Freya's Pov I sat on the plush, leather seat of my SUV, my fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel as I waited for Raji. My dark shades and the tinted glass of my car kept me hidden from the few passers-by. I was beginning to get impatient waiting for him, he is about twenty minutes late. The last two weeks has been hell for me, Zayn hasn't spared me any attention. I had taken the pain of cancelling my appointments, outings and trips, yet, that didn't seem to ease his nonchalant attitude towards me. Raji had sent an email, saying he has something for me and we agreed to meet at a secluded part of town. I was so lost in thought that the light tap on my window startled me. With an irritated sign, I unlocked the door. "Hey Angel." "What do you have for me?" "Straight to business I see." He let out a chuckle. "Well, I did some findings and it is safe to say your marriage is on the verge of a wreck." His smile didn't falter as he handed me a brown envelope.
Araceli's Pov My hands trembled as I fumbled with the keys to my apartment. The incident at the salon had left me feeling exposed and less than human. A sense of betrayal and humiliation washed over me. I couldn’t believe Zayn had kept such secret from me? how could he be so cruel?. Running out of the salon, I had tried to hide my tears, but they kept escaping. I couldn’t help but wonder what the other clients would think of me. They had thrown dirty looks my way, and a few even made sneaky remarks on how young girls be ruining homes other women has laboured for. I can't believe I had fallen for a man who was already married. It felt like a slap to my face. As I stepped into my apartment, I sank onto the couch, the weight of the world pressing down on my shoulders. How could I have been so foolish? I had always prided myself on my independence, my ability to handle life’s challenges on my own. But now, I felt utterly lost and alone. In a twisted kind of way, I had learnt
Zayn's Pov It has been three days since Araceli had walked me our of her apartment, and these three days have felt like hell for me knowing that I had caused her pain. Freya had spent a few days with the kids only to leave with a suitcase in the middle of the night. "I have an urgent shoot due for the morning and need to leave now so I can catch my flight." She had informed me while hurriedly packing. I wasn't bothered, the Zayn she got married to would have been so worried and tried everything to convince her not to leave till the morning. The kids too had looked indifferent about her absence at dawn. Kamrin had merely shrug his tiny shoulders while digging into his plate of mashed potato, cheese sauce, carrot and broccoli. He was more focused on expressing his disapproval towards the choice of breakfast he was served. His twin wasn't any different, it hurts my heart to know that they have gotten used to not having her around. I had taken the week off to spend time with
Araceli's Pov. "Araceli, I need your help." His voice sounded anxious, pained almost. I know I shouldn't care but a part of me couldn't help it. "Zayn," I called, my voice mirroring his. "What's wrong?" "I know I am in no position to ask anything of you, but my baby girl is in the hospital, and I need someone to watch over her while I go home to pack an overnight bag," he replied, taking a deep breath. "Can you please come? I really need someone I can trust with her, and you are the only one, mi amor." I let out a shaky breathe, "What hospital is she?" Half an hour later, I found myself walking towards Zayn, who was busy on his phone and hadn't noticed me yet. A little boy sat beside him, his eyes a striking shade of blue, a clear resemblance to Zayn's. I tried to focus on the smell of the antiseptic to distract myself from the man who I was eventually going to talk to. "Hey," he said, standing up and reaching for me. I took a few steps back, my lips pressed togeth
Araceli's pov I watched as the kids bounced out of the hospital doors, their laughter echoing through the dimly lit car park. Kamila, now healthier and more energetic, was leading the way, her tiny hand gripping her father's. She was cleared to go home and despite it being a bit late in the evening, she had insisted on leaving the hospital as she didn't want to spend another night there. Zayn had agreed to her request, we packed our bags and checked out. As we drove to the house, I couldn't help but feel uneasy. I sat at the front seat of the car while the kids sat at the back. Their subtle chatter peaking at my ears. "Are you okay?" Zayn's voice startled me out of my thoughts. "Yes, I'm good." "Araceli, if you don't want to come to the house, that's fine. I can tell the kids you had serious business to take care of and will see them next time." He whispered so only I can hear him. I slightly turned my head to look at the kids. Kamila gave a little wave, her
Zayn's Pov I awoke to a chilling silence. We had all retired for bed at 3 AM, the kids having kept Araceli and I up all night. I padded barefoot to her room and knocked, but there was no answer. "Araceli," I called, knocking again. "Can I come in?" Still no response. I turned the doorknob and stepped inside. The bed was cold and empty, the sheets unwrinkled. A note, tucked at the edge of the pillow, caught my eye. "Zayn," it read, "By the time you read this, I will be gone. Gone for good. It was wonderful meeting your kids. They are so full of life and joy. Their laughter and smiles are something I will never forget. You have raised them well. Leaving wasn't easy, but it had to be done. Thank you for the time we spent together." I stood rooted to the spot, my hands crumpling the paper as the meaning of the note sank in. A whirlwind of emotions swirled within me. Why had she left? How long had she been gone? Could she have left because of my marriage? A pang of fear sho
