AUTHOR'S POV SMOKE ERUPTED FROM THE EXHAUST of the motorbike as Gabriel skidded to a stop in front of his quaint home. Sydney coughed as she got down from the bike. “ I think your bike is mad at me." Sydney laughed and coughed. “ Nah, It's been long since I took it for maintenance.” Gabriel choked out as they walked into the house. Sydney's eyes scrutinized the house as they walked in. She didn't pay much attention to the little details the last time she came. Her eyes were too clouded with tears for her to, and it was sundown. The living room seemed less like where a poacher inhabited. The obsolete designs give Sydney a sense of inner warmth. She could live here, far from civilization, and wouldn't even care. It was so tiring being a cynosure. Sydney looked at the portraits of mountains, plateaus, highlands, and lowlands as Gabriel excused himself. The portraits drove her thoughts to her mother. Sydney had called Ashley all day since she left Arizona. Their conversa
AUTHOR'S POV SYDNEY STARED AT HER SWOLLEN STOMACH in the six-foot-long mirror. A bright smile was plastered on her face as her thumb caressed her bare stomach. " You'll look just like your daddy, won't you? Gavin said it's unfair Ethan took my looks, but he has faith you'll look just like him." Sydney chuckled, her nose pink with joy. The door began to open slightly, and Gavin shut his head into the room. He looked around inquisitively and when his eyes met his wife's brown ones, he grinned and entered the room. " Thought you'd be asleep, I didn't want to wake you up." He wrapped his hand around her waist from behind and kissed her cheek. She looked at his reflection. " How's work? I heard Mr. Alejandro visited today." She turned to him with a concerned look. " Mr. Alejandro is a stern man, he'd made many rich men's business crumble, Gavin, whatever happened it's not your fault—" Gavin cut her off with a sharp kiss. He pulled away and laughed when she reddened. " Worr
AUTHOR'S POV SYDNEY's WIDE EYES ROAMED AROUND THE BROKEN PICTURE FRAMES, VASES, and whatnot on the living room floor. The vases and portraits were wedding gifts her mother had given her the day she wedded Gavin. Ashley told Sydney, all the first daughters in her family had it. It was a symbol of fidelity and growth in a marriage. Sydney guarded it and cleaned it every week and now, they were all broken and ruined. Who would do such a thing? Avery walked into the living room, carrying a box of Sydney's wedding gifts. When Avery saw Sydney, a wicked smile played on her lips. “ Thought you finally came to your senses and jumped into the ocean or ran into a speeding car,” Avery said cynically and dropped the box carelessly, causing the glass wares inside to break. Sydney looked at Avery in a daze. How the hell can she just take her stuff and ruin it? And she knows how much they meant to Sydney. Wasn't Gavin around? Why would he let her do such a thing?! Sydney walked int
Hi, readers. I'm sorry I haven't been able to update in a while, I got into a mild accident along the week. I'll try updating this week ❤️. Please if you find my book worth purchasing and reading, I'll appreciate your reviews, comments and votes. It would help my book grow and boost my charisma for updating more frequently. Thank you all, stay safe and continue reading.
AUTHORS POVDark clouds gathered over Beverly Hills when Ethan exasperatedly exited the house. Sydney didn't wait a second and ran after him.He was a fast runner to Sydney's dismay.“ Ethan, stop, please!” Sydney shouted, increasing her speed but it wasn't enough to catch up to him.Her heart raced with fear. She didn't want any of her kids to experience what she went through while growing up. It broke her heart knowing Gavin would go to such an extent of almost hitting his kid because of… Avery?Was she more important to him than his children? He didn't even take the liberty to chase after his son! “ Ethan please stop. You'll hurt yourself.” Sydney cried out. It was raining already, people saw them, and we were quick to recognize who they were.The Reed family is playing chase and catch! Well, isn't that some news?Now, it wasn't only Sydney and Ethan running. Various people followed them with their cameras in action. Sydney felt embarrassed and weary from the flashy camera light
AUTHOR'S POVBEFORE SUNSET, SYDNEY'S head injury was catered to, and her head was wrapped in a bandaid. She'd been lucky Doctor Natasha was still on duty when she arrived since the other doctors were adamant about attending to her.The morning sun ray found its way through her closed eyelids causing her to stir and turn till her eyes were open.Yawning and wincing at the same time, Sydney sat up sorely. She glanced at Ethan who was sleeping in the hospital chair next to her bed. Relief washed over her knowing he didn't run away.The ward door opened, and Sofia walked in; when she saw Sydney conscious, she heaved a sigh of relief." Thank God, you are awake," Sofia said softly, so Ethan wouldn't wake up.A grim smile tugged her succulent lips as she sat beside Sydney.She had seen the news before Ethan called. She had been to Sydney's house quite a few times after Avery moved in. It made her shrivel knowing Mr. Reed would cheat on his wife and not just with any woman, with her best fri
AUTHOR'S POV Gabriel walked to Sydney's room with his heart lurching. Every single sound, faint or loud, echoed through the walls of his head. He could hear the pulsating beeping of a life monitor. The sound rummaged his mind. He felt like getting out of this place. Hospitals never did him any good. This one especially. He'd lost two people dearest to him here. Both deaths were his fault. He could just hear the raging thunderclaps. The turbulent storm. The sounds of nurses running through the floors of the hospital while wheeling a stretcher. The woman on the stretcher. The blood. The suffering on her struggling face. Gabriel sucked a loud breath and held the wall for support. Not now, not now, Gabriel, get a hold of yourself. At that moment, he regretted not regarding his father's advice on getting medical help. A nurse saw him and quickly ran to him while holding a medical kit. " Sir, are you all right?" No, he wasn't. He had never been. Gabriel shut his eyes, q
