TwelveThe trauma of losing her loved ones in a single day had irrevocably changed her perception of Christmas Day. The once joyful season had become a truly somber reminder of the tragedy that had befallen her. The sight of snow, a symbol of peace and tranquility, now filled Florence with nothing but absolute horrifying dread, a haunting reminder of the loss that she had endured.“Why had it been my family? Why had I been chosen to suffer such a devastating loss? Why was I the only one who survived? Why did I not die that night with them? Why did I have to live? Why did I have to keep living without them in it?” The questions echoed strongly in her mind, a constant source of torment. She would never wish such pain on anyone, yet she could not help but feel a sense of hopelessness and confusion. “Why had it been me? Why has my family been taken from me through such a cruel death?”The weight of grief was always heavy for her for years now, as if it was a burden that she will forever c
ThirteenYear 2023It was a crisp January evening in New York City. The air was nippy, but the city lights created a warm, inviting glow. Some tourists had started their evening with a hearty dinner at a classic Italian restaurant in Little Italy. As they savored their pasta and a glass of red wine, they could hear the lively chatter of other diners and the soft sounds of jazz music playing in the background.Most people who just finished having their dinner, had taken a leisurely stroll through Central Park. The park was quieter now, with only a few people braving the cold. Some had admired the snow-covered trees and the twinkling lights of the city skyline. As others walked, they could feel the peace and tranquility of the park, a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.There were some who watched a lively Broadway show. The theater was, as always, filled with excitement as the curtain rose. The performance was captivating, and most who had left the theater felt insp
FourteenFlorence’s chest heaved as she nodded her head, her lips parted slightly. Her hands, trembling slightly, reached out to accept the envelope. She and Heath had connected through a sugar daddy website called SecretBenefits, a topic frequently discussed among her fellow female college students as a means to add more to their income on platforms like FansOnly. Their initial encounter had been immediate, and Heath had wasted no time in expressing his desires to marry. While hesitant, Florence’s dire financial situation had compelled her to consider the proposal.Florence’s desperate financial circumstances had forced her to contemplate the proposal. Driven by a fierce determination to survive even if she had been hanging by a thread, she was willing to consider any option, no matter how unconventional. Despite the profound depression that had enveloped her in recent years, she still harbored a desire to make her parents and older brother proud by obtaining a college degree. She be
FifteenThe contract marriage was easy, being a good trophy wife to Doctor Heath Godric in public for his reputation and to bolster his name and image. That was all. Be a good fake wife since he needed one. That was the extent of her obligations towards him and nothing else. Only for his public appearance. In exchange, she would receive a monthly allowance, her debt to the loan sharks would be paid, her debt for the student loan would also be paid, she would have free housing for five years, a private bedroom in his residence, and no sexual favors would be required from Heath. Her plan was to save as much money as possible during this time, with the intention of moving out once the contractual marriage was dissolved. Florence knew that it was going to be easy money. “Five years. Just five years,” Florence mused to herself as she thought in the back of her head. She had endured countless hardships in her life, so the prospect of portraying a fake wife to a wealthy dentist for five y
Sixteen“I want to do a runthrough with you.” Heath chimed as he was driving to the location.Florence shifted her focus to Heath as the car was moving, acknowledging his request with a polite affirmative nod.“We are heading to The Noble Cause dinner, and it will be a huge event especially for the both of us. For you, as well. Of course, for me.” He smiled widely, “This is our first public appearance as a couple, so it is crucial and very imperative that we convincingly portray ourselves as a genuine pair.” Florence nodded, indicating her understanding. “Remember to subtly display the engagement ring,” she muttered.Heath praised her right away, “Very excellent. But remember to be discreet with the ring, avoid flaunting it excessively, as that might appear unnatural.”Florence nodded her head once more, confirming her understanding of his instructions. She then inquired, “May I ask you a question?”Heath raised an eyebrow, curious about her question. “What is it? You are not usually
SeventeenWithin the exclusive world of the ultra-wealthy, three prominent families reigned supreme: the Frorths, the Spencers, and the Battenkurts. For centuries, these three powerful and wealthy families had consistently occupied the top three positions on the list of the world’s wealthiest dynasties.So, in the realm of affluence, Zacchaeus “Chaos” Spencer Battenkurt, the playboy billionaire, belonged to a whole new and different kind of echelon, a level of wealth that transcended the ordinary. His wealth was completely unparalleled, placing him in a league of his own kind.While most wealthy individuals were accustomed to the luxury of marble floors, Chaos walked on a different level entirely, surrounded by opulence and extravagance. His father, Edward Battenkurt, a former Vice President of the United States, and the one and only heir of the Battenkurts, hailed from a family of generational wealth, their influence deeply rooted in the political landscape and economic sphere.His m
