Chapter Fifty-three •BRIANNA• After trying on what felt like a thousand dresses (okay, it was only about fifteen), I finally emerged from the dressing room with a scowl plastered on my face. Mr. Adrian had rejected them all—too revealing, too concealing, too short, too long—nothing was right. My body was starting to feel like it had been through some bizarre workout, with me constantly slipping in and out of dresses to no avail. The dress I had on now was a red velvet fishtail gown with thin straps. The bodice was black, featuring a sweetheart neckline adorned with pearls. It was a little more revealing than I’d usually go for, but I didn’t mind. Paired with black satin gloves that reached just past my elbows and a snow-white fur shawl, I felt like a glamorous snow queen. Isabella looked me over, her smile wide and approving. “This dress suits you perfectly,” she said, her tone light and full of admiration. “It’s not too revealing, not too concealing, and it brings out your curves
Chapter Fifty-four •BRIANNA• I explained everything to my mom and Mariana, and they were both surprised—especially when I told them about Adrian asking me to be his date to a gala. I left out the part where he’s paying me for my services, though. “Wow, I like your boss. He’s so nice!” Mariana gushed. I rolled my eyes. “He’s not nice. He’s crazy,” I replied flatly. “Shush, you don’t talk about someone who did you a favor like that,” Mum scolded, and I muttered under my breath. If only they knew how he really acted. “He’s the one who dropped you off, right? I heard a car outside,” Mum asked, curiosity thick in her voice. “Yeah, that was him,” I nodded. “I knew it! And you’re telling me he’s not nice? He’s the perfect definition of a gentleman,” Mum said with a grin. “Oh, Mum, if only you knew how he really is. I deal with him every day, so I know what he’s really like,” I said, already tired of them praising my annoying boss. “Enough about him already. Let’s talk about somethin
Chapter Fifty-five |NEXT DAY, 3 P.M.| •BRIANNA• It was afternoon now. Mom and I had just returned from shopping a few minutes ago, and we’d also picked up her medication. Now, we were resting, while I anxiously awaited the arrival of the makeup artists. The closer the time drew for Mr. Adrian to pick me up, the more jittery I became, wondering what the gala would be like. I went upstairs to take a quick shower before coming back downstairs to wait for the artists. I didn’t even realize when I dozed off on the couch and slipped into a dreamless nap. I was woken by Mom calling my name. “Brianna, Brianna!” She called, and I slowly opened my eyes, letting them adjust to the afternoon sunlight streaming through the open curtains. I blinked a few times and then shut my eyes again. “Hmm?” I hummed, still half-asleep, rubbing my eyes. “The makeup artists are here.” Her voice was more insistent, but the sleepiness in me made it hard to fully process what she said. “What?” I murmured sle
Chapter Fifty-six •ADRIAN• I watched Brianna as she descended the steps of her less-than-glamorous house. She was breathtaking—her dress clung to her figure in all the right ways, accentuating her curves. The makeup was on point, enhancing her features without being overdone. Simply put, she looked like a goddess. I almost spoke my admiration out loud, but she ruined the moment with her usual sharp tongue. I was probably a little out of line for honking the horn to get her attention, but I wasn’t going to apologize. She was already on my case, as usual. “Took you long enough. I was about to march up there and drag you out myself,” I said as she approached. “Oh, please. You didn’t even have the decency to come up and knock on my door,” she snapped. “Are you calling me mannerless?” I raised an eyebrow. “Of course not, you just said that yourself,” she retorted with a smirk. “Whatever. Just get in the limo and don’t push me any further,” I said, a tired edge to my voice. She climb
Chapter Fifty-seven •BRIANNA• The moment we stepped out of the limousine onto the red carpet, camera flashes bombarded us from every direction, momentarily blinding me. I instinctively raised my hands to shield my face, only for the nervousness to grip me harder than I expected. I thought I had gotten over this, but apparently, the fear of being the center of attention was still with me. After all, this was my first time in the spotlight like this. I kept my hands up for a few moments, my body frozen in place. It was overwhelming, and I could feel my heart racing in my chest. But then, I felt Mr. Adrian’s hand gently rest on my shoulder, and he leaned in close to whisper in my ear. “Lower your hands,” he said softly. “The reporters are taking pictures. You don’t want them to catch you with your hands up, do you?” I shot him a look, still feeling the panic, but I could tell he was teasing me. “I don’t care about the pictures,” I whispered back, my voice tight. “The flashes are bli
Chapter Fifty-eight •BRIANNA• “Well, hey there, everyone!” The familiar voice hollered across the room, sharp and loud. We all raised our heads instinctively, trying to identify the source of the interruption. To my surprise, it was none other than Carlos, walking in confidently with a petite brunette girl sitting beside him. I wasn’t expecting him to be here. But the look on Adrian and Manuel’s faces said otherwise. It was almost as though they had been bracing for his arrival. The atmosphere shifted immediately, a sudden tension thickening in the air the moment he joined us at the table. “I just greeted everyone, and no one replied. That’s a rude thing to do, guys,” Carlos said, his voice teasing but carrying a sharp edge. His eyes scanned each of us, lingering for a moment on Adrian and Manuel before finally settling on me. Cherry offered a small ‘hi’ and Carlos responded with a smile, his attention clearly shifting toward her. “Oh, hi, Carlos,” I said, giving a small, somewha
