William's POVAfter laughing with Lily I had expected things to change for the better but they hadn’t. After our goofy evening together things just began to get awkward. We did not know how to act around each other again. Adjusting to life with Lily and August was not easy, but it also had its rewards. I cannot begin to explain how happy hearing August call me "Daddy," is. It was never one thing I thought I needed and now it was something I cannot understand how I have been living without. I made it a priority to spoil him with expensive gifts, even if he did not need them, and Lily complained about it, but I did anyway just to see a smile on August's face.However, amidst the joy of bonding with August, there was also a lingering tension between Lily and me. Ever since we found out she was pregnant, we hadn't done anything intimate. No Hug. No kiss. No touching. No sex. It wasn't for lack of desire on my part; in fact, I am starting to think that Lily is actively avoiding me. And th
Lily's POVIf you are a club stripper, NEVER, ever marry one of your clients. If life had taught me anything, it is that. The dynamic between William and me had shifted dramatically since the wedding. What was once a relationship strictly based on physical intimacy had become awkward and strained. We slept in separate rooms, our distance serving as a tangible reminder of the growing divide between us. Sometimes I wonder if I am no longer attractive to him. I’ve heard that rich men, especially hot catches like William, tend to get bored of their wives and look for pleasure outside. I wasn't supposed to care. I am the wife. He’ll still come home to me. Besides, this is an arranged marriage, not a marriage based on love. This is just a contract, but that did not stop me from getting jealous. And I withdrew a little more from William. I suddenly felt a sense of possessiveness towards William but he wasn’t mine. Not in that sense and it kills me. I do not want to share.Is william trying
Lily's POVI was mindlessly scrolling through TikTok and Instagram, trying to distract myself from the suffocating atmosphere of the mansion, when a knock on my door startled me. It was William, and his unexpected presence made me sit up straighter, suddenly alert.He proposed that since it was Sunday and the last day of his break before he resumed work, we should go on a date and get to know each other better. He mentioned that August was in a therapy session, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity for us to spend some time together.I hesitated, caught off guard by his suggestion. Despite the awkwardness that had settled between us since the wedding, I found myself intrigued by the idea of spending time with William outside the confines of the mansion.After a moment of contemplation, I nodded, agreeing to his proposal. It would be a chance to break free from the tension that hung in the air whenever we were in the same room together.As we left the mansion and headed out for ou
William POV"My mom is from there. I've heard it's beautiful," I said, imagining the stunning coastal views. William nodded. "Maybe one day we can go together," he suggested.I nearly choked on my own spit. I'd never travelled. Never even dreamed of it. Travelling was for the rich. “Are you sure?” I asked, my voice tinged with disbelief.“Why wouldn't I be?” William asked, pulling his brows together. “I mean, my vacation break isn't until six months from now, and I usually don't take them. But now, I’m a married man. Except, of course, you don't want to go to Italy.”I didn't really care where we were going as long as I got to travel. I’d take it. “I love Italy,” I said, barely containing my excitement.“Well, good. Italy it is,” he said and sipped from his coffee.The waiter came then. She approached our table with a practised, friendly smile. She was a young woman, probably in her mid-twenties, with dark hair pulled back into a neat ponytail and bright red lipstick that stood out
WILLIAM POVI should head back to my room but I can’t. I don’t know how I let Lily get drunk under my watch–well it was because I found it hard to say no to her every whim but never again would I stay and watch her harm herself again and if I don’t touch Lily or at least kiss her today I would perish. I have been trying not to stare or appear too desperate throughout the date. The dress Lily wore was made to haunt me. It was a short black gown that hugged every one of her curves. It stops above her knees with a small slit in front exposing her tightness and taking my breath away. I have seen Lily’s tight clothes before. I have touched them. I have kissed them. But I have been deprived of them for far too long already. I had barely had the privilege of looking at them, not to mention touching them. I am a starving man waiting for any chance to eat.I took a step towards Lily and her eyes widened. Not in fear though, in expectation, pleasure even. Without even thinking I cupped her face
William POVShe stumbled back a step, and I took that opportunity to put a bit of space between us even though it felt like it would be the goddamn end of me.“I’m fine, William,” she said through heavy breaths, still clutching her dress to her chest.I couldn’t help but notice she didn’t try to tell me she wasn’t drunk.“You’re drunk, Lily.”“You already said that,” I mumbled with a frown.“It warranted being repeated.”Lily plopped back onto the bed. Both dress straps were falling off her shoulders, and God help me, I wanted to strip her of that black, short thing. “Lily you should go.” I pleaded this time. We already had a stain for rape when Damien lost his mind and did something stupid and God knows I had mocked him and allow him to pay for his action by letting him go to jail. The last thing I need is another case of rape and this one on me. And for that to happen I really need Lily to leave but I don’t think she understands that.“Do you not want me here? Am I too classless to
