- I can't believe you came dressed like that! Taken aback, Missy jumped a little in fright at her mother-in-law's furious exclamation, who lunged at her as soon as Missy walked through the door, appraising her clothes with obvious annoyance. Surprised, Missy noticed that Lauren Newton was wearing a long gown, similar to an evening dress, although it was easily identifiable that it was a rental dress, as some parts were quite worn, especially the hem and sleeves. The relief Missy had felt upon seeing her car parked in the driveway, and realizing that Liam had already arrived at his mother's house, dissipated somewhat when she wondered why her mother-in-law was dressed so formally, especially with the addition of that heavy makeup. , as if she was about to go to a wedding. - But didn't I say a thousand times that this party would be classy? How could you come dressed like you were going to the park for ice cream? her mother-in-law snapped, stomping her feet hard on the ground as soon a
As she turned, she saw the Knight twins standing a few feet away, both with haggard, almost tortured expressions, as Mrs. Newton was gesturing excitedly about something. In fact, they looked like they were literally cornered by her, as they were standing together and huddled in one corner of the room, with Lauren standing so close to the two of them that she was blocking any exit they might have. - Oh, no... - Missy lamented, knowing that surely her mother-in-law was taking advantage of that moment to talk about luxury, fortune and all those other subjects that she loved so much, especially when it came to talking to two consecrated names in the modeling industry . "I think I'll go there..." - Save them. - Lucy amended. - Hmmm... I'll just ask where are the dumplings I made. – She tried to explain herself, even though she knew Lucy was right. Lauren could be quite exasperating at times, that was a fact, and if the Knights were here, obviously forcing themselves to endure a monologue
All the horrible things he'd said… They didn't make it seem like Liam was in love with her. In fact, they made it seem almost as if he'd been spending all that time with her just waiting for the moment when they would have sex… Which was why her refusal had infuriated him so much. As if she had taken away from him the only good thing he could ever have with her. But if he wanted to get married, then had she got it all wrong? He had reacted that way, hurt her that way… Why was he nervous about the marriage proposal? However, the main reason the floor seemed to disappear from under her feet was that... She wasn't prepared. She wanted to try to work things out with Liam and move forward with their relationship. Maybe, in time, she could come to want him the way he wanted so much. Perhaps she even could tell that she was in love with him. Or even that she loved him. But not at that moment. Not that night. She I still didn't feel any of that, after all. And she couldn't say yes to him.
Logan Knight was there. She had completely forgotten that he had said he would come. But why was he standing in the Newtons' back garden instead of inside at the party? - Missy? Are you okay? he asked, looking worried, still keeping his arms around her, although it was obvious that there was no longer any risk of her falling. Blushing, Missy swallowed, nervously trying to look away from his eyes, which seemed to almost glow in the moonlight. Heavens, the way the man was handsome was almost crippling at times. - I... I'm fine. she stammered, shyly squirming within his embrace. Perhaps it was good that he had stopped her in her mindless flight. She needed to breathe some fresh air and calm down enough to be able to get back to Liam and Lauren and make them understand that she didn't feel ready for a step as big as a wedding. They certainly should be furious with her, maybe even with some reason, but... Eventually they would understand she couldn't accept something of the magnitude
- Uh, it's okay if you don't want to come in. – she hurried to try to stop him, since obviously the event inside had not only angered him, but also disturbed him. - It is not alright. - He gave another heavy sigh, before, to his complete surprise, turning his face a little, so he could smile sweetly at her - Actually, I'm glad I met you. Maybe this way we can finally talk properly... Like the friends we are. He nodded and opened the door, allowing her to enter first, looking genuinely happy at the prospect of them talking. Missy cracked a smile, and as soon as they had both walked far enough to be back in the Newtons' hallway, she was about to speak again, when Mrs. Newton, appearing like a bolt of lightning from inside the living room towards the entrance hall, interrupted her. - There you are! – her mother-in-law roared, more enraged than she ever remembered seeing, advancing towards where they were as if she was really planning to wrap her hands around Missy's neck – We've been l
The coldness in that recorded voice seemed to awaken something in Missy, as if an electrical current had run through her body. Suddenly, she snapped out of her stupor of shock and horror, becoming painfully aware of the stares directed at her: some pitying, some curious, and some simply mocking, enjoying her humiliation. That's when she realized that she was just standing there, in the middle of all these people, passively watching the evidence that her boyfriend was a cheater who not only didn't love her, but despised her. She'd spent months trying to open up to him, respect him, understand him... struggling to develop a true feeling of love for him... And meanwhile, he was cheating on her. Mocking her. Treating her like she was nothing. She felt like an idiot. She felt as pathetic as he'd accused her of being. Feeling the tears streaming down her face start to blur her vision, Missy could only run, for the second time that day, away from it all, wanting only that video to disappe
