Maybe it was her anger that gave her clarity of direction because she found her way through the maze in record time without bumping into any dead ends. She had left the cottage immediately after that awful exchange between her and Derek in the kitchen, and luckily for her, the rain had stopped as soon as she stepped outside.The first person she ran into when she got to the manor was Connor who showed up just as she walked through the front door. His eyebrows flew up when he saw how she was dressed and his jaw dropped.โDonโt ask,โ she said before he could recover from his surprise. โWhere is Alfred?โโEr, in the library,โ said Connor. โWould you like to go to your room and change first before โ ?โโNo,โ she replied sharply. โIโm sure you have other things to do, Connor. Iโll find my way to the library now if you donโt mind.โShe didnโt wait for his response before marching away with her chin up and her back straight. She was way too angry to bother with propriety right now and the pr
โGirl, I donโt wanna say that you blew it, but you did,โ said Taylor and rolled his eyes dramatically before taking a noisy sip of his lemonade.โShut up, Taylor,โ Rob rebuked him.โI agree with him,โ said Rosemary with a shrug.โThanks, guys. I feel so much better now,โ said Rachel sarcastically.They were in Rosemaryโs place after arriving in New York an hour ago. Sheโd called her brother the moment they landed at the airport and he and his boyfriend had showed up at the house in record time to get all the tea on her unceremoniously ended vacation with Derek. Sheโd told them about what went down at Rickman Manor but sheโd left out the part about them meeting Derekโs mother in Bermuda. That was way too much information to share right now and she was not even in the right frame of mind to explain the details.โDonโt pay attention to them,โ Rob told her. โI think you did the right thing. If a relationship brings you more heartbreak than happiness, then you should leave.โโI donโt know
โThis is crazy,โ said Rachel. โWhat started the fire?โโI donโt know but it started from the kitchen,โ replied Taylor. โLook, we will get into all of that later, but right now, we need to get out of here fast.โHe opened one of the windows and looked down to see where they would land if they managed to jump down. Taylor heaved a sigh of relief when he saw that the window opened to Rosemaryโs flower garden.โI guess weโll have some soft landing down there even if it means killing some of Rosemaryโs precious flowers,โ he said. โWe can tie some bedsheets together and fasten it to the bedpost and then we use it as a rope to get us down.โElaine was already on it, ripping the bedsheet off the mattress and twisting it to form a rope, while Taylor rummaged through Rosemaryโs wardrobe to find another bedsheet to link with it. Once the bedsheets were tied together and secured to the bedpost, Elaine climbed out through the window while holding onto their makeshift escape rope, and she let herse
โMorning, Miss Lane, Mr. Fraser,โ greeted the middle-aged doctor. โI reckon youโll have to inform your bodyguard that doctors have all access to see their patients whenever needed.โโOf course,โ said Derek with an apologetic smile. โIโll let him know.โโGreat. Iโm Doctor Kelly, by the way. Itโs good to see that youโre awake now, Miss Lane. How are you feeling?โโTired,โ she replied.โThatโs normal. Howโs your breathing?โโOk. I think I feel pretty good now,โ she said confidently. โWhen can I leave?โโFor now, weโll place you on observation just to make sure that you are truly ok, and if your vitals remain steady for the rest of the day, youโll be discharged this time tomorrow. Howโs that?โShe shrugged. โSounds good to me.โโAwesome. Iโll send in a nurse to check your vitals and update your chart. The breakfast menu is on the bedstand, so feel free to let her know what youโll be having and it will be sent up right away.โโThank you,โ she smiled.โWe could swap that hospital meal for s
