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NINETEEN (3): Simply Lunch
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2024-10-20 16:45:52But before he could continue, Winnie tugged on his hand. “Daddy, can we go see the beach now? Please?”
Dominic hesitated, his eyes meeting Lila’s for a fleeting moment. Then, with a sigh and a smile, he turned to his daughter. “Sure, sweetheart.”Lila let out a small breath, relieved and disappointed in equal measure. Whatever he had been about to say, she wasn’t ready to hear it. Not yet.As they headed towards the beach, the laughter of the children echoing around them, Lila felt the weight of her emotions pressing down on her. She was walking a dangerous line, one where her heart was already far too involved.But as Dominic’s arm brushed against hers once more, she couldn’t help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, that wasn’t such a bad thing after all.And then, just as they reached the dunes, her phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her abruptly back to reality. She glanced at the screen and froze.It was another unknown number.Lila’s breath caught as s
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Tangled Destinies NINETEEN (4): Simply Lunch
The way he looked at her, the way his presence grounded her in a way she hadn’t felt in years—it was impossible to ignore. She could feel the pull between them growing stronger with each passing moment.She glanced out at the water, trying to distract herself. “They really adore you, you know,” she said, gesturing towards Aaron and Winnie.Dominic chuckled again, though this time there was a hint of something bittersweet in it. “I try my best. It hasn’t been easy... after their mother left.”Lila’s heart ached at the vulnerability in his voice. She knew what it felt like to be abandoned by someone who was supposed to care for you.“You’re doing a great job,” Lila said softly. “They’re lucky to have you.”Dominic smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I don’t always feel that way, but... thank you.”They stood in silence for a moment, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore filling the space between them. Lila could feel the air thickening with
Last Updated : 2024-10-21Tangled Destinies TWENTY (1): Tracking Andre
True to her word, Annabelle refused to be discouraged by the unyielding secretary’s frosty demeanor. For the past several days, she had bombarded Andre Winters' office with calls, her heart sinking a little each time the reply came back the same: “Mr. Winters is too busy to speak with you.” The sixth time she heard that clipped tone, her patience wore thin, and she threw her phone onto the couch in frustration.With determination etched across her features, Annabelle stood up and smoothed the fabric of her skirt. No way was she letting James’s blunder slip away so easily. If she needed to track down Andre Winters, then she would go to him herself. It was time to shift tactics.After a quick shower, she dressed in her most expensive activewear—a sleek black sports bra and matching leggings that hugged her figure perfectly. The material felt soft against her skin, the brand name printed across her chest a symbol of exclusivity that might help
Last Updated : 2024-10-22Tangled Destinies TWENTY (2): Tracking Andre
Andre turned, his gaze flickering from surprise to recognition. “Annabelle,” he said, his voice deep and smooth. “Annabelle Robinson. What a surprise to see you here.”“I had to see what all the fuss was about this place,” she replied, deliberately making her tone casual. “And I thought it was the perfect time to catch up.” The two men beside him exchanged glances, and Annabelle felt a rush of adrenaline; she was standing before one of the most influential men in the city, and she needed to make her pitch.“Busy, as always,” Andre said, glancing at his watch. “But I could spare a few minutes. Care for a quick game?”“Actually, I’d love to talk business.” Annabelle cut in, her heart pounding. “It’s about your contract with my brother. I think there’s a way we can work this out without you taking your business elsewhere.”Andre raised an eyebrow
Last Updated : 2024-10-23Tangled Destinies TWENTY (3): Tracking Andre
Annabelle stared at him, her mind racing. He was playing games with her, she knew it. This was his way of putting her in her place, of brushing her off just like his secretary had done so many times before. The realization filled her with irritation, and before she could stop herself, the words flew from her mouth.“Is this another way of dismissing me?” she snapped, her voice laced with sarcasm. “You think I won’t go through with it? Or are you planning to block me from seeing you again, just like you’ve been doing these past few days?”Andre stopped mid-step, turning to face her with a raised eyebrow. For a moment, they stood in a tense silence, his eyes locked on hers. Then, to her surprise, he laughed softly, the sound low and rumbling. It wasn’t a mocking laugh, but it wasn’t kind either.“Dismiss you?” he repeated, his gaze flickering with amusement. “No, Annabelle. I don’t plan on dismissing you at all. In fact, I’m making you a promise right now.” He too
Last Updated : 2024-10-24Tangled Destinies TWENTY (4): Tracking Andre
Annabelle stormed through the office hallways, her sneakers squeaking on the polished floor, but she paid no attention to the surprised looks from the staff. She was still dressed in her expensive sportswear, the tailored outfit clinging perfectly to her figure, and yet, despite the whispers that surely followed her, she was beyond caring. Her focus was singular, laser-sharp: Get the Winters contract.When James’s secretary tried to block her path, warning that her brother was in a meeting, Annabelle didn’t even pause. No meeting—nothing—was more important than the mess James had created and her need to fix it before it exploded beyond repair. Without hesitation, she threw open the door to James’s office, ignoring the secretary’s protests. What she found inside made her lips lift in distaste.The "meeting" was nothing more than James and Rachel entangled in each other’s arms, Rachel perched on his lap like some queen on her thr
