JAMESThis was exactly what I did not want to happen. I never wanted to freak Destiny out. Why the hell did she have to go snoop around in my affairs? It made me fucking angry. But not as angry as I was with my family.HOURS EARLIERI left the bar, rushing to my car and on impulse I turned the Bentley toward the Barrington Estate. This must have been my grandfather. Jenna has always been his favorite. Lord knows why. As if I didn’t know the answer to that, I ridiculed myself. She had a way with men. Could twist anyone with a dick around her finger.It repulsed me to think that I loved her at some stage. Was it love, though? We were so young. What I felt for Destiny was so different.Grandfather must have given her the passwords and account numbers because there was no way he could do internet transactions on his own. The man was practically a dinosaur.But if it wasn’t him, then… No, my father wouldn’t do something like that. Would he? Could he be so duplicitous?My brain reeled. Not
DESTINY"I need answers, James," I said, my voice steady, though I could feel the tremor of anger coursing through me. I glimpsed that fury mirrored in his stormy eyes, causing my insides to quiver.James raked his fingers through his unruly hair, strands cascading over his face, partially obscuring my view of him. With a sigh, he muttered, "Well..." The sound of his exhalation hung in the air, thick with uncertainty. "I wish I could give you answers, Sugar. I truly do. But for now, I have none," he bit out the words, his frustration palpable."If you have any evidence, James..." I began, desperately seeking some semblance of truth."Suspicion alone isn't enough, Destiny!" he snapped, his frustration reaching a boiling point as he abruptly stood from the bed. He whirled around, his piercing gaze fixed on me. "Can you trust me? I'm doing everything I can to keep you safe." Desperation made his voice climb an octave higher.Keep me safe. The words echoed in my mind, a chilling reminder
JAMESAfter seven missed calls and three extremely angry voice messages from my father, I sent my reply.We have nothing to say to one another. Leave me the fuck alone. I will be out of office for a week. Then, I emailed a friend of mine from uni. Grant was a forensic auditor and owed me a favor. Promised to investigate my suspicions about the missing money, discreetly of course, I wouldn’t want anyone to get wind of it and go to great lengths to hide evidence. And by anyone, I meant my father and Jenna. I wanted to know exactly how much trouble our companies were in.Feeling a sense of satisfaction, I made my way to Charlie's office in a rundown part of South London. The sight of my sleek Bentley parked in front of the dilapidated building seemed jarringly out of place. I had no intention of staying for long."Jimmy! Didn't expect you so soon," Charlie exclaimed, crushing his cigarette into an overflowing ashtray surrounded by stacks of papers and an outdated computer screen on his
“PCP?” Father looked up at me where I stood, rooted to one spot.“Oh, my God! Are you serious?” This was just too much! Did he really think so little of me? Or was this just a way for him to distract me from the truth? Fucking hell!“You’ve been very aggressive lately. Not to mention paranoid and unpredictable.”“I see…” I walked over to him. He flinched in his chair. “I didn’t know you even knew the different narcotics. Did Jenna teach you? Her drug of preference was coke when Ronan and I used to have a threesome with her. You should try it with her sometime. Yeah, she had a taste for the white stuff. Made her real horny.”That got his attention.“Shut up, James! She told me how you corrupted her.” His expression changed from tired to enraged in a heartbeat.“What? Oh, so now she’s the victim, is it?” My laughter came out as a dry chuckle, punctuated by a snort. “Was that before or after I caught you two fucking while I was engaged to her?”I saw his jaw tighten, eyes blazing as he g
DESTINY“Is he alright, Doctor?” Finally, Dr. Levi came out of the examination room. I have been going out of my mind with worry.The expression on the doctor’s face didn’t give me much hope. A feeling of horrible dread settled in my stomach. I clutched my body tightly. Luke stood next to me, one hand on my shoulder for comfort.“My dear, he’s awake.” Dr. Levi began. “But…”“Ohmigod! Is it serious?” I could hear the deafening thump of my heart in my ears, and with each beat, a wave of dizziness washed over me. Were it not for Luke holding onto my shoulder, I would have crumpled at his feet.“Now, now, Mrs. Barrington.” Dr. Levi frowned sternly. “Calm yourself. James will have an MRI just to be thorough. I think it is only a concussion.”Heat rushed to my face. So embarrassed! Acting like a hysterical pregnant woman. “Can I see him?”Dr. Levi’s expression went blank. “I don’t want you to be concerned, my dear, but James seemed to have some memory loss.”“Memory loss?” I was puzzled.Dr
JAMESConfusion is an understatement of how I felt. I was married? To Jenna? And she was pregnant. How in the fuck did that happen? Okay, I know how babies are made; I am not an idiot. But how have I been absent for two years of my life?The harder I try to remember what happened, the more my head hurts. Against the doctor's advice, my father and Jenna came to take me home, where I would be more comfortable, according to them. And who would dare argue with Lord Barrington? He owns the damn hospital and probably the staff as well. “Babe, you really shouldn’t try so hard to remember. The doctor said your amnesia is most likely temporarily.” Jenna cooed over me in Dad’s limo.My father sat next to the driver, silent as stone. I have a suspicion he is pissed as hell at me for some reason. Fine, he probably has a valid one. It won't be the first and certainly won’t be the last time I’ve fallen out of favor with him. Story of my life. ‘“Dad, did I have an accident with my jag?” I asked.
