S E B A S T I A NThe moment I stepped into the house, a foul smell greeted me. The living room was a mess, leftover pizza, opened drink, and candy wrappers were strewn on the floor.I shook my head.No matter how much I've gone through this for the past five years, I still couldn't get used to it.I walked into the bedroom and it was just as expected. Empty plates of food, used underwear, and clothes littered the floor. It looked like a pigsty.On the bed lay a woman, my wife. Her arms and legs spread out, in a drunken slumber. The stench that emanated from the bed made me grimace.I looked at the sleeping figure and sighed. I'd always hoped she'd clean up her act one day, but now, looking at her, all I felt was a dull anger and frustration.My pregnant wife would rather sleep all day, than take a shower. Don't get me wrong, it would be totally understandable if she only became dirty and lazy before pregnancy, because it takes a lot to carry a human inside of you, but this started eve
S E B A S T I A NI left the bedroom and walked around the house, searching for her. I finally found her in the guest bedroom, she was freshly showered and putting on her nightgown.She looked at me and rolled her eyes."Em," I said, taking a step forward."Don't come near me," she snapped.I sighed. "Em, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. You know, I'm going through a lot and I'm very frustrated. But, you have no idea how grateful I am to have you in my life, and how much I care about you and the baby. I just want the best for the two of you, and I want to give you the life you deserve. Let me hire the maid, Em. Please. You don't have to do anything, except take care of yourself and the baby. You've helped me a lot, and I'm trying to return the favor. Okay?"She stared at me, and I couldn't tell what was going through her mind."I know I'm not the best wife, Seb. I know I'm lazy, and irresponsible, and I drink a lot, but I'm trying. I'm trying to make myself better,
E M O R YI parked my car in the factory's garage, and walked towards the building."Good morning, Mrs. Black," the security said, as he held the door open for me."Good morning," I said, before walking into the building.We were making new products since the old ones were sold out, and I needed to make sure the manufacturers are following my rules.I put on a pair of gloves and a mask before walking in, the smell of chemicals was strong."Hello, ladies and gentlemen," I said, and all the workers greeted me back."How's the work going?""Great," one of the workers said, "we've finished making 200 units of the cream. It'll be delivered by tomorrow, as per the order.""And the special stuff? Did you add it to the 200?""Yes, madam. Just as you instructed. But, ma'am, I think it's high time we stopped applying them to the products as they could be quite harmful to the human skin. We can't just give people cancer and call it a day, that's not a good way to run a business. And the FDA woul
E M O R Y"Money?" I laughed. "You need money? I gave you one million dollars five months ago from my new business so you can stay out of my life and build something for yourself. And you're standing here asking for money?""I spent it," he said, shrugging his shoulders."How the fuck did you spend it? How much did you gamble and drink with the money, Michael? Tell me, please.""It's not my fault, okay? I needed money. I'm a man. I have a lot of debts and—""No, Michael. That's your own damn fault. You're a grown ass man, and you gambled away my hard-earned money. I don't owe you shit. Get the hell out of my sight.""I'm not leaving until I get my money," he said, and grabbed my arm, his grip strong and painful.I looked at him, square in his eyes. "I have no money to give you, Michael. One penny, I'm not giving. Now, get the fuck out of my office.""You don't have the money, or you won't give it to me? Don't forget, Em. I have the evidence of the crimes you committed. That's why you
S E B A S T I A NEmory sat beside me in the backseat of the car, her hands were on her pregnant belly, and her lips were moving but, I couldn't hear a word.My eyes were fixed on the road, my mind was far away.It had been five years since we started our lives together.I was a married man.Married to a woman who is carrying my child.Yet, I didn't feel complete.I was just existing.There was an emptiness in me. A cold void, hollow and empty.I felt like something was missing, like a part of me was taken away.I didn't understand what it was.All I knew was, there was an emptiness inside me, and nothing was filling the void.I sighed, closing my eyes and resting my head against the seat.Why did this feeling keep haunting me?It wasn't supposed to be this way.Emory was a beautiful woman, she was intelligent, and had a great personality. She was carrying my baby, and we were starting our own family. I couldn't raise a child in a home where her father is not content.So, why was this
E L L EIt's been two annoying days at the hospital filled with endless tests and boring ass doctors checking my vitals and giving me their diagnosis.I couldn't wait to get out of the damn place and go home and it was finally time to go home.My parents and brother had left, they were busy, and I knew I could trust Gio and Avery to take me home. My parents would stop by later at the house to check up on me.As much as I hated the hospital, I was glad that Claire had taken care of me, she was sweet and kind.I didn't want to think it was kind of a special treatment because I'm friends with Gio, but she seemed like a genuinely nice person.She was beautiful, and her eyes held so much sadness in them.She didn't seem to be okay.The door opened, and Gio walked in, holding a huge bouquet of flowers."Hey, what's up?""I'm good, just counting the hours till I'm discharged." I groaned, sitting up."Here. These are for you. They are from me and Avery." Avery smiled at me and nodded, but I a
