[ Adeline ]The conversation with Linda kept revolving in my mind. I couldn’t fucus on anything which was presented in front of me by Sandra.“Ma’am, these papers are delivered by Mr. Linwood’s lawyer.” Sandra placed a manila envelope in front of me. It was supposed to arrive at eleven but it came late.“Thanks, Sandra. You can take the day off. I’ll be staying here for another hour.” I said to her who looked surprised.“It’s only four thirty, Ma’am. My shift ends at six.” She said.“I am giving you an early off today. Is that a problem?” I arched my brow at her.“No, Ma’am.” She shook her head vigorously, “If you want I can stay with you.” She offered.“It’s okay, Sandra. I will be fine on my own and there’s not much work left for me. I will just review the quarterly report of our profit in the home market.” I said and dismissed her.“Good evening, Ma’am.” She wished and left me alone.I couldn’t let her know what was inside the envelope. With a strange feeling stirring inside me. I
[ Adeline ]My meeting with my father and how he showed me one of his undiscovered shade, kept revolving inside my head and it begun to throb with a mild headache.How could he ask me to do something I would never do? I agree that he was hurt, Xavier's mother turned out to be his sister and he strongly believes that Arnold had something to do with her death.I have to meet Arnold as soon as possible because he's the only person who can give all of my answers.With all these thoughts running inside my brain, I didn't realize when I reached home. It was Blaze who knocked on the car window.He opened the car door for me and once I stepped inside the house, he turned and signed off for the day. My body was exhausted. I just wanted to hit the bed.As I was about to pass by the living room, a familiar cologne hit me. He was there."Good evening, Ade." His smooth voice reached into my ears. How could he sound so additive even after a long day? I think nobody has the answer, it's my silly bra
[ Adeline ]A momentary silence prevailed in the air. His eyes shifted from me to the star studded sky and I immediately felt regretted as I could see flash of sadness on his handsome face. He looked more like an innocent child who had been deprived of love."It's fine if you don't want to answer it. I am sorry for even asking such personal and touchy question." I said in an apologetic tone when I didn't receive any reponse from him."I was sent in the same summer to stay with my grandparents because I could understand the tension between my parents. How they used to argue during nights and sometimes-" He again paused.His fists and jaws were clenched like he was restraining himself from punching something.I was shocked when I comprehended his half sentence."Arnold used to hit her?" I asked in disbelief."It wasn't new. He was seeing another woman probably Linda at that time and somehow my mother got a whiff of his affair. She thought she could hide it from me, her bruises under her
[ Adeline ]I and Xavier went on almost strangers mode since his confession a week ago. He started ghosting me. For two days, I tried to make conversations with him but he only replies with short answers in a disinterested tone. So, I stopped bothering him.Perhaps, he's regretting to tell me everything. Why should I bother but it keeps pinching me. I buried myself in work and making more contacts than Arthur.Speaking of my ex-husband and my sister, they didn't try to contact me or tried anything which could put us on war.Currently, I was in the middle of a meeting with the new employees who joined recently and had great potentials. I was recruiting for marketing experts and tech experts personally because I need them most at present."Ma'am, you have Ms. Addison on the call." Sandra whispered in my ear.Here comes the she-devil. I thought she was busy in her own work and life or searching for rich dicks."Tell her that I'm busy." I whispered her and focused my attention on the prot
[ Adeline ]"Addie, can we talk in a civil way?" I asked my sister calmly though I knew she'd be anything but civil with me."You wanna have a civil talk?" She laughed in a mocking way. Her laugh was sickening."Yes, I do because this is my work and I do want want any drama here." I said firmly.She stomped her foot on the floor, it's her favourite habit when she's frustrated or mad on something."Listen, Adeline. I know you want to destroy me and my son. I don't give a fuck to what you want to do with Arthur. He and Linda are capable of handling any shit you throw on them but I have work very hard for my son. He deserves what Arnold bestowed on you. Give my son's birth rights back." She pointed her finger at me with menace in her eyes.I inhaled deeply. Her behavior was getting intolerable by passing days. She tried hurting me. She will do it again."I can't even if I want to." I told her the truth as I had received the copy of his will in the morning and it clearly stated that I can
[ Adeline ]"What?"She shrieked after a moment of silence. I assumed she was processing my proposal in the moment.I winced as her voice damaged my eardrums."Please, would you talk in a lower valume. I don't want to depend on the hearing aids because you keep assaulting my ears." I said."Have you gone completely insane? How can you propose something like this? I would give you my son so you can eliminate him from your path? NEVER!" She shouted on the top of her lungs.I folded my arms and gave her a bored look though I was hurt by her words. I can never kill someone let alone a child for my ambitions."I am not like you, Addison. I can't hurt someone for my selfish motives. So, think twice before you talk to me or spit such shits again about me." I said in a cold tone.She rose from her chair and leaned on the table."Arthur will deal you about this." She said with thinly pressed lips."Your husband's business is sinking, Addie. You can get rid off a looser like him as soon as you
