[Kaden] "What the hell was that, Kaden?" Cherry snapped as she stormed into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her. I exhaled, working my fingers around the knot of my tie, ignoring whatever nonsense she was spewing behind me. "I’m talking to you!" she barked. I closed my eyes for a second, taking a deep breath, before turning to stare back at her "Listen, Cherry, I'm tired and right now, all I need is some need peace," I muttered, sliding off my suit jacket. "I don’t give a damn about your peace right now!" she shouted. "I’m talking about that embarrassing stunt you pulled! How could you tell your accountant to block the money I requested?" "And why the hell shouldn’t I?" I snapped, my fist curling. "Don’t you think you’re pushing it? What in God’s name are you doing with that amount? It hasn’t even been two weeks since I gave you fifty million, and now you want a double of that amount?" My patience was hanging by a thread. Lately, it felt like I was staring at a stranger.
[Matilda]My eyes scanned the message in my phone as I yawned loudly, ignoring the growl in my stomach Last night I must have picked up and dropped my phone a dozen times before finally giving in and calling Kaden. I could tell that he was at least thrown off by how blunt I was and how I ended the callBut what I didn't expect was waking up to a message from him saying he'd be free this evening. So soon?"Well you wanted the kids to meet him and get it over with," I mumbled under my breath. It was still 6 am and I knew the twins were still asleep if not they could have stormed right into my bedroom"Let's get a few things done, it's Saturday," I mumbled under my breath, pushing myself off the bed, I slipped into my flip-flops, and made my way out heading to the kids' roomI chewed on my bottom lip trying to figure out where Kaden could meet the kidsHis house is a no for us, that would never be possible, and following that this is their first time meeting. I don't think a public plac
[Matilda]It was almost 4 pm and the house looked like it had gone under a mini makeover. I had cleaned, rearranged, and double-checked everything—twice, or maybe three times.The kids were in their room, picking out what to wear like they were about to meet Santa and a superhero at once. They were excited, overjoyed that their Daddy would be meeting them in a few hoursMy nerves, on the other hand, were everywhere I stared at my body all over again. I was dressed in black fitted jeans and a blue top that hugged my body perfectly, with my hair tied up neatly in a ponytailMy palms were sweaty and for heaven's sake, I had no idea why I was sweatingI took a slow deep breath and glanced at the time. 3:50 pm. I made my way to the kitchen to check the cookies that I had placed in the ovenAt least courtesy demands that you make your visitor feel a bit at home, not like I love the idea of him coming here anyway but whatever"Mommy, do I look good?" Aiden's voice pierced through my ear jus
[Kaden]"Daddy! Daddy!"The sound hit me like a bullet straight to the chest. My heart did a goddamn flip, and before I even knew what I was doing, the shopping bag slipped from my fingers. I crouched instantly, arms wide open, catching my boys as they flung themselves at me.My boys.FuckI didn’t even know how to breathe.I wrapped them up in my arms like if I let go, they’d vanish. My chest tightened, and my jaw clenched so damn hard it hurt. The wave of emotion crashed over me with no warningTheir tiny arms clung to me like I was their whole world, making my heart tighten, my jaw clenching fucking hardAlmost six fucking yearsI squeezed my eyes shut as I felt one of them start to sob against my shoulder. My throat burned. My hands trembled slightly as I pulled back, holding them up to get a good look.Tears.One of them had tears rolling down his cheeks, and my heart cracked right down the middle. I couldn’t fucking speak. What was I supposed to say?"Daddy, we’ve been waiting f
[Matilda]The moment I saw that stupid smirk on Kaden's face, something snapped inside me.He stood there, his eyes darting from me to the driver who was unloading the different kinds of toys he got. Did I fucking tell him I was about to open a kid's store, because what the hell was this man doing?I clenched my jaw hard, trying to swallow the sudden lump building in my throat. Not here, not in front of themBecause I wouldn't want my kids to see me snap the way my body was pushing me to"Kaden I asked a question, what is all this about?" My voice trembled and I hated that it did not because I was scared but because I was furious. He knew it and I saw it in the way his smile deepened, slow and smug like this was some game he was winningI looked at the twins. They were practically glowing, with wide eyes and jumping up and down like the world had just opened up and poured magic into their little handsMy jaw clenched, my heart thumping hard in my chest as different scenarios made thei
[Matilda]"What the hell do you think you’re doing?" I snapped, my jaw tightening as I glared at the man in front of me. He tilted his head slightly, that damn smirk tugging at the corners of his lips."I don’t know what you’re talking about," Kaden murmured, the arrogance in his tone making my blood boil.I parted my lips to speak but closed them again. I inhaled deeply, swallowing the sudden lump forming in my throat. "Don’t play dumb, Kaden Donovan. What is all this? What exactly are you trying to pull?" I folded my arms tightly across my chest"Just playing the role of a father, sweetheart. What’s wrong with that?" His smirk deepened as his eyes leisurely swept over me before landing back on my face.Is he fucking serious right now? Does he think I’m stupid?"You think I’m blind? Do you think I don’t see right through your little show? But hear me clearly, Kaden—it’s not going to work. I know exactly who you are. A manipulative bastard with no conscience," I hissed, fighting to st
