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Thomas disconnected his mom’s call again with annoyance.“Why can’t she just be patient for heaven’s sake?” he wondered in anger. Truly, he had told her that he would give her some money when he got back from where he was going, but he was not back yet.Was he?He had not bothered to tell her where he was going.He doubted that she would have approved of it if she knew.She had begun to grow some annoying conscience about him recently.She might have stopped him from going but after he got what he wanted and she was reaping the benefits, he was sure that she wouldn’t mind.Especially when he got her some new clothes and some imitation jewellery to match.Yes, she would ease off on his case so there was no need to pick up her call now.Now was the time to focus on his game plan.He looked over at the woman, who had now laid the baby in her play pen and was cooing to her.Thomas tried to think his plan through but he knew there was no time for that.They would all be back soon, and the
Thrown out of the mansion like a piece of trash, Thomas picked himself off the floor and glared at the stern-looking men standing in front of the house.That rich bastard had gone back inside.“Probably gone to think of how he was going to fuck that bitch!” Thomas thought in fury.When one of the men took a menacing step forward, Thomas quickly turned around and hurried towards his car.The car which wouldn’t get the refilled AC gas as soon as Thomas had thought when he drove up that driveway that morning.He couldn’t believe how drastically things had turned so fast.He had thought he couldn’t lose this time for sure, yet here he was leaving with nothing!Again!That bitch and her goddamn family had managed to pull a fast one on him again!Let’s not forget her fucking knight in goddamn shining armour too.Although Thomas wouldn’t admit it to anyone, he was relieved that he was leaving with his body intact after all.When Maxwell had stepped towards him as they dragged him out of the
Still badly shaken and somewhat dazed, Old Cliff stepped out of the Mercedes-Benz that took him home.Mary, who was waiting anxiously for her husband on their porch, had already stood up when she saw the Benz coming towards their house.Her gaze moved from her husband to the young man coming outside from the driver’s side.“Cliff, what…?”As if he had just realised where he was, Old Cliff looked up sharply at the sound of his wife’s voice.“Mary! Oh, sweet God! Mary, ah!” A movement behind his wife caught his gaze as she rushed down the porch steps.As if Cliff had seen a ghost, his eyes widened and his hand shook as he pointed at the clueless children who were seated with Mary before the car arrived. “These poor kids. Oh, what will we…?”“Cliff!” Mary spoke a bit urgently as she reached her husband and held his forearms, so he could look at her.Neighbours who had heard Cliff’s exclamation had started coming out of their homes.After all, they had all been waiting for the news from t
“There is one more thing I have to share, sir,” Lawyer Gibson said as he turned to face Maxwell.He closed his car and moved closer to Maxwell.Maxwell gave him a sceptical look as he wondered what else could be there apart from what the man had shared inside.Lawyer Gibson had presented the evidence of Reyona’s divorce, including the pictures of Thomas's assaults, the letter, and the video clip of the sessions that Reyona had in Gibson’s office.By the time he was done, even a two-year-old would have been convinced that Reyona was truly the one who instigated the divorce proceedings.Though Maxwell was the one who had asked Gibson to come over with all the necessary documents, by the end of everything, he was not sure if it was the best thing to do.Yes, it had fulfilled the intended purpose and one could see that even though Reyona still couldn’t remember all those things happening, she was convinced of their truth.The problem was that while Reyona and the others had had their eyes
Reyona woke up the next day without the headache that had been her constant companion. Nor did she feel the panic of helplessness that had been accompanying her since she woke up. Every time she slept and woke up, she had this feeling that was akin to a panic attack as she tried to figure out where she was and how she had gotten there. Slowly, it would pass, but it was always there. But the day after the lawyer came, she did not feel the helplessness of her loss of memory as acutely as she had been feeling it earlier. Reyona felt a slight weight at her side and she smiled as she turned her head gingerly to that side. Toria was sleeping as Toria slept. One of her legs was on the side of the bed, while her head was close to Reyona’s stomach and her arms were spread out over the bed. How she had managed to get into that position on the huge bed was beyond Reyona. She was amazed that her sister had somehow steered clear of her injured legs, even in sleep. Sleeping with Toria mean
They tried their best to stop her but Reyona was determined to go.Realizing that her ploy to keep her from going didn’t work, Toria said, “Only on one condition.”“What condition?” Reyona asked.“I am coming with you,” Toria declared as if she were expecting a protest from Reyona.Reyona smiled and said, “Yes, I have no problem with that.” Then, to butter her up, she said, “Who else will I go with if not my favourite sister?”“I am your only sister!” Toria said while trying to suppress her smile. “And you are being impossible. You should stay in that bed!”Maxwell also had his own condition to add. Or a request, as he called it.Andrea had to do a check on her and give her the green light, that she could move about without endangering the recovery of her legs.Reyona baulked at that since she knew he had the doctor in his pocket.What if he told the doctor to tell her what would be in his favour?But her parents immediately agreed with that, and they declared that they would only let
