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TWENTY-ONE (6): Helping Out
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2024-11-02 16:45:07Dominic took a step closer, and Lila’s pulse beat quicker, her heart caught in the wild thrill of anticipation. There was something intoxicating in his gaze, something that made her feel as if he were peeling away her walls, layer by layer, with each unspoken word. The air between them felt , electric, and she knew if she didn’t step back now, she’d be swept away in whatever was about to happen.
His face was only inches from hers, his gaze flickering to her lips in a way that sent a shiver down her spine. Her breathing hitched. She felt herself leaning in, just a fraction, but enough to betray how much she wanted to close that small distance between them. She didn’t know what had come over her, this overwhelming desire to abandon all her worries and cautions and let herself feel something she hadn’t dared in a very long time. Dominic’s presence was waking her up, sparking something in her that she hadn’t realized she missed.
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Annabelle fastened the last button on her shirt cuff, the soft fabric sliding over her wrist as she adjusted it, her fingers lingering a moment longer than usual. She stared at her reflection, but her thoughts were miles away. Her mind wasn’t on her outfit, not really; it was on Andre Winters. She was about to march into his office unannounced. No appointment. No polite prelude. Just a woman who wasn’t about to let some businessman derail everything her family had worked for without a fight, but she was certain Andre wouldn’t turn her away.And, if she was honest with herself, part of her was thrilled at the idea of seeing Andre again, to test whether him giving her a hint was strictly professional—or if there was something else simmering beneath the surface. She almost laughed at herself for the thought. He’d given her that hint about his mysterious decision to pull the plug on her family’s business, and he hadn’t offered
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“You mean Rachel, the woman who lives here solely because you’re supporting her. The same Rachel who’s always ‘loved’ you—as long as there’s money involved?” She shook her head. “Let me get this straight. She’s afraid you’ll leave her… so she’s decided the best way to keep you is to scream at you?”James’s face tightened, and he visibly stiffened at her words, his face a mixture of hurt and indignation. He rubbed his eyes, sinking lower into the chair. “It’s not like that, Annabelle,” he said defensively, though he sounded more like he was trying to convince himself than her. “She’s just upset.”“Oh, it’s not?” Her tone was sharp, relentless. “Rachel might seem upset now, but that’s only because she’s terrified her free ride’s about to end. It’s not you she’s afraid of losing, James. It&rsqu
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Winters Corp. headquarters was a modern masterpiece of steel and glass that towered into the sky, its minimalist design made it stand out confidently among the other buildings in the business district. The sheer size of it made visitors feel small—a clear sign of the power of the man behind it, Andre Winters. The building seemed to say that only those worthy of respect could walk within its walls.Annabelle felt a thrill pulse through her as she stepped inside. The reception hall was stunning. Light poured in through the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, lighting up the polished marble floors and high-end furnishings. To her left was a waiting area furnished with comfortable seating in soft grays and blacks. The Winters logo was etched onto the wall behind the receptionist, sharp and understated—a simple W with a line through it, full of ruthless simplicity.This time, Annabelle noticed the receptionist’s demeanor had shifted. Gone was the dismissiv
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Annabelle crossed the room with steady steps, keeping her face neutral as she met his gaze. But the closer she got, the more she felt that prickling awareness again, the same one she’d felt every time she was near him. She sat down, crossing one leg over the other and folding her hands in her lap."Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Winters," she said, careful to keep her tone level."Of course," he replied, leaning back in his chair. "I must say, I was curious when I heard you were here. I didn’t think I’d see you again so soon after our last conversation.”The corners of his mouth lifted in a faint smile, but his eyes remained unreadable. He was testing her, she realized, waiting to see what angle she would take. Annabelle met his gaze evenly.“I didn’t think so either,” she admitted, “but I couldn’t stay away—not when you gave me that hint about the contract.”He raised an eyebrow
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Annabelle was momentarily at a loss, taken aback by his sincerity. But before she could respond, Andre stood and walked toward her, crossing the room with a quiet, powerful intensity. He stopped when he was just inches from her, his presence almost overwhelming as he reached down and traced a finger along her jawline. A shiver ran through her as his eyes bore into hers. His voice softened, but his words were edged with hidden anger. “But you can understand my disappointment in seeing how your family treated her. Now that she’s no longer part of the Robinson name, I have no desire to continue this arrangement. I have no reason to care about your company’s success—or failure.”Annabelle bristled at his words. His dismissal of her family was cutting, even if it was grounded in James’s reckless behavior.His fingers dropped, his eyes hardening. “I’ve heard how James treated her. And I’ve heard how she was discarded, as
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Annabelle gripped the steering wheel as she drove, her mind whirring through her conversation with Andre Winters. She replayed each word, every flicker of expression that had crossed his face, hunting for something she might have missed. The image of his self-assured smirk, his dark eyes glinting with secrets, lingered vividly. But what haunted her most was his revelation about Lila—how he had taken on her father’s company, not because he felt it deserved his business, but simply to make sure Lila would be provided for, hidden under the guise of business.Annabelle’s chest tightened at the thought. This admission alone raised more questions than it answered. Did Lila even know that Andre was looking out for her? Or perhaps… was there history between them that Lila had never mentioned? As much as she tried, Annabelle couldn’t shake the idea that maybe, just maybe, Andre had once been close to Lila, closer than mere friends. If that were true, why
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Her father’s political career was, she knew, far more at risk than he let on. The media had long awaited any chance to dig into his volatile temper and questionable decisions, and with Andre distancing himself, they would have that opportunity. David would lose, and it would be nothing short of spectacular.Part of her almost wanted to see it happen.But another part, the part that had been raised with a relentless sense of duty to her family’s legacy, steeled her resolve. She had to save the company. If there was any chance of securing Andre’s contract again, she would have to play this carefully.She leaned back against her desk, folding her arms as she eyed her father and brother. “So,” she said coolly, “I assume you’re here to tell me something important.”“He’s pulling out,” James said, breaking the tense silence that followed Annabelle’s question. His voice was low, full of frus
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As Annabelle spoke, she could see her father’s frustration rising, his temper ready to spill over. But what troubled her more than anything was the way James shrank under their father’s simmering rage, the way his shoulders hunched in defeat. She could feel the familiar tension in the air, the power struggle between her father and brother, one that had been ongoing for years.David didn’t waste any time before turning his fury on James. “You’re useless, James! Utterly useless!” he spat, his words biting through the silence. “How could you let this happen? How could you let Lila slip through our fingers? And you never even bothered to run a proper background check on her?”James flinched, his face pale. He struggled to find his words, his hands twitching at his sides as he stumbled over his answer. “I… of course, I did,” he muttered shakily, his voice betraying his nerves. “The background check cam
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Tangled Destinies THIRTY-THREE: Hard Questions (2)
The name hit Lila like a thunderclap. Her breath caught in her throat, and her body went rigid. The color drained from her face, leaving her as pale as the moonlight streaming through the kitchen window.Annabelle didn’t miss the way Lila’s hand trembled in hers or the wide-eyed look of fear and shock that overtook her expression. It was as if the very mention of Andre’s name had opened a floodgate of emotions that Lila had fought to keep buried.“Lila?” Annabelle pressed gently, though her own heart twisted at the reaction she’d gotten out of Lila.Lila swallowed hard, her hands clutching the edge of the marble island. “Why are you asking about him?”Annabelle hesitated for a beat, as if carefully choosing her words. Then, her voice dropped to a soothing tone, as if Lila was a scared child she was trying to comfort. “Because I need to know, Lila. He’s involved with the family. I think you
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
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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
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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
