Two weeks after the proposal. Things were still far from being easy at home between Nickolas and Grace. Now sitting by herself in a small cafe outside the gallery, Grace forced herself to go over her relationship with Nickolas. This was the first time she had left the house after Niell came home. James had been glad to babysit for her while she ran some errands. Now she felt like she was in a good position to evaluate her status and if this was the kind of life she wanted to live for the rest of her life. Always wondering who would betray them next. These thoughts hadn't vanished since the night Niell came home. Even as she went about her mommy duties around the mansion, fuelled on ecstasy and pastry, thanks to James she wouldn't be fitting onto her clothes soon. Susan's betrayal kept on nagging at her,she wondered why and Nickolas's refusal to discuss the matter with her only drove the gap between them even wider.Suddenly a picture of Rose popped into her mind, she pictured the

On their second morning in Culmore, Rose planned to take Niell out with her to meet some friends."I have a whole day of fun and activity planned for us today.""That is very lovely Rose, but don't you think the wind might be too harsh for him?""You cannot hide behind this baby, it's obvious that you and Mr. Meyer need time alone, to sort out your differences." Grace signed and took a chair from one of the stools in the kitchen. "It's not like we always fighting, just recently I've been doing a lot of thinking.""Once a woman starts using that word, trouble is not far off, so is the other girl still giving you trouble.""No. It's more than that.""Oh?" she pulled at her big ear."Even before Niell was found, I've been questioning us." Rose glared at her to go on. "I'm not sure this is the life I want to live for the rest of my life. Niell's disappearance opened my eyes. Nickolas is rich…""We all know that." Rose cut in."But with his status comes also the potential danger of harm,

The black Cadillac sped into the meter mansion grounds. Nickolas was in a foul mood. He kept on hitting the steering wheel "Damn it! Damn, it!" what had he done just now?He needed to get his emotions in control before Grace and Niell arrived in the afternoon. God. He hoped he would be able to stay away from Amelia and her seductive charms or his marriage was doomed. He strode into the mansion. His shoes clicked against the marble floor. "You came back early from your honeymoon, everything okay?" James said casually from the living room. Nickolas turned to face him. "I did not see you there James." He took a deep breath. "Are we alone?"He looked like a man haunted. James looked around too, puzzled by his question. "As far as I know we are. All the servants are gone for the day, I didn't know you were coming back so soon." he gestured with his hand. "I would have had something prepared for you.""No need, I arrived this morning. I have arranged for Grace and Niell to come this

The drink hit the back of his throat and left a burning sensation. If anyone had told him the truth as it is, he would have emptied his gun on their head. But this was James, the steadfast James he had depended on for years to keep the ship running. And the ship had run smoothly without any problems until now.That same James had been in love with him. 'surely you must have seen the signs..' what signs could he have been referring to? But come to think of it, James never brought in any female companion he didn't have any that Nickolas knew of.He realized a glass would not be enough to help him digest the contents of the letter, he took out a new bottle from the liquor cabinet, folded the papers, and went outside. He needed to be alone, next to the pond.The sun was high up, if he got drunk enough soon he would be swimming in the pond. He took a deep breath and opened the papers.'...Even though I knew you didn't see me in a different light, I always hoped that one day you will. As so

Amelia looked at her swollen feet inside flats she never thought she could be found dead in. But they were comfortable and fashion was the last thing on her mind. She was eight months pregnant. She had gained so much weight that she didn't feel comfortable in anything else but the maternity dresses that made her look like a walking tent. She pulled out from her purse the business card she got from her doctor. He was out of the country and had recommended someone in his place, she needed to confirm if today was her appointment. Another thing that had come with pregnancy was that she constantly forgot about things. If it hadn't been for the kind housekeeper and her husband who came with the place, she could have pulled her hair out a long time ago. Nickolas has set her up in a lavish house complete with a housekeeper whose sole purpose was to get her off her feet."There's a gentleman here to see you, ma'am." Abigail, the housekeeper, informed interrupted her. She was holding flowers