تسجيل الدخولمشاركة
CHAPTER THREE: CROSSING A LINE
آخر تحديث:
2025-12-10 20:09:46Conrad woke up at 5 a.m., unable to sleep. Something had been weighing heavily on him since last night —the name he saw in Jessica’s diary.
Stefan Gilbert.
He sat up quietly so he would wake Jess up, opened his laptop slowly, and typed the full name into the search bar.
Within seconds, images filled the screen.
A tall good good-looking man with broad shoulders.
Hazel eyes and the perfect jawline.
Conrad’s jaw tightened as he scrolled through.
CEO of a well-known luxury hotel.
Owner of a music band.
Featured in magazines. Successful and confident.
He shut the laptop and got dressed for work like he always did, knotted his tie, drank his coffee, and left the house with a plan to meet Stefan.
____
JESSICA
After Conrad left, I picked up my phone and stared at the messages from Stefan. Heart skipped.
I deleted the message and took a deep breath.
___
CONRAD
On his way to work, Conrad dialed his coworker's number.
“Hey man, I’d be coming a little late today.”
“Come on, we’ve got a ton of work. Hope there’s no problem? Jimmy responded.
“I know, I know..I just need to handle something urgent at my son’s school.” Conrad's jaw clenched.
“Alright. I got you.” Jimmy responded
Conrad ended the call and held the steering wheel tightly.
He wasn’t going to David’s school.
He drove the the hotel he had just read about—the hotel owned by Stefan Gilbert.
When he parked, he sat for a moment, breathing hard.
“What the hell am I doing?”
He stepped out of the car. The exact moment Stefan walked through the front gate—tall, broad shoulders, confident—as if the entire world belonged to him.
Conrad got nervous instantly.
He followed him inside.
“Hey! Excuse me, sir!” The receptionist called out sharply. “You are not allowed to go that way. Who are you looking for please ?”
Conrad blinked fast, forcing a polite tone.
“Oh—I’m sorry. I’m Conrad. I just wanted to see someone. I’d like to speak to Stefan Gilbert.”
She raised her brow. “One moment please.”
She picked up the phone looking at Stefan and wondering why he looked tense.
“Hello, sir? Someone is requesting to see you. His name is Conrad …
Stefan responded instantly.
“Let him in.”
Conrad walked towards Stefan’s office, holding his briefcase in one hand, the other clenched at his waist.
Stefan sat on his chair, relaxed, spinning slightly in his chair as if he’d been expecting him.
“I’m Conrad Sinclair.”
Stefan smirked.
“I know who you are. I was wondering when you’d finally get the balls to approach me.”
His smile deepened. “I guess she talked to you about me.”
Conrad’s jaw flexed.
“About what exactly? So you’re talking to Jessie now ?”
“Not really con. I ran into her. Then I sent her a text.”
“A text?” Conrad stiffened in disbelief. “What the hell?”
“Relax, it’s just a text.” Stefan leaned back, unbothered. “Definitely not a big deal.”
Conrad stepped forward.
“You don’t get to tell me what’s a big deal. Now you listen to me. Stay the hell away from my WIFE.”
He turned toward the door and then added under his breath__a low tone—
“Piece of crap.”
Stefan smiled softly, shaking his head.
Stefan knew something with Jessica wasn’t finished. Not for her. Not for him. Never will.
He pulled out his phone.
He hesitated.
Then he hit Video call.
____
JESSICA
I was in the kitchen washing David’s lunchbox when my phone started buzzing. I looked at the screen.
Stefan Gilbert —incoming video call
My heart skipped.
I’m not supposed to answer.
I knew I shouldn’t.
Everything in my body screamed Don’t do this.
But my finger accepted the call before my brain could stop it.
The camera opened.
I swallowed hard. “Why are you calling me?
He tilted his head. “You lied to me you don’t miss me.”
“Stefan, stop.” My voice cracked slightly. “I’m married.”
He leaned back in the chair. Still holding the mobile phone. “Then why did your husband come to my office this morning?”
I froze for seconds.
“He shows up furious. Asking a lot of questions. Telling me to stay away from you.” Stefan smirked. “I know what that means.”
