NathanielThe jail cell is cold and unforgiving. I sit on the narrow bench, staring at the cracked concrete floor beneath my feet. The air smells of sweat and stale cigarettes, and the distant sound of a guardâs boots is heard through the corridors. I close my eyes, trying to block it all out, but I canât. It's getting bad. Whoever framed me for this is getting too close for my own comfort. My mind is a storm of thoughts, each one darker than the last. Why is it that Megra and I have to fight this hard?Annaâs face flashes before me, her expression unreadable. I still donât understand why she would turn on me like this, why sheâd feed the papers the story of an adulterer when she knows damn well she was the one who ran a game on me from the start. Sheâs the one who manipulated me, who set this whole thing in motion. And now, here I am, the one being dragged through the mud, the one being crucified in the court of public opinion. How quickly people turn on you, how fast they forget who
Megra Nathaniel and I step into the hospital room, and immediately, the sterile smell of antiseptic fills my lungs. The lights are dim, casting long shadows that stretch across the floor, making the place feel colder than it is. I glance at Nathaniel, watching as his expression shifts from determination to something far more vulnerable. His eyes fall on Archer, lying motionless on the bed, hooked up to machines that beep steadily, keeping time with his fragile heartbeat. My own heart breaks as I see the weight of everything settle onto Nathanielâs shoulders, his normally strong posture slumping as if the burden is too much to bear. Nathaniel hesitates, standing in the doorway like he's rooted there, unable to take another step. The sight of his brother, so still and helpless, seems to freeze him in place. I feel a pang of sorrow, a tightness in my chest that makes it hard to breathe. I want to pull him back, to take him away from all this pain, but I know he needs to face it. We both
MegraA few days have passed since the hospital visit, and I find myself nestled on the edge of the couch, watching Nathaniel play with Mia in the living room. Itâs a rare sight, a beautiful sight, seeing him so relaxed, so present in the moment. Heâs crouched down on the floor, his face just inches from hers, making the silliest faces. Mia giggles so hard sheâs nearly tipping over, her red curls bouncing wildly with each peal of laughter. Her tiny face is alight with pure joy, and those freckles across her nose and cheeksâoh, those freckles. I swear they get cuter every day. Her green eyes, a perfect match to mine, sparkle like emeralds in the morning light.Mia lets out a squeal and takes off running, her little feet padding against the hardwood floor. Nathaniel gives chase, his arms outstretched, a grin plastered across his face. Heâs playing the part of a clumsy monster, pretending to trip over his own feet as he follows her around the room. I canât help but laugh watching him. Heâ
Megra I dial 911, my hands shaking so badly that I nearly drop the phone. It takes a few tries before I manage to hit the right numbers, and I press the phone to my ear, feeling my pulse hammer in my chest. Each second drags like an eternity as I wait for the call to connect. "911, what's your emergency?" The operator's voice is calm, steadyâso out of place in this moment of chaos and fear. "My address is 34 Marvel Lane, Stockton," I say, my voice frantic. "There's a womanâshe's been stabbed. She's losing so much blood. Please, please hurry!" "Ma'am, I need you to stay calm. Help is on the way. Can you stay on the line with me?" "IâĶ" I glance down at Anna, her face deathly pale, eyes half-closed, and lips stained with her own blood. "I can't," I whisper, my voice catching in my throat. "Please, just hurry." I end the call and toss the phone aside, scrambling back to Anna's side. I press my hands against her wound, trying to stop the bleeding. The warm, sticky blood seeps through
Nathaniel Walking into the apartment, I feel lighter than I have in weeks. Thereâs a spring in my step, a brightness in my chest that makes it hard to keep the smile off my face. The past few days have been blissfulâno threats, no phone calls, no dark shadows hanging over us. Just peace and hope for the first time in what feels like forever. The news of my arrest has died down, and for a minute, my distorted relationship with Megra was all that was circulating. The felon and the mistress, the headlines read, but I could not care less. Iâm eager to see Megra and Mia, my family. Itâs a strange feeling, this happiness. I almost donât trust it, like it could vanish at any moment, but I canât help myself. At 50 years old, I am a father to the most beautiful 2-year-old daughter, and finally I have a woman I adore; no one will take this from me. The doctorâs good news about Archerâs recovery has also lifted a weight off my shoulders, and for once, the future doesnât look so bleak. Even And
NathanielI rush through the hospital doors, my heart pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat. I have to find out if what happened to Anna has anything to do with Megra's disappearance. I can't shake the feeling that everything is connectedâthat Megra is in danger, and time is running out."Andrew!" I shout, scanning the crowded hallway, pushing past people as I move further inside. My voice echoes off the sterile walls, blending with the noise of the busy hospital. I see him standing by the nurse's station, his face pale and tight with worry. When he hears me, he turns, and his eyes widen. He rushes over, and I can see the tension in his every step."What the fuck is going on, Nathaniel?" Andrew demands, grabbing my arm, his grip tight, almost bruising. What the hell is happening?""I don't know," I snap, pulling my arm free, my breath coming in ragged bursts. "But that's what I intend to find out." I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Megra got a phone call," I explain
