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FOURTEEN: Evening Caller
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2024-10-04 16:45:40Lila’s keys slipped from her fingers again, and she muttered a soft curse under her breath as she crouched to pick them up. Her ears burned from embarrassment. Dominic was still leaning against his car, his arms crossed casually as he watched her fumble with the lock. His presence was both comforting and unnerving, a reminder of the quiet insistence that he stay until she safely entered her home.
It had been a simple dinner. Nothing more. They had laughed, shared stories, and indulged in seafood at his favorite little restaurant. And now, as the evening came to an end, Lila felt a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the food. She straightened, keys in hand, and forced the door open. With a quick glance over her shoulder, she gave Dominic a small wave.His car engine rumbled in response, a soft purr that sent a ripple through the quiet evening air. He revved it once more, then twice, before finally pulling away from the curb. Lila stood in the doorway, her hand reRelated chapters
Tangled Destinies FIFTEEN: Making Plans (1)
The chime of the doorbell echoed through the empty shop as Lila pushed it open, her keys jangling in her hand. The familiar scent of old paper and ink wafted through the air, a comforting reminder of her routine. She should have felt at ease stepping into the cozy bookshop, but today her movements were sluggish, her eyes heavy from a restless night. She went through the motions of opening the store, flipping the sign to “Open” and organizing the register, but her mind wasn’t in it. Her thoughts were still spinning from the phone call the previous night, the threatening voice that had shaken her from the bubble of safety she’d carefully built around herself in Sea’s Edge. The bell above the door jingled again, and Marcus strolled in, his usual upbeat energy filling the room. He paused at the sight of Lila, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in her tired expression. "Morning, Lila," he greeted her, his voice light but laced with concern. "Everything okay? You s
Last Updated : 2024-10-05Tangled Destinies FIFTEEN: Making Plans (2)
Leaving Sea’s Edge now would be a mistake. It would be impulsive and messy, much like the way she had thrown her phone against the wall in a fit of rage. Right now, her caller was scouring the city for her. He’d be checking every hotel, every shelter, every apartment he could find, but he wouldn’t think to look in a small, unremarkable town like Sea’s Edge. That bought her time. A little time. She let out a slow breath, her hand pressing against her chest as she tried to calm the thudding of her heart. She needed to be smart about this. Whenever she left, it couldn’t be a panicked escape like before. It had to be calculated, planned. She wouldn’t let herself be a burden to Annabelle, wouldn’t drag her ex-sister-in-law into this mess. Annabelle had already done so much for her, giving her a place to start over. Lila couldn’t let her kindness be repaid with danger. The pressure in her chest tightened as the reality of the situation settled over her like a dark clou
Last Updated : 2024-10-05Tangled Destinies SIXTEEN: The Man Outside
Lila tried to focus on the book she was repairing, her hands gently smoothing the dampened pages as Marcus had shown her, but her mind kept drifting. The thin brush in her fingers that was meant to spread the adhesive across the edges, trembled slightly. She hadn’t slept much the night before, and the reason for her sleepless night.It was the call.The man’s voice still lingered in her mind, haunting her. Each moment she dared to close her eyes, it threatened her, telling her that no matter where she went, he would find her. The memory made her fingers tighten around the delicate brush until the bristles bent. She forced herself to relax, but the tension refused to leave her body.“Are you alright?”Marcus’s voice snapped her back to reality. He was watching her closely, a faint frown of concern marring his usually carefree face. Lila plastered on a weak smile, trying to push the memory of the call to the back of her mind.“Yeah, I’m fine,” she replied, her voic
Last Updated : 2024-10-10Tangled Destinies SIXTEEN (2): The Man Outside
