Reyona spoke with her dad that morning before leaving the house.As always, he was careful not to condemn her actions.He just wanted to understand why she did not trust them enough to keep such information from them.The more understanding he was though, the worse Reyona felt.She explained to him how she knew what she did was not ideal, especially about how she came to know the children."So, this whole marriage thing was because of them?""Yes.""Is it legal?""Yes, but temporary.""Do you love him?""No, I don’t.""Oh, Reyona, did he force you into doing this?""Not at all, I volunteered to do this. It was the only choice at the moment.""No, my darling, there is always another choice. Always.""I am sorry that I didn’t think of it. I am sorry that I did not tell you and Mum about it. I just didn’t want you to be as upset as you are right now.""No, my dear. You should share things like this with us. We are your family. We should be able to share whatever burden it is you have wit
They were almost done with the interview session when her eyes went in the direction of the door.She could see him through the glass wall.He was standing outside the closed door with a pensive look on his face.What was he doing there?Reyona stumbled on her train of thoughts for a moment and Rouarke had to repeat the particular question he was asking at that time.Reyona quickly answered the question and took her mind off any distractions to answer appropriately.Some of the reporters had a few other questions which stemmed from some of the things that Reyona had said during the interview.So, Rouarke asked if she would like to answer a few more questions from them.Reyona agreed and Rouarke read out the few other questions that one of the crew had passed to him from the reporters.She mentioned that she only just got married to President Rohan a few months ago. Does that mean they had been having a relationship a long while ago?Maybe even before her divorce?Reyona’s answer was c
It was hard for Reyona to focus at first.Not when he made himself so comfortable on the couch in her entertainment area.For a moment, she wished she had asked Charlotte to come after all. At least she would have been a buffer between them at that moment.But then she had felt bad about taking Samantha and the others from whatever they might have planned on a Sunday morning already, that she didn't want to have to bring in her secretary too unless it was absolutely necessary.It wasn't necessary, but now she wished she had her there anyway.Sure, he was quiet as he had promised, but then all it took was for him to breathe, and she was distracted.It shouldn't be, yet the scent of his cologne found a way to reach her despite the distance between her desk and the couch.As if her eyes had developed a mind of their own, she also couldn't stop her gaze from going towards him from time to time.And he always caught her at it!Whenever her gaze involuntarily went to him, his gaze was alway
Reyona and Maxwell soon left the office after she was done with the meeting with the lawyers.He offered to be her chauffeur, so Reyona left her car at the company.They had already started working on their game plan and Reyona was pleased with what they presented.At this rate, those rumour-mongers hiding behind the facades of being a media house would rue the day they decided to take her life as their personal project.It also didn’t hurt that the result would rake in some money into the ReyDexter account too.If they can unscrupulously tread on her just to gain more subscriptions and make more money, why can’t she make some while taking charge of her life back?So she firmly refused when he offered to pay for all it would take until the case came to a close.“Let me do it.”“No, it is not necessary.”“Because it would kill you to accept help from your husband?”She rolled her eyes “Because it is not needed. They are my in-house legal counsel, and if there are any expenses accrued i
While their lawyers handled the media outfits and the latter scrambled to save their skins, Maxwell and Reyona dealt with the family whose adoptive sons had almost drowned Allysyn because she was trying to protect her brother.Of course, the kids had denied it, and they were vehemently backed by the Sanstons, who even had the guts to demand that they should be compensated for defamation and affecting the boys’ mental health.They threatened to go to public with the case if they were not compensated.After all, they had also seen Maxwell and Reyona on the news, and they believed they wouldn’t want another scandal.They didn’t expect the couple to call their bluff.Right before they presented the evidence that had been gathered against the boys and Sanston themselves.The good boys are not only brothers but lovers too.One major spice of their relationship was playing with smaller boys.They would lure the innocent boys into their room or the fort that they had in the woods close to the
“C’mon, mum. I thought you already forgave me” Reyona said as she chuckled and covered her mouth to muffle the sound.“Of course, I forgave you. Who said I didn’t? That doesn’t mean I will forget anytime soon though. I can do both. Forgive you but not forget.” Gladys declared over the phone.Reyona grinned at the mental image of the expression she knew her mom must have on at that moment.“I am going to make it up to you, I promise. You will soon forget when you remember just how much you love me. Let’s not forget that I am your favourite daughter too.” Reyona added with a cheeky grin.“Ah, at the moment I can declare without remorse that Toria is my favourite daughter. Yes, missy. You heard that right.”“I am so sad,” Reyona said with a smile.“Yes, it is quite obvious. I can feel your pain from here”, Gladys added with laughter, which was a replica of her daughter's.After curbing her mirth, she said “Are you serious about making it up to me?”“Of course, I am” Reyona answered since
Mr Rakir turned out to be an agreeable person after all.Just a cautious businessperson who liked to know the nitty-gritty of what he was getting into before he took a step.He was also very traditional in his approach to business and believed his gut could never be wrong about someone.Business statistics aside, the man trusted his guts when dealing with someone.Reyona was very relieved that the oil magnate's guts agreed with her.She only wished her own guts would be calm enough to allow her to finish her meeting in peace.But, nope, she started feeling the need to ease herself in the middle of discussing the crucial details with the man.Though she had used the restroom before leaving the office, it felt like she had a gallon of water in there ready to rush out anytime soon.She swore beneath her breath as she firmly held it in to complete what she was saying.After that, she told Samantha to take over, quickly excused herself from the table, and headed to the restroom.Her eyes s
Everything else stilled under the enormity of the pain that lanced through Reyona.“Now it's time to shut you up forever, bitch” Susan sneered nastily as she rushed towards Reyona with the jagged end of the mop raised.Shock borne off unexpected betrayal paralysed Reyona.Then her survival instinct kicked in as she saw the maniac aiming for her eyes with the pointy stake.She dodged at the last minute and had Susan stumbling past her.Susan smashed her face into the wall, howled and turned in rage to finish what she had started.She yowled in pain when Reyona viciously yanked her hair and slammed her head against the wall again.“You are going to kill me, you bitch! Let go!” Susan cried pitifully as her head started bleeding.“Oh, am I? I am sorry”Reyona said as she easily dislodged the crudely fashioned stake from Susan’s weakened hand.She turned her around and threw her hard to the floor as she said, “Pardon me for giving you a taste of your own medicine.”She dragged Susan back a
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