Lulu

I wasn’t surprised when Scott followed me into the bedroom, demanding that I pack his suitcase. I didn’t say a word, just did as I was told. That was what I had become—a wife more akin to a servant, voiceless, without the right to complain.

I went to the laundry room, mindlessly sorting warm and cold washes. My hands moved automatically while my mind reeled, haunted by thoughts of Scott’s trip to Paris. But all of that came to a screeching halt when I picked up his light blue shirt.

A deep maroon lipstick stain tainted the collar. I stared at it for a long moment, my heart pounding in my chest. I didn’t need to be a bloody genius to figure out who it belonged to. I didn’t own a bold shade like this, and I sure as hell wasn’t in Paris yesterday.

A wave of revulsion and fury surged through me. My grip on the shirt tightened, my nails digging into the fabric as I fought the urge to tear it to shreds. Instead, I opted for something more fitting. With pure contempt, I hurled it straight into the bin. Better to have it recycled than to put myself through the indignity of scrubbing out her mark on his clothes.

As I was trying to steady myself, footsteps echoed behind me. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

“Lulu,” came the saccharine voice. I stiffened. I wasn’t ready for this.

Leia stood at the doorway, a smug smile curling on her lips. She was draped in a silk wine-coloured dress, far too extravagant for lounging about the house. Her fingers clutched her phone, poised to put on a show.

I thought she had left, but clearly, I had underestimated her.

I used to think nothing of it when she stayed over, catching a ride with Scott to her agency whenever she had photoshoots. I had been a fool to trust them.

“I already know, Leia,” I said, keeping my tone even. “There’s no need to keep up this charade.”

“Then you should see this,” she cooed, holding her phone up to my face.

Videos and photos flooded the screen—her and Scott in Paris, all over each other. Them holding hands, kissing under the Eiffel Tower, laughing in the glow of candlelight at some fancy restaurant. They looked like a couple in love.

“Trash,” I spat. “I’d rather gouge my eyes out than watch this filth.”

Leia giggled, tucking her phone away. “But you have to. This is your reality, Lulu. You’re just a wife on paper. Scott doesn’t love you. I’m the one he wants. I’m the one who’s always been by his side.”

I locked eyes with her. “Why are you doing this, Leia? Have I ever wronged you? We were like sisters once. What changed?”

Her smirk faltered, her eyes darkening. “What changed? You did. The moment you walked into this family, everything shifted. You were the pitiful little orphan, and Uncle Montgomery—your precious adoptive father—gave you all his attention. Do you have any idea how that felt? I was his niece, his own flesh and blood, and yet, you became his favourite.”

I shook my head, stunned. “You’re wrong, Leia. He cared about you just as much. He always treated you well.”

“Not like he treated you,” she hissed. “You were special. You were different. I was just an afterthought. I’m so bloody sick of it.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could utter a word, Leia let out a sharp scream.

My eyes widened as I saw detergent spilling from the shelf, trickling down her arm. She clutched her face, wailing in agony.

“Oh my God! My eyes! Lulu, you did that on purpose!” she shrieked.

I stumbled back, horrified. “I didn’t touch you, Leia! You know I didn’t!”

Before I could gather my thoughts, rapid footsteps approached. Scott burst into the doorway, his gaze snapping to Leia, who was now dramatically cradling her face.

“What the hell happened?” he demanded.

Leia pointed a trembling finger at me. Her voice wavered, laced with false pain. “Lulu… she threw detergent at me. She lost it after seeing the pictures from Paris! I didn’t mean to upset her, but she—she just couldn’t handle it!”

Scott turned to me, his expression unreadable. But there was something in his eyes—something cold.

“Is that true, Lulu? Have you completely lost your bloody mind?”

I stepped forward, desperate. “Scott, she’s lying! She set me up!”

He let out a humourless laugh. “Of course, you’d say that. You always refuse to see the truth. And frankly, I’ve had enough of your delusions. You’re nothing but an ungrateful wretch. I gave you everything, but you still act like the whole world is out to get you.”

I froze. His words were like knives, slicing deep into my chest. But the worst part wasn’t the insult. It was the sheer disdain in his voice.

“Scott, you’re making a mistake—”

The sharp sting of a slap cut me off. My head snapped to the side, a fiery pain blooming across my cheek.

I blinked, momentarily stunned. Scott had just hit me.

I slowly turned my gaze back to him, my vision swimming with unshed tears. “You really believe her over me?” My voice trembled, laced with disbelief. “Fine!”

He said nothing. No remorse, no hesitation. Just that same empty stare.

A hollow laugh bubbled from my throat. I wiped at my throbbing cheek, shaking my head. “I don’t know what else to do anymore. If my life is just going to be filled with pain and betrayal, maybe I should just die.”

Scott didn’t flinch. He didn’t even blink.

“Then do it,” he said coldly. “See if I give a damn.”

The world around me shattered. I had hoped—deep down, desperately—for even the slightest flicker of concern. A moment of hesitation. A sign that I still meant something to him.

But I found nothing.

Scott had never loved me.

For a brief second, panic threatened to choke me. My heartbeat quickened; my breath uneven. But I forced it down. I would not let them see me break.

I was done.

