LOGINChapter 12 - Broken GlassThe ballroom of the Davenport townhouse glittered like a jewel box gold-veined marble floors, crystal chandeliers dripping light, walls custom painted with gold plated paint and oil paintings worth more than Antonella’s childhood bedroom. Manhattan’s elite filled the room in tailored suits and couture gowns, laughter chiming like expensive glassware. It’s still surprising how easy it is for the elite for have custom gowns made for them for these events even if they’re short notice and unexpected.Antonella Cross rested her hand lightly on her husband’s arm.Allister didn’t look at her. He never did. She didn’t even feel bad anymore. She was too tired to even care right now. She’d been working all week and just wanted to rest in her tub, her body needed a rest to recover from all the stress she’s put her body through. So she ignored Allister’s body rejecting the slightest touch from her.His jaw was tight, his posture rigid, as though he were enduring somethin
Elena MorettiPOVThe chandelier above the Davenport dining room glittered like a thousand watchful eyes. It felt uncomfortable, then again nothing felt comfortable anymore. I felt like the eyes were getting too much for me over the last couple of months, with papa’s temper getting the better of him more and more often.I was just tired of it all.I watched in half awe as the chandelier’s crystals caught the golden light and scattered it across the table, illuminating the long stretch of silverware polished to perfection. Everything about tonight felt too pristine, too staged, as though we were guests in a museum rather than at a dinner. Then again when the elite gathered it was always to show off their wealth. My father’s inner circle.I sat across from Damien Davenport, heir to Davenport International, the man tabloids loved to call New York’s Golden Prince. In person, he was sharper, harder than the photographs ever conveyed. He didn’t smile, not even out of politeness. His jaw was
Chapter 10 - Allister CrossPOVAs soon as we’re out of the room, Dean grabs his wife and hugs her. I could see she’s been crying. The way these two crowd Antonella, one would think I was the fucking devil. I just don’t get it.Not any of it. Dean’s hostility, the way Antonella is on a first name basis with her doctor. None of it makes sense to me.Why the hell was she so chumy with the man treating her?“Some going to tell me what the fuck is going on?” I ask finally, I couldn’t hold it in anymore.I stare at the two of them. Lucinda looks at me, she opens her mouth but her husband stops her. “He doesn’t deserve jack shit and you know Antonella Lu...” he pulls her back into his arms turning her back toward me.You know I’ve just about had it with Dean. The man just works on my fucking last nerve. “What the fuck is stuck up your ass. You act as if I’m in the wrong here. But need I remind you I was forced into this situation by your partner. Her family forced me to break up with...” I
Chapter 9 - Antonella Ricci - CrossPOVWhen I woke up, I heard Lu and Dean speaking. I knew I was in the hospital. I could smell it and hear the beeping beside me. I run my fingers down the sheets.I knew this would happen. I have been overworking myself. I was exhausted and still overworked. Problem after problem kept popping up.I knew I’d have to slow down. If I wanted to make it to my daughter’s birthday I needed to slow down. But there’s so much that need to get done. There’s so much I need to do for Leah before I go.“She needs to stop...” Lu says softly.“I know she does, but she won’t listen to me. She keeps putting herself in danger. She keeps doing these runs and keeps over working herself. She’s running herself into her grave.” Dean says."Maybe we should tell Allister? Maybe he can get her to take the treatment..." Lu suggests“That’s not going to work the bastard would celebrate her death. The man hates her with a passion.” Dean scoffs.I let out a sigh. I didn’t need a
Chapter 8 - Soon you’ll get betterAllister CrossPOVRING RING RINGThe sound of my phone ringing wakes me from my sleep. My head pounding. I feel like a truck had run over my head at least ten thousand times.Bloody hell did I drink too much last night? Did I drink last night?Too lazy to get up, while laying on my stomach I reach for my phone on my bedside table. I answer the call without looking who it is.“What?” I bark. Who had the nerve to call me this early in the morning? It was morning right? I didn’t even care to open my eyes.“Sir we’ve got a problem...” My assistant says.I sit up “What? What’s going on? Has a deal fallen through?” I ask confused.I look around the room and see my daughter asleep beside me... When did Leah sneak in here? I sigh standing up from the bed. I walk out of my room and close the door so she could sleep on.“Sir Mrs. Cross is the hospital. Someone got pictures of her being escorted out of a hotel by paramedics yesterday afternoon its all over t
Chapter 7 - RockabyeI bite my lip. Do I wonder where my life would have been if I hadn’t married Antonella? Of course I do. Do I wonder if Larce and I would have gotten married? No.If you had asked me a month ago, I’d tell you sure. But after spending the last week with my daughter, imagining a life without her in it is a life I don’t want. Aliyah means the word to me. Everything in my life is for her. Staying with Antonella is for her, being nice to her mother is for her. Antonella and I may never love each other, I may even hate her, but one thing we share in common is that we both love Aliyah more than anything.“No, I don’t. I don’t want to imagine I life without my daughter and wife in it… Larce…” I sigh. “I am sorry for the way things ended between us, but Aliyah is my whole world. My daughter would not be here if it wasn’t for Antonella and I marrying…” I tell her.Tears in her eyes Larce looks at me before shaking her head. “I always thought you were forced to marry her. Tha







