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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-NINE: BITTER REVELATIONS.
Last Updated:
2025-03-11 19:25:07
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BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY: THE TRUTH THAT BURNS.
The weight of betrayal felt like a stone upon Laura's chest; Laura had held on to the letter with trembling fingers that grazed over its frayed edges. A thick choking lump was rising from her throat, one that the harsh truth of what she had just read was now finding its way into. Her heart was behaving erratically, each blast sounding against her ribs with a warning sound she could no longer ignore. She thought she had broken a heart and hurt someone enough to last a lifetime. Yet nothing compared to the raging storm that now engulfed her from inside. Jack was not Fred's son. Maggie had kept deceiving him for over ten years, making him believe he had fathered the child when the truth was far darker. The revelation burned like acid in Laura's gut, as each thought seared through her mind while she forced herself to breathe. Fred had the right to know. With that conviction, Laura stuffed the letter into her bag and held on tightly to it, imagining that it might be able to disappear if
Last Updated : 2025-03-12BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-ONE: BETRAYAL UNVEILED.
The next morning. Fred Walker lay motionless in bed, staring at the ceiling while the tempestuous thoughts of fury and regret further entangled his mind. The betrayal burned within him, raw and relentless, deeply sank into pride like a jagged knife. It tortured him now as Maggie would deceive him for years through an intricate web of lies, convincing enough for him to see nothing till now. And now that he had seen it, he was going to make sure she faced the consequences. Not yet, however. Not until Thomas was there.Fred required Maggie to see him standing before her, feeling undeniable and suffocating weight pressing down upon her by her own deception. He wanted her to know what she had done and see it reflected in his eyes, knowing there was no escape.Shame clawed at his chest, a little bitter and unwelcome companion. He hadn’t even had the courage to tell Jerry everything that had happened. Not yet ready to confess the truth about him and Laura, but Jack’s situation was one thing
Last Updated : 2025-03-13BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-TWO: WHEN THE PAST STRIKES.
Maggie froze at the entrance of Fred’s living room, clutching her breath, and became stunned as her eyes found the two men sitting, looking straight at her. This space is large, yet it seemed to be suffocating, with its very walls pressing against it. Shadows foreboding in the dim light extended the shapes of Fred and Thomas almost to the point of monstrosity. Her eyes darted between them and Maggie could hear her heart thumping in her ears as she tried to gauge the nature of the trap she had unknowingly walked into. Amusedly, Fred reclined in his chair, a devilish grin on his lips. His sharp eyes gleamed with something sinister, his posture exuding dangerous confidence. "What's the matter, Maggie?" He said, dripping with falsehood and mockery. "Cat got your tongue? Come in. Don't be shy Maggie. Join us."Maggie's breath caught in her throat, and she had to barely swallow to force her quaking legs forward. Each step was like marching toward the inevitable. She could feel Fred's steel
Last Updated : 2025-03-14BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-THREE: THE RUIN OF MAGGIE.
Helen’s sudden entrance into the living room sent fear spiraling through the air, for her presence suffocated them like a noose tightening around their throats. The tension that had ignited just a while ago with Fred furious and Maggie quaking in fear, now turned into this isolated silence that filled every corner of the room with the promise of a terror. Helen’s wide eyes were shifting between Fred, Thomas, and Maggie, her breath hitching while she soaked in the unspoken truths that hung between them.Maggie remained paralyzed with fear, her body rigid. Fred's fists were loosening, but the breath he took was not as even as it should have been, as though he had to hold on to something like control. Thomas jumped on his feet like he was about to say something with lips parting, but no sound came from his mouth. Not one of them was prepared for this.Not only did Helen's hands tremble on the doorframe, but her face became pale as well. “I…” Her voice was shaky at this point. “What… who,
Last Updated : 2025-03-15BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOUR: A SECOND CHANCE.
