What is that secret, Jakob? --- For those who love dark romance, you might want to read 'Agreement Behind Her Marriage.' Check it out among my works!
Sarah Jakob grinned broadly, prompting me to fight the urge to smack my fist into his annoying face. "Sarah, I first met you when you married President Cornell years ago. I watched as your life fell apart, seeing you return to Grandpa Mitchell with eyes void of life and then going back to President Cornell again. You told me you couldn't even summon anger toward him. You loved him deeply. Moreover, despite everything, he loved you too." Part of me wanted to believe that Philip loved me sincerely. But another part stayed cautious, afraid to risk that level of pain and betrayal again if I turned out to be wrong about his feelings. "He wouldn't have let his mother face public scrutiny like that, revealing her crimes and manipulation after all these years, if he didn't still have strong feelings for you deep down," Jakob continued. Silence hung between us as we ate pastries. The thought of marriage to Philip again gave me a headache. Changing the subject, I asked Jakob, "So, what wa
Sarah Jakob and I successfully presented our LoveLogic app to the investors, despite Philip staring directly and intently at me while I was explaining how the app works and the current generation's deep interest in it. Philip's gaze made my insides burn with an inexplicable heat as if he wanted to devour me right there. It felt like his very breath was caressing every fiber of my being. However, I mustered the discipline to ignore him for the time being and focus on the task at hand. We told the investors that our virtual dating app will have a soft launch in major app stores next week, allowing some users an early try. The full-scale release event is planned for next month. Jakob and I emphasized this timing, which works well since Jane will have completed Bronn's non-player character AI by then. After the presentation, Emily approached me looking uneasy. In a hushed tone, she asked, "Sarah, can I please return to my home in Highland Hills tonight?" Concerned, I replied, "Did
Sarah "Philip!" His name escaped my lips in a breathless gasp as waves of ecstasy crashed over me, reaching their crescendo. "Sarah..." Philip spoke in a husky voice, rough with spent passion. Our eyes met, his dark to my molten gray, still charged with the aftershocks tingling through me. But then my stomach rumbled loudly, breaking the intimate silence and shattering the spell between us. My cheeks grew warm as I couldn't help but burst into giggles. Philip's broad smile showed his affection. I curled up on the couch, longing for his smile. He nuzzled against me, peppering tender kisses along my collarbone as his rough palm lovingly stroked my flushed cheek. "Haven't you eaten yet?" he asked me. "I have…” Jakob and I had snacks in my suite, but I grew tired from explaining the presentation. “Anyway, you have a trip tonight too..." Philip took my hand, brushing featherlight kisses across my knuckles. "Are you sure I can't come with you?" I asked. His face turned serious as
Sarah After hearing Josh's news, I couldn't sit still. A whirlwind of thoughts and emotions consumed me. I tried contacting Philip, desperate to ensure he was okay, but I didn't mention that I knew about his plans. I didn't want to worry him. My feelings were in turmoil over what to do. I was exasperated that Philip was doing this outrageous stunt because of me! He should have just asked me to join the race! But I couldn't just act and ruin his plan now. Other people were relying on me as well. I forced myself to ignore Philip while monitoring the stock market… until my group passed by Serenity Pines Estate. I saw the woman again—the one I'd noticed when Jane and I went to Azuré's shop. "Please stop the van!" I commanded the driver. "Miss?" He looked puzzled but complied. He stopped the vehicle at the estate where Philip and I lived. Amanda looked confused. I exited and stared up at the imposing wrought-iron gates. The woman noticed me, her eyes widening in fear before she turned
Sarah Megan's plan of attack was swift and reckless. She lunged at me, hands outstretched towards my neck in an attempt to strangle me. But Josh saw it coming and swiftly intervened, grabbing her wrists and pulling her away. "You're nothing but a hindrance in my life!" Megan shouted, her face contorted with rage. "What do you really have, huh? No matter what you do, Philip will never love you! Never! He pities you because your innocent baby died!" My jaw clenched at her words. Of all the cruel things Megan could have said, mentioning the death of my unborn baby was the worst. Fury boiled inside me as I stepped closer and slapped her hard across the face. Megan trembled with rage, holding her reddened cheek. "Y-you—! I will kill you!" I met her fury with a dark stare until she looked away. Grabbing her chin, I squeezed it. "You still don't get it. The authorities are looking for Madam Cornell because Dr. Smith implicated my mother-in-law. But they don't know yet that you were an ac
Philip Under the star-studded night sky, the base of the racetrack buzzed with shouts and jeers. Tensions crackled at the starting line as engines roared, their exhaust fumes blending with the mountain breeze. Orlie Petrov, his face etched with worry lines, met me at the starting grid, grasping my shoulder with an urgency that matched his grim expression. "Philip, you shouldn't have agreed to this! This underground race is too dangerous. If something goes wrong, it could utterly destroy your hard-earned reputation as a professional racer," he pleaded, eyes boring into mine. Shrugging off his grip, shaking my head and returned his intense stare. "Orlie, you're the reason I'm in this mess! You introduced me to Mariano!" I growled through gritted teeth. He looked taken aback but persisted. "There's still time to back out." "Walk away and risk and face a third punishment? I ignored the first test, and this is the second, Orlie! The third might be my death!" We both knew Mariano's p
