Night melted into morning, and the time had come for Ethan to be discharged from the hospital. He had slept peacefully, like the angelic child he was, satisfied that his plan had worked like a charm. However, his Mommy, Christine, hadn't been as fortunate. Restlessness consumed her, her emotions a turbulent mix of distress, fleeting moments of ease, and torment. Despite her attempts to brush it away, she couldn't shake the feeling that Ethan had orchestrated his illness on purpose. And then there was Hunter's presence, intoxicating yet accompanied by painful memories. Some of those memories weren't entirely painful, but she kept that locked away as her own secret. Hunter, perhaps even more overjoyed than Ethan, stole glances at Christine whenever the opportunity presented itself, unaware that she did the same when he wasn't looking. Being in her company, along with her child, felt undeniably right to him. The intimate setup brought him immense pleasure, even amidst the troubling cir
Christine was the first to arrive at the restaurant, a sense of unease creeping over her. Simon had been so eager to take her out, so why wasn't he here waiting for her? "The table for Simon Gray?" she asked the receptionist, scanning the surroundings with a curious gaze. "Please follow me," the receptionist responded, leading her to their designated table. Simon had texted her the location a few hours ago. Due to a meeting, they had decided to meet directly at "The Artist," the chosen venue for their second date. It was an exquisite establishment, exuding just the right amount of coziness and pretentious allure. With its romantic and elegant ambiance, bathed in shades of black and white and embraced by an expensive fragrance, it was an alluring choice. "Would you like to place an order, miss?" the waiter interrupted her thoughts. Christine politely declined. "No, I'll wait for the other person to arrive," she replied with a hint of anticipation. Time ticked away, stretching into
The sunlight streamed through the curtains as Hunter entered Simon's room, delivering news in a demanding tone. "Pack your things, we're moving out today!" A wide grin spread across Simon's face. "Having a rough day, brother?" he taunted, relishing in the reaction he provoked. "Why would you say that? No, it's just time to return home," Hunter responded, the dark circles under his eyes betraying his lack of sleep. His brother found amusement in this, his smile growing triumphant. "But I've heard they haven't finished setting up the smart home technology we were supposed to test. Why the rush?" Simon probed. "I believe we've overstayed our welcome at Loukas' place. We don't want to push our luck, do we?" Hunter's words didn't align with the sudden decision, and both of them knew it. "Are you sure that's all there is to it? Or does it have something to do with my date last night?" Simon pushed further, testing his brother's limits. "Simon!!!" Hunter growled, his eyes flashing with
Simon was a seasoned teaser of his brother, but even he could not overlook the tender feelings Christine seemed to harbor for Hunter, nor the adoration her son showed for his sibling. Simon understood he must act quickly or risk losing any opportunity he might have. He believed that the key to Christine's heart lay with her child — a notion he imagined applied universally to all mothers. So, a stroke of genius came to him, a grand surprise designed to win over the young boy. His heart pounded as he watched Christine savoring her coffee. He had asked her to meet for breakfast before work and she had agreed. When he had moved out, she never bid him goodbye, she was too caught up in the sorrow of Hunter's departure and Ethan's outbursts. "I have a surprise for you." Simon's sly smirk and the playful glint in his eyes prompted a mixture of curiosity and anxiety within her. She arched an eyebrow at him. "Do tell." "I've booked us a trip to Disneyland California for the weekend. We're
A tidal wave of fear and shock surged through her, causing her heart to pound wildly in her chest as she met his gaze. She was held captive in this mesmerizing stare for a heartbeat, before succumbing to the magnetic pull of his kiss. Her lips fervently sought his in a dance as old as time itself, driven by a hunger that yearned for satiation. Her fingers wove into his hair at the nape of his neck, anchoring herself to him, as if he was her sole lifeline in a storm. The world around them blurred into insignificance as his hands embarked on a daring journey beneath the soft fabric of her clothing. Claiming her thighs with a firm grip, his fingers inched torturously closer to her center, now slick with a desire that echoed the rhythm of her throbbing pulse. In that moment, they were wrapped in a bubble of intimacy, untouched by reality. The electric energy between them danced in the air, making the moment feel suspended in time, filled with magic and anticipation. A surge of guilt, sw
Hunter gazed at her, a devious smirk appearing on his face, while she responded with an enraged glare. "So here are the keys for the honeymoon suite," the receptionist added; Hunter chuckled as soon as the word 'honeymoon' reached his ears. "Please follow the concierge to your accommodation." He was well aware that there must have been some mix-up with the reservation. Christine wouldn't have done it on purpose, but he welcomed the mistake. Things were bound to become interesting, one way or another. To say she was annoyed would be an understatement; she was absolutely fuming with rage. Ethan would receive an earful when she got back. This time she wouldn't let it simply pass. She had to put a limit to his manipulations. He was only 5 years old, for God's sake. Despite his superior IQ for a child, he should still act his age. They were soon led to their suite, accompanied by a rather gorgeous woman in her late twenties, whose uniform hugged her body nicely, accentuating her allurin
Cornered, she found herself retreating until her back was cruelly met with the unyielding wall. His figure towered over her, an intimidating shadow boxing her in. A silent war of locked gazes ignited between them, sparking a wildfire of heat that was both unwanted and irresistible. It ignited a ravenous hunger within her, threatening to consume her in its tantalizing and delicious flames. Time itself seemed to bend to their will, stretching and slowing until each moment was an intoxicating torture. Their surroundings blurred and faded into nothingness, the world beyond their charged sphere nonexistent. Seconds danced by, their throbbing silence setting a frenzied rhythm to their hammering hearts. Caught in the storm of inner chaos, she waged a fierce battle to maintain her facade of calm. It was a struggle within herself, straining every fiber of her being to mask the earth-shattering impact of his proximity. But her body was a traitor; her knees buckled, and a longing, an ache cryin
Christine engaged in a lengthy phone conversation with Ethan and Loukas, carefully avoiding mentioning the room incident, despite her little angel's persistent curiosity about the hotel. His nosiness couldn't be more apparent. She was resolved to administer some form of punishment upon returning home, but for now, her only method of discipline was to deny him the satisfaction he sought. She had to admit, he was quite the schemer. A part of her felt an odd sense of pride in his intelligence, even though her secrets were perilously close to being exposed. She had to outsmart him at any cost. Her message inbox was brimming with texts from Simon, offering apologies for his immature behavior. No one could deny his childishness, but could she truly blame him? His instincts were unsettlingly accurate. She might call him tomorrow for a chat, but first, she needed to mentally prepare for spending the night in the same room as his brother. Hunter pondered if Christine would join him for a d