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12. The Forgotten Son
Last Updated:
2024-12-13 22:43:23
Uniquely YoursAuthor's thought: Try being kind in a world where you can be anything. Should I subscribe and comment? It would be a kind act you can do toward this author. ^^
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When Regret Isn't Enough 13. The Confrontation
The party resumed, and excitement filled the air after all those wonderful announcements about the number-one Jewelry business in the world. The guests continued to mingle and have a good time. “Honey, I will look for more jewelry with your mom and dad. Don’t worry. I wouldn’t dare buy another piece now that I know Amanza has something to do with the Wright family. I don't know how she swindled Mr. Wright to claim her as his daughter! But I guess it’s possible. She tricked you into marrying her.” “Susie, please. Aren’t you supposed to be going with my parents?” “Yes, do you want us to meet Mr. Wright?” “No, I’ll meet him later.”“Okay, I’ll be right back.”Holland's eyes were busy on the move. He scanned the crowd, watching and observing the flow of people entering the room through the French doors that led back into the main ballroom. His attention was drawn back to the French doors, to be more precise, to the woman walking into the room. She was beautiful from head to toe, and h
Last Updated : 2024-12-13When Regret Isn't Enough 14. Making His Head Spin
When Holland turned and saw me dancing with his half-brother Collin. No doubt I knew it would make his blood boil over! But as I scanned the balcony, it was like he disappeared. I didn't see him any longer. I snickered and continued to enjoy my night with Collin. I knew our interactions with one another would make Holland question what kind of relationship I have with Collin. Indeed, now that he has seen how close we were to one another. Holland is so angry that he has snatched Susie up and left the Gala furious. “Boy, she’s going to have a miserable night.” That thought made me snicker joyfully.“What has you so tickled pink? I hope it’s my company.” Collin says curiously, smiling at me.“Collin, you have been wonderful tonight. I mean that from the bottom of my heart.”We continue to swirl around on the balcony, dancing and laughing with one another.Even when I married Holland, he never paid me any attention. But whenever other men showed me a hint that they could be attracted to m
Last Updated : 2024-12-13When Regret Isn't Enough 15. True Friends Keep It Real
Susie is so angry and embarrassed that she bursts into tears. There was no way she could go back inside the Gala. She refused to return to the ballroom and face Amanza without Holland. So, Susie walked around outside. She had no idea where she was going but hoped to see a taxi. When she turned the corner, she flagged down the one taxi cab going by. He stopped, and she got inside the taxi, giving him her address so he could take her home. Susie sighed in relief, removing her shoes from her swollen feet. But still very frustrated, her eyes filled with tears; she was so angry that she sat in the back seat, complaining vocally. "Where to miss?" The taxi driver asked. “This has been the most horrible night ever! How could she be Deja Wright? I can't believe she was who I was admiring all this time! How could this happen to me and that stupid Holland? How could he walk off and leave a pregnant woman behind?” “Why aren’t you driving?” She shouted at the taxi driver.“You never told me wh
Last Updated : 2024-12-13When Regret Isn't Enough 16. Greedy For Love
Susie knew she had to do something. "This man loves to get stuck. I had him around my little finger before, and I can do it again. Susie looks in the mirror frustratedly, stating. "What happened to my figure? It's gone! This big belly is all in the way, and my hormones have me so off my game! If I don't feel sexy, I know Holland don't think I still have it going on! Shoot! I hate being pregnant! I used to be so seductive." She frowned at herself in the mirror. "But I can still be seductive. I have to. It's that or be pregnant and homeless!" Susie had prepared to distract Holland from tonight's events. The house was empty, and he wasn't there. Susie smacked her lips. "It was better than seeing him sitting at his desk sulking half the time or working."Her thoughts of being a seductress tonight made her skin tingle and tighten expectantly. That craving and greedy reverence for Holland's touch was returning."It's been so long since I desired this man. But I can't afford to be slipping
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Holland slept alone for weeks despite Susie's persistent demands that he join her in bed. He refused, and his only focus was calling Amanza. It's been several days since Holland left messages for Amanza to contact him, but there have been no results. That's when that unique ringtone woke him up one morning. “Hey Amanza, thanks for calling me back. Is seeing you tonight okay? I need to talk to you. We need to talk.”“What do you want? I told you I was busy the last time you asked to see me. I've been swamped with work.”“It's vital that we have a discussion. We can't talk about this over the phone. I need to see you in person. I'm going crazy. I've tried to be patient and wait for you to make time for me, but patience is not my strong suit. I need to see you face to face as soon as possible.”Amanza sighs. "I'm surprised that something bothers you. I didn't think you had a conscience. Maybe you are human after all..." "Honestly, nothing usually doesn't bother me, except when it comes
