[ 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
[ 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
[ Claire ]Walking in the middle of nowhere, my body drenched in the rainfall and shivering with cold, I had no place to go. My tears also dried up after crying for hours. What sin have I committed to bear such harsh punishment? I sat down under a shed, wrapping my arms around my torso. I bit my lips to supress the teeth clattering. It was freezing cold. My family didn’t have the decency to let me collect my belongings.I was tired of living this life for last twenty-foursix years but I couldn’t gather my courage to end my life.I thought about calling my grandparents but dropped the idea since they live in countryside, enjoying their last days. They’d be hurt if they learn about what my family did to me. I couldn’t be a burden for them. Besides, I didn’t have any money or my phone.Suddenly, I heard roaring of a car in a deserted lane and it stopped here not even a creature could be seen. My heartbeats accelerated in fear since I was all alone. The flash of the headlight blinded my e
[ Claire ]The warm temperature in the luxurious living room of Tristan Pierce comforted my body. I could feel my pulse. The awkward silence between us could be sensed in the thick air.I had a homely feeling wrapping me in its warmth in a complete stranger's house whom I trusted and accompanied him here.“Here, have this, it’ll help to normal your body temperature, Miss Jones.” He offered me some brandy which I took and gulped with an incoherent ‘thanks’.He sat across me with crossed legs and his hands rested on arms of his single sofa. I tried my best to avoid looking at him.“Are you feeling better now?” He asked after a few moments of excruciating silence.“Yes. We can talk now.” I said gaining some confidence.“Great, I can tell that you’re a smart woman, Claire.” He said addressing me by my first name for the very first time and I hate to admit that it sounded so good, strange.“What is the use of this smartness when I can’t fight for my rights, Mr. Pierce. I allowed them to ri