Chapter: EPILOGUE ETHAN'S POV It's been five years since I've last seen Dad. Since we'd left California, he had been non-existent from the world. From us. From me. Old classmates tell me his posters have been ripped from the walls; his business has been wiped out from the physical and virtual world. A Mafia man has taken his place in his company. His name is no longer talked about on likable lips. He had disappeared into oblivion. Mum kept crying about it, and I told her she shouldn't cry over the dead. She said dad is not dead; she said he's living; she said someone had seen him in New Orleans. She is lying because I only know that he's dead. Mum is talking over the phone; she is mentioning Dad's name. I can hear his voice over the loud call, but I know it is not his since the dead do not talk. Dad is dead. Someone called my name. Mum is looking at me. She says something. I think she says Dad wants to talk to me. I make no effort to move because I know my father is not living. " Ethan."
Last Updated: 2024-11-30
Chapter: CHAPTER 96- RECONCILE GIL'S HEART POUNDED in his chest at Sofia's silence.It was approximately twenty seconds since he proposed the question.21. 22. 23.Gil was sweating in the cold.He detested rejection more than anything else. He was a mess after his ex left him. He nearly jumped into the ocean when his family disowned him.He told himself he'd end his life if she said no."Baby..." Gil gave a crazy drawl. "I understand that it is early, but—"Gil was caught off guard when Sofia wrapped her arm around his neck and gave him a big wet kiss.She put her forehead on his and drew her lips away. She was smiling, blushing, crying."What if I said no?" She teased."Next week would be the date of my funeral."Sofia laughed and kissed him again. "I love you, and yes, there is nothing I'd want more than for you to be my groom.""Oh, boy." Gil sighed and pulled away.With trepidation, he removed a ring and placed it on her ring finger."Perfect fit." He laughed and pulled her into a short kiss before pulling awa
Last Updated: 2024-11-30
Chapter: CHAPTER 95- PROPOSESofia was just about to head to the coffee shop to begin her business task for the day. She insisted on doing the task that day even though Alfred informed her it could be done any day of the week.After thinking what Sydney said through, she called Alfred and told him she wanted to postpone the task.Alfred was also in the light about Gil's plan and cleverly replied to her, careful not to create any suspicion.Up in her room, Sofia put on a crimson button-up dress that was slim-fitting, put on a little makeup, tucked her hair in a tidy bun, and left for Gil's apartment.By the time she'd reached his front door, her heart was in her mouth. She was a bundle of nerves."You can do this." She let out a breath and reached for his doorbell, only to discover the door was open.She thought it'd be fun catching him off guard, so she slowly opened the door further and entered into the house that was almost completely dark.She could see nothing but the sun's rays that filtered through the heav
Last Updated: 2024-11-30
Chapter: CHAPTER 94- GRUDGES SYDNEY GRABBED EMILY'S bag off the dining table and ran to the front door where Gavin stood. He'd stopped by every morning to pick up the kids and drop them off at school. Sydney hardly spent time with them anymore, since they spent most of the day in school and with their daddy. It was only at night Gavin would drop them off, and at times, they'd sleep over at his place. As much as Sydney missed them, she knew their relationship with Gavin had dampened over the months, and spending quality time with him will strengthen their bond once again. She'd been happy to see Ethan smile genuinely again. Although he stopped playing hockey after being disqualified from the championship game, he played hockey with his daddy at the public hockey field. "Emily has been complaining of tooth pain." Gavin said as he collected the bag from her. Leaning against the doorframe, Sydney scratched her brows. "You give her too much candy." Sydney accused. She complains that you give her too many apple
Last Updated: 2024-11-30
Chapter: CHAPTER 93- UNRECIPROCATED" When I was a kid I had this unquenchable desire for things. My father gave me everything I wanted on a silver plate, it was always a yes as an answer and never a no." He rested his hand on the vanity and exhaled. " Because of that, I grew up with the expectation of getting everything I wanted. One day I came home from school and saw... " He paused and shut his eyes. " I saw my mum on bed having s!x with a man that used to be my father's co-worker. I don't know why, but I knew at that moment I wanted him dead; I wanted to squeeze him with my bare hands and rip him into pieces." " And I did, it felt so good seeing him cry and beg for mercy... Mother explained that she loved him. She said he was the right man for her." Gabriel scoffed. " I saw them once, he cuffed her to the walls and hit her like she was his play doll. Again and again, he did; he kept on saying I love you; it's just the pain that comes with being in love, you piece of shit." Gabriel's knuckles were white with rage.
