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
Andrea's pov.The pen fell from my hands again. " Just sign the goddamn papers, would you? " Mother-in-law's voice dripped with venom." She can't even hold on to a pen, it's not surprising you couldn't hold your husband's heart, too. " Anna hissed." I...I can't. " I stammered.The hate and disgust on their faces was palpable, more tears welled in my eyes." For the love of God! is that the only thing you can do Andera, cry? Yuck, look at your face; it's covered in snort; you're so disgusting. We don't want you as a part of our family anymore; so just get this divorce over with!" Imogen thundered. I love Thane, and this family is all I have, where would I go from here? Thane walked back into the living room, and I got on my knees to beg him some more." Thane, please don't do this to us. I love you, Thane. I don't have a life outside the one you've given me. Thane please, I'll do anything you want " The tears flowed from my eyes in torrents while I pleaded on bended knees.
Andrea's pov.Five years later.I slip on my signature shades as I step out from my black Rolls Royce. It protects my sensitive eyes away from the light of the paparazzi's cameras. It's been five years since I left Seattle. Everything is different but somehow, it still feels the same. I've missed it, the people, the air, the vibe. I missed Seattle. That's the second reason why I chose to leave Boston and build my new company here. " Would you like to share your story with the people Ms Campbell? Please do tell us how you reunited with your family " One of the reporters asked a question that snapped me out of my nostalgic thoughts.My lips curved into a small practiced smile. I've shared the story with the press times without number, and I don't mind doing it every day. The image of my father comes to mind, how he hugged me tightly the day he found me. I was wretched, abandoned, and three weeks into motherhood. I was a nobody, but he gave me so much love there and then my heart nea
Thane's pov " It would be unwise to reject this offer. " Paul advised. I lean back into my leather seat and read the message from my computer "Auraspire Energy, a subsidiary of Campbell's Technologies, proposes a comprehensive collaboration to integrate our renewable energy solutions with Renihardt's Infrastructure's expertise.Our partnership aims to establish Seattle as a global model for sustainable urban development, enhancing the city's eco-friendliness, and quality of life...'" The proposal is good. Normally, I would be reluctant to partner with a new company, but seeing as this one is an extension of the renowned Campbell's technologies, I'm assured they're liquid enough to collaborate. My earlier skepticism morphed into fascination. This collaboration could catapult Renihardt's Infrastructure to the forefront of sustainable development. " Our partnership will change the game. And Ms Campbell you've made a compelling case. I look forward to seeing you ." I type and send
Andera's pov I withdrew my outstretched arm, squaring up to Thane. He may be six foot four, but my boldness is taller, and the heels I'm on give me two extra inches. I don't shy away from his menacing gaze, mine is confident and impenetrable. " Shall we start our meeting, Mr Renihardt, or would you rather we remain standing? " I cocked one brow at him, ignoring his outburst. He drew his head back in surprise and blinked at me. Stunned, Thane? Just wait; you don't know what's coming for you, my dear ex-husband. I smirked. Without waiting for his approval, I took a seat. Rosa sat next to me and the rest of my team followed suit. Thane stood like a statue, with different emotions flicking in those gray eyes. Paul nudged his boss to sit down. The tension in the conference room was so thick, I could slice it with a blunt knife."Thank you for agreeing to partner with Auraspire Energies. " I gave him a sweet smile. " Now all that's left is to discuss the terms and sign both our a
Thane's povI gulped down another shot of whiskey, feeling it burn down my throat. I've been seething since Andera left in her Rolls Royce, swaying those lush hips as she walked past me. I still can't believe Andera is the daughter of The one and only Campbell. Did my father know? Was that why he forced me to marry her after I....? Goddammit!Everything about her has changed. She's confident and sassy and ..... beautiful, with her auburn hair flowing in waves, framing her heart-shaped face and her captivating hazel eyes, polls of green and brown. " She chose me. " I muttered to myself" Sir? " Paul, who had been with me ever since they left, asked." Paul, I think she chose to partner with me to spite me, rub off her wealth and affluence in my face. " I groaned as I set the glass down on my desk." Well, sir, perhaps she chose to collaborate with Renihardt's infrastructure given how outstanding we are. I mean, when it comes to large-scale infrastructure and managing complex construc
Andera's pov.Relief washes over me as I step out of my car. I'm still reeling in the joy from my meeting but I'm also very eager to see my kids.That's right. Kids.Thane knocked me up with two babies! And while I hate him, and would probably hate him till I take my last breath, having our kids is the best thing that has happened in my life. What I felt when I bore them is too profound, to be put into words.It's quiet when I step in, too quiet. "Timmy? Tiffany? " I call out, my eyes scanning the living room. They're both usually here watching cartoons whenever I return. A faint giggle form behind catches my attention, and my eyes land on two little rascals hiding behind the couch. Tiffany tries to stifle her laughter while Timmy puts a finger to his lips, gesturing her to keep quiet.Smiling, I pretend not to see them and play along with their game. "Oh, where could these kids be?" I exclaim, hitting my forehead with my palm dramatically. Tiffany giggles more, and Timmy's face
Thane's pov As I pulled into the driveway, Melissa's enraged voice echoed from the entrance of my mansion. The fucking entrance! God, she's loud.For a moment, I briefly considered going back to me car, putting my car in reverse to get the fuck away from her. " Chill, man, you just postponed your wedding; any woman would be upset. You just have to calm her down " I remind myself as I walk in.Most of the staff's scurry in and out of my room, exchanging hushed whispers and nervous glances. When I walk in, I find Melissa frantically packing clothes, makeup, and other belongings. Some were scattered haphazardly on the floor, I even nearly stepped on her hair dryer. The bedside mirror had a large crack in the middle , with some pieces of shattered glass on the floor. I would have to avoid stepping on those too. I wonder what she must have thrown at it, hopefully not any of my stuff.She came to a standstill when she saw me walk in, her face beet-red with rage." You had no right to post
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
Andera's pov.Thane's hand rested on the back of my neck, and a jolt of electricity ran through my veins. I wondered if he felt me stiffen under his touch. I can't believe my own body is betraying me like this.I wanted to hate him, but yet I relished the feel of his fingers on my skin, yearning for his touch. Perhaps it was because Thane was the only man my boys has ever known. He was familiar with my body, knowing exactly how to weaken my knees, to make me moan with maddening ecstasy, leaving me on the brink of exhaustion with pleasure.There are things...feelings a woman cannot forget.I was ashamed to admit it to myself, but I had been having some..cravings, I wanted to be touched and by someone who knew how. Despite the pain Thane caused me five years ago, I was still a woman with needs and desires that refused to be silenced, regardless of how much I helped myself.With his thumb, Thane drew lazy circles at the back of my neck. Sending tingles down to my core, his thumb wasn't
Thanes pov. It's today.The Scale-up soiree. The day I defy Andera's rejection and show up at her doorstep.You could say I'm losing my mind.I slip into one of my finest Ralph Lauren suits, gray colored, a lighter shade than my eyes. My hair is brushed back in a sleek way, and a confident smirk stretches on my face as I look at myself in the mirror. Tonight, I'm not just dressing to impress – I'm on a mission to capture the attention of one woman. I spray on my signature sandalwood cologne, the same scent Andera has always loved. Tonight, I was determined to make a statement, and I know whom I want to impress.Now, with my look perfected, I've got one final move. The trick up my sleeve.A luxurious limousine awaits, ready to collect the woman who has no idea she's going to be mine for the night.I know Andera said she would not be going to this business conference with me, and I'm also aware that I may be overstepping boundaries here, but yet, my stubbornness refuses. Andera is m