Chapter thirty
Aaron was pissed, Dario made it seem like Caitlin was a saint but she wasn't.
"Would you stop saying that....you didn't know Caitlin!" Aaron yelled at him.
"How do you mean?"
"She wasn't perfect, she wasn't the saint you paint her to be she..." Aaron didn't want to say more, he knew if Dario finds out about what happened years back he wouldn't forgive Caitlin.
"You've got to be kidding me" Dario scoffed when Aaron didn't complete his sentence.
Aaron lowered his voice as he ran his fingers on his face as a display of frustration. "What I'm trying to say Dario is that you shouldn't have chased her out like that with Ruby. I had to take them in...." Aaron didn't know when the last sentence left his mouth, he didn't want Dario finding out as Diane begged him not to tell Dario.
"What!!!..." Dario faced him with anger and resentment "why do you like to take everything that belongs me?" He gritted out
<Chapter thirty oneThis was the worst mistake of his life, letting his past feelings for Caitlin resurface. He seriously didn't know what clouded his judgement, what possessed him to do what he did_ throwing his wife, kid and unborn child out in the dark.Dario paced back and forth in the hallway, he was pissed at himself, he hated himself. He couldn't believe he was back here almost in same position six years ago."We came as soon as we heard" Ronnie said as he walked up to Dario with his wife Catherine"I can't believe this Dario, I'm so disappointed in you" Catherine chidedDario already felt bad and angry at himself for what he did, doing something without a rational thinking, without hearing her own side of the story. But hearing the words from Catherine's mouth, from someone he considers as the elder sister he never had took a toll on him. He also took notice of their kids absenc
Chapter thirty twoDiane stood in the park watching as Owen chase a butterfly around, she couldn't get the smile off her face as she watched him fall, brush off the dust and continue to chase the butterfly.She touched her stomach for her bump and wonder why someone will leave a cute boy like this in the park without supervision, she couldn't do that to the child growing inside her....the sound of the ice cream truck brought her out of her thoughts and into reality...she decided to get one for him.She took her eyes off him for a minute and before she knew it, he was running in the direction of the river..."Owen!!" She yelled but he giggled as chased the butterfly " Owen don't go there!" She screamed again but her screams fell on deaf ears.She wanted to move but it felt like some unforeseen force was holding her down."Owen!!!" She could feel tears trickling down her cheeks and then he fell inside.He struggled to come
Chapter thirty threeAs Elena was about to pull open the door, it opened revealing Dario ___________________________________"What are you doing here?" Elena whispered harshlyDario was about to reply but was cut off by Diane"Elena!" She warned"I don't want him here" Elena stated with folded hands"It's not your calling to make" Diane replied quietly."I'm trying to help you here" Elena tried to reason with her as she threw Dario a stink eyes."You're taking it the wrong way and besides I can help myself, I'm not a kid....I'm not Ruby"Elena stared at her friend trying to figure her out, then she moved a glare towards Dario before storming off.Diane sighed softly at Elena's behaviour then she turned her gaze to Dario. She watched how he walked up to her bed with his hands tucked insid
I just wanted to say a big thanks to everyone who joined me on this journey. I really appreciate it. This book has finally come to an end but don't be sad, I'm bringing more of them. I'll be writing a sequel to it, Theo's story (Dario's brother). I've had a couple of things planned for this guy. As a spoiler alert it will not just be a plain romance story it will have a bit of mystery. Trust me you'll love it...in fact you'll love Theo's character. I will also be writing a prequel, Ronnie's story. Are you excited? I am. THE CONTRACT will be a major spoiler for this book but it will still get you hooked to it. In this I will explain somethings that happened between Dario and his fiancee. A sneak peek into Ronnie's story, LIVING WITH THE BILLIONAIRE. An accident that changes everything for Catherine Stone. When the famous billionaire's son Dario Simpson is met with an accident and is in a state the doctor called the vigil paralysis, the only way to ensure he wakes up was for her to
Catherine Stone's life takes an unexpected turn when Dario Simpson, the son of a famous billionaire, is involved in a life-altering accident that leaves him in a state of vigil paralysis. The only way to bring him out of it is for Catherine to agree to Mr. Devon's proposal to pretend to be Dario's fiancée.Desperate for money, Catherine agrees to the deal, believing that all she has to do is act. However, as she begins her charade, she finds herself unexpectedly falling in love with the opulent surroundings of the billionaire's mansion and the lavish lifestyle that comes with it.As she navigates the challenges of maintaining the deception, Catherine must confront the growing feelings she has for Dario's brother and decide whether she is willing to risk everything for a love that may not be real.
