I run my hands through my hair, pacing the room again, my heart pounding in my chest. “I don’t know what to think anymore! You’ve been lying to me for days, and you’re telling me it’s not even my decision whether we keep the baby?”“This isn’t about you, Caspian. This is about me. My life. My body. I’m the one who has to carry this baby.”“I know that,” I say. “But it’s our baby, Desiree. You can’t just shut me out like this. I have a right to know. I have a right to be part of this decision.”She looks away, her jaw tight, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “And what if I’m not ready?” she whispers. “What if I’m not ready to be a mother?”I stop pacing. “Desiree… you can’t mean that.”“I don’t know,” she says, shaking her head. “I don’t know if I can do this. We have so much going on, so much… mess. And I’m scared, Caspian. I’m scared of what this means for us. For me.”I take a step closer, my heart aching at the sight of her. “You don’t have to be scared. We’ll figure this out.
It’s been days since the fight with Desiree, and she still refuses to talk to me. The silence between us isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s suffocating. I wake up each morning with the same ache in my chest, wishing things were different, wishing we could just go back to how we were before. But every morning, it feels like we’re drifting further apart.Today’s no different. I open my eyes to the faint light filtering through the curtains and roll over. Desiree’s there, sitting up against the headboard, her knees drawn to her chest. Between us is a row of pillows—her line in the sand. That barrier she’s been building up between us since the fight. The sight of it hits me like a punch to the gut, a reminder of just how distant she’s become.I try anyway. “Good morning,” I say, my voice rough from sleep, hoping maybe today will be different.She doesn’t even look at me. Just flips me off and slides out of bed, heading for the door without a word.The door clicks shut behind her, and I’m left
“What?” I say, harsher than I intended. But I don’t care. Not right now.Mike hesitates, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, and rubs the back of his neck. His eyes avoid mine. “I, uh… wanted to apologize,” he mutters, not meeting my eyes. “You know, for everything. For Mabel putting you through all this stress.”I narrow my eyes, not buying it for a second. “Mabel, huh? Just Mabel?”He finally looks up, and there’s something there—defensiveness, maybe? “Yeah,” he says. “I mean… she’s the one who pushed the whole thing. You know how she is.”“And you? You’re not part of this?”Mike shrugs, glancing away. “I didn’t exactly agree with how she handled it, but… look, Dad, I didn’t have much choice.”I take a step closer, lowering my voice. “You told Desiree I’m going to sign some document to divorce her. How dare you?”Mike’s face hardens. “Oh, we’re talking about playing dirty now? You sent Desiree to lie to me about my wife cheating. So don’t stand there and act like you’re
As Juniper descends the stairs, the first thing I notice is her very protruding stomach. She’s pregnant? Heavily pregnant at that. That’s new. When was the last time I saw her? Now that I think about it, it’s been months. Juniper grins, reaching the bottom of the stairs. “I thought I’d stop by, see how my little brother’s holding up.” She glances between me and Desiree, raising an eyebrow. “Did I interrupt something?”“No,” Desiree says quickly, shaking her head. “Just… talking.”Talking. Right. I glance over at Desiree, hoping for some kind of connection, but the moment we had—the one where she laughed and spoke to me—is gone. Just like that. Whatever fragile ground I thought I was gaining is lost. Again. And I’m back where I started: silent, helpless, wondering if everything is slipping through my fingers. My marriage. My company. My entire life.Juniper strolls into the living room, practically waddling with all that extra weight, and plops herself onto the couch with a dramatic s
I stare at her, stunned. Twins. And she didn’t tell Isaac? Juniper’s always been tough, but this… this feels like a different level of insanity. The kind only my family seems capable of reaching. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell him,” I say, shaking my head. “And now you’re just… what? Hiding out here until you figure it out?” Juniper shrugs. “Pretty much. Got any better ideas, little bro?” I don’t. I really don’t. All I know is that this family is one giant ball of dysfunction, and it’s getting bigger by the minute. I glance over at Desiree, who’s sitting quietly beside me, her eyes darting between me and Juniper like she’s watching a ping-pong match she never signed up for. “I’ll take that as a no,” Juniper says, smirking. She leans back on the couch, rubbing her stomach. “Well, if you don’t mind, I’ll just stay here and wait for him to cool down. Maybe when I’m done helping you overthrow Mabel, I’ll sort out my marriage.” I rub my temples, feeling the weight of everything
“I brought it home so we could burn it,” I say, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me.Desiree blinks, clearly caught off guard. “What?”“I brought it home so we could set it on fire,” I repeat, stepping closer to her. “Together. I want you to see that I’m serious. That none of this means anything without you. That I’m willing to fight for you. For us.”She stares at me for a long moment, her anger slowly giving way to something else—something softer, more vulnerable. I can see the uncertainty in her eyes, the part of her that’s still afraid to trust me, afraid that this is just another empty gesture. But I mean it this time. I have changed. I need her to believe that.Finally, after what feels like an eternity, she nods. “Okay.”I grab a lighter from the dresser and hand it to her. Together, we kneel by the fireplace, and I hold the document up as she flicks the lighter on. The flame dances in her eyes, and for a moment, we just stare at each other, nei
