Novel-novel oleh JacqueAuthor

ASHERThe second I really saw him, really looked at the little boy, I knew..... There was no question. No hesitation. No need for confirmation.The moment my eyes settled on his small, sleepy, innocent face, I saw myself. In the softness of his features, in the way his brows pulled together, in that stubborn little chin, I saw me.I saw myself in a mirror of the past. I saw the boy I had once been. The photos. The memories. The unmistakable bloodline.He was a replica of me.... Leon was mine.He had to be. There was no other explanation. No need for one. I didn’t want one. I didn’t need his mother to tell me. I didn’t need anyone to speak a word. I knew. In the marrow of my bones. In the beat of my heart.He was mine.And suddenly, I felt like I was floating outside my body, like I was watching myself walk towards him in a dream. Was this real? Was he real?I reached out, placed my hand gently on his shoulder. And he was real.Solid. Warm. Real.He kept looking at me, curiously, quiet

ASHERWhen I left Ariella in the bathroom, my phone was ringing.I went toward my clothes, dug into my pocket, and pulled it out. Luca. Of course.I picked it up."Where are you?" His voice came in sharp, tense. "This is not good, Asher. People will start pointing fingers when they realize you're not here. They’ll start suspecting you of Alex's death. You have to come back.""I know," I said, jaw clenched. "You think I’m an idiot?"But after being away from Ariella for so long, after she snuck out of my life, after everything...I couldn’t think straight. All I wanted was to be near her. Close enough to feel her. To hold her. To make things right.When she was gone, all I did was regret. Regret not telling her how I felt. Regret not letting myself be with her. Regret not letting myself love her. And that’s what I wanted now. Love. Her."I love her," I say instead."What are you saying?" Luca asked slowly. He sounded cautious, skeptical... maybe even afraid. As if he already knew where

ARIELLAIt takes me some time....too much time for my body to respond, for my mind to register what's happening. But when it does, the fear doesn’t creep in slowly.It slams into me.BAM.Hard.Violent. Unforgiving.What if Asher is taking Leon away?What if he's walking out with him, and I never see either of them again?What if he’s decided that I don’t deserve to raise my own son, that I don’t even deserve a goodbye?And just like that, panic takes over.I scramble for my clothes, not even caring what I throw on, what it looks like, if it's inside out, if it makes sense. I just moved. I just ran down the stairs. With my Heart in my throat and Terror in every step. Straight for the front door.My hand slams onto the knob, cold and stiff, and I twist it. Nothing. It won’t turn. It's Locked. My heart jumps. He’s locked me in?Has he locked me in here so I can’t follow? So I can’t reach them? So he can just… walk away with my son?But then...murmurs. Soft. Gentle. Faint. But I would kno

ARIELLAMy two worlds. Collided. Face to face.Leon.Asher.Asher crouched in front of him, still in nothing but his boxers, one hand resting gently on Leon’s small shoulder. And Leon, my little boy, stood frozen in his dinosaur pajamas, messy hair stuck in odd angles, cheeks streaked with tears. He looked like he’d just crawled out of bed, shaken from some dream or maybe just disoriented.But his wide, curious eyes were locked on Asher. And Asher’s gaze on him?It was unreadable. Complex. Stunned. Quiet and Heavy. I stood in the doorway, unable to breathe. My heart thundered in my chest because no matter how much I had rehearsed this moment, it had never looked like this. So Real. Too soon.And far too late.I couldn’t see Asher’s face clearly from where I was standing. He was completely focused on Leon. He was looking at him like he had just discovered the world, or maybe like he was his world. His universe. The center of something bigger.There was something so still, so intense ab

ARIELLAI came not long after but never got time to catch my breath because Asher ripped down his zipper and pulled out his cock. He gripped my hips and looked at me full of hunger and possessiveness as he pushed into me in one hard thrust.Asher's eyes fell shut, and I released a long moan at the stretched sensation. I could feel every nerve ending in my pussy. Asher opened his eyes and bent forward and cupped my head, his thumbs stroking along my temple gently. He slid out of me gradually, only to glide back in even slower. His eyes locked on mine as he moved unhurriedly, his lips close but not touching mine. I couldn’t look away. This felt more intimate than ever before, as if Asher was trying to convey something with his eyes.I wondered if Asherfelt felt more for me than he could admit. “You are everything,” he rasped as he made love to me.God, this felt like making love. Was it? Could this really be love? I searched his eyes, desperately hoping to find some proof of deeper fee

ARIELLABefore I could finish, he kissed me. Harder this time. Hungrier.He kissed me like he was trying to shut me up. Like he couldn’t handle the words but still needed to feel them through me, in me. It wasn’t gentle anymore. It wasn’t about comfort.It was desperate. Like we were both confused and hurting and searching for answers we didn’t know how to ask for.But somehow, even through the chaos, we found each other again. Right there. Right in that kiss.Before I could make up my mind about what I was going to do, Asher jerked me against him again and claimed my mouth in a fierce kiss that made me gasp, then tense. His tongue slipped between my lips, and without wanting to, I opened up for him, parted my lips, and wrestled his tongue with mine. My hands found their way into his hair, tugging, raking, wanting him closer and at the same time wanting to shove him away. Asher gripped my butt and hoisted me up. My legs wound themselves around his waist, but our lips never parted. My