[Matilda]"You mean he's not yet back?" I bit down on my lower lip as Julia, my best friend asked on the phone. I nodded as if she could see me, pressing my lips into a thin line."He's not back Julia, it's been a week, I'm scared I don't even know if he's okay!" My hand moved to my eyes as I wiped off the tears that were rolling down my cheeks "Don't tell me you're worried about that asshole of a man, you fucking know that he's having the best time of his life right now with that whore he calls a mistress. Tilda listen the man who made you enter that disgusting marriage is dead, don't you think it's time you leave that asshole of a husband!" Julia snapped, I shut my eyes for a moment, allowing the tears to fall freely.Yes, Mr. Black Donovan, my father-in-law, passed away a week ago, and he was the reason why I got into this marriage. Even though I knew Kaden hated me so much up until now because of what happened three years ago. Even when I was innocent of his accusations, that did
[Matilda]"Kaden, why aren't you saying anything? What is she doing here and whose bags are those?" My voice wavered, my heart clenching painfully as I searched his face for answers. Kaden looked up at me, scoffing, shaking his head like I was nothing more than a joke"And who are you to ask me questions in my house, Matilda?""Your wife, of course," I shot back, my voice trembling with defianceKaden scoffed, tilting his head as his gaze shifted to the maids who were taking the bags upstairsTheir movement didn't distract me from the mocking laughter ringing behind me, the two uninvited women in my house, basking in their audacity as if my house were some stage for their entertainmentKaden signaled the maids to take the last luggage that he had in his hands that I hadn't even noticed earlier before he turned towards me, his silver orbs staring right into mine"Does that give you the right to ask stupid questions here? Do you even know how much a house costs, and how dare you questio
[Matilda]"What the hell do you think you’re doing?" I snapped, my jaw tightening as I glared at the man in front of me. He tilted his head slightly, that damn smirk tugging at the corners of his lips."I don’t know what you’re talking about," Kaden murmured, the arrogance in his tone making my blood boil.I parted my lips to speak but closed them again. I inhaled deeply, swallowing the sudden lump forming in my throat. "Don’t play dumb, Kaden Donovan. What is all this? What exactly are you trying to pull?" I folded my arms tightly across my chest"Just playing the role of a father, sweetheart. What’s wrong with that?" His smirk deepened as his eyes leisurely swept over me before landing back on my face.Is he fucking serious right now? Does he think I’m stupid?"You think I’m blind? Do you think I don’t see right through your little show? But hear me clearly, Kaden—it’s not going to work. I know exactly who you are. A manipulative bastard with no conscience," I hissed, fighting to st
[Matilda]The moment I saw that stupid smirk on Kaden's face, something snapped inside me.He stood there, his eyes darting from me to the driver who was unloading the different kinds of toys he got. Did I fucking tell him I was about to open a kid's store, because what the hell was this man doing?I clenched my jaw hard, trying to swallow the sudden lump building in my throat. Not here, not in front of themBecause I wouldn't want my kids to see me snap the way my body was pushing me to"Kaden I asked a question, what is all this about?" My voice trembled and I hated that it did not because I was scared but because I was furious. He knew it and I saw it in the way his smile deepened, slow and smug like this was some game he was winningI looked at the twins. They were practically glowing, with wide eyes and jumping up and down like the world had just opened up and poured magic into their little handsMy jaw clenched, my heart thumping hard in my chest as different scenarios made thei
[Kaden]"Daddy! Daddy!"The sound hit me like a bullet straight to the chest. My heart did a goddamn flip, and before I even knew what I was doing, the shopping bag slipped from my fingers. I crouched instantly, arms wide open, catching my boys as they flung themselves at me.My boys.FuckI didn’t even know how to breathe.I wrapped them up in my arms like if I let go, they’d vanish. My chest tightened, and my jaw clenched so damn hard it hurt. The wave of emotion crashed over me with no warningTheir tiny arms clung to me like I was their whole world, making my heart tighten, my jaw clenching fucking hardAlmost six fucking yearsI squeezed my eyes shut as I felt one of them start to sob against my shoulder. My throat burned. My hands trembled slightly as I pulled back, holding them up to get a good look.Tears.One of them had tears rolling down his cheeks, and my heart cracked right down the middle. I couldn’t fucking speak. What was I supposed to say?"Daddy, we’ve been waiting f