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Amanza busied herself mentally, physically, and emotionally preparing for this sit-down meeting/dinner with Holland Haltson. She had seen him face to face the night of the Gala, but that was on her turf. Tonight, they both agreed to leave their comfort zones and go to a neutral spot for this face-off. Her phone rang as she moved about, collecting her things. "Hi girl, what's up?"“Hey girl, guess where I am?”“Where?” Amanza paused what she was doing.“I’m in Albany, not too far from your office.”"What! Girl, you’re lying.” “Deja, would I lie to you? Girl, I’m here, and we are going out to party tonight. I'll be there shortly, you'll see. Bye.”“Livia! Wait!” She had hung up. "No, not more distractions."After talking to some of the staff members in the hallway, Collin quietly eased his way back into the conference room and sat on the corner of the table, watching this sensually beautiful woman. He’s had to use restraint for years and keep his passions dormant. But now that Deja i
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Collin cleared his throat, giving her a flirtatious smile. “I hope you didn't take that question as an insult because it wasn’t. I only asked because you look very young; it’s the opposite for most females. They usually look much older than what they are.”“Thank you for the compliment. How old are you?” “I’m twenty-eight.” “So now that we have legalities established, what else would you like to know?” “It’s not a matter of wanting to know. I’m interested. If you are a friend of Amanza, then I feel we should be friends too, so tell me about you.”“What do you want to know? Let's see, I work at the museum as a tourist and scientific and history host.”“Wow! Are you one of those people who, all they do, is read and study?”“Yes and No..." She chuckled. "I like studying things I'm truly interested in.”“Can you see yourself interested in studying me?”Olivia smiled. He was pretty clever and oozing with charm. She was saved from replying to his question when the waitress brought their
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"From that moment on, whatever happened in that cafe in Cancun was a pretense. Right, Holland?" Amanza is now questioning him. Because after our honeymoon I didn't recognize you! You are sitting here questioning my identity! Who are you?""Who am I? You know me, and no...no, it wasn't a pretense.""What happened to the man I met in Cancun who awakened me to warm kisses, which began slow and searching, that turned more passionate and urging? Who were you for three years? Because you are not the man I fell in love with."Holland sat there, startled and shocked that she was bringing up something so intimate. He could see her eyes had become sad as she remembered a precious moment in her failed marriage. Holland hung his head, shaking it. He could no longer look into her eyes, which had begun to water."It all changed so suddenly after we married and when your grandfather passed. You and your family viewed me as a gold digger. That's when I knew love still evaded me…” "Cancun wasn't a pr
Last Updated : 2024-12-22
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When Regret Isn't Enough 53. No More Pain
Collin’s PerspectiveA week had passed. Collin knew he needed time to purge himself emotionally from his firm and close connection to Deja Amanza Wright. He filed away all the memories of wishing, thinking, and dreaming about the girl he had wanted for so long but would never have by his side. Collin sadly mumbled. "It's done."He flexed his hands open, then closed them tight against his knees, trying to push back the tidal wave of tears he felt. Logically, he knew that this was what he had to do. The pain coursed through his body to his broken heart. He couldn't keep hoping that he had an opportunity when there was none. So now it’s time to do and see things differently. If I stay in the same place emotionally, I fear I will be stuck and never move past my devastating loss. And as much as he wanted to hold on to these memories, never to let a single one of them fade. He prayed out loud. “Oh! God forbid let these memories disappear completely before they drown me.”Each day at work
When Regret Isn't Enough 52. End Of A Dream
“And, if I can have a second chance to capture love again, I think it will all be worth it.” “I wish things would have turned out differently. It would make my life so much easier if it were.""It's okay, Collin. Love can be a complicated thing. But it doesn't have to be if you find the right person for you. I’m not the right girl for you. Love can't be explained or quantified; it is something you must experience, and when you do, you will know. I promise you will know." Collin nodded, “Okay…I get it; it doesn't have to be me. I’ll accept that; I will be your friend. But do I have to be your brother-in-law? Yuk!”“Don’t make me laugh.” “No, I'm serious. I don’t get why it has to be Holland. He’s been a jerk all my life.” “No matter how I try to explain it, I know you, Collin. You will never understand. So don’t wreck your brain trying to figure me out. You probably will never get it because you have never been in love or married.”“So, I’m not on your level.” “That’s right…I have
When Regret Isn't Enough 51. What Could Have Been
Tonight, Deja's heart broke as tears came to her eyes. She couldn’t face him or answer his question, so she turned her back to him. “Collin, don't ask me that.” “Please, Deja,” He said, taking hold of her shoulders from behind. “I’m trying all I can to appeal to your sense of reasoning. She hung her head, shaking it, saying no.Collin Halston had been a longtime friend of the Wright family since Deja entered college. They had met and became close. Having Collin in her life over time made her rethink a few things. Deja wasn’t sure how she felt about him associating with her dad. Clinton and her father took a liking to Collin almost immediately. As time passed, he became a mentor and took Collin under his wing. Occasionally, her father would ask her that question during her college days. If I loved Collin, it would have made me highly defensive.Deja thought, ‘Why did I get so defensive when I asked that question.’“Deja, why are you crying? Who are you worried about? If you want to
When Regret Isn't Enough 50. What Should I Do
