ALANNAI didn't want to go on the date, I know I said I wanted to move on from Nolan, but right now I had a thousand thoughts running through my mind.“Mummy, who is that man who came to the house?” the ever-inquisitive Lucy had asked, right when I was tucking them to sleep, the night before.I sighed, not sure what I was supposed to tell them, was I going to lie to my kids, I wasn't also ready to tell them the truth because that was something I couldn't explain to them.“He is just someone I work with,” I lied, praying to whatever deity I believe in that they do not press on with the question. “Lucy said you were crying after he left, did he hurt you mummy? I want to go beat him,” Lucas in his sensitive and overly protective childlike voice mutters with concern etched all over his face.“No, he did not, Lucy, what did I tell you about spying on mummy?”“Lucas also spied on you,” Lucy blurted out, I smiled. “Don't worry darling mummy can take care of herself,”Now here I was seated
ALANNAHow the hell did I get myself into this mess?"I said, stay out of it Brad," Nolan growled, his voice laced with a dangerous edge."Or what? Are you gonna psychoanalyze me again?" Brad scoffed, his face contorted in a sneer.This was bad. Really bad. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drum solo in my chest. I opened my mouth to intervene, but the words died in my throat before I could force them out.It all happened so fast. In a blink, Nolan's fist clenched tight and whipped through the air. The sickening crunch of bone on flesh echoed in the tense silence as his fist connected with Brad's jaw. Brad crumpled to the floor like a ragdoll, a choked cry escaping his lips.My breath hitched. "Nolan!" I screamed the words a panicked shriek.Ignoring me, Nolan loomed over Brad, his chest heaving. "Now, do I have your attention, Alanna?" he spat, his voice dripping with venom.Before I could reply, Brad surged to his feet, fuelled by rage. He swung wildly, his fist connecting
NOLANCan your whole life change in a second?Yes, it can.When you get your dream job, when you propose to your long-term girlfriend, when you quit that job or move to that new country, it can all change your life.But for me, it changed when I realized I was a father, not just a father to a child but to children.Alanna walks in, slamming the door to my face and I am not sure how I want to feel about what I had just found out, I am a dad.I have two lovely children who grew up not knowing I existed. My mind is a whirlwind of emotion, I didn't leave her house. I wanted to, I did, but I came back the next day. That was when I saw her, dressed all fancy and probably going out for a date. I didn't want to stalk her, I didn't mean to, but I couldn't help myself.“You always know how to keep a level head Nolan and act on logic,” this had been one testament I had constantly got about myself, my ability to think rationally and not act on impulse but, I was losing it. Alanna is driv
ALANNA. “I want a divorce, Nolan,” I finally uttered the words in my mind and his expression shifted from dark to perplexity in a few seconds. There was silence for a few seconds as he stared at me, trying to figure out if I was lying or playing around. I am not the girl who gets picked up in the club and ends up having a one-night stand with a random stranger. I don't find it appalling, I think of it as romantic, falling in love with a stranger with just a glance. I love the idea of love at first sight but I guess the jokes were on me since I'd never gotten to experience that. Well, I fell in love with my husband at first glance but he didn't with me. That is why when I glanced at Nolan, the man I call my husband, his dark gaze piercing through mine, I didn't see love in his eyes, instead, it was disgust and irritation. And I didn't want that anymore. I didn't want any of that again. Gathering all the courage I could muster, I sucked in a breath as I peered at him. “Are you cra
NOLAN. The car pulled to a stop in front of the luxurious hotel and suites where my fiancee was hosting her birthday party. Chloe, my fiance, loved to go all out for events and I was all for it. Although, I had disappointed her and told her that I wouldn't make it back in time for her birthday since I'd been out of town for a few days. “Welcome, sir.” The receptionist behind the counter got on her feet to bow to me and I rolled my eyes. Taking a glance at my phone, I exhaled. Time passed quickly and I was in a terrible mood. “I’m sure my assistant already made my reservation so skip the formalities and get to the point. I want the best room in this place with a magnificent view.” I told her and she started to type something into her laptop. She looked up and glanced at me, a frightened look on her face. “I’m sorry, sir but the best room with the beautiful view is booked already. Do you…” she tried to say before I interrupted her. “Are you denying my request?” I narrowed my eyes a
ALANNA.I stared at the two pink lines on the pregnancy test strip I had and purchased from the store myself. This was the fifth one I was trying on myself and the results were the same thing.I was pregnant.As in, I was going to be a mother.My back hit the wall as I struggled to hold back my sob. I couldn't be pregnant. I couldn't have a child in this condition. I was practically living like a slave in this house, married to this man I was secretly in love with and hoping that he would at least love me back. Even if it was for a day.Yes, I was that desperate to make him love me. To love me the way I loved him because all I'd ever gotten from him back in return for my love toward him was nothing but attitude and hatred. My husband hates me.I stared at the pink lines again and started crying even more. Abortion shouldn't even cross my mind. I could lose my life in the process and I wasn't about to put myself through that. But at the same time, having a baby in a house where no one
NOLAN.FIVE YEARS LATER.“Sir,” I glanced up from my laptop toward the door where my assistant, Linda, stood. She had her hands folded behind her while she stared at me quietly.“Get my car ready. I'm leaving.” I instructed her, ignoring the smile that immediately appeared on her face. I didn't blame her though. I had kept her working past her working hours and I understood that she was tired.The past few weeks have been very hectic for me and even more, the company. This huge deal we'd been chasing after for a year now finally fell through and we were celebrating it off with a grand red carpet dinner event tonight. LUCA EMPIRE was the perfect collaborator and partner for WESTBROOK Limited, the company I was currently heading.My father finally gave up the seat for me and stepped down for me to take control. I thought I would finally get my life the way I wanted it but it's never been more miserable. Probably because occasionally, I would wonder about the blonde-haired silver-eyed w
ALANNA"The CEO of LUCA EMPIRE ALANNA CLARKSON"Fuck! That introduction felt so good.I waited five fucking years to see the look on their face. Coming back after five years of being away from the monsters I called family and the man I used to love, the father of my kids. Nolan!He had not changed one bit. He still had the darkest blue eyes I had ever seen. "Alanna," someone called out, it was a voice I recognized all too well, the man who gave birth to me but also the man who called me a "Disgrace""Mr. Clarkson," I replied, no way I was going to give him the liberty of hearing me call him father again. His eyes darkened, and their eyes all did, Nolan stood close to Chloe but his hands were no longer on her waist, they were inside his pocket as he stood in total awe. Chloe looked petrified, mortified like she had just seen a ghost. In a way she just did. We all stood, I still had a subtle smile on, I was enjoying every bit of the moment. I had waited five excruciating long ye