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1,941,168	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"is_bh_simple_request":false,"simple_request_ratio":1,"is_bh_selenium":false,"selenium_ratio":1,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'	Yes	2024-07-28 00:21	active	1182	1162630984960733		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨	SHOP_NOW	https://www.rotayaltyte.com/products/sunglasses-2	197387246782665	Rotayaltyte.	https://facebook.com/61554365665363	1,242	1	2,783,176,998,515,605	2024-07-16 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	0	Shop now	0	Rotayaltyte.	120209907498410738	www.rotayaltyte.com	NONE	video		https://www.rotayaltyte.com/products/sunglasses-2	2024-07-16 05:38	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451295024_453981914149435_3658348429224758335_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kW8jJyM5wHwQ7kNvgGGDNDD&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYD9ikQj83w27z6VsOVwuW75CDGLQsurpB9kxc3qvBDLMw&oe=66AB9BED	person_profile	0	Rotayaltyte.	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451628699_3516584568487919_6508630755350474138_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SSOVCK1Y9mgQ7kNvgETXV54&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDqtTedLB_szUHbU4xwMKyyRs8xJECNX9UkEcCg921_0A&oe=66ABC083	3	Rotayaltyte.	2024-07-16 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,939,909	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1939908}'	No	2024-07-27 19:12	active	1179	376840225107328	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"What were you doing, Mitch!" Kelly said.<br /> "Oh god, Kel!" Mitch said. He pulled away and got dressed as did his assistant. She threw the bag of food at him.<br /> "I can't believe you!" Kelly said.<br /> "Baby please," Mitch said.<br /> "Don't call me that, not anymore, we are done! It's over!" Kelly yelled. She ran out the door and got on the elevator and the doors closed and she ran out when she got on the ground floor.<br /> "Leave me alone!" Kelly yelled.<br /> ————————<br /> Kelly sat in her office at the bakery she owned with her twin sister and best friends.<br /> "Sis, what's wrong?" Kate asked.<br /> "It was our anniversary yesterday and he never showed up, he called and said he had to go out of town for work, but I called my father-in-law and he said there was no reason for him to go out of town," Kelly said.<br /> "So, he lied about it," Kate said.<br /> "Yeah, it's becoming a habit, I don't know what to do," Kelly said.<br /> "You two should ivorce," Kate said.<br /> "Sis," Kelly said.<br /> "He's a prick who left his wife alone on your anniversary and lied to you," Kate said.<br /> "Hey guys," Melanie said.<br /> "Mel, where is that good for nothing brother of yours," Kate said.<br /> "At work I assume?" Melanie said.<br /> "Do you have any clue where he was last night?" Kate asked.<br /> "Home?" Melanie asked.<br /> "Nope," Kelly said.<br /> "What happened?" Melanie said.<br /> "He called and said he was going out of town for work, I called your dad, he said there was no work out of town for him to go for," Kelly said.<br /> "That lying sack of prick, I'll be back, sis," Melanie said. She left. Kelly sat back in her chair. Kate sat down at her desk.<br /> "Hey girls," Tara said.<br /> "How's it looking out there?" Kelly asked.<br /> "It's okay, Sarah has it covered," Tara said.<br /> "Where's my beautiful wife?" Ryan asked.<br /> "Baby!" Kate said. She jumped up and went to him and hugged him.<br /> "I missed you today," Ryan said.<br /> "I missed you too," Kate said.<br /> "Hey bro," Kelly said.<br /> "Hey sis, what's going on?" Ryan asked.<br /> "Not much, just my husband is a lying sack of prick," Kelly said.<br /> "I'm what now?" Mitch asked.<br /> "You're in trouble man," Ryan said.<br /> "Prick," Kate said.<br /> "What did I do?" Mitch asked.<br /> "You lied to me that's what," Kelly said.<br /> "You didn't go out of town yesterday," Kate said.<br /> "I called your dad," Kelly said.<br /> "Kel, baby, I'm sorry," Mitch said.<br /> "It was our three year wedding anniversary yesterday and you couldn't come home and made up some excuse, where were you," Kelly said.<br /> "I went on a road trip to get something for you," Mitch said.<br /> "What did you get," Kelly said.<br /> "It's outside," Mitch said.<br /> "Mitch," Kelly said.<br /> "Kel, come on," Mitch said. She shook her head and got up and walked out the door and went to the front door and opened it and and saw it.<br /> "What the?" Kelly asked.<br /> "It's the one you wanted right?" Mitch asked.<br /> "Yes," Kelly said.<br /> "I found it at a car dealership about two hours away," Mitch said.<br /> "But there are dealerships here," Kelly said.<br /> "They didn't have your color baby," Mitch said.<br /> "Mitch," Kelly said.<br /> "Happy Anniversary, baby," Mitch said.<br /> "Wow, I guess this made up for missing the actual day," Kate said.<br /> "Kate," Kelly said.<br /> "Baby," Ryan said.<br /> "It's fine, I'll be making it up to her for awhile, this is a start, next week is birthdays," Mitch said.<br /> "Better not come up with an excuse to forget it," Kate said.<br /> "No because she is going with me to the Maldives," Mitch said.<br /> "What?" Kelly asked.<br /> "Happy Early Birthday baby, a second honeymoon," Mitch said.<br /> "Okay I was wrong," Kate said.<br /> "What's that, Kate?" Mitch asked.<br /> "Sis," Kelly said.<br /> "Sorry," Kate said. Kelly looked at her husband and hugged him tight. He buried his face in her neck.<br /> "I love you and I'm sorry about yesterday," Mitch said.<br /> "Just don't do it again," Kelly said.<br /> "I promise baby," Mitch said. He pecked her and they went for a drive.<br /> Two weeks later, Kelly walked into the bakery after coming home from the trip she and Mitch took. Sarah and Tara were there.<br /> "Hello ladies," Kelly said.<br /> "Hey girl, how was the trip?" Tara asked.<br /> "Amazing, it was like our honeymoon all over again," Kelly said.<br /> "So you guys never left the bed?" Sarah asked.<br /> "Oh we did, we would do things like snorkeling at the Banana Reef, went to the beach, swimming, romantic dinners, and every night we would be in bed making love," Kelly said.<br /> "So babies could be coming soon?" Tara asked.<br /> "I'm still on the pill, he still says he's not ready yet," Kelly said.<br /> "Kel, you have a visitor," Tara said.<br /> "Who is it?" Kelly asked.<br /> "Matt," Tara said. Kelly got up and went out and saw her brother-in-law standing at the counter drinking coffee.<br /> "Matt," Kelly said.<br /> "Hey beautiful, I've missed you," Matthew said.<br /> "Oh you have huh," Kelly said.<br /> "Yeah, heard you just got back from a trip with your husband," Matthew said.<br /> "Your brother yes I did," Kelly said.<br /> "Have a good time?" Matthew asked.<br /> "Yes I did, it was a second honeymoon," Kelly said.<br /> "That's great, so you guys making me an uncle soon?" Matthew asked.<br /> "Not yet," Kelly said.<br /> "Hey guys," Benjamin said<br /> "Hey Ben," Kelly said.<br /> "Hey boys what's up?" Sarah asked.<br /> "Hey Sarah, just a coffee to go, I've got to get back to the job site," Benjamin said.<br /> "I better get back to the office, see ya sis," Matthew said.<br /> "Bye Matt," Kelly said.<br /> "How are you gorgeous," Benjamin said.<br /> "I'm good, how's the job?" Kelly asked.<br /> "It's going very well," Benjamin said.<br /> "That's good," Kelly said.<br /> "I better get going, gorgeous, see you soon," Benjamin said. He went out the door and she looked at the girls.<br /> "Gorgeous? Beautiful? I think they have the hots for you," Tara said.<br /> "They've always called me those names and Mitch knows and agreed of them calling me," Kelly said.<br /> "He's okay with his brothers calling you gorgeous and beautiful," Tara said.<br /> "Yeah because he knows that nothing will happen with them, he trusts me and he trusts his brothers, he knows they won't cross the boundaries," Kelly said.<br /> "Yet," Sarah said.<br /> "What," Kelly said.<br /> "They both were looking at you," Tara said.<br /> "Both were eye watching you," Sarah said.<br /> "Oh yeah," Tara said.<br /> "They wouldn't do that to their brother," Kelly said.<br /> "They both want you in their bed," Sarah said.<br /> "You both are wrong, okay, you are wrong," Kelly said. She went to the office and sat down and worked on some bills.<br /> Three days later, Kelly was at the bakery helping a customer when Benjamin came in.<br /> "Hey gorgeous," Benjamin said.<br /> "Hi Ben," Kelly said.<br /> "How's my favorite sister-in-law doing?" Benjamin asked.<br /> "I'm fine and I'm your only sister-in-law," Kelly said.<br /> "I know that, that's why you are my favorite one," Benjamin said.<br /> "Hey Ben," Sarah said.<br /> "Sarah, how are you," Benjamin said.<br /> "I'm good," Sarah said.<br /> "Are you ready?" Benjamin asked.<br /> "Yeah, is it okay for me to go, Kel?" Sarah asked.<br /> "You guys got a date?" Kelly asked.<br /> "Yeah I asked her the other day," Benjamin said.<br /> "Go on, have a good time," Kelly said.<br /> "Okay see ya tomorrow," Sarah said.<br /> "Bye sis!" Benjamin said. They left and Kelly smiled and cleaned the counter.<br /> "Hey beautiful," Matthew said.<br /> "Matt, what's up?" Kelly asked.<br /> "I came to see my favorite sister-in-law," Matthew said.<br /> "As I told Ben, I'm your only sister-in-law," Kelly said.<br /> "And I'm sure he said that it makes you our favorite," Matthew said.<br /> "Yeah so what would you like?" Kelly asked.<br /> "A latte please sis," Matthew said.<br /> "Coming right up," Kelly said.<br /> "Hey baby, hey bro," Mitch said.<br /> "Hey bro," Matthew said.<br /> "Hey what brings you by?" Kelly asked.<br /> "Just letting you know that I'll be working late," Mitch said.<br /> "Oh babe," Kelly said.<br /> "I'm sorry baby," Mitch said.<br /> "It's fine, I'll be okay," Kelly said.<br /> "If you have to work late, how did you manage to get away?" Matthew asked.<br /> "I took a lunch break and came here to tell her, I didn't want to tell her over the phone," Mitch said.<br /> "And I appreciate you coming to tell me, babe," Kelly said. He came over to her and hugged her close and pecked her softly.<br /> "I will text you when I'm headed home okay, I know you have an early morning so you don't need to wait up for me," Mitch said.<br /> "Okay, love you," Kelly said.<br /> "Love you baby," Mitch said. He pecked her and went out the door. Matthew looked at her and smiled.<br /> After work，<br /> Kelly drove to Mitch's office with some food and went to his office and heard sounds coming from inside and she opened the door slowly and saw something that made her heart break. Her husband slept with his assistant on his desk.<br /> "What were you doing, Mitch!" Kelly said.<br /> "Oh god Kel!" Mitch said. He pulled away and got dressed as did his assistant. She threw the bag of food at him.<br /> "I can't believe you!" Kelly said.<br /> "Baby please," Mitch said.<br /> "Don't call me that, not anymore, we are done! It's over!" Kelly yelled. She ran out the door and got on the elevator and the doors closed and she ran out when she got on the ground floor.<br /> "Leave me alone!" Kelly yelled. She went to Kate's house and went to the door and knocked. Ryan opened it and saw her.<br /> "Kel, sis, what happened?" Ryan asked. She broke down crying and he pulled her in and closed the door.<br /> "I took food to Mitch at his office and found him sleeping with his assistant on his desk," Kelly said crying.<br /> "Oh my god, he's so dead!" Ryan said.<br /> "No he's not worth it, I told him I was done," Kelly said.<br /> Three days later, Kelly went home and found him there sitting on the couch. She went to the bedroom and began packing her bags. She sent a quick text as she packed. He came to the door.<br /> "Kelly please," Mitch said.<br /> "Don't! I don't want to hear any excuses, there is no excuse for what you did, how long has it been going on?" Kelly asked.<br /> "Kelly," Mitch said.<br /> "How long?!" Kelly yelled.<br /> "Three months," Mitch said.<br /> "And you said you loved me," Kelly said.<br /> "I do!" Mitch said.<br /> "No you don't or you never would have slept with her in the first place! No man who says he loves his wife would ever cheat on her! You are not a man, you are nothing!" Kelly yelled.<br /> "Mitch!" Matthew yelled. Matthew cam and pulled his brother away from the door.<br /> "Matt," Mitch said.<br /> "I heard what you did, how could you do that!" Matthew said.<br /> "It was a mistake!" Mitch said.<br /> "A mistake is one time, three months isn't!" Matthew said.<br /> "How did you find out?" Mitch asked.<br /> "From her sister, she told me when I went to get coffee this morning," Matthew said.<br /> "Matt," Mitch said.<br /> "Leave her be, Mitch, go for a walk for an hour and let her get her things out," Matthew said.<br /> "I'm not giving her a divorce," Mitch said.<br /> "You better," Kelly said.<br /> "I don't want to lose you!" Mitch said.<br /> "You lost me the moment you put your private part inside Delia," Kelly said.<br /> "Go Mitch now!" Matthew said.<br /> "Get him out, I'll help her finish up and get her stuff in her car," Matthew said. Harris pulled Mitch out the door. Matthew went to Kelly and she broke down in his arms.<br /> "Oh beautiful it will be all right, let's get your stuff and get out of here," Matthew said. They finished packing up her stuff and got it all in her car and his.<br /> "Thank you Matt," Kelly said.<br /> "You're welcome, now where are you staying? Matthew asked.<br /> "I was staying at Kate's, being there for her and Ryan, she's having a rough time with her pregnancy," Kelly said.<br /> "Let's go then," Matthew said. They went to Kate's house and got out. Ryan came out.<br /> "Hey Matt," Ryan said.<br /> "Hey man, got her stuff here," Matthew said.<br /> "Let's get it inside," Ryan said. They got her stuff moved into the house and she got her clothes in the bedroom and the rest in the other spare room for the time being.<br /> "So I'll be going now," Matthew said.<br /> "Thanks for the help, Matt," Kelly said.<br /> "Of course beautiful, see you later," Matthew said. He pecked her cheek and hugged her and left. Kelly sat on the bed. Ryan sat next to her.<br /> "You okay sis?" Ryan asked.<br /> "I guess so, are you okay with me staying here?" Kelly asked.<br /> "Of course, Kate wants you here, I'm glad you are here for her, it makes me feel better knowing you are helping her," Ryan said.<br /> Three weeks later, Kelly found herself a house close to Kate and Ryan. She got all moved in and settled. <br /> Then she heard the front door ding announcing there was a customer. Kelly and Sarah went up front and the person there was the last person she was expecting to see, Mitch’s assistant.<br /> "What are you doing here," Kelly said.<br /> "I wanted to talk to you please," Delia said.<br /> "What could you have to say to me," Kelly said.<br /> "I wanted to explain it to you," Delia said.<br /> "I really don't care, he slept with you for three months, I can't forgive and forget," Kelly said.<br /> "Kelly, please," Delia said.<br /> "Why should I listen to anything you say, did he send you here to plead his case so I would take him back, tell him to go away," Kelly said.<br /> "Kelly, he's checked into rehab," Delia said.<br /> "What for?" Kelly asked.<br /> "He had an accident at work five months ago, it wasn't bad but he required some painkillers to keep you from finding out because he didn't want you to worry or anything, he got hooked on them and he was so in need for them that he got mixed up and thought I was you, he called me Kelly," Delia said.<br /> "Oh geez," Kelly said.<br /> "Seems like nonsense to me," Sarah said.<br /> "Yeah he's just trying to get me to take him back, tell him I'm not going to take him back ever, he and I were over the moment his private part was inside you so get out of here and stay away from me," Kelly said.<br /> "Okay I'll go and I'm sorry for my part in all this," Delia said. She left and Sarah looked at Kelly. Kelly went back to her office. Benjamin came in and smiled and pecked her.<br /> "Hey baby," Benjamin said.<br /> "Hey," Sarah said.<br /> "What's going on?" Benjamin asked.<br /> "You won't believe it," Sarah said. She told him what happened. He sent a text and soon the door opened and Matthew came in. Kelly came out of her office and saw him and he took her in his arms as she sobbed against him.<br /> "It's okay beautiful, I'm here," Matthew said.<br /> "Why can't he understand that I can't be with him anymore," Kelly said.<br /> "I don't know but I do know that he never deserved you," Matthew said.	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1,940,523	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-07-27 19:22	active	1181	1151948979385107	😍Read the next chapters👉	Chapter 1 A Messy Life and the Mafia Six months ago, I was a promising med student on the verge of all my dreams coming true, but now I’m just a waitress trying to start over in a new city. I know this restaurant I work at has ties to the infamous Onyx Mafia, but I didn’t have much choice—it's the best-paying job I could find. Besides, the scariest thing about working here isn’t the Mafia, it is the man at table eight flagging me down, obviously fuming. “What looks wrong here?” He snaps and I scan table eight's orders. Foie gras for the blonde in red, Peking duck for the pouty daughter—check. But the impatient bald man tapping his fingers? He got the risotto, not the ribeye currently in front of him. A cold sweat sweeps down my spine as I look between the squinting gaze of the man and the squiggles that are my handwriting. I still write like a surgeon, yet another reminder of my failed dreams. "Wait, I'm sorry... you ordered--" My hands tremble, and my heart sinks as I realize the kitchen couldn’t decipher my handwriting and just took a guess. Lucky me, their guess was wrong. "I-I think the kitchen--" Before I can finish my sentence, Jessica descends upon us like a vulture, risotto in hand. "Apologies for the inconvenience," she chimes in, her voice dripping with faux sympathy. "Elise here is still learning the ropes." "I can tell," the man responds curtly, his attention entirely on Jessica, silently dismissing me. There goes my tip. "Sir, I noticed you’re drinking the 1984 Chateau. Let me send another round on the house for your troubles," Jessica offers breathlessly, her bosom on display as she leans in, her eyes batting just like they did back in high school. The man grunts in agreement as her fingers dig into my arm like talons. She whispers through clenched teeth, "Kitchen. Now." I bow my head obediently as I follow her into the chaos of the kitchen. When I moved here, I promised things were going to be different. I would be no one’s stepping stool, and yet here I am again, at the mercy of another girl who appears oblivious to the fact that we graduated high school. “Elise struck again, boys!” Tony, the sous chef, calls out, his laughter echoing through the kitchen. “What was it this time? Dropped another soup? Tripped and broke all the glasses?” In my defense, the soup incident happened because a man molested me, and Jessica tripped me while I was carrying glasses for an 18-person table. “Oh, tonight she gave one of our regulars the wrong meal.” “It’s the kitchen’s fault. I ordered a risotto, not a ribeye."I retort, pushing my glasses up as I glare at Jessica. “And who could tell with that chicken scratch handwriting?” Tony snorts. “Remember she wanted to be a surgeon,” Jessica sneers. “Doctors notoriously have terrible handwriting, but not waitresses.” The other kitchen staff snicker at her remark. They all think I went to med school and couldn’t cut it. But they don't know the truth, and it would be worse if they did. I take a deep breath, trying to push down my anger. "You were supposed to be a surgeon, marry Sirius, live your perfect little life," she snaps back, the mention of his name, Sirius, still a punch to the gut after all these years. I bite my lip to stifle the retort that threatens to spill from my lips and look down at my tennis shoes, a lump forming in my throat. I can still remember the feeling of the day he disappeared. I told everyone he loved me, that he would be back, and that he would never just leave me, but they were all right. He was gone. He didn’t want me anymore and wasn’t brave enough to say it to my face before disappearing. I don’t know what I’d do if I ever saw him again. It’d be a combination of running into his arms, waiting to see every bit of his life I missed, and kicking him where the sun doesn't shine. "But then you ended up at the bottom, where you’re meant to be." I hold my breath. I can’t show Jessica she’s getting to me. "Good thing Sirius came to his senses like we all knew he would," Jessica retorts. "Once he was done slumming it, he ran away from you as fast as possible. I mean, you practically ran him out of town." The lump in my throat swells as memories of his abandonment flood back, the pain still fresh. "You know what--" "Those better are words of gratitude, Elise, because I am two seconds away from firing you," Jessica interrupts, her smirk widening as she relishes in my discomfort. I swallow back my retort, facing Mr. Thompson, the restaurant manager. Mr. Thompson's stern gaze pierces through me as he approaches. "Elise, why do I have Mr. Kelsey asking for a free bottle of wine for his troubles?" "I-I'm sorry, Mr. Thompson," I stammer, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll do better, I promise." "You have been promising to do better for weeks, Elise. That is not enough anymore," he snaps. "I'll work harder, I swear," I plead, desperation creeping into my voice. "Please." Mr. Thompson holds up a hand to silence me. "You've got one more chance, Elise, but you’re out of here if I hear one more complaint. Do you understand?" I nod frantically."Yes, Mr. Thompson. I won't let you down. I promise." He scoffs, clearly unconvinced. "For the rest of your shift, you are exclusive to the VIPs upstairs," he continues, his tone stern. "They’re too drunk to notice your insolence." "Yes, sir," I whisper. "And you better be on your best behavior because the Mafia king is here," Mr. Thompson warns. "And if I don’t have your head, he will." I swallow hard, the weight of his words settling like a lead weight in the pit of my stomach, as I nod, feeling a shiver run down my spine. Mr. Thompson storms off into his office, leaving Jessica behind me with a wicked gleam in her eye. "Looks like you're on thin ice, Elise," Jessica says, her tone dripping with faux sympathy. "Better watch your step." "Why? You’re going to trip me?" "I would never, but since you are exclusive to VIPs," Jessica hands me a tray of appetizers too heavy for me to hold without almost falling over. "Take this to table 19... the King’s subjects are there." I take a deep breath as I walk out of the kitchen and into the dining room. But as I look up at the men sitting upstairs, a wave of dread washes over me, making me want to run in the opposite direction. They're overly comfortable, as if they own the place as if they own the world. And in a way, they do. The rumors swirling around the restaurant's ownership, whispers of connections to the mafia, suddenly feel all too real. Each step closer to the VIP room feels heavier, as if I am dragging myself closer. As I approach, the men’s eyes leering over me like predators sizing up their prey. The minute I set down the appetizers, a hand grips the back of my leg, sending a shiver down my spine. "Hey there, sweetheart," the man slurs, his breath reeking of booze as he pulls me into his lap. "Why don’t you clock out and hang with the big dogs?" I squirm, feeling his hand wander where it shouldn't."No. Stop it. I have to get back to work," I protest, trying to push him away. But he only laughs, his grip tightening as his friends jeer and egg him on. I squirm, feeling something hard poking me, I begin to panic. He hisses in excitement in my ear. “Yeah, baby, keep doing that.” I try to pull away, causing my glasses to go flying. Great, now I’m blind too. I struggle with my body, tears stinging as I attempt to slide out of his lap, “I need my glasses.” “You do not need glasses for what we are going to do.” He pinches my chin, leaning in as if he is going to kiss me, but the sound of a growling, cleared throat causes him to pause. Panic rises in my throat as I realize that none of these guys will help me and that going against the Mafia for some random waitress is a losing battle. "In my restaurant, we do not tolerate harassment of women," the voice declares, cutting through the VIP, firm and unwavering. The handsy man practically throws me onto the floor as he looks up at the gentleman standing in front of him. I turn to see, in my blurry haze, the silhouette of a man looming protectively over me, his presence exuding authority and strength. The handsy man stutters as the man approaches us, “King. She approached me.” “Really? Are you calling me a liar?” The Mafia King’s voice is calm and sharp, like a shard of ice. “ No, my King, but she is a call girl!” I snap, looking back at the handsy man before turning to the King to plead my case. But I pause. The King’s head is tilted as he looks at me. The King’s voice is laced with disappointment and concern, “A call girl?” Chapter 2 Mafia King Knows Me？ “What, no!” I stand up, “I am not a call girl!” My hand instinctively reaches for my glasses, but they're not there. With a frown, I protest, glaring at the accusing handsyMafia man. “No call girl is too nice for what she does on her knees.” Jessica stands next to the stairs, arms crossed, leaning on the railing. “She solicited me. Asked me to come get her after work because she needs to make some extra money,” the handsy man pleads, but the King stares at me. Jessica saunters over, her hand casually trailing between her bosoms and up to her collarbone as she walks. She stops in front of the King, a coy smile playing on her lips as she leans close to whisper in his ear. “Think about it, darling. A woman who can get close enough to you without suspicion and weasels her way into the VIP area. Doesn’t that sound like a call girl?” The movements Jessica makes intrigue me as if she can turn on and off her alluring appeal. The King's gaze never leaves my direction as Jessica whispers in his ear. Slowly, he straightens up and pushes Jessica slightly back. “You seem to know a lot about the position of a call girl,” King says, but Jessica playfully laughs that off. “I admire how they always seem to get their way.” Gears start to turn in my mind as I squint at Jessica’s blurry form. She looks innocent and inviting, as if she is just flirting, but she is fully prepared to go much further than that. But I can see past her facade now, despite my broken glasses and the blurry world they left me in. Squinting, I can just make out the calculated way she moves and the sharpness in her eyes. I interject before Jessica can respond, “King, look at her body language. Even through the blur, she’s loose, inviting, and sensual as she speaks to you.” The King's gaze shifts from me back to Jessica, a new sense of awareness in his eyes. “When you came in here my body language was stiff, closed off. If I were a call girl like her, I wouldn’t be a good one, would I?” Jessica's facade wavers for a split second before she regains her composure, letting a seductive smile spread across her face. The King lightly chuckles as he pushes Jessica away, “It takes more than a brain full of silicone and fake bosoms to be a good call girl, but I see your point.” “It’s an act some guys like, King, a little bit of fight,” Jessica goes to reach for the King again, but he grabs her wrist tightly, his body tense. “Do not touch me again,” the King drops her hand with disgust, wiping his hand on his jeans as he continues. “ I have let you humor me with your lies, but do not treat me like a fool.” “No, King I would never,” the King gives her a humorless laugh as he invades her space menacingly. “You think you could play me for a fool because I am a man I must be ruled by my hormonal drive? Is that it?” The King looks her over in disgust and turns away, “Get out of my sight.” “King, you have to be protected from her.” Jessica approaches him again, feigning innocence, but the King’s subjects block her as he moves closer to me. “You underestimate me because I have shown you kindness. I will not make that mistake again. ” He slowly looks over at Jessica, and I can tell from how her knees buckle that she sees the darkness in his eyes. “ You're fired.” “King, I’m sorry I-” “You have three minutes to exit. I would use that time wisely.” Fear strikes across Jessica’s face as she scrambles back down the stairs. I bow my head, looking at my tennis shoes, unsure of the punishment I may receive. I don’t know how long I have been looking down, but a hand holding my broken glasses evades my eyeline. “Oh, thank you.” “They are shattered, can you see otherwise?” I shake my head, not allowing my hair to fall into my face. The King pinches my chin forcing me to look at him, and I can make out the sharpness of his jawline. His touch shoots a spark of electricity down my spine, and my breath hitches. “I will-” “I have contacts downstairs. You know, in case of emergencies.” The King looks at me as if a thousand questions are running through his mind. “Why are you working here?” I struggle back, slighting, and the King releases me. Jessica was right in a way I was supposed to be so much more. I was supposed to be a surgeon. I had the brains for it. The steady hands. The determination, but it is not often a stranger can see you are meant to be so much more than what you are. In the blur, I try to find his eyes before I respond, “Most people can’t do what they truly want to.” The King nods sharply before taking a step back and clearing his throat. “I don’t want you in the VIP rooms anymore. They’re filled with dangerous people, and normal people shouldn’t be around them.” “You sound worried.” I laugh at the King’s warning. “I am serious, Elise. I don’t want you up here again.” The King’s voice is sharp, and I straighten at the command. “As you