When I was certain that I could drive without causing an accident, I left the cafe. With a preoccupied mind I stepped into the mansion and I trudged up the stairs. And I didn't notice Andrei sitting on the couch in the living room until I heard his voice. “Babe?” My feet didn’t move after hearing his voice and I looked down. Andrei was looking up while sitting on the couch. “When did you arrive?” I blurted out. “Been waiting for you for half an hour. Jefferson told me, you went out. Where have you been?” Worry laced my husband’s voice. “Mm, I met a colleague,” I replied but my eyes weren’t looking at him but on the floor. I hope he didn’t see that I wasn’t telling him the truth. How would he react if he came to know the truth that it’s because of my father that he was being used to indirectly hurt me. I’ll just forget everything and move on with our lives. Those things I learned were from the past and I should not let the past hinder me from living my life to the
My heart beat became erratic. ‘What was wrong?’ “Thanks Jefferson,” I told Jefferson after gathering my scattered thoughts. I went back to our room and thought for a while. This happened to us when he felt that I was just using him to get pregnant and I didn’t love him anymore. “Is it happening again?” “But, I told him that we aren’t going that path again, tracking my ovulation period and only doing the deed when I’m fertile.”“Perhaps he was discouraged that I wasn’t pregnant?”“But we were just happy the night before.”I talked to myself. Deciding to talk to him rather than drawing conclusions without clearing things with him, I picked up my phone and sat on the edge of the bed. I dialed his number and the call was only answered on the fourth ring. “Hello,” I heard his weary voice. It’s just early in the morning, why did he sound so tired?“Babe, is something wrong?” I asked him anxiously. Perhaps, he was just trying to look happy when he was with me. He might be facing some
Simultaneously, Trevor and Suzanna looked at me. Their gazes were asking if something was wrong. I smiled at them and assuringly said, “Andrei told me that he has a business meeting.” I could see that my answer made them feel relieved. Suzanna turned her focus to Evan and Trixie and asked about the wedding. Evan and Trixie wanted their wedding to be intimate. However, Trixie’s parents wanted her wedding to be grand, being the only child. The only heiress of a business tycoon. Trixie was their princess and she grew up pampered. Wedding happened only once and they wanted her to have a lavish wedding. Putting myself in Trixie’s parents shoes, if Trixie was my and Andrei’s daughter, our only princess. I will surely want a grand wedding for her, especially that we have the ability to give it to her. We all turned our heads when we heard the squeal of a child. “You’re here!” Suzanna exclaimed. This time Trevor got up from his seat and approached Blesilda who was drawing closer to u
Instead of answering me, he asked me a question, “Why are you here?” “Are you not happy to see me?” I also returned his question with a question.I saw an unknown emotion flickered in his eyes. They disappeared quickly before I could decipher what it was. “I am busy Tara,” he said, looking away from me and went to his desk. I felt pained, but I wasn’t ready to give up. My Andrei wouldn’t change all of a sudden. He must be going through something. “I cooked lunch for us, we can have lunch together,” I lifted the lunch box I brought with me. He didn’t give any reaction. So, I went to his desk and held his hand to pull him up. “Go home,” he yanked his hands away from me. Andrei had never acted to me like this and I was startled. I bit my lower lip to stifle the urge to sob. I blink my eyes twice to stop the gathering of tears in my eyes. Andrei swallowed hard and I could see his throat bobbing up and down. But he didn’t make an apology. “Babe, did I do something wrong?” My thro
My foot became better after two days and I could walk on my own. Andrei hasn't come home yet from his business trip nor did he call me. I also didn’t make a move to call him. Maybe, he wanted to have a space. After showering, I applied ointment on my ankle but didn’t put a compress bandage. Slowly, I walked like a snail so that I would not put pressure on it. As I reached the door, I twisted the knob and I pulled the door open. I stepped backward as I came face to face with Andrei who was standing by the door. And that made me lose my balance. Andrei snaked his arm around my waist, keeping me from falling. He pulled me to his body and I could smell the alcohol coming from him. He was drunk. I was startled that Andrei hauled me up and made me wrap my legs around his waist. As though he was a parched land that needed water, Andrei drank from me to quench his thirst, taking me several times until the wee hours. *** I was woken up by a voice the following day. “No,
Something flickered in Andrei’s eyes but it disappeared quickly. I waited for his answer while holding my breath. My heart was like a wild beast trying to escape from a trap. Andrei opened his mouth, “You are right, I want a divorce.” My heart plunged down to the abyss of despair and my eyes dimmed and then I saw nothing as I could only see black. “Tara! Tara!” I was held in his arms. His voice was filled with anxiety. I wanted to open my eyes to see the care on his face. But I have lost the strength to do it and I felt a hot liquid coming out of the corners of my eyes. I knew what it was. Tears. I was crying. And when I opened my eyes, I saw a nurse adjusting the drip. “You are awake,” Andrei’s cello-like voice waltzed into my ears. I closed my eyes, refusing to look at him. I heard the door opened and closed and it’s a clue that the nurse already left. “How are you feeling?” Why is he suddenly concerned about how I feel? He didn’t think about it when he said he
