JamesThat day, like usual, I stood watch at the guard post of Mr. Corleone's mansion. It felt odd, standing there, observing every person who came and went. But deep down, there was only one person I wanted to see: Katniss. I still couldn't believe I had managed to get this job, but somehow, I felt like this was the only way I could stay close to her—even if only for a brief moment.The area outside was quiet, so I was given the task of checking a few sections of the mansion. I walked through the halls, my heart pounding, restless with every step. A few minutes ago, Katniss and Giselle had left, so I figured now was the perfect time to check something my friend had left for me at the guard post. But as I passed through the living room door, I froze.There, in the front room, something made my heart leap into my throat—Katniss. She had just entered the same room as Mr. Corleone.I stood still, struggling to remain calm as a wave of jealousy surged within me. I knew, I knew, she was ma
JamesI choked and was about to walk out of the room. But before I could get out my door, her gentle voice called me back.“Y-You....” Her voice was shaking as if she was battling with her own fear.I stood there for a moment at the door before slowly backing away. The light of the flashlight was on her face and tears still rolled down her pretty face. “What is it?” I asked the question although I could guess the answer.“Take me to Giselle’s room,” she said in almost a hiss. Her hand shook as it reached for the bottom of my shirt. "I- I want to make sure that she is alright in this darkness."I nodded silently, my heart in turmoil. “Alright, follow me.”Our steps were slow as we moved toward Giselle’s room, walking down the long, dark hallway. I made sure to walk ahead, using the flashlight to light our path. But when I felt her small, cold fingers brush against mine, a sharp pang hit my chest.She gripped my hand tightly, like a little child afraid of losing her hold on me. The touc
JamesI remember the feeling of Katniss as if the very thought was trying to drag from my mind. My happiness has no bounds; I am even getting tired of smiling as I walk around the room. In the way she clung to me, the way she whispered please help me, the way she shivered and sought refuge in my embrace – it was like we hadn’t changed at all. It felt right.I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head. “You know, this whole ‘guarding Ethan Corleone’s mansion’ thing might not be the disaster I thought it’d be. At least I get to see you, Katniss.”My voice fades into the quiet room, but the emotions stay, swirling like a storm I can’t contain. I closed my eyes, with the intention of sleeping, but my brain could not keep idle. Her—him—these thoughts won’t let me sleep.I stand up annoyed and put on my sandals. “Fine. If I can’t sleep, the least I can do is have a drink of water.”The hallway is empty when I go toward the kitchen, then I hear it—a door has been opened. My heart stops.It’s hi
JamesI quickly hid after making sure everything was in place. My emotions were a mess, a strange mix of anger and relief. But my mind was still racing, thinking about what I should do next now that I knew the truth.Step. Step. Step.The sound of footsteps grew louder and closer.Who is that? My heart began to race. I ducked behind Ethan's desk, holding my breath.Click.It felt like my heart would stop when the door opened. From the scent of his cologne, I knew immediately it was Ethan.Damn it! What does he want now? Why is he back?! Frustration boiled inside me.I could hear a sharp sigh from Ethan. Was he coming closer? Had he noticed something?"Tch." I heard him click his tongue. What’s going on? Did he spot me?"Ugh... It’s already past midnight... I guess I shouldn’t make the maid go fetch my..." Ethan’s voice trailed off as he seemed to prepare to leave.Just when I thought he was gone, my hand brushed against the chair, knocking it over with a loud clunk.Shit! I cursed und
KatnissI stared at his car. Ethan told me I didn’t need to go to work today. He said it was my right to take a break since I had complained earlier about a headache. He insisted I stay home and pamper myself.I touched my forehead. Ethan had just kissed it—his kiss was soft and full of love, but somehow, I didn’t like it. The uncomfortable feeling was so strong. What bothered me most, though, was the disappointed look on James's face that kept playing in my mind.“Katniss, what do you even want from that man? He’s the one who put you in this difficult situation. You should stop thinking about him.”But the heart wants what it wants.“Mommy.” I snapped out of my thoughts when Giselle called me.“Ah, yes, sweetheart?” I replied.“I want to play,” she said, her face scrunched up. Giselle hadn’t been outside for a long time. Poor thing, she must feel trapped.I looked at the situation. Is it okay for Giselle and me to go out in public now? The news about James and my wedding with Ethan h
JamesI couldn’t help but smile as I watched her cheeks flush a soft pink. Katniss had always been terrible at hiding her emotions. Everything she felt played out so vividly on her face, in the way her hands fluttered nervously, and in her body language. It was the same as before, an adorable trait that she used to have every time we were still in a relationship.Still the same, I thought, amused yet aching. The way she fidgeted, the flushed look on her face—they were so recognisable.“You know…” I said."Um.."I could see the tension in her shoulders, the confusion in her eyes. Every part of me wanted to tell her the truth, to see the realization dawn on her that it was me. But I couldn’t. Not yet. If I did, she’d pull further away, and I couldn’t let that happen. I needed to trap her in this moment, to let the feelings she’d buried resurface. Only then could I ensure she wouldn’t run.“No, ma’am. This is the first time we’ve met,” I said, keeping my tone steady, my gaze locked on he
KatnissJack’s smile was so bright that I couldn’t help but laugh freely alongside Giselle. That rare feeling of connection felt so pure, so genuine.As Jack glanced at his phone, Giselle ran toward him, her little feet kicking up sand.“Uncle Guard! Show me the photo!” she chirped excitedly.Jack chuckled warmly. He knelt down, holding out his phone to show her the screen. On it, he had recorded a video of us laughing, playing with the ocean waves and the soft sand."See this," he offered softly. "You two look so happy. It’s such a lovely moment, and I simply couldn’t help myself—I had to capture it." After a brief pause, he added, "I think this might be my favorite video from now on."His words made my heart skip. Did he really mean it? Did he like me and Giselle that much?Jack suddenly looked up at me, his expression slightly startled, as if he had realized something he wasn’t supposed to say out loud.“I mean—” He cleared his throat nervously. “I’ve told you before, haven’t I?