Sarah Outwardly, I appeared calm while waiting for midnight, but my mind was utterly restless. It was already ten o'clock in the evening; I only had to endure the wait for two more hours. Since eight that evening, I had been on a group video call with Jakob and the rest of our LoveLogic team, my friend Jane included. I was sequestered alone in my bedroom while Jane participated from the living room. We managed to recruit five additional developers, one of whom had taken over my former coding responsibilities for the application. "The early download numbers are very promising," Jakob informed us, reading through some of the glowing app reviews we'd received so far. A few thousand users and counting have installed LoveLogic, and the feedback has been tremendously positive." Though my eyes were fixed on the screen, my mind couldn't focus on the meeting. It kept drifting elsewhere. "Sarah?" Jakob's voice called out. "Sarah! Jane, did you lose her video feed?" Confusion was evident o
Sarah Dread washed over me like a storm cloud, dragging a wave of anxiety that clawed at my throat. My breaths grew shallow as Amir's group came closer, my eyes glued to them, unable to look away. "I've been observing your movements closely, Sarah. Perhaps you've conveniently forgotten, but I own the villa you reside in. I know precisely what you've been up to," Amir stated firmly. I approached him, pleading, "Amir, please…" I want to see Philip! But I didn't voice that aloud. He shook his head incredulously. "Sarah, seriously! What on earth do you think you're doing? Do you understand the danger you're carelessly putting yourself in?" Hot tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, slowly welling up as my chest constricted painfully with the weight of unspoken desires. Amir grasped my arm gently and spoke in a reassuring tone. "They are doing everything they can to find Philip. You're in danger; Mariano has targeted you, but I've done everything in my power to prevent that. So, I
Jane "Jane!" Brody's voice echoed through the hallway, making me freeze. Oh no! He was really here. My heart raced as I approached the door and peeked through the peephole. Brody was on the other side, his broad shoulders filling the frame. His usual neat look was a bit messy—his necktie was crooked, his top button undone, and a hint of stubble darkened his jaw. Should I open the door? "I know you're there, Jane," he said, his voice low and steady. Taking a deep breath, I slowly turned the lock. The click felt loud in the quiet. When the door opened, our eyes met, and the months apart vanished instantly. Brody's eyes scanned my face, lingering on my swollen eyes that showed I'd been crying. I saw a mix of emotions pass over his face: concern, guilt, and something more intense. Without a word, he stepped inside. The scent of his cologne enveloped me as he pushed the heavy oak door closed with his foot. Before I could gather my thoughts, his hands cupped my face, thumbs gentl
Jane When did I genuinely start falling for him so deeply? It was that night four years ago, during a crisp autumn in London. Brody was abroad on a business trip. I was overworked and sick at the time. I had just returned from Paris, feeling dizzy as I stepped into our penthouse in Mayfair. I sneezed as I texted him. Me: 'Just got back from a business trip. What do you want for dinner?' Almost instantly, Brody replied: 'I'm on a business trip in New York. You didn't tell me you were coming back today.' I had wanted to surprise him, so I kept my return a secret. But he hadn't mentioned his trip to me either. Me: 'Alright! Take care!' My nose, already raw and red from constant sneezing, throbbed as I hit send. I dragged myself to the ensuite bathroom, leaving a trail of discarded clothes behind me. The hot shower offered momentary relief, but the room began to spin uncontrollably as I stepped out, wrapped in Brody's oversized bathrobe. I collapsed onto our king-sized bed. The e
Jane Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched Philip and Sarah's fairy-tale wedding. We were in Dubai, at Grandpa Mitchell's mansion, surrounded by a small circle of close friends and family, all gathered to witness the couple's intimate vows. Yet, as they exchanged their promises of love, a deep sense of incompleteness washed over me. Perhaps there's truth in the saying that when life becomes a cycle of repetition—office, work, the Cornell mansion, and back again—you start to feel like something important is missing. After the ceremony, I embraced Sarah tightly, tears threatening to spill. "Congratulations, love!" The celebration continued, but my thoughts were elsewhere. I knew I needed to return to London to calm my churning emotions. "Auntie Jane, are you alright?" Iris asked, her voice full of concern as she sat beside me at the round table with Rowan by her side. I plastered on a smile, hoping it looked genuine. "Yes, sweetheart. Why do you ask?" "You look sad." I manage
