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
Lachlan's POVI clenched my fists as I gazed at the detective. Would you just spill it already?“Get to the point, you manipulative don of a ….” I bit back the rest of my insult when he responded with 8 words. “Chris is the main suspect in this case.” Detective Matthew's smug expression needed a punch to it, and I was ready to volunteer for it.“Chris is an idiot, but he wouldn't hurt a lot of flies!” I yelled in my brother's defence. “Oh really? He wouldn't hurt a fly, but he'd fuck your own side chick and make moves on your own wife. Matthew curled an eyebrow. I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. “Can I fall for the same trick twice? Your bullshit reverse psychology won't work this time!”“I'm not using reverse psychology on you. You know the truth. We both do.” The calm expression on his face told me he was super serious about this. Matthew placed his hand over mine and peeled it off him. “Supporting your brother will only fuel my rage, Mallory…. My job is to find the culp
Lachlan's POVI felt a soft hand on my grip on my shoulder, and I looked up. Detective Matthew was standing in front of me with a cup of coffee and a smile on his face. Suddenly, I didn't know what came over me. My body responded to the gesture with hatred, and I slammed my fist into his face.“Karam hits like a bitch, and so do you.” Matthew held out the pack of ice from his eye, and I winced for his sake. The area around his eye was swollen and purple. Did I hit that hard? I just took a swing.“I didn't mean to hit that hard.” I said unapologetically.“Yeah, right.” Matthew said with a scoff and leaned back in his swivel chair. He swerved right and left, watching me with those curious green eyes. “You know I could have you arrested for hitting an officer of the law.”“I'm pretty sure you're aware that people like me own the law.” I rolled my eyes.“And I have people like you to thank for all the corruption going on around here. If it weren't for folks like you, I wouldn't have a jo
Lachlan’s POV“Amelia Mallory…. Time of death - 10:45 pm.” “No, Amelia!” Bailey's screams resounded in the room. “No,” the room seemed to cave in. “My Amelia can't be—”I jolted awake. It was a nightmare. Warm liquid trickled down my cheeks, and I realised I had been crying. I sat up, wondering what the heck that was. “Lachlan…” Cassie said groggily as she turned on her right side to sleep. I stared down at myself. I was half-naked in another woman's bed—a woman other than my wife. My eyes scanned the floor of the room. Clothing items littered the floor—Cassie's lingerie, her gown, my shirt, and shorts. A bitter taste rose to the back of my throat, and I tasted like the alcohol I had last night and the grief I was going to face. God, what on earth did I do?I threw my leg over the left side of the king-size bed, my heart racing in my chest and my mind reeling with one question: Is Amelia okay?“Lach?” I heard the rustle of the bedsheet. “I'm okay. Go back to sleep.” I told Cass
Lachlan’s POVI slammed the door behind me, the sound echoing through my soul. “How could she! How could she do this to me!” I fumed, dragging my hand through my already tousled hair. “What's going on?” Cassie raced into the room. I ignored her, still stewing in my rage. “Lachlan!” Cassie grabbed my shoulder and made me look at her. Her expression suddenly changed from one of concern to outright shock. “Lachlan,” she cupped my face. “What happened?”Seeing her sad and confused made my heart break, so I put my arms around her and held her tight. “Don't go anywhere.” I muttered, burying my face in her shoulder. “I won't.” She whispered.I don't know how it happened, but later, I found myself sitting by the kitchen island with a bottle in my left hand and a full glass in my right. “You have to calm down, Lach. Not everyone's who they say they are.” Cassie rubbed circles on my back.I took a swig from the bottle and nearly choked on the burning alcohol. “Shit! Amelia lied to me!
