《One Night Stand With My Husband’s Brother》


 Chapter 1 The surprise

    Tapping her fingers impatiently on the polished mahogany desk with her legs churning out of nervousness, Mackenzie wondered what her fate would be. Would she be lucky this time?


    She noticed the clock across the office tick. It¡¯s noon.


    Shortly after, the door opened. A man in ab coat entered with a report in his right hand. Mackenzie stood up with a curious yet worried gaze as she looked up at the doctor with a zy expression.


    ¡°Doctor Paul!¡±


    The doctor nodded in acknowledgment, ¡°I have received your report, Mrs. Axford.¡±


    ¡°H-how is it?¡±


    The doctor adjusted his sses shrewdly with his left hand before proceeding into the room.


    ¡°Am I pregnant?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we have a seat and talk more about that, Mrs. Axford?¡± The doctor suggested calmly.


    Now aware of her anxiety, she nodded while trying to control her pounding heart and overactive mind. ¡°Yes, doctor.¡±


    They settled down in their appointed seats, Doctor Paul sitting in his chair and Mackenzie sitting across the desk in the chair assigned for patients or visitors.


    ¡°So what have you found out, doctor? Am I pregnant?¡± Mackenzie¡¯s hands went to the desk as she leaned forward, looking at the doctor desperately. That was the best she could do to stay calm.


    After losing her child the previous year, her husband had been drifting away from her. It was obvious! He no longer looked at her like he used to. If she hadn¡¯t told him that she was trying for another child, he would stoping to bed with herpletely!


    But these recent days, she found a ray of hope.


    Hope.


    A throbbing headache and feeling of nausea? Lightheadedness? Many would hate having these symptoms. But for her, it was everything! Mackenzie¡¯s hands unconsciously rested on her belly.


    A pregnancy.


    That was her hope to get back the attention and love of her husband. Just the confirmation of her pregnancy from the doctor after all the symptoms she¡¯s had the past couple of weeks. Her rtionship with her husband would go back to how it was.


    Blissful.


    Loving.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    Kind.


    ¡°I am sorry to inform you that you have tested negative for a pregnancy, Mrs. Afford.¡±


    Her only hope was dashed, just like that. ¡°What?!¡± Mackenzie threw her hands over the desk rigidly as she stood to her feet, looking at the doctor with her eyes glistening with tears. ¡°No way!¡±


    Doctor Paul remained calm. He had been the Axford family¡¯s doctor for years. Although Mackenzie was a recent member of the family, he understood that getting pregnant was pertinent to having a ce in her husband¡¯s life.


    ¡°I even had some pregnancy symptoms!¡± Mackenzie interjected.


    Doctor Paul looked at Mackenzie sympathetically as she continued to ramble. ¡°I had a splitting headache. I felt lightheaded and weak whenever I did not eat on time!¡± She announced still in disbelief.


    ¡°About that Mrs. Axford¡­¡± The doctor looked at Mackenzie attentively before saying, ¡°You might want to sit down for this.¡±


    Mackenzie plowed down on the chair distraught and depressed by the doctor¡¯s serious expression.


    ¡°The body scan indicated that you are not pregnant, Mrs. Axford. But we found something else-¡±


    ¡°-Enough of the suspense, Doctor Paul. If you have anything to say. please say it!¡± Mackenzie was usually kind and deliberate about her actions. She is presently frustrated. Doctor Paul kept mentioning that she was not pregnant despite telling him that she had all those symptoms. If she wasn¡¯t pregnant, then what was it?!


    ¡°You¡¯ve been confirmed to have Meningioma.¡± The doctor pushed the report lying in front of him towards Mackenzie.


    ¡°W-what?¡± She shuddered, feeling her stomach tighten.


    ¡°That must have been the reason for your headaches.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s a Meningioma?¡± Mackenzie did not know what it was, even though she knew it sounded like something she should dread.


    ¡°A meningioma is a tumor¡­¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s stomach dropped.


    A tumor?


    ¡°Yes. It is a kind of tumor that forms on membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord inside the skull.¡±


    Mackenzie swallowed, her heart, breaking, and throat closing up. How could she have such a horrible diagnosis? Just this morning, her mother-inw had looked at her with such hopeful eyes. Her husband too¡­ had looked at her a bit differently.


    How could she go back home and tell them that she wasn¡¯t only ¡®not pregnant¡¯ but that she had a tumor as well? It was beyond shameful to her. It made her scared. She did not want to die after all her struggles to live a good life started paying off.


    Memories of her life back in the fields where she lived with her father in North Dakota consumed her and they made her want to cry.


    Her father.


    Her poor father.


    She had not done anything for him yet. How could she have this deadly disease? How could she die and leave her poor father alone in this world? Would he even survive the heartbreak of losing his only daughter? He had gone through so much to raise her alone after her mother left the world when she was only a baby.


    ¡°Mrs. Axford, are you listening?¡±


    Mackenzie was snapped out of her thoughts on hearing the doctor¡¯s voice. ¡°Oh, yes.¡± She said quickly.


    ¡°Then why don¡¯t we continue-¡±


    ¡°-No, I have something to do so why don¡¯t we continue this conversation another time?¡± Mackenzie said, grabbing her report and her handbag which was slung on the chair.


    She was scared.


    And she didn¡¯t want to hear a thing that would crush her soul any further. Most importantly, she didn¡¯t want to hear her death date. She was certain her mind would copse if she heard that.


    ¡°Mrs. Axford, I understand that this result may be frightening for you. But with the right treatments, you can ovee it. Pleasee with your husband the next time youe for a consultation. That way, we can talk in-depth about your health and the best way to treat it as soon as possible.¡±


    That was as far as Mackenzie was willing to listen to before she walked out the door, hot tears rolling down her cheeks.

 Chapter 2 As If He Didn’t Just Cheat

    She strolled down the hallway, remembering vividly the day she left home and got married. That stunning evening, her eyes were determined to move on to the next phase of her life.


    She had thought that leaving her father would be the best option. That way, she would not be a burden to him, and she would even help him. But now that she was married, she had not been able to do a single thing to help him. Neither had she allowed him to visit her.


    How could she?


    Her father was poor and unsophisticated. He was no match for the ss of the family she married into. Although she was the same as her father, her husband had upgraded her standard of living to his family¡¯s own.


    Mackenzie¡¯s tears continued to fall as she exited the hallway and headed for the exit.


    What could she do now?


    Once she got home and told her husband and mother-inw that she was not pregnant and instead had a tumor. What would be their reaction?


    As Mackenzie walked past the moving doors, the cold wind hit her face but it felt like a bucket of cold water had hit her. Her current situation dawned on her and she wiped her tears, suddenly having an insight into how to handle the situation.


    Flipping her hair back, she moved away from the building to the parking lot, where her driver, Ben was waiting for her.


    ¡°Congrattions, ma¡¯am.¡± The driver said once they were within the same proximity. Mackenzie simply ignored him and entered the car.


    Even the driver was looking forward to news of her pregnancy. She could only imagine how disappointed the others would be.


    The ride home was quiet.


    There was some tension in the air, and the asional nces the driver sent Mackenzie¡¯s way proved that he could feel that something wasn¡¯t right with her. However, he would be out of line to ask.


    As they reached familiarnds, Mackenzie winded down the windows and stared out to see the vi that stood dignified among the surrounding trees and nts.


    They drove a bit further until they were up in front of a yard that separated the main house from the smaller unit. This was where Mackenzie resided with her husband. Although it was smaller than the main house, it was bigger than an average apartment and had a big park and garden. It even had a patio.


    The driver pulled over in front of the house in the small parking lot next to a ck Benz Mackenzie had seen before. But not at her house. Ever.


    Mackenzie looked at the car again and exhaled seeing the resemnce to her sister-inw¡¯s. Maybe Selene dropped by to say hello to her husband after greeting their father-inw.


    At the thought of that, Mackenzie¡¯s misery calmed a bit. She had had some personal contact with Selene and she could say with her heart that Selene was a sweet woman. Despite her tight schedule, she found the time toe and visit. She¡¯s so sweet.


    Mackenzie thought as she walked into the house and assessed the door. Strangely, it was not locked.


    Mackenzie smiled. It was a funny habit of her husband to leave the door unlocked. She didn¡¯t think much of it and proceeded inside. However, she took a step inside, she noticed something odd.


    A Louis Vuitton bag wasying right in the middle of the stairway.


    Did Selene have an ident and fall?


    Mackenzie remembered always seeing Selene in heels so that was the only possibility she could think of when she saw the expensive bagying in the stairway.


    Slowly, she strutted through the staircase and passed the hallway to her bedroom which she shared with her darling husband. However, just as she neared the door¡­


    ¡°ARGH! YESS!¡±


    The sounds of someone¡¯s wet pussy getting pounded filled her ears.


    ¡°You love that, don¡¯t you, my love?¡±


    ¡°Mmh you bet I do, you monster- Aarhh yess!¡±


    The sound of hips thrusting into each other in perfect sync with moans and groans of a man and woman reaching their climax.


    Mackenzie would almost find that beautiful if she didn¡¯t recognize those voices. With her heart in her throat, she turned the doorknob and her heart sank further into despair as she was limated to see the proof of what beseeched those oh-so-incredible moans.


    Selene¡¯s legs tightlyced around her husband¡¯s neck and her husband¡¯s pleasure organ, which was supposed to be preserved for her, was buried in Selene¡¯s protruding pussy.


    That scene alone was gory but the reaction on their faces being caught was what horrified her. She could not even believe what she was seeing.


    Jeffrey moved off Selene, holding his shaft which was going limp from his release and fixed her with a nonchnt stare. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, woman? Cat got your tongue?¡±


    Mackenzie shuddered seeing the expression of indifference on her husband¡¯s face. Neither did the woman he was in bed with look shamed. It felt like a rude p on her face, a harsh reminder of exactly how valued she was to him.


    ¡°J-Jeff,¡± Mackenzie struggled to say with quivering lips. ¡°H-how could you do this?¡±


    She looked at Selene next who was untangling herself from her husband¡¯s neck, her expression dullpared to before. It looked like Selene did not even care about the fact that Mackenzie just caught her fucking her husband. ¡°S-Selene,¡± Mackenzie was shaking now with both anger and dismay.


    Even if her husband, Jeff cheated on her, he could have done it with someone else. Why his brother¡¯s wife, Selene?


    It wasn¡¯t only her husband that was the culprit so she had to make Selene take responsibility as well. If she hadn¡¯t agreed to her husband¡¯s advances, they wouldn¡¯t be in this situation right now.


    ¡°How could you do this, Selene?! You¡¯re married to my husband¡¯s brother-¡±


    ¡°-Shut it,¡± Selene moved away from Jeffrey on the bed and stood on her feet, showing her glistening body in its full glory.


    Perky, small breasts that dangled when she moved, with the ttest stomach to make up for it. She did not have wide hips but she had a slim waist that made up for it and the longest legs Mackenzie had ever seen before. What¡¯s more, she had the clearest of skin and she smelt like heaven.


    Who could not want her?


    But still¡­ this was wrong!


    ¡°Because your stupid ass had to interrupt, I¡¯m no longer in the mood. And to think I left a gig just to have some fun.¡± Selene said without a single ounce of shame before yawning.


    Selene O¡¯Malley, that was her name. Amber-haired with a pair of seductive green eyes. She was an exclusive model for Elite Model Management. There was no doubt that she was beautiful but her current attitude, it showed Mackenzie that she was vile and all the pleasant behavior she¡¯d been disying was nothing but kisses from Judas.


    ¡°Listen here, leech,¡± Selene said, closing the distance between her and Mackenzie before lifting her chin so they were staring at each other in the eye.


    ¡°If you utter a word to anyone about what you just saw, I¡¯ll destroy you and everything you hold dear.¡±


    Although Selene¡¯s voice wasn¡¯t too loud, Mackenzie felt threatened. She froze, and as Selene picked up her things and left, Mackenzie felt defeated enough to know that she will not be doing anything about it. She was too frightened and too weak, despite the fact that what she just witnessed made her angry.


    ¡°Do as Selene said, okay?¡± Jeffrey said casually, as he slid into some pants and slung a t-shirt over his shoulder.


    Before leaving the room, he spared her a look and said, ¡°See youter, okay?¡±


    With that, he walked out the door, and the m Mackenzie heard next sent her to her knees.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°See youter, okay?¡±


    His words rang in her ears.


    How could he say that? As if he didn¡¯t just cheat on her?


    ¡°HOW?!¡± She cried.

 Chapter 3 The Cure With Body Part

    Mackenzie dunked down another ss wishing that the alcohol would dissolve the weight on her heart.


    How could her husband whom she worshiped for years in their marriage cheat on her with¡­?


    A tear rolled down her cheek.


    Three years ago, she was a bustling young refreshing woman at the peak of life. Although she lived in the fields with her father, she was happy because she could help him out and give him a foot massage when he needed it after his tedious day at the farm. They lived a very limited life but since she was with her father and the neighboring sisters, she did not hate it.


    Then Jeffrey came along, sweeping her off her feet the instant theyid their eyes on each other- Or was it her who fell in love first?


    Jeffrey was a newbie in North Dakota and he¡¯d somehow wandered off and got missing in the Noose Hage vige due to the night¡¯s heavy rain. Like the lovelydy that she was, she helped him through the rain with her umbre.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    Sex happened and it created a passionate romance. She got pregnant, and Jeffrey married her straight away. Blinded by love, she did not give herself the benefit of the doubt. Neither did she turn around and look back at her old man. She had made herself believe she could bring to him what seemed to be a better life.


    Mackenzie dunked down another drink and cried.


    She¡¯d thought of Jeffrey too much as a god and looked at him with a distorted eye view.


    He dressed nicely. Along with his fine attires, he was a man of a charming disposition and sophisticated personality. That was how she saw him but then¡­


    One day, he requested that she straighten her hair. Her natural chunk of ck curls was too uncouth for her to wear in the presence of his family.


    Without understanding the underlying meaning, she¡¯d straighten her hair and slowly watch the shine in her eyes disappear along with the passion to be herself.


    She started to live for her husband and the baby they were expecting.


    And when she finally put to bed, the baby was delivered dead. She hadn¡¯t managed to breathe life into her offspring.


    That was when the twist began.


    Her husband changed. Not a 180-degree change but since she¡¯d dedicated herself to him, she perceived the subtle shift from within him. However, that shift soon became something she feared when her mother-inw started acting mean to her like she didn¡¯t just lose a child.


    She didn¡¯t even have time to mourn her dead baby. Instead, she spent that moment of hardship trying to pacify her husband and mother-inw so they wouldn¡¯t neglect her. Her husband was still important to her even when it seemed as though he didn¡¯t hold the same weight for her in his heart after the loss of their child.


    How could a woman whose new life was dependent on her husband live?


    She wanted his attention back. And most importantly, his affection. She¡¯d seen a glimpse of how important having a child was to him so she decided to sacrifice her inner wounds to give him another.


    A living child.


    She lived through her mother-inw¡¯s insults and husband¡¯s neglect. Recently, their behavior toward her began to be more positive when they suspected that she was pregnant with all the sleepiness, lethargy, and lightheadedness- symptoms women who have once been pregnant could attest to as the early stages of pregnancy.


    Was it that the universe was shining kindness on her once again?


    Would she be epted and loved once again after telling them what they wanted to hear? That she was pregnant?


    Mackenzie grabbed the liquor and chugged it down, feeling nothing but an indescribable feeling of emptiness as she drank away her sorrow.


    But when she got to the hospital¡­


    Instead of being diagnosed with pregnancy, she was diagnosed with a fucking tumor!


    Why?!


    Mackenzie was screaming in her head. Her drowsy system and unresponsive body wouldn¡¯t let her let out the screams. Tears rolled further down her cheeks which she didn¡¯t bother to wipe.


    The bar lights were dimmed. The music was pretty loud. She was alone in a crowded room,pletely and utterly drunk.


    As if cupid interfered, on the seat next to her was a man whose whole disposition screamed wealth and power.


    ¡°If you can¡¯t handle your liquor, then don¡¯t drink.¡± He said to her before turning to the waiter to make his order.


    The lights seemed to dim further as Mackenzie looked up with equal disregard at the man who had spoken to her with contempt. From her side view of him, she could easily tell that he was a huge man. Even sitting, his toned and strong looking shoulders were a mile long in his shirt.


    Did that stop her righteous indignation? No.


    How dare he?


    Did he know what she was dealing with? No. Did he have any idea that there was no hope for her? No. So he definitely did not have the right to sit next to her on the table only to pick on her!


    ¡°If¡­¡± Her voice trembled as she spoke, the heat of her anger radiating off of her. ¡°If you don¡¯t know¡­ what someone is going through, then you have no right to be mean to them!¡±


    There seemed to be a pause as the bar lights went even dimmer to sh swift spotlights to fit the soft but frenzy music sting in the background.


    The man looked at her, awed by the rawness in her voice and the fierceness in her eyes. He noticed the parted sweep of silky hair covering her face and the dullness of the lights. She red back at him, getting a glimpse of intense blue eyes through her swimmy vision, but she was too pissed off to care right now.


    Without another word, Mackenzie got off the seat with the liquor tightly in her grip, ced a wad of cash on the table, and found her way outside.


    As she got away from the club¡¯s vicinity, she felt droplets of cold liquid fall on her face. She dunked down the liquor she was holding to contain herself but as the heaviness in the sky thickened and sent down an overwhelming amount of rain, she exploded into tears and the bottle fell next to her feet, breaking into a thousand pieces.


    ¡°WHY?!¡± She roared into the rain.


    A crowd passed her frantically to search for shelter away from the rain, only she didn¡¯t move from where she was standing despite the consistent but unintended shove on her side and shoulders.


    It continued to rain thunderously and she just stood there, drenched and soaked. She felt a mess just like she was on the inside.


    ¡°Hey! Over here!¡± A voice called.


    She barely looked up when a strand of her once-straightened hair fell over her face.


    It was just like before,


    When she first met Jeffrey, her hair had been wet and in its natural curly state. Mackenzie reached to touch her hair when she heard another shout.


    ¡°Miss! Are youing or not?!¡±


    Mackenzie followed the voice and saw that a taxi had stopped a few meters away, reaching out to her. Like a robot, she ran towards the cab, barely conscious of her actions. She sat in the cab and closed the door. It was then that she noticed how soaked she was.


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m all wet.¡± She said in a monotone.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. Where are you off to?¡±


    Mackenzie told him to drive her to the nearest hotel. Unlike many fortunate people, she no longer had a home. At least for tonight, she would feel morefortable anywhere in Greensville hills. As long as she wasn¡¯t in her husband¡¯s house.


    When they arrived at the hotel, it had stopped pouring. Mackenzie paid her fare and got into the hotel.


    She got checked in and got a key for room number 223.


    By now, she waspletely tired and wasted. She could no longer hold control over her body. Although it was her spirit that was broken, it affected every piece of her being.


    Ding!


    Mackenzie got off the elevator and started to unbutton her shirt when she saw what seemed to be her room number in sight. She opened the door freely, forgetting that she must have needed a key.


    ¡°Wrong room-¡± A voice said


    ¡°No¡­¡± She whispered.


    It was the man from earlier. That deep, masculine voice was the same. His heated blue gaze washed over her skin, taking in her disheveled and wet appearance.  His lips twitched when he heard her.


    Mackenzie unbuttoned thest of her shirt and tossed it aside, revealing her wet but sturdy bra that tugged so close against her chest, enunciating her ample breasts.


    Before the man could say anything else, she slid off her skirt and the man only reached her as her skirt hit the floor.


    ¡°Miss,¡±


    She stumbled and he caught her before she could fall, enveloping her in his strong arms.


    He would¡¯ve loved to keep an oh-so-dear distance between them but it seemed almost impossible because this woman clearly could not even stand.


    He shivered, aware of the meshing of her skin with his. Despite its coldness, he found his body induce anotheryer of warmth into his skin. He could not ignore the rapid throbbing between his legs underneath his towel.


    This naturally intelligent man looked at Mackenzie¡¯s face and was astonished.


    He¡¯d seen many women but none felt as real and innocent as her.


    Mackenzie threw her arms over his neck, all her uptightness and conformity to her own rules, broken.


    It hadn¡¯t gotten her far in her marriage anyway.


    If she would have to end up doing something this obscene, she didn¡¯t mind it. Not that her rigidity towards her husband¡¯s standards mattered anyway. He still cheated.


    So she kissed the dear stranger, a tear trickling down her face as she did.


    The stranger froze, taken aback by the woman¡¯s boldness. But he was much more surprised by how much he found his body reacting to her touch. Her lips¡­


    However, he broke away and gently pushed her away but she seemed to find her way back to him. He was about to push her away once again but when he stared down at her pleading eyes, he hesitated.


    Mackenzie grabbed the stranger¡¯s hands and said with shaky lips, ¡°Please¡­ touch me.¡±


    Intimacy.


    What was it exactly?


    The stranger took her to his bed and went to close the door before tossing aside his towel. Then he got on top of her, muttering one more time. ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    She touched his lower body and muttered a yes.


    Her eyes were teary but firm, showing her resolve. The stranger didn¡¯t know what it was but he felt as though this woman needed something and somehow, he had the cure.


    So he made love to her. Taking her with a passion she thought she knew, but was missing in her life all along.


    Intimacy¡­


    Was it just the connection of two bodies? Or was it much more?


    Like, the connection of two souls, one of them healing the other¡¯s hurt?

 Chapter 4 What to do next

    The night had slowly passed, along with the cupid¡¯s arrow of passion that seemed to have been fired previously.


    Beep


    Beep


    The sound of the message notification seemed barely enough to wake a ponderous man like Chase but it did.


    Chase woke up and when he did, his woman was not in his arms.


    His woman?!


    Chase sat up in bed, rubbing the heaviness in his eyes but it didn¡¯t seem to be any good. He brushed back his tousled-from-sex hair and let out a breath.


    Last night¡­


    The innocence of that woman¡¯s voice, the intensity of feelings in her eyes, and the precision with which her curves were carved. The beautiful curls that danced across her face, her melodious moans when she cried with pleasure. It was beyond incredible the amount of effect she had on him to make him mad enough to wish she was his woman.


    But where was she?


    He touched his lips and when he stared down at the sheets, he was convinced she had been here in his room.


    She hadn¡¯t been a dream!


    Chase¡¯s gaze shifted to the nightstand and the pile of cash next to a written note moved him.


    Did the woman fromst night leave that here?


    His guess proved to be precisely that when he grabbed the note and scanned through it.


    Hi¡­ It¡¯s me, the woman you had a one-night stand with. I¡¯m sorry¡­ but please, forget it ever happened. I¡¯m a married woman andst night happened due to my negligence. I¡¯m really sorry, please ept my apology.


    Chase reread the note and squeezed it over the palm of his fingers, anger stemming from him as gazed at the pile of cash on the nightstand.


    What in the world did she think of him?


    How could she callst night¡­ a mistake?


    He remembered the kneading of her breasts and how vulnerable she¡¯d been underneath him. How her body ignited his passion and help him make her cum?


    Chase was not a dunce. He¡¯d seen beautiful women. Many of high caliber, some of them had even had cosmetic procedures tomensurate their already breath-taking beauty to appeal to him. Indeed, they were appealing but he wasn¡¯t attracted to them. Not even his own wife, a beauty queen who hadn¡¯t undergone any cosmetic enhancements.


    Many would wonder, why would a man who had a beautiful wife have a one-night stand with a woman who didn¡¯tpare to his wives¡¯ beauty.


    Chase didn¡¯t know either.


    But he did know that his mystery woman had sparked a me within him that he thought would remain missing in his life. Something his wife had never been able to get out of him. Not that he even remembered thest time he¡¯d been intimate with his perfect wife.


    Ring!


    Ring!


    The ringing of the phone got Chase¡¯s attention and now he just had to pick it up while trying to cater to the rejection of the mystery woman that had left no trace of who she was. She hadn¡¯t even dropped her name.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Hey, Chase, about time you answered your phone,¡± An enthusiastic yet mocking tone replied. ¡°What the fuck were you doingst night, I couldn¡¯t reach you. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re working hard on your break again, workaholic?¡±


    Chase rubbed his temples.


    It was his close friend and cousin, West, who derived pleasure in taunting him.


    **********************


    Mackenzie had thought tiptoeing into the house for her not to alert her husband on her night out escapades but the moment she arrived at the top of the stairs, she met her mother-inw in the walkway.


    ¡°Mackenzie,¡± The moment her mother-inw¡¯s gaze dropped on her, she froze. ¡°Where were youst night? You didn¡¯t even bother to drop by at the mansion to tell me and your grandfather the good news.¡±


    Mackenzie shuddered.


    ¡°G-good news?¡± She stuttered.


    Nothing good hade out from the previous day¡¯s endeavors, especially not her drunken night¡¯s endeavor.


    But the deed had been done and to face her behavior now made her feel like a failure. What was the point ofst night if she couldn¡¯t even own it? To look at her mother-inw now made her want to break. How much to face her husband?


    He was a proud cheat, she was not.


    ¡°You know¡­¡± her mother-inw hinted with a subtle wink, ¡°your little trip to the hospital.¡±


    Mackenzie knew that very well.


    But to tell the truth¡­


    She just couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me about it now!¡±


    ¡°What-¡±


    ¡°You can tell it to the entire family at dinner.¡±


    ¡°Dinner?¡± Mackenzie asked in a tiny voice.


    ¡°Right. Your grandfather has requested that you and Jeffrey join us for dinner. And one more thing, your brother-inw and his wife will be joining us so you better be ready.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ Shall I ask you about the menu for dinner so I can supervise the kitchen sta-¡±


    ¡°-No!¡± Her mother-inw yelled a bit too quickly that Mackenzie had to give her a suspicious gaze.


    She was usually in charge of supervising the cooking at her husband¡¯s house and special dinners for gatherings at her father-inw¡¯s so it was never frowned on when she initiated the cooking process. Mackenzie wondered why this time was different.


    ¡°Well,¡± her mother-inw said coyly, sliding a perfectly manicured finger across her neck. ¡°What I mean is¡­ you don¡¯t have to make dinner tonight or any more meals. Look at you, huh,¡± A concerned look stered across her mother-inw¡¯s face, and Mackenzie had trouble telling if the concern was real or not.


    ¡°You look pale and you have a bit of dark circles¡­¡±


    Her mother-inw abruptly gasped and caressed Mackenzie¡¯s face. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me that stubborn son of mine is stressing you too much. Really, he can be a lot to handle sometimes but I can assure you that he loves you very much!¡±


    The atmosphere between them suddenly changed as Mackenzie stared down at her feet as though indignant to speak.


    Her mother-inw also picked up on this but brushed it off with a nervousugh. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go to your room and rest, huh? Rx and tell me if you need anything, okay.¡±


    After patting Mackenzie¡¯s palms, she walked off with an enthusiastic stride.


    Mackenzie just knew.


    Her mother-inw was treating her well because she thought she was pregnant.


    Mackenzie bowed her head. Even though she did not like that her husband had cheated on her, she felt that maybe things would somehow work out and they would remain a happy family.


    She entered her room and pulled open the cabs where she usually kept her supplements but what she saw next made her almost have a heart attack. It was a pack of condoms!


    She knew that she and Jeffery never used condoms when they were together because they were nning on having a baby, but for Jeffrey to have this many condoms?


    Mackenzie checked the nearby garbage can and immediately leaned back against the wall from the sight of the multiple used condoms.


    Now that she paid attention to the room, the smell of cum reproached her. She couldn¡¯t even cry anymore.


    Jeffrey had taken even that from her. Her will to grief for the loss of the affection of her husband.


    So she left the room, taking with her a vitamin supplement and her bag.


    Downstairs, there was a small room next to the patio.


    In the past, it had been her safe haven because she could engage in a hobby she was fond of. Woodwork.


    Since her teen years, she¡¯d been interested in woodwork in furniture that she usually extended her help to those who needed her assistance and for free as well.


    Even though she got married, her interest in furniture didn¡¯t cease but unfortunately, her mother-inw didn¡¯t like that, so she threw out some of the furniture that she made leaving only a few scraps.


    Mackenzie caressed the surface of one of the stools from the past that she had left iplete.


    After all, her mother-inw had told her,


    ¡°Woodwork is dirty. You can no longer do that! Now that you¡¯ve married my son, you have to pay attention to everything you do so as not to put him and our family to shame!¡±


    Mackenzie didn¡¯t know how long she stood there, admiring her iplete crafts and wishing she could experiment with them for a bit when she heard voicesing from the patio. She couldn¡¯t help not hearing the disturbance, after all, this room of hers was the closest to the patio.


    Mackenzie moved closer to the window and opened just a creak and saw her husband and mother-inw standing outside. They looked to be in a heated conversation judging by the tones of their voice and bodynguage.


    However, Jeffrey seemed moreid back.


    Usually, Mackenzie would avoid listening to a conversation between the mother and son but she felt drawn to hearing this one. For some reason, she felt as though there was a message in their conversation that was meant for her.


    ¡°Jeffery, Can¡¯t you be a bit nicer to Mackenzie?¡±


    ¡°You mean that hag?¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes widened.


    Hag?


    Hearing that word from her husband¡¯s lips made her feel low. Although she understood that when she first met Jeffery, she hadn¡¯t paid too much attention to her looks but after they got married she¡¯d touched up her looks to appear more attractive to him. Did he not even consider that?


    ¡°Whatever! I heard that you didn¡¯t go to the office this morning and instead you went to a hotel with some gorgeousdy. I heard she ditched you and that¡¯s why you¡¯re back home early and not because you finished your work on time.¡±


    Silence


    ¡°Did you think I wouldn¡¯t find out? What the hell do you think of me!¡±


    ¡°Mother, it¡¯s not as if my contributions matter. Just let my assistant do all the work as usual.¡±


    ¡°You idiot!¡±


    ¡°But you know it¡¯s true, mother. As long as you have my back, nothing bad will happen. And about Mackenzie, there¡¯s no problem. Even if I cheat in her face, she won¡¯t ever leave me. That¡¯s just the way she is, that weak woman.¡±


    Mackenzie easily let go of the window and leaned back against the wall.


    ¡°A weak woman, he said.¡± She muttered with a pained expression.


    ¡°Still, be good to her. She¡¯s pregnant. Right now is a crucial time for her and us as well.¡±


    ¡°Ahh, that woman is such a bother. Why did she have to get pregnant so easily back then if she was going to deliver a dead child.¡±


    ¡°I know right? Back then, I was the one who persuaded you to marry her because she was pregnant. If I knew that it was no good, I would have told you to desert her but anyhow, now she¡¯s pregnant again. If she gives birth to a son, ten percent of the Axford conglomerates will be yours. That was the percentage of the share your father promised you back then, I don¡¯t believe he¡¯ll forget about it in a hurry.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all you have to say? That¡¯s no good! You have to promise me that you¡¯ll be good to Mackenzie. Don¡¯t forget, this is for your sake.¡±


    ¡°Fine, mother. I¡¯ll do as you say.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my good boy!¡±


    That was all Mackenzie heard before the voices and footsteps vanished.


    It was right then that she made up her mind on what to do next.


    And it definitely didn¡¯t have to do with getting back on good terms with her husband.

 Chapter 5 Forcing her Into submission

    The ck Lamborghini pulled over at the mansion and once the door opened, three imposing figures stepped out. Two were men, and the third was a familiar woman with a pair of seductive green eyes and amber hair.


    ¡°Honey, we¡¯rete.¡± She said to the aloof man standing next to her after checking the time on her Patek Philippe brand wristwatch.


    His answer was a simple shrug before walking to the mansion. He didn¡¯t want to be here anyway.


    The other man ced both hands behind his neck, his yful light brown eyes gleaming with mischief. ¡°Isn¡¯t he the coolest?¡± He said to Selene sarcastically.


    Selene looked at him from the corner of his eyes, her eyes unfriendly as she walked past him.


    He slowly followed behind the odd couple, arge portion of his brown hair falling over his face as he walked, due to his fringe hairstyle.


    He was wearing a white turtleneck knitted shirt and gray pants with a pair of brown sandals. His appearance looked clean, fresh, andidback like his personality.


    The man walking up ahead briefly stopped when he reached the front porch, his parted sweep dancing around his face when the cold wind hit him.


    Standing on the front porch reminded him of how things had moved from being sweet and friendly to bitter and disastrous.


    It had all started many years ago, the era of a new dawn in his life.


    After his mother passed, his father quickly reced her absence with a hot, savvy woman who worked as a secretary in his workce.


    He swallowed, bringing his thoughts back to the present moment.


    There was no use thinking about the past. He didn¡¯t care about it anymore.


    ¡°Chase,¡±


    The sweet cologne of his perfect wife caught up to his nose and it made him look to his side where she was standing, her eyes shining with delight as she looked at him.


    He cleared his throat and stared straight ahead.


    It was Selene O¡¯Malley, his wife.


    Her face was perfect; her body was perfect.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go in first,¡± She said softly before walking in front of him to the door.


    Even her walking pose was perfect.


    And that perfection of hers was what was suffocating to him.


    Unlike the woman he had a one-night stand with the previous night, she felt fake. Chase knewparing his wife to a woman he¡¯d only met briefly was cruel but he couldn¡¯t help it. His wife was just too remarkable but she had no depth.


    Chase stared at the open door and could subtly hear familiar waves ofughter of excitement from within.


    She was even the perfect daughter-inw.


    But all of that didn¡¯t matter when she couldn¡¯t light a single spark in him as his wife.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    Chase looked behind only to find his cousin, West staring at him with a knowing grin. ¡°Won¡¯t you go in?¡±


    Chase looked straight ahead and walked in, his cousin moving slowly behind him.


    The lights, and chandelier that was hung in the middle of the living room¡­ It hadn¡¯t changed but the house was no longer what it used to be. It wasn¡¯t his warm and safe haven anymore.


    ¡°Chase, you¡¯re here!¡± He heard his father say from across the room.


    ¡°I¡¯m here too, uncle Richard,¡± West remarked yfully, heading towards the dining table.


    Chase watched his wife and cousin as they blended beautifully, fitting in with his supposedly cultured family.


    His father, Richard Axford was wearing a t-shirt and jeans. Simple clothing, you¡¯d agree but his blue eyes and charming smile made him look beyond simple.


    His wife, Eleanor was right by his side wearing a sparkling ck dress and a full-face makeup but her straight eyebrows and red lips were the main highlights along with her bob hair.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Her son and Chase¡¯s stepbrother, Jeffery, was sitting quietly like a perfect son, not even making an effort to greet him but Chase didn¡¯t mind it. He couldn¡¯t be bothered either.


    Next to Jeffrey was his wife, Mackenzie. She looked normal as usual but then he noticed something different about her tonight. Her aura seemed more sensual than usual and it called out to him.


    ¡°Chase, my son!¡±


    Chase¡¯s attention was averted once again by his enthusiastic father.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I¡¯mte,¡± he said to his father but his voice did not sound apologetic.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. Anyhow, I¡¯m d you could make it. And you brought West along!¡±


    Mackenzie ran a finger over the curls on her face.


    Ever since Jeffrey¡¯s brother, Chase Axford, and wife, Selene O¡¯Malley joined the table, she¡¯d noticed the subtle look her husband gave Selene and it disgusted her to her very core.


    Chase Axford.


    He was a graceful man with a handsome appearance but he always seemed so cold and unattainable. She wondered how Selene was lucky enough to bag such a good man and yet cheat on him. But it was also no wonder, after all, Selene was a beautiful woman. There were just some things that were eptable for her to do.


    Everyone finally settled down at the dining table and Mackenzie felt insecure sitting with her husband¡¯s family.


    They all seemed to carry an aura of wealth that shecked despite the fact that she was wearing her expensive purple dress.


    It didn¡¯t help matters that she¡¯d left her hair curly as a way to protest against her husband and embrace her real self but somehow, being herself in a sophisticated family like this one felt impossible.


    Her mother-inw¡¯s perfect bob made her look younger than her age and her brother-inw and his wife looked like royalty.


    Chase Axford was wearing a simple ck suit but on his body, it looked firm and sleek. His face¡­ was like a dream. The parted wave of ck hair crossed over his face gave him the perfect conjuring appearance.


    His eyes were deep and reminded her of the stormy seas. It was intimidating to look at, yet for some reason, she found herself ncing at him from time to time which was very unlike her.


    His perfect nose¡­


    His heart-shaped pink lips and chiseled V-jawline looked as though they were carved by gods. His bulging Adam¡¯s apple when he swallowed¡­ was the sexiest motion she had ever seen, for some reason.


    Watching him do basic things was, for some reason, turning her on.


    Watching his hands as his picked up a ss, the veins flexing against his skin with the motion. The way he lifted it to his lips and drank from it. She was held spellbound, watching him swallow. Then he brought the ss down, a sh of his tongue subtly licking the moisture on his bottom lip.


    She wouldn¡¯t have paid attention to him at all. She was usually too busy making sure her husband ate well to care but after what her husband did-


    She didn¡¯t care if admiring his brother¡¯s features lustfully was wrong.


    As Chase ced his half-filled ss down, his gaze moved to Mackenzie.


    As they made eye contact, she froze, her breath hitching in her throat from how unreal he looked. Sea blue shing against hers.


    Intimidated, she looked away.


    Chase didn¡¯t.


    For some reason, she sparked something in him looking like that.


    Her curly hair.


    Her sexy fiery hazel eyes.


    Her natural plump pink lips.


    The purple V-neck dress she was wearing hugged her body.


    She was beautiful tonight and the awkward shyness that she emitted after getting caught staring at him was cute.


    But for some reason, she looked familiar. Her subtle intricacies, and the way she carried herself.


    ¡°Mackenzie,¡± Richard Axford said after a couple of minutes.


    Some conversation had gone around without Mackenzie getting involved. He wanted to involve her as well.


    ¡°Is that a new hairstyle that¡¯s in trend these days? It looks lovely on you, dear.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, father,¡± Mackenzie said with a smile, ¡°But I have to say, it¡¯s my natural hair.¡±


    Something in Chase¡¯s chest tugged afterward.


    Jeffrey¡¯s wife¡¯s natural hair had always been curly. How could that be? He always saw her wearing straight hair. Tonight is an exception, of course.


    ¡°Jeffrey always preferred straighter hair, so I made it a habit of straightening my hair,¡±


    She always had curly hair?


    Chase looked at her and immediately rememberedst night.


    The mystery woman who had crossed his path and seduced him to bed with her fiery eyes and raw passionate tone.


    For some reason, Mackenzie and the woman he had a one-night stand with, seemed too simr, or was it just his imagination?


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you straighten your hair tonight, then?¡± Selene asked, her tone almost meant to sound haughty.


    ¡°I just wanted to let my hair breathe,¡± Mackenzie said, pushing her curls away from her face. And that was when it hit Chase.


    He found Mackenzie so familiar because he knew her fromst night. She was the woman who¡¯d begged him to make love to her. She was the woman that evoked sexual desires out of him just by looking at him. And right now, he could feel himself getting turned on by her voice and sensual nature that seemed so natural to her.


    Chase clenched his fists but kept them hidden under the table.


    This innocent wife of his stepbrother was not who she portrayed herself to be.


    Chase usually didn¡¯t like to meddle in other people¡¯s affairs but in this case¡­ He had to show her her ce.


    How dare she get him involved in her suspicious parade while she was married, and to his half-brother!


    It was beyond annoying. He had to get back at her somehow!


    Whilest night had meant a lot to him, to her, it was just a fun activity, a pastime.


    Ring!


    Ring!


    Chase snapped out of his trail of thoughts on hearing his phone ring in his pocket.


    It wasn¡¯t a call he had to pick, but he used the opportunity to excuse himself from the table to get himself together.


    He¡¯d never felt this used in his entire life.


    He understood that life had a series of problems and it was inevitable to run into countless few but this joke that was yed on him seemed a bit too much from the side of the universe.


    How could the woman that had evoked his desiresst night be his half-brother¡¯s wife? He didn¡¯t understand it at all!


    While organizing his thoughts, he saw Mackenzie storm down the hallway.


    Was she trying to leave because she recognized him? That had to be it! Although, he had to apud her for maintaining a poker face at the dining table.


    Without hesitation, he followed her outside, his heart mming hard against his ribcage as he did.


    ¡°Mackenzie!¡± He yelled.


    Mackenzie halted in her steps and turned around to face him, her eyes shaking frantically as their eyes met.


    ¡°It¡¯s you, isn¡¯t it?¡± He demanded, ¡°The woman who begged me to fuck herst night.¡±


    ¡°What are you saying?¡± Her voice shook, noting the familiar hues of blue in his using eyes.


    She didn¡¯t understand why he would say something like that to her. He was her brother inw, how could he-


    Mackenzie¡¯s thoughts went out the window when he leaned in and kissed her hotly, his tongue forcing her into submission.

 CHAPTER 6 – YOU HAVE NO CHOICE

    ¡°WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!¡± Mackenzie pushed him aside, her lips trembling from the repercussion of what he¡¯d just done to her.


    This was Chase Axford, her brother-inw!


    No matter what hadpelled him to act this way, it was still wrong!


    Chase grabbed Mackenzie by the shoulder and instinctively nudged her until she was up against the wall.


    ¡°W-what,¡± She stuttered, trembling as he ced a hand next to her against the wall, leaving her with no way to escape his enclosed trap.


    ¡°Look at this face properly,¡± he roared, staring down at her with clenched fists.


    As if it wasn¡¯t enough that she kept a calm face throughout dinner, she even had the nerve to pretend not to know him.


    Mackenzie struggled to gaze into his stormy blue hues and instantly plunged into the memories ofst night.


    Her words stopped in her throat. She couldn¡¯te up with coherent words.


    The person she¡¯d had a one-night stand with was her brother-inw.


    Shivers ran down her spine and so did fright. She also had the feeling of an ecstatic euphoria of being near the man that had made her feel good.


    It was no wonder she noticed him tonight.


    But still, it was inconsequential.


    They weren¡¯t allowed to hold on to the fragments ofst night. They were both drunk, and that was it. No matter how gorgeous he was, she was not allowed to let her mind drive further.


    This was real life. Not a fucking Netflix drama!


    ¡°I remember!¡± She yelled, using every single bit of the courage she could muster to lock eyes with him boldly.


    The very eyes she¡¯d trembled beforest night.


    ¡°I¡­ I caused a nuisance and we ended up having sex,¡± She bit her bottom lip nervously, aware of his condescending eyes watching her. ¡°But you have to forget about it,¡± she said.


    Chase pulled away, aware of both of their situations.


    They were inws.


    Sexual interaction was out of the question. But still¡­ it hurt him to know thatst night had meant nothing to her at all.


    If he hadn¡¯te after her, she wouldn¡¯t recognize him at all?


    Chase chuckled darkly.


    He should have known.


    Women of her type pretended to be the godliest, but in reality, they were cheats and nothing but frauds.


    Chase nced at her, noting her perplexed gaze and it ticked him off.


    Even when she was in this situation, she was still acting innocent. It was disgusting.


    So he grabbed her by the front of her dress and pulled her, so she was facing him.


    ¡°You, you¡¯re pathetic.¡± He growled, ¡°You have a decent husband. You should be happy but you go to a random stranger¡¯s room to get fucked?!¡±


    Mackenzie shuddered under his gaze, whimpering silently.


    ¡°It¡¯s even more disgusting when you make an innocent face like that,¡± he snarled.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± She said quietly, ¡°You can¡¯t say a word about this to my husband. Just forget it ever happened. I don¡¯t remember much anyway, and besides, I¡¯m not pretty. Last night won¡¯t be memorable to you anyway.¡±


    Chase was stunned.


    This woman¡­ was she stupid or just in dumb?!


    Ifst night wasn¡¯t memorable for him, would he bother to find her after she left a nuisance of a note?


    Why would he rey every moment of their lovemaking in his head so much that he couldn¡¯t think straight throughout the day?


    Why would he remember what her eyes looked like and the way she¡¯d pleaded for him to make love to her?


    Why would he unconsciouslypare her to his wife?


    Why?!


    She had ignited a thousand strings of passion inside of him. How dare she not at least take ountability for that? Instead, she was telling him to forget about it. It was toote for that.


    ¡°I beg you Chase, please forget aboutst night,¡± Mackenzie said, her eyes tearing up.


    Chase clenched his fists for the hundredth time to keep his anger and self-control from exploding.


    ¡°You used me,¡± he said with gritted teeth, ¡°I¡¯ll never let that go.¡±


    Mackenzie didn¡¯t reply. She had no reply to that as she¡¯d taken advantage of him without intending.


    ¡°Give me your number,¡± He demanded with darkening eyes. Those eyes sucked the breath right out of her.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Mackenzie froze, taken aback by that retort. That wasn¡¯t what she expected to hear from Chase.


    ¡°Are you deaf? I said give me your number. I¡¯m not going to let what you did go, so you better answer my number anytime I call you or you will have a conversation about this with your husband.¡±


    That was all it took to have Mackenzie give him her number, and Chase could see from her behavior how much this little secret of theirs meant to her so he made a mental note to take advantage of every aspect of it.


    Once he was done collecting her number, he headed back to the entrance where his father was telling Selene and West goodnight.


    ¡°Are you two done?¡± He said to West and Selene, ¡°Let¡¯s go quickly, I have work to do.¡±


    Richard chuckled lightly. His son was a bit obsessed with work now but he¡¯d made time to have dinner with him and his wife. He should notin about that.


    ¡°Well then, goodnight children. I had fun talking to all of you.¡±


    Chase nodded firmly and as he was about to turn around to leave, he saw Jeffrey standing by the door, watching him.


    Chase stared back at his brother, neither saying a word to the other. There was lightning between their stares.


    There had always been tension between them and as they grew up, it increased. But Chase could care less about that.


    Right now, what he felt for his stepbrother was sympathy, for various reasons.


    Chase averted his gaze from Jeffrey and headed to the parking lot. Once he, Selene, and West were settled in the Lamborghini, they drove off but with West behind the wheel.


    ¡°So, that was a rather smoothly executed dinner,¡± West quipped during the ride, aiming for humor.


    ¡°Until Mackenzie disrupted it with her unfortunate announcement,¡± Selene remarked, rolling her eyes. ¡°I mean, who says something like that right in the middle of dinner and spoils the mood?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t help but feel sorry for her, though,¡±


    ¡°I feel sorry for you for not knowing what Meningioma is,¡±


    Chase was confused, he¡¯d left dinner midway so he was lost as to what Selene and West were bickering about but it piqued his curiosity because their conversation involved Mackenzie.


    He¡¯d seen her leave the living room quite earlier than the others but wasn¡¯t that just a chance to avoid him?


    ¡°West, what happened at the dining table after I left?¡±


    West pulled over in front of Chase¡¯s vi and said, ¡°We¡¯re here you two.¡±


    Chase had no choice but to leave the conversation at that. He didn¡¯t want Selene to suspect him for having an interest in Mackenzie.


    ¡°You better thank meter for driving you two with my newest baby¡± West said as Chase and Selene got out of the car.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Chase responded in aposed tone. Without further ado, he and Selene ascended the garden-bound staircase leading to their penthouse.


    ¡°Come on, give it a bit more sincerity,¡± West teased before driving away.


    Once Selene and Chase were inside their penthouse, Chase discarded his suit and loosened his tie while Selene wandered off inside the building.


    Chase went straight to the mini bar near the kitchen, where he¡¯d stacked his favorites.


    He grabbed a bottle of whiskey and dunked it down before letting out an exasperated sigh.


    Mackenzie¡­


    He could still barely believe that she was the woman that he had a one-night stand with. Her demeanor was different tonight.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    But he recognized those lips.


    ¡°Hey baby,¡± A sultry voice filled Chase¡¯s ears, catching him off-guard.


    He looked beside him and there stood Selene in a provocative lingerie.


    She looked sexy but that did not arouse Chase. She didn¡¯t have the same rawness or fierceness as Mackenzie. Her body was too artificial and perfect. Like a doll¡¯s who would get aroused by that?


    She started to unbutton his shirt and kiss down his warm chest.


    Chase would usually push her at this time and Selene knew that as well, but when Chase didn¡¯t push her away, she became hopeful. So she greedily kissed down and unbuttoned his trousers and pulled down his shorts to reveal his massive cock.


    ¡°Ohh,¡± Selene moaned at the sight of his massive cock. it was so beautiful and veiny, promising a very wild time.


    Just the way it looked was mouthwatering for her.


    Yes, she was married to this hot gifted man but he rarely pleased her and that was why she found sce with other men.


    But tonight, it seemed there was hope.


    Chase stared down at his anticipating wife as she took his cock into her mouth.


    ¡°Ohh,¡± she gasped, rolling her tongue around his cock.


    Chase felt himself harden.


    It was only a normal reaction but¡­


    Selene took his cock out of her mouth and started licking it as though it were a lollipop, the expression that she made was supposed to look sexy but it didn¡¯t appeal to him.


    Chase was about to push Selene off of him and make an excuse as to why he could no longer continue this fun rendezvous but when he spared Selene a nce, he imagined that she was a certain woman with fierce hazel eyes and thick curls.


    He reached forward to grab her thick curly locks and pushed her face down to wobble down on his cock.


    Unexpectedly, he released a gasp as she took him down her throat.


    Then she started to go back up to the tip before wobbling him back down.


    Chase had a familiar pressure build up, and forced her to take his cock further down her throat until he came in her mouth. Something that hadn¡¯t happened before with him and his wife.


    The realization sunk in, and when Selene looked up to face him, his interest diedpletely.


    Even though he¡¯d known Mackenzie couldn¡¯t be here, his brain tricked him for a second that she was the one right in front of him and not his wife.


    Both disappointed in himself and dissatisfied, he stood and pulled up both his shorts and trousers.


    Selene, who was still on her knees, looked at him in disappointment.


    Not a thing had changed between them over the years! If she was so beautiful, how could he not be seduced by her?!


    ¡°Sorry,¡± he said, coldly as he turned his back to her. ¡°I just find this boring.¡± His gaze flickered toward her, observing her from the corner of his eye.


    ¡°Boring?!¡± Selene retorted with a scoff, rising to her feet in a surge of anger. ¡°Let me tell you what¡¯s boring. You!¡±


    Chase redirected his attention ahead, his focus unwavering.


    ¡°Do you have any idea how many men would kill for a chance with me? Yet you won¡¯t touch me?! How can I be your wife and you won¡¯t even seize the opportunity to enjoy me however you please? I¡¯m one of the most stunning women in the entire world; you won¡¯te across another like me anywhere. I can guarantee that. And do you want a prime example of a dull woman?¡± Selene¡¯s words dripped with scorn, ¡°I can give you one: Mackenzie.¡±


    Chase turned to look at Selene, feeling his anger skyrocket from what she just said.


    He usually wasn¡¯t the type to get triggered easily, but he just didn¡¯t want to hear someone else throw dirt on that name. Only he was allowed to do that.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough, Selene,¡± he asserted in an authoritative tone.


    ¡°What?¡± She scoffed, ¡°Isn¡¯t it the truth? I can¡¯t fathom why someone like her is with your brother. I bet she doesn¡¯t even satisfy him properly in bed-¡±


    ¡°-I SAID THAT¡¯S ENOUGH,¡±


    Selene halted at the sharpness in Chase¡¯s voice, but her anger simmered at being reprimanded by her husband due to a girl like Mackenzie.


    ¡°Why are you defending her?¡± She shouted, her frustration bubbling over. ¡°That woman doesn¡¯t even deserve your sympathy. Look at me, your wife! Yet you¡¯ve never once bothered to give me the time of day!¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the same for you?¡± Chase countered in a low, steady voice. ¡°I know you entertain other men when I¡¯m not around. And don¡¯t even try to pass it off as work to justify yourself.¡±


    Selene stood rooted in ce, reluctant to utter another word that might escte his anger. Yet, when she saw him walking away from her without a second nce, apulsion to deliver a hurtful remark overcame her.


    ¡°The woman you¡¯re defending won¡¯t have much time left.¡±


    Chase came to an abrupt stop, his back stiffening at her words. She seized the opportunity to continue, a cruel satisfaction in her tone. ¡°After you left the dining table at your parents¡¯, Mackenzie revealed that she¡¯s been diagnosed with Meningioma.¡±

 CHAPTER 7 – MOMMY ISSUES

    Hello, father. It¡¯s me, Mackenzie. How are you? How¡¯s everyone?


    As Mackenzie hit the send button, tears rolled down her cheeks.


    This was the first message she ever sent to her father in a while that did not involve her informing him that she¡¯d wired some money to his bank ount.


    Now that she thought about it, she realized that was vain and all the efforts she was putting into helping her father was just a heap of heavy dust. What was money going to do for her now? It could never make her a better daughter.


    She might die. How would money save her from her unlucky fate?


    ¡°Mackenzie!¡± A shrill voice yelled, ¡°Are you going to neglect the house chores again?! Your disease is not even life-threatening so don¡¯t you dare try to use it as an excuse!¡±


    Mackenzie could hear it. The mocking tone in her mother-inw¡¯s voice.


    It wasn¡¯t the same tone she¡¯d used to speak to her in the past.


    Could money take her back in time, when everything was so perfect?


    No-


    If anything, she¡¯d sacrifice all the ie she¡¯d inherited from being Jeffrey¡¯s wife and go back to her life as a poor farmer¡¯s daughter.


    ¡°Mackenzie!¡± The door to the guest room opened.


    Mackenzie knew her mother-inw had caught her but she had no strength to move from her current position.


    It was just too heavy.


    She felt too heavy¡­ The burden of being a rich man¡¯s wife.


    ¡°So this is where you were hiding!¡±


    The room next to the patio. A haven where she happily made furniture until it was infiltrated by her mother-inw.


    ¡°Get up!¡±


    Eleanor walked over to where Mackenzie was sitting miserably on the floor. She grabbed both of her hands forcefully while pulling her upwards.


    Mackenzie resisted. ¡°Leave me alone!¡± She said,


    But Eleanor was not having that. She continued to pull Mackenzie¡¯s hands.


    Mackenzie became overwhelmed. This was feeling too much.


    ¡°Leave me alone!¡± She shouted and pushed Eleanor away from her.


    Eleanor fell t on her butt. She hadn¡¯t been strong enough to maintain her opaque pose.


    ¡°Why do you all have to do this to me!¡± She cried, staring down at her mother-inw who was stunned to see her in this gory state.


    She hadn¡¯t imagined that Mackenzie would be this¡­ depressed about her disease.


    ¡°First, it was your son who promised me the world but cheated on me!¡±


    Eleanor swallowed nervously.


    So it was about that.


    She never imagined that Mackenzie would find out about his affairs.


    ¡°And then I find out I have a brain tumor and what was your son doing? He was fucking his brother¡¯s wife!¡±


    Eleanor immediately got on her knees on hearing that.


    She knew what her son was capable of doing and she knew even more that Mackenzie would never tell a lie. For her to react like this, she must be telling the truth.


    But still, she had to try and protect her son¡¯s pride ¨C Her pride as Richard¡¯s wife.


    ¡°My son would never do something like that,¡±


    ¡°You know the truth, Eleanor. No need to pretend.¡±


    Mackenzie lurched for the door and Eleanor grabbed her right foot.


    ¡°You must never tell anyone about this!¡±


    Mackenzie stared down at Eleanor and scoffed.


    She was a cruel mother-inw, but she didn¡¯t expect her to be a bad mother to her son.


    ¡°So,¡± She said, ¡°You want to clean up after your son¡¯s mess?¡±


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Eleanor said, her voice stricken with panic. ¡°I¡¯ll give anything you want,¡±


    Mackenzie forcefully escaped from her mother-inw¡¯s grip and skidded down the hall.


    Right now, she felt the need the need to preserve her life or today could be herst day in the world.


    You should be happy, Jeffrey. She thought as she glided down the stairs and made her way out of the house.


    You have a doting mother.


    Mackenzie started to run, feeling the wind tussle her hair back and strip off the burdens she felt on her back.


    As she ran, she made up her mind. She would dedicate today just for her. She would do whatever she liked.


    Soon enough, was in a flower shop buying a bouquet of white chrysanthemums.


    The first thing she¡¯d neglected since she married Jeffrey was the ability to grieve. After she lost her child, she immediately started thinking of new ways to please her husband and mother-inw.


    Now that she remembered it, she felt horrible.


    Mackenzie went next to a nearby store and bought a bottle of liquor, and went to sit on a deserted flower road.


    Now that she was thinking deeply about it, she realized that she did not find out if a grave was dedicated to her child.


    I¡¯m sorry, honey.


    She bowed her head over herp, breaking into sobs.


    I didn¡¯t deserve you. No wonder you left this world without even looking at me.


    I didn¡¯t even prepare you a name. Even I carried YOU in my belly, I was only looking at my husband.


    No wonder you didn¡¯t even look at me.


    Momentster, she took a sip of liquor and poured the rest onto the ground to honor her long-deceased son.


    She sat there for a few hours. Just being, and letting herself feel the sadness of losing her child.


    Then her phone rang in her pocket.


    She picked up her phone and stared at the screen but there was no caller¡¯s ID.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    Then she remembered her altercation with Chase the previous night.


    She hurriedly picked up the call and ced the phone against her left ear.


    ¡°H¡­hello?¡±


    ¡°What are you doing? Why did you answer my callte?¡±


    Mackenzie could not forget that voice.


    ¡°Chase,¡± She whispered.


    She heard his scoff through the line before he said, ¡°Did you forget what I said would happen If you didn¡¯t pick up my call?¡±


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t forget.¡±


    Mackenzie stood on her feet, looking around the empty road as though he was somewhere in hiding, watching her.


    ¡°If you understand, then you¡¯d do as I say.¡±


    Mackenzie hesitated for a moment, ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Come to Riverdale hotel. Room number 12. Right away. Be there in fifteen minutes or there will be trouble¡±


    With that, the call ended.

 CHAPTER 8 – FORBIDDEN ECSTACY

    Mackenzie ran into the elevator and pressed the second-floor button. The moment the elevator stopped, she got out, hurrying through the hallway until she found the room door.


    Knock knock


    ¡°Open,¡±


    Mackenzie turned the doorknob and pushed the door open.


    She was immediately perplexed by the sight of Chase in a silky blue robe. Her pulse immediately jerked into an erratic rhythm at how devastatingly handsome he was.


    He looked as though he¡¯d just left the shower. Wet tousled ck hair danced over his face, hiding away his beautiful eyes, and his lips were stunningly pink. Despite wearing a simple robe, his aura emitted prestige and his body posture was regal.


    The robe was parted along his chest, only held together at his waist. His smooth, tan skin unted his naked chest and abs muscles, sending a warm feeling through her cheeks.


    Mackenzie did not know what to do with herself. She felt uncouth in front of him.


    ¡°It¡¯s sarcastic, isn¡¯t it,¡± Chase spurned, ¡°Thest time you came into my room you didn¡¯t knock.¡±


    Mackenzie shuddered.


    Right now, they were all alone in a hotel room. What could happen between them?


    Mackenzie yed with her fingers nervously, unaware of how to act.


    ¡°Close the door,¡± Chase ordered.


    Mackenzie hesitated but when she looked at Chase whose gaze was predominant despite the curtain of hairs covering his eyes, she feltpelled to do as he ordered.


    ¡°Come closer,¡± he said.


    And so she did, taking one step to him at a time until they were five meters apart.


