LOGINDuring the entire flight, Cora stays lively, while Vera remains as calm and solemn as ever.The shock of the fall has completely disappeared from Cora’s eyes, and although she still looks a little tired and pale, it does nothing to dampen her spirits.In so many ways, Cora takes after Nora, while Vera reminds me of my younger self. I, too, used to be the quiet one—the one who followed every command, even though I grew up in a completely different environment than hers.Anyway, by the time the plane lands, my daughters are already fast asleep.When I try to reach for Vera so I can carry her out while Nora does the same for Cora, Griffin wraps his arms around my waist and practically lifts me off my feet.“What… what are you doing?”“Nothing,” he says before setting me aside.But then he reaches for Vera in her seat and gently lifts her into his arms, making sure her head falls on his shoulder while her arms dangle around his neck.It’s the kind of view that, for some reason, makes the
“Are you sure about this?” Lucas asks, looking very serious. “We don’t mind looking after Cora and Vera for a little longer.”I know my brother means well, and I know that after the previous incident, he would leave no stone unturned to make sure my daughters are safe and sound. I also know that he feels extremely guilty for what happened.But I’m not mad at them.I never was.I’m mad at myself for being absent, for being so weak in the past that the consequences of it led to everything that is happening now.But that’s okay. Because once this is all over, we can finally start over.A new beginning for the three of us.“I am,” I smile, if only to make sure I have thought this through. “I know you think I’m taking them with me because I don’t trust you guys anymore, but that’s not right. I’m taking them with me because I miss them so much. While I was in Raventon, every second felt like a big loss. Like I was losing something very precious. Time, that is. But I don’t want to do that an
The moment I spot Cora standing at the top of the stairs, my legs develop a mind of their own.Before I know it, I’m rushing up the stairs—probably two at a time—and folding my daughter into my arms.“Oh, my God!” I gasp, trying my damn best not to squeeze her too tight. “You’re awake. You scared me to death, Cora. Never do that again.”“Mommy!” Cora cries, and it breaks my heart all over again. “Mommy, you’re finally here. I missed you so much.”“I know, baby. I know. I missed you, too. I promise I’ll never leave you again. Never, ever.”“Promise, Mommy?” She hiccups, pulling back to gaze into my eyes with all the expectation in the world.“Promise. From today onward, wherever I go, you’ll come with me. And vice versa.”“Mommy, that makes me so happy.” She smiles, but the exhaustion of the past two days is obvious on her face. “I have so much to tell you, Mommy. So much happened when you were gone.”I gently kiss her forehead. “We have all the time in the world now, love. You can tel
The force of the slap snaps Ruby’s head sideways.For a second, the room drops into dead silence, punctuated only by Beth’s choked whimpers from the floor.Ruby slowly turns back, cupping her burning cheek. The shock in her eyes curdles into raw, toxic venom.“You crazy bitch!” she shrieks, lunging forward.The guards move instantly. They grab her arms, pinning her in place. She thrashes against them like a trapped animal, hair whipped wildly across her face. “You think you can touch me? You just fucking hit me! Everyone saw it—assault!”I don’t flinch. I draw a silk handkerchief from my pocket, deliberately wiping my palm with slow, agonizing precision. Then I drop it to the floor like trash.“You hit me over a lie!” She continues screaming, her screech tearing through the hallway as she scrambles to turn around. She snaps her head toward the trembling staff. “She’s lying! All of you know it! That girl fell because she’s clumsy! Ask anyone—the brat tripped on her own dress!”No one m
After watching the incident in the garden, it wasn’t hard to find out the truth.In the footage, Beth’s sister was clearly cornering Vera and snatching her bracelet away. The one Mom had gifted to her when she first arrived, and also the one that looked exactly like the one Cora had.And of course, it wasn’t the only incident. Apparently, it was simply one of many.Although Beth and her sister, Ruby, didn’t physically hurt my daughters, they were constantly around them for one reason or another, and they always took something from Vera, no matter what.They saw her silence as a weapon and used it against her for nothing but their greed.I still can’t believe this has been going on for so long and no one even noticed it.Beth’s practically shaking right now. Seeing that we have all the evidence we need, she probably knows there’s no way out of it. And maybe that’s why, before I know it, she collapses on the floor and starts crying and begging.“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Madam. P
Beth drops her gaze to the floor, having nothing more to say.I move on to the next person, who just so happens to be Laura, the other maid who came to the study with Beth. She doesn’t look up to meet my gaze when I stop in front of her. Instead, she keeps her head lowered, her entire body rigid with tension.“What happened that day? Tell us again.”She nods, never looking up.“I was in the kitchen when I heard someone scream. When I rushed out, I saw Miss Cora lying at the bottom of the stairs, while Miss Vera was standing at the top.”“Where was Beth at the time?”“Beth was in the dining room, setting the table.”I turn my gaze to Beth, who seems to be growing more restless by the minute.“But didn’t you say earlier that the two of you were together, and that when Cora screamed, you both rushed to see what had happened? Together, if I remember correctly?”Laura scratches the back of her head, as if realizing it for the first time.“No. That’s not right. I was… I was alone in the kit
[Damon]Sometimes I wonder how my life would have been if Hannah hadn’t run away on the day of our wedding. If she were my wife. If this morning were just like any other day—instead of me feeling guilty as hell for sleeping with her.I don’t know how to describe this feeling in my chest. It’s as he
[Hannah]During the entire ride home, Damon stays terrifyingly quiet.No matter how much I try to spark a conversation—or distract him—he doesn’t say a word. His gaze remains glued to the road, his fingers tightly wrapped around the steering wheel.When he finally pulls the car over, he punches the
[Damon]I watch Elara walk out of the office.And the moment she’s out of sight, I scowl and kick the desk with all I have.“Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!”I hiss through my teeth, hopping back and clutching my foot like an idiot.“Damn it,” I mutter, sinking into the chair behind my desk.I can’t believe she
[Elara]During the ride back home, my mind keeps replaying the events of the day—the words of Damon, the eyes of the onlookers, and the judgment in Dr Wolfe’s eyes.I don’t want to admit it, but I’m shaken to the core. I’ve never been humiliated like that. Sure, Damon’s mother and siblings never re







