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
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,
Andera's povShe took off her sunglasses. Her icy blue eyes locked onto mine. My blood simmered with fury, memories of all those times Melissa taunted me came rushing like a wave.I thought Thane said he wasn't with Melissa anymore, what the fuck was she doing in front of my kid's preschool?Oh shit! The kids.My eyes fell down to the twins who were darting their gaze between me and Melissa. “Mommy, is something wrong?" Timmy asked, gray eyes full of concern. Tiffany snuggled closer to my leg, disturbed by Melissa's hard stare. Melissa's eyes fell on Tim's. He puffed out his chest like the brave boy he is, under different circumstances, I would have grinned, but with the frown deepening on Melissa's face, she knew. The resemblance between Thane and Tim is striking. She knows about the twins- Thane's twins.“What are you doing here?" I deadpanned, my mind was racing a mile a minute but I didn't let my troubles show on my face. I would not cower before Melissa, never again. Her lips c
Thane's pov.Sometimes, life just hits you with surprise's like you're a kid opening a box of presents. You don't know what you'd get and you may not necessarily like everything you're given.Under the space of forty-eight hours, I found out that the woman I love has a child who heartbreakingly isn't mine- no problem there. I will love Andera and her daughter with all of my heart. One present down.But what I cannot and will never accept is Melissa standing in front of my mansion in a dirty dress. She's the other kind of present, the one with the ugly wrapping you want to flush down the toilet.“What in God's green earth are you doing here?.” I barked as I stepped out of my Bentley. It never occurred to me that Melissa would show up unannounced, I didn't think she'd have a reason to come back at all or I would have changed the access code to my smart gate. “Hey Thane.” she greets me with a strained smile making me frown. Her eyes follow mine as I give her a once-over “I had to take
Thane's pov. Melissa wasted no time on her knees, the moment I walked into my home, she quickly got up and took to her car, her tires screeching as she sped off. I made a beeline to my liquor cabinet, shrugging off my suit as I poured myself a finger of whiskey. I twirled the glass in my hand, staring into nothing while trying to process everything that had happened in the space of ten minutes. Something was definitely off with Melissa, but I couldn't wrap my finger around it. Why does she desperately want us to be together again? I needed to speak with my sister. If there's anyone who would know what was going on with Melissa, it would be Imogen.I gulped down my shot, feeling it burn to the back of my throat, I took another. Lighting flashed in the sky, the clouds were thicker and darker, dusk was settling in quickly. I reached for my pocket as I walked to my living room, and then I checked my phone when I saw four missed calls from Andera. I'm calling her back before trying to
Andrea's Pov.Shutdown.That's where my brain went into.All my rational thoughts, feelings, and morals flew out the window; the only thing that mattered now was the orgasm Thane wanted me to have. Melissa could go to hell and burn to cinders. I hate Thane, I want him but I hate him. I don't have to define the logic of that. I don't have to put a name to whatever it was, I would only embrace it. My hatred and lust for my ex-husband. The two feelings didn't outweigh each other, if I desired Thane more than I hated him, I would have given up on my revenge and gone back to Boston, and if I hated him more than I lusted after him, I wouldn't be here. In my former home,with Thane,Kissing me like his next breath is hidden inside my lungs, his hands caressing me in every delicious way. Just today, one last time. I told myself inwardly. “Oh my God, Thane.” I moaned into his mouth as he kneaded my breast through my dress. I wanted his fingers on my skin. I needed it. I threw my hands ove
Andera pov“I love your braids. They are lovely.” A nurse complimented Tiffany. My little girl's face lit up with a smile, one I hadn't seen since morning. She wasn't happy that we had to come to the hospital and leave Timmy behind in Aunt Rosa's care, and neither was Timmy, for that matter. I felt a pang of guilt, but it was necessary.The nurse smiled back at her and then turned to me. “You can go in now ma'am. Her test results are ready.” I thanked her as I stared at the door of Dr Rahim Rajah's office. My heart beating against my ribcage for so many reasons. This morning, when I dropped Timmy off at Rosa's, I didn't hang around long enough to see Carol. How could I look him in the eye after what I did yesterday?Not that we promised each other any sort of commitment, but still...And the worst part is, I don't feel guilty for letting Thane fingerfu*k me. I feel guilty for not feeling guilty.“Are you ready, Mommy?” Tiffany asked, flicking her pigtails braids. Today, I tried so
