I awake to the sound of Francisco’s phone ringing and become quickly agitated. It wasn’t hard to tell that I was napping. Pregnancy was as exhausting and it was unappealing. I roll over and toss the phone at Francisco who is doing push-ups on the deck. “Did it wake you?” He asks as he comes to a stand after catching the phone.“What do you think.” I close the French door and can still see his shadow moving from side to side. Great - more pacing. I roll back over and begin to drift back into sleep when Francisco bursts in and asks that I listen to him immediately. I roll my eyes and rise to a sit.“What now?” I was becoming tired of his constant talking.“They have Mark.” “Who the hell is Mark?” I had no interest in names. When you have money, you can call people whatever you want.“Ay dois! The man you paid to kill your ex-lover’s child. I got word that he was arrested for what he’s done to Claire and they are building a strong case.” I freeze as I hear the news. Surely, they would
As we descend the stairs, I hear Jasmine questioning Elena on what the celebration was about. I could tell that she was desperate for an explanation and I tap her shoulder with a smile.“Claire, is everything okay? Elena invited me for a celebration and -“ I mediate my show her my left hand and watch as she is gobsmacked and flabbergasted. I smile as I twinkle one specific finger.“Tell me that the same diamond I witnessed five years ago. The same halo and white gold accents that I adored so much?” She grabs my hand gently and I watch as her shock turned to happiness. She pulled me into a big hug.“You’re getting remarried? Oh Claire!” “No, actually. I had a clause added to the addendums of our divorce, if Claire ever chose to return to me - the decree of our divorce would be void and we’d continue our marriage.” Leo answers from behind me with a slight smile.“You succeed at taking her away from me - again!” We all laugh at her remark.“I’m willing to share custody of my wife. On he
Have my eyes deceived me? Claire is wearing her wedding rings and Leonardo informs me of their marriage continuance. He loved her and he let her go and she came back. A true definition of love in my eyes. We continue to the dinner table and I notice how Claire excused herself after having just sat down. I found it a little odd but chose to ignore it - until I saw Elena excused herself after her as well. “Am I missing something?” I ask Leo as we wait for both ladies to return. “Like what?” He seemed genuinely confused by my question. “Well Claire went to the bathroom and then Elena forgot the wine? Seems like a ruse, no?” Were they planning or hiding something? “Oh, I’m sure Elena is just wanting to make things perfect for Claire. She’s extremely happy to have her home.” He was blinded by love. Shortly after, Elena comes back with wine and glasses. She places and pours three glasses. “Claire’s not going to have a glass? She loves wine.” I pout as I express this to Elena. “Ms. C
I didn’t think much of Jasmine’s curiosity but she did make some valid points. I decide it’s best if I go check on my wife - just to be on the safe side.I head down the hallway and hear nothing but silence. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary as I reach the door but I knock anyways. I see the door open carefully and Claire looks in shock as she sees me.“Is everything alright? You’ve been in here for a while now and Jasmine was starting to get anxious.” I can tell that she’s blocking the door.“Yeah. I just have some sour stomach from our new health shakes. Nothing serious.” She recited the same excuse as Elena had told Jasmine and I.“Interesting. Elena just said the same thing.” I could tell when Claire was lying. She would always look into my eyes and redirect her gaze to my chest as she did.“I’m okay, really.” “Well I’d rather see for myself. How about I stay with you until you feel well enough to join everyone?” “Don’t be silly! It’s rude if we’re both absent.” She was stalli
I felt a wave of guilt as Leo pulled the pregnancy test out of the wrapper and read the results. I thought to lie and say it was Elena’s but there was no sense in dragging her down with me. I’d have to face the reaction he had towards my actions. I lower my head in shame as I wait to be scolded for being so careless. This wasn’t the right time for us to have a baby. With one attacker at large and the mastermind behind it all still living freely - I was putting myself and another child in danger.I’m surprised when I see Leo smiling and hear his response as I apologize. Leo was excited for a child - our child. He suggests keeping our pregnancy private until we find out who’s been after me and I agree without a second thought. “Can we tell Jasmine?” I didn’t like hiding things from her.“Yes. And I have some news I want to share tonight afterwards. Are you ready to get back to dinner?” I nod and Leo opens the door and wraps his arm around my waist in excitement as we return.“Is every
Even from this confined space, I could tell that it was morning. The tiny sliver of the window was able to let in just enough light to give confirmation. I wish I could say that I’ve slept but the anticipation of my release had a restless effect on me. I was appointed a court proceeding at two o’clock to be acquitted of the crimes committed against me. I would be a free man. I’d be able to hug Starla and be there for the birth of our child and I’d be there to support my sister and show her that I’m able to be the brother she’s always believed in - the brother she deserves.I heard the prison guards make their rounds and administer breakfast and I’m met with a guard who’s beckoned me to the door. I walk over to listen to them as I grab my tray.“The warden says that you’ll be out right after your motion is filed. Make sure to collect any and all of your belongings prior to court.”“Yes sir.”“Another thing, I will be allowing you one call to a loved one prior to entering the courtroom.
