Josephine’s POV “Spotted! Billionaire, Francesco De Luca and Astral telecoms heiress, April Newman, spark dating rumours after getting caught sharing a steamy kiss three days ago,” The article's headline read. Repressing the urge to cry, I scrolled through the pictures and there it was, the proof of what had been happening right under my eyes for almost a year now. Hell, it had probably been happening for over a year at that point. My husband, Francesco De Luca, was in a relationship with his longtime business partner, April Newman, who I had once met at a charity function that my husband threw in honour of our wedding, three years ago. In two of the pictures, they were both laughing along to something, with April's hand clasped to her mouth, and in the last picture, they were full-on kissing in front of the restaurant, with April wearing Francesco’s coat. So this was really it. Francesco was never going to come back to me, no matter how hard I cried and prayed to the un
Josephine's POV “You can retire for the day,” I told the maids as I entered the kitchen. “Your work here is done.” They shared confused looks among themselves before Beatrice walked up to me. “We are yet to prepare dinner for the boss. Or isn't he coming home tonight?” She asked, and I smiled. “Don't worry. I will take care of it,” I replied, to which she raised a brow but nodded regardless as the other maids began to leave. It had been a week since my miscarriage and three days after my discharge from the hospital. Earlier today, Francesco sent a text, informing me that he was coming home tonight and to make his favourite dish. The nerve of that cheating scumbag. While I was bleeding, Francesco was making love to his mistress without a care in the world. If I had died, he would have probably thrown a party with April to celebrate my exit from their lives, yet he had the audacity to ask me to make him food. “Goodnight, ma'am,” They said. “Goodnight, everyone.” I r
Josephine's POV “Stop sleeping like a log and wake up,” A male's voice wafted into my ears, which was followed by cold water trickling down my body, and that snapped me right out of my slumber. Gasping, I opened my eyes and sat up, only to see my boss, Bruce Gavinski and his wife, Rachel Gavinski, hovering over me, their expressions everything but pleasant. “Good morning,” I said, standing up from my cot. “It's been two weeks since you started working here yet we still have to wake you up to do your job. Maybe if we deduct from your salary, you'll be motivated to wake up at the right time instead of being a slug,” Rachel spat, eying me angrily. “Will you take yourself to the kitchen this instant?” “Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry,” I rambled out before heading to the kitchen, while caressing my chest as I suddenly felt nauseous. It was probably my overpowering anxiety. I was anxious about a lot of things, ranging from Russo finding me and making the rest of my life a living hell to h
Josephine's POV Blinding rays of sunlight seeped into my eyes, causing me to squint in my slumber. As I made to turn around, I realized that I was laying on a soft, fluffy bed, and my eyes flew open instantly. “Thank goodness you are awake. How are you feeling now, dear?” Madam Louisa asked, as she stood up from the chair that was beside my bed. “I-I'm good, thank you,” I replied, taking a quick look at the magnificent interior of the bedroom. “You've been out for a day and I was starting to worry,” Madam Louisa revealed. “Thank you so much for coming back. The doctor will be back in the evening or I could ask Pablo to call him if you still feel unwell.” “No, you don't have to. I'm fine, really,” I replied. “Thanks for taking care of me. I'd like to take my leave now.” As kind as Madam Louisa seemed, I still had no idea who she truly was. Hell, I didn't even know if she was a human trafficker or even worse, an organ harvester, that could kill me for her own benefits after maki
FIVE YEARS LATERFrancesco’s POV“The sales memo will be sent to your email immediately Jenny is done arranging them, sir,” My assistant, Patrick Bradshaw, said, as I reviewed the pile of paperwork on my desk.“Alright then. I will be expecting it,” I replied. “You may leave.”Within five minutes, I was done assessing the paperwork. Thereafter, I proceeded to sort the promising proposals into a folder and the others in an envelope.I was about going out for lunch, my first meal of the day as today was exceptionally busy, being that it was the last week of the month, when my phone dinged with a notification.Sitting back on my swivel chair, I opened my phone, and saw that it was an email from “Tendrils of Love”, and a thick shroud of resentment instantly filled me.“Tendrils of Love” was a website that I had specially designed for Josephine and I on our third marriage anniversary. Back then, we had both listed our plans and goals for the next five years and had locked the website after
FIVE YEARS LATERJosephine’s POV“We will now begin to announce the newly qualified senior advocates of our reputable country,” The host, a man clad in a grey suit said into the microphone, and my heart did a backflip as I nervously swallowed.Three weeks ago, I took the senior advocate qualifying exams, and to say I had been the epitome of anxious ever since was probably putting it tame.Currently, I worked as a corporate lawyer at Grandma's law firm, Nexus and co.Three years ago, I began calling Madam Louisa my grandmother on her insistence.Calling her Madam Louisa made me seem too distant, she claimed.A senior advocate was the third highest level one could attain as a lawyer in Australia.It also didn't help that the exam boards always announced the names of the people who passed, at the largest lawyers conference in Australia.If only they announced it at a more discreet place, I wouldn't be so worried about it.There were a lot of people who were confident that I'd ace the exa
