~~~~MAYA’S POV~~~“Are you certain it’s what you want?” His tone was soft, there was also a certain eagerness making his breath come in raspy — an indication he wanted this as well.“Yes.” I nodded, already reaching for his full mat of hair, slithering my fingers through the strands.My body was on edge — waiting for his touch and the submission that came with it. My mouth was slightly open — a silent invitation for him to take control.Without further questions, he reached for my seatbelt, unbuckled it and in a fluid, expert move, had me sitting on his lap. My chest already heaving with feral lust, I neared his face, our soft, needy breaths growing in soft pants as his lips captured mine.A soft moan escaped me, enjoying the feel of his mouth on mine. His tongue slipped into my mouth in quiet dominance, clashing with my tongue and bringing it to surrender as he plundered and caused flame alongside. I didn’t care we were inside his car, I didn’t care it was a tad bit uncomfortable.
~~~LANCE'S POV~~~Lying on my side, I watched Maya's sleeping face. She looked so peaceful with her lips slightly parted, her hair still messy and I couldn't stop staring at her.I'm so happy to see her like this, as yesterday's events were still fresh in my mind—the way she held onto me, the way she moaned my name, the way she asked for me like she needed me just as much as I needed her.It still feels much like a dream, as I never thought Maya would be the one to ask for sex first. After two rounds in the car, we drove home to continue the rest, all through the night.I reached out and brushed a loose strand of hair from her face, and she gently stirred a little but didn’t wake up yet.My chest tightened as I remembered yesterday. The fear I felt when I found out she had been kidnapped nearly drove me insane. I thought I was going to lose her. I thought I was never going to see her again. As I drove to where the locator was indicating, I kept telling myself that if anything happened
~~~ASHLEY'S POV~~~A piercing pain shot through my skull as I shifted uncomfortably from where I was. I groaned, clutching my head as I pushed myself up. I was seated on the chair and my entire body aches like I had been thrown down a flight of stairs. But what sharpened my mind was the sharp chemical scent that hit my nose and I quickly rubbed my blurry eyes, only to find myself in a room that looked like an old office.Where the hell is this?I forced myself to focus, but panic clawed at my chest as I didn't recognize where this was or how I got here. But then I remember how I got a message from Sophia, asking me to come to her house and on getting there, someone hit my head hard with something and that was the last thing I remember. As I remember that, I realized I was in trouble and without wasting another second, I rushed to the door and burst through it, desperate to leave.But the moment I stepped outside, my breath hitched as my gaze landed on men in lab coats moving frantic
FLASHBACKThat bitch! She dares hang up on me!Wrapping my arm around my body to shake off the cold, I cursed under my breath as Maya ended the call before letting me talk to Lance. She was talking as if she was some kind of automatic network agent.shit.I really needed Lance’s help as I just kept having this horrible feeling that someone was following me—watching me for days now.I knew Lance might be hesitant to help me but If I told him what I overheard the other day, maybe he’d offer me protection in exchange. But that bitch just wouldn’t let me talk to him.From my findings, I knew they were in Miami. Maybe I just needed to go there myself and find him. That bitch was in the way, but I knew Lance. If he heard that I was in danger because I found out that someone is after him, he definitely wouldn’t turn me away.He still loved me. I knew it.The cold night air nipped at my skin as I stepped out of the call booth, my mind racing with thoughts of how to get to Miami as soon as po
~~~LANCE'S POV~~~Ashley’s screams echoed through the air as the cops dragged her away. She fought against their grip, twisting, turning, and doing everything she could to break free. Her wide, tear-filled eyes locked onto mine, desperation spilling from them like a broken dam.“Lance! Lance, please!” Her voice cracked. “You know I didn’t do this! Please believe me!”I clenched my fists as I watched her being taken away.Love? No. That was long gone.But watching her like this… I won’t lie, it did something to me, something that made my heart ache for her. Yes, I hated her. I hated her for every lie, every dirty thing she ever pulled and did to me and Maya.But did she deserve this? To be dragged off like some criminal for something she didn’t do while the real culprit was still out there acting like she was innocent?I didn’t know what to say or what to do.She broke free from the cops’ grasp and ran to me. Her hands, which were cuffed together, grabbed my left hand, while she looked