Strength fled my knees, “Madam!” Jefferson held my arm. “Take me to my room.” Jefferson supported me and took me to my room. “Don’t tell my husband,” I told Jefferson before he left the room. At night, I had a dream.Andrei held me tenderly in his arms. “I love you, Tara. No other woman has my heart. Only you.” I felt his warmth and his scent surrounded me. I smiled and answered him. “I love you too, Andrei.” When I woke up, the sun was up. Shining in its full glory up the sky. Indeed it was a dream as there was no trace that Andrei came home. I decided to see my husband in his office. “Jefferson, pack a lunch for me and my husband. I will be going to his office,” I told Jefferson with a smile. I dolled up myself and wore a sleeveless black lace bodycon dress that hugged my body. I picked up the lunch from the table and went out, energized. His secretary greeted me as soon as he saw me. I pushed the door and walked in and I almost dropped the things I was holding. A wo
Andrei’s POVI didn’t go for a business trip and stayed in one of my properties in the city. When I called home, Jefferson told me that Tara sprained her foot two days ago and Kavanaugh carried her in his arms to our room. I was enraged as jealousy took over. I drank before going home because I couldn’t face her without being drunk. She wasn’t in bed when I came home and I heard a sound coming from the bathroom. When I stood by the door, it opened. I saw her dressed in lace chemise and all my control came crashing down at that moment. I took her over and again until I was sated. But when morning came. I realized that I made a grave error. I went to the bathroom when she stroked my back, feeling guilty. I didn’t hear her enter the bathroom and only came to know it when she hugged me from behind. I tried to extricate myself from her because I might do to her what should not be done. She let out a heart wrenching sob while asking me. And when I turned to look at her. Her once fi
Andrea Wilkin’s POV The garden was filled with laughter as my kids, my siblings' kids and cousins' kids were running about the garden. Today is my dad’s sixtieth birthday. My siblings and I organized this surprise birthday party for him. “Are they coming?” My brother Austin asked while cradling his third child. “Yes, mom sent me a text an hour ago that they’re preparing,” I replied. “Kirsten is blessed to have you, Austin,” I said, smiling. Austin and Nicholas are like our dad, they are hands on dad. My phone rang as Austin was about to respond. Before I answered the call, I signaled at everyone to keep quiet and they cooperated, not wanting to ruin the surprise. “Mom?” I whispered. “Andrea, your dad is asking me where we are going and the reason we are going out. What should I tell him?” I chuckled. It’s really hard for mom because dad could see through her. It’s really hard to surprise him. “Just tell him that you wanted to have a date with him,” I suggested.
“Congratulations!” Evan gave me a manly tap on the shoulder. Tara had just finished feeding our baby and laid her on the baby cot when he and Trixie came in. “Oh, so beautiful,” Trixie cooed. “What is her name?” Evan asked while looking at my sleeping daughter. “Andrea,” Tara answered and I looked at her in surprise. “You don’t like it?” she squinted her eyes. “I’m happy, babe,” I hugged her, smiling from ear to ear. Naming our daughter after my name was one of her ways of showing how much she loves me. This woman truly amazes me. Despite all the pain she has gone through since we got married she always finds ways to express her love for me. She loves me no matter what. ***The following day, the DNA test result was out. The result has proven that Tara was the great granddaughter of Marcus Reinsterd the Duke of Clorgow. Tara’s grandfather released a statement that Tara is his great granddaughter, the daughter of his grandson the son of his son, Lincoln. In his statement, t
I was like a cat on a tin roof waiting for my “great grandpa” which I was going to meet for the first time. “Don’t be nervous, babe. They can’t hurt you,” Andrei reassured me as he kissed the crown of my head and stroked my large belly. “Dad and mom, will be here, shortly,” as soon as he said that we heard hurried steps coming from the entrance of the mansion. Suzanna smiled at me reassuringly as she walked towards us. “All will be fine, darling,” Suzanna said as she stroked my back. Trevor layed a box and a file on the coffee table before me.“The box was what your grandma left for your father, while the file was your father's legal documents.” I looked up at Andrei and his smile gave me the needed strength for me to look into the box. One by one, I took out the content of the box. I took out the diary and read it. March 5[I was disowned and disinherited by my family because I chose to marry Lincoln Reinsterd. But it was worthwhile because we love each other.]June 1[All of
While I was brooding, the door burst open and I saw Courtney come in while the bodyguard was restraining her. I waved my hand, “Let her be.” “What are you doing here?” I tried not to let my annoyance seep through my voice. This woman saved me after all. “Mr. Hendrick, your surgeon is my friend and he discussed your leg injury with me.”“And?” I frowned. What does she have to do with my injury? “You didn’t look at the card I gave you?” she asked and her eyes darted at the side table. “I’m a physiotherapist,” she went on. She explained to me that I will have a greater chance to walk again if I undergo therapy. Tara’ POV“You can visit me, mom,” I told mom as she was crying when we were left alone in the room. She nodded and wiped her face with her handkerchief. “You take care of yourself, okay,” she said and kissed my forehead. “I will,” I said and we hugged for I don’t know how long. My brothers were in the living room looking solemn as they stood before the grand piano.
