Thank you, Rosel for your comment. I'll work on pacing up the book. You're the reason I haven't given up on writing this book! Happy Reading!
Chapter 57 RONAN Dahlia and I have been living fine so far, although she acts distant and hasn't been happy with the fact that I made her get into a marriage with me right after she left her previous marriage. Lately, I enjoy taunting and seeing her worked up. I'd always look forward to going home after a long day at work just to rile Dahlia up and get a reaction from her. My stubborn woman is really cute when she is pissed off and that is something I can never trade for anything. My marriage with Dahlia was not a mistake, yes, it was abrupt because the situation called for it but it was bound to happen. Dahlia never realized that, but I know. She'd end up with me anyways. It wasn't like I was ever going to let her go after getting her in my grasp. My thoughts have always been consumed by my wife and most of the time, I zone out at work thinking about her and only her. That woman rules my mind, my thoughts and everything. Sleeping next to her each day, with her little wall of pillow
Chapter 58 DAHLIA The moment I made up my mind about wanting the business deal with Bright Holdings, I called Sophia over. I would say my relationship with Sophia so far is professional. We used to be really good friends in the past. But after everything that happened, our friendship fell apart. Now, her major concern is DAHL and nothing more. She'd put her life on the line to make sure this company was running. I didn't trust her when it comes to myself, but when DAHL is involved my absolute trust goes to her. Knowing how much she cared about the growth and development of DAHL. I had to call her over and talk these new thoughts through with her. Then we could develop a plan together. “You called for me?” Sophia had her brows raised the moment she walked into my office. “Take a seat…” “I saw your little drama with Desmond earlier today. I'm glad you put that bastard in his place. Now, he'll think twice before stepping foot here again,” she had a genuine proud smile on her
Chapter 59 DESMOND Dahlia had really crossed the line this time. The humiliation, I felt. That bitch had the nerve to throw me out of the company like I weighed nothing. She had the audacity to make me cower. “If not for the huge man she called. I would have put her in her place!” I was silently losing my mind replaying the day's events. How she got back the house from me, the torture she subjected me to, every single thing she did back at the court when we had our divorce was still fresh in my mind and now she did this, adding to the list. I clenched my fist. “I swear, I'll deal with her. I'll make sure DAHL never gets any business offers ever again!” “You're trending on social media,” Tony suddenly walked into my office, laughing. I glared at him then snatched his phone from him. True to his words, I was really trending– for the wrong reason too. A humiliating reason. A video of Dahlia's huge security guy throwing me out of the company like I weighed nothing was trending.
Chapter 60 DAHLIA “Put me down!” I kept hitting Ronan's back, but he didn't budge. Not even a bit. He carried me to the garage, shoved me into his car, buckled up the seat belt and slammed the door shut. “You can't just come into my company and carry me out like this!” I yelled at him. But he never said a word. He got into the driver's seat and sped off. “Ronan Knight. I'm talking to you!” I yelled. He was turning a deaf ear to my complaints and rants. I saw his lips pull up at my words. But then I glared at him. “Next time pick up my calls,” he shrugged. I stomped my foot on the floor, frustrated and looked out the window. Ronan never said a word and just focused on driving. I kept my eyes glued to the window. It was better than looking at his annoying face. The car pulled up in front of a shop. A shop for building materials. Ronan got out of the car and pulled the door open for me to step out. “What? Aren't we going on a date? The date that made you disrupt
Chapter 61 DAHLIA At this point, I'd say this man knows exactly what he is doing, riling me up, flashing subtle skin, deliberately turning me on and then acting like it wasn't on purpose. I clenched my fist and turned around to back him yet again. “This will be over soon. The marriage will end soon….” I mumbled. But at that moment, something hit me. There was never a mention of the duration of our marriage in the contract. “Let's go.” Ronan said behind me. “When will our marriage end? I just realized it wasn't stated in the contract….don't tell me you do not plan on separating any time soon?” I raised a brow at him. He seemed taken aback by my sudden question, but was quick to regain his composure. “You just realised that now? You're really daft for a business woman.” He walked out of the room–avoiding my question. Something wasn't right, I could instantly feel it. It felt as if he purposely tricked me into this marriage, aiming to keep me locked next to him. To never let me
Chapter 62 RONAN When I told Dahlia we'll be going on a date. It was on impulse. I had no plans whatsoever. I just wanted to spend time with her. She has been so busy with work lately that we barely communicate. Our bickers and arguments were almost nonexistent. So, when I got the opportunity I decided to give it a shot. I didn't do any work at my company today. I spent the entire day researching. And trying to find the perfect date spot. The perfect activity to do, since it would be our first date. By the time I was finally done with the arrangements, work hours were nearly over. I called Dahlia to know what time she'd be coming home today, so I can pick her up. But she never answered. When work hours were finally over, I called her yet again and again. But never got a response. I got tense. With the current situation, Kennedy’s sudden appearance and disappearance, made me feel something was wrong. So I rushed to her company. Only to find out she deliberately left my calls unansw
