"Your time is almost up, Jack. $20 million, or the truth comes out. You have until midnight."“Jack…” Karen’s voice was barely a whisper, trembling with disbelief. “What is this? Who’s blackmailing you?”Jack slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden halt at the side of the road. The tires screeched, and my heart lurched in my chest. “Karen, give me the phone,” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.“No.” Karen held the phone tightly, her eyes blazing with anger now. “You’re being blackmailed for twenty million dollars? What truth are they threatening to expose?”“This isn’t the place,” Jack snapped, his voice taut with frustration. “We’ll talk about it when we get home.”“No!” Karen’s voice rose, her anger boiling over. “We’ll talk about it now, Jack. What are you hiding? What truth could possibly be worth twenty million dollars?”I shrank back in my seat, my heart pounding as I watched the scene unfold. Jack’s face was a mask of barely contained fury, and Karen’s determ
Inside the house, the tension was suffocating. Karen stormed upstairs without another word, her heels echoing on the wooden staircase. Jack lingered in the living room, his phone clutched in his hand. His shoulders slumped as though the weight of his secrets had finally become unbearable. I stood by the door, unsure whether to follow my mother or seize the opportunity and talk to Jack. My thoughts were spinning, but one thing was clear—this was spiraling out of control.Jack turned toward me, his face a mix of exhaustion and frustration. “Sophia, we need to talk.”The words sent a jolt through me. Slowly, I nodded, and he motioned for me to follow him into his study.The room was dimly lit, the faint smell of leather and cigar smoke clinging to the air. Jack closed the door behind us and sat heavily in the chair behind his desk. He gestured for me to sit across from him, but I remained standing, my arms crossed defensively.“What's the 20 million dollars about?” I asked, my voice sha
The air in my room felt suffocating, my mother's confession still hanging thick between us. Her revelation stirred a storm of emotions—shock, confusion, and the tiniest glimmer of guilt. She was questioning her choice to stay with Jack, and all I could think about was how precarious our lives were, balanced on the edge of lies and hidden truths.Karen’s gaze softened as she studied me. “Sophia, I didn’t mean to overwhelm you with all of this tonight. I just... I didn’t want to keep you in the dark anymore.”I nodded faintly, though her words barely registered. My mind was already spinning with the implications of what she’d said. If she was doubting her commitment to Jack, it could mean an escape for both of us. Jack would no longer have to deal with the blackmail, and I could—what? Come clean? Start fresh? And possibly, with Jack by my side.The thought sent a chill down my spine. It wasn’t that simple.Karen reached out, her hand brushing against mine. “I just want us to be okay, So
I retreated to my room, the weight of my mother’s words pressing down on me like a suffocating fog. Her anger was justified, her pain palpable. I wanted to undo everything, to take back the confession that had shattered her world, but it was too late.The house was so quiet, every sound seemed amplified—the creak of the floorboards, the tick of the clock, the low hum of the refrigerator. It was suffocating.I sat on my bed, staring at my phone. Then I decided to call Jack. The secret we’d kept for so long was no longer just ours.My hands trembled as I dialed his number, he was just doors away but I couldn't face him to tell him what I had done.“Jack,” I whispered, my voice shaky as soon as he picked.“Sophia,” he said, his tone laced with tension. “What’s wrong?”“I told her,” I admitted, my throat tightening.There was a pause, and then, “You what?”“I told my mother everything,” I said, my voice breaking. “About us. About the baby. She knows, Jack.”I heard him inhale sharply, fol
Jack’s face hardened, and he took a step toward her, but Karen held her ground. “This isn’t just about you, Jack. You don’t get to ruin our family, and then sit there and act like it’s all just going to blow over. You have no idea what this has done to Sophia—what this is doing to me.”“I didn’t mean for it to get this far,” Jack muttered, his voice quieter now, though there was no apology in it.Karen shook her head, her heart racing with the pain of it all. “You never meant for it to get this far, Jack. You had an affair with my own daughter, under my very nose and you're acting like you had no choice. But you had choices. You always had choices.”Jack’s jaw tightened as he looked at her. “I didn’t ask for this. But I didn’t want to lose you. I didn’t want to lose Sophia. And now I don’t know what to do.”“Well, you don’t have to worry about that anymore,” Karen snapped, stepping back, her hand pressed to her forehead as she tried to hold back tears. “I don’t know who you are anymor
I sat nervously at the edge of the couch in the living room, my hands trembling as I waited for my mother to join me. I had pleaded with her to have a word. All through last night I couldn't sleep, I couldn't bear the fact that my mother was hurting because of me and my selfish actions.The air was thick with tension, and as the door to the living room creeked opened, my heart jumped. When Karen finally walked in, her presence was as commanding as ever—poised, but her eyes sharp and unreadable.Karen’s gaze swept over me, lingering for a second too long before she sat across from me. “What is this about, Sophia?” she asked coolly, folding her hands akimbo.I swallowed hard, suddenly unsure of how to begin. “Mom... I wanted to talk about everything. About the baby. About us.”Karen’s lips thinned, but she didn’t interrupt.“I’ve been thinking,” I began, my voice faltering. “I’ve been thinking about what you said, about how I’ve hurt you, how I’ve destroyed everything.” I hesitated, wa