“It doesn’t mean anything,” I snapped, Are you trying to ruin my marriage? My chest tightened painfully.
“It does.” His tone changed. “It means you’re not over me as you pretend to be. Because your husband wouldn’t have noticed anything unless you still feel something for me.”
“I don’t. What we had wasn’t real. I feel safe and happy with my husband. I’m not going to ruin my marriage because of your stupid games.”
“Are you sure?” He whispered.
Without warning, Stefan lowered the phone. To his private areas.
My eyes widened.
I shouldn’t look.
I shouldn’t.
But I froze.
——
Conrad came home late. The moment he stepped into the room. He kissed me—quick, distracted.
We tried to make love, but the flow was off, his mind clearly somewhere else. His touch was hesitant. And I complained, he pulled back sharply.
“Just forget it,” he snapped, voice cracking.
“I guess I’m not doing it the way he used to. Right?”
Face in shock. “Conrad—“
“Don’t,” he cut in, sitting on the edge of the bed, running his hands through his hair. “Just tell me the truth. Are you still in love with him?
“Of course not! I love you, Conny.” I responded quickly standing up.
“I read every word in your diary, Jess. You were questioning your life, our marriage. What we had. Was I a rebound to you? Are you miserable?” He said with so much pain in his voice.
“I am not miserable,” I said firmly, “why are you saying this? I love you, I chose you.”
His jaw clenched. “Do you still love him?”
“No.”
“Do you want to fuck him?”
“No,” , my voice wavered.
“God, Jess.” Eyes burning. “Do you understand how I feel to think I’m your second choice ?”
I grabbed his hands. “You’re not my rebound. Sadie and Stefan are dating. It’s not even an option for me, ever!”
He blinked. “What?”
“Yes, they’re together. We’ll all go out. You, me, Sadie, Stefan. Dinner. Tomorrow night.”
You’ve lost your damn mind, I was at Stefan’s office today and I specifically told him to stay away from you. Now a double date? With him?”
“Yes,” I said, steady. “You’d see for sure I’m not lying to you”.
Conrad exhaled. “Okay fine,” he muttered. “Dinner. All four of us.”
أحدث فصل
TANGLED HEARTS 009 — REGRETS
After thinking for a few seconds, I shook my head.“No, we are not taking any break,” I said to Sadie. “I know we haven’t been in our best place lately, but it will get better. Hopefully.”“Are you sure?” Sadie asked, her voice laced with concern. “He doesn’t seem to want to fix things.”“He will come around,” I insisted. “I just need to focus on gaining his trust back. I’m not giving up on us.”“I’m here for you if you need anything, Jess.” Sadie hugged me before leaving that evening.As soon as the door closed behind her, the silence of the house pressed in on me. All I could think about was how stupid I had been—how close I had come to throwing away everything for a fleeting fantasy with an ex who could never give me the security Conrad had always provided. I wasn’t making that mistake again. I had a happy home. I was lucky. We would get through this.The next morning, I dropped David off at
TANGLED HEARTS CHAPTER EIGHT: DIAMOND RING
“Are you good, B?”The message from Stefan appeared on my screen just as I dipped my hands into soapy water. I stared at it briefly before placing my phone face-down on the counter. The dishes clinked softly in the sink, but my hands were shaking so badly that I nearly dropped a plate. Tears blurred my vision, slipping down my cheeks.This was the first real, heated argument Conrad and I had had since we got married. The first one that left me feeling hollow instead of hopeful.My phone buzzed again.“I just need to know if you’re okay.”I swallowed hard, my chest tightening. I scrubbed harder at the dishes, as if the pressure might ground me, but it didn’t help. My thoughts were racing, colliding with guilt and anger.Another buzz.“I’m outside. I need to talk to you.”I froze.Then one more message came through, softer somehow, almost pleading.“It’s okay if you can’t, right? Just know that I love you so much.”
