DESTINY"Have you seen James, Luke?" I found Luke in the bright, sunlit kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. His smile was contagious, hinting at the happiness he must have felt from visiting his friend's last night. "Good morning," he greeted, turning to face me."Saw him leaving when I came in this morning. He seemed to be in a hurry," Luke replied cheerfully, his voice blending with the clinking of the coffee mug against the counter."That's strange. His court appearance is only next week," I pondered, the sound of my voice trailing off. Unless something unexpected came up. I reached for my cellphone, intending to call James, but a notification from social media caught my attention. It was James' birthday, a fact that had slipped my mind. Why hadn't he reminded me?"Oh, shit..." Regret washed over me. How could I have missed this?"Something wrong?" Luke asked, taking a sip of his coffee. "Make you some tea?" He turned, the sound of the kettle whistling as h
JAMESI left the majestic court building, pushing my way through a horde of relentless reporters once again, as I made my way towards my car. The blaring sounds of their questions echoed in my ears while I tried my best to ignore the bloodsuckers.I felt a little better about my birthday after the day lightened up. It might not be a complete disaster like I thought.To my immense relief, the prosecution barrister didn’t charge me with assault. However, there was to be a formal inquiry into Jenna's accidental death, a mere formality, as Judge Harris assured me. Her family asked for it, which I get, but I totally forgot about her family and what influence her death had on them.In all the time we had spent together, I had only visited Jenna's parents' home on two occasions. They were not a tightly knit family, but Jenna's lineage held a significant influence, which explained my grandfather's infatuation with her. He valued social standing more than anything, and that was precisely why I
DESTINYHave I walked into the lion’s den? The dimly lit room cast a foreboding shadow over Lord Barrington, who appeared more like a defeated lion than the king of the jungle.“I can’t stay long. I have guests over to celebrate James’ birthday.”He turned a bewildered face to mine. “What? You’re celebrating his birthday?”“Yes, is that news to you?” I retorted, somewhat sarcastically. He should know his own son’s birthday, shouldn’t he?His lip lifted slightly in a semblance of a smile or a sneer. “You don’t know? He never told you.” He uttered a weary sigh. “I need a drink. Have a seat. I’ll have the cook brew you some tea.” Without another word, he walked towards the distant kitchen. I followed, eager to uncover the secrets James was keeping from me."Wait for me in the solarium. This is not something I wish to discuss in front of my staff," he explained, guiding me towards the sunlit room.As I entered the room, the scent of lavender and dahlias filled the air, mingling with the w
JAMES “Fuck, fuck, fuck!” Frustration boiled within me, and as I slammed my fist against the cold, unyielding steering wheel, the sharp pain in my hand mingled with the expletives that escaped my lips. “Goddammit! I’m such an idiot!”I shouldn’t have left Destiny there. Not like this. In my rearview mirror, I anxiously scanned the road behind me, hoping to glimpse Destiny's car. Her car wasn’t as fast as my Bentley, and I drove like a man possessed to get away from my family's home. The old man's words had struck a nerve, and I had let my frustration consume me, taking it out on Destiny. It was infuriating how the old buzzard always knew exactly which buttons to push.Finally, I couldn't bear the uncertainty any longer. I pulled over onto the side of the road; the gravel crunching beneath the weight of my car. Minutes stretched into eternity as I waited, my eyes fixed on the distant road. And then, moving at a snails-pace, Destiny's Beetle appeared, inching its way towards me. Relie
DESTINYI knew he meant it, and I felt a pang of sympathy for him, having lost his mother in such a horrific manner. But the pain of him keeping it to himself hurt deeply.“I forgive you, James,” I whispered after a moment. “But…” I raised my hand to silence him when he tried to speak. “You have to be completely honest with me. I can't support you if I don't know what's going on in your mind.”“I promise I'll try,” he replied, his gaze fixed on his fidgeting hands. “I carry so much baggage, Sugar. It's not something I want to burden you with.”“James.” I gently cradled his face, raising it to meet my eyes. “Whatever you tell me won't make me leave.”“You say that now, Destiny,” he responded, his voice filled with anguish. “You heard what my father said. I destroy people I love.” He placed his trembling hands over mine. “I want to protect you and our baby. I don't want to hurt you, but I'm terrified I might.”“You're being irrational. You're a good man. I don't care about your father or
JAMES I barely registered the sound of a splash as something fell into the pool, my vision clouded by the intense anger I felt towards Ronan. How dare he lay a hand on Destiny? Consumed by the desire to smash his arrogant face in, I punched him blindly. His cheekbone crunched underneath my fists."James! Fuck! Stop it..." Ronan's words were all muffled and blood splattered on my face, as he weakly tried to push me away by gripping my wrists tighter. We tumbled over the cold paving, our labored breaths and grunts filling the air.Just as Ronan's fist connected with my jaw, I caught a movement in the water. Stars exploded in front of me, blurring my vision. And then, in that moment of disorientation, I realized Destiny was no longer there.Ronan's scream of her name snapped me out of my daze. Without hesitation, we both plunged into the water. I reached her first, her waterlogged clothes dragging her down towards the pool's depths. With all my strength, I broke the surface, cradling he
DESTINYAfter Ronan left, James suggested we go for a drive. The longing in his eyes was apparent as he glanced at his gleaming motorcycle. But he wouldn't risk it with me being pregnant. As we ventured further from home, the road stretched out endlessly before us. I couldn't help but wonder where James was taking us."Where are we going, James?" I inquired, curiosity tinged with excitement as we left the familiar behind."To one of my favorite places, Sugar. It's been a while since I've been there," he replied.A few miles from the coast, we arrived at the summit of the cliffs, where James parked the Bentley at a lookout point. The sea breeze greeted us as we stepped out of the car. James, ever attentive, helped me with my coat, carefully buttoning it up to my chin. I couldn't help but smile at his protective gesture.We found a bench overlooking the majestic view, and I nestled close to James. The chill wind playfully tousled my hair, but being outside felt invigorating. The sight b
JAMES“James, you don’t mean that!” Destiny said, her gentle touch on my arm sending a shiver down my spine.Oh, but I did. The weight of my words hung heavy in the air.“James, come with me to the hospital. Please,” Dad pleaded, holding the limo's door open, its sleek black exterior gleaming in the interior light, a stark contrast to the darkness in my heart."Now, why would I do that? He's probably too stubborn to die, anyway. Plus, he hates me," I scoffed, the bitterness dripping from my words like venom. Although, the thought of being by his bedside filled me with a sick satisfaction, a twisted desire to see him suffer."He's still your family, James," Destiny prodded, her voice heavy with empathy and understanding."He needs your forgiveness, James. Besides, it's for your own sake as well," my father's concern seeped into his words, contrasting with the strained relationship we had shared for years.I shrugged, the weight of indifference settling on my shoulders. "Yeah, well. Des
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