Last Updated : 2024-10-25Tangled Destinies TWENTY (5): Tracking Andre
David’s presence filled the room instantly, his tall, broad frame making the spindly secretary look even more insignificant. His face was unreadable, but the tension in his posture and the tight set of his jaw were unmistakable. James shot up from his seat the moment he saw their father, knocking into Rachel in his hurry, and ignoring her surprised yelp. She scrambled to stand, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but David didn’t even spare her a glance. His sharp, dark eyes were locked onto Annabelle.“What did you learn from Andre Winters?” David asked in a low, authoritative tone, his voice carrying the weight of years of command. There was no greeting, no pleasantries, just the demand for answers.Annabelle rose slowly from the couch, meeting her father’s gaze with the same steely resolve she’d inherited from him. “He wouldn’t give me the details outright,” she began, her tone calm and measured, “but he
Last Updated : 2024-10-26Tangled Destinies TWENTY-ONE (1): Helping Out
Lila hadn’t seen Dominic for days. After their lunch together with Aaron and Winnie, he’d disappeared like mist in the early morning sun, leaving behind only the odd flutter in her chest whenever she thought about him, and an unexpected ache she couldn’t quite understand. Sea’s Edge was small enough that bumping into someone frequently was inevitable, but somehow, Dominic had vanished from her daily life. The one constant was Aaron and Winnie. Every day, like clockwork, Marcus would show up at the bookstore with the children in tow. He had started babysitting them more frequently, and every day after school, he would bring them by the shop before taking them home. Idly, Lila wondered if this was related to how little she saw of DominicWhenever school ended, Marcus brought Aaron and Winnie to the bookstore before taking them home, lingering just long enough for the kids to burn off some of their energy, but not long enough for Lila to ask about Dominic
Last Updated : 2024-10-27Tangled Destinies TWENTY-ONE (2): Helping Out
“I can pick them up, no problem,” she said, trying to keep her tone light. “But I don’t know if the school will just hand them over to me.”Marcus chuckled. “Already ahead of you. I called the school, described you, and gave them a password for extra security. You’re all set.”“Wow, you really thought this through,” Lila teased, grinning. “Maybe this is the universe telling you it’s time to let that old monstrosity of a car go.”“Hey! Put some respect on my baby’s name,” Marcus shot back, laughing. “But yeah, this might be the final straw. Just make sure you use the password. And, Lila? Thanks. I owe you one.”They hung up, and Lila closed up the shop in record time, locking the doors and getting into her small car. Her mind raced as she drove. She couldn’t ignore the way her heart fluttered at the thought of seeing Dominic, even if it was jus
Last Updated : 2024-10-28
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Tangled Destinies THIRTY-NINE: Reckless Decisions (2)
Annabelle was the first to pull away, though it took every ounce of willpower she possessed to do so. Her breath came in short, uneven pants, and she could still taste Andre on her lips, still feel the firm press of his body against hers. His hands still rested on her waist, his grip firm, as if he wasn’t quite ready to let go. Maybe that was a hint he thought that she might take back what she'd just done. But Annabelle had no intention of second-guessing herself. Not this time.She placed a hand against his chest, creating a sliver of space between them, but it did nothing to cool the heat simmering in her veins.She swallowed, taking a moment to calm herself before she spoke. “We need to set some ground rules.”Andre’s fingers flexed against her waist, his thumb grazing over the damp fabric of her workout top. “Rules?” he asked. His voice was rougher than usual, less composed. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t secretly delighted in the fact that she had shaken that assured composu
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Annabelle pushed herself harder, ignoring the ache in her limbs and the sweat dripping down her back. She had been at the gym for nearly two hours now, punishing her body in an attempt to escape her thoughts. But no matter how fast she ran, no matter how hard she punched the bag, the truth remained: she was dreading going home.How the next few days would play out now after Rachel’s lies had been exposed was at the forefront of her mind. James knew now. Their father knew. And the fallout was only just beginning. She could already picture the tense silences, the barely restrained fury in David’s expression while he decided what to do with Rachel, and James breaking down even further as he digested his new reality. She didn’t want to be around for it.Wiping the sweat from her brow, she debated whether to spend another hour on the treadmill. Maybe if she ran long enough, she would be too exhausted to care about what awaited her back home.Before she could make a decision, a voice cut th
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-EIGHT: Chance Meeting
Annabelle stood in the middle of James’ room, her eyes fixed on the door through which her father had exited moments earlier. The silence that followed his departure stretching uncomfortably as everyone tried to figure out what they were going to do next.James groaned and buried his face in his hands, his fingers tugging at his hair in frustration. “I can’t believe this,” he muttered, his voice laced with disbelief and exhaustion. He pushed himself up from the chair, his movements abrupt, and began pacing the room. The tension radiating off him almost felt tangible, and his muttered curses filled the quiet air as he stalked toward the door.“I need... I need some air,” he said, his tone clipped, as if even forming the words required too much effort. Without waiting for a response, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.Annabelle sighed deeply, running a hand down her face. “What a mess,” she murmured under
