LOGINAVA.Hours Later.The Glass Penthouse.6:00 PM.I lay back against my headboard, my phone angled slightly above my face as I scrolled through TikTok. My thumb moved lazily, almost on autopilot, flicking past videos I wasn’t even fully watching.A half-empty biscuit wrapper sat on the bedside table.My eyes kept drifting to it.Then back to the phone.Then back to it again.I swallowed slowly, already feeling that familiar pull in my stomach— the kind that had nothing to do with hunger and everything to do with craving. My fingers paused for a second on the screen.I shouldn’t.Too much sugar isn’t good for me… or the baby.My gaze lingered on the wrapper a little longer, like I was negotiating with myself in silence. Then I forced my attention back to the phone, scrolling again, letting the noise from my FYP fill the room.Minutes blurred.The light in the room shifted without me noticing at first. Then it became obvious—the golden glow from the floor-to-ceiling windows had softened,
TONY.That Same Hour.(The Blackwood Family Residence — A Grand Multimillion-Dollar Mansion in the Woods of the Blackwood Institute Staff Quarters.)Tony's black McLaren W1 veered smoothly off the main road and onto the private driveway that led to the Blackwood estate.Ahead, the towering steel gates came into view.Moments later, the car slowed.Stopped.The security guards stationed inside the gatehouse immediately recognized the vehicle.The gates began to part.Tony drove forward.The McLaren rolled through before stopping briefly beside the security booth.The driver's window lowered."Afternoon, boss." One of the security men greeted."Afternoon." Tony responded.Smiles were exchanged.A few brief words followed before Tony raised the window and continued toward the mansion.The estate stretched before him.Perfectly trimmed gardens.Flower beds bursting with color.A large fountain stood proudly at the center of the circular driveway.Several luxury vehicles lined it neatly.S
LILY. That Same Hour— Third Person's POV.Megan’s Place Off Campus.Lily stood outside Megan's apartment door with her purse hanging from one shoulder.The corridor was quiet.The narrow hallway stretched empty in both directions.She raised her hand and tapped lightly against the door."Yes. Coming."Megan's voice immediately drifted from inside.Locks clicked.The door swung open."Hey," Megan greeted immediately."Hey." Lily responded.The moment Megan looked at her properly, her smile faded slightly.Lily looked exhausted.Her shoulders slumped.Her eyes lacked their usual spark.Even her greeting sounded drained.Without questioning her, Megan stepped aside."Come in."Lily walked past her.The familiar scent of vanilla air freshener filled the apartment.Behind her, Megan shut the door and followed.Lily moved straight to the couch and lowered herself onto it.The cushions dipped beneath her weight.Megan settled beside her.For a moment neither spoke.Then Megan turned fully t
AVA.The Following Day — First-Person POV.The Glass Penthouse.1 PM.My bedroom door clicked softly behind me as I stepped into the hallway.My slippers tapped lightly against the polished floor while I made my way toward the kitchen.A tablet rested in my left hand.My attention remained fixed on the colorful cartoon playing across the screen.The cheerful voices and exaggerated sound effects echoed through the otherwise quiet hallway.A few moments later, I entered the kitchen.I placed the tablet on the marble countertop and paused the cartoon.Silence settled in instantly.I turned toward the pantry, and pulled the doors open.Immediately, disappointment settled across my face.The shelves were almost half empty.None of my favorite snacks were there.No biscuits.No chocolates.No crackers.Nothing.I stepped deeper into the pantry and scanned every shelf again.Maybe I had missed something.Or maybe there was at least one box of cereal hidden somewhere.Nothing.Only canned foo
Two Weeks Later.LILY'S POV.9PM.The Glass Penthouse.Lily's red Chevrolet Colorado rolled slowly into the penthouse driveway.The headlights swept briefly across the trees surrounding the property before the vehicle came to a stop behind Tony's black McLaren W1.She shuts the engine and silence immediately reclaimed the woods.Only distant crickets sang somewhere beyond the darkness.Lily gathered her purse from the passenger seat.Pushed the door open.And stepped out.The security lights mounted around the property cast a soft glow across the driveway.The cool night air brushed against her skin as she shut the door behind her and started toward the front porch.Her heels tapped lightly against the pavement.Steady.Confident.A few moments later, she reached the front door and swiped her access card on it.A soft beep followed.The lock clicked open.Lily stepped inside and shut the door behind her.The familiar warmth of the penthouse greeted her.Her footsteps echoed lightly ac
The Following Day.MARY'S POV— AVA'S FRIEND.The School Dormitory.Mary stood in front of the mirror beside the window close to her bed.Morning sunlight spilled through the glass, bathing one side of the room in a warm glow.Her blonde hair was neatly styled into two ponytails that rested over her shoulders.She tilted her head slightly.Studying herself in the mirror, she checked every detail one last time— from the light makeup that blended naturally with her features to the black denim jacket that hugged her frame perfectly and the blue pants beneath it that accentuated her curves. A faint smile tugged at her lips. Not too much. Just enough.She turned slightly from side to side.Examining herself from different angles.Then nodded in approval.Behind her, Erica, her roommate, lounged comfortably on her bed.One leg folded beneath her.The other dangling over the side.A teasing grin spread across her face."Should I tag along?"Mary turned around immediately.A smile on her face.







