Fortunately, Emma didn't get worse. Seeing her hale and hearty after a day's rest fills me with relief. The only downside would be that her diet would be stricter. That, I can handle. I make a mental note to visit the hospital to have her checked and get her medications. Very early the next morning, I make her vegetable smoothie and watch as she eats, a content feeling spreading in my chest. It's all I've ever wanted.Footsteps approach and before long, Devon appears in the kitchen, all dressed up and ready for work."Good morning, my sister's husband." Emma greets him, her voice cheerful as always. He stiffens at first but shrugs and replies. "Good morning to you, my wife's sister." Emma chuckles at his reply and continues with her meal and he lets out a wry smile. His gaze turns to me and I stiffen, My heart skipping a beat as I stare back at him. Unbiddenly, I remember how I treated him the night before and a pang of guilt hits me."Good morning." He greets me, with no trace of ani
Jessica Franklin is a woman shrouded in mystery. That's the thought that has been running in my head ever since she moved in. Not like I'm planning on figuring her out although I admit, I have been curious about her. First, she gets all defensive, then aggressive, and the most surprising would be the apologizing part. And she's always on her guard, keeping her distance, the way it should be. Other than the time that I caught her unguarded at the back of the house, staring at the fish pond with a dazed look on her face when she lashed out at me, I've never seen her show any emotions. If I didn't know any better, I'd say she was keeping her part of the deal by not interfering in my business. Except it wasn't... At least, that's what my mind told me. It was something much deeper but I refuse to delve into it.The last time we'd spoken, was on Wednesday when I'd given her additional information and afterward, our conversation had drizzled to greetings only. The only person who interacted
Walking into the party, I watch as everyone's gaze turns towards us, their eyes checking us out. I tense, resisting the urge to narrow my eyes. It was an attention I used to like years ago but now just makes my skin crawl. Still, I need to put up a show. I press my body closer to Devon and feel his hands tighten around my waist. Beaming up at him with a smile, I let him lead the way, doing my best to appear as the lovestruck couple we wanted the world to see. He had quickly adjusted to our fake relationship, doing his part as a doting husband.We weave through the crowd, giving slight greetings to those who acknowledged us. I don't recognize anyone here and from the looks on Devon's face, he doesn't as well. Our eyes on the podium, we soon catch sight of two women seating together and discussing, their laughter ringing out as they lean close to each other. Devon pauses and so do I. His grip on my waist becomes tighter and my breath hitches.As if sensing our gaze, they turn toward us
Walking away from the party, I could feel my heartbeat steadily get louder as I watched my mother walk. An uncomfortable feeling settles in the pit of my stomach and starts to grow. We finally reach a deck in the resort that overlooked the dark beach and stopped. I watch as the waves tumble towards the beach, the cold salty air brushing my face. I turn back to my mother, an impassive look on my face."What is it you wanted to talk about?" I ask, unable to keep the hatred from my voice. Her eyes narrow and a frown settles on her lips."Are you hell-bent on humiliating me today?" She begins, coming closer to me. "Is that why you came to see me? Is this how you treat your mother after not contacting me for years!? How dare you!"I already saw this coming and always prepared myself for the possibility that she would speak like this when we finally had a conversation. But the fact that these were the first words that she spoke to me didn't make it hurt less. I shove down my hurt and chuckl
"W-what did you just call me?" Evelyn asks in a strangled voice, her eyes widening. I let out a breath, placing my glass on the table. Leaning forward, I smile at her again."I called you a bitch. Isn't that what you are?" I say calmly and watch as she flushes. Her blue eyes glowered with rage and she wouldn't stop shaking. Although I admit, she was beautiful with her blonde hair cascading down her shoulders and the deep plunge gown she chose to wear, which revealed her cleavage, the reason why she was doing this made my stomach twist with hatred.She flares but quickly catches herself, sucking in a breath. Blinking rapidly, she glares at me again. "You're just trying to rile me up. But that won't work." She says and she gives me a sardonic smile. I let out a fake gasp at that."Oh, you caught me. That was my plan all along." I mutter. "What were we discussing? Oh yeah, that I was the woman Devon settled for? Of course, I am, who else did you see with him?" That hits a nerve and she
We return home safely after which we bid each other goodnight and retire to our bedrooms. Stepping into the dimly lit room, I let out a sigh, my head pounding. Exhausted from the outing, I remove my clothes and contact lens before trudging into the bathroom to have a shower. Turning on the water, I let it run down my body, lost in thought for a while. Strangely, my thoughts are filled with Jessica and our last interaction. She had done a great job pretending to be in love with me, and I think a sick part of me had started to believe those bright smiles were sincere. I had to repeatedly tell myself that it wasn't real. Especially the time when she blushed after I had complimented her, she seemed surprised for some reason. I let out a groan, frowning afterward. Looks like I'm the one breaking my own rules.I push away the thoughts from my head and finish bathing. Wrapping a towel around my waist, I step out and clean my face with a hand towel before putting on my glasses. I catch myself