Araceli's pov As I settled into my seat, I glanced around the cabin, my eyes scanning the faces of the other passengers. Families, couples, and lone traveler, a blur of strangers. But none of them mattered right now. All I could think about was Zayn. My mind raced back to the early morning hours when I had made the impulsive decision to leave. Sneaking out of the house, my heart pounded with a mix of adrenaline and longing. I missed his kids already, I yearn for the warmth of his embrace and the familiar scent of his cologne. Without him, life felt empty. With a burst of energy, I stood, grabbed my carry-on, and stepped off the plane. Stares followed me as I hailed a taxi, but I ignored them. The heart wants what it wants. "Elysium field estate," I told the driver, who gave me a skeptical look. My joggers and oversized shirt didn't exactly scream affluence. "What are you waiting for?" I snapped, annoyed. He keyed the engine and we began the journey. As we drove, I nervou
Freya's Pov I sat in the sterile office of Dr. Ambrose, the walls a washed-out blue, the scent of antiseptic filling the air. It was a place I had visited few times, but today felt different. The familiar atmosphere felt suffocating. The ticking clock on the wall seemed to mock me with each second that passed, and I could barely breathe. “Freya, everything looks good,” Dr. Ambrose said, his voice calm but lacking the warmth I once found comforting. He smiled, his signature masculine cologne —something I had always liked—now felt nauseating and unpleasant. “You are pregnant.” The word hung in the air like a heavy fog. I blinked, trying to process what he had just said. The reality of it twisted inside me, panic rising. I felt sick. Pregnant. I could only think of Caleb and the truth I had buried deep within my conscience. “Freya?” Dr. Ambrose’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Are you alright?” I nodded, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. “Yes, I just… I need
Araceli's Pov I leaned over Zayn, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. He did not stir. His face looked so peaceful when he slept. I smiled to myself and pulled the covers up around him a little more before tiptoeing out of the room. I checked on the kids first. Kamila was wrapped up in her unicorn blanket, her mouth slightly open as she snored quietly. Kamrin, on the other hand, had kicked his covers off and lay sideways on the bed like he had tossed and turned all night. I shook my head and gently pulled the covers over him. He grumbled a little but settled down. Downstairs, I got started on breakfast. The smell of pancakes and eggs filled the air. "Good morning mummy." I turned to find the twins coming downstairs, sleepy-eyed and smiling. "Good morning my love." I rinsed my hand before drying it with a napkin as I walked toward them. "How did my babies sleep?" "I dreamt of princess Elsa, mummy." Kamila exclaimed, smiling like she was given the biggest candy ever.
Zayn's Pov I stood by my home office window, starring out in the dark. I could see the whole of the estate, the soft glow of the garden lights flickered against the marble pathways, gently lighting up the area. The trees gently swayed as it was not so windy tonight. I ran a hand over my face, exhaling slowly. My jaw clenched as I replayed the conversation from earlier. As much as I would love to turn my back on it, I couldn’t. If that man is serious, Caleb's life might just be hanging on a thin rope. This isn’t the first time I am being dragged into my brother’s mess. It sure as hell wouldn’t be the last. But this time, I was done letting him get it easy. He is a grown up and will be treated as such. A soft knock pulled me from my thoughts. I turned as Araceli stepped inside, already looking at me with that knowing expression. “You are overthinking again,” she murmured, closing the door behind her. You are overthinking again,” she murmured, closing the door behind her. I
Zayn's Pov The day had dragged on longer than I wanted. I was buried in reports, meetings, and a pile of issues I did not give a damn about right now. My mind was elsewhere. It was on the woman and kids I had left at home, on the brother I had spent two weeks trying to ignore, and on the problems that refused to stay buried. Then my phone buzzed. A private number. I frowned, debating whether to answer. I was not in the mood for unknown calls, especially not at this hour. I begrudgingly picked it, muttering something along the line of "this better be important." I exhaled sharply and answered. "Who is this?" A voice came through, steady, cold. "If you care about your brother, meet me at the docks. Warehouse 14. Thirty minutes." I gripped the phone tighter. "Who the hell is this?" I repeated my question. "Someone who knows Caleb better than you do. Someone who knows he is drowning in shit, and if you do not step in, I might be tempted to do something drastic and you will
