CLAIRE’S POV“C’mon Claire, don’t be like this,” Aliana whined for the hundredth time that night. She was trying to get me out of my comfort zone and make me drunk as shit, but I didn’t want that. I wanted to feel every ache my broken heart had to offer me and I wanted to be depressed as far as depression went.“If you’re going to keep sulking like a little bitch, we’re going to…” Aliana quickly covered Liz’s mouth, stopping her from exposing whatever sick plans they had for me tonight. Liz’s eyes widened in surprise but she quickly recovered and smacked Aliana’s hand away.“Okay, I get it. Don’t smudge my lipstick.”The sound of loud music emanating from the speakers of the club succeeded in making me almost hearing impaired, and the stench of alcohol and sweat got me reeling with nausea. I didn’t want to come out today. In all honesty, I would have very much liked to continue to wallow in self-pity back in my hotel room. But my friends had traveled all the way here to be with me dur
CLAIRE’S POVI could already feel the effects of my infidelity seconds after I woke up the next day.Guilt consumed me like a wild fire consumed everything in its way. I knew it was silly of me to feel guilty about sleeping with another man when Liam broke up with me, but it was reasonable to feel that way. We had just broken up the night before and I was still hung up on him. For all I knew he was regretting his actions and planned on calling me first thing in the morning but I was too busy experiencing a new level of climax that may or may not have been discovered yet.Heat crept up my cheeks as I remembered my encounter with the handsome stranger.“Shake that thought away,” I said to myself. “It was a mistake and nothing like that will ever happen again.”“Room service!” I frowned when I heard the announcement coming from the other side of the door. I hadn’t ordered anything yet so it surprised me to hear that.My curiosity was satisfied when I opened the door and saw Aliana and El
MACK’S POV“Sir, your mother has been calling you.”I opened my eyes and stared at the imploring face of Kevin. His hand was stretched out with my phone in it.“Kevin, how many times do I have to tell you to ignore that woman? She just wants to nag me. You already know that so why do you keep answering when she calls?”“It sounded urgent, sir. I couldn’t ignore it.” I sighed and snatched the phone from him, then I dumped it in the ice bucket. I knew that wouldn’t do much damage to the phone, but it was my way of telling Kevin that I couldn’t give two shits about how desperate she sounded over the phone.“You and I both know she’s calling about the blind date that I cancelled. Just continue to live like she doesn’t exist.” Kevin stood in front of me for a few more seconds, as if contemplating whether to try and convince me to respond to the woman that gave birth to me or let it be. When the plane started to shake a little, he took that as a sign to leave and strap on his seat belt.My
I sat at the window of the plane, looking at the clouds but not really seeing them. I felt a sharp pain in my ribcage, like a shattered bottle scraping through it. I placed my hand on my chest stroking it in an upward and downward motion, a survival mechanism that I learnt from my mom, and it actually worked.“He is a fool” Mack said from his seat. I turned to his direction and tried saying something but I couldn’t find the words.He just shattered our seven-year relationship. After everything we’ve been through, he decided to let it go for a few seconds of pleasure. The thing that hurt the most was Aliana. She was always there for me, laughed with me, shed tears with me, we literally did almost everything together. To think that she didn’t act at all like the person who’d betray me. It hurt more than anything else in the world did.“Liam has no idea the gem he just threw away right now.” The way he said it made me shudder. He was staring at me like I was a priceless piece of art, some
MACK’S POVMy mother’s steely eyes settled in on Claire standing behind me. Immediately, I moved to obstruct her view of my bride-to-be.“You didn’t have to come all the way to the airport to see me, mother. I was headed home anyways,” I said gently. She raised a skeptical brow at me.“Really? And here I was thinking that, with the way you avoided me like a plague, you didn’t want to see me. I thought you had left me with no other choice but to accost you at the airport.” She smiled coyly. “My bad.”She couldn’t resist then. Craning her long, slender neck, she appraised Claire. Her expression was neutral, but I knew what Laura Allister thought.“Who’s that?” she asked. I wasn’t expecting her to, but Claire stepped forward, her face smiling and welcoming.“Hello. My name is Claire Moore. It is nice to meet you.”I have to hand it to Claire though, she was unmoved despite the hard look my mother gave her. She didn’t even stretch out her hand for a handshake when she introduced herself.
