Novels by JacqueAuthor

As we got closer to the house, Alan suddenly said, “Hey, Ariana, do you mind helping me bring the Baby’s Delight package from Dalia Lou restaurant?”I stared at the back of his head, confused because he hadn’t turned to look at me. Then I glanced at the back of Dana’s head, equally puzzled.“I don’t understand,” I said. “You want me to go pick it up?”“No,” he replied, still focused on the road. “I mean... the owner is kind of a friend, and he usually prepares this meal for me called Kid’s Delight for little Rosie. And since we’ve all had a long day, and we’ve been together, I thought.... why not have dinner together? I’m leaving tomorrow, and I’ve had such a great time... I just wanted to end it on a good note. Rosie loves it, don’t you?”He turned slightly to look back at her.Rosie beamed. “Yes! Kid’s Delight is my favourite!”“I’d love to,” I said, “but I have to take care of Leon. I need to give him a bath, change him... You know, all the usual.”Alan raised an eyebrow. “Don’t yo

I sighed. “Okay, fine. I guess we’re going to the Muppets show.”“Yay!” Leon shouted, running into the house. “Maria! Maria! We’re going to the Muppets with Rosie!”I turned back toward Alan, who was still standing there looking smug.“Well... thanks for the tickets,” I said, “and for the invite. I guess we’ll see you in two hours.”“Great,” he said, and then he winked.God. He winked.I was going out of my mind. He turned and left, and I had no choice but to check him out again as he walked away.Dana, I’m so sorry. I swear I’m just looking. Just... watching.I turned to close the door and there was Maria, standing silently in the hallway with that all-knowing look, like a mother catching her child sneaking in after curfew.“What?” I snapped.“Be careful with that one,” she said coolly. Then she turned and headed back to the kitchen, humming to herself.Just great. Now Maria was my moral compass.So, we got ready. Leon insisted on wearing his Muppet t-shirt. I packed some extra snack

After dinner, things settled into a quiet lull. It was clear Rosie and Leon were getting restless, both of them squirming and yawning. Rosie kept tugging on Alan’s ankle until he finally chuckled and said, “I would’ve loved to spend a few more minutes getting to know you, Ariana, but it looks like I’m on bath and bedtime duty tonight.”“Of course, that’s no problem. I live next door anyway,” I said, brushing it off casually.“Oh,” he replied, perking up with interest. “You live next door?”“Yes,” I confirmed with a small nod.He smiled, nodding like it was good news. “Then I guess I’ll be seeing you a lot more.” He paused, then added, “And just so I don’t get ahead of myself… you’re not married, are you? I didn’t see a ring, but is there maybe a boyfriend in the picture?”Before I could answer, Dana groaned. “Oh my God, Alan. Can you just act chill for once? You always do this!”“What?” Alan laughed, looking completely unbothered.“Every time you meet one of my friends, you flirt wit

Anyway, so with my interaction with Dana, and with all this time and all this space and everything in between, I made a decision.I was going to go back to college l.I never got to go to college. I did go to college that first year, but then, as we know, I dropped out. But I wanted to go back again. I wanted to make something of myself. If I ever managed to run away or Asher got tired of me, then I should do something with that freedom.And I knew it couldn’t be anything high-profile, nothing that would make it hard for me to work or keep a low profile. That meant I couldn’t be a lawyer, or work in the media.... you know? I couldn’t do things like that. I couldn’t be a police officer.Anyway, you get what I’m saying.So what did I decide to go into?I looked at Dana, how happy she was being with her little daughter, the two of them together. I said to myself: I’m going to study education. I want to be a teacher.And that’s how I got myself to apply to a small college in the town wher

Still, the silence between us lingered long enough for me to break it.“I’ve seen you around… You live next door, right?” I asked“Yup. That modern grey house that looks like it’s judging the rest of the street.”I chuckled. “It’s beautiful. Do they pay teachers that well here?”Dana burst out laughing. “God, no. If only.”“Oh... I just assumed, you know… that house...”“I don’t own it,” she said, waving her hand. “It’s my brother’s. He’s filthy rich and barely home. Works in the city comes by some weekends to show off his new car and judge my parenting.”I smiled, then caught myself.“Sorry if that’s too much,” she added, watching me closely. “I’m used to saying things out loud.”“No, it’s fine,” I said quickly. “I just… wasn’t sure if there was a husband in the picture.”She shook her head. “Nope. Single mom club. Official member. Just me and my girl. You?”I hesitated. “Same.”Because I was, wasn't I? Basically since Leon was just an embryo to now. His father has never acknowledged

Luca sighed. “Asher doesn’t know where you are.”“What?” I asked taken off guard by his admission.“I did this for his own good,” Luca said, brushing past the shock on my face. “He told me to take you to point A. I brought you to point C. That’s all you need to know.”I stood frozen, unsure what to say. Confused, overwhelmed."So, I am going to remind you again, not to do anything stupid."Then Luca did something I didn’t expect. He stepped forward, kissed my forehead gently, and said, “Let me say goodbye to my favourite little guy.”And just like that, he left while I was still standing there, stunned.I had been in a cage, controlled, and monitored. Now suddenly, Leon would go to school. That I could go outside, wherever I want. Get a job. Live like a normal person. And Asher wasn’t even here.I wanted to run. The thought crept into my mind instantly. But then I remembered Christian.There had to be people watching. They wouldn’t have made it this easy.Was this freedom?A test?No

