[Matilda]"Who in the world do we have here?" Cherry smiled as she snatched her phone from my grasp. My jaw tightened, my eyes sweeping all over her body. It's been six years, but she looked even younger"You can stop gawking sweetheart, I already know I'm beautiful!" There was mockery in Cherry's voice pulling me out of my thoughts.I drew a deep breath, my eyes shifting away from her as I tried to move past her, only to have her block my view, her eyes scanning me from head to toe"And where do you think you're going?" She snapped, blocking me. I honestly didn't have time for this. I could still feel the hatred I harbored for this thing over the years, but I wasn't ready to cause a scene.I looked at Julia as she made to speak, but I raised my hand and told her to let me handle it.I turned back to Cherry. "Could you please move out of the way?" I asked politely, hoping that she would be civil enough to do what I said, but I guess I was wrong.She laughed sarcastically, wiggling he
[Kaden] My eyes lifted from my laptop as I noticed my home office door open with a loud thud. My jaw clenched. Cherry stood in the doorway, her gaze locked on mine. She has refused to talk to me since the last time, and the more I tried to apologize, the more she distanced herself. So I just let her be "Hey!" I mumbled, watching as she stalked towards me and plopped on the seat opposite mine. "Are you okay?" I asked. She rolled her eyes as if she had not just come in here uninvited. She pulled out her phone and dropped it on my desk, making my brow crease as I stared at the shattered screen. "How can I be okay when that miserable thing decided to deliberately bump into me just to break my phone? Does she know how much this phone costs?" Cherry snapped, making my brows crease even more. What is she talking about? "What happened?" I asked with a low voice. "I ran into your miserable, gold-digging ex-wife, and she did this. Showed up in my face after six years just to un
[Kaden] "What the fuck was my business?" I asked myself this question for the umpteenth time since I left the restaurant heading to my office He's not their father, okay. So? 'Why don't you mind your fucking business?' My inner mind chimed in, making me growl. I pushed the thought aside heading straight to my office. I swerved my steering as I came to a stop in the lot of my office. Turning off the engine, I stepped out and made my way in. Giving a firm nod to some of my employees as I walked toward the elevator car leading directly to my suite I walked out of the elevator car, my gaze shifting to Vince my PA, as he walked towards me. "Good day, Sir." "Let's talk later!" I dismissed him and he nodded as I walked down the hallway to my suite. I knew Mason was already inside! My two best friends were more like brothers, and there was almost nothing they didn't know about me. Pushing open the double doors to my suite, I walked straight towards my desk when I spotted
[Matilda]"You didn't have to, you're spoiling these kids so much!" I scolded Leo as we left the restaurant, and he still insisted on taking them to the park.We ended up coming to one of the best restaurants in NYC as Leo wanted us to go on a date with the kids and have fun, but he wasn't still satisfied.Just a word from Aiden and Austin about going to the park, and we are on our way to the amusement park."Allow me to spoil my boys, will you? I will do anything for them!" "Of course, that's why you are spoiling them so much!" I rolled my eyes, my eyes shifting to the rearview mirror as I watched them in the backseat, focused on the game they were playing on Leo's iPad "They make us proud, so if spoiling them is all I can do, why not?" Leo mumbled, and I shook my head, giving up. I would never win an argument with him when it's about the kidsI took a deep breath staring out of the window as I bit down on my lower lip I wasn't sure if my brain was beginning to mess with me but wh
[Matilda]"Mummy someone's at the door, should I open the door?" Austin's voice echoed from the sitting room"No don't!" I yelled, rinsing off my hands as I rushed to the sitting room. I stared at Austin who was already standing just a bit close to the door, his eyes fixed on me"You can't check the door when mummy is not around okay? You're not allowed to. Even if you're with your nanny and you hear the doorbell, you call her to check it out. Do you understand!" I held his hand and he nodded"Yes Mum," He murmured and retreated his steps heading back to the couch where he and Aiden were working on their homeworkI pulled the door open, my lip curling into a big smile as I stared at Leo's smiling face."Can I come in ma'am!" Leo's teased"Of course!" I mumbled shifting a bit for him to walk in"Did you miss me!" Leo winked at me."We just saw each other a few days back!" I rolled my eyes at himHe chuckled, biting on his lower lip as he walked into the house The sound of tiny feet th
[Kaden]My jaw clenched hard as I stared at the full report Spider had given me on Tilda. After my conversation with Mason a few days ago, I couldn't help myself. I had instructed Spider to get me everything about her from six years ago, including where she lived and any man she had been involved with.And here I was, staring at it for the umpteenth time since he handed me her full report. She had moved to Miami a few days after our divorce. And had given birth exactly eight months after she leftNo matter how hard I tried, I couldn't convince myself that the kids were mine because the Tilda I knew wouldn't hesitate to tell me she was pregnant when I filed for divorce. Because I knew she was a leech! A fucking gold digger who wanted everything easy and it could have been another easy means for her to try to hold me down. So why would she keep the pregnancy from me? That was why I was doubting whatever was making its way into my headThere weren't many reports on her! She only kept a
