LOGINARIELLA Sia smiled at us briefly, then turned her attention back towards Leon. Maria was already setting the table, moving quietly, but her eyes lifted to me for just a second. Leon was still talking. Still laughing, completely happy and at ease with everything. “Mom, sit here,” he said, pulling
ARIELLA I walked in. Leon was still at the desk, though now he was writing, his tongue slightly peeking out the side of his mouth in concentration. Sia sat across from him, watching, not interrupting. Just… there. Present. “Mom,” Leon said without looking up, “I’m writing now, you shouldn't inter
ARIELLA We went quiet for a moment, neither of us saying anything. The air seemed to shift, less playful, more real. Asher leaned back slightly in his chair, watching me like he was trying to read something I hadn’t said out loud. “You’re quiet,” he noted. “I’m thinking.” “About what?” “About
ARIELLA When I finally walked out of Leon’s study, I felt a lot better about the decision I had made. So I decided to go into Asher’s office. I lightly knocked, even though the door was partially open, and peeked inside. Asher was on the phone And the moment he saw me, he smiled and motioned for
ARIELLA When Asher walked out, I must have fallen asleep from the exhaustion, because when I felt his arms on my shoulders, telling me he was here to feed me, I thought he was joking about the feeding part. But then, it turns out....He wasn’t. Because as soon as I sat up on the bed, he held the s
ARIELLA When Asher walked out, I must have fallen asleep from the exhaustion, because when I felt his arms on my shoulders, telling me he was here to feed me, I thought he was joking about the feeding part. But then, it turns out....He wasn’t. Because as soon as I sat up on the bed, he held the s
I’m just so tired today. So I decided to put Leon to bed early. I don’t know why I’m so tired. Maybe it’s because I had been waiting till very late at night, thinking that Asher was just gonna show up. Which is very stupid, considering we all know that he hasn’t shown up. I have just been prolonging
This was different. This seemed serious. When I stepped inside, my mother was already there, standing beside him. My father was seated in his chair, his face tired, and worn down. My mother, on the other hand, was practically beaming. Two completely different reactions. Unease brewed inside me. T
His grip tightened. With each struggle, with each desperate attempt to push him away, his fingers pressed deeper into my throat. My lungs burned, my vision blurred, and I realized— I was going to die. Here. Like this. Beneath him. Panic seized me. I couldn’t die. I couldn’t. Leon—he needed me.
I had no idea what that was. I had no idea what just happened. But I knew of one thing... Today was just a taste of what my future was going to look like. In the morning, I realized that Asher had left some marks on my neck, so I had to apply makeup so Leon wouldn't notice. True to his words, Mar







