LOGINShare
CHAPTER 373
Last Updated:
2024-03-21 07:22:15
Related chapters
One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger CHAPTER 374
Light speared his brain and his head pounded like someone was using a jackhammer inside it. But he was awake and he knew what he had to do. If he wanted Chloe in his life, then he had to be prepared to give up The Mayfield Group. It sounded extreme, but he had thought it through and it made a lot of sense to him - and not just the type of sense that came at the bottom of a whiskey bottle. It wasn’t his business that was the problem, it was his emotional ties to it. That insight had come to him in the middle of the night. It wasn’t that Chloe was opposed to him having his business or even finding a solution to keeping the business and still being with her. She had a problem with the lengths he was prepared to go to, to keep his business. She had been right. He was leveraging his unborn child in order to get what he wanted. What kind of father did that? Oh, that’s right. His own father did that sort of thing all the time. Declan did not want to be that kind of father and so he had com
Last Updated : 2024-03-21One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger CHAPTER 375
I don’t care if I never see you or Mother again. Now, about the lawyers?” Declan’s father looked at him like he was an extraterrestrial and he had to smother a laugh. It felt fucking amazing to be free of the chains that had kept him bound for so long. He’d had the key all along and he hadn’t even known it. His chest expanded with a deep breath and the tight, achy feeling that had been restricting his torso for weeks now, disappeared. Now he just had to convince Chloe to forgive him and let him back in her life.Chloe dragged herself into the bridal shop where everyone else was already waiting. Brian had organized to fly Cassie’s mum down from Queensland to spend the weekend with them as they tried on dresses and discussed all things wedding. It was a special weekend for Cassie and Chloe really wanted to be a part of it except she actually really wanted to be in bed and hide under the covers where she didn’t have to socialize with anyone. The morning sickness was only getting wors
Last Updated : 2024-03-21One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger CHAPTER 376
“I’ve had a stomach bug,” Chloe replied. “But don’t bother taking in any of the seams, I’m sure I’ll be back to my usual size in no time.” “Come on out and have a look in the big mirror,” the other woman said. Chloe followed her out to where the rest of the bridal party waited and held the dressmaker's hand as she helped her up onto the raised platform in front of the mirror. The women seated on the sofa fell silent as they looked at her and it wasn’t a good silence. Chloe turned to look at herself in the mirror and realized what had everyone so dumbstruck. She looked awful. The color, which would normally look fine on her, made her look washed out and sallow. The dress pulled tight over her bust - the only part of her where she hadn’t lost weight - and then fell in an unshapely manner making it look like a particularly unflattering sack. “Fuck,” she whispered under her breath. She had been living in sweatpants and leggings with oversized t-shirts for the better part of two week
Last Updated : 2024-03-21One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger CHAPTER 377
The drive to the hospital was interminable. Eventually, they made it and Declan was out of the car before it came to a complete stop. He raced inside and startled the receptionist as he demanded to be told where Chloe was being treated. The receptionist refused to give him any details because he wasn’t a relative and it didn’t matter that he was the father of the baby. Declan could hear his voice rising as he tried to convince the woman that he needed to see Chloe but there was nothing he could do to keep it down. He was in a full-on panicked state and until he saw her and saw for himself that she was okay he wouldn’t calm down. A hand clapped him on the shoulder and he expected to see a security guard preparing to haul him out but instead, he looked into the blue eyes of his best friend. “Mason,” he said, “tell me what’s happening. Where is she?” Lisa stood a little behind her fiancé a pinched look on her face. He knew Lisa’s issues with people and he didn’t want to fr
Last Updated : 2024-03-21One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger CHAPTER 378
She opened her mouth to speak but he held up a hand to hush her and hurried on. “I know you don’t believe me right now but I want you to know that I intend to prove it to you in as many ways as I can until you do believe me. I know I have been an idiot and that what you overheard was probably the worst thing you could have possibly overheard, but there was more to the conversation than that one small snippet. I know it doesn’t negate what I said, but please understand the context it was said. What you missed hearing me say was how much I love you and how happy I am. Yes, the baby would have smoothed things over with my mother, but that’s not the reason I am happy. I am happy because I couldn’t think of anything better than starting a family with you and spending the rest of our lives together. I asked you to marry me because I want you to marry me. I want to grow old with you and have many more babies with you and bounce our grandkids on my knee. I know I have a lot to make up fo
Last Updated : 2024-03-21One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger CHAPTER 379
