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Chapter Eight
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2024-10-05 18:00:13"I'm sorry I forgot to introduce myself earlier," the man said, his voice a jarring note in the quiet street. I blinked, surprised. Why was I still talking to him? He was a complete stranger.
"Oh, it's fine," I managed, feeling a surge of awkwardness. "But I need to go. Let's chat another time." I turned and hurried towards my sedan, needing to escape the strange encounter.The engine roared to life as I pulled away, leaving him standing on the sidewalk. I knew it was rude, but I simply couldn't afford to meet anyone right now.My house loomed ahead, a familiar haven. I pulled into the garage, the familiar scent of gasoline and oil filling my senses. As I stepped inside, the living room was empty. Joana wasn't on the couch. Tyler must have taken her to their room.I padded into the kitchen, thirsty after a long day. Tyler was already there, his gaze fixed on me as he reached for a glass."You look like you saw a ghost," he commented, his vRelated chapters
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"You know each other?" Maui asked, tilting her head between me and Daryl. I laughed nervously, feeling the heat creep up my neck. "We just met a few days ago," I said, my gaze flitting between them. Daryl's eyes, dark and intense, held mine. "And you've been avoiding me ever since," he stated, his voice a low rumble. I choked, a cough escaping my lips. "I'm not avoiding you," I protested, shaking my head."Is that so?" Daryl challenged, his gaze unwavering. I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. Maui looked at me, her brow furrowed with confusion. "What's going on?" she asked. I couldn't believe it. This was too much of a coincidence."You should still give him your resume," Maui said, her voice firm as we stood outside Daryl's office. "I'll go now. Good luck on your new job.""You're leaving now?" I asked, my voice laced with surprise. She nodded, her eyes filled with regret."I have a meeting at one. I can't be with yo
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The moment Tyler and Joana halted before us, Daryl's voice, sharp as a knife, sliced through the air, "Do you know them?" Tyler, a smirk playing on his lips, responded, "Of course! I'm her brother. And you are?" My head spun in disbelief. His words, laced with a chilling familiarity, sent a shiver down my spine. "Don't talk to him like that, Tyler," I hissed, my voice barely a whisper. But my warning was lost on him. He just glared back, his eyes burning with a fire I didn't recognize. He took a step closer, his shadow looming over me. His lips moved, forming words that were meant for my ears alone. The air grew thick with unspoken menace."You just got a divorce, Tyra. And you're already dating?" His words, a low murmur, were laced with a hint of judgement. I rolled my eyes, the gesture more a reflex than a conscious decision."WHAT THE—" The rest of my response died in my throat. The sheer audacity of his question, the sheer nerve of hi
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"Wait, what?" I blinked, my mind struggling to process Daryl's words. He stared at me, his expression a mix of amusement and bewilderment."I said, we're buying you a new car," he repeated, his voice calm but laced with a hint of something else, something I couldn't quite place. My heart stuttered. "The company's footing the bill?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. Daryl nodded his head, a slow, deliberate motion that seemed to stretch the silence between us. “Yes!" My breath caught in my throat. “Yes?” I echoed, the word hanging in the air, heavy with disbelief and a growing sense of unease. I knew I was repeating myself, but the reality of the situation was still sinking in, a lead weight settling in my stomach."Can you help me choose?" I asked, my voice a little hesitant. Daryl's laughter, a warm, rumbling sound, filled the space between us."Of course," he said, his eyes twinkling. "I'd love to help you find the perfect
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“Nice to meet you!” I forced a smile, shaking her hand. The awkwardness of the moment hung heavy in the air.“Thank you for your hard work, Tyra!” Helena’s voice was warm, but I couldn't shake the feeling that her smile was a little too bright, a little too forced.“Let her do her work.” Daryl’s voice was a low rumble beside me, and I felt a jolt of surprise. He was already there, his gaze fixed on Helena. His presence, unexpected and unwelcome, amplified the tension in the room.“Yeah, I will leave now.” The words felt hollow, my smile fading as I turned towards the door. I couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. I was supposed to be focused on my work, not caught in this awkward dance of forced pleasantries and unspoken tension.Helena’s laughter echoed through the hallway, a mocking reminder of my presence in Daryl’s office. I tried to bury myself in work, but her laughter, coupled with Daryl’s earlier behavior, gnawed at my mind. Why was he acting so…f
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As the weeks turned into months at Daryl's company, I learned to understand his communication style. My initial assumptions about his treatment of me faded, replaced by the realization that he was simply a kind person. Dizziness struck me mid-elevator ride. I leaned against the wall, the sensation uncomfortably familiar—it had been weeks since I'd felt this way. The elevator doors opened, and I stepped into Daryl's office, my usual routine a stark contrast to the unsettling feeling that lingered. As I reached my desk and began to tidy up, a tingling sensation started in my stomach. The wave of nausea hit me hard, and I raced to the bathroom, barely making it in time. What was wrong with me? After a quick rinse with mouthwash, I returned to my desk, feeling drained. Daryl was already deep in work, his focus a stark contrast to my own disorientation. I tried to settle back into my tasks. Then, Daryl's voice broke through the quiet, calling
