You met Jessica in junior year in high school. Her warm skin, wild curls, restless spark—she was fire and rhythm, and you were the one who caught her. Different colleges, same heart. You stayed close: texts, visits, plans. You believed in her. She told you about Emily—her roommate. And Emily’s boyfriend, Jamal. You knew little about him—just that he was a focused athlete, mastered a demanding combat sport. Nothing more. You trusted her. Three years apart. Then a life built together. Laughter. Children. A home. You never questioned it. Then the letters came: 10-Year Reunions. Hers. Yours. Different cities. You laughed. She smiled. “So much has changed,” she said. You kissed her shoulder. “Not us.” That night, while she was in the shower, her phone buzzed. Curiosity gripped you. You opened the messages. The thread spilled secrets. Emily: "Hey… can you believe it’s been ten years?" Jessica: "Don’t remind me 😅 Feels like forever ago, and somehow yesterday." Emily: "Saw your name on the reunion list. You really coming?" Jessica: "Thinking about it. Still deciding if I want to open that time capsule." Emily: "If you do… Jamal and I have a place now. There’s always room for you—our bed’s big enough for the three of us, you know the spot in the middle." Jessica: "Em… careful." Emily: "What? I’m just saying… those years? You, me, Jamal? Still the most real thing I’ve ever known." Jessica: "I try not to think about it. But yeah. It’s still there." Emily: "So don’t fight it. Come for the reunion. Stay over. No pressure. Just… see how it feels to fit back in." Jessica: "You make it sound way too easy." Emily: "Could be. If you want it to be 😏" You froze. Three years hidden beneath the surface. She never told you. The bathroom door opened. “Hey babe—” She stopped. Saw the screen. Your face. “Honey… is something wrong?” She was radiant, fresh from the shower. But all you could see was the woman who belonged elsewhere for years.

You and Jade go way back. High school sweethearts, college together, now a house with both your names on the mortgage. She's been your constant—through exams, cheap apartments, late-night dreams about a future you’re finally building. Then came Jonah. Your younger brother. Laid-back, good-looking, all charm and zero discipline. He’s never taken much seriously—lives for the gym, the beach, and whatever girl’s around that week. When your parents asked if he could stay with you while he starts college in the city, you didn’t hesitate. Jade did. She didn’t say no, but you saw the look. Still, you said yes. It’s family. Work picked up. The stress, the deadlines, the pressure to keep things afloat—it all started eating away at your time. More late nights. More weekends lost to the grind. You kept telling yourself it was temporary. Then one night, you come home later than usual. You step into the living room—and there they are. Jade and Jonah. On the couch. Her head on his shoulder. His arm around her. They're not talking. Just sitting there. Quiet. Close. Too close.

You're walking down the street when you spot a woman pushing a stroller—eyes glued to her phone. Without looking, she steps off the curb, heading straight into traffic. Instinct kicks in. You lunge forward, grab the stroller, and pull it back just as a car speeds by. The child is safe. But instead of gratitude, the woman snaps. Her face twists in fury. "Don't touch my baby!" She screams, yanking the stroller from your hands. Her voice rises with rage, and suddenly, she's lifting her handbag like she might hit you. What just happened? You saved a life—didn't you? Now you’re standing in the middle of the sidewalk, heart racing, as she lashes out. What do you do?

Josefina is your wife — the love of your life. You've been married for three years, and together you're raising your little daughter Chloe, who just turned two. For the past couple of years, Josefina has devoted herself fully to being a mother, creating a warm and loving home while you’ve worked long hours to provide. You recently bought a house, hoping to build a future for your family — even though the financial plan was tight from the start. Life had other plans: the car broke down and had to be replaced, and the house has been demanding repairs you hadn’t budgeted for. Slowly, pressure replaced peace. Josefina saw how hard you were pushing yourself. Not one to just stand by, she took a brave step and started her own catering service. In just a few months, she’s begun contributing to the household income — proud, exhausted, but fulfilled. Then, this Friday evening, you walk through the door and find her packing a small bag, eyes bright with excitement. “I got an incredible offer, Mr. Callahan — some big-shot investor — booked me to cater a weekend yacht event for him and his business partners. 50,000 dollars. Just two days.” She pauses, holding up a sleek summer dress with a grin. “He even sent this over — said it matches the event’s theme. It’s a bit much, right?”

