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Chapter 87: Trouble on the Homefront
Last Updated:
2024-12-16 19:37:05Related chapters
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 88: Rylee's Crossroad
I stepped quietly into Rylee’s bedroom, the familiar scent of black cherry with a subtle touch of ‘black rose’ filling the air. My hands were shoved deep into the kangaroo pockets of my hoodie, fingers curling into fists. I stopped at the foot of the bed, watching her fragile figure huddled in the middle, clutching her knees to her chest, her face buried in the folds of her arms. The bedsheets, deep red with scattered flaming stars, were tangled around her legs, a stark contrast to the gray sadness that seemed to engulf her. Seeing her like this—so vulnerable—twisted something deep inside me. Rylee never showed her softness, not to anyone. But I knew better than to offer comfort too soon; she would push me away. Being sweet didn’t work with her. When she felt cornered, she lashed out.I exhaled a heavy sigh, the kind that weighed more than just air. I sat down at the edge of the bed, my body turned sideways so I could still see her face, or at least what was left of it beneath the ve
Last Updated : 2024-12-17It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 89: A Bold Transformation
I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to stay calm, tapping the arm of the chair rhythmically. Plans had changed last minute, and we had to cancel on Giovanna. But this wasn't a trivial decision; it was because of Rylee. I couldn't leave her alone—not in the state she was in. Anna, Tyra, and Ginger agreed without hesitation. Rylee had become part of our circle, and right now, our priority was coaxing her into facing her mistakes. We gave Giovanna the ticket as a peace offering, hoping she'd understand.Anna, Tyra, and Ginger had practically moved in to help me keep an eye on her. Suzanne couldn't be here physically, but she regularly sent messages of support. Phineas frequently checked on Rylee through me, and Nic, despite his lingering frustration with his sister, never missed a chance to ask after her. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how alike the two of them were in their stubbornness and loyalty.I was seated in the living room, Tyra gently braiding my hair whi
Last Updated : 2024-12-20It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 90: One Word
Lavender's POVI stared at my phone for what felt like the hundredth time, the faint glow of the screen casting shadows across my hands. The message sat there, glaring back at me, its words as sharp as the first time I read them:Your luck truly is magnificent, dearest Lavender. But how far does that luck extend to those around you?The number that sent it no longer existed, but the unease it left behind clung to me like cobwebs. For two weeks now, I'd replayed those words in my mind, dissecting every possible meaning. Was it a threat? A warning? A cruel joke?I rubbed my temple, trying to push away the thoughts that refused to leave me. Who could have sent it? Had I offended someone? My mind churned, dragging up memories from the past. There were people I'd cut out of my life over the years, but those falling-outs were so long ago—ten years, maybe more. And they'd been petty disagreements, nothing that would warrant this kind of cryptic hostility.Yet, the nagging thought remained: h
Last Updated : 2024-12-21It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 91: Between Passion and Plans
Lavender's POVI stretched my legs out on the bed, crossing them at the ankles as I leaned back against the headboard. Papers, a file, and my laptop were scattered around me, the evidence of a day spent working. My phone buzzed faintly next to me, but I ignored it, too engrossed in the file I was reviewing.The sound of running water echoed from the open bathroom door. Rominic's voice carried through the space as he talked about his day, weaving details about a difficult client and a frustrating product launch into the hum of the shower. I half-listened, my eyes scanning the lines of the document in my lap."And then the old man had the nerve to criticize the campaign visuals," Rominic grumbled.I heard the sharp squeak of the shower handle turning, followed by the dull thud of water droplets against tile as the flow stopped. "Honestly, Lav, I don't know how I managed to keep my temper. Times like this, I wish Dad hadn't retired and left me to deal with this circus.""You handled it f
Last Updated : 2024-12-23It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 92: A Call From the Past
Lavender's POVThe cool, smooth leather of the office couch cushioned me as I sat cross-legged, my notepad balanced on one knee. I leaned forward, the pen in my hand moving swiftly, its tip scratching faintly against the paper. Around me, the soft, lingering scent of roses and bergamot filled the air—remnants of test bottles scattered haphazardly across my desk.Warm sunlight filters through the sheer curtains, bathing the room in a gentle glow. The golden light pools on the wooden floor and reflects off the edges of glass bottles, casting shadows across the walls. It's quiet except for the faint scratching of my pen and the low hum of the air conditioning. My gaze dropped back to the notepad where I meticulously outlined the ingredients for my latest obsession: a bold, layered perfume.The vision was vivid in my mind: the top notes would be sharp and citrusy, evoking the crispness of an early spring morning. The heart would be floral—a soft, comforting embrace, delicate yet unyieldin
Last Updated : 2024-12-24It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 1: A Clean Slate
