Web of Deception

I step out of the Uber, staring up at the grand structure before me,

Dan's mansion,

The night air is thick with tension, pressing against my skin like an unspoken warning. I inhale deeply, gathering my resolve, and make my way to the door. My fingers tremble slightly as I ring the bell.

I know Dan doesn't want me here. If he did, he wouldn't have ignored my calls, my texts,

every attempt I made to reach him.

But I'm done waiting for him to come to me. If he won't give me answers, I'll take them myself.

Seconds pass, stretching into an eternity. I plant my feet firmly, determined not to leave until I see him.

The door swings open, and I'm met with a familiar face, Mrs. Bonfire,

My heart pounds violently in my chest. Her sharp brown eyes widen in surprise before her lips curve into a warm smile.

"Helen! It's been forever." Her voice is smooth, welcoming.

I force a small smile. "Yeah… I came around."

A subtle scent of Chanel Coco Mademoiselle lingers in the air, wrapping around me like a memory I can't escape. Mrs. Bonfire has always been elegant, always composed.

She steps aside, gesturing for me to enter. "Come in, dear."

I walk into the lavish living room, my eyes scanning every corner, searching for signs of Dan. But he's nowhere in sight.

"I must have been out when you arrived," Mrs. Bonfire says, watching me carefully. "You know how busy things get around here."

I nod absentmindedly.

"What would you like to drink, honey?" she asks, her tone sweet, too sweet.

I hesitate.' Can I still trust her?'

Once upon a time, I confided in Mrs. Bonfire.

I told her things, personal things. Things about my parents, about their endless search for their lost son.

That was before I overheard Mrs May conversation with my parents.

I fake my expression and say, "Just water is fine."

"Nonsense, you must be thirsty. I'll get you some juice."

She disappears into the kitchen, and I take the opportunity to scan the house again.

Where is Dan? The air feels thick, suffocating. Something about this place, the silence, the way Mrs. Bonfire is acting, feels off.

She returns moments later, handing me a glass of icy juice. The condensation drips onto my fingers, but I don't move.

"How are your parents doing, Helen?" she asks, settling into the chair across from me.

My entire body stiffens.

I meet her gaze, searching for something—anything, that will give her away. She knows something.

"It must be really lonely for you." Mrs May tells me.

The sentence lands like a punch to my gut.

I stare at her, my pulse roaring in my ears. This is it. The confirmation I needed.

'She knows too much. I have been the informant to her.'

All those years of me pouring my heart out, telling her about my parents' pain, about how they left the house at odd hours searching for their missing son… and I've was the one feeding them information.

My fingers tighten around the glass.

'i can't trust her.'

I clear my throat, forcing my voice to remain steady. "Where is Dan?"

Mrs. Bonfire blinks, her expression shifting slightly. For a split second, something unreadable flickers across her face,

Was it hesitation? Annoyance? Guilt?

And then, just as quickly, she composes herself.

"Oh, Helen." She sighs, shaking her head with a soft chuckle. "Here I was, thinking you came over to see me."

She leans forward slightly, watching me carefully. "Didn't Dan tell you? I always ask about you."

'My stomach twists. She's playing with me.'

But I don't let her see my suspicion. Instead, I mirror her false warmth.

"He did," I lie smoothly. "I asked about you too."

Her smile doesn't reach her eyes.

Something is very, very wrong.

"I don't know… the last time I was here, I think I forgot a textbook. I could just go up and grab it."

My voice is casual, measured, just enough to make it sound like I'm not up to something.

I watch Mrs. Bonfire closely, hoping she'll let me go upstairs to Dan's room without a fight.

'i just need his baby picture. That's all. Once I have it, I'll be out of everyone's way.

She tilts her head slightly, eyes scanning me with suspicion

. "Really? You don't want to wait until Dan's back? You know how he can get."

Uneasiness laces her voice. She doesn't want me going up there.

But why?

I cross my arms, trying to mask my growing frustration. "I saw his car outside," I press.

