Alice
I walked to the door, still trying to process the doctor's news. Then, my mind started racing with thoughts of what to do next. I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was going out of control. As I entered the house, I noticed something was off. The door was unlocked, and Naomi was nowhere to be found. I remembered she was supposed to be at home since she had resigned from her job. I also noticed that her bags were missing. At that moment, I felt uneasy. Where was she? And why had she left without saying anything? I called out her name, but there was only silence. Something was definitely wrong. I stood there, wondering if Naomi had traveled. She had gotten her visa last week, and it was possible she had left today. But without saying goodbye? It seemed so sudden, so unfair. I felt a pang of disappointment and hurt. Why hadn't Naomi told me she was leaving? But that was when I remembered I had a baby inside of me. "I'm sorry... I just can't keep you," I said, shaking my head as I stared at my flat stomach. Feeling trapped and unsure, I made the difficult decision to terminate the pregnancy. I felt I had no other choice. Raising a child with no father figure, especially when my own life was a struggle, seemed unfair to the innocent child. I worried about the future, about the questions they would ask, and the truth I would have to tell them. Just as I was lost in thought, there was a knock at the door. I stood up, rolling my eyes, "Finally!" I muttered, and called out Naomi's name, hoping it was her, then rushed to the door. But when I opened it, I was shocked to see four hefty men standing there, holding sticks and guns. My heart skipped a beat as I froze in terror. The men burst into the room, and I fell to my knees, begging and crying. "I don't have any money, please don't hurt me!" One of the men, a towering giant with a bowed head, tattoos covering his body, and a menacing scowl, loomed over me. He pressed the barrel of his gun to my temple. "Where is Naomi?" he growled. "Where the fuck is Naomi?" I trembled, trying to explain. "She's not here... I think she left, but don't worry, she's on her way." The man's expression darkened. "Naomi took a loan from us and ran away. Now you're going to pay for her debt." "No!" I cried. "Naomi didn't run away. She'll return, I promise." "Liar! Where are you hiding that bitch, huh?" he yelled, making me shiver. "Please, I'm not hiding Naomi! I swear, I don't know where she is!" But the man's anger only intensified. He cocked his gun, ready to fire. I screamed, holding my stomach. "I'm pregnant! Please don't kill me!" The man's laughter sent chills down my spine. "We don't fucking care about your pregnancy. We'll shoot your brains out if you don't tell us where Naomi is or pay us the money." "Okay, how much is it?" I asked, tears running down my cheeks. "Ten million dollars," the man sneered. My heart sank. Where would I get that kind of money? I began to shake, my eyes scanning the room for an escape. The gun pressed harder against my head, and I knew I had to think fast. "Please, let me call someone who can help me." "Do you want to call the cops?" he growled, a frown on his face. "No, He's the father of my child, and he's very rich. He'll pay you," I said. The man raised an eyebrow but nodded. I went to grab my purse and rummaged through it, my trembling hands struggling to find Blackwood's complimentary card. After pressing down the number on my phone, I dialed the number, knowing it was a long shot. But what choice did I have? As the call connected, I took a deep breath. "Hello?" "Yes, who am I speaking with?" the voice asked. It was Xavier's voice. "It's me... the lady you met at the bar four weeks ago." "You finally called?" he scoffed. "Please, I need your help," I urged, trying to keep my voice steady. "Did you call me because you need my help, or did you call me concerning the proposal?" I felt a surge of frustration, my hand vibrating around the phone. "Okay, fine. What is the proposal about? Please be quick." Xavier's tone was calm, collected. "We're supposed to talk face to face but since you sound desperate, no problem. So, I actually want a contractual wife. A wife who will marry me for a specific reason, under specific terms." I responded quickly, without hesitation. "I accept. I'll be your wife." Another silence. "Are you hearing me? Please, I'll be your wife. I said I'll marry you! Now help me." "What?" I shouted. "I'm carrying your baby, I'm pregnant with your child! Please, come and save me before they kill us both!" "Where are you right now?" His tone changed instantly. I rattled off the house address, my voice shaking. "I'll be right there within a few minutes," he promised. After a few minutes, we heard the sound of an airplane in the background, the hum growing louder. The men outside exclaimed, "There's a helicopter landing!" The helicopter