Orrin’s POVI leaned back in my chair, watching Bridget carefully across the small table that had a bottle of wine and glass cups on them.I had just listened to her spill just enough to make Aaliyah finally stop seeing me as the villain. But I wasn’t going to stop there. I needed it all, every single piece of her confession.I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table. “I’m glad you still remember the truth,” my voice stayed calm though inside me, every nerve was tight. “Even though you actually tried to use the fake story against me despite knowing the truth.”Her face stiffened and she let out a small sigh, almost exasperated. “Why are you bringing that up now, Orrin? It’s not like I was serious. I only wanted you to come back to me.”I didn’t blink. “And since that didn’t work, you drugged me?”The bluntness in my tone must’ve startled her, because she frowned, shifting uncomfortably on her seat. Her fingers tapped lightly on the wine glass in front of her, her eyes no
Orrin’s POVI watched the detective walk away with Henry’s phone clutched in his hand as though it were a treasure chest. The man gave one final nod before slipping into his car, promising Aaliyah that he would work as fast as possible. His engine came to life and disappeared into the distance, leaving behind a silence that pressed heavily on us.Aaliyah turned without a word, her black dress swaying softly against the night breeze, and walked toward her car. She pulled the door open, clearly ready to leave.I stepped forward. “Wait.”She froze, turned back, her brows lifting. “If you’re about to tell me you’ll drive me home again like a chauffeur, don’t bother. I wasn't going to stop you from doing that anyways.”The distance in her tone struck something inside me, but I swallowed it back and shook my head. “That’s not why I stopped you.”She exhaled, tired already, her arms crossing. “I thought you promised me space after the funeral?”A corner of my mouth curved upward though t
Aaliyah’s POV I stared at my reflection in the mirror, and for a moment, I almost didn’t recognize the woman looking back at me.My eyes were swollen, guarded with dark circles that no amount of water or makeup could hide. My skin looked pale, tired, and drawn, like I hadn’t rested in weeks. Maybe I hadn’t. Sleep had stopped visiting me since that night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Henry falling. I saw Aurora’s face twisted with hatred before she let go. I saw fire swallowing everything in our house and still remember how my heart almost burst out of my chest as I thought about Elias still sleeping while the fire came closer.My chest rose and fell shakily. I pressed my hand against the cool edge of a table, trying to steady myself.A soft creak came from the door, and when I turned, Mary stepped in. She was pushing Elias in his baby stroller. His tiny legs kicked happily, his chubby hands waving around as if the world hadn’t just almost shattered days ago.“Breakfast is read
Aaliyah’s POVI didn’t know how long I sat frozen. My eyes darted from Henry’s body sprawled on the ground to the person who fired the shot. My heart stopped when I saw her.Aurora.Her chest rose and fell fast, her gun still pointed in my direction, smoke curling from the barrel. Her eyes… there was shock in them, maybe even grief, but I didn’t believe it. Not for a second. She had fucking just tried to kill me bur Henry…“No…” I whispered, my lips trembling.I dropped to my knees and scrambled toward Henry. His blood was pooling beneath him, dark and thick, soaking his shirt. I pressed my hands against the wound as if I could stop it, as if my palms could hold in his life.“Henry, no. Please, please don’t die. Not like this.” My voice cracked.His eyes fluttered open, heavy with pain. He coughed, his lips trembling into the ghost of a smile. “Aaliyah…”Tears blurred my sight. “Don’t talk. Just hold on. We’ll get help. You’ll be fine, you’ll see—”He shook his head weakly. “Listen… m
Aaliyah’s POVI didn’t even know when the gasp left my lips. One moment, my breath was steady, the next it was lodged in my throat as if someone had wrapped both hands around my neck. My eyes blurred, tears gathering without my permission.My son.He was in Aurora’s arms. Sleeping, unaware, innocent.And Aurora… she stood there with that dirty little smirk on her face, proud of herself like she’d won the war. My heart sank to the pit of my stomach, a prayer bursting inside me before I could think.Please… please, God, save my son. Take me instead. Just don’t take him.Orrin moved forward instinctively, his broad shoulders tense, his jaw clenched. But Aurora’s voice cut through the air like a blade.“Don’t take another step if you know what’s good for you.”Her tone was dripping with venom, calm but commanding. And Orrin—he actually stopped.My chest tightened as my eyes flew back to my son. My son in her arms. Every second she held him was agony, like knives carving at my insides. I
The sun was sinking lower, bleeding orange and crimson across the sky as we pulled up to the mansion. My men had done their job. By the time Aaliyah and I stepped out of the car, most of John’s guards who had been stationed outside were already on the ground, tied up, beaten, or groaning in pain. The air reeked of gunpowder and sweat.The place looked like old money—tall iron gates, a driveway lined with trimmed hedges, pillars standing proud at the front. Whoever owned it thought themselves untouchable. Tonight, I was going to prove them wrong.I glanced at Aaliyah. Her eyes were fixed on the mansion, hard and unblinking, her body stiff like she was preparing to walk into hell itself.“This part is mine,” I told her firmly. My voice carried more command than suggestion. “You stay here. I’ll go in with the men, clear everything, and bring Elias out to you.”She turned to me immediately, her jaw tight, her hands balled into fists at her sides. “Don’t start this here, Orrin. That’