Lachlan The lights penetrating from the blinds affected my eyes, slowly getting me out of my slumber. I opened my eyes slowly, yawning simultaneously, before fully opening my eyes. Immediately I opened them fully, and they fell on her. I wore a smile. Cuddled up in my arms, I doubted if I had seen anything this gorgeous. And just then, I knew my day wouldn’t be anything less.Last night was heaven, damn! Who could have thought? I could never have imagined she'd got such guts. And all the things she did to me last night, dear heavens. For all the years I had spent with her, I never thought she could make me moan. Let alone groan the way I did last night. Or maybe that was because we had sex not because we wanted babies but because we wanted each other.I looked at her again, my smile widening even further. For so long, I’ve never felt so free. Having to finally admit my feelings and prove them brought along a joy and peace I couldn’t explain. I didn’t know how far this was going to go
EricThe sound of the clock ticking could be heard as I sat waiting for Aunt Bailey, who was on her way, boiling within. I couldn’t take my eyes off the picture. I had told the stupid Cassie to send it to me because I couldn’t get it off my head. I had told Esmeralda to stop her and get her number. Thankfully, she didn’t stress me on that. I still didn’t understand how Lachlan had coped with that bitch. But well, that wasn’t my business.Finally, I heard the housekeeper greet her as she entered. I looked up and watched her walk to where I was.“Good evening, Aunt,” I greeted as she sat on the sofa. She sighed and remained quiet for a while.“Good evening, Eric. Are you okay? Why the sudden call?” She finally asked after resting a while. I sighed.“Aunt Bailey, there’s fire on the mountain.” I said, and she adjusted her sitting position, looking more worried.“What’s the matter, Eric?” She asked, and I handed her the phone.“Just take a look at that.”As soon as her eyes fell on the pi
Lachlan My mood was sour as I was still yet to get over the hurtful words, Amelia. They kept ringing through my mind as I drove to the office. I had even decided to drive, telling my chauffeur not to bother, because I thought it would help clear my mind. But alas, I was very wrong. I shook my head slightly as I walked into the office, walking past the greetings of the other staffers. Clara caught up with me grabbing my belongings, simultaneously handing me my cup of black coffee, just the way I like it. She then began telling me of the program for today till I got into my office and sat down. I sighed."Alright, Clara, can we begin with the first program for today?” I asked, handing the already empty cup to her.“Of course. I’ll send the documents now.” She replied, collecting the cup from me with a smile, before walking out of my office. I sighed again before settling in to begin the day. Sour mood or not, work had to be done.Shortly after, Clara called and informed me that Cassan
Amelia I couldn’t stop thinking about what I said. It was hurtful. He had been nothing but kind to me. I shouldn’t have said what I said. I knew he made me feel worse. But that was not me. Revenge wasn’t necessary. Still, I doubted the sudden love and care he had for me.But what if he did mean it? What if he had actually fallen in love with me? Oh damn, I was already running crazy. I didn’t know what to believe. I knew I still had feelings for him. Maybe I have also denied that, but the truth remained the truth. And it wouldn't change whether I accepted it or not.If he was real this time, I would love to build a family with him. But I couldn’t be sure. I was scared and didn’t know what to believe. The ringing of my phone interrupted my thoughts. I looked at the caller ID and smiled when I saw it was Bailey. I picked up my phone and took the call.“Hi Bailey,” I said cheerfully. She had a thing with timing.“Hey Amy, how are you doing today?” She asked so cheerfully. I sighed."Wel
Amelia I heard the greeting of the staffers, and I knew he had come in. I looked at the wall clock. It was five minutes past nine. I sighed, feeling a bit jittery. My palms were sweating. I needed to talk with him. I waited for him to come around, knock on my door, and tell me he had returned. My heart raced as I heard his footsteps draw closer.But he didn’t stop at my door, as I had thought. As I sat in my bed waiting for him, the sounds of his footsteps slowly died down. He must have stopped in his own room. I hoped he would probably change and come around to check on me. As usual.But an hour passed, and still, I sat waiting, using my phone to while away some time. I checked the clock that hung on the wall some inches above my bed again. If I remained here, we wouldn’t have this conversation. Why didn’t he come to check on me? Or was I right? Had he finally realised that his schemes couldn’t work on me?I was gradually believing the lie I had created when I stopped to rethink. An
Lachlan I looked around. It didn’t seem aesthetic to me, as her reactions had given. Maybe because it was my room. I had been thinking of renovating the room to give it a much better taste. I was already getting bored with this. But of course, it was her first time here. I wasn’t shocked at her awe. But somehow it sent a jab to my heart, knowing it was all my fault. Still, better late than never.“Welcome to my room.” I replied, and she smiled. Heavens, she was beautiful. And her smell—oh mine—always had this effect on me. I just couldn’t explain it. But it was divine. It made me want to hug her and kiss her and keep her perpetually in my arms. Oh heavens, concentrate, Lach.I wondered what would have driven her though. What was so bothersome that made her leave her room to come to mine? I knew the amount of guts it must have taken her to do this. I had instilled so much fear in her regarding entering my room. I knew how much it must have taken her to walk on those fears and come her
Amelia My eyes slowly opened as I yawed. I woke up stronger than usual. I ran my eyes through the room and realised I had spent the first night in my husband’s room. Like for the very first time, I slept in the arms of my husband on our matrimonial bed. It was divine. I had never felt so at home. As we lay in his bed and I was cuddled in his arms while he ran kisses down my neck, squeezing me deeper, I felt it strongly. I belonged here. He played with my earlobes, tickled me a bit, made me laugh, and shared what had happened at the office. How Cassandra had come to beg him and emotionally blackmail him. How his day was sour at the office and how my being there with him was the healing balm. Unlike other times, I felt genuineness in his words.Maybe I should give this marriage a chance. Or maybe not. I shook my head and turned around to check on my husband and get my mind from pondering on the wrong things. As I turned around to his side, I met a small note on the desk, and curiosity
Christopher We laid on the bed, panting heavily. This had become quite regular of late. Within a week, I had seen Cassandra not less than four times, and on each occasion, we had sex. This had been going on for close to two months, since when the Amelia bitch returned. The reasons were obvious. But still, I needed her to admit them one day.A few minutes later, she stood up from the bed and walked to the bathroom. I sat up on the bed.“You still don’t want to tell me what’s going on between you and my brother?” I said, and I was very sure she rolled her eyes. She didn’t say a word, and I sighed. She was such a stubborn goat.I picked up my phone to check some things when she came out.“Haven’t I told you to keep your business out of my and your brother’s relationship?” She asked.“You know I know this is because of Amelia, right?” I said, and her eyes changed that minute.“Don’t dare mention that bitch’s name here.” She said, and I was shocked. What I saw in her eyes was scary. Her e
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