I gently knock on Tamara's door. Leaning against the wall as I wait for her, I try to fight my tiredness.
"Who is it?" Tamara calls from inside the room.
"Delilah."
"Oh, I'll be there in a sec."
"Alright." I hear some movement inside before Tamara finally opens the door.
"Sorry I took a while, come in." She steps aside so I can enter.
"It's fine; I didn't wait that long." I walk inside and sit on the couch close to her bed. "How are you feeling today?" I rake my eyes over her body to check if Harvey treated her injuries well, and he did. That’s good.
"Better." She takes a seat beside me. I turn to face her and look into her eyes, trying to tell if she’s lying. I don't know all the details of what she went through, but I know it must have been bad from how she looked last night.
"Beau told us everything. I can't believe Harvey is in love with you."
"Apparently so."
"You sound like you don't believe
I bite into the pillow, muffling the moan about to rip out of me as Beau spreads my ass cheeks and enters me without warning. Pleasure builds in my belly as he thrusts. How we ended up having sex again in Beau’s room is a mystery to me.A gasp escapes my lips when he slaps my ass, digging his nails into my waist as he moves in and out of me. My legs are barely holding me up, vibrating with pleasure.He drops down on my back and whispers into my ear, “Someone’s been a bad girl lately.” He slaps my ass again.“What’s Daddy gonna do about it?” I rasp, breathless from the desire flowing through me.Beau moves a hand to one of my breasts, cupping and squeezing it. “You’ll be punished.” He pulls my nipple before slapping my breast hard. “Beau,” I moan, loving how rough he is.He continues to slam into me, alternating between slapping my breasts and my ass. My release builds, but then it suddenly stops when Beau pulls out of me. My body gives a silent cry of desperation.“Don’t worry, mon
I play with my fingers while we wait for the doctor to return with the test results. I had failed to dodge Beau at the hotel, so now we’re at the hospital. And I can’t stop worrying about the results of the tests I was given, because I’m pretty sure I already know what’s wrong with me. I’m praying I’m mistaken, but all the signs say otherwise.“Why is your leg shaking?” Beau asks, placing his hand on my thigh.“No reason.” I move out of his hold and bite my lip.“Are you worried something might be wrong with you?” Beau asks, concerned.“Not really.”Beau is about to say something else but stops as the door opens behind us. The doctor walks in, smiling. My stomach drops. Her expression alone tells me the results of the test. Dad is going to kill me.“The test results are back, and I have wonderful news,” the doctor’s smile widens as she speak
I stand in front of the mirror and look at my flat belly. Disbelief settles in that a human is growing inside of me. It’s so surreal. I make myself turn away from my reflection, knowing I need to get ready for work. It’s been a week since I got back from Hawaii, and I haven’t seen or spoken to Beau. I’ve made sure to avoid him at all costs. Security at my office has been instructed to never allow him inside the building. And I blocked his number, too. I don’t want to have any contact with him. I am done. For real this time. Walking out of my room, I take the stairs down to the dining area for breakfast. I kiss Dad on the cheeks and take a seat on his right side. I haven’t told him I’m pregnant yet, but I plan to tonight. He’s going to be so disappointed in me. It’s bad enough that I got knocked up but what makes it worse is who the father is. Dad hates Beau with a passion. He was scared I would kill myself because of how heartbroken I was after Beau cheated. Dad saw how madl
The sound of people arguing wakes me. Confused, I look around to find where the voices are coming from and where I am. A heart monitor beeps to the left of me. Am I in the hospital? I pull the curtains surrounding the bed I’m in open to see who else is there and why they’re arguing.The scene I’m greeted with only confuses me more. “Dad?” I say, shocked to see him here.“Lilah, you’re finally up,” Dad says, relief in his voice as he rushes over to me.“How are you feeling?” Beau asks, coming to stand on the other side of the bed. I open my mouth to reply, but Dad cuts me off.“You’re still here?” Dad barks, glaring at Beau. Yikes. If looks could kill, then Beau would definitely be dead right now.“I know you don’t want me here,” Beau bites out, “but it’s my baby she’s carrying.”My eyes widen. Oh my God, Dad knows? How did he find out? This is bad. He’s going to kill Beau.“A baby that you put in her without her permission,” Dad snaps.“Just because we aren’t together doesn’t mean I w
I took a few days off from work, deciding to take both the doctor’s and dad’s advice and get some rest. I’ve also decided that I won’t be visiting any building sites during my first trimester. I don’t want to over work myself or risk running into Beau.The time off was nice, but I’m ready for life to get back to normal. Stepping off the elevator, I walk to my office with a thermos of tea and my handbag. I really miss coffee. It’s so difficult to function during the day without it, and the fact that being pregnant makes you sleepy doesn’t help. The tea almost slips out of my hands when I open the door to my office.“Beau?” I say, shocked to see him here. How did he get pass security? “Who let you in?” I ask, walking towards my desk and placing my things on its surface.“You’d be surprised by what a few hundred bucks can do.”“Get out,” I snap, sitting in m
