Chapter fifty NineAs they lay on the bed, Michael observed Fiona closely, noting the silence that enveloped them after about 15 minutes. Her sudden stillness caught his attention, and when she finally spoke, her words carried a weight of confession and vulnerability.Fiona's admission left Michael stunned, his eyes reflecting a mixture of surprise and understanding. She revealed that she was a victim of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, explaining the complexities of her condition and how it affected her intimate relationships. Despite his initial disbelief, Michael chose to listen with empathy, recognizing the courage it took for Fiona to open up to him in such a raw and honest way."I am sorry. I don't get tired quickly, and I can hardly control myself when I am aroused. That's why I haven't been able to open up to any guy. I love you, and that's why I was able to do this with you," Fiona confessed, her voice tinged with a mix of relief and fear of judgment. Michael's heart soften
Charlie sat at his cluttered desk in his dimly lit office, the soft hum of the air conditioner providing the only background noise. Suddenly, a hesitant knock echoed through the room, disrupting the stillness. Startled, he called out, “Come in.”The door creaked open, revealing Alice standing in the doorway. Charlie's heart skipped a beat as he registered her presence, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. What was she doing here? He couldn't deny feeling a rush of emotions at the unexpected sight of her. “What are you doing here?” His voice betrayed a mix of surprise and unease as he observed her from across the room, an evident tension hanging in the air between them.As she approached him, a mischievous smirk danced across her lips, her confidence evident in every step she took. Charlie felt a mix of surprise and apprehension at her boldness. “I know how amazed you are to see me here. But you don't have to fidget, can I at least take a seat?” Her voice held a teasing tone as she i
Sixty oneCharlie took a deep, contemplative breath as he lifted his gaze to meet Alice’s eyes, his expression a mix of conflicting emotions. His eyes lingered on her from head to toe, searching for something, perhaps lost memories or remnants of the past. The way her hair fell in waves around her face, the traces of weariness etched into her features, and the subtle tension in her posture told a story he was familiar with but had long tried to forget."Why did you think I did those things so you could come to apologize?" His voice was tinged with a hint of bitterness, a simmering frustration barely contained under a facade of indifference. "I did all that because I was being human." He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle in the stifling air between them before continuing, "You are my ex-wife. I was just trying to make sure you are fine, and didn't choose the wrong man."The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken truths and unresolved emotions. Alice felt a surge of
Sixty TwoAs Charlie's accusing words hung in the air, punctuated by the simmering tension between them, Alice felt a surge of anger rising within her. The hurt and frustration of being misunderstood and dismissed boiled beneath the surface, threatening to spill over in a torrent of emotions she struggled to contain. Despite her best efforts to remain composed, the sting of his words cut deep, pushing her to the brink of a breaking point she had long avoided.In the face of his relentless skepticism and the implied accusation of her motives, Alice found herself grappling with a mix of emotions - anger at being unjustly judged, frustration at being denied the chance to be heard, and a deeper sense of hurt at the fractured trust between them. The realization that her attempts to protect her sister had been misconstrued as meddling only added fuel to the fire of her indignation, fueling a righteous anger that threatened to consume her fragile composure.As she braced herself for a respon
Chapter Sixty ThreeAlice was speechless, her eyes filled with unspoken remorse as she realized how deeply he resented her. Regardless of their turbulent history, they both understood the urgency of setting their differences aside and moving forward."I am not saying you should trust me, but we have to do this together. I can assure you I am telling the truth; he's using your sister," she emphasized, her conviction unwavering."You really need to leave my office right now, I don't want to hear it," he demanded firmly, hoping to convey his urgency. However, the woman standing before him remained unmoved by his request."I'm not going anywhere until I finish what I came here to do. I acknowledge that my actions may have triggered this strong reaction from you, but I believe it's because I know this situation involves someone you truly care about. My reluctance to leave is a testament to how serious I am about addressing this matter," she explained, her voice tinged with a mix of determi
After about an hour, everyone was already at the dinning, but Fiona was yet to arrive. His impatience grew as he kept asking his mum questions. She told him to calm down as she would soon be here.“Why did you look worried, why are you so impatient, can you patiently wait for her arrival?” She said, and Charlie took a deep breath. “I just wanted her to be here already, I have a lot of things to ask her” He replied, and they heard the horn of the car. Which they assumed was her. Charlie decided to call his nerves, and waited Patiently for her. And immediately she got into the living room, Charlie went to hug her. “Are you okay?” He asked, sincere evidence on her face.“Of course, why did you ask? You seem worried, "She said, concerned about her brother's mood. He lied that it was nothing, and said she should come to sit down. “Didn't you say you have a lot of things to ask her?” She asked, and Charlie scoffed. “Is she right, did you want to ask me something?” She asked, and he sm
