Matthew murmured, running a hand through his hair. He could feel the weight of the circumstance squeezing down on him, the direness of the ticking clock in the back of his mind. "I get that, man. But think about this: why hasn’t Damon as of now hurt her? He’s holding up for you because he needs you. He needs something from you, something more than just your life. If we are able to figure out what that's , perhaps we can turn the tables on him." Haven closed his eyes, considering Matthew’s words. Damon was nothing if not calculated, continuously a step ahead within the games he played. But Haven couldn’t shake the fear that this time, the stakes were as well high, the results as well desperate. "You think he’s bluffing?" Matthew shook his head. "No. Damon doesn’t bluff. But he’s got a plan, and if we can figure out what it is, we could be able to defeat him on our own." Haven remained noiseless, his mind a whirlwind of clashing considerations and feelings. He needed to accept Matt
"Let's get through this." The warehouse was an antique of the city’s mechanical past, a gigantic, rotting structure that lingered over the encompassing neighborhood like an apparition from another time. The windows were boarded up, and the light came from a couple of scattered road lights that scarcely punctured the obscurity. Haven and Matthew arrived just some time before 9 PM. The road was frightfully calm, the kind of silence that felt unnatural in a city that was as a rule so lively. Haven ’s heart beat in his chest as they drew nearer the entrance, a gigantic metal door that looked like it hadn’t been used in a long time.Haven came out of his car, the rock crunching beneath his feet as he balanced the collar of his coat. His sende were on alert, each strand of his hair mindful of the peril that hidden within the obscurity. The wind yelled through the broken windows, carrying with it a cold metallic fragrance that made his stomach turn. It had been weeks since his wife had bee
But he wasn’t about to go down without a battle. His eyes dashed around the room, looking for any conceivable elude courses, but the men had him trapped. He would have to think quickly. “You’re unsurprising, Haven,” Damon continued, his voice dripping with satisfaction. “Always thinking you'll be able to solve everything along with your fists. But this time, you’re in over your head.” Haven’s jaw fixed as he met Damon’s look. “If you’ve harm her, I swear—” “You’ll what?” Damon hindered, his tone taunting. “You’re in no position to give out threats, old friend. But don’t stress, I haven’t harmed her. Yet.” Haven’s blood bubbled at Damon’s words, but he constrained himself to remain calm. He couldn’t bear to lose his cool, not now. He needed to discover a way out of this mess, and fast. “What do you need, Damon?” Haven inquired, his voice unfaltering in spite of the adrenaline coursing through his veins. Damon tilted his head, imagining to consider the address. “What do I want?” he
Haven’s heart skipped a beat as Damon signaled to the door. Two of Damon’s men appeared, dragging a figure into the room. Haven’s breath caught in his throat as he recognized the disheveled shape of his spouse. Her dress was torn, and her face was bruised, but she was alive. Haven’s heart hurt as he took in her look, the torment in her eyes breaking his resolve. He battled to his feet, his whole body trembling with seethe and help. “Babe!” he called out, his voice dry. Alexis lifted her head, her eyes filled with tears as she met his look. “Haven,” she whispered, her voice scarcely capable of being heard. Damon observed the get-together with a turned smile, his arms crossed over his chest. “Touching, isn’t it.” Haven's breath came in shallow as he tried to keep his vision in a faintly lit passage. The cold, stone dividers squeezed in on him, and the harsh haziness appeared to swallow him entire. His heart beat in his chest like a war drum, resounding within the hush. He had mispl
"Matthew, I swear to you, I do not know anything about what you are talking about," Haven said, his voice unfaltering in spite of the fear biting at his internal parts. "Damon never came to me, and I have nothing to do with anything he took from you." Matthew's expression obscured, and he came into his coat, pulling out a gun. He pointed it at Haven, his hand relentless. "You expect me to believe that?" Matthew murmured. "After all this time, after all the lies and trickery? I trusted you, Haven. I trusted you more than anybody, and you did me dirty in multiple ways. It's always you taking the spotlight, having everything right, taking my girl, and you expect me to be cool with that." .Haven's mind went into a frenzy as he contemplated how to escape from this nightmare.It was necessary for him to escort his wife through the men outside of the warehouse, but with Matthew blocking his exit and a weapon in his hand, any sudden changes could potentially be fatal. "Matthew, listen to m
The cramped room was cold, the air overwhelming with the fragrance of anxiety and fear. The dim light from a single bulb glinted overhead, casting faint shadows on the broken concrete dividers. Haven couldn’t really see his spouse, but he could listen to her laboured breathing from over the room. He strained against the ropes that bound his wrists to the chair, his muscles throbbing from hours of battle. His eyes looked around the room, looking for any sign of an escape. "Matthew, what the hell is going on?" Haven's voice was blunt, filled with outrage and perplexity. Matthew ventured forward, his face in part lit up. He had a bizarre, nearly fulfilled see in his eyes, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “You don’t get it, do you, Haven? You never did.” She blended in her chair, lifting her head somewhat. “Why are you doing this?” she inquired, her voice trembling. Matthew walked closer, his look settled on her. “Because, I've continuously loved you always and forever. Eve
