CHAPTER 47M I R A N D AWhen Landon was discharged from the hospital after a few days he woke up, Ben was very happy to see him again. He kept on hugging Landon all the time and told him what foods he ate when Landon wasn't around. He asked if Landon was already feeling better and that he needed to rest more. He asked what happened to him and what happened to his arm. He asked so many things that just made me realize how worried he must have been for his daddy Landon.Ben even told Landon about the bedtime stories that he heard from aunt Jo, Lottie and Felicite. He also told Landon that he had seen his baby pictures and how he adored Landon when he was a child. I saw how Ben cares a lot for Landon the same way he treats Ben as his very own son."Ben." I call out to him as I stand by the threshold.Ben pops his head up from the bedtime storybooks that he has been reading with Landon."Your daddy Landon is already tired. Why don't you go to bed now sweetheart?" I say as I enter our mas
CHAPTER 48M I R A N D A Hugo chuckles. "That's a problem then." He answers so calmly then suddenly calls out to someone from his background. "No, don't touch that. The files are on the other folder. Thank you."My brows creasing, "Where in hell are you?""I arrived in Germany yesterday morning because I was suppose to meet with some people related to work today.""Oh. I see. You've been really busy." I replied in a soft voice."Yes. Kind of. But I'm on my way to the airport right now since you told me that Ben's worrying about my absence, I'm coming back home for the three of you." He states those words seriously.And my heart swells in a split second."But you said you had some people needed to meet with?" I asked."They can wait." He says reassuringly."No, Hugo.” I answered firmly. “You have to go back and meet those people. I know how important work is to you and anyways Ben would just understand and--”"Rose it's fine.” He cuts me off. “I'll be back in London maybe in a few hou
CHAPTER 49M I R A N D ALandon: I would love to go so badly but I'll be working late here at the studio. I'm sorry love. I hope you and the kids will have fun with Hugo tonight :) I'll try to catch up if I can. I love you. xxI reread Landon's text as I sit on Hugo's passenger seat while we are on our way to the art exhibit. Bethany was on her carrier while Ben was next to her in the backseat. It was our first ever family date together and I'm a bit nervous to be honest. I know that I don't need to be worried about this because I've got Landon's consent, yet I'm worried about what the people are going to say when they'll see me with Hugo. I know how the people's doubtful minds go and how those gossipy mouths will say about this.I reminded myself not to get distracted about the issues that will come tomorrow as long as Ben will enjoy his time spent with his father, that is all that matters to me and nothing else. Also, it would totally matter if Hugo will also spend time with his kid
CHAPTER 50M I R A N D AWhen the auction event ended, Hugo signed some papers affiliated with the painting and paid the amount he bid for the auction. He got the £10,000 worth of painting and talked to the event coordinator who mentioned that he will send it first thing in the morning. Hugo talked to Mr. Hawkins for a while and I think they exchanged a very healthy conversation filled with thank yous and all that.Hugo smiles at me. "What's with the long face?"I haven't even noticed that if he didn't mention it to me. "I'm fine. I'm just surprised that you bought that painting." I answered softly.From the corner of my eyes, I see Melody walking up towards where we were and I swear to God she has been annoying the hell out of the entire night. And I on the other hand, feel myself being so petty for even being this childish.But in the back of my head, I hate that she's clearly very happy about what just happened today especially about the painting that Hugo bought. I know Hugo clea
CHAPTER 51M I R A N D AI sigh heavily.We went completely quiet for a while and neither of us wanted to speak.Hugo decides to drive again and as he drives me back home, I feel like I don't want to go home yet and spend the night with Landon because my selfish thought still wants to be with Hugo. But I try to stop myself from thinking like that, because I don’t need to make another mistake against Landon. Just thinking about it is even a sin.My heart is really hurting right now from those words that Hugo said to me it's because I wanna do those things with him too even though I have Landon. I wanna be with him as well as much as he wants to be with me. My heart is yearning for him. My heart is really cluttered. My heart is really messed up.Sometimes I love him and there are times that I force myself to forget about what I feel for him but I still think about him. When I don’t see him for a long time, he is all I think about. My mind tells me that my feelings for Hugo shouldn't com
CHAPTER 52H U G OMy mind swirls into the thoughts about how Rose said those words to me. “I love you”, something that I have been wanting to hear from her but even though she said them, my heart is still hurting. It sounded so sad and so painful for the both of us.Hear you are again Hugo, trying to hurt Landon without him knowing it. Are you really even his friend after everything you have done to him?I was pulled out from my distracting thoughts when my phone beeps.It was a message from Detective Johnston.Detective Johnston: Mr. Saintclare, I'm truly sorry for this bad news. My men didn't catch Mr. Stoner and Miss Chamberlain. They found out the cops were heading to that bar.I groan in frustration because I was expecting them to be caught already but this has been taking way too damn long. Moreover, why did Ridge and Audrey know that there were cops in the bar?Hugo: It's fine, Johnston. I want you to still continue on hunting them down. The sooner the better. Thank you.M I R
