Ryan's POV The denial and her expression said it all; she doesn't want the baby and it takes me back to my shell of grieving.Hearing about the news of a baby coming made me forget my sorrows for a second and reduced the pain of losing someone who means so much to me.I am not superstitious but it felt as if the baby was going to be a replacement for my dead Mother. Now, my hope has been shattered by Valerie's outburst and confidence about not being pregnant.Her parents were extremely shocked too. It proved to me that I was wrong about her joking over a serious matter like that.I didn't say a word. I just remained quiet till when it was time to discharge her and we came home.It's been days and Valerie isn't saying anything yet about the baby. If she doesn't feel the baby, then am I supposed to wait till her belly begins to protrude before bringing this issue up and resolving it once and for all?The baby is a blessing. Coming to us at this time is a blessing, why then does she ke
Valerie's POV His lips capture mine as his hands work on my long hair while I cling to him as close as I can because I can't get enough of him. As he kisses the life out of me, a small groan leaves my mouth and suddenly, he pulls away, making me flutter my eyes open.With a smile, he caresses my face. I concentrate on his expression trying so hard to figure out what he must be thinking.I made us come here for a good reason and I know he is a little sad about it. Today is the final judgment for Mr. Lorenzo, Anita, Brenda, and Celina. Ryan was getting prepared to go to the court when I suggested we take a day trip here. I wanted to see the mountains and more of nature and coming here was the best idea.I didn't want him to go to court to be reminded about the death of his kind Mother. I didn't want to go either because I don't want to feel any iota of sympathy for any of those criminals, especially Brenda.She must have thought she would get out of this because I am Ryan's wife. I g
THIRTY-EIGHT MONTHS LATER Valerie's POV With a frustrated groan, I give up on the dress as I watch myself in the mirror, thinking of what to do about this mess.The seamstress should be blamed for this but I am not in the mood to blame anyone at the moment. What I want and need right now is another dress that fits in and can accommodate me and my big belly.The knock on the door pulls me out of my thoughts and the seamstress comes in with another beautiful white dress, making my face light up and my worry vanish into thin air.She smiles back at me when she notices the relief on my face.My makeup is done. My hair is done. My shoe is ready. My jewelry is on. What is left is my white dress.Just then, the door opens again as noises fill the air and Kayla and Kyle stroll in pushing each other playfully. Kayla is dressed in a Floral Bow Tulle Ivory Cap-Sleeve Princess Pleated Ball Gown while Kyle is in an Ink Blue Stanford Suit makes me smile broadly.My wish and that of Ryan came
Valerie's POVI get butterflies in my stomach a lot.In fact, there are a lot of things that give me butterflies. It doesn't have to be love or sex that gives me that.Clubbing does. Being with my best friend does. Being happy does. But this news before me is definitely one of the things that doesn't give me those butterflies in my stomach, that makes me excited about something I haven't done before or something that is about to happen to me.I never saw this coming. I never envisioned my life to be going along this path and I still find it very hard to believe because my jaws are still dropped open in shock."Val, we know this is coming as a shock to you but it's for the best", Mother begins, her hands touching my thighs, jerking me back to reality. Father is sitting opposite me, his face in a deep frown. He looks frailer than ever before."We need to save your father's dying business. We talked about it at length and we thought it's high time you knew. I think now is the time for y
Valerie's POVI am having ambivalent feelings about what happened tonight. That doesn't stop me from smiling at the thought of seeing Fred.Hugging my jacket to myself, I step down from the car and begin to walk towards his apartment.Now that I think of it, I don't really know if Mother doesn't want to support my relationship with Fred because he is not as rich as the man they want me to be married to or because he is cheating on me.Fred cheated only twice.If Brenda doesn't have eyes for him, then maybe he wouldn't have cheated on me yet again. Brenda is a bitch and I am going to prove to her that she is nothing but a bitch.Fred and I love each other. He loves me a lot and I feel the same way. He is a passionate and kind lover. He cares for and adores me.The love I stopped receiving from home for years since we have been struggling to maintain our status, Fred was able to bring it back. He showed me so much love and I couldn't help but fall so deeply for him.Fred didn't give up
Ryan's POVFive minutes have gone by already.Tardiness is one of the things I detest so much. It irks the shit out of me.If I am here for another five minutes and she isn't here, I am leaving. The time I am spending here is going to be enough to do a lot of work in the office.Taking a final glance at the door to the restaurant where I have been waiting for almost ten minutes, I sigh heavily, thinking about the huge amount of changes that would happen to me in the next couple of months.I initially took it the wrong way.Getting to know about the betrothal and the fact that I have to be married soon to inherit my grandfather's construction company.That old man knew I was never going to get married and he did this on purpose. My father didn't inform me all this while and this is why I am infuriated.No one forced me to come here. I just thought it would be a nice idea to come to see who I am going to get married to in the next couple of months.Even though I don't like the idea of b
Valerie's POVThe plan worked.I almost burst out laughing when I first saw the look on his face. It was a combination of confusion and anger.He is obviously an impatient man. I came late on purpose and I am dressed this way on purpose too.I want to spite him. I am only here for a reason, not because I actually want to go ahead with the so-called silly betrothal and marriage preparations.No matter how much I think of this, it irks me and I want to do something to defy my parents for taking a major decision like this on my behalf.I have every right to go against them. I have every right to make decisions for myself. I am not a child.Finding Brenda in Fred's apartment last night is the result of my decision to come here. I never intended to. I was betrayed by my two best friends and I want to take my revenge on them.Mother was right. Fred isn't good for me.At first, I was giving him reasons to justify his actions but now it is clear to the eyes that he wants my friend too. He do
Ryan's POVIt sounds ridiculous.A contract marriage? What for?I laugh for a very long time, wishing it will piss her off but the lady in front of me isn't ready to be mad at anything I do at the moment.She is smiling with a determined look on her face. That sort of I- know-what-I-am-doing look makes me sober up immediately."Are you done laughing?" She leans forward, her stupid makeup in clear view.I do not reply to her. I just wish I didn't propose this meeting. I hope this will just end soon.Is it this psycho I am getting married to? Why will she even propose a contract marriage?As if hearing my thoughts, she comments. "The last time I checked, I had a boyfriend and I was asked to break up with him simply because I have been betrothed to some man. The last time I checked, we don't like each other a bit, so tell me what the hell you are thinking about? What the hell is stopping you from agreeing to this? You want us to be married forever?"I am tempted to let out a loud NO. I a