TANGLED HEARTS CHAPTER SEVEN: THE PARTY
Jimmy, Aoki, Conrad, and I walked up to the big mansion everyone called the “White House.” The night air was cool, and I could smell chlorine from the swimming pool out back. Through the gates, I saw it glowing under soft lights, with palm trees and lounge chairs around it. Music and laughter spilled out as we got closer.When Conrad and I stepped inside, we froze for a second, eyes wide at what we saw.“Oh wow,” Conrad whispered.“It’s really a sex party. This is happening,” I said, laughing nervously.Aoki came over, took off my brown leather jacket because it was warm inside, and whispered, “Relax…”People were everywhere, having sex openly. Some wore wedding rings, some didn’t. Women walked around in sexy lingerie. The air smelled like perfume, sweat, and drinks.Aoki smiled at us. “You can just watch, or let others watch you. Whatever you want.”“Let others watch?” I asked, smirking.“Yeah,” she said softly
TANGLED HEARTS CHAPTER SIX: THE SPACE BETWEEN US
For a few terrifying seconds, I thought Conrad had taken David and left me for good.The house was too quiet when I stepped outside, my heart racing as panic tightened around my chest. Then I heard the engine. Conrad’s car pulled into the driveway slowly. He stepped out, his expression unreadable—disappointment sitting heavy in his eyes.Before I could say anything, David jumped out of the back seat and ran straight into my arms.“Mommy! We went for a drive to get ice cream!”I exhaled shakily, pulling him close. “Oh, my sweetheart..I whispered, kissing his hair.”Conrad said nothing. He walked past us and into the house.That night, he didn’t come to bed. He slept on the couch downstairs.I tried—God knows I tried—to talk to him. About the laptop. About what I’d written. About Stefan. About everything. But he shut down completely. No arguments. No yelling. Just silence.Every morning, he took David to school a
TANGLED HEARTS CHAPTER FIVE : FIGURE IT OUT
Conrad didn’t come home last night. The first thing I felt when I opened my eyes was panic — the sharp, breath-stealing kind that tightens the chest before the brain even understands why. Then the memories rushed back. The dinner. The restroom. The fight. Samadora. Stefan. And the look in Conrad’s eyes when he left. I opened my laptop,pouring my thoughts into words would to quiet the storm in my mind,I heard a soft voice. “Mommy?” David stood at the door in his SpongeBob pajamas, rubbing his eyes. “Hey, baby,” I whispered, forcing a smile. “What do you want for breakfast?” “I’m not hungry.” He walked toward me. “Where’s Daddy?” I froze. A blade of guilt pierced through me. “Daddy… got caught up with work,” I said carefully. “He’s coming home, okay? Come on. Let’s go make breakfast.” “Okay, Mommy.” We made pancakes. Well — I made th
TANGLED HEARTS CHAPTER FOUR : DINNER
I headed straight to Sadie’s apartment in the morning, determined to go through with one plan that made sense in my head—even though it sounded stupid.Sadie opened the door with wet hair tied into a bonnet. “Why do I feel like this visit is going to cause a lot of chaos?”“I need your help,” I said quickly. “Tonight I will need you to convince Stefan to come on a double date with my husband and me.”Sadie is in shock.Then her jaw dropped.“Oh no, oh my God. Jess, you’ve completely lost your damn mind.”“I know… but hear me out—”“Can you hear yourself?” she demanded, pacing already. “You want me to drag the man who almost ruined your life to dinner… to prove you’re over him? What is going on with you?”“Sadie, I have to prove to Conrad that I’m over him. He thinks I’m still in love with Stefan.”“Are you over him, though?” She raised her brows.I exhaled, feeling my voice tremble.“Please. Just talk to Stefa
قد تعجبك أيضًا
Watch Out, CEO Daddy!
Wine Warms The Flowers1.4M وجهات النظرForceful Marriage: Young Master's Mute Wife
A Lake’s Depth1.2M وجهات النظرRevenge of the Hideous Lady
Moonlight963.2K وجهات النظرOne night stand with a Billionaire
Pixiepiu769.2K وجهات النظرBrotherzoned
Misspetty486 وجهات النظرUntil The Finish Line!
Sumori Dess107 وجهات النظرThe Seduction Contract
Liamneche02 62 وجهات النظرThe Kane Contract: Vows of Venom
Amelia Hart144 وجهات النظر
