Novel-novel oleh Ayebaifiemi

Going down the stairs, I paused, catching familiar fragments of Vivian and my stepmother’s conversation.I didn’t need to hear them to know what was being said.“Mom, she’s been acting strange lately. She used to be so easy to manipulate—I don’t know what’s gotten into her.”I slowed my steps, the words lining up too neatly with memories that didn’t belong to this lifetime.Her mother sighed, about to speak, but Vivian cut her off.“And Drake is taking this act of his too far. He knows I’d be angry, and he still knelt for her, right in front of me. Oh, that boy,” Vivian snapped, annoyance sharp in her voice.“She’s been clever lately,” her mother continued, a cold smile curling her lips. “I don’t know what’s come over her, but I’ll keep trying. She’s usually so easy to bend.”“But don’t ruin the plan with this outburst,” she warned sharply. “You’re about to ruin everything, aren’t you?”Vivian clenched her fists.“Why can’t she just leave Drake?!”Her mom voice rose, cracking slightl

Later that night…As soon as I stepped inside, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, the chaos of the night finally fading.Then I saw him—sitting in the parlor.My father.My heart slammed against my chest as tears welled in my eyes. I ran to him without thinking.“Terisa?” my father asked gently as I rushed into his arms. “What’s wrong?”I clutched him tightly. “Nothing… I just— I suddenly missed you.”He chuckled softly, patting my back. “Missed me? Are you trying to act spoiled again?”I shook my head against his chest. “No. I just wanted to hold you for a moment.”He sighed, his voice warm. “You’re acting strange tonight.”“I’m fine,” I whispered quickly. “Really. I just… wanted to be here.”“I missed you, Dad,” I whispered, my voice cracking as I wiped the tears from my cheek. “I’m… I’m just glad you’re okay.”He chuckled, brushing my hair back gently. “Stop acting like a child. You’ll always be my baby.”Then he added casually, “Weren’t you supposed to be with D

Four months earlier,I was at the company’s celebration event the night we signed the biggest deal of the year.Exactly four months before everything fell apart.I still had time.At first, I was confused, overwhelmed by the feeling that I had somehow stepped back into my own past. Then I found myself standing at the edge of the pool, and the confusion cleared instantly.Vivian.My step-sister walked toward me with a drink in her hand, her smile sweet enough to choke on. I knew this moment. I knew what she was about to do. Last time, I had been too trusting and naive. Last time, she had also pushed me into that pool, knowing full well I couldn’t swim.Once a victim, always a victim?Not anymore.I stayed perfectly still as she approached, pretending not to see the way she angled her body to “accidentally” bump me.“You’ve been looking off all evening,” she said in her sugary voice. “Are you okay? Here, I brought us shots.”Her hand extended the glass her other hand ready to shov

Beep… beep… beep.The sound of the monitor was the only thing anchoring me to life. The doctors’ voices blurred together as they fought to pull me back, but a question echoed in my mind:Was it even worth saving me?Three months ago, was when it all started.I married the man of my dreams. I was the beloved daughter of the Avila Corporation, living a life people envied. I had everything until the world I knew began to fall apart.It started when I lost my younger brother. Then the company went into crisis. I thought I still had my fiancé, Now my husband, to lean on. I believed he’d hold me up when everything else crumbled.I was wrong. The night of my stepsister’s birthday, I was supposed to stay in a private room with my boyfriend.“Where have you been?” Drake asked when he saw me.“I’ve just been around,” I replied lightly. “Had a few drinks.”“Alright,” he said. “I’ll be back shortly.”He left before I could say anything else.“Heyyyyy.”I turned at the familiar voice and saw Vi