“Charlotte, I understand how frustrating it can be. Watching the man you love, choose another woman when you’ve waited patiently but I want you to understand that not all things are meant for us. I’d like to work with you on coming to terms with the idea that maybe Leo being with someone else is okay. It doesn’t mean that there is anything wrong with you. But we have to come to terms if we want to stop this continuous cycle of violence and vengeance.”“I understand.” I lie. I don’t believe a word out of this shit’s mouth. What I want is what is meant for me. It just takes convincing at times. I wouldn’t expect some low-life shrink to understand the complexity that is my mind but I had to play along if I wanted to get out of here eventually.“Good. That’s all the time we have for today but I’d like to continue this tomorrow if you’re up to it.”“That sounds great.” I fake a small smile that feels like torture as I stand and follow the nurse out of the room and back to my room. She clos
It took about an hour for Mason to arrive. I ensured that all notifications were turned off on Claire’s phone as she fell asleep after feeding the boys. I didn’t want the notifications of a visitor at our new home to startle her, especially not when she’s worried about Charlotte pursuing her negatively.“Come in. Claire is sleeping upstairs with the boys. I felt it better that she didn’t know you were here.” I tell him softly as I invite him in.“I understand. She’s already under a lot of stress. There’s no need to worry her further.”“So have you discovered who could have done this? I thought we were pretty careful.” Could I have been blinded by my own happiness?“We spoke to the tabloid’s management team and found that someone had offered the tip anonymously for a cash payment. Turns out, the check was recently deposited in a personal checking account. It seems that Celeste - Nathan’s ex-wife was the one to give the tip.” I was dumbfounded. How did she know?“How could she have know
The last few weeks have been a bit extraordinary. We had finally moved into Francisco’s home, Dahlia has gone home to France to continue running our family empire and Claire had given birth to her beautiful boys. I’m relieved to see that she has taken well to motherhood.I’m sitting by the pool relaxing as I watch my little boy take his first swim lesson with his papa. Francisco felt eager in teaching him how to swim as there is a pool that extends from the master bedroom’s balcony to the backyard. I watch happily as I ran and decide to keep myself busy with the tabloids. Americans have much more gossip and it spreads more publicly than France - where the people die with their secrets close to the heart.I open the most popular tabloid of the city and see an article that immediately catches my eye. It quickly disappears as I finish reading the headline.‘Architectural guru, Leonardo, from Bachelor to Father.’For a moment I was shocked and felt my eyes had deceived me. Claire had told
Settling into the house with the boy was easier than I expected. Elena had done mostly everything in terms of organizing, cleaning and baby-proofing. Elena was more than helpful with the boys as well. She gladly assisted in my pumping, making sure I ate accordingly for my milk production and storing my excess milk. I wouldn’t have made it the first two weeks without her.Leo and I have been too exhausted with bi-hourly feedings, diaper changes and burping to even shower unless Elena reminded us. The spark we have rebuilt had long since faded but I got a little tinge of it every so often when I watched him maneuver with our boys. He has yet to fail in showing them his love and dedication.I, on the other hand, have fallen into a pit of postpartum depression. I love my boys so much but for some reason, I find myself crying everyday. Leo had called a postpartum specialist to the house but apparently this behavior was not abnormal. Part of me felt guilty for feeling such sadness when I’m
After a long three days in the hospital, Claire and our boys were finally discharged. It had been a long three days as it was filled with floral deliveries, family members wanting to meet the boys, and multiple gift deliveries to our home. Thankfully, there had been no suggestions on any blogs or tabloids of the birth of Logan and Lucas. I knew once we left the hospital that there was a high possibility of that changing but I felt more secure knowing that the security system and gate were fully installed at our new home and that Elena was more happy to hold the fort down.“Hi Momma, we’ve brought some wheelchairs to bring you down to the lobby. Every mom has to ride in one with the baby but in this case, you’ll both have to sit down seeing as there’s more than one baby today.” The nurse says as she’s accompanied by another nurse. They both held the wheelchairs as we sat down holding one of the twins each as instructed. Claire was eager to get home after being here for so long.“Arthur
The waiting area was just down the hall from Claire’s room and I felt obligated to watch the door. I saw the doctors and nurses come and go after what felt like days. “I’m sure she’s fine, Jas.” Nathan says as he rubs my shoulder.“Well I wouldn’t know! I’m out here with you!” Claire giving birth made me extremely anxious. She just had a medical procedure two weeks ago, a miscarriage just a few months ago and she was extremely fragile. “If the nurses are coming in and out calmly, that’s a good sign.” Mason says as he rests his hand on my thigh.“You really think so?” His hand on my thigh calmed my shaking but it didn’t calm my internal panic.“I know so.” He says as he gives a gentle squeeze.I continued glancing down the hall towards their room for about three hours until I see Leonardo come out and make his way down the hall towards us. I jump to my feet instantly expecting to hear the worst as he seemed exhausted.“The boys have arrived. They’re both healthy and Claire is doing w