodding as he walked in. ¡°And this is for you.¡± He handed her the bag. ¡°What¡¯s in here?¡± Alicia asked curiously, taking the bag. She opened it and took out a small black box. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± she asked, glancing at Jeff as she examined it. ¡°Check it out,¡± Jeff urged, hands in his pockets. When Alicia opened the box, she found a sparkling golden necklace. Her eyes widened in amazement as she looked up at Jeff. ¡°I tried to get this exact necklace last week but couldn¡¯t. How did you know I wanted it?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a secret,¡± Jeff replied with a self-satisfied smirk. ¡°It¡¯s a new month!¡± he exclaimed, settling into a chair. ¡°It¡¯s expensive. This must have cost you a bit,¡± Alicia remarked, sitting beside him as she admired the necklace, holding it between her fingers as it dangled. ¡°I heard in the news that your father resigned and the¡­¡± ¡°Please, Jeff,¡± Alicia interrupted, turning to look at him over her shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t bring him up.¡± Jeff noticed the strained lines on Alicia¡¯s forehead and furrowed his brows. ¡°I doubt you had a good night¡¯s sleep.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she muttered, looking away. ¡°The nightmare again,¡± Jeff whispered. ¡°I said I¡¯m fine,¡± she retorted, putting the necklace back in its box and placing it back in the bag. ¡°I was cleaning the chairs before you came in,¡± she said, picking up her duster. ¡°There¡¯s always so much on your mind, Alicia,¡± Jeff said, standing up, his voice filled with concern. ¡°How do you expect me to stay quiet?¡± Alicia turned to face him fully, smirking. ¡°And how do you know I¡¯ve got a lot on my mind?¡± She raised an inquisitive eyebrow. ¡°Do you have some insight?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to tell me, Alicia. I know you better than you think. I can read you like a book if I¡¯m calm enough. Besides, Ivan told me what happened at Wilson¡¯s birthday party last night; he mentioned how he had¡­¡± ¡°Really?¡± Alicia questioned, stepping closer to Jeff, her eyes searching his as if looking for answers. ¡°Tell me, Jeff. Have you been spying on me?¡± Jeff sighed, ¡°I haven¡¯t.¡± ¡°Then how did he find out?¡± ¡°You need to stop this, Alicia. All I want you to know is that this guy isn¡¯t for you. He doesn¡¯t love you!¡± Furious, Alicia slapped Jeff. ¡°You have no right to tell me what¡¯s for me or not. We¡¯re just friends, and you have no right to interfere in my personal life,¡± she warned. ¡°Oh?¡± Jeff chuckled, unphased by the slap. ¡°Just¡­ just friends!¡± he scoffed, laughing. ¡°And what about all these years of friendship? You knew me before him. Who¡¯s been there to comfort you when no one else was? Me! It¡¯s always been me, Alicia. And even now, you still come to me for comfort,¡± he added bitterly. ¡°Leave!¡± Alicia shouted, pointing at the door, her lips trembling. ¡°Get out of my house, Jeff.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll never understand, no matter how much I try to explain. You might think¡­¡± Jeff paused, sighing. ¡°You might think my emotions and anger are only driven by jealousy. I won¡¯t deny I¡¯m jealous of your feelings for him, but¡­¡± he stepped closer until they could feel each other¡¯s breath. ¡°It¡¯s more than that, Alicia.¡± ¡°Thank you, but I¡¯ll never understand. And I¡¯m not ready to, especially while you continue going against him.¡± She grabbed the bag and thrust it back into Jeff¡¯s hands. ¡°If you think this will win my heart, you¡¯re wrong,¡± she said, holding his hands firmly around the bag. As she said this, the door creaked open and Wilson walked in. As Alicia saw Wilson, she stepped away from Jeff immediately, forcing a smile. Confession I May 1st, 8:06 PM As Alicia heard the door open, she lifted her head gently. A faint smile flickered across her lips as she saw Jeff walk in. With a groan, she sat upright and leaned her back against the pillow. Jeff closed the door behind him, carrying a lunchbox as he approached her. After Alicia received initial treatment, Jeff had decided she should be admitted for further care under a nurse''s supervision. When it got late, he left the hospital briefly to buy her dinner. Since leaving Alicia¡¯s house for the hospital earlier that day, they had not spoken. Now, as Jeff walked into the ward, both were lost in their thoughts, trying to figure out what to say to each other. The room hung in an awkward silence as he approached her bedside. Trying to distract himself from the discomfort, Jeff let his gaze wander around the VIP ward. The smell of antiseptic and mint hung faintly in the air. Opposite Alicia¡¯s bed, a glass wall offered a stunning view of the city skyline. Beside her bed was a small shelf, and the bed itself looked... Jeff stopped his train of thought as his eyes met Alicia¡¯s. She quickly looked away. Clearing his throat, Jeff stopped in front of her. ¡°Are you feeling better?¡± he asked, placing the lunchbox on the shelf. Alicia nodded slightly. Noticing that his gaze lingered on her bandaged ankle, she cleared her throat. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she said quickly. ¡°Can¡¯t we leave tonight?¡± Jeff sighed and sank into the chair beside her bed. ¡°We could, but I want you to rest,¡± he replied softly. ¡°This isn¡¯t the place for rest,¡± Alicia said flatly. ¡°You know that.¡± Jeff nodded. ¡°I know, and I¡¯m sorry. I just want to make sure you¡¯re okay. If I take you home, you¡¯ll push me away, and I won¡¯t be able to look after you. I¡¯d worry. But don¡¯t worry¡ªwe¡¯ll leave tomorrow morning.¡±The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Alicia heaved a sigh, unsure of how to respond. ¡°I brought you dinner,¡± Jeff offered. ¡°I don¡¯t want it.¡± She glanced at him, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°I¡¯ve lost my appetite, Jeff.¡± ¡°You need to eat¡­¡± ¡°No, Jeff,¡± she interrupted, shaking her head. ¡°I just... can¡¯t.¡± ¡°Is it because of me? Fine! I¡¯m sorry¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s not you!¡± she cut him off, her voice trembling. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked up at him. ¡°I was just wondering... if you hadn¡¯t saved me, would he really have killed me?¡± A hollow laugh escaped her lips. ¡°It¡¯s just... funny, isn¡¯t it?¡± She sniffled as tears rolled down her cheeks while Jeff, not knowing what to say, watched her with anger and pain stirring in his chest. ¡°I gave him everything. Everything! You know that,¡± she continued, her voice breaking. ¡°Last night at his party...¡± Alicia took a shaky breath, her gaze dropping to her intertwined fingers. ¡°I saw him with one of his girlfriends¡ªJanet. I... I was furious, consumed with jealousy. She stayed by his side all night while he ignored me. I felt like... like I was the side chick.¡± She let out a bitter laugh and glanced at Jeff. ¡°When I confronted him, do you know what he did? He slapped me. Right there, in front of all his guests. He insulted me and shoved me out of the party.¡± She sniffled, fighting to keep herself from breaking down completely. ¡°Even after all that, when Alison called him a jerk last night, I defended him. I stomped out of the house in anger.¡± Alicia shook her head, a grim smile on her face. ¡°He apologised in the middle of the night. I forgave him, Jeff. And this morning, I... I fought you because I was trying to protect him. I was stupid¡ªno, I am stupid¡ªfor falling for him. He pretended to be kind and caring at first, but then... he changed. He¡¯s selfish. A narcissist.¡± Her breath hitched as fresh tears streamed down her face. She looked up at Jeff, their eyes locking. ¡°I know you¡¯re angry with me,¡± she whispered. Jeff heaved a deep sigh, running a hand through his hair. ¡°Why?¡± he asked, his voice trembling. ¡°Why do you love him so much? I¡¯ve been here for you all these years, Alicia. Caring for you. Loving you. And yet, you... you always push me away. You¡¯ve never even given me a chance.¡± His voice cracked, tears spilling from his eyes. ¡°Not once. Not a single chance!¡± Alicia lowered her gaze to her fingers. ¡°You think I don¡¯t love you?¡± she said bitterly. She scoffed and chuckled hollowly. ¡°You¡¯re a fool, Jeff. A fool!¡± Jeff sneered. ¡°Love? Love? I can¡¯t even remember the last time you showed me that.¡± Confession I May 1st, 8:06 PM As Alicia heard the door open, she lifted her head gently. A faint smile flickered across her lips as she saw Jeff walk in. With a groan, she sat upright and leaned her back against the pillow. Jeff closed the door behind him, carrying a lunchbox as he approached her. His steps were slow, hesitant, as though he was bracing himself for a confrontation he didn¡¯t want to have. After Alicia received initial treatment, Jeff had decided she should be admitted for further care under a nurse¡¯s supervision. When it got late, he left the hospital briefly to buy her dinner. Since leaving Alicia¡¯s house for the hospital earlier that day, they had not spoken. Now, as Jeff walked into the ward, both were lost in their thoughts, trying to figure out what to say to each other. The room hung in an awkward silence as he approached her bedside. Trying to distract himself from the discomfort, Jeff let his gaze wander around the VIP ward. The smell of antiseptic and mint hung faintly in the air. Opposite Alicia¡¯s bed, a glass wall offered a stunning view of the city skyline. Beside her bed was a small shelf, and the bed itself looked... Jeff stopped his train of thought as his eyes met Alicia¡¯s. She quickly looked away, her face flushed with a mix of emotions she couldn¡¯t quite name. Clearing his throat, Jeff stopped in front of her. ¡°Are you feeling better?¡± he asked, placing the lunchbox on the shelf. His voice was soft, almost careful, as if afraid of saying the wrong thing. Alicia nodded slightly. Noticing that his gaze lingered on her bandaged ankle, she cleared her throat to break the silence. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she said quickly. Her tone was flat, but her eyes darted around the room, avoiding his. ¡°Can¡¯t we leave tonight?¡± she added, her voice barely above a whisper. Jeff sighed and sank into the chair beside her bed. His shoulders slumped, the weight of unspoken words pressing heavily on him.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡°We could, but I want you to rest,¡± he replied gently. ¡°I can''t rest here,¡± Alicia countered, a bitter edge creeping into her voice. ¡°You know that.¡± Jeff nodded, his gaze dropping to his hands. ¡°I know, and I¡¯m sorry. But I just want to make sure you¡¯re okay. If I take you home now, you¡¯ll push me away. I won¡¯t be able to care for you.¡± He paused, glancing at her with a mix of concern and frustration. ¡°But don¡¯t worry¡ªwe¡¯ll leave tomorrow morning.¡± Alicia heaved a sigh, unsure of how to respond. Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of the blanket, betraying the calm she tried to project. ¡°I brought you dinner,¡± Jeff offered, his voice lighter, almost hopeful. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry,¡± she replied, her words laced with exhaustion. She glanced at him, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°I¡¯ve lost my appetite, Jeff.¡± ¡°You need to eat¡­¡± ¡°No, Jeff,¡± she interrupted, shaking her head. ¡°I just... can¡¯t.¡± ¡°Is it because of me? Fine! I¡¯m sorry¡ª¡± ¡°No,¡± she interrupted, her voice trembling. She wiped her eyes, fighting back the tears. ¡°It¡¯s not you, Jeff. I just¡­ I just keep wondering. If you hadn¡¯t saved me¡­ would he really have killed me?¡± She gave a hollow laugh, the sound bitter and empty. ¡°It¡¯s... funny, isn¡¯t it?¡± Her voice cracked as tears fell. ¡°I gave him everything, Jeff. Everything.¡± Her voice shook as she spoke, and she looked away, her gaze unfocused. ¡°Last night¡­ at his party¡­ I saw him with Janet. I was consumed with jealousy. She stayed with him all night, while he ignored me. I felt like¡­ I felt like I was just a side chick. A nobody.¡± She let out a bitter laugh and glanced at Jeff. ¡°When I confronted him¡­ he slapped me. Right in front of everyone. He shoved me out, insulted me. And yet, this morning, when Alison called him a jerk, I defended him. I stormed out in anger. Then he apologized in the middle of the night, and I forgave him, just like that. And this morning, I fought you¡­ because I was trying to protect him. I was stupid¡ªno, I am stupid¡ªfor still caring about him. He pretended to be kind at first, but he¡¯s nothing but selfish.¡± Her breath hitched, and fresh tears blurred her vision as she looked up at Jeff. ¡°I know you¡¯re angry with me,¡± she whispered, her voice cracking. Jeff heaved a deep sigh, running a hand through his hair. His jaw tightened as he struggled to contain the emotions bubbling within him. ¡°Why?¡± he asked, his voice trembling. ¡°Why him, Alicia? I¡¯ve been here for you. All these years. Loving you. And yet¡­ you always push me away. You¡¯ve never even given me a chance.¡± Alicia¡¯s gaze fell to her hands. She laughed bitterly, but it was empty. ¡°You think I don¡¯t love you?¡± she scoffed. ¡°You¡¯re a fool, Jeff. A fool.¡± Jeff¡¯s expression twisted, his heart aching. ¡°Love?¡± His voice was low, full of hurt. ¡°I can¡¯t even remember the last time you showed me that.¡± Secret III ¡°What do you think will happen when she finds out? Do you think she¡¯ll be able to handle it?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡± he threatened, his fists clenched. ¡°You won¡¯t!¡± Alena raised an eyebrow. ¡°I didn¡¯t say I would,¡± she paused, ¡°but you¡¯re already scared.¡± She gulped down the whisky and banged the glass on the parapet. ¡°Listen, darling, the only way to save yourself is by saving this relationship. You can¡¯t leave me,¡± she stressed the last words and chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s not funny,¡± he growled. Nodding, she said, ¡°You¡¯re right¡ªit¡¯s not. But I do wonder how a guy like you can claim to love Alicia.¡± She squinted at him. ¡°Don¡¯t you feel guilty? How could you be so cruel?¡± Jeff glared at Alena, his fists trembling. Alena pressed on. ¡°Do you know the most dangerous thing? A predator who pretends to love its prey, only to strike when it¡¯s most convenient...¡± ¡°Enough,¡± he warned. ¡°Stop now, or you¡¯ll be the first blood I stain my hands with.¡± ¡°Then do it!¡± she dared, staring straight into his eyes, unfazed. Gritting his teeth, he spat, ¡°You witch.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a compliment,¡± she replied, raising a hand to caress his flushed face.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°Just let go, Jeff,¡± she said softly. ¡°It¡¯s a waste of time to pursue a relationship with her. It¡¯ll only break you. You know it; I know it; we both know what lies ahead for her. So why are you doing this to yourself? ¡°We can¡¯t always have what we want, and we certainly can¡¯t control everything. Sometimes, we just have to learn to let go. Life is full of pain, hardship, and difficulty. I often wonder why it¡¯s so cruel to us.¡± She paused and added, her voice dropping to a husky whisper, ¡°I don¡¯t want you to start something that will destroy you, Jeff. Let me comfort you in my arms and heal your scars.¡± She rubbed his chest as she spoke. Jeff smirked. ¡°You should know me better. I¡¯m not giving up.¡± ¡°Good!¡± Alena exclaimed, clapping her hands. ¡°Then you¡¯ve made the right decision, boy, and I¡¯m glad. But let me remind you¡ªthe person you¡¯re about to fight is far above your league.¡± She approached the bottle of whisky on a nearby stool and continued, ¡°Think carefully before you act recklessly.¡± She poured herself another glass. ¡°You¡¯re always full of advice; you should¡¯ve been a counsellor,¡± he said, clicking his tongue. ¡°Such a waste of talent.¡± ¡°Maybe it wouldn¡¯t have been wasted if I¡¯d realised it earlier,¡± she chuckled, draining the glass and setting it back on the parapet. Wrapping her arms around him, she muttered, ¡°It¡¯s so cold up here.¡± Jeff shut his eyes, his jaw tightening.
In a grand sitting room, Wilson stood by the wine shelf with two towering men in suits behind him. His hand gripped his phone so tightly that his veins and muscles bulged as he spoke into it. ¡°What are you doing?¡± a calm voice asked on the other end. ¡°What do you think will happen if the car hits her? Don¡¯t you ever consider the consequences?¡± ¡°It¡¯ll all end the same way, brother,¡± Wilson sneered. ¡°I need to tell you¡ªsomething is going on between her and Jeff. Do you know how that makes me feel? It drives me mad!¡± He yelled, his teeth clenched. ¡°That jerk¡­¡± The voice sighed. ¡°If you keep trying to ruin this, I¡¯ll make you pay for it. Have a good sleep; we¡¯ll see each other tomorrow.¡± The call ended. Wilson pulled the phone away from his ear and tightened his grip further, a smirk spreading across his face. Secret I The young nurse turned to the lady behind her and bowed as she apologized, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for bringing you to the wrong ward. It must be the next one.¡± ¡°Oh, not really, nurse,¡± said the lady, who appeared to be in her late twenties. She was tall and slim, her heels making her even taller. Her black hair was styled in a sleek bob, and her glittering black stone-embellished jumpsuit complemented her fair skin. Her face bore a striking resemblance to Alicia¡¯s, though there were subtle differences: a mole above her upper lips. She was Alena, the first daughter of the White family. ¡°They¡¯re my family,¡± Alena smirked, staring directly at Alicia. She then turned to the nurse with a sweet yet unsettling smile. ¡°You can wait outside for a moment.¡± Her tone was calm, yet her presence was intimidating. The nurse nodded quickly, leaving the ward and closing the door behind her. ¡°What are you waiting for?¡± Alicia cocked her head, raising an inquisitive brow at Alena. ¡°You heard the nurse say it¡¯s the wrong ward,¡± she said coldly, locking eyes with her sister. ¡°It¡¯s understandable to be shocked to suddenly see you at the hospital,¡± Alena replied, her gaze shifting to Alicia¡¯s bandaged ankle. ¡°That must hurt a lot.¡± ¡°As if you care.¡± Alicia¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. ¡°Now, take your leave.¡± Alena turned her attention to Jeff, who met her gaze with cold defiance. Her lips spread into a wide smile. ¡°It¡¯s good to see you here, Jeff. I can see you two are having a good time together.¡±Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡°You should leave now, Alena!¡± Alicia warned, her tone sharp. ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll leave, Alicia dear.¡± Turning back to her sister, Alena added, ¡°But let me give you a piece of advice before I go.¡± She threw a glance at Jeff, noticing his fists clenched tightly under the table. Her smile grew sweeter as she looked at Alicia. ¡°Know who to trust, honey. The worst thing in life is trusting someone with all your heart, only for them to shatter it. You¡¯ve had your fair share of heartbreaks, haven¡¯t you? I¡¯d think you¡¯ve learned by now.¡± Alicia scoffed, glaring at her. ¡°It¡¯s such a privilege to receive advice from a big sister like you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad you appreciate it,¡± Alena replied with a smirk. She gave Jeff one final look before walking out of the ward, her steps slow and deliberate. ¡°What an advice,¡± Jeff sneered, turning to Alicia. Alicia sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. ¡°I wonder who she came to see,¡± she muttered softly. ¡°You don¡¯t hate her, do you?¡± Seconds of silence passed before Alicia scoffed. ¡°Why would I love someone who hates me so much?¡± Later That Night ¡°I know you didn¡¯t walk into the wrong ward by mistake. Tell me what the hell you¡¯re doing here, Alena!¡± Jeff¡¯s cold voice cut through the stillness of the night as he stormed onto the hospital¡¯s roof. Alena, standing near the parapet with a glass of whiskey in hand, turned to face him. The raw night air brushed through her hair and dress, causing her dress to flutter. As she saw Jeff approach, her lips curled into a knowing smile. ¡°You¡¯re finally here, Jeff,¡± she said smoothly. ¡°You kept me waiting. What have you been doing with that girl? Making love?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not here to answer your questions,¡± he said, his voice steady. ¡°I¡¯m here to tell you to leave.¡± ¡°Oh!¡± She took a few steps closer to him, laughing lightly. ¡°You¡¯ve got the nerve to say that after I saw you kissing her?¡± With a sly smile, she wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing closer. ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid of me anymore?¡± she teased, pressing her lips against his. ¡°We need to stop this, Alena,¡± he hissed, pulling away. ¡°She¡¯s finally accepted me, and I won¡¯t let you tear us apart.¡± He looked her dead in the eye, his voice firm. Secret III ¡°What do you think will happen when she finds out? Do you think she¡¯ll be able to handle it?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡± he threatened, his fists clenched. ¡°You won¡¯t!¡± Alena raised an eyebrow. ¡°I didn¡¯t say I would,¡± she paused, ¡°but you¡¯re already scared.¡± She gulped down the whisky and banged the glass on the parapet. ¡°Listen, darling, the only way to save yourself is by saving this relationship. You can¡¯t leave me,¡± she stressed the last words and chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s not funny,¡± he growled. Nodding, she said, ¡°You¡¯re right¡ªit¡¯s not. But I do wonder how a guy like you can claim to love Alicia.¡± She squinted at him. ¡°Don¡¯t you feel guilty? How could you be so cruel?¡± Jeff glared at Alena, his fists trembling. Alena pressed on. ¡°Do you know the most dangerous thing? A predator who pretends to love its prey, only to strike when it¡¯s most convenient...¡± ¡°Enough,¡± he warned. ¡°Stop now, or you¡¯ll be the first blood I stain my hands with.¡± ¡°Then do it!¡± she dared, staring straight into his eyes, unfazed. Gritting his teeth, he spat, ¡°You witch.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a compliment,¡± she replied, raising a hand to caress his flushed face.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. ¡°Just let go, Jeff,¡± she said softly. ¡°It¡¯s a waste of time to pursue a relationship with her. It¡¯ll only break you. You know it; I know it; we both know what lies ahead for her. So why are you doing this to yourself? ¡°We can¡¯t always have what we want, and we certainly can¡¯t control everything. Sometimes, we just have to learn to let go. Life is full of pain, hardship, and difficulty. I often wonder why it¡¯s so cruel to us.¡± She paused and added, her voice dropping to a husky whisper, ¡°I don¡¯t want you to start something that will destroy you, Jeff. Let me comfort you in my arms and heal your scars.¡± She rubbed his chest as she spoke. Jeff smirked. ¡°You should know me better. I¡¯m not giving up.¡± ¡°Good!¡± Alena exclaimed, clapping her hands. ¡°Then you¡¯ve made the right decision, boy, and I¡¯m glad. But let me remind you¡ªthe person you¡¯re about to fight is far above your league.¡± She approached the bottle of whisky on a nearby stool and continued, ¡°Think carefully before you act recklessly.¡± She poured herself another glass. ¡°You¡¯re always full of advice; you should¡¯ve been a counsellor,¡± he said, clicking his tongue. ¡°Such a waste of talent.¡± ¡°Maybe it wouldn¡¯t have been wasted if I¡¯d realised it earlier,¡± she chuckled, draining the glass and setting it back on the parapet. Wrapping her arms around him, she muttered, ¡°It¡¯s so cold up here.¡± Jeff shut his eyes, his jaw tightening.
