Bernice Stephen used to have the most perfect life, or at least she thought she did. That all came to a screeching halt when she discovered her husband, Fed, was having an affair with her sister, Melissa. After her parents went bankrupt, Fed forced her to sign the divorce papers. After this, Fed and Melissa arranged Bernice's death together. Apparently, the hand of fate had its way. Bernice was taken back to the day Melissa meddled into her marriage a year ago. This time, Bernice was determined to leave her rotten marriage. But before she can, she must avoid the layers of traps set by Melissa and Fed. What's even more shocking was that her plan for revenge led her to an even more dangerous, charismatic and mysterious wealthy man, Christian Miller. Her brother-in-law seemed ready to be her ally, and more...
View MoreBernice"I'm so sorry for leaving you like that," he murmured, lifting a hand as if to caress my cheek. "Things were...complicated back then. But I'm here now. It's me, Fed. The one you knew before as Charlie."It was like living in a dream those first few weeks after being reunited with the man I thought was Charlie. Fed - or so he insisted on being called - was every bit the charming, sweet guy I remembered.Having him back in my life was like being able to breathe again after years of drowning. His presence resurrected feelings in me I had thought long d
BerniceAfter my parents grounded me for sneaking out with Charlie. The days passed in an agonizing haze of confinement. No matter how many times I tried to explain, to make them understand how important he was to me, they wouldn't budge."He's nothing but trouble, Bernice," my mother said sternly, her lips pressed into a tight line. "A boy like that will only lead you down the wrong path."I wanted to scream at her that she was wrong, so completely wrong about the nice person Charlie was. But I knew it would be pointless. I was trapped, suffocating within the walls of my supposed "home."Especially when every night, I went to sleep hoping to dream of Charlie's warm smile and those soulful eyes that could render me utterly breathless with a single glance. Only to wake up feeling more alone than ever.I sent Charlie numerous messages explaining my situation and why I had disappeared, but he never replied to any of them. At first I thought he was just angry and that was why he didn't re
ChristianNowI could barely breathe as I looked into Bernice's eyes and said the words I'd been holding back for a decade. "It's me, Bernice. I'm Charlie - the one you knew all those years ago."Her eyes widened in shock, those emerald green depths that had captivated me from the moment we met. But there was something else there too...confusion, uncertainty."How can that be possible?" she whispered, her voice strained. "Charlie...you...how?"I reached across the console, my hand hovering just over hers. "I know it seems unbelievable. But I promise you, it's the truth. I'm the same Charlie you once knew, just...older now. Wiser, I hope."She didn't pull away from my touch, but she also didn't lean into it. Her body was tense, rigid almost, like she was bracing herself."All this time..." she began haltingly. "You knew who I was? And you never said anything?"The hurt in her voice lanced through me like a physical blow. "Bernie, you have to understand, it killed me to stay away. But I
ChristianTen Years AgoI strode towards Bernice's house. And for once, I had forgone my usual mask and hat. There was no more need for disguises, not when I was about to lay my soul bare before the girl I loved.I raised my hand to knock, but before my knuckles could connect with the wood, the door swung open, revealing a girl I had never seen before. She looked to be about Bernice's age, with long, dark hair and piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me."Can I help you?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion."I'm here to see Bernice," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's important."The girl's eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "And who are you, exactly?""I'm a friend of hers. My name is Chr-" I caught myself, remembering that Bernice only knew me as Charlie."Charlie, I'm Charlie."A flicker of recognition passed over the girl's face, and her lips curled into a smirk. "Ah, so you're the mysterious friend she's been sneaking around with.
