I reached for the light switch, hoping to turn on the power— but a strong grip caught my wrist. And just as I lit up the room, there he was. Shawn. Already an inch from my face. I froze thinking he was drunk. But the wetness on his skin... and the sharpness in his eyes told another story. “Hey—let go of me,” I said, slipping out from under his arm. But before I could grab the door handle, he yanked my wrist again—hard—pulling me against his chest. “Why can’t you understand?” he growled. “I’m in love with you. Why can’t you see—every time I see you with him, my blood boils.” His hand tangled in my hair, gripping it too rough. Too desperate. “No, Shawn!!,” I snapped. “Why can’t you understand? That the "him" is the only reason I’m still alive. When you left me behind to protect your reputation, he walked away from a billion-dollar empire—just to stand beside me.” Shawn still didn't flinch. “So it’s still about that old story of deserting you?” he said bit
DING-DONG. The doorbell rang just as I stepped out of the shower. My hair was still damp. My skin still wet. From the way the person rang the bell, it either meant we were being invaded—or the delivery driver came back for her tip. So I tiptoed toward the door, wrapped in a towel, and peeked through the peephole. “Hello!! Who’s there?” I asked. “It’s us, c’mon! Open the door—quickly!” a voice shouted back. And that wasn’t just any voice. It was Shawn and Darlington. Together. I froze. Because I was only in a towel. If it were just Darlington, I might’ve risked it—but Shawn? Standing right beside him? Oh, heck no. I was just about to tiptoe away and pretend I didn’t hear a thing... When they both shouted for help. “Open up! We need help!” And just like that—against all dignity and shame—I yanked the door open. As I yanked the door open there they were. Darlington, wide-eyed, holding a giant duffel bag like he was running from a crime scene. Shawn, in an unbuttoned d
The next morning wasn’t what I expected. Not at all. Especially not when I had once been Diane’s nanny—back in the days when she would cling to me like we were conjoined. But this morning? I woke up on the sofa, the blanket was still wrapped around me, but... she wasn’t there. My heart skipped. I sat up instantly, blinking at the empty space beside me. The pillow we’d thrown across the room was neatly placed back. The blanket tucked at the corners. But Diane? Gone. “Diane?” I called, standing quickly. All I received was an echo of silence. No giggles. No footsteps. No sound. I checked the living room. Empty. The garden. Still nothing. Her room. No sign. By now, panic had started to crawl up my spine like cold fingers. My hands reached for my phone to call Shawn. The worst thoughts were already clawing at my brain. But something stopped me. The living room… It didn’t look like how we left it last night. The popcorn crumbs? They were gone. T
The first three days felt like a never-ending game of cards.Not poker. Not blackjack.Something crueler.A game with no dealer. No rules. And I was always one card short.There were twists.Like the night Diane almost called me “Mom.”“Mom—”She’d whispered it as she reached out toward her night lantern. Just one syllable. One fragile breath.Then she stopped herself.Paused mid-reach like her throat had caught fire.And walked barefoot across the room to switch it on herself.She didn’t say another word.Didn’t even glance my way.That half-spoken word? It was the closest I had come to winning.But the game wasn’t over.There was suspense.The kind that crept in on quiet mornings when I’d put on her favorite cartoon—Planet of Princess.The intro alone used to make her dance like her bones were made of gum.I remember her yelling from the top of the stairs:“Renzy! Renzy! It’s starting! Don’t stay late or you’ll miss her magic twirl!”And now?Now she barely blinked. Just glanced at
"What happened, Renzy? Why aren't you talking? Is it about Elly? Trust me… she's nice. Just like you.""Diane, no!!! She isn't nice! And what happened to what I told you a million times? Don't ever follow strangers! It’s all because of you we had to go through so much stress! Now Elly is your new mom? She's not just your 'new mom'—she’s a villain. A terrible villain, I say!"After roaring this, I couldn't even feel my heart.I only felt like a new person—Not the one who wouldn’t even scold Diane,Even if she came out last in class."I'mmmm sorry for not listening to you. I'm realllly sorry, Mam. It won't repeat itself…" Diane whimpered, her voice broken."No, baby. I'm sorry. I just let go of my cool. You know I would never ever shout at you.""It's me who should be sorry, Miss Rennie. I promise I will never disturb you again."From the way Diane began to whimper so silently…All those apologies didn’t mean remorse.They meant regret.Regret for ever trusting me the first day I walk
Just as Eloise took off her coat, what we saw made our blood freeze and clot.It wasn’t just a coat.Beneath it, she wore a full Nigel-grade bulletproof vest, black as night—custom-fit, casual, but terrifying. Tucked into the vest were two compact guns, locked and ready. She looked more like a trained assassin than someone doing petty crime through kidnapping.Then—she shifted Diane behind her.We couldn’t see her anymore.Only Darlington, Shawn, and I had a full view. She was shielding Diane, like she knew Diane always got terrified at the sight of guns.Even with all the fury rushing through our blood, none of us dared to fire. Not if there was even a 1% chance it could hit Diane.Before we could blink—A black sedan pulled up to the edge of the alley, headlights off, engine purring like a villain’s entrance cue.Eloise didn’t hesitate. She grabbed Diane’s wrist, whispering something in her ear.Then she said it aloud—loud enough for us to hear:“Get in, baby. Just like we practiced