At the beginning of the day, Laura had thought that with King going shopping with her there was going to be a lot of happy moments. Her first trimester was rocky and now in her second phase, it was looking like the universe had finally smiled on her.The day had eventually gone far better than she had anticipated. Her joy knew no bound. As everyone came around congratulating her, bringing gifts. King had brought a big plain white T-shirt, and a small bucket of pink paint. He asked that him and Laura both deep their hands into the paint and then place it on the shirt. He was going to hang it in their room.โWhen our Princess arrives, Iโll get her little hands to do the same.โ He has said to her.Laura had done everything possible to avoid Stacey all day. But what bothered her a bit was Stephanieโs presence.What was she doing there? King was yet to say anything about her.Some guests were already leaving when Laura saw Anne and Stacey walking towards where she stood talking with Madd
Dr. Liam Kentucky. He wanted nothing more than to see the downfall of Laura Ferguson. After her sister led to the death of his only brother it broke him. It broke his mother. What worsened the whole issue was that the mothers heart could not take the shame and trauma. His mother died. Leaving Liam an orphan. After Storm had died he thought he would get some level of satisfaction, well that was going well until he saw that her sister Laura was leaving fine. It wasnโt as if any bad had befallen her. She, Maddie and her dadโDave living like a perfect family, it hurt him so much he wanted more! Seated in one motel bar down town the Bronx, sipping his third glass of mojito he was waiting for the one person he had a hunch that also hated Laura just as much as him. Stacey. He knew she frequented this place very well on their red nights, the bar was one hidden place where the rich goes to unload their rotten selves, but wouldnโt want to be identified in the outside world. Stacey was someo
โDidnโt you say you never nutted in her?!โ Brian screamed as he drove with him in Kongโs car.โCome on man! I know what Iโm saying! I did not! Not the first time at my house and definitely not at her house that night! Iโve not been able to sleep a wink!โ King argued back bitterly.It had been four days since Stephanie had told him her pregnancy was his! He was running mad. He argued back and even threatened Stephanie the more but she was still adamant that it was his! King insisted that they go to a hospital and have a DNA test done, and the result would determine his next line of action. An hour ago he was so certain the test would come out negative. He had never prayed or hoped for something in his life before. Never!The paternity test came out Positive! It showed that he was the father! He immediately called Brain to come get him at the hospital. He was in no state of mind to drive. How would he explain this to her!At first Stephanie had suggested a hospital where they should g
โCome here. Iโve missed you all day.โ King helps her closer, sniffing and kissing her hair softly.I love you. I love you so much it hurts.He though to himself, his lips quivering with the kisses.โKing?..โ she tries to wriggle herself away from him.โI just said Stephanie was here. Your one time secretary?โ Laura states again, her voice betraying her composure.She really wanted to hear what he had to say. Itโs not like Stephanie came to threaten her or anything, but the shock of seeing her not only at the gender reveal but also at his house? Unannounced?โHmmhmmmm..โ he voiced, refusing to acknowledge what Laura was implying.โCan you just let go of me so we can talk?โ She murmured as he kept sandwiching her into him. Inhaling all of her.โWe can talk like this baby..โ he brought down his lips on hers. King knew she couldnโt resist him no matter how much she tried or protested.Laura began to squirm under him, her bump causing a small barricade between them.โIโm sorry for how dist
No matter how much Laura tried to be logical in her reasoning, her mind still couldnโt handle the information of Stephanieโs pregnancy. Laura wanted to be a strong woman! Of course she understood they had a past affair, why was it so hard for her to look at him the same way. It had been over fourth eight hours since they had the conversation about Stephanie, but Laura was still avoiding him. If he was entering the room, she was leaving. She gave excuses that she needed space for herself. Laura avoided him so much that when he came to the cafe the previous day she had gone to hide and asked the other staffs to tell him she wasnโt around. But he knew she was around! Her engagement ring was on her. King felt like the world was tearing his heart apart.The reality of the situation was what bothered Laura the most. No matter what King said, Stephanie was going to be in their lives forever. Could she hear it? She had been crying non stop in the cafeโs rest room. Laura hated that her
โKing?.. please can you use your phone to call Maddie. Sheโs not picking!โ Laura turned to her fiancรฉ to help her out.โLaura, you need to calm down. Weโll be there very soon. Iโll try calling Maddie but I also need you to calm down. Okay? Baby? Please look at me.โ Kings voiced out softly, placing his hands on hers for support.She nodded frantically, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to pour down. Maddie had sounded so worried. โOkay..โ She croaked.He gave her a quick kiss on her lips before opening his phone to dial Maddies number.โAny luck?โ Laura asked almost inaudibly.The number had not even rang. Maddieโs phone was unavailable, but King knew if he told Laura the entire truth she might freak out.โIt kept ringing babe, sheโs not picking. Donโt worry weโll meet her there.โ He assured. Pulling her closer to him. She tried to protest and shift back to her seat but he held her tight to him.โIโm sorry about everything. Iโm so sorry. Can you just stop avoiding me? Ple
Maddie kept staring at the woman like she recognized her from somewhere. Laura who had been crying non stop had suddenly paused her crying session. They were both confused as to what was going on.Who the hell was this woman.โUhmm.. please come in maโam, you can have your seat.โ King offered politely.Maddie still stared at her blankly as though the woman was in the wrong place. At the wrong time.Wait a minute.Did she just call Maddie by her full name?!! There are just a few people who knew her as Madelyn!Maddie kept eyes her refusing to say anything.โHello, who did you say you were again?โ Laura shifted in her chair turning her attention to the woman who sat opposite her.โIโm Karen. Nice to finally meet you girls. Dave wonโt stop fawning over you too. I urrrr, I just flew in from Carlifonia. Dr. Manuel was the one to inform me of the problem at hand.โ She explained with a warm smile.The name Karen didnโt ring a bell in Maddieโs head. She probably was just being paranoid.โOh?.