Sarah My father, Mr. Benner, contacted me again. After years of estrangement, I decided it was time to meet him and finally confront our tumultuous past. Accompanied by Trey, I arrived at the hotel suite where he was staying. His assistant, a woman in her thirties, greeted us at the door with a smile. "Good afternoon, Ms. Mitchell!" she said warmly. "Hello," I managed. "Please, come in," she said, stepping aside to let me enter. I walked across the plush carpet until I saw Mr. Benner. My father, once a towering figure of authority, now sat in a wheelchair. His once jet-black hair had faded to steel gray, and deep lines etched his face. It had been a long time since he had disowned me. "I'm so happy to see you, Sarah," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "You've lost so much weight, my dear…" 'My dear…' I approached him, extending a carefully wrapped package. "I brought you something," I said, "Three first editions by Haruki Murakami. Your favorite." He smiled appreci
Sarah Philip gently removed my simple white dress, his eyes filled with a mixture of love and concern as he took in my changed appearance. "W-why are you doing this? Philip, I just came out of a coma. I'm not ready for anything... physical." I said honestly. After nearly two years of medical interventions, my body was still fragile, and I had only been recovering for a month. His gaze softened immediately. "Oh, Sarah, no. That's not why… I'm not trying to take advantage of you. It's just that…" He examined my skin and my arm, which had thinned considerably. I felt a bit uncomfortable with what he was doing. "You've lost so much weight." A flicker of insecurity flashed through me. I pouted and squinted at him. "What do you mean by that? Do you find me unattractive?" "No, no. No, babe!" he vehemently denied. "That's not what I meant. It's just…" It took a while before Philip continued. "I vividly remember the day Marcus shot you. Your last appearance is etched in my mind. I
Philip I'm here at Serenity Pines Estate, seeking a bit of solitude before midnight passes. Despite weeks of working nonstop, Sarah's presence lingered everywhere. Her hold on my heart hasn't faded with time or distance. As soon as I stepped through the door, it felt like I could see a younger Sarah sitting on the couch, waiting for me. In my mind's eye, she stood, a warm smile gracing her lips. "Have you eaten?" Reality hit hard as my fist clenched. These were just memories, as delicate as spun glass. I walked to the kitchen, where the marble countertops glowed in the moonlight. My hands shook as I reached for the crystal decanter, pouring a generous amount of aged scotch. The amber liquid shimmered, offering a brief escape from my thoughts. I bought Serenity Pines on the second night Sarah and I were married, ensuring it had top-notch security. Sarah might not have noticed, but every part of this home was a tribute to her—from the soft cream bedroom walls to the handcrafted boo
Sarah When asked about my first destination, I pointed towards the school, my heart racing with anticipation. I love Philip deeply, and today is his birthday, but nothing could surpass the joy of reuniting with my children. The school bell rang, and a flood of children poured out of the ornate iron gates. The twins emerged from the gate precisely as planned, followed closely by Josh, who ensured their safety. At first, they didn't recognize me. I felt like a stranger in my own skin, having lost nearly fifty pounds since we last met. Their confused looks tugged at my heart, but I understood. I always will. Iris clutched her beloved rabbit doll, and Rowan had their lunchbox. Tears began to well up in my eyes, but I wiped them away to see the twins more clearly. There was a noticeable difference in how they've changed. They're taller now. Rowan wears glasses, and Iris's skin has lightened. My beautiful, growing children... "Kids, your mom…" I read Josh's lips. His eyes widened
Sarah It felt like drifting through an endless dream, each moment stretching into eternity. After my firstborn's death, grief enveloped me like a suffocating shroud. I retreated, closing my heart and mind to the outside world. Joy became a foreign concept, a distant memory I could no longer grasp. Nothing could penetrate the fog of my sorrow because deep down, I knew I was fundamentally broken—I was not okay. Just like then, my mind feels closed off, wrapped in a thick layer of ice. Driving aimlessly, stopping several times to watch the setting sun. I'm heading into darkness, but whenever I hear my children's voices... Philip... these beloved sounds tug at me, urging me to turn back towards the fading light. But why did I also hear my mother's voice? I resume my journey. The world around me has been leached of color as if a cosmic artist has erased all pigment from the canvas of reality. I'm traveling through an endless road surrounded by empty deserts. The monotony should be
Philip A week passed, then two, then three… Ethan eventually had to ask me to leave, as some patients needed the hospital's facilities more. "I can visit you at Serenity Pines, or even drop by Luminary Productions if you need someone to clean your wounds," Ethan offered. I remained silent. I wanted to stay at the hospital because Sarah was here. Fear gnawed at my chest, making sleep impossible. I was paralyzed by the terror of receiving the devastating news that my wife had passed away, that her body had finally given out, or any other heart-wrenching update while she was out of my reach. As much as I wanted to stay by Sarah's side, I couldn't longer ignore our children's needs. Iris and Rowan needed stability and a bit of normalcy. The hospital, with its sick patients and germs, wasn't a good place for a four-year-old to stay. Rowan's small voice interrupted my thoughts while I changed into a clean t-shirt in my ward, trying to gather the energy to face another day. "Uncle Eth