"Franklin."She called softly.
Her hopes flared up in her chest.
It was Franklin. Did he come back? Is he going to take her inside and apologize?
Her lips parted to speak. She wanted so badly to tell him, to say the words that had been choking her since the moment he decided to kick her out of his life.
“I'm pregnant Frank,...with your child."
But she couldn't.
Not when he looked at her like that. Emotionless, cold. Like she was a stranger in the rain.
"You forgot your phone...and your credit cards. They were on the bed" he said,his voice flat, offering no comfort, no warmth.
She was staring at him, her mouth still opened, her voice lost somewhere in her throat. She was shivering, soaked to the core, mascara trailing down her face.
Franklin didn't look at her, he reached into his pocket and held something out.
Her wedding ring. The same ring he slipped into her finger under a canopy of roses just three years ago.
God, if this is still a nightmare–can someone just tap her, this is too much.
He placed it on her palm, her fingers trembled as she closed it in her palm.
"And send the divorce papers when you're done signing them," he added, turning away–refusing to meet her eyes.
Yulia watched from the balcony,her arms crossed on her chest.
"Frank..,"she whispered. "What changed all of a sudden? We were happy this morning...."
He paused in the doorway, then let out a cold breath.
"Security,I don't wanna meet her here by the time I check again."
That was all he said before the door slammed shut on her once more, cutting off the last shed of thread of hope she'd been clinging onto.
She wrapped her fingers around the ring, and pressed it against her chest.
A scream nearly broke from her lungs but she swallowed it.
Inside Yulia leaned against the wall, her arms crossed, her red lips curled into a devilish smile.
The moment Franklin turned around, she walked up to him, her walk slow and sensual.
"You did the right thing," she said, brushing her fingers over his chest. "She was never meant for you Frank."
He said nothing , just exhaled slowly and took a sip from his drink.
Yulia cupped his cheeks, pulling his face closer to hers, biting her lips seductively.
"Lia," he called, maybe to say something.
"I'm here now..." She murmured brushing her lips against his. "I've always been here for you Frank."
"I know honey, but where will she go?"He asked and a cunning smile tugged on her lips.
Then she kissed him, his hands wrapped around her waist possessively.
He kissed her back, soft at first, then deeper and bolder. She claimed him like she believed he belonged to her all along.
Then she smiled when he almost ate her face up, before breaking the contact abruptly.
"Let her cry in the rain, you deserve someone better than her....."
"Someone like you, Yulia. You make me feel alive. You've always been there for me,baby."He purred and kissed her again, shortly.
"We're finally together,me, you and our baby. That should be our priority from now on."She muttered and he nodded in agreement.
Thalia turned and slowly descended the steps,her heels sinking into the muddy ground. The wind whipped against her face, plastering her wet hair to her cheeks.
She kept walking–away from the house, away from the life she'd once built.
Until a Rolls-Royce halted smoothly in front of her. The driver's window rolled down.
"Thalia,"He called her softly,his voice barely audible as he got out of his car, with his umbrella.
Tears blurred her vision,and without expecting it–she fainted. But he caught her in his arms before she could fall.
"I'm here,Thalia."The man whispered again,his arms tightened around her as the rain poured mercilessly over them.
His umbrella was barely holding up against the wind, but he didn't care. All that mattered to him was the fragile woman in his arms–her skin was pale, her lips trembling, her body soaked through and she's shivering.
He carried her into the backseat of the Rolls-Royce holding her with the delicacy of someone holding something scared.
The door to the luxury Penthhouse swung open, and the warmth of the place clashed against the icy numbness wrapped around Thalia's soaked body.
He carried her inside, laid her on the velvety couch and knelt beside her–breathless.
He took a deep breath,then took off his drenched blazer, reached out for his phone before making a call.
"Doctor Lena, it's urgent. Get here as soon as possible."
As he ended the call, his eyes landed on her hand... curled tightly and shaking slightly. He carried her to his bedroom, laid her on his bed.
Then he opened her fingers gently, and the wedding ring fell on the floor.
"Mr Williams, the maids are here." His manager informed him.
Mr Williams, the billionaire no one saw in public. The name that sent chills down every competitor's spine
Georgia Williams. He was the man behind more than ten conglomerates across Europe and Aveloria. Ruthless, brilliant, reclusive.
A team of maids arrived that moment, he walked out and they helped him change Thalia's drenched dress. Then Doctor Lena arrived, attending to Thalia under George's watchful gaze.
"She's cold and extremely exhausted," The doctor informed him. "And there's something else..."
"What's that?"George turned to her sharply.
"She's pregnant."Doctor Lena replied and his eyes widened in shock.
The word hit the air like thunder.He was shocked, and at the same time silent. But he nodded and sighed.
“Given her vitals, she's just four months gone, she shouldn't be stressed out at all. It's risky for her baby.”
“Does she need anything?”He asked, concern etched on his face.
“She needs to stay away from rest and please,she shouldn't worry about anything. Please make sure she eats a lot, especially fruits. I'll prescribe some medicine, you can get it for her.”
If Thalia is shattered like this, it's not going to be good for her baby. The doctor bowed and walked out.
And he sat beside her on the bed, what really happened to her?
Why was she in the rain?
