“Get out!” I bellowed.“Huh?!” Finn exclaimed with his eyes widened in confusion.“I said get out, Finn!” I repeated, almost losing my cool.I didn’t know how to handle what he had just told me. I didn’t know if it was right to be angry with him, or be upset with Rosé.“What? She would rather remain blackmailed than accept my help?” The words rang in my head again and again.The mere thought that she was getting harassed and abused yet she remained quiet, made my blood boil in anger, and oh, heaven help whoever is involved in that illicit act when I get them.My eyes were almost squinted close, my grip on the steering solidly tighter.“I will step down, sir, but after I get your permission…” Finn said.“Permission for what?!” I reprimanded.“Permission to skip New Orleans,” he replied, “I apologize sir, please think of it as a day off.”“Do as you please… get off!” I raged. Finn took a deep breath, moving to open the car door, then he paused abruptly.“I wasn’t supposed to tell you an
“Is Owen your brother?!!” I yelled, bubbling with rage.Bits of that day flashed through my memory, and all I could think about was the humiliation I suffered. Calling me names, accusing me of being her husband’s mistress, raising Ontario’s hate on me.My eyes burned with tears as I struggled to steady myself.“I don’t know what to say, are you even Mrs Doyles?” “If you’re not his wife, why did you ruin my life? Did you see the video of me that went viral? I was tagged a slut, I was gossiped in this town, I lost my job, I lost myself!”“How could you sit still with your conscience still intact?!” I screamed so hard, she shuddered backwards and stumbled on the door.“I’m sorry…” she sobbed.“No, you’re not!” I raged, “can sorry fix the life you ruined?““I didn’t ruin your life!” She interjected, “you ruined your life when you involved yourself with Owen.”“That was my choice to make, you had no right to step in…”“I still cannot wrap my head around the fact that you’re not even marri
ROSÉ’s POVMelissa pointed to a dead home cell in a corner of the house. Our only hope was to charge it and pray it came on.“But how do we save it, the video I mean?” Melissa asked, staring at me like I was about to work some magic, but her question was valid. “We can’t leave it on that phone after I record, what if he finds it?”I had nobody’s contact and I didn’t bring my phone either. If I was going to use a random phone to do the recording, I needed a way to access it later.My mind went wild thinking of all the possibilities I could do with the phone in front of us.“First of all, we need the phone to come on…” I said, denying the fact that my heart was racing with a possible disappointment.Luckily the phone came on, and the building’s WiFi network was validly connected to it.I heaved a sigh of relief and settled into Melissa’s shabby couch.An idea suddenly popped into my head, “Finn!” I exclaimed.He already knew about the situation, and I could trust him with Meli
NAVY’s POVI dialed Mr Dante’s phone for the umpteenth time, desperate to pin a location to the number that contacted Finn last night.I was growing increasingly impatient, and in the gut of my gut, I had a feeling, a bad feeling that I had to hurry. My heart sank at the thought that something irrevocable could have happened to Rosé.Finally, Mr Dante answered his phone and my anxiety dropped by one percent.“Tell me you have something valuable” I exclaimed calmly. “31 Second Avenue, Richmond Hill” Mr Dante exclaimed, “it’s the only residential address in Second Street. Be careful out there, Mr Leonardo. You might need backup.” “Then send back up!” I bellowed, tossing the phone away.I stepped on the gas and sped up with directions to 31 Second Avenue blaring from the GPS in my car.Whoever tagged Ontario as a suburban town had me to contend with afterward. The traffic from the airport was as horrible as it was in Washington.I ran my fingers through my hair, completely
Navy’s POV “One dead, one alive” Mr Dante announced.My nerves weakened at the mere sound of the word “dead”.“Who is alive?” I managed to mutter, my voice squivering uncontrollably.“The brunette...” Mr Dante replied, “the brunette is alive”Without second thoughts, I jolted into the house, peering around with all my senses alert.“Rosé!”, “Rosè!!” I called out, searching for her in the dusty, murky apartment.“Over here!” Mr Dante replied and I hurried over to what looked like the living room.My heart dropped to my stomach at the sight of someone on the ground with blood spilled on the floor.I turned around and there was Rosé, bound legs and arms to a couch as dirty as rag.“Who did this?” I seethed, anger building up beneath me.“Who did this, Mr Dante?” “I want him found and put behind bars!” I said, my eyes burning with obvious rage.“We will do just that…” Mr Dante replied, “after our investigations…”Whatever Mr Dante said after that was nothing but white noise to me.I foun
ROSÉ’s POV“I don’t want to” I replied, not budging at his request. I had no intentions of going back to Washington. The thing I feared most happened beyond my control. Navy witnessed me at my lowest. He knows everything about me now, and he will incessantly remind me of my bad decisions. “I can’t let that happen” I muttered to myself.I glanced at him and our eyes met briefly. “I’ll take you back home, even if I have to drag you…” he bellowed sternly.“This is my home…” I retorted.“Home is where you’re respected,” Navy returned, “not where you’re unsafe.” He continued, “Need I remind you that Owen is still on the run?”“Respect? Did you say respect, Navy?” I paused, Sh*t! I cursed inwardly as I saw agitation flash in his eyes. Realizing I had overstepped my boundary calling him by name and I quickly recoiled.“I’m sorry…” I mumbled, hanging my head in apology.Navy ignored me, he walked around the massive hospital room, packing up my things into a bag.“