E L L EAfter lots of arguments with my mom, I was finally able to leave the house after convincing her that it was important and I would be back.I met up with Daniel at the lab and he walked me towards the office."So, the lab results are back and the results are... Well, let's just say, that it was an eye opener.""What do you mean? What's wrong?""Everything's wrong, Elle. Her product is filled with harmful chemicals. The levels are so high, it could have caused harm to the consumers. The levels could have killed people. Do you understand how bad this is, Elle?""It contains a outrageous amount of Formaldehyde, phthalates, trisclosan, nanoparticles and parabens, just to name a few. The product is dangerous, and a death trap. This cannot be sold. And I wonder if her business was FDA approved before she ventured into this. This is serious, and can lead to a huge lawsuit. The ingredients should have been tested before the product was approved and made for the consumer. This is bad, E
E M O R YI stopped my car in front of Sebastian's company. I stared at the huge skyscraper, biting my lips nervously.What I was about to do was something that might go unnoticed considering the amount of money my husband has, but there was also two present possibility of me getting caught. I didn't like those odds. But I was left with no other choice.My company was not big enough for huge amounts of money to be transferred out and I didn't have a lot of connections that would make this easier.I needed an excuse.And Sebastian's company was the only thing that came to my mind. I wasn't sure what his reaction was going to be once he finds out.But, I was going to play my cards well and make sure he doesn't. I haven't come this far to allow Michael ruin all my plans. I just couldn't.And the only way to shut him up was to give him what he wanted; money.I knew the exact sum I was going to take from the company and the amount was big to every normal person, but isn't big enough to a c
E L L EOnce I was in his room, I took off my shoes, undid the dress and cleaned off my make-up. I was in no mood to take a shower, so I went to his closet, looking for a shirt.I grabbed the first shirt I could find and wore it, climbing into bed.I closed my eyes, inhaling his scent and sighed, wondering how we ended up here.We were fine and everything was perfect and then Sebastian had to show up.Now, Mikhail's insecurities were getting the best of him and I didn't know how to make him see that he had nothing to worry about.I didn't see myself with Sebastian and I wasn't going to watch Mikhail get himself in trouble because of him.And now he has misinterpreted it as me trying to protect Sebastian because I still loved him, when the only thing I'm trying to do is avoid unnecessary drama and getting his ass in jail.Tonight was already a long night, the media are probably getting ready to post photos and articles about the incident, and this could definitely harm Mikhail's reputa
E L L EMikhail grabbed Sebastian by the throat and slammed him against the wall, and a few people stopped their chatter to watch."Stay the fuck away from us," he growled, his voice dangerously low."Stop! Mikhail, don't do this!" I cried, pulling his arms, but he was too strong.Sebastian's lips were turning purple, and it seemed like Mikhail was really going to choke him."You'll never have her. She'll always be mine," Sebastian spat, his voice barely a whisper."You'll never have her. She will never belong to you. She's mine."Mikhail's hands were tightly wrapped around his throat, and Sebastian's eyes were wide."Let him go, Mikhail!" I pleaded. "Please. You're hurting him!"He wasn't listening to me, his focus was solely on Sebastian.I could tell that Sebastian was trying to struggle against him, but the lack of air was making him weaker."Stop!""I'll kill you, I swear to god," Mikhail hissed, squeezing his neck harder."Mikhail! Please, baby. Let him go," I pleaded, trying to
E L L EThe long awaited day of Mikhail's new collections launch was finally here. I was giddy with excitement, knowing how much this meant for Mikhail, and whatever makes my man happy, makes me happy.It's been almost three months since the launch of his last collection and it was a huge success. Everyone was waiting for the new collection, and everyone wanted a piece. This was going to be my first time attending his events, and I wasn't just going as a guest, but as his girlfriend.What a dream come true. The event would be taking place at the hotel Mikhail had purchased, and had spent the past few months renovating. The grand opening would be after the event, and it was already filled with reporters and journalists from different magazines and newspapers.I was so proud of him, and I was going to be by his side.I was fresh out of the shower in my lush robe as Mikhail came into his huge bedroom, a large box in his hand and three women next to him.Apparently, I was going to be th
M I C H A E LIt's been four hours since Emory left the house, and although I didn't want to admit it, I was worried.I knew she was looking for every way to get back with Sebastian and it bothered me. How could i still love a woman who left me for another man all because he's richer?How could I love a woman who doesn't love me the same?When would I ever learn my lesson?Emory and I have come from way back and she was the woman I genuinely loved. I was obsessed with her at some point, we did literally everything and anything together in college.We were the power couple, but no one really knew what goes on behind closed doors. How much she shakes me for not being able to afford her needs, and how she's only sticking around with me because of the status I provide.She wanted the rich life.She didn't want me.I was the leader of a small gang in school, known for being a troublemaker. We did some minor drug deals, and I had a few assault charges, but Emory wasn't fazed by any of that.
