James I had just finished a meeting at Ethan’s office when I overheard a conversation between Katniss and one of her colleagues. They were talking about how Giselle had finally started school. The mention of her name stirred something deep inside me, igniting a curiosity about how my niece was adjusting to her new environment. Without hesitation, I set out to find out where she was enrolled.After gathering the information I needed, I decided to visit the school. As I drove, my emotions churned—a mixture of pride that Giselle was finally able to experience school and anxiety about how she would fit in with her peers.When I arrived, the school grounds buzzed with the laughter and chatter of children. But as I scanned the area, my heart froze. A group of kids had surrounded Giselle. They were laughing, and I could see the discomfort in her expression. I stopped in my tracks, hiding behind a large tree, observing from a distance.Giselle stood in the middle of the circle, her eyes glis
KatnissI decided to pick up my daughter early today. I left work ahead of schedule, eager to spend more time with Giselle. Her nanny had taken the day off for personal reasons, so it was my responsibility as her mother to take care of her.Giselle had recently confided in me about being bullied by some of her classmates. I had hoped that sending her to an elite school would protect her from such experiences, but clearly, I had miscalculated. I reported the bullying to the school administration, hoping they would address the issue and educate the children who were targeting her.Over the past few days, Giselle had seemed withdrawn, the weight of those hurtful experiences dulling her usual brightness. I wanted to do something special for her, to lift her spirits and help her feel better.As the school day neared its end, I glanced at my phone, trying to pass the last few minutes. When I saw the children starting to trickle out, I stepped outside, scanning the sea of faces. My eyes narr
Katniss“Mommy! Let’s go!” Giselle was bursting with excitement. It had been a week since her mood about school had changed so drastically for the better.‘I’m not getting bullied anymore!’That’s what she’d told me, and of course, I was thrilled to hear it.‘I guess the school finally addressed my complaint,’ I thought. They seemed to handle the issue swiftly and thoroughly, rooting out the problem.“Mommy’s so happy to see you this excited,” I said as we drove towards Giselle’s school. She turned her head to me with a wide, radiant smile.“Of course! It’s all because I get to see—“But she cut herself off suddenly. “See who?” I asked, glancing over at her, curious to see her reaction. Her expression was a little panicked, as she nervously bit her lower lip, her eyes slightly widened as they stared straight ahead.My brow furrowed, a clear line forming on my forehead. “Giselle?” I called her name again when she didn’t respond right away.“Who are you excited to see?” I repeated, tryi
James “It’s impossible that Giselle just disappeared. Someone must be looking for her,” I muttered to myself, and only one name crossed my mind—Renata. Was she at it again? I rushed around the school where Giselle was last seen, but there was no sign of her. Without hesitation, I called Renata. A video call, to be exact. She wouldn’t be able to lie if I saw her face. After two attempts went unanswered, I kept calling relentlessly. Finally, on the fifth ring, Renata picked up. “Where are you?” I asked, straight to the point. “What’s with your tone? It’s really unpleasant,” she responded sharply, her eyes narrowing. “Where are you?” I repeated, ignoring her complaints. “That’s none of your business!” she snapped, her voice laced with anger. Her gaze was so sharp it felt like a knife. We had argued again this morning, after all. “Stop bothering me! I’m out with my friends!” she continued. I squinted, noticing she wasn’t in our apartment. Just as she was about to end the
James “Where are you? What the hell are you doing at the hospital?” I said, cutting straight to the point.Suddenly, a voice broke through, panicked and desperate. “Who are you people? I want to go home! No! I’m not going with you again! You can’t make me!”My heart nearly stopped when I heard it.“I want to go back to Mommy! Don’t take me away again! Mommy must be worried because I’m gone! She’s going to be mad at you! Just wait and see!”I knew that voice too well. Instantly, my gaze shot to Renata, sharp and furious.“I warned you, Renata! She’s just a child! Have you completely lost your mind? Don’t you dare mess with her! Where are you? I’m coming for her, now!” My voice rose, unable to contain the surge of anger boiling inside me.I didn’t care about the stares I was getting from people nearby, their disapproving looks didn’t matter. My footsteps quickened with every second.“Tell me where you are, now!” I pressed, my tone commanding, not taking no for an answer.“What are you
James“Uncle?”Giselle’s voice pulled me out of my deep thoughts, my mind racing with how to handle everything.“Yes, sweetheart?” I replied, glancing at her.“You’re worried about how Mommy will react, aren’t you?” she asked, her gaze sharp.Ah, just as I thought—my daughter was incredibly perceptive. She could read the situation so well. But I didn’t want her burdened with my worries, so I shook my head, offering her a soft smile.“No, Giselle. Don’t worry about it, okay? I’ll take care of everything. You just rest for now. I’ll wake you when we arrive,” I assured her.But she shook her head, determination flashing in her eyes. “I have a plan, Uncle!” she announced with confidence.“A plan? What kind of plan?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.Giselle winked at me, a mischievous smile on her lips. “Trust me!” she said.I could only stare at her in confusion. What could my clever little girl possibly be planning?******Katniss"So what now? Where's the responsibility? She's just a kid! H