Dominic lingered, his eyes soft as he watched Lila fiddle with a stack of newly arrived books. She glanced up at him, feeling the warmth of his gaze, and before she could stop herself, a small smile tugged at her lips. He had a presence about him that made the quiet moments feel comfortable, as if the space between them wasn’t empty but filled with something unspoken. “So,” Dominic started, rubbing the back of his neck, a gesture that struck Lila as slightly nervous, “I was wondering if you’d be free sometime soon… maybe to have lunch with me and the kids?” Lila blinked, pleasantly surprised by the invitation. She hadn’t expected him to reach out so soon after their dinner, and certainly not with an offer to spend more time with his children. Her heart warmed at the idea of seeing Aaron and Winnie again, especially sweet little Winnie with her chubby cheeks and wide-eyed curiosity. “I’d love to,” Lila answered, her smile growing as she imagined Winnie’s
Last Updated : 2024-10-11Tangled Destinies SEVENTEEN: Bad, Bad News
Annabelle leaned back in her plush office chair, her gaze drifting from the documents scattered on her desk to the beams of sunlight streaming through her window. She had been completely buried in work for the better part of the morning and her mind constantly whirring with figures, contracts, and meeting agendas. But the flow of numbers and corporate business faded as a soft chime from her phone caught her attention. She reached for it, her mood lightening at the thought of a distraction from all her work. A notification lit up her screen, and she smiled when she saw that it was from Lila. The message was simple but filled with a kind of wonder that made Annabelle’s heart lift. "Look what I found on my walk this morning! Isn’t it gorgeous? I think it’s a lavender field... it smells heavenly! You’d love it here. Miss you xx" Attached was a picture of a sprawling lavender field, the purple blossoms stretching far into the horizon, almost blending into the soft blue of the sky. The i
Last Updated : 2024-10-12Tangled Destinies SEVENTEEN (2): Bad, Bad News
Annabelle’s phone slipped from her fingers and fell to the floor with a sharp crack, but she barely registered the sound. All she could think of was the devastation that awaited them if Andre truly broke ties. She swallowed hard, her heart racing. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” she breathed, her hands trembling slightly. “Dad is going to kill you.” James nodded miserably, his face pale. “I know. Believe me, I know. But I don’t know what to do, Annabelle. I’ve tried everything. I’ve been going to Andre’s office every day for the past week, but he refuses to see me. His secretary won’t even let me in the building! And he’s not answering any of my calls. I’m completely shut out.” Annabelle’s anger flared, her hands balling into fists as she tried to steady herself. Her initial shock was giving way to a cold fury. “What the hell did you do, James?” she demanded, her voice sharp. “How did you manage to piss off Andre Winters, of all people?” James
Last Updated : 2024-10-13Tangled Destinies EIGHTEEN: Annabelle's Solution
Dinner at the Robinson mansion was usually an elegant affair, that had quiet conversation and the soft clinking of silverware against fine china. But tonight, the atmosphere was far from peaceful. The tension at the table was so thick, it seemed to choke the very air. The large dining room that was usually warm with the glow of candlelight and pleasant company, felt cold tonight. Each member of the family sat in their place, the silence stretching like a taut wire, waiting for something or someone to make it snap.David, their father, sat at the head of the table, his face thunderous as he picked at his food without appetite. His dark brows were drawn low over his eyes, and a muscle ticked in his jaw. The veins on the back of his hand stood out as he gripped his fork, making no effort to engage in the meager conversation happening around him. Tonight, they were all puppets waiting to dance to the tune of the piper, and silently, each of them knew without needing to be told
Last Updated : 2024-10-14Tangled Destinies EIGHTEEN (2): Annabelle's Solution
Margaret’s eyes lit up at the suggestion, clearly delighted by the idea of Rachel and James getting away from all the recent stress. “Oh, that sounds lovely, dear! Where were you thinking of going?”Rachel began to rattle off the names of expensive vacation destinations as though they were groceries on a shopping list. “Maybe Santorini or the Amalfi Coast,” she said, her eyes bright with excitement. “I’ve heard such wonderful things about both. Or perhaps the Maldives—those water villas look divine!”Annabelle, sitting quietly, looked from Rachel to James, waiting to see how he would react to the idea. Sure enough, he took the bait, his posture relaxing slightly as he finally seemed to engage with the conversation. “We’ll go wherever you want, Rach,” James said, smiling at her. His voice was more animated now, more like his usual self. “You deserve it.”At that moment, David barked out a laugh—loud and derisive, filled with more disdain than humor. The sudden sound echoe
Last Updated : 2024-10-15
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Tangled Destinies THIRTY-THREE: Hard Questions (1)