โYour wish is my command,โ he whispered in her ear before turning her around to face the wall, then with one hand, he pinned both of hers on the wall and lifted her hips with the other hand so that he could enter her from behind. She was already wet and slippery, making his entry smooth and insanely sweet.Rachelโs boobs were pressed against the tiled wall and her hard nipples grazed the cold surface with each thrust Derek pumped into her. He reached forward and slid his forefinger between her legs, stroking her clit as he pummeled her from behind.โOh! Please, donโt stop!โ She begged.โI donโt plan to,โ he replied, picking up the pace of his thrusts. It was as if his hips were on auto mode, moving of their own volition without any effort from him.She matched his rhythm, moving her ass back and forth, eager to reach the peak but also wishing that this moment would not end. Derek released her hands and cupped one of her boobs in his palm while the other one was nestled against his arm
โSo, itโs true,โ said Cassie. โDerek did stash you here like a dirty little secret.โIt took Rachel a moment to recover from her surprise and find her voice. โI beg your pardon?โCassie pushed past her and entered the penthouse without waiting for an invitation. She was dressed in a figure-hugging red dress that stopped just below her small bum, her hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail and her lipstick and 4-inch heels sandals matched her outfit.Zoe came out of the kitchen and when she saw Cassie, she lifted her hand and waved hello.โAwโฆ what a cutie,โ she said and waved back.โHoney, go back into the kitchen. Mommy will be right there, ok?โ Said Rachel.Zoe obeyed her and returned to the kitchen.โYou didnโt have to send her away,โ Cassie complained with an exaggerated pout. โSheโs a better hostess than you are being right now. Arenโt you going to offer me a seat? Or a drink at least.โโI donโt know what you came here for and I am not interested in knowing either,โ said Rachel
Despite her insistence on going out alone, Frank refused to let her out of his sight and stubbornly insisted on driving her to her destination. Tired of arguing with the giant of a man, Rachel finally gave in and told him to take her to Derekโs office.They drove there in Derekโs white Bentley and when they arrived at his office building, Rachel told Frank to wait for her at the reception area.โHi, Iโm here to see Mr. Fraser,โ Rachel informed the receptionist.โHi, do you have an appointment with him?โโCome on, Cheryl. Donโt you recognize me?โCheryl was surprised. โI โ I donโt think so.โRachel rolled her eyes. โI am Rachel Lane and the last time we met here was about two years ago when you wouldnโt let me in and I ended up running into Derek at the parking lot and then we came back inside together. Does that jog your memory?โโOh, oh yes! I remember you now,โ said Cheryl with wide eyes. โYou lookโฆ different,โ she added.โI hope in a good way?โ Rachel grinned.โOf course. You look
โNo, whatโs the point? I know why she has been doing it and Iโm not sure sheโll have anything new to share with Yasmin anymore.โโTodayโs episode is definitely something worth sharing.โDerek chuckled. โMaybe.โโHave you thought about reaching out to Yasmin?โโWhat for?โโI donโt know, just for the sake of it. Alfred already confirmed everything she told us, so that means she wasnโt lying.โHe sighed.โCan you ever find it in your heart to forgive her?โ Rachel asked softly.Derek lifted an eyebrow. โFor what?โโFor abandoning you,โ she replied.He sighed again and looked away. When the elevator reached the first floor and swung open, he took her hand in his and led her out of it. Cheryl was beaming like the sun when she saw them together and she waved at Rachel as they left.โI think Cheryl is my number one fan here,โ she remarked as Frank and Mark escorted them to the parking lot.โNope. Sheโs number two,โ said Derek.โWhoโs number one?โ She asked.โMe,โ he said with a grin and follo
