MADELYN. The night before my wedding was a memorable one. Jason and I had agreed on the no bachelor and bachelorette party. It would just be us spending the night awake with our kids and Grandma. That's if she doesn't fall asleep though, that lady loves her sleep! “ Mommy, you and daddy are gonna be married?” With the excitement building up in them, they never bring their selves to believe it. It's more like living in denial of it, and being pumped up about it, at the same fucking time. “ Yes princess, your mom and I would be getting married tomorrow. Wanna tag along?” Jason winks at me and our kids didn't find it funny. Seriously? Tag along? Like shut your mouth dude, we gonna be there and watch you both get married. If we ain't there, there's gonna be no wedding. He always addresses our daughters as princesses. It's heartwarming to see how much he loves and dotes on them. They can tell him anything, and everything. I like how he has ma
NATASHA. I sat on the couch in the living room, watching one TV show or the other and sulking like a miserable loser. “ You are still awake I see. Mind telling me why?” She knows the reason why. It's Thursday night for heaven's sake. My man would be getting married tomorrow. Not to me, but someone else. Y'all don't really expect me to sleep. “ Listen to me, I know for a fact that Jason and his wife are sleeping peacefully at their crib right now. But guess who can't shut her eyes? Natasha Caspian.” I rolled my eyes at her and stuffed the popcorn in my mouth. I have been doing this for hours now; watching TV shows, stuffing popcorn in my mouth and wiping my tears off with tissues. “ Can I go get you more tissues?”My mom volunteered and I gave her a go-ahead. She was no doubts feeling sorry for me at the moment. I look like a mess, I do know that. “ Crying or counting how many hours till dawn won't help, Natasha. Take it from
It's finally that moment I have been waiting for. That warm, soul-filling and heart-fluttering moment when you realize the wealthiest, drop dead gorgeous CEO Jason Black wants to spend the rest of his next six months with you. Few hours more and I would be in my white wedding dress, under the white arch surrounded by my favorite white lilies. I think the best part of it being your wedding day, is that you get a free ticket to be genuinely happy. No regrets, no negative energy, no past incidents that you have to reflect upon. Just undiluted happiness that runs deeper than what's displayed on your face. It runs deep into your veins and is circulated around your entire system. Nervous? Not at all. I wasn't tensed or having this fear of what would happen after today, I was just extremely cheerful. My wedding is set to begin by 12pm at noon. Yes, as early as that cause Jason wanted me to get enough rest before the after party which would start around 5pm and probabl
CARA. “ Well, what do we do next dad?” That question was asked days ago and I recall his reply, “ We attend your sister's wedding.” Here we are. Jason made it much more easier for us. He reached out first before dad could get to him. We actually planned finding our back into her life through the apology we were going to render. “ Dear Madelyn, please accept my apology. It's from the deepest part of my heart.” “ You fool. I swear on mom's tomb, if I was Madelyn and you offered me such bullshit as an apology, I'mma stay angry with you for the rest of my life. That's 0.05 out of 10, Craig. Do better!” The idiot had one knee on the floor with his hand stretched. “ I even skipped this part, why are you on your knees like that? You sure should go ahead and add another ring to her finger!” Dad had placed me in charge of the apology rendering section, which is hilarious by the way, but I also cannot afford to screw it up. What I was more pissed abo
MADELYN. Sweaty palms, rising anxiety and a whole different heart beating wildly in my chest. Before arriving at the wedding ceremony, I was sure that nothing would go wrong. I had on the brightest smile, not because of the pictures to be taken for the media, but because I was genuinely happy. People might find it strange that I choose to be happy about getting married to someone who I wasn't in love with, but there was just this joy that comes with being a bride. Whether or not you are getting married to a man who is going to sign the divorce papers after six months, the excitement would still be there. My father led me down the aisle. Craig was looking superb in his tuxedo which almost stole the spotlight from the groom. Dad looked really nice in his suit, and my lips happened to be hurting from smiling too frequently and too broadly. Did I leave out my little diamonds? Not at all. They all looked stunning in their suits and gowns. Jason couldn't
MADELYN. We went from getting married to searching for our daughter. We called the cops and I explained everything to them. Jason has tried calling Natasha. Her phone was switched off, obviously because she knew we would have found out Chloe was missing. “ Still switched off? Can't you reach her mom?” The hall was empty, everyone had gone home after searching for Chloe for the past one hour. It was just Jason, grandma and my family. I was totally unrecognizable. Red puffy eyes, with a ruined makeover and a supposed white gown that had dirt all over it. “ It's not connecting. I don't know why.” “ Natasha and her mom are in this together. If not, why would her number not go through at the same time that her daughter's is switched off?” " Don't say that, Madelyn. We don't know for a fact that Chloe was taken by Natasha or her mom. You just don't say certain things without having proof." “ We don't know? Oh, I guess you see
