LachlanI nodded at the bouncers as I walked into the Torquay Bar. My nose scrunched up a bit as the smell of various perfumes, probably with a bit of aphrodisiac mixed within, wafted into my nose.I looked around the red-hued space, and I could see a few groups already drinking. The bartender was very lively as he mixed various drinks for customers.At least someone is glad to be here so early in the morning. Sigh, why the hell did this detective want to see me so early? And why the hell are those fools drinking by this time?I walked to the counter and took an empty seat.“What can I get you, sir?” The man asked with a smile, and I had to control myself well not to frown. I hated his positive energy.“Water.”The bartender left, and just a moment later, he arrived just as another figure sat beside me.“You better have good news for me, detective.”“Good morning, Mr. Mallory. How was your night?”“Do I look like I'm in a good mood? Do I look like I enjoyed my night?”“Well, I'm sorry
Amelia “Amelia!” I felt a soft tap on my shoulder, I was startled. “Oh, Bailey”I guess she must have been calling my name but I was too deep in thought for me to even notice. “I'm so sorry I startled you…what is it that you're thinking that made you so lost? I've called you more than twice but you didn't hear me”I was embarrassed. I've promised her never to worry again but here I am, thinking through what is even irrelevant at the moment. “Uhmm, I'm sorry…I just suddenly remembered something that's why” I just hope this is strong enough for a defense. I know Bailey too well, she won't succumb to that. “You suddenly remembered something? C'mon dear, you don't have to put yourself through any stress at all. It's not good for your health and that of your baby, you really need to consider the child a great deal” Bailey hasn't just been a solid support whenever I needed her, she's been a mother and a sister, in fact…she's my entire family all in one person and I'm grateful I met
Amelia“We'd be back in a jiffy…just give us some minutes and we'd be out.” Bailey said to the driver, as he parked the vehicle in the parking space provided. “It's really nice here…I love the atmosphere.”“I told you that it's nice here and you were going to like it.”I laughed. It's quite funny how Bailey was doing her best to sell this place, making me like it by force. “It's quite beautiful just the way you said it, I'd also like to see what it really looks like inside.”“Alright then, let's take a walk around the mall.” We went in and I was astonished! The mall was built just to match the wonderful ultra modern style. The walls were built in a unique style similar to the Greeks and it was worth all the time. “I'm sure you'd want to come back here again.” Bailey whispered in my ears. All this is just in a bid to make me come out often and exercise my body, for the health of my baby, that's all. “Maybe, let's watch and see if I'd be interested in coming again.” I said, dashi
Lachlan My heartbeat paused for a second. I could feel my blood run cold. It felt like everything was put on freeze at that instant. Was I also feeling my body floating, cos I couldn’t feel my legs anymore? Probably I didn’t hear correctly. Nina didn’t just mention her meeting Amelia, right? Like did she….I don’t even know again. “Wha….Wha…What. did. You say?” I stuttered after I had recovered from the shock. Oh no! Now I’m stuttering like that bitch. A bitch I didn’t seem to get over. A bitch who’s carrying my child and playing a silly hide-and-seek game with me. A bitch who’s been driving me crazy for months all because of her whereabouts. Oh, I hope Nina meant what she said. For her sake, I hope this isn’t a prank. Or by God, she’d regret having me for a brother. “What do you mean what did I say? I just told you I bumped into your handbag here at the mall. And why didn’t you tell us that the bastard had divorced your silly ass? Too ashamed to admit she dumped you for someone f
Amelia The sound of the door closing made me jerk, as I took my seat. My heart was still beating very fast from the encounter I just had with Nina. That hag dared to slap me. I don’t know where the guts to confront her came from but I was more vexed to know that she still had the effrontery to tease me like I was still a part of that stark family. I was vicious. What rights did that idiot think she had over me? Well, do I blame her? I blame the love-deprived man I married who was too starved of love to share with me. By the way, why was she shocked that I had divorced him and moved on? Didn’t that nincompoop of a husband not inform that austere family of his? Okay, I didn’t just insult my husband. My ex-husband. I think I need water. “Can I have a glass of water?” I suddenly asked, breaking the silence in the sitting room as they all watched me like a hawk. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this soft treatment I keep getting from these people who barely knew me but welcomed and
Eric I had ensured she was fast asleep before moving to my room. Aunt Bailey, after ensuring all was well, retired to her house. I stepped out of her room and headed to my study room. I was on my way home from the office after meeting with guests I had regarding the contract. They had canceled on it believing I cheated them and had come to query me on that. I do not blame them. These Mallory do have some guts. I’d have to get them some other way. But first I needed to clear my head. Thomas told me aunt Bailey had gone out with Amelia to go shopping. I don’t know but it just didn’t sit right with me. But then, Amelia did need to step out of the confines of that house. Not just for her own well-being, but the baby's. As I headed home, aunt Bailey called to inform me to head towards Emerald Mall as there was an emergency. I got worried and I asked her what it was. I had expected serious crises apparently regarding Amelia. Only that I didn’t expect to hear her bumping into her sister i