James I kept my eyes on the apartment building, waiting for Katniss' car to arrive, but what caught my attention instead was Mr. Corleone’s car pulling up. As soon as it stopped in front of the building, Katniss rushed out and dashed inside.I understood why she reacted like that. I felt the same panic earlier when I couldn’t find Giselle. If I, who wasn’t even part of Giselle’s life before this, could feel like my world was collapsing, I could only imagine what Katniss was going through. She’s been with Giselle since the moment she was in her womb.Then, three more people stepped out of the car—Mr. Corleone, of course, along with Giselle’s nanny, and someone I recognized as one of her teachers. I’d seen that face a few times at the school.A wave of heat surged through me as I watched how effortlessly Mr. Corleone managed Katniss’ personal matters. But right now, it wasn’t the time for me to get involved.With the certainty that Giselle was safe, I turned my focus to another issue t
James“SHE’S NOT!” Renata screamed, pointing her finger at me, radiating pure confidence in her words.“I already did the DNA test, and the results will be out tomorrow. We’ll see whether she’s your child or not. But I’m certain—that brat is NOT yours! So stop acting like she is! I’m sick of watching you play house with her!” She spat the words with venom.I clenched my fists, trying to control the anger surging through me. “I don’t understand your logic, Renata. I’ve already told you—"“Don’t be stupid! You need undeniable proof if you want to claim her as yours! I know your father is breathing down your neck for an heir, but just because she looks like you doesn’t mean anything. You need solid evidence!” she cut me off, her voice laced with frustration.I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady. “You know I need Giselle, Renata. Don’t be like this. You’re being unreasonable. You know the threats my father made. Why are you constantly sabotaging everything?”“If I lose my
Katniss This was no longer a personal matter. It had grown into something much more serious than that and it involved Mr. Corleone and the whole company into my problems. The weight of my choices continued to bear down on me like a heavy weight on my chest and back. Now there was nothing I could do about it – I had to pay the price whatever the state I was in. The investor had departed, and he had taken all his employees with him. The once very active meeting room was very silent, and it was only me and Mr. Corleone. He sat still; his back straight as he made a sharp breath. Sitting back in the chair, he tilted his head up to the ceiling with his eyes closed as if searching for solace in the midst of the storm I have stirred. “I deeply apologize, sir,” I began, my voice trembling. “You prepared everything so meticulously for this investor, but because of my carelessness—” “Do you think apologies will fix this, Katniss?” His voice cut through my words like a blade. He didn’t ev
Katniss "You don’t have to answer me now," said Mr. Corleone, sensing how difficult it was for me to respond to his offer of help."I understand it’s a tough decision, Katniss. So, take your time—however much you need," he added gently."But..." He paused, leaving me breathless, waiting for him to finish. "You know the longer you wait, the bigger the problem will grow. That’s all I wanted to say," he said with a calm but pointed tone.He glanced at the clock. "Work hours will start soon. Whether you go home first or come with me, it’s your choice."Then, he stood and offered, "We could have breakfast together."Without waiting for my reply, he walked out of his office, leaving me alone with my tangled thoughts. The weight of his proposal pressed heavily on my mind. Marrying him... It was something I’d never imagined in my wildest dreams.There was no way I could discuss this with James. Even though this might seem like a good idea, I was certain he’d reject it outright and do everyt
Katniss “Sit, please,” he said, his voice calm but with an edge of authority. I hesitated, my instincts warning me that nothing good would come from this conversation. The air around us felt suffocating, heavy with unspoken tension. “If you think you can fix this mess, then sit and listen carefully. I know this isn’t something you want to hear, but this is the price you must pay for what you’ve done,” he said, his tone sharp yet steady. The weight of his words made my chest tighten. Slowly, I sat on the sofa, feeling the cold leather beneath my hands. He returned to his chair, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, watching me like a hawk. “What should I do, sir?” I asked, my voice low but firm, masking the storm inside me. He tilted his head slightly, studying me with a faint smirk. “Why are you so desperate, Katniss? You’ve already agreed without even knowing the cost.” Mr. Corleone picked up his coffee cup, steam rising from the dark liquid, but his piercing gaze didn’t wave