Jack guided me to the couch, his arm still loosely wrapped around my shoulders. The weight of the world felt lighter in his presence, even if only for a little while.“I told her, Jack,” I said softly, breaking the silence. “About my feelings for you. About us... and now she’s demanding I keep the baby and do whatever she says.”He let out a low, frustrated sigh. “Karen doesn’t forgive easily. She’s definitely up to something.”I nodded, tears welling up again. “I don’t know what to do. I agreed to her terms because I just wanted her to stop looking at me like I’m a stranger, like I ruined everything.”Jack leaned back, running a hand over his face. “Sophia, you didn’t ruin everything. I—” He stopped, his jaw tightening. “I should’ve stopped this before it got to this point. You’re in the middle of a storm I helped create.”I reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly. “Don’t do that. We’re in this together. I don’t regret the baby or what we had, Jack, no matter how complicated thing
The dim light of the bedroom cast shadows on the walls, and the world outside seemed to fade away as Jack gently set me down on the bed. His touch was tender, his gaze unwavering as if he were memorizing every detail of this moment.“Sophia...” he whispered again, his voice a mixture of longing and restraint.I reached for him, pulling him closer, silencing his hesitation with another kiss. The intensity grew, and for a while, everything else ceased to exist—no secrets, no lies, no guilt. Just us.My breath hissed in wonder at the sensation of him inside me, it has been a while since we were together like this. It had been a very long time since i'd been on top, and I liked it. I rocjed my hips down over his cock, and got rewarded by a low grunt from Jack. Encouraged, I swirled my hips over his in circular motions that reminded me how big he was, how well he filled me, how good he felt inside me. My hands moved to his chest, teasing his nipples as I rocked gently atop him."Touch me,
The wedding reception was nothing short of magical.The grand ballroom sparkled under the glow of golden chandeliers, casting a warm, romantic ambiance. Tables were adorned with elegant floral centerpieces, soft candlelight flickering between the crystal glasses and silverware. The scent of fresh roses and vanilla from the wedding cake lingered in the air, blending with the laughter and music.Jack and I sat at the beautifully decorated sweetheart table, watching as our guests mingled, sipped champagne, and danced to the soft jazz melody filling the room. The energy was electric, a perfect blend of sophistication and celebration.“I still can’t believe we’re finally married,” I whispered to Jack, squeezing his hand.He turned to me, his blue eyes filled with warmth. “Believe it my darling wife.”A rush of happiness coursed through me. “I love the sound of that.”Jack chuckled. “Get used to it.”We had just finished our first dance as husband and wife, and everything felt like a dream.
The wedding hall was a vision of elegance—golden chandeliers casting a warm glow, ivory drapes flowing like soft clouds, and the scent of fresh roses and peonies filling the air. Guests were already seated, their murmurs blending with the soft melody of a string quartet playing in the background.I walked through the corridors, my wedding gown trailing behind me, the intricate lace shimmering under the warm lights. Every step I took felt heavier than the last, not because of hesitation, but because of the weight of the moment.This was it.The moment I had dreamed of since I was a little girl.The moment I had planned for months, agonizing over every detail—the flowers, the venue, the dress, the guest list. And yet, it wasn’t the aesthetics that made this moment important. It was the man waiting for me at the altar. Jack.My mother held my hand gently as we reached the bridal suite. “Are you okay?” she asked, her gaze searching mine.I swallowed, nodding. “I’m fine.”But my voice wave
The garden terrace was tucked away behind the grand wedding venue, a quiet, secluded spot where guests would later mingle during cocktail hour. The scent of jasmine and fresh roses lingered in the air, the soft rustling of leaves the only sound as I stepped onto the stone pathway.Alex was already there.Dressed in a sharp suit, his dark hair still styled the way I remembered, he turned at the sound of my footsteps. His gaze swept over me, and for a moment, there was something unreadable in his eyes.“You came,” he said.I folded my hands in front of me, keeping my voice steady. “What do you want, Alex?”He let out a slow breath. “I needed to see you. Before you marry him.”Anger flared in my chest. “You’ve had months to see me. You waited until my wedding day?”His jaw tightened. “I know. And maybe I don’t deserve this moment. But I had to try.”“Try what, exactly?”His eyes darkened. “To tell you I still love you.”Silence crashed between us.I clenched my fists. “You don’t get to s
