Lexi’s POV“It’s fine, you’re fine,” I said to myself as I tried to keep my tears at bay, “what is wrong with you?! He doesn’t even love you!” I gave myself the reality check but none of that seemed to be working.None of what I was doing seemed to be working as I was breaking inside, my breathing had paced and I clutched my chest while tapping it slowly trying to regulate my breathing.I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard but maybe if I hadn’t gone to eavesdrop rudely I wouldn’t have heard all of this.My entire being was tearing apart inside and I felt like someone had just dropped a bomb on me. I knew that I shouldn’t even be hurt but I just couldn’t help myself.Laying on my bed, I could feel the hot stinging tears at the back of my eyes that I’m trying so hard to not let loose. I tried, I really tried to act like I wasn’t fazed, to act like none of what is going on in this house matters to me but even that doesn’t seem to work either.I shouldn’t even be this hurt, if anything
Lexi’s POV A very big part of me wished that the contract on my table, staring right at me, was going to be a termination paper of the existing contract between us but things took a different turn when I opened it up.What the hell am I staring at?It was not a termination of contract but it was something different, an entirely different kind of contract.“Sign it.” He growled, his words coming out just between his teeth and I could feel his anger. The paper in front of me was not only unbelievable, it was also disgusting but what has ever gone right in my life?Lifting up my gaze to meet him, I stared directly into his angry glazed eyes as he raised an eyebrow, probing me to just sign the papers.His eyes were extremely cold, I noted his set face and it was clamped and his eyes were fixated on me, bullying me and asking me to dare him by not signing the papers.There was a suspicious line at the corner of his mouth and despite not knowing what it was, it aroused me in the worst poss
Ivan’s POV“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” I called out to them but they chose to act like they didn’t hear my voice.With my mouth wide open, I watched as they both left the office and made their way to the elevator. I honestly couldn’t believe that Andrei of all people could do this to me.Can’t he see that I’m trying as hard as I can to be a better person? Why does he have to show up now?Clenching my fist in anger, I thought about following them but that would only make me look like a clown.Hurriedly, my feet padded to the window and the sight of Andrei getting the door for Lexi made raw anger sweep through me and I could feel the swirl of my anger in my stomach.I knew she was enjoying herself, she was enjoying standing up to me and I have absolutely no idea where she got the audacity, the courage to talk to me like this from but I hate the fact that I loved it.She started to dare me ever since Celine came and I was going to deal with that later because it was just
Lexi’s POV The sound of someone knocking on my door made me snap my eyes open but I regretted the decision almost as soon as I made it because then the soap got into my eyes.Rinsing the soap off my face and washing the rest of my body, I hurriedly took my towel and made my way to the door because the last thing I really want to do now is piss Ivan off.“I’m sorry, I was in the bathroom and…” I was still talking and trying to explain myself as I opened the door and the sight of him made everything else that I wanted to say get stuck in my throat.He was shirtless and as if that wasn’t enough torture, he was also sweaty and his breathing was paced. His hair was rough and I could see the redness caused by whoever he might’ve been fucking before he got here.The sight of him here was both arousing and extremely disgusting because what was he thinking? Does he want me to know that he just came inside someone?Swallowing the bile at the back of my throat, I moved aside and stopped explain
Ivan’s POVMy eyes stayed open even though they were tired as I looked at the ceiling. The night was amazingly silent and the only thing I could hear was the sound of Lexi’s peaceful breaths.She’d turned and was now laying on my chest and I normally would have pushed her away. I don’t do cuddles but I really don’t want her to let go. I wanted her to remain on my chest for as long as she wants to.Never will I have thought that I could enjoy having sex with her, I always enjoy it but it wasn’t like this. This was different from any other sex I’ve had with her or anyone else.It was crazy and everything about what happened between us hours ago just leaves me yearning for more. Part of me wanted to wake her up again but I thought against it.She really needs to rest.Looking down at her face on my chest, I couldn’t help the smile that formed on my lips as I moved the hair away from her face. She doesn’t deserve any of the ways I’ve treated her just because I wanted revenge but I knew t
Lexi’s POVMy chest has never hurt so much like it was doing just now and I know that I should’ve gone to the car right away. I should’ve waited for Ivan to come to me but I thought it'd be a good idea to just stick around and wait for him.“So, do you love her then?” Celine asked and I wouldn’t say just a part of me because every part of me desperately wished that he was going to answer ‘Yes’ to that question.I wished that he was going to tell her that he does love me but who am I kidding? Who am I to actually think that Ivan was going to go against everything the contract entails and just go around claiming that he loves me?“No! I don’t.” The answer was so expected yet so unexpected. My heart broke and my chest hurt so much that I had no idea how I even got to the car.The conversation between Celine and Ivan lived rent-free in my head and no matter what I do I just can’t shake it off my head.“Concentrate, you’re at work and you shouldn’t mix your work life with your personal lif
