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Billionaire's Lost Girl 47
Elaine I lay naked beside Max, listening to him snore softly while my heart hammered wildly against my ribcage. It was a dreary Monday morning and we'd just gotten back from San Francisco where we had fun over the weekend. I'd called Cora before we alighted the plane to sleep with Finn for the night and make sure he didn't come out while I figured out a way to tell Max. I couldn't hide it from him any longer. The bond we shared at this point was too sacred, too important for deception. All through last week, working beside him at the office was bliss. He became more understanding, more patient, and more professional, and we snuck in a lot of kisses between edits. It had become natural to wake up beside him every morning. It felt more than right. I sucked in a deep breath, bracing myself for what I was about to do. I even muttered a silent prayer before shaking him lightly. “Hey, Max.” “Huh?” he replied sleepily, turning to face me. “Sweetheart. What's wrong?” I swallowed a hard lu
Billionaire's Lost Girl 48
ElaineIt was a little past five when I left the house with Finn for some fun time at an amusement park nearby. Cora was flunked with work, and needed the space. I needed to clear my head off my wandering thoughts about Max. He still hadn't called, and I wasn't expecting that he'd listened to my voicemail as well. Right now, I was trying to see the bright side of things and spend time with my little man.I'd also called up Jessy to narrate what had transpired between Max and I, as well as promise to have the dress she borrowed me washed, ironed and returned tomorrow. She was sympathetic, and offered to help talk to Max but I declined. I needed him to truly forgive and come for me this time, and not because he felt pressured to do so.“Careful, sweetheart,” I called out to Finn as he raced around with little, gangly kids his age. The evening breeze soothed my skin and helped me process my thoughts more clearly. Plus, I felt a certain kind of peace I'd never experienced before, even tho
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Max Thirty minutes later, I pulled up in front of Samson's mansion and got out, taking the elevator up to the top floor. It was almost seven PM so Jessy was preparing dinner in the kitchen, while the kids were probably sleeping in their room, judging by how peaceful the entire house was. I met Samson perusing some paperwork in his study. He glanced up when I walked in. “Have a seat, please.” I rolled my eyes as I plopped down on the swivel, leather chair across. “Make it snappy, I need to go rest. What did you want to discuss with me that you couldn't wait till tomorrow?” He smirked, then gestured to the leather couch at the corner. “Father?” I jumped in fright when I detected a movement in the darkness, Dad's mischievous face was the first thing I saw. “Holy fuck. Good evening, Father. Didn't see you when I walked in.” “It's fine," he nodded, placing a hand on my shoulder. I stand still as he turned and sauntered over to the window, taking a peek out at the vast compound below. “
Billionaire's Lost Girl 50
Elaine I blew out a breath as I glanced out the window, and down the road, anxious. We just finished having dinner, and Cora was helping Finn with his homework. It was a little past eight, but I was still holding out hope that Max would show up. I'd sent him two texts already, asking if he could still make it, and although he didn't reply to them, the two arrows signified that he'd seen it. I'd have preferred it if he'd just called and we discuss things on phone. But this situation required a physical meeting. At least, I thought it did. I was almost half-dozing when I heard the sound of a car pulling up just outside the fence, close to the gate. I peered out the window, relieved to see the familiar Aston Martini. He made it! I couldn't even find the right words to express my relief. As well as the sudden spike in adrenaline. Fuck. I quickly ran into the kitchen and tapped Cora's shoulder hastily. She whipped her head from Finn's book to me and I leaned down to whisper in her ear
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ElaineIt was a little after nine before Cora and Finn got home from Ma's. I'd dozed off on the sofa after a good three hours of crying and now as I stood up to go open the entrance door for them, my head throbbed wildly as though I was having the worst hangover. Finn screamed in glee and jumped into my arm, while Cora shut the door behind her and turned to me with a frown.“Easy, boy,” I smiled weakly, ruffling his hair. “Momma's not feeling too good.”“How did it go, girl?” I glanced up at Cora who stood, staring at me worriedly. I shrugged, taking Finn with me to sit on the couch. “It went...well, horrible. God, I don't even know how to say it, Cora. Everything is a huge mess,” I blew out a deflated breath, running a hand through my hair. She sighed and came to plop down beside me, taking my head to rest it on her chest as she stroked my arm. “I'm so sorry, dear. I understand how how this is for you.”I beamed sadly in the darkness. “You have no idea.”My phone chimed on the tabl
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ElaineThe testing was scheduled for Monday of the new week. I left for the hospital with Finn at exactly 8AM, after I'd taken permission from his teacher. We waited till ten for Max, which didn't surprise me one bit. I knew he'd could've gotten here sooner, but didn't want to make small talk with me or Finn. He still couldn't face us.As I scanned the half-filled waiting room, my heart pounding wildly in my chest, I wondered if there was a woman like me among these people. One who'd kept the news of a child away from the father for two, probably three years and now she told him, he wanted a paternity test also. God, I would never wish that sort of fate even for my enemy. The only thing that kept me afloat was my little man beside me. He was so engrossed in the book he was reading to be aware of his surroundings, or the gravity of the situation that brought us here.My eyes flicked over to the door, locking with Max's familiar cerulean blue ones. I had no idea how long he'd been stand