landed, and Xavier emerged, flanked by two suited bodyguards. Each guard carried a briefcase. Xavier finally entered inside, and his eyes scanned the room, his gaze locking onto the men holding me hostage. "What is happening here?" he demanded, his voice cold. "Wow? So, your husband is the mighty Xavier?" One of the bulky men asked. Another man explained, "Her friend owes us money, and we're going to make her pay." "How much does she owe?" he asked, his expression icy. The man named the amount – ten million dollars. Xavier nodded, and one of his bodyguards opened a briefcase, revealing stacks of cash. Xavier told the men, "Each briefcase contains ten million dollars. Take it, it's all yours." The men grabbed the briefcases and fled, and afterwards, the guards left after Xavier had ordered them, leaving him alone with me. He bent down, his eyes locking onto my teary eyes. "So, it seems you've actually accepted the contract," he said, his voice low. I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper as I rubbed my stomach. "Yes. I'll marry you, Xavier." Xavier stood up, stretching his hand towards me. I took it, and he lifted me up effortlessly. He guided me outside to the helicopter, helping me aboard. The men who had been holding me hostage earlier followed, boarding their own helicopter. The helicopter ride was quiet, the only sound was the whirring blades. But then, Xavier broke the silence, his eyes fixed on my stomach. "About the baby... were you telling the truth? Do you really have a child there?" he asked, his voice low as he stared at my stomach. I nodded, swallowing hard. "Yes, I think it's from the one-night stand. I found out that I'm four weeks pregnant." Xavier's expression remained neutral. "Okay, then. Let's get the formalities out of the way. We can sign the contract now." He opened a briefcase by the side, pulling out a contract. I couldn't help but laugh, surprised that he carried the document with him everywhere. "Does this mean you badly wanted a bride?" I asked, amusement dancing in my voice. "By the way, why do you really want to get married?" However, Xavier was quiet, and his face remained serious, so I just kept quiet, regretting why I'd even ask in the first place. He handed me the contract. I scanned the pages, my heart racing. This was it – I was committing to a marriage of convenience. I signed the papers, my hand trembling slightly. Xavier took the contract, signing his name with a flourish. As he handed the papers back to his briefcase, our eyes met. "So, I guess you're now my wife," he stated, his voice low. I swallowed hard, my voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, I am."XavierAs we stepped out of the helicopter, I assisted Alice down, mindful of her delicate condition. Her eyes widened in awe as she took in the grandeur of my mansion.And I couldn't help but smile, a gesture I normally reserved for rare moments. Alice's wonder was infectious, but I quickly suppressed my emotions, reverting to my usual stoic demeanor."Wow, it's so beautiful," Alice breathed, her gaze roaming over the mansion's facade.I nodded curtly, gesturing for her to follow me. As we walked toward the entrance, I informed her, "I'll show you to your room."Before we reached the grand staircase, Alice suddenly grasped my hand, halting my stride.I turned to her, my voice detached, "What is it?" My eyebrow rose in question, betraying a hint of curiosity.Alice's eyes locked onto mine, her expression uncertain. I waited for her to speak, my gaze unwavering."What's it, Alice?" I finally asked, breaking the silence that was about to devour us.Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as sh
AliceI sat on the bed, my mind racing with thoughts. Why was Xavier so mad? Did I do something wrong? I kept replaying our conversation in my head. I told those men I was pregnant... Was that wrong? Perhaps Xavier didn't want anyone to know that I was carrying his baby. All men are totally the same, isn't it? I should have really known better, especially since I was a divorcee. Trusting men was supposed to be the last thing I should think of.My thoughts swirled, making me feel restless. I needed to talk to Xavier, to clear the air. I decided to call him, my heart racing with do. I brought out my phone and hesitated for a moment. What if he yelled at me? What if he replied in his typical arrogant and cold manner?I took a deep breath, bracing myself for the worst. I pressed the call button and closed my eyes tightly, waiting for him to answer.Xavier finally answered the call, and after a brief silence, I said, "Hello," my voice gentle and subdued."I can hear you, Alice. Just get st
