TWO LIVES - Shattered Illusion
“Are you trying to punish me? I…I don't know how many times I can apologize even if it wasn't my fault that I almost—”
“I never asked you to. You do whatever you want, Niya, and I really don't care. Neither should you bother with what I do.”
“You're hurt. You're hurt, Alex, and you're acting out. Don't worry we could talk this through. This isn't you.” I try to reach him again but he shoots me a deadly glare that pierces through my skin like a dagger.
“Sure it is. You've just never seen me like this. You don't know what I look like when I'm not in love with you,” his brows grow together. “Now we’ve had enough of your drama. You'll find the papers and enjoy the party or use the fucking door.”
He pulls away and my eyes cloud again. My ears and heart find it hard to process what is actually going on. The looks on their faces tell me it is awfully too late—I have already lost everything.
“Niya, careful now,” my grandmother slowly tugs at my arm as if that will somehow make everything better. “We have guests. Don’t cause a scene.”
A scene? I have literally just seen a whole movie, ma.
*************
My name is Niya Kendrick. I’m 25, an author who once believed she had the perfect life. But how quickly can everything I love be stripped away in the blink of an eye? Or worse, what if the life, the family I’ve cherished has always been a blatant lie, a mere fragment of the truth? Now, I’m awake, and reality is far harsher than any dream.
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Chapter: CHAPTER 63: Her peace.The corners of her mouth quirked up, her brow creasing a fraction too fast.“It’s Ma Phil,” Pony murmured, eyes still glued to the screen.“What?” she mouthed, her eyes expanding. “She heard about…” Pony bit her lips. “I might’ve… mentioned something.”“She heard or you blabbed? Christ!” she whispered, straightening as alarm flashed through her features.“I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t think she’d call back, though,” Pony extended the phone toward Niya before she could protest. “She wants to speak to you.”“I – I’m not –” Niya's heart was suddenly too big for her chest. “Take it,” Pony urged softly.Niya stared at the phone like it might bite. Reluctantly, she took it and it was warm from Pony’s palm. She pressed it to her ear, pulse thudding in her temple.“Ma?”“Shaniya.”Niya closed her eyes. That voice always undid her, no matter how calm it came.“I’m fine,” she mumbled before Ma Phil could speak.“That’s not what your friend said,” her grandmother replied. “You’re not
Last Updated: 2025-06-24
Chapter: CHAPTER 62: Delusions.“He literally morphed into something else when you...” her eyes softened.Niya blinked.“Like – no offense,” the fire was back, “your body was barely on the floor before he went full beast mode. Barking orders. Eyes black. Screaming at that Kade guy like he committed war crimes. I mean, I almost peed a little. He was scary.”“Yeah. I felt it,” Niya looked down at her IV.“And he wouldn’t even let me hold you,” Pony scoffed. “Snatched you like you were his emotional support animal. I thought he was going to throw Kade off the balcony.”Niya snorted.“I almost erased every bad thought I had about him because of that sweet old woman – what’s her name, Rosetta?” she continued, plopping into the beige armchair beside her. “She was so warm like cocoa and bedtime stories warm. But then he did what he did and – bam. Monster. Niya, you gotta be careful.”Niya stayed quiet.“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I know what I saw. That man could hurt you. Not on purpose, maybe. But his type… T
Last Updated: 2025-06-24
Chapter: CHAPTER 61: Bare.“Hang in there, we'll be in the hospital in ten minutes,” Raphael’s voice was tight, his arms clutching Niya closer as he climbed into the backseat.He slammed the door shut with one hand.“Drive the fucking car, Silas.”The engine roared to life.Images of Niya lying unconscious on the hospital bed, her body connected to cords, and the shrill sound of irregular beeping machines, flashed through his mind. His skin turned ice cold, and he felt her body slipped off his clammy, fisted hands.If anything happened to her, he would murder Kade. No. It wasn't on Kade. It was his fault.He’d seen the paleness in her cheeks, the way she swayed when she reached for her fork, and how quiet she’d gone during breakfast. She’d been crumbling right in front of him, and he did nothing.So, no, he wouldn't kill Kade. He’d murder himself. And he’d make sure it was slow.Kade had stopped by the car as they loaded in – Pony taking the front seat beside Silas. Raphael didn’t so much as glance his way as t
Last Updated: 2025-06-24
Chapter: CHAPTER 60: He'd do anything for her.He didn’t wait for her to reply.“You didn't tell me what exactly it was for,” he pressed as something volcanic stirred underneath his words. “Because when I saw that number, Angel, I almost laughed. You made me feel broke for a second.”Her breathing was uneven.“I thought – shit – do I need to check my balance? Sell something?” He arched a brow.“It wasn’t meant like that,” Niya’s heart pounded.“Then what was it meant like?” he stepped closer. His gaze flicked over her face, looking for a crack to crawl into, but Niya wasn't going to give in just yet. He stepped away slightly. “Don’t forget the card,” he added quietly, like it was an afterthought but it wasn’t.“Is everything alright?” Rosetta’s soft voice echoed as she appeared, taking a few quick strides towards them, concern etched on every corner of her face. “I saw police down the drive. I was just taking some flowers to Miss Kendrick’s room and also ask why she hadn't come out for breakfast when I looked down and…”“It’s… i
Last Updated: 2025-06-21
Chapter: CHAPTER 59: She wants him more.They stared at each other in silence before Niya spoke.“I’m sorry about my friend,” she began quietly. “She was just really concerned.”He didn’t respond to that. “Stay with me for the rest of the day. I’ll pay you. And I’ll visit your grandmother as promised.”Niya held her breath. “Why?”She looked up at him, at that unreadable face she hated not being able to break into. Maybe she was the fool for thinking anything had changed or for attaching meaning to the kiss that had meant nothing more than a dramatic save. Or for even feeling like she mattered even briefly.Her head throbbed like a damn bell was stuck between her ears.She told herself she didn’t have to feel special because he was playing his part. So she was going to play hers.“Because I want you here.”She stared at him. “That’s not a reason.”“I don’t need one.”“I have to go,” she said flatly.“Why?” “Because I don’t feel like pretending today.”Something sparked in his eyes, but it died just as quickly. “You agreed
Last Updated: 2025-06-21
Chapter: CHAPTER 58: Wifed by mistake.The cool air hadn’t even settled yet when Niya stepped outside, nerves fraying faster with each inhale.Pony was already pacing, biting her thumbnail like she was seconds from breaking down, but the moment her eyes landed on Niya, her shoulders dropped, her face lit up, and relief poured through every inch of her expression.“Niya!” she cried, sprinting toward her.Niya’s eyes widened, heart thudding in her chest. “No…” Her voice cracked with a mix of relief and embarrassment.“God, you scared the shit outta me!” Pony threw her arms around her and pulled her in tight.“You’re something else.”“Don’t say that,” Pony huffed. “I couldn’t split. Your sudden silence makes me crazy and you know I got no chill.”Kade’s brow ticked, his eyes moving between the girls.Kade recognized her, but not entirely.He’d seen her once at Springhollow. At the time, she didn’t speak to anyone, didn’t even look up when a woman tried to wave her off.Back then, she was quiet. Pale skin, combat boots, a brow
Last Updated: 2025-06-20
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