Avery's POVI slowly woke up to the sound of the beach waves. My brows first furrowed in confusion as I sat up on the bed, wondering how I got here. I remembered talking with Ethan yesterday night after dinner and feeling slightly down. A note on the bedside caught my attention, and I leaned forward to pick it up.I couldn't help the smile that spread on my lips as I read the note.[Good morning, kitten.] I am off for today's groundbreaking ceremony and might not come back early because of the activities. Enjoy your day, sweetheart, and don't miss me too much. Ethan♥]I sighed as I remembered the ground breaking ceremony. Thankfully, Ethan respected my wish of not going for the ceremony, and that was a start. I took my bath and dressed in a comfy top that reached my thighs. Breakfast was already set on the dining table, probably courtesy of Ethan. I felt my heart burst with a sweet feeling as I saw another note.[Eat and don't miss me.]It was almost hard to believe these notes were w
Avery's POV“Oh my goodness! How are we going to get inside? The whole place is packed with people and the press.” Anita complained, looking outside the window.A tired sigh left me. I was already feeling tired from cooking for the villagers,which was a hectic task already. We were only able to return just an hour before the after party because I made pasta and fried chicken,which required fewer steps.Anita assisted in serving while I made arrangements for a souvenir company to arrange some gifts and deliver them to the villagers. While waiting for the souvenir company,I made dried hibiscus flower drinks for the villagers. Thankfully,the souvenir company arrived in two hours, which was considered fast since the village was a good distance from the city. For the men and women,I gifted them some skincare products and perfumes, while the children received books, drawing materials, and toys. For the few elderly people who were present,I shared some herbal tonics and tea. The villagers bu
Avery's POVOur eyes met, and I bit the inside of my cheeks to hold down the smile that threatened to spread wide on my lips.For a moment,I considered walking up to him myself but decided against it as it might be too impulsive on the outside.However, Ethan walked past me without even one single glance at me again.The two ladies standing behind us burst into laughter. “Who does she think she is? An expensive dress doesn't mean class, truly.” I heard one of them gossip.I felt so embarrassed, and I fought back the tears that threatened to fall from the hurt I felt at this point.“Hey girl,check this out.” I heard Anita say, but I was too down to even care about what she said until expensive,polished shoes came into my line of sight. I looked up to see Ethan looking down at me,his eyes unreadable. From the corner of my eye,I saw people staring in our direction. I didn't know what to do as I was lost on the next step to take.One part of me desperately wanted to walk out on him, but t
Avery's POV“Long enough to admire your enchanting beauty, kitten.” He mummured, placing an open mouthed kiss on my neck, biting and sucking on my skin. I am sure he is going to leave hickeys on my skin.I felt my breathing grow rapidly. “Ethan..” I panted as I felt his erection against my ass. I had to hold the railings to prevent myself from falling.“Yes?” He answered,pushing his erection into my ass. Almost instinctively,I grinded back against him, and I felt a sense of control fill me as I heard the animalistic groan from him.“Kitten,stop.” He panted,his voice ragged as if he were injured.“No.” I responded and grinded harder into him. It was dangerous, but it left a thrill in me, and I continued,my panties getting drenched too.“Then you leave me no option.” He growled,the sound traveling straight to my core.Before I could react,his hands went forward and bunched up my gown to my waist. I felt the night breeze hit my bare skin.“What are you—ooh!” I gasped as I felt two long fi
Avery's POVThe journey back home was a better experience compared to when we had come to the village. There were no potholes, and I spent quality time with Ethan. We talked randomly, about the events of the ground breaking ceremony,the kids, and some people we met at the party.We finally arrived back at the mansion, where Butler Jenkins and the rest of the staff were already lined up, waiting for us with trained smiles on their faces.“Good afternoon, Master Ethan, Good afternoon, madam.” They all greeted us in unison as soon as we stood in front of them.It felt awkward at first to see so many people bow while greeting me, but it was what came with being Ethan's wife or the madam of the Lorenzo family. I felt overwhelmed just thinking about it.“Good afternoon.” I replied,while Ethan just hummed a reply to their greetings. Butler Jenkins came forward and took Ethan's coat, while Lawrenta came to take my handbag. I could see the obvious excitement on her face and how she was struggl
Ethan's POVThere is no way I am telling Avery I had her phone bugged before handing it to her.“Jeffrey told me about it.” I quickly lied, mentally thanking Jeffery.“Ohh,” She drawled absentmindedly, and I nodded,drawing circles on her thighs.“That's why you need your position and stance known.”“Still, nobody can bring up those silly marriage arrangements for us. They need us, not the other way around. And to be fair,I think Lucas likes Felicity,so I don't mind.”I smiled in victory. She mentioned us—not they know you or Kings but us. I want to kiss her till she is out of breath or something, but that's for later. Fuck,this woman is going to be the end of me! I continued rubbing her smooth thighs while keeping up the conversation with her.“There is an invitation for a tea meeting from the billionaire's wife's women's club. Would you be going?”“I..I don't think so.” She stuttered, looking distracted. “What kind of group is that? The name already sounds weird.” She added. I could
