Ashes of Forever

Plan in motion

Theo's POV

Theo stood in the ruins of what was once his home, the charred walls and shattered windows a grim reminder of the life he'd lost. The investigators had concluded their work, but Theo wasn't satisfied.

"Find her," he said to his head of security, his voice cold and unyielding. "I don't care how long it takes or how much it costs. Bring Zoey to me."

"Yes, sir," the man replied, his tone respectful but wary.

Theo clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. He couldn't stop thinking about Sophie's her laugh, her smile, the way she'd run into his arms after a long day at work.

And Zoey.

She was supposed to protect her. She was supposed to keep her safe.

But she'd failed.

And now, she'd run.

Theo's phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen. It was Amanda.

"Theo," she said, her voice soft and soothing. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine," he lied, his tone clipped.

"I'm here if you need me," she said. "I always have been."

Theo ended the call, his mind racing. Amanda had been a constant presence in his life for as long as he could remember. She'd been there through everything through Shirley's death, through his grief, through his marriage to Zoey.

She was like family.

---

Amanda's POV

Amanda stood in front of the mirror, her reflection staring back at her with a satisfied smile.

Theo was looking for Zoey.

Good.

It was all going according to plan.

Amanda had loved Theo since they were children. Their families had been close, their lives intertwined from the start. She'd always known they were meant to be together.

But Theo had never seen her that way.

She remembered the day she'd confessed her feelings to him. They'd been teenagers, sitting by the lake on his family's estate.

"Theo," she'd said, her heart pounding. "I love you. I've always loved you."

He'd looked at her, his expression gentle but firm. "Amanda, you're like a sister to me. I care about you, but I don't feel that way."

The rejection had stung, but Amanda had smiled, pretending it didn't matter.

"Of course," she'd said, her voice steady. "I understand."

But she hadn't.

When Theo met Shirley, Amanda had watched from the sidelines, her heart breaking as he fell in love with someone else.

She'd smiled at their wedding, congratulated them when Imara was born, and pretended to be happy for them.

But inside, she was seething.

Shirley had everything Amanda wanted Theo's love, his devotion, his child.

And Amanda couldn't stand it.

It had been easy, in the end. A little poison in Shirley's tea, a few whispered words to the doctors about her delicate health.

And then she was gone.

Theo had been devastated, but Amanda had been there to comfort him.

"I'm here for you," she'd said, her voice filled with fake sympathy. "I always will be."

But Theo had never looked at her the way he'd looked at Shirley.

And then Zoey came along.

Amanda had hated her from the start.

---

Theo's POV

Theo sat in his study, the walls closing in around him. He couldn't stop thinking about Zoey about the way she'd looked at him the last time they'd spoken, her eyes filled with pain and fear.

But she'd failed him. She'd failed Sophie.

And now, she'd run.

His phone buzzed again, and he glanced at the screen. It was Amanda.

"Theo," she said, her voice soft. "I'm worried about you. Let me come over."

Theo hesitated. Amanda had always been there for him, a steady presence in his life.

"Fine," he said, his voice weary.

When Amanda arrived, she brought a bottle of wine and a sympathetic smile.

"I'm here for you," she said, pouring him a glass. "I always have been."

Theo took the glass, his mind racing.

Amanda had been a constant in his life, a friend he could always rely on.

Amanda sat across from Theo, her expression one of feigned concern.

"Theo," she said softly, "I know you're hurting. I can't imagine what you're going through."

Theo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just need to find Zoey. She's the only one who can answer for what happened."

Amanda hesitated, as if weighing her words carefully. "Theo... I might know where she is."

Theo's head snapped up, his eyes locking with hers. "What?"

"I... I didn't want to say anything until I was sure," Amanda said, her voice trembling with false hesitation. "But I think she's in Brooklyn."

"Brooklyn?" Theo repeated, his voice sharp. "How do you know that?"

Amanda looked down, pretending to be ashamed. "I hired a private investigator. I just... I wanted to help you, Theo. I couldn't stand to see you in so much pain."

Theo stared at her, his mind racing. Brooklyn.

"Thank you, Amanda," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.

Amanda smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Of course," she said softly. "I'm here for you, Theo. Always."

As Theo left to mobilize his team, Amanda leaned back in her chair, a satisfied smirk spreading across her face.

Let them tear each other apart.

If she couldn't have Theo, then no one could.