18 “”EighteenAs the evening progressed, Florence’s boredom grew more, and she found herself mechanically stirring the remaining food on her plate. At the same table, Florence sat among the wives of the businessmen, who were engaged in discussions about high-end salons and luxury brands from Italy and other countries they could actually afford without a sweat. Florence, however, found these conversations uninteresting and struggled to pay attention.Startled by the sudden surge of loud music from the stage, Florence dropped her fork in pain. Her right ear was particularly sensitive to such sounds, a condition that her doctor had previously warned her about. An orchestra provided live music for the affluent attendees of the ballroom, but Florence found the noise overwhelming. She struggled to cope with the sound, instinctively holding and covering her hearing aid to alleviate the discomfort.“Babe,” Heath placed a gentle hand on Florence’s shoulder, rubbing her spine soothingly. “Are
NineteenFlorence’s gaze was fixed on the man, who appeared to be a humble hotel waiter with a generous smile on his face, a comparison to the wealthy people in the ballroom that she just escaped for a couple of seconds. Little did she know, he was the infamous Spencer-Battenkurt’s CEO playboy billionaire in disguise. His humble demeanor and casual attire disguised his true identity. Despite the expensive brands he wore, she knew nothing about it, and he hoped that she did not recognize him from his speech earlier. His overall appearance was unassuming, despite the fact that he possessed immense wealth and never encountered financial difficulties. His casual demeanor, reminiscent of the waiters in the ballroom who wore white dress shirts and colored dress pants of black, gray, and brown, led Florence to completely overlook his extraordinary wealth and influence. His unassuming presence, similar to the waiters in the ballroom, led Florence to completely overlook his extraordinary we
Hundred“I am so sorry.” Florence’s voice was soft, as if he could hear the hurt in her voice. She reached out and gently took his hand, offering him comfort. “But you could not have known,” she told him very softly, her voice filled with empathy. “These things… they happen. They happened because… because it was what she wanted.” “She did not even ask me what I wanted.” He answered and his words hurt her.“Guilt and self-blame can be incredibly powerful, especially when you are struggling.” She told him sincerely.She knew he blamed himself, but she also knew that blaming himself would not bring Theresa back. He needed to forgive himself, to find a way to move forward.“Hey,” She caressed his cheeks with her hands, “Let us not dwell on the past,” she said softly. “Let us focus on healing, on honoring her memory.”She looked at him, her eyes filled with a gentle understanding. “You can do this, Chaos,” she said, her voice filled with a quiet strength. “No one blamed you. And I do not
Ninety-NineThe sun cast long shadows across the cemetery, the air thick with the scent of freshly cut grass and damp earth. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the ancient oak trees, creating a soothing, almost melancholic soundtrack.Florence and Chaos sat on the cool grass in front of Theresa’s headstone, a comfortable silence settling between them. Florence, her gaze fixed on the inscription, felt a strange sense of peace. The initial shock of the revelation had subsided, replaced by a quiet understanding, a profound sense of connection to the young woman whose heart now beat within her own chest.Chaos, sensing her quiet contemplation, reached out and gently took her hand. His touch was a silent affirmation of their shared grief, an unspoken acknowledgment of the profound connection they now shared.“What was she like?” Florence asked softly with curiosity.“Theresa… she was a whirlwind,” Chaos began, his voice thick with emotion. “She was a dancer. Ballet.”Florence nodded he
Ninety-Eight“I have been thinking lately about everything that has been happening between you and me.” Florence continued to speak as she was staring at her feet while they were walking.Chaos nodded his head gently, his heart pounding with a mixture of hope and dread. He waited, holding his breath, for her to continue. Florence continued, her voice barely a whisper, “Thinking about everything that is happening between us.”Chaos nodded again, his eyes fixed on her face, searching for any sign of emotion.Florence took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly. “And I realized… I realized that I have been selfish too.”Chaos shook his head, “No, do not say that. I was the one being selfish.”“No,” she said, her voice breaking. Tears were welling up in her eyes, threatening to spill over. “I was being selfish too. You have been through so much, Chaos. Just the same as me, you went through something too. And I… I was letting my anger and jealousy consume me.”She took a deep breath,
