VIVIAN I took a deep breath as I looked down at my daughter, Callie, standing in front of me, her big blue eyes piercing through mine….Oh she looked just like me. “Mommy, you’re beautiful,” she said with a bright smile, her little hands clutching a bouquet of flowers. “Thank you, sweetheart,” I replied, my heart swelling with love. “You’re the most beautiful flower girl in the whole world.” As I gazed at her, I couldn’t help but marvel at how much she had grown in just three years. It felt like just yesterday that I held her in my arms for the first time, and now she was here, radiant and full of joy, ready to be part of my special day. Taking her hand, I walked slowly toward the church doors. The moment I stepped inside, a hush fell over the guests, and every head turned to face us. I felt like a scene from a movie, the soft light filtering through the stained glass illuminating the path before me. My heart raced as I took it all in, overwhelmed by the love that surroun
THREE YEARS LATER The art gallery buzzed with excitement as guests admired the vibrant paintings, each piece telling a story of passion, struggle, and triumph. The space was beautifully lit, with soft music playing in the background. Clara stood at the front of the room, a warm smile on her face as she addressed the crowd.“Thank you, everyone, for being here tonight,” Clara began, her voice filled with emotion. She paused for a moment, taking in the sight of the people who had come to support her. “This gallery has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and seeing it come to life tonight is nothing short of surreal.”The audience clapped politely, and Clara took a breath, glancing at the art behind her before continuing. “I’ve always believed that art is a reflection of our journey….the ups, the downs, the moments that define who we are. And tonight, I’m honored to share that journey with all of you.”As the applause quieted down, Clara’s expression softened, and h
VIVIANWe barely had time to close the door before Jack's hands were all over me. His lips crashed against mine, hungry, desperate, as he backed me up against the wall, his body pressing firmly into mine. My heart raced, matching the rhythm of his rapid, heated kisses. He pulled my coat off, tossing it aside with a low growl as his fingers traced over my skin, igniting every inch of me.“I’ve been waiting for this all night,” he murmured against my lips, his hands slipping down to the tip of my dress, ready to pull it up.But just as the heat was building between us, Jack’s phone buzzed. He ignored it, not breaking the kiss, his hand already sliding up my thigh. The buzzing continued, persistent, as he groaned in frustration, finally glancing at the screen.“It’s the family lawyer,” he muttered.I stilled, pulling back just enough to catch my breath. “You should probably answer that.”Jack sighed, clearly annoyed, but nodded. He pulled out his phone, pressing the speaker button.
VIVIAN I stared down at Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, their faces pale with shock and fear, the heat from the bathroom still suffocating them as they struggled to breathe. The air felt thick, choking, but I could feel nothing but the cold satisfaction swelling inside me."Do you even know who I am?" I asked.Mrs. Anderson's tear-filled eyes darted to mine, confusion twisting her features. "Wha…What are you talking about?" she stammered.I knelt down, bringing my face closer to hers. "I'm Vivian Thompson," I said slowly, watching as the realization dawned in her eyes. "The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson. The lawyers you murdered years ago... and made it look like an accident."A gasp escaped her lips, her face draining of any remaining color. She turned to her husband, who was equally as stunned, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he struggled to process my words.“No… no, that’s not true!” Mr. Anderson croaked, his voice hoarse from the heat. “We didn’t….”“Don’t lie,” I snapped,
VIVIAN I followed Jack out of the room, my heart beating so fast as we made our way down the hallway to his parents’ bedroom. The weight of my swollen belly slowed me down, but the urgency in Jack’s stride kept me moving."Why would she be calling from inside the house?" Jack muttered under his breath, his brow furrowed in confusion.We reached the door to his parents’ room, but it was silent. Jack pushed it open, revealing an empty space. The bed was neatly made, and everything was in its place, but there was no sign of his parents.“Mom? Dad?” Jack called out, his voice echoing.No answer.I glanced around, a sense of unease crawling up my spine. "Jack… where are they?"Just as Jack was about to speak, we heard a faint voice coming from behind the bathroom door. His mother's voice, weak and strained. “Jack… we’re in here. Help us…”Jack’s eyes darted to me, his expression filled with worry. We moved closer to the bathroom door, and Jack knocked softly. “Mom? What happened? Why
SEBASTIAN I sat on the edge of the couch, my leg bouncing as I kept glancing at the clock. Two minutes late. Not that I was counting…okay, I was, but only because I couldn’t wait to see her. This was, what, our tenth time meeting? And yet, the butterflies in my stomach still showed up every single time.I leaned back, rubbing my palms together. Tonight was the night. I was finally going to ask Clara out….make this official. Vivian had been the one to introduce us, though she still swore it wasn’t a setup. I knew better, though, and I wasn’t complaining. Not one bit.Just then, I heard the door click open. My heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face as I turned toward the sound. I’d given her a key a few days ago, so now she had free access to my place. Too soon? Maybe, but it just felt... right.As she stepped inside, looking as perfect as always, I tried to play it cool, but my grin betrayed me. "Two minutes late," I said, crossing my arms in