CHAPTER 109ROBERT’S POV ~ “I’ll send you the details of her company. I need you to hack into her laptop and wipe out everything work-related. Can you do that?” ~Frank was silent for some time, almost as if he wasn’t on call anymore. What I said must have disoriented him completely. But I didn’t expect him to be that way.“Hey buddy…Are you still there?...” I brought my phone down from my ear just to make sure the call hadn’t disconnected. And it hasn’t.“Hey boss…” His voice sounded. It was low almost as if he was afraid to speak.“What happened?” I asked, bringing the phone to my ear. “Why did you suddenly black out on me?”“I’m sorry, boss,” he said, taking a deep breath. “But why are we doing this? Is it really the right thing to do? After what Scarlett made me do to her, I promised myself I’d never be part of something that could hurt anyone like that again. What I did cost Lily so much, and the guilt still eats at me. I can’t bring myself to put her through that kind of pain
CHAPTER 1 “Congratulations Mrs. Wilson,” the nurse said with a soft smile. “The test came out positive, you’re a month pregnant.” I felt a cold wave of shock wash over me as though someone poured a bucketful of ice water on me. My heart jolted painfully in my chest and my lips parted involuntarily as the memories that led to this unexpected event came rushing back at me like a violent wind. Robert, my childhood crush and husband who I was in a contract marriage with returned that night drunk and overjoyed, the reason being the advertising company landed a huge advertising deal with one of the biggest luxury establishments in the city. I knew he was drunk. I knew he wasn’t in control of his actions. I shouldn’t have let that night happen. But I have loved him dearly for a very long time and was unable to resist him. I was willing to do anything for his satisfaction and happiness. For a long time, I have craved to have such intimate moments with him. Since we got married two an
CHAPTER 2 The other woman was Scarlett Johnson, who I learnt was Robert’s first love and ex-girlfriend. She had just returned after a long time of being away to who knows where. And since then, has been all over Robert like a moth to a flame. Even though I didn’t know much about her, I hated her. She seemed fake. But Robert can’t see through her façade. I know she was his first love, beautiful with doll-like features and enchanting figure but she wasn’t worth the kindness and care he was giving her. I could tell she was taking advantage of that side of him. If she could leave him hanging years back, there was every chance she could leave him again. I wish Robert would open his eyes and see that. See she wasn’t good for him or the company. Ever since he offered her job at the advertising firm without going through the normal procedures, she has been treating me like trash and trying to make me look bad in front of him and everyone because of how close I was to him as his personal
CHAPTER 3 “Now isn’t the right time. I’m planning to surprise him and everyone back at the family house during an important dinner,” I lied to her again, managing another smile. She shrugged, believing me anyway. I was full of lies today. This was my third lie today. And to Jane, I have been lying to her ever since I got into this marriage with Robert, always defending him and trying to paint the perfect picture of everything being alright while they weren’t. I hated myself more than anything now. Shortly after, Jane left to pick up her child from school and make lunch for her family. My mum was admitted to the same hospital, but in a different ward a bit further away. I wanted to take the pregnancy test first before visiting her because I knew I’d spend a long time with her. I still couldn’t believe Robert didn’t recall me mentioning she was sick to him at some point. I did tell him several times this week when I wanted to leave work early to visit her. Despite that, I
CHAPTER 4 Though I had an apartment I stayed in at times, I lived here. With Robert when it was necessary to play our parts as a couple. The mansion was a sophisticated one situated in the upscale part of the city, surrounded by luxury and servants. I got in and quickly prepared myself for the dinner. As I was making my way to the dining area, I stopped by the mirror in the hallway to adjust my cocktail dress; the sapphire blue colour brought out the blue in my eyes. I also adjusted the wealth of my long brown hair, making sure my appearance was intact before his mother could see me. I learnt his mum was a star actress while young. She has been away since Robert and I got married. We only met briefly, so I didn’t know much about her. Though I overheard the servants once complaining of her being too excessive, easily irritated and difficult to please. So I was in for one heck of a ride. I didn’t understand why she called for such an abrupt dinner. But whatever the reason, I jus
CHAPTER 5 That evening, immediately after what occurred at the dinner table, I took a ride to my apartment. I didn’t have the heart to stay in that mansion after the last statement Robert made. It hurt more than his mum’s own, and I could tell he wasn’t going to spend the night there either. I was so stupid to think he was standing up for me. I should have known better. After undressing and getting ready for bed, I suddenly felt sick, coming down with a fever. I took something to slow the fever and pain and decided to sleep early so I could wake up early for work tomorrow morning. I had a lot on my table this week so I can’t afford to be late or worse, fall sick. Gently, I wrapped my hands around my belly, shaking off every bad thought and feeling. Shaking off everything Robert’s mum said about me. I wasn’t a barren desert. I was a real woman with no fertility issue, and sooner or later I’ll prove it to her. That night as I dozed off without knowing, I had a dream. A sweet d