Cassie I walked through the automated doors of the mall, walking towards the spa section of the mall. Suddenly, I heard someone scream my name and I turned around in shock. Involuntarily, I rolled my eyes as I watched her walk to meet me. I didn’t know how much I needed to put up with that family for the sake of this independence I so much seek. And yet, the stupid Lachlan is more focused on finding that loser of a wife and the bastard she’s carrying in her womb, than me. I didn’t know how long I’d need to put up with this but I knew it would be worth it in the end. Finally she met up with me and I had to fake a smile as we greeted each other. I don’t even know if this feeling was mutual. But I didn’t care. I was going to be a part of their family, and that’s what mattered most. “Guess who I bumped into today.” She began in her squeaky voice. Such a gossiper. I wasn’t interested in knowing what gossip she had brought this time. But once again, I needed to put on my acting skills and
Cassie It still didn’t make any sense. Just when I was finally close to getting my desired dream man, that loser suddenly reappears? How? I had been racking my brain for answers all through my spa session. And even while shopping, I kept racking my brain, trying to come up with anything to do, anything at all. Still, I had no answers. I didn’t know how else to stop Lachlan from finding her. To turn his heart from that bastard in her belly. And fix his entire attention on me alone. Lachlan had become more stubborn ever since the bastard left and he discovered she was pregnant. It had been difficult penetrating him and I didn’t think he’d listen to me if I told him that child wasn’t his. I needed more proof if I needed him to believe that. And that had been what kept my brain thinking, figuring, but still clueless. But you still got to try, Cassie. I needed to find the new guy she was with. But of course, Nina couldn’t be useful in that regard. Gosh! I felt like I was losing my min
Amelia's POVThe house was too quiet for its size. The walls seemed to close in around me; it was no longer comforting but instead suffocating. Every turn I took, there was a guard stationed somewhere; their presence was a reminder of how much my life had just drastically changed. Rebecca wasn’t helping either. She was practically glued to my side, her sharp eyes watching my every move as if I were a fragile porcelain doll about to fall and break into pieces. It was very annoying.I moved to the massive windows in the living room, pulling back the heavy curtains to look outside. The gardens stretched out under the silver light of the moon. The world beyond seemed so beautiful, so pretty, yet I was stuck in here. In these walls, doing nothing. Fuck this shit!!I wasn’t even allowed to step out without someone guarding me. I tried to distract myself by reading, but the words were hardly visible to me, probably because of the amount of thoughts I was processing. I turned on the telev
Eric’ POVThe night breeze escaping through the floor to ceiling window in my office did absolutely nothing to reduce my frustration. I loosened my tie and relaxed into the leather chair behind my desk. The once organised table is now in a mess, scattered with paperwork and staples pins.A pile of neatly arranged files lay to my right, perfectly aligned, the only thing organised here. I looked up at the wall and onto the pictures, if only I could hang there with them.I finally pulled the tie out of my collar and tossed it onto the desk, running a hand through my hair. Cassandra. The thought of her name alone made my blood boil. She almost ruined everything. The plan had been careful in making but Cassandra, with her nature and jealousy, had nearly torn it all apart in one reckless act. Attacking Amelia? That wasn’t just stupidity; it was sabotage! What I honestly wanted to know was who in the world gave her that foolish idea to hire amateurs to try and harm my woman!Should I cut
Christopher.I immediately turned and was meant with nothing but barrels of oil on the floor. There was no sign of Lachlan. I sighed, slapping my forehead again before stepping into my car and driving off.Nina’s POVThe headline popped up on my phone while I was sipping my morning latte, and I nearly choked. Normally I ignore stuff like this and focus more on the fashion news, but this story was too hot not to catch my attention. “BREAKING NEWS: Attempted Home Invasion at Mallory Mansion!" My eyes widened as I scrolled through the article. Apparently, some idiots tried to break into Lachlan’s house last night. They were dead now, of course, because nothing ever happens to Golden Boy Lachlan without some cosmic justice raining down in his favor. Still, it was juicy. Men storming his house, Amelia being in the house, and now they’re six feet under? This was practically ripped from a soap opera. I could already hear my mother’s voice in my head: “Nina, stop meddling in your brothers’
