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72|In Way Over His Head
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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Beautiful Disaster 73|You Don't Know The First Thing About Marriage
Despite taking an over-the-counter sleep aid, which knocked her out soon after she sent Liliana home and checked on Orlando, Marybeth jerked awake sometime before 3:00 AM and couldn't go back to sleep.A pang of loneliness hit her with the force of an avalanche when she turned onto her side, and her eyes fell on the empty space where Austin should have been.The bed was too huge without him, the room too quiet.Yawning, she wondered whether he came home last night and decided to sleep in one of the guest rooms."Why do you care? You're over, remember?" she reminded herself as she pushed the covers aside and padded to the kitchen to warm herself some milk."Well, that answers your question," she mumbled when she strolled past the living room and saw Austin's strapping frame sprawled out on the couch, with his shoes still on, his head at an unnatural angle on the armrest, and a Hawthorne Foundation binder resting on his chest.Marybeth wanted to keep moving and pretend she never saw him
Beautiful Disaster 74|Give Me Time
An hour later, dressed in a powder blue pantsuit and white sneakers, the most business casual outfit she could find in her wardrobe, Marybeth was ready to tackle her Thursday.She was surprised to find Austin and Orlando zooming around the kitchen, preparing breakfast."Orlando, the toast is ready!" he said while he worked the coffee machine. "Beth, your usual coffee?"She nodded and placed her stuff on the counter. "Can I help with anything?"Austin shook his head, pointing at the dining table where Orlando had already placed their plates and cutlery, "no; just sit over there!"Marybeth pulled out a chair, sat down, and watched the father-daughter duo prep what was beginning to smell a lot like a full-spread breakfast.Sitting there, she couldn't help but think how much sexier Austin was when he was just being a dad to his six-year-old."Quit thinking with your coochie again!" she warned herself.Determined to double down on her efforts to remain immune to Austin, she focused all her
Beautiful Disaster 75|Swimming Along
"Marybeth, my apologies for calling you in so early, but the detective would like to have a word with you," said Smith, pausing their hushed conversation when she saw her in the doorway."Please, come in," Detective Stone beckoned her over.Marybeth closed the door and sat in the only empty chair in the room. "What's going on? Have you found Caroline Scheepers?""I'm afraid not," replied Detective Stone.Marybeth frowned, wondering why they'd called her in if there was no progress on the case. She didn't have to wonder long. Detective Stone looked through the brown case file in front of her and pulled out a rough sketch of what appeared to be a utility vehicle. She pushed it across the desk at her, saying, "After you sent me the information on Carol last night, I headed over to her place, you know, just to get a feel of her surroundings."Marybeth nodded and waited for more, but Smith's phone rang, pausing the detective's narrative."I'm sorry. I should have told Elaine to hold all my
Beautiful Disaster 76|Sex Tape—Part 1
Austin didn't go into the office like he'd planned after dropping Marybeth off at Jimmy's. He circled back to the north of the city, to his father's place, where Blake was supposedly recuperating.The housekeeping staff fussed over him as soon as he stepped inside, asking if he wanted something to eat."There's still plenty of breakfast, Mr Hawthorne. We can bring it to the drawing room," offered Sofija, one of the long-standing housekeeping staff members."That's okay. I already ate. My wife whipped up something for me." He patted his taut stomach to give his lie some weight. But it was important to project a picture of wedded bliss, just in case everyone was watching him and waiting to report everything to his father. Austin knew that the minute his old man smelled even the tiniest cracks in his marriage, he'd attack and do away with Marybeth once and for all."Are you sure, sir?" Sofija asked, tilting her head slightly."Positive," Austin assured her as he followed her down the hal
Beautiful Disaster 77|Sex Tape—Part 2
Austin and Blake shared a look, both thinking the same thing: how much had she heard?"So? Who made a sex tape?" Hadley asked as she dumped her hot pink Birkin bag on the couch and pranced over to the bed, perching herself on the edge as she pecked Blake on the cheek.Austin watched his brother recoil from her advances, feeling sorry for him. It had to be exhausting to have to pretend to be so blissfully in love with Hadley. Hell, just being in her presence, even for a few minutes, was exhausting."One of our old varsity friends," Austin lied."Which friend?" Hadley gave him a pointed stare, the look in her eyes as clear as the sky outside; she was convinced he was behind the sex tape. "I'm pretty sure I know all your varsity friends.""You don't know him!" Blake said quickly. "What are you doing here anyway?""Estelle and I are off to check out some venues for Marybeth's ball," she said, her lips curling with distaste when she glanced at Austin again. "I still don't understand what y
