"Mr. Radcliffe, these are the divorce papers from your soon-to-be ex-wife. Just a minute to sign them and they'll be finalized today."Eric had his eyes raised in their sockets from where he was standing at the door. Mr. Snow, the Juvenile and divorce attorney didn't even offer him a seat, he dropped the news right before Eric could shut the door behind him. Earlier, he had received an urgent call from the family lawyer."Come again, Mr. Snow. Perhaps I misheard," Eric neared the man's executive wooden table, with a confused frown spreading across his face."Fine," Mr. Snow adjusted his thick glasses and pointed at the files that sat on his desk, "Your wife, Claudia wants to end the marriage with you, as you two aren't on the same track anymore and she's currently far above your level. Her words; staying married to someone like you is worse than rubbing dirt in her name."This was like a punch in Eric's gut, to the extent he zoned out for a couple of seconds as he replayed and digest
Eight months later…Eric’s phone was ringing and he was in the middle of an important meeting, discussing a new business venture with key stakeholders. His phone's vibration on the polished oak table drew everyone's attention. Glancing at the screen, he saw the hospital's number and felt his heart leap into his throat."Excuse me, I have to take this," Eric said, his voice tight with barely contained excitement. He hurried out of the conference room, his footsteps echoing down the hallway."Mr. Radcliffe, your wife is in labor. You need to come to the hospital immediately," the nurse's voice was calm but insistent.Eric didn't need to be told twice. He dashed to his car, barely registering the concerned looks from his colleagues as he sped out of the parking lot. His mind raced faster than the car, thoughts of Emily and their unborn child filling his every moment. The city blurred past him as he moved through the morning traffic, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.Arriving
Eric and Mason fought fiercely on the ground, their bodies a blur of desperate, primal motion. Each punch and shove reverberated through the room, their grunts and growls of exertion echoing off the walls. Mason was furious, fueled by a dark, vengeful rage, but Eric's was driven by something far more powerful: the need to protect Emily.As they struggled, Claudia stood nearby, her gun trained on Emily. Emily’s wide, terrified eyes darted between the two men fighting and the woman holding the gun. Every muscle in her body was taut with fear.“You think you can just take my life and ruin everything, Eric?” Mason spat, shoving Eric hard enough to knock him back a few feet. Eric stumbled but quickly regained his footing, charging back at Mason with renewed fury.“Let her go, Mason!” Eric shouted, his voice hoarse. He managed to land a solid punch on Mason’s jaw, causing him to stagger.Claudia’s hands trembled slightly as she kept her gun pointed at Emily. “Eric, just stop! This doesn’t
Eric gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white, as he followed Mason's cryptic directions through the darkening landscape. The sun had already set, and shadows loomed large on the sides of the road. His phone, on speaker, rested in the holder on the dashboard, Mason's sinister voice crackling through the static."Turn left at the next junction," Mason instructed. "Drive another mile, then take the dirt road on your right."Eric glanced in his rearview mirror. The police, in unmarked cars, maintained a safe distance, careful not to alert anyone to their presence. They were his silent backup, his safety net.As nightfall blanketed the surroundings, Eric's anxiety grew. He navigated the twists and turns, the dirt road growing rougher as he approached the abandoned house. His headlights cast eerie shadows on the dilapidated structure ahead.Eric parked the car and stepped out, his phone still pressed to his ear. Mason's voice guided him, directing him toward the entrance."Walk strai
Eric sat in the police station, his mind a whirlwind of fear and frustration. Detectives and officers buzzed around him, discussing strategies and leads, but all Eric could think about was Emily. The clock was ticking, and each passing second felt like a century.Suddenly, his phone vibrated in his pocket, jolting him from his thoughts. The number on the screen was unknown. With a sinking feeling, he stepped outside the station to take the call, seeking a moment of privacy amidst the chaos."Hello?" Eric answered, his voice tense."Eric Radcliffe," a cold, mocking voice replied. "Or should I say, Mr. Radcliffe? It's been a while."Eric's grip tightened on the phone. "Mason," he spat. "What the hell do you want?"Mason's sinister laugh echoed through the line. "Straight to the point, as always. I have Emily. And if you ever want to see her and your precious baby alive again, you'll do exactly as I say."Eric's heart pounded in his chest, a mix of rage and terror coursing through him. "
