I celebrated with Jake, reveling in the freedom I had finally reclaimed from Carmen, my scheming wife, I couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration coursing through my veins. For months, I had been under her control, forced to bend to her will and follow her every command. But now, I was free. And I intended to make the most of it.Jake and I attended party after party, drinking and carousing until the early hours of the morning. The alcohol flowed freely, and soon, we were both thoroughly drunk and wasted. But I didn't care. All I cared about was the feeling of liberation, the sense of power and control that I had long been denied.As we stumbled from one party to the next, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the thought of finally taking back what was rightfully mine. Carmen had underestimated me, thinking that she could keep me under her thumb forever. But she was wrong. Dead wrong.As the night wore on, Jake and I found ourselves in a seedy nightclub, surrounde
"But seriously, Sean," Jake said, his expression turning serious once more. "You need to be careful. Carmen may not be threatening you now, but that doesn't mean she won't try something in the future. We need to stay one step ahead of her at all times."I nodded, the gravity of the situation sinking in once more. Despite Jake's prank, Carmen was still out there, and she still posed a threat. I couldn't afford to let my guard down, not even for a moment."I know, Jake," I said. "I won't let her get the better of me again. I'll do whatever it takes to protect myself and those I care about."Jake smiled, a sense of pride evident in his eyes. “One more important thing, Sean, don’t get involved with any woman since you are still legally married to Carmen, that would prove badly on your reputation so forget about the new girl you just met at the club.” “Remember Lily? the girl that you met in a bar eons ago that ended up being a liar and a thief.”As Jake's words sunk in, I felt a mix of
I sat at the cafe, drowning in my thoughts and still nursing a cup of coffee that I had finished, I couldn't shake the feeling of defeat that weighed heavy on my shoulders. Sarah had been a glimmer of hope, a chance for something real amidst the chaos of my life, but now it seemed like that hope was slipping away, torn from my grasp by forces beyond my control.Lost in my misery, I barely noticed the figure that approached me until she spoke my name."Sean?"I looked up, my heart skipping a beat as I saw her standing there before me. Fiona. The woman I had once loved, the sister of my deceased wife Mira, and the one person I never expected to see again."Fiona," I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper as a flood of emotions washed over me. Guilt, regret, and a profound sense of sadness all mingled together as I took in her appearance.She looked different from the last time I had seen her, her once vibrant eyes dulled with sorrow and her once radiant smile replaced by a look of we
I sat in my office, staring at the stack of reports and proposals, my mind swirled with the chaos of my life. The power struggles with Sean had reached a fever pitch, and every day felt like a battle. The Whitney Corporation had become a battleground for our vendettas, and I was caught in the crossfire.I glanced at the clock. It was already past midnight, and I still had hours of work ahead of me. Long nights at the office had become the norm. I was trying to make Whitney Corporation more profitable, driven by the fear that Sean would ruin my career with the sex video he had recorded. It was a constant threat hanging over my head, and I couldn't let my guard down for even a moment.Sean had made it clear that he was in control. He ordered me around with a smug arrogance that made my blood boil. Every time he barked an order, I felt so angry and frustrated. But I couldn't let it show. I had to maintain my composure and prove that I was capable of running this company."Where's the qua
As the days went by, the tension with Sean remained palpable. Despite the chaos surrounding my life and the constant power struggles at Whitney Corporation, I found my thoughts drifting to Sean more and more. It was confusing and frustrating. How could I feel anything but hatred for the man who had caused me so much pain and humiliation? And yet, there was something about him that drew me in, something I couldn’t ignore.One night, as I sat in my office, buried in work, I couldn’t stop thinking about Sean. Maybe it was the stress, the loneliness, or simply the need for comfort, but I found myself longing for his touch, his presence. The idea of being with him, even just for a night, became a tantalizing thought that I couldn’t shake.With a sigh, I pushed aside the stack of papers on my desk. It was late, and I knew I wouldn't be able to focus on work any longer. I decided to go home and confront these feelings head-on. Maybe tonight, I could finally understand what it was about Sean
My time at my parents' house was comforting, but the pain in my stomach and the emotional turmoil within me were constant reminders that I needed to take action. My mother, ever the voice of reason, suggested I see a doctor about my abdominal pain and a marriage counselor to address the issues with Sean.One morning, as I sat at the kitchen table with my mom, she brought it up again. “Carmen, you need to see a doctor about that pain. And I think talking to a marriage counselor might help you sort out your feelings about Sean.”I nodded, knowing she was right. “I’ll make an appointment,” I said, trying to muster a smile.The next day, I went to see Dr. Allen, a trusted family physician. After explaining the incident with Sean and the persistent pain in my abdomen, Dr. Allen conducted a thorough examination and ordered some tests.A few days later, I sat nervously in his office, waiting for the results. Dr. Allen entered the room with a reassuring smile. “Carmen, the good news is that t
