Ethan's POV
My phone rang in my pocket as I sat in the helicopter. Detective Sam had gotten some news. Emma was at a local hospital north of my current location. I instructed my helicopter pilot to change course. I was relieved that she was found and at a hospital. She would get the treatment that she needed there.
We landed on the hospital's roof top and moved towards the entrance. I took the elevator down and arrived at the fourth floor. A receptionist stood behind a desk flipping through papers. She gave me a pleasant smile as I approached.
"Hello, I'm Ethan Hollen. I'm looking for my fiancee, Emma Cole."
She fixed her hair with her fingers and drew out her large chest as she smiled. Maybe she wanted to impress me, but it wasn't working. I was only attracted to one woman.
"Yes, Mr. Hollen. She's in recovery 0-10 on the third floor. It's only one floor down." She batted her eyelashes like a doll.
"Thank you," I said back before looki
Emma's POVIt'd been two weeks since I'd gotten back home and recovered, but I was reliving a nightmare. I kept envisioning Sharon and Mrs. Hollen inside the room with me whenever I tried to sleep. Their images were plastered in my head and their words still replayed.The swamp was another nightmare, too. How close I came to my death and the struggle and pain I endured trying to get out of it.Now, I was no longer pregnant with Ethan's baby, and that just did a number on me. I was traumatized, and had been since the doctors told me the news when I awoke. My body had rejected the baby due to stress and the banging my body had taken at the hands of Mrs. Hollen and Sharon in the house, and in the van on my way to the swamp. They removed the fetus from inside me immediately so it wouldn't caused an infection.I couldn't wrapped my mind around the fact that the baby wasn't inside me anymore, and I had to get through it by myself. Ethan coul
Emma's POVYou've got to be kidding me. This can't be happening. Is he cheating on me? When did this start? I asked myself as I looked at the panties disgracefully.I tapped my left foot impatiently as I waited for him to come out the shower. My arms were folded on my chest and there wasn't anymore niceness left in me."What's this?" I asked him as he came out of the shower wrapped in his towel with another one drying his hair.He gazed down to the floor where the underwear lay. "We're not having sex, Emma, so pick up your underwear," he said and moved over to his closet.My blood came to a boil and I threw a pillow after him. It bounced off of the back of his head and fell onto the floor, but a pillow couldn't inflict the pain I wanted to do to him."These aren't mine asshole! Who are you sleeping with?""That's not your business. Besides, I'm not in a mood for this, so don't push me." He put on boxer shorts and a vest.&nb
Ethan's POVI had a shitty day at the office. My company was always in the New York City big business race. Nonetheless, I always managed to stay ahead and on top of the game. I was that damn good. But for a business like mine to flourish and live on from generation to generation, I would have to expand internationally and gain other shareholders and partners. And I was informed that the deal we were hoping to land for months, which would help us to gain more shareholders globally, had been revoked. I could only get it on one condition, and that was if I had a child or was on the verge of becoming a father.I was a silver-spoon kid with a lot handed to me, but in business my grandmother assisted a lot to help me build my own empire, especially financially, and she always was great with advice. I looked up to her more than anyone else. She had given me a trust—several, in fact— but the last one, the one I needed to grow my business, came with a catch. I had to
Emma's POVI instructed the cab driver to drop me off at an apartment complex in the city. I still didn't know my way around New York and had to be wandering around like a mad woman, especially now that I was alone and now venerable to the open world. I couldn't hire security or buy camera systems like Ethan. But I was grateful he had placed ten thousand dollars in my personal savings account the day after my birthday; although I had told him not to and that I wasn't after his money, he insisted. Now, it came in handy along with the other monies I'd saved from being his maid.I arrived at a neat hotel building, about five miles away from the mansion. It was private and there were security guards on the compound."Hello, my name is Emma. I would like to rent an apartment. Are there any rooms available?" I asked a elder woman in the main office.She gazed up from her computer. "Hello, dear. Yes, we have rooms available. I'll need a proof of ID
Ethan's POVShe was gone. She just up and left. It's funny how relationships change overnight. One minute you're happy the next you're left all alone with sorrow in your soul.It was Saturday morning. I wasn't going into the office today because I'd promised my Nana I would spend the day with her at the golf course. I hadn't seen her since the birthday party and I was looking forward to some of her wisdom.After showering and getting dressed in denim jeans and a plain white T-shirt with white sneakers, I took my black SUV from the mansion's garage. It wasn't one of my favorite cars but it was a comfortable ride for my Nana and it was spacious enough for the golf clubs, picnic basket and cooler for drinks.It was sunny and bright as I drove down the street and took the first intersection to her mansion. It was much smaller than mine but it was suitable for her; she lived alone; my grandfather passed away three years ago. Her mansion had its s
