Lucien followed Lucas to the children’s wing, with Brynne hot on his heels. He knew how much his children hated the women in his life. He had therefore stopped bringing them home long ago. Recently, Aubrey was the only one who refused to listen to logic and always arrived unannounced. The children hated her with a vengeance, and they had an ample reason behind it. Aubrey always misbehaved with them, calling them many names. He would have taught her a lesson if she weren’t his grandpa’s friend’s daughter.“Will Leo be okay, Dad? I’m so scared.” Lucien focused his attention on his son, feeling a little guilty for neglecting them lately. He had become too dependent on his grandpa, but not anymore. Once the court case settled down and he won their custody, he would make it up to them.“Don’t be scared, buddy. We’ll take care of Leo. I’m sure he’ll be better in no time.” He understood Lucas’s condition. The twins looked up at Leonardo as their guardian, parent, and idol. He was their ever
Brynne stood on the open terrace to get some fresh air. She couldn’t understand Luke’s motive for asking her to stay over. Was it only to insult her? His jabs didn’t escape her attention. She was just trying to help. What made him so bitter against her? He wasn’t this way on the ship.She stared into the darkness ahead, watching the city light up like sparkling jewels on a necklace. Up above her, the stars twinkled and the balmy air enveloped her like a blanket. Were her parents up there watching over her? Did they see how lonely she was in this world?What was she doing with her life? She couldn’t recognize this Brynne anymore. Shouldn’t she be at her own house like every other employee in Sylvester’s? What was she doing at the boss’s house? How would she face the others at work? Surely they would come to know of it. Would anyone believe she had no hand in this? Would anyone believe she didn’t sleep with him this time?Brynne sighed and turned to go inside. Now that Leonardo was bett
Brynne didn’t get a minute to gather her thoughts. Luke’s proposal was so sudden that he didn’t give her a minute to decide. The doorbell buzzed, and an attendant brought them dinner. “Come and join me for dinner.” Luke’s mood had suddenly improved as he pulled out a chair for her. Was it because she agreed to marry him? “Thank you.” She settled in her chair, still grappling with reality. What had she agreed to? Was she making a mistake? But there was no going back now. His offer was too good to resist. She needed that money badly. Or it would take her years to clear the debts. It was just a matter of a year, right? What harm would one year of contract marriage do to her? She had already lost her virginity to him willingly. “What’s wrong? Having second thoughts?” He gave her a suspicious look as he served himself. “I’m not giving you an option to back out, Brynne. The engagement will happen tomorrow and the wedding this weekend.” Brynne felt dizzy. Why was he rushing it? “Can’t we
Brynne shoved Luke away, not in the least intimidated by him. He needed her more than she did. She could sell her house, pay off her debts, and leave the country to start afresh. She didn’t need to go through this humiliation. “I’m not afraid of your threats, Luke. If you try anything with me, I’ll opt out of your deal. You can find someone else.” He watched her for a second, surprised by her counter-attack. He couldn’t believe she meant that. “You can’t do that. You need the money.” She scoffed and shook her head. “No, I don’t. I can sell this house and pay my debts. I don’t need to be your se* slave for it.” Luke frowned, feeling a little upset by her announcement. Was he the only one who needed her? He couldn’t accept that at all. It hurt his already inflated ego to think she didn’t need him the way he did. “And the job? I’m sure you’ll need that to survive.” “No, I’ll find many more like it.” She held his shocked gaze, a sense of victory spreading all over her. “What if you d
Brynne hadn’t known she had been being watched since last evening. After Adam left, she was busy with the packing. The entire house had to be sealed for a year so that it wouldn’t be very dusty when she returned. It was a monumental task. When after an hour, she couldn’t complete, she gave up and declined Grant. Strangely, he didn’t argue. In the morning, when she emerged from her house, her glance fell on Luke’s Bentley parked opposite. Didn’t Grant leave last night? She was getting late for work and there was no time to speculate. Maybe she would find out in the evening. There was chaos in the office when she walked in. While everyone else gave her jealous looks, Julia came rushing to hug her. From the excited look on her face, Brynne knew what the stir was all about. Adam might have spilled the beans and announced her engagement to all at the office. “Brynne, congratulations, girl! I knew it.” Julia reached her and pulled her into a bear hug. Brynne laughed at her enthusiasm. Sh
Lucien saw red the moment his eyes fell on Adam. He hadn’t believed his ears when Grant had updated him about Brynne’s association with her ex. “F*ck off, Carter!” he gritted out at his employee, determined to sack him now. Adam hoisted himself, shocked to see his boss in front of him. It was so sudden; he was at a loss for words. Luke watched him leave and kicked the door shut before facing a trembling Brynne. “What the hell is going on here, Brynne? How can you get back with him in my absence? Can’t you live without f*cking that as*hole?” He leaned over her menacingly while Brynne stepped back, shocked by his accusations. “You’re mistaken, Luke. All my friends were here to celebrate our engagement.” Luke scoffed instead of believing her. “I saw only Carter. He was here last night too with red roses for you. What was he doing here with red roses, Brynne?” He gripped her by the shoulders in a fit of rage Brynne gaped at him, now realizing why his Bentley was always parked opposit
Brynne lay in her room, wondering if Luke would seek her out tonight. After dinner, he received a conference call and disappeared into his study for hours. The children went to their wing and Brynne returned to her room, too. Ever since she had been trying to get some sleep but her heart jumped at every little noise echoing around. She had almost dozed off when she heard the main door open and Luke enter the eerily quiet suite. She could feel him hover outside her door for a few minutes before walking away to his bedroom. Brynne released the breath she was holding and closed her eyes finally. Maybe he wouldn’t touch her before signing the prenuptial. As if she would ever demand anything from him! The next morning, Brynne had just got ready for work when Luke came striding into her room. “What the hell! Can’t you knock? We aren’t married yet.” His eyes swept over her, taking in her work clothes. Without a word, he picked up the suitcase, yet to be unpacked, and walked out. Brynne