In a grand sitting room, Wilson stood by the wine shelf with two towering men in suits behind him. His hand gripped his phone so tightly that his veins and muscles bulged as he spoke into it. ¡°What are you doing?¡± a calm voice asked on the other end. ¡°What do you think will happen if the car hits her? Don¡¯t you ever consider the consequences?¡± ¡°It¡¯ll all end the same way, brother,¡± Wilson sneered. ¡°I need to tell you¡ªsomething is going on between her and Jeff. Do you know how that makes me feel? It drives me mad!¡± He yelled, his teeth clenched. ¡°That jerk¡­¡± The voice sighed. ¡°If you keep trying to ruin this, I¡¯ll make you pay for it. Have a good sleep; we¡¯ll see each other tomorrow.¡± The call ended. Wilson pulled the phone away from his ear and tightened his grip further, a smirk spreading across his face. Unveiled Secrets 2nd May, 07:30 AM Quietly, Jeff pushed the door ajar and peered into the ward. Alicia noticed him and raised an inquisitive eyebrow. Jeff offered a sheepish smile. As he entered, he nervously rubbed the back of his neck with his fingers. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Alicia asked, watching him approach. Her eyebrow arched higher. ¡°Why were you peeping like that?¡± ¡°Oh, that!¡± He let out a strained chuckle. ¡°I just wanted to say I¡¯m sorry for leaving you alone while you were still asleep,¡± he explained, lowering himself onto the chair beside her bed. ¡°My mum called me, so I¡­¡± Jeff trailed off when Alicia narrowed her eyes at him. As she sniffled and leaned closer, he jerked back. ¡°What is it?¡± he exclaimed, startled by her sudden movement. He stumbled slightly. ¡°Why are you scared? You know what you¡¯ve done," she accused, her voice sharp. ¡°What... What?¡± he stammered, his laughter trembling as he tried to mask his unease.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°You¡¯ve been smoking, haven¡¯t you?¡± Her gaze bore into him as she spoke with unyielding sternness. ¡°Isn¡¯t it true, Jeff?¡± ¡°Smoking?¡± Jeff echoed, blinking rapidly as he sniffed at his jacket with exaggerated innocence. ¡°No! I... I don¡¯t!¡± he shouted. But the moment his eyes met Alicia¡¯s, his voice faltered, and he fell silent. Alicia clenched the bedsheet tightly, her expression hardening with disappointment. ¡°When did this start? This is the third time I¡¯ve caught you.¡± Jeff remained rooted to the spot, his silence laden with guilt as he stared at her. Alicia let out a bitter chuckle and looked away. ¡°The doctor said I can leave. I think it¡¯s time I did.¡± ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± Jeff stammered, struggling to form words. ¡°This isn¡¯t what it seems¡­¡± ¡°You don¡¯t owe me any explanation, Jeff,¡± she cut him off, glancing at him briefly. ¡°Because now, I realise we can¡¯t be together.¡± Her lips twisted into a pained grimace. ¡°Alicia¡­¡± He took a hesitant step forward, his gaze imploring her, laden with silent desperation. ¡°I have to go now,¡± she said firmly. Pulling herself out of bed, she swayed slightly as she approached the door. --------- At dawn in a hotel room, Jeff exhaled heavily as he stared at the chandelier hanging from the ceiling, its energised white light filling the room. He glanced at Alena, lying beside him in her naked body with her right arm tucked beneath his. Gently lifting his body, he slowly peeled her arm off him, but Alena moaned and swiftly pulled her arm tighter around his waist. Jeff paused, staring at her face. Her eyes fluttered open, and they locked gazes. Unveiled Secrets II ¡°I need to go,¡± Jeff muttered, sitting up straight, revealing his broad chest and tousled hair. ¡°Alicia must be looking for me by now,¡± he added under his breath. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I kept you here so long, sweetheart,¡± Alena whispered, her face close to his as she wrapped her arms around him. ¡°But it¡¯s been so sweet having you here by my side.¡± ¡°Then you¡¯ve had enough. Let me go.¡± ¡°Fine!¡± Alena sighed, loosening her embrace. Jeff immediately got out of bed, his full masculine form on display as he moved. He picked up his trousers and shirt from the floor. While getting dressed, he glanced at Alena as she leaned over to the bedside table, retrieving a packet of cigarettes and a lighter. ¡°You told me you¡¯d quit smoking,¡± she said, her voice muffled by the cigarette clenched between her lips as she lit it. Jeff hummed in response, sitting in the armchair to put on his sneakers. ¡°Why?¡± she asked, exhaling smoke as her gaze lingered on him. ¡°Is it because of Alicia?¡± She tilted her head. Jeff nodded, humming again. Alena scoffed, her voice laced with sarcasm. ¡°And what are you planning to do?¡± She paused, fixing him with a calculating stare. ¡°Tonight is my father¡¯s birthday party. Rose has a plan; I¡¯m giving you a hint.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll stop her from going,¡± Jeff replied, standing as he tied his sneakers. With a smirk, Alena shook her head. ¡°You have no idea what her plan is. Do you really think you can protect her tonight?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll stay by her side,¡± Jeff said firmly, turning to face her. ¡°So you don¡¯t need to worry about her.¡± Alena stepped off the bed, completely unashamed of her nakedness as she approached him. Her smirk softened, replaced by an almost wistful expression. ¡°Here¡¯s a piece of advice for you,¡± she murmured, cupping his cheek and letting her fingers trail over his skin. ¡°Don¡¯t risk your life¡ªor your sister¡¯s¡ªfor something that isn¡¯t worth it, Jefferson, my love.¡± Her eyes glinted with a mix of concern and warning.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Jeff offered her a faintly sarcastic smile. ¡°I¡¯ll take your advice to heart.¡± Blowing smoke directly into his face, Alena returned his smile with a sweet but knowing one.
Jeff¡¯s black Benz came to a slow halt in front of Alicia¡¯s apartment as he switched off the engine. With a sigh, he glanced into the rear-view mirror at Alicia, who had insisted on sitting in the backseat. Alicia met his gaze briefly before unbuckling her seatbelt. Without a word, she opened the car door and stepped out. As she walked toward her door, the sound of Jeff¡¯s car door opening made her stop. She turned to see him stepping out. ¡°Thanks for the ride, Jeff,¡± she said, giving him a faint smile. ¡°You should go now. I don¡¯t need your company; I¡¯m fine.¡± Jeff sighed deeply, her words clearly weighing on him, and took a few steps closer. ¡°I know you¡¯re angry, Alicia. And I¡¯m sorry I lied about quitting smoking. But there¡¯s something important I need to tell you.¡± ¡°You can save it for later,¡± she replied, shrugging. ¡°Right now, I just don¡¯t want to talk to you.¡± She turned back toward her door, but before she could take another step, Jeff ran to her and gently grabbed her arm. ¡°Please, Alicia. Please, just¡­ just hear me out,¡± he begged, his voice trembling. Alicia looked down at his hand, feeling it shake against her arm. She lifted her gaze to meet his, her expression a mix of sadness and frustration. ¡°I¡¯m confused about you, Jeff,¡± she said softly. ¡°Back in high school, you were one of the guys who hated smoking. So tell me¡ªjust tell me¡ªwhat changed?¡± Her voice cracked, betraying her emotions. ¡°Something feels wrong, Jeff. It feels like you¡¯re hiding something from me.¡± Her gaze dropped as she wiped away a tear with the back of her hand. ¡°Just go,¡± she whispered, looking back at him. ¡°Please, at least for now.¡± Alicia opened her door and stepped inside, shutting it firmly behind her. She slumped to the floor, her back pressed against the door as she muffled her sobs with her hands. Outside, Jeff leaned his forehead against the cold metal of the door. He hit it softly with his fists before stepping away. Running his fingers through his hair in frustration, he turned and walked back to his car. Casting one last glance at the door, he let out a deep sigh. Yanking his car door open, he slid into the driver¡¯s seat. The tyres screeched as he turned the car sharply and sped off into the night. Memories I 2nd May, 12:00 pm As Jeff opened the door to the sitting room, he stopped abruptly upon seeing his aunt, Mrs Anderson, seated on a leather armchair with her legs crossed, inhaling the aroma of the coffee in the mug she cradled in her hands. Jeff raised an eyebrow at his cousin, Jason, a man in his twenties with a slender frame and a warm chocolate complexion. Jason¡¯s eyes shifted uneasily to meet Jeff¡¯s gaze. Noticing the exchange, Jason smiled widely at his mother. When Jeff closed the door, Mrs. Anderson finally looked up, her surprise turning to excitement. She gently placed the mug on the table. ¡°Finally, you¡¯re here!¡± she exclaimed with a sigh of relief, watching Jeff approach. ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting you, Mum,¡± Jeff said, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he sat on the two-seater sofa next to Jason. ¡°I didn¡¯t plan to come either,¡± Mrs. Anderson replied, smiling. ¡°But thank goodness I did.¡± Jeff glanced at Jason, who returned a brief, wary smile. ¡°Is there a problem?¡± Jeff asked. ¡°I¡¯ve been here since last night, waiting for you. We called you several times, but¡­.¡± Tight-lipped, she shrugged. ¡°You didn¡¯t answer.¡± She squinted at Jeff. ¡°Where were you?¡±If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Jeff leaned closer to Jason and whispered, ¡°What did you tell her?¡± Before Jason could reply, his mother interjected, ¡°He said you went to Alicia¡¯s house.¡± She raised a curious eyebrow, her expression demanding confirmation. ¡°What?¡± Jeff blinked in astonishment and turned to Jason. ¡°Did you tell her¡­?¡± Jason let out a loud, awkward laugh that trailed off almost as quickly as it began. ¡°No! No! I didn¡¯t!¡± he protested, glancing at his mother and then back at Jeff. Mrs. Anderson¡¯s mouth fell open. ¡°So, I¡¯m lying?¡± she asked in disbelief. Jason hesitated, his gaze bouncing between the two. ¡°I¡­ I need to get some wine,¡± he mumbled with a sheepish grin. Rising quickly, he slipped out of the room, avoiding their stares as he disappeared into the adjoining space. ¡°Don¡¯t intimidate him, Jeff!¡± Mrs. Anderson yelled. ¡°I know you went to her house.¡± ¡°But Mum¡­.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t! Not again, Jeff!¡± Mrs. Anderson cut him off before he could explain. Jeff¡¯s shoulders slumped as he lowered his head. ¡°Everything is about that girl! Why? You promised to stay away from her for a while, didn¡¯t you? Why are you so obsessive? Do you still want her to break up with her boyfriend for you?¡± Her voice rose with agitation. ¡°They¡¯ve already broken up,¡± Jeff replied firmly, meeting her gaze. ¡°We¡¯re dating now.¡± Mrs. Anderson scoffed, unsurprised. ¡°And you believe that? Do you really think that girl has left Wilson for you? Let me tell you¡ªshe won¡¯t. No matter how badly he treats her, she won¡¯t leave him. She¡¯s¡­.¡± She shrugged. ¡°She¡¯s stupidly in love with him.¡± ¡°Not everyone stays a fool forever, Mum. I know you don¡¯t like her, but¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t hate her,¡± Mrs. Anderson interrupted, shaking her head. ¡°You think I hate her?¡± Her gaze softened, filled with concern. ¡°I¡¯m just worried about you. That¡¯s why I wanted you to give her some space for a while. It bothers me when you act so obsessive about her, Jeff. I need you to know that I¡¯m concerned. I only have you and Jason. Just you two.¡± ¡°You think I¡¯m crazy?¡± Jeff tilted his head, studying her face. Memories II Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Vision I Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Vision II Jason drove into a grand compound and parked his car in front of a two-story glass house. He and Jeff got out of the car and walked toward the building. As they entered the sitting room, they saw Alena walking down the stairs. She was dressed in pyjamas and slippers, her hair tied in a ponytail, which revealed her fair, delicate skin and slender cheeks. When Alena saw Jeff and Jason, a sly smile crept across her face as she approached them. ¡°It¡¯s good to see you again, Jeff. I saw your car drive in through the glass wall from my room.¡± Turning to Jason, she greeted him, ¡°Hi, Jason. You¡¯re always here.¡± Jason returned her greeting with a quick grin. ¡°You seem to be preparing for bed. Have you forgotten your father¡¯s birthday party?¡± Jeff arched an eyebrow. ¡°Oh!¡± Alena chuckled and arched a brow. ¡°You thought I wouldn¡¯t be around, and that¡¯s why you¡¯re here?¡± She shifted her gaze between Jeff and Jason, finding her answer. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going? It¡¯s your father¡¯s birthday,¡± Jason asked, puzzled. Alena shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t think I should be there tonight.¡± Folding her arms, she asked sarcastically, ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be with your girlfriend?¡±The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡°I need to see Kate,¡± Jeff replied curtly, turning to leave. As he jogged up the stairs, Alena turned to watch him, sneering. ¡°I should leave too,¡± Jason quickly excused himself and followed Jeff.
Jeff opened the door to a small, square room¡ªpainted in azure blue and decorated with matching blue accessories and furniture. A single bed, with a blue blanket and sheets, rested against one wall. Curled up on the bed was a young woman, about twenty-five, wearing blue pyjamas. Her head rested on her lap, and her curly brown hair spilt over her face. When the young woman heard the creaking sound of the door, she lifted her head. Jeff stared at the tiny figure sitting on the bed. Kate¡¯s pyjama top slid off her right shoulder, exposing the delicate curve of her collarbone. Her hands rested softly in her lap, the fingers barely moving. Her long, tousled hair cascaded over her face, concealing her piercing blue eyes and the full curve of her cherry-red lips. Though her frame was small and fragile, her face held an alluring, almost dangerous beauty¡ªstriking in its intensity. Jeff¡¯s lips fluttered into a smile. He approached her softly, saying, ¡°It feels so good to see you again, Kate.¡± Kate¡¯s lips curved into a smile. ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear you again,¡± she replied in her soft voice. She didn¡¯t move from her position but listened intently to Jeff¡¯s footsteps as he approached the bed. Jeff sat beside her on the bed and stared at her profile for a few seconds. Neither of them spoke. He reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. Kate gazed deeply into Jeff¡¯s eyes, her own sightless yet piercing. Though blind, her eyes were a striking shade of blue, their intense, unsettling stare seeming to unravel his thoughts with just a glance. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t come to see you these past few days,¡± Jeff muttered apologetically. Vision III Kate placed her hands over Jeff¡¯s, cupping his face, and ran her slender, blue-painted fingers over his hands. ¡°It feels so good to touch you again, Jeff,¡± she chuckled. ¡°Where have you been? I¡¯ve missed you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been working on many things that kept me busy. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Kate smiled softly. ¡°I had fun, though,¡± she laughed. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry too much about me; Jason visits me every day, and I¡¯m glad. Where is he?¡± she asked curiously. ¡°Did he come here with you? I haven¡¯t seen him today.¡± ¡°He¡¯s standing outside your door,¡± Jeff smirked. ¡°Tell me¡­¡± He paused, hesitating. ¡°What?¡± Kate urged, tugging at his hands. ¡°Has he confessed to you?¡± Kate scoffed. Still holding Jeff¡¯s hands, she dropped them into her lap. ¡°I told you, he always hesitates,¡± Kate said with a smirk. ¡°He''ll tell me he wants to say something and then just... won¡¯t. He¡¯ll start and then stop¡ªnever finishes what he¡¯s thinking.¡± She sighed, clearly amused by his indecision. ¡°I wish he¡¯d just say it already,¡± she muttered, pursing her lips. Jeff chuckled and glanced at the door. ¡°I can¡¯t believe he¡¯s so slow-witted after everything I¡¯ve taught him,¡± Jeff ruffled Kate¡¯s hair affectionately. ¡°Trust me, I¡¯ll push him harder.¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°How is Alicia?¡± Kate asked, studying Jeff¡¯s face. Jeff could see the concern in her eyes, and he sighed. ¡°She¡¯s fine,¡± he said with a faint, ambivalent smile. Kate sighed and entwined her fingers with Jeff¡¯s. ¡°I can sense your unease, Jeff. You¡¯re troubled.¡± ¡°Am I?¡± Kate nodded. ¡°Of course. I can feel it.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll have to leave in the next ten minutes. I need to go to her place. I¡¯m worried she might be injured.¡± Kate could hear the concern in Jeff¡¯s voice, and she gave him a reassuring smile. ¡°She¡¯ll be fine,¡± she assured him. But Jeff noticed her smile was strained and her eyes flickered with unease. He squinted, feeling unsettled by that brief, bitter smile. ¡°That smile doesn¡¯t make it seem like everything will be fine,¡± Jeff said, his worry growing. Kate sighed, falling silent for a moment. ¡°You need to protect Alisha, Jeff,¡± a faint smile crept across her face. ¡°That¡¯s the only way to protect Alicia¡ªand Alison. Danger seems to be heading their way,¡± Kate said softly, trying to convince him. Angered, Jeff pulled his hands away from Kate¡¯s grip. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± he asked, glaring at her. ¡°Listen to me, Jeff. You have to do this if you want to protect Alicia. Alisha¡­¡± ¡°Why?¡± Jeff sneered. ¡°Why would I do that?¡± ¡°Because Alisha is the only one who can protect Alicia. If you want Alicia to survive, you need to protect Alisha.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t do that, Kate,¡± he insisted, shaking his head. ¡°Why would I protect someone like Alisha, who wants Alicia dead? Why would I protect someone who keeps threatening me with my secret? She doesn¡¯t deserve my forgiveness, let alone my protection!¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I saw in my vision,¡± Kate murmured. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know why, but I just¡­¡± ¡°I always believe in your visions, but¡­¡± Jeff scoffed. ¡°I think you¡¯ve got this one wrong.¡± Vision IV This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Vision V When Kate heard the door open again, she snapped her head toward it, expecting it to be Jason. But her expression soured when the temperature shifted, and the scent of perfume from the person standing in the doorway filled her senses. "Alena," she muttered. Kate heard Alena scoff, followed by the soft thud of the door clicking shut. "I''m here again, witch," Alena said, approaching the dressing table and leaning against it with her arms folded. She stared at Kate, who had placed her chin on her lap. Neither spoke, and silence filled the room. "I bet you warned Jeff not to try to protect Alicia," Alena sneered. "I saw him storm out of my house, furious." Kate raised her head and leaned it against the bed¡¯s headboard. She smirked. "And you think I would tell him that?" Alena''s sneer deepened. "What do you think would happen if Jeff tried to protect Alicia? Two things, Kate," she said, raising two fingers as she moved closer to the bed and bent over Kate. She whispered, "One, Alicia loses her life, and you live. Or, two, you die, but unfortunately, Alicia won¡¯t survive. What a loss that would be, don''t you think?" "Do you think a witch like me will die?" Kate snickered, turning her face toward Alena. "Why don''t you care about yourself? Can''t you see you''re in danger?" Alena pulled away from the bed, squinting at Kate before bursting into laughter.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. "Danger?" she exclaimed, sniggering. "I know you can''t afford to take me for granted, Alena," Kate¡¯s lips curled into a sinister smile. Alena took a deep breath, cocking her head. "You think I believe every one of your visions?" Shaking her head, she tsked. "Tsk, tsk. You''ve got the wrong idea about me." "But I could hear the hammering beat of your heart right now. You''re scared, aren''t you?" Alena¡¯s sly smile faltered, and she looked away. Balling her hands into fists, she muttered angrily, "You¡¯re reading my mind again!" She snapped her face back toward Kate, smirking. "Aren¡¯t you scared I¡¯ll one day kill you for this, hun?" She raised a questioning brow. "Aren¡¯t you scared at all? How many times do I have to tell you not to intrude into my emotions and thoughts?" she yelled, her lips quivering. Nothing or no one irritated Alena more¡ªor frightened her more¡ªthan Kate. Kate reading her thoughts and emotions had always made Alena feel weak, causing her to lose the composure she prided herself on, the composure no one had ever been able to break. That composure was her power, but Kate always rendered her powerless. "I¡¯m sorry for intruding," Kate said coolly. "But you just admitted you¡¯re scared of me." Alena blinked in disbelief. Scrunching her hands into fists, she hissed, "You always get on my nerves." "I have a message for you," Kate said, pausing briefly. "You need to protect Alicia and Alison. They need you, and you need them for your own protection." Alena smirked. "And you think I¡¯ll do that? You must know that¡¯s impossible, Kate. It¡¯s ridiculous." "Then you¡¯ll have to die," Kate said firmly, as if making a declaration. "How dare¡ª" "You¡¯re struggling with fragments of memories you don¡¯t understand, memories you don¡¯t even think are yours," Kate interrupted suddenly, cutting Alena off. Alena stumbled backwards in shock, her eyes wide as she stared at Kate¡¯s unflinching expression. "You can¡¯t remember any of these memories," Kate continued. "But those memories are your lost memories." Vision VI Alena stumbled backwards, her waist slamming against the dressing table. Clutching its edge, she steadied herself on trembling legs as the room spun around her. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead, and a wave of nausea churned in her stomach¡°Mum!¡± A cheerful, childlike voice rang out, bright and innocent. A little girl dashed barefoot across a tiled floor identical to the one in Mr. White¡¯s sitting room. Her chubby cheeks glowed with excitement, her small pink lips curving into a radiant smile. She wore an orange jumper, her dark hair tied in a bun that bounced as she ran. The girl launched herself into a young woman¡¯s arms, her laughter filling the air. The woman, tall and slender, held her tightly. Sleek black hair cascaded over her shoulders, but her face remained indistinct, blurred as if hidden behind a veil of fog. Alena¡¯s breath hitched. These memories had haunted her for months, yet the young woman¡¯s face remained a mystery. ¡°The tiles are cold¡ªyou shouldn¡¯t run barefoot again!¡± the woman chided gently, her court heels clicking softly as she climbed the stairs. As the sound of heels echoed in her mind, a wave of anger and fear mingled within her. What is this memory? Could it truly be mine? Reality wavered. Alena¡¯s grip on the dressing table slipped, and she crumpled to the floor. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched her head, her chest heaving with sobs. The sound of the woman¡¯s heels echoed in her mind, sharp and relentless. ¡°What are you doing to me?¡± she cried out, her voice raw and desperate. ¡°Stop it! Please¡ªjust stop!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve done nothing. You¡¯re starting to remember your real memories.¡± Alena¡¯s tear-streaked face lifted, her gaze locking onto Kate. "My real memories?" She rasped, wincing as a sharp headache overtook her. ¡°Can you see them too?¡± She let out a dry, bitter laugh. Kate shook her head. ¡°I can¡¯t see memories, Alena. But I know this¡ªIf you want the truth, you¡¯ll have to uncover it yourself.¡±A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Alena lunged forward, gripping the edge of the bed like a predator ready to strike. ¡°You¡¯re a witch. You should be able to read memories!¡± Kate didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Only you can uncover the truth. But if you don¡¯t, you¡¯re in grave danger. The only way to protect yourself right now is to protect Alicia and Alison.¡± Alena let out a derisive laugh. ¡°Protect Alicia? You must be joking. She wants everything that¡¯s mine. And Alison?¡± Her laugh was cold, sharp. ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted them gone so I can take what¡¯s rightfully mine. Why should I protect them?¡± Kate¡¯s expression didn¡¯t waver. ¡°Because your life depends on it. And if you¡¯d listen to me, you¡¯d know that Jeff can help you. Together, you could protect your sisters.¡± Alena narrowed her eyes, her anger simmering beneath the surface. But as Kate finished speaking, Alena pulled back abruptly, her gaze hardening. ¡°I can¡¯t. I won¡¯t.¡± ¡°Ale¡ª¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Aliena snapped, cutting Kate off. The room grew thick with tension. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m foolish enough to believe you? Do you think you can manipulate me like everyone else? You know nothing.¡± Kate¡¯s gaze softened for a brief moment, but she masked it quickly with a faint smirk tugged at her lips. Alena clenched her fists, her voice trembling with restrained fury. ¡°Do you know why I left that house? He hates me. He always has. But Alicia? She¡¯s his princess. All I want is what¡¯s mine¡ªBerlin belongs to me as the first child, not her.¡± She had spent her entire life fighting for scraps of love and recognition, only to watch Alicia claim it all effortlessly. It wasn¡¯t just envy¡ªit was justice. Berlin was her birthright. ¡°He felt guilty about Alicia. You know that,¡± Kate said evenly. Alena¡¯s laugh was harsh, bitter. ¡°I was ignored from the start. Alicia¡¯s always been the favourite. And I won¡¯t stand by and watch. Never!¡± She stormed toward the door but froze when Kate spoke again. ¡°And Alison? Mum¡¯s favourite?¡± Kate¡¯s voice was quiet, almost taunting. Alena didn¡¯t turn back. Her voice was sharp, icy. ¡°Alison and I share the same goal¡ªto take over Berlin. But in this game, there can only be one winner.¡± With that, she slammed the door shut. Kate exhaled deeply, her shoulders slumping as she buried her face in her hands. ¡°This isn¡¯t how it¡¯s supposed to go,¡± she thought, her heart pounding. Frustration welled up, and she leaned her head back against the headboard, her gaze drifting to the window. The full moon hung in the sky, its light soft and reassuring. Kate¡¯s lips curled into a bittersweet smile, her teary eyes glistening in the moonlight. ¡°What if this is my last chance to reach them? What if I fail?¡± The questions lingered, heavy and unanswerable, as she stared at the moon¡ªa silent witness to her hope and despair.
