The stalker watched in silence as Ellis got in his car and drove off toward what the stalker could guess was Zoey's apartment where the couple spent most evenings together. Leaving a discreet distance between Ellis, the watcher followed for a while and when the direction was confirmed, the person stopped following them, and took a detour to avoid being seen.Ellis and Zoey ended up going to watch a movie. Ellis rented out a private theater so they could enjoy it alone. The cinema was one of the few in the city that had private viewing rooms like these made mostly for couples, or just those who wanted privacy. It was a quiet evening after a long workweek for both of them. Zoey had her head resting on Ellis's chest, his arms wrapped around her. Though the film was an action movie Ellis had been wanting to see, he found his attention kept drifting away from the explosive scenes on the screen. He was acutely aware of the rhythm of Zoey's breathing, her warm weight against him, and the fa
Ellis was about to use his cultivation skills to detect if there was anybody's aura around there, when a wait staff of the theater came in to offer them some drinks and snacks. Ellis and Zoey immediately assumed that the creak she had heard was from the movement of the wait staff coming close to their door. The watcher let out the shallowest of breaths, their body still poised statue-still. They could have kicked themselves for their carelessness. They got too close, too reckless in their desire to observe. If Ellis and Zoey had actually discovered the watcher there, well, the consequences could have been catastrophic, derailing everything. No, in the future they would have to be even more cautious and circumspect.The intruder was hidden in the darkness behind the door, and while they were distracted as the server dropped their drinks and snacks, the intruder walked out with their head bent, and a hoodie covering their face. About an hour later, they finished the movie and went home,
Unable to tear their eyes away from the warm, inviting scene inside, the watcher reached for the door handle without consciously deciding to go through with it. But at the last second, a small shred of self-restraint stopped their hand. They realized how insane it would be to actually intrude on Ellis and Zoey's lives in such a reckless way, with neither a plan nor rationale to justify it.The watcher's mind raced, senses suddenly hyper-alert to the sounds and movements around them on the sidewalk. What if someone noticed them lingering here staring through the window like a deranged stalker? The thought of being seen, having to explain themselves, flooded the watcher with panicked adrenaline.With a harsh indrawn breath, they backed away from the bar's entrance and turned to melt into the crowd heading down the street. The fantasy of upending the watcher's twisted little world had nearly overwhelmed their rational judgment, but they managed to pull back from that brink. At least for
The rumble of an approaching bus jolted Emily out of her self-made vigil. Disappointment pricked at her. Zoey was usually here earlier. She adjusted the strap of her purse, the worn leather cool against her clammy hand. Doubt gnawed at her. Maybe doing this was a bad idea. But the memory of Zoey's radiant face, the joy in her eyes when she spoke of Ellis, fueled Emily's resolve. She wouldn't let Zoey enjoy all that when she was here.A sleek black car, not the familiar bus, rounded the corner and slowed to a stop next to Emily. Emily felt a jolt of panic go through her as she recognized Zoey peering out the passenger window. Panic clawed at her throat. She had not planned for this conversation to be done outside. But the lie, carefully constructed over weeks, sitting heavily on her tongue, demanding release. Emily had found out where Zoey usually came to this particular shop to have breakfast most days, or to order breakfast to go when she was late for work. This was the only chance s
Emily nodded. "Yes. A little girl. He's been... hiding her from you. We used to be classmates, and the mother of the child is also a classmate of ours. Or she was, but she had to drop out of college after getting pregnant."She didn’t mention that she was Ellis’ ex-girlfriend, to give more credibility to her story. She didn’t want Zoey to suspect that this was being done out of jealousy. And it was a bit of petty revenge since Ellis hadn’t even discussed about her with his new girl.Zoey stood frozen, the colour slowly draining from her face. Emily plunged on, weaving a narrative of concern and empathy, careful not to implicate herself as the source. She spoke of accidental encounters with Ellis and the child, painting a picture of a secret life he had kept hidden. She kept saying she could introduce Zoey to the mother of the child at any time, and she could also meet the child too as a form of confirmation. That was a lie but she said it so confidently in order to look genuine. All o
She watched as Zoey's car drove away. The weight of the lie settled on her like a physical burden. The carefully constructed narrative, fuelled by months of stewing resentment, felt flimsy now. Uncertainty gnawed at her. There was no baby. What if Zoey found out that it was all a figment of her imagination, twisted by her jealousy?The thought sent a jolt of fear through her. If the lie unravelled, it would destroy any chance she had with Ellis. Zoey, the woman she supposedly protected, would become her enemy. Panic threatened to consume her. Maybe she should look for a baby that resembled Ellis and pay off the mother to pretend it was indeed Ellis' baby. Her mind moved through different solutions as she walked away. Zoey sat stiffly in the car, her mind a whirlwind. Emily's words echoed in her head – a baby, hidden away. The image of Ellis holding a child, a child he had not told her about, sent a fresh wave of nausea churning in her stomach. Doubt, a persistent weed in the garde
As she walked out of the office building, the city lights blurring into a kaleidoscope of colours, Zoey knew one thing for sure. The next week would be the longest of her life. Across town, at the Royale mansion, Ellis hummed along to music as he put the finishing touches on the arrangement of his room. A vase filled with lilies, Zoey's favourite flower, graced the centre of the table. He checked his watch – she should be here any minute. The doorbell chimed, and a smile spread across his face. He hurried to open the door, anticipation bubbling within him. But the smile faltered when he saw the woman standing on his doorstep."Emily? What are you doing here?" he asked, a frown creasing his forehead. Emily shifted uncomfortably. "Hey Ellis. Actually, there's something I need to talk to you about.""Yes?" Ellis frowned at her."It's about Zoey.""Zoey? What about Zoey? We’ve managed to go back to being cordial again, don’t ruin it by trying one of your shenanigans. I’m not in the
Rain lashed against Zoey's apartment window, mimicking the storm brewing within her. Emily's words, laced with venom, echoed in her mind. Ellis had a child? Unthinkable. Yet, a seed of doubt had been planted, nurtured by her own anxieties. The past few days had been a slow descent. Gone were the playful texts, the lingering touches that spoke volumes more than words. Zoey got more distant with Ellis, always acting preoccupied to try and save her sanity. Zoey craved the warmth of his gaze, the way his laugh used to be reserved just for her. Now, it felt forced, shared with people she didn't even know.Their usual Tuesday date night arrived, a ghost of its former self. Reservations at their favorite Italian restaurant stood ignored. Zoey, using a fictional deadline as an excuse, buried herself in work, her laptop screen a cold barrier to the loneliness gnawing at her. Meanwhile, Ellis stood outside the restaurant, a bouquet of lilies wilting in his hand. He'd been early, waiting with a