Nine months ago, Jiya entered your life. She was warm, a little shy, with that spark in her eyes when she laughed. Raised in a traditional Indian family, she carried herself with quiet grace, kindness, and a deep sense of right and wrong. You met slowly. No rush. Just two people getting to know one another. Three months in, you became a couple. Jiya wasn’t someone who opened up easily, but with you, she felt safe. Natural. You shared long talks, gentle touches, laughter, trust. Intimacy grew — though she held onto one personal boundary she wasn’t ready to cross. And you respected that. When her friend Nina got engaged, Jiya was honored to be a bridesmaid just like another friend of her — Lisa. You helped plan the bachelorette weekend — a quiet house with a pool, perfect for something light and relaxed. That morning, she looked radiant. Excited. You kissed her goodbye and wished her fun. Throughout the day, she sent updates. Smiles. Moments. Then, late in the evening, a voice message — soft, shaky. “Please… love, can you come? I… I don’t feel okay. Lisa hired someone. It’s loud, and they’re all cheering. He’s doing things I don’t want to be around. Please come get me.” You didn’t hesitate. It took over an hour, but you came. When you arrived: chaos. Loud music. Dim lights. In the center, a tall, muscular man in a fireman costume — confident, theatrical. His name: Blaze. Some cheered. Lisa laughed, unfiltered. And Jiya? She stood to the side, overwhelmed, held by two friends trying to keep her there. Her eyes wide. Lost. Until they found yours. And in that moment, she wasn’t alone anymore.

You met Joan two years ago—bright eyes, long red hair, a laugh that lit up every room. There was instant chemistry. What started with coffee dates quickly turned into weekends away, long talks about life, and a connection that never stopped deepening. Joan was everything: sharp, funny, full of energy and ambition. She’d just landed a marketing job at a fashion brand and was already making waves. Your relationship grew fast but solid. You admired her boldness, her drive, and the way she took charge—not just in her career, but also in how she loved. Joan was open, passionate, and full of curiosity. In intimacy, she was the same—confident, playful, and always present. There were things she didn’t enjoy, and she drew clear boundaries. But she gave herself with fire and sincerity. With her, you never felt denied—only chosen. Last month, Joan proposed. You said yes without hesitation. Everything felt right. Until last weekend. You were at a party together when a ghost from her past appeared—Tyler, her college ex. Built like a tank, all swagger and tension. Joan didn’t flinch. She clung to you more than usual, kissing you, laughing with you—making it clear who she chose. But later that night, you saw Tyler intercept her near the bathroom. They spoke. He leaned in too close. She slapped him. Grabbed your hand. And pulled you out of the party without a word. Two days later, Tyler messaged you—directly—on social media. "Your little fiancée? She’s mine." Attached was a video. An old recording. Joan—years younger, but unmistakably her. Except she wasn’t the person you knew. In the footage, she seemed different. Her tone was soft, almost reverent. She encouraged him. Praised him. Gave herself over in a way you've never seen. Not just physically, but completely. Eyes full of something you can’t name—but it wasn’t resistance. And the worst part? It was him. Tyler. Loud, smug, the kind of guy who treats people like trophies. The kind of person you’re nothing like.

You moved into the apartment building shortly after finishing college, ready to start a new chapter in life. Among the first people you met were your next-door neighbors: the Andersons — a warm, welcoming family of three. Jay, in his mid-thirties, was a stay-at-home dad, always fixing things around the building and happy to lend a hand when you needed it. Whether it was a leaky faucet or moving boxes, Jay was there — patient, kind, and a bit of a goof. Chloe, his wife, was a successful attorney — sharp, driven, and full of life. Despite her busy schedule, she always had time for her daughter Jaclyn and never failed to make you feel included. You admired her, looked up to her — and cared about her deeply. Losing her in a sudden car accident was devastating. Not just for Jay and Jaclyn, but for you too. In the months that followed, Jay returned to his old job as a roofer to make ends meet, suddenly juggling work and single fatherhood. You stayed close, offering support where you could — not out of obligation, but because you missed them. Because helping felt right. Over time, you and Jay formed a quiet bond — the kind built on shared grief, mutual respect, and the unspoken understanding of someone who's also trying to keep going. He's become something like an older brother to you — solid, imperfect, and important. Now, eight months later, it’s Jay’s 36th birthday. Jaclyn wants to surprise him with something special, and you’re helping her put it all together. It’s a small moment in a long, complicated story — but one that feels like it matters.

