~NathanielThe sleek black car hummed steadily as it glided through the streets, and I leaned back in the leather seat, letting my thoughts wander for a moment. My driver, Mark, had been with me for years. He knew when to speak and when to stay quiet, and today, he seemed to understand I wasn’t in the mood for idle conversation. “Is everything okay, Mr. James?” Mark asked after a brief silence, glancing at me through the rearview mirror. I offered a small, almost imperceptible nod. “Yeah, everything’s fine.” I wasn’t lying—at least, not entirely. There were just a few things swirling around in my head that I couldn’t shake. Reaching for my phone, I unlocked it and opened Sophia’s number, my thumb hovering over the screen before I tapped it. The phone rang a few times before she answered, her voice soft and warm as always. “Hey, babe,” she said, and I smiled, hearing the familiar sweetness in her tone. “Hey, how’s your day been?” I asked, trying to push the weight of my own
~SophiaThe sound of water dripping from the faucet echoed in the bathroom as I stepped out of the shower, my skin still warm and dewy from the steam. I wiped the fogged-up mirror and caught my reflection—my hair still damp, my face flushed with the freshness of the bath. I smiled to myself, feeling a sense of calm that only a quiet evening at home could bring. After the madness of the day, I needed this moment. I ran a towel through my hair and wrapped it around myself, leaning against the bathroom counter as I let my mind wander. Ethan. The thought of him made me chuckle. What a clown. I muttered under my breath with a smirk. I quickly dressed into my soft, silk nightgown, the fabric cool and smooth against my skin. As I reached for the bottle of perfume on the counter, I sprayed a light mist into the air, letting the floral notes fill the space around me. I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply. “I need to smell nice for Nathaniel,” I whispered to myself, half-amused by the though
~SophiaThe sound of water dripping from the faucet echoed in the bathroom as I stepped out of the shower, my skin still warm and dewy from the steam. I wiped the fogged-up mirror and caught my reflection—my hair still damp, my face flushed with the freshness of the bath. I smiled to myself, feeling a sense of calm that only a quiet evening at home could bring. After the madness of the day, I needed this moment. I ran a towel through my hair and wrapped it around myself, leaning against the bathroom counter as I let my mind wander. Ethan. The thought of him made me chuckle. What a clown. I muttered under my breath with a smirk. I quickly dressed into my soft, silk nightgown, the fabric cool and smooth against my skin. As I reached for the bottle of perfume on the counter, I sprayed a light mist into the air, letting the floral notes fill the space around me. I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply. “I need to smell nice for Nathaniel,” I whispered to myself, half-amused by the though
~SophiaBut before he could answer, the sound of his phone buzzing broke the moment, pulling his attention away. He looked down at the screen and let out a deep breath. “I’ll tell you later,” he muttered, his voice strained as he picked up the phone and glanced at the message. And just like that, the moment was gone. Nathaniel’s phone buzzed again, and this time he pushed back his chair, stood up, and walked toward the living room. “I’ll be back in a jiffy,” he said with a faint smile, his voice light as if he were trying to reassure me. I nodded but watched him go with a sinking feeling. Something was off, but I decided not to push it further tonight. I’d give him his space—for now. ---The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains, warming the room as I zipped up my last suitcase. My things were neatly packed and ready by the door. I hadn’t told Nathaniel about my plans to head back to my place today, not wanting to disrupt his already-tense mood last night.
~SophiaThe gentle hum of the air conditioning mixed with the rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall as I dozed in Nathaniel’s massive, luxurious bed. The soft sheets cocooned me, lulling me deeper into the rare calm I’d felt in recent days. Nathaniel’s scent lingered on the pillows, soothing and comforting. Then the sharp buzz of my phone on the nightstand pierced the silence, jolting me awake. I groaned and reached for it, the light from the screen momentarily blinding me. It was Martha. "Martha?" I croaked, my voice heavy with sleep. "Sophia, it’s Lily," she said, her voice trembling. "She’s not feeling well." I sat up immediately, the drowsiness evaporating. "What do you mean she’s not feeling well? What happened?" "She’s been crying all day," Martha explained, her words rushed. "She says her stomach hurts. I tried to take her to the hospital, but she refuses to go. She keeps saying she needs her mommy." My heart clenched. "I’m coming," I said without hesitation. "I
~NathanielThe car hummed beneath me, the vibrations blending with the chaotic whirlpool of my thoughts. I stared at the small slip of paper in my hand, the address scrawled in faint ink, almost as if it was mocking me for hesitating this long. “She’s there,” I muttered under my breath, the reality sinking in like a heavy stone dropped into a still pond. The masked Shakira. The woman who had haunted my dreams for the last five years. The thought of facing her now felt like walking willingly into a lion’s den. I leaned back, closing my eyes as the scenarios played out in my mind. What would she say? Would she even open the door? I pictured her standing there, her face twisting with anger. Maybe she’d hurl a bucket of scalding hot water at me or, worse, cold water—sharp, unwelcoming, and utterly humiliating. Or perhaps she’d say nothing at all, slamming the door in my face with a finality that would reverberate through my chest. My fingers drummed against the door handle