    ¡°Take off your clothes,¡± hemanded.


    That was the sole instruction from Chase that left Mackenzie uneasy.


    ¡°What are you¡­ nning to do?¡± she inquired, her voiceden with uncertainty.


    Chase¡¯s lips curled into a smug smirk, as he casually brushed his hair away from his forehead, revealing his strikingly handsome face.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it evident?¡± he responded, his tone dripping with implication.


    Chase nonchntly shifted his robe, revealing more of his sculpted chest and impably groomed abs.


    It was effortless for him; his very presence exuded an otherworldly charm, every action he took seemed meticulously designed.


    ¡°I intend to savor every moment, indulging in you,¡± his voice grew huskier, dripping with sensuality.


    Mackenzie clenched her fists, her gaze falling to the floor.


    ¡°And if I refuse?¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t,¡± he asserted authoritatively, leaving no room for doubt.


    ¡°You¡¯ll obey me, unless you desire me to expose your infidelity to your husband.¡±


    ¡°But that would implicate you as well,¡± Mackenzie stated calmly, devoid of emotion. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t he be furious with you?¡±


    Chase was mildly surprised by Mackenzie¡¯s astuteness, though he didn¡¯t reveal his internal conflict.


    ¡°That¡¯s of no consequence,¡± he replied, his tone unwavering. ¡°I¡¯m my father¡¯s biological son. Do youprehend?¡±


    Mackenzie knew very well what he meant.


    No matter how close Jeffrey was to Richard, he wasn¡¯t his biological son.


    Chase had an edge over him.


    Understanding that made her want to discard her clothes and show him how good she could make a man feel.


    No, this wasn¡¯t to get back at Jeffrey.


    This was to prove to herself that she was a good lover that could please a man and that Jeffrey¡¯s cheating on her didn¡¯t take her sexual prowess from her.


    So she dropped her purse and took off her clothes.


    Starting with her jacket and t-shirt until she was left in her undergarments.


    Chase watched her, maized by her raw beauty.


    She wasn¡¯t wearing anything too fancy but she exuded the kind of beauty that he longed for.


    Mackenzie walked towards Chase who was sitting in his bed and leaned towards him.


    Chase froze, taken aback by her pure scent. She was not wearing perfume but her natural body scent was like heaven.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Mackenzie kissed him, softly.


    Chase found himself giving in to the kiss even though he had not intended for this to happen.


    Mackenzie fell on top of him on the bed and trailed her fingers down his chest as they kissed. Her fingers roamed further down and stopped right on his briefs.


    Letting out a strangled grunt, Chase broke away from the kiss and grabbed her hand.


    He¡¯d only intended to see her naked so he could taunt her about it. He didn¡¯t want it to get this far.


    He¡¯d heard about her illness, even he wasn¡¯t cruel enough to make her do something like this.


    ¡°You should stop now,¡± he said with a throaty breath.


    She¡¯d sessfully turned him on with her reckless touch!


    With her other hand, Mackenzie proceeded to caress his already throbbing cock through his briefs.


    Chase shuddered. Got her away from on top of him and tossed her onto the bed, then got on top of her.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± He growled, holding back from devouring her while she was right underneath him, staring at him with eyes of need.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you want my body? I¡¯ll willingly give it to you.¡±


    Chase¡¯s eyes widened in surprise.


    That wasn¡¯t what he expected her to say ¨C


    ¡°No,¡± Chase interjected, ¡°I didn¡¯t summon you here for that purpose. I simply-¡±


    ¡°-It¡¯s irrelevant.¡±


    Chase was momentarily caught off guard.


    ¡°I might not have much time left,¡± Mackenzie uttered softly, her voiceden with a quiet urgency. ¡°I wish to make my final night here somewhat unforgettable.¡±


    Chaseprehended the depth beneath her words, sensing the unspoken weight they carried. Nevertheless¡­


    ¡°You have a husband,¡± he pointed out.


    ¡°He¡¯s no longer my concern. He forfeited that privilege when he exploited and betrayed me.¡±


    Chase understood.


    So the reason she¡¯d gotten drunk that night was that she discovered that she was ill. And it also seemed as though she had a problem with Jeffrey so she couldn¡¯t rely on him forfort.


    ¡°I¡¯m not keen on the whole ¡®making someonefortable thing¡¯ but I¡¯m going to fuck you, Mackenzie. I¡¯m going to fuck you so hard that the only name thates out of your mouth is mine.¡± With that he smashed his lips against hers, running his fingers down her body as he did.


    Mackenzie gasped into the kiss, arching her back from the feel of his hands on her skin.


    Once they parted from the kiss, Mackenzie started to breathe heavily, staring into Chase¡¯s enthusiastic gaze.


    It was the first time she felt she could see past his cold facade.


    However, this momentsted only an instant when Chase grew impatient and unbuckled her bra.


    Mackenzie gasped, feeling a bit self-conscious all of a sudden.


    Chase had a beautiful wife.


    She could notpete with that woman.


    Mackenzie¡¯s sorrows flew out the window when Chase devoured her left breast while fondling the other.


    A cry escaped from her lips and she arched her back further up, hoping to feel more of him but nothing happened.


    Not until he went between her legs.


    Chase knelt between her legs and ced an index finger against her pussy.


    Mackenzie swallowed, conscious of the wetness that pooled in that area.


    Chase swiped his tongue against his bottom lip as he inserted his index finger in her clit.


    Mackenzie gasped, her legs unconsciously responding to his touch.


    Chase sighed, feeling aroused just by watching her experience pleasure.


    He inserted a second finger and watched as her eyebrows furrowed in an attempt to not make a sound.


    He ced an extra finger and slowly began to finger her.


    Soon, Mackenzie followed his pace with her hips while letting out soft moans.


    ¡°Ohh,¡±


    ¡°Ohhh,¡±


    Along with her moans came her lewd expressions, making Chase¡¯s cock grow bigger than it already was.


    He could no longer take the suspense. He wanted to feel his cock inside of her.


    So he pulled his fingers out of her pussy and lifted his robe, revealing his pulsating cock already seeping pre-cum.


    Mackenzie¡¯s lips parted on seeing it and that was when Chase couldn¡¯t take it anymore.


    He threw her left leg over his shoulder while holding his cock with his right hand.


    ¡°P-please,¡± Mackenzie¡¯s voice muffled as Chase entered her.


    He felt full inside of her but as he moved, his cock twitched, stretching out a part of her she never knew existed.


    ¡°Ohh Chase,¡± She moaned.


    Chase groaned as he slowly moved in and out of her to get her used to his pace.


    Mackenzie shuddered, her eyes brimming with tears from how good he felt.


    Chase also took a second to savor how tight and wet she felt around his cock before increasing his pace.


    Mackenzie groaned as he moved his cock in and out of her pussy at an unfathomable speed, or was it she who could no longer keep up?


    ¡°Chase,¡± She murmured, beginning to reach her high as he rode her to the forbidden ecstasy.


    ¡°Please,¡± She cried and arched her back to feel more of him as he fucked her wet cunt.


    ¡°Oh!¡± She cried while fisting the sheets, shuddering as a wave of orgasm flooded through her body.


    It was too good¡­ The feeling.


    ¡°Ch.. chase,¡± She cried as she came. Chase erupted inside of her shortly after, as they copsed beside each other.

 CHAPTER 9 – ON YOUR MIND, IN YOUR EYES

    It was a feeling that she¡¯d never felt before.


    Not even with her own husband.


    The pressing of his groin against her hot core and the lustrous moan that escaped his mouth as he gasped against her neck, the muscles in his arms flexing as he fucked her at a rather rapid pace.


    ¡°Ohh yeahh,¡± She moaned, nothing but the sex on her mind.


    Usually, with her husband, she could keep her moans to a minimum and hold back slightly when it came to the sounds but with Chase, she couldn¡¯t suppress it, nor could she fake that she wasn¡¯t enjoying it because she was.


    And Chase was making so much effort as well.


    Even with the trail of sweat dripping down his forehead as he gazed down at her very naked body, he didn¡¯t seem to lose sight of what he was doing to her.


    ¡°Ngg,¡± As Mackenzie¡¯s face scrunched up, focusing on the pleasure he gave her Chase slowly pulled his cock out of her causing her to open her eyes and look at him with a gaze of confusion.


    ¡°W-why?¡± She gasped breathlessly. Her breath is a mixture of mint and lemons. ¡°Why are you stopping?¡±


    Chase slobbered his cock over her cunt and made her to gasp lightly, her orgasm building up due to his tease.


    Mackenzie threw her head back and closed her eyes, her mouth parted open as she felt the wave of shudder pass through her brain, leaving her utterly speechless. She could only gasp out loudly waiting for her pending orgasm and Chase teasing her didn¡¯t give her the release she needed.


    ¡°C-chase,¡± Mackenzie parted her legs wider trying to scoot closer to him as he slobbered his warm cock against her cunt, but Chase was hell-bent on teasing her. And seeing her beg to have his cock inside of her somehow incited his narcissistic tendency to dominate her.


    ¡°What do you want me to do?¡± He asked, his voice very much contained, unlike Mackenzie who was breathless and desperate.


    ¡°Pl¡­please put your cock¡­inside of me Chase,¡± She pleaded desperately, scooting her fingers between her wetness and anxiously rubbing over it.


    Chase grinned hearing her plea and pushed aside her fingers before putting his cock inside her.


    As Mackenzie cried out loud due to an orgasm ripping through her entire being, Chase was shooting up loads of cum inside her womb through the torn condom -which neither of them noticed- from how tight she was


    Both of them made sounds of satisfaction and by now, Mackenzie was fully aware of her behavior and the fact that she could choose between continuing with their intercourse or leaving.


    But she chose the former.


    She already knew her connection with Chase was hinged on passion and good sex. There was nothing more for them to move forward with. But if she was only using him to feel better about herself, she would have to make up for it somehow.


    Knowing Chase, material possessions would be nothing but an insult to him so¡­


    ¡°Chase,¡± Mackenzie caressed Chase whose face was buried between her bosoms.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± He saidzily, unwilling to move from his current favorite spot.


    ¡°Can you get off me?¡± She softly asked.


    ¡°No, why?¡±


    ¡°I want to look at you.¡±


    Chase looked up from her bosoms and easily switched their positions so she was lying on top. It was a swift change Mackenzie didn¡¯t expect but she liked it.


    Mackenzie looked up to the pool of stormy blue eyes gazing back at her with a subtle smile etched around his cheeks.


    For the first time, she saw that his eyes looked¡­ alive. And the fact that he was staring at her with such passion evoked some unease and remorse within her.


    Mackenzie kissed him. Slow and yful.


    Like a young boy, Chase stared at her as though confused but he had to admit, he liked this feeling.


    The feeling of being smothered with her kiss.


    Next Mackenzie started to kiss over his nose before trailing over his jawline and his chest.


    ¡°You tease,¡± He grinned, his cock springing back to life, thanks to her kisses and touch.


    As soon as Mackenzie went down to his waist, she grabbed a fistful of his cock and rubbed her fingers over it, sending Chase an impregnable jolt of electricity, causing his cock to twist and turn in her hand.


    To Chase, Mackenzie wanted to pay him back for teasing her but to Mackenzie, she was paying back a debt.


    Mackenzie brought her face down to Chase¡¯s cock and took him down by the throat.


    Without using her teeth, she started to bob her head up and down his cock like she once read online.


    She¡¯d never even given her husband head before. It felt as though her husband had never trusted her not to use her teeth.


    Chase grabbed a fistful of Mackenzie¡¯s hair, controlling her to hold the cock in her mouth just the way he wanted until he shot his load down her throat.


    ******


    Mackenzie took a bath in the bathroom and when she got out, she immediately dressed up.


    The time was now 5 am and Mackenzie was ready to leave the bliss of the night, in the night.


    She¡¯d repaid the favor by giving Chase a blissful orgasm. For a woman new to the giving head business, she was quite content with what she¡¯d done but it was over now. She had to move forward with life.


    As Mackenzie picked up her phone and purse that she¡¯d dropped earlier, she saw Chase sit up staring at her keenly.


    ¡°Are you leaving?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Chase pursed his lips. He knew that what they¡¯d just partaken in was forbidden but yet, but he didn¡¯t want their moment today to end yet. He was having so much fun and he could tell that she was too.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we stay together in bed for a bit more-¡±


    ¡°-Chase,¡± Mackenzie turned to face Chase, everything about her stare direct and vivid.


    She didn¡¯t have to say anything, Chase already knew.


    ¡°Let¡¯s end this.¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°No,¡± Mackenzie returned to her thoughts, ¡°We didn¡¯t even start anything, to begin with. We used each other for sex and that¡¯s it.¡±


    Chase nodded, knowing where this was going. They were now even with each other in terms of sex.


    ¡°So we both used each other for sexual release and now, it¡¯s time to stop whatever we started?¡± Chase asked, an edge to his tone.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    ¡°Exactly, Chase,¡± Mackenzie said sternly.


    Chase wasn¡¯t easy. She knew that, and it was her fault that she got involved with him in the first instance but now it was time to end it, no matter the threats he may pull up.


    ¡°I¡¯m not willing to ept that,¡± Chase said stubbornly. He stood on his feet and walked toward her with an intimidating re.


    Soon, she was within his personal space, backed up against the wall, and his was body the only thing in her view.


    She swallowed, feeling his gaze over her.


    As he leaned in, she knew she had to do something or history would repeat itself.


    ¡°I still love my husband,¡± She said.


    That alone was off-putting enough to make Chase back away.


    Being reminded that she belonged to his brother was not very pleasing. Not something any man would like to hear. Their very illicit affair was all the more apparent to his ears.


    ¡°I don¡¯t regret having sex with you, Chase. In fact, it¡¯s the best I¡¯ve felt for some time, but Jeffrey owns my heart.¡±


    There was silence for some time before Mackenzie continued to speak.


    ¡°I have no excuses to give but I¡¯m truly sorry for using you and I truly feel guilty about it. And I -¡±


    ¡°-Didn¡¯t you say you were leaving?¡± Chase asked harshly.


    Mackenzie winced at the tone he used to speak to her but she couldn¡¯t me him. Not when she could hear the lingering hurt in his voice.


    ¡°Goodbye,¡± Mackenzie said and headed for the door.


    As soon as she opened the door and stepped out, she felt a sense of renewal.


    No matter how Chase felt now, he would forget it in a few hours. He had Selene. Even though she was a cheat, she was bound toe back to her senses sooner orter. So she didn¡¯t have to worry about him or his feelings.


    Right now, she was the one she had to care about. Tonight could be thest she breathed in life.

 CHAPTER 10– HER ONLY REGRET

    Mackenzie boarded a taxi and went straight home, ignored the untidiness of the house and picked up two simple outfits and shoved them in a bag. Then she bathed and shaved properly, barely bothering with skincare.


    Mackenzie got into the hospital and went up to the secretary¡¯s desk.


    ¡°Good day, Mrs. Axford. How are you feeling today?¡±


    ¡°Hello, Cecilia. I¡¯m doing well, thank you. How about yourself?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m doing fine. How can I assist you today?¡±


    ¡°I have an appointment with Dr. Paul.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Mrs. Axford. Right this way.¡±


    Guided as a priority patient, she soon found herself face-to-face with Dr. Paul, who appeared relieved at her arrival.


    ¡°Ah, Mrs. Axford,¡± he greeted warmly. ¡°I¡¯m pleased you made it. Your husband has given us the green light to begin your treatments. You¡¯ve arrived at just the right moment.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, doctor.¡±


    Just then, Mackenzie heard familiar voices calling out her name and when she looked, it was her husband and mother-inw.


    ¡°Your husband is here,¡± Doctor Paul said,


    Mackenzie noted the forceful smile on Jeffrey¡¯s face and instantly knew what it was about.


    His mother had forcefully brought him here to make a good impression on his father, hadn¡¯t she?


    Even with the situation at hand, they had time to be faking. It irritated Mackenzie.


    As she settled in the room, she wondered to herself, was this thest scenery she would see?


    Ring


    Ring


    Mackenzie¡¯s awareness was brought back to her phone when she heard that it was ringing and the name shing on her phone screen was ¡®DAD¡¯


    Tears went up to Mackenzie¡¯s eyes as she watched the phone ring. It had been too long since theyst spoke and this was due to cowardice on her own part.


    Mackenzie answered the call.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    A few moments passed before she heard a response.


    ¡°Hello dear, it¡¯s been too long! How are you? I called youst night but you didn¡¯t pick up the phone. I had a scary dream about you and when I woke up your message was the first I saw. Are you okay? Is something wrong?¡±


    ¡°Dad¡­¡± Mackenzie said, trying to keep herself from breaking into tears. But it was nearly impossible. Hearing her father¡¯s voice like this was soothing and she wanted to bask in it for as long as she could.


    As much as she didn¡¯t want to admit it, she needed all thefort she could get right now. And her father was one of the very few people that could give her that.


    ¡°My dear, why do you sound so sad? Have you been overworking yourself, hmm? I kept telling you repeatedly not to send me so much money but you didn¡¯t listen!¡±


    ¡°Dad,¡± She whispered.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to work too hard, my daughter. If life in the city is too stressful for you, you cane and take a break here. I¡¯ll feed you some sweet potatoes and fresh apples from the farm.¡±


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m fine really.¡±


    Hearing her father talk like this was somehow very calming. It made her get out of her passive thinking. After all, she could survive this illness. It wasn¡¯t even life-threatening, ording to Doctor Paul.


    ¡°Are you sure, my dear?¡±


    ¡°Yes. And I¡¯m d I heard from you, dad.¡±


    ¡°Me too, sweetheart.¡±


    Mackenzie smiled, he really did not know how much his words lifted her spirit.


    ***************


    Eleanor and Jeffery were sitting in the waiting room, neither of them taking the initiative to speak first. Jeffrey was fiddling with his phone. Eleanor, on the other hand, was stealing nces at Jeffrey while clearing her throat.


    After minutes of hinting, and not getting her son to pay attention to her, she said, ¡°Mackenzie will be fine right?¡±


    Without looking up from his phone he answered, ¡°Of course, father even intervened.¡±


    Eleanor yed with her perfectly manicured fingers and briefly looked up, her mind drifting to the day that Mackenzie first spoke to her.


    She had to admit, something about the way Mackenzie had looked at her terrified her.


    ¡°Those eyes¡­¡± She murmured, squeezing her fingers until they were in a clear fist. ¡°I don¡¯t like those eyes.¡±


    ¡°Eleanor?¡±


    Eleanor followed the familiar voice and a smile instantly etched on her lips after seeing that it was her husband, Richard Axford that had just arrived.


    She stylishly pinched her son before standing up to her feet to greet her husband. Jeffrey followed suit.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Mackenzie? Has the surgerymenced?¡±


    While Eleanor clung next to her husband, Jeffrey decided to answer the question.


    ¡°Mackenzie is already in the theater, father,¡±


    Richard sighed, ¡°So early? I had hoped to see her before.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m certain she¡¯ll be in good hands,¡± Eleanor chimed in with a light chuckle, ¡°She¡¯s under the care of a top-notch medical team.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Richard agreed.


    ¡°By the way,¡± Jeffrey interjected, ¡°What about Selene¡­ I mean, how about Chase and his wife?¡±


    ¡°I understand this is a lot to handle on your own, Jeffrey,¡± Eleanor sympathized, ¡°Your brother can be headstrong, but I¡¯m sure he deeply cares for you and will be here soon.¡±


    ¡°Are you certain he¡¯s aware of the surgery? He wasn¡¯t present when Mackenzie disclosed her-¡±


    ¡°-I assure you, Selene must have informed him. They¡¯re a tightly-knit couple.¡±


    Jeffrey¡¯s expression turned into a frown.


    ¡°Rest assured, I even made a call to him and updated him. He should be on his way here shortly.¡±


    **************


    ¡°Doctor, how is she?¡± Eleanor inquired urgently as a couple of doctors emerged from the theater. One of the faces among them was familiar.


    Richard and Jeffrey followed closely, their anticipation palpable.


    ¡°Good news for the Axford family. The surgery was a sess; the patient will be transferred to a VIP room for recovery.¡±


    ¡°Thank heavens,¡± Richard let out a breath of relief, while Eleanor managed a forced smile, saying, ¡°I had a feeling she would pull through.¡±


    ¡°However, we¡¯ll need to keep her under observation here for a few days, just to ensure there are no underlyingplications.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s perfectly fine. Doctor, I¡¯m immensely thankful,¡± Eleanor expressed her gratitude.


    ¡°I¡¯m simply performing my duty. And one more thing to note, it¡¯s advisable for the patient to avoid strenuous activities like pregnancy that could strain her body.¡±


    Eleanor and Jeffrey gave each other a look.


    After the exchange between the doctors and the Axford family, Mackenzie was moved into a VIP room but was still unconscious.


    After taking a look at her, Richard left the hospital, leaving Eleanor and Jeffrey to watch her for a little while longer.


    *********


    Beep


    Beep


    Beep


    Mackenzie could hear the sound of the machines near her. Although she didn¡¯t have enough strength to open her eyes, she could hear what was going on around her.


    She¡¯d heard it.


    Her father-inw¡¯s gratitude that she was alive and her husband¡¯s robotic sound, acknowledging that the surgery was sessful.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    Mackenzieid there in a pool of numbness, not feeling her body, although there was the awareness that it was there.


    She didn¡¯t know if she should be grateful for surviving the operation.


    There were people in the room with her but it felt cold. Too cold.


    But it was alright.


    If she had told her father about her surgery, he would only be worried and she didn¡¯t want that. She wanted her father to always be happy and worry-free.


    ¡°Ahh, Mackenzie certainly has a knack for drawing attention.¡±


    Mackenzie immediately recognized the voice as Eleanor, her mother-inw.


    ¡°The doctor mentioned she¡¯s advised against conceiving at the moment,¡±


    And her husband¡¯s voice¡­


    ¡°Her falling ill did seem like a rather convenient way to gain your father¡¯s sympathy and focus, I have to admit,¡±


    ¡°Mother-¡±


    ¡°-Rx, my dear, she¡¯s in no position to overhear us.¡±


    Mackenzie could detect the yful tone in her mother-inw¡¯s words.


    ¡°I must say, it¡¯s quite vexing that the doctor advised her against attempting pregnancy. If she can¡¯t fulfill even that role, what purpose does she serve?!¡±


    ¡°I allowed you to marry a woman of such low status solely for the sake of bearing you children, and yet she can¡¯t even manage that! The first child she had, died because of her negligence,¡±


    My negligence?


    Mackenzie wanted to cry after hearing those hurtful words but she couldn¡¯t even muster the energy to cry.


    She remembered how long and painful thebor had been when she was pushing that child from her womb. She¡¯d listen to all of the nurses¡¯ instructions to ensure the child would be born safely. But when the child was finally out, he had no breath in him.


    How was that her fault?!


    She did everything she possibly could but it was futile!


    Mackenzie wanted to scream.


    And as the urge passed, she started to feel cold sensations on her skin, and judging from the smells and movements around her, she understood that nurses were in the room with her, and they had their hands on her body.


    Aren¡¯t you ashamed?!


    Mackenzie wanted to shout at Jeffrey and her mother-inw but her body wouldn¡¯t listen to her.


    ¡°After the child died, we lost a great opportunity to secure the percentage of share your father promised. That¡¯s all this wrecked bitch¡¯s fault! She should have just died at that time instead of the baby!¡±


    Mackenzie was fuming with rage but her body could not express her feelings.


    ¡°But since she didn¡¯t die, the least she could do is give birth to one child but she didn¡¯t! I¡¯ve never seen a woman aszy as this one. We changed her life by bringing her into our family, we even gave her money but she didn¡¯t fulfill her end of the bargain by giving us a child.¡±


    Mackenzie was screaming in her head but most importantly, she was deeply regretful.


    She regretted her past decisions.


    It was her fault.


    She sold her dignity. And that was why her child died.


    It was all her fault.


    For being so reckless and inhumane.


    By treating her child as a tool to getting Jeffrey¡¯s affection back, she lost¡­


    The very essence of her being  her humanity!


    She felt herself engulfed by strange sensations.


    ¡°Oh my God! Something is wrong with the patient.¡±


    By hearing the rm in the nurse¡¯s voice, Mackenzie could finally feel her muscles moving as though struggling against the sensations but it was no good, she felt powerless with her arms and legs moving at a swift pace intrinsically.


    ¡°I think she¡¯s having a seizure. Someone go get the doctor!¡±


    Mackenzie felt the heat of the nurses¡¯ body temperature above her as they tried to stabilize her.


    ¡°Oh my God, her heart rate is dropping!¡± One of the nurses yelled as the machines started making urgent beeping sounds.


    She too could feel it¡­


    Her breath slowed down, but she didn¡¯t dislike the feeling. It was warm.


    As the chaos spread, Mackenzie heard the nurses telling her mother-inw and husband to leave.


    Soon, a doctor arrived and she heard orders being given to pump her heart with medical tools she¡¯d never heard of before.


    While the medical personnel worked to save her life, Mackenzie decided that this was it. As she initially thought, she was not going to make it.


    Her only regret was that she couldn¡¯t see her father onest time.

 CHAPTER 11 — FATHER

    When Mackenzie¡¯s eyes opened, a familiar pair of overt hazel eyes were staring down at her, audible sounds of remorse escaping his lips. The sight, although blurry, she could note the familiar lines of wrinkles around his eyes.


    With a strangled breath, she uttered, ¡°Pops?¡±


    Although she wasn¡¯t certain if that possibility was correct, who among her inws had bushy gray hair and deep wrinkles on their face with a generous amount of white hair around their mustache and jawline? Not only that, this man smelt a lot like natural strawberries and grapes, something only a fruit farmer like her father would smell like.


    The sob of the man halted on hearing her voice, and when he stared down at her face, he broke down into another round of sobs.


    ¡°Mackenzie! My daughter!¡± The next thing she knew, he leaned in, hugging her gently, his tears dropping onto her face.


    Mackenzie was surprised.


    The voice really sounded like her father. She¡¯d recognize that gruff voice anywhere.


    But¡­


    Thest thing she remembered was her heart rate going down. Why was she alive? And why was her old man here?


    ¡°Do you know how shocked I was?!¡± Her father yelled after parting from the hug.


    ¡°Pops, is it really you?¡± Mackenzie said hesitantly, touching her head that was wrapped in white silky smooth but firm clothing.


    Why was it there?


    Why did her head hurt?


    What if seeing her father right now was just a dream?


    After all, it was impossible for her father to be here. She didn¡¯t even call him; how could he be here?!


    ¡°Why shouldn¡¯t I be here?! Every month you send me money and assure me not to worry about you. So, why are you here in the hospital? Why do your eyes look so sorrowful, and why did you think it was a good idea to face this alone?¡±


    ¡°Dad¡­¡±


    Mackenzie now recognized the rugged face before her; indeed, this was her father, standing right here.


    ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for your husband¡¯s call, I wouldn¡¯t even know you were sick and struggling at the hospital! Honestly, Mackenzie, has the city turned you into an ungrateful child? Since when did you think it was eptable to keep such significant secrets from me?¡±


    ¡°Father!¡±


    His familiar presence brought waves of relief andfort. Mackenzie couldn¡¯t resist sitting up on the bed, extending her arms to embrace her father tightly, wrapping him in a heartfelt hug.


    ¡°Pops! It¡¯s really you!¡± she eximed as her voice wavered, tears streaming down her face. She held onto him tightly, as though fearing he might vanish in an instant.


    ¡°Of course, my child,¡± he replied, his tone softer as he tenderly patted her back.


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you so much, dad,¡± she sobbed. ¡°I was terrified I might never see you again.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my sentiment, Mackenzie,¡± he responded with a tinge of sadness. ¡°When your husband phoned, he wasn¡¯t sure you¡¯d pull through. You truly gave us a terrible fright.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, dad,¡± Mackenzie expressed regretfully as she released him from the embrace.


    ¡°Don¡¯t dwell on it. I¡¯m just incredibly relieved that you¡¯re alright, my dear.¡±Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    The door swung open, interrupting the father-daughter reunion.


    ¡°Oh my goodness, Mackenzie!¡± Eleanor eximed with enthusiasm as she entered, apanied by Doctor Paul and Jeffrey.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake! Thank goodness you¡¯re alright. You had us all so worried,¡± Jeffrey added with a subdued tone.


    Mackenzie looked over at her mother-inw and then at Jeffrey who was staring back at her, his face devoid of any meaningful expression. Thest person to enter the room was Richard, her father-inw. On seeing her, he let out a sigh of relief.


    Mackenzie felt d to see him. He¡¯d always been nice to her.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take a look,¡± Doctor Paul approached Mackenzie and listened to her heartbeat through his Stethoscope.


    ¡°Your heart rate and pulse seems stable now,¡± Doctor Paul said, keeping his back straight to scan the report he¡¯d just brought back with him from theb. ¡°Your vitals are also functioning well but we will need to keep you at the hospital for at least a week to monitor how you do.¡±


    ¡°Please do everything you can to make sure my daughter is well,¡± Mackenzie¡¯s father said to the doctor.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry sir, I believe your daughter will recover. She has you, her father here, and her iws, to offer her all the moral support she needs.¡±


    There was a pleasant nod from Mackenzie¡¯s father.


    ¡°But Mackenzie, you gave us quite the scare you know.¡± Doctor Paul said humorously.


    ¡°Sorry to worry you all,¡± Mackenzie said with a smile.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m d you¡¯re fine now. I should take my leave now, please excuse me,¡± Doctor Paul said before walking out the door.


    ¡°Mr. Axford,¡± Mackenzie¡¯s father suddenly said, his tone serious yet polite. ¡°I have something to tell you,¡±


    Mackenzie was curious. She¡¯d never heard her father sound so urgent.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Richard asked kindly.


    ¡°After my daughter receives her aftercare here as the doctor rmended, I¡¯m taking her back home with me to North Dakota.¡±


    There was a full moment of silence before Eleanor let out a scream of disbelief.


    ¡°WHAT?!¡±


    ¡°I understand that this may be hard on you because you¡¯ve all been treating my daughter as your own and I appreciate you for all that, but I think the city noise of Greensville has taken a toll on her. I need to bring her back home to her roots where she can rx and not worry about anything.¡±


    ¡°Father¡­¡± Mackenzie sniffled, wiping the tears that had just rolled down her cheeks.


    ¡°Our home in North Dakota is peaceful. The neighbors are kind and the food is fresh. I have a farm of my own where I grow fruits and vegetables as well¡­ I¡¯m very certain that I can take adequate care of my daughter. She doesn¡¯t have to work, I¡¯ll provide for her and give her anything she wants. No one is more important to me than my daughter and I love her so much.¡±


    Richard sighed and nodded, ¡°Although I love Mackenzie very much as I would my own daughter, I think she would do better if she¡¯s with you in North Dakota. So yes, I agree with you, Mr. Frank.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s father wiped the single tear that¡¯d trailed down his cheek and with a bowed neck, he said, ¡°Thank you very much, Mr. Axford.¡±


    ***A WEEK LATER


    ¡°Congrattions, Mrs. Mackenzie Axford. You appear as vibrant as ever,¡± Doctor Paul eximed, a wide grin lighting up his face, and Mackenzie couldn¡¯t help but return the smile.


    ¡°Thank you so much, Doctor Paul, for everything you¡¯ve done.¡±


    ¡°I was simply fulfilling my duty, Mrs. Axford,¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Axford, has the nurse administered the prescribed medication?¡±


    ¡°Yes, doctor,¡± Mackenzie replied. A nurse had already provided her with a set of pills along with the prescription.


    ¡°That¡¯s excellent. If you experience any difort, be sure to use the medication as directed. In two months, I rmend a follow-up check-up. Please return to the hospital at that time for your examination.¡±


    ¡°Of course, doctor,¡± Mackenzie agreed.


    ¡°Yes, doctor, I¡¯ll make sure to bring her back for the follow-up in two months,¡± Mackenzie¡¯s father chimed in, joining the conversation with a bundle of her belongings in hand.


    ¡°Pops!¡± She greeted with a delighted smile, pleasantly surprised by his presence.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take my leave now.¡± With a nod, Doctor Paul departed.


    ¡°Dad, are you sure you can manage my luggage?¡± Mackenzie inquired, attempting to assist, but her father brushed off her offer.


    ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate me! All the years I spent plowing on the farm aren¡¯t for nothing! You just be a good girl and listen to me. And besides, these bags are super easy to carry.¡±


    ¡°But pops-¡±


    ¡°-Don¡¯t argue with me, just do as I say.¡±


    ¡°Alright pops,¡± She said obediently. Since when did her father be so insistent?


    They walked down the hallway and Mackenzie was checked out of the hospital.


    Mackenzie for the first time, felt free and happy like she never had in a long time.


    Just being with her father was god-damn refreshing.


    As they walked, hand in hand, a nurse called out Mackenzie¡¯s name while rushing toward her and her father.


    ¡°What now?¡± Her father asked as they halted, waiting for the nurse to catch up to them.


    The nurse caught up to the father and daughter who both gave her a judging stare for having interrupted their daughter-father moment.


    With an awkward chuckle, the nurse lifted the bouquet of pink Cami flowers in her hand and gave it to Mackenzie.


    ¡°Here, this is for you.¡±


    Stunned, Mackenzie nced between her father and the nurse, her curiosity piqued. ¡°Who sent this?¡±


    ¡°The gentleman didn¡¯t leave his name, but he wanted you to have these beautiful flowers.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ I can¡¯t just ept them without knowing who they¡¯re from-¡±


    ¡°-Oh, you¡¯re overthinking it, Mackenzie.¡± Her father set down the bags he was carrying, took the flowers from the nurse, and gently ced them in Mackenzie¡¯s hands.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± he nodded to the nurse, who reciprocated the gesture with a polite bow before returning to her duties.


    ¡°Dad,¡± Mackenzie turned to him, her brows furrowing as she inspected the bouquet, ¡°I can¡¯t find any note or tag. These flowers are exquisite, but I¡¯m puzzled about their origin.¡±


    ¡°They are Camellia flowers, my dear,¡± her father exined, ¡°They symbolize love and affection.¡±


    ¡°But who would send me such an extravagant gift? They must have cost a fortune,¡± Mackenzie pondered, her fingers brushing against the velvety petals.


    ¡°Any sensible man would, Mackenzie. You¡¯re beautiful and kind-hearted. Anyone would be fortunate to have you as an admirer.¡±


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m married!¡± Mackenzie protested, her expression faltering as she recalled recent events involving her husband.


    Her father sensed her unease and enveloped her in aforting embrace. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mackenzie. I¡¯m here now, and I won¡¯t let anything or anyone harm you. I promise.¡±


    ¡°Pops,¡± Mackenzie¡¯s voice quivered with emotion.


    He pulled back from the hug with a grin and announced loudly, ¡°At this rate, we won¡¯t make it to North Dakota on time. Let¡¯s go!¡±


    ¡°Absolutely, father!¡± Mackenzie replied eagerly, watching as he grabbed her bags and hastened toward the hospital exit.


    ¡°I¡¯ll beat you there, Dad!¡± She shouted, racing after him with enthusiasm.

 CHAPTER 12 – MOVING FORWARD

    TWO MONTHS LATER***


    ¡°What symptoms did you say you were having again, Mrs. Axford?¡± Doctor Paul asked.


    Across the table was Mackenzie who was sitting with a nervous expression on her face. Next to her was her father who had a hopeful expression, in contrast to hers.


    ¡°The same as thest time doctor Paul, I felt lightheaded and weak when I didn¡¯t eat on time, and kept puking after I ate.¡±


    ¡°Have you been taking your medications on time, Mrs. Axford?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Mackenzie said with a bit of tenseness? in her voice.


    Her emotions were ying with her again and her mind wasing up with the worst possible scenarios that could happen to her. Ever since the surgery she had the previous month, she had a bit of anxiety about her health.


    ¡°That¡¯s weird,¡± Doctor Paul said, ¡°We¡¯ve just done an MRI scan to check your brain. There¡¯s no recurrent tumor. You¡¯re healing at a fast pace. You saw it yourself too.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Mackenzie asked nervously.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure.¡± Doctor Paul said confidently.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mackenzie, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be fine.¡± Mackenzie¡¯s father said, cing a hand on her shoulder.


    Mackenzie exhaled, letting her shoulders rx.


    ¡°I already ran a few samples using your blood but why don¡¯t we do one more to ascertain what the problem is and narrow down the possibilities,¡± Doctor Paul stood from the table, heading to the wardrobe across his office.


    Mackenzie followed his movements with her eyes.


    Doctor Paul grabbed a pregnancy strip from beneath a partition, and closed the wardrobe, before walking over to Mackenzie and handing her the strip.


    ¡°Doctor Paul, I can assure you that I am not pregnant,¡± Mackenzie said, in a protesting tone.


    ¡°Please take the test, Mrs. Axford, just to be sure.¡±


    Mackenzie looked at the doctor adamantly.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t hurt to take the test, Sweetie.¡± Mackenzie¡¯s father said.


    A FEW HOURS LATER*


    ¡°I understand that you¡¯re nervous my dear but could you please stop moving your leg like that? It¡¯s quite distracting,¡± Mackenzie¡¯s father asked sweetly.


    Mackenzie froze, then looked at her father with a stern look. ¡°I¡¯m not nervous, dad,¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± her father replied, not wanting to get into an argument.


    The door opened and Doctor Paul stepped in.


    Mackenzie immediately noticed the subtle smile on his face.


    ¡°Did you find anything, Doctor Paul?¡± She asked.


    ¡°Congrattions, Mrs. Axford, you¡¯re two months pregnant!¡± Doctor Paul replied.


    Doctor Paul¡¯s words echoed in Mackenzie¡¯s head but she could still not make sense of it.


    How could she be pregnant?


    Jeffrey¡­ they had kept trying for a year with no result.


    Then a pair of stormy blue eyes shed into her mind. Chase¡­ thest person she had sex with was Chase and they definitely used protection¡­ she couldn¡¯t be.


    ¡°I-i don¡¯t believe that, Doctor Paul. And besides, a pregnancy test strip can¡¯t be urate all the time.¡±


    ¡°Would you like an ultrasound then, Mrs. Axford?¡±


    The moment he asked that her breath hitched in her throat.


    An ultrasound?


    Mackenzie could barely believe it. How could she be pregnant at this time? It made no sense to her at all.


    ¡°Mackenzie, the doctor sounds like he¡¯s serious.¡± Her father said nervously.


    He personally didn¡¯t mind having a grandkid. In fact, he embraced the idea. He was old and he only had Mackenzie. But he was more worried about Mackenzie¡¯s health.


    A few momentster, Mackenzie wasying on her back in doctor Paul¡¯sb with an ultrasound machine next to her.


    Mackenzie was beyond anxious.


    A gooey sticky gel was rubbed over her belly and she barely moved despite the coldness it left on her skin.


    A feeling of dread followed as a medical tool was ced on her stomach.


    Was this even real? She wondered.


    ¡°Please take a look, Mrs. Axford,¡± Doctor Paul said, adjusting his sses with his left hand while adjusting the tool over her belly so she could take a good look at the priceless creature that was forming in her womb on the machine right next to them.


    Mackenzie looked over at the machine like doctor Paul said and what she saw next made tears cascade down her cheeks.


    My baby¡­


    Mackenzie suddenly felt over-protective for her baby.


    She wanted to protect it, with her life.


    Thinking about what Jeffrey and her mother-inw would do if they find out that she was pregnant, she panicked.


    ¡°I¡¯m never letting them find out about this baby. I¡¯ll protect him/her from them as much as I can.¡±  She thought.


    ¡°Oh my God, Zie. I¡¯m going to be a grandpa?¡± As Mackenzie¡¯s father beamed, Doctor Paul asked politely, ¡°Could you excuse us for a bit, I need to talk to Mrs. Axford about something,¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, of course,¡± Mackenzie¡¯s father said with a slight chuckle before leaving the room.


    When it was just them two, Mackenzie sat up and looked at Doctor Paul who was staring at her with a stern expression on his face.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to be honest with you, Mrs. Axford,¡±


    Mackenzie nodded. She had a sense of what he was going to mention to her and it seemed adequately rted to her child.


    ¡°Carrying this pregnancy isn¡¯t going to be easy as your body is still healing from the previous surgeries,¡±


    ¡°I know, and I don¡¯t expect it to.¡± Mackenzie ced a hand on her tummy after wiping off the sticky gooey with a tissue, ¡°But since this baby could survive despite the tough surgeries and medications I¡¯ve been on for two months, I think he¡¯s meant to survive and thrive in this world.¡±


    Doctor Paul nodded, ¡°That would mean that you¡¯d have to quit the majority of the drugs you already use and rece them with adequate vitamin supplements and a good diet nutrition to ensure that your baby is born healthy,¡±


    Mackenzie nodded, ¡°I understand, doctor.¡±


    ¡°Well then, I shall write you a new prescription. Excuse me for a moment,¡±


    As Doctor Paul was about to leave, Mackenzie called out to him.


    ¡°Doctor Paul, please hold on a bit.¡±


    Doctor Paul stopped in his tracks and Mackenzie stood on her feet and walked toward him, closing the distance between them.


    ¡°Please,¡± she whispered, ¡°I have a favor to ask,¡±


    On hearing the urgency in her tone, he adjusted his sses as he focused his gaze on her.


    ¡°Can you write my pregnancy diagnosis in a file separate from the record you¡¯d keep as Mrs. Mackenzie Axford¡¯s?¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Axford, what are you talking about?¡±


    With a desperate grasp, Mackenzie ced both of her hands on the doctor¡¯s shoulders, sending him into disarray with her random behavior.


    ¡°Please doctor Paul, I¡¯m begging you, keep the news of my pregnancy away from the Axford family.¡±


    ¡°W¡­what are you talking about, Mrs. Axford?¡± Doctor Paul said with a confused smile.


    He had been the Axford family doctor for years, although his specialization was in gynecology. For the several years he¡¯d known Mackenzie now, she¡¯d been desperately trying for a child after losing the first one during childbirth. So it was a bit odd to him how her mind suddenly changed.


    ¡°I¡¯m telling you right now Doctor Paul that I don¡¯t want the news of my pregnancy to reach my inws. I can¡¯t tell you the details but this is what is best for my child, I¡¯m sure of it. So please¡­ help me out here,¡± Mackenzie said desperately.


    ¡°Alright then, Mrs. Axford, Iprehend.¡±


    Mackenzie released a relieved sigh and loosened her hold on his shoulders.


    ¡°Thank you, Doctor Paul,¡± she expressed her gratitude.


    ¡°Now, how should I note down your diagnosis?¡± he inquired.


    Mackenzie took a moment to ponder before answering, ¡°Use the name Mackenzie Torsney.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± the doctor acknowledged with a nod.


    ¡°Before you leave, shall we discuss your pregnancy in more detail and the potential risks involved?¡± he proposed.


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary, doctor. I¡¯m aware of the effects of pregnancy on the body. Instead, I¡¯ll need a rmendation letter,¡± Mackenzie stated.


    ¡°A rmendation letter?¡± Doctor Paul raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°Yes, exactly. You see, I¡¯ll be residing in North Dakota for a while, and it could be inconvenient if I have to travel back here for medical care.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Doctor Paul mused, ¡°You¡¯re right. If you¡¯re relocating to North Dakota, having ess to a nearby public hospital is important for your care and the baby¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll draft a rmendation letter for you. This way, you can present it to a local hospital and receive timely attention. While in North Dakota, make sure to have regr checkups to ensure the baby¡¯s well-being.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Doctor Paul,¡± Mackenzie expressed her gratitude.


    With a bundle of written documents in hand, Mackenzie exited the room. Her father was waiting patiently outside.


    ¡°Father,¡± she called out.


    ¡°Mackenzie,¡± he responded, his forehead creased with concern.


    He knew that the private discussion with her doctor held significant weight, determining Mackenzie¡¯s decision about the pregnancy.


    ¡°Pops, you¡¯re going to be a grandfather soon,¡± she announced with a broad smile.


    Mackenzie¡¯s father sighed, feeling anxious as the smile radiated off of her effortlessly.


    She looked just like her mother and how happy his wife had looked back then when she discovered that she was pregnant with Mackenzie.


    Although his wife had died while giving birth to Mackenzie.


    Seeing Mackenzie like that made him feel a bit sad. She would be risking a lot to bring a child into the world. And judging from the looks of it, she didn¡¯t want to tell her husband about it, yet. However, it was her choice and he was just going to support her.


    ¡°Mackenzie, will you be okay?¡± He asked.


    Mackenzie walked toward him and linked their arms together.


    Throughout thest two months that she¡¯d been with her father, she¡¯d recovered a lot and felt like herself too.


    Her decision to keep the pregnancy was one that was intuitively made so she trusted it. She also trusted that her body could handle keeping the baby and, childbirth. She wasn¡¯t inconsiderate enough to make a decision that would hurt her and worry her old man.


    ¡°Father,¡± She said with a wild smile, ¡°I have you, so I¡¯ll be fine. The doctor said I¡¯ll be fine as well, and so will the baby. Don¡¯t worry,¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s father sighed before saying, ¡°Let¡¯s go home, I¡¯ll prepare pork meat and rice.¡±


    Mackenzieughed and walked down the hallway with her father, for all she knew, this could be thest time that she would ever be at this hospital.


    When she first came to Greensville and this impressive ¡®Crescent hospital¡¯, it was to check on her baby.


    Although a lot happened, today she was leaving here with a fetus in her womb. The only difference was that this time, she was leaving with her father and she was a lot stronger than when she first came to Greensville with Jeffrey.


    She felt capable of raising a child on her own.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Sure it would be hard.


    Sure the journey would be tough, but she felt like her child would be better off protected from the vicinity of people who just wanted to use them.


    Right now, the only person Mackenzie could boldly say she would miss in Greensville was her father-inw. He was a kind man who clearly wanted the best for his family but sadly, the people around him only saw his shining wealth and wanted a piece of it.


    She hoped that very soon, his wife and sons would understand just how important his presence was.


    For now, she was only going to focus on herself and her baby without looking back.


    When they exited the main floor of the hospital and neared the exit, they saw a nurse jogging toward them with a bouquet of pink Camellia flowers.


    Just like thest time.


    ¡°Mrs. Axford!¡± The nurse said breathlessly, handing Mackenzie the flowers. ¡°This came from delivery, it¡¯s for you.¡±


    Mackenzie collected the bouquet and said her thanks to the nurse.


    Then she focused her gaze on the fresh, pink, Camellia flowers.


    ¡°Mackenzie, didn¡¯t we receive a bouquet of these same flowers back in North Dakota?


    Mackenzie nodded.


    Indeed, after collecting the bouquet of camellia from the nurse after her surgery two months ago, she received more a monthter back at home in North Dakota.


    Her dad had called it an innocent admirer just showing his affection, but now Mackenzie was beginning to find the flowers creepy.


    She walked to the nearby bin and tossed in the bouquet of flowers.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, father,¡± She said with a hint of annoyance in her tone.


    ¡°Okay, sure.¡± Her father said, catching up to her.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see how long whoever is sending those flowers can keep up with their act,¡± Mackenzie muttered under her breath.


    She and her father got outside and to the parking lot to hop into their truck, unaware of the hidden eyes in a distant Lamborghini watching them.

 CHAPTER 13 – HIGH MAINTENANCE

    Chase opened the door to his penthouse and saw his father and wife eating pizza in the living room whileughing over something they watching on the TV. They didn¡¯t notice him until he got inside and closed the door.


    Was this why his father made him abandon his work and hurry over like something serious was happening?


    ¡°There you are!¡± Chase¡¯s father said, his face still round withughter from what he was watching with Selene a few moments ago.


    Richard was dressed in a brown and ck camouge t-shirt and ck belted trousers with a pair of ck leather shoes. His face looked incredibly pink and brightened up, like a healthy man.


    His wife, Selene, on the other hand, was dressed in a hot pink dress with a pair of red Gi slippers and she was wearing full-face makeup.


    Holding back an annoyed grunt, he moved further into the room and Selene got up from the sofa next to his father to hug him, to prove to his father that she and Chase were a very ¡®happy¡¯ couple.


    Chase caved into her idea and hugged her back, but only for a few seconds before turning his attention back to his father.


    You mentioned having something important to discuss?¡± Chase inquired as he nonchntly undid the first few buttons of his suit and draped it casually over his shoulders.


    ¡°Sweetheart, shall I fetch you some juice?¡± Selene chimed in with affection.


    ¡°Water will do,¡± Chase responded with minimal acknowledgment.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Selene headed towards the fridge at the corner of the living room.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Chase settled onto the sofa beside his father, crossing his legs and cing his jacket beside him.


    ¡°So, Father, I gather this is about our family business?¡± Chase casually unfastened a couple more buttons on his shirt and reclined on the couch, feigning an air of rxation.


    ¡°Always direct, just like your usual self.¡±


    ¡°I learned from the best,¡± Chase retorted yfully.


    After his mother¡¯s passing years ago, his father had promptly enrolled him in various master sses to groom him for the family enterprise. One of the lessons included appropriate conduct for a businessman.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± his father hesitated, shifting gears, ¡°Your wife has probably informed you about the interest from Indigo Magazine to feature both you and her. epting this opportunity, as I assume you will, Axford Inc¡¯s hotel stocks are likely to experience further growth.¡±


    Chase scoffed, so this was what his father was trying to do.


    Selene came back with a tray of cold bottled water and a ss cup.


    As she helped serve the water, Chase said, ¡°Selene, you already asked me to ept Indigo magazine interview and I already said no, why did you have to bring my father into this?¡±


    After filling the cup with the bottled water, Selene sighed and stared down at her feet feigning guilt. ¡°I just thought it would be a good opportunity for you, honey. I care so much about you and want to help you in any way I can.¡±


    Chase sighed, knowing where this was heading.


    For a model, his wife seemed to have a few acting tricks up her sleeve. Not that his father could see through it of course.


    ¡°Actually,¡± Selene said a bit loudly while looking up, her eyes filling up with tears. ¡°Every day, after youe back from work, I find it hard to cheer you up, and you go to bed with pent-up annoyance from talking to your ipetent workers. Because of that, I thought of many ways to cheer you up but you were so busy and wouldn¡¯t even spend time with me. So I epted the offer from Indigo magazine, so we could spend some time together, even though half the time we¡¯ll be working.¡±


    ¡°See? Chase?¡± Richard said aloud out of disbelief that Chase was not spending time with his beautiful and thoughtful wife. Chase decided to give in knowing he couldn¡¯t win against his persuasive wife and adamant father.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll do it.¡±


    ¡°You should have just said so earlier! So I wouldn¡¯t even have toe here, you know? Gosh, you¡¯re so high maintenance but that¡¯s why you¡¯re my son.¡± Richard said with a yfulugh.


    ¡°If you¡¯re done then you can leave,¡± Chase said.


    Richard looked between Selene and Chase before standing on his feet, ¡°My business here is done anyway, I¡¯ll be going back home to my beautiful wife.¡±


    ¡°Suit yourself,¡± Chase muttered under his breath.


    ¡°Father, please stay longer,¡± Selene told Richard with a pout.


    ¡°No, you should use this time to have fun with Chase. You haven¡¯t seen him for some time now, have you?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Selene said shyly.


    ¡°You two should use this opportunity to make me grandkids, okay?¡±


    Selene¡¯s blush became deeper. Momentster, she cleared her throat and said, ¡°But Chase¡­ he doesn¡¯t want kids. Whenever I try to bring up this topic, he brushes it off.¡±


    Surprised, Richard said, ¡°Chase, is that true?¡±


    Chase was at a loss for words but he soon regained himself, ¡°I¡¯ve just been really busy is all. But since Selene has mentioned it, I¡¯ll pay more attention.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s more like it,¡± Richard said with a chuckle, impressed to hear this response from his son.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get going now, no need to see me off. Just stay here with your wife and¡­ ahem, get busy.¡± Richard rubbed his fingers excitedly as he headed for the door.


    Chase stood on his feet and helped his father open the door. He nced at Selene briefly, holding back his annoyance.


    ¡°Bye, father!¡± He said as he watched his father¡¯s driver open the car¡¯s door for him.


    In all honesty, it wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t want children. Selene had always been the perfect model so she had once told him that she couldn¡¯t bear to ruin her body for pregnancy. Not that it was a proud thing for her to say to his father. So it was best to let him shoulder responsibility for her fault. It was easier that way, it always was.

 CHAPTER 14 – EVERYTHING I COULD EVER ASK FOR

    ¡°ONE


    TWO


    THREE


    AND¡­ ACTION!¡±


    The camera started rolling and the Interviewer started the show with a friendly introduction.


    Then he gently introduced Chase and Selene to the show.


    Indigo magazines could not believe their luck when the wealthiest and hottest CEO in the country, Chase Axford agreed to an interview after sending him countless invitations and even going numerous times to see him. An interview with them was the dreams of many famous celebrities but only Chase Axford could ever turned them down.


    ¡°So, Mr. Chase Axford, you¡¯ve achieved quite a lot of sess at a very young age of 26. You started, at the age of 18, working in your father¡¯s business in the management department before eventually working your way up as CEO.¡±


    ¡°That is correct. I started as an intern in one of our subsidiaries at the age of 18 with no experience. Sure, I¡¯d read a lot of books about managing resources and people but they were nothingpared to the real world, however the process thought me a lot and helped me to this day.


    ¡°How has it helped, Mr. Chase?¡±


    ¡°By understanding the consumer¡¯s wants and creating a safe atmosphere to listen to their preferences. By doing that, I was able to establish a connection with my consumers.¡±


    ¡°That sounds interesting, Mr. Axford. From what you just told us, it seems you did not achieve your sess solely because your father is the owner of Axford Inc. Hotels,¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. Ever since I got into the position of CEO three years ago, revenue share has increased by 27 percent and that¡¯s a huge deal considering the amount of money our hotels make annually. However, our consumers¡¯fort matters most to us so we put that into consideration first.¡±


    ¡°Is there a secret to getting an increase of 27 percent managing a hotel in just three years? Even thest CEO couldn¡¯t do that.¡±


    ¡°Well, we decided to put more aquatic scenery to capture our tourists¡¯ attention. Moreover, we added a few diets on the menu to cater to more varieties of our consumer¡¯s tastes.


    ¡°That sounds innovative, really. So we would like to hear more about your personal life, Mr. Chase. Many of us are curious about how life is with your wife, Mrs. Selene O¡¯Malley, the most beautiful model of our time.¡±


    ¡°What can I say, she¡¯s everything I could ever ask for.¡± His response was perfect, and Chase knew it. But the unfeeling look in his sea blue eyes did not match the warmth in his words.


    **************


    Chase headed to his office staring down disinterestedly as he typed away on his phone.


    When he reached the side of his office, he saw a certain someone heading out with booze In his hand.


    ¡°West,¡± he stated disapprovingly, barely looking up from his phone.


    Shocked that Chase was at the office by this time, he shuddered and shook his head before scratching the side of his neck to hide his annoyed expression.


    ¡°Tsk, what are you doing here? I know you¡¯re a workaholic but this is taking it too far.¡±


    ¡°I should be asking you that,¡± Chase replied before tossing his phone into his pocket and focusing his attention on West with his perfect dark eyebrows arched.


    West was dressed in a leather brown jacket and skinny jeans with a pair of ck boots. His hair was sticky all over his face, making him look like he had had quite a bit of booze.


    ¡°Are you drunk, West?¡± Chase asked in predictable disappointment, clicking his fingers in front of West¡¯s face.


    ¡°Of course not!¡±


    ¡°Then what¡¯s that in your hand and why do you look a mess?¡±


    West sighed.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been putting off my work for some days now but I have to finish it by tomorrow. If I¡¯m going to be as famous as you, I can¡¯t lose to you in terms of working hard. I mean you even rocked a deal with your face on the front page of a huge magazine that only top personalities get into, that is amazing!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re praising me? That¡¯s odd.¡±


    ¡°Huh- What do you mean, we¡¯re friends,¡±


    Chase sighed and walked into his office, with West following behind him.


    ¡°Want a drink?¡± He asked, unlocking his mini fridge.


    ¡°I already have one.¡± West reminded, showing him the booze in his hand.


    Chase went ahead to grab a canned booze for himself. Then he sat on the sofa in front of West and sighed deeply.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    West flicked open the can and took arge sip, afterward he murmured, ¡°That hits the spot,¡±


    Chase opened his drink and took a sip as well.


    After a moment of silence passed between them, West said, ¡°Your marriage is quite something, isn¡¯t it? I saw the article of the interview you were in, you said Selene is everything you could ever want. Gosh, I almost believed that for a second.¡±


    ¡°You know it¡¯s just an act,¡± Chase briefly replied.


    The only person that knew about his fake rtionship with Selene was West. West also knew that he had no feelings for Selene unlike what the world believed.


    ¡°Then I must say you¡¯re good at it,¡±


    ¡°Then my wife¡¯s better at it, she somehow has my father wrapped around her fingers.¡±


    West erupted into a wave ofughter but he did his best to muffle it with the back of his palms.


    ¡°That¡¯s right! To get the two of you married three years ago, your father even faked a heart attack!¡±


    Chase clenched his fists at that reminder. He didn¡¯t want to remember how he was forced into a marriage he never wanted. It was just one of the things he wasn¡¯t proud of his father for.


    ¡°Gosh, that man sure is sly!¡± West said after hisughter subsided, ¡°By the way, Chase, I have something to ask you.¡±


    Chase took another sip of his booze.


    ¡°How is sex with Selene?¡±


    Chase choked on his drink while West leaned closer with curiosity. ¡°Even if you don¡¯t like her, she looks hot as fuck in the recent photos. Don¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t tap that-¡±


    ¡°-I don¡¯t,¡± Chase snapped after regaining hisposure, cutting his eyes towards West in a re.


    ¡°Then what do you do when you¡¯re horny? Do you masturbate?¡± Right after asking that, West leaned toward and ran his fingers through Chase¡¯sp.


    Startled, Chase pped away his fingers. ¡°What are you doing?!¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t seem to be the type to masturbate though,¡± West said thoughtfully, causing Chase to shake his head in annoyance and grit his teeth. West was still the same idiotic cousin that didn¡¯t understand personal space.


    ¡°Do you have one-night stands then?¡±


    The moment West asked that Chase¡¯s thoughts went to the nights that he had with Mackenzie and it nearly made him blush.


    ¡°Oh! It seems like you do!¡± West sped his fingers on seeing Chase¡¯s expression, and grinned.


    ¡°S-stop messing around!¡± Chase said angrily but his tactics to intimidate rarely worked on West, so he cleared his throat and tried to change the subject, ¡°Why don¡¯t we talk about other things like dinner? Right now the time is past 9 pm and we¡¯re still at the office-¡±


    ¡°-That¡¯s right,¡± West interrupted, ¡°What¡¯s thetest news on Mackenzie?¡±


    Chase swallowed nervously. Why was the topic shifting to Mackenzie all of a sudden? Not that he minded talking about her but it felt inappropriate considering what he¡¯d done ¡®with¡¯ her.


    ¡°I heard that she traveled back to North Dakota with her father after her surgery,¡±


    ¡°How do you know that much about her?¡±


    West smiled, ¡°Did you forget? I¡¯m close to Uncle Richard even though it doesn¡¯t seem like it. He tells me things too if I just ask.¡±


    ¡°Unbelievable,¡± Chase mumbled.


