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Winning and losing at the same time
Last Updated:
2024-08-14 02:32:44Related chapters
Love Under Fire Fear? Maybe hope...
GloryI was waiting for him at our usual place, the hideaway hidden in the bushes behind the mansion. It was our sanctuary, a place where the world seemed to stop and only the two of us existed. The leaves swayed gently in the wind, whispering secrets that only lovers understood. I had spent the entire morning wrapped in anxiety, a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. I hadn't been able to talk to him, but the hope that Harald still felt something for me guided me here, as if that feeling were a magnetic force that I couldn't resist.The air was cool, and the sun's rays danced between the leaves, casting whimsical shadows on the ground. My heart was heavy, full of uncertainty and doubt. I was there, moved by a fragile hope that he would come to meet me. Every second felt like an eternity, and with every moment that passed, doubt grew, nestling at my side like an unwanted companion.When we spoke briefly in the bathroom at Harald and Candace's house, it was all so fleeting. The wo
Last Updated : 2024-08-14Love Under Fire Threats
HaraldMy father looked at us with a slight smile on his lips, clearly not suspecting the true meaning of our hug. "I just wanted to make sure you two were okay," he said, nodding as he walked over. "After what happened to Candace today, anyone would be shaken."Glory and I exchanged a quick look, taking the opportunity to follow his train of thought. "Yes, it was quite a scare," I said, trying to keep my voice as steady as possible. "It just took me by surprise, and Glory was kind enough to calm me down."Glory nodded, with a soft smile that masked the tension we both felt. "It was a complicated day for all of us," she added, maintaining an understanding tone.Charles, oblivious to our lie, seemed to accept the explanation easily. "Life is full of surprises, isn't it?" he said, before leaning back in the leather chair with a sigh. "Speaking of surprises, there's something else I'd like to discuss with you, Harald."Intrigued, I looked at him, feeling a tingle of worry on the back of
Last Updated : 2024-08-16Love Under Fire You won the battle
NancyFrom the small window of my captivity, I watched Candace and Harald get into the car. They laughed, exchanging knowing glances as if they were the very embodiment of sin. The sight filled me with a mix of revulsion and curiosity. So, those two were still together? Even after everything? I shook my head, trying to push away the thoughts that were gnawing at me from within. My mind was just searching for something to cling to—a minimal distraction to prevent me from sinking further into the depression that consumed me day after day. The smell of mold permeated the small, dark room where Bruce kept me locked up. The heavy air seemed to carry the weight of my anguish, making each breath an effort. Every minute in here was a torment, and every thought I had led me back to the horrific moments I was trying to forget or, at the very least, trying to survive.I wondered if anyone would notice if I disappeared for good. I didn’t know how many days had passed since Bruce brought me back
Last Updated : 2024-09-02Love Under Fire My secret plan
NancyThe next morning, the door to my confinement creaked open, and Bruce walked in. The same mischievous smile was plastered on his face, and I knew he believed he had finally broken me. He was convinced he had subdued me and that I was a defeated woman, ready to return to his feet."Good morning, Nancy," he said with a false sweetness that disgusted me. "Today is a new beginning for us."I simply nodded, keeping my eyes downcast, as if I were embarrassed. I knew he thrived on this submission and that it fed his twisted ego. Bruce, so arrogant, had no idea that the woman he thought he had tamed was merely waiting for the right moment to act."Come on," he ordered, extending his hand to me. "It's time to get out of here. You'll take a bath, get dressed, and maybe even eat something decent."I slowly got up, my body weak from days of confinement, and accepted his hand, allowing him to think I needed his help. As we walked through the mansion’s hallways, I smelled the familiar scents o
Last Updated : 2024-09-02Love Under Fire The pregnancy trick
CandaceA few months had passed since I discovered I was pregnant. I still vividly remembered the shock and, in some ways, disbelief when I saw the positive result. It changed everything—my life, my future, and my relationship with Harald. But what surprised me the most was the change within myself. I had never imagined myself as a mother; I had never been the type of woman who dreamed of children and family. And yet, here I was, anxious, touching my belly that was beginning to show, and feeling an emotion I had never experienced before.I wondered where this new Candace had been hiding inside me all this time. That cold, calculating woman, always in control, was suddenly revealing someone different—someone who wanted to care, love, and protect.I looked at myself in the mirror, running my hands over the smooth curve of my belly. “You’ve changed me,” I whispered, as if speaking to the baby. “You’ve changed everything.”My reflections were interrupted by the sound of the door opening.