โThis canโt be happening,โ Derek muttered incredulously after a frightened Elaine came to announce to him that Rachel had been abducted at knife-point by Sam. โOh, God! What have I done?โ Yasmin wailed. โCalm down, Mom. Iโll call the security guys at the gate right away,โ said Derek briskly. โHe canโt have gone very far with her, so we can still find them.โ โWe should call the police too,โ Elaine suggested. โWhatโs their emergency number here?โ โWhere the heck is that ambulance?โ Yasmin demanded irritably. โJavier has slipped into unconsciousness. He needs to be taken to the hospital immediately.โ As they scrambled around the house to make phone calls from different phones, Zoe who was now awake, walked across the room and placed her favorite stuffed toy, Binky, on Javierโs chest. โDonโt be scared, Binky is going to help you,โ she whispered to the unconscious chef. Just then, they heard the wails of an ambulance siren as it sped through the driveway. โFinally!โ Said Yasmin, thr
A loud crash woke Rachel up and her eyes flew open with alarm. She could tell instantly that something was wrong.โWhat was that?โ Derek asked groggily.โYou heard it too? It sounded like something breaking,โ she said and began to get out of bed.โNo, you stay here and Iโll go and check it out,โ said Derek, getting out of bed.โYou go to the kitchen and Iโll go and check on Zoe and Elaine.โThey quickly put on their dressing robes and ran out of the room to investigate the strange noise and make sure that the other occupants of the house were ok.Rachel was relieved when she was that both Elaine and Zoe were still asleep in their room and they hadnโt been disturbed by the crash that woke her up. She quietly closed their bedroom door and moved to Yasminโs door, but as she raised her hand to knock on it, Derek showed up with a barely conscious Javier leaning on him. The chefโs head was bloody and he looked dazed.โOh, my God! What happened to him?โ Rachel asked, hurrying over to the hal
Once they were done with lunch, there was unanimous agreement that everyone should take a stroll to the beach to walk off that hefty meal.โI donโt think Iโm going to eat anything else today because that was a loaded lunch,โ said Rachel, suppressing a belch.โYeah, maybe,โ said Derek with a smile.They were walking hand-in-hand past the tall palm trees that lined the property and went all the way to the beach. There were some large rocks on the other end of the beach and it looked like a nice hideout where they could get a little bit of intimacy away from the rest of the group.โHow about we go over there and check out whatโs behind that rock?โ She asked, pointing toward the distance. โJust you and me.โโSure, why not?โโWeโre going back inside,โ Elaine announced. โZoe is long overdue for her nap and sheโs getting restless.โโAww, poor baby,โ said Rachel, bending down to stroke Zoeโs blonde curls.โNo nap,โ she said drowsily while yawning and rubbing her eyes. However, she didnโt resi
โThere you are!โ She exclaimed when she found him standing by the pool, staring off into the distance. โAre you ok?โโYes,โ he said and smiled at her. โI have never felt this much peace in my life.โโAww, Iโm glad you feel that way,โ she said, embracing him.โCome on, letโs go inside and see what Elaine and Zoe are up to. The island manager will be sending in our private chef later today. In the meantime, Iโm sure we can make do with whatever is in the kitchen for now.โโI donโt think anyone is hungry yet. This place is too good for you to think about eating.โโZoe may not agree with you,โ he said with a grin. โMy daughter is a certified foodie.โโShe got it from her momma,โ said Rachel.โIโm not going to argue with that,โ said Derek and he received an elbow jab in the ribs from his wife.They found Zoe and her nanny in the cinema room watching Moana. Derek and Rachel were immediately captivated by the exciting animation movie, and they too sat down to watch it. When it was over, they
One month later, Rachel walked down the aisle created in front of Alfredโs gloriously beautiful flower garden, holding a bouquet of white irises that looked like a cluster of clouds over green stems. Her ivory Vera Wang wedding dress was an off-shoulder creation that featured lots of tulles, crystals, and a full skirt that made her look like a Disney princess. Rob struggled not to cry as he walked his little sister down the aisle in his spotless three-piece suit.โI almost canโt believe this is happening,โ Rachel whispered excitedly to him.โItโs happening, darling,โ he replied in a whisper too. โYour fairy tale happy ending is finally happening and I cannot even begin to tell you just how happy I am for you.โโYouโve told me a gazillion times already and thatโs enough,โ she said with a chuckle.When they reached where Derek was waiting in front of the minister, Rob hugged his sister tightly and whispered, โI love you.โโI love you more,โ Rachel whispered back with misty eyes.After R
