ALANNAToday would be that day I dread so much. I woke up early to dress in a black suit with red lipstick and red stilettos which matched with my red Louis Vuitton handbag. I needed to look my best today.Today is the day my ex-husband drags my ass to court for a custody hearing. It is funny that all the time I had been to court had been because of Nolan. When he and I divorced and when he decided to be the villain and take me the court for the custody of my children.As Angela and I got out of the car, there were a lot of press and reporters waiting at the entrance of the courtroom. The guard I had hired, stretched forth his arms by our side to shield us from their ravishing push to get an answer out of me. I bowed my hair, as the other guard stood in front of us, motioning for us to follow him and we did just that. When we got to the courtroom hallway, a few minutes before the hearing. Nolan stood by the door, he wore a navy blue tuxedo, with white long sleeves and a red tie,
CHAPTER 64 BRADThe doorbell's shrill ring shattered the peaceful silence of my morning. Wiping flour dust off my hands, I trudged towards the door, muttering about who could be visiting at this ungodly hour. Through the peephole, I saw Chloe, a wild look in her usually manicured eyes, practically vibrating on my doorstep.Opening the door, I raised an eyebrow. "Chloe? Everything alright?"She practically barreled into me, nearly knocking me off balance. "Brad, thank God you're here," she gasped, clinging to my arms like a shipwreck survivor."Whoa, slow down there, drama queen," I said gently, ushering her inside. "What's gotten into you?"Chloe practically collapsed onto the couch, her designer purse clattering to the floor. "It's Alanna! And that… and that she-devil of a mother-in-law of mine!""What about them?" I asked, cautiously taking a seat across from her. The last time Chloe mentioned Alanna, it wasn't exactly a friendly conversation.She took a deep breath, her voice trem
ALANNAThe court adjourned its hearing till next week, I would want to spend any other day in court but this is the small price I had to pay to ensure my children don't end up with the Westbrook. Especially knowing that the witch is going for the kill, I would do anything within my power to make sure I don't let her have her way.I was about to exit the courthouse when Nolan caught up with me, it appeared like he had been sprinting when he finally caught up with me, Angela gave me a sly smile.“I will leave you two alone to talk,” she muttered, not waiting for my response, she strode away, leaving me standing there with Nolan. He is staring at me. A look I recognize all too often, a look he had given me so many times. My eyes narrowed, and I veered to face him, “You look beautiful,” he winced and I rolled my eyes.“You are unbelievable, you just dragged me to court and you are here…”I had not finished speaking when he interrupted me, “I told you it was my mother, but clearly, even
NOLANI am keen on winning Alanna back, there is nothing I wouldn't do to change all that happened in the past between us, to change the image of me she has in her head, but there is no such thing as a time machine. All I would just make sure was that for this opportunity I have been given again, no matter how little, I would make sure that history doesn't repeat itself The car swerved left and I was startled back to my reality.“Nolan, I need you to work with me on this one, I can't do it on my own, the better the united front we pose, the more the chances of us to win,” my mother, who must have been speaking for a while when I tuned her out and trailed off finally concluded. I sighed, I didn't want to be having this conversation with my mother now, but I had received a message earlier on while in court from Chloe, she wanted me to meet her at home and talk.I couldn't keep avoiding her, so I had to go home and talk to her. “Nolan, are you even listening to me?” my mother snappe
ALANNA. “I want a divorce, Nolan,” I finally uttered the words in my mind and his expression shifted from dark to perplexity in a few seconds. There was silence for a few seconds as he stared at me, trying to figure out if I was lying or playing around. I am not the girl who gets picked up in the club and ends up having a one-night stand with a random stranger. I don't find it appalling, I think of it as romantic, falling in love with a stranger with just a glance. I love the idea of love at first sight but I guess the jokes were on me since I'd never gotten to experience that. Well, I fell in love with my husband at first glance but he didn't with me. That is why when I glanced at Nolan, the man I call my husband, his dark gaze piercing through mine, I didn't see love in his eyes, instead, it was disgust and irritation. And I didn't want that anymore. I didn't want any of that again. Gathering all the courage I could muster, I sucked in a breath as I peered at him. “Are you cra
NOLAN. The car pulled to a stop in front of the luxurious hotel and suites where my fiancee was hosting her birthday party. Chloe, my fiance, loved to go all out for events and I was all for it. Although, I had disappointed her and told her that I wouldn't make it back in time for her birthday since I'd been out of town for a few days. “Welcome, sir.” The receptionist behind the counter got on her feet to bow to me and I rolled my eyes. Taking a glance at my phone, I exhaled. Time passed quickly and I was in a terrible mood. “I’m sure my assistant already made my reservation so skip the formalities and get to the point. I want the best room in this place with a magnificent view.” I told her and she started to type something into her laptop. She looked up and glanced at me, a frightened look on her face. “I’m sorry, sir but the best room with the beautiful view is booked already. Do you…” she tried to say before I interrupted her. “Are you denying my request?” I narrowed my eyes a
ALANNA.I stared at the two pink lines on the pregnancy test strip I had and purchased from the store myself. This was the fifth one I was trying on myself and the results were the same thing.I was pregnant.As in, I was going to be a mother.My back hit the wall as I struggled to hold back my sob. I couldn't be pregnant. I couldn't have a child in this condition. I was practically living like a slave in this house, married to this man I was secretly in love with and hoping that he would at least love me back. Even if it was for a day.Yes, I was that desperate to make him love me. To love me the way I loved him because all I'd ever gotten from him back in return for my love toward him was nothing but attitude and hatred. My husband hates me.I stared at the pink lines again and started crying even more. Abortion shouldn't even cross my mind. I could lose my life in the process and I wasn't about to put myself through that. But at the same time, having a baby in a house where no one
NOLAN.FIVE YEARS LATER.“Sir,” I glanced up from my laptop toward the door where my assistant, Linda, stood. She had her hands folded behind her while she stared at me quietly.“Get my car ready. I'm leaving.” I instructed her, ignoring the smile that immediately appeared on her face. I didn't blame her though. I had kept her working past her working hours and I understood that she was tired.The past few weeks have been very hectic for me and even more, the company. This huge deal we'd been chasing after for a year now finally fell through and we were celebrating it off with a grand red carpet dinner event tonight. LUCA EMPIRE was the perfect collaborator and partner for WESTBROOK Limited, the company I was currently heading.My father finally gave up the seat for me and stepped down for me to take control. I thought I would finally get my life the way I wanted it but it's never been more miserable. Probably because occasionally, I would wonder about the blonde-haired silver-eyed w