[ 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 ]“It’s time for celebration, guys. Ryan fucking Bale is behind the bars forever.” Caleb said as we all gathered around Grandma. I brought her to our old mansion. We decided to shift here after I and Tristan discussed that our penthouse was small for six people to live under same roof.“Caleb, watch your tongue. There are kids in the house.” Grandma scolded him and he grinned sheepishly.“I am sorry, Grandma, I couldn’t hold my happiness. He almost married Mia. She is immature but he did it intentionally.” Caleb’s face turned serious.The air became tensed. We never discussed Mia in front of grandma.“Caleb, he is serving his punishment now, that’s matter to us. He will be a closed chapter for us forever.” I said.“Claire, what is going on between you and your grandfather?” Grandma asked me out of the blue and silence dawned in the air. I looked at Tristan. She was not in a condition to hear the bitter reality of my strained bond with grandpa.“Grandma, I think you should be
[ Tristan ]“Mr. Jones, I was quiet all this time because I was afraid that Claire would be broken because she respects you the most and I didn’t want her to suffer another stroke but my wife surprised me. We know why Grandma had a heart attack, she knows how low you can fall to satiate your greed.” I said bitterly.I came to pay him a visit during his Sunday church prayer which he doesn’t miss at the church. After the prayer, I confronted him and now, we’re sitting on a bench in the cemetery.“Our loved ones are resting here. It’s an irony, isn’t it? Your father and my son, both are buried in this place and we are sitting together despite knowing the fact that we don’t like each other very much.” He spoke, I could see strange calmness on his face.“Yes, my father was a man who used to forgive people, no matter how bad their sins were but I am not like him. I believe in punishing them who hurts me or my loved ones. Mr. Jones, you broke my wife’s trust. I don’t think she’d ever be able
[ Alicia ]Three years, it has been three years since I tied the knot with the love of my life. It was a simple court marriage first but I didn’t imagine that Caleb planned a real wedding for us when I got discharged from the hospital. It was again a private ceremony since I don’t like loudness and wastage of money but we did invite people close to us and the number of guests reached to two hundred.Life could be no better than this. Caleb is a dotted husband and father to Alex and our one year old twins; Clarissa and Aaron. When we became pregnant, our happiness had no bound, he treated me like a queen and my son was a step ahead of his father. They cried when they found out that I carrying twins.Clarissa is the apple of everyone’s eye. Her father and elder brother are super protective of her. Sometimes, I feel jealous of my own daughter as she wraps her father around her little finger.Today’s our third anniversary. Ryan Bale died due to liver decease. Mrs. Jones’ mental state wors
[ Alicia ]“What happened to Mrs. Jones?” I asked the siblings and the bitterness on their face told that it wasn’t a good news.“Caleb, I think you shoulder answer this because that woman’s mention is driving me nuts.” Claire said with disdain.Caleb pinched the bridge of his nose, he also looked displeased but my curiosity hiked up.“Why aren’t you both telling me anything? Trust me, I am fine.” I assured them, I thought they were worried for me.“She’s in mental asylum. The doctors found out that she was mentally disturbed and she needed urgent medical supervision. Leaving her with other people might be harmful for both her and others like she had done to you in the fit of her anger. She is becoming violent day by day.” Caleb answered my question and I was quiet for a moment.“She didn’t deserve all this but nothing is in our hands. I hope she recovers soon.” I said since I held no hard feelings for her.“Ali, you can’t be this kind, people will take advantage of your kindness. Som
[ Alicia ]I woke up with dull pain in my head and I found myself in the hospital, I expected it when I recalled how I landed here. Mrs. Jones wanted to kill me but I survived. The doctor came and examined me, they said that I am lucky to have a husband who never my side even for a second.My eyes were impatiently glued on the door. I was waiting for my loved ones to walk in. I couldn’t pay attention to what the nurse was saying to me and then, the door pushed open and walked inside my husband with our son. The gleam and relief on their tired faces were the proofs how much they suffered when I was out.“Hey, love.” Caleb said in a whisper.My heart raced when I heard his smooth voice though he sounded tired.“Hey, handsome.” I greeted him.“I’ll give you two space. Mr. Jones I hope you’re breathing normally now.” The nurse joked and walked out.“Mom, how are you?” Alex asked me, he wanted to jump out of his father’s grip but Caleb held him in place.“I am feeling recharged after seein
