Emma spends her entire Saturday morning cleaning up the house. She blasts the music to the fullest through her EarPods while mopping the floor and wiping the windows clean. Who knows that Mr. Brightside could make a great anthem while scrubbing the toilet tiles?It isn't until noon that the Omega finally finishes cleaning, with every single nook and cranny of the house spotless, before she decides to take a shower and prepare a hot cup of instant ramen for lunch.Emma likes cleaning. She likes that she gets to see the obvious results in an instant, like how a dusty floor gets shiny after she mops it or how stained windows turn clear and bright once she polishes them.More importantly, she likes how cleaning makes her forget, even for a little while. Emma refuses to allow herself to think about what happened last night. She refuses to remember her heartbreak being ditched at her birthday dinner, alone.After showering, Emma gets into the kitchen to start preparing her ramen, and that's
Emma feels so bad for Jack when the man repeats his apology for the umpteenth time before leaving their table. Nobody would've thought that Lucus would tell a total stranger about their relationship when they'd specifically made a deal."Hey! That's not cool." Zia says once Jack is gone, "I thought you guys agreed that each of you was free to date anyone. Why did you sabotage Emma when you were dating Moni yourself? That's not fair!"There's a heavy silence following Zia's argument because she definitely hits a sore spot. After a moment too long, Lucus finally replies, "I just don't think that he's a good man.""It's alright," Emma says next. God, she really hates drama. "I'm not interested in seeing anyone right now. So, it's okay."When it gets a little too uncomfortable, Lucus stands up and announces that he's going to say hi to his friend, the head chef, before leaving the table.Once they are alone, Zia breaks her silence again. "How long have you had romantic feelings for Lucus?
Lucus breathing is becoming irregular. It's getting impossible to control himself as he runs his fingers along Emma's lean body and moves further down. Down and down until he reaches Emma's waistband. He plays along the line of the stretchable band until his fingers accidentally graze the tip of Emma's things. The Omega is fully turned on by Lucus, and he loves that he made that happen.Emma's reaction is unrestrained. She hasn't been touched in so long. The moment Lucus fingers touch her tip, although just for a fraction of a second, Emma instinctively curves her back, landing her head on the Alpha shoulder while her ass pushes back on Lucus groin, and fuck, Lucus erection is huge, pressing proudly in between Emma's cheeks."Alpha..." Emma whines, already ashamed that she's breathless from nothing.Lucus answers with a hum that could pass as a low groan as well, his nose still pressing on Emma's neck while his arm reacts by pulling Emma in closer to him. Lucus knows that his breaths
For a second, the world stops moving, but in the next, Lucus pulls himself apart, putting a huge distance between them. Emma doesn't understand why her husband looks scared and frightened before he tugs at his own hair like he's regretting his action and curses at the wind."Fuck! Omega, I'm sorry. That wasn't supposed to happen. That was a mistake. I just need to go." Lucus says this and immediately storms out of the house, leaving Emma alone and brokenhearted.As soon as her husband is gone, the emptiness claims her in an instant. It's overwhelming and it's pulsating; Emma can't seem to think of anything else but her shattered heart. She thuds her head on the wall behind her and slowly slides her back against the wall, down and down, until she's sitting on the floor.There's a kind of pain from within that's crushing and indescribable. Emma doesn't know what's happening to her heart anymore. Right there on the floor, Emma coils her body and cries. It seems impossible to control her
There is a huge ballroom on the top floor of Will's Building, and the whole space was decorated for the launching party of their newest anticancer drug, Apex. The ambience inside is classy and luxurious, with a high chandelier hanging from the ceiling. There is a stage upfront already set up with spotlights and a big screen behind it, whereas across the room are tables and chairs arranged neatly.Emma can't deny that she's excited for yet another success of Will's, but she has always hated launching parties like this because it's just too much pressure on her. There's this necessity to impress important people from other companies—the need to make a good impression and give out her ever-ready smiles because in this business, connection is everything. She might not like everybody she meets here tonight, but she needs a good rapport with everyone because, who knows, one day they might end up working together.A step into the extravagant ballroom, and Emma's heart is already picking up s
There's some sort of pain that Lucus is sure he has never experienced before, like a sharp, piercing pain that shoots right through his heart when he realizes what he sees. Without any rationale whatsoever, Lucus expresses his distaste outwardly, clearing his throat out loud so that both males on the balcony simultaneously turn to him."I think that's enough." Lucus doesn't mean to, but even he knows how his tone comes out: stern and authoritative. "We're going to be late, Emma. Sorry Max, we have somewhere else to be."Emma doesn't get the chance to say anything when, in a blink, Max's fingers are off her hair, and in the next, Lucus is pulling his friend's jacket off Emma and tugging on her hands. Lucus intertwines his long fingers in between Emma's chubby ones and pulls the Omega to his side before arranging his steps to get back into the ballroom. But as he's about to leave the balcony, he hears Max's voice calling out to him."Lucus!"Lucus and Emma both turn around, their steps
