After hours of questioning, the police finally left, leaving me drowning in the silence of the duplex. The place felt empty, cold, and devoid of any liveliness that had once ensued during dusk; the time when we gathered around the dining room for dinner. Our interactions were warm and rich in conversation, a stark contrast to the silence that now dominated the whole place.I sauntered past the dining room; the emptiness seemed to expand, swallowing me whole. I wandered around the living room, tracing the outline of the vacant couch.I sighed, clutching my phone in my hand. I would often glance at the time and watch how the hours ticked by with no sign of Mr. Clinton."After telling him to come back early, yet he's still out there..." I mumbled, averting my eyes from the screen. I let out a sigh in frustration and made my way to the veranda, a cool, serene place for relaxation—Mr. Clinton's second favorite spot, and it was soon turning into mine as well.Looking at the glamorous view o
I rushed out of my room, eager to shake off the lingering frustration from last night's conversation with Mr. Clinton. The constant denial of his feelings was a relentless gnawing ache trapping me in a vicious cycle of confusion and longing. Every glance, every gesture, every whispered word from him left me spinning my own wheels, desperately making me seek a way to make him admit he feels something for me. Even if it was to stir a tiny feeling within him, one that he can't quite ignore or back away from. As I turned the corner, I collided with a familiar figure— the one who had the power to shatter my heart and soothe my soul. "Easy there, where are you rushing off to?" Mr. Clinton said, steadying me by the shoulders. I apologized, avoiding his gaze. His disappointing words from last night were still fresh in my mind. "Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going," I said flatly, attempting to walk past him, but he quickly grabbed my wrist, sending a twinge of electricity jolting
He attempted to walk away, but I held his arm, blocking his path. "We can't leave this conversation unfinished," I said, my tone serious and filled with curiosity. "Is there something I don't know?" Gently, he dislodged himself from my grip; his eyes had lost their sparkle, dulling to a serious gaze. "Sarah, there are things that are too painful to talk about..." he finally replied, his voice barely above a whisper. I felt a pang in my chest, sensing the depth of his emotional turmoil. His words hung in the air like a challenge, beckoning me to probe further. "What happened?" I asked, my voice softer. He hesitated, his eyes scanning the surrounding area as if searching for an escape route. "Some wounds never heal," he whispered, his gaze drifting back to mine. I held his gaze, determined to uncover the truth. "Share it with me," I urged, my tone gentle yet persistent. He sighed, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his words. "I can't right now, or do you want to see t
Not wanting to push the issue further, I decided to drop the subject and respect his boundaries. "Tell me whatever terrible thing you did when you're ready." I flashed him a brief reassuring smile and then returned to my task. Just then, a loud coarse voice echoed from the living room, snapping both our focus to the doorway. "XAVIER! WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU!" Mr. Clinton let out a sigh as he hastened towards the doorway. Curiosity etched on my face as I trailed behind Mr. Clinton into the living room. "Who's that?" I whispered, tugging on his sleeve. Mr. Clinton's expression was a mix of frustration and wariness. "My troublesome sister," he murmured, picking up the pace. "Sister? Mr. Clinton, you have a sister?" I asked, my brow furrowing in surprise. "You never told me." He didn't respond, his face stern and serious as if he was ready for an intense battle. And it made me wonder why his sister's presence seemed to stir up his frustration. As we entered the living ro
After a few minutes of intense argument between the siblings, they finally backed down, with Mr. Clinton emerging as the winner of the heated debate. His persuasive arguments and calm demeanor ultimately convinced his sister to reconsider her decision to spend the night with Miss Ross. But Juniper didn't just back down without flashing him a stern look, her voice firm and resolute. "I left my kids at home, so I am only staying for the night. Early in the morning tomorrow, I'm taking her with me," she said, leaving no room for negotiation. Mr. Clinton nodded in agreement, breathing a sigh of relief. "Fine... you can take her away tomorrow." Juniper's lips curled in a sneer as she turned to me, her eyes shooting daggers at me. Instinctively, I shifted to the far end of the sofa, not wanting to offend her any more than she already was. "Mother, have you eaten breakfast?" she asked as she settled back on the sofa, her expression softening. "A little at the hospital, but Sarah was
With our foreheads touching, his lips grazed mine tantalizingly. His hot breath fanned my face, warming my skin and filling my senses with his scent—a subtle blend of cologne and raw masculinity. I noticed his inner struggles resurfacing again, just like the last time he kissed me. His constant repulsion is really pissing me off. "Sarah..." he whispered, his voice husky and low, vibrating through my entire being. "We shouldn't..." His words trailed off, leaving unsaid thoughts hanging in the air. "Shush, Mr. Clinton... don't start." I whispered back, cutting him off. "You promised not to hold back anymore," my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart. He didn't respond immediately; instead, he pushed me back against the edge of the pool, his chest pressed against mine, the warmth radiating from his body enveloping me. "You're a temptation, Sarah... a sweet and treacherous one." He whispered, his lips still hovering over mine as his hand slithered down, tracing every