    Those two almost bickered with each other every time they met.


    ¡°What else did you learn about her?¡± Chase asked causing West to chuckle, ¡°Finally you¡¯re acting like a reasonable brother-inw, you never used to be interested in anything about her or your brother. I guess you have a change of heart now after she had surgery for her illness.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that,¡± Chase said coldly while looking to the side, holding an up high expression, ¡°I just feel pity for her,¡±


    ¡°Yeah yeah, she¡¯s worthy of your pity. Your mother- I mean stepmom was quite pushy about her having a baby. Now that she¡¯s had surgery and can¡¯t give birth, she¡¯s pretty much useless and might even get divorced by Jeffrey. That serves her right for bing ambitious and getting into your family-¡±


    ¡°-That¡¯s enough,¡± Chase interrupted, bringing his focus back to West, ¡°Don¡¯t say anymore,¡±


    ¡°Why? It¡¯s true. She changed herself to fit into Jeffrey¡¯s standards, she said so herself at the dinner table.¡±


    ¡°Still, you have no right to talk about her that way.¡± His tone turned even more serious and threatening.


    West was taken aback by Chase¡¯s response.


    ¡°Why do you defend her?¡± He asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not defending her. I just rather you do not badmouth her, it is not your ce.¡±


    A moment passed before West sighed and said, ¡°So¡­ should we keep talking and drinking?¡±


    ¡°No way,¡± Chase replied, ¡°You will go back to your office and do your work, I don¡¯t care if you pull an all-nighter.¡±


    West cracked a smile, ¡°You are no fun, Chase.¡±

 CHAPTER 15 – CHARLOTTE AND FELICITY

    ¡°I want to have a try first,¡±


    ¡°No! Me first!¡±


    ¡°Arggh you two are grown adults yet you act like children!¡±


    ¡°No, we don¡¯t!¡±


    Mackenzie looked in front of her with a smile while watching her two best friends fight for who should first taste the food Miss Beatrice had made to celebrate her recovery.


    ¡°Anyway, Mackenzie is to taste the food first. I made all of these for her.¡±


    ¡°But she can¡¯t possibly eat them all now, can she? Besides, she has recovered; you should care about us too!¡±


    ¡°Oh don¡¯t be jealous now you two. If any of you happen to fall ill, I¡¯ll make you food you can try first.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not cool, Miss Beatrice.¡±


    A slightly tall woman with a gigantic frame stood in front of Mackenzie, handing her a te filled with fish sticks. ¡°Please have a taste, Mackenzie,¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Mackenzie grabbed a fish stick and took a bite. As she did, her eyes lighted up and her lips curved upwards into a smile.


    ¡°It¡¯s great isn¡¯t it?¡± Beatrice asked with a content smile.


    ¡°Yeah, it is,¡± Mackenzie answered with a grateful smile.


    Miss Beatrice right here was a short-haired brte woman and she was quite gifted in the right areas.  Her face did not match her loud personality- She had an innocent disposition and her jean blue eyes and sulky lips entuated that quality of hers.


    ¡°Now the rest of you can try the fish sticks,¡± Beatrice ced the te on the table and the girls hovered over it.


    ¡°Seriously Beatrice, why must you treat me like them? I didn¡¯t evenin!¡± Mackenzie¡¯s fatherined, fanning himself with his hand in boredom.


    They were sitting outside under the shade of an oak tree and the table contained several delicious treats. Nearby were children who chased each other for fun.


    Mackenzie loved this scene so much. The greens of thend, the trees, the food, her father, her best friends.


    Her best friends¡­


    Before leaving North Dakota with Jeffrey, she had two best friends.


    Charlotte and Felicity.


    Charlotte was the feisty and fearless one but she had a good heart, even though her bluntness had a way of pushing people away. With a pair of light brown eyes and blonde hair, she had a way of sneaking into the male¡¯s hearts.


    Felicity was a gentle, kind, and receptive woman with a sort of angelic beauty and presence. She had long brown hair in contrast to her mother, Beatrice who had short hair- and a pair of light blue eyes that was eye-catching to every man she¡¯d ever met.


    Felicity was the total opposite of her loud mother, but it couldn¡¯t be helped. She lost her father at a young age and in order not to worry her mother, she learned to keep in her difficulties. She was self-sacrificial as well. She didn¡¯t mind losing things to help other people and that was her downfall sometimes.


    Charlotte and Felicity went ahead to pick fish sticks and eat them.


    Back then, Mackenzie didn¡¯t care about the history she had with her friends because of her newfound love so she did not hesitate to wreck their friendship, the most stupid thing she had done.


    Thankfully, when she came back to North Dakota with her father, she could reunite with them. Although it was hard at first and Charlotte didn¡¯t want anything to do with her, Felicity had heard her out and sessfully convinced Charlotte. Ever since then, they didn¡¯t leave her side.  ¡°Everyone makes mistakes at least once in their lifetime.¡± Felicity had said.


    Mackenzie was grateful for the opportunity to be with her family and friends again. It had been so hard living alone with Jeffrey in Greensville ¨C It was so suffocating and she was on her guard all the time because of her mother-inw.


    Mackenzie almost wanted to cry from excess happiness.


    Her heart was whole again thanks to her family and friends. It was idiotic of her to trade them away for a life of wealth and fame. But at least now that she knew better, she would never make the same mistake again.


    Mackenzie looked to the side and watched her now-excited father getting fed some food by Beatrice.


    She smiled and headed over to the table with her friends.


    ¡°Don¡¯t they look quite like a couple?¡± Mackenzie whispered to them.


    ¡°They kinda do but Fel¡¯s mother looks like she¡¯d crush your dad in bed so I don¡¯t rmend it,¡± Charlotte said with a mouthful of fish.


    ¡°Stop talking about that so freely,¡± Felicity said softly, her cheeks turning bright pink.


    ¡°Charlotte!¡± A voice called from a nearby distance.


    On hearing the voice, Charlotte shoved more food in her mouth before running to the man in the distance holding what seemed to be a package.


    ¡°Who do you think that is?¡± Mackenzie asked Felicity.


    When Charlotte came back she was holding what seemed to be a package.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Felicity asked.


    ¡°A collection of thetest deeds that go on in the city,¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡±


    Mackenzie remembered that Charlotte had always been interested in city life and her biggest dream was to go there, but since she couldn¡¯t due to several reasons, she indulged in buying several magazines and newspapers to savor the dream.


    Mackenzie felt a bit bad about that and made a mental note to tell Charlotte interesting things about Greenvilleter.


    ¡°What did you get?¡± Felicity asked as she crouched down to help Charlotte unpack her package.


    ¡°Thetest news on hot billionaire model Mus,¡± Felicity murmured, as she ran her fingers through the magazine in her hand.


    ¡°Oh my God, Mackenzie!¡± Charlotte cried and both Felicity and Mackenzie scooted over to take a look at what Charlotte was panicking over.


    And it was quite something.


    Mackenzie swallowed nervously as her sight became attuned to the familiar face that sat so princely on the magazine cover.


    ¡°Mackenzie, tell me, this is your brother-inw, isn¡¯t he?!¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Mackenzie answered.


    ¡°That¡¯s crazy! You¡¯re so lucky! How can you have such beautiful inws?! I¡¯ve seen pictures of his wife as well. Those two are a power couple.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s see if there¡¯s an article about the interview,¡± Felicity said and Charlotte hurriedly proceeded to flip the pages.


    ¡°Oh, there¡¯s one here!¡± Charlotte excitedly screamed.


    Felicity proceeded to read out the content of the interview and Mackenzie simply listened but did not pay enough attention until she heard thest part where the interviewer asked Chase about Selene and his response was ¡®she¡¯s everything I could ever ask for.¡¯


    For some reason, that statement made her so ufortable that she had to excuse herself from the girls and go back to the table of food to distract herself.


    Charlotte and Felicity immediately noticed her difort and went to her.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that it was your husband and mother-inw that gave you a hard time in Greensville? Why does it seem like there¡¯s an unspoken story that happened between you and Chase?¡±


    Mackenzie stiffened at Charlotte¡¯s outburst but soon calmed herself.


    After reuniting with Charlotte and Felicity weeks ago, she¡¯d told them what she went through with Jeffrey and her mother-inw but she never mentioned a thing about Chase. How could she? It was simply embarrassing. And now that she was pregnant ¨C Although she hadn¡¯t told her friends yet- She wanted to move forward and leave the past in the past.


    Chase was happy with Selene now; Jeffrey was probably cheating on her with some woman. So she decided that she wanted to cut ties with the Axford family and focus on doing something with her life.


    ¡°Guys, there is no unspoken story about me and my brother-inw, I didn¡¯t even see him that much. We¡¯re strangers. It just feels weird seeing him in a popr magazine. He¡¯s a bigger deal than I thought,¡± Mackenzie said, maintaining a poker face.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Thankfully, her friends seemed to buy it.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know how to make use of good opportunities, Kenzie,¡± Charlotte sighed disappointed.


    ¡°By the way, I have something to say,¡± Mackenzie decided to change the topic.


    After getting the attention of both of her best friends, she said, ¡°I want to divorce Jeffrey,¡±


    ¡°Well, duh! You should divorce his ass after everything he did to you! You¡¯re just twenty-four, you can still find true love and all of that stuff.¡±


    ¡°Do you think you can divorce him, Mackenzie?¡± Felicity asked, causing Mackenzie¡¯s heart to beat fast in her chest.


    That question made her rethink many things at once but she was quick to decide. ¡°I¡¯m going to at least try,¡±


    ¡°Okay, then I¡¯ll support you,¡± Felicity said with a caring smile.


    Charlotte in turn scoffed and put her arms around Mackenzie, ¡°Don¡¯t mind Felicity, she always says the gloomiest things. This time I¡¯m going to support you in divorcing Jeffrey so it¡¯ll be super easy!¡±


    Mackenzie smiled, ¡°Thank you, Charl, and you too, Felicity.¡± She said while putting each of her arms around Charlotte¡¯s and Felicity¡¯s waist.


    ¡°Hold on,¡± Charlotte said with disgruntled, ¡°Why are you saying thank you to Felicity as well?!¡±

 CHAPTER 16 – THIS ACCOUNT HAS BEEN RESTRICTED

    Mackenzie was humming to herself in the kitchen while washing potatoes. The potatoes were given to her and her father by the caring neighbors as a gift.


    Many of the neighbors had farms so it was not rare in Noose Hage vige to exchange farm harvests.


    As Mackenzie enjoyed the feel of the cold tap water as she poured the impurities of the potatoes into the sink, she heard panicked voices outside.


    Curious as to what could be causing all the ruckus, she rinsed her hands and dried them with the washcloth before opening the door and looking outside. However, what she saw next was not what she was expecting.


    ¡°Father!¡± She shouted, watching with shaky eyes as her father was being carried by two hardy men with a trail of blood gushing from his right leg behind them.


    ¡°Mackenzie,¡± Maverick said with an exasperated expression.


    ¡°Uncle Maverick, Teddy!¡± She cried as she raced towards them, her eyes glued to her father¡¯s bloody foot. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°He identally hurt himself while plowing the fields. I¡¯ve contacted Felicity toe along with her nt-based treatments. We need to at least lessen the pain before taking him to the hospital.¡±


    ¡°Hospital?¡± Her father said with a fake chuckle even though his eyes looked so much in pain, ¡°I don¡¯t need a hospital, if I bandage it once, I¡¯ll be fine the next day and will even be able to plow faster- ow!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous, father!¡± She chided, gesturing Maverick and Teddy into her and her father¡¯s small wooden house.


    As they got inside, her father was gentlyid down on the couch, and just then, two worried faces entered the house with a first aid box.


    ¡°Felicity, Miss Beatrice. Thank God!¡± Mackenzie rushed towards her best friend and her mother, ¡°Please help my father, he¡¯s bleeding!¡±


    ¡°I was going to do that without you telling me,¡± Beatrice moved past Mackenzie to her father who was painfully lying on the couch.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Kenzie, I¡¯m sure your father will be fine, it¡¯s just a leg injury.¡± Felicity ced a hand reassuringly on Mackenzie¡¯s shoulder before kneeling next to her mother in front of Mackenzie¡¯s father to provide support.


    Mackenzie let out a heavy sigh hoping that was true.


    But the more she looked at her father¡¯s pained expression, the more she found that hard to believe.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Curly head, I¡¯m sure your father will be fine.¡±


    Mackenzie looked beside her and eased up when she saw that it was just Maverick.


    Maverick was Felicity¡¯s mother¡¯s older brother¡¯s son. However, he was older than Mackenzie and her friends¡¯ age group so they just called him uncle. He was a kind and helpful person who was like a brother figure to Mackenzie.


    After Mackenzie¡¯s father was all bandaged, he soon developed fever and cold sweat broke over his forehead. He was given painkillers but his pain seemed to get even worse.


    Even though he tried to hide it, she noticed the sudden paleness on his face and he didn¡¯t stop bleeding from his leg even after Felicity¡¯s nt-based treatments.


    ¡°That¡¯s it, Mackenzie. His condition seems to be getting worse, we need to take him to a hospital,¡± Beatrice said shakily. ¡°If not, he might not survive the night.¡±


    The moment Mackenzie heard that she nodded, trying to maintain a level head even though her eyes were heavy with tears and it felt like she would explode any time.


    Everything she did was for her father and even now, she wanted to do everything for her father. It would be meaningless if his life was in danger now and she couldn¡¯t save him.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take him to the hospital,¡± She said, looking at Maverick and Teddy who were standing by the side. Teddy was a delivery boy who helped her father run errands when she was not around.


    ¡°Please help me,¡± She begged desperately.


    ***


    Mackenzie¡¯s father was helped into the passenger¡¯s side of the truck while Mackenzie took control of the wheel. The others decided to squeeze in and apany her to the hospital except for Teddy who had to go and tell Charlotte the news.


    Mackenzie noticed that the hospital did not have a lot of facilities like the one in Greensville, and neither did it look very good, but she hoped the doctors and nurses were kind and would tend to her father quickly.


    Mackenzie had let her guard down a bit thinking all would be well now that she was at least in the hospital but then, a nurse pulled her aside to tell her the hospital policy.


    ¡°We cannot begin treatment on your father, Miss Mackenzie.¡±


    ¡°But, why?¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t paid for his treatment yet,¡±


    ¡°But I already paid some money at the cashier!¡±


    ¡°That was for registration and a room,¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Mackenzie was bbergasted by the nurse¡¯s words. Even so, she did not have time to bicker about that! Her father was in pain, she could hear his groan from here.


    ¡°Nurse, please, listen to me,¡± Mackenzie leaned toward the nurse, her desperation easing into her voice.


    ¡°I¡¯ll pay you any amount you require but please treat my dad first, please, he¡¯s in so much pain-¡±


    ¡°-Ma¡¯am,¡± The nurse interrupted. ¡°I¡¯m not the one wasting time, you are.¡±


    Mackenzie was taken aback by the nurse¡¯s rudeness.


    ¡°I already exined to you the hospital policies. We can¡¯t treat any patient without payment. If you care about your dad so much as you said, you¡¯d deposit money into the hospital¡¯s ount withoutining. But I bet you don¡¯t have any money which is why you¡¯re here wasting my time,¡± The nurse said, staring at her nails with a bored expression on her face.


    Mackenzie froze, angry and disgusted by the nurse¡¯s attitude. She¡¯d worked as a supervisor in one of the Axford Hotels and it was only the cut that she made from that, that she spent and sent to her father every month.


    She was frustrated but realized there was no point reasoning with the rude nurse. The only way to shut her up was by paying the hospital so her father could start receiving treatment immediately.


    So she rushed to the cashier and asked for the amount she needed to deposit. It was arge amount but if she used all the money in her savings, she could afford it.


    ¡°Mackenzie, have you paid the money yet?¡± Beatrice rushed to Mackenzie at the cashier stand with shaky hands and red eyes ¨C She looked like she had been crying.


    Beatrice was usually a sturdy woman and for her to cry, it seemed her father¡¯s situation was ¡®that¡¯ bad.


    ¡°I¡¯ll pay right away! I promise,¡± Mackenzie handed her card to the cashier and waited for it to register.


    ¡°Please hurry!¡±


    Beatrice ran back inside, probably to morally support her father, and Mackenzie was thankful that she wasn¡¯t in this alone.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, the card has been blocked.¡± The cashier said to Mackenzie with a tired look on her face.


    ¡®This ount has been restricted¡¯


    That was the  response Mackenzie got even after driving to an ATM fifteen minutes away from the hospital. She no longer had ess to the money in her bank ount.


    Mackenzie thought of the many scenarios that could have happened, and it all pointed toward Jeffrey, her husband.


    Apart from herself, he was the only one who had ess to her bank ount.


    So Mackenzie rang Jeffrey and he picked up after the second ring with a bored tonality.


    ¡°It¡¯s you, Mackenzie.¡±


    ¡°Jeffrey!¡± She yelled through gritted teeth as his voice came through the phone.


    ¡°What the hell did you do to my bank ount?!¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°Jeffrey you bastard! Is this how you¡¯re going to treat me after all these years of us being together?!¡±


    ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about, Mackenzie. If you¡¯re only going to insult me, I won¡¯t take that. After all, you were the one who decided to leave me.¡±


    Mackenzie was shaking with anger now, ¡°Jeffrey, if you¡¯re going to punish me for leaving you, you can do thatter. Right now, my father is in a very critical condition and I need money to save him!¡±


    ¡°Are you going to beg for money now, you scum?¡±


    Mackenzie stiffened, shocked to hear that statement from Jeffrey himself.


    ¡°I knew it. You married me for money after all. Listen, Mackenzie, if you¡¯re going to beg for money, do it directly, no need to go about it confidently.¡± With that, the line went dead.


    ¡°The bastard!¡± Mackenzie spat irritably before dialing her mother-inw¡¯s number.


    She knew that Jeffrey was toozy to plot something as dynamic as blocking her from essing her bank ount. His mother must¡¯ve gotten some information about her from him without his knowledge to hurt her in this way.


    The first ring was unanswered and so was the second one.


    This gave Mackenzie an odd but strong feeling that her mother-inw was responsible for blocking her ount.


    Mackenzie kept trying her mother-inw¡¯s phone number.


    Uncle Maverick, who had been following Mackenzie since she left the cashier at the hospital, finally let out a sigh of relief after seeing her.


    Her father was in a critical situation, he wondered what was taking her this long to pay his bills.


    Maverick wanted to call her name and tell her about her father but when he saw the mixed emotions on her face, he guessed that she must be having some trouble regarding paying her father¡¯s hospital bills.


    The person Mackenzie was desperately calling finally seemed to answer the phone.


    ¡°Hello?¡± Mackenzie yelled into her phone, ¡°Eleanor! I know you¡¯re responsible for restricting me from my bank ount!¡±


    ¡°So what if I am? You should me yourself for not having multiple ounts in case one of them fails.¡±


    Mackenzie froze.


    She hadn¡¯t been expecting Eleanor to admit that she was the one that restricted her bank ount.


    But most of all, Eleanor¡¯s words hit her quite heavily. She indeed had only one bank ount- the one Jeffrey had helped her create.


    ¡°This is to pay you back for threatening me that day.¡±


    Mackenzie shuddered, remembering the day that she¡¯d pushed Eleanor aside in the guestroom while venting her annoyance about Jeffrey cheating on her.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you saying anything? Did you think I¡¯d forget what you did that day easily and let it go? You must be out of your mind.¡±


    ¡°E-Eleanor,¡± Mackenzie stuttered, feeling a wave of coldness cover her.


    Was this what their rtionship was? A farce? Did it have no meaning at all?


    ¡°Why do you sound so shocked Mackenzie? You should have known this would be the result when you left our family so suddenly.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, it seems my husband likes you a bit so if my son divorces you, he¡¯ll be sad.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about, Eleanor,¡± Mackenzie groaned, her eyes gleaming with tears, ¡°Right now I don¡¯t care to listen to yourints, my father is in a critical condition so please, release my ount and I¡¯ll do anything that you want me to, I won¡¯t even mention that Jeffrey cheated, so please¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re such a joke, Mackenzie,¡± Eleanor said smugly, ¡°Do you still think you have an importance of any kind? Even if you mention to anyone that Jeffrey cheated, who will believe a wretched thing like you?¡±


    ¡°E-E-Eleanor,¡± Mackenzie stuttered.


    She had been bullied by Eleanor in the past but this¡­ Eleanor had never spoken to her like this before. Why was she suddenly behaving like this? It made no sense. Sure she was petty but this¡­ was just too cruel.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky this is all I¡¯m willing to do to you Mackenzie. From now on, don¡¯t you dare show your face to me and my son or I might do something beyond just freezing your bank ount!¡± With that, the call ended.


    Mackenzie fell with her back mmed up against the wall, her eyes and hands trembling in fear.


    ¡°This can¡¯t be,¡± She murmured, going over what just happened in her head over and over. But no matter how she thought of it, she felt crushed, defeated.


    And the realization that she had nothing dawned on her, it made her scared.


    When Mackenzie snapped out of her thoughts, she realized that she was staining the floor with her tears.


    ¡°I¡¯m such a useless daughter!¡± She whispered and let her tears fall even more.


    No matter how she thought of it, her father had always been helping her more than she had ever helped him.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, father.¡±

 CHAPTER 17- WIFE CATEGORY

    ¡°Sorry Mackenzie, I don¡¯t have any money right now. I spent all of my savings to promote my e-tube channel,¡±


    ¡°I understand, totally, Fel¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Kenzie.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll find another way¡­ somehow.¡±


    Mackenzie ended the call and sighed.


    She had called both of her best friends to loan her money to pay her father¡¯s hospital bills but¡­


    Charlotte barely made enough as a teacher at Noose Hage elementary school so she already spent all her money on the magazines she bought thest time.


    As for Felicity, she had an e-tube channel where she shared awareness with people on the importance of trees and nts. She also shared tips on how to heal injuries using specific nts. She¡¯d spent all her savings on promoting that content.


    Mackenzie didn¡¯t know what to do. She didn¡¯t have other friends to call.


    So she just sat on a bench, stranded and depressed.


    She stared at the darkening sky and sighed. It was getting dark and she hadn¡¯t found a solution yet. Was her father okay? She was worried, but couldn¡¯t bring herself to go back without a solid solution.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Then her phone rang, it was Miss Beatrice.


    Mackenzie was nervous and could only watch the phone ring.


    By the time she snapped out of her cowardice, she had seven missed calls from Miss Beatrice.


    Mackenzie covered her face with her palms and sighed deeply. She felt ashamed. She didn¡¯t even dare to pick up a damned phone call! Just when she thought she was growing in life as a person. Instead, she was only bing more pathetic.


    Beep


    Mackenzie checked the message to see if her husband or mother-inw had taken pity on her and let her have ess to her bank ount but no, the message was from Felicity. It was simple and it immediately set her heart at ease.


    ¡®Your father¡¯s hospital bills have been taken care of and he has been tended to. The doctor said he¡¯ll be fine but he has to stay at the hospital overnight. Felicity.¡¯


    Mackenzie immediately called Felicity.


    ¡°Kenzie, thank goodness! My mother tried to reach you so many times but you weren¡¯t answering, are you alright?!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine- About my father, how is he?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s fine, he was just asking of you before he fell asleep.¡±


    ¡°Thank goodness,¡± Mackenzie exhaled. It was good news to hear that her father was doing well but¡­ ¡°Fel, how did you pay my father¡¯s hospital bills? You said you didn¡¯t have any money.¡±


    ¡°W-well, I-i um-¡±


    ¡°-Tell me, Fel,¡± Mackenzie said nervously.


    ¡°I-i borrowed it.¡±


    Mackenzie sighed. Felicity had gone that far for her. She appreciated it so much.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to pay you back Fel,¡± She swore.


    ¡°No, no, it¡¯s okay. You¡¯re my friend and I see your father as a father figure as well. I only did what I was supposed to do.¡±


    Mackenzie wanted to cry after hearing Felicity.


    After all the years she spent in the city, she still wasn¡¯t smart enough to protect what was hers. In the end, she was loaned money by her friend who hadn¡¯t stepped a foot outside the vige. This fact was both eye-opening and humiliating to Mackenzie.


    Mackenzie sighed deeply. Even though her friends were kind to her, they would eventually think badly about her. Especially when she didn¡¯t tell them the truth about her bank ount being restricted. She just told them that she couldn¡¯t ess her money because it was locked for safety reasons.


    Now that Mackenzie was all alone outside, she had time to think thoroughly and she realized one thing. She was a burden to her father.


    Their house was small. It was clear that a lot of things in it needed improving even though they were usable.


    Although the food her father harvested from the farm was sufficient for the both of them, it wouldn¡¯t be once she gave birth.


    Mackenzie ced a hand on her stomach and exhaled deeply.


    ¡°I need to get my shit together. I can no longer be a burden to my father who has looked after me since I was born. It¡¯ll be nice if he settles down with a pretty wife in a nice home.¡±


    Mackenzie clicked her finger as an interesting idea suddenly hit her.


    ¡°Speaking of the wife, doesn¡¯t Miss Beatrice fit that category?¡±


    ************


    THE NEXT DAY


    Mackenzie walked into the hospital with a sigh. The morning had been especially a tough one for her to wake up to. She had felt nauseous for no reason and when Felicity came to wake her, she couldn¡¯t use the ¡®I¡¯m pregnant¡¯ card because she hadn¡¯t told anyone except her father of her pregnancy.


    ¡°I feel like I¡¯m going to puke due to all the smell of antiseptics and drugs,¡± Mackenzie frowned as the peculiar smell that came with hospitals hit her nostrils.


    But even though she was disgruntled by the smell, her father¡­ She had to bring him home soon. Felicity and the others had promised to throw him a surprise party at home and were probably making arrangements right now.


    So she went to the room her father should be resting in and the scene she saw when she opened the door made her jaw drop.


    Miss Beatrice was hugging her father tightly with her huge boobs swinging up and down against his chest.


    Mackenzie noticed that Miss Beatrice was wearing a dress that showed off cleavage more than usual and this was¡­ good news?


    Mackenzie stroked her chin as she smiled.


    Just like she thought, Miss Beatrice was the perfect wife candidate for her father. She¡¯d never seen him look this full of life. Compared to yesterday, he had pretty much recovered.


    As she made up her mind to step back and give the two some privacy, her father mentioned her name.


    ¡°Mackenzie?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ hi, father,¡± Mackenzie said with a stifling giggle.


    With his cheeks turning as red as tomatoes, Mackenzie¡¯s father pushed Miss Beatrice away from him and she in turn grabbed her jacket on the nearby chair and muttered to Mackenzie as she dashed out of the room, ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting outside!¡±


    ¡°Mackenzie,e here!¡±


    Mackenzie looked at her father whose right leg was wrapped in a bandage before running over to hug him, but not tight enough to hurt him.


    ¡°Father!¡± She cried, caressing his back softly as she did. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re alright! You scared me! Next time don¡¯t plow the farm! Ask Teddy to do it, okay?!


    Mackenzie¡¯s father lightly pushed Mackenzie away, ¡± I understand what you¡¯re saying. There¡¯s no need for you to scream in my ears like that.¡±


    Mackenzie smiled seeing her father¡¯s reaction. He seemed to be doing much betterpared to the previous day and it made her d.


    Now that she could see that Miss Beatrice and her father were a match made in heaven, she decided to not get in the way.


    She would ask Charlotte to fix her into Noose Hage elementary school to work as a teacher until she earned enough to rent an apartment. Then she¡¯d n her life from there and save money to afford a hospital for when it was time for her to give birth. And she almost forgot, her prenatal checkups!


    ¡°Mackenzie, are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Uh-¡± Mackenzie snapped out of her thoughts quickly, ¡°Yes, father.¡±


    She would tell him the news of her moving out once she settled the thing between him and Miss Beatrice.


    ¡°Father, do you like Miss Beatrice?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± He replied without hesitation but once he realized what he said, he shook his head, his face struck with panic.


    ¡°No- erhh- what I mean is-¡±


    ¡°-You don¡¯t have to hide it, father!¡± Mackenzie stuck her tongue out at her father jokingly, watching as he moved his arms around, as though trying to think of something persuasive to say but Mackenzie¡¯s mind was already set.


    ¡°If you like Miss Beatrice, you should tell her. You two will make a great couple!¡±


    ¡°Mackenzie, seriously, where did you get that idea from?¡± Her father said with a sigh.


    Mackenzie took a step closer to her father, her face stern this time around. ¡°I¡¯m not blind, father. Miss Beatrice¡¯s care for you all these years, do you think it¡¯s a mere crush?¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s father bowed his head.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you feel something for her too?¡±


    He lifted his head to stare at Mackenzie, ¡°But-¡±


    ¡°-Have you been holding back your feelings for her because of me?¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s father clenched his fists as he stared into his daughter¡¯s knowing gaze. She had grown much more than he¡¯d realized. She wasn¡¯t a little girl anymore.


    ¡°Father, if you like Miss Beatrice, I¡¯ll support you.¡±


    With a sappy smile, he stared down at his hands, ¡°Thank you, Zie.¡±

 CHAPTER 18 – DEEP LONGING

    FOUR YEARS LATER


    ¡°I hereby pronounce you, husband and wife¡­¡± The officiator announced. ¡°¡­and you may kiss the bride.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s father shed a big smile at Beatrice, who returned the smile with a tender one of her own. They moved closer, and leaned in to share a kiss.


    Before their lips could touch, Mackenzie covered both of her twins¡¯ eyes with her palms, like the overprotective mother that she was. Calista, her baby girl, leaned closer into Mackenzie¡¯s dress, clutching the ring case assigned to her as the ring bearer.


    Unlike his sister, Cameron, the more hyper-energetic of the two, squirmed against Mackenzie¡¯s palm, trying to see what was going on.


    Once the kiss was over, the guests erupted in cheers and ps, and Mackenzie removed her hands from their small faces with a fond smile. Now free, they both ran off before their sight was taken away again.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Sheughed, then looked back at her father, and his bride. She had never seen her father this happy.


    He almost looked young again. She was so proud of him.


    Beatrice, Felicity¡¯s mom, looked angelic in her dress. She was smiling, epting hugs and congrattions from the guests.


    A nudge hit Mackenzie, and she whirled to see who it was. It was Charlotte. ¡°Oh my god, Kenzie.¡± She sighed,. ¡°How did we even get here? Look at Felicity¡¯s mom in a wedding dress!¡±


    Mackenzieughed, ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s almost too good to be true.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re both siblings now. How amazing can this get?¡± Felicity added, as she appeared by Mackenzie¡¯s side. Mackenzie nced at both of her best friends with a smile.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take a toast to the Newly Weds!¡± One of the guests eximed, and Charlotte pulled Mackenzie and Felicity forward, grinning, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    *


    Later that evening, there was a small dinner to celebrate the wedding. Only family and some close friends were here.


    There was low, soothing music ying in the background, while Mackenzie¡¯s dad and Beatrice sat at the head of the dinner table, whispering sweet nothings to each other.


    Mackenzie had just put Calista and Cameron to bed, and as she stepped back out of the house, she spotted uncle Maverick walking towards her.


    ¡°Hey, Kenzie.¡± He said, with a smile, and two sses of wine in his hands.


    ¡°Hey..¡± She shed him a smile, which made his heart flutter. ¡°What are you doing out here?¡±


    ¡°I just came to see if you needed help with the twins.¡± He said,, extending one of the wine sses to her. ¡°But seems like you got it covered.¡±


    She epted the wine, and took a sip. ¡°That¡¯s so thoughtful of you. Thanks. But honestly, it was not easy to get them to fall asleep.¡±


    Maverickughed, ¡°I thought as much. Especially, Cameron.¡±


    She gave him a smile, as they walked back to the garden together. She was finally surrounded, by real friends and family. People who actually cared about her.


    Uncle Maverick was a stable older figure, that had always been part of the people who made sure she was doing okay through the struggles of the past years.


    ¡°Are you ready to tell him?¡± Uncle Maverick asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll ever be ready to tell Dad goodbye. He¡¯d be so sad.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he¡¯ll have Beatrice by his side. He wouldn¡¯t be so sad.¡±


    She nodded, taking a sip of her drink again. Maverick gazed at her side profile softly, with longing in his eyes. She looked so beautiful, with her beautiful ck curls flowing down her shoulders. Her hazel eyes were even more entuated by her light make-up.


    Her skin seemed to be glowing under the moonlight, and her body looked even more curvaceous after having the twins.


    Maverick just couldn¡¯t tell her how he felt, and because of that, he had lost her once when she got married to Jeffery. But now, life had given him another chance, which he did not intend to lose.


    When they got to the garden, Mackenzie walked over to the dinner table and announced, ¡°I have prepared a very special present just for this day, and I really hope that you¡¯ll love it, dad.¡±


    She turned around and walked over to arge object covered by a silk cloth, and then pulled it off, ¡°Happy married life to you two! And I love you, both.¡±


    The present was a new dinner table she made, herself. And her father was overjoyed to see it. He, along with Beatrice, went over to give her warm hugs, while the rest cheered.


    ¡°Do you like it, Dad?¡± Mackenzie looked over at her father with a hopeful expression.


    Heughed, as if the answer was obvious. ¡°This is overwhelming. I feel so loved and proud that my daughter created something as beautiful as this, for me and my wife.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Mackenzie. We love it.¡± Beatrice added.


    With a relived sigh, Mackenzie said again, ¡°I have something to tell you, Dad.¡±


    She continued, ¡°I am moving to Greenville.. Now that you are married, and I am sure you would not be lonely, I think it is time to give you some space.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Her father frowned. ¡°You do not have to do that¡­¡±


    ¡°I know, dad.¡± She said. ¡°I want to start a new brand where I can produce more of my furniture. Greenville is the best ce to do that. And don¡¯t worry, I will not be going alone.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Charlotte grinned. ¡°I¡¯m trying out a few magazinepanies in the city, and see if I can get a job there. Felicity ising as well.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Beatrice, Felicity¡¯s mom, asked.


    Felicity added with a soothing smile. ¡°Yes, mom. My blog has grown so much, that bigpanies are all offering juicy deals toe to the big city for coboration contracts.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s father was quiet, before he gave her a solemn look. ¡°Will you and my grandkids be okay? You have been here all these years, and everything had been going so well¡­¡±


    Mackenzie smiled fondly, reaching out to hold his hands. ¡°It was all thanks to you, Father. Your grandkids and I will be fine. I promise.¡±


    Uncle Maverick stepped forward. ¡°I will always be there to help them out, sir. I won¡¯t be so far away.¡±


    With a soft breath, Mackenzie¡¯s dad asked, ¡°When do you leave?¡±


    ¡°In two days.¡±


    ~


    Mackenzie was folding some clothes into a suitcase. When she raised a dress, a brown envelope fell out of it.


    She picked it up and inspected it. It was the envelope containing the divorce letter Jeffery had sent during her pregnancy.


    It was a brutal blow.


    Something in her had kept on hoping, when everything else had copsed. That part of her had held on to Jeffery, even when she knew there was nothing to hold on to.


    Only for this letter to arrive, and shatter what was left of her heart . It showed that it was truly over. All those years, she was a ve to their approval. Losing herself to please them.


    After all of that, her reward was a divorce paper.


    Nopensation.


    No amount of embarrassment could describe how Mackenzie felt when she realized she had been deceived right from the beginning. She was only neen when she fell in love with Jeffery.


    His onyx eyes were enough to sweep any naive girl off her feet. Under his influence, she blindly signed off all her rights as a married woman.


    Three years after the marriage failed, she was heavily pregnant, heartbroken, struggling at a meagre job -as a small primary school teacher that earned pennies- and left with nothing to call her own, but a miserable divorce paper.


    Pathetic.


    He rendered her a fool, and for a long time, she hated herself for being so stupid. But now, she realized that with every bad situation came a reward.


    Her rewards, were the beautiful kids she gave birth to, after years of trying and failing. Now, she realized that the universe must love her, for keeping her from having a child in that terrible marriage.


    Her kids were a healing balm on her soul. And she was determined to protect and take care of them, with everything in her life.


    cing the envelope down, she moved out of her bedroom and to the door right next to it. Opening it softly, she stepped in.


    Her twins were fast asleep on separate small beds, which were of course color coded and decorated to match their personalities. She went to sit on the chair between their beds.


    Leaning over to Calista, she softly brushed her curly ck hair back against her pink pillow. She was so beautiful, and looked exactly like Mackenzie. She had the same hazel eyes, and curly hair, even though her curls were not as thick.


    Her kids were so precious to her, that her heart could not bear the thought of Jeffery and his mother getting their greedy hands on them.


    She moved towards Cameron. Her heart always pounded each time she looked at her little boy. Why? Because with each day that passes, he bore a more and even more striking resemnce to a certain man in Mackenzie¡¯s life.


    Sea blue eyes that could be stormy, icy orpletely empty. In all three forms, those eyes werepletely mesmerizing.


    And he had jet ck hair that was barely curly anymore, as it was when he was an infant. The older Cameron grew, the less he looked like McKenzie and the more he looked like¡­ him.


    She pulled at his blue bedsheets, which he had flung away at some point, and tucked it gently around his small shoulders.


    Now she was taking them away from this quiet ce, to the bustling city life of Greenville. It scared her, she had to admit. She had only taken them to the city once, when they were two years old, and even then, she waspletely paranoid. She kept thinking somehow, Jeffery and his mother would bump into her kids.


    Now, she had quelled that fear.


    Even if she was broke, and struggling to make ends meet, things would be better in the city.


    They were moving to a part of the city where they would never cross paths with the Axfords.


    Ever.


    With onest loving looks over her kids, Mackenzie got up from the chair back to her room to continue packing up. However, as she walked further in from outside, the sweet, lingering smell in her room was apparent.


    With a sigh, she looked up at her window to see the numerous bouquets and vases of Pink Cami flowers. Over the years, she had be so used to their scent, that she barely noticed it anymore, except when stepping into her room from outside.


    She had got tired of throwing them out, so she just left them in here. The unknown person who kept sending these mysterious flowers was relentless and consistent.


    They never stopped.


    Her baby girl, Calista, had even grown to love the flowers so much. It was admittedly so beautiful, but it made her wonder.


    Who could be sending these?


    Or better still, why?


    She had gotten the answer to thetter, after all, Felicity was good with nts, and she had told Mackenzie that Pink Cami flowers signified longing. Deep longing.


    That answer only confused her.


    Who in the world could long for her for years?

 CHAPTER 19 – MERELY UNFINISHED

    Chase strode through the doors of the house, and came to a stop when he saw his father standing in the middle of therge lobby, right before the stairs.


    He already knew the reason why he called him here from the office, but he still asked, ¡°Why did you call me down here, dad?¡±


    Richard turned around immediately he heard Chase¡¯s voice. His face was red with the uncontroble anger he had been holding in while he waited for Chase to arrive. ¡°Selene told me you¡¯re filing for a divorce. What is that supposed to mean?!¡±


    Chase stared at his dad dead in the eye, and replied quietly. ¡°It means I want to end the marriage.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you get cheeky with me, Chase!¡± Richard exploded. ¡°You are not ending your marriage with Selene! Never! Why would you want to do that? What is your problem, Chase?!¡±


    Richard¡¯s voice echoed through the walls, rising further with each word he yelled.


    Chase found himself growing pissed off as well. What gave his father the right to forbid him from getting a divorce?


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be with Selene.¡± He said. ¡°I don¡¯t need her. We don¡¯t need the Hamilton family. There is no reason to keep this marriage going.¡±


    Richard could not believe a word he was hearing. ¡°What?! Who says you do not need Selene! She is the perfect wife for you! A woman of high ss, who understands the world of business.¡± He took a step forward. ¡°She showed me her fertility tests results and they were all excellent! Yet, you both have not had a child. And now you¡¯re talking about a divorce?! Is there something medically wrong with you, Chase?¡±


    Chase¡¯s fists clenched in anger. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I do not need the Hamiltons. They are the ones who need me. If Selene¡¯s family was not going bankrupt, this marriage would never have existed. I¡¯m going ahead with the divorce, dad, it¡¯s my decision.¡±


    ¡°You will nothing of the sort!¡± Richard flung his arm sideways angrily. ¡°Not on my watch, you hear me?! I used to trust your judgement the most, Chase, but you are clearly going the wrong way! What is this?¡±


    Chase¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°I am going the wrong way? It is my judgement that made the Axford stock price rise by 27% since I stepped into power. I do not need your permission, father.¡±


    Richard was stunned by Chase¡¯s audacity to defy him. He had always known Chase was a tough nut to crack, but he had never seen him this hell-bent on something.


    ¡°Go ahead with the divorce, Chase, and try me!¡± Richard thundered. ¡°Be ready to deal with the consequences that would follow your rash, and egotistical decisions!¡±


    ¡°Is that a threat?¡±


    Chase words were only making Richard grow angrier. ¡°Yes! I will do everything in my power to stop that divorce from happening! Any effect your bullheadedness has on my health will be entirely your fault!¡±


    There it is again.


    Guilt-tripping. Chase knew his father loved to use his health as a way to make people do his bidding. But it would never work this time.


    ¡°You made me get into this marriage in the first ce.¡± Chase snapped. ¡°But you can never make me stay in it. I will settle Selene ording to the marriage contract, and cut off all ties with her.¡±


    Selene had done the worst thing he could take. He had known of her infidelity, and did not care about it, because he was not exactly innocent as well.


    But he had recently discovered that she was sleeping around with even Jeffrey, his goddamn brother. It did not end there, but even with all his business associates and clients. Selene was having sex with them all, shamelessly.


    She was probably doing it to spite him, or not, but Chase was past caring at this point. He was enraged, and his decision to divorce her was immovable.


    ¡°Look at your brother! He divorced his wife just a few years ago!¡± Richard roared. ¡°I believed you were the more responsible one, only for you to give your wife a divorce letter now all of a sudden?! What would the world say about the Axfords! I will not let you ruin our reputation with your immaturity!¡±


    ¡°My immaturity?¡± Chase asked, steaming with anger. ¡°If you are mad at Jeffery for getting divorced, go confront him. I don¡¯t have to pay for his actions, so don¡¯t vent your anger on me. I¡¯m leaving.¡±


    He turned around and stormed out of the house, boiling over his father¡¯s harsh words.


    ¡°Chase!¡± Richard yelled after him, but he did not turn back. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare go ahead with that divorce! Selene will remain your wife, and that is final!¡±


    Chase blocked out his words and moved down the stairs leading up to the house. Something about this entire exchange with his father made him so enraged, that he could not drive back to the office in this state.


    So he moved along the side of the house, trying to walk his anger off. In a moment, he spotted a door at the side of the building, which was slightly open.


    He paused, wondering how he had never noticed this door before.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    He walked closer to it, pushed it open and peered inside.


    It was a small storeroom covered inyers of dust, and a few cobwebs around the corners. Why would Eleanor leave a room in her mansion this dirty?


    He stepped in and gazed around at the small tables, and other furniture lying around the ce. At first nce, some looked broken and damaged, but on a closer observation, he saw that they were merely unfinished.


    He crouched down to inspect one of the small tables, when the outline of something under the dust caught his attention. He reached out and brushed the dust off, to see the initials M. T  carved in a pretty design in the wood surface.


    He knew who that was immediately.


    Mackenzie. This was hers. He looked over a few more of the furniture, and realized that they all had her signature on them.


    Seeing it hurt him. She had disappeared, and didn¡¯t even look back. It felt like he was the one who didn¡¯t forget what had happened between them.


    He still wanted to meet her again. Initially, he had fought his desire to see her, think of her, or go look for her. Buried himself in work for the past four years but nothing could erase her from his mind.


    He looked back at her abandoned creations for thest time, before he straightened up to his full height. The door was suddenly flung open behind him, and it was a couple of men in matching overalls.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Chase asked.


    ¡°Hello sir. We are here to clear up this storeroom.¡± One of the answered politely. ¡°Please excuse us.¡±

 CHAPTER 20 – FOUND A LEAD

    In three weeks after moving into a three bedroom apartment in Greensville, which Uncle Maverick helped them get, Mackenzie had been busy with trying to kick start her career as a designer. After all, she, Charlotte and Felicity have been living off their savings from North Dakota.


    They could not depend on that for much longer.


    Uncle Maverick has been a great help so far. Because their apartment lied outside the heart of Greensville, and Mackenzie was busy with the kids and her works at the back of the house, he helped her drop her samples at many of the huge hotels around the city searching for new designers.


    It worked because he lived right there in the center of Greensville.


    But so far, none of the hotels had gotten back to her.


    It was a lot of work to take care of two growing and energetic kids while trying to organize their lives, and Mackenzie could definitely not afford to hire a babysitter. She had barely even been able to get them into preschool, pay their tuition and other necessary fares.


    As usual, her friends were always ready to help.


    While Mackenzie usually took them to school and returned home to work, Felicity picked them up, make sure they are well-fed and well-rested. Her blog was doing very well, so she had a lot of time on her hands for Calista and Cameron.


    When Charlotte returned from her job hunt in magazine firms, she yed with them and watched their children shows with them.


    Mackenzie could not be more relieved to know that her kids were in safe hands. She was so extra paranoid over their safety, that she had gone to their school and expressly told the school not to hand over her kids to anyone other than her, Felicity and Charlotte, who the school already recognized.


    Living not too close to the core of Greensville helped with Mackenzie¡¯s paranoia. The Axfords, and other filthy rich people crawled all over the heart of Greensville, and she would rather stay away.


    It was much more quieter in their neighborhood.


    It was perfect.


    Felicity did not seem to think Greensville as a whole was so perfect, because there were less trees than the countryside were they came from. She was an advocate for organic living and being as natural as possible. That was what her blog was all about, anyway. She was a country girl at heart, but the country could not fulfill her dreams like the polluted city could.


    She was worried that the twins who grew up with fresh air,  fresh food and fruits, would be exposed to the less healthy environment in this city.


    Mackenzie was not really worried about that, because she was providing her little babies with the best quality of everything they needed. She just needed a job quickly, so things would not start to go downhill.


    She never expected things to be smooth sailing as soon as they stepped into Greensville, but she could only hope life would not be so difficult this time around. Hope was not the only thing she had, she also had determination, vigor and the desire to push harder each day.


    Just for her kids.


    ***********


    Chase shut off hisptop when he saw the umpteenth article about him just today. The news of his divorce with Selene had reached the public, so the media was in uproar.


    He and Selene Hamilton were considered a star couple. The type of couple the world looked at in admiration, envy and respect. They were perfect in the eyes of the public.


    Billionaire business tycoon, Chase Axford and Famous supermodel, Selene Hamilton.


    What could be more perfect than that?


    Now, that perfect image had crashed in front of the world, and reporters and press were dying to tear him apart like hungry sharks for a piece of information about the divorce.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    He rose from his seat, straightened his jacket and strode out of his office in the Prestigious Axford Hotel. Just outside his office, his personal assistant, Nora, rounded from the corner. She hurried over to him, ¡°Sir, there is a crowd of reporters and paparazzi blocking the main entrance of the building. I suggest you take the back entrance, Mr. Axford.¡±


    Chase felt a bit of annoyance. But then again, that was what came with his life. Crowds of paparazzi dedicating their lives and careers on every shred of information they can wrestle out of him.


    Sometimes he could understand why they were so desperate. Just one article released concerning him could generate enough money to add a couple of zeroes to any reporter¡¯s ount bnce.


    ¡°The security and crowd control staff are working on diverting their focus, so you can drive out of the hotel premises undisturbed.¡± Nora said politely. ¡°Pleasee with me, sir.¡±


    He gave her a barely visible nod of approval, which she immediately picked up and began to briskly lead the way to the back exit.


    He followed her closely. A few momentster, as they walked past a hallway on the ground floor, he noticed an open door which revealed what looked like a storeroom.


    It was dimly lit, and filled with so many different types of furniture. It reminded him of something familiar he had seen before, so he paused. Nora was a short distance away when she noticed Chase was no longer walking after her.


    She turned around subserviently and asked, ¡°Sir?¡±


    ¡°What are those?¡± Chase moved his blue gaze away from the storeroom to nce at her.


    She looked over at it and answered promptly. ¡°Those are the design entries we got from various designers around the city, sir. The major designer of the hotel¡¯s furniture recently resigned, so we are trying to pick out a new designer for furniture in family suites.¡±


    Chase¡¯s eyes turned very thoughtful as he listened to her. ¡°Is that so?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Axford.¡± She nodded. ¡°We need to hire the best designer do we can mass produce their work.¡±


    He moved into the store, looking over the samples with interest. What Nora just informed him of felt like a ssh of water on him after being stranded in the desert for years. Finally, he had found a lead. .


    He ran a hand over some random table on his side, asking his assistant, ¡°When did the entries start, and when will it end?¡±


    ¡°It began two weeks ago. It will end in an another week, sir.¡±


    ¡°Extend the end date.¡± He ordered.


    ¡°Y-yes, sir.¡± His assistant responded, trying to hide the confusion in her voice. She had previously thought the CEO had no interest in the interior designs of the hotel.


    Chase felt there was a little flicker of hope here. It seemed too far-fetched that Mackenzie would somehow send in an entry, but he had to try anyway possible to see her again.


    He had no idea if she even wanted to work as a designer, not to talk of sending design samples. After all, all her designs were abandoned in her marriage with Jeffrey.


    But would that stop him? No.


    He raised his head and made to turn to another corner of the storeroom but something suddenly caught his attention. Close to the window was a charcoal ck safe, with sleek grey designs. It was so creative and beautiful, that it stood out in the midst of all the other entries he had spotted so far.


    ¡°Turn the lights on, Nora.¡± Chase ordered, moving closer to the safe.


    She obeyed, and the lights came on, giving him a better view of the safe.


    He stopped in front of it and observed it more closely. The wood it was made from was obviously high quality, to create such a masterpiece. He was not a master at decor, but he knew real creativity when he saw one.


    He ran his hand over it and paused when his fingers brushed over a carving in the corner of the wood. His heart went still. Slowly, he raised his fingers away and looked at what he touched.


    Right there, were the initials M. T carved into the ck surface.


    It was just as pretty and delicate as the one he had seen back in that abandoned storeroom. It was Mackenzie¡¯s. She had submitted this, against all the odds. It felt like a miracle.


    His voice was gruff when he spoke again, ¡°Nora.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Sir?¡± She perked up.


    ¡°Don¡¯t take any more entries. I have found a designer.¡±


    She spluttered, plunged into more confusion at this point. She hurried over to where he stood, ncing at the safe in front of him. ¡°Have you spotted a design you like, sir?¡±


    Chase patted the safe. ¡°Contact the person that designed this safe immediately. Do not tell the name of the hotel, or give unnecessary details. Give only enough details to get the designer here, as soon as possible.¡±


    Nora was thrown off by the urgency in his tone, but she dare not question it. ¡°Of course, sir.¡± She nodded.

 CHAPTER 21- TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

    Mackenzie¡¯s phone burst out ringing on the kitchen counter. She straightened up from the dishes she was washing and wiped her hands on a towel before reaching for it.


    It was Uncle Maverick calling.


    She answered, ¡°Hello, Uncle Maverick. How¡¯s it going?¡±


    ¡°You will not believe what just happened, Kenzie.¡± His excited voice came over the phone. ¡°I¡¯ve got amazing news!¡±


    Mackenzie moved away from the counter, clutching the phone tighter. ¡°What happened?¡±


    Uncle Maverick cleared his throat, and said in a levelled voice. ¡°One of the hotels got back to me. They are interested in buying your design and hiring you as their major designer, Mackenzie!¡±


    Her mouth dropped in surprise.


    For a moment she was speechless, filled with a mixture of shock, disbelief and unexinable happiness. When she finally got her voice back, she eximed, ¡°W-what?¡± She let out a big breath. ¡°Wait a minute, Uncle Maverick, did I just hear you right?!¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    He wasughing on the other end of the phone. ¡°I mean every word I just said! Now that they have reached out to you, once you sign permanently with them, you will be receiving a huge paycheck, numerous allowances and benefits and even a retirement n! You just won a damn jackpot, Kenzie!¡±


    Mackenzie let out a squeal, jumping from the excitement. ¡°Oh my god! Finally! Someone finally called me back to hire me! I can¡¯t ¡­¡± She was even running out of breath from how hard her heart was racing.


    Happiness. Excitement. Joy.


    None of those could describe how she was feeling right now.


    Charlotte and Felicity heard Mackenzie¡¯s squeals from their rooms, and they came out to see what the noise was all about. Felicity was even about to scold her for almost waking the twins from their nap, but they both froze when Mackenzie turned to tell them the news.


    ¡°I got picked! They¡¯re going to hire me! They¡¯re interested in my designs!¡± She eximed.


    Charlotte and Felicity both erupted in their own squeals of excitement, moving forward to crush Mackenzie into a hug. She hugged them back, tears gathering in her eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m so happy for you, Kenzie!¡±


    ¡°Finally, your hard work is being appreciated!¡±


    They showered her with words, which made her even more emotional, but at the same time they couldn¡¯t stop smiling from the amazing news.


    Charlotte broke out of the hug and eximed loudly. ¡°Now, this is something worth celebrating! And guess what? It¡¯s a Friday night, we¡¯re going to turn up tonight!¡±


    Felicityughed, nodding along with the idea, but Mackenzie paused, still smiling. ¡°I¡¯d love to celebrate, girls. I still can¡¯t contain my happiness so I have to let it out somehow¡­ but I can¡¯t leave Calista and Cameron all alone.¡±


    ¡°You girls go celebrate with Mackenzie and have fun.¡± Uncle Maverick spoke up from the phone, startling Mackenzie who thought she had ended the call. ¡°I¡¯ll drop by and take care of the twins. You all have been working so hard.¡±


    ¡°Thanks so much, Uncle Maverick.¡± Mackenzie sighed. ¡°You are a godsend.¡±


    ¡°The drinks tonight are on you, designer girl!¡± Charlotte piped up. Felicity added, ¡°She can pay for the meals for a month, too!¡±


    ¡°I will do more than that, girls.¡± Mackenzieughed. ¡°I will spoil you both, and my kids. We can finally go on weekend trips, dates and all the things they should have been doing a long time ago.¡±


    She was getting emotional as she listed those things. Cameron had always wanted to visited the amusement parks he saw on TV. There was none of that in their little neighborhood back in North Dakota, but now that they were here, she could finally afford to take the kids.


    Calista loved water parks as well. Mackenzie could provide all of these for her kids, with this job.


    She pulled her friends into a hug again, sniffing. ¡°I¡¯m so happy I have you two every step of the way.¡±


    ¡°Enough of the waterworks, girl!¡± Charlotte wriggled away, making Felicity dissolve intoughter. ¡°Let¡¯s visit the biggest bar in the city!¡±


    Mackenzie froze with sudden fear. ¡°No. I¡¯m not going there. Let¡¯s just go to one of the nearby bars, instead.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re no fun, Kenzie!¡± Charlotte protested.


    ¡°There are great bars around, Charlotte.¡± Felicity said. ¡°We just have to find the best one and have fun.¡±


    Mackenzie eagerly nodded. Her fear of running into someone from her life as an Axford was never quelled. So she would rather just avoid situations that would bring her face to face with them.


    They settled for a small bar nearby, and went to get ready to celebrate.


    *************


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you done, already?¡± Mackenzie protested. ¡°I have to be there as early as possible!¡±


    ¡°Just a moment!¡± Charlotte said. ¡°I have toy edges of yours to perfection!¡±


    It was Monday morning, and Mackenzie was ready for the meeting with the hotel management. She was actually clueless to which hotel she would be meeting, because Uncle Maverick got things all mixed up and couldn¡¯t remember the name they told him.


    But he sent her the address, anyway. That was something.


    ¡°All done!¡±


    Mackenzie got up from the seat and moved to nce at herself in the mirror. She looked breathtaking. The dark blue pants she had on held snugly to the contours of her curvy hips, and her cotton blouse left just a hint of cleavage. Her curly, thick hair poured down her shoulders in shine and softness.


    Thest time she straightened it was in her terrible marriage, and she had never attempted it again since then.


    Her feet were in matching blue heels, and her light make-up sharpened her features.


    ¡°It looks great. I¡¯ll get going, now.¡± Mackenzie said and hurried out of the door with Charlotte following close behind her.


    However in front of their house, was a sleek ck car, parked confidently. They exchanged nces, wondering who in their neighborhood was rich enough to own such a car.


    The door suddenly opened and a man in a sharp ck suit stepped out, staring straight at Mackenzie. ¡°Good morning. I¡¯m your designated driver to the venue.¡±


    ¡°What venue?¡± Mackenzie asked warily.


    ¡°The venue where your work will be discussed, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°What work?¡± She still wasn¡¯t convinced. The setup of the car and its driver felt suspicious.


    ¡°Miss. Mackenzie Torsney, you have been invited to a meeting because you have been chosen as the new designer for the hotel. I am here to get you therefortably.¡±


    After that, Mackenzie was convinced it was safe to go with him. So she did.


    Some momentster, the car eased into arge building through the back entrance, and into a massive garage filled with luxury cars. In the garage, Noraes up to her and introduces herself. ¡°I am the CEO¡¯s assistant, and I will be your escort to the meeting room.¡±


    After a brief elevator ride, Mackenzie found herself in arge, dimly lit room with a long table and numerous chairs. As she took in her surroundings, she noticed a dark figure sitting at the farthest end of the room.


    She could not see the person¡¯s face.


    ¡°That is the CEO. He will be paying attention to this meeting, but I will be doing most of the talking.¡± Nora said, pressing a button and a projector came on.


    Slides began to be projected onto the screen, showing many different designs, but Nora diverted Mackenzie¡¯s attention by cing a couple of bound documents in front of her.


    ¡°That is the contract.¡± Nora said. ¡°It states the terms of our agreement. We want to buy your designs for mass production and also¡­¡±


    As she spoke, Mackenzie opened the papers and read through it. She had not gone too far when her eyesnded on the pay.


    Her breath fled.


    One hundred and seventy thousand dors per annum.


    She abruptly looked up at Nora, ¡°This pay¡­ it¡¯s kind of¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, that is well deserved, Miss. Torsney, as you would be working closely with me. In your resume, we saw that you have experience in management supervision. You will be doing that here, as well.¡± Nora said levelly. ¡°The contract covers travel expenses, health insurance, car insurance, vacation allowances and so many others listed out in there. Please go through it, and ce your signature.¡±


    Mackenzie was nearly bursting with happiness. It was just too good to be true!


    How did shend such a job, just three weeks after moving to Greensville? If this wasn¡¯t luck, she had no idea what it was.


    She skimmed through the contract, cing her signature in every spot it was required. When she was done, she excitedly promised the assistant to give her best.


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear, Miss. Torsney. Please excuse me, the CEO would like to have a word with you now.¡± Nora smiled politely, and moved out of the room.


    Now alone in the room with the dark figure, Mackenzie turned around to politely thank him, taking a few steps closer. ¡°I am so thankful to you for granting me this golden opportunity, Mr. CEO.¡±


    He responded in a cool tone. ¡°Your design was worth it.¡±


    That voice mmed into her ears like a boulder, because she recognized it. Her entire body froze.

 CHAPTER 22 – FROM DARKNESS

    Mackenzie was frozen still from that voice. It was still ringing in her head. It¡¯s warm texture, it¡¯s masculine timbre. It¡¯s confident ent that could only belong to one person. And she was strongly hoping, that she was wrong.