Last Updated: 2024-11-29
Chapter: CHAPTER 92- STITCHEYES WIDE in shock, Sydney searched the counter for a knife or something she could use as a weapon of defense. Her gaze was still trained on Gabriel as his eyes searched the house before it eventually dropped on her.A plate fell to the ground and shattered.Sydney flinched from the sound and piece that made contact with her skin, but she didn't move, nor did Gabriel.Despite breaking a plate, Sydney still resumed her search for a knife." What are you doing here?" Gabriel was walking towards her now. He was dressed in blue tailored khaki pants, a grey shirt, and a blue polished brogue. He had a fresh new haircut and looked more like a wealthy specimen than a broke lumberjack." You are too careless." He looked at the cut on her leg, frowning." I thought I warned you to stay away."His eyes met hers. For the first time, she saw an indifferent, unsympathetic look in his eyes. Was he going to try to kidnap her and lock her up?Sydney finally felt a butcher knife on the counter and q
Last Updated: 2024-11-29
Chapter: CHAPTER 68Asher tightly held the wheel of his silver Porsche, the engine humming softly as he drove home from a meeting, the city lights blurring past him.The cold night air created fog with his breath, and his mind was a jumbled mess. He drove slowly, not yet prepared to confront his home or Lena when his phone buzzed loudly beside him.He looked down to see Lena’s name flashing on the screen, causing a knot to twist in his stomach as he braced for what she might say.Maybe she had finally decided to let her ego down and speak to him, or maybe she just missed getting on his nerves like he did.He answered and put the call on speaker.In no time, her voice came bursting through, drunken and loud. “Mr. Asshole! Hey, are you there?” she giggled drunkenly. “I might've had a bit too much, yeah? Raymond’s totally smashed too, and I need a ride home. Come get me!” She laughed stupidly, a mix of excitement and chaos, with loud music pounding in the background.His jaw clenched at her words. Raymond,
Last Updated: 2025-03-31
Chapter: CHAPTER 67By Friday, exhaustion had taken its toll. Asher was running on empty, yet had a meeting lined up with an important businessman, all glitz and cash, eager to close a deal. Asher dragged himself to the meeting, his suit sharp, face hardened, hoping work would drown out the turmoil within though things were hard without Trinity by his side. The venue was upscale, shining, and with classic floors and chandeliers hanging, and he settled at the table, papers spread, awaiting the appointment.The businessman arrived late, grinning broadly, his wife by his side tall, blonde, and radiant. “Asher, friend,” he said, giving him a friendly clap on the shoulder, “this is Clara. Keeps me in check, doesn’t she?” Clara laughed, warm and inviting, taking the seat beside him, her hand resting comfortably on his arm. Asher nodded, forcing a smile, but his focus drifted to their connection.They were tactile and affectionate in the way they interacted. The man Mark, introducing his wife, kept his hand
Last Updated: 2025-03-29
Chapter: CHAPTER 66Minutes earlier...Luca hung back in the hallway ol, his footsteps muted against the old floorboards as he clutched a stack of papers in his hands.He intended to discuss business with Asher, but the shouting coming from the bedroom stopped him. Asher's growl and Lena's sharp reply “It's a fake bloody marriage, Asher!” hit him like a punch. He froze, breath hitching, processing the implication: their marriage was a facade? His mind raced, and a sly smile crept onto his face; this was pure gold, like really pure gold.He inched closer to the door, straining to hear the end of the argument Asher's bitter question. “Are you seeing someone, then?” followed by Lena's cool denial: “Yeah, I am.” The door slammed open, and Asher stormed past, too furious to notice Luca lurking in the shadows. Asher's anger fueled Luca's excitement this wasn't just juicy gossip; it was leverage he could manipulate.Quickly, he ran into his room, his phone in hand. Angelica's number lit up on the screen,
Last Updated: 2025-03-27
Chapter: CHAPTER 65Asher sat in the backseat of his Porsche, the engine humming as they cruised through the city. The night was dark, with street lights flashing by, and he looked out the window, his thoughts in disarray, a lot going on his mind. Matteo stayed silent in the front seat, hands firmly on the wheel, while Josiah was next to Asher, chattering away like a wind-up toy. “Hey, picture this, right?” Josiah exclaimed, his voice loud and playful. “We arrive, and Abby's there in that red dress boom! I trip over my own feet trying to impress her! I’d look like a total fool, right?” He laughed, slapping his knee, grinning like a kid telling a bad joke. Asher clenched his fist, trying not to let his anger get the best of him. He hated himself for expecting any more from Lena. Last time, she forgot about their date and went on a ride with that bastard; now, she had called him to say Abby would take her place since she had a terrible headache. Asher barely registered Josiah, his eyes on the st
Last Updated: 2025-03-24
Chapter: CHAPTER 64The next day, Asher sank into the driver’s seat of his silver. He rubbed his face, restless, his thoughts consumed by the dinner Lena had convinced him to attend tonight.Not wanting to be alone with his thoughts, he picked up his phone, found Josiah’s contact, and called before he could second-guess himself.“ Well, well, well, have dogs begun to fly?” Josiah greeted him, his voice lanky and absurd as usual, as though he’d just tripped on something amusing. “What’s going on? Are you actually calling me?”Asher frowned and leaned back in his seat. “Cut it out, you clown,” he replied, trying to maintain a gruff demeanor but failing. “Want to go out tonight for a pint or something? Your call.” He played it cool.There was a moment of silence from Josiah before he burst into laughter. “Ha! Is this a setup? You, wanting to hang out with little ol’ me?” he said, sounding as if Asher had just told him a funny story. “You alright, pal? Hit your head or something?” He cackled before lowerin
Last Updated: 2025-03-24
Chapter: CHAPTER 63As dawn broke slowly, Asher was already awake, restless in the small room he had slept in. The bed was uncomfortable, and the quiet ambiance, interrupted only by the occasional creak or birdcall, kept him anxious. He packed his belongings into a bag, eager to leave this cramped, middle-class setting and return to his own life. He could hear Lena shuffling around downstairs, likely also packing.He made his way down the stairs with his bag slung over his shoulder and found Lena in the kitchen with her mother. Lena was hastily packing a sweater into her backpack, her hair tousled, while her mum fussed by the kettle, steam rising in the dim light. The aroma of toast and tea filled the air, a cozy scent that made Asher uncomfortable. He dropped his bag by the door, gave a brief nod to both of them and said, “Ready when you are,” his voice gruff, already mentally distancing himself from the room.Lena’s mum turned around, wiping her hands on her apron, and gave them a look, sharp yet w
Last Updated: 2025-03-23
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