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
Thanes pov.I could have sworn I heard a crack in my chest. “What are you talking about Andera?” I demanded. Andera sniffed some more. Murderous rage ripped through me while my mind raced a mile a minute with the worst cases scenarios. If someone hurt her or Tiffany.....I shook the thoughts away; I couldn't possibly be thinking of killing someone when I was in a cemetery. “It's Tiffany. Sh...she is....we couldn't...” Andera stuttered. My blood pressure skyrocketed.“Send me your location, now. I'll be there.” she ended the call and I waited for Andera's message. “Are you leaving?” Imogen asked, her red-rimmed eyes peeking out from under the lace of her black hat. Melissa's death hit Imogen the hardest.When I found Melissa dead days ago, I immediately informed the police; investigations were carried out and are still being carried out. I spent the first day and most of the second at the police department, cooperating with the investigations, and even after I was cleared of all su
Thane's pov Seeing Andera had brought up all the anger, frustration, and hurt I had locked away. I told myself I would look past what she had done and move on from it for the sake of our children, but the wound cut too deep; I wondered if it would ever truly heal.I reached the doctor's office. My heart beating erratically in my chest as I pondered over the condition of my daughter. I silently cursed myself for the minutes I wasted exchanging words with Andera. The doctor stood up, pushing her curls behind her ear.“I'm Tiffany's father.” I blurted out. “Tiffany and Timmy's father.” Andera came up behind me, so close I could feel her body heat. My heart twisted again, her proximity stirred a painful longing Inside me.“Well then. Let's begin. We will start by taking your blood to see if you're a match for your daughter." The doctor stated.Even after three days, knowing that I have a daughter and a son still felt surreal to me; it made me feel equal parts happiness, sadness, and w
Thane's pov “Your daughter is responding well to the transfusion. We will need to keep her admitted overnight for observation, but we're optimistic about her recovery.” My shoulders sagged with relief, and so did Andera's. Tiffany had been transferred to a specialized hospital when the results came out showing that I was a perfect match. We both exchanged a look, Andera's face lit up, she placed her hand on my arm and softly mouthed “Thank you.” My heart- the poor guy melted into a puddle. Now that we were sure Tiffany was okay, my tension had loosened up, and I was starting to feel like an idiot for lashing out at Andera, for getting angry at her when she had as much right to hate me. I placed a hand over hers. “I'm sorry.” I mouthed back. For being an a*shole, when she was down and needed me. “I'm sorry for everything.” When Andera gave me that mesmerizing smile, I was tempted to pull her close to me and lock my lip with hers. The doctor, (whom we had forgotten was there)
Andera's pov.“Welcome home” Thane gestured into his mansion, a smug grin on his face that I wanted to smack away. Last night, while we settled into the too-tight sleeper couch, I had agreed we all live together, that Is until I can come up with a plan. The idea of living with Thane, under the same roof makes me want to pull my hair out. If five months ago, someone had told me that I would be living with Thane. I would have called them crazy, but here we were.It's not like I have much of an option though. Go to court? Good gracious no. Move back to Boston and leave my children behind? Not even at gunpoint. Move in with my ex-husband, whom is loving and kind to our kids and won't stop looking at me like he's a starved man and I'm his last meal? Umm... How bad could it be? The answer: catastrophically bad. “Stop staring at me., I yelled In a fierce whisper. Thane's lips curled an inch. “I'm just so glad you decided to come home.” “I did this for our kids.” I retorted. “So i
Andera's povI snuggled closer to the solid warmth behind me that was new yet familiar. A soft purr escaped my lips. ‘Where was I?’ I thought in my hazy mind.Boston?Seattle?Home?My bed felt different, more comfy and warm. I sighed when something strong and warm brushed over my stomach, pulling me closer. I let out another moan.My eyes opened a fraction to see gray and white walls, furniture that I didn't recognize, and paintings that weren't mine. “What? Where...am..?” “You're awake.” a gravelly voice whispered into my hair. It took me less than a second to recognize that voice. It was Thane's. At once, my hazy memories cleared up. The warmth radiating around me was Thane's body. What I felt on my stomach was his big hand pulling me closer to him.“Hey!” I scrambled away from Thane and off the bed. “Why were you cuddling me?” Thane wiped the sleep from his eyes with his hands; his dark hair tousled; morning light seeped in through the curtains and rested on his skin, making t
Andrea's pov The pen fell from my hands again. " Just sign the goddamn papers, would you? " Mother ordered, eyeing with with disgust as she did. " Andera can't even hold on to a pen, it's not surprising you couldn't hold your husband's heart, too. It's a wonder how my big brother tolerated you this long." Anna hissed. I took a look at the papers spread in front of me, one signature, and I'd be back to the place I was all those years ago. The place of helplessness. " I...I can't. " I stammered. They both groaned. The hate and disgust on their faces was palpable. I know they have always despised me but I couldn't do it. I would rather face their hatred than be alone on the streets. Hot tears trickled down my face; my body convulsed with my persistent sobs. " 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!
