Crossed a line that can't be uncross

Latest chapter

• RIGHTFULLY MINE    Conditional Freedom

  OWEN'S POV I got to the hospital in the afternoon. The air was fresh, the sky was blue but I felt heavy. I couldn’t stop thinking about what Zoe said.I had to make sure Alexis pays for what she did.When I arrived at her floor I saw the officers waiting—two in uniform and one detective in plain clothes. Officer Blake, a seasoned man with tired eyes and firm hands, nodded at me. “Mr. Pratt, we’re about to proceed.”“Let’s do it,” I said, jaw tight.We entered Alexis’s room. It felt cold there. Alexis sat up in bed, her posture was perfect despite the bandage. She looked like she was about to pose for a fashion magazine not face criminal charges. Her skin was pale but her eyes sharp. Unbothered.Officer Blake moved forward speaking sternly.“Ms. Alexis Calder, you are under arrest for the kidnapping and attempted murder of Zoe Packer. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say—”“I know the drill” Alexis cut in almost laughing.The other officer handcuffed her to the hospit

• RIGHTFULLY MINE    The other side of control

  OWEN'S POV I haven't been getting good sleep. Each morning I arrived at the office earlier than the last not to work but to sit in silence pretending everything was under control. But the reality was, that day changed me. I hadn't stop thinking about Zoe’s trembling voice when she spoke to me, her hands covered in blood and the fear in her eyes. Alexis’s voice kept replaying in my head too “Do you really believe I would get locked up here?”So when I opened the door and saw Zoe there I was frozen in shock.She sat at her desk going through papers like nothing was wrong. I caught my breath. I wasn’t sure if she was real. But she looked up and smiled.“Morning,” she said softly.I was still staring.She looked... better. Not like before all of this began, but not broken either. Her eyes looked worn out but she looked confident again. That strength I had always admired was in her posture, her hold on the pen and in the way she gazed at me.“You’re back?” I finally said, my voice roughe

• RIGHTFULLY MINE    A favour too far

  AUSTIN’S POV “Let me speak with him?” I repeated Zoe's words to myself. “Seriously?”I could not believe Zoe agreed to see Owen. After everything that happened after all the trouble and danger that man brought into her life she still gave him the chance to talk. I stood on the stairs listening to their conversation. I couldn’t hear what they were saying from where I was but their body language spoke volumes. The concern in Owen’s eyes and the gentle way Zoe responded, made me feel terrible.I left them alone. If she wanted to repeat her mistake that's her choice. But I couldn’t just watch.I was still angry after Owen left the house. I went to wait in the living room. Zoe came to meet me after a few minutes. She looked tired despite her calm face. She stood with her arms crossed."You shouldn't have spoken to Owen like that" she said quietly.I looked at her in confusion. "Spoke to him how? Like the guy who nearly got you killed?""Austin... I appreciate you worrying about me. But y

• RIGHTFULLY MINE    In the shadow of regret.

  OWEN'S POV I watched Zoe from a distance as she stepped out of the ambulance, talked with Austin for a while before she got into the car with him. She put her head against the window looking exhausted. I should feel relieved now knowing she's safe but I felt empty inside. It was not just the image of her covered in Alexis’ blood that lingered in my mind, it was how she could have easily died and how I might have lost her forever.I stayed up all night. I couldn’t sleep.I felt weighed down no matter how many times I stood up to pace or sit back down and act like I was fine. I couldn’t stop hearing Austin’s voice in my head, accusing and harsh. Zoe almost died because of you.He wasn’t wrong.If she hadn’t fought back. If that gun had angled slightly differently. If we hadn’t found her in time…I ran my hands over my face gritting my teeth to keep from screaming.I had promised I would keep her safe.And yet, all I did was let Alexis into her life. All I did was believe someone I kne

• RIGHTFULLY MINE    After the Darkness

  ZOE'S POV I was cleared physically. They said I was fine. I wasn’t hurt badly only small cuts on my hands and a bruise on my forehead.But the important part was ignored, the cracks in me.My mind was stuck on replay. The echo of the gunshot. The look in Alexis’ eyes. My hands, covered in her blood. Her gasp. My scream. The way time seemed to slow as I called Owen… hands shaking, voice hollow.They gave me a hot drink afterward but I didn’t drink it. I just held the cup and stared into it like the steam could clear my mind. When I walked out, Austin was waiting. He looked worried. “Are you okay?” he asked quietly.I nodded too quickly. It was a lie and he probably knew it. But I didn’t want to fall apart again. Not here.“Can I talk to Jamie?” I asked. “Just for a minute.”Austin looked at me, hesitating for only a beat before saying, “Of course. But… would you rather come with me instead? You still look shaken. I don’t think you should be alone tonight Zoe. And being with Jamie mi

• RIGHTFULLY MINE    This is on me

  ZOE'S POV The shot still rang out.I was trembling and out of breath. The gun fell to the floor. And then I saw blood.Not mine.Alexis stared in shock as she grabbed her stomach, blood spreading on her hands and clothes. She let out a weak pained moan.I froze for a moment. Couldn’t think. My mouth opened but no sound came out.Then my body reacted. I went beside her. “Oh God” My voice cracked. “Oh God I didn’t mean to… Alexis—no—please, no.”She was breathing hard and losing consciousness. I paused before pressing my hands to the wound. There was blood all around us. Warm. Sticky. Terrifying.“I didn’t mean to” I gasped shaking my head as tears fell uncontrollably. “It was an accident. I swear, I didn’t mean to. I just— I was trying to stop you.”Alexis groaned trying to lift her hand to push me away but she had no strength left.“Stay with me” I begged in panic. “Just stay awake please.”I frantically looked around for something—anything. Then I remembered her phone. She had dropp