44It felt like cold water poured to burning to oven when she asked the same question I have been asking myself for weeks now and haven’t gotten the answer.I picked up my glass of wine and chugged it down.“I suppose you don’t want to talk about that..” she sighed,“Then we can talk about my article on the first page of Washington’s Times.”“I got no credit whatsoever and that’s not fair…”“You work for Varde, we don’t need to announce your authorship.”“Why not? Why can’t I seek for acknowledgment for an article well written?”“That’s why you get paid.” “You know recognition goes beyond money…”“What more do you want?” I asked, my tone surprisingly calm. I’m getting a grip on this temper thing quicker than I expected.“Just some credit at the end of the article. Example; Rosé Willian, for Varde?” She replied.“Your salary encompasses everything” I said dismissively, but in truth I was thinking of how to fix the situation. If she wanted some acknowledgment for the article then I w
ROSÉ’s POVNavy has been avoiding me.It’s been a week now or two, I don’t know I’ve lost count. He won’t look my way, he won’t answer my texts. I am back to being a mere employee at Varde, which wouldn’t be so bad if he hadn’t told me that “he won’t keep lying to himself” leaving me to dying of curiosity wondering what he meant exactly.What lie was he telling himself? Meeting his parents was cancelled abruptly. Mrs Maya Leonardo called me herself sobbing uncontrollably, God knows what Navy said to her.It baffles me how he swoops in to save the day, but disappears right after. I texted him an apology, saying sorry for asking him to dismiss our kiss. I texted him that Owen had been found, and was now being tried for sexual abuse, assault and murder.I told him that he’s been charged for stalking too, apparently, he had been following some girl around after I left Ontario.I thanked him too, for everything. Yet, I received no reply, he didn’t respond to any of my text mes
It was a cheat sheet, or something like that. But the evening was set. A house wedding, one I had never seen. Mother would turn wherever she was if I ever attempted something like this. Alexander called it a parlor wedding. It was happening right in my living room. We redesignedput my minimalist style living room aesthetic to good use, the chandeliers above creating a dimly lit room as dawn set in.Guests trickled in, their murmurs mingling with our choice of music.Alexander stood by the makeshift altar, being the head of two long feast tables, placed at the center. I stood behind him taking in the sight of everything we had done together.The scent of fresh flowers filled the air, the vibrant colors of the floral arrangements contrasting beautifully with the muted tones of the room.Soft candlelight danced on the two-tier cake, sitting at the center of the table.Alexander was particular when he said there were twenty people coming. As his parents arrive right on time, I couldn
Rosé’s POVI left Amelia straddled to his forefront, with a direction of how the rest of the day would go for her. Navy asked a million questions, yet before we left, Alexander asked the same questions all over again.“Is there anything that comes as an instinct to men?” Paula asked, shaking her head in disbelief.Finn stepped into the driver’s seat with my sister right beside him in the passenger’s seat. Paula instantly exclaimed, “I’m getting married tonight, please let’s focus on the road.”A soft chuckle escaped my lips as I glanced at Finn, “she’s burning you,” I teased, Finn nodded agreeably, “I am searching for a good comeback…”Paula broke into a soft laughter, flailing her arms in the air. “What are we buying first?” “A wedding dress first, before the bridesmaids dresses. We haven’t even decided on the color. We’re wasting time!” Grace exclaimed, strangely motivating us in the right way.“Pink,” Paula replied, her voice cracking with emotions, suddenly she broke down in
Chapter 146Rose's POVAs we all know, every story ends. Sometimes a new story begins where the old ended, other times, it is really the end. Grace's life was about to turn to the next chapter. I could already see the fire in her eyes, she could accomplish anything. I wasn't interested in fighting for her before, but seeing her want things like every normal girl her age felt fulfilling, striving to have a purpose told me we were alike in more ways than just blood. "Maybe having you as my legal guardian won't be so bad," Grace's voice boomed into my thoughts, her excitement evident in her bubbly tone."I was worried about us, about the kind of relationship I would have with you." She continued in a tone calmer than the first.I glanced at her with an eyebrow raised. "She told you about me?"Grace nodded, her gaze softening as she glanced at me. "There are only two people mamañ talks about you, and her mother.""She was always complaining about you." Her voice shivered faintly as she