Damon’s face was obscured. “Think? Are you joking with me? You dragged me into this mess, and now you need to back out?” Matthew took a deep breath, venturing back. “I’m not backing out. I just… I just want to be sure it’s done right.” Haven’s mind hustled. He could see Matthew’s struggle, the breaks in his aura. He needed to keep pushing, to abuse that instability. “You know this isn’t right, Matthew,” he encouraged. “You’re way better than this.” Matthew’s eyes flashed with outrage. “Better? Better than what, Haven? Better than you, who has everything?” Haven’s wife leaned forward, straining against her bonds. “Matthew, please… you’ve been our companion for so long. Don’t toss it all away for this.” For a minute, Matthew appeared to falter, his eyes softening. But at that point Damon, detecting his hesitation, seized his arm. “Get a hold, man. You need him gone, or don’t you?” Matthew pulled his arm free, a flash of resistance in his expression. “I need him to know what it’s l
She staggered once more, but Haven caught her, his hold solid and consoling. "I’ve got you," he whispered. They pushed on, each step taking them more profound into the thick of the timberland. The yells behind them developed fainter, more disappointed. Haven’s heart lifted marginally. Perhaps they had picked up a few paces behind them. But they couldn't bear to stop. Not, however. "Are you alright?" Haven inquired, looking at her. She gestured, in spite of the fact that her face was pale, and her breathing heavy. "I'm okay," she answered, assurance flickering in her eyes. “Just keep going." Haven gave a tight-lipped grin. "That's my girl." Abruptly, an uproarious split resounded through the trees. A discharge. Both of them solidified, their breath catching in their throats. "They're shooting!" She whispered, her voice trembling. "Remain low," Haven. said,pulling her down behind a thick bush. "They’re just attempting to scare us." "Well, it's working," Alexis murmured, clutching h
"I actually believed that we would eventually have to take sides.” Marcus could vividly recall the memories. He had been friends with Haven since high school, witnessing his journey through a painful breakup with his college girlfriend, who had betrayed him by getting involved with his roommate. Smoothly flowing friendship marked by shared experiences and challenges. The betrayal had caused Haven to build walls so high that they appeared insurmountable. His innate warmth and optimism were buried beneath layers of protective cynicism. When Fiona first re-introduced Alexis to their friend group few months ago, Marcus noticed the same wounded walls in her. Fresh from calling off her engagement to a man who had gradually tried to suppress her sparkle, in an effort to control her better, Alexis was portraying a demeanor characterized by sharp edges and cautious aloofness. Haven and Alexis moved around each other cautiously, like two wary cats, drawn to each other yet filled with insecurit
The park seemed hushed, only the little giggles from the children playing and the jogging steps from around the park seemed to be the only sound apart from the heartbeat of both Haven and Alexis. Haven and Alexis sat across from each other, their gazes locked. Time seemed to stand still as they simply were, their presence filling the space with a quiet intensity. Haven's heart pounded in his chest. He’d never felt this way about anyone before. It was as if he was seeing her for the first time, every detail, every nuance, striking him with a fresh sense of wonder. Her eyes, a deep, captivating brown, held a universe of emotions. He could get lost in them for hours, exploring the depths of her soul. Alexis, too, was lost in the moment. She felt a warmth spreading through her, a comforting familiarity that she hadn’t experienced in a long time. Haven’s gaze was steady and kind, a stark contrast to the chaos that often surrounded her. In his eyes, she saw acceptance, understanding, and
Haven's throat was fixed. He knew precisely what she meant—how they had both lost themselves in the splits and cleft of their fizzled marriage, getting to be individuals they didn’t recognize. "Do you ever think," he said, his voice scarcely capable of being heard, "about what us?" Alexis gave him a sidelong look, her expression softening. "All the time." They fell into a pensive quiet, the kind that comes as it were when two individuals share a history as well complicated for words. "I think," Alexis began gradually, "we were trying so hard to be what we thought the other needed that we overlooked to be ourselves." Haven gestured, her words resounding deeply. "No doubt. I thought I had to be this culminating supplier, continuously solid, continuously in control. But I wasn't truly letting you in. I see that now." "And I kept trying to be this perfect spouse," Alexis included with a little, self-deprecating snicker. "I needed to demonstrate that I was enough, that I coul
Alexis let out a little, severe giggle. “I never stopped caring, Haven. That’s the problem.” The genuineness in her voice cut through him like a knife, more sharp than any offended she may have tossed his way. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “If you never stopped caring, why did you leave?” She hesitated, her expression tormented. “Because I was tired of waiting for you to choose me.” Haven felt the air leaving his lungs as if she had punched him. “What are you talking about? I was continuously there.” “You were physically there,” Alexis whispered, “but your heart was someplace else. Continuously working, continuously building. I needed more than that.” He closed his eyes, blaming wrapping around him like chains. He had worked himself to the bone to donate them both a great life, believing it would be enough. But in the process, he had missed the foremost vital thing—her. “I thought I was doing it for us,” he said, his voice overwhelming with lament.
