Andera's pov.I swallowed hard, my heart skipping a bit while Thane held my second wrist.I knew Thane well enough to recognize that menacing look in his eyes, and a shiver ran down my spine. " She isn't going anywhere, we came together, we will leave together. Perish any thoughts you're conjuring Grace. It won't work. " He maintained. If it were any other person on the receiving end of Thane's subtle threatening statement, they would have fled, but this is Grace. She was there since his childhood. The woman is like a big aunty to him.Grace clicked her teeth, frowning in disapproval."I will not let this beautiful woman here-" she gestured at me "- to waste a fine evening as this. " Challenge flickered in her jade eyes, she tugged me closer again."Grace, let her go. " Thane answered calmly, too calmly to be anything but frightening.He tugged me closer, and Grace pulled me towards herself. That was how I found myself sandwiched in between their bickering. Thane's eyes narrowed w
Thane's pov There are so many things I want to do to her and with her. At this point, it would be useless to deny it. I want Andera, scratch that, I need her, or I might just explode. I don't know how much longer till my frayed restraint completely washes away. Andera just left me and Grace with our mouths open in awe, and dammit, she made me breathless.Again, I ask myself, how is this even possible? This is the same woman I spent my life ignoring, both when she was under my family's care and when she became my wife.They say change is constant, and yes, Andera has changed, but is it usually this drastic and overwhelming? " Are you listening, Thane? " The blonde lady says to me. She has been talking non-stop of things I don't want to hear. I didn't even know why, and when she approached me, I was too focused, gawking at Andera as she took small sips of her drink. I should pay close attention to Andera; being drunk at a party like this, in a sea of men, would do more harm than good
Thanes pov.The jeep hurtled towards me. Closer, faster. I shut my eyes closed as the Jeep's blinding headlights pierced through my windshield.I braced myself for what was to come, only it didn't come. When I opened my eyes. The jeep had stopped mere inches away from my car. Like a miracle.I couldn't bring myself to sigh in relief yet, not when Andera was still inside that car with God knows who. Despite the cool night air, sweat tricked from my forehead down to my chin. I could hear my heavy breathing in my car. A tense minute of stillness passes.I fight back the urge to confront the Abductor. Confronting him might not be the best option, especially since I didn't know if he was armed. It was all I could think about to stop me from storming out of my car. The cops should be here anytime soon now. I can't see through the front tinted glass on the jeep but I know that Andera is in there.In a flash, the back door to the jeep opens, and Andera falls to the hard ground with a lou
Andera's povI hated Thane. I have never had so much hatred for one person. I hated him for what he did to me seven years ago, for believing I would stoop so low and steal from him, my husband. Nothing could quench that angerBut yet, here we are, lips crashing into one another's. Just like on our first night.They say there is a thin line between love and hate. If that's true, then I am balancing precariously on that line. I know I will never love Thane, not like I used to, but tonight, just for tonight, I'll risk it. I will put one foot on the other side of that line.I parted my lips for him, allowing Thane to deepen the kiss. We could have tonight, this frenzied moment of reckless abandon, not caring if were divorced, business partners or not.Come morning, I will go back to hating Thane, to orchestrating his ruin. Tonight, I break my rules.Thane groaned, pulling my head closer. Using his tongue to tease me, making me crave more of him.I knew any of the nurses could walk in an
Thane's pov.Three empty bottles of whiskey lay beside me. I groaned, wincing as I tried to open my eyes, but the sunlight that seeped in through the open window assaulted my senses. I raised a hand to my face to shield myself from the harsh rays.It took a minute for me to realize what room I had passed out in.My living room, where all the staff's could have seen me wasted. After seeing Andera leave with only one bodyguard, I was still apprehensive, but knowing that her kidnappers were in police custody, my tension eased a bit. I could vaguely remember anything that happened when I returned home in the early hours of this morning, save for Melissa's incessant yelling and me drinking whiskey, formulating my plan to get Andera back.I must have drank too much.The station, our statement. Fuck I was supposed to be there with Andera. I glanced at the grand pendulum clock; it was already eleven in the morning. I was supposed to be at the police station two hours ago.I cursed my luck
Andera's povNumber 47. I should hate Thane for how he stood back and watched as Melissa made me hand wash her clothes.Number 48. I should hate Thane because of how he stood me up when I asked him to lunch on our first marriage anniversary Number 49. ... I dropped my pen on the desk. My mind had suddenly gone blank. That was strange, the last time I did this; writing all the reasons why I should hate Thane. I could have sworn I had written nearly five hundred reasons. Now I'm stuck at forty-eight. My alarm goes off. It's already nine o'clock. Time to meet with the officer who had caught those men. A cold shiver ran down my spine.When I returned in the early hours of the morning, I had filled in Rosa on all that happened, though I left out what transpired between me and Thane.Rosa wept for me as I narrated everything; I cried, too, quietly so as not to wake the kids. She was there to support me emotionally, Rosa had stayed up till I drifted to sleep. She had mentioned something a
