The BennetsMrs. Bennett drove like a woman possessed, her hands gripping the wheel so tightly they ached. Every red light felt like an insult, every slow car in front of her felt like a personal attack. She kept dialing Ariana’s number over and over again, each time hearing that hollow, endless ringing until it went to voicemail.When she finally pulled into Ariana’s driveway, she barely put the car in park before she was out and rushing up to the front door. She knocked hard, then again, then pounded with her fist."Ariana!" she called, her voice sharp with panic.The door opened slowly. Ariana stood there, pale and looking shaken, as if she hadn’t slept."Where is he?" Mrs. Bennett demanded, pushing past her into the house before Ariana could even answer."In the guest room," Ariana said softly, her voice trembling. "But...."Mrs. Bennett was already down the hall, her heels clicking against the floor until she reached the closed door. She didn’t knock. She threw it open.Her breat
The BennetsMrs. Bennett’s heart stopped for a beat. Then it started pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears."On his knees?" she repeated, her voice low, almost a whisper."Yes," Lydia said with a shrug, as if this was the most normal thing in the world. "He loves her, Mom. And he’s finally doing what he should have done a long time ago. Shouldn't you be happy?"Mrs. Bennett’s hand gripped the back of the nearest chair, knuckles turning white. She wanted to scream, to shake Lydia, to tell her she had no idea what she was talking about."You think this is good news?" Mrs. Bennett said, her voice trembling with anger. "You think Ryan, running around on his knees, begging Ariana, is what he needs to be doing right now....when his company is under fire, when Monique is back in the picture, when everything we have worked for is hanging by a thread?""Yes," Lydia said simply, standing her ground. "Because Ariana is his wife. She is the mother of his child. If he loses her, then none
The BennetsThat day, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet tried everything to find Ryan, but nothing came of it. He wasn’t picking up his calls. He hadn’t gone to the office since the meeting at the police station. And he hadn’t been at home either.They called every one of his friends, but nobody had seen him. In the end, Mrs. Bennet even hired someone to look for him, but still, no definite answers came. As night fell, worry settled deep into her bones. They went to bed, but sleep never came.Hours later, Mrs. Bennet gave up on lying in bed. She slipped quietly into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water, her hands trembling slightly as she took a sip.Her husband followed, leaning against the doorway.“Not getting any sleep?” Mr. Bennet asked.“I can’t.” She set the glass on the counter with a quiet clink. Her face was pale, her eyes heavy, swollen from the stress. “I keep thinking about Ryan. Something doesn’t feel right. Something feels off.”“Stop getting all worked up for nothing,” M
The BennetsMrs. Bennett was still staring at Monique, her hands itching to do something she knew she shouldn’t. She wanted to reach over, grab, and strangle Monique until the girl lost all her strength. She was furious, a storm barely contained.“Come on, let’s go,” Mr. Bennett said sharply, trying to herd Mrs Bennett into the car. He knew she couldn’t act on her impulses, no matter how much she wanted to.Mrs Bennett got into the car quietly, and the moment Mr. Bennett followed, she exploded. “I don’t get what happened to that girl! Like....did she get an attitude transplant? Where’s the Monique who used to listen to me, who actually wanted Ryan with her? She’s gone rogue, completely! And now I have to figure out how to pull her back!”Mr. Bennett nodded along, his expression tight with unease. “I don’t get it either. How could she refuse to let us take her where she wanted to go?""That audacity… Did you see how arrogant she’s become? She doesn’t even listen to me anymore. I’ve lo
MONIQUE“Why are you talking like that? Please don’t do anything,” I said, my voice shaking slightly.He didn’t answer me. He only said, “So, where are you now? Are you heading home?”“No. That’s the last place I want to be,” I admitted. “I was wondering… if I can see you.”I expected him to immediately jump at the chance to be with me, but he stayed silent.“Marcus,” I pressed again when he didn’t answer.“I’m sorry to do this, precious, but I don’t think I should be around you right now.”“Why? What do you mean? Why are you talking like that?” I asked, my chest tightening.“When I see that handprint on your face, I just…” He trailed off, not adding anything more."So I was all on my own."“No, you’re not all on your own,” he said finally. “I’m still here. If you really need me, I will be there. But I just want you to know, I won't be great company. I’m still so, so mad that Ryan touched you.”“It's over. I reported him. And I… whenever I want to strangle him, I think of a few weeks
MONIQUEI walked beside Officer Perez, my steps measured, deliberate. My head was held high, though inside, everything was in shambles. Ryan had walked out with his lawyer, and they had left. That meant the police weren’t keeping him at the station overnight as Officer Perez had told me earlier. This meant something had changed.I could still feel Mrs. Bennett’s stare drilling into my back, sharp and accusing, but I didn’t care. Let her think whatever she wanted. My hands were clenched at my sides, fingers tight like fists, fighting to keep myself from fidgeting.I knew that now, things had shifted. Ryan must have said something. I didn’t know what it was, but maybe it had made the police officer question my statement. Or perhaps he and his mother had thrown enough doubts in my direction to rattle my account. Or maybe it was his counsel who had managed to get him out of the police station without further questioning.We approached the interview room we had used earlier. The familiar d