NathanielI squeeze Annaâs hand, feeling the coldness of her skin against my own. Her eyes are glassy with pain and fear, but thereâs a spark of clarity in them. Her usual well-maintained red hair in knots. Sheâs been through hell, but I need answers. "Anna," I say softly, leaning closer, "do you know where Becca took Megra?"She shakes her head, her breath coming in shallow gasps. "No," she whispers, her voice trembling. "I donât know where she took her. IâĶ I wish I did."I swallow back the frustration rising in my throat. "How did you find out it was Becca?" I press, hoping she has more information, something that could help us.Anna closes her eyes for a moment, as if gathering her strength. "I started having my suspicions after I saw the newspaper article," she begins slowly. "The one calling you an adulterer. Only you, Megra, and I knew aboutâĶ about the divorce, about all of it. But I told Becca, I confided in herâĶ Nathaniel, I thought she was my friend, but now I am sure she leak
The Story of Becca.I watch as Megra cautiously approaches the front door of her Stockton home, her eyes darting around as if she knows someone is watching her. Sheâs always been so paranoid, always looking over her shoulder. But today, her vigilance wonât save her. Today, sheâs all mine.From my car parked across the street, I can see her every move. My heart races with excitement, my breath quickening as I prepare for whatâs to come. Iâve waited so long for this moment, planning every detail. She has no idea whatâs waiting for her. She thinks sheâs safe here, in her own home. How wrong she is.I smile, a dark, twisted smile. She deserves whatâs coming to her. After everything sheâs done, after everything sheâs taken from me, she deserves this. I glance at the metal rod on the seat next to me, my fingers itching to grab it and feel its weight in my hand. I canât wait any longer. I need to do this now.âShe made me do it,â I whisper to myself, my voice filled with venom. âShe made me k
Epilogue MegraWe stand quietly in front of my motherâs gravestone, feeling the earth beneath my feet solid and cool, like an anchor to this moment. The air is still, the sky washed in muted shades of grey as though the world is holding its breath with me. My eyes trace the familiar letters etched into the smooth stone:**Iris Adams** **Loving Mother, Wife, Daughter, and Sister.**The words feel heavier than usual today, each title pulling me back into memories Iâve spent years trying to bury. Thereâs something so final about seeing her name like this. My mother. The one person who was always there for me, always strong, always protecting me. And yet, she carried so many secrets. I think about the life she left behind to raise me on her ownâthe family I only just found out about. All that time, it was just the two of us. She gave up so much, not for herself but for me.A gust of wind stirs the leaves around the graveyard, and I close my eyes, letting the cool air brush against my ski
MegraMusic floats in the air, soft and melodious, filling the room with a sense of calm and joy. I take in a deep breath, letting the sound settle into my bones, feeling its soothing rhythm steady my racing heart. Itâs been a yearâone long, tumultuous year since everything happened with Becca. A year of healing, of working to forget the chaos Nathaniel and I faced. A year of finding peace, of finding ourselves, of watching Nathaniel become the most wonderful father to the most beautiful daughter.I close my eyes for a moment, holding on to the feeling of peace. When I open them again, Iâm staring at myself in the mirror. My eyes glisten with tears as I take in my reflectionâmy wedding gown flowing around me like a cascade of dreams. Itâs the most beautiful dress Iâve ever seen, pure white and delicate, with lace that trails down to the floor. I feel like a princess, like the heroine of a story I once dreamed about but never thought would come true.âOh my gosh, Megra, you look amazin
MegraIt's been a few days since the fire, since Becca's death. I should feel lighter, like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, but instead, there's a different heaviness inside me. I can't quite name itâgrief, guilt, relief, maybe all of them tangled together. I stand in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. Mia is perched on the vanity, watching me with her bright eyes. I meet her gaze in the mirror, offering a small smile, though it doesnât quite reach my eyes.I pick up a small powder puff and begin to dab it gently against my cheeks. The cool, smooth texture of the powder calms me slightly, a welcome distraction from the storm of emotions swirling inside me. Nathaniel is home now, his health restored, his body healing. Iâm grateful for that. The newspapers have been full of stories about his heroics, praising him for his bravery. The police cleared his name after searching Beccaâs apartment. They found her journals, her twisted plans. Itâs all out in the open now.
