“Yeah! That was what Uncle BRION said,” River countered, supporting his twin sister. Just like winter, he has blonde hair, only that his hair is always slightly tousled as if he just rolled out of bed or had been playing outside. No matter how much I brushed it, it always tangled after a while. His grey eyes are a deep, rich shade that seems almost wise beyond his years. He always reminded me of someone. DASHIELL. Even though he had my eyes, he still looked like his father. A miniature version of the man I never wanted to think about. Sighing, I squatted in front of them, grinning as I reached over to pat their hair. “Mum apologizes for not taking you with me. Don't worry, I will let you tag along the next time I'm going for a brand reveal,” I promised, despite knowing I might not fulfil it. Not only would it be a hassle taking them with me, but the last thing I wanted was for them to meet Dashiell.Whatever it takes, I intend to keep my kids as far from him as I can. I won't let t
DASHIELLThere was this gnawing emotion within me, one I couldn't understand. Spending time with Lilith always calmed me down, but not anymore. It felt like there was something else, something I needed but couldn't have.The feeling was foreign, something I'd never experienced before, which was why I decided to take a walk, to ease my mind of the insistent concerns raging havoc in my mind. Staying with Lilith at the moment didn't sound like the best solution. I needed some time alone, to clear my mind.As I strode down the busy streets, my thoughts returned to Nova and what transpired between us yesterday. I was still mad at her for everything that had happened. However, there was this sad feeling each time I thought of how she held hands with Brion. With the sad feeling came an anger so fierce it startled me each time. I had never been consumed by such an intense rage before, one that made me want to storm over to them and rip her off his arms. I wanted to dominate her, to possess
NOVAI put the phone on a high speaker as I drove out of the school car park, waiting for Brion to answer. “Hello, darling. Did you miss me?” Brion's cheerful voice filtered in, reminding me there were more good guys out there, ones who were better than that bastard Dashiell. Each encounter with him always made me question how blind I must have been years ago when I gave him my all. I must have been sick in the head, that I didn't realize what a bastard he was until I left. “Nova?” He called out, dragging my thoughts from my reverie and back to my phone. “Are you okay? Why aren't you saying anything?” “I want to leave,” I said, keeping my focus on the road and trying not to clench my fists hard on the steering wheel. “Why? Did you meet him again?” “Yeah, I did.” Nodding as if he could see me, I left the highway for the less busy street to avoid getting honked on by those desperately driving to work. “And he made you decide to leave?” “I can't take this anymore. Each encounte
The moment I stepped into the office, my jaw almost dropped to the floor at the Beauty. It was enough to take my mind off that damned bastard and his slutty girlfriend. The first thing I noticed was the large, rich brown mahogany desk, perfectly polished to a warm sheen. The desk was paired with a comfortable, high-backed leather chair upholstered in a complementary earthy tone.To one side of the room was a plush couch, its cushions a soft, creamy white. They positioned the couch to take advantage of the stunning view through the wall-to-ceiling window, which stretched from floor to top and allowed natural light to flood the space.From there, I could see those walking below, something I was grateful for since it overlooked the car park. Throughout the room, vibrant green plants added a pop of colour and freshness, their pots a decorative complement to the peach hue of the wall.I could tell, undoubtedly that the decorator put his all in the room. It was so breathtaking that I didn
Lunch was awkward. Dashiell tagged along with us despite my warning not to do so, and that made Astrid so clumsy that she ended up throwing everything to the floor. “I'm sorry,” she apologized for the twentieth time since we arrived. Her gaze kept on the turned-over plate on the floor as the waiter on standby rushed over to our table to clean it up. “It's okay. I will pay for the damages,” Dashiell said, dropping a wad of cash on the table as he got up. “Let's change to the other table. It's vacant and —” “I'm no longer hungry.” I rose from the chair and turned to Astrid, who was trying not to make herself as small as she could. “Let's go.” “But you haven't had anything yet,” Dashiell protested, reaching out to hold my arm, only to drop his hands to the side when I shot a dark glare at him. “Can't you at least have something before you go?” “With you here, I doubt I will have the appetite to eat.” I tugged Astrid up from the chair and led the scared woman out of the restaurant
“This wasn't part of the plan, Brion,” I spoke into the receiver, my annoyance filtering through. “Not only did you let me work alone in the company while you took care of your pressing need, but you are telling me I need to represent you in the meet and greet?” “I'm sorry, Nova,” he apologized, his tone regretful. “I didn't know things would turn out this way, I swear.”“Can't you take care of it after the meet? It's not like your investors will die if you delay it for a day or two?” I plopped down on the couch in the living room, and crossed my legs, my gaze going over to my babies who were playing with their Legos. “I don't think it can wait, Nova.” “But —” “Are you worried about the kid? Someone will be there in an hour to help you look after them while you leave.” “You know, that's not what I'm worried about, Brion. I don't want to freaking attend the meet and greet!” I was almost yelling out now, my frustration taking the best of me. This wasn't how things were supposed t