Beau and I flew out of Texas as soon as we could. Dad was not happy to hear about the trip, but he also understood why I was going. He admitted he will have to learn to see Beau's face often since he is the father of my baby. Any urgent work matters I had been meaning to do this week I handed over to Camila, and then postponed what I could till next week. And now, we’re here.I take a deep breath and step out of the car, standing next to Beau. We just arrived at his family’s estate in Louisiana. My mouth hangs open when I see the mansion in front of me. The sheer size of it takes my breath away. I come from a wealthy family, but the house in front of me is nothing compared to mine or any other I have seen. Beau takes my hand and walks us up to the massive french doors. Beau presses the bell, and I look around as we wait. I was not looking out the window as we drove in, so I didn't take in the beauty of their front yard. The flowers are all trimmed to perfection, a
Later in the evening, I hear a knock at my door. Nana wants Beau and I close to her, so she asked us to stay in the room next door. But I’m the only one staying in here. I asked Beau to stay in another room, but I know if he had his way, we would be sharing this one. Coming out of the attached bathroom, I drop the towel I was using to wash my face on the bed and walk to the door. I’m greeted with the sight of Beau. He’s here to take me downstairs for dinner. My stomach does a nervous flip that I try to ignore. I make sure to grab my phone before joining him in the hall.As we approach the dining room, I begin to hear voices. I prepare for the confrontation with Jenny and Beau’s grandfather. Why did I agree to come down here and eat? I should’ve asked them to bring my food up."Hello, everyone," Beau says as we step into the room.Beau's grandfather, Jenny, and Harvey are already seated and eating. I guess we’re late."D
Beau clears his throat. "I think you should take a seat.""Okay, fine." I walk into the room and sit on a couch close to the bed. My patience is running thin, but it’s probably for the best if we don’t have this conversation in the hallway."Where do I start?" Beau swallows and rubs a palm across his face."I don't know, maybe from the beginning?" I suggest, sarcastically."Yes, you’re right; from the beginning would be best. But first, will you promise me something?" Beau bends down to my level and tries to take my hand, but I yank it away. He sighs and turns to face Nana. She nods, encouraging him to continue.He looks back at me, but I speak before he has a chance. "I don't think you can ask me to promise you anything after everything you have done to me and what you just said a few seconds ago.""I know, you’re right. But promise me you won't leave until you’ve listened to everything I have to say."I
One Year LaterI stare at Beau’s handsome face as he sleeps soundly beside me. Sometimes I still find it hard to believe that we’re finally together. I softly peck his lips before slipping out of bed, making sure to be as quiet as possible so as not to wake him. I pick up my purse and walk to the bathroom with it. Opening my handbag, I take out the object I’ve been hiding from Beau since I bought it yesterday.How wonderful will it be if the result comes back positive?I take the pregnancy test, then set the timer on my phone and wait impatiently in the bathroom. Beau will be so happy if I’m pregnant. We haven’t been trying to have a baby, but I know he’ll be pleased regardless. We’ve spoken about starting a family one day, so I know it’s something we both want.After what feels like an eternity, the timer on my phone goes off. I pick up the test and see two lines. I’m pregnant.“Two lines!” I scream. I can’t believe it. It feels like a dream come true. I know this isn’t the first tim
I walk out of the elevator once it reaches Axel’s floor. After we landed in Chicago, Tamara and I immediately came to Axel’s apartment complex, while Beau went to the hotel with our bags. The plan is to meet him there later. Speaking to Axel couldn’t wait. His mom even texted me to say she’s worried about him.He hasn’t shown up to work the past few days and is shutting everyone out. His mom, my Aunt Caroline, tried talking some sense into him but it didn’t work. She’s hoping Tamara and I will have better luck. So much so that she even met us in the lobby to give us her set of keys to his apartment in case Axel wouldn’t let us in.Just as we’re about reach his door, I stop in my tracks. “Camila?” I say, shocked to see her standing there. She didn’t tell me she was coming.“Hi Lilah, Tamara,” she says, her voice low. She doesn’t look good. There are bags under her eyes, and her nose is red. She’s obviously been crying. If I hadn’t seen her without makeup before, I don’t think I would e
Thirty minutes later, we’re flying to Chicago in Beau’s jet. I had planned to come check on Axel even before Beau and I worked things out, and once I explained to Beau what was going on with Camila and Axel, he agreed that we should go. Axel has refused to answer any of my calls the past three days, and Camila has been worried sick about him.I would be a lot more upset about the situation if I didn’t have Beau’s support. I still can’t believe we’re here together. It’s like a dream. I touch his face to make sure it’s real.“I’m sorry again for everything I did while I was pretending to have lost my memory.” Beau says, placing his hand over mine.“There is nothing to be sorry for. I know you didn’t want to hurt me. I’m sure it must have pained you to do it.” I run my other hand through his soft curls. I’ve missed doing that.“You can’t imagine, my love. My heart was pierced every time I hurt you. I am truly sorry.” He stares into my eyes, and I can tell he means every word.I smile sof