Xavier Wendy turned to me with a frown on her face, yanking her arm away from mine. "Eww, gross, Xavier! Why can't you quickly deny the statement that I'm your fiancée and tell her that I'm your little sister?" she asked, her voice laced with annoyance. I frowned, taken aback by her outburst. Wasn't she the one who blurted that out senselessly? She should be the one to correct herself. "Can you even speak up for yourself, Xavier?" she asked, clearly exasperated. I finally found my voice, my tone firm but calm. "Can you leave? We'll talk later." Wendy raised an eyebrow, a sly smile spreading across her face. "Alright, bro," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Before I could even react, she smacked me squarely on the ass, laughing as she walked away. I watched her leave, my expression stern, emotions in turmoil. I was embarrassed, completely caught off guard by Wendy's unexpected behavior. She was out of her mind—no question about it. As I turned back to face Alice, I coul
AliceI stared at Xavier, who was staring back at me in confusion. How did I end up here? Just a few minutes ago, I was in my room, trying to catch some sleep. My mind had been restless all day, thinking about what my best friend had done to me. She had left without warning, abandoning me with no explanation and almost getting me killed by some wicked strangers.As I lay on my bed, trying to calm my racing thoughts, I heard a knock at the door. I got up to answer it, and that's when I saw Wendy standing in the hallway with a mischievous smirk on her face."To what do I owe this sudden visit?" I asked, doing my best to hide the frown tugging at my lips."I should be the one asking you that," she shot back, her left eyebrow raised mischievously. "Shouldn't you be in your husband's room, sleeping beside him?"I bristled. "We decided not to sleep together until our wedding, which is coming up soon.""Oh, so you two are practicing celibacy?" Wendy laughed, shaking her head.I nodded, tryin
Alice"Why... Why don't you sleep on the bed?" I suggested after a long silence, our eyes locked on each other."I'll sleep on the couch," Xavier replied, his voice still deep. "You can take the bed.""You know what?" I said, scratching the back of my head. "Why don't we just sleep on the same bed?""Excuse me?" he muttered, amusement dancing in his brows."I mean, it's not that bad," I shrugged. "It could help us get comfortable before we get married, right? Besides, it's a king-size bed."Xavier glanced at the bed, and I let out a nervous laugh, walking towards it, my hands spread apart."I mean, it's so huge! Ten people could sleep here and still not touch each other.""Touch each other?" he asked.I swallowed hard. "Not like that! I mean, skin brushing against each other and all that. Pfft!""Hmm, I guess you're right," he nodded, raising both brows, a hand against his jaw.I laughed again, still nervous. "Exactly! So, it's fine."Xavier nodded, and we both climbed into bed, lying
XavierAs our lips met, I felt a rush of excitement. The kiss was electrifying, and I could sense Alice's passion. But I broke it off suddenly, leaving her breathless and wanting more.I gazed at her for a moment, her eyes slowly opening, still cloudy with desire. Her lips were parted, inviting me to continue. I chuckled, amused by her reaction."What are you doing?" I asked, prompting her to quickly open her eyes, blinking fast."Oh, the kiss is already over?" she asked, her voice husky as she covered her lips.I smiled, and she quickly looked away. "So, I guess you aren't pulling off your gown?" I teased.Alice nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes...but I think we should stop the game now. Good night."She turned away, closing her eyes. I crawled to the other side of the bed, lying down and staring at the door. A smile still played on my lips as I touched my bottom lip, remembering the kiss. I couldn't stop smiling.I woke up that morning to find Alice still sleeping peace
XavierAs I returned home from work, I couldn't stop thinking about the camera I had found back at the office, or rather, in the bathroom. Lost in thought, I entered my mansion and didn't even realize I had passed my sister Wendy standing by the staircase until she grabbed my arm. Startled, I turned to see her looking at me with a concerned expression."Hey, what's up?" she asked. "I kept calling you, but you didn't reply. You were about to pass me by before I had to grab you. What's wrong, Xavier?"I sighed deeply, pulling my arm away from her hold. "I'm fine."Wendy's expression changed to a bright smile. "By the way, I love your wife - she's very nice. I think I'm going to give her a plus.""Okay," I muttered, nodding.Lost in thought, I didn't notice Alice, my wife, standing at the top of the stairs. She started to walk down, then paused and looked up at me with a bright smile. Quickly running down the stairs, she hugged me tightly."Welcome, dear husband," she said cheerfully.We