MONIQUEInside, I was bracing myself.Because the moment my aunt walked away... The moment we were alone again… I knew I’d face the real version of Ryan. The version I’d left behind two weeks ago.I had no idea what this Ryan standing in front of me was going to do or how he was going to act. But what I did know was that he wasn't the Ryan I had married ten years ago.That man... That man I had known.That man would have apologized by now. He would have said something soft, made it sound sweet. He’d have come with roses, maybe planned something grand to fix what he broke. He would’ve wrapped the damage in ribbons and perfume and begged me not to leave.But this man?The one standing across from me now?This man had shown me his true colors. And I had no idea what he was going to do.But no, I wasn’t scared. Not now. Not anymore.Because it was different now.... I had people in my corner. Because I knew him now. Really knew him.Because I understood that behind all that charm and weal

MONIQUEI was downstairs with my aunt when it went quiet upstairs. Too quiet. Nobody had come down, and it had taken too long. I had started wondering about what was up...The police were already getting tired, you could see it in their stance and the knowing in their demeanor. They were looking at each other like, should we go upstairs and make sure nobody’s dead? That kind of look.But then Ryan came downstairs.He was composed. He had on a smile, but I knew Ryan and I knew that smile was false. I knew he was angry, but he was showing his calm face to the world."How did it go?" one of the policemen asked as they stood up. You could tell they were ready to leave. They had already clocked out in their minds."Everything is all settled," Ryan said smoothly. "I’ve already spoken to her, and she’s just packing her bags so she can leave.""That’s good," one of them replied, while the other followed with a quick, "That’s great." I could see them take a breath of relief, grateful they wo

The BennetsAs Ariana and Mrs. Bennett looked at each other, confusion flashed between them. They couldn't make sense of Ryan's reaction, why he was laughing, why it was getting louder, darker, more unhinged. He laughed harder and harder, as if the entire mess around him, the police, Monique, his mother, Ariana, was one grand joke he had just now understood.Then, suddenly, he stopped.The silence was deafening.Ryan straightened his spine, rolled his shoulders back, and took a steadying breath. He ran a hand down the front of his jacket, smoothing it with a calm precision, then dragged his fingers through his hair, adjusting every strand into place like he was preparing for a business meeting, not whatever this was.When he finally turned to his mother, his face was composed, unnervingly blank. "Mom," he said, voice smooth and calculated, "would you please excuse us for a few minutes?"Mrs. Bennett hesitated. Her body didn't move at first; something in her told her not to go. Ariana

The BennetsMonique glanced away, unable to meet her aunt’s gaze. “Look, Auntie, remember when I told you I needed time to myself… when I left and stayed with you? I said I just needed space. But the truth is… there’s more going on in this house than anyone realizes.”Her aunt's face hardened. Her eyes said: I knew it.“And I needed to get out,” Monique continued. “I needed a place where I could think. Just… breathe.”There was a pause. Her aunt didn’t interrupt, but her silence was deafening.“I promise I’m going to tell you everything,” Monique said. “Everything you want to know. Everything you need to know. I will explain it all.”She reached for her aunt’s hands and squeezed them.“But just for now… can you stay with me? Just be here, in this moment, without asking questions. Please? Tomorrow, I’ll tell you what you want to know. But tonight, I just need someone. I just need you.”Her aunt’s expression softened. She cupped Monique’s cheek gently.“Of course, honey,” she whispered.

The BennetsMrs. Bennett turned slowly. This....this was not what she wanted.Jennifer was fiercely loyal to Monique. And now she was here, standing at the threshold of the master bedroom, looking between Ariana on the bed, Mrs. Bennett near the bags, and the tension that stained every inch of the placeAriana smiled. It wasn’t a kind smile. It was bitter, sarcastic, a silent welcome to the circus.Jennifer’s eyes narrowed. Her gaze moved from Ariana’s wild expression to the half-packed suitcase on the floor, to the mascara smudges down Ariana’s face, and back again.“What’s going on here?” she asked again, stepping fully into the room now, her arms crossed over her chest.Mrs. Bennett inhaled carefully through her nose. She needed to manage this. Control it. Spin it, if she had to.“Jennifer,” Mrs. Bennett said, forcing a calmness into her voice that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Please don’t worry about it. It’s just a little misunderstanding, and we’re taking care of it right now.

