LOGIN[Alice’s POV] Perhaps Endall was right being so angry about the defamatory articles suddenly trashing my hard-won reputation in all those medical science publications.Despite the accusations having no basis in truth, I was becoming increasingly concerned as I watched them spreading unchecked through otherwise reputable academic journals, and being widely dissected in medical forums.Feeling a little shaken by the backlash, I sought advice from Adam.“This has got to stop,” he growled. His expression was controlled but underneath, he was furious. I could tell by his set jawline and the tick of a muscle under tension in his jaw.“I’ve been watching this garbage spread, and it’s not only dangerous to you, but it threatens the integrity of the institute, as well,” he said.I shrugged. I didn’t want to make too much of it. “I don’t think there’s anything I can do, Adam,” I said. “I don’t know the source of these false rumors. And that’s all it is, really, just rumors.”“Don’t worry too m
[David’s POV]After I had paid a visit to Doctor Bailey this afternoon and received confirmation of Lily’s pregnancy, I drove over to the International School. Today was Camilla’s first day at her new school and I so much wanted to be a part of her new adventure.The first day of school is a big milestone in a small child’s life. I felt I should share it with her but I was no longer permitted to be involved. Still, if I could catch a glimpse of her, that would be something.Alice would collect her when school finished, so I found a vacant space in the school’s parking lot and kept out of sight. Soon, I heard the sound of children’s voices as they burst out of the school and started running to their waiting parents.Leaving the car, I moved closer, keeping a watch on the doors to the building. It wasn’t easy finding my daughter amidst the noisy scrum of excited kids heading home for the day.Then I spotted her. She barreled down the front steps at a crazy pace, excitement written all o
[David’s POV]When I woke up, the other side of the bed was empty. I sat up, alone in the master suite. Someone was moving around in the ensuite. Lily. Of course.Glancing at the time, it was still early in the morning. My alarm hadn’t sounded yet.I heard a little, muffled moan coming from the bathroom. My heart began to pound. Was Lily alright? I had too much to deal with right now, for her to fall sick.When I realized what I was thinking, I felt momentarily ashamed. It was insensitive of me to just be concerned about my problems if my partner was ill.“Lily? Is everything okay?” I called.I climbed out of bed. The floor was cold, so I reached for my slippers.Before I could head into the bathroom, Lily appeared at the doorway. She was holding onto the door frame, her face pale, her hair disheveled. Her expression was grim.“I-I feel nauseous,” she said. “I hope it wasn’t something I ate.”“We had the same dinner together last night,” I said. “But I feel fine.”She tried a fragile
[Alice’s POV]Camilla woke early this morning; it was still dark outside. She raced into my bedroom and shook me.“Mommy, come on! We don’t want to be late!”I groggily sat up in bed and had to smile at what was confronting me. She had dressed herself, ready for her first day at her new school. She wore tartan leggings and her red boots, a short green pleated skirt, a lavender skivvy and her favorite fluffy pink coat.“Whoa, there,” I exclaimed. “We might need to take another look in your wardrobe, honey. And we need to get some breakfast.”I hauled my bulky body out of bed, and stood barefoot and shivering in my nightgown. I chose a warm robe out of the cupboard and pulled it on, before slipping my feet into woolen slippers.Together we headed for the kitchen to make ourselves a breakfast of pancakes with maple syrup, and a cup of coffee for me. When Camilla finished her cup of milk, she had a perfect white moustache on her upper lip.I laughed.“Go and look at yourself in the dressi
[Alice’s POV]“Have you seen this, Alice?” Endall exclaimed as he stormed into the lab.I looked up from my microscope and saw him clutching some magazines and papers.His face was red, his expression thunderous.“Look at this trash! Can you believe this?” he cried. He was holding up and shaking a tabloid newspaper. It was one of the more sensational newspapers, prone to reporting on stories more provocative than necessarily factual.Something had rattled him; he was usually so calm and steady in nature.“What are you talking about, Endall,” I asked, not really sure I wanted to know. I was rushing to get through some tests to free up some time to be with Camilla.“This article. It’s a malicious exposé, taking aim at you!”I felt momentarily shocked. I have always been careful to avoid exposure to the press where-ever possible. I resented my privacy being invaded and took measures to stay in the background.Intrigued, I said, “Let me have a look.”Endall threw the tabloid down on my wo
[Lily’s POV]So, it was finally over!David and Alice are divorced. It couldn’t have worked out better. Not only was I left in peace to comfort David, to be his rock at such a difficult time, but I didn’t have to put up with his brat any longer.Thankfully, his ex-wife and kid were over in Zurich, out of sight and out of reach. Now, all I had to do was consolidate my position in the vacated family villa and make it my own.After the fire, I had the whole place restored and redecorated to my taste. David never interfered, never got involved in any of the process, aside from funding it of course.And yet, despite things working out in my favor, I wasn’t quite finished with my elder sister. Not yet. In a way, she was also the winner in all of this. As usual, she got her way, discarding the unwanted husband, indulging herself in her research project that was already earning huge financial dividends, and taking all the acclaim for her academic brilliance.As usual.And here I was, left the
[Alice’s POV]I fetched a cup of coffee for Lily from the hospital canteen. I hoped it would help soothe her agitation.Lily was quietly sobbing when I came back to her room. She stopped crying and raised her head, her red and swollen eyes flashing with a light that was hard to decipher. She slowly
[Alice’s POV]“What I see,” David said, enunciating each word, “is that my wife dropped the medicine Lily shouldn’t have taken, from her pocket, and my daughter said you gave it to Lily. Now, Lily, who almost died, is generously excusing you before falling unconscious again.”He glared at me. “Alic
[Alice's POV]“Sign it,” my father demanded.“Alice, things have come to this point, and there’s no turning back. You’re charged with a criminal offense, and you’re likely to be convicted. The McCutchen family can’t have a daughter in prison. This stain will follow the family for generations. Your
[David’s POV]Alice stood up, easing Camilla onto her feet at the same time. Her movements were a bit slow, and she even staggered for a moment. I immediately wanted to support her, and when I raised my arm to lend support, she seemed to be startled. She pulled away from me.Her gaze was lowered, s







