AUTHOR'S POVGAVIN HALF SAT ON HIS ROOM DESK NEXT to the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a glass of white wine. The room was dimly lit and grim, matching the look on his face.His heart bled as his mind waltzed back to earlier. What hasn't he given Sydney before? Why did she want to leave him so badly? Fine, he told her he didn't want her in his life again but he didn't expect her to find another man.She wasn't affected by him anymore. She hated his kiss and touch. The thought made Gavin go crazy.He drank the whole glass of wine and grimaced at the sour taste." F**k it!" He growled and ran a hand through his hair. " She wants to elope with him." He filled the glass and emptied it immediately." She wants to leave me so bad she used her mother to try to get to me." He stood, raising his hand in the air." God knows what she'd done with that guy. Yes, I cheated on her but that's because she freaking made pushed me to. She depressed me. I loved her but she never loved me. She loved t
AUTHOR'S POV AVERY GAVE GAVIN TIME TO d******d what had happened before she entered the room. She put on her cloak of self-control, ready to take in all he had to say. She wrapped her arm around him from behind and rested her head on his back. Caressing his chest she said softly, " I know you are blaming yourself, don't. It's Sydney's fault, I don't know what she did but I promise, I overheard her conspiring with that lumberjack." Gavin was shaking with anger and hurt. Enough, enough. He screamed silently. Avery's words were like a loud cacophony of sirens in his ear. " On the bright side, we finally have this place to ourselves and Sydney is out of the picture." Gavin turned to her, his jaw tight as he uttered, " Bright side? What's f**king bright about that?" Avery sneered. " You wanted a divorce; you've got it. Aren't you happy?" Gavin looked around hopelessly. What have you done? What have you done? It all poured down on him like hot oil on his body. It ravaged his mind f
AUTHOR'S POVSydney looked at Gabriel. She said wearily. " Twenty million is a lot of money, Gabriel, especially for you; where would you have gotten the money from if I had asked you? You are barely making ends meet and I wouldn't want to put any trouble on you. "Gabriel had nearly blown his cover. At that moment, he wished to tell her who he was maybe she'd consider him and stop rejecting everything she gave him.Gabriel released a small breath and said meekly. " I would have gone out and begged. Blake wouldn't mind helping you, and Alfred wouldn't either. You have a lot of people who care about you and would have helped you if you had just asked."Sydney couldn't stop the tears from coming. There were many options, yet, she could only think of Gavin at that moment. Gavin's dad would have helped her. God, how could I be so stupid? Sydney cried. She let what Gavin had said affect her so badly that she gave up on her mother and waited to hear she was dead.Gabriel felt like he was
AUTHOR'S POVAshley loved plateaus and mountains. She had told Sydney some years back when Sydney came to visit for Easter, that she'd love to live in a small house on a plateau when she got old.Even though her dream couldn't come true, Sydney made sure her mother's funeral took place on a plateau.The funeral ground was filled with people, people who just wanted to get the latest scope of the Morgan family so they could boost their social media handle.Sydney felt sick to her stomach, hearing their fake sulking. If she had it her way, she would have buried her mother herself, gone to Ashley's grave with her kids, and given her mother a less hypocritical farewell.Sydney stood in front of a podium, dressed in black. She stared at the paper on the podium blankly and cleared her throat before speaking grimly. " I'm Sydney Morgan, Ash... the deceased um.. first daughter."She looked at her children sitting next to Theresa in the front pew. "My mother was a remarkable wife... aunt and
AUTHOR'S POVCALEB SLAPPED A STACK of cash on the woman dancing half-naked in front of him.She smirked, shoved the money into her bra and ran her fingers down his chest seductively then brought her lips close to his. When he reached to kiss her, she moved away." I'm not cheap, old man; if you can't give me enough money, keep you gnawed d**k in your pants." She said savagely, and then cart walked out of the room.Caleb groaned in frustration at her insult.A whole Caleb Morgan was being mocked. Oh, no, no, this was only ephemeral. He'd have enough cash to f**k that whore for years when he was done with Gavin.He was happy a big torn was taken from his flesh. If he'd gone to Ashley's funeral, he didn't think he would be able to stop himself from destroying her grave. Well at least, he gave her a goodbye kiss before she died.Now that she was gone, his next move was to rip Gavin off all his wealth before he could proceed to destroy his daughter and her lover's life.Chuckling, he pulle
Gabriel decided to go back to the living room, thinking Sydney had gone to his room just to find her asleep on the couch.He ran a hand through his hair and yawned before switching off the television then bent to wake her up but stopped midway.1 His hand that hung in the air moved to push a strand of hair off her face.He stared at her dreamily and said affectionately, " You deserve all the good things Sydney. Even if your husband couldn't give them to you, I will. I promise."" I'll try to be a better person. The past wouldn't repeat itself, especially not with you."His eyes trailed down her closed eyes to her pinkish luscious lips. God knows how much he'd wanted to feel those lips on his. You could, you don't have to ask. You never have to ask for what you desire. A wicked voice in his head edged him.His fist clenched. No, not with her. Never with her. He fought back.He picked her up in his arms and took her to his room then placed her on the bed. She moved and turned, making t
AFTER GABRIEL TOOK HIS BATH, he threw on faded grey sweatpants and a white sweatshirt. He thought about getting new clothes, something that would make him more breathtaking in Sydney's eyes. He grumbled. Pretending to be a Lumberjack had nothing to do with his bad choice of dressing, naturally, he was bad at picking clothes. He took a large beach hat and sauntered outside to see Sydney standing by his bike, wearing his plaid shirt and worn-out pants with shades. He held a smile and put the hat on her head. " I don't think you can wear a helmet with this on."He reckoned the clothes looked better on her than they ever did on him. She wanted to hide her face so no one would recognize her. Gabriel had the bright idea to offer her shades and a large beach hat.Sydney adjusted the hat and said, " Why do you even have something like this?" He had gotten it on a trip to Santa Monica Beach for some lady he met at sea that wouldn't leave him alone. He'd love to take Sydney there one da
AVERY SAT IN a booth in Berky's diner, reading a fashion magazine. She sighed with a smile when she heard a comment from someone in the diner. " Isn't that Mr. Reed's new wife?" Not yet sweetheart, soon. Avery remarked silently. She felt thrilled. Before she'd left the smart house for Berky's, she'd noticed in the mirror how much her skin was glowing. Surely, the rich life looked good on her. But, she didn't want to get too comfortable and forget her motive behind destroying her supposed bestie's home. Auxanger had called her earlier, telling her to meet him at the diner and order however amount of food she likes, bills on him. Knowing her father and the amount of money that could fit in his pocket, Avery kept a few bucks just in case. The doorbell rang as Auxanger walked in; Avery shot out a hand, waving for him to come over. Auxanger walked to the booth and slid into the chair in front of his daughter. He looked at the empty table and then at his smiling daughter. " No f
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