- Do you really think you and Knight will go far? - Liam half growled and half mocked, but she didn't even turn around. With a secret smile, she just ran her fingers over the ring on her right hand, not even flinching as she took a few more steps away from him – You might think you've become badass since we broke up, but the truth is, you're still the same sucker ever! – still without letting herself down, Missy ignored him solemnly, continuing to walk, approaching the agency's door, until he shouted something that made her freeze – So know that your perfect boyfriend also has shit with Suzan! That's right! - The victorious smile was audible in his euphoric voice, especially when Missy remained still, perplexed - I saw her entering, to go to Knight's office, with a shitty smile on her face. She always said she knew some dirt on him and I don't doubt they're both fucking behind her back, just like I did!For a second, a part of Missy actually cringed inwardly at those words, but in the
- So... - She smiled crookedly, deciding to ask that last question so that Logan could answer her honestly again and, thus, she could get over that subject completely. After all, what concrete reasons did she have to distrust Logan? - If anything else had happened between you and Suzan... You would tell me, right?However, to her complete surprise, his answer didn't come immediately, as she expected. Instead, Logan stiffened, almost as if that question had been like a slap in the face, and for a few seconds he just watched her, looking lost and scared, almost vulnerable. And so he remained for several seconds, his troubled eyes focused on hers as his Adam's apple quivered, until finally, looking more haggard than ever, he began to sigh.- Missy... - he swallowed hard, almost as if there was a stone in his throat - I... Actually, there's something I need...- And I better never see your face around here again!The sound of Megan's angry scream startled them both, making Missy jump a li
- What do you think Missy? Missy...? Missy! - Megan's voice suddenly stopped being a distant hum and became a loud exclamation - Can you hear me?- Oh... I'm sorry, Megan. - Jumping a little in the armchair she was sitting in, Missy shook her head vehemently, forcing herself to concentrate - I got distracted.- You're more than just distracted today... - Megan commented slowly, raising an eyebrow suggestively - Did something happen?For a moment, Missy wondered if she should tell Megan about the suspicions that had been bothering her since the day before, when she'd found Suzan leaving Logan's office and he'd started acting so strangely. Even though he continued to insist that he hadn't planned on saying anything important to her the moment he was interrupted by Devon and Megan's arrival, still the turmoil was clear in his face when they returned home later that day: the way he stared at her with desolation when he thought she wasn't looking; the worry that distorted her features; the
Still standing at the sink, freshly washed toothbrush in her hands, Missy's mind went blank for a moment, unable to even process what Megan had just said. For a second, her first instinct was to confirm… But the truth was, she wasn't. Not since that first month, when she and Logan had just gotten involved and she still believed that everything between them was nothing more than a simple friendship and a lot of casual sex... But then came the complicity, the closeness, the feeling... It was almost laughable how obvious it was now that she had started to fall in love already at the end of that first month, becoming so needy just being next to him and feeling him inside her...That she hadn't even bothered to remember to do something to not get pregnant.Heavens... How had she not noticed before? She was tired, nauseous, feeling dizzy and...- Oh my God...! – Missy gasped, in shock – I can't even remember the last time I had my period! - she panted, hyperventilating - Could it be that I'
- For the last time, Ms. Foster...! – one of the security guards roared, looking irritated and at the same time exhausted – We and Mr. Knight, we've already made it clear that you must leave the building in complete silence if you don't want us to call the police for breaking in... Again.- You are so dramatic! – Suzan rolled her eyes – I'm just saying hello to my old friend. You know, honey, you really need to talk to your man a little... He has a serious stubbornness problem. And also out of ingratitude, if I may say so... - She stopped walking when she got close to the two, giving her an annoyed smile.- Move, Ms. Foster! – the other security guard growled, looking much more impatient than his colleague.- I'm going! I just want to open my dear friend's eyes a little to the kind of man she has by her side. – Suzan shrugged, before opening a venomously friendly smile in Missy’s direction – I mean, I know some women think controlling types are sexy of course, but I honestly wouldn’t
- What did you say? Megan asked, her voice choked.Missy, on the other hand, just remained frozen beside her, unable to believe what Suzan had just said.- Oh, don't pretend you didn't hear. – Suzan laughed, relaxed – Logan was part of my plan to separate you from Liam all along. In fact, he was the one who gave me all the weapons I needed. - She shrugged, satisfied - Some time ago, he caught me and Liam in a compromising position in one of the studios and, well, I never could understand why he looked so angry that that idiot was cheating on you. – She scrutinized Missy up and down shrewdly – At first I thought he saw it as something that could hurt the fragile little heart of a poor thing he considered family… And, for that, we denied that we had anything, of course . No one wants to piss off the boss, after all. But one day he just walked up to me and threw all those pictures and video at me. And he said I should do something with it. – Suzan smirked, making Missy's stomach turn – S
- Missy, please… – he begged, suffocated – No, don't walk away from me. I swear I didn't know she would do that...- Why did you do it then? – Missy asked, more hurt than she had been in her entire life, feeling the tears that ran down her face wet her mouth – Why did she record that video of the two of them and give it to Suzan, knowing how much she wanted to hurt me? Why do all this if not to make myself more vulnerable so you could get me into bed more easily?- What? No, Missy, I never thought so! Please love, believe me! – He continued begging, while a tear began to flow from one of her eyes – I got that video because I wanted proof that you were being betrayed. It was a way to guarantee that neither of them could try to deceive you with lies, in case someone ever told you... - he swallowed hard and Missy realized that that someone was probably himself - That's why I gave her that video and I demanded that they both reveal the truth to you. But I swear, Missy, I never thought she
- Missy, please, you have to eat...!Lifting her heavy eyes, Missy looked down at her sister, completely curled up on the couch, with Rey cuddled against her chest, gently licking her cheek as soon as she realized she'd woken up. A little confused, Missy looked around for a second, wondering why she was back in her old apartment, instead of her new house...That's when she realized: not her home. Logan's house.The man she'd always believed would never be able to hurt her, yet still broke her heart into a million pieces, leaving her with a deadly painful emptiness in her chest and the feeling that she could never be happy again.And, as had been the case for the past two days, her eyes automatically filled with tears, but Missy tried in vain to repress them, so as not to worry Megan any more than she obviously already did. After all, not only had Missy moved back into that apartment, but so had Megan, after the fight with Devon and Logan in the office that had, unfortunately, destroye
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