Emma's POVI partied until midnight at Roger's. My body ached from the heat of dancing but I had never felt so carefree and wild before. I danced like there was no tomorrow and I drank like a professional. I guess I wanted to wash away the stress and pain Ethan had put me through. I wanted do something to get my mind off of him and forget about him.Although my head was pounding and my body was aching, I had to get on my feet and go find a job, so that was exactly what I did. I took a shower and washed my hair then changed into something decent, and had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with fresh orange juice. I headed to where businesses were in abundance, keeping tabs of all the corners, streets and road signs so I wouldn't get lost. I had good recollection.I walked into a boutique after I saw "Help Wanted" on a flyer in its windows. It was more of a clothing store with affordable items for purchase but it was wonderfully kept and it had a welcoming feel
Ethan's POVHearing Emma's voice sent chills all over me again. She brought out the heat in me. I was missing having her near me— her beautiful bright brown eyes, soft hair, silky brown skin, full lips and soft calming voice, but with an edge to slice you in half whenever she got angry. My Emma."Hannah, I don't like this coffee. Remake this. I want it to be perfect this time," I said for the fifth time.I was in my home office, typing out the contents and organizing for my company's Autumn Gala in two weeks. It would be extraordinary; it always was. I hosted the event each year before winter to raise money for homeless shelters and children with cancer at the local hospitals and cancer treatment centers in America. The company raised millions each year."But, Mr. Hollen, I've made the coffee over five times already, and it's still not to your liking?""Hannah, if I don't like the taste of it, I won't drink it. I want a drinkable cup of coff
Emma's POV"Hello, dear. My grandson told me you'll be taking over," Roger's grandmother said once I opened the door. She strolled into my room and sat on the sofa."Um, yeah. I'll be starting on Monday. I hope that's alright with you," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. She had caught me off guard."Alright, dear. I'm happy. I can finally get some rest around here."I yawned and she looked at me."Oh, you're sleepy. I'll get out of your hair," she said then got on her feet."Mrs.—""Stones.""Mrs. Stones, I don't mean to come off rude or disrespectful, but I was just about to go lie down when you came over.""That's alright, dear. I'll see you around anyway. Have a good nap."I headed for the bedroom and fell into a nice, comfortable sleep.I woke up to a literal pounding on the door. I would be furious at whoever the hell it was; I didn't care if it was a police officer. T
Emma's POVMotherhood is beautiful, but it's not always smooth. I help my eldest son through his first breakup and my daughter through her first heartbreak. As life came their way there would be more of that, and I wouldn't always be around to help them, but, for now, I was doing the best I could for themLove. Support. Provide. Three words that should be in every parent's dictionary. Without these three things you'll suck at parenthood.Loving your children means putting their needs before yours. You don't come first anymore. Love unconditionally. You have to respect them so they'll respect you in return. You have to be open with them so they'll tell you what you need to hear. You have to listen to them so they'll listen to you as well. No one is perfect, but you shouldn't use that as an excuse to not try.Support your children in every way you can. Be there for them when they need you to be or when they want you to be. Let them know they can cou
Emily's POVAs I stood in the hallway at my locker, getting my text books for the last subject of the day, I overheard a group of girls whispering about me. It was funny how they were talking about me and I standing right there. They knew I would hear them so, of course, they were seeking my attention, and I ignored them.I continued to get my textbooks and closed my locker when one of them said his name-- my Sebastian's name. Something in me lit, like a flare shooting into the skies. My blood boiled and I turned towards them and approached them."You have something to say, say it to my face!" I snapped at the ring leader, Ania Haynes.She backed away a few feet behind her friends, Samika James, Karrie George and Jamie Sams."All we were saying is that Sebastian is cheating on you," she said.I paused to process what she had just said, but I couldn't believe her. Those girls were miserable with their own dull lives, and onl
Emma's POVI watched my family sitting around the dinner table, eating the food I prepared. Ethan was at the head table, eating away at his delicious juicy steak. Evan was eating slowly because he was texting on his phone, which he hid underneath the table so I wouldn't notice. Emily was looking at the food carefully and always asking if it was going to make her fat or if it was full of calories. EJ was eating like the good boy he ought to be. His behavior had changed around for the better. He had made friends with everyone in his classroom and we had no more bad reports about his temper.I couldn't help but look at what I'd accomplished with the man of my dreams. Never had I thought I'd be here in life, sitting in a mansion around a huge dinner table with my own family. Everyone in the foster homes and group homes told me I was worthless and I'd amount to nothing in life. No one loved me, cared for me or protected me-- even my parents deserted me.
