CHAPTER 66: 8 YEARS AGO IV
James stared at Paris, his voice barely a whisper. "Paris, you told me you didn't want children that we could adopt. You said you were happy... as long as I was with you."
"So how is all this possible can you just explain to me what's going on. Infact if you say its not you in that recording i will believe". James said desperately trying to cling unto any slight glimmer of hope.
Paris pushed him off her and stood up with a steely glare and resolve as she thought 'could this man be any more foolish and stupid'?.
Paris finally met his gaze, her expression devoid of warmth, her voice cold and controlled. "Why will you believe me James despite seeing all the evidence? You want answers, James? Fine."
She placed her hands on akimbo and stared at him. "Yes, i was with you when i had those four abortions. And all the men you see in those pictures i slept with all of them, i just don't understand how you ended up finding out so quickly because you were never supposed to find out." Each of her word was a fresh blow to James, shattering the illusion of their relationship.
A flicker of something dark crossed her eyes, a stark contrast to the woman he thought he loved. James recoiled, a mixture of betrayal and confusion swirling within him.
"Paris" James called out, his voice a broken plea. "Can you not say this things to me, i beg you".
She stared down at James like he was a dirt rag, all the hatred of how nice he had treated her all these years resurfacing in that single moment.
'He shouldn't have treated her so nicely, Paris thought. She didn't deserve to be treated in such a way. If only he had been more brutal, she would have loved him more"
"Paris," he pleaded, his voice cracking. "Please. Tell me why."
Silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating. Paris's mask faltered for a moment, a flicker of vulnerability betraying her facade. But then it was gone, replaced by a determined resolve.
"Why?" she finally spat, her voice laced with something like... hatred? "Because you were weak, James. Easy to control. And I needed someone like that."
"I already had my sights on you, and i knew what i had to do to get you do what i wanted. Damn your stupid brother finding all these out".
James looked at her and nodded. "I still don't care Paris, am willing to accept you back. I really don't care that you did all these things". James stood up and tried to pull her closer to him, but Paris laughed and pushed him off.
"Paris!" James shouted desperately, "i dont care what you've done as long as you promise not to do them again, i will still take you back so please come back to me am begging you please".
James thought to himself, this woman did not just understand it. She was his salvation. If she was not in his life what was he to do, how would he survive or cope. She was all he got. Infact he needed her desperately. If only she was willing to change for him he would forego anything and everything.
A harsh laugh escaped her lips. "You still don't get it, do you, James Alfred?"
She leaned closer, her voice dripping with venom. "The truth, James is? I... I was the one who caused your mother's illness. I made you the scapegoat. It was all part of the game. Everything that has happened to you until now, was all part of it, that was how i knew how to get you."
James felt a physical blow land in his gut. The woman he loved, the woman who'd saved him, was a stranger. A cold fury began to simmer beneath his despair. This was the last straw that broke the camel's back. His mother was the most important woman to him until he lost her and met Paris. He thought she could feel that void. Infact she did fill the void, but hearing this from her now....his mind was reeling.
"What did you just say to me Paris?",
Paris stared at him, a cruel smile playing on her lips. "Let's just say I knew how to push your buttons, James." Her words were a twisted echo of the loving promises she'd once whispered.
James's vision blurred with tears of rage, the weight of her revelation crushing him. The world seemed to tilt on its axis as the truth he'd desperately clung to shattered into a million pieces.
He slumped to his knees, his spirit crushed as tears streamed down his face. "Why, Paris? Why me? How did i offend you for you to do all these things, i loved you with all my heart and being. I already dreamed up a future for us where you had everything".
A cruel smile played on her lips. "That's because you are a monster James. After i saw what you could do i decided to exploit you".
"Do you really think there is a woman that will ever love you without reservations? Paris gave a shrill laugh and continued.
"No woman will love a monster like you. You were made from the loins of the devil himself. You should be lucky that i even spent all this years with you. Goodluck finding a woman that will love you for who and what you are. You James are the worst of the scum".
"Stop!" James screamed, "don't take it too far Paris, you are piercing my heart more".
"Then i had better kill you. The world would be better off without you".
She went into the kitchen, grabbed a knife and came at him.
She did not get within 10ft of him before the door burst open.
Jared rushed in, followed by 10 other burly men. He froze at the scene before him – James on the floor, and Paris wielding a knife, ready to stab him, her face contorted with rage.
He immediately turned to look at the burly men, "well what are you waiting for?"
They immediately held her and dragged her out as she screamed to be released at the top of her voice.
Jared knelt beside James, his face etched with concern. "James," he said softly, "it's okay now. We're here."
James looked up at his brother, his eyes filled with a chilling emptiness. "How long have you known?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Jared's heart ached for his brother. "Long enough," he replied, his voice heavy with regret. "But I never imagined... this."
His voice trailed off as he shook his head at his brother's pitiable state.
'How the mighty had fallen', he thought to himself.
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