[ Adeline ]“What is she doing here?” Mom hissed in my ear as we hugged. I avoided looking at Dad.“Mom, be nice to her.” I whispered back and she shook her head while pulling back from the hug.Dad cleared his throat. I couldn’t move forward to greet him like we used to do.“Mom, Dad, how long are you going to hold grudges against me?Look at Adeline. She is happily married to the man of her choice and I have a happy family with Arthur. We really love each other.” Addison, who was spitting fire for our parents, took three sixty turn as soon as they appeared in front of us.“I think you’re right, Addie. We shouldn’t stick to the past and move forward.” Dad said coming forward and raked his eyes on Addison. I saw a flash of emotion on his face.“Dad, please forgive me. You have punished me enough. I am ashamed of my deeds.” Addison broke into tears and I mentally scoffed. She had done excellent job at acting and making it genuine for her spectators.“Addie, I think you are right. We wer
[ Xavier ]Ever have you that moment when you think you have come far from a dark tunnel and gained some grounds over your wounded heart only to find yourself in the same water after years, and the person doesn’t have a whiff of your feelings.This is the worst feeling. I would have laughed on the person who said to me that one day I’ll find someone who has the ability to stir the feelings which I have buried in the deepest chamber of my heart but it’s true. It happened.I was smitten by the woman who was walking aimlessly, crying and lost unaware of the danger lurking around her. The woman was none other but my ex-sister-in-law. Her eyes were something I was drawn to.Now, she’s mine but she can never be mine.Adeline Greyson, my wife who hasn’t returned from her office nor she’s answering my phone. I called her bodyguard who told me that she was at her parents’ house. She should be back by now.I was busy pondering about her when I heard the honk of her car and a minute later, she e
[ Adeline ]“Good morning, sleepy head. It’s nine in the morning and our little devils are waiting for their mom to wake up.” I heard my husband’s husky voice in my ear and lazily I opened my eyes. His beautiful eyes looked more intense in the bright sunlight which was peeking through the window.I cupped his face and brought him close to peck his forehead, “Good morning, love. It’s not my fault that I slept till this late.” I said and threw my arms around his torso.“Don’t blame me, you look ravishing in red and black and it’s been a week since I last had you.” He defended himself.“Now, it’s my fault?” I raised my brows while he took me to the bathroom and placed me on the countertop. He applied toothpaste on my brush and gave it to me.“Thanks, love. You can leave now. I’ll join you and our sons in fifteen minutes.” I said but he remained there.“What?” I gave him a confused look.“I won’t mind taking another shower with my sexy wife who’s looking more ravishing with my marks on he
[ Xavier ]The day of the judgement has finally come. I held my wife’s hand tightly, it was a silent promise that no matter what happens today, I’d stick by her side and we’ll start a new journey together today. The trial was in progress, my lawyers were doing their best to prove Emily and Linda guilty but I didn’t think Linda would get imprisonment, her mental health worsened after the death of her son. She couldn’t believe that he was actually gone.It was more severe punishment, she’d live the rest of her life in this pain and denial. Speaking of Emily, she remained silent throughout the hearing. Her family didn’t show up as they were hiding themselves from the law but her brother testified against her.We also brought the father of her ex-boyfriend in Cananda to solidify a murder case against her.“We’re going to win this case, Xav.” Adeline whispered to me.“I don’t doubt that. I am thinking where should we go to celebrate this day, just you and me.” I gave her a side glance.“Le
[ Adeline ]“Yes, Addison. You look pale, maybe sick. What’s the matter?” I asked my sister with a raised brow while Adam was busy playing with the house staff. I told Xavier not to come out because he and Addison still don’t look into eyes.She looked here and there, the coffee I served her was still untouched. She was tapping her foot on the floor, which does it whenever she’s nervous.“Look, we both aren’t very close, I get it but it has a brighter side. You don’t expect me to judge you or give you advise, you just want to talk, then talk. I am listening.” I said to ease her and she looked up.“But you must promise me that you won’t tell Mom or anyone else.” She said and I was shocked, she was requesting me.“If you have doubts on me then don’t tell me. I didn’t ask you to come to me.” I said in a little annoyed tone, blame my imbalanced hormones.“I didn’t mean in that way.” She tried to justify and a tensed silence sprawled between us.“Addison, if you are seeing yourself on a cr