Brynne calmed her jumpy nerves as she considered his question. Her dream wedding would be in a place like the Royal Villa, far away on a secluded island. But that was an impossible dream, right? “What difference does it make? I’ll have a church wedding with you.” Their order arrived and Brynne sipped her café latte in peace. She could sense Luke’s restless gaze on her, but refused to meet his eye. “Still, I need to know.” He glared at her impatiently. Why couldn’t she answer a simple question?“When I marry for real, I’ll consider it. As of now, let’s have it your way.” She sat calmly while Luke felt his blood boil at the thought of someone else marrying her for real.“I want to know. So, tell me your thoughts on a perfect wedding. What will make you happy?” He watched her eyes widen as she focused on the red rose adorning their table. “A real wedding with the man I love on a deserted island is what I dream of. I’d love a wedding at a place like the Royal Villa! Maybe someday I’ll
Two days went by in the blink of a eye. Both were under a spell of love to realize how time flew by. Brynne’s sickness and nausea vanished miraculously and was replaced by a feeling of bliss. It was a honeymoon in the true sense of the term. They didn’t need an exotic location or a five-star resort to connect to one another’s soul. The deluxe double bedroom at Queen’s Lodge was enough to make memories of a lifetime.Luke had been gentle, ensuring her comfort first. It made her fall for him all over again. She hadn’t seen this side of his nature ever. He had always been reckless, wild, and hungry. This was a new side to his nature.“You’ve grown curvier, I think.” He covered her body with his, touching and stroking her, feeling her lumpy breasts. “Pregnancy suits you.” His mouth found her breast, and he tugged her taut nipple into his hot mouth.Brynne gasped with pleasure, holding his head to her breast as he sucked. A raw need coursed through her body, making her grow even wetter.“I
Brynne's heart thumped wildly in its cage as she waited for Luke’s explanation. What the hell did he mean? If her love wasn’t unrequited, then what? He didn’t love her. It was only physical desire accompanied by a motive. Now his desire was met and his motive had been fulfilled. He threw her out, only to pursue her. It made no sense. If he had loved her, he would have trusted her, stood by her and confessed his love for her.“Of course, it is unrequited. I’ve never hidden my feelings from you, Luke. But you never believed me nor loved me back.” She released a staggering breath and looked away.He leaned closer and placed a finger under her chin to force her to meet his honest gaze. “You’re wrong, Brynne. If you remember, I have always chased you since the moment I saw you. You had me under a spell, which might have been love at first sight. Only I was too blind to realize it. I couldn’t resist you. Yet I was afraid to commit, to trust and, you know why. My bitter experiences with Celi
Luke rushed inside, panicking at the sight of his wife. “Damn! I knew it.” He crouched to Brynne’s level and patted her cheeks. “Brynne, wake up. I’m here to take you home.” There was no response. Luke gave the staff a stressed look. “Help me revive her. I need water.”He rushed to the table nearby to get a bottle of water. Luke sprinkled a little on Brynne’s face and she stirred, opening her dazed eyes and focusing on him blankly. He lost his patience. Getting up, he picked her up in his arms and turned to the clueless staff. “Can you get her luggage? I’m taking her home.” The staff nodded and collected Brynne’s belongings. Luke could feel her lost gaze on him, but he couldn’t meet her eyes. Guilt washed over him at seeing the condition she was in. What would have happened if he hadn’t arrived on time? He shuddered at the thought.“Luke, put me down. I’m not going anywhere with you.” Her words brought him back to reality, and he looked down at her. The staff stopped collecting h
Luke slumped into a chair nearby, feeling totally devastated. Adam and Miranda shared looks of pity. “What have I done? How could I believe Celine? I should have known.” He covered his face in despair. Miranda brought him some water to get a grip on himself while Adam sat opposite his ex-employer. Although he hated his boss for everything he had done to destroy his life and career, he didn’t show it. “Have some water, please. You can call Brynne and apologize, Mr. Sylvester.” Luke looked up at the helpful couple he had unknowingly wronged for no fault of theirs. Adam wasn’t into Brynne and never could be. He loved Miranda a lot the way he loved Brynne. He understood now what it meant to love someone. There couldn’t be anyone else but the one you loved. It should be the same for Brynne, too. “Thank you.” He accepted the water. The cool liquid went down his system and he felt a little better. “Brynne has switched her phone off. I went to her house. She hasn’t been there at all. Ted g
Luke watched the cops arrest the rat, Dennis Howard, the PA of their Sr. Tender Manager, Ken Gallagher. It took Luke and his team all day to collect evidence against him. But it was all over now and he could go home. The team left, and he walked over to his cabin to get his bag. However, the moment he stepped inside, his breath hitched, remembering his morning ordeal. Brynne had obviously gone home, leaving the paternity test report on his desk. He sighed and picked it up. Why didn’t she decline his accusations with proof? Why didn’t she tell him she wasn’t pregnant? Celine was right. She didn’t love him. Absent-mindedly, he picked up the report to stash it in his pocket when his glance fell on the report date. It was dated almost eight weeks ago. Luke frowned at it, blinking to refocus. Yes, the date was indeed eight weeks ago. But he had met Brynne only five weeks ago, and she was a virgin then. He rechecked the name of the clinic. New Age Medicare, Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn.
