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65| YES!
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2021-10-20 03:02:29I had been chatting with little Dylan for a while as he told me all of his plans of adventures to have with his new cousin. He was so excited to have another family member. He told me about how he plans to go camping with his cousin where he can teach him how to fish, and then show him how to make a fire outside of uncle Dominic’s cabin.
“He has a cabin?” I asked. Luckily, Gwen was elsewhere getting a drink when it was mentioned.
When Dominic released a statement that I was the reason we crashed and that he was originally planning on taking me to his cabin for a romantic getaway, I hadn’t believed the cabin was real.
“Uh-huh,” the boy answered. “Uncle Dominic doesn’t let me go there yet. He says that once I’m older I can visit the cabin, though!”
“Why won’t he let you visit it now?”
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Claudette Reed 66| Bottle Race
“I will want to wait to get married until after the baby is born. I want to be able to get back to my non-pregnant figure.” I thought this excuse would buy me some time. “How come? If it’s just family, it shouldn’t matter. Tell you what… after the baby is born, we can have a second ceremony. One more lush and lavish for the media to eat up.” I smiled awkwardly and spoke through my teeth, “Well, doesn’t that sound like a great plan.” I’m so grateful that my parents are here to witness what is happening right now. “Howdy-ho party people, what have I missed?” We all looked to the owner of the playful voice and found that Isaac’s mom, Isabella, had arrived late to the party. My shoulders visibly relaxed and I exhaled a breath of relief. I didn’t expect Isaac to be with her, but at least I could ask her how he is and maybe have her pass on a message for me.
Last Updated : 2021-10-20Claudette Reed 67| Plan is a Go
Isaac POVEven though she resisted, I told my mom to go to Steph’s baby shower.“But won’t it be odd? Now that you guys are kind of on the outs now… I think I should back off too, to not give her mixed signals or false hope, you know?” she had tried to reason with me earlier on why she shouldn’t go.“What’s going on between Steph and me is between us alone. You are still auntie Iz to her, you should be there for her. I only have one thing to ask of you.”“What is it?”I opened my hand to show the small black device in my palm. “Make nice with Dominic, and sneak this into his pocket.”My mom looked confused as she stared at the small, round device in my hand. “What is that?”“A buddy of mine has been working on something,
Last Updated : 2021-10-23Claudette Reed 68| House Tour
3rd Person POVEmile approached the mansion that his old friend Stephanie had moved into with a pocket full of tiny devices made by her uncle, Ben, to bug the house with. Since Dominic had his license suspended after the accident with Stephanie, there was little need to bug any of his cars, and Emile had already thoroughly taken care of Dominic’s office, so the only thing missing was the house.He walked up to the front door and knocked thrice before the door opened. It was Stephanie, and she smiled upon seeing her friend.“Emile!” She jumped into a hug that he was unprepared for.He chuckled at her excitement. “Hey! Good to see you!”“Oh, I’m so glad you’re here!” She squeezed him tightly before letting go of their hug and inviting him inside. “I feel like I’ve been surrounded by all of my p
Last Updated : 2021-10-23Claudette Reed 69| Presents and Booze
3rd Person POVAs Stephanie and Emile made it to the bottom of the steps, one of the fellow fashion designers who attended the baby shower approached Stephanie with a beaming smile showing off her perfect teeth.“Stephanie, it’s time for presents!” She grabbed hold of Stephanie’s arm and pulled her away from Emile toward the large, plush chair that looked like a throne for a queen. “Sit, sit,” she insisted as she gently encouraged her down onto the seat. The young woman turned and grabbed something nearby, coming back to put a tiara on Stephanie’s head.“Aww,” everyone in attendance said in unison as they saw her. Everyone crowded around, ready for her to open each of their presents.