Heart Break I In jean shorts, a white wool sweater, and a black headband holding her curly hair in place, Alicia lay on the sofa beside her bed. Her legs were crossed, and her head rested on the arm of the chair. In her arms, she cuddled Fox¡ªher big brown teddy bear, now adorned with a black scarf around its neck. Fox had been a birthday gift from Jeff two years ago. Alicia had fallen in love with it at first sight, and she couldn¡¯t forget the bright smile that had lit up her face that day. She had made Fox her best friend, hugging it like a child in bed. But after meeting Wilson, she had shoved it away, hiding it because of his jealousy, and forgotten about it. The fight with Jeff at the hospital, and the way she had treated him afterwards, still throbbed painfully in her chest. When she had heard the sound of his car engine fading away, a wave of longing had swept over her. She ran to the window, watching as his car disappeared into the distance. After she had a bath that morning, Alicia smiled faintly when her eyes landed on Jeff''s sweater hanging in her wardrobe. It was a memory she couldn¡¯t shake. One evening, when they had been caught in the rain, they had taken shelter under the roof of a small shop. Alicia wrapped her arms around herself, shivering as she sniffled. Fearing she might catch a fever, Jeff had taken off his white sweater and placed it in her arms. ¡°You might catch a fever; wear it,¡± he had said, rubbing his arms to warm them. Alicia had stared at the sweater, unsure of how to respond. She was wearing a long-sleeved jumpsuit, and Jeff had on a sleeveless shirt. ¡°It¡¯s selfish for me to take it,¡± Alicia had said, shaking her head. ¡°You¡¯ll catch a fever.¡± But Jeff had insisted. ¡°I¡¯m the guy here. Don¡¯t underestimate me. You might catch a cold,¡± he had said, wrapping the sweater around her neck. ¡°Wear it now, or I¡¯ll wear it for you.¡± Alicia had smiled sweetly, remembering that moment as she stared at the sweater in her wardrobe. She decided to wear it for the day, pairing it with a pair of jean shorts. Later, while cleaning, Alicia had found Fox¡¯s legs peeking from under the bed. She dragged him out, wincing as dust puffed into the air. After a thorough wash and drying, she tied a black scarf around his neck. Satisfied with her work, Alicia congratulated herself for restoring her favourite teddy bear.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Afterwards, Alicia had grabbed a packet of chocolate cookies and a can of Coca-Cola from the kitchen and plopped onto the sofa beside her bed. Alicia curled up with Fox in her arms and nibbled on the cookies while the minutes ticked by slowly. The clock read five o''clock, and a wave of loneliness washed over her, filling the space where comfort once existed. She pursed her lips, annoyed that Jeff still hadn¡¯t arrived. Thoughts of their argument swirled in her mind, but when she reached for her phone, she decided against turning it on. Instead, she grabbed her chocolate and Coke, sinking back into the sofa, with Fox cuddled tightly in her arms. As the minutes passed, her sense of isolation deepened, and eventually, she picked up her phone and switched it on. The first thing she saw made her stomach tighten with agitation: a picture of her and Wilson. In the picture, they wore matching sky-blue T-shirts, sneakers, and black pants. Alicia had her hair pulled back into a ponytail, and they both smiled happily. Wilson had his arms around her waist, and she rested her head on his chest. The air around them seemed filled with romance, and the warmth of the moment lingered in the photo. Alicia¡¯s heart clenched. She deleted the picture immediately, her fingers trembling as she replaced it with a photo of a sunflower field. Still not satisfied, she searched for more pictures of her and Wilson, deleting them one by one. Time passed, and the evening turned into night. Alicia, feeling drained by the monotony of the day, tossed her phone aside. She closed her eyes and held Fox tighter, wishing she could fall asleep and escape the emotional storm brewing within her. Seconds dragged into minutes, and just as she was about to drift off, a notification sounded from her phone. Clank! Clank! Alicia¡¯s eyes snapped open, her heart racing with hope that it might be Jeff. She grabbed the phone and swiped the screen to unlock it. The picture that appeared made her stomach churn. It was of Alison¡ªsitting on Wilson¡¯s lap, her arms draped around his neck, their faces inches from each other. Alison¡¯s soft smile, so warm, so intimate. The photo had been taken in Mr. White¡¯s garden, the lavish White family mansion in the background. Alicia¡¯s heart slammed against her ribs. A cold sweat broke out across her skin. Her fingers trembled as she stared at the image, the storm inside her swirling. She could feel her chest tightening, the fury bubbling up from deep within her. No. Not Alison. Not her. Her breath came sharp and quick as her mind raced through a whirlwind of thoughts. Why was Alison there? What was she doing with Wilson? The jealousy clawed at her chest, unbearable. Without thinking, Alicia sprang to her feet. The phone felt heavy in her hand as she tossed it aside, her pulse hammering in her ears. Her movements were quick, almost frantic, as she grabbed her car keys from the table. Every step toward the door was fueled by an angry determination she could no longer suppress. She had to see this for herself. Heart Break II This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Heart Break III Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Heart Break IV Alison, dressed entirely in black¡ªtailored trousers and a fitted jacket¡ªstepped cautiously into the room, her voice trembling slightly as she called out, ¡°Alicia¡­ I¡¯m so, so¡­¡± ¡°So what?¡± Alicia interrupted sharply. ¡°Sorry?¡± Her sneer was cutting, her voice cold. With an imploring look, Alison met Alicia¡¯s fiery gaze. ¡°It¡¯s not what you think, Alicia. Please, I¡¯m sorry. Forgive me.¡± Alicia pulled her hand away from Alison¡¯s tentative grip, her expression hardening. ¡°Do you take me for a fool, Alison?¡± she spat. ¡°Wilson is a jerk, he¡¯s no good for you,¡± she mocked, echoing Alison¡¯s previous warnings before letting out a dry, bitter laugh. ¡°So, all that concern was just a ploy, wasn¡¯t it? You wanted me to leave him¡­ so you could have him.¡± Closing the gap between them, Alicia¡¯s face hovered dangerously close to Alison¡¯s. ¡°I¡¯ll ruin you, Alison,¡± she hissed, her tone dripping with venom. Her eyes burned with malice, her determination unyielding. ¡°I swear it¡ªI¡¯ll never forgive you.¡± But even as she spoke, Alicia fought the urge to laugh, her hand covering her mouth to stifle the bubbling mirth that threatened to betray her fury. ¡°You really think I came here to apologise?¡± Alison¡¯s lips curled into a scornful smirk. ¡°I¡¯m too proud for that, Alicia,¡± she said, pausing for effect before continuing, ¡°And I knew you¡¯d assume as much. Ruin me, you say?¡± Her smirk widened. ¡°Do you honestly believe I¡¯d stand by and let you destroy my reputation?¡± Alicia¡¯s brow furrowed, surprise flickering across her face. It was as though she no longer recognised the woman standing before her.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Alison?¡± she said, her voice tinged with disbelief. ¡°Is this really who you are?¡± For a moment, Alicia¡¯s mind reeled. Alison, standing before her with a smug expression, seemed unrecognisable. Alicia had always seen her as stubborn yet fragile, the one who apologised first whenever they quarrelled. Alison had always been the sister who defended her, stood up to her high school bullies, and shared in mischief. They had once been inseparable, bound by secrets and sisterly affection. Alicia¡¯s memories flashed vividly¡ªintroducing Alison to Wilson with pride, draping an arm around her neck, and playfully kissing her cheek, earning a laugh from Wilson. But now¡­ Alicia laughed, though there was no humour in it¡ªonly disbelief. ¡°Have you been pretending this whole time, or¡­¡± Alison¡¯s smirk deepened. ¡°Did you really think no one knew your little secret?¡± Alison¡¯s voice was soft, almost tender, her head tilting in mockery as if savouring Alicia¡¯s unravelling. ¡°Not even me? Or Mum?¡± Alicia¡¯s fists clenched, her body trembling with fury as her eyes burned with unshed tears. ¡°It¡¯s not a secret anymore,¡± Alison continued, her tone cruelly matter-of-fact. ¡°Alena knows. Mum knows. Everyone knows.¡± Her gaze dropped to the shattered glass and scattered vase fragments on the floor. She tsked softly, feigning pity. Looking back up, she reached out to wipe a tear from Alicia¡¯s cheek as one of her own trickled down. ¡°Poor Alicia,¡± she murmured with mock sympathy, her lips curling into a sly smile. ¡°What will you do now?¡± Her expression turned colder as she added, ¡°By the way, I have no idea what¡¯s going on between Jeff and your dear sister, Alena. You already know there¡¯s no love between you two. Still, I thought you should know¡ªJeff and Alena are seeing each other. I saw them last night, walking into a hotel room together. You were still in hospital¡­¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Alicia¡¯s roar filled the room as she lunged forward, grabbing Alison by the neck and shoving her hard against the wall. Her eyes blazed with unrestrained fury. ¡°What the hell are you talking about?¡± she demanded, her voice trembling with rage as she shoved Alison to the floor. The cold tiles scraped Alison¡¯s knees, and she gasped in pain before looking up at Alicia with a mocking grin. ¡°You poor thing,¡± she jeered, tossing a handful of photographs onto the floor. The photographs fanned out across the floor, each one a frozen moment of betrayal: Jeff¡¯s arm draped around Alena, her head resting against his chest. Alicia¡¯s breath caught as her gaze lingered on the sheets¡ªpristine white, yet stained with treachery. Heart Break V Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Heart Break VI Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Sacrifice I Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Sacrifice II If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Breath Stolen novel; please report. Blackmail I One Month Ago ¡°Wow! Where did you get this?¡± Alicia exclaimed, her voice filled with admiration as Alison handed her a delicate golden necklace from a small box. Holding it gently between her fingers, Alicia marvelled at the intricate design, her eyes shimmering with delight as the necklace swayed softly. ¡°It looks expensive¡ªI absolutely love it!¡± she gushed. ¡°You know Cynthia, right?¡± Alison asked. Alicia nodded, her gaze still fixed on the necklace. Cynthia was one of Alison¡¯s friends who lived in England. ¡°She sent it to me as a birthday gift,¡± Alison explained casually. ¡°Wow, some gift!¡± Alicia breathed, already on her feet as she hurried to the mirror. She carefully fastened the necklace around her neck and stared at her reflection. The golden piece shimmered beautifully against her fair skin, and a blush crept onto her cheeks as she traced its outline with her fingertips. ¡°It¡¯s like it was made just for you,¡± Alison teased, smiling as she watched Alicia¡¯s reflection. Alicia turned suddenly, her curiosity piqued. ¡°Where did she get this?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but I can ask her for you,¡± Alison offered. Alicia¡¯s face lit up. ¡°Please do! I¡¯d love to get one just like it.¡± Alison chuckled as she sprawled across the bed and rested her head on the pillow. ¡°Or you could just buy mine,¡± she joked. ¡°Of course!¡± Alicia turned to face her, grinning mischievously. ¡°Would you really sell it to me?¡± ¡°Just kidding!¡± Alison shot back, sticking out her tongue.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°You¡¯re impossible,¡± Alicia muttered with a pout, turning back to the mirror. Alison smirked. ¡°You¡¯ve admired it enough, now hand it over before you claim it as yours,¡± she teased, reaching for her phone on the bed. As Alicia unclasped the necklace, her eyes landed on a medium-sized white envelope sitting on the table. The edge of a photograph peeked out from its opening. Intrigued, she set the necklace aside and picked up the envelope. ¡°Did you have a photo shoot for your birthday?¡± she asked, tugging lightly at the photos. Before she could pull them out, Alison¡¯s hand shot out and snatched the envelope away. In her haste, the photographs spilt from the envelope and scattered across the floor. Alicia froze. Her breath hitched as her gaze landed on the images. ¡°This is¡­¡± Her voice faltered. ¡°This is Mom.¡± Nude photographs of Rose¡ªtheir mother¡ªlay strewn across the floor like a terrible secret laid bare. Alison scrambled to gather the pictures, her hands shaking as she shoved them back into the envelope. ¡°What are you doing with those?¡± Alicia asked, her voice barely above a whisper, eyes wide with disbelief. ¡°Those are Mom¡¯s nude photos¡­¡± Alison shot a desperate glance at the door before covering Alicia¡¯s mouth with her hand. ¡°Don¡¯t shout!¡± she hissed, her eyes pleading. ¡°Please, Alicia. Just be quiet!¡± Alicia pushed Alison¡¯s hand away, glaring at her. ¡°What is going on? Are you trying to blackmail her?¡± ¡°No! No, Alicia!¡± Alison¡¯s voice cracked as panic gripped her. ¡°I¡¯m the one being blackmailed!¡± Alicia¡¯s face twisted in confusion. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°I¡ªI took those pictures, yes, but I have no idea how someone else got them,¡± Alison stammered, sweat forming on her brow. ¡°A stranger is blackmailing me, Alicia. I don¡¯t even know who they are!¡± Alicia took a step back, her expression turning from shock to disgust. ¡°Why did you take those photos in the first place?¡± Alison sank to her knees, tears pooling in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she whispered, rubbing her palms together in a desperate plea. ¡°Please, Alicia. Let this stay between us. Just you and me. Please!¡± Alicia crossed her arms, her jaw tight. ¡°You still haven¡¯t answered me. Why, Alison? Why did you take them?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ask,¡± Alison interrupted sharply, her voice trembling. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you later. Just¡­ just promise me you won¡¯t say anything. Please, Alicia. I¡¯m begging you.¡± Alicia stared at her sister, taking in her tear-streaked face and trembling shoulders. With a sigh, she turned away, shaking her head. ¡°Fine,¡± she muttered. ¡°But I don¡¯t even want to think about this¡ªit¡¯s disgusting. I¡¯m just going to pretend this never happened.¡± Grabbing the necklace box from the bed, Alicia threw one last glance at Alison, who sat on the floor with her face buried in her hands. Blackmail II Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Blackmail III This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Blackmail IV The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Burning Heart I 3rd May, 6:30pm Mrs Anderson pulled off her gloves and dropped them onto the tray. "I wondered how she survived. She should have been dead by now. The strange part is, she''s healing so quickly." She hung her white medical coat on a hook, still mulling over the situation. As Jason rushed Kate into Mrs Anderson¡¯s house, she swiftly cleared space in her underground medical lab. She ran a series of checkups on Kate, administering treatment as she worked. Once satisfied that Kate was stable, Mrs Anderson moved her to a room next to the lab and hooked her up to a ventilator. Throughout the entire process, she couldn¡¯t stop wondering how Kate was still alive. ¡°The chemical she inhaled is hydrogen sulfide,¡± Mrs Anderson informed, picking up the medical tray where she had discarded her gloves. ¡°Hydrogen sulfide is a deadly gas often used in industrial settings. It shuts down your respiratory system almost immediately. Most people don¡¯t survive even a small dose, and her exposure level would have killed anyone else. Yet, she survived it¡ªI''ve never seen anything like this in all my years as a doctor. Her body is fighting back in a way I can¡¯t explain. It¡¯s almost as if something in her system is neutralizing the effects. I¡¯ll need to run more tests to understand how." She glanced at Kate¡¯s motionless form and sighed. "I¡¯m not sure when she''ll wake up, but I¡¯m confident she¡¯ll make it." Jason nodded and placed his hands on his hips, his gaze fixed on Kate¡¯s pale face. A heavy sigh escaped him. Mrs Anderson¡¯s eyes moved to Jeff, leaning against the wall, arms folded, his eyes downcast. Dark circles marked the skin under his eyes, and she could see the lingering effects of tears. Her heart tightened as she watched him. She could feel the weight of sadness in the room, the fear in her son¡¯s eyes. She looked back at Kate and wondered who this young woman was. This was the first time she had seen her.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. "Who is she?" Mrs Anderson asked. "What¡¯s her name?" ¡°She¡¯s Kate,¡± Jason replied, his voice low. ¡°And...?¡± Mrs Anderson prompted. Jason rubbed the back of his neck, glancing at Jeff, but Jeff only shifted his gaze briefly. The silence stretched. Jason looked from Kate to Jeff, and Mrs Anderson¡¯s eyes flicked between them, waiting. ¡°Is someone going to answer me?¡± she asked, a note of frustration creeping into her voice. ¡°She¡¯s Jason¡¯s girlfriend,¡± Jeff said plainly. Jason gasped and turned to stare at Jeff. Mrs Anderson¡¯s eyebrows shot up. ¡°Your girlfriend?¡± she exclaimed. ¡°You never told me you had one!¡± Jason forced a smile as he turned to face his mother. "Yeah," he laughed awkwardly. "I wanted to tell you, but I didn¡¯t think it was the right time. I¡¯m¡­ sorry." Mrs Anderson sighed, looking at Kate with a mix of sympathy and disappointment. ¡°It¡¯s a shame," she murmured. "Why do I have to find out now, when she¡¯s unconscious? And she¡¯s so pretty.¡± She cupped Jason¡¯s face gently. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Jason," she said softly, her eyes filled with concern. "I know this must be hard on you, but I promise you, she¡¯ll be fine." Jason¡¯s eyes welled up with tears. He nodded silently. ¡°Thanks, Mom,¡± he whispered. Jeff pushed off from the wall and started toward the door, but Mrs Anderson reached out and grabbed his wrist gently. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about Alicia, Jeff,¡± she said. ¡°I heard from Dr Johnson she fell into a coma. You must be hurting.¡± Jeff sighed, his shoulders slumping. Slowly, he pulled his wrist from her grasp and walked away. Jason looked at his mother, concern evident in his voice. ¡°He¡¯s got a lot on his mind right now, Mom,¡± he said, trying to explain Jeff¡¯s retreat. ¡°I understand,¡± Mrs. Anderson murmured, her gaze lingering on the doorway Jeff had just passed through, a quiet sadness in her eyes. Burning Heart II Jeff parked his car beside a cream-painted fence, his jaw tightening as he gripped the steering wheel. He stepped out, slammed the door shut, and flexed his fingers as he approached the house. His movements were deliberate, his gaze cold and focused. With a single knock on the door, a woman''s voice called out, ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± The door swung open, revealing a young blonde woman in black pants and a bra. She gave him a curious smile. ¡°Hi, who are you?¡± Jeff¡¯s lip curled slightly, his eyes narrowing. ¡°I¡¯m here to see Wilson,¡± he said, his tone clipped. ¡°Who¡¯s that, babe?¡± a gruff voice barked from inside. ¡°A guy¡¯s here to see you,¡± she replied, stepping aside. ¡°Let him in.¡± Jeff walked in, his eyes immediately locking on Wilson, who lounged on a sofa. A smirk played on Wilson¡¯s face as he cradled a dark-haired woman in a towel on his lap. ¡°Jeff,¡± Wilson drawled, leaning back lazily. ¡°What brings you here? I don¡¯t recall us having any¡ª¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Wilson¡¯s words were cut short by Jeff¡¯s fist colliding with his nose. The crack echoed in the room as blood dripped onto Wilson¡¯s lip. He touched his nose, then looked at the blood on his fingers, his smirk fading into a scowl. ¡°You son of a¡ª¡± Jeff didn¡¯t wait. His booted foot connected sharply with Wilson¡¯s groin, sending him doubling over with a groan. The women screamed, clutching each other as they backed away. Jeff grabbed Wilson by the collar and yanked him to his feet. With a swift motion, he slammed him against the wall. The plaster cracked under the impact. Jeff¡¯s expression was ice, but his movements radiated barely restrained fury. ¡°You think you can get away with this?¡± Jeff¡¯s voice was low, vibrating with menace. He didn¡¯t wait for an answer. Another punch landed on Wilson¡¯s stomach, forcing a wheeze from his lips. Wilson stumbled, but Jeff hauled him up again, this time slamming him onto the coffee table. The wood creaked under Wilson¡¯s weight as Jeff¡¯s hands found his throat, his grip unyielding. Wilson¡¯s eyes widened in panic as Jeff leaned in close, his voice a growl. ¡°Do you feel it now? Do you understand what it means to cross me?¡± The women bolted from the room, their screams fading into the background as Jeff tightened his hold. Wilson clawed weakly at Jeff¡¯s hands, his breaths coming in desperate, shallow gasps. Jeff¡¯s lips curled into a dark smile, his eyes gleaming with a savage satisfaction. For a moment, it seemed like he might crush the life out of Wilson then and there. The door burst open, and uniformed policemen charged in, the blonde woman pointing frantically at Jeff. ¡°That¡¯s him! Stop him! He¡¯ll kill him!¡± Jeff barely registered the chaos as the officers pulled him off Wilson. He struggled against their grip, his arms straining as he tried to lunge back toward Wilson, who lay gasping on the floor. ¡°Get him out of here!¡± one of the officers ordered, shoving Jeff toward the door. Jeff was wrestled into the back of the police car, his chest heaving with fury as they drove him away, red and blue lights flashing in the distance. ************************************************************************************************************************************* Jason¡¯s phone buzzed, and he answered it quickly. ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Jason, it¡¯s Andrew,¡± came the steady voice on the other end. ¡°Your brother, Jeff, is in custody. He¡¯s at the station right now.¡± ¡°Jeff?¡± Jason¡¯s voice shot up in alarm. Mrs Anderson, sitting nearby, turned to him, her brows furrowing. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Jason quickly flashed his mom a forced smile. And without waiting for another word from her, he grabbed his keys and headed for the door. Mrs Anderson watched him leave, unease settling in her chest. Something wasn¡¯t right, and she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.
