Chapter 48 Sage's POV I stood before the vanity mirror in the corner of the room, admiring the set of jewelry that Diego gifted to me last night after our movie night at a famous cinema in the heart of Berlin. It has been two days and seemingly the best days I've had so far since I graduated college. We've gone to every tourist site, gallery, bookstore, and cinema and we've fucked at all of them. Yes, it has been that wild and I wouldn't have it any other way because, in the long run, this said vacation would've been awkward. Tonight, the auction will take place, and getting ready to leave, I'm stuck admiring the jewelry he gifted me last night. It is an expensive set with a small diamond diamond engraved in every piece at a uniquely designed spot. He had cheesily spoken about spoiling me last night and for some reason, his words have been ringing in my head the whole night. I sighed and put the box aside picking my other accessories and putting them on. I was dressed in a dark
Chapter 49 Sage's POV Kian acknowledged me with a nod when I stepped into the living room. He was heading to the door with a bag containing a file. I stood in the hallway and watched him slip out of the room before turning to the enigmatic figure standing before a painting in the corner of the room. I wonder what he was thinking as he stared at the painting. Taking in deep breath, I started walking towards him. My heels clicked on the floor and the sound caught his attention making him turn. There was a tired look in his eyes as he looked at me. "What are you thinking about?" I asked, stopping midway. He said nothing as he closed the distance between us. "Bella called" I informed but he simply shrugged as he reached for his jacket on the chair beside us. I folded my hands across my chest. "Aren't you interested to know about our conversation?" Diego looked up and cocked his head, a knowing look and a glint of resignation flashing in his eyes. "I have an idea about half of it
Chapter 50 Diego's POV I noticed a shift in Sage's demeanor when Gordon said Kent couldn't make it. She was visibly angry. There had to be a reason why and the hunch I had about it made me feel even more downcast than I'd been earlier. She probably thought she had a chance with Kent as a pawn. She wanted to get the house. I trusted that if it were anyone else other than my grandfather as her opposition, she had a chance. But he was vile. He wouldn't let anyone soil his plans, always a damn step ahead of the other person. A trait I got from him. "Are you okay?" I asked gently raising her head by the chin so she was looking at me. "You seem sour since we entered the house. Shouldn't that be my mood?" She rolled her eyes. "What makes you think that only you should feel sour?" Yes, this indeed had something to do with Kent's absence. She looked annoyed and very annoyingly cute sulking right in my arms. Warmth spread in my chest as I stared at her pretty face. "What was your p
Sage's POV I swung my head to the side and my eyes locked onto Diego's. The soft glow of the room's chandeliers cast a warm light on his face, accentuating his sharp features. I felt a flutter in my chest as our eyes held, the air thick with tension. I caught a hint of pride swirling in his gaze, mixed with surprise. A faint smile played on his lips. He didn't think I had only a single plan in mind, did he? I'd never laid my full trust in Freeman from the beginning. Before we left the house, the text I received from Violet was to confirm that he had never made it to the airport. Yes, I had been angry when we got here, but it was because he chose to betray me after everything my father had done for him. He was such an ungrateful man. Diego held my hand, taking it up to his lips and I felt a shiver run down my spine as he placed a firm, chaste kiss on my knuckles. My cheeks flushed, and I looked away, trying to compose myself. "Can I guess who you've laid your cards on?" He asked
Chapter 52 Sage's POV When I stepped out of the restroom, my eyes scanned the hallway but I caught no sign of the nameless woman who I had just spoken with. She left the restroom barely a minute ago and now, it was like she'd just vanished in thin air. Something didn't add up but I couldn't place it. I stood there for a while wondering who she was and why she was interested in my relationship with Diego. Initially, I placed her as a fling but it didn't seem like such a pass to me. Taking a deep breath, I headed back downstairs to the living room where the auction had taken place. Diego was done with his speech and a few of the guests were leaving while others were having conversations over wine. I stopped to speak with a few people as I returned to the room. Diego was on the other side and in a deep conversation with Baron Lockwood. "Congratulations Mr Lockwood on your newest property," I said to Baron and he gave me a knowing smile raising his glass. According to our agreement
Chapter 53 Diego's POV The evening had been going great from the moment Sage decided to break her plans to me about the property which was now within her grasp. But now, faced with the people who had betrayed me years ago, the galore of the night had been ruined. My eyes darted between my cousin and his fiancée, lingering longer on her. Hailey. She was the one. Now with brown hair, I remembered that she was a dye freak. I'd never gotten to see her authentic self, and I didn't care since she was happy doing whatever she wanted. I once loved her and would do anything for her. A brief, stabbing pain pierced my chest as memories of our past surfaced. But it was momentary, and I was surprised by how little I felt. The thought of her no longer had the power to cause me pain. Rather, a sense of disgust towards her was what reigned in my mind. She had been introduced by Dean as his fiancée, but since she had no dignity to save herself, she chose to openly leer at me. I smirked, recalling