Mason Hargraves navigated the winding, overgrown path leading to the abandoned house, his footsteps crunching on the gravel. He pushed open the creaking door and stepped inside, greeted by the musty smell of decay. Claudia was waiting for him in the living room, her arms crossed and a satisfied smirk playing on her lips."Mason," she greeted, her voice dripping with malice. "Everything's going according to plan.""Good," Mason replied, a cruel glint in his eyes. "Let's get this over with."Claudia led him to the basement door, her heels clicking on the wooden floor. She unlocked it and motioned for Mason to follow her down the narrow, dark stairs. At the bottom, a single flickering bulb cast eerie shadows on the concrete walls. Emily was huddled in a corner, her wrists bound, her face streaked with tears.Mason approached her slowly, his eyes narrowing as he took in her disheveled appearance. "Emily," he said softly, almost tenderly, though his words were laced with venom. "I never
Eric stood in his spacious office, the sunlight streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows showing a warm glow over the room. He was meticulously arranging documents for an upcoming meeting with his staff and overseas collaborators. The stakes were high, and the presentation needed to be flawless. Yet, despite the impending meeting, a soft smile played on Eric's lips as he thought about Emily, his fiancée.Slipping his phone from his pocket, he decided to call her. He wanted to hear her voice, a sweet reassurance amidst the chaos of his day. He dialed her number and waited, the smile still lingering.The phone rang, but there was no answer. He frowned slightly, dialing again. Still nothing. A hint of worry started to creep in. Emily usually answered his calls, especially since she knew how busy his schedule could get. Just then, his phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was one of the bodyguards assigned to Emily."Mr. Radcliffe," the guard's voice was tense. "We have a situ
Emily sat in her room, staring at her phone in disbelief. She had just received a call from a friendly, excited voice claiming that she had won a lottery she didn't even remember entering. The caller had given her detailed instructions on where to go to claim her prize, and despite her initial skepticism, the excitement of the potential win clouded her judgment."Is this for real?" she murmured to herself, glancing around her room as if seeking confirmation from the empty walls. She replayed the conversation in her mind."Congratulations, Ms. Walters! You've won our grand prize lottery!" the voice had chirped. "All you need to do is come to 23 Maple Street to collect your winnings."Emily had hesitated. "I don't remember entering any lottery."The voice laughed lightly. "It's a special promotion, ma'am. Sometimes people get entered automatically through their regular purchases. We're so excited for you!""But... I didn't get any notification before this," Emily had said, still unsure.
Eric had planned every detail meticulously. He had arranged for a beautiful rooftop garden to be decorated with fairy lights, delicate flowers, and an elegant dining setup. The location was stunning, with a panoramic view of the city skyline. It was the perfect place for a surprise, and Eric wanted everything to be flawless."Emily," Eric said with a casual smile, "I've heard about this new diner in town. How about we check it out tonight?"Emily, always up for trying new things, agreed enthusiastically. "Sure, that sounds fun. I could use a night out."Eric drove them to the rooftop location, keeping his nerves in check as they pulled up to the beautifully lit entrance. As they stepped out of the car, the ambiance was magical. The twinkling lights and the soft music playing in the background created a romantic atmosphere."This place is beautiful, Eric," Emily remarked, looking around in awe. "I didn't know about this spot."Eric just smiled, taking her hand and leading her inside.
Mason Hargraves sat hunched over a workbench in the basement of an old, decrepit warehouse. The space was filled with the acrid smell of oil and dust, the faint sound of dripping water echoing in the background. A single, flickering light bulb hung overhead, casting eerie shadows across the concrete floor. The table before him was cluttered with an assortment of weapons and tools, each one meticulously arranged and gleaming under the sparse light.Mason picked up a long, serrated combat knife, his fingers running along the blade's edge with a chilling sense of purpose. His eyes, cold and calculating, reflected the light as he stared at the weapon. "Eric Radcliffe," he muttered under his breath, a twisted smile forming on his lips. "You think you’re untouchable, don’t you? Surviving death, coming back as if nothing happened. But tonight, your luck runs out."He placed the knife back on the table and reached for a handgun, checking the chamber with methodical precision. "Claudia, poor
Sylwyn
There are a few editing issues but not many. The story is very captivating, it also has a different approach to the rags to riches concept.