Last Updated : 2021-10-26Claudette Reed 70| Signatures
“Lord, have mercy,” Stephanie whispered as she saw Dominic nearly fall off the couch.Louisa walked forward and placed the piece of paper on the table in front of the sofa for the both of them to sign. She motioned with her hand for Stephanie to join Dominic on the couch, which she did.“Now, all I need are a single signature from each of you. Ste-” Louisa faked a cough to stop herself from saying Stephanie’s name after being told not to. “Ms. Greene, you sign here,” she pointed to the correct line. “And Mr. Knight, you will sign right here.”Stephanie picked up the pen provided to her and looked at her family and friends. Isaac didn't tell Stephanie’s parents, nor his own mom, and Emile's dad was just there to photograph and mingle amongst people, so they all looked just as confused as she was.Besides Emile, Kay and Eli were the only ones
Last Updated : 2021-10-26Claudette Reed 71| Hungover
Isabella returned home later that day with a million questions for her son. What was that tiny gadget that he wanted to be planted on Dominic Knight? Why did Matthew whisper “SOS” to her as soon as she got to the party? Why did Emile gather the family and close friends to watch Stephanie and Dominic sign one paper together about contacts in Asia? “Isaac?” she hollered as she entered the quiet, dark house. “I’m home.” “Up here, mom,” she heard faintly from upstairs as she took off and hung up the coat she was wearing. She walked up the steps and knocked lightly on the door to her son’s room that was left cracked open for her. She peeked in and saw Isaac at his computer with his headphones around his neck. He looked up and greeted her with a smile as he turned in his swivel chair to face her. “How was the baby shower?” “It was fine,” she answered vaguely. Her
Last Updated : 2021-11-01Claudette Reed 72| Issues in Italy
I got a surprising call from Gwen the same week as the baby shower asking me to hang out for some “bonding” time with her. I’m still unsure whether or not I trust Gwen, so I came up with simple excuses every time she would ask. I’ve told her that I had morning sickness, was too tired, or had work to catch up on to get me out of having to spend any alone time with her. Something about that woman just gives me the creeps.Most of those were lies. But my showcase is coming up in just a couple of months and I have a lot to do to prepare for it, so it was more of a little white lie. Still, I didn’t feel good about it.Dominic had stopped asking me to check out the cabin with him, which I found odd, but brushed it aside and counted my blessings. I sure as hell wasn’t planning on asking him about it. He seemed rather distant. I wanted to know what was going on in that head of his but didn’t want to take a c
Last Updated : 2021-11-01Claudette Reed 73| Reflection
I was able to get Dominic out of the country for the next month after telling him he was welcome to network with my contacts in Asia for Knightingale Suits, which gave me time to get more work done than I have through my entire pregnancy. The house was quiet and glorious, and I found it calming with his presence missing. He got back just the other night, and it was so late that I was already in bed when he got home, so I didn’t get to see him or talk to him. Fine by me; the less time with him the better. My showcase for Claudette Reed is tonight and I’m excited about it. I’m excited to finally have an event that’s all mine; not mine and Dominic's. My company, my designs, my work are all on display for fashion’s most elite crowd. I can rub it in the faces of those damn investors and show them what a mistake they made by backing down and no longer funding me. A twisted part of me is thankful for Dominic. Without him,
Last Updated : 2021-11-01
Latest chapter
Claudette Reed 85| Bonus Chapter (Alternate Ending): Wedding
Whitney was put away after Ben found traces of her plotting with Dominic and Gwen, wanting to destroy Stephanie after she stole Isaac from her. Thanks to some good old fashion hacking of security footage that showed her purchasing the same green monster that was delivered to the Greene mansion, and some searching of phone records, she was arrested as an accessory and for conspiring.Eli and Isabella shared that they have secretly been an item for quite some time and are openly a couple now. It took Isaac a while to get comfortable with the idea, but he accepts their relationship and is enjoying seeing his mother so happy.He looked out at the rows of people and spotted them together, smiling at each other as Isabella adjusted his tie. There was an empty seat that separated them from Emma, who was speaking to Dylan, the ring bearer, about something before he was up. The Perry's were there as well; Emile and his parents Emmanuel an
Claudette Reed 84| Bonus Chapter (Alternate Ending): The Call
Both Isabella and Eli looked at Isaac in shock with their mouths slightly agape at this revelation and blunt truth that just escaped his lips. They stood there like statues for a long moment before responding to him.“I, uh… you… you got another threat?” Isabella asked Stephanie to clarify.She nodded her head. “Yes. We have Ben right now looking for the name of the person who declared Dominic DOA after the crash to see who could have possibly done this.”“Well shit,” Eli mumbled.Isabella had her lips parted in astonishment and her eyes were slightly wider than usual. “Well, do you have any suspects?”Isaac peered over at the small eight-year-old that was near Matthew and Emma but remained silent. Stephanie shook her head as her mind was still in a baffled, hazy state. Emma thought of Louisa, and Mat
Claudette Reed 83| Bonus Chapter (Alternate Ending): Isabella's
With the merriment of the day slipping away and the feeling of safety slowly withering, Isaac pitched the idea of heading to his mother’s house and spending the day there instead. With the lack of security detail on the Greene's mansion, no one protested leaving the place. After a phone call to Isabella, they each packed a bag and planned to spend the night over at her house. Stephanie, Isaac, and Micah would take Isaac's old room; Matthew and Emma would take the guest room, and Dylan so kindly offered to sleep on the couch. Isaac wasn’t too sure about this boy anymore. The devil’s spawn openly offers to sleep away from everyone else? Alone, on the ground level of the house? Since he became a father to Micah, whether biologically or not, he grew a new need to protect his family. It was more fierce than before. Before, he simply wanted to keep the people he loved safe; but now, it’s like a spark of fire in his veins that gets
Claudette Reed 82| Bonus Chapter (Alternate Ending): Doubt
After leaving Ben to his expert hacking to find the name of the person who identified Dominic’s body, Matthew returned to the living room with his wife, daughter, soon-to-be son-in-law, grandson, and newly adopted son Dylan.The room seemed to have gone still; the only noticeable movement and sound was the crackling fireplace. He glanced around at everyone to see them all lost in their own thoughts. His daughter was feeding his grandchild with a blanket draped over one shoulder for privacy. She looked under the blanket at her newborn with both adoration and worry.Isaac’s eyes were far off, almost seeming to be in another dimension with the lack of life in them. His wife’s eyes weren’t any more lively, though, and for a moment, Matthew regretted walking back in here without any good news. His heart skipped a beat once his wife turned her head to him, noticing him reappear in the corner of her eyes.
