Pulling my small luggage with me felt like pulling a big log as I was reluctant to leave without saying goodbye to my husband.
I wouldn't be seeing him for two weeks, having a glimpse of him before going to Ardross would suffice.My dull eyes lit up as I caught sight of him coming out of the car and my heart leaped in happiness.Only to be crushed by the next minute when he extended his hand and a woman's hand grasped his hand.Despite myself, I waited to see who the woman was.I felt my heart was torn like a piece of paper when Stella came out of the car.Her dazzling smile made my heart sour. The moment she was out of the car, she snaked her arms on my husband's arm.I pretended not to see them as I pulled my luggage and headed the other way.Though life was mocking me. Our paths still crossed."Ms. Smith!" I heard Stella's voice.I keI was typing away on my phone when Major Kavanaugh started a video call and I answered it without hesitation His handsome face came into view the moment I accepted the video call. In all honesty, when compared to my husband, Major Kavanaugh is on par with him. Wearing casual attire, he looked different from his usual demeanor when wearing his military uniform or a business suit or tuxedo.He looked youthful and fresh. His mesmerizing blue eyes were amplified as the camera was just near his face. "Are you at home?" His voice was pleasant to hear when he spoke. "Yep, I just finished having my dinner," I showed him an empty bowl and I heard him cackle.A faint smile appeared on my face. "That's good, you have to always take care of yourself," the care in his tone was obvious. Ever since I got married, he seemed to be always worried about me.
Letting it ring several times would save my face. Because If I answered it in the first ring, she would think that I was waiting for her call. I counted, and at the fourth ring, I picked up the call. Like a deflated balloon my shoulder sagged when I heard Sharon's voice. "What is it?" I said irritatedly. "Whoah!" She said, "Bad mood again? Did not receive any call or text from the missus?" "I did," I said, my tone softened a little. I realized that I shouldn't be in a bad mood as my wife had texted me the moment she arrived home.It was me who forgot to answer her. "By the way, I did as you had instructed me," I smiled, this girl had always done what had been assigned to her with utmost care. "When is the ring ready?" I asked. "A month, utmost. The designer will e - mail the designs then you have to choose what engagement
My mind was buzzing after I read the article. At the end of the article another article was written about my husband. I looked at the photo, he and Stella were dining. They were having a romantic dinner together in a well known restaurant in the city of love. The happiness written all over Stella's face depicted that she was well loved by the man before her. While I was here missing him so badly, he was having a romantic dinner with his lover. He did not even bother to text or call me. Completely forgetting that he has a wife waiting for him to come home. Who I am to him? Did he truly take me as his wife or was just a play thing to him? What did he take me for? Did he really think I can't be hurt for what's happening? Unable to take it anymore, My chest was like waves rising and falling. I closed my MacBook. Needing a way to vent the building emotions that was strangling me, I went for a run. I was sweating profusely when I came back and saw Regina waiting for me. "Hey, I
Conflicting emotions was crowding my chest as we were drawing nearer and nearer to the Presidential Palace. I missed Andrei but I was apprehensive to see him. I don't know how to face him after all that I have learned. I clutched the hem of my dress when the car stopped. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the car door open and alighted from the vehicle. Relief flooded my heart when I didn't run into him. He might still be overseas. In an instant I felt gloomy. I hated that since I married that man, I became unsteady emotionally and my mood was like a roller coaster ride. I stayed in my room for the entire day and had only came out of my room during dinner. Following, dinner I immediately hurried to my room. I was startled when I saw the man I had been longing to see. "You're back," I said and he stretch out his arms beckoni
Trusting his word was like clinging to a web. Daring to trust him would only bring me immense disappointment. The higher the expectations the greater the disappointment. I am a person who easily trusts people but once I was betrayed, I will not trust that person anymore. Take Roman and Lucy as examples. I wasn't willing to mend the broken relationship I have with them after their betrayal. They hurt me once and I won't let them hurt me the second time. I would be stupid to allow them to do that to me again. Night after night, Andrei would come to spend time with me. Each time he makes a move to make love to me, I always find a way to distract him or make excuses for us not to be intimate. One night, he could no longer take being refused and voice out his thoughts. "What's the matter with you? From the time I came back, you're so cold to me," disple
"How did you know that?" "I overheard Sharon talking to him over the phone asking if Stella said yes to his marriage proposal." "Are you sure she was talking to the president?" "Yes, I heard her call his name. You know they're childhood friends, they're that close for Sharon to call him by his name." "And there's also rumors circulating about Stella being engaged to the president," she fished out her phone from her pocket and showed them the news. "Oh, my… many will be heartbroken." My world cave in and my vision began blurry as tears gathered around my eyes. Silently, I walked away, so I got out of the place unnoticed. Having no appetite, I didn't go out to eat. And I was afraid that I would burst into tears if I heard more news about Andrei and Stella. I slid into the duvet after I showered and wore my pajamas. I willed myself to sle
As if doused with water, our excitement died down when we saw Andrei take Stella to the dance floor to be his first dance. I wanted to walk away and leave the party but my wife held my hand. A gesture that we have to bear seeing him dance with that woman.Despite our family's displeasure we didn't spill any of it. We wore a fake smile while looking at them. When the dance was over, Andrei went to us. "Andrei, is she the woman you married?" I asked under my breath. "No, father," I sighed in relief. "Then who?" Evan asked, curiously. "The woman with Major Kavanaugh," we all look at Major Kavanaugh's direction. My aging eyes didn't permit for me to see her face clearly. "Wow! She's beautiful. Please, let me dance with my sister in law, brother," Evan said excitedly. "Is she?" My wife, Suzanna asked. Our daughter in law, Blesilda chime in and said, "She's indeed a beauty, isn't she, Vaunder?" My eldest son nodded in agreement. "Brother, please," Evan asked again. "Alright, b
"He's no longer breathing," one of them said. Hearing it, all I could see at that time was red. And my head felt like it's going to blow like a volcano. It was that woman's fault. "Check his pulse," someone said, I saw hope with those words. "He still has a pulse but it's weak," my constricted chest eased a little with that announcement. There's still hope. And I held onto that hope even though it was just a sliver. "Who are you," a medic asked when I was about to go inside the ambulance. "I'm his brother," I said. "Hop in," and I did as he said without wasting another second. My knees didn't stop knocking while I anxiously waited outside the operating room. Simultaneously, mom arrived as the door of the operating room opened. The sadness on the doctor's face already gave away that my brother didn't survive the accident. Mom wailed when she heard the doctor, "We are sorry for your loss." I was taken back from recollecting the past when my wife squeezed my hand. "Don't t
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