[ Arthur ]How could my own father do this to me?He left nothing for me, instead he is forcing me to work like a servant under my stepbrother and my ex-wife. I hate them both with my guts but my father failed to see the efforts I had taken over the years to make him proud me so he sees me as successful and smart as Xavier but for him, only his elder son has the abilities to continue the family legacy and make him even prouder.“I am going to kill you, Xavier!” I screamed and chugged the empty bottle on the ground. It shattered into pieces and reflected the light.“Arthur, what are you doing? You could have hurt yourself. You stupid boy.” My mother who rushed inside the room, scolded me.I lifted my drowsy eyelids to glance at her who was shaking her head in disappointment. I tried to stand on my feet but fell back again.“Come on, Arthur. Why the hell did you drink this much? You have to use your brain more than before because we’re on the brink of losing everything that we had been
[ Adeline ]“Good morning, baby. You slept till late. You usually never sleep this late?” Mom asked me kissing my cheek as I sat down for the breakfast.“Yes, Mom, today I want to be recharged. It’s a very important day for me and for my marriage.” I told her with excitement, last night, I slept peacefully because I trust my husband and I know he’d not back out from his promises.“I guess your husband is taking you out.” Mom gave me a teasing look. I roamed my eyes to spot Xavier but he hadn’t come for the breakfast.“Your husband left very early in the morning. I was up for my morning yoga routine. I asked him what made him leave this early but he said that he’d be back by nine.” Mom said as she observed me.It shocked me to the core. Xavier usually doesn’t leave without telling me unless it’s urgent and I am not available.“Hey baby, please, don’t be sad. He must have a reason. You can ask him when he comes home.” Mom tried to cheer up my mood.“Maybe it’s an emergency.” I shook my
[ Adeline ]“Mrs. Williamson you had to call me now. Just perfect.” I sighed and rubbed my forehead. Mrs. Williamson asked me to meet her to discuss the progress on the event and she’s someone whom I can’t ignore.I had to locate Xavier whose phone was also switched off. I felt torn apart.“Thank God! You’re here.”I heard Xavier’s voice and it made me turn swiftly to face him. He was panting hard to catch his breath. His eyes flickered on me and in the next moment, he engulfed me in his arms. I breathed into his scent and immediately my worries flew in the air.“Xavier, please breathe and relax. I am not running away.” I said rubbing his back.He broke the hug and looked at me, his eyes reflected many emotions but fear was dominant in those orbs.“I am sorry, I left in a hurry in the morning but it was an emergency. I felt terrible because I didn’t inform you.” He kept saying making me even more confused.“Calm down, Xav and tell me everything in detail.” I said holding his hand to c
[ Adeline ]Nervousness was pooling in my heart as we waited outside the court building for Emily who hadn’t showed up for the divorce settlement. Xavier was calm because he didn’t know the real face of his innocent Emily.“The proceeding will start in fifteen minutes, Xavier. Where is she?” I finally asked him as my patience ran low with her.“The car must be stuck in the traffic.’ He said.I said nothing further. All I wanted to drag her here and shove the pen in her hand and force her to sign the papers.“I am done with this woman.” I cursed under my breath and stormed away to clear my head.“Adeline, please stop. Don’t make this more difficult for us. I have sent my driver and bodyguard to bring her here safely.” He shouted from behind but my mood was too spoiled to pay him any heed.“Adeline, please try to understand.” He said again but this time in a defeated tone.I was tired of reaching to the same point every time I think it was going to be over.He didn’t come after me and I
[ Xavier ]For a moment, I couldn’t believe what I just heard from Emily. She actually demanded alimony, it wasn’t like I wouldn’t give her anything but again…I never expected it from her who was looking straight at the officer, I blinked my eyes to confirm that it was just a hallucination of my eyes.“Very well, Miss Jones, you can demand anything under the law of the state from Mr. Linwood and which isn’t beyond his income and financial status. You can submit the written request tomorrow at two pm. We’ll follow the further procedure after reviewing your demands and we if we can summon Mr. Linwood to give you what you want. For now, congratulations. I congratulate you both to find your own ways.” The officer said in a dismissive tone.“Everything is going to be fine, love.” Adeline softly whispered in my ear and rubbed my palms to give me comfort.“Ma’am, with due respect, I want to file a lawsuit against Ms. Jones who has demanded the alimony after she signed on the agreement paper
[ Adeline ]I couldn’t believe how quickly Emily changed her colours and tried to give Xavier a silent warning. I am scared to think what could she possibly ask in alimony. I don’t care if she demands everything we own, I just want her out of Xavier’s life forever.“What are you thinking, my love?” My husband asked me while stroking my hairs gently as we cuddled on the couch, enjoying the weather outside, the sky turned grey all of a sudden and the rainfall from the balcony of our room was a heavenly sight.“Nothing, I don’t think we can go out tonight. Look at the weather, I don’t think it’d stop anytime soon.” I said hiding my original thoughts, he was already going through mental and emotional turbulence, I didn’t want to give him another reason to stress out himself.He smiled and pulled me more closer, I can die for his beautiful smile, “I don’t care if we watch a movie in the theatre or on the couch in the living room, everything and every place is perfect for me if you’re with
[ Adeline ]“Why are you avoiding me, Mrs. Linwood? We have spent the afternoon naked under the sheets, doing everything that is forbidden and now, you are behaving like you’re a shy teenage and I am your crush.” Xavier, who had me for whole afternoon, his desire increases with every round and we end up making love for hours until I pass out of my energy drains out.“I am not avoiding you, Mr. Linwood. Don’t forget that my mother lives under the same roof and I am still not comfortable to romance with you in front of her.” I replied as I chopped the vegetables for the dinner.“Well, I don’t have any problem if you romance in front of me. You’re legally married.” Mom’s voice startled me and I pushed Xavier away, my Mom walked into the kitchen with a broad smile lingering on her face. She looked happy since Addison visited her.“I was telling her the same, Susan. You’re not an old lady from the 17th century who sees it as taboo, am I right?” Xavier walked to my mother and circled his ar
[ Adeline ]“Thank you for dropping Adam with me, Addie. I have been wanting to spend time with my grandson.” Mom said, who was on the ninth cloud since Addison decided to drop her son at our house under our mother’s care.Addison was eating her food silently, we hadn’t exchanged any word since she came, though she chatted with Xavier occasionally, mostly on the business matters. He shared some useful market strategies with her to expand her selling. He also recommended her to meet some influential people and a better brand ambassador than Melissa.“Mom, can you keep him with you for two days? I am going on a business trip and I don’t think Arthur will be able to do it since he’s going to Ohio tomorrow night. Linda barely looks after any body other than herself.” Addison said to her.Mom looked at me, for my permission.“The house will be all yours from tomorrow, Mom. We’ll be shifting in our mansion tomorrow, since today Blaze ran a security check after Emily vacated the house.” I to