The next day, I called a meeting with the board of directors. I knew I had to address their concerns and show them that I was still capable of leading the company.I stood in the conference room, facing the board members, feeling determined. I couldn’t let Sean take the win. Tsk.“Thank you all for coming,” I began, trying to keep my voice steady. “I know there have been concerns about my absence, and I want to address them. I’ve been dealing with some personal and medical issues that have required my attention, but I am committed to this company and to leading it into the future.”The board members listened quietly, their expressions neutral. I knew I had to convince them that I was still capable of leading Whitney Corporation.“I understand that my absence has caused some disruption,” I continued. “But I have been working closely with my team to ensure the company continues to operate smoothly. I am confident in their abilities and our collective vision for the future.”One of the b
The days after the court's decision felt like a never-ending twilight. The weight of being removed from my position at Whitney Corporation and the devastating news about my infertility plunged me into a deep, suffocating depression. It felt as though the very foundation of my life had crumbled beneath me, leaving me adrift in a dark sea.Each morning, I struggled to find the strength to get out of bed. The vibrant energy that had once defined me seemed to have vanished, replaced by a gnawing sense of hopelessness. My mind was a tumultuous storm of thoughts, each one pulling me deeper into despair. The pain of knowing I could never have a child was a constant ache in my heart, and the fear of losing everything I had worked for at Whitney Corporation loomed over me like a dark shadow.I withdrew from the world, isolating myself in the small bedroom at my parent's house. My mother, always the pillar of strength, tried her best to comfort me, but even her warm embraces and soothing words
The ride to the hospital was a blur, the sirens wailing above the frantic sounds of the medics working to stabilize me. Carmen stayed by my side the entire time, refusing to let go even as they rushed me into the emergency room. I could see the worry in her eyes, the exhaustion and pain etched into her face, but she didn’t waver.As the doctors took over, everything went dark. The last thing I felt was the warmth of Carmen’s hand in mine, her voice pleading with me to stay, to survive.When I awoke, the world was quiet. The pain was still there, a dull ache in my abdomen, but it was manageable. I blinked, trying to adjust to the bright lights of the hospital room. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled my nostrils, and the steady beep of monitors was the only sound.Carmen was there, sitting in a chair beside my bed, her hand still holding mine. Her eyes were closed, her head resting on the edge of the bed, as if she hadn’t left my side since we arrived. She looked exhausted, but even
Fiona’s smile twisted into something cruel. “You really thought I’d make this easy for you? No, Sean, I’m going to keep her a little longer. Just until I’m sure everything is as it should be.”Panic flared inside me. This wasn’t the plan. If Fiona didn’t release Carmen today, I didn’t know how much longer we could keep up this charade. But before I could say anything more, Fiona’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She glanced at it, her smile faltering as she read something on the screen. Her eyes snapped back to me, narrowing with suspicion.“These documents… they’re fake, aren’t they?” she hissed, her voice filled with venom.I didn’t respond. There was nothing I could say to convince her otherwise. The truth was out, and I could see the rage building in her eyes.“You thought you could trick me, Sean? You’re going to regret this. I was going to let Carmen live, but now… now I’m going to make you watch as I finish her off.”Before I could react, she yanked Evie toward her, dragging my dau
The morning light streamed through the windows, but I felt no warmth. After the call with Fiona, I was haunted by a sense of impending doom, the silence of the house was oppressive. Every second that passed was another second Carmen was in danger. I couldn't let Fiona get away with this, but I also couldn't act recklessly and put Carmen's life at even greater risk.I decided to contact the police. It was a calculated risk, but I had to try. I couldn't fight this battle alone. The officers I met with were seasoned professionals who assured me that they would handle the situation delicately, coordinating with specialists to ensure Carmen’s safety.But Fiona was one step ahead.Later that afternoon, my phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message. No words, just a video. My heart plummeted as I opened the file.The video was shaky, the lighting dim, but it was unmistakably Carmen. She was tied to a chair, her face pale and streaked with blood and dirt. Her breathing was shallow, her e
