Chapter: Bonus ChapterZoey's POV 6 months later "Thank you," Taking the glass out of Alex's hand, I examine the cold beverage. The water on the outside that runs down my bare hand sends a shiver up my spine. It is weird how she still sticks with me after all these months, after I straight up lied to her face for so long. She was the only one who actually reached out to me after though. I explained everything and we both agreed to forget about it. I haven’t seen her brother since that night, which is not really much of a surprise since he clearly disapproved of my pregnancy. He doesn’t care about the baby. He only sends handsome loads of money, along with the full ten million dollars I was promised, but I refuse to accept anything from him. He needs to learn that money can't fix everything. "It's the pasteurized stuff." She gives me a reassuring smile. Plopping back down on the lounge chair, she swirl in her own drink. "I made sure of it." I smile softly, thanking her again. I am just hyper conscious o
Last Updated: 2022-06-25
Chapter: His Dilemma Xavier's POV I look over at the two beautiful women standing in front of me. A look of extreme guilt rests on both of their faces. "Does this have anything to do with what you wanted to talk about later?" I direct the question to Zoey, already knowing the exact answer: Yes, it does. Alex cast her eyes to the floor before quietly excusing herself, leaving Zoey and I alone in the long hall. She folds her slim arms across her chest looking down at the floor. "Come with me." I turn on my heel and walk to the nearest room so we can have a private conversation. What she said about thinking she was pregnant has been eating at me. She looked so hurt when she told me it was nothing. I guess that's why she has been avoiding me the entire week. She wants a child. If I'm being completely honest, I really do not want a kid right now. I have so many things to think of and balance. Having a kid would not be healthy for the both of us. I would need to give him or her all the love and support
Last Updated: 2022-06-24
Chapter: The TruthZoey's POV I groan looking at my reflection in the mirror. My hair is combed neatly in a sleek low ponytail and a light layer of makeup settle on my face. Twisting my body sideways I look down at my belly. I gently rub it. It's growing but it hardly shows; it just looks like I am a bit bloated. It has been a week since I came back here and my symptoms are getting worse. I have frequent headaches, my breasts are a bit tender and I am a little fatigued and more nauseous than usual. I have an appointment tomorrow though that I have to go to with Xavier. He'd been asking questions but I just shut him down every single time. I can't bring myself to tell him, this past week especially, after what happened last week. He has a right to know, that's why I plan on telling him tonight when we get back from this engagement dinner. It is his kid regardless of our situation. I step into a pair of flats and grab my purse from the bed. I was just about to leave when I see Xavier standing at th
Last Updated: 2022-06-23
Chapter: Still on the Contract Zoey's POV I try to suppress the disappointment and the dull pain in my chest, clutching it until I can hardly breathe. The newfound pain gnaw at my throat, coming out in the form of a silent cry. Beads of salty water carelessly fall from my eyes tainting my cheeks. I sniff, trying to control it, as I slowly slide down the bathroom door and unto the cold floor. A new wave of emotion struck my heart sending a chill through my entire body. I can hardly hold it back anymore. My soundless sobs rock my body as my shoulders convulse, forcing more tears to stream from my already blurry eyes. I can feel the hot tears dripping on my blouse and hands. I squeeze my eyes shut silently letting the tears weld there. I'm so stupid! How could I have been so stupid?! I lean my head back against the wall for support, an excruciating pain jab at my chest. My hands immediately falls to my belly, rubbing my it in a circular motions, whispering comforting words to our unborn child. How could he do
Last Updated: 2022-06-22
Chapter: Secret's OutXavier's POV I roll my eyes at Natasha who staggers through the doorway of her father's secret hoard of liquor. The strong scent of vodka, mixed with the cool air, takes over the foyer almost immediately. What the fuck is she even doing here? "Finally you made it," she slurs, hiccuping as she gives me a once over. Her eyes then flicker to Zoey. She clicks her tongue and raiseher eyebrows. "This should be fun." I look behind me at Zoey. She just rolls her eyes and stand her ground. I smirk, turning back around. I swear, if she so much as lets a letter slip from her mouth I'll fuck her up real bad. My mind automatically goes back to the day when I wake up in my office drunk and angry beside a naked Natasha. I grimace. Even now I can't remember what happened. Knowing this vindictive bitch though, she'd try to ruin my life every possible chance she got. Drunk or not. I roll my eyes once more taking in her drunken state. "Uh, babe, can you go up to our room? I need to have a w
Last Updated: 2022-06-21
Chapter: It's Finally Over Zoey's POV It's over. It's finally over. I squeeze my fiance's hand lightly as he gently tugs me through the small crowd filing out of the courtroom. The eagerly awaiting paparazzi and media outlets on the concrete step quickly run up to meet us, flashing their cameras and shoving microphones in our faces. Xavier's bodyguards quickly spring into action, trying to make a safe walkway for us to get to our car. "Right this way, sir." One of them guide us while the others tried to form a semi-circle to separate us from the thick crowd. I press the dark shades to my face in order to protect my eyes from the blinding flashes. General and personal questions are thrown my way but I ignore them. Do these people have, like, no chill? I feel extremely queasy as I absentmindedly hold my slightly puffy belly. I don't know whether it is due to the fact that I have morning sickness or that I have to relive my awful experience in that unpleasant courtroom, or maybe the fact that I'm basically
Last Updated: 2022-06-20
