(Alphonso's POV) In an effort to ease my guilt, I had booked the best hospital room for Lily. I even started working at her hospital room just so I could be with her, protect her, and I would go home and spend time with our son, who kept asking about his mother, and I didn't know how to explain what was going on with his mom. I had been ignoring calls from the police, who were still trying to talk to me for some reason. Between running around between the office, hospital, hotel we were staying at, and home, where the police had left the mess for me to clean up, it didn't help me when I saw just how hard Lily had fought to keep Frank safe. The blood trail that showed me how she dragged herself from one room to Frank's room just to make sure he was safe. “There you are.” I heard someone say. I turned around to find Detective Smith standing behind me. “Where is your partner?” I asked as I continued to look at the mess the house was in. Frank's door was broken. I couldn't, in good f
(Lily's POV)I watched as Alphonso played with Frank. They looked so happy. Frank turned to look at me, and he smiled, “Come and join us, mommy.” He called out.I smiled, “Sure.” I said, but as I went to walk towards them, the door burst open, and three men wearing ski masks walked in and walked past me, as if they didn't even see me.They walked up to Frank, and Alphonso just took a step back and let them take him.“Mommy!” Frank called out to me, but I couldn't move to help him even as they walked right past me. I felt Frank's small fingers brush against my skin, but I couldn't move to help him.But I fought through the paralysis, and I just managed to turn as I screamed, “Don't hurt my child! Please!”But then I felt someone's hands around me, saying, “You're fine. You're fine. Frank is okay. And you’re okay.” Alphonso reassured me as I cried on his shoulder.“I will have a nurse come check her out.” The doctor said as he walked out of the room.The door closing made me lean back,
(Alphonso's POV)I expected to be there for just an hour, but every time I would try to sneak out, someone else would pull me into conversation, and by the time I realized what had happened, it was already past eleven in the evening.I drove to the hospital, but Lily was already sedated and asleep.I kissed her forehead as I sat beside her.She turned to look at me, her eyes half open and half shut.“You took your time.” She stated in a soft voice as a smile came to her lips.“Sorry about that.” I whispered.She turned and closed her eyes. Then she turned back to me. “No problem. Gemma kept me company.” She muttered before she drifted off to sleep.I was too stunned to speak. I was trying to see if I heard her correctly.I stepped out of her room and went to the reception desk.“Hello, was there a lady in my wife's room?” I asked.“Yes. She said her name was Gemma, a friend to your wife, and you asked her to come spend time with your wife when you left.” The nurse replied.“I am stil
(Lily's POV)I had to do a lot of physical therapy when I left the hospital. Alphonso incorporated a few self-defense classes in there as it dawned on him that, as much as he wanted to always protect me, he wouldn't be able to do it all the time as he wouldn't be around me all the time, thus empowering me.I was sweaty when I got back to the hotel; we were still trying to find a house, Alphonso and I, and sometimes Gemma would join us. I would see how Alphonso would glare at her, much to her satisfaction, but he wouldn't do anything about it. We needed to keep up with the appearances.“I like how hot you look when you are sweaty like that.” Alphonso commented when I stepped into the bedroom.I chuckled. “Of course you would.” I replied by winking at him.“Okay, I'm joining you in the shower.” He said as he took off his shirt as he was getting ready for work.He had pulled me in for a kiss when there was a knock on the door.“Let's just ignore it.” He said as he trapped me close to hi
(Chris' POV)I had a lot of regrets about changing Sharpe for this knockoff, who just left the moment she could. Lola only cares about herself and no one else, and I felt stupid that I hadn't realized that sooner.Now here I was with this rich, middle-aged woman who was showering me with gifts, but I still felt like there was something missing.I guess I wasn't hiding it as well as I thought I was.“Is there something wrong?” Nancy, the middle-aged woman, asked.I sighed. “Have you ever done something you felt was right at the moment but regretted it?” I asked.She scoffed.“Story of My Life.” Nancy said, “But what is wrong with you? You seem very distracted of late.”“I'm just wondering what my life has become and what I want it to be.” I replied partially honestly.“I thought you enjoyed being here with me?” She asked.I turned to look at her, “I do, don't get me wrong, but is this all there is to life?” I asked.I wanted to leave this place. I was starting to become too comfortab
(Lily’s POV) I had finally decided to go back to work after we moved into our new house. Alphonso and I had decided on a sophisticated apartment complex that needed an ID badge for you to get into the elevator and a code for you to enter the apartment. It also had security at the door and a panic room inside the apartment.Alphonso made sure that we would be safe and that nothing like what happened before could happen again. But between moving in and work, we barely had time to spend together.I had pushed Alphonso's meetings because I wanted us to be able to have time alone while Frank was in daycare.I walked into our bedroom, wearing only one of his button-down shirts.The smell of fresh coffee made him wake up. His eyes flattered open as he saw me standing there with the tray in hand.“Good morning.” I said it in a sultry tone.He smiled at me, “I could get used to waking up like this.”I carefully placed the tray on a coffee table beside the dresser.“I thought we would just spe
(Lily’s POV) We settled at our table in silence, except for the excited chirping of the children.“Thank you for inviting us for dinner.” Oscar broke the silence.I offered him a friendly smile, “Our children seem to like each other; I'm sure we can tolerate each other every now and then.” I joked, but we all knew, deep down, that I wasn't joking.At this point, I was sure they knew we were onto them but were just playing dumb. I didn't have anything to prove my suspicions, so for the time being, it was just a feeling. And I knew better than to go around spewing things I couldn't prove.I turned my attention to Alphonso, just as he turned to look at me.I smiled as I folded my leg, letting it intentionally rub against him. He gave me a small smile as he placed a hand on my lap.I turned to Oscar and Gemma and asked, “How long have you two been together?”Gemma's hand rested on top of Oscar's as she squeezed it. “I don't think I can say that we are together, together.”I held my brea
(Lily’s POV)“How long will you be gone?” I asked as I zipped up his suitcase.Alphonso smirked as he pulled me closer to him, his hands folding me there.“If I didn't know any better, I would have thought you missed me when I was gone.”I shrugged. “Not back then, but we have been having so much fun lately.”He chuckled, “Can’t disagree with that.” He kissed my forehead as he hugged me tightly and said, “This time I'll make sure to call you. No radio silence.”“You better.” I said as he let go of me and grabbed his suitcase.As he rolled it away, he stopped at the door and said, “Maybe next time I'll take you with me.”I gave him a small smile and said, “Maybe.”He smiled as he turned around and walked out.I was dreading having to spend time alone with Michael. He clearly had some so