[Matilda] I wasn't sure whether to be shocked or amused by this man standing in front of my door. I knew I sounded foolish when I asked him how he found my house—he's the almighty Kaden Donovan after allI glared at him and was about to shut my door when the next word he said stopped me right in my tracks."Is there anything you think I should know that you're not telling me?" Kaden's voice rang out, and I paused. My hand tightened on my door as I swallowed hard trying to push down the sudden lump that made its way to my throat.What the hell was he talking about?"I...don't understand what you're talking about?" I almost cursed myself for stuttering, and that gave the bastard in front of me the courage to smirk and take another step towards me."Matilda, is there anything you think I should know that you're keeping from me?""And I'm fucking telling you that I don't understand what you're talking about, Kaden. You just showed up in my house asking me stupid questions?" My heart was
[Matilda]"The twins are my kids, aren't they? What made you think you could hide it from me forever!" Kaden's voice was low as he asked making me glare back at him My hand tightened. My fingers dug into my palm as I averted my gaze from Kaden. My jaw clenched hard as I tried to calm the sudden fear that was threatening to consume me."I have no idea what you're talking about," I spat, and Kaden's eyes darkened."I asked a simple question, and I deserve an answer. Don't be stupid like you've always been, they are my kids as right?!" Kaden spat, making my blood boil. What made this man think he could come to my house to call me names"You're a joker! A big one at that! To think you will come to my house to insult me. Kaden for the last time get the hell out and no, Kaden, my kids are not yours so please leave!" I growled, my jaw clenching hard, but the man in front of me chose to smirk."Five years and four month ago, at St Andres Hospital in Miami, at exactly 4 p.m. on a Friday, the
[Matilda]"What did he mean by seeing you in court, why is he taking you to court?" Leo asked and I took a deep breath trying to calm the way my heart thumped hard in my chest by recalling that statement from LeoI stared up at Leo biting down on my lower lip"He wants the full custody of the kids,""That fucking bastard," Leo growled out, his jaw clenching as he lowered his gazeHe stared up. "Was he aware that you were pregnant?" Leo asked and I shook my head, taking another sip from my wine"I didn't tell him about it,""Why?" Leo asked and I knew that there was no other way around this, I had to tell him everything, the one memory I hated to recall for the past six yearsI stared up at Leo and then lowered my gaze, swallowing the sudden lump that made its way to my throat"If you don't want to talk about it Tesoro, it's fine, you can...,""No I want to," I mumbled fidgeting with my hands. "Our marriage did not start on a good note, I would say he was forced to marry me by his fath
[Matilda]"Please just hear me out Leo," I said softly. The men who had walked out with him made their way leaving and LeoI made to speak but he cut me off"Matilda, I don't want to hear anything from you, is that fucking too much for you to register into your head," Leo snapped. I bit down on my lip, staring at Leo like I was suddenly looking at a different person entirelyI locked my gaze on him, I opened my mouth to speak but shut it back. I wanted to speak with him, I wanted to make him understand, but standing right in front of him, with the way his eyes darkened, I suddenly felt speechless"Since you have nothing reasonable to say then I will take it that I should leave," He flashed me a smile that did nothing to hide the anger In his eyesI bit down on my lip, watching as he made to take a step out"If you leave right now, then I'll take it that you do hate me and love seeing me like this," My voice wavered as fresh tears poured down my eyesLeo stood frozen in the spot, his b
[Matilda]I walked down the stairs, my heart skipping with each step I took down. It was barely 9 am but I was already dressed up to leave! Not to my store or any other place but to meet Leo! I couldn't get a wink of sleep last night. The anger In Leo's voice and face couldn't get out of my mind no matter how hard I tried"Mummy, are you going out?" My eyes shifted to my kids who were seated with their teacher in the living room. I walked towards them placing a soft kiss on their foreheads, before bidding them goodbye"I'm leaving," I said to their Nanny, and she gave me a firm nod. A look of worry flickering in her eyes, she made to speak but I flashed her a smile before turning and making my way outI glanced at my phone for the umpteenth time since last night to know if Leo had at least replied to my message but it was still exactly like that! And the worst part is that he read every message I sent and still didn't utter a word. I tried explaining to him that I didn't mean to lie t
