JohnWhen he got home, John opened the door with a certain apprehension. He didn’t know why he felt that way. Elizabeth was there, as always. She looked up when she saw him come in.“Good evening, John.” Her voice sounded soft and gentle.“Good evening,” he replied, watching her. His eyes scanned Elizabeth from head to toe; she was wearing a new gray dress, plain, with long sleeves, which seemed to make her presence even less noticeable. It had the same pattern as the clothes he had given her.“I see you went out today,” he said, his voice cold, devoid of any apparent emotion, hiding his frustration. “Did you buy new clothes?”Elizabeth looked down and nodded, feeling embarrassed as she sensed John’s gaze sweeping over her.“Yes,” she said simply.John was silent for a few seconds. He moved closer. His gaze reflected indifference, but inside, something heavy gnawed at his chest. This wasn’t how he had expected to find her. He wanted to see her in soft or bright colors, with a sparkl

It was early, and, as on almost every morning, James was driving young Mrs. Walker to her appointment at the church. The sky still had the bluish hues of dawn, and the sun was beginning to rise; the streets were deserted.James had noticed that, that morning, his young mistress was even sadder. Her dejected expression, dull eyes, and faint dark circles betrayed a sleepless night. Even so, she maintained her composed demeanor as she got into the car, greeting him with her usual politeness, though her voice came out weak.The car driven by James had just left the upscale neighborhood when, suddenly, a black car skidded and blocked the front. James immediately sensed the danger. He put the car in reverse, but another vehicle appeared from behind, blocking his path.“Get down, ma’am!” he ordered urgently.Elizabeth threw herself onto the floor of the car without hesitation, her heart racing. James drew his gun, his eyes scanning the scene. They were surrounded. Two men got out of the car

John strode across the lobby with long, firm steps. Employees turned to watch him, sensing the heavy atmosphere emanating from his presence. Bruce came running up, getting into the car at the same time as his boss.“Sir, has something happened?” he asked, out of breath.“They tried to kidnap my wife,” John said, his voice choked with worry.Bruce’s eyes widened in surprise. Who would dare do such a thing to John Walker? They certainly didn’t know who they were dealing with.“When? Is she okay?”“It was earlier today. James managed to stop them, but he’s injured. I’ve already asked Carlson to investigate.”Bruce knew: when Carlson was called in, either the kidnappers would be arrested, or… At the hospital, John’s arrival did not go unnoticed. The women watched him with admiration—his bearing, his good looks, and his aura of authority left no one indifferent. Bruce, quick on his feet, located Elizabeth in a VIP waiting room.Upon entering the room, John saw her sitting alone, hugging h

Elizabeth spent the day overcome by a silent anguish. The scenes from that morning still pulsed vividly in her mind: the screams, the gunshots, the fear... and James, bleeding to protect her. Every moment, she silently thanked God for having come out unscathed and for James still being alive.When John arrived home, he found her sitting in the living room, her gaze distant, her fingers clasped in her lap. For the first time, he looked at her differently. His stern expression softened, and his voice sounded gentle.“I’m so sorry you had to go through all that. I promise nothing like this will ever happen again. I’ve already had your car replaced with an armored model. And, if you want, I can beef up your personal security.”He spoke like someone who cared about her. Elizabeth couldn’t help but be moved. “While James recovers, my driver and one of the security guards will accompany you wherever you want to go.” “Thank you, John,” she murmured, her voice breaking.“Do you need anything

ElizabethThe next day was their second wedding anniversary, and Elizabeth woke up with a fluttering heart. Despite their constant distance, something had changed between them since the kidnapping attempt. John was more present at home, even with his commitments and travels. They had had dinner together a few times and even exchanged pleasantries, something unthinkable just months earlier.So, that morning, she woke up happy, put on a simple black dress made of light fabric, and prepared coffee with the utmost care, choosing everything he liked best. She knew John enjoyed new flavors, and for that special day, she tried a different recipe made with eggs, fresh herbs, and a cake filled with lemon cream.Unlike other days, she didn’t go to church that morning. She wanted to serve him personally. At seven o’clock sharp, John came downstairs, adjusting his tie as he walked to the dining room. He was surprised to see her finishing setting the table.“Good morning, John,” she said, trying t