CHAPTER 6 At the office, I was going through the details of my presentation, and putting everything together when I received an SMS from Robert through the company’s private line, informing me to schedule all his meetings and visits till after the presentation later that evening. I took note of that, and just then saw Scarlett making her way past me like a proud peacock to his office. As much as I didn’t want to admit, she looked radiant in her professionally done makeup but her gown was way too skimpy and seductive to be worn in a workplace such as this. Quickly, I left what I was doing to stop her from going in. “Miss Scarlett you can’t go in now. Come back later in the evening. Mr. Robert is busy.” She washed me head to toe with an icy glare, snorting derisively in disbelief. “Excuse me, and what are you supposed to be? Have you forgotten who I am? Because it seems you have. How dare you stop me going to see the love of my life!” she growled. I sighed nonchalantly and ro
Chapter 7 LILY'S POV "What's going on here?" Robert's gruff, provoked voice sounded as he came out of his office. Quickly, as Scarlett looked at him, I wiped the teardrops threatening to spill from my eyes and held back the sobs forming at the back of my throat. I summoned the courage to lift my gaze to Robert's eyes. The eyes of the boy I fell in love with the first time I saw him walk into our class. The eyes of the man I longed for his love and wanted to spend the rest of my life with even though he was so dumb he couldn't see it that way. It was hard to believe that one day those eyes would be seeing me out of his house and life forever, welcoming Scarlett as his new wife. No doubt his family members will approve especially his mum since Scarlett will be giving her what I couldn't - a child. A child that didn't come about by mistake. A child Robert approves of. "Nothing is happening," I said and forced a smile, my heart as heavy as a rock in my chest. "Everything's fine. I wa
CHAPTER 109ROBERT’S POV ~ “I’ll send you the details of her company. I need you to hack into her laptop and wipe out everything work-related. Can you do that?” ~Frank was silent for some time, almost as if he wasn’t on call anymore. What I said must have disoriented him completely. But I didn’t expect him to be that way.“Hey buddy…Are you still there?...” I brought my phone down from my ear just to make sure the call hadn’t disconnected. And it hasn’t.“Hey boss…” His voice sounded. It was low almost as if he was afraid to speak.“What happened?” I asked, bringing the phone to my ear. “Why did you suddenly black out on me?”“I’m sorry, boss,” he said, taking a deep breath. “But why are we doing this? Is it really the right thing to do? After what Scarlett made me do to her, I promised myself I’d never be part of something that could hurt anyone like that again. What I did cost Lily so much, and the guilt still eats at me. I can’t bring myself to put her through that kind of pain
CHAPTER 108ROBERT’S POV~ Noah sat down on the seat in front of her. He no longer had that troubled and angry look he once had. It had softened. I couldn’t understand what was happening between them. It was making me boil. As if that wasn’t enough, Lily reached across the table and took his hand in hers.“That’s it!” I said as I furiously got up and started packing to go. I can’t take this anymore. I’m heading there. I don’t care what happens. ~I was at the entrance of the building, about to enter when the security guard showed up to stop me. “Where are you heading, Mr. Robert?” He asked, his eyes wide as he was surprised to see me.“To her office,” I said through clenched teeth, fury propelling me forward.“No… no… no…” He scrambled to stop me, his hand pressing against my heaving chest. “That isn’t the right thing to do right now…”He was tensed as he glanced around furtively, making sure no one was watching as if afraid something bad would happen if anyone saw us together.“Why
CHAPTER 107 ROBERT’S POV ~ As I waited for him to return my chats, I peeped into the surveillance equipment. On seeing Lily had arrived and was already seated at her table, working on her laptop, everything else I was doing became history in the blink of an eye. I swept off the potato chips and beer from the tabletop, making a mess. My phone nearly fell too. But I didn’t care as I adjusted the equipment and began to watch Lily. ~ From the focused distance, I could see she was frustrated. She pushed her seat back away from the table. She ran her fingers through her lush hair, disheveling it and there was this angry look on her face almost as if she regretted doing something. I took my eyes off the equipment, my brows furrowing. She was too beautiful to be in this kind of distress. If she was acting this way, that meant she also had a bad night like me or even worse. Maybe she felt guilty for what she did to me yesterday. Maybe there was a chance she still loved me but was fi
