“Just played around?” I repeated, emphasizing those words with a skeptical tone. “Are you sure that’s all you were doing? Nothing more?”I watched as Renata struggled to hold it together, but every passing second only highlighted the uncertainty on her face. I could see beads of cold sweat forming on her temples, and I knew there was something deeper behind her statement.“James, I promise. It’s all just a misunderstanding,” Renata began to reach for my hand again, but I quickly pulled it away, distancing myself from her touch.“What misunderstanding are you talking about? Do you expect me to believe that you were just playing around while waiting for me to come back? Or maybe you were busy with another guy?” I asked, a feeling of disgust starting to gnaw at my conviction.Renata seemed increasingly panicked. “No! There’s no other guy, James! I... I didn’t do anything wrong! Why can’t you trust me?” She looked desperate, but that didn’t soften my heart.“Because you’ve proven yourself
JamesOnce again, I found myself at her apartment. As soon as Katniss saw my face, her expression shifted to one of disgust. Pure disgust.“Can you just go?” she said, her voice sharp.“I really don’t want to see you here, James,” she added, her frustration evident.Just as she was about to slam the door shut, I caught it with my hand, stopping her. “Is Renata cheating on me?” I asked, the weight of the question hanging heavily in the air.Katniss froze, her eyes widening in shock. She hadn’t expected me to know. For a moment, she was silent, confusion etched on her face.“I don’t want any trouble. Just leave, please. I have enough problems as it is, James,” she replied, her voice softer but still filled with urgency.“I’ve found a lot of evidence, Katniss. I know for sure that Renata is cheating. Please, can we talk—just the two of us?”Katniss seemed to be contemplating my presence. After a long silence, she finally opened the door again, allowing me to step inside. I offered her a
JamesRenata was still crying, clutching my legs tightly, unwilling to let go. I could feel my pants growing damp from her tears and the clear mucus from her nose.Her face tilted up, a complete mess. I had never seen Renata like this before. If she weren’t so deceitful, maybe I would have forgiven her—not to go back to her, but at least as a friend, like before. But unfortunately, I couldn’t even bear that thought.“I-I... I just...” she stammered, struggling to respond to what I’d said.“Let go, Renata,” my voice came out low and full of warning, hoping she’d understand. But instead, her grip tightened even more.“I did it because I love you, James. There was no other way. You know I’ve been trying for years—over a decade—to make you see me, but you never did! Your eyes were always only for Katniss, and then you married her. You fell for her again the moment you two met after all those years apart, just because her mother got fired and they left your house!” Her voice, initially wea
KatnissI was in Mr. Corleone's office, waiting for him to finish signing the stack of documents I’d reviewed. The TV, playing in the background, suddenly shifted to a story I had no desire to see.“A shocking update! The iconic couple, once seen as a relationship goal by many young people, seems to be facing turbulence. Rumors are swirling that the Corleone family’s own James Corleone and his wife, Renata, are on the brink of divorce.”I stared at the screen with thinly veiled annoyance. If I could, I would block out the sound altogether—hearing any updates about them was the last thing I wanted.“A divorce?” Mr. Corleone’s voice cut through the silence, making me jump slightly. He hadn’t spoken in ages, engrossed in the documents before him.I turned to him quickly. “I wouldn’t know, sir. I’m just hearing about it now from the news,” I replied, my tone calm, concealing the truth.“But maybe it’s just a rumor, sir. You know how the media loves to exaggerate. It doesn’t necessarily me
KatnissI kept asking myself, would I take him back?I tried to picture what would happen if I did. Would the pain still linger? Or would the weight of our past fall away? Yet, as I imagined it, there was no trace of the hurt I thought would be there. Instead, I saw flashes of laughter—memories of James, our daughter, and me together, sharing happy moments that felt almost unreal now. But there was no bitterness in those images. Only a gentle warmth, a feeling I hadn’t allowed myself to experience in a long time.What is this? Why doesn’t it hurt at all? Could this really be what I wanted all along? Or was it just a dream, a flicker of hope I hadn’t let go of?“Katniss?” The deep, steady voice of Mr. Corleone pulled me out of my thoughts, snapping me back to reality. I blinked, startled, realizing just how close he was to me, his face mere inches from mine. My heart nearly leapt out of my chest, my pulse quickening with each passing second.“Y-You’re too close, Sir,” I stammered, desp
