SHAWNAI stared at the small box in Damien’s hands, my heart hammering in my chest. For a moment, I didn’t even know what to think. A thousand thoughts flooded my mind, all of them racing too fast to catch. I had a sinking feeling in my gut, something was happening here that I wasn’t sure if I was ready for it. I swallowed hard and took a step back, my pulse quickening.“Damien…” I whispered, my voice trembling with nerves. “Please don’t do this.”He looked at me, his face soft, his eyes steady and full of sincerity. But the weight of what I suspected was hanging between us, and I couldn’t help it, I needed to say it. “I know what you’re thinking, but please… don’t.”He didn’t say anything at first. He just smiled, and that’s when it hit me. My heart dropped into my stomach as he slowly knelt on one knee. The crowd inside the party was far away, but it felt like everything had stopped at that moment. I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears. I didn’t know whether to freeze or run
SHAWNAThe night had started so beautifully, but now everything was spiraling into chaos.“Get down!” Damien’s voice was sharp, and commanding. His body pressed against mine as he shielded me and the kids from the gunmen. My heart pounded so loud I could barely think. I clutched Jasper and Lily close, my hands trembling.“Shawna, take the kids and run! Hide!” Damien urged, his voice low but urgent.I grabbed Phoebe’s hand, trying to move, but my legs felt weak. Before we could take a step, shadows closed in around us. Men in black, guns raised, their cold, lifeless eyes scanning the crowd. My breath hitched.“Where’s Eugene?” one of them barked, his voice rough and impatient. His gaze swept over the panicked guests. “And bring us Shawna!”Damien stepped forward instantly, placing himself between me and the gunmen. His stance was solid, his shoulders squared. “You’re not taking her anywhere.”The man let out a low chuckle, dark and humorless. “Not your choice.”Another gunman stepped f
DAMIENPain. That was the first thing I felt when I opened my eyes. A dull, pounding ache throbbed at the back of my skull, and my body felt heavy, sore. The harsh white lights of the hospital room made me squint. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my ribs, making me groan.“Damien, take it easy.”I turned my head, wincing. My father’s worried face hovered over me, and beside him, my mother’s red-rimmed eyes stared at me, full of concern.“What happened?” My voice came out hoarse, my throat dry.“You got hit on the head,” Dad said, his voice firm but gentle. “You have a mild concussion and some bleeding, but the doctors said you’ll be okay.”My memory rushed back like a tidal wave. The gunmen. The chaos. Shawna screaming. Jasper being taken. My heart pounded harder than my aching skull.“The kids—where are my kids?” I demanded, pushing myself up despite the pain.My mother placed a hand on my arm, trying to soothe me. “Billy and Phoebe are safe. Shawna’s mother took them
DAMIENI couldn’t believe my eyes as the video loaded on my phone. It was Jasper, my little boy, tied up in some dark, cold place. His face was streaked with tears, his eyes wide with fear, and there was this ticking sand clock beside him. I felt like I couldn’t breathe, like my chest was closing in. My brain couldn’t process what I was seeing.How could this be happening? I couldn’t wrap my mind around it.Shawna and I had been through so much already. There was no way she was involved in any crime. She wasn’t like that. And Eugene... I didn’t believe for a second he had anything to do with this. It didn’t make sense.I ran my hand over my face, trying to shake off the panic that was clawing at my throat. I had to focus.I hit dial, my hands shaking as I called the person responsible. The line rang, and I felt my heart race faster. The voice that picked up was robotic, distorted—nothing like anything I had ever heard before."Where are they?" I demanded, my voice hoarse.A cold laugh
SHAWNAI froze as the door creaked open. I could barely breathe, the air thick with tension, as the boy stepped inside the dimly lit room. My heart pounded in my chest, so loudly I thought it would burst. He was just a kid, but there was nothing childlike about him now. His eyes were cold, filled with something so dark, I couldn’t even recognize it. I didn’t want to recognize it.Eugene let out a harsh laugh from the chair, her voice rough and tired. “So, you’re back for revenge, huh?” she said, looking the boy up and down. “I thought you’d be older by now. Guess time hasn’t been too kind to you, huh?” She shifted in the chair, her eyes glaring at him. “Too bad your parents aren’t here to see what you’ve become. You really think this is gonna fix anything?” Her tone was challenging like she wasn’t afraid of him.The boy’s expression twisted with rage, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. “You think this is a joke?” His voice shook, but it wasn’t with fear. It was with pure, unf
SHAWNAWhen I thought of marriage, my eyes would light up as I imagined being in bed with my husband, giggling as he whispered sweet words of affection to me. I had looked forward to cooking with him and having food fights every time we did.A sad smile settled on my face as I stared at the ceiling.“How naive I was,” I muttered, my voice breaking.If I had been told I'd be married at age twenty-two, I'd surely believe that but I wouldn't have believed my marriage would be loveless and the complete opposite of all that I had imagined.With a sigh, I sat up in bed. It had been two years since I got married yet it was still the same so thinking about it and regretting it was pointless.I gently got out of bed and sat back down because of how sore I was between my legs and a scowl settled on my face.“Even if he doesn't like me, can't he at least be gentle,” I muttered, frustrated because I was almost always sore anytime I had sex with my husband.As though he heard me, the door to the b
