Chapter 23
686 Words
Cracks in the Mask
The morning after Juliet’s quiet manipulation, Anna sat alone on the garden bench outside the mansion, her hands wrapped around a lukewarm coffee cup she hadn’t sipped in hours. The sky was gray, like her thoughts, and the cold breeze felt sharper than usual.
She couldn’t stop replaying the conversation with Noah. The way he looked at her—like a stranger. The way her name sounded like a question on his lips instead of home.
Juliet was getting to him.
But she wasn’t going down without a fight.
“I won’t let you rewrite our story,” Anna whispered to herself.
The front door creaked open behind her. She didn’t need to turn to know who it was.
“You shouldn’t be out here in the cold,” came Daniel’s voice, gentle but tense.
“I needed air.”
He sat beside her, silent for a moment before asking, “You okay?”
Anna nodded. “No.”
Daniel sighed. “I saw how he looked at you yesterday. Like he didn’t remember… but like he wanted to.”
Anna’s voice cracked. “His mother told him I was cheating.”
Daniel’s jaw tensed. “Juliet would do anything to erase you.”
Anna finally turned to him. “I need to know what else she’s hiding. There’s something off. Isabella showing up here? Acting like she belongs?”
Daniel looked away.
“What?” she asked sharply.
He hesitated. “You’re not going to like this.”
“Say it.”
“I overheard Juliet telling someone on the phone... that Isabella’s been planning to move into this house. Permanently.”
Anna blinked. “What?”
“They want you gone, Anna. For good.”
Her heart dropped. It wasn’t just about manipulation anymore. This was war.
---
Upstairs, Noah sat in bed flipping through a photo album Anna had left on the nightstand—one she’d hoped would help jog his memory.
He paused at a picture of them on their honeymoon, Anna on his back at a beach in Greece, both of them laughing so freely it hurt to look at.
Something flickered.
He touched the edge of the photo and closed his eyes.
And suddenly—he was back in that moment. The sound of waves. Her laughter. Her arms around his shoulders.
He gasped, clutching his head as a wave of nausea hit him.
The door burst open.
Isabella stood in the doorway, all fake concern. “Noah? Are you okay?”
He waved her off, disoriented. “Don’t—touch me.”
She froze.
“Why do I feel like I’m being lied to?” he asked through clenched teeth.
Isabella swallowed hard. “No one’s lying. You’re just confused.”
His voice rose. “Then why do I remember Anna saying she loved me while we watched the sunset? Why does that hurt more than it should?”
Isabella’s eyes widened.
Before she could respond, Juliet appeared behind her, calm but sharp.
“Sweetheart, don’t work yourself up.”
Noah stared at them both. His voice was hollow. “Get out. Please.”
Juliet’s expression flickered.
“You’re confused,” she said again, stepping closer.
He shook his head. “I may not remember everything, but I know that Anna wouldn’t have given up on me unless someone pushed her to.”
The silence was thick. Dangerous.
“Get. Out.”
---
Downstairs, Anna stood in Juliet’s study, flipping through drawer after drawer. Her hands trembled, heart racing.
She stopped when she found a locked box tucked behind old files.
Daniel stepped into the doorway. “Find something?”
“Maybe.”
She used a letter opener to pry the lock, and inside was a folder labeled: ANNA CARTER – PERSONAL.
Her stomach dropped as she opened it—inside were photos, notes, old emails… fabricated conversations, edited screenshots of Anna with male clients, and notes in Juliet’s handwriting. Plans. Lies.
“She was framing me,” Anna whispered.
Daniel’s hand gripped her shoulder. “We need to show this to Noah. Now.”
- Writer
