The Shadow in the Mirror Story

The Shadow in the Mirror

2025, Zofia Kowalska

Philosophical

Free

In a luxurious mansion filled with lonely silence, Milan's beauty hides an inner struggle and a childhood darkness that haunts her. An unexpected encounter with a police officer unveils questions about her past and unknown biological mother. A file he carries promises to reveal a dark truth, forcing her to confront buried secrets that threaten her fragile world. Will Milan break free from the cycle of darkness and discover her true self?

Milan

The protagonist, a stunningly beautiful 25-year-old woman who appears to have everything but feels a deep sense of loneliness and that something is missing in her life. She's haunted by a recurring "darkness"

Mark

A police officer who seeks out Milan with information about her biological mother and her past. He appears perceptive and aware that Milan is missing crucial pieces of her life. He seems to hold the key to unlocking the mysteries surrounding her.

Noura

Milan's favorite assistant in her design studio. She appears loyal and carries out tasks for Milan, in this instance, informing her about the unexpected police visitor. Her role seems supportive but perhaps not central to the main mystery.

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  The clock had gone past midnight, and the streets, all lit up by those dim streetlights, were dead quiet, like they were witnessing the loneliness Milan felt deep down. The room she was sitting in was on the top floor of her family's huge mansion, a room packed with fancy furniture and expensive decorations, but for her, it felt more like a lonely place than anything else. A massive mirror, big enough to show her whole life, was right in front of her. She was all alone in the room, but her mind was busy with way more than just her reflection.

She, Milan, was twenty-five years old, stunningly beautiful, with a face that looked just like her mom, the one who wows everyone in the fashion world. But Milan felt like something was missing. She looked into her blue eyes that could charm anyone, but she felt like those eyes were hiding a lot. She didn't have answers to any of her questions. The eyes staring back at her in the mirror weren't just showing her face; they were showing a deep inner struggle.

Her family always called her "the perfect daughter," but that title didn't mean a thing to her. Her parents, who owned the most famous fashion brands in the world, were always busy with their businesses. And when they did remember her, it was only to coach her on how to look good or to keep her as the perfect face of the family in front of the public. Money and fame were the only things that mattered to them, and they saw her as just a tool to get more of both.

Milan knew this reality all too well, but she couldn't find the courage to stand up to it. Every time she tried to express herself, a deadly silence would shut her down, like her words were falling into empty space. She always felt like she was part of an empty picture, barely touching reality. This silence haunted her, but it also carried something else, something dark. The darkness, that darkness she'd felt her whole life, was slowly creeping into her heart and mind, until it became a part of her, a part she couldn't get rid of.

Ever since she was little, she'd felt something strange going on inside her. The darkness would appear to her every now and then in a scary way. It was like a monster watching her without doing anything, whispering things she couldn't understand in her ear. Sometimes, she'd imagine it standing behind her in the dark room or chasing her in the corners of her mind, but she never understood why. What did it want from her? And why did it seem like it knew her better than anyone else in her life?

Her thoughts suddenly stopped when she felt something weird in the air, like something heavy had settled in the room. Faint whispers were coming from somewhere far away, but she knew those voices weren't from her world. They were from her imagination. "Will you stay silent?" the voice came, this time clearer, like it was calling her from a deep place inside her mind.

Her eyes moved from the mirror to the opposite wall. It was dark, with only a dim light coming from a small window, but the light wasn't enough to chase away the darkness in the room. She started to feel something strange in her heart, something unfamiliar, like a part of her was silently screaming, searching for answers she couldn't find. "Why can't I escape?" she said in a low voice, as if talking to herself. The words fell into the air, but no one heard them except the darkness surrounding her.

The mirror stared back at her again, like it was mocking her, reflecting an image that didn't match her reality. She was beautiful, but there was a deep emptiness in her heart. Was this face the one that showed her true self? Or was it just a mask she wore every day to hide what was inside? She thought about these questions, but she avoided answering them. Every time she tried to get closer to the truth, the darkness would grow stronger, like something was watching her and following her steps, pushing her to stay in a closed circle.

She closed her eyes for a moment and tried to focus on her breathing. Everything in her life was about appearances, money, fame. But what about the truth? What about herself? Why was the darkness following her? What did it want from her? Was it pointing to something from her past? Something she had forgotten?

At that moment, she felt something else strange. It was the sound of unclear whispers, closer now, like they were coming straight from her heart. "Don't forget who you are," the voice came suddenly, and the image of the darkness returned to fill the room. She no longer saw it as an imaginary creature; it was a part of her, a missing piece. At that moment, she felt trapped. She wanted to run, but where to?

