LOGINKENDRICKThe weight of everything we'd just heard settled over us like a storm cloud. Adeline was the first to break the silence.She folded her arms across her chest and looked at me. “How did you even find out about those other girls?”“My P.I.” I glanced at Matthew. “Matthew showed me photographs taken when I was with them, so I hired an investigator to look into it.” I sighed. “But the deeper they dug, the uglier it became. She kept records of everything.”Sophie's expression remained cold as I talked.Victor frowned. “Records?”I nodded. “Matthew and the police searched her house after obtaining the necessary warrants. They found journals.”“Journals?”“Yes.” I looked at Yulia. “She documented everything. She kept them like they were achievements.”Yulia's face drained of colour. “Oh my God…”“She even wrote notes about how each victim reacted.”Adeline’s lips curled in disgust. “That is sick.”“She treated people's pain like trophies.”Damon closed his eyes. “I can't believe I
YULIA“What else did she do?” Damon asked.Kendrick glanced at Matthew before looking back at me. “Yulia… you're not the only girl who fell victim to them.”My heart sank. “What do you mean?”He took a breath. “Sophie has been doing this for years.”I felt my stomach tighten. “Years? So it’s not only me?”He nodded. “Every time I became interested in someone, she felt threatened by another woman, and she finds a way to destroy that relationship.”There was a moment of silence.Kendrick continued. “Y’all know Olivia is also a cybersecurity specialist.” I turned to Sophie. “Your cousin here helped to erase evidence, create fake information, and access private accounts.”I cut my eyes at Olivia, and she looked down, crying. “The first time was during college.” Kendrick looked at Sophie. “You remember my girlfriend at the house party?” he quizzed.Sophie was mute. “You and Olivia planned to spike her drink. Set her up in bed with another guy and made it look like she cheated,” Kendrick
KENDRICKThe private lounge at The Spaniards Inn was one of the few places in London where we could disappear for a while.Tucked away near Hampstead Heath, it had the perfect balance of privacy and comfort. The kind of place where businessmen held quiet meetings, friends gathered after a long week, and nobody cared enough to disturb you.This was where we came to relax, but at this moment, I couldn't relax. I sat back in my chair, staring at the glass of whiskey in front of me without taking a sip.Today was the day. The truth was finally coming out.For weeks, someone had been playing with our lives. Watching us, manipulating situations. Creating misunderstandings, and the worst part was knowing that the person had been close enough to smile in my face while destroying everything behind my back.Right under my nose.Victor leaned forward, studying me carefully. “Bro, are you alright?”I looked up. “Yeah.”He didn't look convinced. “No, you're not.”I sighed. “I'm fine, Victor.”Damo
YULIA The sound of Kendrick's car pulling away echoed through the silence of the house. For a long moment, I remained standing at the top of the staircase hidden from view, unable to move. My father's words kept replaying in my head. Leave my house. This relationship ends today. It felt as though someone had reached into my chest and torn my heart in two. I slowly closed my bedroom door behind me. The moment the latch clicked into place, every bit of strength I'd been holding onto disappeared. I slid down against the door until I was sitting on the floor. Then I cried, not the quiet tears I'd shed downstairs. These were ugly sobs that shook my entire body. I buried my face in my knees, trying to muffle the sound, but it was impossible. Everything had fallen apart within minutes. Dad knew. Daphne knew and Kendrick had been punched because of me. The image of him holding his jaw while still trying to defend me refused to leave my mind. My chest tightened. I needed someone. W
KENDRICKThe sky had already begun fading into shades of deep orange and navy when I pulled into William's driveway.Normally, family dinners were easy, but tonight I felt my heart heavy because I knew something no one else did.I'd seen the face behind the stalking, and I don’t know how to tell Yulia. It would break her heart if she knew.The only reason I hadn't told anyone yet was that I wanted evidence strong enough that there would be no escape when I finally confronted them.Dinner was already laid out when everyone gathered around the long dining table with roasted lamb, Yorkshire puddings, honey-glazed carrots, roasted potatoes, and green beans. This was exactly the sort of Sunday dinner my mother loved.William carved the meat while my mother poured wine for herself and sparkling water for everyone else.Yulia sat beside me. Our shoulders brushed once as we settled into our chairs, and I caught her smiling. A small one meant for me. It almost made me forget everything else.C
YULIA“So tired,” I mumbled, closing the last textbook. My eyes were begging for a break.The law library had gradually emptied over the past two hours, leaving only the occasional rustle of pages and the quiet tapping of keyboards. I stretched my arms above my head before gathering my notes into neat piles, sliding them into my backpack one after another. Criminal law had a way of swallowing entire afternoons without warning.I glanced at the time on my phone and sighed. “I'm starving.”The only thing occupying my mind now was food. Real food. Not another vending machine snack or another cup of coffee pretending to be dinner.I slung my backpack over my shoulder and headed for the exit.The cool evening air greeted me the moment I stepped outside the library. I had barely taken a few steps when someone called my name.“Yulia.”I spun around. “Justin.”He offered me the same shy smile he always wore. “Hi.”“Hi.” I smiled back. “I didn't know you were around.”He adjusted the strap of
KENDRICK“What were they thinking, letting her live with you?” Victor asked, leaning back lazily in the chair across from my desk like he owned the space.“Safety.” I shrugged, flipping through the folder in front of me without bothering to look up. “Apparently, her father thinks London will collap
YULIA“We’re almost there, baby girl.” My father watched me as I angled towards the side window, lost in my thoughts.“I still can’t believe you eloped and got married.” I glanced at him, and he was smiling.“Well… I can’t be single forever. I’m ready to settle down and spend the rest of my life wi
KENDRICK Every head at the table turned toward Yulia. I hated that question the moment Mother asked it. Yulia blinked once, clearly caught off guard. She placed her fork down as she searched for an answer, and accidentally, the glass beside her tipped. Champagne splashed across the tablecloth and
YULIA“So you’re telling me that you’re living with the Kendrick Fernsby?” Adeline asked dramatically, raising both hands to make quotation marks in the air. I laughed, taking another sip of my pineapple smoothie. I had decided to meet her at The Good Life Eatery because their smoothies were ridic