****************************CLAIRE'S POV****************The gigantic gates of Mack's mansion slowly opened, revealing an expansive estate bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun. I stepped out of the car, my heart fluttering in my chest, a mix of excitement and nerves swirling within me.The luxurious mansion before me was a master piece_tall, regal, and meticulously designed with ivy climbing the walls, its windows reflecting the soft light like a jewel.I paused as I took in the beautiful sight before me, and a soft smile tugged on my lips.The air smelled fresh with a faint of blooming roses from the garden. I trailed the smell of the blooming roses to the garden and I noticed that Mack was walking behind me."There, I found it,", I said to Mack as I squealed in excitement like a little puppy.The garden was a small hidden jewel, nestled behind the gigantic house, depicting the secrets of life, colour and nature.The flowers were delicate_ their petals kisses by the butt
**********************Mack's POV**************************The house was quiet for a moment as Claire, my soon-to-be wife, ascended the stairs to get ready for dinner.Her footsteps echoed in the hallway, a reminder that the evening ahead of us would be our first dinner together as my fianceè. I couldn't help but smile as I imagined the life we would build together.But then, the happiness was shortlived by one thing_Sadie, there she was_standing at the entryway with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Her presence filled the room before she even spoke.Mrs. Amelia left to get the dinner ready with other workers, it was just us."Mack," Her voice was soft but firm."I figured I'd stop by. I wasn't sure if we'd have a chance to catch up before....well dinner.I forced a smile; my mother put her up to this; I hadn't seen her in years, and all of a sudden, she was here; it felt staged; it was unlike Sadie; she hardly visits only on her father's persuasiveness."Sadie, " I said, id
**************************Claire's POV**********************"You owe me one" I tossed my heels by the side, they've accomplished their mission for the day." Huh?" Confusion was written all over his face." I just did what you couldn't do" I gestured to the door then back at him." Sadie?" "Yes, silly" I exhaled heavily." You know I would've still done it without your help." He said bluntly." Mmmm," I shook my head in disagreement." You wouldn't have" I refused to agree with him."I was just trying not to get on my mother's bad side; it won't be a good start for you", his voice smooth as silk." Oh really?""Yes, really", he responded"But, you still owe me," I said"I've never met someone whose presence has so much effect on a room," he smiled genuinely, gesturing to the door."You made her leave," he said proudly."Well, I've got the skill you know " I chuckled trying to hide the blush on my cheeks.He threw his head in the air as he laughed, holding his stomach." Now, what's
************************Claire's POV************************The room spun around me; that message __ just one line__ was enough to unravel the last thread of composure I had.**Someone's behind Sadie's death… and the person is closer than you think.**I stared down at my phone's screen, hoping the message might change if I looked long enough. But the words stuck themselves into my brain like a blood tick, repeating again and again like a cursed chant. My hands trembled as I slowly handed kelvin back the phone.His jaw tightened as his expression was dreary."I don't know who sent it. It's an unknown number but I've already forwarded it to Mack." He rasped.I nodded."Thanks," I said. Though my throat had gone dry.He stayed with me for a moment as if he noticed I didn't want to be alone. He looked like he wanted to say something, but then he just turned and left. The door shut with a muted click behind him.I was alone again.I paced around the room like I was a soldier trying to pay
******************************Etian's POV*******************The rain started around the time we hit the intersection out of Aliana’s neighbourhood. Heavy, angry drops pounded against the windshield, smearing the lights of the city into long, distorted streaks. Rowe drove in silence, one hand gripping the wheel tighter than necessary, the other drumming a quiet rhythm against his thigh.I watched the wipers move in a sluggish arc, my mind stuck on Aliana’s face. That first flicker of shock. The way her hand hovered over the folder was like it might burn her. She tried too hard to stay composed—and it only made me trust her less."She's hiding something." I finally said. Breaking the silence.Rowe didn't respond right away. His jaw tightened as he glanced at my direction. “You think she killed Sadie?” he breathed. His voice was low and calm.I couldn't respond. Not yet. My mind was tangled with thoughts already ten miles ahead, racing through every inconsistency we'd gathered."She li
***********************Aliana's POV*************************The door creaked shut behind them, the echo threading through the quiet like a final verdict. I stood still in the kitchen, my fingers clenched around the edge of the counter, my pulse a thunderous rhythm in my ears. The folder they'd brought still lay on the marble island, its presence louder than an argument.Detective Etian __ sort of. Not sure if it was official or not. But enough to knock the breath from my lungs.Rowe__ didn't recognize him at first but the eyes gave him away__same as Sadie's, piercing through me like he's seeing everything in my head.I gave out a heavy breath, as I tried to keep my hands from shaking. I wasn't afraid of them__ at least not exactly. But I was afraid of what they brought along with them. That file. That is fake evidence. Fabricated, yes. But convincing. Too convincing. Whoever did this didn't just want to frame me__ they wanted me buried.I picked up the folder again and flipped it