LOGINShare
They Are Falling Apart
Last Updated:
2021-08-22 09:29:14Very early the following morning Lara brought Helen downstairs to give her a drink of milk. She’d always woken up at the crack of dawn, and nothing seemed to be changing about that since they’d arrived in Baguio.
As she walked outside onto the terrace she saw that Chris was swimming. She sat at the table with Helen on her lap as Chris powered through the water beside them. She never tired of watching him—he was a natural swimmer, and he seemed to glide at super-speed through the water with the effortless strength of a dolphin.
It was a beautiful morning—still so early that the sea was a shimmering silver-blue and the sky was tinged pale apricot from the recent sunrise. Lara felt good—genuinely happy that Chris had brought her with him.
He finished his lengths and lifted his head, noticing her for the first time. She lifted her hand to wave at him as he swam over to the steps—just as she had done so many times in the past.
Related chapters
Quit Playing Games (English) Truly Let Down Her Guard
Chris strode through the hotel on his way up to see Lara. He did not want her to stumble across them inadvertently, possibly creating an awkward situation. It was his intention to be present the first time they encountered each other, so that a potentially tricky moment would be under his control.He walked through their suite quietly, in case Helen was asleep, and found Lara standing on the balcony looking down at the terrace below. Something about her body language pricked his attention immediately. Her shoulders were drawn in and she was shaking.Suddenly he realized she was weeping.“Lara?” He spoke her name quietly, but she spun round at once, her face an open book of remorse.“I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “Oh, Chris—I’m sorry for what I did that night.”The pure emotion in her voice cut into him disconcertingly—but he told himself it didn’t matter what she said, how she tried to def
Last Updated : 2021-08-22Quit Playing Games (English) She Was Forgiven
She sighed with delight and leant into his embrace, opening her lips as he finally kissed her on the mouth. Her pulse rate leapt up as his tongue slid inside, setting off a cascade of feelings surging through her body.Suddenly she was burning with desire of him. She was hot and desperate to feel his body moving against hers, to feel his hands on her bare skin.She grappled with his clothing urgently, pulling and tugging—and he was undressing her at the same time. Then all at once they were both standing naked, devouring each other with their eyes.“You look so good,” she murmured, startled by how husky her voice sounded. For a second, she didn’t move, just stood there letting her eyes roam freely over his magnificent body. He was fully aroused and ready for her, and his erection drew her gaze like a magnet. Her breathing was becoming ragged just from looking at him—but she wanted the moment to last.His eyes were on her too,
Last Updated : 2021-08-23Quit Playing Games (English) I Don’t Trust You
Chris fell into step with Victor as they walked through into the dining room, but his eyes were on Lara. She was clearly relieved that seeing Tina and Victor again had gone so well—and Chris shared that relief.He wasn't in the habit of worrying about what other people thought, but he realized he'd been ill at ease, waiting for this meeting to take place.Perhaps it was because up until this afternoon Lara had never truly apologized for what had happened. He'd only known that she regretted the outcome—rather than the fact that she had interfered in the first place. But now he believed that she was genuinely sorry. And he'd been impressed by the open honesty she had shown Tina and Victor.As he looked at her a strange sensation passed through him. He frowned, momentarily disconcerted as he couldn't identify what he was feeling. Then he realized what it was-pride. He was proud of how she had taken responsibility and given such a heartfelt apology to Ti
Last Updated : 2021-08-24Quit Playing Games (English) How Much She Loved Chris
Lara did not miss the threat in Chris's words. But rather than make her nervous they sent a wave of anger rolling through her.“This isn't about trust,” she accused him. “This is about what kind of wife you want—someone who is quiet and biddable, someone who never expresses her own opinion.” She paused for breath, still glaring up at him. “In fact you don't want a wife at all. You want another employee—someone who'll happily jump to do your bidding and never challenge you in any way!”Chris was staring down at her, his dark eyes glinting dangerously. She could see a vein throbbing at his temple and a muscle pulsing in his jaw.“Whatever accusations you make—whatever defense you plead,” he said coldly, “understand that I will not tolerate your continued interference in my affairs private or business.”“Don't try to intimidate me,” Lara said, placing her hands on her h
Last Updated : 2021-08-24Quit Playing Games (English) Doing Marvelous Thing
Chris watched his Aunt Dacia's face as the helicopter approached the island. He'd met her properly for the first time in his life that morning.It was a strange feeling, finally bringing her back to the island where she'd grown up with his mother. He'd been amazed and pleased that she had agreed to come with him so readily. After the way she'd refused to have anything to do with him—even slamming the door in his face once or twice, before he'd given up on direct personal contact he'd been prepared for a lengthy process of persuasion.She didn't speak as they walked along the ridge from the helipad, but as he glanced sideways at her he could see her eyes were shining brightly, and he knew coming back to the island was an emotional experience for her.“I can't believe I'm really here,” Dacia said eventually, as they followed Danny's assistant into the house.“Does it seem very different?” Chris asked, as he held the door for hi
Last Updated : 2021-08-25Quit Playing Games (English) Unexpected Ripple of Emotion
