JAMESI left the majestic court building, pushing my way through a horde of relentless reporters once again, as I made my way towards my car. The blaring sounds of their questions echoed in my ears while I tried my best to ignore the bloodsuckers.I felt a little better about my birthday after the day lightened up. It might not be a complete disaster like I thought.To my immense relief, the prosecution barrister didn’t charge me with assault. However, there was to be a formal inquiry into Jenna's accidental death, a mere formality, as Judge Harris assured me. Her family asked for it, which I get, but I totally forgot about her family and what influence her death had on them.In all the time we had spent together, I had only visited Jenna's parents' home on two occasions. They were not a tightly knit family, but Jenna's lineage held a significant influence, which explained my grandfather's infatuation with her. He valued social standing more than anything, and that was precisely why I
DESTINYHave I walked into the lion’s den? The dimly lit room cast a foreboding shadow over Lord Barrington, who appeared more like a defeated lion than the king of the jungle.“I can’t stay long. I have guests over to celebrate James’ birthday.”He turned a bewildered face to mine. “What? You’re celebrating his birthday?”“Yes, is that news to you?” I retorted, somewhat sarcastically. He should know his own son’s birthday, shouldn’t he?His lip lifted slightly in a semblance of a smile or a sneer. “You don’t know? He never told you.” He uttered a weary sigh. “I need a drink. Have a seat. I’ll have the cook brew you some tea.” Without another word, he walked towards the distant kitchen. I followed, eager to uncover the secrets James was keeping from me."Wait for me in the solarium. This is not something I wish to discuss in front of my staff," he explained, guiding me towards the sunlit room.As I entered the room, the scent of lavender and dahlias filled the air, mingling with the w
JAMES “Fuck, fuck, fuck!” Frustration boiled within me, and as I slammed my fist against the cold, unyielding steering wheel, the sharp pain in my hand mingled with the expletives that escaped my lips. “Goddammit! I’m such an idiot!”I shouldn’t have left Destiny there. Not like this. In my rearview mirror, I anxiously scanned the road behind me, hoping to glimpse Destiny's car. Her car wasn’t as fast as my Bentley, and I drove like a man possessed to get away from my family's home. The old man's words had struck a nerve, and I had let my frustration consume me, taking it out on Destiny. It was infuriating how the old buzzard always knew exactly which buttons to push.Finally, I couldn't bear the uncertainty any longer. I pulled over onto the side of the road; the gravel crunching beneath the weight of my car. Minutes stretched into eternity as I waited, my eyes fixed on the distant road. And then, moving at a snails-pace, Destiny's Beetle appeared, inching its way towards me. Relie
DESTINYI knew he meant it, and I felt a pang of sympathy for him, having lost his mother in such a horrific manner. But the pain of him keeping it to himself hurt deeply.“I forgive you, James,” I whispered after a moment. “But…” I raised my hand to silence him when he tried to speak. “You have to be completely honest with me. I can't support you if I don't know what's going on in your mind.”“I promise I'll try,” he replied, his gaze fixed on his fidgeting hands. “I carry so much baggage, Sugar. It's not something I want to burden you with.”“James.” I gently cradled his face, raising it to meet my eyes. “Whatever you tell me won't make me leave.”“You say that now, Destiny,” he responded, his voice filled with anguish. “You heard what my father said. I destroy people I love.” He placed his trembling hands over mine. “I want to protect you and our baby. I don't want to hurt you, but I'm terrified I might.”“You're being irrational. You're a good man. I don't care about your father or
JAMES I barely registered the sound of a splash as something fell into the pool, my vision clouded by the intense anger I felt towards Ronan. How dare he lay a hand on Destiny? Consumed by the desire to smash his arrogant face in, I punched him blindly. His cheekbone crunched underneath my fists."James! Fuck! Stop it..." Ronan's words were all muffled and blood splattered on my face, as he weakly tried to push me away by gripping my wrists tighter. We tumbled over the cold paving, our labored breaths and grunts filling the air.Just as Ronan's fist connected with my jaw, I caught a movement in the water. Stars exploded in front of me, blurring my vision. And then, in that moment of disorientation, I realized Destiny was no longer there.Ronan's scream of her name snapped me out of my daze. Without hesitation, we both plunged into the water. I reached her first, her waterlogged clothes dragging her down towards the pool's depths. With all my strength, I broke the surface, cradling he
“Destiny, you have to go. Take Suzy.” My father pressed the car keys into my hand. “Leave this place and don’t look back.”“But Daddy…” I was crying. “Where will you find me?” My father was my world, and now he was forcing me to leave him.“Here, take my phone. Don’t change numbers. I will find you, my girl.” He parted the curtain with one hand, peering outside. “The cab will be here soon. You know I have no other choice.” Daddy was leaving to work on the oil rigs.“I can’t say no to this opportunity, Des. You’re a grown woman now, you need to find your own way in the world.”My mother left us when I turned sixteen, got herself a rich man. She said she couldn’t take it anymore to live like this, worrying about every penny, scrounging to make ends meet. She was pretty, I guess, and men liked her.I left school to look after Daddy. He was a mess – started drinking, not working. I had to find odd jobs to put food on the table. But we got by, and Daddy slowly got better.Now after my eigh
JAMESOld man James the first was livid. His bulbous nose turned firehose red, reminding me of Rudolf the red nose reindeer. He slapped his hand on the living room table, so the coffee cups rattled dangerously.We were in our private dining room in the Barrington mansion, Westwood. Grandfather summoned me to appear. Not that I wanted to be there.“I’ve had it with you, James. Had it.” He shook the paper he had in his other fist. “What were you thinking? A bar fight! Again.”I shrugged. So what? The guy deserved the black eye he received. He was moving in on my territory. And my, was she fine…“The tabloids are having a field day with your escapades.” My father, James the second had to throw his five cents in. He read the headlines aloud. “Billionaire playboy picked up by local police for drunk and disorderly.” He scowled at me while reading, gritting his teeth. “Will Billionaire James Barrington the third ever grow up.” He showed me the photos.I smirked. That was one hell of a party.
DESTINYI was so late. So late. I hyperventilated. Everything was wrong today. My boss was going to fire me. My alarm didn’t go off, I forgot to charge my phone. Now I couldn’t get my damn car started.“C’mon Susy, don’t let me down!” The starter whined again and after the third try my old beat-up 76’ Beetle gave a cough and revved into life. “Yes!”Slowly I pressed down on the accelerator. Susy didn’t take kindly to being rushed. Praying fervently for my luck to change – please don’t let Ken fire me today – I steered Suzy down the gravel road. I needed this job otherwise I was going to be out on the streets. The trailer park was all I could afford with what little money I had.I’ve worked for Ken at the convenience store for six months now. He was a real piece of work, and I hated the way he looked at my boobs when he thought I didn’t notice. At least he hasn’t tried anything. Yet.Shit! I never even brushed my hair this morning, I realized when I looked in my rearview. My pink hair