Andrea's pov.I knew he was around, but we didn't see each other that night; I understood though, that Carol needed some space from me and my problems.I needed space too, from my own melancholy and loathing. Time with the kids was a reprieve, I could forget about Thane and the inevitable chaos I would soon wreck his way, I could forget about my strained friendship with Carol.“Mommy, you promised we could have a dog,” Timmy whined, giving me the puppy eyes.“Did I?” I asked with an amused grin. Taking care of two boisterous kids required energy, time and patience, not to mention chips of my mental health...adding a pet to the family, I don't know if I have enough strength for that.“We should have a cat instead,” Tiffany interjected, twirling her hair with her fingers. “They're softer and more easier to cuddle.”“Too bad Tiffy. Mommy already promised me we would have a dog.” Timmy teased. “I did?” Timmy looked up at me with a small frown. We were all sitting on Tiffany's bed, hav
Thane's Pov. I'm pretty sure I broke more than ten traffic rules in the book. It was already past ten at night, but still, the roads of Seattle were busier than ever. “Move.” I honked my horn at the minivan in front of me. Whoever was behind that wheel had to be an eighty year old grandma. A turtle in morphine could move faster than that. “God dammit!” I cursed as I took a sharp turn to overtake the van. I needed to get to Andera fast. Not that there was much I could do. I didn't know if that picture was taken minutes or hours ago. I couldn't find who did it by barging into her home, but what I could do was to ensure she was okay and to assure my racing heart too. In no time, the photo would be wiped clean from the face of the internet and every device. My tech guys were that good. The ride from my mansion to Andera's home is nearly twenty minutes, I made it there in seventeen. I parked my car and took long strides to the door, well aware that she might be asleep by now, and I wa
Andera's pov.He knows. Thane knows.I struggled to hold back the dam threatening to explode behind my eyes. My heart didn't deserve the palpitations it was going through right now. Oh God. What have I gotten myself into? Thane would take me to court, and I would lose primary custody of my children for keeping them away from him without proper reason. I wouldn't get watch Timmy become overprotective of his sister even though he's barely six minutes older; I wouldn't go shopping with Tiffany to pick out her prom dresses.All because I couldn't give up my petty revenge. My shoulder shook with silent sobs as Thane stared back at me with hardened, impatient eyes.My chest burned.“Andera,” he called my name through clenched teeth. Tiffany's eyes ping-ponged between me and Thane.“You look like you're going to be sick, Mommy,” she observed with her innocent eyes. Another feeling burned my chest- guilt, at the way I raised my voice at her. I could practically see Thane soften as he spoke
Andera's pov.The universe was really f*cking with me. Maybe I was being punished for something I did in my past life because how does one wrap her head around, first, the... incident with Thane? Two, having a potential stalker.Well. I don't know if I can call him that, considering that this is the first disturbing thing he'd done that we know of.Apparently, someone lurked around my home early this evening and took photos of me while I was undressing, and then he went ahead and uploaded the pictures on the internet. Thank God it wasn't a fully naked picture, I would have died from mortification. Rosa had found the picture of me online and alerted the cops; I could also bet that was why Thane was here, too.Thane. The thought of him sent a sharp pain all over me. Invisible hands fisted my heart, making it hard for me to breathe.“...Install security cameras, they offer a... Ms Campbell. Ms Campbell.”“Yes.” I jerked out of my thoughts. I had just recounted the incident to the office
Andera's pov.“Nothing can temper it. State of the art calls security. Bullets-proof windows. Highly secured fortress for your safety, reinforced doors, and a secure entry system that's monitored twenty-four seven. This penthouse is a highly secured fortress, designed to provide a haven for you and your family. The security system is top-notch, with motion detectors, pressure pads.......”The Real estate agent went on and on till I felt like I was going to have a migraine. “It's secured. I get it” I snapped at the man, making him recoil.“I'm sorry ma'am. You requested a penthouse with exceptional security features. I couldn't resist highlighting the outstanding attributes of this one.” He dipped his head in apology when he wasn't the one who was wrong. He was just an agent showcasing the property, and I'm a woman paranoid, on edge and in need of at least eight hours uninterrupted sleep. “It's okay,” I responded more softly this time. “We'll take it. Thank you.” I smiled warmly a
Andera's pov. The D-Day is finally here. “I can't wait to meet Grandpa.” an excited Timmy bounded on his heels. “Yeah, me too,” I answered unenthusiastically. Not that I wasn't excited to see my father, I was. But the ache in my chest and anxiety in my head drowned out that happiness. Our flight would be leaving in an hour, and we were all done packing and dressed up. “Okay, people. You have twenty seconds to get in the car ” Rosa mimicked a referee. The twins giggled, racing each other to the elevator. Rosa and I were hauling the last of our luggage down. I sighed, I've been doing that a lot, sighing more and talking less. I knew Rosa didn't like it, but I couldn't bring myself to be chatty as usual, even when I tried.Rosa stopped me with a hand on my shoulder. She has spent the last three days trying to coerce me into talking about you know who.I didn't budge, though; my anxiety had given way into melancholy. Thane doesn't know about Timmy and Tiffany being his children, if h
Thane's pov.TWO DAYS EARLIER.The minutes rolled by into hours while I waited for Josh to do his thing and feed my desperate mind with updates. I hadn't managed a wink of sleep since leaving Andera's home; Paul was currently overseeing the things he could handle at the company while I sorted out my personal and more important matters. I took a deep breath as I gulped down the glass of whiskey the bartender had given me. After seven glasses in two hours, the burning sensation faded, replaced by a numbness that did nothing to drown my worries. “Is this seat taken?” A brunette approached me, I could see her flirtatious smile from the corner of my eye. “Not interested.” I snapped, the lady huffed, and went her way. There was only one woman who clouded my mind, one woman who consumed my waking hours, the same woman who was likely to have hurt me like nobody ever had.‘She's not yours’ ‘Tiffany is my daughter. Not yours’‘So would Timmy. You both look like each other. You have the sam
Andera's pov The airport medical center was a blur of white coats, beeping machines, and antiseptic smells. In the doorway, Rosa talked with the doctor. Their voices were quiet, but I couldn't hear what they were saying; I was too focused on Tiffany. Her tired eyes, pale cheeks, and faint sighs.I stroked her hair, wondering how things got so bad, so fast. The plan was working out; we were supposed to be on our flight, and she was supposed to be bickering with Timmy over pets and games, but here we were. My heart twisted in my chest as another fat tear drop rolled down my eye. “Mommy?” Tiffany's eyes flickered open, and she groggily took in her surroundings before she shut them again, so it had been going on for the past twenty minutes.“Yes, sweetie. I'm right here.” my voice came out hoarse from all the crying earlier on.“Mommy” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “My head hurts.” Another tear slid down my cheek. Timmy stood still on the other side of the bed. His glassy ey
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