Back when they'd first been together, he'd used to think of her as the perfect antidote to his fast-paced, pressurized lifestyle. She had been exactly what he was looking for in a lover—calm, beautiful and receptive to his wishes. Like an oasis of serenity amidst the cut and thrust of his life.But Lara had changed. She'd once been his perfect lover—but she was very far from being his perfect wife. She'd gone against his wishes. And she'd stood up to him, calling him a control freak.His life had been so well ordered and organized, with everything under his control and nothing unexpected.That was how he liked it.Did that make him a control freak? Suddenly he wasn't sure.All he knew was that Lara and Helen had exploded into his world and nothing was the same. Nothing was predictable.He was used to demanding immediate obedience from everyone in his life—but Lara wasn't an employee. She was his wife. Did he really want the
Last Updated : 2021-08-25Quit Playing Games (English) You Are The Center of My Universe
It was completely unnerving. She knew what he thought of her—he'd made it painfully clear. But the way he was looking at her now made her long to give in to the fantasy that they could be happy together. That one day he might come to love her—the way she loved him.Suddenly she felt her eyes burning with tears. She dropped her gaze, flustered by the unexpected surge of confusing emotions within her. She should not let herself pine for something that could never be. She was just setting herself up for a lifetime of disappointment and heartache.“I'm sorry.” The words were jerked awkwardly from Chris's lips as he gazed into Lara's misery-stricken face. The haunted look in her eyes reminded him agonizingly of the previous night—when staring into her future as his wife had filled her with despair. “This isn't what you wanted.”Suddenly he couldn't bear the thought that being with him was making her miserable—she deserv
Last Updated : 2021-08-26Quit Playing Games (English) She is Pregnant for His Second Child
Lara’s morning sickness had gotten worse the past few days and she decided to talk with Chris about her pregnancy.Surprise showed clearly on Chris’s face after hearing the good news. He will be a father again.While they were talking, her stomach tightened in a now familiar warning and she shot to her feet, kicking the lap blanket away. When she reached the toilet, she retched. Though, since she had not been hungry earlier, she did nothing but dry heave. It hurt and it scared her. Though she knew that the cramps were in her stomach and not her womb, a tiny part of her brain kept saying it was one and the same.Chris had come into the room with her and she could hear water running, but she couldn’t look up long enough to see what he was doing. Then a cold, damp cloth draped the nape of her neck while another one was pressed gently to her forehead. Chris rubbed her back in a soothing circular motion, crooning to her.The heaving stopped a
Last Updated : 2021-08-27
Latest chapter
Quit Playing Games (English) Epilogue
He wrapped his arms around Lara as she stood at the kitchen sink and pressed his lips against her bare shoulder.“Good morning.” She smiled as she turned around in his arms.“Good morning. I don’t like waking up and you’re not in bed.” He brushed his lips against hers.“I wanted to get the muffins in the oven before you woke up.”“Banana nut?”“Of course.” She grinned.“Then you’re forgiven. Listen, do you hear that?”“Hear what? I don’t hear anything.”“Exactly. Blissful silence. We need to enjoy it before the kids come up. What time will they be here?”“Soon, I think.”“Is Helen bringing Lance?”“I think so. I’m not sure though.”“I feel like I need to have a talk with that boy.”“Leave him alone, Chris. He’s
Quit Playing Games (English) Moved Back to Imperial’s Villa
Raising highly intelligent children was rewarding as well as exhausting. Harry demanded a lot of their attention and needed to be mentally stimulated at all times. At a year old, he was already saying more words than the average child. Chris was sitting behind his desk when his office door opened, and Lara walked in holding Harry. “What a nice surprise.” He grinned as he got up. “Hi, princess.” He hugged and kissed her before he kissed Lara and took his son from her arms. “Hi, handsome.” He tickled him. “Daddy,” He smiled. “What are you doing here, sweetheart?” “I need you to watch him. The babysitter called and has the flu. Harold is with Aida. I have my doctor’s appointment. I will bring Helen with me.” “I have a meeting in fifteen minutes.” “And? Do you want me to cancel my doctor’s appointment?” “You know what, I’ll just bring him to my meeting.” “Good idea.” She smiled. “I love you. Just bring him h
Quit Playing Games (English) This His Life, His Family
As she lay there, she thought about how there was no way she could be pregnant again. No possible way. There was only one way to find out. She ran to the store and picked up a test. It was so silly that she was even doing this. She had a virus. Or maybe something else was going on. Pregnant? No. Impossible.She went into the bathroom, peed on the stick and waited. She laughed at herself for even thinking it. Once the test showed she wasn’t pregnant, she’d call her general doctor and get in for a checkup and some tests. The timer on her phone went off so she picked up the stick and stared at the two pink lines staring back at her. Her heart started racing, and she felt like she was going to pass out. Splashing some cold water on her face, she leaned over the counter and stared at herself in the mirror. How the hell she was going to tell her husband who had a vasectomy that she was pregnant again?“We need to talk,” she said as she grabbed his han
Quit Playing Games (English) She Was Pregnant Again
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” she asked Chris as she put her shoes on. “We’re going to be just fine. Go enjoy your day and don’t worry about us. Aida is here, I can ask help from her. Today is all about you relaxing.” He kissed her forehead. “I don’t know what time I’ll be home.” “You take as long as you want. We’re going to have so much fun today, aren’t we, baby?” Chris spoke to Harry as he held him in his arms. After giving him a kiss on the lips, she gave Helen and Harry a kiss and stepped into the elevator. The moment she stepped outside the building, she threw her hands up in the air. Freedom was hers for a day, and she was going to enjoy every minute of it. But as she was on her way to the spa, she felt this tremendous feeling of guilt wash over her. She shouldn’t be doing this. She need to be home with her kids. She was gone ten minutes and she already missed them terribly. This wasn’t a good idea and she needed to go back home.
