The private dining room at the Reynolds estate was adorned with crisp white linens and gleaming silverware, setting the stage for a celebratory family dinner. Emma smoothed the folds of her emerald green dress nervously as she took her seat beside James."Doesn't my little girl look radiant this evening?" Her father Donald Montgomery winked at her before turning to James. "You're one lucky young man."James barely glanced up from his phone, nodding distractedly. "Yes, quite fortunate."Senator Reynolds cleared his throat loudly. "James! Put that damn phone away and join us properly. This dinner is meant to be a joyous occasion for God's sake."Sheepishly pocketing his phone, James offered a tight smile. "You're right, Father. My apologies...I'm just preoccupied with all the wedding preparations."His mother Brenda patted his hand consolingly. "Planning such a big event with all your other responsibilities must be overwhelming, dear. But tonight is about family, not flowers and guest l
Emma was sitting at her desk, trying and failing to focus on the financial reports in front of her.There was a knock at her office door. "Come in," she called out irritably.The door opened and Mark sauntered in, shutting it behind him with a self-assured click. "Hello, Emma."Emma felt her blood pressure spike instantly at the sight of him. She shot up from her chair, sending it clattering to the floor. How dare he come to her office!"You...what are you doing here?" she spat out through gritted teeth, fists clenched at her sides.Mark gave her that insufferable charming smile that used to make her knees weak. "Now, now. Is that any way to greet an old friend?""We were never friends!" Emma raged, storming around the desk until they were face to face, close enough for her to smell his spicy cologne. It was the same scent that used to linger on his shirts when she'd bury her face in them after making love. She ruthlessly shoved that traitorous thought aside, focusing on the white-ho
After Mark finally left her office, Emma felt utterly drained, both emotionally and physically. She sank back into her desk chair, burying her face in her hands as she tried to process everything that had just transpired. The confrontation had dredged up a whirlwind of emotions - anger, lingering desire, bitter humiliation - leaving her reeling.A soft knock at the door made her look up with a weary sigh. "Come in."Nelly, her trusted assistant, poked her head in hesitantly. "Ms. Montgomery? Are you alright? I couldn't help but overhear some of that...heated exchange."Emma waved her in with a mirthless chuckle. "It's fine, Nelly. You may as well know the whole sordid tale at this point." As Nelly settled into the chair across from her, Emma began recounting the entire history - her years-long relationship with Mark, the devastating discovery of his infidelity with her former friend Amanda, and his increasingly desperate, manipulative attempts to win her back ever since news broke of
James stood outside Sarah's apartment, the weight of his impending wedding pressing down on him like a leaden sky. He clenched his fists, his heart torn between duty and desire. With a shaky breath, he raised his hand and knocked softly on the door.The door swung open, revealing Sarah's tear-stained face. Her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of James standing there, a tumult of emotions flickering across her features."James, what are you doing here?" Sarah's voice trembled with a mixture of hope and apprehension, “I thought you were…”"I had to see you, Sarah," James replied, his voice thick with emotion. "I couldn't go through with this without telling you one last time that I love you and I mean it."Sarah's breath caught in her throat, her heart aching at the sincerity in James's words. She stepped aside, wordlessly inviting him into her apartment.They sat in silence for a moment, the air heavy with unspo
Emma stared at herself in the big mirror, wearing her beautiful white wedding dress. The fancy lace looked so pretty draping over her slim body, with the delicate beads sparkling in the soft light of the dressing room."Wow, Emma, you look stunning!" exclaimed her nanny, Ruth, eyes shining with pride. "Your mother would have been so proud to see you in this gorgeous dress."Emma's smile faded a little as she felt a pang of sadness thinking about her late mother. She blinked rapidly, trying not to let the tears fall. How she wished her mom could be here on her wedding day."I know, Nanny," Emma said, her voice catching with emotion. "I just wish she could be here with us today."Ruth stepped forward and gave Emma a warm, comforting hug, putting her arms around her."I miss her too, Miss Emma," Ruth murmured gently. "But I know she's watching over you from heaven, and she's so proud of the beautiful woman you've become."The tender