DELILAHI stare at myself in the mirror and blow out my cheeks. Beau’s getting married today. I don’t know what I thought would happen, but I didn’t think it would ever get to this point. Looking at my dress in the mirror, tears fill my eyes as it’s not the dress I had hoped to wear on Beau’s wedding day. It was foolish for me to have agreed to stay when he asked me. I must have been possessed because only a fool would stay and watch the love of their life marry someone else.Using my hands, I fan myself and take deep breaths to calm down. I don’t want to ruin my makeup. Since I already agreed to stay, I might as well see this to the end. I’m picking up my purse to leave when someone knocks on my door. I go to open it, wondering if Tamara changed her mind about meeting me downstairs and needs something before we go. But Tamara isn’t who’s standing in the hall.“Beau?” I say, shocked.“Can I come in?” he asks, smiling.Why is he smiling? And most importantly what the hell is he doing h
I play with my glass as I watch Hannah rub herself against Beau, who doesn’t seem to be enjoying her company very much, but that doesn’t matter. He’s still marrying her. I’m going to have a drinking problem by the time this wedding is over. The rehearsal dinner is tonight, and it’s going horribly for me.Everyone keeps talking about how they’re such a good match for each other. I’m already imagining how awful tomorrow will be. I can’t believe I agreed to stay. What the hell was I thinking?The only reason I decided to come tonight was because I was hoping to get a chance to talk Beau out of getting married, but all I’ve done is drink.I finish my fifth glass of wine and call the server over for a refill. My alcohol tolerance has increased recently, and I don’t want to think about how much drinking I must have been doing lately for that to happen. After my glass is refilled, I go to take a sip, but someone grabs it from my hand.“I think you’ve had enough for tonight,” Beau says, holdi
“Gin and tonic,” I say to the bartender as I take a seat. The dive bar I found close to the airport seems as good a place as any to wait to check in for my flight.I try not to think about Beau as I down my drink but it’s hard. The last time I was out drinking because of him was the night we created our baby. Our poor child, they never got to see the world.I throw back the rest of my drink and ask for another. It wouldn’t be a good idea to get drunk and miss my flight, but one more won’t hurt.While on my second glass, I’m surprised to see Beau walk into the bar. He takes a seat at one of the booths, joining a man I haven’t seen before. What is he doing here? Even if he wanted a late-night drink, there are bars closer to the estate.I’ll have to get closer to them to figure out what’s going on. Taking a seat in the boot opposite theirs, I drop my head and use my hair to cover my face. It’s wrong to eavesdrop, but I can’t help it. Beau shouldn’t be here, and I know if I were to walk o
Blindly, I stare at the ceiling and ponder Jenny’s words. I still can’t believe she threatened to kill my father. I have never felt more hopeless in my life.I can’t bear to watch Beau marry someone else and not do anything to stop it, but I also can’t risk my father’s life. There is no debate, I won’t risk my dad, but the price to keep him safe is a hefty one. I will have to live the rest of my days without Beau. My life is incomplete without him. I don’t even know how I’m going to function.Fresh tears escape my eyes and stain the pillow. I just wish there was a way I could be with Beau without losing my father in the process.My head turns when I hear the door opening. I was too shaken to move after speaking to Jenny, so I’m still in the room where Hannah’s wedding dress is. I wipe my cheeks and sit up to see who’s coming inside.“Yennefer,” I say, surprised. How did she know I was here?“Found you at last.” She smiles and closes the door behind her.“You were looking for me?” I as
The following morning, I sneak onto the Williams’ estate to see Nana. Harvey says her bad days have been outnumbering her good, and she might be gone any day now. That’s why, even though Edward and Jenny will have my ass the moment they see me, I’m risking it. I don’t want to miss what might be my last chance to see her. She means a lot to Beau and has always been nice to me. I don’t even want to think about how he’s faring with her diagnosis, but he might not be struggling that much since he doesn’t have his memories. I hope he gets them back before it’s too late. I can’t imagine how torn he would be if he doesn’t get them back before she’s gone. He’d be devastated.I spent all night thinking of ways I could help Beau recover his memories. I wondered which memory we shared would be most important to him. We’ve made many memories together, but I think the shared loss of our child is the most significant. Unfortunately, I had already told him about that one, and it didn't do the trick.
“What are you reading over there?” Charles asks. It’s been a few hours since we took off. Charles apparently doesn’t care that I’m his sister’s enemy and has been talking to me for most of the flight. I think it’s because he has an interest in me, but I might be wrong.“A romance novel,” I reply, switching off my phone screen and turning to face him.“You’re a romance fan?”“Yes, I am.”“So, you must be waiting for your prince charming to rescue you then?”“No, I’m not.”“But you’re a romance fan?”“Yes.”“I’m confused,” he chuckles.I laugh before speaking. “I love romance novels, but not the typical kind you might be familiar with.”“Hmm, let me guess, you’re into dark romance,” Charles says, smirking.“Yes, I am.” I smile. “How did you know?”“Once you said it’s not the typical type of romance, dark romance was the next thing that came to my head. So, tell me your favorite book and why it’s your favorite.”“I don’t have just one favorite. I love too many.”“What if you had to choos