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CRACKS IN THE ARMOR
Last Updated:
2024-09-28 15:29:18Related chapters
Entwined With Karma NOOSE TIGHTENS
Jason leaned back in his leather chair, eyes unfocused as he scrolled through emails on his laptop. Meetings, investor updates, business proposals—it was the usual mix of corporate life that normally grounded him. Today, though, the routine couldn’t settle his restless mind. The dull glow of his office lights felt too harsh, the ticking of the clock too loud. His mind wasn’t in the room; it was elsewhere—on her.Then his phone vibrated on the desk, the soft buzz cutting through the quiet tension. Jason’s heart skipped a beat as he hesitated. He already knew who the message was from. With a quick exhale, he reached for the phone. Sure enough, the notification flashed on the screen from an unknown number. Isabella.With a quick swipe of his finger across the screen, the message opened. Another image, explicit and degrading, with a caption that made him shudder: "This is just the beginning.” Imagine what your business partners would think if they saw this.”Jason's eyes narrowed in shock
Last Updated : 2024-09-29Entwined With Karma CORNERED
Jason strode into the glass doors of his company's headquarters, but he didn't feel at home in this familiar environment. Today, it seemed like everything was louder—the distant hum of phones, the murmur of people, the clicking of laptops. Every glance from his employees felt loaded, every nod of acknowledgment felt like suspicion. Did he look at him differently, or was it just him? He forced himself to swallow, attempting to ignore his paranoia, but Isabella's words, "I know everything," kept repeating in his head. I see everything.”Was it true? Could she really be watching him, knowing his every move? The idea tormented him. Had he not taken all the necessary safety measures? Or was someone here feeding her information?He reached the elevator and waited as it rose, his mind racing. His assistant, Jane, greeted him the moment he stepped out, but Jason barely registered her presence. Her usual cheerful demeanor grated on him today, like sandpaper on his nerves.“Sir, I’ve compiled
Last Updated : 2024-09-30Entwined With Karma THE FINAL CONFRONTATION
The parking garage was virtually empty, but for the faint hum of fluorescent lights flickering above. As Jason made his way to the dimly lit nook where Isabella had instructed him to meet her, his footfall resounded against the hard surface. With every stride, he tightened his hold on the envelope, feeling the weight of the cash within being quite substantial. He stopped and looked around. The quiet was eerie, causing the hairs on his neck to stand up. After that, Isabella came out from the darkness and entered the faint light, her high heels making a clicking sound on the floor.. She was already grinning, mockingly triumphant, as though she had defeated a battle he was unaware he was engaged in.“Right on time,” she purred, her voice cutting through the stillness. She stopped a few feet away, eyeing the envelope in his hand. “I see you brought what I asked for.”Jason clinched his jaw. His eyes were fixed on hers as he waited for her to react, attempting to predict her next move. He
Last Updated : 2024-10-02Entwined With Karma SUBTLE DELAY
The conversation between Isabella and Thane had a deceptive ease to it, the kind that comes with familiarity. Yet, beneath her calm demeanor, she was setting her plan in motion. Thane had always been her support, the one to ground her, but there were larger ambitions swirling in Isabella’s mind. And for that, she needed time.Isabella glanced up from her glass of wine, her expression poised and thoughtful as she watched Thane settle onto the couch beside her. The soft lighting in the room created a warm atmosphere, but it failed to prevent the slow encroachment of the chilly sensation she was starting to feel. The tightness in his shoulders and the evident fatigue on his face made it clear to her that he had endured a tiring day. Normally, seeing him like this would stir some feeling of affection, maybe even guilt. But tonight, the pressing nature of the tasks at hand overwhelmed her. With a tiny smile teasing the corner of his mouth, Thane cast a quick glance in her direction. His h
Last Updated : 2024-10-03Entwined With Karma UNRAVELING THREADS
With a mixture of uncertainty and wrath buzzing through his consciousness, Thane paced the length of the room, his grasp tightening around his phone. Everything had fallen apart when Kendall's pregnancy was discovered, but he wasn't going to give Jason the upper hand. Never, ever, not right now.He could feel Isabella’s eyes on him, watching intently. Her calm demeanor unsettled him, but he pushed it aside for now. He needed to focus on one thing—unraveling the mystery of Jason’s marriage and this pregnancy.“Thane?” Isabella’s voice was smooth, but there was an edge of curiosity, maybe even intrigue. She didn’t like being kept out of the loop, and Thane knew it. He stopped pacing and turned to her, his expression hard. “Kendall being pregnant—it doesn’t make sense. Something’s off.”“Off how?” Isabella leaned forward, her lips pursed in thought. She always enjoyed being part of the game, always ready to strike when it suited her. Thane narrowed his eyes, running a hand through his
Last Updated : 2024-10-03Entwined With Karma INTO THE ABYSS
The edge of Thane's desk was constantly being pounded by his fingers. In his study, his laptop screen shone in the low light, giving his face a strange blue tint. He had hardly left this room in the last three days, his mind fixed on Kendall's flawless exterior. There had to be something hidden beneath the surface—no one could rise from obscurity and fall into Jason’s life so perfectly.He scrolled through endless pages of information, his eyes narrowing as each search turned up nothing of significance. Her school records, job history, even her social media—all clean. It didn’t make sense. It was incomprehensible. "Oh my god!" He slammed the laptop shut, whispering to himself. Isabella was curled up on the sofa, her legs tastefully crossed, as seen from across the room. She appeared to be focussing elsewhere as she didn't take her eyes from the magazine. But Thane could feel her presence, calm and unbothered, and it only agitated him more."You would think a woman such as Kendall wo
Last Updated : 2024-10-04Entwined With Karma CRACKS IN THE FACADE
Thane dashed into the living room, his face flushed with anger. The past three days were a whirlwind of insomnia, tiring investigations, and fruitless results. Each path he followed, each clue he chased, all ended up being dead ends. Kendall was an enigma, a ghost with a flawless history. And Jason? He was showing off his quick marriage and imminent fatherhood as though they were all part of some grand scheme, smugly reveling in his role as the golden boy. Isabella, lounging on the comfortable couch, glanced up from her device as Thane's heavy footsteps echoed through the room. Her indifferent demeanor and the slight tilt of her head further fueled his anger. She wasn’t helping—she never had. Not really.Thane threw his hands up in exasperation. “It’s pointless! I’ve searched everywhere. Everywhere! There’s nothing—no mistakes, no hidden scandals, nothing I can use against her.”Isabella raised a brow, setting her tablet down on the glass coffee table. “You sound surprised.”"I'm def
Last Updated : 2024-10-05Entwined With Karma FEARS AND SHADOWS
With her hands clasped around her stomach, Kendall sat at the edge of her bed, her mind whirling like the clouds in a storm outside. The preceding several weeks had seen a terrible gap build between her and Jason as a result of miscommunication, secrets, and the ongoing drama that had taken over their life. She had moved back into her room, a physical representation of the emotional distance that had gradually grown between them. She looked around the room, feeling uneasy inside. The cold, distant connection she was currently trapped in was not the future she had pictured.Kendall placed her hand on her stomach, the baby inside serving as a constant reminder of past and future anxieties. The gentle light from the bedside lamp created moving shadows on the walls, resembling the spirits of her past, her remorse, her deceit.The pregnancy was real. The life growing inside her was real. But the marriage? It was based on lies, and it seemed like the walls were closing in on us every day. T
Last Updated : 2024-10-06
Latest chapter
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
