ANTHONY I looked at my phone and sighed in bliss, my plan had worked perfectly. I had abducted Nicole and had managed to fool everyone, including Marcus, into thinking that I was dead.Beside me, Mariella lay naked, her fingers curled around a cigarette as she exhaled a stream of smoke into the air.With a sly smile, I held out my phone to her, my eyes glinting with triumph."Take a look at this," I said, my voice laced with satisfaction. "I pulled it off. They all fell for it, hook, line, and sinker."Mariella's eyes sparkled with excitement as she leaned towards me, her lips curved into a mischievous grin."Can you believe it?" she whispered, her voice filled with wonder. "Our plan worked perfectly. But this is just the beginning."It had been Mariella's idea, to begin with, and I had executed it flawlessly. When she had suggested abducting Nicole and staging my death, I had been hesitant at first. But now, seeing how well everything had gone, I knew it was the right decision.I

NICOLE “What happened to me?" I asked, my eyes darting from my father to my mother, searching for answers. Their forced smiles did little to ease the tension in the room.I fidgeted in my seat, desperate for any explanation. "Can you please tell me what happened to me? Why can't I remember most things, especially the major part of my childhood?" I implored.Silence hung heavy in the air as my parents exchanged a meaningful look. Their furrowed brows spoke volumes, but they remained tight-lipped. My heart thudded in my chest as I waited for a response.Finally, my mother let out a deep sigh, and her shoulders slumped. Her voice was soft and hesitant as she spoke. "Nicole, you got into an accident when you were nine years old," she said, her eyes locked onto mine.My heart sank as my mother continued. "You hit your head pretty hard, and the doctors said you suffered some memory loss. They weren't sure if you would recover, but you did, for the most part. But there are still some memor

NICOLE I sat on the floor, feeling anxious and on edge. I had just another dream.I couldn't ignore these dreams any longer.My pregnancy was making things even more difficult. I couldn't eat anything without feeling nauseous, and my stomach was constantly churning. I needed to take care of myself and the baby, but I couldn't shake the feeling of unease.I sat on the bathroom floor for a while, trying to calm my breathing and steady my nerves. I still haven't told Marcus about my recurring dreams. I should have told him but I didn't want to worry him. He might even think I was going crazy or being paranoid as usual.Eventually, I got up and made my way back to the bedroom. Marcus was still sleeping, but I couldn't bring myself to lie down next to him. I felt too anxious and restless.I tiptoed out of bed, careful not to disturb Marcus' peaceful slumber. I made my way to the computer and powered it on. As the familiar startup chime rang out, a notification popped up on the screen i

NicoleWho could have stolen my paintings and why would they do such a thing ?Was it someone who had a personal grudge against me? Or was it a calculated theft by someone hoping to make a profit?All those thoughts had been spiraling through my mind.Even though Nicole had assured me she was going to assist me in painting I was still skeptical. I wanted it to be my handwork and sweat.The Museum had put so much trust in me and had given me the incredible opportunity. I felt guilty that I had let them down.Even though it wasn't my fault.I was currently in the art studio, trying to see if I could come up with something.But as soon as the familiar scent of oil paint filled my nostrils, my stomach churned and a wave of nausea hit me like a ton of bricks.I pressed a hand to my mouth, trying to stifle the urge to vomit as I made my way over to my easel. But the pungent odor only seemed to intensify, assaulting my senses with every step.I couldn't deny it any longer - my pregnancy was

MARCUSMaya sat across from me, her eyes downcast and her hands fidgeting nervously in her lap. She looked small and fragile, like a bird caught in a snare. But the damage she had caused was anything but small.I stared at her, trying to wrap my head around what she had done. She had followed the orders of a stranger, someone she didn't even know, and in doing so, she had put Nicole's career at risk. The pictures she had destroyed were crucial, and now they were gone, thanks to Maya's blind obedience.I felt a surge of anger and frustration rise up in me. I I felt a surge of anger and frustration rise up in me. I didn't even know what to do to her right now. Part of me wanted to press charges, to make her pay for the damage she had caused. But another part of me hesitated. Maya was just a pawn in someone else's game. She had been used, manipulated, and coerced into doing something she didn't fully understand. Was it really fair to punish her for that?I couldn't bring myself to