SHAWNAI immediately dashed down the stairs with my bag trying to be as quiet as I could so Damien wouldn’t know I was leaving the house.He didn't care about me enough to be bothered but if he knew I was leaving with my male friend, he'd stop me.It wasn't because he cared or was jealous but because he didn't want me to taint his reputation.I could have taken a taxi instead but it was late at night and someone of my status shouldn't be that careless.There had been times when I was nearly kidnapped because I was married to Damien but I was always lucky.If I ever got kidnapped, that would be the end of me because I doubted he'd come to my rescue.I exited the house and shut the gate behind me before crossing to the opposite side of the road to the blue, run-down car.“Are you okay?” Liam, my old friend, asked when I got into the front seat.We had been friends since college but since I got married, we rarely saw each other for obvious reasons.“Yes, I am. Now let's go,” I said with
SHAWNAIn Liam's car, I leaned my head against the seat's headrest trying to gather my thoughts on how I'd get the money since there was no way that my father would assist with the money; he'd tell me to get it from Damien.“I can assist you but there's no way it'd be up to the money you need,” Liam sighed and I turned to face him in annoyance.“Liam!” I snap. “You can barely make ends meet and you're trying to help me. With all that you've done for me, I should be the one helping you not the other way around. Even if you give me any money, I won't accept it and if you give it to the doctor, I'll loan double the money to pay you back.”“But how will you get the money when your family won't help you? It's not like you can ask your husband either,” He said.Right. Him.“Yes, that's exactly what I'm going to do,” I told him with a determined look on my face.Liam turned to me with a shocked expression on his face. “How will you do that when he doesn't give you money and is unaware of you
SHAWNAI froze as the door creaked open. I could barely breathe, the air thick with tension, as the boy stepped inside the dimly lit room. My heart pounded in my chest, so loudly I thought it would burst. He was just a kid, but there was nothing childlike about him now. His eyes were cold, filled with something so dark, I couldn’t even recognize it. I didn’t want to recognize it.Eugene let out a harsh laugh from the chair, her voice rough and tired. “So, you’re back for revenge, huh?” she said, looking the boy up and down. “I thought you’d be older by now. Guess time hasn’t been too kind to you, huh?” She shifted in the chair, her eyes glaring at him. “Too bad your parents aren’t here to see what you’ve become. You really think this is gonna fix anything?” Her tone was challenging like she wasn’t afraid of him.The boy’s expression twisted with rage, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. “You think this is a joke?” His voice shook, but it wasn’t with fear. It was with pure, unf
DAMIENI couldn’t believe my eyes as the video loaded on my phone. It was Jasper, my little boy, tied up in some dark, cold place. His face was streaked with tears, his eyes wide with fear, and there was this ticking sand clock beside him. I felt like I couldn’t breathe, like my chest was closing in. My brain couldn’t process what I was seeing.How could this be happening? I couldn’t wrap my mind around it.Shawna and I had been through so much already. There was no way she was involved in any crime. She wasn’t like that. And Eugene... I didn’t believe for a second he had anything to do with this. It didn’t make sense.I ran my hand over my face, trying to shake off the panic that was clawing at my throat. I had to focus.I hit dial, my hands shaking as I called the person responsible. The line rang, and I felt my heart race faster. The voice that picked up was robotic, distorted—nothing like anything I had ever heard before."Where are they?" I demanded, my voice hoarse.A cold laugh
DAMIENPain. That was the first thing I felt when I opened my eyes. A dull, pounding ache throbbed at the back of my skull, and my body felt heavy, sore. The harsh white lights of the hospital room made me squint. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my ribs, making me groan.“Damien, take it easy.”I turned my head, wincing. My father’s worried face hovered over me, and beside him, my mother’s red-rimmed eyes stared at me, full of concern.“What happened?” My voice came out hoarse, my throat dry.“You got hit on the head,” Dad said, his voice firm but gentle. “You have a mild concussion and some bleeding, but the doctors said you’ll be okay.”My memory rushed back like a tidal wave. The gunmen. The chaos. Shawna screaming. Jasper being taken. My heart pounded harder than my aching skull.“The kids—where are my kids?” I demanded, pushing myself up despite the pain.My mother placed a hand on my arm, trying to soothe me. “Billy and Phoebe are safe. Shawna’s mother took them