Beautiful Disaster 78|Your Biggest Downfall—Part 1
Since Austin was supposed to meet his father and the consigliere in two hours, he saw no point in driving back to the business district. He settled down in his old quarters in the north wing and asked Sofija to bring him a pot of coffee and some snacks. The sweeter, the better.He didn't have a sweet tooth, but after his chat with Blake, he needed something to soothe the sting of their discussion, and the housekeeper's famous cheesecake was just the thing he needed.Sofija had just cut him a generous slice and poured him a cup of coffee when his phone rang. It was Claudia, no doubt calling to berate him about shooting Blake. He reluctantly answered and was pleasantly surprised when she announced his test results were in."Great! Send them over," he said, his day suddenly ten times better. He couldn't wait to rub them in Marybeth's face. Maybe they'd do the trick and thaw the glacier around her heart. He was going out of his mind from missing her, and every second of craving her and no
Beautiful Disaster 79|Your Biggest Downfall—Part 2
Still smiling, Austin picked up the operation manager's file again and was on the man's third warning when the door burst open, and in walked his father with Friar John."The level of disrespect with you boys is too much!" Lukas grumbled as he and the consigliere joined him in the seating area."What are you talking about, Father?" Austin asked, even though he didn't want to know."We had a meeting at eleven, did you forget? I don't understand how you could have when you summoned us!"Austin checked the time on his Rolex and rolled his eyes. "It's 10:59 AM. What's the issue?"Lukas huffed and picked up Elvis Du Pont's file. "Why are you looking into the deputy CEO?""I'm not," Austin replied. "I'm just doing my due diligence before handing the reins back to Blake.""You are?" Friar John's eyebrows shot up, a perplexed look in his eyes. "What happened to your investigation?""That's why I wanted to see you both today," Austin said as he stood up and made his way to the refreshments car
Beautiful Disaster 80|Heavy Is The Head—Part 1
Long after Arno had brought the car to a stop at the entrance of Hawthorne Towers, Marybeth was still sitting in the back seat, making no attempt to leave.Like many of the charming places she'd seen on travel shows, she never thought she'd find herself here one day. To say she was in awe of the thirty-story structure was an understatement. Up close, it looked so much more intimidating, pretty much like her husband."кума," Arno said as he finally killed the engine. "He's waiting for you.""I'm sorry." Marybeth smiled sheepishly at him, snatching up her handbag. "Which floor is he on?""The top one."She wanted to kick herself for asking something so silly. She should have known he'd be on the top floor. He was the CEO, for heaven's sake."His assistant will take you up," Arno added, jerking his head at the strikingly tall, ash-blonde woman waiting in front of the revolving doors."Anything I should know about the De Jagers?" Marybeth asked as she buttoned up her suit jacket."They ar
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Beautiful Disaster 300|Beautiful Disaster
Rock Castle was a breath of fresh air in many ways for Austin and Marybeth. Once they'd put down their roots, they embraced their new life, immersing themselves in the community and the social scene.When they were not entertaining or attending various social events, Austin focused all his energy on growing Stardust Inc. while fulfilling his duties as a board member of De Jager Inc. and Orlando's proxy.Marybeth, too, kept herself busy with various home improvement projects, including setting up the baby's nursery. She also joined the PTA at Green Meadows Primary, championing a few fundraisers. As if she wasn't already busy enough, Lukas low-key began sending her Foundation documents to review, mostly company policies and NPO funding applications. Never mind that she'd had zero orientation since she was only supposed to start the following year.She was so busy embracing her new life as a stay-at-home mom and the Foundation's silent CEO she didn't have time to miss her old job. And tim
Beautiful Disaster 299|Loved And Wanted
Austin left Clifton Bay under a heavy cloud of complex family dynamics, his departure shrouded in controversy. But Rock Castle welcomed him with open arms. The people close to him didn't care at all about the drama and scandals he'd been embroiled in over the past few months. They were just happy to have him in the same city with them, and it didn't take long at all for Eden and Natalie to reach out to Marybeth and take her under their wing, acting as her free tour guides, pregnancy encyclopedias or sounding boards.Completely sold by their raving reviews of Dr Emily Waylon, they set up an appointment, immediately falling in love with her bedside manner on their first check-up. She was attentive, not to mention patient, answering their endless questions with a comforting calmness.Orlando and Adeline couldn't contain their joy when they broke the news about the baby that evening. Marybeth's tummy had gotten so big they could no longer hold off on telling them."Is it a boy or a girl?"
