It began without ceremony. No thunderclap, no lightning bolt. Just Claire—her hair tucked behind her ear, hazel eyes lingering half a second too long across the dinner table. I knew then. Not because I wanted it, but because I recognised the feeling from other lives I never lived. The slow hunger. The quiet knowing. She was my daughter-in-law. That should have made it easy to dismiss. Instead, it made everything impossibl...

The speedboat skimmed across the Andaman Sea, the hull slicing through pale turquoise water with a deep, satisfying hum. Phi Phi lay ahead, its jagged limestone cliffs and cascading greenery rising like a dream just beginning to stir. The morning sun shimmered low, softening everything into a tropical haze. Savannah stretched her legs out across the padded bench seat, letting her head fall back with a sigh. “Twelve hours...

Part 4 – Yacht Day Morning at the Hotel | 9:00–9:30 AM The Ferrari’s low growl faded as it rolled to a stop in front of the estate hotel, the sound oddly refined in the early-morning air. Christopher stepped out, fresh from a cool shower and dressed for the day, light-blue linen shirt over tailored navy shorts, leather sandals, overnight bag slung casually over one shoulder. His aviators were in place, and the only giveaw...

We were having our monthly Saturday party. Mark and Mona came in ready to party but for another reason. They put their contributions to the party on the table. Mona found a place on the couch, and Mark asked who needed a drink. “Did you two start without us, or what’s up?” Stacey asked. Mark found a place on the floor with a pillow; “I went to see my dad yesterday. His next-door neighbor was over having a beer. I sat and...

Jenna sat quietly in the car as we drove to my apartment. She stroked my leg as I drove, sending sparks of electricity straight to my penis and I feared that it was impossible for her to avoid noticing the rather large bulge in my trousers. "You're a quiet one, Jenna," I said, touching her hand with mine. "I'm just thinking, Tony," she said. "About what?" "About my totally underrated healing powers," she said. "You've los...

Peter Langston was a man of precision—timely flights, structured meetings, and the same hotel every time he travelled into the city. The Grand was more than just a place to rest; it was a ritual. The staff knew him well enough to greet him with warm familiarity. “Good evening, Mr. Langston,” the concierge would always say with a smile. “Your usual suite is ready.” But tonight was different. A delayed meeting had kept Pete...

I drove back to Amy's apartment, knocking softly on the doorframe for fear of disturbing her neighbours at 2:35. The door opened as if by magic. She hid behind it as I stepped hesitantly inside. I looked at her with a curious smile on my face. "You have a magic door?" I whispered. She burst out laughing. "Yes, there's a lot of magic happening here tonight, Billy. Disappearing men, for starters." "I know," I said, "I apolo...

Pam and I had been on the go for almost two months. Near the end of September, we started to get jobs close to home. I’ll never forget the first job we could stay home. “Coffee, Baby?” I heard that sweet little voice. I started to sit up in bed, turned to take our mugs of coffee from Pam, and lost it. She was standing there in an oversized tee shirt, pink fuzzy slippers, and her hair in curlers. I had to make a mad dash f...

I thought it might be time to turn a hobby into a part-time job. Photography had always fascinated me; there was something about capturing a fleeting moment that felt almost magical. I loved all kinds of subjects, from landscapes to portraits, but it was one experience that eventually gave my life a whole new meaning. Life at home had been quiet for years. My partner, Jane, had turned her passions toward travel, often jet...

I cried off work the next day and remained in bed until after 10:00. Fending off recriminations was a hobby of mine and I refused to allow it to infiltrate my brain. Yes, I’m an alcoholic. Yes, I’ll always be an alcoholic. Yes, I deal with it on a day by day basis. Yes, it can be difficult. There were supports in place for me and I used them when it was appropriate. I also used the crutches of support that were always ava...

Sprawled on the sofa with the evening newspaper wouldn’t be everyone’s idea of an idyllic lifestyle. It wasn’t mine either, but I was tired after a long day on the site, I hadn’t changed my clothes and I was covered in dust from head to toe. The sofa suited me just fine. I had my kids for the midweek evenings while my ex worked the night shift at the local pub. My son, Gary, aged seven, had gone to his first training sess...

I woke at 4:00. I was in Jules’ bed. Jules’ arm lay across my chest as she slept, her breathing a cute cross between a whisper and a vesper. I remembered that I’d left my phone charging in the car, so I dragged on a shirt and trousers and went to retrieve it. Jules was waking as I returned to bed. “What’s the time?” she croaked. “A little after 4:00.” “Fuck! Are you ok?” “Yes. I always wake up around this time.” “Why?” “I...