LACHLANThe fluorescent lights of the police station buzzed faintly as I walked through the doors, my mind heavily held down by a mixture of dread and determination. Matthew trailed just behind me, his expression stoic but his eyes alert. The station gave a stench of stale coffee mixed with frustration, a combination I’d grown accustomed to during these past few chaotic days. The detective in charge of the case called in earlier today that there have been some findings about the whereabouts of the assailants. It was good news, yes, but there was more, and they couldn’t tell me over the phone, so I had to come down here myself. Detective Harper greeted me with a curt nod. “Mr. Mallory, thank you for coming in. Let’s talk in my office.”I followed her into a small, cluttered room. Matthew remained close. If anyone could recognise Amelia’s attackers, it was him. Which was why I had brought him along with me again. Harper motioned for us to sit, her lips pressed into a grim line.“We fou
Christopher I staggered into my apartment, half drunk, exhausted, and honestly just wanting to sleep off the buzz from the club. It was nearly 3 a.m., and I’d lost track of how many drinks I’d downed with all those hot women. All I could think about was removing these clothes, getting in a hot shower, and letting the water wash off the stench of alcohol on me. As I turned on the shower, droplets of water began to gently slide down my chest, and I closed my eyes, letting the water pour over my hair, but as soon as I stepped out and grabbed a towel, my phone vibrated on the counter, slightly lighting up the dim room. It was Cassie. “Why's she calling?” I groaned, but something in the back of my mind told me to pick up. She wouldn’t call at this hour without a reasonable excuse. With that, I quickly dried off my wet body, yanked on some pants, and slid the green icon. "Cassandra, I was wondering when I’d hear from you again.” I heard her take a deep breath. “Chris, I need your hel
AMELIA I woke up slowly, my mind drifting through a thick haze, like I was trying to wade through fog. For a moment, everything was blurry, and a tightness settled in my chest. Where was I? Was I still at the hospital?Then I felt the warmth of a hand over mine, firm but gentle, and everything came rushing back. Blinking, I looked up to see Lachlan sitting beside me, his face tense but softening as he noticed I was awake. The sight of him washed away the last traces of fear, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realised I was holding.“Lachlan…” My voice was barely a whisper, but his expression shifted, relief flooding his eyes.“I’m right here, love,” he said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze.I wanted to tell him everything I was feeling—how scared I’d been, how grateful I was that he was here now—but the words felt tangled in my throat. Before I could even try, the door opened, and a middle-aged man in a white coat stepped in. He had a kind face, with just a hint of greying at the
CASSANDRAHow could they fail? I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms as I paced the length of my bedroom, the sour taste of anger mixing with fear. They were supposed to be professionals, discreet. They were supposed to handle everything without it coming back to me. But those idiots let Amelia slip through their fingers. I should have known his chauffeur wasn't normal. Lachlan was onto us now. He was too smart; I’d known this. It was part of why I’d fallen for him in the first place.Well too late for regrets; thanks to their incompetence, I was backed into a corner, and the thought made my skin crawl. The image of him still being by that bitch’s side burnt in my mind, fuelling my jealousy. Why her? Why did he look at her the way he used to look at me? I could have given him so much more if he’d just let me back in.My phone buzzed, and I saw Eric’s name light up the screen. My pulse quickened, a mix of hope and apprehension, but before I could even speak, his voice thund
LACHLANI should have been there. The thought ran circles in my mind, looping through every possible scenario in which I had somehow kept her safe. I was supposed to protect Amelia. But I had left her alone, vulnerable, and now she was in the hospital, recovering from an attack that could’ve cost her life. Worse, our child’s life. I clenched my fists so tight that my knuckles cracked, trying to keep my anger in check. It was mostly anger at myself—a gnawing, bitter frustration that I hadn’t been there when she’d needed me.Matthew sat beside me at the police station, scrolling through images on the detective’s tablet, helping to sort through potential suspects. He was silent but tense, his face a mirror of my own worry. I could see in his eyes that he was as furious as I was about what had happened. If he’d been there earlier, maybe he would have stopped those men. But he wasn’t to blame, and deep down, I knew that. The responsibility fell on me alone.“You don’t have to stay, Matthew
The house felt unusually still as I put away the last of the dishes. Lachlan had left just after dinner, saying he’d be home soon. He was working late again and had just come home during lunch break to spend time with me before he took off again. Lately, “soon” had been stretching longer and longer, but tonight, with the baby restless, I missed his presence more than usual. I sighed, patting my belly gently. “He’ll be home any minute now, my miracle, don't you worry,” I whispered, hoping it would somehow make the time pass faster. Lillian wasn't in the house today. She had gone to her home for her usual medical checkup, so she was sending her daughter to her place. Her name is Rebecca, and she and I have spoken a few times on the phone. She is a really lovely person. So yes, I was all alone in this empty house with nothing else to do but sleep. Which was exactly what I did. Cooking dinner did a number on me. My whole back was aching. Maybe I could ask Lachlan to give me one of thos