    Burning Heart III At K and Y Hospital, the security guard stationed at Alicia¡¯s ward quickly stepped aside, holding the door open as Olive wheeled Mr. White toward it. Olive paused outside, giving Mr. White a nod before gently closing the door behind him. A faint blend of antiseptic, sterile gauze, and the metallic tang of medical equipment lingered in the air as Mr White wheeled himself into the room, the rhythmic beeping of the monitor a constant reminder of the fragility of life. His hands trembled on the wheelchair¡¯s armrests as he took in the sight before him. Alicia lay motionless on the hospital bed, wires snaking across her fragile frame, the ventilator rising and falling in a mechanical rhythm. The sterile blue of her hospital gown only deepened the pallor of her face. For a moment, he froze. Then, wheeling himself closer, he fought the tears burning in his eyes. But as his gaze lingered on her bandaged hands and her eerily still form, the dam broke. Silent tears rolled down his weathered face, each one carving a path of regret and anguish. ¡°A...Alicia¡­¡± he whispered, his voice cracking. He reached out a trembling hand to touch her cheek. It was warm¡ªshe was alive. Relief washed over him, bringing with it a bittersweet smile that wavered under the weight of memory. He withdrew his hand as if her warmth burned him. The last time they had been close felt like another lifetime. He could still recall the scornful glare she often reserved for him¡ªthe way it cut deeper than any words. Even now, the phantom of her disdain gnawed at him, dragging his hand back to his lap. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he muttered, his voice thick with grief. Tears streaked down his face as he choked out the words. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Alicia.¡±Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ............. ¡°Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, daddy! Happy birthday to you!¡± ¡°Hurray!¡± Mr. White cheered, his laughter ringing through the room as he swung his six-year-old daughter into his arms. ¡°Happy birthday, Dad!¡± Alicia giggled, her round cheeks glowing pink with excitement, her wide, bright eyes glinting like polished pearls. Mr. White laughed louder, kissing her cheeks and ruffling her soft curls. ¡°Thank you, darling! I love you so much!¡± ¡°I love you too, Dad! You¡¯re the best!¡± Alicia squealed, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck. ............... ¡°Get out! Get out of my sight!¡± Alicia¡¯s voice cracked with fury as she hurled a pillow across the room, followed by a crumpled bedsheet and a scattering of cosmetics. Standing by the door, Mr. White flinched but didn¡¯t move. His lips quivered, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the fabric of his suit pants. ¡°Alicia, please¡­¡± he pleaded, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean¡ª¡± ¡°Sorry?¡± she spat, grabbing the glass perfume bottle from her dresser. The apple-scented spray exploded across the room as the bottle shattered against the wall. ¡°Leave! I hate you! I hate you!¡± The venom in her words struck him harder than any physical blow. Tears welled in his eyes, blurring his vision as he stared at the daughter who once clung to his neck in pure adoration. With a final look of defeat, he turned and left, the echo of her rage trailing him down the hall. .............. Mr. White held Alicia¡¯s cold, fragile hand in his, his shoulders shaking with quiet sobs. ¡°Alicia¡­¡± he whispered again, the name a prayer and a plea. ¡°I¡¯m sorry...so sorry¡­¡± His voice cracked, the words spilling out in broken fragments as he clung to her lifeless hand. The steady beeping of the machines was the only reply, each sounds a reminder of the time they had lost and the mistakes he could never take back. Threat Alena knocked on the door and heard a calm ¡°Come in¡± from the other side. She entered the study, closing the door gently behind her. Rose sat poised on a high-backed leather swivel chair behind a polished mahogany desk. On either side of her were tall bookshelves, brimming with volumes that gave the room an air of quiet authority. Alena paused for a moment, noting how Rose¡¯s fingers danced across the laptop keyboard. She hesitated but then spoke, her voice measured. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to interrupt, Mother.¡± Rose looked up, a smile softening her features. ¡°No need to apologize, dear. I assume it¡¯s important if you¡¯re here.¡± Alena stepped closer, her movements deliberate. ¡°It is. I feel like something¡¯s changed¡ªlike I¡¯m being sidelined from your plans.¡± Her voice carried a hint of controlled anger, though her expression remained composed. Rose leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers. ¡°You seem upset. What¡¯s troubling you?¡± ¡°Wilson,¡± Alena said, her voice sharp. Rose arched a brow, her curiosity piqued. ¡°What about him?¡± ¡°Did you send him to my house to deal with Kate? Without telling me? Why?¡± Rose¡¯s expression didn¡¯t waver. ¡°I thought it better he handle it. You have more pressing matters to attend to.¡± ¡°But Kate has been under my care for years,¡± Alena countered, her tone rising. ¡°He should have consulted me first.¡± Rose¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile, though her gaze remained steady. ¡°Why are you so agitated? You knew Kate¡¯s presence was leverage against Jeff. He failed me, and this is his punishment. I sent Wilson because I won¡¯t let your hands get dirty.¡±Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Alena¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°Even so, I should have been informed.¡± Rose¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, studying Alena with quiet intensity. ¡°Tell me, Alena, have you developed feelings for Jeff? Is that why you¡¯re so protective of his sister?¡± Alena scoffed, shaking her head. ¡°Feelings? Hardly. But Wilson¡­¡± She clenched her fists. ¡°He acts as if I don¡¯t matter. He doesn¡¯t even respect my authority. Do you know what he said to me? He mocked me¡ªsaid I think too highly of myself. As if he¡¯s untouchable!¡± Rose sighed, a trace of amusement flickering in her eyes. ¡°And that¡¯s why you¡¯re so worked up?¡± ¡°His confidence is infuriating,¡± Alena snapped. ¡°I won¡¯t tolerate it.¡± Rose regarded her daughter calmly. ¡°So, what do you want to do about it?¡± ¡°I want him gone,¡± Alena said coldly. ¡°He¡¯s a threat to my position, and I won¡¯t stand for it.¡± Rose watched her intently, the faintest smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. ¡°Why not let me handle his punishment?¡± ¡°I want to do it myself!¡± Alena¡¯s voice was firm. Rose rose from her chair, walking over to place her hands on Alena¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Patience, my dear. We still need him¡ªfor now. When the time comes, you¡¯ll have your chance.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°Shh,¡± Rose whispered, pressing a finger to Alena¡¯s lips. ¡°Trust me.¡± Alena¡¯s fiery gaze met her mother¡¯s, searching for hidden motives. Finally, she nodded, albeit reluctantly. Rose returned to her chair and sat gracefully. ¡°Did you know,¡± she began, ¡°after your father¡¯s resignation, he bribed the board to support Alicia as the next president of Beliny?¡± Alena¡¯s eyes widened, fury bubbling to the surface. ¡°Why would he do that?¡± Rose leaned back, her voice calm. ¡°He¡¯s desperate to earn her forgiveness. But don¡¯t worry¡ªAlison has taken care of her.¡± ¡°I heard Alicia¡¯s in a coma. What if she wakes up?¡± Rose¡¯s lips curved into a sly smile. ¡°Do you think I¡¯d let that happen?¡± ¡°If we¡¯re not careful, she¡¯ll take Beliny,¡± Alena said, her fists clenching. ¡°I won¡¯t let her have it. It¡¯s mine by right as the firstborn. This is an insult.¡± Rose chuckled softly. ¡°You worry too much when it comes to her. Everything is going according to plan. Do you think I¡¯d let it all fall apart now when we are close?¡± Alena took a deep breath, her anger momentarily subdued. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mother. I didn¡¯t mean to doubt you.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Rose said, her voice soothing. ¡°I''m sure your father will likely be at the hospital by now, drowning in his own guilt.¡± ¡°And Alison?¡± Rose smirked, her fingers drumming lightly on the desk. ¡°She¡¯s walking straight into her own downfall. Just wait¡ªyou¡¯ll see her arrested soon enough.¡± Alena returned her mother¡¯s smile, a sense of satisfaction flickering across her face. Haunt If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Behind The Closed Door Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Betrayer After Jeff joined the table, silence settled in the room, and even the faintest footstep could be heard. Mrs Anderson observed her sons¡ªJeff looked serious as he ate, and Jason appeared neutral, though he glanced at Jeff repeatedly. A few minutes later, Mrs Anderson broke the silence by clearing her throat. Both Jeff and Jason looked up from their plates. "I received a call from Dr Stanley while I was cooking," she said, glancing from Jeff to Jason and back again. They both remained calm, listening attentively. Mrs. Anderson continued. ¡°She told me that the Whites want Alicia transferred from our hospital to St. John¡¯s Hospital, Mrs. White¡¯s sister¡¯s hospital,¡± she informed them. ¡°What did you tell her?¡± Jeff demanded, his tone cold. ¡°What do you want me to say?¡± Mrs. Anderson asked, irritated by Jeff¡¯s icy attitude toward her. As Jeff¡¯s palms balled into fists, Jason quickly placed his hands over Jeff¡¯s and turned his gaze to his mother. ¡°Alicia¡¯s life will be in danger if she¡¯s transferred from our hospital, Mom,¡± he said urgently, his heart pounding at the thought of Alicia being transferred, worry etched across his face. ¡°But she¡¯ll be transferred to her mother¡¯s sister¡¯s hospital, and I have no right to keep her here. I¡¯m not her mother,¡± Mrs. Anderson explained. Jeff pulled his hand away from Jason and stood up. ¡°I¡¯ll see Mr. White right away,¡± he said firmly. ¡°Stanley told me he demanded the transfer because you betrayed her daughter. I was told you cheated on her, dating her sister, Alena, and that¡¯s why she attempted suicide,¡± Mrs. Anderson retorted, watching as Jeff moved toward the door. She saw him freeze in his tracks, confirming the truth. Mrs. Anderson stood up, her disappointment clear, her eyes brimming with tears. ¡°I thought you loved her, Jeff,¡± Mrs. Anderson scoffed. ¡°You didn¡¯t just deceive her, you deceived me too,¡± she sniffled, fighting the urge to burst into tears before she left.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Jason watched his mother leave, then turned to find Jeff already gone. ************************************************************************************************************************************* Jeff¡¯s black Lamborghini screeched into the Whites¡¯ grand estate, which was heavily guarded. The security at the door opened it as they saw Jeff running toward the house. He dashed inside and came to a halt when he saw Mr White sitting in the living room, his arms folded across his chest as he rested in his wheelchair. Jeff noticed Mr White¡¯s pale face as the older man looked up at him, his red-rimmed eyes revealing that he had been crying. Jeff exhaled sharply as he approached Mr. White, hiding his trembling hands behind his back. ¡°Mr. White¡­¡± ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Mr. White yelled, trying to stand but sinking back into his chair. ¡°Mr. White, are you alright?¡± Olive appeared, quickly scurrying to Mr. White¡¯s side and taking his arms. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Jeff¡¯s muscles tensed at the sight of Olive. He clenched his fists, his bloodlust gaze fixed on the man. Mr. White nodded at Olive¡¯s question. Olive dropped his hands from Mr. White¡¯s arms and turned his gaze toward Jeff. His brows furrowed when he noticed the malicious look in Jeff¡¯s eyes. He tilted his head slightly, as if silently questioning him. Jeff forced himself to soften his gaze slightly as he stared into Olive¡¯s catlike brown eyes, his anger burning inside him as he took in Olive''s fearless expression and confident posture. ¡°Leave, Jeff.¡± Mr. White¡¯s harsh voice snapped Jeff¡¯s attention back to him. He looked at Mr. White. ¡°Sir?¡± ¡°Olive!¡± The command was sharp, and Olive stepped forward. ¡°I¡¯d like you to leave, Mr. Anderson,¡± Olive said calmly, gesturing toward the door. ¡°Alicia¡¯s life will be in danger if she¡¯s transferred from that hospital!¡± Jeff cried out, desperation in his voice as he looked at Mr. White. ¡°You have to cancel the transfer, please!¡± The words were like gasoline on a fire. Mr. White turned to Jeff with a murderous look, his hands gripping the arms of his wheelchair tightly. ¡°You put her life in danger from the start, you jerk! You should be ashamed of yourself for dating two sisters, but now you dare to show up in front of me. You¡¯re her best friend!¡± Mr. White roared, pointing accusingly at him. ¡°She trusted you, and I trusted you, but¡­¡± Mr. White broke off, his gaze shifting away. ¡°Leave, Jeff. Just leave!¡± he muttered, wheeling his chair further into the house. With his lips trembling, Jeff watched Mr. White wheel away, tears streaking down his crimson eyes. He opened his mouth to call out Mr. White¡¯s name, but the words wouldn¡¯t come. ''"MMr...." Screeching his teeth, Jeff clenched his fists so hard that he thought they might break. He stumbled on his way out of the living room, his footsteps heavy and erratic, clutching the wall for support. And Olive watched him, a sneer tugging at the corner of his lips. Impostor Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Obstacle Jeff!¡± Jason exclaimed as Jeff entered the sitting room. Seeing Jason in his house, Jeff frowned and asked, ¡°What are you doing here? I thought you were staying with Kate.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been looking everywhere for you. Where have you been?¡± Jason replied anxiously, watching as Jeff approached the chair. ¡°Jeff, Alicia was transferred this morning,¡± he announced urgently. Jeff froze mid-step, turning to face Jason. His expression was one of disbelief, as if he¡¯d been struck by a thunderclap. ¡°What did you just say?¡± he asked quietly, his voice taut as his face paled. ¡°Alicia was what?¡± He grabbed Jason¡¯s collar, his eyes blazing with fury. ¡°What did you say?¡± ¡°I... I¡¯m sorry,¡± Jason stammered, trembling under the weight of Jeff¡¯s wrath. Jeff shoved Jason to the ground and stormed out of the house. ************************************************************************************************************************************* Jeff burst into St. John¡¯s Hospital and rushed to the reception desk, where the nurses looked up at him in surprise. ¡°I need to see Alicia White! She was transferred here this morning. Please, I need to see her,¡± he said, his voice quivering as he fought back the urge to break down. Startled by Jeff¡¯s desperation, one of the nurses quickly searched for Alicia¡¯s ward. "She¡¯s in Ward 102, in the VIP section,¡± the nurse informed him. Jeff didn¡¯t wait another second before sprinting down the hallway. When he reached the ward, he stopped short. Four security guards stood stationed at the door. Jeff¡¯s breath hitched, his pulse pounding in his ears. He turned to glance back at the hallway, his shoulders trembling as he tried to steady his resolve. Memories of Alicia flooded his mind¡ªher laughter, her tears, and the trust in her eyes when she once said, ¡°I¡¯ll always believe in you, Jeff.¡± ¡°I need to see Alicia!¡± Jeff demanded, stepping forward. The guards blocked his path, grabbing his arms and pushing him back. ¡°No one is allowed inside except for the Whites,¡± said Steven, the tallest and most intimidating of the guards. ¡°How dare you!¡± Jeff roared, swinging his fist at Steven. But before his punch could land, Steven struck him in the nose. Jeff stumbled backwards, blood trickling down his face.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°It would be best if you leave now, Mr. Jeff,¡± Steven advised coldly. ¡°I have to see Alicia!¡± Jeff shouted, his voice breaking. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving without seeing her!¡± ¡°How dare you!¡± Jeff turned to see Rose approaching, her face contorted with rage. Before he could react, she shoved him against the wall, gripping his shirt tightly. ¡°You caused all of this! She stabbed herself because of you! You hurt her! How dare you show your face here!¡± Rose cried, her voice shaking with emotion. Tears streamed down her face as she pounded her fists weakly against Jeff¡¯s chest. She looked like a mother on the brink of losing her child. Jeff smirked bitterly. ¡°You should be an actress,¡± he muttered mockingly. ¡°You¡¯re evil! Pure evil!¡± Rose sobbed, collapsing to her knees as she buried her face in her hands. ¡°My poor baby... She trusted you so much...¡± The security guards stepped in to help Rose to her feet, trying to calm her. ¡°Get this man out of here now!¡± Rose screamed, pointing at Jeff. ¡°No one is to let him in, or they¡¯ll be fired! Get him out!¡± One of the guards urged Jeff to leave, but when Jeff stood his ground, his fists clenched and his eyes locked on Rose with a murderous intensity, the guards forcibly escorted him out of the hospital. ************************************************************************************************************************************* Outside, Jeff paused near the hospital¡¯s entrance. His hands trembled as he leaned against the wall, the metallic taste of blood sharp in his mouth. His mind was a whirlwind of guilt and anger. Alicia¡¯s face flashed before him again; his promise to her echoing: ¡°I¡¯ll always be there for you.¡± His stomach twisted. ¡°I¡¯ve failed her,¡± he whispered, clenching his fists. But not anymore. Jason, who had trailed Jeff to the hospital, saw him walking toward the parking lot. Jeff kept glancing back at the building, his face a mixture of fury and despair. Jason hurried out of his car and ran to him. ¡°What happened?¡± he gasped, noticing the bruises on Jeff¡¯s face and hands. ¡°Who did this to you?¡± Jeff walked past Jason without answering, heading to his car. ¡°I need everything you¡¯ve found on Rose,¡± he demanded. ¡°Every piece of evidence. Now.¡± He climbed into his car and slammed the door shut. ¡°Meet me at my place. We¡¯ll talk there,¡± he ordered, gripping the steering wheel tightly before driving off. As he sped down the highway, Jeff¡¯s grip on the steering wheel tightened. ¡°She won¡¯t suffer for me again,¡± he whispered to himself, his determination burning with every passing moment. Two years earlier... ¡°What are you going to do, date Alena?¡± Jason asked, his face lined with worry. ¡°You know this isn¡¯t right.¡± ¡°Then what should I do?¡± Jeff countered, his head bowed. ¡°I¡¯ll be finished if Alicia find this out.¡± He looked up at Jason, desperation in his eyes. ¡°I can¡¯t let go of Alicia. Not anymore.¡± Jason sighed, placing his hands on his hips. ¡°Then let¡¯s fight them,¡± he said, his voice resolute. ¡°You¡¯ve been a pawn for Rose for ten years. If you really want Alicia, it¡¯s time to take action. I can help you.¡± Jeff exhaled heavily, clenching his fists. ¡°Still scared?¡± Jason pressed. ¡°Then tell me¡ªwhen will you free yourself?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Jeff admitted, his voice barely audible. ¡°Kate will be in danger, and Alicia will also be danger. I... I don¡¯t want to put more lives at risk.¡± He buried his fingers in his hair and tugged at it in frustration. ¡°Not now, Jason. It¡¯s not the right time.¡± ¡°Then when?¡± Jason asked, his eyes filling with tears. ¡°You might regret it if you date Alena...¡± He trailed off, his words hanging in the air. The memory brought a spark of determination to Jason¡¯s eyes. ¡°Now¡¯s the time, Jeff. Now.¡± Excited by the thought, Jason pressed harder on the accelerator, eager to see Jeff take action at last. Unveil This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Echoes of Truth Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Echoes of Truth II If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Warning This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. A Shadow in the Woods Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. The Bargain ************************************************************************************************************************************** Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. ************************************************************************************************************************************* Glimpse Short glimpse to Threads of Deception: The Edge of Abyss Volume Two: Alicia snapped her head toward Rose as the woman let out a devilish laugh. Like a creeping contagion, her men joined in, their sinister chuckles spreading through the room and filling the air with an oppressive echo. Alicia¡¯s stomach twisted with unease, the sound wrapping around her like a suffocating shroud. It echoed in her ears, a haunting curse refusing to fade. Jeff¡¯s breaths grew ragged, each gasp betraying the chaos consuming his thoughts. The laughter pierced through his defenses, dragging buried memories to the surface, clawing at his mind. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me! Leave our house!¡± The men¡¯s laughter. The gunshot. Rebecca¡¯s scream. The pool of blood beneath her still form. The memories blazed in his mind, fanning the flames of his fury. ¡°Let her go!¡± Jeff barked, his voice cutting through the cacophony like a blade. The laughter ceased abruptly, replaced by a suffocating silence that thickened the air with tension. ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll let her go, Jeff,¡± Rose said softly, her voice dripping with mock gentleness. ¡°But you¡¯ll have to come and get her.¡± As Rose¡¯s men raised their guns, Alicia turned to Jeff, panic etched into her face. She saw the fury consuming him, blinding him to reason. Don¡¯t do this! Tears streamed down her cheeks as she shook her head. She tried to run to him, but Nick, the man restraining her, yanked her back with a cruel grip. Noticing Nick¡¯s movement, something deep within Jeff shattered. The invisible chains holding him back broke apart. With a guttural roar, he lunged forward. ¡°Shoot!¡± Rose commanded. Gunshots rang out, the bullets tearing into Jeff¡¯s stomach.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. For Alicia, time seemed to freeze. The world went silent as she watched Jeff collapse to his knees, his hands bracing the ground while blood pooled beneath him. He gritted his teeth, his body trembling as he tried to stand, only to falter and fall again. ¡°No!¡± Alicia screamed, thrashing against Nick¡¯s hold, but his grip remained unyielding. ¡°Jeff!¡± she cried, her voice cracking with despair. Jeff lifted his head to meet her eyes, his own brimming with unshed tears. His lips twitched into a bitter smile. I¡¯m sorry, he thought as agony ripped through him. I¡¯m sorry, Alicia. Tears streaked his face as he silently apologized. I failed you again. Summoning the last remnants of his strength, Jeff forced himself to his feet. Just once¡­ I have to¡­ He staggered forward, leaving a trail of blood on the floor. ¡°Shoot!¡± Rose¡¯s voice rang out again. The next volley of gunshots brought Jeff to the ground, his body refusing to rise. ¡°Jeff!¡± Alicia shrieked. Breaking free from Nick¡¯s grasp, she ran to him. Falling to her knees, she cradled him in her arms, slapping his cheeks as if to rouse him. ¡°Jeff, Jeff, Jeff!¡± she sobbed, her voice breaking into incoherent cries as tears blurred her vision. Jeff¡¯s eyes fluttered open, his trembling hand reaching to touch her face. ¡°Jeff,¡± Alicia whispered, gripping his cold hand and pressing it to her cheek. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ It¡¯s all my fault,¡± she choked out, pressing her hands against the wound in his stomach. Blood seeped through her fingers, her desperation mounting with each second. The thought of losing Jeff was unbearable. She had convinced herself she hated him, that she wanted him gone¡ªbut it had all been a lie. Deep down, she had longed for him to seek her forgiveness, to hold her, to confess his love again. Instead, she had pushed him away. As Jeff¡¯s bitter smile faded and tears slipped down his face, Alicia intertwined her fingers with his. ¡°You can¡¯t leave me,¡± she pleaded, her voice trembling. It felt as though a part of her was being torn away, her world crumbling into darkness. ¡°Jeff, please¡­ don¡¯t leave¡­¡± she whispered as Jeff groaned, his eyes shutting tightly against the pain.
    ¡°Do you want to hear a shocking story?¡± Rose¡¯s voice sliced through the silence, her gaze fixed on Alicia. A dark smile played on her lips. ¡°Let me tell you how evil I truly am.¡± Alicia¡¯s breath hitched as Rose leaned closer, her eyes glinting with malice. ¡°I buried your real friend alive.¡± A strangled cry escaped Alicia¡¯s lips, horror tightening her chest. ¡°You have no soul,¡± Alicia spat, her voice shaking with fury. Rose¡¯s smirk deepened. ¡°I discovered that a long time ago¡ªon the night I drugged your father. My Olive drove him home and pushed him toward you. That night was planned perfectly. Your father was vulnerable, and he fell into my trap.¡± Her voice dropped to a venomous whisper. ¡°And he violated you.¡± Synopsis Alicia returns with a single purpose¡ªrevenge. She has one month to make her betrayers suffer before death claims her for good. But when she uncovers the truth¡ªthat they were mere pawns in her stepmother¡¯s cruel game¡ªeverything changes.Can she truly forgive them? Can she rebuild what was broken? As she reunites with her family and rediscovers the warmth she thought lost, a new fear takes hold¡ªshe no longer wants to die.But the witch who granted her borrowed time is waiting. The deal was made, and the price was set¡ªher family¡¯s fortune in exchange for one final month. Now, with love rekindled and a future within reach, Alicia faces an impossible choice.Death means the end of something and the beginning of something new¡ªbut what will it mean for her? Will she outsmart the witch and carve a new fate for herself? Or will she surrender to the path she once swore to take¡ªvengeance, payment, and death? The clock is ticking, and the witch is watching.Stolen novel; please report. Echoes of Regret Sitting in his wheelchair, Mr White stared at the cup of coffee in his hands. The dark liquid shimmered against the gleaming porcelain mug, the steam curling in delicate wisps under the sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The room was flooded with light, bouncing off the polished marble floors and the golden accents of the furniture, a testament to his wealth. His gnarled fingers,veined and weathered, cradled the mug with a peculiar mix of care and tension, as though grounding himself in its warmth. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint scent of lilies from the crystal vase on the side table. The sudden creak of the door startled him, shattering the stillness. His grip on the mug tightened, the tendons in his hand straining, and his jaw set as he looked up, his sharp gaze scanning for the source of the intrusion. Alena entered, closing the door with a soft click. Her footsteps echoed in the silence as she moved closer. She stopped just inches from him, her gaze sharp, unwavering. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Mr White¡¯s voice cracked like brittle wood as he jabbed a finger toward the door. ¡°Where¡¯s Olive? I told him-¡± A spastic cough shuddered his body, coffee splashing over his trembling hand as each hack jolted his body violently. He set the mug on the stool beside him with a shaky breath. ¡°Leave. Now.¡± Alena¡¯s lips parted, her breath hitching as her shoulders tensed. ¡°You hate me, don¡¯t you?¡± she said, the words quivering into the air like a fragile thread threatening to snap. Yet, her chin tilted upward, her gaze steady and unyielding. Mr White¡¯s fingers twitched against the armrest, his breath faltering as though the accusation had landed like a blow. His chest rose in a sharp, shallow inhale, and a faint tremor rippled through his jaw. For a fleeting moment, his eyes softened, betraying a raw, unspoken ache that lingered just beneath the surface, before hardening into a cold, measured glare. ¡°Think what you want,¡± he snapped, his voice rising despite the strain. ¡°Do you expect me to forget? After you betrayed your sister? You and Alison...¡± He scoffed bitterly, looking away, his face contorting with something unspoken. He had watched them grow up under his roof. Now, the distance between them felt like an insurmountable chasm. He had stayed silent for too long, pretending he didn¡¯t see the hate festering between them. His shame kept him quiet, as did his fear. But when the police arrived, bringing the news of Alison¡¯s violence, and the pictures of Alena and Jeff¡¯s affair, he couldn¡¯t help but blame himself for everything. He had known, but he had done nothing. Coward! Coward! Tears threatened to form, but he wiped them away quickly, turning his gaze down. His voice was barely a whisper. ¡°We have nothing to talk about. Leave.¡± He wanted to make up for all the lost time, to piece together the fragments of broken promises and buried mistakes. His hands tightened into fists on his lap, the weight of regret pressing down like an anchor. But it was too late. The clock had long since run out, its relentless ticking now replaced by an unbearable silence. Nothing could be undone, nothing could be mended¡ªnot anymore. ¡°Why did you do that to me?¡± Alena¡¯s voice cracked, desperation creeping in. ¡°Why did you lie to us?¡± The question stung like an open wound. Mr White frowned, its weight sinking into him. When he looked up, he saw the tears in her eyes, confusion etching his features. The last time he saw tears in Alena¡¯s eyes, she was an innocent child, with a sweetness that had softened even his hardest moments. Now, the woman before him, hardened by pain, made his heartache. His lips trembled as a bitter smile pulled at his face, a mixture of nostalgia and regret. ¡°I remember everything... my real mother... my lost memories...¡± Alena¡¯s voice shook. As she glanced at his trembling hands, her shoulders trembled, and her chest hitched with uneven breaths. A tear traced a slow path down her cheek, glinting in the light before she swiped it away with the back of her hand, quick and forceful. Her jaw tightened, and she blinked hard, as though determined to seal the rest of her tears behind a fragile dam. ¡°Rose¡­ She was never ours, was she? You lied. You deceived us all,¡± she scoffed. Mr White¡¯s jaw clenched, the lines on his face deepening as his expression turned rigid. ¡°What else do you want me to do?¡± he asked, his voice heavy. ¡°You were too young... You needed a mother,¡± he snorted bitterly. ¡°You lost your memories because of your mother¡¯s death... Do you want me to remind you what almost took your life?¡± His voice trembled as the memory resurfaced. The day Alena nearly died in his arms. His panic, fear, and helplessness consumed his entire soul. He could still hear his panicked voice calling her name echoing like a bell in his mind. ¡°I thought I did the right thing,¡± he said, voice firming, his hands gripping the chair as if it were the only thing holding him together. ¡°So you don¡¯t even plan to tell us the truth, do you?¡± Alena¡¯s voice was sharp, each word cutting through the air like shards of glass. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides, trembling with restrained fury. ¡°Do you have any idea what you¡¯ve done to us? Rose¡ª¡± Her voice cracked, the name catching in her throat. Her lips parted as though the weight of the truth was too much to bear. A shudder ran through her, and she pressed them shut, swallowing hard against the words she couldn¡¯t force into the open. A groan of frustration escaped her lips as she ran her fingers through her hair. What could he even do now? Telling him wouldn¡¯t change anything¡ªwouldn¡¯t it just make things worse? The thought lingered in her mind.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Maybe he had been right. Maybe he had no choice. Her gaze softened as she watched him¡ªonce strong, now so fragile, so weak. How lonely he must have been, she thought bitterly. And how blind they had been to it. They had all distanced themselves from him, refusing to see the regret, the guilt that ate away at him. Her hands clenched tighter, nails digging into her palms. They had known but had chosen to ignore it, letting their own desires eclipse the broken man before them. Tears burned at the corners of her eyes. She turned, hand reaching for the door handle. And then, a voice. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Mr White¡¯s voice broke through the air, raw and fragile. ¡°I know I¡¯m not a good father. I know... I know everything is my fault... I¡¯m... so... sorry.¡± Alena froze. For a heartbeat, she considered running to him, wrapping her arms around him, but the thought made her anxious. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to do it. A bittersweet smile tugged at her lips, unbidden, softening her expression despite the storm in her chest. She couldn¡¯t help it. It was the kind of smile that spoke of endings, of things unsaid. Her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, searching his face for something¡ªanything¡ªbut finding only silence. Without another word, she turned on her heel, her footsteps steady, though the weight of the moment clung to every step. The door slammed behind her with a resounding crack that seemed to slice through the air. The sound echoed in the vast room, hollow and unrelenting. Mr White flinched, his body stiffening in the chair. The sound rattled in his ears, loud enough to drown out the rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall. His hands tightened on the armrests, knuckles blanching as he gripped them like lifelines. But it wasn¡¯t enough to anchor him. His body lurched forward, a sudden, uncontrollable motion that sent him toppling out of the chair. He hit the floor with a muted thud, the cold marble unforgiving beneath him. A muffled groan escaped his lips, ragged and pained. His chest heaved, the air burning as it filled his lungs. Pain shot through him, sharp and unyielding, cutting deeper than the ache in his limbs. His trembling hand flew to his chest, clawing at his shirt as though trying to tear away the invisible weight crushing him. His heart burned, the agony not just physical but a searing reminder of all he had failed to fix, of the damage that no amount of effort could undo. The echoes of the slamming door faded, but the emptiness it left behind lingered, vast and suffocating. ¡ª-------------- Alena slammed the car door shut, leaning forward, her forehead pressed against the cool leather of the steering wheel. Her hands gripped it so tightly, that her knuckles turned white. She gasped for air, trying to hold herself together as the sobs wracked through her body. ¡°I¡¯m sorry...¡± she whispered, her voice breaking. ¡°It¡¯s all my fault.¡± Memories of lies and Rose¡¯s manipulations stormed through her mind like an unrelenting tide. How much she had trusted her. She had seen her as a mother, hanging on every word, every promise. But she had been so wrong¡ªso blind. The truth cut deeper than any blade. Stupid. Cruel. Naive. The words echoed in her head, each one a hammer blow to her chest. ¡°It¡¯s all my fault,¡± Alena whispered, her voice shaking as she clenched her teeth. Her grip tightened on the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white. With a sharp cry, she slammed her fist against the steering, the impact reverberating through the car. Hot tears spilled down her cheeks, falling in steady streams onto the floor like relentless rain. Her phone buzzed, its shrill ringtone cutting through the suffocating silence. But Alena didn¡¯t notice. Her mind was locked away, deaf to the world outside. The pain held her captive, a prison of regret and anguish from which she couldn¡¯t escape.
