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THIRTY-FIVE: Lila's Fear (3)
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2024-12-30 16:45:31The truth Annabelle had revealed had opened a floodgate and Lila couldn't stop the memories flooding her senses, dragging her back to a time she had tried so hard to bury.
It was the third time she and James had tried and failed this month alone. The third time a pregnancy test had shown her the stark disappointment of a single pink line. Lila stood in their bathroom, her trembling hand clutching the negative test. The air in the room felt suffocating as she stared blankly at the tiny plastic stick, her hope draining with each passing second. It was nearly two years into her marriage with James, and she hadn’t given the family an heir yet. She bit her lip, fighting back tears.
They never failed to remind her of it.
When she stepped into the bedroom, James was sitting on the edge of their bed, his elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped as though in prayer. His jaw was set tight, and his eyes darted up to meet hers the moment she entered. He didn&
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Tangled Destinies FORTY-SIX: On the Edge (2)
As soon as the passenger door shut, Annabelle peeled away from the curb, her composure thinning with every passing block. She didn’t stop to think, or breathe, or collect herself. Rage simmered beneath her skin, pressing against her ribs, making it hard to breathe. She had never felt quite like this before. Not even during the company’s worst scandals, or during those humiliating public affairs that her father had brushed under the rug with money and connections. This was different.This was personal. Her father had been lying to her. To all of them. If what Andre said was true, then everything she thought she knew about the company’s stability, about their legacy, was a façade.Her hands gripped the wheel so tightly her knuckles ached, and still she couldn’t loosen her hold. Her spine was rigid. It was as her body had locke
Tangled Destinies FORTY-SIX: On the Edge (1)
Annabelle remained frozen in her seat long after Andre’s departure, her mind a mess of disbelief. She felt as if the walls around her had crumbled, leaving behind something ugly and raw and burning her with truths she hadn’t even known were buried.Beside her, Lila let out a sharp breath and pressed a hand to her temple, her brow deeply furrowed. She didn’t speak for a few moments, and then she said bitterly, “For someone who made my life a living hell, he’s awfully poetic now, isn’t he?”Annabelle said nothing.Lila leaned back in her chair, staring blankly at the wall. “I just… it doesn’t make sense. That company, that inheritance, it was his whole world when I met him. He was willing to lie, cheat, threaten me just to hold onto it. So why now? Why give it up so easily?” Her tone was laced with suspicion, but beneath that, curiosity tugged at her voice
Tangled Destinies FORTY-FIVE: Unforgiving
Andre let out a wry, humorless laugh that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “When they announced you as the sole heir,” he said to Lila, “I lost my footing. I was furious. I had spent years building my reputation, trying to prove myself worthy of the Winters name. And then, out of nowhere, the daughter of a woman I didn’t even know existed became the heir to everything.” He gave a slow shake of his head. “I did things I’m ashamed of, Lila. Things I wouldn’t expect you to forgive. Not ever. But I’m here now because I want to make things right.”Lila didn’t soften. Not even a little. She gave a brittle laugh, all edges and pain. “If you thought I’d jump for joy at this little apology tour of yours,” she said, voice cold, “then you do
Tangled Destinies FORTY-FOUR: A Hard Conversation
The sheer gall of that remark would’ve earned him another slap if it had come from anyone else, but Lila, still practically vibrating with rage, held back. Her chest rose and fell with the effort of restraint. Slowly, and with stiff dignity, she walked to the chair opposite his and sat down.Annabelle, recovering from her stupor, followed and settled beside Lila. She reached over and gently patted Lila’s knee, partly to reassure her and partly to silently request for calm. She had never seen Lila this furious before. Not even when James had kicked her out. Not even when she'd been betrayed, humiliated, left with nothing. This was deeper and older than all of that.Lila didn’t waste breath on pleasantries. Her voice, when she spoke, was cool and cutting.“Why are you meddling in my life?&rdquo
Tangled Destinies FORTY-THREE: A Nuisance (2)
Annabelle knocked softly before slipping into Lila’s hotel room the morning of their meeting with Andre Winters, a paper bag from Quick Bites tucked under one arm. The scent of spicy mayo and fried potatoes filled the space instantly, drawing a faint smile from Lila, who was sitting cross legged on the edge of the bed.“Payment for emotional labor,” Annabelle said dryly, holding the bag out. Lila accepted it with a quiet laugh, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.“I appreciate it.”Annabelle sat down beside her, glancing sideways. “You ready?”Lila nodded. “As I’ll ever be.”But that nod, it was too quick and too practiced. And the way Lila kept her shoulders s
Tangled Destinies FORTY-THREE: A Nuisance (1)
Annabelle stepped out of Lila’s hotel room, closing the door behind her with a quiet click. The hallway was dimly lit, the patterned carpet muffling the sound of her footsteps as she made her way toward the elevator. She let out a deep breath, pressing the button and watching the numbers descend. It was only after ten o’clock but it already felt like she had had a long morning, partially because her mind was beginning to think out all the ways Lila’s sudden reappearance could change the ways things were not. Not only with Andre, but also with the family.At least Lila seemed certain about her decision. Annabelle could respect that, even if she wasn’t entirely sure how things would play out. Just before stepping into the elevator, she heard Lila’s voice call after her. “Annabelle!”She turned back, raising an eyebrow as Lila peeked out from the door frame, looking slightly sheepish.“Can you bring me something from Quick Bites when you come back?” Lila asked, naming a fast-food chain t
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