CHAPTER 106ROBERT’S POVLast night was hell. I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking about Lily. Where was she? In her house or somewhere else? What was she doing? Who was she with? Will she ever forgive me and take me to see my kids so we can become a family? These questions daggered my mind throughout the night. I had to pass the time by drinking, eating leftover pizza and watching TV.I wondered if she was thinking about me too. Surely, she wasn’t. She hated me too much now to even care whether I existed or not. If I’m ever going to regain her trust and forgiveness and win her back then I had to put in a lot of effort. I’ll have to go the extra mile and do things the old me will never think of doing. I had to take gentle steps, give her the time and space she needed and prove to her I was a changed man who was ready to love her till the end of days.After I paid that security guard and promised to pay him more if he continued to give me all the information I needed, he spilt all the de
CHAPTER 105LILY’S POV~ “I’m sorry, Noah,” I said genuinely. “I promise I’ll make it up to you. Anything you want.”He didn’t say anything. He just sighed dejectedly and shook his head. Turning the door, he grabbed the handle and jerked it open only to nearly collide with the company security guard who was standing by the doorway. I didn’t get what he was doing standing there. Was he eavesdropping on our conversation? ~For a split second, I thought he was but he wasn’t. In his hands was an extravagant bouquet of deep red roses, along with a sleek, elegant envelope. The sight of it made the air between us three tense and awkward.“Miss Jones, this just came in for you,” The security guard said, bringing it forward to hand it over to me.“Thank you…” My brows furrowed as I hesitantly accepted it. He bowed slightly before leaving. I closed my door and walked to my table, keeping the bouquet on it. Noah didn’t leave my office again like he wanted to. Instead, he followed closely behi
CHAPTER 104 LILY’S POV The next day I went to work earlier than usual. I couldn’t sleep properly last night because of what Nana Mae had told me yesterday. It kept ringing in my head over and over again. I spent the entire night restlessly rolling around on the bed and going to the kids’ room to check up on them. Was I feeling this miserable and angry because I was still in love with Robert? He was my high school crush, the only man I had truly opened my heart to, the man who took my virginity, the father of my children. Were all that truly the reasons I was finding it hard to forget him? Because of this unbreakable connection we share. No…no…no… I was restless as I pushed my chair back away from my table where I was working on my laptop. I couldn’t focus on work. Since yesterday, I couldn’t bring myself to focus on anything. I can’t stop thinking of Robert and that stupid look on his face. He said he wanted to tell me something but I didn’t give him the chance. What did he
CHAPTER 103LILY’S POV~ I lifted my head and looked at her. “What about Liam?”“He’s playing a video game in his room.”I smiled, glad he was doing well. But didn’t he hear the sound of the glasses shattering? It was loud enough and could even be heard from outside the house. Since Nana Mae was coming from upstairs on hearing it, that meant he too must have heard it. Why didn’t he come rushing downstairs? Was she sure he was really upstairs in his room or was there something she wasn’t telling me? ~“I know what you’re thinking,” Nana Mae said as if she could read my mind. “You don’t have to worry. He has earphones on. He didn’t hear anything. And I think he’ll probably take a nap when he’s done playing to rest his eyes.”I sighed in quiet relief on hearing that. The eye doctor had mentioned that the antibiotics she prescribed would make him feel drowsy and inactive for a while, so it was important to let him rest and take time off school as needed. I fell silent, staring into sp
CHAPTER 102LILY’S POVAfter I got out of the taxi, I quickly rushed into the house. I slammed the door shut and pressed my back against it as though I just encountered something horrifying. That horrifying thing was Robert. I broke down in sobs that I had been holding back all through the ride as I screeched my back against the door and crumpled hopelessly on the floor. I tried to hold back my outburst as Liam was probably upstairs in his room and I didn’t want him to hear me crying. But my sharp intake of breath was making it extremely difficult.Shaking my head in agony, I managed to get a grip and pushed myself up. I dragged myself to the refrigerator in the kitchen. I pulled its door open and rummaged through but didn’t find what I was looking for. A frustrated groan escaped my lips as I slammed it shut and checked the shelves but still couldn’t find it.I was desperately searching for a strong alcoholic drink to drown the storm of emotions raging inside me and hope it would som
CHAPTER 101ROBERT’S POV~ “Who does he think he is?” “We’re all CEOs, he’s no better or richer than us.” “What makes him think he can just walk in and out of this boardroom like he owns the place after that cringe episode with that lady?” “I bet he wooed her to his bed and fucked her and now, she had come to her senses, realizing what an arrogant jerk he is.” “If he feels he’s way above our league and can’t sit down to listen to what the chairman has to say then he should have continued fucking his whore and not bothered coming.” “Why is the side of his cheek red? He must have been slapped by his whore.” ~“Not only is his agency sinking lower than the gutter in the rankings, but he’s also stooped so low as to resort to screwing desperate whores and dragging them into professional meetings like this.”Their sniggering voices and prickly comments had me baring my teeth, hissing at them. I wanted to find whoever made the last comment and gouge his eyes from their sockets