AUBREYMy ass was still on fire the next morning, and I did not think it was getting better anytime soon. I had rubbed some ointment on it before stepping out of my room, worried about the fact that today was Saturday, and so Purity would not be going to school. She was very observant, and would notice my discomfort fast. I tried to stop thinking about it, going to make myself the regular coffee I took instead. I stopped by the foot of the stairs, almost running back to the room when I saw them huddled together on the couch. Purity looked like she was listening so attentively to her dad, and then when I tried to turn to bolt away from the scene, I heard her call out,"Mommy?"I balled my palms into fists and cussed quietly before turning around, making sure to avoid his gaze by all means."Yes baby… Having fun?" I asked her and she nodded with glee, then continued,"Come sit with us, mommy, I was telling daddy about the new girl in my school." I was not looking at Cole, but I could

AUBREYCole texted to tell me that I should not wait up for him, but that he would still be returning home tonight. Did it make me delusional that I waited still? I put my daughter to sleep after she had attempted to wait with me, and I sat by the window sill in his room, waiting for his return. I dozed off a couple of times but still jerked awake after sometime. I cooked his favorite meal and I told myself that I was still awake because Sofia was feeling a bit sick and I had to put his food in the microwave and serve it to him once he was back.Speaking of Sofia, after returning from the mall, she had come in to take permission for a leave which she would be taking soon but then she had seen the most traumatizing thing out of everything she had probably been exposed to all her life.In her words though, "I knew that something was going on. I am not blind, of course I noticed the change and the tension between you both. However, watching the passion in real life swept me off my feet.

COLE".. the last meeting for the day is cancelled, boss, which means that you are free from 2pm. Why am I shaking from the news?" Ray asked, unable to stop shifting from one leg to the other in excitement. I did not blame him, these days we worked way too hard for no reason.I wished I could be the Boss who just felt better working from home, but right from time, I enjoyed going out to work. However, these days I had began to consider working from home, I had began to consider it so much that it was scary."Thank you for the info, Ray, you are dismissed for now." I waved him off with a hand and he simply did his curtsy thing, and walked out.I leaned back against my office chair, my mind drifting to the picnic we had some days ago. She called it a date, accused me of trying to play it down. She reminded me that it was not part of the agreement and I told her I planned to go against our agreement even more than I already had.I proceeded to ask about her favorite meals, music and all

COLEThe water was warm enough for her after some time, and I walked back into the room to see her just as I left her, covered up by my duvet, her eyes closed, but I knew she was not sleeping, just really tired.Sofia had returned two days ago, and I asked her to prepare dinner, and to make most of Aubrey's best meals. I had to take her mind off Purity for even a second. Purity would be fine, I assured mostly myself now.She had to be, if not, the school would face more than clearing up a large scandal… Another large scandal would take place. Starting to get annoyed by the thought, I walked further into my room and effortlessly picked her up from the bed, trying not to groan as she pressed her face into my chest like she had grown accustomed to doing now.When it was time to strip her, I made her sit on a small counter in the bathroom and I started to peel the top off her, followed by the pants. Soon, she was left with her underwear which I took off her one after the other, too.Her

COLEThree days later, and we were all walking out of the hospital. At this point, Aubrey was consciously avoiding me. She would not even eat, until I was out of the room. She stayed behind when I talked to Purity, too, an action that made me burn with rage every time she did it."Take the front seat with your daddy, Riri, I'll stay at the back." She hurriedly said as Purity tried to go and sit behind.Happily, Purity skipped to the front, and when she looked at me in the driver's seat, I flashed her a small smile too, starting the engine at once.We got to the house in minutes, and she rushed down, then rushed to take Purity's hand and lead her inside as well. I said nothing, just walked behind them with gritted teeth.She took Purity upstairs, to their room, and I sat on one of the couches in the living room, racking my brain on what decision to take.I had confronted Laila, and she had called Dante right away, to tell him that I had smashed the windscreen of her car for daring to t