LOGINALVINThe moment the cab pulled up near the side gates of my father's estate, I tossed some cash at the driver and got out before the car could even come to a complete stop.I checked my watch. I had less than forty minutes before Benson and Viana would be heading back from the hospital, assuming traffic was on their side. I couldn’t afford to waste a single second.Instead of walking through the front entrance where the main security guard was usually stationed, I sneaked around the perimeter of the mansion, using the thick hedges as cover until I reached the back door. It was locked, but I knew exactly where the spare key was hidden underneath the mat.I grabbed it, unlocked the door quietly, and slipped inside.The house was dead silent. The maids were probably off duty or busy in the separate staff quarters at the far end of the property.My first destination wasn’t my father's bedroom or his private study. It was the security room. Benson was paranoid about everything, which mean
ALVINThe moment the final bell rang, I didn't waste any time. I grabbed my bag and headed straight to the parking lot, where Viana was already waiting for me. "We don't have much time," she said under her breath as soon as I walked up to her. "Benson’s driver is going to be here in a few minutes to pick me up.""I still don't like this," I said, crossing my arms. My chest felt tight with anxiety. "Going alone with him to the hospital is risky, Viana. If he figures out what you're doing, you're going to be in serious trouble.""He won't figure it out," she insisted, "He thinks I'm completely on his side. We'll communicate via text. The moment we pull into the hospital parking lot, I'll message you. That's your cue to get back to the house and start searching."I looked down at her. Her leg was clearly holding up better, so if anything did happen she would be able to defend herself before she could reach out to me. The thought of leaving her alone with my father made a knot form in m
VIANNAI woke up early the next morning in the unfamiliar room on the ground floor of Benson’s mansion. The bed was huge and comfortable, but sleeping under the same roof as the man who likely put my mother in a coma made my stomach turn.I sat up slowly and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. When I stood up and took a few steps across the room, I noticed my ankle was feeling a lot better. The resting and the medication the hospital gave me had worked wonders. It still throbbed slightly, but I could actually walk on it without needing Alvin to support me.I walked into the adjoining bathroom, showered, and got dressed in my school uniform. Today was a school day, and despite everything going on, I couldn't afford to skip classes especially after all the ones I had missed. Once I was prepared, I picked up my bag and walked out of the room, walking down the stairs and hallway until I reached the massive dining area.Alvin was already there. He was dressed too, standing near the l
ALVINI tossed the last suitcase into the trunk of the car and slammed it shut, my chest tight with annoyance.Today was the day we were moving into my father’s house, and the entire thing felt like a massive mistake. I didn't want to be anywhere near him, especially after finding that separation letter in Jenna's bag. Every single instinct in my body was telling me to grab Viana and run as far away from that man as possible, but she had insisted on this. I still had no idea what her actual plan was, and the lack of control was driving me insane.I walked back toward the front of the house and froze when I saw them by the passenger door.Viana was standing there, leaning slightly on her good leg, and she was talking to my father. I couldn't hear what she was saying, but whatever it was, my father let out a loud laugh and nodded, patting her shoulder. Viana smiled back at him, acting like they were the best of buddies. Seeing the two of them laughing and getting along like that made m
VIANAI sat on the edge of my mother’s bed, staring down at the open box I had pulled from under it. My fingers brushed over the glossy surfaces of the photographs, each one showing my father with a different woman. Some were taken in restaurants, others outside hotels, all dated months and weeks back.Beside the photos lay the separation letter Alvin had found in her bag. Reading through the typed lines again, the reality of it all just made me feel hollow. My mother knew everything, and she was trying to escape him. Now she was lying in a hospital bed, hooked up to machines, and I had no idea what to do next.We had no real proof to show the police, and tomorrow we were supposed to move right into Alvin’s father's house and even that knowledge made me feel a bit awkward because I didn't know how violent he was so what if he found out what we were planning and hurt us too?I shook the thoughts away. No, Viana. This wasn't the time to be pessimistic about this. I was doing this for m
VIANAI stared at the leather bag in Alvin's hands, my brows furrowing in deep confusion. "What is that for? Why do you have my mother's bag?"Alvin unzipped the main compartment of the bag and reached inside, pulling out two things that made my heart stop.The first was a small, velvet jewellery box. He popped it open, revealing the ring that Alvin's father gave her sitting inside. The second was a folded piece of paper."What is that?" I whispered, my voice shaking as I looked from the ring to the paper."It's a separation letter, Viana," Alvin said, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper so the nurses outside wouldn't hear us. He unfolded the paper and held it out for me to see. It was a typed legal document, signed by my mother, stating her clear intention to leave my father and end their relationship for good."I don't understand," I muttered, shaking my head. “She never mentioned anything about leaving him.""Right? With her mentioning of moving with my father, I thought she was







