All Chapters of My Rise From The Ashes After Divorce: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

I woke up early with the sun and kept cleaning the house, especially one of the bedrooms. I needed a bed to sleep in so I could get some proper rest. I washed the bed sheets, those thick blankets, and the few towels I found in ice-cold water by hand. I began sneezing, then sweating, going from being extremely hot to cold. But I kept moving, trying to get the things I needed clean and dry with the morning sun. I had never worked so hard in my life, with very little food because I had to make it stretch. Though I now had all this money in my possession, I was afraid to spend it; my common sense told me to use some caution. After all, I’m finding out how volatile my husband can be, along with being unstable.My phone rang several times, but I couldn’t answer it. But I took a break later that afternoon and prepared myself some tea, and within seconds, my phone rang again."Why are you avoiding talking to me?”“Blake, why do you keep calling me? Aren’t you in Hawaii with Claire?”“None of y

A few days later, I woke up in the middle of the night, and my fever had finally broken. When I opened my eyes and saw him, I immediately became frightened! And in an instant, my fear turned into anger. What is he doing here? Why won’t he stop harassing me? It’s over! Why is he here? Did he come to try to force me to be with him? I will never be his slave! Besides, isn’t he supposed to be having an affair on his so-called business trip?' I quickly grabbed my robe and threw it on, once I discovered I was nude. Did he see me this way? I hate to admit it, but I know he saw everything, well, this wouldn’t be the first time. Oh God, when I tried to get out of bed and go into the bathroom, I felt so weak that I stumbled when my feet touched the floor. He heard me and began to stir awake with a concerned look on his face, which I thought was strange.‘I’m so angry at him for showing up! He must go, or better yet, I’ll start packing now because I will go! Who does he think he is, barging in on

Time seemed to stand still while we were in each other’s presence. But things begin to change after spending all this time alone with Treasure. There wasn’t his brother or dad or the sanctity of marriage in his path. Jake saw her at her weakest, most vulnerable moments. He watched her, touched her delicate nude flesh, and had to fight back his own urges to make love to this beautiful creature. He even prayed, something he’d never done, hoping her health would improve. After all of that, he no longer could see her as his sister-in-law, but he saw her as a woman that he didn’t just want but could fall deeply in love with.Somewhere inside me, I wished she could remain just my sister-in-law. I wouldn't have to face my brother and father. I was happy for her to be able to get back to the life she had before meeting my cruel brother.Treasure was still weak, and right now, she still needed me, and that made me happy each morning when I woke up. I get to assist her with almost everything whe

A knock came on her door."Come in.""Good morning, Treasure," Jake says, standing in the open door."Good morning. Did you sleep well?" She asks, refusing to look up at him."Yes, thank you. The bed was very comfortable."Her eyes met him. "I'm going to just cut to the chase. About last night," Treasure began speaking. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to impose myself or my feelings on you. I was a little confused, and I didn't mean to take advantage of you while you were sleeping. I promise it want happen again.""No, I think you're beautiful and I understand." He said convincingly."But? I know, being a Crenshaw, you probably have women come on to you all the time."Jake blushes. "I wouldn't know anything about that. When I'm at work, it requires my focus, but..."Before he could finish his sentence, she waved her hand in the air in a dismissing fashion, "It's alright, misunderstandings happen, and last night was one of them. It's not like we're children. We are two adults here; it's no bi

Treasure pondered briefly over his question. She never thought a man who looked exactly like her ex would make her heart knock violently against her ribcage, the way Jake did. Surely, she hated the sight of Blake. But as she watched his lean, tall frame glide toward her with an unexpected swagger, she hadn't noticed that Jake possessed. Before Treasure knew it, he was standing only inches from her face."Jake, this would never work between us. You are Blake’s brother, and I'm sorry, I can't be in that house and a part of your family ever again. So, you see, it just wouldn't work out. Besides, go back to being a platinum blonde, it's more appealing to you," she teased him."But you kissed me...so was it your intent to have a one-night stand with me and that's it?""No, no way. I want much more than that. Not some short rendezvous or one-night stand. But what I want, I don't know if I could ever have that with you. And I don't have time for another broken heart right now, after all your