    The projector went off all of a sudden, leaving the room pitch dark.


    Her heart stopped. In the next split second, the lights came on, fully illuminating the person in front of her. Her eyes focused on the figure of the CEO, with her stomach twisting in dread.


    Chase Axford.


    It was unmistakable. Those sea blue eyes gazed at her with the intensity of stormy oceans. His jet ck hair was perfectly tousled, silky and soft like it was made to be grabbed. A tiny tremor shook her shoulders as her eyes raked down that handsome face of his.


    That face she thought she would never see again.


    Like an Adonis of the night, his tall, big and manly body was encased in a jet ck suit. Those dark clothes entuated the ripped perfection thaty beneath, reminding her of it¡¯s strength and hot-blooded virility.


    She remembered how his body was a weapon he wielded in bed, sending her to Havana, over and over again. Sinful and heavenly all at once. It was something to be forgotten at all costs, else, there would be danger.


    Combined with his dark hair, and the dark look on his gorgeous face, it looked like he was cut from darkness.


    The delicious, sinful and erotic kind of darkness.


    It evoked all of the forbidden thoughts and desires she had tried so hard to keep buried. All this time they had been apart, she was constantly fighting the mere thought of him.


    It was wrong to think of him.


    Whatever had happened between them was just one of those things meant to be buried and kept a secret. Indulging in her fantasies was dangerous game.


    What was Chase Axford doing here? Never in her wildest expectations did she believe she would ever run into him here. She could not believe it.


    Unless¡­.


    The assistant¡¯s voice suddenly echoed in her mind saying, ¡°that is our CEO¡±. Mackenzie nced down at the documents in her shaky hands and saw the name boldly written across the front page.


    AXFORD LUXURY HOTEL & SUITES.


    Her face drained.


    How much bad luck could she get? Of all the hotels in Greensville, it was the exact one owned by the family she wanted nothing to do with, that reached out to her.


    How did she not see the name before?


    Instantly, Mackenzie realized that the Axford name had not even been mentioned once. Uncle Maverick had only gotten an address. And even so, a car came to pick her up and took her through the back entrance, preventing her from knowing where she was.


    Then, Nora, the assistant, had opened the documents for her,pletely bypassing the front page which held the name. And their CEO had somehow stayed out of her line of sight, until she had signed the contract.


    It was staged.


    It was all a trap.


    She couldn¡¯t even looked up at him with how scared, angry and helpless she felt. So she whirled around and hurried over to the door, trying to pull it open. But it was locked.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    How?


    Mackenzie began to panic, struggling with the door handle. ¡°What am I even doing here?¡± She whispered to herself in a quivering voice, nothing but escape on her mind.


    Her heart was pounding a thousand miles per second, and her legs could barely keep her upright. Her skin felt so cold, a testament of her nightmaresing to fruition. That name Axford was like an omen. She had to get away from here.


    Opening the door was all that was in her mind, for her to realize that Chase was striding towards her. His hand grabbed her arm, fully enveloping her soft flesh, and he whirled her around, pulling her into his chest while his lips crashed against hers in a deep, hard kiss.


    Mackenzie¡¯s mind, thoughts and orientation werepletely numb the moment those heavenly lips met hers.


    His arm moved around her waist, crushing her closer against his broad chest, while his other hand held her face in ce, leaving her no room for escape from his passionate assault of his tongue in her mouth, stroking, devouring, taking all she had to give and all she was not willing to give.


    The shock Mackenzie initially felt melted off into womanly surrender, powerless against the sensations his touch triggered from deep inside her. Her hands pressed against his firm, strong chest, his entire body enveloping hers like a towering wall of muscle and testosterone.


    His body felt so good under her touch.


    So hot, so needy¡­ so wanton¡­ so starved.


    Her hand travelled up to grab his cor, melding her soft breasts against his firmness, but then a tiny part of her mind broke free of his spell and burst red signals through the rest of her mind.


    What in the world was she doing?!


    She quickly pushed back from him, stumbling back with her breathing out in pants. Her lips tingled from the memory of being devoured by his. Her face was zing hot, and she felt absolutely tongue-tied and disoriented by that scorching kiss.


    She met his eyes, and an electric shiver tore through her when she saw the hard defiance in that sea blue gaze. His tongue briefly licked his pink bottom lip, as if reminding her that he could easily kiss her again.


    He took a step closer to her, saying in a hard tone. ¡°Did you think you can run away from me, Mackenzie? For four damn years, you never bothered to-¡±


    ¡°-Bothered to do what, Chase?¡± Mackenzie cut in the moment she regained her voice. ¡°We were married, this is wrong!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not married anymore.¡±


    Mackenzie paused, staring at him with a furrow between her eyebrows. She muttered, ¡°You know about the divorce.¡±


    He looked her down, exerting his power and dominance over her in just a few words. ¡°The hell I know about everything. Hiding from or fighting me is futile.¡±


    Mackenzie felt threatened by his powerful disposition, so in a bid to strengthen herself against his masculine intensity, she took some steps back and raised her chin.


    She met his gaze head on, making sure to not be looking up at him due to how small she waspared to him, but looking down the bridge of her nose on him. It was her way of gaining some stance against him.


    How dare he trap her using her own passions against her? Knowing fully well that she was trying to make a career out of her talent and skills, he staged this entire meeting!


    Just to lure her back to him!


    Righteous anger erupted in Mackenzie. This did not even make any sense. One moment she was on top of the world with happiness for getting an amazing job, the next moment, Chase Axford was right in her face.


    She was done with everyone in the Axford family. She hated them, and would rather never have anything to do with them for life. She raised the contract papers, and bit out, ¡°This is not valid. I was deceived into signing this and I would never have anything to do with Axford!¡±


    Her eyes narrowed. ¡°I know you think I need the money, that¡¯s you came at me like this!¡± She motioned between them. ¡°What the hell do you take me for Chase?!¡±


    She ripped the papers over and over again till they were mere scraps in her hands. And she threw them to the floor, brushing her hair out of her face as she straightened back up to give him a pointed re.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want your money, your job or have anything to do with you and your family! Don¡¯t you ever contact me again!¡±


    Chase barely even blinked the whole time, watching her with the same leveled expression on his face. And it infuriated Mackenzie. She was so worked up, but he was perfectly emotionless.


    ¡°I knew you would be exactly like this, Mackenzie. I didn¡¯t expect this to go down easily. ¡± He said monotonously. ¡°That is why, as soon as you signed the contract, there were instant copies of it. My assistant collected them immediately. You didn¡¯t read the termination of contract, did you?¡±


    He fixed her with the stare of a predator that knew all the moves it¡¯s prey would make. Mackenzie swallowed, fists clenching in dread and anger.


    He continued, ¡°There were a couple of exceptions listed in there, where the contract can be terminated by either party without fine. But that is not the case now. You will have to pay five times, your paycheck to be able to terminate the contract after you have signed it.¡± His tone was ruthless. ¡°Your ims are invalid, Mackenzie. You cannot terminate this contract.¡±

 CHAPTER 23 – MINE AND MINE AGAIN

    Those words felt like boulders in her mind the moment Chase pointed them out. But that meant nothing to her. Even if the world came crashing down, she would never let herself be involved with the Axfords ever again!


    ¡°I don¡¯t care!¡± She snapped. ¡°I¡¯ll pay you that fine, even if I have to sell everything I own! I¡¯ll terminate this contract even if I have to sell myself! And every valuable organ in my body! I would dly do it!¡±


    Her voice held the defensive tone of a cornered woman who would do anything to stay away from a threat.


    Chase raked his gaze over her body, noting how beautiful she was, even when she was sending him death res and resisting him with every fiber of strength in her body. That only made her more attractive to him.


    More damn desirable.


    Her pretty, creamyplexion was glowing. Her hazel eyes were brighter, framed by dark eyshes that batted seductively each time she blinked. Her dark hair fell down her back in thick, shiny curls that looked perfect for Chase to roll into around his fist, grab and pull while he did the dirtiest things to her.


    Her curves seemed to have filled out even more, since thest time he saw her. Soft and full in the right ces, tiny and slender in other ces.


    Her legs and thighs were long and shapely in those pants, and they would fit perfectly around him, over his neck¡­ anywhere he wanted them to be. Not just her legs, but her entire small, feminine body.


    He could easily overpower her, and show her what she had been missing all these years. Make her yearn, surrender and beg, just like in his X-rated dreams about her.


    She was so small, standing in front of him right now, that he just wanted to grab her and pull her into the cage of his body. Under him.


    Where she belonged.


    Her softness pressed against his hardness, in the most sensual sync.


    He had fought the desire to see her and hold her again all these years. He had known she was in North Dakota, but couldn¡¯t bring himself to go there. He was tormented by his thoughts and desire for her, in the day, and at night.


    Every moment of the day.


    She haunted his dreams. It was maddening how she could have so much power over him when they were miles apart. It was angering how strongly he wanted her when she had abandoned him.


    At some point, he finally had enough and decided to go meet her face to face. But then he found out that she was no longer there.


    Just like that, all traces of her disappeared.


    Until he saw her signature on one of the design entries in his hotel, leading him back to her again. He had found her again.


    He looked back at her eyes to see the anger in them. He let out a dark chuckle. ¡°This is how you¡¯ll pay for using me, and then disappearing without a damn word.¡±


    She trembled, ¡°I¡¯ll pay you back. I will never work for, or with you, Chase! You cannot force me to do this! I will never allow it!¡± There was such a fierceness and stubbornness injected in her words that surprised Chase.


    He was taken aback by how she stood her ground, even after hearing the consequences of trying to terminate the contract.


    It was so different from how her disposition years ago. When she was married to Jeffery. Chase¡¯s jaw clenched at the thought of that major moron. He hated Jeffery, and he knew Mackenzie probably hated him too.


    After all, he had an idea of what a hellhole their marriage was. Yet, Mackenzie never showed so much obstinateness or fierceness to protect herself back then.


    Unlike right now, where she was ready to do anything. Like someone who had something important, more important than her own self, to defend and protect.


    She turned around and reached again for the door, pulling it and it surprising opened. It was somehow unlocked again.  She paused and nced at Chase one more time, ¡°Let¡¯s not meet again, Chase Axford. Please tell your assistant to send me the ount details. I¡¯ll do my best to pay for breaching the so-called contract.¡±


    She turned back around and stormed out.


    *************


    Mackenzie went back the way she came, and found herself down in the garage. There was the exit up ahead, so she increased her pace towards it.


    When she got there, she met Chase¡¯s assistant right there, as if she had been waiting all along. Mackenzie tried to ignore her and walk past, but Nora held out another copy of the contract papers. She paused, staring at the papers.


    The nerve.


    It was all so unfair. They yed her dirty, making copies of the contract without her even being aware of it. She even got locked in that room with Chase, and the door was conveniently unlocked when he had already kissed her.


    She should have been better prepared. These were rich and powerful people, and they always yed dangerous games just to get what they want. Always several steps ahead of the average person.


    Mackenzie felt outsmarted and swindled into this situation. She made to walk away when Nora spoke up, motioning to a sleek ck car slowly moving forward. ¡°That¡¯s your ride home, Miss Torsney.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your ride.¡± She said. ¡°I know my way around Greensville.¡±


    ¡°My boss would be mad if you go on your own, Miss Torsney.¡± Nora insisted.


    Mackenzie snapped at her, ¡°I don¡¯t care what your boss thinks!¡± She turned around and walked away.


    When she finally got outside the massive building, she was immediately hit by the loud, bustling sounds of the megacity. She froze on her feet, looking up and around her at the gigantic skyscrapers that reached up into the clouds.


    The noise, the sounds of vehicles on therge highways, therge billboards¡­ the wealth. Everything hit her all at once that she felt ustrophobic. She was right in the heart of Greensville. And she began to panic.


    The only thought on her mind, was to get out of here as fast a possible. So she tried to cross the road, only to let out a shocked gasp when a car screeched in front of her.


    She stumbled back, heart pounding. Her entire body had locked stiff in the shock of nearly getting hit.


    Chase stepped out of the Lamborghini and moved to catch her hand with his, making her follow him to the passenger seat. He opened the door and nudged her in. She was still in shock and disorientation so she couldn¡¯t put up a fight.


    Once she was seated, Chase leaned over her to fasten her seatbelt. Her hazel eyes flitted over him, face heating up as she was overwhelmed by his masculine musk. Unable to breathe in anything else but his cool scent. And that did unexinable things to her body.


    A primal desire suddenly pulled at Mackenzie, filling her with the urge to grab his strong shoulders, bury her face in his neck and inhale him. But she snapped out of it, averting her gaze when his blue eyes calmly met hers.


    Chase knew exactly what he was doing to her. How his closeness was making her feminine hormones rage and protest, wanting to be one with him. Wanting to enjoyed by him.


    He leaned away and ced one hand on the door. His tone was t. ¡°Few minutes after storming out on me, you nearly got yourself killed. What were you thinking walking into a busy highway like that? You should be really proud of yourself, Mackenzie. What would your father say?¡±


    He closed the door and walked around to the driver¡¯s seat. Mackenzie was still wondering if he really just scolded her, when he got in and closed the door.


    He nced sideways at her. ¡°You sounded so confident up there, for someone who nearly panicked herself into an ident a minute ago.¡±


    He fully turned to gaze at her, steel strength infused in every word he uttered. ¡°Don¡¯t try to run away, Mackenzie. You can¡¯t . You will not. I will chase you to the ends of the earth, Mackenzie. I will chase you, capture you and make you surrender till every part and fiber of your mind, body and soul is mine alone.¡±


    Chase was dead sure of it. He did not believe in fate, in coincidences or luck. He believed in fighting for whatever you want, never giving in, or giving up till you get it.


    That was Mackenzie to him. It was set in stone. She was already his. She just hadn¡¯t realized it yet.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    ¡°Mine to have. Mine to keep.¡± His sea blue eyes darkened with determination. ¡°I will not give up till I make you mine, mine and mine again.¡±

 CHAPTER 24 – A GOD-DAMNED REBEL

    For a long moment into the drive, Mackenzie was still in a daze over what just happened a couple of moments ago. It was all so fast, that her shocked mind had not had enough time to register it all.


    The intense and shocking meeting with Chase Axford. Him kissing her. Her nearly running into a busy highway. Him saving her. His fierce, possessive words.


    And now she was sitting in the passenger seat of his Lamborghini. It was difficult to make sense of it all.


    But now, she was snapping out of her breathless daze, and suddenly realized she couldn¡¯t let Chase drive her home. She thought about her kids, and panic struck her.


    No way. He definitely should not ever know of their existence.


    Sitting upright in her seat, she brushed her hair back a she looked out the tinted windows. Her heart jumped in anxiety. They were already entering the suburban parts of Greensville where she lived.


    Triggering what-ifs bombarded her thoughts. What if her kids were on their way back from school, only to meet Chase face to face outside the apartment? If Chase saw them, that was the end. He¡¯ll put two and two together immediately, especially if he sees Cameron.


    The entire Axford family would definitely find out. Then Jeffery and his greedy mother, Eleanor, would not wait toy their filthy hands on her innocent kids.


    ¡°Stop the car.¡± She said.


    Chase only nced sideways at her, but silently continued to drive. She mmed her hand on the expensive dashboard and screamed at him with wide eyes and desperation, ¡°Please, stop the car, I want to get down!¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Chase countered in a deep, warning voice. ¡°You can¡¯t hide again. Especially not from me.¡±


    Her panic was bing full-blown at this point. She was practically screaming, doing everything she could to make sure he did not get to her house. ¡°I can find my way around Greensville, Chase. Stop holding me in your car against my will and let me out! Pull over!¡±


    He nced at her, wondering why she was so desperate to get away from him. That stark defensiveness in her voice. The fear in her beautiful hazel eyes. It felt like she had something to hide.


    After regarding her for a moment, he said quietly, ¡°I¡¯ll drop you where you can get a cab.¡±


    Mackenzie subtly rxes when she heard that from him, but she could not settle back into her seat until he finally pulled up by the side of the road and unlocked the door. With a big feeling of relief washing over her tense shoulders, she hurried out of the car.


    She crossed the road, more carefully this time, and got into another cab to take her home.


    In the safety of the modest cab, sheltered from Chase¡¯s overwhelming presence, Mackenzie clutched her chest in a bid to stabilize her erratically racing heart. And the tight pull of desire raging deep in her feminine core.


    Her eyes fluttered close as she remembered the feeling of his lips on hers. Being trapped against his bigger body, overpowered and made to surrender to his male need. She had felt so lost in his arms, under his defiant blue gaze¡­ against his body.


    It reminded her of the times they had actually had sex.


    An explosive sensation throbbed between Mackenzie¡¯s legs and she shivered. All these years, she thought she had tamed these feelings, because what they did was just so wrong, that it deserved to be kept under wraps forever.


    But it all came rushing back the moment she caught sight of him. She realized all of a sudden, that she would be hopelessly thinking of that kiss even in her dreams.


    ************


    Chase watched Mackenzie hurry away from his car, with her beautiful curls bouncing with each steps she took. The sway of her hips hypnotized him, that he actually found that he didn¡¯t mind that she was walking away from him.


    But then, when she stepped into the cab and it drive off, a pissed off feeling filled him. She was running away again. Let her run all she wanted, he thought, she¡¯d be running towards me soon.


    His phone burst out ringing. It was a call from his assistant.


    He answered, ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Sir, you are not in the office.¡± It sounded more like a statement than a question from Nora.


    ¡°Yeah. Went out for a bit.¡± He answered coolly. ¡°I¡¯ll being back soon.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d suggest you use the back entrance, Mr. Axford. The paparazzi are back, and there are a lot of them crowding the front of the building.¡± She added, her voice a polite monotone.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    ¡°I can¡¯t avoid them forever. Might as well just face them head on and tell them what they want to hear from me.¡± Chase said nonchntly. He really did not give a fuck what the media thinks about his ¡°rtionship¡± with Selene.


    Speaking of the devil, Nora spoke up again, ¡°And sir? You have a guest waiting here to see you. It¡¯s Selene Hamilton, sir.¡±


    At the mention of that name, Chase ced a hand against his forehead in raw exasperation. What the fuck was Selene doing in his office? He had not seen her since the divorce situation began, but she had been calling repeatedly.


    And leaving texts that Chase never bothered to read, much less reply. She obviously had no sense of shame if she could still show up after he basically ignored her.


    Who was he kidding? This was Selene. Someone who slept her way through the entire city of Greensville, of course, she had no shame.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be there.¡± Chase said, and ended the call.


    As soon as he ced his phone down, another call came through almost immediately. He nced at the caller ID and saw that it was West, his cousin, calling. He sucked in a deep breath, arching an eyebrow at his phone.


    And whenever West calls, there¡¯s nothing good about it.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Chase answered.


    ¡°Thank fuck you picked, bro.¡± West¡¯s incorrigible tone came from the other end of the phone. ¡°Don¡¯t know what I would have down if you hadn¡¯t, shit.¡±


    Chase¡¯s voice was t. ¡°Why are you calling? It¡¯s the middle of a fucking Monday. Shouldn¡¯t you be busy with work?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in jail, bro.¡±


    Chase closed his eyes briefly at the news, not even surprised at this point. West was notorious for always getting into trouble, whether he was the cause of it or not. Most times, he was the cause, anyway.


    A goddamn rebel.


    Chase asked in a lower tone, ¡°Are you serious right now?¡± He couldn¡¯t be sure if West was just joking around. The bastard¡¯s sense of humor could be broken sometimes.


    ¡°Does it sound like I¡¯m fucking around, man?¡± West asked back, tly.


    ¡°Well, yeah.¡± Chase deadpanned.


    ¡°Fuck you, cousin.¡± West scoffed. ¡°Look, I was just put here based on the circumstances. I didn¡¯t do anything fucking wrong. Now, I just need someone to bail me out of this shit hole.¡±


    Chase let out a breath. ¡°What did you do?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not even pretending to care, man, what¡¯s with all these fucking questions? I thought you¡¯d be rushing to bail me out, and then ask questionster?¡± West groaned.


    ¡°Anyway, I hit on this girl, and the girl was actually falling for my charm¡­ but then her boyfriend showed up and tried to attack me. I beat him the fuck up, because I had to, even though I didn¡¯t want to fight. Then I was arrested for assault.¡±


    Chase was quiet for a moment, before a chuckle escaped him. He tried to hold it in before West heard it, but it was toote.


    ¡°Hey, Chase, are youughing at me?¡± West gasped.


    Chase¡¯s eyes were shining with amusement when he responded. ¡°I knew a girl got you in jail. Don¡¯t worry, West, Nora woulde bail you out right now.


    West protested immediately. ¡°Why can¡¯t you be supportive for once, Chase? You¡¯re sending your assistant toe get me out of jail? Come bail me out, yourself. The cops would be kissing my ass once they see you here on my behalf.¡±


    Chase found that idea incredulous. He said calmly. ¡°With the media currently in uproar because of me, you want me to go, in all of the ces in Greensville, to a police station? I haven¡¯t given the press an official statement yet, and them spotting me there would be terrible.¡±


    ¡°But-¡±


    ¡°Sit tight. Nora would be there.¡± Chase said with finality and ended the call.


    Chase could not afford to be seen in a police station, while things were still simmering hot in the media. They would automatically link it to have something to do with Selene, and start to cook up some shit stories just for money.


    He sent a text to Nora and ced his phone down on the dashboard. He turned on the ignition, easing the car back onto the road. His mood slowly darkened with each mile his car covered, which led him closer and closer to Selene waiting in his office.

 CHAPTER 25 – A PERFECT FAMILY

    Chase walked into his office, to see Selene perched against his desk, with her legs crossed provocatively in her scandalously short dress.


    He paused, pinning her down with a t look. He was definitely not amused by her presence here. She had ignored the pristine couches decked out in one side of therge office, and the visitor chairs in front of his desk as well.


    Making herselffortable right on his desk, with her ass pressing on some important documents.


    ¡°What are you doing in my office, Selene? You are not allowed in here.¡± Chase said.


    ¡°Your staff, especially that assistant of yours, know better than to try to stop me froming in here, Chase.¡± Selene responded haughtily, flinging a couple of papers at his feet.


    He did not give her the satisfaction of looking down at the papers. He already knew they were her copy of the divorce papers.


    She leisurely moved her eyes to meet his, then she uncurled her legs and got off his desk. Her skyscraper heels clicked as she took a few steps forward.


    Arge designer scarf was wrapped around her head and neck, with dark sunsses obscuring the top part of her face.


    She was trying to hide from the paparazzi as well, by disguising herself in her signature designer brands.  Not much of a disguise. Just her body shape, and her expensive, yet seductive clothes were enough clue to who she was.


    ¡°Then what the fuck are you doing here?¡± Chase arched an eyebrow. ¡°Have your attention-seeking tendencies gone out of hand that you havee here to scramble for my attention?¡±


    She gave a scoff at his biting words, then took off her sunsses. ¡°I do want your attention, because you have to listen to every word I havee here to say. I do not need your money, your inheritance, or anything else from you.¡±


    ¡°Listen to me, dear gorgeous husband¡­¡± She trailed a finger up his abs through his jacket, which he brushed off. ¡°Since I have had no effect on you all this time, I don¡¯t care anymore. But I am not going to divorce you. I will not sign these divorce papers.¡±


    She looked back up at him, her siren green eyes shing with malice. ¡°Do you think you can just throw me away, Chase? It won¡¯t be that easy. You think you can just get rid of me whenever you want just like the way the men in your family discard their wives?!¡±


    ¡°The way your brother threw his wife away like a piece of used tissues? I am not Mackenzie, Chase. I am not that dense, ignorant and naive country girl who foolishly epted the divorce papers from Jeffrey and signed it, leaving herself with nothing!¡±


    Selene let out augh that sounded incredulous and angry at the same time.


    ¡°After ving away for your family for years, she was rewarded with a divorce paper. That fool.  And now, you want to do the same to me?¡± She touched her chest. ¡°Me? I¡¯m Selene, Chase, in case you don¡¯t remember who I am. I am Selene Hamilton, the most wanted and beloved supermodel on the continent! The face of Greensville!¡±


    Chase humored her with silence, watching her continue her ravings with a bored look in his eyes.


    ¡°Yes, my family was on the verge of bankruptcy when we got married, but I still have an important role to y in your life as a wife! You don¡¯t have to fucking love me, I don¡¯t care. You don¡¯t have to even touch me, or look at me. After all, you haven¡¯t all these years.¡± She red heatedly at him.


    ¡°I just want to continue ying my role as your wife.¡± Her voice sounded loud and confident. ¡°And I¡¯m going to continue being your wife. I came here to hand the divorce papers back to you.¡±


    She kicked at the papers littering the floor, then gave Chase a challenging look. ¡°I¡¯ll be at home, waiting for you, baby.¡±


    All her words were meaningless to Chase, and when she finally shut her mouth, he said in his detached tone. ¡°You won¡¯t have ess to my home, anymore, Selene. Try me, and see.¡±


    Selene gave him a look, silent for a moment, before she huffed loudly. It was like she could not believe Chase just brushed everything she had just said aside like it didn¡¯t even matter.


    It infuriated her so much.


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    She took another step forward, crossing her arms under her bulbous breasts. ¡°You can¡¯t keep me out of my home, Chase. Remember I moved out on my own?  I just wanted this issue to die down peacefully while your father talked some sense back into your head. Apparently, he couldn¡¯t even talk you out of this madness!¡±


    ¡°So, you have given me no other choice, but to resort to myst option. I will say no to this divorce, and maintain my stance! You want a messy divorce? Fine!¡± She narrowed her eyes. ¡°Have you seen your stockstely? It¡¯s dropping by 1% every day because of this uproar you caused! And things are not even at the worst point, yet!


    ¡°What about the family suites Axford has invested so much in? They have had so much reception because of our image as you the great husband and I, the beautiful wife! A perfect family. You want to shatter that image by what? Divorcing me? What kind of CEO are you, anyway? cing your own selfish interests over the business!¡±


    Selene¡¯s voice grew even nastier, like she was trying to strike Chase in the spot that hurt the most. ¡°I¡¯m sure your brother could do a better job at being CEO than you-¡±


    ¡°Do you really want me to destroy you, Selene?¡± Chase cut in with a voice so dark, so dangerous, that Selene¡¯s voice fled.


    He had had enough.


    Especially when she had mentioned Jeffrey. Something in him snapped and his mind was suddenly filled with thick, ck intent.


    He took a menacing step forward, towering over her so greatly despite her heels that she was literally in his shadow. The dark storm in his blue eyes bore down at her.


    ¡°I can destroy all your reputation stands for in the entire continent. All I have to do is make a call, and this career you have built all these years by sleeping your way to the top¡­ will be crushed in one moment.¡± He was ruthless. ¡°And you, Selene Hamilton, will be nothing.¡±


    ¡°Now, leave.¡±


    ***************


    Mackenzie walked into the apartment, still uneasy and severely disappointed from the events of the day. The cool and calm atmosphere of her home cooled her nerves just a little, but she would never be the same until she held her babies.


    Charlotte was curled into a sofa, almost swallowed by the pillows. All of her attention was transfixed on the Attack on Titan anime ying out on the screen. She did not notice Mackenzie walking behind her, across the living room and towards her bedroom.


    As she opened the door, she saw Cameron and Calista sprawled on their y mat, with white paper ced in front of each, stained with random colors.


    Cameron had a tight hold on one of the colors, which Calista wanted too. She was already on the verge of crying, her big soulful hazel eyes moist with tears.


    Something tugged hard at Mackenzie¡¯s heart,bined with crushing relief the moment she saw that they were right here, okay and safe.


    She rushed to kneel with them on the mat and pulled both of their tender, small bodies into a tight hug. She held them close for a moment, before softly cing a kiss on Calista¡¯s curly hair.


    ¡°Don¡¯t cry, Cali. Mommy¡¯s here.¡± She said softly.


    She ced another kiss on Cameron¡¯s head, heart skipping when he looked up at her with those beautiful blue eyes that reminded her of what happened earlier today.


    She smiled, stroking his hair. ¡°Be a good boy and share with your sister, okay?¡±


    He nodded, handing the color over to Calista, who shyly took it. ¡°Yes, mommy.¡±


    A momentter, Mackenzie stepped out of her bedroom, heading for the kitchen to serve some lunch for her kids when Charlotte spotted her. She gasped, eyebrows furrowed.


    ¡°Oh? When did you get back?¡±


    ¡°Not too long ago. When did you get the twins back from school?¡±


    ¡°Not too long ago, either. I have time on my hands today.¡± She shifted on the couch, fixing Mackenzie with an excited stare. ¡°Alright, spill the tea already. How did it go?¡±


    Mackenzie was quiet for a moment, before she let out a sigh. ¡°Well¡­ I won¡¯t be taking the job. I¡¯ll start putting in double efforts to get a part-time job for now.¡±


    Charlotte¡¯s face fell, and her smile faded off fast.


    An expression of confusion washed over her face, as she stared at Mackenzie in silence.Original from N?velDrama.Org.

 CHAPTER 26 – THAT IS THE ORDER

    As Charlotte went silent after hearing Mackenzie¡¯s words, Felicity stepped out of the kitchen, already carrying the kids¡¯ lunch on a tray. She was just about to feed them and prep them for their afternoon nap.


    When she saw Mackenzie, she smiled, ¡°You¡¯re back.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Mackenzie said solemnly, then she looked at both of them. ¡°There¡¯s going to be a change of ns concerning Calista and Cameron¡¯s schooling.  They won¡¯t be going to school for now, we can take turns teaching them, since they¡¯re just four years old. Their school work is pretty easy at this stage.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Felicity and Charlotte both echoed in confusion.


    Mackenzie sighed. ¡°I know, but this is for the best, trust me. And it¡¯s only temporary. I have experience with teaching, so I can do it. Charlotte, you can also help out when I¡¯m not around to teach them.¡±


    Her paranoia had been triggered with full force after her meeting with Chase Axford. She could not stop thinking of how easy for her to never see, or gave ess to her precious kids ever again if she let anyone take them from her.


    So she had to keep them hidden, until she could figure something out.


    From the possessive words Chase said to her in his car, she knew he would be keeping an eye on her. Especially when one of his drivers had already picked her up from home yesterday. Meaning, her address was not even a secret anymore.


    She wouldn¡¯t want him to discover her kids.


    If he does, their cover and protection she had tried so hard to build, would be blown.


    Felicity shook her head softly, ¡°But why all of a sudden?¡±


    ¡°I noticed you were acting different ever since you returned today, Kenzie. What in the world happened?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it.¡± Mackenzie said. ¡°I just need to take a shower first, okay?¡±


    She gave them both a small smile and turned away. Felicity and Charlotte exchanged worried nces.


    Felicity sighed and moved on to meet the kids, carefully cing their food down in front of them. She smiled sweetly, ¡°Come on, sweeties,e eat up!¡±


    ¡°Why is mommy sad?¡± Calista suddenly asked Felicity in her tiny voice.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ she gave us a tight hug when she came in, like she was scared. What is mommy scared of, Aunt Felicity?¡± Cameron looked up at her as if she held the answers to everything.


    Felicity stared at them in surprise, not sure if how they even noticed the change of atmosphere in the house. Not wanting to make the kids bothered, she smiled brighter and answered,


    ¡°Your mom isn¡¯t sad, okay, sweeties? She¡¯s just very tired from work today. Now eat up your food, okay?¡±


    They both nodded.


    **************


    In the next few days, Uncle Maverick called again. It was good news.


    ¡°Really?¡± Mackenzie gasped, brushing off the wood carvings on her work apron. She was at the back of the apartment, working on her designs.


    ¡°Yes, Kenzie. It¡¯s arge furniturepany, who want to hire a fresh mind like yours to boost their production. They are extremely enthusiastic.¡± He exined. ¡°They forwarded a bunch of information and details to me, and even detailed your appointment letter already. This is the real deal!¡±


    A big surge of hope rushed through Mackenzie. Finally, someone had appreciated her designs!


    ¡°When do they want to meet?¡± She asked eagerly.


    ¡°Tomorrow.¡± Uncle Maverick replied. ¡°I will get the appointment letter and other documents delivered to you. They should get to you by evening. Then, I¡¯ll forward the emails over to you.¡±


    ¡°Please do.¡± She grinned. ¡°Thank you so much, Uncle Maverick, for all the help you have been to me, my kids and my friends. Especially with this job hunt, despite how busy you are, you still make out time to handle it for me. I can¡¯t thank you enough.¡±


    ¡°Come on, Kenzie.¡± Uncle Maverick said warmly, ¡°Anything for you. Besides, it¡¯s your skills that are doing all the work. Your designs will be noticed and appreciated more with time, so just get ready for the meeting tomorrow. I wish you all the best.¡±


    Mackenzie smiled fondly. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ***********


    The next day, the cab pulled up in front of the gigantic building that boldly bore the name, DarkWood Furniture Company. She paid the cab fare and stepped out, heels cking against the concrete ground.


    That familiar feeling of panic and paranoia from being in the heart of Greensville slowly bubbled inside her. But she found her calm and sucked in a deep breath.


    ¡°I can do this.¡± She whispered to herself, clutched her handbag tighter and stepped forward.


    At the entrance, a man in a dark blue suit was waiting for her. He waved her over, and nodded politely the moment she was close enough.


    ¡°Good morning, Miss. Torsney.¡± He extended his hand for a handshake.


    ¡°Good morning, I¡¯m so d to be here.¡± Mackenzie took his hand with a smile, epting his firm handshake.


    ¡°We are delighted to have you, Miss Torsney, your designs are impable. They stood out among the rest so effortlessly, and that is why the management decided we meet you and make you one of us, as soon as possible.¡±


    Her heart was jumping with happiness. ¡°I¡¯m so d to hear that, sir. It would be an honor to work here.¡±


    The man grinned jovially, ¡°Ah, please, Miss Torsney. Do not call me sir. You might be my superior by the time you are done meeting the management. Pleasee with me.¡±


    Mackenzie followed him in with a smile ying on her lips.


    The atmosphere here in DarkWood Furniture Company seemed a little less uptight than how it had been in the Axford Hotel. Granted, the Axford Hotel was not one of its kind, it was a global chain of billion dor businesses andpanies that had fingers dipped in every industry.


    Hotels and suites was just one of the many industries the Axfordsmanded.


    So it was partly understandable that the professionalism over there would be very uptight. And ruthless.


    She still remembered how smoothly she was outsmarted into signing that contract. It was cold and dangerous how Chase Axford orchestrated it all.


    The man in the blue suit led Mackenzie up a private elevator into a waiting room that was all dark browns and shiny furniture. He turned to nod at her.


    ¡°Please have a seat, and make yourselffortable, the CEO is on an important call right now. He will be joining you soon.¡± He said.


    ¡°Alright.¡± Mackenzie nodded and settled down on a seat.


    ¡°Will you like some coffee?¡± The man asked.


    She declined politely. ¡°Thank you, but I already had coffee this morning.¡±


    He nodded and walked through a door at the far end.


    Mackenzie let out a breath, staring at the door he just walked through. She had high hopes of getting this job, because her savings would notst for that long anymore.


    The cost if living in the city was high, bills were pilling up and the savings from North Dakota paled inparison. It just had to work. And with the eager way she was received, Mackenzie was sure she had gotten the job.


    All she need now, was to sign the contract.


    Five minutes passed. Ten minutes passed. Half an hour passed and nobody hade back to her in the waiting room. She was getting agitated that this point, wondering why there was a dy.


    Was the CEO not done with his call yet?


    A whole hour passed, and Mackenzie was tempted to get up and go knock on the door herself. But then, the door opened and the man in the blue suit stepped out with his shoulders slumped forward.


    She sat up, suddenly relieved to see him again. She forced a smile up on her face, waiting for him to usher her in. As he walked closer, she got up to her feet, sping her hands together.


    He came to a stop in front of her, pulling his thin lips up to form a tight smile. ¡°I deeply apologize for the dy, Miss Torsney.¡±


    Mackenzie dismissed it with a wave, saying, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s fine. Is the CEO ready to receive me now?¡±Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    The man suddenly looked ufortable. He averted his eyes from her hopeful hazel ones and swallowed, the motion making his Adam¡¯s apple bob nervously.


    He lowered his voice into a confidential and sympathetic tone, saying, ¡°I regret to inform you, Miss Torsney, that the job has been given to another candidate.¡±


    Dead silence sted deafeningly through Mackenzie¡¯s ears as he said those words.


    So many emotions rushed to her at the same time in that moment. But then she managed to ask with a hoarse voice,


    ¡°W-hat? But why? You invited me here to sign the contract, didn¡¯t you?¡± She reached into her bag and pulled out the documents. ¡°These are the ones you delivered to me ..¡±


    Hopelessness was crushing her like a boulder to a bug.


    The man gave her a solemn look. ¡°I am sorry. That is the order.¡±


    Her hands holding the papers fell lifelessly to her side. She stared at him, with despair, confusion and exasperation written all over her face.


    She had never felt this defeated in a long, long time.


    How could the CEO change his mind so quickly?

 CHAPTER 27 – FORBIDDEN MEMORY

    The gloom of defeat followed Mackenzie all the way back home like lead on her shoulders. Not just defeat, but utter devastation.


    It was just cruel.


    Dashing all of her hopes so carelessly. She had gone there confident and sure she would get the job. All of a sudden, they chose someone else? She didn¡¯t even see any other candidate there except her. So how?


    With all those painful questions banging around in her mind, she walked closer to her apartment door. But stopped when her eyes fell on the bouquet of Pink Cami flowers propped right in front of the apartment.


    What?


    That stranger had traced her house address here in Greensville as well? All the flowers they sent back in North Dakota was not enough?


    Anger erupted inside Mackenzie and she grabbed the flowers, smashing it against the wall with so much force. An angry sound left her as she flung her bag away to smash the flowers around better.


    All the frustrations and stress she had kept bottled in, all this time were all violentlying up to the surface. She struck harder, screaming words that did not make much sense, but she couldn¡¯t care less as long as the damn flowers were destroyed.


    The flowers scattered into bits, breaking off and making a mess everywhere.


    Mackenzie didn¡¯t stop.


    All of the ruckus outside alerted Charlotte and Felicity inside the apartment, and they hurried outside. Their faces twisted with shock when they met the unfolding scene outside.


    Felicity gasped in pure horror, watching the terrible state of the poor flowers. She had always cherished nt life, wanting to preserve them as much as she could. She could not bear to see damaged or withered nts. They were her babies, and she would do anything to resuscitate them.


    But the flowers in Mackenzie¡¯s hands were gone, for sure.


    ¡°Mackenzie!¡± Charlotte eximed. She was the one who found her voice first.


    The sound of her voice jolted Mackenzie out from the anger frenzy she had fallen into, and she froze. Felicity moved forward to hold her hands, asking worriedly,


    ¡°What is the problem, Kenzie? What¡¯s wrong? You¡¯re never like this?¡±


    Mackenzie slowly let out a breath as she saw the mess she had made. The concern in her friends eyes too, it made her feel bad.


    Charlotte sidled closer, ¡°Hey, what¡¯s going on? You have been out if it for a while now. Didn¡¯t the meeting go well?¡±


    She straightened up and gave both of them a tight smile. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to give you girls a fright. I¡¯m just so sick of seeing that flower. From North Dakota, now here? At this point I never want to see it again.¡±


    Felicity and Charlotte gave small sighs and she just shrugged and motioned at the broken flower stalks all over the ground. ¡°I¡¯lle take care of this.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. You go inside.¡± Felicity said softly.


    Mackenzie gave her an look mixed with guilt and appreciation before stepping into the apart. The moment she stepped into the living and closed the door behind her, tiny footsteps pattered towards her.


    She looked and saw Cameron rushing over with a toy in his hand.


    Her heart softened. He hugged her legs and looked up at her with a big beautiful smile in his face. His blue eyes were sparkling.


    ¡°Mommy! Wee home, I missed you¡­¡±


    Mackenzie smiled and crouched down to hug him warmly, snuggling against his head with affection. ¡°Thank you, my baby boy. Mommy missed you too. So much.¡±


    She looked around the living room, and saw that Calista was not anywhere near. She asked Cameron, ¡°Where is your sister?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s in the room.¡± He answered, then asked his own question. ¡°Why didn¡¯t we go to school today, mommy? I like staying home with Aunt Charlotte, but Cali kept asking me all day.¡±


    Felicity came in from behind, adding, ¡°Cali has been brooding all day, Kenzie. She doesn¡¯t want to talk to anyone, except her brother.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s brows nted with worry. ¡°She has?¡±


    She grabbed Cameron¡¯s hand and walked with him across the living room and into her bedroom. There, Calista was curled in her bed, against her huge, pink teddy bear. Her light-brown colored hair was bound in two pigtails, entuating her round, soft cheeks.


    Mackenzie moved over to sit beside her, wrapping her arm around her small form. ¡°Hey, baby girl. What¡¯s wrong? You can tell mommy.¡±


    Calista yed around with the hem of her dress, saying in a tiny voice, ¡°I couldn¡¯t see my friends, mommy. I want to see my friends.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, baby. You¡¯ll see your friends soon, okay?¡± Mackenzie cooed. ¡°Mommy is really busy right now, but you¡¯ll see them soon, pinky promise.¡±


    She held out her pinky finger, hoping to cheer Calista up, but she kept sulking. ¡°Beth and I had games to y, and now that I didn¡¯t show up, she¡¯s going to think I chickened out and I¡¯m scared.¡±


    Mackenzie looked at her in surprise, wondering when her kids got so smart to the point of understanding what it means to chicken out. They were just tiny, four year olds.


    ¡°You can y games with me, instead, Cali. I won¡¯t let you get bored!¡± Cameron tugged at Calista, but she scooted away, into Mackenzie¡¯sp. Mackenzie smiled softly at both of them.


    Cameron was all smiles, obviously not caring about going to school. Unlike Calista.


    Her smile slowly faded away when reality snuck back into her thoughts. She felt so bad for her friends. Being emotionally unstable, relying on them to help her with the kids..


    She felt like she was supposed to be doing things for them at this point. She left North Dakota because she wanted to be independent, letting her father live for himself and not for her or her kids.


    She just wanted to take care of herself, her kids and her friends. Give them the life they deserve. With how good her skill was, she was very capable of doing all of that. But that life seemed to be just out of the reach of her fingertips.


    It frustrated her more than anything.


    Picking up Calista in her arms, Mackenzie ced a kiss on her head and moved back into the living room. Charlotte and Felicity were hanging around one of the couches and she moves closer.


    ¡°Hey girls.¡±


    They both look at her.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for earlier. I know I¡¯ve been all over the cetely, and all I ask is just some more time. I¡¯ll get my things in order and the kids can go back to school and stop being an  inconvenience-¡±


    ¡°Why would they be an inconvenience, Mackenzie?¡± Felicity asked softly, moving closer to adjust Calista¡¯s head on Mackenzie¡¯s shoulder. The little girl had fallen fast asleep. ¡°You know your kids are like mine.¡±


    ¡°Same here.¡± Charlotte said from the couch. ¡°You know what, Kenzie? I think you¡¯re being too hard on yourself. And you are overthinking. Just take it easy okay? And stop saying that. The twins are not an inconvenience, and will never be.¡±


    Mackenzie sighed.


    Charlotte looked back at something in her hands and changed the topic, ¡°You have to see this.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Mackenzie and Felicity moved closer, peering over the couch. Charlotte was looking at a magazine, as usual. But this magazine was different.


    Because it had a striking face spread boldly on its front cover. A face that made Mackenzie¡¯s heart stop, then jumpstart into a crazy beat.


    Chase Axford.


    A shback of that hot, deep and punishing kiss he trapped her with back in that board room filled her mind, and she found her skin heating up from the forbidden memory.


    His fierce, blue gaze stared up at her from the magazine cover, but it was nonchnt and detached. Just like how he usually looked in all his pictures all over social media. He was just a cool, mysterious and extremely wanted CEO of the Axford Conglomerate.


    He gave nothing else away in his nk, uncaring expressions.


    It was so different from the raw intensity in those painfully beautiful eyes, and the pure male need on his gorgeous face each time he looked at her.


    Then, Mackenzie¡¯s eyes noticed someone else¡¯s face beside his. Selene.


    Just like that, the warm feeling in her belly turned cold.


    ¡°This is juicy. Oh my god. It says Chase Axford is divorcing his wife.¡± Charlotte said. She skimmed down some lines and began to read, ¡°There are unconfirmed rumors that the power couple areing back together, to cancel the divorce¡­¡±


    Charlotte kept on reading, but Mackenzie¡¯s mind had drifted. She wondered of Chase had finally found out about his Selene¡¯s infidelity. She never told him about it, because it was not her ce to do so.


    After all, they had both cheated as well. Although Mackenzie had gotten her punishment, it still felt unfair that Jeffrey, an unapologetic cheat was still living happily. Without punishment.


    Felicity stared at Chase¡¯s picture for a long moment, and suddenly noticed something that was ringly obvious. She nced at Mackenzie and asked warily,


    ¡°Kenzie. Cameron is not Jeffery¡¯s child¡­is he?¡±

 CHAPTER 28 – A CAUSE FOR CONCERN

    That question jarred Mackenzie, because she was not remotely expecting that question. She jolted, then abruptly looked around the living room. She was looking for Cameron, hoping he had not heard what Felicity just said.


    Felicity spoke up. ¡°He is in the bedroom, watching TV and singing along to his favorite show. He can¡¯t hear us.¡±


    Truly, Mackenzie could hear his excited voice filtering into the living room and out through the bedroom door.


    Charlotte was staring at Mackenzie as if she just realized it now that Felicity mentioned it. She slowly looked back at Chase on the magazine cover, then even more slowly, looked back at Mackenzie with shock.


    ¡°Chase and Jeffery are half-brothers, not rted by blood at all,¡± Charlotte started like she was thinking aloud, ¡°But when you look at Cameron¡­. He has blue eyes, which no one in your family has. Jeffery has dark eyes. But he looks just like¡­¡± She trailed off.


    Felicity added. ¡°Cali used to look like you as a baby, but the older she grows, the lighter her hair gets and the looser her curls are getting. She¡¯s looking less like you, Kenzie.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s some really strong genes.¡± Charlotte narrowed her eyes. ¡°Please talk to us, Kenzie. I feel that they¡¯re something huge you aren¡¯t telling us about.¡±


    Mackenzie gave them both a guarded look.


    ¡°No, don¡¯t give us that face, Kenzie.¡± Charlotte protested. ¡°It¡¯s been four years. We want to know what fully happened to you in Greensville before you returned to North Dakota.¡±


    ¡°We want to know. Something must have happened, but we know you¡¯d never cheat on Jeffery¡­¡± Felicity sounded confused.


    Mackenzie let out a huge sigh, then stared at her friends silently for a moment. When she spoke again, her voice was resigned. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you guys everything in a moment. I have to go tuck Cali in.¡±


    She turned around and walked out of the living room. In the bedroom, she told Cameron not to make too much noise so he doesn¡¯t wake his sister. She changed Calista¡¯s clothes intofy sleep wear and tucks her into her small bed at the corner of the bedroom.


    It felt like her punishment for cheating on Jeffery was never-ending. Now she had to face her best friends and exin her forbidden secret and infidelity. Felicity had even said she was sure she would never have cheated on Jeffery.


    Would they be disappointed?


    Mackenzie wondered if Jeffrey was truly living his best life, right now. He had truly hurt her, but she sometimes wondered how her life would have been if her first love didn¡¯t turn out to be such bad luck.


    Shaking her head lightly, she cleared those unnecessary thoughts and walked out of the bedroom.


    ****************


    There was so much water all around him.


    Chase knew he was drowning, but no matter how hard he paddled his arms and legs, he never moved forward. All he ever did, was move further down.


    There was so much panic in his mind, the more he tried to express it by screaming, the more water he swallowed. The pain hit different. The terror, was of a unique tier.


    Desperately he nced at his arms, wondering why, after all these years, he still could not swim. He still could not move from that cursed spot. But then, he saw that his arms were that of a tiny boy.


    He was trapped in the body of a little boy, while the water around him gotrger. More terrifying.


    He heard a familiar scream, ¡°Chase!!!¡±


    He wished he could reverse time so he didn¡¯t hear it. But it was toote, someone pulled him, and he found himself on a dry surface.


    But all of a sudden, the water was red. Blood red.


    And there was someone¡¯s floating in it. Lifelessly.


    With a strong jolt, Chase woke up from his nightmare, his blue eyes wild and haunted by the memories he had locked deep within. But these days, he was failing to keep them at bay.


    The recent stressors in his life only made them rise up to the surface.


    Now, he was revisiting those traumatic memories, even during the day. With a deep exhale, he straightened up from his office chair, wondering how he had even fallen asleep. That was something he never did.


    His heart was still pounding erratically when he noticed that his phone had been ringing all along. He reached out to pick it up and nced at the caller ID.


    It was his father.


    He brushed his hair back with a deep sigh and answered. ¡°Hello, father?¡±


    ¡°Chase. We¡¯re having our monthly family dinner tonight. You should be here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m too busy.¡± Chase said without even a thought. He would rather not face any of them tonight.


    Richard¡¯s voice was unusually quiet when he responded.


    ¡°You have toe home this time around, son. Put work on hold for tonight ande for dinner.¡±


    Chase found that calm, quiet response unsettling. He was used to his father yelling or threatening him when he refused to do something his way, but here he was being so quiet. Almost pleading.


    It was a cause for concern.


    Chase had the faint hunch that something was wrong, so he gave in, ¡°I¡¯ll be there, father.¡± And he ended the call.


    He had not visited home for a long while, because he had never liked going there from the start. Now, his feelings of detest towards family dinners had multiplied due to various reasons.


    One, his father was just too fond of Selene to hold a conversation with him without somehow talking about her. He definitely didn¡¯t want to hear about that annoying ex-wife of his. To him, they were already divorced. It didn¡¯t matter if it was still in the works.


    Two, it was nauseating to even think about seeing Jeffrey¡¯s fucking face. Being within a hundred feet of his step brother had always irritated Chase, but now, he hated the slightest thought of him.


    Those were just the top two reasons. His other reasons for avoiding his ¡°family¡± were all one big blur that he didn¡¯t even bother to pick apart, because it would make him end up pissed off, worked up and with a migraine.


    ~***********~


    The family dinner was more quiet than usual. On normal asions, Richard would be curiously prodding into everyone¡¯s personal lives and asking questions. Eleanor, his wife, would encourage the conversation with her fakeughter and patronizing words.


    Jeffrey, of course, would bber on about some shit Chase had zero interest in. While Chase only participated if the questions were directed at him in particr.


    Not of that was happening now.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    It was silent, broken only by the clink of cutlery against ss.


    As Chase picked around at his te with zero interest, and subzero appetite, he nced at Eleanor. She was in her usual designer clothes and sleek bob cut. She was currently helping Jeffrey to pick up the salt shaker across the table.


    Chase¡¯s eyes lowered.


    Of course, that¡¯s how she always babied him. Covered his nasty tracks and encouraged his idiotic behavior.


    He had gone through Jeffrey work records. Jeffrey had been leaving all his fucking work to his assistant, being extremely irresponsible. He obviously gives zero shits about his job and responsibilities.


    Not only is he a shitty person to keep in the business world, he is also a shitty person to keep in a marriage. That¡¯s probably why Mackenzie left him. He had always been a hopeless cheat, not just with Selene, but every skirt he could get.


    Eleanor was a hypocrite, fully aware of Jeffery¡¯s actions, but she kept covering and hiding everything he did. She didn¡¯t even bother to clean his messes. She just covered them up.


    Eleanor took a sip of her sparkling champagne, and her eyes identally met Chase¡¯s . She paused, wondering why he was staring at her.


    It was probably one of the few times her step son even nced her way.


    She gave him a warm smile, and faced her food again. She detested that arrogant, cold light in his eyes. He was a huge boulder in the way of her achieving her goals.


    She needed to keep Jeffrey on the right track, so he would get ten percent control of the Axford Conglomerate from Richard. But Chase was such a shiningpetition, that the world noticed first, before even ncing in her son¡¯s direction.


    If only Jeffrey was as ambitious, the they would have been so close to seeding and getting the major control over thepany. But if course, Chase was there. And he would never let the sweat and hard work of his father, his father¡¯s father and his great grandfather get into Eleanor¡¯s hands.


    The Axford money and power was old money. Aristocratic wealth. It wasn¡¯t some newly acquired wealth that could vanish so easily.


    It was expansive, unending. If only something so powerful could get into Eleanor¡¯s hands, managed by her own son, then that would be all she had ever dreamed of.

 CHAPTER 29 – AXFORD LEGACY

    Chase swallowed a bite of the food he couldn¡¯t even taste, and felt it settle wrongly in his stomach. Suppressing a grimace, he took a sip of water.


    This was torture.


    He loathed the sight of Jeffrey and his mother. That was why this food looked so unappealing. He would have asked West toe with him to the dinner, but he had a feeling that this was strictly family time.


    Besides, West was in the hospital receiving treatment for the injuries he sustained from they fight thatnded him in jail.


    His eyes moved over to where his father sat, and noticed that he was picking at his food as well. The food couldn¡¯t be unappealing, because Jeffrey was wolfing down his te like an animal.


    Eleanor ced one hand on his arm, encouraging him to eat more in her sickening ¡°worried¡± tone of voice.


    That was unusual. His father usually had a healthy appetite. Chase was still staring at them when he felt the pressure of someone¡¯s re at the side of his face.


    Before he turned, he already knew it was Jeffrey.


    Jeffrey red at Chase, because he just hated how difficult it was to read his mind. He knew Chase knew about him and Selene, but never confronted him about it.


    Was he so arrogant that he would act like he didn¡¯t care?


    Jeffrey had always been intimidated by Chase, but now, he was ufortable, afraid of what Chase actions would be ¡­ and finally, he was angry. Very angry because he was afraid. He suspected that Chase night have nasty ns up his sleeves, and that¡¯s why he was so silent.


    He didn¡¯t want to be afraid of Chase. His fucking younger stepbrother.


    It was a blow to his ego, and he would rather channel all of it into anger. And that was what he felt as he red at him.


    Chase met his re with a bored expression, then looked away, dismissing him rudely. Jeffrey felt his blood boil over.


    Richard suddenly stood up from the dinner table, announcing that he was done eating. Eleanor immediately protested,


    ¡°Honey! You have barely eaten anything so far¡­ pleasee eat some more. Is it the food? Do you want something else?¡± She was dramatic as usual, ying the role of the perfect wife.


    He gave her a shake of his head and looked over at Chase. ¡°Come see me in my study, son.¡± He turned away from Eleanor and walked towards the stairs.


    Anything to get away from the fucking dinner.


    Chase got up from his seat and went after his father, walking a short distance behind him. They climbed up therge, undting staircase that showed the soft shine of gold.


    There was a dark crimson rug covering the middle part of the golden stairs, like the Axford-owned red carpet.


    The protectors lining the stairs were pure white like pearl, to match the huge chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    At the top of the stairs, they took a few steps through therge arched hallway, and through the polished oak wood doors that looked normal, until they automatically opened up into Richard Axford¡¯s iconic study.


    ¡°Sit down, son.¡± Richard said.


    Chase lowered himself into a couch, watching his father with hawk eyes. Now he was sure something was definitely wrong.  He watched as his father moved to hisrge work desk to pick up some papers.


    And walked back to hand them to him.


    Chase took it and looked down. His eyes skimmed the contents, narrowing when he realized it was a medical report. But then he froze when he saw the medical condition typed out in BOLD on the paper.


    Stomach Cancer. Stage II.


    Shock. So much shock plowed through Chase that he looked away from the paper to his father. For the first time, he noticed that his father had lost some weight.


    A ball of dread settled in his stomach.


    Richard said quietly. ¡°I realized that you might not believe me if I tell you with just words, son.  Especially after I had faked my heart attack to get you into marriage. But this is real, son. If you still have doubts, you cane with me to my next doctor¡¯s appointment.¡±


    Chase was speechless. He kept staring at his father with so many thoughts and emotions running through his head.


    ¡°I have been going for my regr checkups.¡± His father said. ¡°But the doctors didn¡¯t discover my condition until recently. It¡¯s not their fault. Remember Axford hospital is the best of its kind, with the best doctors and specialists. The disease was just very sneaky. They say my chances of survival is fifty-fifty. I might not survive it-¡±


    ¡°How can you say that?¡± Chase finally spoke up. He was angry. Angry that his father could easily ept this condition. Angry that his only real family could be leaving soon.


    Angry that Stage two stomach cancer was not a troublesomewsuit that he could fucking get rid of with his arsenal of deadlywyers.


    ¡°How can you say you won¡¯t survive? You¡¯re going to just let this condition bring you down that easily?¡± Chase growled. ¡°You¡¯re Richard Axford. You have. To Fight. This.¡±


    ¡°Bring your voice down, son. I have not told anyone about this. My doctors are keeping it a secret, because if the world gets wind of this, it would surely affect our stocks. Coupled with your divorce scandal, the effects on ourpany might be massive.¡±


    Richard sighed, leaning against a couch. ¡°Listen, Chase. My body is old. I do not n to give up so easily, but at the same time, I am aware that I cannot withstand or fight the cancer the same way I could if I were younger.


    ¡°Son, you are almost thirty. You would soon be leaving your twenties, and this is still a young agepared to the years you have in front of you. I wouldn¡¯t want to see you going through the rigors and heavy mental stress of a divorce. Just please, call it off.¡±


    Chase blinked, not liking where this was going at all.


    ¡°I have never mentioned this, but as a young man, I wanted to be a photographer. But I had a responsibility to carry on the Axford legacy. So I did. I know how it feels to abandon your dream, to fulfil your duty. I am just d you never had any dreams apart from leading Axford. It would have been devastating to watch you suffer like me.¡±


    Richard sighed again, with a wistful smile. ¡°All I did was protect The Axford Conglomerate, just like my father did, and his father did. But what would make me fulfilled, and at peace with myself, is knowing you have a heir to pass our legacy on to.


    ¡°A grand child. Grand children, in fact. Please, Chase. This is a plea from my heart. I want to see an heir from you.¡±


    Chase was slightly thrown off by the raw emotion in his father¡¯s eyes. This had to be the first time his father was pleading with so much sincerity.


    ¡°I always loved kids, you know.¡± Richard chuckled softly. ¡°As a young man, I couldn¡¯t wait to have kids. And when we had you, I wanted you to have siblings. Unfortunately, your mother couldn¡¯t have any more babies.¡±


    ¡°If your mother had suggested adoption, or any other way of getting more kids, I would have supported her whole heartedly. But she was so contented with you, so I didn¡¯t push. I was also happy with my little family.¡±


    Chase stiffened and looked away.


    His mother was a sensitive topic to him. Hearing his father told about her now, especially after that nightmare he had earlier, hit his feelings too raw.


    He didn¡¯t want to hear his father talk about her, because he still bore resentment towards him for marrying another woman. As he grew older, he understood that his father truly loved his mother, and Eleanor could never take her ce.


    But that resentment never went away. Besides, there had always been something about his parents¡¯ rtionship that he didn¡¯t  fully understand, because he was just a little kid. Now, it asionally tugged at his mind.


    But he could never figure it out.