CHAPTER ONECatherine stood alone on that desolate road, her manic grin betraying the whirlwind of emotions within her. She had defied the odds and escaped the clutches of her captor, and now, a newfound sense of freedom coursed through her veins.Beneath the inky night sky, devoid of the moon and stars, she felt both the chill of the night air and the warmth of her victory. It was as if the heavens themselves had hidden away, as if they knew the secrets she carried.The gentle night breeze, initially a soothing caress, suddenly turned into a tempestuous gale. Catherine sensed the impending deluge, and panic gripped her. Desperation etched across her face, she desperately scoured the surroundings for sanctuary, but none presented itself.As she stumbled forward, her eyes caught a glimpse of salvation nestled in a concealed alcove. Her weakened body dragged her toward it, and she found herself under the meager refuge of a small shop's awning. Here, she clung to a flicker of safety, tho
CHAPTER TWOThe sterile scent of hospital disinfectant hung heavy in the air, assaulting her senses as she slowly regained consciousness. She squinted against the searing light that filtered through her closed eyelids, attempting to make sense of her surroundings. The room was shrouded in an eerie silence, punctuated only by the rhythmic cadence of her own breathing and the incessant beeping emanating from some unknown source nearby.A strange heaviness gripped her body, every limb seemingly laden with lead. Panic began to claw its way into her chest as she desperately tried to will her sluggish muscles into motion. She longed to take control, to grasp some semblance of reality and understand her predicament.With immense effort, she forced her eyelids open, blinking against the blinding brightness. Confusion danced across her consciousness as her gaze swept over the bland green and gray hues that adorned the hospital room. An intravenous drip was connected to her wrist, silently admi
Preview"Can you act" he asked I nodded remembering my high school days " a little""That's all I need" ****************Baffled by the enigmatic expressions that danced across Mr. Devon's face, she couldn't help but wonder what he was concealing. Her ability to decipher people had always been a bit shaky, but after navigating the complex web of experiences with him, she had become more astute.In this tense moment, Mr. Devon seemed on the verge of retracting whatever favor he intended to request. Her curiosity piqued as he finally broke the silence, uttering a name that sent a ripple of recognition through her memory."Dario, Dario Simpson," he queried, and she nodded in response. Memories of distant high school days flooded back, recalling snippets of Dario Simpson's name frequently mentioned among her friends. "Dario Simpson, the heir to the Simpson enterprise," she confirmed.Mr. Devon let out an audible sigh, as if her acknowledgment had already fulfilled half of his re
Chapter thirty three Morning light filtered through the curtains as Ronnie and Catherine caught their breath after a wild night. They had barely finished round two—one in the bedroom and another in the bathroom—when Ronnie, still feeling the aftermath, decided it was time to call for breakfast. Just as he reached for her phone, a knock echoed through the room. "Room service!" came the cheerful call. Before Ronnie could respond, the door swung open, revealing Dario and Theo, grinning ear to ear as they wheeled in a lavish breakfast spread, the aroma of fresh pancakes and sizzling bacon filling the air. "Wow!!!" Theo exclaimed, his eyes wide as he took in the scene, glancing between the two of them. Catherine instinctively tugged down her t-shirt, trying to shield herself from their amused gazes. "It’s not like I haven’t seen it before," Dario quipped, dodging a pillow thrown at him by Ronnie. "Relax, just joking!" "What are you two doing here?" Ronnie asked, feigning annoyance bu
Chapter thirty two Catherine opened her eyes to find Ronnie gazing at her, a mix of emotions swirling in his eyes. He hadn’t said the “L” word back yet, but at that moment, she didn’t care. "Good morning. How long have you been awake?" she yawned, stretching. His fingers tangled gently in her hair as he replied with a breathtaking smile. "I don’t know... long enough." Her eyes widened. "Seriously? You’ve just been staring at me?" He nodded, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. She felt a rush of embarrassment and covered her eyes with her hands. "What if I drooled while sleeping?" she pouted, half-laughing. "You’d look cute doing it, just like you do now." He leaned in and stole a kiss, leaving her momentarily speechless. Wait—what? She hadn’t even brushed her teeth! Last night had been unforgettable; it was her first time, and they’d made love more than five times after she confessed her feelings. She could still feel the aftershocks of those intense moments. "I love
Chapter thirty one Catherine sighed, sinking deeper into the bed, covering her face with her hands. "I know... I was so stupid. I told him everything, thinking he couldn’t hear me. But he wasn’t fully unconscious—he could hear every word." Hayden’s eyes widened as she sat down beside Catherine. "Catherine, how could you let that slip?" She looked utterly shocked, her voice laced with concern. "What are you going to do now?" "I don’t know," Catherine muttered, her voice muffled by the pillow. "Dario doesn’t seem angry, but... I feel like I’ve made everything more complicated. And then there’s Ronnie..." Hayden raised an eyebrow, leaning closer. "Ronnie? What about him?" Catherine let out a frustrated sigh. "Dario and Theo think he’s in love with me. They said he’s been jealous this whole time, that he doesn’t even care about Lucy." Her voice wavered with uncertainty. "But he’s engaged, Hayden. And I don’t know if they’re just trying to make me feel better or if I should even belie
