Crossroads :a Gripping Psychological Thriller With a Jaw-Dropping Twist: Paradigm, #3

By Catherine Tramell

"Anyway, if it is a girl, then I have no doubt in my mind about what I want to name her. Annette. Annette Frietz."

 

Enter Taylor: someone Victoria cannot figure out. Victoria finds herself exposed to the secrets of the past. She learns things she did not know existed. But the secrets did not remain just hers anymore.

When Victoria untangles one knot of her life, three more become exposed. Everything is bigger than it seems. Her trial makes life even more complicated for her.

 

Danger had always loomed on her doorstep, but what happens when it begins to knock? Slow, deliberate knocks.

What happens when her mental shields against her own doubts shatter into a thousand pieces?

 In a twisting turn of events, Victoria finds herself questioning everything when it is revealed that a death might have been a murder.

 

A murder trial, a secret stalker, a kidnapping, an escape plan; who is behind all of this? Is it really only one person, as Victoria had thought?

 

Is it fate's cruelty which is ruining Victoria's state of mind or is it her own vulnerability?

The line between reality and imagination blurs as she navigates the twists and turns of her own past. Will she be able to maintain her sanity or will she lose herself in the wave of her own imagination?

 

"You know what he said to me? 'Why?' That was his last word. How sad, no? Just another person whose blood is on your hands."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Catherine Tramell
• Release date: Feb 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215619131

Catherine Tramell

Catherine loves reading and writing romance LGBT stories with unexpected twists and unusual twists. She loves seeing her fantasies take shape on the page and sharing her most private thoughts with the world. Her stories are always hot and steamy.Read one of her short stories and she'll become one of your favorite authors!Receive a notification when she publishes a new book by subscribing to her email list:https://www.subscribepage.com/[e-mail] me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CathRomanceAuthor

Book preview

CROSSROADS

Paradigm Book 3

By

Catherine Tramell

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Contents

Prologue

The Other Half

Bread and Butter

Past

Silence

Darkness

Awakening

About the Author

BETRAYAL(Preview)

Prologue

Fear

Prologue

M

y dear Hannah,

What did you think of my parents? I know. It is an unprecedented question. But I already asked them, and they loved you! It is a good sign for me. Any time my mother has disagreed with me, it has not ended well for me. One time, I had a friend in high school. I thought he was the best person I had ever met. I got him to meet my mom when he visited my house.

As soon as he left, my mom pulled me aside, away from Dad, and said, Jacques, that boy is no good. Be careful around him. I remember arguing with her. I was already in my rebellious teenage stage, and my mom telling me off on my best friend just ticked me off.

I told her she did not know what she was talking about, and it was quite simply judgmental of her to say that about him when she had only met him for an hour.

My mom simply nodded and left. Due to her saying not to, I got even more involved with him. Well, this one time, we were in the chemistry lab doing a project together. I kept telling him not to, but he mixed up a bunch of chemicals in a test tube, and it exploded, making almost half the lab catch on fire. Thankfully no one was hurt, and we were evacuated in time.

I saw the fire extinguisher beside the cabinet wall and used it to dispel the fire while the teacher was outside, making sure this one kid who had inhaled smoke was okay. Long story short, we got called to the principal's office, and he ended up putting all the blame on me, and I got suspended.

He even went as far as to take credit for the fire extinguisher and ended up receiving a medal of honor. My mom was right. Anyway, back to the point. My mom likes you, and it is a good sign. I wonder what I would have done if she did not like you. Would I have broken up with you? Or let it be to see if I would be able to salvage the relationship? Thankfully, I do not have to consider that anymore.

So, do you like them? And the house? Is it not lovely? We would move in there once we got married. Hell, we would move in there as soon as you are in your final stages of pregnancy. My mom and dad are so excited.

They always thought I was too dry to find someone. Now, they are on cloud nine with the prospect of a grandchild. How are you feeling? I keep telling you that you should just move in with us, but you say your sister is taking good care of you. By the way, when do I get to meet her? I know you said she does not like me much, but she should give me a chance.

She has not even met me! After all, she is supposed to give you away at our wedding. Oh, before I forget. Give her my condolences on the passing of her kitten.

I am sure it is a devastating experience. How is your job going? Did your boss stop giving you a hard time? I keep telling you to let me meet her, but you always say you can handle her yourself, and I respect that. Can you imagine, in about three months, someone will be born who will be ours and ours only? I am not even sure if I want a son or a daughter. I am just excited! Someone at work was telling me about his wife's pregnancy.

He said that his wife visited a nutritionist and then gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Should we visit a nutritionist? Let me know what you think. We are first-time parents, and we do not know much, so I think we should visit one of those classes where they teach the parents all the basics of taking care of a baby. But if we take one, we are going to take one separately, since I live in the city and you live in the countryside. I wish you were by my side. I am nervous but even more excited about the prospect of sharing the rest of my life with you.

One more thing before I go; I have thought of a couple of baby names. If it is a boy, then I am confused. There is Antonio, Joseph (we could call him Joey!), Alberto or Jacques Junior! Nah, I am just kidding about the last one. That would be ridiculous. Or would it? Anyways, if it is a girl, then I have no doubt in my mind about what I want to name her. Annette. Annette Frietz.

Yours forever,

Jacques Frietz.

The Other Half

T

he shock in itself took some time to register. We just stood there looking at each other, wondering what was going on. May we help you? the lady with the other half of the heart pendant broke the silence. Then, all hell broke loose. Victoria? "What