Chapter 54 Sage's POV I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach as I thought about the way Diego had looked at Hailey. It was just a glance, barely thirty seconds, but it felt like an eternity. I was being ridiculous, I knew that. But I couldn't help the rage that coursed through my veins. Get yourself together, Sage... get it together. I chanted internally, trying to calm myself down but it wasn't working. I was furious, and I could feel my body shaking with anger. I was mad at myself, not Diego. But somehow, his presence seemed to fuel my emotions. Was this what insecurity felt like? I'd never experienced it before. There was never anything worth feeling this way for. But now, with Diego, I felt like I was losing myself. I glanced at Diego and he was staring at me with a mixture of frustration and the tenderness I'd grown fond of. That was it. The fondness. I shouldn't be growing fond of him. No, I needed to stop whatever was happening be
Chapter 55 Sage's POV "Kian will drive you home, I need to check on some things at the office" Diego had said to me, holding the door to the car open with his head slightly poking in. We just arrived from Berlin. The flight had lasted for roughly six hours. It was the longest six hours of my life. I'd stayed in my seat throughout the flight and fought the urge to even look at him even when I panicked. He watched me and only offered his hand. I felt a mix of emotions as I wondered why he didn't hold me in his arms. This was the most words he'd spoken to me since our conversation last night. Was he avoiding me, now? "Okay" I nodded, not casting him a glance and he closed the door. He didn't look back as he walked to the other car behind. ..... When I woke up the next morning, I reached behind me out of instinct to check if Diego was there. My heart dropped when I realized that he was wasn't and I begrudgingly sat up and ruffled my hair. I'm so stupid. Taking a deep breath, I
EPILOGUE( Two Years Later... )Sage stretched out in exhaustion after she had finished cleaning up Zara's mess. Zara was the last of hers and Diego's triplets, and recently, she wasn't feeling too well."You feel better, now don't you?" She asked, smiling at her daughter who smiled back as though agreeing to her words. The triplets – two girls and a boy – were turning two years old in three months, but they could understand and even say a few words, well, except for Zara, who seemingly wasn't that fast to catch up, but she was smart in her way.Casting them one last glance to be sure they were all set, Sage headed to her closet to put on the evening gown she had picked out earlier. Her parents had called, insisting that she come to dinner, leaving no room for argument. They'd even asked her to dress up but she wasn't going to put much effort. It was just dinner, and she couldn't afford to stay out with Zara for long.Normally, she would if Diego was around, but he wasn't, as he trave
Chapter 144Sage's POV( Two months later... )I stood before the mirror rubbing my small baby bump tenderly with a pout on my lips. I'd just finished eating a carrot cake but I was still craving more. I wished Diego were here to sneak some food for me.But that wasn't possible because he was with the guys getting ready for our wedding. Yes, today was the day of the wedding and I was dressed in my stunning wedding dress that was specially designed for me. Vivian had set an appointment with one of the best designers in the world just to get this dress made."You look gorgeous, bestie," Violet said as she walked into the room with Bella by her side. Bella had been busy running around to get everything done properly so I hadn't seen her a lot in the past days."She's right. You look super hot, and this dress is fucking stunning," Bella complimented, and my cheeks flushed as I muttered a thank you to both of them. What would I do without them? Violet especially.She was working with Dad a
Chapter 143Author's POVIt was around eight in the evening when Theodore stormed into Emily's apartment. He was seething with fury after learning of the preparations being made for Sage and Diego's wedding. He found it hard to believe that in the end, he didn't get Sage back. Instead, he was left prowling in the dark out of fear.Diego's men were still out there haunting him. He knew because he hung around bars where a lot of information was shared.He wasn't happy about this arrangement but what could he do? He had no plans and he was out of cash.The only reason he was back here was to sweet-talk Emily into giving him some money like he had done the last time.He walked into the living room, quietly putting an ear out in case someone else was present since sometimes, her cousins would drop by out of courtesy.He relaxed, however, when he saw her in the kitchen, chopping some vegetables. He took her in, frowning when he recalled the first time they met. She looked prettier then, and
