[ Xavier ]I was busy interacting with my guests when my eyes landed on the only person whom I wanted to see tonight. She walked inside the hall in a shimmery red dress with her friend behind. Her hawk like eyes searched for someone and my eyes followed her keenly. She was a red sign and I don’t want her anywhere near my loved ones.When her gaze fell on my wife and she smiled sinisterly, my sixth sense alerted me. I excused myself from my guests and made my way in their direction but she was already shaking her hand with my wife.“I heard about your accident and trust me, Adeline. I was worried about you.” I heard her saying to my wife and my blood boiled. This woman was trying to rub salt on our wounds, specially Adeline.“I didn’t expect you to come, Miss Jones and Miss Candance but we’re glad to have you here. Please, enjoy the party.” I said placing my both hands on Adeline’s shoulders from behind.Emily’s smirk dropped seeing me and my closeness with Adeline.“Mr. Linwood, thank
[ Adeline ]Arnold was holding the microphone in his hand, his eyes were on the people who had been waiting for him to end the suspense. His face looked guilt free and a strange calmness settled on his old, sick face.“Good evening, my dear friends and my family. I know you all have been wondering why my son called me here to address you all, right?” He began his speech.I held Xavier’s hand tightly to wait for the moment.“Forty years ago, my first wife and I took over the control of this company. People used to call us the ‘power couple’ and we actually proved that our coordination wasn’t only limited to our house but also in our business. She laid the company to a new zenith and even built her own company by her hard work and passion. Sadly, I lost her. I and my son grieved her death but it didn’t stop us from fulfilling her dreams. My daughter-in-law is the reflection of my wife. Tonight, I am feeling very proud to announce my retirement because I am suffering from cancer and I ha
[ Adeline ]The guests were gone, the party ended on a good note because our security was tight and there were more than hundred media persons who were capturing the whole event but I was impatient for the party to end soon because I am always an after party lover.“Arnold, what was that?” Linda pointed her painted nail at her husband once we assembled in one place, her eyes reflected the betrayal she received from the man whom she robbed all these years.“I think you have good knowledge of English language, Linda. I am setting you free from your responsibilities. You have your whole life ahead of yourself. Live your life as you wish. All these years, you played my wife’s role and you have been good at it. I do not want to die with the guilt of ruining twenty-right years of your life.” Arnold again answered her very calmly.“Cut the crap, Mr. Arnold Linwood. You never accepted me and Mom. For you, she’s just your mistress and I am a mistake. You ripped me off my birthright and gave it
[ Adeline ]“What the hell just happened, Xav? Your father completely nailed it. I mean it came like a four-hundred watt shock to me, I can’t I imagine how Linda must be feeling. Arnold flipped her world in a blink of moment.” I said once we were back to our home. Mom decided to stay with Addison since she was worried for her safety.Xavier was unusually quiet. He didn’t respond to me which made me worried about him, it wasn’t easy for him to witness the fall of his family, a family which was the biggest illusion. I grabbed his hand and then he looked at me with those sad eyes.“Hey, you can talk to me.” I looked at him, it was my silent gesture to make him feel better and an unsaid promise that I am always with him.He exhaled a deep breath and sat down on the edge of the sofa.“Xavier, I am here for you. Please, talk to me.” I insisted him in a soft voice. Sometimes, he needs to be cracked as he doesn’t open up easily.“I don’t know what to say, Ade. Linda and Arthur paid for their
[ Adeline ]A marriage for some people is a union between two lovers who wants to spend their lives together. For people like I and Arthur, it is a diversion in order to attain a prize."So, this is true?"I glanced down on the papers, the black ink on white papers were mocking on my fate."I guess, it is. Addison is pregnant and I do not want my child to born a bastard. I must marry her before the end of this month and it can't happen until you sign these papers of marriage annulmentDon't worry, you'll get the compensation. " He said without any remorse.He made it clear since the beginning of this marriage. He has loved my sister Addison since the high school.It was my parents' pressure or rather I should say condition that Arthur must marry me, the elder daughter of Greyson family and he did but he couldn't accept me by heart."I won't divorce you, Arthur." I threw the papers away. My heart rioted inside my chest, a wave of pain surged through me."Do not test my patience, Adelin
[ Adeline Linwood ]Walking aimlessly on the deserted streets of the city in the earliest hours of morning, I could barely feel anything on my numb body, the chilly air brushing my cold skin, I tried to focus on the road not caring about the surroundings.I was alone and anything might happen to me, from robbery to rape, anything but at this point, I didn’t care.While strolling absent-minded, my feet tumbled on a stone and I lost my balance. I roughly hit my forehead on the sharp edge of a stone flake on the lamppost base. I winced as I felt red liquid on my finger tips. Sighing, I looked around. I thought I had to find a shelter for the night.Suddenly, I heard deep footsteps approaching me. I was near a river bank and no one around. My heart begun to beat loudly in fear.“Do you usually go out alone for a late night walk or tonight is special?” A deep, smooth voice came from behind me, one I recognized. I slowly craned my neck and came face to face with the familiar figure of my br
[ Arthur Linwood ]I closed my eyes as exhaustion consumed my body and mind after working tirelessly for hours and then babysitting my thirteen months old son. He was sick and no one could handle her, not even his nanny. I glanced at the clock, it was ten thirty in the night and there’s no sign of my wife. She has been busy in her new project which took her most of the time.“Sir, should I bring you something to eat?” A maid asked me as I was rocking a whining child.I lifted my heavy eye lids, she had sympathy on her face. I hate when my house staff gives me such looks.“Serve the dinner, I’ll be there after tucking Adam in his crib and send his nanny.” I instructed her.I had to hire a full-time nanny because Addison’s working schedule never gives her enough time to spend with her own child. We had a few fights lately but I came with the terms of taking care of my child on my own responsibility.The nanny came minutes later, I carefully handed her the baby and stood up, my muscles a
[ Adeline Greyson ]After the wait of an year, I felt an unexplainable feeling as I landed on my homeland. The air brushed, I immediately fell in love with the city where I belong.It didn’t change but I was a whole new person. When I left behind my past, I was a broken woman with nothing but hope and now, I am back to take back what was being snatched from me except the despicable man Arthur.“I love this hair style, Ade and this brunette colour suits your new personality.” Xavier’s voice forced me to turn and saw Xavier standing at a distance with his hands thrusted in his pants’ pockets.“And this light stubbles suits you, Mr. Linwood.” I said while I walked towards him. I was meeting him after two months. He used to come to London to visit me as a friend who was my well wisher and of course, the business which needed my signatures.“I’ll drop you off at your parents’ place first. They’re eagerly waiting to meet you. There’s a lot I need to discuss with you since you have been out