    ************************************************************************************************************************************* Rose was about to drop her phone on the chair when it buzzed, causing her brow to knit slightly. She glanced at the caller ID before answering. ¡°Doctor Eve,¡± Rose said curtly into the phone. ¡°Rose,¡± Eve, her sister, dropped the formality, her voice tense and urgent. Rose¡¯s frown deepened, unease creeping in. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°A nurse ran into the doctor¡¯s office a few minutes ago,¡± Eve began, her words rushed. ¡°She said Alicia is awake. And¡ª¡± ¡°Awake?¡± Rose exclaimed, leaping to her feet. Her muscles tensed her body on high alert. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Rose. I never imagined she¡¯d wake up so quickly,¡± Eve admitted, her voice heavy with guilt. ¡°And you expect me to understand, Eve?¡± Rose shouted, panic surging through her. Her carefully laid plans were unravelling. How could they be so careless? If only I could handle everything myself! ¡°She should have been dead by now! What¡¯s the point of your work, you fool?¡± Eve¡¯s silence on the other end of the line only fueled Rose¡¯s frustration. She shut her eyes and exhaled sharply, trying to regain her composure. ¡°Who else knows about this?¡± Rose could hear Eve gritting her teeth, and her brows furrowed further. ¡°Who knows?¡± she demanded impatiently, her voice cold and cutting. ¡°I swear I wasn¡¯t there when Alena was called,¡± Eve stammered. ¡°Alena?¡± Rose¡¯s voice rose again, her hand gripping the phone tightly. ¡°But... I think there¡¯s a good part of it,¡± Eve added hesitantly, biting her lip as soon as the words left her mouth, clearly regretting them. Rose let out a bitter laugh, her disbelief cutting through the tension. ¡°What is it?¡± she asked, her voice laced with scorn. ¡°She doesn¡¯t remember her recent memories,¡± Eve explained cautiously. ¡°The doctors said she¡¯s forgotten them due to shock and her unwillingness to recall such traumatic events.¡± Rose narrowed her eyes, doubt flashing across her face. ¡°And you believe that?¡± she asked, her lips curling into a derisive smile. ¡°The doctors confirmed it, Rose. You know I wouldn¡¯t give you false information,¡± Eve said, her tone defensive. ¡°Whatever, I¡¯ll be on my way right now,¡± Rose said impatiently, cutting the conversation short. She tilted her head, trying to process what she¡¯d just heard. Alicia doesn¡¯t remember her recent memories. Rose scoffed again, though this time it felt more like a hollow, exasperated sound. She couldn¡¯t decide whether to feel relieved or infuriated by this twist.
    In The Dark Alicia watched as the nurses moved with practiced efficiency¡ªone checking her temperature while another administered her medication¡ªbefore they quietly left the ward. The door clicked shut behind them, leaving a palpable silence in its wake. She took in her surroundings with a critical eye. The steady, rhythmic beeping of the machines echoed like a metronome of her heart, each beep a reminder of her fragile state. The drip attached to her hand pulsed softly, a constant, unyielding tether to the sterile reality around her. The antiseptic scent in the air mingled with the faint odor of medicine, creating an atmosphere that felt both clinical and oppressive. Alicia¡¯s gaze wandered over every detail, from the harsh fluorescent lights to the patterned fabric of the quilt draped across her body. With a deliberate motion, she shoved the quilt aside, revealing bare legs that swung confidently over the side of the bed. A smirk played on her lips, a silent promise of retribution. In that moment, she wasn¡¯t merely a patient¡ªshe was a force reborn, ready to dismantle the world that had once sought to confine her. Barefoot, she stepped onto the cold tiles, a chill shooting up her spine. Reaching the glass wall, she pulled the curtain aside. The streetlights below illuminated the road, cars gliding by in a mechanical rhythm. I¡¯m really back, she thought, a sly smile curling on her lips. Back to take everyone with me... to hell. ¡°Alicia!¡± She froze at the thrilled voice behind her. Rose. Alicia scoffed inwardly before turning. Acting like she cares now. Rose rushed forward, throwing her arms around her. ¡°Oh, my God!¡± Rose gasped, pulling back to cup Alicia¡¯s face, tears glistening in her eyes. ¡°I thought I¡¯d lost you. I was so worried.¡± Her voice broke. For a moment, Alicia froze. Did she really wait anxiously for me to wake up? But the memory of betrayal hit her like a slap. Alicia¡¯s lips tightened. I¡¯m not the girl who trusts blindly anymore. I¡¯m not the girl who feels pity just because someone cries. They made me this way, and I¡¯ll embrace it. ¡°My girl,¡± Rose whispered, pulling back once more. When their eyes met, Alicia¡¯s heart twisted with an emotion she couldn¡¯t name. Was it betrayal? Or something else entirely? As Rose¡¯s tears fell, Alicia¡¯s unease deepened. Will they ever stop pretending? ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Alicia. I¡¯m so sorry for everything you¡¯ve been through,¡± Rose cried, clutching Alicia¡¯s hands tightly. Alicia wanted to believe her words, but the sting of betrayal still burned. If Rose wants to act, It¡¯s fine. ¡°Mom,¡± Alicia said coolly, pulling back. ¡°What happened? The doctors won¡¯t tell me. Why am I here?¡± Rose¡¯s expression faltered, pain flashing across her face. ¡°You¡­ don¡¯t remember?¡± Her voice trembled as she searched Alicia¡¯s eyes. ¡°Nothing at all?¡± Rose¡¯s words were calculated, aimed at revealing any sign of Alicia¡¯s awareness. Since entering the ward, Rose had observed every flicker of Alicia¡¯s gaze, every twitch of her fingers, looking for a crack in the facade that would expose the truth. Meanwhile, Alicia squinted, startled by the worry in her mother¡¯s eyes. What a joke. ¡°It¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t,¡± Rose said, wiping her tears and guiding Alicia back to the bed. ¡°Once you¡¯re better, I¡¯ll tell you everything. Just rest for now. Okay?¡±Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Before Alicia could respond, a sharp voice interrupted them. ¡°Ali..!¡± The sudden voice made both Alicia and Rose look toward the door. Alena stood there, frozen in place, her gaze fixed on the Rose. This witch, Alena thought bitterly, her lips twisting in disdain. ¡°Oh, Alena¡¯s here!¡± Rose muttered, a nervous smile tugging at her lips, though inwardly, she smirked. What a joke. Alena sneered inwardly. Disgusting. She had always believed only Kate could make her blood boil, but she had been wrong. Rose¡¯s sickeningly innocent fa?ade churned her stomach, igniting a surge of irritation that felt almost unbearable. You can do this, Alena. I can¡¯t lose it here. Not now. Alena cleared her throat, flexing her fingers, her emotions teetering between rage and restraint. Rose noticed the sudden change in Alena¡¯s demeanor, her brows furrowing briefly before she masked her concern. When Alena¡¯s gaze shifted to Alicia, everything seemed to fade. Her throat tightened, her heart raced, and her breath came shallow. I thought I was ready for this, Alena mused bitterly. Wow, Alena... she exclaimed in awe. Are you really feeling this way about Alicia? The sister you¡¯ve always wanted to get rid of? Alena wanted to turn and leave, a wave of guilt and hesitation surging through her. Alicia frowned, watching Alena silently standing at the door. As the seconds ticked by, Alicia¡¯s irritation mounted. She wanted to lunge at Alena, to claw at her face. But something in Alena¡¯s expression made her pause. She squinted, her heart racing inexplicably. What¡¯s wrong with Alena? she wondered, noticing the uncharacteristic emotions flickering in her sister¡¯s eyes. This must be my imagination, Alicia frowned. Alena never breaks down¡ªnot even when the world around her falls apart. Alena cleared her throat and slowly approached Alicia. ¡°Are you okay?¡± she asked softly, sitting on the edge of the bed. Alicia arched a brow. ¡°You mean me?¡± she said mockingly, gesturing to herself. Alena¡¯s resolve wavered under the weight of Alicia¡¯s words, but she pressed on. She had determined to rebuild her family, defeat Rose, and reclaim what belonged to the Whites. ¡°I know I¡¯ve been a terrible sister. I know I don¡¯t deserve forgiveness, but¡­ I¡¯m sorry. For everything. It¡¯s my fault you¡¯re here. I thought I wanted you gone, but when you fell into that coma¡­¡± Her voice cracked, and she looked away. ¡°I realized I never wanted you dead. I want you to live.¡± With her hand hidden beneath the quilt, Alicia¡¯s nails dug into the bed. How can she be so perfect? Alicia¡¯s heart swelled with irritation. Alena¡¯s lips quivered, and in her eyes, Alicia saw guilt. Alicia¡¯s heart began to pound, her hands damp with sweat, and her breath hot, as if her blood had rushed to her face. It would have been better if she¡¯d just walked in and slapped me, yelled, or screamed, Alicia thought with a bitter smirk. Alicia¡¯s breath quickened. For a fleeting moment, she thought she saw the sister she¡¯d once loved. But the memory of Alena¡¯s betrayal¡ªthe photo with Jeff scattered across the floor¡ªcame crashing back. Rose squirmed, her gaze darting between them. She struggled to process what was unfolding before her. Wait! Is Alena serious right now? ¡°I should give you two a moment,¡± she mumbled, stepping toward the door. As soon as Rose left, silence thickened the air, so heavy it felt like it could be sliced, and the ward grew suffocating as if a fire had been ignited within its walls. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Alicia asked, her voice cold and sharp. Alicia couldn¡¯t pinpoint what she was feeling¡ªanger? No, it was something deeper. Pain? She wondered bitterly. No, she scoffed inwardly. Why would I feel that? I¡¯m stronger than that now. But her mind seemed to have a mind of its own, spinning out of control. Why do they have to pretend to me? Why do I deserve this from them? Why could they be so cruel to her? She hated it. Why does their pretense even matter to her? Why does she care? I¡¯m dragging all of them down with me anyway. Remember, Alicia, you¡¯re not weak anymore. She wished she could believe her own words, wished she could shout them loud enough to drown out the chaos in her mind. ¡°I know you might find it¡­¡± Alena began, but a nurse rushed in, her expression panicked. ¡°Miss White,¡± she said breathlessly. Both sisters looked away from each other and exhaled quietly as if trying to draw out the suffocating weight in their chests. Then Alena turned to the nurse. ¡°It¡¯s Mr White,¡± the nurse said, her voice trembling. ¡°He¡¯s in surgery.¡±
    The Blooming Shadow Kate twirled, her dress flowing around her, as her gaze darted left and right, marveling at the sight before her. Her cheeks glowed with excitement, much like a child¡¯s uncontainable joy, and her eyes sparkled like diamonds. Shay led her down a winding path, surrounded by blossom trees in vibrant reds, whites, pinks, and yellows. The flowers glowed like streetlights in the dark, their brilliance illuminating the entire grove. The flowers drifted through the air, a fragrant drifted through the air, a fragrant rainstorm of petals. Kate stretched out her arms, catching them as they descended. She brought a few to her nose and inhaled. A heavenly blend of lavender and honey enveloped her senses, and a small smile spread across her lips. ¡°They smell so sweet,¡± Kate told Shay, placing a petal against her lips, as though savoring its essence. It was warm and soothing, a fleeting moment of perfect serenity, she thought. As they ventured further down the path, Kate noticed groups of women gathered under the trees, practicing swordplay. Some wielded swords alone, their movements deliberate and graceful. Others sparred in pairs or small groups. Kate¡¯s gaze flitted between them: women clad in flowing white dresses that billowed as they turned, and others dressed in fitted black trousers and shirts, exuding an aura of discipline. Most striking, they all shared the same piercing blue eyes, their beauty both captivating and unsettling. ¡°Is it some sort of tradition?¡± Kate asked, her curiosity bubbling to the surface as she glanced at Shay, who had been silent with her hands clasped behind her back. ¡°What is?¡± Shay replied, not meeting Kate¡¯s gaze. ¡°The eyes. Why do you all have the same blue eyes?¡± Kate pressed, her tone as inquisitive as a child asking endless questions. Shay glanced at her briefly, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. ¡°You have them too,¡± she said simply. Kate¡¯s eyebrows shot up in surprise. ¡°I do?¡± she asked, blinking rapidly. Her fingers brushed against her eyelids as if to confirm Shay¡¯s words. ¡°Jason told me I had beautiful eyes...¡± she muttered, a dreamy smile tugging at her lips. For a moment, her heart fluttered with pride, but the thought quickly soured. Does this mean my eyes aren¡¯t unique? Panic bloomed in her chest. Jason said they made me special... but if everyone here has them... oh no! She darted in front of Shay, spreading her arms wide to block her path.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Shay skidded to a halt, her brows knitting together in mild irritation. She shifted her weight to one hip, arms crossing as she cocked her head. ¡°What now?¡± Kate opened her mouth but no words came out. Her gaze snagged on Shay¡¯s ocean-blue eyes, the intensity catching her off guard. Her chest tightened slightly, heat creeping up her neck. She blinked, shaking herself free from the sudden haze. ¡°Do I really have these eyes?¡± she asked, almost to herself. Shay smirked and nodded. Heat crept up Kate¡¯s neck, and she bit her lower lip, her face flushing a deeper pink. Embarrassed, she quickly stepped aside, letting Shay pass. But as she followed, a knot of annoyance twisted in her stomach. Those eyes should have been just for her. They had made me special, she thought, pursing her lips. The path widened, revealing a sprawling green field. At its center stood a grand tower, surrounded by people engaged in various forms of training¡ªswordsmanship, archery, horseback riding, and hand-to-hand combat. Kate¡¯s eyes widened, her jaw dropping as she caught sight of a woman in a white dress spinning gracefully with twin blades. Electric-blue currents crackled along the swords, dancing from the woman¡¯s fingertips to the tips of the blades. ¡°What... what is that?¡± Kate stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Magic,¡± Shay replied, her gaze fixed on the woman. ¡°She¡¯s practicing magic with blades.¡± ¡°Ma...gic?¡± Kate¡¯s lips formed an ¡°O¡± as she struggled to comprehend what she was seeing. Shay¡¯s tone turned brisk. ¡°Let¡¯s go In. Isabel must be waiting for you in the tower.¡± Kate glanced up at the imposing structure, its height dizzying. Her eyes wandered to the rooftop, where groups of people laughed and chanted together, their voices carrying a sense of camaraderie. How cheerful... how peaceful, Kate thought, her heart aching with envy. The scene exuded a harmony she had longed for¡ªa stark contrast to her life of loneliness, locked away with only her brother, Jeff, and their friends for company. For the first time in years, she felt alive. Inside the tower, the lobby unfolded in grand splendor. Marble floors gleamed beneath the light of five magnificent chandeliers hanging from the lofty ceiling. Kate¡¯s gaze traveled upward, her mouth agape. The room buzzed with life; people moved about, laughing and chatting as they went about their business. ¡°Can we move on?¡± Shay asked, shaking her head in mild amusement. Blinking out of her reverie, Kate followed Shay up a sweeping staircase. Her hand trailed along the polished wooden banister, its smooth, cool surface sending a pleasant shiver through her fingertips. They walked down a corridor lined with glowing bulbs that bathed the passage in a warm, golden light. A metal door creaked open at the end of the hallway, revealing a cozy room with wooden floors and a chandelier casting a soft glow. Shelves filled with books lined one wall, and plush chairs invited guests to sit and linger. Kate entered the room, and Shay gently shut the door behind her. Kate¡¯s attention, however, was captured by a woman seated on one of the chaise lounges. Her flowing white hair cascaded to her waist, strikingly contrasting the black gown draped elegantly over her frame. Jewelry sparkled at her ears, neck, and wrists, catching the light like tiny stars. The woman turned, her piercing blue eyes locking onto Kate. A smile spread across her perfectly sculpted face, and Kate¡¯s breath caught in her throat. The Blooming Shadow II ¡°You¡­¡± Kate stammered, heart racing as recognition hit her like a wave. The woman¡¯s presence sparked memories of a dream¡ªa warning, a vision¡ªwhere this same figure had appeared, telling her chilling words: To save them, you must die. The woman¡¯s eerie smile and the haunting words returned to her with stunning clarity. ¡°Who are you?¡± Kate had whispered, her voice trembling. ¡°Isabel,¡± the woman had replied calmly, her voice smooth, yet there was something unspoken in it. ¡°Isabel?¡± The woman nodded. Her enigmatic smile never faltered. Kate¡¯s mind raced. ¡°What are you doing here? How did you get in?¡± Her eyes darted to the door. ¡°Didn¡¯t Alena see you walk in?¡± ¡°Alena can¡¯t see me,¡± Isabel said, her voice firm yet gentle. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for you to visit my world.¡± ¡°Your world?¡± Kate echoed, unsure of what she meant. ¡°If you want to stop the dark vision you¡¯ve had about your brother and his friends, you need to come to me,¡± Isabel said, her gaze piercing. Kate recoiled slightly, disbelief rising in her voice. ¡°How do you know about that?¡± ¡°Because I have powers you can¡¯t understand,¡± Isabel answered, her smile twisting with a hidden meaning. Kate froze, dread sinking into her bones. ¡°And how am I supposed to come to you?¡± ¡°By dying,¡± Isabel murmured, her smile deepening in a way that sent chills down Kate¡¯s spine. Kate¡¯s voice barely escaped her lips. ¡°To¨C die?¡± Isabel nodded, and at that moment, she vanished, leaving Kate gasped awake in her bed. Now, standing face-to-face with Isabel in the waking world, Kate¡¯s breath caught, her chest tightening as though the air itself had thickened. She locked eyes with Isabel, her pulse quickening, the mixture of surprise, fear, and an aching curiosity knotting in her stomach. Why am I seeing her here? ¡°I... Isabel?¡± Kate stammered. Isabel¡¯s smile widened, her expression softening as she closed the distance between them. She cupped Kate¡¯s face in her hands, her touch cold yet strangely comforting. Kate frowned, noticing the glint of tears pooling in Isabel¡¯s eyes. Why is she crying? We¡¯ve never met before. What¡¯s going on? How...how did she even know me? ¡°You¡¯re... crying?¡± Kate asked hesitantly as tears began to stream down Isabel¡¯s pale cheeks. Isabel nodded. And to Kate¡¯s surprise, she pulled her into a tight embrace. ¡°I¡¯m sorry... I¡¯m so sorry,¡± Isabel murmured, her voice cracking with emotion. Kate stiffened, confusion clouding her thoughts. ¡°Why are you sorry?¡± she asked, her tone flat. ¡°We¡¯ve never met before.¡± Isabel gently pulled her hands away, still cradling Kate¡¯s face. ¡°Let me tell you a story,¡± she said with a sigh, her lips curving into a bittersweet smile. She guided Kate to a chaise lounge, sat beside her, and held her hands firmly.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°There was a witch princess named Eva,¡± Isabel began, her voice distant. ¡°She was vibrant, full of life, deeply loved. She married another witch, and soon after, they had a daughter. But happiness didn¡¯t last. Her husband died, leaving her to mourn. Grief consumed her, and she wore black every day.¡± Isabel¡¯s gaze darkened, a quiet sadness in her eyes. ¡°Then, something changed. Eva started to smile again, her old self returning. No one knew why¡ªuntil she fainted during training. The healers confirmed it: Eva was pregnant again, but this time, with a human¡¯s child.¡± Isabel paused, her voice trembling. ¡°It was forbidden for witches to mingle with humans. To protect our kind, our laws are strict. Eva¡¯s actions were seen as a betrayal. She was banished from the coven. Her mother, the queen, made that decision but It tore her apart.¡± Kate¡¯s chest tightened, and Isabel¡¯s grip on her hands grew stronger. ¡°Eva returned days later, begging for forgiveness. She said the man had abandoned her. But the witches were resolute. The queen, however, couldn¡¯t let Eva¡¯s First child be abandoned. She kept the child, but no one heard from Eva after that.¡± Isabel exhaled slowly, tracing the back of Kate¡¯s hand. Kate¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Isabel¡¯s lips as it quivered slightly, their unspoken meaning heavy in the silence. ¡°Do you know the woman in the story?¡± Isabel asked softly, her voice thick with sorrow. Kate shook her head, confusion flickering in her eyes. ¡°She was your mother,¡± Isabel said, her voice shaking. ¡°Eva was banished while carrying you. Your sister stayed with us.¡± Her hand tightened around Kate¡¯s. ¡°Eva was my friend. I think about her every day¡ªhow she must have struggled, how her heart shattered. It haunts me.¡± Kate¡¯s breath caught. The words felt like a jagged knife, and her mind spun. Rebecca¡ªher mother, the only mother she had ever known¡ªflashed in her mind. Warm, nurturing Rebecca, who had raised her and Jeff with unwavering love. The realization that Rebecca wasn¡¯t her biological mother pierced her heart with an ache she couldn¡¯t explain, leaving a hollow space where certainty used to be. Is this what Jeff felt when he learned the truth about Rebecca? she wondered, bitterness seeping into her thoughts. The pain of discovering Rebecca wasn¡¯t her mother gnawed at her, sharp and relentless. Yet beneath it, something softer stirred¡ªsympathy for Eva. Eva¡¯s pain unfolded in Kate¡¯s mind. Eva¡¯s lover had betrayed her, a betrayal so deep it shattered Eva¡¯s world. How had Eva survived? Kate¡¯s thoughts twisted as the weight of Eva¡¯s story pressed in on her. How had she carried a child alone and been cut off from everyone? Her mind flickered to Alicia, the sister she had lost to a different kind of betrayal. Had Eva become like Alicia? The thought stung. Could the pain have twisted Eva too, turning her into someone driven by vengeance, like Alicia? Kate felt pity for Eva, but that pity was tinged with a deeper sorrow as if the weight of grief could destroy everything in its path. ¡°It must have been so hard for her,¡± Kate whispered, her gaze fixed on the hands that still rested over hers. ¡°I can¡¯t imagine how she lived after that.¡± Isabel¡¯s grip tightened, her voice cracking as she spoke. ¡°I couldn¡¯t save her. I carry the guilt of not being able to change her fate.¡± Kate placed her other hand over Isabel¡¯s. ¡°You can¡¯t carry guilt for what you couldn¡¯t control,¡± she said quietly. A faint smile passed over her lips before fading. The echo of Jeff¡¯s voice¡ªIt¡¯s all my fault, Kate¡ªechoed in her mind, and her throat tightened. ¡°Please, Isabel, don¡¯t let guilt consume you. It¡¯s not your fault.¡± Isabel offered a faint, bittersweet smile but remained silent, her eyes downcast. The room fell into a heavy quiet. As Jeff¡¯s voice echoed in her mind, Kate cleared her throat, shifting uneasily in her seat. She forced her thoughts away from the painful memories and tried to regain control. ¡°You mentioned I have a sister,¡± she said, her voice tinged with intrigue, her curiosity slowly growing. The thought of having a sister consumed her, and she couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°What happened to her?¡± Isabel¡¯s expression hardened, her grip loosening around Kate¡¯s hands as she slowly stood. Kate frowned, a flicker of unease crossing her face. Is she dead? Lost? Or something worse? The questions pressed at her, but she pushed them aside, watching Isabel¡¯s every movement. Isabel walked over to the table, poured herself a glass of water, and drank it slowly. The silence stretched between them. Finally, Isabel spoke, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°We¡¯re still looking for her.¡± ¡°Looking?¡± Kate¡¯s heart sank. ¡°Is she lost?¡± ¡°No,¡± Isabel replied sharply, setting the glass down. ¡°She ran away. She¡¯s a rebel, defying everything we stand for.¡± Kate¡¯s brow furrowed in shock. ¡°A rebel? Why?¡± A sly smile tugged at the corners of Isabel¡¯s lips, but her gaze remained intense. ¡°Because we need you here,¡± she said, her voice low and purposeful. ¡°That¡¯s why I came to you in your dreams.¡± Kate shifted uneasily, her spine stiffening. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± she asked, wary. Isabel sat, a knowing smile on her lips. ¡°Let me tell you another story,¡± she said, her voice taking on an unsettling cadence. The room seemed to be still as the tension thickened. A Game Of Stone ¡°Why did you choose her?¡± Sandra asked, her voice sharp with curiosity. She was eighteen, with short pink hair that fell to her shoulders and striking blue eyes. She leaned against a rock, watching Aurora as she sat on a large stone by the river. Aurora idly tossed another stone into the water, her eyes fixed on the ripples it caused. Beside Sandra stood Hari, the same age but taller. Her long green hair cascaded down her back, and her blue eyes gleamed with intensity. Her lips were as dark as charcoal, and her figure was slender, almost boyish, like a twig standing in contrast to the roundness of Sandra¡¯s frame. They both leaned casually against the rock, the soft hum of the trees around the hill blending with the gentle steam rising from the river. The air was crisp and fresh with the earthy scent of water. Aurora bent down, selecting another stone with deliberate care. With focused precision, she hurled it into the river, the stone splashing with a soft plop. ¡°She¡¯s the perfect choice,¡± Aurora said with a sly smirk. ¡°The Whites are loaded, and that¡¯s exactly what I need for my mission.¡± She picked up another stone, turning it over in her hand. ¡°I¡¯ll start with the White witches¡ªintroduce them to technology. I know some crave it, but it¡¯s always been out of reach. For that, I need money and influence.¡± She clicked her tongue, her eyes narrowing. ¡°And she¡¯s connected to the people Kate cares about the most.¡± ¡°But do you think they¡¯ll listen to you?¡± Hari asked, crossing her arms in a challenge. ¡°They¡¯re all after you. What¡¯s your plan?¡± Aurora''s lips curled up slightly, a glint of mischief in her eyes. ¡°Killing two birds with one stone, Hari,¡± she said, tossing another stone into the river. A sinister smile tugged at her lips as the stone made a satisfying plop, sending ripples in all directions. ¡°I only gave her just a month to live,¡± Aurora continued her voice low and cold. ¡°Which means¡ªI¡¯m going to take her wealth and her body.¡± Sandra and Hari exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. ¡°Are you saying you will shift your soul into her body?¡± Hari asked, her voice filled with incredulity. Aurora nodded, her gaze fixed on the water, lost in thought. ¡°That¡¯s it. Concealing my identity.¡± A sly grin spread across her face. Sandra let out a breath of relief. ¡°Finally. We can leave the boring life behind and become active,¡± she said, spreading her arms wide and closing her eyes, letting out a slow exhale.