Emma's POV"Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice Mr. and Mrs. Hollen. I just wanted to talk to you about Ethan Junior's behavior and conduct."We were sitting in Ethan Junior's classroom with him and his class teacher. EJ had gotten into a fight with another kid in his class."First, Ethan Junior is a very brilliant and intelligent student. He's punctual and brave. Over there is what I call the Star Chart," she pointed to a poster on the wall that had the names of students and the stars they received for their academic performance.EJ had a full line. I was impressed. But there was another line for conduct and behavior, his had only one star while other students were all above five. I was disappointed, and Ethan was too. His eyes were getting darker and darker as he looked at our son."Ethan Junior has a temper that needs serious controlling. He got into a fight with another kid last week because that child accidentally s
Ethan's POV"How do you expect to take two girls to the high school dance at the same time?""Because they both agreed to it.""Young ladies are like that these days?""Not really. But when you're the most popular guy at school some girls just don't wanna miss out on you, so they'd rather share you than not have you at all.""Mmm, mmm, mmm.""Dad, I've got this. I'll just need one tiny favor from you.""What's that son?""Can your driver take us in the limo? I wanna roll with style.""Okay.""Thanks Dad, you're the best.""Have fun tonight and be safe. Your mother, brother and I are going out for dinner tonight. Call me on my cell if there's any emergency, and keep an eye out for Emily.""Yeah, yeah, yeah.""I'm serious Evan!""Okay Dad. I will."My sixteen year-old son were turning into a man and he had so much of me in him. His facial features resembl
Emma's POV"Evan. Stop right there. You have to come and take your bath!""No. I don't wanna take a bath mommy. I bathed yesterday already.""Evan!"He was running in all the corners and hiding spaces in his room so I couldn't reach him. It has been seven perfect years."Evan, if you don't come out of there I'm going to call your dad!""No! Don't call daddy. I'm coming out mommy!"He appeared in front of me smiling innocently like an angel. Well, at least threatening him by putting his dad on his case worked.I handed him his bath towel and toothbrush and led him to the bathroom. I turned the temperature of the water to warm."I don't want you to watch me bathe this time mommy. I'm a big boy and I could do it myself.""Okay, my big boy," I said with a smile and sat down on his bed."Mommy. Mommy!" Emily called from outside."I'm in your brother's room!" I called, hoping
Emma's POVIt was my birthday and Ethan wanted to throw me a party but I just wanted a small get together with my household staff and Nana.I took a shower and put on one of my favorite black dresses. I applied my makeup and combed my hair into a neat ponytail. The children were sleeping in their crib. Ethan came out of the shower wrapped in his towel and another drying his hair as usual."Happy birthday baby," he pulled me into him, kissing my lips sweetly. He was ruining my lipstick."Thank you sweetie."We went downstairs for dinner, leaving the kids upstairs with the nanny. They were too young for the dinner event we were about to have.Nana arrived a half hour later. Halley, the chef and the three evening shift security guards were seated. Wine and food were catered and served to everyone."Happy Birthday to Emma and Nana," they toasted to us."Thank you," I said. "Also, we have an announc
Emma's POV"I don't want a birthday party," I said to him as we attended to the children."Baby why?""Because I don't want a bunch of people meeting the twins at just a week old. I want to just have dinner here with the staff and Nana.""Okay.""Ethan, you're going to spoil Evan if you keep raising him every time he cries for affection." I watched as my soon-to-be husband took the baby boy out of the crib and placed him against his hard chest.Evan stopped cried and began to smile in the arms of his father. He was already spoiled by Ethan and it amazed me how much he was attached to him instantly, like he had been waiting to meet his dad."I love him and he smells so nice," he said sniffing him, which made me laugh.I picked up Emily and cuddled her in my arms. She was more attached to me than Evan. Evan only wanted my milk but longed for his father's time and attention. I didn't know what I'd
Ethan's POVI watched them sleeping so soundly in the double crib in our bedroom. I had redecorated and arranged a bedroom across from ours for them, but Emma wanted them in the room with us so she could keep a very close eye on them. The first pregnancy was unsuccessful and I believed she would become very overprotective of the twins.The twins had come into the world yesterday, July 8th, at 11:04 a.m and 11:07 a.m.Emma's birthday was only four days away and I planned on making it extra special for her and my Nana.As I watched my children Evan's eyes opened. They were a bright gray like mine. I couldn't help but smile as he looked up at me and gave a bright toothless smile. He was silent. He didn't make a sound, only stared as if he were judging me. I was tempted to pick him up and hold him in my arms. The son I'd always wanted was now here in my room looking up at me, and he was perfect.I couldn't help myself anymore.