James's eyes snapped open as he jolted upright in bed, his heart pounding with a sudden sense of urgency. He glanced at the clock on his bedside table and felt a surge of panic grip him. He was late – very late."Sarah, why didn't you wake me up?!" James exclaimed, his voice filled with frustration as he scrambled out of bed and dashed towards the bathroom.Sarah stirred from her sleep, blinking in confusion as she registered James's frantic movements."What do you mean? I thought you set your alarm," Sarah mumbled groggily, rubbing her eyes as she struggled to wake up.James didn't bother responding as he rushed through his morning routine, his mind racing with thoughts of the impending disaster that awaited him. Today was supposed to be his wedding day – the day he was supposed to marry Emma – and now he was running late thanks to Sarah's negligence.As James hastily dressed, he couldn't shake the feeling of dread that gnawed at his insides. How could he have overslept on the most i
Emma's legs felt like lead as she walked down the long aisle, her father's grip on her arm vice-like. Memories of Mark's betrayal with Amanda flashed through her mind in agonizing flickers.There was Mark, whispering hushed endearments to Amanda as they embraced... Mark and Amanda kissing passionately, oblivious to Emma's stunned presence... The devastated look on Amanda's face when Emma confronted her about the affair..."Emma, keep it together," her father hissed through a frozen smile as they approached the altar.She blinked back tears, putting on a brave face as James came into view. His expression was stony, giving no hint of the emotional turmoil she knew he must be feeling."Dearly beloved..." The priest's voice cut through her daze.Emma tuned out the droning speech, fighting waves of nausea. This was all wrong. She didn't love James, and he didn't love her. How could she go through with this sham?Her father shot her a warning look as the vows began. Emma's heart pounded, co
The limo slowed to a halt at the grand Montgomery estate, and James hastily exited without even considering holding the door for Emma. She sighed inwardly, gathering her gown delicately before stepping out, feelinga pang of disappointmentat his lack of courtesy. James marched ahead, his destination clear - the east wing guest rooms. Emma hurried to catch up, blocking his path with an outstretched arm. "Where are you off to in such a hurry?" she demanded, her voice tinged with frustration. James glanced at her with a mixture of irritation and disdain. "To find a room as far away from you as possible."
Emma laughed softly as she adjusted the collar of Mark’s suit, her fingers brushing against his chest. They stood in the office conference room, the sunlight streaming through the glass walls, casting a golden hue over them. Mark grinned at her, his eyes filled with warmth, as if they shared an inside joke no one else could understand. “Honestly, Mark,” Emma teased, stepping back to admire her handiwork, “if I didn’t step in to save you, you’d walk into this meeting looking like a wrinkled mess.” Mark chuckled, his voice low and smooth. “That’s why I keep you around, Emma. You’re not just the brains of this operation—you’re also the style police.” Their laughter echoed through the room, a stark contrast to the tension radiating from James, who stood just outside the conference room, watching them through the glass. His jaw clenched as he saw Emma place a hand on Mark’s arm, her touch lingering just a second too long. When the meeting concluded, Emma and Mark
James stood at the doorway of Emma’s office, the weight of his desperation etched into his features. He hesitated for a moment, watching her from afar. Emma sat at her desk, flipping through documents with practiced precision, her demeanor calm and collected.He cleared his throat, stepping inside. “Emma,” he began, his voice softer than usual, almost hesitant.She didn’t look up, keeping her eyes on the document in front of her. “If you’re here about work, leave it on the desk. If it’s personal, I’m not interested.”James sighed, stepping closer. “Emma, please. We need to talk.”At this, she glanced up, her eyes cold and unreadable. “About what, James? More excuses? More promises you won’t keep?”“No,” he said quickly, shaking his head. “I’m not here to make excuses. I just... I just want us to fix this.”Emma leaned back in her chair, cros
James stood in the kitchen, the faint aroma of rosemary and garlic filling the air. He wiped his hands on a towel, glancing nervously at the clock. Emma would be home soon. He had spent the entire day preparing her favorite meal—grilled salmon with creamy mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus. It wasn’t just about the food; it was about the message he hoped to send.He wanted her to know he was trying. That he was sorry. That he couldn’t lose her.When the front door opened, James quickly straightened his shirt, running a hand through his hair. He plastered a smile on his face as Emma stepped into the living room, her heels clicking against the wooden floor.“Emma,” he greeted warmly. “You’re home.”She paused, her sharp gaze cutting through him. “I can see that, James. What is it this time?”He gestured toward the dining table, which was set with candles and her favorite white-and-gold china. &ldqu
