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A Touch of Madness 30
"Study well, Ace. Daddy will pick you up later." Sebastian said to Ace when we were in front of his school.I was beside him, kissing Ace gently on the cheek before standing up and running a hand through his hair. He looked up at his father. "Really? Are we going to the playground?" I shook my head. "No, you're not. You've been playing too much." Ace's face immediately pouted while Sebastian laughed amusedly. "Daddy's taking you somewhere." "Where?" Sebastian squatted in front of Ace and whispered in his ear. I frowned at both of them and shook my head. Ace nodded quickly and put his index finger before his lips while Sebastian laughed. "Where are you guys going?" I asked them. "Confidential." I snorted and asked again, "Mommy not invited?" "No, Mommy can't come." Ace shook his head, then kissed the cheek of his father, who was still squatting in front of him. He waved goodbye to both of us before going inside. "I'm going to school first. Bye-bye Daddy Mommy." He said cheerfu
A Touch of Madness 31
I brooded in my office for as long as possible, with everything surrounding my head like flies surrounding rotten meat. I contemplated everything. About a lot of things. About the future, how I'd be when this damn deal stopped, about what would happen if I followed Killian, Ace's future, and how I'd end up in old age. That uneasiness and insecurity always haunted me, and I always dragged on in that fear—the same dark lake that could drown me and bring me to its faint end. Later, I tried to occupy myself with organizing and planning what I would do. There are new breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu recipes, new coffee variant recipes, and some new snacks. My family is Italian, and we have a fondness for cooking our own specialities or legends, so I wrote down some simple menus on my laptop and then searched the internet for foodstuffs to keep myself busy. It almost worked before the arrival of Owen and Belle, which ignited my emotions. I looked at Belle, who was looking at me like she
A Touch of Madness 32
I can't remember the last time I was given a festive birthday greeting. It was probably when I was seven years old, and then there were just the usual greetings without a surprise party. Today was the first time in my adult life, and it really surprised me. I often forget my birthday, but this time, I really forgot because I was too wrapped up in what was going on in my life, which was definitely more important than my birthday. I didn't even realize that it was already mid July when my birthday happened. The few people close to me are here: my parents, Kate, Owen, Beau, my café staff, and, of course, Ace and Sebastian. No Killian here, no need to be surprised. Sebastian couldn't have brought him. "This is really too much," I sigh softly. Kate chuckles as I hug her. "It's not. You've never celebrated your birthday. Celebrating once in a while is no big deal." "Thank you so much." "Thank your ex-husband, he organized everything." She replied with an amused giggle. I hugged each
A Touch of Madness 33
I woke up to the sound of curtains being drawn and sunlight hitting my closed eyes. I blink and stare at Sebastian's silhouette with his back to the sun, a black t-shirt hugging his sexy, athletic upper body, and his legs hugged by gym pants. I winced, moaning softly and moving my naked body under the covers, but the pain instantly shot through every bone in my body. The bed moved as he sat on the side of the bed, right next to me. His hand in my hair tempted me to sleep again. "Continue your sleep," "You just finished working out?" I asked hoarsely, my throat a little dry and sore. He mumbled, agreeing. I immediately glared. "Ace..." "It's already nine o'clock, Sweetheart." He said. "He left two hours ago." "Oh my god." I groaned, looking at him in annoyance. "Why didn't you wake me up?" "You were tired from our activities last night," I glared at him. He chuckled and continued. "And you were so sound, I didn't have the heart to wake you up. You don't have to worry. I prepared
A Touch of Madness 34
The sound of enthusiastic shouting from downstairs startled me. It was Ace's voice, and he was downstairs. The library doors were still open, and if I didn't get out of here fast enough, Sebastian would be here. With trembling hands, I had to recover from my shock and put the document book back into place. Whatever questions came to my mind, I pushed them down. I didn't want my curiosity to show on my face. Sebastian could be suspicious. He was such a meticulous and accurate observer that he could instantly know the contents of my head if I was like an open book in front of him. I rubbed my face roughly before going out and putting on my most polite face. I was half-dead, but I kept myself calm even though I had just read my friend's name in Sebastian's casualty book. I closed the library door and descended the circular staircase to the main floor. I painted a big smile when I found them in the kitchen. Ace was sitting on the counter enjoying the sponge cake I had made earlier, and
A Touch of Madness 35
"Is something wrong?" the question made me turn to Sebastian who was sitting behind the wheel. I looked at him with a frown. "Nothing. Why?" He looked at me with narrowed eyes and shook his head slowly. "You just look a little different from last night. You look like you're deep in your own thoughts." I opened my mouth, and was slightly dumbfounded by him watching me since yesterday. Did I look so obvious in his eyes? "I'm fine," I retorted. The deepening frown on his forehead and his eyes narrowing at me made me realize that he didn't accept that excuse. "Do you want something else for your birthday? Or do you want a big party? Or do you want another present from me?" he asked persistently. I gave him an annoyed glance. "I don't want any of that, Sebastian," I press him. "So what's wrong with you?" "I said I'm fine," I bit out. "That's what all women say when they're clearly not fine. It's a ticking time bomb." I snorted as I rolled my eyes. "Well, maybe you don't need to kn
A Touch of Madness 36
I visited my family's house—my home, my real home—after picking up Ace with the driver Sebastian had sent. Sebastian had an important meeting today, so he couldn't pick Ace up. He wanted us to come to his office and eat lunch together, but I refused. I had my own business to attend to, and I didn't wish to have twenty-four hours of interaction with him either. "Grandmaaa," Ace exclaimed enthusiastically as he got out of the car and saw my mother in our small chili plant garden. My mom, who had been looking down, immediately stood up, and her face widened with surprise and delight when she saw Ace. After thanking driver Sebastian, I carried his schoolbag and my own bag out of the car. "Hey, my dear." Mom hugged him immediately after taking off her gloves and planted small kisses on his cheeks. "Why didn't you say you were coming here?" she asked the two of us. "Just randomly." I hugged Mommy briefly. "How are you, Babby boo?" She asked Ace. Ace nodded with an adorable face. "I'm
A Touch of Madness 37
My heart felt like it was about to jump out. Trembling took over my entire body with a terrible tremor. My legs were still frozen, preventing me from moving as I felt his closer presence. The darkness placed its claws on my back, pawing at my skin with a horrible imaginary rough touch. His presence was darkness itself, and I could do nothing but surrender to it. I swallowed heavily, breathing heavily when his exhale was felt on my head. "What exactly are you looking for, Isabella?" he asked in a cold, heavy, terrifying voice. I opened my mouth, trying to get my voice out despite the cold jolt coursing through my blood. "I'm not looking for anything," I replied softly. "I didn't mean to. I really just wanted to see your library." The lie flowed smoothly from my mouth. "I accidentally found this when I wanted to touch this strange painting." He sneered at me, and then chuckled coldly. "You think I believe you?" he asked sarcastically. "You called me, pretended to look out for me
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