(Bella)I glance at my wristwatch, turning to Anne. "Please get them down for dinner, Calvin should be here any moment from now," I say as we set the dining table.Anne sets the plates down and wipe her hands clean. "Alright," she mutter before stepping out of the living room to follow instructions."Good evening, mommy." Jasmine greeted cheerfully as they walk up to the dining table but I noticed Javier was looking gloomy even after he greeted.A smile creeps up my face. "Evening babies. I made lasagna, you like it right?" I beamed, my eyes flickering with warmth as they approached."Yay!" Jasmine squealed, her eyes widening in excitement, but Javier remained silent as he stared at the floor.I noticed he's been quiet since yesterday, and when he eventually talks, he mostly speaks to Jasmine.Initially, I didn't read much meaning into it but now, hearing I made Lasagna without any hint of excitement confirms my suspicion.Javier could have Lasagna anytime any day, it's one of his best
(Bella)I squint. What the hell is he doing here, and at this time?I frown, I'm not doing this with him. I reach to slam the door shut."Bella, please don't —," Dean says hastily, stepping a foot in, it wedge between the door, causing me to stop halfway to avoid hurting him.I throw a sharp gaze his way, my anger simmering. "So you think you can just show up here just because you own the building?" I snap, my voice dripping with barely contained anger.He shakes his head, taking a step backward. "No, Bella. That's not it, I just needed to talk to you, I tried but you just wouldn't let me," he explains, his voice low and strained. "Just five minutes, please,"I'm angry at him, too furious but there's just something about the calmness in his voice that softens my heart slightly, he looks so desperate, almost broken and a part of me tells me I wouldn't dodge this forever.But even at that I hesitate, eyeing him warily."Please," he mutters again, his eyes are pleading, looking for some k
(Dean)I look at them, and I can't help but smile even though Bella's words still had me forlorn. There's a warm glint in their eyes that tugs at my heart, so innocent, so pure. It just manages to push the sadness away, leaving me unexpectedly warm inside.It's fascinating in a way that's hard to explain.Quickly they come running up to me with a big smile even before Bella could utter a word.I know she isn't taking this so well, I understand but I honestly didn't mean for any of this to happen.My little princess stares at me with little wonder, while Javier clings to my hand. "Did mommy tell you?" She blurted out, looking between Bella and I.I don't miss the excitement in her voice, and Javier nods, pinning his eyes on me.Confused, I take a quick glance at Bella, and she rolls her eyes, instinctively folding her fingers into her palm.She only does that when she's nervous, maybe it's not something she'd want me to know.Mirroring my hesitation, Javier asked. "You'll be our frien
(Ashley)"You're unbelievable, Ashley!" Evelyn rants as we step into the house but I paid her no mind, walking in and replaying everything in my head."So the real reason you asked we step out this night is to stalk Dean?" She spat, her voice rising slightly in a pitch.I clench my fist beside me, stopping abruptly. Believe me, Evelyn is getting on my last nerves, I just can't wait for Kendra to get back, jezz!I turn, fixing her with a hard look. "So?" I spat, clearly triggered.She crosses her arms, her jaw set in a way that tells me she isn't leaving this alone. "You shouldn't have done that, it's wrong!" She replies, her gaze softening and then she takes a few step forward. "Look, Ashley. It's not too late to stop, you have to—,"I cut her off sharply. "Never!" I blurted out, my eyes blazing with anger. "I will never leave Dean for that bitch, he's mine and I won't let anyone get in my way," I say sternly, my voice loud and clear.Evelyn chuckles, her eyes slowly meeting mine. "He
(Dean)As I drove home, I can't help but replay everything in my head.The pain I saw in Bella's eyes as she shut the door in my face, the way she looked at me, it's stuck in my head, like an imprint refusing to go.The deafening silence after she shut the door, it just feels like she's shutting me out of her life completely.Why did I ever let her go?That feeling when something's within reach but yet out of grasp.I feel even worse knowing I have a family I'm not part of, it leaves me feeling so empty.I don't know if there's anything I say or do that'd change anything but I do know that I'm never giving up on her, my family.I take a deep breath, my mind spirals.Ethan was right. I didn't handle things well, I should've fought for what we had. I shouldn't have let anger get the better part of me.If l hadn't, we'd still be together, raising our kids like we've always wanted.I deeply regret everything.I grip the steering, beating myself up mentally.The fear and the guilt of what
(Bella)"Mommy when's mister Dean coming again?" Jasmine asks between mouthfuls.I blink, taken aback by the sudden question but quickly I compose myself, knowing exactly how to dodge this. "You don't talk while eating sweety," I remind her with a gentle tone.Thankfully, that worked, she just nods and continues eating.I don't know how to feel about this whole thing, it's been a whirlwind. I'm angry, scared and even confused, all emotions in one, but anger is at the top of it.I've been restless since Dean showed up at my doorstep. Now Jav and Jas sees him as their new friend, they'd definitely want him around and then what?I just can't let him waltz back into our lives like nothing happened. And I definitely do not trust him, not anymore, his mother has already tried his crap on me.Jasmine's voice pulls me out of my reverie. "Mommy?" She calls, dragging my attention to her. She opens her mouth a little wider and I catch the hint. "See? I'm done eating mommy," she gives me a smile.