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The weight of my body felt like a leaden blanket. I opened my eyes to a blinding white. My throat was dry, and a dull ache throbbed in my head. I saw Joana, curled up asleep on the couch, her face pale in the harsh light. I tried to call out to her, but my voice was a hoarse whisper. The door creaked open, and Daryl and Tyler stepped in, their faces etched with concern. They saw me awake and immediately called for the doctor. A flurry of activity followed, nurses bustling around, instruments clicking, voices murmuring. I lay there, enveloped in the cacophony, until the doctor finally spoke, his calm voice a beacon in the storm. "Ms. Sandoval, can you tell me how you're feeling?" The doctor's voice was calm and reassuring, her eyes focused on me. I met her gaze, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over me. "A bit dizzy," I managed to say, my voice a little shaky. She nodded, her expression unreadable. "And when was your last menstrual
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"Wait, what?" I inquired, the words hanging in the air as I tried to grasp his question. Perhaps I had simply misinterpreted his words."I'm asking about your relationship status," Daryl responded, prompting me to regard him with a newfound seriousness."Why the sudden interest, sir?" I pressed further, our eyes locked in a silent exchange."It's nothing, just idle curiosity," he deflected with a casual nod, a hint of mystery lingering in his gaze."Do you have any questions for me?" he asked, his voice smooth and expectant. One question immediately sprang to mind."Are you single, sir?" I blurted out, my cheeks flushing slightly. To my surprise, he didn't seem fazed by my boldness."Yes," he replied, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. I simply nodded, my curiosity became more intense.My legs felt like lead as I walked away, a knot of anger tightening in my stomach. How could he deny her? I'd seen it all, the way he looked at her, the way he hel
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“What’s happening here?” I blurted, my voice a tremor in the sudden silence. Their grins, wide and knowing, sent a shiver down my spine.“So, you’re thinking Helena’s Daryl’s girlfriend?” The man’s words were a slow, deliberate drawl, each syllable dripping with a chilling amusement. He was like Laxus, the first time I’d met him, a presence that commanded attention, a force I couldn’t quite understand.“That’s what it looks like,” I managed, my voice barely a whisper. The man nodded slowly, his eyes gleaming with a hidden knowledge.“I’m Helena’s boyfriend,” he said, his voice a low rumble, “Yazi, by the way.” He extended his hand, his grip firm and unwavering, a silent challenge that sent a wave of unease crashing over me.My eyes darted to his hand, a wave of apprehension washing over me, before I hesitantly shook it."Tyra," I said, offering my hand. He smiled, his eyes lingering on Daryl for a moment before returning to me. "It's so nice to mee
Last Updated : 2024-10-13
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1 year later…After a year of working together, Tyler decided to pursue his own entrepreneurial dreams and started his own company. Wedding planning in the final stages was incredibly stressful. Every decision felt monumental, from the smallest details of the table settings to the larger anxieties about the ceremony itself. But through it all, Laxus was my rock. His presence was a constant source of comfort and strength. He listened to my every worry, validated my feelings, and wholeheartedly supported every choice I made, no matter how impulsive or uncertain I felt."Is everything finalized?" Laxus asked, his voice low. I reread the crucial documents, a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach. "I believe so," I replied hesitantly, offering him the papers. He shook his head gently. "No need. I have complete faith in your judgment," he said, his expression reassuring. Relief washed over me as I placed the papers on the table. His steady gaz
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The waiter placed a chilled bottle of white wine on our small, round table, the condensation clinging to the glass like tiny diamonds. Laxus, his gaze sharp and unwavering, poured himself a glass, the liquid catching the candlelight as it swirled. The silence stretched, thick and heavy with unspoken tension. My throat tightened; a nervous cough escaped my lips, a pathetic attempt to break the suffocating atmosphere. He didn't flinch, his eyes still locked on me, a faint smirk playing on his lips. I rolled my eyes, the gesture small but defiant, and heard his low, amused chuckle vibrate through the air."Why the hostility?" Laxus's voice was low, a rumble that vibrated through the air as he gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. His touch, despite its tenderness, felt invasive. "Don't play coy," he added, his eyes glinting with something I couldn't quite decipher. "Hostility? I'm not being hostile!" I retorted, my voice sharp, a forced smirk
Whispers of a Second Chance Chapter Fifty-eight
Another gunshot ripped through the air, the sound sharper, closer this time. It sent a fresh wave of icy terror through me. We waited, breath held, until the hesitant approach of uniformed figures broke the suffocating silence. Police officers, the ones who'd lagged behind, were finally making their way to the derelict house. My hands shook so violently I could barely grip them. The thought of Laxus alone, inside that decaying, sinister building, was a physical torment."No, no, no! What is going on?" I whispered, my voice barely audible above the frantic rhythm of my own footsteps as I paced back and forth. Tyler's attempts at reassurance felt hollow, his words lost in the maelstrom of my anxiety. "He'll be alright," he said, his hand resting lightly on my arm, but his eyes mirrored my own apprehension. The sight of the police officers filing out of the abandoned house – their shoulders slumped, their expressions etched with sorrow
