James I stepped into the grand hall, a sea of opulence laid out before me. Crystal chandeliers shimmered overhead, casting refracted light into every corner of the room. The soft hum of classical music accompanied the quiet murmurs of the guests, who all appeared calm, but behind those polite smiles, I knew deals were being made and business strategies crafted. This birthday party was more than just a celebration—it was a battlefield for top-tier entrepreneurs and investors. Everyone was impeccably dressed, wine glasses in hand, conversing with a thin veil of arrogance.I sighed. Honestly, this party wasn’t my scene. On the surface, I might seem like the perfect husband, attending social events with Renata, my wife, and playing the role of a happy couple. But inside, I knew it was all an illusion. Our relationship had long grown cold. Every word we exchanged at home felt like rehearsed lines, devoid of meaning. Renata had just stepped away to the restroom, leaving me alone, sipping m
James I froze. "My fiancée?" It was like a thunderbolt ringing in my ears when I heard the words. My eyes shifted quickly to glance at Ethan before returning to glancing at Katniss to see if there was anything else she had to say. Ethan. Katniss. Engaged? How could that be?Beside me, Scarlett stiffened. Her expression shifted from pride in her friend for outmaneuvering Renata’s attack to something far darker—pain. I saw the disbelief in her eyes, the same disbelief that gripped me. She had always looked at Ethan with such admiration, but tonight, that admiration was shattered. Yet, she said nothing. Scarlett wouldn’t involve herself more than necessary, not in this mess.Renata, fueled by anger, wasn’t going to let it slide. “Fiancée? You must be joking! Do you even know who she is? Her past is a disaster! You have no idea what kind of filth she comes from. It doesn’t matter what title she holds now!”Ethan’s response was ice-cold, controlled. “I know exactly who she is,” he said, h
KatnissI could still feel the rage boiling within me, the anger that hadn’t subsided since the argument with Renata at the party. How could she dare to air our private issues in front of everyone like that? The memory of her sharp words and insults only made my fury rise. She had no shame, no sense of decency—just creating unnecessary drama to humiliate me. As I sat in silence, my heart pounded not only with anger but with confusion that clouded my thoughts. I couldn’t shake off the scene at the party, the way everyone’s eyes were locked on us. And of course, there was Ethan—calm, composed, always stepping in to save me at the last second.His soft voice pulled me from my thoughts. “Katniss?” he said gently, his tone soothing yet firm enough to bring me back to reality.I turned to look at him, still behind the wheel, his face serene as usual, but there was a flicker of concern in his eyes. I tried to smile, but it felt forced. Ethan—he could read me too well, always waiting, giving
Katniss“I... I don’t want to talk about it. But he’s the one who destroyed my life, Scarlett. Both emotionally and financially,” I confessed, my voice trembling.Scarlett’s gaze was soft, filled with concern. “Oh, Katniss, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”I continued, struggling to keep my composure. “After the divorce, I felt like I lost everything. He betrayed me, and I’ve never really recovered. Even now, every time I see him, all the pain rushes back.”Scarlett reached for my hand, her grip warm and reassuring. “You’re not alone. I’m here for you,” she said sincerely. “Maybe we can find a way to help you feel better. Have you considered speaking to a professional?”I shook my head. “I know I should, but I’ve never felt ready. It feels too heavy.”She held my gaze, her concern deepening. “Don’t feel pressured to share everything now. I just want you to know that whatever you're feeling, it’s valid. You have every right to feel hurt.”Tears welled up in my eyes as I nodded. “Thank you
James I stood in front of Katniss's apartment door, my heart pounding. Giselle, Katniss's five-year-old daughter, opened the door, her curiosity shining through her bright smile. There was no awkwardness in her expression at all. Where was Katniss?“Hello!” I greeted, trying to sound friendly.“Do you still remember me?” I asked, unsure if she had forgotten our previous encounter. My smile faltered as Giselle nodded eagerly.“Of course, Uncle! I remember you!” she replied, her voice bright.I crouched down to her level, extending my hand to ruffle the top of her head. “Can I come in?” I asked, seeking her permission.Giselle paused for a moment, then nodded, opening the door wider. “Mommy’s in the shower,” she said without hesitation.Ah, so Katniss was in the shower. That explained why it was Giselle who answered the door. My daughter? The thought warmed my heart. I yearned to hear her call me “Daddy.” It would bring me immense joy. I couldn’t wait for that moment to arrive. But… wo
KatnissI had tried everything to divert Giselle’s attention, but nothing worked. She was relentless in her inquiries about James. Tension hung thick in our apartment like an unwelcome guest. I had just finished a heated conversation with Giselle, unable to restrain myself any longer. “Giselle, you mustn’t talk to strangers!” I snapped, my voice low but sharp. Yet, with each word I uttered, her curiosity seemed to swell.She gazed at me, bewildered, as if struggling to grasp why her mother was so angry. “But Mom, I just want to make friends!” she pleaded, her small voice tinged with confusion.I could see the unsettling calm behind her inquisitiveness. Giselle probably sensed that there was something larger lurking behind my fury, and that made my anxiety spike. How could I explain this perilous situation without instilling fear in her?***After a grueling day at work, I returned home, yearning to find Giselle waiting for me. Instead, as I opened the door, silence enveloped the space
