~ CharlesA surge of emotions overwhelmed me. Eventually, I responded to the message with a simple confirmation, dropping my phone afterward. The gentle touches of the girls around me lost their effect, leading to frustration. Excusing myself, I left them behind.At the entrance, I collided with someone. As I lifted my head to scold the person, a smile replaced my frown. “Jake, what brings you here, man?”Chuckling, Jake embraced me. “It’s been a while, Charles.”After exchanging pleasantries, we retreated to a secluded area in the VIP section to catch up.Once again, I confronted Jake with the question he had intentionally avoided, “What’s your deal, man? I thought you were permanently based in London.”Sipping his wine before responding, Jake explained, “I relocated my business headquarters to Las Vegas. It’s more lucrative here.”I nodded in agreement, considering his virtual arcade and casino business. While it was thriving in London, Las Vegas presented even more opportunities.“
~ Megan“You should express your emotions to him,” Celene persisted on a subject I had long abandoned.“Let it go,” I told her with a sigh. She empathized with my predicament, urging me to reveal my sentiments to Charles. I knew that wouldn’t be effective because he was unresponsive. However, when my phone buzzed and I saw a text from the head maid of the house, notifying me of Charles’ return, I hastily left my family residence to reunite with him.I didn’t even bid farewell; it was due to my nervousness. I yearned to encounter that insensible man again. Upon arriving home, I sprinted upstairs without bothering to check the living room, as I didn’t anticipate someone who had just returned from a journey to be lounging there.I changed into different attire, donning something I had recently purchased. It was a new and uncomplicated satin dress that I bought because I observed all of Charles’ admirers wore it, assuming they did so because he favored it. But it was all in vain. As I as
~ Megan“Megan, open the darn door; it’s already past nine,” Charles complained from outside the door. My heart was thumping like a war drum, and my back was pressed against the door as I tried to steady my heart. Charles was the last person I expected to see at my door this morning. It was a surprise that came with mixed feelings. Usually, when Charles had a message for me, he’d send up the head maid, Elena, but for some reason today, he came himself.“Megan! Stop joking; I’ll be late for work. I have a meeting by 11:30,” he nagged me.“Hold on, I am not properly dressed,” I lied, trying to buy myself some time. I checked my breath, and it was absolutely unpleasant. I couldn’t meet Charles smelling like dead fish. I panicked and dashed for the bathroom.Before I could reach there, Charles opened my door, his face looking like hell. “Megan,” he began.I interrupted him, knowing I was about to be scolded, “just give me five minutes; I’ll be done before you know it.”Charles threw his h
~ MeganI gave the man a complicated look as I forced myself to reply with a dry “thank you.”Not wanting to continue the awkward conversation I excused myself but Jake kept following me. I pretended not to notice since he kept his distance. Since my office was located in a huge complex I couldn’t help but assume that he was here for something else.My assumption was wrong. Jake crossed the distance between us as I was about to open the office door. “Let me help you,” he said, pushing in the door.This time, I didn’t pretend. I frowned at him defensively. “Mr. Jake , why are you following me?”Before Jake could answer, Debbie, a girl I hired to be my assistant, peered her head through the door. She smiled brightly but not at me. “Mr. Michelson! You are back, I thought you left already?”Jake smiled perfunctorily. “I was about to leave when I met your boss at the entrance of the complex.”I looked from Jake to Debbie, confusion etched deep in my forehead. “Do you know him?”Debbie nod
~ MeganThe conditions Jake gave were understandable, but it also meant that my team and I would have to spend a substantial amount of time at their company, documenting as much as we could and editing it all at a relatively fast pace.With the pay he was offering, I could finally offset the loan I took from the bank. To open my news agency, I had to take a loan, one that I didn’t expect to get, but I guess my connection to the McCall family made it easy for them to trust me.After all, if I couldn’t pay , my guarantor, Charles, would pay, but I would never let that happen. Not when we made a bet that he wouldn’t be the one to pay back the loan when I failed.Somehow, I knew Charles didn’t mean that in a condescending manner but rather it was to encourage me, and now, with the recent development, I was certain I had won the bet.I was already excited and pumped up about the work, but I couldn’t get on because I had to be away for the weekend at Charles’ family private resort.However,
~ MeganBefore I could accept her hand, she gave up, returning it back to her purse. With an awkward smile, I also put down my hand but in shame.Bianca McCall scrutinized me, her eyes boring into my flesh, but it seemed as if my appearance left a bitter taste in her mouth. “Why?”“Why?” I repeated, confused as hell.“Yes,” Bianca continued her condescending look. “Why you?”Mr. McCall came forward, standing between us. “Why what?” He asked his wife. But before she could speak, he shunned her. “Not tonight, Bianca. I can’t handle your drama, so please try to get along with everything for the rest of the weekend.”“But honey—”Mr. McCall interrupted her, “but nothing, Bianca. Please let this be a success; I beg you.”Bianca gave me one last glance before walking away, but of course, she wasn’t happy. To think of it, she was much younger than her husband and also quite modern. She was among those kinds of people that make it hard to believe they have kids.After she was out of sight, Mr
