JAMESThere! I went and blurted out that I loved her. And I truly did, as shocking as it was to both of us. What did she do? She laughed.“Is that funny to you?” I stalked over to her, anger narrowing my eyes. With my hands on my hips, I glared down at her. She didn’t back away, but stood her ground.She wiped tears off her cheeks. “Yes, because you don’t mean it, James.” The towel threatened to slip off, and she clutched it around her.I threw my hands up in the air, exasperated. Here I was telling her the truth, and she doubted me. “What the hell? I do fucking mean it!”She shook her head. “Remember the day of our wedding? You said it then too. Because you were scared that I wouldn’t go through with the wedding.”I remembered it too clearly. Not my proudest moment. But it worked anyway. Although, I meant it that day. Alright, maybe not as honestly as I do now.“You will always say whatever gets you what you want, James. That is who you are.” Her words hurt like hell, but it was true
DESTINYMy mind still reeled from what James had confessed earlier, the weight of his words still lying heavily on my heart. I wanted to believe him so badly, but my mind kept telling me to be cautious, like a nagging voice in the back of my head. And yet, despite my reservations, I poured out my feelings to him, my heart exposed and vulnerable. Maybe I should have lied to protect my heart, but James would have seen right through me. Like he always did.My phone buzzed with a text message, its soft vibrations breaking me out of my whirling thoughts. Her name flashed across the screen, a sharp pang of betrayal coursing through me.I placed the phone face down on the bedside table, its cold surface a stark reminder of the distance between us. I hesitated, contemplating whether to delete the message unread. That was so like my mother, avoiding a face-to-face conversation in a cowardly manner. There were so many things I wanted to say to her, but she had robbed me of that chance.Suddenl
JAMESI wasted no time in hiring the bodyguard for my Sugar. Luke Marshall, a strapping man in his early thirties, was ex-military, with an excellent track record. Not also was he adept at hand-to-hand combat, had a black belt in Jujitsu and had that don’t-fuck-with-me attitude down to a T. A bit too handsome to my liking, but I trusted Destiny. I smirked to myself. Also, he batted for the other side, so I felt confident that there would be no funny business.With Destiny safe in Marshall’s capable hands, I left for the office, eager to put my plans in motion. Jenna would soon be a nervous wreck, peering over her shoulder every time she moved. I wanted her to give herself up and beg for our forgiveness. The image of her groveling before me on her knees gave me such a hard-on, I had to adjust my trousers before getting out of my car.Even better if she ended up in the clink. Would my father let her go to prison being pregnant with his child? I doubted it, and it filled me with bitter a
DESTINYJames left early in the morning while I still slept. I’ve become really lazy. It’s like I just couldn’t get up in the morning. Besides the morning sickness that came and went at odd times, I felt so lethargic. Whether it was just the pregnancy or the fact that James was insatiable at night, that had me feeling this way.I giggled to myself, remembering how odd he seemed last night. Was he really that insecure? Yes, of course, Marshall was panty-melting hot, but James had nothing to be ashamed of. He had a sexy body and the way he could kiss… Not that I’m an expert, but he certainly knew his way around a woman’s body. And of course, Marshall had no interest in girls. Maybe that was the main reason James employed him to be my bodyguard. Did that mean he didn’t trust me? That thought made me frown. I knew James was possessive and jealous; he made that very clear when he thought Ronan and I had something going on. Heaven forbid he ever found out about Ronan’s crush on me.Lazily,
DESTINYThe entire way back home I was silent, didn’t feel like talking. Mulling over what Ronan had told me. James had some explaining to do. I knew he was hiding something. The cinnamon bun I had a craving for sat in a box on my lap. Marshal kept on shooting furtive glances at me while he drove.Mrs. Donahue took one look at me when I entered the kitchen to put my bun in the fridge and she turned to put the kettle on.“You look like you good do with a cuppa, love.” She busied herself with the teacups. “If you want to talk, this ol’ biddy can lend ye her ear, ye ken?” Her blue eyes twinkled sympathetically. “Men can be a real pain in the you-know-what.” Bless her, she was a curious woman.I didn’t disagree with her. “Thank you, Mrs. D. I really would love a cup.”She fixed Marshall with a narrowed stare. “Ye didn’t upset Mrs. Barrington, did ye now?”Luke raised his bushy eyebrows comically. “No, never, Ma’am!”I couldn’t help but smile at the protectiveness of the small woman. She w
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
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