LOGINSTEPHEN “Where is she?” Evelyn was standing in the doorway, refusing to let us both go in after Jessie. “Your grandfather would like a word with her," she explained, barely meeting my eyes. This was not the image of her I knew. She was one to never back down from a challenge. I guess the reality of things was finally dawning on her. She was always the one who looked me in the face when she was clearly in the wrong. Acting all self-righteous. “And I can't go in there because…?” “He won't eat her up now, would he?” she asked, finally looking up at us. “Allow them to talk for a while, and you both can come with me." "Come with you?” Tina scoffed. She looked at the door and then turned, walking out of the house. “When dinner is ready, send someone for me." I was left standing there with my mother. “Stephen, come have a word with me." I nodded, curious what she was going to say now. She led me to the room she loved sitting in. “Can I offer you anything to drink? Tea? Coffee? So
JESSIE“Once we are in there, do not let her manipulate you." I looked at Tina through the rearview mirror. She had a worried look on her face and was biting the bottom of her lip. Her eyes shot up at me. She widened them and waited for my response. "You've said that at least a million times this night…" “And you think I have said it enough?" Her voice was sharp. I took a deep breath and looked at Stephen behind the wheel. He had insisted on driving home himself, and I was glad for it. I didn't have to be under the scrutiny of his security detail for a family dinner. I grabbed his hand that was turning white on the steering wheel, and he turned to me. “You know it's not too late to turn back now," Tina said again. We snapped our gaze away from her, and I turned fully to her, feeling the seatbelt pressing into my chest. “I already gave her my word. Are you saying I should just go back on it now?” “I am saying that you don't have to be respectful to her. She won't respect you an
JESSIEA grand Harrington wedding was no easy feat. Juggling meeting up with the planner and choosing between exotic flowers flown in from Barbados and local ones was more difficult than I had anticipated. The wedding details were checked over and over again. The entertainment section of the news was covering every topic related to the wedding all day and night. “What if I just run off?” “What?” Tina’s stare at me in the mirror was the only reason I knew I had said those words out loud. I had been thinking it since the Harrington family got involved in the process. “What did you just say?” “I am thinking of running off." The woman who was piecing the dress together for me froze. I looked at her in the mirror, and she forced a smile. I could tell what she was thinking. Her finger was shaking as she pushed the pins through the fabric. "Would you please excuse us?” Tina asked, getting out of the chair, tossing the magazines to the side of the couch, and walking up to me. The at
JESSIE “A wheelchair is overkill, Jessie." Stephen refused to get into the wheelchair. I was worried about him. And he was treating it like it was really nothing. He could have been seriously hurt. “I can walk," he said again. The nurse who was holding the wheelchair was staring at us. Her look was saying everything she was holding back from saying. “Are you still in need of the chair or…” ‘No, thank you,' Stephen spoke up before I could. “I can walk in by myself." “Then go to room three… the doctor would be in to see you shortly," she said, turning on her heels and leaving us alone in the hallway. “Why did you send her off?” “Because I don't need a wheelchair," he said. He led me to the room while I was overborne with worry for him. I knew I had to think rationally, but I couldn't stop my mind. The thought that he could have been seriously hurt couldn't leave my mind, not even for a second. The doctor was not even trying to hide his sarcastic expression when he saw the wou
JESSIE“You win, and I win.” “We all win." I stared at her. At this point, all I can feel for her is pity. Somehow, even as the mastermind, she was strung along by the elders, and now she was forced to face the consequences all by herself. “You don't have the right to negotiate." Stephen took a step forward so he was in her face. His hand dropped from mine, and cold air replaced the warmth I had been feeling. “Finding evidence against Mateo is easier than you think…” he trailed off. His back was hunched over and tight enough to show the anger surging through his veins. “And her mother? She might not have grown up with her, but still, she is family after all."“She is family, and trust me, finding her would be a piece of cake." Stephen’s phone began to ring almost immediately. He drew a breath and took a step back. “See?”He answered the call and put it on speaker between us. “Tell me…” “Mrs Moore has been found. She is currently on her way to the hospital, escorted by the polic
JESSIEIsabella had sent the address. It was a private room in a clubhouse. I had barely slept at all. All I could think about was what kind of trick she would have up her sleeve. I had seen how witless she could be with things like this. I didn't want to fall again. Stephen had promised we would walk hand in hand and face her. Whatever she had to say, he wanted to hear. “We never really had the chance to go on our honeymoon." I felt Stephen's hands close on mine. I looked at the driver who was trying his best to hide the hidden smile on his face.I leaned in closer and lowered my voice. “Are you asking me out on a date?” “No, I am saying we should go on our honeymoon," he said slowly, turning my hand and intertwining our fingers. ‘How could he even talk about honeymoons and dates now? When my heart was beating out of my chest, and my mind was making up all the scenarios that had not happened yet. "What's the difference?” “One is me asking… the other is mandated." “I never he
JESSIE“If she can't, then I will." Stephen walked towards us and stopped when he was at our table. The whites were standing now with shock on their faces. “You…you…what are you doing here?” Matthew stammered. Stephen turned to me, holding my hand and pulling me forward. "I told you I would hand
JESSIEWe walked hand in hand through the house until we were by my door. I didn't want to pull away from him, but I knew I couldn't hold on longer. I bit my lower lip and tried to take a step back, but his grip tightened, and he intertwined my fingers. “Remember what we discussed today," he said,
JESSIE“Jessie, I can explain." “You don't need to." I stopped Stephen before he could try. I did want to hear what he had to say; I was curious, but I didn't want to hear the answer at the same time. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to bear it. After listening to Matthew talk yesterday, I knew i
JESSIE“Okay, but you need to be careful; I still want my wife in one piece at the end of this.” The word 'wife' lingered in the air. I was his wife, but still, it made me feel conscious that I had taken the Harrington name somewhat overnight. “I can take care of myself,” I replied. “You don’t ha