Chapter Fifty-nine •BRIANNA “I’m going to kiss you now,” Adrian said, and his lips descended on mine. I froze for a moment before I started to reciprocate the kiss. Our lips moved in sync, and soon, we were lost in each other’s embrace. I held onto his neck tightly because my legs felt like jelly, and I would have fallen if I didn’t hold on to something. His tongue snaked into my mouth, and our tongues began a battle of dominance, with his quickly taking control. The kiss grew more intense as we continued moving our lips without pausing to breathe. His hands remained on my waist, kneading gently but never daring to move further. We were so deep into the kiss that we completely forgot about the dance floor, surrounded by so many people. But we didn’t care. We just wanted to continue sucking on each other’s lips like they were our lifeline. It was as if we were in our own world, where only the two of us existed, with no one else to disturb or interrupt us. After what felt like an et
Chapter Sixty •BRIANNA• It was Monday morning, and I woke up earlier than usual, my heart brimming with happiness and energy that I couldn’t quite contain. My mind kept replaying the events of the weekend, especially that kiss at the gala. It had been brief, but it sent a flutter through me every time I thought about it. The memory was still fresh in my mind, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever forget it. I rolled out of bed, my thoughts still occupied by Adrian. He had looked at me differently, and I wasn’t sure how to feel about it. We hadn’t really talked much since the gala, but the kiss lingered in the back of my mind like a sweet secret. But I didn’t want to dwell on it for too long. There were more important things to focus on, starting with getting my day going. I did the usual morning chores, tidying up the house and making breakfast for Mom and Mariana before they even woke up. The soft hum of the city outside, the birds singing their early morning tune, filled the air as I moved
Chapter 83 - Epilogue Three (Final)•AUTHOR•The soft murmur of voices filled the house, a cacophony of excitement that had grown louder over the past few days. It was a week since Eleanor had been born, and Brianna and Adrian had finally brought her home. Life had changed again, in ways both expected and unexpected. The twins—Evelyn and Evan—were eager to meet their new sister, bouncing around in the living room with restless energy. Brianna couldn’t help but laugh at their enthusiasm as she stood in the doorway, cradling the baby in her arms.“Okay, you two, take a deep breath,” Brianna called, trying to keep the situation calm. “Remember, she’s tiny. Gentle hands only.”Evelyn, always the more composed twin, stepped forward first, her eyes wide as she took in the sight of her baby sister. “She’s even smaller than I thought,” she whispered, reaching a hand out slowly, as though unsure of how to approach the fragile little bundle.“She is,” Brianna confirmed, her smile tender as she
Chapter 82 - Epilogue Two•BRIANNA•I stirred awake, letting out a yawn as I peeled my eyes open. My eyes first drifted to the open window, and I saw that it was still dawn. The sky at dawn was a gentle wash of colors, soft pinks and warm oranges blending seamlessly into pale blues, with the faintest traces of lavender lingering at the horizon. The world outside the window was bathed in a delicate golden glow as the first light of morning filtered through, casting everything in a serene, dreamlike hue.A cool breeze drifted in through the open window, brushing against my skin and carrying with it the faint, earthy scent of dew.I turned my head, expecting to see Adrian sleeping beside me, but his side of the bed was empty, and it seemed like he had been gone for a while.I shifted awkwardly, trying to sit up, one hand instinctively cradling my rounded belly. A small grunt escaped me as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, each movement slow and deliberate. The mattress dipped und
Chapter 81 - Epilogue One•AUTHOR•Today was a special day for the CARTER family. It was the third birthday of Adrian and Brianna’s twins, Evelyn and Evan. They had been eagerly anticipating this day for quite some time because it meant they could finally reunite with their loved ones. It had been a while since they had all gathered together—busy schedules and various commitments to work, school, and family had kept them all apart for too long.“Walk quietly!” Brianna whispered urgently to Adrian as they tiptoed toward the twins’ bedroom.“I’m trying!” Adrian quipped, rolling his eyes as he followed closely behind her.A few moments later, they reached the door of the twins’ room, and Brianna slowly pushed it open. They entered the room as quietly as they could, careful not to wake the children. Adrian stood still in the middle of the room, holding a small birthday cake in his hands. The cake was decorated with the twins’ favorite colors—white and purple. Atop the cake was a small bir