[Kaden]"When did you start smoking, Cherry, and who was that?" My voice was low as I asked. I wasn't shocked seeing Cherry smoking because lately, it has felt like I didn't know my wife anymoreShe opened her mouth to speak but shut it back"I don't know what you're talking about," She said, dropping the cigarettes on the floor using her leg to put off the cigarettesI just wasn't in the mood for this anymore, I was beginning to regret coming here to get her in the first place"We're going home, haven't you stayed enough?" I asked, my arms crossed over my chestHer eyes lingered on mine, biting down on her lower lip. "You...I...I mean, no I'm not coming home," Her voice was low, her eyes still not leaving mine, locking her gaze on mine"You are because I'm not leaving here without you," I brushed past her making my way into the room. My eyes moved over to the table, a glass with two bottles of wine and almost three packets of cigarettesI plopped down on the bed, dragging the bottle
[Kaden]"Is that the Leo guy, that handsome tall dude?" Ryan asked as we walked out of the hall towards the lotI glared at him and I knew he caught it as a sign to shut up"If you have nothing to say just shut the fuck up," I gritted out, making my way to my carSo She also didn't tell her little lover about me? I raked my hand through my hair as I pulled my car open and slipped in taking a slow deep breathMonster? The dude's voice echoed all over my head. If I was doubting whether I had crossed paths with him, then his attitude tonight confirmed it allTilda didn't tell him about me! Which meant he had no reason to hate or call me such names. I saw the look in his eyes when he gritted out my name like I had hurt his ego or probably done some hurtful things to himWell, I've done some hurtful things to so many people but I was very sure I don't lay my hands on people who aren't traitors! But Leo, how the fuck can I still not picture where I've seen that dude?"Are you going to star
[Matilda]"I said you should get the fuck out of my car you liar" Leo growled out making me flinch. Tears gathered at the corners of my eyes and before I could say a word tears rolled down my cheeks. Leo's eyes immediately turned towards me, I watched as his eyes softened but were quickly masked up immediately"Matilda kindly step down," He grumbled yet again, I stiffened back my tears reaching out to his hands"I won't leave," My lips quivered as I took a slow deep breath. "Just hear me out please I didn't mean to lie to you, I wanted to tell you I fucking swear and that was the reason I've been trying to see you and I...,""If you could understand that none of these things you're saying are making its way to my ears then I would rather you save your time and step down," Leo snapped, flinging my hands off and the next minute he was pulling the car door open and stepping outI watched as he rounded the car. My heart skipped as Leo reached the passenger seat and pulled it open"I need
[Matilda]"Get the fuck out of my way nuisance," I snapped at the bastard in front of me that wore a smirk on his face. He chuckled, raising his hand as he stepped out of the door. I pushed the door open, raising my eyes to step out only for me to stop in my tracks at the sight before meLeoThe fuck? How?"Leo... Leo?" My heart skipped as I called out his name. His eyes weren't on me Instead he had his eyes fixed behind me watching and just then Kaden walked right out nudging me and I watched Leo's eyes widen"The fuck?" Leo growled out, his eyes snapping from me to Kaden who decided to fucking stop beside me instead of getting the fuck outI watched Leo's eyes darken, his jaw clenching hard as he locked his gaze on Kaden's. The same look he gave him the very first day he saw him at the event"Tesoro, what did I just hear right now?" Leo's voice was laced with anger. I didn't need anyone to tell me he had heard every one of our conversation"Leo...I...is not what you think?" I bit do
[Kaden] I tilted my neck to the side and the first person my eyes met was Tilda as she walked in, her fingers locked with that bastard. My jaw clenched hard, taking my eyes off her, I turned back to the stage even though nothing was making sense in whatever they were saying up there My fingers dug into my palm as that one image that always clawed to my mind whenever I looked at that Leo guy, came rushing back The bastard on top of her, balls deep banging her... Fuck "I'm out of here!" I growled out and Ryan shot me a look "Are you going to congratulate her?" The fucker beside me, uttered, biting back a chuckle. I don't fucking blame him, do I? Before he could say another word I was already on my feet making my way out. I walked down the hall and instead of heading toward the exit, I walked down the hallway by the left heading to the restroom "What exactly does she even see in that bastard," I growled out, my finger raking through my hair as I increased my pace walking through t
[Matilda]"Congratulations once again," Daisy said as she side-hugged me. My lips stretched into a big smile. She was such a sweet person."Thank you so much," I said softly, picking up my bag once I was done getting myself together."We'll contact you, just like they said if the need arises," she added, and I nodded, offering her a warm smile.I made my way out through the back door we had used earlier, responding to a few fellow chefs who congratulated me along the way. My cheeks were already aching from smiling so much, but I didn’t mind.As I pushed the door open, I wasn’t surprised to see the first person standing right in front of it. My lips curled into a big smile, and without a word, I walked straight into his open arms."Congratulations," Leo murmured, his arms tightening around me."Thank you.""I knew you’d make me proud. You should have seen their faces when they walked up to your station," Leo pulled back, his eyes locking onto mine, pride written all over his face."You