AUTHOR'S POVDOCTOR NATASHA HAD ADVISED Sydney stay in the Hospital for two days before she can be dismissed. Gabriel had kept Sydney's company up until the evening when he had to leave to deliver some lumber. He promised to return when he was done.Gavin sat in front of Avery's ward trying to burn his jealously before he'd say or do anything he'd regret.It took him all of his self-control not to barge into Sydney's ward and give her a piece of his mind.She looked so happy without him in her life. Yes, he wanted her to get out of his life but he never expected it to hurt so much. His thoughts were disturbed when Avery limped out of the ward. He felt the urge to walk away. Everything got on his nerves now.Avery looked at him and rolled her eyes. Was he always in a foul mood? Sometimes she wished she could poison him and end his misery.Putting on a pretentious tone, she said, " Baby what's wrong? Why the long face?"Gavin didn't look at her when he got up." Go into your ward, Aver
ETHAN'S POV It's been five years since I've last seen Dad. Since we'd left California, he had been non-existent from the world. From us. From me. Old classmates tell me his posters have been ripped from the walls; his business has been wiped out from the physical and virtual world. A Mafia man has taken his place in his company. His name is no longer talked about on likable lips. He had disappeared into oblivion. Mum kept crying about it, and I told her she shouldn't cry over the dead. She said dad is not dead; she said he's living; she said someone had seen him in New Orleans. She is lying because I only know that he's dead. Mum is talking over the phone; she is mentioning Dad's name. I can hear his voice over the loud call, but I know it is not his since the dead do not talk. Dad is dead. Someone called my name. Mum is looking at me. She says something. I think she says Dad wants to talk to me. I make no effort to move because I know my father is not living. " Ethan."
GIL'S HEART POUNDED in his chest at Sofia's silence.It was approximately twenty seconds since he proposed the question.21. 22. 23.Gil was sweating in the cold.He detested rejection more than anything else. He was a mess after his ex left him. He nearly jumped into the ocean when his family disowned him.He told himself he'd end his life if she said no."Baby..." Gil gave a crazy drawl. "I understand that it is early, but—"Gil was caught off guard when Sofia wrapped her arm around his neck and gave him a big wet kiss.She put her forehead on his and drew her lips away. She was smiling, blushing, crying."What if I said no?" She teased."Next week would be the date of my funeral."Sofia laughed and kissed him again. "I love you, and yes, there is nothing I'd want more than for you to be my groom.""Oh, boy." Gil sighed and pulled away.With trepidation, he removed a ring and placed it on her ring finger."Perfect fit." He laughed and pulled her into a short kiss before pulling awa
Sofia was just about to head to the coffee shop to begin her business task for the day. She insisted on doing the task that day even though Alfred informed her it could be done any day of the week.After thinking what Sydney said through, she called Alfred and told him she wanted to postpone the task.Alfred was also in the light about Gil's plan and cleverly replied to her, careful not to create any suspicion.Up in her room, Sofia put on a crimson button-up dress that was slim-fitting, put on a little makeup, tucked her hair in a tidy bun, and left for Gil's apartment.By the time she'd reached his front door, her heart was in her mouth. She was a bundle of nerves."You can do this." She let out a breath and reached for his doorbell, only to discover the door was open.She thought it'd be fun catching him off guard, so she slowly opened the door further and entered into the house that was almost completely dark.She could see nothing but the sun's rays that filtered through the heav
SYDNEY GRABBED EMILY'S bag off the dining table and ran to the front door where Gavin stood. He'd stopped by every morning to pick up the kids and drop them off at school. Sydney hardly spent time with them anymore, since they spent most of the day in school and with their daddy. It was only at night Gavin would drop them off, and at times, they'd sleep over at his place. As much as Sydney missed them, she knew their relationship with Gavin had dampened over the months, and spending quality time with him will strengthen their bond once again. She'd been happy to see Ethan smile genuinely again. Although he stopped playing hockey after being disqualified from the championship game, he played hockey with his daddy at the public hockey field. "Emily has been complaining of tooth pain." Gavin said as he collected the bag from her. Leaning against the doorframe, Sydney scratched her brows. "You give her too much candy." Sydney accused. She complains that you give her too many apple
" When I was a kid I had this unquenchable desire for things. My father gave me everything I wanted on a silver plate, it was always a yes as an answer and never a no." He rested his hand on the vanity and exhaled. " Because of that, I grew up with the expectation of getting everything I wanted. One day I came home from school and saw... " He paused and shut his eyes. " I saw my mum on bed having s!x with a man that used to be my father's co-worker. I don't know why, but I knew at that moment I wanted him dead; I wanted to squeeze him with my bare hands and rip him into pieces." " And I did, it felt so good seeing him cry and beg for mercy... Mother explained that she loved him. She said he was the right man for her." Gabriel scoffed. " I saw them once, he cuffed her to the walls and hit her like she was his play doll. Again and again, he did; he kept on saying I love you; it's just the pain that comes with being in love, you piece of shit." Gabriel's knuckles were white with rage.
