The next morning, the news of Evelyn Parker's death spreads through every media outlet. I stand there, completely shocked, as the reporter shares the incident, suggesting that she committed suicide. It's puzzling, why would Evelyn want to take her own life?Devon is right there beside me, wearing a similar look of surprise. "Evelyn's dead. That's unexpected," he murmurs, deep in thought.I take a shaky breath and turn to face him. "Do you... Maybe," I start slowly, cutting myself off. "Have anything to do with it?" I ask, my voice betraying my fear.Before I can finish my question, Devon shakes his head, his eyes reflecting his sincerity. "No, not at all. I only threatened her, that's all. But I'll conduct my own investigation, something feels off." He mutters, echoing my concerns."I thought it was just me." I whisper, swallowing. Devon gently grasps my hands for support."Don't worry too much. I'll get to the bottom of this. I promise," he reassures me, and I nod, taking a deep brea

The next day arrives, and I put on my usual act of pretending everything's fine. I watch with a forced smile as Emma and Devon head off to work, completely unaware of what's really going on inside me. They exchange goodbyes and leave happily, but beneath my outward cheerfulness, a deep unease lingers that I can't shake off. As soon as the door closes behind them and they disappear from view, my façade crumbles, revealing a bone-chilling fear that coats my face. I'm left alone with my thoughts, my heart racing and a shiver running down my spine. It's just me now, facing the relentless grip of fear that refuses to let go.With trembling hands, I pick up my phone, staring at the message that has haunted me all morning. Letting out a shaky breath, I read it once more, tears stinging the corners of my eyes which I quickly blink back, pressing my lips together in a tight line."Good morning, Marie. Or should I say, Jessica?" The message reads, and a fierce flash of anger courses through me.

With Devon gone, I can't keep pretending to be strong. My legs give way, and I fall to the ground, heart shattered and devastated. For the first time in my entire life, I feel a different kind of fear - the fear of losing Devon to this. It must be what Zachary wanted from the very beginning, hence the order for me to keep it all a secret, knowing fully well it won't work out."Please, don't hate me," I whisper to myself as I cry, tears still streaming down my eyes. "I don't know what I would do without you," I murmur, burying my face in my hands. I don't know for how long I sit there, just crying, but soon the door opens and Devon walks back in. I snap my head up, looking at him through the blurry gaze.His focus is on me, but he is holding something else in his hands. I soon recognize them to be tiny cameras, and my heart skips a beat. Without another word, he destroys them and disposes of them. Then he walks back to me, a furious look on his face. For a while, I'm frozen, just stari

I wake up, my body aching all over, and a throbbing headache pulsates on the side of my head. I glance down, my vision blurry, and I can make out bloodstains on my clothes. I'm soaked to the bone, and my teeth are clattering, the cold seeping into my bones. The lights above me flicker, casting eerie shadows that dance around the room. The air is musty, and the room's smell invades my nose, making me scrunch them up in distaste. Instinctively, I reach out, searching for the gun I had taken earlier in my body, but it's nowhere to be found. Someone must have taken it. Panic bubbles up inside me as I frantically look around. I'm in a windowless room, the dim light adding to the sense of foreboding. There's an empty bed frame at the corner of the room and different kinds of whips are hanging across a rack. How did I get here? The last thing I remember is driving through the rain. I try to move but note to my horror that I've been tied to the chair... Firmly. My wrists secured tightly to t

I notice the exact moment Jessica goes limp in my arms, her words faltering and grip loosening. Stiffening slightly, I pull her away and see her eyes are closed, and she's not moving, dried tears on her terribly pale face. Her body feels cold and lifeless against mine."Jessica?" I call out, gently shaking her, but she's unresponsive. Placing her back on my chest, my gaze darts around, and I start to panic. "Is there a doctor here!? My wife has fainted!" I call out, lifting her up from the floor and cradling her against me as I run out of the underground bunker, careful not to jar her.Once I step outside, the frigid air hits me, the sky is still dark and stormy, but there's no rain anymore. I spot the paramedics amidst and sprint towards them, cradling Jessica's lifeless body in my arms. The biting wind stings my face, but I barely register it. All that matters is getting her the help she desperately needs.They immediately swing into action once they see me coming; their faces are et