Shadow Love Book One

Chapter One

"What the fuck is still keeping you in the kitchen, you wretched bitch?!" A deep voice growled from the dining room causing the man in the kitchen to tremble in fear.

It was Leonard Parker, James' father-in-law.

"I'm almost done, sir. I'll be there in a few minutes." James Thomas' heart skipped and raced heavily while responding politely.

Leonard was a physique body-built man who always beat him up constantly, not because he had no strength, but because he showed him respect as his elder and, most especially, his father-in-law.

"You better be fast with whatever you're doing, fool!" Leonard barked, settling comfortably on the chair in the dining area.

He then sighed exasperatedly, letting his angry face slowly shift to that of concern. "Olivia?" He called out to his daughter, James' wife, calmly. "How's the company going? Getting better?" He asked.

Olivia let out a frustrating sigh and reluctantly nodded her head, "Yes, it's moving fine. I'm just putting in my best to see that things work out well." She replied, leaning forward on her seat.

"So sorry, sis. You have been doing this all alone without any assistance." Amelia, Olivia's younger sister, said, clearly concerned.

"And please, know that we're right behind you. Don't stop. Our family's financial stability depends on this family company. Keep striving, okay?" Grandma Aurora added.

"Thank you, Grandma." Olivia nodded, feeling eased. "I'll forever continue to put in my best." She replied and Aurora smiled, impressed by her answer.

"Indeed, you're taking after-" She halted in her words immediately James walked in with a tray of dishes in his hand.

Aurora's smile quickly faded away, twisting into a disdainful look. Everyone equally looked at him disdainfully except Evelyn. It took them, if not almost everything in them, to spit in his face.

"Here he comes. Such a wretched and useless man." She spat, her anger towards James flaring. "So useless that he can't even support the family in terms of finance. Just wondering why he's still living in this house." Her gaze shifted between James and Olivia before finally settling on James.

She had always instructed Olivia to file for a divorce but Olivia wasn't heeding despite her hatred for James.

James only sighed, ignored her, and started to dish out the meal into each bowl, setting them in front of everyone. He occasionally looked at Olivia, his wife with admiration.

Olivia was dressed in a pink gown and her black hair was neatly packed, cascading at her back as she settled comfortably on the chair. Her face was thick with makeup, adding to her beauty which shone like the morning star.

"James, what kept you so stuck in the kitchen? You should know that Olivia had some tasks to tackle today and she wouldn't leave without having her breakfast." Evelyn questioned, her voice soft.

James glanced at Olivia before shifting his eyes to Evelyn, "I'm sorry, Mom." He apologized, sincerely. "I was just-" He tried to explain but Olivia angrily cut him off.

"Just shut up and stop trying to give those nonsense excuses of yours!" She yelled, her eyes blasting with anger.