AliceI was in my bedroom, scrolling through my phone on the bed when I suddenly remembered that I had left my underwear in Xavier's bedroom. I had been in his room earlier that day, and I was mortified that I had forgotten something so personal.Quickly, I jumped up and ran to his room, opening the door without knocking. I just had to get my underwear back, which was actually a bra sewn onto lacy-looking panties.As I entered, I was taken aback by the sight of Xavier standing there, blood trickling down from his nose to his mouth. I rushed to him, concern etched on my face, and held his huge face in my small hands."What happened? What's wrong with you?" I asked, my voice trembling with worry.But he just slightly pushed me away from him, his expression unreadable. "I'm fine," he said gruffly. "Why did you just enter without knocking?""I just wanted to get something that I forgot, and I was in a haste, sorry about that," I said, my eyes fixed on his bloody nose. "But what's wrong wi
XavierI narrowed my eyes, and slowly softened the look on my face before letting a smirked crawl over my lips."Did you really think I'd forget you, Alice? Once bitten, twice shy, don't you think?"Alice looked taken aback. "What? You… you remember?""I remember everything, I chuckled, nodding my head. "I was only trying to pull your leg. You know, like those cliché movie scenes."As I spoke, I winced in pain, clutching my chest. Alice had slammed her hand against there, and I could see the anger and grief in her eyes. She was about to hit me again when the doctor intervened, gently prying Alice away. "Ma, please calm down. He's still recovering "She resisted, her eyes flashing with emotion. "No, I won't calm down! Did you see what he just did? He pretended not to know me!"I shook my head, a hint of a smile on my lips. "I'm sorry, Alice. I didn't mean to scare you.""How could you act like you don't know me?" Alice demanded, her voice trembling. "I was worried sick about you. I tho
AliceA WEEK LATERAs I gazed lovingly at my baby, I couldn't help but smile. She was so peaceful, breastfeeding and moving softly in my arms. I saw Xavier's features in her tiny face, and my heart swelled with love.Just then, the door opened, and Xavier's parents walked in, beaming with smiles. "Oh my goodness!" Xavier's mother exclaimed, rushing towards me. "Look at her! She looks just like Xavier!"I smiled warmly, feeling a pang of sadness. "Yes, she does."Xavier's mother cooed over the baby, admiring her tiny features."What about Wendy and her husband?" I asked. "They also promised to see me today.""They'll be here soon," Xavier's father replied. "They just stopped to...visit Xavier first."My eyes clouded with sadness, and I nodded silently. Xavier's father asked gently, "Don't you miss him?"Did he even need to ask? My face showed how much I missed him. It's been a weak already!"I miss him so much…" I replied, my voice trailing off. "But there's nothing we can do now, can
AliceI slowly opened my eyes, wincing in pain. My head throbbed, and my body ached all over. As my gaze cleared, I realized I was in a familiar room - my ex-husband Ethan's bedroom. I sat up with a start, my heart racing.What was I doing here? I looked around, taking in the familiar surroundings. Even the bed was the same one where I'd caught Ethan and my step-sister Kate together. The memory still stung.I tried to piece together how I'd ended up here. Then, it hit me - Ethan had kidnapped me from the shopping mall. I'd been so scared, and now I was trapped.Determined to escape, I stood up, holding my stomach. I was still getting used to my pregnant body. I made my way to the door and tried to open it, but it was locked. I tried again, but it wouldn't budge.Panic set in. I started banging on the door, shouting, "Let me out now! Let me out before you regret bringing me here! Ethan, Let me go!"But soon, I gave up because he wasn't even answering me and as I stood there, frozen in
XavierI sat in the meeting, surrounded by CEOs and billionaires, discussing business deals and strategies. But my mind kept wandering, my heart skipping a beat for no apparent reason. I rubbed my chest, trying to shake off the odd feeling.Lumber, sitting beside me, noticed my discomfort. "Is everything alright, sir?" he asked, concern etched on his face.I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. "Yes, I'm fine. Just a bit...off," I replied, unsure of what was wrong."Maybe you should get some rest, sir?" he suggested. "You've been working non-stop for weeks."But I shook my head, determined to push through. "Let's just finish this up, and then I'll take a break."The meeting finally came to a close, and I stood up, shaking hands with the other executives. As I walked out of the conference room, my secretary handed me a bottle of water. "Here, sir, drink this. It'll help calm your nerves."I took a sip, feeling a bit more centered. Then, I remembered my wife, and how I'd promis
