After The Los Angeles Billionaires

MATILDA'S POV

I lay awake, the old man's snores a cacophony that drilled into my brain. The sound waves vibrated through my skull, making my teeth ache. I tossed off the covers, the chill of the night air slapping me awake. The darkness seemed to press in around me, suffocating me.

My gaze fell on the old man, his wrinkled skin sagging under the weight of his years. His frail body looked fragile, like it might shatter if I touched him wrong. I felt a wave of disgust wash over me, my stomach churning with revulsion.

I thought back to the day I married him, the lavish ceremony, the expensive gifts. It had all been a sham, a performance to convince the world of our love. But I knew the truth. I had married him for his wealth, his power, and his influence. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, a mix of guilt and justification warring within me.

My mind wandered to Sam, my boyfriend, my partner in crime. We had planned this for months, and the anticipation was exhilarating. We would spend his wealth, live lavishly, and laugh together, free from the struggles of our past. The thought of our future together was all that kept me going, all that made this prison bearable.

But for now, I was stuck in this gilded cage, forced to play the role of the devoted wife. I thought of the old man's wealth, his assets, and his investments. It was all mine now, or at least, it would be soon. The thought sent a surge of excitement through me, a sense of power and control that I had never felt before.

As I lay there, the old man's snores growing louder, I knew I had to keep up the charade. I had to play the role of the loving wife, the devoted caregiver. But it was getting harder, the mask slipping, the facade cracking. I knew I couldn't keep this up for much longer. Something had to give.

I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that lingered long after he was gone. It was like a nagging itch I couldn't scratch. I'd faced my fair share of demons in the past, and eliminating them had always brought me a sense of closure, of relief. But this one...this one was different. His presence had been like a dark cloud, casting a shadow over everything. And even though he was no longer a threat, I couldn't help but feel like I'd only just begun to fight.

As I looked at the old man, I saw deep wrinkles on his skin. His face was old and worn out. His body was weak and fragile.

I watched him move, and his joints creaked. His eyes were cloudy, and he stared right through me. The air around him smelled bad - like old cigarettes, sweat, and something sweet.

My stomach felt sick as I looked at him. My skin felt creepy. I shuddered when he opened his mouth, showing yellow teeth. His tongue was dry and cracked.

I looked away, but my eyes kept going back to him. I was stuck with him, and it was a nightmare.

I got out of bed and walked to the window. I pushed aside the heavy curtains to let in some moonlight. The cool night air felt good after being in the stuffy bedroom.

I couldn't stop thinking about the heist. It was exciting, but it was also scary. I thought about the old man's money and the nice things it bought me. But when I looked at him, I felt sick. His mouth was open, and his teeth were stained and crooked. His breath smelled bad, like old cigarettes and something sweet and rotten.

I turned away from him. I wanted to get out of there, to escape the trap I had made for myself. But for now, I was stuck. I had to stay in that fancy bedroom with the old man, and I had to pretend to be his happy wife.

Six months felt like forever. I missed the excitement and freedom I used to feel. I thought about Sam and felt lonely. It had been too long since we'd been together.

I got out of bed and started pacing. I felt trapped, like a bird in a fancy cage. I thought about the old man sleeping in the next room. He had no idea what I was going through.

I stopped pacing and looked in the mirror. I looked tired and worn out. The spark in my eyes was gone. I felt like I was just going through the motions.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm down. I knew I couldn't keep living like this. I had to do something, take a chance. But what?.

The thought of killing him crossed my mind again, but I knew it wasn't easy. He was too hard to kill, too cunning.

I sighed, feeling trapped and helpless. Would I dare attempt another heist? Only time would tell.

The snores continued, a constant reminder of my miserable existence.

Morning. Again. The same old routine.

I dragged myself out of bed, already feeling trapped. Help him dress, wheel him to the dining area, feed him... Ugh, that part still made my skin crawl. It was the most disgusting thing a youngster like me would stoop so low to do but I had to comply I've got no choice I was building myself an empire.

As I poured his cereal, his gaze met mine, and for a fleeting moment, I saw a glimmer of the man he once was. But it vanished, replaced by the familiar vacant stare.

"Open wide," I said, forcing a cheerful tone.

He obeyed, his mouth agape like a baby bird. I spooned the cereal in, trying not to throw up at the sight of his toothless gums.

This was my life now. Caregiver, companion, prisoner.

As I sat there, my mind began to wander. I wondered about the old man's life before me. Was he ever happy? Did he have a family that loved him? Or was he always alone, surrounded by nothing but his wealth?

I thought about his wife, if he ever had one. What was she like? Did she love him, or was she just like me, using him for his money? And what about children? Did he have any? Were they still alive?