"WHAT THE HELL, Mich?"Ethan had finally stopped the car. The rain was still pouring hard, and he could not figure out why Michelle acted so weird only because he chose not to answer her question.Sure, he was damn jealous...extremely jealous of the fact that Eionn Jackson could make her smile without any sweat. He could not help but compare himself to an old friend of hers who could make her eyes spark whenever they reminisced about great memories in the past. He was damned jealous of the fact that Eionn could get her attention whenever he talked.And yet, when it came to him, Michelle remained distant, could only offer him a thin smile, and paid him little attention...Ethan knew he did not have any told you to feel that way. Apart from being a contract husband, he was never a kind man towards Michelle. But now that there was a man who came from her past, and was deeply in love with her, Ethan felt suddenly possessive of his wife.Surely, he would have told that. But he couldn’t fin
THE PAIN in Michelle’s heart was excruciating. Her outburst was unexpected, humiliating, but she could no longer take it all back.Amidst of walking, and crying under the rain, a warm hand held her hand, squeezing her palm. Her lips quivered as she came to a halt, turned around only to see Ethan once again. It became even more painful, seeing the soft expression on his face.“I told you to go,” Michelle said coldly.Ethan shook his head, and that made her even more miserable. Her entire being ached so much. She gasped when he pulled her closer, engulfing her in an unexpected hug. He wrapped his arm around her so tight, as if he was afraid to let her go.Michelle was not able to move. They stayed in that position for a while, and all she could hear was the loud beating of her heart inside... no, there was another heartbeat. Was it his?Insane, she told herself. Absolutely insane. There was no way Ethan’s heart would react that way over a mere hug. She tried to push him, but he hugged h
IT FELT surreal...Michelle’s mind was still haywire. She could not believe that Ethan confess that he loved her.After all those years of hoping that her feelings would be returned, it seemed that fate had finally listened to her. It felt like a dream for Michelle. To hear those precious words of assurance from Ethan was something that completed her life, not just as a woman but as a mother for Marsha.And now that their feelings for each other were clear as the blue sky, Michelle would do everything to protect her family; not just Marsha. This time, Ethan too.“Dry your hair,” Michelle said, holding a towel on her hand and giving it to Ethan who sat down on the edge of their bed. “You are going to be sick.”“No, my immune system is good,” he responded, glancing up at her with a smile.They were both done taking a shower after picking up Marsha from Ethan’s parents. Their daughter even wondered why were they soaking wet, and if it was fun to play under the rain. Michelle could not he
IT WAS ONLY an hour or so before Michelle could clock out in the office. She was busy scanning through some documents that Ethan needed after lunch when the office door swung open. Eionn entered the office, and his eyes immediately found hers.“Eionn.” She stood up and immediately walked towards him. “Uhm, what brings you here? Ethan is still in a meeting with the board.”She looked at Eionn, who looked a bit messy, which made her curious. He seemed like he had not gotten some sleep for days...and had been drinking as he smelled reek of alcohol.“I need to talk to him.” Eionn rubbed his forehead, totally stressed out, and then he cursed. “Your husband, I swear I’m going to kill—urgh!”Michelle didn’t like what she heard from Eionn. She stepped back, and gave him a glare.“I do not know what exactly happened between the two of you but please be careful with your words, Eionn. Are you saying you’re going to kill my husband? Why? What did he do for you to say that?” she fired at him in f
"NOTHING bad will happen. You can calm down, Michelle."However, regardless of the soothing words from Ethan, the anxiety rushed through her, and she could feel the beads of sweat on her temple.What happened in the office was so traumatizing that Michelle could not stop thinking that Eionn would do anything to hurt her family, and it frustrated her that she could not do much other than listen to her husband, who promised to take care of him at all cost.They went home after the incident. Michelle had no strength to work after almost getting kidnapped by the man who used to be her friend. She would still feel the goose bumps crawling over her skin every time she recalled the way Eionn talked and stared at her. It wasn’t normal."He said you canceled the project. Why?" She turned to Ethan.Ethan rubbed his forehead and then sighed. "I found out he’s been getting a cut of the project funds and sending it to a personal bank account. I don’t want to work with someone who does illegal stuf
IT WAS almost midnight, yet Michelle could hardly sleep.She hoped that her body would calm down, so she prepared the hot tub so she could take a dip, with a glass of wine on the little table next to it. She poured the hot water and the sweet-scented bath gel onto it, then dipped into the water and relaxed her mind.While sipping on the wine glass, Ethan entered the bathroom and glanced her way."Having a good time?" he asked, smiling.Michelle smiled. "Uh-huh... The hot water makes me relax."She could feel the heat on her cheeks, not because her husband was gawking at her as her naked body was covered by bubbles, but because of the wine and the heat engulfing her.Ethan walked towards her and sat on the rail of the bath tub."Is there something else I can do so your mind will be at ease?"Michelle stared up at him and smiled playfully afterward."How about you take off your clothes and join me?" Michelle arched her eyebrow.Ethan then stood up straight without breaking their eye con