Andera's povI snuggled closer to the solid warmth behind me that was new yet familiar. A soft purr escaped my lips. ‘Where was I?’ I thought in my hazy mind.Boston?Seattle?Home?My bed felt different, more comfy and warm. I sighed when something strong and warm brushed over my stomach, pulling me closer. I let out another moan.My eyes opened a fraction to see gray and white walls, furniture that I didn't recognize, and paintings that weren't mine. “What? Where...am..?” “You're awake.” a gravelly voice whispered into my hair. It took me less than a second to recognize that voice. It was Thane's. At once, my hazy memories cleared up. The warmth radiating around me was Thane's body. What I felt on my stomach was his big hand pulling me closer to him.“Hey!” I scrambled away from Thane and off the bed. “Why were you cuddling me?” Thane wiped the sleep from his eyes with his hands; his dark hair tousled; morning light seeped in through the curtains and rested on his skin, making t
Andera's pov.“Welcome home” Thane gestured into his mansion, a smug grin on his face that I wanted to smack away. Last night, while we settled into the too-tight sleeper couch, I had agreed we all live together, that Is until I can come up with a plan. The idea of living with Thane, under the same roof makes me want to pull my hair out. If five months ago, someone had told me that I would be living with Thane. I would have called them crazy, but here we were.It's not like I have much of an option though. Go to court? Good gracious no. Move back to Boston and leave my children behind? Not even at gunpoint. Move in with my ex-husband, whom is loving and kind to our kids and won't stop looking at me like he's a starved man and I'm his last meal? Umm... How bad could it be? The answer: catastrophically bad. “Stop staring at me., I yelled In a fierce whisper. Thane's lips curled an inch. “I'm just so glad you decided to come home.” “I did this for our kids.” I retorted. “So i
Thane's pov “Your daughter is responding well to the transfusion. We will need to keep her admitted overnight for observation, but we're optimistic about her recovery.” My shoulders sagged with relief, and so did Andera's. Tiffany had been transferred to a specialized hospital when the results came out showing that I was a perfect match. We both exchanged a look, Andera's face lit up, she placed her hand on my arm and softly mouthed “Thank you.” My heart- the poor guy melted into a puddle. Now that we were sure Tiffany was okay, my tension had loosened up, and I was starting to feel like an idiot for lashing out at Andera, for getting angry at her when she had as much right to hate me. I placed a hand over hers. “I'm sorry.” I mouthed back. For being an a*shole, when she was down and needed me. “I'm sorry for everything.” When Andera gave me that mesmerizing smile, I was tempted to pull her close to me and lock my lip with hers. The doctor, (whom we had forgotten was there)
Thane's pov Seeing Andera had brought up all the anger, frustration, and hurt I had locked away. I told myself I would look past what she had done and move on from it for the sake of our children, but the wound cut too deep; I wondered if it would ever truly heal.I reached the doctor's office. My heart beating erratically in my chest as I pondered over the condition of my daughter. I silently cursed myself for the minutes I wasted exchanging words with Andera. The doctor stood up, pushing her curls behind her ear.“I'm Tiffany's father.” I blurted out. “Tiffany and Timmy's father.” Andera came up behind me, so close I could feel her body heat. My heart twisted again, her proximity stirred a painful longing Inside me.“Well then. Let's begin. We will start by taking your blood to see if you're a match for your daughter." The doctor stated.Even after three days, knowing that I have a daughter and a son still felt surreal to me; it made me feel equal parts happiness, sadness, and w
Thanes pov.I could have sworn I heard a crack in my chest. “What are you talking about Andera?” I demanded. Andera sniffed some more. Murderous rage ripped through me while my mind raced a mile a minute with the worst cases scenarios. If someone hurt her or Tiffany.....I shook the thoughts away; I couldn't possibly be thinking of killing someone when I was in a cemetery. “It's Tiffany. Sh...she is....we couldn't...” Andera stuttered. My blood pressure skyrocketed.“Send me your location, now. I'll be there.” she ended the call and I waited for Andera's message. “Are you leaving?” Imogen asked, her red-rimmed eyes peeking out from under the lace of her black hat. Melissa's death hit Imogen the hardest.When I found Melissa dead days ago, I immediately informed the police; investigations were carried out and are still being carried out. I spent the first day and most of the second at the police department, cooperating with the investigations, and even after I was cleared of all su
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 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 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
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