Love and Hope
James invites Emily to dinner at a chic Italian restaurant. As she steps out of her house, her path is blocked by Victoria.
“Only a diamond can cut another diamond,” the professor remarks cryptically.
“I’m sorry? I dont understand.”
“Youre still young,” Victoria smiles. “Trust me, people dont fall in love just once in their lives.”
“Victoria, I swear, theres nothing between me and James.”
“Perhaps not yet. But that doesnt mean it wont happen. Dont close your heart, Emily. Life has a way of surprising ussometimes bringing the greatest joys when we least expect them.”
“Did you?”
“Well William wasnt my first love,” Victoria replies calmly, a shadow of memory flickering in her eyes. “I loved someone else once. I thought Id never survive the heartbreak, that Id never breathe again without him. And then William came along. Everything changed. I was happy. Truly happy. Thats why Im telling youdont shut yourself off. Love might be closer than you think.”
“I always thought Uncle William was your first love”
“He wasnt, just as I wasnt his. But one thing I can tell you: you never forget your first love.”
Emily sighs softly, thanks her, and walks to the waiting car where James sits behind the wheel.
The moment she leaves, Charlotte appears on the porch, staring at Victoria with a cold smile.
“Decided to play mother to Emily, have you? Giving her love advice, sharing stories you never told me.”
“I did it for Sophie,” Victoria replies without hesitation. “Because only one thing can truly separate Emily and Oliver.”
“What exactly do you mean?”
“Emily falling in love with someone else,” she says calmly but firmly.
***
Lily, devastated after her argument with Daniel, stumbles aimlessly down the middle of the road. Her face is pale, her eyes hollowas if she doesnt see the world around her.
She doesnt notice the approaching car.
Screeching tires. A sickening thud.
Screams erupt; someone calls an ambulance.
Lily lies motionless on the asphalt. Bystanders gather around. A woman kneels beside her, searching for a pulse.
“Can you hear me? Hello?!”
No response. Lily doesnt stir.
***
Grace approaches a clearing in the woods, where in the dim light between the trees, Marcus waits. His silhouette blends with the shadows, but his gaze is icy and piercing.
“Heres two hundred thousand,” she says coolly, handing him a leather bag stuffed with cash.
The camera shifts to Natalie. She followed Grace from the house, tracking her with quiet determination. Now hidden in the thick undergrowth just metres away, she watches in disbelief.
“Marcus and that money Thats my money!” she whispers, struggling to control her emotions. Seeing Marcus count the notes, her eyes fill with fury. “The nerve” She pulls out her phone and starts recording.
Marcus finishes counting and smirks darkly.
“Thats everything. Now will you leave us alone?” Grace asks, tension in her voice.
A twig snaps in the silence.
Marcus whips around.
“Did you hear that? Someones here. I told you to come alone!”
“I did!” Grace insists, her voice panicked. “I swear, no one followed me!”
Marcus doesnt believe her. He moves toward the noise, shoving branches asideand spots Natalie, phone in hand.
His eyes flash with rage. He pulls a knife from his pocket.
“Well, well, an eavesdropper,” he says, his voice deadly calm. “You know, curiosity can get you killed.”
Natalie steps back, her hands trembling.
“Marcus, let her go,” Grace snaps. “Dont be an idiot.”
“Show me whats in your bag,” Marcus demands.
“Leave me alone!” Natalie protests.
“Why are you here?!” Grace demands.
“What are you two doing?!” Natalie bursts out. “Im recording everything! Ill call the police!”
“Were not doing anything!” Grace shouts. “He was blackmailing me! Threatening to hurt Daniel and Olivia!”
Natalie reaches for her phone.
“Im calling the police right now.”
“DONT YOU DARE!” Marcus roars, raising the knife. “Ill kill you!”
“HELP! SOMEONE HELP!” Natalie screams, trying to run.
“Marcus, STOP!” Grace lunges at him.
But hes beyond reason. He shoves Grace aside with enough force to send her sprawling.
His crazed eyes lock onto Natalie, who trembles in terror.
“You first,” he hisses. “Then Daniel. Hell find you covered in bloodand Ill kill him too!”
The knife flashes down. Natalie shrieks, raising her arms to shield herself. At the last second, she grabs his wrist. They struggle wildlybreaths ragged, muscles straining, the air thick with panic.
Thena sudden twist.
The blade turns in their tangled gripand plunges into Marcuss chest.
He freezes. Shock, then pain, contorts his face. A gurgle escapes his lips before he collapses like a cut puppet.
Grace staggers forward, pressing trembling fingers to his neck. Silence.
“Hes dead,” she whispers, her face ashen. “Hes dead.”
“Oh God OH GOD!” Natalie sobs. “It wasnt me! It was an accident!” She clutches her head, hysterical. “Call an ambulance! Maybe hes still alive! DO SOMETHING!”
“Shut up!” Grace hisses, grabbing her shoulders. “Stop screaming! Do you want the whole world to hear? Do you want to go to prison?”
“Prison?!” Natalie wails. “But it wasnt on purpose! You sawI was defending myself! Im not a murderer!”
“The truth doesnt matter!” Graces grip tightens. “The police wont believe you! And if this gets outpeople will say Daniels mother is a killer!”
“IM NOT A KILLER!” Natalie sobs. “We need an ambulance! The police! We have to do something!”
“Natalie, please” Graces voice is pleading but firm. “Get a hold of yourself. No one needs to know. Nothing happened. Do you understand? NOTHING. HAPPENED.”
“But hes hes just lying there” Natalie trembles violently.
“We cant help him now. But you can still help yourself. Come on. Hes gone. Were alive. Thats all that matters.”
Grace pulls her close, as if trying to hold the shattered pieces together. Slowly, she leads Natalie away through the dense woods, leaving Marcuss lifeless body behindhis fingers still clutching the knife.
The secret buried in the forest may never see the light of day.
***
Daniel, summoned by Olivias frantic call, bursts into the house breathless. He stops short, seeing her standing by the door with a suitcase. Her face is pale, her eyes wet but determined.
“Im leaving,” she says softly, pressing a near-silent kiss to his cheek. “I dont want to be a burden to you or your mother anymore. Goodbye, Daniel. Be happy.”
“Olivia, what are you talking about?” He stares, bewildered. “What does my mother have to do with this?”
“She knows about that night. Everything that happened between us.”
Daniel runs a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply.
“Damn it How did she find out?”
“She read the letter I left that day when I took the pills.”
“Wait” His brow furrows. “You said it wasnt a suicide attempt”
“I lied to spare you. But your mother doesnt want me here. Shes afraid youll marry me. And she offered us money. Me and my mum. To walk away.”
Daniels face darkens.
“She did WHAT?”
“Yes. We refused. Id never take it. So now Im leaving. Its better for everyone.”
“Olivia, youre not going anywhere.” He grabs the suitcase and shoves it aside. “I wont let you disappear from my life.”
“I dont have a choice, Daniel. Dont you see? My mum knows too. She said I ruined my lifethat shed rather die than hear about it. If we dont marry, shell never let this go. And your mother hates me. Aunt Natalie looks at me like Im tainted. No one wants me here. Leaving is the only way.”
Daniel steps closer, his eyes burning into hers.
“Olivia I wont let you go. Well figure it out. Your mother will calm down. Mine will too. Well make this work.”
“Daniel” Her voice is a whisper, hope flickering in her eyes. “Does that mean youll marry me?”
The silence is deafening.
