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BENEATH THE SURFACE
Last Updated:
2024-09-23 19:53:14
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Entwined With Karma SEEDS OF DOUBT
Seated on the bed's edge, Kendall's gaze strayed to the subtle creases on the ivory paper she was holding. Although the letter was brief, its contents were enough to give her a shiver down her spine. The few lines, written in a rushed, uneven script, carried an overwhelming weight: "He's hiding more than you think.” You deserve to know the truth.”Her fingers trembled slightly as she re-read the cryptic note. No name. No explanation. Just a warning. Who could have sent this? What truth were they referring to? The space suddenly felt smaller, as if the walls were pushing in. She could feel her heart pounding in her ears as she stood up.That morning, Jason had gone early for a conference, not realizing the storm that was building within her. Kendall had found the letter casually placed on her bedside table, like it belonged there. But it didn’t. Nothing about this felt right.Her thoughts racing, she walked the floor with the letter clenched in her palm. The enquiries were a whirlwind:
Last Updated : 2024-09-23Entwined With Karma SHATTERED TRUST
The house's air had grown oppressively dense. Jason felt its weight crushing down on him, like a hand tightening around his chest that was invisible. He couldn't get rid of the penetrating uncertainty that had crept into his head ever since the whispers began to circulate—about Kendall and her history. Dealing with the aftermath of Emily's visit had proven to be difficult enough, but this? Jason's hands gripped his phone more tightly as he read the most recent text message from an unexpected sender again. Kendall had received a disturbing message from a close friend.“You need to look closer. She's not as pure as she appears to be. I've heard rumors that she lied to me about her previous relationships. Perhaps you ought to start enquiring before it's too late. Jason's mind was racing as his jaw tightened. It was difficult not to let the doubt grow after everything that had transpired, even though he didn't want to believe it. Truth had to be known to him.—Later that afternoon, Jaso
Last Updated : 2024-09-23Entwined With Karma SILENT TENSIONS
The house had never felt so large. Every room seemed to echo with an invisible tension, thick in the air between Jason and Kendall. They had fallen into a tense silence after their disagreement, neither of them prepared to confront the other. The distance between them felt wider than the walls between their rooms, even when they passed one other in the halls and exchanged brief comments. Jason sat on his bed's edge and gazed down at his phone. Another missed call from Kendall. Despite seeing her name appear on the screen and witnessing the call come through, he was prevented from answering it for some reason. It wasn't like he was unwilling to speak with her. He was at a loss for words.---The days that followed were filled with brief, hollow exchanges. When they spoke, it was only about logistics—the bills, the schedule for the week. Anything personal felt too raw, too dangerous to touch. Their unsaid tension built up between them like a wall, brick by brick, getting stronger every
Last Updated : 2024-09-24Entwined With Karma THE TRAP IS SET
Jason was pacing in his office, feeling the weight of his crumbling personal life pressing down on him. The recent arguments with Kendall had unsettled him more than he wanted to admit. Their used to be easygoing stillness had become strained, a continual warning that things were getting out of hand. He was unable to resolve the discomfort or close the increasing distance between them. The silence was broken abruptly by a hard knock on his office door. Isabella entered the room with a confident gait, as if she was the owner, before he could reply. Her confident, almost predatory smile immediately set Jason on edge. He knew she was up to something, something risky, without even having to ask. That look on her face signaled trouble ahead. "Isabella," Jason spoke sternly, his voice tinged with distrust and irritation. "Why are you in this place?" Isabella strolled across the room without responding, and eventually took a seat in the chair across from his desk. It was a heavy mood, li
Last Updated : 2024-09-26Entwined With Karma WEIGHT OF SILENCE
Jason was seated at his desk, the dim light in the room created by the soft glow from his phone screen. The pictures, the incriminating, cursed pictures, looked back at him, a continual reminder of the mayhem that was simmering beneath the surface. His mind raced with a thousand ideas every time he saw them, none of which solved the problem.He had been repeating this image over and over in his head for days, attempting to come up with an explanation for the inexplicable. What had occurred, or what he thought had happened, how was he going to explain it to Kendall? There were too many blanks in the night with Isabella for him to be able to claim with confidence that nothing happened. And these photos... they were damning. If he showed them to Kendall, would she believe he had been set up? That nothing happened? Would his apologies really matter to her, or would her inability to forgive such betrayal be too great? In an attempt to relieve the strain accumulating behind his eyes, he ma
Last Updated : 2024-09-26Entwined With Karma WALLS CLOSE IN
Jason's thoughts were occupied by the possibilities as he gazed at his office ceiling. The pictures on his phone tasted like poison, ruining all he had worked so hard to create. Isabella’s threats, the photos—none of it made sense. Could he really have been that reckless? Or was this all a meticulously crafted lie? He was plagued by the questions, but he knew one thing for sure: he needed answers. His jaw tightened as the pressure of the circumstance weighed on him. His marriage, his profession, and his reputation would all fall apart if those pictures were ever revealed. Nevertheless, the recollections of that evening were, at most, jumbled. He was plagued by an uneasy feeling that something wasn't quite right and that Isabella might not have been telling the whole story.He had to find out.---Jason couldn’t let this spiral out of control. He required an able investigator, someone who could present the findings objectively without drawing undue attention to himself. Though he had
