Anna Rivera was furious. The man she had once publicly humiliated was now standing there, wrapped in the arms of two women, looking like a winner in life.
She couldn't bear the humiliation and a wave of indignation burned within her.
Unable to hold back, she stormed forward from the crowd, crying out for sympathy.
"Everyone, judge for yourselves! This cheat was stringing along three women at once, then dropped me the moment he found a new fling, after leading me on for three or four years..."
At her words, the already curious onlookers began pointing fingers at James, whispering and speculating.
However, no one rushed forward to defend Anna Rivera.
After all, in a world full of players, James was hardly unique.
Was it the woman's fault for falling for a sleazeball?
But then Anna Rivera's subsequent accusations piqued the crowd's interest.
"Not only is he a cheat, but he's also a pervert! Even when I was on my period, he wouldn't leave me alone. When I refused, he threatened to send my nudes to my family..."
The gathering quieted down, all ears now fully tuned into Anna Rivera's exposé.
This kind of juicy gossip was right up their alleyâwhat they had been waiting for.
They were eager to see if more shocking revelations were coming.
"The last time he got me pregnant, he gave me only three hundred dollars for an abortion, claiming the baby wasn't his..."
This revelation was like a bombshell to those listening, leaving their jaws practically on the floor.
Wave after wave of drama left them reeling.
They widened their eyes as Anna Rivera sank to the ground, drowning in tears of bitterness and resentment as she cataloged her man's transgressions.
Her raw, anguished cries seemed genuine. Combined with the damning accusation that this man had juggled three women, disgust towards James thickened.
People muttered their disdain, the noise swelling accompanied by disparaging glances thrown James's way. What kind of monster strings along three women and treats one so callously?
While the site grew riotously loud, mixing into a cacophony of disbelief,
Tailsa, upon hearing the sobbing accusations, momentarily forgot to keep biting James.
Dumbstruck, she turned from Anna Rivera to James, eyes full of astonishment.
She was less astonished by James's alleged history as a philanderer,
and more by the implication that he would enjoy engaging with a woman during her period.
How reckless! Doesn't he know that's unsanitary?
Feeling obliged, Tailsa thought of advising James on female health, but now... she was hesitant.
Meanwhile, James was feeling incredibly uneasy, like he was sitting on a bed of nails.
He hadn't anticipated that Anna would sink to such depths to malign him.
He wanted to defend himself, but she was behaving irrationally, throwing a wrench into reason.
Exasperated, he sighed.
If this was how she wanted it, he'd play along.
"Anna Rivera, do you know why I broke up with you?"
His voice was calm, laced with confidence that compelled everyone to stop and listen.
An air of assuredness that came naturally to those with wealth and confidence.
"It's because you fell for someone else, you heartless bastard who deserves a thousand cuts!" Anna retorted.
Though tears didn't fill her eyes, she feigned brokenhearted sobs to garner sympathy.
"Not entirely," James admitted frankly, with a sigh of regret. "It's also because you've gotten uglier. When we met, you were quite pretty. Now even with makeup, you're unappealing. It hurts to look at you, really. Tsk, tsk, tsk..."
Anna Rivera's breath caught in her throat, hardly believing what she was hearing. Trembling, she demanded,
"What did you say?"
James chuckled without a care and continued without hesitation,
"I said you've aged. Your skin's dull, your wrinkles are showing, you've lost collagen, and your hair's thinning..."
Nothing wounds a woman more deeply than critiquing the things she cares most about.
Such remarks linger like cruel echoes each time she looks in the mirror.
Discovering a bit of sagging skin or noticing a few stray hairs can lead to a sleepless night filled with self-doubt.
Especially if it's a man pointing them outâthe hurt is comparable to a woman telling a man he's got no job prospects or home.
Anna was livid. She hadn't expected James to humiliate her so mercilessly, especially in front of a crowd.
At one time, James treasured her dearly, and now he showed no restraint in declaring her old and ugly.
"Ahhhhhh!"
Screaming, she launched herself at James, as if a fuse in her mind had finally snapped, hands raised and ready to shred him and the woman beside him.
Driven by fury, she cared for nothing but avenging her tarnished pride.
Her explosive speed got her to James in the blink of an eye.
Just when it seemed a fight was inevitable, Jay Johnson, who had been standing faithfully behind James, coolly stepped forward, blocking Anna's path as he glared down at her with frigid eyes.
His towering, 6'3" frame cast an intimidating presence, accentuated by his muscular build visible beneath a snug T-shirt.
Rendered speechless by fear, Anna halted mere inches away, looking up at Jay Johnson.
His face was devoid of expression, a chilling façade. Any attempt to attack him could mean being thrown out like trash.
"Hey Bro Jay, your paycheck's coming a little early next month," James commented with a grin.
Jay didn't acknowledge the gesture; instead, he maintained his stoic demeanor, encouraging Anna to back down without a fight.
He preferred not to get physical unless absolutely necessary, aware that he might break something on her frail frame. That might complicate things with the authorities.
"James, a horrible death awaits you! Tomorrow your family will crash and burn, your women will be..."
Spewing venom with loathing, Anna couldn't bring herself to take a swing, so she aimed pointed curses instead.
At least, verbal assault wasn't against the law.
She stuck out her hip in defiance, waving a finger in his face.
"Think I won't touch you?"
James's expression darkened. Bringing up his family crossed the line. As far as he was concerned, that was a guaranteed fight.
He'd gotten into more than a few scraps back in the day defending his mom.
"Come on, hit me like you used to! Go on, in front of everyone! Show them who you really are," taunted Anna, her voice rising into a desperate crescendo.
Her curses grew louder, full of frenetic energy, but James stayed his hand.
Anna had begun to mistake James for her exâa cheating, abusive lowlife. She relived memories of him as she hurled venomous accusations at James.
"You beat me with a towel-wrapped rod and shoved my head into the toilet!" she cried, her wails resonating with those gathered, further feeding their distrust of James.
Seeing her desperation, some began dialing women's advocacy groups, urging them to send someone over to detain James.
Tailsa, unfamiliar with Anna, saw her speaking so convincingly and was a bit worried. She whispered nervously to James,
"What's she on about with you...yer family?"
James's expression became more somber, and he met Tailsa's eyes.
"You believe her?"
His unwavering gaze broke through her trepidation. Over the past couple of days, James had been nothing but kind and considerate to Tailsa, never using force, always gentle.
Even in bed, he catered to her whims, prompting her to stay beside him.
Maintaining her trust but avoiding eye contact, Tailsa quietly mumbled,
"How do I know what weird thoughts you guys might have?"
James simply frowned. "I don't hit women," he declared, then inwardly added, "I let others do that if the need arises."
Tailsa huffed softly, "Just so you know, if you ever lay a hand on me, I'll lay hands on your son."
Quiet, calm, and containing the same quirky humor and tension, this version in an American novel style maintains the spirit of the narrative.