Quit Playing Games (English) Life With a Newborn
Life with a newborn had been tough for the past couple of weeks. They sleep deprived and Harry was feeding every hour and refusing to sleep. Lara started pumping into bottles so Chris could relieve her every now and again. Especially in the middle of the night so she could get some rest.Chris worked from home the past couple of weeks so he could be there for Lara and the baby. But now it was time for him to get back into the office. He tried to hire a baby nurse to help Lara out while he was gone, but Lara wouldn’t hear of it. He kept the number close by just in case she changed her mind.“I have to go now, sweetheart. I’m sorry.” He kissed her lips as she stood in the kitchen holding Harry.“Don’t be sorry. We’ll be fine.”“I’m going to miss you and our children so much.”“Darling, I know you’re secretly excited about getting out. You can’t fool me.”
Quit Playing Games (English) The Birth of Their Second Child
They had not made love, even when her first trimester had officially ended two weeks ago. His patience despite his obvious arousal every night when they went to sleep had forever cemented Lara’s trust and appreciation for this amazing man—her husband.She opened the door and stepped into the bedroom.Chris stood beside the bed wearing a pair of white silk pajama bottoms.“White?” she asked with a smile, even though her own lace peignoir was the color of fresh snow.He put his arms out. “Come here, my wife.”She went to him, straight into his arms. He held her there for the longest time, saying nothing. Doing nothing.Except looking into her eyes, his that dark brown that meant his emotions were close to the surface. Finally, he said, “Thank you.”“For what?”“For being mine. For putting up with me. For falling in love with me and not walking away with my baby. Fo
Quit Playing Games (English) You Will Never Lose Our Baby
Chris dressed while Lara was in the shower, and then he made a couple of business calls while she was getting ready. Anything to keep himself from going into her and ravishing her body.For some reason, Lara feared miscarriage. He refused to add to those fears, no matter how difficult it might be to abstain from intimacy with her luscious body. He had to admit, he had no idea what miscarriage was so prevalent in the first trimester.He did a quick web search on his laptop while he waited for Lara to come out of the bedroom and discovered some interesting facts.When she came out, she was wearing a flowing sundress with peacock blue in a halter style that tied around her neck. The deep vee of the neckline accentuated her burgeoning curves, but the dress looked comfortable, as well. Its empire waistline had no binding around her tummy, he noticed.It would look even more amazing once her stomach started to protrude with the baby. He was not there when she&r
Quit Playing Games (English) Caring For You
Lara had fallen asleep. Just like that.Thirty seconds later and her breathing had already leveled out into true somnolence. It always amazed him how she could do that, though the only other times he’d seen it was after they had made love. They hadn’t done so tonight.Yet, here she was—sleeping. Dark bruises marred the lovely skin below her eyes. Her pregnancy was taking it out of her. It bothered him to see her looking so frail. Was she taking her vitamins? Had she gone to a doctor? There were so many questions he needed answered, but she wasn’t going to be satisfying his need to know right now.It wouldn’t be until morning, if he had his way and she slept the night through. He was careful not to jostle her unduly as he removed her clothes to increase her comfort. He could not help but stop and look at the changes her pregnancy had already wrought on her beautiful body.With near reverence, he cataloged each one. Her breasts
Quit Playing Games (English) She is Pregnant for His Second Child
Lara’s morning sickness had gotten worse the past few days and she decided to talk with Chris about her pregnancy.Surprise showed clearly on Chris’s face after hearing the good news. He will be a father again.While they were talking, her stomach tightened in a now familiar warning and she shot to her feet, kicking the lap blanket away. When she reached the toilet, she retched. Though, since she had not been hungry earlier, she did nothing but dry heave. It hurt and it scared her. Though she knew that the cramps were in her stomach and not her womb, a tiny part of her brain kept saying it was one and the same.Chris had come into the room with her and she could hear water running, but she couldn’t look up long enough to see what he was doing. Then a cold, damp cloth draped the nape of her neck while another one was pressed gently to her forehead. Chris rubbed her back in a soothing circular motion, crooning to her.The heaving stopped a
