017

His Darkest Secrets

“Are you alright, Charlotte?” Elaine’s familiar voice rang from the other end of the phone, her tone laced with genuine concern.

Charlotte leaned against the counter in the kitchen, her fingers gripping the phone tightly. “I’m fine,” she replied, though her voice betrayed the turmoil bubbling inside of her.

Elaine, ever perceptive, wasn’t convinced. “Fine? Really? Because you sound like you’re ready to either scream or cry, or both.”

Charlotte let out a shaky laugh, running a hand through her hair. “It’s just… everything. Being here, dealing with him, dealing with this house, it’s a lot.”

“Him,” Elaine repeated, her tone teasing now. “By ‘him,’ you...