DESTINYLuke took me home, and later that afternoon, the mechanic brought my Suzy back. I would have been happy had it not been because my husband didn’t know who I was and left together with Jenna and his father.What was I supposed to do? Go after them and demand they give him back to me? I laughed at myself for that idea. But then, I thought it just might be the right thing to do. We were married, after all. I was expecting his child. His father couldn’t throw me out. Could he? Who was I kidding? I wouldn’t put anything past the Barrington’s.“Do you think I should get a lawyer?” I asked Luke while pushing my dinner around on the plate. Mrs. D made a gorgeous stew, but I didn’t have an appetite.“Why are you asking me, Destiny?” Luke finished his third cup of coffee since we’ve been back. “If you think you need one, maybe you should.” He eyed my plate. “You gonna eat that?”The problem was I didn’t know another lawyer except for Arthur, Lord Barrington’s lawyer. I didn’t think he w
JAMESThe girl I just dreamed about was right there in my room. Doubt crept in, so I closed my eyes momentarily, questioning whether the vivid scene before me was a mere hallucination. I couldn’t trust my mind. Despite my throbbing temples, I resisted the urge to take the pills my father had given me.When I opened them, I saw the red-haired girl from my dream being ushered out of my room.“James needs his rest, Destiny! You shouldn’t be here.” My father shouted, clearly frustrated.The girl's voice, vaguely familiar, rang out defiantly. “You have no right to keep him here! I’m his..”“And I’m his father!” Dad’s voice boomed out, reverberating through my skull.I sat up, groaning, holding my aching head between my trembling hands. Can’t they dial it down a bit? Jesus! The pain was unbearable, but I resisted the urge to reach for the pills.As I struggled to steady myself on my way to the door, the commotion outside my room grew louder.There was a scuffle just beyond my door, and the
DESTINY"I have something for you," James smirked, his blue eyes twinkling mischievously as he held his hands behind his back. The scent of his cologne, a subtle blend of musk and sandalwood, filled the air around us."What is it?" I asked, my curiosity piqued as I leaned in closer, my heart fluttering in anticipation."The traditional gift for a one-year anniversary is paper, isn't it?" he replied, a playful glint in his eyes.“I didn’t figure you for a traditional type of bloke, Mr. Barrington,” I teased affectionately.Victor watched us from his cot, his bright blue eyes sparkling with interest. He chewed happily on his tiny fist and gurgled contentedly.I hadn't gotten him a card, as was the tradition. Instead, Cassidy had helped me choose a digital photo book, its sleek design fitting perfectly in my hands. Our precious memories filled the pages - from our engagement and wedding photos to Victor's first photo shoot. The glossy photographs captured our love and happiness, a tangibl
JAMESThe Christmas holidays felt never-ending, dragging on with a sense of timelessness. Instead of having a relaxing time with only the two of us, our home had become a bustling hive of activity.The sound of laughter and chatter filled the air as Lorraine, Cassidy, and Jenny barged into the house, their arms laden with packages filled to the brim with baby goods. My mates, Chris, Steven, and Joel, followed closely behind. The only one missing was Ronan, and his absence weighed heavily on me. I missed my best friend, but I hadn't yet found it in my heart to forgive him, despite Destiny's constant urging.“Surprise! You didn't think we'd forget to give you a proper baby shower, did you?" Lorraine exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement and warmth.Destiny embraced them all, her face glowing with joy. "You guys! This is unexpected," she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine surprise.I couldn't agree more with Destiny. The sight of her happiness warmed my heart. She needed this
DESTINYIt has been going great with us. Everything seemed to be working out just fine. James was back at work and the company’s reputation restored to its former good standing, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.James described how the air was filled with excitement as business boomed and new opportunities bloomed. Now that the guilty parties have been brought to justice, their shadows dissipating like smoke, and Lord Barrington's name cleared of all charges, the relationship between father and son has blossomed. It felt like a weight had been lifted, and I couldn't help but feel eternally grateful for this newfound harmony.Days flowed into each other and before we knew it, it was the Christmas holidays. We were expected to go to the Barrington mansion on Christmas Day.My parents have moved to Wales, where Daddy found a well-paying job in the mines. Hopefully, Aurora would focus her energy on raising Arthur and being a faithful wife to Daddy, their home now a sanctuary of love a
