The Family Game Novels & Stories

"With all due respect, Mrs. Thorne, this is a closed door executive session. We are dealing with multibillion dollar shipping assets and international logistics contracts. This is not a place for sentimental family visits. We are about to take a vote to restructure the leadership block." I looked directly at Marcus, my eyes locking onto his. I let a small, deliberate tremor touch my voice, playing the part of the overwhelmed wife perfectly. "Marcus, please. Malakai trusted you. He told me you were a friend of the family. Surely you can see that freezing his assets right now would panic the market."

She said, "I can tell you're serious. As Samuel's mother, maybe I should try to talk you out of it. After all, married couples usually fight and make up. But… I won't this time." I was taken aback when I heard that. I turned around and met her gaze. The Ziegler family was the most powerful family in Darniva. After Anthony Ziegler died, the extended family circled like wolves, waiting to take control. But Jenna held her ground alone. She was decisive, ruthless, and always put the family's interests first. I thought she would be the first person to oppose the divorce. But to my surprise, she supported it. She asked quietly, "What do you plan to do after you divorce Samuel?"

"A good wife brings prosperity to generations. A wicked one ruins an entire family. Choose wisely." As the night deepened, the family gathered to keep vigil beside the caskets. Kelly, unwelcome among them, shrank into a corner, her presence tolerated but barely acknowledged. I found her there later. "Zarrick's finished," I told her softly. "And when I leave him, I'll make sure he walks away with nothing. If you're willing to stay with him then, when he's broke and ruined, then maybe—just maybe—I'll believe your love is real."

“Few more days…please…I have a fa-family..” The man let out a mock scoff. “Maybe you should have thought of that before squandering the boss’s money in gambling.” Amira and her mother watched horror-stricken as the leader pulled a pistol from his back pocket and pushed the nuzzle against her weeping father’s head. “No, please!” Her mother yelled. And the trigger went off.

I said bravely. “Yes, you’re right, Hija. This game will end tonight. And you know who the winner is?” she said, touching her lips and playing with them. “Me, myself, and I!” And she laughed crazily. I shook my head, staring intently at Tita Ingrid's relentless laughter. It felt like she was losing her mind. Staring at her intently, I realized where this game started. It started when Mom and Dad disappeared, and her first steps into the chapel where my parents were laid to rest. It all started when I first saw her and met her face-to-face. Her. She was the true owner of this game, from the very beginning. Tita Ingrid ruled this game. Shocks! She’s the ruler! What else had she done be

she asked further. “Because I want the treasures, I'm your husband-to-be and I should be the one controlling our money and not you” he said, sweating profusely. Alessia's brows scrunched up on their own in disappointment. “I can see you're just being jealous. The safe box's contents are my father's family's treasure, something that is passed to every first born, I can't break the rule of giving it to an outsider” She spewed out without thinking twice.

My father was a smuggler, but no one except family knew that. Not even Belle or Beverly. "But isn't it just a game?... It doesn't really matter about physical skills". He laughed under his voice, "read the instructions, and if you're still confused about anything... Text me in the game" "Why can't I just call?" "When you join the game, you can't make calls unless a non-player calls you". He turned to leave. "I'm off.." "Okay!...", I waved. "Thanks for everything" He chuckled to himself some distance away. "No... Thank you, pawn"

Soon, it was my turn to present. "Good morning, everyone. It's an honor to be here today at the Ashenford Design Competition organized by the government. I'd like to start by showing you the 3D model our team has put together." I gave a nod to the two team members who were with me on stage. One of them, Logan, clicked the remote, and the screen came to life with my design—a black and white, simple… ball? Inside it were images of Ashenford, but what was this supposed to be?

He yanked his hand away and tried to turn. I said lazily, with a cold edge, “If you try to run, don’t ever think about walking out this door again.” He hesitated. I stepped behind him and wrapped my arms around him. My fingertips traced his chest and felt the muscles tighten, like touching a sword ready to be drawn. “Leon, let’s play a game.” He closed his eyes hard. When he opened them, they were darker and dangerous. “Play what?” I tilted my head and smiled, a vicious light in my eyes.

Kiara scoffed. "Alright, that's enough girls. I'm trying to think here," Luke scolded them. "Think about what, dad?" Shelly asked worriedly. "Each year, a winner is crowned in the family game and they get plane tickets to travel anywhere and explore the world and cash prizes I intend for us to win it," Luke explained. "We're long over due for a family vacation anyways," Laura added. "Attention is officially captured," Ace smiled then stared lovingly at Shelly, "so far as I get a chance to spend with my wonderful girlfriend."