I knelt down to Kelly’s level, trying to calm my trembling hands as I wiped my tears. “Sweetheart, we’re leaving. We’re going back to Aunt Brenda’s.”Kelly’s lip quivered, her little hands clutching mine tightly. “But why, Mommy? I don’t want to leave Dad.”Ivan stood up, his voice desperate as he stepped closer. “Vera, please don’t do this. Don’t walk away, not like this. I can fix this, I swear. My mother won’t come between us again.”I stood up and shot him a warning look not to come close to me or Kelly. “I thought all this was you wanting me back in your life, but you lied to me Ivan.“Ivan stared at me, he was trying his best to prove to me, but there was no point. I won't fall for his lies again.Mrs. Carlos continued cutting her steak, completely unfazed by the chaos unraveling around her. “Vera,” she said, her voice calm and condescending, “you think you can just walk away and take my granddaughter with you? Ivan deserves better than this drama. If you take one goddamn step o
I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to lash out. Her audacity to still control the situation infuriated me, even in her so-called apology. She may have admitted to burning down my shop, but the way she casually threw in that final demand about Kelly made my blood boil.“I’m not taking Kelly away from her father,” I said, keeping my voice calm though my body was trembling. “But you don’t get to make decisions for me or her. You’ve done enough damage, and no, a new shop won’t erase the pain you’ve caused.”Mrs. Carlos opened her mouth as if to retort, but I didn’t give her the chance. “I’m here for Ivan and for Kelly, not for you. And if you ever do something like that again—” I stopped myself, realizing my voice had risen.Kelly tugged at my hand, sensing the tension, her small face full of worry. “Mommy?”I exhaled, trying to calm down. “It’s okay, sweetie.”Mrs. Carlos took a step back, her hands clasped in front of her. “I’ve done what I can,” she said with a sigh, her expression
“You know I love you so much, Ivan. I just want us to be happy.” I mumbled as I felt his soft, wet mouth kissing a hot trail from my neck back up to my earlobe. “I want you always, I've miss every moment with you,” he whispered, before plunging his tongue between my lips. The kiss was sloppy, passionate and everything in between. His fingers worked their way under my dress, his rough fingers gently kneading the firm muscles there and I moaned, pressing my ass into his crotch.He took advantage of our position and lifted us off the ground, still holding me tightly against his chest. And carried me bridal style up the stairs to a room difference from the one at the top floor, he gently put me on the bed and slowly moving my dress up and exposing more of my smooth skin. The fabric covering my upper torso was thin enough and he used his thumbs to pull away the thin material. He leaned over me and pressed his lips to mine once again and my hands tangled into the thick, dark hair on his
I grabbed hold of the pillow, squeezing it softly. The lingering scent of Ivan's cologne prickled my pulse as I held it close, turning over to the other side. Opening my eyes, the memory of the previous night flooded my thoughts, and I instinctively glanced around for Ivan—but he wasn’t there.I got up from the bed, walking into the bathroom to wash up before returning to the room. A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts, and I made my way toward it.“Good morning, Mrs. Carlos,” Mirabel greeted with a bright smile, which I returned, though my mind was elsewhere. “Mr. Carlos requested that I assist you with a shopping trip to the mall.”“Okay,” I mumbled, wondering why this sudden shopping trip was necessary. “Do you know where he is?”“No, ma'am,” she replied.I nodded, feeling a little uneasy. Something about Ivan’s absence didn’t sit well with me. Why hadn't he mentioned anything? But I pushed the thought aside for now. There was no use jumping to conclusions just yet. "Do you k
The car came to a smooth stop in front of the mall, and one of the bodyguards swiftly stepped out, making his way over to open the door for us. As we climbed down and began walking towards the entrance, I could feel the eyes of the crowd on us. Almost immediately, people around started to take out their phones, snapping pictures and recording videos.I sighed inwardly. It was hard to live a normal life when you’re married to someone like Ivan, someone who commanded so much attention. We barely stepped into the mall before the bodyguards moved into action, closing the door behind us and keeping the growing crowd of fans outside. It felt surreal—people pushing and craning their necks to get a glimpse of us, and it dawned on me that Ivan wasn’t just a star in Canada; his influence stretched far beyond, with admirers from all over the world.“Mommy, are those people Daddy’s fans?” Kelly asked, her big curious eyes gazing up at me. I looked down at her, the little bundle of joy who was th
"Are you ready, Ma'am?" Mirabel’s voice came from the hallway as I finished applying the last touch of lip gloss. I gave myself a final glance in the full-length mirror, smoothing down the soft fabric of the emerald-green gown that hugged my figure perfectly. My hair was styled in soft waves, and the dress shimmered under the low light of the bedroom. "Yes," I replied, hurrying toward the door, the sound of my heels clicking softly against the marble tiled floor. As I stepped out, Mirabel’s eyes lit up. “You look absolutely stunning, Ma’am. Mr. Carlos won’t be able to take his eyes off you.” “Thank you, Mirabel,” I said, offering her a small smile. But behind my smile was a nervous tension building in my chest. The dinner tonight wasn’t just a simple event. It was something bigger—an opportunity, perhaps, to reshape the future or fall deeper into the chaos that had haunted us. Kelly came rushing toward me in her pink dress, her little hands reaching out to grab mine. “Mommy, a
He turned to me with a soft smile, his eyes filled with warmth. “Veronica Carlisle,” he began, his voice steady, “will you marry me for real this time? Will you be the woman who stands by my side forever?”Before I could even process his words, he knelt in front of me, holding out a small velvet box. The world around us seemed to fade, the cameras, the people, even the weight of Mrs. Carlos’s gaze, none of it mattered. It was just Ivan, me, and the question that could change everything. The room fell silent, all eyes locked on us, waiting for my answer. My heart pounded in my chest, and my throat tightened as I stared at the ring, a stunning diamond glinting in the light. “Ivan…” I whispered, my voice trembling slightly. Kelly tugged on my dress, her eyes wide with excitement. “Mommy, say yes!” she urged, her innocent plea cutting through the overwhelming emotions swirling inside me. I looked down at Ivan, my heart full of love, fear, and hope all at once. Could I really take this
After putting Kelly to bed and reading one of Ivan's stories to her, I settled onto the bleachers near the pool, staring into the night. The water shimmered under the moonlight, its surface reflecting the stars above. As I sat there, I felt a mix of emotions swirling within me, happiness, uncertainty, and a tinge of fear. The evening had been a whirlwind, filled with celebration and confrontation, but now, in the quiet of the night, I was left to process everything. My thoughts drifted back to Ivan and the way he stood up to his mother. His unwavering support made me feel loved and cherished, but it also filled me with a sense of responsibility. Could we truly withstand the storm that was Mrs. Carlos? Would our love be enough to overcome the obstacles ahead? I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. This was a pivotal moment in our lives, and I knew that I had to remain strong for both Ivan and Kelly. The cool breeze brushed against my skin, reminding me that the nigh