admind “Callum, it’s already so late, and she’s still calling you? Doesn’t she know how to keep some boundaries between men and women? She’s not into you, is she?” Caryn Dudley’s hostility was blatant. Callum’s tone turned cold. “Diana, maybe don’t call me this late anymore. It’s easy for people to get the wrong … Read more
Chapter 1 Author: Upside-Down Mouse I came home and drew the curtains tightly shut. Not a sliver of light could seep into the living room. The dimness calmed me, made it easier to breathe. I curled up on the sofa and dialed my agent’s number. “Samuel,” I said quietly, “you suggested I study abroad to refine … Read more
The Don’s face darkened. “We don’t tolerate betrayal in this family.” I stared straight at him. “I wasn’t the one who betrayed anyone. I’m here because Luca is Dora’s father. That’s it.” Then I stood up and walked away, leaving their cold stares behind. Upstairs, Dora followed me quietly. She grabbed my arm, her voice … Read more
Chapter 8 As I stepped out of the clinic, Dora came running after me. “Mom, wait! I wanna go with you.” She reached for my hand, and I looked down, surprised. On her wrist wasn’t that diamond bracelet Fiona gave her; it was the one I made by hand, with pink beads and tiny cartoon … Read more
I blinked. “You mean the evil witch from middle school who threw chalk like ninja stars?” He laughed. “Yeah, that one!” Turns out, we’d known each other when we were kids. Funny how time can make you forget things until they come rushing back in a single conversation. Eason invited me over to his parents‘ … Read more
Chapter 7 I turned off my phone that anniversary. +25 BONUS Couldn’t take another call, another text, another empty apology. I just needed to breathe. Instead of heading my rented house, I started walking. My steps took me down winding roads and across the valley, and before I knew it, I was standing not far … Read more
His jaw twitched, but something stopped him from exploding. Maybe it was the words I told him once that ‘That’s not my problem anymore. He took a deep breath and turned to Maria, voice cold and calm. “Didn’t we here?” Wench Out of this house? Why are you Maria blinked, suddenly nervous. “I…I came to … Read more
Chapter 6 Ever since Dora started living with Maria, she got weirdly clingy to Luca. My contact at the Moretti estate told me what happened the day before the wedding anniversary. Luca finally came back to the villa after days of doing ‘business‘. By then, Maria had already shown up with Dora, pretending to help … Read more
Maria didn’t bother hiding her annoyance. I could practically feel her eyes rolling as she walked out. Later, I heard her whispering to Fiona down the hallway, “She skipped dinner on purpose. Says she’s gonna tell the family she’s got her own plans.” Fiona was exploded “That little tramp doesn’t get to have plans,” she … Read more
Chapter 5 The Morettis don’t just run the city. In some parts of this country, they are the law. So if I ever wanted a real shot at freedom, I had to disappear somewhere they’d never think to look. I packed a couple bags and headed for the old valley near where my parents used … Read more