Without another word, I turned and walked out of the room. I didn’t want to see Scott. I didn’t want to hear Leia’s pitiful, fake sobs.

I just wanted to leave.

Lulu

Scott didn’t come back that night. As I walked past the living room, I found it empty—only silence accompanied my steps. I had expected it. He was probably by Leia’s side, who was most likely pretending to be in pain just to keep his attention on her.

I couldn’t stay in this penthouse any longer. Every corner of it felt like a noose tightening around my neck. Without much thought, I packed a small bag with some clothes and walked out of the place I once called home.

A hotel would be my temporary refuge. I’d find a flat soon enough, but one thing was certain—I couldn’t return to the McCarthy residence. I didn’t want to face Uncle Montgomery or the rest of the family. I needed time and space to make sense of everything.

Once inside my hotel room, I changed out of my dress into a nightgown. I picked up my phone, rereading the messages from Morpheus. He intrigued me—felt like a stranger, yet oddly familiar.

"Do I know him?"

I tried to recall, but exhaustion crept over me. I yawned a few times before surrendering to sleep.

***

Three Hours Before the Incident

I sat in Langley Restaurant, waiting for someone who claimed to have important information for me.

Morpheus.

He arrived in disguise—baseball cap, dark sunglasses, and a mask covering most of his face. His movements were cautious as he took a seat across from me, as if making sure no one recognised him.

"Mrs Byrne, apologies for keeping you waiting. I ran into a bit of a technical issue."

I nodded. "It’s fine. I only arrived ten minutes ago. Please, have a seat, Morpheus."

He opened his bag, pulled out a few documents, and slid them across the table towards me. "This is a list of organ donors at St Avalon Health Centre over the past year."

I swallowed, flipping through the pages. My heartbeat quickened as I reached the transplant reports.

"What is this?" My voice trembled as I read the name listed.

Morpheus leaned back in his chair, watching me from behind his sunglasses. "Your mother’s heart wasn’t given to its intended recipient—you."

My hands shook as my eyes landed on the name of the patient who had received the transplant.

Charlotte Andrews.

"Leia’s mother," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Then it hit me. Leia had once told me about her mother—how she had suffered from depression and a congenital heart condition. She had been placed in a psychiatric hospital on the outskirts of London.

I shook my head, unable to believe it. "There must be a mistake..."

But deep down, the pieces were falling into place. My mother and Leia’s mother. The connection was undeniable.

Morpheus shook his head. "I’ve double-checked. These documents are authentic."

My mind reeled. Scott had told me my mother’s accident had been caused by a lorry driver who fell asleep at the wheel. But Morpheus handed me police investigation reports—her death wasn’t due to a collision.

"Brake failure."

I clenched my fists, my chest tightening.

"This wasn’t just an accident, Mrs Byrne." Morpheus fixed his gaze on me. "And the transplant surgery took place the same day your mother died."

My smartwatch beeped in warning—my heart rate was spiking. I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to control the pain.

No matter how much I fought it, I was powerless against the darkness closing in.

***

I woke up in my hotel room, a strange sensation washing over me. I didn’t remember how I got here. The last thing I recalled was being with Morpheus.

Reaching for my phone, I saw a message.

I brought you back to your hotel. You fainted at the restaurant.

I exhaled deeply.

Just then, a new email notification popped up. It was from Raven. My eyes widened as I read it.

Here’s the plan. Go to the photography studio and pretend you left your medication there. We’ll handle the rest.

I didn’t think twice. I grabbed my bag and headed out.

***

The photography studio at his office was eerily quiet. I stepped inside carefully, ensuring no one saw me.

Moving to the main desk, I searched the drawers. My fingers grazed the inner compartment, following Raven’s instructions.

Then, the sound of heels clicking against the floor echoed behind me.

I turned—too late. A hand grabbed my hair, yanking me backwards.

"You shouldn’t be here, Lulu."

I recognised that voice.

Leia.

Her lips curled into a cruel smile as she shoved me against a tall shelving unit stacked with heavy equipment. I struggled, but she was faster. She gripped my throat, her nails digging into my skin.

I clawed at her hand, desperately trying to pry her fingers off. Summoning all my strength, I yanked her hair hard, forcing her to let go.

But she wasn’t done. She lunged at me again, chasing me until I was cornered against the wall. A manic grin twisted her features.

"You should’ve died, Lulu. You always take what’s mine."

"You’re wrong, Leia."

"I don’t give a shit! I just want you dead!"

Leia grabbed a metal rod from the shelf, raising it above her head. As she swung it at me, I dodged just in time.

By some stroke of fate, the rod got stuck between the shelf brackets.

Leia cursed viciously, yanking at it. "For fuck’s sake, let go, you little bitch!"

I saw the shelf wobble from the force of her tugs. My body moved instinctively—I scrambled away.

Then, a sudden burst of blinding light filled the room. My ears rang from the deafening blast that followed.

A few seconds later…

"What the hell? I can’t see!" Leia shrieked.

I barely registered her words. All I knew was that someone’s arms had wrapped around me, pulling me to safety.

Some time passed before I heard a deep, steady voice calling my name.

"Lulu, you’re safe with me."

That voice—low, soothing, yet commanding.

Slowly, darkness took over my vision, but this time, it wasn’t terrifying.

It was warm.