Beautiful Disaster 298|A Fresh Start
The whole time Austin scoffed down his food, he noticed Marybeth wasn't eating, absently toying with her salad. His heart shattered all over again because he knew he was responsible for her lack of appetite and dramatic weight loss."Mr Hawthorne, can we talk, please?" Elizabeth appeared beside him, stealing his attention away from his wife."Sure, let's chat inside," he replied, leading her into his study."Long time no see," he said with a smile as he sat on the edge of his desk. "You look happy and younger, too.""Traveling will do that to you," she replied, flashing a brief smile that Austin found a tad unsettling because it was so unlike her. She was always stoic."So that's what you've been up to since I left the Group?"She nodded. "The place wasn't the same without you, so I left. And that's why I'm here. I want my old job back. If you'll have me, that is.""You'll have to take a pay cut," Austin said. "I'm starting from scratch, Elizabeth, so I don't have a ton of cash flow—"
Beautiful Disaster 297|Family
Barry De Villiers was at Sea Point Police Station at 9:00 AM for Austin's release, and after completing a ton of paperwork, they were finally out of there by 11:00 AM.Austin didn't talk much on their way to Pelican Surf, lost in thought and the scenery. It was like he was seeing everything for the first time. The sun on his skin, the wind in his hair, the light glaring in his eyes…it all felt different, somehow."So, what's the first thing you'll do when you get home?" Barry asked."Hug my wife and kids until they get annoyed with me," Austin replied with the biggest smile. "Maybe eat a nice home-cooked meal...Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all the takeaways you got me, but nothing beats my wife's cooking!"Barry guffawed, throwing his head back. "Okay. What else?""Mhh, I think a nice long shower is in order, too," Austin said, sniffing himself, making sure he didn't smell like something out of a garbage can."You don't stink," Barry assured him."I know," Austin chuckled. "Just ma
Beautiful Disaster 296|Bargaining Chip
Austin's altercation with another prisoner was the last straw for Marybeth, the thing that pushed her beyond her limit and sent her over the cliff.He'd asked her to hang in there for a few more days, but the thought of him getting into another fight or possibly getting killed terrified her. The stalemate with his father would only get deadlier the longer he remained in custody. Something had to be done to bring him home, and it had to be done fast. So she called Lukas, begging him to end all the madness. But, he wasn't interested in hearing her out, telling her coldly that he was too busy picking up Austin's slack—running the family and The Corporation—to worry about her fears.Marybeth's desperation got so bad that she reached out to the one person she swore she'd never ask for help. Her mom.They met at a sleepy coffee shop in Virginia after Anna and Willem's joint funeral.As usual, Vivienne was dressed to the nines, dripping head to toe in designer labels despite the sombre occasi
Beautiful Disaster 295|The Folly Of Youth
That night, Austin couldn't bring himself to eat the takeaway Barry had brought him. How could he when his heart was in pieces?A thousand kilometres away, Willem Dejager had no appetite issues. In fact, after Maryke's death and his fallout with The Corporation, his appetite had improved, and the insomnia that had plagued him for years since Iris died had miraculously vanished. If he'd known revenge would cure all his ailments, he would have joined forces with Austin much sooner.He was still furious with him for going back on his word on Maryke. But seeing Lukas so broken, now that he didn't have an heir, more than made up for Austin's betrayal.Yes, things had gotten messy over the past few weeks, but they would only get even more chaotic once he sent the ledger to the cops. He just hadn't found someone he could trust yet. His old contact at the station—the man who'd finally given him the unredacted file on his daughter—had been recently placed on administrative leave, and Willem was
Beautiful Disaster 294|Special Kind Of A Hate
Swarms of reporters were waiting outside Sea Point's police station when Austin was dragged out of Gordon and Peterson's car. They mobbed him as soon as they saw him, pushing their cameras and microphones in his face, screaming for answers. The whole thing reeked of a badly organised PR stunt, and when Gordon and Peterson made no attempt to protect Austin from the crowd, even though it was their job, he began to think one or both of them had tipped the media off. Why wouldn't they, when they had finally taken down a member of the Hawthorne crime family? Never mind that Austin didn't belong to said crime family anymore. Never mind that they didn't have evidence to back up their charges. But who needed evidence? As far as they were concerned, this was huge, and if they miraculously managed to get the charges to stick, sending him away for twenty-five to life would be a huge career move for both of them. So parading him in front of the vultures was totally in their best interest, walking
Beautiful Disaster 293|Long Arm Of The Law
"I'm fine. Vivienne was just leaving," Marybeth nodded, grateful for the interruption; she couldn't handle any more threats from her mom."Yep, I'm on my way out," Vivienne affirmed, spinning around and making her grand exit. She turned back, calling over her shoulder, "Beautiful service, by the way. But I'm not sure if Lionel was worthy of it!""You!" Marybeth shook her fist at her, ready to go after her, but Austin pulled her back by her waist, reminding her people were watching."She's not worth your energy," he said, rubbing her back to soothe her. "What did she want anyway?""To see if there's anything she could do for me," Marybeth replied, shooting daggers at Vivienne's back as she vanished into the crowd of mourners. "And to warn you.""Warn me?" Austin asked, massaging her nape. "What for?""She said to tell you to 'wake the fuck up and fix things with your father'; her words, not mine. Apparently, there's chatter.""What kind of chatter?""I don't know," Marybeth admitted. "B
Beautiful Disaster 292|A Rare Gift
Nothing good ever happens after 1:00 AM.And no one ever calls with good news after 1:00 AM.But it was her father. Marybeth couldn't ignore him. So she hit answer and braced herself for the worst."Sweet Pea," he said, sounding awfully cheerful, considering how late it was."Daddy, what's going on?""I know it's late," he said, pausing briefly before he got to the heart of his call. "And I know we planned a road trip to Still Bay in a few weeks. But is there a way we can move it forward?""Forward?" Marybeth asked, confused by the proposal."Yeah, can we go today? I suddenly have this urge to see the sunrise. And you know how beautiful Still Bay's sunrises are."Understanding what her heart refused to accept, Marybeth's mind made all the decisions for her from that moment onward."Of course, Daddy. Let me grab a few things, and I'll be there in an hour," she told him before hanging up.She shot out of bed like a lightning bolt, threw on a lightweight tracksuit and sneakers, grabbed a