wish, King.” His lips in a tight line, he nods taking a small step to the right, allowing me to shimmy past him. I stop and turn around, “Thank you for everything.” He doesn’t respond, opting for a sharp nod. I walk forward, clutching my broken glasses, looking down when another figure blocks my exit. The blonde guy with an easygoing smile clears his throat as he nervously scratches the back of his head, “Hey," he says, his voice wavering slightly. "I'm sorry about what happened back there. Are you okay?" "I'll survive," I reply with a shrug, avoiding eye contact. His gaze lingers on me for a moment before he nods slowly. “Well, I was wondering if you would give me a chance to show you not everyone in the Mafia is not a pig?” I give him a small smile, feeling the heat of someone’s eyes behind me. “I don’t think my boyfriend would like that very much.” The snort causes me to turn around, and the King blends into the black leather couch, looking at me, “Boyfriend?” “A great boyfriend. If that matters?” The King coughs, “Not at all.” He looks over at a disappointed Jacob. “I just told her to steer clear of us, and you ask her out on a date in front of me.” “What shot would I have after this if you ban her?” “None. You get no chance.” The King growls, and I back up towards the stairs. “Leave now, Elise Caroline. I don’t want to see you up here again.” His warning is sharp and declarative. With a small squeak, I scurry down the stairs, but I pause before I enter the kitchen. I never introduced myself. I never told the King my name, yet he said it not once but twice, and the second time, he used my middle name. Does the Mafia King know me? Do I know him? Chapter 3 Rumors and Crisis I don’t breathe until the kitchen doors slam behind me. How does the Mafia King know my name, surely he knows all his employees' names. He may just be a great boss. Right, that’s it. The Mafia King is a great boss who would’ve thought? My breathing slows and I realize I’m so caught up in my thoughts I don’t feel the entire kitchen looking at me until Toni clears his throat. “Elise?” I look up at him, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion, but I don’t respond. Instead, Dawn, the pastry chef, approaches me with flour-covered hands. “Hey girly, are you okay? Did the King…hurt you?” I shake my hand no, a strangled breath releases from my lips, and Dawn sighs, squeezing my cheeks. “Good because the King has no right hurting a girl as innocent as you.” “Like that would’ve been his first time!” Kelsey, the saucier, laughs in the corner of the kitchen. “Kels, you’re not helping,” Dawn snaps, but Toni approaches us wickedly. “I heard his favorite way to murder is the bloody eagle.” “Toni!” I look at Dawn’s horrified face as she runs to cover my ears. “What's the bloody eagle?” I whisper. The dread I had swimming in my gut since the King first laid eyes on me bubbles to the surface. I feel like I could vomit. “All I’m going to say is ribs pulled through the back. If you want more details, do your research online.” I would not, but Kelsey laughs, shaking her head. “I wouldn’t put it past him. The King treats his subjects like their commodities, completely replaceable. He’s the youngest King ever, and you don’t get to be King in your twenties without a trail of blood behind you.” Kelsey points her ladle at us in warning, “So watch ya’ step, or the King will gut ya’ like a fish!” “Or hang your head above his fireplace, I heard the king loves a trophy, and a pretty head like yours would be perfect.” Toni swats at my hair and Dawn pushes him back to his station. “What is all this racket?! Kelsey you’re messing around and broke the sauce!” The Head Chef, Yolanda enters the kitchen with a stern look in her eyes, “And you! Why aren’t you running my plates?” “I-I…” I rub my hands back and forth, feeling the tension of being in trouble for the third time tonight. “She just had an interaction with the King. Leave her alone.” Dawn snaps. Dawn and Yolanda are childhood best friends, and Dawn is the only one who can talk to Yolanda that way and still have her job. Yolanda’s face pales as she walks closer to me, “You interacted with the King and made it out alive? Count your lucky stars.” Yolanda approaches me cautiously and I don’t realize all the stress is forcing tears to burn in my eyes. “That man is cold-blooded like a snake.” Despite the bile I balance in the back of my throat, I look Yolanda in the eye and shake my head, “No, he protected me. He knew my name.” “He knew your name because you have a name tag on your shirt.” Yolanda flicks my name tag and I look down at it, a pang of disappointment shivering through me. “Protect you?” Dawn questions, “You didn’t say anything about the King protecting you.” “That may be worse. A dangerous man like him may like you, want you.” Yolanda whispers. My eyes widened. My skin flushes as Yolanda and Dawn share a look with each other. The King knew my name. The King wants me. I remember the way he said boyfriend as if it was the most disgusting word on his tongue. But just as I spiral, Dawn and Yolanda break into laughter. “Girl, bless your heart! A man that fine wants you. You better be over the moon happy.” Dawn lightly hits her rag on my right arm, and I flinch, holding my breath. “I mean, those gray eyes are just delicious!” Kelsey chimes in. “Nope, it has to be black curly hair.” Those eyes, that hair remind me of Sirius. His eyes could be a storm with everyone else and clear with me. How a single curl always danced in the middle of his forehead, and I’d spend all day pushing it back. The days when he was my Sirius. The laughter snaps me out of my daze. “I bet he wakes up with his hair like that, just messy and perfect!” “Yolanda, I don’t know if you want to be him or sleep with him?” “Does it matter?” The entire kitchen erupts into laughter. “I would take him any way I could get him. He is so fine!” “So how did he look up close, Elise? A walking daydream, huh?” Kelsey leans over her pot, wiggling her eyebrows. I hide my head slightly, blush to creep up the apple of my cheeks. “I don’t know,” I show the kitchen my glasses. “I broke my glasses. All I could see was tall, charming, and hot.” The entire kitchen boos. “You get close to the Mafia King, and your glasses break!” Dawn pouts, pushing me away, and I giggle for the first time in this entire situation. “Sorry, I can’t tell you how hot he is. You’re going to have to figure that out yourselves!” “Hey! Why is no one helping me out on the floor?” An upset waiter enters the kitchen looking around at us. “I’ll be right there, just let me get my contacts.” I head towards the break room and rummage inside my purse, revealing my contact lenses. I begin to replace my contacts, looking into the crappy workplace mirror, but once my vision is clear, all I can see is my missing earring. One of my silver earrings from Sirius, he got me for our last anniversary together. He’s already missing. I can lose the last thing he’s ever given me. I look over at the floor near my locker, but I know where it is. It’s in the VIP area. I turn on my heel towards the VIP area. The Mafia King's warning echoed in my mind, I don’t want you in the VIP rooms anymore. It’s filled with the type of dangerous people, normal people shouldn’t be around.” I push his warning into the back of my mind. With a deep breath, I start walking up the stairs. I’ll be quick! In and out before anyone notices. As I enter the VIP area, I immediately fall to my knees, crawling around for the earring and hiding from the boisterous men laughing around the bar. I freeze when the King’s voice booms through the area, “You’re lucky I don’t collect your freaking head!” The music in the VIP clicks off. “Boss, it was just a girl!” The man snaps back and the entire area seems to hold their breath as the twinkle of something catches my eye. “A girl under my protection. The same way you are under my protection.” The King's voice is even and controlled again, “And don’t I always protect mine?” I contort my body, grabbing the dangled earring from underneath the couch. “Let me provide you with this small mercy. I promise you the alternative is lethal, and it would be a shame to murder you when you’re still useful to me.” The club music clicks back on as if nothing happened. I sit up on the floor, fixing the earring in my ear. When the footsteps descend towards me. I am not quick enough when I hear the humorless laughter of the handsy man, “You are the freaking pain of my existence. I’m on grunt duty because of you.” I look up, my eyes darting between him and the stairs. If I jump up and run. I should make it. I will make it. I propel myself off the floor, running towards the stairs, but the handsy man is quicker. He pulls me back by my hair, caging me in. My breath hitches as cold metal digs into my side. His breath gushes over my face in puffs thick with the scent of tobacco and gin. “ Go on and scream. No one will hear you, and it’ll only make this more fun for me.” Chapter 4 The Mafia King is My Ex? “ Go on and scream. No one will hear you, and it’ll only make this more fun for me.” His fingernails dig into my wrist, but I bite back any response watching his nostrils flare. “You got me suspended from duties because you rather spread your legs for the King than me.” He pulls me against him, snarling at my confident facade. I look down at the mark forming on my wrist, keeping my voice as even as possible, I say, “I do not want the King. I do not know the King.” He pushes me against the brick wall, and with my better judgment, I whimper, gripping the back of my head, “You dare lie to me? After all you have done, you freaking lie to me?” Spit sprays over my face, his eyes bulge out of his head as he holds me against the wall. The concrete dug into my skin. “Please,” I whisper. “Please?! Please! You purposefully lead me to the freaking slaughter, shaking your tight body for the king, begging him to punish me for your fault.” His wet breath drips down my face, and I look away towards the hallway leading to the King. I didn’t know the King. He did not need to come to my rescue, yet he did. Maybe the King liked me the way Dawn said, but what did it matter? I did not want him. “I am not sorry you were punished. I said no.” “Oh, so this is the little game we’re going to play? You say no, and mean yes.” A greedy, devious smile spread across the man's lips as if the idea of conquering me in such a manner excited him. “You little freaking tease.” His palm digs into my waist, and my eyes water over, straining to look down the hallway to the King. “No.” “You like causing trouble, huh? You like luring men in to watch them. ” I hear the click of his belt, a dooming sound. “You need to be taught a lesson, and I love punishing little girls with fresh mouths.” A voice and the click of a door opening cut the tension. “Boss, who even was she?” He pulls me into a corner. He pulls me in front of him and presses himself on me. His gun is tucked under my chin, and his arm is wrapped around my waist as he whispers in my ear, “Don’t make a freaking sound.” I watch the King walk down the hallway, most of his subjects a step or two behind him. The young member with dirty brown hair and colorful tattoos walks almost in step with him. The King’s voice almost sounds bored as he responds. “That is none of your concern, Taylor.” “You punished one of your own men for her. I think you owe us an explanation.” Taylor snaps, stopping the King in his steps. “Owe?” He slowly turns, and I can see the King’s face clearly through a sliver of light. The girls downstairs didn’t do him any justice. He was breathtaking. Dressed in a tailored black suit, the fabric stretched taut over his muscular frame, his white button-up exposed the tattoo in swirling patterns on his chest and up part of his neck. His curly black hair was gelled back into a style of sorts, but two unruly curls escaped and framed his face. His eyes swirled like a storm, erupting and flashing between the calming gray and black. He looked almost like a tortured angel. He almost looks like Sirius. “You think I owe you?” The King snarls at Taylor, who instantly turns pale. “N-no, I just mean-” “You just mean I should allow subordinates to run rampant to assault and pillage like average thugs.” “Sir it just seemed like you cared about the girl too much.” “What I choose to care and not care about is none of your freaking business, but Dan was punished for lying to me,” The King leans in closer, “ I was feeling gracious, so he was given a slap on the wrist, next time I will cut out his tongue. But my kindness has expired.” “King.” Desperation drips in the boy’s tone, but the King dismisses him with the flick of his wrist, and a man drags Taylor away. “Step foot in my territory again, and you will be destroyed on sight.” The King continues walking forward as if he did not send someone to their death, but the gasp that escapes my lips makes him pause. “Dan?” The handsy man behind me shifts, a grunt escaping his throat. Then a shot rang out, something sliced through the air, and Dan shrieked, falling to his knees. “I show you kindness, and this is how you repay me?” The King’s voice is deathly low as he approaches, and I dare not move. I dare not breathe. “The call girl freaking deserves it.” A low rumble of laughter escapes the King, lowering himself over a bleeding Dan. He pushes the barrel of the gun into the wound in his shoulder. “You are freaking mad, murdering innocents just because they won’t sleep with you?” The King pistol whips Dan into the floor, and a strangled sound fills the room. Dan spits onto the floor. “This is the thanks I get for letting you keep your life?” “My King, she seduced me-” The King grips him by the collar dragging him close. “You think it is wise to lie again?” Dan audibly swallows, a whimper escaping his lips. The King snaps his finger, and a buff, bald man with the word mercy over his knuckles comes up behind him. “Yes, boss?” “I want his tongue and right hand.” With a curt nod, the man grips Dan by his injured shoulder and drags him deeper into the VIP area. “I thought I told you not to come back in here.” The King looks in the direction of a weeping, sounding annoyed. I slowly at the King from the corner of my eye, my mouth completely dry and my hands feverishly shaking. The scars on the King’s face glitter in the low lighting making my stomach twist, so I focus on the silver, twisted ring on his ring finger. It looks almost like tree branches gripping his skin. “I-I left something here.” “What?” His empty grey eyes lock on me. “An earring.” A short grunt leaves his lips, “You risked your life for an earring?” “It’s sentimental.” I whisper, narrowing my eyes closer to the ring, recognizing the red ruby in the center of a rose, and I almost choke, drilling my eyes into his, “Sirius?!” Chapter 5 An Unexpected Reunion “Sirius?!” My heart is practically beating out of my chest. I can’t breathe, staring into his eyes, I know. I know it’s him. He turns to me a blank look on his face. The silence in the room creeps over me, and I slowly look around the room. Every mafia member is staring at me, with tension in their necks, awaiting the command of their king. I almost believe I’ve misspoken as I watch the King’s jaw click. “Elise.” “Oh my god!” I take a step back, looking him over. He looks just like he did in high school, but buffed up and toned, no longer lean and boyish. He’s a full man now. “When I told you to stay away from here, I meant it. Earring or not.” “These were…you cannot tell me what to do, Sirius.” He tilts his head to the side, looking me over. “You gave these to me…before you…” “I know, earring or not. Do not come back up here. Stay away from the mafia.” His voice is ice-cold and distant. He starts to walk away from me, and I almost leap out of my skin following him. “Do not speak to me like that, not after what you did. You abandoned me, and now you dismiss me.” “We both know what really happened back then, don’t act like you don’t know. Do not make me into some villain.” “No, but you are heartless. You leave without a word. You disappear, then you come back and ignore me as if we were nothing. As if you didn’t even—” My words get caught in my chest as if I am about to cry, but Sirius turns sharply towards me, heat rising in his eyes. “Once. I had a heart once, but now when I tell you to do something, you listen, Elise, and that’s final.” Sirius speaks lowly in my face, his voice feathers over me. “Now leave.” My eyes cannot help but flicker at his lips, but I immediately take a step back when he licks them. “No. Just because you say jump, d-does not mean I have to follow, Sirius.” I can hear the click of a gun, and Sirius doesn’t even move as he watches my actions. I raise my hands up and grit my teeth, “I guess you won’t even let me say thank you before murdering me, huh? ” “Lower your weapons, no one is allowed to point a gun at her ever.” I put my hands down slowly, my anger and grief swirling into panic as he turns to leave again. “If I mean so little to you, why are you still wearing your ring?” The branching ring with a single ruby was part of a promise ring set Sirius and I had brought when we were silly and in love. My ring is in my jewelry bag, hidden so Alston won’t find it and ask questions. “For sentimental reasons. I engraved it with something to remind me of the past.” He looks down at the ring longingly before snapping his eyes to my hands. “Where is your ring?” “I lost it years ago.” I don’t know why I lie or what I try to hide, but I know I can’t let him think anything can happen between us. He just nods sharply, not letting any emotions pass over his face. A throat clears in the background, and the tension in the room deflates slightly at the fakely bubbly voice of Mr. Thompson. He stands between Sirius and me a sharp look in his eyes. “Is everything okay here?” “Just a conversation,” Sirius responds evenly, his eyes not leaving mine. Mr.Thompson gives an empty chuckle, “Ah yes, I had to have a conversation with this employee multiple times. She is lazy. She constantly elicits complaints for her promiscuity and irresponsible nature.” He turns to me, hard eyes in his eyes, raising his voice, “Elise, I told you one more time.” “Mr.Thompson, this isn’t what it looks.” I begin, but he puts a hand in my face silencing me. “No, no, the time has come Elise you have embarrassed yourself in front of the King. You have constantly caused problems. You are the most terrible waitress I have ever had the displeasure of managing--” Sirius clocks his gun, placing the barrel against the back of Mr.Thompson’s head and he freezes. “No, no, continue your rant with a gun to your head.” “Sir, I was just firing insubordinate who was causing you trouble.” Mr.Thompson raises his hands up shakily. “Do you think of me as a damsel in need of saving, Thompson?” “Absolutely not sir.” “So why would I need you to come to my rescue?” “Sir, she has been a terrible employee, and I think--” “I do not care what you think. One more insult at her, and I am blowing your freaking brain across this room, understand?” Mr.Thompson nods slowly. “Good.” Sirius puts his gun away, and I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Is this what you do all day? Threaten people’s lives?” “No normally I am not protecting my ex-girlfriend.” Sirius tucks the gun in his waistband, shrugging at Elise. “Where even is he?” “What are you talking about, Sirius?” He walks closer to me a teasing smile on his lips. “Where is your boyfriend? Why is he not here to step in during every crisis, like I am?” Sirius stands a breath away from me, and from his tone, I can tell he is taunting me, that he wants a rise out of me. For a second, I want to smile at his boyish ways. His jealousy-fueled mockery reminds me of my Sirius. “My relationship with Alston has nothing to do with you!” I snapped, crossing my arms over my chest. His eyes dip to my chest, but his eyes narrow, looking at me just as quickly. “I thought you were dating my brother Lester?” “No, he is like a brother to me.” He chuckles. “It would destroy him to hear you say that.” “Why would you think I was with Lester?” “I never would have guessed Alston because he is such a good guy. Taking down major corporations, defending the little guy. I thought you liked your guys with a little edge to them.” Sirius shrugs, a carefree look in his eyes. “You used to be a good guy.” Sirius flashes his million-dollar smile that makes my knees weaken. “I was never a good guy, you just always saw the good in me.” Sirius’s voice is barely above a whisper, causing shivers down my spine. Alston was good. After Sirius went missing, Alston pursued me and when Lester was severely injured, Alston was the one who gathered most of the money for the medical expenses. His good deeds made me fall for him. He was always saving the day, and knowing that he was my personal superhero made me feel secure, supported, and loved. Most importantly, I never felt like he would abandon me. “I agreed to be his girlfriend because he makes me feel safe, Sirius, physically and emotionally.” Sirius’s eyes widen and the careless smile on his face fizzles out. I want to reach up and cup his face. I want to tell him that despite moving on he was my first, I have never been crazy, or foolish in love with anyone else. It’s only been him. “Thompson, leave.” Sirius doesn’t break eye contact with me as Mr.Thompson scurries to leave, but before he can make his grand escape, “I want your office cleared out by the morning.” “What?” Mr.Thompson slows, looking over his shoulder, shock across his face. “Elise will be the new owner, effective in the morning.” Simultaneously Mr.Thompson and I both look at Sirius as if he has lost his mind, screaming, “What? Why?” “Because Alston is not the only person who can make you feel safe, Elise.”	LEARN_MORE	https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=12158&u	293322843875249	Random Reading	https://facebook.com/61560831098071	20	1	452,220,007,450,695	2024-06-27 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	0	Learn More	0	Random Reading	120210060084670281	redtgb.com	NONE	dco		https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=12158&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}	2024-06-24 06:29	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/449044422_1575931366327027_957907443075673983_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=incPUYzcsi0Q7kNvgFwdbdG&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYC0bmUpvKQBxhhIkAcoiaycxHWiPouIypRrmKSmuqwxLw&oe=66AB77AD	person_profile	0	Random Reading	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448995857_1012343843930004_7772195375653960760_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=G6Wxjr7RzQIQ7kNvgFD3nlx&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBZHn3w19_tTJjat4WZgU8tNhWQWsEmGfMLX0oZUJJD9w&oe=66AB54F3	3	Random Reading	2024-06-25 02:00	View Edit Delete
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1,939,914	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-07-27 19:12	active	1179	457850227220171	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"What were you doing, Mitch!" Kelly said.<br /> "Oh god, Kel!" Mitch said. He pulled away and got dressed as did his assistant. She threw the bag of food at him.<br /> "I can't believe you!" Kelly said.<br /> "Baby please," Mitch said.<br /> "Don't call me that, not anymore, we are done! It's over!" Kelly yelled. She ran out the door and got on the elevator and the doors closed and she ran out when she got on the ground floor.<br /> "Leave me alone!" Kelly yelled.<br /> ————————<br /> Kelly sat in her office at the bakery she owned with her twin sister and best friends.<br /> "Sis, what's wrong?" Kate asked.<br /> "It was our anniversary yesterday and he never showed up, he called and said he had to go out of town for work, but I called my father-in-law and he said there was no reason for him to go out of town," Kelly said.<br /> "So, he lied about it," Kate said.<br /> "Yeah, it's becoming a habit, I don't know what to do," Kelly said.<br /> "You two should ivorce," Kate said.<br /> "Sis," Kelly said.<br /> "He's a prick who left his wife alone on your anniversary and lied to you," Kate said.<br /> "Hey guys," Melanie said.<br /> "Mel, where is that good for nothing brother of yours," Kate said.<br /> "At work I assume?" Melanie said.<br /> "Do you have any clue where he was last night?" Kate asked.<br /> "Home?" Melanie asked.<br /> "Nope," Kelly said.<br /> "What happened?" Melanie said.<br /> "He called and said he was going out of town for work, I called your dad, he said there was no work out of town for him to go for," Kelly said.<br /> "That lying sack of prick, I'll be back, sis," Melanie said. She left. Kelly sat back in her chair. Kate sat down at her desk.<br /> "Hey girls," Tara said.<br /> "How's it looking out there?" Kelly asked.<br /> "It's okay, Sarah has it covered," Tara said.<br /> "Where's my beautiful wife?" Ryan asked.<br /> "Baby!" Kate said. She jumped up and went to him and hugged him.<br /> "I missed you today," Ryan said.<br /> "I missed you too," Kate said.<br /> "Hey bro," Kelly said.<br /> "Hey sis, what's going on?" Ryan asked.<br /> "Not much, just my husband is a lying sack of prick," Kelly said.<br /> "I'm what now?" Mitch asked.<br /> "You're in trouble man," Ryan said.<br /> "Prick," Kate said.<br /> "What did I do?" Mitch asked.<br /> "You lied to me that's what," Kelly said.<br /> "You didn't go out of town yesterday," Kate said.<br /> "I called your dad," Kelly said.<br /> "Kel, baby, I'm sorry," Mitch said.<br /> "It was our three year wedding anniversary yesterday and you couldn't come home and made up some excuse, where were you," Kelly said.<br /> "I went on a road trip to get something for you," Mitch said.<br /> "What did you get," Kelly said.<br /> "It's outside," Mitch said.<br /> "Mitch," Kelly said.<br /> "Kel, come on," Mitch said. She shook her head and got up and walked out the door and went to the front door and opened it and and saw it.<br /> "What the?" Kelly asked.<br /> "It's the one you wanted right?" Mitch asked.<br /> "Yes," Kelly said.<br /> "I found it at a car dealership about two hours away," Mitch said.<br /> "But there are dealerships here," Kelly said.<br /> "They didn't have your color baby," Mitch said.<br /> "Mitch," Kelly said.<br /> "Happy Anniversary, baby," Mitch said.<br /> "Wow, I guess this made up for missing the actual day," Kate said.<br /> "Kate," Kelly said.<br /> "Baby," Ryan said.<br /> "It's fine, I'll be making it up to her for awhile, this is a start, next week is birthdays," Mitch said.<br /> "Better not come up with an excuse to forget it," Kate said.<br /> "No because she is going with me to the Maldives," Mitch said.<br /> "What?" Kelly asked.<br /> "Happy Early Birthday baby, a second honeymoon," Mitch said.<br /> "Okay I was wrong," Kate said.<br /> "What's that, Kate?" Mitch asked.<br /> "Sis," Kelly said.<br /> "Sorry," Kate said. Kelly looked at her husband and hugged him tight. He buried his face in her neck.<br /> "I love you and I'm sorry about yesterday," Mitch said.<br /> "Just don't do it again," Kelly said.<br /> "I promise baby," Mitch said. He pecked her and they went for a drive.<br /> Two weeks later, Kelly walked into the bakery after coming home from the trip she and Mitch took. Sarah and Tara were there.<br /> "Hello ladies," Kelly said.<br /> "Hey girl, how was the trip?" Tara asked.<br /> "Amazing, it was like our honeymoon all over again," Kelly said.<br /> "So you guys never left the bed?" Sarah asked.<br /> "Oh we did, we would do things like snorkeling at the Banana Reef, went to the beach, swimming, romantic dinners, and every night we would be in bed making love," Kelly said.<br /> "So babies could be coming soon?" Tara asked.<br /> "I'm still on the pill, he still says he's not ready yet," Kelly said.<br /> "Kel, you have a visitor," Tara said.<br /> "Who is it?" Kelly asked.<br /> "Matt," Tara said. Kelly got up and went out and saw her brother-in-law standing at the counter drinking coffee.<br /> "Matt," Kelly said.<br /> "Hey beautiful, I've missed you," Matthew said.<br /> "Oh you have huh," Kelly said.<br /> "Yeah, heard you just got back from a trip with your husband," Matthew said.<br /> "Your brother yes I did," Kelly said.<br /> "Have a good time?" Matthew asked.<br /> "Yes I did, it was a second honeymoon," Kelly said.<br /> "That's great, so you guys making me an uncle soon?" Matthew asked.<br /> "Not yet," Kelly said.<br /> "Hey guys," Benjamin said<br /> "Hey Ben," Kelly said.<br /> "Hey boys what's up?" Sarah asked.<br /> "Hey Sarah, just a coffee to go, I've got to get back to the job site," Benjamin said.<br /> "I better get back to the office, see ya sis," Matthew said.<br /> "Bye Matt," Kelly said.<br /> "How are you gorgeous," Benjamin said.<br /> "I'm good, how's the job?" Kelly asked.<br /> "It's going very well," Benjamin said.<br /> "That's good," Kelly said.<br /> "I better get going, gorgeous, see you soon," Benjamin said. He went out the door and she looked at the girls.<br /> "Gorgeous? Beautiful? I think they have the hots for you," Tara said.<br /> "They've always called me those names and Mitch knows and agreed of them calling me," Kelly said.<br /> "He's okay with his brothers calling you gorgeous and beautiful," Tara said.<br /> "Yeah because he knows that nothing will happen with them, he trusts me and he trusts his brothers, he knows they won't cross the boundaries," Kelly said.<br /> "Yet," Sarah said.<br /> "What," Kelly said.<br /> "They both were looking at you," Tara said.<br /> "Both were eye watching you," Sarah said.<br /> "Oh yeah," Tara said.<br /> "They wouldn't do that to their brother," Kelly said.<br /> "They both want you in their bed," Sarah said.<br /> "You both are wrong, okay, you are wrong," Kelly said. She went to the office and sat down and worked on some bills.<br /> Three days later, Kelly was at the bakery helping a customer when Benjamin came in.<br /> "Hey gorgeous," Benjamin said.<br /> "Hi Ben," Kelly said.<br /> "How's my favorite sister-in-law doing?" Benjamin asked.<br /> "I'm fine and I'm your only sister-in-law," Kelly said.<br /> "I know that, that's why you are my favorite one," Benjamin said.