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Twenty-Three
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2024-08-30 11:30:52We walked into his office, the tension between us almost suffocating. As soon as the door closed behind us, I turned to face him, ready to confront the truth.
“What’s happening between us, Jack?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “What are we doing?” He didn’t answer right away, his gaze fixed on the floor. When he finally looked up, there was a sadness in his eyes that I hadn’t seen before. “I don’t know, Sophia,” he admitted, his voice raw. “I don’t know what this is, but it’s tearing me apart.” “Me too,” I whispered, feeling the tears welling up in my eyes. “I can’t keep pretending that everything’s okay, because it’s not. And now… now it’s affecting my mom, Jack. She thinks she’s losing you.” Jack winced, the pain in his expression cutting me to the core. “I never wanted to hurt her. Or you. But I can’t keep going on like this, Sophia. It’s driving me insane.” “Then what do we do?” I asked, my voice cracking. “Because
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The days following that painful conversation with Jack were a blur for me. I went through the motion of my daily life , but everything felt muted, the weight of Jack's decision hung heavy on me. Each day, i tried to push through hoping that time would dull the ache in my chest.At School, I kept my head down avoiding unnecessary interactions with my classmates. I sat in the back of the classroom, my head resting in my hand as I stared blankly at the notes in front of me. The words on the page blurred together, my mind far too distracted to focus on the lesson. I felt numb, like I was moving through the day in a fog, I wasn't sure how long i could keep up the facade.As the bell rang, signaling the end of class, I slowly began packing up my things, my movements mechanical. I didn’t notice Rachel approaching me until I heard her voice."Sophia? You okay?" Rachel’s tone was gentle, filled with concern.I glanced up, startled by the at
Last Updated : 2024-08-31One Careless Night Twenty-Five
Finally, Jack’s eyes flicked up, and he noticed me standing there. His expression shifted from relaxed to tense in an instant, and he pulled his arm away from my mother as if he’d been caught doing something wrong. My mother followed his gaze and turned to look at me, a warm smile on her face.“Hey, sweetheart,” she said, her voice bright. “How was school?”I forced a smile, trying to ignore the tightness in my chest. “It was fine,” I replied, my voice sounding hollow even to my own ears.Jack’s eyes lingered on me for a moment, his expression unreadable. I couldn’t tell if he felt guilty, sad, or something else entirely, but I couldn’t bear to look at him for too long. I quickly shifted my gaze to my mother, focusing on her instead.“I’m just going to head up to my room,” I said, already turning to leave before they could respond.“Oh, okay,” my mother said, a hint of concern in her voice. “If you need anything, just let us know.”“Thanks,”
Last Updated : 2024-09-01One Careless Night Twenty - Six
Rachel couldn’t shake the thoughts of Sophia’s confession from her mind. The more she mulled it over, the more determined she became to take action. She cared for Sophia, but she also couldn’t ignore the feelings she had been harboring for Alex. It wasn’t just about the secret anymore; it was about what she wanted too. That afternoon, Rachel made a decision. She grabbed her keys and headed over to Alex’s place, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn’t call ahead—this was something that needed to be done in person, without giving him the chance to brush her off. When she arrived at Alex’s door, she took a deep breath before knocking. The door opened a moment later, and Alex’s surprised face appeared. “Rachel?” he said, eyebrows raised. “What are you doing here?” “Hey, Alex,” she replied, offering him a tentative smile. “I hope you don’t mind me dropping by unannounced. I just… I needed to talk to you.” Alex frowned slightly, but he stepped aside to let her in. “Sure, come in.