Old memories mingled with the present as Reyona looked at the gaping maw that used to be her lovely home.Memories of the first time she had been here.Memories of the person she had been there with.Memories of how it seemed like her life was working according to plans then.Yet here she was.Unable to stand on her own, divorced, and practically homeless.The fire seemed to have gotten most of the building and only a little of the original structure could be seen standing while new attachments were already constructed to even out what must have been charred remains a week ago.“We can leave now if you want.” Maxwell’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts.For once, she did not feel annoyance towards him.She felt a kindred spirit.As if he was not just doing all he was doing out of pity.It was almost as if he could understand how she felt.Like he cared.“No, I…can we…can I check it out? I need to see how far things have gone on the inside and...“Rey,” Toria called in a warning.Ma
Maxwell’s sudden question, “Leah is dead?” gave him away.“You know the kid?” Reyona asked immediately.When he said nothing, she looked from him to Toria. “He knew her, right?” she asked with conviction in her tone.“Rey, let’s just go back, okay? Someone would handle these kids. It doesn’t have to be you.”“What are you two keeping from me?” Reyona asked suddenly."Nothing,” Toria said immediately.Reyona turned to look at Maxwell.The determination in her eyes was enough to let him know she wouldn’t take no for an answer.“I know the kid,” he answered.“And?” Reyona prompted.He gave her an inquiring look.“What else are you not telling me?”“Nothing of importance,” Maxwell responded.Reyona wanted to press further, but the girl’s earlier statement was of more importance than whatever he and Toria must keep to themselves.To Allysyn, she said, “Calm down, okay? I will find out the truth.” Her last statement was meant for the children and the adults who were treating her like she wa
Dear Reader, Thank you so much for following this journey from the beginning to this point. I appreciate your comments, votes, review and continuous reading. You are my real MVP. Reyona's story has come to an end here as she went on to live happily ever after while navigating the beauty and trials of life with the love of her life. But then Toria's story is just about to begin. What do you say to navigating Toria's new journey as she confronts her rollercoaster feelings for Andreas while dealing with the powerful Kanellis family and forces determined to keep them apart? Would you like to see if a headstrong, free-spirited lady like Toria can fit into the imperious and honourable family while she fights her demons? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Thank you for being here. Do check out my other books. I am Kabirat Aleem.
“.... I promise to love and cherish you for as long as we live and beyond. I will respect you and always remember that you are my partner before anyone else. I will put you and our family first in my decisions. You are mine in totality just as I am yours. Together we shall grow in loyalty, in abundance, in comradeship, in support and eternal love. I will forever be by your side in everything that comes our way on this journey of life….”“I, Maxwell Rohan, take you, Reyona Beatrice Dexter, as my lawfully wedded wife today in the presence of God and man, with the promise to cherish our vow until I breathe my last.”“I, Reyona Beatrice Dexter, take you, Maxwell Rohan, as my lawfully wedded husband today in the presence of God and man, with the promise to cherish our vow until the day I die.”As her sister and her husband completed the vows they had worked on themselves and slid the rings on each other's fingers, Toria tried hard to keep her tears at bay as the minister said, “You may kiss
The past month had been the most heart-filling one for Reyona.She watched as Allysyn lolled Sophie's bassinet while showing her something in the picture book she had in her hand.Meanwhile, Junior jiggled the rattle above Lucas to the delight of the baby and the hopping dog.An inexplicable bliss filled her at the thought that these belonged to her.These beautiful blessings that had been bestowed upon her when she least expected them were a solid part of her story.Reyona leaned back in her chair with a big smile on her face as she reached for her drink.“Rey, you are glowing. I mean, you are literally glowing. You should see your face right now. Hold on.”Toria quickly took a few snaps with her phone before turning the phone around to face Reyona.Reyona smiled as she looked at the pictures while sipping her mimosa.Although she couldn't see herself literally glowing as Toria had said, she loved what she saw.The woman in the picture looked…fulfilled.Long gone was the anxious, sad
