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Chapter 23
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Pretend Wife Chapter 24
Aiva was unyielding in her stance. "Absolutely not," she scolded her brother. "Women experience false labor for a reason. It's like a practice run for the real thing, and you, my dear brother, have failed miserably."David attempted to defend himself. "It's not my fault, Aiva! You and Teddy practiced for it, not me!""Exactly," Aiva retorted. "So now we're all going to practice." She clapped her hands together, and I looked at her with disbelief. She didn't appear to have just gone through false labor. Wasn't it supposed to be extremely painful, even if it was false? I was inclined to support David's suggestion of a nap."She's right, you know," Cassandra chimed in. "We need to get organized in case it happens for real."I arched my eyebrows in surprise as I looked at her, and she returned the expression with a determined look. "So, Aiva, where's your room?" I inquired.Aiva pointed towards a door, and Cassandra gestured for all of us to follow her. David and I exchanged resigned glanc
The Pretend Wife Chapter 25
Without hesitation, we rushed down the stairs. However, in our hurry, David's leg became entangled with mine and we tumbled down several steps before painfully landing on the floor.As we lay groaning in pain, Cassandra suddenly appeared with her hands on her hips, disapprovingly clicking her tongue. "Boys, remember rule number one: no running. People can get hurt," she scolded.I shot her a dirty look, unable to suppress my frustration. "You could have warned us," I grumbled under my breath.Cassandra simply rolled her eyes, as if my comment was absurd. But how was I supposed to know not to run? I had never had to rush a woman in labor to the hospital before!A sudden interruption of tense silence was made by Aiva's voice. "Hey! I'm having labor pains here!"In response, David rushed towards the door, while I picked up Aiva's travel bag, and Cassandra hurried over to Aiva's side. We followed David outside, where he stood frozen in front of the garage. Then, unexpectedly, Aiva let out
The Pretend Wife Chapter 26
Concern etched across my face, I expressed my worries to her. "You don't seem to be okay," I said."I'm fine," she replied abruptly.I observed her for a moment before questioning, "Are you certain?"After pausing for a moment, she finally admitted, "No."Frustrated, she observed as my expression became one of confusion. She yearned to make me comprehend what was bothering her. Her emotions overwhelmed her, and tears streamed down her face silently.Why was she acting so emotional, like a pregnant woman?"She named her daughter after me, Jasper," she blurted out, barely above a whisper.I was taken aback. "I believed you were thrilled about it!""I am," she responded, her voice trembling. "But what if they find out the truth? What if they discover our arrangement?"She looked at me as her words sunk in. What would happen then?I found myself at a loss for words, completely dumbfounded by her question. The car ride home was marked by an unsettling silence, with Cassandra's troubled expr
The Pretend Wife Chapter 27
Innocently, she asked if something she had said was the reason for my reaction. I shook my head, then followed her to the reception area where she was crying uncontrollably on a sofa. I hugged her and tried to comfort her.Curious about the cause of her distress, I asked gently if she had had a fight with her mom. But Cassandra shook her head and continued to cry. "I wish it were that simple," she whispered, which made my heart sink.Cassandra then revealed that her mother had Alzheimer's disease. Her tears continued to flow, and my heart ached for her. Looking at her tear-streaked face and the pain in her eyes, I felt a sharp pang in my gut.It reminded me of the time when I went home and found out that my own mother did not recognize me. At first, I couldn't believe it, thinking that she was just joking around. But as time passed, I came to realize that something was seriously wrong. It was heartbreaking.Listening to Cassandra's story, I was overwhelmed by a deep sense of horror as
The Pretend Wife Chapter 28
We traveled back home in a comfortable silence, each lost in our own thoughts. Upon arrival, I stumbled straight into bed with a throbbing headache. I eventually dozed off and awoke to the pitch black night sky. A soft smile formed on my lips as I reminisced about how Jasper had held me while I cried earlier. It was such a drastic difference compared to my ex-boyfriend who would always walk away during my moments of weakness. What a complete jerk.The room suddenly lit up as Jasper flipped on the light switch. "Hey there, sleeping beauty," he teased, grinning at me from across the room."Hey," I replied with a yawn, rubbing the sleep from my eyes."I was just about to wake you up for dinner. You slept for a while," he informed me."Wow, really? Time flies when one's asleep," I said jokingly while stretching my limbs.Jasper chuckled softly before saying, "You remind me of my cousin when you say things like that."I gave him a puzzled expression and asked, "What do you mean by that?""Y
The Pretend Wife Chapter 29
"Excuse me, Cassandra. Can you please pass me my towel? I left it outside," I asked, feeling a bit sheepish as I closed my eyes in embarrassment. Cassandra giggled as she reached inside the bathroom to hand me the towel. I then requested my clothes, and I wrapped the towel around my waist as I waited for her to bring them to me.However, Cassandra was in a playful mood and teased me by pulling her hand back when I reached out for my clothes. After a few attempts, I finally caught her hand and playfully pulled her into the bathroom. She stumbled and landed against me, and I couldn't help but notice her sparkling green eyes as they swept over my physique.Feeling mischievous, I leaned in closer to her and shook my hair, causing droplets of water to cascade down onto her. She recoiled with disgust and begged me to stop, her breathing heavy and her face flushed with embarrassment. I chuckled and let her go, watching as she scurried away like a startled mouse.Cassandra's POV:My heart was