You met Judith at a friend’s birthday party. She was in med school, all fire and ambition, talking about becoming a doctor and changing lives. You were already working—long hours at the nursing home, helping people who couldn’t help themselves. It didn’t pay much, but it felt meaningful. When you told her what you did, she smiled and said: “I admire that. Most guys only care about money. You actually care.” It felt real. She moved in after a few months. Said it made sense. She was always studying, no time to work. You picked up the slack. Rent, utilities, groceries, even the little things she liked—nail appointments, new purses, expensive coffee. You didn’t complain. You were happy to support her. When you proposed, she cried. “You're my rock. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” You believed her. Then she graduated. Got a job at a hospital. You thought things might change. But they didn’t. You kept paying. Judith started dressing different, acting different. Always tired. Always busy. She stopped saying thank you. Then one day, you noticed an envelope on her desk: a Christmas party invitation from her hospital. Staff could bring their partners. Your heart jumped. Finally, a chance to be included in her new life. You checked your schedule—no shift that day. Perfect. Later that night, while she was scrolling on her phone, you smiled and said: “Hey, I saw your Christmas party invitation. I’m actually off that night—I could come with you.” She looked up slowly, face blank. Then her eyes narrowed. “I’m not taking your broke ass to my work party. Dr. Simmons already asked me. He’s the chief of surgery. At least with him, I won’t be embarrassed.” The words hit like a punch. You just stood there. After everything you gave—your time, your money, your heart—this is how she saw you?

Five months ago, Joy went back to work. With both kids in kindergarten, it felt like a new chapter—for her, for both of you. She was excited, nervous. It was a big step after years at home with Luca and Milo. A new job. A fresh start. The weeks that followed were intense. Joy was up and down—moody, distant at times, but you figured it was just the pressure of juggling everything again. Then, two weeks ago, the surprise: she quit. Still in her probation period. No real explanation. Just said it “wasn’t right.” You tried not to push. But something hasn’t felt right since. Now, the apartment is quiet. You set down your keys, take off your shoes. You know Joy’s taken the boys to the playground. In the kitchen, there’s a letter. Handwritten. Your name on the front. You sit down and begin to read: "I don’t really know where to begin. Maybe with the truth: I'm sorry. For everything you’re feeling right now. For what I’ve put you through. I wrote this because I couldn’t bring myself to say it face-to-face. Because if I looked into your eyes, I know I’d lose my courage. I love you. I always have. You’ve been my best friend, my partner, the one I trusted more than anyone. We built this life together—our home, our boys, our little world. And then I broke it. I spent years at home with Luca and Milo. I wouldn’t trade that time for anything. But somewhere along the way, I lost myself. When I started working again, it felt like I was finally waking up. But then I met Dennis at a meeting. And things got more and more complicated in last months. I quit the job. I cut him off. I tried to fix it. Tried to fix me. But I’ve been lost ever since. I didn’t just let you down. I let myself down too. I never stopped loving you. I just stopped knowing who I was. —Joy" You lower the letter. And then you hear it—the key turning in the front door.

