LOGINCALI“You left home alone.”Bryan’s voice cut through the air before I even fully registered his presence. I turned, startled, and there he was, walking toward me with that same unreadable expression he always carried. Calm on the outside, but there was something else beneath it. Something I couldn’t quite place, something that made my chest tighten slightly.For a second, I just stared at him.Was he serious right now.After everything, after the way things had been, that was what he chose to say. Not where I was going. Not if I was fine. Just that.I opened my mouth to respond, irritation already rising inside me, but before I could say anything, everything changed in a split second.“Son of a bitch.”The voice came from behind me, sharp and filled with anger.And then it happened.I barely had time to process it before I saw Bryan stumble back, his hand flying to his face as he hit the ground.My breath caught in my throat.I turned quickly, my heart racing, and that was when I saw
“What is it?” I asked, watching him closely as something in his expression shifted. He dragged in a breath like the words were stuck somewhere deep inside him, refusing to come out.“I don’t know how to say this, Cali,” he said quietly. “I feel guilty for everything, so I just don’t know how to say it.”I tilted my head slightly, trying to lighten whatever weight he was carrying. “Come on. You’re not a coward. And if anything happened, remember I’m always here.”“Yeah, that’s the problem,” he replied, his voice tightening. “I failed you, Cali. I failed you.”I frowned at that, genuinely confused. “You’ve never failed me,” I said without hesitation, because I couldn’t recall a single moment where he had let me down. Not really. Not in any way that mattered.Well, except one thing.The one thing I never allowed myself to dwell on for too long.He only ever saw me as a friend.But even that wasn’t something I could hold against him. Feelings don’t come on command, and he never pretended
BRYANToday started like any other day, with me wanting nothing more than to stay at home and avoid the world. The comfort of my apartment, the quiet hum of the city outside, and the thought of doing nothing at all called to me like a warm blanket. But life rarely gives us what we want. Work, relentless and insistent, pulled me out of my comfort zone. I got dressed, fought the usual morning lethargy, and headed to the office.As soon as I walked in, I immediately noticed a problem. My personal assistant had already informed me she wouldn’t be coming in today. That wouldn’t have been such an issue if I could rely on her to at least leave me some guidance or help me prioritize my tasks, but the tone of her message suggested she was completely unavailable. I realized I was on my own.At that moment, a sense of frustration started creeping in. I considered calling Cali. Just a quick check-in, maybe even asking for her advice. But then I remembered the conversation we had just a few days ag
RACHELThe silence in my room feels wrong.Not peaceful. Not calm. Just heavy.I sit at the edge of the bed, my phone lying beside me, the screen still glowing faintly like it is reminding me that none of this was a dream. I have read the message more times than I should have, but it still does not feel real. It just sits there, cold and certain, like it knows something I do not.I press my lips together and look away.Thinking about it again will not change anything.But not thinking about it is impossible.I let out a slow breath and rub my hands together, trying to steady myself. My fingers feel cold, even though the room is not.I need to think clearly.Not as a mother.Not as someone who is afraid.But as someone who has no choice but to handle this.Whoever sent that message did not do it by accident. That much is obvious. They chose their words carefully. They knew exactly what to say and how to say it.And worst of all, they knew me.Not just my name.They knew enough to shake
CALIBy the time I got to the venue, my heart was already beating a little faster than normal. I told myself it was nothing, just the stress from earlier, just the strange mood the day had started with. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t only that.The moment I stepped into the café, my eyes found him almost immediately.Steve was already there.Seated like he had all the time in the world, relaxed, composed, and somehow still managing to stand out without even trying. There was something about him that hadn’t changed at all. That calm presence, that quiet confidence. He looked… perfect. Almost like a charming prince waiting patiently, like he knew I would come.For a brief second, I just stood there, watching him.It was strange how different he was from Bryan. Bryan always carried this edge, this energy like he didn’t care about anything, even when he clearly did. Steve was the complete opposite. Calm. Soft. Effortless.I snapped out of it and walked toward him.The moment he saw me, h
CLARAI stood by the hallway, pretending to be occupied with nothing in particular, but my eyes were fixed on her retreating figure. I watched carefully until she completely disappeared from sight before I allowed myself to move. My heart was already beating faster than normal, not out of fear exactly, but out of anticipation.This was the moment I had been waiting for.Ever since Mr Bryan went missing, everything in the house had changed. His room had been locked, sealed off like it held secrets no one was allowed to touch. I had tried, more than once, to get inside, but there was always someone around, always something stopping me. It had been frustrating, knowing what I was here for and not being able to complete it.But now he was back.And with him back, the room was no longer completely out of reach.I moved forward quickly but carefully, making sure my steps were light against the floor. The mansion was quiet, but not quiet enough for careless mistakes. One wrong sound, one wro
SARAHI woke up earlier than usual that morning. For a few seconds, I just lay there staring at the ceiling, letting the quiet settle into me before the day officially began. The air felt colder than the previous days, and I pulled the duvet closer to my chin before finally forcing myself to sit up
BENI woke up to a strange brightness flashing against my eyelids. At first I thought it was part of a dream, something unreal, but when I forced my eyes open, the light only grew sharper. I squinted hard, trying to adjust. My head felt heavy, as though I had been asleep for days. I shut my eyes ag
SARAHWhen I got home, the familiar scent of lavender and honey welcomed me, a comforting contrast to the chaotic energy of the college campus. The house felt unusually quiet, and when I stepped into the sitting room, I realized no one was around. The silence was peaceful, though it made the space
SARAHI kept crying endlessly. I could not even control it anymore. The tears just kept falling no matter how many times I wiped my face. My head ached, my eyes were swollen, and my chest felt heavy like something was sitting on it and refusing to move.The prince tried so many times to console me







