THIRD PERSONIt was still early morning, and Edna was in the kitchen, fussing over breakfast for Oscar, when the bell rang.“I’ll see who it is right away,” the servant beside her offered.“No.” Edna wiped her hands on her apron. “I’ll get the gate myself.”Her lips tightened as she walked out. She was almost certain it was the same lady from last night—Kristie. That arrogant little thing. She had tolerated her once, but today she was ready to put her in her place. Trespassing wouldn’t go unpunished a second time.This time, she wouldn’t need Oscar Gray’s permission. If it was Kristie again, Edna was prepared to hand her straight over to the police.Resolved, she clutched her phone as she approached the gate. But the moment she opened it, her face shifted. It wasn’t Kristie.A different young woman stood there, smiling pleasantly.“Good morning, ma’am,” the lady greeted brightly before Edna could speak.The unexpected warmth in her tone softened Edna’s guard.“Good morning, dear. How
TILDAI returned home to find the boys glued to their laptops, fingers flying across the keyboards as though the world beyond those screens no longer existed. They barely acknowledged my presence when I stepped in.“Hello, boys,” I greeted, forcing a smile despite the weariness clinging to me.“Mom, you are back!” Dylan exclaimed, lifting his head just long enough for me to catch the delight in his eyes before he turned back to his work.“Welcome back, Mom,” Denzel and Dixon echoed almost in unison, their eyes still fixed on their laptops.I frowned lightly. “Where are Diamond and Miranda?”“They’re inside,” Denzel replied flatly, his gaze refusing to leave the screen.I folded my arms, staring at the three of them. “Are you boys still studying? I thought your classes were during the day.”Before any of them could answer, Diamond poked her little head from behind the curtain, her braids swaying as she chirped, “No, Mommy. They’re working on their coding.”I exhaled sharply, patience t
KRISTIE I arrived at the villa for the very first time, and the sight left me breathless.Tucked away in a secluded patch far from town, the house was modest in size but wore glamour like a crown. The walls gleamed under the amber evening sun, their polish speaking of wealth and quiet elegance. Even the silence carried a kind of grandeur.Seated in the car, I allowed myself to breathe it all in.Soon, this would be mine—mine and Oscar’s. I had already imagined how it would all come together: cozy weekend retreats, soft music wafting through the air, Oscar pouring wine while I curled up beside him in silk. This villa would become our love nest, our private sanctuary away from the noise and mess of the world.With that thought, a smile crept to my lips. Tilda would soon be nothing but a fading memory in Oscar’s mind. After all I had planned, there’d be no space left for her in his heart.I stepped out of the car, bag in hand, my heels crunching against the gravel.Odd. No one had come
KRISTIEI arrived at the villa for the very first time, and the sight left me breathless.Tucked away in a secluded patch far from town, the house was modest in size but wore glamour like a crown. The walls gleamed under the amber evening sun, their polish speaking of wealth and quiet elegance. Even the silence carried a kind of grandeur.Seated in the car, I allowed myself to breathe it all in.Soon, this would be mine—mine and Oscar’s. I had already imagined how it would all come together: cozy weekend retreats, soft music wafting through the air, Oscar pouring wine while I curled up beside him in silk. This villa would become our love nest, our private sanctuary away from the noise and mess of the world.With that thought, a smile crept to my lips. Tilda would soon be nothing but a fading memory in Oscar’s mind. After all I had planned, there’d be no space left for her in his heart.I stepped out of the car, bag in hand, my heels crunching against the gravel.Odd. No one had come o
OSCARAlicia’s voice came in sharp the moment I answered. “We already agreed on dinner, Oscar. You didn’t tell me you were out of town.”“Mmm...” I sighed heavily.“You can’t do this. You should come back now and be at Grandpa’s estate tonight. My grandma will ask questions,” she pressed, her tone rising.“That doesn’t look like my problem, Alicia,” I responded, flat and stern.“You can’t do this now, Oscar. No, you can’t.” Her voice cracked. “You know how important this meeting is to my family. They just arrived in town and you weren’t even here to receive them.”“This is all thanks to you, Alicia,” I shot back. “If only you had stayed where you were wanted...”“I must leave now,” Edna’s voice interrupted gently from the door. She took one look at me and walked away.I returned to the call. “You should learn to only go where you’re invited.”A bitter scoff echoed from her end. “Honestly, I don’t know why you’re making such a big deal. I’m in a desperate situation, Oscar. I don’t know
OSCAR“Speak, Edna,” I ordered quietly, my back turned to her.There was silence—cold, thick, deliberate. It was as though she had vanished.“You can say what you want. I’m all ears,” I said again, calmer now, though the stillness behind me tightened something in my chest.Nothing.If she had nothing to say, then good. I didn’t have time for hesitations or distractions. I moved to close the laptop, but then—“Mr. Gray,” she murmured.She was suddenly beside me.I didn’t look at her. My eyes stayed fixed on the screen. She knew what to do. If she had something to say, she would say it.A beat passed. Then, finally: “About Miss Tilda.”My fingers froze on the keyboard. I turned to her sharply. “Has she… has she been here?”She hesitated. Her gaze darted away. I could sense the panic pulsing through her.“Edna,” I said, more gently this time.“I overheard your discussion with Stephen earlier,” she confessed, voice barely above a whisper. “About her.”“Oh, that,” I mused, brushing it off.