William POV“Fine.” I shook my head but started to unbutton my shirt in the same movement. Lily’s mouth snapped shut as she watched my hands. The heat in her gaze nearly made them fumble.“You don’t have to wear the bottoms, but will you at least wear this instead?” I asked, shrugging off my shirt and thrusting it into her lap.She picked it up thoughtfully. “Instead of my shirt? Why?”“It’ll cover more of you,” I muttered before striding to the bathroom and shutting the door, needing a minute to cool down.I splashed water over my face before doing it again more aggressively. The first time wasn’t enough of a shock. Water sloshed over my neck and shoulders, dribbling down my chest.It didn’t help, though. I could take a freezing cold shower and still be running hot for Lily.Steeling myself, I walked back into the bedroom.I should have steeled myself harder.“Fuck.”“What?” Lily did a little spin for me, pirouetting sloppily. She nearly tipped over before catching herself with a lau
William POVI arrived at the office later that day, ready to dive back into work after a week spent with Lily and August. As I stepped into the building, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. Whatever they say about marriage making people happier is true. Honestly, there is no explanation for why I am so happy. Lily and I did not really do anything, but still…As I walked down the hallway toward my office, employees greeted me and stumbled out of the way. Toby was walking closely behind me. He entered his office beside mine as I reached my office door and pushed it open, expecting to be greeted by the familiar sight of my neatly organized desk and the stacks of files awaiting my attention.Instead, I was met with the unexpected presence of my younger brother, Damian, lounging casually in one of the chairs in front of my desk. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes held a familiar glint of malice.“Damian,” I said the name with disdain. “Why are you here?” I demanded, closing the door behi
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREEDamien’s POVI love when I set out to do one evil deed and a free opportunity to do more presents itself. I came today with no plan; all I wanted was to disturb Will’s peace a little, remind him I am still alive, and maybe remind Aria that she said she would help me inherit the company. But then heaven blessed me, and I found August outside.The boy had run to me, calling me daddy. I watched in amusement as he hugged my legs, giggling, then looked up and frowned.“You are not my daddy,” he said, puzzled.“No, I am not,” I replied with a sly smile.August giggled again. “But you look so much like him. I thought you were him.”“No,” I said, shaking my head. “But,” I continued “We are brothers.”I was amused that Lily’s son called Will's father. Lily sure knows how to make people take responsibility for things they did and did not do, just like she made me pay for... our incident. Now, she has Will playing daddy for August and her so-called unborn child, whom we are
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWOLily’s POVWill and I had successfully avoided work for an entire week, and Aria had been planning creative ways to kill me. But with Will always on my mind, I found it hard to care.Will thought I didn’t know what he was doing when he ‘accidentally’ locked my room door and lost the key, or when the maid ‘mistakenly’ dropped my laundry in his room. I didn’t say anything about it. I liked it. I liked to pretend I wanted my room, but if Will ever asked me to go to my room, I would die. Literally, I would fall and die.It was 10:32 AM on a Sunday, and August was free today. Will had his therapy session canceled so we could all go out as a family.I gently disentangled myself from Will’s body and quietly climbed down from the bed. I threw on one of Will’s shirts because I was too lazy to go to my room or find my clothes in his second drawer.Tying my hair into a messy bun, I walked out of the room to spend a little time with August alone, something that was hardly possib
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONEWill’s POVI don’t blame Aria for hating Lily. She is right. Lily is good for me.Should I be dressed and ready to go to work? Yes.Do I need to go to work? Yes.Am I dressed and ready to go to work? No.Will I go? Hell no!I had called Toby again to tell him I wasn't going to make it to work. My excuse? I’m sick. Was I sick? No, but I would be if I didn’t taste Lily one more time. Lily had excused herself to go back to her room to get dressed. I’ll have to get her things brought here, or if she likes her room so much, I can move to it. It doesn’t matter, but all this separate room nonsense is not going to work.“You’re not dressed?” Lily asked, barging into my room to pick up clothes she left in my bedroom.“No,” I said, grinning.“What?” She asked, stopping to look at me. “Why are you staring at me like that?”“I like the way you entered my room like it’s yours.”Nothing can replace the pleasure of seeing Lily blush as she quickly disappeared into the bathroom to p