Last Updated : 2024-09-26Entwined With Karma SHADOWS OF DOUBT
Kendall was sitting in their bedroom at the window, staring out into the night with her fingers idly tracing down the curtain's edges. The far-off city lights flickered, but her thoughts were not on the lovely scenery. For weeks now, Jason had been aloof, even frigid, and each time she attempted to connect with him, it seemed as though he was getting farther away. There was more to it than just the long hours and nonstop work excuses. Something darker.Kendall was unable to ignore it any longer. Jason's actions had undergone a significant shift, and the distance between them was growing daily. Her gut twisted at the thought of the late nights, the rushed phone conversations, and the way he dodged her queries. Despite her best efforts to ignore them, the doubts persisted and cast a long shadow on her perceptions of their relationship.---As the days passed, Kendall started to notice things that she had never noticed before. Jason's jaw was clinched as though he was waiting for terribl
Last Updated : 2024-09-27Entwined With Karma THE CONFRONTATION
Jason sat at his desk, gazing vacantly at his phone as Isabella's latest message appeared on the screen. As each moment passed, his heart throbbed quicker and grew noisier in his ears. Isabella had affixed the phony pictures of herself in nude, mocking him and looming over him like a hanging guillotine.If you don’t comply, these will be leaked. Think about your wife… your career. You have until tomorrow, Jason."His hands shook as he firmly held onto the phone. He felt a looming sense of fear, as though the walls of his office were getting closer and suffocating him. Jason leaned in, running his fingers through his hair in an attempt to soothe the brewing turmoil inside him. However, there was no way out. He was cornered. He had tried to find a way out, hired a private investigator, even spent sleepless nights piecing together his hazy memories from the night with Isabella. None of it had worked.The photos—the damning evidence—felt real, even though deep down, Jason suspected Isab
Last Updated : 2024-09-27
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Entwined With Karma EPILOGUE
A YEAR LATERJason stood on the soft carpet, lifting Liam in the air, his hearty laughter echoing in the warm room. Liam let out a joyful cry, extending his small hands towards his father's face. "Do you find that amusing, eh?" Jason grinned and delicately lowered Liam, placing a kiss on his round cheek. Kendall lounged on the sofa with her legs tucked beneath her, sipping tea as she observed. Her smile was soft but filled with pride. “He loves when you do that. It’s his favorite game now.” Jason looked over at her, his expression tender. Certainly, it is. "He's already seeking thrills, just like his father." “Thrill-seeker?” Kendall arched her eyebrow, placing her cup onto the coffee table. "Do you actually mean stubborn?" He’s definitely inherited that from you.” Jason chuckled, settling Liam into his lap. “I prefer to think of it as determination.” He leaned forward conspiratorially and whispered to Liam, “Don’t let your mom fool you. You get that charm from me too.” Liam
Entwined With Karma TRUTHS UNRAVEL
Kendall sensed her muscles were sore and smelled antiseptic about her. A faint discomfort in her stomach was a reminder of the procedures she had undergone. The warm, subdued light of the setting sun illuminated the room, but her vision was cloudy and her thoughts was foggy.A well-known voice called out Kendall's name, filled with relief and a touch of remorse. She blinked, forcing her eyes to focus. Jason was next to her, his usual sharp attitude mellowed by tiredness. His shirt looked wrinkled, his tie was untied, and his face showed signs of countless restless nights. "Jason?" she rasped, her parched throat feeling rough. “What… where am I?” He gently informed her that she was in the hospital, moving closer in the process. You underwent a cesarean section, and the physicians performed surgery for your cervical cancer. You’ve been unconscious for days.” His concerned was evident in the wavering of his voice. She instinctively reached towards her stomach, but he intercepted her
Entwined With Karma FIGHTING FOR LIFE
Jason walked back and forth in the clean waiting room of the hospital, his hands tightly clenched by his sides. The remote sound of machines beeping, the soft whispers of doctors in the corridor, and the tap of shoes against the linoleum surface felt excessively clear and intense. The rhythm of his own heart drowned out his thinking.“Why? Why did she wait to tell me?”His thoughts continued to rush, but it was futile. The doctors had rushed Kendall into surgery, explaining everything so quickly that their words became a blur. Cervical cancer. Emergency cesarean. Save both her and the baby. Jason wanted to scream, to tear at something, but instead, he stood frozen, his gaze fixed on the closed doors where Kendall had been taken. He had failed her. How could he not have seen that? For weeks and months on end, he failed to realize that something was amiss. His thoughts constantly went back to their disputes, to the times when she appeared delicate yet remained silent. “Mr. Carter?”J
Entwined With Karma UNSEEN TRUTH
