MasukShare
65
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Bab terkait
Billionaire's Lost Girl 66
Elaine“How dare you be so controlling, Max?” I yelled, jabbing his chest forcefully. “It is my life, and he's my son as well. I've been working under you for long, while still taking good care of him. You think I can't multitask?”“I don't think, I know,” he growled. “Finn comes first. Your job can wait.”I shake my head. “You selfish son of a bitch. You think that I'm weak? You've only known him for a week and suddenly you feel like you know what's best for him? Cora and I have been watching after him since birth, while still going about our individual jobs. I'm not incapacitated, and he will always come first. So butt out, and stop acting like a self-entitled jerk from hell.”He narrowed his eyes, his brows perking up in surprise. “I'm a jerk?”“Well, of course! You're worse than a jerk, and listen to this, real good," I fumed, poking my index finger at his chest. “You don't get to tell me what to do. It's my life. We're only sharing a son. Nothing more.”His lips stretched into a
Billionaire's Lost Girl 67
Elaine“I should be the one asking you that, Elaine,” he bristled, his eyes glazing over as he observed my dressing critically. “What are you doing here?”My heart lurched at his cruel tone. “Don't look at me that way. You know why I'm here. For my interview. To work. I can't take your absurd requests seriously.”“You were ready to honour my ‘absurd’ requests last week,” he pointed out with a scoff.I rolled my eyes, equally folding my arms over my chest. “That was because you fooled me that you were in love with me. That I could count on you no matter what.”“What the hell are you driving at, Elaine? Of course everything I felt was true, and you know that. You're the one who decieved me. You played on my affections for you and I'm so fucking pissed.”“So you figured that the best option next for you is to control me? To keep me at home, sitting pretty in the couch, lonely and desolate while I pine and feel regretful over our scarred relationship? If you want to act like a selfish, in
Billionaire's Lost Girl 68
ElaineBeep, beep.I jerked awake, my legs knocking off something from the desk as I squinted in the darkness, my head throbbing with a killer headache. Sitting up, I gasped when I realized I was on nothing but my underwear, the unfamiliar blanket draped across my body heavily. Shit. Where the fuck am I?Shooting up to my feet, I began to search for my dress frantically. The time read four thirty in the evening and I shrieked in horror. Cora had a lot of assessments to get done at the office so I was the one to pick up Finn. The preschool had dismissed over an hour ago.God. How could I have let this happen?I whirled around in fright as the door creaked open behind me. A tall man with wavering blond hair stepped in with a flashlight. I grabbed the blanket to cover myself, yelling. “Where the hell is this place? Who are you?”He ignored me, taking a few more steps forward. I couldn't see his face clearly, making me so scared stiff. Subtly searching for something I could use and defen
Billionaire's Lost Girl 69
I murmured a silent prayer as the cab pulled up in front of Max's gate, climbing out and handing the driver the usual ten dollar bill. “If you don't mind waiting for me, I just want to check if my baby boy's here. I won't take long. I promise.”He nodded and I half ran towards the gate, pressing the doorbell as hard as I could. The sound of the lock turning had my heart thumping loudly. God, please let Finn be safe. The security man slid out, his scrawny face brightening the minute he saw me. “Ma'am? You're finally here.”“Good evening,” I mumbled breathlessly. “Is Finn here? I'm sorry I overslept and forgot to go pick him up.”He nodded in understanding, which made me feel relieved. “Yes. Sir Sturm brought him home over an hour ago. You can come in.”“I'll go dismiss the driver then,” I hurried off towards the cab, told him off, and returned back to the gate, my hair sticking out in every angle. I couldn't remember when last I felt so disorganized...so out of place. This was so unlik
Billionaire's Lost Girl 70
Max“How was preschool yesterday, Finn?” I probed as I pulled into traffic, glancing at him briefly through the rear-view mirror. He was so absorbed, putting together his Lego pieces. It was a cool Saturday morning, and I was taking him to the park as promised.Cora was the one who opened the door for me, as I expected. Since our argument, back at my place, Elaine and I hadn't spoken. I didn't care, though. She was a despicable woman, and a shitty parent. She could hate me for all I cared. I was so over her.“It was...” he trailed off, scrunching up his little, adorable face as he tried to think of the right word to describe how his day went. “Good, I guess.”“What's the matter? You don't sound so sure.”“I don't want to talk about it, Daddy,” he exhaled calmly.My brows knitted together in a tight frown. “What do you mean? Did anyone hurt you?”He hesitated, then blurted out. “It's Tommy, Daddy.”My frown deepened. “Tommy?”He nodded. “Yes. He's a big bully. He pinches me for no reas
Billionaire's Lost Girl 71
ElaineIt was a hot Tuesday afternoon, and seated at a table with Ivy and a few acquaintances, laughing as I listened to them recounting their awkward sex ordeals, I felt refreshed and genuinely happy for the first time in three weeks. I'd been so bittered by Max's accusations and the whole drama surrounding Finn that I'd forgotten what it felt like to have fun. This is exactly what I needed to clear my head. It was almost four thirty in the evening and the restaurant we'd chosen to hang out in was suspiciously becoming empty. Cora was slated to bring Finn home today, so I could stay till six, but I figured I might as well go home early to try and catch a siesta.“Over there, Elaine,” Ivy whispered, elbowing my side softly, her face radiating with an uncommon excitement. “Look at those hot guys there. They've been staring at us all afternoon, and the dirty-blond one seems to have his eyes on you. Why don't we go say hi?”I rolled my eyes, lifting my face from the fruit salad I'd been
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
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
Bab terbaru
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
Billionaire's Lost Girl 79
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
Billionaire's Lost Girl 76
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
Billionaire's Lost Girl 75
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
Billionaire's Lost Girl 74
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
