Soon after, breakfast was called, and the grand dining room bustled with activity. Even the children, usually bouncing with morning energy, were present around the expansive table. But to make matters worse, Zarina, sat directly across from me and was busy chatting animatedly with Reila. But her subtle gaze with Regan who was on my right didn’t go unnoticed.I, on the other hand, found it difficult to muster even a polite smile. My stomach churned with a fit of anger.At the head of the table, Richard's gaze swept across the assembled family members before landing on a man who sported a yawn and a simple shirt, his demeanor radiating an easy-going charm. He has a lean build, light brown hair, tousled in a carefree manner, and hazel eyes."Paul," Richard called, "where's young Ethan this fine morning?"Paul chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Oh, the little rascal's busy constructing some elaborate Lego masterpiece. Had to get him started early t

An hour or two crawled by, each tick of the clock echoing in the empty room. Slowly, I took a deep breath, willing myself to pull it together.  Fighting back the lingering tears, I splashed water on my face, hoping to erase any evidence of my breakdown.  A quick look in the mirror confirmed my eyes weren't bloodshot anymore.  Reaching for my red lipstick, I swiped it across my lips. A final touch of red on my nails completed the transformation.  Staring back at me was a woman who looked strong, unbothered, anything but broken. That's exactly how I wanted them to see me.Downstairs, the sounds of the mansion bustling back to life pulled me from my self-imposed exile. The family was preparing for their berry picking. Taking a fortifying breath, I ventured downstairs.The sight that greeted me was a sea of smiling faces, all gathered with baskets in hand.  But something about those smiles felt forced.  Living amongst these wealth

I sighed as I glanced out the window, watching Regan, Zarina, and his cousins laughing and drinking outside. The middle-aged group had decided to go out on the lawn and have a bonfire there. I wanted to join them, but I knew it would be awkward. Besides, I didn't drink beer—I never liked the taste. Feeling a bit parched and seeing that it was already 8 PM, I decided to head down to the kitchen for a drink.As I walked into the kitchen, I was surprised to see a young boy standing near the microwave. It was Ethan, a quiet seven-year-old who rarely spoke or joined the other children. His face was still adorned with a pair of thick eyeglasses. I was sure the other kids were in the movie room with their nannies right now.I frowned, remembering that the boy was not at the dinner earlier. Seeing him alone now, I wondered why he wasn't with the others. I watched as he fiddled with the microwave, sighing to himself while his other hand was holding his iPad. With a gentle smile, I walked over

Anastasia’s POVSoon after we finished the delicious meal, Ethan and I sat on the stools at the counter, facing each other. He was a little messy eater, but his tiny chomps were full of such enthusiasm that it was hard not to smile. "So, how's the food, champ?" I asked, leaning forward to get a better look at his cute, sauce-covered face.He stopped mid-chew, his brow furrowed in deep concentration for a moment, before offering a reluctant nod. A bubbly laugh escaped my lips, and I reached over with a napkin to wipe the red streak of tomato sauce from around his lips.Just then, a voice cut through our little moment. We both turned towards the door to see Regan leaning on a door frame, arms crossed, looking a little flushed but definitely not drunk. I felt a sudden rush of nerves, wondering how long he had been standing there watching us. My cheeks flushed as I straightened up, trying to maintain composure."Hey there," he said, "What's going on?"Ethan and I exchanged a glance, an

Soon after, I found myself in front of the mirror in our bedroom. I had just stepped out of the shower, steam still clinging to the air, when the bedroom door creaked open. My mother-in-law entered, holding an outfit in her hands."Anastasia, dear, I brought you something for the hunt," she said, handing me the hunting gear. "You'll look perfect in this. Good luck later.""Thank you"She placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry about a thing. Hunting is more about patience and being in the moment. Just enjoy yourself and stay close to Regan.""Will do. Thanks again," I said, feeling a bit more at ease.After she left, I changed into the outfit. The rugged fabric felt strange against my skin, but I admired the way it looked in the mirror. The gear consisted of a fitted camo jacket and pants, sturdy boots, and a wide-brimmed hat that framed my face nicely. My dark hair, usually worn loose, was pulled back in a practical braid t