Avery's POVI shouldn't have come. This is the first thought that enters my mind as I am escorted into the pavilion where the tea meeting is to be held. I would rather be on the phone, talking about random topics with Anita and Marcella,or even video calling with my sons who were in Nana's place, than to be greeted with the fake smiles of the eight women who were seated here. They all seemed to be in their early and late thirties.It was awkward at first. I watched as their eyes scanned my outfit and handbag enviously. It was ironic because I almost left the house in a simple jean trouser and top only to be pulled back inside by Lawrenta and get dressed up.“Oh, hello, Madam Avery. It is a pleasure to meet you!” A brunette haired lady in her thirties, who was likely the host, greeted me, walking up to give me a side hug. Her heavy perfume almost choked me in the process, and I sensibly pulled away from her. I counted four to five pieces of gold accessories on her.“Nice to meet you to
**Three days later**Avery's POVIt is a weekend, and Ethan is in his study upstairs having a business video call with some foreign business partners. We agreed on hosting a birthday party for the boys in one of the halls in the mansion. The mansion's size is finally coming to use in my books because I found it unnecessarily large at first.I am presently seated with Lawrenta in the pavilion in the garden, trying to settle on a theme for the birthday party.“What about this?” Lawrenta suggested,pointing at a pirate themed decoration on the tab.I shook my head. “I think a pirate themed birthday party might be too wild, and honestly,I don't really like the idea.” I sighed and dropped the tab on the table. “How about a career themed birthday party?”Lawrenta paused as if in thought. “What about a Mafia-themed one?”I looked at her as if she had two heads. “That's ridiculous. That might encourage violence among the children; there's no way I am allowing such for the party.” I stopped to
Avery's POV *Five years later*“No Ethan. It's already morning, let's get dressed.” I said, stifling a moan as I felt his hot tongue trail my skin.“Kitten, are you sure?” He rasped, his voice heavy with desire.It was hard to refuse, but we had to be up and doing. Today was going to be a long, eventful day.“I am very sure, honey.” I took a look at his grumpy expression and giggled. “We will have all the time later in the evening. Get dressed.” I instructed, my tone leaving no room for argument. He grumbles before climbing down the bed to pick up his joggers that we had discarded on the floor last night as we gave into our passion. I try so hard not to stare as he wears his joggers, but who am I kidding? Even after all these years, Ethan is still as breathtaking as ever, and it feels like he grows hotter as he ages.“I can feel your eyes on me, kitten.” He turned to face me with a smirk. “Let's just have a qui—”The door pushed open at that instant, and a beautiful, angelic voice fo
Avery's POV **Three months later**“The baby cannot stop kicking, and most of the time I am tempted to check for the gender, but I want to do that with you, honey. The boys won a math competition, and every time I think about it, I can't stop being proud of them because they did an incredible performance.” A smile formed on my lips, and I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “I am glad they didn't take after me; I hate math and can't stand it. I think our baby is going to be good in math too. And oh, speaking of babies, did I mention that Estella and Anita had given birth on the same day?”That was a month ago. I guess I must have mentioned it over and over again, but it didn't stop me. I have read that patients in coma could hear what was going on around them, so I didn't mind repeating some stories just to keep him from being lonely.A lot has happened in three months. Emilia had committed suicide two days after my visit that day to the detention center. Nana didn't bother to show any f
Avery’s POVThe cold salt water pushes into my lungs and eyes, but I swim harder, searching in the dark sea water for him.Ethan.Just as I desperately call for him in my heart, a stream of bright white light appears, and I see him slowly sinking into the depths. No! I swim faster, kicking my legs desperately and pushing my arms forward just in time to catch his hand.“Ethan!” My eyes snap open at once, and I realize it was a dream. My memories slowly returned to me, and a mixture of fear and anxiety welled up in me—the sound of gunshots echoing in my mind. I must have fainted.“Avery, please calm down.”“Try to take a deep breath.”“Call the doctor.”But I can't see anyone. I want to see Ethan. “Ethan. Where is he?” I yelled hysterically, trying to get down, and I felt two people pull me back. My vision slowly focused, and the worried faces of everyone in the ward were what I first noticed. Camilla and Anita still had their firm hold on my shoulders while Nana and Estella stood watc
