Closing her eyes, Samara felt her body quake as she felt his touch. She was really going through with this, she thought within herself nervously.Suddenly he rose to his full height and lifted her up in his arms. He kissed her breasts, lifting his head briefly to admire them with savage, sultry eyes before returning to run his tongue over the hard peaks that grew even tighter from his touch. He tugged on them gently with his lips while pleasure snapped his body taut at the slight breathless moan that was ripped from Samara’s throat. He lifted his face again and looked at her. The sight of her head thrown back in languid ecstasy made him fear he could not be gentle taking her. He clenched his teeth as passion inflamed him, drove him to lay her down on the bed so that he could free himself from the confines of his trousers.Samara fell silent as she beheld him, fully aroused, poised over her. “Damien, I am frightened.” She suddenly says.He knelt beside her and stroked her hair. “My
“Caroline, how could you?!" Eleanor yelled at her daughter. She had dragged her out to Frederick's room to her room.Caroline sits quietly on the bed, looking anywhere else but at her mother.“Caroline! I am talking to you". Her mother says sternly, commanding her to look at her.“What do you want me to say mother?" She snaps. “We're both adults, and we both consented to it".“He is a married man!" Eleanor shouts, and Caroline froze instantly at the information. “Oh, you didn't know?" She shook her head. “He has a wife, Caroline". Her mother reiterated.“I'm...I'm sorry". She stutters. Her mother shakes her head at her in disappointment.“I have feelings for him mother". She confesses.“Didn't you just hear me say he is married?" Her mother says with annoyance.“Feelings can't be controlled mother. The heart always wants what it wants regardless".“What are you saying?" Her mother asks sceptically.“I have never felt like this for any man before". She exhales loudly, “I'm going to
Frederick swallows hard as he approaches Eleanor where she was seated quietly in the living room, busy knitting. It was her favorite pastime. He has observed this while living with her. He sighs quietly. He knew she must be disappointed in him after what she had seen the previous day. The silent treatment was killing him, and he needed to speak to her and clear the air.“Eleanor..." He calls her name softly, his voice quacking with fear. She turns abruptly away from what she was doing and looks up at him.“Can we talk?" Please". He begs. He needed her forgiveness. She has been so nice to him, taking him in and treating his wounds. It pained him to know he has paid her back this way.“I will ask some questions, and you have to tell me nothing but the truth". She replies instead.Frederick nods fervently. Whatever pleased her, he was ready to comply.“Did you lie to me about being married?" Her first question came.Frederick looked at her, abashed by her question. “I didn't lie. I am m
Colonel Frederick Smyth felt sore in every part of his body, but the pain couldn't compare to the anguish pulsating in his heart. He had succumbed to his desires, indulging in a guilty pleasure that now tormented his soul. His lustful escapade with Caroline had not only left him riddled with guilt but also disappointment that he had betrayed the woman he had vowed to love and cherish. The hours passed like days as Frederick paced his room, wracked with anxiety and regret. His mind was in a whirlwind as he replayed the events of the night before, each memory more excruciating than the last. The image of Caroline's face, those luscious lips that had drawn him in with such ease, continued to haunt him. "What have I done?" he muttered to himself, his hands running through his hair in frustration. He knew the answer, of course, yet he still found himself searching for a way to make it all disappear.The days that followed were a blur of sleepless nights and wracking sobs. Frederick found
Frederick's blood ran cold at Caroline's words. "She knows?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.Caroline nodded, tears once again brimming in her eyes. "I told her. I couldn't lie to her, Frederick. She noticed the awkward mood in the house, and asked."The room seemed to shrink around them as Frederick tried to process Caroline's confession. Eleanor knew. The thought sent a shiver down his spine."What...what did she say?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.Caroline's shoulders slumped, her face etched with pain. "She was...disappointed. Hurt. But she also said that we needed to make up our minds, and do the right thing.""And... what's the right thing?" Frederick asked, his heart pounding in his chest.Caroline shook her head, the strands of her hair brushing against her cheeks. "No need. You already said you were going back to your wife." she stepped forward, placing her hands on Frederick's shoulders. "Or have you changed your mind to be with me?"."I can't do it, C
As the soft morning light filtered through the stained glass windows of Samara's bedroom, she sighed for the umpteenth time as she got ready for her wedding. It was a picture-perfect day for a wedding. Or so it seemed. Clad in her silken white wedding gown, Samara stood at the mirror of her bedroom. Her gaze lingered on her reflection, but her mind was far away. As she reached for the intricate pearl hairpin to adorn her upswept hair, a feeling of dread and uncertainty washed over her. It was as if the weight of the impending nuptials bore down upon her, threatening to crush the fragile joy that had carried her this far. "What if this is a mistake?" she whispered to her reflection. She lowered her gaze, her fingers still grasping the hairpin, now forgotten in her hands. Her eyes fell on the engagement ring that adorned her ring finger, and her mind raced to recall the day Damien had proposed. It had been very unexpected, but followed by a magical moment, filled with pleasure, love
