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TEN: Turning The Page
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Lila locked up the cash register and checked her watch. It was almost closing time, and the bookstore was winding down from a busy day. The setting sun cast long shadows through the shop's front windows, bathing the shelves in a warm, golden glow. Marcus was in the back, sorting through the day’s receipts and preparing for the next morning’s inventory. Lila grabbed her coat, gave Marcus a wave, and stepped outside into the crisp evening air.
As she walked to her car, she couldn’t help but think about Dominic and their rocky first encounter. He was such a different man from Marcus, with his snapping and rudeness, but remembering Marcus’s words, Lila decided to cut Dominic some slack. Everyone had their bad days, and perhaps Dominic's had been particularly tough.The drive home was short and scenic. The cozy beach house she now lives in was more of a cottage than a house, a far cry from the grand mansion she had shared with her ex-husband, James, but it was a place she could cRelated chapters
Tangled Destinies ELEVEN: Sneaky Rachel
The dining room of the family estate was lit with the soft glow of chandeliers, casting a warm light over the elegantly set table. The aroma of roast chicken hung heavy in the air as Annabelle speared a green bean with her fork, but she could barely taste her food. She was too focused on the scene unfolding before her. James, her brother, sat beside Rachel, the woman who had wrecked his marriage to Lila. Rachel was playing the part of the sorrowful, heartbroken woman, lamenting the loss of her baby with a quivering voice and sad eyes. Her mascara-rimmed eyes welled up dramatically. Annabelle’s mother patted Rachel’s hand sympathetically, while their father sat at the head of the table, his face a mask of thinly veiled irritation. “I just don’t know if I’ll ever be able to eat properly again,” Rachel murmured, pushing a piece of lettuce around her plate with a fork. “The grief is just too much. I was so looking forward to being a mother.” She sniffled, dabbing at her eyes w
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Tangled Destinies TWELVE: Starting Afresh
Lila couldn’t help but let her mind drift as she worked her shift at the bookshop. The conversation she was supposed to have with Dominic later that evening kept replaying in her thoughts, making it nearly impossible to concentrate on the tasks at hand. Her eyes kept flicking toward the clock on the wall, counting down the minutes until she could finally clock out and meet him. It wasn’t long before Marcus, who was busy at the counter, noticed her distracted behavior. He didn’t miss much when it came to his employees, and today was no exception. He smirked as he caught her glancing at the time again. “You seem pretty eager to get out of here today, Lila. Got plans?” he teased lightly. Lila tried to brush it off, feeling a bit awkward. “Oh, no, just, you know, looking forward to a quiet evening,” she said, her voice a little too quick to be convincing. Marcus wasn’t buying it. He reached for a damaged book that had been set aside for repair, one with wat
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Tangled Destinies THIRTEEN: Little Quaint Place
Dominic drove her to a cozy, family-owned seafood restaurant nestled on the outskirts of Sea’s Edge. He smiled as they pulled into the small parking lot, the familiar scent of the sea mingling with the aroma of fresh-cooked food. "This place is my favorite in town," he said, glancing at Lila. "They make the best crab-stuffed flounder you’ll ever have." As if on cue, Lila’s stomach growled loudly. Her eyes went wide with embarrassment, but Dominic just burst out laughing, the sound loud and genuine. The tension that had lingered between them melted away in that instant. "Guess that settles it," Dominic said, still chuckling. "You definitely need to eat. Did you even have lunch today?" Lila shook her head, trying to stifle a smile. "Just breakfast," she admitted. Dominic sighed playfully and shook his head. "We’ll have to fix that. You’re in for a treat here." They stepped out of the car, and the rich smell of seafood hit Lila immediat
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Tangled Destinies FOURTEEN: Evening Caller
Lila’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 re
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Tangled 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 : 2024-10-29Tangled 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 : 2024-10-29Tangled 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 : 2024-10-29Tangled 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 : 2024-10-29
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Tangled Destinies TWENTY-NINE (2): Deep Suspicions
She met Rachel’s gaze evenly. "Some of us prefer silence over unnecessary chatter."“I’m just making an observation.”Annabelle didn’t look up from her plate. "And you seem overly interested in my mood this morning. Something you’d like to say?"Rachel didn’t hesitate, as though she had been waiting for this exact opening. "My cards have been restricted."Annabelle blinked, taking a small bite of her toast. She chewed slowly, savoring the crispness of the bread as Rachel’s words sank in. After swallowing, she finally said, "And how is that my problem?"Rachel leaned forward, her manicured nails tapping against the table. "I was out this morning to get a coffee. Just a coffee, Annabelle. And both of my cards declined. Both. Do you have any idea how humiliating that was?"Annabelle cut a piece of her toast in half, her expression neutral as she buttered it. "Sounds like you should t
Tangled Destinies TWENTY-NINE (1): Deep Suspicions
Annabelle stared at her reflection in the mirror of her vanity, her hands going still in the middle of applying her moisturizer. Her morning routine had always meditative and calming, but today it felt mechanical, as her hands moved on autopilot. A persistent thought had settled in her mind since last night, making it difficult to focus. Blackmailing Rachel, as her father had ordered, was unpleasant enough. The idea filled her with a sense of dread—not because Rachel didn’t deserve it. If anything, Rachel deserved worse. But the sordid revelation of Rachel’s affair with Victor Nolls had made her think of a more troubling possibility, one that Annabelle couldn’t ignore.What if the child Rachel lost hadn’t even been James’ at all?The idea rooted itself deeper as she remembered the way James had humiliated Lila in front of the family. Rachel had been having an affair with Victor before she even met James—what were the odds that