Lexi’s POV“Uhm, yes. Yes, sure.” I agreed with him when the stares from everyone grew intense even though I had absolutely no idea what he just said or what they were all discussing in the conference room.Sighing in frustration, I looked away from Ivan and his affirmation seemed like what everyone was waiting for as they all agreed and even gave him a round of applause for his brilliant speech.“There’s no better company to handle this project than you, Cassian.” One of the investors said and Ivan nodded but his gaze was still someone set on me.“We can see you have diligent and hardworking staff so we’ll be awarding you the contract. “Congratulations.” The investor finished and we all clapped as the man passed the paper to Ivan who signed it and passed it to me.I knew I was supposed to go through it and find the clauses so I just nodded and picked it up while still mentally scolding and cursing myself for being so distracted in a really important meeting like this one.The meeting
Ivan’s POVI knew the answer I gave to her sudden question was wrong because it was a big fucking lie but what was I supposed to say? Was I supposed to tell her I love her and risk what happened the last time happening all over again?Why did I tell her No when the right answer was Yes?I’m head over heels in love with her but I just stupidly answered and that too quickly. I had no idea why but I knew it was because I thought that I was protecting myself but mostly her.“Lexi,” I called and her eyes met mine as she lifted her gaze to meet me. Her facial expression had changed and I knew that she was hurt.There was no point in me trying to explain things to her anymore. I tried saying something else but the moment I opened my mouth everything I wanted to say got stuck in my throat and I just wanted to kiss her.I took a step closer to her but she moved away from me and I knew that that was cue to stay wherever I was standing. I wanted to apologize to her but I couldn’t find the right
Lexi’s POVTHREE YEARS LATER.“Food is ready!” I called out to the men while Camille, Reece and I set the table. I knew they weren’t going to answer me because of the game that they were watching.“I can bet you a hundred dollars that they wouldn’t leave that couch even if they were dying of hunger.” Reece sighed and Camille quickly agreed but I only smiled.“I’ll take that bet from both of you so if I get them to stand up, I get a hundred bucks each from you guys?” I asked and they agreed.Not calling them anymore, I went about setting the table and after a while I decided to lean against the wall, cleaning off the sweat on my forehead and rubbing my belly.“He just kicked! The baby just kicked!” I screamed with a wince as the men flew up from the couch, Camille’s boyfriend inclusive with Ivan leading the army.My eyes lit up and an eyebrow raised, Cassian caught on immediately and told the rest that I was lying, they were about to return to the sitting room when we insisted that the
Lexi’s POV“You can keep tapping your feet but that wouldn’t stop this wedding from taking place.” Reeces voice jolted me out of my thoughts as I turned to face her.“My offer still stands, I’ll rip this gown apart and take the kids and we’ll run away from here if you’re not sure about this.” Camille blurted but Reece smacked her.“She wants this,” Reece responded, “she’s just nervous and it happens to a lot of people.” She explained but Camille only shrugged.She was right, I was nervous and although there wouldn’t be many people, just a few of Ivan’s clients, people from his work, Camille and her boyfriend, Ansel, Reece and the kids.Those aren’t faces that I haven’t seen before but still the more I think about the fact that today is my wedding day, the more nervous I get.It’s a joyous day of course and I’ve been looking forward to it since Ivan asked me to marry him, I still didn’t know how to feel because I’ve always talked about this day with my parents.My father always spoke a
Ivan’s POV“Hi princess, Hey champ.” Andrei greeted with a smile on his face as he crouched in front of Adeline and Cassian.“I’m sorry it took so long for us to meet but Uhm,” he continued, lifting his gaze to meet “I’m glad we finally got to meet.” He added as he extended his hand for a shake but they hugged him instead.“If you’re brothers, how come you don’t look alike?” Adeline asked, I wasn’t expecting anything less than that from her.Andrei and I laughed before finally explaining to them that we aren’t real brothers but foster brothers. It took a while for it to finally sink in but they soon got it.“But despite that, he’s still family and I love him so much.” I finished with a smile and they both nodded. I could tell Andrei was holding back tears and I wanted to shorten the meeting but he insisted on getting to know them more.Moving away so that I was going to give them the privacy that they needed, I walked over to Lexi who was still admiring her ring. I’ve always wanted th
