LOGINWhile Nicholas was in trouble with Isabella, Fatima had her own problems. She had just gotten home from the store. She tried to call Nicholas to ask if he had picked up the kids, but his phone didn’t go through. So she asked Jonathan to do it for her. She had to prepare the dinner. She was cooking for a lot of people, and honestly, she wasn’t a good cook.She left Mrs. Wilson to take out the ingredients while she went to change into casual clothes. Jeans and a T-shirt. She put her hair up in a bun so it would be easy to slip on a chef’s hat. She wanted everything to go well.Yes, she didn’t know if Isabella could cook. Since Isabella was invited, Fatima didn’t want to make any mistakes.Soon she was downstairs, alone in the kitchen with YouTube. She searched for the best dishes to make.“You can make a turkey,” a voice said from the door. It was Ryan.“Ryan.” She quickly walked over and hugged him.“Hi,” he greeted, returning the hug. They hadn’t greeted each other properly the day be
All the way home from the hospital, Nicholas prayed the results would be positive. He prayed Fatima was pregnant with his child. He needed it so badly.That morning, before going to the hospital, he went to Ashford Industries. It was the company he had given seven years of his life to. But they wouldn’t let him in. Only when he threatened to call the media did his own mother allow him inside. She gave him a timer.“I’m not trying to hear it. You brought shame to my name,” Violet said. Half her attention stayed on the computer screen. Nicholas noticed she had taken over his office.“I get that you don’t want me here. I understand. But why did you freeze my personal account?” he asked.“Well, I couldn’t freeze your joint account with Fatima because you two haven’t sorted that yet. But I heard the Georgia house is yours now, so I’m selling it.”“I’m your son. Why would you do this to me? And you took 30% of my shares?”“I told you there would be consequences. Not only did you get another
I’m sure you find it shocking. Leslie and Fatima laughing? But no, this wasn’t the first time. They were not close, but Fatima and Leslie always got along. They had the same sense of humor. Now you understand why Fatima was hurt even more. Leslie acted like a friend, only to betray her.“I wonder if she played my sister too,” Fatima said. She found herself sharing the other story with Leslie.“Trust me, she did. I’m sure your sister went to her. In return, she used the story on you, pretending her crystal ball saw it.”“That’s possible. Gigi has always been around me. Since they work together, it’s possible she tricked my sister into this.”“It is. Just from me, she got 2 million. What about you and the others outside?”“She played us,” Fatima agreed. They laughed again. To them, that money was nothing. Sure, Leslie cared now, her father was in custody, her company’s funds were taken because she was the mayor’s daughter, and she was broke. But any other day, she wouldn’t give a damn.
The number Fatima was dialing belonged to the psychic. It surprised her that she still remembered it by heart. The call went through but went straight to voicemail. No one picked up.“What the…?” She tried again. She looked more frustrated this time. Again, no answer. The third time, it went straight to voicemail. She tried a few more times before she gave up. “I just have to go there,” she told herself. After the hospital, she planned to drive straight to the psychic and ask for a second favor. She knew she might have to pay, so she arranged with the bank to give her a quarter million. She would pick it up after the hospital.Fatima took deep breaths to calm down. She focused on the road until she parked in front of the hospital Ian and Nicholas had booked. It was a private hospital Nicholas helped build. She knew about it but never liked it because she worked at Oakwood. It felt like a competitor. Now it was no different, she had her own hospital.“I need a name,” she whispered as
The lie Fatima had been telling herself was falling apart. She used to think her life was okay as long as her kids were with her. Now that felt like a lie. Nicholas had been a huge part of her life. It was not okay without him.Even when he embarrassed her at their vow renewal by saying another woman’s name. Even when she saw him sleep with another woman. Even when she saw the other woman’s cum dripping down his dick. She still could not imagine life without him. Now she felt that if Isabella won him over and took him away, to Italy or wherever she came from (she wasn’t American), Fatima would feel so empty it would drive her crazy. Right now, she already felt like there was no point to life.What? Was she going to raise these two kids as a single mother? Sure, she respected women who did it. But she had never really thought about it before. All those magazine interviews she did with Nicholas… now she imagined the questions they would ask if she was alone. It made her cry even more.
Even after Fatima stopped herself from throwing up, Raphael was still waiting for her answer.“I didn’t do anything because I wasn’t interested,” she said. She started playing with her spoon and pretended to eat.“You could have slapped me, but you didn’t. A part of you was curious.”“Okay, I want to say you don’t know me well enough for this talk, but we both know that’s not true. So I’m just going to change the subject.”“Okay.” He gave up fast, and Fatima was thankful.“Before I do… yes, maybe a part of me was curious because you look like Ian. But I was wrong.”“Fun fact: Ian is kind of tough. Like, really tough.”“Excuse me?”“Hold on, I’m getting somewhere. I’m kind of the soft version.”“Exactly. Just with a twisted mind.” She agreed. That’s what she thought after he kissed her that day.“Yes. It’s the same with Isabella and you. She’s tough, you’re soft. So she belongs with me, and you with Ian.”If this was a day ago, Fatima would have said he was crazy. But after what Isabel
***“Yes, teeth checkup for Bonnie and ear checkup for Wave,” Nicholas said, his eyes on Fatima, who shook her head. “The mother would accompany them,” he added, and Fatima scoffed.“Wow.” Fatima didn’t know what to say as Nicholas ended the call.“What, you’re not free anymore?” Nicholas mocked. “
Madelyn, before she ended up here, was having a peaceful afternoon. Ian had assured her her sister was safe, her wedding planning was going great, and she was seated on the couch looking for the best couple retreats. It wasn't for her and Ryan, but for Fatima and Nicholas.She spoke to Nicholas las
Fatima almost shifted at Ian’s touch but reminded herself that Nicholas was watching, that this was why the party was happening.“Ready?” Ian whispered in her ear, and she nodded slightly before they walked forward to where Nicholas and Leslie were.“I see you didn’t waste any time,” Nicholas said
Violet kept paging through the file, her shock growing with every page. By the time she reached the last one, her hands were trembling. She closed it and turned to Fatima.“You can’t post this,” she said. “This will destroy my family.”“Then you have a lot of work to do.”“Anything but taking the k







