“Shit!” I cursed under my breath. “Shit! Shit! Shit!”My heart slammed in my chest at the sight of Cole. For the life of me, I have forgotten his existence! Evan, goddammit! From the moment I laid my eyes on him, my reality ceased to exist. How could I have forgotten Cole?! A few hours before I was contemplating being with him and now, the very thought made me very uncomfortable. Cole’s very existence made me feel guilty. How I could feel that way was pure madness! Evan is a married man, damn it! I shouldn’t have even been with him. He was my past. I should have let him stay there. Especially when neither of us could do a damn thing to change our situation. But deep inside me, I knew when it came to Evan, I was powerless. I lack the willpower to refuse him anything. “I love you,” I recalled his passionate declaration that further enslaved my heart. My eyes blurred with tears and I quickly shook my head. It wouldn't do to fall apart now and scare my friends. I stood up, and raised my
I shut my eyes and took a deep sigh. The answer to that question was quite simple. Evan was my everything and as a result, I shouldn't be with any other man because doing so would not only make me hurt the other person, I would be hurting myself as well. But then to admit to that would mean I have condemned myself to a life of loneliness. A life where I would pine for him for the rest of my life. But is this the end though? The end of my story with Evan Sterling?I had thought Evan was in my past and when I least expected it he came back to claim me and reminded me that he loves me. I may be crazy for still nurturing the hope that he may find his way back to me. But I wanted to give him a chance; a chance for him to fulfill all his promises to me just like I had fulfilled mine. He promised me a family; a life with him filled with love and laughter and children. A life in which he would be the center of my world and I would draw fresh breath every morning with him wrapped around me. He
Going back to Charlestown seemed longer or perhaps I was too eager to find out what Edward did to Estera that had made her leave me twice now. I accepted it the first time, but never again, especially now that I know he lied to me. I am going to find her if it's the last thing I do. I promised myself.When my driver picked me up from the airport, I asked him to sit in the passenger seat and took over the wheel. Sitting still was killing me. I needed to do something or I was going to go mad. I was a bit disappointed he brought a Jeep, one of my sports cars would have been best suited for my mood. I wanted to race like bats out of hell to the Sterlings' estate, but I couldn’t maneuver the Jeep that way or we might never get to our destination. I wouldn’t be of any help to Estera dead. The thought sobered me a little, and I maintained a 150-speed limit.I let out a sigh when I parked in front of the mansion and didn’t bother glancing at my driver but I could hear his relieved sigh. I pus
“Estera Roberts, report to the principal’s office at once!” Principal Baldwin's voice boomed in every hallway and every classroom in Marymount College, a private high school in Castle Ridge. A small town about an hour away from New York City. I sat up on my seat at the back of the class and slowly removed my earphones, noting how everyone in my class seemed to turn on their seat to gape at me. “Well, finally! Are you getting more adventurous now that we have just a few days before graduation, Roberts?” Devon said, causing everyone to laugh. “Seriously, what did you do?” another voice I recognized too well interjected. Michael was Devon’s friend. They were both on the school football team and in major pain. They had been a thorn in my side ever since Devon asked me out in middle school and I had told him I intended not to date in high school. He figured I said that to brush him off and he couldn't be farther from the truth. I had indeed made that decision when one of our classmates
“Argh!!” I groaned as soon I realized Aunt Sophia had forgotten to leave the key to the bungalow for me. I was soaking wet and the rain was pouring as if heaven was planning to come down. It had been a long day, and I was on my feet most of it. The only thing on my mind right now was to have a hot shower and pass out -- literally. But I suppose that would have to wait. I removed my phone from my leather strap bag and dialed her phone. It rang and rang but she didn’t pick up. I paused when I heard a faint ringing sound coming from inside the house. Wonderful! She forgot to take her phone with her too! I thought that was funny when she did it four times before I enrolled in the community college for my pre-med course. I had to run after her to give her the phone each time. I suppose that came as a result of not being responsible for anyone but herself most of her life. She sighed, smiled sheepishly, and made a joke about why my mother had turned out to be the smarter one. I laughed then
“Who are you and why are you here? Were you trying to steal something? How did you get past the securities? Wait, are you a bloody reporter? I don’t care what network you work for, trespassing is a serious offense, young lady!”“A thief?! Seriously?!” Who does this… this… man thinks he is. Of all the things he could think of, he thought I was a thief first. That was insulting and the reporter thing was an afterthought! I could be a witch, a goblin, a spymaster, or a hired assassin! And he thought I was a thief. “I am not a thief!” I said, stretching upward to say it closer to his face. He was tall I’m guessing six feet plus. I was five feet eight inches and felt petite in front of him. He was still gripping me by my forearms and didn't let go. I glared into his face and watched as he silently studied me.“Then who are you? And why are you here?” he asked with a dim gaze and since I couldn’t possibly tell him who I was without ruining everything I scoffed inaudible indignant nonsense a
