LOGINGrace's POVThe silence inside the holding room was suffocating.I stared at my trembling hands resting on the cold metal table. The sting on my cheek from Aunt Lucy's slap had faded, but the ache in my chest only seemed to grow heavier with every passing second.For twelve years...Twelve long years.Everything had led to this moment.The sound of the door opening echoed through the room.A police officer stepped inside, followed by Allen.He remained standing near the entrance, his tailored suit now wrinkled after what had clearly been a long day. His expression was unreadable, but the disappointment in his eyes cut deeper than any punishment I could receive."I didn't come here to defend you," he said quietly.I lowered my head."I know.""I came because Cheryl asked me to."Those words caught me off guard.My head snapped up."She... what?"Allen folded his arms."She asked me not to hate you before hearing your side of the story."A bitter laugh escaped my lips."That sounds exac
Cheryl’s POV “I thought we were friends—” the lump in my throat grew even bigger. I was caught in the delusion that Grace was someone I could rely on. Twelve years ago we were barely strangers that met in school. I was the shy and quiet girl while she attracted the crowd. I found it hard to believe at first, a girl like her wanting to be friends with me. Nonetheless, I cleared the doubt and agreed to be her friend. “Did you even want to be friends in the first place?” I clenched my fist so hard it was turning white. I stood before her while she cowered her head away. I wanted to punch her, I had never been so mad and furious like I was not even with Margaret. It’s true that I had pent up anger towards her, but that’s was because I lived in the illusion that one day she would accept me as a daughter. “You’re very shameless.” Aunt Lucy still in pajamas descended the stairs. She hurriedly strolled towards Grace and like lightening slapped her in the face. The sound resonated. Vincen
Allen’s POV It had been a week since the incident. When I’m out of the house I make sure to check up on Cheryl every few hours. Aunt Lucy stays with her on days when she is alone. Everyone’s worried one way or the other. “Thinking about your love, I see.” Vincent twirled in his chair. He kept the booklet he was going through, poured coffee from the machine and sat right back. “What are you doing here again?” I raised an eyebrow. He has been following me to work for three days straight. He would sit in the usual guest chairs and bug me all day. “I’m here to accompany you. You don’t seem to complain until now.” That would be because he was silent until few minutes ago. For someone that talks all the time, he looked like something’s bothering me. “What’s up?” I closed the MacBook and kept it aside. Vincent lowered his gaze and fondled with his fingers. I stifled a laugh. Seeing him nervous was something I never thought I would. “I’m meeting her parents this weekend.” Who would have
Allen’s POV It had been a week since the incident. When I’m out of the house I make sure to check up on Cheryl every few hours. Aunt Lucy stays with her on days when she is alone. Everyone’s worried one way or the other. “Thinking about your love, I see.” Vincent twirled in his chair. He kept the booklet he was going through, poured coffee from the machine and sat right back. “What are you doing here again?” I raised an eyebrow. He has been following me to work for three days straight. He would sit in the usual guest chairs and bug me all day. “I’m here to accompany you. You don’t seem to complain until now.” That would be because he was silent until few minutes ago. For someone that talks all the time, he looked like something’s bothering me. “What’s up?” I closed the MacBook and kept it aside. Vincent lowered his gaze and fondled with his fingers. I stifled a laugh. Seeing him nervous was something I never thought I would. “I’m meeting her parents this weekend.” Who would have
“Allen, wake up.” My eyes fluttered open to the sight of Vincent shaking my unconscious body. I must have fallen asleep, a blanket was draped over my form, and my head was supported by a pillow. “What’s wrong?” I asked confused. When I noticed his worried expression, I came to realize that today wasn’t an ordinary day. It was the third day of Cheryl in the hospital. I threw the blanket off me in seconds, and rushed to the door. “Wait, Cheryl has just woken up.” He said just as I was about to reach for the door-knob. I halted in my steps. I had anticipated this moment for a long time that I had completely forgotten how I was going to react. “Let’s go.” I grabbed my car keys that were abandoned on the dressing table, adjusted my collar, ruffled my hair and walked out with Vincent trailing behind me. “Where’s Aunt Lucy?” I questioned noticing the unusually eerie environment. Rosa came out of the kitchen looking distorted, “She has gone out.” She bowed and went back in. Judging from
Allen Gareth’s POVVincent’s hold on the steering wheel intensified. We were driving above the speed limit but none of us seemed to notice. Twice, he received a phone call, probably from Indiana. “She is poisoned.” He told me after awhile. That didn’t help much with the agitation. Cheryl was hurt when I took my eyes off her for a few minutes. How could I live with myself after that? My phone rang when we were at a traffic. I answered solemnly, “Hi.” Aunt Lucy answered. “Where are you? The situation is critical.” Her voice was rough and croaky which indicated that she had been crying. Aunt Lucy hardly ever showed any emotion apart from irritation and hatred. She is one to keep things to herself, that will be why she has no friends and relatives except for Dad. “We are on our way. I hope Cheryl would be okay. What are the doctors saying?” I tapped my feet trying to distract myself from thinking and imagining different scenarios. I couldn’t concentrate.We made it to the hospital at
Margaret called for me with a flicker of her hands. I took a hold of the dishes and placed it at the center of the table. Allen’s eyes were still on me, his presence was making me awfully uncomfortable. Yet, I ignored his stares and poured the elderly man—probably his father—wine. “Sister,” she an
Indiana and Grace stood docilely by the door.My hold on the doorknob intensified, I was afraid to look behind me to Margaret who sat gracefully asking at intervals who was there. I stepped down shielding my best friends from her view. Margaret had warned me against bringing intruders into her hou
My punishment season ended when Margaret received a phone call. I had never been thankful for Juliet like I did at the moment. Margaret had withdrawn her hold on the whip, she quickly collected the device from Juliet and walked away.I knew better than to stay sprawled on the floor despite the bru
Ever since I was born, it had always been the sequence of events; getting punished daily for the petty mistakes I made. Margaret said I’m non-complaint and to make sure I stayed out of trouble she had to discipline me. Juliet and I were never alike. She preferred to stay in the shadows of Margare