<br /> "Hey Ben," Sarah said.<br /> "Sarah, how are you," Benjamin said.<br /> "I'm good," Sarah said.<br /> "Are you ready?" Benjamin asked.<br /> "Yeah, is it okay for me to go, Kel?" Sarah asked.<br /> "You guys got a date?" Kelly asked.<br /> "Yeah I asked her the other day," Benjamin said.<br /> "Go on, have a good time," Kelly said.<br /> "Okay see ya tomorrow," Sarah said.<br /> "Bye sis!" Benjamin said. They left and Kelly smiled and cleaned the counter.<br /> "Hey beautiful," Matthew said.<br /> "Matt, what's up?" Kelly asked.<br /> "I came to see my favorite sister-in-law," Matthew said.<br /> "As I told Ben, I'm your only sister-in-law," Kelly said.<br /> "And I'm sure he said that it makes you our favorite," Matthew said.<br /> "Yeah so what would you like?" Kelly asked.<br /> "A latte please sis," Matthew said.<br /> "Coming right up," Kelly said.<br /> "Hey baby, hey bro," Mitch said.<br /> "Hey bro," Matthew said.<br /> "Hey what brings you by?" Kelly asked.<br /> "Just letting you know that I'll be working late," Mitch said.<br /> "Oh babe," Kelly said.<br /> "I'm sorry baby," Mitch said.<br /> "It's fine, I'll be okay," Kelly said.<br /> "If you have to work late, how did you manage to get away?" Matthew asked.<br /> "I took a lunch break and came here to tell her, I didn't want to tell her over the phone," Mitch said.<br /> "And I appreciate you coming to tell me, babe," Kelly said. He came over to her and hugged her close and pecked her softly.<br /> "I will text you when I'm headed home okay, I know you have an early morning so you don't need to wait up for me," Mitch said.<br /> "Okay, love you," Kelly said.<br /> "Love you baby," Mitch said. He pecked her and went out the door. Matthew looked at her and smiled.<br /> After work，<br /> Kelly drove to Mitch's office with some food and went to his office and heard sounds coming from inside and she opened the door slowly and saw something that made her heart break. Her husband slept with his assistant on his desk.<br /> "What were you doing, Mitch!" Kelly said.<br /> "Oh god Kel!" Mitch said. He pulled away and got dressed as did his assistant. She threw the bag of food at him.<br /> "I can't believe you!" Kelly said.<br /> "Baby please," Mitch said.<br /> "Don't call me that, not anymore, we are done! It's over!" Kelly yelled. She ran out the door and got on the elevator and the doors closed and she ran out when she got on the ground floor.<br /> "Leave me alone!" Kelly yelled. She went to Kate's house and went to the door and knocked. Ryan opened it and saw her.<br /> "Kel, sis, what happened?" Ryan asked. She broke down crying and he pulled her in and closed the door.<br /> "I took food to Mitch at his office and found him sleeping with his assistant on his desk," Kelly said crying.<br /> "Oh my god, he's so dead!" Ryan said.<br /> "No he's not worth it, I told him I was done," Kelly said.<br /> Three days later, Kelly went home and found him there sitting on the couch. She went to the bedroom and began packing her bags. She sent a quick text as she packed. He came to the door.<br /> "Kelly please," Mitch said.<br /> "Don't! I don't want to hear any excuses, there is no excuse for what you did, how long has it been going on?" Kelly asked.<br /> "Kelly," Mitch said.<br /> "How long?!" Kelly yelled.<br /> "Three months," Mitch said.<br /> "And you said you loved me," Kelly said.<br /> "I do!" Mitch said.<br /> "No you don't or you never would have slept with her in the first place! No man who says he loves his wife would ever cheat on her! You are not a man, you are nothing!" Kelly yelled.<br /> "Mitch!" Matthew yelled. Matthew cam and pulled his brother away from the door.<br /> "Matt," Mitch said.<br /> "I heard what you did, how could you do that!" Matthew said.<br /> "It was a mistake!" Mitch said.<br /> "A mistake is one time, three months isn't!" Matthew said.<br /> "How did you find out?" Mitch asked.<br /> "From her sister, she told me when I went to get coffee this morning," Matthew said.<br /> "Matt," Mitch said.<br /> "Leave her be, Mitch, go for a walk for an hour and let her get her things out," Matthew said.<br /> "I'm not giving her a divorce," Mitch said.<br /> "You better," Kelly said.<br /> "I don't want to lose you!" Mitch said.<br /> "You lost me the moment you put your private part inside Delia," Kelly said.<br /> "Go Mitch now!" Matthew said.<br /> "Get him out, I'll help her finish up and get her stuff in her car," Matthew said. Harris pulled Mitch out the door. Matthew went to Kelly and she broke down in his arms.<br /> "Oh beautiful it will be all right, let's get your stuff and get out of here," Matthew said. They finished packing up her stuff and got it all in her car and his.<br /> "Thank you Matt," Kelly said.<br /> "You're welcome, now where are you staying? Matthew asked.<br /> "I was staying at Kate's, being there for her and Ryan, she's having a rough time with her pregnancy," Kelly said.<br /> "Let's go then," Matthew said. They went to Kate's house and got out. Ryan came out.<br /> "Hey Matt," Ryan said.<br /> "Hey man, got her stuff here," Matthew said.<br /> "Let's get it inside," Ryan said. They got her stuff moved into the house and she got her clothes in the bedroom and the rest in the other spare room for the time being.<br /> "So I'll be going now," Matthew said.<br /> "Thanks for the help, Matt," Kelly said.<br /> "Of course beautiful, see you later," Matthew said. He pecked her cheek and hugged her and left. Kelly sat on the bed. Ryan sat next to her.<br /> "You okay sis?" Ryan asked.<br /> "I guess so, are you okay with me staying here?" Kelly asked.<br /> "Of course, Kate wants you here, I'm glad you are here for her, it makes me feel better knowing you are helping her," Ryan said.<br /> Three weeks later, Kelly found herself a house close to Kate and Ryan. She got all moved in and settled. <br /> Then she heard the front door ding announcing there was a customer. Kelly and Sarah went up front and the person there was the last person she was expecting to see, Mitch’s assistant.<br /> "What are you doing here," Kelly said.<br /> "I wanted to talk to you please," Delia said.<br /> "What could you have to say to me," Kelly said.<br /> "I wanted to explain it to you," Delia said.<br /> "I really don't care, he slept with you for three months, I can't forgive and forget," Kelly said.<br /> "Kelly, please," Delia said.<br /> "Why should I listen to anything you say, did he send you here to plead his case so I would take him back, tell him to go away," Kelly said.<br /> "Kelly, he's checked into rehab," Delia said.<br /> "What for?" Kelly asked.<br /> "He had an accident at work five months ago, it wasn't bad but he required some painkillers to keep you from finding out because he didn't want you to worry or anything, he got hooked on them and he was so in need for them that he got mixed up and thought I was you, he called me Kelly," Delia said.<br /> "Oh geez," Kelly said.<br /> "Seems like nonsense to me," Sarah said.<br /> "Yeah he's just trying to get me to take him back, tell him I'm not going to take him back ever, he and I were over the moment his private part was inside you so get out of here and stay away from me," Kelly said.<br /> "Okay I'll go and I'm sorry for my part in all this," Delia said. She left and Sarah looked at Kelly. Kelly went back to her office. Benjamin came in and smiled and pecked her.<br /> "Hey baby," Benjamin said.<br /> "Hey," Sarah said.<br /> "What's going on?" Benjamin asked.<br /> "You won't believe it," Sarah said. She told him what happened. He sent a text and soon the door opened and Matthew came in. Kelly came out of her office and saw him and he took her in his arms as she sobbed against him.<br /> "It's okay beautiful, I'm here," Matthew said.<br /> "Why can't he understand that I can't be with him anymore," Kelly said.<br /> "I don't know but I do know that he never deserved you," Matthew said.	LEARN_MORE	https://a.weloveread.com/ad/bG92ZXJlYWQvMjUyNTAyLz	111924688562390	Lov002	https://facebook.com/100092720766465	77	1	2,933,860,836,767,626	2024-07-27 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Learn more	0	Lov002	120209903646030014	a.weloveread.com	NONE	video		https://a.weloveread.com/ad/bG92ZXJlYWQvMjUyNTAyLzIwMjQwNzI1MTY1MzAwL3BhZ2U=?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-07-25 03:54	https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452430819_1258470185138701_4803348401045719406_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ouT_Mjm2DOwQ7kNvgFdL-dP&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBugdoNXefmSE9_O2mFIrqt9FASlXUUgTd6ZX7RlC_vbg&oe=66AB779A	person_profile	0	Lov002	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453003504_7958894110884184_1843244563295252774_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RMFgtnQ7MRUQ7kNvgEYJxap&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCBJrS5Eg8bhebc2B8Sc9jorZA3G00E7W-DVkTo2X9Ljw&oe=66AB4A06	3	Lov002	2024-07-27 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,939,905	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1939906}'	No	2024-07-27 19:12	active	1179	328166660262706	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	I left only to find out I was pregnant with Ink's child a month later. 18 with no home, no family and totally out of options.<br /> Five years later, I came back to be a stripper at Ink's club. I would never forget his eyes which was the same as my daughter...<br /> I closed in on my car. Shoving the key in the door. Twisting it as fast as I could. I yanked the door.<br /> "Why do you have a booster seat in your car? It is for a baby, isn't it?" He said suddenly. <br /> Panic raced through me but I didn't make eye contact. I felt the blood drain from my face.<br /> "I...I..."<br /> ————————<br /> INK POV<br /> The curtain lifted as the dancer walked around the pole to the beat. A black sheer halterneck covered her chest with a small hood barely containing the raven black hair she had her firm hip barely contained by the strappy ripped shortys. Warm but naturally tanned skin covered her whole body with glitter making her shimmer under the spotlight.<br /> I instantly got hard. Straining against my jeans zipper.<br /> Sage quickly rushed behind the bar, her heels clicking against the flooring like a galloping horse.<br /> "Ink" she said anxiously but I couldn't take my eyes off the dancer.<br /> As the song got stronger the dancer climbed the pole with easy. Simple attractive with all eyes in the club on her.<br /> "Ink!" Sage repeated.<br /> As the dancer turned to face my way she made direct eye contact.<br /> Those ice blue eyes I'd remember anywhere.<br /> A moment of panic flashed in her eyes before smirk crossed her lips. I felt like a cold hand slapped me across the face.<br /> "Angel" I whispered as she turned doing another spin before body rolling against the pole. Grinding against the pole teasing the front row.<br /> She's back.<br /> She looked the same but totally different. 5 years had changed her.<br /> Her body had gained more curvy in all the right places but she was fit.<br /> Her toned flat tummy had a small piercing which caught the light. Her hips wide enough to want to grip onto as I imagined drived into her right on the stage. Her legs seeming to go on for days as she strut around in the 8 inch pleasers.<br /> I groaned as my manhood strained again my pants.<br /> "Ink, it's.." Sage leaned in, she was clearly trying to warn me but it was far to late for that.<br /> "I know."<br /> "Dont screw it up." She replied looking at me with knowing eyes. Looking back up to Angel on stage as she glided around the pole like she owned it.<br /> "I let her go once. It won't happen again." I replied to Sage not letting my eyes leave Angels sinful form.<br /> Talk about Destiny. That's what was right in front of me.<br /> <br /> Angel POV<br /> 5 year.<br /> 5 years I promised I'd never come back.<br /> But given my mother had drunk herself to death I had no choice but to return.<br /> Not that she was much of a mother but given I was the only one left, well not quite.<br /> "Mummy! I'm hungry" Lila whined yawning from her car seat. She pushed her crazy curls from her face that had flopped in her eyes while she slept on the drive over. We'd been on the road for 3 days. We had stopped at motels along the way to rest and stretch out but I had serious thoughts of just turning the car around and driving home.<br /> Home. Rosetown wasn't home. It didn't feel like home, even with Lila and I in the dump of an apartment that was in dire need of a update we made it our own. I tried to make it feel like a home but you can't polish a turd.<br /> If I could move anywhere I'd move back to Ashford but that idea scared it out if me more then our terrible neighborhood we were in.<br /> But with mothers house and the little equity it did have, i could sell it for a bit and use my saving to finally buy a little house for us. I could move back and that's what I was planning. <br /> So after giving my noticed to my creep of a landlord Anthony and my work at the nearby diner and the strip club I worked at on weekends. We packed up the tiny amount of things we had into my little Corolla 3 days ago and left for Ashford. Kelly, the only person I had kept in touch with and my closest friend was letting us crash at hers with her brother for the time being while we go on our feet.<br /> She was so excited we were finally close by again that it didn't involve flying to Rosetown every Christmas or birthday. She knew I didn't have the heart or guts to show my face in Ashford again but now I knew it was now or never.<br /> It wasn't just to give us a home but there was one person in Ashford that deserved to have Lila in there life even if the idea scared absolutely me.<br /> "Okay baby we'll get you some food, sweetheart" I called over the backseat to see Lila picking a new movie to watch on her iPad Kelly had bought her for Christmas last year.<br /> I grabbed her a Happy Meal before we rolled up to Kelly's place. She had been the only one I had kept in contact with all these years. She was the only one from Ashford that knew about Lila.<br /> I don't think that secret would be kept for long sadly. I think Ink would soon find out because the Club ran this town. If I could've stayed away forever I would have as selfish as that sounds. But that only meant less pain for me and no answers for Lila in the long run.<br /> He made it clear I wasn't welcome. So I did what he wanted and left only to find out I was pregnant with his child a month later. 18 with no home, no family and totally out of options.<br /> Ink was drama plain a simple, or at least he was. He broke my heart into a million pieces I didn't need him to do it to Lila as well. She didn't need to have her heartbroken.<br /> I knew it would hit the fan as soon as he found out but I couldn't delay it forever.<br /> At almost 4 and a half Lila was becoming aware that all of her friends had daddy's except her and I knew the conversation would come up soon about where her daddy was.<br /> Dredding wasn't a strong enough work to describe how nervous I felt about telling Ink.<br /> Kelly's front door flew open and I could hear her screams of excitment as i hopped out as the crapola groaned to a hold. Almost as if it was warning me that it was it's final journey.<br /> <br /> "Oh so you are staying? What about Ink?" I sighed.<br /> She knew as well as I did it was about time I told him and it would be better if I told him before someone else did. God knows she may look like me but she had his emerald eyes.<br /> It didn't take a genius to figure out he was her dad.<br /> Evergone and there mother knew Ink and I were as thick as thieves as teens. Suddenly showing up 5 years later with a 4 year old screamed gossip central.<br /> "I'm gonna have to talk to him, but I need a job. I can't sleep on your couch forever. If he doesn't wanna be involved I'll leave him be. We don't need the trouble. I don't blame him if he doesn't wanna be apart of her life."<br /> "You never know, Angel. Mike's said the club's done some good things in thae last few years. Maybe hes changed."<br /> "I doubt it Kel." I said blowing on the hot coffee she had just passed along the counter.<br /> "You never know, Ink was never a bad guy." she said kindly and she wadnt wrong. What Ink did was so out of character but his words cut so deeply.<br /> "He didn't want me once. He made that clear"<br /> "That was 5 ye-" but before she could finish I cut her off<br /> "Does Sage still have Try Out Tuesdays?" I ask quickly<br /> "You wanna be a stripper?"<br /> "I already am one Kels, it's good money. Plus try outs are a good place to start 1k if i win, plus tips and a job. Sounds like easy money to me" I shrug taking a long sip.<br /> Kelly raised an eyebrow before looking me up and down "yea if i had your bod i would too girl but you know Sage's is a club joint"<br /> "So?" Yea the MC owned Sage's but that wasn't going to stop me. I was bound to run into them. Might as well get it over with.<br /> "Your funeral" she sings walking to the pantry to pull out some biscuits.<br /> "Itll be alright, Kels" I said with a smile. She was comcerned about people getting handsy but if anyone touched me they'd know quickly not to do it again. I wasn't some doormat or snowflake any longer.<br /> "Could you watch Lila tonight so I can go try out? Just need to go for a run and get ready"<br /> "Omg really?" She squealed excitedly. I wasn't sure why Kelly was a nurse she was more suited to working eith kids. She was obsessed and so clucky.<br /> Smiling I quickly ran her down on Lilas updated list of fave movies and bedtime routine.<br /> "Yes. I love Moana!" She squealed pulling a microwave packet of Popcorn from the pantry.<br /> <br /> A few hours later I had showered tucked Lila in and hopped into the car and pulled up to Sage's.<br /> My back seat full of boxes and bags begging to be unloaded in the morning.<br /> Parking in the back corner of the car park a line of bikes ran the length of the club. And I could see Sage standing outside taking a drag of her smoking by the back door. Grabbing my bag I pulled my coat tighter as I closed the gap between us.<br /> "Those will kill you one day" I teased quietly strolling up to her through the now dark car park.<br /> "Yea ye- Angel?" Sage gasped dropping the smoking on the ground.<br /> "Oh my god, your-....But you-.....Are you....Oh my god" she babbled. Pushing her hair out of her face. I tried to give her a gentle smile.<br /> Sage was undeniably gorgeous. Naturally icey blonde with deep blue eyes like the ocean after a storm. With the attitude to match resting bimbo face was no match for Sage. She was a wonder. She was dressed in tight blue ripped skinny jeans and killer black heels with a diamonte bra covered with a sheer black blouse.<br /> "You still do try outs Tuesday?" I said quietly reading her confused face.<br /> "Yea, yea of course. Do you wanna?" She seemed to pale slightly.<br /> "You bet" I smiled<br /> "Okay come on. I'll show you the dressing room" Sage grasped my hand like she thought I was going to disappear any second. I knew it would be a shock I had returned I hadn't even said goodbye to anyone the night I left town.<br /> I just disappeared. Packed my stuff even stole my mum's car. Not that she even noticed because she never reported it stolen.<br /> As we walked up the back steps into the dressing rooms a few heads turned to look. A few I remembered as club hang arounds. One I knew very well then stepped up to me.<br /> "Angel?" She hissed anger flashed in her eyes.<br /> She had gotten implants that was for sure. The fake things stuck out like traffic cones under her orange bikini and terrible fake tan.<br /> "Cherry" I replied coldly. She was a bimbo then in high school . She would be a bimbo now. She hated me then. She clearly hated me now.<br /> The fun begins<br /> "What the fu-" Cherry started flipping her bottle blonde fried hair over her shoulder.<br /> "One more word and you're fired" Sage snapped cutting her off. Shock covered Cherrys face as I smirked.<br /> "Bu-" Cherrys mouth dropped open.<br /> "What? What was that? Shut up and sit down before I give her your job" Sage snapped Cherry plopped into her seat with a huff continuing on her makeup.<br /> The other staring girl quickly followed in suit. Not daring to question Sage.<br /> "Okay so here is your spot. I'll give you your hours after your performance" Sage said showing me to a little makeup desk and mirror in the corner beside the inner stairs.<br /> "But I haven't even-" I started<br /> "Dont argue. You've got the job. I know you'll be great with that bod. Pwoah. You are fine" Sage said with a wink "I'll be at the bar. You're up in 30 so better get a wriggle on. Whats your stage name?"<br /> "Destiny" I smiled.<br /> 30 mins later I'd probably broken a world record for fastest makeup up application. False lashes, a Smokey eyes and covered in body glitter finished with a long hip length raven black wig that was on so tight I'd probably get a headache.<br /> I was hoping it hide my face long enough i wouldnt get immediatly recgonised. But i doubted it.<br /> God knows I'd probably get recognised in 30 seconds just like Sage did.<br /> I had slipped on my outfit, a sheer holter neck hooded crop top with lace papillae pasties underneath and strappy cheeky matching bottom and 8 inch pleasers before heading to the inner stairs.<br /> Quickly looking back across the room to see 2 other woman standing right next to Cherry whispering and glaring.<br /> I blew a buss in her direction before continuing down the stares hearing her yell "bimbo!"<br /> Well she wasn't wrong.<br /> I wasn't the same girl I was 5 years ago. And shed learn the hard way if she thought otherwise<br /> It would be her mistake if she stepped up to me.<br /> I wasn't interested in bimbo fights but I sure it would take her bad mouthing if she started up.<br /> 3 years of self defense and boxing had kept me fit as well as safe from anyone. Living as a single mum in an area with no self defense skills was a recipe for diaster so I also bought a taser and mace.<br /> And it wasn't my first rodeo being a stripper. Guys getting to handsy before the bouncer got around to kicking there asses out. But I made sure they knew to keep hands off. 3 broken noses, 4 broken fingers and 2 ruptured testicles later guys new not to touch the merchandise.<br /> I wouldn't take it from anyone now. Men or women. I wasn't a victim of anyone's.<br /> As I neared the DJ booth recognition flashed on his eyes before he took my song request.<br /> As my song started. A wave of anxiety flooded me. But with a deep breath I focus on my routine. I knew it well. It was my fave and my most popular.<br /> As I walked around the pole faces all around looked up seeing a seemingly new face.<br /> Body rolling and a few spins to the slow building beat. A few simple tricks later money was flying up at the stage. A few hoots and hollers encouraged my dancing as it went into the chorus again stripping off my hoodie now only in the pasties and thong. As I spun around to face the bar my eyes landed on him.<br /> I'd remember those eyes anywhere. Till the day I died.<br /> My daughter's eyes.<br /> Ink.<br /> He looked pissed but I wouldn't let him win. Continuing my routine as it neared the end his eyes were felt burning into me. Heat built from my core. He was even hotter then 5 years ago. His hair was longer tied into a man bun uptop his head and he had grown in a beard. But not a ratty kind. Manly and well taken care of.<br /> He wore his cut over the top of a hoody but i could see his tattoos on his hands and neck.<br /> He was hot.<br /> I felt my papillae harden as I held his gaze as I grinded against the pole finished up the routine.<br /> Cheers filled the club as more money flew up into the stage. I picked it all up and my clothes as gracefully as I could before making my way off the stage towards the stairs letting the next girl start her routine.<br /> Before I reached the stairs at the back of the room large hairy arm wrapped around my waist. Yanking me towards 2 men standing alone.<br /> "Hey Doll, you must be new here" one slurred tightening his arm around my waist like a boa constrictor.<br /> "Give us a private dance would ya?" The one who touched my waist said and then trying to slide his hand over my hip to grab as handful of my cheek.<br /> "Hands off." I said coldly as they stiffened ones grip on my shoulder got firmer.<br /> "Aww dont be that way doll" the second drawled lowing his hand to rub the top of my hip.<br /> "I said..." I began quickly twisted the first ones hand off my shoulder hearing him curse in pain as I twisted out of his grip and threw my wrist into his nose. As he toppled away the second tried grabbing my wrist only to have my knee connect with his nose as I grabbed a handful of his salt and pepper hair it let out sickening crack as he fell to the ground screaming in pain.<br /> "Don't touch" I snapped as they both rolled onto the floor swearing in pain.<br /> "You bimbo!" One cursed turned to reach out to me again. But before he could touch me again the toe of my pleasers pressed on his crotch.<br /> "Sorry what?"<br /> "Nothing" he spat out glaring at me with his bloodshot eyes.<br /> "Now Barry what did i tell you about touching my girls" Sage said appearing beside me her touch on the small of my back gliding me out of the space. Sage spoke to two prospects who had suddenly appeared also telling them to throw them out.<br /> "You ain't welcome here ever again" she yelled guiding me upstairs, i knew better to look back and connect eith Inks eyes I had no doubt were boring into the back of my skull.<br /> "Remind me not to bang with you" one of the prospects mumbled looking impressed at the 2 groaning bleeding men.<br /> "Well looks like your hired love. Got you on 3 days a week from 9 till 2. You'll get $500 a night without tips ontop and you will be popular by the looks of it." Sage handed me a small piece of paper telling me what days I was on. She also passed me a wad of hundred from her back pocket with a smile, before taking her cut from the tips she smiled "looks like you won try outs by a mile, go home love I'll see you Thursday." Sage finished with a wink.<br /> As she reached the balestrate she turned to look at me a final time "Oh Angel?"<br /> "Mmm?" I looked at her shoving the money in my duffle bag.<br /> "Ink saw you" she said softly with gentle eyes.<br /> I sighed unclipping the wig and sliding it off "I know."<br /> "He's gonna wanna talk"<br /> I looked back at her and nodded before she replied the same and headed back down the stairs<br /> "Hey!" Cherry snapped appearing at my side.<br /> "Yes?" I said back bored.<br /> "Stay away from Ink, He's mine" she spat.<br /> "Good. I don't want him" I lied<br /> "I saw you eyefucking him down stairs." She snarled.<br /> "Threatened are we?" I said with a smirk.<br /> "What? No!" Cherry shrieked looking at her minions in outrage.<br /> "You sure?" I asked with fake concern.<br /> "Why don't you get off back to the hole you crawled out of Angel. No-one wants you here" Cherry hissed closing the space between us.<br /> As i stepped up to her with my heels on I was almost a foot taller then her.<br /> "Or What Cherry?"<br /> "You'll regret it! I mean it. Stay away from Ink. Hes. Mine" She snapped. She was about as threatening as a goldfish.<br /> "Don't worry, Cherry. You can have him." I bit back.<br /> Cherry quickly turned with her bottle blonde whipping across my face as she walked away. As if she'd won the battle trapsing off with pride.<br /> bimbo. I thought to myself. Some things never change. I wish her 8 inches would snap and shed break an ankle or something.<br /> All I knew was when Cherry finds out about Lila I was screwed. And if she told Ink before me I would be totally screwed. And not in a good way.<br /> God knows I needed it but if I didn't tell him before he found out through someone else it would be really bad.<br /> I quickly changed back into my normal clothes before hurrying down the back steps heading towards my car.<br /> Only when I got down the step I crashed straight into a wall I hadn't realised was there before.<br /> A wall that smelt amazing. His cologne hit my nose in a wave. I almost moaned at the familiar smell before snapping out of it.<br /> I muttered bouncing back. Looking up my eyes met with those Emerald Green eyes that lit a fire in me I could never control.<br /> "Better watch were you going, Darlin" he said with the voice I remember.<br /> His voice was killing.<br /> Sweet baby Jesus.<br /> "Or what?" I snapped stepping around him.<br /> "Woah, someone's fiesty" he scoffed following behind me.<br /> "Leave me alone, Ink" I couldn't tell him hear and my body screamed run. As fast as i could. Away. Right now.<br /> "Playing hard to get Darlin'?" he drawled I could hear the smile on his lips.<br /> "I'm not playing anything with you, Ink." I snapped closing in on my car. Shoving the key in the door. Twisting it as fast as I could.<br /> "Aww dont be that way" Ink whined smoothly as I yanked on the door.<br /> "Leave me alone, Ink." I fired back<br /> "Why do you have a booster seat in your car? It is for a baby, isn't it?" He said suddenly. Panic raced through me but I didn't make eye contact. I felt the blood drain from my face.<br /> "I...I..."	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1,940,959	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2024-07-27 19:22	active	1181	337789939382312	Continuer la lecture	Mon mari était profondément amoureux de son premier amour. Quand je lui ai dit en plaisantant que j'étais enceinte, il m'a dit sérieusement : « Tu ne peux pas avoir cet enfant, je l'aimais mais je ne voulais pas l'aimer aveuglément, alors. Je me suis enfuie. Neuf mois plus tard, alors que j'accouchais dans un hôpital d'une petite ville, j'ai reçu un appel d'un ami : « Tu sais quoi ? Ton mari est devenu fou à ta recherche.