The Pretend Wife Chapter 30
Cassandra’s POV I blushed at the compliment. "You look even more beautiful than I had imagined, Cassandra," he said, his words sending a warmth through my body."Now, let's introduce you to the rest of the family, our future daughter-in-law!" A distinguished gentleman with sparkling blue eyes and a charming smile stepped forward. It was undoubtedly Jasper's father. I extended my hand to shake his, but he pulled me in for a warm embrace."Welcome to the Benson family, my dear!" he exclaimed."Thank you," I replied, feeling a tinge of guilt and tears welling up in my eyes. I quickly blinked them away.Jasper interrupted, "Hey, I'm your son! Don't I get a hug?" We all laughed as his mother enveloped him in a tight embrace while his father playfully caught him in a headlock.As the group made their way inside, Jasper and I hung back to retrieve our bags. Suddenly, he took my hand and slipped a beautiful ring onto my engagement finger. I marveled at it in wonder, keeping my hands tucked in
The Pretend Wife Chapter 31
After the introductions were done, we settled into our seats and eagerly dug into a scrumptious feast laid out before us. Cold cuts, sandwiches, scrambled eggs, fruit juices, coffee and tea, buttered scones, muffins, and toasts adorned the table. I savored each bite in silence, occasionally exchanging words with Kenny, while Jasper caught up with his cousins. They regaled each other with stories of their adventures while they were away, and I listened with a warm sense of belonging.As I looked around the room, I realized that these people had become my makeshift family for the year. I was determined to cherish every moment without worrying about the inevitable end. After our meal, the men excused themselves for a smoke, while I stayed inside with the women. Kenny stayed back with me, making me feel at ease and right at home.All eyes eagerly fixated on Cassandra as Josephine posed the question, "Cassandra, have you and Jasper set a wedding date yet?" A surge of panic surged through he
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The Pretend Wife Chapter 164
As soon as news of our engagement spread through the media, it quickly became the talk of the town across various news platforms in Seattle. True to form, there were a handful of envious individuals who seized the opportunity to launch a barrage of insults at me, resorting to all kinds of derogatory names. Some even went as far as suggesting that I must have employed supernatural means to captivate Noah's affections, questioning how a prosperous and youthful man could possibly be enamored by someone like me. Fortunately, my loyal friends emerged as my staunch defenders, taking on the trolls and even granting interviews on Instagram live streams to clear my tarnished reputation.Both Noah and I have consistently turned down interview requests, including those from reputable media outlets. His stance was that our relationship is not open for public scrutiny, a sentiment I wholeheartedly share. In accordance with our mutual decision, we have chosen to have a destination wedding at a ser
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After precisely two months of reconciling with Noah , I made the decision to organize a surprise birthday celebration for him. With his 33rd birthday approaching, my aim was to create an intimate and elegant party to honor him. To bring this event to life, I sought the assistance of his closest friends, Fredrick and Jamiu, as well as his parents. They were all eager to contribute and help organize the occasion. Today, his family will be traveling from Spain to Seattle to attend the party, which will take place at the lavish residence of their family friend, Mr. Matthew Dawnson, a billionaire tycoon.Marilyn, who suggested the venue, assured me that Matthew's house in Seattle was the ideal location for the type of party I have envisioned. As it turns out, she was absolutely correct. The mansion occupied a vast expanse of land that seemed to extend infinitely, bordered by the tranquil waterfront of Kirkland lagoon.It felt as though we've stepped into a breathtaking Caribbean paradise r
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Acting on a tip from Marilyn, I decided to visit one of Noah's clubs where an artist signed to his record label was performing tonight. Noah was unaware of my surprise visit, although he knew his mother had come to see me earlier. She had asked if she should inform him about my desire to meet up, but I declined, as I was the one who had cut ties with him and explicitly forbade him from contacting me again.As I approached the entrance, the bouncers inquired if my name was on the guest list. For the first time, doubts crept into my mind, questioning the wisdom of my impromptu visit. A sense of déjà vu washed over me, reminiscent of the day months ago when I went to Noah's residence for an unexpected meet up. That particular evening marked the beginning of our relationship and held the significance of our first intimate encounter. The memory brought a smile to my face, instilling in me the confidence to proceed with my purpose for the night.Approaching one of the colossal bouncers, I
The Pretend Wife Chapter 161
