LOGINMonicaI stand by my window, staring out at the city as the first light of morning begins to spread across the buildings.My cigarette burns between my fingers, the smoke curling lazily into the still air of my apartment. I take a long drag, inhaling deeply, feeling the warmth of the smoke filling my lungs. I exhale slowly, watching it spread against the glass.Anger surges through me, filling my chest like a dark cloud. Anger at Knox, at everything he represents in my life now. Everything I’ve worked for, everything I’ve planned, it all feels like it’s slipping through my fingers, no matter how hard I try to hold it together. I thought I had him, thought I was so close. A few weeks ago, I almost had sex with him. If I’d just gone a little further, if I’d just made him feel enough, I could have trapped him. A pregnancy would have been my ticket. I would have roped him in, made him stay, forced him to be mine again. And then maybe, everything would have fallen into place.But now…
EmmaI smile at Ethan as he jokes about something that happened during his day.I should probably stay away from him, especially with everything going on with Knox, but I can’t seem to resist. I tell myself it's harmless, that we're just friends, that it's not anything more than that.I’ve tried hard to keep things platonic, especially after that… embarrassing day when I woke up naked in his bed. My cheeks burn just thinking about it, how tangled the sheets were around me, the confusion that hit me like a ton of bricks when I realized where I was, and the panic as I scrambled to piece together the night before. I promised myself I’d set clearer boundaries after that, no more getting too close, no more crossing lines. We could keep it friendly. No strings attached.But then Ethan flashes me that smile, the one that always makes everything feel easier, more effortless. And for a moment, it works. His humor, his charm, the way he can make everything feel light, even when life is heavy.
KnoxI sit at my large desk, the thought of being unable to trace the missing funds still bothers me.I have to push it aside for now, to revisit it later. Stacks of files scatter in front of me, each one requiring my full attention. The morning sunlight filters through the blinds. I pick up one folder after another, each page filled with numbers, graphs, and documents that demand my focus. I write quick but precise notes in the margins, adjusting plans, and fine tuning ideas. The work itself isn't difficult, but it is mentally demanding. It gives me a sense of control, especially on a day when everything else feels unpredictable.A firm knock interrupts my concentration. I glance up from the paperwork, barely breaking my focus before I call out, “Come in.”The door opens smoothly, and a young woman steps into the room. She's tall and carries herself with confidence.I can tell immediately that she's a professional, well dressed in business attire that fits the environment perfe
EmmaI let out a long, weary sigh as soon as Knox step out of my room. The soft click of the door closing feels like it’s echoing in the silence that fills the space, making everything feel strangely empty and heavy. It’s like his absence pulls all the air out of the room.I move slowly to my bed, my body feeling like it's carrying a thousand pounds. I fall onto the mattress, burying my face in the pillow. The exhaustion isn’t from my job. No, it’s this constant, gnawing frustration deep inside me. This unshakable feeling of hitting a dead end in my personal search, one that’s leaving me breathless. My chest feels tight, like something heavy is pressing down, making each breath feel harder than the last.I remember when I was in high school, asking my mom about my dad. I asked her so many times over the years, but every time she shut me down. She’d either change the subject or walk away without a word. Maybe one day, I’ll find him and understand why he was never part of my life.
KnoxThe moment Ben closes his laptop and gives me that small nod of agreement, I feel the real taste of victory.I signal the waitress for the check, but then change my mind and ask her to bring the most expensive bottle they have on the shelf. She raises an eyebrow but doesn’t argue. When it arrives, I pour two generous glasses. Ben and I clink them quietly. Neither of us says much. We don’t need to. The images are safely stored on my laptop now, locked behind a password only I know. Monica’s secret is no longer just a suspicion. It’s usable evidence.I leave the lounge a little after nine. The night air feels cooler against my skin as I walk to the car. The drive home passes in a smooth, almost dreamlike blur. Streetlights slide across the windshield, music plays low on the radio, and every few minutes, I catch myself smiling without meaning to. The weight that’s pressed on my shoulders for so long finally feels lighter. Not gone, but bearable. Tonight, I can breathe.I pull in
EmmaThe anxiety tightens in my chest as I step through the front door, my heels clicking softly against the floor. The apartment greets me with its usual silence, though today the silence feels almost unbearable.All I need is a good sleep to forget my horrible day at work. My earlier near fight with my mom, sets my heart pounding.The hallway light comes on. I slip off my shoes, feeling the cool floor beneath my feet as I carry my bag and shoes to my bedroom.I don’t bother with the living room lights or the kitchen. The silence presses against me, and I want to hide from it, retreat to the one place that’s always been mine, my bedroom. The door creaks open with a slight push of my shoulder, and I flick on the bedside lamp. The soft light spills over the room, and I drop my bag onto the bed with a sense of heaviness that I can’t quite shake. My blouse is sticking to my back from the subway ride, I still haven't fixed my car since it broke down but it’s the least of my concerns. T
EmmaIt’s a Saturday morning, and the relentless beeping of my phone pulls me out of sleep. I groan audible, still with groggy eyes. And stretch one arm over the mattress until my fingers meet with the device.As soon as I look at the screen, I spring up, eyes wide.I blink a few times, to be sure
EmmaHis mouth crashes into mine like he’s trying to punish me for existing.I move through the dark living room to the door but he grabs my wrist and pushes me against the wall. The towel around his waist slips lower, dangerously lower and I feel the wet heat of his bare skin pressing into me. His
EmmaI’m breathing so hard my ribs are stinging, and I’m sure Knox can feel it. He’s only a few inches away, his eyes are dark and unreadable as he waits for me to answer. The house is so silent that I can hear the faintest ticking of the clock in the hall.I swallow. My voice comes out trembling.
KnoxThe hallway is dark and quiet as I finally make myself turn away from her door. I keep my eyes forward. If I look back now, if I actually look at that closed slab of wood, I’ll knock again. I will say something unforgivable.I fear that I might shove that door open and hold her tight to my ch







