Years ago...
Eliza's POV
It's been long enough.
I'm starting to worry that she's not coming. We agreed to meet at 8am. Almost three hours have gone by. I tapped my feet impatiently. I need to know. I have to know. It's the only way I get to make a decision and move on. I have had enough of Don. He need to know that this time round, I'm not going to look the other way.
The handsome bastard is a female magnet. I am competing with college girls! It's maddening. He thinks that signing NDAs is enough to keep them at bay.
A few days ago, a woman approached me. She said a lot of bitter things to me about my family and how I could sleep at night knowing what my husband has done. I didn't understand at first until she calmed down and she began to speak more clearly. Her younger sister had captured the attention of my husband. He started seeing her and in their many encounters she got pregnant. The
Clara's POVAttacking Yvonne Cott wasn't my finest moment.I'm not a hot tempered person. My first instinct is never to get physical. No. Not that fast. In self defense perhaps but never to attack. I attacked her. I messed up her face. I was angry and probably jealous because of what I had seen in the video. I can't imagine Linc like that with another woman. No.I also think I'm falling in love with him. It's a constant thought in my mind. I think my heart is giving in above everything else that my mind is telling me.He isn't back. He's in Vermont with his father. He called to let me know he's alright. Buddy and I are alone in this loft that is oddly starting to feel like home. The man I viciously fought for is starting to feel mine.I offered him a spoonful of peanut butter.I think I need to tell Linc what I did before it blows up in my fac
Linc's POVWhen Clara set foot outside the station, she looked around until our eyes met. She did not move after that. Something chilling about the way she looked at me overcame my body running my blood absolutely cold.How angry is she about what Yvonne has done?I approached her and immediately took off my coat to cover her. "Are you okay?"Her gaze softened until she started crying. She wouldn't let me hold her. I know how hard it is to get arrested and get out behind bars. It's a scary experience."What do you think?" She pushed me away and walked briskly as though to get away from me."Clara, wait up. Hey!" I wrapped my fingers around her elbow. "Stop for a second. Did they hurt you? Are you okay?""No I'm not! I'm tangled you in your twisted life! Your sick ex sent me a sex video! What do you expect me to be feeling Linc?
Linc's POVPlans rarely fall in place.I should know that by now. They didn't with Andrea and they are not with Clara. After we came to Chicago, the plan was simple. To get a house, have Clara try out life here in Chicago and finally, have a steady relationship. Things have not fallen in place. She is unhappy about a lot of things. I am trying to make it up to her but it is a brick wall every other time. She misses her job at the tribune in Sunrise Cove. I think she feels at a loss now that she has quit the story about my family. She hasn't gotten a new job yet. She is suspicious of my relationship with Yvonne. She got arrested because of assaulting Yvonne and G.G told her things I should have said first. Things are not going according to plan."Good morning." Yvonne beamed at me as if nothing is wrong with the way she has behaved of late."That tape was made without my consent." I got to the point. Her smil
Clara's POVI opened my eyes to the sight of nothing but a clear road and stretches of trees on either side. I blinked repeatedly to make sure I am not dreaming. It's a breathtaking scene and I should enjoy it but I am sadly reminded that I am his prisoner.I am in a car. It is moving fast on the tarmacked road. It is a clear day, blue skies. Winter has finally paved way to spring and it is a good thing to be free from the biting cold. The radio is playing John Denver's 'take me home, country roads'. Linc is tapping his fingers on the steering wheel with a light low hum to the tune. He looks happy this morning but when hasn't Linc looked like he will have a great day? He raised his eyebrows at me when he noticed I am awake. A beautiful smile graced his handsome face forcing me to smile back at him."Good morning.""Morning." I sighed. "May I?""Yes ma'am." He tilted his har t
Linc's POV "Clara, it's Mikey. You won't believe this but I'm out. I made parole. I thought you'll be here to pick me up. So I hope to see you at home?" I played the next voice message. "Hey sis. I didn't find you at home. Mom says you're having fun in Europe, backpacking or something. Can you at least call me? I really want to talk to you." "Okay Clara. I'm worried now. It's been a week. Is this silent treatment or something? Did I do something wrong? When I call you, you don't answer. I thought you'll be thrilled I'm out. Call me." "So after squeezing it out of mom, I hear you have a boyfriend... A Bancroft? Are you insane? After what those people did to me, you would date one? Where are you? Like seriously, where are you? Call me!" "Clara. Clara listen to me. I don't like two things. I don't like that you haven't called for nearly a month. I don't like that y
Clara's POVThe door is open. Linc must have forgotten to lock it when he left to go into the convenience store. My eyes shifted around the gas station. I count about five people doing different things. I can get out of the car and ask any if them to help me get away from him.My heart is thudding hard. I reached for the door again and gently pushed it open. I tilted my legs and set foot outside into the crisp cold air. It blew past me carrying with it whispers of freedom.I still can't see Linc.My heart is telling me to run. My mind is telling me not to be stupid. I lingered near the car with uncertainty until I saw Linc coming out of the store. I got back into the car and closed the door. I say quietly and waited.When he opened the door he didn't pay much attention as to why it's open. I think it was a test and by sitting out I have passed it."