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Max “You need a drink, man,” Ryan said, patting my shoulder as he stood and strode over to the living room's bar section. We were seated on the couch; Ryan, and Manny, awaiting the test results together. I figured I needed them to be here for support, and also to help me process the outcome, whether good or bad. “God helps her if it's negative,” I hissed, running a hand through my hair nervously. “I'll get her locked up the second I read that word. I already know it's negative because there's no way in hell I didn't wear a condom that night.” “It's positive, man,” Manny said flatly. “I'm more than sure. Elaine isn't a liar. I mean, she has no reason to pin this on you after everything you've been through together.” “Still,” Ryan passed a glass of Scotch to me, then Manny, “I'm not in support of her keeping this away from him for this long. Who knows if she'd told him much earlier, the test wouldn't have been necessary at all. Nothing hurts more than being kept in the dark, which is
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ElaineAn hour later, I found myself downing what had to be my fifteenth shot while nodding along to whatever the gorgeous bartender was saying. I didn't know how to stop drinking, because it was light, yet heavy on the inside, which was exactly what I needed. But also, that meant I had to find another alternative since it was becoming glaring that I couldn't drive myself home tonight. I couldn't count on boarding a cab in case the driver got any ideas and decided to rape me. Trust me, I'd been in such situation before.The sexy music became louder and I pushed away from the bar, my shot in hand, joining the horde of sweaty, gyrating bodies on the dance floor. I staggered from side to side, not really getting the dance steps right but moving anyway. After a few minutes, the bartender tapped my shoulder and I turned, groaning when he extended a tray with yet another shot. “Care for some?” he laughed.I belched shamelessly, placing the empty glass I was holding and wrenching the filled
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Billionaire's Lost Girl Epilogue
Elaine“Hey, Cherry.”Two words. Two fucking words whispered sexily in my ears and I was close to exploding. It felt as though my body was on automated response to anything that had to do with him. I sat still, rigid as he pecked my left cheek, before turning to scoot a chair back to sit, his knees touching mine, his eyes lingering. Samson hugged Jess and waved at Ryan, before sitting down as well.What the hell was happening?“Hi,” I blurted out at last, swallowing hard. He clasped my hands in his, the heat from his hands calming my goosebumps while making my pulse race. He stared at me intently, a mischievous smirk on his lips. The last time he looked at me this way was that night, right before I told him all about Finn. My eyes darted to Jess who seemed equally confused. Samson sat, all laid back, with his usual cold, domineering aura.Oh, fudge.“Why are you boys back early?” Jess finally asked, her face scrunched up in confusion. “Has the party ended? Ryan?”Ryan shrugged. “I don
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Elaine“I'm warning you, Elaine. One of these days, you'll have no choice but to give that young man a chance. Look at how much he's texted you... it'll be sad to leave him in the lurch,” Jess said, glancing over the rim of her wine glass at Ryan, who nodded in approval. “You're twenty-seven and you have the entire world on the heel of your palm. Make the best use of it.”We were seated on the outdoor patio upstairs, adjacent to the children's living room. Jess stood up from time to time to go check up on the baby who was fast asleep in his crib. Ryan was having a bit of a sour time with Jake bailing out from the whole party thing, but didn't want to call it off. I could've gone, if Jess was strong, but she hadn't completely recovered yet and it wasn't wise to take a new baby to a party so we all decided to hang out here. Besides, the last person I wanted to keep bumping into was Max, who was undoubtedly in attendance.Rolling my eyes, I waved her advice off. “I told you guys, remembe
Billionaire's Lost Girl 78
MaxThe reflection of the hanging strobe lights flickered across the pool. It was a little before sunset, and the waiters were dressed in bright white starched shirts and red glittering pants, circling with trays balanced on their curt fingertips. It was a pretty chill Saturday night and Ryan was having a party to celebrate his one year anniversary with his boyfriend, Jake.I was seated with Samson and the rest of the boys. Jess was home, taking care of the newest member of the Sturm family — Ashton, with Ryan helping her out, despite being needed here. Samson was agitated, and I knew he wanted nothing but to bolt out of this place and go home to her. I didn't blame him though, Jess was one in a million, and there were times I was forced to concede that their love for each other was better than the best fairytale out there.Before he met Jess, Samson was a party whore. He fucked around, with multiple girls, stayed at clubs till dawn, yet still managed to turn up for work in the mornin
Billionaire's Lost Girl 77
