I sigh, “I’m fine, Mum, I just wanted to clear my head for a few days.” I assure her, and she sighs in relief.
“Where have you been son, your phones been off for days, no one has heard from you? We thought something terrible happened to you.” He says, pulling me in for a hug. “When Josh called me we thought..” I look over at Josh and see he’s on the phone to someone.
“I’m fine guys; I’m sorry you all worried. I should have said something, but I just needed some time alone,” I say, and look at Sophie who shakes her head her eyes glimmering with tears. “I’m really sorry.” I apologise, and she gets up and runs over to me, wrapping her arms around my neck.
“I was so worried, Tristan, why didn’t you say something to me. I woke up in the middle of the night, and you were gone.” She cries, and I sigh shrugging.
“I had no right making you all worry, b
If someone asked me to describe the absolute worst moments of your life— I would have told them about the day I lost my Dad. It was a moment I never wanted to live ever again. That is, of course, until the man you’re in love with tells you he doesn’t want to live anymore in the middle of the night and races off in his sports car. The way my hands and legs shook as I watched him speed off madly down the road. I call him on his phone to tell him to come back, but he doesn’t answer. Instead, he ends my call and turns his phone off. I drop to my knees, screaming in the middle of my living room, my head in my hands.Aimee comes running out of her room when she’s heard me and kneels in front of me, followed by Jo. “Shayla! What happened?!”“What the hell is going on?” Jo asks Aimee who shrugs and shakes her head while she tries to calm me down. “Shay, shhh, shhh, what’s the matter, babe?”“C
“He will be, just please calm down.” He assures me, and I shake my head.“I can’t sit here anymore, Josh. I want to be out there looking for him.” I sniffle, and Josh shakes his head.“He hasn’t left the country, his jet, his yacht, his helicopter they’re all here, so it’s only a matter of time before someone sees him and reports it. Is there anywhere that you two went together that he might have gone? I checked that place by the river. He wasn’t there.”I shake my head, unable to think of a place we shared. “No, I don’t think so,” I confess, closing my eyes. “Josh I’m so scared,” I whisper, and he nods taking my hands into his squeezing them supportively.“He’ll be back, you’ll see.” He assures me, and I nod an endless stream of tears running down my face. “You should get some rest; you look exhausted.” I shake my head
“Look at her! Take a good look at what Cole is doing to her. There’s nothing left of her anymore, just leave her the fuck alone. She’s at breaking point, are you trying to drive her to the point of insanity!” Aimee shouts angrily. “I hope for both your sakes Cole is okay, but I will not allow you both to destroy my friend, she’s been through enough, now get the fuck out!” Aimee exclaims as she comes to my side as I rock back and forth on the floor with my head in my arms sobbing. Sophie walks out of the apartment, slamming the door shut behind her. “Shayla.” Aimee kneels next to me, wrapping her arms around me and pulling me into her chest. “Shhh, it’s okay, she’s gone, she’s gone, babe.”“He’s gone, and it’s all my fault.” I wail and Aimee shakes her head tightening her hold on me.“He’s not gone, he’ll be back.” She reassures me and help
“ENOUGH!” I scream glaring at both of them, my chest rising and falling with every desperate breath I took. Cole lifts his gaze to me, and his eyes soften instantly when our eyes meet. He drops his hands from Josh’s shirt, and he looks me over. “Josh, leave us,” I tell him my voice hoarse.“Shayla..” he interjects.I look at him. “Please..” He nods and stops when he sees the bruise and cut on my left cheek.“Shayla, what happened to your face?” He questions, reaching out to touch me, but I move my face away.“Leave us,” I whisper pleadingly, and he nods and walks out of the apartment, leaving Cole and me alone. I stood there staring at him tears streaming down my face while he stood staring at me apologetically.“Shayla, what happened to your face?” He questions walking toward me. I reach up and slap him hard across the face. He lifts his eyes to mine, a look
“Tristan?” I blink and look at my father, who was watching me expectantly. “How do you like this one, son?” He asks gesturing to his black tailored Armani suit.“Looks good, Dad,” I tell him, staring at the mirror at my reflection as they tailor my suit for the wedding. I can’t believe I’m getting married in two days. The closer the date got, the tougher it got to breathe. Sophie has us running around doing all this wedding stuff, and I’m really trying to pay attention, but I’m struggling. I keep thinking about her. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. Ninety-nine percent of my day is spent thinking about her. I was hoping I would see her when she comes to return to the papers signing her rights to her design entirely over to Cult Designs. I was left disappointed when I saw Jo walk in and hand the documents to Jess to give to me.“Jo?” I call out to her while she was waiting by the
The next day was the rehearsal dinner. Another day where I have to act like the happy groom, excited to be marrying the woman he supposedly loves. Thank God for scotch, I was currently on my fifth scotch, and it was taking the edge off somewhat. I’ve been drinking a lot lately, it’s the only way I can sleep and ignore that big fat gaping hole inside of me. I can’t even look at myself. I can’t stand the sight of myself; it makes me sick to the stomach.“Cole?” I lift my eyes and look at the therapist sitting opposite me. “Do you want to tell me why you’re here?”“You look like her,” I tell her, and she frowns a little and licks her lips. She was a beautiful woman, long dark hair, green eyes, but older. She bears a striking resemblance to Shayla, and I found comfort in that. Shayla was miles more beautiful though, in every way.“Cole, this is your third session, and we haven’t discussed