Chapter: (46) The Days that Follow Zoey's POV Three full whole weeks have passed since the night Xavier unveiled the startling truth about Dasha. Time since then has continued to flow, bringing with it a mix of routine and unforseen challenges. As the Chief Financial Officer of Agrocentre Enterprises, my days are usually consumed by spreadsheets, finance reports, and strategy meetings. Today, however, I find my mind wandering to more personal concerns. My period is late. I'd noticed it a couple of days ago and have since been distracted. I'm caught between the thrill of hope and the sobering realism that it could be nothing more than stress-induced irregularity.Yet, that's not the only thing that piqued my interest since week. A close inspection of the company's documents had revealed a surprising. The ownership of Agrocentre Enterprises, the company where I'm serving as a CFO, appears to have been transferred over to me. When, how or why this had transpired I have not a clue, but I'm positive this switch up has eve
Last Updated: 2024-10-08
Chapter: (45) Master ManipulatorsXavier's POVMy heart pounds in my chest, each beat echoing the feelings I harbour for the woman laying in my arms. Zoey. Her name is a mantra in my mind, a single word that holds so much meaning, so much emotion. Our breaths mingles, our bodies still intertwined on the couch. The open space is bathed in the soft light of the moon which casts an ethereal glow over everything. The night is peaceful, intimate and perfect.My fingers trail lightly down her back in a soothing manner. She shivers in response to the touch to which I smile. She's a beautiful woman, each and every surface of her. Those striking hazel eyes, that sexy smile, the way she looks at me with so much love - it's overwhelming but in the best way possible."I love you, Zoey," I whisper into her hair, my words heavy with the truth of my feelings. This woman, she's become my world, my anchor. She has brought the gift of love and light into my life, one that I'll will be eternally grateful for.She stirs in my arms, her
Last Updated: 2024-10-07
Chapter: (44) I love You Zoey's POVI watch as the sun slowly sinks into the far horizon. It's the natural end of yet another day.Certain things do have to come a natural end don't they? Heaving a heavy sigh, my fingers toy with the cold handle of the ceramic mug. The remnants of my hot coffee lingers at the bottom of it. Soft overhead lights flickers on bathing the small café with an unnatural dim glow. The quiet hum of background conversation create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort but I feel quite the opposite of it. Ethan's earnest brown eyes study me over the rim of his coffee cup, a soft smile playing on his lips. His white coat is draped over the chair next to him, the medical emblem of his profession and a strong testament to the countless lives he's saved.True be told Ethan and I were never serious. It was a casual relationship, one that was built on common interests and convenience, but I've realize now that it's time to move on. With Xavier making efforts to be a part of Tyler's life and min
Last Updated: 2024-10-06
Chapter: (43) It's Party Time Xavier's POV Underneath the faint indigo Seattle sky, I stand amidst the elaborate decorations and crowd of cheerful guests on my mother's grand estate. My heart pounds against my rib cage in anticipation of their arrival. Today's not just another day. Today, my son Tyler, turns nine. I've turned the world upside down to make it memorable. As memorable as one's ninth birthday can be. Yet, despite all the meticulous planning and preparation, a throng of anxiety reverberates through me. It honestly feels like I'm about to shit myself. It took every fiber of my being not down a bottle earlier. I know that I need to be every bit of sober for this momentous occasion. Every few minutes or so, my gaze instinctively darts towards the estate's entrance. Each rustle of leaves, every flash of light sends my heart pounding wildly in my chest. They're on their way - Zoey and Tyler - making the trip from Long Beach on my private jet but I can't help but wish I was there with them.I've arranged
Last Updated: 2024-10-05
Chapter: (42) The Birthday Boy 2.0Xavier's POV A week had passed since our trip to Jamaica. Seven long excruciating days filled with emotional turbulence and strained silences. Tyler hasn't said a single word to me since that night, since the night I turned his whole world upside down. According to Zoey, he's still processing, still hurting over what he had heard. My mind keeps replaying that night as if in a sick loop. The hurt in Tyler's eyes, the way his world shattered with my confession is a memory I wish I could erase, not just from my mind, but from his too. My heart is riddled with pure guilt yet I am weirdly happy at the same time. Now that it's all out in the open and no more secrets are lurking in the shadows gives me great hope. Yes, we have a lot talk about, tough conversations to get through but it will be okay. I've said all I had to, all I could really, now it's time to hear from the big man himself. My son. All I can do is give him the time and space he needs. In the meantime, I've been visiti
Last Updated: 2024-10-04
Chapter: (41) Happy Tears?Xavier's POV Here I am, perched on the grainy warmth of the Dunns River Falls beach in Jamaica. I watch Zoey and our son play in the water, their laughter bounce off the ocean waves and mingle with the cheerful shouts of other beachgoers. In this moment, I feel an odd sense of wholeness; a poignant satisfaction I've not known before. Yet, within that sense of completion, a tinge of regret persists. It's as if the paradise before me only magnifies the gravity of my past transgressions. There's no escaping the memories of my careless actions, the times I'd taken Zoey for granted. Despite the caress of the tropical breeze, a shiver runs through me. Zoey. Her name, her face, her smile. They're all etched so deeply into my mind. I love her, and yet, I did hurt her. I fucked up. I allowed my pride and stubbornness to eclipse my affections. And it is this remorse that overshadows the moment, a bitter reminder of a time I wish I could erase, and yet also a time that shaped me into
Last Updated: 2024-10-02