The applause, the spotlight and the overly friendly host trying to showcase her abilities seem to nauseate me.“Welcome, Olivia Lawson. It's lovely to have you on our show, ‘Good Evening Devnia’.”The host, Sharon, says as she tosses her curled hair over her back.“It's nice to be here; thank you for having me.”I say quickly as I cross my legs.It is six p.m. now, and while I was meant to be on the show's last segment at seven, I insisted on filming earlier because I am hosting my housewarming event today.“There has been much controversy surrounding your failed wedding, the president, and all that. With your help, we want to get to the root of the rumours.”With a smile, I take a deep breath at her ‘to-the-point’ way of questioning and begin.“Well, Sharon, first of all, thank you for your many, many invites to the show. I am also sorry that I couldn’t squeeze more time into my schedule, but I am here now, so fire away.”“Wonderful, so the question in everyone’s mind was mentioned b
Hastily, my hands typed' Olivia Lawson kids' into my home screen’s search bar, and true to Matteo's words, Elizabeth and my little angels dressed in green frog costumes smiling inside an almost empty shopping cart fill my screen under the section trending.I mean to enlarge the image, but instead, I refresh the browser, causing a new image of Matteo who is shielding them from the paparazzi to appear."No way."A suspicion buds from one corner of my chest.'Film magnate Matteo D'Amico, possible father of the Lawson twins'Hah... is he announcing that he is their father?My tongue clicks against the roof of my mouth.Is he doing this on purpose?Does that mean he watched my interview?A gust of cold wind wraps around my body, causing me to shudder.Seriously, why do I feel so tired today?**Two bright lights close in, nearing where I stand. As soon as the large silver car stops, Matteo opens the door to childish screams and hastily closes it before rounding his vehicle and walking to w
As the pseudo-host of my party, Elizabeth was in full swing. She managed everyone well, from the mini event she set up to the tour she was in the middle of when Matteo and I walked into the house, which was filled with soft music and lively chatter. She'd make a great event manager. I would have recommended her if my position at Lawson & I were not questionable and if she were not leaving Devnia in January with Daniel; she promised to be back before her due date because if she travelled, her pregnancy would be less suspicious to Christopher.She wanted to keep it because she adored Luca and Marigold."Miss Lawson."Two familiar girls walk up to me with their hands hooked and champagne in their free hands; it's Roselle and Emilia, the models Blair recommended to the company three years ago.Back then, I was uncertain about them, but three years later, their faces are on everything Lawson-related. They managed to make it possible for Blair to keep her word to me, so my arm traps them in
The longer I stare at the stick that refuses to change, the more my tremble grows evident.With a sigh, I place the stick down and opt to check it when the results are out instead of waiting for them this anxiously; after all—a watched pot doesn't boil, something Mum would always say.I miss her.**Jackson, Mr and Mrs Danes and Luca seem to be having the best time, but as I approach them, I spot Elizabeth sipping lemon water while squeezing her handkerchief.“Hey, you okay?”“Just peachy.”She responds with a bland face.“Ugh... is that rose water and lemon?”I scrunch my nose at the mixture's scent.“Yap, if baby likes it, baby gets it, honestly anything to stop the urp…nausea.”She presses her handkerchief to her mouth."I thought morning sickness meant ‘morning’. I'm nauseous twenty-four hours a day."“Well, technically, it varies.”I answer with a light shrug.“Mine was most mornings, and when there was too much food in the room…hmm, like now. Do you want to rest in my room?”She
Matteo D’AmicoIf Olivia decides to get married to Daniel, should he wait for them to divorce? How long? Three years, fifteen? Twenty?He could set Daniel up with an affair. She would never forgive that, right?What if she did, in the name of love?What if her love for him is gone? She didn't say she hated him when he asked her to, but...Matteo sighed and sipped more of the whisky.Was loving someone ever this hard?Shouldn’t…shouldn’t it be easier?He screwed up, just like Vincent did but...didn't she mourn their break up for a while? At least Olivia had until he swept right in and fucked him right out of her system.Fuck.What if someone did that, ‘Jyackson’ or the other dumbass in her house at such an hour?Olivia had a knack for seducing men without meaning to; she was just that breathtaking and invigorating to be around.Why did he think he would always be at the centre of her world?Matteo sighed again before lifting his gaze to the screen. She was rubbing Daniel’s shoulder now
"Italy?"I repeat the word, confused by his abrupt suggestion, but as if the word had traces of magic, the children's eyes light up."Let’s go! Mum!"Luca screams."Yes! Let's go! I'm half Italian."Marigold blurts proudly."Mee too! I’m half italain too!"Luca adds with a sweetened voice.“It’s Italian Luca, not ‘Italain’!”Marigold corrects and he pouts.“I know!”He doesn’t seem too happy by her correction; actually, of late, he seems quite independent from Marigold. Did they fight?“No, you didn’t know!”She yells, causing him to deepen his frown."Anyway, we should go, Mum. Even Daddy said you can have an Italian inside you, too! So, we should all go!"Daniel spurts his coffee all over the dining table at Marigold’s words while Elizabeth's spoon clatters loudly on the table.My cheeks feel hot, and the back of my neck prickles.“Daddy said that?”I ask as I turn sharply to Matteo, who hides his face with the refrigerator door."Hmm...Matteo, can I talk to you aside for a moment?"
