STEPHANIE I left Edwards' room and went back to mine. There was no way I was going to share a bed with someone who had insulted me and my family. I was so upset that I couldn't even put it into words. Usually, only my Mom could comfort me, but I decided not to stress her and rang Olivia, and she answered straight away, immediately noticing how upset I was.“Girl, what's wrong?” She asked immediately.I needed to tell someone so I could feel better. So I told her about the redevelopment and Edward's offer.“Tell me you're taking it?” she asked.“How could I? Those people suffered to build those houses” “He offered your family a new house, a compensation f*e and you five per cent of every profit made in Old Musty. Girl, are you out of your mind?”“Money can't buy me”, I said, feeling slightly offended by her words. “It better do it because that's you being rich and independent. No more hustle”“That's not the point of me telling you this, Olivia” I needed her to tell me I was right,
STEPHANIE It wasn't long before everyone in Old Musty agreed to relocate. Edward kept his word and secured a house for my parents in my dad's name in a city area I could never have imagined living in, not even in another lifetime.My dad was under the care of a renowned doctor and was getting stronger. They were getting him ready for the heart transplant.I couldn't hide my happiness, but I kept it to myself. I didn't see much of Edward. He was always busy, coming home late when I was already asleep and leaving early in the morning. I liked the distance between us. It made the time fly by, bringing me closer to going back home with my family.I had just tucked Anna in and wished Rose and Emma goodnight when my phone rang—it was Aisha. I answered and was immediately met with a rhythm in the background.“Hii Stephanie” I heard her voice piped up. “We are having a party and your husband whom I asked to bring you along came alone” “Oh, I told him I was busy”, I lied. I was getting used
STEPHANIE I could taste the alcohol lingering on his tongue as Edward swiftly pressed his tongue into my mouth, wasting no time at all. He kissed me with an intense hunger that had been simmering beneath the surface, and I eagerly responded, having been teased by his flirtations since the wedding. His hands found their way to my waist, and I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He eventually pulled back, his hazel eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race. At that moment, my body felt warm and alive, wanting his touch more than ever.I didn't want him to stop this time. I wanted his hands all over my body. He stared at me as if he had come to a realization but the words in his mouth proved otherwise. “You belong to me Stephanie” His voice came out raspy, sending lightning down my entire body. “You're mine” I loved how he took control of me. In this moment, I want to be his, yearning for his lips to meet mine again. Unable to hol
STEPHANIE I awoke in a serene room, feeling happier than usual as memories of Edward's touch lingered in my mind. I turned over in bed to find it empty. It wasn't a workday, so where could he be? As if sensing my thoughts, he walked in through the front door, sweaty and dressed in gym clothes. He must have been at the gym downstairs. "Good morning," I said, but he didn't respond, just removed his shoes. His eyes held nothing but the usual frown. Perhaps he didn't hear me. "Did you have a good night?”“You don't have to begin acting all strange because of what happened last night,” he said, eyes on his work.“Pardon?” I was confused.“Nothing happened between us. I was drunk and not in my senses. I would have never stooped so low with you” I couldn't believe my ears, just staring at him, pain building up in my stomach.“You were as drunk as I was and we both misbehaved.” He stood before me “So don't go around feeling whatever you're feeling.” He turned around “I'll add it to your p
EDWARD Having Stephanie around brought a little bit of change. We usually don't have dinner together, but now we do, especially on weekends. I sometimes miss it when I work late, but her cooking has been drawing me home early. But today I'm avoiding going home to face her, as the guilt I've been trying to keep at bay is starting to surface.My father acknowledged my efforts and signed the will to me. I have gotten what I wanted but I wasn't as happy as I thought I would be.I met with Ryan after work because I've been bothered about Stephanie. For the past few days, she seemed like a ghost. Didn't talk much. At work, she stays behind her desk till it is time to go. She doesn't look up at me and I didn't bother to give her anything to do. She sleeps on her side of the bed but doesn't say anything like before, her back turned to me. Every day as early, she returns to her room before I even wake up. I realised she was upset with me for not admitting my feelings for her, but I had no c
EDWARD It was another weekend, and I arrived home early to be greeted by a table filled with different delicacies. Stephanie had been cooking with Martine again. Emma invited me to sit and I did, wondering where Stephanie was because she was the only one missing from the table. I was about to ask after her when she walked out with a plate of blanched vegetables; she placed it before Anna, playfully pinching her nose. “Eat your vegetables if you want some ice cream tomorrow night”, she said gently, and Anna laughed while picking up a stick of carrot to eat. Anna didn't like to eat her vegetables unless forced to. I was impressed, Anna didn't even hesitate to begin. Stephanie sat beside me and everyone dug in. I wasn't a food person, but lately, I craved her meals as if it was some medication I could not miss. It reminded me again of my mother's meal. “How's work today?” My Grandmother asked me.“Great. I mostly worked with Dad today,” I replied, not wanting to miss the taste of th