~~~MAYA'S POV~~~With my fingers wrapped around the delicate stem of a wine glass, I walked through the bustling room, greeting guests who were here to celebrate my father's release. He was released two days ago, and we had thrown a party for him, inviting friends and family who did not deserve to be here, as they were not there for him when he needed them most.But my father wasn't bothered by their betrayal and still insisted on inviting them. Seeing their pretentious faces made me want to vomit, and some even lied, saying that they tried so much to prove his innocence.Oh gosh. Their words make me sick.As my eyes landed on my parents, who stood a few feet across from me, a smile graced my face. I could hear my mother’s laughter blending into the soft hum of music, her hand resting on my father’s arm. I was so happy to see her like this again after almost thinking that I would lose her. And my father, who held Bella in his other arm, was also happy, a bright smile on his face.The
Lance’s brows furrowed. "Maya, that’s not it—""Then what is it?" I cut him off, my chest tightening with every word. "Because right now, it really does feel like it. It feels like you’re more worried about your ex-wife than the woman standing right in front of you!""Maya, stop. That’s not what this is about," Lance said firmly. "I love you.""Do you?" I shot back, my tone cracking.It really hurt to still see him like this and I hate what he’s making me feel.Lance shook his head, stepping closer but I took a step back.I bit my lip, forcing down the lump in my throat. "Lance, it all makes sense, and I am not really that angry. Instead, I am trying to understand you—that you can’t easily let go of a woman whom you have been in love with for almost half your life and even married for five years, while you’ve only been with me for a few years." My voice wavered, but I held his gaze. "I get it, Lance. I really do. That you can’t just erase all those years, all those memories, overnight
"You... you are the worst father on this earth. Is this your idea of being a father? Taking the blame for her? Do you even know what she did to me? How she tried to kill me multiple times? And yet, you dare to get on your filthy knees and beg for her forgiveness. You must be joking.” His head snapped up at that and I could see his eyes flickering with shock and regret, showing that he had no idea about that part. "Oh you didn’t know, did you? That she was the one behind the chandelier falling? That she was also the one who gave the order for me to be kidnapped and killed during the board meeting?" I pressed, and he fell to the ground in shock. I couldn't help but let out an unbelievable chuckle. "It's so surprising that you really had no idea what your own child is capable of. So now that you are aware of everything, are you still going to defend her?!! Are you still going to make excuses for her and take the blame?!!" Carlos opened his mouth to talk. I didn't know whether he w
Kingsley could not help but chuckle as he lifted his head away from Lysol’s shoulder and took his hand into his, intertwining their fingers. “You see, Dad, I’ve become a bird.”“A what?” His father sounded thoroughly unimpressed.“A bird,” Kingsley repeated. “I’ve spread my wings, taken flight. And now, I’m soaring through the skies, traveling the world around free…”A deep, frustrated sigh came through the speaker. “Kingsley, enough of this nonsense. Come back home. You have responsibilities!”Kingsley hummed in amusement. “Responsibilities? Oh, you mean the empire? Don’t worry about that. I'm sure you have everything under control… just like you always have.”His father sighed heavily, realizing that Kingsley had made up his mind.“Okay, I’ve given you my blessings. You are free to do whatever you want. Even if you want to hold a grand wedding with him, I will organize it right away. So come back.”Kingsley smiled. “Really?”“Yes, I will do it. In fact, I will make sure that your we
~~~~AUTHOR'S POINT OF VIEW~~~~After a long trial.After alot of heartbreaks, losses, and even pains, Lance and Maya finally found their way back to love.And in six months' time, Maya would welcome their second child, a new addition to their small but blossoming family.And today, beneath the watchful eyes of many guests who were invited from all across the globe, they would make another vow to spend forever together.Lance could be seen at the altar, dressed in a white suit with a neat black bow tie, sitting at his collar. A small flower was pinned to his suit. His hair was neatly styled, not a strand out of place but his usual charm was replaced with something deeper—an overwhelming anticipation that made his hands slightly sweaty, and he kept rubbing them together.Behind him was Kingsley, his best man.Oh no, it wasn’t Henry but Kingsley.Lance had asked Kingsley to be his best man. And Henry, of course, could be seen sitting in the front row with his arms folded over his chest.
