Clara's POV
Linc is playing games.
After we left Rome, he insisted that we must go to Sunrise Cove. He picked up my mom so that she can come to Chicago with us. He wants her to love this place so that she convinces me to move. It makes me sad that he's not coming back to Sunrise Cove. I also feel pressured to make the decision to move not just from his biggest fan, my mother but also from the fact that I won't be seeing him often.
The realtor has shown us affordable apartments in a decent neighborhood. The ones she showed Linc were out of my price range but he loved one particular loft in the heart of the city. The vibe is different from what I'm used to. Sunrise Cove is a quiet suburb, close-knit and it does feel like home. There's something cold about apartment buildings. The spaces look great but they don't really convince me that I should be living here. Mom likes everything so far. S
The puppy has come
Clara's POVYvonne Cott. I think every other woman in a relationship with a man like Lincoln Bancroft -charming, good looking, sexy and wealthy- would be paranoid about an 'Yvonne Cott'. In fact, any woman in a relationship should be paranoid about her getting comfortable "We founded Linc and Cott together. We are business partners. I am the CEO and she is the CFO. Simple." I mimicked his voice. "Business partners my ass! There was more than that in that simple introduction Buddy! Your little nose would have sniffed it out!" The puppy is looking at me but I think it he wants the peanut butter jar. He's not listening to me and he's not interested. Linc didn't give him any peanut butter. He ignored Buddy. I offered him a spoonful. He ate all of it. I sat on the wooden floor. "Would you believe he used the word simple? There was nothing simple about it! Simple i
Linc's POVClara and I haven't spoken to each other since we argued about Yvonne and a bunch of other things. It's been two days of silence. We only speak when it's absolutely necessary. Other than that we walk right past each other. Dear Buddy peed on my side of the bed so I'm crashing on the couch while she has the bed. Neck cramps and back pain is sort of becoming the norm. I don't know what Clara wants. She's making excuses at every turn. I dint understand why it has to be like this because I am not forcing her into anything. Yes it will be better if I can keep an eye on her by having her close but I also care about her. I want this to work because we can be something. I guess it's more of the latter at this point. But she's bitter and she's upset. "At the risk of you not responding, I want to ask if you've made a decision." I broke the morning silence. She kept stirring the contents of
Clara's POV"I am nervous." I admitted the almost paralyzing feeling that has made me anxious all day. It's keeping me from moving my feet. Linc offered me a small reassuring smile. "You could just go without me."I have been in between accompanying him to the anniversary of his mother's death or staying back at the hotel and waiting for him to return."I know it's awkward-""Uncomfortably scary.""Okay. I know it's uncomfortably scary to be here but if we are going to be together, we need to deal with each other's families, right? The good and the ugly?""Right?" I cringed."Right."It's a bed I made and I have to lie on it. I started off badly with Bancrofts. I started by causing trouble at their gate and getting arrested. I went on to investigae them for things they have obviously done but there's just no proof. Now I'm dating one of thei
Years ago...Eliza's POVIt'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
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