LOGIN3rd POVDavid's team and the police simultaneously discovered that the stolen van was parked west of the capital.A low murmur spread through the officers. Radios crackled. Boots shifted against gravel.One officer pointed at the screen in the patrol car. “It hasn’t moved in hours.”
MANNIE’S POVMy hand hovered above my phone screen as I contemplated calling Dominic. Biting my lips, my eyes hazy and filled with contemplation as I wondered if this was the right thing to do.The call icon glowed faintly under my thumb. One tap. That was all it would take.My finger trembled.
3RD POVMrs. Rosalind stepped out of her house with a bunch of well-packaged flowers.She adjusted the wrapper around the bouquet, patting it neatly before placing it carefully into the basket of her small granny bike. The flowers were fresh—roses, daisies, and a few sprigs of lavender she had grown herself.Gardening had become her pride. Her quiet joy.With her children grown and her grandchildren scattered across cities and countries, silence had crept into her life. At first, it had been unbearable. The house had felt too big, and boredom was killing her. So she planted things.And in return, they grew.She mounted her little bike and began pedaling slowly out of the community, humming softly to herself.“Hm… why is that child walking like that?” she muttered under her breath, instinctively slowing down.Her sharp, aged eyes narrowed slightly as she tilted her head, trying to get a better look.“Oh… it’s Mannie’s child.”Recognition softened her gaze for a moment.“But why is he w
3rd POVAfter the call ended, Mannie looked at the screen and shook her head, “Tsundere,” she muttered under her breath.She lingered for a second, thumb hovering over her phone like she might call back, then scoffed softly and slipped it into her pocket. “Acting all cold like that…” she murmured, though there was a faint smile tugging at her lips.Mannie entered the living room to see the kids watching TV.The cartoon blasted loudly, colors flashing across the screen as laughter erupted from the characters. The children were sprawled everywhere—on the couch, the rug, even leaning against each other like a pile of sleepy puppies. Their attention was completely locked onto the screen.“Are you all through with your homework?” Mannie asked.The kids all nodded their heads without even looking at her, their eyes glued to the cartoon.Even Nate wasn’t an exception. His usual composed demeanor had melted away, his chin resting on his palm as he stared intently.Mannie folded her arms and r
MANNIE’S POVI glanced at the caller, ready to decline the call and continue talking to my kids, but seeing it was from Dominic, I wavered.My thumb hovered over the screen.The phone kept vibrating in my hand.A strange tension built in my chest.I didn’t know what he would do if I didn’t pick.Would he call again?Would he show up?Knowing him… that wasn’t impossible.I exhaled softly and lowered my hand.I turned to the kids.“Stop thinking about that. Anything you aren’t sure of and can’t seem to understand, don’t try to use your limited point of view to figure it out. You may end up getting trapped in your own thoughts.”They looked at me.Tera blinked.Nate tilted his head slightly.I wasn’t sure they fully understood, but they both nodded.“Okay, Mom,” Tera said.They turned and walked back inside.I watched them go for a second.Then—I lifted the phone again and answered just before it cut.“Hello?”"Are you okay? You took so long to pick up."Dominic’s voice came through imm
MANNIE'S POVI glanced around after clearing the food and washing the dishes.The plates were stacked neatly. The sink was clean. The faint smell of soap still lingered in the air.My hands rested on the edge of the counter for a moment.I slowly lifted my head and glanced around.Hmmm, I hadn't seen Tera. I couldn’t help but wonder if she was feeling devastated that I did not allow her to go.My chest tightened slightly.She had looked so excited earlier.Her eyes had sparkled.And I—I had shut it down.Was I too harsh?Did I crush something important in her?My fingers curled slightly against the counter.“No…” I whispered."Let me just check up on her."I turned to Nate, who was reading a newspaper.He sat calmly on the couch, his small frame slightly bent forward, both hands holding the newspaper like he had done it a hundred times before.His brows were drawn together.Focused.Serious.Too serious for a child. A slight smile curled up on my lips.Due to the kids and my mom, I h
Michael’s POV“Mister, you aren’t touching me. Am I not your choice?” the girl straddling my lap asked coyly, her voice a mix of fake sweetness and exhaustion.Her perfume was heavy, it smelled fruity and cheap — and it clung to my clothes with desperation. She tilted her head, waiting for me to gr
Mannie’s POVI shifted back. My heart was filled with suspicion, and a small frown appeared on my face.“Who would be willing to save me?” I thought inwardly, trying to rack my brain. I didn’t think I was anything special.If possible, I felt more insecure than I actually appeared.While I was stil
Mannie’s POVAs the crowd slowly dispersed, the noise faded until only silence filled the jewelry shop. My heart still raced from everything that happened. The smell of perfume mixed with dust and tension hung thick in the air. I didn’t move.Michael finally turned to look at me. His face was calm,
Mannie’s POV“Hey babe, are you free today?” I asked the moment Kayla picked up.Her sleepy voice came through the line, rough and tired. “No sweetheart, I got work today. You know it’s a bar, so it’ll be busy tonight. I just got home from my last shift. I need to sleep.”“Alright. Take care, babe.