Mina I was in the delivery room about to bring my baby into this world, and who knew it hurt like hell? Mmh! I was very lucky and very grateful to have my husband here with me. He kept holding my hand, telling me sweet things, and encouraging me when the doctors told me to push. He pushed with me, breathed with me. It was kind of crazy. I don't know, maybe after I was done here I would think about this moment and laugh about it. It was a moment in my life when I really needed him, and I was so, so happy and so grateful to have him here beside me. The two doctors that Mr. Emerson insisted on having here were top in their fields. He didn’t care, he had to fly one in as long as I got everything and I was in great hands. The doctors were great, they were encouraging. I just wanted this moment to be over and for my baby to come into this world so I could hear their cry. We were still in the dark; we didn’t know if we were having a girl or a boy. I was just waiting for that moment wh

EmmersonThe next morning, I decided to handle things myself. I know Mina’s already been through enough trauma with her family, so I don’t want to involve her in this. She’s still asleep, and I slip out quietly to deal with Eric.I find him at the hotel, slumped over, still asleep. I nudge him with the toe of my shoe, the force making him stir. Slowly, his eyes flicker open, and the haze of sleep and alcohol makes him groggy. He rises, blinking and groaning, his hand clutching his head."Wake up, Eric," I tell him as I open the curtains, letting the bright light flood the room. He immediately shields his eyes, groaning louder."My head... hurts," he mutters, his voice thick with a hangover. He grabs the bottle of water on the bedside table and gulps down a large portion in one go."Last night," he laments, "I didn't like how your men dragged me out of that nightclub.""You call that a nightclub? It was a strip

EmmersonOh yeah?” Mina’s voice is a little high-pitched.And then Rita says something that makes my blood cold.“Of course,” she replies, her voice dripping with arrogance. “I mean if I could take Eric from you so easily before… When you weren’t this heavily pregnant, and we weren’t even living in the same house. Just think how simple it would be to take his father from you now.”Her voice is low and suggestive. Mina scoffs, maybe out of shock, but Rita doesn’t stop.“I mean, look at you,” she continues, mockingly. “You’re pregnant. You can’t even walk properly without someone holding you. You have to be carried just to get around.” She chuckles,“And me?” she adds. “I’m just getting started. The exercises I’ll do, the maintenance I’ll keep up… You know I won't be breastfeeding, right? This baby is feeding from the bottle. Nothing is messing up this....hot body.”In my mind, I can already picture her motioning to her bo

Emmerson By nightfall, the police have already paid us a visit. It’s all over the news. Madeline had a little accident on the highway. Her car hit the side of a bridge and went down under. She suffocated. But I know the truth. Let her feel what it’s like to lose air. Anyway, the point is—she’s dead. The police came because, after her attack on Mina, there was already a record of her actions. They were just here to deliver the report. To tell us that she was gone. That also settled the issue with Rose. Mina had never been convinced that Rose was behind it, and now that Madeline was out of the picture, it was clear she had been wrongfully accused. Mina was shocked with the news, I never thought she would actually be upset after everything. Even though there’s still sadness in her eyes, I can see the difference. She’s no

EmmersonAfter I had taken Mina home, I gave her a bath, making sure she was okay and taken Care of. She was reluctant to eat at first, but I insisted. “You need nutrition,” I reminded her. “I know you don't want to but do it for the baby. You’re pregnant, you're doing it for our baby.”She sighed, but eventually gave in, taking small sips of the warm soup I had prepared. I watched her closely, ensuring she had everything she needed. Then, I sat her down and gently caressed her hair.I kept talking as I did it—about everything and nothing at the same time. Just filling the silence, making sure she felt covered and safe. My voice was low and comforting. I caressed her head, feeling the softness of her scalp, letting her know she wasn’t alone.And then, she fell asleep.Once I was sure she was deep in rest, I finally allowed myself to feel it all—the anger, the frustration, the overwhelming sense of failure.How could I h

As Emerson's voice continued on the phone, offering words of comfort, trying to calm me, I felt my tears flow faster. I couldn't hear him clearly anymore over the noise in my head, the panic, the certainty that I was going to die. I just listened to him, letting his voice be a thread tying me to something.Then, the banging stopped.I hadn't even realized it.Instead, a knock. A soft, reassuring knock."Mina, Mina, come on, open the door," Emerson's voice came through the phone, clearer now.I still didn’t understand what was happening. My mind was so clouded by fear, but hearing his voice… it soothed me in ways I couldn’t explain. I was barely aware of his words, just the sound of him calling my name, telling me it was okay."Emerson, is that you?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper."Yes, it's me. Open the door, Mina."The reality of it hit me. I had been trapped in a nightmare, my heart frozen with terror, bu