They entered the dimly lit bar, its walls adorned with vintage beer signs and the comforting aroma of hops and malt wafting through the air. The bartender greeted them with a friendly nod as they took their seats at the worn wooden counter. They placed their order, a couple of cold beers, and settled in to wait.The waitress appeared with their drinks after a brief wait, the condensation on the glasses glistening in the dim light. With a practiced hand, the bartender and the butler poured the frothy brew into two sturdy pint glasses. Each man picked up a glass, the coolness of the glass sending a pleasant shiver through their fingers.As they raised their glasses in a silent toast, their eyes met in a shared moment of camaraderie. The first sip was smooth and satisfying, the bitter bite of the beer offset by the warmth of the alcohol. They clinked their glasses together in a simultaneous gesture of celebration before taking another sip.The beer flowed freely as they chatted and laugh
She reached across the table, sliding the thick file towards her with a determined hand. "What's in there?" He asked, with a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes as he leaned back in his chair with a smirk playing on his lips. "Just take a look at it already," he said casually, his words laced with a teasing tone. Alice obediently opened the document, her eyes scanning the pages intently as she murmured the words written there. "Contract Marriage," she read out loud, the words hanging in the air like a sudden revelation. Charlie scoffed sarcastically, a mixture of disbelief and amusement etched on his face. "Yes, that's right. So, what do you say? Are you in or out? Will you be my bride?" His question lingered in the air, leaving a heavy silence in its wake as Alice struggled to digest the unexpected proposal."I am your ex-wife, did you think this is right?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mixture of disbelief and concern. Charlie sat in silence for a moment, absorbing her wor
Epilogue.Mr Thompson has tried all his possible best to make sure Judas's was charged to court. But it was as expected .. As the judge's words echoed through the courtroom, a sense of finality settled over the room. The Judas's eyes locked onto the judge, disbelief and despair etched on their face. Their lawyer's expression turned grim, their eyes cast downward in defeat.The sound of handcuffs clicking into place broke the silence, a harsh reminder of the consequences that lay ahead. The defendant's family rushed forward, tears streaming down their faces as they reached out in desperation.The bailiffs led the Judas away, their footsteps echoing through the courtroom like a death knell. The prosecutor's nod of satisfaction was a stark contrast to the despair that filled the room.As the door closed behind the defendant, the judge's gaze lingered, a hint of empathy flickering in their eyes. The cost of justice had been exacted, but at what price? The courtroom slowly emptied, leaving
Charlie stormed into Detective George's office, his eyes blazing with determination. "I want to see Michael. Now."The detective nodded, leading him to the cell where Michael was being held. As they approached, Charlie's smirk grew wider, his eyes gleaming with triumph."Ah, Michael. Finally. I thought you could escape the world," Charlie said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.Michael looked up, a sly smile spreading across his face. He rose from the cot, his eyes locked onto Charlie's, and began to walk closer, the bars of the cell separating them."You must be thinking you're some kind of hero, feeling overexcited," Michael sneered, his voice laced with mockery.Charlie's smirk never wavered, his eyes flashing with anger. "You're the one who's been playing games, Michael. But the game is over. You've lost."The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with animosity. Michael's eyes gleamed with defiance, but Charlie's gaze remained unwavering, his confidence and determination
Leo drove into his compound, the gates closing behind him. He and Charlie stepped out of the car, walked into the house, and headed straight to the bar. Charlie poured them each a beer, and they settled in for a relaxing evening. The bar was a cozy sanctuary, a place to unwind and leave their worries behind. But just as they were savoring the moment, Leo's phone buzzed with a missed call from the detective. His eyes locked onto the screen, his expression turning serious. .The detective's call was like a sudden interruption, a reminder that life's mysteries and challenges were always just a phone call away. Charlie's eyes lit up as he answered the phone, his voice eager. "Hello, Detective?" He listened intently, his expression changing from curiosity to excitement. "Hey Mr. Thompson, I wanted to inform you that there's progress in the search for Michael and his father," Detective George announced, his voice firm and reassuring. "We received a message from an unknown source, and he's
