LOGINShare
Unfinished Business
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Lara kept the connecting door between their rooms open for the rest of the night, worried as much about his rising temperature as the injury that was causing it. He opened his eyes and peered at her in the faint light at one point, as if he had no idea who she was. Another time, she overheard him deliriously repeating her name and knew he was on fire when she placed the back of her palm to his cheek. She couldn't give him aspirin because she didn't know the extent of any vascular damage, so she had to settle for sponging him down with lukewarm water. It relieved the temperature for a while, but it never entirely subdued it.
She'd understood from the start that what she could do for him would only be a first-aid, and she'd hoped that the new day would make him more receptive to the kind of care that only a doctor could deliver. When his temperature rose dangerously just before daybreak, despite her attempts, she decided she couldn't wait any longer and called Roc
Related chapters
Quit Playing Games (English) I Cannot Promise You Forever
He wasn't able to respond. His lungs were bursting at the seams, and black dots danced in front of his eyes. He knelt over, his chest heaving, embarrassed by his frailty, not to mention his audience.She slowly made her way back to him after seeing his condition. "I knew you could be cruel," she said, "but I had no clue you were also ignorant.You've undoubtedly made your wound bleed anew, undoing all of your previous progress. If you keep doing it, you'll end up in the hospital, whether you want to be there or not." He sighed, "I want to be with you.""What's the point? Remember that we have nothing in common outside of the bedroom?""We both know that isn't the case.""How come you said it?""Because I was and still am irritated to no end. I can't stand not having control over my life any more than I can stand my father's grudging welcome. The sooner I return to the penthouse, the bette
Quit Playing Games (English) Today Is Their Last Day
So there it was, the end of the affair, given with his customary unflinching honesty. They'd finally used up their borrowed time, and she was standing on the doorstep the next day, something she'd worked so hard to avoid."We were never a good fit, were we?" she murmured, her voice hollow with grief."Never," he admitted after a dreadful, tension-filled silence."It's always a ships-passing-in-the-night type of thing."His voice, on the other hand, was rusty, like if he'd choked on a peanut. And she... she was on the verge of crying. She'd followed in her parents' footsteps and risked everything for the sake of experiencing the present moment. And in the process, he'd lost everything. Their biggest blunder had now become hers as well."So...o...o." She drew out the word on a long, quivering sigh. "I guess this is goodbye.""I guess it is.""It's
Quit Playing Games (English) You're Pregnant
6:30 a.m. Time to make a move. Before the alarm clock shattered the silence, heturned it off. Chris paused for a time, savoring the touch of her skin on his. He'd listened to her crying softly throughout the night while feigning sleep. It had taken every ounce of self-control he had to keep from reaching for her and telling her exactly what he knew she wanted to hear. ‘I'll delegate my duties to someone else and stay with you.We'll marry, start a family, and establish a home together.' Before temptation got the better of him, she had succumbed to exhaustion. She was now sleeping with strands of her hair draped across his shoulder, as if to link him to her. She appeared to be youthful and attractive. As a child, I was defenseless and heartbroken. That was what he had done to her. What had begun as an innocent flirtation to demonstrate Rocco that his faith in her was misguided had spiraled out of control. Chris had foreseen it but ha
Quit Playing Games (English) Blessed with a Lovely Daughter
She laid in bed that night, surrounded by all of the things that made her feel at ease. She had hung her own blue and white wallpaper. Three years ago, she had bought a handmade wedding ring quilt at auction. Her rosewood bombe chest of drawers and imitation four-poster bed. The silver-framed photograph of her parents and two little oil paintings she'd discovered at an estate auction the summer after graduating from nursing school.She convinced herself that they were proof that she didn't need a man in her life. She'd put a rocking chair in the alcove near the window, where she'd nurse her baby, then a white bassinet next to her bed as her due date approached. She'd change the second bedroom into a nursery after he'd outgrown it. Clouds should be painted on the ceiling. On the walls, stencil unicorns and pixies—oh, and a guardian angel, because every child needed one, even if he couldn't have a father.A father... Chris...&nbs
Quit Playing Games (English) Realization Came in Late
Two days later, she and Helen arrived at the villa by cab. Getting a passport for her baby on such short notice had been difficult, but Lara had found a sympathetic government official who had cut through the bureaucratic red tape in record time after hearing her story.Nothing seemed to have changed as the vehicle turned the last curve in the driveway and the villa came into view. Against the deep blue sky, the palm trees grew tall. Under the sun, the flower beds burst with color. The peacocks strolled across the pristine lawns, proud as ever.The house told a different story on the inside. Although her arrival with a newborn generated a commotion, the atmosphere was solemn and depressing."Yes, she's mine," Lara said Aida, who was taken aback. "Am I on time?" she asks Ruben."Yes. He gained new strength when he learned you were on his way. He's awake and inquired how soon you'd be here just a few m
Quit Playing Games (English) Father and Son
He cleared his throat and delicately brushed his thumb over the back of his father's palm, overcome. "In the end, I succumbed to the devastation and ruin. What was I doing in a distant nation trying to reconcile shattered families when my own was coming apart at home? What right did I have to keep you at arm's length, Father, when your biggest sin was wanting to provide me with a better life than you had when you were younger?""You're my son," Rocco said. "Stubborn and proud and hell set on making your own way in the world, just as I was at your age. And you wanted to make that world a better place.""Yes, I did. But I neglected you in the process. Have I left it too late to ask your forgiveness?"Rocco lifted his other hand and placed it alongside Chris's stubble-covered jaw with great difficulty. "Ah, my foolish boy," he grumbled. "Don't you realize it's never too late for a father to welcome his kid when he returns h
Quit Playing Games (English) To A Good Father
Of all the questions she'd feared he might ask, this one had never crossed her mind, and she briefly considered trying to come up with an inspired lie to throw him off the scent. Since she'd done such a good job of fooling him into thinking she'd found some other man to take his place, why not continue with the charade? But suddenly she'd had enough of the deceit and the subterfuge. She'd tell him the truth, or at least an edited version of it, and if he persisted in leaping to all the wrong conclusions, that was hardly her problem. "Because I'm not married," she said. "Why not?""I rushed into a relationship with the wrong man, we went our separate ways and I'm bringing up my baby alone. Don't look so disapproving. It was my choice, and hardly unique in today's world. Hundreds of women make the same decision every day.""You're not one of those women, Lara," he said. "You should have held out for the husband you always wanted.""Well
Quit Playing Games (English) Lying in Bed Together
Throughout the night, Lara and Chris kept vigil. Lost in their own thoughts of the man who'd made such an indelible impression on them both, they spoke little.At six o'clock the next morning, Rocco died."He's gone, Chris," she said. "It's over."He nodded, bent his head and gathered his father's frail body in his arms.Leaving him to make his private farewell, she slipped from the room and went out to the terrace. In the half-light of dawn, the flower beds shone like pale clumps of stars. It was going to be another beautiful late September day. The first of many without Rocco.She didn't hear Chris join her until he spoke. "He was rambling, wasn't he, when he said the baby's mine?""No," she said, too sad and exhausted to prevaricate. The truth had to come out sooner or later, it might as well be now. "You're her biological father.""Th
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