    Richard observed Chase¡¯s silence, then sighed again. ¡°Son. Alright, even if you don¡¯t want to call off the divorce, then there are other options to give me a grandchild. You are an eligible young man, you can easily remarry, or get a surrogate, or perhaps-¡±


    ¡°-I¡¯m divorcing Selene because she cheated on me. Repeatedly. With friends, associates, even clients.¡± Chase cut in, looking back at his father.


    Richard froze, shock covering his entire face as he burst out a resounding, ¡°What?!¡±

 CHAPTER 30 – A LITTLE LESS BURDENED

    ¡°She had been sleeping around for so long, that it is her second nature. An unbreakable habit.¡± Chase continued in a detached tone. ¡°It disgusts me.¡±


    He did not mention that what triggered his decision to get a divorce was finding out she had also been having sex with his own step brother. No, not just sex, but a whole affair. Repeatedly.


    It was unnecessary to mention that, because only the knowledge that Selene was a chronic infidel, was enough to shatter the perfect image Richard had of her.


    Anger roiled in Richard¡¯s eyes from the news. He was also appalled, asking, ¡°How-? How did you find out? And for how long has this been going on?¡±


    ¡°Since the damn wedding. It¡¯s something she had always been doing.¡±


    Richard went silent in his anger, slowly realizing that he should have calmed down to ask his son why exactly he was filing for a divorce. Now that he was aware, he would do things differently.


    ¡°But are you okay, Chase? Fertility-wise?¡± Chase¡¯s father asked, slowly getting out of his shock.


    ¡°I am perfectly fine.¡±


    ¡°Then please, give me grandchildren.¡±


    Chase gave him a look. ¡°Can we focus on getting your treatments started as soon as possible?¡±


    ¡°We can do all of that at the same time, son.¡± Richard countered, like a true businessman.


    Chase arched an eyebrow, then said in a light tone. ¡°When you called me in here, I expected you to talk about the fall in our stock prices.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t really matter to me at this point in life, Chase.¡± Richard responded. ¡°I know that you are more than capable of handling thepany. Forget whatever I might have said in the heat of anger. I trust your judgement. And I just want you to live a happy life.


    ¡°You have no idea how priceless it is to have kids, and look at someone you brought into this world. I would like to experience that again, through you, by getting a grandchild.. and an heir. Please, Chase.¡±


    Chase sounded exasperated. ¡°Just start getting treatments. Please.¡±


    ¡°I will. By weekend, my treatments will begin at the hospital.¡± Richard said.


    There was a brief silence, before his father spoke up again. ¡°Have you, by any chance heard from Mackenzie? Nobody seems to have heard from her. I called her father and learned that she was not in North Dakota anymore.¡±


    ¡°I just feel so sad and empty inside. I realized that our family didn¡¯t not treat her right. She was such a good wife to Jeffrey, and an amazing daughter-inw, but I wasn¡¯t observant enough to notice that things were wrong with the marriage.¡±


    He looked at Chase, ¡°Do you know that I just found out that Jeffrey made her sign the prenuptials without her true consent? He coerced her into believing his own exnation, which was different from the contract, so whatever consent she must have given is invalid. But Mackenzie never sued our family for it.


    ¡°It has been years since the divorce, and now I¡¯m looking for her to pay her for her time in this family. She deserves somepensation.¡±


    Chase clenched his jaw in silence. He already hated Jeffery enough, thinking of what he put Mackenzie through could make him lose his shit.


    And he did not want to do that when he was dangerously close to Jeffrey. His step brother would probably note outplete from that scenario.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± He said in a dark tone. ¡°I¡¯ll handle it.¡±


    ~********************


    Chase strode towards the huge doors leading out of he house. He was already making ns to call his father¡¯s personal team of doctors and give them strict orders to get every medical research, medicine and equipment they don¡¯t already have, from any part of the world.


    Then get to work on his father.


    He would be following their progress ever step of the way.


    He stepped through the door, but brushed his shoulder against someone who had been waiting on the other side.


    Jeffrey.


    ¡°Hey, Chase!¡± Jeffrey snapped harshly. Chase paused and turned around to fully face him, his eyes calm, but at the same time brimming with unspoken danger.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Jeffrey stepped forward with unnecessary bravado, ¡°What is taking you so fucking long? Isn¡¯t it about time you found a solution to our plummeting stock prices? After all, it¡¯s all because of your fucking ¡°celebrity¡± divorce!¡±


    Chase didn¡¯t think those words were worthy of a reply from him, so he remained silent.


    Nothing infuriated Jeffrey more than when Chase goes silent on him, arrogantly staring him down. He exploded some more, ¡°You are not the first fucking person to get a divorce . I got a divorce, smoothly and quietly, and nobody even knew about it. But you? You¡¯re getting a divorce and it has be a national issue.


    ¡°The divorce hasn¡¯t even been finalized, and it¡¯s already making headlines. All our partners and clients know about it. Even the ones from other fucking continents! The media is restless, and it¡¯s fucking affecting our stock price.


    ¡°We Axfords take pride in our stocks, now you¡¯re ruining it! All because the so-called power couple are getting a divorce.¡±


    Chase arched an eyebrow. ¡°No one made any noise about your divorce because your sheer stupidity of divorcing a good wife made them speechless.¡±


    Jeffery frowned.


    ¡°Besides,¡± Chase was out to destroy with his cold words. ¡°No one really gives a fuck about you. You¡¯re unimportant.¡±


    Jeffery was taken aback by the merciless bite of those words. Chase called Mackenzie ¡°a good wife¡± when he didn¡¯t even know her. Right?


    Without sparing him any more of his time, Chase turned around and walked out on him.


    That angered Jeffery to no end. He growled and made to go after Chase, but a hand held him back. It was Eleanor. She stood in front of him, scolding him with wide eyes.


    ¡°Are you crazy?!¡± Her voice was frantic. ¡°You want to fight him? Oh my goodness, Jeffery! Are you not smart enough to know that your stay in this house is hanging by a damn thread? You just want to throw all my efforts away? After all I have done to make you a part of this family?¡±


    She grabbed his jaw, making him look straight down at her.


    ¡°Listen to me, son. Your father was nothing. Absolutely nothing but an abusive drunk!  But here you are. I gave you a new father that loves you as much as he loves his own biological son, but you keep taking everything for granted!¡±


    She pushed his arm away, making her hair fly across her face. Jeffrey frowned, and straightened his shirt.


    ¡°Look at you.¡± Eleanor spat. ¡°You want to attack him and jeopardize your entire stay in this house. Is that what you want, Jeffrey? Get your act straight! This is your chance to get up and take control!


    ¡°The stock prices are going down because of Chase¡¯s misconduct and carelessness, and you¡¯re supposed to clean up his mess and use this moment to shine!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re older than him for goodness¡¯ sakes! Yourst name is Axford, and you are an Axford. You are just as important as he is, so forget about anything else. Meet the shareholders and boost your power. Get them on your side!¡±


    She grabbed his shirt again, pulling him close as if that would make her words sink in better.


    ¡°This chance will be gone once Chase climbs up again like he always does. And you¡¯ll have absolutely nothing. All of my efforts all these years to make you end up with a great inheritance, will amount to nothing!¡± She red at him and pushed him away.


    Her gown swished as she walked out on him.


    ****************


    Mackenzie had told her friends everything she had been keeping to herself, emptying her heart and mind to them. In a way, it made her feel a little lighter, a little less pressured.


    A little less burdened.


    Charlotte, true to her impulsive nature, said in outrage. ¡°Oh my god, Kenzie. I don¡¯t know how you stayed calm all these years. If I were in your shoes, I would have taken my revenge on that family with all my life!¡±


    She was still in shock over Mackenzie¡¯s story, even jumping up from her spot on the couch.


    Felicity, as usual, was the calm one, picking up the emotions between each words Mackenzie uttered. She ced a hand on Mackenzie¡¯s, disagreeing softly with Charlotte,


    ¡°You can only do that if you have nothing to lose. But these kids, Calista and Cameron¡­ cannot be seen by the Axfords. I don¡¯t want them to be dragged into their mess.¡±


    Mackenzie nodded, d Felicity could see her dilemma, and her fear.


    ¡°That¡¯s my point exactly, girls. I can¡¯t afford to meddle with the Axfords, because I can¡¯t risk anything happening to my babies. I just have to stay as far away as possible, and avoid any of their toxicity froming near my kids.¡±

 CHAPTER 31 – THE VIP CUSTOMER

    Mackenzie ran the white towel over the te till it was a pristine, squeaky white . She ced it on the rack, ready for use, and took another.


    It was a week after a crushing disappointment at the employment interview at DarkWood Furniture Company, and she had gotten a job.


    As a waitress.


    In some four star restaurant in a bustling part of greenfield. The only bright side about this job, was that it was not located right at the heart of the city like all the other ces she has been. It lessened her anxiety and paranoia quite a bit.


    This was not something she had ever pictured herself doing, but she needed this job to survive. Her savings from North Dakota hadpletely run out. She had two kids to feed, clothe and take care of.


    Desperation had clutched her heart like a vice when she realized that they could starve if she didn¡¯t take a drastic decision.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    That drastic decision was not an easier option for Mackenzie either.  Her job hunt was incredibly crippled by the four-year gap in her resume. It had looked sketchy and mysterious to most of the hiring managers, as though they suspected of something crazy like having spent that four-year gap in jail.


    But that was just the time she spent hiding away in North Dakota.


    Asides that, her resume was excellent. She went to a good college, with a great degree. And even had working experience as a manager in an Axford Conglomerate branch.


    That name being in her resume alone was impressive, despite how much she despised it.


    And that was how she got this job. The manager liked what he saw in her resume, especially her managerial position at an Axford Company. So he put her on a two-week probation, to watch her skills and capabilities before deciding what to do with her.


    Mackenzie could not be more grateful for that.


    It was like a new ray of hope, after nopany reached back to her after all the entries she submitted. It was like they all went strangely silent after the massive disappointment she faced at DarkWood Furniture Company.


    She did not bother to call Uncle Maverick to ask for any feedback, because she was too ashamed. He had done so much work for her already, and there was nothing to show for it.


    This job would be enough to keep Mackenzie standing till she can figure out her next move. Her friends were not well off either.


    Charlotte could not find any magazine jobs, and was now dead broke.  She was now grasping at straws, any job at all, to ease the situation.


    Her part-time job as an online editor was the only thing keeping her afloat, and even that was still barely enough.


    Mackenzie¡¯s phone chimed inside the pocket of her uniform. She dropped the towel and pulled it out, ncing at the screen.


    Her heart dropped.


    PAYMENT FOR TERMINATION OF AXFORD EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, the first line of the text read. It was a notice of the debt she has been tricked into.


    A heavy, frustrated sigh left her. Being reminded about it made her mood so much worse.  She quickly dropped her phone back into the pocket of her waitress frilly skirt, which was a new habit she had learned from working here.


    The staff were not allowed to have phones around during work. But Mackenzie had kids, and she needed to be easily reachable. So she had exined to the manager, and he made an exception for her, as long as she did not abuse her freedom.


    She had no idea that the manager had given her a special pass not just because she had little kids, but because he wanted to get in her skirts. Of course, she shut down his advances faster than lightning.


    Since then, he had majorly been ignoring her existence. Until now.


    ¡°Mackenzie!¡±


    The Manager¡¯s voice echoed up from nowhere.


    She perked up from her thoughts, slowly making a discreet expression of confusion when she saw the huge smile spread on Manager Ty¡¯s pudgy face.


    He paused in front of the glistening counter, eyes fixed on her so brightly like fireworks. He was literally bouncing in his shiny ck shoes.


    ¡°Is there something you want me to do, Manager Ty?¡± Mackenzie asked, warily.


    ¡°Yes!¡± He squealed. ¡°We have just received a VIP customer, and he wants to be served right now! He is so important and even mentioned that he came here for you!¡±


    Mackenzie blinked, staring at the Manager like she did not understand what he just said. She had only worked here for a week, so she had definitely not gotten popr enough with the customers for anyone to specifically request her service.


    Manager Ty rubbed his hands together. ¡°So drop everything on your hands right now ande with me to wee our highly esteemed customer!¡±


    He looked over her with a dubious smile, ¡°What¡¯s your secret, exactly? Huh, Mackenzie?¡±


    She had no answer to that. She just straightened her uniform our and picked up the menu, slightly wondering how just one customer could get the staff all buzzed up.


    She walked up the stairs leading to the VIP section, with the manager and a few other staff members following closely. She got to the door, and knocked.


    ¡°Come in.¡± A deep, masculine voice filtered in from the other side of the door.


    The manager grinned at the sound of his voice, quickly mopping his face with a face towel. Mackenzie looked away from him with a t expression and pushed the door open.


    The footsteps of the manager and the others echoed behind as she stepped in, only to freeze to standstill when her eyes fell on the customer.


    It was Chase.


    He was sitting in a rxed, confident man-spread in the middle of the leather couch. His ck shirt flowed loosely down his torso, but clung to his biceps sensually. The same went for his thighs, which looked so mouthwatering in his rxed posture.


    Mackenzie immediately averted her gaze to his face, but that didn¡¯t help much. That gorgeous face was just as dangerous as the rest of him.


    But her entire body was stiff with shock. What was Chase doing at her work ce? How did he even know she worked here??


    ¡°Oh, Mr. Chase Axford ..¡± The manager bustled closer, his voice dripping with barely controble excitement. ¡°It is such a great honor to have such a powerful man, most wanted in the entire continent, in our restaurant today. Your privacy is perfectly protected in here, sir, there are no paparazzi around, isn¡¯t that right, staff?!¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± The staff members behind him chorused.


    The manager nodded with satisfaction, and shed his salesman grin back at Chase.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, Mr. Axford, after you are done in here, can we get aplimentary photo with you? This moment is a huge one for our establishment, sir, it would be amazing of we could have something to remember it by.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Chase answered.


    Manager Ty grinned in reverence, then bowed his head, with the others following his lead as well.


    ¡°Thank you foring, Mr. Axford.¡±


    When he straightened from his deep bow, he asked again, his voice turning soothing like someone trying to calm a baby down.


    ¡°Are there any things you specifically like or don¡¯t like, so we can exclude that from your orders? Any allergies, sir?¡±


    Chase¡¯s sea blue eyes sliced over to Mackenzie, then with his eyes never leaving her shocked ones, he responded,


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry. I¡¯m sure..¡± His eyes nonchntly dropped to her name tag and he read the name, ¡°Mackenzie Torsney here would attend to my needs well.¡±


    The way he said it had Mackenzie¡¯s face heating.


    All eyes turned to her, filled with silent questions. She was the only one who had not uttered a word since they stepped in here, yet, all of his attention was on her.


    The manager wondered if there was something about Mackenzie he was missing. But he smiled radiantly and gave ast now, ¡°Alright then. Please excuse me, and enjoy your meal.¡±


    Enjoy your meal.


    The way Chase looked at her when the manager said that made her knees suddenly tremble. That gaze was so predatory.


    They all moved out of the room and closed the door behind them. There was a meaningful silence left behind by thest click of the door. Mackenzie could barely believe Chase was here right now.


    What did he want?


    She was just trying to make an honest living here, hoping she wouldn¡¯t be on anyone¡¯s radar while she slowly sorted her life out till she can get back up and pursue her dream job as a furniture designer again.


    She just didn¡¯t want any problems, and just because of Chase, this unrelenting man, her kids couldn¡¯t even go to school anymore. And now he was at her Job?


    She red at him with all the frustrations she felt and asked in a hushed voice,


    ¡°What in the world are you doing here?¡±

 CHAPTER 32 – A SERVING OF YOUR SMILE

    Mackenzie took a step forward, asking, ¡°What are you doing here, Mr. Axford?¡±


    Chase¡¯s sea blue eyes moved to meet hers for a split second, then he raked his gaze down her body. A heated swirl of desire had charged up in him from the moment those doors opened and she stepped in.


    On those long legs in a ck skirt that made her waist look even smaller than usual, and the white shirt that was buttoned all the way to the crook of her neck.


    It made the soft bulge of her breasts all the more noticeable. His needy gaze found it¡¯s way back to her distressed face, and it was the most beautiful thing he had seen all year.


    Her thick and dark curls were bound back into a ponytail that swept down her back, bouncing with each slight movement she made.


    Tiny baby hairs curled around her hairline, so delicately, so fragile that he was filled with the ferocious urge to grab her, kiss her, make her straddle his thighs while he did the most X-rated things to her beneath her skirt.


    But her hazel eyes were ring at him, with wispy dark eyshes that batted seductively each time she blinked.


    ¡°Chase.¡±


    Her voice sternly calling his name pulled him back to reality, where she had been repeatedly asking him what he was doing in her workce.


    His response was cool, in contrast to the heat in his groin. ¡°I came here to eat, Mackenzie.¡±This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°Oh, we both know you don¡¯t eat in restaurants like this, Mr. Axford.¡± Mackenzie said in exasperation.


    Chase tilted his head slightly, like a master coolly watching something extremely entertaining. It infuriated Mackenzie that Chase seemed so rxed and even amused to see her get so worked up.


    That glint in his devastatingly beautiful eyes told her he was enjoying her struggle to remain calm and professional under so much frustration.


    ¡°Mackenzie.¡± He said. ¡°Sit down, if you really want to have a conversation.¡±


    The way he said her name, coupled with the subtle force in his tone reminded her of that depraved kiss he subjected her to in the cage of his board room. It sent shivers all over her heated skin.


    ¡°No.¡± She bit back. ¡°I¡¯m not sitting down. I¡¯m here to wait on you, so please, make your order, Mr. Axford.¡±


    As if to prove her point, she moved closer and held the menu out to him.


    She watched him slowly nced at the menu, then back up at her with a dark look that tranted to, ¡°What I really want to eat, Mackenzie, is not on the menu.¡±


    Flutters threatened to spread through her belly, but she mped down on it with all her strength. She could not let him see how close she was to melting in her own skin from the overwhelming pull of his testosterone to her own needy female sex hormones.


    Especially alone in this room.


    Alone.


    Thest time they had been alone¡­ stop thinking about that kiss, Mackenzie, She told herself harshly.


    Chase finally took the menu from her and flipped it open with staggering disinterest. After what seemed like a few seconds, he flipped it back closed and made his order.


    ¡°I¡¯ll like to have all of your attention, Mackenzie Torsney, with a serving of your smile, and less of that re you¡¯re giving me right now. Zero interruptions, please.¡±


    He looked back up at her with defiance and amusement in his eyes, then dropped the menu on the ss table.


    Mackenzie closed her eyes briefly, sucking in a deep breath. When she opened her eyes again, she spoke up,


    ¡°Please be serious, Mr. Axford. What do you want to order?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my order.¡± He said tly.


    Mackenzie¡¯s voice shook with a strain as she ced a hand on her hip. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this, Chase. I¡¯m here to make money to pay in order to terminate the contract you tricked me into signing. So, please make your order and let¡¯s get this over with.¡±


    Chase¡¯s voice darkened till it almost sounded threatening. Almost.


    ¡°Do you think, this job could possibly get you two hundred thousand dors? And you have to pay that amount, five times. Do I have to do the math for you, Mackenzie? How much do you even intend to pay a month?¡±


    Mackenzie went mute, because she knew he had a point. He was right, and she hated that he was right.


    But at this point, she didn¡¯t care. She did not want to think too deeply of the details. Thinking about the mess she had found herself in, could make herpletely lose her shit this time.


    The past couple of weeks had been so rough and tough on her mental, physical and emotional endurance. She had only been bottling it all up, trying to appear calm and put together for herself, her friends and most importantly, her kids.


    A tiny part of her inner turmoil had slipped out when she had seen those Pink Cami flowers on her doorstep, and she had gone all hulk mode on the poor nts, destroying them with so much anger and violence that shocked her friends.


    Thank goodness her kids didn¡¯t see that.


    That was just a tiny slip, but if she actually did the math of the gigantic debt on her neck, she would snap. Completely. And it would be ugly.


    Chase continued, his deep rich voice filling the silence, ¡°I am not at the top of the chain of cutthroat business tycoons for nothing, Mackenzie. I did not offer to pay you two hundred thousand dors a year, for charity.


    ¡°You are an amazing designer, and I¡¯ve seen your work as a manager in one of the Axford branches. There are testimonies of the effort and dedication you put in your job, and your former colleagues had a lot of good words to say about you.¡±


    Something that had been neglected, deep inside Mackenzie slowly began warming up with every word he said.


    ¡°I need your skills and your service. That¡¯s is why I want you to ept my offer. Don¡¯t take it personally.¡± He said, giving her a challenging stare. Then he added, ¡°Unless you have no confidence in your skills.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyebrows furrowed slightly.


    She had a lot of confidence in her skills. Her designs came from a ce ofplete trust and inner security. But what she currently could not understand, was how working for Chase was suddenly beginning to make so much sense.


    His words sounded so convincing, and not just that, but he had made her feel so appreciated. All her life, no one apart from her father, had truly noticed andmended all her hard work. But now, Chase did.


    It had always hurt something fragile inside her each time people ignored or scoffed at her efforts. Like Jeffrey and his mother did for years. It ruined her self-esteem.


    Now, Chase was effortlessly bringing it all back. Just with a few words. But they were genuine. And that¡¯s what made the warm, soft feeling inside her expand till she could no longer be pissed off at him anymore.


    Seeing that Mackenzie was quiet, Chase knew he had sessfully gotten her to really think about his offer. She absently nibbled on her pink bottom lip, and that made his cock heat up in his pants.


    He reclined further into his seat and said,


    ¡°I¡¯ll have the most expensive meal on the menu. And a bottle of red wine.¡±


    ¡°Coming right up.¡± She whispered.


    In a moment, there was a costly three course meal serving spread all across the ss table invish ssware. For an appetizer, there was Baked Buffalo chicken wings. The main dish was Zillion Dor Lobster Frittata, coupled with 24-Karat gold leaf Kobe Beef steak. The grand opulence sundae was for dessert.


    Mackenzie was bent over the ss table, smoothly raising the smoking cold wine bottle from the ice bucket, twisting it open and tipping the dark red liquid into a tall ss. She was actively trying not to imagine what the bills for his order would look like.


    This restaurant was not five star, but it was very costly, like most restaurants in the heart of Greensville.


    Chase watched her move to pour some water into a ss, and his eyes travelled up the skin of her bare thighs exposed in her bent over position. He wanted to put his hands under that skirt and see what he would find between her legs.


    Find out if she was as affected by their proximity, as strongly he was.


    Although he could already tell by the pink flush of her cheeks, and the ssy look in her beautiful eyes, that she was turned on as well.


    He just had the territorial urge to do something right now to im her, ce his scent on her and mark her like some obsessive animal. Ever since he dropped her off by the side of the road, watching her run off, he was almost going insane with the desire to fucking see her again.


    Now she was right in front of him, and he could not let loose. Because he was trying to convince her, not scare her away.

 CHAPTER 33 – ZERO CHANCES

    Raising her head once she was done serving, she met his gaze. It looked so dark and dangerous, like a stormy sea, but she could clearly see the message in them. He was one thread away from devouring her, and there was nothing she could do about it.


    That thought jolted her back into action.


    She moved back and cleared her throat, trying to bring his attention back to the food in front of him.


    He nced at the food, and said gruffly, ¡°Come eat with me, Mackenzie. Sit right here.¡± He tapped the space beside him on the leather couch.


    She was already shaking her head no, when he transferred his hand to his strong, stallion thigh instead, and asked in a heated voice,


    ¡°Would you rather sit on me,  Mackenzie?¡±


    That question was so scandalous she nearly gasped. It¡¯s double meaning made her blush bright red, because neither of them were innocent. Then again, Chase Axford and innocence never went hand in hand.


    ¡°No.¡± She replied, a bit harsher than she intended.


    ¡°Fine. Stay, and watch me eat. I don¡¯t want to eat alone.¡± He conceded, picking up the ss of wine.


    Something about hisst statement made Mackenzie¡¯s heart stutter, and her eyes softened as she watched him pick at his food. There were subtle differences in his appearances that she had not noticed earlier.


    But now that she could fully gaze at him without worrying about him trapping her eyes with his hypnotic blue ones, she could spot the little differences. Like the light shadows under his eyes, that gave away the fact that he probably wasn¡¯t getting as much sleeptely.


    And the light stubble around his strong, chiseled jaw. It gave him a wild edge that made him even devastatingly sexier, but it was also an indication that something had made him care less about shaving, when he was usually clean-shaven.


    It made him darker than she had ever seen him.


    But apart from these physical differences, he wasn¡¯t acting any different. He was still the same cold, blunt and direct Chase Axford. The same man who could be indifferent and detached, and at the same time, as horny as a rutting beast and more intense than a thunderstorm.


    After a short while, Chase took a sip of water and ced the ss down. Then he straightened up to his feet. He was done eating.


    That rmed Mackenzie. His food still looked mostly untouched. She knew he didn¡¯te here because he actually wanted to eat, but at least he could have done better than this. He had simply been picking at it.


    And he ordered a full bottle of expensive wine, just to take a few sips and then abandon it?


    The staff were definitely having a field day with this one.


    There was a knock on the door at the same time Mackenzie spoke up, ¡°Did you not like the dishes, Mr. Axford? Should I get another one brought in?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t me your food for myck of appetite.¡± He responded.


    She felt that something was off about him, but she could not, for the life of her, pinpoint what it could be. It made her worried. She tried so hard not to care. But she did. And she hated that she did.


    All it did wasplicate things, yet she found herself asking,


    ¡°Are you okay, Chase? Is everything alright?¡±


    Chase¡¯s eyes bored into hers the moment she softly asked those questions. He moved towards her, sliding his hands into his pockets to stop himself from touching her. No matter how desperately he wanted to.


    She took a step back, but it was futile. He was already inside her personal space, invading the very air she breathed with his towering wall of muscle and testosterone.


    There was only a thin slice of air between her softness and his hardness, and it was super charged with electric tension. She stared up at him, with shallow breaths.


    If he kissed her right now, Mackenzie knew she had no strength left to resist him right now. Her worry for him, coupled with the warm words he had said to her earlier, that made her feel so appreciated¡­ it had weakened her defenses, her steel and her walls.


    For now, she was nothing but a ve to his touch.


    But he didn¡¯t kiss her. Hell, he didn¡¯t even touch her. He just responded to her concerns, with one statement.


    ¡°Everything will be alright when you ept my offer.¡±


    He moved away from her and opened the door, only to see the manager and his group of staff huddled right in front of him.


    Manager Ty grinned, ¡°Mr. Axford, I hope you thoroughly enjoyed your meal, sir?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Splendid!¡± He eximed excitedly, then motioned to the staff behind him. ¡°Go clear the table.¡±


    Without a sound, they all shuffled into the room. Chase stepped out and close the door behind him. The manager gave a smallugh, and timidly said,


    ¡°I was hoping theplimentary photo had not escaped your mind, sir.¡±


    ¡°It hasn¡¯t.¡± Chase responded tly, then slid his ck credit card to the manager. ¡°The bill. I also have a request.¡±


    Manager Ty¡¯s eyes roamed the sleek credit card with awe and greed. Green dor signs almost formed in his pupils. ¡°Yes, yes, anything, Mr. Axford!¡±


    ¡°I want another three course meal packaged and delivered to an address I¡¯ll send you, after work hours.¡±


    ****************


    Mackenzie dragged her feet across the living room to the kitchen, drained from her shift. She just wanted to get a ss of water, when she spotted the food packages spread over the kitchen counter.


    It was from the restaurant she worked at. It was clear from the packaging.


    Felicity and Charlotte stepped into the kitchen, and immediately noticed her staring at the food in confusion.


    ¡°Oh, that came in from your restaurant not too long ago, Kenzie. It¡¯s a huge order, and I¡¯m impressed that they care about their workers this much.¡± Felicity said.


    Charlotte nodded. ¡°I snooped through it a bit, and I saw that it¡¯s a king¡¯s order. A whole experience as fuck three-course-meal? Is there some kind of celebration going on, because how can they send an employee something like this?¡±


    Mackenzie sighed, knowing exactly who this was from. And it definitely wasn¡¯t Manager Ty.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    ¡°Long story.¡± She said tiredly and stared at her ss of water dejectedly. ¡°I need a drink. Badly.¡±


    ¡°Not just you, sis. We need some too.¡± Charlotte quipped.


    ¡°But the kids-¡±


    ¡°Actually, the kids made friends with the neighbors kids. They have a babysitter that watches over them.¡± Felicity said.


    Mackenzie nced at her, ¡°The kids aren¡¯t in the house right now?¡± She could feel her panic rising, but Felicity spoke up on time,


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry so much, Kenzie. I personally met the kids parents¡¯ and they are really nice people. Those kids have been able to take Calista¡¯s mind away from school for a minute. Cameron is more than happy to have new ymates, so they¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Charlotte nodded. ¡°We could use this free time to go get drinks and unwind.¡±


    Mackenzie was notpletely convinced, so Felicity reassured her some more, ¡°I met the babysitter as well, and she¡¯s so nice and caring, I guarantee you that. Plus, they¡¯re just next door. Besides, when you start working full time, you can pay the babysitter to take care of the twins along with their friends. They¡¯ll be happier that way, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°We really do need those drinks. It¡¯s the only thing we can still afford in our financial crisis, Kenzie.¡± Charlotte sighed.


    Mackenzie stared at them empathetically, because she was well aware that her friends were not having a good time either. They were all broke, constantly worried about the next day. It was really terrible.


    Charlotte wasbing the entire city for any type of job, but still couldn¡¯t get any positive result. Felicity¡¯s mood had been going downhill recently, because thepanies that reached out to her for coborations, were trying to make her give up on the things that pushed her passion.


    They only wanted the profit that came with her audience, they didn¡¯t care about nt life or organic living. They were forcing her to choose between her passion and money.


    It was depressing.


    ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll go out after I go see the neighbors, their babysitter and make sure my babies eat something.¡± Mackenzie said.


    Charlotte and Felicity let out smiles as she gave in, and Felicity crossed her arms. ¡°I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll find a great bar. Greensville is known for it¡¯s night life, after all.¡±


    Charlotte butt in excitedly, ¡°The best bars are in the heart of the city!¡±


    ¡°No, no, no-¡± Mackenzie was beginning to protest when Charlotte cut in, ¡°Oh,e on, Kenzie. Listen, after moving all over the city in search for a job, believe me when I say I know the best ce to go. And I promise you, nobody will recognize you. I¡¯ll make you look absolutely stunning.¡±


    Felicity nodded in agreement.


    Mackenzie was silent for a moment, before she agreed. They both squealed and tackled her into a hug. Sheughed, after all, there was zero chances of running into an Axford at a bar on a week day.

 CHAPTER 34 – THE RIGHT TIME

    Mackenzie walked back into the apartment after going to talk to her kids, and the babysitter at the neighbors¡¯ apartment, and spotted Charlotte pacing around the living room. She was talking on the phone.


    ¡°What do you think? The twins are in safe hands with that nice babysitter, don¡¯t you agree?¡± Felicity stepped into the living room, wrapped in a bathrobe while she patted her hair down with a towel.


    Mackenzie nodded with a soft smile. ¡°I¡¯m so relieved. They looked so happy with their new friends .¡±


    Charlotte turned around, pressing the phone against her chest. ¡°Hey, girls. I¡¯m on the phone with Uncle Maverick. I told him toe pick us up!¡±


    ¡°Why? You didn¡¯t have to bother him¡­¡± Mackenzie protested but Charlotte was not having any of it. ¡°He wants to see us, it¡¯s been a long while since we were all together! I¡¯m putting him on speaker.¡±


    She raised her phone and tapped on the screen.


    ¡°Uncle Maverick, we¡¯ll be fine. We just want to go have some drinks real quick and we¡¯ll be back.¡± Mackenzie said.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    His voice red from the phone, ¡°I¡¯m more than happy toe pick you girls up, Kenzie. Besides, this is the first time you are agreeing to go out of the house just to unwind. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t interrupt you girls. I¡¯ll just drive you, and wait in the parking lot, doing my own thing.¡±


    Charlotte squealed. ¡°You¡¯re such a sweetheart, Uncle Maverick.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± Heughed. ¡°Besides, I rmend this particr bar. It even has a club inside it. I¡¯ll take you guys there. It¡¯s an amazing experience.¡±


    ¡°That sounds lovely, doesn¡¯t it, Kenzie?¡± Felicity shot her a smile.


    She nodded with a sigh.  ¡°Thanks, Uncle Maverick. I¡¯ll go get ready.¡± As she walked out of the living room, Charlotte called after her,


    ¡°I¡¯m doing your makeup tonight! I¡¯ll transform you into the most beautiful version of yourself, just you wait and see!¡±


    ~*********


    ¡°No smoky eyeshadow, Charlotte.¡±


    ¡°Please? Just a little bit¡­?¡±


    ¡°I look amazing already!¡±


    ¡°Just leave her alone, Charlotte, and do your own makeup or we¡¯ll keep Uncle Maverick waiting.¡± Felicity held Charlotte¡¯s shoulders and steered her away from Mackenzie.


    Mackenzie leaned back and looked over herself in the mirror. She was in a tiny ck dress that streamlined down her curves, to end right under her ass. The back of the dress exposed a lot of skin, with a deep V neckline at the front to give a sensual sh of cleavage.


    She had her dark hair loose and free to run down her back and shoulders  in it¡¯s impressive length and thick curls. Her makeup was light, with a long winged eyeliner around her eyshes, making her hazel eyes look more mysterious.


    Thank goodness Felicity had stepped in to stop Charlotte from making the makeup more dramatic.


    Even with that, Mackenzie looked more seductive tonight than she had ever seen herself.


    She leaned down to slide on the pair of killer ck tform heels that Charlotte owned and insisted she wore, toplete her look.


    Felicity was fully dressed in a dress that showed a little less skin than theirs, but sexy as well, an she was putting on some perfume.


    Mackenzie picked up her phone to see a text from Uncle Maverick, saying he was outside their apartment building. She stood up and nced at Charlotte who was effortlessly applying her own makeup.


    ¡°Hurry, he¡¯s here.¡±


    Charlotte scoffed. ¡°I¡¯m doing this as fast as I can, okay? Besides I need to look perfect. I¡¯ll do the sexy smoky eyeshadow since you don¡¯t want it, Kenzie.¡±


    Mackenzie exchanged nces with Felicity and rolled her eyes. Charlotte was always the party animal of their trio. Her outfit for the night was the most scandalous. She was in a crimson red bandage dress that showed more skin than it covered.


    Her feet rocked matching red stripper heels, and bold essories hung around her ears. Her lips were covered in blood red lipstick.


    In Mackenzie¡¯s opinion, it was a bit overdramatic for a simple drink at a bar.


    In the next couple of moments, they finally headed down to where Uncle Maverick sat in his parked car. They settled in, and he began driving while engaging in the usual yful banter with Charlotte.


    She looked over his figure behind the wheel, clean, attractive and manly. A smirk curved her lips as she teased, ¡°When the hell are you even going to get married?¡±


    He scoffed at her, but she pressed on, ¡°Are you still waiting for the right one?¡±


    His eyes flicked over at the rearview mirror, which showed Mackenzie looking out of the window,pletely detached from the conversation. He looked back in front of him andughed Charlotte¡¯s question off.


    Felicity smiled from her seat beside him.


    Charlotte gasped, ¡°What¡¯s so funny? I need a little baby addition to our family! Felicity has an adorable niece, and nephew, since she¡¯s basically stepsisters with Mackenzie. So I want something like that too!¡±


    ¡°You already have something like that.¡± He retorted. ¡°Aren¡¯t you the twins¡¯ godmother?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and I love them so much. But they¡¯re growing up so fast. I want a new baby, from you, Uncle Maverick!¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you give the family a new baby, Charlotte?¡± He arched an eyebrow at her.


    Sheughed loudly, waving her hand around like that was an impossible idea. Then she sat up in her seat, giving him a curious stare.


    ¡°Wait, hold in a minute. How about that woman you were so crazy about? How are things with her recently? Have you finally grown the balls to ask her out?¡±


    His voice went quiet. ¡°No. It¡¯s not that simple. I¡¯m¡­ just waiting for the right time.¡±


    Charlotte let out a big sigh. ¡°What? Seriously, just ask her out, already! Why are you being so slow with it, for fuck¡¯s sakes? The more you wait, the more likely she is to be snatched away by another man-¡±


    ¡°-I won¡¯t let that happen again.¡± He cut in with more force than necessary.


    The suddenly seriousness and force in his tone startled both Charlotte and Felicity, and they stared at him. He nced at Charlotte and gave a smile to ease the sudden tension.


    Soon, they arrived at the building which housed the bar, along with it¡¯s club. Uncle Maverick drove into the parking lot, and watched them step out and head into the building. Once they were out of sight, he slid out hisptop and rxed into his seat.


    Inside the building, Mackenzie, Felicity and Charlotte climbed up the stairs that led to the bar area.  Just below them was the club, which was visible from the bar above, thanks to the building¡¯s design.


    They settled down at her table, and ordered a few drinks. Twenty minutes in, Felicity decided she didn¡¯t like how quiet Mackenzie had been since the beginning of the night.


    ¡°Kenzie? Are you alright, you¡¯ve been zoned out all this time.¡± She said.


    Charlotte quipped in, ¡°You need to rx, Kenzie. Yes, we have problems but life works in mysterious fucking ways. Just put your mind at rest and enjoy the night. It¡¯ll all work out at the end.¡±


    Mackenzie swallowed a sip from her ss and shook her head, ¡°It¡¯ll all work out? It doesn¡¯t even look like it.  We¡¯re been trying so hard, giving every shot all our best¡­ yet, it looks like we¡¯re doing nothing.


    ¡°I have worked on so many new designs. They are so many of them in my workroom behind the house, and I don¡¯t even know what to do with them anymore. At this point, if I can get anyone to buy them, I¡¯ll sell them off. I don¡¯t care how cheap.¡±


    Felicity observed Mackenzie more carefully, ¡°I can sense desperation in you, Mackenzie. Why are you desperate? I know things could be getter, but it hasn¡¯t gotten to the point selling off your precious designs so cheaply.¡±


    She leaned closer, ¡°Or is there something we¡¯re missing? Is this about the kids? Or the apartment?¡±


    Mackenzie shook her head, sighing. Charlotte patted her shoulder,


    ¡°Just rx, sis.¡± She called the waiter over and ordered some Tequ shots. ¡°We definitely need stronger alcohol.¡±


    The Tequ shots arrived, and Charlotte took one shot, throwing it down her throat. She shivered and ced the ss down, encouraging Felicity to take a shot.


    Felicity was not a huge fan of alcohol, but she conceded and downed the next shot. With watering eyes, and motioned to Mackenzie to take her shots.


    Mackenzie grabbed a shot ss and threw it into her mouth with a speed that shocked her friends. The strong burn of the strong tequ seared through her throat, but she squeezed get eyes closed and grabbed another shot, swallowing it without even a second¡¯s hesitation.


    ¡°Woah, Woah!¡±


    ¡°Mackenzie, slow down!¡± Felicity eximed and moved the shots away from her. ¡°This is tequ, it is very strong and can get you drunk from one shot!¡±

 CHAPTER 35 – HIS INTENTION

    ¡°That¡¯s great, because I need to get drunk before I can say what I need to say to you guys!¡± Mackenzie eximed.


    ¡°What?¡± They both asked.


    And Mackenzie let everything go. She told them everything she had been keeping to herself. About how she had walked straight into thest person she wanted to see in her life. Her kids¡¯ father, Chase Axford.


    She told them about what happened in the Axford Hotel. Her job offer. The contract. And what had happened after she had found out and tried to terminate the contract.


    She told them of the debt she now had to pay, if she didn¡¯t take up the job.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I stopped the kids from going to school.¡± Mackenzie muttered, throwing a paranoid nce over her shoulder. ¡°Chase is almost everywhere I am, and I can¡¯t risk him finding my kids.¡±


    Charlotte noticed the way she kept looking around and ced a hand on her shoulder,


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Kenzie. You can rx here, nobody could recognize us, even if they show up here by chance. And that chance is zero, by the way. Chase Axford will not just pop out of nowhere. He doesn¡¯t know you¡¯re here, okay? It really hasn¡¯t gotten to that point.¡±


    Mackenzie shook her head. ¡°It has gotten to that point, Charlotte! He showed up at my workce today. And I have to pay a huge amount of money to terminate the contract I already signed.¡±


    ¡°Then work for him.¡± Charlotte shrugged, like the situation was so simple.


    Felicity gave her a look,


    ¡°Seriously, Charlotte? She has his damn kids. If he catches one glimpse of those kids, by ident, he will know they are his, immediately. That would turn the entire situation into a raging storm.¡±


    Charlotte went mute, thinking over what Felicity just said, before realization dawned on her.


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t let that happen. It¡¯s just soplicated. I had my babies when I was still technically married to that asshole, Jeffrey, and when Chase¡¯s marriage was still going strong.¡± Mackenzie said in frustration. ¡°I don¡¯t even know what to do anymore! I know it seems like I¡¯m selfish for hiding the kids away, but this is what I feel is best for them¡­¡±


    Felicity rubbed her back soothingly.


    ¡°Mackenzie, I think you should just let Chase know he has kids. I would want to know as well. I think he deserves to know his babies.¡±


    ¡°¡­but I want to know what his intentions are¡­¡±


    Charlotte passed her a shot, with a small shrug, ¡°You wouldn¡¯t know what his intentions are if you don¡¯t get closer to him.¡±


    She took the shot and poured it back into her mouth. There was silence for a brief moment, before Charlotte broke it,


    ¡°Girls, I had applied to work in the Axford Hotel because it¡¯s something to brag about, you know? It¡¯s a literal dreame true. Only to find out now, that the CEO of the richest conglomerate in the entire continent has been doing all this to get you to take the amazing job he¡¯s offering and you¡¯re still refusing, Mackenzie.


    ¡°So tell me, how in the world do you intend to pay two hundred thousand dors, five times? That¡¯s a fucking million dors!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s be reasonable here. He will find out about my kids if I take the job. How can I know what he might do to them? What if he takes them away from me? He has the power to do that!¡±


    ¡°I have no way of knowing what the news of my kids¡¯ existence could do. What if getting in my skirts is his own goal? He would surely get my kids out of the way!¡±


    Charlotte gasped as if she just thought of something.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    She gave them both a stunned stare. ¡°Hold on a minute. There are over thirty Axford Hotel across the country, and outside it. These are fucking wealthy people, and your kids are automatic heirs to the Axford Conglomerate!¡±


    Mackenzie red at her. ¡°I know they¡¯re wealthy. I was once a part of that family, remember? I don¡¯t care about their money. I just want to livefortably, that¡¯s why I was trying to start my career as a furniture designer.


    ¡°I want my kids to grow up well and lead happy lives. They would not be safe with that family. Asides the matter of what Chase¡¯s intentions could be, there¡¯s Jeffrey and his mother. They had been pestering me to give them a child in that terrible marriage.


    ¡°Simply because they wanted to have an heir from Jeffrey¡¯s side. To increase his share of the Axford wealth. A child is nothing but a tool to them. If they find out about my kids, even if they¡¯re not Jeffrey¡¯s , they will definitely try to make a lot of trouble¡­.¡±


    Mackenzie shivered at the thought.


    ¡°They could hurt my kids. A whole chain of disasters could unfold.¡±


    ¡°Their father can protect them, can¡¯t he?¡± Charlotte arched an eyebrow. ¡°He is the most powerful Axford man, after all.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s voice was a little harsh. ¡°I don¡¯t consider Chase their father yet. He hasn¡¯t earned that title. I have to know his intentions first.¡±


    Their table fell silent with thoughts, as they resumed drinking. Mackenzie felt a little lighter to have at least ironed out some of her dilemma with her friends, even if nothing was solved yet.


    After a couple of moments, a waiter appeared in front of their table.


    ¡°Hello,dies.¡± He bowed politely. ¡°A kind gentleman from another table just paid upfront for any drinks you might like.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s entire body went stiff with panic. Her heart was pounding inside her chest cavity, as she asked with suspicion in her tone, ¡°Who is that? Does he know us?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s back there. At a VIP table.¡±


    Mackenzie was definitely sure it was Chase. He had somehow located where she worked and showed up there, it couldn¡¯t be too difficult to know she was at a bar.


    But then the waiter turned to face Felicity, and said, ¡°He says you should drink with your friends, and spare no expense.¡±


    ¡°Me?¡± Felicity sounded as shocked as Mackenzie felt.


    But she was also relieved. It could not be Chase, if the man¡¯s focus was on Felicity. Slowly, her breath started toe back to her.


    ¡°Tell him we don¡¯t need his drinks. We can buy ours.¡± Felicity told the waiter with an arched eyebrow.


    Charlotte rolled her eyes, muttering, ¡°Oh my goodness, that guy has no idea how stuck up she is.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not about being stuck up.¡± Felicity red at her. ¡°It¡¯s rude of him to assume that we can¡¯t pay for our own drinks.¡±


    Charlotte chuckled, ¡°Can we though?¡±


    Felicity¡¯s re deepened. ¡°Of course we can. We didn¡¯te here in the first ce because we wanted anyone to pay for our own drinks.¡±


    ¡°Oh,e on! The guy is just trying to be nice!¡±


    ¡°He should havee himself to have a good conversation, not trying to bribe me with drinks first.¡±


    ¡°You have been too far removed from the dating scene to understand how guys shoot their shots.¡±


    ¡°What did you say-?¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Mackenzie hit the table with her hand, cutting off their little argument. ¡°Girls. We came here to unwind, not get worked up over some random guy. Let¡¯s not start please, this isn¡¯t like North Dakota bars where you can just argue and cause random brawls, okay?¡±


    They both went quiet after that, and resumed their drinking. The waiter decided now wasn¡¯t a good time, so he backed away for now.


    But then a towering, masculine figure majestically walked over to their table and grabbed all of their attention before he even said a word.


    ¡°Hi,dies. I didn¡¯t mean toe off as rude earlier. I do hope you forgive me.¡± A confident male voice said.


    A confident, familiar, male voice. Mackenzie was the only one who had not looked up at the man, but from his voice she recognized him instantly.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    It was West. Chase¡¯s cousin.


    For the second time that night, a bolt of panic struck through her and she looked further away, hiding her face behind the thick curls of her hair. Damn it. She couldn¡¯t let him spot her, because he was close to Chase, and might end up mentioning it to him.


    ¡°I¡¯m West. I just wanted to break the ice by sending the waiter over. I would not dream of being rude to such beauties. Every man within this axis have been stealing nces at this table. I prefer being more direct, so I thought I coulde over and say hi.¡±


    Felicity stared up at him, feeling something distrusting about his perfect, handsome smile and his handsome face. He spoke smoothly, with soft looking hair that brushed over an attractive set of eyes.


    A yer.


    Felicity could spot them from a mile away.


    He stretched out a big, hand towards her. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure meeting you, Miss¡­?¡±


    Any other woman would have dly provided their name, but Felicity left his hand hanging, and she said in her gentle, but firm tone.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a pleasure to meet you, Mr. West. Please excuse us, you¡¯re interrupting a very important conversation.¡±


    Charlotte¡¯s mouth dropped.

 CHAPTER 36 – CURSE HER BAD LUCK

    Felicity had sensed Mackenzie tense up and go silent ever since ¡°West¡± came over to their table, so she deduced that he was one of the people she was trying to avoid.


    Apart from the fact that Felicity wanted nothing to do with a yer, she also wanted to get rid of him as fast as possible, for Mackenzie¡¯s sake.


    West retracted his hand with an unfazed grin, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to interrupt youdies. My bad.¡±


    He slid out his business card from his pocket and ced it on the table, smoothly sliding it forward till it sat right in front of Felicity. She didn¡¯t even nce at it, she kept staring at him nkly.


    ¡°There¡¯s my number. I am not expecting a call from you, but I¡¯m hoping that you¡¯d find me worth your time.¡± He gave a charming wink that made Charlotte fan herself, but it had no effect on Felicity.


    He continued, ¡°I know you mind, but I have already paid for your drinks, so it might as well just order something.¡±


    ¡°Please take your money back, we have no interest in using it.¡± Felicity countered in a dismissive tone.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, beautiful, I can¡¯t. They don¡¯t do refunds here.¡± He shed her a handsome smile and gave a slight, flirty bow. Then he walked away from their table.


    West¡¯s confidence was off the roofs, so her dismissive tone and unfriendliness towards him barely fazed him. Instead it made his interest in her ze stronger.


    And Felicity could see that he was one of those stubborn ones, that¡¯s why an expression of exasperation and annoyance colored her face as she watched his broad back retreat further.


    ¡°Oh my god, girls!¡± Charlotte suddenly eximed, grabbing both Felicity and Mackenzie¡¯s attention. She was holding West¡¯s business card between her fingers. ¡°That sexy ass man you just rejected, works at the Axford Hotel. He¡¯s literally a director there.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Felicity arched an eyebrow.


    Mackenzie scoffed. ¡°Of course he does. He¡¯s Chase¡¯s cousin.¡±


    Charlotte¡¯s mouth dropped. ¡°What? Kenzie, you recognized him? No wonder you were so dead silent all of a sudden.¡±


    ¡°So he¡¯s affiliated to the Axfords.¡± Felicity said. ¡°I thought as much. His confidence was so annoying.¡±


    Mackenzie grabbed some more tequ shots, ¡°So much for trying not to run into people I know.¡± She followed those words with a tip of the shot ss into her mouth, and the burning alcohol made its way down her throat.


    She ced the ss down and Charlotte cheered, taking some more shots. Felicity followed suit. As the moments passed, Mackenzie drank some more, feeling her vision gradually start to swim as the alcohol took control of her body.


    The vibrations of musicing from the club below suddenly increased a notch, and a lot of cheers filtered upwards. It sounded like the club was on fire, and the people down there were getting ¡°lit¡±.


    Charlotte caught the beat, bouncing in her seat excitedly, ¡°That sounds so tempting, girls, I have to get down there and rock that dance floor!¡±


    ¡°Sure, go dance all you want, Charlotte.¡± Mackenzie muttered.


    ¡°Alone?¡± She gasped, batting her thick, ckshes like that was the most sacrilegious thing she had ever heard. ¡°Come on , you can¡¯t possibly be serious! I can¡¯t go dancing alone. Come with me, girls, it will be fun!¡±


    ¡°Charlotte, we agreed we¡¯ll be drinking only.¡± Felicity sighed.


    Charlotte got up from her seat, cing her hands on her hips. ¡°Look at the way I¡¯m dressed, girls. All of this can¡¯t just go to waste! Besides, it¡¯s just a quick dance and we¡¯ll be back here. I get why Kenzie doesn¡¯t want to go down into that crowd, but pleasee with me Felicity!¡±


    Felicity ced her ss down and shifted ufortably.


    ¡°Actually I think I¡¯ve had too much to drink, and I have to use the restroom. You know what? Come with me to the restroom first and I¡¯ll hit the club with you, Charlotte-¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°For just a short while, okay?¡± Felicity raised a finger. Then nced at Mackenzie. ¡°Wait here for us, we¡¯ll be back in no time.¡±


    Mackenzie stared at them, almost at the verge of going with them, but she realized that there will be so many people down in the club. That made her even more paranoid than sitting here at the table alone, so she nodded.


    Felicity got up and joined Charlotte, and they both walked in the opposite direction, vanishing into the dim shadows and fancy lights of the corner.


    Mackenzie sucked in a deep breath, picked the alcohol magazine in the middle of the table and flipped it open like she was looking through it. But she only raised it high enough to cover her face from anyone that might be looking.


    It eased her paranoia a bit, but only by a bit.


    Only a moment of peace had passed when someone roughly crashed into her table, nearly knocking all the sses to the floor. She was startled, jolting in her seat with fright.


    The person pushed the table in anger, yelling in a drunken voice, ¡°What the actual fuck? Watch were you¡¯re fucking going, you motherfucker!¡±


    It wasn¡¯t the fact that the drunkard was yelling at a goddamn table that chilled her skin, down to her bones, into solid ice. It was the fact that she recognized that voice faster than anything else.


    Jeffrey.


    It was Jeffrey.


    At that moment, her entire nervous system slowed and shut down in one harrowing second. Her soul must have left her within that second, because all she could sense around her was ice cold fear.


    But in the next second, her nervous system jump-started, sending rms signals to every part of her body. Her breath went shallow, her heart began to pound, and full blown panic ransacked her mind.


    Jeffrey?!


    Her hands held the magazine tighter against her face, with trembling hands. A waiter was drawn to the ruckus Jeffrey was making and he immediately approached him, apologizing and trying to cate him.


    But Jeffrey turned on in, yelling, cursing and hitting him unprovoked. Mackenzie squeezed her eyes shut as the sound of blows and punches barged into her ears. The chaos reminded her that this is how Jeffrey had always been.


    ming other people when he was clearly in the wrong. Being cruel to others because he was more powerful, and he could get away with a lot. Plus, he always had his mother covering up his messes.


    ¡°Sir, please, calm-¡±


    Punch.


    Everyone watching the scene gasped.


    ¡°Do you fucking know who I am? What are you trying to do?¡± Jeffrey spat. ¡°I can fucking pay you triple the pennies they pay you here! I can fucking buy the entire damn building without it making an impact on my ount bnce!¡±


    There was a lot of noise around him, people trying to talk him away from the poor waiter, but Jeffrey kept on bragging, cursing and yelling at the top of his lungs.


    Mackenzie cursed her bad luck. Of all the nights she had been staying indoors, the only night she decided to step outdoors turned out to be the night she bumped into two people who knew her. Especially her ex-husband.


    She slowly got up from her seat and moved sideways, away  from the table, trying to take advantage of all the noise to slip away from Jeffrey. How in the world had she ended in the same bar as him?!


    At this rate, the universe might decide to throw Chase in her direction in the same night. A shiver went down her spine at the possibility. She did not even want to imagine that.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Jeffrey suddenly turned around and spotted her as she was stalking towards the opposite direction. ¡°Hey, you. Come back here right fucking now! I want to have a drink with you!


    He was talking to Mackenzie. And she knew that.


    Her heart shrank in terror, but she kept walking away.


    ¡°I¡¯m fucking talking to you! Come back here!¡±Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Another waiter stepped in front of him, blocking his view of her while holding out a bill. ¡°Sir, you have to pay for the drinks you¡¯ve had so far. I don¡¯t want to get in trouble with my boss, please.¡±


    Jeffrey¡¯s temper red at the waiter. He roared and grabbed his cor, nearly ripping the uniform into shreds. ¡°You¡¯ll get into trouble with me instead, then. You fucking pussy!¡±


    He threw his fist into the waiter¡¯s face, knocking him to the ground.


    Taking advantage of the sudden distraction, Mackenzie took a sharp turn to the stairwell leading further up the building. She climbed up the stairs with her breath escaping in pants. She clutched her chest, as if to calm her pounding heart.


    She barely knew where she was going, under the red lights of the stairwell, but all she knew was that she had to get as far away from Jeffrey as possible.


    He could not know it was her. Her life would be basically over once he does.

 CHAPTER 37 – CALM EXTERIOR

    Mackenzie followed the stairs, till she reached a hallway that looked too luxurious to be a public area of the building. It looked like some sort of VIP spot. She nced back at the stairs, only to hear the sounds of someone loudly following her.


    Her face drained.


    Jeffrey had actually followed her! She thought he had been distracted with the waiters.


    Panicking, she ran further into the hallway, trying to spot an escape route. But there was nothing. The doors on the opposite walls were closed, leaving her no choice but to hurry forward. After a moment of pure panic, she finally spotted a door that was slightly open, so she ran towards it like it was her life line.


    She slipped through the space and hid behind the door, casting her frightened gaze across the room filled with low lighting and lots of shadows. Her eyes moved to the window, and spotted a tall, broad figure facing out of the window, with a ss of wine in his hand.


    Mackenzie froze, and in her shock, took a step back. She identally mmed the door shut, and the sound echoed loudly through the room.


    Her breath hitched in fear, watching the figure standing in the shadows for any threatening movements.


    ¡°Who knew you reporters would have the balls to sneak in here trying to create a scandal¡­¡± A dark, male voice came from the silhouette, but he remained facing the window. ¡°You don¡¯t understand boundaries, and I will have to sue one of you for invasion of privacy to teach the rest a ruthless lesson.¡±


    He turned around to face her with a dangerous re, but it immediately vanished when his eyesnded on her. He instantly ced his wine ss away and strode over to her.


    ¡°Mackenzie?¡±


    She froze, finally recognizing the voice the moment he stepped close enough for her to see who it was.


    Chase?


    What? How in the world did she run into three people from her former life as an Axford in the same night? Especially this Axford, standing right in front of her in a semi-dark room, in a shirt that was not fully buttoned and unted his tan skin and mouth watering chest.


    His jet ck hair was tousled, making him look as dangerous as the darkness that surrounded them.


    He was so damn sexy.


    But Mackenzie was well aware of the other Axford prowling the hallway looking for her. Just thinking about Jeffrey made her entire body tremble with fright and terror.


    His gaze raked over her body briefly, noting how damn erotic she looked in that tiny ck dress and heels. He could not help but notice her allure, but hisrge hands held her arms, asking,


    ¡°What are you doing here, Mackenzie -¡±


    ¡°-Shh. I don¡¯t want anyone to know I¡¯m here. Please stop calling my name so loudly.¡± She whispered, pleadingly.


    Chase arched an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Wait, are you drunk?¡±


    She trembled, eyes widening when she felt the movements of somebody on the other side of the door. ¡°Cover for me, Chase, please I beg of you. I¡¯ll do whatever you want.¡±


    He could smell the alcohol mixed with her feminine perfume, but most of all, he could see the genuine terror in her beautiful hazel eyes.


    He stared at her with narrowed and questioning eyes, fiercely protective over her with how vulnerable she was in her frightened and drunken state.


    Before he could say anything, someone violently pounded against the door. Repeatedly.


    Chase protectively pulled Mackenzie away from the door and tucked her behind him. The sound of someone softly pleading joined the pounding.


    ¡°Sir, please stop making so much noise. This is a private suite and a VIP guest is inside right now. You cannot do this here sir, please!¡±


    The pounding abruptly stopped and was instantly reced by loud, sickening punches and groans of pain. It sounded like there was a scuffle and Jeffrey was beating the shit out of the poor waiter who was only trying to do his job.


    Chase left Mackenzie and moved to pull the door open, pissed off at the mother fucker who had the audacity to pound of his door and start a fight on top of it. But when he spotted the person on the other side of the door, his anger went through the roof.


    Jeffery.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Now he understood why Mackenzie was so terrified.


    ¡°What the fuck do you want?¡± His voice darkened, along with his expression.


    Jeffrey looked away from the waiter groaning in pain at his feet, and gave Chase a nonchnt stare. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you. Did anyone fucking walk in here?¡±


    Chase hardened his jaw and stepped out of the room, mming the door shut behind him. He stood in front of Jeffrey, staring him down like he was nothing but a piece of fucking shit.