Two Months Later“Does this mean we will have to call you Mum and Dad now?” Allysyn asked in a solemn tone.Reyona looked at Maxwell with a smile before responding to Allysyn.“It means we are forever your family now. It means we have got you forever. In as much as you do not forget that, what you call us doesn't matter.”Although she knew how beautiful it would be to hear them use those words.“I am Thomas Junior Rohan?” Junior asked with his head tilted after he pronounced what he had been using his hand to trail in spelling.“Do you like being Junior Rohan?” Reyona asked with a smile.He looked thoughtful for about ten seconds before saying, “I love it.” To Maxwell, he said, “Does this mean I get to drive your car now?”Reyona and Maxwell laughed as Allysyn rolled her eyes.Reyona sucked in her breath as the laughter waned.“Well, maybe in the future, if you've been very good, of course. But not yet.”“Aww,” Junior said with a pout. Then he brightened in the next second. “I will be
The call was from his head of security.Reyona listened to his terse response to the person on the call.Then, just as he took the turn towards his estate, she felt her phone buzz.She frowned as she saw that it was a message from Maxwell.“We have a guest,” it says.She looked at the back of his head as she wondered why he couldn't just say that directly instead of sending it as a message.She was about to ask him who it was when she looked beyond the windscreen and saw the police cruiser.Her heart kicked against her rib and she looked downwards to check if the even-breathing Allysyn had slept off or something.“Look, Max! The police!” Junior shouted excitedly as he pointed at the spot where the police officer was just turning away from the man he was speaking to, the head of security.Allysyn's lax body went taut as she jerked upward, looked in the direction that Junior was pointing at, and then back at Reyona.She had a mixture of fear, question and uncertainty in her face.Reyona
Reyona and Maxwell went together to take the kids from school that day.Despite their fears that some unrelenting reporters might have decided to call them about what happened or ambush them for an interview about what they felt about Thomas's death, nothing of such happened.The school was also free of any lurking reporters or paparazzi.It was either they had decided that Thomas's death was not as worthy of news as his scandal had been, or they were still jeering up to blast the family with all they got later.Whatever it was, they were glad as they waited in silence in front of the school for closing time.Soon enough, school was over for the day.Maxwell came out as the students came out en masse.Soon enough, they saw Allysyn and Junior.Junior was skipping alongside Allysyn while dragging his backpack along and shouting some words at a friend who was going towards another car parked close by.He was being his jovial self as he waved hard at the friend and asked him not to forget
Reyona's head jerked upward as she heard Maxwell's voice.Then she looked sideways when she heard a growling sound.Jerking his head from Reyona to Maxwell, Skippy's pupils had dilated so much that they almost covered his entire eyes.His growl continued as he looked confused about where he should escape.Reyona realised what was going on as she saw Maxwell standing at the entrance, blocking his escape route.He felt cornered!She realised as the dog backed away while his growl increased in pitch.“Maxwell, move,” she said urgently, and he automatically stepped aside.The dog hopped past him in a flash.The dog kept going without stopping at all.Maxwell shook his head and went to Reyona. “What was that about?” He asked in an incredulous voice.“We were building a friendship,” Reyona said with a pout.“That was friendship?” Maxwell asked in disbelief.“Well, we were about to. Then you…do you think they do therapy for dogs?” She asked in contemplation.Maxwell started chuckling, “Ah, a
The soothing sound of the water reminded Reyona of the brook that ran through their homes in Bellevue Hill.She felt completely blissful in the oasis that Maxwell had surprised her with.It was exactly a replica of the one in her home in Sydney.After their dinner that night, Reyona was still pretending to be miffed at him because he wouldn't tell her if he really was the one who donated to the orphanage she had opened in her grandmother's name.Then, as if he didn't notice, he told her to check out something.“I am still mad at you,” She had said as she folded her arms above her belly and gave him a mutinous look.“It is a good thing that you are a versatile woman then. You could be mad at me and still come check this out. You will be glad you did. I promise.” He said innocently.Then, just as Reyona pretended she had not made up her mind yet, he swept her off her feet.How can he still carry her so effortlessly? She wondered as she squealed “Maxwell!”That was the first time the pap
Reyona had no intention of having the wedding while she was still pregnant.“It is called ‘walk down the aisle’, not waddle down the aisle'. Thank you.”That had been her argument and everyone had agreed with her.Not after Toria had added that their dad could carry her.“Then it will be ‘float down the aisle'” she had said in jest.They all came to an agreement that the wedding preparations would start after she had given birth in about two months.They spent the night in the hotel, and they all visited The King’s Creek to pay obeisance to Grams before their parents’ and Toria's departure.Maxwell, Reyona and the kids will stay back in Boowag until the jet got back.Stefan and his co-pilot were to carry Gladys and Carlisle to their destinations before coming back for them.It would take Gladys home first, then make a stopover at Milan to drop Carlisle before coming back.Toria had a standby jet that had brought her to Boowag and Kayooma for the preparation of the surprise and all.Of