Desiree's POVI guess I can say I’m happy.With Caspian by my side, my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat slowly returning to normal, I agree I’m the luckiest woman right now. We’re tangled together under the sheets, skin against skin, like we’ve finally found our way back to each other after being lost for so long.I feel a sense of calm, the kind of peace that comes only after a storm. It was hell fighting with him, the days and nights of not talking, of feeling completely alone even when he was right there next to me. But now, lying here with him, I feel like we’re healing, like we’re finally putting the pieces back together.Caspian’s hand slides down to hold mine, his fingers tracing gentle circles on my skin.“I’ve missed this. Missed you,” he says, his breath brushing against my forehead. “Not just the physical stuff… but everything. Talking, laughing, just… being with you.”My heart tightens at his words. I turn my head to look up at him, finding his eyes open, his
“Well, don’t you two look cozy,” Juniper says, smirking. “I guess I can say I’m happy for you.” Caspian rolls his eyes, clearly annoyed. “What do you want, Juniper?” She leans against the doorframe, her arms crossed. “Well, can I come in?” Her voice is teasing, but with an underlying seriousness that only I seem to pick up on. “Why the hell would I let you in?” Juniper sighs. “Please?” Caspian rubs his temples like he’s already exhausted by her. "No, Juniper. It’s late, and Desiree and I—" "I... I don’t like being alone," she interrupts, her tone softening as she straightens, uncrossing her arms. Her smirk fades, replaced by a flicker of vulnerability that takes both of us by surprise. "As much as I’m an independent woman, I don’t know how to be alone. Especially at night.” I glance at Caspian, seeing his face harden as if he’s preparing to stand his ground. But something in her tone makes me pause. Juniper doesn’t seem like someone who shows vulnerability. So I believe t
I nod, my throat tight. “You better be.” The doors to the delivery room swing open, and suddenly, I’m surrounded by bright lights, the sterile smell of antiseptic, and the calm, authoritative voices of nurses. My mind is racing. My body, however, is focused on one thing: the relentless, excruciating contractions that feel like my insides are being wrung out like a soaked towel. “Breathe, Desiree. You’ve got this,” a nurse says, guiding me onto the bed. Caspian bursts through the door moments later, his hair disheveled, his suit jacket gone, and his sleeves rolled up. He looks like a man ready for battle. And, honestly, that’s what this feels like. “I’m here,” he says, taking my hand again. His grip is warm, solid, a lifeline in this sea of chaos. I glare at him through the pain. “You did this to me.” He leans down, brushing a kiss against my sweaty forehead. “I know, baby. And you’re doing amazing.” “Amazing? I feel like I’m being ripped in half!” I shout, my voice cracking wit
~~Months later~~ My best friend, Jessica, decided to organise a baby shower for me. She rented a penthouse. I know Caspian's involved in this. Who else is paying for the penthouse? The penthouse is everything Jessica promised and more—sleek marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows with a panoramic view of the city, and enough floral arrangements to make a florist weep. There’s an extravagant dessert table with a towering cake. And, of course, the unmistakable Caspian touch—a champagne fountain. I take it all in, my eyes narrowing suspiciously as I glance at Jessica, who’s currently trying to pass off the event as “modest.” Modest my ass. “You’re sure this wasn’t Caspian’s idea?” Jessica flashes her most innocent smile, which is about as believable as a politician’s promise. “I mean, he may have helped. But you deserve this! Come on, Dee, when was the last time we celebrated you?” I snort, adjusting the sash draped across my belly that reads Mom-to-Be. “You mean besides the
Desiree's POVWe're at a press conference.Cameras flash like lights at a club, and the buzz of reporters fills the air like a swarm of relentless bees. I hate it. Every second of it. But I stand tall, my hand resting in Caspian’s, my knuckles white from the grip. He doesn’t seem fazed—his jaw set, his eyes gleaming. He’s in his element.Me? I’m a bundle of nerves hiding behind a tailored dress and a painted-on smile.The tension in the room is obvious. Every gaze is pinned on us, every microphone is pointed in our direction. There’s no escaping it.Caspian steps forward, adjusting the microphone. His presence is magnetic. Commanding. He could announce the end of the world, and people would believe it was for their own good.He clears his throat, and the room falls silent.“For weeks now, CypherEdge Dynamics has been under siege,” he begins. “An individual named Mabel Blackwood infiltrated our company. She blackmailed board members, manipulated shareholders, and attempted to undermine