[ Adeline ]“Hey, I told you not to move much. Your wound is healed but it doesn’t mean that you’d be walking and running here and there like this.” I reprimanded my husband who was watering the plants in our balcony.“Ade, don’t treat me like a patient anymore. It’s been four weeks and my wound is completely healed. In fact, you should take care of yourself now.” He said turning to face me.“Yes, you’re right but I am taking care of myself, Mr. Linwood. You should worry about yourself. The doctors advised you to avoid pressure on your muscles for next two months. Take it seriously, Xav. You’ll be a father very soon and this kind of behaviour isn’t appreciative from any angle.” I reminded him and on the mention of his baby, his eyes sparkled.He walked briskly towards me and caged me in between his arms, “I still can’t believe that we’re going to have a baby in next seven months. Our boy or girl will be with us to add more happiness in our world.” He said, his smile said a lot than he
[ Adeline ]“Linda, how are you?” I spoke over the microphone and her screaming stopped.“Emily, I hope your leg is healing now. It’s a long time since we met and I am feeling very elated to see you both. I hope you’re being treated well.” I said.“Adeline, you bitch! You coward whore, if you have guts, come in front of me.” Linda sneered and yelled at the cameras.For the first time, I witnessed her losing her temperament and it showed how vulnerable she was. Emily’s eyes moved on the camera as well but she didn’t express anything.“Linda, don’t shout, you’re making it hard for Emily to survive with you.” I said.“You’re enjoying this right? Just remember, if anything happens to me, my son will destroy you and that bastard.” Linda screamed.“I am sorry, Linda but your son can’t do anything now or ever.” I said and suddenly the two sided mirror became transparent and now, she could see me.Her eyes turned dark and she marched towards the glass.“I am going to kill you, Adeline Greyson
[ Adeline ]“What you both did inside? It was ridiculous.” I reprimanded Travis when doctors told us to leave his ward when they came to examine him and proceed with his shift to the hospital which was financed by the Linwood company.“It’s simple, we don’t trust the staff here because we don’t know them. What if his security is breached again by any insider? And what if this news leaks in the media, the damage will be beyond repair and all the suspicion will be pointed on Xavier. The investigation is on full swing and we need to keep low profile until the case is closed.” Travis explained and I thought he was right.“His wounds are fresh, I am afraid if he gets hurt while moving in an ambulance.” I expressed my concern.“Don’t worry, they are the latest technology, bumps on the roads can’t be felt and the best paramedic team will be with him and the route is only of twenty minutes at night time.” Travis assured me and I hoped everything happens smoothly.“Travis, can I ask you for a
[ Xaiver ]“I’m pregnant, Xavier.”These three words sent my mind into frenzy. For a moment, I thought I was dreaming after waking up and it could be the effect of medicines but when she kissed my forehead and placed my hand on her flat belly, my whole world stopped.I was numb to react and unable to process anything. She told me that we’re about to have a baby, our baby. I am going to be a father and when I just narrowly escaped death.The history might repeat itself once again. I could have lost my wife and another child if it wasn’t my fate and the God’s blessings.“Please, say something, Xavier. Your silence isn’t good.” I heard her wavered voice and when I met her eyes, I could see insecurities and many questions.“I can’t kiss you, how horrible a situation can be? I’m going to be a father and I am hearing this news on a hospital bed, with a hole in my stomach. I am overwhelmed, Ade.” I spoke the truth as I was still trying to wrap my mind around this news.“I can understand, Xav
[ Adeline ]“Hey, love. Wake up. See, I am here, your Adeline.” I whispered to the sleeping figure of my husband but he was in a deep sleep under the effect of the medicines. My hands ached to touch him but I was scared of hurting him. His abdomen was wrapped in bandages.I hadn’t left his side since I came back to the hospital with Grandma. Eventually, I had to tell her everything. Sooner or later, she’ll find out so hiding from her wasn’t an option. She took everything really patiently, even the death of her other grandson who wanted to kill her elder grandson. She expressed no remorse for his death.She wanted to come with me to the hospital but I insisted her to stay home and promised to bring her to the hospital once he gains his consciousness.“Xavier, I have to tell you something. I also got to know an hour ago but this is really an amazing news but you have to wake up first because I want to see your reaction when I tell you this.” I talked to him in a hope that he was listeni
[ Adeline ]Hours passed, perhaps the dawn rolled on but we didn’t hear anything from the doctors yet, they just kept rushing out and again going inside with medicines and other supplies, they refused to answer anything and it grew my fear even more. I couldn’t wrap my mind around this sudden halt in my life.“Here, have this or you’ll fall sick, Adeline.” Travis offered me coffee but I refused by shaking my head negatively.“No, I am fine but thanks, Travis.” I tried to smile but failed.He sighed and sat down on the vacant chair beside me.“I can’t feel the depth of your pain and fears, Adeline because I haven’t seen someone I love in this situation but I am here for you and Xavier, always and I know my friend, he won’t like if he learn that you tortured yourself. So, for Xavier, have some coffee. He is under the best care and we’d shift him to the best hospital in the city once his condition stabilizes and the doctors approve his shift.” He said and again tried to make me have the