~ MeganThe room vibrated with tension as the argument escalated. Charles’ father, Mr. McCall, tried to maintain order, but it seemed futile. The potential succession battle was unfolding right before my eyes, and I felt like an intruder witnessing a family’s internal issues.Vicky leaned towards me and whispered, “Family meetings are always like this. You'd get used to it.”I nodded, trying to act nonchalant, but deep down, I felt a mix of anxiety and sympathy for Charles. He had to navigate this intricate web of family dynamics while dealing with his own complicated relationship with his mother.The argument continued for what felt like an eternity until Mr. McCall slammed his hand on the table, demanding silence. “Enough! This decision is final. Charles will be the next CEO of McCall Enterprises.”The room fell Into an uneasy silence. Charles’ uncles begrudgingly accepted the decision, shooting resentful glances at each other and Charles. It was obvious that the family dynamics wer
~ MeganThe conversation flowed, switching between business and personal topics. Jake was charismatic and engaging, making it easy to forget my initial reservations.However, I couldn’t help but wonder about the motive behind this dinner. Was it solely to build a professional relationship, or did Jake have a more personal agenda?Well, I never learned the real reason behind it because the evening ended peacefully. But it was short-lived.As we came out of the VIP room, we met Charles accompanied by an unknown woman. We were both shocked to see each other, but Charles looked angrier than I expected him to be. In fact, I didn’t expect him to be angry, although I didn’t tell him about my dealings with his friend.His face suddenly cracked a smile filled with hidden agendas. “Hi Jake, I see you are in Florida now. Good that my WIFE is treating you because I wouldn’t have had the time to do it.”Jake seemed to have lost his ability to speak, but Charles wasn’t done; he had to hurt me first
~ Charles“Megan,” I began, my voice quivering with the burdensome weight of what I needed to say. Her eyes turned to me, full of curiosity and concern, as I confessed the truth that had eaten away at my peace and sanity for years.Megan lost her mind for a moment, kicking, punching, and calling me names. She refused to believe that I was capable of such an evil act. She said she saw the silhouette of the hit-and-run driver, and it wasn't mine. She accused me of taking the fall for someone, and I tried to explain that I was not, but she wouldn't believe me.“Megan, it is the truth, and I can't keep running from it,” I said, my voice steadier with resolve. “I need to own up to what I’ve done.”Megan remained in denial, but I felt ecstatic, more than I have felt in years. It was ironic, huh? I was feeling relieved just knowing that I was going to pay for my crimes. Megan refused to follow me, so after I said my last goodbye to my son, I drove myself to the police station, knowing that
~ MeganI ran out of the office panting. When I saw my sister, I told her everything and I took the flash drive that had the video with me.My sister had a brilliant idea. She smirked as she spoke. “Tomorrow is Charles’ wedding with that snake. Why don't we crash the wedding and expose the truth?”My eyes lit up. “You are so bloody smart and wicked, Lena,” I smirked.With determination burning in our hearts, Celena and I hatched a plan to crash Charles’s wedding, and Lucian was ready to help us in any way possible. We would expose May tomorrow for her deceit. Armed with the evidence that still had its primary source alive, I knew it would be a piece of cake to expose May.The next day, we arrived at the venue of the wedding, our hearts pounding with anticipation and nerves. We were determined to make our move before it was too late.As we stealthily made our way inside, I felt like I was in one of those dramatic telenovelas, and I was the female lead ready to rain hell on the villains
~ MeganThat was the last conversation I had with Charles before our divorce was made public. Without giving an explanation to the public, he began his wedding preparations, forcing people to speculate about the reason for our separation. Unsurprisingly, there were people who guessed it right and immediately began to cyber-attack Charles and May.I avoided the media and crowded locations because I wasn't ready to face them yet.Every day felt like an endless battle as I tried to survive the storm of emotions that raged within me. The pain of my separation from Charles made me feel vulnerable and broken because neither of us wanted it. But then I knew I had to stay strong, for myself and for the life that lay ahead of me with Charles.As the days crawled by, I found solace in quiet moments, mostly spent alone, where I could reflect on the memories we had shared and the love that had once bound us together. But even in the midst of my grief, a flicker of hope remained, a tiny flame tha