“Mr. Hart,” Aaron’s voice oozes through the line, smug and infuriating. “I trust you’ve been thinking about my offer.”“More like thinking about how to kill you,” I mutter under my breath, then louder: “I’ve considered it. But I need proof Desiree is alive. Now.”A pause. Then, Desiree’s voice, faint but there. “Caspian, please…”It takes everything in me not to lose it. “I’m here, Desiree. Hold on.”Aaron returns. “Satisfied?”“Barely,” I say. “You’ll get what you want. But not a second before I see her safe.”“Fine,” Aaron agrees. “Bring the drives to the location we’ll send you. Alone. And no tricks, Hart. Or she dies.”The line goes dead.Antonio is already moving, giving quick commands into his headset. “They’ll never see us coming,” he promises.I grip the phone. “They’d better not.”Because if they do, I’ll burn the entire city down before I let them take her away from me.---I park a block away from the designated warehouse, my pulse thudding in my ears. I sit there for a mom
The tone sends a chill down my spine. Calm, too calm, like this is a business deal and not—“Where is she?” I say. “If you’ve touched her—”“Tsk, tsk,” the man interrupts, almost amused. “Let’s not start with threats. You’re not in a position to make them.”I grip the phone tighter, my knuckles white. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”“Don’t I? Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Hart. Ruthless. Powerful. But none of that matters here.”My free hand balls into a fist at my side. “What do you want?”Finally, he gets to the point. “You’re going to deliver something to me. Two things, actually. First, the drives you took from Mabel’s mother’s house.”My mind races. How does he know about those?“And second,” he continues, “your shares in the company. Sign them over. All of them.”I laugh, sharp and humorless. “You think I’ll just hand those over? Do you know what they’re worth?”“Oh, I know exactly what they’re worth.” His voice drops. “I also know what she’s worth to you.”The a
Caspian's POVIt’s been over two hours since Desiree disappeared, and the hospital has called the police against my wishes.I’m pacing the waiting room like a caged animal, the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead doing nothing to quell the pounding in my skull. Every passing second feels like an eternity, a loud and unrelenting reminder that she’s not here, that I don’t know where she is, that I failed to protect her.“Mr. Hart,” one of the officers starts, her voice too calm, too measured, like she’s asking about a lost cat. “Let’s go over this again. You’re sure your wife didn’t… leave voluntarily?”My fist clenches so hard my knuckles crack. I whip around, staring at her like she’s grown a second head.“Voluntarily?” The word leaves my mouth dripping with venom. “You think she just decided to disappear in the middle of a goddamn ultrasound?”The other officer, a man with a face so nondescript I could forget it in seconds, clears his throat. “We’re just trying to establish all possi
Desiree’s POVI wake up feeling like my head has been split in two.Pain radiates from the back of my skull, throbbing with every heartbeat. My mouth feels like I’ve swallowed sand, and the metallic tang of blood lingers on my tongue. I try to move, but my arms won’t budge. Cold metal digs into my wrists, and the sharp edge of panic slices through the fog clouding my mind.“Welcome back.”The voice is smooth, almost polite, but it sends a chill racing down my spine. I force my eyes open, blinking against the dim light until the blurry figure in front of me sharpens into focus.Aaron.He leans casually against a table, his arms crossed, a smug grin stretched across his face. He looks like a villain from one of those old spy movies—too polished, too composed, too damn pleased with himself.“What the hell,” I croak, my voice raspy. “What is this, amateur hour? I thought kidnappers were supposed to wear masks.”He chuckles, slow and deliberate, like he’s savoring my sarcasm. “You’re in go
Caspian's POVDesiree has been gone for too long.I glance at the clock on the wall, tapping my fingers on the armrest of the chair in rhythm with my heartbeat, which is getting louder and faster with every passing second. Maybe I’m being paranoid. Maybe this is one of those “pregnancy bladder” situations everyone warned me about. But how long does it take a pregnant woman to pee? Five minutes? Ten? I’ve lost track of time, but it feels like hours.I shift in my chair, trying to shake off the gnawing sense of unease creeping up my spine. The ultrasound pictures are still in my hand, slightly crumpled from where my grip has tightened.“She’s fine,” I mutter to myself. “She’s fine.”But the words don’t stick.Standing abruptly, I glance toward the hallway leading to the bathroom. The corridor feels longer than I remember, its sterile walls closing in like they’re mocking me. Every instinct in me screams that something isn’t right.Dr. William steps out of an adjacent room, looking surpr
Dr. William turns to us, his smile widening. “It’s a girl.”For a moment, the world stops. A girl. We’re having a daughter.“A girl,” I repeat, the words tasting foreign and magical on my tongue. Tears spill over before I can stop them, and I press a hand to my mouth, overcome with emotion.Caspian is silent beside me, his gaze fixed on the monitor. When he finally speaks, his voice is rough, as if he’s struggling to keep his own emotions in check. “A girl,” he echoes. Then, with a soft laugh, he adds, “God help her if she inherits your stubbornness.”“Excuse me?” I glare at him, though the tears streaming down my face probably ruin the effect. “She’s going to be the perfect combination of both of us, thank you very much.”“Let’s hope she leans more toward your good looks than my temper.”“Let’s hope she doesn’t inherit your ego,” I shoot back, though my voice is choked with laughter.Dr. William chuckles, stepping back to give us a moment. “I’ll print out some pictures for you two. T