Last Updated : 2024-09-04One Careless Night Twenty-Seven
Alex's eyes searched Rachel's face, his expression a mix of surprise, confusion, and desire. He seemed to be struggling with his emotions, unsure of how to process what was happening. Rachel's heart pounded as she waited for his response, her mind racing with possibilities. She could feel the tension between them building, the air thick with unspoken words.Finally, Alex spoke, his voice low and husky. "Rachel, I...I don't know what to say."Rachel's lips curled into a gentle smile, encouraging him to open up. "You don't have to say anything, Alex. Just kiss me again." Alex's eyes locked onto hers, and he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, gentle kiss. Rachel's heart soared as she felt his hesitation melt away, replaced by a growing passion.As they deepened the kiss, Rachel knew she had made the right decision. She was ready to take a chance on Alex, to see where this newfound connection might lead. But as they pulled apart, gasping for air, Rachel's thoughts turned
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The next day, I decided to distract myself the best way I knew how—spending time with Alex. We had been planning to go shopping together for a while now, and it felt like the perfect opportunity to clear my mind, or at least try to.As we walked through the mall, surrounded by the bustle of people, I did my best to focus on Alex. He was his usual sweet, thoughtful self, pointing out stores he thought I’d like and cracking jokes to keep the mood light.But no matter how hard I tried to focus on him, I couldn’t shake the thoughts of Jack from my mind. It was like he had taken up permanent residence in my head, lingering in every quiet moment, every lapse in conversation. Every time Alex smiled at me or reached for my hand, a pang of guilt twisted in my stomach.“Sophie, you okay?” Alex asked, pulling me out of my thoughts as we stood in front of a clothing store. He looked at me with a gentle smile, though I could see the concern in h
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As we finished our coffee and got up to leave the café, I found myself glancing at my phone, half-expecting a message from Jack even though I knew it wouldn’t come. I shook my head, frustrated with myself for even thinking about him. I was here with Alex, a guy who genuinely cared about me, and yet my mind kept wandering back to the man I knew I couldn’t have.The rest of the day passed in a haze, with Alex doing his best to keep me engaged, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t fully be present. Jack’s absence was like a shadow, following me everywhere I went, and I didn’t know how to make it disappear.By the time we headed back home, I was exhausted—not just physically, but emotionally. I had spent the entire day trying to forget about Jack, trying to focus on Alex, but in the end, I was left feeling more conflicted than ever. The feelings I had for Jack weren’t going away, no matter how much I tried to push them aside, and I didn’t know what to do.As A
Last Updated : 2024-09-16One Careless Night Thirty
The next day started like any other, though the tension between me and Jack hung in the air like a dark cloud. I had spent most of the morning trying to avoid him, retreating to my room and drowning myself in schoolwork, but as lunchtime rolled around, I knew I couldn’t hide forever. I had skipped breakfast, but i was hungry now and i needed to eat.As I made my way downstairs, I heard my mother and Jack in the kitchen, their voices light and carefree. I couldn’t help but eavesdrop, curiosity and dread mixing in my chest.“I think it’ll be good for us,” I heard Jack say, his tone soft but full of enthusiasm.“Definitely,” my mother replied. “We need this time together, just the two of us.”I paused just outside the kitchen door, my heart sinking. What were they talking about? Slowly, I stepped inside, pretending I hadn’t been listening.“Hey, honey!” my mother greeted me with a
Last Updated : 2024-09-17One Careless Night Thirty-One
As I lay there, tears streaming down my face, I felt like I was drowning in my own emotions. I couldn't bear the thought of Jack and my mother together, couldn't stand the idea of him touching her, loving her. It was like a knife twisting in my heart, a constant reminder of what I could never have.I knew I had to get out of there, had to escape the toxic emotions that were suffocating me. I threw off the covers and stumbled out of my room, desperate for fresh air.As I walked out of the house, I felt a sense of freedom, of release. I didn't know where I was going, didn't care. I just needed to get away.I walked for hours, lost in my thoughts, trying to make sense of the chaos inside me. But the more I walked, the more confused I became.Eventually, I found myself at Alex's doorstep, unsure of how I got there or why I was there. But as he opened the door, concern etched on his face, I knew I needed him."Hey," he said softly, pulling me into a hug