The church fell into a stunned silence as Colonel Frederick made his abrupt departure, leaving Samara, Damien, and the bewildered guests grappling with the sudden turn of events. Samara's heart raced with a whirlwind of emotions - relief at seeing Frederick alive, guilt for moving on, and confusion about what to do next. Damien, his face a mask of shock and hurt, watched as Samara followed Frederick out of the church, his own heart heavy with disappointment and disbelief.“Samara..?" He calls her, stopping her in her strides.She turns to look at him. “That's my husband, Damien..."“Just like that?" he questioned, obviously hurt by the turn around of event.Samara's eyes softened at the sight of the pain in Damien's face, but her resolve did not waver. She placed a gentle hand on his arm, her voice quivering with emotion."Damien, you have been nothing but kind and loving to me, and I will always cherish the time we had together," she said. "But Frederick... he's my husband. He's a pa
Back at their house, the air was heavy with tension as Samara met Frederick quietly seated in their dimly lit living room. The weight of unspoken words hung between them, suffocating the silence that enveloped the space.Samara's heart raced with uncertainty as she watched Frederick, his expression unreadable as slowly got up, and began to pace back and forth, his footsteps echoing in the quiet room. She longed to reach out to him, to bridge the chasm that had formed between them, but she knew that their wounds ran deep, their hearts scarred by the pain of betrayal and loss.With a heavy sigh, Frederick finally stopped pacing, his gaze meeting Samara's with a mixture of anger and resignation. "I don't know what to say, Samara," he began, his voice strained with emotion. "I never thought I'd see the day when I would lose you to someone else." Samara's throat tightened at his words, her pain mirrored in his eyes. "Frederick, please," she pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I ne
A Few Months LaterThe sun cast its golden glow across the sprawling garden, the air alive with the scent of roses and the gentle hum of a string quartet. Frederick stood at the altar, his tailored suit a perfect fit, but it was the warmth in his eyes that truly defined him. This wasn’t just any wedding. It was a second chance—a rekindling of a love that had weathered storms and emerged stronger than ever.By his side stood Ethan, their little groom, looking dapper in his miniature suit. The boy’s chest puffed with pride as he held the rings tightly in his small hands. His bright eyes scanned the aisle with excitement, waiting for the moment his mother would arrive.The guests—all family and close friends—watched in quiet anticipation, their faces lit with joy. Ella, their sweet little bride, stood at the top of the aisle, her flower basket in hand. She giggled as she scattered petals with each step, her white dress billowing gently in the breeze.And then came Samara.Clad in an eleg
Damien stormed out of Caroline's apartment, his mind a whirlwind of anger and regret. He had thought he could control the situation, but Caroline's scheming had unraveled everything. Samara was gone, her trust shattered, and now he stood alone in the chaos he had helped create.As he drove through the city streets, Damien’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. Caroline had pushed too far this time, and he wasn’t going to let her get away with it. He needed to find a way to repair the damage, but what actually could he do to win Samara back? Has he really lost her after all this time of scheming to be with her? Meanwhile, back at Caroline’s apartment, she reclined on the couch, her wine glass in hand, savoring her perceived victory. She had shaken Damien and pushed Samara out of his reach. Everything was the way it should be now. She smiled to herself. If she can't have Frederick, Damien can't have Samara either.----The next morning, Samara woke in Frederick’s arms, sunlight stream
Samara drove aimlessly through the city streets, the cool night air seeping through her car’s cracked window. The confrontation with Damien had left her emotionally drained, but beneath the exhaustion was a strange sense of liberation. For the first time in months, she felt like she was in control of her own story.Her phone buzzed on the passenger seat, breaking her thoughts. She glanced at the screen—Frederick.After a moment’s hesitation, she picked it up. “Hello?”“Samara,” Frederick’s voice was calm but concerned. “Are you okay? You left so abruptly earlier. I was worried.”“I’m... better,” she admitted, her voice soft. “I ended things with Damien.”A pause. “You did?”“Yes,” she said firmly. “I couldn’t stay with him after what I found out.”“I’m proud of you,” Frederick said after a beat. “It takes strength to walk away from something that isn’t good for you.”Samara swallowed the lump in her throat, grateful for his unwavering support. “Thank you, Frederick. I don’t know what
