BEN No right? I had ‘no right’ to know about it? The machine’s rhythmic humming usually put me to sleep as the robotic voice guided me on when to breathe in and out. Only this time, I was too busy fuming. Even the doctor had to note that my blood pressure was higher than it should have b
HAVEN “These look good. Let’s take lunch, and then we can review the scans together.” Dr. Mendez said, and I smiled at her with relief. I needed to get away from Ben Evans, far away, even if it was just for half an hour. Having him near had me wound so tight with anger and hurt that I was worri
BEN “I thought you were going on a walk,” Haven said as she ducked her head to let her hair slide forward to cover her face. “I will,” I said, gesturing to a chair for her to sit as we waited for our food. There were several other people in the dining hall, some of whom I had met and others who
BEN “So, she’s the one?” Giana asked as we walked around the parameter of the campus slowly, arms linked together. She kept leaning her head on my bicep, and I knew it was because she was tired. She worked hard to maintain her toned physique but had always had trouble managing a healthy diet, res
BEN Giana was right. I had pulled up Haven’s I*******m account, only to find I was blocked. It was almost as insulting as it was suspicious. She had to have a reason to block me after she dumped me, as if she didn't want me trying to contact her or as if she were hiding something. So, instead, I
HAVEN I couldn’t move. I could barely breathe. I had been right. He was here to take my daughter from me. A DNA test? A lawyer? I didn’t have the money for a decent lawyer. “Haven?” Ben said, and my hand tightened around the ring, the chain biting into the back of my neck. “Haven?” The roo
HAVEN “Mr. Evans, on behalf of Limitless, I would like to formally apologize for your treatment since arriving here,” Suzie said, lacing her fingers together in front of her as she leaned forward onto her desk. “That’s quite alright,” Ben started, but Suzie lifted her hand, effectively cutting hi
BEN People were staring as we left the office, and I kept my expression devoid of emotion as I walked down the hall with Haven beside me. She was pale and looked dumbstruck, making me even more bothered. “This can’t be happening,” She whispered, and I ground my molars together as a few employees
HAVEN “Excuse me?” I snapped, and Ben’s eyebrows rose in amusement as I moved my shoulder in front of his and faced the microphones. He didn't need me defending him, but I was furious. “You have a lot of nerve making that accusation. Benjamin Evans is a good man and never forced himself on me. He r
HAVEN: “Our daughter’s name is Siri, and she is three years old, about to turn four,” Ben said, and I could see the excitement light in the eyes of the reporters like vultures watching their prey fall to the death for easy pickings. “I did not know about her until recently, but it wasn’t for lac
HAVEN Siri refused to leave Ben’s side the next day, and I was relieved because Diana had several notes for me on my statement and demanded that I get them fixed that morning so the press conference could be in the afternoon. As soon as Ben was done with his physical therapy and massage, I went i
HAVEN “You’re a great mom.” I beamed under his praise. It felt incredible to hear it, and Cynthia and Bonnie had told me often, but it felt different coming from Ben. “Hey, Siri,” I said, walking over to join her in the living room. “Can I talk to you about something for a minute?” “Of course,”
HAVEN “We should tell her tonight instead,” I whispered as I stared at the marriage certificate. We just needed to sign it and have the officiant sign it, and we would be married as soon as it was filed. It felt unreal. It felt too fast. “I agree,” Ben said as he tossed the kitchen towel over hi
HAVEN I expected a celebration, a kiss even. Instead, we spent the next hour writing up my statement to the press about how Ben had been a complete gentleman and that what happened between us was not abuse or harassment. In turn, he also drafted a statement that stated the same. I had been refu
HAVEN “Mommy,” Siri said, pulling her headphones off and letting them and her tablet fall to the floor as she looked around the room at all the strange faces. Her arms wrapped tighter around Ben, and I looked around the room, too, seeing how she could be scared. “This is not a conversation that
HAVEN “I worked for Ben for years, but in reality, I worked for your entire team,” I said, and Coach Dawson’s face tightened. “I did everything ever asked of me, regardless of who asked from your team, the cost, or the time it would take. Your wife’s bake sale, when over half of the team wives and
HAVEN “That was years ago, and it wasn’t like I was being reckless and having a fling with some random employee!” Ben yelled, and my breathing became faster. “I loved her! I was planning on marrying her as soon as she agreed! People wouldn’t care about us sleeping together if we had gotten married