—Mabel—The ride was a quiet one.Angelina's words kept replaying in my head as we drove past the streets of Washington.“Are you OK?” Ruth asked.I nodded, but I was far from alright.Ruth placed a hand over mine on the chair. “Mabel.”I met her gaze. “Angelina sure knows how to spoil the mood,” I murmured.“She’s after your peace. Don’t give it to her.”We exchanged a smile.“Thank you for standing up for me back there.”Ruth gave my hand a squeeze. “You're welcome.”“Are you sure you don’t want me to drop you home?” I asked.“No, please. I’ve got a car waiting for me at the Elysian Table.”We exchanged a grin just as the convoy pulled up in front of the restaurant. Ruth leaned in for a parting hug.“I'll see you next time.”“Be safe,” I whispered.She straightened, and opened the door, then turned around with a wink. “And tell the kids I said hi.”I nodded and watched her shut the door.Ruth strode to her ride, paused and waved as though knowing I was watching through the tinted wi
—Mabel—“Go on. Answer it!” I urged, half-smiling, half-curious.Her fingers trembled as she swiped to pick up. “H-Hello?”There was a pause. Her lips parted slightly, and her eyes shimmered as she listened.“I thought you weren't going to call...” Her voice broke.I leaned forward, anxious.I could hear his voice at the other end, low and tender. It softened every inch of her in ways I'd never seen before.“Yes, l understand,” she continued and wiped her eyes.Another pause.Then, she let out a breathless laugh and lowered her glass. “Really? Of course, I’d like that.”She nodded, as if he could see her, then added, “I love you too.”The call ended, and she stared at her phone, dazed.“Well?” I asked.Ruth looked up and grinned. “That was him,” she repeated.“I know!” I chuckled. “What did he say?”“He said things got hectic the moment he landed in Seoul—back-to-back conferences, that one of their aircraft had an engine failure during a flight.”She drew a breath. “You were right, I
—Mabel—My best friend sniffled over the phone. “Hello, Mabel. I-I know you're busy, but I need someone to talk to.”A bullet of panic rose in my throat.“Sure, bestie. I'm all ears.”There was a pause before she sniffled again. “Can you—can we sit out? Please?”“Of course. Name the venue and time.”“The Elysian Table. How about now?”I nodded. ”Alright. I'll be there in a moment.”She hung up, and I stared at my phone.What could be wrong?Did something between her and Kyu-hun? Or was this about me too?My thoughts spun in circles, so many questions and not a single answer in sight.Without wasting time, I grabbed my bag. I was about to head out of my office, only to remember my convoy didn't come with me to work today.Cursing under my breath, I returned to my desk and quickly texted the head of my security.‘I need my convoy. Now. At the office.’A ding notification signified that the message had been delivered. Then came a text notification. ‘On our way, ma'am.'I exhaled and sl
—Mabel—An ex calling late into the night was odd.What did she want?I grabbed the phone from the nightstand and sat up.My thumb hovered over the answer icon.Part of me wanted to pick up and find out why she was calling Alec, but that'd mean prying into his privacy.And I wasn't known for that.Besides, he'd affirmed his loyalty to me countless times, had proven more than once how he was committed to only me.I lowered the phone back on the nightstand and went to sleep.The next morning, Alec was still asleep when I stirred.Quietly, I slid out of bed, threw on one of his shirts and headed out of the room.I went to the kids with the intention of preparing them for school.But I walked into their room and saw them already dressed up.It turned out Alec had ordered two of his housekeepers to care for the children.One of the housekeepers was brushing Eloise's hair before the dresser.And the other was tying the boys' shoes laces.“Mommy!!” the children blurted as they saw me lingeri
—Mabel—The door clicked shut and was followed by the sound of running water.I hated how pictures of anything played in my head.Alec peeling his clothes, stepping under the shower and soaping his body. I pictured him running his hand through his wet hair as lather glided down his n,pples, hard stomach, lower to his—Mabel!My thighs throbbed with need, legs dangling off the edge of the dresser while I waited.I picked up the comb again and resumed combing my hair.Moments passed.The sound of running water stopped and was replaced by a thick silence.But he stayed in there longer than I expected.What was he doing?Just as I lowered the comb, the door opened and Alec stepped into the room.He’d changed into black silk pajama pants that hung low on his hips and revealed the sculpted ridges of his torso.Sweet mercy. I found myself drooling as I took in the bulge in-between his legs.He caught me looking and smirked.“You know—you only need to ask, baby, and it’s all yours.”I blushe
—Mabel—Heat pooled in my belly hearing him say that. Not even my n*pples were spared—they twitched taut inside my dress.“S-sure. We can,” I stuttered.Alec walked up to me and his cologne wrapped around me. He leaned closer until his breath fanned my ear.“Good. Now put it away in your box, will you?”I swallowed hard. My fingers trembled slightly as I collected the vibrator from him and tucked it away in the box.He offered his hand. “Shall we?”I took his hand and he led us out of the room.“Are we still going to Daddy’s house?” Eloise asked as we stepped into the hallway. Her brothers lingered behind her with curious eyes.I chuckled. “Of course, sweethearts. We aren't missing it for the world.”Fizzy barked in Nathaniel's arms.“Can Fizzy come with us?” Nathaniel asked.“That's for your Daddy to decide,” I answered.Alec smiled. “Of course he can. He’s part of the family too, isn’t he?”“Yayy!!” the children squealed and rushed out, to the terrace.We followed them closely and m