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TWELVE: Starting Afresh
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2024-08-22 16:45:25Lila 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
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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 : 2024-10-03Tangled 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 : 2024-10-04Tangled 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
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Tangled Destinies FORTY-THREE: A Nuisance (1)
Annabelle stepped out of Lila’s hotel room, closing the door behind her with a quiet click. The hallway was dimly lit, the patterned carpet muffling the sound of her footsteps as she made her way toward the elevator. She let out a deep breath, pressing the button and watching the numbers descend. It was only after ten o’clock but it already felt like she had had a long morning, partially because her mind was beginning to think out all the ways Lila’s sudden reappearance could change the ways things were not. Not only with Andre, but also with the family.At least Lila seemed certain about her decision. Annabelle could respect that, even if she wasn’t entirely sure how things would play out. Just before stepping into the elevator, she heard Lila’s voice call after her. “Annabelle!”She turned back, raising an eyebrow as Lila peeked out from the door frame, looking slightly sheepish.“Can you bring me something from Quick Bites when you come back?” Lila asked, naming a fast-food chain t
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Annabelle drove through the noisy streets of the city, her hands gripping the wheel a little too tightly. The shock of Lila’s sudden return hadn’t left her system yet. She stole a glance at said woman, who sat in the passenger seat, gazing out of the window with an unreadable expression."You sure about this place?" Annabelle asked, slowing as they neared the discreet hotel Lila had given her directions to.Lila nodded, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. "Yeah. I don’t need anything fancy. Just a place to stay for the night."Annabelle didn’t love the idea of Lila staying in a hotel alone, but she also understood why Lila wouldn’t want to stay at her place. Annabelle herself didn’t want her anywhere near the Robinson mansion, not with James so suddenly interested in wanting to know where Lila was after all this time just because Rachel was no longer an option.Still, Annabelle wasn’t about to let her hand
Tangled Destinies FORTY-TWO: Surprise Surprise (2)
"I'm in the city," Lila repeated, her voice slightly breathless. "I just got off the train. I—" She paused, then let out a small, self-conscious laugh. "I know it's sudden. But I wanted to let you know before I get to a hotel."Annabelle sat back on the closed toilet lid, pressing her free hand against her forehead. Lila had been in Sea’s Edge just last night. The last time they spoke, she said nothing of wanting to leave and now she was here?"You’re looking for a hotel?" she asked, catching on to that last part."Yeah. I… I didn’t really think this far ahead. I just knew I needed to come back," Lila said. "I’m trying to find a taxi now.""Don’t," Annabelle said immediately. "Don’t get into any taxis. I’ll come pick you up.""You don’t have to—""I will," Annabelle interrupted firmly. "Just wait for me at the station. I’ll start coming now."Lila sighed teasingly but didn&rsq
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Annabelle slowly stirred, her body warm despite the cool morning air. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt this deeply satisfied, with contentment wrapping around her like a second skin. As she shifted, a slow ache bloomed through her body; a delicious reminder of the night before.She was sore everywhere – her arms, her thighs, her shoulders. For Pete’s sake, she was sore in places she didn’t even know one could get sore in. And it made her want to do it all over again. Her lashes fluttered open, and for a moment, she simply lay there, absorbing the quiet intimacy of the moment. The room was dimly lit with the heavy hotel curtains keeping the morning light at bay even though the sun was already risen. The sheets were tangled around her legs, cool against her skin, but it was the solid weight of the arm slung over her waist that held her still. Andre.The realization sent a ripple of surprise through her. She had expected to wake up al
Tangled Destinies FORTY-ONE: Things Fall Apart (2)
Lila’s fingers trembled as she scribbled a quick note to Marcus, her vision blurred by unshed tears.“I’m sorry, but I need to step out for a break.”She hesitated for a brief second before placing the note where she knew he would see it. As she gathered her things and slipped out of the bookstore, a cool gust of wind brushed against her damp cheeks. The streets of Sea’s Edge were quiet this afternoon, with most of its population at work. She should feel relieved that today was a slow day. Marcus wouldn’t struggle to handle the few customers that trickled in. But relief never came. Only a hollow ache in her chest as her feet carried her down the familiar path back to the cottage.Every step, her mind replayed her conversation with Dominic in excruciating detail.The moment he had asked her if they weren’t enough of a reason for her to fight. The way his expression had hardened. The hurt in his eyes when he realized she was choosing to leave rather than stay and fight for them.She pus
Tangled Destinies FORTY-ONE (1): Things Fall Apart
The scent of fresh paper filled the bookstore as Lila carefully unboxed the latest shipment of books. She placed each book into its designated pile, her movements methodical.A few feet away, Marcus was busy unboxing their new supply of office essentials—staples, pins, and other mundane necessities. Unlike her, he wasn’t as precise in his sorting, carelessly tearing through the tape and letting packing peanuts scatter onto the floor.Lila barely paid him any mind as she reached for another box. It was slightly heavier than the others, and as she peeled away the layers of tape and folded back the cardboard, her eyes landed on something that made her lips curve into a smile.A Canine Musketeers book. Its cover gleamed with an emerald sheen, the illustration playful and inviting. A cartoonish German shepherd stood poised with a sword in its mouth, facing off against a husky, their blades exaggeratedly long and dramatic.Lila swallowed hard. Aaron loved this series. It was the very first
Tangled Destinies FORTY: Accusation! (2)
Annabelle’s brows lifted, unimpressed. She folded her arms and leaned back against her chair. “Wow,” she drawled. “That’s a very serious accusation, James. Do you have any proof, or are we just throwing wild theories around now?”His jaw twitched. “Don’t play games with me. You’re the only one who cared enough about her to help her disappear. You must know something.”Annabelle exhaled through her nose, shaking her head. “You sound paranoid.”James took a step closer. “Don’t do that. Don’t act like I’m crazy.”“You are, though.” She tilted her head, a sharp glint in her eyes. “Because yesterday, you weren’t even asking about Lila. You didn’t care where she was. You weren’t checking in on the so-called search effort. But now, all of a sudden, you’re this devoted ex-husband who’s desperate to find her?”
Tangled Destinies FORTY: Accusations! (1)
After a cold shower in the gym’s locker room, Annabelle towel-dried her hair, taking her time as the icy water’s effect dulled the fire simmering in her belly. She knew it wouldn’t last. Even as she dressed in a fresh set of clothes, her mind wandered. She could have sworn her body was humming. She wasn’t naive to let herself think this was about emotions or romance. No, this was about doing something for Annabelle for once, and not for the company and certainly not for the family.With her hair satisfactorily dry, she left the building, her gym bag hung on her shoulder. Sliding into her car, she pulled out her phone and quickly booked a suite at an upscale hotel. With a few taps and a confirmation email, a suite at the prestigious Meridian was booked.She deliberately chose a neutral setting, somewhere neither nor Andre could claim dominance. If she was going to have this night with him, she wanted it to be free from the weight of their family names, their business interests, their t
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
