로그인The old man pulled me into the centre of the large room. His smile warm enough. His eyes danced alongside his widened lips.The new staff lined up even before I set foot into the living room—two security personnel to watch over the house and take a record of everything henceforth. Then the lady chef, who had introduced herself as Isabel, and a younger-looking lady, somewhere in her early twenties, as the janitor, her voice rattled on as she introduced herself as Mary. I managed a smile as Mr. Richard instructed them.“This is my daughter, Samantha,” he said lowly but firmly. My throat gulped at the sound of that. This whole new beginning with him still felt awkward. “I want you to make this a home for her while her sister, Victoria, is still out there.” Daughter? He had addressed me as his daughter. A Knot tightened in my chest. I could only imagine what this man was going through with everything that had happened. Seeing him keep up hope was breaking me. First it was his Elma, and
My entire body felt numb as I ended the call. I hadn't been able to say a word. The man’s voice had gone really low, breaking at some point. He was sorry. I couldn't count how many times he said that in a minute. He wanted me back at the penthouse. He had decided to lock it up for the time being and move back to his mansion, but that's if I didn't accept his plea.Sara's eyes softened as I dished out what we discussed to her. There was something about him, he never believed Victoria was dead. He believed she would come back. “Victoria is a Langford. We are not weak, we fight to finish. My princess would come back. If she were able to escape from Maria and Marcus, then she would make it back home. That I believe.” He said.Those were his exact words. I would say his faith was rubbing off on me already. Somehow my mind found an ounce of peace from his words.But he wants me back at the penthouse. He would hire more domestic staff to keep the house warm and lively while I manage Victor
My fingers bobbed. I felt a layer of skin beneath my hand. I tilted my neck slowly, gently pulling my eyelids that suddenly felt as heavy as lead. His messy hair reached my eyes first. I gulped.My mind had grown foggy, trying to remember what had happened last, and where I was before now. Then he sat up, face dull, eyes wide. A flicker sat in his eyes, as his lips parted slightly.My chest thumped hard against my ribs. Alex was here? Why was he sitting on a stool close to me in such a manner? “Hey, you're awake….” His blue eyes sank into my face. “You really scared me back there.” What?! What did he mean by that? What was he talking about? Then I shut my eyes tight, trying to recall what happened. My head throbbed so hard that I groaned low, and his palm flew to my forehead at once. Then he reached for my neck, bending halfway over me, the back of his palm warm against my skin, like he was checking out my temperature. Every move of his hand awakened a part of me I never knew exist
The wooden stairs creaked beneath me as I rushed up, one hand dragging along the railing for balance. My chest rose and fell too fast, like I had been running for miles instead of just climbing a short flight.I didn’t even know why I was running. But something about the way Alex had stood outside Sara’s door. Something about the way his eyes dimmed. It didn’t sit right. He wasn't here as Detective Thorne. He was here as Alex. The same man I avoided with everything in me.I reached the top and pushed the door open without slowing down. It banged lightly against the wall as I stepped into the small room.I took a few steps in, then stopped, turning in a slow circle like something might suddenly explain itself. My brows pulled together.Just yesterday, he had said he would call me in if he needed to ask more questions. His voice had been firm, distant, professional. That was what he was supposed to be.So why was he standing outside Sara’s door like that? Wait, how did he even find the
I sat across from Sara at the square table that served as a dining table at the foot of the wooden stairs. I hadn't realized how long I was lost in thought, eyes fixed on nothing in particular.The fork in my hand dug casually into the food before me, cold against my skin. The soft clatter against the plate reached my ears, but it sounded like the clinking of handcuffs dangling loosely from my hand a few hours back.Everything replayed in my mind. Mr. Richard's eyes were filled with shock, the way they darted wide, with the film in his hand. The way his eyes softened when they finally reached me. Suddenly he wanted to talk. He wanted to hear me out after Maria was pulled away. Maria stood there, shivering as the handcuffs were unbuckled from my hand and slung over hers. Tears left her eyes at once. Then an ugly laugh followed. Her voice still echoed in my head, loud and clear.“Ms. Maria Calcabrina, you're under arrest, for conspiracy, murder, and disappearance of Ms. Victoria Lang
Then he lifted his head. “Samantha Harper,” he read slowly, the name heavy on his lips.“My name,” I whispered under my breath before he even spoke. But the words still hit like a stone when they came out.The result showed my fingerprint on the knife, strength drained from my body instantly. My shoulders dropped back against the couch. Alex’s eyes darkened.The warmth that had been there earlier disappeared completely.Mr. Richard exploded.“Take her away immediately!” his voice thundered through the room. “If you don’t, I’ll report you for incompetence!”My voice finally pushed past my dry throat. I should say something. I needed to say something.“I never denied touching the knife, please hear me out” I begged. All eyes shifted toward me.“I did touch the knife… But I didn’t kill Victoria. I never used it to harm anyone.”A small cry broke from somewhere in the room. I turned my head slightly. Maria's voice rose even higher. Her hands covered her face as tears slipped down her chee
Cool air hit my eyes as I stepped out of the mansion gates. I tilted my left hand a little bit, it was already past six. The sun was beginning to disappear.I texted Sara a few minutes after I got into the room. Our favorite coffee spot would be a good place for us, calm, suitable, with the smell o
I guess the events of last night had eased my bones, I hadn't slept past three hours at night in weeks, I always woke up hours before the alarm beeps but last night was different. My phone buzzed endlessly, alerting me it was morning, small smile of satisfaction crept to my face as I stretched, re
I strode back into the room, a steaming plate of omelet and some sausages in one hand, and a hot mug of coffee in the other, finally putting the kitchenette to good use.My size reduced into the armchair in the room, both plate and mug dropped to the round wooden table, The entire room now smelled
I strode across the foyer, heels clicking softly yet steadily, head tilted slightly to the side in exasperation, a lazy yawn left my throat. Flipping the heavy envelope over to the hand where my bag rested, I managed to tuck my hair perfectly, catching my shadowy image on the floor-to-ceiling windo