Sarah leaned back against her couch, a glass of wine in her hand, the room dimly lit by the glow of her TV. Her mind was swirling with frustration and indignation over her earlier conversation with James. His dismissive attitude and hollow promises were beginning to wear on her, but she wasn’t about to let him win. She was determined to remind him that she wasn’t a woman to be ignored.A sharp knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She glanced at her phone, her brow furrowing. She wasn’t expecting anyone, and James certainly wouldn’t show up unannounced. Setting her glass down, she rose to her feet and walked to the door, peeking through the peephole.“Tyler?” she muttered under her breath, a mix of surprise and annoyance flashing across her face. What was he doing here?She opened the door, leaning against the frame with a raised brow. “What do you want?”Tyler stood there, his hands shoved into the pocket
James sat in his home office, the soft glow of his desk lamp illuminating the scattered papers before him. His mind was a whirlwind, consumed by Emma’s growing defiance and the precarious state of his plans. His phone vibrated for the fifth time in the last hour, the screen lighting up with Sarah’s name. He clenched his jaw, refusing to answer.A few moments later, another message popped up: "James, you can’t ignore me forever. Call me now, or I’ll handle this my way."He cursed under his breath, tossing his pen onto the desk. “Damn it, Sarah,” he muttered. The last thing he needed was for her to create more chaos in his already fragile situation. With a resigned sigh, he picked up the phone and dialed her number.The call connected almost instantly. “Finally!” Sarah’s voice was sharp, laced with frustration. “What the hell, James? You’ve been ignoring my calls and texts for days.”“I&r
Emma sat in the plush armchair by the window, a glass of wine cradled in her hand as she stared out at the city skyline. The Montgomery estate was eerily quiet, save for the faint hum of traffic in the distance. She had spent the day drowning herself in paperwork, trying to ignore the growing tension between her and James. Tonight, she resolved, she would give herself peace.A soft knock on the door disrupted her thoughts. She didn’t bother turning. “Come in,” she said, her tone devoid of warmth.James entered hesitantly, his usual confidence replaced with a vulnerability she hadn’t seen before. He closed the door behind him and took a deep breath.“Emma,” he began softly, his voice almost pleading.She didn’t respond immediately, swirling the wine in her glass. “If this is another attempt to lecture me, James, I suggest you save your breath.”He moved closer, his hands shoved into his pockets as if tryin
Emma sat in her sleek office, her pen tapping rhythmically against the surface of her desk. The glow of her laptop illuminated her face as she reviewed the latest financial reports. A knock on the door interrupted her focus."Come in," she said without looking up, her tone clipped.James stormed in, his face a mixture of frustration and urgency. He didn’t wait for an invitation to sit down. Instead, he slammed the door shut and stood in front of her desk."Emma," he began, his voice sharp, "I just got off the phone with Senator Donald’s campaign team. They’re saying the funds promised to them have been rescinded. Care to explain?"Emma looked up, her expression calm, almost indifferent. "I withdrew the funds."James blinked, stunned. "You what?""I withdrew the funds," she repeated, leaning back in her chair. Her voice was steady, but there was a glint of defiance in her eyes. "That agreement was my father’s, not mine. I see no r
The phone on James’s desk buzzed with a ferocity that matched his frayed nerves. He glanced at the screen, knowing full well who it was. Senator Donald.He let it ring twice before picking up. “Dad,” he said, his voice a mix of frustration and resignation.“Don’t you ‘Dad’ me,” Senator Donald’s voice boomed through the speaker. “What the hell is going on over there? Do you have any idea the position you’re putting this family in?”James pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m handling it.”“Handling it?” Donald’s tone dripped with disbelief. “Handling it? From where I’m sitting, it looks like you’re letting everything spiral out of control. A divorce, James? Do you understand what that word even means for people like us?”James sighed, leaning back in his chair. “I’m not letting anything happen. Emma’s the one who’s making this impossible. She—”Donald cut him off. “I don’t care what Emma’s doing. Your job is to keep her in line. That’s why we agreed to this arrangement in the first place
James slumped into the leather chair in Sarah’s dimly lit apartment, the scent of her lavender candles mingling with the faint aroma of her perfume. He loosened his tie, his face a mix of frustration and exhaustion.Sarah appeared in the doorway, wearing a silk robe that barely reached her knees. She held a glass of red wine in one hand, her expression amused. “Well, well, look who decided to show up,” she teased, setting the wine glass down on the coffee table.“Don’t start,” James muttered, rubbing his temples.Sarah tilted her head, her dark curls cascading over her shoulder. “Someone’s in a mood. What’s wrong? Did wifey give you the cold shoulder again?”James shot her a glare. “This isn’t a joke, Sarah. My life is falling apart.”She raised an eyebrow and settled onto the couch beside him, tucking her legs under her. “Alright, Mr. Doom and Gloom, spill it. What’s got you so worked up?”He sighed deeply, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “Emma’s pushing for a divorce. S