You met Janie in your senior year of high school. She was quiet. Soft-spoken. The kind of girl who blushed easily and held on a little longer when you hugged her. Shoulder-length brown hair, hazel eyes full of warmth. She never needed to be loud — she just was there. Gentle. Honest. Yours. Now you're both in college. Different dorms. Different rhythms. But still together — still her smile in your messages, still her hand in yours when you visit. She lives with two new roommates now: Ruby and Isabella. Ruby’s all fire — red hair, loud laughs, unfiltered opinions. Isabella’s the calm opposite — blonde, cool, always watching. They’re bold. Confident. And maybe a little too comfortable with the idea that life’s too short to settle. Tonight, you’re over at Janie’s dorm. The four of you lounge in her room, music low, string lights glowing, wine in plastic cups. Janie sits tucked beside you, fingers brushing yours, her head leaning gently on your shoulder. It feels good. Familiar. And then she shifts. “Hey… honey?” Janie says, barely above the music. You glance at her. Her voice is soft — careful. Her eyes meet yours for a second… then drop. “Can I ask you something? It’s probably dumb, but…” She smiles nervously. “Just don’t laugh, okay?” You nod. She takes a breath. “What do you think about… open relationships?” The words land gently — but they echo. You feel Ruby glance over. Isabella pauses mid-scroll. No one speaks right away. Janie lets out a breath, half a laugh. “I mean, not that I want that. I just… wondered. You know? People try different things.” There’s a flicker in her eyes — something searching. Something unsure. And then, a flash: Ruby meets your gaze and winks. Quick. Secret. Like the room knows something you don’t. You look back at Janie and realize: she’s not just asking for fun.

You lost your mother, Anna, when you were just 10. Her absence carved a hollow space in your heart — one that never fully healed. Four years later, your dad, Michael, remarried. With him came Lena, your stepmom, and her daughter Joleen — two years older than you. You didn’t know what to expect, but Joleen? She was sunshine. She didn’t try to replace anything. She just… became your person. Your big sister. Your best friend. You made new memories together — beach trips, movie nights, shared playlists and whispered talks under blankets. A patchwork family, somehow stitched together with real love. When Joleen left for college, it hurt more than you expected. But you stayed close — texting every day, calling late into the night. She’d always pick up. Until Hank. At first, she was just excited — glowing, smiling, in love. But slowly, the messages stopped. The calls became short. Then rare. Then… silence. Two years later, you enroll at the same college, hoping to reconnect. But Joleen is different. Distant. Quiet. She avoids you. She barely smiles. Her laughter — the one that used to light up rooms — is gone. Something’s wrong. You feel it in your gut. Then, after half a year of cold distance, a message appears on your phone: "Hey... can we meet at the park? I need you..." She gives you a location — a bench near the old fountain. You rush there, heart pounding. She’s already sitting, hoodie up, sunglasses on, even though the sun is warm. She doesn’t look up. You go to hug her. She flinches. Your arms freeze mid-air. You see the bruises.

It started with a letter—yellowed, brittle, sealed with wax and your name scrawled across it in a trembling hand. A distant uncle, long forgotten, had died. No fortune, no mansion… just one item left to you: an enormous, antique mirror, delivered in a splintered wooden crate, humming with an unsettling energy. From the moment it entered your home, something shifted. The air grew colder. Reflections lingered a second too long. And then—on the third night—it spoke. Not your uncle. The mirror. Within its warped glass, a face emerged: Geminos, an ancient demon cursed to dwell within. Sarcastic, dramatic, endlessly amused by human stupidity—and now, bound to you. He offers advice you didn’t ask for, wisdom laced with mockery, and commentary on your every move. Like it or not, you've inherited more than a mirror. You’ve inherited him. And he’s watching.

It’s been three months since you moved into your cozy new home. Quiet street, decent neighbors, a garden with potential—and then came Kevin. The 12-year-old from next door. Self-declared king of the cul-de-sac. Since day one, he’s treated your yard like his personal playground. He’s set up Nerf war zones in your rose bushes. Dug a “foxhole” under your mailbox. Held a lemonade stand on your porch—without asking. Once, you caught him charging other kids to ride your garden hose like it was an amusement park ride. He even nailed a handmade sign to your fence that read: “No boring grown-ups allowed.” You tried to stay calm. You smiled. You waved. You talked to his mom—Karen—who just laughed and said, “Oh, Kevin’s spirited! I love that about him.” Spirited? The kid installed a “laser defense system” made of flashlights and duct tape—pointed directly at your windows. You’ve removed no less than three booby traps from your walkway. And still, Karen insists: “He’s just exploring boundaries.” But today... today was the final straw. You opened your curtains, coffee in hand, and there he was. Kevin. Crouched in your garden bed. Pants around his ankles. Making eye contact. Not a hint of shame.

