Adrian's calm voice washed over me, and I felt reassured, but the fear and anxiety still lingered, causing my voice to quiver."Why is it threatening you?" Adrian asked in a slow, measured tone, as if trying to cajole the truth out of me. I took a deep breath, feeling like a hostage, trying to find the courage to speak."Talk to me, baby," Adrian repeated, with concern laced in his voice as he stroked my hair with the most delicate care. I felt the worry of my safety from him, his fear; it comforted me, actually. I knew I could trust him; he would do all that was needed to keep me safe."Yesterday, Samuel chatted me up," I started, my voice barely above a whisper. Adrian's eyes narrowed as his intense eyes looked straight into my eyes."He's never chatted with me since I got married to you," I tried to explain the significance of what Samuel did.His expression was calm, but his mind was racing to piece together whatever puzzle he had at hand."All right, continue," he said in that lo
I stepped back and questioned what was going on, my mind continually drawn to my boyfriend's past. His eyes shimmered with mirth as he revealed to me that he had studied Criminology in university."He knew all the tactics of criminals," he continued, dripping with laughter.But I remained unamused. My intense gaze stared into him, as if attempting to find an answer."No, baby, this isn't a laughing matter," I told him as firmly but softly as I could."For him to go to university to study Criminology, it means he had already made up his mind to become a criminal, even as a teenager."To which Adrian nodded, and his face turned sober."Yes, my love, you are right," he said in hushed tones."His dad was some kind of thief too, so he probably taught him everything he knew." Then he took a step closer to me and added, "Adrian decided to modernize his methods by going to university."While he spoke, his face broke out into a wide smile, although it was tempered with a note of sadness. His h
As I looked into Adrian's eyes, I found myself not able to keep the questions to myself."What plan, my love?" I asked in a whisper barely audible. Adrian's gaze grew thought-provoking as he measured his next words."I think you should call him again," he said at last, his voice measured and calm. I felt annoyed by the suggestion, screwing up my face in distaste."What do you mean, call him?" I asked, an edge in my voice. The mere thought of calling Sam already made my skin crawl, and I knew Adrian could see the annoyance etched on my face.Adrian softened his expression to one of compassion and filled his eyes with concern."No, babe, calm down," he said in a soft voice."Breathe in," he instructed, his hands demonstrating the motion of an inhalation. I grinned but did just that, filling my lungs with breath as I moved deeply."Uhhhhh," I breathed, my voice hardly above a whisper. Adrian's eyes didn't waver from mine, steady and reassuring."And breathe out," he said, his hands sweep
And so, I had just stood there, still clutching my phone, the voice of Samuel still clinging to my mind, the words floating around me as some sort of challenge. "Jenny, have you persuaded him?" He demanded, all firm and strong, a general issuing out an order to his men. The moment the phone started speaking, his tone went down the back of my neck, some feeling of fear in them.Reluctant, my smile overran my lips as I glared at Adrian, who seemed to be capturing it on his phone, the glint in his eyes amusingly telling. "No, dad, I can't," I said back, my voice no louder than a whisper, lest I was afraid of being overheard. A sense of trepidation struck me as I knew it was not going to go well with Samuel.But Samuel responded, and his words cut through the air like a hot knife. "Expect bad news, then," he said, his voice cold and dripping with malice. "You have just 7 days to persuade Adrian, or else I will remove your mom from the life savings support she is receiving." And with that,
As I stood there, frozen amidst a sea of uncertainty, Adrian's laughter rumbled through the room, warm and rich, folding around my heart. "Let me leave you, oo," he said, still amused, and went into the bedroom to take his bath. The sound of the running water was music leading my ears to soothing tunes, washing away my doubts and fears.I lay on the bed, my eyes fixed to the screen, and couldn't help the fluttering inside my chest. I think I'm falling in love with Adrian, I whispered to myself, my mind beating it out like a chanted secret. This wasn't the agreement, I reminded myself, yet trying not to feel this strange burn inside my chest. It's just a transactional marriage, I told myself, but it sounded hollow and unconvincing.I had just been sold, was the bitter thought coursing through my veins. My parents had sold me off to Adrian-like some merchandise that one buys, sells, and haggles over, a mere playing piece in my family's strategic game of securing more money and power. Ly
I nodded, breathing in ragged gasps. "Yes, I'm ready."Adrian entered me slowly, his thickness stretching me wide. I gasped at the sensation, my body shaking with pleasure as he moved inside me in soft, deliberated strokes.I wrapped my legs around him and pulled him farther inside. The feel of hardness pressed against the insides was really making me go crazy; it felt really, really nice, and a very low moan spilled from my throat."Harder," I pleaded, my voice no louder than a whisper. "I need for you to fuck me harder."Adrian did so, quickening his strokes and harder. My climax was near, and my body shook with anticipation."I'm going to come," I gasped, my voice barely audible. "Oh god, I'm going to come."Adrian continued thrusting inside of me, movements becoming urgent in his own accord. I felt his orgasm build as his body tensed with pleasure.He suddenly pulled himself out and his hardness was glistening with my juices. He hunched behind and his hands dug into my hips."I'm