Chapter 142Sage's POVI coughed as the cloth that was shoved into my mouth was pulled out. My eyes were open but I couldn't see anything. It was dark due to the blindfold covering my eyes.My breathing was labored and when I calmed down, I spoke. "Who are you? Why have you kidnapped me?!" I could feel someone's presence but couldn't tell where he was standing exactly. And now, that all my senses came back to track, my nose scrunched up. This place stinks. I tried to move my arms, but they were tied to the back of the chair, and so were my legs."What do you want from me?!" I called out again, breathing heavily as I thought of the only person psychotic enough to do such a thing. Theodore!My stomach sank and I swallowed hard."I'm talking to you, answer me!!" I yelled, "What do you want from me? Money? I have money, I can give it to you. Let me go!!" I heard someone snicker, and I bit my lips tightly, almost drawing blood. What had I gotten myself into? I should have stayed in the su
Chapter 141Diego's POVMy brows furrowed when the call ended abruptly. I took the device away from my ears and stared at the dark screen.I tried calling her again but this time, there was no response. The call didn't even go through. Something was off. I was standing in our bedroom and had been there for half an hour. Initially, I felt she went for a walk down the beach but after checking security, I was told that she left the hotel in a taxi.Anxious, I called her. She couldn't be out there on her own. Not when Dean had suddenly flown out of New York, last night. His destination had been Vegas but I still didn't want to trust that he'd let things slide without a fight.I took off my jacket and plopped on the couch, dialing her number again but it was still the same response. It was switched off.Something was wrong but then I hoped my hunch was inaccurate. I hoped that I was just overreacting and she was safe.Getting up, I grabbed my jacket and headed out of the house while asking
Chapter 140Sage's POV"I wish we could stay here forever. It's so comforting over here" I said with a sigh as we ate. Diego had placed the orders for our meals to match my food preferences lately.I had no idea he had been watching my dietary habits closely and knowing he had made my heart swell with many emotions."We can always come back if you want." He said in response, staring at me and I smiled."This definitely tops the list of my favorite places for vacation. I thought Berlin would remain special but I guess not." I muttered mostly to myself but I knew he heard me.The rest of dinner continued with us having light conversations about the food and place. He promised to take me to Italy just to taste a special wine because I'd complimented the one he ordered.I'd always wanted to visit Italy so I bought that idea. Besides, my flying anxiety reduced drastically when he was with me."When did you realize that you were in love with me?" I asked after a while, breaking the silence
Chapter 139Sage's POV( One Week Later...)"Why didn't you come when you heard someone scream? That could've been me." I snapped at Diego who was chuckling as I angrily rummaged through my bag for my credit card."I didn't come because I know what you sound like when you scream," He said, and my face flushed. I turned to look around the room, checking if anyone heard us; thankfully, there was no one around except a few ladies standing at the end of the hall, staring at Diego like he was some kind of snack.The stares were what caused this argument in the first place. A few ladies I'd met in the closet while checking out the dresses seemed confident about Diego checking them out and running to the closet when he heard a scream, but that didn't happen.And he wasn't wrong, I hadn't screamed.Clearing my throat, shoved my bag aside and placed my hands on my waist. "Where's my credit card?""You're not paying for your dresses while I'm here, sweetheart. Come here." He pulled me against h
Chapter 138Sage's POV"You knew about it, Violet, why didn't you tell me?""He asked me not to and truthfully, I thought it was for the best. I didn't want the two of you together. It was going to be awkward in many ways," Violet explained. I sighed, staring out of the window and watching as the houses and trees moved.I was on my way to my parent's place. They were back from their vacation a few days ago, and Mom insisted that I come to visit soon."Well, I don't think you have to worry about that anymore. He left, and I'm sure that's the last interaction we'll ever have," I said, shaking my head, and she just scoffed."Nah, he'll get over it. He did this to himself" She said dismissively."You sound like Diego right now." I pouted and she chuckled."That just shows you how amazing I am." She praised herself, and I rolled my eyes. After we bade our goodbyes, I hung up, counting seconds in my head as the car neared my parent's estate.Mom sounded so excited to learn that I was on my
Chapter 137Sage's POV"This is fucking delicious" I moaned as I bit into my hamburger. The food Diego had ordered was here and I couldn't contain my excitement as I bit into every meal present.Diego was watching me, fascinated and ready with a glass of water in hand in case I choked on something. How considerate of him.Suddenly, I turned to him and caught him staring, seemingly intrigued and awestruck."What?" I asked, swallowing hard"You look so cute that I can't help but stare" He smirked and handed me the glass of water he was holding.My face flushed and I rolled my eyes as I took the glass to my lips. After drinking, I continued eating till I was done with everything that had been ordered and damn, that was satisfying.I rested back on the couch, throwing my head back as I let the feeling of satisfaction wash over me. A while back, I felt like I would die from hunger which was weird considering the huge breakfast I had in the morning.Diego quietly cleared the plates from the