Andera's Pov “No, please stop st..” I struggled to get the words out, the man's hands held my neck tightly. I couldn't breathe. “St..” I wheezed. He squeezed more, crushing my windpipe; I could feel my air constricting. Is this how I die? What would happen to Timmy and Tiffany? Would they ever know their real father? Would they ever smile again? Tears ran down my face. “Enough.” Someone ordered, and the man instantly stopped trying to kill me. I sucked in a deep greedy breath, my throat burning; I placed my hands around my sore neck. “See how pathetic you are now.” The person spoke again. A woman, with a voice so familiar. Where have I heard that voice before? I turned around but I couldn't see her face because I was blindfolded. I didn't even know where I was. “Wh..Who are you?” I sobbed “And why are you trying to kill me?” She snickered. I couldn't see anything, but I felt her coming closer, I curled into a ball on the hard floor. I could feel her when she knelt by my si
Thane’s Pov11: 48 pmI stared at my watch, my eyes burning from the effort not to blink. I tapped my finger impatiently against the dashboard, Two more minutes till midnight.I couldn’t sit still. I couldn’t breathe properly. Knowing that Andera, Timmy, and Tiffany were in there sliced through me like a blade Nine hours.Nine goddamn hours since that text turned my world inside out.Come on, come on, come onMidnight.I shoved out of my car and sprinted towards the half-finished construction site, every muscle in my body screaming at me to go faster.All I wanted was to bring in the whole goddamn Seattle Police Department, storm into this building, tear it apart with my bare hands if I had to, and save my family,But one wrong move...All it would take is a wrong move, and this fúcker could kill them.The thought hit me so hard I nearly dry-heaved. Knots twisted in my stomach; I couldn’t even bear to picture it in my mind.I couldn’t lose them.I wouldn’t.The last nine hours have b
Andera's Pov The first thing I felt was the cold.My eyelids were heavy; it was an effort to open them; even when I did, I couldn't see past the darkness that wrapped me like a dark curtain. My head throbbed, heavy like lead. The harsh cold hit me again, racking my body with shivers.Reality hit my hazy mind like a brutal wave.The accident and kidnap.My kids.“Timmy! Tiffany!” I screamed past the burning parchedness in my throat. My voice echoed off the walls, bouncing back to me.“Atlas! Timmy!! Tiffan..”A cough so violent wrenched free from me, squeezing my organs, clogging my throat.Water, I needed water.I coughed again, and blood spluttered to my thighs; the dull ache in the side of my head returned, but it wasn't bleeding anymore; the wound must have coated.I reached out to touch it, but my hand didn't move; I tried again, but nothing; it was then I regained consciousness of my body enough to know I was tied down to a chair, my ankles were bound, and my hands tied behind m
Thane's Pov. The meeting dragged longer than it should have. Much to my Asian client's disdain, I kept glancing at my watch, thinking of Andera, Timmy, and Tiffany at the bakery and all the family time I was missing out on. Thankfully, the wedding was a stone's throw away, after which we'd go on our honeymoon - the twins included, to a place far removed, deep in the mountains. I heaved out a sigh of relief when we rounded things up. Something had been gnawing at me the entire meeting. I brushed it off as the feeling of missing out, but now that the meeting is over, I realize it's because Atlas didn't check in with me. He was supposed to give me information once they reached the bakery, and departed too. Andrea had also said she'd call me on her way back. I haven't received her call, and she should have been back by now. I called once. No answer. Twice. Nothing. By the third ring, my gut twisted sharply. I stood from my chair when the call ended and reached out to Paul “Postpon
Andera's povI could hear the blood pounding in my ears. My pulse spiked, I drew the twins closer to me.“Mommy is something wrong?” Timmy asked with a trembling voice.Atlas drew out his gun, Tiffany let out a piercing scream, Timmy burrowed into my side, his fists clutching my shirt.“Stay down.” Atlas's voice carried a note of urgency I had not heard before. My throat dried as I pulled the kids down with me to the floor of the car. “At..Atlas. Wh..what's going on?” I couldn't hear myself over the erratic beating of my heart. Oh God! What could be happening? My body trembled with fear. I reached into my purse with shaky fingers to call for help. Somehow, over the loud thumping in my chest and the shakiness of my body, I heard the sound of metal clashing against metal behind us, of tires screeching, and a loud bang.My hand flew to my mouth to stifle my horrified scream; the car behind us had just been hit.Tiffany burst into tears, and Timmy joined immediately. “Mommy”I hushed t