Dominic froze mid-step, visibly wincing as a faint blush crept up his neck. He forced a laugh, scratching the back of his head. “I thought we retired that one.”“Oh, never,” Annabelle said, thoroughly enjoying his discomfort. She tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “How’s Marcus, by the way? I haven’t seen him in forever.”“He’s fine,” Dominic replied, regaining some of his composure. “He’ll be delighted to see you, I’m sure.”Annabelle’s grin widened as she leaned closer, her tone reflecting the mischief in her smile. “Not as delighted as when I tell him I found you in Lila’s bed.”Dominic’s faint blush deepened into a vibrant shade of red as he chuckled nervously. “You wouldn’t.”“Oh, wouldn’t I?” Annabelle said, her expression wickedly playful.Lila, who had been
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-TWO: Excuses, Excuses (3)
The scent of garlic and curry leaves wafted through the small kitchen as Lila flipped slices of zucchini in a sizzling pan. Annabelle sat at the counter, nibbling on a piece of bread Lila had handed her earlier, her gaze flicking between her ex-sister-in-law and the hot pan she was expertly handling.“I can’t imagine how much Winnie and Aaron must have grown by now,” Annabelle said, her tone touched with wonder. “The last time I saw them, Winnie was still toddling around with that stuffed rabbit, and Aaron couldn’t sit still to save his life.”Lila smiled as she stirred the vegetables, the soft clatter of the wooden spoon filling the pause. “Winnie still has that rabbit, you know. It’s hanging by a thread, but she refuses to part with it. And Aaron... well, he’s finally calmed down a bit, but he’s as sharp as ever. He beats me at board games more often than I’d like to admit.”Annabelle chuc
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-TWO: Excuses, Excuses (2)
When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting together.“You make it impossible to stay away,” Dominic said, his voice rough with emotion.Lila smiled, her fingers trailing along the collar of his shirt. “Maybe I don’t want you to.”He chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that sent a pleasant shiver down her spine.Dominic glanced over her shoulder, his nose twitching slightly. “So, these cookies you’re baking,” he said, his tone teasing. “Are they really for the kids, or was that just an excuse to see me?”Lila laughed, the sound light and unrestrained. “I haven’t decided yet,” she admitted, her eyes sparkling.“Well,” Dominic said, his thumb brushing against her hip, “if they’re half as sweet as you, I’m sure they’ll love them.”The compliment was simple, but it made Lila’s heart flutter all the same. She stepped back, her hand slipping into his as she led him inside. “Come on,” she said. “They’ll be out of the oven in ten minutes.”Dominic followed
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-TWO: Excuses, Excuses (1)
The sugary scent of cookie dough filled the kitchen as Lila slid the tray into the oven, her fingers still slightly from the dough even though she’d washed them twice. A small hum escaped her lips. It was a song whose lyrics she couldn’t even remember properly, but with how lighthearted she was, she didn’t really care. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this carefree. It had been an ordinary day at the shop until Marcus had decided to close early. The unexpected freedom had left her with free time she didn’t know what to do with.Her first instinct had been to text Dominic. Her hand had hovered over her phone, already composing a message in her mind. Something simple—playful, maybe. But doubts crept in before she even unlocked the screen. Would she seem too clingy? Desperate for his attention?“It’s been too long since I’ve done this,” she had muttered to herself, shaking her head as she shov
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-ONE: What Margaret Hid (3)
Margaret’s face twisted with regret, her hand trembling as she reached for Annabelle. “I didn’t mean to hurt you,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. “I took James that night because I knew it would cut your father the deepest. He always saw James as his heir, even if he never said it out loud.”Annabelle’s head snapped up, her chest tightening at her mother’s words. “His heir?” Her tone was sharp, laced with a bitterness she couldn’t suppress. So what was she? The spare?Margaret flushed, rushing to clarify. “Oh, darling, don’t misunderstand. Your father loves you too. Of course, he does—”“Stop.” Annabelle’s voice cracked like a whip, her words slicing through the air. She felt the sting of those words in her chest, the unspoken truth they carried. “I didn’t ask you to justify him. I asked you what happened that night.”
