LOGINMitchelle"Excuse me?" I repeated, louder this time. "I didn't hear you well."The woman smiled, with a cold expression that didn't reach her eyes."What do you mean you didn't hear well?" she responded sharply. "I said, I am Mrs. Ivy Rothschild. Dorian's wife. Do you see this ring?"She held up her left hand, displaying a wedding band that glinted in the afternoon sunlight."I'm trying to get into my house and this security is telling me I can't enter," Ivy continued. "I heard that my husband was shot at some event, and I came back immediately. We've been away for a while, but we decided to come home when I heard the news."My eyes dropped to the child standing beside her. He had Dorian's dark hair, Dorian's straight nose, Dorian's jawline. The resemblance was striking, undeniable."What?" I breathed.Ivy pulled out her phone and showed me a photograph. A wedding photo, clearly years old, showing a younger Dorian in a tuxedo standing beside this same woman in a white wedding dress."
MitchelleDays after the shooting, I found myself juggling Dorian's business responsibilities, police investigations, hospital visits, and the crushing weight of everything that had happened. Sleep became a luxury I couldn't afford, meals were forgotten obligations, and every waking moment felt like drowning in quicksand.The police station had become depressingly familiar. I sat across from Detective Martinez for what felt like the hundredth time, Danika sat beside me as my lawyer, while he shuffled through papers with the same apologetic expression he wore during every meeting."Mrs. Roth, I understand your frustration," Detective Martinez began carefully. "But we still haven't found any concrete evidence pointing to a specific suspect.""What about Jason and Chloe?" I demanded, leaning forward. "They were there. They had motive. Why haven't you arrested them yet?"Detective Martinez sighed heavily."Mrs. Roth, we've been over this," he replied. "Jason and Chloe Hunt were at the eve
ChloeI stood outside Diana's mansion the next afternoon, my finger hovered over the doorbell for several long seconds before I finally pressed it.The door opened almost immediately. Diana stood there looking immaculate in a cream suit, a knowing smile played on her lips."I knew you'd come back running," she stated smugly. "But I didn't know it would be this soon."She stepped aside to let me enter. I walked past her into the foyer, without saying a word."The plan has changed," Diana announced, closing the door behind us.I whipped around to face her."What do you mean the plan has changed?"Diana gestured for me to follow her into the living room. We settled into opposite chairs, the same seats we had occupied when I came running to her about Jason."I read the news," Diana began calmly. "I also went to the hospital to check on my brother's condition secretly. Dorian won't be out of there for months, Chloe. Months of recovery, physical therapy, all of it.""So?" I challenged. "Wha
ChloeJason's car pulled up beside the taxi and I climbed out quickly, sliding into his passenger seat. He looked exhausted and worried, his hair was so messy like he had been running his hands through it repeatedly."Babe, what happened?" he demanded immediately. "It's almost morning. Where were you all night?"I took a shaky breath, making sure my voice trembled convincingly."Someone tried to kidnap me," I stated. "But I escaped."Jason's eyes widened in shock."Kidnap? In this city?""Yes," I confirmed, nodding frantically. "I went to my parents' house like I told you, but they weren't home. I was waiting outside when someone just grabbed me from behind and put a chemical to my face. They dragged me into a van and I blacked out completely."Jason studied my face carefully. His expression remained neutral, unreadable. It was clear he didn't believe a word I was saying.“I used my smart skills to escape, then took a cab.”He simply reached over and squeezed my hand."I'm glad you're
ChloeThe SUV's engine hummed as Diana settled into the seat beside me, her perfume filled the confined space with something expensive and suffocating."Get down," Diana commanded sharply.I stared at her in disbelief."What the heck?" I shot back. "Why would you just think you can command me like I'm a puppet? Last I checked, you wanted me arrested. You didn't want me anywhere near your son. So what's all this about? Go get Mitchelle and leave me the fuck alone!"Diana's expression remained cold and calculating. Before I could react, she pulled a handkerchief from her purse and pressed it firmly over my mouth and nose.I struggled immediately, my hands clawed at her wrists. The fabric had a strange chemical smell that made my head spin. I tried to scream but the sound came out muffled and weak.My vision blurred at the edges. The SUV's interior tilted sideways. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think, couldn't fight anymore.Then darkness swallowed me whole.When I opened my eyes again, e
MitchelleI paced the hospital hallways like a caged animal, my blood-stained dress drew concerned looks from nurses and other visitors. Danika had tried to get me to sit down multiple times, but I couldn't. If I stopped moving, if I let myself be still for even a moment, the reality of what had happened would crush me completely.Dorian had been rushed into the emergency section over an hour ago. The doors had swung shut behind the paramedics and doctors, leaving me stranded in this sterile corridor with nothing but fear and prayers.Luther stood near the window making quiet phone calls, probably updating Elena and handling the aftermath of the disaster at the venue. Danika stayed close to me, her hand occasionally reached out to touch my arm or shoulder in silent support.My phone rang suddenly, the sound jarred in the tense silence. I pulled it from my purse with shaking hands and saw my stepmother's name on the screen.Why was Chloe's mother calling me right now?I answered hesita