The wedding was just two days away, and every second felt like a blur of last-minute preparations. The venue was set, the guests had confirmed their attendance, and my dress was finally hanging in my room, ready for the big day.Yet, despite all the excitement, an undercurrent of nerves buzzed beneath my skin.I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My heart pounded against my ribs, a mix of anticipation and anxiety.Karen, always attuned to my moods, plopped down beside me. “Alright, spill. What’s going on in that overthinking brain of yours?”I hesitated before sighing. “It just feels surreal, you know? After everything that’s happened, I can’t believe I’m actually getting my happily ever after.”Karen softened, squeezing my hand. “You deserve this, Sophie. Jack loves you. And after all the hell Rachel put you through, this wedding is your fresh start.”I nodded, exhaling slowly. “I know. I just—I want it to go perfectly.”She grinned. “Trust me, it will
Rachel groaned as the officers restrained her, pressing her wounded shoulder against the cold concrete. Her eyes burned with hatred as she glared up at me. "This isn't over," she spat, her voice shaking. "You think you’ve won? You haven’t. I’ll—"Jack stepped forward, his face an unreadable mask of fury. "You're done, Rachel," he said coldly. "You kidnapped Sophie, held her hostage, and threatened her life. You’re not getting out of this."Rachel’s lips trembled, her breathing uneven. "Jack, I—""Save it," Jefferson cut in, his voice as sharp as a blade. He nodded toward the officers. "Get her out of here."The police yanked Rachel to her feet, dragging her toward the exit. As she passed me, she leaned in, her voice a venomous whisper. "Enjoy this while it lasts, Sophie. Because sooner or later, your perfect little world will come crashing down."I didn’t flinch. I simply held her gaze, unshaken. "Goodbye, Rachel."And with that, they took her away.---Outside the warehouse, the cold
I forced myself to stay calm, pushing past the terror threatening to consume me. Rachel had lost everything—her pride, her so-called love, her future. That made her dangerous.But I refused to let her win.I flexed my wrists again, twisting my fingers in slow, careful movements against the rough rope. Every second counted. Every movement had to be precise.The man who had taunted me walked away, leaving me under the watch of another. He was younger, hesitant, his grip on his gun less confident than the others.A weakness.Rachel turned back to me, her arms crossed as she smirked. "You know, Sophie, I thought about just killing you and being done with it."A shiver ran down my spine, but I didn’t let my fear show."But then," Rachel continued, pacing in front of me, "I realized something. Killing you would be too easy. Too quick." She leaned down, her face inches from mine. "I want you to suffer first. I want you to know what it feels like to lose everything."I glared at her, refusing
My knees nearly buckled beneath me. I stared at Rachel, my mind struggling to process the sight before me. The girl who once shared my secrets, my laughter, my life—now stood before me as my captor, her arms crossed with a cruel smirk playing on her lips.“Surprised?” she taunted, tilting her head slightly. “You shouldn’t be. You had to know I wasn’t going to just sit back and watch you get everything you ever wanted.”My mouth went dry. “Rachel…” My voice came out barely above a whisper, filled with disbelief and betrayal. “Why?”Her smirk widened. “Oh, Sophie… Do you really need me to spell it out for you?” She took a slow, deliberate step toward me. “Jack was supposed to be mine. Your mother promised me, but you stole him from me.”I recoiled as if she had struck me. “That’s not true! You two were never together! Jack never loved you!”Rachel’s face twisted with rage. “That’s what you tell yourself, isn’t it?” she sneered. “Well, a deal is a deal.” Her nostrils flared as she clench
The SUV sped through the streets, the city lights blurring past the tinted windows. My heart pounded so hard it hurt, my breaths coming in sharp, uneven gasps as panic clawed at my chest.I was kidnapped, just like in my dream. But this was worse on all levels.First it wasn't a dream this time, and my captors were more mean looking. Lastly, I had no idea who could have sent them.The realization sent a fresh wave of terror through me. My mind raced with questions—Who were these men? Where were they taking me? Why me? But I knew one thing for sure: I couldn’t let them take me without a fight.I twisted in my seat, trying to lunge toward the door, but the grip on my arm tightened painfully.“Try anything, and I’ll put a bullet in you,” the man beside me warned, his voice low and menacing.I froze, my breath hitching. His gloved hand tightened around a sleek black pistol, the barrel glinting under the dim overhead light. My body stiffened in fear.I had to think. I had to find a way out
The weeks following our engagement were nothing short of magical. My heart swelled with happiness as Jack and I began planning our future together. Every morning, I woke up feeling grateful—grateful for my daughter, for my mended relationship with my mother, and for the love I shared with Jack.With our wedding date set, the excitement in the air was almost tangible. There was so much to do—venue selection, guest lists, cake tastings, floral arrangements—but the part I had been looking forward to the most was wedding dress shopping.And today, it was finally happening.With my baby left in the care of her trusted nanny, I set out for a day of wedding dress shopping with my mother. It felt surreal, especially considering how strained our relationship had once been. But now, things were different. We were healing, and today felt like another step toward solidifying our bond.As we arrived at the upscale bridal boutique, my mother reached for my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Are you