The day of the party was over by the time the clock struck twelve. Everyone is cleaning up except for the pregnant birthday girl.Effie is on the couch with her feet on Logan's lap, giving her a foot massage. The kids are on the floor opening Zara's presents. Effie has gifts, too, but she will wait to open them. With the money I earned from the bar and the monthly paychecks, I received every two weeks working at Jack's Diner. I was shocked he gave me a bonus because of the baby. I bought Effie home studio equipment that she can use to record her songs and music. I wasn't going to tell her until she opened it. I can't wait to see her face and will predict the tears because of the hormones.Thea is with Jacob breastfeeding, and Lily is with Ramsey in the room.At the last minute, Effie, before the party, wanted Lily to be included in the birthday bash. But Lily and Liam have plans tomorrow and asked me to watch Rama. Everyone knows what will happen during their date, and Lily kept blush

I brush Leo's hair as he and Chris sleep soundly together. I'm getting used to Chris sleeping over ever since he found out his mom got a new boyfriend who isn't his dad. But once he went back home and had a talk with his mom then came back he seemed perfectly fine. When Jack dropped him off, Chris said his goodbye, but there wasn't an acceptance on his face.He is still not used to Jack dating his mom.I should have ordered a bunkbed in case of this. Becomes a permanent thing with Chris. I don't mind as long Leo is happy to have a friend. My son would love to have Chris over for sleepovers more often. After Eddie's surprise gift, I couldn't handle it and went straight to Leo's room for comfort and ease. My heart couldn't take the fact that Eddie knew where I lived. Eddie has money, and I'm sure he hired someone to find me. He never really cared about my family. I rarely talked about my other family here in California but never where. Eddie doesn't want to be concern about that. Edd

I pat my cheeks after a refreshing cleanse on my face. I rub the moisturizer and pause when I hear a noise hoping it is Don opening the door. I sign. Don left a few days ago to meet with his special ops friends. They have something important business about Eddie. Before coming here, the kids and I had to change our names to hide. The boys still asked us about this so-called vacation, and Don and I were running out of excuses. Don wasn't supposed to leave us, but something came up. At least the house has heavy security to keep us and others out. But I want Don here. I need to tell him. I feel so much pressure for not telling Don about his child. I hear the noise again and wonder if Don or one of the boys has snuck their way to the kitchen again for a midnight snack. I grab my robe and head out of the room. I lead down the dark path of the hallway and turn on the light in the kitchen. "Leo?" I call out. "Chris? Are you boys here again?" There was no answer. I walked around the i

Every time the door opens, Eddie and the hitman, as I learn his name is Solomon, would come and interrogate me, and I always give him the same answer. With that answer, I get tortured for the wrong answer.Luckily, it didn't harm the baby. Behind Eddie's back, Solomon would give me something to eat, like fruit, a sandwich, or another candy bar to keep my strength up, but a snack wasn't enough. Sometimes he would leave a water bottle, and I would preserve it. He also gave me a battery camping lamp to make this damp slightly brighter.But it sucks I have to pee every hour. Eddie had one of his goons place a bucket in the corner.There are no windows, so I wonder if it's day or night. I guess the stories about Effie and Lily being kidnapped also happen to me.Why do the pretty ones always get kidnapped?I caress my stomach and hurry back to lean against the wall. I close my eyes and hum a lullaby tone like when Leo was in my belly.My energy decreases every minute, and I'm worried about

"Hello?" I make out a cough as my eyes wander around in complete darkness. "Eddie? Solomon? Anyone?"My voice echoes as I reach to feel anything that tells me where the hidden door is, but all I can think of is a stone-cold wall."Solomon?" I called out again, and after I did, my footstep on a stone that suddenly lit torches all around me and a hallway.I call out Solomon's name because calling Eddie is a no-no.I took a step forward again until my foot hit something.I look down and see a skeleton on the ground. I scream at the top of my lungs, backing away as I trip and fall on my ass to something complex. I turn my head and see more skeletons on the ground piled. I panic and move away quickly, taking a breather and calming my beating heart."This place is more of a graveyard than a burial for a princess." I pat my chest where my heart lies as I calm.Remembering my hands are tied, I look around for anything sharp. Found a dagger with a chipped tip. I started to see the binding as m