Clara's POVI shouldn't be feeling this way but I'm ridden with guilt.I left the farm house a mere few hours after Linc. I didn't pack anything not even Buddy. I was going to the store to get some things. I got everything on my list but I didn't drive back. I was supposed to go back home and bake that apple pie Linc loves so much. Instead, I drove all the way to Sunrise Cove. 12 hours. I have driven for 12 hours. I'm finally home, my real home.I switched off the engine of the G-Wagon. Silence surrounded me as I sat staring at the little house in front of me. I haven't been home for over 5 months. Mom believes I have been in Europe. I'm just wondering whether it's something I even want to tell her.Everything looks the same. Sunrise Cove never changes. I could be gone for twenty years and come back to the same small town.For someone who has come home after a while of being
Clara's POVMy pregnancy is really announcing its presence. The few weeks of quiet I have enjoyed are over. I woke up this morning with the strongest urge to throw up. I don't have a bathroom in my bedroom. The only bathroom is in the hallway. We all share it and if I give into the urge, my mother will hear me and she will want to know what is wrong with me.She's very upset about what she found out thanks to Mikey mouthing off three nights ago. I would have found a way to tell her Linc and I are over without revealing how dark things got between us. She loved Linc and it was not necessary to paint him in such a light. There is a part of me that strongly wants to protect him from everything even his own nature. I dragged my fingers through my dark hair. Yes, protect him against himself. That is what he was doing for me.If my mother finds out I'm pregnant, it will complicate things. I am avoiding eye contact with her. The table
On a cold winter morning, in the ballroom of the Bancroft Manor, Lincoln and I exchanged our vows in the presence of our families. We kept it small but meaningful.That was the idea, small and meaningful.But still, the town threw a party on our behalf and the Bancrofts gladly supplied food and drink and most importantly, cake. It was a big celebration.We chose not to honeymoon because of how close I was to my delivery date. Having the mansion all to ourselves when his family left to visit Vermont was a honeymoon on it's own.It was completely relaxed and I was well rested as well as loved and pampered like the queen he has made me out to be.Come early February, the cries of our son filled the usually silent Bancroft Manor. It was just after 8am when Victor James Bancroft was born. I was a mess of emotions when the doctor placed him in my arms surrounded by an e
Linc's POVToday is the day I plan to propose to Clara.When I woke up early this morning, I couldn't leave her side. I watched her sleep for quote some time before I got out of bed. When I was looking at her, I couldn't help but think of what we mean to each other. This will be my third attempt to ask a woman to spend the rest of her life with me. The first time I was rejected and moments later I was beating a man to death because I found him in my house with a woman I expected to be faithful to me. The second time, it was Clara. It wasn't a formal proposal but she still turned me down when I showed her the ring. The plan was to go back to Virginia and of I found her waiting for me I would have proposed. I went back to an Emory house instead. This is the third time and I seriously hope that I have been reading her right. It's the same diamond ring she rejected before. I left it with her but I be recently got it back.The
Clara's POVI have been silently looking at some baby clothes.It has never really crossed my mind to start buying some but now that I'm a mere fifteen weeks or so away, i might as well see a few. Maybe I'll ven buy something, the very first outfit.I'm spoilt for choice and probably confused. I'm not sure what to get. At time like this, I wish mom could be here. She would know what to pick. I went online looking through baby clothes and hoping to find some sort of manual on how to buy clothes.Linc and I just came from the doctor. We had a check up today and as usual he was very excited and had a million questions. He's more curious than the woman having the baby. He ran into an sold friend and I left them catching up as I grab something to eat. I have wandered into the clothing section. The idea was to find a bigger bra but now I'm looking at onesies, bibs and little hats.