He sighed, whatever the reason is, he's ready to support her and repay her –what she did for him, four years ago.
“I just want to say hi. And please be prepared, because very soon I’ll claim you and my children again. I admit, I chose gold over a diamond like you, Lia. But just tell your husband, tell him your ex is back. Tell him in a way he’ll understand, like this: DEAR HUSBAND, MY EX IS BACK.”Her trembling fingers almost dropped the phone. Her world tilted for a second, and she almost forgot how to breathe.No. No, this couldn’t be happening.The phone slipped, but before it could hit the ground, George’s strong hand caught it effortlessly.Without a word, he looked at the twins sitting happily on their bed, their innocent laughter carrying in the air as they played with their crayons. George forced a smile for them, a warm and reassuring smile, before tugging gently at Thalia’s wrist.“Come,” he murmured.He led her out of the children’s room, shutting the door softly behind them, and didn’t stop until they were inside their master bedroom. The heavy door clicked shut, cutting off the sound
“Try it…and it will be the last mistake you’ve ever made,” George’s voice thundered with a low growl, the kind that sent shivers down his spine.Franklin’s face twisted with rage, his chest heaving as if he wanted to strike, to scream, to tear the world apart with his bare hands. Thalia’s heart raced in her chest, her legs trembling as she stood between the two men who had defined her past and her present.The mansion lights flickered in her vision, the marble floor beneath her threatening to give way. Her breath came in short, with gasps. The children. Where were her children? She tried to raise her voice, to scream for them, but nothing came out.George stepped closer to Franklin, his presence deadly. “You’ll never touch her again,” he growled. “You’ll never lay a finger on my children. Because if you do,” His voice dropped, dangerously quiet. “...you don't wanna mess with George Williams.”Franklin led out a hollow, bitter laugh. “Your children?” His eyes burned into hers, then
The evening lights of the city glimmered through the tinted windows as Thalia’s car rolled into the driveway.Her head rested against the leather seat, her eyes heavy with fatigue, she was so tired, really tired.The workday had been stressful for her, back-to-back meetings, signing contracts, shaking hands with faces that blurred into one another. Her body ached for nothing more than a warm bath and the comfort of her bed.But tonight wasn’t like any other night. Tonight, there was a party.A gala. She had always avoided this event, sending polite regrets to the host, letters as well, claiming work or family obligations. But this gala, this one was different. Before she could think about dressing in silk and diamonds, her thoughts pulled her elsewhere, her children. No matter how tired or how consumed or how bruised by the weight of the day she was for her, she never neglected them. Never.Her heels clicked against the marble floor as she climbed the stairs to their room. She tugg
It was break time at École Lumiere, the usual chatter filling the classroom as children unwrapped their lunches and shared little jokes. The room buzzed with laughter, the scent of warm baguettes and packed meals drifting in the air.Tracey plopped down beside Jay, opening her lunchbox without even sparing him a glance.Jay, however, had no appetite. His gaze was locked on Jewel, who sat quietly at her desk, staring at nothing. Her expression was distant, her eyes shadowed with a sadness he couldn’t quite understand, but it made him feel uncomfortable.Tracey followed his line of sight and scoffed. “Seriously? Just go to her already. You’re staring like she’s about to disappear."“You don’t even like her,” Jay murmured, still glancing at Jewel.“Maybe not. But at least she makes you act normal again. Right now, you’re losing it.” Tracey shrugged, rolling her eyes. Jay chuckled softly. He bent down and kissed the back of her hand playfully, then stood up.“Eew, Jay. Gross.” Tracey gro
Delilah slid the folded paper across the table. Her hand was steady, but her eyes were cold and sharp and didn’t leave Franklin’s face for once as if she's reading his expression.He hesitated before picking it up, his chest tightening with every second that passed. The dining room felt suddenly too quiet, the sound of the ticking wall clock pressing against his temples as if time itself was mocking him.He unfolded the report slowly, his eyes scanning the lines, reading each word carefully. And then, there it was, he read it clearly it was Positive. She was pregnant.The date stamped boldly at the top, their wedding anniversary date.His throat went dry. His hand trembled as he placed the paper back on the table. His mind screamed for denial, but the truth was printed in black and white.No chance to deny it at all.“She was really pregnant.” His voice cracked, disbelief dripping from every word. He pushed a hand through his hair, pacing back in his chair. “Why? Why would she hide t
Yulia stayed with her mother in the mansion owned by her mother’s boyfriend, and though the house was grand, her heart wasn’t at ease. She felt like a stranger inside those wide marble walls. Nothing about the place brought her happiness.She knew Franklin shouldn’t have found out about any of this. Someone must have told him, she thought.But who?As far as she knows, no one knew about her affair with Gael except Gael himself. Or did he reveal her secret to him? No, Gael doesn't go back on his words, he'd never reveal it…She sighed.He can do anything just to have her back in his life, which won't happen.But Franklin, she didn't even get anything from him, not when he forced her to sign the divorce papers.It hurts, she didn't expect him to find out. Eventually Franklin has to know but not so soon.Her thoughts were interrupted when Tina walked into the room, her expression carrying both worry and exhaustion.“Yulia, you haven’t eaten since last night,” Tina said gently. “You didn’