CHAPTER FIFTYLily POVIt was Monday morning, and I woke up to small kisses being trailed along my neck. I groaned and sank deeper into the feel of Will.It is Monday morning and after what could only be described as the best weekend in history, I do not want to wake up let alone go to work.“Open your eyes, Lily,” Will growled. “I know you are awake.”I did not open my eyes. I did not want to open my eyes. Maybe if I keep my eyes closed long enough, I would be able to keep him here in bed with me throughout the day.“Can we not just stay?” I groaned.“Of course we can, we can stay as long as you want but that would only give Aria more reasons to hate you and make the papara—Will didn’t get any other words out as I brought my lips to his kissing him gently.Will sighed into the kiss and wrapped his arms around my back and my neck drawing me deeper in. God, I’d missed this—it had only been hours, but I missed it already. I missed feeling like we were both going to lose it if we did no
Damien’s POV“You foolish man, I thought getting drunk was my thing,” Lyon said. He had been scolding me and telling me things I did not care for.He is right though, getting excessively drunk is his thing, not mine. He was leading me to the car so we could go home I suppose.“I do not want to go home.” I slur.“I am sure. Your wife will kill you if you go home like this.” Lyon said and laughed loudly. “I thought you said you were a changed man? Change my ass man.”“Oh shut the fuck up.”Lyon laughed again and retrieved the car key from my pocket.“shit.” He cursed. “You have to stand on your own, wait while I go get the key, I think you left it on the table we used.”Immediately Lyon left me I fell flat on my butt drawing unwanted attention and Lyon's unwarranted laugh.He left me there struggling with no success to get back on my feet. He came back a minute later with the key. “Remind me to never let you drink this much ever again,” he said helping me into the car.“Fuckkk-you,” I sa
Lily's POVOne day, I would rip out my heart and throw it away. It had made it its life mission to always embarrass me when it came to William Carter. I couldn't even pretend to act cool and composed around him, especially when I was this close to him. The only thing giving me comfort was the fact that our heartbeats were synchronized, and I could hear his heart too.He was sniffing my neck, nuzzling his nose against it, and gently running his hand from my neck to my waist consistently. I wondered why. Before, when he was just a client, he would quickly go straight to the point. He made sure I was comfortable first, yes, but there was hardly any cuddling or sniffing.“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this,” he said.“Sniff me?” I had long ditched the thought that I would have any composure or class when it came to Will. My voice sounded like I was struggling to breathe, let alone talk, and that couldn’t be closer to the truth.Will chuckled. His voice was low, lower than us
Unknown POVWhoever said, "If you want something done perfectly, do it yourself," is a genius. It's been weeks since I told that idiot Greg to handle the matter of that new wife, and he's probably dead or avoiding me. He better be dead, because if I ever learn he's still breathing, I'll kill him myself.I took another deep inhale from my cigarette and puffed it out. I had considered killing Will's driver and taking his place, but that would make the death very traceable to me, especially considering the fact that William is obsessed with his new wife.I stood by the side outside William's house and waited. I liked to come here, to this house, and stand outside to catch glimpses of the kind of life William and his other family members lived. The kind of life my mother and I never got. I watched the news carefully when I learned that Carter was dead, waiting to see my name or at least that of my mother. I should have expected to see nothing. I should also not have been surprised when he
Damien’s POV“I need to talk to you,” I said as I barged into his office. It was just as I remembered from the last time I was here a few months ago. He didn’t let me into his office often; he treated it like a sanctuary. It was decorated with awards and medals dating back to his childhood. Father had always been a winner—in class, in sports, debates, bets, business—he always won. He was not accustomed to the word failure. William had followed in his footsteps. Those two were the boring, nerdy bookworms nobody liked. But they won in everything; they were organized, neat, handsome, tall, and strong, commanding rooms filled with people. They were the all-work-no-play types people liked to describe in romance novels.I was not like that. I was the fun, smiling, disorganized, cool one everybody liked. At least, everybody liked me when I was younger, but ever since I came back from college months ago, everyone expected me to be who I was not. They expected me to be my father or William, an
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE Lily’s POV Nancy was still begging to keep her job when the lights in the company went out, sending the whole place into chaos. Toby had security escort Nancy outside of the building while Will led me to his office. I sat quietly, feeling useless while everyone else in the company got busy. Virtual meetings had been cut off, and numerous computers were down, causing disruption of work and weakening security. Everyone was working to figure out what had happened and to get the electricity back up. Will kept answering call after call, addressing people’s concerns about their interrupted meetings and reassuring them that everything was all right and that it was just a minor electrical issue. “No, your money is not at risk. No, this isn't someone causing a distraction to steal from you. No, the company is not closing without public consent. Yes, it is just a minor issue that will be resolved shortly. No, I have not sold the company without informing shareholders