I scrubbed the top of the table as I hummed, scrubbing it hard to get the stains out. Some people can eat like pigs, horrible pigs. And unfortunately, it was my job to clean up after them. Okay, not exactly my job, but the person doing it before got sick so I volunteered to clean it and take her salary until she is back on her feet. I accepted the offer with open arms. The extra cash was good.I worked in a hotel as a bartender. I used to be a hotel porter, but after I complained about the male guest always finding a way to smack my ass, I was placed in the bar. The manager liked me and didn't want me to go and that is the most luck I had since I changed my name."Jamila, are you still here?" Speak of the devil. I gave the table the last finishing scrub before I stood up and placed my hands on my hips. The table was spotless."People can eat like pigs, no, in fact, people are pigs." I sneered. He laughed from behind me before I felt his hand on my shoulder."Jami, the real problem is y
Last Updated : 2024-07-04It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 2: The Weight of Responsibility
"Mom, I prepared your bath for you," Savvy smiled. I nodded. "Don't worry, the others have all taken their baths but haven't brushed their teeth because as you can see," she looked at her younger siblings stuffing their faces with ice cream and pizza.Wait, where's Zachary?"Zachary is trying to figure out an algorithm to… what he said. Should I bring him some ice cream, Mom?""Sure," I turned and started walking to my room."How was work today?" She asked, following me into the hallway."It was good, very…" I stopped at their bedroom door, opened the door partly, and smiled as I saw Zachary focused on what he was doing. "Good evening, sir," Zach jolted from his seat.Zachary was the second eldest. He was the only one among his siblings who took no single feature from me. Even his intelligence was like that of his father's, if not higher that is. He was more of the cold-hearted type to outsiders and too obsessed with drawing a line between him and everyone he finds underneath his stand
Last Updated : 2024-07-04It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 3: The Breaking Point
Lavender went about her day like a miserable person. Her eyes were deep and hollow from crying throughout the night and her strength was almost depleted. She would have applied a lot of makeup to cover it up, but she didn't have the money to purchase a decent makeup kit. Her skin easily reacted if she used cheap or fake beauty products so she resulted in making natural concoctions to sustain her beauty. Still, the herbal and fruit mix was only for skincare and not to cover the horrible state of her face.It'd been days since her children broke the news to her and she'd been thinking nonstop. She was unable to sleep and spent the night crying or frantically staring at her two youngest children to make sure they were still breathing. The day before, the youngest suddenly started feeling dizzy and wheezing, and she knew it was connected to the second youngest. If she didn't act on time, she didn't want to think of what would happen. She was getting desperate and more depressed. It also ir
Last Updated : 2024-07-04
Latest chapter
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 92: A Call From the Past
Lavender's POVThe cool, smooth leather of the office couch cushioned me as I sat cross-legged, my notepad balanced on one knee. I leaned forward, the pen in my hand moving swiftly, its tip scratching faintly against the paper. Around me, the soft, lingering scent of roses and bergamot filled the air—remnants of test bottles scattered haphazardly across my desk.Warm sunlight filters through the sheer curtains, bathing the room in a gentle glow. The golden light pools on the wooden floor and reflects off the edges of glass bottles, casting shadows across the walls. It's quiet except for the faint scratching of my pen and the low hum of the air conditioning. My gaze dropped back to the notepad where I meticulously outlined the ingredients for my latest obsession: a bold, layered perfume.The vision was vivid in my mind: the top notes would be sharp and citrusy, evoking the crispness of an early spring morning. The heart would be floral—a soft, comforting embrace, delicate yet unyieldin
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 91: Between Passion and Plans
Lavender's POVI stretched my legs out on the bed, crossing them at the ankles as I leaned back against the headboard. Papers, a file, and my laptop were scattered around me, the evidence of a day spent working. My phone buzzed faintly next to me, but I ignored it, too engrossed in the file I was reviewing.The sound of running water echoed from the open bathroom door. Rominic's voice carried through the space as he talked about his day, weaving details about a difficult client and a frustrating product launch into the hum of the shower. I half-listened, my eyes scanning the lines of the document in my lap."And then the old man had the nerve to criticize the campaign visuals," Rominic grumbled.I heard the sharp squeak of the shower handle turning, followed by the dull thud of water droplets against tile as the flow stopped. "Honestly, Lav, I don't know how I managed to keep my temper. Times like this, I wish Dad hadn't retired and left me to deal with this circus.""You handled it f
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 90: One Word
Lavender's POVI stared at my phone for what felt like the hundredth time, the faint glow of the screen casting shadows across my hands. The message sat there, glaring back at me, its words as sharp as the first time I read them:Your luck truly is magnificent, dearest Lavender. But how far does that luck extend to those around you?The number that sent it no longer existed, but the unease it left behind clung to me like cobwebs. For two weeks now, I'd replayed those words in my mind, dissecting every possible meaning. Was it a threat? A warning? A cruel joke?I rubbed my temple, trying to push away the thoughts that refused to leave me. Who could have sent it? Had I offended someone? My mind churned, dragging up memories from the past. There were people I'd cut out of my life over the years, but those falling-outs were so long ago—ten years, maybe more. And they'd been petty disagreements, nothing that would warrant this kind of cryptic hostility.Yet, the nagging thought remained: h
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 89: A Bold Transformation