Lexi’s POVCamille squealed before I could bring myself to say anything, her voice jolted me out of my own thoughts and I turned back to look at Ivan.Excitement washed through me, I opened my mouth to speak but I couldn’t form a coherent word so I just shut it back.Ivan’s eyebrow raised, he was waiting for my answer, “I believe the word you’re looking for is, Yes, Ivan, let’s get married.” Camille whispered behind me and I shoved her away.I wanted to get married too, getting into a real marriage with Ivan would definitely mean my biggest dream had come true but I didn’t want to make the decision alone.I knew that they loved him so much and they’d literally ask if I’m insane to be asking them a question like that but I turned in their direction and knelt in front of them.“So?” I asked, tears welling up in my eyes and I was trying all of my best to not let the tears fall, “do you think your dad is worth marrying?” I asked, laughing.Cassian and Adeline also bursted out laughing bef
Lexi’s POV“I missed you too.” I responded as I hugged him, I didn’t want anything to interrupt this moment and I just wanted to be holding him forever.“Want me to show you how much I missed you?” He asked and I smiled, I didn’t need a soothsayer to tell me what he meant by that and my god, do I want it just as much!He took my face in his hand and kissed me, slipping his tongue between my lips, teasing and making me shiver in pleasure.He nibbled at my tongue and I moaned in his mouth, my hands moved to his chest as I felt his heart pounding. He caught my hand and began to move it down until I could feel his hard cock.“You probably already know this,” he whispered into my mouth, “this is what you do to me, you know how hard it was for me to not be able to do things that I want to you?” He asked and I smiled.Leaning against him, my hands seemed to have a mind of their own as they began to unbutton his pants. All I could feel right now was waiting and urgency as I undid his trousers
Ivan’s POVAndrei, Reece, Ansel and the undercover policemen came right in just about the same time that I knocked the gun off Darren’s hands.“What the hell took you so long?!” I snapped as Andrei made a call for paramedics. Cassian and Adeline’s eyes were closed and even Lexi had passed out already.We got into Andrei’s car, leaving the police at the scene of the crime while we followed the ambulance to the hospital.I was in pain but the pain was nothing compared to the kind of relief that I felt knowing that everything was finally over.“Will they be fine?” I asked, my eyes not leaving the ambulance in front of us and Andrei nodded. I never would’ve thought that he was actually going to help me out in all of this.“I just thought you should know that it also took you so long to call for help.” He rolled his eyes as he stepped on the accelerator when he noticed that he was losing the ambulance we were following.Smiling, I rested my back against the chair and closed my eyes. It's f
Lexi’s POV“What? No! Darren, you can’t do that, please.” I begged, wanting to crawl over to my kids but the men’s knives on both their necks and Celine’s gun pointed in the direction of Adeline caused me to stop.“Don’t pull that trigger, Celine, you got what you want and they’re innocent, they’re still too young, they don’t deserve this.” I sniffled, Cassian and Adeline’s eyes closed and they both looked tired.It’s been a week and the only thing they’ve been taking since I joined them was water, my babies were weak and seeing them in that situation caused fear to ripple through me.What if they died now? What if Celine didn’t pull the trigger and they drop dead out of weakness.I shook my head to get the horrible questions that were racing through my mind, an act I regretted almost immediately because my head started pounding.My vision had become blurry and I could barely see or hear anything clearly. My stomach hurt and I tried to apply pressure on it so that it would at-least st
Lexi’s POVI watched as Ivan handed all of the papers he came with to her. I had no idea that this was going to happen, that he was just going to give away his blood and sweat because he wanted to save us.The pain I was feeling was starting to become unbearable and I clutched my stomach as it felt like someone was twisting my insides with a very sharp dagger.“Why?” I finally asked as I lifted my gaze, stopping the exchange that was about to happen between Celine and Ivan.“Why are you both doing this?” I demanded, it all just didn’t make any sense to me that Celine was using the kids and I as leverage to get Ivan.The fact that she asked him to propose to her and threatened to kill us if he doesn’t just to prove that she could get him too.It all just seemed stupid but I also knew that sensible would’ve never really been a part of a psychopath’s dictionary.“If you aren’t going to think about me, Darren, at-least think about the children.” I continued, I have no idea what I think I
Ivan’s POVThe closer I got to the location, the harder my heart pounded and the more difficult it got for me to breathe.Checking my phone to be absolutely sure that I was in the right place, I lifted my gaze to take a good look at the old building in front of me.My phone chimed and I looked at my side mirror to see Andrei’s car and four other cars packed behind me. I recognized Ansel’s car too.No one would have known that they were with me so I summoned all of my strengths, drew in a deep breath and got out of the car to see a man waiting for me right outside the old building.“Your phone?” His voice was husky and slightly intimidating and without any questions, I handed him my phone.I’d already cleared all chats between me, Andrei, Reece and Ansel and I’d already cleared my call logs too just in case they wanted to go through my phone.“Where is my family?” I asked, swallowing the lump that had formed at the back of my throat as I forced it down with saliva.Not saying anything,