"Your nose looks great."I hate that my first words to Victoria feel like a mean girl movie taunt. I am not proud of what I did to her, but she has a way of coiling around your skin.Her expression darkens as her eyes meet mine squarely. My arms around Luca’s sleeping body tighten.Maybe I shouldn't poke a bear with nothing to lose.After a loud sigh, Matteo steps in front of me and a flurry of Italian words leaves Matteo's mouth, each making Victoria pale more and more until finally, tears stream from her eyes, and she also responds in Italian.Maybe I should learn Italian.It's uncomfortable watching them speak because both seem to be trying to convey their feelings to the other. While Matteo started off irritated, the moment Victoria started crying, his tone softened.It's like watching an exchange between exes; I almost feel like I'm intruding.Should we go, maybe wait somewhere else for them to finish?A black SUV approaches from the distance.The two cars look alike, but one of
Matteo scoffs at my question about inviting Victoria before his frown deepens when he realises I am seriously asking him the question.“No. I didn’t.”“What did you say to make her cry?”Matteo’s expression sours."Do you care about her?""What?""I'm asking why you are so curious, amore.""Because..."I bite my lip to keep the words ‘because you looked like lovers’ at bay."If you say you felt jealous, even a little, I will tell you."Matteo says as he faces me fully as if he were offering the deal of a lifetime."So, you want me to lie?"I ask, and he shrugs."I guess then it doesn't matter what we talked about."He is...so petty!Wait…why is he leaning in closer to me?"Stop."I say, pressing my hand to Matteo's wet chest."We still have a while before going to the cable cars, so if you give me something I want, then maybe-""We are not having sex.""Why?""Why do you think? Because we are not in that kind of relationship.”His eyes roll at my explanation as if he doesn’t care for
I feel the need to mention that, no Etienne and Anthony were harmed during the time skip in the last chapter; they were just posted away from the main family to Italy. Jokes on Christopher, they liked it because they were paid to laze around without the tension of him grumbling all over the place.I'd also like to ask your vote on a setting, would you love to read a transmigration, body switch or rebirth story?Rebirth would be when the female lead dies and goes back in time for whatever reason and purpose.A body switch would be the female lead going into another person's body. Maybe they were rich and ungrateful, and now they have entered the body of another woman who works under an obsessive billionaire, and there are consequences when they refuse to work and instead resign.Finally, transmigration would be if the female lead enters a novel they have read, whether they loved it or not. You know I love villains, so of course it’s the villain’s body that they enter. So, an example wou
Hi guys!We are finally at the end of the story!! Thank you so so much for reading, thank you for voting and thank you for loving the work and leaving a review; if you haven’t, please do.This last chapter is especially dedicated to anyone dealing with anxiety or depressive symptoms; it is a season, and it will pass. If your best is opening a window, open it. If your best is just basic self-care, taking a shower, moisturising, and putting the pyjamas right back on, do that. One step at a time. You are more loved and valued than you believe, and medication doesn't make you 'weak' or a 'failure'. Don’t be afraid to reach out, but more than that, don’t be afraid when people reach out, say 'yes' to that trip to the beach or bowling gig, or hell, to a walk just around the corner. We are all one.For my next work, it will still be a billionaire romance, and the male lead will still be a walking red flag. Aren’t they just the best? Plusss..how could I forget to mention smut will be present? I
"But-""It's fine; I'll be back soon.”I say reassuringly to Henry.I wave off his innocent concern despite half my face being covered by his hand.If he were to slap me the same way I slapped him, I'd probably end up in the ICU. Despite knowing that, I leave Henry with Etienne in the living room and follow him like a prisoner escorted to their sentencing.**"You went to the hospital. What for?"This is not the beginning of the conversation I expect, nevertheless, Christopher’s gaze as he closes the door behind me doesn’t leave my face."The headaches, but I have the medicine, so it's fine; more than that, I haven't seen Anthony in days. Did you change my guard?""Anthony?"Christopher asks with a frown, his mouth twisting as if he has eaten something rotten."Who are you calling 'Anthony'?""My- my bodyguard, with brown hair, you assigned him to me."I explain as if he doesn’t already have that information.What is this? What is he playing at?"Did I? And he told you his name? He an
