Sorry for not updating this story as frequently lately. I've been feeling pretty unmotivated for a variety of reasons and was considering taking the rest of the festive weeks off to recharge. However, I didn’t want to leave my readers waiting for too long. Thank you all so much for your patience and understanding! :)
The group gathered at the cable car station.Minnie turned to face everyone with a mischievous grin. "Alright, here's the deal - the cable cars only hold four people max. I think it would be fun to split up by gender for the ride up. Ladies in one car, fellas in another!"Yuna's brows knit together in a frown of annoyance. "Why on earth would we do that?" she scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "Wouldn't it make much more sense for each couple to share a car, just the two of us?"Feeling uncharacteristically defiant, Emmeline jumped in to argue against Yuna's prim suggestion. "What's the point of taking a group trip if we're just going to stick with our own partners the whole time?" She shot Yuna a pointed look. "Minnie's idea is way better - it'll give us all a chance to mingle and get to know each other better!"The words were barely out of her mouth before Emmeline felt the weight of Zavian's penetrating stare.A flush of embarrassment crept up her neck as their eyes met, her cheeks
The snowball caught its target square in the shoulder with a muffled thump, exploding in a puff of powdery white.Zavian didn't even flinch, though his eyes did narrow infinitesimally at her bold move.Yuna, on the other hand, let out a scandalized gasp. "Emmeline! How could you do such a thing?" she cried, hands flying to cover her mouth as if to physically hold back her shock. "You've assaulted my husband!""Oh god, what have I done?" Emmeline's own fake dismay quickly replaced her earlier bravado. "I...I didn't mean to hurt Mr. Blackthorn, I swear!""Have you lost your damn mind, woman?" Richard growled, rounding on her with ill-concealed anger simmering in his eyes.They hurried over to the two men. Emmeline's steps faltered, shame and lingering defiance swirled within her.Yuna rushed to her husband's side, fretting over him with an exaggerated concern. "She didn't mean any harm, darling," she soothed, shooting Emmeline a reproachful look over her shoulder. "She was just trying to
Richard tensed in surprise at her sudden, uncharacteristic display of wifely affection, shooting her a bemused look over the top of her head. "Well now, what's gotten into you?" he asked with an indulgent chuckle, looping his arms loosely around her in return. "Not that I'm complaining about this unusually obedient behavior, mind you..."Emmeline felt her earlier bravado already faltering beneath the weight of Zavian's dark, knowing stare. "I...I just thought we should present a united front," she mumbled, ducking her head against Richard's chest in a futile attempt to escape that burning gaze. "For the sake of appearances, you know? We are on vacation with the neighbors, after all.""Ah, I see." Richard's tone was one of easy acceptance, seemingly oblivious to the heated undercurrents still going on behind his back. "Well, you've certainly made your point then. No need to keep up the charade any longer on my account."But Emmeline couldn't bring herself to release her grip, not yet. N
Emmeline very nearly swayed on her feet from the force of it, her thighs clenching instinctively against a sudden, searing rush of arousal.She had to dig her nails into her palms to keep from visibly reacting, from reaching out and grabbing Zavian and hauling his body flush against hers in a shameless public display.Yuna raised her eyebrows. "You're volunteering to teach Emmeline yourself?" Her tone was laced with reproach, glancing between her husband and Emmeline. "But shouldn't Minnie know her better? As her friend, it would make more sense for Minnie to show her the ropes."Minnie didn't even blink at Yuna's thinly veiled objection. "Don't worry about it. I'll help my husband teach Richard instead. If Mr. Blackthorn can actually skate, he'd better be the one to teach Emmeline."Minnie gave Zavian a pointed look, clearly missing the undercurrent between him and Emmeline. "Thank you for offering to take that on," she said.The subtle curve of Minnie's painted lips suggested she sus
A wave of intense rage crashed over Zavian at that brazen display.He could feel the entities within him straining against his mental restraints - roaring to be unleashed and rip Richard apart for daring to kiss their mate so boldly.A deep, guttural growl bubbled up from Zavian's throat as his fists clenched, every fiber of his being urging him to strike Richard down right then and there.He could feel the snarling and snapping at the mental chains holding his predators back from bursting forth.Zavian's breaths came in harsh pants through flared nostrils as he struggled to maintain control, to not expose the dangerous truth that Emmeline was his mate.His entire world had narrowed down to that revolting sight of another male claiming his mate, of her being violated right before his eyes. The bestial side of him raged and roared for blood, for vengeance against this usurper who thought he could stake ownership over what belonged to him alone.Emmeline raised her hand and lightly but f