I blinked. “You’re quitting? Why?”Then Diana hesitated, her eyes darting toward Lance, who was on the ground, for a brief second before looking down. I could see something like embarrassment on her face.“I… I just think it’s best if I go.”I frowned. “No, that’s not a real answer. I asked why you suddenly want to leave. You told your fans and everyone that you were volunteering for six months, and you’ve hardly even spent two weeks. Now you’re leaving?”She smiled weakly. “Yes, that’s true. It’s just that I need to do some things for myself too. Please don’t take it personally. I actually came here to create a good impression on my fans, but now… I have realized many things…”Then she burst into tears, using her hand to wipe them away as they streamed down. I just watched with my mouth open.She then bowed her head. “I am truly sorry. Really, really sorry. I promise never to do that again. In fact, I will never cross your path again,” she said quickly.“Huh? Sorry about what? Why a
The workshop was at the back of the orphanage's main building. It was a small house built for storing things, but Lance decided to make use of it as a workshop. Lance made small chairs and tables for the kids and he also made swings and so many things around here with the use of wood. They were all amazing. Had no idea he had that in him. But what I like most when he’s doing his job here is when he's shirtless and working. I giggled at the thought of that.I liked watching him cut the woods as he looked so hot during that time—his hair falling over his face as he rise and fall, picking things up. His abs. And sweat streaming down his well-chiseled body as he focused on his work… I loved it all.As I wanted to enter the workshop, I saw the flowers planted outside. So I walked closer and picked some, hanging around my hair and putting some behind my ears.Stepping inside, I saw Lance picking up a bottle of water from the freezer. He opened it and began to drink, turning around at th
We were in the middle of gisting when a horrible wave of nausea hit me. It crawled up my throat like a monster trying to escape.I quickly covered my mouth, trying to hold it in, but it was like my stomach was flipping itself inside out.“Maya, are you alright? Should I get you some water?” Morgan asked in a concerned tone as she quickly stood up from the bed, trying to get some water.“No, it's fine,” I said, stopping her. “It's just something I have been feeling for a while now, but it's temporary.”Taking her seat back, she asked, “Are you sure you are alright now?”I nodded fast. “Yeah, yeah. I’m totally fine. I just—”But before I could finish my words, it happened again, and this time, it was stronger.I covered my mouth with one hand and used the other hand to hit my chest, trying to make it stop, but it wasn't stopping.“I think I need to call someone. You need to go to the hospital as you definitely don't seem okay.”Morgan turned again to call someone, but I wasn't able to h
I listened as she slowly began to tell me how her mother-in-law and sister-in-laws were treating her the same way she and her mother had treated me when I was married to Lance. And she had two sister-in-laws. Twins.No matter what she did, it was never enough for the three of them. They insulted her for every single mistake, criticized her for every bad thing that happened to her husband—even if it was his job that had problems—and always made her feel like she wasn’t good enough. Every bad thing and misfortune that happened to her husband was blamed on her.“At first, I thought I could handle it." She continued. "That as long as I was good to them and made them happy, they would like me more and stop treating me like that,” she let out a bitter laugh. “So whenever they were angry, I would buy them expensive gifts like designer bags and shoes, just to appease them.And for a while, it worked. They smiled and all started acting nice. But then they always wanted more. But after sometim
SIX MONTHS LATER ~~~MAYA’S POV~~~ Looking up into the sky, I used my hand to cover my eyes as the warm morning sun shone on me. Seeing the sky so clear and bright, I think today will be very, very great. Something good is going to happen. I smiled and then continued my work, which was spreading the freshly washed bedspread on the rope. It is a weekend thing for me—or should I say for every woman in this orphanage—and I like doing it as it gives me time to think, to breathe, and at the same time, to watch Bella while working. I wasn’t the only one washing the entire bedspread alone in this orphanage, as we had other women who were employed and those who also came to volunteer for a few days. Some even spent months with us, helping with the kids and other work in the orphanage. The orphanage was always lively and busy, especially in the mornings when all the kids woke up at the same time. It was filled with the sounds of children running down from each of their rooms, having morni
The hall was quiet, filled with the soft murmurs of people talking in hushed voices. The only loud sounds were the occasional sniffle or the rustling of fabric as someone shifted uncomfortably in their seat.A few candles flickered near the large framed photo of Mia, casting shadows on her smiling face. It almost made it look as if she was watching us.But she wasn’t—she was right in front of all of us… in the coffin.I took a deep breath as I looked around from where I was standing. I just wished that this would end soon and that all these passing storms would go with it.There were few people here, as the burial was private. Maya’s parents were seated in the front row on the left side, with Bella sitting between them.Kingsley also came with Lysol.Henry was also here, but the monkey could be seen leaning against the wall at the back of the hall, arguing with his client. He couldn't even spare time to pay respect to the dead.Betsy sat with Maya in the front row, in the middle of th
~~~~LANCE'S POV~~~~I stood in front of the mirror, wearing my tie while also looking at Maya's figure on the bed. I sighed heavily as the black suit I was wearing felt heavier than it should.Maybe because today wasn’t just any other day but the day we were laying Mia to rest. And as much as I wanted to be strong, I couldn’t shake the weight pressing against my chest because Mia's death had caused a lot of damage to my family—both to Maya and to Bella.Maya had completely changed in ways I couldn't understand. It was as if she carried a guilt too heavy for her to bear, and she wouldn’t talk to me or anyone about it. If she wasn't sitting on the balcony and gazing out into empty space, she would be staring at or holding Mia’s picture, pressing it tightly to her chest as if letting go of it would mean letting go of Mia.And no matter what I did to bring her to her senses and make her understand that we were losing Bella, she just wouldn't come to her right mind. I am the one trying to