JAMESI felt a pang of guilt for leaving Destiny behind and returning home to sleep, but my exhausted body demanded rest. But the moment I woke up, I felt a sense of relief. The throbbing in my head had subsided, and my thoughts were clearer. Besides, I reassured myself that Destiny was safe in the hospital, with Luke there to provide extra protection.As I arrived at her room, I noticed Luke was not at his post and the door was closed. Initially, I thought nothing of it, assuming Destiny was sleeping, and the nurse had closed the door for privacy. So, I entered quietly to sit by her bedside.But when I stepped inside, I noticed that the curtains around her bed were drawn, concealing someone's presence. Curiosity piqued, I listened intently and heard a scuffling and grunting noise coming from behind the curtain. The sound of stilettos made it clear that it wasn't a nurse.Without hesitation, I forcefully pulled the curtains apart, and my heart nearly stopped in my chest. "Jenna!" I ex
DESTINY"Is she really dead?" I asked the nurse, my voice trembling, as she deftly adjusted the monitors, the soft beeping filling the sterile air. The fluorescent lights above cast an eerie glow on the scene, amplifying my sense of dread. I desperately wanted to wake up from this living nightmare. Thoughts of James consumed my mind - he had saved me, and now he needed saving. I had to escape this suffocating hospital and convince the inspector not to charge him. If it weren't for him, she would have succeeded in ending my life."Mrs. Barrington, please try to relax," the nurse urged, her voice calm but filled with concern. "Your blood pressure is dangerously high." She skillfully evaded my question, her eyes darting between the monitors and me. I watched as she prepared a syringe, the metallic glint reflecting the harsh lighting.My heart raced, and panic gripped me. "No, no!" I pleaded, my voice bordering on hysteria. "What if they come back? What if they finish the job?" The fear i
JAMESFinally, after what felt like an excruciatingly long period spent confined in the dimly lit holding cells at the police station, they finally led me down a narrow corridor to face the magistrate. The air was heavy with the scent of stale coffee and musty paperwork, making it difficult to breathe. The sound of echoing footsteps and hushed whispers filled the cramped space, amplifying the tension that hung in the air.As I stood there, anxiously awaiting my fate, the absence of an attorney to represent me weighed heavily on my mind. I had to concede; the outcome looked bleak, even to someone without a law degree. The weight of the murder charge, though it was an accident, pressed down on me like a suffocating blanket.The arresting officer had painted a picture of the events leading up to this moment - Jenna's violent attack on me and her attempt to murder my wife. According to him, I could have acted differently, using my strength as a man to deter her, labeling her as a weaker w
JAMESAs soon as Ronan opened the door, I brushed past him, my eyes searching frantically for Destiny. Relief flooded through my bones when I saw her sitting on his couch. Her body was as tense as a coiled spring and her face etched with worry.“Why aren’t you at home? I was worried sick.” I blurted out, my words filled with frustration. The silence was deafening, only broken by the distant hum of passing cars outside. I noticed Destiny's phone lying on the glass coffee table, its screen dark and lifeless. "Your phone goes straight to voicemail, Destiny. What the fuck?" Picking up the cellphone, I threw it on the couch next to her.Ronan's hand landed heavily on my shoulder, his touch grounding me momentarily. "Calm down, Jimmy," he urged, his voice low with a warning tone."Don't you tell me to calm down, Ronan. What the hell was I supposed to think?" I seethed, my anger boiling over. I couldn't bear the thought of Destiny running to Ronan the moment I was out of the picture.Destiny
DESTINY It pained me to see the shock and disbelief pass over his face like a crashing wave, his brows furrowing and his eyes widening in disbelief. But there was no mistaking what I had heard. The words echoed in my mind, haunting me with their undeniable truth. I just didn’t know for sure who Ronan spoke to, although I guessed it could only have been Lord Barrington. James sat in stoic silence the rest of the way home, staring out of the side window, mulling over what I’ve told him.Luke also kept his mouth shut after the remark he passed, his lips pursed tightly. I felt bad enough telling James about it as it stood. There was no need for I told you so. When we arrived home, Luke excused himself, his voice tinged with an unspoken understanding, saying he had an appointment in town. But I knew it was only an excuse to give us some much-needed space.James followed me into the kitchen, the silence of the room oppressing. I needed to keep my hands busy or my thoughts would consume me.
JAMESI tossed and turned in bed, unable to find sleep. The events of the past weeks consumed my mind, replaying them over and over. Leaving Destiny to sleep undisturbed , I ventured out onto the porch. The cool night air caressed my skin as I searched for my hidden stash of cigarettes. Finally finding them, I lit one and took a few drags. However, the taste made me feel nauseous, prompting me to stub it out in a nearby flowerpot. Even the simple pleasure of smoking had been tainted. What had become of me?A part of me longed to confront Ronan and force the truth from him. But deep down, I knew that once I started, I might never stop. It was a painful realization that even the person I trusted most, besides Destiny, could cause me such hurt. The night was frosty; the wind attempting to whisk me away from my spot by the pool, but I paid it little attention. I dipped my feet into the heated water, watching as steam rose from its surface. To distract myself and exhaust my mind, I strippe
DESTINY"What? Why would you keep quiet about it?" I exclaimed, my voice filled with shock and disbelief. My fingers clenched tightly into the armrests, feeling the cold, smooth texture beneath my fingertips. How long had he known about it and never told anyone?"Destiny, love, it wasn't me! I just found out a couple of nights ago when I went to my father's place," James explained, his voice filled with urgency. I could hear the desperation in his tone as he reached for my hand, seeking reassurance."What else are you keeping from me, James?" I demanded, my frustration mounting. The weight of his secrets and lies had become unbearable. The file he had on the kidnapper, the photographs, everything. And now, to find out that Ronan, his best friend, was also involved. It was too much. I stood up abruptly and made my way to the door, my footsteps echoing in the room."I just need a minute," I muttered as I stepped out of the office. The bustling sounds of the city filled my ears as I stoo
JAMESI burst through the glass door, entering the sunlight flooded office. Ronan and three officers, of which Inspector Gordon was one, turned around to stare at the unwelcome intrusion.Ronan rounded his steel and chrome desk to approach me. “Jimmy? What the hell…” He gaped at me, a deep furrow forming on his forehead.“Yes, Ronan. What the hell indeed!” All my intentions not to throttle the truth out of him went flying out the window and I couldn’t give a rat’s ass who was present as I bore down on him. My fist curled around the front of his shirt, crumpling the smooth fabric as I forcefully brought him down to my eye level. He was half a head taller than I, his presence dominating the room.Even though Ronan was bulkier and more muscled, I surprised him by my sudden attack. I intended to headbutt him, but he gripped my wrists, his grip strong and unyielding and pushed back. Our eyes locked in an intense battle. Grunting and panting, I struggled with him, the adrenaline coursing th