Shan POV
The first hour of the flight, I was wide-eyed.
“Don’t bite your nails,” Samuel said when I unconsciously put my fingers to my mouth.
It used to be a habit every time I was anxious and worried. I thought I had outgrown it, but it only took one phone call, and I was back to my old self.
“Tell me what’s wrong.” He urged when he saw me fighting the impulse to again put my fingers on my mouth.
I could feel genuine concern in his voice, but I can’t tell him yet because I know nothing.
I didn’t call my mother again. I did not want to worry during the flight, but it was the same. I still worry and fidget in my seat.
Samuel POV“Something changed,” Pepper announced after sipping from her coffee cup.We just had dinner at Pepper’s house.Pepper, Victor, and I retired to the living room for our nightcap while Shan accompanied the children in the playroom.Althea wanted to show Shelly her giant dollhouse, claiming she had not played with it since her daddy bought it for her, because her brothers did not want to play girly games with her.During dinner, Pepper’s hawk eyes went back and forth between Shan and me. She had so many questions in her head. I could read it through her eyes, but she dared not voice them.She did not want to make Shan feel embarrassed.Besides, the children were also present.It was not good to discuss adult stuff in front of the children.“So…” Pepper refused to take my silence as is and wanted to know all the juicy details, but I don’t know where to start.So, I veered off course, looked pointedly at them, and grinned.Now, I am throwing the ball in their court.I let the si
Shan POV“Good day, lady, gentlemen, and adorably cute little girl. This is your captain speaking. We have safely landed at JFK International Airport. Thank you for using Gunner Airlines.”The sound from the aircraft’s PA system jolted me upright.I discreetly looked to my side to find Samuel looking straight at me.And bam!I had been assaulted with a warm, tingly feeling inside that threatened to spill to my cheeks, making me feel awkward.“Shelly’s asleep.” He told me just as my eyes landed on Shelly’s small figure beside him.The chartered plane had been customized for comfortable travel, so while he was busy with Shelly earlier, I pretended to sleep in one of the beds, just to avoid any chance of communicating with him.Until now, I could not meet his gaze.I wanted to knock my head. I was not shy. I was never shy in front of Smauel, but yesterday I was overwhelmed by his grand gesture.It was unexpected.After p*ssing me off by announcing that he had yet to court me, Shelly came
Shan POVIt sounded so easy when Shelly put it that way.But sounding easy does not mean that it was easy.Marriage without love would be inviting disaster.I already had a f*cked up life. I need to be better this time.Besides, Samuel already made it clear. He wanted me, but he did not love me.And marriage was never on the table. He was not offering marriage. He wanted us to cohabit and make it appear like we were one happy family.I can’t live another lie. Even for my daughter.She was the reason I wanted to turn a new leaf. I wanted to become the best version of myself for her.Shelly deserves the best mom that I could be, and I can never do that if I live yet another lie.I had been living a lie for a long time.I lied about Shelly’s origins.For years, I lied to Pepper about having a s*xual relationship with her suitor.I can’t lie anymore.I wanted to live a less stressful life where I don’t have to be anyone for people to accept me.All I wanted was to be me - a good mother t
Shan POVSamuel and I looked at each other, stunned.I knew Shelly was attached to Samuel, but I never expected her to want him as her father. Maybe it was the blood connection talking.She loves Samuel and has grown attached in a few days.I shut my eyes, trying to at least find a modicum of composure, but it seemed elusive.My heart thudded fast in nervousness.I was at a loss for words.For a moment, I almost confessed.Should I reveal their relationship and risk forcing Samuel into a role he didn’t want?Of course, he would not deny Shelly.This early, I could see how much he loves her.There is a very high probability that he would indulge her.But I don’t want Samuel to think that I was forcing his hand.Shelly and I come as a package.I shook my head.Shelly’s unexpected question shook me. Now, I am grappling for answers.I turned to Samuel for ideas.He, too, looked stunned.We both did not expect it.Samuel was the first to recover. He joined us. Now, the three of us were cro
Shan POVMy chest tightened at his words.Again, silence settled around us like a warm cocoon.Something inside me shifted with the weight of his stare.I shook my head, trying to dispel this feeling.I don’t know what he was doing to me.I already told myself and him that I am better off without him, but why do I still feel this tingling sensation in my stomach when he does things for me?Why does he affect me so much?I shook my head.I shouldn’t waver.I can’t be dissuaded from my decision.Samuel Burke shouldn’t distract me from my only purpose - that is to become the best mother Shelly could hope for.I am done with love.Now, I am only focusing on my daughter.I have so many things to make it up to her.I swallowed and cleared my throat.“I'd better get our things ready,” I told Samuel, but my feet wouldn’t move.We stared into each other’s eyes and, against my better judgment, my feet carried me close to Samuel until only a few inches separated our bodies.I closed my eyes and
Shan POVI did not know what magic Samuel did, but in a span of two days, he showed how he was able to do what I considered impossible when he presented me with Shelly’s adoption papers.My eyes grew large when I realized what that was.It was so unexpected.It made me realize how powerful he was to be able to do this.“Is this real? Shelly’s mine?” Tears brimmed in my eyes when I asked.Samuel stepped forward, and before I could guess his intent, he was already wiping my tears away, brushing my cheek with the pad of his thumb.He then licked his thumb, making me blush deeply.“Don’t cry.” He told me.“I can’t. I was overwhelmed. I did not think you could pull this through this early. I thought…”“I told you, I will take care of Shelly’s papers. No one can take her away from you.”His voice held so much warmth that I jumped up on him to wrap my arms around his neck.I could not help it.My heart overflowed with joy and gratitude.“Thank you!” I gushed.He staggered backward by the une