"What's going on there?" Emmeline asked, furrowing her brows."Your husband seems to have fallen. Why don't you go check on him?" Zavian answered sarcastically.Emmeline shot him an annoyed look. "You of all people know how much I despise Richard. Don't speak to me with such dismissive sarcasm."Zavian’s expression darkened. "Maybe because I’ve never met a woman who kissed the man she hated."Emmeline exhaled shakily, indicating the extent of her excitement and frustration. "Mr. Blackthorn, please...""Emmeline, come here! Richard fell and he's not looking good." Minnie's voice echoed in the distance, forcing them to postpone their argument.Emmeline slowly skated toward the couple with Zavian following closely behind.They gathered around Richard, who was still on the floor with Taehyung beside him."What happened?" Emmeline asked with feigned concern.Minnie crossed her arms and tilted her head, a small, mocking sneer tugging at her lips. "Oh, nothing much. He managed to skate on fla
Emmeline returned to their previous meeting spot and found Minnie was the only one waiting there, brushing some fresh powder off her coat with a polite smile. "How's he doing?" she asked casually, her tone laced more with curiosity than genuine concern.Emmeline's lips twitched into a sly smirk. "His tongue works just fine, so I'd say he's doing great," she replied with dripping sarcasm.Her eyes scanned the snowy landscape, searching for that tall, brooding figure that made her heart flutter even when he was infuriatingly cruel. Not spotting Zavian anywhere, she turned back to Minnie with a slight frown. "Where did your husband and Mr. Blackthorn go? I told him I still needed his help with the skating!"Minnie chuckled lightly, nodding toward the slope where Zavian and Taehyung were tearing down a slick, winding track on roaring snowmobiles in what looked like an all-out race."My husband challenged Mr. Blackthorn to a little snowmobile competition," she explained with an indulgent ro
Emmeline's heart pounded wildly in her chest, her breath coming in shallow, panicked bursts.She tried to meet the blazing intensity of his gaze head-on, but the sheer force of his expression made her feel impossibly small and powerless. "I told you why I smiled," she managed, her voice cracking with the effort of holding his stare. "If I refused to listen to his commands, he would've hurt me again. Zavian, you have to believe me."But Zavian ignored her pleading words entirely, moving to grip her shoulders in a firm, punishing hold and pushed her back against the tree with the solid weight of his body. "What would you do if you were me, Emmeline?" he demanded in a voice raw with fury. "How would you put out the fire of your jealousy if Yuna kissed me in front of you... and I smiled at her afterward?"The weight of his accusation crushed Emmeline. The mere thought of Zavian with someone else - smiling at someone else was utterly unbearable.Hot tears blurred her vision as she whispered
The word "impotence" reverberated like a thunderclap. Several jurors visibly recoiled, while others exchanged shocked glances. In the gallery, a murmur of disbelief rippled through the spectators before Judge Harrison's gavel cracked once more, restoring order without breaking the dramatic tension of the moment.Richard's transformation was immediate and visceral. His features contorted first in shock with his eyes widening, mouth falling open before shame washed over him like a visible wave, coloring his neck and face a deep crimson. But this humiliation lasted only seconds before morphing into something far more volatile: unbridled rage.Richard shot to his feet with a strangled sound that was half-roar, half-howl. The explosive force had his heavy wooden chair topple backward.It crashed against the floor with a reverberating clatter that echoed through the suddenly silent courtroom."WHO'S IMPOTENCE, YOU SANCTIMONIOUS BASTARD?" Richard bellowed, spittle flying from his lips. He lu
Brody’s attention shifted to Yuna with an almost predatory focus. The slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth suggested he knew exactly how damaging the doctor's testimony had been to the prosecution's case.Yuna’s frustration was evident in both her expression and the defeated slump of her shoulders. The case that had seemed so straightforward was unraveling before her eyes, and there was little she could do to stop it.After Dr. Ross was escorted out, Brody moved to the center of the courtroom with confident strides.He stood facing the three-judge panel, reflecting complete confidence in his position that lent him an almost theatrical presence as he prepared to deliver his argument."From what the doctor said, we can safely conclude that the marriage of the two parties was not consummated.” His voice carried easily through the hushed courtroom, commanding attention from every corner.He gestured briefly toward Emmeline, drawing all eyes to her momentarily before continuing
The courtroom remained utterly silent as the weight of Dr. Ross's revelation settled over the assembled crowd.Brody knew this was the perfect moment to press his advantage."Dr. Ross, I'd like to clarify a few points about your testimony," he said. "When Mrs. Maine came to you for this examination, what was her emotional state?"Dr. Ross's expression softened slightly. "She was visibly distressed. Anxious. Her hands were shaking when she filled out the intake forms, and her blood pressure was elevated beyond what I'd expect from routine appointment nerves." Emmeline was stunned. She never expected Dr. Ross to lie so smoothly for her sake."And did she explain why she suspected her marriage had not been... consummated?" Brody’s next question snapped her back.He carefully choose his words to maintain professional decorum while ensuring the jury understood the implications."She didn’t say," Dr. Ross replied."And in your professional opinion," Brody continued, "Would these behaviors