For about a minute I tried to rake my brain for what the fuck just happened as I watched the puzzling creature sashayed away, trying to hold back a laugh. I thought she looked familiar. There was something about her facial structure that reminded me so much of our housekeeper and that was where the resemblance ended. The color of her eyes was unique, not something you see every day; they were hazel alright, but with prominent gold flecks that made the color exotic and hypnotizing. Her face was devoid of makeup, showing off her natural beauty and exposing how young she must be. Her lower lip was fuller than the upper and was a pale pinkish color that made me think of kissing her just to get her to shut up! And that body… Christ, she was hot. She had a body that was to die for. I have never recalled getting this excited in a few minutes of meeting any girl before and once I reached for her I wanted so badly to keep her body close. My cock stirred and I shook my head. Whoa, man let's tak
I ended up startling her and making her lose her balance. She let out a squeal and stumbled, her knees buckled and hit the stone framing the stream. I rushed forward before she could fall back into the water. The very thought of her hitting her head on something filled me with dread.“Estera!” I called, rushing to get to her. I saw a stain of blood and she cried out in pain. I wrapped my arms around her and whisked her off the ledge, holding her tight to my body protectively. “I got you. Shh … it’s okay,” I whispered against her wet hair, and my heart which was beating erratically began to reduce in pace now that she was safe in my arms.I couldn’t help drawing her scent into my nostrils since my lips and nose were pressed to her hair, and God help me, I didn't want to let go. That feeling scared the shit out of me. I slowly walked to a brick bench on the side and lowered myself to it, making her sit on my lap. I tried to ignore that she was naked and sitting on my throbbing cock as I
“I do not want to hear about your sexual escapades, Evan Sterling!” she said through gritted teeth, still glowering at me. I made her widen her legs for me as I fit myself in between her legs. The dress she wore had ridden up, giving me the chance to place my hands over her naked thighs. “After you, I didn’t want anybody else. I was obsessed with making sure you stayed mine,” I said, stroking her naked thighs. Her eyes softened. I leaned over and pressed a kiss to her lips. “I had had time to think about my reactions, and now, I know when Edward showed me that video, I accepted it to be true as a result of my experience, but I walked to the chalet to get confirmation from you. But of course, you weren’t there, and I didn’t come after you because I was scared to confirm it. So, deep inside me when I accepted that you had fucked my father for money. I didn’t believe it. Otherwise, I would never have had sex with you when I saw you at Jacob’s bachelor’s party. For me to believe it, I
I felt Estera's hand slowly slip into mine as we drove through the Sterling Estate gate. I opened my hand wide, giving her room to interlace her fingers with mine. She leaned across from the passenger seat to rest her head against my shoulder and I stopped the car so I could reach for her. Cupping the side of her face, I made her lift and crane her neck to receive my kiss. I pressed my lips against her forehead then her lips. Kissing her slowly as if we have all the time in the world. She let out a shaky breath when I let her go, gazing lovingly into my eyes. "Don't be scared. Nothing or no one here can hurt you ever again. I need us both to put this to rest. We had an amazing time here, on this ground and I want us to take that back. Separate it from the nightmare that came after. I hate this place…." "Evan…" she whispered, raising her hand to cup my chin. I let out a soft chuckle. "I need to let him stay buried and not continue to hurt us…to hurt me. Please," I said. She nodde
Evan had prepared a special table for my aunt, his mother, and Mary Antoinette Dallas. My aunt—I could see–-had rescued Ashley and Ameera and had taken charge of our boys and when we approached the table I saw four men in black suits, hovering close to my aunt Sophia and the boys. I gave Evan a side glance but his eyes were held forward. Lowering my gaze, I saw how the men monitored the boys' every move and let out a sigh. Evan was quite serious about our children’s safety and with the look of it, it seemed he couldn’t even take a risk when they were with family. Mary Antoinette Dallas beamed at me. I gave her a warm smile, pretty glad the other woman was much better despite the ravaging chemo after her surgery. I had thought she might resent me a little when she found out about Evan’s duplicity in regards to his marriage to her but the woman took it in her stride. With Charlotte Sterling's help, she went back home to pay her last respite to her mother and bury the tortured soul. I h
