DESTINYRonan called me repeatedly, but I didn’t answer. Eventually, after the fifth call, I accepted the call.“Why do you keep calling, Ronan?” I know, I know, he helped me, and I was being ungrateful.“Well thank God! I was just about to go over there. Fucking answer your damn phone. I thought something happened to you.” He sounded concerned. At least someone was.“Sorry. I just didn’t feel like speaking to anyone. My father-in-law just left.” I know it didn’t seem like much of an explanation, but Lord Barrington had riled me up.“Oh… you could have at least just sent me a message, Destiny.”I sighed and rolled my eyes at his hurt sounding tone. “I suppose. Thank you for your concern though. Maybe you shouldn’t be. I’m fine.” My head still hurt, and I had trouble remembering some things. But I guess that was to be expected, I banged my head damn hard.A short pause followed. “You know how I feel about you.”“If you start that again I’m going to end the conversation. What do you wan
JAMESI haven’t felt this crappy since the bachelors. Pain meds and booze–deadly combination. I was still a bit drunk and fucking angry.That’s why I decided to go home. The genuine dilemma was, should I confront Destiny with the photos, or should I just wait and let my investigator do a little snooping?I wanted to stew on it for a while. My fucking head was killing me. I didn’t know what hurt more: my balls, my head, or my heart. Never expected this of her, my sweet naïve Sugar.You were a complete idiot, James Barrington, to allow yourself to be duped by a pretty face and a stunning body. Again.“Mr. Barrington, we’re here.” The driver stopped at my gate.The latter was left wide open. Which was unusual. I tried closing it with the remote control and it didn’t close. That was the first thing I noticed. The second was Ronan’s black Audi in my driveway. That set my blood ablaze.Motioning the driver on through, I checked my Rolex. Barely eight thirty a.m. What the fuck was Ronan doin
DESTINYJames had been acting strangely ever since his return. Secretive. Lately, he seemed distant and guarded, unwilling to open up to me. Despite my attempts to get him to tell me what was lying so heavily on his mind, he would just change the subject.I couldn’t help but feel hurt that he didn’t trust me enough to share what's going on. Every little thing he did seems to be cloaked in mystery: walking away when he's on the phone, refusing my help to unpack his things, and even not wanting me to shower with him like we usually did.Part of me believed that he's simply feeling self-conscious following his operation, but the other part worried that something much deeper was going on. Could it be that he might have seen the photos of Ronan and me on social media?Surely, he would have said something, though.It is frustrating that he’s making excuses to keep me at arm's length, not even letting me drive him to his doctor's appointment.Okay, not that I blame him for that. I’ve wrecked
JAMESI would have gone home sooner from the doctors, but Charlie called me to meet up with him at a local pub.“Not much to go on, Jimmy. Nothing about her movements that looks suspicious. Except for this one time.”“Spit it out, Charlie.” I was anxious to get home to Destiny. She was alone, and I hadn’t gotten a reply from the security company.Charlie took a swig from the pint I paid for. “Yeah, she went to a construction site where she met up with a strange bloke. Took his photo.” He gave me the photograph of the man. “She gave him something in an envelope and then left.”I looked at the photo, but it was unclear. The man had a cap drawn over his eyes so that it obscured his features. Was this payment for tampering with Destiny’s car’s brakes? This wasn’t solid proof, though.“Can you find out who this man is, Charlie?” I wasn’t about to leave anything to chance. If Jenna had anything to do with the accident or the break in, I wanted hard evidence.“Sure, I’ll see what I can find
DESTINYThe man left me there, bound and gagged and lying helplessly on the dirty mattress. It was dark and cold. The rain had left me drenched to the bone, and the combination of cold, pain, and shock had me shivering uncontrollably.Time passed by at a snail’s pace while I lay there in the dark, too afraid to move. James would have been home by now. Was he looking for me? Did he even know I was missing?What was the guy’s plan with me? He said it depended on my husband. That would mean he wanted money. But I had seen his face and I’ve watched too many kidnapping movies. He wouldn’t want to leave a witness that could identify him. Oh, my God… he was going to kill me for sure!No, I wasn’t going down without a fight! I had to escape. I rubbed my face against the dirty mattress to get the filthy gag out of my mouth. It was nauseating. The mattress smelled like sour milk, making my stomach heave.It worked. Coughing and spitting a few times to get that awful taste out of my mouth.“Help
DESTINY It was morning. The pale sunlight shone in my eyes from the windows above. I must have dozed off a few times. My body was stiff and sore all over from being in the same position for so long. At least it was light enough to familiarize myself with my surroundings.How long before the man came back? My stomach grumbled loudly. The sandwich I ate last night was long since forgotten, and I was starving. What I wouldn’t give for a cup of coffee, from our coffee maker at home. I missed James so much I wanted to cry. He must be going out of his mind by now.Would he have called the police? The man, Smith, or whatever his name was, would have probably warned him not to. Wasn’t that what they always did in these situations?Out of desperation, I struggled against the cuffs, and the chair moved slightly. Of course, the office chair still had its wheels, and I could move it. Why didn’t I think of it before?I had to use all my strength to move it, as it had accumulated a lot of dust and
JAMES Mr. Smythe, the bank manager, met us in his office hours before the bank officially opened.“You have to understand, James, that this is an impossible amount. The bank does not have that kind of collateral lying about.”“Of course, Mr. Smythe. I know how it works. But this is a matter of life and death!” For fuck’s sake! Why can’t he arrange the rest with the other banks? I held onto my sanity by a thread.“Have you spoken to the police? Who is blackmailing you? We have a special unit…”“Charles, please.” Father held up his hand. “We can’t get the police involved. My daughter-in-law has been taken. Whoever this person is will not hesitate to hurt her.”“The FBI…”“He will kill her!” I slammed my hand on his desk, leaning forward, getting into his personal space. He had to understand that this was serious.Mr. Smythe leaned back in his chair to run a hand through his thinning hair. “But why in cash? It’s such a huge amount. Surely, they can’t expect…”“Unless they know we won’t
DESTINYThe man was gone for what seemed an eternity, and I wished he would disappear from the face of the earth. Just leave me here, forget about me. Someone would eventually find me. But, of course, he came back.My bladder was fit to burst and upon seeing him, the need became more urgent. “I… I need the bathroom.”He rolled his eyes at me. But he bent down to cut my ankles loose. I considered kicking him in the face, but quickly changed my mind because he held the box cutter up to my face.“Don’t be a hero, Missus. I wouldn’t like to cut you.” He hauled me to my feet, shoving me toward the bathroom.“Are you going to let me go?” I hated the squeakiness in my voice.His response was curt. “Shut up and do your business. We have to move.”***Outside, the icy wind whipped against my body, and I shivered uncontrollably. More from fear than from cold. Smith opened the van’s back door and unceremoniously dumped me inside. I landed on my shoulder with a grunt. With a sudden sharp pain and
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