    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to see her, hun?¡± Jason said, giving Jeff a light nudge on the shoulder. Sitting on the arm of a chair, Jeff lowered his head, his grip tightening around the bottle of liquor in his hand.¡°Go see her?¡± Jeff snorted, his hollow eyes lifting to meet Jason¡¯s. His hair was a tangled mess, and dark circles marred his face beneath his eyes, a reflection of sleepless nights and endless guilt. How will I face her? How... The thought lingered in his mind like a curse. He scoffed and looked away, his grip on the bottle tightening as if the bottle itself could offer him solace. ¡°The thought of it terrifies me, Jason,¡± he muttered, his voice raw. You¡¯ll die in pain, Jeff... Her voice echoed in his mind, trembling with both rage and sorrow. Even when I¡¯m gone, my ghost will haunt you... ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± Jeff whispered, shaking his head. His voice cracked as he fought to hold back tears, but they welled in his eyes. Jason saw the struggle and knew how deep the pain went. Jason sighed, placing a hand on Jeff¡¯s shoulder and gently squeezing it. ¡°She doesn¡¯t remember her last memories anymore, Jeff. The doctor confirmed it. Listen, Jeff,¡± he added, sitting down beside him. His expression grew serious, his voice heavy. ¡°This is your chance to make things right. You can win her back. Make her fall in love with you again, then you can tell her everything.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°I¡¯d rather die than make her fall in love with me again,¡± Jeff spat bitterly, the thought festering inside him like poison. None of this would have happened if I hadn¡¯t let her love me. She wouldn¡¯t have suffered this much... A dry, bitter laugh escaped his lips. Jeff struck his chest with a trembling fist, his voice breaking like a dam barely holding back a flood. ¡°I can¡¯t... I can¡¯t even stand before her. Not anymore.¡± His head dipped low, his shoulders curling inward as though the weight of his grief was suffocating him. His lips quivered, parted, but the words he sought to say dissolved into silence. Flashes of Alicia filled his mind¡ªa radiant smile that outshone the darkest days, laughter that seemed to chase away every shadow. He could still hear her voice, soft yet firm, like a song etched into his soul. But then came the other memories: her sharp glare when he faltered, the sting of her scolding words, her tear-filled eyes staring at him with a pain he couldn¡¯t soothe. And yet, amidst it all, he could still feel her gaze softening, her eyes locking with his, whispering, I love you, Jeff. A bitter curve tugged at his lips, a ghost of a smile, fragile and fleeting, burdened by memories too vivid, too beautiful, and too unbearable. Jason¡¯s heart sank at the sight of Jeff¡¯s self-loathing. He parted his lips severally before he finally found his voice again. But now his voice was more challenging, a contract to his heart ache. ¡°Are you really going to ignore her, even knowing she¡¯s still in danger? I thought you loved her, Jeff. You promised her you wouldn¡¯t run away, no matter what happened between you two. If you hadn¡¯t been so hung up on Alena, Alicia wouldn¡¯t have gotten hurt. Now, you¡¯re going to make things worse by running away? Do you even realize that Alicia is probably waiting for you to come to her? Do...¡± The trembling of the bottle in Jeff¡¯s hands cut Jason off. Jason froze, biting his lip. Maybe I pushed too far... Jeff gripped the bottle harder, his knuckles turning white. His jaw clenched, and the bottle shook in his hands, sending a quiet jingle through the room. The silence between them grew thick with unspoken words. Jason looked away, unable to bear seeing Jeff in such torment. Running a hand through his hair, he muttered, ¡°This is your moment to protect her. If you let guilt stop you now, you¡¯ll die of regret if she dies. You¡¯ll blame yourself for not doing something, anything. Don¡¯t let that happen, Jeff.¡± Jeff¡¯s lips parted, but no sound emerged. His throat tightened as if the words had turned to stone. Jason¡¯s voice echoed in his mind, each syllable rippling through him like a cold wind. Alicia... She must not die... She must not... His chest heaved, his frantic breathing mirroring the storm raging within him.
    Rose gently closed the door as she entered Mr White¡¯s ward. She froze when she saw Alena sitting by his bed, tenderly wiping his hands with a damp cloth. Rose¡¯s gaze darkened, her eyes narrowing as she observed Alena¡¯s soft, focused expression¡ªan expression that was strangely out of place. What¡¯s going on with her? She¡¯s acting so strange lately. What¡¯s that look on her face? Rose¡¯s lips curled into a sneer. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Alicia?¡± Rose asked, her voice sharp as she stepped forward. ¡°Oh, mother,¡± Alena said softly, placing Mr White¡¯s hand back beside him and looking up at Rose with a faint smile. Rose tilted her head, narrowing her eyes as she sat down on the bed across from Alena. ¡°You¡¯ve been acting strange. Or am I wrong? From Alicia¡¯s room to here, you¡¯ve been showing an unusual concern. It¡¯s unlike you.¡± Alena¡¯s lips curved into a sly smile. I won¡¯t let you control me anymore¡­ ¡°That¡¯s how you win an enemy¡¯s heart, isn¡¯t it?¡± Alena said with a glint in her eye. ¡°Now that Alicia has lost her last memory, why not take advantage of it? It¡¯s time to end everything once and for all. I¡¯ve waited long enough.¡± Her eyes flickered toward Mr White¡¯s frail face. ¡°He doesn¡¯t have much time left,¡± she continued, her voice dripping with cold intent. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be better to spend that time with him before his funeral?¡± Rose¡¯s lips curled into a satisfied grin, though her expression remained calm. ¡°I see,¡± she said, her eyes flickering toward Mr White¡¯s pale face. ¡°Then what¡¯s your plan?¡± Alena leaned back, crossing her legs, her gaze never leaving Mr White as a sinister smile danced across her lips. ¡°Since Alicia won¡¯t remember anything about Jeff or me, she¡¯ll get close to him again. I¡¯ll use her to find out what Jeff is planning. I know he''s planning something dangerous about us and I have this feeling he knows where Alison is. I¡¯ll find Alison, ruin her, ruin Jeff, and then finish off Alicia. No one will be left to threaten me.¡± Rose¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile, the kind that hid more than it revealed. Her eyes glimmered with a flicker of pride, though a shadow of skepticism lingered beneath the surface. She tilted her chin, letting out a soft, dry chuckle that seemed to echo a silent judgment. ¡°You¡¯ve grown,¡± she murmured, her voice carrying a warmth that contrasted with the unspoken sharpness of her thoughts. Her hands cupped Alena¡¯s face gently, her touch tender despite the faint tension in her fingers. ¡°If this is your plan,¡± she added, her tone now smooth and steady, ¡°I¡¯ll be by your side. Always.¡± Alena¡¯s lips curled into a sweet, innocent smile. ¡°Thanks, Mom,¡± she said, her voice soft and laced with gratitude. But beneath the surface, her heart coiled tight, her mind alive with simmering resentment. Her fingers brushed against her side, almost as if steadying the sharp thought that cut through her. Just wait, Rose¡­ The smile lingered on her face, deceptively warm. Your end is coming. Identity Kate scoffed. ¡°Me?¡± She touched her chest. ¡°A witch queen?¡± The words felt foreign in her mouth, absurd even. She scoffed again, shaking her head as she stood. ¡°What are you saying?¡± A nervous laugh bubbled from her throat. The room suddenly felt smaller, the walls inching closer. How is that possible? I don¡¯t even know these people, nor have I ever lived among them. A shiver rippled down her spine, the very idea of being a witch making her skin prickle as if unseen hands clawed at her. Maybe they have no idea what they¡¯re talking about. She tsked and sneered. ¡°This is who you¡¯re meant to be,¡± Isabel said, her voice gentle yet firm. ¡°That¡¯s what the late queen¡ªyour grandmother¡ªtold me when I asked why.¡± Kate swallowed hard, her throat dry. Isabel entwined her fingers together, exhaling heavily. ¡°She said that¡¯s what the oracle told her, and a queen¡¯s words must never be taken lightly.¡± Kate¡¯s chest tightened. ¡°What if I don¡¯t accept it?¡± she challenged, looking straight into Isabel¡¯s eyes, her nails digging into her palms. A queen¡¯s words must never be taken lightly? What a joke. Her heart pounded, hammering against her ribs. ¡°What if I say no?¡± ¡°We can¡¯t force you, Kate. But listen¡ª¡± ¡°Why me and not Aurora?¡± Kate cut Isabel off, her voice sharp. ¡°Why was I the one chosen?¡± Isabel sighed, pressing her lips into a tight line. I knew¡­ Isabel thought to herself. I knew all of this would be too much for her. After all, she¡¯s lived among humans since she was a baby. She doesn¡¯t even know what it means to be a witch. I should have given her more time. Isabel bit her lower lip. But¡­ She let go of her lip. There¡¯s no time. I had no choice. And I can¡¯t change destiny. This is your fate, Kate. Isabel stood from the chaise longue, the floor creaking beneath her weight. She approached Kate and gently took her hands, her touch warm but heavy with unspoken sorrow. ¡°This is your destiny, Kate. You can¡¯t run away from¡ª¡± Kate yanked her hands away, her heart pounding harder now, a drumbeat of fear echoing in her chest. A wave of unease churned in her stomach, cold and relentless. This can¡¯t be my destiny. No, not mine.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°This is not my destiny,¡± Kate said, shaking her head, her voice barely more than a whisper. Yet it trembled with the force of a storm. ¡°Kate¡ª¡± ¡°No,¡± she cut her off, stepping back. The room suddenly felt suffocating, as if the air had thickened, pressing down on her. ¡°I don¡¯t want this.¡± Isabel nodded slowly, her expression unreadable, though her eyes glistened with understanding. ¡°I knew you would feel this way¡­¡± ¡°You don¡¯t!¡± Kate snapped, her voice slicing through the air like a blade. ¡°You have no idea what you¡¯re asking of me! Seriously telling me that becoming a witch queen is my destiny? If you had any idea, you wouldn¡¯t have even dared to mention it.¡± The faint sounds of training outside suddenly grew louder, ringing in her ears like war drums. Hours ago, I saw this place as lively and full of energy. But I don¡¯t belong here. Her stomach twisted, nausea creeping up her throat as the realization settled in, heavy as a boulder. They train with swords, horses, blades, and magic. But I¡¯ve lived among humans¡ªthe civilized ones. Even if I haven¡¯t seen the beautiful cities, even if that world is cruel and deceptive, I belong there. I know that world. I can¡¯t leave my family, my friend¡ªnot Jeff, not Jason¡­ Balling her hands into fists, she bit her lip hard enough to taste blood, trying to steady herself. ¡°I don¡¯t belong here,¡± she whispered, her voice hoarse. ¡°I belong where my people are. I¡­ I belong where I was born.¡± Isabel turned away, staring out the window. A lone bird swooped past, its wings slicing through the open sky. The blue expanse, once beautiful, now felt like an ocean, endless and overwhelming. ¡°But I fear it¡¯s too late to run now,¡± Isabel murmured, her voice tinged with sorrow. She let out a dry laugh, one filled with bitter acceptance. ¡°Aurora is after your family¡ªjust for the throne. She¡¯s been envious of you since the moment you were declared the successor. Why did the oracle choose you? We don¡¯t know. After all, you never grew up among us. You didn¡¯t even know we existed. Many witches believe the late queen chose you simply to find and reunite with her daughter. But even if that were true, no one could go against the queen¡¯s word.¡± Kate¡¯s breath hitched. Her fingers curled around the fabric of her cloak, gripping it tightly. Isabel sighed. ¡°That made Aurora furious. She turned into a rebel, defying our traditions. And now¡­¡± Isabel took a deep breath. ¡°She wants to eradicate us¡ªthe white witches¡ªand bring back the black witches we once wiped out because of their dark sorcery.¡± Isabel paused and looked back at Kate. ¡°She¡¯s after you now. The danger looming over your loved ones¡ªit¡¯s because of you.¡± Isabel¡¯s voice cracked, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. ¡°Because Aurora is after you. She¡¯s searching for powerful sorcery.¡± Isabel hesitated. ¡°We don¡¯t know yet if she¡¯s found it. But if she has¡­¡± Isabel pressed her lips into a tight line. ¡°What do you think will happen to your family?¡± Kate¡¯s blood boiled, rage and despair colliding inside her. Her face burned, hot tears streaming down her cheeks. The fresh air rushing in through the window pricked her skin like thorns. A deep chill seeped into her bones. ¡°Then¡­ find your queen,¡± Kate choked out, trying to sound strong, but her voice cracked. ¡°Why?¡± she whispered, tears spilling freely now. ¡°Why did you have to do this to me? Why didn¡¯t you stop her? Just¡­ just give her the crown. Why¡­ why did¡­¡± Kate collapsed to the ground, her sobs shaking her small frame. Isabel watched as Kate buried her face in her hands, her shoulders trembling. Of course, she didn¡¯t belong here. How did we ever expect her to accept this? Why hadn¡¯t they considered her feelings from the start? Maybe if they had, Aurora wouldn¡¯t have turned into an enemy. Maybe things wouldn¡¯t have come to this. Isabel thought and blinked away tears, sniffled, and wiped her damp cheeks. Was it our fault? For following tradition so rigidly? Was it our fault for never daring to go against the queen? Torn Bonds ---One Week Later--- Rose pushed open the door to Alicia¡¯s former bedroom in Mr White¡¯s house and stepped inside, gesturing for Alicia to follow. The scent of apple perfume struck Alicia the moment she crossed the threshold, freezing her in place. Her gaze swept the room¡ªa time capsule of her past. The pink walls, the familiar furniture, and the poster of her favorite singer are still clinging to the left wall. Even the bed, neatly draped in pink-and-white sheets remained untouched as if expecting her return. Her eyes landed on the racks now lined with her handbags and shoes. They moved everything here while I was in the hospital. A tight knot coiled in her stomach. The air was thick with an almost suffocating warmth¡ªcomfort twisted into Confinement. She reached out, fingertips grazing the edge of the bed. A memory surged to the surface. A younger version of herself curled up right there, knees pulled tightly to her chest, silent sobs racking her body. The ghost of those cries lingered, wrapping around her like unseen chains. Her hands clenched, nails digging into her palms, forcing herself back to the present. ¡°Alicia?¡± Rose¡¯s voice pulled her from the past. ¡°Are you okay, dear?¡± Alicia blinked. She forced a smile, but it wavered at the corners. ¡°Oh, yes. I¡¯m fine.¡± The crack in her voice betrayed her. Her gaze flickered back to the room, and before she could stop herself, the words escaped. ¡°Why did you bring my things here?¡± Rose let out a soft sigh, wringing her hands. ¡°I thought it was best for you to stay here. To start fresh.¡± Alicia¡¯s jaw tightened. Fresh? The word felt like a cruel joke. She tilted her head, feigning curiosity. ¡°Afresh? Why?¡± Rose hesitated, then gently took Alicia¡¯s wrist, guiding her toward the bed. They both sat down, the soft creak of the mattress the only sound. Rose¡¯s voice was barely a whisper. ¡°I know I failed you, Alicia,¡± Rose murmured, her voice trembling. She bowed her head, shoulders slumping. ¡°I wasn¡¯t there when you needed me. I knew you were hurting, but I¡­ I looked the other way. I¡¯m so sorry.¡± Sorry? Alicia¡¯s brow knitted. ¡°Sorry? For¡­ for what?¡± Rose inhaled shakily. ¡°I knew about your father.¡± Her voice cracked. ¡°I knew everything. And I couldn¡¯t bring myself to confront it. I was scared¡ª¡± Alicia¡¯s spine stiffened. The fear of people truly knowing¡ªthat dark, unpleasant past¡ªcoiled around her throat like a vice. ¡°Maybe we shouldn¡¯t talk about this,¡± she cut in sharply, turning away. What¡¯s the point of dredging up the past? The last thing she wanted was to relive that part of her life. Rose¡¯s voice shrank. ¡°I thought¡­ maybe you¡¯d forgive me. Or at least understand.¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Forgive? Alicia sneered inwardly, masking her bitterness as she muttered, staring down at her fingers as she fiddled with them. ¡°You don¡¯t have to explain. It¡¯s fine.¡± Rose¡¯s shoulders shook as she buried her face in her hands. Tears seeped through her fingers, her body trembling. But Alicia sat rigid, hands fisting in her lap. You don¡¯t get to be broken now, Rose. Not after everything.Alicia had wanted them to stay cold, indifferent¡ªjust as they always had. Not this. Not guilt. Not sorrow. She thought of Alena¡¯s tearful apology at the hospital, her warm hands clasping hers. What am I even thinking? Why did I come back here? A bitter laugh echoed in her mind. I¡¯m not here to live with them. I¡¯m here to destroy them. Rose¡¯s voice cut through her thoughts, urgent now. ¡°And brought you here because you¡¯re in danger, Alicia.¡±The word made Alicia flinch. She turned to Rose with a frown. ¡°Danger?¡± Rose nodded. ¡°Yes. Do you want to know why you ended up in that hospital?¡± Alicia¡¯s heart pounded. Will she really tell me the truth? The possibility twisted in her chest. She balled her fists, steadying herself. ¡°How?¡± Rose exhaled shakily. Seconds dragged by before she finally spoke. ¡°Alison¡­¡± Alicia pressed her lips into a thin line, shaking her head inwardly. ¡°She stabbed you,¡± Rose whispered. ¡°She did and ran away.¡± Her voice broke, tears spilling down her cheeks. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m so sorry I couldn¡¯t protect you.¡± Alicia fought to keep up her pretense, but the thought of Rose being innocent rattled her. She shook her head, face paling. ¡°What are you saying? Al-Alison would never do that to me. What for?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, Alicia.¡± Rose swallowed hard, her hands trembling. ¡°No one knows. And¡­¡± She shifted to her knees, gripping Alicia¡¯s hands. ¡°You¡¯re still in danger. Your sisters hate you. They see you as a threat. I think their desperation for the company is driving them to do this. And I¡­ I don¡¯t understand why.¡± Alicia¡¯s chest tightened at Rose¡¯s anguish, but she shoved the feeling away. She watched as Rose impatiently wiped her tears and dug into her bag, her trembling fingers fumbling with her phone, scrolling frantically until she found what she was looking for. A click. Then a voice filled the silence. ¡°You¡¯ve been acting strange. Or am I wrong? From Alicia¡¯s ward till now, you¡¯ve shown an unusual concern. It¡¯s unlike you,¡± Rose¡¯s voice said. Then came another voice¡ªAlena¡¯s. ¡°That¡¯s the only way to win your enemy¡¯s heart. Now that Alicia has lost her memory, I need to make her feel secure with me so I can strike her anytime.¡± The recording ended, but the silence it left behind was deafening. Alicia leaned back, her hands gripping the edge of the bed. So that¡¯s it¡ªAlena¡¯s betrayal, exposed for what it truly was. She had known it all along. Fake. Fake! Alicia sneered inwardly, cursing herself for almost falling for it. How she had cried, how she¡¯d looked so guilty... Her heart shuddered, and the bitterness twisted deeper inside her. But why should I care? I never planned on letting go either. A bitter smirk tugged at her lips. Rose¡¯s voice trembled. ¡°I thought you and Alena might reconcile. I wanted to believe it. But now¡­ this?¡± Her hands gripped her dress as if anchoring herself. ¡°I¡­ I know I shouldn¡¯t say this,¡± she faltered, ¡°but I can¡¯t stay silent anymore. I can¡¯t bear the thought of you being in danger again.¡± She lifted her gaze, eyes swimming with guilt. ¡°Don¡¯t trust Alena,¡± she whispered, her grip tightening on Alicia¡¯s hands. ¡°Please.¡± Alicia¡¯s jaw tightened as Rose¡¯s sobs filled the room. She wanted to reach out, and offer comfort¡ªbut the weight of her own pain held her back. Her heart twisted as Rose crumbled further, her regret spilling into the silence. A mother¡¯s agony, raw and unfiltered. Not just for her broken family¡ªbut for failing to hold it together in the first place. No, Rose. I can¡¯t let myself care. Alicia clenched her fists, forcing her emotions to harden. You¡¯ve joined the game now, Alicia. You¡¯re no different from them. It¡¯s too late for pity¡ªtoo late for anything. She remained still, unmoved, as Rose rocked back and forth, whispering her apologies like a prayer. Alicia¡¯s lips curled into a bitter sneer.
    Stolen Crown Humming softly to herself, Isabel tended to her garden. The vibrant bed of roses bloomed in shades of deep crimson and pure white, their petals kissed by the morning sun. The faint, sweet fragrance of blossoms mingled with the crisp morning air. Butterflies flitted gracefully from one blossom to another as a gentle breeze swept through, making the flowers sway in rhythm with its soft whisper. Isabel¡¯s white hair and flowing dress danced lightly in the breeze as she carried out her task with focused serenity. The cool metal of the watering can was steady in her hands¡ªuntil frantic, hurried footsteps shattered the calm. Frowning, Isabel looked up. Fave, a teenage girl with disheveled blonde hair, sprinted toward her barefoot, her face flushed with panic, and streaked with tears. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, each one sharp against the quiet morning. ¡°Isabel! Isabel!¡± Fave gasped, her voice trembling as she stumbled to a halt. The watering can hit the ground with a dull thud. Isabel rushed forward, gripping Fave¡¯s trembling shoulders, her sharp gaze locking onto the girl¡¯s wide, terrified eyes. ¡°What is it, Fave?¡± Isabel demanded, her voice firm through her heart raced, an invisible thread of dread pulling tight. Fave tried to speak, her chest heaving, but only stammered, ¡°Auro... Aurora...¡± Isabel¡¯s brow furrowed. Her grip tightened instinctively, fingers digging into Fave¡¯s thin arms. ¡°What about her? Is she here?¡± Isabel¡¯s voice was a sharp blade, cutting through the tension. Fave shook her head violently, pointing back the way she had come. Her lips quivered as she tried again, ¡°The Queen¡¯s crown... she...¡± thoughBefore she could finish, another figure appeared¡ªShay, breathless, her face flushed with exertion. She stumbled toward them, sweat glistening on her brow. ¡°Isabel!¡± Shay gasped, dropping to one knee, her hand clutching her chest as she fought to catch her breath. Isabel turned sharply, releasing Fave. ¡°Speak!¡± she barked, her patience unraveling.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Shay met her gaze, eyes dark with regret. ¡°Aurora has stolen the crown,¡± Shay confessed, her voice low with shame. ¡°We chased her, but... we lost her.¡± She bowed her head, fists clenched at her sides. Isabel blinked, disbelief etched across her face. Her mouth opened, then closed, words momentarily lost to the storm brewing inside her. ¡°What do you mean you lost her?¡± Isabel¡¯s voice rose, sharp with fury. Shay straightened, her jaw set. ¡°We will find her. We¡¯ll bring her to her knees.¡± ¡°You must bring back the crown. You have to!¡± Isabel¡¯s voice cracked, her fists trembling, knuckles ghostly white as the tempest within her surged, threatening to spill over.