Francesco’s POV“I have reviewed the sales memo and am quite impressed with how high the quarterly profit has risen,” I said into the desk microphone. “Kudos to the marketing team.”“Thank you, sir,” The team leader of the marketing department, Ava, said.“So that's all for today,” I continued. “Or does anyone have a question?”“No, sir,” Everyone chorused.“In the absence of none, I hereby declare this meeting over,” I said, rising up to my feet. Moments later as I trekked into the elevator, my phone vibrated with a notification. Swiping it open, I saw that it was a text message from April, which went thus;“Hi, Francesco. I'm sorry about that day. I was too pissed off with my dad and brother, so I didn't know what I was saying. I'm leaving for Italy tomorrow. Forgive me, please?”“Okay. It's cool.” I simply replied, before placing my phone on the desk.I had decided against texting her informally as I wanted to keep my distance from her. My being friendly with April had brought not
Josephine’s POVDespite my trembling hands, I repressed the urge to cower under Francesco's intimidating gaze, my heart scudding as I realized that I wasn't fully healed.That my ex-husband still had an effect on me even though it had been five long years, and I had now become an established lawyer.I was no longer the demure Josephine he used to be married to yet I still felt overwhelmed by his presence.“So how may I be of help to you, Mr De Luca?” I willed myself to say after a while had passed, and Francesco was still looking at me like he wanted to murder me.“You really became a lawyer. Congratulations.” He said. “It suits you since lying is your strongest forte and most lawyers are liars.”“I will take that as a compliment, Mr De Luca,” I replied in a clipped tone.Although I wished to give him a worse response, I decided against doing so, because I wasn't about to stoop to Francesco's level.Hell to the fucking no.I hadn't worked my ass off for five good years, just for him t
Josephine’s POV “As you all know, the annual lawyers retreat is coming up soon,” Chief Caruso began. “Although the date is known, the venue is yet to be decided.” Presently, we were having a meeting in the general conference room, and for some odd reasons, the room reminded me of the last person I wanted to be thinking of at that moment. My ex-husband, Francesco. It was probably because all our meetings had taken place here, so I couldn't shake off his annoying presence. Three days had passed since I found out about Dr Derek's arrest and my mother-in-law's possible involvement in the whole thing. Within that short span, Francesco had nearly blown off my phone with calls, messages, and after I blocked his line, he had resorted to sending me emails. The contents of his messages and emails were always the same thing; a lengthy apology and a plea for us to talk about things clearly soon. Thinking about how he had believed I was the bad guy for five good years and had hated
Josephine’s POV “Guess whose boyfriend is planning a summer vacation to Bali?”Alice said, as she entered the office. “By the way, good morning, babes.”“Good morning to you too,” I replied, smiling as I spun on my swivel chair to face hers. “You are really going to Bali with Kieran?”“Yes, babe,” She shrieked, looking at Edison's chair. “He's not coming in today?”“His leave started today,” I replied, and Alice oohed.“I can't believe I even forgot,” She said. “Back to the topic of the vacation, Kieran is secretly planning the vacation. I think he doesn't want me to know about it yet.”“That's great, girl,” I said. “I'm so happy for you.”“Thanks, Jo,” Alice giggled. “I'm happy too. I saw on his phone that he'd booked two tickets for June. By the way, did you see the news about that psycho American doctor?”“No, I didn't,” I asked, and she huffed. “What happened?”“Let me show you just how evil some people can be. The whole thing is too wild,” Alice said, passing me her phone. “Read
Josephine’s POV “Are you ready, Jo?” Ian asked, as we walked to the golfing field.“Yes,” I replied.I had finally accepted Ian's offer, meaning he was now officially courting me. In contrast to how suffocated I had thought being courted by Ian would be, it was quite relaxing.Three days ago, Ian had asked me out on a golfing date, and I had accepted.“What's your favourite sport?” Ian asked, as the help set the golfing bag down on the field.“Swimming,” I replied, grabbing a golfing pole. “How about you?”“Golfing,” He said. “My dad and I used to golf a lot before his death, so I developed quite an emotional bond with the sport in order to cope with the grief. My mum died after I was born, so I never really knew her.”“I'm so sorry to hear that,” I said, as Ian placed a golf ball in my path.“It's fine, Jo,” He chuckled. “A decade has passed since then, and honestly, I don't even think about them as often nowadays because I've found someone who gives meaning to my life.”Saying so,