Ninety-SevenAs Florence stepped out of the school, she spotted Chaos standing by his car. His shoulders slumped, and a look of weariness etched his face. He missed her, desperately. Florence’s heart ached as she saw him. She missed him too, the silence between them stretching on like an endless desert. They both knew that the longer they remained apart, the deeper the longing and the more painful the separation would become.He exhaled as soon as he saw her emerge from the school, her shoulders slumped slightly, and his heart ached. He wanted to reach for her, to pull her close and hold her until the pain subsided. He wanted to hug her and just feel her warmth once again after days of being away from each other.But he knew better. He had hurt her, deeply, and he had to earn back her trust, one small step at a time.He watched as she approached slowly and almost unsurely, her gaze fixed on the pavement, her footsteps heavy with unspoken emotions. He wanted to call out to her, to apol
Ninety-SixAsher Woods was a breath of fresh air at the deaf-mute school. Tall and lanky, with an athletic build that hinted at a love for sports, he possessed an easygoing charm that made him instantly likable which made him popular amongst the other female teachers around. His face, framed by a mop of dark blond hair, was undeniably handsome, with a pair of intelligent gray eyes that crinkled at the corners when he smiled. He had joined the school a few months after Florence, bringing with him a youthful energy and a genuine passion for working with the children. His easy going nature and quick wit quickly made him a favorite among the staff, and Florence found herself drawn to him.He admired Florence’s patience with the children, her gentle demeanor, and her quiet confidence. He had a way of connecting with the students as well, of seeing past their disabilities and recognizing the unique individuals within.As they worked together, their friendship blossomed. They spent hours di
Ninety-FiveChaos felt a wave of despair wash over him. Florence’s words were like a physical blow, each one chipping away at his already fragile hope. “No, Florence,” he answered, his voice hoarse, “that is not true. You are not a reminder of her. You are you.”“Stop saying that!” She yelled at him.“But it is the truth!” He kind of raised his voice at her as he sighed, “I am sorry for yelling. But please. Trust me on this. I fell in love with you, not with a memory and not because of her heart. It just deepened the connection, but the heart wants what it wants, and my heart wants you. Not of what is inside you.” She shook her head. He did not like it when he does that, so he immediately added to say, “I know my words might seem like that, but believe me, it is not the truth.” He paused, his voice catching. “I am so sorry for the pain I have caused you. I never meant to make you feel like you are just a… a vessel for someone else’s memory. This was why I did not want to let you know
Ninety-FourChaos understood the potential for misinterpretation, that his words might come across as insensitive or even insulting towards Florence. But honesty felt paramount. He yearned for her to see the true depth of his love, to understand the complexities of his emotions, despite the challenging circumstances.“I… I do not know what to say. I need some time. I need to think.” Her voice trailed off as she looked away, unable to meet his gaze. She slowly turned away from him, avoiding eye contact. Her shoulders slumped, and she appeared small and withdrawn in front of him and he hated himself for it. She felt a knot of emotions twisting in her stomach – hurt, confusion, and a deep sense of uncertainty.“You did hurt me,” she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. “You lied to me, built our relationship on a lie.”“It was not a lie. It was never built on a lie.” He insisted, not wanting her to think that he lied to her. “How can you call that honesty when you kept such a cruci
Ninety-Three“Did you really love me for me?” Florence whispered, her voice trembling, tears welling up in her eyes. “Or... or did you only love me because I have her heart?”Florence’s question cuts deep. It exposed the very core of his fear – that she would ever question and think that his love for her was not genuine, that it was tainted by his connection to Theresa. He was terrified of losing her trust and hurting her further.Seeing Florence cry, feeling her pain and confusion, was excruciating. He hated that he was the cause of her distress right now. He wishes he could take it all back, erase the doubts that plague her.He paused and thought about her question deeply, he had always asked himself that question. But, at that moment, he started to question his own motives. Did he truly fall in love with Florence for who she was, or was it a subconscious projection of his love for Theresa onto her? This doubt gnawed at him, leaving him feeling insecure and unworthy of her love.A
Ninety-Two“You had a child?” Florence whispered, her voice trembling. The question hung heavy in the air, a mixture of disbelief and shock. Chaos nodded his head. “With her?” She asked softly, in more shock.Chaos nodded his head.The silence that followed was still deafening. Florence felt a wave of dizziness wash over her, the world tilting on its axis. She had trusted him, believed in their love story, only to discover that he had built their relationship on a foundation of half-truths. The ground beneath her felt unsteady, the world tilting on its axis.The revelation hit her like a physical blow, leaving her breathless and disoriented. She had trusted him, believed in their love story, only to discover that he had built their relationship on a foundation of half-truths. The ground beneath her felt unsteady, the world tilting on its axis.She looked at him, her eyes searching his face for any sign of sincerity, but all she saw was regret and remorse. The pain of betrayal, shar