RICHARD'S POV I was still trying to salvage the files on my desk when my phone buzzed violently in my pocket. I glanced at the screen and saw the caller ID: Augustus Merrick, the manager of the real estate company where I bought my house from. I frowned, wondering why he'd be calling me at this hour. "Hello, Mr. Merrick," I answered, still half-focused on the stack of partially burnt papers in front of me. "Richard, your house is on fire! We've called the firefighters, but you need to get here right away!" His voice was frantic, every word dripping with urgency and panic. My heart skipped a beat. "What? How? I'll be there in five minutes!" I hung up, my hands trembling as I fumbled for my car keys. It's undoubtedly my worst day yet. The drive was a blur of honking horns and red lights that I ignored. My mind raced faster than the car, filled with dread and disbelief. When I arrived, my house was already engulfed in flames. Thick black smoke billowed into the sky, and th
RICHARD'S POVThe charred remains of the documents haunted me as I stared at Gregory, his smug grin etched into my mind like a scar that won’t heal. I clenched my fists, feeling the heat rise to my face. "I have the court's backing," I insisted, my voice trembling with a mixture of anger and desperation. That was when Gregory stopped and turned back, his laughter filling the room, echoing off the walls like the ghosts of my lost hopes. "Oh, Richard, you poor deluded fool. The judge who handled your case is dead. What proof do you have now? Ashes?" He chuckled again, his eyes gleaming with condescension. I could almost see the ghosts of my dreams, the ones I'd built on acquiring the company, slipping away. "You need to step down, Gregory. Or I'll bring the police into this." His laughter stopped abruptly. He leaned forward, his face inches from mine, his breath hot and reeking of whiskey. "You think the police will help you? They're in my pocket, every last one of them. Do yoursel
RICHARD'S POVThe waiting hall buzzed with a mix of tension and anticipation as we, the aspirants, sat there, clutching our forms. The air was thick with expectation, and the murmur of whispered conversations filled the room. I'd been through many nerve-wracking moments in my life, but this was different. This was the beginning of a new chapter, one I wasn't entirely sure I'd survive. The officials processed our forms with commendable efficiency. One by one, they called out names, and we approached the desk to complete our initial registration. My heart pounded in my chest as I waited. I glanced around, taking in the expressions of the other aspirants. Some wore masks of confidence, while others, like me, betrayed a hint of nervousness. Finally, my name was called. I stepped forward, handed over my form, and watched as the official stamped it with a satisfying thud. The initial registration was done, but the real test was yet to come. We were ushered into another room where the crit
AMELIA'S POVUncle Gregory had launched his campaign on TV without any delay, and in full force too. It was a strategic move, and Greg was a man of swift action. This was our chance to elevate our family to a whole new level, to solidify our place in the city's political landscape. But beneath the surface, a gnawing fear lurked, looming over my thoughts. A fear that Richard, my ex-husband, would once again thwart our plans.Somehow, Richard always managed to make himself a constant thorn in our side. It was as if he had a deity watching over him, ensuring our every misstep. As Gregory's niece, I was deeply invested in his success. I wanted nothing more than to see him win the election, to bring about the change we so desperately needed.I was perched on the edge of the sofa, my eyes glued to the TV screen when Gregory’s campaign ad rolled out. It was flashy, filled with patriotic music and shots of him shaking hands with local folks. I couldn't help but smirk at the way they edited ou
RICHARD'S POVI leaned back in my chair, the remote clutched in my hand like a lifeline. The news anchor’s voice droned on about local politics, but my focus was squarely on the screen. Any minute now, they would show the interview which the news anchor had just mentioned. Amelia’s interview. I knew it was coming, and I knew Gregory would use her against me. Still, the anticipation gnawed at my nerves.I exhaled slowly, trying to steady my breath. The camera cut to a shot of Amelia, her eyes wide and innocent, her lips painted in a demure pink. She looked every bit the part of the victim. I could almost hear Gregory’s coaching in her practiced pauses and the subtle quiver in her voice. “Thank you for speaking with us today, Amelia,” the reporter began, her tone sympathetic, almost conspiratorial. “Can you tell us about your experience with Richard?” Amelia took a deep breath, her eyes glistening as if she were holding back tears. “Richard was never the man he appeared to be,” Amelia
AMELIA'S POVI arrived at Uncle Gregory's mansion early in the morning. The air was thick with anticipation, a silent storm brewing. As I walked in, I felt a knot in my stomach. Today was the day of the election, and I had a sinking feeling that things would unfold in ways I couldn't fully control. "Amelia, over here," Gregory called from the study. His voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge to it that made me shiver. I walked in and found him pacing, his hands clutching his phone like a lifeline."Uncle, what's going on?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. He looked up, his eyes flashing with a mix of excitement and something darker. “Amelia," he began, his voice low and conspiratorial. “It's all set. I've made sure that the results will swing in our favor, no matter what." My stomach churned. “What do you mean, ‘made sure’?” I asked, though I knew exactly what he meant. He’d always been the kind to play dirty, to manipulate circumstances to his advantage. “I’ve paid o
RICHARD'S POVGregory glared at me, his eyes burning with hatred. For a moment, I thought he might actually try to attack me, but he seemed to realize it would only make things worse.The tension in the room dissipated, replaced by a sense of anticipation. Mayor Thompson cleared his throat and addressed the crowd once more. "Let's proceed with the election, shall we? The electronic voting machines are ready." People began to line up, eager to cast their votes. I watched as the first voters approached the machines, their faces lighting up with curiosity and satisfaction as they used the new system. The room buzzed with excitement, the air thick with the promise of change.As the votes were tallied, it became clear that the new system was a success. There was no room for doubt, no possibility of tampering. For the first time in a long time, the election felt truly fair. My heart pounded like a wild drum, each beat a reminder of the stakes. I stood among the crowd of aspirants, my eyes
Amelia’s POV The hall buzzed with chatter and flashes from cameras, but it all seemed muffled to me, like I was trapped in a nightmare. Richard stood at the podium where he accepted the Certificate of Office as the winner of the city councilman election. My family and I now stood in the back, trying to blend into the shadows, hoping no one would notice us. The shame was almost unbearable. Applause and congratulations directed at Richard, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from him. His face was plastered with that smug smile I used to find charming. Now, it was a bitter reminder of the mistakes I'd made. "Honorable Richard Thorne, the new City Councilman!" The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, followed by another round of applause.“We have to leave the city before Richard comes after us with hell. He now has all the influence to make sure of it,” Grandma White whispered urgently in my ear, her voice trembling with both urgency and fear. She glanced around the hall nerv