INICIAR SESIÓNRheaI’d been so excited about the surprise date, I didn’t even think twice about how mysterious they were being. Curiosity wiped away any nervousness, and I found myself walking faster, hurrying down the path that led to the garden.I was almost there when something caught my eye and made me stop dead in my tracks.Beautiful lanterns glowed softly, hanging from the tree branches, while strings of warm lights lined the way forward. I stared all around me, soaking up the magical atmosphere.It’s them, I realized, my heart swelling with love. Knowing it was Jackson and Brandon who had created this path just for me, excitement flooded through my veins and I almost started running.The garden soon came into view.Golden fairy lights were twined elegantly around the white pillars. Moving closer, I saw vines of fresh white roses and baby’s breath covering the roof and railings, making it look like a scene straight out of a dream.“It’s so beautiful,” I breathed, my hand flying to my
RheaFour Years LaterThe summer sun beat down warmly on the patio, turning the air golden and sweet. I stood by the large wooden table, folding the last of the tiny, colorful clothes that had just come off the line.Doing Zuri’s laundry had become my favorite kind of quiet. Everything was so small, so soft, carrying the scent of sunshine and lavender detergent.It was hard to believe that four years had already passed since our world changed forever, since everything broke, and somehow, we still managed to build something new from it.On the table beside me sat an endless spread of food, towers of fresh fruit, platters of sandwiches, and large glass pitchers of lemonade and chilled juice, condensation dripping lazily down the sides.The heat was thick, the kind that made the ocean sparkle endlessly and the sand burn gently beneath your feet.We were back at the beach house for the holidays. Our tradition now. The one place where everything felt peaceful…Where we could pretend
RheaI walked with my head held high.On my left was Jackson, his hand firmly tangled with mine, his long fingers wrapping securely around my smaller ones. On my right was Brandon, his arm draped comfortably over my shoulders, pulling me close into his side.There was no hiding anymore. No more sneaking around. No more lies.Ever since that picture was sent out, the truth had been laid bare for everyone to see. We weren’t hiding it. We weren’t ashamed of it. And right now, walking through the busy school corridors, they were owning every single bit of it. They were my shield, my protection, and they made sure everyone knew exactly who I belonged to.My hand rested instinctively on my stomach, which was now noticeably rounded at five months. Pregnancy had changed my body, but with the way these two looked at me, I had never felt more beautiful. The hormones were there—mood swings, cravings, tiredness—but they took care of everything. They anticipated my needs before I even spoke them.
RheaThe sky was heavy and grey, matching the weight pressing down on my chest. Everyone was dressed in black, a sea of mourning clothes that felt suffocating. The priest’s voice drifted over us, words of peace and eternal rest sounding hollow and meaningless to my ears. Nothing could bring her back. Nothing could fix the hole she left behind.I took in a trembling breath, brushing away the tears that clung to my lashes, and forced myself to watch as the ceremony unfolded. Everything felt surreal, like I was watching someone else’s life play out in front of me.One by one, people stepped forward. They said their prayers, whispered their goodbyes, and laid down white roses and lilies onto the fresh earth. Greg’s parents were there, distant relatives, family friends… everyone who had ever loved her was there to say farewell.I stood at the very edge of the grave.Flanking me on either side were Jackson and Brandon. They stood like stone sentinels, silent and rigid. The fighting, the sc
RheaConsciousness felt like fighting my way through thick, heavy fog. My eyelids were weighted down, refusing to obey me, and a dull ache throbbed behind my temples. I tried to blink, small sounds of discomfort escaping my throat as the world slowly came back into focus.Bright light stabbed at my eyes the moment I tried to open them, making me flinch and groan.“I think she’s coming around,” a male voice I didn’t recognize spoke nearby.“Really?” Another voice answered, rough and worn out. It sounded familiar, though... like I knew it from somewhere.Pushing past the pain, I forced my eyes open. The brightness was overwhelming, forcing me to squint until my vision cleared. I realized I was in a room I didn’t know. A medical professional in blue scrubs stood a few feet away, but my attention was instantly drawn to the man leaning against the bed rail, watching me intently.“Where am I?” My voice came out raspy, my throat dry as sandpaper.A broken sob was his only answer.“Greg?” I
JacksonI had been leaning against the wall outside the ICU for forty minutes when she came through the doors.Father had finally let us back into the house after our grandparents spoke to him. Things were different now. He made it clear he would never forgive what we did. But in the last three days, one thing he had actually helped us with was looking for Rhea. Because Margaret’s health had taken a turn for the worst. Critical.We never knew.We never knew she was sick. We never knew she was dying.It took a lot of effort, a lot of threats, to get Elora to give up Rhea’s location. That was the only way we were finally able to contact her.I knew she would come. Whatever was broken between her and this family, whatever anger she held… she would always come for Margaret. That was who Rhea was underneath all the hardness.She burst through the doors fast, her eyes sweeping the corridor frantically until they landed on me and Brandon.And instantly, something in her face hardened. Not gr
RheaNick cut through the crowd like he was trying to escape something. His jaw was clenched, hands balled into fists at his sides. When he finally reached me, the look on his face made my breath catch.He was furious. I’ve never seen Nick look so angry about anything like this before.“Nick, what
RheaJackson pulled the car over onto the shoulder of the highway, tires biting into the gravel.“Is there a problem?” I asked, confused, but he was already out the door.“Man, what’s going on?” Brandon asked from the back, sounding just as lost.But Jackson just yanked my door open. He grabbe
RheaThe car slowed to a stop and I looked up from trying to salvage my disaster of a dress.My stomach dropped.I knew this house—the sprawling mansion with its perfectly manicured lawn and fountain in the circular driveway. The line of expensive cars is parked along the street. The bass from the
Rhea “Hey,” I said, the sheepish smile on my face never leaving. “Mi vida.” He reached me, his eyes immediately taking in my appearance. His hands found mine and held them gently. “You look beautiful. That dress—you’re stunning.”The compliment should have made me happy. Instead, it made me wa







