Chapter 5 Shadows of the Past

~ Sophia

A few days had passed since our impulsive wedding, and we were both still basking in the glow of our new status as a married couple.

As we prepared to leave the Maldives, the resort staff gathered around us, their smiles wide and their eyes twinkling.

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. James ," one of the staff said warmly, her voice filled with genuine happiness. "May your love and happiness shine as bright as the sun and be as clear as the waters of the Maldives."

We both responded in unison, "Thank you," our voices mingling in harmony.

Martha and Alex approached us, their arms full of luggage and their faces beaming with joy.

"Well, look at you two lovebirds," Martha said, her eyes dancing with mischief. "A spontaneous Maldives wedding, who would've thought?"

She pulled me aside, lowering her voice to a whisper. "So, what's next for you two crazy kids? What's the big plan now?"

I couldn't help but laugh, feeling a blush rise in my cheeks. "Who knows?" I replied, my voice light with amusement. "Tomorrow will take care of itself. Right now, I just want to enjoy this moment."

I glanced at Nathaniel, standing beside me, his hand firmly wrapped around mine. My heart swelled with the thrill of our new adventure, the promise of love and excitement.

The glint of the Maldivian sun reflected off the sleek, polished surface of the private jet that waited to whisk us away. The gentle ocean breeze ruffled our hair, adding a sense of freedom to the air.

I turned back to Martha, who looked at me with a knowing smile, her eyes full of understanding and affection. "I'm leaving with him," I said confidently, my voice steady and certain.

Martha's smile widened, her eyes sparkling. "You two are wild," she said, laughing. "Crazy kids."

I hugged her tightly, the emotions washing over me-joy, excitement, and a hint of bittersweetness. "I'll call you as soon as we land," I whispered in her ear.

She squeezed me back, her voice soft but full of warmth. "You better," she replied, her eyes dancing. "I want to hear every single detail."

I laughed, wiping away a stray tear that threatened to escape. As I turned toward Nathaniel, his touch felt electric, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Are you ready, Mrs. James ?" he asked, his voice low, seductive, and full of promise.

I nodded, a wide smile spreading across my face. With a heart full of excitement and anticipation, we began climbing the steps to the private jet. My pulse quickened with each step, my hand tightly grasping Nathaniel's as if letting go might shatter the dream we were living.

Nathaniel guided me to my seat, the buttery leather cool under my fingers. He leaned down and whispered, "Buckle up, Mrs. James . This is going to be quite the ride."

I laughed, feeling light and carefree. "You better not disappoint, Mr. James ," I shot back playfully, my eyes twinkling with mischief.

The engines roared to life, the jet lifting effortlessly into the brilliant blue sky. Below us, the endless expanse of the ocean shimmered, stretching far beyond the horizon.

As the Maldives began to disappear beneath us, the sun began to set, painting the sky with vibrant shades of orange, pink, and gold. Nathaniel reached for my hand, his grip gentle but firm.

"I know this was impulsive," he said, his voice steady but thoughtful. "But I don't regret a single moment-not for one second. If you ever want to annul the marriage, we can. It won't be a problem. The choice is yours."

My heart swelled with love as I smiled at him. "It's fine, I don't regret it either," I whispered softly. "This is the craziest and most exciting thing I've ever done."

He laughed, the sound full of warmth, and leaned in to kiss me. Our lips met in a tender, lingering kiss, and in that moment, everything felt perfect. Our hands intertwined like vines, our connection deepened with every breath, every touch.

"I love you," he murmured against my lips, his voice soft, raw with emotion.

"I love you too," I replied, my heart full to the brim.

As the jet descended toward the glowing lights of New York City, I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness flutter in my chest. It felt like the beginning of a new chapter-one filled with endless possibilities.

"Why don't you come to the mansion for breakfast?" Nathaniel suggested, his tone playful. "I'll have the chef make us something delicious."

I laughed, shaking my head in mock disbelief. "I'm not sure I'm ready for that lifestyle," I said, a hint of uncertainty in my voice.

Nathaniel flashed me a teasing grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, don't worry," he said, his voice low and seductive. "You don't have to commit to anything... yet."

My heart skipped a beat at his words, the thrill of it all sending my mind racing. Despite the whirlwind of emotions, I couldn't deny the magnetic pull between us. The chemistry was undeniable, and the passion burned bright.

"Alright," I said, smiling. "Just breakfast, then."

Nathaniel laughed, his hand finding mine once again. "Breakfast, and then we'll see where this crazy ride takes us."

I smiled, my heart brimming with hope and excitement.

As we sat down to eat, the golden sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the table. Despite the idyllic setting, a wave of nerves surged through me, making my hands tremble slightly.

Nathaniel seemed to sense my unease. He reached out and gently placed his hand over mine. "Relax," he said softly, his voice calm and reassuring. "You're not here to impress anyone."

I nodded, but before I could fully settle into the comfort of his words, the sharp sound of footsteps echoed through the room. The rhythmic clack of heels against marble grew louder and more ominous with each passing second.

A voice broke through the tension, dripping with bitterness. "You should have told me you were off with one of your whores," the man snarled. "I wouldn't have bothered showing up when your assistant called about the attack on the winery. I tried calling you, but you were unreachable. I had to rush here to make sure you were alive."

Nathaniel's entire demeanor shifted. His body went rigid, jaw tightening as the man's words filled the room like poison. I turned to see who had so violently interrupted our breakfast, the voice sparking a familiar unease.

And then I saw him. Ethan.

My heart skipped a beat, the realization of his presence sending a cold chill down my spine. What is he doing here? I whispered to myself, the question barely escaping my lips.

Nathaniel's voice cut through the air, strained with tension. "Ethan," he said, his tone dangerously low. "What are you doing here? I thought you swore never to set foot in my house again."

Ethan's gaze flicked from Nathaniel to me, his eyes icy and calculating. In a sudden, vicious movement, he lunged toward me, his hand clamping down on my wrist with brutal force. Pain shot up my arm as he yanked me from my chair.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he spat, his face inches from mine, voice dripping with contempt. "Did you come after my father just to get revenge on me for dumping your ass?"

Nathaniel sprang from his seat, his movements swift and decisive. His hand latched onto Ethan's arm, his voice a low, menacing growl. "Let her go," he ordered, fury bubbling just beneath the surface. "What do you mean by that?"

But Ethan ignored him, his eyes boring into mine, seething with venom. "You're just a gold-digging whore," he hissed. "Sleeping with old men for their money, huh? How the hell did you manage to target my father? I never mentioned him to you, not even once."

Without thinking, I reacted. My hand flew up, striking him hard across the face. The sharp sound of the slap reverberated through the room, the sting lingering in my palm. Ethan's head snapped to the side, his cheek reddening from the impact.

I glared at him, my voice steady and cold. "Yes, I slept with your father. And guess what? We're married now, which makes me your stepmother. So get used to calling me mom."

For a brief second, silence fell over the room. Then, Ethan's eyes blazed with rage, his fists clenching at his sides as he trembled with barely contained anger.