James I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself before stepping into the conference room. The atmosphere in the office today felt tenser than usual, and I knew the reason. The meeting led by Mr. Corleone wasn’t just a routine gathering; it was a battleground for the egos between him and me. This time, I wasn’t planning to back down.As I entered the room, every gaze shifted toward me. I seized their attention for a moment before heading to a chair in the corner. Mr. Corleone sat at the head of the table, his face calm, but I could feel the tension pulsing in the air surrounding us. He had prepared something, and I needed to be ready for his counterattack.“Welcome, Mr. James Kent,” Mr. Corleone greeted with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “We’ve been waiting for you.”“Sorry, I had a few pressing matters to attend to,” I replied as I took my seat. “But it looks like we’re ready to start.”Mr. Corleone nodded, but his eyes never left my face. He knew this wasn’t just a business
James That day, the atmosphere at home felt more oppressive than usual. I had plenty on my mind after coming back from the office, but what I found in Renata's vanity drawer was something I never saw coming. With steady steps, I approached the drawer, not really thinking about what I might discover. Yet, when I opened it, I was stunned to find several photos of Giselle, Katniss's daughter, hidden inside. A place she had no business being.“What the hell is this?” I muttered under my breath as I stared at the pictures. Giselle was smiling in every single one, her face beaming as though nothing was wrong. But deep down, a knot of unease began to tighten in my chest. Why did Renata have these photos? What was she planning?One by one, I pulled the pictures out, my mind racing with disturbing possibilities. I took a deep breath. I knew I couldn’t ignore this. I had to confront her.When Renata entered the room, I didn’t waste a second. “Renata, we need to talk.” My voice was firm, laced
James“What happened, Daddy?” Giselle asked.“It’s nothing, sweetheart. Don’t worry about it,” I replied, my tone as calm as I could manage.Giselle nodded, though the truth was, I was far more worried than she was. My eyes kept drifting to the door, waiting anxiously for them to return.Minutes later, Katniss and Ethan walked back into the room. Katniss looked even more exhausted than before, her face pale and blank. Something was seriously wrong.I glanced at Katniss, silently asking for answers. But the emptiness in her eyes spoke volumes. This wasn’t just bad news—it was something far worse.“You should leave,” Ethan said sharply, breaking the silence.“Your presence here isn’t needed,” he added, his tone dripping with finality.I glared at Ethan, my anger rising. “I’m her father!” I declared firmly.“And so am I!” Ethan snapped back.“There’s absolutely no proof you’re Giselle’s father,” he continued, his voice colder than ever. “Meanwhile, I’m Katniss’s husband, Giselle’s legiti
JamesGiselle had been moved to her own private room, no longer in the ER. Katniss was fast asleep on the couch, and Giselle remained unconscious.I decided to step out of the room to grab something for Katniss, but as soon as I exited, I came face-to-face with Ethan. He’d been waiting outside, probably for quite a while.I wasn’t sure why he didn’t just come in—perhaps he was afraid of another confrontation like the last one.His eyes immediately locked onto my face, cleaned and tended to by Katniss. He scoffed, the disdain evident. “You really have no shame, huh?” he sneered.“Ruining someone’s relationship? Shamelessly vying for attention from someone else’s wife?” he continued, his voice dripping with venom.I slid my hands into my pockets casually.“So what? You want me to apologize to you?” I replied, my tone deliberately provocative.Ethan’s attempt to stay calm unraveled quickly. Without warning, he lunged at me, grabbing the collar of my shirt with both hands.“I know it’s yo
JamesNot for a second did I loosen my embrace, even as Ethan stormed in, his hawk-like eyes glaring at me. His stare was a warning—demanding that I release Katniss immediately. He punctuated the word “my wife” with venom, as if staking a claim on her, but it only fueled my defiance.My woman.Yes, Katniss belongs to me. Only me. And I’ll make sure the whole world knows it, no matter the cost.Katniss looked up at me, her eyes wide, silently pleading for me to stop, as though she could read the reckless determination in my mind. She shook her head, desperate to halt my next move.“I said—take your filthy hands off my wife.” Ethan’s words lashed out like a whip, his voice cold enough to chill anyone’s blood.Anyone but me.I wasn’t intimidated. Not one bit.“Let go,” Katniss whispered, her voice trembling. Her hands slid between us, forming a weak barrier as she pushed against my chest. Her effort was small, hesitant. Still, I refused to let go.I turned to her, losing sight of Ethan i
