[ Adeline ]"Melissa Hart?" I gasped."Yes, you have a sharp memory, Ms. Adeline or I should correct myself, Mrs. Linwood. I am the bastard you just mentioned to Mr. Linwood." The woman, with her sharp wisdom and extraordinary beauty, replied.She dared to match my eyes without hesitation. She is the famous rising actress known for her prominent roles and being the brand ambassador of luxury brands."Ms. Hart, I didn't intend to downgrade you and I'm extremely sorry if my words hurt your sentiments." I apologized but I felt far from being guilty."You actually hurt me and you meant to call me a bastard which I am but you know what does it mean?" She took slow steps towards me, her striking black eyes challenging me to retreat but I stood on my ground."Melissa, sit down. My son and daughter-in-law are here because I called them to discuss a few important matters." Arnold’s guilt ridden interrupted us.Melissa tore her attention from me and shifted to her father who was looking down."
[ Adeline ]"May I kiss you, Adeline?" His hoarse yet seductive voice rang in my ears.For a moment, I thought I was actually dreaming. This man had kissed me twice and it was for the show but currently, we were alone under the sky, just two of us and he wants to kiss me, with my permission. "Never mind. I am sorry. I felt a little weak in the moment." I heard his disappointed words as he created a distance between us.I wish I could tell him how badly I want to taste those lips which touched mine for two times and they were unexplainable but the sad part is, I don't want to complicate anything between us and a kiss would definitely add more knots which may be hard to detanle in the future."Xavier..." I tried to speak but he laid on his back."You don't need to explain anything, Adeline. I understand. You want to keep it transparent between us. Don't worry, I won't pressurize you into anything, you have my words." He said in a calm and detatched tone but I could sense the yearning b
[ Xavier ]The cracking of bones followed by ear deafening screams of the man who was tied in ropes, covered in his own blood and sweat, gave me a different kind of satisfaction.“Xavier, please, forgive me. I will never speak a word against your wife. I’ll leave this city if you want but please, let me go. I have kids and a family.” He begged me in his hoarse voice. His eyes were black and swollen.“You dared to call her by inappropriate words, not once but twice. You disrespected the woman who is very special to me.” I said leaning forward on my chair.He has been locked in the basement of the club Inferno, my secret world that is a secret. I am a civil man who avoids violence as long as it’s not needed but Daniel is a vile creature who must be given a lesson for lifetime. I have his full history. He can’t keep his dick loyal to his wife and molested his female employees.“You’re involved with mafia, you’re a criminal, Xavier Linwood.” He yelled and received another punch from my ma
[ Adeline ]"Ashley, the girl whom Mom insulted and threw out of the house, next day we left the house?" Arthur looked between his mother and Xavier."Yes, how can I forget that whore. I caught her riding my husband in her stinky skirt." Linda scoffed.I cringed on her bold vocabulary."Ashley contacted him recently and told him about their daughter who turned out be Melissa Hart." I said since Xavier wasn't there when I met the young girl with hidden intentions."She was at the farmhouse?" Linda narrowed her eyes at me."Yes, she was there. I bet she's still staying to make up with her father for the lost time." I told her and watched how her expressions changed.She was playing with her wedding ring. The tension in the air could be cut with a knife. They were my enemies yet I allowed them to have a civil conversation with us."What does Melissa want? Do you have any idea?" Arthur questioned me."I met her hardly for two minutes. How can I read her intentions. I don't have some speci
[ Adeline ]“Ironman or Batman? Chose your option.” Xavier offered me two choices. I am a fan of superhero movies but I wasn’t in a mood to watch one tonight.“Nope, I’d love to watch The Notebook or the all time favourite Titanic.” I grinned.“You want to watch romantic movies with tragic ends. C’mon, we want to enjoy this time, aren’t we?” He scoffed.“Then let’s watch Home Alone?” I suggested a horror movie.“I think Titanic is a good movie to enjoy anytime.” He said and proceed to play the movie when an evil idea popped in my head.“Are you scared of watching horror movie, Xavier Linwood?” I narrowed my eyes and he stiffened like he was caught red handed.“No, I don’t.” He snapped in a defensive way, “I am not in a mood to watch horror movie, that’s it.” He scratched his nape. He was lying, it was written all over his face.“Alright, I have an offer for you.” I bit my lip when his eyes scrunched at me, “If you watch a horror movie with me till the end, I’ll kiss you.”His pupils d
[ Adeline ]"Are you sure, I mean you really want to come with me to this trip?" He blinked his eyes to assure what he just heard from me."Yes, I'd like to go with you if you promise to bear all the expenses except my shopping bills. I prefer to pay for my own stuffs." I said in a joking way and a smile spread on his face.His eyes gleamed."Thanks." He said, "Don't worry, I'll pay all the bills including your shopping bills even if you buy the whole market. I'd love to pay for it." He added."No, I can't take your money. This is something where I want to make a rule. I don't want to financially depend on someone. I have bitter memories. You know what I mean." I bit my tongue."I understand and I'm not a douchebag who taunts his wife for spending his money. Look, Adeline." He held my hand and I again felt the same jitters in my tummy, "I have no one to spend the money I earn by the hard work of earn day and night."His words touched my heart."I understand your sentiments, Xavier but
[ Adeline ]“Xavier, I was only teasing you. I thought you were scared of watching a horror movie. So, I thought I could challenge you to watch it with me.” I blushed hard as I tried to explain him about the condition I put and now, he was adamant to steal a kiss.How could I tell him that he can kiss me whenever he wants and I’d never object.“Well, in that case. I apologize to you, Adeline.” He said with a shrug of his shoulder and my heart sank. He could just take the lead.“Umm..I..think.” I found it hard to find a proper sentence to response him.“Good night, Adeline. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He wished me night and turned on his heels to leave.He was leaving just like that?“Wait!” I shouted, I didn’t know what had gotten into me.“Adeline? What is with your volume? I am here in front of you.” He laughed lightly and I was more than ever embarrassed now.“I just..wanted to say..”I paused as I had no courage to ask him for a kiss. I was behaving like a total teenager who finds hard
[ Adeline ]“Look, Melissa, we don’t want you here. Spo, if you leave on your own, that would be good for both of us or we need to call the security.” I said to the psycho girl who was grinning ear to ear.“You want to throw me out of your house when I am just being a civil neighbour?” Melissa faked politeness and to be honest, she was getting into my nerves and I just wanted to push her out of my house so badly.“We are very civil to you, Miss Hart but you can’t listen us properly, I think because we aren’t in a mood to entertain unwanted guests and you’re definitely the one right now.” Xavier said to her in a threatening tone.“Why are you mean to me, Xavier? It’s not my fault that I was born out of an illicit affair. Arnold Linwood destroyed my mother’s life but she never sued the Linwood family or my biological father. She told me when she saw the news of Arnold’s retirement and the company being split among his family members. We weren’t before I became popular as an actress. If
[ 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