(Aya’s POV)At home, Red’s walk-in closet was three times my apartment. I pouted my lips for a second, sighed, and clucked my tongue as I opened my closet, realizing this was all my clothes. After Red left yesterday, I decided to stay for the night, giving dad my excuse that I could not sleep in the bedroom without my husband at home.I thought he would give me his long lecture about staying in my husband’s place, but he was thrilled by the news. Addie, Leslie, and my kids were ecstatic about my decision; the nannies were happier, giving them a day off, but not our bodyguards, who stayed in the car despite my father’s invitation to sleep in the living room. My boys slept in dad’s bed; Violet stayed with me in my old room, while Sapphire and Katie slept in Addie’s apartment.Sighing, I blinked at my clothes, hanging peacefully on the garment rod. After hearing from Deidre that the elegant gown Rina had given was her choice, I made a decision not to wear it. I knew my cousin and her par
(Aya’s POV) Deidre was a plague that had poisoned my sanity. After reading her post on her social media page, I have been post-stalking her, and her picture with Red at one of the dinner parties they attended made my nights sleepless. The other day, I told Dante I would be in the library and asked him to pick me up at eight in the evening, but as soon as I entered the building, I escaped from him and my bodyguard, exiting through the backdoor of the college building. I went to The Pacific to see if anyone would recognize me, and it hurt to know that Deidre was right. The security was tight, and I almost did not reach the front desk to ask for Red’s office. The two receptionists were stricter than the security guard, asking me for IDs, pertinent papers, or some sort of invitation before calling the person I needed to talk to. I could ask for Mike or Leslie, but I had already drowned myself in sadness, walking out of the building crying like a lost child in the taxi going home, forgett
(Aya’s POV)I was mainly staring blankly out the window on my way to my mother, and while in the taxi, I was out of reach, not bothering to turn on my cell phone even when I reached the cemetery. This was my first time going here alone as I was always afraid the dead would rise from their grave like in the horror movies, but I had no one to talk to except my mother.After paying the taxi driver, I hiked the long pathway to find my mother’s grave. When she died, Aunt Mae insisted my mother’s remains join their parents in the same lot instead of placing her in a public cemetery. This was more like a hike in a big park, but still and quiet. “Hi, mom!” I sat crossed-legged on the grass in front of the gravestone. “Miss me, Grandma? How are you doing, Grandpa?” I sighed and looked heavenward. “I... Mom, I know we’re not as close as you were to Myra, but I really wanted someone to talk to.”I covered my face with my palms as I sobbed. I was closer to my father but would not dare break his
(Aya’s POV)“Are you out of your mind, Aya? Why did you just leave like that without anyone knowing where you went?” Dad sniffled, hugging me. “What if something happened to you?”“I’m sorry, Daddy,” I murmured. “I’m sorry,” I mouthed at Dante, looking relieved to see me.“Was this about the interview?” My father asked, easing back and cupping my face. “I’m... I’m sure Red has an explanation about it.”“You saw it?” I asked, pursing my lips to avoid saying more.He scoffed. “It’s all over the news, and it spread like wildfire, but Aya, why don’t you talk to your husband about Deidre? I’m not saying I’m not disappointed with him, but he must have a reason for staying quiet, not answering their question.”“Then, he should not have kissed her back,” I gritted my teeth and hissed angrily, remembering how they kissed in front of the camera.My father raised his hands. “Talk to Red. That’s all I can say. Because even I got angry when I saw them kissing. But now... let me get you home so you
(Aya’s POV)“I... I never got my chance, Aya,” Red walked closer to me, but I raised my hand, facing my palm to stop him from coming to me.My nostrils flared in anger. “You made me believe it’s over between you and her.”“I meant to talk to her tonight, but Ariana called and told me they can’t find you,” he growled. “You expect me to just sit down and break up with her when my wife is missing?”“Now it’s my fault? I have seen your interview, Red. My face and Katie’s were all over the news, and what you damn care about is you don’t talk about your private life?” I was furious that I could not hold my tears.“What do you want me to do? Tell the whole world about you?” His eyebrows knitted, looking at me in dismay.“If you love me, Red, you should have told the whole world you’re married! As to whom, it didn’t matter!” I yelled furiously at him, clutching my shirt as I thought my heart would explode any moment.“And what? If I had answered their questions about my life, would they stop?
(Aya’s POV)“Red, let’s stop all this before we start hurting the kids,” I muttered after brushing my teeth.With the toothbrush still in my hand, I grabbed his hands and escaped from his embrace, almost dashing to the bedroom to get my bag.“Aya, you can’t do this,” he groaned as he followed me.“But you can?” I breathed out and gave him a sullen look. I smirked, shaking my head as I took off my wedding ring, placing it on the bed. “You... you... you’re suffering because I said yes to you. I should not have complicated your life and stopped you from proposing to Deidre.”I swallowed hard, hating that my tummy was bothering me and my head was throbbing in pain. I took my phone, the cards and cash from my wallet, placing them beside the ring.“You’re the one suffering because I begged you to marry me. You did not complicate my life, Aya. You made me feel alive again,” he clenched his teeth, suppressing a cry. “It’s my fau -”I raised my hand, stopping him from talking and closing my ey
(Aya’s POV)The entire drive going back to my apartment was tormenting. Only one car followed us, just Vin’s. It was like I was being stripped from my privileges, losing the man who would follow me discreetly, although I could still see him around. Or maybe he lost his job because of me.I was expecting Red to say something… anything... but when he parked the car in front of Addie’s apartment, he kept his lips pressed together. I tilted my head and looked at my apartment’s porch. Without my father at home, it was quiet and dark. I unfastened my seatbelt and got off the car without saying goodbye to him. Dante usually waited for my father or me to enter the door before driving away, but Red left as soon as I got out of the car. I waited until they were out of my sight and walked toward my apartment with my palm rubbing my growling tummy. I knew Addie and Leslie were still awake, but knocking on their door would mean explaining to my cousin what had happened today.I walked past thei
(Red’s POV)“You’re not just my happy meal, Red. You are my life. You are my happiness.” Her lips curved into a sad smile as she sighed. “This is nuts! I’m not asking you to feel the same, but I think it’s unfair.”She raised her hand, and her index finger poked my chest.“I don’t want to be selfish, but that heart... and you...” she chuckled bitterly, shaking her head. “You’re always entangled with someone. I’m not sure why I had to compete with the dead and one living, but completely insane about you.”“There’s no competition here.” I pulled Aya and wrapped my arms around her body. “You and the kids are my everything, Aya. I love you,” I whispered, kissing her head. “If you did not come into my life, I would not have moved on. But I hope you understand... You just can’t ask me to forget Scarlett.”“I’m not asking you to do that, Red,” she whispered. “Besides, there are five beautiful children that looked like you and her, and don’t get offended, but I’m happy they inherited their mo