Andrei's POVAgitated, I paced back and forth inside my huge carpeted office. If the carpet could only talk, it would have complained to me how heavy my feet are as I plodded on it. I was informed by Tara's bodyguard that she coincidentally met Major Kavanaugh in the elevator. I trust my wife and I know she had no feelings for him.Yet, the possessive side of me was unrelenting and would not allow Tara to be in the same space as him. If only I had been there, he wouldn't have had a chance to speak to my wife or enter the elevator. He would have been kicked out of the elevator. "Poor carpet, it has no mouth so it couldn't complain and only take the brunt of your jealousy," Sharon interrupted my mulling. "Shut up!" I snapped at her. "Relax! Tara isn't like Stella," she said, probably to pacify me. But no, she was smirking. "I know," I roll
I came to realize that I misread her smile, she smiled at me out of politeness and respect. Not because she brought good news. My dancing heart froze and dropped at the pit of discouragement. I closed my trembling lips into a thin line and said nothing. After a minute or so of silence, I stood and said, "Thank you, doctor." I gathered that both Trevor and General Rossini were discharged, thus I have no one to visit. It only means that I have to go back to the palace, right away. On our way back to the palace, I consoled myself that I'm still young and we are not in a hurry to get pregnant.Stepping onto the threshold, my phone rang. I opened my purse and collected my phone. "Babe?" "Are you not feeling well? Your bodyguard informed me you went to the hospital," Andrei asked me and I didn't miss the worry in his tone. I was slightly annoyed at that nos
As the day of casting votes drew nearer, Andrei and I had been busier than ever. Barely, we spent time with each other. Yesterday, Suzanna asked if we could spare them time and visit them, Andrei said he could not. I know he was still holding a grudge against his father because of that night that he was drugged and that almost successfully ruined our marriage.I, on the other hand, am free today. So, here I am, preparing to visit my in - laws. There was nothing for me to fear what trick Trevor has under his sleeves. Betraying me is the last thing Suzanna would want to do to me. I know she will not allow her husband to do anything to me. To begin with, I've been helping her to nurse Trevor regain his health. According to her, Trevor had not once had a heart attack after the last attack. And It's been nine months since then. At the porch, I saw Suzanna
Through the mirror, I could see how Andrei looked at me full of smiles while I gargled. I spat the mouthwash in the sink and said, "Why are you looking at me like that?" He didn't answer me and stripped his clothes and took a shower. I went back to bed while thinking of his odd behavior. I was drifting back to sleep when I pulled into his arms. I wriggled to find the most comfortable position to snuggle in his arms. "Behave, or I couldn't control," he said, breathing heavily after speaking. "Have you had your period yet?" He asked me. My heart pumped rapidly as it dawned on me that I had been delayed for three weeks. "I'm delayed for three weeks now," I said to him. "That's great!" He said and nibbled my lips. We lost track of time and had no idea when we ended. Soon morning came, Andrei was up before me.Despite lacking
Taking the test result from the doctor, my heart trembled as I could see her giving me a sorry look. I knew the result without looking into it nevertheless, I opened it as Tara was waiting for me look into it Despite knowing the result before looking at it, my heart still clenched to read the word. NEGATIVETara took the result from me and soon enough she burst into tears. I held her in my arms until she calmed. "Madam, as I have said, your uterus has no issue and is healthy," the gynecologist looked at me after talking to Tara. "Your Excellency, I would suggest for you to have an appointment with an Andrologists," I looked at her and she lowered her gaze.I know she got scared of the coldness in my eyes. Suggesting to consult a male fertility specialist is equivalent to telling me that the problem lies in me. I am infertile. But seeing how desperate
Beating around the bush. Why not tell directly if I have healthy sperm or not. "Ah, the shape or morphology. Healthy sperm have rounded heads and long, strong tails.” He paused. I pursed my lips, this doctor was getting on my nerves. He probably sensed that I was getting impatient and went on. “And yours look like that. In conclusion, you have healthy sperm. And according to your medical history you are not infertile," he said which made my nerves ease significantly. "When trying to get pregnant, stress and pressure contributes in failure to get pregnant," he clasped his hand on top of his table He added, "When having intimacy with your wife, try not to think about getting pregnant and just enjoy love making." I said no words and allowed him to talk. Tara and I need help, so it won't hurt me to listen to advice. "Both you and the madam have healthy reproductive organs, her egg
"I need not mention his name, you… mmm " with his lips he stifled my words and didn't let me finish. I hit his chest but he didn't budge. He tried to make me respond to him, his hand skimmed my body but his touch couldn't convince my body to respond to him. Probably, he tasted the saltiness of my tears that caused him to stop kissing me. Like a flood my emotions became messy and I sobbed uncontrollably, venting all my pent up frustration. "Baby, I'm sorry," he coaxed me. At last he gave up coaxing me and let me cry until my throat was dry and tired so that I drifted to sleep. It's the other day when I opened my eyes. Andrei already left for work. Getting late on the first day of work would leave a bad impression on his employees. So he left early for work without waiting for me to wake up. Having nothing to do after you got used to bei
Calmly, I picked up the basin from the night stand. "I prepared a juice to help with your hangover, drink it," I said and left him. Though my whole body was shaking, I still managed to get downstairs without an accident. After cleaning the basin and placing the face towel in the washer, I went to the guest room. I sat on the couch looking blankly at the French window. His words were like a broken recorder that kept ringing in my ears. I stayed like that until the crack of dawn. I could not think of anything, just his words that cut my heart. I went back to our room to have a shower. We met at the door of the bathroom. He had just finished showering. Ignoring him I walked past him. And closed the door immediately. I stood under the shower head, drowning my sorrow away. Surprisingly, my husband was still in the room. Just as I was goin
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