Christopher D’Amico "Spare me."It took three hours to track Alessio and four hours to corner him like this.Yet this was the nonsense he was spewing?"No."Christopher answered.The gun in his hand had no more bullets, so he hit the back of Alessio's head, causing him to fall to the ground. Of course, Alessio didn't come easily, so the blood he tasted from his lips was his.Hopefully, it wouldn’t leave a mark, but even if it did, the wound was inside his mouth, so Elizabeth would not see it.Still, it didn't matter.Everything would end today, and he could head back to Italy to find another man to take his position.Positions in the mafia could only be replaced through death; there was no such thing as a fair trial, only retirement, that was hard-earned.Alessio held his head at the point of impact as if he thought his skull had shattered. There was blood coming from his head, but Christopher heard nothing crack, at least not yet.Still, there was little he could do to guarantee the
Blood. He smells like blood. No, not just smells; he has blood on his clothes.Closing my eyes and opening them, I focus on the bouncing bunny on the screen while Henry bobs his head to the tune.Before long, his little head sways left and right before falling to my stomach as he was resting between my legs, and a soft snore follows.Aww... how precious.His little hands curl against the fabric of my clothes.I should take him to bed; I think Christopher has eaten by now or should be eating, so there should be an interruption.My hands move to scoop him up, but a voice stops me."Is there a reason you are both on the floor when there are perfectly suitable seats next to you?""Henry and I used to sit like this in the old house.”I explain without turning back to him."Are you thinking of the good old times?”His words seem pointed, so I lift Henry in my arms and turn to him with a frown."What is that supposed to mean?”I ask, noticing the curls in his poorly dried hair.Wait, wasn’t
My gaze lingers on the orange glow of the streetlights while my mind centres on the sounds of the cars whooshing past us.My sex is fine now. Other than mild tickling sensations that will go away after three or four rinses in the shower. I am fine.Well, I guess the dull ache choking my throat is something else entirely."You've been quiet for a while now."Christopher comments as he makes a turn to the estate.Of course, I have been quiet. Yesterday, I went to bed and woke up believing that he liked me, that I could have him wrapped around my finger if I tried, and that gave me the confidence to say no to him at the club, and now, I realise that I had gotten ahead of myself.I almost ruined the marriage.There is no divorce, but if perchance he changes his mind, I'll have nothing. I'll lose the one thing I came into the marriage with—Henry.He doesn't like or love me; he is curious about me. Is that even the best way to describe it?Maybe it's more he thinks he likes me.Fuck... if I
"No. Never. Not when I am with you. No-"“Not anymore, right? That’s what you want to say next, isn’t it?”I ask as the grip I had on Alessio’s leash lessens.Christopher’s lips seal as if he had no answer to my question.“I…I really can’t believe you even know what love is- ah, that’s why you said you don’t have feelings… ah, I got ahead of myself.”My voice grows smaller as I mumble the new findings."Elizabeth, please...please."“Please, what? That's so vague, considering you need me to call you the way another woman does to get you to orgasm.”I ask as I turn to face him.I think I should leave now; this…this is enough to break any ‘soft’ girl’s heart."Please... believe me. Not with you. I never think of anyone but you."He repeats as if sensing my mood."I'm half out of my mind because of the lube they applied on me, and you can't cum until I call you the nickname the 'love of your life’ called you.""You are the love of my life."Does... he even know what that means?“Then why d
"God damn it, Elizabeth!"Christopher yells as he rattles the cuffs binding him.“I said, let's talk about this later. I didn’t say ‘no’.”"You shut me down twice. I don't trust you not to lock me up somewhere and shut me down a thirty time when there are no consequences.""I won't-""Yeah...see now, I don't trust easily. That's kind of the problem with us... what did you call me? 'broken? Soft?”"Elizabeth.""Let's move on to the third round."I yell, and as if on cue, the announcer produces a tune to signal the entrance to the third round."He can choose. He can choose what he wants! He can choose, but he needs to have the full picture."Christopher finally gives in."I want it in writing.""Done. I'll get it to you by Monday morning. I'm sorry, Elizabeth. I'm sorry that I shut you down and made you feel that this was the only way to communicate. Please...please stop this.""Why? Aren't you having fun? You even left me at the store to get dragged here.""That bastard Taz-""Yes, th
"Bu-but I've lost."Participant One defended as if he took Christopher’s words seriously."You touched what is mine."The answer came back coldly.The blindfold covering my eyes feels like a burden. I want to see the expression on Christopher’s face. No, I want to see the expression on everyone’s face.I can still feel the echoes of Participant One’s fingers on my nipples. This is going to be harder than I thought."Hey, this thing has consent written all over it; she consented. So why are you threatening me?"The man asks, his desperate voice bordering on whiney."I didn't consent to you touching my wife.""Yes, you did, Taz-""Ah yes, mentioning another dead man."Christopher says in a light tone; one could almost think he is joking. Almost."Bu-""Next Participant."The announcer announced, perhaps bored with the back and forth."I'm out.""Wait, but..."The familiar voice of Participant One hesitates, perhaps hating that a participant backed down instead of doubling down like him.