Last Updated : 2024-09-02Love Under Fire Like a garbage
Glory I was lying in the hotel bed, checking the clock for the tenth time in just a few minutes. Every second that passed made my heart race faster. The walls, which once seemed cozy, now suffocate me with their silence. These secret escapades with Harald were the only moments when I felt alive, away from the pressures of the Morton mansion and Charles' critical gaze. But that afternoon, something was wrong. Harald had never been this late. I looked at my phone, hoping for a message or call explaining his absence. Nothing. The discomfort in my chest was growing, mixed with anger and disappointment. Maybe Candace had done something. She could easily have pretended to feel ill to keep him by her side. That wouldn’t be new. But why didn’t he call? Do I mean so little to him? Frustration hit me, but I quickly decided it wasn’t worth dwelling on. I threw my things into my bag and left the hotel, my mind already formulating a plan. I couldn't leave traces of my displeasure. Not only that
Last Updated : 2024-09-08Love Under Fire Necessary words
CandaceThat morning, as I sat at the breakfast table, I noticed that Harald seemed distracted. His eyes were fixed on the phone screen, and his fingers were typing quickly as if he were trying to resolve an urgent issue. My heart tightened a bit. He had always been so present with me lately, but now… Was he talking to Glory, that bitch?I tried to push the thought away, but insecurity overwhelmed me. The idea of Harald still meeting with Glory made me uneasy, even knowing that he was trying to be a good husband because of our baby. I needed to know what was going on."Who are you talking to?" I asked, trying to sound casual, but my voice faltered a little.Harald looked up, apparently surprised by the question. "I’m talking to my father," he replied, letting out a heavy sigh as he set his phone aside. Just hearing the word "father" made the tension radiate from him.I tried to decipher his expression, but his face was a mix of exhaustion and frustration. It wasn’t just the weight of
Last Updated : 2024-09-08Love Under Fire We just have to keep going
GloryThe afternoon dragged on, and time seemed to stretch into a suffocating eternity. I was in my room, seated in the armchair near the window, watching the garden outside. The colors of autumn were beginning to tint the leaves, and the cold wind whispered promises of change. But inside me, everything felt stagnant, frozen in a routine of expectations and disappointments.Since Nancy left, the house has become quieter, but not pleasantly. It was a heavy silence, pressing on my chest and keeping me constantly on edge, as if something was about to crumble. Charles, my husband, had been increasingly distant and irritable. Our conversations were monotonous, just the basics to keep up appearances. The only thing keeping me going was the hope of seeing Harald. But even he seemed more distant lately.Suddenly, a light knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I turned, feeling a spark of hope that it might be a message from Harald, but I was surprised to see Nancy. She entered the room
Last Updated : 2024-09-08
Latest chapter
Love Under Fire So, now we can say thank you, Las Vegas!
Nancy“Argh, don’t tighten it too much… You’re hurting my neck!” Peter was grumbling with a grimace as I straightened his tie.“Remain calm; just lift your chin; I’m almost done,” I told him, adjusting my collar. Today was my wedding day with Jake. I was already dressed as a bride and everything, and the ceremony would start in a few minutes. I was so nervous. Not only that, but I really hoped everything would go well.He grumbled in disgust. “Did you know that children shouldn’t be present at their parents’ weddings, Mom?” he said, making me frown.“What? Why do you think that?” I asked.“Because naturally, children are not born before their parents marry. It's not the natural order of things, let alone divorce and second marriages,” he said, being clear in his opinion, as he didn't want to accept my relationship with Jake.I sighed, smoothing his jacket after straightening his tie. “You're getting so big. You're even taller than me.” I smiled softly, and I stroked his black hair. “I
Love Under Fire Such a good friends
NancyMoments later, Jason and Jake were in the wine cellar, somewhere in the mansion, talking about wine and things like that. Laura and I were walking in the manicured gardens of their mansion, which were so beautiful and comforting.“Why aren’t they coming?” I asked after a while, looking behind me to see if her husband and my fiancé were coming to catch up with us, since they were just getting us some wine to drink and talk on the sofas that were there in the garden under a cozy porch."Oh my God! Jason must have stuck him with a long wine conversation,” Laura said with a long chuckle. “We received bottles of the first line from a friend of ours in Chicago, Carter,” she added.“Are you talking about Joshua Carter?” I asked because I knew that name and knew that he had a wine production company.“Yes, I am,” Laura nodded. “What a fortuity that you know him, too.”“Um, I actually met him because of Bruce,” I said. “The Mortons were an influential family, and from time to time Bruce
Love Under Fire How is life?
NancyJake and I traveled to New York to visit our friends who lived there, the couple Jason and Laura Davies, who, since the last time we had seen them, had evolved a lot in their relationship, that is, when I met them, they were still fighting and trying to see what they were going to do in their relationship because they also had issues to resolve. But I remembered Laura's words, when she told me at the time that her husband had hurt her heart, but that nothing he had done compared to what Bruce had done to me. So today it was very satisfying for me to be able to see the two of them together and happy after having solved all their problems. They had even had another set of twins, and they seemed so happy now that their eldest daughter was playing with the babies, running around exuding happiness and joy while Jake, I, and the couple were sitting on the mansion's porch, drinking wine and talking about everything that had happened. This couple had been very important in helping us
Love Under Fire I miss you so much...