Zayn's Pov I nudged the bedroom door open with my shoulder, carefully balancing the tray in my hand. The scent of basil and tomatoes filled the air as I stepped inside, where Araceli sat propped against the headboard, her laptop on her thighs, her eyes puffy and tired. “Special delivery,” I said, setting the tray down on the nightstand. She glanced at the bowl, her lips quirking into a faint smile. “What’s this?” “Minestrone,” I said, straightening up. “Made it myself. Every chop and stir done with love.” Her eyebrows shot up, and for the first time all day, a teasing glint appeared in her eyes. “With love, huh? Are you sure it wasn’t the chef who made it? Because this looks too perfect to be yours.” I smirked, grabbing the spoon and holding it out to her. “You wound me, mi amor. After all the effort I put in preparing this master delicacy, this is the thanks I get?” She chuckled softly, the sound a little raspy from her earlier vomiting. “I will believe you when
Araceli's Pov I tugged at the hem of Zayn's sweatshirt, peeking out the window as Rilly’s car rolled into the driveway. She wasn’t even out yet, but I could already hear her loud chatter through the windshield. Can't deny that it's very much needed after everything that had gone down these past few months. The car door slammed shut, and in seconds, my best friend was at the door. I barely managed to open it before she tackled me into a hug. “Look at you!” Rilly said, pulling back just enough to scan my face. “You are glowing. And don’t you dare tell me it’s the tears from last week’s funeral, this is man glow, Ara. Admit it.” I rolled my eyes but couldn’t fight the grin forming on my lips. Rilly always had a sense of dark humor. “It’s moisturizer. Stop making stuff up.” “Yeah, sure,” she teased, tossing her purse onto the couch as she walked in. “That moisturizer sure made you this much of a star. My best friend is hot gossip, trending on every damn media platform. ‘Who
Zayn's POV Ultra texted earlier. Cryptic as ever, he claimed he had leads on the media circus surrounding Araceli, insisting it had to be discussed in person. Typical. Instead of sending an email or making a simple phone call, he wanted me to drive halfway across the city. But Ultra wasn’t normal. Brilliant? Yes. Strange? Absolutely. And exactly the kind of person I needed in my corner right now. The café was quiet when I arrived. Dim lighting, soft jazz playing in the background, a perfect cover for a discreet meeting. Black shades shielded my face. The media was still buzzing with my name, and I wasn’t in the mood to give them more fodder. Ultra sat at a corner table, his laptop open, blue light illuminating his sharp, almost hawkish features. Surrounding him was an array of gadgets and wires that made his table look like a tech shrine. He didn’t even glance up when I approached. “Mr. Vanderbilt,” he greeted, fingers flying across the keyboard. His voice carried that usual d
Zayn's Pov My phone buzzed, shattering the quiet in my office. Louis’s name flashed across the screen. "Man, have you seen the news?" His voice was tense, almost breathless. I frowned, reaching for my tablet. "No. What’s going on?" "Just… check it," he said, the urgency clear. Then he hung up. I opened the tablet, and there it was, headlines plastered across every news outlet, my face at the center of it all, larger than life. Different headlines on different article. Billionaire Zayn Vanderbilt's Baby Mama Drama Secrets Unveiled: Divorce, Cheating, and a Mysterious Stripper Lover Tragedy Strikes: Did Zayn Vanderbilt Murder His Brother's Child? Blood Feud: The Vendetta Between Brothers Vanderbilt. I clenched my jaw, a bitter taste settled on my tongue as I took it all in. They had managed to pull Araceli into this, dragging her through the mud alongside my name. I hadn’t wanted this for her. I reached for the remote and turned on the TV. Sure enough, my name and
Zayn's Pov I sat back on the couch as Araceli rested her head on my thigh, talking about the twins, she was dressed in one of my shirts, her flawless legs stretched out on the cushions, my fingers running through her hair. "They want a dog," Araceli said, smirking. "Kamila has this whole plan mapped out, food schedules, playtimes, she thinks it’ll teach them responsibility." I chuckled, shaking my head. "Last I checked, Kamrin’s terrified of the neighbor’s poodle. Are they ready for that?" "She says he’s only scared because he hasn't had a dog of his own." She laughed, leaning closer. "Kamila's convinced you will say yes if they push hard enough." "They know my weaknesses too well," I murmured, pulling her close. "But they will have to try harder than puppy eyes and promises." The quiet between us feels warm and intimate. I’m about to tell her just how much these moments mean to me when a sudden, sharp crash sounds from outside the penthouse door, followed by muffled voice
My phone buzzed on the passenger seat as I turned down the winding road leading toward the house. It was my wife. I picked up, her soft voice slipping through the speaker, wrapping around me with that warmth only she could bring. “Did you get the milk, babe?” My lips curled in a smile, this time, I didn't foret. “Yeah, I got it, I also have you bag of chips with me." In the rearview, I could see my son, earbuds in, staring at the game on his phone without a care in the world. “I will be home soon love.” I hung up, but another message pinged almost instantly. The name that flashed on the screen wasn’t one I’d wanted to see. Freya. I think I’m miscarrying Caleb, it's...the baby. I need help please, I'm in pain. I stared at the text, my pulse kicking up, frustration and dread colliding. We hadn’t talked much since Zayn finding out about our affair, I had told her to lay low, but that was just my way of gradually cutting her off. I didn't want her having a child for me,