Andera's pov"Father." I gasped. Before I could blink twice and process his sudden arrival, he swept me into a tight, crushing hug."Andera, my child. " He whispered as he squeezed me closer to himself."I cannot wrap my head around why you chose to keep this from me." His voice was laden with a mix of relief and reprimand. "You don't know how worried I was when Officer Jerkins told me about the situation. I had my pilot fly me here the moment I hung up my phone" " Father. " I whispered again, Clinging to him tightly as tears prickled at the corner of my eyes. This feeling of being loved and cared for. I don't think there was any getting used to it. My father had shown me so much unwavering devotion."I didn't want to bother you." My voice cracked as I explained. "I know how demanding your schedule is and I didn't want to add to your worries."He let out a bitter laugh." Worries?". He repeated. "My child. You mean the world to me." He pulled back, resting his hands on my shoulders
Thane's pov.A cool breeze blew over my face, just like the way the week had flown by. I had gone to the police department to meet with Officer Jerkins. He revealed that Andera and her father had been there the day before.I was surprised. Andera's father had come here from Boston to ensure his daughter's safety.He must care about her deeply, and I didn't need to be a shaman to know he would hate me. Hell, I would hate me. Throwing out my wife to the streets, even if I didn't know she was homeless, wasn't an excuse.I had put a hold on my plans and stayed away from her for the space of a week. Let her enjoy her time with her daddy. But a week was all I could take. Each day, I would stare at my phone, hoping for a message from her, a meeting, strategy secession, new client negotiation, anything, as long as it meant I got to see her face, hear her voice, and confirm that she was okay.I knew she would be. She had a father who loved her and cared for her. The three fuckers who tried
Melissa's PovOver the past week, I hired several hackers to track my blackmailer's number but the criminal had his tracks covered. It was untraceable. I had gone through my list of suspects over and over again but it still does not add up. There were the five guys I had that orgy back in high school, but what would they benefit from me marrying Thane? And it's not like I recall their identities anyway. There's also Paul - Thane's nerdy cousin and personal assistant. He could be planning to take the company from Thane's hands, but it didn't make any sense how he'd accomplish that by my relationship with Thane. Everything was so weirdly confusing. At this point I was going crazy, throwing my frustration at everyone and everything. Sebastian has been avoiding me like a plague, using the disguise of business to stay away from home. I sighed as I took my sip of vodka. It's been eight days since that blackmail. Maybe the fucker has given up and decided to find someone else to torment,
Melissa's Pov. “Stay the fuck away from me, Melissa. I hate you! You are a leech! That's what you are!" Sebastian yelled as I walked out from his mansion and life. I kept chewing my bubble gum, blowing bubbles at intervals. My Louboutins clacking on the marble floor. “ Are you seriously leaving?" He asked incredulously, his tone layered with worry. I had to stifle a grin. I knew Sebastian was bluffing when he said I should leave his home. “Come on Melissa. One apology wouldn't kill you." He sounded frustrated and tired. I kept walking, not even turning to spare him a glance. I had reached the living room now. Men, with their incessant attitude, always grate on my nerves. Last night, Sebastian and I attended a family gala. One of the servers didn't get me the exact wine I ordered -which is a big insult to my person, and to teach the woman a lesson, I poured the drink on her. Sebastian got angry instead of defending me so I left the gala with my held up high. I came back home a
Andera's pov.“Are you jealous, girl? You're sure you don't want to reconsider your sexuality? You could be gay for me. Trust me, I'd take you places no man has taken you before - my brother included. " Rosa joked as she drove us to Hilltop Preschool. It was closing hours and we both decided to pick the kids up together. Rosa and I have been teasing each other since morning. “Jesus Rosa, I didn't sleep with Carol. I only fell asleep while we were watching a movie." I defended myself. She had walked in on us yesterday, I jerked awake when I heard her laughter. After putting the kids to bed(they waited up for me) I went over to Carol's - Rosa's home. True to what he said, he didn't touch me, we stayed side by side on the couch watching a new action movie Carol had recommended. I have never been a movie person, I tend to fall asleep thirty minutes into a show. Being with Carol was comforting, it was just like spending time with Rosa - like spending time with a good friend. I was so rel