STEPHANIE I was confused did Edward drink before coming home because I knew that on a normal day he wouldn't open his mouth to apologize to me. These words were the sweetest thing he had ever said to me. The confused look on his face showed that he wasn't pleased with my question. I tried to push his hand away and he let me. I turned around and faced him properly. “The last time you tried to care about me, next morning you said I wasn't your type” I didn't know why I was this calm, perhaps it was because of the curls from his wet hair, his eyes intently planted on me and those hands holding me. Or because he said the words I've never heard before. “You might wake up tomorrow and say you regret apologizing to me” “I promise you I won't” That husky voice pierced through my ears and it seemed as if he was a totally different person. Did his grandmother ask him to apologize or what? I shouldn't trust him immediately. “There's no need to apologize. This is all going to be over and I'
STEPHANIE I stood in front of my mirror staring at my reflection. Edwards words from last night came flowing into my mind. ‘For some reason I don't understand but I want more’‘I promise I won't change tomorrow. You can hold this message against me if I do’I touched my neck, then my breasts, squeezing the latter. The blue in my eyes had a sudden spark in them and I wondered if it was because of the feeling I had that Edward had changed. My hair looked straight, dry and needed a proper brushing so I decided to take a shower before going downstairs. I stepped into the shower letting the warm water rain on me. As I brushed my hair with my fingers, all that was going through my mind was Edward. What would it feel like to have him in a bath with me, his naked frame before me. The water falling off his rib sheen skin. His hair curly and those brown eyes staring deep into my soul. I touched my body remembering his touch from last night and I felt a heat wave rush down my body. I open
STEPHANIE Maison didn't mind my screams and cries. He was after pleasuring himself. He took off my underwear and opened my legs. He held me in a place and I could not move. He took off his shirt and unbuckled his belt, revealing his dick, which was all up and red burning with desire. “Maison, please don't do this”, I begged, but the look in his eyes showed that he was not willing to let go of me. “I'm hurt” I mumbled. He was leaning into me, and I shut my eyes, trying to subdue the pain I was about to feel.But instead, I felt his grip on me reduced, and his weight on me lifted. I opened my eyes slowly. He had gotten up and adjusted his trousers. I quickly got up and dressed myself too. He picked up his shirt without turning back, and he left. I was grateful he didn't rape me, at least he has a conscience. I got up and dressed properly. For a moment I thought he was going to have sex with me. I would have really counted him a monster truly if he did. He had been obsessed with me,
STEPHANIE I had no appetite, looking at the varieties Maison displayed on the table. The pain had reduced and the bleeding too. I laid in bed and began to feel uncomfortable. I got up and sat on the floor. It was night with no sign of a way to escape or anyone looking for me. I was starving and very weak. I looked at the table filled with food. Maison had brought food and clothes earlier. I knew I needed food for strength, but I didn't have the appetite to eat. I got up and sat by the table.I heard key sounds behind the door, and soon, the door was opened, Maison appeared in the doorway, looking intimidating. He sat in front of me, watching me. “You know you don't have to be locked in here for long, all you have to do is marry me and divorce your husband” “Where did you learn to become a monster, Maison? I once loved you, you were a caring guy with a good heart. Even when I found out you were in a gang, I didn't leave you because you were the best man I had been with, but then you
EDWARD I sat in front of the police detective who was asking me diverse questions about Stephanie. They found her car, crashed without a sign of her in it. She had an accident, but what happened after? I almost cried when I got a sighting of the vehicle. The night she went missing passed by quickly without me catching a glimpse of sleep or rest. We had contacted all hospitals by that side in case she was admitted to a hospital but none took in a victim of an accident. Her mother had run over to my place, struck with worry, I assured her that I'd look for Stephanie. We didn't gain any good news that night, all security footage didn't capture that particular place where she had an accident. My thoughts ran to Maison, but I didn't want to believe he had anything to do with Stephanie yet. Emma was asked a few questions and she told the detective that Stephanie had been going to her parents sometimes and coming back before I returned. She had left yesterday, saying she would come back
