- 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
Why did it have to be so hard to get him out of your heart? With Liam it had been so easy: he had hurt her, demonstrated that he never loved her and the feeling she had for him had died as quickly as a candle going out. Or maybe that was the main issue: she had never really loved him. But she loved Logan Knight. As she had never loved anyone else.And killing him in her heart would be the opposite of easy. In fact, being honest with herself, it would be impossible.Where did that leave her then? Eternally in love with a man who had been responsible for the worst and best moments of her life? A man who was the father of her child and who she would be forced to live with forever, knowing that she loved him and missed him every day, but also knowing that he was capable of lying and deceiving her just to get it. what he wanted?Which of these antagonistic things was worth more anyway?- Missy?The sound of his voice, so low and brittle, took her so by surprise that she nearly dropped the
I spent all that day charging her, on the verge of a fury and already determined to fire them both, so that I myself could reveal their treachery to you in private, however much that might ruin our newly forged friendship. So when that night came and I found you in the garden, I panicked for a moment, thinking that they had confessed everything and yet you had forgiven them. However, it soon became clear that Foster hadn't been honest yet again, and so I just resigned myself to the fact that she would keep putting it off and I would have to be the bearer of bad news myself, especially when that crazy woman said that her son I had asked you to marry me. I don't think I've ever felt as much desire to tear another human being apart as I did at that moment...Until we heard the commotion in the living room and then it dawned on me. I realized what an idiot I had been to think that someone like Foster would let himself be beaten so easily. And, right before my eyes, she used something I ha
She couldn't breathe.Or at least that was the feeling that the crying crisis was giving her, amid the tears and completely uncontrolled sobs.In her hands, some words from Logan's letter were no longer even legible because of the tears she had shed over them, staining the ink and making it run almost as if the paper was crying too.Always at her side, Rey began to squawk and whine anxiously as she snuggled into the space under her arm, almost as if she were trying to offer her comfort in the form of a hug. Missy, however, wasn't able to do much more than hug the papers to her chest, wishing that the words of Logan's confession could somehow materialize him there, in her arms.Because, in a confusing, maddening way, she wanted him right there, right next to her. So that she could cry for all that he had revealed and for knowing that, however indirectly and unintentionally, he had contributed to one of the worst moments of her life. So she could say that now she understood why he alway
- Oh, Logan... – Missy moaned, running her fingers gently through his hair, consoling him – You don't have to do this. I know you're sorry... And... In a way, I could understand you... Understand your fear. – she revealed, with a sad sigh – Not that that justifies you lying to me for so long, but… I couldn't just ignore the fact that… For a long time, I was afraid of a lot of things too. Fear of imposing myself, fear of facing what hurt me, fear of people's judgment... So I know how paralyzing fear can be sometimes. Even preventing you from doing what you want... Or what you know is the right thing to do. - She completed, watching his eyes burn with pain and guilt - I was disappointed, it's true, that you had surrendered to fear so many times and ended up provoking, even without intending to, not just the situation that happened on that horrible night .. As well as the lie that ended up taking me away from you days ago. But still... I know you've had your own fears your whole life. An
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