But even as we returned to our private room, the talk between us was became a little tensed. I paced by the window, my thoughts racing."You didn’t have to make such a show of it," I said, unable to look him directly in the eye. "I had it under control."Thiago leaned against the doorway, his eyes locked on me with that knowing gleam. "Did you, Wifey? You looked seconds away from losing them."I spun to face him. "I didn’t need you barging in like that! Now the board thinks I can’t handle the job without my husband coming to rescue me."His smirk only deepened, and I hated how infuriatingly calm he was. "Let them think what they want, Wifey. But I’ll let you in on a secret." He sauntered over to the bar and poured himself another drink, watching me with those piercing eyes. "They’re playing checkers, and I’ve been playing chess all along."I frowned, still frustrated but curious. "What are you talking about?"He sipped his whiskey slowly, savoring the taste before finally answering. "
FEW DAYS AFTER what seemed to be a chaotic week at the office, was already making me feel lightheaded each morning. I had gone used to seeing Thiago left the side of my bed empty each morning that today was a total surprised for me.I stirred awake, feeling the warmth of the early morning light streaming through the sheer curtains. And as my eyes blinked open, I was startled to find Thiago already awake, watching me intently. His half-naked form lounged beside me, his gaze burning into mine as if he'd been studying me for hours.“Morning, Wifey” he murmured, his voice low and intimate.I blinked rapidly, the grogginess of sleep still clinging to me. “Thia—darling?” My voice was barely a whisper, my heart doing that annoying flutter it always did when he was this close.He grinned, clearly enjoying my reaction. Without warning, his hand moved to cup my face, pulling me towards him for a deep, lingering kiss. His lips, warm and demanding, made me momentarily forget my confusion. My han
The car ride to the wedding was filled with an uncomfortable silence. I stared out of the window, watching the city blur past as my mind raced. I couldn’t shake the feeling that tonight was going to be another one of Thiago’s carefully orchestrated games. He always had a plan—a way to keep me guessing, off-balance, and completely under his control.Thiago sat beside me, calm and composed, his hand resting possessively on my thigh. His touch, though light, felt like a reminder that no matter where we were headed, I was still bound to him.“You’re awfully quiet,” he said, breaking the silence. His voice was smooth, as though he hadn’t just upended my entire day. “Thinking about something?”I glanced at him, the weight of his question heavy in the air. “Just trying to figure out what your angle is,” I replied, my tone sharper than I intended. “You always have one.”His lips curved into a smirk, and he tilted his head slightly, studying me with that unnerving intensity. “You think I need
Thiago’s hand slid up my thigh, disappearing under the hem of my dress. My breath caught in my throat as I realized just how bold he was being. We were standing just behind the door to the restrooms at a crowded wedding reception, and anyone could walk by at any second.His fingers found their way to my most sensitive spot, and a sharp gasp escaped my lips. I bit down hard, trying to suppress the sound, but the intensity of his touch was overwhelming. Thiago smirked, clearly enjoying the control he had over me in that moment.“You’re liking this, aren’t you?” he whispered against my ear, his voice dark and teasing. “I can feel how wet you are.”“Thiago… stop,” I managed to say, my voice barely a whisper. But even as I said the words, I knew they lacked conviction. My body was betraying me, responding to him in ways I couldn’t deny.He laughed softly, the sound low and dangerous. “Stop? You don’t really want me to stop, do you, Wifey?”I tried to fight it, tried to regain control of th
The moment Thiago’s lips collided with mine, it was as though everything around us ceased to exist. His kiss was forceful, needy, and overwhelming, pulling me into a vortex of raw desire that I couldn’t escape—even if I wanted to. I could feel his body pressing into mine, and I gasped, overwhelmed by the heat between us.“Thiago,” I muttered between kisses, my breath catching as I felt his hands slide down my body. I could barely think straight. “My dress… it’s going to get ruined.”But Thiago was relentless, his lips brushing against my neck, his hand already at the back of my dress. Before I could even finish my sentence, I heard the sound of the zipper sliding down. His fingers moved deftly, and the fabric slipped off my shoulders, exposing my bare skin.“You’re not really worried about this dress, are you?” he whispered against my ear, his voice dripping with amusement. “You just want to get this thing started quickly, my naughty wifey.”I tried to protest, but the words caught in
After the steamy moment inside the car, I felt flushed as Thiago carefully helped me adjust my clothes. The heat of our earlier encounter still clung to the air between us, making it almost impossible to focus. Thiago was nonchalant, his face relaxed as he pulled his pants back up, as though what had just happened was the most natural thing in the world. “Fix your hair, wifey,” Thiago said, smirking as he reached out to tuck a stray strand behind my ear.I slapped his hand away playfully, shaking my head. “You’re impossible.”He chuckled, stepping out of the car before offering me his hand. “We can’t keep the newlyweds waiting.”The reception hall loomed ahead, buzzing with laughter and conversation. As we walked in, I felt a wave of awkwardness wash over me. The guests were older, many of them probably around my father’s age. I tugged slightly at my dress, suddenly conscious of how out of place I felt. I couldn’t help but glance at Thiago, who was moving with his usual confidence, c