"Charlie is right. I know it's difficult but we have to leave our past behind us. We have to form one beautiful family. We have sorry everything has to happen kill this" Fiona's words were a gentle plea, a heartfelt appeal to let go of the past and unite as a family. But Judas's response was a bitter rebuke, his voice laced with sarcasm and pain."What do you all know about it?" he sneered, his eyes flashing with anger. "You think forgiveness is just a simple matter of forgetting the past? Forgetting the pain, the struggle, the betrayal? You think it's that easy?"Alice's words were a soft counterpoint, a gentle attempt to soothe Judas's hurt. "Sometimes, we have to let go of the pain, Judas. We can't keep living in the past. We have to move on, for our own sake."But Judas's scoff was a harsh rejection, a bitter laugh that dismissed their naivety. "Move on?" he repeated, his voice dripping with disdain. "You think I can just forget what happened? Forget the feeling of being abandoned
Judas's tone was laced with sarcasm, his words dripping with disdain. "Well, that's impressive, I see how much understanding you're in, after all these years," he said, his eyes rolling in mockery.Mrs. Fiona's face fell, her eyes filled with remorse. "Judas, I know my family has hurt you and your mother. I am very sorry," she apologized, her voice sincere.Judas's laughter was cold and mirthless. "Don't apologize to me... and moreover, I am not haunted. No one can hurt me unless I let them. It was my mother you guys haunted. And I think I blame her for being so simple. I promised myself I'd leave my life of commanding fear," he said, his eyes glinting with a hint of darkness.Charlotte's voice was laced with a hint of desperation. "Judas, please... stop talking about the past. You already told me you have a bargain; will you talk about it since you're not ready to accept us as your family?" she asked, her eyes fixed on him with a mixture of concern and frustration.Judas's smirk was
The family gathered in anticipation, their eyes fixed on the door as they waited for Charlie's arrival. The sound of his car pulling up outside was followed by the creak of the door opening, and Charlie stepped inside with Leo by his side. Judas, his face obscured by a hat, brought up the rear, his confident stride commanding attention.As they approached, the family rose to their feet, their faces filled with expectation. Mrs. Thompson's eyes shone with pride as she embraced Charlie. "Charlie, I know this is big, but I am proud of you. You could go on live TV and say those words out loud," she said, her voice filled with emotion.Charlie's smile was radiant, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Mom, I this shouldn't be about me. I told you I have something important to tell. And I think we put our attention to it," he began, his voice filled with conviction. The room was electric with tension, the family's hearts pounding in unison as they waited for Charlie's revelation. Leo's eyes
The director's voice broke the silence, signaling the end of the show. "We've come to the end of the show. Please drop your opinions in the comment section."As Charlie stood up to leave the studio, his phone rang out, piercing the silence. He hesitated for a moment, then answered it, his eyes fixed on the screen. "Detective George," he said, his voice firm."Was everything you said true, Charlie?" Detective George's voice came from the other end of the line, laced with a hint of skepticism. "Is that why you wanted me to withdraw the case?"Charlie's eyes narrowed, his grip on the phone tightening. "Every word was true, Detective. And I wanted you to withdraw the case because I knew my family's secrets would only bring more pain and suffering. I wanted to protect my family, no matter the cost."The camera lingered on Charlie's face, capturing the tension and emotion etched on his features. The audience was left wondering what would happen next, their minds racing with questions and th
Charlie sat down, his eyes fixed on the camera lens, a determined look on his face. The studio lights cast a warm glow on his features, and the director's voice was calm and professional. "Mr. Thompson, you're on a live chat. Please, go ahead and say what you have to say to the world."Charlie's expression turned solemn, his voice firm as he began to speak. "I am Charlie Thompson, and I'm here to reveal a long-buried secret in my family. A secret that has haunted us for far too long. Today, I want to talk about my grandfather, James death and his life'."He paused, his eyes scanning the camera lens as if searching for the right words. "For years, we've been told that James was a good man and a very truthful one, but it was entirely a lie."The air was thick with anticipation, the studio silent except for the soft hum of the cameras. Charlie's words hung in the air like a challenge, a promise of revelations to come. The world was watching, and Charlie was ready to expose the secrets t
Charlie walked into Detective George's office, a determined look on his face. The detective gestures him to sit "Detective, I want to withdraw the case against my grandfather."Detective George raised an eyebrow, surprise etched on his face. "Are you sure about this, Charlie? We're talking about a murder investigation here. It's a serious offense."Charlie's eyes locked onto Detective George's, his gaze unwavering. "I'm sure, Detective. I want to withdraw the case. I know it's serious, but I have my reasons."Detective George's expression was skeptical, his brow furrowed in concern. "Are you sure about this, Mr. Charlie? Withdrawing a murder case is not a trivial matter. It's a serious offense, and the legal implications are significant."Charlie's hand on the table clenched into a fist, his jaw set in determination. "I understand that, Detective. But I want to withdraw the case. I can't disclose my reasons, but I assure you, it's the right thing to do."The detective's eyes narrowed,