“Dashiell?” I frowned, stepping out of my house so he wouldn't look in. With the door closed, I folded my arms, narrowing my eyes at him as I demanded, “What are you doing here?”Instead of being offended by my question, he presented the bouquet in his hand to me, tilting his head partially to the side as a small smile played on his lips. I glared at the flowers, the silence dragging on as my stare became hard on him. The subtle breeze blowing on the leaves of the trees outside my property was the only noise to be heard. “Why don't you take it?” He demanded once more, stepping close, only to stop short when my scowl became deep. Not even the sweet fragrance from the flowers could dampen my emotions. “What are you doing here? How did you know my address?” I made certain to ask Brion to get a building far from the company, and one that couldn't be easily traced. I knew why I did that, but it seemed the damned bastard I was trying to hide my house from discovered it faster than I
To take my mind off the man sitting on the couch, I tried to mingle with the few workers I saw. Astrid didn't attend because she had something to deal with at home, so I was left alone in the sea of unfamiliar faces, sipping my drink, while trying not to look awkward. One reason I hated social gatherings? The odd stares from people. However, my greatest fear started when we all stood up to exchange pleasantries. I ended up drinking more than my fair share of wine. Why? I had to pretend I was busy, so I wouldn't be tugged into a conversation I wanted nothing to do with.After my sixth drink, and getting to meet like twenty of the shareholders and overexcited women, who were fans of my works, smiling until my cheeks hurt, and appreciating comments on my dress, I was ready to leave. I staggered out of the room and towards the restroom, praying I didn't fall on my face from the heels I had on. It was tricky walking on them with how drunk I was, but I would be damned to remove it. Some
It took the kids weeks before they got used to staying in Dashiell's house. As he promised, Dashiell was the best father to them. Most times, I'd yell because of how much he was spoiling the kids. He was making it impossible for me to caution them when they did something bad, so I had to draw the line between what he could do and what he couldn't. Brion started dating Benita a few weeks after I moved out. It started after the kids' birthday and the opening of my company. They met and bonded over a couple of drinks. At first, they were drinking buddies before they clicked. Who knows, I might be a godmother soon. I was so happy for him, grateful he found someone he loved. I feared he would stay single all his life because of how much I broke his heart, but he proved me wrong. He showed me how strong and capable he was, something I was super proud of. Amaya went to work full time, though she always made time to visit the kids. Once a month, the kids go to the house to stay with their
Brion didn't talk to me that day. He left me in the sitting room and took a walk around. He didn't return to the house that night. I stayed up with the kids expecting his return, but I didn't see him. He sent a text though, knowing I would be waiting, letting me know he wasn't returning that night. He asked me to go in and rest.After that day, our relationship became strained. Because of him, I didn't tell the kids about Dashiell because I was waiting for him to come to terms with my relationship with Dashiell. He was the most important person to me, and I wanted his blessings before I could pursue anything with Dashiell. It took him a week to do that. All the while, I kept the news of my pregnancy from Dashiell. As much as I loved him, I knew I would leave with Brion if that made my friend happy. I might end up resenting him for taking me away from the man I loved, but that didn't mean I was ready to see him heartbroken. He was my best friend, and I would do anything for him. With
I didn't know how to break the news to Dashiell. I wanted to keep it a secret, to wait for the perfect moment to break it, but no day seemed like the right time. Because of the amount of time he spent away from the office, there was work for him to do and meetings for him to attend, which was why he hardly stayed in the office. The only times I had seen him in the office for the past two days were each morning and some evenings. Aside from that, we had only spoken on the phone. Deciding to tell Brion and the kids about the pregnancy before him, I left the office early. I wanted so badly to tell Benita about the good news, but wished Brion and the kids to know about it before any other person. Brion had already put the children to sleep when I arrived home. Greeting him, I walked to my room to change before I joined him in the sitting room. I didn't know how to break the news to him because I knew he still had feelings for me. The news will make him realize he didn't have any chanc
