Salvatore's PovMegan lay beside me, she had replaced the imaginary pleasure I thought to have with Claire, but now it was midnight and she was asleep but I was not. I lay wide awake, unable to get any sleep, the room felt very hot even when I knew the climate was cold.I sat up on the bed for some minutes, before the stomach upset hit badly. I groaned and placed my hand on my abdomen, beating it slightly as I tried to prove strong. I lay back on the bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling.I didn't feel well. I groggily sat up in bed again, my stomach stirring with a rush of nausea. I glanced over at Megan, who was fast asleep beside me.It was useless waking her up over some little symptoms. Maybe all I needed was water, or a drink or something that could stop this feeling. As I tried to lay back, the pain came again."Hey, Megan... I don't feel good," I whispered urgently, shaking her shoulder.Megan murmured something confusing in her sleep and rolled over, pulling the blankets tighter ar
Claire's POV I drummed my fingers on the bed, my eyes fixed before me, staring at nothing in particular as I sat in the uncomfortable plastic chair beside Salvatore's hospital bed. The hospital’s typical smell of antiseptics and bleach flowed into my nostrils. I couldn't help but replay the events of the past few hours in my mind. The man who had caused me so much pain, who had treated me like dirt for so long, had somehow found his way to my door in the dead of night, covered in his vomit and begging for help.The guts of him! I had been torn in that moment, unsure if I should turn him away or if I should offer him the help he so desperately needed. But despite everything he had put me through, I couldn't bring myself to abandon him in his time of need. This was the problem I had. I was too kind. Too kind to my detriment. Now, as I sat in the dimly lit hospital room, the only sound was the gentle beeping of the machines monitoring Salvatore's vital signs. I couldn't shake off the
Salvatore's PovAs I lay there, I listened intently to the conversation between Megan and Claire. I was surprised to hear Claire defending me, and even more astonished that she was waiting for me to wake up after everything I had put her through.“I'm not going anywhere, Megan. I'll be here till Salvatore wakes up, whether you like it or not”Those words did something to me and I wasn't going to admit the sentiments.Maybe she didn't mean the words. No, that couldn't be true.My mind flashed back to the times Claire had saved me and a pang of guilt shot through my chest. I remembered the way she had nursed me, the way she had stood by me even when I was at my worst.It felt like I was dying, but still, she was there to assure me that everything was going to be alright. Even Megan, with whom my trust was strong, left me to die.I remember Claire holding onto me and giving words of reassurance.I felt a rise of emotions: regret, gratitude, and a…no? It cannot be. Was this…deep affection
Claire's POVI moved about the kitchen with ease, the sizzle of the boiling yam in the pot filled the air. I added a pinch of salt before I then grabbed a fork nearby. As I forked each yam to know if it was ready or not, I couldn't shake off the feeling that someone was watching me. I glanced over my shoulder, expecting to see no one, but my heart skipped a beat as I caught sight of Salvatore standing in the doorway.I jolted in surprise, and my hands stilled, the fork above the pot. Salvatore's eyes were fixed on me, and I swear I saw a smile at the corner of his lips. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart, and made my way over to him."Ohmm, hey. How are you feeling?" I asked, trying to sound casual despite the flutter in my chest. Salvatore had just returned from the hospital."I'm fine, thanks," he replied, his voice low and smooth. "Just a little tired."I nodded, feeling a surge of relief. "You should get some rest, then," I said, trying to usher him away from t
Claire's povI slipped out of the house, careful not to make a sound. I had been feeling off for weeks, but I knew it would only worry me more if he found out. So I made the appointment in secret, hoping to get a clean bit of health and my mind at ease.Salvatore not knowing I was pregnant yet made me restless. I was scared about what he would do when he found out. My belly had started to harden and increase in size since last week and I sometimes suck it in to prevent him from finding out.By the time the belly started to rise, I would not be able to hide it from him anymore and I awaited his judgment. But before then, I needed to plan my escape, to secure the life of my baby and me.As I walked into the hospital, I felt a rush of anxiety wash over me. What if something was seriously wrong? What if I was putting my baby in danger? That wasn't a what-if question. I had passed through so much from Salvatore that it was expected.I walked into the doctor's room and prepared for the chec
Salvatore’s POVAs I sat in the sterile, white-walled waiting room of Dr. Tyler’s office, my heart raced with anxiety. Thoughts of my son, Davidson, plagued my mind as I waited to discuss his recent behavior with our family doctor. The faint smell of antiseptic lingered in the air, mingling with the sound of footsteps echoing down the hallway and the distant hum of medical equipment. When Tyler finally called me into his office, I entered with a heavy heart. The room was filled with medical textbooks, framed certificates hanging on the wall, and a desk cluttered with patient files. Tyler sat behind the desk, looking all sharp and professional. Medicine really looked good on him. I took a deep breath as I lowered myself into the seat across from him, feeling the weight of my worry settling upon me.“What's up, Salv? How have you been doing?” He beamed at me “I’ve been good, Man. It’s about Davidson” I paused, holding his gaze before I continued “His behavior has been so erratic lat
Salvatore's PovI had left the hospital after seeing Claire and Davidson curdled up and I had gone home immediately, telling his nanny I would see Davidson another time. I walked out of the kitchen, to the living room and Claire walked in just in time."Where are you coming from?" I asked trying to hide the fact that it gave me a different satisfaction to know that she cared for my son.Claire looked up at me like she was surprised by my question. "I went to the hospital," she replied, her voice weak.I raised an eyebrow, expecting her to lie. But instead, she told the truth. I was taken aback, but I didn't press the issue."What did you go there for?""Bed rest," she said. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I wasn't feeling so good and I didn't want it to affect my stripping classes""That's enough." I stopped her from speaking further. "I made you some food," I said, walking into the kitchen. "You need to eat something."Claire shook her head, feeling groggy. "I'm not hungry," she said.
