LOGINKarma's POVBy evening, I realized I couldn't do it anymore.I couldn't keep pretending that the atmosphere between Noah and me wasn't getting to me.All day, we had existed in the same apartment, sometimes sitting only a few feet apart, yet it felt like there was an invisible wall between us. He had apologized earlier, and I appreciated it. I really did.But an apology couldn't magically erase the tension. It couldn't make me forget the way he had behaved on his birthday.It couldn't make me stop wondering what had suddenly changed.And it certainly couldn't make the silence between us disappear.I had spent most of the day trying not to think about it. I watched television, sorted through some work documents, answered a few messages and even attempted to read a book but nothing worked.Every few minutes, I would catch myself glancing in Noah's direction.He was sitting at the dining table with his laptop open, typing away. His expression was focused, but I could tell he wasn't entir
Karma's POVI woke up the next morning with one thing already decided, I was done asking. Not because I didn't care, not because I wasn't curious and definitely not because I didn't notice that something was wrong with Noah but I simply couldn't keep asking someone who clearly wasn't ready to answer.The room was quiet when I opened my eyes.For a few seconds, I stared at the ceiling, I took in the quietness of it all before everything started rushing back, the birthday, surprise party, the awkward drive home, argument, his repeated insistence that he was fine and the way he had turned his back to me before falling asleep as though nothing had happened.But one thing that brought a slight smile to my face was that I am engaged to be married to him. That seemed like the only reconciliation to it all.I slowly turned my head, Noah was still asleep beside me, his face looked peaceful, completely different from the tense expression he'd worn the previous night and I watched him for a few
Karma's POVThe drive home was nothing like the drive to his parents' house.Noah drove this time, his hands resting firmly on the steering wheel as he kept his eyes on the road. The city lights passed across his face every few seconds, briefly illuminating his expression before disappearing again. He barely spoke.I sat quietly beside him for a while, hoping he would eventually say something on his own. He didn't. I looked at him. "Are you tired?""Yes."Just one word, I waited a few seconds before i asked again. "Did you enjoy the party?""Yes."Another one, I sighed softly. "You don't sound like you enjoyed it.""I did." I turned toward the window.There was no point asking questions if he was going to answer them like this.For several minutes, the only sound inside the car was the soft hum of the engine and the occasional noise from the road outside, I stole another glance at him just to see that his jaw was tense.His expression remained unreadable, I knew that face.Something w
Karma's POVThe room was still buzzing with excitement, but Noah remained strangely quiet.He had thanked everyone and had smiled when people hugged him. He had even laughed at a few of Ethan and Lily's jokes.But I knew him, and Noah wasn't happy, at least not truly.He was cordial, polite even, but there was a distance in his eyes that hadn't been there earlier that day. I watched him from across the room as Eleanor approached him and wrapped her arms around him. "Happy birthday, my son.""Thank you, Mum." She pulled back and held his face between her palms. "I hope you're not angry with me."He smiled faintly. "Of course not.""You don't look convinced.""I am fine."I almost sighed, that was the same answer he always gave whenever something was wrong. Fine.Ethan suddenly appeared beside them with a grin. "Well, birthday boy, you can't possibly spend the whole evening looking like someone just sentenced you to life imprisonment."Noah gave him a flat look. "Would you prefer I cry?
Noah's POVI still couldn't believe she had said yes. Even hours later, the words continued to replay in my head.Yes... Yes, I'll marry you.I had imagined hearing those words from Karma more times than I was willing to admit, but somehow, hearing them for real had felt completely different.She was going to marry me.Karma.The woman who had spent so long convincing herself that marriage wasn't something she wanted, the woman who had spent years building walls around herself and carefully guarding every vulnerable part of her heart.She had looked at me that morning and chosen me. I couldn't stop smiling.I had caught myself staring at her several times throughout the day, probably more than I should have, but every time I did, the same thought came back.She said yes, I was going to marry this woman. It was easily the best birthday gift I could have ever received. Which was ironic because I had never cared much for birthdays.In fact, I had never understood why people made such a b
Karma's POVThe rest of the day passed in a way I hadn't expected.It was supposed to be Noah's birthday, but somehow, I felt like I was the one receiving the gift.His happiness was impossible to miss.Ever since I had given him the plaque that morning, there had been a different light in his eyes. He smiled more, laughed more, and every few minutes, I would catch him looking at me as though he still couldn't believe what I had told him.I had said yes. I was going to marry him. And apparently, those words had changed something inside him.We spent most of the afternoon doing little things together, nothing extravagant.We watched movies, argued playfully over what to eat, walked around the house, and at one point, Noah insisted on taking me out for ice cream even though I reminded him that it was his birthday and he was supposed to be the one being spoiled."I don't need anything else," he said. "You say that now.""I already got the best birthday present." He looked directly at me.
Chapter 5The police car smelled like stale coffee and leather.Karma sat in the back seat, hands folded in her lap, watching the city pass through the tinted window. Buildings blurred into each other. Traffic lights, people walking in a hurry, an old woman walking a dog almost like she was crawli
Rosa's cleaning supplies fell to the floor and scattered. The spray bottle rolled across the carpet, leaving a trail of blue liquid running through the blood.The sound tore from her chest, echoing everywhere, filling the hallway as the once rowdy, loud and dirty hotel became empty that morning. S
Karma sat back in her booth, lifted her untouched drink, and watched her father drain his fourth glass of whiskey.Mia walked fast.She changed into something tighter—a red dress that barely covered anything. Reapplied her lipstick. Sprayed more perfume. Then catwalked straight to Marcus's table, l
Karma stood up so fast her chair had scraped against the floor. "Nurse," she called, stepping into the hallway. "I need you in here with the patient. Don't leave him alone. Not for any reason, not even if this building was collapsing."The nurse nodded and went inside.Karma walked straight to her