No way!Maddie shifted her body and sat at the top of the seat, eye wide with hardened expression as she exclaimed almost immediately โMartha? As in my mum?. Noโฆโ huhnnn? Lu? Did you hear that?โ โMaddsโฆ please just sit.โ Karen tried to plead.โDonโt fucking call me that! Which Martha! Is it my mum?โ Maddie yelled almost in tears.โYes. Yes Maddie your mum. But I promise! I wasnโt the reason she left. Dave wasnโt cheating on me with her. We had nothing! Absolutely nothing together. Martha was so insecure and kept projecting her fears on Dave. She was the one cheating! Your dad never cheated on her!! I promise.โ Karenโs voice broke.Maddie began to laugh, wiping the tears on her face. All her life she had thought this woman caused her parents seperation! This woman led to her mother abandoning her! โYouโre a liar! And I swear youโre a manipulating bitch!โ Maddie screamed. Forgetting she was still at the hospital.โMaddie! Bring your voice down! Allow her explain. Please.โ Laura tried
โHell no, there is no way in hell Iโm canceling the party. It will still hold and thatโs final.โKingโs voice was as sharp and firm like a judgeโs hammer slamming down in a courtroom. It didn't matter to him if he was sitting in a damned hospital bed with a fresh IV in his arm. It didn't matter to him if his body was still bruised, stitched up, and technically supposed to be on bed rest. None of that mattered to Kingston.Because whenever he had made up his mind, not even divine intervention could change it.Lauraโs nails dug into her palms. โAre you serious right now?โ Her voice trembledโnot with fear, but with pure frustration at his stubbornness. โKing, you were just in a goddamn helicopter crash! Your body isnโt made of steel, no matter how much you act like it is.โBrian exhaled loudly, running a hand down his face. โLetโs not forget the other reason weโre saying this, man. You were literally giving a second chance to live, but that's not all. Itโs not just about your health. You
Hospitals were supposed to be quiet and somber places for the sick onesโfull of beeping machines, sterile walls, and nurses shushing loud visitors. But apparently, nobody told Brian and Tay that. Because the moment they walked in, the room went from the crime thriller atmosphere to circus act in literally 0.2 seconds after they got in.Brian who was always the loudest in the group, barged in first, throwing his arms up dramatically. โMy guy! You survived a helicopter crash and didnโt even break a leg? Now thatโs just selfish.โTay followed in, shaking his head. โSwear down, bro. You have to start sharing some of that plot armor with the rest of us.โKing who was still propped up in bed, his back raised higher than the rest of his body, smirked. โWhat can I say? I guess I'm Godโs favorite.โLaura, who had just managed to stop panicking over the whole somebody trying to kill my man situation, shot them a glare. โCan yโall not?โBut Brian was already in motion, snatching the pillow from
King was built differently. And that was on period.It was a helicopter crash yet this man walked out of it looking like a battle-worn Greek god instead of someone who just had a near-death experience. Sure, his face was scratched up, his arm was dislocated, and the white bandage on his chest made him look like he belonged in a war movie, but was he lying on a hospital bed in misery? Nope. He was sitting upright, cracking jokes like he hadnโt just scared the life out of Laura.Laura, on the other hand, was a living mess. Hot tears streamed down her face like a flowing river, her perfectly done curls now falling apart as she held onto Kingโs hand like he would disappear if she let go. โYouโre an idiot,โ she sniffled, squeezing his fingers tighter.King, ever her annoying man, smirked. โI meanโฆ yeah, but like, a hot one?โ His voice was hoarse but still carried that signature cocky charm. โDamn, baby, I knew you loved me, but these tears? You tryna make me cry too?โLaura wiped her face
It was a day to the party, the one King had planned so well with precision, the one meant to be his chessboard to catch snakes like Liam and Stacey. But instead of strategizing his moves, King found himself juggling calls and obligations like a circus clown. He was supposed to pick Laura up from the salon, where she was getting all dolled up, but as usual, life had other plans.He was in his office, leaning back in his chair, his tie slightly crooked. One of his hands was holding his phone, and the other tapping a slow rhythm of a song on his desk. Those fingers never stay put.Laura's angelic sweet voice filled his ear, teasing him about how she was being pampered like a princess because of him.โSo, Mr. Kingston McGorrith, any chance of a sneak peek of the settings of the hall before the party?โ Laura asked, her tone playful.King chuckled, his lips twitching into a smile. โTempting offer, miss cotton. But Iโd rather you see the full reveal when youโre ready to break hearts at the