**XAVIER'S POV**Juniper blinked again, putting the water away from her lips. With one final glance at us, she turned around and strode away, leaving without saying another word.I wonder what's going on in her head at the moment. Juniper has always been unpredictable; at least she didn't make a scene."Woah, that was... awkward..." Sarah chuckled, turning to me, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "How can you find this humorous?" I asked, shaking my head.Sarah's grin widened. "Well, someone has to lighten the mood. Besides, Juniper's dramatic exits are just perfect." She chuckled again, walking over to pick up her clothes from the floor.I sighed, rubbing my temples... I have a lot of explaining to do, or else Juniper will... well, I don't know what she would do. She was hard to read."You should go to bed now..." I said, grabbing my towel and wrapping it around her, my fingers sliding down her arm.She smiled and leaned in, hooking her hand around my neck. "How about you take me t
SARAH'S POVI walked into the kitchen, the aroma of sizzling bacon enveloping me. Juniper stood at the stove, expertly flipping pancakes as the skillet sizzled and crackled.My gaze lingered on Juniper's effortless domesticity. Her long, curly hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, and a sprinkle of flour dusted her cheek."You deep sleeper. If you were my brother's wife, he would have been starving to death before you woke up every morning," Juniper said, her eyes fixed on the pancakes.I smiled wryly, feeling the heat rising to my cheeks as my mind began to drift.'Brother's wife'...I have imagined several intimate moments with Mr. Clinton, but I haven't really thought about us holding hands at the altar with the priest proclaiming us a couple or him calling me...wife...it felt so...surreal."Zoned off?" Juniper snapped me out of my reverie. "Women are so predictable." She chuckled, passing me a cup of coffee."Here you go...""Wait. Does this mean you approve of our relationship?"
A month had passed since we left Paris. Our little family had settled into a cozy villa overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Well, we moved in for the wedding, actually. Now, standing in front of the mirror, I smoothed out my lace wedding gown. My heart fluttered as I thought of Xavier waiting for me at the altar. "Sarah, you look stunning," my maid of honor said, adjusting my veil. Who else would it be? It's my best friend, Helen. I smiled, feeling like a princess. The ceremony was intimate, with only close friends and family attending. "Hey, kiddo." A voice interrupted my thoughts, bringing a smile to my face. "The guests are waiting. Are you just gonna sit there and admire yourself?" Juniper appeared at the door, crossing her arms and wearing a feigned frown on her face. Juniper had helped out with the wedding planning; she even brought her kids along. Although I was grateful for her expertise, her planning ways exceeded Xavier's budget, but he didn't complain. "Juniper, you'
SARAH'S POV "About what!" I snapped, my eyes blazing. Xavier held my shoulders to placate me, but I was beyond reasoning. My baby was at risk because of him, and he was lucky nothing happened to him or her. If something had happened, I would have... I stopped and forced myself to stay calm when I noticed my father's soft gaze.He leaned against the wall without speaking, letting me pour out my anger. Only when I was done did he finally speak. "I meant to say..." He hesitated, glancing at Xavier. "I'm... sorry."It was as if he forced those words right out of his mouth.I looked away, breaking eye contact, and Xavier gently stroked my shoulder again."Sarah, calm down. Don't stress yourself out, okay?"Yeah, I'm pregnant. I shouldn't stress myself out.I flashed him a soft smile and leaned on his shoulders, making sure to avoid eye contact with my father."Sarah, I'm happy for you," my father continued, despite my bad attitude. "Now that there's nothing else I can do, you're free to l
My eyes widened in shock as I found Sarah lying on the bed, pale and motionless. In an instant, my heart sank, and my world crumbled around me."Sarah?" I whispered, approaching her cautiously.My legs felt heavy, as if rooted to the spot, but I forced myself to move closer. William's presence faded into the background, irrelevant to the only thing that mattered – Sarah.I gently sat beside her, my hand reaching out to brush away the strands of hair clinging to her forehead. Her skin felt cold and clammy."Sarah," I whispered, my voice trembling.Her eyelids fluttered open, and our gazes met. For a moment, I saw a glimmer of recognition, a spark of life.But it was fleeting.Her eyes, once bright and full of laughter, now seemed dull and lifeless."Sarah, please," I begged, my voice cracking. "Talk to me.""Sarah!" William, who had finally broken out of his stupor, rushed over to her side, shaking her gently, completely disregarding my presence.Then he froze, staring at Sarah, as the
