[ Claire ]“You practically declared a war against him, Claire. Did you look at his face? He won’t sit quietly. He is our grandfather who always resented his own son. We are nothing if he determines to show us our place.” Caleb said.“I know, brother but I can’t abandon Grandma for him. It is not going to be easy for us but I am ready to face everything. If he wants to teach us a lesson, he can. I’ll take care of grandma. Did you see her face? How happy she was to see us.” I answered and sipped my latte.We were sitting in a café near the hospital. Tristan received a call from his P.A. so he had to leave urgently. I and my brother were alone and it was our first outing as siblings.“When are you going back?” I asked him. He has been staying since Harris’ death.He shook his head, “I want to go back and finish my course but Mom is losing her mind day by day. She isn’t herself anymore. First Dad and now Mia. I don’t know what I should do with her. Whenever I express my wish to return, s
[ Claire ]“You are looking troubled. May I know what is bothering my husband?” I massaged Tristan’s shoulders as he leaned on the sofa. He returned late from work. So, I waited for him so we could have our dinner together.“It’s work, my love nothing serious but back to back meetings exhausted me.” He looked at me with a tired smile on his face.“I’ll give you a scalp massage after dinner, trust me it helps to fight stress and recharge us.” I said.He took my hand and kissed it, “I only need your beautiful smile to recharge my energy but if you really want to relief my tiredness then we have other ways. Trust me, it can refuel my energy.” He winked at me.My cheeks heated up when I got his hint. I pushed him and about to walk away from there but he pulled me back on his lap and locked his arms around me. His face buried on my chest.“You know what turns me on most?” He lifted his hazy eyes to look at me, our faces were very close, my heart was racing, “When you become all shy and try
[ Claire ]A week has passed, I didn’t come across my grandfather and I am thankful because he is doing everything in his power to make my work difficult. I barely get time to return home on time or eat. He has an upper hand on him and he got a perfect excuse, his company which he wants to stabilize.As the CEO, my responsibilities are doubled. I know he is doing everything intentionally so I won’t spend time with grandma and also give up to him but it’s not going to happen. He hasn’t recognized me yet.“Ma’am, you have been working tirelessly since nine in the morning and it’s almost three. You skipped lunch but a light snack would help you to keep energized. You’ll fall sick if you keep working like a robot without rest or food.” Miss Kim, who was reading the reports with me, said to me.It has become my routine to skip my meals as I hardly get time to breathe in relax.“I know, Miss Kim and don’t worry, I’ll have something with my evening tea.” I smiled at her and again focused on
[ Claire ]“Tristan!” I frantically searched for my husband as soon as I entered into our house.“Tristan, where are you?” My eyes were teary. I just wanted to see him, only he could give me comfort.I ran into Rina who caught me before I could fall down.“Ma’am, what happened? You look scared. Please, calm down.” She asked me in panic but I pushed her to find my husband.She held me from behind as she sensed my panic attacks. She forced me to sit down on the sofa and gave me water to drink and rubbed my back to ease me.“Where is Tristan?” I asked her again.“Sir has taken the boys to the nearby ice-cream parlour. I am calling him to come back. Please, calm down, Ma’am.” She told me but my heartbeats were stabilizing.“Sir is way back to home. He told me to be with you, Ma’am.” She said and sat down beside me.“I..am fine, Rina.” I tried to say but my breathing became laboured. It was happening after a long time.She rubbed my back and palms in order to calm me down but I was searchi
[ Tristan ]I slammed my fists on my car. Seeing Claire in such terrified condition, shivering with fear and telling me that she doesn’t trust her grandfather anymore, it fuelled me. The old man has hit the last nail on my patience and sanity with him.“Tristan, don’t hurt yourself. I saw you, you couldn’t sleep at night but it won’t help us to fight our problems.” Claire’s gentle voice pushed me more into guilt.“No, I can’t sit quietly, Claire. His threat has many hidden meaning, I can’t be at ease until I understand the original intention behind his words. I can’t take more risks with you, Claire.” I said.She hugged me and caressed my nape, “Nothing can happen to me as long as you are with me. Tristan, you’re my safe heaven and I trust you. So, stop doubting yourself.” She said breaking the hug. She looked confident.“Now, I am not afraid anymore, Claire. You are a brave woman. Let’s go and defeat first devil of our lives. Where is Alicia?” I said kissing her lightly on the lips.
[ Claire ]My heart was beating fast as we all waited for the judge to serve the judgement after a long and heated trial of hours. Our lawyer had done a great job by finding evidence against Ryan. I was surprised when she managed to bring the director and nurses of the mental asylum where Ryan put Alicia so she could lose her mental abilities.She was sitting there, her dull eyes staring at her ex-husband with so much pain and anguish. I rubbed her hands softly.“I heard both the defendant and the prosecutor. Both parties showed evidence and proved their innocence but the defendant proved that Mr. Ryan Bale was very cruel to the victims. The court approves the divorce and also sentence Mr. Ryan Bale twenty-five years of imprisonment. He will pay a sum of five million dollars to Miss Alicia as an alimony and also bear the monthly allowance to her and his son. The court is adjourned.” The judge declared her judgement and we all sighed in relief.Alicia broke down. I pulled her into a hu
[ Claire ]I lifted the flute of my drink to my lips again and downed the bitter liquid which I think tastes sweeter than my life. I watched my father’s elite guests having a great time at the party. After all, they were exclusive guests of Harris Jones, the business mogul who was ready to step down from his position tonight and give the inheritance to his son, my brother for namesake, Caleb Jones. Another reason of their celebration was my sister’s twenty-first birthday, the favourite daughter of Jones family.And I am the black sheep of the family whom everyone despises, reasons unknown to me and honestly, I don’t care anymore. They hate me since I was born. I am only allowed to be a part of such extravagant parties when they have to portray a happy family picture. So, I am enjoying this party as much as I can, ignoring the constant ache in my heart when I watch my parents introducing my siblings with pride to their friends and potential business partners.Deciding, I’d need anothe
[ Claire ] “What are you saying, Mr. Ryan? She isn’t good enough to be your wife. Please, marry my younger daughter Mia. She is good in everything.” Dad tried to plaster a smile on his while I prayed for the same.I had been planning to leave this house as soon as I save enough money to settle down far from my family.Mia’s eyes welled up with tears, “Ryan, don’t do this to me. You don’t know anything about my sister. She’s a bitch of low character, she always snatches my happiness. Five years ago, she did the same and God punished her. She hasn’t good grades as well and look at her fashion sense.” Mia blabbered to Ryan but I had to wince when she lied about my grades.It was all a lie. I never had a love affair.“I don’t need to hear about my future wife from you, Mia. She is beautiful and not to mention intelligent who doesn’t spend money on buying unnecessary things. I like her.” Ryan said but I wasn’t driven by his praises. His intentions were hideous.“Mr. Ryan, please try to un