Caroline’s Point of ViewThe sun dips lower on the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the beach house. The sound of waves fills the silence inside, but it does little to soothe the tension that’s been building since Dolly arrived. I sit on the couch, flipping through a book I’m not actually reading, when I hear her voice from the kitchen.“Knoxx, would you mind making me something to eat?” Dolly’s tone is light, almost playful, but there’s an edge to it—a familiarity that grates on me.I glance toward the kitchen, my grip tightening on the book. Knoxx looks up from his spot near the counter, where he’s leaning against the marble surface with an air of discomfort.“Sure,” he replies after a beat, and I watch as he moves toward the fridge.The book slips from my hands as I watch him open cabinets and pull out ingredients. There’s a practiced ease to his movements, one I’ve never seen before. It dawns on me then—I’ve never actually seen Knoxx cook.I sit frozen, watching him from a
Caroline’s Point of ViewI stand frozen at the doorway of the main bedroom, my heart sinking like a stone. The door is ajar, just enough for me to see Dolly’s luggage tucked neatly in the corner, her clothes draped over the armchair, and a faint floral scent lingering in the air that isn’t mine.She’s sleeping here.The realization hits me harder than I expect. This room isn’t just any room—it’s our room. The room where Knoxx and I spent our honeymoon. The room where, for a fleeting time, I believed everything between us could be perfect. And now she’s taken that too.I push the door open fully, my footsteps heavy as I step inside. I have to see it for myself, even if it feels like twisting the knife. The bed is made neatly, but there’s no mistaking it—Dolly has made herself at home here.Anger boils inside me, steady and hot. I turn sharply on my heel and march back into the living room, where Dolly sits on the couch, lazily flipping through a magazine. She looks perfectly content, a
Caroline’s Point of ViewThe living room hums with quiet tension, broken only by the soft clink of a spoon as Dolly stirs her tea. She sits across the room from me, perfectly poised, her smile light and easy as she talks to Knoxx. The way her voice lilts with familiarity, her words slipping effortlessly into shared memories, makes the air feel heavier with every second.“…And remember that time, Knoxx?” Dolly laughs softly, as though reliving the moment in her mind. “You tried to show off on that boat, but you ended up falling into the water. You were so embarrassed you didn’t speak for hours!”Knoxx chuckles lightly, running a hand through his hair. “You remember that?”“How could I not?” Dolly grins. “You looked like a drenched puppy. It’s one of my favorite memories.”I sit stiffly on the couch, my fingers curling into the hem of my dress. I’ve had enough. This has been happening all day—her little anecdotes, her not-so-subtle reminders of the history they share. Good old times, as
Knoxx’s Point of ViewI sit in the quiet of my study, the velvet box still in my hand. The edges of it are smooth and cold, and for a moment, I stare at it like it holds the answers to everything. The quiet is deafening, punctuated only by the faint crashing of the waves outside. Caroline’s words replay in my mind, sharp and relentless.“You think you can buy me off with expensive things? Do you even know what I like, Knoxx?”Her voice had trembled, not with sadness but with anger. The rawness of it cuts deeper than I want to admit.I look down at the box again. The necklace inside is flawless—gold with intricate detailing and a diamond that catches the light like a star. It had cost a small fortune, but when I saw it, I thought of Caroline. Not because she wanted it, but because it was what I knew.When Dolly and I dated all those years ago, gifts were easy. She always made it clear what she wanted. Jewelry, designer handbags, trips to Paris—her tastes were as lavish as they were obv
Caroline’s Point of ViewI sit by the window, the ocean breeze whispering through the curtains, as Dolly’s voice carries through the house. Her laughter is light, cheerful, and it grates against my nerves. Every word feels like a carefully aimed dagger, and I can’t shake the irritation bubbling beneath my skin.“You know, Knoxx and I used to play hide-and-seek in that garden when we were kids,” Dolly says, her tone sweet but laced with something sharper. “He was always terrible at hiding.”I force a smile, gripping the edge of my teacup. Her words swirl in my mind, dredging up questions I wish I didn’t care about. Childhood sweethearts. That’s what they were. That’s why Karen adored her so much—why Dolly always seemed to have a claim on parts of Knoxx’s life I could never touch.Knoxx enters the room, his expression cautious. He must sense my discomfort because he approaches slowly, his voice softer than usual. “Caroline, can we talk for a minute?”I set the cup down, followed him out