KatnissWas it truly that genuine?"Sir," I attempted to push him away once more, but his hold on both my shoulders was unyielding, his hands firm, as though he wouldn’t release me until I gave him the answer he was seeking."Is it Giselle? Or... do you still have feelings for her?" he asked again, pressing for a response. His voice had a hint of desperation, something I hadn’t heard from him before, and it only intensified the knot in my stomach."Katniss, I would never let you down. You’ve seen who I am all along. I know you recognize that I am a man of my word, a man who takes responsibility for his choices. I would do anything for you and Giselle—whatever it takes to see both of you happy." His gaze was unwavering, as though this declaration was his truth, his unwavering belief. "If I have to risk my power, become penniless, or... if I must give up my life, I’ll do it."Who wouldn’t be shaken to hear a man, one who had only recently entered my life, professing something so sacred?
KatnissAs I walked past Scarlett, I gave her a warm smile, but she only glanced at me with a slightly cold look, saying nothing.Now I was outside, waiting patiently for what felt like ages, not wanting to leave. I needed to clear things up with Scarlett immediately.My legs still felt weak. God, I don’t want her to misunderstand what happened in there.But I couldn’t deny that something had drawn me in about Mr. Corleone. There was a mesmerizing quality in his gaze, and I couldn’t lie—his strikingly good looks were beyond the ordinary, and it was impossible not to admire him. But it wasn’t only his looks; his kindness left an impression on me, making it hard to ignore that a small part of me felt drawn to him. It’s just admiration, I told myself.From the way Mr. Corleone looked at me, the way he openly expressed his feelings, saying he cared about me and was willing to do anything to be with me—it was clear that, in another world where things were different, my admiration for him c
JamesI’m heading to Mr. Corleone’s office to go over a few things. Not with Mr. Corleone himself, though—a representative. Since it’s nearly lunchtime, I decide to grab something for Katniss too. I stop by a café near Corleone’s building. But just as I step out of my car, I spot something familiar.“Renata?”I know this car. It’s hers. Even though Renata and I aren’t living together anymore—she stayed at my apartment, and I moved out—we haven’t spoken in ages. Mostly because she’s unreachable. There are still things I wanted to discuss with her, but… nothing.Then something catches my eye: Scarlett’s car, parked close by. How can I tell? It’s rare, plus the license plate gives a clear hint that it’s hers.“They’re at the same café?”Could this be a coincidence? My initial calm is quickly replaced by suspicion. I inch closer to the café to get a better view inside. And just as I thought—Scarlett and Renata, seated at the same table.Scarlett looks shaken. Dark circles under her eyes,
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
James: Rip!“James?!”I was utterly shocked when my fake mustache was suddenly ripped off, and Katniss, who had been slightly dazed from the alcohol and the intensity of our earlier moment, seemed to regain her senses.She furrowed her brows, blinking repeatedly as if trying to confirm whether what she was seeing was real.“James?” she said again, her voice trembling.Katniss covered her mouth with one hand, then touched her lips with her fingers. Her cheeks flushed red once more.“I-I…”Katniss stuttered, as if struggling to find words to explain what had just happened—the kiss.I never thought my disguise would be exposed this quickly.“Katniss,” I called her name softly, attempting to reach for her hand.Her eyes widened even more. “Your voice! It wasn’t like that earlier!” she exclaimed, her voice growing sharper.“James… this can’t be! So, all this time, you… you were Jack in disguise?”Katniss took a step back, retreating further from me.“Careful!” I warned, knowing she was ti