Chapter Eighty•CHERRY•It had been six months since I started working for Manuel, and I had enjoyed every single moment of it. I was fortunate to have a friendly, understanding boss, a comfortable working space, and a few colleagues who were more like friends. There was a sense of camaraderie that made the workdays feel lighter, and for the first time in a long while, I actually felt like I belonged somewhere.But, like with any job, there were a few challenges. One of them was the snide comments from some of the other female coworkers. The way they shot me dirty looks or whispered behind my back whenever I walked past—like they were certain I couldn’t hear them. Well, I could hear everything, but I chose to ignore them. If they didn’t stop soon, though, I was prepared to throw all decorum aside and confront them. There was only so much I could tolerate.My thoughts were interrupted by the sudden ring of the office phone, slicing through the quiet hum of my workspace. I picked up the
Chapter Seventy-nine•MARIANA•I stirred awake as I felt the warm rays of sunlight on my face. Reluctantly, I peeled my eyes open and tried to get out of bed. I rolled to the edge of my queen-sized bed, sat up, swung my legs to the side, and slid my feet into my pink flip-flops.I made my way to the bathroom and got ready for the day. Once I was done, I came out, dressed in my school uniform, and put on a pair of black shoes. After that, I made my way down the stairs, grabbing my backpack as I went.“Good morning, Mum,” I called out as I spotted her at the dining table, eating breakfast.“Good morning, sweetie. Did you sleep well?” she asked, her voice warm as I sat down in one of the chairs.“Yes, Mum, I slept well. What about you?”“I slept like a baby,” she replied, and I smiled.“What’s for breakfast?” I asked, glancing at her plate.“Toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Should I ask Susan to make you a plate?”“Yes, please,” I responded eagerly.“Susan, darling! Please make a plate
Chapter Seventy-eight•ADRIAN•Two months ago, when I discovered that Brianna was pregnant, I immediately insisted that she move in with me. I wanted to ensure both she and our baby were well taken care of. She was reluctant at first, offering excuses about needing to stay with her mom and sister, but they reassured her that it was perfectly fine for her to be with me.She even tried to distract me from my decision by claiming she had to work. I reminded her that I was her boss and that she wouldn’t need to work a single day if she lived with me. After much back and forth, she finally gave in. That was the happiest day of my life—the day she agreed to live with me.Now, here we were, lying on my bed. Brianna’s head rested gently on my lap while I attempted to braid her hair. I wasn’t exactly skilled at braiding, but I was determined to keep trying.“Babe?” she broke the silence, her voice soft and casual.“Yes? What’s on your mind?” I responded, glancing down at her.“I’m starving,” s
Chapter Seventy-seven|TWO MONTHS LATER|•BRIANNA•Adrian truly kept his promise about paying for my mom’s treatment. After we returned from our trip to Spain, Adrian contacted his personal doctor, and my mom was admitted to their hospital. She’s been there for over a month now, and today, she’s finally home.“It’s so good to have you back, Mom.” I said, hugging her again. She looked healthier and wasn’t as skinny as she had been before.“It’s good to be home.” She chuckled, hugging me back. I inhaled deeply, savoring her familiar flowery scent.“Thanks for everything, Adrian. I can’t even imagine this happening without your help.” I said to Adrian, who was sitting on the couch. He gave me a brief smile.“It’s fine, no need to thank me.” He replied, his voice warm but modest.“Okay! What does everyone want for lunch? Should we have homemade food, or should we order something?” I asked enthusiastically.“We should definitely order!” Mariana chimed in excitedly.“Pizza and soda, anyone?”
Chapter Seventy-six•BRIANNA•I was jolted awake by the loud hum of the blender coming from downstairs. The sound was so intense, it almost felt like a machine was operating inside the house. Groggily, I blinked my eyes open and scanned my surroundings. I was lying in bed, comfortably tucked under the duvet. When I pulled it back, I realized I was completely naked beneath it. The realization hit me like a freight train—everything that had happened the night before flooded back into my mind.My cheeks flamed hot with a rush of embarrassment as the memories replayed, each moment sharper than the last. How would I ever face Adrian after everything that had transpired? The thought of it made my stomach twist.A frustrated groan escaped my lips as I buried my face in the pillow, wishing I could just will myself back to sleep and forget it all. But the sound of footsteps approaching my room soon broke through my thoughts. I quickly shut my eyes and pretended to be asleep, hoping to escape th
Chapter Seventy-five|EVENING, AROUND 7 P.M.|•BRIANNA•We were just getting home after a long day of visiting Museo Nacional del Prado. I must admit, that was the best museum I have ever been to in my life. Not like I have been to any museum, but I have a feeling that that would be the best one ever.We saw a lot of paintings by popular artists. Some of them were The Garden of Early Delights, a triptych oil painting by Hieronymus Bosch; we also saw Las Meninas, a painting by Diego Velazquez and we saw the painting “Saturn Devouring His Son” by Francisco Goya.Saturn Devouring His Son was the one that captivated me the most and I didn’t even know the reason why.Back to the present time, Adrian and I just stepped into the house with me on his back. He gave me a piggyback ride on our way home because of how tired I was. Now, he was helping me take off my sneakers.“You’re so sweet.” I murmured while playing with his hair as he knelt on the floor in front of me.“I do my best.” He joked.