I have indeed come a long way to be wearing a 30 million dollar diamond embellished bridal gown, and an equally sparkling tiara that contained about 2,000 tiny cut diamonds. I was almost afraid to move. But the very sight of the tall, broad-shouldered, handsome man, waiting with the bluest intense eyes in the front of the room drew me forward. Evan -- was breathtaking! He wore the traditional black tuxedo with a white undershirt but with a custom-made hand-printed silk scarf, knotted with two loops in the form of a bow tie around his collar. However, there was nothing traditional about the price tag. He went all out for this wedding anniversary slash renewal of wedding vows. My heart skipped a beat at the knowledge that this beautiful man was all mine and he loved me with all his heart and soul. The lighting of the cathedral was dimmed and as I moved the light shined off the diamonds, creating a wonderful sparkle. I let out a shaky breath and my aunt Sophia looped an arm to mine, l
I doubt anyone was as happy as I was to know Cole Foster was doing fine. Now I can breathe easily. Being without Estera and my boys these past few days has not been easy for me. I was constantly checking my phone and seemed impatient in my dealings.Edward's funeral was a private one. I had figured only my mother and I would be present with the minister, of course, and a few chosen staff, but then Estera's aunt had shown up. An act that got my mother pretty emotional.I never did pay much attention to the relationship between the two women in the past. I knew now they were closer than just an employer and employee and I was glad someone was there for my mother other than me. I figured Mary Antoinette would like to be present for her mother's funeral and had Antony buried immediately. I heard no one showed not even his employees. That showed the kind of man the fucker was. Aside from handling all the burial arrangements, I was also keeping taps on Gaius’ case. Estera’s parents’ lawyers
“I’m sorry … I should have known better and gotten help--” “Don’t apologize. It wasn’t your fault. I am just glad you weren’t taken from us—” “Please, tell me Doctor Benjamin and Doctor Rasheed got off unhurt,” he said. “They are fine — traumatized, but fine,” I replied. “Thank God. What happened to Edward Sterling?” “He died … the police killed him when they discovered their men weren’t responding to their radio call anymore.” “Shit. I tried to help them. He didn’t let me.” “You could have bled to death too if Evan hadn’t risked speaking with Edward to make him let you, Ashley and Ameera go.” “He must feel like hell … I know I would. Having a man like that as a father must be tough.” “He is happy you are alright—” I said. He sighed. “Where is he now?” “In Charlestown … helping his mother take care of Edward, Antony, and Anastasia Dallas’ burial arrangements--” “Shit! She didn’t make it?” “No…” “Her daughter?” “Mary Antoinette is responding to treatment, although she is
I stood back from the grave unable to contain the anguish filling me up inside. It was pretty intense and it felt like I was drowning in it. My eyes stayed glued to the name on the headstone although unseeing. I was completely blinded by tears.“Estera Roberts, I am so sorry for your loss…” a familiar voice said from my right and I raised my eyes to meet the older woman’s gaze. Mrs. Pincushion, my homeroom teacher, peered down at me with sorrow-filled eyes. A deep frown furrowed my eyebrows. Something doesn’t feel right. Why the hell would the petite woman be at this funeral? Wait… whose funeral is this?!”“Roberts?” Cole's familiar husky tone called me. I jerked my gaze away from Mrs. Pincushion and my eyes opened and I found myself in a dim-lit room. The beep--beep sound of the heart monitor reminded me I was in the hospital room, lying next to Cole on the bed. I sat up, rubbing my hands over my face.“Shit!” I muttered, realizing it was a mere dream. I let out a sigh. It was a no-b
The gunshot sounds weren’t coming from down the building but up, that was how I knew it must be from Edward’s ward. My heart pounded, hoping he hadn’t done something stupid to worsen his case. I had no idea where my mother was, but I knew she was in the building. I put a call through to her and her phone rang and rang but she didn’t answer. I clenched my jaw, finding my way up the flight of stairs. On getting to the floor before the one my father was on, I saw men in black trousers and white shirts with gun holsters around their waists gingerly going up the stairs. I assumed they were part of the men sent to watch Edward. “What’s going on up there?” I asked one. He threw me a hurried gaze and his eyes settled on my bandaged arm and shoulder. “You shouldn’t be here. This place is sealed we have a hostage situation—”“Is the aggressor Edward Sterling?” I asked. He stopped to give me his full attention. “I didn’t catch your name, sir?”“Evan … Evan Sterling,” I said. A deep frown fur
One of the kitchen staff brought them to my office shortly after. I thanked her and gave her a tip. Closing the door, I placed the food on the coffee table and went to make coffee for Evan, placing the mug beside his plate, I went to press a kiss to the side of his lips, placing a hand over his forehead to be certain he wasn't running a temperature. “Baby?” I called. “Mmm … love you waking me with a kiss,” he muttered. I giggled. “Get up, sleepy head, and come eat, so you can take your antibiotics.”“Yes, ma’am,” he said and got up, towering over me. Without heels, I was quite aware I must look like some midget beside him. He first went to plant kisses on the twins' forehead and cheeks, causing them to laugh before straightening his spine to gaze down at them with loving eyes. I reached for his good arm, urged him to the sofa, made him sit down and gestured to him to serve himself and eat. “Where did you get all these so early?” he asked.“Hospital food … but for the doctors,”