Chapter 63 DAHLIA “I'm starting to feel like you're no longer interested in getting this deal. You've been absent minded all day,” Sophia's voice sounded. It was so distant that I didn't think to respond. “Dahlia!” She called out my name, louder this time. I was pulled out of my reverie. I glanced at her. “What?” “You've been absent minded all day and I'm starting to get frustrated. If you're no longer interested in this then tell me….” “No, no. You got it all wrong, Sophia. I just…” I sighed. “I have a lot on my mind right now.” Sophia looked at me, a hint of worry on her face. “Did Mr. Knight refuse to let you do business with the Brights?” She asked. I shook my head, then rose from my seat. “Call everyone for a presentation. I want to see what we have…” saying this, I headed out of the office and walked into the conference room. The moment I took my seat, I threw my head backwards, last night's scene replaying in my head. “I've been suppressing it all for a long time no
Chapter 64 DAHLIA Getting to Bright Holdings, I parked my car and headed for the reception alongside Sophia. “You think we can pull this off?” Sophia asked, her voice had a hint of nervousness and excitement. I halted and grabbed her hand. “We can and we will. I assure you.” I locked my gaze with her, nodding to reassure her. She bobbed her head, exhaling. “We're here to submit our proposal for the ‘Build it’ project,” Sophia told the receptionist. She nodded and typed a few words on her computer. “Sorry but the only company whose submission is being expected is DMD. And they arrived over 20 minutes ago. You can't go in….” She stated as a matter of factly. I didn't say a word to her and signaled Sophia to do the same. I knew something like this would happen. The man in charge of the project, Mr. Grant, didn't seem very enthusiastic to have me compete with Desmond. I was prepared for whatever cheap staunt he would pull. I brought out my phone and dialed Michelle's number.
Chapter 89 BRANDON “Dahlia had a head injury. She suffered a concussion. She is in a coma right now,” I filled Ronan in on Dahlia's medical status. “What?” He let out, completely in shock. “Good news is the coma is a medically induced one. She will be woken up depending on how she responds to treatment….” “How did she even end up here?” He asked. He looked completely disoriented, this would be my first time seeing him this way, somehow I knew I made the right decision bringing him here even though everyone thinks otherwise. “She banged her head twice on whatever caused her to pass out. The impact caused her a brain bleed– which isn't too serious, according to the doctor. Her brain swelled a little. The coma was a last resort to prevent any further damage to her brain. She’ll be woken up in about 72 hours or more. Let's just hope she responds positively to treatment….” I watched him, he was listening, paying attention to every single word. Regret boldly written on his face. “A
Chapter 88 RONAN Watching Dahlia leave broke me. Emotions I never knew I was capable of feeling, flooded my senses. I watched her slam the door, not even turning to look at me once. I messed up, big time. “Fuck!” I cursed, eyes glossy. Whoever put out the belief that men don't cry must not have disappointed the love of their life, they must have not experienced their love walking out of their life. I rose from the couch the moment Dahlia shut the door, running my hands through my hair, I cussed. Not at anyone, but at myself for messing up the one stable relationship I've ever had in my life. For pushing away the one person I knew would have my back through thick and thin. Once I heard the sound of her car getting started outside, I knew it was over. “Are you just going to let her walk away like that?” Blake barged into the living room. Blake who cared about no one but himself, Blake who's never confronted me, did that today. “I don't deserve her,” I found myself answerin
Chapter 87 DAHLIA I found it hard to believe I was just some pawn in Ronan’s grand game. Heck, I thought I was lucky, I thought the universe had given me a second chance at love. But I have never been more wrong. Hearing these things about Ronan made my head ache. I questioned my life, I questioned everything I've known about him. Sitting there and listening to them, I could feel my head beginning to hurt. When they revealed Brandon was my brother, I lost it. Every single person next to me was involved in this lie. I didn't know what to believe again. Turns out I know nothing about myself. I should have known Brandon wouldn't go beyond his way to make me comfortable and protect me merely because he was being paid. The signs had been there, him going out of his way to keep me safe, going on errands unrelated to his job, hating the mere mention of Desmond. I should have known it wasn't just loyalty. “Enough. I've heard enough for one day,” I hushed them all. “I'll be leaving now,”
