Rick’s POVI was at Patrick's house, gathered with my friends and their parents when the girls arrived, very excited and telling us about all the things they had already bought at that store they went to."Nothing unusual happened during this outing, pretty girl? Nothing I need to worry about?" I asked Ana. I was concerned about that SUV Douglas had seen, but I noticed her exchange of glances with Melissa."Not a thing, sweetheart! The most unusual part was the absurd amount of money I spent on a table, but Rick, it's perfect!" Anabel answered cheerfully, but something told me I should talk to the security guards."And you, Flavian, don't you have anything to tell us?" Melissa quickly drew everyone's attention to Flavian."You know I do, Mel!" Flavian smiled at her. "We caught the hacker who was reposting Anabel's videos online.""I can't believe it! You got him? Will those videos stop appearing?" Anabel sat on the edge of the sofa to listen, quite excited."Look, nothing ever complete
Ilana's POVAfter thinking it over for a long time, I already knew what I needed to do. Isidore had given me the motivation I needed, and I would get rid of two problems at once. I already had everything under control. The only thing missing was a new hacker to help me upload the videos online without anyone finding out it was me. Maybe Vivian knew someone."Ilana? Girl, what are you doing here? Come in!" Vivian was surprised when she opened the door and saw me standing there on her doorstep, since we always took great care not to be seen together."What the hell did you do to your hair?" I asked, seeing the pink tone in that chin-length bob with bangs across her forehead."Oh, you like it? Modern, right? My sugar daddy loved it!" Vivian turned her head from side to side, showing it off."No, I don't like it at all! It looks nothing like Anabel's hair," I complained. This would be a problem."Oh, but why would I want to have the same hair as that boring Anabel? That dull girl never cha
Anabel's POVThe decor shop we visited was stunning, and I was thrilled by all the options. Sam helped me define a color palette starting with terracotta, featuring lots of browns, chocolate, and olive green accents throughout the house.I had fallen completely in love with an enormous solid wood table. The tabletop was made of light, glossy wood that must have been at least six inches thick. It had legs carved with flowers and was surrounded by thirty wooden chairs, each with a different backrest pattern, each with its own personality, no two were alike.While the girls got distracted debating which sofas would best complement the house, I returned to that gigantic table and imagined a huge family seated around it, sharing a warm meal and plenty of affection. There would be no arguments, I wanted that table and the large, loving family I had always dreamed of gathered around it.But suddenly, a hand over my mouth startled me and yanked me back to reality. I was roughly pulled toward t
Rick’s POVI wasn't entirely comfortable with Anabel going out, but she wasn't a prisoner and I had no right to take away her pleasure of having fun with her friends. So I did the only thing I could, to asked her to be careful and gave orders to the security guards to stay glued to her.Our house had indeed become a fortress, with a surveillance system that didn't leave even the smallest blind spot in the outside area, a guardhouse with security twenty-four hours a day, guards at strategic points all along the wall, electrified fence, alarms… everything an efficient security system requires. It would be impossible to sneak in there. This reassured me, and then I went to Patrick's house."Oh, look who's here, Marisol! Uncle Rick!" Patrick greeted me with his daughter in his arms.She gave me a cute little smile and grabbed her father's neck. She was such a beautiful little girl, with those big dark eyes and curly hair, skin in a café au lait tone, and that easy smile that drew smiles fr
Anabel’s POVThe week had flown by after I returned to work. I was loving the office, seeing the girls every day and feeling like part of the group. But I was also anxious about everything I was waiting to happen: the DNA results, the move to the new house, the outcome of the investigations Flavian and Melissa were conducting. I felt like everything was moving too slowly, and Rick kept saying it was just my anxiety, that I needed to calm down."Good morning, pretty girl! It's Saturday morning, why aren't you in bed with me?" Rick hugged me from behind and kissed my neck, making me regret getting out of bed so early.I had woken up very early and couldn't get back to sleep, so I left the bed and went to the kitchen. I was sitting at the counter, staring into space with a cup of coffee in my hands and my thoughts all jumbled, when he arrived."We could go back to bed," I suggested, and he smiled."Yeah, we could. Or we could go out and check on the security upgrades Douglas made at our h
Ilana’s POVHow could I have been such an idiot! Isidore had played me, and he was doing whatever he wanted with me. He hadn't been able to stop Vladimir from turning me in, and he was still blackmailing me, threatening to pin the whole story on the old man if I didn't do everything he wanted. And worse, when the nerd's story reached the old man's ears, I'd be screwed! I needed to find a way to get rid of Isidore. Maybe I could get rid of him and pin the blame on Anabel. I needed to think of a solution.And to make matters worse, besides dealing with my own problems, my mother still thought I had to help with hers. I don't know what got into her head to send me that message, telling me to go to her lover's house and explain that she couldn't come see him. But she added "I'll pay" at the end of the message, which convinced me.I parked and got out of the car, rang the intercom and waited."Who is it?" The gruff male voice startled me."Irina sent me," I answered, and the gate opened.I