ChristianTen Years Ago"Aaron," he said, his voice low and measured, yet laced with a quiet fury. "I believe we need to have a conversation."My father's face paled, his bravado faltering under my grandfather's unwavering stare. "Edward, I didn't expect you to...""To what?" Edward interrupted, his tone sharp as a razor's edge. "To come and see the shambles you've made of your family? To witness the way you've disgraced my daughter's memory?"Elina stepped forward, her painted lips twisting into a saccharine smile. "Edward, darling, surely you can see that we're only trying to do what's best for Christian. The boy needs discipline, structure...""What he needs," Edward cut her off, his eyes flashing dangerously, "is to be away from the toxic influence of this household. From the poison that you and your vile offspring have brought into his life."Fed opened his mouth to protest, but a single glance from Edward silenced him, his bravado withering under the older man's fierce gaze.Aar
ChristianTen Years AgoI sat on the edge of the bed, the delicate necklace Bernice had made for me dangling from my fingers. The small, intricately woven pendant felt cool against my skin. She had crafted it from bits of wire and scrap metal, her nimble fingers transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary."Have it with you," she had whispered, her green eyes shining with emotion as she fastened the clasp around my neck. "No matter what happens, no matter where you go, it will always be with you."I closed my eyes, letting the memory of her words wash over me. The faint scent of her perfume still clung to the necklace, a delicate floral aroma.The sudden pounding on the door shattered my reverie. I leapt to my feet, my heart slamming against my ribs as the door burst open, revealing a dozen of my father's men. They poured into the room, their heavy boots thudding against the worn wooden floor.And there, striding through the doorway like a thundercloud, was Aaron himself. H
BerniceTen Years AgoThe silence in the dining room was suffocating. I could feel the weight of my parents' stares, the disappointment and anger radiating off them in waves. My heart pounded in my chest, a sickening rhythm that made it hard to breathe."Bernice, we need to talk about this," Dad said, his voice low and controlled. "What Melissa said... is it true?"I shook my head vehemently, tears stinging my eyes. "No, Dad, it's not. I'm not pregnant. I swear.""But you have been spending time with this... Charlie?" Mom asked, her brow furrowed with concern.I swallowed hard, my throat tight. "Yes, but it's not what you think. We're just friends."Dad scoffed, his face reddening with anger. "Friends? Bernice, you're 16 years old. You have no business hanging around with grown men, especially ones we don't know.""But Dad, you don't understand," I pleaded, my voice cracking. "Charlie's not like that. He's kind and gentle and...""And what?" Melissa interjected, her tone sickly sweet.
BerniceTen Years AgoBernice's JournalJune 12Dear Diary,It's been a couple days since I last wrote, and I can't believe how much has changed in just a month. Remember that weird boy I met at the supermarket? The one with the mask and the attitude? Well, his name is Charlie, and somehow, we are friends now.At first, I thought he was just another arrogant, rude boy like all those boys in school. But as we started spending more time together, cooking and hanging out, I realized there's so much more to him. He's actually really gentle and kind, and there's this sadness in him that he tries to hide.Lately, I've been thinking about him a lot. Like, a lot a lot. Yesterday, when we were watching movies together, I fell asleep on his shoulder. His warmth enveloped me, and I found myself snuggling closer, breathing in his scent. It was a mix of soap and something uniquely him, and it made my heart flutter in a way I'd never felt before.And then, in that hazy state between sleep and wakef
ChristianTen Years AgoMy heart nearly leaped out of my chest as Bernice's eyes fluttered open, catching me mere inches from her face. I froze, hoping she was still half-asleep and hadn't noticed my compromising position.No such luck.Her brows furrowed slightly as she focused on me. "Charlie? What are you doing?""I, uh..." My mind raced for an excuse, any excuse. "You had some popcorn crumbs. On your face. I was just... getting them off for you."Wow, real smooth, Christian. I mentally facepalmed.Bernice looked at me quizzically for a moment, then shrugged. "Oh. Thanks, I guess." She yawned and stretched. "I think I'm going to conk out again, if that's cool with you. Unless there's something else you wanted to do...?"She let the question hang in the air. I swallowed hard. "Nope, all good here. Sleep away.""Mmkay. G'night." Bernice nestled back into the couch cushions, her eyes drifting shut."Night, Bernie," I whispered.I watched as her breathing slowed and deepened, her featu
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