XAVIER'S POV"Daddy, when is Sarah coming back?" Elizabeth had asked after I had watched as William's car disappeared, taking Sarah away from me. My heart felt like it had been ripped out. I couldn't believe I had to let her go.But I knew it was necessary. William's anger and determination to keep us apart were palpable.I crouched down to meet Elizabeth's height, her big brown eyes filled with concern. "Soon, sweetie. Sarah needs to go for now." I offered a reassuring smile."Where's William, her dad?" Harper chimed in, her brow furrowing. "Did the two of them leave?"I glanced up at Harper, who stood beside Hayden, his expression serious as if they were interrogating me.I let out a sigh and tried to simplify the truth. "Like I said, they're gone, but—" I was interrupted by Elizabeth whining. Her face scrunched up. "Why did Sarah leave without telling us? This is so unlike her."I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "Sometimes, grown-ups need to figure things out. She
With my curiosity piqued, I got off the bed and made my way to the door. Walking down the hallway, the sound of heels clinking on the floor grew louder, making me even more curious about who had come to visit. Ever since I moved in, we’ve never had visitors, and that thought only fueled my curiosity.I entered the living room only to find a woman and my father walking from the door. My father’s gentle smile was a stark contrast to the tension that had filled the air moments before.Seriously? So I am the only downer here who won't get what she wants. I scoffed and quietly strode towards them.My eyes remained fixed on the lady, and I couldn’t help but keep my mouth wide open as I saw her intimate with my father. Her lips were pressed against my father's, and he responded with equal fervor, completely oblivious to my presence.So he has a girlfriend in Paris, huh?Way to go, Father; only you deserve happiness.I felt a mix of disgust and betrayal surging through me. I’ve learned to use
"Welcome to my humble abode. Don't you like the view?" My father's cheerful voice cut through my thoughts. Again. He kept interrupting my moping with his unnecessary small talk and fake enthusiasm. Can't he see I'm still reeling from the pain he's caused?I forced a glance around the luxurious penthouse apartment, trying to appear unimpressed. To be honest, it was quite breathtaking, but I wouldn't say it."It's nice, Father," I said flatly, my voice devoid of enthusiasm.My father's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered."I'm glad you like it. You'll be comfortable—""Cut the small talk,I wasn't done talking." I spat, cutting him off. I chuckled, still glancing around. "It's just that it's missing something."My father, sensing my fake enthusiasm, leaned close with a smile. "What do you think is missing?"A mischievous grin spread across my face as I replied, "My happiness."My father's smile froze, his eyes widening, caught off guard by my true intention."Sarah, co
I turned and walked away, leaving Xavier behind. My father's suffocating grip on my arm guided me toward the car. I felt numb, my heart heavy. As we drove away, I glanced back at the duplex, the building fading away. There wasn't any sight of Xavier, and it hurt to sense he was giving up. Or isn't he? I really don’t know. I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye to the girls; they would be devastated when they wake up without me beside them. This can't be happening. "We're going to Paris, Sarah. You'll be safe there. We're better off without him." My father's voice cut through my thoughts. His words felt like acid in my throat. I turned to him, my face twisted in a mix of anger and desperation. "Safe from what, Father?" I demanded. My father's expression remained unyielding. "From Xavier. From his influence on you." I felt a surge of indignation. "You don't even know him," I spat. "And you claim he is your best friend." My father's grip on the steering wheel tighte
SARAH'S POV"Father, what are you doing!" I rushed over to Xavier's side and cupped his cheek, blood trickling out of his nose. My eyes locked onto my father's scrunched-up face, his eyes blazing with fury."Get away from him, Sarah!" he growled.But I stood firm, my heart racing. "You're hurting him!" I pleaded, my eyes welling up. "How could you do this, Father?"Xavier's eyes fluttered open, and he winced."Sarah, I'm fine," he whispered.My father's face twisted in disgust."Don't talk to her, Xavier. You've done enough damage."I felt a surge of anger. I never expected this kind of reaction from him."That's not true! I did the damage!" I said, my voice firm as I walked towards him. "It was me who fell for him first, so if you're angry, then pour it on me."My father's gaze snapped back to me, and I could see the disappointment and hurt in his eyes."Sarah, I didn't expect this from... both of you," he said, his voice soft with a layer of pain and betrayal. "I trusted him."I sto
WILLIAM'S POVI didn't know what was taking Xavier so long to open the door after telling me he would open it in a minute. A minute had turned into an eternity."Xavier!" I called again, attempting to knock on the door again, but it opened, revealing Xavier's wry smile."Hey," he said, scratching the back of his head. "Why are you here?"My brow furrowed. "Didn't you hear what I said? I said I need help. That's why I came. Now will you let me come in?" I said and gently pushed him out of the way, letting myself in.I tossed the towel I was holding onto his bed and turned to meet his surprised, perhaps shocked, expression."Why are you here with the towel?" he asked, chuckling."Sorry for disturbing you. I wanted to take a late-night bath, but my water system isn't working," I explained, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible, despite the curiosity brewing inside me."Water system's out? Figured I'd use yours. Hope that's okay."Xavier's raised eyebrow and amused smile hinted that h