I get up quickly and hurry to get dress myself. Leo was in his office which happens to be the next room over. I grab my bag and as I run towards the door, I meant with Leo. The confusion on his face is evident.“Is something wrong Claire?” I feel guilty as I see his facial expression change to worry.“Matthew is at the courthouse downtown. He’s being released today and asked that I pick him up. I have to go get him some clothes!” I felt panicked but in a good way. Matthew would be free soon and after all the work he’s done to become a better person - I didn’t want to let him down.“Okay. I’m not busy so I’ll go with you. They have a few shops downtown that we can stop at.” I nod in agreement and we descend the stairs quickly. “Oh wait! I madeSome pecan sandies earlier this morning! I need to bring them with me.” I hurry to the kitchen and am met with Elena before I enter who holds the sandies out to me. “You don’t want to be late, Ms. Claire and tresses no good for the baby.” I smi
I felt disgust as I watched the clerk blatantly disrespect my wife. I was even more disgusted by her doing so while my child was present. Some may call it dramatic but I didn’t want my child to ever see the negative that surrounded his parent’s lives. I never wanted them to see their mother cry over my behavior again, see her be disrespected, ever see me giving attention to another woman instead, and most importantly, feel as though we don’t love them. I want to protect Claire and our child to the best of my abilities.I’m drawn aback when Claire asks about my family. I hadn’t spoken to them since Claire was in the hospital. Mother insisted that I leave Claire as she had become ‘useless’ and Emilia had tried to excuse her hurtful requests as her simply being our mother and wanted to keep our family in a respectable manner.I try to explain to Claire what had occurred and I watch as her face begins to pale. She was terrified.“I chose you, Claire. I should’ve done it a long time ago bu
Claire and Jasmine listened closely to the conversation I had with Charlotte on the phone. They felt triumphant as I played my part. “Well she seems convinced.” Claire smiles as she sits down on the couch beside me. “Now, we just have to get Julia and Leo ready to rub it in. The letter said six o’clock, right?” Jasmine confirms.“Yup. I already texted Julia and she said she is getting ready. She wants to make sure she is dressed for the occasion.” Claire seemed a bit nervous but she did it well.“You brought your nice suit, right Leo?” “I did and before you ask, it’s black.”“Good, that means it’ll match with Julia.” Jasmine smiles as her need for color coordination is satisfied.“How do you think Julia will act when she’s faced with Charlotte?” Claire asks quizzically.“I’m not sure. But I should get changed. Julia should be arriving in the next thirty minutes to debrief before we head out.” I stand and leave the room to change. It felt odd to be going to dinner in the company of
It’s late morning when I awake from my nap. The medication they gave me was great at silencing my dead mother but horrible for my energy. Every dose I’d taken had driven me to a long deep rest that encapsulated my hours. I grab my phone and see blog and tabloid notifications - my favorite reading material as I was able to read about myself multiple times. Although, I was glad for my absence in these apps as of recently. The last thing I wanted was to be paraded around as a lunatic.I open the first app to read about today’s events and see Claire is plastered on the front page.“Billionaire’s wife trades high life for loving longevity?” I continue reading as the article names a ‘Nathan Carter’ as Claire’s new love interest and describes their poolside manner as romantic and intimate. Did she really trade Leo for this guy? He wasn’t nearly as handsome as Leo. I look up his net worth isn’t even in the same caliber as Leo. How stupid of her. I continue to look at the photos and I’m struck
I watch the movements of Charlotte’s ankle monitor and to my surprise, it hasn’t move at all from the primary residence. I checked its connection and gps settings. Only to find that everything was working perfectly.Leo informed me of his and Claire’s plan to seem separated in the blogs to make Charlotte more confused and less hyper-fixated on hurting Claire and for some reason, I feel like it might’ve worked. Claire hadn’t had a run in with Charlotte and she hasn’t left to see Leo either. Did her psych hold have something to do with this?I ask the officers providing surveillance at Charlotte’s residence to check in every two hours, just in case. Charlotte wasn’t a dumb woman. She was cunning, fast and maniacal. If she were planning something then I needed to be top of it before anyone got hurt. Surprisingly, the only alert I’d been given was a visitor to Dahlia. The view was partially obstructed but they believe it wasn’t friendly as the woman left without entering and Charlotte sla
