—HADES “Hurry up” I seethe, my breath raspy and my patience thin as Alison secures the straps on her heels.“I’m almost done,” she says breathlessly. “You know you could always help me” she complains as she straightens her body and glares at me.“You did it all by yourself, now didn’t you?” I retort and she rolls her eyes."You're cruel," she hisses, her voice venomous. It's not the first time she's said it, and I know it won't be the last. "I know," I reply, shrugging it off. She huffs and starts to walk away, but I catch her arm and stop her. "Don't give me attitude, everyone's linking arms. We can't be the exception." She spins back around, her eyes flashing. "I'm giving you attitude?" she slams, her voice rising. "You're the one giving me attitude! You're always so cold and distant, and now you're trying to pretend like we're some kind of happy couple?"“Well, deal with it! I won’t be the pointed one here tonight. Do you think I want to be here?” I seethe. “I’d rather be any
—HADES As the dinner party reaches its midpoint, the atmosphere is electric, with every guest mingling and laughing, passing cocktails, and engaging in effortless conversation, just as they do every year. The room is filled with the clinking of glasses, the murmur of voices, and the occasional burst of laughter. I try to focus my mind, to corral my thoughts into a single, simple thread, but it's proving to be a challenge. My attention keeps drifting, pulled in different directions by the various conversations and interactions unfolding around me. I force myself to take a deep breath, to calm my racing thoughts and concentrate on the present moment, I don’t want to look at her. I can’t.But my mind is a jumble of emotions, worries, and distractions, making it difficult to achieve any semblance of mental clarity. I feel like I'm stuck in a whirlwind, struggling to find my footing amidst the chaos.I’ve lost my appetite and can only drink.I notice Alison’s eyes and me and turn to
—HADES contd. Now that the party has transitioned into mingling mode, I figure it's the perfect opportunity to break the ice with Jasmine. What's the harm in saying hello, right? It's a simple, friendly gesture that can help ease any tension and potentially lead to some enjoyable conversation. I take a deep breath, gather my courage, and make my way through the crowd towards her. As I approach, I notice she's not looking at me anymore but is now engaged in a conversation with a small group of people, but she catches my eye and flashes a warm smile. Shit. I didn’t expect that smile. She looks so good. And suddenly red is starting to become my favorite color. I didn’t know one could wear it so well. As I draw near to Jasmine, my body undergoes a sudden and intense transformation. My heart rate accelerates, and my blood surges through my veins like liquid fire, as if fueled by a primal urge. My wolf, normally a dormant entity, awakens with a ferocity that catches
—JASMINE Hades doesn't look his best, a rare sight to behold. Despite being impeccably dressed in a billion-dollar gray suit that perfectly complements his tanned skin and dark hair, he is carrying an air of fatigue. His beautiful eyes, normally bright and piercing, appear tired and sunken, with dark circles etched beneath them. His smile, usually a dazzling display of charm and confidence, now looks forced and unconvincing, a faint, weary curve of his lips that doesn't quite reach his eyes. The overall effect is one of subdued elegance, like a sense of a man who's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.What’s going on with him?I shouldn’t care but my curiosity is taking a toll on me.But I need to remember where I stand.Before cutting ties with him, Hades and Alison had remembered me as someone who lost her memory, and I have to continue to maintain that facade. My past, my identity, and my memories are all a jumbled mess, and I have to keep it that way. The
—JASMINE“Alison, You look tired,” I say.“Don’t change the subject. You have kids? For who? When? How?” She is relentless with her questions and I just want to shove her purse in her mouth.She’s worse than an FBI"Alison, me? A mother?" I scoff, trying to sound incredulous as if the idea is absurd. Her eyes fall, her gaze drifting down to my chest, then my stomach, before returning to my face. She shrugs, already sounding defeated, her voice laced with a hint of resignation. "Well, you look healthier, I'll give you that," she says, her tone dripping with skepticism. "But not like a mother, for sure." She adds, her eyes narrowing slightly as if searching for something in my expression, a hint of the truth perhaps. Her words are a subtle dig, a reminder that I don't quite fit the mold of a mother, my denial and body aren’t giving it away.I'm so grateful to Denzel for arranging for his team to help me get my body back in shape after giving birth. It's been a game-changer, both p
—JASMINEI look down at Hades, my gaze drawn to the way his fingers are still wrapped around my wrist, his grip firm yet gentle. It's as if he's hesitant to let me go, even as his eyes follow mine, tracing the path of my gaze. And then, suddenly, he seems to snap out of his trance-like state, becoming conscious of his hold on me. His fingers release their grasp, and he takes a step back, his face etched with apology. "I'm sorry," he says, his deep voice laced with regret, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions. I take a step back too, my eyes darting around the dimly lit space, ensuring we're not being watched. The last thing I need is for someone to misinterpret this situation and tarnish my reputation. I glance sideways, my mind racing with the potential consequences of being seen with Hades in such a compromising position. The shadows cast by the faint light seem to grow longer as if they're trying to snuff out any remaining secrets. "What's going on?" I ask, my voice bare
—JASMINEI look away from Hades and take a seat in front of Denzel, trying to process the unexpected turn of events. "Denzel," I call softly, my voice laced with a mix of confusion and trepidation. He immediately starts talking, as if he's been waiting for this moment. "It's not a proposal, Jasmine. You becoming my wife is more like a partnership between us. We will help each other grow. Not because we have feelings for each other." I shake my head, my mind reeling with the implications. I've just walked out of a crappy, loveless marriage, and I'm never going to put myself in that situation again. The thought of entering into another loveless partnership, no matter how practical or beneficial, is unthinkable. "I don't know, Denzel," I say, my voice firm but hesitant. “You do,” He says. “We get married, continue the way we are. What’s the difference?”“It’s eerily the same thing I agree. But it’s not possible” I state.“It’s not?” He says.“Well, I decline and I’m sorry” I lay
—HADES.Did I just hear correctly?I am sure I just did.As I watch Jasmine and Denzel leave the party, the realization hits me like a ton of bricks. Jasmine never lost her memory. She only pretended to. The truth slaps me in the face, and I feel like a fool for not seeing it sooner. Alison had even suggested it, but I dismissed it as mere speculation. Now, it all makes sense - the way Jasmine seemed to recall certain details, the way she navigated the situation with ease. She's been playing us all along. I feel a mix of emotions: shock, anger, and embarrassment. How could I have been so blind? I think back to all the times I doubted Alison's instincts, all the times I defended Jasmine's supposed innocence. I've been a fool, and it's a hard pill to swallow. The memories come flooding back, and I'm transported to a time when I'd lost Jasmine forever. I believed that along with her memories gone, she'd also forgotten about me, about us, and our bond. The pain and despair were