LOGINLauren POV And just like that— We were all inside. The shift from the chaos of the street to the quiet calm of the restaurant felt almost unreal. Like we had stepped into a completely different world. One where everything wasn’t falling apart in real time. But my body didn’t care about the change in environment. I was exhausted. Completely. My legs felt like they could give out at any second, my chest still rising and falling too fast, my head slightly light. Andre didn’t let go of my hand until we got to a seat tucked away at the far end of the restaurant. Private. Secluded. Like he didn’t want anyone hearing what was about to be said. Or maybe— He didn’t want anyone seeing him. Seeing us. He pulled out a chair for me. Not gently. Not softly. But not roughly either. Just… efficiently. Like it was muscle memory. Like he had done it too many times before to even think about it. I sat down immediately, relief washing over me as the pressur
Lauren POV I didn’t even think. I just… reacted. One second, I was standing there, frozen, watching him walk away from me like I meant nothing— And the next— “Dre!” My voice cut through the air, louder than I expected. Desperate. Raw. But he didn’t stop. He didn’t even slow down. My heart dropped. No… no, I can’t just watch him leave, not like this. Before I could even process what I was doing, my hand loosened and the ice cream slipped from my fingers, hitting the ground with a soft splat. I didn’t care. Didn’t even look at it. I just ran. Or at least… I tried to. “Lauren!” I heard my mom shout behind me. “Lauren stop! Please!” Nan’s voice followed, filled with panic. But I couldn’t stop. Not now. Not when he was right there. Not when everything I’ve been holding in for months was about to slip through my fingers again. My body protested immediately. Each step was heavier than the last. My breathing turned uneven within seconds, my
Andre POV Work has been… relentless. Endless meetings. Contracts. Site inspections. Numbers. Decisions. Pressure. And for once in my life… I welcomed it wholeheartedly. Because it gave me something I desperately needed, Distraction. I’ve been so swamped lately that I barely have time to think. Barely have time to feel. Barely have time to miss her. And that’s exactly how I like it. It keeps me grounded. Keeps me functioning. Keeps me from spiraling into thoughts I can’t afford to entertain. I haven’t been back to the mansion in weeks. Not once. And honestly? It’s been the most peaceful I’ve felt in a long time. No noise. No tension. No Julia. No crying baby. No reminders of everything that went wrong. Just… silence. And control. I couldn’t have asked for more. Or so I thought. Because no matter how busy I get, no matter how exhausted I am… She still finds her way in. Every time. Lauren. My Lauren. She lives in my head like she owns the place. Uni
Lauren POV Today felt… different. Exciting. Alive. For the first time since I got back, my mind wasn’t consumed by plans, confrontation, or fear. Today, I was going to my store. My baby. Lauren Luxe. Just thinking about it made my heart swell. I had missed it so much. The space. The energy. My team. Kate. God, I missed Kate. I knew I had told myself I would focus on settling everything at home first—handle the drama, confront Andre, expose Julia… But honestly? I couldn’t wait anymore. I needed this. I needed something that reminded me of who I was outside of all the chaos. So after breakfast, I found my mom in the living room and cleared my throat. “I’m heading out today,” I said. She looked up immediately. “Where to?” “My store.” Her eyes widened slightly. “Oh.” There was a pause. Then— “I’ll come with you.” I blinked. “Mom…” “I’ll come with you,” she repeated, already standing up. I sighed softly. Ever since I got back, she had been… Attached. Ev
Lauren’s POV Nan’s voice had barely faded when she stepped aside… And Andre’s mother walked in. For a second, everything else disappeared. She looked exactly the way I remembered her—elegant, composed, effortlessly graceful—but there was something softer about her now. She wore a tailored ivory blouse tucked neatly into a high-waisted, deep emerald skirt that flowed just below her knees. The fabric moved gently as she walked, expensive but not loud. A pair of nude heels clicked softly against the marble floor, and her jewelry was minimal—just a delicate gold bracelet and small pearl earrings. Her hair was styled neatly, falling just past her shoulders in soft waves. But it wasn’t her outfit that held me. It was her face. The moment her eyes landed on me… Everything else faded for her too. All the tension. All the conversation she had clearly walked in on. Gone. “Lauren…” Her voice broke. And that was it. I didn’t think. I didn’t hesitate. I rushed to her. She met
Lauren’s POV (First Person) For the first time in what felt like forever… I woke up feeling peaceful. Not the kind of peace that comes from exhaustion. Not the kind that comes from temporarily forgetting your problems. But real peace. The kind that settles deep inside your chest and stays there. When I opened my eyes that morning, sunlight was pouring softly through the curtains of my old bedroom. The golden light stretched across the floor, warming the familiar furniture that had surrounded me for most of my life. For a moment, I just lay there quietly. Breathing. Listening. The house was alive again. I could hear faint movement downstairs. The distant clatter of dishes in the kitchen. Someone walking down the hallway. Normal sounds. Home sounds. A small smile spread across my face. I placed both hands over my belly. “Good morning,” I whispered to the little life inside me. The baby shifted slightly, almost as if responding. I let out a soft laugh. Life felt… dif
Lauren POV I stirred in my sleep slowly waking up. I squinted against the sunlight, which had found its way into the room through the closed curtains and was shining directly in my face. That woke me up fully. I sat up yawning and stretching when I finally realized I wasn't alone. Dre was here,
Author's note!!!!!!Happy 2026 my readers! Crazy how we're starting this year with this heartbreaking chapter. Either way, please share your thoughts on this chapter. Happy reading!!!! ******************************* “I'm pregnant.” That statement hit me like a fast moving vehicle that lo
Lauren POV As the last course was served, a comfortable silence settled over us. We had talked for hours, sharing stories and laughter, and the initial awkwardness had completely vanished. As the night deepened, we both realized that we didn't want the evening to end. He suggested we retire to t
Andre POV cont. I just want to be on the flight out of New York with my wife not here, separated by a fucking door. I spent thirty-four hours sitting in front of Lauren’s room. She never came out. She hasn't eaten, and neither have I. I haven't heard a word from her. I was worried! Very wor