Linc's POVIt's been really quiet between Mrs Nolan and I. We haven't said much since she asked me to stay for tea. I wonder what she's thinking. Her expression is bitter. She's upset. I told Clara I'll take the hits for her. I'll be the villain and make all the difficult decisions she doesn't want to make. I won't allow her relationship with her mother to suffer. I'll be the bad guy if necessary."You're right." She broke the silence. "There was a time I wanted it work between you and Clara. I was excited about it especially because she was dating that weird guy in the city. That DJ who had nothing to offer her. When you came into the picture, I felt it and I knew it would work. I was right. It has worked. But not the way I thought it would. Lincoln, my issues with you stem from the moment you abducted Clara. When you texted back and forth with me pretending to be her... I hate that I couldn't tell the difference. I just thought she had gotten more atten
Clara's POVWaking up in Linc's arms is something I haven't done in a long time. I can't help but smile to myself. It's a cold rainy morning. The sound of the rain drops pelting against the bay window with dark wood frames is even more comforting than the warmth in this comfortable bed.The gloomy weather is the perfect backdrop for this cozy morning. I snuggled closer to him enjoying the warmth his naked body has to offer.Last night was incredible. Being reminded of his love is just want I needed. It was expected when he insisted we will share a room. We talked for a while before we got comfortable and comfortable turned into love making. I can definitely do it all over again."Lincoln." He grumbled. "Are you awake?""Now I am." He whispered. He pulled me back against his body. We are skin to skin. "What's on your mind pretty?""I was wondering if you'r
Linc's POV"I lost to her mother." I caught my grandfather's attention with those simple words. He lowered his newspaper. "Clara isn't here because I lost to her mother.""Oh boy. The mother." He folded the newspaper closed. "Why don't you have a seat Lincoln. You are setting a dangerous precedent.""What do you mean?""A woman belongs to her mother when she's single and especially not pregnant. Clara is neither of those things. Her mother has no business holding on to her and if you allow her to take the driver's seat now, I promise you, you will be inched out if the picture until you become a distant thought. It will start with her not informing you of doctor's appointments. She will claim it slipped her mind. She will progress to not including you in the health decisions about Clara and the baby. Then she will purposely forget to let you know when the baby is due. Befo
Clara's POVMy mother has always fussed about grandchildren. She also fussed about me getting married. But if these two ambitions were to be ranked, I would put the grandchild above the husband and son would she. Based on how she's behaving now, she has decided that Linc is irrelevant to the picture. It's going to be the two of us and the baby, no father.She believes herself capable of raising children without a man. I know she can be strongly independent and heavily opinionated about things when she's especially motivated. Her current motivation is Linc not being good for me. He has a list of offenses that boost his standing with my mother. Thanks to Mikey, mom knows how things between Linc and I transpired. I had no plans of telling her because deep down, I was avoiding the part of the script where she turns against my baby's father.But the script is going her way. I gave in to her arguement. I love Virginia and I love
Linc's POVI have given Clara's mother the chance to go in first and see her daughter.I can concede to her not liking me but she can't separate me from my child. As long as the baby is part of Clara, I want them with me. After the baby is born we will all agree to a way to share but for now It's best if Clara and the baby are with me.I never thought I'll be a father.I didn't want to be a father.From early on I told my father that I will not contribute to the Bancroft bloodline. I was hell bent on it never happening. Now that she is expecting it changes things. It has changed my outlook. I'm beginning to warm up to the idea of fatherhood.I have wandered into the unit of the hospital where they keep babies. I'm standing outside the glass looking at the newborns. I can't help but smile."Which one is yours?" A woman asked me.
Clara's POVG.G is acting strange. The confidence she was strutting around with slowly fading. In its place are constant glares, strange silence and a lot of pacing. Something tells me that Linc has no plans to confess anything.I'm feeling ambivalent about his decision to not comply with G.G. It's a good thing because I believe Linc has been through enough. Being born into a crazy family is hard enough. Losing your mother at a young age and being a witness to it isn't easier. Being threatened to silence by the very people who should be protecting you is just horrible. Then came the girlfriend he gave the world to and she cheated on him. And then the one who befriended him with intent and then left him hurt after he took another risk to love another. He's been through enough. But what about me and the baby? If he won't comply, aren't we in trouble? G.G is crazy! If she does something, we could die or I could lose the b