LOGINNicole’s POV “Nicole.” Nora’s voice softened when I didn’t answer immediately. Streetlights spilled across the sidewalk in pale gold, catching against the worried crease between her brows. I forced my hand to relax around the phone. Too late. She already noticed. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” she said quietly. I let out a short breath that almost sounded like a laugh. “Trust me,” I murmured, locking my phone quickly, “I wish it was that simple.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. That was the problem with Nora. She paid attention too much sometimes. “What happened?” she asked again. The question sat between us. Heavy. Dangerous. I opened my mouth. Closed it again. Because what exactly was I supposed to say? Hey Nora, someone has apparently been secretly taking pictures of me for years and sending them to me like some twisted scrapbook of my life? Even thinking it sounded insane. My throat tightened slightly. “I’m just tired,” I said finall
Nicole’s POV The number was still switched off. Again. I pulled the phone away from my ear slowly, staring at the screen like maybe this time it would magically change its mind. but ,It didn’t. The silence irritated me more than the messages themselves. Because silence meant confidence. Whoever this was… they weren’t scared of being found. And somehow.... That annoyed me more than it should. I dropped my phone onto the desk beside my bed and leaned back into the chair, rubbing slowly at my temple. The rooftop photo stayed open on my phone screen. Bright against the darkness of my apartment. Mocking me.....I should’ve deleted it or probably blocked the number. and Moved on but instead......I kept looking. My eyes narrowed slightly as I zoomed in again. The lighting in the picture was soft. Warm. Golden city lights bleeding into the background. I tried remembering everything thing about that night,the music, The wind the alcohol I told myself I should stop taking..... e
Nicole pov The car refuse to start. My hands stayed on the steering wheel, fingers curled just enough to feel something solid something real like if I let go, even for a second, everything else might slip with it. The car was too quiet. The kind of quiet that makes your thoughts louder than they should be. My phone just won't stop buzzing. “…not yet,” I whispered. My voice felt small. I turned my head slowly, staring at the phone like it had personally decided to ruin my life. “…you’re very committed,” I muttered. “I’ll give you that. I reached for it. Then grabbed it. Unknown number. Of course. I opened it. Not a video this time. A photo. My brows pulled together slightly. “…that’s new.” For a second, I didn’t recognize it. It was dim. Soft lighting. A table.Two figures One sitting the other One standing. Then... My breath caught. “No…” I leaned closer, my fingers tightening around the phone. It was me. But not the me now, it's t
Nicole’s POVThe hallway felt longer on the way out.Or maybe it was just me….walking too fast in heels that suddenly sounded too loud, too sharp, like they were announcing everything I didn’t want anyone to notice.I kept my face straight.Chin up. Eyes forward.Like I hadn’t just stood in that office and almost…..No.We don’t finish that sentence.The elevator dinged.Too bright,but too slow I stepped in, pressing the button harder than necessary.The doors slid shut, and the second they did..I exhaled.Just… air leaving my body like it had been trapped there all morning.My reflection stared back at me from the mirrored walls.Perfect.Hair in place. Lipstick untouched. Not a single crack in sight.Except…. for my hand lifted slightly.Faint crescent marks pressed into my palm.I let out a small, humorless laugh.“Very composed, Nicole,” I muttered under my breath. “Truly inspiring performance.”The elevator hummed downward.And then… probably because apparently my brain enjoys cha
Raphael’s POVThe door closed behind her.She didn't stopped just inside.She didn't speak nor sit she just stood.I walked past her.Set my phone on the desk.Straightened a file that didn’t need it.“Sit.”Then the quiet scrape of chair legs.She was already composed.Back straight Hands resting together. Eyes steady.My gaze drifted to her left cheek.Her fingers pressed tighter against each other,Barely noticeable,Unless you were looking.I leaned back against the desk.Keeping distance.“Who was she?“My stepmother.”“She comes here often?”“No.”Silence settled between us.She didn’t fill it.Didn’t look away either.My hand slipped into my pocket Pulled out my phone.“You caused a scene last night.” “I didn't cause anything I only handled it”“You call that handled?”“I said I handled it!!.”I unlocked the screen. But I Didn’t show her yet.“And him?“Don’t.”I ignored it.“Did he hit you?”Then?“I’m not discussing my family with you.”“This stopped being just family when half
Nicole’s POV The room didn’t just go quiet. Like every breath, every whisper, every curious glance had been suspended midair the second Raphael spoke. “What seems to be the issue here?” His voice wasn’t loud. But it was enough for everyone to hear. Clara moved first. Her entire posture softened, like she had been waiting for this exact moment….for an audience that mattered. “Oh, nothing serious,” she said smoothly, her tone light, almost pleasant. “I just came to speak with Nicole, my beloved stepdaughter and to apologize for what happened yesterday.” Apologize? That word sat wrong in my chest.we all know that Clara is not one to apologize. I didn’t look at her. Because if I did, I knew exactly what I’d see: that carefully crafted expression, that controlled softness that fooled everyone who didn’t know her. Raphael didn’t respond immediately.the shift in the air as his attention moved. From her To me. I forced myself to meet his gaze. But I know that was a very big m