As I drove, I spotted a clinic and made a split-second decision.Yes. I was going to the hospital.It was the only explanation that made sense. Mrs Bennett hadn’t come to check on me yesterday. She didn’t know if I had stayed in bed all day. I couldn’t lie well enough to cover all my tracks. But going to the hospital? That was believable.So, that’s where I drove.I parked the car just outside the hospital and walked in slowly, the morning air still clinging to me. The waiting room was quiet, just a few people here and there, flipping through magazines or scrolling on their phones.I approached the reception. “Hi… I’d like to see a doctor. I haven’t been feeling well.”“What symptoms are you experiencing?” the nurse asked politely.“My head hurts, I feel dizzy, I think I have a fever. And… my stomach feels like it’s burning. I haven’t been eating well. I just....something’s off.”She nodded, handed me a form, and told me to wait. After a few moments, I was called in.They ran the usua

After my shower, I felt tired, angry, and just ill. It wasn’t that late, but I was in no mood to go on with my plan. After what I had just gone through... I thought, Forget it. I decided to go to sleep.I don’t know how long it was before I heard a knock on the door. I opened my eyes, and by the look toward the window, I realised it was dark.“Come in,” I croaked out. My throat hurt, too.A maid walked in. “How are you feeling, miss?” she asked.“I’m not feeling well,” I told her.“Okay. Would you like us to prepare anything, or are you going to come down and join everyone for dinner?”“No, I don’t think I can do that. Would you mind making me some chicken soup?”“Of course, miss. I’ll be on it in just a few minutes.”“Of course,” I said.The maid left, and I continued sleeping. She came back later and knocked again. When I answered, she brought the soup and some bread, asking if I wanted anything else. She had also brought me some water.“Would you like something else?”“No, but coul

I swallowed hard. Because I realized why I was here.I wasn’t here because Mrs Bennett was desperate to save my marriage. This wasn’t a warm mother-in-law’s heartfelt attempt to bring us closer to God or to heal my marriage. No. I was here because I had dared to speak up, to challenge Ryan, to say something that threatened their fragile control.This wasn’t about church. This was punishment.Making me sit here without food, under judgmental stares and twisted scripture, was her way of putting me in my place. And she was enjoying it.Oh, she was enjoying every second of it.From the satisfied smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, to the way she nodded along with Pastor Elijah’s every misogynistic word, she was soaking it in like a victory.She didn’t want me better, she wanted me broken. And as much as I wanted to snap so badly, I didn’t.I couldn’t. Because of the power of playing dumb… that was my weapon now.So I nodded. I bowed my head when they prayed. I clapped lightly when

"We can fast tomorrow," I said with a smile. "Today, I just want to talk to God and get some clarity."Right then, my stomach growled. Loudly.I was so goddamn hungry. I really wanted to have breakfast. Yesterday with Ryan hovering, I couldn't eat properly. I was not in the mood to fast for Ryan. Why the hell would I want to fast for a man like him? For what? I wasn’t about to deprive myself of food over his ridiculous behaviour and his stupid black-stone heart. I was already moving away from that. There was no way I was giving up breakfast for this farce, even if the whole church thing was just a lie.Mrs. Bennett looked at me, and I swear, there was something wicked flickering in her eyes."We should. Yes, that’s what we should do," she said firmly. " We are fasting."She suddenly clapped her hands with energy. "You know what? Wait for me in the car. I’ll be dressed very quickly and be down before you know it. I know just the right church. I know a woman who’s a member there.... sh

I woke up the next morning, and unlike the others, this one felt fresh… clear.Because there was no longer doubt.Those fuzzy feelings, those lingering thoughts.... maybe there’s an explanation, maybe I misunderstood, maybe it wasn’t as bad.... they were gone.Those maybes I used to cling to whenever I thought about hurting him. About hating him. About hating this family.I no longer felt them. Not after the threats. Not after that night in the movie room. Not after hearing everything.Today, I woke up clear.I knew exactly what I was dealing with. I was living with wolves in sheep's clothing. I knew now that my husband was the most selfish, most wounded, most ugly human I had ever known.So all I had to do now was stick to the plan. No emotions. No cracks. Shut them off.Play the role. And in the end, I would come out victorious. I would get back everything he took from me. Everything he took from my father's sweat.That was phase one. And after hearing that conversation, I didn’t wa

MONIQUEAs I stood there watching Ryan’s retreat, I felt cold… and lonely… and scared.I didn’t know why I was having this feeling. I had never felt this way. Not with Ryan. Never with Ryan.I had always felt safe. Taken care of. But now… there was an edge. There was something in the way he looked at me. In the way his hand slid through my hair and he told me I was addictive.It seemed almost like a promise.Because what did addicts do?What happens when someone is addicted to something?They never let go. Was that a promise?Was that a threat?What did he mean?Should I be scared?I shook my head... No. He cannot get to me.Not this easily. Not this way.I won’t stop. My plan is still in motion, and I won’t stop until I get everything back.I stood there... I didn’t know for how long until I couldn’t handle the cold anymore and finally decided to go back into the house.At first, I was planning to go back into my room and lock myself in there… but I just—I felt so lonely. So cold.An