    ¡°Do you know you¡¯re rubbing the Axford name in the fucking mud storming around the building, drunk and being like this?¡± He asked in disdain. ¡°How many fucking waiters have you beaten up tonight? Is this really how you n on leading the part of Axford Conglomerate under your control?¡±


    Jeffrey aggressively stepped closer to Chase, but he didn¡¯t even blink. His cold, dark stare never wavered from Jeffrey as he spat, ¡°Mind your damn business, Chase. I am the older brother. I will fucking put you in your ce of you try to mouth off!¡±


    Empty threats. Jeffrey could beat up a couple of waiters who wouldn¡¯t dare lift a finger against a customer, but he knew Chase didn¡¯t have such reservations.


    He would be bloodied on the ground with a broken nose and missing teeth in record time. But of course, logic and reason was not Jeffrey¡¯s strongest suit, plus, he had lots of liquid courage, so he was extra aggressive.


    Chase stared at him, severely pissed off under his calm exterior. Jeffrey deserved a fucking dislocated jaw for making Mackenzie so terrified that she was trembling and willing to run into a random room to hide.


    What if she had gotten into a stranger¡¯s room, and the stranger turned out to be even worse than Jeffrey, trying to take advantage of her?


    Chase didn¡¯t even want to think about it or he would not be able to stop himself from punching his fucking stepbrother. Besides, Jeffrey already made a goddamn mess. He wasn¡¯t about to add to it.


    ¡°Leave, Jeffrey. I don¡¯t have anything to fucking say to you.¡± Chase said.


    Jeffrey scoffed. ¡°Do you think you¡¯re so fucking powerful, you piece of shit? Do you think you can order me around?! Besides I didn¡¯t fuckinge up here for you. I saw ady that looked very familiar, and she came here! I want to talk to her!¡±


    ¡°Fucking leave, Jeffrey. I won¡¯t say it again.¡±


    Jeffrey clenched his fists, face reddened by rage. He red at Chase for a long moment before he turned around and delivered onest heavy kick against the waiter¡¯s stomach. The poor man groaned in pain, and Jeffrey turned around, storming back the way he came.


    Chase moved back into the room to grab his checkbook from the table. Mackenzie took a wobbly and tentative step forward, peering towards the half-open door.


    ¡°Is he gone?¡± She asked. Then she hupped.


    Chase looked up at her, letting out a breath when he saw that she was definitely soaking drunk. Only adrenaline had been able to keep her together so far because she was in danger of being discovered by Jeffrey.


    Now that she was out of danger, the alcohol was definitely kicking in, affecting her speech and her bnce. Her eyes definitely looked ssy. And judging by her sporadic hups, she must have been drinking very strong liquor for a while.


    ¡°Yes, Mackenzie. He¡¯s gone. Stay here.¡± He responded and tore off a leaf from the checkbook, then headed back outside the room.


    The waiter was struggling to get up from the floor, but he was in so much pain. Chase sucked in a deep breath and moved to crouch down near the guy, who flinched, thinking that it was Jeffrey.


    ¡°He¡¯s gone.¡± Chase said, extending a hand to the waiter. The waiter took it, and Chase pulled him up from the ground.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to experience that. Here¡¯s a check.¡± Chase slid it into the waiter¡¯s pocket. ¡°Go get yourself treated, and stop by Axford Hospital if there are any serious injuries. We¡¯ll take care of it.¡±


    The waiter nodded feebly, bowing through the pain. ¡°Thank you so much, sir.¡±


    Chase gave him a nod, and he turned away, limping in the opposite direction. After a few seconds, he walked back into the room and shut the door behind him. But he paused, entire body going rigid when his eyesnded on Mackenzie a few feet away from him.


    She was stripping off her clothes, and her beautiful curvy and delicate body was half naked.

 CHAPTER 38 – NOT MY STYLE

    Mackenzie was standing in nothing but a flimsy ckce bra and matching ck panties. And her high heels. She swayed slightly, making her hair flirt around her back.


    ¡°It¡¯s so hot..¡± She muttered to herself, reaching to her back and struggling to reach the pins of her bra.


    Now that the danger was gone, she was lost under the influence of the tequ shots she had been chugging down all night.


    Chase could not control the sudden lust that erupted in a scorching inferno inside him the moment he stepped in to see her like this. His entire body had gone tense, and his eyes hooded with desire.


    Fuck, he thought, as blood pooled straight down in his shaft.


    But then she was drunk. She had no idea what she was doing. He shouldn¡¯t be thinking about throwing her onto the bed, tearing that flimsyce off her soft and curvy hips and plowing his cock into her so hard, her screams would bring the entire club house down.


    Those X-rated thoughts of his, while she was drunk were too depraved.


    ¡°What are you doing, Mackenzie?¡± He finally asked in a voice thickened with raw male desire.


    Mackenzie nced over her shoulder at him, her eyes lowered and lips curling into a smile.


    ¡°Come help me take off my bra, Chase.¡± She said softly, definitely making it more difficult for him to get his raging lust under control.


    ¡°No, Mackenzie. I¡¯ll help you put your clothes back on.¡±


    He strode over to her, staring down at her with a stormy blue gaze. He picked up her dress and straightened it out, but she suddenly giggled and moved backwards. Towards the bed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you to put my clothes back on.¡± She whispered, cheeks pink from alcohol.


    Chase¡¯s eyes fell on her bouncy breasts sexily cupped by her bra, for a long second, then he looked back up to meet her eyes. ¡°Mackenzie.¡±


    His tone had a note of warning.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want me?¡± She paused, asking softly.


    He walked over to her again, and ced his hand around her naked waist, pulling her closer against his body. His voice lowered in a dangerously carnal promise,


    ¡°I fucking want you, Mackenzie. Not just in this state. When I take you, fuck you, you are going to remember every single detail of it. Every touch, every emotion and every naughty response of your body to mine. I want you to fucking remember it when you look at me.¡±


    His hand lowered from her waist to trace the fabric of her panties briefly. A ming blush grew on Mackenzie¡¯s cheeks as her ssy eyes stared up at him, utterly mesmerized by the way he looked under the semi-darkness of the room.


    ¡°I want to take all of you. Make you mine. But as much as I want to right now, I will not take advantage of your vulnerable and drunken state. That¡¯s not my style.¡±


    Mackenzie didn¡¯t put up much of a resistance after that, and he easily slid her dress over her.


    Chase looked over her protectively, and remembered how terrified she was just a few moments ago. He ced a hand under her chin,


    ¡°And, stop being scared of Jeffrey. He can¡¯t do anything to you as long as I¡¯m fucking alive.¡±


    She barely even heard him. She had tottered forward towards him, leaning against his solid figure for her own bnce. Her hands resting against his chest, and the physical contact was driving him insane.


    Still he cleared his throat and threw a ck face cap over his head, to conceal his features from any member of the press that might be hanging around in the club.


    His divorce scandal with Selene was still making headlines, so he couldn¡¯t be seen. Especially not in a bar with a woman.


    Chase lifted Mackenzie into his arms, where she snuggled closer against him, close to passing out at this point. The irony. When she was sober, she was always going in the opposite direction from him.


    Now that she was drunk, she was recklessly touching him, stripping herself half naked and staying in a dark room alone with him.


    Yet he couldn¡¯t do any of the dirty things he obsessed over in his mind, to her.


    ¡°Who did youe with?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Charlotte, Felicity¡­¡± She muttered.


    ¡°Who are they?¡±


    ¡°¡­ My friends..¡±


    ¡°Then they should be looking for you by now.¡± He said. ¡°Where¡¯s your phone?¡±


    She shook her head, showing that she did not have it with her. In her panic and rush to get as far away from Jeffrey as possible, Mackenzie had left her phone and purse at their table.


    ¡°Fuck it, I¡¯ll just take you home.¡± He said.


    Not that he could even let her go all alone in this state. If her friends were nowhere to be found when Jeffrey appeared, then he couldn¡¯t trust them to take Mackenzie home safely.


    He left the room and carried her down bridal style down the stairs leading outside the building. But immediately he stepped foot into  the night, outside, a stranger walking from the opposite direction suddenly blocked Chase.


    It was an older man he didn¡¯t recognize, but a re was twisting his features.


    ¡°Who the hell are you?! Where are you taking her?! You¡¯re kidnapping her, aren¡¯t you?¡± Maverick yelled.


    His entire body was going rigid and ready to fight to get Mackenzie out of a strange man¡¯s arms. He had been so anxious when Charlotte and Felicity returned to the car with Mackenzie¡¯s bag and phone, iming they couldn¡¯t find her.


    He had told them to wait in his car, while he went on to search for her. Only for him to find her sprawled vulnerably in a creep¡¯s arms?


    Chase¡¯s stare was poisonous. ¡°Who the hell do you fucking think you are, trying to take my woman from me?¡±


    Maverick eximed, ¡°What? Who the fuck gives you the right to call her that? You¡¯re just seeing her for the first time, you pervert. Give her back to me right now while I¡¯m still being nice!¡±


    Chase didn¡¯t move an inch. His arms possessively tightened around Mackenzie¡¯s back and under her soft legs, murdering Maverick over and over again with his eyes.


    ¡°So many fucking annoying drunks in this damn ce.¡± He finally said. ¡°Move the fuck out of my way.¡±


    Maverick balled his fists, taking a step forward. ¡°Let her go, right now! You are definitely not taking one inch of a step forward if you don¡¯t surrender and quietly walk away. You spiked her drink with something, didn¡¯t you? That¡¯s why she¡¯s that drunk!¡±


    Mackenzie stirred against Chase¡¯s chest, mumbling about the unpleasant disturbance of voices that had pierced herfy haze of drunkenness.


    But she had recognized that voice.


    ¡°Uncle Maverick?¡± She called. ¡°¡­I can¡¯t find Felicity and Charlotte¡­.¡±


    Both Chase and Maverick paused in their re down, looking at her instead.


    Maverick stepped closer. ¡°Kenzie, I¡¯m so d you¡¯re still conscious. Charlotte and Felicity are in the car, waiting for you. Don¡¯t worry about them.¡±


    He looked at Chase with a re, ¡°She recognized me. It¡¯s pretty obvious who the stranger is here. So fucking let her go!¡±


    Chase narrowed his eyes. ¡°Watch your tone.¡±


    Mackenzie let out a loud sound of difort and frustration, pushing Chase¡¯s chest and wriggling her legs towards the ground. Chase reluctantly let her stand.


    She scoffed and walked away, but her steps were too wide and uneven, and her bnce was shit. She was seconds away from tripping in her heels when Chase went after her and held her right hand.


    Maverick followed, grabbing her left hand to pull her away from him. ¡°Stay away stranger.¡± He warned.


    ¡°I¡¯m her future employer.¡± Chase ground out at him, holding her firmly. ¡°I know her house and I¡¯m fucking taking her home.¡±


    ¡°Never. Her father entrusted her with me, and I brought her tonight. So I¡¯m taking her home safely. Not letting her go with some stranger in a ck cap.¡±


    Chase was fed up with Maverick. He felt anger rumbling inside his chest as he pulled Mackenzie closer to his side. Not enough to hurt, but with enough force to make her gasp softly.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to tell you again. Let go of her hand.¡± Chase warned.


    Maverick held her more firmly. ¡°You let go of her.¡±


    ¡°Let go of me!¡± Mackenzie finally let out a slurred scream, pulling her hands away from the both of them.


    She wiped at her blurry eyes, waking forward while muttering annoyed words that were too slurred to be coherent.  But she was not watching her footsteps, because her heels knocked over an uneven spot on the ground.


    And she buckled, heading straight to the ground.


    Instincts kicked in, and both Chase and Maverick were at her sides in her instant, catching her before she hit the ground. Once she was out of danger, Chase and Maverick both nced up at each other.


    They were ring.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

 CHAPTER 39 – HAVE IT ALL

    Mackenzie, in her drunken stupor, ced a hand against her ears, realizing that she had left her earrings back in Chase¡¯s VIP room. She had taken them off first before sliding out of her dress.


    ¡°How could I let this happen?¡± She muttered grumpily to herself, oblivious to the fact that Chase was watching her closely as they got closer to Maverick¡¯s car.


    Charlotte and Felicity perked up immediately they spotted them, and they hurried forward.


    ¡°Is she okay?¡± Felicity asked, worriedly.


    ¡°I found her on time, thankfully.¡± Uncle Maverick answered, shooting a cold look in Chase¡¯s direction. ¡°She¡¯s just soaking drunk.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    ¡°She had too much tequ. I should have stopped her.¡± Felicity frowned.


    Chase was distracted from the conversation when Charlotte nted herself in front of him, with her eyes wide in awe and disbelief. She could not believe the fact that she was standing in front of The Chase Axford in person.


    She eagerly noted that he looked even more gorgeous in person than in the pictures. Even with the ck face cap casting shadows over his features.


    ¡°Thank you for bringing Mackenzie back. I¡¯m Charlotte, Mackenzie¡¯s friend. It¡¯s an honor to meet you.¡± She said in one breath, extending her hand.


    He took her hand, ¡°Nice to meet you.¡±


    Chase¡¯s eyes strayed from Charlotte again, to Mackenzie. He saw that Maverick was trying to maneuver her into the passenger seat. He broke the handshake and moved closer, ring at Uncle Maverick.


    ¡°She¡¯s not sitting there.¡±


    Maverick nced at Chase, already ready to respond with his own defiant words when Felicity intervened.


    ¡°I¡¯ll sit in the passenger seat, Uncle Maverick. Mackenzie can stay in the backseat with Charlotte.¡± She smiled softly and nced at Chase, ¡°Hello. I¡¯m Felicity. It¡¯s nice to meet you.¡±


    Chase nodded, then nced back at Charlotte who was still glued to his side. She was staring at him with excitement in her eyes. To her, his sudden appearancepletely made the night worth it.


    ¡°I¡¯m putting Mackenzie in your care, Charlotte.¡± He said to her, she eagerly nodded, with a wide smile. ¡°She¡¯s in safe hands.¡±


    Charlotte moved to take Mackenzie from Uncle Maverick and guided her towards the door to the backseat. Maverick threw onest unfriendly nce at Chase, which was duly reciprocated, and moved around the car to get into the driver¡¯s seat.


    Chase caught onest glimpse of Mackenzie slumping into her sleepily, beautiful long curls spread all around her shoulders, before Felicity mmed the car door shut. The car slowly eased out of the parking lot.


    As soon as it turned into the road, his security guards walked up to stand behind him respectfully.


    ¡°Sir. Your orders?¡±


    ¡°Follow that car.¡± Chase responded, turning around.


    With brisk nods, they turned around and walked over to the sleek back Te concealed in the shadows in another area of the parking lot. One of them opened the door to the luxury backseat, and Chase got in.


    In the next moment, the car was speeding down the road, a safe distance behind Maverick¡¯s car.


    Chase watched the taillights of the car through the windshield with narrowed eyes. He felt something really off about the man with Mackenzie and her friends. They called him ¡°Uncle¡± Maverick. Including Mackenzie. But the way he had been acting was nothing like an uncle.


    He had been hovering around Mackenzie like a man around his love interest. And Chase did not like that. One bit.


    He had to make sure Mackenzie got home safe. Chase could definitely not let that man around his woman while she was so drunk and vulnerable. The only reason he conceded to letting Mackenzie go, was because her friends would be with her. She would not be alone with him.


    When Maverick¡¯s car finally rolled to a stop in front of the building Mackenzie lived in, Chase¡¯s security parked their car in the shadows two blocks away, with the headlights off.


    Chase watched Maverick step out of the car and hurry over to the back, but Charlotte was already helping Mackenzie out of the car. They both went into the building, followed by Felicity. He saw Maverick move over to the side of the building and was out of sight for a long moment.


    When he finally got back, he was carrying two kids.


    Chase straightened up, watching the scene with renewed interest. It looked like a little boy and girl, around ages four or five, clinging to Maverick¡¯s body. He could not see any of their features, but he found himself wondering if those were Maverick¡¯s kids.


    If those were his kids, then he had those kids with who? One of Mackenzie¡¯s friends?


    That seemed highly unlikely. It did not look like he was in a rtionship with either of them. Besides, they called him uncle, like he was part of one of their families.


    Chase could onlye to the next conclusion. That thedies were helping him take care of his little kids. Quickly, his attention moved away from that as Maverick disappeared into the building with the kids.


    Satisfied that Mackenzie had gotten home safe, he ordered the security to drive away.


    *******************


    ¡°Wee, sir. How may we be of service to you, sir?¡± A soft feminine voice asked.


    ¡°Show me the most beautiful earrings you have here. One of each kind.¡± Chase said, leisurely ncing down at the jewelry disyed in the ss in front of him.


    The worker standing beside him blinked, in awe and surprise. ¡°Pardon me, sir? But you said, one of each kind? We have many kinds of earrings here, sir. Sapphire, emerald, onyx, diamond, gold-¡±


    ¡°I do not intend to waste my morning repeating myself.¡± Chase nced at her sideways. ¡°Make the picks and show them to me.¡±


    She flinched at the raw power in his tone. ¡°Of course, sir. Right away, sir!¡±


    Chase had remembered that Mackenzie wasining about losing her earrings at the Nightshade Club and Bar,st night. This morning, he decided he was going to get her a recement.


    The worker returned shortly with arge velvet case which held rows upon rows of earrings of different kinds. Chase nced over it, making sure none of them were unnecessarily huge or extravagant, since that didn¡¯t seem to be Mackenzie¡¯s style.


    Satisfied, he made arrangements with the jewelry store. They eagerly gave the tter of luxury earrings to Chase¡¯s security guards, who would take it to Mackenzie¡¯s house and let her make her pick her choice or have all of it.


    ********************


    Axford Medicals, thergest hospital in the whole of Greenville, towered towards the sky in an assembly of steel and ss. This was one of the few ces the paparazzi could not infiltrate. So Chase had no problem stepping out of his car, and going into the building, for once.


    The director of the hospital was waiting in therge reception, with his assistant nking his side. These two people, in addition to Richard Axford¡¯s team of doctors, were the only ones that knew of his condition.


    ¡°Good morning, Mr. Axford.¡± He lowered his head politely as Chase stopped in front of them.


    ¡°Director Liane¡± Chase nodded back. ¡°Take me to him.¡±


    ¡°Of course, sir.¡±


    They led him through therge and sterile hallways of the hospital, as the director rattled off on some reports concerning the hospital which Chase was barely listening to. After all, the director was most likely talking too much out of nervousness.


    Chase always had that effect on people.


    In the next moment, the director opened the door to a VIP ward and ushered Chase in.


    ¡°Please inform me if you need anything, sir.¡± He said politely and moved out of the ward, closing the door behind him.


    Chase turned to the bed, where his father sat, propped up by the bed and a couple of pillows. The ward in itself looked so luxurious that Chase was sure the hospital staff were sweating buckets while putting this ce together for Richard Axford.


    It showed that they were desperate to impress.


    ¡°Son.¡± Richard looked up from his magazine. ¡°How good it is to see you.¡±


    Chase walked forward and sat on the chair near the bed. His observant eyes took in his father¡¯s appearance, noting how pale and frail he seemed in that hospital gown.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± He asked.


    Richard chuckled. ¡°Come on, Chase. I know my doctors gave you minute by minute reports on my health.¡±


    Chase let out a slight huff. ¡°Of course. I still would like to know how you¡¯re feeling. You have to be in top shape for your surgery.¡±


    ¡°I know. I know. Everything is under control, and I feel great. The atmosphere here is very rxing.¡±


    ¡°Eleanor and Jeffrey had to have been asking questions about you being in the hospital.¡± Chase said. ¡°Have you told them about your condition?¡±


    ¡°I simply told them I¡¯m here for medical checkups. All my doctors have their lips sealed, so that excuse should be enough for them.¡± There was an ominous silence, before Richard added, ¡°Whatever happens, mywyers and I have gone over my will.¡±

 CHAPTER 40 – FOOLPROOF PLAN

    The mention of the will had Chase bristling with sudden anger. He hated the fact that his father had so easily resigned himself to the idea of being killed off by cancer.


    ¡°That is not important right now.¡± He gritted out. ¡°What is important is that you get your surgery ande out healthy again!¡±


    Richard furrowed his eyebrows. ¡°What is wrong with you, Chase? You are usually the practical one. Getting my things in order, including my will, is the practical thing to do at this point. No one knows what the oue of the surgery will be.¡±


    ¡°We are fighters. That is what got us this high in the food chain.¡± Chase countered. ¡°You have to fight this. You already have state-of-the-art hospital equipment, genius doctors and skilled surgeons at your service. All that¡¯s left is your will to fight. Do you really want to leave, like mom did?¡±


    Richard sighed deeply.


    ¡°Son. You have Eleanor.¡±


    Chase¡¯s expression visibly darkened at the mention of that woman.


    ¡°If you trust Eleanor so much, why have you not told her about your illness?¡±


    ¡°I have my reasons. She will be a good mother to you.¡±


    ¡°A good mother? Like she ever was.¡± Chase¡¯s voice held disdain.


    Richard closed his magazine, tossing it to the side. ¡°Let¡¯s not argue, son. I really do not have the strength for it.¡±


    Chase kept mute, staring emptily at the white wall across the bed. His father stared at him thoughtfully, noting how tense and stressed Chase seemed to be recently. He realized he had not been giving his son the credit he deserved.


    He was going through a difficult divorce while dealing with the bloodthirsty press and paparazzi at the same time. He had just received news that his father had cancer, and might not survive it. And he had to deal with all of this along with his own private, unresolved issues while maintaining his CEO responsibilities.


    Only the strongest could lead a conglomerate like Axford without breaking down.


    And Chase had been extremely strong, Richard realized.


    He said in a low tone. ¡°Chase. You don¡¯t go home anymore, do you? When was thest time you slept in your own house?¡±


    Chase narrowed his eyes at the question. ¡°How do you know that?¡±


    ¡°Do you think the security answers to you alone?¡± His father raised an eyebrow.


    Chase sounded exasperated. ¡°Now you¡¯re digging information about me from my security?¡±


    ¡°No, son. I¡¯m just worried about you sleeping out of the house.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather stay away from that house till I can get a restraining order. Trust me, it will be effective as soon as possible. Selene broke in and has been stubbornly refusing to leave.¡± Chase muttered heatedly. ¡°The security can¡¯t even throw her out without giving the paparazzi camping in front of the property a show to feed off on.


    ¡°When I get the restraining order, she will have no other choice.¡±


    Richard asked, ¡°She is still refusing to sign the divorce papers?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll definitely make her sign it.¡±


    ¡°Listen, son. I just want you to befortable and happy. The fact that I might leave this world soon is unavoidable, no matter how much it hurts, but one thing I can¡¯t bear is the thought of leaving when your life is not in bnce.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have kids after years of a marriage that¡¯s about to end. That¡¯s not okay, and I¡¯m not happy with it.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. Get your treatment, and focus on getting better.¡± Chase said dismissively.


    Richard knew the conversation would go nowhere if he kept talking about Chase¡¯s marriage or kids, so he changed the topic in a resigned tone,


    ¡°Alright. Have you been able to find Mackenzie? Like I told you before, my people have lost track of her.¡±


    At the mention of Mackenzie¡¯s name, Chase¡¯s body automatically went tense with possessiveness. That was how much power she had over him.


    ¡°I told you, father. I¡¯ll handle it.¡± He responded curtly.


    ¡°Please be quick about it. Now that I¡¯m trying to get everything in order because of my uncertain future, I¡¯d like to at least see her again. And, give her thepensation she deserves. She might need it at this point.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle it. Trust me.¡±


    ¡°I do trust you, son. Also, when you find her, don¡¯t let Jeffrey know about it. He didn¡¯t treat her well, so I think it would be best for both of them if they remain far away from each other.¡±


    Chase couldn¡¯t agree more. However, he didn¡¯t want to talk about Mackenzie with anyone. She was all his.


    So he steered the conversation back to the surgery, ¡°After the surgery, you will need someone to constantly take care of you. Someone you know more personally than a nurse. That should be Eleanor, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I already arranged for anonymous caretakers to do that. They all signed NDAs, so it¡¯s a foolproof n.¡± Richard responded. ¡°I don¡¯t need Eleanor here.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re really determined to keep her in the dark, aren¡¯t you?¡± Chase sounded sarcastic.


    Richard ignored his tone and steered the conversation away to how thepany was doing. Chase humored him and let him away the conversation. After a couple of moments, he left the ward and went to meet the doctors in charge of his father.


    The doctors eagerly reassured him of Richard Axford being in safe hands. The date of the surgery had been decided on, and Chase made it a point to be in the hospital that day.


    On leaving the hospital, Chase found himself giving orders to the security to head to the restaurant where Mackenzie worked. His entire being itched to see her again, especially since thest time he saw her, she was dead drunk.


    And he hated every moment she spent working such a miserable job.


    After getting out of the car, he was inside the building in a few strides. He turned in the direction of the stairs that led straight up to the VIP section, but paused when he heard the sound of bickering across therge space.


    He cast a mildly annoyed and disinterested nce at the source of the noise, but froze when he saw the scene unfolding before his eyes.


    A few tables away, a group of men sat in a circle, leering at the waitress trapped in the middle. One of the men was on his feet, grabbing the waitress¡¯ hand roughly, trying to pull her closer.


    That waitress was Mackenzie.


    Chase¡¯s blood boiled over so fast, so scalding hot and so dangerously , that the air around him scaled a few degrees in temperature. His fists balled and he was storming towards the scene with murderous intent.


    ¡°Let me go!¡± Mackenzie protested, trying to break her wrist free of the man¡¯s grip, but it was futile. He held on tight, seemingly to derive pleasure from her struggles.


    ¡°Are you fucking raising your voice at me, you slut?¡± The man spat down at her, encouraged by the other men grinning and cheering him on.


    Mackenzie red at him, but immediately flinched when he mmed his other fist on a table. ¡°Oh, you can¡¯t reply to me, bitch? You still won¡¯t give me your fucking number? Who do you think you are, anyway?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s just a fucking whore.¡± Someone added.


    The man growled at her. ¡°Listen bitch. You¡¯re gonna be a good little whore and give me your fucking number, house address, and anything else I ask for. After all, what use are you anyway? Washing dishes and cleaning floors in a slutty uniform? I¡¯ll give you another job. And it¡¯s to suck my dick, nice and good.¡±


    Laughter erupted.


    Mackenzie trembled in fright as he continued, handing out his phone. ¡°Type it out now, or I¡¯ll make you lose your job right now-¡±


    His voice abruptly cut off when someone grabbed his phone and flung it across the room where it collided with the wall in a sickening crash. The silence that followed was tense.


    The smile dropped from the man¡¯s face at the same time Mackenzie whipped around to see Chase standing right behind her. Protectively.


    Before anyone could even register what was going on, Chase grabbed the man¡¯s hand away from Mackenzie and twisted it backward so hard that there was a loud crack of joints emanating from his flesh.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    He yelled in sudden pain, eyes wide in confusion and panic.


    Chase stepped forward, making him cower backwards in fear. Mackenzie stared on, her own eyes widening when she saw the expression on Chase¡¯s face. It was lethal. His blue eyes had almost gonepletely ck with hate and rage.


    His gorgeous face was tone cold, staring down at the man who seemed fragile andpared to Chase¡¯s hot-blooded, muscled and towering strength.


    The man was already far bigger than Mackenzie in height and size, butpared to Chase, Mackenzie almost felt sorry for him.


    The other men were stunned into shocked silence, unsure whether to run to safety or call the police on the person about to rip their friend¡¯s wrist apart.


    But the one thing they were sure of, was that they had thoroughly fucked up.

 CHAPTER 41 – CLAIM THEM

    The man was in serious pain, and that pain bled into his voice as he eximed,


    ¡°My wrist is broken! Please! Please, let me go!¡±


    His pride and over bloated ego had all evaporated in Chase¡¯s presence. Sweat trickled down the side of his face, as he tried to loosen his inmed wrist from Chase¡¯s grip.


    ¡°What was that you called her?¡± Chase snarled in rage, ¡°Who the fuck are you toy your filthy hand on her?!¡±


    The manager dashed out of a door to see what the noise was all about, and his jaw dropped to the ground in rm and shock when he saw Chase. He hurried over, apologizes spilling out of his mouth like a waterfall.


    He had not even bothered to ask what was going on.


    ¡°Mr. Axford! I¡¯m deeply sorry-¡±


    Chase was barely even listening. All of his dark attention was strained on the man. He roughly flung his hand away, earning a pained howl from the man who was now clutching his hand desperately.


    ¡°Where the fuck is your business card?¡± Chase demanded, barely keeping his rage contained.


    Mackenzie felt her breath quickening, genuinely rmed. She had never seen Chase like this, ever. The man did not even hesitate, with his unbroken hand, he shakily yanked a card out from his pocket.


    Chase dragged it out of his grip and red down at it, ¡°You are a fucking director at Steele Importation Company?!¡±


    The man nodded. His friends watched on with wide eyes. The manager looked helpless. Chase grabbed his cor, leaving a tear in the fabric.


    ¡°I¡¯ll fucking make sure you lose your job, and any other means of livelihood you might have. You¡¯ll be on a my cklist, for good. Next time you¡¯re tempted toy your hands on any woman, you¡¯ll fucking remember me.¡±


    Chase¡¯s re shifted to the manager. ¡°What are you fucking waiting for?!¡± He yelled, ¡°Call the fucking cops on this bastard!¡±


    ¡°Of course, sir!¡± Manager Ty answered.


    Chase pushed the man out of the way, making him crash back into the ground. He grabbed Mackenzie¡¯s hand and pulled her away from the scene. They headed upstairs, while Mackenzie struggled to catch up to hisrge strides.


    By the time he pulled her into a VIP lounge and mmed the door shut, Mackenzie could barely catch her breath.


    Her heart was pounding, and began pounding even faster when he turned to her, fury shining in his eyes. He was bristling so hard with anger, frustration and the urge to go back to that mother fucker downstairs and pound him into a pulp with his fists.


    Breaking his wrist was not enough.


    In fact it was just a stoke to a fire.


    ¡°You really want to see me fucking lose my shit before youe to me, right?¡± He asked in a dark tone.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    She knew she had to do something to dispel his anger, bit her voice came out weak and soft when she tried to speak, ¡°It¡¯s not like that¡­ and you didn¡¯t have to break his wrist-¡±


    He stepped right in front of her, pinning her down with his hard gaze. ¡°I could fucking kill anyone that touches you, Mackenzie. I don¡¯t fucking care. Once anyone looks at you the wrong way, or gathers that audacity to touch you¡­ I am going to fucking go ballistic.¡±


    ¡°That bastard downstairs got off easy, because I have to check your hand.¡± His tone was threatening, yet his touch was gentle when he took her hand and nced at it.


    Mackenzie looked down at her hand too, heart racing. The shape of fingers had burrowed its way deep into her skin, making it swell and take on a red color.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± Chase cursed. He clenched his jaw hard and raised moved his gaze back to her. ¡°I¡¯m going to fucking deal with that guy. Does it hurt?¡±


    His thumb softly massaged the spot. That gesture alone was enough to send Mackenzie¡¯s hormones into overdrive.


    She responded, ¡°No..¡±


    She knew her little response would not convince Chase, because her wrist was indeed in a dull pain.


    But at this point, she felt so confused. Only Chase would be extremely enraged, and still be gentle and intimate at the same time. She tried to look elsewhere, but he held her chin and made her meet his eyes. Made her see his anger. His frustration.


    His possessiveness and desperation.


    ¡°Do you fucking like working in this depraved ce, Mackenzie? Where anyone can harass you, and say those fucking words to you? I can¡¯t watch you continue being so stubborn at your own fucking detriment.


    ¡°Hundreds of people would be fucking jumping at this opportunity you have. Do you want you pay to be increased?¡± He did not even give her a chance to respond before he added. ¡°Fine. Three hundred thousand dors a year. More? Five hundred thousand dors, then?¡±


    Mackenzie only stared at him, in stupefaction.


    She did not expect this kind of reaction from him at all. He had always been territorial over her, but now, fueled by anger and hate towards the man who harassed her, he was uncontrobly possessive.


    In his beautiful blue eyes, she could see him calling her his.


    Taking her silence as disagreement, he continued, ¡°What if I give you an open check instead, Mackenzie. You know how much your skills are worth. Write whatever amount you want. You¡¯ll  get it. Just fucking ept my offer, Mackenzie.¡±


    She was speechless, and breathless.


    ¡°Chase¡­¡± She began, but had no idea what to say to him.


    But his attention had already been snagged by her delicate ears. She suddenly became so self-conscious, furrowing her eyebrows slowly.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t wearing earrings.¡± He said suddenly. ¡°Did you not put on any of the earrings I sent to you?¡±


    She broke his dark gaze, ¡°They are too expensive for me. I can¡¯t wear jewelry that cost more than my yearly pay. It¡¯ll only attract thieves.¡±


    ¡°If you take up my offer, thieves will be nowhere near you.¡± He countered. ¡°Think about it, Mackenzie. Besides, you were so fucking dead drunk that you lost you earrings. You wereining about it and I got you recements. They¡¯ll remain at your ce until you choose.¡±


    He reached behind her to pull her hair band off her ponytail. Her hair feel loose over her shoulders in bundles of thick dark curls that spilled down to her waist.


    Momentarily surprised, she eximed, ¡°What are you doing? I¡¯m at work!¡±


    ¡°Right now, you¡¯re with me. I hate it when you hide your hair away like that. Let those beautiful curls fall freely.¡± His voice was quiet now, giving the impression that his anger had dissipated.


    But that conclusion could not be more wrong.


    Dead, dark anger still rumbled in those eyes. But he could not stop touching her, making sure she was still here after he saw that bastard grab her and say those horrible words to her. Renewed hate filled his mind.


    He held her and sat her down on the leather couch, settling down beside her and pressing the bell. It seemed like the manager and a waiter was already outside the door, because they stepped in immediately the bell rang.


    Manager Ty looked like he was about to start apologizing again, but he saw the dark look on Chase¡¯s face and quickly sealed his lips.


    ¡°Can I have the menu?¡± Chase asked tly.


    ¡°Of course, sir!¡± The waiter held it out politely and waited for Chase to make his order. Three course meals for two people. And red wine. Without garlic for Mackenzie. Without onions for himself.


    Mackenzie met Manager Ty¡¯s suspicious look briefly, abruptly averting her gaze. Thest things she needed was to answer more questions right now.


    Chase noticed the exchange, and speared a re at the manager. ¡°Don¡¯t fucking look at her. I¡¯ll be needing her here.¡±


    ¡°Of course, sir.¡±


    When they slinked away, the room was filled with silence. Mackenzie was ufortable, fidgeting nervously while stealing nces at Chase. His perfectly sculpted body seemed so calm, and he was dead quiet¡­


    Until she realized it was the negative type of calm.


    After a long moment, she had enough and decided to break the silence.


    ¡°Chase. You don¡¯t understand why I don¡¯t want your offer. An open check is not going to convince me.¡±


    Chase nodded. ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s why I¡¯ve being going insane trying to figure out why you¡¯re acting this way. But I don¡¯t fucking get it, Mackenzie. Is it Jeffrey? Is all of this because you¡¯re just trying to avoid home? Listen to me, as long as I¡¯m breathing, he will not be able to hurt you. You can¡¯t put your life on hold because of that fucker.¡±


    Mackenzie shook her head, ¡°That¡¯s not just it¡­¡±


    Deep down, she knew he was right. She was desperately trying to avoid Jeffrey and his mother. Because there was something she realized after extensive study on child custody.


    And it was that since she got pregnant while still married to Jeffery, he could im them.

 CHAPTER 42 – INTIMATE PAST

    Mackenzie knew that Jeffrey had an arsenal of hotshotwyers at his disposal, along with his cunning, scheming bitch of a mother. It would cost them nothing to tweak thew a little bit toe for her kids.


    Wealthy people are scary.


    The Axfords are scarier.


    She was helpless against them. Broke, trying so hard to make ends meet, she could barely afford a goodwyer if it came to that. In the best case scenario, she would be only to get shared custody of her kids¡­ with Jeffrey.


    The mere thought was a nightmare.


    Her poor, innocent babies would be mere tools in the hands of Eleanor and Jeffrey. Then again, the truth of her infidelity woulde to light in front of the entire world.


    Not many things about the Axfords go unnoticed by the press, so the scandal of her having kids for her husband¡¯s stepbrother, while still married¡­ was going to mess up her reputation.


    Everyone would see her as an infidel. Mackenzie didn¡¯t have the heart to endure that kind of public judgement.


    At this point, Chase¡¯s real intentions seemed to be less scary than these other scenarios.


    In the next hour, Chase had made her eat a reasonable amount of the meals he had ordered, despite the fact that he barely ate, himself.  Granted she felt a little more rxed after getting something warm and delicious in her stomach, despite the fact that she was blushing all through when Chase wouldn¡¯t take his gaze off her.


    But now, the door slowly opened and Manager Ty meekly walked in. He was still overwhelmed by Chase¡¯s anger earlier.


    ¡°I hope you enjoyed your meal?¡± He smiled.


    His question received no answer.


    Mackenzie felt extremely ufortable sitting beside Chase while she was supposed to be working. There were already rumors spreading among the staff about how Mackenzie was being given special treatment, and Chase was just making everything worse by showing up here, acting like her¡­ lover.


    She stood up, muttering. ¡°I¡¯m fine now. I¡¯ll go with Manager Ty and continue with my work.¡±


    Chase clenched his jaw at her words, then he got up too, grabbing her hand. ¡°How the hell is this fine?¡±


    Her hand looked worse than it did earlier. The swelling had doubled, and the red color had mixed with some purple discoloration. And now, the pain was escting from dull to intense.


    Mackenzie had to admit that she was injured. That man had grabbed her way too hard, almost crushing her bones.


    He detached her name tag from her uniform and dropped it on the table along with a check footing the bills. The bitter, burning surge of anger was filling him up again from one nce at her hand.


    ¡°That fucking bastard. I¡¯m going to make sure he faces the wrath of seven hells in jail.¡± His tone held ruthless finality.


    Manager Ty nodded in agreement, ¡°He and his group of friends have all been detained for sexual assault. Don¡¯t be too bothered, sir. The police will definitely pursue the case as long as Mackenzie presses charges.¡±


    Mackenzie sighed. ¡°Can you please excuse us, Manger Ty?¡±


    He nced at Mackenzie, then stole a quick nce at Chase before he began to move backwards. ¡°Alright, then.¡±


    When the door closed behind him, she turned to look at Chase.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to drag you into my life, Chase. Even if you didn¡¯t show up when you did, I could have gotten a way to defend myself. I¡¯m no longer the helpless Mackenzie¡¯s from four years ago who couldn¡¯t even protect herself even if her life depended on it.¡±


    ¡°You dragged me into your life the moment you asked me to make love to you, Mackenzie.¡± He said in a low tone. ¡°From then on, I have been unwilling to stop being involved with you.¡±


    At the reminder of their very intimate past, Mackenzie felt her belly flutter.


    Chase continued, a little more harshly. ¡°You have to press charges immediately.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to. But I¡¯ll go to the station alone.¡±


    ¡°Fine. My security guards will take you to the hospital and straight to the police station after you get your hand attended to. And if you try to protest, I wille with you to the police station myself.¡±


    She let out a weary sigh, resigning herself to his will.


    She could not risk himing along with her. Being with Chase in public would throw attention on her, and she definitely didn¡¯t want them to be seen together. It was safer for her that way.


    So, she would sumb to his will, to keep him from tagging along.


    Chase gave his security guards specific details to drive Mackenzie to the hospital, inform the doctors to give her the best emergency treatment, and care. She was directly from the CEO, so no doctor would dare cause a dy.


    His guards brought another car to drive Mackenzie in, while he got in his Lamborghini and restlessly trailed after them from behind. Letting Mackenzie out of his sight was out of the question.


    He needed to be around her, even if it meant following her in a ck car like an obsessive creep.


    ***************


    ¡°Are you feeling better?¡±


    ¡°Does it hurt when I do this?¡±


    ¡°Get her some cool ss of water!¡±


    Instructions were being passed around the moment Mackenzie stepped into Axford Medicals. She was immediately nked by doting nurses who guided her to a ward where a doctor stood warm and weing, ready to treat her hand.


    As they hovered around her, her anxiety levels soared. She sucked in a deep breath of the sterile hospital air, trying to remind herself that she had no reason to be scared of being here.


    Jeffrey or Eleanor would definitely not be randomly walking in the hospital. Even if, in the slightest chance that they were, it was a massive skyscraper building. She would never run into them.


    Slowly, she began to rx to an extent, even if her anxiety remained.


    Her swollen hand was massaged back to a healthy size with medicated ointment, before it was bandaged to let it heal up. She was instructed not to strain it for some days until the discoloration had faded off and was given drug prescriptions for the pain.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    The security guards went to get the drugs, before driving her to the station.


    It was a rtively quick process. The cops took her statement and allowed her fill the necessary forms to press sexual assault charges against the men. Then, she was back in the car, with the security driving her back home.


    Chase watched his security men drive Mackenzie down the road, then he picked his ck face cap from the passenger seat and pulled it over his head. Stepping out, he strode straight into the station, imposingly.


    The cops were taken aback, watching as he walked straight to the counter.


    ¡°A woman came in here moments ago, a victim of sexual harassment and assault from the group of bastards you currently have detained.¡± He started in a harsh tone.


    ¡°Yes¡­ sir-¡± a look of recognition crossed his face.


    ¡°-Good. Those bastards have to be duly punished. No bail, no leniency until they have paid dearly for ganging up on that woman.¡± Chase stepped closer, his shadowed face staring straight at a nervous cop. ¡°You hear me? If not, I¡¯ll have to take thew into my own hands, and it would be very ugly.¡±


    Another cop came to the other one¡¯s rescue, reassuring Chase. ¡°We don¡¯t have to resort to that, sir. The woman in question has just pressed charges. Are you by any chance¡­ her husband?¡±


    Chase hesitated, and when he finally answered, he had deflected the question. ¡°I hope you do your job well, officers. For their sakes.¡±


    Mackenzie stepped into the apartment, thoroughly drained by the events of the day. As she stepped out of her shoes, she ran her hand through her hair, remembering Chase¡¯s deep voice calling it beautiful.


    Shaking her head slightly, she shut out that thought and moved further into the living room. She saw Charlotte slumped on the floor, head resting against her couch, with her hair flying in an unkempt manner.


    rm jolted through her immediately.


    ¡°Charlotte?¡± She gasped, hurrying closer.


    That was heard she heard the sounds of sobs and snifflesing from Charlotte¡¯s bowed head. She hurried to kneel beside her, holding her shoulders so she would look up.


    Concernced her voice, ¡°Why are you crying, Charlotte? What¡¯s wrong?!¡±


    Charlotte finally looked at her, with bloodshot eyes spilling with tears. The mascara under her eyes were running down her cheeks, and her skin was flushed red with agony. She sniffled hard, clutching at Mackenzie¡¯s hand desperately.


    ¡°Mackenzie, what so I do? My mom just copsed due to her heart condition, and they have to do a surgery immediately! The only hospital in North Dakota is filled and can¡¯t even take care of her. I have no money to get her to Greensville! She¡¯s dying!!¡±

 CHAPTER 43 – ZERO COMPENSATION

    The news sounded like a gunshot in Mackenzie¡¯s ears. Her eyebrows nted. ¡°What?¡±


    Tears poured down Charlotte¡¯s face, ¡°I¡¯m so scared and helpless right now, Mackenzie! I just got the call and there¡¯s absolutely nothing I can do to help the situation. She¡¯s going to die unless she gets medical attention in the next hour! I can¡¯t even call Uncle Maverick cos his number isn¡¯t going through!¡±


    That was right. Uncle Maverick had gone out of the city for a short trip. He would have been able to resolve the matter if he were here.


    Mackenzie felt her heart start to pound in genuine worry and panic. Mrs. Weston, Charlotte¡¯s mom was just like her own mother. The thought of her dying was terrifying.


    ¡°We have to do something about this immediately!¡± Mackenzie¡¯s voice shook with fear as she straightened back up.


    Her mind was racing with thoughts on what she could do, when she immediately thought of Chase. Yes. At this point, he was the only one that could save Mrs. Weston from dying.


    Her hands fumbled as she slid out her phone and dialed Chase¡¯s number. His number had been in her phone ever since they had sex multiple times, before she left the city. Now, she was so d she had not deleted it.


    She bounced on her heels, as she waited for the call to go through, trying to calm Charlotte down at the same time.


    He picked, and she exhaled with relief, blurting out, ¡°Chase? Are you there?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Why do you sound like that, Mackenzie, is something wrong?¡± His deep voice came on the other end.


    Her voice broke. ¡°Something is terribly wrong, Chase, please I need to see you right now!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m right outside your house.¡±


    If she was in her right mind, she would have been shocked that he was right outside. She was already aware that he knew where she lived, and that should bother her to no end because he could discover her kids, and she should be angry at him for showing up at her house without notice¡­ but right now?


    All Mackenzie could feel was stark relief.


    She rushed out of the living room and out of the house, still holding the phone against her ear. Just like he said, he was standing alone, right by his parked Lamborghini. She nearly cried from the overwhelming surge of hope and relief that hit her.


    He brought the phone down from his ear, his eyes thoughtful and intense as he watched her hurry to meet him.


    Mackenzie could barely stay still. She clutched his hands, saying with panic and urgency, ¡°Please, please, I need your help, Chase! It¡¯s Charlotte¡¯s mother. You have to help us, please, or she¡¯s going to die! I¡¯ll work for you after this, you don¡¯t even have to pay me ever again, just help me save her, please¡­¡±


    Her eyes were moist with unshed tears.


    Chase looked rmed and concerned now. He held her arms softly, ¡°Hey, hey. Slow down. Calm down and tell me what¡¯s wrong.¡±


    Mackenzie nodded, but she definitely didn¡¯t calm down. ¡°Charlotte¡¯s mom has a heart condition, and she just experienced heart failure. The ambnce and few paramedics are too busy responding to other emergencies. The only hospital in North Dakota can¡¯t help her! We need to get her here within the next hour!¡±


    Chase¡¯s eyes hardened when he saw the raw desperation and fear in her watery eyes. He nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it, Mackenzie. She¡¯ll be okay. Don¡¯t cry.¡±


    He touched her cheekfortingly, then moved away. ¡°Got to make a call. Get your friend here.¡±


    Mackenzie nodded, hurrying back up into the house while blinking back the moisture in her eyes. Chase gave the Axford Medicals emergency response unit a call and ordered them to get one of the choppers ready to go to North Dakota and back, in limited time.


    He gave explicit orders to have a doctor and paramedics on board to keep the patient alive until they get back to the hospital.


    ¡°Charlotte!¡± Mackenzie called as she barreled into the living room. ¡°Get up and put on some shoes. We¡¯re going to get your mom right now!¡±


    Charlotte scrambled up, shocked and confused, yet hopeful at the same time. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll exin in the car, Let¡¯s go!¡±


    Charlotte moved with the speed of light, dashing around to wear some random shoes and cover herself up, just as Felicity walked out of the bathroom, carrying Calista¡¯s, whose small body was wrapped in a towel.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± She asked, sensing their urgency. After making Cameron take a nap, she had taken Calista to the bathroom to give her a bath, so anything going on outside the bathroom was obstructed by the sound of running water.


    ¡°We¡¯ll call you, I promise!¡± Mackenzie responded, following Charlotte who was already halfway through the door.


    Felicity looked worried, but she responded. ¡°Alright. Please call. And I¡¯ll handle the kids.¡±


    ***********


    Thanks to Chase¡¯s super fast car, they arrived at Axford Medicals in no time. Mackenzie had exined to Charlotte that Chase was helping them, and now several staff were leading them out of the elevator and onto the helicopter hangar on the building¡¯s roof top.


    It was so high up, that clouds could be seen in  some parts of the air below. The wind and noiseing from the rolling helicopter des were deafeningly loud.


    Staff had loaded the necessary equipment and stretcher into the chopper, and Mackenzie led Charlotte to them. Charlotte climbed in, and Mackenzie¡¯s was about to follow when Chase held her back.


    ¡°They¡¯ll need as much space as possible. Your friend will be fine.¡± He said.


    She nced back at Charlotte, who was trying to wipe her tears, looking at Mackenzie¡¯s tearfully and gratefully. ¡°I¡¯ll never forget this, Mackenzie. Thank you so much..¡±


    ¡°Anything for you, Charlotte. Now, go, there¡¯s no time!¡± Mackenzie responded.


    The staff pulled her in and ced a headset over her ears. Then the chopper door mmed close. Chase protectively ced an arm around Mackenzie¡¯s shoulders, shielding her from the surge of noise and wind as the chopper lifted into the air.


    His fingers held down her flying curls, preventing them from whipping against her face.


    He led her back into the elevator, and as things grew quiet, he briefly wondered if he should take Mackenzie to go see his father. But then he decided against it. He would take care of Mackenzie, makes sure shecked nothing.


    He just wanted her to ept him, and stop hiding away.


    Besides, he wanted his father¡¯s focus to be on the surgery. After he gets his treatment, and Mackenzie had finally taken up his offer, he would take her to him.


    The elevator opened on the floor to the private hospital cafeteria which the VIP patients like politicians, public figures and others, only had ess to. Patients who definitely would not like to share their privacy with regr people.


    Although, to be able to pay the bills in Axford Medicals, you¡¯re no regr person. VIP or not. The standards are high around here.


    Chase leads her to sit at the table furthest away from the rest of the practically empty cafeteria. Mackenzie was still visibly tense, constantly fidgeting with her fingers, worry in her eyes.


    ¡°She¡¯ll be fine.¡± Chase said. He was sitting right across her at the small table.


    Mackenzie sighed. ¡°I just hope she¡¯s able to make it here at least. I can¡¯t imagine losing Mrs. Weston. She¡¯s one of the women who filled in the role of a mother after my mom died while giving birth to me. She was a great help to my dad, who knew nothing about raising a tiny infant on his own. Along with Beatrice, Felicity¡¯s mom.


    ¡°I was fed with Mrs. Weston¡¯s breast milk, because she was also nursing Charlotte. She¡¯s like a mother to me. And I can¡¯t ¡­ I just can¡¯t bear to see Charlotte so lost and helpless¡­¡±


    Chase arched an eyebrow. ¡°I had no idea you and your friends have such a long history together.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    ¡°We¡¯re really close. Technically, Felicity is also my stepsister. My dad and her mother are now married. I¡¯ve known them all my life.¡±


    Chase gazed at her, watching the downward slope of her shoulders. The sadness in her beautiful hazel eyes, and her pretty face framed by long curls. She was still in her waitress uniform.


    She looked so tired and delicate, and he realized that life had been so cruel to her. At such a young age of neen, she got married to an asshole and spent years in a hellish marriage which eroded her self esteem and identity.


    She lost a baby. Next, she fell so ill. She went back to her father without anything to show for all her efforts. Then a divorce cameter with zeropensation.


    Chase could only admire her strength to keep going, and he could understand her fear of facing Jeffrey again. He vowed that he was going to make her life beautiful, and all her days of suffering would be over.

 CHAPTER 44 – EVERY WAY POSSIBLE

    When Chase makes herpletely his, no man would have even a shred of audacity to look in her general direction the wrong way. He would fucking gauge the eyes out of anyone that dared.


    His thoughts suddenly strayed back to Mackenzie¡¯s friends, and he remembered ¡°Uncle¡± Maverick. Something just didn¡¯t sit right about that man with him.


    ¡°Is that guy, Maverick, your Uncle?¡± He asked.


    Mackenzie looked up at him. ¡°Uh, no.¡± She let out a tiny smile. ¡°We just call him that out of habit.¡±


    Chase didn¡¯t like the fact that she smiled just at the mere mention of him. Jealousy reared its head in his mind. He asked again, ¡°Why would you three call him that out of habit, though?¡±


    ¡°Well, he and Charlotte are actually cousins. But he¡¯s older that us by a big gap, so he was always the protective figure when we girls were little kids. So we just started calling him that. Till today, he¡¯s still very protective of us.¡±


    Chase blinked, unimpressed.


    Protective? He wouldn¡¯t mind if that guy was protective over her friends, but not Mackenzie. Chase hated the way he kept fawning over her back when she was drunk, trying to steal her attention away and touching her so freely, at every opportunity.


    He leaned back into his seat, levelling her with a sudden using stare. ¡°Yeah. I noticed just how protective he was when you were dead drunkst night.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes widened, as she vaguely remembered the details of everything that happened back in the Nightshade Club and Bar. Tequ had the miraculous ability to wipe memories so she could not remember a lot.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Instead of worrying about what she might have done or not done, she chose to forget.


    She did remember running into that room to hide from Jeffrey. And Chase saved her. Everything else was a blur, except when she heard Uncle Maverick¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Uh. I didn¡¯t mean to get that drunk. I just wanted to have a good time with my friends. And Uncle Maverick was waiting to take us home safely.¡± She sounded defensive all of a sudden.


    ¡°Really?¡± Chase said. He was getting sick of hearing that guy¡¯s name. ¡°You were really recklessst night. You could have gotten hurt, or worse.¡±


    His voice had lowered, as he remembered her in nothing but her underwear, sexily asking him to take off her bra. Her beautiful eyes drawing him in seductively. Her soft voice asking, don¡¯t you want me?


    Fuck.


    She looked clueless though, like she had no idea what she did in the dark room. He considered mentioning it, just to see her reaction, but she would probably just be embarrassed. Especially when alcohol made her do it.


    He would prefer it if she could tell him those exact words¡­ but sober. He would not even fucking hesitate to take off every item of clothing on her skin and pleasure her in every way possible.


    He cleared his throat, wiping those naughty thoughts off and asked, ¡°So essentially, you three are close enough to Maverick to take care of his kids?¡±


    ¡°His kids? He has never even been married. We are the ones pestering him to get married, especially Charlotte. He¡¯s not reallymitted to anyone and I¡¯ve known him all my life. If he had kids, I would know.¡± She said.


    ¡°I saw him with some kids thoughst night, at your ce.¡± He said.


    Something screeched like a broken disk inside Mackenzie¡¯s mind. She went stone rigid, as she realized he was talking about her kids. He had seen them!! Panic was threatening to break out, but she knew that she could not let it show, or he would get curious.


    She nced off to the side to the counter. ¡°I want to order something. I¡¯m hungry.¡± She avoided the topic entirely.


    Of course, Chase noticed. But he let it go and made the orders. Throughout the meal, he kept noticing how nervous she had gotten, avoiding his gaze, fidgeting and rambling about Charlotte and her mom getting here fine.


    She was not even eating and she imed she was hungry.


    Chase was about to ask her why she was acting strange when he got a call from a staff member informing him that the chopper was back and they had the patient. He ended the call, ¡°They¡¯re here.¡±


    Mackenzie shot out of her seat, eager to leave his presence as soon as possible before he saw through her. ¡°That was fast. I¡¯ll go meet Charlotte, you can wait here.¡±


    He got up too. ¡°It¡¯s my hospital. My presence will make the staff work even faster.¡± He held her hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    As he led her out of the cafeteria, he knew she was just trying to get away from him and something wasn¡¯t right somewhere. He just wondered what.


    Mackenzie wanted to go up to the roof to meet them, but Chase knew they would already be in an elevator halfway down to the nearest ICU, so he suggested they head the same way.


    Soon, they got to the hallway leading to the ICU. Before they walked a few feet, some swinging doors burst open to reveal a team of nurses and doctors wheeling a stretcher down the hallway urgently.


    Mackenzie recognized Mrs. Westonying on the stretcher, looking so pale and sickly as the one of the nurses ced an oxygen mask over her nose. Her heart was shattered seeing the lovely woman in this state.


    Her eyes were sunken and her lips looked chapped. Even without being a medical specialist, she knew Mrs. Weston was hanging on by a thread.


    Charlotte knew that too, as her face was a picture of despair as she hurried after them, but some nurses cleared her back while they rushed into the ICU where cardiovascr specialists waited.


    Mackenzie ran over to her side, ¡°How¡¯s she holding up??¡±


    ¡°Someone gave her CPR before we arrived at North Dakota, but it wasn¡¯t enough. She was slipping away so fast. The staff were quick and skilled so they were able to stabilize her somehow, but it¡¯s very bad.¡± She sobbed. ¡°I¡¯m so scared, Mackenzie.¡±


    Mackenzie gave her a soft look, holding her close and rubbing her arm ¡°This is the best hospital in the country, Charlotte. She¡¯ll get world ss treatment here. She¡¯ll be okay.¡±


    Charlotte nodded, sniffling. ¡°I really, really hope so.  But I really can¡¯t thank you enough, Mackenzie. You have really saved me. And Chase, I don¡¯t even know how to show how grateful I am..¡±


    She broke down into more sobs. ¡°Our savings are gone, and I had nothing¡­ what if I actually had money, getting her here would have never be as fast as a chopper. I can¡¯t stop thinking of all the worst case scenarios¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Charlotte. Stop thinking of all those negative things, okay?¡± Mackenzieforted her.


    Charlotte stepped towards the door, ¡°I just want to see if-¡±


    A doctor stopped them from going any further, ¡°Please wait here, they are currently doing emergency electroshock to revive her for the surgery.¡±


    The sound of that made Charlotte sob harder. The doctor tried to reassure her, ¡°She¡¯s in safe hands. She¡¯ll make it.¡± He gave Chase a quick nod and went into the ICU.


    Mackenzie hugged her, ¡°Come on, stop crying ande eat something. You¡¯ll feel better.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not hungry..¡±


    ¡°You have to eat, okay? Let¡¯s go.¡± Mackenzie pulled her along. ¡°We¡¯ll be back, Chase.¡± She said to him.


    He nodded, shoving his hands into his pockets.


    As they turned the corner, Mackenzie tried to distract Charlotte from her anxiety. ¡°Felicity must be so worried by now. We should call her and properly exin what¡¯s going on to her.¡±


    She slid her phone out and dialed Felicity¡¯s number. After a moment, she answered, ¡°Kenzie! Finally, I was so worried!¡±


    ¡°So sorry we couldn¡¯t call earlier. Things have been so chaotic. Charlotte¡¯s mom is in critical condition. She copsed.¡± Mackenzie exined. ¡°We managed to get Chase to help us transfer her to his hospital as fast as possible. We were in such a hurry, that¡¯s why we couldn¡¯t wait to exin it all.¡±


    ¡°Oh my god, that¡¯s terrible.¡± She gasped. ¡°Charlotte? Are you handling this well? Mrs. Weston will be fine, right?¡±


    It was Charlotte who spoke this time. Her voice was hoarse from crying for hours. ¡°Her chances of survival are better here than any other ce. I saw the way the Axford Medicals response team worked first hand. I have never seen anything like this. If not for them¡­ she would have¡­¡± The rest of her words died into a choke.


    Mackenzie sighed, ¡°I¡¯m taking Charlotte to go eat something. We¡¯ll stay here for the surgery ande home soon.¡± Her voice lowered into a whisper. ¡°Give my babies a kiss for me, okay?¡±


    ¡°Alright, Kenzie.¡± Felicity said softly. ¡°Please take care, Charlotte.¡±


    Mackenzie ended the call, patting Charlotte¡¯s shoulderfortingly.

 CHAPTER 45 – HEARTTHROB TURN HEARTBREAKER

    In the next three days, Charlotte spent most of her time in the hospital with her mother who has a sessful surgery and has been stabilized. She was still hospitalized for further supervision.


    Meanwhile, Chase was in his office, with a pile of paperwork on therge, executive desk in front of him. Yet all he could think of was the fact that Mackenzie had epted his offer, finally.


