LOGINIt's today.The day I walk away from this lie I thought I could hold together. I check the time, waiting for him to show up. Hours before, I had sent him a text with an address.“ Come, and let us end this once and for all.”Hours later, his laughter announced his arrival. But he's not alone. Average height. Heavy makeup. Fake designer shoes and handbag. Cheap wig with rough frontals, probably borrowed from a friend given its shrill cry for a revamp.My eyes traveled and settled on the pearl choker necklace around her slender neck. “ Another fake,” I thought, fighting off the urge to roll my eyes.Frankly, besides the beautiful shades above her eyes, her neck is the only beautiful part of her. It looks like an artwork.“ You're here…”“ What's this?” He frowned, his tone snappy, and irritated. I pursed my lips, and took a flight over the belly of his company. “ She doesn't look pregnant,” I told myself, and shake my head in disappointment. The least he could do is let me meet her. Th
I can't believe my ears. Adam fabricated my signature and sold my lands already. Either he had seen through my plans, or he's just devious.But of all the people on this planet, it had to be Alexander Kingston.“ I thought I should help. Besides, you wanted to sell it for me. Right?”I march the brakes on my outburst and feigned a smile. “ So, how much did you make from the sale?”He shakes his head. “ You should know that Alexander Kingston can be a difficult man at times. He wants to check the land with his men and people from the state before reaching out to me again. I'm expectant of his call.”I shake my head in disbelief. I can already guess that this wait is a room Alexander has created for me to reach out to him. Then again, he might want to know how a university professor managed to acquire such a land.“ Alright. Let me know when he reaches out to you…” “ You shouldn't bother. Concentrate on other matters like earning the trust of the young Kingston. You wanted me to use t
And me? I'm just speechless.This is a bad decision. No way it's going to end well.I excuse myself, taking Adam with me. “ The documents are ready. Just to speed it up, you should sign them as soon as possible. But if you are too busy…”“ They will be ready by the time you are back from your driving class.”I shake my head. “ Is this really necessary? Your sister? Adam, that is outrageous. His father nearly took me to bed last time. He could have slept with me if I didn't find my way out of the room that night,” I lied.His eyes darkened, blanketed by gloom. “ You did what?!” His face twisted in a frown.I took one step away from him, scanning his face. “ Would you have approved an affair with him?”“ Come on, Moraine. Don't flatter yourself. Mr. Kingston has too many ladies on his beck and call. Gorgeous beauties,” he remarked, and rolled his eyes.My heart sank for a moment. Blinking away the whip of his words on my lenses. I hate the urge I feel to ask myself the obvious question.
It feels like the war has come home to me in a pink dress, and a well rounded baby bump. I swallow, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. She's having a baby.My mind re-enacts the scene of that day. The grenade in my hand. Her unsuspecting husband in the uncompleted building we had used as a tent in the past month. He's packing. Rasping orders, and glowing with loud pride. All I could see was a monster who was about heading home to make her life a living hell. I didn't think twice. I had to do something. Why? Because shared trauma has a way of bonding strangers.“ You…you are sergeant Moraine,” she chimed, ecstatic, like it's some wonderful news. I paled, skin peeling back, and chest curling inward in anxiety.“She remembers me,” I say it to myself like it's some bad news fit for an Oscar.“ I was. Now, you may call me professor Moraine.”Her eyebrows lifted, lips pursed, and eyes lowered like she's beginning to rethink her major life decisions. The smile faltered. Her excitement dis
Questions burn in my head. Thoughts swirl. Since it's not me, who is it?I couldn't imagine anyone out there bearing my complete name. And on second thought, it strikes me that this could be a set up, and it might be the reason for Adams violent attitude today.Then again, he could be looking for an excuse to get rid of me.Brooding over it, I jerked, startled by the ring of my phone.“ Yes, it's me.” I replied my husband's secretary. Voice low, and shallow, she sounds like life is fading out of her, tone rough and dragged.“ Hope you are good now?”My forehead wrinkled in a frown. “ Yes, I'm good…”Right before the words are clean off my lips, she cut in quickly. “ Please, I need to reach Mr. West. His line is off, and he mentioned he's going home to take care of someone whom I assume is you. Can you put him on the phone?”I glance around, and my eyes settle on the envelope again.“ Are you there?”“ Oh, yes. He stepped out just now. Will let him know you called.”I ended the call,
Jolted to my feet, I gazed dazedly at him. “ Is this some kind of blackmail?”He scoffed, lips tilted on the side. “ Is it?" He quizzed with a lopsided grin." Blackmail...Oh, that is such a strong word, sergeant Moraine…oh, should I say Professor Moraine?”I gaped at him, bereft of words. Who would imagine that it would come to this?Now, I have to tell Adam when he returns. Choosing to come clean to my husband before hitting the divorce right on his desk wasn't in my bucket list. But with Luthor across me, eyes lingering over my burst, the truth may be my only saving grace.Waiting out for Adam's return, I made dinner and served for two. On the dining, he looks at the dishes like a man hungry for something that's not on the menu. “ You aren't going to eat?”He shrugged. “ Depends on what you have on your menu.”It's so suggestive that I feel my panties dampen at once.Gosh! I hate him! I read the menu in a breath, breaking eye contact with him. “ So you're not on the menu?”“ No







