If I die today, then..... “I love you, Jamie, Cherish… Ja…”

“Are you fucking insane?” With a harsh pull, I was dragged away from the road. Now, lying next to the road, I was relieved. What happened? Why was I unable to get away from the road? How did I reach there from the track? So many questions. But I think, closing my eyes will help me. I may get time to process about my frozen mind.

“I would love if you die but if my daughter ever asks about her mommy, then I would tell her, you left her.” I heard James.

Opening my eyes, hovering over me was James. His forest green eyes looking directly into my soul… Like he understands the depth of damage he has done to me… To my soul, my life, my kids — Our kids.

The proximity of us… Mr and Mrs Carter… First time, without the involvement of any force. It was voluntary, like both of us is habitual of this… This nearness…. But the reality was the opposite of its appearance. We were never close. I did try a few times to be in his life but faced rejections and was awarded with abuse. So, naturally, this is making me uncomfortable.

I tried to push James away from me, but he didn't move. In fact, he looked amused. His charismatic eyes eyed at me like he was waiting for the right movement to pounce at me.

“There was no number on the car.” Our short-lived physical interaction was interrupted by a busy voice.

Getting up, James forcefully pulled me up and without my consent, he started to dust my clothes. His hands brushed my thigh… But I did feel those hands stopping for a nanosecond on my butt. Like, that was the dirtiest place on my body. Then, when his hands travel up towards my neck through my stomach, he stopped… cupping my cheeks in his hands.

“Cherish will lose herself if anything happens to her mommy…. Mrs Carter.” James said, looking into my eyes. Then, he pulled out my glasses and cleaned them before returning them.

Wearing my glasses, I focused on the face of the busy voice. It is the same driver from last night… But today, he is more casual, wearing black Cargo and a t-shirt and… His gun is at display. Doesn't he think about kids? Does he want to traumatise kids?

“You?” I exclaimed and pointed at the man… Who is probably stalking me.

Both men ignored me and continued their work.

“Who was it?” James continues to look for injuries in my arms and asked the stalker.

“There was no number plate.” Answering, the stalker looked around like he is searching for someone.

“Then why I am paying you?” James snapped, causing me to flinch.

“You are not paying me, I am working for Mark Rogers.” The stalker rolled his eyes.

“I thought he assures total safety.” James almost attack. “I terminated you from the job of her bodyguard.”

He is my bodyguard. He is not a stalker.

“She is safe… We would have stopped the car if you didn't jump in the scene.” The stalker was calm… And I was inspired. His every word was calculative, and this was inspiring. It reduces the chance of damaging the scene.

“I can't be cool when Mrs Carter is being attacked.” James grabbed my arms and dragged me back into the track, where I saw countless Blackthorn flowers on trees which symbolises Fate, protection, hope against adversity, good fortune.

“That was not attacked… Our team will look into the case.” The bodyguard followed us.

“Fuck off..... Garcia.” James didn't turn back and continued to walk.

“You are hurting me.” whimpering, I stopped, and James obliged.

“Leave her.” The bodyguard called Garcia growled.

“She is mine, and I can do whatever I want to do with her.” James pulled me closer to his chest.

“It hurts.” Ignoring the men, I whined in pain, but James didn't leave my arms, so I bite him.

My mission failed and James looked at me with his amusing smile. And, this is the first time I saw him smile live… The charming smile, hypnotic smile, heartbreaking smile, sober smile.

He is not drunk today.

“So Mrs Carter is feisty now.” Low. Soft. Whispering. He sounded entertained.

“Leave me.” I dared to challenge him.

“Never.” James hissed with a hint of a promise. Is going to continue to hurt me?

“Are you my bodyguard?” I asked Garcia without, breaking eye contact with forest green eyes.

Garcia, the bodyguard, hummed in reply and I even heard him approaching towards us.

“I feel danger around Mr Carter. Make sure he is not around me.” I ordered Garcia.

They both laughed like manic… Like recited a joke. They are not taking me seriously. I didn't joke. I was serious. Garcia man is supposed to protect me and If I don't feel safe around anyone, then he should throw them away.

Then suddenly, James was pushed away from me. The expression of the moneymaker was surprised. His eyes were wide with the realisation that he was pushed away by the man who gets paid by him to protect his wife because his wife demanded this.

“I will make sure to ruin Rogers.” James stormed towards Garcia, but I stopped my husband.

Garcia is a massive man, with a scary appearance. He is a bodyguard by profession. He knows how to fight. It's his daily job.

“He is doing his job.” I justified Garcia's action.

“He fucking pushed me,” James screamed at the top of his voice.

“I told him.” I tried to calm him.

“He fucking pushed me away from you,” James argued.

“You are a danger to my project… To Mrs Carter.” Garcia interrupted.

“We will talk about it… Thank you, Mr Garcia.” I tried to be polite.

Chuckling, “It's Victor, Mrs Carter.” He said.

We were walking to a known path while Victor maintain his distance. I utilise the time to realise that I have been followed by this type of man for the past 1 and a half years. They have been following me for such a long time, and they have been hired by James. They work for James, report to James… Which means James knows about Jamie?

James didn't leave my wrist until we reach my home.

Wait!!

James knows my place.

Because he brought it for you as a divorce settlement.

Of course!

“Yo… You a…are no…not invited.” I stammered because I am sure his obsession with sons is not over. Despite having a kid with my psychiatrist, he used to cry for Malcolm. And I am the daughter of that man who run the car over his first wife and son. His beloved family is no more because of my father, who destroyed his family on the spot.

“I don't need your permission,” James growled.

“You need her permission.” Daniel run towards us. “It's her house… Under her name. She is the owner.” Standing in between James and me, Daniel faced James.

I hope Norma takes Jamie and run again. I will die if James takes Jamie from me.

“She didn't do anything to earn this luxury.” James controlled himself.

“She dropped her dreams for you. Waited for you… She did everything to deserve this… her body and your kids… She carried your name with pride. Not only that, but she is your cheerleader…” A pause. “Trust me.” Daniel's words touched the untouched place in my heart. I never thought about it. I carried 4 Carter in my womb, yet I never got the respect. I prayed for the success of James, yet it was Dr Harrington, who got the credit. I deserve more than I got. I deserve respect, credit, and my dreams…

This is right. Divorce is right. And, this time, James is right. This divorce is necessary.

“We can talk….next week. The settlement.” I interrupted, meekly.

James looked at me with anger before he jogged away. Despite being in his 40s, James is a desired man. His broad shoulder was his reward as a player in his university times, a toned body is his prize for hard work. Whatever he has, he owns them.

“Who are you?” Daniel's voice caught my attention. He asked Victor.

“I recently learned that this is Victor..... My bodyguard.” I smiled at both of the men.

Daniel was quiet… Debating about my words, mentally. His eyes said everything.

“James hired you?' Daniel finally asked.

"No, Mr Carter hired Rogers security firm,” Victor answered.

The answer gave Daniel almost a heart attack. Holding his chest, Daniel looked at the sky. He mumbled a few inaudible words.

“Does he know about his son?” Daniel asked.

.