EricI had just rounded off my discussion with Aunt Bailey, informing her of the updates regarding Amelia. Of course she didn’t sound pleased. She kept yelling at me over the phone, telling me I had just one assignment, and I flopped, worsening the injury. From the way she hung up, I could tell I wasn’t going to hear the last of it from her. Like, I was glad Amelia slipped out of my hands.This was all Thomas’s fault. I freaking gave him an instruction, but he just thought to be wiser. The idiot! I was the one to blame. Arrgh! I desperately desired to have him out of my sight completely. It itched me to personally type his termination letter and offer it to him. But I had promised Amelia not to. And I had to keep the damn promise I made to the woman who had my heart without even trying. Damn!Still, I decided to call the fool. I sent a servant around to call him. I can’t be shouting in my own house. A few minutes later, he came around.“You sent for me, sir.” He said, announcing his p
Lachlan I didn’t feel good about it. I felt a jab in my chest as I called her a loser, humiliating her. I felt the strong nudge to go back to her room and apologise for talking to her with such disdain. But I couldn’t bring myself to it.But why was I even sorry for hurting her in the first place? I needed her to see I wasn’t falling for her or falling in love with her. I needed her to know I could never fall for her. And that I know was very certain of. I could never fall in love with her. She wasn’t worth having my heart. But I didn’t know why I was sorry for telling her that. Or was I wrong about that?I went to bed with her thoughts swirling through my mind. And I woke up the next day still with her on my mind. I was scared. Why were her thoughts dominating mine? I decided not to ponder on it so much. I decided to go and see her so we could have a little chat about how things would work out between us for the remaining six months. I knocked on the door twice and turned the door
Amelia I had just gotten the phone Lachlan got for me. Everything was set already. That wasn’t a surprise. It would have even been a surprise if it wasn’t done.I immediately thought to call Bailey and inform her of the updates. I knew Eric would have done so already, but I knew she’d be more relaxed if she heard my voice. And I sincerely didn’t want them to worry or fight Lachlan in any way. I knew Lachlan meant it when he said I’d just stay with him till I birth his child. And I could sincerely understand when he said he’d prefer I stay with him while the child developed in my womb, until it was time to bring him forth. In six months, I’d be finally done with this family, and I can move on.I dialled her number and waited for her to pick up the call. I had already memorised hers, but not Eric’s. And I was thankful I did. Since she didn’t pick at first, I decided to dial again. This time, she picked it.“Hello, who am I on to?” I heard her tender voice say, and I didn’t know why, bu
Cassie Leaving the hotel after meeting with George, I walked to the garage, desperately wanting to rush to the spa and just feel good again after a boring sex. Damn, that man’s wife must be definitely cheating.Just as I had entered my car, my phone rang. Looking at the caller ID, I groaned. Nina. It was already bad I had to endure that torture called sex I had with George. Now I had to endure an endless stream of gossip that didn’t even concern me. Still, I had to take the call. This gossip might just be important, even though I doubted it very much.“Hello Nina” “Hi Cassie, guess what?” Her high-pitched voice always left that irritating effect behind. I rolled my eyes. I just knew it was a bad idea to take this call.“What is it, Nina? You know I’m bad at guessing.”“Well, never say never. You should try.” Can’t this idiot just get on with it already?“Okay, you have a boyfriend.” I said very doubtfully. The last thing this bitch would do was have a boyfriend and get serious with h
Lachlan There was a sudden rush into my office that caused me to look up in shock and then there was the struggle between Cassandra and my secretary regarding entrance into my office. I had earlier told Clara to make sure no one enters my office because I really craved some alone time with no disturbance as I worked. But well, apparently, someone was bent on ruining that already for me. “You can’t come in. Don’t you get it?” Clara said, after struggling for a while and yet Cassie won’t give up. I wasn’t expecting her to. I wondered why Clara did. “Lachlan are you really going to just stare at us struggling here?” Cassie asked me and I wondered the same.“Leave us Clara. Thank you.” At that instant the struggling stopped. Clara looked her in the eye and walked away.Cassandra stomped into my office angrily and I rolled my eyes. So much for desiring some peace and quiet.“You watched your secretary fight me for daring to enter your office and you could say nothing?” I still didn’t th
Amelia The past month with Lachlan had been peaceful. No condescending words of any kind. No forcing me to family dinner against my wish. He had gone twice to the family dinner, and the second time he was going, he had asked me calmly if I wanted to tag along. I didn’t think I was ready for the drama that came with meeting those sadists, so I simply rejected it. I was prepared to fight him if he was going to force me against my will. But to much utmost surprise, he had accepted and walked away, telling me to take care of myself.Aside from that, he would always come to my room whenever he returned to ask how I was doing. Though I gave him the same answer all the time without going into details, even though I knew that was what he wanted, I appreciated the care.Regardless of how busy he was, he would always follow me for my antenatal or whenever I had an appointment with the doctor. Though I knew why he did so, I was still very grateful. We didn’t communicate much, but nothing truly