Kendall stood on Jason's mansion doorstep, holding her coat tightly as her hands shook. The chill of the evening air nipped at her skin, yet it paled in comparison to the frostiness within her. She had to do this. There wasn't any alternative available. Jason had an unreadable expression on his face when the door opened, his eyes looking at her as if she was unfamiliar."Jason..." she said with a voice that cracked, her eyes begging for empathy. He stood silently, observing her, not responding right away, as though anticipating her to say something."I have to speak with you," Kendall murmured, moving closer, feeling her legs wobble beneath her. Jason moved out of the way, allowing her to enter silently, but he still stood rigidly, as if ready for combat. The door closed with a click.Kendall stopped in the foyer, trying to regain her balance. She momentarily lost focus, but quickly blinked to clear her vision. "Jason, I have been foolish," she started softly, her voice now filled
Entwined With Karma EXPOSED AND EXILED
Isabella stood at the entrance to Thane's estate, holding her luggage tightly, afraid she might drop it. The large house stood in front of her, its impressive exterior highlighting the void she felt within. She had no other place to go, but she was determined not to give up. Not now. Not after everything.With fingers trembling, she pressed the doorbell, fighting to stay standing despite her overwhelming desperation. Before too much time had passed, the door swung open and Thane appeared, his expression devoid of any warmth. He hesitated before inviting her in, staring at her for a moment too long. Isabella swallowed, attempting to maintain her composure. "I—Thane," she began, her voice faltering, "I—I don’t know where else to go. Jason... he left me. He—he doesn’t care about me. "I have no one else to go to but you." She began to cry as her voice broke, allowing the tears to fill her eyes. She wished they appeared authentic; she wished he would trust her. Thane didn’t budge. His
Entwined With Karma THE RESULTS ARE IN
Jason sat at his desk, gazing at the mountains of paperwork that had grown over the previous few days. The workstation was buzzing with activity, from phone calls to hushed chats, yet he remained calm and composed. His mind was elsewhere—on her. On Kendall."Mr. Carter?" A voice snapped him out of his thoughts.Jason looked over and saw Jane, his assistant, standing at the doorway with a pile of papers. She paused, observing the absent-minded expression in his eyes. She mentioned that you requested to be informed once the DNA test results are received. Jason’s pulse quickened. He stood up, walking briskly toward her. "Hand them over to me." Passing him the envelope, he impatiently tore it open. As he opened the papers, his heart raced while he quickly looked over the results. He breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the confirmation that Isabella is not expecting. "He whispered, relieved as the tension he had been holding onto for days finally lifted." However, the feeling of reli
Entwined With Karma THE FINAL STRAW
Tension grew in his jaw as he tightly gripped the doorframe with his hand. "Why on earth are you here?" Isabella stood at the entrance, her lips curling into a smug grin. She entered with a sense of ownership, her heels making a sharp clicking noise on the tiled floor. Jason remained still, obstructing her way deeper into the house. "Wow, that's not a very hospitable greeting," she remarked, but still pushed past him. "Is that how you say hello to the mother of your soon-to-be-born baby?" Jason's expression turned menacing, his hands tightening at his sides. “Cut the act, Isabella. What do you want?” "Regarding what is owed to me," she answered calmly, pivoting to confront him with a self-assured lift of her chin. With Kendall conveniently gone, I am ready to take my rightful position. For our child’s sake, of course.” He let out a cold, humorless laugh, his eyes narrowing. “Rightful place? You mean as a liar and manipulator? Spare me your theatrics.” Her smile faltered brief
Entwined With Karma THE VOID BETWEEN US
Jason was positioned at the top of the lengthy meeting table, sitting with perfect posture in his crisp suit, though his thoughts were elsewhere. The board members' voices became a blur as he focused on the charts and projections on the screen. Jason’s gaze lingered on his tablet, his jaw tight. “Mr. Carter, do you agree?” His head snapped up, piercing eyes scanning the room. A beat passed as he composed himself, erasing any trace of distraction. “Yes,” he replied curtly, his voice steady, though he had no idea what they had asked. “Proceed as outlined.” An approving murmur spread through the room, but Jason paid little attention. He couldn't stop thinking about Kendall, remembering her tearful face and the vulnerability in her voice when she said his name. He moved around in his chair, tightening his jaw. “Concentrate, for crying out loud. This isn’t the time to be weak.” But no matter how much he willed himself to concentrate, the image lingered, seared into his thoughts. "
Entwined With Karma FRACTURED BOND
Jason was in his study with a half-empty decanter of whiskey providing him with some bitter comfort on the table. Thane's words echoed in his mind like a disturbing tune, preventing him from finding peace. His teeth gritted and his hand gripped the crystal glass tightly, causing the liquid inside to shake. He whispered to himself, pondering, his tone a mix of anger and hopelessness. "What happens if the child is not mine?" His mother's unwavering belief in him reverberated in his thoughts, her defense against his father and Thane's relentless pressure lingering in his memory. Catherine Carter always saw the best in Jason, even when he couldn't see it himself. But was he worthy of that faith now? He finished the remaining drink, the sensation of burning in his throat a harsh diversion from the pain in his chest. Kendall's tear-streaked face and trembling voice, pleading for his understanding, came back to his memory once more, but he couldn't find the empathy. Jason slammed the g