KatnissI received a call from an unknown number. Without hesitation, I answered it.“Hello?”“Katniss, it’s me, Ethan,” said the voice on the other end.I shot up from where I was sitting, my heart pounding. “Ethan! Tell me—did you find Giselle? Is she safe?” My voice trembled as a surge of fear and worry overtook me. My grip on the phone tightened, my teeth sinking into my lip as if the pain could suppress the growing anxiety.It felt like my heart was being shocked with electricity every passing second.“Giselle... We found her. Jack and I got her to safety,” Ethan replied.A heavy breath I hadn’t realized I was holding escaped my lips. Relief rushed through me like a tidal wave.“Thank God. Thank you, God,” I whispered over and over, tears welling up in my eyes as gratitude flooded my heart.“But she’s unconscious,” Ethan continued. “She’s been admitted to the nearest hospital, in the emergency ward. The doctors are checking her now. I’ve sent someone to pick you up. Wait there, o
James I looked at them as they sat in the car, making sure to flash them the most disgusting look I could muster. I offended the driver’s privacy and I saw the reaction straight on its pupils, which were shrinking with panic as soon as our eyes met.My body reciprocated with the violent bouncing of what I guessed was a deliberate attempt to unbalance me. But they underestimated me. With a lot of force, I managed to kick the car window and it made a faint crack. I aimed at the same area near the driver which distracted him from the way forward. My gaze remained focused on the road in front that way if things turned ugly the car wouldn’t stray too far off course.‘But I need to be cautious now,’ I told myself. ”I can’t risk my daughter getting hurt.”Where I was standing I could see that Giselle was seated next to two men, and there were two more men in the back row. As I thought all along—there are six men in total.CRASH!I landed another solid kick, deepening the cracks in the windo
James: I sprinted down the dimly lit street, stealing a quick glance behind me to ensure Ethan was still on my heels. He was. My focus snapped forward, eyes adjusting to the oppressive darkness as I pushed myself harder. Most of the streetlights were out, leaving the path shadowed and treacherous.Damn it. Why were all the lights turned off tonight of all nights?I didn’t have time to dwell on it. My heartbeat quickened as I spotted them—those bastards. The kidnappers. Two men dragging Giselle toward a waiting black car. Cold sweat dripped down my temple.I didn’t think twice. “Ethan! They’re using a car!” My voice cut through the silence, sharp and commanding, nearly a shout.Ethan nodded grimly, his expression darkening as we watched the car start moving—quickly, too quickly—already a good distance away and fading into the shadows.“Your car! Where’s your car?” I snapped at him, desperation lacing my tone.“Shit! It’s too far from here!” he replied through gritted teeth.“Damn it!”
JamesThe feast was in progress, there was an eerie feeling there that I could feel– not a joyous one, but something wrong. "Strange. Why now is there a festive air? I looked into the schedule before we got here, and nowhere was this indicated. Or… could this be one of Renata and Scarlett’s plans?”I just observed Katniss, Ethan, and Giselle while hiding behind the shadows. Some of them were laughing and chatting carelessly which struck the ears of the dancing crowds. Giselle who did not see anything wrong continued spinning around while music and dancers flooded the beach. It was beautiful and Giselle with her bubbly spirited character who never for a moment was worried about anything spun around in joy as the music and dancers illuminated the night. Then, Katniss looked unsure, her forehead was creased with worry.“Are you sure this is safe, Ethan? It feels… too sudden, doesn’t it? A celebration like this and no one said anything before?” she muttered to Ethan. She was standing wa
JamesI still remember their conversation at the restaurant—Scarlett and Renata scheming, plotting. They made it clear Giselle would become a problem for them again.“You’re right. Giselle is their weakness. That’s what I know for sure,” Scarlett had said, her tone dripping with malice.I decided to follow them, careful not to be noticed. But as luck would have it, I saw their attention shift abruptly—they had spotted Katniss and Giselle in the distance.Renata grabbed Scarlett’s arm, pulling her behind a pillar. Scarlett looked startled at first, but then her composure returned, her sharp gaze following where Renata’s finger pointed. Ethan, Katniss, and Giselle stood not too far away, walking together like a picture-perfect family.I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling inside. I was too far to hear their conversation. Quietly, I moved closer, pressing my back against the wall of a nearby building, peeking just enough to keep my eyes on them.“Ethan wasn’t supposed to be here,” Sc
KatnissEthan looked at James suspiciously.“Him? What about him?” Ethan asked, his tone sharp, clearly forcing the answer he desperately wanted.“He’s actually—”“Daddy!”I froze, my words caught in my throat as a familiar small voice interrupted me. I turned my head quickly, looking down to see Giselle, her face lit up with a bright, beaming smile.Then I looked at Ethan. His face mirrored my surprise, his expression caught between shock and confusion after hearing Giselle call him ‘daddy.’“You’re here, Daddy? Ah, I missed you so much! I’m so happy to see you!” Giselle squealed, rushing forward to hug Ethan’s legs tightly.Ethan and I locked eyes briefly, both of us stunned, speechless. But despite the awkwardness, there was no mistaking the small, triumphant smile creeping onto Ethan’s handsome face.Slowly, he crouched down until he was level with Giselle, their faces now inches apart.“Daddy?” he echoed softly, his smile widening into something more tender as his large hands cra