STEPHANIE I bled till morning earning just a tossed sanitary pad and towel from Maison. Was I really pregnant for Edward, or was it just an early period? Thinking about it, I wasn't sure I had my period last month, I didn't track it, and I was always having unprotected sex with Edward. The pain was unbearable but I couldn't do anything about it. I didn't have my phone with me or anything. After cleaning myself up, I lay on the bed twirling in pain. I was hurt. If I knew I had Edward's child, I would have done anything to keep it. I felt bad that I didn't even know I was pregnant. How can a woman not know she's with a child? I felt weak because I'd lost lots of blood, I had become pale and sickly. The sun had come up properly, when I saw the door open and Maison walked in. He stared at me for a moment before saying, “A doctor is here for you, you'll be fine in minutes” Immediately, what came across my mind was to tell the doctor that I had been kidnapped and he should help, but t
STEPHANIE Edward didn't like the name Maison or the statement that came after. “What?” he asked, fury already lingering in his eyes. I regret telling him. “When we were in the water park for a moment we couldn't find Anna, I wanted to call you but I found her with Maison behind an ice cream shop” “What?” Edward sprang to his feet, picking up his phone, and I followed. He was dialing a number. He was calling the cops. “He didn't hurt her, I swear” “But this is a threat, it's high time I get this over and done with.” He was frustrated, running his fingers through his hair. “What the fuck does he want from me?”“It is me,” I said quietly. “He said I should have a divorce and come back to him or he'll make my life miserable. “Why didn't you tell me this?” “Because it's my fault, it's my problem, I was the one who dated him. I didn't want to drag you into this” “You're my wife, Stephanie, we fucking shared a vow”, his voice rumbled. “Under a contract,” I said. I needed to know wh
STEPHANIE I was afraid. I had looked around for her, everywhere a kid could be. I met with the authorities, and everyone began to look for Anna. I felt like crying because I didn't know what to do. What would Edward say? How would he react to hearing his daughter was missing? The first time I had a day out with her and this happened? My skin was covered in goosebumps, shivering from fear. Poor Anna must be so scared.The authorities were not making any progress in finding her, so I picked up my phone to call the police and Edward when I remembered that we hadn't checked the ice cream shop area. I knew that Anna wasn't a child to wander off like that because of something she likes but never say never. I ran to the stall to find a young ice cream man. “Please sir have you seen a child about this tall” I gestured with my hand “Petite and dark hair” he stared at me as if trying to remember, “She's wearing pink and blue swimwear”“Oh I saw her leave with her dad after getting strawberr
STEPHANIE I swear I didn't realize it when I said Maison's name. I was a fool, a very stupid one. He stared at me before closing my legs, he sat at the edge of the bed, looking away. I started apologizing continuously and I had to do more. “I'm sorry Edward, I didn't know when I said that” He was silent. His face was void of any emotions. I adjusted my dress and slipped towards him. “Please” I touched his arm.“Tell me, Stephanie, I want the truth” His face was serious. “Do you still love him?”“I cannot love someone who has hurt me countless times.” I dropped my arms. “I hated him before I even ended things with him, and he went to jail.” I felt like I needed to explain everything to him. “It was two months before I met you that we broke up. He not only hurt me physically but he traumatized me, that I couldn't have a shut eyes without seeing him attempting to hit me again in my dreams. He was the guy I'd been with the longest. Please don't be mad” He didn't move an inch. “Please
STEPHANIE I had been at home for almost a week because Edward ordered me to rest and stay indoors. I know he can be overprotective at times but this was much. He asked Jude to accompany me anytime I was going out. I asked him the reason and he said he just wanted me safe. I had to spend more time with Anna, Rose had returned home but promised to be back. I enjoyed her company, she always tried to make sure I was comfortable. I called my mom and told her what happened between me and Maison and told her to avoid him and never let him into the house again. My mom was surprised because she never knew Maison to be a horrible person, so I had to apologize for lying before. I told her how he harassed me before and she was really sad. But I told her I was lucky now to have Edward. I made dinner and we waited for Edward to return. I took up my habit of making food if I was bored. It had not been all lovey-dovey for me and Edward since I returned from the hospital. He wasn't angry at me b
EDWARD I was so angry at Stephanie and I didn't want to see her until I heard a thud on the ground. Turning around I saw that she was on the floor. I rushed to her and lifted her head to see that she had fainted. I was afraid, even though I might be mad and all, I didn't want to lose her.I quickly carried her in my arms, calling Steven to help with the car. He was a fast driver and I was grateful to him for the first time. I stared at Stephanie, head resting on my body. Her eyes were swollen and she looked exhausted. I was sorry, but it would not have been great to forgive her easily. I did a background check on this ex-boyfriend of hers, and he was a psychopath. He sold drugs secretly and was part of a gang. I was surprised how Stephanie would have ended up with someone like that. I guessed she didn't know because she didn't look like anyone with a dark past or was trying to hide how crooked she was. I believed her story, Maison was capable of drugging someone and taking advan