Annabel's POV
"What?" my lips hanged open, "You can't be serious, Scott!" "I am." he confirmed his words, adding, "My wife cannot take my father to court and I would not lift a finger." "Don't make me choose between you and our daughter! I am doing this for her!" I gritted my teeth as tears threatened to fall. "No, I think you've lost your mind and since you've refused to come to your senses let's see whether you'll lose me as well." he said and walked out of the dinner table with Michelle following behind him. Nathan got up and left as well, leaving I and Mr Davis and Vivian who chuckled softly. "Haven't you done enough, Annabel?" she grinned "You're starting to look mentally ill." "I won't stop until I have exposed you both." I retorted. Mr Davis rose from his chair and stopped in front of me. "You're done grieving your mother and daughter so quick?" he asked as he lit a cigarette, "Stop this now, Annabel." "No, you started this." I paused and added, "I'll end it." Mr Davis closed the distance between us and said, "After what has happened, you still dare to go against me?" He continued, "Who do you want to lose next? Your sister?" My brows shot up and I replied, "I do not have a sister." Mr Davis and Vivian glanced at each other and laughed. Without another word they left me standing there, confused. ... It was a day before the court proceedings. Mr. Jaggers had asked that I find some evidence to help us secure a win. I came out of my room at noon and found the whole house quiet. They must have gone to the company. Now would be the best time to search Mr. Davis' study for anything that could help me. I got into his study and began to ransack through the files and shelves. An old slip fell out of nowhere. The rusty texture caught my attention and I picked it up and stared at it. It was an autopsy report. Why would Mr Davis keep an autopsy report? I scrolled through it. Name- Elizabeth Davis Relation- Wife Cause of death- Suffocation I gasped. The owner of this autopsy report is Scott's mother and Mr Davis' first wife. Scott told me she had fallen ill and died a natural death, it was what his father had told him however right here on my hand is the real truth. She was suffocated. She was murdered and I'm damn sure it would be the doing of Mr Davis and Vivian. I returned to my room and could not wait for nightfall. I rushed to Scott's room when I was sure he was back. "What are you doing here?" he demanded furiously as he pulled off his tie and kicked off his shoes. I stepped further into the room, ignoring his indifference. "I came to prove my innocence to you." I answered, looking away from his thick abs and chest. He ran his hand through his hair, "If you're gonna act crazy, you should leave." "It's about your mother, Scott." He turned to me sharply, his olive eyes brightened. "What are you talking about? My mother's been dead, Annabel." "I found this," I gave to him, "- in your father's study." I heard footsteps behind me and then Nathan poked his head through the door and was surprised to see me with Scott. He walked into the room. "I see you both are making up." he smiled and stopped by Scott, "What are you looking at?" Nathan exclaimed, "Whose report is this?" "It's Scott's mother," I answered, "I found it in Mr Davis' shelf. He lied to you. She did not die a natural death. She was murdered." I waited, hoping for him to say something. Most of all to pull me into that muscular chest and tell me that he believes me. But none of that happened. He simply tossed the paper on his bed and said, "Get out of my sight, Annabel." "B-but, Scott?" "I didn't think you would stoop this low. I have lost all respect for you, Annabel!" "Scott -" "Leave!" his voice reverberated through my body, "I hope you've called off the case, Annabel. If not prepare for our divorce!" I stood there, rooted to the spot, staring at the man my heart beats for. The man who had once made me the happiest person on earth. "I said leave!" he repeated but I remained. I don't know why, but my feet didn't want to obey me. He strode to me, grabbed my arm and helped me to the door. He pushed me out and slammed the door shut on my face. I cried myself to sleep and prepared for the court case the next morning. The Davis' were already on seat when I arrived. I greeted my lawyer who smiled at me warmly and the case began. Mr Davis hired the best lawyer for he handled the first part of the case expertly. My lawyer tried his best however the Judge felt that without evidence my claim would remain invalid. I took to the witness box and narrated what had happened that night and how I came across the real report of late Mrs Elizabeth Davis. We were winning when suddenly the Judge asked to authenticate the autopsy report and I realized, to my horror, that I'd forgotten the autopsy report with Scott. From the witness box, I called out to him. "Scott please come out here and tell the court of the autopsy report I'd shown you yesterday!" "My Lord," I said, "Please pardon me. I forgot the report with Scott!" "If the mentioned person can testify to that and by tomorrow, present this report and the report is authenticated then we will consider looking into Governor Davis' case!" declared the Judge. Happiness like a river flooded through me. I'm finally avenging my mother and daughter's death! I watched Scott step out. I was glad! At least he was believing in me! I saw the horrific look on Mr Davis' face and I felt triumphant already. I stepped out of the box for Scott to take place. Our fingers brushed and I felt the spark I felt the first time we met. "Your honor!" Scott began, "I did not receive any autopsy report from THIS WOMAN.." My whole world came crashing down..Michelle's POV The Master of Ceremony yelled, “Let the party begin!” I stared at a star-strucked Christopher.I said to myself, however loud enough for him to hear, “I told my help she was doing too much but she wouldn't listen to my objections.”He blinked twice and pulled me closer by my waist, “I have to meet your help, Michelle. She needs a salary to keep making you look drop dead gorgeous.”I chuckled, “Don't flatter me, Christopher. You haven't met my sister.”