The children and I didn't make it downstairs until slightly past 10 a.m. It had been an incredible night, courtesy of my unexpected visit from my cousin, Samuel , who asked if he could spend the weekend with us. I was delighted to have his company, and thanks to him, we stayed up later than usual, engaging in enjoyable games, a family karaoke session, and indulging in the junk food he had brought along.Luckily, today was Saturday, so there was no need to wake up at the crack of dawn to prepare for school and work. Samuel was still asleep on the couch in the living room where we had left him the previous night. I signaled to the girls to be quiet as we stealthily made our way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast."What are we having for breakfast?" Anna inquired eagerly. "I'm famished!""Shh! Let's not wake up Uncle Samuel ," Bella admonished her sister in a hushed tone."I agree," I responded softly. "After entertaining us so well last night, he deserves to rest.""Can we have eggs
The Pretend Wife Chapter 160
As the new school year approached, my enthusiasm surpassed even that of my children. They often wondered what made me so cheerful. I was genuinely delighted to embrace the return of a structured routine. Each day held a sense of purpose: escorting my daughters to school, proceeding to work after bidding them farewell, accomplishing our weekly grocery shopping, enjoying quality time with my girlfriends every other weekend, and sporadically receiving visits from my siblings. These engagements filled my days with various activities, diverting my attention from ruminating about Noah and whether he and Reina managed to establish a connection after that dreadful morning four and a half months ago. It's astonishing how swiftly time has flown by!Interrupting my thoughts, Joe jovially exclaimed, "Knock, knock! Who's there?"I found myself seated in my office, experiencing a rather uneventful day in terms of business. Impatience consumed me as I eagerly anticipated the moment when I must pick
The Pretend Wife Chapter 159
This morning's breakfast was a delightful and uncomplicated affair. I indulged in fried bean cakes, accompanied by corn pudding generously adorned with milk and sugar, and a serving of freshly baked bread. As I savored each bite, a rush of nostalgia envelopped me, transporting me back to my cherished childhood. It was during those Saturday mornings that my mother would skillfully prepare this delightful combination, her dedication evident after hours of meticulously cleaning the house and its surroundings. Ah, the fond memories of those days gone by.Noah, observing me intently with an inquisitive smile, playfully remarked, "Seems like our chef deserves a raise, considering the immense joy on your face. I never knew you were such an ardent fan of bean cakes. Or perhaps it's the velvety-smooth pudding that has brought about such happiness?"A gentle chuckle escaped my lips as I responded, "Not exactly. Although this food has undeniably transported me back to my childhood, it was my mot
The Pretend Wife Chapter 158
The atmosphere in the car was heavy with silence as Noah and I made our way back to his house. The palpable tension reflected Noah's evident annoyance and embarrassment over the deplorable treatment I received from his parents during my inaugural visit to their home. While my family may not be affluent, I am certain that they would never exhibit such overt rudeness towards someone they were meeting for the first time. Age should not be a point of contention, and there is certainly nothing inherently terrible about having children. Yet, they made me feel as if I were afflicted with a contagious disease. Why did Marilyn, in particular, direct such venomous hostility towards me from the moment she laid eyes on me? And as for Reina , what is her ulterior motive? As we pulled up to Noah's house, his sour mood still hung in the air. I am torn about whether I should offer an apology to him, even though it was I who should feel offended, not him. With determined strides, he ascended the sta
The Pretend Wife Chapter 157
As we reached the backyard, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Noah's father didn't match the image I had in my mind. Unlike what I expected, the elderly Taylor was tall, slender, and attractive, with hair that's gracefully greying. On the other hand, I couldn't help but feel annoyed when I saw Reina , who looked like she was part of the family. She was wearing tiny shorts that barely covered her buttocks, paired with a cropped knit top that showcased her extremely flat stomach. Her short hair was styled into shiny finger curls, complemented by sleek baby hairs at the front. She was also sporting a pair of Gucci slides, partially concealing her feet. As soon as she spotted me, she casted a deliberate, slow glance from my head to my toes, making it abundantly clear that she didn't welcome my presence. "Hello, Father!" Noah enthusiastically greeted his dad, extricating himself from his mother and approaching his father. "Hey, son!" Exclaimed the older Taylor , stepping forward t
The Pretend Wife Chapter 156
Over the next three days, Noah and I immersed ourselves in exploring Spain to its fullest extent. We made it a point to visit various tourist attractions and indulge in sightseeing activities. To ensure my daughters were part of the experience, I diligently recorded each outing and shared the videos with them via my cousin's WhatsApp. Alternatively, I would connect with them through Skype during our trips, allowing them to witness our joyous outdoor adventures in real-time.On the fourth day of our stay in Spain, we were abruptly awakened at 7 a.m. by the persistent ringing of Noah's phone. Our sleep schedule had been adjusted since arriving in Spain, causing this unexpected phone call to catch us off guard."Darn it, I should have turned off my phone last night," Noah grumbled into his pillow. "Who in the world could be calling at this hour?""Please answer the darn phone so I can get some more sleep!" I replied drowsily, feeling increasingly annoyed by the incessant ringing that w
