William chuckled at that. “If I had not been shameless and a profiteer, you would be far away from me having fun with Tessa Johnson, and my bed and heart would be cold.”Rosaline snorted at him.“I want to kiss you here,” William said as he pinched the inside of her mid-thigh.“What?” Rosaline was stunned at that.“Here. In your fair and slender legs, I want to leave a series of hickeys and bite marks.”“Are you nuts?”She continued before he could reply, “Now that I think about it, you bite a lot. Poor me!”“If you must know, I find it fascinating to leave my traces on your skin.”“Traces on the skin can get removed. You should think of leaving traces on my heart.” Rosaline snubbed him sarcastically. “I want both. I told you I was greedy.”“Tell me what’s wrong with you today.”“I am happy.”“Why would you be happy? And why did you become so clingy just because you are happy?”“I am happy because despite denying it on my face, you care a lot about me. And you prioritized me.”“You
William noticed her actions and hid her clothes.He sprang from the bed, went to the wardrobe, and pulled out a slip dress.“Put this on!” William said.Rosaline looked at the bright yellow slip dress with a simple v-cut neckline. It was long enough to reach her knees. She turned it over only to find it backless. “Do you want me to wear this at home?”William nodded several times like a child.“I am not wearing this.”“Wear it for me, please,” William pleaded. “How about I wear it when we go out later?”Rosaline proposed a compromise. “Don’t even think about wearing a backless dress when outside.”He suddenly went from docile to stern.“You were the one who bought it. I rarely buy backless dresses for myself.”Rosaline snapped at him.“I wanted you to wear it for me only,” William argued. “And why would I do that?” Rosaline was going mad. “Because it’s convenient to kiss you in this dress. Besides, bright colors suit you.” William replied truthfully. “You!” Rosaline felt like he
Rosaline was stunned at his explanation.She started to refute. “When did I?” But then a memory came to her.“You remember now.”“Bro kept calling her dearest wife. I did not want to copy it, so I asked you to call me dearest Rosaline instead.”“Yes, my dearest Rosaline.”“I had the same logic back then as I do now. Thinking about it like that, I don’t seem to have changed much.”“What do you mean?”“I like to call you William, as it implies you entirely - not just Liam, a side of you that you project to your family, or Will - as your friends, colleagues call you. William as in you and all sides of you.”“Call me William then. I don’t think anyone else calls me that - I’ll make sure it stays that way.”“I had used the same logic when I asked you to call me Rosaline - It would mean me with all sides/faces, and my husband would be the only one to call me that. Silly, right?”“I don’t think it’s silly. Your thoughts were so deep, even as a child. My heart aches for you.”“Don’t be like t
Eventually, Tess and Jack could not take it anymore and called Maddox. He came and coaxed me until I told him everything.In my memory, that was the first time I had cried so miserably.I did not want to be a nasty person. But I also hated doing whatever I was doing/not-doing to be a good person.Bro, Tess, Jack, and Tessa’s grandmother would talk to me and convince me that I was not a terrible person.It took a couple of months. Finally, their words sank in, and I stopped acting out.But then something had changed in those few months.My parents were convinced the way I had acted out in those few months under Tina’s manipulations was the real me.For example - they thought I was an untidy person. I stopped being deliberately disorganized or messy. But they said I was trying to be like Tina.I was always an outstanding student. Apart from 1 exam in the middle of that school year when I deliberately did not answer half the questions so that Tina’s results could be better than mine, I h
William held Rosaline quietly as she spoke about her issues. He did not know how to console her or make her feel better.Rosaline noticed his somber expression as he lay by her side quietly without uttering anything. That made her chuckle.“Quit the long face, will you?”William pursed his lips and gave her a wronged expression.“When I talk about just that, it sounds like I had a terrible childhood. I did not. By all means, I have always had a good life. I have never lacked anything and always received the best of everything. My parents made sure of that.”“Brother had always indulged me, no matter what it was.”“I have always had friends by my side - Tess, Jack, and even Tristen. After I moved to the hostel, I met Tris and Amy. I have never been lonely.”“Even Grammy loved me just as much as Tess. Your Uncle and Aunt have always been nice to me.”“It’s just that Tina would ruin my special moments. Be it festivities or birthdays or graduation or anything. After I moved out and eventu
William only sighed at that.Rosaline asked. “Why are you sighing like an old man?”“I am afraid you will dump me for someone with a warm and welcoming family.”“Like Tristan?”“Can you not salt my wounds?”“I can assure you I’ll never get together with Tristen. Though, I have to invite him to dinner and pass him his gift. Let’s do that tonight if he is free.”“Why don’t you ask me if I am free?”“Are you not?”“I want to spend the night spooning my girlfriend.”“You might have to get yourself another girlfriend to do that.”“Heartless woman!”“Women have to be heartless. Otherwise, we’d get taken advantage of.”“Sucks to be me, then!”“What’s the issue between you and your mother?”__She is a bit like your parents. She treats everything Supriya says as gospel. I probably should not say this about my mother, but she is prone to flattery and is easily convinced as long as you act pitifully and project your ideas as her intelligent deductions.She becomes very stubborn when she puts he