The rest of the evening passed in a haze. I stayed close to Thiago, playing the role he expected of me—his arm candy, the woman by his side. But inside, my thoughts were spiraling.Every time Mathias or Julia came over to chat, my stomach churned. I couldn’t shake the image of Thiago sealing a deal that could ruin my father. The fact that he’d orchestrated this entire evening to meet with Mathias, all while pretending it was just a wedding invitation, made me feel used. Yet, I stayed. I stayed because walking away now felt impossible.As the evening wore on, Thiago excused himself to take a call. It left me alone at the table, sipping champagne while watching the other guests mingle. I glanced at the bride and groom across the room, laughing together with a group of friends. It was hard to imagine them divorced from other people, only to find their way back to each other. “Bridgette, right?” a voice interrupted my thoughts.I looked up to see Julia standing beside me, her smile warm
The night had gone better than expected—for Thiago, at least. As the wedding’s celebration was winding down, and the deal was secured. I stood beside him, watching as he and Mathias exchanged knowing glances and handshakes. The Saskatchewan project was officially in Thiago’s hands. My father’s belief of victory aftering notching Saskatchewan ahead of Bermudez Group was about to crumble, and Mathias, the man who was supposed to be my father’s trusted contractor, had just sealed the deal to betray him.I should’ve been happy. I should’ve felt triumphant, proud even, of being part of this powerful play that would topple the Martinez corp. But instead, there was this heavy, unbearable weight on my chest.I watched Thiago, his smirk widening as Mathias congratulated him. The way they toasted to their success made my stomach churn. The glass of champagne in my hand felt cold, distant, like it belonged to someone else. Everything felt distant, actually. As if I was on the outside, looking
The weeks following Emilia’s birth were filled with tender moments and sleepless nights, but it was a rhythm Bridgette and I quickly embraced. She was thriving in her new role as a mother, and seeing her light up whenever she held Emilia made everything we had gone through feel worth it.But peace never seemed to last in our world.One afternoon, as I was working in my study, Lucia burst into the room without knocking—a sure sign something was wrong.“What is it?” I asked, putting down my pen.Her face was pale, her usual confidence replaced by unease. “Thiago, there’s a situation.”My stomach tightened. “What kind of situation?”She hesitated before replying. “It’s Victor. He’s back, and he’s making noise about challenging your position in the company.”Victor. My former right-hand man turned adversary. He had been ousted years ago after betraying my trust and attempting to sabotage a critical project. I thought I’d seen the last of him, but apparently, he had other plans.“What’s hi
With the chaos behind us, our days slowly found rhythm. Bridgette’s health continued to improve, and her confidence grew stronger with each passing day. Though we had overcome so much, the weeks leading up to the baby’s arrival were filled with new challenges, albeit ones we welcomed.One afternoon, Bridgette stood in the middle of the nursery, her hands resting on her belly. She’d chosen soft greens and whites for the room, accented with woodland animal decals along the walls. The crib sat under the large bay window, sunlight spilling over its polished wood.“It’s perfect,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.I stepped behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and resting my chin on her shoulder. “It’s not just perfect—it’s ready for our little miracle.”She smiled, leaning back against me. For the first time in months, her laughter came easily, like music filling the quiet of the room.As we moved forward, an unexpected visitor brought a reminder of our past. Victor arr
Despite the glimmers of hope and progress, Cynthia and Justin refused to back down. Their next move came in the form of a court summons—an audacious lawsuit claiming defamation and damages from the public fallout after Bridgette’s pregnancy announcement.“They’re claiming we ruined their reputation?” Bridgette exclaimed, pacing the living room. Her hand rested protectively over her belly as her frustration mounted. “They’ve been the ones spreading lies about us!”“They’re bluffing,” I reassured her, though I couldn’t hide my own irritation. “This is a scare tactic. They want to distract us from the real fight.”Victor, seated across from us with a stack of legal documents, nodded in agreement. “Their case is flimsy, but we’ll need to counter it aggressively. If we can prove malice and falsehood in their claims, we could turn this into a significant win.”We decided to take control of the narrative once and for all. I arranged a press conference where Bridgette and I addressed the rumo