Tonight, Deja's heart broke as tears came to her eyes. She couldn’t face him or answer his question, so she turned her back to him. “Collin, don't ask me that.” “Please, Deja,” He said, taking hold of her shoulders from behind. “I’m trying all I can to appeal to your sense of reasoning. She hung her head, shaking it, saying no.Collin Halston had been a longtime friend of the Wright family since Deja entered college. They had met and become close. Over time, Having Collin in her life made her rethink a few things. Deja wasn’t sure how she felt about him associating with her dad. Clinton and her father took a liking to Collin almost immediately. As time passed, he became a mentor and took Collin under his wing. Occasionally, during her college days, her father asked her that question. If I loved Collin, it made me highly defensive.Deja thought, ‘Why did I get so defensive when I asked that question.’“Deja, why are you crying? Who are you worried about? If you want to give us a chan
When Regret Isn't Enough 49. Don't Do Go Back
“Oh…Collin, my father had no right to ask you that.”“I never had the chance to tell you how I feel, but I should let you know now that I got angry about your meeting with Holland.”“Collin,” Amanza took a deep breath and considered her following words carefully. "Collin, you're a great guy, and I care about you. However, I don't see this developing into a relationship if that's what you're looking for from me."He stared at her blankly like he hadn't heard her. Did he hear what she said? "You don't see it going anywhere?" he asked quietly. "No, I don't, I'm sorry." If he were hurt, he wouldn't have shown it. There was no anger or pain in his eyes. “Have you forgotten? I was there for you to pick up the pieces last time.”Amanza rolled her eyes. “This is not about Olivia but me?” “Yes, I don’t want to see you hurt again, Deja.” Placing her hand gently on Collin’s masculine hand in a reassuring manner. “Look, I’m a big girl and can care for myself. I’ve learned a lot, and I don’
When Regret Isn't Enough 48. He Will Disappointed You
"I don't know about us getting back together...but I did not know how I felt about him and was angry. All I can say is we talked and covered a lot like two grown-ups, and I know how I feel about him...""I'm still not following," he said quietly. "Even though our relationship is in question, I knew I loved him at one time, and he loved me. We've been married for three years, and after being divorced for six months. In two nights, we still found an attraction between us and chemistry. That’s all I’m going to say, do you understand?" Collin nodded his head slowly, thinking about him and Olivia. "So, you're keeping your options open but not hoping you two get back together. Right?” "Exactly. I’m keeping my options open. If he’s not the right guy. I'll move on." He stared at the table for a moment. "Have you ever considered the possibility that you're just emotional right now after going through the storm and so much this year? And since Holland happened to be there, it’s not mistake
When Regret Isn't Enough 47. Think About Forgiving
"Hi, Deja." The masculine voice said with a hint of reservedness."Hey Collin, how are you?" “I’m okay.” “Thanks for inviting me out to dinner. I know this must be about Olivia, right?” She says, still staring at him strangely."Deja?" Collin calls her name.“Uhm, yes,” “What’s wrong? Why are you staring at me?”“O,h nothing."Ah, where are my manners?" Collin says, quickly standing to pull out a chair."Here, have a seat."Amanza takes a seat, still staring at him. She didn't know if Collin wanted to talk about anything serious with her or if he was just looking for a good time with his friend. But he wouldn't get anything from her that went on between her and Holland if that’s why he asked her for dinner."I ordered you a glass of red wine. Would you prefer white or something else?" "No red is fine. It's usually what I drink," Amanza says, still staring as she raises the glass to her lips. Collin sips his tequila, smiling nervously and showing a hint of curiosity about her behav
When Regret Isn't Enough 46. Heart Exposed
“Deja, I know me. I won’t tolerate no family being involved in my relationships. Girl, you know I’m outspoken. And if he’s anything like his brother, he could keep stepping. I won’t let anybody treat me like I’m less than them. No point intended.”“Trust me, I didn’t take it that way. And Holland was so different at the start of our marriage. But Collin doesn’t have the same issues that Holland has with the family. The family has disowned Collin, and Holland is the beloved older brother. I think they all mistreat Collin because of the dread of stepmother syndrome. I would put my head on a chopping block, and she’d be behind the wedge between Collin, his dad, and Holland. Holland still has his issues, but I think that can be improved with time.” “Wait a minute. Why do you feel that way? Have you been talking to Holland, missy?”Amanza smiles. “I know my ex. He is a made jerk, not a born one. I just have a hunch. Collin is a good guy, and he’s open-minded. Hey Olivia, he said for me to
When Regret Isn't Enough 45. I Want To Know
Naturally, I was curious about his dinner with Olivia. I wanted to know his story before he asked me about minds. “So, welcome back to work. I certainly hope you enjoyed your time off." Amanza smiles teasingly, thinking of her two friends. I can tell by how he strolled into my office and sat directly in front of my desk. Ever-so-slowly, his eyes canvas over my face. His eyes told me everything and what he was thinking, 'I know Collin will be curious about what I did this weekend. It would be silly to share what happened between Holland and me, especially since everything is still in the air. Besides, Collin would probably call me a loose hussy if he heard the details. 'Which I'm not. I was quite strong emotionally, and I’m proud of my actions with Holland. I know I'm not the kind of girl to have sex with any guy. I'm a woman with needs, and Holland has feelings for me far deeper than he even knows.’ "Good morning, Deja," Collin greeted her, smoothing his crimson-red silk tie."Mor