"He must have ordered a ride," she replies quickly. "You know how you kids can be sometimes."

She's lying.

Dan never orders rides. He drives everywhere.

I take a step forward. "Mrs. Bonfire, I need that book for tomorrow's class."

Before she can respond, I begin walking toward the staircase. I don't need her permission.

She follows after me, her voice turning sharper. "Dan told me you got suspended, Helen. Are you sure you really need that book, honey?"

My breath seizes.

She knows.

She knows everything about me and my family.

I swallow hard. "That's why I need it," I lie, trying to sound convincing.

I rush up the stairs before she can stop me. I have to do this.

When I push open the door to Dan's room, I freeze.

Dan is sitting on the couch with Sabrina.

They're both wearing headphones, holding controllers, immersed in a car-racing game.

Their laughter fills the air, completely oblivious to my presence.

My stomach twists.

Dan turns his head slowly, his eyes locking onto mine. Shock floods his face.

I feel it then. The weight of every unanswered text, every ignored call, every moment he shut me out without explanation.

Rage. Confusion. Hurt. I don't even know which emotion is winning.

I hear a soft exhale behind me. Mrs. Bonfire. I turn slightly, catching the way she looks at me with pity and regret.

Like she's silently telling me, I tried to stop you.

Dan removes his headphones, pausing the game. Sabrina hesitates, then puts hers down too.

But she doesn't just sit there.

She moves behind Dan, gripping his arm like I'm about to attack her, like she's the victim.

I scoff, blinking through the tears welling in my eyes. "You lied to me."

Dan exhales sharply, rubbing his face like I'm exhausting him.

"Why do you keep doing this to yourself?" His voice is calm. Too calm.

I stare at him, stunned.

He leans forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. "I told you not to come to my house when I don't want you here."

His words slice through me like a blade.

I shake my head, struggling to breathe. "I wanted to ask you something. I have a lot of questions." My voice cracks as I speak.

Dan groans in frustration.

'Why is he acting this way? Like I'm the problem. Like I'm the one causing trouble.'

"You knew I got suspended because of her," I snap, pointing at Sabrina.

"And you ignored my calls! My texts! Everything!"

Sabrina clings to Dan's arm tighter, putting on her best scared and fragile act.

Dan doesn't even hesitate. "First, Sabrina didn't do that to you. You did that to yourself." His voice is cold, distant.

"And second, I told you, I didn't want you anywhere near Dom."

I flinch.

Dan glares at me. "Sabrina told me you asked and even begged, to be tutored by him."

My heart drops.

I snap my gaze to Sabrina, who's now wearing the most wicked, satisfied smirk I've ever seen.

She set me up.

She lied.

And Dan, the person I trusted most in the world, believed her over me.

Tears spill over, hot and fast. "You believe her over me?" I whisper.

Dan opens his mouth to respond, but before he can, I feel Mrs. Bonfire's gentle touch on my arm.

"Helen, let me take you home," she says softly.

I yank my arm away, turning on her with anger burning in my veins.

Dan jumps up, pointing a finger inches from my face. His anger flares like I've crossed some invisible line.

"Don't you ever treat my mom with disrespect again." His voice is low, furious, spitting with rage.

I tremble where I stand.

I've never seen him like this before.

"I trusted you," I whisper, my voice breaking completely.

Mrs. Bonfire steps in again, this time gripping my arm firmly.

"Come on, Helen. Let me take you home."

I rip my arm away once more. My breathing is uneven. My vision blurs.

I can't leave yet.

I turn to face her, my hands shaking, my voice dangerously calm.

"Where is my lost brother?"

The room goes dead silent.

Mrs. Bonfire stiffens.

Dan stares at me.

Sabrina stops smirking.

I study their faces, watching guilt spread across them like wildfire.

"Is Dan my lost brother?" I say, my voice eerily steady.

"Did you kidnap him and make him your son?"

Mrs. Bonfire inhales sharply.

"What?" she gasps. "Who told you that?"

Her voice stammers.

I watch Dan closely. He's not denying it.

And that's when I know—