    Two Days Later, 6:00 PM Examining the blade of a knife glinting under bright white light, Alicia traced its sharp edge with the tip of her finger, a sly smirk curling her lips and a spark gleaming in her eyes. A sudden knock on the door disrupted her trance, and she frowned. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± she snapped, quickly hiding the knife behind her back. The door creaked open slightly, revealing Alena¡¯s hesitant face. ¡°It¡¯s me. Can I come in?¡± Alena asked, peeking in. thoughAlicia forced a smile, her grip tightening on the knife as Alena stepped inside, closing the door with a soft click. Clearing her throat, Alicia arched an inquisitive brow. ¡°Strange to see you here,¡± she replied coolly. Alena offered a faint smile, Her gaze drifted over the meticulously arranged pink furniture, the bedspread perfectly smooth. ¡°Yeah,¡± she muttered, nodding slightly. It was probably her first time in Alicia¡¯s room¡ªeven she couldn¡¯t believe it. ¡°You must love pink,¡± Alena commented, noting the pink accessories. ¡°Everything is so well arranged. I love your taste.¡± How shameless, Alicia thought, sneering internally. Tilting her head, Alicia forced a sweet, silly smile, masking the devilish grin that threatened to emerge. ¡°I¡¯d still like to know why you¡¯re here,¡± she said, blinking innocently. Alena fidgeted, her hands twisting behind her back. ¡°I know we don¡¯t exactly get along, but I need you to trust me this time. I would like you to come with me.¡± Alicia arched an eyebrow. ¡°Come with you?¡± Alicia chuckled darkly, twirling the knife. ¡°To where? We¡¯ve never had any business together. So why?¡± Her fingers tightened around the hidden knife. ¡°There¡¯s something I need to tell you,¡± Alena replied, her tone softening. ¡°And I know you won¡¯t believe me if I say it alone. So, I found someone you can trust. Please, just come with me. There are things you need to know, Alicia.¡± She paused briefly. ¡°The time has come to reveal some secrets. Please.¡± Secrets? Alicia¡¯s mind raced. Do I look like a fool to you? Alicia thought, squinting. But Alena¡¯s eyes¡ªearnest, almost desperate¡ªgave her pause. Don¡¯t trust Alena, Rose¡¯s warning echoed in her mind. Fine. Let¡¯s play your game, Alena. ¡°Fine,¡± Alicia said warily, nodding. ¡°Go. I¡¯ll be right behind you.¡± Alena nodded, fiddling with her fingers before leaving the room. As the door clicked shut, Alicia stood motionless, the knife trembling slightly in her grip. With a sharp exhale, she stabbed it into the wooden shelf beside her, the blade quivering from the force. Threads Of Deception Alena drove into her compound and parked her car. Then, she stepped out, followed closely by Alicia, who looked around curiously. ¡°Where are we?¡± Alicia asked, her gaze drifting up to Alena¡¯s glasshouse. A fleeting bitter smile crossed Alena¡¯s face, quickly replaced by a sweet one. How divided we are, she mused silently. ¡°My house,¡± Alena replied, her smile widening as she noticed Alicia¡¯s wide eyes. ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°It¡¯s beautiful,¡± Alicia commented, then asked Alena questioningly. ¡°But why am I here so late at night?¡± ¡°Come with me,¡± Alena said, walking toward the house. Alicia frowned, hesitated briefly, then followed. As Alicia entered the sitting room, she froze at the sight of Jason. Why is he here? Her mind raced to Jeff. They were inseparable; where one was, the other wasn¡¯t far behind. Is Jeff here too? Alicia¡¯s heart pounded as she scanned the room. She pressed her lips together, trying to steady her breathing. What is Alena planning? Have they brought me here to flaunt their relationship? Her muscles tensed as she fought to maintain her composure. Approaching Jason, she scoffed, ¡°Surprised to see you here. What are you doing in Alena¡¯s house? And where¡¯s Jeff? Doesn¡¯t he know I¡¯m alive?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Alicia,¡± Jason stood, rubbing the back of his neck. Seeing her alive stirred conflicting emotions¡ªrelief, but also sadness he couldn¡¯t articulate. ¡°Jeff will be here soon,¡± he added quietly. ¡°He must be sorry too.¡± ¡°Do you really think I care about his apology?¡± her voice was sharp, her composure brittle, betraying the fragile ache she fought to suppress. ¡°How could he be so heartless, not even bothering to check on me in the hospital? He should¡¯ve been the first face I saw.¡± She shook her head, her heart pounding with the sting of her own disappointment. As Jason opened his mouth to respond, Alicia cut him off. She appeared furious, but deep down, her anger was directed at herself¡ªfor her heart racing over something so trivial. How could I still care? ¡°Spare me the excuses, Jason,¡± she snapped, her voice sharp. Turning to Alena, her fury simmered beneath the surface, tangled with the fear of revealing too much¡ªof shattering the fragile illusion that she¡¯d lost her last memory. ¡°Why am I here?¡± she asked slowly. Sensing the tension thickening in the room, Alena shot a quick, almost desperate nod at Jason, silently urging him to speak before Alicia¡¯s resolve wavered and she decided to leave. ¡°We¡¯re sorry to trouble you, Alicia. I hadn¡¯t planned to come, but Alena invited me,¡± Jason began. ¡°There¡¯s something you need to see.¡± He pulled out a brown envelope and gestured for Alicia to sit. She complied reluctantly, eyes narrowing as Jason spread out several photographs and documents. What is this? She glanced at Alena, noting the forced smile plastered on her face¡ªa mask for something deeper. Jason handed her the photos. Tentatively, Alicia examined them, a weight pressing against her chest. Each beat a drum of growing unease. Lines furrowed her forehead as she flipped through them.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. The first few showed three young girls with a woman at the beach. One girl appeared around ten, another about five, and the youngest perhaps three, nestled in the woman¡¯s arms. The woman had short black hair--a mirror image of Alena, down to the identical mole. The eldest girl bore a strong resemblance to Alena. Alicia glanced between the photos and Alena, her confusion deepening. ¡°Are these your photos?¡± she muttered, more to herself than to anyone else. As she reached the next set, her frown deepened. There was a younger Rose with two teenage boys, one unmistakably Wilson. The second boy¡­ Alicia squinted, trying to recall the familiar face. ¡°That¡¯s Oliver,¡± Alena supplied quietly. Alicia blinked, her confusion mounting. Before she could speak, Jason added, ¡°This is Rose¡¯s identity document.¡± Alicia picked it up hesitantly. The first page displayed Rose¡¯s passport, listing her birthplace, her first husband, and sons¡ªWilson and Oliver¡ªwith their photos. The document chronicled Rose¡¯s transition from Mr White¡¯s secretary to his wife after Betty White¡¯s death. There was even a photo of Betty¡ªthe same woman from the beach pictures. Shocked, Alicia flung the document onto the table as if it burned her. Her eyes darted between Jason and Alena. ¡°These are fake, right?¡± She forced a scoff. ¡°Do you think I¡¯ll believe this nonsense?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t believe it at first either,¡± Alena confessed, her voice firm with desperation. ¡°But Rose caused the rift between us. I¡¯m the eldest girl in those photos. I had memories of our mother, but lost them after her death¡­ from shock.¡± she pressed on, ¡°Rose made Alison and I believe you were our father¡¯s favorite and that he hated us. She used Berliny as the prize we had to fight for because she claimed our father wanted you to have it. Wilson worked for Rose and me; he was behind Alison¡¯s blackmail as well.¡± Alena stepped closer, but Alicia shot to her feet. The walls seemed to close in on her, shadows dancing with her spiraling thoughts. The room grew colder, or was it just her trembling? ¡°Trust me, Alicia. Rose is after our father¡¯s properties. She wants us dead and Alison in jail.¡± Alena¡¯s eyes brimmed with tears, desperation etched into her trembling voice, as she met Alicia¡¯s betraying gaze. Don¡¯t trust Alena, Rose¡¯s warning echoed in Alicia¡¯s mind, making her uneasy. Rose had provided proof of Alena¡¯s schemes through recordings. Now another truth unraveled, painting Rose as both betrayer and stepmother. Alicia gasped, her head spinning and she gripped it with both hands. ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± she rasped, her tear-filled eyes locking onto Jason. ¡°And you, Jason¡­¡± Jason parted his lips to speak but felt choked, his words trapped in his throat. He ran his fingers through his hair, searching for composure. ¡°Don¡¯t you believe me with all this evidence?¡± Alena stammered. ¡°If I doubt you, why should I trust Jason?¡± Alicia snapped. You¡¯re looking beautiful, girl,¡± Rose¡¯s words echoed again. ¡°Coming from a party?¡± Wilson? Alison had scoffed. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re talking about that jerk, Wilson?¡± Who is he? Rose had asked innocently. Alicia¡¯s body trembled, her lips quivering. She stepped back, feeling lost, as if standing at a crossroads with no clear path. ¡°Alicia¡­¡± Alena reached out, but Alicia recoiled, her body tensing as if touched by flame. She stepped back¡ªonce, twice¡ªeach movement a silent protest. The room seemed to contract, its walls pressing in, the air thinning with every breath. Panic surged, sharp and suffocating, and she spun around like prey sensing the closing jaws of a predator. No! The word wasn¡¯t just a scream¡ªit was an unraveling, a plea stitched into the fabric of her breaking heart. She spun around, desperate to escape¡­ only to collide with a wall of warmth, a familiar scent that sliced through the fog of betrayal. Her breath hitched, heart stuttering in her chest. A familiar scent enveloped her, sharp and unmistakable, piercing through the chaos like an anchor. Compelled by something beyond reason, she lifted her gaze. Their eyes met¡ªfamiliar, grounding, and devastating. Tears welled up, spilling freely down her cheeks. Without thinking, without hesitation, she threw herself into his arms, as if instinct alone guided her. It felt like coming home, like finding the one person she could still trust, the one constant in a world unrThaveling. The arms that had always been there, even when words and promises had failed. Jeff stiffened, his skin prickling like needles dancing over raw nerves. His heart thundered, not just from shock¡ªbut from the ache of everything left unsaid. Plans Alena and Jason watched as Alicia shook her head, her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Worry flickered in their eyes, fear settling deep in their chests. If Alicia didn¡¯t believe them, she would fall right into Rose¡¯s trap. Alena parted her lips to speak, but Alicia turned away, heading for the door. Just as she reached it, she collided with Jeff. ¡°Ali¡­ Alici¡­¡± Jeff¡¯s voice trembled. His heart pounded so hard it threatened to break his ribs. He forced a smile, but it never reached his eyes. Alicia recoiled as if jolted from a dream. Her hands shook, her heart hammering like a war drum. Heat crawled up her face, her breath uneven. What are you thinking? What did you just do? A wave of irritation crashed through her. Her own body had betrayed her. ¡°Alic¡­ Alicia¡­ are¡­ are you okay?¡± Jeff stammered, his voice raw and strained. Alicia¡¯s fists tightened, her knuckles almost ghostly pale. She kept her gaze locked on the ground, afraid to meet his eyes. The room around her spun, and a cold shiver ran down her spine. ¡°I have to go.¡± She tried to sound firm, but her voice quivered. As she moved past him, Jeff reached out, his fingers brushing against her arm. His shoulders tensed, his jaw clenched. ¡°I need to take you somewhere.¡± He hesitated, then added in a near whisper, ¡°Now.¡± Alicia¡¯s skin prickled beneath his touch. That touch. The one that had always been warm, safe, comforting. But now, it was foreign¡ªcold. Her mind flashed with memories¡ªthe shattered glass on the tiled floor, their tangled bodies beneath the blankets¡­ Her upper lip curled. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. What right does he have to touch me with those filthy hands? Was he trying to take advantage of her lost memories? How shameless. Her stomach twisted. Did he even feel remorse? She shut her eyes, inhaling sharply, trying to suppress the storm rising inside her. ¡°Please,¡± Jeff¡¯s grip tightened just as she tried to pry his fingers off. Does he think I¡¯ll fall for that? She looked up, and for a fleeting moment, their eyes met. He quickly looked away, but not before she caught the shimmer of unshed tears. A lump formed in her throat. Don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t fall for it, Alicia. Then, she thought of Rose¡ªhow the woman had sobbed, pretending to be a grieving mother, how she had held Alicia¡¯s hands with warmth, guilt glistening in her eyes. Liars. Every one of them. Alicia bit down hard on her lip to silence the scream clawing its way up her throat. She cleared her throat, forcing composure. But Jeff¡¯s touch burned her skin. Disgust churned in her stomach. With careful restraint, she peeled his hand off her arm instead of shoving it away. ¡°Fine.¡± She didn¡¯t look at him as she strode out of the house. Jeff stood frozen, watching her silhouette disappear into the darkness. His jaw tightened before he turned to face Alena and Jason. Jason exhaled heavily, shaking his head. He met Jeff¡¯s troubled gaze. ¡°It didn¡¯t work. She doesn¡¯t believe us.¡± ¡°Rose must have said something,¡± Alena muttered. Her voice was barely above a whisper, but both Jason and Jeff heard her. Jeff¡¯s eyes darkened, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. ¡°Like what?¡± Alena swallowed. ¡°Like not to trust us. She probably told her we¡¯re plotting against her. I know Rose. I know what she¡¯s capable of.¡± Jason¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°Then we need to move forward before it¡¯s too late.¡± He stepped toward Jeff, gripping his shoulder. ¡°Go ahead with your plan. Alena and I will handle things here. If you don¡¯t return, we¡¯ll come for you.¡± Jeff held Jason¡¯s gaze for a long moment, then gave a single nod before walking away without a word. Jason turned to Alena. She met his eyes and nodded back, her expression grim. Waver How foolish I was¡­ Alicia scoffed bitterly, a hollow laugh slipping from her lips. How could I have been so na?ve? So pathetic¡ªcrying over a liar? Handing him my heart as if it meant nothing? ¡°Then you need me, Alicia,¡± she remembered him saying, his fingers tilting her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. Tears had glistened in his eyes as he whispered, ¡°Let me help you heal, Alicia. Give me a chance. This isn¡¯t charity or pity¡ªit¡¯s love. I love you.¡± His voice had trembled with emotion. ¡°I love everything about you¡ªyour heart, your soul, your flaws. You are special, no matter what has happened. And I don¡¯t care about anything else.¡± His breath had hitched. ¡°Just trust me when I say this: I love you, Alicia.¡± Alicia wished she could slap herself for believing him. She had collapsed into his arms when he lied to her¡ªsobbing, clinging, burying her face in his chest. ¡°Do you know what I¡¯ve been wanting to tell you so badly?¡± she had asked, her voice quivering. ¡°I... I... love you, Jeff.¡± He had pulled her close, his lips capturing hers in a kiss. And like a fool, she had responded¡ªwrapping her arms around his neck, pressing herself against him as if she could melt into him. Her mind drifted to Wilson¡ªthe day he had struck her wound, the day he had smeared her pain across her face like mud. And Jeff¡­ This isn¡¯t charity or pity¡ªit¡¯s love. He should have just told her the truth. That he pitied her. Because deep down, she knew¡ªno one would ever truly want a girl with a past like hers. A girl shattered by her own father. Alicia squeezed her eyes shut, forcing the memories away. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Enough, Alicia¡­ she scolded herself, but the tears still escaped, trickling down her cheeks. Why did she feel this way? As if he still mattered? She quickly wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. You don¡¯t have much time left, Alicia¡­ she reminded herself, hardening her resolve. They all deserved to die. She had planned it carefully¡ªevery single one of them who betrayed her. The knife was already in her purse, waiting for the perfect moment. When she joined Alena in the car, she felt its weight against her side. The opportunity was there¡ªshe could end Alena in an instant. But she hesitated. Maybe because she wanted to know about these so-called secrets. Maybe because a part of her wasn¡¯t ready. Now, she was alone with Jeff. This was her chance. No police. No family. No one to stop her. She could be reckless. Yes. Yet, she hesitated¡ªnot just hesitated, but let herself drown in memories, her heart aching with the weight of her own betrayal. Instead of plunging the knife into him, she had the ridiculous urge to lash out¡ªto slap him, kick him, call him every foul name she could think of¡­ and then collapse in his arms and cry, like she always did. No. No, Alicia. Her fingers curled around her purse, nails digging into the leather. Don¡¯t you dare think such useless thoughts. The car slowed, rolling to a stop under a massive tree. Jeff unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to her. ¡°Get down,¡± he said quietly, pushing open his door and stepping into the night. Alicia gritted her teeth, her pulse hammering. She closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, exhaled slowly. Then, she opened the door and stepped out. She frowned, scanning her surroundings. The place was eerily silent. No houses. No huts. No cottages. No signs of life¡ªjust a graveyard, stretching across from the tree. A chill crept up her spine. She stiffened, fingers tightening around her purse. ¡°Graveyard?¡± The word left her lips in a trembling whisper. A fresh wave of betrayal struck her chest. No¡­ he wouldn¡¯t. He wouldn¡¯t do this to me. Not Jeff. But a voice slithered into her thoughts. Do you really think you matter to him? Why wouldn¡¯t he be cruel? Do you think he¡¯s happy you survived? Jeff sighed and turned to her, his eyes studying her carefully. His jaw tightened, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. ¡°I¡¯m not here to hurt you,¡± he said softly, extending a hand toward her. ¡°I brought you here to show you something. Trust me, Alicia.¡± His voice wavered, almost pleading. She met his gaze, searching for deception. But all she saw was sincerity. Hesitantly, she placed her hand in his, feeling the tension in her shoulders loosen just slightly. Am I trusting him? But before she could pull away, his grip tightened¡ªnot forcefully, but enough to make her heart stutter. His hand trembled slightly, as though he, too, was trying to summon courage. Don¡¯t wonder. Alicia bit her lip, eyes locked on him. Just be careful. He has deceived you too much with those eyes. Death Four days ago¡­ ¡°Rose was so meticulous that we could hardly find a shred of evidence against her,¡± Alena said, rising to her feet and facing the two men before her. They were gathered in Alena¡¯s house, the dim light casting long shadows on the walls. ¡°The only way to take her down is through Adam.¡± ¡°Adam?¡± Jeff¡¯s brow arched in curiosity. Alena nodded and perched on the glass table across from them. ¡°Of course. Rose never wanted you to inherit your mother¡¯s properties, Jeff. Her mission is clear.¡± She turned her gaze to Jason, her voice tightening. ¡°To kill you.¡± Her finger moved from Jeff to Jason. ¡°And you too. And your mother.¡± Jason¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°What?¡± His voice barely above a whisper, his brows knitting together. ¡°What do you mean?¡± He scoffed, shaking his head as though Alena had just told a ridiculous joke. ¡°How are my mother and I involved in this?¡± Alena¡¯s lips curled into a sly smile. ¡°Adam wanted it. He¡¯s wanted it for years¡ªlong before we were even born. But he kept failing. That¡¯s why he partnered with Rose.¡± ¡°Wait¡­ wait a second.¡± Jeff leaned forward, confusion twisting his features. ¡°I don¡¯t get it.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know how it all started,¡± Alena admitted, swirling the whiskey in her glass before taking a sip. ¡°But I know it¡¯s connected to your father, Jeff. Adam and your dad were friends.¡± She set the glass down with a sharp clink. ¡°I discovered the truth by accident¡ªoverheard Rose talking to Adam one day.¡±
    Twenty-six years ago. A tall, fair-skinned woman stepped into the sitting room, her figure heavy with pregnancy. She exhaled softly as she climbed the stairs to the second floor, one hand supporting her belly, the other resting on the curve of her waist. ¡°Mom,¡± she called, her voice barely above a whisper as she turned the corner toward her mother¡¯s bedroom. Pushing the door open, she froze. The breath in her lungs turned to ice. Her hand flew to her mouth as a gasp strangled in her throat. Her mother lay sprawled on the floor in a crimson pool beside her bed. A knife was buried deep in her stomach, blood seeping out in rapid streams, turning the wooden floor slick and dark. Hovering over her was a man clad in black from head to toe, gloved hands gripping the handle of the knife. The woman¡¯s legs trembled as she staggered back. Her breath came in ragged, uneven pants. The man yanked the knife free, and fresh blood gushed from the wound. A piercing scream tore from her lips. She collapsed to the ground, her body trembling as her hands pressed against the cool floor. The man turned to face her. The dim light caught his features, and recognition crashed over her like a tidal wave. Her eyes widened in horror, her lips quivering as she tried to form words. ¡°Jo¡­ Jona¡­ Jonatha¡­¡± she stammered, her vision blurring with tears. Her husband. Jonatha tilted his head, rolling his neck as if resetting his bones. His cold, calculating eyes bore into hers before he took a slow step forward, crouching beside her. ¡°Florence,¡± he murmured, tracing the tip of the bloodied knife along the curve of her cheek. ¡°What are you doing here, my love?¡± Florence shook her head frantically, the salty taste of fear thick on her tongue. Jonatha smirked. ¡°So¡­ you found out.¡± He sighed, running his fingers over the blade as though admiring it. ¡°I have no choice, Florence.¡± He exhaled, his voice eerily soft. ¡°I have to cut out your tongue.¡± A strangled sob escaped her lips. Tears streamed down her face as she shook her head, silently pleading. ¡°Don¡¯t you wonder why I¡¯m being so kind?¡± Jonatha asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Why I¡¯m sparing your life?¡± Florence trembled, her breath hitching. Jonatha scoffed. ¡°It¡¯s because I need them.¡± His gaze flickered to her swollen belly. ¡°My twins.¡± A sinister grin curled his lips. ¡°I won¡¯t hurt them.¡± ¡°No! No!¡± Florence wailed, the agony of motherhood twisting her voice. ¡°They¡¯re mine!¡± Jonatha¡¯s face darkened, his once-smooth features hardening into something monstrous. ¡°Yours?¡± He laughed¡ªa sharp, bone-chilling sound. ¡°How will you claim them when you¡¯re dead?¡± His fingers dug into her shoulders, his breath hot against her ear. ¡°What a pity,¡± he whispered. ¡°You won¡¯t have much time with them once they¡¯re born.¡± If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Florence sobbed, her body wracked with grief. Jonatha exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. Then, with terrifying precision, he shoved his fingers into her mouth and clamped down on her tongue.