When Celine left, Luke grabbed Brynne’s arm and pulled her inside. She almost stumbled from the brunt of his actions, but collided with his chest instead. He gripped her hard, his hands like steel bands around her arm, hurting her on purpose. “What the f*ck are you doing here, Brynne? Didn’t I tell you to stay home?” he gritted out in a frenzy. “I..” Brynne was too dazed to answer. She was curious about the paper in his hands. She had arrived just in time to hear Celine’s accusation.I’m glad Brynne is betraying you. Do you think she loves you? She’s also with you for money.She wanted to stand up for herself, but the furious look on Luke’s face scared her. What had she missed? What happened between Celine and Luke before her arrival? “Cat got your tongue? What did you think? I’ll never figure out your pregnancy.” His accusing gaze made her squirm. How did he find out about her pregnancy? She had hidden it from everyone.“How do you know about it? I..” Luke’s face scrunched up with
Luke stared at his phone with surprise. Why was Celine calling him constantly after all the stunts she pulled? Did she think he would forgive her? Did she think he didn’t know about her underhanded ploys? Maybe she thought he had no idea she was behind both crimes. The wish to teach her a lesson and give her a piece of his mind was so acute that Luke strode out of the bedroom and accepted the call. “Why the f*ck are you calling me, Celine?” he barked into the phone, unaware that Brynne heard him clearly. “I want to meet you, Luke. This is important.” Luke’s blood boiled at her fake caring voice. “I have no reason to meet you. So see you at the hearing.” “No, wait, don’t disconnect the call. I have something to show you. It’s about your wife. Please, can you meet me tomorrow somewhere?” Luke hesitated. What was it about Brynne that Celine wanted to talk about? “What is it about Brynne? Tell me now.” “I can’t tell you over the phone. I have to show you something. It’s very import
The cops recorded her statement and left. Luke smiled and sat beside her. “Are you feeling better now? The doctor has permitted you to go home.” Brynne nodded, easing off the bed to go home. Thankfully, both the doctor and the nurse kept their promise and didn’t disclose her pregnancy to Luke. He caught her hand and gently led her toward the elevator. “The children have gone home with Grandpa. There’s nothing to feel stressed. We’ll be more careful from now on. Everything is under control, Brynne. Take a deep breath and relax.” Brynne nodded, allowing him to think her health deteriorated because of stress. “I’m better now.”“Good. The cops are on the lookout for the Bentley. Joe had taken a picture of the number plate. It can’t escape for long.” He helped her to their car and drove off, followed by their bodyguards. However, unknown to both, a car followed them all the way to their building. The same pair of jealous eyes glared at them, unable to believe she had missed her target
The traffic police brought Leonardo safely back and Luke thanked them profusely. It was time to teach Celine a lesson. The only way would be to gather proof against her. It would all come in handy at the hearing. A traumatized Leo hugged his father with tears of relief in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Dad,” he sobbed, clutching Luke’s torso. “You’re safe now. I’m sorry this happened to you, son. Promise me you won’t go anywhere without your guards.” Luke’s throat choked with emotions. He hadn’t expected to find his son this soon. It was indeed a miracle.“Yes, I promise you, Dad.” “Did they hurt you, Leo?” Grandpa Benson asked after the police left.“No. There were two men. They gagged me and tied me up before dumping me in a car. It happened so fast, I couldn’t call for help. It was all well-planned, Dad. I overheard them talking to a woman over the phone. They were arguing about money with her.” Luke and Grandpa shared a look. “Did you hear her?” Leo shook his head. “No, Dad.” “Anyway