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"Security's already on its way to the house," Laxus said, his hand gentle in my hair. "I'm just going to file a report at the station." My heart hammered against my ribs. I shook my head, my gaze fixed on his. "Let me come with you." He cupped my face, his thumb brushing my cheek. The tenderness was a stark contrast to the grim set of his jaw. "No. Stay here. I'll make sure both you and Marco are safe. That's my promise." His voice was low, laced with a steely resolve that both reassured and frightened me. The unspoken threat hung heavy in the air – a promise he would keep, no matter the cost. I nodded, the fear a cold knot in my stomach, trusting him implicitly, even as doubt gnawed at the edges of my acceptance.The sound of the door closing echoed the hollowness in my chest. I turned to Marco, his small hand gripping mine. His eyes, wide with a child's innocent fear, mirrored my own unspoken anxieties. "Mom? What's happe
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The sun, a molten gold spilling across the horizon, warmed my eyelids. I stirred, the soft weight of Laxus beside me a comforting pressure against my side. His breath, warm and even, ruffled the stray hairs on my cheek. Gosh! The sheer intimacy of it stole my breath. The scent of his skin, a clean, musky fragrance, filled my senses, a potent elixir that stirred a longing deep within me. I couldn't deny the pull, the undeniable want that bloomed in my chest like a forbidden flower. I shook my head, a silent reprimand to my racing heart, and quickly gathered my hair into a messy bun, trying to tame the chaos that mirrored my inner turmoil. As I pushed myself up, intending to escape the intoxicating closeness, Laxus's hand shot out, his fingers closing around my arm with a strength that both startled and thrilled me. He pulled me back, his body a warm, solid haven against mine."Let's just… stay here a little longer," Laxus whispered, his breath warm agains
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After we got engaged, Laxus wasted no time in hiring a wedding planner, Grace. She expertly handled the myriad details of planning our wedding, a huge relief given my work commitments and responsibilities as a mother. I was able to participate where I could, but Grace's organization allowed me to focus on other important aspects of our lives.Laxus settled onto the plush couch in my office, Marco perched beside him. "So, weekend plans?" he asked, his voice a low rumble. The scent of his cologne, a familiar comfort, filled the air. I glanced up from my computer, a mountain of paperwork still looming. Marco tugged on my sleeve. "Mom?" he said, his voice small. "Where should we go?" I smiled, trying to convey warmth despite the pressure of deadlines. "It's entirely up to you, sweetheart," I replied, my fingers already flying across the keyboard. "The beach!" Marco declared, his eyes shining with excitement. A wave of longing washed ove
Whispers of a Second Chance Chapter Fifty-four
The midday meal with Laxus had been pleasant enough, a polite exchange of pleasantries and business updates. The drive back to my office, however, was a welcome respite. Laxus dropped me off before speeding off to oversee operations at their headquarters. The quiet hum of the air conditioning in my car, the gentle sway of the vehicle as it navigated the city streets – it was all a balm to my senses. Alone at last, the weight of the day's events lifted slightly. The silence of my office was a sanctuary, allowing my thoughts to unfurl without interruption. I leaned back in my chair, the soft leather a comforting embrace, and let my mind wander.Sophia burst into my office, a whirlwind of energy and papers. A cheerful smile illuminating her face. "Lunch was great, wasn't it?" she chirped, her voice full of the unburdened optimism I envied. My own smile felt strained, a thin mask barely concealing the turmoil Laxus's words had stirred within me.
Whispers of a Second Chance Chapter Fifty-three
Following Laxus's declaration of wanting me back, his visits to my workplace became a regular occurrence. It was a welcome distraction, honestly! My return to work allowed me to tackle the mountain of pending paperwork that had accumulated during my absence. Sophia was a lifesaver, diligently proofreading every document to ensure accuracy. With Tyler engrossed in wedding planning, the workload fell squarely on my shoulders, but the support from my secretary and Laxus's consistent presence made the task manageable.The peace of mind that came with knowing Mom was diligently caring for Marco whenever he wasn't at the Villafuertes was immense. Their loving attention, their dedication to his well-being – it filled me with a profound sense of relief and gratitude. This was exactly the life I had always envisioned for my son: a life filled with love, security, and unwavering support. And for that, I was eternally thankful to Daryl; he had foreseen this idyllic scenario
Whispers of a Second Chance Chapter Fifty-two
The day of Daryl's departure arrived, a bittersweet symphony of farewells and promises. We gathered at the airport, a silent chorus of emotions swirling around us. My heart ached with a pang of loss, a space carved out by his absence. Tears welled in my eyes, reflecting the depth of my affection for him. He had touched my life in a way that left an indelible mark, a gentle reminder of the joy he brought. Marco, too, was overcome with emotion. His tears, however, were born of a different kind of love, a love for the good that lay ahead. I loved Daryl, deeply and truly, but my love for him was different, a love that held a special place in my heart, distinct from the profound love I held for Laxus.The airport buzzed around us, a symphony of farewells and hurried departures. Yet, in that moment, it was just us, Daryl and I, stealing a precious few minutes together before his flight. "Daryl," I said, my voice catching slightly, "Thank you. For everything. F