Lachlan “I am sincerely starting to doubt that Lachlan.” Cassie said after a long pause. I doubted that myself. But I couldn’t fall in love with her right? Right?! I was getting scared. Was I actually falling in love with her? I remained silent, wondering if Cassie was right this time.“Lachlan! Won’t you say something?” She asked after my long silence. “What else am I supposed to say? You can believe whatever you choose to. Look, I need to leave now.” I said and left the room, despite hearing her call. She was beginning to really annoy me.I walked to her room. I didn’t know what I was going to do or say when I got there. But I just wanted to go and see her. Probably apologize. But I didn’t know if I should apologize. We were still going to get divorced and it’s not like that was her first time meeting me with Cassie in that position.Cassie! She barged into my study unannounced. Reluctantly, I had let her sit on my lap and do her thing on me while I focused on my laptop, asking he
Cassie It felt like my heart was shattered into a million pieces. I had walked out of the study to meet Lachlan when I was hearing voices from that bitch’s room. He had gone to pacify her. I was pissed. But curiosity took the best of me, so I stood behind to listen. I couldn’t believe it. Lachlan literally denied I was his wife. Of course I wasn’t his wife yet. But I will eventually be. Even that bitch realised it. But Lachlan opposed it like I was some pest he didn’t want to be associated with. I was still trying to heal from this when I began hearing some kissing sounds. I was dazed, and immediately, I turned to look through the peephole on the door, and I was destabilised that instant. It took me a while before I could catch my breath and get over the scene I had managed to catch through the peephole. I had only recovered after hearing that loser tell Lachlan to leave her room.I took it as my cue to leave too before I got caught. So quickly, I rushed down the stairs and out of
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
CHRISI stumbled 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 rounds I’d downed with all those hot women. All I could think about was peeling off these clothes, getting under a scalding shower, and letting the water wash off the night.As I turned on the shower, the bathroom mirror fogged up, and I closed my eyes, letting the water pour over my blonde hair. But as soon as I stepped out and grabbed a towel, my phone vibrated on the counter, lighting up the dim room. Cassandra.I groaned, but something in the back of my mind told me to pick up. She wouldn’t call at this hour without a reason. So I dried off quickly, yanked on some pants, and slid the green icon.“Cassandra, I was wondering when I’d hear from you again.”I heard her take in a shaky breath. “Chris… I need your help.”I frowned, and my voice softened with a hint of sympathy. “Rough day, I take it?”“You could sa
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
LACHLANThis whole week has been nothing but great. I had just closed a million-dollar deal with a company I've been chasing throughout the year. I had my beautiful wife waiting for me at home, and our son or daughter was going to be born soon. Amelia didn't want to find out the gender before the baby was born. She said it would ruin the thrill of having our first child. She wanted it to be a surprise for both of us. I, on the other hand, so badly wanted a daughter. Someone I could pamper, learn how to braid for, buy dresses for because she was my pretty princess, and chase away boys who wanted to come close to her. I didn't realise I was smiling widely until my cheeks started to hurt. I quickly stopped my daydreaming and continued to sign the projects we were supposed to commence with. I was planning on building a few gas stations in Dubai. My friend Abdul Rashad, who lives there, told me it would be a very good investment. Expanding my business was my goal. The whole world would kn
AMELIA I woke up that morning and Lachlan was already out of bed. My hands touched the side of his bed and was met with cold and empty space. Except for a single white rose. A smile spread across my face as I picked up the stalk. I brought the flower to my nose and took a deep inhale into my lungs. It's been 3 weeks since Lachlan and I made up, and ever since that day, he always left a single white rose on the bed next to me every morning. I asked him why he chose a white rose, and he replied with the statement, “It represents your purity. You're the light to my darkness. That's why I chose this particular flower.” I had gotten so emotional I was already a crying mess before he finished his statement. He had called me a crybaby, and I cursed him out, and then we made love over and over again. The new Lachlan was my favourite Lachlan. We had so much fun together and every waking day was so full of love and happiness. Life was getting better. An additional reason why I said so was
CASSANDRAI stared at the crisp white ceiling with a giant chandelier hanging in the middle. Sultry music blasted from the speakers in the room, giving me a massive headache. I've been getting more of those for the past week. No, not last week. Ever since that bitch came back, I've not had a second to rest my brain. Overthinking has become a norm to the point that I wasn't even into whatever Chris was doing to me underneath the sheets. He has had his face buried in between my legs for the past five minutes. He seemed to be enjoying whatever it was he was doing. The truth was, I had zoned out the moment his mouth touched me. I went to see Eric the other day, and he told me our plan flopped. We had to come up with another one, but that prick was acting like I was the only one who was going to benefit from separating those two. I was desperate, yes, but I wouldn't let any man talk to me like I was some retard. He made me feel that way, and to say it pissed me off was an understatement.