Solved Murders - True Crime Stories - From Betrayal to Power How Family Secrets, Lies, and Shadows Shaped My Fight for Control PART14 #38

Episode Date: July 24, 2025

#horrorstories #reddithorrorstories #ScaryStories #creepypasta #horrortales#familysecrets #darkfamilydrama #psychologicalhorror #emotionalturmoil #powerstruggle  In this gripping chapter, the narrator is pushed to the brink as family secrets and lies threaten to unravel everything. The battle for control becomes a test of endurance against emotional and psychological torment. With loyalties shattered and trust broken, Part 14 digs deep into the darkness that haunts both family and self, illuminating the high stakes of survival in a world defined by deception and pain.  horrorstories, reddithorrorstories, scarystories, horrorstory, creepypasta, horrortales,familydrama, betrayalhorror, darklegacy, emotionalconflict, psychologicalthriller,hauntedpast, powerstruggle, twistedloyalties, toxicrelationships, familycurse,mindgames, emotionalbreakdown, darknesswithin, cursedfamily, generationaltrauma

The effects of whatever drug they'd used didn't last long. Maybe ten minutes later, I found myself plopped down on the curb like a drunk college kid, trying to catch my breath beside the guy who had just saved me. The police were on their way. I could already hear the distant hum of sirens. The two creeps who tried to drag me into that van. They were long gone. One bolted the moment things went sideways.

The other, Ezra, my unexpected savior, had managed to grab. But, me being in full panic mode, I clung to his arm like a drowning person and wouldn't let go. Gave the other dude just enough time to escape. Yeah, not my finest moment. Ezra was now staring down at his shattered phone like it had personally betrayed him.

He sighed so deeply, it sounded like he'd just aged 10 years. You really didn't need to smash my phone, you know. I was literally calling the police. I rubbed my hands together, the guilt seeping in. I'll pay for it, I promise. Then I noticed the state of his shirt, half open, buttons missing, chest showing like some hero out of a romance novel. And yep, I was the one who torn it trying to keep from getting dragged away.

I looked away quickly, cheeks burning. I'll, uh, pay for the shirt too. Funny thing is, I never imagined in a million years that Ezra freaking Williams would be the one to save me. This was Crest territory, his turf. I guess he'd been out for a walk or something when he saw two men hauling an unconscious girl down the street. Naturally, being the responsible adult that he is, he pulled out his phone to call the cops, only for me to snatch it out of his hand and smash it like a lunatic. Who did this to you, he asked, still trying to piece it all together.

At first glance, I thought it was some classic trafficking scenario, spike the victim with something strong, then pretend you're their friend and haul them off. But these two. They weren't amateurs. They moved like they'd been trained. Fit, fast, and dangerous. No way they're street-level punks, I kept my gaze glued to the sidewalk. I didn't need to guess. This had Delilah written all over it. That woman never got her own hands dirty, but her fingerprints were always in the background, indirect, polished, untraceable. We filed a police report just to check the box. Ezra was right, those two weren't going to be caught.

Professionals like that don't leave trails. No witnesses, no prints, no clues. They were ghosts. And it was my fault for being sloppy. At the Emperor Club, I'd stupidly eaten one of those fancy desserts Hannah handed me. And Hannah? Yeah, she's Delilah's cousin. Should have seen it coming. Should have known better. Ezra glanced at me, his jaw tightening. Your family knows how to keep things interesting, I winced. That hit harder than I expected. Trying to fix the impression he clearly had of me, I blurted,

I'm not playing with Andrew's heart, okay? I'm serious about him. No more lies. Ezra raised an eyebrow. the corners of his lips twitching into something between amusement and disbelief. I mean it, I said, my voice rising in earnest. You don't have to believe me now, but think about it. I'm not perfect. I'm not Bella. But at least I'm real. I worked for my degree.

I earned my spot. I'm not just some pampered doll playing pretend. I know how business works. I know how to survive. Ezra leaned back on his hands, eyes studying me like I was a puzzle with missing pieces. So that's the goal, huh? Mary into the family, I let out a small laugh. We're not there yet.

Andrew and I, we're still figuring it out. We're different. Like, polar opposites. He's gentle, sweet. I'm not. I glanced at my nails, suddenly very interested in a chipped corner. But I believe in us. I think we can make it work if we try.

My throat was dry. All that talking had left me parched. I reached over to the box of wine I'd abandoned earlier and handed it to Ezra. There was a corkscrew tucked inside. Mind, he popped it open and handed it back, only to watch in horror as I took a swig straight from the bottle. Really, he said, eyes wide. That's how you treat Bordeaux. I shrugged, wiped my mouth.

mouth with the back of my hand. Desperate times, you act like this around Andrew too, he asked, incredulous. God, no. I'd scare the poor guy away, that got a real laugh out of him. Just a small one, but I'd take it. In the distance, the sound of sirens grew louder. Ezra turned his head, squinting down the road. Let me guess, I said. Andrew, he didn't answer, but the smirk on his face gave it away. A few moments later, I saw him, Andrew, running full speed like a man possessed. His eyes locked on to me, and my heart gave a funny little jolt. Ezra leaned close again. You too, he paused. I don't know. You just don't seem like a match made in heaven. My smile faded. But, he added, straightening up, he loves you. That's obvious. So take care of him.

all right. That fool has fallen harder than I've ever seen, and that was the moment Andrew reached us. He dropped to his knees in front of me, his hands shaking as he grabbed mine. Are you okay? What happened? Ezra stood, brushing dust off his pants. She's fine now. You're late, Andrew looked up, confused. Ezra, I squeezed Andrew's hands. I'm okay. Really, he looked at like he didn't believe it. Like the idea of something bad happening to me was too much to process. Ezra clapped a hand on Andrew's shoulder. You two need to get out of the spotlight. Come on, let's get her somewhere safe. He helped us into a waiting police vehicle where officers began taking statements. Ezra hung around, watching from the sidewalk as the officers questioned

me and Andrew. Eventually, he nodded once, turned, and disappeared into the night. Andrew never let go of my hand. Later, when the dust settled, we found ourselves back at my apartment. I changed into something comfortable, and Andrew made tea. It was quiet. Too quiet. Neither of us spoke for a while. Eventually, I broke the silence.

You didn't have to come. He looked at me like I'd said the dumbest thing in the world. Are you serious? I thought, God, I thought something happened. happened to you. When I got the call, I reached across the table, laced my fingers with his. I'm okay. Thanks to Ezra, he nodded slowly, but his eyes didn't leave mine. Why does it feel like we're always living on the edge? I whispered. He gave me a sad smile. Maybe because we are, we stayed up most of the night, curled up on the couch, sipping wine and talking. About everything,

about nothing about us and maybe just maybe Ezra was wrong maybe we were a match just not the obvious kind to be continued