A minute, the walls around her heart trembling but not very falling. Perhaps, just perhaps, she might take another step. “Yeah,” she said unobtrusively. “I think I do.” Haven leaned back in his leather chair, checking the numbers on his laptop screen with a tired but fulfilled smile. Business was good, better than ever, in reality. Growing his firm had been one of the most risky choices of his life, but the payoff had surpassed his expectations. However, even in the midst of his proficient victory, a gloomy hurt remained underneath the surface, one that wasn’t so effortlessly relieved by benefits and development charts. He tapped a number of keys to distract himself and ran a hand down his face. He had a whole lot to do on his plate for the upcoming investors meeting that could serve as a major boost for the future of his company. His company that suffered a downgrade after the divorce with Alexis was slowly getting recognized and becoming a better version of itself.Outside the wide
She moved awkwardly in her seat, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s easier that way. In case you don’t expect anything, you can’t get hurt.” Dr. Patel inclined forward marginally, her hands resting on the armrests of her chair. “It sounds like you’ve built walls around yourself to secure against dissatisfaction. But those walls also make it difficult for people to associate with you, don't they?” Alexis collapsed her arms firmly over her chest. “Yeah, well. it’s not like anyone’s trying that hard, anyway.” “Do you think that’s true?” Dr. Patel inquired tenderly. “Or is that something you tell yourself since it feels safer?” Alexis looked absent, jaw fixing. “What difference does it make? They give up inevitably. Friends, boyfriends. everybody. It continuously happens.” Dr. Patel let a minute of hush hang between them before she spoke. “Tell me about your last relationship.” Alexis moaned, rubbing her sanctuaries. “Do we have to?” “I think it could help us learn mor
Alexis giggled, the sound light and free. For the first time in a long time, she felt confident. “Maybe,” she said, looking at him, “but possibly it’s worth the risk.” Haven’s grin mollified, and in that minute, something moved between them—something inconspicuous but irrefutable. As the night wore on and the wine vanished, they found themselves closer than ever before, their chuckling blending within the warm glow of the room. And for the first time since her engagement ended, Alexis allowed herself to accept the plausibility of love again—not the perfect, fairy-tale kind, but the chaotic, complicated, genuine kind. And sitting there with Haven, she realized that perhaps, just perhaps, she was precisely where she was meant to be.The cool night air brushed against Alexis’s skin as she strolled down the quiet street. She’d left Haven’s place a little later than she’d planned, but the lingering warmth of the evening was a welcome change from the usual rush.A sense of peace washed
Alexis didn’t drag her hand away, but she looked down at the ring once more, her lips squeezing into a lean line. “Why does it feel like I’ve been left with nothing?” “Because shock could be a thief,” Haven said delicately. “It takes more than just the person, it takes your sense of worth with it. But that’s a lie. You still have all of you, Alexis.” For a long minute, neither of them talked. The hum of discussion and clinking glasses filled the hush between them, a foundation clamour to the turmoil whirling in Alexis’s mind. Haven gave her hand a soft touch. “Let’s get out of here. This place isn’t precisely built for healing.” Alexis wavered but at that point nodded, thankful for the life saver he was proposed to. They ended up at Haven’s flat, the air thick with the comforting fragrance of coffee and cinnamon candles. Alexis twisted up on the couch, holding a warm mug between her hands while Haven sat over from her, his expression open and understanding. “It’s not just Mat
Alexis yanked her arm free, dazzling at him. “No, Matthew. You had your chance, and you blew it. I deserve way better than this.” Matthew’s shoulders dropped back. For a moment, the sound between them was the murmur of the TV. “Where did you indeed meet Deborah?” Alexis inquired intensely, incapable of stopping herself. Matthew moaned intensely. “She’s an old friend from college. She got into a few financial inconveniences, and I thought I might help.” His voice trailed off, as if indeed he realized how lamentable the pardon sounded. Alexis shook her head in disbelief. “Unbelievable. You bet with our future for some lady from your past.” She turned and walked toward the door, her heart overwhelming but unfaltering. She had gone through for so long disregarding the signs, trusting Matthew would be the man he imagined to be. But presently, she saw the truth clearly, he had never been that man. “Alexis, please!” Matthew called after her, his voice splitting with edginess. “Don’t le