LOGINThe air in the room shifted immediately, all eyes snapping toward the doorway where Ethan stood in all his dark glory.Jules’ heart pounded in her chest. Her Mom’s mouth hung open. And Nolan?For the first time that evening, something in his expression cracked.Not fear. But something dangerously close.And for the next few seconds, no one moved. Each person trying to understand why Ethan Fraser was suddenly standing in Jules’ house like he owned it.Then Ethan pushed the door open even wider and stepped inside.“What the hell are you doing here?” Nolan finally asked, his voice low and heavy.Ethan remained calm. “I’m here to take back what is mine.” “Bold of a criminal to think he’s got properties.”A smirk tugged at Ethan’s lips as he clasped his hands behind his back. “I’m not here to exchange words with you, Cross. I have no time for that.”“Then leave.” Nolan said.Jules struggled to steady her breathing, one hand unconsciously resting against her stomach as she looked between
Nolan shoved the key into the keyhole and turned on the ignition as soon as got into the car. His brows were furrowed, his eyes blazing, his body slightly trembling as he got onto the road. He’d been alerted as soon as Jules left the mall, and he sure wasn’t happy that Jules had left the house first of all, and that she’d let Ethan step in the same space with her. ‘They sat in the same car. He held her, stupid!’ “Argh!” he yelled, slamming his palm against the steering wheel as his mind slid a picture of what he imagined the scene was like. He’d hardly slept the night he’d gotten the text with picture proof from one man that had accompanied Jules, and it wasn’t just because of the fact that it was too late to march down to the house and confront Jules on what had happened. But the fact that she hadn’t taken any of his calls. And the only way he was able to confirm that she was okay was through her Mom. And the woman had begged him to be calm and wait till morning before he journ
Ethan stood stunned for a moment, staring down at the wave of her hair falling over her back.He hadn’t known what to expect when he received the call that Jules was spotted leaving the house. He’d gotten into his car and followed her behind without thinking.All he’d wanted was to see her. To see how she was doing. Maybe apologize for everything. For scaring her, for the lies, for all the things he’d kept away from her..It hadn’t been his intention to frighten her in the aisle.He’d just stood there, watching her closely, watching how much pregnancy and time had changed her.At the same time, it made him relive memories—memories of when he first met her, and how much he cared so much about her, he was always scared the baby would break her.And once more she looked like she needed care, maybe his care. But he didn’t know how to approach her, how to begin the conversation.Instead, she’d rushed towards him and thrown herself at him.And he could help it as her body rattled with sobs.
Jules double-checked her makeup in the mirror, rubbing her lips together to blend the lipstick she'd put on.Whatever stunt Nolan and her mom were trying to pull, she wasn’t about to let it give her a heart attack.She turned to the body mirror and picked up her hand bag, checking her jeans and the top she had on.It didn't hide her belly and it didn't conceal it completely either.Either way, she was going out.She turned towards the door, and paused, her heart nearly jumping out of her chest. Her mom stood there, her hand resting against the door frame, her eyes fixed on Jules. “Mom." She called, forcing a smile. “You're out of your room. I didn't see you there." “Your cheeks are flushed,” her mom observed calmly. “Where are you going?”"Out.”Her mom shot her a look, her voice calm. "You know you're not supposed to step out. Not with some rabid lady on the loose.”Jules scoffed. “And you actually think if she wanted to hurt me, being locked in here would stop her?”Her mom raise
The ride home from the airport was quiet—too quiet. A heavy silence hung in the air, mixing with the sharp, sick smell of the pills her mom had swallowed minutes after they left the airport.Asher was thrilled to have her back. If not for him, Jules would’ve said a dozen things already. But she held them in. She would wait until they got home, when Asher was out of earshot.And until Nolan was there.She just kept to her side of the car and focused her gaze outside the window as the ride lasted. But then, her Mom’s hand slipped to her knee.She turned, her eyes landing on her Mom’s smiling face.“I know you’re worried,” her mom said softly, her voice low enough that Asher wouldn’t hear—even though he was sitting right there. “But I’m fine.”“You don’t look fine.” “I am,” her mom replied calmly.But Jules wasn’t convinced. Her frown returned. “I called you that day after I left Cassie and I got no response from you. You were knocked out, Mom.”“It’s the medication. My body couldn’t ha
Jules followed Asher’s movements with her eyes as he ran around the airport’s waiting area, stopping to stare at every small child he came across or bumped into.It was cute, but she was a little paranoid as her eyes also darted between each person who closed in on wherever he was, like they were going to grab him and stuff him into a bag or something.One can’t be too careful, right?She tucked her hair behind her ear, remembering what Cassie had told her. How Cassie had told her Nora was coming. What was she going to do if she got her hands on her Mom? Or even worse, Asher?“Asher? Ash?!” she called, standing from where she sat and walking up to Asher, who was now standing in front of a man juggling some pens, resting against a wall.The man smiled at her, but she didn’t return it. She just placed her hands on Asher’s shoulders and pulled him away, narrowing her gaze at the man. “You know that’s dangerous.” He smiled. “I’m an expert. They never fall off my hands.”“Still, you don
Colton slammed the car door so aggressively, it nearly shook the buildings around. But he didn't care.All he could think of was marching down to the hole his brother was now hiding in and demanding answers to why the hell they'd decided to drag their pathetic asses to his house.He strode up to th
Cassie stared into the woman's eyes and could tell she really wasn't bluffing, and the more she tried to pry Nora's fingers away from her neck, the tighter her grip became.It was either she was previously in the army, or life had done a number on her to make her hand so firm and hard.Either way,
FOUR MONTHS LATERThe sound of Asher's laughter echoed through the yard as he played with his newfound friend, who lived just a block away. They played around with airplanes and ships, pretending to be under attack by some aliens.They ran past Jules in the garden, where she sat—fingers clutched ar
Nolan slowly eased into the parking lot of the building where he’d agreed to meet Aunt Maggie.It was a coffee house two states away from where he and Jules lived. And aunt Maggie? She flew down to the place with no complaints. Because why would she?He turned off the ignition but then hesitated, t







