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198|The Worst Kind Of Grief
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Beautiful Disaster 199|Trade-Off
Marybeth reluctantly followed the nurse to the bathroom across the hall, well aware of where they were headed. When she saw the plastic cup, she knew the time for denials was over.Ten minutes later, Dr Khan was delighted for her as he showed her the positive pregnancy test."Congratulations, Marybeth! You're going to be a mama!""Are you sure?" she asked, suddenly unsure if she should laugh, cry, or scream."Absolutely sure," Dr Khan said, pointing at the line on the test. "It's a bit faint, and I reckon it's because you're still in the early stages of your pregnancy. But I've been in this business long enough to know a positive pregnancy test when I see one.""Can we do another test?" Marybeth asked, praying the second test would refute the first."We can do blood tests," suggested Dr Khan, and Marybeth was on board.Ten minutes later, with her blood work done and Dr Khan promising to get back to her in a few days with her test results, Marybeth left the surgery, feeling numb.She'd
Beautiful Disaster 200|No Room For Error
Austin still had a few more meetings after his briefing with Sienna, but after checking the time, he figured risking Marybeth's wrath and pissing her off further wasn't worth the trouble. So he called his bankers and accounting firm and rescheduled their appointment for later that evening at his place.Next, he cancelled the rest of his meetings for the afternoon, to Elizabeth's annoyance. Huffing and puffing, she scurried into the living room, where Austin was packing his stuff, getting ready to leave."Mr Hawthorne," she began, pressing her lips together. Thankfully, she wore one of those smudge-free lipsticks; Austin would have hated to see her look like a clown."What is it, Elizabeth?" he asked, playing dumb even though he had a pretty good idea why she was frothing at the mouth."You can't do that! You can't just cancel appointments at the drop of a hat. It took us months to book time with the Germans. If we want exclusivity on this deal, this isn't how we'll get it, sir!""The
Beautiful Disaster 201|Same Everything
Austin's mood took a massive hit when they got home and found Blake in his living room, looking too comfortable, while Anna played the perfect hostess. Orlando ran straight into his arms, screaming how happy she was to see him. At that moment, struck by the uncanny resemblance between his brother and daughter, something dark and deadly stirred in Austin's heart. He crossed the room in a heartbeat and snatched Orlando away from Blake."Orly, you need to start on your homework. Your uncle and I have some business to discuss," he said, setting her down on the floor."I don't have homework, Daddy—" she argued, to Blake's delight. Sensing the animosity between Austin and his brother, Anna quickly stepped in and took Orlando's hand, leading her away from the brewing storm."You have some nerve showing up here after all the shit you've done," Austin snarled at his brother when they were alone."After all the shit I've done?" Blake snorted, rolling his eyes. "The last time I checked, you pu
Beautiful Disaster 202|Empty Victory
"Why?" Austin stammered, bewildered out of his mind. Anna crossed her legs and linked her hands as she filled him in, "Iris didn't trust Jaco. Though she loved her father, she didn't trust him either. She felt he was blinded by his nephew. Do you have a cigarette?"Austin had plenty. He reached inside his drawer, pulled out a sealed box from the carton, and threw it at her.She caught it and ripped through the plastic film, indicating with a snap of her fingers she needed a lighter too.Austin threw her a matchbox. No way he'd give her his Zippo."Anyway," Anna continued as she lit a cigarette. "Iris was worried it was only a matter of time before Willem handed everything over to Jaco. So she gave me power of attorney over her affairs.""Do you know what she was working on before she died?" Austin asked.Anna narrowed her eyes at him through the haze of smoke as she sat up straight, "Working on? What do you mean?"Austin was tempted to tell her about the journals. But it was too soon
Beautiful Disaster 203|Eight Months
Marybeth looked up from her hands when the door opened, and Austin stepped inside. "Just so you know, I won't sign it!" he announced, banging the door shut behind him."Sign what?" she asked, shifting her weight on the bed."The divorce agreement!" Austin replied. "That's what you want to talk about, right?" Marybeth pinched her nose, sighing softly. When would the day's fuckery end? She wondered as she stared at the ceiling and bit the inside of her cheek to stop a blood-curdling scream from shooting through her lips. She was so tired, even down to the very fabric of her soul, she refused to expend any more energy. Especially where Austin was concerned. So she let him rant for a while, affirming his commitment to her. "I love you, žena! I love you with every breath in me. I love you with every fibre of my soul," Austin ranted away, and Marybeth just stared at him, her mouth slack, wondering what had gotten into him. But she'd be lying if she said his sweet words didn't fill her w
Beautiful Disaster 204|A Hornet's Nest
A cup of chamomile tea awaited Marybeth when she returned to the bedroom after her long shower. She quickly changed into a lounge set and had just settled under the covers when Austin came in and sat beside her."Žena," he began, handing her the mug. "About the baby…""Yes," Marybeth prodded him when his voice trailed off. "What about the baby?""Can we wait a while before we share the news with everyone?" he asked, looking so unsure it was almost as if he expected her to dismiss his request. So when she readily agreed, he seemed genuinely surprised. "It's just that I'm terrified my father, Blake, or worse, someone in The Corporation might try something stupid—""Whoa!" Marybeth screeched, alarm bells going off. "What do you mean your father or Blake might try something stupid?"What in the holy world had she gotten herself into? She wondered as she placed the cup on the bedside stand. Sure, Lukas was unhinged, Blake was a wild card, and she didn't trust The Corporation, but the idea
Beautiful Disaster 205|The Key
"What do you mean she's your mom?" Austin asked, clearly rattled by her bombshell announcement as he paced back and forth in front of the bed. Marybeth wished he'd just stop; watching him was making her dizzy."Beth?" he prompted, glancing at her over his shoulder."I don't know how else to say it, Austin, but she's my mom.""Where did you get this information from?""My father.""Your father!" Austin scoffed. "The same man who's conned hundreds of people—""Hey, he's my father!" Marybeth said sharply. "Watch how you speak of him!""I'm sorry. But Beth, come on. I don't see how Phoebe Tyson and Vivienne Lume are the same person.""I don't see it either," she admitted. "But my father gave me a business card with her details and told me she wants to see me. I have no interest in seeing her, though. I mean, why should I? She went through great pains to reinvent herself and start a new life in Rock Castle. She probably has another family. I honestly don't see what good would come from our
Beautiful Disaster 206|Learn To Live With It
If Marybeth's eyes didn't pop out of their sockets at that moment, she didn't think they ever would. To say she was floored by Austin's announcement was an understatement."What do you mean she'll be at the welcome ball?" she asked, hating her suddenly shrill voice."Beth!" Austin said firmly, taking her hands in his to calm her down. "She's an acquaintance.""I don't care what she is; I don't want to see her. I'm not ready to see her.""She's already RSVPd—""Tell your aunt to scrap her off the guest list."Austin's phone vibrating in the main room put an end to their discussion before he could agree to her request. He went to get it, returning a second later."Beth?" he said from the doorway, waving his phone at her. "I have a meeting with my bankers and the accounting firm. They're on their way up as we speak."A still dazed Marybeth could only nod as she watched him lock up his secret room before following him to the kitchen. A moment later, the front doorbell rang, and Austin invi
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