Navy’s POVLove only took a moment, and I was witnessing that moment right before me.Finn had no notice of the heart that was not beating for him, fascinated by his mere presence.My gaze flickered from Rosé to Finn, before returning to Grace. It was only then I noticed her striking semblance to her sister. Her gaze captured the depth of her desires, her long wavy hair began to bounce as she jumped in surprise, startled by an incident we were yet to see.The server had over poured the coffee, spilling the hot drink on her dress.Finally the incident that would bring them together had finally presented itself. Just the interview was his opportunity to retain Rosé.“I apologize for that…,” Finn paused, swiping his gaze on the features of the inconvenient customer to be certain of the status. From the look on his eyes, it was obvious that he was stricken by her. In that moment, I wondered what could have drawn him to her, I wanted to know if it was her beauty or her smile.I couldn’t
Chapter 144Navy’s POVThe sister’s fight had ended the moment Grace face was flooded with tears. Rosé fragile as usual gave in to her emotions too, joining her in tears. The morning sun was yet to show his face, yet the sniffles from her mother and aunty must have woken my daughter, her presence now contributing to the chorus of tears in the room.I fell into a state of chaos, torn between racing to my daughter or my wife, not knowing who to console first.Amelia got louder, hurling me towards her direction.“I’m sorry,” Grace’s soft voice echoed in the room, “please, let me rely on you… as a sister. I have no one else.”Cradling my daughter on chest, I turned to face them. Rosé was quivering slightly, her face flushed with a mix of tears and relief. “Hmmm,” I exhaled softly, looking between mother and daughter.“Such crybabies.” I remarked, stirring a blush on Rosé’s face.“I think she is hungry…” Grace croaked, her voice barely above a whisper.I nodded, “I think so too… and I f
Chapter 143Navy’s POVI blinked my eyes open, perturbed by the noise in the house. It was barely a minute since I closed my eyes, my eyes were heavy from the the lack of sleep.The first image that came into my view, was an image of Rosé packing a luggage, and instantly, my heart plummeted at the sight of it, thudding against my chest.“Baby, what’s going on?” I asked, the drowsiness in my eyes was completely gone as I jolted to my feet, making my way to Rosé.“Please, tell me, what’s wrong? Please…” Rosé turned to me, her eyes blaring with something I had never seen before.“Let’s go to Paris… let’s go today, now, let’s just go!”“Why?” I asked, “I’ll do whatever you want me to do but I need to understand why first.” “Mamañ, she’s gone…” Rosé replied, her voice quivering as she spoke, “She left Grace here and disappeared, just like me… she’s abandoned her. You think she’s still going to change? You think we still have a chance to her support? That woman deserves to burn in hell!”
Chapter 142ROSE POV Navy sat on the armchair in my spacious room, observing me as I paced agitatedly around, seething with anger at mamañ.“I can’t believe her!” I breathed, “The message Andre sent to us is a clear threat, yet she perceives it as him seeking her. What’d I tell you? She would choose Andre over anyone at any time.”“Elodie,” Navy’s soothing voice interjected, imbued with longing. As our eyes met, I could not help but notice the desire in his gaze. His gaze steadied on me, the intensity of it sending shivers down my spine. Despite my anger at mamañ, in that moment, all I could focus on was the sudden pull between us. His presence filled the room, wafting around me like a curl of smoke.“Rosé,” Navy murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, but it echoed loudly in the silence between us.“Uh,” he cleared his throat, “She is just in love… could you look at it from that perspective?“A wave of disappointment struck me as the desire in his eyes faded while he spoke.I
ROSÉ’s POVA soft exhaled escaped me, as my eyes crinkled with tears, a lump formed in my throat as I struggled to speak.“What… what do you mean, Maa?” Grace spoke out finally, breaking the silence.The answer to that question I already knew. Mamañ had acted as expected.“Henry Benoit,” she sighed sadly, “I’ve wronged him in so many ways. Andre tried to kill him once, or twice…” Our eyes met briefly moment, and I could tell from her expression that it was more than that. “Only the truth mamañ.”Mamañ bowed her head in regret, memories flooding back.“Rosé, Andre tried to harm him so many times that Benoit got a restraining order against him.”“But he didn’t stop, did he?”Mamañ shook her head sadly, her tears welling up.“He didn’t, he tried every means possible.”“Why didn’t he just arrest him?” Navy’s voice boomed into the air, shifting our attention to his tall figure emerging from the hallway.“I put her back to bed,” he explained, planting a peck on my cheek as he joined the
As I stayed in his arms, breathing in his faint fragrance and warmth until a soft coo of a baby interrupted the silence.“It’s Amelia!” Navy gasped, excitement bubbling in his voice.“Wait, you called her Amelia?” I exclaimed, surprised. “Well, I figured she could have two names.”A soft chuckle escaped my lips as I stepped out of his arms. “I’d love that…”Navy nodded, cupping my face in his hands. “I’ll take care of her, you go to the dining.”Taking a deep breath, I made my way back to the dining room, where mamañ and Grace were still seated, their conversation paused as I stepped in. Grace’s appearance was nothing like mamañ’s, and the more I studied her features, I was more convinced that she wasn’t Andre’s daughter.“Mamañ, Grace,” I began, my voice steady, despite the turmoil within, “let’s talk,”Mamañ raised her gaze to me, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.“Where have you been?” I asked, my voice demanding nothing but the truth.“Here and there…” Mamañ replied, dartin