Josephine’s POV A smile of satisfaction curved my lips as I looked at my reflection in the mirror.Clad in a backless purple turtleneck dress made with soft silk, I looked beautiful. I had done my makeup to the best of my ability and thankfully, it came out really nice.Even nicer than I expected.Running my hands down my hips, I stared at my empty wrists, inwardly deliberating whether or not to leave them bare.Glancing at the wall clock, I saw that I had about fifteen minutes left before Ian would come pick me up, so I decided to wear chunky silver bangles.Thereafter, I slid into my pair of silver heels, grabbed my silver clutch purse, and blew my reflection a kiss.As I trekked downstairs, the doorbell rang, causing me to smile.It seemed Ian had decided to come earlier.With a huge exhale, I opened the door and there Ian was, smartly dressed in a grey suit.“You look gorgeous, Jo,” He said, blue eyes regarding him. “Breathtaking even.”“Thanks,” I replied. “You too.”“I'm flatte
Francesco’s POV Stepping out of my car, I shut the door and made my way out of the parking lot.“Good evening, sir. You are welcome to Bar 950,” The bouncer at the door greeted.“Evening, thanks.” I said before heading inside the bar where Nathan was already sat at the bar island.“What's up, man?” Nathan uttered, as we shook hands.“I'm good. How about you? How's work and everything?” I replied with questions of my own, as I sat on the barstool beside Nathan.“Work is alright,” He replied. “And everything is also going well. I proposed to my girlfriend last night, and now we are formally engaged.”“That's wonderful news, man,” I said. “I'm happy to hear that.”“Yeah, thanks, man.”“Give me a shot of tequila,” I said to the bartender, then gazed at Nathan. “Order yours. Don't worry, the bill is on me. You can say it's an engagement gift.”“Thanks, man,” Nathan cheered, before saying to the bartender, “Perks of having a billionaire as a friend. I want vodka shots.”“Coming right up,”
Josephine’s POV Climbing out of bed, I let out a huge yawn before peeling off my clothes and heading into the bathroom for a warm shower.When I was done, I donned a bathrobe and wrapped my hair in a towel before stepping out of the bathroom and trekking into my walk-in closet to pick out my outfit for the day.My one week leave had started today, and my plan for the day was for Sabrina and myself to spend the entire day there, as my daughter was on mid-term break.It had been a week since I last saw Francesco, and for some odd reasons, I found myself thinking about him even more these days.Changing into a sundress which I paired with a denim jacket and white sneakers, I made my way to Sabrina's bedroom.On getting to her bedroom, I was surprised to see her fully dressed and sitting quietly on her bed.“Good morning, mummy,” She greeted. “Are we going to Nana's place now?”Smiling, I nodded, “Good morning, baby. Yes. You dressed yourself up, huh?”“Yes, mummy,” Sabrina replied, as I
Francesco’s POV “Thank you,” I told my driver, Roberto, as he held the car door open while I stepped out. “No problem, sir,” He replied, closing the door. “What time should I come back?” “In three hours,” I said. “Good case today, sir,” Roberto uttered, to which I nodded. “Thanks, Roberto,” I said before he went over to the driver's seat and drove off. Pocketing my hands, I stared at the huge glass building of the courthouse, as an unsettling feeling coursed through me. Although Josephine had assured me that since my father went to prison for money laundering and I had operated the company for several years, I now owned it, regardless of who founded it, I couldn't help but think about what would happen if I lost the case. Hell, I would never let my company go even if that happened. I hadn't dedicated my entire life to the company just for it to be taken away by my father. As I walked into the courthouse, my phone vibrated with a notification. Opening it, I saw that it was a
Josephine’s POV “By the way, Jo,” Alice said, as I grabbed my suitcase in preparation for my final meeting with Francesco. Tomorrow was the first and hopefully final hearing for the lawsuit, and in contrast to how scared I had felt the first time I had a meeting with Francesco, I felt lighter. “Yeah?” “I finally saw your client, Francesco De Luca, yesterday,” Alice said, and my heart jolted as I waited for her to continue speaking. “He's way hotter than in the blogs. Damn, that man is fine as fuck. How can someone be so handsome? You sure he wasn't created by Adonis?” “He's alright, I guess,” I shrugged, hoping I seemed nonchalant. “To think you have a boyfriend yet here you are thirsting over other men,” Edison quipped, and Alice scoffed. “Oh, please. I'm just saying, it's not like I want to fuck the man or something. I'm just admiring a gorgeous creature.” Alice defended herself. “Alright, I don't want to be late to my meeting. I'll see you guys later,” I said, befo
Francesco’s POV As I walked into the clothing aisle in search of cufflinks, a little girl stepped on my feet. “Hey, be careful, missy,” I told her, and she looked at me with teary eyes and wobbling lips. Before I knew it, she was full-on sobbing, which made me confused. “I'm sorry, please stop crying,” I said, crouching to her height. “Did you come here with someone?” “Y-Yesh, my mummy,” She sniffled, wiping her tears. “I was running after a kite and didn't know when I left her. Can you please find my mummy for me?” The little girl was the most adorable child I had ever seen in my entire life. Her dumpling cheeks looked so squishy that I had to physically refrain from pinching them to feel their softness. “Sure,” I said, standing up to hold her hand. “Let's go.” “Thanks, mister.” “You are welcome, missy,” I replied, as we approached an ice cream cart. “Do you want one?” “My mummy said I should not take things from staingrass but you are hamsome and kind,” The little girl sai