Chloe had been released from the hospital under the proviso that she keep her fluids up, get lots of bed rest, and eat small, regular meals. The doctors had assured her that her baby - their baby - was fine and healthy and the constant nausea would eventually pass. God, she hoped so. There was nothing worse than that constant feeling of wanting to throw up. Having Declan lying beside her helped. It was probably a placebo effect, but she wasn’t going to argue with it. Any moment of nausea-free time was a welcome relief. “What are you going to do now that you’re unemployed?” she asked with a grin. “You have a family to think about now. You can’t just bum around on the couch.” He kissed her, just a quick peck and she could feel his lips smile against hers. “I have some ideas about that,” he said. “I was thinking about doing something online…I don’t know what yet. Maybe expanding on what you do with kids’ parties but for adults.” She opened her mouth to speak but he pr
Last Updated : 2024-03-21One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger CHAPTER 380
The music started and Declan stood anxiously beside his four best friends as the bridal procession started. Abby, Barry’ six-year-old daughter, was the first to walk down the aisle, her hand clutched tightly around a basket of flowers and followed closely behind by Becky. Cassie’s cousin followed them. He held his breath as Chloe appeared and his eyes didn’t leave her as she slowly walked towards the front of the church. He had begged Cassie to let him swap partners with Mason, but she wouldn’t have it. He was stuck with Becky as his partner and Mason was Chloe’s. Not that Becky was a problem, they actually got on quite well, now that she had worked out her issues with Chloe. Chloe looked stunning in the emerald green, floor-length gown. She had regained some of the weight that she had lost, but she was still too thin. Her baby belly wasn’t showing yet and he couldn’t wait until it did. He was unreasonably excited to see her show the fruit of their love in the form of a basketbal
Last Updated : 2024-03-22One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger CHAPTER 381
After the vows were spoken and the kiss was shared, Declan watched on as Brian and Cassie signed the wedding register and were announced as husband and wife. As they moved back down the aisle being greeted and congratulated by the guests in attendance, Declan sidled up to Mason. “Swap partners with me,” he whispered. “No,” Mason replied. “Come on, man,” Declan pleaded. “You may have a death wish, but I have no intention of getting on Cassie’s bad side. The answer is no.” He sighed but snuck over to give Chloe a quick kiss before holding his arm out to Becky. She was looking longingly at Barry, who was partnered with Peyton - Barry was best man and Peyton was maid of honor so it was only natural they were paired together. Declan nudged Becky. “Your turn will come soon enough,” he said. “Just remember that Chloe has to be my partner.” “Who says you’re even going to be in the wedding party?” she said with a sniff. “Oh I know I will be,” he rep
Last Updated : 2024-03-22
Latest chapter
One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger EPILOGUE
Six Months Later…Everyone he loved was in the room. They were celebrating. Barry and Becky had finally set a date. Lisa and Mason wouldn’t be far behind. Brian and Cassie kept sneaking glances at one another that they thought nobody else noticed. He thought he knew what was going on but he didn’t want to ruin the surprise. It was their news to share and he was happy to wait for them to be ready to share it. Liam and Loretta were here too. He’d been slowly getting to know them. There was a lot of hurt to work through, but they were getting there. Jonathon quite enjoyed having a younger brother even if it was only in small doses at the moment. Devi and Kirra were also there. Kirra was graduating in a couple of weeks and then she would be hopefully attending one of the universities close to home. She wouldn’t know if she got accepted until the new year, but Jonathan was quietly confident that she would get into her top pick. And then there was Emma. Every day with her was
One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger CHAPTER 480
“I know it’s too soon,” he said, cupping her cheek. “But I want you to know that I am in this for good. I want to spend my life with you Emma. I want us to be a family. You, me, Kirra, Devi, Liam, and Loretta—” “Loretta?” “My mum. I want one big, messy family with you and me at the heart of it. Tell me you want that too.” She pressed against him and brushed a kiss on his lips. “I do,” she said before putting the remaining half of the chocolate in her mouth and grinning. The wheel came to a stop and he drew Emma to her feet, moving them both over to the window. The entire city of Melbourne was spread out below them, but it dimmed in comparison to the woman in his arms. “I love you, Emma,” he whispered before kissing her while they stood on top of the world.He took her home. He couldn’t not. They had stuff to work out and a relationship to manage. He had a family to get to know and she had her mother’s illness to navigate and her sister’s final year of sch
One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger CHAPTER 479
He stepped into the pod and waited for the door to close before holding the final box out to her, his mouth dry. She reached for it but he snatched it away, lifting it beyond her reach. “Before I give this to you, I need to explain.” She looked from the box to his face and nodded. “Okay.” The wheel started to move and Jonathon moved them over to sit on a bench. He exhaled roughly. “Okay, so I don’t know how much of this you already know, but how about I just start at the beginning?” She nodded again. “My mother left when I was two. I always believed she left us for a man with money. I’ve recently found out that wasn’t true.” He took a deep breath and her hand rested gently on his chest as she moved closer to him. He took strength from her closeness. “Someone was impersonating me—” “Liam?” He nodded. “Right. Liam. It turns out Liam is my brother. He was trying to draw me out and get me to notice him. He ultimately wanted to meet his father. He didn’t
One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger CHAPTER 478