SHAWNAThe night had started so beautifully, but now everything was spiraling into chaos.“Get down!” Damien’s voice was sharp, and commanding. His body pressed against mine as he shielded me and the kids from the gunmen. My heart pounded so loud I could barely think. I clutched Jasper and Lily close, my hands trembling.“Shawna, take the kids and run! Hide!” Damien urged, his voice low but urgent.I grabbed Phoebe’s hand, trying to move, but my legs felt weak. Before we could take a step, shadows closed in around us. Men in black, guns raised, their cold, lifeless eyes scanning the crowd. My breath hitched.“Where’s Eugene?” one of them barked, his voice rough and impatient. His gaze swept over the panicked guests. “And bring us Shawna!”Damien stepped forward instantly, placing himself between me and the gunmen. His stance was solid, his shoulders squared. “You’re not taking her anywhere.”The man let out a low chuckle, dark and humorless. “Not your choice.”Another gunman stepped f
SHAWNAI stared at the small box in Damien’s hands, my heart hammering in my chest. For a moment, I didn’t even know what to think. A thousand thoughts flooded my mind, all of them racing too fast to catch. I had a sinking feeling in my gut, something was happening here that I wasn’t sure if I was ready for it. I swallowed hard and took a step back, my pulse quickening.“Damien…” I whispered, my voice trembling with nerves. “Please don’t do this.”He looked at me, his face soft, his eyes steady and full of sincerity. But the weight of what I suspected was hanging between us, and I couldn’t help it, I needed to say it. “I know what you’re thinking, but please… don’t.”He didn’t say anything at first. He just smiled, and that’s when it hit me. My heart dropped into my stomach as he slowly knelt on one knee. The crowd inside the party was far away, but it felt like everything had stopped at that moment. I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears. I didn’t know whether to freeze or run
SHAWNAI stepped into the party, feeling the weight of the night ahead of me. The music was loud, the chatter was constant, and everywhere I looked, there was laughter and smiles. It was a lively scene, and for a moment, I almost felt like I belonged. Almost. My kids were excited, running ahead with my mother and grandfather, eager to be part of the action. I tried to hide my nerves behind a smile, but tonight wasn’t just any night.I barely got a chance to breathe before I saw Eugene. She was standing near the buffet table, looking as perfect as always, her eyes scanning the room, no doubt for me. She had that smirk on her face, the one that always sent a shiver down my spine. It was the kind of smirk that told you she thought she was better than you, that she could ruin your life with a single look if she wanted to. And just when I thought I could slip past her, I felt her eyes lock onto me, and it was like the world slowed down.“Shawna,” Eugene called out, her voice oozing with sa
SHAWNAI stood frozen, my mind racing as Eugene’s mother took a step back, watching me with the same unreadable expression. Her threat still rang in my ears, chilling me to my core.She must have seen the shock on my face because she let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. "You should drop this issue, Shawna. You have children to raise, a daughter to look after. The last thing you want is for her to grow up obsessed with a man, ruining herself the way you claim Eugene has."My shock quickly turned into anger. I blinked, forcing my voice to remain steady. "Are you serious right now? You're standing here, warning me about how to raise my daughter while you defend yours? Eugene has destroyed lives. She’s hurt people, lied, manipulated, and yet you still stand by her like she’s innocent? How do you sleep at night?"She exhaled, as if exhausted by my words. "One day, Shawna, you’ll understand. You have children. You’ll do anything to protect them, no matter what they’ve done. It doesn’t
SHAWNAThe cold night air wrapped around me as I stepped out of the police station, frustration burning hotter than the chill. I could still hear the officer’s condescending tone in my head, telling me I had no clearance to see the files. Like hell I didn’t. I had every right to know the so-called evidence that magically proved Eugene was framed.I barely took two steps when I heard the unmistakable click of heels behind me.“Oh, I understand perfectly,” a familiar voice interrupted.I turned sharply, my stomach twisting as I faced Eugene’s mother. She stood there, pristine as ever,her arms were crossed, and her expression unreadable, but there was something in her eyes that made my skin crawl.“You couldn’t just leave it alone, could you?” she said, shaking her head in mock disappointment.My jaw clenched. “Why are you following me?”She let out a soft, almost amused sigh. “Because I know you, Shawna. I knew you wouldn’t let this go. I knew you’d come running here the moment you foun
SHAWNAThe mall was supposed to be a simple stop, pick out a dress, maybe tease Liam about Lily, and then go home. But life had other plans.I hadn’t expected to see her.Eugene. And her mother. Casually strolling through the mall like they hadn’t caused hell in my life.My stomach twisted in disbelief as Liam and I exchanged a glance. They weren’t just walking around; they were laughing as if the past had been erased. As if the prison bars had never closed around Eugene. As if she hadn’t hurt me.Liam and I made our way toward them, our steps firm, our presence unmistakable. When Eugene turned, her eyes widened for just a moment before a slow smile spread across her lips. Her mother’s expression was even stranger—soft, welcoming, almost… affectionate. That wasn’t right. That woman had never been warm toward me.“Shawna!” Eugene’s mother suddenly pulled me into a hug, catching me completely off guard. I stiffened, my arms staying at my sides. What in the world?Before I could react, E