~Sophia The reception area was colder than I expected, and the harsh fluorescent lights only made everything feel more sterile. I rubbed my hands together, trying to calm my nerves, but the waiting was unbearable. Every second stretched longer than the last as I stared at the double doors Nathaniel had walked through. I sank into one of the plastic chairs, my mind replaying the last hour. When Nathaniel had offered to donate his blood for Lily, I felt a mix of emotions—relief, gratitude, and something I couldn’t quite name. I pressed my palms to my cheeks, feeling the heat rise again. Why was he doing this for me? Or rather, for Lily? The sliding doors opened, pulling my attention, and Martha strode in, carrying a plastic bag. Her face was pale, her brown hair pulled into a messy bun. She looked like she hadn’t slept in days, and honestly, I felt sorry for her. Looking after Lily , especially now that she isn't feeling fine, is a lot of work. “Hey,” she said, her voice tire
~NathanielI leaned back in my leather chair, staring at the mountain of paperwork on my desk. It had been three days of nonstop meetings, calls, and chaos. The clock on the wall ticked relentlessly, reminding me I hadn’t had a moment to breathe. Just as I reached for my coffee, my phone buzzed. I picked it up, seeing one of my men’s names flashing on the screen. “What is it?” I asked, my voice edged with exhaustion. “Sir, just checking in. Have you had the chance to visit that address we found for Miss Shakira?” I let out a long sigh, rubbing my temples. Shakira. That name. That damned mask. It had haunted me for days, and every time I thought about pursuing it, something else came up. “No,” I snapped, sharper than I intended. “Something came up, as usual. Maybe some other time.” “Understood, sir,” he said, his tone cautious. I ended the call, tossing the phone onto the desk. “Later,” I muttered to myself. “I’ll deal with it later.” For now, I had bigger things to foc
~NathanielThe night air was chilly, but I barely noticed as I stood outside, watching the chaos unfold in front of me. Boxes, discarded clothes, and the remnants of Isabella’s things were scattered all over the driveway.Ethan stood off to the side, arms crossed, his eyes scanning the scene with an unreadable expression"Let her stay, Dad," Ethan said, his voice steady, but with a hint of pleading. "We can work something out.”I clenched my jaw, trying to fight the overwhelming frustration that surged through me. He was my son, and I loved him, but I couldn’t allow this madness from his mother to continue. Not now. Not after everything that had happened.Before I could respond, Isabella came rushing over, her feet stumbling in her desperation. Without warning, she dropped to her knees in front of me, her fingers clenching at the fabric of my trousers like a desperate woman clinging to the last thing that could save her."Please, Nathaniel," she begged, her voice breaking with emotion
~SophiaI stood at the doorway of the room Martha had prepared for Lily and me, taking in the cozy space. The walls were painted a soft cream, the scent of fresh linen filling the air. Two beds sat neatly on opposite sides of the room—one small, with a pink blanket and stuffed animals, and the other larger, obviously meant for me. Before I could absorb it all, Lily let out a delighted squeal. "Fluffy!" she cried, darting toward the bed. Her tiny hands grabbed the well-loved teddy bear sitting against the pillows, and she hugged it so tightly I thought she might squeeze the stuffing out of it. The bear’s fur was worn from years of love, its button eyes gleaming under the warm glow of the bedside lamp. "Oh, Fluffy," she whispered, pressing her cheek against its fuzzy head. "I missed you so much!" She pulled back slightly, tilting her head as if listening. Then she nodded solemnly. "I know! Mommy and I have been through a lot, but we’re okay now." I exchanged glances with Mar
~NathanielI stood there in the driveway, my heart pounding in my chest as the taillights of Sophia’s car disappeared into the night. The two people I loved the most had just walked out of my life, and I had never felt so empty. The weight of the night settled on my shoulders as I dragged myself back into the house, shutting the door behind me. The silence felt suffocating, the absence of Sophia’s laughter and Lily’s cheerful voice making the place feel hollow. I loosened my tie, ran a frustrated hand through my hair, and walked up the stairs to my bedroom. My mind was a mess—rage, regret, and guilt all clashing inside me like a raging storm. I had no idea how to fix this. I didn’t even know if I could. With a heavy sigh, I pushed open the door to my room and flicked on the light. And there she was. Isabella. Lying on my bed in a black lace lingerie that she probably thought was seductive. But to me? It was revolting. Disgusting. I clenched my jaw as I took in the smug