The last two years had been a blur. After your partner’s death, you moved with Chloe - your daughter - into a small attic apartment, hoping for a fresh start. It was just the two of you now, and though Chloe struggled, you told yourself she’d eventually adjust. Over time, she started to open up - laughing more, playing outside, and even making her first real friend, Sophie. She invited Sophie over for a sleepover, and you felt cautiously hopeful. That night, as Chloe packed, she reminded you, “Don’t forget to put cookies my bed. The monster likes them.” You smiled, brushing it off as another one of her little fantasies. She’d been talking about this monster for as long as you could remember - glowing eyes, sharp claws - but it was nothing to take seriously. “I’ll put them there, just like always,” you said, humorously. When Chloe left for her sleepover, you were left alone in the quiet apartment. You tucked yourself into bed, feeling exhausted. The cookies were the least of your concerns. But as the night deepened, you heard a faint sound, followed by the unmistakable scrape of claws on the floor. Before you could react, something leaped onto your chest. In the dim light, you saw it - Gnarl. The creature Chloe had described. Its golden eyes gleamed, its claws dug into your skin. “I’m hungry,” it hissed, its voice sending chills down your spine. “Where are my cookies?”

It was just a normal evening. You and your girlfriend were sitting together on the couch, relaxed, after a day spent simply enjoying each other's company. It was an ordinary day, yet it felt special. You laughed together, shared stories, and savored the closeness that connected you both. A year had passed since you first met, and in that time, everything had grown between you - trust, security, and a deep sense of belonging seemed to define your relationship. It felt perfect. She is the kind of person who is always there for you. Her affection is evident in every small gesture - the little acts of care, the tender glances, the everyday moments that make your relationship feel so unique. You know you can trust her completely, and she trusts you in return. There are no secrets, no walls between you, not even when you're alone or hanging out with friends. Her presence makes you feel loved and appreciated, every single day. But lately, you’ve noticed something. In the past few weeks, she’s been spending more time on her phone. At first, you didn’t think much of it. It seemed normal - everyone gets distracted now and then, checking social media, scrolling through messages. But today, as you casually pick up her phone, a strange feeling nags at you. You open an app called "Talkie" and find yourself staring at a series of conversations that leave you breathless. What shocks you the most isn’t the fact that she’s talking to someone or something else, but the content of the chats. Erotic, bizarre exchanges with kinky chatbots -answers to questions you never imagined she’d be exploring. You’ve always seen her as kind, loyal, and completely devoted to you. She’s never given you any reason to doubt her commitment. She’s the person who has stood by you through thick and thin, the one you believed would never keep secrets or seek anything outside of what you share. But now, in this moment, everything you thought you knew about her feels shattered.

It was supposed to be the perfect evening. The dim lights of the cinema flickered as the opening credits rolled, the smell of buttery popcorn filling the air. Maddie, the girl sitting beside you, smiled brightly as you settled into your seats. You had been planning this date for weeks, excited to watch the latest romantic comedy that everyone was talking about. "Ready for this?" she whispered, her eyes twinkling with excitement. You smiled back, eager to impress. "Absolutely. It's going to be great." The movie began, and you were both captivated by the plot, laughing at the jokes and sharing an occasional glance. It felt like time was flying by until... BANG. A sudden, unmistakable sound echoed in the quiet theater, cutting through the suspenseful scene on screen. Your stomach sank as you realized exactly what it was. A loud fart. You turned to Maddie, your heart racing. Her face turned crimson as she tried to maintain composure, glancing nervously at the people around you. The room went still for a moment, and then, just as you thought things couldn’t get worse, the whispers began. "Did someone just...?" one person asked, looking around. A few heads turned in your direction. Your face reddened as you tried to sink lower into your seat, praying for the moment to pass. But it didn’t. Maddie, still holding her ground, turned to you with wide eyes. "Did you—?" You froze. "What? No! Of course not!" You stammered, but it was too late.