Andera's Pov.Tiffany tugged on her daddy's pants, giving him those cute hazel eyes both of us found hard to say No to. “Please, Daddy, please. Pretty pleaseeee”I bit back a grin when Timmy joined, grabbing the other leg. “Please, Daddy.”They were both using their child charm on him, and it was working. Thane ran a hand over his face like a defeated man. His eyes ping-ponged between the two rascals, weaponizing their asset of cuteness. There was love in his eyes, bright and unwavering, but there was also guilt, the kind only a parent would have when forced to choose duty over time with their family.“Help me.” Thane mouthed in my direction. I cleared my throat, stepping in. “Timmy and Tiffany Reinhardt, come here.”Timmy pouted, folded his arms, and stomped his foot over to my side; Tiffany held on though, sheathing her biggest weapon-big puppy hazel eyes. Thane's throat bobbed, he hated saying no to the twins. While Timmy was more understanding, Tiffany would likely throw a fit
Andera's pov. I stopped by Becky's to see how they were doing; thankfully, Jeremy is walking now with the aid of crutches; they both promised to be in attendance for the wedding. It's two more weeks to forever! I grinned and stopped at the red light. Thane and I were putting the finishing touches on our preparations. The kids and I have been so giddy ever since. I know Thane Is equally excited; he's not just bouncy like me, Timmy, and Tiffany. Explaining our remarriage to the kids had been quite a task; they kept sprouting question upon question, but they were later distracted with the promise of cakes, partying, and participating in the wedding. I drive home on autopilot. The gates opened as I pulled up in the garage; I caught sight of Thane waiting on the terrace. “Welcome back,” Thane says with a soft smile as I join him. He's wearing a crisp white shirt folded at the wrist and pants that hugged him. It was unfair how he looked insanely handsome in his casual wear. One
Andera's pov. Today was for the girls—just me, Rosa, and Tiffany.Timmy pouted as we left the house, arms crossed and lips pushed out dramatically. “Why do the girls get all the fun?” he asked, for the third time. I ruffled his hair and kissed his forehead. “You’re going to get your tuxedo tested with Daddy, and he also promised you ice cream afterward. That's pretty fun too.”He nodded, his pout loosening at the mention of ice cream. I watched as Father and Son dressed up to go to the tailor. My heart doing the happy dance somersault of someone in love. With the wedding just four weeks away, our preparations have kicked into full gear, We arrived at one of Seattle's most exclusive bridal houses. The boutique was known for Its elegance and custom gowns. It smelled like soft roses and expensive fabrics when we stepped in. The bright lighting poured from the crystal-like chandeliers to the rows of dresses that looked like art.“Woah.” Tiffany's mouth flew open in awe “Mommy, it lo
Andera's pov. The clouds darkened as I made my way to my car. It was all clear skies this morning. Now it's threatening to rain, typical Seattle weather. Well, on the bright side, at least it didn't start before I made this visit. I slipped into the driver's seat of my car right as the rain started pouring down. Two weeks ago, I got that call from Atlas. I met Becky in a physically sound state, emotionally- not at all good. Her fall was a result of a call from her sister, telling her that her son had been involved in a motorbike accident. Becky left immediately to tend to her son. I turn on my car engine and drive out from the hospital's parking lot. Jeremy - Becky's son, had been recovering. Thankfully, he was wearing a helmet at the time of his motorbike accident, so no damage went to his head, but he did break some important bones in his legs. The doctor assured us that with the proper treatment and rehabilitation, he would be able to walk again. Thane and I had been visiting
Andera's pov.Seattle hadn't changed, The normal moody skies and busy traffic. My office hadn’t changed either. The floor to ceiling glass windows remained the same as with the walls, and the same soft buzz of conversations and typing that filled every corridor of Auraspire Energies.But I had changed.A whole lot, not that I dyed my hair a different color and got some tats. There was a new weight on my left hand—cool, solid, impossible to ignore.And everyone noticed.The second I stepped off the executive elevator. I caught lingering glances at my hand, the glances changed to widened eyes and whispered exchanges.Congratulations, ma’am,” Lucy, one of my very loyal workers said as I passed the marketing wing. I smiled my thanks at her; despite being the CEO, I kept my relationship with my workers professional and cordial.“Welcome back, Boss! The Maldives looked good on you,” another called out.“Damn, that ring could finance half our solar grid,” Alex, our lead engineer, muttered wi