William came with his phone to find Rosaline even more snugly wrapped in the comforter.“Little hamster, are you going to stay buried there?”“Why do you always refer to me as some or the other animal? And yes, I would like to stay buried here.”“That’s because you are adorable. Do I get to sneak inside as well?”“No. I have warmed it up nicely. You are not allowed to disturb me.”“It will warm up faster with two people in it.”“You are just trying to get inside my blanket.”“No, I am trying to sneak inside your clothes, and I can only do that if I am inside your blanket.”William shamelessly replied as he squeezed inside and spooned her close.They sat wrapped in the comforter leaning on the headboard as Rosaline glared at him.William thought she looked like an angry hamster. He tried to caress her to soothe her anger and realized her clothes felt different. He trailed his hands on the hem of her dress, and his eyes lit up.All his soothing words died out as he exclaimed, “You wore
William and Rosaline had dinner with Tristen in the night, who had a million questions for them.William was left alone as they threw insults at each other and bickered the entire time.William was amused by their dynamic.They trusted each other. Both had each other’s back when cornered by others.But, they would incessantly bicker when left by themselves.Rosaline had used the term - quarrelsome cousins. It seemed rather appropriate.He was even more amused with how she passed him his 18th birthday gift. “Found by the dumpster, it still works intermittently. Happy belated 18th and 17th and 19th and 20th and 21st birthday, my dear Tristen.”She had torn the wrapping and brought just the fitness band. She seemed to have deliberately stuck biscuit crumbs to it.William had nearly choked on his wine, but Tristen seemed unaffected. William realized why when Tristen pulled out a bracelet - it was one of the items he had seen when picking jewelry with Ria. So, William knew it was a hallm
William lay on the bed with Rosaline in his arms and little Parth in his crib on the side. “Lexi?” William whispered. “Hmm?” Rosaline hummed in his neck. “Falling in love with you is the greatest achievement of my life. Thank you, darling. I never knew I could be so happy that my heart feels like it’ll overflow.” William said emotionally. “Don’t steal my line. That’s how I feel. With you by my side, I feel invincible.” Rosaline murmured. “I love you so much.” He said hoarsely. “I know. I would argue I love you more, but we both know that’s not true.” Rosaline giggled, peppering kisses on his neck. “Don’t do that!” William sighed. She teased, “Do what?” “Our son is here. We can’t do anything, so don’t provoke me. Besides, you have not healed yet.” William answered. “Teasing you is no fun. You have better control than me.” Rosaline complained. “You should be happy about that. I want you more than you want me.” William teased. “I have noticed our desire for sex and food follow
Everyone had gathered at the AR mansion early as Asteria was to bring Rosaline and William’s baby.Tessa jumped first and ran to the door.She could not snatch the baby from Asteria’s arm, and Asteria would not give him away.They argued as they reached Rosaline’s side.The silent baby finally made a cooing noise as he leaped at Rosaline.“You heartless brat, I have been looking after you for two days, and you did not even speak to me once,” Asteria exclaimed, making everyone laugh.She had become much more cheerful in Apex city. She was unrestrained and happy.Everyone was waiting to hold the baby.Leena whistled and said, “Don’t crowd around him. Give him some breathing space. Rosy will introduce everyone to him.”They all grumbled and sat down.Jack had to grab Tessa and Albert by the collar and make them sit.Meanwhile, the baby rested his head on Rosaline’s shoulders but kept facing outside.“Don’t be mad at Mamma. Mamma was busy. Look, Mamma brought Dada home.” Rosaline convince
Danial, Isabella, Rosaline, and William went to the Scott family mansion.They had identified and reported the spies to the authorities.Someone had screened the entire mansion for hidden bugs.They enjoyed a lively dinner. It was the most peaceful meal in over five months. They shared what was going on and celebrated the reunion.They had planned to fly to Apex city the next day.They had given a week off to everyone in both companies except the support staff. It was to gear everyone up for the drastic changes that were to happen in Scott Group and to set the pace they would pick up at AR Group. Finally, William and Rosaline were alone in their bedroom.He hugged her close as soon as they locked the door.“You worked so hard,” William sounded sad.“It was the only time I had gotten physically involved. I only worked from the sidelines and helped the rescued people. It was emotionally draining to see so much suffering.”“But I tried my best to channel it into helping others, spreadin
