Paul sat quietly nursing his drink. The reception was held on the patio with circular tables arranged along the perimeter. Off to one side was a piano with the center left open for the dance floor. The largest table held not just the bride and groom, but the entire DaLair family, from its reigning patriarch to the twins. As close friends, he, Victoria, Franklin and Dillon (when she wasn’t taking photos) were seated at a neighboring table which would have normally been for Macey’s family. From there, he had an excellent view of the happy couple. Macey could not stop smiling. She leaned in whenever Julius moved to kiss her, which he often did whether the crowd tapped their glasses or not. They followed traditional French meals, beginning with an apéritif[1], which Macey substituted with sparkling juice she shared with the twins. Then hors d’oeuvres were served, followed by a main course with a choice of vegetarian, seafood and chicken alongside a plate o
“She stopped playing after her father passed,” Augustus informed. His sons looked at him in surprise. Neither of them had made the connection. “He’s the one who taught her to play. They had his grandmother’s old upright and there was one key that was always out of tune, no matter how often they had it adjusted. But he and Macey would sit together and play, just like this.” Augustus looked over at Macey and Caden with a smile. No doubt, memories were running through her head as she played. Her fingers moved over the keys with a natural ease. No one would be able to tell it had been decades since she last played seriously. As the duet finished, the pair paused before shifting to Chopsticks, making more than a few chuckle as they ended with a flourish. Laughing, Macey hugged Caden, whose expression was ecstatic and without his usual reserve. Aria pulled her dad’s ear close, whispering, “It’s time for your dance, papa.” Julius smiled, standing
Julius poured melted butter over the bowl of steaming popcorn before lightly shaking salt over it all. It might have been quicker to pop it all in the microwave, but that popcorn lacked a certain flavor. Air-popping it and mixing it like this was how he remembered doing it when he was a kid, and it brought back the movie nights they used to enjoy when he was little. “Hurry up, papa!” Aria impatiently called from the living room. She and her brother had been excited when he brought up the idea of movie night. It seemed Macey hadn’t instituted any special nights like that to entertain them. When they wanted to play a game, they had game night, when they wanted to watch a movie, they had movie night. When he first arrived in Paris, he went along with it. After all, he didn’t have anything scheduled and no work to do. Instead, he filled his days by spending time with his babies and wife. They naturally saw fit to give him a proper tour and even introduced
When he first married Macey, he still considered her a friend of the family. He had numerous relationships with various women, all of whom were obsessed with his wealth. None of them loved him. To say he was disillusioned with the idea of love was putting it mildly. When Augustus first suggested he marry Macey, Julius was against it. After all, she was like a cousin, almost a sister, with how close they had been growing up. On the other hand, she was safe. She had grown up alongside him and his brother and was like family. Her only connection to high society was the DaLairs themselves. She didn’t have allies or ulterior motives. Macey was loyal to his family and wouldn’t connive behind his back, or so he thought. So he agreed to the marriage. It never occurred to him that she would genuinely be in love with him or that she had been for some time. Perhaps if he looked more closely he might have realized the truth sooner. Their wedding was a formal a
Having known so many women like that in his past, it was enough to enrage him. Instead of asking her about the rumors, he simply turned his back on her. Was it the overwhelming sense of betrayal that someone he deemed a close friend would do that to him or the idea his entire family had been duped? He wasn’t sure which stung more, but it led to him drinking more and ignoring her any time she tried to talk to him, not that she tried often. Macey had always been so full of life and laughter when they were kids. But not long after the rumors started, she became pale and quiet. Perhaps the rumors weighed heavier on her than he had thought. It was like she was being eaten up on the inside by them. No doubt, she hadn’t wanted to burden him with her problems, but he was her husband. Who would support her if not for him? James Goodwell. The world’s most shameless flirt and the worst example of a chauvinistic male to ever exist. The only thing longer than his