Katniss"Stay in bed with her. Make sure she does not watch TV or sit to play on her phone or do anything with her social media account. Do you understand?" I said, my voice rising an octave, my stare daring her, looking directly into Nanny’s eyes.She agreed without any further questions. "Yes, ma’am,” she responded.I quietly smiled and nodded somewhat in agreement."I’m leaving now," I said, not waiting for her response.I was ready to go, though I hadn’t showered—just changed my clothes, brushed my teeth, and washed my face. Mr. Corleone had insisted on this meeting at his house, and though I didn’t understand what will he said, I couldn’t risk defying him. He said it was important, and I couldn’t afford to refuse.Before heading out, I quickly sent a message to the maid. I didn’t want Giselle to wake up to any bad news about her parents, especially anything negative about herself.The drive was long, but eventually, I found myself in front of the grand mansion, its towering struc
JamesSpit it out already! You know his name, don’t you? You know who that man is!” I demanded, my voice sharp and unyielding.Beads of sweat poured down his forehead, his face pale and trembling. Who could terrify him to this extent? Just how powerful was the person he was so afraid of?“I-I don’t know, sir,” he stammered.“Don’t give me that!” My voice thundered, drawing the attention of those nearby. Their heads turned in my direction, their curiosity evident, but one icy glare from me sent them scrambling to mind their own business.He flinched, his shoulders hunching further as he struggled to find the words.“T-They… I can’t say much, sir,” he mumbled, his voice shaking. “They… they threatened me.”I frowned, confusion briefly cutting through my rising anger. “Threatened you?” I asked, my tone low and dangerous.“Yes,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “They kidnapped me… took me to some place. They said if I didn’t give them the evidence, they’d…” He trailed off, swallowi
James “James!”Katniss tugged at my shirt, her urgency pulling me back from the brink of confrontation. Her voice trembled, carrying the weight of her fear.“I-I swear I didn’t see him leave, sir. B-But when he came in, I noticed him. He hasn’t exited yet,” the security guard stammered, his words tumbling out as his gaze darted nervously between us.I felt my patience snap. “Why didn’t you say that from the start?!” My voice was sharp, cutting through the heavy air. “Instead, you claimed you hadn’t seen anything! Be clear—give me proper answers!”“I’m sorry, sir,” he muttered, his head hanging low in shame.I inhaled deeply, forcing myself to rein in my temper. “Listen closely,” I said firmly, each word deliberate. “If you spot the man with the description Katniss gave, you detain him immediately. Do you understand me?”“Yes, sir,” he replied, his head nodding rapidly in nervous compliance.I turned to Katniss, whose face was a mixture of worry and determination. “That means he’s sti
Katniss"I don’t know how she found out, but she will let everyone believe whatever she wants. She’s trying to make it look like she’s the innocent one, like we’re the ones to blame for the divorce,” he explained.I don’t even want to say anything. The words catch in my throat."Uncle?" Giselle’s voice cuts through the thick silence, and without warning, our attention shifts to her. James stands up quickly, wiping away the hardness in his eyes. His expression softens, like he doesn’t want to worry her—doesn’t want her to see the cracks in his armor."Giselle!"She walks toward him and wraps her arms around him. She must’ve been holding it together for too long. For a moment, James freezes, then his arms close around her, tightly, as though he’s desperate for her warmth to steady him."Ah, Giselle. Thank you for hugging me," he mutters, his voice thick with something raw, something I’m not sure I want to understand.I can’t wait any longer. "Giselle, go to your room. There’s something
Katniss Just before James arrived at my house, my phone rang. It was a colleague.“Katniss, you’re the hot topic at work right now. Do you even realize what’s going on?”“I know,” I answered, trying to stay calm. “I’ve heard people whispering, but I still don’t understand what new rumor could be spreading now. I don’t know why I keep getting dragged into these scandals.” My voice betrayed the exhaustion I felt.“Katniss, it’s serious. This might turn into one of the biggest scandals of the year! The whole business world is buzzing!”My heart dropped. His words hit like a punch, leaving me breathless. Could it really be that bad?“What are you talking about? Please, just tell me,” I managed to say, my throat tight with anxiety.Ding…The doorbell rang, and I hurried to check who it was.“I’m sending you the article now,” my coworker said. I nodded, nerves knotting in my stomach as I went to open the door.I saw James on the monitor, looking shaken. His hair was disheveled, his eyes wi
James“Let’s meet.”Surprised but strangely pleased to hear Katniss suggest that, I replied without hesitation.“Sure. Where are you? I’ll come to you right away.”“We’ll meet at my apartment. It’s safer there. I have some things to discuss with you,” she said before abruptly ending the call.Without wasting any time, I made my way to her apartment. But just as I reached the building, I ran into Mr. Corleone. He was speaking with someone, nodding curtly as she left, then turned his gaze to me—a cold, penetrating look.The tension was palpable. His disapproval practically radiated off him.“I thought you weren’t around, sir,” I started, hoping to break the ice.“I just finished some business with the representative you recommended,” I continued.“I had some matters to take care of as well,” he replied, his voice laced with an edge. “Are you heading home?”I nodded. “Yes.”“Then be careful,” he said, his tone polite but empty, a mere formality. As I stepped past him, his voice suddenly