- We arrived... Logan's soft murmur was the only thing that roused her from her stupor. Surprised, Missy realized that she had spent the entire drive lost in her own suffering, barely noticing that they had entered a beautiful condominium and stopped in front of a gigantic, but still very nice looking house. Welcoming was a good word too. Were it not for the circumstances, she would certainly be beyond delighted. Still hugged to herself, huddled as close as she could in the seat, Missy took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself down enough to get out of the car with what little dignity she had left, but Logan, again, was faster. At first, she thought he'd gotten out of the car just to wait for her outside, but to her complete surprise, he simply opened the passenger door and, before she realized what he was doing or Couldn't protest, Logan took her gently in his arms, cradling her like a baby as he carried her inside, as if she weighed nothing. At first, Missy felt herself blus
The aversion wasn't as desperately strong as the night before, but still, she looked quickly away from her haggard image, her eyes puffy and her cheeks red from crying. Feeling the discomfort inside her chest inexplicably increase, Missy struggled to maintain her composure, trying her best not to slip back into the wretched state she'd been in last night. As quickly as she could manage, she washed her face and brushed her teeth, refusing to even look back at the huge horizontal mirror that ran the length of the wide, dark marble sink. Once out of the bathroom, Missy couldn't contain the long sigh of relief that escaped her, even though that overreaction to her reflection had her a little worried. Okay, probably nothing she was feeling right now was healthy, but that was a little too much. Megan would certainly say that... That's when it hit her: her purse had been left at the Newtons' and heaven knew she'd rather die than have to go back there to get it. Which meant she was without h
Smiling a small contented smile, Hope visibly relaxed for a moment, but then the nervousness seemed to take over her small body again, as Missy led them to the large counter, where the old man greeted them warmly.-We… Hmmm… – Hope stammered nervously, hugging Missy with more and more desperation – We wanted an ice cream… Huh… – Her little daughter was getting more and more insecure, looking at her as if she was begging for help.- I would like a strawberry ice cream, please. – Missy asked softly, as she remembered saying when she was a little girl so terribly shy that she could barely ask anything from people she didn't know – And you, my love? she asked Hope, with a smile full of encouragement, for her to keep talking.- I want chocolate... Please. – Hope whispered, completely blushing, before burying her face in her mother's shoulder quickly.- Well, what a polite little girl... – the gentleman smiled, while picking up some glass bowls – You must be very proud to have such a kind d
Once in her arms, Hope lifted her tear-stained little face to look at her, initially looking surprised to see her mother there, but then her expression distorted into a sad sob and she buried her head against Missy's chest, panting.-Mommy... – her little baby wailed, making Missy's heart sink even more – Mommy... Mommy...- It's okay, my sweetheart. – Missy tried to console her, running her hands through her soft hair, while she continued to say, in a low and gentle voice, almost as if she were singing a lullaby to her, as she did every night – Mommy is here, don't worry. It's going to be okay... - she waited until Hope's cries went from copious to just a few sad sobs, before finally asking - Hope, what happened? – she caressed her cheek until she convinced her to look up – Why are you crying, little angel?Hope's little mouth quivered a few times before she finally sniffled, her little blue eyes filled with such sadness that Missy found herself kissing her little cheek over and over
Stealthily, Missy looked through the window.Inside, in the huge classroom, several children seemed to be copying something into their notebooks while chatting animatedly. And, of course, it wasn't hard for her to find her children, as usual, sitting in the chairs at the corner of the wall, not too close and also not far from the teacher, where she remembered also liking to be, when she was in the 4th grade. year, like them. Jonathan had his back turned in his chair, looking at his brother in the back seat, while Tristan was showing him something that looked very interesting on the portable video game he was holding. With an amused sigh, Missy tried to convince herself that at least they were doing that after they had finished their homework, as the open pages of their notebooks were visibly written all over the desks.In fact, she truly took pride in the fact that they were only ten years old and yet they were centered and obedient enough to keep up well in school, despite all the lo