    When she said it earlier, when asking for his help to save her friend¡¯s mother, he had thought it was just her panic and desperation talking.


    But, after Mrs. Weston was out of surgery and safe, Mackenzie still told him that she would work for him. Of course, he was only able to help Charlotte¡¯s situation because of Mackenzie, but he didn¡¯t do it to force or ckmail her into working for him.


    But, she had finally given a positive answer anyway, and he dly took the opportunity. It was what he had been dying to hear all this time, but when she finally did, she began to avoid him.


    For the past two days, she had been so distant, that he  was constantly wondering why she began to act like that all of a sudden, ever since the hospital Cafeteria. At least, she would not be able to avoid him anymore, since she is officially resuming her work duties today.


    He flipped over a document, just as Nora, his assistant, walked in holding a cup of rich and exquisite ck coffee, strong and without sugar or any additives, just as he liked his coffee. She elegantly ced it on the ss surface of the table, away from the documents, but close enough to him.


    Chase picked up the warm coffee and took a sip. It suited his taste as always. He ced it back on the table and nced at Nora, asking,


    ¡°Have you sent the driver to bring Miss Torsney over?¡±


    Nora had been watching the CEO¡¯s exchange with Miss Torsney from the sidelines, ever since the day he stumbled upon her design entry, and now, she was no longer surprised by how fixated he was on her.


    ¡°Yes sir.¡± She answered politely. Then added, ¡°There is something you have to see, sir.¡±


    Chase had already moved his attention back to his paperwork, and he answered detachedly, ¡°I will check it out when I¡¯m done with these.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± She said, and lowered herself in a polite bow before walking out of his office, short heels clicking briskly. While she returns to her spot outside Chase¡¯s office, he repeatedly checked the time in anticipation of Mackenzie¡¯s arrival.


    But the person that barged through the door in the next second, was definitely not Mackenzie.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    It was West, crashing into the office in his loud, annoying manner without knocking to show any respect or regard for the CEO. Even Nora, Chase¡¯s assistant had given up on West a long time ago.


    Chase¡¯s hand paused on a document, and he sighed internally.


    What is it this fucking time, he thinks to himself.


    West bustled closer, clutching an Apple iPad. ¡°You have to see this, Chase! You absolutely have to take a look at this!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fucking working, West. Can¡¯t you see?¡± Chase asked, in a t tone.


    West gestured at the paperwork. ¡°Trust me, this is far more important than the mountain of papers you¡¯re currently drowning in, cousin. If that¡¯s the average CEO workload, then I feel sorry for you.¡±


    He thrust the iPad in front of Chase¡¯s face, and Chase pierced West with a t re before lowering his eyes to the screen. It was a picture of him. Not just any picture, but of him protectively holding Mackenzie back, while aggressively facing the bastard who had the guts to harass her.


    In that restaurant.


    Chase looked unimpressed, rolling his eyes nonchntly. ¡°Is this what got you so excited?¡±


    West shook his head, swiping this finger down the screen. ¡°Look at the headline of the article, Chase! It¡¯s so fucking scandalous.¡±


    Chase looked at it. It read, YOUNG BILLIONAIRE HEARTTHROB, CHASE AXFORD, ENGAGES IN BAR FIGHT OVER A WAITRESS. No surprise his marriage is fighting for it¡¯s life.


    ¡°Heartthrob turned heartbreaker has shocked the inte with this unruly behavior. The world has not recovered from his divorce scandal, now this leaked picture reveals another scandal? What if Chase Axford ispletely different from what we know?¡±


    Chase looked away from the article, reclining in his swivel chair and letting out a sigh.


    West withdrew the iPad and arched an eyebrow, brushing one hand through his hair in typical yboy manner.


    ¡°You know what I was thinking when I read the entire article? Or rather, who was in my mind the whole time? Selene. I mean, this has Selene¡¯s handwriting all of it, but then, how was that picture taken? She would not pay paparazzi to stalk you, would she?¡±


    Chase answered monotonously. ¡°This is definitely something Selene could pull off out of spite.¡±


    But he was not bothered one bit. He got up from this chair and called the security guard in charge of bringing Mackenzie over, ¡°Where are you?¡±


    ¡°Sir, we are almost at the building. Miss Torsney is right here in the car.¡±


    ¡°Hurry. Come in through the back entrance, and avoid the front.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    As Chase ended the call, West asked, ¡°Who is that? Are you getting awyer to sue the asses of the people who put this fucking article together?¡± His eyes grew thoughtful. ¡°But I honestly think you should not respond to this. It seems like they¡¯re taunting you to get a reaction.


    ¡°A lot of people have their sights set on you recently, wanting to pick apart every move you make. The inte is crazy, Chase, and a lot of people will criticize every move you make, every step you take, whether wrong or right. They¡¯ll twist and interpret whatever you do into something that suits their theories.¡±


    West took a few steps forward, stroking his chin in thought. ¡°They don¡¯t even know what Selene did, that contributed to this divorce scandal. They are on her side because she always promotes this fake image of being the innocent, beautiful, sweet and perfect wife. As long as that image is still in people¡¯s minds, they¡¯ll be watching you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, West. I never nned on doing anything about that trash article. I don¡¯t give a shit about the attention seeking fucks that put it together.¡±


    West nodded in approval. ¡°I know you don¡¯t.¡± Then his voice grew serious, which was so unlike his personality. ¡°But this has broken the inte. That picture, that article¡­ it had made things pretty worse. I mean, the divorce scandal already caused a zing inferno¡­ but now? This article has started a wildfire. You name is the fucking most searched today.


    ¡°The worst part? People are already digging up information on the woman you are holding in that picture, who I¡¯m sure is Jeffrey¡¯s ex-wife, Mackenzie. Am I right, Chase?¡±


    West stared at Chase, with a serious expression on his face. His brain was about to explode from thinking about this new development, and the many questions he had. Yet, Chase stood there, so calmly and silent.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on, Chase?¡± He asked. ¡°We all thought Mackenzie went back to North Dakota with her father? So what is she doing in Greensville? In a waitress uniform? And how did you even fucking meet her? And you were holding her hand?


    ¡°Cousin, you were even fighting for her, so much so that you almost pulled out a grown man¡¯s fucking hand, because of her. What the hell, Chase? What is even going on?¡±


    West inched closer, ¡°I am dying of curiosity right fucking now. Come on, tell me. You know you can always tell me anything. I got you.¡±


    Chase gave him a dismissive look. ¡°I have nothing to tell you, West. So you might as well go back to work. As you can see, I was right in the fucking middle of a very important work when you came in.¡±


    ¡°Right. How could I forget dismissing people is your style. Well, you can simply dismiss me, Chase, I¡¯m not going nowhere.¡± He flopped down onto the seat in front of Chase¡¯s desk. ¡°So about that call you made¡­ who¡¯sing?¡±


    Chase didn¡¯t bother to respond, but that didn¡¯t faze West, who continued talking anyway,


    ¡°This article is definitely going to affect the stock prices. I mean, the board of directors have been patient with all of this drama, so far, because you had lifted thepany, made the profits skyrocket and broke so many global  records. But now, they would want an exnation from you.


    ¡°Especially since every single thing in your private life affects the stock prices¡­¡±


    As West spoke, The security led Mackenzie to Chase¡¯s office and she stood in the doorway, pausing when she saw that Chase was with someone inside.


    In that moment, West nced at the door, and froze in shock when his eyes locked on Mackenzie.

 CHAPTER 46 – KEEP MY WORD

    West was thoroughly dumbfounded, staring through the ss door at Mackenzie standing right in front of it. He could barely even believe his own eyes. He had just been talking about her, and she is suddenly standing there!


    He nced at Chase, who was staring at Mackenzie as well, and looked back at her, mouth dropping. The wheels in his head were spinning and clicking as he tried to fit the puzzle pieces all together.


    Mackenzie swallowed, pressing her hands against her skirt in a bid to remain calm and collected. Of course, she was shocked to see West in here so soon. In the car ride on the way here, she had known she would meet a lot of people who knew her from her marriage with Jeffrey.


    Including West. So she had mentally prepared to face him, but she never expected it to be so soon. In Chase¡¯s office of all ces. Her eyes slid to Chase, and he motioned for her toe in.


    The security guard pushed the ss open, ushering her inside. When she stepped through, he closed the door, lowered his head politely and walked away. Mackenzie¡¯s heels clicked against the ss floor as she walked further into the office.


    Like the ss walls, the floor glistened over therge expanse of space that made up the office. Chase¡¯srge leather chair and ss desk stood at the far end, near the wall that gave an outside view of the skyscrapers and city line of Greenville.


    Some white couches were arranged in a circle at another part, with a ss table in the middle.


    An abstract onyx painting spanned an entire wall, and a projector screen hung in a corner. So much ss looked fragile, but was actually more solid than steel. It screamed wealth.


    Chase moved away from his desk and strode over to the couches, ushering Mackenzie to a seat. She slowly lowered herself into the softness, crossing her legs modestly and trying not to crumble under West¡¯s uncontrolled stares.


    Chase turned to face West, saying pointedly, ¡°I believe your business here is done, West.¡±


    He shook his head, jumping out of his seat to walk closer to the couches. His eyes were wide as he stared Mackenzie up and down, and stuttered out, ¡°Y-yes, I know, Chase. But¡­ but, wait. Let me get something right, real quick.¡±


    He let out a surprised smile, ¡°Mackenzie? It¡¯s you right? Jeffrey¡¯s ex-wife-¡±


    ¡°West. Leave.¡± Chase cut in, spearing him with a re.


    West was not listening, he was too fascinated by who he was seeing right now. Almost like he could not believe it. ¡°Mackenzie. I¡¯m so shocked to see you. I barely even recognize you! You look so different now. You changed, for real.¡±


    His eyes roamed over her face and he gave a flirty smile. ¡°I never knew you were this beautiful.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fucking it.¡± Chase snapped and straightened up, moving to grab West and lead him towards the door.


    West managed to steal a couple of nces back at her, with a grin, until Chase shoved him through the doorway and shut the door in his face. Mackenzie kept staring at the space in front of her, releasing a shaky breath now that West was gone.


    Her eyes lowered, her mind gued with the realization that those who knew her here would only see her as Jeffrey¡¯s ex-wife, and nothing else. Despite how hard she was trying to be free of him, his influence still hung around her like a shroud, and followed her around like a hound.


    Chase returned to the couch, saying, ¡°I¡¯m sorry about West. Just ignore him.¡±


    She still said nothing, and he fixed his gaze on her. She really looked amazing, even if he hated the way West brazenly blurted it out. Her hair was pulled into a bun at her nape, and he could see the wispy curls of baby hairs under the roll of her hair.


    She was in ck and white smooth office skirt and a silk blouse that sensually hinted at her curves. It was better to see her in a standard office dress code than in some waitress uniform.


    Stepping closer, he pulled her bun loose, tucking her hair band into his pocket. She slowly looked up at him, her hair falling down her shoulders.


    ¡°You should always leave your hair down. No one will question it. Actually, it¡¯s an order, Mackenzie. Leave your hair down.¡±


    She felt her face heat at the fixation he seemed to have with seeing her hair flowing down and untouched, but she could not let out a smile, because she was stillrgely ufortable. And Chase sensed it, so he went to sit on the couch opposite her, instead of beside her like he wanted.


    He held her gaze, both of them going silent. Mackenzie found herself getting nervous by his proximity. He always looked drop dead gorgeous, but she could never handle having him brazenly stare at her with those beautiful sea blue eyes.


    His dark hair was tousled, a few strands flirting down to his perfect eyebrows. Not only did he have a blush-triggering face, his body was to die-for. Sometimes she wondered if he had any idea how attractive he was. But of course he would know. Why else would every magazinepany in Greenville be ving after him?


    His money and status were not the only reasons the paparazzi were obsessed with him. It was his looks as well. His aura. His power. His appeal.


    She averted her gaze, and nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. That gesture drew Chase¡¯s attention to her ear, and he saw that she was wearing one of the earrings he had sent her. The onyx one.


    Seeing something he picked, on her, filled him with some obsessive male satisfaction.


    ¡°You finally made your pick.¡± He said. ¡°It looks good on you.¡±


    She really did look far better now, because Charlotte¡¯s mom was finally awake in the hospital, and she could stop worrying about her.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Thank you for the earrings.¡± She says softly.


    ¡°My pleasure, Mackenzie. I¡¯ve bought them all for you. Keep all of them and use them as you please.¡± He answered. Then briefly wondered if she had seen the article West showed him.


    But then he knew that if she had seen it, she probably would not be here. All this time, she had tried to stay hidden. Chase remembered the terror in her eyes that night at the Nightshade Club when Jeffrey was following her.


    The raw fear she had felt. He could only imagine that fear multiplied tenfold once she hears about the picture and article. Her entire cover was blown.


    Jeffrey would know she was near.


    Mackenzie let out a breath and looked back up at him, ¡°Most people here will only see me as your brother¡¯s ex-wife. That¡¯s why I did not want to ept your offer. I had wanted to stay away from your family, and anything they were affiliated with. But it¡¯s toote now.¡±


    She had also thought of the positive side of the situation. She had been able to hire a nanny for her kids. They could go back to school since there was no reason for Chase to randomly appear and risk discovering them, now that she had epted his offer.


    Charlotte could focus on her job hunt, and making sure her mother stays healthy. Felicity could also have more time on her hands to focus on her job.


    Mackenzie spoke up, ¡°I want to be clear on something though. I¡¯m doing this because of the great help you have been to Mrs. Weston. Your help saved her life.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do anything for my friends, that¡¯s why I¡¯m here. In a normal situation, I would rather work as a cleaner than here, no matter the amount offered to me.¡±


    That stung Chase within, but he showed no change in expression outside. ¡°I would have still helped, whether or not you promised to work with me.¡±


    Mackenzie responded. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. I made a promise and I intend to keep my word.¡±


    ¡°It matters. Because I care about you, Mackenzie.¡± He said quietly. She looked at him, startled by his admission. He continued, ¡°I don¡¯t want you to cry, or be in pain. I did it because I would do anything to ease your distress.¡±


    He gazed at her, wishing she hade to him because of him, and nothing else. But he knew they really had a long way to go with each other, especially now that that picture was out in the world and she was exposed.


    She could try to hide from him again.


    Mackenzie was ufortable with him saying he cared about her so openly, so she changed the topic.  ¡°As a new employee of yours, there are some things I¡¯d like to clear out.¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be driven around by your security. I canmute to work by myself.¡± She said. ¡°And I¡¯ll clock out by four pm everyday.¡±


    Chase was quiet for a moment wondering why she would demand to leave that early. It was slightly odd to him. But then again, her job was different from arge percentage of the staff. So, she deserved it.


    He gave a slight nod. ¡°Alright. Anything else?¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s it.¡± She responded.


    Chase felt like she had something to hide. Her evasive attitude, extra defensiveness, anxiety and panic when he first discovered that she was in Greensville. At first, he thought she was acting out like that because there was a threat to her somewhere.


    So he had done some background checks on her friends. He was obsessed with Mackenzie and how safe she was with the people she considered her friends. Not that he doubted them, but he had to do his digging to befortable.


    He didn¡¯t get any interesting information on them, until he came across pictures of two little kids. The same ones he saw with Maverick the other night. But this time, he saw the little girl¡¯s face clearly. She looked familiar in a way, but he couldn¡¯t ce it.


    The little boy¡¯s features were in the shadows, so there was not much to see. But then, he realized there was no real threat, but she was still acting strange sometimes. Mackenzie never mentioned whose kids they were back in the cafeteria when she rified that they were not Maverick¡¯s.


    Instead she had brushed the conversation away nervously and never spoke about it again. He could not bring up his suspicions, because he didn¡¯t want her to pull away again, now that she was finallying out of her walls.


    But he was also worried about her reaction when she sees the article and her picture on every phone in Greensville. Chase didn¡¯t care, personally, but he knew Mackenzie would freak out. So he had to take care of it for her sake, without telling her. That would only bring her unnecessary fear.


    He saw that she was still not rxed, so he got up to ring his assistant, asking, ¡°How do you like your coffee?¡±


    ¡°I stopped drinking coffee after my surgery. I¡¯ll have tea.¡± She answered. At that moment, Nora walked in.


    ¡°You called, sir?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Come back shortly and show Miss Torsney around.¡± Chase said. Nora nodded and gave Mackenzie a polite smile, ¡°It will be my pleasure. I¡¯m Nora, The CEO¡¯s assistant. I¡¯m d to see you again.¡±


    Mackenzie smiled back. After the assistant left, Chase unbuttoned the sleeves of his shirt and pulled them up to his elbows, revealing his tan, strong and veined forearms.


    Mackenzie tried not to stare, asking, ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°I have tea here. I¡¯ll make some for you.¡± He nced back at her with a look in his eyes that was hotter than any tea he could make.  Her throat suddenly went dry, and she could only nod.

 CHAPTER 47 – TAKE THEM DOWN

    After Mackenzie had her tea and followed Nora for a tour around the building, Selene came crashing into Chase¡¯s office. She was livid  after seeing the article with the leaked picture of Chase and Mackenzie. Like the rest of the world, Selene was in shock.


    ¡°Chase!¡±


    Chase looked away from theptop, with a look in his eyes that showed all he considered her as, was a nuisance.


    ¡°What is this picture I¡¯m seeing everywhere, Chase?! What were you doing with her?? Mackenzie?¡± She spat that name like it was synonymous with trash.


    ¡°How dare you let people see you with that lowlife? How can you humiliate me like this, publicly showing yourself with a low ss bitch?! How can you drag my reputation in the mud?!¡±


    Her voice was echoing all through the office, green eyes livid with fury and Chase stared at her carefully. It did not seem like even Selene knew what was going on. That meant he might have to rule her out from his suspect list.


    He reached forward to press a button on his desk, which activated the privacy screens, and they slowly slid to cover the ss walls, protecting the office from any prying eyes.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you saying anything, Chase?! Oh, you feel I don¡¯t deserve an exnation for all of this madness-¡±


    ¡°-shut the fuck up, Selene.¡± Chase snapped coldly. He straightened up from his seat and moved away from his desk.


    Did Selene shut the fuck up? No. She took a step forward, her amber hair flying behind her and her eyes wide with deep malice.


    ¡°What can she do that anyone else can¡¯t? That I can¡¯t? You keep talking like I destroyed this marriage when I¡¯m really not all that guilty! Because what is this I¡¯m seeing on the inte? You going around touching some other filthy woman?!


    ¡°When did you ever do that with me, your wife? I only slept with other people because you didn¡¯t put me first. You neglected me, and I would go crazy if I don¡¯t get care from somewhere else!¡± She paused and pinched the skin between her eyes, letting out a crazy smile.


    ¡°I just want to believe that you were only helping that bitch as your brother¡¯s ex-wife, and the article is only spewing nonsense. Where did that bitch even pop out from!? Mackenzie? What hole did she crawl out of?! That pathetic-¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Chase cut her off in a voice that had gone dangerously tense, dark and threatening.


    He was filled with a cold deadly rage at Selene for daring to say such things about Mackenzie to his face. He took a step towards her, and she froze. Her eyes slowly filled with fright when she saw the murderous anger swirling in his eyes. She swallowed, goosebumps peppering her arms.


    She took a few more steps back, breaking eye contact with her heart pounding. Chase looked like he was ready to snap her in half just for talking about Mackenzie. It made the realization slowly dawn on Selene, that whatever was between him and Mackenzie, was far more than what she suspected.


    Chase stopped in front of her, giving her a final warning. ¡°Say her name one more time, and I¡¯ll ruin your entire life, and that of your family.¡±


    He stared at her then make sure his words sink into her fucking mind. He watched her face pale, and he knew she understood that he was dead serious.  Turning back to his desk, he picked up a file and flung it at her.


    It hit her hand, and she was too stunned to even catch it, so it crashed to the floor, spilling its contents. Selene nced down at what poured out of the file, to realize that they were pictures of her, with different men, in incriminating positions, suggestive angles that gave a clear message.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    That she was sleeping with the men in Chase¡¯s circle.


    Dread slowly climbed up her throat like a suffocating vice,  that she could barely remember how to breathe. Shock rolled off her in waves, and she stiffly stopped to pick the pictures up. Seeing these pictures, she was sure that she had no leverage over Chase anymore.


    He had leverage over her all along, because these pictures had been taken a while back.


    Chase picked up a fresh set of divorce papers and walked over to her, grabbing her other hand and shoving it in.


    ¡°I give you till the end of today, Selene, to sign the divorce papers. If you do not sign these papers, I will send those pictures to the most influential, and bloodthirsty reporters. They will create an entire mess, of your secrets.


    ¡°They will tear you apart, Selene, because they will finally have what they have been starving for this whole time. My own side of the story. You think you y dirty? I can y much more dirty, and dangerous games, Selene.¡±


    She trembled, as his words sank in. She looked up from the incriminating pictures, at him with sudden tears of anger shining in her green eyes.


    ¡°I had no idea you were such a monster. I have been married to a fucking demon all along!¡± Her voice trembled. ¡°I¡¯m going to your father. He will never let this divorce happen.¡±


    Chase gave her a dark smile. ¡°Doing that will only be futile, and embarrassing to yourself. My father already knows about all your secret escapades. Your pretense of being the perfect daughter-inw will not work on him anymore. Save your pathetic self the further humiliation.¡±


    His harsh, ruthless and burning words seared a path deep into the core of Selene¡¯s soul. She was frozen solid with shock. Mr. Richard Axford knew all about her infidelity?


    Could this day get any worse.


    She let out a small huff, smiling at the floor while her eyes filled with burning hot tears. Her veins pumped anger, and when she met Chase¡¯s eyes again, her voice shook with resentment,


    ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll sign the fucking divorce papers, but you think you won, right?! Think again! You will never be happy after this, I promise you that! Does Jeffrey know that Mackenzie is back in Greensville? Oh, he divorced her so he probably doesn¡¯t give a fuck, does he?


    ¡°I am sure he has seen the article, anyway, wouldn¡¯t he love to see his younger brother holding his ex-wife and being her knight in shining fucking armor?!¡± Selene narrowed her eyes, voice nearing hysterics, ¡°I fucking hope it is not what I¡¯m thinking, Chase! Because I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯ll never be happy..!¡±


    As Selene raved on, Chase had already called the security up, and they burst into the office, ready to get rid of any one disturbing the CEO. They paused when they saw Selene, looking at Chase was confirmation.


    Selene let out a scoff, feeling like she had just been pped on the face. Chase called the security on her?


    ¡°Take her out.¡± Chase ordered in a cold tone.


    They moved immediately towards her, all three of them. She waved them off, yelling at the top of her lungs, ¡°I know my fucking way out! Don¡¯t fucking touch me with those miserable, grubby and disgusting hands of yours!!¡±


    ¡°If you really know your way out, you should have left a fucking long time ago.¡± Chase responded tly.


    She snarled at him, shoving the files into her bag. One of the security moved closer to her, ¡°Please move it, ma¡¯am, or we¡¯ll have to move you.¡±


    ¡°Shut the fuck up, bastard!¡± She spat at that guard, and gave Chase onest hateful re.


    She then stormed across the office to the door, heels cking loudly, hair flying and hips swaying in her tiny dress. She was trying to look as undefeated as possible, but her shoulders trembled with defeat, humiliation and anger. The guards followed her closely, till the door was shut behind them.


    Chase returned to his seat and reclined in it, thinking about how Selene had reacted to the article,ining about her reputation being damaged. Yes, Selene could do something like this, but not when it could lead to her own humiliation.


    So who was behind this?


    What the fuck was their agenda? He wondered. If Selene had seen it, Jeffrey would have too. And that was Mackenzie¡¯s worst nightmare. And he had to protect her from it.


    He called his assistant into his office, and she stood by his desk, hands sped.


    ¡°Where is Miss Torsney?¡±


    ¡°Her work station is ready, so she is in her office, sir.¡± Nora responded


    ¡°Watch over her and provide anything she might need. Answer all her questions and give any exnations as clearly as possible . Cancel all my appointments for today and get to the bottom of the article circting about me, and her¡± He ordered.


    ¡°I want names. Names of the living, breathing people who dared to do something like that. Contact thepany in charge of that article and give them a direct order from me to take it down, or I¡¯ll take them down.¡±

 CHAPTER 48 – EYES ON THE PRIZE

    Jeffrey stared at his phone, at the picture of Chase and Mackenzie. Mackenzie. She was the only person in the picture that caught his interest. His onyx eyes were filled with shock, roaming her face on the screen. She looked different. With her thick, long curls left untouched, unlike how he remembered her always straightening till the point where he felt sickened just by looking at her.


    He could see she was glowing, even when she was not directly facing the camera. But he still could not believe it was her. He say in absolutely stunned silence.


    His mother had paid a reporter to stalk Chase in other to dig around for some dirt on him. Instead of the reporter capturing a juicy secret they could wield as a weapon against him, to show the board of directors and win them over, but he had gotten something even more shocking.


    Something Jeffrey never expected.


    He could not believe Chase was with Mackenzie. What was she even doing in Greensville? She had run off to North Dakota, and did not even show up after that since the divorce was conducted easily ad peacefully without them setting eyes on each other.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Jeffrey frowned again. Why the hell was Chase with her? Did that mean Chase had known she was in the city all along?


    For how long had she been right under their noses?


    Suddenly, he remembered something that happened a few nights back when he was dead drunk at the Nightshade Club and Bar. After that night, he had thought his drunken mind had just been ying tricks on him, but he could swear he saw someone that looked like Mackenzie back there.


    The person walked like her. The same curly dark hair, the same build and height. He only didn¡¯t see her face.


    And the woman had been trying to get away from him when he called her back. He had followed her till he finally lost track of her¡­ and instead met ¡­ Chase.


    Wait a second.


    He looked down at the picture. Chase and Mackenzie. He recalled meeting Chase in the hallway where thedy had vanished. Could it be¡­?


    ¡°No.¡± He muttered to himself, brushing the thought away.


    There¡¯s no way that was Mackenzie. She was such a naive little female who had no business in such a high profile club as the Nightshade Club. Besides, she knows nothing about clubbing. She was just a dumb young woman from the suburbs who knew nothing about life in a city like Greensville.


    Eleanor stopped her pacing and nced back at Jeffrey. She watched him with displeasure and moved to knock his phone to the couch.


    ¡°There¡¯s no time to sit around staring at a screen, Jeffrey!¡± She ranted. ¡°The article is giving amazing results, as the stock prices have dropped again. At this point, the board of directors would not stay still anymore, so it is your chance to swoop in and take charge!¡±


    She ced her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes at her son. ¡°Nobody really realizes or cares you are the stepson. All they see is a magnificentpany with two sons who could take the lead at any turn of events. Everybody wants to be on the side of the son who is doing better, and Chase isn¡¯t right now.


    ¡°First his messy divorce, now this scandal. The board of directors would want someone who makes them reassured in this period. And that should be you! You are as much your father¡¯s son as Chase is, so this is what we¡¯re going to do-¡±


    Her words are cut short when she saw that Jeffrey was barely listening. He was still lost in his thoughts.


    Frustrating colored her face as she yelled, ¡°Jeffrey!¡±


    He jolted out of his thoughts and nced at her. She moved closer, ¡°I¡¯m talking to you! How can you sit there and let your mind wander while we have this opportunity? This is the golden opportunity we have been looking for.¡±


    Jeffrey asked quietly, ¡°Mother, did you know Mackenzie was in Greensville all this time?¡±


    Eleanor face squeezed in disdain at the mention of that name.


    She straightened up and let out a scoff, ¡°Who cares about that miserable brat? You do not have to worry about her, son. She is way too timid and weak for her to be of any interest to us. And if, by any chance, she does anything crazy, I could so easily squash her like a mere bug.¡±


    ¡°While chasing a lion, we found a pathetic little mouse. Would it not be far easier, and more enjoyable to crush a mouse than a lion? Our reporter did not get what we had initially wanted, but this picture is more than enough. Actually, it¡¯s better than our expectations.


    ¡°The inte is in chaos over this. And surely, that reflects on the investments and stocks. So, Jeffrey, we just have to keep an eye on her and destroy her if she steps out of her pathetic little line.¡±


    Jeffrey listened to Eleanor¡¯s words, his eyebrows narrowed into a frown.


    She continued enthusiastically, her hair swaying around her neck.


    ¡°Do not be bothered by her. Was that not a waitress uniform she had on? Our reporter can give us the address of that ce, and we can easily find her if we need to. Pathetic little mouse. She¡¯s such a piece of cake. Our main goal is to attack Chase.¡±


    She turned back to Jeffrey, lowering her face so she stared into his  eyes with a hard look.


    ¡°Now, eyes on the price, Jeffrey. We want you to be the CEO, have equal shares of thepany.¡±


    Jeffrey sounded envious when he reminded Eleanor, ¡°You are forgetting something, mother. When fatherpletely steps down, he still remains the chairman of the conglomerate. And in the process of doing that, he might pass all of his shares to Chase. If he does that, Chase would have the most control over Axford.¡±


    Eleanor let out a little, evilugh.


    Jeffery blinked, wondering what the hell she found so funny about what he just said. She smiled at him, eyes twinkling.


    ¡°Listen, son. Richard is sick and he might actually die. So do not worry about that at all. I would be worried about his will, instead.¡±


    Jeffrey went rigid with shock. Then managed to utter, ¡°How? What? How do you even know that?¡±


    ¡°Do you think, for even one second, that I believed that cock and bull story of him going to the hospital for medical checkups? I am not a damn doctor, or nurse, but I know that no check ups canst for so many days.¡±


    She sneered, ¡°Is he trying to pass it up as bed rest? And even if it is a check up, as his wife, he should have had mee visit him a few times already. But no, he tells me not to worry about him. Hm, like I ever was. ¡±


    He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. ¡°Are you sure of this, mother? That father is sick?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Don¡¯t worry about how credible my information is, I have great and reliable sources. I have my ways in the hospital. Do you think I could have survived in this family for years without picking up a few things and learning how the wealthy people y their dirty chess games with people¡¯s lives?¡±


    She ced a hand on Jeffery¡¯s, giving him a determined look.


    ¡°I came here prepared. And I will do anything for you, my son. You have to climb the highestdder and sit right at the top. You have to be the true leader of Axford, and be inplete control. I made the mistake of having you with a useless wife beater and excuse of a man. But now, I am ready to atone for it, by giving you everything you never had as a kid.¡±


    ¡°Now, we would get what we want. What we have waited so long for. What I have been preparing for. To grab any opportunity open to me, or create an opportunity myself as we have done with this article. So, get ready son. We have a battle before us.¡±


    She got up from the couch and walked out of the room. Jeffrey stared after her, head crowded with her words, the article, Mackenzie and Chase.


    He ran both hands through his hair and let out a loud sigh.


    ¡°Fuck, I need a damn drink.¡±


    He got up from the couch and moved to the bar area of the room, grabbing an expensive bottle of alcohol. He grabbed a ss and poured in some of the dark brown liquid. Setting the bottle down, he raised the ss to his lips and gulped down the liquor.


    It burned down his throat, but immediately gave him the rity he needed.


    He mped the ss back on the counter and let out a sigh. Now, Jeffrey knew exactly what he had to do.

 CHAPTER 49 – CLOSE TO IMPOSSIBLE

    Mackenzie walked inside her new office, and was stunned at how beautiful it looked. It wasrge, by her standards, butpared to most of the offices she had seen here in the Axford Furniture Company, she realized it was more on the medium side.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    There is a couch next to the wall, which looked veryfortable to sit on, and even sleep in.


    Not that she nned to sleep during work, or spend all-nighters in the office. There¡¯s a door that led off into the restroom.


    She moved to her desk to look over the stack of sketch pads where she can do her designs, since she preferred to do them manually than digitally.


    Her eyes spot some pink flowers that looked incredibly familiar. Pink Cami flowers. The beautiful petals were blooming in their vase, under the sunlight streaming in from the window. She narrowed her eyes, as it suddenly clicked.


    The flowers, always being wherever she went.


    Her home in North Dakota. Her apartment in Greensville. Now, her office. She could not understand how she never realized this before¡­ that it was Chase who had been sending them all along. He was the one who had the resources to know her every location, and regrly send things there without revealing his own identity.


    It was him.


    She let out a small huff of disbelief, crossing her arms. But then she remembered she still had her first task of today, which was to have a meeting with the head of the factory workers to go over the next designs that would go into production.


    It still amazed her how much power and control she had been given over the factory production. She was well aware, that in anotherpany, she would not be given this much importance and would not have much of a say.


    Especially as a new employee.


    The old people in charge would want to impose their power over her. But not here. Chase would definitely not allow that.


    She grabbed her handbag, and a sketch pad, because she also intended to get the theme for the designs from the head of factory workers. As she moved around, gathering her things, there¡¯s a knock on the door.


    She moves to open the door, to see Chase looming in the doorway. Her pulse quickened at the sight of him, like it always does. He was in one of those dress shirts of his that looked like raw seduction, hinting at every inch of male goodness thatid beneath the fabric.


    She had been so anxious in his office , earlier, because of West, that she had not really been able to feel anything else.


    But now¡­ with those sea blue eyes staring down at  her¡­ she felt fear creep up the sides of her neck.


    Chase finally spoke, ¡°There is one of your terms I can not keep to, Mackenzie.¡±


    She frowned slightly, then asked, ¡°Which one?¡±


    He arched an eyebrow, ¡°Will you not let me in?¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± She gasped, then immediately stepped backwards, holding the door open wider. ¡°Come in.¡±


    He stepped into the office, which is immediately dwarfed by his presence. He nced around, before resting his gaze back on her. There¡¯s something about his tone as he asked her,


    ¡°How do you like your office? Do you have anyints?¡±


    She nodded, returning his gaze. ¡°I think my office is too close to yours, Chase. You can literally see me all the way from your office.¡±


    The small smile that appeared on his face made her heart stutter. His eyes glinted as he answered, ¡°That¡¯s the point. I want my eyes on you all the time.¡±


    She tried not to show how much his words affected her. So she cleared her throat and broke eye contact for a moment. She tucked a wispy curls behind her ear.


    ¡°Secondly, I think this office is a little too much for me.¡± She gave an awkward huff. ¡°I looks even better than your secretary¡¯s. It makes me feel some type of way.¡±


    Chase tilted his head slightly. ¡°Don¡¯t put yourself down. You deserve a great office, even if it seems better than that of the people you met here. And besides, everyone¡¯s job here is important. So, is there something you like at least?¡±


    Mackenzie sighed, then nced at the window.


    ¡°I like the fact that sunlightes in that window.¡± Her eyes fell on the pink Cami flowers, and she slowly turned back to look at him. She was slightly caught off guard when she saw that the look in his eyes had darkened to a more intense one.


    ¡°You are the sender of the pink Cami flowers, aren¡¯t you, Chase?¡± She asked softly.


    He took a step closer till she had to tilt her face up to meet his eyes. His voice was low when he answered, ¡°I thought you might have figured that out already.¡±


    Mackenzie had no idea why his close proximity made her voice grow so timid. But she tried her best to hold his intense, seductive gaze.


    ¡°Unfortunately, I did not figure it out. Can you please stop sending them?¡±


    ¡°Now that my cover is blown, I might just have to send them directly.¡± His tone was teasing, until he grew serious again. ¡°The term I will not be able to keep to, is you going home, anding to work by yourself. Alone. My driver will pick you up from home, and I¡¯ll drive you back.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Mackenzie muttered, stepping back a little. ¡°But why? You already agreed.¡±


    ¡°Yes. And I¡¯m sorry I have to break that agreement now. This arrangement won¡¯tst forever, but for now, until I say otherwise, I¡¯ll drive you home. If for some reason, I can¡¯t, then a driver or security guard will.¡±


    Mackenzie stared at him in disbelief and confusion.


    Chase suddenly asked, ¡°Have you checked your phone in the past hour?¡±


    ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°Good. Please refrain from checking it for now.¡± He said.


    Mackenzie instantly became suspicious. She nced back at her bag in her desk, in which her phone was. She moved towards her desk, reaching for her bag and asking,


    ¡°Why are you telling me not to check my phone? Did something happen-¡±


    Chase moved fast, blocking her way as she reached for the bag. Instead she walked right into him, and her hand fell against his chest. They both paused. The feeling of being pressed against his warm, solid and firm body knocked all of her thoughts from her mind.


    She could only stare up at him breathlessly, with all the sizzling tension she had tried to mp down bursting forth within her body. Her skin, her body, her mind were filled with red hot heat from the contact. Her palm could feel his warmth under his shirt, and it pulled her in.


    Coaxed her into leaning in, and getting more, more of that feeling.


    Her feminine hormones were so close tobusting from the raw testosterone oozing from him. Her lips parted in sudden need and hunger.


    Chase¡¯s eyes fell on her pink lips parted in invitation, and he nearly lost it right there. He was already leaning in to fucking devour that mouth when her phone buzzed inside her bag, and Mackenzie snapped out of the spell she had fallen under. She stepped back away from him, blinking rapidly and trying to control the blush that was beginning to grow on her face.


    He straightened back up, but did not move an inch away. His gaze did not move off her either.


    Mackenzie struggled to get her thoughts back together. They were talking about her not checking her phone. He had also mentioned that he would be taking her home everyday. Her heart thundered just thinking about it.


    She couldn¡¯t let him run into her kids. He had already seen them once, and she had barely escaped that conversation. She did not want a second incident. Her kids would be returning home around the same time as she. After preschool, Calista would go for her piano lesson.


    Cameron would go for rudimentary baseball training. By the time the twins were done with their extra activities, their nanny would bring them home. If Chase was there¡­ that would be a disaster.


    ¡°Well, now that I think about it¡­ I might not be able to finish all of my work by four pm. I might go hometer, so, I should not bother you.¡±


    ¡°Anytime you want to head home, Mackenzie, I¡¯ll take you.¡± Chase said, not even one bit deterred like she hoped.


    What was she expecting? This was a man that consistently sent her flowers for years, when she was not even in the same city as him. A man that found her the moment I got back into Greensville and set her up into a contract so he would be around her all the time.


    Of course, deterring him from anything that concerns her would be close to impossible.

 CHAPTER 50 – COVER BLOWN

    ¡°Fine. But did something happen?¡± Mackenzie asked.


    Chase did not give a direct answer. Instead, he deflected the question and asked back, ¡°Is anyone threatening you? If something like that ever happens, you will tell me immediately, right?¡±


    Mackenzie was caught off guard by that random question. Only, it did not seem to be so random to Chase, judging by the look she could see in his eyes. There was obviously a reason he was saying that to her. A reason she did not know about, yet.


    ¡°You¡¯re acting strange, Chase. You know that whatever happens, I am not going back on my word.¡± She moved back to her desk, careful not to get too close to him. That was dangerous. And picked up her bag. ¡°I should get going to the factory now. They¡¯ll be waiting for me.¡±


    *************


    A few hourster, when Mackenzie was rounding up a fairly sessful first day of work, she realized that she had not even called her kid¡¯s nanny to check up on them. She moved to a quiet part of the factory and fished out her phone. On the screen, it showed it was a few minutes past four.


    The kids should be home by now, and she still had Chase to face before getting home.


    Just thinking about it was making her nervous. All day, she had been so engrossed in her work, that it was only towards the end of the day that she began to notice the stares she was getting from every direction.


    Of course, the factory workers were busy people, with something to do, but more than once, she had caught a few people taking backwards nces at her.


    At first, she assumed they were not used to seeing her and it would pass eventually, but she started growing ufortable, feeling like there was something they knew that she didn¡¯t. It was in the look in their eyes. Nothing negative, but nothing particrly positive either.


    She had brushed it off and just believed everything would pass by tomorrow. She moved to her call logs and was shocked to see the amount of missed calls in there. And the most ones came from Charlotte, then Felicity.


    Her eyebrows furrowed in sudden worry, as her mind automatically went to her kids. What if something had happened to them and they were trying to reach her?


    She instantly dialed the nanny¡¯s number, and she immediately picked, ¡°Good evening -¡±


    ¡°Calista and Cameron? Where are they right now?¡± Mackenzie asked without missing a beat.


    ¡°Um, they are right here, at home and ying outside with the neighbor¡¯s kids. I am watching over them. They got back not too long ago, and they already had some food.¡± The Nanny responded. Then she added, ¡°Is something wrong, Miss Torsney?¡±


    Mackenzie let out a soft sigh, cing a hand on her chest.


    ¡°Yeah .. everything is fine. I just wanted to check in on them. I¡¯ll being home soon.¡±


    ¡°Alright, ma¡¯am.¡±


    Mackenzie ended the call, relieved that her kids were not involved in any emergency. But then why were Charlotte and Felicity calling her so much? She raised her phone and was about to call Charlotte back when saw that she had an unread text from her.


    She tapped on it, and read the lines on the screen.


    You have to see this. Now! Click on that link.


    There was a link under the text, and Mackenzie saw that Charlotte had sent this text hours ago. Slowly, she tapped on the link and the screen interface changed and disyed some article. For brief second, she thought this was just Charlotte sending one of her usual celebrity gossip out of excitement.


    But that was what her anxious mind desperately wanted to believe.


    It could not be that, because her text had sounded urgent. And Charlotte¡¯s texts never get urgent, unless something really serious had happened.


    She scrolled up the screen, and paused to read the headline.


    ¡°YOUNG BILLIONAIRE HEARTTHROB, CHASE AXFORD, ENGAGES IN BAR FIGHT OVER A WAITRESS. No surprise his marriage is fighting for it¡¯s life.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Her heart slowed down in sequence, as her eyes dropped to the picture below. It was her and Chase, in that restaurant. At that moment when he was losing his shit to anger over those men for  harassing her.


    Someone had perfectly captured that moment. Now it was on the inte, with her face on full disy. For the whole world to see. For the whole of Greensville to see. The. Whole. Of. Greensville. The gravity of the situation crashed into her so hard that her face immediately drained of blood.


    Her hands began to tremble, and her phone ttered to the floor. Now she understood why she had been getting those odd stares from people. Everyone had seen the article. The picture. Everyone knew who she was now.


    Jeffrey knew she was in Greensville.


    A surge of panic struck her chest and she found herself struggling to breathe. Struggling for air. Fear, stark fear was all she could feel right now. Jeffrey and Eleanor woulde for her, now that she thought everything was slowly working out¡­ it had all crumbled into dust again.


    Again.


    When will it ever end?


    They would take her babies away. That realization sent tears to her eyes, as she tried to drag in a deep breath. But her lungs were frozen with terror. She wheezed, clutching at her chest in panic.


    Meanwhile, a few feet away, Chase had been called in by the security, informing him that Mackenzie was done with his tasks for today. He had ordered the security to tell him, in case Mackenzie decided to try to go home herself without telling him.


    He had to take her home, and he meant it. Now that Jeffrey had known she was in the city, he would probably try to approach her again. For what? To gloat in front of her or rub his ill treatment of her further in her face, deepening her wounds. Hurting her all over again.


    Or trying to turn her back into the old shell of herself that she was when she was with him.


    Whatever his stepbrother nned, Chase knew it could not be good, so he had to personally be around her as often as he could.


    As Chase rounded the corner where he was told Mackenzie would be, he heard the sound of wheezing, mixed with crying and coughing. rms went off in his mind, and he hurried towards the sound until he saw Mackenzie sitting on the floor, curled into a ball as she struggled to breath.


    He recognized it immediately.


    A panic attack. She was having a panic attack.


    He cursed under his breath and hurried to her with the speed of light. He lifted her from the floor and made her sit on a chair, brushing her hair away from her teary cheeks. From the terror he saw in her eyes, he immediately knew she had seen the article.


    Fuck. He had known she would not take the news well. This was what he had been trying to protect her from.


    ¡°Mackenzie, hey. Focus on my voice.¡± He said urgently, cing his hand on the side of her face. ¡°Breathe in.¡±


    More tears spilled from her eyes, as she shook her head. She could not breathe it. Panic had stripped her off the ability to take in air into her lungs. Chase insisted. ¡°Open your mouth, and breathe in through there. Not your nose. Come on, Mackenzie.¡±


    She shakily obeyed, and just like that, a rush of cool air rushed into her burning lungs. She gasped, and Chase urged her on, softly, ¡°That¡¯s it. Don¡¯t stop.¡±


    She followed his voice, slowly getting her breath back as she found her way out of that maze of terror and haze of fear she had fallen into. As she looked at Chase gratefully, more tears poured down her face, so she moved to the only ce that seemed to give herfort.


    His arms.


    Chase held her close to his chest, stroking her beautiful hair softly. But he was stunned, because this had to be the first time she had ever willinglye to him. Something strong, possessive and obsessive was triggered in him by the sight of her so devastated by having her cover blown, that he held her tighter.


    His jaw clenched, as he itched toy his hands on the fucking reporter that took that picture.


    He itched to rip Jeffrey apart limb by limb, because he was the major cause of her distress. If the whole world knew her whereabouts, except Jeffrey, Chase was sure Mackenzie would be unfazed.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mackenzie. I won¡¯t let hime near you. I¡¯ll be here with you, every fucking time you need me. Even if you might not want me with you-¡±


    She looked up at him, a fierce light in her eyes. Did she just hear him say she did not want him? She was sorely tempted to tell him exactly how just the sight of him drove her crazy, how bad she dreamed about him naked and doing the most scandalous things to her¡­


    Instead, she just muttered, ¡°I need a drink.¡±

 CHAPTER 51 – RIDE ME

    The waiter ced two margaritas on the table, and Chase watched Mackenzie grab her ss and take a shot of the cocktail. She dropped her ss back on the table and nced sideways at him.


    She met his unwavering gaze, and asked, ¡°What?¡±


    He only gave a half smile and raised his own ss to his lips. They were in a private booth in some bar that was good but not really popr like Nightshade. After the uproar taking root in inte right now, the least they can do is avoid paparazzi.


    Especially as Chase knew Mackenzie was not in a great mood after seeing the article.


    Mackenzie stared at Chase, wondering why he was smiling secretly to himself. She tried to make herself feel annoyed, but all she could really feel, were butterflies. His smiles were something he reserved only for her, and they were heavenly.


    Beautiful, even.


    And the seating arrangement in this booth was so intimate, that Mackenzie had been trying all along to ignore it by focusing on her fear and the drinks. But even that had nothing on Chase when it came to having her attention.


    They had requested for the most private area the bar could provide, and they ended up in some lover¡¯s nest together. Thefortable couch they were sitting on made Mackenzie be in front, with Chase right behind her, reclinedfortably.


    All she had to do was lean to the side, and she¡¯d be right in his arms. The thought made her blush bright pink.


    It was not helping that his cool, male cologne was all she could breathe in, and his warmth and deep voice caressed her skin like silk. From the moment she had hugged him back in the factory, she could not stop thinking about peeling his shirt off and feeling all that hard, muscled and toned warmth under her hands.


    Clearing her throat, she leaned towards the window through which the waiter could ce their orders on a counter near it.


    ¡°I¡¯d like something stronger, please.¡± She said.


    The waiter¡¯s head popped up at the window, cleaning a cup. ¡°I can get you the drinks menu so you have a variety to choose from.¡±


    Mackenzie shook her head in dissatisfaction. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary, just get me tequ-¡±


    ¡°You know what happened thest time you had tequ, right?¡± Chase cut in with a raised eyebrow.


    She nced at him. ¡°No? What happened?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. You don¡¯t even remember.¡± He said and leaned forward to m the window shut, blocking out the waiter and the rest of the world. The motion made him press against her, and her body was screaming inside for more contact.


    She felt a tugging difort between her thighs, and she shifted to ease it a little. But it was not going anywhere. Instead her little squirming rubbed against Chase¡¯s crotch, and he paused, and looked down at her with barely contained desire blooming in his sea blue eyes.


    She had no choice but to hold his intense gaze, feeling her breath quicken. The sexual tension between the both of them had finally climbed to the degree where it was sizzling and potent. Mackenzie could not hide it anymore, she knew exactly what his gaze was telling her.


    ¡°Thest time you had tequ¡­¡± Chase said in a voice thick with arousal. ¡°We ended up alone in a dark room. And you told me to strip you naked, and fuck you.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes widened, as a ming blush hit her cheeks. She could not believe what she was hearing, and him saying it so brazenly, without hesitation, made her heated body gravitate further in his direction.


    He reached out and ced a thumb on her lips, watching it hungrily. ¡°I was so tempted to just throw you on that bed, and fuck the living daylights out of you, Mackenzie. Like you wanted. Only a shred of willpower kept me from doing that¡­ ¡±


    ¡°W-why?¡± Mackenzie could not believe she just asked that when she knew she was such a coward, that only when she was drunk could she be open about craving him so bad.


    His hand trailed from her lips down to her neck, and moved to the dip in her shirt, right above her cleavage.


    ¡°You were dead drunk. You would not remember a thing.¡± He answered, then met her eyes again. ¡°I want you to remember everything I do to you. Every depraved sexual act I subject your beautiful body to¡­ Fuck, the things I want to do to you, Mackenzie. You¡¯d be scared if you knew.¡±


    Her breath wasing out in shallow breaths of arousal, and her nipples went tart in her clothes, be visible through her silk blouse.


    She licked her bottom lip softly, but it was enough to push Chase over the edge. He leaned in and imed her mouth in a hungry, hard kiss, chasing for that little tongue of hers, hungrily. He fisted her hair in one hand to keep her in ce, and his other hand grabbed her waist, pulling her closer against his body.


    Her heart was mming in her chest, her hand flying to hold his shoulder for bnce.


    He licked her open with his tongue, and went deeply against her mouth like he was starved. He was starved, and she found herself responding with an intensity she never knew she possessed.


    Chase¡¯s hand slid from her waist, to her thighs, pushing them apart so his hand slid under her skirt.


    She squirmed and held his wrist, not sure if she was pushing his hand away from such an intimate part of her, or telling him to go on. He helped her decide by brushing his fingers over her panties.


    She was already sexually starved, incredibly aroused and soaked, so the slightest contact ripped a moan out from her. Something shed in Chase¡¯s eyes at the sound of it, and he grabbed her thighs and positioned her legs, so one was hooked over his thigh, and the other spread on the couch.


    ¡°You like that, don¡¯t you, Mackenzie.¡± He said to her in a low tone, finding her clit through the wet fabric of her panties, and slowly rubbed on it.


    Electric jolts speared through her immediately, and she jerked with a gasp. Chase¡¯s grip on her kept her from going anywhere other than in his arms. He slid his fingers under her panties to touch her directly, and her eyes fluttered close in pleasure.


    ¡°I asked you a question.¡±


    She squirmed, lips falling open with every stroke of his expert fingers. Chase eyes darkened further, and hended a wet smack right on her clit. She let out a cry, legs trembling.


    ¡°I¡­I¡­yes..¡± She quivered out.


    Chase grabbed her pantiespletely down her legs, balled it and stuffed it in his pocket. Mackenzie watched him with a ming face, eyes filled with desire as he popped her shoes off and peeled her blouse away to leave her naked, except from her skirt bunched around her hips.


    His gazed raked down her naked body possessively. The bounce of her breasts with any slight movement, and beautiful tart nipples. Her smooth pale skin that flowed down to her curvy legs, which were pressed together to hide the fucking heaven between her legs.


    He flipped her over his thighs, and slid his hand between her soft ass cheeks to find her pussy, and he slid two fingers into her from behind.


    She arched with a gasp, grabbing his thigh in shock and pleasure as his long fingers dipped further inside her. Her mouth fell open, and she tried to squeeze her thighs together, but hended a smack on her naked ass, pulled his fingers out .. and back in. Slowly.


    He was tormenting her.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Chase¡­¡± She moaned, feeling him increase the pace of his fingers entering her from behind.


    He held her ass cheeks apart with one hand while he increased his pace to a very fast rhythm, wet sounds following every thrust. He was biting his bottom lip at the sight of Mackenzie like this, naked, lewd and exposed. His cock was rock hard in his pants, threatening to burst free, but he had to make her cum first.


    He had to make here undone, delirious with pleasure. The sight of that is something he ved after like a fucking insane man.


    Mackenzie threw her head back, moaning nonstop as his fingers threw her into a sudden climax that racked her entire being with the force of an earthquake. Her toes curled and she bent her knee, digging her short nails into his thighs as she came.


    Her sexual juices coated his fingers as he slid them out, and hungrily sucked them clean.


    She was panting, when he ced her back on the couch. She could barely even see straight after that shattering orgasm she just had after such a long time. The sound of a buckle hitting the floor brought her back to the present, and she turned to see Chase looming over her,pletely naked.


    The sight sent such a strong jolt through her womb, that she thought she might fall pregnant just from looking at him.


    He was¡­. magnificent.


    The lowlight in the room washed smoothly over his tan skin, casting shadows over his broad, manly chest and on thedders of hard abs that lined his torso. His strong, thick stallion thighs flexed under each movement¡­ and his big veiny hand was stroking his beautiful, veined and fully erect monster of a cock. And it was dripping with pre cum.


    Mackenzie felt her mouth dry up.


    Her eyes fluttered up to meet his, and she could see all of the naughty intentions threateningly swirling in those blue eyespletely darkened by desire and raw male need.


    How long had it been? Because right now, she felt like a virgin again. She was not the most innocent, butpared to him and that dark aura around him, she could be a saint. She was scared, anxious and unbelievably aroused at the gorgeous sight in front of her.


    ¡°Come here.¡± He ordered.


    His voice, his words, he got her moving immediately, crawling on the couch till she was right in front of his cock. He grabbed the back of her head and pressed the tip of his cock against her lips. She took it in and sucked the salty fluid off it.


    He closed his eyes from the pleasure, but then, pulled his cock away from her soft mouth and moved to recline back into the leather couch. He grabbed her waist and pulled her closer, making her straddle him, both of her knees spread wide on opposite sides of him, while her small hands held his shoulders for bnce.


    His cock was right under her pussy, waiting and throbbing to be let in.


    Chase cupped her ass, looking straight up at her as he gave one dark order. ¡°Ride me.¡±


    If Mackenzie was not scared earlier, now was a good time to, because his strong hands guided her hips down and moved his cock to the entrance of her pussy. The sheer size of the tip had her shaking. He caressed her naked thigh, while his other hand alternated between cupping her soft ass and grabbing her waist.


    She moaned softly at the exquisite feeling, until he rammed all his cock up into her in one go. Her moan turned into a loud cry of surprise and pleasure, which the waiter must have definitely heard from outside.


    Chase leaned his head back against the couch and groaned, crushing her tighter against him as he guided her up his cock, and down again, sliding smoothly and so fucking deliciously that he could fucking feel his balls tightening, ready to shoot out their load deep into their womb already.


    Just his maddening hunger for her got him ready to cum the moment he stripped her naked.


    Mackenzie was going feral, clutching his hair and bouncing up and down his cock, hitting her g-spot with every smooth thrust. He had his face smothered by her bouncing breasts, as he cursed into her soft skin.


    ¡°Ah..¡± She arched, grabbing the couch with one hand and clutching his soft hair. Their pace was increasing so fast, that the leather couch had started to creak, and the small private lounge was permeated with the sounds of her wet flesh pping down on his balls.


    His hands hungrily ran down her waist, as he leaned forward to fucking smother her moans with a punishing, primal kiss. Her entire body danced against his, with strong arms caging her in, without nothing else to do but to ride his throbbing hot cock.


    The stimtion peaked, and she trembled, pussy clenching hard as her orgasm hit struck her like lightning. The feeling of her sex canal strangling the life out of his raging cock, was enough to send his release roiling like a volcano eruption.


    He let out a deep sound between a curse, growl or groan as he lifted her slightly and pulled his cock out of her, shooting out his warm semen all over her belly and thighs.

 CHAPTER 52 – HER LITTLE GIRL

    Post-coital rity hit Mackenzie once her clothes were back on and they were out of that intimate little booth that was permeated with the heat of their passion and the lingering sex hormones charging the electric air.


    Her face was in a permanent state of heat and a rosy blush, as she could not forget how nasty things had gotten in there.


    They were walking along the dimly lit parking lot, and her hazel eyes slid sideways to nce at Chase. But he was already gazing at her, shamelessly letting the heat and desire in his eyes shine through. The blush on her face increased ten-fold, and she abruptly broke eye contact.


    ¡°Mackenzie.¡± He said in that dirty seductive tone of his. ¡°Would you like toe by my ce?¡±


    Her heart stuttered. Did he just invite her over? She could only tell her screaming and fainting female hormones to calm down, that she could not take up his offer.


    She had kids to attend to, and they were more important over her giving in to her feminine urge to spend the night with a gorgeous man with a high sex drive who had all intentions of fucking her senseless. And they both knew it.


    ¡°I have things to do tonight. With my friends.¡± She answered.


    Chase gave a slight nod, and unlocked the ck Lamborghini when they got to it. They got it, and he eased it out of the parking lot and onto the road.


    The ride was quiet, and Chase noticed that Mackenzie was pulling away again. She had be distant after she came, like she was caught doing something wrong. Did she think being with him was wrong?, Chase wondered.


    His eyes slid away from the road to look sideways at her. She was curled in the huge leather seat, staring at her phone screen, biting her bottom lip in concentration as she texted someone.


    Her friend, maybe. It had better be her fucking friend.


    Chase remembered the feel of those soft lips of hers against his, those lips sucking the precum off the tip of his cock. He bit back a curse when he felt his cock begin to charge up again. He stared back at the road, and tried to keep his eyes ahead, and not on the woman at his side, driving him crazy.


    Mackenzie was texting Charlotte, asking if her babies had gone to bed, but Charlotte told her that they were waiting on her return. Cameron had eventually fallen asleep, but Calista was insistent on staying awake because she had something to tell Mackenzie.


    She had already received a mail from her kid¡¯s school, informing her that the school was giving the school kids a break. So it was fine if Calista stayed up a little longer, she could make up for lost sleep tomorrow.


    But then, Mackenzie remembered that Felicity had a video session with the school tomorrow to teach some kids. Although, Mackenzie was not sure how certain it was when the school¡¯s kids are on break, but she did not want to take any chances.


    Charlotte had informed Mackenzie that an Axford subsidiary had invited her for an interview. It was also the nanny¡¯s day off, so none of her friends would be around early in the morning to take care of the kids and get them to y with the neighbors before someone returns home.


    Mackenzie would have to do that, meaning she could note to work as early as usual tomorrow.


    She turned to Chase, ¡± I know it¡¯s too early to ask, but can Ie inter than usual tomorrow morning?¡±


    ¡°Okay?¡±


    Mackenzie continued, ¡°Well, I have to go see Mrs. Weston at the hospital in ce of Charlotte, and my other friend, Felicity can¡¯t go in ce of her because she has an interview concerning a topic her blogs talk about with a school.¡±


    She was careful not to give too much details of the school, because that was the same school her kids attended as well.


    Chase remembered that Felicity was the one who had a blog talking about nts, clean and renewable energy, global warming and the likes. And he had specifically told the H. R to invite Charlotte for an interview at one of theirpanies when he got to know that she had been applying for a while.


    Mackenzie was not really going to visit Charlotte¡¯s mom. She would sort her kids out and just head straight to the factory, to start off her day immediately.


    Chase responded, ¡°Alright. Remember, I¡¯m taking you home.¡±


    She stared at him, but he only added, ¡°Don¡¯t bother to argue with me, Mackenzie. I¡¯m taking you home and that¡¯s final.¡±


    She said nothing and leaned back into her seat. In no time, the Lambo pulled up at her house, and slowed to a stop.