Tangled Destinies TWENTY-EIGHT (4): In Another Life
The bell above the bookstore door jingled faintly as Lila pushed it open, stepping inside with a sheepish smile. The soft scent of books mingled with the salty tang of the sea breeze, making the cozy shop feel like a haven. Marcus was leaning casually against the counter, his ever-present smirk already in place as he glanced at the clock on the wall.“Well, well,” he drawled, folding his arms with an exaggerated air of amusement. “Look who’s decided to grace us with her presence. Must be the ocean breeze slowing you down. Or,” he added, placing a hand to his chin thoughtfully, “you’ve decided to prioritize a few extra minutes of shut-eye over the loyal customers who await our doors every morning.”Lila laughed as she shrugged off her bag, rolling her eyes at his antics. “Oh, please,” she replied with a grin. “You and I both know we won’t see a soul walk through that door until ten o’clock. An
Tangled Destinies TWENTY-EIGHT (3): In Another Life
The mental image of easygoing Marcus as some cruel, overbearing employer made Lila burst out laughing. She doubled over slightly, clutching her stomach as Dominic watched her with an amused expression.“You’re ridiculous,” she managed between giggles.He shrugged nonchalantly. “Ridiculous, maybe. But effective.” His gaze softened as he stepped closer, his hand sliding around her waist. His voice dropped to a low murmur. “And for the record, seeing you in my shirt is doing things to me.”Lila felt a pleasant warmth flood her cheeks, but she met his eyes with a grin. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to bring myself to give it back.”“Good,” Dominic said without missing a beat. “Because I wouldn’t even dream of asking you to.”The space between them grew smaller, their laughter fading as they leaned in. Lila’s breath hitched in anticipation,
Tangled Destinies TWENTY-EIGHT (2): In Another Life
With a bounce in her step, she made her way to the kitchen. Aaron and Winnie were already seated at the table—or rather, Winnie was eating while Aaron stood on his chair, trying in vain to grab a syrup jar Dominic held just out of his reach.“You’re going to be late for school,” Dominic reminded Aaron, raising an eyebrow as the boy made a desperate grab for the jar.Aaron gave up the fight when he spotted Lila. “Lila!” he shouted, jumping off the chair and rushing to hug her. He barely reached her waist, but his arms wrapped around her tightly. “Are you sleeping over again tonight?”Lila knelt slightly to hug him back. “Not tonight,” she said gently. “But I’ll come see you after school, okay?”Aaron pouted but nodded, reluctantly returning to his chair. Dominic, meanwhile, had noticed what she was wearing, and his gaze lingered on her a little too long. Lila’s cheeks burne
Tangled Destinies TWENTY-EIGHT (1): In Another Life
The weight on Lila’s chest roused her from a dreamless sleep, and as her senses slowly returned, she registered small, warm hands shaking her head gently but insistently from side to side. Blinking groggily, she looked up to see Winnie perched on her chest, her tiny face hovering close, a mop of golden curls falling over her forehead.“Wake up now,” Winnie said in a small but commanding voice, her hands patting Lila’s cheeks with more determination than gentleness. “It’s morning!”Lila let out a soft laugh, sitting up slightly and rubbing her eyes. “Good morning, Winnie,” she said, her voice still husky with sleep. She pulled the blanket a little higher, becoming acutely aware that she was naked beneath it. She smiled at the sight of Winnie clutching a worn, dark pink stuffed monkey with a jaunty top hat.“This is Mr. Boots,” Winnie said solemnly, holding the toy up. “Say good morning, Mr. B
Tangled Destinies TWENTY-SEVEN (2): Family Mission
Her father’s silence was telling. His jaw tightened, but he didn’t immediately reply. Instead, he paced to the side of the desk, his movements deliberate.Annabelle shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. “You’ve spent so much time strategizing, trying to control everyone around you, that you’ve forgotten people aren’t pawns. Lila isn’t coming back, not for James, not for you, not for this company.”“That bridge will be crossed when we find her,” David said at last, his tone brooking no argument. “But if there’s even a chance of repairing the damage James caused, Rachel has to be gone first. She’s a distraction. Worse, she’s a liability.”Annabelle let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. “And how exactly do you expect me to make that happen? Rachel isn’t going to just pack her bags and leave because I ask her to.”“That’s why I&
Tangled Destinies TWENTY-SEVEN (1): Family Mission
Annabelle sat across from her father, her posture straight but relaxed.David Robinson was not a man who summoned people for idle chit-chat, least of all his children. His preference for solitude was well-known in the family, and his rare invitations usually meant something serious was at play. Annabelle knew her father's disdain for James had grown in great number after the Winters contract debacle, but even that didn’t explain why she was here tonight, alone with him in the study, at such an odd hour. There was something about her father’s posture tonight that struck her as different. The faint smell of cigar smoke lingered in the air, telling her he was particularly irritated tonight. He only smoked when he couldn’t get a problem off his mind. In the corner of the room, the grandfather clock hummed.Annabelle straightened in her seat, watching as he finally turned, and walked with purpose to the massive mahogany desk that was in front
Tangled Destinies TWENTY SIX (3): Harsh Words
Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. She glanced at it absently—it was a message from one of the servants, asking if she wanted tea before bed. She quickly sent a polite decline. Tea wouldn’t fix the turmoil in her chest. Instead, she sent Lila a short text, telling her she might come and see her this weekend. Right now, Sea’s Edge seemed more inviting than ever.She sat down at the small vanity by the window, staring at the moonlit reflection of the garden outside. Her mind wandered again to Andre. What was it about him? She hadn’t intended to let the kiss happen. She was confused and unsure of her own emotions. But then, his presence had been so consuming, so undeniable. And now she was left trying to piece together what that kiss meant. Why had she let it happen? Why had she felt so drawn to him? Her thoughts were spiraling. She knew she shouldn’t have kissed him. She didn’t even know him, not really. He was just another complica