Maggie sprinted through the empty, desolate streets, blind with tears, while the obstruction of her sobs was gently lifted off by the biting air. The city lights played before her consciousness, glimmering on her front and sending shadows flickering behind as she strayed about. Every step was torture; every single stride stabbed through the aching muscles of her legs. Yet she would not lessen her pace. She could not. The agony was becoming unbearable; a thing alive, gnawing at her, threatening to take her whole. She wished to escape the pain, to run into darkness, where he would be lost to anyone capable of finding him, where the memories and betrayals of her past could not even touch her.But then she heard them, footsteps. Fast. Determined. Chasing her.Her heart raced at the sound. She bit her teeth deep into her cheek, her lungs gasping now, yet the claiming presence grew. “Maggie, stop!”.It was the voice of Thomas, it cut through the night; authoritative and desperate.With a
Last Updated : 2025-03-16BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIVE: UNFORGIVABLE SINS.
Fred felt that he was buried with all the memories of the past; like each memory was going to burst at any moment with all its heavy energy. The shadows were already dancing on the walls of the dimly lit room, and the muted sounds from outside were drifting into silence within. His fingers shook a little bit; his blank gaze fell to the floor, where the memory of Laura haunted him. How could he have let his anger get the best of him? He had spoken very cruelly to Laura, and those venomous words only etched images of her tear-streaked face into his memory. He had left her naked and unarmed, and he would have lost her forever. Now the thought brought the sting back to life in his chest, tightening like a noose around his heart. Before he could stop himself, hot tears welling would slip down his face. He swiped angrily at them, almost to punish himself with such weakness, but the more he fought them, the more tears that came, like a flood, hot with regret.And then there was Jack. The
Last Updated : 2025-03-17BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SIX: THE WEIGHT OF LOST YEARS.
The air seemed to have been sucked out of the room at that moment. The terrible realization pressed down hard on Jerry's chest till he imagined he might suffocate. Everything fitted into place: Laura avoiding him, a hesitation in her voice whenever Fred was mentioned, Fred spending the night at her home. He had simply been too blind and gullible to see the obvious truth within himself.Thunder rolled in Jerry's ears. The banging seemed to shake him down until the moment finally got loud enough to burst him open. His fists tightened and relaxed on his sides as the rest of his body shook in a fury that bordered on pure agony. His vision was blurred, breath coming fast in the hope of regaining control before the sense of betrayal shot through him like so much acid. Laura, the same one he had trusted with heart and soul. She had lied to him; she had deceived him in the worst possible way. For what? Fred?A hoarse taste filled his mouth at the thought: Laura was paramount in his life, sta
Last Updated : 2025-03-18BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SEVEN: SECRETS WRITTEN IN BLOOD.
He was rigid in the middle of the room, staring in disbelief and horror. The thumping of his pulse in the ears became deafening as Thomas's embrace weighed upon him, warm and firm, yet utterly unusual. It made little sense. He felt the vacuum-clear air being sucked out of him, involuntarily stiffening and backing away to create some distance between this man who he had no idea who he was. His brooding, wide, searching eyes saw Thomas and Maggie, appealing for answers."Who..." Jack's voice quivered with the tremor of confusion, almost tinged with fear, as he half-turned to face his mother. "Who is he?".Maggie parted her lips but could utter nothing. Instead, her tears, like a silent confession, surged forth to embrace the grim reality before them. The little room suddenly felt too small and choking. Jack's heart raced against the rhythmic thumping in his ears, almost eerily calm, staring at his mother and awaiting an apology that never came. Then Thomas spoke."I am your father." C
Last Updated : 2025-03-19
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BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR: A HAPPY EVER AFTER.
