For the longest of seconds, there was stunned silence in the car.April pressed her eyes shut, forcing back her tears. Luca's words felt like a hot slap across her face. They stung like a mother fucking bitch, filling her with such shame and self-loathing that she couldn't look at anything for a long time. She was awfully glad she couldn't see her reflection in her mirror. Else, she wouldn't have been able to handle the shame she would have surely seen there. "I did what I had to. It was for Julian, and I'll do it again if I have to," she said through her tears when she had found her voice again."April, I'm sorry. That was uncalled for. I should never have said those words." Luca apologised, bowing his head in shame.But April shook her head. She didn't want to hear it. Her hurt was still too raw. She asked Andrew to pull up on the side of the road, and she jumped out as soon as the car came to a complete stop.The billions of tiny stars sprinkled across the night sky looked so prett
The day after Luca and his clan left Shadowbrooke, Cadence stayed in bed and refused to leave her room.Sonja left her alone, giving her all the space she needed. She didn't like that her daughter was skipping school, especially close to her exams. But she understood that she was mourning the loss of a relationship doomed to fail from the beginning.She didn't think Luca was worth crying over, and she could give her daughter a long list of reasons why she was better off without him. But she was once Cadence's age, and she had gone through her fair share of heartbreak before she met Warwick, so she understood her pain all too well.The mere thought of her husband reduced Sonja to tears. She left the cosy warmth of her living room sofa and hurried to her bedroom. She'd spent the evening alone and had dinner alone because Cadence was on a hunger strike. Chances of her daughter venturing out were slim to none. But, on the off chance that she did, Sonja didn't want her to see her in tears.
Sonja never thought she would find love at forty. And at first, she'd felt strange about going on dates and doing things young kids did. But Warwick had soon fixed that. With his spontaneity, he'd kept her on her toes and made her feel young again. Their dates were always an adventure, and they rarely did the same things twice.Each outing with him was different. He'd take her picnicking, the movies, the concert, the theatre, the flea market and any place he could think of. And it wasn't long before Sonja realised it wasn't the activities she liked as much as the company. If he'd taken her to clean stables or pick up dog poo, she would have gladly done it, because she loved spending time with him.Moments spent in Warwick's arms were like waking up to a new day full of wonder and excitement, and she knew she'd never tire of making love with him. He became her drug quickly. They'd make love every chance they got and anywhere they could. So finding out they were expecting Cadence two yea
Giza was unbearably hot. The arid air infused with the sweet aroma of spices and incense hit their nostrils as soon as the plane touched down at Sphinx International Airport.It was just after 9:00 AM when they walked into the main terminal, but the place was a hive of activity and chaos. Everywhere they turned, excited chatter greeted them in different accents, from people rushing in and out of the country. Thousands were eager to be reunited with their loved ones, while others appeared ready to leave the desert behind them and return to 'civilisation'.April and Rosalie struggled to keep up with the two men's long strides, as they moved swiftly through the crowds of travellers and airport staff. After trying to play catch up, they gave up and stopped at a curio shop, while Luca and Andrew carried on to the baggage collection area.It was a quaint little place, tucked between Tomes & Notes, the major bookseller in these parts, and Fresh Roast, which served the best bottomless coffee
They awoke in the early evening, just as the sun was dipping on the horizon. But it was still unbearably hot, as April and Rosalie discovered when they left their tents. A gentle breeze blew from the west, sending wisps of their long hair and fine particles of sand flying in their eyes."How was your rest?" Rosalie asked as they headed for the female restroom."What rest?" April frowned at the witch. Plagued by thoughts of her meeting with Ethan and the curator, she'd barely slept. She was excited and nervous all at once, and she couldn't believe how close they were to their goal. Twenty long years without Julian were finally coming to an end. She grew sad and mournful when she thought of all the days they were forced to spend apart, and all the time they would have to live apart, too, because there was no way Julian would forgive her for her indiscretion."Is this it?" Rosalie couldn't hide her horror when they pushed the rickety door and stumbled inside.April felt guilty for not pre
While Luca spent a relaxing evening at the market, April, Andrew and Rosalie didn't have such a luxury.They got flat tire halfway to the tomb of Djet, one of the most photographed sites of Ancient Egypt.It took Andrew over fifteen minutes to change the tire with the inadequate tools they had in the rental car. By the time they reached the rendezvous point, they were all irritable and annoyed.Since Andrew knew the place inside out from his past visits, they easily located the entrance.Once inside, April and Rosalie were disappointed to see the tomb only had one main room. Other than the treasure chest Andrew had told them contained fragments of the Kings' sarcophagi, there was nothing much to gush over.Andrew ushered them down the narrow stairs to a secret room in the basement and activated a switch on the floor.Rosalie gasped when a secret door materialised on the wall and slowly creaked open, revealing Ethan and a distinguished-looking man lounging in two of the four armchairs
Her mom had tried the whole morning to get her to join her for breakfast, but Cadence had held steady, refusing to leave the safety of her room and head to school, choosing instead to curl up under the covers and drown in her heartache."Cade, you have to eat something," Sonja's muffled voice on the other side of the door broke through her foggy sleep again, and Cadence rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. Her stomach grumbled loudly at the mention of food, reminding her that her hunger strike couldn't go on much longer and that her pity party would have to end soon.She was famished and in desperate need of a bathroom, shower, and change of clothing. In that order. But seeing her mom would remind her of her foolish belief that Luca could be anything more than what he was, and she wasn't ready for that."Cade?" Sonja tapped on her door lightly. "Are you okay?""I'm fine, Mom," Cadence said with a tinge of sharpness in her words."Okay, I have to run to the store. But I've ma
Over five thousand kilometres away, Luca cut the call when he saw Andrew and the two ladies approach. He sighed as he shoved his phone inside his pocket. He desperately wanted to hear Cadence's voice and tell her about his trip. Not everything. But some stuff, like his friendship with Aziz and the snake charmer he saw at the market. It would have to wait, it seemed."So, how did it go?" he asked Andrew when they were close enough. April looked at everything but him, while Rosalie clung to Andrew's arm for dear life."Here." Andrew held out the small pouch with the Star of Chaos."Great. Let's get out of here," Luca murmured as he snatched the bag from him, the dreadful knot in his stomach melting away instantly. But his relief was short-lived."We can't leave the country without the proper documents for the star. Ethan has them," Rosalie explained quickly. And Andrew filled him in on the rest."That son of a bitch! I'll fucking kill him! Where is he?" Luca seethed, glaring at April. He