So not everyone wearing scrubs were saints. King has got to learn the hard way.He was leaning back against the cool black leather seat of his SUV, his long fingers tapping an impatient rhythm on the armrest. Outside, the city lights were all white and gold in his eyes even despite the tinted windows. Detective Marshalโs call had come earlier and the urgency in his voice had pulled him out of his office. Luckily, Chase was around in time to cover up for him while he would be away. โKing,โ Marshal had said in a tone that demanded attention. โIโve got something for you. We need to meet as soon as possible.โ Marshal had said. No greetings, no small talk. Typical of him.Now here he was, parked in a high-rise parking garage, his eyes darting to the rearview mirror as Marshal approached. The detective opened the passenger door and slid in with what seemed like a practiced ease. Marsha never rushed into anything unprepared, and tonight was no different.โDetective,โ King greeted him with
Dr. Liam leaned back against the cold wall tiles of his private shower, letting the steaming water cascade over his chiseled chest. The surgical mask lines were still showing on his face, and they reminded him of the exhausting C-section he had just completed. Liam was drained, physically and emotionally. Although he had saved a life todayโtwo, actually. Same as yesterday and the day beforeโall he could think about was how much he hated these walls. Hospitals were sanctuaries for everyone else, but for him? It was more like a prison.He toweled off roughly, wrapping the plush white towel around his waist before stepping back into his office.And there she was.Stacey.Her red hair was pinned back into a messy bun, a shade too bright against her pale Texan skin. Her curvy body was poured into a black dress that hugged her thick thighs and ample chest like she had revenge to prove. She sat in his swivel chair like she owned the place, her legs crossed in a nonchalant way. Her cherry-re
Laura leaned against the counter that had displays of hot pastries, shifting her pregnancy weight to ease the pressure on her back. Her hand absentmindedly rested on her growing belly as she glanced at Maddie, who was swirling a spoon through a cappuccino she had no intentions of drinking.โSoโฆโ Laura started, dragging on that word to hint she was about to ask something prohibited. โHow's Dr. Liam these days? Still too busy diagnosing his reflection in the mirror to have your time?โMaddie froze mid-way through swirling her coffee, her playful grin flattening out for just a second before she replaced it with a dramatic eye roll. โUgh, can we not? Itโs way too early for this.โLaura raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. โToo early, or too complicated? Madds, you know Iโm going to ask eventually.โMaddie waved her hand dismissively, leaning on the counter. โHeโs fine. You know, doing his doctor-y things and looking annoyingly good while doing them.โ She giggled with dreamy eyes. โNoth
He knew the rules: money talked, and everyone else? They just nodded. The world worked on bribes, and the underpaid prison guard standing at the dimly lit corridor, guarding the cell gates, wasnโt about to turn down his envelope of dollar bills.โBack again, Mr. Clean?โ The guardโs grin was all teeth and bad intentions, his hand greedily slipping the envelope into his jacket pocket.Matthew smirked, shoving his hands into his jacket. โYouโre not paid to ask questions, Moses. Iโm not here to bake cookies.โMoses laughed like they were old friends sharing an inside joke. โFair enough. Heโs in the usual spot. Ten minutes.โโFifteen,โ Matthew corrected, already stepping into the dark corridor that smelled of sweat, cheap bleach, and desperation for inmates to escape.Prisons werenโt supposed to feel comfortable, but this one had a bite of an annoying feeling that made his skin crawl every time he visited. And yet, here he was. Again.Dr. Hakeemโs cell was tucked in the back of the buildin
They say revenge is a dish best served cold, but Stephanie Pearson preferred hers steaming hot with a side dessert of sizzling chaos. And oh, she was starving.Stephanieโs crimson nails lightly scratched the silk fabric of her blouse as she stood in front of her floor-length mirror, her reflection staring back at her like an old friend with a knowing smirk. She wasnโt dressed for anything fancyโjust a casual crop top and ripped jeansโbut that didnโt matter. What mattered was the way her hand instinctively drifted to her stomach.โThat foolish Laura,โ she muttered, cocking her head to the side, her freckled nose wrinkling in displeasure. โThinks she can have Kingston all to herself? Oh, honey. No can do.โHer reflection grinned back at her, she was the version of herself she had grown to love over the past few months. She couldnโt help but let out a soft chuckleโno, that chuckle was psychotic, if heard closely. โHow does she even sleep at night?โ Stephanie continued, her high-pitched v