LOGINMONIQUEI lifted my glass slowly, “To life,” I said quietly.“To us being here,” he echoed. “And to having you here,” he added again, softer this time.Our glasses touched with a gentle clink.I took a sip, letting the wine settle me, letting the warmth spread through my chest. Marcus leaned back in his chair, one arm resting along the railing, the other holding his glass loosely, as if he wasn’t trying to impress me or rush anything, just be here with me.“Stop overthinking everything,” he said after a moment.I exhaled slowly. “I feel like I am expected to have Answers. Make Decisions and Explanations. And I don’t even know where to begin.”“You don’t have to begin tonight,” he said calmly. “Tonight can just be… this.”I pulled the blanket closer around myself like a shield before I opened my mouth again.“My aunt thinks I’m rushing,” I admitted. “She thinks I’m running from one thing straight into another.”Marcus didn’t react defensively. He never did. He just listened.“And what
MONIQUEI swallowed, trying to gather whatever patience I had left, but my aunt’s eyes were sharp, unblinking, already drilling into me like she was two seconds away from exploding.“Auntie…” I began, but she lifted her hand, stopping me.“No. Don’t ‘Auntie’ me.” Her voice had that tight, trembling edge, “Yesterday you disappeared for hours, today you slept the entire afternoon, and now you’re wandering around the estate in the dark like a ghost. You don’t answer me, you don’t sit with me, you don’t tell me anything anymore. I’m your aunt, Monique. I’m supposed to know what’s going on with you.”I sighed. “Nothing is going on with me. I just....”“Don’t lie.” She stepped forward. “You’ve been....distant. And now you are glued to Marcus....”“I’m not glued to Marcus.” My voice rose, before I could help it.Her eyebrows shot up. “Really? Because the way you follow him around, the way you two disappear....”“We don’t disappear,” I said, frustrated.“—and the way you’ve suddenly forgotten
MONIQUEMarcus smiles.“Well, not exactly a gift. But something I think you need.” He held out a box.“You… bought me a phone?” I ask, surprise filled in my tone.“Yes. A brand-new one. You didn’t have a phone, and there was no way to reach you unless I called the house. I just thought you should have something of your own.”“Thank you.” I hugged him, fully, gratefully. “Thank you so much.”“You’re welcome.”But as I opened the box, a cold memory of Ryan poured over me.“So… is it new?” I asked.“Yes—why?”“No reason.”“There’s a reason,” he pushed gently. “Tell me.”“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “Ryan gave me a phone before after he kidnapped me and… he used it to listen to me. Track me. I just....”“It’s fine,” Marcus said immediately. “One second.”He suddenly reached out and took the phone from me.“What are you doing?” I asked.“We’ll go tomorrow and buy you the phone you choose. Whatever brand you want, whatever it costs. Or the driver can take you. You don’t even have to come with
MONIQUEI sighed before I continued,“He told me about you accusing him of trying to get me to divorce Ryan,” I said firmly. “I already told you, I do not want to be with Ryan. I do not want to be married to him a second longer. It wasn’t Marcus’s decision, and you still went and confronted him.”“Is that what he told you?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.“He didn’t tell me the exact words you used,” I admitted. “But he told me you used some big words.”I took a breath and steadied myself. I didn't want to upset her but I was also really upset at her.“Look… I know just because Marcus saved our lives doesn’t mean we owe him everything or that he’s entitled to know every detail about us. But I would really like it if you didn’t shove it in his face that we didn’t trust him....because honestly? He’s the only one who has our back right now.”“If you’re looking for someone to have our back, there’s Mr Smith,” she countered. “He’s a lawyer. I’m sure, with that worth of yours...he can give u
MONIQUE Detective Mark finally stopped the recording.“Thank you, Ms Moffat,” he said sincerely. “Your statement is detailed. This will move the case forward... I will also contact Detective Hernandez to get a picture of the case.”Patrick nodded, rising beside me, and shook hands with the detective. Then, he placed a reassuring hand on my back as we left the room.Aunt Jane stood the moment she saw us walking out. Patrick gave her a calm nod.“Your turn, ma’am. I’ll be right beside you.”Àunt jane nodded as she clutched her handbag tighter but followed him inside.Detective Mark walked me back toward the front of the station, and the moment Marcus saw me, he quickly stood up and walked toward me, relief washing over his face.He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a warm, protective embrace. A soft kiss on my temple.“I’m so proud of you,” he whispered.“It was just a statement,” I muttered, embarrassed by how shaky my body still was.“I know. But I know how hard this was fo
MONIQUEPatrick rose from his seat, smoothing a hand over his tie, the decision already made.“Alright,” he said calmly, “I’ve already contacted the lead officer. They’re expecting us at the station.”I blinked. “Us?”“Yes.” His tone firmed. “I will accompany you. Both of you.” His gaze moved to Aunt Jane. “Mrs Aster, you are now officially under my protection as a secondary client.”Aunt Jane nodded, visibly relieved.“And Marcus?” I asked quietly.Patrick turned to him. His tone softened with respect, but with boundaries.“Marcus, you’re not part of the legal case, so you don’t need to give a statement today. However,” he offered a polite nod, “you are welcome to accompany them for moral support. But once we reach the station, the legal process will involve only Monique and her aunt.”Marcus accepted that with a quiet nod, as if he had already been expecting that. Patrick continued, voice steady and author







