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
Christopher I woke up to a very good day. The last night with Thalia was beyond fun. I didn’t believe I’d have that much fun with someone much below my standards, but well, I guess it was different when it involved women. Do I really blame myself? I was just a man. Preparing for work was beautiful too, as I relieved the memories of last night. It was just a small picnic in a reserved space. But the fun we had couldn’t be compared. From there, we had gotten so lost in each other, and we headed for a hotel close by and fucked all through the night. It was all shades of pleasure. Certainly, a good night produces a good day. The peasants I had as staff that never ceased to annoy me were still there, infuriating me as always, like they were paid to do that. Maybe it was part of the job agreement they signed, and I just didn’t know. But none of them got to me as I kept revelling in the pleasures of the previous day. I didn’t know why this seemed different. This wasn’t my first time meet
Lachlan I fell on my bed feeling utterly exhausted. A few minutes ago, I had just finished a heated argument with Cassandra over Amelia’s baby. She had stormed out of the house in anger because I didn’t agree with her. Despite how logical her conclusion was, I couldn’t just agree with it. It didn’t make sense to me, and it never could. Or maybe it did, but I wasn’t willing to admit it. But as I lay on the bed, my eyes fixed on the gleaming, luxurious chandeliers that decorated the ceiling, I began to ponder her arguments.“Think about it, Lach. She suddenly leaves, gathering the guts to divorce you after all these years. After three fucking years, Lachlan!”“Just shut up already, Cassie." Probably it wasn’t intentional, which I very much doubted, but I always felt insulted when I was reminded that bitch divorced me. It was supposed to be the other way around. “I won’t lach. She suddenly disappears before you even realise it. And when she does, we discover she’s pregnant, and we beg
Christopher I still couldn’t believe it. I had just rounded off a discussion with Nina on the phone. I had to call her to confirm if this wasn’t one of her tricks into forcing Lachlan to cough out some money for her lavishness. But after hearing her detailed story of her meeting with Amelia, I had no choice but to believe it. Still, I found it difficult to grasp. I understood why Lachlan hid this. It was a big blow to his ego. And Lachlan would rather die than watch his ego being bruised without avenging. I was very sure he was on the lookout for her. Not because he cared about her. But he just wouldn't want it to be heard that she divorced him. That the loser we all detested and disdained, believing was a gold digger, which I knew to be very false, actually dumped him.I laughed so hard as the realisation dawned on me. The Almighty Lachlan gets dumped by his gold-digging wife and runs away with his child. What a sweet headline. For the first time, someone put that idiot in his plac
Amelia's POVI breathed softly to make him believe I was asleep, and he did. The only problem was he wasn't going to sleep.We stayed like that. Minutes turned to probably an hour or more, and I was getting tired.The rain had stopped falling, and I was glad. I reached for my phone on the bedside table to check the time. It was nearly 5 am.“What?” Those words left my lips before I could stop myself. I had to leave. I pushed back the bedcovers and turned my leg on the left side. Just as my feet hit the floor, I heard Lachlan stir. “Hey, Amelia,” he said in a low voice. “You okay?”Shit. I turned to face him. “Yes. Just about to head to the bathroom.”I noticed him pinching his eyes. Did he see through the lie? “Are you sure you're okay?” he repeated. “Beaveu you look like you're about to run away.” “I'm fine.” I nearly snapped. Then I immediately rubbed my temples. “Sorry, it's just…”“It's alright.” Lachlan said, looking disappointed. “If you want to get better reception, try d
Lachlan's POVAmelia's fingers brushed mine as she took the cup, and I sucked in a breath. Suddenly, I was yearning for her touch.Awkward silence stretched between us, and I cleared my throat and gestured to the duffle bag near the couch. “Your things are right here.” I said. Amelia glanced at the box and pressed her lips in a thin line. “Thank you.”“You don't have to.” I muttered. “It's the least I could do.”And just like that, we relapsed into silence. I turned to bring out the bag and drop it next to her. “Thanks,” Amelia said, dropping the coffee mug on the tray. “I should go.”“Sure.” I rose to my feet, and so did she. Amelia clutched the duffle bag, looking at me softly. “You look… tired. tTake care of yourself.”Before I could respond, drops of rain tapped against the window. Within minutes, the soft drizzle turned into a full downpour. I looked at the window; the sky had darkened as though it was night. “Damn it. I'm so sorry this happened.”“You're sorry for the rai
Lachlan's POV It wasn't luck that kept me standing.It was Amelia.And now, she is gone.I took the car back to the hospital, hoping I'd bump into Bailey or Amelia. I didn't know what I was thinking driving back, but I knew I had to do it. I had to see Amelia even if it was just a glimpse of her. The car parked in the driveway, and I climbed out of the driver's seat. The smartwatch around my wrist beeped quietly. I had set an alarm for 1 pm for a meeting I had with some investors. Now, that would have to wait. I needed to have a word with Amelia. I walked to the front desk as if on autopilot. There, I met two nurses who recognized me from the night Amelia gave birth. Each of them beamed me a lovely smile and asked why I was back there.“Amelia Mallory? Is she here?” I inquired, looking over my shoulder.“Oh, your wife?”Wife. That's a word I don't think I’d hear in the next decade or years to come.I hesitated for a moment before answering. “Y—yes.”The ginger-haired nurse pushed