Now, he was able to do so much more besides being afraid. He was capable of being brave. To face what he feared. Of fighting to live the joys that were to come, even in the midst of tragedies. And now, more than ever, he knew he was able to see his family's legacy for what it really was, not a curse. He would be able to spend the rest of his life talking about him in a hopeful and balanced way to his children, as he had that day, and as his parents and grandfather had done to him in his childhood.Even if there was still the fear of what could happen to their babies in the future.- Are you OK love?Surprised by that whisper, Logan turned to see Missy dressed in a long cotton Hello Kitty nightgown, already without makeup and with her long brown hair loose, approaching him and Hope, who began to babble softly and extend her little arms towards the mother. Smiling, Missy took her little girl and offered her the breast, leaving the baby immediately calmer as she watched Logan's face with
- And... - the desperation in Foster's voice was so deep that Logan almost felt sorry for her... Almost - How much exactly is this debt?- Come with me, Ms. Foster. - Mr. Ramzi sighed – Something tells me that your next fainting spell will not be false, when we finish talking.- H-hey, I'm sure we can work it out, right? - Logan thought she was trying to sound sensual, in the midst of dread - I mean, there are so many other better things in life than money... Why don't we go to a more private place and I...?- Oh, don't worry, Ms. Foster. - again, Mr. Ramzi interrupted her, perfectly calm and measured - The only person who will be where we are going is my wife, one of the main people responsible for the hotel's accounting.Still a little dazed by everything he had just heard, Logan remained staring at Missy's equally shocked face, until the voices of Foster and the hotel manager were lost in the night, leaving them alone again, hidden among the shadows .- Heavens, I had no idea that
- What? - Suzan repeated, seeming to be choking - No, that's impossible! His family has a lot of money! That's how we paid for the trip and the hotel!- Funny... - Stra. Kobayashi gave Suzan one more look from under his lashes - I could have sworn he told us he came to the hotel on account of a donation from one of his investors...- Investors? - Suzan gasped, irritated – But we came here so he could get investors and...! - Realizing that everyone was looking at her with interest, Foster suddenly stopped talking, getting up from the table with a sour expression - If you'll excuse me, I think the drink made me sick. I am a little confuse. I'm going to bed for the rest of the night. - and so, without saying goodbye, Foster stomped out of the hall, probably in search of the groom who apparently no one knew exactly who he was or where he came from, including Suzan herself.- What an interesting situation, isn't it? - was all that Mr. Montenegro commented, with a veiled smile, a second bef
- And, allow me to say, what a beautiful dress, Stra. Knight. - Suzan interrupted him with a mean smile - It looks so modern, with that rounded silhouette and that blunt skirt. Anyone with no aesthetic taste could even say that his seamstress deserved a scolding...- Suzan! - her companion gasped, looking suddenly possessed, before quickly recovering, putting that artificially sympathetic expression back on her face – Forgive me, Stra. Knight. My dear fiancée Suzan comes from a humble background and sometimes fumbles with the meaning of some words, causing some indiscretions. - solemnly ignoring the revolted look that Foster threw at him, the man made that criticism facing Missy directly, with a seductive smile that was making Logan increasingly enraged - Why don't we continue our conversation that afternoon about investments, Stra. Knight? It would be a pleasure to hear the advice of such a refined and thoughtful lady again. If I may say so, even a party as exquisite as this isn't en
- I perceived. - Missy laughed - But I'm relieved that you five are fine. I was worried when I got to the room and found no one. - taking Hope in her arms, she looked at him with curiosity - But, what made you so distracted?- A ghost of Christmas past. - several of them actually, but Logan didn't add that comment as he continued to explain, realizing that Missy had become even more confused – Newton and Foster are here at the hotel, too. – he added cautiously, with a sigh.- Liam and Suzan? - Missy choked, stunned.- Yes, unfortunately. He is one of the employees at the hotel and she is apparently here because she has become the mistress of a rich man. - Logan rolled his eyes full of contempt - A man who, by the way, was in the same meeting as you, apparently. - he shrugged, while Missy blinked a few times, still shocked.- Heavens... I confess that of all the things I thought could happen when we were invited to visit the United Arab Emirates, this was the last of them. - to his tot
He was selfish. It was malicious. It was a plan full of ulterior motives. Damn, it was even a new lie, as he wasn't being completely truthful with Missy that her main motivation was just to help her get revenge. Yet he had impulsively proposed it to her, letting himself think only with his heart for the first time in his life.And, as if his heart thought the situation wasn't already complicated enough, he had given in to the impulse to confess his physical desire for her and kiss her for the first time right there, in the middle of her kitchen, even though he knew perfectly well that that it was far from the right time for them to share that kind of intimacy. Still, none of those conflicting emotions had been able to erase the emotion of that moment, when he finally knew the sweet taste of her lips and the softness of the curves of her delicious body, feeling a powerful wave of emotion and contentment run through him as he realized that she wanted him too. Damn it, with his mind as c