“James, I know she might not have good intentions, but this isn’t just about us. We can’t go against Dad,” his brother said softly, as if trying to soothe James's rising anger.“So, you choose to stay silent? You’d let Emma control our lives? This isn’t just about you or me; it’s about everything we’ve fought for! I won’t let Emma destroy it all!” James’s voice was laced with fury and disappointment.His brother hesitated for a moment, then replied, “James, you have to trust that Dad knows what he’s doing. Maybe he has his reasons for keeping Emma close. We need to be patient and see how everything unfolds.”“Patient? What are you talking about? This is more than enough! Every day, Emma gets closer to Dad, pushing us further away. If we don’t act now, we’ll lose everything!” James emphasized the urgency of their situation.His brother looked at him seriously. “And what’s your plan? Confront Emma? Ruin our family bond? You know that will only make things worse. We need to find a wiser
JamesAs I stepped into the mansion, my mind was flooded with a mix of anxiety and hope. I knew I had to reach out to Katniss immediately. Grabbing my phone, I dialed the number I had memorized by heart, praying she would pick up this time.The ringing echoed in my ears, each tone sending my heart racing. After a few agonizing seconds, a voicemail greeted me. “Call cannot be completed.” Disappointment washed over me. I tried again, repeatedly, only to be met with the same response. Katniss didn't want to talk to me.Yet, on my fourth attempt, when I was on the verge of despair, her soft voice finally broke through. “James?”“Katniss!” My voice burst forth, brimming with hope. “I’m so glad you picked up. I need to talk to you. We have to clear up all the misunderstandings between us.”“I don’t know what else we can talk about,” she replied coldly, yet I could sense the uncertainty lurking beneath her words.“Listen, I know things are complicated right now, and I don’t want it to stay t
KatnissI felt my heart constrict at his explanation. All this time, I thought James chose to leave me without a clear reason, but now I knew there was something far more complicated. Yet, all of this felt so hard to comprehend.“So, all this time, you didn’t remember me?” I asked, my voice trembling.He shook his head, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’m so sorry, Katniss. I really didn’t know. They made me forget all our memories. And when I came home, I could only see you as the enemy they portrayed. But that’s not true, and I want to make it right.”“Then why are you back now?” I asked, my heart demanding more explanation. “Why are you only coming to apologize after all this?”“I know, I should have done it sooner. I can’t let them control my life anymore. I want to get back what I lost—us,” he replied, as hope and longing flowed from every word he spoke.My whole body trembled. The anger and disappointment I had kept inside began to merge with hope. “James… everything fee
“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
Katniss “You don’t have to answer me now,” said Mr. Corleone realizing how hard I was struggling to be able to respond to his kind offer.“I know it’s not an easy choice Katniss.” Still, there was a soft note to his voice as he said, "Well then, do take your time—however long it requires.”"But..." He looked at me and stopped to speak, and I was just gulping for air waiting for more information. It’s like you know the longer you wait to address it, the worse it will only become. "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. If you would like to go home first or if you would like to come with me, that is your decision.”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
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