“Thought you could use a friend.” He says, taking a sip of his scotch.I snort, “Yeah? Do you see one cause I fucking don’t?” I retort coldly and knock back my drink. Is this kid for real? How dare he call himself a friend after what he did—impudent bastard.“Cole, you’re my best friend, beyond that you’re my brother man. We’ve known each other for years. If you’re waiting for an apology, you’re not going to get one.” He tells me, and I glare at him darkly. “Maybe going after Shayla wasn’t the best decision on my part, but she was single, and you’re engaged to be married to another woman. I would think if you cared enough about this girl, you’d want her to be happy with someone you know would treat her right.”“You can tell you’ve never been in love.” I sigh, pouring myself another drink and knocking it back. “Shayla wasn’t so
“Shayla Hart, what is your sexy bum doing out here in the cold?” Jo asks, walking out on our terrace as I lay there on a pile of cushions looking up at the dark sky.“Waiting for the sky to open up and swallow me whole?” I sardonically utter as Jo lays down beside me and looks up at the sky.“Looks like you might be waiting a while on that one, Bish.” She sighs, and I smile sadly, staring up at that one bright star in the sky.“I can’t believe I’m leaving in a few hours,” I sigh and lace my fingers with Jo’s as we stare up at the sky together.“Oh, Shayla, I really wish you wouldn’t. Can’t you just pretend you left and let him think you’ve gone?” She suggests, and I close my eyes and shake my head.“I can’t, Jo,” I tell her. “I can’t be here anymore. Too much has happened. I have too many memories, I know it’s stupid,
Twenty minutes later, the house smelt sensational with home-cooked goodness. Cole strolls into the kitchen while his wife cooks pancakes. He wraps his arms around her from behind and kisses her pulse. “As good as this food smells, I can’t wait to eat you later,” Cole growls in her ear hungrily, making her grin. “Shh, baby, the kids are going to hear you,” Shayla whispers back, looking up at him, and he matches her grin leaning close. “They’re not even in here.” Cole chuckles, kissing her softly. Shayla wraps her arms around her husband’s neck and parts her lips when his tongue silently requests permission to meet her own. “Oh, barf. Mum and Dad are making out again.” RJ grumbles, walking into the kitchen, followed by Alaia, who grimaces as they take their seats at the dining table. Shayla and Cole laugh as they pull apart. “Now you know how we feel watching you slobber all over your little ‘friends’ you keep bringing over.” Alaia retorts, making air q
Sixteen years later…On a beautiful Saturday morning in the month of August, Shayla Hoult rolls over in the bed she shares with her gorgeous husband Tristan Cole Hoult and smiles contently. At the tender age of forty-six, he was still every bit as handsome as he always was. She lay on her side and admired him while he slept. He still looked the same—but older with fine lines that came with maturity, which made him even sexier. The stubble of his beard had specks of grey, which she loved.“Why are you staring at me?” Cole mumbles, his eyes still closed, causing his wife to start while she was lost deep in her thoughts. Shayla smiles, her cheeks flushing ever so slightly, and reaches over to brush her fingers over his cheek. Cole smiles, peels his eyes open, and blinks, looking at his beautiful wife smiling at him lovingly.“How long have you been awake?” Shayla giggles when he wraps his strong arm around her waist and drags he
I exhale slowly, and Cole sits up and turns the night light on, blinking a couple of times till his eyes adjust to the light. “My water broke,” I tell him, and he shifts and pushes the covers off himself and gets out of bed. I watch him walk around the bed to my side, and he takes hold of my hand to help me sit up.“Are you having contractions?” He questions, brushing my hair away from my face, and I nod. “What do you need me to do?”I exhale slowly when another contraction comes. I wait for it to pass before I speak. “Call my midwife, then my mum. Tell her I’m in labour, and we’ll drop Laia to her.” I instruct him, and he kisses my forehead before he grabs my phone. While Cole was on the phone, I take off my wet clothes and change into a pair of grey comfortable tracksuit bottoms and one of Coles oversized hoodies. The pain was getting worse by the minute, and I was worried we wouldn’t make it to the hospital. “Cole, we have to go. Like right now.” I whimper, and he l
“Shay.” I lift my gaze from staring at my huge baby bump and look at my husband, who rolls over when I turn the night lamp on. “You okay?” Cole questions drowsily, and I glower at him.“Why won’t this baby come out.” I hiss angrily, and Cole groans, leaning up on his elbow and looks at me, his green eyes narrowed.“Maybe he likes it in there and isn’t ready to leave just yet.” He smiles, rubbing my bump, and the baby squirms inside me at his father’s touch. My due date was six days ago, and this stubborn child is showing no indication of arriving anytime soon.“I’ve had enough.” I whimper, agitated. “I’m uncomfortable. I haven’t slept a wink in days, and I’m swollen like a beached whale. Look at me.” I complain, gesturing to myself, and Cole lets his eyes wander over me, and he smiles. “What are you looking at?”He blinks, bemused.“You just said—”“You get this baby out of me right now.” I huff, and Cole scratches his forehead, his brows fu
Shayla pulls back and looks up at me, tears flowing from her beautiful eyes. “Did you...” She trails silently, asking me if I had something to do with her killing herself off, and I shake my head.“No, I had nothing to do with that. She obviously couldn’t handle being locked up. The warden did say girls like her are like fresh meat to a hungry lion.” I explain, brushing her tears away.“I did.” I turn and look at Sam, and Shayla frowns. “I may have visited the prison. A guard there is a friend of mine, and when he found out you were my sister, he did me a favour.” He explains with a shrug, stuffing his hands into the pocket of his jeans. “It wasn’t enough that she was locked away, I wanted her to suffer, so I had my artist friend paint a photo of you and Cole kissing on the wall opposite her cell, she’d be forced to stare at it, be reminded every second, of every day that she didn’t break you,” Sam tells her. Shayla pulls away from me and runs into her brother's arms.