[Matilda]It was almost 4 pm and the house looked like it had gone under a mini makeover. I had cleaned, rearranged, and double-checked everything—twice, or maybe three times.The kids were in their room, picking out what to wear like they were about to meet Santa and a superhero at once. They were excited, overjoyed that their Daddy would be meeting them in a few hoursMy nerves, on the other hand, were everywhere I stared at my body all over again. I was dressed in black fitted jeans and a blue top that hugged my body perfectly, with my hair tied up neatly in a ponytailMy palms were sweaty and for heaven's sake, I had no idea why I was sweatingI took a slow deep breath and glanced at the time. 3:50 pm. I made my way to the kitchen to check the cookies that I had placed in the ovenAt least courtesy demands that you make your visitor feel a bit at home, not like I love the idea of him coming here anyway but whatever"Mommy, do I look good?" Aiden's voice pierced through my ear jus
[Matilda]My eyes scanned the message in my phone as I yawned loudly, ignoring the growl in my stomach Last night I must have picked up and dropped my phone a dozen times before finally giving in and calling Kaden. I could tell that he was at least thrown off by how blunt I was and how I ended the callBut what I didn't expect was waking up to a message from him saying he'd be free this evening. So soon?"Well you wanted the kids to meet him and get it over with," I mumbled under my breath. It was still 6 am and I knew the twins were still asleep if not they could have stormed right into my bedroom"Let's get a few things done, it's Saturday," I mumbled under my breath, pushing myself off the bed, I slipped into my flip-flops, and made my way out heading to the kids' roomI chewed on my bottom lip trying to figure out where Kaden could meet the kidsHis house is a no for us, that would never be possible, and following that this is their first time meeting. I don't think a public plac
[Kaden] "What the hell was that, Kaden?" Cherry snapped as she stormed into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her. I exhaled, working my fingers around the knot of my tie, ignoring whatever nonsense she was spewing behind me. "I’m talking to you!" she barked. I closed my eyes for a second, taking a deep breath, before turning to stare back at her "Listen, Cherry, I'm tired and right now, all I need is some need peace," I muttered, sliding off my suit jacket. "I don’t give a damn about your peace right now!" she shouted. "I’m talking about that embarrassing stunt you pulled! How could you tell your accountant to block the money I requested?" "And why the hell shouldn’t I?" I snapped, my fist curling. "Don’t you think you’re pushing it? What in God’s name are you doing with that amount? It hasn’t even been two weeks since I gave you fifty million, and now you want a double of that amount?" My patience was hanging by a thread. Lately, it felt like I was staring at a stranger.
[Matilda]I took a deep breath my eyes scanning Sage who leaned back on his seatIs this a lost cause or what?"We are to win this case and I want you to do everything you can. She can't lose, it's not even an option," Leo said firmly beside meSage turned to Leo before turning his attention back to mine."You have the documents I requested for?" He asked and I nodded, pulling out the file I had in my handLeo had told me earlier that he requested some of the kid's documents, their birth certificate and school enrollment with medical recordsI stretched out the file towards him and he gave a firm nod, before pulling out the contents and going through them one after the other"I'll have them photocopied right away," He mumbled and placed a call before the lady we met earlier walked in and took the file from him after he gave her instructions on what to do"So let me understand what we are fighting for exactly," Sage said turning his attention back to mine. "He's fighting for full custo
[Matilda]The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and I stepped out, trying to steady the erratic pounding of my heart. Leo walked beside me, offering no words just the usual calm demeanor of hisThe hallway to the lawyer's office who Leo said his name was Sage, was quiet. Only the soft tap of our footsteps echoed off the walls. I took a deep breath as we stopped at a sleek, modern receptionist desk. The young woman behind it greeted us with a polite smile"Is Sage in?" Leo's voice boomed out behind me. The lady stared at him and I didn't miss the way her face flushed before she cleared her throats"Do you have an appointment with him?""Yes, Leo Smith," Leo said calmly, his eyes shifting towards me as he flashed me a smile before returning his eyes to the lady who suddenly had her fingers dancing across her keyboard"Mr Lawson has been expecting you, this way please," the lady walked out, taking us straight to the office without delay. I blew out a deep breath already feeling
[Matilda]"Mommy, are you okay?" Aiden's little voice pulled me out of my swirling thoughts. I took a steadying breath, forcing a smile as I gave him a nod.That smile did nothing to hide the worry etched across my face. It’s been two days since Leo and I settled things, and he told me we'd be meeting with the lawyer tomorrow. My heart thudded with every passing minute, especially knowing the first hearing in court was just a week away.My mind was a tangled mess. I glanced at Austin and Aiden, both absorbed in their iPads.I don't know what would happen during the custody battle. What if Kaden wins? How am I then going to explain who he is to my kids?No...hell no...he can't, impossible, Kaden would never win"Yes! I won!" Austin’s voice broke through my thoughts. He dropped his iPad, jumped up from the bed, and did his usual happy dance. I looked at Aiden, who was watching him with his pouted lipsI bit my bottom lip, glancing back and forth between them. My boys. My whole world. I’