Backstabber for 500

By Jacqueline Fieck

Life seems perfect for Winnie and Jack. They are two unlikely souls who found each other by chance. Valentine's day is soon approaching. Winnie believes Jack will finally propose after three years of dating. Unfortunately, things don't go exactly according to her plan. She is made aware of the dystopian lifestyle she was dwelling in for several years. Winnie runs back to her past to find peace for the present and future. She must overcome areas in her life where she fell short. The trials she faces aren't easy, but she finds there is something to be learned and done. This adventurous tale is full of romance, pain, new beginnings, and a splash of crime. Sometimes people never learn their lesson until it's too late. The grass isn't always greener on the other side of things. Sometimes you need to work with your own space instead of living out of jealousy. An unexpected ending is awaiting you, dear reader.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jacqueline Fieck
• Release date: Feb 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215206805

Book preview

Backstabber for 500

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By Jacqueline Fieck

Copyright Ⓒ 2023 Jacqueline Fieck

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission. This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental. Jacqueline Fieck asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks, and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

Self-published February 2023

Dedication:

Sometimes we fall in love with the wrong one. There is always an opportunity for things to change and work out for your good. Seek God for assistance in your life so that you can overcome in every area of your life.

Much love dear reader,

Jacqueline Fieck

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Epilogue

Salvation

About the Author

Other books by Jacqueline Fieck

Chapter 1

Winnie gripped Jack’s hand tightly while they crossed the street. Her auburn curls blew in the chilly wind. She smiled at passersby during their walk to the grocery store. She felt like she was walking on a cloud. After three years with Jack, she believed he would pop the question sometime soon. She dropped hints for a while until he told her to stop nagging. Throughout the recent weeks he was acting weird, like he was trying to hide something. She forced herself to not ruin the surprise by searching their apartment for a jewelry box.

They entered the grocery store quickly to escape the growing cold. Although grocery shopping seemed like a meaningless activity to some, Winnie enjoyed every minute with her wonderful boyfriend. His funny, charming, and quiet personality added to the enjoyable activities they shared.

Their favorite pass time included watching a trivia game show. Contestants had to answer each trivia question in question form. Every night they learned various interesting facts together.

Winnie accompanied Jack while he picked out several items to use for their Valentine’s Day dinner. She hoped Tuesday was the day Jack worked up the courage to propose. If he didn’t, her disappointment could be masked by the amazing food Jack prepared often. She loved when he cooked for her. His five-star chef training prepared him to be the better half to cook in the kitchen. Winnie couldn’t make anything past cereal or toast, which sometimes didn’t go well either.

After deciding on several special and high-quality ingredients for dinner and the week ahead, they checked out before returning back to their quaint apartment on the east side of town where there was less criminal activity. Upon returning home, Jack prepared supper while Winnie danced around the living room. Jack laughed at her like she was the funniest person in the world. It was a moment of pure bliss.

Babe, can you please set up the tv trays? Dinner is almost ready! Jack claimed.

Sure thing, Hun. Winnie replied. Do you need anything else?

She hugged his slender body from behind. He released a deep sigh. No. I got this. He answered.

Winnie smiled then kissed his back. Jack turned around quickly then kissed her deeply. After three years they still hadn’t lost their passion. If anything, their moments of passion grew with each passing day.

They ate while watching the intuitive game show. Jack got most of the questions right, as usual. He was extremely smart. Winnie found it interesting Jack chose to be a chef instead of pursuing a higher career with his superior intellect.

Regardless, Winnie loved every bit of the man sitting next to her on the couch. He was the full package. His green eyes sparkled with wonder every time they looked at each other.

Dinner and the show were finished in no time. Winnie cleaned up as usual while Jack turned on a crime documentary. She half listened from the kitchen. His obsession with crime was too much during various occasions. He fancied murder documentaries when he couldn’t sleep. Waking up to shrieks in the middle of the night didn’t allow her to get her much needed beauty rest. She handled enough crime during the daytime hours. She didn’t need to relive it at home too.

Babe, I’m going to take a bath then go to bed. Winnie explained on her way to the bedroom.

Okay. Give me a kiss first. He urged.

Winnie marched around to face Jack. She knelt down to kiss him on the couch. Their lips met creating a buzzing feeling within her mind and heart. She felt like she was floating on air once again.