"Julian," I breathed, barely audible, even to myself, my mind racing to comprehend his sudden materialization.My face was a picture of shock: my eyebrows arched in question, my lips parted in a silent gasp.What was he doing here? I asked myself as my mind whipped through a thousand questions and worries.I scrambled to cover myself, grasping the nearest garment-a flowing black gown that cascaded down my body like a dark waterfall.I hastily wrapped the gown around me and felt a surge of trepidation. What did Julian want? And why was he here, unannounced? I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the encounter, and flung open the door."Craaaaa!" The door opening seemed to reverberate through the air, the sound echoing my own shock and surprise.I stood there, my eyes locked with Julian's, and said, "What are you doing here?" My voice was gruff and hostile because that was the best way to mask one's vulnerability.But my actions did not faze Julian; instead, my actions had quite the
I stood there, my emotions simmering just below the surface, and in an instant, a surge of anger and frustration washed over me. "It's a lie," I spat, venom in my voice as I glared at Julian."Stop feeding me with lies." I needed to say it, to express the turmoil that brewed inside me, as I was starting to hate Adrian. It sounded like a shiver ran down my spine, and the feeling of guilt rose, yet I could not get rid of the thought Julian's words managed to awake within me.To which Julian merely smiled wryly, his eyes glinting with humor as he said,"Watch and see when he comes back from work." His hands moved with a life of their own, scrolling through his phone as he brought out a picture that made my blood boil.This was a photo of a well-dressed lady in a pink, hot, sexy gown, her arm entwined with Adrian's, who was putting on a black pants and white striped shirt. They were holding hands, beaming with happiness, and I felt a wave of anger wash over me.I was getting angry, my emo
CHAPTER245JENNY POVLooking at me, completely aghast, Grace's eyes widened with her smile. "Oh, yes," she said. "I have been watching you two for quite some time. I know about the little marriage you have with each other and I know how you both can drive a wedge into each other's side."Adrian's expression was like dusk, with his eyes blazing out all his pent-up wrath. "Touch her and your death will be at your door," he commanded.She chuckled gleefully, "Oh, but you have. I've been your model servant, pretending all along, just biding my time to strike and watch the disarray of your union as your history unfolds."I shivered at her words. Was this marriage truly in danger? Would Grace really fracture everything we had built together?Grace's words made me miserable with indecision. Surely, she wouldn't have done that. I looked towards Adrian to see how this would have affected him, but his face reflected no such expression- it had a strict seriousness."You will not lift a finger to
JENNY POVWe strolled to the living room and there, illuminated by the soft glow of the lights illuminating the path from the entrance, we found Grace (or so she claimed) standing with head downcast, turning eyes to the floor in a gesture of abandonment and with shoulders slumped in an act of discomfiture. "Good day, sir and ma'am," she addressed, her whisper almost inaudible, trembling slightly as she spoke, the words formed by hardly fluttering lips."Yea, Grace," he replied in a neutral tone, without a discernible expression, right when we sat together, as I was sitting on him, arms wrapped around me while holding me to himself, a hand softly placed on my stomach. Adrian then turned to Scarlett, his eyes narrowing as he studied her with a furrowed, working overtime with his brain to decode whatever she was ruminating upon."Grace, who are you?" he asked in a commanding tone that seemed to challenge such pronouncement, laced with some measure of skepticism, his tone even dripping wi
JENNY POVThe onset of this incident will forever remain my awakening hour, with the night still darkened. I became more aware of my surroundings, with the first thing in sight being Adrian, my husband, seated next to me with a most concerned look on his face. That dim bedside lamp light warmed him, throwing the depths of his worry into bold relief."What happened?" I pictured me demanding, but my voice was edged with confusion and alarm. Just as I attempted to rise, dizziness would encompass me, my husband's hands there to gently yet quite firmly assist me."You fell; you fainted," Adrian said. I kept on repeating it to myself in an attempt to fathom what it meant to faint. "I fainted?" I was finally able to whisper, the word now hanging in the air as if challenging my perception.He looked at me for a long moment, concerned but slightly annoyed. "Yes, love," he said gently but firmly. "I've told you to take it easy on yourself." Even as his tone reproached, his eyes showed the quick