MegraThe world around me is blurry, shifting in and out of focus. I blink slowly, trying to clear my vision. The ceiling above me is white, harshly bright against my eyes. I feel heavy, like I'm sinking into the hospital bed beneath me. My head throbs, my body aches, and every breath feels like it takes more effort than the last. I hear a steady beepâmachines. Iâm in a hospital.I remember flames, smoke, Becca's twisted smile. My chest tightens as I recall Nathaniel rushing into the fire. "Nathaniel?" I croak out, my voice barely a whisper, dry and cracked. Panic surges through me, tightening my throat. I try to sit up, but my body protests. "Nathaniel?"A familiar voice, gentle and soothing, cuts through the fog of my thoughts. "Heâs fine, my darling." I turn my head slowly, and there she isâLiza, standing beside me. Her face is calm, but I can see the worry in her eyes.âLizaâĶâ I manage, my voice weak. âWhere is he? I have to see him. I have to know heâs okay.âShe steps closer, ta
MegraâNathaniel!â I scream, my voice tearing through the chaos as he bursts into the living room, Andrew right behind him. Smoke fills the air, thick and suffocating, and for a moment, all I can see are their silhouettes moving through the haze. My heart leaps with desperate, wild hope. Theyâve come for me. Theyâve come to save me.Beccaâs laugh slices through the air, sharp and cold. Her eyes, wild with madness, flick from Nathaniel to me, and her lips curl into a sinister smile. âYou see?â she snarls, her voice dripping with venom. âEven now, even in the face of danger, they run to you. Everyone runs to you, like moths to a flame. Well, then, they deserve your fate.âI watch, my breath catching in my throat, as she pulls a lighter from her pocket, the small flame flickering in the dim light. Fear claws at my insides. âBecca, no!â I shout, but sheâs not listening. Her eyes are fixed on Nathaniel and Andrew, her hand steady as she holds the lighter.âGet back!â Becca screams, her voi
The Story of Becca Megraâs eyes are wide with fear, her lips trembling as she pleads. Her voice is a desperate whisper, filled with a panic that only fuels my resolve. She looks so small, so helpless, chained and bound. âPlease, Becca,â she begs, her voice cracking. âWhy are you doing this? Why?â I pause for a moment, staring at her. My eyes bore into hers, searching, dissecting. Itâs like Iâm looking right into her soul, seeing every little thing sheâs ever taken from me, every single moment sheâs made me feel small, insignificant, unwanted. I want her to feel that pain now to understand what sheâs done. âI donât think you should die just yet,â I say slowly, letting the words hang in the air, âwithout knowing the whole story.â I grab a wooden chair from the corner, dragging it across the floor with a slow, deliberate scrape that echoes through the room. Iâm savouring the moment, relishing the fear in her eyes. I set the chair down in front of her and sit, crossing my legs calmly,
The Story of Becca.I watch as Megra cautiously approaches the front door of her Stockton home, her eyes darting around as if she knows someone is watching her. Sheâs always been so paranoid, always looking over her shoulder. But today, her vigilance wonât save her. Today, sheâs all mine.From my car parked across the street, I can see her every move. My heart races with excitement, my breath quickening as I prepare for whatâs to come. Iâve waited so long for this moment, planning every detail. She has no idea whatâs waiting for her. She thinks sheâs safe here, in her own home. How wrong she is.I smile, a dark, twisted smile. She deserves whatâs coming to her. After everything sheâs done, after everything sheâs taken from me, she deserves this. I glance at the metal rod on the seat next to me, my fingers itching to grab it and feel its weight in my hand. I canât wait any longer. I need to do this now.âShe made me do it,â I whisper to myself, my voice filled with venom. âShe made me k
NathanielI squeeze Annaâs hand, feeling the coldness of her skin against my own. Her eyes are glassy with pain and fear, but thereâs a spark of clarity in them. Her usual well-maintained red hair in knots. Sheâs been through hell, but I need answers. "Anna," I say softly, leaning closer, "do you know where Becca took Megra?"She shakes her head, her breath coming in shallow gasps. "No," she whispers, her voice trembling. "I donât know where she took her. IâĶ I wish I did."I swallow back the frustration rising in my throat. "How did you find out it was Becca?" I press, hoping she has more information, something that could help us.Anna closes her eyes for a moment, as if gathering her strength. "I started having my suspicions after I saw the newspaper article," she begins slowly. "The one calling you an adulterer. Only you, Megra, and I knew aboutâĶ about the divorce, about all of it. But I told Becca, I confided in herâĶ Nathaniel, I thought she was my friend, but now I am sure she leak
NathanielI rush through the hospital doors, my heart pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat. I have to find out if what happened to Anna has anything to do with Megra's disappearance. I can't shake the feeling that everything is connectedâthat Megra is in danger, and time is running out."Andrew!" I shout, scanning the crowded hallway, pushing past people as I move further inside. My voice echoes off the sterile walls, blending with the noise of the busy hospital. I see him standing by the nurse's station, his face pale and tight with worry. When he hears me, he turns, and his eyes widen. He rushes over, and I can see the tension in his every step."What the fuck is going on, Nathaniel?" Andrew demands, grabbing my arm, his grip tight, almost bruising. What the hell is happening?""I don't know," I snap, pulling my arm free, my breath coming in ragged bursts. "But that's what I intend to find out." I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Megra got a phone call," I explain