SIX YEARS AGO“You’re what?!” Derek exclaimed out loud, shock reverberating through his whole being as he stared at Denise, who was staring back at him very calmly, as though she had not just dumped the biggest … and most terrible news of his life on him.“Pregnant. You know … the thing when a woman has sex with a man and then a few weeks later, her body feels funny and different, so she takes a pregnancy test which comes out positive. I’m pregnant, Derek.”“I got that part. The other part is what I don’t understand.”“The part about me keeping the baby? What's there not to understand? You know how much I've always wanted children. I’ve never gotten pregnant before, not that I've tried to do so anyway. I'm not aborting my first pregnancy.”“I’m married…”“I know that, dear. I don’t know why you had to rush to get married, but if you had had the patience to wait instead of getting hitched to the first desperate female you found, then maybe you would have received this news differently

When the news of Derek’s disappearance finally broke out and people began to speculate that he did not disappear of his own free will, the news spread like wildfire.This was after nearly two weeks of his disappearance. Suddenly, news outlets, as well as several gossip blogs began to spread the news. “Billionaire Derek Turner missing … Foul play suspected.” “Derek Turner kidnapped and presumed dead. Live in girlfriend and mother of his child arrested in conjunction with his kidnap.”These and many more headlines, with different speculations as to what had happened to Derek, were being peddled on the news outlets.The police immediately swung into action, although it was difficult to know exactly what to search for, especially since so much time had passed. For one thing, Derek’s car had disappeared alongside him.For another, he had left messages with several of his acquaintances, including business associates that he was going to be gone for a while and was going to be unreachable d

"Yo, I sent you a message just now but you didn’t respond.” The caller said into the phone without a preamble. It was a male voice. Denise wished she hadn't picked up the phone. She had not heard that voice in years, but she would recognize it anywhere, anyway. “Oh,” Denise said, thinking fast. She did not know how on earth to reply to him or what the hell she should say to him, but she had a very good idea of what he wanted. “Well, where are you, and how have you been?” “What do you care?” “Oooooh, I see that you know who I am. Is that any way to talk to your dearest baby daddy? I made you a mother, remember? How is my beloved boy doing anyway? I mean, it's a boy right?” He asked, his tone mocking. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about and I’m going to hang up on you now.” “Oh, come off it, Sweet pants. You know exactly what I’m talking about and you wouldn’t dare hang up on me unless you want problems … And by problems, I mean massive ones that you won’t b

Andrew Tanner … He was one of the biggest film producers back then, which was about ten to twelve years ago. He had started young but had quickly grown to prominence and in his heyday, produced and directed a series of movies that had done pretty well.In recent times though, he had gone off the grid, and many people speculated different reasons that could be the cause for his sudden decision to take an extended break from the movie industry, but no one knew the exact reason.And now, here he was looking like a million bucks, and was clearly the answer to the prayer that Denise had been praying all her life … which was to meet someone big in the industry who would catapult her to her destined greatness.“It’s so nice to meet you, sir,” Denise told him, trying not to make it too obvious that she was so excited to meet him.“And you too. Judging from the look on your face, I take it that you’ve managed to recognize me. I don’t have time to waste because I’ve got an important meeting c

"Mommy! Mommy!” Harper called out happily, skipping over to where her mother stood by her car, waiting for her to come so that they could go home.“Be careful now honey. You don't want to fall flat on your face.” Ava cautioned indulgently, gathering her daughter into her arms for a quick hug and smooch.Harper giggled delightedly and returned the hug, kissing her mother on the cheek.“Mom, look! Steve is coming over here.” Harper said pointing in the direction from which Steve was approaching them.Just hearing his name caused Ava’s heart to skip a beat and she shook her head inwardly, wondering what the hell was wrong with her.It was a great feeling though, because it had been ages since she last felt this way about any man. The last man she had felt something remotely akin to this for was Derek.She had begun to wonder if her heart was dead and cold in her chest, so it was great to know that it was still working, after all.On the heels of this thought came the sobering realization