Chapter 33: The Harsh RealityThis time, when I knocked on the doors of the picturesque Victorian style house, I had every right to be here and every intention of getting answers.The door opened after two whole minutes of me waiting outside and that too only a tiny fraction. As I had imagined, her expression changed as soon as she saw me and she was once again about to slam the door shut on my face. But this time, I blocked the door with a booted foot and pushed the door open with enough force that my mother had to step away in haste.“Hello, mother.” My tone was not affectionate, nor was it warm. This time, I knew the reality of what was happening around me and I could only wish that I had known it sooner so I wouldn’t have to live with the guilt of it all for so long.“Kyra.” My mother greeted coldly. “I’m expecting some guests. You should leave; you’re no longer welcome here.”“Unfortunately mother, I’m not going anywhere until I have answers.” I tilted my head to the side and gav
Chapter 34: Sweeter than RevengeI entered my hotel room, anticipation building as I awaited my brother Kyle's arrival.I knew he'd come running the moment our mother spilled the news about me buying back our house.It was unavoidable that Kyle, with his past of leeching off our parents, would now try to tap into my newfound wealth.When the knock sounded at my hotel door at nine o’ clock that evening, I smiled to myself in preparation of what was to come.I knew my dear older brother was going to show up at my doorstep as soon as he would hear about my father’s debt being cleared by none other than his little sister.And it’s not like my address was a secret. Everyone in town knew where I was staying, and they would’ve been more than happy to provide him with the address.“Come in.” I called out, not bothering to get up from my lounge chair as I sipped from my wine glass.“Kyra,” my brother came into view, with that same dirty blonde hair and blue eyes that I had always known. “It’s
Chapter 35: Trust Thy Sixth SenseThe unease gnawed at me as I paced around my hotel room. A foreboding feeling whispered that something ominous was on the horizon.Without giving it a second thought, I hastily dressed and headed to my mother's house, an innate sense urging me to intervene before the storm brewed.The night draped the town in heavy darkness as I stood in front of the hotel, desperately scanning for a taxi.To my dismay, the late hour had rendered the streets devoid of the usual bustle. There were no taxis or cabs in sight and not even a single car passed by this road so that I could try to stop it and ask for a lift.As minutes ticked away, I realized that the deserted streets held no promises of a passing cab.The distance to my mother's house felt impossible on foot, especially in the dead of night. The isolation was noticeable, amplifying the urgency of my mission.Just when desperation threatened to overwhelm me, a car slowed down in front of the hotel.Relief was
Chapter 36: Blood TiesI stood at the threshold, hesitating as the muffled voices from within reach my ears.My heart pounded with uncertainty, but the desperate need to understand what was actually happening inside propels me forward.Slowly, I press my ear against the door, attempting to decipher the words spoken by a male voice which undoubtedly my brother.Amidst the faint sobs, my mother's tearful voice resonates through the room. “Please, Kyle! Please don’t do this!”The air thickens as I strain to catch every word.“This is all I have left!” Her sobs grow louder as does the tremor in her voice. “What will I do after you’ve taken it all? How will I live on?”“That’s not my problem, is it?” Kyle yells out, and yet another crash makes me flinch, but I still keep listening. “How am I supposed to live on, mother? You think I can keep slaving at my in-laws like this every day? They treat me like a fucking slave! I need to get the fuck out of there!”“But…I won’t have anything left, s
Chapter 37: Unexpected SaviorMy heart raced as I watched the ambulance speed away, carrying my mother to the hospital. Panic gripped me, and I felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness. But once again, it is Mrs. Synclair who comes to my rescue and drives me to the hospital.For me, it seemed like she is a godsend, who had appeared just in time to help me navigate the sudden complexities that life had thrown in my direction.The sterile hospital walls seemed to close in around me as I clung to the hope that the doctors could save my mother.Amid the chaos, Mrs. Synclair sat beside me with genuine concern. Her eyes held a mix of empathy and regret."Kyra, I'm so sorry about your mom. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know," she said, her voice carrying the weight of sincerity.Tears welled up in my eyes as I managed a weak smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Synclair. I really appreciate your kindness, but you’ve already done so much for me."As we sat in the waiting room, she
Chapter 38: A Beacon of HopeI stand there, a silent observer in the sterile hospital room, watching as the doctors draw Jordon's blood.Despite his assistance in saving my mother's life, a chilling sense of foreboding grips me, an unsettling feeling that I can't shake.Jordon's actions, though seemingly altruistic, leave me uneasy as if a silent debt has been forged, and I'm now entangled in his web.As the medical procedures unfold, I can't help but dwell on the implications of my indebtedness to Jordon.What does he expect in return for this life-saving act?I sense that he has maneuvered the situation to his advantage, positioning me precisely where he wants me.The complexity of emotions swirls within me – gratitude for my mother's life, coupled with an underlying fear of the unknown.The hospital room is bathed in the sterile glow of overhead lights, casting a clinical ambiance. Mrs. Synclair, seated by the bedside, looks at me with concern etched across her face.Her grandchild
Chapter 39: TrappedWe walked in silence and the words of Mrs. Synclair kept ringing in my head. And also I remembered what she told me way back in the car about him and Cathy.My heart raced as Jordan guided me to a secluded area of the hospital, away from prying eyes and curious ears.The sterile smell of disinfectant surrounded us, intensifying my unease.Despite the nagging feeling that something wasn't right, gratitude for Jordan's role in saving my mother compelled me to follow.In the quiet corner, I finally mustered the courage to question Jordan's motives."What do you want, Jordan? Why bring me here?" I asked, my voice betraying a mix of curiosity and apprehension.I stood in the sterile hallway of the hospital, my arms folded tightly across my chest, staring daggers at Jordan as he approached. His confident stride matched the arrogance in his eyes, and I felt my anger boil beneath the surface.This had been a fucking mistake. How could you’ve been so stupid, Kyra?"Kyra," h
Chapter 1: Coming Home “Hey, babe!” Gabriella’s cheerful tone was the only thing keeping me from turning my car around and heading back the way I came. “I know you’re immensely stressed right now, and I wish I could be there with you to take the blow, share some of your pain, but you know I can’t. It’s going to make matters worse and you’ve done enough running away already. Just be careful, baby. And promise to call me at least ten times every day! I love you! And you know I’m always with you. Bye.” I removed the phone from my ears and stared at the screen for a good five minutes. Gabby’s smiling face stared back at me. Her dark hair was blowing back from her diamond shaped face in the wind, highlighting a thousand shades of blue and her electric blue eyes were filled with joy and laughter. Her smile was contagious; it made the corner of my lips tilt upwards. But then my eyes shifted to the two storied Victorian styled house looming in the background of my phone, and my smile faltere