There's No Holding Back Novels & Stories

"I'll be back next week to take a look." I hung up the phone and looked at the wine glass in my hand. The red wine swirled gently in the glass, like liquid ruby. "To freedom." I said softly. Then I drank it all down. (End)

I zoomed in, and zoomed in again, until the buildings in the picture came into focus. This wasn't Havai at all—it was the city beach. Behind me, the kidnapper laughed, a twisted sound. "Hahaha, your parents never left the country. They're hiding like cowards! They don't want to come save you!"

Harmony I was trying to prevent myself from shaking while I was staring at my laptop. I don’t know what to feel about a post on Friendbook related to me. While I was trying to calm down, I continued to stare at a photo posted with a mocking caption. It was me, standing on a stage while in the midst of holding back my tears. The caption says, "Wow, look at your dumb rich girl stuttering through a debate. Is that all you can do? "

Just as I turned to walk away, he grabbed my wrist hard. “Zoe, I’ll never let you leave me again. My only mission today is to take you and the baby home. You don’t understand. When I thought I’d lost you, I nearly went insane! My heart broke, and I thought of you day and night. This time, no matter how you torment me or test me, I will not let go. I swear it.” How laughable. Who was he even trying to fool with this sudden act of devotion? I yanked my arm free with all my strength.

"If we don't act, our bodies will break down! What's the damn holdup? "You're divorced from Elara—what's left to lose? We're best friends, so just go for it!"

His voice touched her soul as the tears of joy started streaming out of her eyes. THAT YOU ARE THE REASON, I DON'T WANT TO FIGHT NO MORE, I DON'T WANT TO HIDE NO MORE, I DON'T WANT TO CRY NO MORE, COME BACK. I NEED YOU TO HOLD ME. (YOU ARE THE REASON) A LITTLE CLOSER NOW, JUST A LITTLE CLOSER NOW, COME A LITTLE CLOSER, I NEED YOU TO HOLD ME TONIGHT. I'D CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN,

Without missing a beat, I retorted, "This isn't an issue in my family! My brother and sister are both eagerly waiting for me to come home for the New Year! I don't know how things are done in other families, but my family will be happy to see me home!" Gordon realized that I wasn't going to back down without a fight. So, he tried his best to calm me down and coax me into complying with his wishes. He said pleadingly, "Dakota, if you go to your parents' house for the New Year, what will the people in this village think of me and my parents? Please, just do me this favor and stay here for the New Year this time!" "Why do you even care about something as trivial as keeping up appearances for ou

And there was no turning back now. ---

"I'll own up to your accusations, but you've said it yourself that hearsay won't stand up in court. "You claim I'm after your life. Where's your proof? Brian's allergies could've been managed with his meds, but you tossed them out." James was trying to pull me into his mess. I let out a weary sigh, walked over to the champagne tower, and pointed to one glass with a noticeably darker hue. That was the one where I had dropped the allergy pill. It had not fully dissolved yet. "Here's your proof."

“Whatever it is, I don’t want to hear it.” I turned, ready to leave and put an end to this unsettling encounter, but before I could take a step, his hand shot out, gripping my waist firmly and keeping me pinned against the counter. His touch was strong and possessive, and it sent a shiver through me that I couldn’t ignore.