~ Megan"But my father... he has always been too focused on the business, even when he is supposed to be retired. He is hell-bent on protecting the family name at all costs. He can't see past that, even if it means our happiness."Tears welled up in my eyes as I shook my head in disbelief. It was as if things were about to head south, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. "I can't believe he is doing this to me... I thought we had his support.""So did I," Charles admitted, feeling a lump form in my throat. "But it seems like... like he is willing to throw everything away for the sake of that company."I wrapped my arms around Charles, seeking solace in his embrace. “We’ll get through this, Charles. We always do, no matter how tough the going gets. As long as we have each other, we are going to be fine.”I knew that no matter the challenges that lie ahead, we would overcome them, as long as we had each other, we would be fine.“I love you, Megan,” Charles whispered, pressing a
~ CharlesIt was a big shock to meet Megan at my father’s house. I could only hide my surprise by pretending to be unsurprised to see her. As she stepped aside for us to chat, her presence seemed to fill the space, and I couldn't help but feel a rush of conflicting emotions.“Charles?” she narrowed her eyes. “You didn't tell me that you would be coming here,” her voice a mixture of apprehension and determination.“Honey!” I replied, mustering a smile despite the turmoil brewing within me. “Why are you here? I mean, you didn't tell me that you would be seeing Father today…”She hesitated for a moment before speaking, her gaze steady. “I needed to talk to your father, Charles. It's about May and her crazy claims.”My heart sank at the mention of May’s name. The mere thought of her sent heavy waves of frustration through me. But I pushed aside the emotions, focusing on Megan, or better still, trying not to break character so she wouldn't know I came here for a reason.I laughed awkwardly
~ MeganI spoke earnestly, my voice tinged with frustration and desperation, hoping to convey my innocence to my father-in-law amidst the gravity of the situation."She deliberately manipulated the situation to make it appear as though I pushed her down the stairs. But I swear, Father, I would never do such a sinister thing, no matter how upset I may be. You know me, you know that I love Charles a lot and care about this family. I couldn't harm anyone, let alone a pregnant woman for that matter."My father-in-law regarded me with a mixture of concern and contemplation, absorbing my words carefully. "Megan, I've known you for years. I know the kind of person you are, and I find it hard to believe that you would intentionally harm anyone, let alone May."I felt a wave of relief wash over me at his words. Perhaps he was beginning to see through May's deceitful facade."But," he continued, his expression serious, "we can't ignore the evidence before us. May's injuries, her condition... Th
~ MeganHearing that May tried to seduce Charles infuriated me, and I couldn't help but confront the insolent girl. I had been excusing her attitude all this time because I could understand that she was going through depression, but trying to seduce Charles was going too far.I found May sitting in the living room, flipping through a magazine as if nothing had happened. My anger reached boiling point as I approached her.“What the hell do you think you were doing last night?” I snapped, unable to contain my frustration.May looked up, her expression shifting from indifference to mild surprise. “Oh Megan, what a surprise. Did you come to keep me company? Don't bother, I am fine all by myself.”I scoffed at her stupid attempt at feigning ignorance. “Cut the crap, May. I know what you tried to do to Charles yesterday. Seducing him? Seriously? Are you that dumb?”May's facade faltered, and a flicker of guilt flashed across her face before it was replaced by defiance. "What are you talking
~ CharlesI don't know if it would be wrong to say I hate the mother of my unborn child, but I really do. She is a literal pain in the ass who cares little about how her actions affect others. I glanced at Megan, who came along with me to the hospital. She was oddly quiet, but I could see genuine concern etched in her brows for a woman who attempted to ruin her marital life.I don't believe people like Megan should exist in this flawed world with people like May and me; she was literally a saint amidst wolves. She didn't even get upset that our day was ruined by the news; she was rather scared that something might have happened to May.The doctor came out shortly after and spoke to us, telling us the situation of that crazy lady. “She is battling with severe depression; she can't be left alone, otherwise, it might not end well next time,” the doctor said.I immediately flared up. “So we have to hire a caregiver for her now? We might as well just put her in an asylum.”Megan shot up to
~ Charles"Please, I need to talk to Megan urgently," I pleaded with Celene, but she wasn't ready to listen."Leave, Charles. I don't want to call the cops on you," she threatened, arms crossed.I had been coming over all week long with the hopes of seeing Megan, but her family was uncooperative. At first, I thought she wasn't home, but after checking all her usual locations, I could only debunk that she was home.I knew she didn't want to see me, but I didn't want to give up just yet. I needed her to know that I was sorry for all the hurt my past actions were causing her.Today, like the previous days before it, I came to plead with her family members to allow me to visit her, but I froze when she opened the door."Megan…" I tried to grab her, but she turned on her heels inside the house. Without a second thought, I followed her. "Megan, please wait.""Leave me alone," she cried, running up the stairs."Mr. McCall, you should leave. My daughter doesn't want to speak with you," Mr. Co