STEPHANIE I woke up to the scent of musk and Leather oud drifting into my nose. As I tried to figure out where I was, I noticed Edward was already dressed for work. He had on black trousers and a blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing off his veiny arms. I could still make out his firm torso through the shirt. I had no idea when he even got up. I need to sort out my sleep schedule. It was his cologne that had filled the room and fogged my mind.He glanced at me while adjusting his watch, catching me staring, and I awkwardly sat up. "You don't need to go to work today. I don't want to see you," he said, turning away. "Find something else to do." He seemed so angry, which was odd because even though he rarely smiles, he usually just looks manipulative, not angry. Did I mess up last night?“Why don't you want me at work?” I asked.He didn't look up. “Stay home or come to work, you'll be paid otherwise. So why bother?” He walked to the bedside picking up his MacBook. “I've spoke
STEPHANIE I felt a mix of worry and anger after hanging up with my Mom. I couldn't wrap my head around why Edward, of all people, would want to redevelop my town. He's visited before, so what sparked this idea? We had already fought against Alexander, and now this? It left me feeling unsettled. I'll have a word with him when he's back, maybe he forgot that it's my home. I tried to calm my nerves, by convincing myself that he wasn't aware. I'll approach him calmly, and I'm sure he'll reconsider the development.Feeling hungry now, I wandered down to the kitchen and found the chef, Martine, who stood up as soon as he saw me. He was a plump French cook, and from what I've tasted, he was excellent at his job."What would you like, Mrs Dan?" he asked, which felt odd since no one had ever asked me what I wanted before, I was usually the one doing the serving.I grinned, "Just call me Stephanie," and glanced around the spacious kitchen. "I want some pasta, but I'd like to make it myself.
STEPHANIE I heard Edward return and waited patiently in my room until it was quite late, so I could meet him in the room and tell him about the plans to demolish my town.When I entered, I saw him by the lounge area on a call. It seemed like a business call, so I sat quietly on the bed until he finished. As soon as he noticed me, he wrapped up the call and slipped the phone into his pocket, facing the open French window with his back to me.I got up and walked over to him. I didn't want to start with anything awkward like, how's your day? How's work? So I said, “I got a call from my mom today, and she told me that she, along with everyone else in Old Musty, received an eviction notice from Dan Realty.”I studied him and he didn't move a muscle. “Is that true?”“You should believe your mother more, don't you?” he didn't turn.“But why?” I asked, moving closer to him. “Those people at Old Musty struggled to build their home. My Dad struggled to build that house when I was a child” “Tha
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
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