Questions kept flooding her mind, but the only answer the darkness provided was more confusing. Was the darkness guiding her? Or was it a reflection of what she was afraid to face? She felt like she was on the edge of something bigger, something she didn't have the strength to confront, but she knew that eventually, she would be forced to face this monster that haunted her imagination.




Days went by after that night Milan spent deep in thought, but they were heavy days. Even with her being busy in the world of fashion and design, the darkness still chased her, wouldn't leave her alone. Every time she closed her eyes, she'd see those blurry images, hear weird whispers creeping into her mind, like she was surrounded by a dark creature constantly watching her. But this darkness was more than just fear or imagination; it felt like a part of her, something not easy to shake off.

One morning, she was sitting in her design studio. The room was full of luxurious fabrics she'd carefully chosen, but she wasn't really focused on any of them. Her fingers ran over the pieces of cloth, but her mind was miles away. Her blue eyes were lost in space, searching for an answer to questions she still hadn't found.

While she was lost in her work, in that moment when she should've been most creative, the past was catching up to her. She felt lost between her past that she didn't remember well and the darkness of the present that covered everything. But she wasn't the only one who saw this darkness. It was trapping her, pushing her to sit in the dark corners of her mind, stopping her from moving forward.

Still, the fashion world was the only thing she could hold onto. That studio, with its colors and fabrics, was the only place that gave her a sense of safety, even though she felt that safety was fragile. Every step she took in this world led her to a deeper question: was everything she saw and lived the truth, or was there something else beneath the surface? Something she had to discover, something she was afraid to discover.

While she was deep in her thoughts, the door suddenly opened, and her favorite assistant, "Noura," came in with a serious look on her face. "Ms. Milan, there's someone who wants to see you. He says he's a police officer, and he seems important."

Milan looked at her with a puzzled expression but didn't show much interest. "Who is it?" she asked in a low voice.

"He said he has information that might be very important to you," Noura replied before quickly leaving the room, leaving Milan feeling confused.

Information that might be very important to her? Noura's words echoed in her mind. What could anyone know about her life that would make it "important"? Could this person know something that she herself didn't know? Questions piled up in her mind faster than she could answer them.

"Maybe he's just a regular person," Milan said to herself, but her heart didn't believe it. There was something unusual about this visit, something she couldn't explain. Could the person who came to see her be connected to the darkness that had started to haunt her? Was this person part of the puzzle she had been trying to escape her whole life?

She finally decided to leave the design studio and meet that officer. Maybe this was the chance she'd been waiting for to uncover some of the mysteries that were troubling her. Maybe this meeting was the first step towards solving the riddle of the darkness that haunted her.





Milan walked into the living room, where the guy Noura said was a police officer was waiting. There was something unusual in the air, like everything around her was wrapped in a mysterious vibe. The place was glowing with warm lights, but Milan felt like something was off about that moment. The officer was sitting on one of the fancy couches, his features looking young, but there was something in his eyes that hinted at a lot of experience and intelligence. He seemed like he knew more than he should.

"Good evening, Milan," Mark said, his voice calm, but the words carried a mysterious power.

"Good evening," Milan replied, but her heart was racing. There was something about this man that made her uneasy, he radiated a subtle strength, like his past and hers were intersecting in a way she couldn't understand.

"I'm Mark, a police officer, and I'm here because I need to talk to you about something that might be sensitive," Mark said, his voice low, as if he was reading her feelings without her saying a word.

"What do you want from me?" Milan asked, her tone laced with suspicion, even though she wanted to know the truth, but she was afraid that truth might be worse than she could handle.

"Do you know anything about your biological mother?" Mark asked, as if the question carried no weight, but Milan felt her heart stop suddenly. Her biological mother? That topic had been far from her life for a long time. Milan's mother was her father's current wife, and she was the one who had raised her since she was born. There was no room in her heart for that person she only knew from old pictures and stories from others. But Mark was asking about something else. He was asking about a missing piece of her life that she had no idea about.

Milan froze for a moment, not knowing how to respond. "What do you know about my mother?" she asked anxiously.

"I know you don't remember much of your past, Milan," Mark said, and continued in a serious tone, "But there are things you need to know. Things that might explain what's happening to you now, and what's happening inside you."