JAMESI woke up in a vast field of vibrant wildflowers, their delicate petals brushing against my skin as a gentle breeze whispered through the air. Initially, confusion washed over me, for I was certain I should have been somewhere else. Yet, lying there among the blossoms, gazing up at the expanse of the cerulean sky, a sense of pure bliss enveloped me. I wanted to stay there forever. It felt like heaven.Suddenly, a familiar voice called out my name, breaking the tranquility of the moment. "Mother?" I sprang up, searching the surroundings with bewilderment. It had to be a dream, it couldn't be real. But then, there she was, appearing exactly as I remembered her.Overwhelmed with joy, I tried to run towards her, but my movements felt as if I were tramping through heavy sand. The harder I tried, the more I struggled against an invisible force. "James," she called out, her voice filled with concern. "Stop. You must go back.""No, Mother, I don't want to go back. I want to be with you,
At Lord Barrington's insistence, I agreed to accompany him to a hotel just a block away from the hospital. As the owner, he had the manager prepare the grand presidential suite for our stay.Stepping into the suite, I couldn’t help but be impressed by the grandeur. They spared no expense, from the crystal chandelier in the center of the living room to the oriental rugs adorning the floor. Three luxurious bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom, left me in awe. Without Lord Barrington by my side, I would have felt utterly out of place in the opulent suite.Lord Barrington said kindly, “At least now you can take a warm shower and have a good night’s rest.”He left me in the bedroom I chose at random, thinking how strange it was spending the night with my father-in-law alone in a hotel. The gossip tabloids would definitely have a lot to speculate about if they got wind of it. I chuckled mirthlessly to myself. What a ridiculous thing to be worried about under the circumstances. My bl
Was I dreaming? The world around me felt surreal, like a hazy fog had descended upon reality. The air was thick with a mix of anticipation and dread. Just a few hours ago, we were filled with joy, discussing baby names and envisioning the perfect nursery. The nightmare of Jenna's death seemed like it was finally coming to conclusion, and we could move on from all of it. Everything was supposed to be fine. But then, in a split second, it all came crashing down.Curious onlookers buzzed about, their whispers and murmurs blending in a cacophony of noise. Security officers stood tall, forming a barrier between the crowd and the chaotic scene unfolding before them. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably, blending with the sticky warmth that seeped through my trembling fingers as I clung desperately to James."James, don't leave me," I pleaded through sobs, my voice choked with anguish. I gently caressed his deathly pale face, hoping beyond hope that my touch could somehow anchor him to
DESTINYIt was late evening when we made our way back home. The violet sky overcast with gray clouds hanging low signaled the promise of snow. Winter has finally arrived.Lord Barrington seemed reluctant to let us leave, finding many excuses to keep us there. The aroma of a delicious lunch drifted through the air, enticing us to stay. As the hours passed, lunch turned into dinner, filling the grand dining room with the clinking of cutlery and the soft murmur of conversation. Afterwards, the staff brought us steaming cups of tea, accompanied by the sweet aroma of freshly baked biscuits. I couldn’t resist. It was as if Lord Barrington didn't want to be left alone in that massive, eerie mansion. And honestly, I couldn't blame him. The place felt haunted, even if I didn't believe in such things.At least there was some semblance of harmony between James and his father. They engaged in polite conversation, discussing minor matters instead of arguing. It was a significant improvement, and
JAMESHaving heard nothing from my father, we drove to the hospital, anyway. Destiny insisted we stop at a fast-food restaurant on the way to get my dad something to eat. The aroma of sizzling burgers and salty fries wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of freshly brewed coffee.“I don’t care if it’s not healthy, James. He needs comfort food. Just this once.” She was determined to get him what she considered being comfort food. I just shook my head. I’ve never seen my dad eat a hamburger and fries. Ever. But there was no arguing with a pregnant woman. The lack of peanut butter or strawberry ice cream in the house had already agitated her. I had to promise her solemnly to get it for her.We found him in the waiting room where we left him. He looked as if he hadn’t slept at all, his tired eyes reflecting the fluorescent lights overhead. The uncomfortable chairs creaked as we sat down next to him. Outside the waiting area, the hospital staff carried on with their task. The low
DESTINYI listened to what Lord Barrington said. He was convinced that his actions caused his father's stroke.“Grandfather always had a bad temper.” James remarked. He had regained his composure after his emotional outburst. I thought it was endearing to see him so vulnerable. He hardly ever showed that side of him.“I know, but I just couldn’t keep quiet any longer. Not after what he confessed to.” Lord Barrington rubbed his temples as if he had a headache.Looking closely at Lord Barrington, I noticed a red welt on one side of his face. “What happened to your face?” I blurted out.He subconsciously stroked over the red mark. “He struck me with his walking stick,” he said, grimacing. “Right before he fell.”Curiosity piqued, I asked, “What did you argue about?”He let out a deep sigh. “It doesn’t matter now.”“Really?” James raised an eyebrow at his father, his voice filled with skepticism. “Was it about the inheritance?”“Among other things. You should go home. I can see Destiny is