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-ONE: What Margaret Hid (2)
Annabelle blinked, the words hitting her like a well-aimed punch. She stared at her mother, her mouth slightly open in shock. Of all the things she had expected, this wasn’t one of them."Rachel’s affair?" Annabelle repeated slowly, her voice laced with disbelief.Margaret nodded miserably, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks.Annabelle shook her head, trying to make sense of it. "Mother, how could you possibly know about Rachel’s affair? How long have you known?"Margaret pressed her hands to her face again, as though trying to block out Annabelle’s questions. "I didn’t mean for it to get this far," she whispered, her voice muffled. "I didn’t mean for it to spiral like this."Annabelle’s chest tightened, a cold dread creeping over her. "Mother," she said carefully, "what are you talking about? What do you mean you didn’t mean for it to spiral?"Margaret lowered her hands, her eyes bloodshot a
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-ONE: What Margaret Hid (1)
Annabelle was halfway up the stairs, her mind still buzzing with the revelation she’d gotten from her conversation, when she felt a hand grab hers, sharp nails digging painfully into her skin. She gasped and turned around, expecting to see Rachel had come after her to take their fight to a physical level. But the face she saw wasn’t Rachel’s—it was her mother, Margaret’s.Her irritation flared for a moment, ready to scold her mother for sneaking up on her like that. But the harsh words froze on her tongue the moment she saw Margaret’s face. Her mother looked almost unrecognizable from the elegant beauty Annabelle was used to seeing. Her skin was deathly pale from so many days of shutting herself up in the house instead of going out into the sun. Her usually soft, pleasant features were twisted with panic, her wide eyes darting around like a frightened animal. Her thin frame seemed even smaller beneath the loose, stylish robe she wore.
Tangled Destinies THIRTY (2): Truths at the Table
Rachel’s silence was all the confirmation Annabelle needed. Her pale face and trembling hands told a story louder than any words ever could.Annabelle tilted her head, her smile turning razor-sharp. "You played your cards well," she admitted. "Using that baby to manipulate James into throwing Lila out of the house? It was a bold move when it wasn’t even his. But here’s the thing about lies, Rachel—they have a way of catching up to you." She leaned forward, her smile fading as she fixed Rachel with a cold stare. "You lied," she said quietly, the words cutting through the air like a blade. "You lied to James, to my family, and you ruined Lila’s life for nothing. All because of your selfish, disgusting games."Rachel’s breathing grew uneven, her hands trembling as she gripped the edge of the table. "You... you don’t have proof," she said weakly, though her voice lacked conviction.Annabelle laughed softly, a sound devoid of
Tangled Destinies THIRTY (1): Truths at the Table
Annabelle took her time, stirring her tea with a deliberate air of calmness as she watched Rachel from the corner of her eye. Across the table, Rachel sat stiffly, her hands resting in her lap, the only betrayal of her unease being the slight trembling in her fingers. Annabelle glanced up briefly, noting the tension in Rachel's jaw, the way she refused to meet her gaze. It was amusing, really—this woman, who thrived on manipulation and deceit, was fidgeting before her without Annabelle needing to lift a finger. Annabelle couldn’t help the satisfaction that curled through her. Setting her spoon down with a soft clink, Annabelle folded her hands on the table. "So, shall we talk about Victor Nolls?" she began smoothly, her voice filled with mock politeness. "Are you going to deny it? Or would you rather get it all out in the open now?"The reaction was instantaneous. Rachel’s head snapped up, her eyes wide with shock. For a quick moment, her compo