JamesI hadn't put on my dentures yet, and I was still dealing with my discomfort. I had just finished showering and was getting ready.Katniss had already sent me a message, and I was in a rush. My heart was beating fast. I thought everything was fine, as I remembered locking the door to this hotel room. But then I stopped."Did I lock it?"Damn it! I couldn't remember if I had locked the door or not. I tried to push the uneasy feeling aside and went back to finishing my appearance.My face still looked like James, not Jack. I hadn’t put on the dentures, fake mole, or mustache yet. I kept staring into the mirror, carefully placing each detail.I was so focused that I didn’t hear the footsteps approaching until I heard the familiar voice of a child.“Daddy?!”I jumped and quickly turned my head to the side.“Huh?” I froze for a moment. But when I looked in the mirror, I realized why Giselle had called me "Daddy."I stared, wide-eyed.“Shhh!” I quickly approached her and crouched down.
JamesAnother period of months passed since that night until a new piece of information altered everything in our lives.Katniss was pregnant.The pregnancy test revealed itself to me as she held it while her hands shook and tears formed in her eyes. “James… I’m pregnant again.”I stood motionless while staring at the bright pink lines that clearly appeared on the test. Inside me a whirlwind of emotions boiled as joy, shock and fear combined. The thought of losing Katniss and our baby the way we lost our second baby consumed me.I instantly hugged her close while feeling her body tremor against me. “I’m here, Katniss. The pregnancy and both of you remain completely safe and protected. I whispered an oath while caressing her hair because she required my reassurance at that moment.“I’m scared, James…” Her voice cracked. “I’m scared of losing again… The fear of losing her again repeated itself in her mind as she said "I don't know if I can handle it…"I cupped her face with both hands,
KatnissAfter Scarlett departed I stood motionless staring at the doorway while my eyes desperately sought something which did not exist because I wished to reverse all the destruction that had occurred.At every heartbeat my heart experienced torn fragments that pierced my chest with intense pain.I had forgiven her before. I had chosen to believe in her. But now? Could I still do it?My hand instinctively went to my flat stomach, the emptiness there consuming me.I used to feel the tiny flutter of life inside me, the hope of something pure. Now, there was nothing. Just hollow, aching emptiness. The pain was unbearable. Tears blurred my vision, but I was too exhausted to cry anymore.James was still holding my hand tightly, his grip like a lifeline, as if he feared I would crumble if he let go. Maybe he was right. Maybe I would."Do I have to forgive her?" My voice was barely a whisper, more of a fragile confession to myself than a question to him.James lifted his gaze, his eyes ful
James Hours pass. I don’t know if it’s still the same day or if thousands of years have gone by since I made that decision. I stand here, staring at the white walls of the recovery room, unable to stop replaying every warning from the doctor over and over in my mind. Each word echoes like a broken record:If we save her, the baby won’t survive.If we save the baby, Katniss may not make it.Those words—those gut-wrenching words—keep pounding in my head. I want to escape this reality, but all I can think about is Katniss. Was I right? Was this the right thing to do?"Mr. Kent," the nurse whispers as she exits the room where I’ve been pacing for hours. My throat is dry, my chest tight with anxiety. I can barely bring myself to ask. But I have to.“How is she?” My voice is hoarse, fragile, heavy with the dread that suffocates me.Her eyes are filled with sorrow, too much sorrow to prepare me for what I’m about to hear. She speaks softly, like she knows each word will tear me apart.“Her
JamesI couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Katniss was dying, barely holding on, and she was still thinking about someone else."Don’t think about her," I said, my voice sharper than I intended. But I needed her focused—she needed to fight. She had to pull through.But she was insistent. "Save… Scarlett… please, James."I didn’t fully understand it—Scarlett was tangled up in all of this. She was with Emma and Renata. But still… Katniss was asking me to save Scarlett.I stepped back, my eyes frantic as they scanned the smoke-filled chaos. My heart pounded so loudly, it felt like it might tear through my chest. Panic spread like wildfire as I realized Scarlett was missing. Nowhere in sight. “Where is she?” I asked, my voice cracking, barely audible over the madness. Before anyone could respond, I saw her.Ethan, his face tight with tension, emerged from the thick fog of smoke. In his arms, Scarlett hung limply, almost lifeless. It was like the smoke had drained her very soul. Her face
