The chef never disappointed, especially when he was told beforehand that there would be guests coming over.I had been raving about him to Kiara for months, so when the food was brought out she happily took a bite of the green mush, even if it did not look super appetizing. Elijah poked at it for a bit longer, until he saw Kiara’s eyes light up. He then also tried it and for the next five minutes, neither of them really gave any long answers.“I think we have unsuccessfully tried to keep business and our friendship separated.” I finally broke the silence. “So, knowing that, was it a mutually beneficial talk?” Elijah had taken a page from Robert’s book, so when they came back down I could not read from either of their faces whether or not they hated each other or were beginning to at least form a friendship. Kiara and Elijah were seated in front of us and Robert was to my right. Yet, Elijah was too busy with his food, so Robert answ

I smiled when the car pulled up on the driveway. I always loved it when they used the one that did not have the windows tinted, because I could see the driver’s worried face when Clara practically pressed her entire face against the glass. She was making funny faces all the way until they finally stopped at the stairs. I opened the door for her. “When will you ever learn to be a respectable lady?” I sighed dramatically. Clara jumped out of the car, leaving behind her Totally Spies backpack, and hugged me tightly. She then started her rant on everything that happened on her last day of school before the summer break, while I grabbed her bag and both thanked the driver and apologized to him. “No need, Miss Adler.” The driver said to me with a smile. “She is my favourite to pick up.”

We quietly walked down the hallway, but eventually the shouting became more distinct and I no longer feared that it was a home invasion, though this was not much worse.“It will be okay.” I told Clara, who was shaking in fear. That girl had been through too many traumatic events already, I was not going to let this become one.I internally cursed myself for leaving my phone in the dining room. I needed to call Robert, though his security definitely will as well. Eventually, Clara and I walked down the staircase to the main hall and I spotted a familiar face.“This is harassment at this point.” I said to him, but for once it was not met with a snarky comment or a smile.  “We are operating well within the law, Miss Ad

Robert POVThe examination room was more spacious than I had expected it to be. It clearly was designed for a pregnant mother who needed to bring her child along, as it featured both a bed with stirrups and a small play area for the child. The doctor’s chair was now occupied by a woman with light blonde hair and a windbreaker jacket that read ‘Child Services’, while Clara was in the play area, but touching nothing. Her head snapped to the door when I walked in. Her big eyes welled up with tears and she got up from the floor. She didn’t dare run to me, as she would run to Dalia. Instead, she hesitated, waiting for me to make the first move. I got down on my knees and opened my arms for her. She realized it was okay and ran to me. She was clearly in hysterics, her eyes were red from crying and rubbing her eyes so often and her hair was half in a ponytail, half like she had been in a tropical hurricane. She only cried more when she hugged me. I

I stared up at the grey ceiling.  And then I stared some more.  The pain was pounding through my body and it felt like it had been months since I had last been able to rest comfortably. Any movement made it worse, laying still did nothing to fix it. I just wanted it all to be over already, nothing could cheer me up anymore.  Robert placed a kiss on my lips, but I wanted to slap him. It was his fault I was in this position anyway. If he hadn’t wanted a baby, then I wouldn’t be pregnant, then I wouldn’t be in this much pain. It was all his fault, not mine.  “Doctor Ward is coming this afternoon.” Robert said when I didn’t respond much to his kiss. It had been a few days since Mr Price’s visit and Mahlia had confirmed that the FBI case against Robert