"You can still do that," Emma says curtly. "You can still bring Moni here after the divorce," she adds next.There's a moment of pure stillness in the air as Lucus registers Emma's words; his eyes narrow down, and then he asks, "What divorce?" Lucus questions come in such a way that he strongly presses on every single syllabus and enunciates them."Our divorce." Emma answers casually, like it's not big news and they're just conversing about the weather. "I mean, that has been the plan all along, right? This marriage serves only to please your dad. We're getting a divorce once dad gives you your shares; you said so yourself. If we stick to that plan, it's actually long overdue. So, I've already talked to my lawyer. I believe she'll contact you soon.""What the hell, Omega?" Lucus voice raises, and he steps closer to Emma, whose response is to back towards the Catalpa.Emma sees how Lucus brows narrow, and she can almost see the fire burning in Alpha's big eyes. She doesn't know why, bu
Emma wonders why she wakes up the next morning. Can't life work like a game and just stop and restart each time she reaches a low point? Maybe she'd do better the next round.She stretches her limbs and groans at how sore they are. Only when she's taking her shower does she realize that her throat isn't doing any better either; each time she swallows, it feels like her throat is being dragged down a grater.When she gets to the office, Emma resumes her pending work. She pulls out the folders that Lucus needs to look at today. There's a new proposal from a company called We Corp. on anticoagulant drugs. Emma had already briefed Lucus about the proposal sometime last week, and the Alpha had a short meeting with their representative a few days before they launched Apex. However, Lucus hasn't given Emma any input from that meeting yet, so Emma needs that to be done and documented today.Not long after Lucus comes in, Emma is called into the office. So readily, she walks in with all the fi
The air was filled with the subtle scent of lemons and candle wax.Gold tapestry runners featuring Batik motifs graced the tables by the entranceway to the hall, and crystal vases filled with white roses spilling out sat atop them, while bouquets of white roses wrapped in blue silk ribbons decorated the ends of the old wooden pews. The early morning sun shone through the stained-glass windows of the wedding hall and reflected pretty images onto the floor of the hall. Dozens of candles in every size were placed on the altar, ready to be lit when the ceremony started; they would lend a soft and warm glow to the happy couple as they stood before friends and family professing their love for one another.Zia studied the decorations with a critical eye—everything had to be perfect. She had pale yellow roses braided into her long dark hair and her dress, a long column of silver—not quite white and not quite grey—that shimmered under the lights with every moment. Satisfied that everything was
A small family could be heard all the way down the street from their apartment. A toddler was throwing a fit by the sounds of her crying and screams, and two people could be heard arguing."You! Get out of my home now!!"Emma hissed at her father, who was standing a few feet from his daughter and granddaughter, sporting a scowl.Emma was doing everything she could not to gently set her daughter down in her playpen and lunge for her father's throat. Nadia is now four years old; she's grown to be a beautiful toddler. She was clinging to her mother like her life depended on it and was crying hysterically. Emma was rocking back and forth in his arms and glaring at Robert in hatred."That thing is an abomination. She shouldn't even exist!" David spat, glaring at the toddler in disgust.The toddler whimpered at the insult and clung even tighter to her mother. Emma was enraged and could barely control herself. The only thing keeping her from screaming at her father was the little girl in her
Emma complied, taking the last few steps towards Lucus. The Alpha pulled her into his arms, stroking her back lovingly. Emma wrapped her arms around Lucus as well, not able to prevent the smile she was holding back from spreading across her face. Lucus suddenly felt tense. Emma looked up at him and noticed a sour expression written across his features."What's wrong, Lucus?" She whispered."Nothing."Emma glared, not taking too kindly to being lied to. Lucus sighed in defeat and met her gaze. His eyes held so much sorrow and fear. "I'm not a good father," he whispered sadly.Emma gasped out in shock. How could Lucus think like that? It's not like someone can go from never being around children to being an expert on them in only a few weeks! Lucus was being too hard on himself, setting his expectations too high. Emma would do everything she could not to let Alpha beat himself up over not being experienced with kids."Lucus, you love both Clary and Nadia to pieces! How could you say tha