Renata"You think you'll win? That all of you will win?" Katniss glares at us, defiant as ever. Damn it! Even in this situation, she refuses to be afraid. Instead, she’s getting cockier.SLAAP!"Ah!" Katniss cries out as my palm smashes against her cheek.She bites her lip, holding back her tears, trying to keep control. But I know she wants to cry. She’s just too stubborn to let it show."Tch! I hate that arrogance of yours. Do you even realize that you're about to die?" I sneer.Katniss stays silent. I assume she’s finally scared—until she opens her mouth, and her response makes both Emma and me freeze."I won’t. You’ll see. I won’t.""Tch! Damn brat!""Emma, I need to talk to you. Alone."Emma nods, and we step aside to discuss Katniss—how to break her. Fear. That’s what I want to see in her eyes. That’s what will truly satisfy me. But before we can continue, my phone rings.It’s from one of my men stationed at a distance outside."Yeah? What is it?""Boss, we’ve got trouble! A con
Katniss: I stood by the hotel window, gazing at the city skyline that never seemed to rest. The world outside continued moving as if nothing had changed, yet for us, everything was different.We had chosen this hotel for a reason—it directly faced Renata’s company.From here, we could witness the empire she built crumble in real-time.My fingertips brushed against the cold glass. Below, chaos unfolded. Employees flooded the building’s lobby, confusion etched onto their faces as the news spread like wildfire.I could already picture Renata’s expression—panic, disbelief, rage.She would be scrambling for a way out, searching for an escape route. But this time, there was none.She was trapped.The image of Renata behind bars played vividly in my mind. The realization that she was nothing more than a pawn in a much bigger game would soon hit her like a tidal wave.It was satisfying—deliciously so. Yet beneath that satisfaction lurked something bitter. The road to this moment had been lon
KatnissThe waves at Malibu gently swept the shore as I stood on the balcony of Charles’s bungalow, staring out at the horizon. The soft breeze carried the scent of salt and the promise of a new day. After everything that had happened, we could finally breathe easy.The sound of James' voice broke through the air as he addressed me from behind. I exchanged a gentle smile in his direction when I faced him. His determination was present while his eyes showed he still carried affection.“What’s up?” I rested against the balcony rail while I asked the question. James drew near as he disclosed that their meeting with their dad had recently finished. "Our decision is to get back everything that belongs to us." The fighting spirit of James which I admired so much emerged during this moment because he refused to surrender despite mounting challenges. “And what’s the plan?” I asked the question with a mixture of curiosity combined with a slight sense of apprehension. He sighed. "I understa
JamesThe cold Malibu breeze brushed against my face as Katniss and I drove along the quiet coastal road. My chest felt tight—a mix of anticipation and fear so overwhelming that I could barely breathe.My father was here.Multiple people claimed this to be the truth.What condition would we discover him in? Did his condition match the image I retained from the past? My brother Liam was nowhere to be seen in the midst of this turmoil.An emotional tempest controlled the last couple of days between anger and betrayal and fear ruled everything. A single feeling took control of my mindset when we approached the isolated resort that my father claimed as his destination.Hope.***We reached the beachfront resort at sunset as the sky turned gold. It didn’t look like the kind of place where a man who once ruled the business world would hide.Yet, here I was.Desperately hoping for a miracle.Katniss placed a reassuring hand on my arm as we stepped out of the car.She answered with absolute c
James:I focused on my phone's screen which displayed rapidly-changing headlines that raced through corporate networks. The words burned into my mind: Charles Kent, Founder of Kent Industries, Overthrown. Emma Kent and Henry Take Control.My pulse thundered in my ears, a mixture of shock and disbelief flooding me. How could something this massive happen overnight? How had Henry—my stepbrother—pulled off such an audacious coup? And my step mother… she…I should have known! This was bound to happen sooner or later!Damn it, Father really has no idea how dangerous it is to let Emma and Henry get involved in the family's business affairs.Damn it!The betrayal hit me like a freight train.I glanced up at Katniss, who sat on the couch across from me, her own phone gripped tightly in her hands. Her sharp eyes flicked toward me, and I could see the same anger brewing in her expression."James," she said evenly, though I could tell her temper was barely in check, "have you talked to your fath