Milan felt a wave of fear wash over her. Was this the reason for the darkness that haunted her? Was it connected to her biological mother? Was there a dark past she knew nothing about?

"What do you mean?" she said, while those questions she'd been trying to ignore piled up in her mind again. Her eyes were fixed on Mark's face, but she couldn't find any answers there.

Mark gave a mysterious smile, then pulled a small file from his bag and placed it in front of her. "Everything will become clear soon, Milan. But you need to be ready to face the truth."

Milan took the file with trembling hands, her eyes carefully scanning the papers. Her heart was pounding, and every part of her body was tense. She knew that this moment was a turning point in her life. She was on the edge of discovering something deep and dark in her past, something she couldn't ignore anymore.

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Unscripted Love - Romantic novel

Unscripted Love

2025, Zofia Kowalska

Romance Drama

Free

Forced into an arranged marriage with the cold and enigmatic Ryan, the dreamy Malak finds her romantic ideals shattered. Their early relationship is defined by his aloofness and her growing resentment within their restrictive home. As secrets and power dynamics emerge, the forced intimacy breeds tension, questioning if love can ignite from such a stark beginning.

Malak

The female protagonist. She is portrayed as a dreamy, romantic young woman with a vivid imagination and a love for stories. Despite her inner world of romance

Ryan

The male protagonist and Malak's husband. He is depicted as cold, reserved, and seemingly arrogant. His interactions with Malak are often distant and sometimes harsh, hinting at a hidden agenda or a difficult personality

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Malak: "I'm gonna start telling my story from the very beginning. Our marriage was arranged. I won't say it was forced, but our parents agreed on us getting married since their interests lined up, and so they could have a guaranteed partnership. But I won't say my dad sold me off, no way! Because they're from a good family with really high morals, and this marriage was absolutely perfect in my dad's eyes...

I had to agree, even though it went against what I'm really like. See, I'm a dreamy girl, totally loves to imagine things, a sucker for romance, and I adore stories and novels. What do you expect from a Cancer girl, right? ... But I agreed. My dad is such a sweet father, he loves me, no, he adores me! He always tries to make me happy, and he really wanted this marriage for me because, from his point of view, it was an opportunity you just couldn't pass up.

I agreed because I didn't really have a reason to say no. I wasn't crushing on anyone, and I wasn't seeing anyone. Plus, I'm kind of against the whole idea of relationships anyway, so I agreed, hoping that the love story I was waiting for would be with my future husband, Ryan.

This is my first time writing a novel, and I've never written before. So, if you guys like the idea of my story, I hope you'll let me know so I can keep going. As soon as I see some comments that encourage me, I'll continue. Maybe I'll even finish it today!"



Malak: I'm standing at my own wedding, feeling like one of the guests, not the bride. I'm next to my husband, who I've only seen a handful of times when we went to pick out wedding stuff. I'm standing here, and I don't even know how I ended up like this – married to a man I don't share a love story or even a friendship with. I'm the dreamy girl who's always waited for her love story, but don't blame anyone but yourself. How are you gonna live a love story when you're against the idea of relationships? I'm not crazy! There's admiration, and there's also engagement. There are other ways besides just dating. I didn't want to be played with. Was I wrong back then?!

Malak: I don't know what I should do or say. Should I start a conversation, or should I ask him about something at the wedding? Isn't that something he should be doing? But he's a quiet and reserved person. I sensed that in the few times I met him. Ugh, look at his facial expressions! He looks like he's at a job interview. Oh God, I was hoping for a romantic, sweet guy, not this serious, gloomy one.

Time went by quickly, or maybe I'm kidding myself, it went by so slowly. This boredom is unbelievable! I can't believe this is my wedding. He hasn't even danced with me! For the thousandth time, I won't blame anyone but myself.

They headed to the car to go to their house. Let's see what happens.

(In the car)

Malak: I'll try to talk to him. Hmm, is it going to take much longer to get there?
Ryan (coldly): Yeah.
Malak: Oh, really? I'm bored.
Ryan: Okay.
Malak: Okay? What's wrong with you? Talk to me!
Ryan: Why don't you just be quiet for a little while, huh?
Malak (completely silent): What's wrong with him? Oh Lord, you're the only one who can help.