Chapter thirty Mason arrived to pick Catherine up after breakfast with her parents. The entire experience still felt surreal. She had a family—a mother, a father, and a sister. Not just any sister, but a twin. The thought twisted uncomfortably in her chest. Was Caitlin the reason she’d been missing all these years? It felt wrong to place all the blame on her. The memories Catherine had unlocked revealed she hadn’t been the easiest child—she was a brat back then, angry and reckless. But still, Caitlin could have told someone the moment she pushed her overboard. She could’ve alerted an adult, instead of waiting until morning to start pretending to look for her. By then, Catherine had likely drifted miles away from the ship, lost in the storm. Maybe even dead—or so they all thought. Catherine sighed. They were adults now, and she had no intention of holding on to the past. But still, Caitlin’s absence lingered in her mind. Where was she? Why hadn’t she returned? "Hey, you look so wor
Chapter twenty nine "What are you doing?" The voice was faint, like an echo from a long-forgotten past. She froze, her breath catching in her throat. She stood aboard a ship she had never set foot on before, yet it felt eerily familiar. In the distance, two figures—a pair of young girls—argued in the heart of a raging storm. The one facing her, drenched and defiant, was unmistakably herself, younger and more reckless. Slowly, she approached, the wind whipping her hair, saltwater stinging her skin. From a safe distance, she finally saw the face of the second girl, the one with her back turned. Her heart stilled. It was like staring into a mirror—another version of her younger self. "Why do you always do that?" the other girl spat, her voice sharp with frustration, cutting through the roar of the storm. "What do you care?" Young Catherine shot back, her chin lifting defiantly. "I take what I want. If I can't have it, I'll guilt them into giving it to me. And if I still can't have it
Chapter twenty eight Arriving at the imposing Smoak mansion, Catherine's thoughts swirled with a potent mix of apprehension and uncertainty. Helen's unexpected invitation for her to spend the night with her and Christian only added to the whirlwind of emotions. Despite Rosita's initial reluctance, she relented after some persuasion from Jacob, leaving Catherine to grapple with her own inner turmoil.Her mind still reeling from Ronnie and Lucy's bombshell announcement, Catherine felt as though the ground had shifted beneath her feet, leaving her adrift in a sea of uncertainty. Catherine's thoughts drifted to Theo's cryptic message, his urgent plea for a conversation when she returns weighing heavily on her mind. The memory of his embrace, tinged with a sense of foreboding, lingered like an ominous shadow.Pushing aside the turmoil, Catherine resolved to lose herself in the grandeur of the Smoak mansion. The sight of the sprawling estate, adorned with a majestic fountain and meticulou
Chapter twenty sevenDario nudged her forward, urging her towards the couple who stood before her, Caitlin's parents. Catherine hesitated, feeling an unfamiliar shyness wash over her as she approached."Hey, Dad," Catherine greeted tentatively, her voice sounding foreign as she waved hesitantly. It felt strange to utter the word "dad," a term she hadn't used since her days in foster care."Aw, come here, sweetheart, don't be shy," her father coaxed, enveloping her in a warm embrace. "I love you, shortcake," he murmured, planting a tender kiss atop her head.Tears threatened to well up as Catherine soaked in the overwhelming flood of emotions. This was what it felt like to be truly loved and cared for—a sensation she had only dreamed of experiencing within the confines of a real family.As her father released her, Catherine turned to face his wife, Helen. Tentatively, she wrapped her arms around Helen, feeling a slight stiffness in return. But amidst the whirlwind of emotions, Catherine
Chapter twenty sixAs the resonant knock echoed through their room, Catherine shot Dario a quizzical look, confusion etched into her features. "Expecting someone?" she inquired, her tone laced with curiosity.Dario's solemn shake of the head only deepened Catherine's perplexity as she rose to confront the mysterious visitor. With a hesitant twist of the knob, she swung the door open to reveal Mia, Rosita's personal maid."Mia?" Catherine called out, her brow furrowing with bewilderment. She couldn't recall ever exchanging more than passing pleasantries with the elusive servant, making her early appearance all the more intriguing.With a graceful bow, Mia delivered her enigmatic message, her voice soft yet laden with unspoken secrets. "Ma'am Rosita requests your presence," she intoned, her head bowed in deference."Why?" Catherine probed, her gaze searching for any hint of explanation in Mia's lowered stance."She didn't disclose her intentions, miss," Mia replied, her eyes never meeti
Chapter twenty five"No, no, no, please, don't," Catherine pleaded, her voice a desperate whisper echoing through the confines of her nightmare. With each thrash and turn, she battled against the unseen adversary lurking within her dreams."Cait, Cait," Dario's voice broke through the darkness, his hands reaching out to steady her thrashing form. "C'mon, Cait," he urged, his tone a mixture of urgency and reassurance. "Snap out of it!"His words pierced the veil of her dreams, pulling her back to consciousness with a jolt. Gasping for air, Catherine's eyes darted around the room, searching for signs of the unseen danger that had haunted her sleep. Yet, it was Dario's presence beside her that anchored her in reality, his steady gaze a lifeline in the tumult of her subconscious.Their eyes met, a silent exchange of emotions passing between them. In Dario's gaze, Catherine found concern and relief intertwined, a reflection of his unwavering support in her darkest moments. And as the echoes