<br /> -------------------------------<br /> Raegan Hayes avait l'esprit un peu ailleurs à ce moment-là. <br /> <br /> Depuis cet après-midi, elle ne pensait qu'aux paroles du médecin. « Félicitations ! Vous êtes enceinte. »<br /> <br /> Soudain, Mitchel Dixon l'a pincée fermement dans le bras. La seconde d'après, sa voix grave a retenti. « Reviens sur terre. À quoi penses-tu ? »<br /> <br /> Avant qu'elle ne puisse répondre, Mitchel a posé un bisou sur le front de Raegan après lui avoir tenu affectueusement l'arrière de la tête. <br /> <br /> Puis il s'est dirigé vers la salle de bain. <br /> <br /> Raegan était immobile dans le lit massif. Elle fixait le plafond, elle se sentait à la fois molle et fatiguée. <br /> <br /> Au bout d'un moment, elle a sorti le rapport de test de grossesse du tiroir de la table de nuit. <br /> <br /> Raegan s'était rendue à l'hôpital pour des douleurs abdominales constantes. Après un test, le médecin lui avait annoncé qu'elle était enceinte de presque cinq semaines ! <br /> <br /> C'était un choc pour elle. Après s'être creusé la tête, elle a retracé le moment de la conception. Il s'est avéré que c'était le mois dernier après une fête. Mitchel l'avait raccompagnée à la maison et lui avait soudain demandé à la porte si elle était dans sa période de sécurité. <br /> <br /> Maintenant, elle s'est rendu compte que cette période était loin d'être sûre ! <br /> <br /> Le clapotis de l'eau venait de la salle de bain où se trouvait Mitchel, son mari. Ils étaient mariés en secret depuis deux ans. Il était son supérieur au travail, le président du Groupe Dixon. <br /> <br /> Tout s'était passé si vite. Elle était une nouvelle venue de l'entreprise quand ils avaient passé une nuit pour la première fois par inadvertance après une fête. <br /> <br /> Quelques jours plus tard, le grand-père de Mitchell était tombé gravement malade. C'était à ce moment-là qu'il avait proposé un mariage blanc pour réaliser le dernier souhait de son grand-père. <br /> <br /> Ils avaient signé un contrat de mariage dans lequel ils convenaient de cacher leur mariage au public. Leur union pouvait être dissoute à tout moment. <br /> <br /> C'était une chose peu conventionnelle. Mais Raegan s'estimait chanceuse à ce moment-là. <br /> <br /> Jamais elle n'aurait pensé qu'elle épouserait un jour l'homme pour lequel elle avait le béguin depuis huit ans. Elle avait donc accepté avec joie. <br /> <br /> Après leur mariage, Mitchel était tellement occupé qu'il passait la plupart de son temps à travailler. <br /> <br /> Raegan souhaitait pouvoir passer plus de temps avec lui à la maison. Mais elle était rassurée, car au cours des deux dernières années, il n'y avait pas eu de rumeurs ou de scandales le concernant avec des femmes. <br /> <br /> À part sa légère indifférence, Mitchel était un mari parfait. <br /> <br /> Raegan avait des sentiments mitigés en regardant le résultat du test de grossesse. <br /> <br /> Finalement, elle a décidé de dire la vérité à Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Elle voulait aussi lui dire que ce n'était pas la première fois qu'elle entendait parler de lui il y a deux ans et qu'elle avait déjà eu le béguin pour lui depuis bien des années. <br /> <br /> La douche dans la salle de bain s'est finalement arrêtée. <br /> <br /> À peine Mitchel en était-il sorti que son téléphone a sonné. Vêtu seulement d'une serviette de bain, il est allé sur le balcon et a décroché le téléphone. <br /> <br /> Raegan a regardé l'heure et a constaté qu'il était déjà minuit. <br /> <br /> Elle s'est sentie un peu mal à l'aise. Qui appellerait Mitchel à cette heure indue ? <br /> <br /> Mitchel a passé quelques minutes sur le balcon. Ensuite, il est retourné dans la chambre et s'est débarrassé de la serviette de bain. <br /> <br /> Sa silhouette était un beau spectacle. Ce n'était pas la première fois que Raegan le voyait comme ça. Néanmoins, elle rougissait encore et son cœur commençait à s'emballer à ce moment-là. <br /> <br /> Mitchel, inconscient des yeux errants posés sur lui, a ramassé sa chemise et son pantalon de costume sur le lit. Il les a enfilés puis a noué sa cravate avec ses doigts fins. Son joli visage aux contours bien définis le rendait encore plus digne ce soir. <br /> <br /> « Ne m'attends pas. Bonne nuit », a-t-il finalement dit. <br /> <br /> Quoi ? Il était sur le point de sortir ? À cette heure-là ? <br /> <br /> La poigne de Raegan sur le résultat du test de grossesse s'est renforcée alors qu'elle le fixait, déçue. Inconsciemment, elle s'est un peu retirée et, après avoir réfléchi un moment, a éclaté : « Il se fait déjà si tard. »<br /> <br /> Les doigts de Mitchell se sont figés sur sa cravate. Avec un léger sourire, il lui a pincé le lobe de l'oreille et l'a taquinée : « Tu n'es pas encore fatiguée ? On continue ? »<br /> <br /> Quand Raegan a entendu ça, elle est devenue rouge jusqu'à la racine des cheveux, son cœur battant à tout rompre. Elle allait dire quelque chose quand Mitchel l'a lâchée et a dit : « Repose-toi, d'accord ? J'ai quelque chose à faire. Ne m'attends pas. »<br /> <br /> Sur ce, il s'est dirigé vers la porte. <br /> <br /> « Mitchel. »<br /> <br /> Raegan a rapidement couru et l'a rattrapé. <br /> <br /> Mitchel s'est retourné et l'a regardée sérieusement. <br /> <br /> « Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ? »<br /> <br /> Il y avait un soupçon de froid dans sa voix. Un nuage glacé planait au-dessus d'eux alors qu'ils se fixaient l'un l'autre. <br /> <br /> Un peu désespérée, Raegan a demandé d'une voix douce : « Je veux aller voir ma grand-mère demain. Peux-tu m'y accompagner ? »<br /> <br /> Frêle et malade, sa grand-mère voulait toujours la voir. Par conséquent, Raegan voulait y emmener Mitchel pour assurer à sa grand-mère qu'ils étaient heureux. <br /> <br /> « Parlons-en demain, d'accord ? » Sans accepter ni refuser, Mitchel s'en est allé précipitamment. <br /> <br /> Beaucoup de pensées traversaient l'esprit de Raegan pendant qu'elle a pris sa douche et s'est remise au lit. Elle ne pouvait pas fermer l'œil. <br /> <br /> Après s'être retournée longtemps, elle est sortie du lit et s'est fait un verre de lait chaud. <br /> <br /> Quelques notifications de blogs en ligne sont arrivées sur son téléphone. <br /> <br /> Mais elle ne s'y intéressait pas. Elle s'apprêtait à les balayer du revers de la main quand l'une d'entre elles a attiré son attention. Le nom familier l'a incitée à cliquer dessus. <br /> <br /> Le message disait : « La célèbre designer Lauren Murray a été aperçue plus tôt aujourd'hui à l'aéroport avec son mystérieux petit ami. »<br /> <br /> Sur la photo, Lauren portait un chapeau à godets. La silhouette de l'homme était vague, mais le contour de son corps suffisait à montrer qu'il était fringant. <br /> <br /> Raegan a zoomé sur l'image. La seconde d'après, son cœur a chuté. <br /> <br /> Mitchel était l'homme sur la photo ! <br /> <br /> Il avait donc annulé la réunion de l'après-midi juste pour aller chercher son ex-petite amie à l'aéroport ? <br /> <br /> Cette prise de conscience s'est installée comme un rocher dans les tripes de Raegan, la mettant dans tous ses états. <br /> <br /> Ses mains tremblaient. Inconsciemment, elle a composé le numéro de Mitchel. <br /> <br /> La tonalité l'a ramenée à la raison. Au moment où elle allait raccrocher, la connexion a été établie et une voix s'est fait entendre à l'autre bout. <br /> <br /> « Salut ! »<br /> <br /> C'était une voix de femme particulièrement douce. <br /> <br /> Raegan s'est figée pendant une seconde, puis a jeté le téléphone. <br /> <br /> Soudain, elle s'est sentie mal à l'aise dans son estomac. La bile lui est montée à la gorge. <br /> <br /> Elle s'est couvert la bouche, a couru dans la salle de bain et a vomi dans la cuvette des toilettes. <br /> <br /> Le lendemain matin, Raegan est partie travailler à l'heure. <br /> <br /> Mitchel avait essayé de la convaincre d'arrêter de travailler après leur mariage. Têtue, elle avait insisté pour gagner son propre argent. <br /> <br /> Mitchel ne s'était pas opposé à sa décision, mais il lui avait demandé de travailler comme son assistante et de l'aider dans ses tâches quotidiennes. <br /> <br /> L'assistant principal, Matteo Jenkins, devait s'occuper des grandes affaires de Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Matteo était le seul employé du Groupe Dixon à être au courant de leur mariage. <br /> <br /> Depuis les débuts, seuls des assistants masculins étaient embauchés pour le bureau du président. Reagan était la première et la seule femme dont l'embauche n'était pas conforme au protocole. Par conséquent, les autres employés ne pouvaient s'empêcher de se demander si elle avait une relation avec Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Il leur avait fallu un certain temps pour se rendre compte que Mitchel n'avait jamais accordé de traitement de faveur à Raegan. Étrangement, cela les avait poussés à la mépriser encore plus. <br /> <br /> Après tout, personne ne tiendrait longtemps s'il profitait de son apparence. Donc, on pensait que Raegan ne pourrait garder longtemps son emploi. <br /> <br /> À ce moment-là, l'un des collègues de Raegan lui a remis un document et lui a ordonné de l'apporter au bureau de Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Celui-ci n'était pas rentré à la maison la nuit dernière. Raegan était si inquiète qu'elle n'était pas arrivée à s'endormir. <br /> <br /> Tout ce à quoi elle pensait, c'était la femme qui avait répondu à son téléphone quand elle avait appelé Mitchel. Est-ce que Mitchel avait passé la nuit avec cette femme ? <br /> <br /> Raegan connaissait déjà la réponse à cette question, mais elle continuait à la nier. <br /> <br /> Elle avait du mal à se faire à cette réalité. <br /> <br /> Raegan a essayé maintenant de rester calme. Elle pensait que quoi qu'il arrive, elle méritait un résultat qui la récompenserait pour toutes les années qu'elle avait passées à aimer Mitchel. Tout cela ne pouvait pas être en vain, n'est-ce pas ? <br /> <br /> Tranquillement, elle a appuyé sur le bouton de l'ascenseur et est montée jusqu'au bureau du président. Avant de sortir de l'ascenseur, elle a lissé ses cheveux pour s'assurer qu'elle avait l'air bien. <br /> <br /> Devant le bureau, elle a constaté que la porte était entrouverte. Une voix d'homme a retenti. Elle s'est immédiatement arrêtée. <br /> <br /> « Allez, mec ! As-tu des sentiments pour Raegan ou non ? »<br /> <br /> La voix appartenait à Luis Stevens, un ami d'enfance de Mitchel. <br /> <br /> « Qu'est-ce que tu veux dire exactement ? », a demandé Mitchel d'une voix froide. <br /> <br /> « Tu sais exactement ce que je veux dire ! » Luis a claqué sa langue avec impatience et a ajouté : « Je trouve que Raegan est une bonne fille. Elle n'est pas ton genre ? »<br /> <br /> « Tu veux que je te la donne ? », a demandé négligemment Mitchel. <br /> <br /> « Tu sais quoi, laisse tomber ! »<br /> <br /> Le rire méprisant de Luis sonnait particulièrement dur aux oreilles de Raegan. <br /> <br /> Ils parlaient d'elle comme si elle était un objet. <br /> <br /> Raegan a pris une grande inspiration et a tenu le document plus fermement dans sa main. <br /> <br /> Peu après, la voix de Luis s'est à nouveau fait entendre. <br /> <br /> « Au fait, j'ai vu ce matin les nouvelles du potin sur le mystérieux petit-ami de Lauren. C'était toi, n'est-ce pas ? »<br /> <br /> « Oui. »<br /> <br /> « Tiens, tiens, tiens ! Cette femme a toujours joué avec toi. Tu veux toujours lui plaire. »<br /> <br /> Luis a soupiré et a continué à taquiner Mitchel. « Vous avez passé la nuit ensemble. Comme le dit le vieil adage, l'absence rend le cœur plus tendre. Dis-moi, est-ce que vous avez... »<br /> <br /> Leur conversation a été comme un coup de tonnerre qui s'est abattu sur la tête de Raegan. <br /> <br /> Son visage est devenu pâle et son corps était froid comme de la glace. <br /> <br /> Lauren et Mitchel avaient passé la nuit ensemble ! <br /> <br /> L'absence rend le cœur plus tendre ! <br /> <br /> Chaque mot lui plantait un couteau dans le cœur. <br /> <br /> Plusieurs voix chuchotantes remplissaient sa tête à ce moment-là. Soudain, elle s'est sentie étourdie. Sa vision s'est brouillée. <br /> <br /> Elle s'est accrochée au mur et a fait un pas en arrière. Soudain, la porte s'est ouverte de l'intérieur. <br /> <br /> « Raegan ? »<br /> <br /> Chapitre 2 L'amour à sens unique<br /> <br /> C'était Luis qui a ouvert la porte. Il semblait qu'il était sur le point de sortir. <br /> <br /> Les mains serrées, Raegan s'est tournée vers lui et a hoché la tête. « Bonjour, M. Stevens. »<br /> <br /> Sans attendre qu'il lui rende son salut, elle est passée devant lui et est entrée dans le bureau avec le document. <br /> <br /> Mitchel, assis derrière un grand bureau luxueux, était particulièrement beau dans son costume de luxe et sa cravate assortie. <br /> <br /> Raegan a remarqué que ce n'était pas le même costume qu'il avait porté lorsqu'il avait quitté la maison la nuit dernière. Comment s'était-il changé ? <br /> <br /> Les yeux baissés, elle a ravalé cette question et a dit à la place : « M. Dixon, ça vient du Service marketing. Veuillez le signer. »<br /> <br /> Mitchel était inexpressif lorsqu'il a signé le document d'un seul regard. <br /> <br /> Raegan est sortie par la porte dès qu'il lui a rendu le document. Luis se tenait toujours sur le seuil. <br /> <br /> Ce n'était que lorsqu'elle a disparu de la vue que Luis s'est tourné vers Mitchel et a dit d'un ton étouffé : « Tu crois qu'elle nous a entendus ? »<br /> <br /> Les yeux de Mitchel étaient inexpressifs à ce moment-là. De toute évidence, il ne prêtait pas attention à ce que disait Luis. <br /> <br /> Pour Mitchel, Raegan avait toujours été docile et n'avait jamais été jalouse de personne. <br /> <br /> Son obéissance stricte était tout ce que Mitchel exigeait d'elle s'il voulait bien la traiter. <br /> <br /> Dans l'ascenseur, Raegan a retenu son souffle pour retenir ses larmes. Malheureusement, cela n'a pas fonctionné. <br /> <br /> Elle avait pensé que deux ans suffiraient à Mitchel pour comprendre à quel point elle l'aimait et lui rendre la pareille. <br /> <br /> Or, il s'est avéré que ce n'était qu'une chimère. <br /> <br /> Elle s'est rendu compte qu'elle jouerait toujours les seconds violons face à Lauren, le véritable amour de Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Reagan a séché ses larmes quand l'ascenseur s'est arrêté. À l'exception de son visage pâle, elle avait l'air normal lorsque les portes se sont ouvertes. <br /> <br /> Elle s'est traînée jusqu'à la salle de repos, où elle a voulu se faire une tasse de thé. <br /> <br /> À l'intérieur, plusieurs employés discutaient. <br /> <br /> « Les gars, vous avez entendu ? Lauren Murray est de retour. »<br /> <br /> « Et qui est-ce ? »<br /> <br /> « Oh, mon Dieu ! Vous ne la connaissez pas ? Lauren est l'héritière du Groupe Murray et une styliste de classe mondiale. Mais surtout, elle est la seule petite amie que M. Dixon ait jamais montrée en public. Elle est son premier amour ! »<br /> <br /> « Pourquoi son retour est-il si important ? On dit qu'il y a une liaison entre M. Dixon et Raegan, n'est-ce pas ? »<br /> <br /> « Raegan ? Elle est probablement l'un de ses nombreux jouets. M. Dixon n'a jamais avoué qu'il était en couple avec elle. Et ce n'est pas une surprise pour moi. Après tout, regardez-la. Elle n'est même pas particulièrement belle. Pourtant, elle se comporte comme si elle était déjà Mme Dixon. »<br /> <br /> Debout devant la porte, Raegan souriait avec autodérision en les écoutant. Il s'est avéré que tout le monde, sauf elle, voyait la vérité. <br /> <br /> L'amour était à sens unique. <br /> <br /> « Ha-ha, Mme Dixon s'est-elle enfin réveillée de son rêve sauvage ? »<br /> <br /> Une voix moqueuse est soudain venue de derrière. Raegan s'est retournée et a vu Tessa Lloyd, la cousine de Mitchel, qui la méprisait toujours. <br /> <br /> Tessa devait aussi avoir entendu les commérages des employés. <br /> <br /> La dernière chose que Raegan voulait faire maintenant était de se disputer avec Tessa dans l'entreprise. Elle s'est tournée pour partir, mais Tessa lui a bloqué le chemin. <br /> <br /> Une tasse de café à la main, Tessa a dit sarcastiquement : « Lauren est de retour maintenant. Tu crois que Mitchel va encore t'accorder de l'attention ? »<br /> <br /> Raegan n'a rien dit. <br /> <br /> Quelques secondes plus tard, Tessa a continué sa moquerie. « J'ai entendu dire que tu étais plutôt habile quand il s'agit de communiquer avec les hommes. Et si je te présentais à quelques hommes ? Ils auraient vraiment besoin de tes services. »<br /> <br /> Raegan a serré les poings et a dit froidement : « Mme Lloyd, nous sommes dans l'entreprise. Prends garde à ce que tu dis. Ne sois pas si impolie. »<br /> <br /> « Tu... »<br /> <br /> Sur ce, le visage de Tessa a changé. <br /> <br /> La seconde d'après, elle a levé la main et a vidé la tasse de café chaud sur Raegan. <br /> <br /> Cette dernière n'a pas pensé une seconde que Tessa fasse quelque chose d'aussi fou. Elle a levé les bras juste pour bloquer le liquide chaud contre son visage. En un rien de temps, le café lui a brûlé le bras et sa peau est devenue rouge. <br /> <br /> « Aïe ! » Raegan a froncé les sourcils de douleur. « Pourquoi as-tu fait ça ? As-tu perdu la tête ? »<br /> <br /> C'était la pause déjeuner et de nombreux employés assistaient au drame. Tessa était encore plus complaisante en voyant les badauds de plus en plus nombreux. <br /> <br /> Elle a pris un air de méchante fille en lui disant : « Qu'est-ce qui te rend si suffisante tous les jours, hein ? Tu penses sérieusement que les autres ne savent pas que tu n'es qu'une orpheline sans parents ? Espèce de... »<br /> <br /> Soudain, un bruit aigu a retenti. <br /> <br /> Tessa a été réduite au silence par une gifle retentissante. <br /> <br /> Sa mâchoire est tombée sur le sol. Elle ne s'était pas attendue à ce que Raegan, qui était si calme et timide, la gifle. <br /> <br /> Tessa s'est tenu la joue et a regardé dans le vide pendant un moment avant de balbutier : « Tu... Tu m'as frappée ? Comment oses-tu ! »<br /> <br /> Raegan l'a regardée et a répondu : « Oui, je l'ai fait ! Il semble qu'il faille t'enseigner la simple politesse. »<br /> <br /> En fait, Raegan avait perdu ses parents alors qu'elle n'était encore qu'une enfant. Mais cela ne voulait pas dire qu'elle laisserait quelqu'un l'ignorer pour cela. <br /> <br /> Des rides sont apparues sur le visage de Tessa alors qu'elle a froncé les sourcils avec colère. En tant que cousine de Mitchell, elle était habituée à être flattée et respectée. C'était la première fois qu'on la traitait ainsi. <br /> <br /> Tessa s'est jetée sur Raegan comme un taureau en colère et a levé la main pour répondre à la gifle. <br /> <br /> Cette fois, Raegan était parfaitement préparée à ce qui l'attendait. Elle a saisi le poignet de Tessa si fort que cette dernière ne pouvait plus bouger d'un pouce. <br /> <br /> Tessa était plus petite que Raegan. Par conséquent, Tessa s'est débattue comme une pieuvre coincée par l'un de ses tentacules dans un piège à poissons. <br /> <br /> Tessa a juré avec colère : « Comment oses-tu me blesser ? Pour qui te prends-tu ? Tu n'es rien d'autre que le jouet de Mitchell ! »<br /> <br /> Ces mots durs ont attiré davantage de monde dans la salle de repos. <br /> <br /> « Ça suffit maintenant ! »<br /> <br /> Sans crier gare, un baryton est arrivé par derrière. Mitchel avait quitté son bureau et était tombé sur ce charivari. <br /> <br /> Toute la salle est devenue silencieuse. <br /> <br /> « Mitchel ? » Le sang de Tessa s'est glacé lorsqu'elle a vu Mitchel. Elle avait toujours peur de son cousin. Même sa mère l'avait mise en garde contre le fait de le provoquer. <br /> <br /> Mais quand elle s'est souvenue que Raegan l'avait giflée, elle a pris un air compatissant et a sangloté. « Mitchel, regarde mon visage. Elle m'a giflée. »<br /> <br /> La lumière du soleil de l'extérieur tombait sur le joli visage de Mitchell. <br /> <br /> Raegan s'est sentie si triste tout à coup et a baissé la tête pour regarder le dos de son bras ébouillanté par le café. <br /> <br /> Leurs regards se sont rencontrés en l'air. Avec un profond froncement de sourcils, Mitchel a regardé Raegan et a dit : « Raegan, as-tu oublié les règles de l'entreprise ? »<br /> <br /> Son impitoyabilité a coupé la respiration de Raegan. Elle ne pouvait pas en croire ses oreilles. <br /> <br /> Personne n'osait émettre le moindre son à cet instant. <br /> <br /> Raegan s'est contentée de rester droite, avec sa silhouette élancée. <br /> <br /> Lorsqu'elle avait été embauchée là, Mitchel lui avait dit que le Groupe Dixon n'était pas un endroit où elle pouvait faire des bêtises et qu'il ne tolérerait pas qu'elle fasse des erreurs. <br /> <br /> Raegan pouvait comprendre pourquoi il défendait cette position. <br /> <br /> Mais à ce moment-là, elle voulait absolument savoir si Mitchel avait entendu les mots durs avec lesquels Tessa l'avait réprimandée, ou s'il faisait juste semblant de ne pas les avoir entendus parce qu'il était d'accord avec ces mots. <br /> <br /> La considérait-il vraiment comme un outil pour son plaisir ? <br /> <br /> Effrayée par la rage de Mitchel, la foule s'est rapidement dispersée. Quelques employés ont osé épier de loin, ne voulant pas manquer le bon spectacle. <br /> <br /> Les yeux froids de Mitchel faisaient frissonner Raegan de la tête aux pieds. <br /> <br /> Raegan s'est pincé la paume de la main pour réprimer ses sentiments tout en regardant Tessa. <br /> <br /> « Je suis désolée, Mme Lloyd. En tant qu'employée du Groupe Dixon, j'ai eu tort de te frapper. »<br /> <br /> Tessa a regardé Raegan et a levé le menton avec suffisance. « Humph ! Ne crois pas que tu vas t'en sortir avec une simple excuse. Je ne crois pas... »<br /> <br /> « La gifle n'a rien à voir avec l'entreprise. Personnellement, je refuse de m'excuser auprès de toi », a ajouté Raegan. <br /> <br /> Puis elle est passée à côté de Mitchel sans lui accorder un regard de plus. <br /> <br /> « Toi ! »<br /> <br /> Le visage de Tessa est devenu bleu quand elle a entendu ce que Raegan a dit. <br /> <br /> Durant toutes les années de sa vie, elle n'avait jamais été humiliée de la sorte. Elle avait toujours été la tyranne, pas la victime ! <br /> <br /> L'humiliation était si grande que mettre Raegan en pièces maintenant n'apaiserait pas sa colère. <br /> <br /> Pointant du doigt Raegan, Tessa s'est écriée : « Mitchel, tu as entendu ce que cette femme vient de dire ? Elle m'a giflée et pourtant elle est toujours aussi arrogante. Rappelle-la. Je dois la gifler jusqu'à ce qu'elle crie grâce ! »<br /> <br /> Mitchel, qui fixait le dos fin de Raegan, avait à ce moment-là une expression ambiguë. <br /> <br /> « Ça suffit ! », a-t-il dit froidement en levant la main. <br /> <br /> Vivant le drame et respirant la cruauté, Tessa ne pensait pas que Mitchel ait un faible pour Raegan à ce moment-là. Elle supposait que Mitchel ne s'intéressait pas du tout à Raegan. <br /> <br /> Tessa a grincé des dents et a dit méchamment : « La prochaine fois, je trouverai quelqu'un pour lui donner une leçon. »<br /> <br /> « Tessa ! » Le ton froid, Mitchel a plissé les yeux. <br /> <br /> Tessa a tremblé instantanément. <br /> <br /> Avec un air sombre, Mitchel a dit : « Je ne le dirai qu'une seule fois. Oublie ce qui s'est passé ici aujourd'hui. Laisse Raegan tranquille. »<br /> <br /> L'aura qu'il dégageait a laissé la langue de Tessa sèche. Toutes les idées malveillantes qu'elle avait en réserve contre Raegan ont disparu en un clin d'œil. <br /> <br /> Elle a balbutié : « Ok... Ok, j'ai compris... »<br /> <br /> Mitchel lui a lancé un regard froid et s'est adressé à Matteo. « Les gens sans importance n'ont plus accès ici à partir d'aujourd'hui. »<br /> <br /> Les agents de sécurité ont alors mise Tessa dehors. <br /> <br /> Ils n'ont eu aucune pitié pour elle. Son combat était inutile. <br /> <br /> Pendant ce temps, Raegan s'est changée après être retournée à son bureau. <br /> <br /> Elle avait le cœur plein de tristesse en pensant à la façon dont Mitchel l'avait regardée quelques minutes auparavant. <br /> <br /> L'heure de la fermeture a bientôt sonné. <br /> <br /> Raegan a pris son sac et s'est dirigée vers la sortie. Mais Matteo l'a arrêtée. <br /> <br /> Il lui a dit : « M. Dixon a quelque chose d'urgent à régler, alors il m'a demandé de vous raccompagner chez vous. »<br /> <br /> Raegan a refusé le trajet sans réfléchir longtemps. <br /> <br /> Avant, elle était aveugle, mais maintenant, elle voyait clair dans la situation. <br /> <br /> Aux yeux de Mitchell, elle n'était qu'une moins que rien. <br /> <br /> Comment Mitchel pouvait-il accepter de l'accompagner chez sa grand-mère alors qu'il ne s'intéressait même pas à elle ? <br /> <br /> Lorsqu'elle est arrivée à l'hôpital, Raegan a vu que l'infirmière était en train de donner le dîner à sa grand-mère. Raegan s'est chargée de la tâche et l'a fait elle-même. <br /> <br /> Toute sa vie, sa grand-mère avait vécu à la campagne, jouissant d'une vie tranquille. Tout avait changé le mois dernier lorsqu'un examen de routine avait révélé que quelque chose n'allait pas avec son pancréas. Raegan avait insisté pour qu'elle soit emmenée en ville pour un meilleur traitement. <br /> <br /> La vieille femme ne savait pas qu'elle s'était mariée avec Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Raegan avait prévu de la surprendre aujourd'hui. Mais il s'est avéré que ce n'était plus nécessaire. <br /> <br /> Raegan a attendu que sa grand-mère s'endorme avant de partir. Elle est sortie de l'hôpital et a attendu un taxi. <br /> <br /> Au loin, une voiture de luxe noire est arrivée dans l'allée de l'hôpital. <br /> <br /> Les yeux de Ragan se sont illuminés quand elle l'a vue, reconnaissant que la voiture appartenait à Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Était-il venu la chercher ? <br /> <br /> À cet instant, elle a oublié toute la douleur qu'elle avait ressentie. <br /> <br /> Ses pensées au sujet de ce jeune homme étaient-elles complètement fausses ? Est-ce qu'il l'aimait vraiment, contrairement à la rumeur ? <br /> <br /> La portière côté conducteur s'est ouverte et Mitchel est descendu. <br /> <br /> Raegan a commencé à marcher vers lui, le cœur débordant de joie. <br /> <br /> Soudain, elle s'est arrêtée net. <br /> <br /> Mitchel venait de passer de l'autre côté et avait porté une femme hors de la voiture. <br /> <br /> L'inquiétude et la compassion se lisaient sur le joli visage de l'homme. <br /> <br /> Cela a effacé le sourire sur le visage de Raegan. Son cœur s'est affaissé. <br /> <br /> Chapitre 3 Divorçons<br /> <br /> La silhouette grande et droite de Mitchel s'est rapprochée de plus en plus de Raegan. Puis, sans dire un mot, il est passé devant elle. <br /> <br /> Il était difficile de dire si Mitchel a vu Raegan ou l'a simplement ignorée. <br /> <br /> En tout cas, Raegan a remarqué que la femme dans ses bras était la même que celle qui avait été photographiée avec lui hier. <br /> <br /> C'était Lauren. <br /> <br /> Les chaussures de Raegan semblaient faites de plomb alors qu'elle s'éloignait. <br /> <br /> Sans se rendre même compte de ce qui l'entourait, elle est montée dans un taxi, l'esprit ailleurs. <br /> <br /> Soudain, le chauffeur a dit : « Madame, où allez-vous ? »<br /> <br /> Raegan est restée stupéfaite pendant un moment. <br /> <br /> Elle ne voulait pas retourner à la Villa Sérénité. Ce n'était qu'une question de temps avant que cet endroit ne soit plus sa maison. <br /> <br /> Au bout d'un moment, elle a répondu : « S'il vous plaît, emmenez-moi à la Baie Crystal. »<br /> <br /> Après avoir épousé Mitchel, elle avait acheté un appartement à la Baie Crystal. <br /> <br /> À l'époque, elle espérait pouvoir faire venir sa grand-mère en ville, alors elle avait acheté l'appartement en hypothèque. Il n'était pas très grand, mais il y avait plus qu'assez de place pour deux personnes. <br /> <br /> Mitchel, confus de la raison pour laquelle elle voulait acheter un appartement modeste, lui avait proposé de lui donner un appartement plus grand, mais elle avait refusé. <br /> <br /> Avec le recul, elle s'est rendu compte que l'achat de cet appartement était la seule décision intelligente qu'elle avait prise au cours des deux dernières années. <br /> <br /> Lorsqu'elle est arrivée au complexe d'appartements, Raegan s'est assise seule dans le parc, essayant de se rafraîchir. <br /> <br /> Les souvenirs des deux dernières années étaient doux-amers. <br /> <br /> Deux ans s'étaient écoulés comme un clin d'œil, même si cela faisait plus de sept cents jours et nuits. <br /> <br /> L'amour peut déplacer des montagnes, disait-on. <br /> <br /> Pourtant, son amour n'avait pas fait bouger cette pierre qu'était l'homme. Elle s'est finalement rendu compte à quel point elle s'était ridiculisée devant tout le monde. <br /> <br /> Il se faisait déjà tard dans la nuit quand Raegan a finalement décidé d'aller à son appartement. <br /> <br /> En sortant de l'ascenseur, elle a vu Mitchel debout devant la porte. <br /> <br /> Ses manches étaient nonchalamment retroussées et les boutons du haut de sa chemise étaient ouverts, révélant son long cou et une partie de sa clavicule. Il était appuyé contre le mur près de la porte, son joli visage était marqué sous les lumières. <br /> <br /> Raegan s'est figée un instant. <br /> <br /> Pourquoi était-il là ? Ne l'avait-elle pas vu à l'hôpital avec Lauren ? Qu'est-ce qui l'avait amené là ? <br /> <br /> Leurs regards se sont croisés. Le manteau sur le bras et une main dans la poche, Mitchel lui a plissé les yeux. <br /> <br /> « Pourquoi tu n'as pas répondu au téléphone ? », a t-il demandé, l'air un peu morose, comme quelqu'un qui n'avait pas dormi depuis longtemps. <br /> <br /> Raegan a sorti son téléphone et a remarqué qu'elle l'avait accidentellement mis en mode silencieux. <br /> <br /> Il y avait cinq appels manqués de Mitchel. <br /> <br /> C'était la première fois pendant deux ans de mariage. <br /> <br /> Mitchel l'avait assaillie d'appels parce qu'il ne pouvait pas la trouver ? Surprenant ! <br /> <br /> Avant aujourd'hui, elle aurait été ravie de cela. Les gens auraient pensé qu'elle avait gagné au loto. <br /> <br /> Mais maintenant, elle a juste jeté son téléphone dans son sac, croisant les bras et disant d'une voix rauque : « Je ne l'ai pas entendu sonner. »<br /> <br /> Mitchel a levé la main pour regarder l'heure et a dit avec impatience : « Je te cherche depuis deux heures. »<br /> <br /> Après avoir tout arrangé pour Lauren, il était rentré chez lui et avait trouvé une maison vide. Il avait cherché Raegan partout. Ne parvenant pas à la trouver, il avait demandé à Matteo de vérifier les vidéos de surveillance de toutes les rues qui partaient de l'entreprise. <br /> <br /> Plus tard, il avait découvert que Raegan était allée à la Baie Crystal sans le lui dire. <br /> <br /> « La prochaine fois, tu me diras quand tu viens ici, d'accord ? Rentrons à la maison maintenant. » Après cela, Mitchel s'est dirigé vers l'ascenseur sans lui accorder un autre regard. <br /> <br /> Il avait l'intention de retourner à la Villa Sérénité. <br /> <br /> Raegan, sans bouger d'un pouce, s'est contentée de fixer son large dos et de réfléchir à contrecœur. <br /> <br /> La prochaine fois... Auraient-ils un avenir ? <br /> <br /> Mitchell s'est retourné et a vu que Raegan n'avait pas fait un seul pas. Il a froncé les sourcils et a demandé : « Tu ne peux pas marcher ? Tu veux que je te porte à la place ? »<br /> <br /> La lumière du couloir éclairait le visage du jeune homme et faisait apparaître son profil latéral presque impeccable. <br /> <br /> Raegan a pris une grande inspiration et a dit : « Divorçons. »	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.kifflire.com/16192410-fb_contact-frj	122433270854052	Moonbook	https://facebook.com/100092735448502	46,984	2	367,064,276,422,773	2024-07-27 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	0	Learn more	0	Moonbook	120209592312550480	fbweb.kifflire.com	NONE	image		https://fbweb.kifflire.com/16192410-fb_contact-frj57-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=066827&accid=1179389016560285	2024-07-19 06:04	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452231463_3805720399700245_3228299482554726074_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fjQbbwMXCVAQ7kNvgFuqSl9&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD2Ut1qCKjQo3BMGDupTNP4OSrDNDlKKtY0BN0eHhLETg&oe=66AB747F	person_profile	0	Moonbook	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451955930_688257936800260_7178569299932397639_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dqwe_V9QHosQ7kNvgHrCdVH&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYB3sfNhdtk6RIc62Fe0d6Y4g0Qt7jd4XeTKWluTxNEoSg&oe=66AB5E0C	3	Moonbook	2024-07-22 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,940,873	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1940763}'	Yes	2024-07-27 19:22	active	1181	1093999461702113	😍Read the next chapters👉	If loving him was a crime and the reason why he humiliated me, then I’ll make him regret it! -- It was a family dinner with our neighbors, the Whites. Everyone was chatting excitedly, and somehow, the conversation had shifted to talk about me and Felix. Felix White, whom I grew up with. The elders in our families had us engaged to one another. In fact, I also liked him a lot... Aunt Mel, Felix's mother, exclaimed, "Once they both graduate from college, I'll help pay for their marital home so that they can get married and have a child asap!" "Aunt Mel…I'm just a high school student!" I protested, while sneaking a glance at Felix, who looked displeased. "It'll happen soon!" Aunt Mel lightly patted my cheek, with my mom also chiming in her agreement. Suddenly, Felix shot to his feet, glared at me with anger, "This is all your fault!" In that instant, the room turned dead silent. Dumbfounded as I, "Felix?" He shouted, "If it weren't for you shamelessly following me everywhere, they wouldn't try to pair us up!" I tried to reason with him, "Felix, I just like-" "Your LIKE is nothing more than shackles to me. I don't want to be associated with you in any way - not ever," His words were venomous, and his eyes were filled with a cold hatred that made me shiver. