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
The following morning, I wake up to a knock at my door. I climb out of bed to answer. Pulling it open, I find Beau dressed in a fine Tom Ford suit that hugs his body well. I wonder what he’s so dressed up for."Good morning, Beau," I say, yawning. I move out of the way to let him in."Morning,mon amour," he pecks my cheeks and smiles. "How are you and the baby doing today?""We're fine.""That's good to hear," he says, gently rubbing my flat baby bump and gazing at it with love. Beau is going to be an amazing father. He continues, "I came to inform you that I'll be gone the whole day. My grandfather has asked me to handle some business for him.""I'm surprised he would after the way he acted yesterday.""Me too; When he called this morning, I was expecting him to inform me that I’d been disowned." Beau smiles. "I want us to have breakfast together, if that's okay with you, before I leave.""Sure, let me show
The van comes to a halt after a few minutes on the road. One of the men comes over to the back and opens the door. He lifts and carries me into an abandoned building, placing me on the ground once we get inside and enter a room. They don't bother untying me and just leave me on the floor. One sits on a couch that’s been placed against the wall while the other walks over to a cooler and pulls out two beers. He walks back to the other one and hands him a bottle. I watch them take a few sips before the one sitting removes something from his pocket, placing it on the small table in front of him. I can't see exactly what it is from here, but I watch him roll some paper and sniff the substance off the table. It's white, so I’m guessing it's cocaine. The other one joins him, both alternating between drinking and snorting for the next few minutes. I ignore them and look around, trying to find something to help free myself. Fear builds in me as I’m unable to find anything. I turn bac
BEAUI step out of the conference room where the shareholder's meeting just ended and collect my phone from my secretary. I frown at her when she tries to avoid my gaze as she walks away. I had told her to notify me if I got any calls from Delilah, but glancing through my notifications I can see she didn’t. My mother must have asked her not to tell me. My secretary is one of the many minions my mother has placed at my side, so it doesn't surprise me that she would listen to her instructions over mine.I quickly dial Delilah's number. She called quite a few times. I hope everything is okay with the baby. I smile as the phone begins to ring. I’m so happy Delilah decided to consider being with me after finding out the truth. I never imagined things going the way they went last night. It was foolish to not tell her the truth sooner. Maybe if I had, she would have already forgiven me by now.The smile on my face disappears as the call goes to voicemail. I
Once I arrive at the abandoned building, I rush inside. My heart racing harder with every step. I’m praying it’s not too late. I can't imagine my life without Delilah. The guilt of causing her death would ruin me. I pray I won't have to face such an existence. I kick open the first door I come across. The man in the room jumps up from the couch as the door falls off its hinges."What the fuck!" He shouts, the joint he’d been smoking tumbling to the ground. The whole place reeks of weed, I could smell it even before I walked in.I don't care to give him a second glance, instead scanning the whole room for Delilah. I don't have to search long. The blood trail coming from the room's right side is enough to tell me where she is.The man who’d been sitting on the couch walks toward me. "Who the fuck are you?" he growls, but I don't answer and push him out of the way.Dropping to the floor, I take Delilah’s head in my lap once I ge
Beau sleeps soundly close to my lap. It's been a few hours since I woke up. I went back to sleep after our conversation. Exhaustion from all the crying I had done and the injuries I had sustained took hold of me. I gently stroke Beau's hair while he sleeps. Lifting my hand away from his head for a second, I wipe away the teardrop falling from my eyes. I’ve been doing some thinking. And what I’m thinking about makes me tear up. I sniffle a little, and the sound causes Beau to wake up."You’re crying," he says, seeing the tears in my eyes."No, I’m not," I lie, wiping the evidence from my face. "I need to talk to you.""What is it, mon amour?"A bullet tears through my heart hearing him call me that. His love. Placing a hand on his face, I try to memorize every detail. This is the last time I’ll ever be close to him, so I take my time admiring his handsome face. He is about to place his hand over mine, but I d
"Dad," I whine as he holds a spoonful of soup close to my mouth. He is determined to continue feeding me even though it's been a month since the kidnapping, and I am almost fully healed.Dad had arrived the morning after I broke Beau's heart. It was a surprise since I hadn’t had a chance to contact him yet, but I knew Beau must have. I saw my dad shed tears for the first time in my life that day. My injuries coupled with the news about the loss of his grandchild hit him hard. But he didn't try to speak to me about it when I avoided discussing the details. I’m grateful for that. I know I need to speak to someone about it. And once I’m ready, I will, but I’m not ready yet."I know you’re doing better,” Dad says. “But I still want to feed you. The doctor says you need rest, which means no straining yourself.""How could I strain myself by eating? Please let me feed myself." I put my hand forward to collect the spoon, but he
Later that night, I wake up to the feeling of something wet and soft on my forehead. I don't open my eyes because I know who it is. Beau is here for his nightly visit. I don't know how he gets in this late, but he’s come to see me every single night even though I asked him to stay away. I won't lie; a part of me is happy he didn't listen, because I look forward to this nighttime ritual. I lay as still as possible, pretending to be asleep."How are you doing today, my love?" Beau whispers. "I’m here to visit like I promised I would. I hope you’re doing better."I want to answer, and say yes, I am doing better and tell him there’s nothing to worry about, but I don’t. His voice tells me how concerned he is, and I wish I could ease his worries, but I can't. He’ll stop coming once I acknowledge his visits, and I don't want that. I need this time with him.Tears sting the back of my eyes. Knowing these are the only moments I’l
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