We got back together after that night. Dashiell stayed at home to recuperate while I worked. Each night, Amaya came over to take care of him while I went back to my kids until he fully healed. After a week, he was good enough to walk. Amaya didn't need to come over to help with his meals anymore. He could walk on his own and was even strong enough to return to work. That Monday, the buzz his return caused in the office made me realize some workers loved him despite how detached and distanced he was from them. Okay, the majority were females. Because of how handsome he was, most of them loved him and wished for a chance to be with him. Which was why they didn't like me at all. Work resumed, and everything returned to normal. We didn't talk about me moving back to his house as I promised, but I knew it would only be for a while before he asked me about it, and I wasn't prepared for it at all. I haven't spoken to my kids, and I have yet to tell them about my relationship with Dashiell
It seemed like the Nova who was acting like a saint downstairs, the one who cared about his health and wanted to take things slow, had been transformed. In her place was one who didn't care at all about anything else but getting her pleasure. My panties were soaking wet already, my pussy throbbing, eager to get down and dirty with him. I doubt I would be down to anything else that didn't include getting on my back with him between my legs, pleasuring me as if his life depended on it. The palm that was on my breasts drifted down. My breath stopped as he slid his hand into my panties. I was wet and ready for him. My responsiveness should have scared me, but it didn't. I didn't even think of how odd it was that I stayed for five years without being touched by another man, only for me to start feeling this damned aroused after just a month without his touch. Had he somehow made me a slave to his passion? I'd heard stories like this, but never thought someone would make a woman love them
“Fuck, Nova,” he growled, his voice getting deeper and sexier. I loved it. Everything about him was so tempting. I didn't think I would ever feel that way for him, but here we were, years after we got married, finally in love with each other. Back when I left the country, I never imagined such a day would come, but it seemed I was wrong all along. I rubbed my fist from the tip to the bottom, still looking at him. Even though his eyes were shut, I loved staring at his face, to know his expression. It was my way of knowing if he was getting into this like I was. I repeated the action once more, running my tongue around the tip of his dick, sucking it in. He groaned, cursing under his breath. Smiling around his dick, I wrapped my fists around him, stroking from the tip to the bottom. His scent, so musky and delicious, aroused me. I was wet and ready to have him make love to me as he promised, but at that moment, I needed to feel him in my mouth, take him deeper until he came. I wanted
I bit my lower lip, peering up at him through my lashes. I felt the flush go from my neck to my cheeks the more intense his gaze became, like he was staring into my soul, seeking answers I couldn't give with my mouth. He reached over to me and rubbed his thumb on my lower lips, his gaze fixed on mine. “What should we do, Nova?” His whispered voice washed through my body like a balm, reaching deep into my spirit. “You are sick,” was all I could manage to say. “You can't —”“It doesn't mean I can't satisfy you, Nova. My legs are yet to heal, but that didn't mean I can't pleasure you, can't make you moan my name as your pussy clamp down on my dick.”My breath hitched in my throat at his words. Gulping, I peered into his eyes. I didn't know how to respond to those words, to the desires swirling deep in his gaze as he placed his hand under my jaw and lifted my gaze towards him. “Dashiell —”“Do you want this just as I do?” He whispered, his breath fanning my face as he came closer. The w
Brion was discharged three days later. Unlike the past few days, he could stand now without being tired or helped. The doctors believe he will recover well at home. After getting discharged, I took him and the kids back home. Dashiell was still getting treatments. They would have discharged him with Brion had it not been for his legs. The doctors wanted to keep him in the hospital for a week more, to check on his recovery. I just prayed everything would work out perfectly. Two weeks later, I drove him back home. Amaya came over to stay in the hospital with him so I could return to work. We had been gone for days, and the shareholders were making snide remarks about it, so I had to return to take care of the office while he recovered. The past few weeks have been a busy one for me. There were piles of work waiting on my desk for me when I returned, and I had to also combine it with Dashiell's. Had it not been for Benita's help, I would have drowned in work. She was such a darling, h
The doctor removed the IV drip before I could visit Dashiell. Ben led me by the hand, keeping me steady as he took me over to the room. Brion and the kids hadn't been alerted yet, so they didn't know we were back. My phone was off, so I hadn't gotten a call from him — yet. However, I knew it was only a matter of time before he called the police to report about me.The moment I opened the door, my eyes locked with that of a shocked man. Emerald eyes bore into mine the second I stepped into the room. "Nova?” He whispered, his voice shaky. He looked like he was imagining me because he lifted his right index and rubbed furiously on his eyes before it landed on me. “You are real?”I nodded, as tears rolled down my eyes. Dashiell was a shell of himself. Just a few days in captivity, and he had gotten so lean, I hardly recognized him. His skin was pale, almost translucent, and his cheekbones jutted out sharply. I was frozen, staring at my lover, and imagining how much he had suffered to l