"I DON'T understand why the cops don’t do their job well." Ethan gritted his teeth, tossed his phone on the desk, and stood up as he loosened his necktie.He just got a report from one of his men that Eionn Jackson was released after paying a huge amount of bail. That enraged Ethan. How could the authorities let that fucker be released? He attempted to kidnap his wife!"Ethan," Michelle called to him, walking in his direction and patting his back to soothe him. "I’m sure Eionn will no longer come here. He should have learned his lesson by now. I think we can let him be.""Let him be?" Ethan winced, his forehead creasing as he turned to his wife. "No, Michelle. I can’t let him out there unscathed after what he did. Who knows? He must be up to something," he said. His voice sounded irritated.Michelle did not say a word. She took a deep breath, trying so hard not to consider the possibility that Eionn might be up to something. It was making her anxious. She wanted to give him the benefi
LUST and wickedness reared in Eionn’s face. He threw her on the bed and held both of her arms at her back. Michelle whimpered in pain, crying, as he went on top of her, pinning her like a prey.“E-Eionn... please, d-don’t do this... I’m begging you,” she pleaded.Eionn sneered at her, then seconds later, licked her earlobe that made her scream for help. However, the man only laughed as if her screams entertained him.“You know the reason why I chose this place where we can meet is because the area is secluded. No one goes here to check in. The moment you went inside the elevator, the receptionist already ran with the money I paid her.” Eionn lifted the hemline of her black fitted skirt and began touching her legs. “So basically, we are alone in this building, Mich. You can cry all you want; shout until your throat cracks, but I assure you that you will moan my name later. You’re going to love what we’re about to do, and you will forget your fucking husband.” He laughed in her ear. “I
"THE VICTIMS were sent to the hospital for proper treatment," the cops told her the moment she arrived in the area where the accident happened. Michelle could not stop crying and asked the policeman which hospital her husband had been brought to, driving immediately as soon as she got the answer she needed. She dialed Megan’s phone number and informed her best friend about the name of the hospital so she could follow because she knew that Andrew also needed her. When she arrived in the hospital, she felt nothing but the dreadful feeling coursing through her. She wanted to compose herself, but her mind was already haywire because of all the worry she had for her husband. It felt like the rest of the world stopped revolving, and all she did was run and run... "Two victims of a car accident were sent to this hospital. Where are they?" she managed to ask the front desk officer. "How are you related to the victims, Ma’am?" "I am the wife of one of them," she answered, taking a deep bre
MICHELLE walked down the stairs with Marcus in her arms. She just finished breastfeeding him and now wanted to hang out with the people in the garden.The Steinfields, her father, and Megan were all out there, preparing for the New Year’s Eve that they would celebrate that night. They all came together to welcome another New Year, and she could not be more thankful that these people came to their house to join them for another chapter of their lives."Look at that little pumpkin. He has gotten bigger, Mich," Gregory commented and immediately took his grandson from her arms.Michelle giggled. "That baby loves to sleep and eat every single time.""He looks definitely like you when you were a baby.""I believe he definitely looks like Ethan. See those marble gray eyes, Dad?"Gregory chuckled. "Well, eyes won’t lie, I guess.""Of course, Dad."She could not help but smile seeing her father try to make Marcus giggle by making faces. It was such an adorable sight, and she felt honored to wi
SHE glanced around the men's boutique, her curious eyes efficiently trying to find good clothes or anything she could give Ethan as a gift for their year-end party. Ethan already had anything; name it and anyone would find it in his vast walk-in closet. That being said, Michelle was having difficulty deciding on the best gift she could give him—that one thing that would make him smile and surprise him."There are so many designer shoes at that corner. But I don’t know which one is good for Andrew," Megan stated, and it was followed with a sigh of defeat. "God, why is it so hard to find gifts for men?"Michelle laughed a bit. She could relate, as she was having difficulty choosing too. It just so happened that they both married men who had everything, so every year they’d end up cracking their heads trying to get them nice gifts."Are you able to choose anything?" Megan curiously asked her.She shook her head, pouting her lips. "Not yet. I don’t think work suits would be a good gift. H