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years! He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, in the end, it was my fault?! I should never have liked him. I swore that I would let him know he's not even worthy of me!	LEARN_MORE	https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&u	121885057680157	Random Reading		0	2	1,608,045,406,615,398	2024-05-05 02:00	regular_page	eligible	NONE	1	0	1	Learn More	1	Random Reading	120210901132840002	ocankn.com	NONE	dco		https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}	2024-04-30 07:17	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440956940_25268474469467884_2868037020008087195_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=F-HxQ-waHuEQ7kNvgFD38u1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAwzp2f2VEB0h60weFz2pFk1Ydk_U5dwkE7lQlVpeQm5Q&oe=66AB7D02	regular_page	0	Random Reading	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440962453_1104392817282181_2561723559848612484_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qe5uc9YsSBwQ7kNvgEGfbsP&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCE-EbnGSl82RwIS97friXZnS2PwjHzYRz32Y-Tg2t1IQ&oe=66AB525F	3		2024-05-04 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,940,544	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1940357}'	Yes	2024-07-27 19:22	active	1181	1169421704367321	😍Read the next chapters👉	Chapter 1<br /> Lottie’s POV<br /> "So, who is coming tomorrow?" I asked my best friend Lilly, who was twirling in the mirror, the expensive satin of her wedding dress swishing around her ankles. Tomorrow was her big day, and ever the perfectionist, she just had to check everything still fit perfectly. <br /> <br /> "Umm, the usual: our pack, Daddy's business partner, bordering packs, and their alphas. It's only a small gathering." She mumbled, brushing her hands over her tiny waist. <br /> <br /> "Small." I nodded sarcastically; we clearly had a very different understanding of what small meant, but as the daughter of the ruthless Alpha of the Crimson Moon packs, I guess this was small. <br /> <br /> "You know your mating ceremony will be just like this!" Sage chuckled, watching Lilly through my eyes. <br /> <br /> "Not a chance!" I barked, looking over at Lilly and her lavish dress, fake lashes and tan. I loved her and her confidence, but I was definitely more subtle than Lilly, never one to bask in the limelight but hide in the back! So this sort of opulence wasn't for me.<br /> <br /> "Your dad and Alpha Leigh won't accept any less than an extravagant ceremony! You are screwed, as they won't allow you a low-key event! You are the Beta's daughter. You must represent the pack; you know Mike will want all this too! Frills and all!" Sage teased, making me groa-n, shutting her out. I looked at Lilly warmly, smiling at her; she was truly beautiful!<br /> <br /> "You look beautiful, Lilly, very skinny," I added, knowing it was what she wanted to hear, but the truth was she did! She was the kind of girl that would look beautiful in a garbage bag. <br /> <br /> “You think? ” her li-p twisted into a smile, I knew she was satisfied with my answer. <br /> <br /> “Yes!” I stated firmly. Clapping giddily, she gasped, running to the dressing table; she returned with a box, placing it in my lap. <br /> <br /> "I got you a gift to thank you; I know I have been a bridzillar the last few months preparing for the wedding." Taken back, I glanced between her and the beautifully box in my lap. I look at her, remembering why I love her so much! She may be spoiled, a danmed princess and an insane drama queen, but she never ceased to make me feel special and appreciated! <br /> <br /> "You shouldn't have." A polite smile painted my li-ps. <br /> <br /> "Go try it on; Mike will die when he sees you in it!" She laughed, pulling me to my feet, nodding for me to open the box. Rolling her eyes, she ushered me into one of the fitting rooms to try it on. <br /> <br /> "Wait, what?" I asked nervously as she pushed me into the fitting room, winking at me as she closed the door. "Lilly, what have you done?" I asked, but curiosity was getting the better of me. <br /> <br /> "You will thank me later when he can't keep his hands off you!" She laughed.<br /> <br /> Biting my li-p, I pulled the ribbon, svcking in a breath, seeing the racy lingerie staring back at me challengingly, silently daring me to be bold.<br /> <br /> "Oh, My God!" I moaned, shaking my head! "I can't wear this!" I laughed, feeling the blush spread across my cheeks. <br /> <br /> Fifteen minutes later, I stood up on the podium, Lilly staring at me proudly. <br /> <br /> "Fck! I'd totally do you if I weren't getting married tomorrow!" Lilly winked, circling me. "I don't understand why you don't see how hot you are!" She groa-ned.<br /> <br /> Looking in the mirror finally, I svcked in a breath; my slim figure was encased in an icy blue crot-chless cami suspender set that left nothing to the imagination. A lace embroidered halter neck with mesh panels barely covering my booobs ran down my body in a slim V.<br /> <br /> "Seriously, it's like wearing a piece of dental floss!" I shouted, ignoring Lilly's giggles. <br /> <br /> "No pain, no gain, Lottie! Go, show Mike!"she grinned knowingly. "You can tell me all about it later!" She giggled mischievously. <br /> <br /> With a final look in the mirror, I admitted she was right. It did look good! Sexy even! Rolling my li-p between my teeth, I blushed, deciding to take her advice; Mike and I had not had much alone time lately; he was always working, Alpha Leigh had been keeping him busy with safety preparations for tomorrow. <br /> <br /> "Well, this was an excellent way to get his attention." My wolf Sage cackled as I slipped my dress over Lilly’s gift. <br /> <br /> Getting to the apartment I shared with Mike didn't take long; my father had insisted we stay close to the pack house; being the Crimson Moons beta, he, like Lilly, was used to getting his way. <br /> <br /> Seizing my keys from my bag, I froze, hearing the muffled sound of talking from behind our apartment door. Mike was home! <br /> <br /> "Is he watching por-n?" My wolf Sage laughed, hearing the barely audible moans from within the apartment walls. Concentrating on the sounds coming from the other side of the door, I laughed, hearing the distinct sound of mattress springs, breathy moans and... <br /> <br /> "Mike ! Don't stop! Oh my god, Mike harder!" A female panted as the familiar sound of a headboard pounding a wall fluttered up to my ears. MY headboard! Swallowing the bile that assaulted my throat, I quietly walked into the apartment, numbly stumbling to our bedroom; the closer I got, the more I understood.<br /> <br /> "As you wish, baby girl!" MY boyfriend moaned as the squeaking got quicker, more desperate. <br /> <br /> "The fvck you are!" I roared, opening the door with a bang. <br /> <br /> "Shiiit!" Mike’s panicked voice spluttered as I flicked the light on.<br /> <br /> "Hey honey, I'm home!" I mocked, locking eyes with the guy I loved, who was balls deep in a female... a female who wasn't me!<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> "I didn't think you would be back till later?" Mike dares to say, looking at me like I had grown two heads and was somehow in the wrong.<br /> <br /> "Clearly!" I mutter, walking over to the closet, grabbing my overnight bag and aggressively shoving things into it. <br /> <br /> "Baby girl...Come on..." He has the audacity to sound hurt; glancing into the mirror, I lock my eyes on him.<br /> <br /> "I am sorry, who are you talking to ... Me? Or Her?" Seeing the puzzled look on his face, I continued. "Just two seconds ago, I heard you call her 'baby girl'." I spat, knowing I was being petty over the pet name, but given that I had just walked in on him banging some chick in our bed, I felt I had earned the right to be a little childish!<br /> <br /> "No, you are mistaken." He shakes off. Spinning around, I glare at him. <br /> <br /> Is he seriously trying to make ME feel like I am going insane!<br /> <br /> "As you wish, BABY GIRL!" I yelled, repeating what I had heard him say not two minutes ago, to the who-re in his bed... Our bed!<br /> <br /> "It's not what it looks like, I promise."<br /> <br /> "Oh?" I roll my blue eyes and look at the she-wolf pulling the sheet around herself sheepishly. "Did he slip and accidentally land in your vargina?" Seeing her try to slip from the bed, I shook my head. "Stay! He is ALL yours!" I dismissed, returning to throwing the first things I could grab into my travel bag.<br /> <br /> "Charlotte, come on." Mike pushed, getting from the bed. "Work has been tough lately, and well..." Before he finished the sentence, I knew he would make this my fault somehow, just like I knew I would punch him in the face in the next thirty seconds.<br /> <br /> "You have put a little weight on, and you never dress up for me anymore." His body was flush against my back. My body tightened at the irony, given the blue lace I had on under my dress, grabbing my make-up and ramming it brutally with my other things. <br /> <br /> Zipping my bag with shaky hands, I tried to remain calm as he continued. "You could try a little harder to entice me. I wouldn't have to look elsewhere then." <br /> <br /> Spinning around in his hold, I pulled my fist back and, with no warning, plunged it into his eye; satisfaction washed over me hearing the fragile bone in his nose break, blood splattered my dress; looking down at it in astonishment, I laughed in disbelief. <br /> <br /> Mike's curses were barely audible over the sound of my blood rushing through my body. <br /> <br /> "Yeah, we are done." I declare my mind made up as Mike tried to pull my elbow.<br /> <br /> “Babygirl..." He uttered, regretting it the second my eyes glared with the cold blue of Sage, who seized control and, before I could gasp, had delivered her own source of justice. Knocking Mike out cold, his body hurtled back and dropped to the floor, his limp body resembling a pretzel all limbs and bruised ego. <br /> <br /> "When he wakes up, you tell him to stay away from Lottie!" Sage growled at the quivering she-wolf, who was nodding, frozen by fear.<br /> <br /> *******<br /> "Another?" I requested, tapping the rim of my empty glass; the handsome bartender looked between Lilly and I, concern washing over his face. Apparently, our father's made him nervous. <br /> <br /> "I just caught my boyfriend shagging someone else; I think another drink is needed, don't you!" I asked, arching a brow, ignoring Lilly's sigh. Seeing him reluctantly fill my glass, a smirk pulled at the corners of my li-ps. <br /> <br /> I had spent the last few hours getting a little tipsy, dancing and trying to forget my heartbreak. But seeing Lilly look down at her phone with a frown, I knew the night was over.<br /> <br /> "Charlotte, I have to sleep." She only used my full name when she was trying to be serious, "I have to look my best tomorrow." She grinned, pulling me up from my chair. "Come on, let's go home." <br /> <br /> "I can't... I .. Can't go.. back there... HE.. is there!" I slurred, spinning around on wobbly legs; I eyed her helplessly, dramatically throwing my hands in the air. "Can I stay at yours, please!" Laughing, she nodded, pushing me towards the door. <br /> <br /> "Yeah, but I swear if you snore, I will kil-l you!" She laughed.<br /> <br /> Twenty minutes later, we pulled up at the pack house.<br /> <br /> "I will grab water; you go on up!" She laughed, waving me up the stairs as she disappeared into the kitchen. I felt like it took forever to get to her bedroom; pushing the door open, I paused, looking around the room.<br /> <br /> "I don't think I have ever seen this room THIS tidy." I laughed, pulling my dress over my head. I threw my dress aside, picking up a photo frame with a picture of Lilly's older brother standing proudly with his arm around his dad, smiling into the camera, without a care. It was his graduation day. I remember it well. He made me call him master all day. <br /> <br /> "Jackass!" I cursed, turning the frame around, not wanting his eyes on me while I slept, or at all! <br /> <br /> "Looks like this lingerie will be getting some action tonight!" I laughed bitterly while looking in the full-length mirror, thinking about how different this night could have been. Mike's cruel words about my weight were eating at what little confidence I had. Lilly's brothers had made my life hel-l growing up until they left for training a few years back, so I was used to being the but of jokes, taunted and teased, but coming from Mike, it hurt. <br /> <br /> Svcking in a breath, I froze, the sound of running water finally hitting my ears. I had left Lilly downstairs, had she slipped in while I walked around her room? <br /> <br /> Pushing the door to the ensuite open, I froze, my feet rooted to the spot; through the glass panel of the shower, Lilly's brother stood, hand pressed up against the marbled tiled wall, his knuckles turning white from the pressure, his body ripped with even more muscles then he left with. Tattoos wound the whole of his body, trailing my eyes across them giddily; I tensed seeing his tattooed hand gripping his thick steeled rod, easily 9 inches of heaven. <br /> <br /> My eyes locked on his diick as he pumped his hand around it, pleasuring himself in what I knew was meant to be a private moment.<br /> <br /> "Either join me or get out!" He rasped, looking over his shoulders at me; the second our eyes met, I felt like I had been punched, knocking me to my knees, the floor disappearing from under me; somewhere in the distance, I heard Knox's panicked scream, it was genuine concern, not laughter, I was hearing from him. Why? Confusion bled through me wildly, just before everything went black.<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> Distant memories of the annual pack ball danced across my vision; Lilly and I were expected to go as we had come of age; we had both expected the twins to try to sabotage the whole evening! But they hadn't! Lilly and I had assumed it was because our fathers had insisted we attend, and they outranked the twins! Something we knew grated on the boys! <br /> <br /> The guy I had been crushing on at school had asked me to be his date; I was beyond excited! I had gone all out and had my hair, nails and make-up done. I had worked overtime to save up for a dress, I had spent a small fortune, and for once, I felt beautiful! <br /> <br /> He treated me like royalty, something I was not used to, given how the twins liked to control everything Lilly I did behind the walls of the pack house, but the twins had not said anything about me going with the young male wolf; I thought they had finally allowed me some freedom. We danced and laughed, and I thought he would kiss me! I never wanted the night to end; it had been perfect until I found the twins laughing about how desperate and pathetic I was and how they couldn't believe I had actually thought HE would like ME! <br /> <br /> Unable to watch anymore, I turned to leave only to see other classmates recording me, laughing at me and my tears. It didn't take long for it to be uploaded to social media and sent around school, making me a laughingstock! I had never understood why they were so obsessed with what I did! I got that they protected Lilly, but I was not kin! And this behavior was unwarranted! <br /> <br /> I tried to speak to my father about it, but since my mother had died, he had checked out, leaving Luna Louise to raise me; his only care was the pack and keeping it safe! And I could hardly go to her and moan that her precious sons were making my life hel-l! So I had no choice but to put up and shut up! Only when they left at 16 did things get easier; I finally knew peace, friendship, and fun! And somewhere in between, I met Mike. <br /> <br /> Opening my eyes slowly, the memories faded only to be replaced by the concerned face of Knox, staring down at me with such warmth my stomach flipped. His fingers traced my cheek as relief spread over his features. <br /> <br /> "Get. Your. Hand. Off. Me!" I seethed, slapping it away aggressively, my eyes narrowing on the ice blue hues of Knox, forcing myself to ignore the flicker of hurt that slipped across his face. <br /> <br /> "Hush, baby, let me check you over. You hit your head hard." He cooed, and my eyes widened in disbelief at the sincerity in his tone. <br /> <br /> "Get your STI-riddled hand off of me before I break it the fck off!" Snapping my mouth closed, feeling the light touch of his fingers on my li-ps.<br /> <br /> "You have a filthy mouth, do you know that!" His brows knitted together as he looked my face over, his gaze locking on my li-ps, making me uncomfortable. "I should teach you a lesson!" He mused a smirk split his face, seeing the shock wash over mine.<br /> <br /> "You're disgusting!" I spat, pushing myself up, looking around confused, seeing I was not on the floor but instead laid out carefully on the bed, Knox beside me. He had apparently swept me up and taken care of me, but I could not think why for the life of me. Shoving him aside, I attempted to climb over him. But his hands gripped my waist, locking me mid-stride over his torso. <br /> <br /> "I have to admit, you have changed a lot!" A grin slowly slipped across his face, his fingers trailing up the soft fabric of my new lingerie. Lingerie meant for Mike. "Not the whiny brat I left behind, huh" Shoving his che-st hard, framing my face in a wall of glowing white.<br /> <br /> I didn't want to admit that he had changed, too; he had grown into a gorgeous male.<br /> <br /> "And buffed up!" Sage added to my inner thoughts, bringing me back to reality. Ignoring her lude comment with a groa-n, my hands covered his that were rubbing up my sides. <br /> <br /> "Seriously, stop touching me!" Pushing his hands off me with a snort, "Dicck!" I grunted. <br /> <br /> "Hmmm, yeah, I have one... wanna see?" He taunted, his hands returning to my waist with supernatural speed.<br /> <br /> "YES, I wanna see!" Sage purred excitedly. <br /> "Seriously! Do you remember all the shiit he put us through" I snapped, trying to pull away from his grasp.<br /> <br /> "God's", A gasp escaped my li-ps, feeling his solid length rub against my core.<br /> <br /> "Crotc-hless!" He smirked up at me. "Not so innocent, it seems!"<br /> <br /> "UGH!" I growled, trying to lift off of him, but he forced me along him again, making me cry out as my pusssy clenched needily, loving the sensation of pain mixing with pleasure.<br /> <br /> "Let me make this crystal clear for you, Knox! I do not want you!"<br /> <br /> "Really? Sage seems game!" He grinned slyly.<br /> <br /> "She's a sluut!" I announced, angry at Sage's betrayal! <br /> <br /> "Mmm, My sluut?" He beamed, his hands sliding up my back;his solid length was millimeters from my core, but he was waiting for me to give him the green light.<br /> <br /> "Beg me, Knox!" I challenged!<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> "Beg?" He scoffed, eyes narrowing on me; I could see the inner fight between Knox and his wolf. He was a son of an Alpha. He had probably never begged for anything, let alone a female! But if he wanted me like he claimed to, he would beg! <br /> <br /> "Yes, Beg! Or let go of me." I declared with a newfound boldness. I was so over being weak and vulnerable, done being pushed around by those around me, and that included Mike and the danm twins!<br /> <br /> His hands released my hi-ps. Evidently, he refused to dance to my tune. <br /> <br /> "You are so danm perfect, but I won't beg!" He maintained. For once, he looked weak! The desire in his gaze filled me with a new sense of power; it had been such a long time since I felt this heat, and it was scrambling my brain.<br /> <br /> "There, that wasn't so hard, was it!" I laughed, rising onto my knees, an idea quickly springing to my mind. Years I had put up with his taunts, teasing and humiliation. It was time to return that favor. <br /> <br /> "Do it, I dare ya!" Sage encouraged.<br /> <br /> I slipped the straps off my shoulders, letting the delicate lace slide down, my booobs bouncing fre-e. <br /> <br /> "Please, Charlotte. Let me taste your pretty body; let me make you feel every inch the Queen you are!" <br /> <br /> Shiit! <br /> <br /> “ I will beg too! Let him do it! Please!" Sage wailed in my head, but she needn't! I hated myself for it, but I wanted it. I wanted him, and given the look on his face, he bloody well knew it!<br /> <br /> Nodding, I watched as he did just that, his li-ps pressed to my body in turn. Gripping his hand in mine, I tutted at him; even when drowning in lust, I refused to let him take control of the situation!<br /> <br /> "Char??" I heard Lilly call from the hallway. "Where the fck did she go?" She moaned as she walked past Knox's room; the fact she didn't even think to check in here told me everything and brought me back to the startling realisation that I had fcked up! I was lying on my best friend's brother's bed, between his legs!<br /> <br /> "Get off!" I growled, pushing Knox off; my lust turned to hate quickly. <br /> <br /> "This shouldn't have happened!" I spat accusingly at him, but I knew I had been a willing participant, and if Lilly hadn't interrupted, I hate to think just how willing of a participant I would have been!<br /> <br /> "Come on, it's fine!" He laughed as I scrambled out from under him, pulling my straps back in place while searching for my dress and pulling it on. <br /> <br /> "Where is that blood from?" Knox growled, making me jump; looking down at my blood-stained dress, I frowned- I liked this dress! How had I not noticed Mike's blood all over it?<br /> <br /> "None of your danm business!" I huffed, grabbing my shoes and glaring at him one last time.<br /> <br /> "THIS never happened!" I snapped, slipping from the room as quietly as I can, tiptoeing down the hall to Lilly's room. Seeing she was still roaming the corridors looking for me, I took the opportunity to slip into the shower. Desperate to wash the embarrassment off me. <br /> <br /> "You smell of him... Of Knox!"Sage announced as she rubbed up against the walls of my mind.<br /> <br /> "What?" I gasped, inhaling sharply, hoping the smell of the shower gel would erase not just his smell but the memories too!However, all I could smell was the heavenly scent of Knox and his danm arousal! <br /> <br /> "Fck!" I cursed, scrubbing myself raw, until I heard Lilly return. <br /> <br /> "Where the fck have you been?" She snapped as she pulled herself up on the counter in the bathroom, watching me skeptically. Making a split-second decision, I decided to lie!<br /> <br /> "I got lost and ended up in your brother Knox's room! I didn't realize he was back!" I started sxcking down a breath, groa-ning, smelling Knox STILL. <br /> <br /> "A little heads up would have been good!" I moaned, giving her an irritated half-smile.<br /> <br /> "You thought they would miss my big day?" She laughed, rolling her eyes! "They got back this evening." <br /> <br /> "No shiiit!" I sighed, giving her a 'you think' look as I bull shited her with another lie; Sage and I were both disappointed at how easily the lie left my li-ps.<br /> <br /> Giggling with my best friend on the night of her mating ceremony should have been the highlight of my night, but instead, I was left with an uneasy feeling eating at my stomach, something telling me my life was about to get a he-ll of a lot more complicated! And there was nothing I could do about it!<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> "Get your lazy as-s up!" Lilly demanded, her shrill voice making me sigh; flopping onto my stomach, I pulled her pillow over my head, hoping to silence her. <br /> <br /> "No!" I grumbled, images of Knox and I last night still floating around my head, making my thi-ghs ache.<br /> <br /> "Char! Come on!" Lilly said, pulling the sheet off me; the cold air assaulting my body. <br /> <br /> "It's my big day! I need my best friend at my side!" She complained, but the edge to her tone told me she was not about to give up any time soon. <br /> <br /> "Fine! I am up!" I grumbled, throwing the pillow in the direction Lilly's voice came from while pulling myself up. Smelling strong coffee, I smiled sleepily over at Lilly, the last remnants of my dream and her sexy brother slowly fading from my mind as I took the coffee she handed me. <br /> <br /> "I can't get sick today, Char!" Lilly moaned, watching me as she handed me a mirror to show me how red-faced I was, dropping it on the bed, not needing to look to know I was blushing.<br /> <br /> "Charlotte! Are you ok? You're shaking?" Lilly inhaled, taking the coffee cup from my hands before I dropped it. Her hand pressed to my forehead sympathetically. "Charlotte?" <br /> <br /> "Do you think he will be as skilled with his tongue as you imagine him to be?" Sage added, making me blush further. <br /> <br /> "Enough!" I screamed at my wolf, cutting our link off so I could focus and calm my trembling hands and racing heart. The concern on Lilly's face startled me back to reality.<br /> <br /> "I am ok! Honestly!"I muttered, shaking my head at the images Sage had interjected into my mind on a loop.<br /> <br /> "I should tell her! In the 18 years we have been friends, I have never lied to her! I don't feel right doing so now!" I stated guiltily to Sage.<br /> <br /> It seemed since we left Knox's room, it was all she could think of! And a certain male's dicck in particular. <br /> <br /> Sxcking down my breath, seeing Lilly's frantic eyes searching my face needily. Today was her big day! She had been dreaming of this day for as long as I had known her, finding her mate, making it official and making her family and pack proud. <br /> <br /> I, on the other hand, needed more! I needed the rawest form of love, trust and security, all of which was something Knox could not offer me! The thought cemented what I already knew; It was a one-off! Sighing, I softened my features, ignoring the aching between my thi-ghs.<br /> <br /> "I think the last 24 hours have caught up with me, seeing Mike and that trollop in my bed! That's all!" I expressed lying to her face for the second time in a few hours.