Once she was comfortable, he slowly relaxed and nodded to Caden, who held the remote. Without a word, Caden pressed play and the beginning credits began to dramatic music before settling on snail racing fan. The kids were already snickering as they reached for their popcorn. Julius sighed, setting his popcorn bowl on his lap within Macey’s easy reach. “So are you going to tell me what is wrong?” Macey whispered. “What do you mean?” Julius asked, feigning ignorance. “I’m talking about how you were doing your best impression of a statue.” “Did I?” “You looked like you saw a ghost,” Macey insisted. “So what happened?” “I was just remembering.” “Remembering what?” “The night you left.” Macey tensed. She looked at him wide-eyed and uncertain. Surely, she couldn’t have forgotten. There was no way she could have forgotten what happened, what he did… “Macey, I…” Jul
Her phone buzzed, alerting Katherine of new notifications. Groggily, she stirred, sat up and rested her back against the padded headboard of the hotel bed. Beside her, Frederick snored loudly as he lay like a starfish, passed out. She sighed out of irritation and disgust. Her ass ached from his rough, alcohol-fueled lovemaking. How had her life come to this? As Augustus foretold, her parents filed for bankruptcy. They had been forced to sell off their properties, vacation homes, cars, artwork and even their entire hotel chain. Unfortunately, or perhaps expectantly, Augustus’s influence was at work, and they not only sold their assets for far less than market value, but fell well short of making enough to pay back their creditors. The IRS had started proceedings for a detailed audit as well. Despite the fact her parents faced possible incarceration, Katherine had very little concern for them. She was too worried about her own future. Af
Everyone had finally left to try and rest. March, Rose and Jude headed to a nearby hotel while Victoria, Dillon and Paul retreated to their respective homes. The baby’s early arrival had taken them all by surprise. Augustus still remembered the panic in Julius’s voice over the phone. It was two in the afternoon in New York, which meant it was eight in Paris, when Julius informed him they were on their way to the hospital. Augustus immediately called March and Rose while Stephen made arrangements with the airport to secure a departure time for their private jet. Jude raced to make it home in time to join them. They barely arrived in Paris before the baby. Macey was asleep, resting peacefully and no one deserved it more than her. Caden lay beside her, his head resting on her shoulder, also sound asleep. It had been a long night for all of them. Augustus was amazed the twins managed to stay awake the entire night. His gaze drifted to the reclining cha
“Mom and I were planning to play later,” Alexis said. “You can too if you want.” “Really? Thanks,” Caden immediately brightened. “…So you based the décor on the diner you used to work in,” Macey said after listening to Ava’s brief retelling of her past. “Were you thinki
Silas’s embrace tightened. He hated thinking about the trials she went through without him. Ava leaned against him relishing his comfort and support. Their past was not as important as their future. “You two aren’t going to go all kissy-face, right?” Theo asked. “We’re in public and
Two Months Later The restaurant was lively. Guests had been arriving for the past two hours eager for a unique dining experience. The staff was well-trained providing exceptional service despite the rush. They had been drilled in their duties by the restaurant’s manager, a tyrant the
She nodded. “Going down?” Silas repeated. “Just what have you three planned now?” “It was more like a hunch,” Lexi said. “Sean found something real interesting when he deep-dived Ryker Holdings. So we asked Duncan to keep an eye on someone, just in case.” “D
“Late? A test for what?” Silas asked not following. “Are you serious?” Tracy snorted a laugh. “Ava, you’re going to have to be a little clearer,” Opal chuckled. “Remember, it’s his first time.” Silas glanced from one to the other even more confused. Looking
“There you three are,” Tracy said as the trio returned to the party. “We were just about to send the search party to find you.” “Auntie Tracy, you’re so silly,” Alexis giggled. “How are you feeling mom?” Ava hugged her tight but Alexis didn’t feel any tension or strain in
Finding no support anywhere Jenna finally fled. No one paid her further mind as they watched the kids swarm around their parents comforting their mother. It was a sweet and tender scene and many began to see Silas in a completely different light. * * * Jenna screamed as she storme
Jenna stepped forward intentionally shoving her shoulder and made Ava stumble back. “W-What is—” Jenna stuttered as the video paused. “Who was calling who shameless?” Alexis demanded standing next to her mother arms crossed in front of her chest. “So playing with people’s
The music started slowly with just a few notes announcing the beginning of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. The simple melody became more complex as notes overlapped and weaved a new organic pattern but always maintaining the integrity of the piece. Conversation lulled as everyone turned their