The fear that he would leave her the way she left him always lingered in her mind. He had made it crystal clear that he didn’t love her. She was getting tired of hearing it. His declarations of “un-love” were getting to be too much. This plan was all she had to keep him by her side.A couple of weeks later, Mia got the confirmation she was waiting for. The investigator sent her photos of Audrey and her new boyfriend shopping for new baby necessities. Clothes, bottles, diapers, baby furniture, they were all the smoking gun she needed. The cherry on top was a photo of Audrey from the side. It was small, but there was an unmistakable baby bump visible.“These are great!” Mia commended the investigator on their weekly phone call.“Are you satisfied with the information that was obtained?”“I am. I won’t need any more photos, but what I need now is for you to continue to impede my husband’s efforts into finding her. Do whatever it takes.”“How interesting. The wife uses her husband’s money
Damian was true to his word. The very next day went by as though he hadn’t said anything. Nothing had changed at all. It was a well-known fact at the office thatAudrey and Damian were friends. But it was also clear that he didn’t show her any favoritism. She was held to the same standard as everyone else, and that did not change after he bared his soul to her.Her baby bump continued to grow, and Damian continued to care for her whenever he was available. They spent just as much time together, preparing for the arrival of Audrey’s baby.But they were unaware of the eyes that were following them. At every turn, a camera snapped photos of them. Their movements were monitored, and at the other end, Mia was watching. She was always watching.**********It was slower than she would have liked, but Mia was improving her image with Lucien. Her frequent visits to the office had garnered favor with his staff. In her interactions with them, he was able to see small glimpses of the old Mia. She
It was the perfect plan. Regardless of what he thought, she still knew him better than anyone else.Lucien was who he was because of her. Even when she had left him, every decision he made was influenced by Mia. She was his puppet master, and he had no idea.Mia left the room, knowing that Lucien wouldn’t come out if she was still in there. She’d give him his space for now. Her plan was already in motion.When Mia left, Lucien emerged from the bathroom. His skin was red from the searing hot water and raw from scrubbing.He swathed himself in a fluffy robe, clambered for his phone and called the only person he thought might listen to him.“This had better be good,” Mark chided.“I fucked up,” Lucien sank to his bed.“What? More than usual?” Mark laughed.“No, I’m serious. I got drunk last night and had sex with Mia.”“She is your wife. Aren’t you supposed to?”“Shut up. You know I don’t want to be in this marriage. I talked yesterday about ending it, and then this happens?”“You don’t
“Yes ma’am,” Minnie smiled. She’d dealt with similar employers before. But Mia was the worst.“No, I don’t think you do,”Mia talked down to her. “My husband loves me and will fire you if I tell him to. You need to know your place in the house.“My place is very clear. I’m here to care for you and your unborn child.” Minnie never lost her cool or composure.Mia was often mean and rude to her when Lucien was gone. As soon as Lucien returned, she was sweet and complementary. This wasn’t her first time dealing with a situation like this, but something didn’t sit right with her. As the weeks passed, Minnie couldn’t help but notice that Mia didn’t show any signs of pregnancy. She would talk about morning sickness and fatigue, but Minnie hadn’t witnessed any of it. She knew every pregnancy was different… but there was something wrong about this one. Something very wrong indeed.**************“I didn’t think this through well enough,” Mia said as she looked at her very flat belly. It was get
Lucien was so angry; his fists clenched and punched the wall hard.“And what did you do to Audrey?I trusted you about saying she had wanted to steal from me and my family, but now I think I wronged her because of you. I am a fool to give you so much of credit for old times’ sake.”Mia was speechless, she couldn’t stop crying, “I did wrong, I apologize, but that’s only because I love you.”Lucien told her ruthlessly, “I never want to see you ever again, and don’t think you can get a penny from me, I’ll leave you nothing. If you were only after me, I might still consider ending this marriage nicely, but you hurt Audrey, the love of my life, I’ll never forgive you for what you did to her.”“I’ll come back tomorrow; I want you to leave with all of your stuff out of here and never let me see you again.”“Where will I go?” Mia yelled.“I don’t give a fuck!” He then stormed out, leaving Mia alone sobbing.**************Lucien went to the bar alone, he blamed himself for what he did to Audre
“By the way, here’s my business card.” He added.“Lee Tung.”Audrey took his card.“You are a Michelin-rated chef?! I can’t afford it.”She was surprised.“And I am not Mrs Reynolds.” Audrey added.“No worries, you don’t need to pay me. Lucien called me to prepare dinner for his wife.”The door suddenly opened, Lucien was coming back from the grocery store, with two bags on his hands.“Oh, you’re awake.How’re you feeling?” He looked at Audrey.Emma took a glance at the chef, and said nothing.“Lee,I bought everything on your list.” Lucien said.“Especially the vinegar from your hometown, ZhenJiang.” He added.“Are you sure it’s the right one?” Lee asked.Lucien picked up the bottle to show Lee.“Not the brand I always use, but it’ll do the trick. Now let the magic begin.” Lee walked towards the kitchen, and closed the door.“You don’t have to do this.” Audrey looked at Lucien, and walked towards the couch.Before he said anything,she felt her baby was kicked .Lucien noticed Audrey migh
“You call that a place setting?” Lee scolded. “Have you ever set a table in your life?”“No, I actually haven’t. Pampered, rich brat upbringing and all that. You know?” Lucien teased.“Ugh. You poor little rich boys,” Lee shook his head. “At least you’re trying, I guess. Here. Use this photo as a guide.”Lee shoved a phone at him, and Lucien did his best to replicate the picture.‘A baby,’he thought.’I’m going to be a father.’The thought both excited and terrified him. But more than anything, he knew he would be a good parent. He had to prove to Audrey that he was capable of loving someone. That he could pour his whole heart into caring for another person.‘BUT WE ARE NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER GETTING BACK TOGETHER!’The song played loudly suddenly, startling Lucien and Lee.Tracy chuckled behind the door.“Seriously?” she teased her friend. “That’s your ringtone?”“It’s my favorite song,” Audrey groaned from behind her hands. Her face was hot with embarrassment.“Sure, it is. Sounds mor
“No! I wasn’t!” Her hands fell to her mouth. She had never admitted that out loud.Lucien felt an icy stab in his chest. Jealously, anger, pain, betrayal all swirled within him. But the worst is that he knew he had no one to blame but himself.“Lucien.”she squeaked. “I wasn’t going to tell you. I was afraid. You hurt me so much. To protect myself I thought it was best to never see you again.”“You’ll never know how much I regret that.”“I wanted to hate you… but I…” she gasped. A sharp pain shot through her belly. She grabbed the edge of the table for support.“What is it?” Tracy and Lucien shot up and said in unison.Another stab of pain shot through Audrey, taking her breath away.“I think… I think I’m having contractions.”“Don’t panic,” Audrey stood, taking control of the situation. “The go bag is already packed. I’ll call the doctor and then Damian on the way there.” She delegated.“No!” Lucien yelled. “Why him? Why does he get to be a part of this? Why do you need him and not me