Novels by Mira

Samantha. Five Years Later in Chicago. “Get up already, Atlas.” I ran my hand through my son's hair as he snuggled close to me on the bed, sleeping. Stretching his body, he blinked his eyes open. “Mummy,” His sleepy voice sounded like a whisper, filling me with the memories of Ethnan—how he sounded on that fateful day, speaking in an unsteady tone, holding onto a bottle of whiskey before he sank into my arms. “Can I go with you to work today?” Atlas's question bore some emotions. I held my breath for a while as I caught his questioning gaze. “No, you can't, Atlas. I am meeting my boss for an important meeting this morning.” I could hear Atlas murmuring when I rushed inside the bathroom for a quick shower, but I ignored him and turned on the shower. “Crying? No, boy.” I blurted when I stepped out and saw Atlas facing down on the bed, sobbing. “I want my daddy.” His eyes were glassy with tears. “Where is he?” “Don't cry, boy,” I said in a weighty tone, cupping my hand on his

Samantha.“My concern isn't about the alternative name my husband gave me, Mother. Did you know he hasn't consummated our marriage yet?” My voice thundered through the phone. “What the hell is happening?”The other end of the phone went still as if my mother had cut off until I heard her clear her throat. “Why are you so worked up over sex, Samantha? Why?”Dazed by the unexpected question, I struggled to find my voice. “Mum, it's the 5th day since our wedding and yet my husband hasn't made love to me. In fact the last time I set my eyes on him was on our wedding night where he spoke to me in an unclear manner.”“Samantha…Samantha….” She repeated my name over and over, but I remained silent.“I know you can hear me anyway…. I urge you to be calm and give your husband time, okay?”“For how long, mother?” I choked on my tears. “No intimacy, no form of connection….”“Your husband made the headlines this morning for losing over a million dollars in a failed business deal and there you are,

Ethnan's POV.Inhaling a sharp breath, I ripped my hand away from Samantha's hold as soon as the wedding ceremony was over. At the speed of light I hurried to my car. “Start the car!” I ordered my driver. Samantha stood frozen as the car slowly drove past her. The confusion that lodged in her eyes stabbed my heart with guilt, but I had to remind myself that I owed her no obligation to accord her any form of spousal courtesy. She knew the deal she signed up for, and so did I. From the rear mirror I could see how dazed she looked, her mother stood next to her, looking happy and cheerful. But, I couldn't help but notice Samantha's appearance that was enchanting—the wedding gown gave her the look of a goddess. I wiped my hand across my face to distract my attention, before pulling out my phone from my side pocket. Dialing one of my boys’ numbers, I watched impatiently as the phone rang. “You came with the Mercedes Benz to the wedding venue, yeah?” I asked the moment he got on the phone.

Samantha.One Week Later.“I love these curls,” I said to the hairstylist before turning my attention to my mother.“You are the best mother in the entire universe,” I stretched out my left hand and she carefully slid a bracelet on it. “This is so beautiful!” I added.My mother rolled her eyes in a prideful manner. “I regard this bracelet as a treasure, Samantha. I have kept it age-long for this special day of yours.” Her voice was filled with elation. “This bracelet was given to me by my mother on my wedding day, you know. And years later when the ultrasound confirmed your gender to me during a few months of conception, I told myself that I would pass it to you on your wedding day, too.”I gave a toothless smile because my make-up artist was lining my lips.The hotel room was quite airy even though a few numbers of professionals were inside, styling me for my wedding ceremony. I wasn't sure if it was my husband-to-be or someone else that made the choice of this particular hotel, but

Ethnan's POVHow poor could this family be to live in such a tatty house? Questions started playing out in my mind as I followed Mrs Rebecca upstairs.“The deal is simple, Mrs Rebecca.” I blurted as we stepped inside the room. “If your daughter agrees to my terms I will clear your family debt and erase every trace of poverty from your lineage.” Authority reeked from my voice unintended.“Mr Ethnan, do not mind my inquisitiveness.” Her voice was shaky as she averted her gaze and let it fall on her feet. “Could you brief me what the terms are like?”“Under a non-disclosure agreement, your daughter will become my proxy wife until my father passes away.” I paused, looking at her face to get her reaction. “And through the course of her stay in my house there will be no intimacy between us and she won't discharge a slight of spousal duty for me.”A suffocating stillness lingered and I could feel my patience trimming out. “Would you call her in to sign the agreement? I have other things to

Samantha.I finally found my voice after it took me forever to overcome my surprise. “Tell me this is a wild joke, mother.” I rolled my eyes.My mother chuckled before she let out a throaty laughter. “I mean it, Samantha. The billionaire heir, Ethnan, will be paying us an official visit tonight.”“Ethnan? The famous billionaire heir?”She nodded, smiling.I cupped my palms over my mouth as past memories flashed before my eyes. I could vividly see how I used to squirm like a distressed worm each time I saw Ethnan's face on the television, briefing about his multi-billion dollar real estate company. Sometimes I had to fight the urge not to lick the television's screen as his charming face filled the screen. Ethnan, the most admirable bachelor in New York City, will be paying us an official visit? Unbelievable! What girl wouldn't be attracted to a man like Ethnan? He's smart, incredibly charming, successful, and famous. Excitement swept me off my feet as I pulled my mother in for a fier