ElaineIt was a few months till Autumn, and the air was becoming chilly. Max was letting me have the car for a day while he stayed home with Finn at his place. I pulled into the driveway, turning off the ignition. Finn hooted and clapped in delight.“We're home!”He'd begged to stay with Max for the weekend, as well, and while they hanged out, I planned to get my shit together and try a blind date out. I wasn't getting any younger, and tying myself down by what had happened wasn't doing me any good.Looking up at Max through the rear view mirror, I caught his eyes, his lips parted as though he wanted to say something. It had become a habit for him to do this each time I was about to take the car back home with me — lingering as though he had more to say. He twirled the keys in his hands idly, not taking his eyes off me even for a second. At last he whipped his gaze to Finn. “Hey, soldier. Mind going in while I talk with Mamma for a bit?”“Okay, Daddy,” Finn giggled, snatching the keys
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ElaineIt had been two months since Max Sturm attempted to take my son away from me.Two months of not seeing or speaking to each other. Two months of pain that refused to go away.My mother once taught me that time was the greatest healer. Wounds heal with time, same with misunderstandings. But the gap between Max and I only deepened as the day progressed. I couldn't get over my hate for him, even with the fact that unity was strength and Finn needed us both at this crucial point of time in his life. I didn't know how to forgive him, and since he wasn't making any conscious effort to make amends for all the pain he caused, I figured that, perhaps he felt the same way. He hated me as well.I stopped searching for a job and just plunged deep into an abyss of emptiness, sadness and reflectiveness. Ivy and the other girls tried to get my spirits up, and I even received a response for an important interview I signed months ago, but there was no motivation to work. The fear of having Finn
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MaxAfter the court proceedings, I didn't go home immediately. Instead, I took a detour to Samson's place, to tell him the news. I still couldn't get over my guilt. Elaine was beyond distraught. I hated the way she looked at me. Like I was the most disgusting human she'd ever been cursed to encounter, and maybe she was right. I was taking things too far. I wasn't in my right senses — I was letting my paternal instinct ruin everything.Riding up the elevator to the top floor, I ran a hand through my hair, feeling like shit. The judge had instructed that I sort things out with Elaine. That the least thing Finn needed right now was his parents fighting. I'd never want a situation where I would be one to ruin my boy's childhood, so I had to be the bigger person and try to make a conscious effort at reconciliation. But the deal was, I had no idea how to face Elaine. She hated me. And rightly so. I was a fucking dickhead.The elevator bell clinked, and the doors drew apart. Walking into the
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Elaine I rushed up the stairs that led to the entrance of the mansion, hardly seeing anything, thanks to my rage. Max must've been expecting me, for he drew the door shut behind me the second I whizzed in.I whirled around to face him, thrusting the papers into his face. “Do you mind explaining what the fucking hell this is?”“Calm down, Elaine. Deep breaths,” he stated calmly.“Don't tell me to calm down!” I howled. “How long have you known him, Max? Four damn seconds and suddenly you think you've got what it takes to look after him for the rest of his life?”He scoffed in irritation. “He's safer with me, Elaine. You're the one going to club, meeting strange men and doing drugs.”“I'm not doing drugs. I was drugged! It could happen to anyone.”“That's not a valid excuse either. Why on earth will you leave Finn at home to go spend time with spoilt random people at a club? You're not in highschool anymore, Elaine. You're a mother. And you've got to act like one.”I glared at him, my t
Billionaire's Lost Girl 73
ElaineI laid haphazardly on the parlour couch, half-dozing off. My joints were aching and it felt as though bricks were in my head. The room was silent with Cora sitting on the sette opposite, her brows knitted together worriedly. It was a half past one, so it wasn't yet time for her to pick Finn up from preschool.“So, you honestly don't remember any of the other boys except Sky?” she frowned, adjusting herself to peer at me closely. “What are the chances that they were the ones responsible for drugging you? And why would they do that? You weren't alone with them. They didn't drug Ivy or one of the other girls.”“I'm lost, Cora,” I muttered, shaking my head gently while yawning. “It could have been anyone who slipped something in the drink, but the boys are the prime suspect. Things went downhill the minute they approached us. I'm not sure it was Sky...” I trailed off, rubbing my temples softly.“Well, thank heavens you're getting better now. The doctor said that the drugs, coupled
Billionaire's Lost Girl 72
MaxIt was a few minutes past ten in the night when my phone trilled on the table, disrupting the otherwise quiet solitude of my study. I looked up from the manuscript I was working on, pushing the tortoise-shell glasses I'd recently gotten back over the bridge of my nose as I peered at the strange number on the screen.I'd never seen that number before, and a part of me felt irritated. Perhaps it was Ivy, or one of the girls in the proofreading department. Sighing, I picked it up at last.“Hello?”“M-Mr Sturm?” Ivy's frightened voice set off my hackles. I rose from my chair quickly. Something was wrong.“Ivy? What's wrong? You don't sound so good.”“I'm so sorry,” she blurted out tearfully. “It's all my fault. She wanted to leave when the boys approached but I stopped her...now she's...” she rambled on.“Calm down, Ivy. Deep breaths,” I stated calmly. “Breathe in...breathe out. Now, tell me what's wrong. Who did you stop from leaving?”“It's Elaine, Sir. She was found, knocked out co