MADELYN. “ Where is Natasha?”A question I have asked for the tenth thousandth time without getting the response I wanted to hear. “ She's on a plane at this moment, to C. What part of what I said don't you understand? Cause I have been repeating it.” Jason, my fed up husband had since collapsed on her armchair. The cops had called several times within the few minutes we were here, to remind us not to take matters into our own hands. “ Why isn't your number connecting? And why is her phone switched off? Why is she in a haste to leave the country?” Everything makes sense. The connection between it all makes sense. But, my husband was too blind too see through this lady's pretense. “ She has a flat battery. She left immediately cause she was heartbroken to see Jason get married to you. Does that answer all your questions? Can't you see we have no hand in whatever crime you are accusing us of.” I wasn't satisfied. It was al
XAVIER. It's Friday already. I had since cancelled all appointments for that day. I was going to pay my dear friend a visit at her wedding. I didn't get any IV card, but I might as well just invite myself. As for Cara, I was going to give her a little time to breathe properly. Can't afford her passing out during one of our makeout sessions. Not like her life meant anything to her father. Adrian was naturally greedy. He wasn't bothered about anyone but his self. Whatever I chose to do with his daughters was purely my business, and not his. As long as I place a huge wad of notes in his palm, all sins and atrocities would be forgiven and forgotten. I have never seen a man so greedy to acquire more fame and power, that he goes as far as selling his daughters out against their will. I have always sat and wondered how poor Evelyn managed to put up with him. It's such a pity she isn't here to see me do as I like to her favourite child. The poor lady got run
Madelyn Cara had called me on her way to Nicholas's house. After what Jason had said yesterday, I came to the conclusion that something was wrong. Maybe he had found out who it was that Cara always met with, or perhaps he was going to change the plan. “ I'm sorry. Jason found out on his own, I never told him. He's right beside me, you can ask him yourself.” Cara bellowed, “ I believe you. I and Jason are not best of friends yet, I don't want to to talk to him. Anyways, I will keep you updated on whatever happens at Nicholas's house.” I had a bad feeling, but I couldn't just say it out. I wanted to ask her to come right to us. Why not end this game and seek protection from Jason? I'm sure my husband would do anything I ask of him, even if it included taking my sister in. “ Be safe, Cara. I don't feel good about this.” She tried to lighten my mood. “ Have you eaten? You will feel much better when you eat, Madelyn.” “ You will be pregnant someda
CARA { Warning: Content unsuitable for young readers. This novel is R-18.} Before I could make up my mind about what I was going to do, Nicholas jerked me against him and claimed my mouth in a fierce kiss that made me gasp, then tense. His tongue slipped between my lips, and without wanting to, I opened up for him, parted my lips, wrestled his tongue with mine. My hands found their way into his hair, tugging, raking, wanting him closer and at the same time wanting to shove him away. We always had good sex, but he always made it excruciating. It was either I get whipped during sex or after it. Slipping the vibrating phone into his pocket, he picked me up. My sister called a thousand times before she gave up. Nicholas's dark eyes watched me, something hungry and furious gleaming in their depth. “ I don't want to hurt you, Cara, but you brought this upon yourself. You could have patiently worked with me, after today you would have become a free woman. I would ha
NICHOLAS It's the D-Day. That was all that ran through my head as I took a cold shower. I was more happier for the birth of Madelyn than she was for herself. My outfits were laid out on the bed and though, it was still too early to set out, I went through the list of things we needed, to make sure that we didn't skip a thing. The main reason I was up early was to think about my next move. I knew something was off with Cara, but since I haven't caught her yet, I couldn't accuse her of snitching on me. I knew she was seeing someone yesterday, my men had said they saw her with a strange lady whose face they weren't able to make out. I decided to come see what she was up to, but I was late and those dumb fools said they didn't know when the strange lady left. They saw her make her way for the bathroom, but that was it. She never returned to her seat. She made use of the backdoor. How smart of her. I bumped into Cara on her way out. She wasn't surprised to see m