“Are you looking for this?” the security guy asked, holding out an old-fashioned paper ticket. Emma laughed as she snatched it from him, waving it over her shoulder as she jogged toward the front doors of the building. She slid into the car and Brian looked at her expectantly. “Um…” Emma looked between Brian and Cassie. “I want to say Luna Park, but I don’t think that’s right.” “Why Luna Park?” Cassie asked. Emma held up the ticket in her hand. “We went to a fête in Merveille and rode the Ferris wheel.” “The Melbourne Star,” Brian said, his voice gruff. “Of course!” Cassie cried excitedly, leaning over to give Brian a smacking kiss. “You’re brilliant.” Emma could barely keep still as Brian drove them across town toward the Docklands and the giant observation wheel. As much as she was enjoying herself, she wanted to see him. She had already forgiven him for his lie and now she desperately wanted to ask his forgiveness for her stupid, fearful, erratic
One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger CHAPTER 477
She walked around the corner expecting to see Jonathon outside the patisserie, but there was no one there. She stepped inside breathed in the sweet scent of pastries and chocolate and looked around, hoping to spot him, but he wasn’t there. “Are you Emma?” a lady asked. “Yeah,” Emma said, turning to the woman who sat at a small table with a familiar little box in front of her. “This is for you,” the woman said, standing and walking away. Emma sat and took the box, pulling at the bow and opening it to see another chocolate truffle, this time it had an ’S’ written on top of it in dark chocolate. She didn’t need the little ‘Eat Me’ note to know what to do. She put the truffle on her tongue and closed her eyes. The chocolate coating melted away to leave behind a cake center with the sweet tang of apricot jam. “Sachertorte,” she mumbled to herself as she sighed and opened her eyes. Emma picked up the note that had nestled beside the truffle in the box.The first time we made lov
One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger CHAPTER 476
Dear Emma,The first time we met I wanted to kiss you. I knew I couldn’t. I knew it was stepping across a line both personally and professionally, but still, I couldn’t deny the attraction I felt.Our relationship has had an unconventional start, a bit of a rocky middle, and an absolutely appalling ending, but there were some real high points along the way. Let me remind you of how good it was between us and how good it could be again.Do you remember our first kiss? I don’t think I will ever forget it. I thought I knew what I was getting myself in for when I leaned down to brush my lips across yours, but I was a fool. You were so much more than I ever thought I would ever experience. You took my breath away and I lost a little bit of my heart to you at that moment.If it meant as much to you as it did to me, meet me there at the place where we first kissed.Jonathon.Emma could feel the wetness on her cheeks and she sniffed as she wiped at the tears. “Well?” Cassie asked, rocking o
One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger CHAPTER 475
It was the first Saturday morning Emma could ever remember that had the three of them sitting around the kitchen table eating pancakes and laughing. What would have been a simple, family Saturday morning ritual for some was something out of a fairy tale for Emma. She knew they were a long way from being a happy family, there was still a lot of hurt to navigate and broken trust to overcome, but it was a start and for once in her life, she was willing to just go with it. On this day, Devi was back to the woman she vaguely remembered from before Tom died and Emma wanted to soak it up and memorize it. From pancakes, they’d gone to gardening. Emma shared her plans with Devi and Kirra. She would let the lease go on her flat and move back in here permanently. It meant she would be on hand if Devi needed her and hopefully give some stability for Kirra’s final year of school. After she graduated and went off to uni, Emma could look at what would happen next. They all agreed that if they were
One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger CHAPTER 474
Emma wanted to believe her, but it was tempting to turn away and close her heart off so she couldn’t be hurt again. Except it would hurt anyway. If there was one thing she learned through this whole saga with Jonathon it was that closing your heart off to others was a mistake. You ended up hurting everyone that way, not least of all yourself. She put her arm around Devi and hugged her. “Good for you mum,” she said.Jonathon worked all night and most of the day. He tried calling Emma but when she didn’t pick up or reply to his texts after the first twenty or so, he gave up. What he had to say needed to be said in person anyway. Inspired by the woman he had fallen irrevocably in love with, he had spent the night holed up in his test kitchen creating the perfect set of truffles. Anybody could buy a box of chocolates or a bunch of flowers but only he could create an entire set of truffles that spelled out just how much he loved her and how much she had impacted his life. He had words
One Night Stand With The Unforgettable Stranger CHAPTER 473
Kirra said when Emma finally made it home. Emma had been wandering around the city trying to come to terms with what all this meant for her life going forward. She had made some hard decisions, but she felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. It hadn’t helped with the pain in her chest where her heart was currently crumbling away to dust, but at least she knew that she wasn’t going to end up like her mother just because she had fallen in love. Life was always going to throw her curve balls and she just learned something about herself. Despite her previous belief, she was actually strong enough to withstand them, even swing the bat at them, and make the best out of a bad situation. “Hey, yourself,” she said, sitting at the table opposite Kirra. “Where’s Zoë?” “She had to go and run some errands.” “Where’s mum?” Kirra bit her lip and her eyes teared up. “I don’t know.” “She’s not here?” Emma asked, sitting up straighter and leaning forward. “When I got home, Z