I grab my phone and lay on my bed, face the ceiling and try to distract myself. My monitor meant that my moves were recorded and that meant no late night surprise visits to Claire. I had no army, no freedom, an injury to my arm and no opportunities. I wonder if Claire had even seen my letter. It couldn’t be a violation if she were to meet with me in a public location. I wouldn’t have followed her or threatened her, technically. Or did technicalities not count in this situation?I begin scrolling through today’s blogs on my phone, not out of interest but sheer boredom when I see it. Claire seems to be cuddled up with a young man who wasn’t Leo. Not only that, but she’s pregnant in these pictures. Had my plan worked already? Did Claire move on without my knowledge? I scroll through the pictures and notice a Rolex and decide to check out who this guy was. A quick search proves telling as I see his name is Nathan Carter. A newly-made millionaire who had done contracts with Leo in the past
I rummage through my drawers for a pair of swim trunks and see my phone ringing as I’m about to change. My ex-wife was calling and seeing as I had a task at hand, I ignored it and continued to get dressed. Jasmine instructed me to wear my Rolex for the photos to make my status known when the photos go live on the blogs. I’m guessing it had to do with Claire previously being with a billionaire. Sadly for her, I am no billionaire. My company had just sky-rocketed these last three years and I just became a millionaire. Not that that Claire minds, she seems more interested in me as a person than a financial security which is something I hadn’t experienced in a long time. She saw me as just a man. Not a businessman or a successful company owner - just me, Nathan.I check myself in the mirror as I head downstairs to find Claire in a beautiful bathing suit with matching kimono, newly provided by Jasmine and her beauty is remarkable. I also see Leo gawking at her. Guess I’d better be on my be
I get dressed and make sure my sister has my son as I prepare to leave to meet Claire to get more information about my new “lover” for our meeting with Charlotte tomorrow. I see Francisco watching me closely as I check my appearance in the mirror.“You will be careful, won’t you?” He asks as he shakes his leg restlessly.“There is nothing to fear, dear. I am not seeing Charlotte today. I am just meeting with Claire and her husband.” I grab my purse and kiss his cheek before walking out the door to say my farewells to my beautiful son. “You will be good for tante Dahlia, right my little heir?” I speak with a soft voice as I kiss my son and admire his laughter. “Thank you, sister.”“But of course. Franco’s is in good hands with his daddy and I. You do not have to worry.” I smile at her response as I head out the door and into my private car where my chauffeur is waiting patiently.“Where to, Ms. Julia?” He asks as I repeat the address provided to me in French. He nods and begins the j
I had just finished eating when there’s a knock at the door. Leonardo gets it as I clean the kitchen. I see a man come in. He was short, with round glasses, no hair and seemed to be in his early forties. I watch carefully as Leo shakes his hand with controlled excitement and leads him to have a seat in the living room. I finish cleaning, wipes my hands and head over to meet the notorious miracle doctor.“Ah! You must be Claire! A pleasure to meet you.” He says as he quickly stands to greet me and shake my left hand. Leo must’ve told him that my right is the one that’s disfigured. “Oh and congratulations! I wasn’t aware that you’re pregnant!” He was so bubbly and kind that my guard slowly melted away. “Please, have a seat. You must’ve traveled a long way to get here.” I gesture softly as he sits down and offers for me to sit next to him. I sit down just a few inches from his side and smile.“Please don’t worry about my travels. This is my passion. Leonardo said that you had been in a
Logan and Lucas. The names of my beautiful boys, under a tradition my family has kept through generations. Claire doesn’t know how happy that made me. The fact that she even considered my feelings about their names and my traditions - even after the situation I’ve gotten us into.I roll over to see it is five in the morning on my phone. The doctor should be here in two hours and soon after, Julia will be arriving to assist us in our pursuit to confuse Charlotte and remove her aggression towards Claire. I try to gently wake Claire as to not startle her.“The doctor should be arriving in two hours, Claire. Would you like to shower and get dressed?” I ask quietly as she stirs.“Okay, but I can’t get up. I need a little help.” She says groggily.“Okay. Don’t move, I’m coming.” I get up and walk over to her side of the bed, holding my arms out for her to adjust into as I gently roll her towards me and help her up. She grunts in discomfort. “Is that okay?”“Yes. It’s just a little hard to m
It’s close to midnight when Leo and I finally settle into bed. I decide to let him stay the night as it was late and I always felt worried about him being out late at these hours.“You said that there was someone coming to see me bright and early tomorrow. Is it Elena?” I ask as Leo settles into bed beside me.“No, but I can have Elena brought here first thing tomorrow. I’ve called a doctor who specializes in your condition and he’s confident that he can repair your hand and reverse the muscular atrophy that’s taken place. I’ve scheduled him for an evaluation to see what he can do.” He pauses as he watches closely for my reaction. I look at my splint with tunnel vision and hear his words echo through my mind. “What do you think?” He says quietly as he continues watching me.“I could carry my boys?” I ask with tears in my eyes.“Even at the same time.” He reassures me.“I could start my career again?” “Anything is possible.” Anything is possible? Is that really true?“You did all of t