After She She Stopped Loving Him

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Sophie hadn’t been called in for ages, and tonight she’d picked out an outfit she knew he liked. To her disappointment, Charles barely paid any attention the whole time.

He was always the one in control before, but tonight, he was just going through the motions.

She didn’t dare say a word; instead, she quietly took care of everything, hoping not to upset him.

“Hey Charles, is that a new watch?” she ventured, trying to break the silence.

The brand wasn’t exactly luxury–at most, it cost just a bit over a hundred grand. It really didn’t fit someone with his status.

Charles lit a cigarette, draped his long arm over the back of the couch, and responded lazily, “Yeah.”

Sensing Charles was in a funk, Sophie snuggled into his arms. “Is your wife getting on your nerves again?”

She’d thrown out sly comments like that before–Charles never stuck up for that nag back home.

But tonight, he just frowned a bit. “What could she possibly do to bother me?”

His voice was laid–back, almost indifferent.

Sophie was totally hooked on that irresistible mix of tenderness and cold indifference he gave off. She snuggled into his arms, her heart fluttering with sweetness.

“Didn’t you say she’s boring? Isn’t it always awkward between you two, like you have nothing to talk about?” she pressed, trying to keep him engaged.

Charles took a drag on his cigarette, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he blew out a smoke ring. “Do you and I really have that much to talk about?” he replied, his voice lazy.

He thought to himself, ‘If I wanted actual conversation, I’d rather just chat with my business partners.‘

Sophie intertwined her arms around Charles’s neck, flashing him a coy grin. “All I need to do is keep you happy, Charles.”

Charles appreciated her tactful attitude–it was exactly why he indulged her.

He let out a low chuckle and brushed a lingering kiss against her lips. Right as he was about to speak, his phone lit up with a call from an unfamiliar number.

didn’t feel like picking up,

was an eerie static, then a disguised, menacing voice–clearly the

you want her back in one

voice threatened.

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instant. He shoved Sophie aside and got to

Charles heard Renee’s desperate, broken cries echo through the

“I was just out shopping and suddenly they grabbed me–I don’t even know where I am! I think they’re after Yolanda; it’s gotta be something

anything else, the kidnapper snatched the phone

steady. ‘They’re just trying to

“We don’t want your money, Mr. Sinclair. You have two hours

that, the call was cut

to ask what was happening, but the look on his face was so intense, she didn’t dare say

*****

when she heard someone knocking on the

was taken aback to see Charles.

fixed his gaze on her face for a second, blinked, then

room for argument in

“Let

he said flatly, his grip

was still in a nightgown–so thin and flimsy, she felt

silent and

suit jacket and carefully draped it

in was the unmistakable, overpowering fragrance of another woman

off, but Charles spoke first. “Renee’s been kidnapped. The kidnappers want me to hand you over

up at him,

10:34 Sat, Sep 20

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but totally cold–blooded. “Yolanda, the guys we’re dealing with are extreme. Renee’s my own sister. I can’t risk anything