(Dean)Her words hit me like a punch to the guts, and I struggled to find the right response. "I can't, I— I just can't stay away," I admit, my words stumbles out in a stutter. "Please don't shut me out, I'm sorry, I really am." My voice cracks, barely above a whisper.I look at Bella and she has this look, eyebrows all scrunched up. "I don't care, sorry doesn't fix anything," she spat, her voice trembling with both anger and hurt."I know, it doesn't erase the past," my voice cuts in sharply. "But moving forward I want to be the man you once knew, the man you fell in love with, a better man for you, our kids." I say and paused. "I do not want to be that man who runs away from problems anymore," I say, my voice filled with raw emotion.She takes a step forward, her eyes narrowing on me. "How thoughtful!" She mocked. "I should probably pin a medal on you or something," she spat, her voice dripping with sarcasm.Even in the midst of sarcasm, I can see the hurt buried beneath her words.
(Bella)As I walk away from where Dean is, my steps are firm but there's a tight feeling in my chest, I'm not really sure why.I walk into my apartment and silence filled the room, a subtle reminder that I've got kids who are undoubtedly mad at me, I shouldn't have lost it in front of them like that.I see Anne walking into the living room. "They're mad at me, aren't they?" I ask, dropping my bag on the couch.Anne noticing the worry in my voice, nods slowly. "Yes, they are, but I already cheered Jasmine up, she isn't crying anymore," she tells me.I let out a deep sigh, slipping out of my heels. "Thank you, Anne. Please get the things in the car," I say, settling into the couch.She gives a polite nod and leaves.As I sit there, my mind drifts back to Dean, my thoughts a chaotic mess and for some weird reasons his hurt face is stuck in my head, refusing to go.I angrily told him that I don't love him anymore, that's not exactly true but I want it to be, for my sanity, because it just
(Bella)I resumed work a day after the day I said I would, and believe me, I saw the questions in some of my colleague's eyes but they didn't dare ask.A few moments later, a knock came to the door and Cynthia's head popped out from the doorway. "May I come in?" She asks, her tone skeptical.I offer a small smile and replied. "Yeah, sure."She walks in and settles just across from me, her eyes crinkle as she gives me a look, probably debating whether or not to say anything. "How are you holding up?" she finally asks, her voice etched with concern.My smile widens knowing she actually cared. "I'm good. It's been taken care of,""I know that." She says, her gaze softening as she takes me in. "I just want to know if you're like — really really okay?"I exhaled briefly and nod. "Absolutely, might've not been at first, but I'm okay now, I have the best people around me," I have a smile when I say this, but I'm genuinely appreciative of her concern.She lets out a deep breath. "You're a str
(Bella)Ivy plopped down on the sofa beside me and gives me a quizzical look.Derrick isn't left out, he studies me like he's trying to figure something out."Okay, that's it. Spill, what is it?" Ivy says, her eyes flickering on me as I struggle to keep my excitement contained.A smile creeps up my face as I pull my hand from my back, flashing my diamond ring for them to see. "Ta-da! We're official now,"Ivy's eyes widens and Derrick gasps. Ivy takes my hand, taking in my ring and then she looks at me with a beaming smile. "This is — beautiful. Congratulations sis," she says, pulling me in for a brief hug.Derrick's eyes glistens. "I'm happy that you're happy sis, you're glowing," he says with a light chuckle."Ikr. It was one of the easiest yes I've ever said in my entire life," I beamed, running my fingers around my ring. But then I go silent, suddenly lost in my thoughts."Are you okay?" Ivy's voice pulls me back to earth, her face etched with concern.I nod and forced a smile. Sh
(Bella)I slip into the red fitted dress with thin shoulder straps and gasped, the dress was beyond beautiful and it fits so well, beautifully hugging my curves.The heels was chef kiss, it compliments my dress perfectly. I grabbed my purse and smiled to myself knowing Dean's waiting.I step out and see Dean, he's waiting for me at the door with a smile on his face and the way he looks at me makes my stomach do flips.He stood less than two feet away from me, his dark hair was well styled, exposing every magnificent angle of his face.His black suit jacket was slightly unbuttoned, as well as his white shirt, exposing a subtle part of his chiseled chest, my eyes inadvertently flicker on it for a second, taking in this incredibly handsome man that's all mine.Then came his deep sultry voice as he takes me in. "You look—incredibly gorgeous, love." He says through gasp, his eyes sweeping all over me. "I just knew this was the perfect dress, and it looks even more prettier on you," he gushe