Just as Derek had predicted, Alfred was beyond ecstatic when they informed him of Rachelโs wish to be married at Rickman Manor.โWhat an honor!โ He exclaimed happily. โWhat joy!โโStop being so dramatic, Uncle Alfred. Itโs just a wedding,โ said Derek.โUh-huh, Derek. Itโs not a wedding, itโs the wedding,โ said Taylor and he got a high five from Rob who yelled, โDang right, it is!โEveryone laughed. They were sitting at a long dining table that had been set up by the hotel in the banquet hall where theyโd had Derekโs birthday party last night. It was the only place that could contain the large family consisting of Rachelโs folks, Jonah and his family, and Uncle Alfred. Diane and the other guests had checked out of the hotel earlier after having breakfast in their rooms.This late breakfast was for family only and that included Elaine who was sitting beside Zoe and making sure the toddler was cared for while the adults joked and chatted playfully.โI am so happy for you two,โ said Rosem
Derek went down on one knee in front of Rachel and opened the ring box. Inside it was a dazzling 24 karat gold ring with a large princess-cut white diamond in the middle and tiny crystals encircling the band. It was gloriously beautiful!โRachel Lane, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?โ Derek asked her with stars in his eyes. โWill you marry me?โโYes!โ She replied instantly without hesitation, sinking to her knees and hugging him fiercely. โYes, yes, and yes!โThe room erupted in a joyous cheer, applauding the touching scene.โThatโs not how itโs done,โ Derek laughed through his happy tears. โYouโre supposed to stick out your hand and let me put the ring on your finger.โโWho cares about how itโs done? This is how we do it,โ she replied happily. โNow put that ginormous ring where it belongs.โShe stretched out her left hand and he slipped the ring on her finger, sending their guests into another round of celebration.โI wish Zoe was here to witness this,โ he said.โBedtime
Yasmin chuckled. โRachel is a genius,โ she said. โSheโs the real deal, Derek. Sheโs a keeper.โโI still canโt believe that youโre here,โ he said in wonder. โI feel as if I am dreaming.โโSo do I,โ she admitted. โDerek, I am so sorry for everything. I am sorry I didnโt give you a chance to get to know me but instead allowed your father to drive a wedge between us. I am not trying to paint your father as the bad guy because if Iโm being honest, I also share in the blame. I am so sorry for abandoning you and letting you mourn my fake death while I lived my best life somewhere else.โโI didnโt have time to mourn you,โ he confessed. โI was so angry at you and I drowned myself in work.โโI am so sorry,โ she said again, crying openly. โI am so, so sorry, Derek. Can you ever forgive me?โSeeing his mother cry and express so much remorse broke something inside of him. It was as if she had smashed the block of ice that had held his heart in a death grip for years, into tiny pieces. Tears rolled
โNo, whatโs the point? I know why she has been doing it and Iโm not sure sheโll have anything new to share with Yasmin anymore.โโTodayโs episode is definitely something worth sharing.โDerek chuckled. โMaybe.โโHave you thought about reaching out to Yasmin?โโWhat for?โโI donโt know, just for the sake of it. Alfred already confirmed everything she told us, so that means she wasnโt lying.โHe sighed.โCan you ever find it in your heart to forgive her?โ Rachel asked softly.Derek lifted an eyebrow. โFor what?โโFor abandoning you,โ she replied.He sighed again and looked away. When the elevator reached the first floor and swung open, he took her hand in his and led her out of it. Cheryl was beaming like the sun when she saw them together and she waved at Rachel as they left.โI think Cheryl is my number one fan here,โ she remarked as Frank and Mark escorted them to the parking lot.โNope. Sheโs number two,โ said Derek.โWhoโs number one?โ She asked.โMe,โ he said with a grin and follo