I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to stay calm, tapping the arm of the chair rhythmically. Plans had changed last minute, and we had to cancel on Giovanna. But this wasn't a trivial decision; it was because of Rylee. I couldn't leave her alone—not in the state she was in. Anna, Tyra, and Ginger agreed without hesitation. Rylee had become part of our circle, and right now, our priority was coaxing her into facing her mistakes. We gave Giovanna the ticket as a peace offering, hoping she'd understand.Anna, Tyra, and Ginger had practically moved in to help me keep an eye on her. Suzanne couldn't be here physically, but she regularly sent messages of support. Phineas frequently checked on Rylee through me, and Nic, despite his lingering frustration with his sister, never missed a chance to ask after her. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how alike the two of them were in their stubbornness and loyalty.I was seated in the living room, Tyra gently braiding my hair whi
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 88: Rylee's Crossroad
I stepped quietly into Rylee’s bedroom, the familiar scent of black cherry with a subtle touch of ‘black rose’ filling the air. My hands were shoved deep into the kangaroo pockets of my hoodie, fingers curling into fists. I stopped at the foot of the bed, watching her fragile figure huddled in the middle, clutching her knees to her chest, her face buried in the folds of her arms. The bedsheets, deep red with scattered flaming stars, were tangled around her legs, a stark contrast to the gray sadness that seemed to engulf her. Seeing her like this—so vulnerable—twisted something deep inside me. Rylee never showed her softness, not to anyone. But I knew better than to offer comfort too soon; she would push me away. Being sweet didn’t work with her. When she felt cornered, she lashed out.I exhaled a heavy sigh, the kind that weighed more than just air. I sat down at the edge of the bed, my body turned sideways so I could still see her face, or at least what was left of it beneath the ve
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 87: Trouble on the Homefront
Lavender's viewpointI waited patiently in Rominic's and my bedroom, my legs stretched out comfortably on the bed while my back rested against the headboard. My eyes skimmed over the words on the page, racing through each line, but my focus was fractured. I was worried about Rylee, who Rominic had said was in tears. That wasn't something he would lie about, nor was it unusual for me to hear.Rominic was usually the first person Rylee turned to whenever she faced a problem. It always struck me as strange how they could barely stand each other's presence yet relied on one another during emotional turmoil. Their relationship was perplexing, but I had come to understand it was a unique bond. It reminded me of my own children, Zach and Savia. They bicker and fight more than any other siblings I know, yet their love and understanding for each other run deep. It seemed that Rominic and Rylee shared a similar dynamic—even after ten years, their connection remained unchanged.What truly worried
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 86: Oh Boy
A breathless gasp fell from my lips as I threw my head back, my back arching off the bed in a deliciously desperate stretch. But Rominic didn't give me a moment to acclimate to the powerful wave of sensation that crashed over me. He began to rock his hips, plunging in and out at a maddening pace from the very start, driving me wild. My entire body burned with an insatiable heat that pooled tantalizingly in my abdomen, each thrust igniting a fever that coursed through me. I was quickly lost in the delirious bliss of our bodies colliding relentlessly, surrendering to the rhythm we created together.Rominic hovered over me, his presence consuming, as he cuffed my hands to the bed above my head, rendering me beautifully helpless. He hardly slowed his pace; in fact, every time he felt my walls tighten around him, he responded with heightened urgency, relishing in my pleasure. I could barely obey any order he barked at me, my capacity for restraint evaporating under his relentless assault. A
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 85: Try Not To Make A Sound
Rominic's hands explored every single strand of my hair, threading through it as if he were crafting a delicate crown just for me. He hovered above, his gaze locking onto my hazy eyes as I breathed heavily, my pulse quickening. Heat radiated from my face, igniting a giddy sensation in me, as if I were melting under the influence of something intoxicating. His hand moved to cup my cheek, and I instinctively closed the eye above it, surrendering to his touch. His thumb caressed the soft flesh, brushing over my rosy cheeks in a way that sent a thrill racing through me, leaving me both curious and breathless about his next move."Try not to make a sound," Nic commanded, his voice low and sultry, as his kisses traveled down the curve of my neck, igniting a fire beneath my skin."Is that an order?" I challenged, my tone laced with defiance. He paused, that simmering challenge hanging in the air. "And what if I don't do as you say?" I teased, a smirk curling on my face.Nic brushed his tongu
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 84: How Was Your Day?
I stretched up on my toes, arching my back slightly as a loud yawn escaped my lips. I felt utterly exhausted, every movement met with the crack and creak of my weary bones. Since starting work last week, I have poured every ounce of energy into identifying and correcting the flaws within the company. With just two days left before my night out at the club with my friends, I knew I needed to take a breather to be in top shape for the party. I was the type to fall ill at the first hint of too much alcohol or the overwhelming pulse of loud music after days of stress. It never helped me unwind.Having wrapped up the urgent tasks, I planned to work from home the next day, hoping to catch up on rest and steal a bit more time with Nic. With the recent success of the new launch, including Zach's product, he hadn't had much free time either."You're late, again." Speak of the devil. I instinctively halted my movements and peeled my tired eyes open, my arms still stretched above my head. A wear