Jordan was at the door. “We are all waiting for you at the dining room,” he said and gave me a mischievous grin. I forgot, it’s Saturday today. When I came to Astrana, we all gathered together at the dining table at lunch time on Saturdays. Jordan was right as everybody was seated on their chair at the dining table when we came down. “Sorry for making you wait,” I said as Andrei drew a seat for me. “It’s alright,” Trevor answered, smiling at me. The sparkle in his eyes was more brilliant at this time. Is this because he was seeing his best friend in me? Suzanna told me that my biological dad was his best friend. One by one I looked at the faces of people I love as we were having lunch. My heart was filled with gratitude that I was blessed by God to have been surrounded by people I love and love me too. ***The day before we were leaving, I was hugging Andrei from behind as he was shaving his face. “Babe, we are leaving tomorrow night and I haven’t visited Hendrick in the hosp
I used my eyes to plead to Andrei and let me go to the hospital. Yes, I don’t see Hendrick as a lover, but he is my friend and I can’t just ignore him knowing that he is now in the hospital. “Let’s go,” Andrei said and I was relieved. I hugged him and said, “Thank you, babe.” “Get Johnny to drive for you,” mom said. Andrei embraced me as we traveled as I was tense. “Don’t get agitated. Think about our child.” “Mm,” I nodded and silently prayed that Hedrick would be fine and the surgery would go well. There was a woman who was waiting in the corridor in front of the surgery room. She might have heard our hurried steps and turned toward us. I was stunned as she was beautiful. My heart suddenly leaped with excitement. Finally, the one for Hendrick showed up. “Are you the girlfriend?” she asked when I was near her. Andrei slid his arm around my waist, silently telling her that she’s got it wrong.“I’m sorry, I thought you were because he has been calling your name. So I called
“Mm” I pounded his chest with my fists but Andrei seemed not to feel it. “You are disgusting!” I said as my palm connected with his face after letting go of my lips. His head turned sideways because I hit his face hard. He looked at me with teary eyes. “Can’t we come back to the way we used to be?” My heart clenched seeing the pain in his eyes. “Don’t you love me anymore, Tara?” I took a profound breath. He has to know. It’s immoral to continue in this relationship. “Andrei, Kristoff Kanovski is my father and he is your uncle. We are cousins. We are in an incestuous relationship. It’s immoral.” It was hard to say it, but it is the truth and we both need to be freed from this. “Let’s go, they are waiting for us in the living room,” Andrei moved out of the bathroom and I walked behind him. “What happened to your face, son?” I heard Suzanna.“Your son misbehaved so he reaped what he sowed,” Trevor said, chuckling.There was no available seat in the living room and was already
As if strong hands pulled me together. My strength came back all at once and I went to have a shower. “Tara, wait for me, I will come and get you and our child back,” I said. I was crying and smiling at the same time. I will not let Kavanaugh have her. If kneeling before her will gain her forgiveness and acceptance, I am more than willing to do it. I shaved my face as my beard and mustache had grown long. Tara didn’t like me growing my beard and mustache. She wanted my face smooth. I went down after getting dressed. “Are you leaving tonight for Astrana?” Dad already guessed what was on my mind. “Yes, I can’t wait to see her. We have been like this for months,” I shook my head, realizing the wasted time. “You should have asked me about it son,” dad patted my shoulder. “I was afraid you would have another heart attack that would kill you. I can’t bear seeing mom, lonely and crying,” I said with a sigh. It was the truth, I’d rather be sad than see my mom cry. “We will go with
I pursed my lips. “Tara, I will be here for you and the child,” Hendrick said. “What about your mom and dad? You left them for me?” Hendrick shook his head. “No, they came with me.” I remember that General Rossini and Eloise were Astranians. “Do they know the reason you left the military and went here?” I asked with wide eyes.“Yes they do,” Hendrick nodded his head with a smile. ***At night, I was in bed, and my mom came into my room. “Mom?” My mom sat on the side of the bed and I slid my body in the middle of the bed to give her space to sit. She got into the bed and she leaned on the headboard. “Don’t be afraid to accept the man, he truly loves you.” I looked up at her and said, protesting, “But mom.”“Sh… listen to me. It’s very important.” mom said and had me lay my head on her chest.“When I was young I had a boyfriend who came from a powerful family.” Mom paused for a while and sighed.“But his mother told me to leave him and I agreed. However, after agreeing to hi