MasukJeffery shut the suite door behind them with a hard click that echoed. Clara flinched slightly at the sound. The warmth from his hand was still on hers, but the moment he released it, it disappeared completely, leaving something colder behind. He didn’t look at her when he turned away, like looking would make something worse. He walked straight to the counter, picked up a bottle of wine, and opened it. The first long gulp came fast, almost aggressive, like he was trying to drown something he couldn’t name. He didn’t pause to breathe properly before taking another, the liquid going down too quickly to even taste. His jaw stayed tight even after he lowered the bottle. Whatever he was trying to quiet inside him didn’t move at all.Clara stood still, watching him carefully, her fingers tightening slightly against her dress without her realizing it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, babe,” she said softly, trying to keep her voice steady even when it didn’t feel like it. She took
Her fingers pressed into him without realizing it, her body already leaning closer for balance.Jeffery saw it immediately. Not just the hold.The way she clung.His grip tightened around his board, his jaw setting slightly as his eyes stayed there longer than they should have. Sophia noticed his reaction. Her fingers brushed his arm again, not soft this time, just enough pressure to pull him back. He removed her hand almost immediately, not harsh, but not gentle either. That tiny action sat in the air longer than it should have.“Brother,” she said, forcing a light tone that didn’t quite sit right, “if we don’t win this game, I will disown you.”Jeffery didn’t look at her. “Focus,” he said again, but this time the word sounded like it was meant for himself.On the other side, Charles and Ella were already arguing before they even stepped fully into position.“You’re standing wrong,” Ella snapped, adjusting her footing with irritation.Charles laughed under his breath, shifting sligh
They arrived at the beach. Waves breaking in steady rhythm as if the ocean had been waiting for them. Luxury surfboards were lined neatly on the sand, each one tagged and polished. Clara stepped out of the car last, and the way the wind caught her hair made more than one head turn without permission.Jeffery didn’t move far from her side even as they walked in, his pace matching hers without effort.Sophia sent hateful glares at Clara who was beaming from ear to ear.Logan walked behind them.The moment they reached the main group, the energy changed.Charles, Jeffery's closest friend was the first to notice Clara.His eyes stayed too long before he spoke. He totally forgot he was supposed to be polite first. He walked forward slowly, hands already open in greeting, smile easy like he had never been told no in his life. “So this is the famous Mrs Rothwell,” he said lightly, stopping right in front of her.Clara shook his hand without hesitation, calm and steady, but Charles didn’t r
“Please,” he added, almost under his breath. She wasn’t expecting that tone from him. She held his gaze weighing his seriousness against her own comfort. “I knew you’re not just going to listen if I tell you to.” A faint pause. “But can you go change it for me?” he asked, softer now, less instruction and more request. His eyes dropped briefly to the dress before returning to her face. "But this isn't too long now, should i change it into something shorter so that the cool beach breeze will..." she bit her lips slowly trying not to laugh.The way she bit her lips had much effect on him but he tried to control himself. “It’s just surfing,” he said lightly, like he was reminding her of something obvious. Her lips curved faintly. She had made a decision but didn’t want to say it too quickly. “Alright,” she said finally.She went back inside and swapped her soft silks for a leather mini dress. She came back out after a few minutes, her steps slower again but for a different reason thi
“Stop shaking!” He yelled, his frustration now fully exposed. “Stop acting like your mother every time something goes wrong!” His voice was sharp enough to make even Daniel glance briefly at the mirror.Dallas went silent instantly, swallowing hard as he tried to control his breathing. His hands were still trembling, but he forced himself not to move. The silence only made Malcolm more intense.“I told you not to act weak,” Malcolm continued, voice still hard. “Now you are on a screen looking like a mistake I need to fix.” His stare stayed locked on Dallas, unmoved.Dallas nodded quickly, afraid to speak again. “Yes...s..sir…” he whispered, barely audible. His voice cracked, but he forced himself to stay still.“Now listen carefully. Tell me exactly what happened before I lose my patience with you completely.” His irritation was still present, just controlled for the moment.Dallas looked down, struggling to organize his thoughts under pressure. “I was at the club,” he started, voice
MALCOLM'S MANSIONThe garden hose slipped out of Malcolm’s wife’s hand and hit the wet floor with a soft thud. Water kept rushing out, spreading fast across the floor, creeping toward her slippers as if it had a mind of its own. She didn’t even notice it.Her hands were already trembling around her phone, pressed tight to her chest like it was the only thing keeping her upright.Her eyes were glassy, fixed on the screen, but she wasn’t reading anything clearly. Tears kept building until her vision blurred completely. Her breath came in short breaks, uneven, like her chest had forgotten how to settle.She tried to move, to run back inside, but her foot caught the hose behind her. Her body jerked forward instantly. She lost balance and fell hard on the wet floor, the impact echoing through her bones. The phone slipped from her grip and skidded away.Panic took over. She dragged herself forward, fingers scraping the floor until she reached the phone again. She grabbed it like her life
Clara’s body throbbed with exhaustion. Each breath rasped against the gag, and every tremor of her arms sent jolts of pain up her veins. Sweat clung to her skin, tears streaked down her cheeks. Her muscles ached from being bound so tightly, and every movement brought new shocks that left her whimpe
Clara’s eyelids fluttered as consciousness slowly crept in. The room was dim, unnervingly cold, and her body refused to obey her fully. Her hands were bound tightly behind her back, and a rough gag muffled her mouth. Every shallow breath scraped against the material, but she dared not struggle too v
Clara stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the fall of her long gown as it settled neatly around her. The crochet fabric draped smoothly, reaching the floor in a soft line that moved lightly when she shifted. It's gentle tone mirrored the light, elegant without glare. She took a slow breath, ste
H1 entered Clara’s room with its usual soft hum. She was struggling to stand when it appeared in the doorway. Every step hurt, and even gripping the edge of the bed for support required effort. “Good morning,” H1 said gently. “Mr. Rothwell requested I check if you need anything.”Clara shook her h







