Problems Ongoing

Chapter 3 – Perfect on Paper

Nine years later, Nia Carter had everything.

At least, that’s what the world believed.

At twenty-three, she was the name people mentioned in rooms that mattered. A top student at Oxford, a business owner with influence far beyond her years, and the face of quiet success. Elegant. Intelligent. Untouchable.

Perfect.

That was the word they used.

The word she wore like armor.

Spring break brought her back to the estate.

The same house. The same walls. The same silence.

Nothing had changed.

And yet… everything had.

Nia stood in the study, the soft glow of evening light spilling across polished wood and shelves lined with books she had no interest in reading.

A cigarette rested between her fingers, the faint trail of smoke curling lazily into the air. She exhaled slowly, her expression blank, distant—like she was there, but not really present.

On the desk in front of her lay an opened letter.

Another offer.

Another company trying to align themselves with hers. Promises of expansion, numbers, influence—everything people chased.

Nia skimmed the last line again before letting out a quiet scoff.

“Not necessary.”

Her voice was calm. Flat.

Without hesitation, she tore the paper in half.

Then again.

And again.

The pieces fell onto the desk like they meant nothing.

Because to her… they didn’t.

“Amara,” she called.

A moment later, the door opened slightly and a maid stepped in. “Yes, ma’am?”

Nia gestured lazily toward the desk. “Throw that away.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The maid moved quickly, collecting the torn pieces with careful hands before slipping back out, closing the door behind her.

Silence returned.

Nia took another drag from the cigarette, leaning back slightly as her gaze drifted… aimlessly at first.

Until it stopped.

On the far wall.

A frame.

Her expression didn’t change immediately.

But something in her eyes did.

It was an old picture.

Her parents stood side by side, her mother smiling warmly, her father calm but proud. Between them, a younger Nia—smaller, softer, untouched by everything that would come later.

For a moment, she just stared.

Still.

Quiet.

Then her chest tightened.

Sharp.

Unexpected.

The cigarette burned slowly between her fingers, forgotten.

“They should be here…” she murmured, barely audible.

The words felt strange. Fragile.

Like something she didn’t allow herself to say out loud.

Her jaw tightened slightly, and she looked away—but it didn’t help. The image stayed in her mind, clear as ever.

That night.

That call.

Everything after it.

Her expression hardened again, the walls going back up almost instantly.

Controlled.

Untouchable.

Perfect.

She brought the cigarette back to her lips, inhaling deeply this time, like she was trying to push the feeling back down where it belonged.

Where it stayed.

A knock broke the silence.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and a familiar presence stepped inside.

Marcus.

“Ryan’s here,” he said simply. “We’re heading out.”

Nia didn’t turn immediately. She took one last look at the photo before finally looking away.

“I’ll be there.”

Marcus studied her for a second—just a second—but said nothing. He never pushed.

“Don’t take too long,” he added before stepping out again.

The room fell silent once more.

Nia stood there for a moment longer, then reached out and flipped the picture frame face down.

Just like that.

Gone.

Or at least… hidden.

She grabbed her coat, putting out the cigarette as she headed for the door.

To the rest of the world, Nia Carter was flawless.

Untouchable.

Unbreakable.

But beneath the surface…

The problems never left.

They just waited.