CHAPTER 53M I R A N D A"Are you really making a big deal about what happened a while ago?" I quizzed."I'm bothered about it. That's it. I'm not making it a big deal."“People were already giving us the looks.” I answered. "Those people wanted to take photos with you and not with me in it. It's that simple. Did you see the way they looked at me?" I'm pissed that he's pissed.He gazed at me. "You're just being paranoid. I think you don't really want to be with me today. I think you were just forced to be with me for the kids.""Forced? Well if that's what you're thinking then I won't force you to figure out what I really came here for!" I exclaimed loudly as I look at him."You don't know what they were possibly thinking about but I could tell what they had in mind just by the way they looked at me. It could've been bad things about me Hugo. It's a female's instinct." I breathe.I looked out of the window and crossed my arms together against my breasts. I'm mad that Hugo is being sel
CHAPTER 54H U G OWhile Ben was busy flying his kite, I was watching Miranda from afar and this has always been going for so long now and I guess I am getting used to it already. Watching her from afar already makes me happy. At least I can see her and I know where she is. She was playing with Bethany and made funny faces just to make her smile and it makes me wish this day was real. I love how she sits there under the shades of the tree and effortlessly look beautiful as the wind blows through her hair while she carries our baby girl. I love how Rose's white dress looked really lovely on her and here I am falling more in love with her all over again."Dad?" I hear Ben.I moved my head to him. "Yes buddy?""Do you still love mommy?" He asks.I stare at him while he kept flying his kite."Do you, daddy?" He asks again."Yes. Of course, I do." I answer Ben."Do you love mommy more than daddy Landon?"I sigh at his question.Sometimes I wonder how he gathers these mature questions, I m
87 T H E A Sebastian committed suicide. He ended his own life with a gun in his head. No one even knew how he had a gun in the first place and no one had any idea he was going to do that. He was supposed to meet Ben and the others tomorrow for a reunion. He was supposed to live a new life after being sentenced in prison for seven years. He was supposed to live in a tropical place and start a new life for himself. He was supposed to live a life filled with dreams now that he is out in prison. Sebastian was supposed to live. I was supposed to forgive him. The autopsy report stated that it happened around twelve midnight which means just a few hours after he left our home. I have never felt so depressed in my entire life that I wasn't even able to tell him a lot of things that I wanted to say. I didnt know what I was exactly feeling, completely lost in my thoughts and emotions after Sebastian's passing. I knew that there was something wrong in his eyes when he talked to me becaus
86T H E A"How have you been?" He asks.Sebastian wore blue, white and light pink plaided top, a pair of faded jeans and a dirty white sneakers. He looked older than the last time I saw him and his hair has gotten longer too. He looked different, but those eyes still frightens me.Those merciless eyes.I couldn't stare at him longer and I had to look away from his gaze. I clear my throat, "I have been well." I answered."I'm really glad that you are." Sebastian tells me."Um, do you want to drink something Sebastian? Tea?" Ben offers.I quickly held his wrist, stopping him from leaving me alone in here and stared into his eyes as I said to him. "Please don't leave me here."Ben stares intently at me before he turns to Sebastian who speaks, "You dont really have to offer me anything."I bite my inner cheek and breathe in some confidence before I faced Sebastian. "What are you doing here?"Sebastian stares at me eagerly."What do you want?" I asked firmly."I came here to see if you ha
85T H E AI couldn't sleep the entire night as I was bothered about Sebastian's release happening in just a few hours.Thoughts were filling and piling inside my head one over the other and I don't know if this was going to let me sleep at all.So I slipped out of the bed where Ben was sleeping soundly and headed out of bedroom to get myself a glass of wine from downstairs. I hate myself when I turn to alcohol every time my thoughts are fogged up and fucked up. I hate when there are questions left unanswered and my solution is alcohol.I hated it.I hated it so much I hate myself too.I finished two glasses of wine and spent almost thirty minutes just sitting on a chair where I tried to drown and sort my troubled thoughts. I finally pulled myself up and headed back to my bedroom only until I saw Xavier heading out of his room, crying. I rushed to his side and wished that he wouldn't smell the stingy scent of alcohol from my breath."Xavier." I cooed. "What happened?""Mommy I had a n
