JAMESI knew what I was getting into, giving up my information to the coppers. But the look on Destiny's face when she saw the photos of Jenna and that bastard, and the weight of mentioning the policy on her life, brought a kind of trouble I didn't want. But there it was, looming before me. I had a lot of explaining to do.When Inspector Gordon left, I felt the urge to do just that. Destiny gave me the cold shoulder, her eyes filled with anger, and marched into the spare room, slamming the door shut. The sound reverberated through the air, leaving a heavy silence in its wake."Destiny? Sugar, open the door, please," I pleaded, leaning against the closed door. "Let's talk about it. I can explain...""Go away, James," her voice came out muffled from the other side of the door, filled with pain and frustration."Baby, please..." I took a step back as something she threw collided with the door, causing it to shatter. The sound of breaking glass filled the room, adding to the tension that
DESTINYThis has been the scariest day of my life, even more terrifying than the moment I believed I would meet my end at the hands of my kidnapper. But, after a few tense hours filled with the scent of disinfectant and the constant beeping of machines, the doctor delivered the news that everything was fine. I just needed to rest in bed and try not to stress. Of course, that was easier said than done."You should go home, James," I told him softly, as he sat by my bedside, his hand holding mine. "You look absolutely exhausted."He managed a faint grin, but it did little to hide the evidence of his own ordeal. His face bore green and purple bruises around his right eye and cheekbone, and deep lines etched themselves around his mouth, a testament to what he’d been through."I'm fine now. You gave me quite a scare, Sugar. I don't think I could handle any more," he replied, his voice filled with relief. "I'll leave soon, but I'll be back tonight. I can't bear the thought of leaving you he
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"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