“That was a great party. I’m a grown arse man, and I had a blast.” Josh chuckles, sitting back on the sofa, taking a sip from his beer. I smile and nod, looking over at my mother and Shay’s mother directing the kitchen's cleaning crew. Sam comes across with baby Trey in his arms and sits on the sofa with a tired sigh.“It really was. Shayla did a great job with organising everything.” I tell him, and Josh nods, looking over at the baby in Sam's arms.“How’s fatherhood treating you, bro?” Josh questions putting his beer bottle down and taking Trey from Sam.“Tiring man, but I wouldn’t give it up for the world,” Sam admits looking over at Trey curled up on Josh’s chest. “To think I was terrified of ever having one of those, now I can’t picture my life without him.”I smile in understanding. “Yeah, they really do change your life, especially if it's with the right woman,” I state, and both men nod in agreement.“I feel so left out. I can’t wait to hol
“Happy birthday, princess.” I croon, looking down at Alaia, who just rose from her sleep. She smiles up at me as soon as she sees me, displaying her two teeth. She’s always so happy in the morning, and this morning was no different. She’s just lying in her crib, kicking back with her hands behind her head. “Good morning, my sunshine.” I pick her up and kiss her cheek affectionately. “Is my baby girl one-year-old today?” We walk out of the nursery back to our bedroom, where Shayla was still asleep. “Let’s go wake up, Mummy,” I whisper, kissing her temple and smile when I see Shayla lying on her front, peacefully sleeping. I crawl up on the bed and lay Alaia down on her stomach, and she immediately crawls over to her mother. I lay on my side and watch as she makes cooing sounds, pressing her hand to Shay’s face, who stirs from her sleep and smiles.“Mm, good morning, birthday girl.” She sighs, lifting her arm and wrapping it around Laia, who tries to crawl over her. She looks o
We see Josh and Aimee in the waiting room, along with Jo’s father, “How is she doing? Any news?”Aimee shakes her head. “Not yet. We got here not long ago.” I sit beside her, and Cole walks over to Josh, talking to Jo’s dad, Phil. “Did you look in the mirror before you left the house?” Aimee grins, her blue eyes raking over me.“No, why?” I ask apprehensively and look down at myself.Aimee laughs, “You look fucked out, girl. You could have at least run a brush through your hair.” I stare at her dumbfounded and reach to comb out my hair with my fingers.“We left in a rush,” I whisper, unlocking my phone and loading up the camera. “Do I really look that bad?” I look at my reflection in the camera and gasp a little. My face was all flushed, my hair a tousled mess, my lips were swollen, and I had love bites all over my neck. “Oh shit.” I curse, pulling my hair over my shoulder to cover up the love bites.Aimee nudges me, grinning wickedly. When I look
Later that evening, Cole and I were sitting on our bed, me on my tablet and him on his, looking through emails. “Do you not think we’re going a little overboard with this birthday party?” I ask, looking away from the tablet to him, staring intently at a document on his device.“No,” Cole utters, typing away on the screen. “What my baby wants, my baby gets.” I frown.“Cole, she’s turning one, she doesn’t have a clue what she wants. She’s not even going to remember this.” Cole looks at me and shrugs.“She’s aware of more than you realise.” He replies, his brows lifting to his hairline. “Don’t you see the way her little face lights up when she sees Moana on the screen?” I smile and nod, “Or the way she sways side to side when she hears the song.”“That is adorable.” Cole nods, smiling, and leans over, puckering his lips for me. I lean in and kiss him softly.“Let’s give our baby girl the birthday she deserves.” Cole mumbles against my lips, and I grin