Novels by Happiness ikebuaku

The judge was waiting in a private conference room on the second floor of The Plaza.He was an old man with white hair and kind eyes. He looked at me in my hotel robe, at Julian in his expensive suit, and at Margaret who was tapping her watch."This is highly irregular, Margaret," he said."Irregular keeps you employed, Harold," Margaret said. "Two minutes. Just the legal part. No speech."Julian turned to me. He took both my hands. His hands were warm. Mine were ice cold."Elena Hart Stone," the judge began, opening his little book. "Do you take Julian Croft to be your lawfully wedded husband?"I looked up at Julian. His grey eyes were steady. He was not smiling. He was not acting like a man in love. He was acting like a man going to war for me.My voice shook, but I said it loud enough for the room to hear."I do.""Julian Croft, do you take Elena Hart Stone to be your lawfully wedded wife?""I do," Julian said without hesitation. "I do.""Then by the power vested in me by the State

The police officer's voice on the other end of Adrian's phone was cold and professional."Mrs. Stone? This is Detective Miller, NYPD. We need you to come to Mount Sinai Hospital immediately for questioning regarding the attempted murder of Vanessa Croft. We have a witness and physical evidence placing you at the scene. If you do not appear within two hours, we will issue a warrant for your arrest."Attempted murder.The words hit me like a physical blow. My knees gave out and I sank onto the edge of the bed.Julian took the phone from my frozen hand."This is Julian Croft, her attorney. My client will not be answering any questions without her legal counsel present. We will meet you at the hospital at 10 a.m. with her lawyer Margaret Cole. Do not contact her again directly."He hung up before the detective could argue. Then he turned to me, his grey eyes dark."Elena, look at me. Breathe. Tell me exactly what happened last night from the moment you left Adrian's penthouse.""I... I le

The woman on the phone said it again, louder this time."Mrs. Stone? The photos show your husband kissing Miss Vanessa Croft in his office tonight while you were crying in the lobby. Our source says you are pregnant. Is it true? Do you have a comment for our readers tomorrow?"My hand was shaking so hard I almost dropped the phone.Someone had been watching us tonight. Someone had taken photos inside the penthouse. Through the glass walls.I looked at Julian. He took the phone from my hand."Who is this? This is Julian Croft, . This is harassment. You have no confirmed source. If you publish a single photo of a pregnant woman without her consent, I will sue your newspaper for twenty million dollars. Do you understand?"He hung up. His face was white with anger."Who would do this?" I whispered. "Who would sell photos to the press?"Julian didn't answer at first. He walked to the window of the suite and looked down at the street. The rain was still falling."Vanessa," he said finally.

"Elena Hart? Get in. You are going to catch a cold. And your husband doesn't deserve your tears."I froze in the middle of Fifth Avenue. The rain was pouring down my red dress, soaking my hair, mixing with my tears. The black Maybach was idling right in front of me, its headlights cutting through the rain.How did this man know my name?He was not a man you would forget. He looked to be in his early thirties, with sharp grey eyes, dark brown hair neatly cut, and a black suit that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe. He looked like power. He looked like money. He looked dangerous in a quiet, cold way."I don't know you," I whispered, holding my purse tighter. The wet ultrasound picture was still inside."I know," he said. His voice was deep and calm. "But I know Adrian Stone. And I know what he just did. My driver saw you running out of the Stone Tower crying. Get in, Elena. You are pregnant and standing in a storm. That's not good for you or the baby."My hand instinctively wen

The rain was falling hard over Manhattan, but I didn't care. I was holding the best news of my life.In my shaking hand, I clutched a small white envelope from the doctor. Inside it was a single ultrasound picture. Two months. I was two months pregnant with Adrian Stone's child.For three years, I had been Mrs. Adrian Stone. The quiet wife. The faithful wife. The woman who waited at home in his fifty-million-dollar penthouse while he built his empire.Tonight was our third wedding anniversary. He had promised he would be home by seven. I had spent the whole afternoon cooking his favorite meal. I wore the red silk dress he bought me in Paris, the one he said made me look like a goddess. I lit candles. I wanted to tell him, "Adrian, you are going to be a father."I took a taxi from the clinic. My heart was beating so fast I thought it would jump out of my chest."Please, hurry," I told the driver.When I got to the Stone Tower, the doorman smiled at me."Good evening, Mrs. Stone. Mr. S