Avery's POVMy eyes opened with a start, and a stream of light entered my vision. The horrid smell of gasoline filled my nose at once. I take in the sight of the small spaced room with iron plated walls and a small window that let in light. A small stair with about ten steps that led up to an iron door was on my left and another door,three steps away,stayed to my right. Unlike before when I had felt fear,I am filled with determination to leave this place. I had to,not just for myself but for my baby too.My hands are tied to an iron pole behind me, and a frustrated groan left me as I struggled to loosen the rope. I place my feet firmly on the floor and use my body weight to drag the chair forward, attempting to loosen the rope from my hand. Big beads of sweat rolled down my face, and a wave of tiredness started to grow in me, but I didn't give up.I am still struggling to loosen the rope when the door on my right is pushed open, Jake's voice following. “Don't worry about that, Red. Yo
Ethan's POVI couldn't find the courage to come outside the car. Immediately I left Avery in the house, I had ordered my men to find that ‘woman's’ location and report in less than an hour. The location was sent to me in ten minutes, and presently, I stared at the simple bungalow building located in the city’s developing area.Estella's annoyed sigh brings me out of my thoughts. “I still don't understand why you dragged me out here with you. I should be picking the right dress for the evening’s dinner.”“Estella.” I call, my voice low.She was still not listening as she continued to complain. “Or do you want to buy the houses around here? I really don't have too much knowledge about this t—”“She is here.” I interrupted, this time my voice firm and audible. “She has been in the city and met my wife to setup that dinner.”I don't need to clarify who this'she’ is because we both know. We had both gone through that phase together and somehow always knew when one of us meant to talk about
Avery's POV “Make sure to enjoy your weekend at Nana's place.” I instructed as I escorted the boys to the car that was waiting to take them to school.A small pout appears on Carlos face.“But I want to stay with you and baby.”“Yeah, mummy, I want to read a storybook to baby.” Lucas adds,I understand them. Just yesterday evening, we told them about the exciting news of the baby, and this morning, I am sending them to spend the weekend at Nana's. But I can't help it.Today is the day for the dinner meeting I set up for Camilla to meet Ethan and Estella. I am not sure of how Ethan might react when he returns from dinner later in the evening, so I am sending the boys to spend the weekend at Nana’s in case things don't go as planned.I bend down to their height and ruffle their hair. “You are going to spend the whole time with the baby when you are back.” They don't look convinced, and I quickly add. “Your daddy and I might move back to our old house after this.”Wide smiles appeared on
Avery's POV“Daddy, when can we see the new baby?” Lucas asks, and I can hear the excitement in his voice.It's the evening of the same day we visited Marcella in the hospital, and we had just finished having dinner. The boys and their father sat on the rug as they solved the several puzzle pieces in front of them, while I sat on an armchair knitting a beanie. I don't know, but visiting Marcella today sparked a new feeling of excitement in me, and I couldn't wait to see my baby.Ethan chuckles. “Are you that excited to meet him?”“Yes.” Carlos answered. “We would have a new friend.”I pause in my movements and look up to meet Ethan's gaze. He gives me a small nod, and I smile at him. There was no use delaying the news of the pregnancy to the boys. Warmth floods my chest at the realization that we could communicate with our eyes. It felt so natural and intimate.He returns my smile before turning his attention to the boys. “Boys,” he calls, and they both look up at him. Ethan continued
Avery's POV I hesitantly take a step forward when I enter Marcella's VIP maternity ward. I hadn't expected Nana and Estella to be here with Marcella. The cot where her baby boy is supposed to be lying is vacant, which meant he was taken away to check his vitals.The saying that blood is thicker than water might not have had any profound meaning to me until now. Even though they didn't know that they were related, they still found a way to be around her, and while we drove here, Ethan couldn't stop pondering why he felt so excited more than he should.Now that I look closely, Marcella’s hair, which was previously dyed brown and short, is now long and a rich shade of black, and her blue eyes are the same as those of Estella and Ethan!I suddenly feel a wave of guilt about hiding the truth from them, even though it's Camilla’s place to come clean.Warm arms pull me into an embrace, bringing me out of my thoughts, and I look down to see Nana hugging me.“My dear child, how have you been?
Ethan's POV“The kids.” I repeat, and a smirk forms on my lips when I see her dazed look.“What?”“The kids, sweetheart.”“Oh! Gosh,did I…” She trails off, and her cheeks turn red at once. I smirk and rub a thumb across her soft lips.“It's okay. I don't think they heard.”“Bu—”I gesture for her to keep quiet. The kitchen turns quiet, and we can now clearly hear the boys voices from the living room.“See? I gave them enough questions to keep them busy.” I grin, and relief washes across her features. “Then let's get this done and continue later, huh?”Avery winks. “You have to be fast, though. I can't wait, honey.”*I watched in horror as my mother tore my paintings apart into pieces as she screamed, her voice piercing through the quietness of the evening.“How many times have I told you to stop painting?” She thundered, making me recoil in shock. My nine year-old mind couldn't fathom the reason for her behavior.“Mum! Why are you behaving like this?” My older sister, Estella, yelled