Chapter 1

Juliette 

 

 

One month to November 15th

 

 

"Cinderella moves into the palace with the prince, and they live happily ever after."

 

"Forever?"

 

I glanced down at my three-year-old daughter, who was still very much awake, and smiled.

 

"Of course, you know how the story ends."

 

"B-but what if the prince hates Cinderella or argues with her later? Will they still live happily together?"

 

I pursed my lips. "Well, if they love each other sincerely, they can always find a way to work things out. That's what makes any relationship or love stronger."

 

"So we can work things out with Dad..."

 

I cocked my eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

 

"He doesn't like us again. That's why he doesn't read to us anymore or take us to bed."

 

I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled, "He's just busy at work, honey. Daddy loves you, both of you."

 

I glanced at the other bed in the room to see if her twin was still awake.

 

Nope, he was fast asleep.

 

"Really?"

 

"Yes, of course."

 

I kissed her forehead lightly and stood up after turning off her bedside lamp. "Now go to sleep. It's already late."

 

"Good night, Mommy."

 

"Good night, hon."

 

And I stepped out of the room but not before making sure her twin was properly tucked into bed.

 

I took out my phone to check the time once I got back to the living room.

 

10 pm.

 

He still wasn't here.

 

And he hadn't even bothered to call.

 

I dialed his number to see if he would pick up this time, but nope, he didn't. Instead the call went to voicemail, and I dropped the phone after trying a few more times.

 

At least, he could contact me or tell me what is keeping him out till this time if it was so important.

 

I sighed.

 

It wasn't even the first time.

 

Yet, every time, "I'm busy."

 

"You know how busy this work can get."

 

Yup, I get it, but still...

 

I put on the TV to wile away time while I waited and didn't even realize I had slept off until I heard the lock turning a few hours later.

 

I glanced at the clock this time to see 1 am.

 

Really?

 

It was just becoming later and later at this point.

 

I met him halfway through the large sitting room to collect his coat and waited for an explanation.

 

I don't know.

 

Something.

 

Anything.

 

A reason.

 

Something that isn't I was working late.

 

"Stop looking at me like that. You know how busy one can get."

 

Okay, what was I expecting?

 

I followed him up the stairs to our bedroom, where he took off the rest of his clothes, and in the laundry basket they went.

 

"You're becoming distant from us, James. The kids, me. Olivia thinks you hate her, and Ethan doesn't say much, but he needs you; you're their father."

 

"Yes, and I'm trying my best. The company isn't getting any smaller, which just means more work to do. I thought you would understand."

 

"I do, just..."

 

I moved to his frame to hug him from the back and sighed, "I made spaghetti and meatballs, your favorite. Are you interested?"

 

He sighed too, "I... Fine. You know how much I love that shit."

 

I smiled and smiled even brighter when he turned around to kiss me on the forehead.

 

"You know I love you."

 

"I love you too." I sighed with relief and watched him go into the bathroom after pulling away from his arms.

 

Well, let me go get the food warm.

 

It's actually been a long time since he ate in the house.

 

Like months. He's always saying he's okay or has eaten some takeout.

 

I smiled and sat down opposite him when he came back downstairs.

 

"You've eaten?"

 

I nodded, "with the kids."

 

"I should find time to read them a story one night."

 

I nodded, "That would be a great idea."

 

"And how have you been?" He took my hands from across the table and caressed them with his.

 

"Good."

 

"Really?"

 

I shrugged. "Well, I've missed you, but... I mean, you were busy and all that."

 

He signaled for me to come over to his side of the table and pulled me onto his lap immediately.

 

"So sorry, sugarplum."

 

Oh my God, sugarplum. It's been so long since he called me that, and the fact that we have a whole backstory for that name.

 

I smiled and wrapped my hand around his neck when he pulled me in for a kiss.

 

God, I've missed this.

 

The conversations.

 

The intimacy.

 

I pulled away from the kiss when his hands started to slide under the light gown I had on.

 

"The food."

 

He pulled me flush against his chest. "You could as well pass for dinner now, and I'll be satisfied."

 

"Stop." I said, blushing, "I thought you were hungry."

 

"For you."

 

He sealed my lips with his again, swallowing any other protest I might have put up, and he moved my hips with mine when I started rotating on him.

 

"Fuck, I've missed you."

 

He whispered against my neck as he left love bites everywhere, and I moaned.

 

"Same."

 

I slid my hand down his chest to his cock and slipped it out of his shorts.

 

"Do you have a condom on you?"

 

"Might as well give Olivia and Ethan a younger one, or what do you think?"

 

I smiled and slapped my hand against his chest lightly. "Planning to just keep me a housewife forever, aren't you?"

 

"I love you, sugarplum, and want you to have the best life doing whatever you want."

 

He slid his hand down my pussy, pressing lightly against my clit, and I reciprocated the favor by giving his dick a little jerk.

 

"Fuck." He groaned and leaned his head backwards, and I assisted him in slipping his dick in after a while.

 

A series of gibberish and pleasure sounds left my mouth as he pounded into me while holding onto my hips, and we both sighed minutes later when we came down from our orgasm high.

 

Fuck.

 

He carried me in his arms, legs wrapped around his waist and arms around his thighs, when we both managed to catch our breath and carried me to his bedroom with his dick still in my pussy.

 

I chuckled, "Can't believe you didn't even have a taste of the food."

 

"Trust me, you taste better, and I'm still not satisfied."

 

He placed me on the bed when he got to our room and towered over me immediately.

 

Hmm, sexy.