LIARS, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM

Valentina’s POVIt has been a week, but I still couldn’t shake the weight of it, the freaking sight of that day from my mind. And now here I am, standing in the study in the dimly lit study, serving brunch like I wasn’t the biggest traitor to exist in the room.“ Thanks, Val,” Finlay smiled, as I placed his cup of chai beside him, careful not to clink it too loudly or spill a slight drop, careful not to let my hands show how badly they were still shaking, from my anxiety.. Christopher sat across from him, his expression unreadable as always, like a doll you didn’t dare touch, except I had, hadn’t I? “I’m telling you, Chris,” Finlay groaned, gesturing with his fork, “the board is getting antsy. They want reassurance, not riddles.”“It’s not my job to make cowards feel safe,” Christopher replied coldly, tapping his fingers against his book.“They are our investors. They want to know their money isn’t being buried with your pride.”“It’s not pride, it

Last Updated : 2025-07-30

WELP, DIDN’T NEED TO SEE THA

Valentina’s POVBy the time I reached the West Wing’s hallway, my steps were lighter.Not exactly light, let’s not get crazy, but focused. I had a plan, even if it wasn’t a great or fully formed one. I just needed to see him. Maybe talk - ask him if he ever thought about repainting the walls or moving his desk out of that dungeon. Something, anything that wasn't just me biting my tongue and watching from the corners while his own family tore him apart.But just as I reached the door to the study, I heard it.A loud, hard thud. Then“Christopher!”Finlay screamed, panicked. I pushed the door open fast, without thinking twice.“Sir?”The tray I was carrying clattered to the floor, spilling the pastries all over the place. With one hand clutching his ribs and the other reaching wildly for nothing, Christopher lay on the ground, hunched over on his side. Felix gave him a single ba

Last Updated : 2025-07-31

GREAT, THE SNAKE BROUGHT BACKUP

Valentina’s POVOne month later“ HAPPY BIRTHDAY AIDAN,” we cheered.Though there were layers of cake heaped to the ceiling, Aidan's giggles, the aroma of vanilla cupcakes, and the sound of our laughter were more than enough. In a way, the break room had changed. Jasmine sneaked in some party napkins with small cartoon animals, Laura put together a few streamers, and I was able to secure a bag of candles, which we lit with a stolen kitchen match.He turned four today. Four. God, it felt like only yesterday I was rocking him to sleep in that stuffed apartment, wondering if we were going to make it till next week. We did!"Make a wish!" Jasmine chimed, and Aidan puffed his cheeks and blew out the crooked number four candle. He looked so proud of himself that I wanted that moment to freeze forever.Laura handed him a small wrapped box, and Jasmine crouched beside him with her phone already recording. Aidan tore into t

Last Updated : 2025-07-31

THAT’S HOW DUMB YOU ARE?

Valentina’s POVShe stood in the doorway, her red lips curled into that signature smirk she always wore, and beside her, just a step behind, was Christopher. “ What is he doing ?” I pondered in my mind, but snapped right back when her smirk deepened when she saw my face fall.“Oh,” she cooed, her tone venomous as always, “I didn’t know you’d be here on our date tonight?”My spine stiffened. “Date?”Christopher turned his head slightly towards her direction. “It’s not a date,” he interjected.She laughed. “Oh, darling, I was only teasing. Don’t be so serious,” she purred, gliding across the room.Her eyes flicked back to me. “You don’t mind if I borrow my husband for a bit, do you, Valentina?” Oh, now you remember he’s your husband. Funny. Davina’s presence disgusted me to my very core. The fact that she could just waltz into our space acting like she’s some model wife, like she is not breaking every marital law. Yet, again, she is his wife, even though he doesn’t know the truth.“ V

Last Updated : 2025-08-10

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS GODDAMN FAMILY?

Valentina’s POVAnd then I heard her.“You think I wouldn’t do it again?” Her loud voice was followed by an even louder thud, a chair, or maybe something heavier.“Goddamn it, Davina…” Christopher’s grunt, cut off as quickly as it came.“She wouldn’t let it go,” Davina said, almost too calmly. I leaned closer, barely breathing, as I pressed my ears against the door harder“She kept digging.” Wait, is she talking about me? But this couldn’t be? Christopher spoke again, but his voice was heavier now. “What did you do?”Silence.Then, finally, her reply, just one unapologetic sentence..“Whatever I had to.”I sank, crouching next to the door. Then her voice slipped through again, like she wanted every word to hit.“If she heard this…”A pause.“…tell her to stay in her lane.”A second later, the door sprang open. Davina walked out of the study, and immediately, her blazing eyes met mine.I heard it.She knew I heard it.“Congratulations,” she sneered. “I didn’t think you had the spine