<br /> <br /> "I'm sorry, Char; he really is a piece of shiit! Want me to ask Knox and Kane to give him a good hiding." Shaking my head dramatically with a nervous laugh, I gripped her hands and pulled her onto the bed, ignoring her protests.<br /> <br /> "NO!" It's embarrassing enough that I caught them having sax in my bed; I don't want the whole pack talking about it." I sighed, grabbing the pillow and throwing it at her with an arched brow.<br /> <br /> "Hmmm, yeah, I understand that!" She chuckled, throwing the pillow back at me as she got back off the bed, holding her hand out to pull me up. <br /> <br /> "But if he becomes a bother! I will tell them! I know you think they don't care about you, Charlotte, but they see you as a little sister! They won't stand for his bullshiit!" She expressed, looking at me in the mirror as she fixed her hair. <br /> <br /> "Lord, I hope they don't see you as a sister! Not sure how I feel about ince-st!" Sage grunted, working her way through the barrier I had put up. "Although... I am up for calling Knox Daddy if you are?" She added with a wiggle.<br /> <br /> "Way to lower the tone, sage!" I huffed, ignoring her like before as I helped Lilly prepare for her big day! <br /> <br /> Two hours later, we were making our way through an empty pack house; Alpha Leigh had seen to it that no one would see his daughter until the ceremony, so not a single person remained in the pack house but Lilly and I. <br /> <br /> "Are you not nervous?" I asked; standing at the back doors, I squeezed her hand. <br /> <br /> "No, just excited!" She whispered, pushing the doors open to peek out at the beautifully decorated garden with its subtle nod to the pack's colours. <br /> <br /> "Wow, it's stunning." I gushed as the door heaved open, and Alpha Leigh stepped in, his eyes falling on his daughter and blurring with tears instantly in a way only a proud father could.<br /> <br /> "Told you, you looked beautiful!" I grinned, nudging Lilly's waist with mine seeing him try not to cry at the sight of his daughter in her ceremonial dress. <br /> <br /> "You like Daddy?" She screeched, turning slowly to show him what his money had brought. It was an exquisite dress, floor length, made with the softest of silk. <br /> <br /> "You look like a princess!" He gushed, straightening no doubt in an attempt to control his emotions; his eyes scanned me with a warm smile, looking at my dress with a chuckle. <br /> <br /> "I half expected you to turn up in yoga pants and a hoodie Charlotte!" He teased with an affectionate wink. He was right, of course; I lived in training and gym clothes. When your Father was the Beta, you tended to spend the majority of your time training. <br /> <br /> "Daddy!" Lilly scolded, "Don't encourage her! It took me weeks to bribe her into the dress!" She scoffed, giving me a firm stare. <br /> <br /> "Charlotte, can you excuse us a moment, I would like a minute with my baby before...." He whispered, his voice cutting off as his eyes locked on his daughter with such love. <br /> <br /> "She will always be your baby girl!" I whispered, leaning up on my tiptoes to press a soft kiss to my alphas cheek; he was like a second father to me and seeing him so overwhelmed at the sight of Lilly was very out of character for him, even behind closed doors he always seemed to favour the twins.<br /> <br /> Winking at my best friend before slipping out the doors and into a solid form and familiar scent, I groa-ned audibly; even Sage was finally waking up, sensing the danger.<br /> <br /> Chapter 6<br /> "What are you doing here!" I questioned, trying to keep my tone neutral, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing my upset. Allowing my eyes to roam over a dark blue pin-stripped tailored suit that barely fit the muscular form of Mike. <br /> <br /> His dark eyes trained on me, his li-ps pulled into a scowl as he looked down my body. <br /> <br /> "Nice to see you too, baby girl!" He sighed, having just referred to Lilly as 'baby girl' to her father; hearing it slip from Mike's li-ps felt wrong, but I couldn't be bothered to argue with him about his pet name for me now, not when Alpha and Lilly are on the other side of the door. <br /> <br /> "Lottie?" He huffed, waiting for me to say something, but I had nothing to say, trying to hide his frustration by running a hand through his dark hair.<br /> <br /> "I missed you last night." He tried again, clearly trying to engage me in conversation. <br /> <br /> "I wish I could say the same!" I grunted, annoyed at myself for acknowledging him, I crossed my hands across my che-st. A part of me wished he would turn and leave me alone, go back to the she-wolf he had allowed to keep him company last night, but the stu-pid, naive part of me wanted to cling to him and ask him to fight for me! <br /> <br /> "Your father sent me to find you!" He grinned a pearly smile that had my stomach fluttering; I hadn't told my father about the breakup, so he meant well, I assured myself. <br /> <br /> "I can make my own way to the ceremony." I snapped, lowering my eyes from Mike's face; the displeasure washing across his face made me feel self-conscious enough.<br /> <br /> "Lottie!" He tried as I pulled my elbows closer, hugging them around myself, his cruel remark about my weight last night still raw, even if I hadn't let him know it had hurt me. <br /> <br /> "You took forever!" He stated. "Probably putting all that slap on your face!" Pulling on my elbow, he half dragged me down the beautifully styled pathway towards the old church grounds at the back of the property. <br /> <br /> "You're hurting me!" I winced, a burn rising to my cheeks at the mention of my make-up!<br /> <br /> "Yes!" He sneered, not even looking at me.<br /> <br /> "No! You look beautiful!" Sage interjected, lending me some of her strength to try and pull my arm back from his iron-tight grip.<br /> <br /> "You don't even have time to change! The guests have all arrived!" He grumbled, ignoring me and shoving me forward so hard I slipped on one of the petals lining the old cobbled path. "Fck sake, Lottie, you always have to show me up!" He hissed, looking down at me with contempt.<br /> <br /> "Get up then!" He snarled, his eyes lingering on the deep V neckline that barely held my booobs in place.<br /> <br /> Left speechless, I sat on the floor, looking up at my so-called mate, feeling the cold stone through the thin fabric.<br /> <br /> "I can't believe you, today is an important day for the pack, and you turn up dressed like... that! Representing me! Are you trying to destroy my reputation?" He snarled, shoving his hand out and grabbing my elbow again, yanking me up by it painfully and shoving me forward. <br /> <br /> "You look like a who=re!" He growled from behind me, shaking his head angrily; I could feel Sage's anger rising, and as much as I was grateful she had my back, now wasn't the time to cause a scene. It was Lilly's big day and an important day for the pack.<br /> <br /> "Well, you'd know all about whor-es!" I seethed quietly, spinning to face my so-called mate, "How many of them have you had in our bed?" I scoffed, looking at him with pity but unable to stop.<br /> <br /> "Tell me did they fake it like I did? They must have because there is no way your .. little.. friend could have satisfied them! Lord knows it never did me!" I blurted out angrily, narrowing my eyes at him challengingly. The darkening in his iris had my heart skipping a beat, and not for the right reason. He was angry!<br /> <br /> "That's your problem, Charlotte; you have never known your danm place." He grinned manically, taking a step toward me before I had a chance to react; he pulled me non to gently into an alcove of the garden, hidden by the white Jasmine vines. <br /> <br /> "But that's ok; I will teach you now!" He breathed into my ear as he slammed my che-st against the stone wall, knocking the air from my lungs and leaving me unable to cry out even if I wanted to. Gripping my hands again, he yanked them above my head, holding them together with one of his large hands.<br /> <br /> "I can smell your arousal!" He moaned into my ear huskily. Despite my compromising position, my body was throbbing, desperate for attention! I wanted to scream at Mike, to tell him the wetness between my thi-ghs wasn't for him but leftover remnants of my time with Knox last night. <br /> <br /> "I know that you, Lottie, will always be MY who-re!" Hearing the familiar sound of his zipper, I knew what was coming and as much as I hated to admit it! <br /> <br /> I wanted it!	LEARN_MORE	https://befant.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=12849&u	219004054622622	Galaxy in the Story	https://facebook.com/61555427913037	718	1	1,227,949,641,710,567	2024-07-27 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Learn more	0	Galaxy in the Story	120211669479430694	befant.com	NONE	video		https://befant.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=12849&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}	2024-07-24 01:51	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452670686_413919147711213_7449971407597015819_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A1scj187s4gQ7kNvgEjNFjx&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBXQUrOCcYDpG6JcqFg8AgWLN0VzlncIAVyb1slmF4W4A&oe=66AB6E2C	person_profile	0	Galaxy in the Story	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452918196_496626932851961_2938587675312183843_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jy3r_hcMJEsQ7kNvgF5exDN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDFn-q8ddvU87qI1To2z2EfbcVQWQhnTZLv78qJ5QREdA&oe=66AB738B	3	Galaxy in the Story	2024-07-26 02:00	View Edit Delete
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1,940,813	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1940763}'	Yes	2024-07-27 19:22	active	1181	457501670064235	😍Read the next chapters👉	I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN!	LEARN_MORE	https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&u	161163937074221	Massive story	https://facebook.com/61552493980605	665	6	1,110,348,246,869,993	2024-05-26 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	0	Learn More	0	Massive story	120211150526730002	ocankn.com	NONE	dco		https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}	2024-05-07 05:03	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440430978_1863233617453559_9057863456971893287_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_PeM8HZwvq0Q7kNvgHb8jVD&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBtI6fLvBoM-cu7QKpBwmUmCgHr4edQcIv49aus6XenzQ&oe=66AB4768	person_profile	0	Massive story	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441267886_1194871428342942_3145135146289920022_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Sj3SfzmgB1EQ7kNvgEJ6WhO&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD_zb5cGwTjowSFJ1TMzR7RXljFS1QcHNbWtyt88B0_lw&oe=66AB4C67	3	Massive story	2024-05-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,940,964	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1940960}'	Yes	2024-07-27 19:22	active	1181	470425062357789	Leer el siguiente capítulo👉	Ella firmó el acuerdo de divorcio y se fue sin su teléfono. Él revisó su móvil, leyendo un mensaje: ¡Vuelve mañana para tu chequeo prenatal!<br /> ------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> Capítulo 1 El regreso de la exnovia<br /> <br /> Raegan Hayes estaba un poco distraída. <br /> <br /> No podía pensar en nada más que en las palabras del médico. "¡Felicitaciones! Está embarazada". <br /> <br /> De repente, Mitchel Dixon le pellizcó el brazo. "Oye, ¿en qué estás pensando?". <br /> <br /> Antes de que ella pudiera responder, Mitchel se levantó. <br /> <br /> Luego, él entró al baño. <br /> <br /> Raegan permaneció inmóvil en la enorme cama. Sus mechones húmedos se pegaban a sus sienes y mejillas. Estaba mirando al techo con los ojos llenos de lágrimas. <br /> <br /> Después de un rato, sacó el informe de embarazo del cajón del velador. <br /> <br /> Había ido al hospital por un incesante dolor de estómago. Tras un análisis de orina, el médico le dio la noticia. ¡Tenía alrededor de cinco semanas de embarazo! <br /> <br /> Era toda una sorpresa. Mitchel y ella nunca planeaban el embarazo. <br /> <br /> Tras devanarse los sesos, recordó el día de la concepción. Había sido el mes pasado, después de una fiesta. Mitchel la llevó a casa...<br /> <br /> Adentro del baño, se escuchaba correr el agua. Mitchel era su esposo y llevaban dos años casados en secreto. Era su jefe en el trabajo, el presidente del Grupo Dixon. <br /> <br /> Todo había sucedido con suma rapidez. Recién la habían contratado en la empresa cuando accidentalmente se conocieron en una fiesta. <br /> <br /> Días más tarde, el abuelo de Mitchel enfermó de gravedad. Fue entonces cuando él propuso un matrimonio falso para cumplir el último deseo del anciano. <br /> <br /> Ambos firmaron un acuerdo prenupcial y acordaron esconder su matrimonio al público. Era probable que su unión terminara en cualquier momento. <br /> <br /> Era una ocasión poco convencional. Sin embargo, Raegan se consideraba afortunada. <br /> <br /> Ni en un millón de años pensó que se casaría con el hombre del que estuvo enamorada durante ocho años, así que aceptó con entusiasmo. <br /> <br /> Mitchel estuvo muy ocupado después de la boda, ya que trabajaba la mayor parte del tiempo. <br /> <br /> Raegan deseaba estar más con él en casa. Pero se sentía tranquila porque no tenía rumores ni escándalos con otras mujeres. <br /> <br /> A pesar de su leve indiferencia, Mitchel era el esposo perfecto. <br /> <br /> Raegan tuvo sentimientos encontrados mientras observaba el resultado de la prueba de embarazo. <br /> <br /> Finalmente decidió contarle la verdad a Mitchel. <br /> <br /> También quería decirle que no lo había conocido recientemente, sino que lo había amado desde hacía muchos años. <br /> <br /> De repente, la ducha del baño dejó de sonar. <br /> <br /> En cuanto Mitchel salió, sonó su teléfono, así que salió al balcón con una toalla de baño para contestar la llamada. <br /> <br /> Raegan comprobó la hora y vio que ya era medianoche. <br /> <br /> No pudo evitar sentirse incómoda. ¿Quién lo llamaba a una hora tan intempestiva? <br /> <br /> Mitchel estuvo unos minutos en el balcón. Luego, regresó a la habitación. <br /> <br /> Su cuerpo era un espectáculo digno de contemplar. Tenía voluminosos abdominales en su vientre y sus brazos eran fuertes y musculosos. ¡Era un excelente hombre! <br /> <br /> Aunque Raegan lo había visto así antes, se sonrojó y su corazón comenzó a acelerarse. <br /> <br /> Ajeno a sus miradas, Mitchel agarró su camisa y sus pantalones de traje de la cama, se los puso y se anudó la corbata con sus delgados dedos. Su hermoso rostro tenía un contorno claro que lo hacía verse más digno esa noche. <br /> <br /> Era toda una obra de arte. <br /> <br /> "No me esperes despierta". <br /> <br /> ¿Qué? ¿Iba a salir? ¿A estas horas? <br /> <br /> Raegan agarró con más fuerza la prueba de embarazo mientras le daba una mirada decepcionada. Inconscientemente retiró la mano. "Ya es muy tarde", soltó después de pensar un rato. <br /> <br /> Los dedos de Mitchel se quedaron congelados sobre su corbata. Con una leve sonrisa, le pellizcó el lóbulo de la oreja. "¿Te da miedo la oscuridad?". <br /> <br /> Raegan se sonrojó hasta la raíz del cabello. Estaba a punto de responder cuando Mitchel la soltó. "Pórtate bien, ¿sí? Necesito hacer algo. No me esperes despierta". <br /> <br /> Tras esas palabras, se dirigió hacia la puerta. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel". <br /> <br /> Raegan corrió para alcanzarlo. <br /> <br /> Mitchel se dio vuelta y la miró con seriedad. <br /> <br /> "¿Qué pasa?". <br /> <br /> Había un ápice de frialdad en su voz. Una nube negra descendió sobre ellos mientras se miraban fijamente. <br /> <br /> Un poco angustiada, Raegan dijo en voz baja: "Me gustaría visitar mañana a mi abuela. ¿Puedes acompañarme?". <br /> <br /> Su frágil y enferma abuela siempre quería verla. Por eso quería llevar a Mitchel y asegurarle que eran muy felices. <br /> <br /> "Hablemos mañana al respecto". Sin aceptar ni negarse, Mitchel se marchó apresuradamente. <br /> <br /> Varios pensamientos rondaban la mente de Raegan mientras se duchaba y regresaba a la cama. No podía conciliar el sueño. <br /> <br /> Tras dar vueltas y vueltas, se levantó de la cama y se preparó un vaso de leche caliente. <br /> <br /> Algunas noticias en línea llegaron a su teléfono. <br /> <br /> Pero, como no le interesaban, estaba a punto de eliminarlas cuando una llamó su atención. El conocido nombre la hizo abrir el artículo. <br /> <br /> La noticia decía: "La famosa diseñadora Lauren Murray fue vista hoy en el aeropuerto con su misterioso novio". <br /> <br /> Lauren llevaba un sombrero amplio. La figura del hombre se veía vaga, pero el contorno de su cuerpo bastaba para mostrar que era apuesto. <br /> <br /> Raegan agrandó la imagen y su corazón dio un vuelco. <br /> <br /> ¡Era Mitchel! <br /> <br /> ¿Había cancelado la reunión de la tarde para recoger a su exnovia del aeropuerto? <br /> <br /> Raegan se sintió molesta, como si tuviera una roca en el estómago. <br /> <br /> Sus manos estaban temblando y marcó inconscientemente el número de Mitchel. <br /> <br /> El tono de llamada la devolvió a sus sentidos. Estaba a punto de colgar cuando, de repente, se conectó la línea y se escuchó una voz desde el otro lado. <br /> <br /> "¡Hola!". <br /> <br /> Era una suave voz de mujer. <br /> <br /> Raegan se quedó paralizada y tiró el teléfono. <br /> <br /> Fue entonces cuando sintió náuseas y la bilis subió a su garganta. <br /> <br /> Cubriéndose la boca, fue corriendo al baño y vomitó en la taza del váter. <br /> <br /> A la mañana siguiente, Raegan llegó temprano al trabajo. <br /> <br /> Mitchel le había insistido en que dejara de trabajar después de casarse, pero ella quería ganar su propio dinero. <br /> <br /> A pesar de que no se opuso, Mitchel le pidió que trabajara como su asistente y lo ayudara con las tareas diarias. <br /> <br /> Matteo Jenkins, el asistente principal, estaba a cargo de sus asuntos más importantes. <br /> <br /> Era el único empleado de la empresa que sabía sobre su matrimonio. <br /> <br /> Desde el principio, la oficina del presidente solo tenía asistentes hombres. Reagan era la primera y única mujer. Su contratación había roto el protocolo, así que otros trabajadores se preguntaban si estaba aquí por la puerta trasera o era alguien especial para Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Pero luego se dieron cuenta de que él no le daba un trato especial. Curiosamente, eso hizo que la despreciaran más. <br /> <br /> Después de todo, la empresa es un campo de batalla. Era extraño que Raegan mantuviera tanto tiempo su trabajo siendo tan incompetente. <br /> <br /> En ese momento, uno de sus colegas le entregó un documento y le pidió que lo llevara a la oficina de Mitchel. <br /> <br /> El hombre no había regresado a casa anoche. Raegan estaba tan preocupada que no pudo pegar un ojo toda la noche. <br /> <br /> No podía pensar en nada más que en la mujer que contestó su teléfono cuando ella había llamado. ¿Mitchel estaba con esta en aquel momento? <br /> <br /> Raegan no podía aceptar ese hecho. <br /> <br /> Pero intentó mantener la calma momentáneamente. Pasara lo que pasara, merecía un resultado gratificante por todos sus años amando a Mitchel. No podía ser en vano, ¿verdad? <br /> <br /> Con mucha calma, presionó el botón del ascensor y subió a la oficina del presidente. Antes de salir, se alisó el cabello para asegurarse de tener buen aspecto. <br /> <br /> Cuando llegó a la oficina, vio que la puerta estaba entreabierta. Adentro se escuchaba la voz de un hombre, así que se detuvo al instante. <br /> <br /> "¡Vamos! ¿Sientes algo por Raegan o no?". <br /> <br /> Era Luis Stevens, un amigo de la infancia de Mitchel. <br /> <br /> "¿Qué quieres decir?", preguntó Mitchel fríamente. <br /> <br /> "¡Sabes exactamente lo que quiero decir!". Luis chasqueó la lengua con impaciencia. "Raegan me parece una buena chica. ¿No es tu tipo?". <br /> <br /> "¿Acaso a ti te gusta ella?", preguntó Mitchel descuidadamente. <br /> <br /> "¿Sabes qué? ¡Olvídalo!". <br /> <br /> La risa de Luis sonó bastante dura en los oídos de Raegan. <br /> <br /> Hablaban de ella como si fuera una cosa. <br /> <br /> Respirando hondo, agarró con más fuerza el documento. <br /> <br /> Pronto volvió a escucharse la voz de Luis. <br /> <br /> "Por cierto, esta mañana vi los rumores sobre el misterioso novio de Lauren. Eras tú, ¿verdad?". <br /> <br /> "Sí". <br /> <br /> "¡Vaya, vaya! Esa mujer todavía te tiene comiendo de la palma de su mano. Siempre la complaces". <br /> <br /> Luis suspiró y siguió burlándose de Mitchel. "La ausencia aumenta el cariño. Dime, ¿ustedes dos...?". <br /> <br /> Su conversación explotó como un trueno sobre la cabeza de Raegan. <br /> <br /> Su rostro palideció y su cuerpo se volvió tan frío como el hielo. <br /> <br /> ¡Así que el que al lado de Lauren sí fue Mitchel! <br /> <br /> Cada palabra se clavó en su corazón como un cuchillo. <br /> <br /> De repente, varias voces susurrantes llenaron su mente. Estaba mareada. Su visión se puso borrosa. <br /> <br /> Raegan se sostuvo de la pared y retrocedió un paso. Fue entonces cuando la puerta se abrió desde dentro. <br /> <br /> "¿Raegan?". <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Capítulo 2 Amor unilateral<br /> <br /> Fue Luis quien abrió la puerta, como si fuera a salir. <br /> <br /> Raegan juntó las manos y se volvió hacia él con un asentimiento. "¡Hola, señor Stevens!". <br /> <br /> Sin esperar una respuesta a su saludo, pasó junto a él y entró a la oficina con el documento. <br /> <br /> Mitchel estaba sentado tras un amplio y lujoso escritorio. Se veía bastante guapo con ese traje y corbata a juego. <br /> <br /> Raegan notó que no era el mismo atuendo que llevaba cuando salió de casa anoche. ¿Cómo se había cambiado? <br /> <br /> Con la mirada gacha, se tragó la pregunta y dijo: "Señor Dixon, esto es del Departamento de Marketing. Por favor, fírmelo". <br /> <br /> Mitchel miró inexpresivo el documento mientras lo firmaba. <br /> <br /> Raegan salió inmediatamente después. Luis aún seguía parado en el umbral. <br /> <br /> No fue hasta que ella se perdió de vista que se volvió hacia Mitchel. "¡Oye!", susurró. "¿Crees que nos escuchó?". <br /> <br /> Los atractivos ojos de Mitchel no mostraron ninguna emoción. Era obvio que no estaba escuchando a su amigo. <br /> <br /> En su opinión, Raegan siempre había sido dócil y nunca había tenido celos de nadie. <br /> <br /> Su obediencia era todo lo que él le exigía a cambio de tratarla bien. <br /> <br /> En el ascensor, Raegan aguantó la respiración para retener sus lágrimas. <br /> <br /> Pero no le funcionó. <br /> <br /> Había pensado que dos años serían suficientes para que Mitchel se diera cuenta de lo mucho que ella lo amaba y le correspondiera. <br /> <br /> Ahora resultaba que no era más que una ilusión. <br /> <br /> Siempre tendría un papel secundario frente a Lauren, su verdadero amor. <br /> <br /> Reagan se secó las lágrimas una vez que el ascensor se detuvo. De no ser por su rostro pálido, se veía normal cuando se abrieron las puertas. <br /> <br /> Luego, fue hacia la sala de descanso para prepararse una taza de té. <br /> <br /> Varios empleados estaban charlando adentro. <br /> <br /> "Chicos, ¿se han enterado? Lauren Murray ha regresado del extranjero". <br /> <br /> "¿Y quién es ella?". <br /> <br /> "¡Oh, Dios mío! ¿No la conoces? Es la heredera del Grupo Murray y una diseñadora bastante reconocida. Y sobre todo es la única novia que el señor Dixon ha mostrado públicamente. ¡Es su primer amor!". <br /> <br /> "¿Por qué es tan importante que haya vuelto? ¿No se rumorea que el señor Dixon tiene algo con Raegan?". <br /> <br /> "¿Raegan? ¡Imposible! El señor Dixon nunca admitió estar saliendo con ella, y es exigente a la hora de elegir pereja. Solo mírala. Ni siquiera es tan hermosa. Sin embargo, se comporta como si ya fuera la señora Dixon. ¡Qué ridícula!". <br /> <br /> En la puerta, Raegan esbozó una sonrisa burlona mientras los escuchaba. Todos los demás veían la verdad excepto ella. <br /> <br /> Su amor era unilateral. <br /> <br /> "¡Ja, ja! ¿La señora Dixon se despertó de su sueño salvaje?". <br /> <br /> De repente, escuchó una voz detrás de sí. Raegan se volvió para encontrarse con Tessa Lloyd, la prima de Mitchel, quien siempre la había despreciado. <br /> <br /> Tessa también debía haber oído los chismes de los empleados. <br /> <br /> Lo último que Raegan quería era discutir con ella en la empresa, así que se dio la vuelta para irse, pero la mujer le bloqueó el camino. <br /> <br /> Con una taza de café en la mano, Tessa comentó sarcásticamente: "Lauren ha regresado. ¿Crees que Mitchel te seguirá dando atención?". <br /> <br /> Raegan se quedó callada. <br /> <br /> Tras unos segundos, Tessa continuó con sus burlas. "Me enteré de que eres buena en fingir. ¿Qué pasará si te desenmascaro delante de todos? Sé que te gusta la compañía de hombres...". <br /> <br /> Raegan apretó los puños. "Señorita Lloyd, estamos en la empresa", espetó. "Si te interesan esos negocios, ya sabes adónde ir". <br /> <br /> "Tú...". <br /> <br /> El rostro de Tessa se transformó. <br /> <br /> Rápidamente levantó la mano y vació la taza de café sobre Raegan. <br /> <br /> Esta última no pensó ni por un segundo que Tessa haría una locura como esa, así que alzó los brazos para bloquear el líquido de su cara. El café le quemó el brazo. <br /> <br /> "¡Ay!", gritó Raegan, frunciendo el ceño debido al dolor. "¿Por qué hiciste eso? ¿Estás loca?". <br /> <br /> Como era la hora del almuerzo, muchos empleados pudieron ver el escándalo. Tessa se mostró aún más complaciente cuando vio que el número de espectadores aumentaba. <br /> <br /> "¿Por qué eres tan engreída?", escupió. "¿De verdad crees que todos no saben que eres una pobre sin padres? Y tienes el descaro de...". <br /> <br /> De repente, se escuchó un grito. <br /> <br /> Tessa había sido silenciada por una bofetada. <br /> <br /> Ahora estaba boquiabierta. No había esperado que la callada y tímida Raegan la abofeteara. <br /> <br /> Tessa se sostuvo la mejilla y se la quedó mirando un rato. "Tú...", tartamudeó. "¿Me pegaste? ¡¿Cómo te atreves?!". <br /> <br /> "¡Sí, te pegué!", espetó Raegan. "Parece que necesitas aprender a tener cortesía". <br /> <br /> Sí, había perdido a sus padres cuando era niña, pero no permitiría que alguien la pisoteara por eso. <br /> <br /> Tessa crispó el rostro mientras fruncía el ceño rabiosamente. Como prima de Mitchel, estaba acostumbrada a que la elogiaran y respetaran. Esto nunca había sucedido antes. <br /> <br /> "¡Raegan!". <br /> <br /> Tessa arremetió contra Raegan como un toro furioso y alzó la mano para devolverle la bofetada. <br /> <br /> Pero Raegan estaba preparada para lo que se avecinaba, así que agarró la muñeca de Tessa con tanta fuerza que esta no pudo moverse. <br /> <br /> Como era más baja, luchó como un pulpo, cuyos tentáculos se habían atascado en una trampa, "¿Cómo te atreves a ponerme tus sucias manos encima?", maldijo. "¿Quién te crees que eres? ¡Solo eres la sirvienta de Mitchel!". <br /> <br /> Sus duras palabras atrajeron a más personas a la sala de descanso. <br /> <br /> "¡Suficiente!". <br /> <br /> De la nada, se escuchó una fuerte voz desde atrás. Mitchel había salido de su oficina, solo para encontrarse con ese alboroto. <br /> <br /> Toda la sala se sumió en un profundo silencio. <br /> <br /> "¿Mitchell?". Tessa se quedó helada cuando vio a su primo, ya que siempre le había tenido miedo. Su madre también le advertía que no lo provocara. <br /> <br /> No obstante, cuando recordó a Raegan abofeteándola, puso una expresión lastimera y comenzó a sollozar. "Mitchel, mira mi rostro. ¡Me abofeteó!". <br /> <br /> La luz del sol caía sobre el hermoso rostro de Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Raegan se sintió muy afligida y bajó la cabeza para mirar la parte posterior de su brazo, quemada por el café. <br /> <br /> Las miradas de ambos se encontraron. Con el ceño fruncido, Mitchel dijo: "Raegan, ¿olvidaste las reglas de la empresa?". <br /> <br /> Raegan contuvo la respiración ante su crueldad. No podía creer lo que estaba escuchando. <br /> <br /> Nadie se atrevió a hacer ningún sonido. <br /> <br /> Raegan se quedó parada con su esbelta figura. <br /> <br /> Cuando la contrataron, Mitchel le advirtió que el Grupo Dixon no era un lugar para que perdiera el tiempo y que no toleraría ningún error suyo. <br /> <br /> Raegan entendía por qué adoptaba esa postura. <br /> <br /> No obstante, estaba desesperada por saber si había oído esas duras palabras de Tessa o si solo estaba fingiendo porque estaba de acuerdo. <br /> <br /> ¿En serio solo la veía como una sirvienta? <br /> <br /> Aterrada de recibir la ira de Mitchel, la multitud no tardó en dispersarse. Algunos empleados se atrevieron a mirar desde la distancia, pues no quería perderse de un buen espectáculo. <br /> <br /> Raegan se estremeció de pies a cabeza cuando vio los ojos fríos de Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Mirando a Tessa, se pellizcó la palma de la mano para reprimir sus emociones. <br /> <br /> "Lo siento, señorita Lloyd. Como empleada del Grupo Dixon, fue mi error golpearla". <br /> <br /> Tessa alzó la barbilla con complacencia. "¡Ja! No crees que quedarás libre de culpa con una simple disculpa. No lo creo...". <br /> <br /> "La bofetada no tiene nada que ver con la empresa, así que me niego a disculparme contigo. Ahora me retiro", agregó Raegan. <br /> <br /> Luego, pasó junto a Mitchel sin mirarlo de nuevo. <br /> <br /> "Tú... ¡Alto!". <br /> <br /> Tessa estaba echando humo. <br /> <br /> Jamás en toda su vida había sido tan humillada. Siempre era la acosadora, no la víctima. <br /> <br /> La humillación era tanta que ni siquiera se tranquilizaría haciendo pedazos a Raegan. <br /> <br /> "Mitchel, ¿escuchaste lo que acaba de decir esa mujer?", gritó señalándola. "A pesar de que me abofeteó, sigue siendo muy arrogante. Dile que regrese. ¡La abofetearé hasta que llore pidiendo piedad!". <br /> <br /> Mitchel observó la delgada espalda de Raegan con una expresión ambigua. <br /> <br /> "¡Basta!", espetó alzando la mano. <br /> <br /> Tessa no creía que su primo tuviera debilidad por Raegan. Supuso que ella no le importaba en absoluto. <br /> <br /> "La próxima vez, conseguiré a alguien que le dé una lección a esa tipa", siseó con los dientes apretados. <br /> <br /> "¡Tessa!". Mitchel la reprendió con un tono helado mientras entrecerraba los ojos. <br /> <br /> Tessa empezó a temblar. <br /> <br /> "Solo te lo diré una vez", agregó él sombríamente. "Olvídate de lo que pasó hoy. Deja tranquila a Raegan". <br /> <br /> Tessa sintió su boca secarse. Todas las malvadas ideas que tenía contra Raegan desaparecieron en un instante. <br /> <br /> "Está bien...", tartamudeó. "Entiendo...". <br /> <br /> Mitchel le lanzó una mirada fría y se volvió hacia Matteo. "A partir de hoy, las personas irrelevantes no tendrán permitida la entrada". <br /> <br /> Tessa empezó a halagar su decisión. "¡Muy bien! Esta es una empresa muy importante. No todo el mundo puede entrar aquí". <br /> <br /> Matteo dio un asentimiento a su jefe, se acercó a Tessa y le mostró la salida. "Señorita Lloyd, por aquí, por favor". <br /> <br /> Solo entonces Tessa se dio cuenta de que ella era la persona irrelevante. Si bien intentó hablar con su primo, Matteo le bloqueó el paso y los guardias de seguridad la echaron. <br /> <br /> No tuvieron ni un poco de piedad. Era inútil luchar. <br /> <br /> Mientras tanto, Raegan se cambió de ropa cuando regresó a su oficina. <br /> <br /> Tenía el corazón lleno de tristeza mientras recordaba la mirada de Mitchel hacía unos minutos. <br /> <br /> Pronto llegó la hora de salida. <br /> <br /> Raegan tomó su bolso y se dirigió hacia la puerta, pero Matteo la detuvo. <br /> <br /> "El señor Dixon tiene que resolver algo urgente, así que me pidió que la llevara a casa". <br /> <br /> Raegan lo rechazó sin pensarlo dos veces. <br /> <br /> Antes estaba ciega, pero ahora veía toda la situación. <br /> <br /> No era nadie a los ojos de Mitchel. <br /> <br /> ¿Cómo podía acompañarla a visitar a su abuela si ni siquiera se preocupaba por ella? <br /> <br /> Al llegar al hospital, Raegan encontró a la enfermera a punto de darle la cena a su abuela. Raegan asumió su puesto e hizo el trabajo. <br /> <br /> Su abuela siempre había vivido en el campo, disfrutando de una vida tranquila. Pero todo cambió el mes pasado, cuando su chequeo médico mostró que sus páncreas estaban mal. Raegan insistió en traerla a la ciudad para que recibiera un mejor tratamiento. <br /> <br /> Su abuela no sabía sobre su matrimonio con Mitchel. <br /> <br /> Raegan había planeado sorprenderla, pero ya no era necesario. <br /> <br /> Una vez que su abuela se quedó dormida, salió del hospital y esperó un taxi. <br /> <br /> A lo lejos, un lujoso auto negro se detuvo en la entrada. <br /> <br /> Los ojos de Raegan se iluminaron. Era el vehículo de Mitchel. <br /> <br /> ¿Había venido para recogerla? <br /> <br /> En ese momento, olvidó todo el dolor que había sufrido. <br /> <br /> ¿Lo había malinterpretado? ¿De verdad se preocupaba por ella, contrariamente a los rumores? <br /> <br /> La puerta del conductor se abrió y Mitchel salió del auto. <br /> <br /> Raegan caminó hacia él con el corazón rebosante de alegría. <br /> <br /> Pero se detuvo en seco. <br /> <br /> Mitchel acababa de caminar hacia el otro lado para sacar a una mujer del vehículo. <br /> <br /> Su hermoso rostro era una máscara de angustia y compasión. <br /> <br /> La sonrisa de Raegan desapareció y su corazón se hundió. