Jules pinched the bridge of his nose as he passed by the narrow hallway. He halted, and his ears twitched as he heard murmurings from the maids in the kitchen about the disappearance of his bride, and he doubted if it would ever stop. He was aware of everything going on in the castle, and even in Cherview as a whole. Also, He knew it would stop only when Janice comes back. It was already a month, and he hadn't heard a word about her whereabouts, not even from the costly private investigators he had hired. It looked as if she had disappeared from the surface of the earth, and he doubted if he would ever find her again, much less see his child born. His chest tightened, and he clenched his hands at the thought of losing his heir. If he hadn't been tired that night, he would have noticed her going out because he was not a heavy sleeper. More so, Jules believed Janice might have added something to his food to make him that sleepy the night she had fled. His eyes rolled when a maid t
Steam wafted out of the spout of the kettle that was on the cooker as Janice ambled inside the kitchen. She picked a teacup from the metal rack and placed it on the wooden counter. She added a tea bag, milk, and a cube of sugar to taste before pouring the simmering liquid inside. Janice walked back to the living room, stirring the contents in the cup. Her gaze travelled to the window again, and she grimaced as she spotted another car that might have arrived while she was in the kitchen. Since yesterday, she had been under house arrest. It had startled Janice when she wanted to go to the beach, which wasn't far from where her cottage was. And the first sight that had greeted her the moment she opened the door was Jackson's face, one of Jules's loyal watchdogs. She knew she wouldn't be able to run forever, and she was glad she had enjoyed her freedom while it lasted. The door of the car went ajar suddenly, and Janice wondered who might be in because she could only make out brown
Janice winced as she came to. Her back hurt, and a tear slid down her cheeks as she rolled onto her side. She glanced around but didn't see Jules. She only saw the darned belt he had used in whipping her on the swivel chair. Further, she didn't know if it was calming or alarming to know Jules had acted like a cave dweller. However, she wouldn't give him the satisfaction that she would succumb to whatever he wanted of her. She trudged into the bathroom limping, discarded the robe from her body before glimpsing at her reflection in the mirror. She grimaced as she saw the broken skin and bruise that might leave a scar after it healed. Janice glared as she noticed the steam rising from the water in the bathtub. “No amount of glare would change the fact that you are headstrong, Madame.” Janice swirled as she heard his voice. “Stop calling me that absurd name. My name is Janice.” “And no amount of pleading would make me forgive you for what you did.” She retorted, scowling. Then, let
Janice ambled outside. She lifted a brow as Jackson intercepted her on the way. “So, your master asked you to restrict my movement even to the beach area?” A blush crept on his cheeks, and he shook his head. “Then, step out of the way because I have no intention of going anywhere.” Janice let out. Jackson frowned as he gazed at her, perhaps to know if she was saying the truth or not. Whichever it was, she didn't care. Seeing as there was no way, she could flee again whilst they surrounded her. Reluctantly, he stepped out of the way and ordered the rest to do the same. Janice rolled her eyes as she sensed their gaze on her. Still, she didn't stop to glance at them for once. The clean wind ruffled her hair. She pulled the robe she donned tighter around her body, and she let out a deep breath as the golden sand felt warm on her slippers clad feet. Janice squinted as she noticed a voluptuous brunette stroking sunscreen on Jules's body. Her face contorted in a scowl, and she wondered
She had been right, Janice mulled, glaring. As soon as it was dawn, Jules dragged her out of the cottage. Just like the first time, he had compelled her out of her house. However, he didn’t let her pick anything this time around. A groan escaped her opened mouth as she gazed out of the window that wound down. She rubbed her clammy palms on the flowering gown she donned, as well as dabbed her forehead with the hanky she had collected from Jules. Her lips were sticky, and her throat, parched. Janice realized she hadn’t taken any water since last night. Moreover, she believed if she decided to take anything now, it could make her situation worse. She'd end up vomiting. “Do you want Jackson to stop by, so you could take a walk?” asked Jules. Janice glanced at him, she rolled her eyes at the concerned look on his face. If she didn't know him, she would have thought he cared about her well-being. Also, her eyes darted around the location they were in, before staring at him again. S
Janice sighed as she gazed at herself one more time in the mirror. The bodice of the gown the Queen had compelled her to wear restricted her airflow. She doubted if she would be alive before the event ended. She adjusted the sweetheart neckline of the dress, so it wouldn't make her look indecent due to her growing chest. Before smoothening her palm on the non-existent crease on the dress. Despite not liking the fact the Queen had picked it for her, she appreciated how the empire waist of the dress perfectly hid her baby bump. Her eyes trailed to her hair, which had been pulled back from her face, plaited in a circular coil around itself. A floral wreath made of rhinestones, pearl beads and metal enamel flowers adorned it, giving it all the sparkly benefits of a tiara. A soft rap sounded on the door, and the knob twisted. Maggie peeked inside the room. “Are you ready? I think the Queen might explode if you waste another minute here.” Janice rolled her eyes and crouched to gather
Janice let out a relieved sigh as she peeled off the gown she donned. “I thought I might die back there.” She murmured, caressing her tummy. She flung the dress across the swivel chair that was next to the vanity and trudged towards the closet. She stilled as the door went ajar, and didn't need to turn to know it was Jules who was inside the room. Briefly, Jules stayed by the doorpost and assessed the room before striding towards his wife. Janice sensed his gaze on her body and she swirled. Her eyes bored into his as he strode towards her purposefully. She didn't move, nor did she breathe, until he got to her back. Furthermore, she didn't bother covering her body with the robe in her hand because she felt it was unnecessary. Jules' pupils dilated as he gazed at her bare skin. She was his, he thought with a smirk. He cupped her bum and squeezed hard. His teeth grazed her earlobes, and he trailed kisses from her neck down to her collarbone. Janice's legs turned to jelly, and h