A puny cry gave its echo through the corridor of the hospital, sharp against the heavy silence, as a sudden sprinkle of light in the darkness. Short, yet long enough to create a ripple of emotion in the waiting room.Fred raised his head, his eyes wide in disbelief. "What... was that...?".Helen gave a gasp and within a moment her hand flew to her mouth, and her eyes were filled with tears. "Oh my God, that’s the baby! That’s Laura’s baby!" Jerry sprang up from his seat, almost toppling his chair. "She did it!”. “She really did it!".And for a moment in Presbyterian Hospital, time came to a screeching halt. The coldness of the white corridors was stifled with raw, unfettered emotion. Fred, Jerry, and Helen stood utterly still, their hearts thumping, while the set of double doors at the end of the hallway held their attention.With that, the doors flung wide open, and the doctor emerged, his face blissfully lit up with joy and pride. Tension snapped in an instant."Congratulations!" h
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-THREE: THE UNEXPECTED LABOR.
The sky was deep gray when Fred, Jerry, and Helen reached the hospital. The car with headlights sped through darkening spaces, spilling brassy rays onto the glimmering glass entrance of the hospital. As he screeched his tires, Jerry drove the car to an abrupt stop. "Here!”. “We are here!" shouted Jerry as he jumped from the car, running to the rear door. Fred held Laura in his arms, a mask of horror and concern.“Hold on, Laura. Just a little more”. "We are at the hospital," said Fred, hopeful, his voice straining, almost breaking under the burden of panic. Laura wrung her face as she shed tears. "It hurts… Fred… it hurts so badly… I can't...". A voice trampled by agony held in her throbbing, swollen tummy.Moments to spare, Helen dashed toward the hospital entrance and shoved open the glass doors. The sound of her voice arched in desperation through the reception area as she yelled, “We need help here! She’s in labour!”.Responding instantly, two nurses sprinted down from behind the
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-TWO: A NEW BEGINNING.
A soft golden sunlight fell across the driveway, bathing it beautifully as Fred's car gently rolled to a stop in front of the house. The trip from Laura's family house was quiet, really quiet, as though it spoke volumes in silence. Fragments of thoughts inhabited Fred and Laura, offering their thinking as they were trying to build a new life and future together. Fred turned his face toward Laura and noticed that her expression was calm and almost radiant. With one hand resting on her bulging belly, she was a silent but very potent reminder of the new starts ahead of them."Home sweet home," Fred said tenderly, with an affectionate smile as he turned toward her. Laura gazed in return, lips curling in a gentle smile of her own; though there was a sparkle in her eyes, one of wonder, hope, and just a hint of nervousness. "It feels... different now. More real." Fred gave her hand a squeeze before going on to add, "We will make it our home together."Out of the car they stepped, with warm a
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-ONE: THE MORNING AFTER I DO.
The soft morning sun filtered gently through the curtains; it fell into the bedroom with a mellow light. It warmed the tumbled sheets and stillness of the room, bathing everything in gold, in a hush. Fred stirred first to awaken slowly from the very deep slumber that had followed yesterday's clutch of emotions and celebration. When his eyes fluttered open to adjust to the sweet light, the first thing that came into sight was Laura.She looked serene, her features were calm and composed, yet some signs of fatigue hung heavily on her features. The previous day's joyful nerves, tears, and chuckles left nothing for her to hide under the restful appearance of sleep. Somehow, Fred could tell that the day had not been easy for Laura, physically and perhaps even more emotionally. He gazed at her for an unusually long moment, physically taking in her look, he had now possessed her as a wife, a woman who carried his child.He reached out gently and brushed Laura’s cheek. The gesture was silent,
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY: WE MADE IT HOME.
Jerry smoothly navigated the car into Fred's driveway; the tires barely made a sound crunching on the gravel under the soft evening light. At the gate, the security guard immediately recognized the newlyweds. With his face glowing with happiness, he quickly jogged towards the vehicle; his accession was respectful and yet openly thrilling."Congratulations, Mr. Fred, Miss Laura," he greeted them sincerely and graciously opened the car door with a courtly bow from the others. "It is an honor to welcome you home as husband and wife."Fred was the first to alight from the car; his movements were slow and deliberate. He turned towards Laura and extended his hand as she reached out and placed two fingers gingerly into his. As she stepped out of the car, indirectly from the porch light, that soft glow bathed her face, capturing those quiet, lovely smiles. Behind them, Helen and Jerry walked out of the car and gazed at each other, sharing a silent happiness reflected in their eyes.With a voi
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-NINE: A WEDDING OF SECOND CHANCES.
