Romances de Marie Adjei

The face underneath the mask was a canvas of horror that forever altered perceptions. Air stalled in her lungs. Not a gasp, not a sigh just…air. That face. It looked familiar.Adrian Lewis. John’s brother. The news had reported he was involved in a car accident which claimed his life so how was he still alive? How was he here ?“Adrian?” Jessica questioned.”A ghost of a smile played on Adrian’s face.You died 8 years ago, I attended your funeral, I saw them lowering your body into your grave.” “How…” “interesting, I’m amazed you remember everything so vividly, good memory, you seem smarter than I thought,”Adrian replied.Adrian studied her like she was an artifact he had been searching for. Jessica tried to pull away from the guards but their grip was too tight. On the other end of the room, John stood frozen. Not in shock, not in confusion and he definitely wasn’t concerned he just stood still on an Island of stillness in the sea of chaos .His gaze locked into Adrian’s. They sta

The dead woman’s fingers were still tangled in the hem of her gown.Jessica stared at them. They wouldn’t move.They wouldn’t let go.A guard bent down and peeled the hand away like removing trash from fabric. The body was dragged down the hallway. A red streak followed.No one spoke. No one reacted. Like this was normal.Jessica lifted her eyes slowly. John was watching her. Not the body. Her.He was waiting for her to say something.“You see now,” he said quietly, “why obedience is survival.”Her voice came out hoarse.“She asked for help.”“And she died for it.”The simplicity of his answer carved straight through her ribs. Jessica swallowed.“You killed her.”“No,” John replied calmly. “She killed herself the moment she ran.”The corridor felt smaller and the air felt thin.Jessica turned away from him.And that’s when she saw Sharon standing at the end of the hall.Frozen. Her face pale. Her eyes locked onto the blood on Jessica’s dress.For a second — just a second — Sharon look

Jessica stepped out in the corridor. John stood waiting patiently for her at the end.He looked calm, with the sleeves of his shirt rolled up. He stood watching her like he owned her.“Come here” he said. Not loud but was loud enough for her to understand it was a command.She walked. Each step felt like she was walking toward a cliff. When she reached him he tiltedher head up. “ You embarrassed me earlier,” he said calmly. “ I was watching my mother being tortured” “you threatened me and you forced me into marrying you.” “ How is did I embarrass you ?” “ I wasn’t the one who abandoned you on your wedding day.” “ I saved you reputation, you should be thanking me instead of telling me that…..” before Jessica could complete her sentence. She heard aloud bang behind her. “ you should be thankful you are alive today. I saved your life.” “ and you will be living a good life thanks to me .” “What was that?” Her pulse spiked.A scream echoed through the mansion.Distant. Muffled. Jess

Jessica’s phone slipped from her fingers and shattered on the marble floors. For a moment no one moved. Silence. No movement.The ballroom had held it’s breath.Then the silence came thick, suffocating, pressing against her ears until she thought her skull would split.They killed her.Her knees buckled.John caught her before she hit the floor. His arm wrapped around her waist, strong and unyielding, holding her upright like a puppet on strings. To the guests, it looked tender, romantic and protective.Applause scattered uncertainly through the hall.John leaned in closer to Jessica with his lips brushing her left ear.“She’s alive,” he whispered. “For now.” He added.The words slid into her spine like ice. Jessica’s vision swam. The officiant resumed speaking as if nothing had happened. Love. Devotion . Eternity All lies. “Jessica Cooke, do you take John Lewis, as your lawfully wedded husband?” The officiant asked “Yes, I do” Jessica replied with her voice cracking.“John Lewis

The photo loaded. Jessica stood frozen in the room, with her phone still clutched in her hand, staring at the photo of her mother’s empty hospital bed. Her lungs refused to expand. The air felt thick, heavy and poisoned.“The bed is empty” “Where’s my mother?” “ What did they do to her?” “Did they move her?”Her fingers trembled so violently but her phone didn’t slip. She typed.. “Where's my mother?”The dots appeared and vanished again. Jessica felt uneasy.“Your mother is safe for now.”A knock exploded against the door . “Mrs.Lewis are you ready ? Do you need assistance?” We need to leave now “ She shoved the phone in her dress “I’m coming” she replied calmly. She stared back at her reflection for the last time, and she didn't recognise herself, she saw another version of herself that she never imagined for to see.The door opened before she could fully process everything. “Mrs.Lewis the driver is here now”Her feet refused to move. A hand pressed against her lower back, firm b

Jessica knew something was wrong when the elevator didn’t stop on the 3rd floor.The numbers climbed past the lobby,past the executive offices,and every floor she was allowed to exist. She stared at her reflection in the mirror doors,pale face, borrowed heels, Summer’s lipstick still smeared crooked from shaking hands.“Why didn’t the elevator stop? Where is it taking me?” she asked herself as she continued to press the exit button aggressively.She wasn’t supposed to go up that far. The elevator chimed. And the doors slid open in silence. No reception desk, no assistance, just a long hallway drowned in marble and glass, ending at a pair of black double doors guarded by two men who didn’t look like security so much as a warning.One man walked up to her. “Miss Cooke,come with me please.” “Who are you and where is this place?” “ Miss Cooke,please come with me Mr. Lewis is waiting”.Jessica walked behind him as she looked around nervously,asking no questions. Jessica was led to John’s