E M O R YWithout giving me a chance to talk, my hands were placed behind my back and cuffed."You must be mistaken." I said, struggling with the cuffs. "You have no right to come to my husband's company and arrest me without any proofs. Where is the warrant?""Here." The officer handed the papers to me. "It has everything we need to arrest you."I read through the papers and shook my head. "This is impossible. I did not sell harmful products. Everything is approved and certified.""The chemicals used aren't approved, and it was clearly written in the contract, which you signed, that if anyone was hurt by the product, they have the right to press charges and sue you.""How sure are you that it's true? I wood never intentionally cause harm to people for the sake of money. You can't just accuse me.""That's not for me to decide. That's for the court." She said curtly. I was led towards a police car, and shoved into the back seat."I would like to contact my lawyer as soon as possible."
E M O R YI stood in front of Sebastian's company, trying to keep my composure.It was the only thing I could think of.To be honest, I was still shocked about the divorce papers, and I felt like my world was crashing down on me.Sebastian filed for divorce.The papers have been sitting in my room for the past few days and I didn't spare it a glance.I couldn't even sign it.It felt so final.So real.Like the end.And I didn't want an end.I was willing to do whatever it took to make sure Sebastian would come back to me.I needed him.I wanted him.I left Michael's house so early before he even woke up. His apartment was a little one bedroom space which left me no other choice but to sleep in the same room as him. He slept on the couch, while the baby sleeps in her bassinet.She screams her lungs out for food in the middle of the night and those are one of the worst nights of my life. She has refused to feed from my breasts, but will drink formulas. Leaving me with no option but to p
E M O R YI wiped my face and looked at myself in the mirror. I was a mess.I looked like a homeless person.I sniffled, trying to get my shit together.I walked to the door and opened it. It was a woman with a suitcase in her hand. She was holding a bunch of papers."Who are you?" I asked, my voice hoarse from crying."Mrs. Black, right? My name is Rebecca and I'm the process server for Mr. Black's divorce case.""Divorce?" I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Please, we're not getting a divorce.""Well, that's what the papers say. Your husband has filed a divorce, and according to these documents, it's final."My world stopped."No, no, no." I breathed, taking the papers from her.She smiled coldly and handed me a pen. "Sign here.""I am not signing anything."She smiled, "He only asked me to deliver it to you, you don't necessarily have to sign it now. But you will have to, eventually. So, either way, it's a done deal.""Get the fuck away from my house." I hissed and slammed the door shut.
E M O R YThe past week has been a horrible one, how did I go from living in my dream mansion to being in this crappy apartment with my daughter and Michael?The answer is simple: the baby.Everything would have gone perfectly if it wasn't for her.It has been a week since I'd seen or heard from Sebastian. His lawyer has been calling me non-stop, but I wasn't ready to answer those calls.I knew the minute I pick up that call, I'd have no chance of saving my marriage, and I wasn't ready to let that happen.I have been living with Michael and his child and we haven't spoken a word to each other. He had gone back to work and left the baby with me.I tried breastfeeding her, but she wouldn't latch onto my nipple. She wouldn't drink formula, and so far, I have been struggling to get her fed.I was tired, exhausted, and I had no idea what the fuck was going on. All she did was cry and cry and shit her diapers, and all she ate was air.I didn't know if something was wrong with her, but the d
M I K H A I LI watched Elle sleeping soundly, her breathing even and she looked so peaceful.She was safe.And that was all that mattered.I was about to have a stroke when I heard her say Sebastian came to her house at two in the morning. I was just thankful Ivan was able to get her as early as possible.But I never wanted to experience that fear ever again.And it wasn't just the fact that Sebastian was at her house.I was scared she could have gotten hurt.It was like all the blood had drained from my face when she told me.My fear was quickly replaced by anger, anger at his audacity, anger at him for having the guts to even show up at her house.He'd gone too far, and he needed to be taught a lesson.I wasn't going to sit here and wait for him to come and hurt her.No way.I had made a deal with the cops and Sebastian was spending a week in jail.If anything had happened, I wouldn't have known what to do.It would have been the end of me.I wouldn't be able to live with myself if