Madelyn It's my birthday, today. What is it people usually say? Something like the day God brought me into the world for y'all. My husband was up early. When I woke up, he wasn't beside me. Where could he have gone to this early in the morning? Jason was one patient lover. He took his time to explain everything to me yesterday. I can now agree that I'm naive. How come I never thought that plans could be changed? “ Who is it?” someone knocked on the door. I was still in my nighties and I still haven't left my bed. “ Grandma Lorelei asked that you come with me, ma'am Madelyn.” I quickly checked the mirror to see if I had drooled in my sleep. I straightened my hair and strolled out. “ Good morning, Laura.” The maid greeted me with a warm hug. Yes, I hug my maids. At first, they were uncomfortable with it. I knew just what my husband was capable of doing if he found out I was hugging our maids. But, they are humans too. They deserved to be loved and respe
JASON I hurried home and waited for Madelyn. I noticed she had been going out more and her movements were usually discreet. Whenever I asked where she was off to, she would smile and say she only needed to check out some restaurant in town. At first, it was understandable since she was always craving food. But today, I noticed how weirdly she dressed. It's like she was trying to disguise. Over the week she became a very huge fan of scarfs and sunshades and over sized clothing. I knew something wasn't right, so I decided to follow her today and find out where it was she always went, or who she always visited. I have never thought my wife would ever cheat on me, but that was the first thought that came to mind. She didn't have any friends in the city, so who was it that she always visited? I followed the cab she was in. She would never know it was me cause I went on bike, and I had my helmet on. Madelyn stopped at a restaurant just as she had told me,
CARA A day to the big Day. I was running around making last minute preparations. I have to meet with Madelyn today to inform her of all our plans. Or better still, I could call her. Nicholas asked that we all meet at our usual spot. Natasha called to let us know she would be late, her mom had fallen ill. All Nicholas could ever think of was how we should make this work and not about some sick person. “ Listen to me, I don't care if your mom is dying. I want you here on time, we can't have you mess up our big Day. Is this what would happen tomorrow? What? You call and inform us that your mom had a heart attack? See you by 12pm, Natasha.” That was harsh but it would be better to see this two turn against each other. They were the ones calling the shots in this game, and I needed a sort of division between them. “ Do you think she's trying to bail at the last minute? It might be that she doesn't want to go ahead with this, that's why she keeps bringing
JASON A week later after the incident with Black's body, it was my wife's birthday tomorrow. As excited as I was, I was frightened something might go wrong at the party. “ Birthday girl, you look stunning, wife.” Madelyn walked up to me, her smile widened with each passing second. “ It's been a long, long ride Jason. I'm glad we came this far.” “ Do you want a massage? Are you having any of those weird cravings of yours?” I didn't know being pregnant came with a lot of responsibilities. We were just three weeks gone, and I have never been more at loss for the perfect words to describe this whole new feeling. Was this what men went through at the hands of their pregnant wives? Wasn't it a bit too early for her to start having weird cravings? Madelyn never spared me at all. She would wake me up at past 2am and ask me to go get her some sea food. Who the fuck wants seafood at that time of the night? Was it the baby who was demanding for all this or was it my
Rebecca ( Natasha's Mom) Continuation of flashback.It seemed like the end of the world for Caspian. I could have sworn I saw him shed a tear. He looked lost. I should look the same too considering I had just broken up with my boyfriend who I thought I'd be getting married to, but, no one felt much pain like Caspian. Grandma Lorelei warned me. Caspian had a raging temper. He had been in and out of a rehabilitation facility. She said he was just starting to make progress when Melissa came into his life. Over the last couple of months, his anger issues has been kept on check. But now, Black ruined it all. The furious, venomous dark creature made a mess of his room. We could all hear the noise coming from Caspian's room, but neither his mom or brother could dare trying to stop him. “ We should go check on him, grandma. No one deserves to be in such..” Lorelei grabbed my hands and made me promise I'd keep my distance from Caspian, for now. “ When he's like t
NATASHA'S MOM I hurried home after I saw Grandma Lorelei leave. I was heartbroken. It's clear she was the only one that visited yesterday. Why couldn't anyone find a clue, a hint, anything at all? “ Argh!!” I yelled, almost ripping my lungs out as I threw something to the wall. I have been getting more fiery these days and I threw objects more frequently too. If I continue at this rate, I'd have broken almost every object in the house. “ Why have you been so angry the past few days, mom?” My daughter asked from the dinning table. I didn't even notice she was there all throughout. It was just 8am. She was not yet dressed, so I guess she's taking the day off. I had a quick flashback about how last night ended and I felt nothing but guilt for the way I treated her. It was not the best thing to do. I know that too well but I couldn't keep it in no more. She needed to hear a few unkind words, maybe it might help faster. She was too self-centered, and cared abou