She levitated to the bathroom to start running hot water before stripping naked in the bedroom. The moment her body hit the steaming water she instantly relaxed. The much-needed time of relief assisted with her sanity and rejuvenation after a long day’s work.

Working as a lawyer was a double-edged sword killing her with stress while rewarding her with breakthroughs in other’s lives at the same time. She enjoyed being able to help parents and families get on with their lives. Although seeing children ripped apart between two greedy parents wasn’t the best feeling in the world. Her family practice was growing with each case, which made the agony worth it.

At the age of twenty-eight, she had everything in life. The perfect job, apartment, opportunities for the future, and best of all the perfect guy who loved and supported her. He had everything she wanted in a man and more. She believed God really blessed her with a winning specimen of a man.

Winnie slowly started slipping into sleep. Her dark bronzed body finally relaxed enough to catch a break. She heard the door crack open, so she sunk deeper into the small patches of bubbles in the tub. Jack stuck his head in with his eyes closed.

Babe, did you fall asleep again? He laughed.

Yeah... What time is it?

Nearly eleven.

Oh gosh! I’ll be right out.

Jack closed the door tightly behind him. Winnie stepped out of the tub carefully. She changed into her pajamas in the bathroom before joining Jack in their large bed. She eased under the covers on her side.

Good night, Babe. He sighed then draped his lean arm around her center.

Good night, Honey. Love you.

Love you too.

He started softly snoring almost immediately. She eventually joined the chorus playing through the large room. The bath helped ease the tightly strained muscles pulled taunt throughout her body from stress and hard work. Thankfully she dreamed of happy days with Jack instead of reliving nightmares from her past.

Their cat, Rufus, jumped onto the bed sometime throughout the night because she woke up with him on her face around three in the morning. She sleepily rolled to touch Jack’s bare pillow before rolling back over, taking the cat with her. He curled under her arm and started purring. She was sad Jack was missing from her side. His presence helped her feel protected and safe. Regardless, she allowed herself to sleep.

She slipped back into a deep slumber until the burning sunlight started streaming through the thin teal curtains hanging against the oak windowpane. Her alarm quickly followed. She begrudgingly hit the off button on her phone and released a deep huff. She looked to the right to see Jack still missing.

Winnie emerged from the burrito bundle of blankets to get ready for another day of work. She was happy to have a lovely dinner and boyfriend to return to after a long day with stressful situations. Jack brought her peace and helped her escape after rough days.

She could hardly wait for the upcoming events of the next day, Valentine’s day. She planned to give Jack the gaming console he had on his wish list for a while. She was kind of scared of him utilizing all his time playing games instead of enjoying her company. She assumed he would balance his precious time well considering his great work ethic.

Winnie entered the open tan living room and kitchen area with brown walls and muted colors. She found Jack passed out on the plaid blue couch. Their old-fashioned box tv continued showing a horrible crime marathon. She wanted to shut it off but didn’t for fear of Jack waking up cranky. She was just happy she didn’t hear high pitched screaming in the middle of the night, again.

She was careful to not wake Jack with her quick morning routine. After years of getting to know each other, she knew how much Jack hated to be waked up, especially if he didn’t sleep well the night before. Her routine was made around his constant tv and couch life. She decided to follow routine by stopping for breakfast and coffee on her way to work. The small diner near her office had the best pastries and coffee in town. She quickly grabbed her coat after putting on her boots.

She rushed out the door to the garage hidden behind their building to collect her silver Mercedes. She drove through traffic toward her office. Once she arrived, she parked in front of her building then walked down the block to the local diner.

After purchasing something nice to eat and drink, she eased through the fresh snow to her office. She texted Jack the moment she sat in her desk chair. He didn’t respond right away, so she assumed he was still sleeping. Thankfully he didn’t need to go into work until sometime after noon most days.

Winnie started to work with her assistant on their latest case. They began doing research and paperwork to build a soundproof case to guarantee their client a win in the courtroom. She was a determined fighter.

Throughout the day she continually peered at the clock. As the morning came to a close, she knew it would be a long day and extended night. The case needed extra attention since it wasn’t cut and dry.

The cases that involved extra hours and hard work were most rewarding but also the most stressful. She wasn’t afraid of long hours, especially because she believed her time was well spent behind her desk and in the court room. Winnie loved her taxing job because she could prevent good families from facing the life she had to endure throughout her adolescence.

Her parents finally separated after years