[ 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 ]The dinner was quite and I preferred it in that way but by judging Xavier's facial expressions, I knew he was giving me time to open up.Should I tell him about my last conversation with my father or first try to dig into him? I have to find out to which length, he knows about our past and the tangled secrets."Tiramisu for dessert." The water placed our last dish."Thanks, the service is excellent." I said to the waiter."We're glad you enjoyed your meal at our restaurant, Ma'am." He bowed professionally and left."I picked the menu and no praises for me?" Xavier arched his brow."I think the compliments for the hotel and staff is an indirect compliment to you, Mr. Linwood." I replied while taking a bite from my dessert.A moan automatically left my throat as I felt flavours bursting inside my mouth."It's so delicious. I want to kiss the magical hands of the chef." I said taking another bite."That's not possible, Sinora. I may have to fire him." Xavier's deep response c
[ Adeline ]"Feeling better?"Xavier walked in the garden with a mug of brewing coffee. I had woken up early than him to do some yoga and meditation to helpy my mind and body to relax."Yes, much better than last few days. I had no idea that it works like magic to our nervous system." I said wiping my sweaty face by a towel.He sat down on the bench. He was in his T shirt and track pants with his night robe over."You're not going to office? You seem very relaxed." I sat down on the yoga mat in Indian style."I decided to take a day off to visit someone special." He took a sip from his coffee, though his eyes were fixed on me."Oh, that's great to hear."I had nothing else to say but my curiosity was pinching me to ask him about his special person."Do you want to come with me. I am sure you'll be more happier than me to meet her." He smiled."Her? Is she your secret crush or a grandma? Just being curious." I couldn't stop myself from asking him."You're a terrible predictor, Ade." H
[ Adeline ]"How are you feeling now?" I asked once we made our way out of the church after the prayer meet and our big announcement. It was an out of blue decision."Satisfied and at peace." He replied in the briefest words but the calmness and the happiness lying beneath his strong demeanor gave my answer.The media bombarded us with countless questions which we answered honestly. Rest was handled by our PR team and social media handler. We were on the news and yet there was no reaction from the Linwoods."And you were wondering where our demons were." Xavier stopped and pointed his finger at our front gates."Yes, I was missing the spice in our life, Xavier but not this much. Anyways, I'm going to handle him. You shouldn't be ruining your mood today. You can go inside through back door." I said to Xavier whose day was very important for him."No, it's alright and I am not scared of a clown like him. He's just a pawn of Linda's hands." He shook his head and led us to greet Arthur wh
[ Adeline ]"Does it hurt?" I asked the big man who winced when I pressed cotton pad with antiseptic liquid on his bruised knuckles."Do it fast."He said without sparing me a glance. He was acting stubbornly and didn't let me clean up his wounds until I forced him to sit and apply ointment on his bruises and scratches. He had been quiet since the encounter.I carefully cleaned his wounds and applied antiseptic cream on the open cut and also put bandage."Go and take a shower. You're looking like a hooligan in fish market, Xavier." I taunted him and he was indeed looking like one with messed up clothes with dirt and blood on his branded shirt and disheveled hair."Leave me alone, Adeline." He said in a cold voice. He was acting strange.Initially I thought he was angry but it was a couple of hours ago. He must act mature rather than throwing fits like a stubborn mule."What's wrong with you, Xavier?" I asked getting a little frustrated by his efforts to shut everyone out."I need some
[ 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