15 years ago.I hear the sound of glass shattering and I stiffen, my heart pounding. It was a sound that cut through the air like a knife, piercing my ears and making my heart race. I am seating in my room with my two younger sisters, trying to distract them from the screaming and shouting coming from the living room. But it was impossible to ignore.My father was drunk again, and he was taking out his anger on my mother. I could hear her crying, begging him to stop, but he wouldn't listen. He never did. The next thing is he's pining her to the kitchen counter and taking her there and all she can do is muffle her screams. I know because I had seen it before. Sick groans fill my ears and I cover them with my hands, hating it. My mother doesn't fight back, she never does."Is he going to hurt us?" Sophie mutters beside me, her voice shaking as tears brim in her eyes. I clean them off with my thumb, swallowing."No," I whisper back, pulling her closer to me. Emma is crying into my chest,
It is a Saturday morning and Emma and I were seated in the kitchen, each busy with whatever we saw fit. We had just concluded breakfast and I was busy washing up the plates while Emma was playing with her phone, earphones in her ears. Devon had woken up early as well but he was out for a run. Apparently, he resumes work much later during the weekend.I had managed to fall asleep after the little time I spent with Devon, this time without nightmares and it made me wonder what effect Devon was having on me. I couldn't stop thinking about it wondering if it was normal or not. Confused, I blamed it on the chocolate."Wow... The two of you do look good together." Emma mutters, distracting me from my thoughts."What?" I ask, turning to her as I clean my hands. She glances at me before stretching her phone toward me. Collecting the phone from. I stare at the picture she was showing me. It was a photograph of us together last night and just like Emma had said, we really did look good together
Hello there!We've reached the end of this journey together, and I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. Your support, your feedback, and your presence have meant the world to me.As a writer, there's nothing more fulfilling than knowing that my words have resonated with you. If you've enjoyed this book, I kindly ask you to consider leaving a review and sharing your thoughts. Your reviews not only make my day but also help other readers discover this story.Voting for this book is another fantastic way to show your support. It boosts its visibility and encourages more readers to dive into the world we've explored together.If you've enjoyed this book, you might be interested in my other titles. I have a collection of stories waiting for you, each with its unique adventure and characters. You can find them here!* The Tyrant king's Queen. (An historical romance that is completed.* Enslaved By The Ruthless Alpha King. (A Werewolf Royalty Dark Romance.)Update
I step onto the yacht, the salty breeze caressing my face and tousling my hair. The sun is beginning its descent over the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the waters. It's a breathtaking sight, but what's even more astonishing is the scene before me. The deck is adorned with twinkling lights, casting a warm glow over the surroundings. Soft music fills the air, creating an atmosphere of enchantment. But what truly captures my attention is the group of people gathered there, waiting for me.As I walk further into the yacht, my eyes meet Devon's, and a smile spreads across his face. He approaches me, his eyes filled with love and pride. In that moment, I feel a surge of overwhelming emotion. This man, my husband, has orchestrated this beautiful surprise to celebrate my acceptance into the University of San Francisco. I can't help but feel an immense sense of gratitude and love for him.I blink in surprise, my heart fluttering with a mixture of confusion and joy. Devon approaches
The hum of the engines fills the air as the private jet soars through the sky, carrying us back to San Francisco. I sit comfortably in the plush leather seat, gazing out of the window at the breathtaking view below. The sun casts a golden glow over the landscape, painting the world in hues of warmth and tranquility. After a splendid week of excitement and laughter, I'm glad to be finally back home.As I watch the clouds pass by, my mind drifts back to the short but delightful trip we just had in Italy. The memories flood my thoughts, each one a precious gem that I hold close to my heart. The ancient ruins, the charming streets, the mouthwatering cuisine - it was a whirlwind of experiences that left an indelible mark on my soul.I close my eyes, allowing the memories to wash over me like a gentle wave. I can still feel the warmth of the Italian sun on my skin, the taste of gelato lingering on my tongue. The laughter and joy we shared, the moments of quiet reflection - it was a journey
