Oh, shit how will Ryan take this news.... Good or bad? Next chapter is done and ready to go but a little short for my liking. So will look at it again tomorrow. Night all Love Billie
Ryan’s eyes widened in shock at Tally’s words. He stared at her. Tally saw his mind working. Thinking god only knows what.“John Benson is your brother?” Ryan said with clipped tones.Tally confirmed his suspicion. “He is my brother,” she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. The revelation hung heavy in the air between them. His eyes darkened.“Excuse us, Noah,” Ryan said, his tone firm. He placed a hand on Tally’s lower back and guided her away from the busy ballroom, where anyone could hear them. As they stepped out onto the veranda, they could still hear the noise and conversations of the guests within the ballroom, but muffled now.The veranda was dimly lit, with soft lanterns casting a gentle yellow glow over the stone floor. Tally moved away from the doors leading back into the ballroom and put some distance between her and Ryan. She was worried about what he could be thinking right now. She was Barry Benson's daughter. Would he think she was a company spy? The Ryan she ha
Ryan and Tally bid farewell to Noah, who offered a hug and a reassuring smile to Tally as they parted ways. The night air was cool against their skin as they stepped into the waiting limousine. Ryan’s hand found Tally’s, his fingers intertwining with hers as he pulled her close.“You were amazing back there,” Ryan murmured, his breath warm against her ear. “I’m proud of you.”Tally leaned into him, her head resting on his shoulder. “I’m surprised he was there tonight. Barry doesn't do charity events. I’m glad I had you by my side when he confronted me like that.”The limo glided through the city streets; the lights blurring outside the tinted windows. Ryan’s hand moved to her thigh, his touch light but deliberate. He traced small circles with his thumb, sending shivers up her spine. “You know,” he said, his voice low and teasing, “I can’t help but think about what we could be doing right now if we had more time.” Tally knew he was changing the subject. She couldn’t help but think he wa
Tally stepped off the elevator and into the bustling office, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Holly wasn’t in her customary spot at the reception desk. The usual hum of conversation seemed to falter as she walked through the office, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that everyone was staring at her. She glanced around, catching the curious glances and whispered murmurs. It was unsettling, to say the least.Tally adjusted her blouse, double-checking that all the buttons were done up, but that didn’t seem to quell the strange looks she was receiving. Tally wished Holly had been in when she arrived.Making her way to her desk, Tally put her handbag away after pulling out her mobile phone. She noticed a message from Ethan. His message read, “Can you believe this lying bitch? I’m here if you want to talk.” Attached was a link to a news story. Tally’s heart sank as she clicked on the link, her stomach twisting with dread. She just knew it would be something she didn’t want to
Ryan took a few more minutes, his mind racing as the memories fully settled in. The realization of Tally’s pregnancy hit him like a brick wall, filling him with a mixture of joy and protective instinct. He finally moved the car back into traffic, gripping the steering wheel tightly as he navigated through the evening rush hour. Ryan relived the car accident that had caused him to lose his memory of his wife. Remembering that she was pregnant helped him understand why he might have erased her from his memory. Of course, this was just his own speculation, since he wasn’t a psychologist. Nonetheless, knowing that she was pregnant and unable to prevent the accident, he blamed himself for the collision. So, his subconscious mind had effectively removed the problem. Ryan thought that perhaps the recent near miss with another car, and his instinct to protect her by putting his arm across her body to save her, had triggered his memories to resurface. Now that he had his memories back, Ryan
Ryan and Tally sat side by side at the breakfast table. Ryan sipped his coffee, which she was still missing. “You have coffee envy.” He grinned at her. “Oh, shut up.” Tally said in a huffy tone, as she drank her decaf tea. Ryan placed his free hand over her belly. “It’s for a good cause. You are growing our baby.” His phone beeped to let him know he had a message. Taking his hand from her stomach, he picked up his phone. “It’s from Noah. He sent me the link for the media release about Ashley and Blake.” He let her know. As they read the explosive media story that had broken overnight. The article was damning, detailing Ashley’s lies and deceit, and Blake’s infidelity in intricate detail. Ryan’s eyes scanned the text rapidly. Tally, on the other hand, took her time, letting the words sink in, feeling a strange mix of vindication and sorrow for those who would inevitably be hurt by the truth. Ryan handed her the phone so she could read it at her own pace. When he saw the look on her
“I heard enough,” Ryan replied with a smirk. “But Tally, your money isn’t important to me. I love you for who you are, not for your wealth. Give it to charity or save it for our children. I have enough for the both of us.” He eyed her for a moment before adding. “I know you have your reasons for wanting to buy your father’s company. Just promise me that you won’t let it consume you. Revenge can be a dangerous game.” Tally sighed and walked over to her husband, wrapping her arms around him, leaning back to look at his face. “I promise, Ryan. This is not about revenge for me. Well, maybe a little, but mostly it’s about protecting the people who work there, and making sure my father can’t continue to hurt anyone else. Money is just a means to an end. The money has sat there all this time. I only live on my wages paid by you, and now my inheritance is going to do some good.” Ryan nodded, understanding the determination in her eyes. As his arms circled her waist. “One thing I don’t unders
During that week, they had invited a select few to come to their home on the weekend. Ryan’s parents, Paul and Brenda, were among those included in the guest list. They were overjoyed to see Tally and showered her with hugs and kisses upon their arrival. They were relieved that Ryan had regained his memories.Brenda also shared with Tally that Ashley’s parents were not handling their daughter’s actions well. It was apparent to everyone that they found it distasteful. As a result, Ashley was no longer welcome in their circle. Holly and Ethan were the next to arrive, closely followed by April.When Tally invited April, she gave her the heads-up that Noah had also been invited. Tally assured April that she would understand if she didn’t want to come because her husband would be there, but she secretly hoped that she would. April had devoted the last five years of her life to take care of her ailing father, leaving little time for herself.Noah was the last to arrive, and Tally wasn’t sure
Three weeks later Tally and Ryan, with their entourage, burst into the boardroom of Benson Developments, their presence commanding immediate attention. The room fell silent as every eye turned to them. Tally’s face was a blank mask. She was wearing a scarlet red skirt suit, which contrasts with the cold, sterile room. Ryan stood beside her, his tailored suit exuding authority, his jaw set in determination.Barry Benson, the current CEO, looked up from his seat at the head of the table, his face paling at the sight of them. John, who sat to her father’s right side, narrowed his eyes, clearly sensing the impending storm.“Barry,” Ryan begins, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife, “you’re fired.”Barry’s mouth opens and closes, but no sound comes out. His hands grip the edge of the table, knuckles turning white as he struggles to process the words. Beside him, John leaps to his feet, his face twisted in outrage.“You can’t do this!” John shouts, pointing an accusing finger a