Frederick opened the door almost instantly when Samara knocked, as though he’d been waiting for her. His expression shifted from concern to alarm when he saw the tears streaking her face and the phone clutched tightly in her hand.“Samara, what happened?” he asked, stepping aside to let her in.She walked past him, her body trembling with the effort to stay composed. “I was right,” she said, her voice breaking. “Caroline… Damien… they’ve been working together this whole time.”Frederick frowned, shutting the door and guiding her to the couch. “What do you mean? What did you find out?”Wordlessly, Samara unlocked her phone, pulled up the video, and handed it to him. She couldn’t bear to watch it again, but the sound of Damien and Caroline’s voices filled the room, each word cutting deeper than the last.Frederick’s jaw tightened as he watched. By the time the video ended, his hands were clenched into fists, his knuckles white. “Unbelievable,” he muttered, his voice low and furious. “Th
Frederick’s hand covered hers, his touch steadying. “Samara, Damien isn’t the kind of man I’d trust with anything important. But this... this also sounds like something Caroline would orchestrate. She’s manipulative, and she’ll do whatever it takes to get what she wants.”“But what if he’s lying to me, Frederick?” she whispered. “What if everything we’ve built is a lie?”Frederick hesitated, his grip tightening slightly. “Then you deserve to know the truth. You don’t have to make any decisions tonight, Samara. Take your time. Don’t let them rush you into anything.”She looked at him, her eyes searching his face for reassurance. “I don’t know where to go from here.”He gave her a faint, bittersweet smile. “You’re stronger than you think. You’ll figure it out.”Samara felt a sudden rush of gratitude for him. Despite everything they’d been through, Frederick was still there for her, steady and unwavering. She leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder as the weight of the eveni
Samara sat frozen in her chair, the café's lively atmosphere fading into the background. Her mind replayed Caroline's words, the images she had shown, and the implications they carried. The thought that Damien might have been working with Caroline all along made her stomach churn.Gathering herself, she took a deep breath and stood. She couldn’t let Caroline get to her—not without hearing Damien's side of the story first.---Later that evening, Samara sat in the living room, her arms crossed as she waited for Damien to return home. The engagement ring on her finger seemed to burn against her skin, a symbol of trust she now questioned. The door clicked open, and Damien walked in, his usual confident stride faltering when he saw her expression.“Samara?” he asked, setting his briefcase down. “What’s wrong?”She stood, holding her phone tightly. “Caroline,” she said flatly.His brows furrowed. “What about Caroline?”“She met with me today. She showed me pictures, Damien. Pictures of you
Caroline sat on the plush sofa in her mother’s elegant living room, her legs crossed as she sipped a glass of wine. The tension from the courtroom battle had faded, replaced by a smug satisfaction. Across from her, Eleanor watched her daughter closely, her expression a mix of pride and concern.“Now that you’ve gotten custody of Ella,” Eleanor began, setting her teacup down delicately, “what’s your plan? You’ve won the battle, but what about the war?”Caroline swirled her wine, a sly smile playing on her lips. “Oh, Mother, you know me. I always have a plan.”Eleanor raised an eyebrow. “Caroline, I’m serious. Frederick won’t take this lying down. You’ve poked the bear, and he’s bound to retaliate. You need to be careful.”Caroline laughed lightly, the sound tinged with bitterness. “Careful? Frederick can try whatever he wants, but I’m one step ahead of him. He’s predictable—too righteous for his own good. Ella’s mine now, and I’ll make sure he knows that.”Eleanor leaned forward, her to
As the court recessed for deliberation, Frederick sat silently, his heart pounding. The wait was excruciating.When everyone reconvened, Judge Carter addressed the room. The courtroom was silent as she prepared to deliver her decision.“This case has been difficult,” she began, her tone measured. “Both parents clearly love Ella and want what’s best for her. The court’s role is to determine the arrangement that will most benefit the child.”Frederick held his breath, his pulse pounding in his ears.“While Colonel Smyth has provided a stable environment, the court recognizes the importance of a child having a meaningful relationship with her mother. Ms. Caroline Matthews has demonstrated a commitment to her personal growth and to being a responsible parent.“Therefore, I am awarding primary custody to Ms. Caroline Matthews. Colonel Frederick Smyth will have visitation rights, including alternating weekends and scheduled holidays.”Frederick felt as though the ground had been ripped out
A frown creased Frederick's forehead as he set his briefcase on the table and walked through the house. The kitchen was immaculate, no sign of the half-finished sandwiches Ella often left behind or the coffee Caroline habitually abandoned on the counter.“Ella?” Frederick called again, a hint of worry creeping into his tone.He climbed the stairs to Ella’s room. When he pushed the door open, his heart sank. The room was disturbingly bare. Ella’s favorite stuffed animals were gone, her bookshelves empty save for a stray coloring book. Her pink suitcase—the one Caroline insisted was for “special trips”—was missing from its usual spot in the corner.Frederick’s pulse quickened as he turned and headed to the master bedroom. He flung the closet doors open, his stomach dropping when he saw Caroline’s clothes missing. Drawers that once held her belongings were now empty, leaving only a stray hanger or two.Panic clawed at his chest. He pulled out his phone and dialed Caroline’s number, pacin