After a few moments of blissful silence, Devon lays me down, gently pulling out of me. A soft sigh escapes my lips as I cling to him, breathing in his scent, his body heat filling me with warmth. The room is bathed in a soft, warm glow, the only remnants of a passionate moment we've just shared. Our breathing has slowed, our entwined bodies a testament to the intimacy we've just experienced. In the hush of the post-ecstasy silence, we lie together, limbs tangled, hearts still racing with the echoes of our connection."Should we clean up?" He offers after a while. I shake my head, closing my eyes."Too tired." I mumble in a sleepy voice. "Okay," he whispers, his voice soft and gentle as he snuggle with me, shaking an arm around my waist as he pulls me closer to him. "How are you feeling though?" He adds, his voice gentle and full of concern. My fingers trace lazy patterns on Devon's chest, my touch gentle and affectionate. My head rests against his shoulder, and I can feel the steady
"Kiss me, Devon." I order, my voice low. A crooked smile hits his lips before he lowers himself, pulling me closer as my lips meets his for a searing kiss. I close my eyes, my body growing warm as I wrap my hands around his neck, tugging his head lower. As our lips mold together, a rush of warmth spreads through my body, igniting a fire within me. Devon's hands slide down my back, pulling me even closer, intensifying the connection between us. The world around us fades away, leaving only the electric energy that crackles between our bodies.His lips move with a tantalizing rhythm, matching the beat of my racing heart. I feel a surge of desire coursing through my veins, urging me to explore further. With a gentle tug, I guide Devon's head lower, deepening the kiss as our bodies press against each other.Lost in the moment, I become acutely aware of every sensation. The soft brush of his breath against my skin, the taste of his lips, and the way his fingers trace delicate patterns on m
We continue with our tour afterward, visiting various tourist hotspots before deciding to have lunch in the city. As we explore the coastal villages, Jessica and I indulge in the culinary delights of the region. We savor freshly caught seafood, perfectly cooked pasta dishes, and share bites of cannoli filled with sweet ricotta cream. I can't help but admire the way Jessica's eyes light up with each new flavor, her appreciation for the local cuisine adding to the joy of our journey."This is so good," Jessica mumbles as she takes a bite of a freshly made Italian pizza, rolling her eyes. Passing it to me, she smiles, her eyes glinting. "Here, you should try it," she urges. Gazing at the outstretched pizza slice in her hands, I shake my head, a corner of my lips quirking up.Smiling, I take a bite from her outstretched piece, licking up the sauce that has run down her hands. Chewing it and gobbling it down, I finish the whole piece and lick her fingers clean. She grimaces at the sight."
The morning sun peeks through the sheer curtains of our Italian hotel room, casting a soft, golden glow over the ivory sheets that cradle my wife's slumbering form. The room is bathed in a tranquil silence, a stark contrast to the passionate symphony that played out here just hours ago. Rubbing my eyes open, I reach for my glasses and put them on, watching as my gaze clears up before turning back to the sleeping woman beside me.I can't help but smile as I lay there, propped up on my elbow, and watch her sleep. Jessica's chestnut hair spills across the pillow, framing her delicate face like a cascade of silk. Her lips, now gently parted in the peaceful surrender of sleep, still carry the rosy flush of our shared passion. My gaze trails down to her half-exposed breasts and waist, all bearing marks of my possession, adorn her skin like love notes written in the language of desire.A sense of possessiveness washes over me as I trace the path my fingers took last night, over the curve of
Nodding once, he pushes me closer, capturing my lips with his, his lips firm yet petal soft against mine and I surrender, a soft sigh escaping my lips as I wind my hands around his neck, pulling him closer. Nipping at my bottom lip, he sucks on her before pulling away to stare at me with dark eyes, my heart pounding. Then, leans in to kiss me even more ferociously.The taste of his lips is intoxicating, I practically melt against him. I have waited so long to feel it again. Devon kisses me like a starving man, while his fingers trace a gentle path down my back, sending shivers in their wake. His embrace tightens on me, drawing me even closer. he pulls away to stare at me, his breathing heavy."This is better now?" He asks, caressing my cheeks with his knuckles, brushing my hair away from my face. I shake my head, a playful smile adorning my lips."Not really." I mutter and a corner of his lips turn up but doesn't form a smile as his hands reach for the towel, pulling it free. He watche
The group of women gently guide me to a plush chair, and I take a seat, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and nervousness. They huddle together, speaking in hushed tones as they assess me, making me feel like the subject of their scrutiny."She'll definitely need a full-body massage," one of them suggests, her finger pointing towards me as if marking areas of concern. "We have to revitalize that skin. Then, a fresh haircut, and of course, finding the perfect dress."The room buzzes with a sense of urgency, and one of them remarks about the time. "This is going to take hours, and the party is tonight."Olivia, the woman in charge, claps her hands with determination. "That's why we start now, ladies. We have work to do! Let's get to it."And so, my transformation begins. I spend the entire day at the beauty place, surrendering myself to the capable hands of these experts. First, they treat me to a luxurious full-body massage, kneading away any lingering tension and leaving me fee