Chapter 86 RONAN Blake was the one who alerted me to Dahlia holding a press conference. I didn't understand the need for her to do that, to put herself out there, on the spotlight like that. And worse, my father's eyes were now back on her. Knowing him, he'd find a way to turn that conference in his favour and humiliate Dahlia. And so, I ordered for her to be taken off that stage. What I never expected was to come home and meet another Dahlia. I never knew she had a twin. It was my first time hearing such. Not knowing what the so- called twin was after, I got Dahlia locked up in our room and decided to get the lady myself. Somehow, I lost her. It seemed I wasn't the only one after her. When I got home and Dahlia tried to leave, I couldn't let her go, not until I figure this whole thing out But my stubborn woman decided to hit me and flee. When she ran, I knew she'd get exhausted pretty soon and come back, I was so sure of that. But Brandon pulled up from nowhere and helped h
Chapter 85 DAHLIA The room got so serious with everyone's eyes on me, staring, waiting to see my reaction. At that point, I knew that whatever Gavin had to say would change my view on my life so far, it would break me and somehow I knew it might also ruin my relationship with Ronan. But I was willing to listen to put an end to this madness and go ahead with my life. I looked up at Gavin, he was staring at me, pity etched his face. He looked conflicted like he didn't want to be the one to say it. “What are you still waiting for Mr. Bright? Go ahead,” I urged him. He sighed. “I'm sure you already know your ex-husband and his family are scammers?” I nodded, it wasn't news anymore. “Well, the truth is. Desmond Sterlings was paid by Richard Knight to approach you, woo you and get married to you. You totally fell for it.” “What? I….have no reason to believe you…” I was saying but he raised his hand stopping me from speaking further. “You came to me with questions and I'm providing
Chapter 84 DAHLIA Brandon drove me to the Brights mansion. Getting there, the gates were readily opened like they'd been expecting us. I expected some kind security clearance, or something, considering the Brights were a billionaire family, almost on par with the Knights. Brandon drove in and parked the car, then we both got out. There were different men stationed at every part of the property. I expected them to question us but nothing. Instead one of them approached us and led us to the entrance. Brandon and I exchange puzzled glances. But said nothing. The door was pulled open, I walked in, Brandon behind me. I stepped into the huge, vibrant living room, my eyes met Gavin's. He gave me a warm smile. I didn't return it. I looked at the person right next to him. The former CEO of Brights Holdings, Donald Bright, my supposed father. I walked further in, then I felt someone's eyes on me. Turning in the direction of the gaze, I saw myself staring at me. I felt like looking at my
Chapter 83 DAHLIA “You let me get involved with Ronan knowing we might be siblings?” I was beyond mortified, staring at the woman. The woman who claims to be my mother. “What kind of mother are you!” I yelled. “I….I didn't know that, Dahlia…” “You didn't know what? Exactly what didn't you know? That you slept with Richard Knight? That he might be my father?” “I could have told you, but you pushed me away, you blocked my number, there was no way for me to reach out to you,” she cut me off. I stared at her. “Now you're putting the blame on me?” A laugh tore from me, a sarcastic one. “Whose fault was it that I pushed you away!” I yelled, approaching her. She rose from the couch as if her pants were on fire. “I've answered your questions, Dahlia. I've given you the answers you seek. Now, it's time for me to leave.” She picked up her bag and headed for the door. “Now, you're just going to leave after revealing these things? You'll just walk out that door after turning my whole
Chapter 82 DAHLIA “Today, I'm going to be exposing my Ex-husband Desmond Sterling’s crimes. I'm suing him for embezzlement too,” the lady on the phone announced. I exchanged puzzled glances with Anita. “So, you're not the real Dahlia?” She asked yet again. I rolled my eyes. “Seriously?” “Let's hear what she has to say and why she is claiming Desmond's her ex…” Seated there, I listened to my impersonator read out Desmond's wrong doings. Every single wrong doing of his seemed to have been documented by her. “To think I trusted and loved him blindly for five years….” She cried. “He embezzled funds from my company DAHL and nearly made it close down. I have evidence,” she threw some files to her audience. “I'm suing the entire Sterlings family for fraud and medical scam. I have submitted all evidence to the court…” she paused. “And to my dear sister Roselle, You're not exempted from all this. Once you're out of the hospital, you'll be facing a separate lawsuit. For e
Chapter 81 DAHLIA “You can't leave this room till I figure out this whole madness,” Ronan stated flatly, looking away from me and heading to the door. “No!” I let out, making him turn around. “Someone is out there impersonating me. Someone who bears my face. And what? You want me to stay here and wait? You want me to stay here and do nothing?!” “I'm not going to indulge you. Till I'm able to confirm who the real Dahlia is…” “The fuck? You can't even recognise your own wife? We've shared the bed for months. Yet you can't even differentiate me from an impersonator?” I was mad. Mad that someone out there was doing things under the guise of being me, more mad that Ronan, the man I've fallen for, the man I was betting my second chance on, the man I was willing to spend the rest of my life with, I was mad that he couldn't even differentiate me from some random woman, whom for some whatever twisted reason there is, bears my face. “I'm trying to help here, Da….” Ronan paused, avoid