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Capítulo 3 Hay que divorciarnos<br /> <br /> La figura alta de Mitchel se acercaba cada vez más a Raegan; sin pronunciar una palabra, pasó junto a ella. <br /> <br /> Era difícil saber si realmente la vio o si decidió ignorarla a propósito. <br /> <br /> Raegan, por su parte, notó que la mujer que lo iba tomando del brazo era la misma que ayer fue fotografiada con él; su nombre era Lauren. <br /> <br /> Raegan sintió como si sus zapatos estuvieran hechos de plomo mientras se alejaba, perdiendo por completo la noción de las cosas que sucedían a su alrededor; distraída, paró un taxi y lo abordó. <br /> <br /> De repente, el chófer dijo: "Señorita, ¿a dónde la llevo?". <br /> <br /> Raegan quedó atónita por un momento. <br /> <br /> Volver a su casa en Villas Serenity era el último que quería hacer en ese momento, después de todo, era solo cuestión de tiempo antes de que ese lugar dejara de ser su hogar. <br /> <br /> Después de un rato, finalmente respondió: "Por favor, lléveme a Crystal Bay". <br /> <br /> Ella compró un apartamento en dicha zona después de casarse con Mitchel. <br /> <br /> En su momento, tenía esperanzas de traer a su abuela a la ciudad, por lo que compró ese apartamento con ayuda de una hipoteca; no era tan grande, pero tenía espacio más que suficiente para dos personas. <br /> <br /> Su esposo nunca entendió por qué quería comprar un apartamento; incluso se ofreció a regalarle uno más grande, pero ella se negó. <br /> <br /> Al recapitular todo lo que hizo en el pasado, se dio cuenta de que comprar ese apartamento fue la única decisión acertada que tomó a lo largo de los últimos dos años. <br /> <br /> Cuando llegó al complejo de apartamentos, Raegan se sentó sola en el patio, esto en un intento por despejar su mente. <br /> <br /> Los recuerdos de los últimos dos años eran agridulces; el tiempo pareció transcurrir en un abrir y cerrar de ojos a pesar de que fueron más de setecientos días y noches. <br /> <br /> Bien decían que el amor podía mover montañas, pero en el caso de Raegan, su amor no fue capaz de mover en lo más mínimo aquella piedra llamada Mitchel. Finalmente se dio cuenta de lo tonta que fue, convirtiéndose en el hazmerreír de todos. <br /> <br /> Ya era tarde en la noche cuando la chica finalmente decidió entrar a su apartamento. <br /> <br /> En cuanto salió del ascensor, vio a su esposo parado frente a la puerta. <br /> <br /> Sus mangas estaban arremangadas casualmente y los botones superiores de su camisa desabrochados, lo que dejaba al descubierto su largo cuello y parte de su clavícula; apoyado en la pared junto a la puerta, su hermoso rostro lucía serio. <br /> <br /> Raegan se quedó paralizado por un momento. <br /> <br /> ¿Por qué él estaba ahí? ¿No se suponía que estaba en el hospital con Lauren? ¿Qué lo trajo aquí? <br /> <br /> Sus ojos se encontraron casi de inmediato. Con el abrigo doblado sobre su brazo y una de las manos en el bolsillo, el hombre entrecerró los ojos en cuanto se percató de su presencia. <br /> <br /> "¿Por qué no contestaste el teléfono?", preguntó él con un poco de molestia en su tono.<br /> <br /> Raegan sacó su celular y vio que accidentalmente lo había puesto en modo silencioso; descubrió que tenía cinco llamadas perdidas de su esposo. <br /> <br /> ¿Mitchel le hizo tantas llamadas porque no pudo encontrarla? ¡Era un suceso sorprendente! <br /> <br /> Antes de hoy, esto la habría hecho sentir fascinada. <br /> <br /> Pero ahora, la chica simplemente puso de vuelta su celular en su bolso, se cruzó de brazos y dijo con voz ronca: "No lo escuché sonar". <br /> <br /> Mitchel levantó la mano para revisar la hora en su reloj antes de pronunciar con impaciencia: "Te estuve buscando durante dos horas seguidas". <br /> <br /> Después de arreglar todo para Lauren, regresó a casa solo para encontrarla vacía. Buscó a su esposa por todas partes, pero al no hallarla por ningún lado, le pidió a Matteo que revisara las imágenes de las cámaras de vigilancia de todos los caminos que salían de la empresa. <br /> <br /> Más tarde descubrió que la chica había ido a Crystal Bay sin notificarle con antelación. <br /> <br /> "La próxima vez avísame cuando tengas planeado venir aquí, ¿de acuerdo? Anda, volvamos a casa", dicho esto, el hombre caminó hacia el ascensor sin dedicarle otra mirada, mostrando abiertamente su intención de volver a las Villas Serenity. <br /> <br /> Pese a sus palabras, Raegan no se movió ni un centímetro; ella se limitó a mirar su ancha espalda mientras reflexionaba con cierto disgusto. <br /> <br /> Quería que le avisara cuando tuviera planeado volver aquí... Pero, ¿acaso habría un futuro para ambos? <br /> <br /> Mitchell se dio vuelta solo para ver que su esposa no había avanzado ni un solo paso. Frunciendo el ceño, él le preguntó: "¿No puedes caminar? ¿Quieres que te cargue?". <br /> <br /> La luz del pasillo iluminaba su rostro, haciendo que su perfil lateral luciera casi perfecto. <br /> <br /> La chica respiró hondo antes de declarar: "Hay que divorciarnos". <br /> <br /> "¿De qué hablas?", la voz de Mitchel sonó fría y su hermoso rostro cambió de inmediato. <br /> <br /> "Quiero vivir en mi propia casa, después de todo, pronto nos convertiremos en completos extraños". <br /> <br /> La chica forzó una sonrisa, pero su corazón se estrujó dolorosamente, como si alguien lo estuviera destrozando poco a poco. <br /> <br /> "¿Seremos completos extraños?", Mitchel sonrió con frialdad antes de lanzar una pregunta directa: "¿Qué clase de relación crees que sostenemos actualmente?". <br /> <br /> Su interrogatorio dejó a Raegan atónita por un momento. <br /> <br /> Este hombre se lo había dejado muy en claro desde el principio; su matrimonio era una mera fachada que se produjo de mutuo acuerdo y donde no existía el amor. En opinión de los demás, no eran más que jefe y subordinada. <br /> <br /> Mitchel era uno de los hombres más atractivos y codiciados en Ardlens; muchas jóvenes ansiaban su amor e incluso estaban dispuestas a emprender toda clase de acciones con tal de obtener su atención. <br /> <br /> La pregunta que le hizo momentos atrás le recordó a la chica todos estos hechos. ¿Acaso Mitchel tenía miedo de que ella no lo dejara ir tan fácilmente? Si ese fuera el caso, no podría estar más equivocado... <br /> <br /> Después de morderse el labio inferior para ocultar su amargura, Raegan dijo: "Lo siento, señor Dixon. Creo que pensé demasiado las cosas, pero sí necesito que de ahora en adelante me dejes en paz. No tienes que volver a venir aquí". <br /> <br /> Después de decir eso, ella no pudo evitar romper en llanto. <br /> <br /> ¿Cómo no iba a estar triste después de cortar todo vínculo con el hombre que había amado durante una década? Se trataba de un periodo bastante considerable, pero independientemente de lo difícil que fuera, sabía que era hora de superarlo; tenía que dejar de soñar. <br /> <br /> Curiosamente, en ese momento la luz del pasillo empezó a parpadear. <br /> <br /> La mirada hostil que Mitchel le estaba dedicando a la chica hizo que la chica se estremeciera. <br /> <br /> Aunque él entendía que las mujeres a veces se comportaban de manera extraña, sentía que Raegan acababa de cruzar la línea. <br /> <br /> Los ojos del hombre brillaban como antorchas ardientes en ese momento, pero cuando vio las lágrimas que derramaba su esposa, la rabia dentro de él se extinguió al instante. Entonces, dijo en voz baja: "Si esto es por lo que pasó entre Tessa y tú, yo...". <br /> <br /> "No, no se trata de ella. Señor Dixon, por favor, vete lo antes posible". <br /> <br /> En realidad habían sucedido muchas cosas entre ambos, y el incidente con Tessa era el más insignificante de todos. <br /> <br /> Sintiéndose exhausta, Raegan pasó junto a su esposo y se preparó para abrir la puerta. <br /> <br /> Mitchel no estaba nada satisfecho con esta exhibición de terquedad; tras desatarse la corbata con irritación, él dio un paso adelante y la agarró por la muñeca. <br /> <br /> "Detente, ¿quieres?". <br /> <br /> Un segundo después, le pasó el brazo por el hombro y la abrazó; en ese instante se dio cuenta de que la chica estaba ardiendo, como si alguien acabara de prenderle fuego. <br /> <br /> "¿Tienes fiebre?". <br /> <br /> Raegan se sintió mareada, por lo que apoyó débilmente la cabeza sobre el hombro de su esposo. <br /> <br /> Esto complicó aún más la situación; Mitchel bajó la cabeza para mirarla.<br /> <br /> Reagan tardó en percatarse de lo que estaba sucediendo; cuando finalmente se dio cuenta de que su cuerpo estaba demasiado cerca del de él, trató de alejarse. <br /> <br /> Para su mala suerte, antes de que pudiera escapar, el hombre tiró de ella hacia atrás y la sujetó por la cintura. Con una expresión gélida, dijo en voz baja: "¿A dónde crees que vas?". <br /> <br /> La luz volvió a parpadear. De la nada, Mitchel la levantó y luego se dirigió al ascensor. <br /> <br /> Aturdida, Raegan preguntó suavemente: "¿Qué estás haciendo?". <br /> <br /> "¿Qué te parece que estoy haciendo?", comentó él. "Obviamente te voy a llevar al hospital". <br /> <br /> "¡Por supuesto que no!", la chica gritó a causa de la sorpresa y pareció recuperar más fuerzas. <br /> <br /> Existía la posibilidad de que se complicara su embarazo en caso de recibir un tratamiento inadecuado; aunque el bebé no llegó en un momento adecuado, seguía siendo su pequeño y era su deber protegerlo. <br /> <br /> Raegan siguió luchando por liberarse de los brazos que la mantenían cautiva. Sin embargo, su fuerte agarre hizo que sus esfuerzos fueran en vano. <br /> <br /> "No seas tan terca. Estás enferma, así que debes ver al médico", le aclaró Mitchel con firmeza mientras caminaba hasta el ascensor con ella en brazos. De repente, ella le dio una patada en señal de protesta. <br /> <br /> "¡Bájame! ¡No quiero ir al hospital!". <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> &9&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.manobook.com/11878375-fb_contact-spj	103551482442967	Romantic Novel House	https://facebook.com/100083766102286	52,089	1	1,033,871,240,901,939	2024-07-23 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	0	0	Learn more	0	Romantic Novel House	120209977148030766	fbweb.manobook.com	NONE	video		https://fbweb.manobook.com/11878375-fb_contact-spj57-0227-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=216543&accid=1593369501516705	2024-07-19 06:13	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451989134_1060478255696823_2808182866566058065_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jO_IqYBPwmwQ7kNvgH17bIz&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAB-11zLcK8llIJPS8AF5jYjb3TEKTLoRyo3T13m8jJ1g&oe=66AB7958	person_profile	0	Manobook - Yo soy tuya y tú eres mío	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452188948_1412424526113468_7524156018883958103_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p8EqO6D9jlAQ7kNvgGl-2qO&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYA71uZHhA-OKMOy2fKAPePH0L3ZeGBP31e7iueFdeOPkg&oe=66AB6260	3	Romantic Novel House	2024-07-22 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,939,867	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"is_bh_simple_request":true,"simple_request_ratio":0.23270440251572327,"is_bh_selenium":null,"selenium_ratio":null,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'	Yes	2024-07-27 19:12	active	1179	1673056483461726	2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring Sport Utility 4D	2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring Sport Utility 4D - $37,900.00<br /> <br /> 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring AWD<br /> <br /> Only 40,073 miles!<br /> <br /> 1-Owner, Clean Carfax!<br /> <br /> Factory Warranty‼️<br /> <br /> ✅19-inch glass black wheels<br /> ✅Hands-free Liftgate<br /> ✅Ambient cabin lighting<br /> ✅Integrated navigation system<br /> ✅Heated steering wheel<br /> ✅12-speaker Bose premium audio system<br /> ✅Blindspot warning with rear cross-traffic warning<br /> <br /> ✨110-Point inspection by factory-trained technicians!<br /> <br /> ☎️573-392-3333 or online at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FLloydBelt.com%2F&h=AT0T7an5tluA5Ns4lcoJqI-hPDoJN55wBmr9TWPURta4n8Srm9S-9ZRWrdVc2IEgiQz-P4KO9SA6hDNZ8ntzuEuSCIUFgP_OkfINj8AfF6CQg91Gan0Fek73Fq5QgJVURAkcb5i0UUrXZA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">LloydBelt.com</a><br /> <br /> Click on the link below for more information:<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lloydbelt.com%2Fdefault.asp%3Fpage%3DxInventoryDetail%26id%3D15719931%26p%3D1%26s%3D%2528Sort%2BBy%2529%26d%3DD%26fr%3DxAllInventory&h=AT2IbPBpNMFKur3cqHXoBDEY2Makby4GJ1ZJ2FAr6WD7vymFf4R8Ottj6ctmNTf6bxtgFlhGm0MyfJ0_C91t1UZAaDhJ_uuglIzJlu_RcnSy1BXcdcvpgrWtN7tT0sl_Co4aKEZ_HRcHuA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.lloydbelt.com/default.asp?page=xInventoryDetail&id=15719931&p=1&s=%28Sort+By%29&d=D&fr=xAllInventory</a><br /> Facebook Marketplace	CONTACT_US	https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/103861595094	102886898269455	Kelly Gettinger	/marketplace/?seller_profile=1828394141	0	1	839,062,294,850,698	2024-07-27 02:00	regular_page	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Contact us	0	Kelly Gettinger	120211291695800320		NONE	image		https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/1038615950940645/	2024-07-27 12:10		regular_page	1	Kelly Gettinger	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453002806_851243039849661_5871762434623748163_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KUFo7q8WmkgQ7kNvgEqQQqE&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCAfAv5CusyM5zEv6oTvF76IKNiFND_Rp2Q29pRGRkMPA&oe=66AB6295	3	Kelly Gettinger	2024-07-27 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,939,798	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2024-07-27 19:12	active	1179	877872460821514	Taylor Swift Party Cruise to Kelly's Island on the Goodtime I - Sandusky, OH w/ The Ladies Night	SWIFTIES! We're sailing to Kelly's Island from Sandusky on the Goodtime I and throwing a Swiftie Party there and back! $40 ticket includes food! THIS WILL SELL OUT	BUY_TICKETS	https://www.goodtimeboat.com/purchase-tickets.html	2503571566534033	The Ladies Night	https://facebook.com/TheLadiesNightBand	2,508	1	1,280,324,570,015,029	2024-07-27 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Buy tickets	0	The Ladies Night	6637827219980	www.goodtimeboat.com	NONE	event		https://www.goodtimeboat.com/purchase-tickets.html	2024-07-27 15:50	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453226238_3699743607021424_391973816167690047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IlHS33DVWBEQ7kNvgHUuTRF&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&gid=ANp-YfUmjJBaM9IuixBuSYL&oh=00_AYA9TATu-ZudM41-lu70CwJnMIHWXft8l-dL-bIhs_gDUQ&oe=66AB7357	person_profile	0	The Ladies Night	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453074907_868645555159057_124744856433754698_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5VuB0qMvbXAQ7kNvgEJFu-P&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&gid=ANp-YfUmjJBaM9IuixBuSYL&oh=00_AYBK8e38U1GZH1EAldyx_by2mzOSOouagZSrktZjNWwykQ&oe=66AB6FF7	3	The Ladies Night	2024-07-27 02:00	View Edit Delete
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1,939,891	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2024-07-27 19:12	active	1179	2182569942113235		Here is the link to Sutherland's Crossing and my other books.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3Dgwen%2Bkelly%26crid%3D1EUH7IHC84YHC%26sprefix%3D%252Caps%252C175%26ref%3Dnb_sb_ss_recent_2_0_recent&h=AT2zl5rm4ennlI9bVZXjFd6U8KYwIvuZjUom3RHc3g9DLoFUbfM0KLverEDbzdo3x0FpZOxNoMlrCTuUmW6SNeXIeym_FjxH_igPnzkri7TcIY1njfY3ER8k4OhiIPqyPJNEEM54vYoG_A" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.amazon.com/s?k=gwen+kelly&crid=1EUH7IHC84YHC&sprefix=%2Caps%2C175&ref=nb_sb_ss_recent_2_0_recent</a><br /> <br /> #reading #readingcommunity #books #bookstagrammer	VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE	http://instagram.com/gwenkellyauthor	103963911844501	Gwen Kelly Author	https://facebook.com/100067090129239	75	1	492,713,773,404,593	2024-07-27 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Visit Instagram profile	0	Gwen Kelly Author	120212747979280596	instagram.com	NONE	image		http://instagram.com/gwenkellyauthor	2024-07-27 11:24	https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453091439_1198966461228285_2275311675731046635_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=I3r_izNrJzkQ7kNvgGkQVAY&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AYC0XKoLKAzEjUFDHlHl7r36WbK96k72f5-I0coxyKqkmg&oe=66AB541F	person_profile	0	Gwen Kelly	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453199019_936832864880880_8376313757554565341_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oGzogGzlioUQ7kNvgEg0dKo&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAEqXe-qt0odTnGhv72_VRlJelPxK5dZ2ovJ8EmXi5t4w&oe=66AB6596	3	Gwen Kelly Author	2024-07-27 02:00	View Edit Delete
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1,940,174	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1940171}'	No	2024-07-27 19:19	active	1180	457990303683451	🔥🔥Click to read the next chapter for free👉	Two years of marriage, and I'd never set foot in my husband Elijah's office. Today was the first time I went to his company.<br /> After all this time, why was I suddenly entrusted to deliver these important documents? Could it be possible that they’re finally learning to accept me?<br /> Taking a deep breath, I gently placed my hand on my stomach. The emptiness from losing my baby lingered, even though it had been a long time since that accident. I still felt lost and fragile, wishing for solace that never came.<br /> I missed my husband's presence, longing for a comforting word or touch. But he and his family remained distant and uninvolved, leaving me to recover on my own.<br /> Now, I was about to step into Elijah’s world — his beloved company.<br /> My heart skipped a beat as I entered Elijah's large, elegant office. The room was tastefully decorated, with rich mahogany furniture and a large sign that said Sinclair Realty Group. <br /> But what made me stop in my tracks was the sight of my husband huddled with an attractive blonde over some papers. Their shoulders were touching, their cheeks almost brushing against each other.<br /> What is going on? I thought in alarm. <br /> Suddenly, the woman whispered something in Elijah’s ear while she gently laid her perfectly manicured hands on his arm. <br /> My heart jumped. I heard a loud thud on the floor and realized I’d dropped the folder I was holding. <br /> They both looked up, startled. <br /> And that’s when my gaze locked with that of the woman. I felt a shudder creeping through my skin. <br /> Serena Foster! <br /> She used to be a classmate of ours at Fairview University. She also happened to be Elijah’s ex-girlfriend. <br /> The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. So this is why my evil mother-in-law asked me to deliver this document! Morgana had probably known that Serena was here now. <br /> My husband rose from his chair, abruptly pulling away from Serena who was throwing me daggers with her eyes. “You remember Serena, right? She works here now.”<br /> I nodded, my heart leaping into my throat and my thoughts raging in a storm. <br /> They’re just colleagues, nothing else, I thought, but not with full conviction. Elijah wouldn’t cheat on me, would he? <br /> All this time, I’d remained hopeful that he could still fall in love with me. But now, with Serena in the picture, time might just be running out for us. <br /> “So why are you here?” Elijah asked, a frown creasing his brow.<br /> “Your mom asked me to deliver this,” I explained, hastily picking up the folder and handing it to him. Then narrowing my eyes at Serena, I waited for him to explain why they were working closely, or to at least introduce me as his wife. <br /> But much to my dismay, he didn’t. <br /> It felt as though my heart was being squeezed tightly, as it dawned on me that he’d never really introduced me to anyone as his wife. Ever. <br /> “Sophia, you look shaken up. Didn’t you know Elijah hired me to work here?” Her voice dripped with sarcasm. “Apparently, we make a great team. Funny, I don’t recall seeing you here before.” <br /> She was purposely rubbing it in my face, and I wanted to slap that smile away from her face. <br /> She then added, “Oh, right, you don’t know anything about business. You might just mess things up.”<br /> “I take care of our home,” I said bitterly, looking down on the floor for a bit. I felt belittled, and my husband couldn’t even defend me.<br /> Serena looked at me with disbelief and laughed. Just then, Elijah said, “Next time, Sophia, just contact me and I’ll have my assistant come over.”<br /> "Fine," I murmured, my voice barely audible, wishing the ground would swallow me up. The weight of hurt and embarrassment pressed down on me, crushing my spirit. My heart thudded as I blinked back tears. He doesn't want me here.<br /> Suddenly, Elijah’s secretary came in.<br /> “Alice, please prepare coffee for the ladies,” he instructed. “Just black for Serena. No sugar.”<br /> Serena’s eyes lit up. “Hey, you remembered!” she exclaimed, obviously delighted. <br /> Elijah nodded at her. “Of course.”<br /> I watched the exchange with a sinking feeling in my heart. Serena gave me a smug look as if she was reveling in some secret victory. <br /> I couldn’t help but feel more depressed. Here was my husband, effortlessly remembering Serena's coffee preferences, yet he couldn't recall something as simple as my allergy to caffeine. <br /> “Join us, Sophia,” Serena invited with a devilish grin. “Just like how we used to hang out together in college.”<br /> I struggled to contain my emotions, not wanting to break down in front of them. “I have to go,” I managed to say, my voice slightly cracking. “I’ll see you at home.”<br /> Elijah’s expression remained unchanged, and my heart felt heavy with the realization of how little I meant to him. <br /> The way he treated me had only gotten worse after losing my baby.<br /> What did you expect? a small voice hissed in my head. He only married you because he got you to have a baby. You’re the one who keeps hoping he’ll eventually fall for you.<br /> As his assistant Connor Hayes drove me home, I thought about how my husband’s mother Morgana had begun ignoring me after I lost the baby. Then one day, she started talking to me again, only to treat me like a housemaid.<br /> I fought back tears as the heaviness in my heart escalated. My marriage was falling apart so fast that I couldn’t seem to catch up. <br /> When we pulled up the spacious driveway of the Sinclair mansion, a feeling of dread and loneliness engulfed me. I’m back in this prison. Trapped. Helpless. <br /> I want to escape this prison! I screamed in my head, glad that Morgana was nowhere to be found. Yet. <br /> Running to my room and throwing myself on my bed, sobs wracked my body. And as I cried my eyes out, I felt something with my hand that made me sit up. <br /> A small portion of a brown envelope was peeking from under the pillow. My heart tightened, and more tears filled my eyes. <br /> I knew exactly what it contained — the papers I’d prepared before. I pulled them out and stared at the title that blurred before my teary eyes. <br /> It read: Divorce Agreement. <br /> CHAPTER 2<br /> The divorce agreement was written after I accidentally lost my baby. During that time, I couldn’t even look at Elijah’s face without thinking about our baby. The pain was unbearable, so I believed divorce was my salvation. Looking back, preparing the divorce agreement was not a mistake, now that leaving was my only option.<br /> My hands shook as I held the papers in my hand. I could hear Morgana’s voice outside. “Sophia!” she called in a sharp tone. She probably heard me come in and was now wondering where I was. <br /> Quickly, I hid the divorce agreement and washed my face in the bathroom. That’s when the door swung open. I dried my face with a towel and looked at my mother-in-law. <br /> She responded with a cold gaze. She immediately instructed me to do the housework, her tone full of disdain. <br /> As I began my chores, she stood there taunting me. “Elijah told me not to ask you to deliver things in the future,” she said with a scoff. “You can’t even be relied on for such a simple task.”<br /> Her words cut deep. “When you first came to our house carrying a baby in your belly, it was okay that you couldn't do anything,” she continued. “Then you had lost your baby and you had to spend months recovering and regaining your health. Now you can't even deliver a document, so what's the meaning for Elijah of having you as a wife?"<br /> Her words were like daggers, each one piercing my heart. And then, in a cruel twist, she added, “My son would be better off with Serena. She's prettier, smarter, and she even managed to land a job at his company! Unlike you... You can't even perform simple housework that well.”<br /> Sure enough, she already knew that Serena worked at Elijah's company. She asked me to deliver the papers today just to make a fool of me.<br /> The room felt suffocating, the burden of her words pressing down on me. I felt utterly alone, realizing that no one had ever been on my side.<br /> I clenched my fists, struggling against the wave of tears threatening to spill. Sweeping the floor became a mechanical task, a facade to hide my turmoil. The repeated humiliations and frustrations drained me of the energy to fight back or explain myself yet again.<br /> I don’t deserve this, I thought sourly. It’s time for me to escape, to save myself. <br /> With bitter tears streaming down my cheeks, I rushed to my room and grabbed the papers I’d hidden. Staring at me from the front page were the words: Divorce Agreement. <br /> I’ve had enough. Flashbacks of how Elijah and Morgana had been treating me filled my mind. Despite my efforts to be the dutiful wife and daughter-in-law, I’d always seemed invisible to them. <br /> I’ve been obedient, helpful, and hardworking… But no one cares. Not even my own husband. <br /> I’m nothing to him. He doesn’t love me and he never learned to. That’s the most painful of all. <br /> My heart tightened. His indifference cut deeper than any overt cruelty could. And now, with Serena back in the picture, their attention gravitated toward her. I felt more isolated than ever. <br /> This is the last straw! I must get out of here, or I’ll lose my sanity!