I shrugged and added, "Just saying, it's a crazy world out there…" "Oh, okay." The woman let out a sigh of relief and added, “If you are merely concerned Dr. Roberts knows we have our own security team and the building has a lockdown policy in case of threat…""Wonderful. Now my mind is at rest," I said. The woman smiled. "Don't worry, Mr. Sterling, we will not let anything bad happen to your boys and of course every other child here.""Thank you, Mrs. Jones," Estera said. When we were back in the car and on our way to the hospital, Estera asked, "Do you think someone might try to take my … our boys by force?""They wouldn't even get close, trust me on that," I replied. She held my gaze, nodded, and reverted her attention back to the road. "I'm so happy to have you with us, Evan," she said, causing my heart to constrict with emotions because I knew she meant much more than the words conveyed. "You can rest assured I am not making the same mistake twice, my love," I said. She nod
I haven't even processed how I felt about that then the video skipped to another day in a different room setting. And Mary Antoinette wasn't playing the role of a seductress in this one. Antony held her by the neck to the wall and by the look of it, she didn't seem lucid. He then tore off her clothes threw her on the bed and fucked her from behind. His pleasure-filled grunts were loud — very loud. "He is a very sick man!" Estera exclaimed. "And I think he has the habit of subduing her. She didn't look like she consented to that," Foster interjected."Man, this is messed up," I said, rubbing my eyes and wishing I could unsee all that but knew I needed to see it to know exactly what I was dealing with. I turned around and directed my gaze at Dan. He looked pale -- the poor man. "You have met Zack haven't you, Dan?" "Yes boss, he is the head of the New York office security," Dan replied then swallowed. "Good. You are going to team up with him to contain Edward Sterling, Antony Dal
I saved the trimmed copies of the videos on my phone and asked Estera to go about her day as if nothing was amiss. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, she whispered with her hand clutching a fistful of my inner shirt, “Please—please, my love, be careful.”“I promise you nothing is going to happen to me,” I whispered back, dropped a quick kiss on her lips, and left her office. By the time I got to the corridor leading to Mary Antoinette’s room, Foster was already waiting for me by her door. He nodded at me when I got close, pushed the door open, and walked inside. I followed him.Mary Antoinette lit up with smiles when she saw me and the image of her getting fucked by all those different men including my father and her father ruined the image of the pale woman lying in that hospital bed. I gave her a smile and went to draw a seat on the side of the bed. Reaching for her hand, I said, "How are you this morning?""Had a bad start, but Doctor Foster gave me a painkiller," she said with a w
"One of the servants told me months after that night that David was taken away after my father attacked him and they never saw him again. I was taken to a convent where I had the child and he was immediately taken away from me…" she said, releasing a shaky breath. "And then…?" Foster asked. His voice was calm and I was impressed at how he was asking the questions and making sure Mary Antoinette told her story."For the time I was in that convent, I tried to understand and rationalize what happened that night. I even thought maybe he went crazy and didn’t know what he was doing. But I got my quick awakening when I returned home. I suppose once he started he couldn't stop himself. I hated it. Hated him touching me. So each time he comes he always finds a way to overpower or subdue me and rape me repeatedly.”"Did your mother know?" Foster asked.“Did you tell her?” I asked.“He beats her you know?” she said glancing my way, “I just didn’t know how to tell her … You know … she was alrea
Estera was busy all morning which was a good thing. I didn’t want to see her before I left for the meeting. I didn’t want her to see this side of me — This cold, calculating son of a bitch I needed to assume to face all the fuckers who screwed me over. Armed with the flash drives, I called Zack to send a driver to pick me up and waited a few minutes for the driver to get to my location before heading out of the hospital. Checking my wristwatch, I noted it was just exactly twenty minutes before 2 p.m. I saw Foster on my way out, standing with some lady in a nurse uniform, flipping through a file. And as if he could feel my eyes on him, he looked up and directly at me. Our eyes held for about a second and he gave me a meaningful curt nod. I nodded back and exited the side door Estera had taken me through earlier. “Mr. Sterling?” Foster called and I looked back. He had come to stand by the glass door now. “Make sure you come back in one piece. If anything goes wrong—” he said and walk
When Zack and four of the agents carried Gaius away, I straightened my suit, took a deep breath, and strolled down to the entrance of the boardroom. And as soon as I pushed the door open, Antony snapped, "You are late!" He was standing by the glass wall on the other side of the room. "No, you were early. I said 2 p.m. I still have a minute," I replied. Brian strode to me from the corner of the room, and I offered him a handshake he took it, holding my gaze, as I passed two copies of the flash drives to him. He swallowed, nodded, and pocketed his hand as he drew back from me. "Evan," my mother said as she got up. Normally she would have tried to come and hug me, but she knew now that would not be appreciated. So she stood looking at me awkwardly. Anastasia Dallas nodded her greetings and then I took a glance at Edward. He was standing at a corner to the left of the glass wall looking outside and ignoring everyone. "Okay, let's get to it. Take your seat gentlemen—" I said."I woul
Letting out strings of expletives, I lowered my gaze to the bullet hole in the sleeve of my suit, unmistakably warm liquid streamed down my arm and started to drop to the polished porcelain floor. My mother didn’t try to stay back, she rushed to my side and jerked off my suit. She was shaking so badly, that I was enthralled by the show of emotions on her face. “Mom?” I called and she raised her terrified gaze to meet mine. “I am fine. It was just a flesh wound,” I said gesturing to the hole in the wall behind me where the bullet now lodged. She released a shaky breath, her lips trembled and she raised shaky hands to bury her face in them, and then her shoulders shook as she cried quietly. “I’m sorry, Charlotte! It was an accident, Evan—” Anastasia Dallas said. “Please, Ana put the gun down—” my mother implored as she turned around to face the other woman. “I can’t let him get away this time. You have no idea what he’d done to us!”"She may not, but I do … ” I said, holding down a
“Dr. Roberts?” Cole’s voice sounded from behind me and I glanced back over my shoulders. I had just finished my second operation of the day and was in the doctors’ lounge having lunch with Ashley, Ameera, and Meredith. Ashley was recounting her encounter with a rude patient which got us all laughing and the smile was still on my face when I turned to gaze into Cole’s face. As soon as I met his gaze, my heart lunged into the wall of my chest and I swallowed. The smile wiped off my face. “Is something wrong?” I asked. My first thought went to Evan. I had been trying to suppress the fear of the knowledge that Evan had gone to have a meeting with someone who was capable of ordering the death of another human being. And who could as well want us all dead now? But I suppose the reprieve was over. I placed the cup in my hand and stood up, wiping my palms down the sides of my green scrubs. “Please, tell me he is fine … ” I said, walking up to him. He nodded.“He is fine. He is wounded thoug
“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,”