All Chapters of Twice in One Life: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Ònààrà had promised to stay the weekend with Evelyn. Since the dreams had grown more vivid, Evelyn found it hard to return to sleep after each waking. Just knowing someone was nearby brought a small sense of peace. A little comfort.But that peace was short-lived.Evelyn had been restless since she woke up. Her mind kept racing, and her heart felt unsettled. They had only just found out the truth. Celine had been dead for almost a year. That fact sat like a weight on their shoulders, especially Evelyn’s.Only now did the herbal tea Ònààrà had prepared begin to settle in. The warmth of it filled her chest as she sat quietly by the mirror. Her eyes scanned her reflection like she was seeing a stranger. She leaned closer, studying her face in silence. There was something about her skin that didn’t sit right. Her fingers moved slowly across her cheeks, over her jawline, touching the parts that felt wrong.A flicker of disgust crossed her face.“Hey! Breakfast is ready.” Ònààrà called out,

A few days had passed since the séance. Since the candles danced and the air grew cold. Since Celine disappeared into the unknown, whispering promises of return. There had been no word from Evelyn. No visions. Just silence. Ònààra tried not to think too much of it. Maybe Evelyn was caught up in her jewelry projects again. Maybe she needed space. Friends got busy. It happened. Still, something about her silence felt... off. Then, late last night, a text came in. Lunch tomorrow? My treat. Something fancy. Ònààra didn’t hesitate. She replied yes. Now, she sat alone at a high-end restaurant Evelyn had picked. An unusual choice for someone who normally avoided flash. Ònààra glanced at the time. Fifteen minutes late. She sighed and reached for her glass of water just as the doors swung open. A woman walked in. She wore a red sequin dress that shimmered under the soft golden lights. It hugged her perfectly, short and daring with a deep neckline. Her curves moved with each conf

Claire hadn’t heard from Darren since that brief meeting in his office.The conversation had been strictly professional nothing more, nothing less. He’d asked about the estate, and she’d answered like any competent lawyer would. Nothing in her tone betrayed the memories they shared or the ones she secretly treasured. She’d told herself she was over him, whatever feelings she once had were buried under paperwork and time. But when Darren's driver showed up at her firm with a handwritten invitation to dinner, her breath ceased.Just dinner, she reminded herself.Now, seated in one of the city’s most exclusive rooftop restaurants, she sipped on a glass of red wine and waited. The skyline stretched out behind her, glittering, smug and silent. She hated places like this, too polished, too intentional. But Darren had chosen it for a reason. She arrived before him, nerves tightening with each tick of her wristwatch.She didn't have to wait long.Darren walked in. Tailored black suit, dark blu

All week, Natalie had been restless.Everywhere she turned, there was Claire, laughing with Darren in the lobby, her hand grazing his arm in passing, seated beside him in meetings like she belonged. Natalie hadn’t had a single chance to speak with him since that dinner she wasn’t invited to, the night she found them sharing wine and soft glances. Her world had shifted in that moment, but Darren’s had kept moving without her.She tried to reach him. Texts, missed calls, even showing up at his office under the guise of board business. Nothing worked. He was always in a meeting or just stepped out.In her growing despair, Natalie began to do the unthinkable. She started following him.Every morning, Natalie slipped into her car and trailed Darren’s vehicle from a safe distance. She merged into traffic just as he hit the highway and parked just far enough at every stop. She knew the restaurant he liked to duck into for lunch. She waited outside his office, counting down the minutes until

The next day felt lighter than the last. Darren had slept in, his body giving in after all the emotional weight from yesterday. It was the weekend, so he allowed himself the luxury of rest. He lay there, sprawled on the bed, eyes scanning the familiar ceiling of his room, slowly replaying everything that had happened. He felt off. Not exactly sad, not exactly relieved, just quietly miserable.Beep! Beep!His phone vibrated on the side table.A message from Claire.LUNCH DATE. YOU CAN’T SAY NO. SEE YOU AT 2PM.He exhaled a smile.Claire had been good to him, genuinely good. She’d been helping him position for the Hayes Group succession, and honestly, the least he could do was show up. It felt like the right thing, maybe the only right thing today.Claire chose a quiet corner of the restaurant, away from wandering eyes. She looked beautiful, soft and warm but there was still a hint of yesterday in her expression. She was happy to see Darren, but he could tell she hadn’t fully shaken of