Andera's povI wiped another tear from my face, not caring that the chaffuer could see me from the rearview mirror. I had ordered a Black car serviceto pick me up from the restaurant. Since I entered the luxury vehicle. I've been alternating between crying and laughing. When Thane called our daughter's name, a deluded part of me had hoped he'd beg me to take him back so we could live together as a family. But then he ruined it, by asking about her paternity.The first question he asked was if Tiffany was his child. Really? Is he stupid or did he say that to annoy me? I had thought. But then he kept on pressing, demanding to know if Tiffany was his daughter Thane thought low of me. Disgustingly low. I loved him, I worshipped the ground he stood on, and I made him see that no other person could measure up to him. Yet he implied that the moment we got divorced, I opened my legs to some Rando to knock me up.Thane is going to suffer for every moment he hurt me, I wished I could do more
Thane's pov“Tiffany." Her name rolled off my tongue like sweet wine. It's a beautiful name. The name that had been etched in my mind for days now, it was the only thing swirling in my head until I saw Andera wearing that necklace in the waiting room.One problem at a time, I had muttered to myself even though I was burning with rage. I'll sort out Tiffany's case first. Then I'll remind Andera that she's mine.“Surprised?" I asked, my expression poker-faced. “I know about Tiffany. Now sit down." I pulled out the chair for her, Andera numbly sat down, she couldn't deny it. The way her hands shook on the table was a testament to the truth. She looked at me with big wide eyes, the greens of her eyes outshining the brown. Andera could try to mask it, but I see right through her facade. Her mind must be running a mile a minute, wondering how I found out. I'll fill her in on everything but first..."Take that thing off your neck," I ordered. My eyes fell down to the sliver heart-shaped pend
Andera's pov. Thane led me outside, his hand resting on the small of my back, even in my heels, he was so tall, I'd have to tilt my neck if I wanted to see his face. The orange sunset set the sky in colorful hues. It was beautiful. I wanted to watch the sky with Thane's hand resting on my back, making me feel safe. He opened the door to his Bentley for me and I stepped in. His cologne wafted into my nose and I took in a breath full, of this familiar scent of sandalwood that always made me heady.Thane stepped into the driver's seat as I watched his long veiny fingers close around the driving wheel. I blinked, my mouth suddenly going dry, the sight of those fingers and Thane's veiny arms used to make my toes curl. It still does. I looked away, towards the streets of Seattle as Thane drove. He took a turn that wasn't the route to my home."Hey, my house is that way." I pointed towards the direction he missed."I know." Came his curt reply"What do you mean you know?" Thane didn't ans
Andera's pov. I glanced at the silver necklace on my bedside table, gleaming in the morning light that filtered in through my curtains. Despite having agreed to Carol's relationship proposal - or whatever that was last night, I didn't want to put it on again.But remembering my meeting with Thane today alongside my engineers, I swallowed down the uncertainty and wore it. It suited my cream bodice with the square-cut neckline. The engraving was clear and bold; whoever stood near me would see the writings and suspect that it was a gift from a lover. That's the reason I changed my mind, so Thane would assume it was given to me by someone special.Petty? Yeah, I know. Anything to stop him from thinking I'm available.I headed downstairs, ready to drop Tim and Tiffy at preschool. These days, I prefer driving myself every where I go. Reaching the school, I exchanged pleasantries with other parents who were dropping their kids off."See you later, Mommy." Tiffany waved me as I bent down to
Andera's pov.I stared down at the necklace around my neck, Carol had put it on me before dinner. While Rosa and the twins chatted, he was taking sneaky glances at me. Our eyes met a couple of times, and I instantly looked away. I had invited Carol over to tell him the truth, not to get swoon away but his gifts and thoughtfulness. When we finished our dinner and dessert- courtesy of Becky, Rosa moved the kids to the living room so they could all watch cartoons, but I knew she was giving me some privacy to sort things out with Carol. "First off, thanks for the gifts tonight. It's really appreciated." I began; Carol had a lopsided grin on his face as he leaned back into the dining chair. His tattoos peeked out from under his short-sleeved shirt, his jean trousers hugging his thighs, and gold earrings in both earlobes. Carol is a handsome man; I don't know why my body doesn't reacted to him the way I do whenever Thane is around me."Don't mention it, Andera. I am more than glad you lov
Andera's pov.Timmy had a frown on his beautiful face when I announced that Aunt Rosa and her brother - Carol, would be joining us for dinner tonight."Why can't Aunt Rosa come without her brother?" He whined, his chubby cheeks falling into a frown. I knelt down beside him in their shared bedroom, trying to reason with my stubborn boy."Because that wouldn't be nice, Timmy. Just imagine if someone invited Tiffany to a party and didn't invite you. Would you be happy?" I asked him. Tiffany, my sweet girl, giggled; she sat on her pink bed, legs dangling off the edge. "If they didn't invite Timmy over, I wouldn't go mommy." She said proudly."Fine. He can come." Timmy finally agreed. "And you promise to be nice to him?" I shot him a stern glance. A small grin played on Timmy's face. His gray eyes grew bright with mischief. "Yes, Mommy. I'll be nice to your boyfriend." He teased. My jaw dropped. "Boyfriend? No..no..." I shook my head. Timmy and Tiffany burst into a fit of giggles. Th