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-SEVEN: Can of Worms (3)
The room was thick with silence as Annabelle let James mentally digest the words she had spoken. HE stood frozen, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. It was as if he was searching for words that would not come. His face was pale, as he stuttered incoherently, his words stumbling over one another in a desperate attempt to say anything that would make Annabelle’s reasoning invalid.“You... You couldn’t possibly know that for sure,” he finally managed, his voice trembling. “Infertile? I can’t be.”Before Annabelle could muster a response, the air in the room shifted as a heavy presence made itself known. David’s voice boomed from the doorway, cutting through the tension like a well sharpened blade.“Infertile?” he thundered, the sheer force of his voice making everyone in the room flinch. “What the hell is she talking about, James?”He stormed into the room, his lar
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When he finally spoke, his voice was low, almost a whisper. “Who the hell is this?” He turned to Rachel, eyes dark with heartbreak. “Who is this man, Rachel?”Rachel opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her eyes darted frantically between James and Annabelle, her cheeks flushed with panic. She stammered, “James, I—”Annabelle didn’t give her the chance to finish. “His name is Victor Nolls,” she said, her voice hard as steel. “The man Rachel’s been seeing behind your back. And the real father of her child.”The color drained from Rachel’s face at Annabelle’s words, her reaction betraying her before she could deny it. She flinched visibly at Victor’s name, and though she shook her head weakly, her protests were unconvincing.“No, that’s not true!” Rachel finally managed to choke out. “James, I would never—”“Do
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The words landed like a thunderclap. The room fell into a stunned silence and James’s rant cut off mid-sentence. His mouth opened and closed as he stared at Annabelle, his fury momentarily giving way to confusion. Rachel, who had been clutching her cheeks and avoiding eye contact, froze completely, her face draining of color.“What are you talking about?” James finally asked, his voice quieter now but still charged.Annabelle turned her gaze to Rachel, her expression cold and unrelenting. “Would you like to tell him, Rachel?” she asked, her tone deceptively calm. “Or should I?”Rachel’s lips trembled, her eyes darting to James and then back to Annabelle. “This is ridiculous,” she said, her voice shaking. “James, she’s lying. She’s just trying to cause trouble.”“Am I?” Annabelle challenged, taking a step closer to her brother. “Do you really think I&rsquo
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-SIX: Liar Liar (4)
Annabelle nodded placidly, her gaze sharp as it swept over the room. She ignored the pang of irritation at James’s obliviousness and focused on her next move. “Where’s Rachel?” she asked, her voice calm but carrying an undertone of steel.James blinked at the shift in her tone. “She went for a walk around the estate. She said it soothes her morning illness,” he said, frowning slightly. “Why?” His eyes darted toward Margaret, who still lingered in the doorway. The sight of their mother’s pale face deepened his frown. “Is there a problem?” he asked again, his tone growing more apprehensive.Margaret hesitated, her hands clasping and unclasping nervously. She managed a weak shake of her head but couldn’t quite muster a convincing smile.Annabelle’s smile thinned further, though her tone remained deceptively light. “No problem,” she said. “But I do have some news of my ow
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Margaret wrung her hands nervously, glancing toward the door as if afraid someone might overhear. “It’s Rachel,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “She made the announcement at breakfast. James, my poor boy, is so happy of course, but your father... He’s furious. He suspects something.”Annabelle snorted, the sound humorless. “Of course he does. He might be blind when it comes to James, but even he knows Rachel’s a liar.” She began pacing the room. “I warned her, Mother. I told her to leave before I got back. And now she pulls this? She’s trying to trap James—again.”Margaret nodded, her face pale. “I know, but—”“But what?” Annabelle snapped, cutting her off. “You know as well as I do that James can’t father a child. So why haven’t you told Father? Why haven’t you put an end to this circus?”Margaret
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-SIX: Liar Liar (2)
Annabelle gripped the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white, her foot pressing harder against the gas pedal with each passing mile. The early morning light bathed the countryside in golden hues, but she barely noticed the scenery rushing past her. Her mind was a storm of fury, her thoughts circling around Rachel like a hawk homing in on its prey.How dare she?Annabelle’s jaw clenched, her teeth grinding audibly as she replayed Margaret’s words in her head. Rachel had blatantly disregarded her warning—no, her command—to leave the house. She had given that third rate nightwalker a clear ultimatum before leaving for Sea’s Edge: pack up and disappear from James’s life before her return. But Rachel had done the opposite. Not only had she stayed, but she’d played a card so bold it made Annabelle’s blood boil.The announcement of a pregnancy, whether it was real or not, was a move designed