Claire's POV “Stunning” Sasha breathed, stepping back to admire his handiwork. “You could stop traffic in that outfit, Claire. No, scratch that—you will stop it. You own this room, you own that stage. And that's on period!”Stripping day was here. After all the classes I had had, it was time to make some money for Salvatore. Classes had been hard but I was getting the hang of it and I was sure this would be better than the last time.I looked at myself in the mirror, taking in my image from head to toe. Long platinum hair cascaded over my shoulders, a flawless wig—one of Sasha’s favorites. He always said it framed my face just right. My fake lashes were thick and dramatic, and my eyes? They were smoky enough to kill. My lips had been doused in vermillion red, smudge-proof lipstick. All day, Salvatore hadn't spoken to me at home. I was extremely glad I had more rest to prepare for stripping tonight.When it was night, Salvatore had called me from his room, ordering that I pack my bel
Romano's POV "And what the fuck is wrong with me going to my wife's party and kissing her?" Don bellowed.It was the next day, he wouldn't let me come into the room all through the night. I knew he had sneaked into that party and Claire was right."What is risky about showing my identity?""Because the news might get to a certain person who put you in this condition and you're not in the exact position to exert the revenge you want on him." I barked also.He was silent, for some while, before he finally opened his door. "Tell me all about this certain person? Is he a threat to my marriage?""Don, if you had enough rest like you were told, you probably would have remembered my now. Brad specifically said your memory would come in days, but you're stressing too much and making things worse."He paced the room for a minute and then turned back to me. "You're fucking my sister" he bellowed angrily, and that caught me unaware.He grabbed me by the trousers, almost squeezing my scrotum. "Do
Claire's PovDon!It was Don. No one else kissed like that, no one else gripped me in such a way. His scent, no one else had it. I was hallucinating, right? Don was dead. It has been months. I needed to get this off my mind. But no, I couldn't. Even if I wanted to, tonight wasn't the right time because I felt his body, his build, only one had that.I had just taken Davidson to the toilet and dropped him off with his Nanny when I was heading back inside for the birthday party. It was time I announced Don's death to his friends, but now my mind had been changed.I ran towards Romano when I saw him coming with Elyse. "Don" I panted. Elyse came over to my side, easing my breathing."What happened?" Romano asked."I saw Don. I met…I…it was Don…he kissed me. I recognize his smell, he's…Don""Claire, be calm," Elyse said. "You said you kissed who?" She asked with a little frown on her face like she couldn't believe what I said and was concluding I had made out with someone else."I promise
Don's Pov"You cannot go!" Romano yelled. He had been doing a lot of yelling lately and I didn't like it. "Don, look" his voice was back to normal and calm now. "No one can see you like this. I already informed you, your memory first before stepping out of here" he said."Why don't you just tell me what happened? I trust you.""Brad asked me not to. You need to remember yourself. You know all the details, the anger would be fueled in you if you remember yourself."What anger? Why did I need to be angry? Did something bad happen? He wouldn't tell me."It is my wife's birthday today. There is a party and you asked me not to go. I am not hurt anymore, I am healing from the wounds, what else is making me stay back? Claire would be delighted to see me!"All my efforts in convincing Romano proved futile. In minutes, he had dashed out of the house for Claire's party. I shared this treatment and hated that I couldn't see any of my family. I needed to remember something. To fucking remember w
Claire’s POV I sat in front of my mirror, doing my routine skin care as usual. A pregnant woman still had to look pretty and peng. Tomorrow is my birthday, by the way. Intermittently, I caressed my bump, feeling how rounded and big it was. I also couldn't wait for my baby boy to get here. My EDD was due anytime soon. I just hope it doesn't happen tomorrow. Just as I reached out to grab a pimple popper from the vanity table, my phone on the bed rang. That should be the baker. We had agreed that she should deliver the cake today so that there would be no unnecessary delay tomorrow. Only my hair stylist and makeup artist were going to come tomorrow as early as possible. By the way, the dress I was going to wear tomorrow was also ready. I couldn't wait. Before I could push the stool backwards and fetch my phone, the ringing was already exhausted. Fortunately, whoever the caller was called again and I picked up on the second ring. It was Davidson. “Hellooooo, Claire!” Her cheerful voic