Last Updated : 2024-09-18
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One Careless Night Eighty - Two
Silence.Then, barely above a whisper, “Is it him?”I frowned. “What?”“Alex,” Jack said, his voice laced with something dark. “Is that where you are? With him?”I hesitated, and that was answer enough. Jack let out a humorless laugh. “Wow. You didn’t waste any time, did you?”I clenched my jaw. “Don’t you dare turn this on me.”“I just find it interesting,” he said, bitterness creeping into his tone. “You walk out of our wedding and go straight to another man? Tell me, Sophia, was he the backup plan?”Anger surged through me, white-hot and burning. “You don’t get to be jealous, Jack. You don’t get to question me after what you did.”He exhaled harshly. “I didn't… I don’t want this to be the end.”I closed my eyes, trying to keep my emotions from spiraling. “It was already over the moment you betrayed me.”Another silence. This one longer, heavier.Finally, Jack spoke again, quieter this time. “Do you love him?”I sucked in a breath, caught off guard by the question.Did I?I didn’t k
One Careless Night Eighty - One
The drive to Alex’s house was silent, the air thick with emotions I wasn’t ready to unpack. I kept my gaze on the road ahead, my wedding dress crumpled around me like a reminder of everything I had left behind. The enormity of what I had just done was settling in, pressing against my chest, but I refused to break down. Not yet.Alex didn't try to force conversation. He simply drove, his grip firm on the wheel, his presence steady beside me. I was grateful for that.By the time we pulled into his driveway, I heave a sigh of relief, soon I would be able to pull off my wedding gown. The weight of it, a constant reminder of the faliure of my wedding.He cut the engine and turned to me. “We’re here.”I nodded, but I didn’t move. My fingers tightened around the fabric of my dress as a wave of exhaustion washed over me.Alex sighed, then got out of the car and walked around to my side. He opened the door, crouching slightly so we were at eye level. “Sophia.” His voice was gentle, patient. “
One Careless Night Eighty
The moment we stepped outside the church, the crisp afternoon air hit me like a shock to my system. My wedding dress, once a symbol of joy and promises, now felt suffocating—heavy with betrayal, with loss.Alex’s hand was warm around mine, steady, grounding. But as soon as we reached the steps, I pulled away, wrapping my arms around myself. My breath came in uneven gasps.I had just walked away from my wedding.From Jack.From everything I thought my life was supposed to be.Alex turned to face me, his expression unreadable. “Are you okay?”A laugh bubbled up in my throat—hollow, humorless. “Do I look okay?”He exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “I had a feeling this would happen.”My eyes snapped to his. “Excuse me?”He met my gaze, unwavering. “Rachel wasn’t going to let this wedding happen. And Jack…” He shook his head. “He’s a fool to think his lies wouldn’t catch up to him.”I swallowed the lump in my throat, my emotions tangled in knots. “And what about me?” My voice cracked
One Careless Night Seventy - Nine
Gasps rippled through the crowd as all heads turned toward Rachel. She stood at the entrance, chest heaving, eyes darting between Jack and me.Jack’s jaw tightened. “Rachel, what the hell are you doing?”I stood frozen, my fingers trembling around my bouquet. My mother shot up from her seat, her expression a mask of barely concealed rage.Rachel took a shaky step forward. “I can’t let you do this, Jack. Not after everything we shared.”Whispers swirled around us. Jack exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down his face. “Rachel, this is not the time or the place.”“I don’t care.” Rachel’s voice wavered, but she held her ground. “You can’t marry her.”A lump formed in my throat. I had been prepared for doubts, for hesitation, even for Alex to make a last-minute plea—but not this. Not from Rachel.Jack’s shoulders squared. “Rachel, stop.”“No,” she shook her head. “You don’t love her, Jack. You love me. At least that's what you told me when we had sex.”Silence.My eyes flickered toward Jack,
One Careless Night Seventy - Eight