Amelia's POVI was crying, and it was all my fault. I hurt myself. I did this to myself.I sat quietly on the couch, flipping through the photo album.The smile on his face, the laughter in his eyes, his loving gaze on mine…. My husband, Lachlan, was happy. He really was.I traced the contours of the photographs, and my heart clenched. I hurt Lachlan. Bailey was right. I was running from my problems. I thought Eric could help with it, but I was wrong. It only made things worse. Everything about Lachlan and me—the picnic, the date at the park, our kiss, and nights together—was all becoming a distant memory because of me. The guilt was crushing me. I could've let Lachlan in when he was being more supportive. I should've loved him for it, told him what I was going through, and gone easy on him, but I didn't. I didn't care that he was more understanding; instead, I blamed him. Tears filled my eyes, and I succumbed to the torrents of tears in my eyes. “Amelia, please, stop crying.” Lili
Lachlan's POVA few hours earlier,Spending time in Cassie's made me realise how much I've missed doing my favourite things. Our long walks, baking together, watching our favourite movies; that was something I missed. Watching Cassie laugh at me while we played snooker in the game room made me realise how much I had missed this. Now, I begin to question if I was really happy with Amelia. After all, all I did was to make her happy. Everything I did was for her. I never did any of my hobbies but hers. Only hers. Do I even love Amelia?“Lach? You okay?” Cassie's face hovers over mine, and I’m startled.She placed her hand over my forehead. “You aren't running a fever. So what's wrong?”“Your eyes are blue.” She froze. “What?”I reached out my hand to cup her cheek. “Your eyes are blue.”Her cheeks pinked, and she put her hand over mine. “Yeah. Pretty, aren't they?”“Like the summer sky.” I flashed her a smile.She leaned her face closer. “Yeah.”“How could I not notice?” I tried to pul
Eric's povI was busy overthinking my ass off and didn't hear Aunt Bailey enter the room.“Eric?” Her hand was on my shoulder again. “Are you okay?”I blinked twice. “Oh yeah. Sorry, I zoned out for a bit.”“Don't worry about work. Your secretary is doing a fine job along with everyone else.” she smiled.I know that already. I don't hire incompetent people. “Yeah. They are.”“Good. Now, cheer up.” She smiled and passed me a bottle of water. “Thanks.” I uncapped the bottle and took a long sip. Damn, was I this thirsty?“Here.” She passed me the tray of food. Dinner was chicken and rice bowl with steamed vegetables. Lots of vegetables. I could get allergic just by looking at it. Yay.I dug in. The taste was top-notch. All thanks to Aunt Bailey. Sometimes, she’d refuse me to eat hospital food but other times, she'd let me eat it. I wonder what changed her mind today. Maybe, Amelia talked to her. Amelia hated the hospital and even cried when she saw me eating the food. I nearly laughed
Eric’s POVFuck!I messed up pretty badly, didn't I? Each time I close my eyes, my mind replays my conversations with Amelia. I had her. I had her in my grip, and I just blew it. I fucked up, and she knew it. She probably wants nothing to do with me anymore. My words fell flat, and she shut me down. Big time.I need a new approach desperately. I need something that will make her see me in a different light. Something that'll make her run back to me like she used to. Something... Aha! The Damascus Road method. It all goes down to manipulation. I'm sorry, Amelia, but I must do you his, or I'll never have you. I reached out for my iPad on the bedside table. I had a book that talked about this persuasion technique. If you want to make someone believe you have a sudden change of heart, then this book was the one for you. I saw it online, and now I'm glad I bought it. I will make Amelia believe I wasn't selfish or arrogant and that I have sent the light. I would make myself look so guilt
Matthew's POV. “So I'll ask you again, Mrs. Mallory, I leaned forward. “Do you and your husband have any enemies?” A shuddering breath escaped her lips, and she tumbled with the frills on her skirt. “We—we don't.” She was lying. “Think again.” “I don't have enemies, but I don't know about Lachlan…” She yelled. Not a clever way to respond to an arm twist. Then she looked at me, fear dilating in her brown eyes. “You said something about Chris trying to loop my husband in on something…” “Ah, yes,” I sat up. “My partner and I paid Chris Mallory a visit. We have reason to believe that he's a suspect.” Her eyes went round—a giveaway. She knows something. “Mrs. Mallory, how's your relationship with your brother-in-law?” “It’s just as you said. He’s my brother-in-law.” “Do you both get along?” I asked. “Yes.” She replied almost immediately. This interrogation is becoming a pain in my beautiful ass. “Mrs. Mallory, I am trying to help you here. You got attacked by some