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TWENTY-SEVEN (2): Family Mission
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2024-11-27 16:45:51Her 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&
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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
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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
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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,
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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"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
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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
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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
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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?”
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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