{thiago]The pressure was relentless, and even with our best efforts, the weight of Cynthia and Justin’s schemes loomed over us like a storm cloud. Bridgette, always so composed and strong, had been working tirelessly, determined to protect her family's legacy. But as the days dragged on, I began to see the toll it was taking on her.One evening, I found her in the studio, staring blankly at her unfinished sculpture. Her hands trembled as she tried to work the clay, but it crumbled beneath her touch.“Bridgette,” I said softly, stepping closer. “You’ve been pushing yourself too hard.”She shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “I can’t stop, Thiago. If I let up even for a moment, they’ll win. They’ll take everything.”I reached for her, gently pulling her into my arms. “We’re fighting this together. But you have to take care of yourself too. What happens to all of this if you burn out?”She didn’t answer, just buried her face in my chest, her body trembling with suppressed emotion
The calm after the exhibit was short-lived. Bridgette’s triumph was celebrated in Monaco’s circles, her sculpture making waves beyond the event. But success had a way of drawing out old ghosts, and soon enough, whispers began to circulate—whispers that hinted at the return of someone neither of us wanted to deal with: Cynthia.It started with a simple call from Lucia.“She’s back,” Lucia said, her tone sharp. “I overheard her talking at a private luncheon. She’s been asking about you and Thiago.”Bridgette was seated across from me at our breakfast table, savoring a fresh croissant when I put the phone on speaker. Her relaxed expression turned icy at the mention of Cynthia’s name.“What does she want now?” Bridgette asked, her voice steely.“Leverage,” Lucia replied. “From what I gathered, she’s trying to position herself back into Victor’s favor—and that means dragging your name through the mud.”Bridgette clenched her jaw, her fingers tightening around her coffee mug. “She never kno
The days in Monaco had settled into a rhythm—a quiet lull before the baby arrived. Bridgette seemed more content, her fire still present but tempered by the anticipation of motherhood. Yet, our peace was interrupted one brisk morning when a knock on the door echoed through the penthouse.I wasn’t expecting anyone. Neither was Bridgette, who sat cross-legged on the couch, flipping through baby name books. Her head lifted, curiosity flickering in her eyes.“I’ll get it,” I said, moving toward the door.When I opened it, I was met with a face I hadn’t seen in years—Alonso Serrano, an old business rival. His polished suit and calm demeanor belied the sharp edge he’d always carried.“Thiago,” he greeted with a smooth smile. “It’s been a while.”“What are you doing here, Serrano?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral but guarded.“May I come in?” he asked, his gaze flickering past me, likely catching sight of Bridgette.I hesitated for a moment before stepping aside. Whatever this was, it wasn’
Bridgette was restless, pacing back and forth in the grand living room of the penthouse in Miami. The faint glow of city lights illuminated her determined expression. I leaned against the doorway, watching her silently. She was consumed by this—her father’s company, the stolen assets, the legacy she wouldn’t allow to crumble.“They’re not just thieves, Thiago,” she said, finally stopping to face me. “They’re parasites. Feeding off years of my father’s hard work and dedication.”“And you intend to hunt them down,” I replied calmly, stepping closer.Her eyes blazed with determination. “Yes. Someone has to. My father is too kind—too trusting. But I won’t let this slide.”I admired her fire, but I also knew it would take more than passion to solve this. “We’ll do it together. But we have to be smart about it. We’re not just dealing with thieves; we’re dealing with professionals.”We started by reviewing the financial records Bridgette managed to retrieve from her father’s office. Late nig
[THIAGO’S POV]Bridgette was scrolling through her tablet one quiet morning while lounging on the couch. Her relaxed demeanor suddenly shifted as she frowned at the screen, her fingers rapidly tapping to navigate through a series of news articles."Thiago," she called out, her voice tight with concern.I emerged from the study, coffee mug in hand. "What’s wrong, love?"She looked up, her face pale. "It’s my father’s company. There are reports of financial troubles. They might be on the brink of bankruptcy."I set my mug down and approached her. "Bridgette, I know this is worrying, but you’re in no condition to take on stress right now. Let someone else handle it."Her brow furrowed, and I could see the determination in her eyes. "No, Thiago. I need to go back to Miami and look into this. If the company goes under, it’ll ruin everything my father worked for."I sighed, already sensing where this was headed. "You’re pregnant, Bridgette. Traveling, dealing with business stress—it’s not s
As Bridgette's pregnancy progressed, I became increasingly worried about leaving her alone while I went to work. Though she insisted she was fine, I knew better. She was stubborn but vulnerable, and I wasn’t about to take any chances.So, I decided to hire someone to look after her—a personal maid who could help with errands and chores, making Bridgette’s life easier while I wasn’t around.The morning I introduced the new maid, Clarisse, things didn’t exactly go as planned.When I brought Clarisse to the house, I was all smiles. "Bridgette, this is Clarisse. She’ll be helping out around here so you can rest more."Bridgette’s eyes narrowed as she took in Clarisse, who, admittedly, was strikingly beautiful. Tall, blonde, and perfectly poised, Clarisse looked like she’d just stepped out of a fashion magazine.Bridgette’s lips pressed into a thin line. "I don’t need a maid.""It’s just to help you," I said, trying to ease the tension. "She’ll handle everything—cleaning, errands, cooking—