[ Caleb ] The night felt like the longest. I couldn’t blink my eyes for a second even though they were burning due to lack of sleep. I had this fear inside me if I sleep and she wakes up then I won’t be by her side and she couldn’t press the bell by herself. But finally, my eyes gave in around four in the morning. I slept on a sitting position beside her bed so she could call me if she wakes up.I was woken up by a gentle tap on my shoulder and I slowly opened my eyes, it was a nurse who gave me a polite smile. I looked at Alicia, she was still sleeping and now my heart began to sink, it has been fifteen hours since she’s unconscious.“Mr. Jones, please go and fresh up till I am here with your wife. The doctor will take a round in next thirty minutes, only he can speculate when your wife will gain her senses.” The nurse said as if she read my dilemma.I wasn’t in a mood to leave but the nurse was right, I couldn’t help either if I stay. I stood up and stretched my stiff muscles and r
[ Caleb ]Every passing minute felt like eternity to me as I waited outside the operating room. My Alicia was fighting for her life while doctors are doing their best to save her. I closed my eyes and prayed to the God to save my wife. She had suffered a lot in her life and when I promised her that I won’t let any pain touch her, my own mother tried to kill her just because she dared to love me.Never in my wildest dream I imagined my mother to take such deadly step. She followed my father and grandfather’s path. She tried killing an innocent for her so called perception about my wife.“Caleb, please have this or you’ll fall sick yourself.” Tristan’s voice forced me to look up at my friend. He was holding a cup of coffee and I shook my head in refusal.“I could save her, Tristan. You warned me, my house staff warned me about her violent behaviour but I didn’t confront her first and busied myself when she got the chance and hurt Alicia. My wife asked me to give her a chance and how she
[ Alicia ] The next day, we were ready to leave for our house. When Alex woke up in the morning, he came running into our room and jumped on us. He was over the moon after seeing us. We cuddled with him, I couldn’t get enough of him.“Mom, I missed you and Dad but I am a big boy. I did all my work.” Alex told me proudly, he was the only one who kept me occupied or else, my mind was going back to Mrs. Jones.Caleb was lost in his own thoughts. I gave him space since it was the hardest part for him. He had to deal with his own mother and probably he had to make a tough decision.“I know my big boy.” I pinched his nose and hugged him close to my heart.Soon we reached at our home, it gave me peace to look at the home we built. Caleb picked Alex from me and I stepped down. Our guards and house staff greeted us at the entrance, they looked relieved.“How are you all?” I asked them.“Trust us, Ma’am, we would have gone crazy if you didn’t come back today. Mrs. Jones is driving us crazy wit
[ Alicia ]I stirred in my sleep and immediately a smile stretched on my lips when I saw my husband sleeping like a baby on my chest, his soft breath was falling on my bare breasts, sending a ticklish sensation on my skin. I caressed his hairs and kissed his forehead, these seven days were the best days of my life. We explored almost every famous part of the country, currently we were in a hotel’s suite since we had an early morning flight back to our home.I left the cottage at the island with heavy heart because we made the most beautiful memories of our lives there. He made love to me in every corner of the cottage. He was serious when he said he’d have me whenever he wishes. He made love to me like a mad man.“Wake up, sleepy head. We have to head back home.” I slowly tried to wake him up.He stirred but didn’t wake up, “Please, two minutes, just stay like this.” He groaned and snuggled his head more into my chest and smiled on his childish act.“I won’t mind you having here with
[ Alicia ]Caleb’s hands slowly removed my robe off my body and his eyes darkened when his eyes landed on my body, his hands froze on my forearms.“Ali, what is this?” He asked me, his heavy voice was the proof that my appearance had an effect on him.“I though it’s your favourite colour.” I said and blushed, it was the lingerie that Claire forced me to buy. The maroon colour in lacy fabric, barely covering any body part was more appealing for the eyes of a man.“It is but I didn’t know I would love it the most on you.” His lips curved upward as he roamed his lust filled eyes on my body, scanning each part of my skin. I felt my cheeks heating up, his gaze was intense.“I’ll have the pleasure of fucking you with this lingerie on your body. You have no idea how much it has turned me on.” He said, his thick was said it all.He pulled me on his lap so we could sit on a straddling position, our cores were touching, I felt his growing bulge where I needed him the most.“Do you feel it, baby
[ Alicia ]“What are we doing here, Caleb? We can’t see the sea in the darkness.” I chuckled when mu husband asked me to join him for a short walk after we reached back at our cottage and changed.“I have something for you, love but first I want you to close your eyes.” He said.“Why have I a feeling that you want to give me a surprise?” I narrowed my eyes but I was excited from inside. Whatever he does for me, it’s always special, even the smaller gestures.“Yes, there’s a gift for you but it’s also a surprise, now stop asking and close your eyes.” He said and I closed my eyes because I couldn’t wait for my surprise.In a few moments, I felt something cold around my neck, metal exactly and I guessed it was a chain or necklace. He made me wear a necklace and then he kissed my neck. I touched it to feel the design.“You can open your eyes now, love.” He said and I slowly opened my eyes and looked at the piece of jewelry. My smile vanished and my jaws dropped in shock.“Cal…Caleb, how d