EYES WIDE in shock, Sydney searched the counter for a knife or something she could use as a weapon of defense. Her gaze was still trained on Gabriel as his eyes searched the house before it eventually dropped on her.A plate fell to the ground and shattered.Sydney flinched from the sound and piece that made contact with her skin, but she didn't move, nor did Gabriel.Despite breaking a plate, Sydney still resumed her search for a knife." What are you doing here?" Gabriel was walking towards her now. He was dressed in blue tailored khaki pants, a grey shirt, and a blue polished brogue. He had a fresh new haircut and looked more like a wealthy specimen than a broke lumberjack." You are too careless." He looked at the cut on her leg, frowning." I thought I warned you to stay away."His eyes met hers. For the first time, she saw an indifferent, unsympathetic look in his eyes. Was he going to try to kidnap her and lock her up?Sydney finally felt a butcher knife on the counter and q
SCHOOL RESUMED PRETTY early, so, Sydney was left alone at Sofia's place with herself and thoughts. She decided to vacuum the house and do the laundry and other household chores to kill time. She had thrown out the laptop alongside all the things Gabriel had gotten for her. She refused to hold on to anything he gave her. It all poured down on her like lava when her mind was off Avery's death. The jet. His next to perfect personality. The yacht. The necklace. Clothes. Chains. The faint screams she'd heard in his penthouse, she thought it was her mind playing tricks on her. The truth was there all along, looking her in the face. No wonder he was friends with many rich people. Everything was all a facàde. He must have pretended to be poor to cover up his crimes! Sydney fell to the couch and shoved a hand through her hair. " The drawings oh my God! " It occurred to her he'd draw the people he'd tortured. He'd drawn the things he found appealing. Sydney shut her eyes a
A week went by, businesses were reopening. People returned from their holiday vacations, employees resumed work. Sofia returned to Beverly Hills just to receive news on what had happened.Sydney stayed in a motel with her kids before Sofia returned. She asked Sofia if she could crash at her place till they left the country. Sofia asked why she wasn't staying with Gabriel and Sydney told her all that occurred. Sydney felt like she ripped a hole through Sofia's heart after that because Sofia wouldn't stop crying afterward.Meanwhile, Auxanger was found hanging lifelessly from a rope on the ceiling after Avery's death. When he heard his daughter was dead, he called Caleb and blamed him for everything that happened. He threatened to report to the cops. Caleb showed up at his home uninvited, suffocated him to death with a pillow, and tied him to the ceiling so everyone would believe it was suicide.On the other hand, Gil tried reaching out to Sofia, but she wouldn't pick up his calls. He
TIME STOOD STILL and so did Sydney. A mortified gasp escaped her parted lips when she saw the permanent look of shock on Avery's face.Sydney stepped back as Avery began to stumble backward, mouth wide open and eyes the shape of a crystal ball.The bullet penetrated her upper chest, blood was flowing out, staining her shirt." No, no." Sydney felt suspended in the air. All she could hear were the echoes of silence.The front door opened.As Avery crumbled to the ground, Sydney's gaze was now fixated on Gabriel, who stood wide-eyed by the front door." J**sus Christ, what happened?!" Gabriel stormed into the house nearly tripping over his leg. He grabbed Sydney's shoulder firmly and pushed her back protectively as if Avery would wake up and try to attack her.Gabriel's eyes quickly scanned Sydney's pale face. " Did she try to hurt you? Shit, I shouldn't have left you alone. Did she touch you, huh? Sydney why aren't you saying... "His words caught in his throat when he desicried the p