Knoxx’s Point of View“What’s the plan, boss?” I tease, trying to lighten the mood.Caroline smirks, crossing her arms. “The plan is to make that second bedroom livable since someone is monopolizing the master suite.”I raise my hands in a mock surrender. “Point taken. Lead the way.”She rolls her eyes at my sarcasm, but there’s a flicker of amusement on her face. I follow her through the aisles of the upscale furniture store, watching as she examines each piece of décor with a thoughtful gaze. She’s meticulous, pausing at every fabric and color swatch, as though each decision holds the weight of the world.“This one,” she says firmly, stopping in front of a navy-blue sectional sofa. Her eyes light up as she gestures toward it.I lean in, pretending to scrutinize it. “It’s nice, but will it fit in the room?”She narrows her eyes at me. “Knoxx, the measurements are right there. Don’t act like you’re clueless.”Caught, I laugh, holding up my hands. “Fine. We’ll get it. You’re the expert
Caroline’s Point of ViewThe buzz of the store fills the air, faint murmurs of other shoppers blending with the soft classical music playing overhead. Knoxx walks beside me, pushing the cart filled with everything we’ve chosen. Despite myself, I feel a small sense of accomplishment looking at it—a reminder that we’re doing something normal, something together.As we approach the checkout, a sales assistant glances up and freezes. Her face lights up with recognition, and she strides over, her smile wide and eager.“Mr. Wayne! It’s been such a long time!” she says brightly, her tone dripping with familiarity.Knoxx acknowledges her with a polite nod. “Hello.”Her gaze flits over to me, briefly curious but dismissive as her smile tightens. “And who might this be? Your sister? Or...?”I blink, momentarily stunned by her assumption. Knoxx frowns slightly but doesn’t answer immediately.“She’s my wife,” he says firmly, his tone making it clear there’s no room for argument.The sales assista
Caroline’s Point of ViewThe sun dips below the horizon as we return to the beach house, bags in hand. The rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore greets us, soothing yet distant. To my surprise, the furniture and decorations we ordered earlier have already arrived, neatly stacked in the living room.“Right on time,” Knoxx says, his tone lighter than usual. He glances at me with a playful grin. “Let’s get to it. I want to see your vision come to life.”“My vision?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. “You’re acting like I’m redesigning an entire house. It’s just a bedroom.”He shrugs, unboxing the navy-blue sectional sofa we picked out earlier. “Still counts. You have good taste.”We fall into an easy rhythm, unpacking and arranging the pieces. I spread out rugs and position the lamps, while Knoxx tackles the heavier items like the bedframe and dresser. For a while, the awkwardness between us seems to dissipate, replaced by a shared sense of purpose. It feels almost... normal. Almost
Knoxx's Point of View"She promised it to me, Daddy! You said promises should be kept!"My daughter's voice breaks as she clutches my arm, big teary eyes staring up at me like I'm the bad guy. Again.I crouch down, trying to stay calm. “I know, sweetheart. But Mommy can’t get it for you right now.”“She said she would before she left!” Her lip trembles. “I want it!”Dolly’s name hangs unspoken between us.Before she left—before she was arrested and locked up for what she did to Caroline.The little girl doesn’t understand any of it. To her, Dolly’s still “Mommy,” and promises still matter.I exhale slowly. I don’t want to argue with a child. Not tonight. I rub a hand down my face and force a steady voice. “Which necklace did she say she’d get you?”She sniffs and pulls out the tablet from her tiny pink backpack. With a few swipes, she opens a photo. A jewelry website. One I recognize immediately.Caroline’s shop.My throat tightens. The necklace is delicate—simple, silver, with a soft
Knoxx’s Point of ViewI know something’s off.It starts small—barely noticeable, really. But over the past few days, I’ve seen it again and again.The little girl who once clung to me so tightly now barely reacts when I come home. She used to run into my arms, squeal, call me “Daddy” like it was the most natural thing in the world. Now, there’s a pause. A flicker of hesitation before she says it, like she’s trying to remember that she’s supposed to.And I pretend not to notice.I tell myself it’s just a phase. That maybe she’s tired. That maybe she’s distracted. That maybe… she still misses Dolly.Yesterday, I brought home her favorite cookies. Or what Dolly claimed were her favorite. The girl blinked at the box like she didn’t recognize it.“Don’t you love these?” I asked, crouching down to her eye level.