HE brushed his fingertips over the soft angles of his wife’s face and could not help but adore every feature she had. It was his morning routine whenever he got to wake up first in the morning, and he would find his wife still sleeping soundly next to him.Needless to say, he’d become easily addicted to her and to this kind of morning with her. Her strawberry scent that kept him enticed every single day, her soft skin that kept him warm at nights, her laughter and soft touches that kept him sated and content, and her presence that made his world colorfulHe had no idea that a man like him, who had amnesia, could be in love so hard; madly and deeply. However, he wanted to treasure that moment at all costs. This kind of beauty in his life needed to be protected and kept.Michelle’s forehead formed a knot as she lifted her head. A soft moan escaped her closed mouth, which made him smile. Seconds later, she slowly opened her eyes and met his intent gaze."Good morning," he murmured under
"YOU’RE making me crave for sex," Ethan said, kissing her neck and sucking her skin sensually.Michelle’s lips parted. She was in deep pleasure, and whenever Ethan would say things like that, a big lustful part of her was getting more aroused.Her hands traveled around his firm back. She touched the muscles he had there. A moan escaped her lips when Ethan bit her neck firmly, making her dig her nails over her bare skin. She bit her lower lip and shut her eyes, but when Ethan claimed her lips again, everything went so fuzzy.It didn’t take long before the man was able to strip her naked. The cold air brushed against her skin, making her shiver. But when Ethan pulled up to stare at—admire—her naked body, she felt the scorching heat go to her. He looked at her as if she were a piece of beautiful art. The gleaming desire to take her was evident in his marble gray eyes, and the smile of contentment that curled in his lips gave her more confidence."You’re beautiful, Mich..." Ethan said bre
The ring of her cell phone jolted her awake. With a forehead crease, Michelle rose up and quickly turned off the alarm on her cell phone. It was already 6 o’clock in the morning. She hadn’t been able to sleep for at least six hours, but she had to get up and follow the "mom on call" schedule to better take care of her little sunshine—none other than Eionn Marcus.It had been what? A month had passed when she gave birth to their second child, and Michelle could still feel the excitement getting through her whenever she would walk into the nursery room, open the curtained windows to let the sunlight lighten up the entire solemn place, and wake up her little one by planting kisses on his fluffy cheeks.It had been her morning routine. She was strictly following the "mom on call" schedule because it wasn’t only giving her much time to bond with her baby but also making sure that Marcus’ health was always a top priority."Good morning, my little sunshine..." she greeted her baby with a hea
THE CAR was filled with her whimpers, cries and screams. Her nails dug over the leather seat in the passenger seat. She was lying down there, making a few deep breaths to relax herself but the great amount of pain consuming her entire body was making her ballistic and a mess.Beads of sweat had formed on her forehead. Her legs and belly were both getting numb as the minutes passed by. Ethan was driving the car so fast, completely alarmed by her situation. He was panicking so much, and so even she was in great pain, she reminded him to drive carefully as she didn’t want them to get into some road accident.“Oh, my God...” she murmured, crying. “I think I’m going to die. He’s coming out. Faster, Ethan!”“Uhm, you just told me to slow down a bit,” Ethan said nervously.“Fuck. I swear this will be the last time you’d be able to impregnate me!” she screamed on the top of her lungs and made a push before she took a few deep breaths again. “I really swear to God—““Calm down, Mich! We’re on
AFTER A MONTH, "WILL you be fine without us?" Michelle looked at her father. At first, she thought that the old man was teasing her, seeing how he curled his lips downward, but she realized that he was actually worried, seeing the worry in his eyes. Still smiling, she took a deep breath and softened her expression as she looked at her father, who she hadn't realized had become more frail as time passed. She was so busy with her life that she wasn’t able to watch out for her father. Distracted by what life had thrown her way, she didn’t notice that her father was really getting older. "I’m going to be fine." She checked over her shoulder and found Ethan, who was fixing a chandelier’s light bulb in the living room. "Ethan will be here, so you shouldn’t worry that much. I hope you and Marsha would enjoy hanging out." Her old man laughed heartily, shaking his head. He and Marsha would go to the school where they enrolled the little girl. It was going to be Marsha’s first day in her ne
"GOSH, you have to calm down, Mich!" Megan said.Michelle shook her head, pacing back and forth in the living room. Her mother-in-law called an hour ago, saying that they would send Ethan back home. Selene did not mention whether the result of the surgery turned out well or not, so she could not calm down a bit even though the people around her were telling her to do so.Megan and Andrew came to visit as they were excited to find out how the surgery went. All of them were in the living room, waiting for her husband to arrive. Holding her pregnant belly, she didn’t stop walking around, getting very impatient as she wanted to know how the surgery turned out for Ethan."I don’t understand why Mom didn’t tell me how it went," she said and stopped in front of them, biting her fingernails. "Do you think it went bad and that’s why she couldn’t tell me?""We can’t assume, Mich," her father said, sipping on his coffee."Your Dad is right. We can’t assume unless we see it personally," Andrew ad