“It’s really simple. I want you to agree that you’re doing a wonderful job as a mother. And promise, you won’t talk down on yourself. Right here, right now.”I blinked, soaking in every word of Dante’s statement.“That’s it?” I asked, breaking the silence that had swallowed us.“Yes, that’s it.” His voice was firm without a trace of doubt.“Nothing else?”“Were you expecting anything else?” He mused.Yes. Yes, I was. That can’t be it. This was Dante. There had to be an angle or a loophole somewhere.There was no way he was letting me go that easy.“So if I agree I’m doing a good job as a mother, you’ll let me go?”“Why do you seem suspicious?” One of his brows cocked.‘Because it’s you I’m dealing with.’ I wanted to say but decided that wasn’t important.The main thing on my mind was…“Why?” I blurted, tilting my head to the side.I needed to know why.Why was he concerned about how I see myself?He still saw me as a gold-digging seductress, right? So why did he want me to change my p

“Excuse me?!” I snapped and glared at Dante. “Alice is not a snake.”I don’t care who he was, but no one was allowed to speak any slander against my best friend.Dante raised an eyebrow, startled by my sudden outburst.“I said what if. It’s a hypothetical question.” He pointed out, and I shook my head.“Even in a hypothetical question, Alice can not be a snake.” I crossed my hands over my chest. “I can’t believe you’d say that. She’s been my best friend for over ten years! Heck, she’s like a sister to me. Do you know how much she helped me during the pregnancy saga?”“I know she must have been of little help to–““Alice was more than a little help.” I corrected. “She was always there for me.”Alice was there through everything. She was there for me when my parents died, she was there for me during the sex scandal, and she was there when I found out I was pregnant. She even helped me escape from L.A to France.“Fine. She was a great deal of help to you, but that doesn’t change the fact

“You think your Mama hates me?” Dante said, turning his attention to Nathan and Michael. “I don’t, but Nathan did because you guys fought that day.” Michael piped. “I already explained everything to Nathan last night that it was all a misunderstanding. Your Papa and I are now alright.” “See, it was a musinderstanding.” Michael rolled his eyes and then suddenly froze. “So Mama loves Papa. Right, Mama?” Four sets of piercing blue eyes stared at me. Three were full of hope and curiosity, while the last was raging with pure, undiluted amusement. “Well…” I cleared my throat and sat back in my seat. The question was so unexpected. I won’t say I loved Dante, but I didn’t hate him either. What I felt towards him was like, and not like-like, just plain like. “Come on, Olivia. It’s not that hard to say. Do you love me?” He smirked, and his thumb traced my wrist. ‘That devil! I’m now so sure he gets some sick, sadistic pleasure watching me squirm in a tight spot.’ I frowned and pulled my

“Hellllooo people!” Alice sashayed through the door into the playroom.“Auntie Alice! Auntie Alice!” Leon, Michael, and Nathan raced from my side to her and latched onto her legs, giving her a big hug.“Aww! My godsons are now big boys.” She cooed, patting their heads. “I missed you guys so much.”“We’ve missed you too.” Leon said as they let go of her.“Do you like our new house? It’s really really big, and it has a swimming pool.” Michael grabbed her hand, pulling her further into the room. “This is our pla–“Yuki leapt at Alice, growling and barking at her. Her teeth were bared, her body was rigid and she snarled like she wanted to rip her to shreds.“What the hell!” Alice hissed, stumbling backward and pulling Michael with her.“Yuki!” I gasped, snatching the dog into my arms before it lunged at her.“Bad doggy. No barking at people.” I scolded. “No treats for you this evening.”Yuki’s ears flattened, and she whimpered like I had crushed her heart– maybe I did.“Here girl,” Eve sa

‘Did he just say what the heck I think I heard, or am I hallucinating?’ My eyes were bigger than the moon, and I gawked at him. “I have stopped having that demeaning picture of you for some time now.” Dante cracked a tiny, guilty smile. “I apologise for not saying it till now.” “What?! Since when?!” I exclaimed, still not believing my ears. I needed to know. Was that why his attitude towards me changed over time? “I don’t think this is the best time to tell you,” His eyes flickered to the clock and back to me. “We’ll discuss this when we’re less busy.” “No, you’re not going anywhere until you tell me.” I frowned. Heck no, I was not allowing him to escape just like that. I wanted– no, I needed—answers. I needed to know how. When? Why? Especially why? Why did he suddenly change his mind? “Later, Olivia, I promise.” Dante stepped away from me and began walking away. Like I was giving up that easily. There was no way I was allowing him to leave me on a cliffhanger. I wasn’t sure I