Caroline's Point of View We’re already an hour into shopping and both of us are starting to slow down. The mall is busy—kids screaming, couples holding hands, older people sitting on benches by the fountains—but somehow, Penelope and I walk through the noise like we’re somewhere else entirely.She’s holding a small paper bag, something she picked up at a local boutique we passed earlier. I’m pushing the shopping cart, even though we’re not even in the grocery section. Just walking. Browsing. Letting time pass.It’s peaceful. In a way I haven’t felt in a long time.Penelope nudges me with her elbow as we pass by a home decor display. “So… are you gonna talk about it or should I keep pretending I didn’t notice?”I raise an eyebrow. “Talk about what?”She smirks. “You know what.”I blink. “Pen, I reall
Caroline's Point of View I don’t usually turn on the television during breakfast. The apartment is quiet, and I like it that way. But this morning, I let the noise fill the silence.The news is on. Business segment. I don’t think twice about it until I hear his name.“Knoxx Wayne, CEO of Wayne Holdings, has once again made headlines with the launch of his latest renewable tech venture—”I freeze.My fork hovers midair. My appetite disappears.And then, there he is.Knoxx.The screen shows him standing in front of a line of men in suits. Flashing cameras, microphones shoved in his face, reporters circling like vultures. The same stage, the same performance I’ve seen him give a hundred times.But this time, it’s different.He doesn’t look like Knoxx.He looks thinner. Pale. The tailored suit hangs looser than usual. His smile is weak—hollow. Like it’s something he’s forgotten how to do but remembers he’s supposed to.His eyes don’t shine the way they used to when he talked about his wo
Caroline's Point of ViewThe hospital smells like antiseptic and something sharp underneath—like old metal and fear.I clutch Liam’s small hand tighter as we walk through the clinic’s wide glass doors. His sneakers squeak on the polished floor, and he keeps tugging at me, eager to run ahead.“Easy, buddy,” I murmur, smiling tightly.Today isn’t just a visit. It’s Adrian’s follow-up check-up.He insisted he was fine—brushed it off with that stubborn tilt of his mouth that used to drive me crazy. But I wasn’t about to let him come here alone, not after everything.“Mom, can I go see daddy now?” Liam bounces on his toes.I glance down the hallway toward the private exam rooms.“Let’s wait until the doctor finishes checking him, okay?” I say.The receptionist recognizes me, smiles warmly. “You can go right in, Miss Hill. Dr. Moreno just finished his evaluation.”I nod my thanks, squeezing Liam’s hand as we move through the hallways.I can hear Adrian’s voice before we even reach the room.
Caroline's Point of ViewThe bell above the door jingles when it swings open, but I don’t look up right away.I'm at the counter, polishing a silver chain with slow, careful motions, pretending not to notice who just walked in. I don’t need to look. I know that heavy, dragging sound of his boots across the marble floor. I know the way the air changes when he’s near — heavier, familiar in a way that still manages to unsettle me.I keep my head down.Maybe he’ll leave.Maybe he’ll realize there's nothing left to say.But he doesn’t. He moves closer, the floor creaking under his weight."Caroline," Knoxx says, voice low.I finish buffing the chain and set it down neatly on the velvet mat before I lift my gaze.He looks terrible.Unshaven. Hollow-eyed. His jacket hangs loose on his frame like he forgot how to take care of himself. He doesn’t even try to pretend he’s fine. For once, Knoxx Wayne is stripped bare in front of me.And somehow, seeing him like this doesn’t bring me satisfaction
Caroline’s Point of ViewI sit on the floor of my bedroom with my phone in my hand and a heavy ache in my chest. The house is quiet. The twins are with Adrian in the kitchen, drawing on the table with their markers. I told him I needed a few minutes alone. He didn’t ask why—just kissed my cheek and said he’d keep them busy.I stare down at my screen, at the endless thread of messages.Knoxx: I’ll be late tonight. Again.Knoxx: She’s just here for the baby, Caroline. Don’t make a big deal out of it.Knoxx: I’m tired. Can we not do this tonight?Knoxx: I didn’t mean it like that.Knoxx: You’re overthinking. Like always.Each one feels like a scratch on glass. Small, sharp, building toward something that eventually shattered me.I scroll up, past the excuses, past the cold replies, past the silence.Until I reach the older ones.Knoxx: Can’t sto
Caroline's Point of ViewI don’t want to care.But I do.Even after everything. Even after the lies, the betrayal, the manipulation—I still feel that tightening in my chest, that flicker of something I wish I could suffocate. It's not love. It’s not hope. It’s not even hate. It’s a stubborn wound that hasn’t closed properly.The front door creaks. I know the rhythm of those steps. Penelope.I stay where I am, on the couch, a notebook open on my lap. I haven’t written anything meaningful in it all day. Just scribbles. Doodles. Adrian’s name in cursive, printed, tiny in the margins like some foolish girl trying to anchor herself in something good.“You’re not watching the news?” Penelope’s voice is soft, but it cuts through the silence anyway.I look up. Her face says everything before her words do—tense, unreadable.“No,” I say, sharper tha
Knoxx’s Point of ViewIt’s too quiet in the house.I’m sitting on the edge of the bed in my daughter’s room—our daughter’s room—watching her sleep. Eight years old, but still small in ways that remind me how fragile everything is. She clutches the worn-out stuffed bear Dolly gave her on her third birthday. The same one she wouldn't let go of even when she had the flu and cried through the night.I’ve been checking on her more often. Staying longer than I need to. Not because she asks—she rarely does—but because I don’t know what else to do with myself anymore.“Hey, sweetheart,” I whisper, brushing a loose curl from her forehead. “It’s just you and me now.”She doesn’t stir. Just turns her face toward the wall.I lean back against the bedpost, hands tangled together, eyes fixed on the soft glow of the nightlight in the corner. I should feel