    Two months later¡­ A sleek black car pulled up to an extravagant mansion. The driver quickly stepped out and opened the door for Florence. She nodded as he gestured for her to exit. Cradling one of her newborn sons, she stepped onto the pavement. Her maid, Rebecca, followed closely behind, carrying the other twin. Florence had given birth just two days ago, her body still weak. But the wounds of the past months ran deeper than the ones childbirth had left. Two months since she lost her mother. Two months since Jonatha stole her tongue. And now, he hovered around her like a shadow, suffocating her with his twisted care. He had reported her mother¡¯s murder and the attack on her to the police, shedding crocodile tears, begging for justice. Yet, the case had gone cold. Silenced. Bribed away into oblivion. Florence entered the sitting room, her grip tightening around her baby. And Rebecca followed. Florence took a deep breath. Her husband wasn¡¯t home. It was her only chance. She gestured urgently to Rebecca, moving her fingers against the table like she was writing. Rebecca frowned. ¡°Pen¡­ and paper?¡± she asked. Florence nodded frantically, glancing at the door. Rebecca hurried upstairs and the front door swung open as she was out of sight. Two men stepped inside. They wore black tracksuits, their expressions carved from stone. One of them was bald and broad-shouldered¡ªAdam. Before Florence could react, the other man wrenched her son from her arms. Florence clung to him desperately, her eyes flashing with the fury of a mother protecting her young. But her grip was no match for their brute strength. The man pried the baby from her grasp, his cries piercing the air. Tears blurred her vision as she stretched her arms, pleading silently, her mouth opening and closing in soundless agony. Rebecca, about to run down the stairs as Jeff¡¯s wails filled the air, froze at the sight below. Adam crouched before Florence, his voice steady, almost sympathetic. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Florence.¡± He pulled a knife from his pocket. ¡°But your husband sent us.¡± Rebecca bit down on her lower lip, clutching the baby in her arms. The infant whimpered, curling his tiny fingers around her own as if sensing the looming danger. She inhaled sharply, her pulse hammering in her ears. What should I do? Rebecca¡¯s eyes brimmed with tears, her vision blurring. She looked back at the sitting room, guilt and fear swelling in her mind as she grabbed the wall to support her weakening knees. What should I do? she asked herself, watching Jeff cry in the man¡¯s arms, his small hands stretching toward his mother. What should I do, Lord? What... Rebecca gasped and jumped backward as Adam swiped his knife across Florence¡¯s neck. Florence¡¯s eyes widened. She fell to her knees, her gaze fixed on her son as tears streamed down her reddened eyes. Why? Why did you do this to me after all the truth and love? She cried in her mind as her eyes fluttered shut, her thoughts slipping into a memory... ¡°Florence,¡± Jonatha called her name softly, cupping her face. ¡°You know how much I love you, and I would never betray you.¡± Florence blushed, her cheeks turning pink as she smiled at him, placing her hands over his. ¡°I know,¡± she said, nodding. ¡°That¡¯s why I married you.¡± ¡°Now that you¡¯re pregnant with my child,¡± he whispered, pulling her into his arms and gazing into her eyes, ¡°don¡¯t you think it¡¯s time to will your properties to the baby? You promised me this, or have you forgotten? After all,¡± he smiled, running his fingers through her hair, ¡°it¡¯s our baby.¡± His voice slithered into her ears like a serpent before he kissed her earlobe. Florence chuckled, holding onto his shoulders. ¡°Did I ever break my promise to you?¡± she asked, her eyes shimmering with the intoxication of love as she stared into Jonatha¡¯s. The soft laughter of Jonatha that day now echoed in Florence¡¯s ears as she collapsed. The laughter, once warm, now sounded sinister. Was this the true meaning behind his laughter that day? Florence¡¯s eyes finally shut her gaze forever leaving the small boy crying in the stranger¡¯s arms. Adam stood, wiping his knife clean with a white handkerchief. ¡°Get the twin brother and the maid.¡± Rebecca¡¯s eyes snapped open, the terror of death jerking her from her guilt over Florence¡¯s fate. Her survival instincts kicked in, and she stepped back into the house. --- Alena gulped down the drink in her glass in one go. ¡°Adam collaborated with your father to kill your mother so they could take her properties and divide them. But then, Mrs. Anderson, Florence¡¯s aunt, suddenly returned from America. She had been gone for so long that the family thought she was lost. ¡°When Mrs. Anderson learned of her family¡¯s deaths, she was devastated and furious. She was determined to uncover the truth. With her influence, she sought help. Your father, Jonatha, was caught and arrested. Fearing Jonatha would confess, Adam poisoned him. ¡°Mrs. Anderson, believing justice had been served, took Jeff in as her only family before she got married and gave birth to you, Jason.¡± Alena paused, sitting on the arm of the chair opposite Jeff and Jason. ¡°A few days after Adam killed Jonatha,¡± she continued, her voice lowering, ¡°he received a call from a mysterious man. The man threatened to expose Adam¡¯s crime and claimed to have a tape of Florence¡¯s murder. ¡°For seven years, the man blackmailed Adam, extorting money from him, until Adam finally tracked him down and killed him. Rose¡¯s men helped with the murder. But Rose kept the tape and used it to manipulate Adam. She forced him to join hands with her to take over the White family¡¯s properties, promising to help him gain control of the Anderson estate as well. ¡°Adam agreed instantly. But Rose warned him¡ªif he ever betrayed her, she would expose everything.¡± Alena smirked, her gaze sharp. ¡°Do you see the opportunity for us here?¡± Silence hung in the room for a few moments. Jeff intertwined his fingers, unsure of how to feel. Happy? Sad? Guilty? Regretful? Mournful? He had no memory of his mother, no idea what she looked like, yet her story struck him deeply. How could she be treated this way? How could she be killed like that? By her own husband? A tear slipped from his eye onto his hand. He hadn¡¯t realized he was crying. Jeff sniffled, quickly wiping his tears and looking down at the floor. Jason sighed, feeling the weight of Jeff¡¯s pain press on him. ¡°None of this is your fault, Jeff,¡± Jason said, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Jeff nodded, his lips quivering as he fought to hold back his sobs. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for everything, Jeff,¡± Alena said with a deep breath. ¡°I really understand how you feel. But you know what?¡± She paused. ¡°If we just sit here and cry, nothing will be solved. Now, we have to move forward.¡± Jeff lifted his red, grief-stricken eyes, determination beginning to replace sorrow. ¡°So... we need the tape?¡± ¡°We need the tape to make Adam do what we want,¡± Alena confirmed, her lips curling into a sly smile. ¡°And I will get it.¡± The Spy Jeff wrapped his fingers around Alicia¡¯s trembling hands and gently led her into the graveyard. A shiver ran down her spine as the raw night air clawed at her skin. Hugging her arms across her chest, she scanned the landscape¡ªdusty, broken graves littered with brittle, dead leaves. The scent of damp earth and decay filled the air. ¡°This place¡­ it¡¯s old,¡± Alicia murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Why are we here?¡± She couldn¡¯t stop the question from spilling out, curiosity and fear battling inside her. Jeff didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he guided her toward a grave and slowly released her hands. His gaze locked onto the tombstone, his breath hitching as if the weight of the world sat on his chest. Alicia followed his stare. Jeff shoved his hands deep into his pockets, his fists trembling as he exhaled shakily. His heart pounded against his ribs. With another heavy sigh, he finally spoke, his voice measured, cautious. ¡°Look at the tombstone.¡± He paused, as if holding his breath. ¡°Tell me what you see.¡± Alicia¡¯s brows furrowed as her gaze dropped to the inscription. Her breath caught. Jeff Anderson. Her pulse spiked. Cold dread trickled down her spine. She snapped her head toward Jeff, eyes wide with horror. Her breath came in short, shallow bursts as she scanned him from head to toe, as if reassuring herself he was real¡ªthat she wasn¡¯t standing next to a ghost. ¡°What¡­ what¡ª¡± Alicia stuttered, her throat constricting. ¡°Are you a ghost?¡± Her arms wrapped tightly around herself, fingers digging into her skin as if bracing for an answer she wasn¡¯t ready to hear. ¡°Tell me this is a joke. A cruel prank.¡± Jeff¡¯s lips twitched into a bittersweet smile. The way she looked at him¡ªlike she had just lost someone dear¡ªsent a warmth through his chest, a fleeting moment of comfort before the storm. ¡°Do you still care about me?¡± His voice cracked as he tore his gaze from the tombstone. ¡°Or do you hate me now?¡± Alicia clenched the fabric of her dress in her fists, her nails pressing into her palms. Anger flickered behind her fear. Jeff let out a bitter laugh before crouching beside the grave. He reached out, picking up one of the brittle, brown leaves scattered on the dirt. He twirled it between his fingers, his expression darkening. Alicia shifted uneasily, her stomach twisting. The graveyard¡¯s eerie silence made her skin crawl. Every part of her screamed to turn and run. ¡°Who are you?¡± Her voice was barely above a whisper. Jeff didn¡¯t look at her. ¡°Twelve years ago,¡± he began, his voice distant, ¡°there was a boy. He had a mother and a little sister named Kate.¡± He hesitated, his fingers tightening around the leaf. ¡°They were happy. Until one night¡­ strangers shattered their world.¡± If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. A sharp intake of breath. ¡°Please¡­ please¡­ don¡¯t hurt them.¡± A voice echoed in Jeff¡¯s mind. His mother¡¯s voice. His chest squeezed as the memory crashed over him. Blood. The cold floor. Rebecca¡¯s lifeless body in a dark pool. The metallic tang of death clinging to the air. Jeff¡¯s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. He could still taste it. Still smell it. His stomach twisted violently. He shut his eyes and exhaled. ¡°His mother was murdered in cold blood. He and his sister were taken by the assassins.¡± His voice wavered. ¡°The boy woke up tied to a chair in a dark, cemented room. A woman approached him. Her name was Rose.¡± Alicia stiffened. ¡°Ro¡­ Rose?¡± Jeff nodded grimly. ¡°She killed his mother. She wanted him and his sister for something. And she made him choose¡ªobey her or watch his sister die.¡± Alicia¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°What did she want?¡± Jeff hesitated, then said, ¡°To spy on you.¡± Alicia recoiled as if he had struck her. ¡°S-Spy?¡± She let out a hollow laugh, shaking her head. ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous. Why? For what?¡± ¡°Because out of all your sisters, you¡¯re the most guarded,¡± Jeff said quietly. ¡°You don¡¯t let people in. But she knew there was one person you trusted.¡± He paused, letting the words settle. Alicia¡¯s chest rose and fell rapidly. ¡°Who?¡± she whispered. Jeff lifted his gaze to hers, his expression unreadable. ¡°Jeff.¡± He let the name hang between them. ¡°The boy in the grave.¡± Silence. Alicia¡¯s breath came out in shaky gasps as she stumbled backward, clutching her purse like a lifeline. ¡°Then¡­¡± her voice cracked. ¡°Who are you?¡± Jeff¡¯s jaw clenched. A humorless chuckle escaped his lips. ¡°I¡¯m Josh.¡± His voice was firm, unwavering. ¡°Jeff¡¯s twin brother.¡± Alicia¡¯s body went rigid. She shook her head violently, as if refusing to believe it. ¡°No. No, that¡¯s not true. Just stop.¡± Tears blurred her vision. ¡°Stop lying to me.¡± Jeff¡¯s face twisted with pain. ¡°I wish I was.¡± He ran a trembling hand through his hair. ¡°It¡¯s my fault. All of it. I was scared. Scared of losing my sister, so I did what she wanted.¡± His voice broke. ¡°Jeff¡ªyour real friend¡ªwas buried alive in that grave. And that day, I was told I¡¯d suffer the same fate if I betrayed Rose.¡± His breath hitched. ¡°That was the day my life fell apart. Every day, guilt gnawed at me. Every time I saw you, it burned through me. And then¡­ I started wanting you. Wanting something that was never mine.¡± Alicia pressed her hands over her ears. ¡°Liar. Liar!¡± She screamed, stepping back. Her sobs came in heaving gasps, her body trembling. ¡°I trusted you¡ªwhy? Why did you do this to me?¡± Jeff swallowed hard. He took a shaky step toward her but stopped himself. He didn¡¯t deserve to be near her. ¡°Listen to me, Alicia,¡± he pleaded. ¡°I don¡¯t expect forgiveness. I don¡¯t deserve it.¡± His voice turned raw. ¡°I know you remember everything. I know you¡¯re pretending. You want revenge, don¡¯t you?¡± He let out a bitter laugh. ¡°I¡¯m a liar. A crook. A coward. And I deserve every bit of your hatred.¡± He panted, his shirt clinging to his sweat-dampened skin. ¡°I spied on you. I betrayed you. I even dated your sister.¡± His voice cracked. ¡°I don¡¯t deserve your forgiveness, but please¡ª¡± He sucked in a shaky breath. ¡°Listen to Jason. He¡¯s right. Rose wants you dead. Wilson and Oliver are her sons. Everything¡ªthe manipulation, the lies¡ªit¡¯s all her doing. She¡¯s not who you think she is. Don¡¯t fall into her trap.¡± His breathing turned ragged. Desperate. With a sudden movement, Jeff grabbed Alicia¡¯s hand and pressed it to his chest, his heartbeat thundering beneath her palm. ¡°Here,¡± he rasped. ¡°Stab me here, Alicia.¡± His grip on her hand trembled. ¡°Take your revenge.¡± Alicia wrenched her hand away, tears spilling freely down her cheeks. She opened her mouth, but no words came. Her lips trembled. Her body shook. Then, with a choked sob, she turned and ran. Jeff collapsed to his knees, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His fingers dug into his hair as tears spilled down his face. His chest rose and fell in uneven tremors. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he whispered, his body curling inward. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ so sorry.¡± The Truth As Alicia bolted out of the graveyard, her back slammed against the cemetery¡¯s cold, moss-covered wall. A sharp pain shot through her spine, but she barely noticed. Trembling, she slid to the ground, her hands still clamped over her mouth to stifle the sobs threatening to escape. Ten years ago¡­ She had burst into the hospital ward, her pulse pounding. Her gaze locked onto the boy sitting on the sickbed, his head bowed. Without hesitation, she rushed to him, wrapping her arms tightly around his frail frame. ¡°Jeff!¡± she cried, lifting his face to hers, cupping his cheeks. Tears welled in her eyes, her voice cracking. ¡°Where have you been? I thought I lost you.¡± His dull gaze searched hers, confusion shadowing his features. His brows knitted together. ¡°Are¡­ Are you okay, Jeff?¡± Alicia¡¯s voice wavered. The boy flinched, peeling her hands off his face. ¡°Who¡­ are you?¡± His tone was distant, almost irritated. ¡°What do you want?¡± Her breath hitched. Disbelief surged through her as she scanned his face, desperate for recognition. Slapping a hand against her chest, she quickly responded, ¡°It¡¯s me, Alicia! Your friend!¡± She pressed her palm against his forehead, checking for a fever. ¡°Can¡¯t you remember, hun?¡± Her voice softened with desperation. Silence stretched between them as the boy studied her, his expression unreadable. A sinking feeling settled in her stomach. Something was wrong. His memories¡­ Then, his lips parted. ¡°So¡­¡± he drawled, pointing at her. ¡°You¡¯re Alicia?¡± Alicia clung to hope. She grasped his hands, rubbing them gently, searching for warmth in the familiarity she craved. ¡°Of course, Jeff,¡± she said with a reassuring nod. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry. You¡¯re still recovering. I¡¯m sure the shock of being kidnapped has affected you. But let me remind you¡ªI¡¯m Alicia White, your best friend.¡± This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. ¡°Best¡­ friend¡­¡± he murmured, the words barely audible. The memory crashed over her like a wave. How did I not see it? Alicia buried her face in her hands, fingers trembling. It wasn¡¯t memory loss¡ªit was deception. An imposter. A shudder rippled through her body as the truth unraveled before her. The real Jeff¡ªburied alive, his fingers clawing at the earth, his muffled screams swallowed by the dirt. Terror gripped her. How could she have missed the differences? Jeff had a twin? Alicia scoffed, the revelation leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. She let her hands fall to her lap, her gaze lifting to the night sky. Hot tears blurred her vision. ¡°You don¡¯t understand, Alicia. You never will, no matter how hard I try to explain.¡± Jeff¡¯s voice echoed in her mind, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. ¡°You think my emotions¡ªmy anger¡ªare fueled by jealousy. I won¡¯t deny that I envy your love for him, but it¡¯s more than that, Alicia.¡± She had scoffed then. ¡°Thanks for knowing I¡¯ll never understand,¡± she had retorted. ¡°And I won¡¯t try as long as you keep acting this way toward him.¡± Alicia clenched her eyes shut, her heart twisting as if a thousand thorns were piercing through it, shredding it apart. ¡°I¡­ I can heal you, Alicia,¡± his voice echoed again. ¡°Just give me a chance. This isn¡¯t pity. It¡¯s not charity. I love you. I love every part of you¡ªinside and out. You¡¯re special, no matter what happened. And I don¡¯t care about anything else. Just trust me, Alicia.¡± Her lips quivered. ¡°Poor Alicia,¡± Alison¡¯s mocking voice surfaced next. ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on between Jeff and Alena. You never got along with her, but you should know¡ªyour Jeff and Alena are seeing each other.¡± A sharp, painful gasp tore from Alicia¡¯s lips. Her breath came in short, uneven pants. Why? After everything we shared? Why did you hide the truth from me? A sudden, harsh white light flashed in her face. She snapped her head up, squinting as the brightness seared her vision. Shielding her eyes with her arms, she winced. The glare was blinding. A car. The screech of tires slicing through the silence sent a jolt down her spine. Two more vehicles skidded to a halt beside it. Alicia frowned, slowly lowering her arms as the headlights flicked off. She watched as a man stepped out of the driver¡¯s seat and moved to open the passenger-side door. A foot, clad in glittering red heels, emerged. Then, as the figure gracefully rose from the car, Alicia¡¯s breath hitched. A long, black stone-studded gown cascaded down the woman¡¯s frame, shimmering under the moonlight. Alicia¡¯s eyes widened in horror, her heart hammering wildly in her chest. She felt as if she were staring at a snake¡ªcoiled, dangerous, ready to strike. It was Rose. Shattered Deception ¡°It¡¯s good to see you here,¡± Rose said, her lips curling into a slow, deliberate smile as she approached Alicia, her movements unhurried and calculated. Alicia stood up, her muscles tense, eyes locked on Rose. The world blurred into nothingness¡ªonly Rose existed. That wicked smile unfurled across her face like a victor savoring her triumph. For years¡­. Tears welled and spilled down Alicia¡¯s cheeks. She had trusted this woman, loved her like a mother. She could still feel Rose¡¯s warm embrace, hear the echo of her laughter, see the gentle curve of her smile. And yet, she had been blind to the deceit lurking behind those gestures. She recalled Rose¡¯s mournful gaze at the hospital, the feigned sympathy as she whispered warnings against trusting anyone. Lies. All of it. Alicia bit her lip until she tasted blood, her trembling hands gripping her purse as if anchoring herself to reality. It was all a lie. She had been deceived. ¡°How¡­ how did you find me?¡± Her voice wavered. Rose scoffed. ¡°There was a CCTV camera in your room.¡± She exhaled as if burdened by regret. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about everything you¡¯ve learned. But it¡¯s all true.¡± Alicia¡¯s grip on her purse tightened until the leather crumpled beneath her fingers. Heat surged through her, her blood pounding in her ears. ¡°I must have broken your heart,¡± Rose murmured, stepping closer. She reached out and seized a handful of Alicia¡¯s hair. ¡°And I¡¯m sorry.¡± Her laughter rang out, sharp and cruel. Alicia gasped, the sting at her scalp forcing her forward. She clutched at Rose¡¯s wrist, but she was too weak to fight back. No scream escaped her lips. Only silent tears, flowing like a shattered dam. Agony tore through her chest. The sky loomed dark as bitter tears slipped into her mouth¡ªsorrow had a taste. Maybe she deserved it. Kate¡¯s voice echoed in her mind, the memory of their meeting in the woods crashing back. ¡°You¡¯re taking the wrong path, Alicia,¡± Kate had pleaded, her outstretched hands trembling. ¡°Please, listen to me.¡± Alicia squeezed her eyes shut. The weight of regret crushed her chest. Rose shoved her roughly, sending her stumbling into the arms of one of her men. ¡°Take her away,¡± Rose commanded, her voice sharp and unwavering. As the man gripped Alicia¡¯s arms, a sudden voice rang through the graveyard. ¡°Don¡¯t touch her!¡± The world seemed to hold its breath. A heavy silence fell, thick and suffocating. Rose turned slowly, her smirk widening as she laid eyes on Jeff. He stood at the graveyard gate, his body vibrating with rage, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. His eyes, dark and seething, bore into her. ¡°I told you to let her go,¡± he repeated, his voice cold enough to slice through bone. Alicia¡¯s breath hitched. She had never seen Jeff this angry. It was as if a demon had taken the form of her friend. Rose chuckled, and her men joined her in laughter, a sinister symphony of mockery. The sound crawled under Alicia¡¯s skin, twisting her stomach into knots. Jeff¡¯s breathing turned ragged. The laughter burned into his mind, peeling away the past he tried to bury. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me! Leave our house!¡± A child¡¯s desperate plea. Men laughing. A gunshot. Rebecca¡¯s scream. The pool of blood beneath her body. Jeff¡¯s body tensed, his veins pulsing with a fire that threatened to consume him. ¡°Let. Her. Go!¡± His roar shattered their laughter, replacing it with an unbearable tension. Rose tilted her head, her expression almost amused. ¡°Of course, Jeff,¡± she said sweetly. ¡°Come get her.¡± This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Her men raised their guns. Alicia¡¯s heart pounded against her ribs as she turned to Jeff. Pain flooded her chest, suffocating her. He was losing himself to fury, and she could see it¡ªthe overwhelming rage drowning his reason. Don¡¯t do this! She shook her head, tears streaking her face. She tried to rush to him, but the man holding her yanked her back, his grip bruising her skin. Something inside Jeff snapped. He lunged forward. ¡°Shoot!¡± Rose ordered. Three gunshots rang out. Alicia¡¯s world shattered. Jeff gasped, staggering back as crimson bloomed across his shirt. He collapsed to his knees, hands pressing into the dirt as he struggled to rise. His teeth gritted against the pain, but his strength failed him. ¡°No!¡± Alicia screamed, thrashing against the iron grip holding her. ¡°Jeff!¡± He looked up, his vision blurring. Alicia¡¯s face swam before him, her desperate struggle sending fresh tears to his eyes. He forced a smile, his lips trembling. I¡¯m sorry, Alicia. Tears trickled down his face. I failed you. Again. He tried to stand. Blood gushed from his wounds, soaking his jeans, leaving a trail of crimson on the ground. ¡°Shoot!¡± Rose commanded again. Two more shots. Jeff collapsed. ¡°Jeff!¡± Alicia shrieked, breaking free and stumbling toward him. She dropped to her knees, pulling him into her arms. ¡°Jeff, Jeff, Jeff!¡± She slapped his cheeks, her voice breaking into sobs. ¡°No, no, no!¡± Jeff¡¯s trembling fingers brushed her cheek. His lips curled into a bittersweet smile. Alicia grabbed his hand, pressing it to her face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s all my fault,¡± she cried, pressing down on his wounds. Warm blood seeped through her fingers, the metallic scent filling her lungs. The thought of losing him gutted her. She had told herself she hated him, that she wanted him gone. But it was all a lie. She had only wanted him to ask for forgiveness, to hold her, to confess his love once more. Instead, she had run. And now¡­ Jeff¡¯s eyes locked onto hers, his expression soft with sorrow. ¡°You can¡¯t leave me,¡± she whispered, panic clawing at her chest. It felt like the world was crumbling around her, taking her with it. ¡°Jeff, please¡­ please¡­ don¡¯t leave me.¡± He exhaled weakly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Suddenly, a hand wrenched Alicia away. She shrieked as Rose yanked her by the hair, forcing her to meet her gaze. ¡°Why not go with him?¡± Rose sneered. ¡°You look like you¡¯ll miss him.¡± Alicia¡¯s grip tightened on Jeff as if afraid he¡¯d disappear if she let go. ¡°You¡­ you deceive me,¡± Alicia stuttered. ¡°You are evil.¡± Rose let out a dry, soulless laugh, as if she had no conscience. ¡°Do you want to hear a shocking story?¡± She paused, locking eyes with Alicia. ¡°Let me tell you just how evil I am¡ª¡± Her voice trailed off, and her smile darkened. ¡°I buried your real friend, Jeff, alive.¡± Alicia let out a shaky cry, unable to bear the horrifying image in her mind. ¡°You are not human,¡± the words slipped from her lips before she could stop them. Rose nodded in agreement. ¡°I realized I had no feelings the night I drugged your father. My Olive drove him home and pushed him to you. I planned everything. Your father was on the edge, unable to control himself. He fell into my trap and fucked you.¡± Like a bomb detonating, the harsh truth shattered Alicia. She froze, her heart breaking like a mirror struck with force. Tears clouded her vision, filled with pain, regret, and hatred¡ªtoward her father and herself. Rose tsked, chuckling as if it were all some sick joke. ¡°Everything¡­¡± she whispered, her voice laced with cruel amusement. Alicia¡¯s nerves tightened, twisting beyond mere anger¡ªbloodlust ignited within her. ¡°Everything,¡± Rose repeated, softer this time, letting the words seep into Alicia¡¯s soul. ¡°Was my handiwork.¡± Alicia suddenly screamed, lunging at Rose and flipping her to the ground. Her hands wrapped around Rose¡¯s throat, tightening with sheer rage. Before she could squeeze the life out of her, two men stormed in, yanking Alicia¡¯s arms behind her. ¡°No!¡± Alicia roared, thrashing as they restrained her. ¡°Let me go!¡± Tears streamed down her face as Rose calmly stood, dusting the leaves off her dress. She turned, her lips curving into a sly smile. Alicia spat at her, but Rose¡¯s grin only widened, feeding off her suffering. Sauntering closer, Rose retrieved a pistol from one of her men. ¡°Now that you know the truth and are drowning in agony, wouldn¡¯t you rather I end your pain?¡± She cocked her head, feigning sympathy. ¡°Go to hell!¡± Alicia growled, her voice raw with hatred. Rose chuckled. ¡°I¡¯d rather end all your pain, darling.¡± She pressed the pistol against Alicia¡¯s forehead and pulled the trigger. A gunshot rang out¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t from Rose¡¯s gun. Alicia flinched as Rose screamed in pain, the pistol clattering to the ground. A police siren wailed in the distance. Rose¡¯s gaze snapped toward the source of the shot. Everything seemed to slow as Alena emerged from the shadows, a triumphant smirk on her face, police cars trailing behind her. ¡°Take a good look at the dark sky, Rose,¡± Alena said coldly. ¡°It¡¯ll be your last night outside. Your reign is over.¡± A police officer seized Rose, snapping handcuffs onto her wrists. ¡°And don¡¯t be surprised I¡¯m still alive,¡± Alena added, stepping closer. ¡°Because Steven works for me.¡± Rose¡¯s face twisted with rage. ¡°How dare you? What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± she screamed, struggling against the cuffs. ¡°Taking you to jail,¡± Alena replied, her tone unwavering. As Rose was dragged away, the men restraining Alicia finally released her. She collapsed to her knees, trembling, her face buried in her palms. Alena exhaled, watching Alicia break down. Her own eyes welled with bittersweet tears. She walked over, crouched beside her, and pulled her into an embrace. ¡°It¡¯s over now, Alicia. It¡¯s all over,¡± Alena whispered, stroking her hair gently. As she replayed the scene of Rose aiming the gun at Alicia, a cold shudder ran through Alena. She couldn¡¯t imagine losing her. Alicia clung to Alena like a child, her body shaking as she sobbed into her sister¡¯s chest. The warmth of Alena¡¯s embrace spread through her, filling her with a strange mix of relief and brokenness. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Alicia,¡± Alena whispered, her voice cracking. ¡°It¡¯s my fault¡­ I¡¯m sorry for being a bad sister, for hating you¡­ for everything¡­¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not your fault,¡± Alicia murmured, pulling back slightly. She cupped Alena¡¯s face, their tear-filled eyes locking. More tears welled up, as if they shared the same pain. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, Alena.¡± Alena collapsed into her arms again, and together, they wept¡ªtheir cries filling the empty night. After a few moments, Alicia¡¯s mind jolted back to Jeff. Panic surged through her as she scrambled to her feet, scanning the area. ¡°Where is he?¡± she gasped. ¡°Jeff?¡± She ran to the spot where he had been shot. ¡°He was here.¡± Alena smiled bitterly. ¡°Jason called emergency services. He¡¯s been taken for treatment. He will be fine.¡± Alicia exhaled shakily, nodding as she tried to hold onto that hope.