op
************************Etian's POV***********************By the time we pulled into the quiet, upper district neighbourhood__ one of those gated areas that whispered wealth instead of shouting it, the rain had let up. Rowe drove, his hands tight on the wheel, eyes fixed on the winding road ahead. We sat little. There wasn't much left to say.Then, came Aliana's house. A sleek two_story with minimalist lines and pale stone walls, tucked behind manicured hedges and a row of white_blossomed pear trees. It wasn't ostentatious like I'd expected _not the sprawling estate of someone with generational mon, ey__, but it had class. Discretion. Like her.Soft light glowed from narrow vertical windows at the front of the house, casting a calm, welcoming hue. A single matte-black hybrid sedan rested in the driveway—spotless and well-maintained. I instantly noticed the security setup: motion detectors, a front-facing camera, and a digital keypad by the door.“She lives alone?” I asked quietly as
************************Morgan's POV********************* The sun cast a golden hue over the manicured lawn of Henry's estate. The familiar crunch of gravel under my shoes stirred memories of the countless visits, shared cigars, and debates that stretched into the night. It had been years since I'd last walked this path, but here I am this late afternoon because of the weight of the recent events___ which made the distance between us feel even longer. Henry greeted me at the door in a quick hug, his once jet-black hair now peppered with grey, but his posture remained as upright as ever. "Morgan," he said, extending a firm hand. "It's been too long." His lips curved into a smile. "Far too long," I replied, gripping his hand with equal strength. He led me into his study, a room that had always been a sanctuary of sorts. Shelves lined with books, artefacts from our travels, and the ever-present decanter of aged whiskey. He poured us both a glass, and we settled into the leather
**************************Rowe's POV************************The rain had been relentless since morning. The city looked faded, the streets coated in uncertain reflections—like illusions pretending to be real. Just like the truth, I was desperately trying to cling to.Etian sat opposite me in the dim back room of the safe house. A bandage covered his temple, and a nasty bruise darkened the skin around his eye. He didn’t just look exhausted—he looked haunted, like someone. the skin around his eye. He didn’t just look exhausted—he looked haunted, like someone who had been dragged through something too dark to fully explain.“She’s everywhere,” he said as he face was still stung to the Monitor like a stungfish.I opened the file. Inside were surveillance stills, time stamps, device identifiers—Aliana’s name popping up in systems we hadn’t even known she could access. There were USB records, footage of her car near the penthouse on the night Sadie died, her login activity on Etian’s rest
************************Liam's POV*************************The scent of cedar and the rain drifted through the half-cracked window, but I barely noticed. My study was quite__ too quiet. The kind of quiet that comes after the storm, when you're sure if it's over or just waiting to return.I stood by the fireplace, swirling a glass of bourbon I hadn't touched. The logs hissed softly, flames curling like whispers. On the table behind me, a black duffel bag waited.They were late.I checked my watch for the third time. 12:47 AM. The city below was asleep—or pretending to be. But not me. Not tonight. Not until this final piece slid into place.A soft buzz echoed from the elevator.Finally.I turned just as the elevator door opened with a muffled chime. Three men stepped out __ all dressed in black, soaked from the rain. The one in front__ Roger__tossed the bag on the table with a dull thud."Everything's intact." He said."Phone, USB. Notes. He had backups, but we scrubbed his cloud befor
********************Morgan's POV*************************The news hit like a hammer—Etian had been attacked.Rowe isn't safe if Etian had been attacked.I stood by the tall windows of my office, the early morning light bled through the blinds, castung long shadows across the floor. My knuckles were white against the mahogany desk as i gripped the edge tightly, stared blankly at the city skyline. My jaw clenched and unclenched."I should've seen this coming." I muttered under my breath.My aide delivered the report minutes ago. Detective Etian had been found near an abandoned district on the outskirts of the city, bruised, bloodies, his phone and any evidence he had gathered completely destroyed. No cameras. No witnesses. It had been deliberate ___ too clean to be random.My thoughts spun like a storm. "It wasn't an accident Abba. " The exact words Rowe said to me.Someone was trying up loose ends and if Etian had gotten that close to the truth, then we're running out of time.I did
****************************Etian's POV*********************The bruises on my ribs ached with every breath I took as I walked. I was still shaken from the ambush. My body felt like it had been seen through a war zone__ my ribs were sore, my lips split, and my shoulders ached deeply from where one of them had kicked me as I tried to crawl away. They didn't say anything. Just left me on the cold gravel like I was trash. Whoever they were, I would dig out what they wanted to be buried.And they took everything I had—my phone, the USB drive, even the photo I was analyzing, they thought they were smart.But they didn’t take what I remembered.My mind kept circling back to that image. That single frame. A woman, half-shadowed, slipped through the side entrance of Sadie’s building. Slender build. Dark hair. Long coat. Her face was turned away, but it was enough to start digging.Enough to point me back to Aliana.Rowe had picked me up that night, finding me bloodied and half-frozen in the