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
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
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
“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
Slap! Macey stumbled back, touching her face as she stared wide-eyed at the man who had been her husband for the past two years: Julius DaLair. His sandy blonde hair crowned him like a halo, but there was nothing angelic about his current expression. He stood in front of her with his face blazing with anger. His gray eyes were a storm of emotions. In the last few months, he had grown cold and dismissive, but never raised a hand to her before. His breath smelled heavily of alcohol. She could only guess how many drinks he had imbibed since they arrived at his father’s public birthday celebration. For a brief moment, his expression became ashen, and he stared at his hand in horror, as if shocked by what he had just done. He blinked as the fog of alcohol and rage still churning within bubbled back to the surface. “You’re just like the rest of them, aren’t you?” Julius demanded. “You’re just a gold-digging whore!” “N-no…”
It was Augustus who first proposed the idea of marriage to one of his sons. She wasn’t sure if it was charity or his abiding desire to ensure her a comfortable future. March was over ten years her senior and already married, which, naturally, left Julius as the groom of choice. Though she initially spoke out against it, her secret crush on Julius had only grown over the years. It had taken some time for Julius to agree. Macey tried not to seem overeager, but inwardly she was thrilled. At first, their marriage seemed to work. Despite his earlier reluctance, Julius was a model husband: attentive and sometimes even caring. It was her hope that eventually he would come to love her, but it changed six months ago. Rumors started to circulate. Her family had been poor and well below the DaLair family’s means. People called her a gold-digger, a shameless tramp and a hundred other names. She tried not to let it bother her, but it never occurred to her Julius would belie
Macey didn’t know how long she sat there before finally coming to a decision. She flipped through the divorce papers until she came to the last page where it called for her signature. Using his favorite pen, she signed with her neat scrawl. Then she grabbed a small paper pad, writing a short note before setting down the pen. With a sigh, she removed her wedding and engagement rings, setting them on the stack of papers. Opening the drawer where Julius kept his cigars, she grabbed a lighter and ashtray. Holding the hospital report, she lit the corner on fire and watched it burn before dropping it into the tray. The paper burned quickly, turning brown and crumbled to ash. Satisfied, she clutched the ultrasound picture to her chest, tossed the card and left the study. Retreating to the bedroom, she moved to the walk-in closet and stared down her side filled with dresses, skirts, blouses and shoes of every kind and style, none of them hers. Going to the d
“Oooo! Here it is!” Katherine excitedly cooed as she dragged Julius into the newly opened art gallery. Though its grand opening was still a week away it was open for business. Located along East Houston Street it enjoyed proximity to several other galleries and ensured a steady stream of curious visitors. His father might not have much experience when it came to art but he knew a good location so Julius was not surprised; however, it still didn’t explain why his father bought the art gallery in the first place. He sighed. It had only taken a day for Katherine to recover from his father’s public rejection. Julius hated to admit it but she had some fortitude. She probably thought it earned her sympathy from him but he couldn’t care less, if she wanted to punish herself by irritating his father that was her business. Julius glanced around him to distract himself from her irritatingly shrill voice. Gray Studio Gallery’s mission was to be the p
“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