84T H E A“Why didn’t you tell him?”Benedict's question still lingers in my mind.Why didn't I tell Sebastian back in the day?I have been asking myself that same question over and over again for the past couple of years. I used to tell myself that I wasn't ready and I know I wasn't ready. I lied to myself when I said I was ready to confess to him about our child but I was absentmindedly denying the fact that my mind was filled with so many thoughts as soon as I faced Sebastian.When I saw him, I was reminded of how he raped me mercilessly. When I saw him, I was reminded of how dirty of a woman I was. When I saw him, I was reminded of how I didn't want this baby to be born if only it hadn't been for Ben.Ben has always been my rock and my strength after everything that happened to me. All these years, he accepted me no matter what and I have been beyond blessed to have a man like that in my life.That kind of love and care he showed me is going to be something I didn't want to waste
83T H E AI stare at my own reflection in front of the mirror, I gained weight but I look different compared to the old me a few weeks ago. My eyes travelled down to my baby bump and as I turn to my side, I feel more anxiety building in the back of my head. I am not confident enough that I will be a good mother to this baby once it’s out when I know this baby came from a man who I trusted so much but just raped me. My bump is starting to show now and I know I have a lifelong responsibility waiting ahead of me. I just hope I will be responsible enough.I rub my hand over my small tummy then smiled at myself.“You will be fine.” I told my baby.Ben is here for me and for us. He always has. He made everything feel better. He made me better and happier without asking too much in return. He is a very selfless man and I owe him my life. My everything and all that I have left.I breathe out heavily and tucked my hair behind my ears as I stare at myself wearing this white dress and white ba
82B E N E D I C TShe stands by the balcony sliding door, staring at an empty space wearing my shirt and some pajamas. Standing here afar from Thea, looking at her, I can see and I can feel that her mind is full. It’s full of endless thoughts and worries. I wish I could take some from her restless bothered thoughts and I wish I could help her with what she is going through.Thea is strong but I don’t want her to have another breakdown. I hope I can share the pain and confusions she is going through right now. I wish, at least I could make her happy despite of what has happened lately.But I don’t know what to do as well.I am bothered too, restless, anxious, troubled and angry. I still have this growing hate in me and unwillingness to befriend Sebastian.I hate him.I walk towards Thea and wrapped my arms around her. She didn’t budge but still sets her eyes out the window. “There are no stars tonight.” I say.She sighs heavily.“Aren’t you hungry sweetheart?” I ask.She didn’t answer
81B E N E D I C T“The CEO of Saintclare Enterprises , finally off the market!!”I read mentally the newspaper’s headlines as soon as I got into my office. I scan through the magazines which were also over my desk, and the headlines were also all about me.I sigh. “I knew this was gonna come out first thing in the morning.”The phone on top of my desk rings, I quickly picked it up, “Yes.”“Mr. Saintclare everyone is calling in for an interview with you. They’re all asking if you have any available time.” I can hear telephones ringing from my secretary’s background.“Cancel all interviews. Tell them I have a busy schedule up until next week.” I hung up.Suddenly the phone in my pocket rings. I stare at the screen and it was Mrs. Brown, my PR.I sigh as I answer, “I know what you’re going to say.”“It’s everywhere. My phone has been ringing since six o’clock this morning. I don’t know what to answer them.”“Did you say anything about Thea?”“No. Not unless you tell me to. I’m only wait
80BENEDICTI stare at Thea, and she has been looking out of the window for minutes now. I know she still has a lot of things in mind with what has happened lately and I’m sure she’s tired of thinking about it too. She has talked to Khaleel and I have had talked to him too. Despite her past, we wanted to keep it to ourselves than letting the others know about it. They wouldn’t understand what she went through to survive and it isn’t our story to tell.I have asked myself a couple of times why she had to choose such job but then I didn’t have the courage to ask her. I don’t want her to feel bad about herself and the more I ask about her past, the more she would think it bothers me.Honestly, it has been in the past and we all have had done crazy shit a thing or two. All of us deserves a second chance and women like Thea who strives hard to change herself to become a better woman deserves more than that. I am proud of her and she knows it.A smile creeps on her face as soon as I rubbed
79THEASometimes, in our lives there are instances when you just want to disappear because of awkward situations or embarrassing moments. And right now, that’s what I want to happen. I want to teleport to another place far from here.It feels like everything inside my system malfunctioned and brain feels dead. I have never felt more disgusted of myself and my past than how Sebastian is embarrassing me right now in front of Ben. No one has ever made me feel so little of myself, only Sebastian.This bastard. This one of a hell man. I wish he dies.My tears were just flowing from my closed eyes and I feel this growing pain against my chest. I try to breathe in but the pain grows as I exhale so I remained quiet. I don’t want to face anyone or see how they look at me with disgust and filth. I just want to disappear like one pop of a bubble or run out of this house and never look back.But I cant, I know I have to face them now. I have to face Khaleel. I have to face Benedict even if it’s