(When they arrived home)

Malak: I won't deny it, the house is amazing, and the decor is even more amazing. You know, the house is really great.
Ryan (coldly): I know, I designed it.
Malak: (Oh my God, what's with this arrogance? And why is he talking like this? We're not in first grade!) ... Okay.
Ryan: Your room is on the right, and mine is on the left. Good night.
Malak: What?! My room and your room?!
Ryan: What? Were you expecting us to sleep in the same room? Did you already make a lot of plans? (He laughs sarcastically)
Malak: (Why is he talking to me like this? I'm not weak!) I didn't plan anything. It's just normal for a husband and wife to sleep next to each other. I just forgot that you're the abnormal one here.
Ryan: Listen, don't expect me to treat you like my wife, at least not right now.
Malak: (She left him and went into her room.)

..........................

Malak: Why is he so cold? Even my first day went by with him making fun of me. I can't believe this! Why is this happening to me? I really don't understand. His handsome looks don't match his awful personality at all. Those honey-colored eyes and his brown hair... Ugh, Malak, don't fall for him, at least not now. I know you get attached to people quickly, but please, not this fast... But he's very handsome, and he has a special kind of charm. Ugh, Malak, sleep, sleep! This isn't helping. What should I do, God, with myself?

(Ryan's POV)

What is this girl? She's actually beautiful, with her strange, bright brown eyes and her chestnut hair. She has a beautiful and cute, yet also alluring, childlike face. And her personality seems childish, but I won't be fooled by appearances. She's probably like all the others. Why else would she agree to marry a guy she doesn't know? It's definitely for my money, like the rest.

I married her so I wouldn't upset my dad, but I feel forced into this. But I'll make her ask for a divorce soon, very soon.

What will Ryan do, I wonder? And will a love story bring them together, or will fate have other plans? That's what we'll find out.

_____________________




Malak's POV

A whole month has passed, and I'm in this house. Wait, I mean prison. Because this place can't be called a home; that would be unfair to homes. Homes are full of warmth, affection, and safety, but here, all I get is coldness, harshness, sarcasm, and no safety from the person called my husband. He went to work on our very first day of marriage.

                                    ***Flashback***
Malak: I woke up and didn't find anyone in the house. I wasn't too surprised; I kind of expected it. I went to the kitchen and didn't find any food to eat. I sat down, thinking. I don't have any money on me. It's not normal for me to go to my husband's house with money, and if I told my dad I needed money, he'd definitely be surprised, and I don't want to make him sad about his daughter's situation. Ugh, surely when that idiot comes back, he'll bring food with him. Yeah.

When evening came, my husband walked in through the door.
Malak: You're really late.

Ryan: It's none of your business. (Coldly)

Malak: Okay, but there's no food in the house, and I'm hungry.

Ryan: And what's that got to do with me?

Malak: It has to do with you being my husband, the one responsible for me! Or are you spoiled and can't handle responsibility?!

Ryan grabbed her hair, pulling her close, and hissed,

Ryan: You better not, and I mean never, underestimate me or make light of me, because I won't have mercy on you. Watch out for me and avoid me. This time I didn't do anything, but next time, you'll be looking for someone to heal your wounds, got it?! (Shouting)

Malak (shouting back): No, I didn't get it! Who do you think you are? Do you think I'm going to be scared of you? You're dreaming! Don't you know who my father is? If you have influence, then I also come from an important family in society with influence! I thought this damn marriage would be normal, but I didn't know my husband would be mentally disturbed! And if you treat me like this again, I won't be silent, and I'll expose you to my family, and I'll divorce you too! So, you better watch out for me!

She was suddenly struck by a slap that made her stagger, and she fell to the ground.
Ryan: So, listen to me carefully. Your father needs me because his company was on the verge of bankruptcy. That's why we made this partnership, and the biggest share is mine, of course. So, I can leave your family out on the street. That's why you should watch out for me. And one more thing, I'm an Eastern man, so don't expect me to stay quiet about your rudeness and lack of manners. And now, I'm going to sleep. Don't you dare disturb me... (He left)

Malak (crying): I won't blame myself this time. This Ryan, whoever he is, he's my husband, and I'm his wife, and he's responsible for me. He shouldn't be doing what he's doing. And what did he say? An Eastern man? He's only Eastern when it suits him so I don't talk back? What about the rest of the qualities?

                                    ***The Next Day***
                                    ________
Malak: I woke up to his voice. He was talking to someone on the phone, but wait a minute... it's a girl!

Ryan: Okay, I'll see you at the company. Bye, Hoda.

Malak: Is she an employee, or is he already cheating on me?!

So, what do you guys think? Is he cheating on her or not? And what will he do to her next?
Write your opinions in the comments! And whoever guesses right, I'll post two parts in one day!

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