“I don't need to,” he held my gaze, his eyes filled with intentionality it scared me for a moment, “Your beauty is enough to blind my eyes from someone else's.”I smiled.He groaned and kissed my cheek.“Let me introduce you to a few friends and my father.” He placed his hand on my lower back that was left bare by Justicia’s choice of gown.I flinched a bit and gave Chris an awkward smile to hide my embarrassment. He introduced me to high profiles who shook my hand and stared at me with visible lust in their eyes.Chris’
Michelle's POV I smiled, took one last look in the mirror, tapped Justicia lightly on the arm and stepped out to meet Chris.Perhaps Justicia is right, however, I cannot continue to think with my heart. Moreover, I don't want love anymore, it is too much pain and sacrifice.I and Chris will make a simple couple. A marriage built on business cannot be all that bad. Perhaps for a change, I can shift away from love. As I climbed down the stairs, Chris was on his feet the moment he saw me. He did not hide his admiration and I smiled back.He took my hand when I met him and kissed my knuckles.“You look gorgeous.”“Thank you, Chris.” I replied and withdrew my hand, feeling slightly nervous but I reminded myself that there's no room for love.“I must apologize for yesterday,” I said, “Myron was rude and I made sure I put it across to him never to interrupt my dealings again.”He smiled, “I don't hold it against you, Mich. I wouldn't be here if I did. I am glad you didn't let him fill your
Annabel's POV “You didn't think I'd miss their happy day, did you?” I laughed, my heart felt free with Scott, “Well, if you were absent I'd have thought you chose to stay with Michelle to comfort her.”We began to walk into the hall as he spoke, “She does not need comfort, Annabel.”“After signing divorce papers from the man she nearly killed me for, I dare say she would.” I returned.We chose an area clear enough to see the kids’ performance and took our seats.“You're wrong,” he told me, “Michelle was vicious many years ago. She loved me to a fault but she's past that now. We all are. You forgave her and accepted her as your sister before the accident.”I frowned. “There you go, supporting her.” I sighed, “How could you forgive so quickly after she tried to harm our child?”“We need to move on, Annabel. It is in the past and we cannot hold it against her because we're not perfect. We've done things we regret.” He replied and looked away.After a short while he said, “If I were in
Annabel's POVIt was getting late, not to mention the fact that it was snowing heavily outside. The wind howled furiously and even the fireside did little to keep me warm.I looked through the verandah many times but there was no sign of Myron. Earlier, we were supposed to pick the kids from school but he said he had urgent work and vanished suddenly.It's been five hours yet he was not back. A part of me could not help but wonder if he is with Michelle. After all, the news of her divorce from Scott was published this morning and it took Myron by utter surprise, he failed to hide it.What was most surprising was the fact that I felt nothing thinking that my husband could be with Michelle at the moment. I did not feel betrayed, nor do I feel bad.A few minutes later, the automatic door screeched slowly and Myron stepped in, lightly covered in snow. He had a solemn expression around him.If I had not gotten on my feet, he would not have noticed me.“Mich-” he paused. “Annabel, it's you
Michelle's POV He placed me gently into the car, got into it and slammed his lips against mine. His hands found my thighs, sneaking under my dress.I couldn't stop myself. I wanted to push him away, to tell him to just accept me and stop playing games with me but more than that, I feared I'd push him away. I feared that I wouldn't find any man who would handle me so carefully and gently yet unable to get enough of me, like him.I dug my nails into his full hair and deepened the kiss. He groaned into my lips, his skin providing warmth as opposed to the raging snow outside.He detached from the kiss, leaving me breathless. I could not keep my hands to myself. I did not want to wait another second to have him inside of me, filling every part of my soul.He began to undress me slowly, while I bit my lower lip impatiently.He narrowed his eyes and licked his lips, “You're so stubborn, Mich. I told you to stop doing that.”He dove towards my chest, his lips finding my nipples that were alr
Michelle's POV “I don't ever want to see you near her again.” Myron said with no disguised anger. I held his arm softly and whispered, “What do you think you're doing? How could you-” He turned to me sharply, “Go and wait for me in the car. You have no idea the kind of man he is.” But I refused to leave. The atmosphere was already tense, leaving will cause the men to jump on each other and I could not afford that. Chris chuckled, “Who the fuck is he, Mich? Is he your husband?” “He-” “The next time I see you with her, you'll be forced to know who I am and trust me, it is usually not a good thing.” Chris stepped forward, “Cut the act, man. You don't intimidate me. Perhaps, you don't know who you're messing with. How dare you dictate who I should and should not be with.” Myron did not say another word. Instead, he moved to grab Chris’ neck. I came between them immediately, causing Myron to step back. “Please, people are watching. I don't want to be in the headlines as the cause