The BennetsWhen Mrs. Bennet took Ariana from the room, it wasn’t just to comfort her. She wanted to reduce the chaos and minimise the damage from the mess they were already drowning in. And now, with the police involved? Thanks to Monique. That little idiot. That woman was an idiot.Mrs. Bennet was furious, furious at both of them, Ariana and Monique, for dragging this disaster into their lives at the worst possible time. Without another word, she quickly escorted Ariana upstairs. The moment they reached the landing, she led her straight to the master bedroom.She placed her gently on the bed. Even though she wanted to scream and lash out, Mrs. Bennet knew that wasn’t an option. Not now. Right now, she just needed to get through this night, survive it without letting her emotions take the lead.“Listen to me, Ariana, ” she said calmly. “This is not your house...”“But it is!” Ariana shouted, cutting her off. “Ryan promised it to me!”“I know,” Mrs. Bennet said, softening her tone eve

Mina I was in the delivery room about to bring my baby into this world, and who knew it hurt like hell? Mmh! I was very lucky and very grateful to have my husband here with me. He kept holding my hand, telling me sweet things, and encouraging me when the doctors told me to push. He pushed with me, breathed with me. It was kind of crazy. I don't know, maybe after I was done here I would think about this moment and laugh about it. It was a moment in my life when I really needed him, and I was so, so happy and so grateful to have him here beside me. The two doctors that Mr. Emerson insisted on having here were top in their fields. He didn’t care, he had to fly one in as long as I got everything and I was in great hands. The doctors were great, they were encouraging. I just wanted this moment to be over and for my baby to come into this world so I could hear their cry. We were still in the dark; we didn’t know if we were having a girl or a boy. I was just waiting for that moment wh

EmmersonThe next morning, I decided to handle things myself. I know Mina’s already been through enough trauma with her family, so I don’t want to involve her in this. She’s still asleep, and I slip out quietly to deal with Eric.I find him at the hotel, slumped over, still asleep. I nudge him with the toe of my shoe, the force making him stir. Slowly, his eyes flicker open, and the haze of sleep and alcohol makes him groggy. He rises, blinking and groaning, his hand clutching his head."Wake up, Eric," I tell him as I open the curtains, letting the bright light flood the room. He immediately shields his eyes, groaning louder."My head... hurts," he mutters, his voice thick with a hangover. He grabs the bottle of water on the bedside table and gulps down a large portion in one go."Last night," he laments, "I didn't like how your men dragged me out of that nightclub.""You call that a nightclub? It was a strip

EmmersonOh yeah?” Mina’s voice is a little high-pitched.And then Rita says something that makes my blood cold.“Of course,” she replies, her voice dripping with arrogance. “I mean if I could take Eric from you so easily before… When you weren’t this heavily pregnant, and we weren’t even living in the same house. Just think how simple it would be to take his father from you now.”Her voice is low and suggestive. Mina scoffs, maybe out of shock, but Rita doesn’t stop.“I mean, look at you,” she continues, mockingly. “You’re pregnant. You can’t even walk properly without someone holding you. You have to be carried just to get around.” She chuckles,“And me?” she adds. “I’m just getting started. The exercises I’ll do, the maintenance I’ll keep up… You know I won't be breastfeeding, right? This baby is feeding from the bottle. Nothing is messing up this....hot body.”In my mind, I can already picture her motioning to her bo

Emmerson By nightfall, the police have already paid us a visit. It’s all over the news. Madeline had a little accident on the highway. Her car hit the side of a bridge and went down under. She suffocated. But I know the truth. Let her feel what it’s like to lose air. Anyway, the point is—she’s dead. The police came because, after her attack on Mina, there was already a record of her actions. They were just here to deliver the report. To tell us that she was gone. That also settled the issue with Rose. Mina had never been convinced that Rose was behind it, and now that Madeline was out of the picture, it was clear she had been wrongfully accused. Mina was shocked with the news, I never thought she would actually be upset after everything. Even though there’s still sadness in her eyes, I can see the difference. She’s no

EmmersonAfter I had taken Mina home, I gave her a bath, making sure she was okay and taken Care of. She was reluctant to eat at first, but I insisted. “You need nutrition,” I reminded her. “I know you don't want to but do it for the baby. You’re pregnant, you're doing it for our baby.”She sighed, but eventually gave in, taking small sips of the warm soup I had prepared. I watched her closely, ensuring she had everything she needed. Then, I sat her down and gently caressed her hair.I kept talking as I did it—about everything and nothing at the same time. Just filling the silence, making sure she felt covered and safe. My voice was low and comforting. I caressed her head, feeling the softness of her scalp, letting her know she wasn’t alone.And then, she fell asleep.Once I was sure she was deep in rest, I finally allowed myself to feel it all—the anger, the frustration, the overwhelming sense of failure.How could I h

As Emerson's voice continued on the phone, offering words of comfort, trying to calm me, I felt my tears flow faster. I couldn't hear him clearly anymore over the noise in my head, the panic, the certainty that I was going to die. I just listened to him, letting his voice be a thread tying me to something.Then, the banging stopped.I hadn't even realized it.Instead, a knock. A soft, reassuring knock."Mina, Mina, come on, open the door," Emerson's voice came through the phone, clearer now.I still didn’t understand what was happening. My mind was so clouded by fear, but hearing his voice… it soothed me in ways I couldn’t explain. I was barely aware of his words, just the sound of him calling my name, telling me it was okay."Emerson, is that you?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper."Yes, it's me. Open the door, Mina."The reality of it hit me. I had been trapped in a nightmare, my heart frozen with terror, bu