Rosaline tried to soothe her.“Forget those vile creatures. That phase in your life is over. It’ll never go away, but it’s only a past now.”“The baby is innocent. It’s 29 weeks old now. Already fully formed.”“That gives you three options - you can keep the baby.”“You can abort it.”“Or you can wait a few more weeks. After the 34th week, we can do a c-section. The baby will be kept in a NICU until it is ready to be taken away.”“It’ll have a very high chance of survival after 34 weeks. You need at least six weeks for your physical injuries to heal anyway. You will be in the hospital regardless.”“And even if you want to abort, you’ll have to wait two weeks before your other injuries are healed enough for the procedure to be safe for your body.”“You can sleep on it and make a choice.”The girl looked at her and asked, “If I give birth, what will happen to the child?”Rosaline answered, “Depends on what you want. You can leave it in CARE if you don’t want to raise it. I promise the c
Rosaline broke the silence before the reporters could ask anything.“This little girl needed 30 stitches to heal the wound caused by rape. I had qualms about signing the consent form to terminate the pregnancy, which she called a monster. It would have undoubtedly torn her already vulnerable body apart.”The host silenced the reporters and played another clip.It showed a hospital bed and a young woman with a big pregnant belly. Her face was blurred, but she looked young.A police officer took her statement while a nurse and Rosaline stayed in the room.“Miss , let me confirm the details as you have mentioned previously. You met Peter a year ago in a cafe. He asked you out, you refused, he started to harass you, and then you filed a complaint against him.”“We found the complaint in the FIR box in the police station of south branch-9, which is close to your house. You and your parents met with an accident five days after you had filed an FIR.”The girl trembled, and Rosaline hel
Rosaline asked.“Whose permission do we need to terminate any possible pregnancy? They are too young to consent to anything, and god knows when we will find their families.”She slumped down and leaned on the wall as she sighed.“On top of everything, I don’t want them to have to carry a pregnancy to term. Under a proper environment, there is a chance they might heal and have a life, a family, and a future ahead. Let’s protect that.”“Thank you, Chief!”“Can we also get permission for the girls to choose if they want to return to their homes or stay in CARE?”“I suspect one of the girls got sold by her family. The others were in unwanted, improvised conditions. Only the 13-year-old seems to come from a loving family. If they don’t have a healing environment at home, let them stay in CARE. When they are better, they can move out anytime they want.”“Thank you, Chief. I will get the documents from you and prepare them after I get checked at the hospital.”“Don’t worry! I won’t mess with
A reporter asked a question that was not related to the case.“Miss Dayne, there are rumors that all the rescued rape victims get forced to have an abortion before being admitted to CARE. Could you shed some light on the matter?”The host replied, “Please keep the questions limited to the case.”Rosaline smiled at the host and answered, “That is not true. But I think I should be able to answer more clearly if your question was specific.”The reporter was stunned but soon asked, “Is it true that you have signed the consent form for abortion for the rape victims who were underage?”“Yes, that is true.”The reporter sneered, “In that case, it is true.”Rosaline countered, “I think you should get your facts straight and understand the nuances while discussing a sensitive topic.”“I have signed a consent form to terminate the pregnancy caused by six months of continuous rape of an 8-year-old who was in no way capable of sustaining a pregnancy on her physically undeveloped body that needed
Chief Green continued after the reporters quieted down.“After an in-depth investigation, we uncovered some evidence which indicated Mr. Jackson Senior’s involvement in the accident of Mr. Andrew Scott’s pregnant wife.”“Mr. Jackson Junior’s involvement in missing funds and misappropriation of money and resources within Scott Group subsidiaries came to light. We also found evidence of him bribing many staff members of Scott Group.”“Ultimately, there was evidence of their involvement in child trafficking. It linked both cases together.”“Furthermore, Mr. Jackson Senior was the leading investigator of the case of Mrs. Andrew. He was also the senior leader overseeing the capture of the suspect - Peter.”“However, there was no motive linking them, and their accounts were clean. And the evidence was not enough.”“So, we had to dig deeper, and we uncovered Mr. Jackson’s sister, who had wanted to marry into the Scott family, had gone missing and was presumed dead two years before Mrs. Andre
“You bitch, you called the cops,” Michael said venomously, spittle spraying from his mouth.“Someone is indeed helping you from the inside. No wonder we failed three times.” Rosaline said calmly.“Hahaha, you are smart. No wonder you found all my hideouts. Too bad you can’t catch me, though.” He sneered.“For what you did to those little girls, I will make sure you get caught, even if it’s the last thing I do,” Rosaline vowed.“Those little cunts were so tight. I am getting hard just thinking of them. The youngest one, how old was that bitch again? Ah! 8, 7 when I bought her. She was one feisty bitch, so much like you. When I shoved myself inside her, she begged until she passed out. One day, I will make sure you do the same. I won’t kill you today. I am going to fuck you bloody first. And, you won’t be able to do anything because you can’t touch me.”Michael punched her on the stomach, spat on her face, and left.Rosaline took a minute before she managed to stand.She took off her ea