Lachlan's POV“I'm not talking about golfing together, dude.” Matthew scoffed. “It's your brother.”“Chris…”“You need to go down to the station. Chris wants to talk to you. Says it's urgent.”“Did he say exactly why?” “No, but he did say it had to be you and was for your ears only.”I thought hard about it. What did Chris want to tell me that he couldn't tell the cops? I didn't have the answers to them; only he could provide answers to that. “Fine. I'll be at the station soon.” I replied. The call ended, and I slipped my phone back into my pocket, hoping I wouldn't regret visiting.I arrived at jail and regretted it immediately.As I stepped through the heavy metallic doors, the stench of steel, sweat, and faint smell of bleach poured out. I nearly pinched my nose, but I had to stop myself. The officer escorting me didn't budge and led me down the corridor in small, graceful steps. “Here.” The officer said, stopping in front of the thick pane of glass divided by a pair of telepho
Amelia's POV“Love is messy, Amelia. That's why we're in this mess. We are both tied down by the people we thought we loved. Love is ugly. It's—”“Real!” My cracked voice echoed in the room. “Love is real, and it's ours.”“You don't understand, Amelia,” Lachlan looked down. “We… we were never going to work out, Amelia. You and I... were…“Doomed from the beginning?” I completed it for him.“Yeah. We were doomed.” He whispered this time. A bitter laugh tore through my lips and I covered my mouth.“Amelia…” Lachlan tried to touch me but I stepped back. “Do you even hear yourself, Lachlan?” I said with a scoff. “Yeah. It's annoying, but it's true. Nothing …” he ran his hand through his hair. “Nothing about us was perfect. It was messy.”“Are you serious? Nothing about us was perfect? If it was, then why did you insist we divorce after the baby is born? Why did you make efforts to win me back? Why— “Don't romanticize what we had, Amelia. It was convenient and not love. You were conven
Amelia's POVI watched Lachlan lower his gaze and apologize in a low voice. “I am so very sorry, Amelia. I want nothing else from you, but I do have a favor to ask.”Favor? What did he want? “What is it?”He hesitated for a moment before he whispered now. “That you forgive me.”“What?” I heard a light knock on the door, and the nurse entered. “Mr. Mallory, the police are waiting.”“Oh.” Lachlan said, then turned to me as if waiting for an answer. I gave him a nod, and he rose off the bed. “Can I come see you later?” He asked in a somber tone.Has Lachlan ever looked this vulnerable? “Yeah.” I replied weakly, leaning against the reclining bed. “Okay.” He turned away from the room and shut the door behind him. I heaved a sigh and closed my eyes. Tonight was a long night. The baby moved in my arms, and I pulled him close, inhaling his clean scent. “What do I do, baby?” I whispered. “What do I do?”The days that followed after that, Lachlan visited me in the hospital. And when he
Lachlan’s POVThe paramedics arrived in time and rushed her to the hospital. I called her father to come wait with us. Even my family arrived at the hospital, and we all waited in the lobby, praying for Amelia's delivery. And just when I thought all hope was lost, I heard the cry of a baby.Now, we were waiting in the sterile waiting room surrounded by our family and everyone else who cared about us—her father, Bailey, Rebecca, hell, even my family showed up. Despite the company, I still felt alone. “Amelia will be fine.” Bailey said, sitting next to me. I looked down at my trembling hands. “She's been through a lot because of me….”“Come on. Don't say that, Lachlan.” Bailey put her arms around my shoulders.I shook my head. “If anything happens to her or the baby, I don't know what I'd—”“Stop!” Rebecca interrupted in a firm voice. “Don't say that! Nothing will happen to them.”My voice cracked as I tried to speak. “But…”“You've made mistakes, Lachlan. I understand, but you're he
Lachlan's POV “So…” Amelia asked quietly. “What happens now?” I ran my hand through my already tousled hair and exhaled softly. “Now?... We move with our lives.” “What do you mean?” Amelia looked at my face now, her brows furrowed in confusion. A shudder escaped my lips, and I replied. “You've given me an heir, Amelia…. The deal was to give me an heir and sign the divorce papers…” As much as it hurt me to admit it, it was the truth. “What?” Her eyes went round, and my heart clenched. The image of her broken expression was like a dagger to my heart, and I looked away. The only thing that mattered was Amelia. I didn't deserve it after hurting her—not once or twice, but over and over again. Her eyes filled the same way they did when she stumbled on Cassie kissing me in the office. It was never my intention for her to see that. Hell, I hadn't even wanted it to happen, but it did, and she had run away like she did before. Suddenly, memories of the incident flickered through my m
Amelia's POVA scream escaped my lips as the sound of gunshot echoed in the cathedral. Eric collapsed to the ground, his brown eyes holding mine as crimson began to grow around his white shirt. I felt a familiar pair of warm arms wrap around me. “Amelia… hey, it's going to be okay.” It was Lachlan. He planted a light kiss on my forehead, cradling me in his arms. “It's going to be okay. I need a medic in here!”Panic ripples through me as I struggle to breath. Each gulp of air was more difficult than the last and sooner, I began to hyperventilate.“Amelia?” Lachlan's voice became muffled in my head and his face became blurry.“Hey, get help! She's not breathing well!” Lachlan yelled, sounding the alarm to the officers.Amidst the panic, I felt a gush of water flood my shoes. A loud cry tore through my lips as I tightened my grip on Lachlan’s shirt. He looked down at me and gasped in shock. “Her water just broke! Amelia's going into labour.”Detective Matthew rushed to our aide with