Gasps rippled through the crowd, like waves crashing upon a still shore. Slowly, every head turned towards that sudden sound coming from the road. A hushed silence draped over the ceremony. Laura's breath stuck in her throat as the doors of the first vehicle flung open.Thomas stepped out first, calm and composed, and next to him was Maggie, her face unreadable. It was the second car that stole the moment. The doors opened, and three figures stepped out that Laura hadn't seen for what felt like forever: Sarah, Linda, Rose and Mary. Time seemed to halt. Every eye widened in disbelief. As if that weren't enough, Mr. Tim followed behind them, walking steadily. Then came the sheriff, his presence commanding even in silence.Laura felt her knees weaken. Her fingers clutched at Fred's arm for support. Her voice trembled as it slipped from her lips in a whisper only he could hear."Fred... who invited them? Linda and Mary... what are they doing here?". Fred's eyes were narrowed and confusio
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-EIGHT: INTERRUPTED VOWS.
The early sun caused a golden glare over the town, still sleeping against the softly glowing rays indicating the heaviness of that day. In her own little cozy bedroom, Laura stood at the window while a gentle breeze curled the curtains. She held her phone to her ear, while the presence of flutters in her chest showed excitement.And then his soft, warm voice fluttered in on the line. "Good morning, my love. I hope you slept well.""Yes," Laura replied, twirling a strand of hair between her fingers shyly, "though not without dreaming about today." A gentle chuckle came through the phone. "Guess what," continued Fred. "The event planner is on her way with everything you need: shoes, dress, and a few little extra touches." For a moment, her heart skipped a beat, dissolving into gales of giggles while she shook her head and pressed her fingers to her lips. "Fred, I cannot wait to see you"! She declared with all the joy she could muster."Same goes, beautiful; I want our day to be that p
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SEVEN: THE CALM BEFORE THE VOW.
Thomas picked up the call after a few rings, his voice calm but laced with curiosity. "Fred? What's up? Been a minute." Fred did not answer immediately. His eyes strayed towards Laura, who sat at the edge of their bed, fingers knotted together tightly, nervously. The evening light softened through the curtains, catching the shiny anxiousness in her eyes. On the call, Fred could hear possible laughter, a comical chuckle of Maggie's blended with Jack's lighthearted voice. It painted a picture of peace, a home filled with warmth and healing. The sound stirred something in him. Was it guilt? Regret? He couldn't name it, but it was heavy inside his chest. Fred tried to focus, coughing in an attempt to clear his voice. He reckoned: "I know it's all so sudden." "But Laura and I are getting married... in a few hours”. “Monday morning. Rockaway Beach." There was a pause at the other end. Not static, not silence, just a long moment that tied emotions in the quiet. "What?" Finally came from
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIX: ARMS THAT WAITED YEARS.
Time unraveled, his breath slightly impeded, and his chest suddenly tightened with the apparent new stiffness of the atmosphere. For a split second, his legs were rigid and would not allow him to advance. The reverse of time seemed to be in action. Unending photographs flashed through his mind: dusty photo albums, grainy pictures taken in hospitals, the gentle voice of his parents telling bedtime tales, and the image of a woman who had become a treasured legend enshrined in the folds of memory. No, surely, not. It could not have been her. But the contrary was undeniably true. Years had conspired to inscribe their stories on her skin; once dark hair turned lustrously silver, but her eyes had remained constant. Kind and wise, Fred had never forgotten them. Even if time had sculpted her features, everything those eyes stood for was untouched. An agonizing heartbeat followed, and he took a step in her direction. There was another woman beside her, probably her daughter. The family rese