The house was dark, the only light coming from the dim glow of the television that I wasn't watching. My mind was too preoccupied with thoughts of Carmen and the bleak future that seemed to stretch endlessly before me. The letter she had sent replayed in my mind over and over.The shrill ring of my phone jolted me from my thoughts. I glanced at the screen, not recognizing the number. For a moment, I considered letting it go to voicemail, but something compelled me to pick up."Hello?" I answered, my voice rough with fatigue and stress.There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by a low, familiar laugh that sent a chill down my spine."Hello, Sean. Long time no speak."I froze, the voice instantly recognizable. Fiona."What do you want, Fiona?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, though my heart was racing. The last thing I needed right now was to deal with her.“Oh, Sean,” she purred, her voice dripping with malicious satisfaction, “I think you know exactly what I
The next morning, I awoke to an eerie silence in the house. It was the kind of quiet that usually followed a storm, but this time, the storm was just beginning. Carmen was already up, pacing in the living room with her phone clutched in her hand, her face pale and her eyes wide with disbelief."Carmen, what's wrong?" I asked, moving toward her, my heart sinking as I noticed the way her hands were trembling.She looked up at me in despair. "Sean, did you see the news? Did you see what they’ve said about me?"I shook my head, reaching out to take her phone. The headline on the screen made my blood run cold:“Exclusive: Carmen Whitney's Secret Battle with Infertility”The article went on to detail private and intimate struggles that Carmen and I had faced together, revealing her infertility to the world. It was a cruel invasion of our privacy, exposing something that we had only ever discussed in the safety of our home. The words were harsh, blaming her barrenness as the root cause of ta
The morning after the vow renewal ceremony, the house was filled with a peaceful silence, the kind that follows a night of joy and celebration. Carmen was still asleep, her face relaxed and content, and Lily was cuddled up with her stuffed animals. Everything seemed perfect, as if nothing could disrupt the happiness we had built.But life has a way of surprising you when you least expect it.I was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast, when my phone buzzed with a notification. I glanced at the screen, expecting it to be a message from a friend or perhaps Evelyn, thanking us for the wonderful event. Instead, it was a news alert.“Billionaire Sean Whitney Accused of Murdering ExWife, Mira.”My heart stopped. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. The words on the screen blurred as panic surged through me. I quickly clicked on the link, my hands trembling, as I read the full article.“Sean Whitney, the billionaire entrepreneur known for his successful business empire, is facing shocking allegat
Once Fiona had packed her bags, she stood by the door, looking around the house one last time. Her eyes landed on Lily’s toys scattered across the living room floor, and a fresh wave of tears welled up in her eyes.“Goodbye, Fiona,” Carmen said softly, stepping forward to give her a gentle hug. “I hope you find the help you need.”“Thank you, Carmen. For everything,” Fiona replied, her voice thick with so much emotion.I walked Fiona to the car, feeling the tension in the air as we made our way to her temporary destination. She had decided to stay with a friend until she could find a more permanent solution, and I hoped it would give her the space she needed to begin healing.When we arrived at her friend’s house, I helped her carry her bags to the door. Fiona turned to me, her eyes pleading. “Please tell Lily I love her. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”“I’ll tell her,” I promised, my heart aching. “But you need to focus on getting better. That’s the only way you’ll ever have a chance
The sun streamed through the windows, a warm glow over the living room. The air was filled with laughter. Lily had set up a pretend tea party in the middle of the floor, her stuffed animals arranged in a circle with Fiona and Carmen sitting beside her.“Here’s your tea, Mr. Bear,” Lily said, pouring imaginary tea into a tiny plastic cup. “And some cookies for you, Miss Bunny.”Fiona watched Lily with a gentle smile, her eyes following every move as she helped pour more imaginary tea. Watching them play, I felt a sense of peace. Fiona seemed to be adjusting well, and Lily was overjoyed to have her mom close.Carmen caught my eye, and we shared a smile. It seemed like things were finally falling into place. Fiona was attending her therapy sessions and working part-time at the local bookstore. Her energy was positive, and she seemed genuinely committed to making things work this time.“Would you like some tea, Daddy?” Lily asked, looking up at me with her big, bright eyes.“Of course, I’
When we arrived at her apartment building, the lights were off. I knocked on the door, hoping to hear her voice from inside. But there was nothing. I tried calling again, but the call went straight to voicemail.“Sean, maybe she’s just sleeping,” Carmen suggested, trying to reassure me. But I could hear the hesistation in her voice.“Maybe,” I replied, though I didn’t quite believe it myself.Just as we were about to leave, the door to the neighboring apartment opened, and an elderly woman peered out.“Are you looking for Fiona?” she asked, her voice curious.“Yes, we are. Have you seen her tonight?” I asked, hoping for some clue.The woman shook her head. “I heard her leave earlier, but she hasn’t come back. I thought it was strange since she usually comes back by now.”A cold knot tightened in my stomach. Fiona was out there somewhere, and we had no idea where or in what condition.Carmen and I decided to check a few of Fiona’s usual haunts—the places she might go when she needed to