Initially, Noah frowned and then tilted his head to look at the ginger haired girl. “OK. I don’t know much about E and L people but congratulations, Elara.” Noah extended his hand this time for a handshake and Elara held it in hers while sitting beside him. “Thank you, Noah. They just opened their office in Kanderton. Their offer was good, and it can … solve many problems.” Noah knew about her debts to Octavia’s father and was always willing to help her, but Elara never accepted it. Her only answer used to be, “I’ll manage, Noah. I will let you know if I need anything.” Noah had been crazy about her since childhood, but he knew her heart always belonged to Aiden Lockwood. He had golden brown hair with light brown eyes and girls were still crazy after him. Yet, the girl he was crazy for, used to treat him as if he was transparent and she could see right through him… as if he didn’t exist. “Come on, kids. Who is up for a painting competition with Aunt Thalia?” Thalia announced
This face!She was looking at this face after such a long time. Three years? Four years?Or she just saw him yesterday when he was telling her… no … when he was informing her about divorce.Yet, she felt as if it’s been ages. He was sitting there on his throne, looking much more gorgeous and incredibly hotter. But what was the matter with her?How could she forget about her self-respect? Staying with him did cost her so much emotional damage. There was so much hurt, pain, and betrayal that showed in her eyes too.But all she could remember was, how gorgeous he looked. Shame on you, Elara Smith. Shame on you.She stayed in a trance. With a killer smile, he left his seat and welcomed them. He shook each one of their hands and she felt as if he didn’t want to leave hers.She was the one who had to slip it out of his grip. He made them sit and told them what he expected of them for his guests who would join him from across the globe.Gustave and Octavia were chatting with him animatedly
After putting the kids to sleep, Mimi came into the living room. Thalia and Noah were sitting there wearing grave expressions on their faces.Elara was sprawled on the couch, staring at the ceiling, her arms folded on her chest.“Any plans to have dinner, folks?” Mimi asked no one in particular and decided to sit beside Noah.Nobody bothered to answer her.“I have nowhere to go,” Elara must have said for the umpteenth time, “That Octopus did good when she spoiled my batter. I tried to keep my morale high because I was a fool,”She was still talking to the ceiling and Mimi wanted to roll her eyes.Everyone was quiet in the room. Even Thalia had given up this time. She was not offering any comforting words to her friend. “He will snatch away my kids,” Elara tried to control her quivering lips.“He won’t do any such thing, Elara,” she scowled and turned to look at the source of this voice. It was Noah.“What did you say?”“I said he won’t do any such thing. Stop getting scared of him.”
Vicky Barone was getting bored with this routine.Getting up in the morning, meeting her friends daily on breakfasts, shopping, and filling up her already-filled closets with those high-end classy dresses.Then a luncheon with friends. Followed by a dinner date with girls who were single like her. And that was rare!Yes. She was almost a single woman. Aiden was not in town and if even he was there, he wouldn’t even glance her way.To top it all his erectile dysfunction had made her life hell for her. Her bed life was nothing. There was zero intimacy left.Her friends didn’t know about it. They used to think that her life was perfect. She had a boyfriend who liked wasting money on her.Sometimes she didn’t even know where to throw that money… Sorry.She used to miss Aiden and that used to make her super irritated. Before leaving, he did tell her that this was her house and his office belonged to her.She renovated the whole house in his absence and was usually after the staff to eithe
“Are you people going somewhere?” Thalia asked her and then went ahead to pinch the cheeks of the little munchkin girls, “Look at you two! My two little angels.” She pecked their foreheads.“And what about me?” Thalia giggled when she heard Sebastian behind her, “how do I look?” He brushed his hand through his hair like a newly turned teenage boy.“You look like a prince just like your d… da… Mimi.” Poor her wanted to say just like your dad but had to stop when she saw Elara glaring at her.“What? You need to tell them about him at some point!” Thalia whispered and fixed a smile for kids’ sake.“I know. Not now. I am not ready,” Elara whispered back, “Come on, little ladies and gentleman. Go and play in the living room. Mommy will join you in a while,” she then turned to Thalia, “I am taking them to the Arcade Zone of Kanderton Mall. The kids didn’t want to go to the park this time. They wanted some indoor activity.” She said before heading to the bathroom.“Get ready. Their aunt is
For the first time in his life, Aiden Lockwood wasn’t able to move. The girl he married seven years back used to be so timid and such an obedient wife. But ever since he had stepped in Kanderton, she had been constantly giving him surprises.A raging Elara came towards him and held him by his collar, “What did you think you were doing, Aiden?” she shook him a little. Her tears were running down her cheeks, “Where were you taking her? Do you have an ounce of shame?”She wasn’t giving him any chance to explain himself. “Ma’am. Leave him!” a hard voice commanded her. Nobody noticed his personal bodyguard at some distance who was there all along.The man was about to hold Elara to pull her back away from Aiden when Aiden’s hissing sound sliced through the air,“Touch her and I’ll make sure to throw you on your ass.” The man's hands stayed in the air, “I will kill you.” His voice was cold without any courtesy, and his dark eyes were murderous. “S…Sir…”“This is my family,” Aiden muttered
The moment Vicky Barone walked into the office building, she could see several pairs of questioning glances being thrown at her.“Yes? How can I help you?” the lady who seemed like a receptionist asked her with a professional smile. For the first time in her life, Vicky felt confused. What to tell them? That she was Aiden’s soon-to-be wife? His fiancée? Aiden never introduced her to his business circle. He never made her attend any business parties. She always led a life of privilege. Her father always spoiled her like a princess.Having a loaded background, her every wish was fulfilled. Her father bought her everything, she could ask. Except one.Aiden Lockwood. Papa did try to talk to Aiden’s grandfather to consider his daughter for the marriage. He offered a good deal in return for her hand as a dowry.But Aiden’s bas*tard grandfather didn’t budge. He was so fond of Elara that he straightaway got them married in a short time.Now standing in the lobby of E and L corporations, sh
“He did what?” Thalia screamed and then covered her mouth with both hands.“Shut up!” Elara gritted her teeth and looked around in the hospital café where people were looking at them suspiciously.“So, he… kissed you!” she whispered with her eyes still wide with shock, “and you let him?” Thalia was getting excited for no reason.“Stop acting like a teenage girl with raging hormones. It was just a simple kiss. Like … it was nothing. It didn’t have any romance.” Elara gulped audibly, “It was more like a … brother’s kiss.”Thalia choked on her strawberry shake.Elara was naïve if she thought Aiden would take her as a cousin or a sister. “Are you nuts? Who kisses his sister like that?”“No. I said it was ALMOST! Almost like a brother. I didn’t say he is my brother. That’s what I am here to tell you, Thea. It was supposed to be a meaningless kiss. But I don’t know what got into me. I seemed to get glued to his… umm … intimate part… and …” her face turned crimson at the thought.“Well! Was