The moment the door shut behind my mother, I collapsed onto my bed, gripping my phone tightly. My mind raced with everything that had just happened.Alex. My mother. The wedding.I needed this marriage to happen fast, but a small part of me wondered—was I really doing this for myself, or was I just running?No. I wasn’t going to let doubt creep in. My mother had controlled my life for too long, and this was my way out.My phone vibrated in my hand, pulling me from my thoughts. A message from Jack.Jack: I spoke to the planner. We can do it in three weeks. Is that soon enough?Three weeks. It wasn’t as immediate as I wanted, but it was still fast.Me: Perfect. Let’s do it.His response came almost instantly.Jack: Are you sure about this? We can still take a little more time if needed.I clenched my jaw. The last thing I needed was hesitation.Me: I’m sure.He didn’t push any further, just sent a simple "Alright" before ending the conversation.I set my phone down and exhaled slowly. T
One Careless Night Seventy - Seven
The next day, I heard the doorbell ring just as I was stepping out of my room. I didn’t think much of it until I heard my mother’s voice—firm, yet sickeningly polite.“Alex, what a surprise.”I froze mid-step, my heart jumping at the sound of his name. Carefully, I moved closer to the hallway, staying out of sight but close enough to hear.“I came to see Sophia,” Alex’s voice was calm, but I could hear the slight edge of confusion. “Is she home?”My mother let out a short laugh. “She is, but there’s no need for you to see her.”There was a beat of silence before he spoke again, his tone more serious now. “No need?”“That’s right,” she said smoothly. “Sophia will be getting married soon. There’s no reason for you to be coming around anymore.”I clenched my fists at her words.Alex scoffed, clearly caught off guard. “Married?” His voice dipped into disbelief. “You mean to Jack?”“Who else?” my mother replied, her voice laced with triumph.Another beat of silence. Then Alex let out a low
One Careless Night Seventy - Six
The next afternoon, I was in the living room, curled up on the couch with a book, when the doorbell rang. I wasn’t expecting anyone, but when Jefferson called for me to get the door, a strange feeling settled in my gut.I walked over, pulled the door open, and there she was—my mother.She stood there, dressed elegantly as always, her lips curved into a victorious smile. I didn’t need to ask why she was here. I could already see it in her eyes.“Sophia,” she greeted smoothly. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”I hesitated but eventually stepped aside. She walked in confidently, scanning the place before turning to face me.“You look well,” she said, as if this were a casual visit.I crossed my arms. “What do you want, Mom?”She sighed, feigning concern. “I came to see my daughter, of course. You’ve been staying here for a while now. Don’t you think it’s time to come back home?”I scoffed. “Back home? After everything? What’s changed?”Her smile didn’t falter, but her eyes gleamed with
One Careless Night Seventy - Five
A heavy silence settled in the room after my father’s words.Jack's expression remained composed, but I could see the subtle shift in his posture—the tightening of his jaw, the way his fingers curled slightly on his lap. He hadn’t expected this condition, and I knew why. He had made my mother sign a prenup when they got married and that was why he was able to divorce her without splitting his wealth.Jefferson leaned back in his chair, his piercing gaze fixed on Jack. "What’s wrong? You said you love her. Surely, you’re not planning for a future where you two split?"Jack exhaled sharply, looking away for a moment before returning his eyes to mine. His hesitation made my heart race.I knew this wasn’t about money. Jack wasn’t a man who needed financial security—he had built his empire from nothing. But a prenup was protection, a safety net for someone like him who had been through a divorce before. And now, my father was testing him. And I didn't even know whose side to be on. My fath
One Careless Night Seventy - Four
The morning light streamed through the guestroom curtains, warming my face as I slowly opened my eyes. For a moment, I forgot where I was—until I glanced around and remembered that I had spent the night at my father’s house.A deep sigh escaped my lips. It was my first peaceful sleep in days.I stretched before sitting up, my mind already bracing for the storm I had left behind at my mother’s house. Would she try to call? Would she even care that I had left? I shook the thoughts away and made my way downstairs, following the scent of coffee.Jefferson sat at the dining table, a cup of black coffee in hand, his expression unreadable. The sight of him, so composed and collected, made me pause for a second.“Morning,” I greeted softly.He looked up, nodding. “Morning. Did you sleep well?”I nodded. “Yeah. Better than I have in a while.”“Good.” He took a sip of his coffee before setting the cup down. Then, with a measured look, he said, “I want to meet Jack.”I blinked, caught off guard.
