LOGIN[MARCUS'S POV]I've been visiting Sandra every week for three months now. And no one knows. Nit even the media station, my wife or Sandra's family.Just me. Sitting in that visiting room. Watching her through glass.Pretending I'm just concerned. Just being a good colleague. But it's more than that.I've been in love with Sandra Seaman for past five years.Since the day she walked into Channel 7 to apply for the news anchor position.She didn't get it, but Alessia did.But I never forgot her. The way she smiled. The way she carried herself. The confidence.I kept in touch. Told myself it was networking. Professional courtesy.But I knew the truth.I was obsessed.When she started working at the station two years ago, I made sure she got the best assignments. The prime time slots. Everything she wanted.My wife noticed. Asked why I was suddenly so invested in Sandra's career.I told her Sandra had potential. That I was mentoring her.Another lie.The truth is, I would have done anythin
[JEFFREY'S POV]We're on the road within an hour. Alessia sits in the passenger seat, staring out the window. Silent.In the back, Davison and Alexander are plugged into their tablets. Headphones on. Oblivious to the chaos and I hope they stay that way."Did you leave a note for your mom?" I ask Alessia."I texted her. Told her we needed to get away for a few days. Didn't say where.""Good. The fewer people who know, the better.""She'll worry.""Better worried than in danger."Alessia doesn't respond.I check the rearview mirror. No cars following us. At least not that I can see.We've been driving for forty-five minutes. Another hour and fifteen to go.My cabin is in the mountains. Middle of nowhere. No neighbors for miles.I bought it three years ago. An investment property. Someplace quiet to escape when work got overwhelming.Never thought I'd use it to hide my family from a deranged lawyer."Are you sure she doesn't know about the cabin?" Alessia asks."Positive. I never told an
[ALESSIA'S POV]My phone wakes me at exactly 6 am. I reach for it with my eyes still closed. See fifty-three missed calls.Diana. Claire. My lawyer. Numbers I don't recognize.Something's wrong.I sit up. Check the news app.The headline makes my blood run cold."News Anchor Alessia Reed Accused of Financial Fraud and Witness Tampering"Below it, another headline."Exclusive Documents Reveal Alessia Reed's Dark Past"And another."Is Alessia Reed the Real Villain in Sandra Seaman Case?"My hands start shaking.I click on the first article.Anonymous sources have provided documentation suggesting that news anchor Alessia Reed may have engaged in financial fraud, witness intimidation, and fabrication of evidence in the ongoing Sandra Seaman trial. Documents obtained by our investigative team show payments to alleged witnesses, offshore bank accounts, and suspicious financial transactions dating back five years.I scroll down.There are documents. Bank statements. Wire transfers. All wit
[VICTORIA'S POV]The charges are official.Bribery of a court official. Illegal disclosure of sealed documents. Harassment.My lawyer called this morning. Told me to prepare for arraignment next week."You're looking at felony charges, Victoria. This is serious."I hung up on him.Serious.Everything is serious now.I'm being charged with crimes. Sandra's trial starts in ten days. And Alessia Reed is still walking around free, playing the victim, destroying my best friend's life.This isn't how it was supposed to go.I was supposed to expose her. Prove Sandra's innocence. Save my friend.Instead, I'm the one facing prison time.I pour myself vodka. It's 9 AM, but I don't care.My phone won't stop buzzing. News outlets wanting comments. Former friends asking if I've lost my mind. My firm calling to tell me I'm being put on administrative leave.Everything I built. Twenty years of law practice. A reputation as someone who fights for justice.Gone.Because I tried to help Sandra.No.Not
[MRS. MARGARET SEAMAN'S POV]I haven't visited Sandra in three weeks.Robert thinks I should go more often. Says she needs family support.But every time I think about driving to that jail, I feel sick.Because I know what she did.I've known for months.And I've said nothing.That makes me complicit.But today, I'm going.Not to support her.To confront her.The county jail is exactly as depressing as I remember.Gray walls. Metal detectors. Guards who look like they've seen too much.I fill out the visitor paperwork with shaking hands.They search me. Check my ID. Lead me to the visiting room.Sandra appears ten minutes later.She looks worse than last time.Thinner. Paler. Broken.The orange jumpsuit swallows her frame.She picks up the phone. I pick up mine."Margaret. I didn't expect to see you.""We need to talk.""About what?""About the truth. About what you did. About what I've been covering up."Her face goes still. "I don't know what you're talking about.""Yes, you do. The
[ALESSIA'S POV]Assistant District Attorney Maria Gonzalez."Mrs. Walker, we need to talk.""About what?""About an allegation we received. Anonymous tip. Claims you've been coaching your son Davison to lie on camera. That the video he posted was scripted by you."My coffee cup stops halfway to my mouth."That's ridiculous.""I agree. But we have to investigate. It's protocol when we receive credible allegations about witness tampering.""Credible? It's an anonymous tip! Probably from Victoria Chen!""We're aware of the source's likely identity. But we still have to follow up. Can you and Davison come to my office today?""You want to question my twelve-year-old son?""Just a few questions. To establish that he made the video of his own volition. That you didn't coach him or manipulate him in any way.""This is exactly what Victoria wants. To make me look guilty even when I'm defending myself.""I understand your frustration. But if we don't investigate, the defense will use it agains
[ALESSIA'S POV]Sandra's lawyer's office is exactly what I expected.Glass walls. Marble floors. Everything designed to make you feel small.I sit across from Sandra at a conference table that's too big for just the two of us.She looks perfect. Hair smooth. Makeup flawless. Designer dress that prob
[SANDRA'S POV]I can't stop thinking about it.The way Alexander ran to her, the way he hugged her.The way he smiled at her like she was the most important person in the world.He thought she was me. But what if some part of him knew?What if blood really does call to blood the way people say?No
[ALESSIA'S POV] Two weeks feel like two years. Every morning, I wake up and wonder if today is the day I'll know. Jeffrey barely talks to me anymore. He goes to work early. Comes home late. Sleeps on his side of the bed with his back to me. When I try to touch him, he flinches. Not obviously.
[ALESSIA'S POV]Monday morning starts like any other.I arrive at the station at six. Coffee in hand,.Script ready my hair and makeup done.The morning show goes live at seven.I have one hour to prep.I'm reviewing the teleprompter when Claire, my producer, walks over."Morning, Alessia. Got a