Janice glared at Jules as their hands collided when she was about to snatch the salt shaker from the table. Since today, Jules had avoided her like a plague and had come closer only when the queen invited him to dinner. Jules chuckled, shaking his head as he watched his wife. He didn't blame her for acting the way she did, since he had been the one keeping the distance from her. Heck, he had rejected her last night only to enter the room after she was asleep to grab the extra pillows and duvet there. “You should eat more of this,” Jules murmured, shoving the plate full of pork in front of her. “I'm fine with this,” Janice grunted, pointing to the sausage on her plate. Jules frowned as he discovered she had barely touched her food. He wondered if she was having trouble with nausea again when she wrinkled her nose. However, he noticed she hadn't dashed to the bathroom ever since the doctor gave her the drugs. Similarly, he was conscious of the fact that she was getting bigger, w
Janice glanced at the door as a knock sounded on it. She rolled on the bed and snatched the hanky beside her to blow her nose.Her eyes were puffy, but she didn't care. She only wanted the pain that seemed to have multiplied ever since she moved out of the room she shared with Jules to vanish.Also, the new ones that surfaced when she knew about what happened seemed to intensify all that she had been feeling and wondered if she could do anything.As soon as she got home, she had tried to set up a meeting with Jules to talk about everything, but it seemed like he didn't want to see her because each time she went close to his room, she noticed it was locked.She didn't know where he often went and didn't have th
The next morning, Janice groaned as she came awake. She rubbed her temple and winced as she sensed a headache brewing.She recalled doing what Margie had termed to be fun yesterday.It wasn't her wearing a skimpy bikini to show off her backside to people in the castle nor did she seduce anyone as she had suggested.They had a little tea party in her room yesterday. Only that it wasn't tea they had taken.It was a brandy Margie had stolen from Jeremy's collection and hid in her bag.Music had been played as well but was on low volume because of Prince Michael and even the dowager queen since she would term the choice of their music disapproving or vulgar.
"But trust me, can you see he is suffering the same way as you?""Just drop it, Margie.""Fine." Margie shrugged. "I hope you accept him before it is too late. You should try considering him because of the prince anyway."Janice glared and puffed out a breath. "We are not talking about him anymore."Margie giggled as Janice tossed her a throw pillow. She drew an imaginary zip across her lips and tossed the key away before staring at her."How about we do something fun?"Janice creased her brows whilst staring at the twinkles in Margie's eyes.
Janice glared at the phone, continuously ringing on the nightstand, then at Margie, sitting beside her with Prince Michael in her arms."Give him a chance, I don't think he wanted to hurt you.""Well, when Jeremy does the same, I'd like to say the same to you."Margie rolled her eyes, "Jeremy wouldn't dare. Besides, I trust Jules and I know what he can do. He'd never do such. I smell blackmail."Janice shrugged, "I don't think so. We both know how Jules is before he married me. What shows he wouldn't do the same?""You should see how he stares at you, Janice." Margie enthused. "He freaking adores you and you think he would do something as awful as this with
"Janice…""Stay away from me!"Janice snapped, moving past him and down the hallway. She stepped into the room and he followed suit.Jules let out a sigh and he pinched the bridge of his nose. "At least, give me a chance to explain myself."Janice sat on the bed, her eyes were on the ceiling. Even though she could see whatever Jules was doing in the room from the corner of her eyes, she pretended like she didn't see him."Will you ever hear me out or just assume I cheated on you?"She glared at him but wished she hadn't. His eyes were sunken and bleary as if he had not slept for days.
"How dare he do that to me?!" Janice paced around the room, gritting her teeth. She balled her hands into fists and exhaled noisily through her nose."I don't think he is aware of this. I believe what Jules says, and you don't have to blame him. He is even astonished himself." Margie pointed out.She glanced briefly away from her phone, then at Janice."I don't care if he is astonished or not! Why the hell will he go about assessing everything in a skirt?!"Janice tossed her hands in the air. "I should have known he would never change. I thought he was beginning to become the kind of man I want…""He changed for you." Margie interrupted. "He mi
Jules was the first to snap out of the daze he was in. He stomped towards the woman and glared, "Lucy, I think you are mistaken.""Perhaps I need to say it again. This is your child whom you abandoned years ago. He is here now. You can take him. I don't want him anymore."Lucy shoved the little boy forwards and despite her confusion, Janice instinctively caught him before he could tumble to the tiled floor."I have no child with you." Jules gritted his teeth.He yanked her hand and tugged her towards the waiting room, which was inside the church.He noticed people were gathering. A few people took photos of him. He didn't want them to know more than t
"May I?"Janice nodded as Jules pointed to her chest. She turned, and showed her back to him, to help her undo the hooks of her brassiere.She breathed out as her ample breasts bounced free from the restraint.She rolled her eyes as she noticed Jules’ eyes on them and glimpsed him licking his lips slowly."Don't." She mumbled."Don't what?" A grin plastered on his face, "I said nothing.""I know and I am aware of what you are about to say." She mumbled, grabbing her son who was squirming in his cot.Jules shrugged, "I doubt that."
It was exactly two hours after Jules landed and Janice was a bit relieved that not only had the pain in her tummy and lower back lessened, but she could move around the room as well, without feeling like she was going to be ripped into two. The only restriction she had was that she couldn't go a long distance, but it was better than being confined to the bed. “How about you take a cold shower to help with the pain?’’ Jules asked, whilst Janice fanned herself. She nodded without hesitation and allowed him to help her out of the bed. Stripping down to nothing, she stepped into the bathtub and let out a sigh as the warm water caressed her delicate skin. Janice eyed Jules from the corner of her eyes as she noticed him watching her from the d