Lucus made quick work of her shirt as well before Allen returned with a white hospital gown. Lucus lifted Emma up slightly so she could slip it on her. They had just laid Emma back down when a door burst open and the doctor walked in. She was wearing her pale pink hospital gown and white flats.She came strutting through like she owned the place. She shoved Lucus and Emma aside, making her way over to Emma. She was currently panting and sweating as if she had just run a marathon. She grabbed one of the towels from the nightstand and dabbed it with some of the cool water in the bucket. She wiped the sweat rolling down her face before she began setting up everything she would need for the delivery.The group sat there for the next hour and a half. It was silent. Allen was in the other room talking to Alex, who had arrived ten minutes beforehand. Emma had requested that they leave the room. She didn't feel comfortable with anyone witnessing her give birth to the baby other than Lucus. Sh
A tap on Lucus window startled him out of his thoughts. He saw a woman in her forties with messy brunette hair standing in front of his window with a takeout bag. He rolled the window down, and she shoved the food at him. He rolled his eyes as she walked away. He looked down into the bag and noticed something strange.There was only lava cake.He snatched the bag and stormed out of the vehicle and into the restaurant. He slammed the bag on the counter in front of a startled-looking employee. She had her purple hair tied into a bun, and her green eyes were wide. He felt no remorse."I have been to two different Burger King's! I've had soda spill on my shirt, and then an old woman slapped me in the face! I got pulled over by a cop who vandalized my car and gave me a seven-hundred-dollar ticket simply because I'm married to Omega! Now your ignorant people make me pull off to the side to wait for onion rings that I've never received! I demand three large orders of onion rings, another sli
5 Years Later:"Lucus!"Omega sighed, placing her rainbow-striped bookmark in her fantasy drama novel. She strode out of her office and into the living room.His Alpha was sprawled out on the sofa, his chin in his palm, as he watched an episode of Modern Family. Emma was wearing nothing but an oversized hoodie and a pair of grey shorts. Despite the baggie hoodie and fluffy red blanket covering her torso, her nine-month pregnant belly was obvious.They'd wanted to be married for a little while before they had another child. So, after two years of traveling the world and going on many fun adventures, they settled down back in their apartment with Clary. They then proceeded to make mad, passionate love all night long. It was more overwhelming than any other time. Of course, it only took one round to impregnate Emma, but once they got started, they couldn't get enough of each other."Yes love?" Lucus asked.He couldn't help but eye the dozens of candy wrappers strewn about the floor. The
The whole idea had been Allen's.When she'd suggested the idea to Emma—to celebrate Clary's birthday in a cute and fun way that the little one could enjoy—she hadn't come up with anything wrong with it.Neither of them had taken in Alex as a factor, though. Which, between the three of them, they really should have?"I don't think that outfit is appropriate for children."Lucus raised his eyebrows in confusion. He gestured to Clary, who was clad in dark blue denim jeans and a deep green knit sweater, before turning to Emma with an expression that suggested he really thought Emma had lost her mind this time."I meant yours," Emma explained, pointing to Lucus bright yellow skin-tight jeans and glaringly obvious rainbow singlet, which he'd paired with a deep red jacket and black shoes."We're going to a zoo, Lucus, not a nightclub."Lucus pouted, and Emma sighed."Just dress it down a little for me today." She asked. "Please? I'll let you choose my outfit another time if you do this for m
"Where are you getting it?" Zia asked Emma, taking a cotton ball and dipping it in antiseptic."On my wrist," she says, holding out her right arm. Zia nods, wiping the skin of her wrist beneath her palm.She puts the cotton ball down and then purses her lips."Could you... I might need you to swap chairs with Lucus; I don't want to do this upside down."Emma nods. "Of course."She and Lucus switch, darting past each other. Lucus raises his eyebrows, hoping to get something out of either of them, but neither Zia nor Emma say a word."This is borderline torture." He complains, flopping into his seat. Zia smiles sympathetically, as if to say "This wasn't my decision".Emma just looks a little nervous."So, I'm going to outline the drawing in marker first, so you can be certain of its placement, and then if you're happy, I'll start." Zia explains.Emma nods, her eyes darting over to Lucus before returning to Zia. She smiles encouragingly, picking up a black, fine-tip, skin-safe marker and
"You want to get a tattoo?"Out of all the things Lucus ever thought he'd hear Emma say, getting a tattoo was not even a registered possibility."Yes." Emma nods, and Lucus knows Emma enough to accept that she's being completely serious."But you already have my mating mark on your body." Lucus states. He folds his hands behind his head, leaning backwards against the headboard. He had a feeling this conversation would be one he'd need to be relaxed for."Well, yes, but that's not the same." Emma replies. He sighs as Lucus raises his eyebrows."Mark's fade; some are permanent, but not all of them, and they're different. Mating marks speak of my mating. Tattoos are something that both of us can have, and it's more special and ... forever."Lucus leans over and kisses Emma's bare shoulder."You genuinely want this?" He asks to be certain. There's a warmth flooding him just from hearing that Emma wants to get something permanent that they can both share. Something different that no other