Romano's POV I was back with Brad and we both watched and listened, waiting for Don to start talking. It seemed kind of difficult at first because it looked like he was putting a strain on his ability to remember but eventually, he began to talk. Brad stood nearby, concern written all over his face. “Take your time, Don. We’re here for you” He encouraged, his voice reassuring. I nodded in agreement, eager to hear him speak already, so we would know how far his recovery had gone. Don’s eyes closed for a while, then fluttered open some moments after. “I remember, Claire. She was my wife. I remember her scent. It was like….fresh flowers, maybe lilacs, or even lilies” He recalled. My heart swelled with emotion. He was indeed getting better. “Okay, what else do you remember?” I pressed, hoping to hasten his ability to respond He closed his eyes, trying to struggle. But Brad calmed him. "It's okay. Perhaps you remember something about a lodge?" He asked.He was stretching his memory
Don’s POV Darkness, light, darkness, and then light again. My eyes flickered open as I saw the ceiling of where I was. This wasn't anything like…Wait…The banging in my head and a buzz ringing in my ears and I had to lay back. There was an oxygen tank beside, it wasn't just that, a lot of other medical equipment followed.This wasn't our honeymoon, was it? I tried to search my memory for how I got here. The thing I could remember was a group of men attacking us on our way to the helicopter on the rooftop.Claire and I had planned to go for our honeymoon and, I was… attacked, shot in the arm. Claire had been bleedingI slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in the view of the room I was in. Everything was a blur. I had no idea where I was or how I got there. My mind was a complete blank.I tried to sit up, but dizziness washed over me again, forcing me back onto the pillow. I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths to calm myself down.As I lay on the bed, feeling lifeless, I started to
Claire's POV "Why are you here?" I asked when I opened the door to my room. "How did you get in here Salvatore? How did you find me?"His eyes, were softer this time. "Somehow, I found you, Claire."My heart raced when he began to unbutton his shirt. "I was a fool to be upset with you. You did all you could to stay away from me and I have no judgements. I was wrong, Claire, I was."As he spiked, all I wanted to know was how he found me in the penthouse. Or was this the penthouse? As I turned back to look at where we were, the room changed - into Salvatore's room.I was confused… but Salvatore's voice brought me back. "I know you want me Claire" he had pulled his short this time. "And I want you too" he approached me, trailing his hand on my body.I was wearing my light nightwear. "Don't be scared, Claire* he said.In a swift move, Salvatore cocked my head to the angle he wanted and kissed me hard. Hard and rough. His tongue devoured mine, seeking authority. Surprisingly, I kissed ba
Claire's POV I knew Elyse suggesting that we should go to Romanthe's house to discuss a baby shower was a ploy to see her man.Getting to his entrance, I caught both of them giving each other a familiar look and a blush on Romano's face. His gaze met mine and I raised my eyebrows, not believing Romano could blush.He ushered us in without hesitation and offered us a glass of juice."So, what's the plan for the baby shower?" Romano asked."We were thinking of renting a multi-purpose hall," I said. "But then we thought, maybe it would be better to have it, at your house, Romano," I said, according to Elyse's idea."My house? Why's that?" Romano asked."Well, it's a family celebration, and we thought it would be more intimate and cozy at your house," Elyse said. "Plus, it's a lot safer than a public hall.""That makes sense," Romano said. "My house it is, then." Was he responding only because Elyse wanted it to?"Great," I said. "We can set up the backyard or the living room or whatever
Claire's POV"I'm so excited for the baby shower," Elyse said, looking up at me with a smile. "We need to start planning the details. What's your theme? Have you thought about games and food?"Elyse and I were resting on the couch in the penthouse, enjoying a lazy afternoon together. We'd just finished lunch, and Elyse couldn't get over her excitement about the baby shower I was planning.I laughed. "Slow down, Elyse. I've barely had time to think about it. But I do know I want something simple and intimate. Maybe just close friends and family."I was almost due…oh, I could feel this baby coming and I was excited at the thought of going into labor and birthing Don's son.Elyse nodded. "That sounds perfect. And I've already started thinking about baby names. I have a few favorites for a boy."I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What are they?"Elyse grinned "Well, I think 'Atticus' is a great name. Or maybe 'Ethan'?"I chuckled. "Those are both nice names. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. W