RYDER'S POINT OF VIEWTwo days later...Lying in that hospital bed was a soul that had been woven into my own for as long as I could recall. Mirabel hadn't opened her eyes for the past two days. I was starting to fear something was wrong. The doctor had explained it was normal and that she would soon wake up.Annalise and I finally had some time to discuss, since I met her at a wrong time. She explained she had returned to Ordene because she felt restless. She said a part of her wasn't comfortable that she was away. Her father seemed to be becoming depressed with each passing day. She had come to help me find her sister's murderer. Another reason was because she had acquired a company in Ordene and was here to see how they were doing."So how far have you come?" Anna asked me. We were in Mirabel's hospital room, monitoring her. There were men outside, too."There's nothing much yet." I told her, "But I had refused a message. The attacker said there was more to come and one of it is the

ELENA'S POINT OF VIEWWhen I returned to the office, Miss Miller was pacing up and down and making the other workers uncomfortable. She rushed to me when she set her eyes on me."What did he talk to you about? Tell me now." She demanded, daring me to tell a lie.I decided to tell the truth. "He asked me if you're making me uncomfortable."A small gasp escaped her lips, and she furrowed her eyebrows. "What? Why would he ask you such a question? What is your relationship with the CEO?""We go way back." I answered, hoping I wouldn't give something away.Truth be told, I did not know who Ryder was before the accident. I didn't bother to know, but here I was, claiming to know him like he was someone I met in college or high school, even.She swallowed, fear obviously filling her. "So, what did you tell him about me?""The truth." I walked away from her, a new feeling of boldness washing over me because I knew all too well that Miss Miller would not dare misbehave with me. In a way, I held

ELENA'S POINT OF VIEWMy best friend was sprawled out on the floor in front of my apartment, sleeping. Had she slept here last night?"Quinn?" I prodded her awake. "Get up."She stirred in her sleep and mumbled a string of curses before going silent. This woman."Fire!" I suddenly screamed and she jolted awake, looking around with fear-filled eyes. When her eyes landed on me, she visibly relaxed."You finally decided to come home." She sat up. "Where were you last night? I came out because you said you were on your way to my place. What happened?"I smiled sheepishly. "You know how it is when I get drunk." I put in my passcode and went in. She followed behind me. "I might have been somewhere far away from your house when I made the call.""Whatever. Go shower, you stink. I'll make you coffee." She made a beeline for the kitchen."No need." I said. "I've had breakfast."She turned around with a raised brow, a hand to her waist. "You've had breakfast?""Yes." I answered, heading for my

ELENA'S POINT OF VIEWTruth be told, it wasn't much fun to talk about Andre. I missed him a lot and at the same time; I didn't want to see him. I didn't want him to see how much of a disgrace I was. A family shame and an embarrassment to the Garner family. So, when Mirabel asked if I had a brother, I told the truth. I wanted to say I have a brother. To say I had a family. Even though he was thousands of miles away from me, he was still my family.We had lunch in silence; a comfortable one. It was hard to talk about Andre to them, but it made me feel better. It was a reminder that I had a reason to fight Alistair. If I could somehow get rid of that monster, then my life would be smooth sailing. It would be easy to try to get in contact with my brother.My phone vibrated on the table, pulling me out of my thoughts. I had a text message. Ryder and Mirabel paid no attention to me as I picked up the phone and read the text. They also didn't pay any attention when my breath seized and when m

RYDER’S POINT OF VIEW People thought I’d gone mad because they hadn’t a clue what I was going through. The pain, the suffering, and the longing. Every night I would sleep alone, something I never did when Isabella was alive. Sometimes when I had nightmares, she’d hold me close and remind me she was here and wasn’t going to ever leave me. Now, she was far away from me and I could never have her back.The cool night breeze pushed my hair to the side as I looked up at the warm glow that was the moon, that was always in synchrony with her companions. Staring at it reminded me of a mother singing a soft lullaby to ease her child’s heart. I needed the peace I had under the white-gold moon.“Are you watching me?” I let out a pained laugh as tears stung my eyes. “Can you see me from where you are?”No response.“I miss you. I miss you every day and it’s more painful than I can take. Every time I look at your pictures, I feel as though someone is stabbing my heart with needles. I c