~SophiaThe road blurred as I drove, the tears falling faster than I could wipe them away. The headlights of my car stretched into the darkness ahead, but no amount of distance would ease the pain inside. I had never felt so defeated, so lost. Nathaniel was the love of my life—he was—and yet, everything was crumbling around me. My grip on the steering wheel was so tight my hands ached, but it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered. I just needed to get away. Lily, poor sweet Lily, sat beside me, her little face scrunched in confusion and worry. She didn’t fully understand why we were leaving. She didn’t understand why I was so upset, or why Nathaniel and I had argued. But she could feel it. Children always can. And as much as I tried to hold it together for her, the dam broke, and the tears came, steady and relentless."Mom!”Lily’s sudden scream pulled me from my spiraling thoughts, and before I could react, a small fist landed on my arm. Then another."You tried to kill Uncle Nate!" she y
~NathanielI drove home like a madman, my fingers gripping the wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. My heart was still hammering in my chest, the weight of everything that had happened pressing down on me like an avalanche. Sophia knew the truth now. And I had no idea what she was going to do with it. I kept replaying the moment over and over in my head—the way her eyes widened in disbelief, the way her body shook when I told her, the way she pushed me away like I was the most disgusting thing she had ever seen. The pain in her voice when she asked me to leave. I had begged. I had pleaded. But it wasn’t enough. I pulled into the driveway, my mind racing with a thousand different ways I could fix this. Maybe if I just talked to her again, made her understand, I could— My thoughts came to a screeching halt when I saw her. Sophia was outside, standing by her car, shoving a bag into the trunk. My stomach clenched. No. No, no, no. I barely registered the actio
~SophiaI walked into the room, my arms crossed tightly over my chest as I turned to face Nathaniel. He stood near the door, his lips slightly parted, but no words came out. I tapped my foot impatiently. “Well?” I prompted. Nothing. Nathaniel ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. Then, as if coming to a decision, he walked up to me, gently taking my hands in his. “Sophia…” His voice was quiet, hesitant. “Please, sit.” I frowned, but I let him guide me to the bed. My heart was hammering now. There was something in his voice—something heavy. Something that made me nervous. He crouched in front of me, his hands still holding mine. He opened his mouth, then shut it again. A long silence stretched between us. I stared at him. Nathaniel didn’t just look hesitant. He looked—scared. I had never seen him like this before. “Nathaniel,” I said, my voice firmer now. “Just say it.” His jaw tightened. His grip on my hands grew warmer, almost desperate. “
~NathanielI sighed and ran a hand through my hair before stepping down the stairs. Isabella was still on the floor, one hand on her ankle, the other gripping the railing like she had just survived a near-death experience. "Can you stand?" I asked, my voice neutral. She shook her head dramatically. "No… the pain… it's too much." I clenched my jaw. This woman was unbelievable. Biting back my frustration, I bent down and scooped her up in my arms. She gasped, clutching my shirt. "You could be a little more gentle!" she whined. I ignored her, carrying her to the sitting room and placing her carefully onto the plush chair. She let out a dramatic sigh, as if she had just been through war. I turned to the maids standing nearby. "Get the first-aid kit and some ice." They nodded and rushed off. I was about to step back when Isabella suddenly arched slightly in her seat, pressing a hand against her waist. "Ouch… my back. Nathaniel, help me," she breathed. I froze. Help
~NathanielI took a slow sip of my wine, letting the rich, velvety taste coat my tongue as I leaned against the balcony railing, staring at the city lights. The night breeze was cool, but it did little to ease the frustration boiling inside me. Isabella’s voice rang through the house like an unbearable alarm clock, sharp and grating, pulling me from my moment of peace. “I told you, Linda, I’m back in my husband’s house! Can you believe those snakes thought they could get rid of me? Ha! As if! I own this house. This marriage is far from over.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, exhaling slowly. Two weeks. It had been two weeks since I returned, expecting my lawyer to have the divorce papers ready. Yet, here I was, still enduring Isabella’s endless rants, her dramatic speeches to her friends, and her shameless declarations of a marriage that was already six feet under. If only I could just kick her out myself. But no—laws, procedures, formalities. Bullshit. I gripped my gl
~SophiaI stormed into my room, slamming the door behind me, my chest rising and falling rapidly. My fingers trembled as I wiped my lips furiously, as if trying to erase the sensation of Ethan’s kiss. How dare he? How dare he put his lips on mine as if he still had the right? I let out a sharp breath, pacing back and forth, my mind spinning. My heart was hammering so fast I could hear it in my ears. It wasn’t just anger. It was something else—something far more dangerous. The kiss had reminded me of the past. I swallowed hard, my hands clenching at my sides. I closed my eyes, gripping the edge of the dresser for support. The way his lips felt against mine—it wasn’t foreign. It wasn’t something I had forgotten. No. It had felt… familiar. The heat, the roughness, the way he held me for that fleeting moment—it was the same as before. And a part of me—damn it—a part of me had enjoyed it. I let out a choked gasp, my hands flying to my face as my eyes burned. Tears spilled