The brief interval that followed Judge Harrison's order was filled with the whispered conversations as spectators discussed the unexpected developments among themselves.The low murmur created a background hum throughout the courtroom, punctuated occasionally by a sharp intake of breath or a muffled exclamation as someone shared their theory with a neighbor. Several journalists scribbled furiously in their notepads, while others leaned toward colleagues, exchanging hushed speculations about what this new witness might reveal.Emmeline could feel Richard's eyes boring into her from across the room, his gaze heavy with anger and humiliation. His shoulders were squared defensively as though preparing for a lethal blow rather than testimony. The muscle in his jaw twitched visibly even from this distance, betraying the tight control he was exerting over his emotions.Brody remained standing as he waited for the witness to arrive. He adjusted his tie with ease, the gesture betraying none o
A wave of shock rippled through the courtroom at Brody's unexpected revelation.The effect was immediate and electric, as though a live current had suddenly coursed through the room.Mouths fell open, eyes widened, and a collective intake of breath seemed to momentarily suspend time itself. Even the Judges appeared momentarily stunned, their normally impassive expressions slipping to reveal genuine surprise. Then the room fell into a stunned silence as all eyes pivoted sharply to stare at the defendant.Emmeline felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment at the gazes directed at her, this time with undisguised curiosity and surprise.Richard sat frozen at the prosecution table, his eyes bulging with disbelief and mounting horror as the implications of what had just been revealed sank in.His knuckles turned white as he gripped the edge of the table until the veins in his temples visibly pulsed with each rapid heartbeat.Yuna stared across the courtroom with an expression that cycled rapi
Brody returned to Emmeline's table, his shoulders squared with confidence. Though his expression remained professionally neutral for the benefit of the court, there was an unmistakable energy radiating from him—the triumph of an attorney who knew he'd just scored crucial points with the jury."That went better than expected," Brody whispered as he settled into the chair beside Emmeline, his voice low enough that only she could hear.Emmeline shifted in her seat. Beneath the table, hidden from the watchful eyes of the judge, jury, and her soon-to-be ex-husband, she flashed Brody a quick thumbs-up. Relief softened the tense lines that had been etched around her eyes for weeks."You're brilliant," Emmeline murmured with genuine appreciation warming her voice. "The way you handled that recording... I never thought..." She trailed off, unable to fully articulate how it felt to finally have someone believe her… to have her truth laid bare before the court after months of suffering in silence
Brody handed the recording to the court technician, then stepped back to stand beside Emmeline.He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder as the technician inserted the memory card into the courtroom's audio system.The weight of his palm provided a small comfort as Emmeline braced herself for what was to come.Her heart hammered against her ribs, each beat a reminder of what she was about to relive while the courtroom seemed to hold its collective breath.The tension was thick enough to slice with a knife as everyone waited for the recording to begin.A moment of tense silence fell over the courtroom before Richard's voice suddenly filled the space."You think you can just leave me? After everything I've done for you?" Richard's recorded voice growled through the speakers. Each word dripped with venom and threat. "You're nothing without me, Emmeline. Nothing. And if you try to leave, I swear to God I'll make you regret it. No one will want you when I'm done with you." The raw hatred
Brody approached the witness stand. His expression remained serious but composed as he faced the highest-ranking judicial officer in the country.He maintained a respectful distance from Zavian, adjusting his posture to appear confident without seeming arrogant."Chief Justice Blackthorn, how long have you known Emmeline Maine?"Zavian’s broad shoulders relaxed as he settled into his role as witness rather than judge. His hands rested lightly on the polished wooden arms of the chair. "We've known each other for three months. Since she and her husband moved into the neighborhood."His tone remained matter-of-fact, betraying nothing of the complex relationship that had blossomed between them during those months. Brody nodded thoughtfully, taking a few steps to his right. "On November 10th, your wife received a call from Mrs. Kim, asking for help. You went to the Maine residence together. Is that correct?"His question established the timeline with clinical precision, laying groundwork
The words sent a jolt through Emmeline's body. Her heart skipped a beat at the sound of Zavian's name, and she found herself gripping the edge of the table to steady herself.The familiar warmth that always accompanied thoughts of him spread through her chest, mingled now with anxiety about what his appearance might mean for her case and for them.The courtroom erupted in murmurs of surprise and confusion. Spectators exchanged bewildered glances, their whispers creating a rising tide of sound that filled the high-ceilinged room.Reporters in the back row leaned forward with sudden interest, pens poised over notepads, while even the typically stoic court officers looked startled by the announcement."Silence in the court!"The judge's gavel came down sharply.Judge Harrison's face bore the stern expression of someone who wouldn't tolerate disruption, no matter how unexpected the development.The murmurs faded quickly under her commanding presence, though the tension in the air remained