JENNY POVMonica left my mother behind, with Grace, the maid, for services in the house. The next day, I woke as if with no energy; my body felt heavy and completely pregnant. "Honey," I called, sweet and gentle, hoping that Adrian would respond. But there was only silence. I waited for a moment expecting him to walk into the bedroom, but nothing.Sighing, I arise and manage to put all my strength into moving toward the kitchen. The instant Grace saw me walk through, she seemed to stop whatever the action was that she was engaged in and smiled, saying "Good morning, ma'am." In that voice, there was this plural, respectful and welcoming tone. I returned the gesture but instinctively put my hands on my huge tummy to rub it while feeling kicks from the baby inside. "Good morning, dear," I added just to sound a little more cheerful than I really felt.It was an exceptionally warm and inviting room that within one breath, would include coffee brewing. I found my usual place on the table an
ADRIAN POVIn the warmth of home, the weak lights of evening embraced us in lazy comfort. "Well, this is home; I was checking on Jenny," I muttered, sadly and tenderly gazing at her with concern. "No need to worry, babe. Jenny was fine," I comforted him with a smile, gently pulling him into hugs.As we moved on toward the room, the only sound from out two feet padding softly across the floor. "We need to hire a maid," I soothingly suggested, trying to approach the subject slowly. But Jenny interrupted, her voice very clear and very strong. "No, baby. I can do all the housework," she opposed right away, with a determined glint in her eyes that dared me to argue with her.My heart reeked of love and guilt towards her. I smiled sweetly and said, "No, my love-no." "You are expecting and I cannot allow you to submit yourself to doing that." Please, let me take care of this." I pleaded as I caressed her hair softly, as though that might somehow soften her resolute spirit.She regarded my w
ADRIAN POVFour hours later, the wait finally ended. Dr. Dazzy walked out of the emergency room, a mask of professionalism on his face, his eyes revealing but a sliver of concern. He called out my name, voice laden with reassuring authority like a lifeline thrown to a drowning man, "Mr...?" Suddenly his gaze shifted towards the waiting area, raking in one after the other until at last, it rested on yours truly.I jumped up, my heart racing. Oh yeah, that's me, I whispered back. "How is she? How's Jenny?" The floodgates burst open.The treatment softened the doctor's looks a bit as he nodded. "I'm with your wife now," he said, almost holding out a glimmer of hope. "Let's talk," he said, sending a gesture toward one of the waiting room's quiet corners. My heart drummed in my chest like a drummer preparing for some primitive ritual. What was he going to say? Was Jenny okay? The uncertainty was murder.I quickly marched into the doctor's office, purposeful stride like a man on a mission,
ADRIAN POVAs we lay there, Jenny's body tensed, muscles broiling under the skin like waves about to crest. A grotesque distortion of her face came into view as her eyes were closed shut, and a strangled, guttural cry, "Hpppp!" escaped her lips, followed closely by a heartbreaking wrenching sound. This tearing sound ripped irrevocably through the very fabric of that moment. Eyes that once sparkled with humor and fun turned into tight, scrunched-up furrows of mixed terror and discomfort." And I, exhilarated, turned toward her, speaking soft, reassuring words, almost like a summer's warm, gentle breeze."What is it, baby?" I asked, leniently. Distracted by pain, Jenny barely perceived my touch as I brushed a straining hand from her forehead. In that instant, I felt an electric jolt through my fingers. Slowly, her eyes opened, and she gazed up at me- her expression blurred and hazy, breathing labored. Each rise and fall of her chest steered with ragged breaths alongside cowering flickeri
ADRIAN POVFive months laterSoftly I entered the room calling for my wife. "Honey," I said very softly, very lovingly. "I'm over here, baby," she said, warm and inviting, as I turned in the direction of her voice.Jenny was in the room, snacking and gently rubbing her stomach. She had dancing happiness in her eyes, and her face shone with a glorious smile. I, at that moment, couldn't help but smile back at her, as time seemed to make my love grow stronger for her."You are eating too much baby," I said, staring right at her, mischief ringing in my voice."Funny. It's that time of the baby." She replied, "I'm eating for two now, you know." And I laughed and shook my head, awestruck by the miracle in her womb.Looking at her, he could not stop the gratitude that he felt for all that was in store for the couple. The joy of becoming parents was getting real for them, and the dreamy excitement of meeting their little one was almost tangible. Then Jenny held my hand, intertwining her finge
ADRIAN POVAll fit to burst with happy joy, and really not in any way able to keep joy controlled, I ran straight towards Jenny's ward; and my heart beat like a train's wheels running on the tracks. Cracked the door ajar, I peeped in. But, no sooner did my eyes lay on my beautiful wife lying down there, with her eyes locked onto the television-"Honey," I called softly so as not to startle her.She turned her gaze to me, and a slight smile fell across her lips. "Yea," she replied soft and gentle. I moved to the edge of the bed and sat on it beside her, our eyes shining into each other. I was lost staring into those beautiful eyes and getting all the more lovely toward her.Before the evils of my mind settle, I kissed her lips very lightly, "I love you very much," he whispered-voice barely audible as he choked with emotion. She smiled and wrapped her arms around me, drawing in tighter. "I love you too," she murmured, still kissing me.Kissing her made euphoria and gratification wrap aro