<br /> That evening, I hadn’t realized I’d already fallen asleep when I heard the bedroom door open. Something made a loud, clattering noise. I quickly sat up and saw Elijah staggering toward me. He mumbled something about a dinner party as he plopped on the bed and started sliding his fingers down my bare arm. <br /> I hastily moved backward, giving him a look of disbelief. He was obviously drunk. If he wasn’t, he would have just ignored me and gone straight to bed. <br /> “Hey, playing hard to get, aren’t you?” he said in a slurred manner, his bloodshot eyes becoming more intense. Then without warning, he leaned forward and kissed me on the lips.<br /> I didn’t have time to react, though, because he suddenly started unbuttoning my oversized nightshirt. <br /> “When did Serena start working at your company?” I asked him coldly. <br /> He shrugged, but didn’t stop what he was doing. “Not sure. Probably recruited by HR.” His lips traveled down and then his tongue followed. Finally, the last button on my sleep pajama surrendered.<br /> “Serena is such a talented addition to our team,” he remarked with admiration.<br /> As I reminisced about the scene I witnessed at the company, my husband and his ex-girlfriend Serena were closely nestled together, sharing laughter and conversation. But I couldn't muster the courage to confront her and ask her to keep her distance from him.<br /> Jealousy and pain gripped my chest. I couldn’t believe he was saying all this while undressing me! I knew then that he still had feelings for her. <br /> “You know,” he said, oblivious to my disappointment, “she's even outperforming many of the senior colleagues who've been with the company for years.”<br /> Even as we locked eyes, there was something in his gaze—a kind of infatuation—that he never seemed to exhibit when it came to me.<br /> He’s probably picturing me as her! I thought with disgust. I was so disappointed in him, and didn’t want him anywhere near me.<br /> But when I pulled away, he threw me an irritated look. “What’s wrong with you?” he asked, taken aback that I was saying no to his advances unlike before. <br /> I didn’t answer. He narrowed his eyes at me. “You’ve been down in the dumps for months now! I thought you’d snap out of it, but you’ve only gotten worse. It’s depressing to even see you.”<br /> I cringed at his words, the searing pain crushing my heart. He couldn’t even see how my spirit was being shattered because of him. <br /> “Maybe it’s because of the baby we lost…” he mused. Sliding his fingers down the surface of my cheek and then my neck, he added in a drunken slur, “Why don’t we just make another baby?”<br /> I couldn’t believe my ears. I knew that whenever he was drunk, he spoke without inhibitions. He was often brutally honest in this state. Hence, he meant every word and that only showed how much he didn’t understand me or the problem we had in this marriage. <br /> My whole body was shaking as the misery and fury I’ve been keeping inside rose to the surface. He doesn’t get it. Or maybe he just doesn’t care. <br /> I was totally pissed off. And that’s when I blurted it out. <br /> “I want to divorce you.”<br /> CHAPTER 3<br /> I could sense his mind reeling from the unexpected news. He opened his mouth as if to say something. <br /> I expected him to respond, to react, to ask questions. Anything at all! But he never said anything. <br /> My heart thumped hard as we gazed at one another — strangers who’d been forced to live together. I had tried so hard to make this marriage work even after we had lost the baby. <br /> But it takes two to succeed at this, I realized. <br /> “I want a divorce,” I repeated, keeping my voice steady. “I’m serious.”<br /> Slowly he nodded. “Yes, sure,” he answered before getting up and disappearing into the bathroom. <br /> My heart felt like it was about to explode. I pulled my open shirt around me, desperately covering myself up, as I coiled into a fetal position with my head throbbing. A tear dropped down my cheek, and I quickly brushed it away. <br /> This is it. I’m going to be free. <br /> And yet somehow, I didn’t feel that ecstatic. His reaction only confirmed my worst suspicions. Now I know the truth — he never loved me at all. He’s not even upset about the divorce!<br /> I sighed. It’s time for me to move on. <br /> The next day, after eating breakfast on my own, I mustered up all my courage and called Elijah to the study. “We should sign this,” I said without any emotion, showing him the divorce papers. <br /> He sat on the sofa across from me, looking at me quietly. His gaze always made me feel a little nervous, but today was different. I signed the papers and urged him to do the same.<br /> “Elijah, please,” I whispered, making sure my voice wouldn’t break. “Let's end this.”<br /> His face contorted in a horrible expression as he ruthlessly grabbed the agreement from me. But he didn’t sign immediately. He took a long time going over each page while I waited impatiently. <br /> Then his phone suddenly rang. I saw it light up with Serena’s name, making my heart tighten. I can’t believe this woman’s timing!<br /> But Elijah only glanced at it before returning to reviewing the papers. Perhaps he didn’t want to answer it because I was in the room with him. <br /> A myriad of emotions threatened to engulf me. I stood up and positioned myself in front of him with my arms crossed against my heart. “Why don’t you just hurry up and sign those so you can get going? Someone might be waiting for you in the office.”<br /> He glanced at me warily, then took out his pen and signed everything. With an angry grunt, he threw the papers down on the sofa and stormed out of the room. <br /> Watching him go, I was filled with overwhelming feelings — relief, frustration, anger, sadness. <br /> “I’m finally free,” I murmured to myself incredulously. <br /> While I was packing my bags in the bedroom, Morgana suddenly charged inside. In her usual bossy voice, she said, “The morning’s almost over, Sophia! Go do the laundry now.”<br /> With a sarcastic huff, I turned around to face her. “Sorry, but Elijah and I just signed a divorce agreement. I will no longer do any housework for you.”<br /> Her face reddened in anger. I could almost see steam coming out of her ears as she crossed her arms on her pit and scolded me angrily. "You married into our family for two years, no children, and now you want a divorce," she spat out bitterly.<br /> I scoffed, not bothering to respond. It doesn’t matter anymore. I can finally ignore her completely!<br /> But then, almost as quickly as her anger had surfaced, her mood changed. “You know what? It's actually quite nice,” she said, her tone almost mocking. “Elijah can finally marry someone better, like Serina. Every single day that I see you hanging your head in despair, it just makes my blood boil. Anyone would make a better wife than you!”<br /> Her words infuriated me. I wanted to slap away that haughty look on her face, but it would just be a waste of energy. I’m done here. I’m done with all this. <br /> Suddenly, memories flooded back of a time when Morgana had shown kindness, especially during my pregnancy with her grandchild. She had been caring and considerate. However, after I lost my baby, her demeanor changed drastically. She began treating me like a mere servant rather than a member of the family. I could never understand why she became so hostile all of a sudden. Sometimes I wondered if it had more to do with herself than with me. <br /> That afternoon, I went home to where I grew up. As I settled in, I felt relieved that at least I had a place I could call my own. “Luckily I hadn’t sold it,” I muttered, looking around the living room and remembering my adoptive father. This house is the only connection I have left with him. <br /> Night swept in quickly. I was worn out and exhausted. Climbing onto my old bed, I was ready to relax when I received a message from my best friend Kayla. <br /> It showed a secretly taken photo of Elijah and Serena in a club, sitting intimately close and laughing together. A chill ran down my spine as I read the angry message from Kayla:<br /> That Elijah! You have no idea what I saw! Elijah was out partying and flirting with that Serena, which he never did with you!<br /> My heart sank, anger and sadness clouded my mind as I realized he was indeed getting back together with Serena and flaunting her around.<br /> Forcing back my tears, I told Kayla: <br /> It’s over between me and Elijah. We were divorced.<br /> CHAPTER 4<br /> “Aaarrgghh! I so hate that guy for doing this to you!” Kayla hissed. “If I had known he’d treat you like that, I wouldn’t have allowed you to even come near him during our grad celebration! And I wouldn’t have kept pushing you to hook up with him, no matter how gorgeous he was!”<br /> Being the daughter of Raven Media’s renowned CEO, Kayla Davis always hung out with high society. She saw Elijah a lot at parties since they belonged to the same circle. We also all happened to attend Fairview University where Kayla and I had majored in Interior Design. Hence, she not only knew Elijah but Serena too. <br /> “You should have seen them at the party last night!” she cried out, causing some people to give us a dirty look. Lowering her voice, she leaned forward with a repulsed look. <br /> “They didn’t even care that I was there! They were just… Aaahhh! I really couldn’t take it, so I went over there and gave them a piece of my mind. I told them they ought to be ashamed of themselves!”<br /> “Oh, wow,” I uttered in disbelief. “But it’s over now, Kayla. I’m doing my best to move on.”<br /> Kayla was still fuming. But then, she eventually smiled and leaned over to squeeze my hands. “I’m always here for you, Sophia. You know that.”<br /> “Thanks so much. I’m really grateful to have someone who really cares about me,” I responded with a fluttering heart.<br /> “Well, you’ve always had my back even in high school. So now it’s my turn to return the favor.”<br /> Kayla and I became best friends during our freshman year in high school. We came to know each other well when we first worked on an art project together. We’d hit it off at once, and the rest was history.<br /> “Anyway, I can see that Elijah never loved you and he doesn’t deserve you, Sophia,” she went on. “So what are you planning now?”<br /> “Well, I’ve been giving it some thought…” I began, suddenly feeling excited for the future. “A few weeks ago, I applied for this postgraduate program at Goldwell Institute of Art in France—”<br /> “You did not!” she interrupted me, her lips turning up into a huge grin. Suddenly, she jumped up from her seat and gave me a hug. “This will surely be your big break!”<br /> I laughed. “I haven’t been accepted yet, you know.”<br /> “Oh, but you will be!”<br /> Kayla’s enthusiasm was so contagious that I could already picture myself studying there, exploring France, and enjoying myself.<br /> But then, my mood suddenly changed again when I heard my phone ringing and saw Elijah’s name popping up on the screen. I froze up.<br /> Kayla’s eyes narrowed when she saw it too. “Go ahead and answer it. See what he has to say.”<br /> As soon as I accepted the call, I heard Elijah’s sharp tone of voice on the other end. “You filed for our divorce, and now your family wants cash from me?! Unbelievable!”<br /> “Wait, what do you mean?”<br /> “You know I’m busy in the office, then here comes your brother with another excuse for needing financial help! He had the nerve to barge into the conference room and disrupt our meeting!” Elijah railed angrily. <br /> I felt mortified and helpless. “I’ll talk to Troy.”<br /> “Good. Make sure he doesn’t come back again ever.” Then he hung up. <br /> I was so shocked that I couldn’t speak for a while. My family's constant demands for cash had reached a tipping point. No matter how many times I tried to set boundaries, they continued to use me and interrupt Elijah. It felt like I had no control over the situation, and it was greatly upsetting. <br /> “Sorry I have to go now, Kayla,” I said, bravely deciding to act immediately.<br /> She nodded in understanding and we said goodbye. <br /> I immediately rushed to the house where my adoptive mother and brother had moved to after my adoptive father Tom Bennett passed away. He’d left me the original house where he’d taken care of me like his real own child. <br /> But the rest of the inheritance had been taken by his wife and son. They’d bought a bigger house and I never heard from them again. Not until they learned of my marrying a wealthy man in the famous Sinclair clan. <br /> Brenda was certainly not pleased to hear what I had to say. “What did you say?! You divorced Elijah, the billionaire CEO of Sinclair Realty Group?!! Are you out of your mind?!!”<br /> Behind her, my brother Troy looked as if he wanted to punch the wall. <br /> “It was never going to work out,” I said, trying to maintain my composure. “Just please stop bothering him. We’ve cut our ties. You can’t ask for anything from him anymore.”<br /> “Oh, man!” Troy exclaimed with frustration. <br /> Two years ago, after I married Elijah, Brenda and Troy came back and pretended like we were a tight-knit family.<br /> At first, Elijah was kind and understanding of their needs. But when he noticed how abusive they had become, always asking for financial support, he became impatient and angry. <br /> One time, they even borrowed cash in my name and never paid it back. It had become one of the reasons why Morgana was so angry with me. <br /> “Did you fight? Maybe you can still fix it!” Brenda said, looking desperate. <br /> Troy scoffed. “When I went to his office, I saw him talking to this beautiful, sexy blonde. I’m guessing there’s a third party involved! People who don’t know better would think that woman is his wife!”<br /> CHAPTER 5<br /> My heart felt like it would explode any time now. “It doesn’t matter,” I eventually said to Troy. “It’s none of my business now. I don’t care what he does with that woman or with whomever.”<br /> Then staring hard at him and my foster mother, I said sharply, “We’re definitely not getting back together, so the two of you should just stop going to him for anything! Just stop!”<br /> “But…” Brenda began to protest. <br /> I raised my hand to stop her. “Elijah and I are over. Besides, I’ll soon move to France and study there. And since you only contacted me again because of Elijah’s wealth, then now you won’t have any more need for me, right?”<br /> They were both shocked at my words because I had never spoken like that in the past. But it was time for me to step up and put myself first for once. <br /> “All thing that you swindled out of my ex-husband’s pocket, consider it as your payment for raising me,” I went on in a steady voice. “We don’t have to see or talk to each other ever again.”<br /> On the way home, I began to feel a migraine coming. I closed my eyes and massaged my temples as I sat in the back seat of a cab. <br /> All of this drama’s taking a toll on me, I guess. <br /> But as I neared the house, I felt increasingly queasy and unwell. I realized my health hadn’t fully recovered since the loss. <br /> “Could you please take me to the hospital?” I asked the driver, trying to keep my voice steady despite the rising nausea. He nodded and quickly changed course, navigating toward the nearest medical facility.<br /> The ride felt endless, each bump in the road exacerbating my discomfort. By the time we arrived, I could barely contain the churning in my stomach.<br /> I burst through the hospital doors, a wave of dizziness threatening to overwhelm me. My vision blurred, and I stumbled forward, nearly colliding with a figure in front of me. Before I could hit the ground, strong hands gripped my arms, steadying me.<br /> Gasping for breath, I looked up and found myself staring into the concerned eyes of a very handsome and familiar-looking man.<br /> “Are you okay? You look like you're about to faint,” he said, his brows furrowed with worry. With our eyes locked on each other, before I could even reply, a look of recognition crossed his features. <br /> “Oh, wait! It’s you. Sophia Bennett from Green Valley High, right?”<br /> I was surprised, looking at him closely. His features reminded me of someone I knew a long way back. “Uh, Daniel?” I eventually said, recalling his name. We had gone to the same high school, but he was a year older than me. <br /> “Yes, yes. Wait, let me bring you to our family doctor. You look really pale.”<br /> I felt too sick to pretend I was fine, so I just let him lead me through the corridor and into one of the clinics. He quickly introduced me to the doctor whom he seemed to know well. <br /> As the doctor greeted me, concern etched across his face, I explained how I'd been feeling. He listened attentively, nodding as I spoke. After a brief discussion, he led me to an examination room, asking Daniel to wait outside.<br /> The examination was thorough, and I appreciated the doctor's calming demeanor. Afterward, he suggested some basic tests to determine the cause of my symptoms. <br /> “How are you feeling now?” Daniel asked kindly once I sat down beside him in the waiting area. <br /> “A little better, but still kinda dizzy,” I answered honestly. “Thanks for the assistance, but it’s okay if you have somewhere to be. You’ve already done too much for me.”<br /> “Oh, it’s okay,” he said with a smile. “Unless you don’t want me here.”<br /> “It’s nothing like that, of course!” I quickly replied. “Thanks for accompanying me. It feels good to have someone to talk to while I’m here.”<br /> “Well, I’m all ears. People say I’m a good listener.”<br /> I beamed at him, his presence a comforting anchor in the sterile hospital environment.<br /> Chuckling, I said, “I don’t really know you, Daniel…”<br /> “You know my name. That’s a start.” His grin seemed to brighten up the surroundings, and I just felt immediately comfortable with him. <br /> I couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity and trust wash over me. We hadn't been close in high school, but something about his calm demeanor and genuine concern made me want to open up.<br /> “I remember… Daniel Pierce…” I began, smiling. I could feel my headache and nausea diminishing. “High school jock, but a bit geeky and always at the top of the class.”<br /> He laughed. “You’ve got a good memory, Sophia Bennett. I remember you too — the smart, quiet, very talented artist whom all the boys noticed but never had the nerve to approach.”<br /> I laughed too at his astonishing description of me. “You’re joking!”<br /> “No, it’s true… Really! I’m sure you’ve managed to get yourself a very good-looking husband. Let me guess, a CEO?” <br /> He was kidding, but hitting close to home made me frown as I remembered Elijah. “Good-looking, yes. CEO, yes. But husband? Not anymore.”<br /> “Oh.” His expression changed immediately. “I’m sorry to hear that.”<br /> “You know, it's been a rough few months,” I began tentatively, twiddling my thumbs in my lap. “I'm actually going through a divorce, and my family... they keep asking for cash from my ex-husband, which just complicates things even more.”<br /> Daniel's expression shifted to one of empathy, and he nodded, encouraging me to continue.<br /> “And then I lost my baby...It's been tough, physically and emotionally. I just feel like I'm carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders, you know?”<br /> He nodded in understanding. “I’m so sorry to hear all that, Sophia. But you seem like a really strong woman. I’m sure you can get back on your feet in no time. Usually, it helps to be in a change of environment. Have you considered that?”<br /> “Yeah, starting anew in a foreign land,” I answered, thinking about my application in France. <br /> “Hmm… sounds like a pretty bold move," Daniel remarked, his eyes reflecting admiration and amusement at the same time. “It takes courage to make such a big change.”<br /> I smiled weakly. “Actually, I've applied for graduate studies in France. It's something I've always wanted to do.”<br /> Daniel's eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Really? That's incredible! I recently got accepted at the Goldwell Business School in Paris…”<br /> My jaw dropped. “What? I’m planning to go to the Goldwell Institute of Art!”<br /> He looked at me with astonishment. “What are the odds, huh? Looks like we’ll be seeing more of each other. Those institutions share practically the same campus.”<br /> I couldn't believe the coincidence, though I was still feeling down. “That’s really… something else.”<br /> “Surely you’ll get in. Where do you plan to stay in Paris?”<br /> “The Latin Quarter, of course. I’m looking at an apartment there, since it’s where most students live.”<br /> Daniel chuckled. “And it looks like we’ll be neighbors too. I think we were meant to cross paths again right now, right here.” He gave me a lopsided grin. “Who knows? Maybe we’re destined to explore France together! When you book your plane ticket, let me know. Let’s fly together. I mean, if that’s alright with you?”<br /> His offer warmed my heart, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a glimmer of hope. “Thank you, Daniel…”<br /> Suddenly, I heard my name being called by the assistant, motioning for me to come back into the clinic. <br /> “Miss Sophia Bennett?” she informed me. “Your test results are here.”<br /> CHAPTER 6<br /> Daniel followed me into the doctor's office, providing support. The doctor smiled warmly at us, his expression giving nothing away.<br /> “Well, Sophia,” he began, his tone measured, “the results are in. Congratulations to you both.”<br /> I felt a rush of confusion and disbelief. <br /> “You’re going to be parents. Congratulations!” the doctor added. <br /> I’m… pregnant?! How could that be? My last baby had left me only months ago. Even I just signed divorce papers with Elijah, and now I'm carrying his child?<br /> The room spun around me as embarrassment flooded my cheeks. Probably because he was mistaken for the baby's father, Daniel looked surprised but did not contradict the doctor. <br /> “Other than that, you’re perfectly healthy, Sophia,” the doctor assured me. He went on to discuss some things with Daniel, but I hardly heard them talking.<br /> My heart pounded crazily, and my mind felt fuzzy. Once again, I felt like I was caught up in a weird dream. None of it was real. <br /> Daniel was quiet as we left the hospital. I didn’t know what to say either. <br /> “Let me drive you home, Sophia,” he offered once we were outside. His eyes were filled with concern for me. <br /> I was just too tired and confused to say no, so I simply nodded. He did not ask any questions, and I was glad. <br /> What am I going to do? I asked myself in silence while in the car, feeling the panic rising in my throat. This is the worst timing ever. Elijah and I just got divorced, and I’m supposed to have a whole new life ahead of me. <br /> Anxiety took over me. Everything was about to change again. <br /> If I have this baby, it won’t have a father, I thought bitterly. And how can I take care of it on my own while living in a different country where I don’t have anyone to help me?<br /> My hand moved toward my tummy. There was no baby bump yet, but knowing that there was a little one growing inside gave me chills. Suddenly, I remembered how painful it had been to lose my baby before. <br /> This is a blessing, a second chance for me to become a mother. Would I want to risk losing another baby?<br /> Slowly I began to calm down. I took deep breaths until my head began to clear. This is a miracle, I told myself. I should be grateful.<br /> As I rubbed my belly, I spoke in my mind. I’m so sorry, baby. It’s just all too sudden. But I know that I’m going to take care of you and love you with all my heart. <br /> Days flew by, bringing a welcomed calm without Elijah, Brenda, and Troy in the picture. However, internally, I remained in turmoil. <br /> Then, the news I had been eagerly awaiting arrived—I had been accepted into my dream university to study art and design once more! Despite the uncertainty of juggling studies with a baby, I couldn't let this opportunity slip away.<br /> In just a week’s time, I found myself waving goodbye to Kayla at the airport. “Call me when you get there!” she said, her eyes gleaming with tears. It was the first time we would be apart for a long time, and we were like sisters. <br /> As I settled into my seat on the airplane, bound for Paris, excitement and nervousness mingled within me. The prospect of starting a new life in a different country threatened to overwhelm my senses. <br /> The plane began its ascent, lifting off the ground. I felt a wave of panic wash over me.<br /> Beside me, Daniel sensed my unease and reached over, gently squeezing my hand. “Everything will be okay,” he reassured me. “I'm here. We'll do this together.” <br /> His words were a comforting balm to my anxious soul, and I found great comfort in his presence. As we chatted throughout the plane ride, ate together, fell asleep, and then chatted some more, I began to relax and come to terms with the situation. <br /> I can do this, I thought with more confidence. Then touching my tummy, I silently whispered, You’re my lucky charm, my baby. <br /> By the time we landed safely, Daniel and I were like old buddies. I was truly grateful that he was with me.<br /> As the cab wound through Paris, iconic landmarks flashed past—the Eiffel Tower dominating the skyline, the majestic Louvre in the distance, and quaint streets bustling with cafes and shops. <br /> Despite my worries, the beauty of the city had me momentarily elated, filling me with a sense of excitement and wonder. Beside me, Daniel seemed entranced, his eyes wide with wonder. <br /> Soon, we were unloading my bags at my new apartment. It was semi-furnished, and I was immediately drawn to the light blue walls and the inviting white sofa. But my favorite part of all was the large window that gave me a fantastic view of the busy city street below. <br /> This was it—the start of my new life in Paris. I turned to Daniel, who was looking around the apartment with a satisfied smile.<br /> “Looks like you've got yourself a nice little place here,” he remarked, glancing back at me.<br /> "Yeah, I think I'm going to like it here," I replied.<br /> Daniel chuckled. “Just remember to take it easy, okay? You've had a long journey.”<br /> I rolled my eyes. “I'm fine, Daniel. I'm not going to keel over from exhaustion.”<br /> He raised an eyebrow, and then grinned. “I'm just saying, you’ll be too heavy for me to carry if you collapse!” <br /> I threw the throw pillow at him jokingly. “Oh, shut up.” <br /> We both laughed. He added, “You need to get some beauty sleep, Sophia. I'm sure you'll want to look your best when you meet your new classmates.”<br /> “Oh, so now you're concerned about my appearance?”<br /> Daniel grinned. “Hey, a little rest never hurt anyone. And who knows, maybe you'll meet a cute French guy who'll sweep you off your feet.”<br /> I playfully nudged him. “I think I'll pass on that, thank you very much. I'm here to focus on my studies, not my love life.”<br /> He appeared pleased with that statement. “Fair enough,” he answered with a teasing smile. “But you never know what could happen. Paris is the city of love, after all.”<br /> I felt a little flutter in my heart, wondering if I could learn to look at him as more than a friend. Perhaps it's more accurate to say he's akin to a brother rather than just a friend. The assistance he's provided far exceeds anything I've received from Elijah in years.<br /> Sighing, I went over to my bags. “Come on, just help me unpack already so we can check out your apartment next.”<br /> As we were unpacking, my phone rang. I figured it was Kayla so I asked Daniel to answer it, showing him that my hands were full at the moment. <br /> “Hello?” I heard Daniel say. He put the call on speaker mode. <br /> “Who the hell is this? Where's Sophia?” a very familiar male voice demanded, his tone aggressive and impatient.<br /> My heart felt like it had just plummeted to the ground. I felt my whole body trembling when Daniel handed the phone to me. <br /> I didn't have to hold the phone to my ear to hear Elijah's furious growling, "Sophia, YOU CAN'T just walk away like this! Where the hell are you now?! Without my permission, you are not allowed to go anywh...."<br /> I pressed the button to end the call without hearing his entire words, calming my quivering heart with a big and deep breath.<br /> It's true that Elijah has never been very considerate or tender with me, but he hasn't really stepped on me rudely either. It's just that lately, he's been indifferent to me.<br /> Anyway, he'd never been as emotionally cranky as he was now. Did my leaving make him care?<br /> No, don't be silly, Sophia, he can be with Serena again now. He's free. How do you expect that he would care about you, a woman he had never loved?<br /> Daniel noticed my paradoxical anxiety.<br /> "Who is he?" Daniel inquired. But I could see in his eyes that he clearly knew the answer to that question.<br /> I sighed, <br /> "My husband. No, ex-husband."	LEARN_MORE	https://thebvhwysgng.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=	144939265372419	Indulge in story	https://facebook.com/61552702618591	652	1	445,532,291,795,777	2024-07-27 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	0	Learn more	0	Indulge in story	120211515185810635	thebvhwysgng.com	NONE	video		https://thebvhwysgng.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=12887&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}	2024-07-25 03:54	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452870598_1537362357661931_5883427647583605448_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3pncEUaAwy4Q7kNvgH1N0db&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYDTneVNjxORo8I3Ht-DhztrI0TXnWoE5QuUmvbVuzSocA&oe=66AB7344	person_profile	0	Indulge in story	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452927066_1038910391086642_2980036720447939271_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=o5nstZht0l0Q7kNvgG4qYrf&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAqQ5toaX1sZdt6gfNrhm3s7sCOiPn-H5RSlHsM2I_TaA&oe=66AB4B56	3	Indulge in story	2024-07-26 02:00	View Edit Delete
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