ANMELDEN~Nyx~Nine hours earlier...I tuck my hands deeper into my coat, shoulders slightly hunched as I stand on the veranda overlooking the lake.It’s one of those places people romanticize.Wooden rails. Soft lights lining the edges. The quiet ripple of water stretching endlessly into darkness.During the day, couples lean here, laughing softly, tossing coins, making wishes like the world is kind enough to grant them.At night?It feels… colder.I stare into the black surface of the water, watching the faint shimmer of light distort with every ripple.“Why am I even here…” I mutter under my breath, exhaling a cloud of mist.This better be worth my time.Because if she dragged me out in the middle of the night for something stupid, I swear I will—Footsteps approach from behind.I pause.I don’t turn immediately. I let whoever the hell it is come closer, let the silence stretch just enough to be uncomfortable.Then I pivot.And there she is.Sara. Jane.I smirk instantly, tilting my head as
~Sara~Celine steps forward immediately."This is ridiculous," she snaps. "Jeremy, you’re blinded. Of course you’d defend her."Jason laughs.Celine turns to him, eyes flashing. "What’s so funny?"He tilts his head, smirking faintly. "Just wondering if you hear yourself when you talk.""At least I’m not delusional," she shoots back.Jeremy chuckles under his breath, then glances at Linda. "Delusional, huh? Is that what we’re calling it now?"Celine stiffens. "What does that mean?"Jeremy’s smirk widens, dangerous. "Nothing. Just interesting how certain reputations don’t change. I mean, I’m aware she was popular among the boys in high school."Linda’s face turns pale."You’re lying," she shouts at Jeremy. "You’re just trying to protect her! She kidnapped me, and now she’s using you to destroy me too!"She covers her face and starts shedding crocodile tears.Alex’s expression hardens immediately.My heart drops.She’s getting to him.Celine rushes to Linda, wrapping an arm around her."
~Sara~"I... I don't know..." Celine mutters, eyes flickering as she stumbles back. "She might have done that to get Alex's attention. Pose as the hero who saved Linda.""And yet," Sandra cuts in, stepping forward like she’s ready to bulldoze through every lie in the room, "all four of us were kidnapped.""If Sara masterminded Linda's kidnapping," Sandra continues, louder now, turning in a slow circle so everyone hears her, "why kidnap us and herself too? Alex found all four of us tied up in that basement. And let’s not forget..."She crosses her arms, chin lifting toward Linda with open disdain. "Linda wasn’t tied up. She was standing beside Isabelle Monroe the whole time."Murmurs tear through the crowd."Well… she could’ve kidnapped you all to appear innocent," someone mutters from the back."Yes!" another voice jumps in quickly. "Throw everyone off her scent!"Sandra groans like she’s physically in pain. "God, are you people actually hearing yourselves?""You know what?" She lifts
~Sara~Black spots burst across my vision.I kick my legs in the air, scratching at his arm, desperate for release.Nothing.I drag, scratch, claw at his arm—anything to stop the damn bastard from strangling me to death.Nothing.His grip only tightens, his eyes darkening with rage as his fingers clamp harder around my throat.“Le… let go of me, Alex,” I stutter between gasps, struggling for air.He barely listens. If anything, his grip tightens further, like he wants to snuff the life out of me.“You’re hurting her, Alex! Fucking let her go!” Sandra lunges forward, grabbing at his arm.Alex only tightens his hold, looking like he’s about to kill me any second.“Shit!” Sandra curses, pulling back, breathless.The lobby echoes with murmurs. Everyone dissects what’s happening.The press eats it up, cameras flashing from every angle, searching for the perfect shot, the perfect scandal.I gasp, barely able to breathe now.Celine moves to Linda, shielding her from the crowd and settling at
~Sara~I crumple the photograph so hard it cuts into my palm.I knew they were going to come at me hard, but this... I crush the picture tighter... this is low. Even for them.Around me, the lobby explodes into chaos.Staff members scramble across the floor, grabbing scattered photos. Reporters shove against security, forcing their way inside. The televisions mounted on the walls scream breaking news, painting me as some twisted monster who enjoys ruining lives.Jason lunges forward and snatches one of the photos off the ground. He stares at it.His eyes widen. Then they snap to me.My lips press into a thin line.He, Mira, and Sandra aren’t in the picture.Those manipulative bitches edited them out and left only me.“Sara Jane!” a reporter shrieks, shoving a microphone in my face as they break past security and flood the room. “Did you kidnap Linda Monroe?”“Was Isabelle Monroe framed?” another yells.“Where was this taken?”“Were you holding her hostage for ten years?”“Did jealousy
~Sara~ I sit across from 'Mrs. Steel-Gray Glasses', because her actual name has never once mattered more than those terrifying spectacles. They rest halfway down her nose like two polished threats. She studies a sheet of paper in front of her. My apology letter. Eight thousand handwritten words of humiliation, lies, and repetitive remorse. My wrist may never recover. She adjusts the glasses. The room somehow grows colder. “So,” she says, voice clipped enough to trim hedges. “When you wrote Miss Quinn shines with a radiance I failed to appreciate, were you sincere?” I blink. "Emotionally? No.” Her eyes rise slowly. I clear my throat. “I mean... yes. Professionally sincere.” She writes something down. That cannot be good. She flips a page. “And here, where you state, I deeply regret any emotional discomfort caused to Miss Quinn’s delicate ecosystem. Explain.” I fold my hands in my lap. “That was metaphorical growth.” “Growth?” “Yes. I’m very committed to he
~SARA~Morning.The maids move quietly around the dining room, placing plates of eggs, toast and fruits in front of everyone like yesterday's dinner hadn't ended in chaos.Jason and Mira sit opposite Alex and I, their backs straight, faces stiff. Mira doesn’t look at me. Jason avoids everyone’s ey
~SARA~The dining room behind me—at the other section of the hall—buzzes with activity as the servants set the cutlery on the table.I sit on the edge of a velvet couch, hands folded in my lap, eyes drifting aimlessly around the room.The whole place screams money. Velvet couches, a chandelier over
~SARA~I couldn't believe my eyes. "M… Mira?” I stutter.“Yes!” She squeals, swinging from side to side like a child handed candy, eyes bouncing between Alex and me. "It's me. In the flesh."I blink. “Wh–What are you doing here?” She waves a hand at me dismissively, squealing. “Oh, don’t be a dum
~SARA~I stare at him, blinking. "Sir, I think," Sandra says to him, glancing at me. "The creative marketing department is doing just fine. Miss Jane is the best marketing agent I have. I don't think Mira and Kayla would be of much help.""Both my daughters have degrees in marketing." Mrs Catherin







