SADIE Three years later… My husband in a perfectly tailored suit was drool-worthy. In a blue military uniform, damn, my uterus just contracted. He always took my breath away, even after years of marriage. Cenric was finally called. He gripped my hand before he rose and walked to the stage to receive his award. I turned to my side to look at my guys, applauding their brother. Cenric was awarded Humanitarian of the year for his philanthropic works and considerable donations to the military. “Once a Marine, always a Marine,” he quoted. “I’m proud to have services this wonderful nation. I would always help and support my brothers in service and our people.” He looked at his award. “Thank you for recognizing my humble works.” He then found me in the audience. “Semper Fidelis.” I rose from my seat just like everyone and applauded him. His brothers in arms loved him—they admired him. So did I. I
CENRIC Jasper’splace was on a small island—a fishing community turned into a beautiful resort that could only be reached by boats. It was a summer paradise, away from crowded tourists. As we arrived at the harbor, the view from there just took my breath away. “How many women did you bring here before me?” I knew she was messing with me. I smiled. “Jealous?” “Nah. I’m always into Greek gods. You know with tan skin, hard specs, dashboard abs with long and thick—” She shrugged, making girls laugh out loud. “Long and thick what, Sadie Wollf?” I reminded her of the surname she was carrying. She shrugged again. “Hair and thighs?” I wasn’t aware the guys were also listening. They burst out laughing. Terrible things happened from my past, and my extreme decisions led me to meet my soulmate—my wife. Sadie never ceased to amaze me. My chest expanded as I realized that God always had reasons for everythin
CENRIC The jet just took off. My wife invited her friends, Maeve and Zhuri, and of course, Becka to this trip. We were supposed to be on our honeymoon, but she decided to do something before our Italy trip. I couldn’t say no to her because after last night, and I didn’t think I could defy my wife again. We were supposed to fuck our brains out, and I should have taken her warning seriously, so here we were, flying to Greece. “I apologized about last night,” I tried to talk it out, hoping it would work. She rested her head on my shoulder as she scrolled the photographs of our wedding. “I didn’t sleep with you because I was mad.” “Oh. You have—” I didn’t finish my words. “Fuck me.” She giggled. “That’s not my fault.” Her smile was wicked. Maybe she was just messing with me or something. Anyhow, I played along. After a few hours, we landed. We were picked up by my contact and drove to the pier. It was hotter this time.
SADIE “Are you nervous?” Becka asked me. I blew a shaky breath. “No. Not at all. I’m excited, unlike my first wedding. I wanted to run if there was a chance. I thought I was marrying a mafia boss.” In a few minutes, I was going to be married to the same man—the love of my life, for the second time—this time, at the back of our house. I wasn’t wearing anything extravagant like my first wedding. This time I wore a minimalist satin-wrapped wedding dress with a hat to honor my late English father, Lewis. Last week, we found out he was buried in London. We took a quick trip and visited his grave. “Are you ready?” I nodded at Austin. “Yes,” I asked him if he could walk me down the aisle. He was even glad and said yes. When the music started, I took a deep breath and walked towards my man waiting for me. He was wearing a simple beige suit and pants and a white crisp open-button shirt. He always looked breathtaking dressed or naked. Fo
CENRIC “I came here today to marry my girl, to cherish her, to protect and respect her, and to be the faithful husband to her. I knew the first time I saw you, and you would be the woman I wanted to spend my life with. I knew you would change me to be the best version of myself. Today, I swear to you to have your back, be your number one supporter, love you faithfully, and honor what we have from today and onwards. I give you my heart, my life, and my soul.” I just watched my vow over and over again as she kept replaying it in the entertainment room. In the video, she looked so innocent as she stared at me while I read my vow. I didn’t write anything. When you were caught in that moment, you just spoke from your heart—that was what happened that day. She wiped her face again. She did that every time she played that clip. She was crying, and I didn’t know why. Did my vow touch her? Had she realized something, or had she changed her min
SADIESince I heard the news weeks ago that my father—the man I thought he was, pleaded guilty on all charges, it kept me awake at night. How wouldn’t I miss when his face was all over the news? And I felt like we had an unfinished business. And I needed that closure.I had never felt this twist in the pit of my stomach as I sat on the visiting lounge. Even if guards and a glass wall were separating us, I still felt unsafe.When he walked in, goosebumps erupted all over my skin.Our eyes met.He smiled.Hanslo Greer was still the man I once knew, although he looked different than the last time I saw him. I could feel the difference—I couldn’t find any intimidation, and he looked powerless and less arrogant in his prison uniform.I picked up the phone, but I didn’t say anything.“Sadie, what are you doing here? Does your husband know you’re here?” I wasn’t e