(Ashley)I pace the floor of my hotel suite in Italy, gripping my phone tighter as anger blurs my vision.This isn't how it was supposed to play out but yet again Dean's making it all about that bitch.Judy had clearly cut me off, her avoidance, her silence tells me all I need to know, maybe she's having cold feet now, she is.Dean cutting her out of his life and banning her from coming close had hit her hard, I bet she never expected any of that to happen, it was a big blow.She can be easily disarmed but not me. I've got nothing to lose.Dean could ban me for all I care, it changes nothing, he'd always be in my heart, always.Just a little longer and he'd see I'm all he needs, not her.So, I planned to hit Bella where it hurts the most, I knew how she enjoyed her private life and space and disrupting it was just a perfect move.And what better way to do it if not with those photos, it's super convincing, wouldn't even have to break a leg getting the media to believe it, even Dean be
(Bella)I spent the rest of the day in Ivy's new home, while looking after the kids together.I must say they've been a handful but we wouldn't have it any other way, watching them play, giggle, and talk makes it all worth it.Dean said he has something really urgent to take care of, he did call on his way to work, asking for Ivy's home address.I figured he'd want to come see the kids so I sent those in a jiffy.I'm on the couch going through a book I had picked from Ivy's room, while she goes to check on the kids as they nap.I hear Ivy's footsteps as she walks back to the couch and when I peer up to look at her, I see a smug smile. "You need to see this," she says shrugging down next to me and extending her phone.I take it and it's a clip, I give her a look before tapping on it. My heart did a little flip as I see Dean in a press conference.I straightened up, my interest piqued. Dean stood by the lectern, dressed in his three-piece suit, ready to address the audience.A small smi
(Bella)I wake up and Dean isn't beside me but I when I hear a little sound in the bathroom I knew he was in there.Last night was mind blowing, Dean did things to me that had me nearly passing out from pleasure.We both didn't leave this room, the only time I had to say anything to anyone was to Anne, she had knocked to ask if we'd have dinner and of course I dismissed her, we've both had our fill and by the time I had my sixth orgasm, we were both tired out and could barely stomach anything.Stretching, I'm about to get up when he saunters out of the bathroom, fully dressed."You're awake," he says, a smile finding it's way to his face. "I didn't want to disrupt your sleep, seeing you needed rest after….," he winks, pausing halfway.My face feels like volcano and I could barely hide it from him. "You're ready to go?" I manage to ask through a shy smile and he nods."Yup, but I asked Anne to whip up something for you," he says and almost immediately a knock comes to the door. "I gues
(Dean)The smile on her face makes my stomach clench with happiness and every ounce of jealousy I had felt suddenly ebbs away.I don't reply, my words failed me, all I did was stare at her, my desire laid bare.My eyes darken and the next thing I knew, I leaned over and claimed her lips, kissing her so hard. I need to get lost in her so bad, I want to eat her out for hours.She moans into my mouth and my dick throbs in my pants. I whirled her around, resting her back on the couch, towering over her, and claiming her lips once more."What are you doing?" She asks, out of breath, while I gently nibble on the nape of her neck. "Dean…Anne could…,""She's out to get groceries. It's just the two of us, baby." I murmur against her skin, running my hand over her hard, sensitive nipples through her silky top."She'll be back— in no time," she croaked out, causing me to pause and look at her.Fine, I picked her up and maneuvered us to her room, I gently put her down and pulled off her silky top
(Dean)I have called Arthur and asked him to urgently look into how those pictures got to the press and I know I'll have my answer in less than a day.I stood in front of Bella's front door and exhaled deeply, ready to face this strange lady but this time I won't be leaving if I don't see my woman.I press the doorbell and waited and after a while the door creaks open and this lady stood before me yet again, bearing an unreadable expression.But instead of telling me off, she shifts to let me in, and I see a smirk creeping up her face.Is she messing with me?"Come in," she says, giving me quite the look.I step in, still as confused as hell."Didn't you say you just —," I tried to voice out but the approaching footsteps cuts me off.I turn to see Bella, and she paused as soon as she sees me, staring into my eyes.The warmth in her eyes somehow takes all my worries and fears away."Babe," I call out softly and rushed to her, pulling her close and wrapping my arms around her, I hold he
(Bella)"Why didn't you say so sooner?" I smack her arms and she giggles slightly."Well, that's part of the surprise, telling you would have ruined the fun, don't you think?" she says, lifting her eyebrows.I shake my head, and walk over to her car to meet a beaming Aria, I pause.She's gorgeous, pretty eyes and a cute smile like her momma."Hi," I say, flashing her a smile.Her grin grows bigger and she throws herself into my arms. "Aunt Bella!" She squealed.I ruffle her hair and when I look back to where Ivy was standing, she isn't there anymore, she has opened the door of my car, leaning over and talking with the twins, I could literally hear their soft giggles.I snap my eyes back to Aria and kiss her forehead. "What's her name?" I pointed to her big doll behind her."Star," she says, her smile growing even wider."Such a cute name," I retort, ruffling her hair gently, my smile still in place. I just love her, I've loved her long before now.After we had our moment, I step aside