MariaAs I sat in my favorite armchair, reflecting on my life, I couldn't help but think about my son, Xavier. Had I truly given him the best possible life? The answer, I realized with a pang of guilt, was no.I had been a distant, uninvolved mother, never taking the time to understand my son's desires or dreams. Instead, I had dictated his path, choosing his career and making decisions on his behalf, right from a young age.A few years ago, Xavier had brought Phoebe to meet me, telling me about his plans to marry her and how much he loved her. But I had refused to accept her. In my mind, I would choose the perfect woman for my son, and Phoebe didn't fit the bill.So, behind the scenes, I had manipulated events to sabotage Xavier's business, watching with a sense of satisfaction as it crumbled. My son was devastated, unable to understand why his company was failing. Little did he know, it was his own mother who was responsible.I recalled the conversation I had with Phoebe, telling he
AliceI walked slowly down the staircase, gripping a large, brown envelope containing the divorce finalization papers. Reaching the bottom step, I paused, looking up to see Xavier descending towards me. His polished shoes clicked against the stairs, echoing through the hallway.As he approached, he extended a hand, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, this is it. I can officially call you my ex-wife, right?"I smiled, inhaling the scent of his cologne as I took his hand. "Not for long, Xavier," I replied, our handshake brief but firm.We broke apart, and together, we walked towards the car waiting for us outside. The driver stood by the door, tipping his hat as we slid into the backseat.As the car glided smoothly into motion, Xavier turned to me, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Divorce has never tasted so sweet," he whispered, his eyes crinkling at the corners.I smiled, my heart skipping a beat. "I can't help but agree," I replied, our lips meeting in a tender, s
AliceBefore I could even process my emotions, Xavier dropped to his knees, his eyes locked on mine. He pulled out a small jewelry box from his pocket and opened it, revealing a stunning diamond ring. His voice trembled as he whispered, "Alice, please... divorce me. Let's divorce from this contractual marriage of ours and marry right. Please marry me."I felt like I couldn't breathe for a second there. We were married, yes, but it was a contractual arrangement, a business deal between us. But now, Xavier was asking me to break free from that contract and marry him for real.I stared at him, my mind reeling. His eyes were glassy with tears, and his voice was laced with emotion. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.And then, like a dam breaking, tears flooded my eyes. My voice shook as I whispered, "Y-yes... I'll marry you."Xavier's face lit up with joy, and he slid the ring onto my finger. He stood up, his eyes never leaving mine, and kissed me like he never had before. I reciprocat
AliceWe sat on the sofa, holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes. I felt a sense of relief wash over me. We were finally home, finally together again! I couldn't ask for more."Shouldn't we call your parents, at least?" I asked, thinking of Wendy and how worried she must be. I remembered how much she used to call me, crying and bawling all night to my ears.Now, Xavier telling me not to reach out to anyone yet was something strange."Not now," he whispered, his eyes locked on mine. "Right now, I just want to ease the tension, look at you, talk to you, and feel our baby."I smiled, my hand instinctively going to my swollen belly. Next month, our little one would arrive, and I couldn't wait to see Xavier hold our child in his arms.He kissed my lips gently, his eyes filled with adoration. "I love you so much, wifey.""I love you too," I replied, my heart full.Xavier's expression suddenly turned serious, and he swallowed hard. "Alice?" he called, his voice low and gentle."Yes,
XavierI finally told the police I wanted to return to the US, but there was a problem - Phoebe had seized all my documents. The policemen offered to search her place again, and after a thorough search, they recovered my belongings.Relieved, I checked into a hotel for the night. However, my phone was still missing, and I suspected Phoebe had hidden it. I decided to purchase a new phone that same night and thankfully remembered Alice's phone number.I tried calling her, but she didn't answer. I tried again and again, but still, no response. Growing concerned, I decided to check her social media profiles. But when I reached her Instagram page, I found it had been deactivated.Confused and worried, I began searching for news about Alice. That's when I stumbled upon shocking headlines - my wife had been charged with plagiarism for a book she had written. I knew Alice was the original author of that book, and the accusations made no sense. Why would they do this to her? What the hell happ