DAHLIA
It had been two days since I had told Dane about the baby and he had been nothing but supportive. I realised he didn’t even push me down on my stomach during sex anymore and avoided bending me over his desk yesterday at work. It was sweet. He was staying true to his word and making love to me in different places though. After sex in his office, my legs felt like jelly when I returned to my own. Although I must admit, I had felt thoroughly satisfied.
I had decided to do my work from home today and just rest a little. Aria had gone to school and Dane was at work. I sipped my tea, answered some business emails and signed some digital contracts. Finally, when I was all done, I sat back after sending off my 5th email.
"Phew!" I said, printing them out and sending some copies to the correct departments to store in our systems. I took my phone out, replying to Dane’s message, when I remembered the small card that belonged to Zara
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DANE Two hours later, the officer had taken the full account from Dahlia. I didn’t want her to be stressed, not when she was pregnant, but it was inevitable. I just hoped that once this was all over and all those behind it were behind bars, life would become easier. "This video is enough, but I think if we had a full confession from Amal El Nazari we could have a stronger case. She comes from a wealthy family, even if your influence is much stronger. Warren Murdock is already using the sympathy card that we are abusing power and holding him. Under pressure, there are chances they will be released on bail until the court passes the final judgement. I think the best thing we can do is get a full confession from her. Ms El Nazari, I think you are the one best for this job." "She can’t…" I trailed off when Dahlia nodded. "We will be there, all set around you. We would be happy for yourself to be there too Mr Altaire. I assure you that Ms El Nazari’s safet
DAHLIA Baba had come this morning and Aria, bless her soul, was beyond ecstatic when she learned that Baba would be living with us. The only thing that worried me was, his days were numbered. I had personally gone with Markus to collect Baba’s medication from his doctor. I was hoping Amal would ring me as Baba had warned me that she was very angry he was leaving. Once she called, that would be my cue to invite her to one of the spots the officers had suggested. We were on the way back from getting the medication when the phone rang. I smiled when I saw my stepmom’s number. Well, it seemed this was my chance. I answered the call after taking a deep breath. "Hello?" I answered. "Dahlia. Hello. I will skip the pleasantries; how do you think I feel knowing you have taken my husband from me?" "He’s my father too. I just feel you are always so busy anyway, at least this way I can take better care of him." I said. I wan
DANE She had done it, when we heard those words, Mason motioned for two officers to move in. I stepped back feeling relieved. That’s my girl… it was less than five minutes of madness. Amal screamed that Dahlia had tricked her, swearing she wouldn’t get away with this. "Let's just take this to the station, Ms." Mason said, cuffing Amal. I knew it would make some news, but I had called a few people from the company to settle things down at the restaurant. Hopefully, it wouldn’t blow up completely and some damage control would minimise the damage. I walked over to Dahlia as Amal was being led out, a few cops surrounding her. They were all dressed in casual wear as they had been around the restaurant blending in. "You don’t understand! I demand my lawyer! Now!" "You will be allowed to call your lawyer at the station. Anything you say can and will be held against you." "This isn’t good… No… I can’t be caught! I’m pregnant!"
DAHLIA It was a week since that dreadful shooting and the news was still plastered all over the media. However, I too had been dragged into the news. There were rumours that Amal and I had argued just before the shooting, and there was CCTV footage of what happened. Luckily, it was clear that I had nothing to do with it. Nevertheless, our representative had to make a statement about our argument. The funeral was over, and everything had finally settled again. Baba had handled it very politically and it made me wonder if he ever loved Amal or had he simply needed someone to pass time with? My only guilt was towards the child who had no chance at life, long gone before he even entered the world. I had a word with Baba after I heard him talk about Warren to Dane, I had given him a piece of my mind and he admitted he had made many mistakes in life. Malcolm had said he had got news of Kendra being sighted not far from this city, which brought me hope
DAHLIA "I’m always going to be your mama." I whispered. She nodded vigorously. When had my baby grown up so much? "I know you’re my only mama, the one who takes care of me and loves me. It doesn’t matter what anyone says, you are the only mommy I want." She whispered. I smiled wiping her tears. "I love you Ari." I whispered, kissing her forehead. She smiled, wiping my tears in return with her mitten covered hands, and hugged me tightly. Nothing could change our relationship… But the fact that my daughter had to find out like this… I stood up, holding her hand as I looked at the woman who was muttering to another as she held her cheek. "Mrs James… The El Nazari’s will not be working with your husband’s company anymore." "W-why you can’t let a child’s issue-" "A child’s issue?! Really?! Then why did you get involved! When you insult the future heir to that company, you have made your decision. As for this school,
DAHLIA I closed my eyes as she dragged it down to midway down my cheek, laughing hysterically. "Oh, let’s see what Dane will think of his precious woman now. If you live." She whispered, backhanding me across the face. Do I fight? If I did, what if I failed and she unleashed her anger on Aria? What was the right thing to do? "You know… I staged my rape, I had to admit I enjoyed that night…several men… sex… I paid them and they delivered… and Dane, he had totally brought it… Well he did, until you somehow brainwashed him!" She spat. I couldn’t even believe this was the same woman who had pretended to be so sweet. How could she do that to Dane? Rape was not something to lie about, I felt disgusted at the thought. My heart went out to the women who truly suffered, and here we had a sick, twisted woman. Who staged it for her selfish gain… "What? Not even one fucking sound? So boring!" She spat, slapping me across my already stinging face.
DAHLIA The doctors’ words rang in my head and I froze. My heart was pounding louder than the beat of a drum. My head was spinning, remembering the woman on the bridge… Her words echoed in my head. ‘We broke up. He doesn’t want anything to do with her.’ "Dahlia…Dahlia!" I gasped, looking at Dane, who looked pale. His eyes full of shock as he gripped my shoulders, looking at me concerned. The door shut and I realised the doctor had left to give us some privacy. "She said you didn’t want anything to do with her." I whispered. Tell me she lied… because if she didn’t… I don’t think I could forgive him... My baby girl could have died that night… all because her parents didn’t want her. "Did you know that your girlfriend was expecting?" I asked quietly. The pain I felt inside confused me, I needed to know he would never do this to Aria. Only then could I focus on the fact that he was her biological father. "I swear I didn’t, w
DAHLIA The following day Markus dropped us to the airport, where we had taken our flight to the location of the country house. I was glad Markus himself was ok, Elizabeth had pretended to need help and had lured him away under false pretence’s that she needed his assistance. Only to hit him on the head, tie him up and leave him behind some bins down the side alley behind the school. He had not been found until the following day. I had given him two weeks off to recover as he had been rather disturbed. After a week he had returned adamantly saying he was well and happy to continue, I personally couldn’t be happier, knowing Markus was back with me. We had taken our flight and landed at our destination under an hour ago, finally arriving at the villa. It felt strange to be here. Looking around the neglected entrance hall, I realised that this place was abandoned. Ivy and other weeds had found their way through the cracks. There were cobwebs with odd leav