Nancy "What? Give it back in kind and make him taste his own medicine? What are you suggesting, Lanie?” I asked, being a little dumbfounded. She and I were still at the dinner table, and she had just suggested that. She shrugged now. "Yes. Didn't your husband go to bed with someone else? Then you also go to bed with another man, and then you become equals,” she explained, making me gasp. “How can you suggest such a thing? Do you think I'm such a vulgar woman up to this point? Do you think me going to bed with another man will solve things for me?” I asked, shocked that she was suggesting such a deviant thing. “It probably won't solve anything, but it will make you feel a little better. What is it? Do you think Bruce deserves happiness after all these years he played with you?” She retorted. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going to smudge my body by getting involved with someone I don’t know just to get revenge on him,” I countered. Lanie laughed, waving her hand. “I don't see it
Love Under Fire One year after Lanie's death
Days were passing, and I thanked the heavens that everything was going so well, but today in particular, it was a year since Lanie, my dear friend, had died, and I was terribly sad remembering her.I remembered how she had done everything she could to cheer me up when I was at rock bottom after finding out who Bruce Morton really was.I remembered in detail what the season at her house had been like and how much she helped me, God in heaven...Nancy On that day, the ringing of my cell phone woke me up, and I felt my lamp, picked up the device, and saw that my daughter was calling me. “Hi, my love,” I said as soon as I answered, rubbing my face with my hand, still drowsy. “Hello, Mom? Haven’t you come home yet?” Amber asked on the other end of the line. "Um… Not yet, darling,” I replied a little fearfully. It had been two weeks since I was at my friend Lanie's house. "Um... Okay? When do you plan to return?” She asked in a somewhat petulant manner. I sighed. “To be honest, I
Love Under Fire How good it is to be normal
NancyThe last few weeks had been a whirlwind of emotions. After everything that happened with Candace, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off our shoulders. The scars of pain and struggle were still there, but the feeling of relief was in the air. It was a new beginning for all of us. Like a good mother, I tried my best to care for Candace, and now, seeing her at home, taking a deep breath and starting to rebuild her life, my heart is filled with hope.It was on a mild morning that we realized that life was returning to normal. Amber's laughter echoed through the house as she tried to decide what to wear for a date. I watched her from the kitchen, where she was preparing a simple but nutritious breakfast. The smell of toasting bread mixed with the aroma of fresh coffee, creating a welcoming atmosphere.“Amber, do you need help?” I asked, trying to hide my smile at seeing her so excited and nervous at the same time.“No, mom, I can do it!” she replied, a little louder than usua
Love Under Fire It's a beautiful girl
CandaceThe joy I felt holding my daughter in my arms was indescribable. After hours of pain and struggle, the little one was finally here, and I couldn't stop smiling. It was a girl. The doctor had shown me quickly, and I couldn't believe that this little creature, so perfect, was my daughter. I felt a wave of love that I had never experienced before, and that feeling enveloped me like a warm blanket on a cold day. I looked at her face, so small and vulnerable, and wondered what the future held for us.Jake and Harald were in the room, both overjoyed with the news. The energy was contagious, and the happiness in the atmosphere was palpable, like happy music that filled every space. The smell of disinfectant mixed with the light scent of flowers someone had brought, creating an atmosphere of celebration and hope."Look, Candace, you did an amazing job!" Jake said it with a wide smile that lit up his face. He seemed genuinely touched, and I could feel that he was genuinely happy for me
Love Under Fire Time heals everything
NancyThe morning seemed perfect, the kind of day I always imagined as a normal family, without constant tension or fears. Recent times had been full of challenges, losses and changes, but being there, in Jake's house, surrounded by the people he loved most, brought a feeling of completeness. Everything felt a little lighter. Of course, there were still traces of the past that occasionally appeared in our conversations and gestures, but something had changed within me, and perhaps even within my children.That day, we decided to have a family lunch. Me, Amber, Peter, Jake, Harald, Ivor and Candace, all gathered at a table for the first time, without formalities and without protocols. I wasn't sure what to expect from this meeting, especially with Harald there, a presence that, some time ago, would perhaps have been unthinkable in such an intimate environment. But, little by little, everyone had found a way to live together, with the wounds still healing, but now ready for a new phase.
Love Under Fire We'll be fine
NancyThe next morning, very early, before the sun even fully illuminated the house, I was already awake, organizing my thoughts. I knew I needed to talk to Amber and Peter, just the three of us, without Jake around. This moment was very important, and I wanted them to feel comfortable saying what they really thought, without fear. I knew this conversation was necessary, as there was a lot at stake. Jake was part of this new life I wanted to build, but most of all, my children needed to feel part of it.I took a deep breath before entering their room. Amber was already stretching, her eyes still sleepy, but she noticed my presence and smiled. Peter, still sleeping soundly, had a serene face, something rare to see. I approached him gently, touching his shoulder lightly. “Peter, honey, are we going to wake up? I need to talk to you and Amber. Just the three of us, without Jake.”He opened his eyes slowly, still confused from sleep, but nodded. Amber looked at me with a mix of curiosity