Claudette Reed 81| Bonus Chapter (Alternate Ending): Christmas
With Micah getting to come home just before Christmas, the entire family got to spend the holiday together. The family was in the living room on Christmas day exchanging gifts and taking turns holding the baby when the doorbell rang.*DING DONG*Everyone looked around the room at each other. It seemed like everyone was here. Who could be visiting?"Are you guys expecting anyone?" Stephanie asked her parents as her father got up to open the door.Her mother shook her head with a frown. "No, I have no idea who it could be."Stephanie was admiring her son in her arms when Matthew walked back to rejoin the group just a minute later. He stood next to Stephanie with a confused look."Who was it, dad?""No one was there. But this box was on the mat." He extended his hand to give her the small box. Step
Claudette Reed 80| Epilogue
The police came to the cabin, and an entire investigation began. It turns out, the remains found underneath the cabin belonged to a Dani Winter, who was Dominic's high school girlfriend. Her records showed that she had given birth to a baby boy on Dylans birthday, then disappeared shortly after, and they quickly put two and two together - leading them to investigating Gwen. Kay had been speaking with clients of hers, as she is a womens rights activist and only photographs females, and had come across a number of women to testify against Gwen. They said that they had gotten involved with Dominic romantically, but he would get aggressive, and his sister would cover it up for him and make up excuses. All of the women said that they felt she was dangerous. Also the mention of her obsession and protectiveness with Dylan was unsettling. Even Louisa testified and said that Dominic had threatened her boys lives if she hadn
Claudette Reed 79| The Death Cabin
The following day, it was confirmed at Dominic was the fatality in the crash, and it was reported to be an issue with the manufacturer of the car, so all rumors or claims against Stephanie were voided and her name was entirely cleared. The fact that she had her event and went into labor the same time as the wreck had also cleared her from any possible accusations of having something to do with his fatal crash as well. She learned of every person’s own original plan to destroy Dominic and felt so much love hearing that everyone was planning something different. Her parents shared that they were going to buy him out, and Stephanie felt relief that they no longer had to do that. She would have felt awful if her parents gave up everything, including her childhood home, to take him down. Besides, there was still the chance of backlash with that plan. Ben had heavily considered Matthew’s idea of wi
Claudette Reed 78| What Happens Now?
What did I want to happen to Gwen? I guess to answer that, I would need to know exactly what she had done before I tell them to lock her up. Maybe Ben and Isaac had learned that she wasn’t really Dylan's mom and we could start the search for his real mom? But what if his real mom was the woman in those dreams? The dead one, who was Dominic's high school sweetheart that he supposedly killed. “I don’t… I don’t know….” “It’s okay,” Isaac said as he pet my hair. “It’s been a long day, and you need to rest. We can talk about the rest later.” Too tired to argue, I merely nodded my head, and everyone slowly left the room. Except for Isaac, as I asked him to stay on the bed with me. We faced each other and looked at each other silently for a while. “I can’t believe you came,” I said as I stared into his hazel eyes. “It took me a while, but once I re
Claudette Reed 77| Revelations
Everyone gathered around the bed where Isaac and I lay together, baby Micah cradled between us. The doctors came in to take him to the NICU and make sure that everything was alright, and with parting words and kisses, I let them take him.Once gone, I nuzzle closer to Isaac, and he wrapped his arms around me and kissed my head.“You named him after your brother,” my mom said with tears in her eyes and her chin quivering, her hand trying to hide her reaction. Dad held both her shoulders before hugging her from behind with a gentle smile on his lips.“Yes,” I responded. “Do you like it?”She threw her hand down and made a hmph sound as she answered, “Like it? I’m the one who picked it,” she and my dad both laughed. “We love the name. Thank you, baby.”It was past midnight now, and in the room