    He turned off the ignition and made to unbuckle his seatbelt but Mackenzie leaned up quickly, hurried unfastening her own seatbelt and pushed the door open.


    ¡°You can just stay in the car, and I¡¯ll walk in. You don¡¯t have to follow me.¡± She said and scrambled out through the door.


    Chase watched with a raised eyebrow as she shut the car door and walked up the stairs to the front door. Now, his suspicions were confirmed. Her strange and evasive behavior made him decide that if she was not being threatened, then she was definitely hiding something.


    What could Mackenzie be hiding?


    He waited in his seat, watching her step onto the front porch through the tinted ss. However, when she opened the door, Chase saw her entire eyes and face light up so brightly with a smile so radiant, that he was stunned.


    He had never seen her smile like that. Ever.


    His mind began to throw all kind of exnations around, wondering who made her so happy to be back home that she smiled so brightly on opening the door. Was there a guy inside? Fuck, was Maverick back from his trip and inside the house right now?


    Or was it her friends?


    That seemed unlikely. Sure they were very close and literally sisters,  but there is no way anyone would be that happy to see friends that they live with everyday.


    Her face literally transformed from dim to radiant in seconds, and Chase was envious that he was not the one who brought that reaction out of her.


    Mackenzie had long stepped into the house, but Chase was still in his car, unmoving. After today, her first day at work, he had seen that she was indeed a hardworking woman. A lot of women would take advantage of the fact that he was attracted to her, to try to ck off at their jobs and always gain special favors.


    But not Mackenzie.


    His assistant, Nora, had sent him hour by hour reports on her work performance, and it was sterling. Even the factory manager hadmended her diligence and creativity in the report.


    Only the panic attack had almost ruined the day, until he set it right in that bar, giving her the staggering pleasure she did not know she needed, to wipe off all worries from her mind.


    After the sex, he was certain that she wanted him the way he wanted her and he was not being delusional and forcing things. But she had withdrawn back into her distant and evasive behavior. It bothered Chase. What was she hiding?


    What in the damn world was she trying so hard to protect?


    Why was she running away?


    He turned the ignition back on and drove back into the road. A text popped up on his phone, and he nced at it. It was the date scheduled for his father¡¯s surgery next week.


    He made a mental note to go visit his father at the hospital sometime tomorrow to see how  he was holding up now that the surgery date had been confirmed.


    Inside the house, Mackenzie smiled when she spotted Calista¡¯s small body curled on a couch. The little girl perked up when she heard the door open and turned around to see Mackenzie.


    She scrambled down from the couch as fast as her small legs could allow and hurried forward almost tripping over something on the floor, arms outstretched, ¡°Mommy!!¡±


    In that moment, Mackenzie¡¯s entire world brightened. She hurried to pick Calista up into her arms, pressing many small kisses into her soft chubby cheeks. She did not pay much attention to whatever had almost tripped her baby girl, and subconsciously made a note to address itter.


    For now, she was so busy cuddling her little girl. ¡°How are you, my cute little baby girl? Hm?¡±


    ¡°I missed you so much, mommy..¡± Calista pouted.


    Mackenzie pouted too, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, baby. You know I have to work longer now. But remember we¡¯ve been together for a long while before I started work, right?¡±


    She felt bad making her little girl stay up sote just because Calista wanted to see her before falling asleep.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

 CHAPTER 53 – DADDY TOY

    Calista fiddled around with Mackenzie¡¯s cor. ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s Cameron?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s sleeping.¡± Calista answered, then added eagerly, ¡°Thank you, mommy, for letting us go back to school again.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s voice went softer as she patted Calista¡¯s hair lovingly, ¡°Baby, you don¡¯t have to thank me. It¡¯s mommy¡¯s duties to make sure you go to school. Did you have fun at school, today?¡±


    ¡°Yes! I had so much fun with my friends. I missed a lot of school games and activities, but I¡¯m happy to be back again. I never want to stop going to school again!¡±


    Mackenzie lets out a small smile when Calista stumbles over some of the words in her enthusiasm, but within, there was a tug at her heart. She should never have stopped them from going to school out of fear, like a damn coward.


    That was such a bad decision on her part. What was she thinking?


    She sighed lightly and brushed Calista¡¯s light hair away from her face. Her baby girl¡¯s hair kept getting less dark and more light every day. She wondered who she got her hair from.


    With one fleeting look back at the door she had juste through, Mackenzie wondered what would happen if she told Chase about the kids. There was no longer any reason to keep him in the dark. But then, now was a bad time, because Jeffrey knew she was in the city.


    She had to be extra careful with her kids, and not have them exposed.


    Her thoughts were cut off when Charlotte stepped into the living room, in some cozy clothes and a giant bag of chips in her arm. As she spotted Mackenzie, she hooted,


    ¡°Look who it is! Look who¡¯s back! Creative designer ying every one in Axford!¡±


    Mackenzieughed, shaking at head. She asked Calista if she had had dinner.


    ¡°No. I was waiting for you, mommy.¡± Calista answered.


    ¡°No¡­why?¡± Mackenzie sounded distressed. She gave Charlotte a displeased nce which Charlotte responded to with a shrug.


    ¡°Felicity and I tried to get her to eat something, but she refused.¡±This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°But did Cameron at least have dinner before he fell asleep?¡±


    ¡°Of course. You know he likes his food.¡±


    Mackenzie moved to ce Calista in the couch, and she noticed the drawing books and pencil crayons around her.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you show mommy what you have been doing so far?¡±


    Calista smiled eagerly and ced the drawing book on the table, opening it to show some pictures of a small furry dog. As she opened the pages, Makenzie realized that they are all pictures of the same dog. The drawings are so detailed, the colors so realistic, that it would be difficult for anyone else to believe that a four year old drew them.


    It was a beautiful gift.


    ¡°Baby, your drawings are so beautiful, honey.¡± Mackenzie cooed with a soft smile, giving Calista¡¯s cheek a soft tickle which made her giggle. ¡°Now, how about your piano lessons? Are you enjoying them?¡±


    She shook her head slowly. ¡°No¡­ but I am enjoying my art lessons in school!¡±


    ¡°Oh, really? I can tell by all those beautiful drawings.¡±


    ¡°Do you like them, mommy?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I do!¡± Mackenzie eximed with a hand on her heart. As if not liking Calista¡¯s drawings would be literal sacrilege.


    Calista was overjoyed, and began to babble on about what happened in arts ss, thepliment the teacher gave her, the new colors they mixed, and how fun it was to draw a new painting on a fresh canvas.


    Mackenzie smiled at her in fascination, then remembered that it was gettingte and Calista should have a dinner on time so she does not get a stomach ache. She leaned in to ce a peck on Calista¡¯s hair and told her,


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back, honey, let me go bring in some food, okay?¡±


    She straightened up and moved into the kitchen to serve in some dinner for her and Calista. She returned to the living room and they huddled together to eat, Mackenzie dutifully wiping off stray stains around her baby girl¡¯s lips.


    After they were done eating, Charlotte¡¯s eyes were glued to her favorite anime show on TV, yet her hand was slowly trying to sneak a chip into Calista¡¯s hand. Mackenzie noticed immediately and gave Charlotte a re.


    ¡°It¡¯ste, Charlotte.¡±


    Charlotte, knowing that she had been caught, let out an easyugh, ¡°Come on, Kenzie. It¡¯s just one chip. It¡¯s not going to kill her, you know. Stop being such a mother hen.¡±


    Mackenzie let out a sigh, ¡°Fine. Just one.¡±


    Calista happily epted the chip and popped it into her mouth, scooting closer to snuggle against Charlotte, probably hoping to get more sneaky chips.


    Felicity stepped into the living room, stretching her arm and yawning. She asked, ¡°What happened, Kenzie? You are back home sote, and on your first day too.¡±


    A heated blush appeared on Mackenzie¡¯s cheeks as she remembered what had happened between her and Chase, that made herpletely lost in his touch and his kisses, to realize that time was flying by so fast.


    She gave them a look that said they should stop asking questions, and both Charlotte and Felicity exchanged knowing nces.


    Charlotte smirked, ¡°Seems like a long story.¡± They bothughed, and Mackenzie quickly hurried away from the living room to escape their teasing.


    She stepped into her bedroom and looked over at Cameron¡¯s corner.  He was fast asleep on his bed, clutching a toy. It was his favorite, one of the ones her father bought for her kids back in North Dakota.


    It reminded her that she should take the kids back home to visit her dad during their next vacation. He must have missed them so much. When they still lived with him, the kids always kept him on his toes and he was so sweet with them.


    The toy in Cameron¡¯s hand had always been his favorite since when he was younger. Nothing but a stumbling toddler. Nothing could make him part with the toy. It was so special to Cameron, that he even called it ¡®daddy toy¡¯.


    Hearing him call it that always made Mackenzie feel so guilty to making her kids grow up without a dad. Of course, her own father was there to act as a father figure, back in North Dakota, but having grandpa was different from having a father, like all other kids did.


    She remembered when Cameron asked her why he and Calista did not have a dad, like the other kids. She could clearly remember him saying, ¡®I want a dad too.¡¯


    It broke her heart to pieces.


    Now, thinking about it again had her choked up inside.


    Every time he asked her that question, she had always brushed it off by saying something like, ¡®You¡¯ll have a dad too. He¡¯sing.¡¯ But each time she said that she just broke a little more inside.


    Gently, Mackenzie brushed off the strands of jet ck hair hanging around Cameron¡¯s eyes. His hair reminded her so much of Chase¡¯s hair. His eyes, his straight nose and his facial features. They were all so strong and beautiful, just like his father.


    Cameron was going to grow up to be a man of raw beauty, exactly like Chase. It was already apparent in his features. Everything he did screamed Chase. Cameron was energetic, full of life and sometimes rebellious. She was sure his rebellious tendencies would increase as he grew older.


    Just like Chase who was a damn rebel that never conforms to other people¡¯s standards.


    Her eyes strayed to the side of his bed and spotted his baseball gear. They already looked old, since she got them in North Dakota, so she had to get the twins new supplies.


    She looked back at Cameron sleeping peacefully and remembered his small voice asking, ¡°When will my dad get here?¡± He had sounded so hopeful as he asked that, meaning he truly believed her lies with all the innocence and purity of a little child.


    A tear escaped Mackenzie¡¯s eyes without her notice.


    It hurt her more because she had to grow up without a parent. It was out of anyone¡¯s control because her mother died while giving birth to her, so she had felt the emptiness and sadness as a child, while she watched other kids¡¯ mom¡¯s show up at school to check their grades or during sports to cheer them on.


    There was no one to cheer her on.


    Her father tried his best, but he also had to work hard on the farms to provide, so he could not be there all the time. She could never wish that type of pain on any child.


    But now, her kids were experiencing the same. They were too young for all of this, especially when their father was alive and well.


    She decided she would tell Chase about them, but this storm of a scandal had to die down first.

 CHAPTER 54 – HIS SMALLER VERSION

    Mackenzie was ready to go through anything so her kids don¡¯t suffer any more hardships in life. She had to be there for Cameron and his little baseball games, Calista¡¯s art sses or piano sses. Whatever interests they develop as they grow, no matter how fleeting it might be.


    She would not impose anything on them, just let them follow their own interests, and support them.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Whatever her babies chose to do, she was going to work hard for it. She was going to work so hard in the Axfordpany to be acknowledged as a real employee, and not just someone brought in by the CEO.


    Not acknowledged as Jeffrey¡¯s ex-wife, but as Mackenzie Torsney.


    Axford already had a long history of greatness, and she was going to leave her own footprints in the sands of their memories. She sighed and tugged Cameron¡¯s nket over him, tucking him in lovingly. She leaned in to ce a kiss on his head, noting how if felt like she could see a bigger version of Cameron at work.


    It was fascinating.


    And at home, she was looking at a smaller version of Chase. It was overwhelming how he seemed to be always around her.


    Mackenzie moved back into the living room, where Felicity spoke up, ¡°The school has postponed my video session because the kids are on break, soI will be free tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll be right at home, Mackenzie. So you can be at ease now. I¡¯m sure you must have been thinking about the kids.¡±


    Mackenzie sighed, ¡°Of course. It¡¯s my duty to worry about them.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of the kids,¡± Charlotte straightened up on the couch, turning to stare at Mackenzie. My mom has been asking after the twins, insisting that theye visit her in the hospital.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes widened at the sound of that, and she pointed out the obvious, ¡°It¡¯s Axford Medicals. If there¡¯s any ce in the world that my kids can¡¯t go to, it¡¯s there.¡±


    Charlotte sighed. ¡°I know. That¡¯s why I have not been able to give her a good reason why they would not be able toe see her.¡±


    Mackenzie shrugged, a bit confused, ¡°Just tell her they have piano sses? I don¡¯t know.¡±


    She had no idea what to do, because  Mrs. Weston had always been such a great help both to her and the kids back in North Dakota. It would be nice for the twins to pay her a visit as she¡¯s recuperating from her major heart surgery.


    But a lot of things could go wrong if the kids go to Axford Medicals. Everyone in Axford Medicals knew Chase, so if they also saw Cameron, that would be a dead giveaway. It would be game over because the resemnce was so striking that there would be no doubts or second thoughts.


    There would be nothing worse than Chase finding out he had kids, from a stranger instead of from her directly.


    Felicity spoke up, ¡°I know what your fears are, Kenzie. And they are perfectly justifiable. And about the article that was causing so much uproar earlier today has been taken down.


    ¡°Usually, it should take a day or two to get rid of an article that is causing so much chaos, but it¡¯s all fine now in a few hours. You can¡¯t even find the pictures anymore. Chase worked really fast on that one. The inte will probably still talk about for a few more days, and everyone would move on to other things.¡±


    ¡°Hm? Nope, I don¡¯t think so.¡± Charlotte said through a mouthful of chips. ¡°That might be true about other things, Felicity, but not Chase Axford and anything remotely  rted to him. Look at his divorce issues. For close to a month now, paparazzi and reporters are still obsessed and raving all about it.¡±


    ¡°Now that I think about it, I still can¡¯t believe Axford actually invited me to work for them. It¡¯s crazy, and I know it¡¯s all because of you, Mackenzie. What will I ever do without you?¡±


    That teased a smile out of them, before Felicity continued, ¡°On a serious note,  you don¡¯t have to worry, Mackenzie. I can take the kids to go visit Mrs. Weston tomorrow, and I¡¯ll look out for them. I promise they will be fine.¡±


    Mackenzie thought about it. Charlotte¡¯s mom was recuperating fast from her deteriorated state from a while back. Now she was doing so much better, able to sit up, hold conversations and all, but she terribly needed somepany.


    She always had Charlotte visiting, of course, but that was different.


    Many well-wishers from North Dakota could note to Axford Medicals just to visit, because it was located right in the heart of Greensville and making such amute was not an easy task.


    Even Charlotte¡¯s dad could note, because it was harvest season, and like many people in the countryside, he had to get the apples, lettuces and other harvests from the farms on time or they¡¯ll all go bad and put the year¡¯s efforts to waste.


    So, Mrs. Weston missed him terribly. Getting a visit from the twins would make her day.


    ¡°Alright, Felicity.¡± Mackenzie finally agreed. ¡°I¡¯m counting on you. Remember the nanny is off tomorrow.¡±


    Felicity reassured her, and Mackenzie turned to look at Calista, ¡°Be careful tomorrow, okay? Watch out for yourself and your brother and don¡¯t talk to strangers, okay baby?¡±


    ¡°Are all strangers bad, mommy?¡± Calista asked.


    That innocent question reminded Mackenzie of herself when she was younger. Nothing but a naive young girl living a simple life in North Dakota. She was so innocent and clueless. And that was how Jeffrey had been able to prey on her innocence, swindle her into hell of a marriage because of a pregnancy which produced a dead child.


    He cut her off from her best friends, family, from the home she knew.


    Mackenzie shook her head to clear off those ugly memories and answered Calista, ¡°Not all strangers are bad, honey, but we just have to be very careful with who we talk to, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay, mommy.¡± She said, and went back to coloring something in her drawing book. But a momentter she spoke up again, ¡°Can I ask you something, mommy?¡±


    ¡°Of course, sweetie.¡±


    ¡°Can I keep him? I want a puppy.¡± She said.


    ¡°Keep who?¡± Mackenzie asked, a bit confused.


    Calista pointed at the little fur ball dozing off at the foot of the couch. ¡°Him!¡±


    Mackenzie looked down and noticed the little puppy for the first time.  Not the first time, actually, but when she first came into the living room, she had noticed something on the floor, but she could not have guessed it was a puppy.


    It was a little Pomeranian, with a orange brown coat and white undersides. The puppy looked like one round ball, because of it¡¯s  abundant fur. Mackenzie had to admit that it looked so cute, like the perfect furry friend Calista could have.


    Felicity exined, ¡°It seems to be a stray dog. It got injured and Calista found it, and helped it . She  was insistent on taking care of the puppy , so we treated it and tried to take it to an animal shelter, but it was too crowded in there. Maybe we can find a family to adopt this cute little guy.¡±


    ¡°We can adopt him, right, mommy?¡± Calista asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure we will be able to take care of another mouth, Cali.¡±


    Calista pouted, giving her desperate doe eyes, ¡°Please? Pretty please..? He¡¯ll be fine with us, we already treated him.¡±


    Mackenzie sighed, ¡°I¡¯ll think about it and give you an answer when I return from work tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, mommy!¡±


    ***************


    If Jeffrey believed in hell, then he did not seem to understand the concept of it, because the way he was recklessly driving his Te on the highway made it seem like he was ready to crash to hell ande face to face with the devil.


    He clenched the wheels hard, and with a screech of tires, he turned sharply into the parking lot of the Nightshade Club. He killed the ignition and stormed into the building. The first person who had the mishap of falling under his attention, was a waiter.


    Jeffrey approached him and grabbed his shirt roughly, ¡°Who are those in fucking charge, here? I need to see the management, right now!¡±


    The waiter was rattled, asking warily, ¡°Is everything alright, sir?¡±


    ¡°I fucking said, right now!¡± Jeffrey exploded on the waiter¡¯s face.


    The waiter nodded hurriedly and turned to lead him deeper into the building. They climbed some stairs, while the waiter tried to straighten his shirt, but it looked permanently wrinkled.


    He opened a door, and two men; the manager and his assistant, were sitting by a desk. Jeffrey shoved the waiter out of the way and zed forward to m his hands on the table.


    ¡°I need to go to the security room. I have to check a certain footage.¡±

 CHAPTER 55 – SUAVE REPUTATION

    The manager got up from his seat, along with his assistant. The assistant stepped forward and said to Jeffrey in a cating tone,


    ¡°Sir, you have to be authorized.¡±


    Jeffrey¡¯s expression showed that he thought those words were actually bullshit. He slid his card out from his pocket and flung it at the assistant¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Is that enough fucking authorization for you?¡± He spat. The assistant nced down at the card and gave the manager a wide eyed stare.  The manager swallowed and asked tentatively, ¡°You are Chase Axford¡¯s brother?¡±


    That question triggered so much anger in Jeffrey that he has the maddening urge to smash the Manager¡¯s jaw in. There was nothing in this fucking world that gave his ego a devastating blow, as being a brother to Chase Axford. Not just a brother, but a stepbrother. Someone who a lot of people barely even noticed no matter how hard he tried.


    Chase effortlessly stole the spotlight with every single thing he did. He was the leader of the Axford Conglomerate, despite being younger. Some whispers also referred to Chase as the true heir, because he is the only son of Richard Axford. Jeffrey hated everything about Chase.


    And now, some people don¡¯t even recognize him, and when they do eventually, they only see him as Chase Axford¡¯s brother, not as Jeffrey Axford.


    It was driving him crazy with rage.


    He exploded at the manager, ¡°What kind of fucking stupid question is that? Are you trying to piss me off even further? I am an Axford, and the future of the Axford Conglomerate. That¡¯s what you need to know. So if you don¡¯t want to lose your jobs, get your asses moving!¡±


    The manager frowned at Jeffrey¡¯s tone, and tried to talk back to defend himself, but the assistant knew better. He recognized Jeffrey by his tendencies to get brash and violent very quickly, without caring about upholding a good reputation.


    The manager started, ¡°Mr. Jeffrey-¡±


    He had barely even said the name when Jeffrey drew up his fist like he was about to throw a punch. His face was livid as he yelled, ¡°Are you trying to fucking argue with me?¡±


    The assistant hurriedly stepped in, ¡°We will head to the security room, right away, sir. We don¡¯t have to get physical, please.¡±


    Jeffrey lowered his fist, giving them both a re as they led the way out of the office and down the hallway to the control room. In there two security men were lounging in the chairs, but abruptly snapped up straight when they saw they hadpany.


    The manager ordered, ¡°We¡¯re here to check some of the camera footage. Put them on, now.¡± He nced at Jeffery, ¡°Which day¡¯s footage do you need, sir?¡±


    Jeffrey shoved his way to the front, till he was standing right out the huge screen on the wall divided into many camera footages. He gave them the date, a week ago, when he had thought he saw Mackenzie in this club.


    The security went to work, until there was footage of the bar area from that night, spread out over therge screen. The footage yed, showing him bumping into a table, and thedy that was sitting on that table got up and started to walk away when he was distracted by a waiter.


    ¡°Pause!¡± Jeffery eximed, when she turned towards the camera.


    The screen froze. Jeffery looked over at her, seeing how the woman on the screen was so simr to Mackenzie. She was now carrying her hair curly like how she used to before they got married, but every other thing was simr. The problem was, he could not see her face clearly.


    He could not confirm that it was really her he saw.


    ¡°Zoom in on her face.¡± Jeffrey ordered.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    The security man obeyed, but the footage only looked more distorted.


    Jeffrey crossed his arms, ¡°Zoom in again.¡± The face on the screen looked even more unclear the more they zoomed in.


    He cursed, frustrated. Why the fuck could the camera not even capture her face clearly. The woman on the screen seemed like Mackenzie, but the way she was dressed was nothing like her dressing style.


    This woman was dressed so skimpily, in a ck dress that showed too much skin and skyscraper heels. Mackenzie was more of a prim and proper type. After all, he made her so.


    When he had first met her in North Dakota, she had zero style, knew nothing about ss and elegance from her crude lifestyle in that rotten, and godforsaken countryside town filled with nothing but farms and dust. Her hair flowed thick, wildly curled and unruly, and she was just some clueless girl in faded jeans and a t-shirt.


    He and his mother molded her from her unpleasant and scrawny style to something sophisticated and elegant. To fit into the Axford family and not ruin their suave reputation.


    But still, he knew what he saw that night, even if he was drunk. He just had to confirm his suspicions first.


    Jeffrey nudged the security man, ¡°Check the VIP CCTV footage. That must be of higher quality than this shit on the screen right now.¡±


    The security man helplessly looked at the Manager for confirmation. But the manager shook his head, ¡°The footage of the VIP area is restricted, confidential and absolutely off-limits. You can not see it, sir.¡±


    The manager wanted to add that the VIP footage could only be essed by authorized workers of thew, like cops and detectives, but he refrained from doing so. Because he was scared of the Axfords. They could do anything.


    Jeffrey could take advantage of that and get cops toe force them into essing the VIP footage. So he kept that little information sealed.


    Jeffrey snarled at the manager, taking a step forward, ¡°I am a fucking VIP, you bastard. I want to ess my own footage of me being in the VIP hallway that night! Show the footage to me, now!¡±


    The door opened and a woman stepped in, her face set in a grim line of focus. She had ck lipstick on and a lit cigarette between her sophisticated nails.


    ¡°What¡¯s this ruckus all about?¡± She asked the Manager in a tough tone. Before the manager could respond, she turned to stare at Jeffrey, and then gave a polite nod. ¡°Sir, can we talk in my office?¡±


    Jeffery gave her such a nasty look, that one would have thought she was a piece of diarrhea on the floor, instead of an actual, grown adult. He took a threatening step forward, growling,


    ¡°And who the fuck might you be, bitch?¡±


    Her chin angled higher, and barely even flinched from the insult he directed at her, almost like she had dealt with toxic customers like Jeffrey a thousand times before.


    ¡°I am the owner of this club.¡± She answered.


    ¡°That¡¯s none of my fucking business!¡± Jeffrey yelled at her. ¡°Actually, it¡¯s great you¡¯re here, so you can fucking get me the VIP footages I demanded for, since your pathetic staff do not know how to do their jobs!¡±


    The woman gave a little nod, and outstretched her hand holding the cigarette towards the manager. He carefully took it from her and ced it on a nearby cigarette tray. She spoke up calmly,


    ¡°Sir, if you continue like this, I will have to call the security -¡±


    Jeffrey cut in angrily, ¡°Do you not fucking realize who I am?!¡±


    ¡°I know who you are, sir. But we have a lot of VIP customers who prioritize their privacy over anything else. Showing you footages from a restricted area would be an invasion of their privacy. That can ruin the reputation of my establishment and even get me sued by multiple powerful people.¡±


    The manager added, ¡°The best we can do for you, sir, is show you footage of the bar. People usuallye to the VIP areas for privacy, and showing you footage of it would be breaking customer confidentiality, so we can not help you with that, sir.¡±


    Jeffrey clenched his jaw, realizing that these people were not going to bend to his fucking will anymore. Especially since the appearance of that old, cigarette-smoking bitch seemed to have given them courage. He stormed towards the door to leave, but as his hand touched the handle, an idea urred to him.


    He turned back and let out a huge sigh.


    ¡°I lost a fucking expensive ice bracelet in this establishment of yours, and I am fucking trying to find it, yet, you keep making things difficult. Would you like to take responsibility for my lost bracelet?¡±


    Jeffrey¡¯s tone had gone from violent to worry and frustration.  The manager stepped forward, eyebrows furrowed. ¡°Mr. Jeffrey, you could have mentioned this earlier.¡±


    ¡°I was fucking trying to trace my steps and all the ces I had gone to that night to see where I had lost it.¡± Jeffrey frowned. ¡°Oh? How about the parking lot? You have camera footage of that, don¡¯t you?¡±

 CHAPTER 56 – SWEET LITTLE SOUL

    ¡°Yes, we do.¡± The manager responded and turned to the security men, ¡°Check the parking lot footage, of that same date.¡±


    Jeffrey stepped back in front of therge screens and watched it carefully. There was a figure on the screen, stepping out into the parking lot and carrying a woman in his arms.


    ¡°Right there! Wait.¡± Jeffrey pointed at the screen, something bitter like bile rising in his throat as he recognized who the man was. They did not even need to zoom in for this one. He recognized that fucking  infuriating set of broad shoulders, and that tall build, even if the face was hidden under a face cap.


    It was fucking Chase.


    His teeth gritted when he looked at the woman in his arms, and saw that it was the same woman walking away from him back at the bar area. The woman with the curly long hair, skimpy dress and high heels.


    His mind automatically shed back to the picture the reporter had taken of Chase holding Mackenzie and protecting her from another man.


    Chase.


    Mackenzie.


    Chase.


    The unknown woman on the screen. Together. In his arms


    Only, she was not unknown anymore.


    Jeffrey¡¯s suspicions were just confirmed. It was Mackenzie, all along. The wheels in his head were all turning, as everything that happened that night suddenly started to fall into ce and makeplete sense. She must have recognized him, that was why she tried to get away, even as he called her back.


    He had followed her up to the VIP section, where she disappeared. There was no other exit from that hallway, so she could only have gotten into one of the rooms. And the exact room he suspected she went into .. was Chase¡¯s. He hade outside and made him leave, ignoring all his questions about seeing a particr woman.


    Now, in the parking lot, Chase appeared, carrying Mackenzie in his arms.


    The realization was a cannon st in his mind.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± He muttered, then his tone got louder and angrier, ¡°Fuck, fuck, fuck!!¡±


    The manager asked, ¡°Are you alright, Mr. Jeffrey-¡±


    ¡°Shut the fuck up, I am not talking to you!¡± Jeffrey roared like he was about to go unhinged and insane with anger.


    He was seething, his blood boiling and his fists trembling. What the fuck was Chase and Mackenzie doing together? In a club, in a room, her in his arms, in a fucking picture?


    What. The. Hell?N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Jeffrey could not stand to stare at that footage anymore. He stormed out of the room, leaving the manager and the other upants staring at each other in confusion. As he headed out of the building, his phone began to ring with a call from his mother. He ignored her calls and instead dialed another number.


    ¡°Hello? Remember me? Yes, it¡¯s Jeffrey Axford.¡± He started. After a moment he continued, ¡°You worked for my mother one time, and the job was wless. Now, I have a job for you. I want you to work for me. I¡¯m sending you the name and picture of a woman in Greensville.


    ¡°I need you tob every part of the city in your search for her, and get me her address, down to her contact information, numbers and all that shit. Before the end of today. Name your price.¡±


    The voice on the other end of the call named a price, which made Jeffrey let out a devilish smile.


    ¡°It¡¯s settled then. Get to work.¡± He said.


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    Jeffrey ended the call and pulled open the door to his Te, and mmed it shut, driving out of the parking lot with a screech and burn of tires, filling the area with the smell of burnt rubber.


    *************


    The next day, Felicity had prepared the kids to go visit Mrs. Weston in the hospital, who the kids simply called Granny. However, they would stop by the shelter first to drop the Pomeranian puppy off. The shelter was too crowded yesterday, so they were told toe back this morning.


    Because the next batch of  newly adopted pets had already been picked up by new families, so it was no longer as crowded.


    Besides, they could not leave him alone in the house, or take him to the hospital. And the shelter was the right ce for him to go through necessary medical checks.


    On getting to the shelter, a caretaker led  Felicity and the twins to a fresh cot to ce him in. After Calista reluctantly handed him over, she was particrly delighted to watch him scramble around in the space, energetic and yipping happily.


    Her eyes were literally shining with happiness as she pped, ¡°Look! He¡¯s running around now! Not like yesterday. He was so sick, but now he¡¯s so cheerful. Aunt Felicity, it¡¯s because we took good care of him, right?¡±


    Felicity nodded. ¡°Yes, sweetie. And they¡¯ll take even better care of him here. Remember he was injured, so there must be something we could have missed but we did a fantastic job.¡±


    Calista looked at the caretaker, saying earnestly, ¡°Please take good care of Rony. He¡¯s a really good boy. Right, Cameron?¡±


    Cameron nodded, even if he waspletely detached from the conversation. He was just staring around the shelter with awe and curiosity.


    Felicity was amused that Calista had even gone ahead to give the puppy a name, and sheughed. The caretaker smiled fondly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we will help him get to a safe home and a loving family.¡±


    Calista shook her head. ¡°Nope, I am going toe back here to properly adopt him. My mommy said she is thinking about it, and she will finish thinking soon.¡±


    The caretaker let out augh, looking at Calista in admiration, ¡°Aw, such a sweet little soul.¡±


    Felicity agreed to let Calista spend a few extra minutes with Rony, before they left the shelter and got a cab ride to Axford Medicals. Felicity led the kids up the elevator to the VIP ward that held Charlotte¡¯s mom. As they stepped in, Charlotte¡¯s mom looked away from the TV across the bed.


    A smile appeared on her weak face at the sight of the twins.


    ¡°Oh! Finally, my little babies are here to see me!¡± She eximed.


    Cameron and Calista both hurried to her side, and Felicity moved over to raise them up to the bed so they could give her hugs. Charlotte¡¯s mom was overjoyed as she fussed over them, patting their hair andmenting on how fast they were growing.


    Soon, Cameron was trying to squirm away so he could explore the hospital room, while Calista asked Mrs. Weston softly, ¡°Are you okay? They say sick people live in hospitals. Are you sick, granny?¡±


    Charlotte¡¯s mom smiled fondly, ¡°I was, but I¡¯m not sick anymore, Cali.¡± She looked over at Felicity and asked, ¡°How is Charlotte? I hope she is not too nervous about her new job offer?¡±


    ¡°Nervous?¡± Felicityughed. ¡°Charlotte makes the people around her nervous, not the other way round. She was bursting with confidence when she left home this morning. She would be fine.¡±


    While Felicity and Mrs. Weston had their conversation. Cameron had found his way to therge ss wall on the extreme side of the room. He pressed his small hands against it and looked down at the great view of the hospital it provided.


    ¡°Woah, we¡¯re so high up. This ce is huge! It feels like I¡¯m standing in the sky!¡± He eximed in awe and excitement, then turned back to call Calista, ¡°Cali,e see this!¡±


    She hurried over to stand beside him, looking down as well. ¡°What do you see?¡±


    ¡°Look over there! Can¡¯t you see it?¡±


    ¡°No, what is it?¡±


    ¡°I see so many cars and trees too¡­-¡± His excited gush of words was cut off when Charlotte¡¯s mom called out to them from her bed.


    ¡°Kids, would you like to go on a walk with me? There are good drinks here. How would you two like cups of hot chocte?¡±


    Felicity smiled at both of them, ¡°You want some, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± They answered eagerly. Felicity nodded, ¡°Alright, kids. Cameron,e here let me fix your shoeces. How did theye undone?¡±


    She moved over and fixed their clothes. They were both in small,fortable sneakers, shirts and loose pants. Calista¡¯s hair was parted into two pretty pigtails, with her favorite scrunchies on each pigtail. Felicity moved to help Charlotte¡¯s mom out of the bed, saying,


    ¡°I have to go see your doctor, since Charlotte isn¡¯t here. She made me promise I would.¡±


    Mrs. Weston gave a slight shrug, ¡°That¡¯s fine by me. I¡¯ll head out with the kids to the garden, and you can join us there.¡±


    So, Charlotte¡¯s mom led the kids down to the beautiful andrge garden behind the hospital building, with so many beautiful flowers and greenery. Calista was more than delighted to see the burst of colors, and the pretty butterflies flying around.

 CHAPTER 57 – OUR OWN DAD

    Mrs. Weston moved to sit down  on a bench by the hedge of some flowers, while Cameron and Calista looked around. Cameron spotted two people ying a ball a few meters away and he desperately wanted to go watch them, so he looked back at Charlotte¡¯s mom,


    ¡°Granny, can I go watch those people?¡±


    She was hesitant, but Cameron gave her puppy eyes and sped his hands together, ¡°Please, please, granny?¡±


    She let out a sigh, and gave in, ¡°Alright, Cameron. But stay where I can see you, okay? Calista, you can go ahead and look at the flowers too. But don¡¯t go far!¡±


    Cameron was already running in the opposite direction, but Calista waited to respond, ¡°Okay, granny.¡±


    She turned around and slowly walked by the hedges of flowers, looking at each brightly colored petal and flower arrangements in fascination. Sometimes, she bent close to smell the flowers and see which one had the best smell.


    She was smiling to herself and having so much fun, that she had no idea she was walking far away from where Charlotte¡¯s mom sat.


    After a while, she came across a hedge covered with beautiful pink flowers that seemed to attract a lot of pretty butterflies. She hurried to it, holding her hands out as if to touch the butterflies, but they fluttered away.


    She crouched down, and stared at the flowers, realizing that they were pink Cami flowers. She had seen these flowers so much since she was an infant that she could recognize them anywhere. She touched one of them and smelled it, smiling softly to herself.


    That was when slow footsteps approached her from behind, till she felt someone standing over her.


    ¡°They smell nice, don¡¯t they?¡± A man¡¯s voice asked, and Calista turned to look up at the person behind her. It was a old man, in a hospital gown. He had a kind smile on his face.


    ¡°Hello, little one.¡± He said to her.


    Calista answered immediately in her small voice, ¡°My mom said I should not talk to strangers.¡±


    Heughed, and motioned at himself. ¡°I don¡¯t have to be a stranger. Do I look like a stranger?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Calista answered. ¡°Are you not feeling well? Are you sick?¡±


    He nodded with a small smile. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m in a hospital, dear.¡±


    She gave him a sincere look that showed she hoped he would get better soon. ¡°Sorry about that.¡±


    The old man was surprised at the level of empathy a tiny little child like her had. She had to be pretty smart too. He had deduced that from just this short conversation he had with her. Not just smart, but sensitive too.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    He smiled and motioned to the flowers, asking, ¡°Do you know those flowers?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Calista answered confidently. ¡°My mom gets it all the time. It is a Pink Cami flower.¡±


    His sparse eyebrows raised in surprise, ¡°Oh? You actually know the name.¡±


    Calista continued, ¡°Yes, it means deep longing. Did you nt the flowers here?¡±


    ¡°Actually, yes.¡±


    She looked surprised, ¡°In the hospital? So can I also nt flowers here?¡±


    ¡°Hm, that would be a little difficult unless you own the hospital.¡±


    She stared at him in awe, ¡°You own this ce?¡±


    ¡°Hm-hm.¡±


    ¡°Wow. That¡¯s nice. I think you¡¯re a good person. Because good people own ces where people can go to get better when they need help.¡± She said.


    He smiled. ¡°Oh, really? Thank you for thepliment, then.¡±


    He looked at her in fascination, thinking of how familiar the girl seems to him, almost like he had seen her somewhere, but could not ce where. Her hair color looked so much that that of histe wife. Her straight golden hair and the way she smiled.


    And she had a kind and sweet soul like her.


    Something about this little girl made him feel like he could actually talk to her, because he had never had a chat with a child this young, and still feel sofortable.


    It made him feel like he would make a good grandfather, if only his son would give him a grandchild.


    He carefully asked her, ¡°Is your mom here?¡±


    ¡°No, my granny is here. Why did you nt these flowers here?¡±


    The old man moved closer to the flowers and gave a bittersweet smile.  His eyes were filled with memories which were associated with these flowers. ¡°I used to give them to my wife a lot.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s very nice. Did she like them?¡±


    His eyes dimmed with sadness, which he tried to hide from Calista by inspecting the flowers a little closer. ¡°I never got to know if she liked them, but giving them to her was my way of expressing my heart to her.¡±


    ¡°So where is she now?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s in heaven.¡± The man smiled.


    ¡°Ah.¡± Calista nodded. ¡°That means you can¡¯t see her anymore, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± He sighed. ¡°I have not seen her for a very long time.¡±


    ¡°I wonder if my dad is in heaven too.¡± She muttered, and her words made Richard look at her in question, ¡°Your dad?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t have a dad and I wonder why I don¡¯t have one. My mom has a dad, aunt Charlotte has a dad too, but Cameron and I have never seen our own dad.¡±


    ¡°Who is Cameron?¡±


    ¡°My twin brother.¡±


    A delighted look covered his face at her response. ¡°You are a twin? That¡¯s so lovely. You¡¯re such a lovely girl. Your twin brother is Cameron and what is your name?¡±


    She mulled over it a little and said, ¡°I am not supposed to tell any stranger my name, but okay, my name is Calista.¡±


    ¡°I am not longer a stranger, dear Calista. From now, we are friends, okay?¡± She nodded and he motioned at the flowers. ¡°Do you want one?¡±


    ¡°Yes, please.¡± She answered in excitement. Richard nodded and motioned at another hedge of flowers down the path. ¡°I can also get those ones for you as well. Do you like them?¡±


    Calista squinted at the direction he was pointing at, but she did not seem to see the flowers. ¡°What is that?¡± She asked.


    ¡°Those flowers.¡± He said, waiting for her to spot them. It should be fairly easy, as they were brightly colored, with yellow streaks. But when he looked down at the little girl, he saw she was struggling to see the flowers. He dropped his hand, and asked in a serious tone,


    ¡°You can¡¯t see them?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t.¡± She answered innocently, looking back up at him.


    ¡°Since when has this been happening, Calista?¡± His eyebrows moved together in concern for the poor child.


    She answered, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± He said and straightened, pointing at the g of the US on a sidewalk leading out of the garden a few meters away. ¡°Can you see that?¡±


    She followed the movement of his arm, and squinted up at the g. ¡°I can see something moving in the air. But I don¡¯t know what it is. Could it be a g?¡±


    He nodded, as she was smart enough to guess what it was even though she was not really seeing it.


    ¡°Yes, it is a g. But you can¡¯t see it clearly, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    He pointed at a couple more objects around the garden, trying to see how bad her eyesight could have gotten, and after a moment, he realized that she was very shortsighted and can¡¯t see things from a certain distance.


    The further away they are, the blurrier she said the objects get. It could be managed, thankfully. After all, not many things couldn¡¯t be managed at Axford Medicals.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Calista.¡± He gave her a reassuring smile, and picked one of the pink Cami flowers, handing it over to her. ¡°Can you take me to your granny?¡±


    ¡°Okay. Thank you.¡± She epted the flowers and turned around, supposedly walking back in the way she came. However, after several moments, Richard noticed that Calista was looking around the garden, and her footsteps were no longer sure.


    ¡°Are you looking for someone?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Yes, Cameron. He was watching some people ying with a ball not too far away. If I can spot him, then granny must be nearby. But I can¡¯t see him anywhere.¡±


    Richard understood that the little girl had lost her way. It was fine, some patients easily get lost in therge gardens of Axford Medicals. It was up to their designated nurses to find them.


    But if Calista did not go so far away from her brother and granny, then she must have gotten lost because her sense of direction was not that keen.


    He smiled, because it reminded him of histe wife, who had such a bad sense of direction that she could even get lost within the aisles of a grocery store. He had always had to hold her hand everywhere they went. He had found it very adorable.


    Those good memories made it worth it to smile these days, especially when he could leave this world at any moment now.

 CHAPTER 58 – GREAT RISK?

    Richard stopped her, and suggested in a gentle tone. ¡°Okay, Calista. Why don¡¯t we just go inside the hospital and your granny wille meet us instead?¡±


    Calista nodded, fiddling her fingers around the flower.


    He asked, ¡°What is your granny¡¯s name?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. But I also came with Aunt Felicity. We came to visit granny, with my brother.¡±


    He moved to hold her small hand, leading her out of the garden. ¡°Let¡¯s go look for Aunt Felicity then. Okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Richard led her into the hospital building and they took a private elevator to the broadcast room. On entering, the workers in there snapped up in surprise to see Richard Axford in there with a little girl.


    ¡°Sir?-¡±


    ¡°This little girl needs to find her family somewhere in this hospital so make an announcement telling Aunt Felicity toe get Calista at Reception hall C.¡± He said.


    ¡°Of course, sir. Right away, sir.¡±


    They made the announcement and after, he led her to the reception hall where they would wait for her family to show up. They got to a table, and he helped her up on a seat facing the TV, and he settled down next to her.


    ¡°Would you like a cup of hot chocte?¡± He asked.


    She shook her head. ¡°I will have one when Cameron gets here. We were going to have some hot chocte together.¡±


    Richard smiled, thoroughly impressed by how much she cared about her twin brother. Not just her brother, but others. Usually, four year olds do not really care about much, as long as they can y, eat, sleep and be entertained by everything around them. Little Calista had a soul that was a little more mature than her age.


    He was literally in awe.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine, when your brother gets here, you¡¯ll both have some hot chocte.¡± He said and she nodded, smiling.


    She rxed into the seat, wriggling her feet. Richard motioned the receptionist over and told her to air some cartoon instead of the random show airing on therge TV on the wall. She bowed politely and changed the channel.


    He saw Calista¡¯s face light up when the cartoon came on, and it made a big smile grow on his own face. The resemnce of Calista bad histe wife was so uncanny, that he could not stop looking at her trying to figure it out.


    Not just in looks, but the feeling of familiarity around the little girl made him think he was just seeing a smaller and younger version of histe wife.


    He let out a deep breath and adjusted in his seat, and that¡¯s when he spotted Chase walking into the reception hall. Richard raised his hand and waved, drawing Chase¡¯s attention.


    Chase paused and looked over at the table at the other end of the hall, where his father sat. And there was a little girl by his side. He was immediately hit with the sense of having seen that little girl before, but right now, he could not remember where.


    He walked over to his dad, and asked, ¡°What are you doing here, dad?¡±


    Richard motioned at Calista, ¡°I made a new little friend in the gardens.¡± Chase¡¯s eyes shifted to rest on the girl, and he saw that she was holding a pink Cami flower in her hands.


    Richard continued, ¡°I met a little girl that knows the flower. She even knows what it symbolizes. Isn¡¯t that impressive?¡± When Chase kept staring in silence, he added, ¡°She is a really lovely girl, but she lost her way and can¡¯t find her granny and brother. So I¡¯m helping her get to them again.  It reminds me of how your mom was always getting lost.¡±This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    He gave a smallugh.


    Chase only gritted his teeth briefly. Of course he remembered how his mom¡¯s bad sense of direction and how they all used tough about it. But that did not mean he loved to be reminded of what they had lost.


    Because of him.


    ¡°She can¡¯t find her way back to her granny and ¡­ brother?¡± He asked suddenly. A girl that he had seen somewhere, that had a brother. He felt like he was on the verge of remembering something, but it just wasn¡¯ting forth.


    ¡°Yes, apparently she¡¯s a twin. We have made an announcement, and they will be here soon. I would also like her to see a doctor, because I realized she has issues with her sight. She really can¡¯t see far.¡±


    Chase noticed that she was straining to watch the TV, and even at that she seemed to be enjoying whatever cartoon was airing.


    He nodded and said to Richard, ¡°I came here to see you, but couldn¡¯t find you in your ward. A nurse informed me that you would be here.¡±


    Richard gave a dismissive wave, ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry, son. There¡¯s no rush. You can go see my doctors first. I¡¯ll be back in my ward as soon as her family picks her up. Which will be soon.¡±


    Chase¡¯s sea blue eyes rested on the little girl again, for some reason, and at the same time, she looked away from the TV to look at him, like she felt his stare. Calista was a bit startled, wondering why the tall man in a suit looked like her brother.


    Chase moved closer and crouched in front of her, trying to look as friendly and less intense as possible. He did not want to scare the little girl.


    ¡°Hi.¡± He said lightly.


    She suddenly seemed shy, fiddling with the flower again. ¡°Hello.¡± She looked at Richard, who she seemed more rxed with, and asked, ¡°Is this your son?¡±


    Richard nodded with a smile. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s my son.¡±


    Her mouth rounded in an O, as she looked back at Chase, ¡°You have a dad, too.¡±


    Chase wondered what she could mean by that as he looked back at his father with a questioning eyebrow raised. The father gave him a look that showed he would exinter.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Chase asked.


    ¡°Calista.¡± She answered.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you, Calista. You have a very pretty flower.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Your dad gave it to me.¡± She answered, ncing at Richard who nodded at her fondly. Chase found her so adorable, that he smiled at her.


    At the sight of his friendly smile, Calista found herself more rxed, and she eagerly smiled back. Chase faltered when he saw her smile. It was so familiar, that something leaped in his chest.  It had been such a long time since he saw a smile like that. Those smiles died with his mom, but here it was, making an appearance again on the soft, small face of a child.


    Richard saw Chase¡¯s reaction and he gave him a meaningful nce, so his son knew that he also saw the resemnce.


    Chase got over himself and held his hand out for a shake with her. She took his hand, and they shook. More like, his hand engulfed hers almost to her elbow. He straightened up, gave both her and his father onest nce before he left the hall.


    Almost immediately, Felicity hurried into the reception through the opposite entrance, her eyes frantically looking around trying to spot Calista. Charlotte¡¯s mom was slowly walking behind her.


    Felicity spotted Calista, and hurried over to the table, hugging her and checking over her protectively. ¡°Where have you been, Cali? We have been looking everywhere for you. Are you okay, hm?¡±


    Calista nodded.


    Felicity asked, ¡°Do you know where Cameron is?¡±


    ¡°He was watching some people y ball when Ist saw him.¡± She answered.


    Felicity sighed, and then looked over at the old man sitting beside Calista. She straightened up, ¡°Hello, sir. Thank you much for helping us find Cali.¡±


    Richard smiled, ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I hope you were not too worried.¡±


    It was Mrs. Weston who spoke up, sitting down beside Calista, ¡°I was not really worried, because I know we would eventually find the little girl and her brother.  But her aunt here, was in panic. Young people are so hot-blooded, you know.¡±


    Richardughed. Felicity gave a small smile. It was true she panicked. After all, they took a great risk by bringing the kids here in the first ce. And an even greater risk by taking a walk to the gardens. Thank goodness they did not run into an Axford.


    She had promised Mackenzie that she would watch them, but she had been distracted with seeing the doctors , and that¡¯s why the kids were able to get away from Charlotte¡¯s mom.


    So she had called Mackenzie, and told her they could not find the twins. Felicity felt so bad when she literally felt Mackenzie¡¯s panic and worry through the phone, when she said she was dropping everything anding to the hospital.


    Right away.


    Richard stood up from his seat and said to Felicity, ¡°Can I see you for a moment?¡±


    Felicity paused, ¡°Of course.¡± She followed him till they were a few feet away, and she asked, ¡°Is there a problem, sir?¡±

 CHAPTER 59 – NO INTENTION

    ¡°Have you noticed anything about Calista¡¯s eyesight?¡± Richard asked Felicity.


    She frowned slightly, ¡°Sight? Not really.¡± She took a quick nce back at Calista sitting with Mrs. Weston. ¡°Is there something wrong?¡±


    He nodded. ¡°Yes, back in the garden, I noticed that she can¡¯t see far. She does not know when it started, so I believe it has been going on for a while now. If it was sudden, she would definitely have said something.¡±


    Felicity¡¯s eyes shifted to rest on Calista again, and for the first time ever, she noticed that she was straining her eyes in a certain way to view the images on the TV screen. She felt a tug in her heart in realization. How did they not realize this sooner.


    The little girl literally lived with three adult women who were supposed to notice things quickly, yet no one did. But a kind stranger who found her just a while ago had already picked up on the fact that there was something wrong.


    Richard saw the downcast expression on Felicity¡¯s face, and he quickly tried to reassure her.


    ¡°The best ophthalmologists are avable here in Axford Medicals, so the little girl should get her eyes checked as soon as possible.  And you already have a patient here, Calista¡¯s granny, so that makes it easier for her to just get an appointment scheduled. And I will take care of everything else, so you don¡¯t have to worry.¡±


    Felicity looked at him wide eyed. The kind stranger also offered to pay the bills for Calista¡¯s eye treatments? Axford Medicals bills cost a fortune, because their services are world ss, so for him to be able to foot the bills¡­ he had to be someone important.


    Then again, Felicity reminded herself, every patient here had someone powerful in their lives, to be able toe to this hospital.


    If not for Chase covering Mrs. Weston¡¯s medical bills, they would never have been here in the first ce.


    ¡°Sir¡­? I ¡­ thank you so much! This means a lot to us, we had no idea Calista¡¯s eyes were in a bad state. You have done something we can never be grateful enough for¡­¡±


    Richard smiled. ¡°It¡¯s fine. It¡¯s fine. She¡¯s my little friend, and friends help each other out, don¡¯t they?¡±


    Felicity sighed, ¡°If there¡¯s anyway we can show out appreciation, I would dly do.¡±


    ¡°No problem, dear. She¡¯s a sweet little girl, and she deserves the best. Please make sure she gets the treatment on time, and some sses. I¡¯ll reach out to you through a nurse. I have to go back to my room now.¡±


    ¡°Alright, thank you so much.¡± Felicity said.


    He nced back at Calista and smiled fondly, waving at her, ¡°Hope to see you again, dear friend!¡±


    Calista¡¯s smile was big and toothy, her cheeks puffing up while she waved back eagerly, ¡°Bye! And I hope you get better soon!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget your hot chocte!¡± He grinned, and turned around to look at the receptionist. ¡°Give her two cups of it.¡± Then he walked towards the exit of the reception hall.


    The receptionist hurriedly got the two cups of hot chocte, covered with a lid so it doesn¡¯t spill, or get cold too quickly, and handed it over to Calista who held them protectively.


    Felicity helped her down the seat, and patted her hair, ¡°I see you made a good friend today. Good girl. Now, let¡¯s go find Cameron, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Charlotte¡¯s mom asked her with concern, ¡°Are you sure you can carry those cups of chocte without dropping them? I can help you with one.¡±


    She shook her head, ¡°Thanks, granny, but I can hold it. I want to give one to Cameron myself.¡±


    Mrs. Westonughed. ¡°Alright then, dear. Let¡¯s go find your brother.¡± Felicity led the way, and they followed her out of the hall. Not too long after, they found Cameron wandering around curiously, and Felicity went after him to hold his hand.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough exploring for today, kids. You both gave me a fright. Let¡¯s go back to granny¡¯s ward, okay?¡±


    Cameron saw the cups in Calista¡¯s hands and he wriggled away from Felicity to go walk beside his sister. ¡°What are those?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Hot chocte!¡± She answered proudly, then held one cup out to him. ¡°This is for you.¡±


    He eagerly snatched it, eyes widening happily. ¡°Yay!¡±


    Felicity moved to hold their free hands, guiding them forward. ¡°Let¡¯s wait a little bit till we get to granny¡¯s ward before you drink your hot chocte, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± The twins answered. Calista¡¯s response was more enthusiastic, while Cameron sounded like he didn¡¯t want to wait. When they were back in Charlotte¡¯s mom¡¯s ward, and the twins were quietly settled down on a couch, sipping on their drinks, Felicity moved to the side to call Mackenzie.


    Mackenzie answered immediately, asking frantically, ¡°Have you found her yet? I¡¯m sorry, I should have gotten there a long time ago but there¡¯s so much traffic on the road.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you can rx now. We have found Calista, and Cameron. They were just trying to see the hospital. You know they have never seen such a giant building before.¡± Felicity said soothing.


    Mackenzie let out a loud and deep sigh of absolute relief. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m so d they¡¯re fine. I was already having terrible scenarios ying out in my mind.¡±


    ¡°A kind stranger took her to the broadcast room where they made an announcement that let me track her. However, Mackenzie, you still have toe to the hospital. There¡¯s something you need to know.¡±


    ¡°Is anything wrong? You¡¯re hiding something from me, aren¡¯t you, Felicity?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Felicity smiled slightly at Mackenzie¡¯s paranoia. ¡°Everything is fine, I promise. Just call me when you get here.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Mackenzie ended the call and stared anxiously out of the cab¡¯s window. Thankfully, the slow traffic was starting to move again. After getting the panicked call from Felicity, her mind had gone into an overdrive with worry for her babies.


    Them being in Axford Medicals made her feel so uneasy that it was difficult for her to concentrate on her paperwork in the office. And Felicity telling her she could not find her kids made everything so much worse.


    She had gone to inform Nora that she had to leave for an emergency, and she woulde back once she had sorted it out. Nora had seen her restlessness, so she agreed. What Mackenzie did not know, was that Nora had sent Chase a text right after she turned around.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Chase was in the Doctor¡¯s office, getting a detailed report about his dad. The doctor¡¯s updates were a bit of an improvement this time, because his father¡¯s treatment had advanced his health to the point where he was no longer in pain.


    That was great news. If his father was not in pain, then his body could reserve more energy for the surgery ahead, instead of spending it on trying to fight pain.


    ¡°His blood pressure is stable, his sugar level is also stable, so we are all set for the surgery. We are also increasing the blood bank with more AB negative blood type to make sure that we have enough blood for him, in case he runs short of blood.¡±


    The doctor continued, ¡°Garnering is still ongoing, because only 1% of the poption have the AB negative blood type, so we are pulling a lot of strings to have to be fully avable before the surgery.¡±


    Chase nodded. ¡°I understand. I am AB negative myself. I know how difficult and scared doctors are to tamper with my blood, because there isn¡¯t usually enough to rece it with.¡±


    Just then, Chase¡¯s phone chimed with a text, and the doctor cleared his throat, ¡°Do you want to me to excuse you, sir?¡±


    ¡°No. Go on.¡± Chase said, making a mental note to check the textter.


    Momentster, he stepped out of the doctor¡¯s office and saw his father returning to his ward. They walked together and entered his ward, but instead of going to his bed to rest, Richard moved to the window, staring down at the gardens below.


    Chase stared at him, and asked, ¡°How are you feeling today, dad?¡±


    Richard answered in a low tone, ¡°I was feeling so lonely, until I met the little girl¡­ what was her name again.. Calista. I felt so happy in herpany.¡±


    Chase let out a breath, trying to hold back the half smile forming in his face. He knew that his father was going to use the little girl as another opportunity to remind him about giving him grand kids again.


    He walked forward to stand in front of the window as well, and Richard said,


    ¡°You know, son, I wish you had more siblings. At least, I would have grandkids by now, and I would not have to pester you since you clearly have no intentions of having kids.¡±


    Chase rubbed this thumb between his eyebrows, taking in a deep breath while thinking, here we go again.

 CHAPTER 60 – THROWN-OFF COURSE

    Chase watched his father stare down at the gardens below as if he was looking for onest glimpse of the girl.


    Richard sighed and continued, ¡°Seeing that little girl made me genuinely wish I had a grandchild like her. To keep mepany sometimes, you know? Such a sweet and intelligent girl.¡±


    He nced sideways at Chase, ¡°Being in the presence of kids is so therapeutic to an old man like me, don¡¯t you know? Being in the presence of that child made me feel less lonely and happier. But now? That loneliness is starting to weigh down on me again, as she is not my grandchild who can spend as much time with me as she wants.¡±


    Chase definitely did not want to have this conversation again, but to his relief, his father was not really looking for a conversation. The old man just wanted someone to listen to him. Chase wondered why his father was putting himself through this when he could just tell his wife the truth and have here keep himpany here in the hospital.


    But then, Chase knew both Eleanor and Jeffrey were not trustworthy. He had always known of that fact. Now, he was sure his father knew that too, that¡¯s why he kept the news of his illness from them, even if he would never admit it.


    ¡°Money really can¡¯t give us everything.¡± Richard said solemnly. ¡°Some of us think we can get anything we want with money, but really, we can¡¯t get everything we want, the way we want it. Some people are so lucky, imagine having that adorable little girl as a granddaughter ¡±


    Chase could not bear to listen to one more word, so he spoke up, ¡°Dad. It¡¯s okay, seriously. All of this is not going to suddenly make me have a child. Stop dragging the subject.¡±


    Richard turned fully to look at Chase, as his expression suddenly changed into something different. He stared for a moment, before he said in a curious tone,


    ¡°I have been in the dark until a nurse showed me an article making rounds on the inte.¡± He paused, as if to let his words sink in. ¡°Yes, the article about you, Chase, and guess who else I saw with you? Mackenzie. Why did you not mention that she was in the city, and you¡¯ve always known where to find her?¡±


    Chase raised a nonchnt shoulder. ¡°I wanted to sort everything out before telling you about it. And I already got her to work with us.¡±


    Richard¡¯s expression dropped, as he turned away from the window, looking at Chase with a confused face, ¡°Why? Does she have to work in thepany?¡±


    He shook his head in disapproval, ¡°Son, that¡¯s not right. She is Jeffrey¡¯s wife and her being around Axford property would not be the best for her.¡±


    Chase¡¯s tone dropped dead cold when he corrected his father. ¡°She¡¯s not his wife anymore.¡±


    Richard abruptly corrected himself, brushing it off he continued on with what he was saying. ¡°Ex-wife, I meant. As a divorcee, all she needs from this family ispensation and she can then stay as far away as she wishes to. I¡¯m sure making her work for the familypany would bring her face to face with her ex-husband again and that would be an unpleasant experience for everyone involved.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s very young, she can start a new life with anypensation she gets from us and do whatever she wants. But now, you making her work at thepany, and getting involved in her affairs is not putting you in a good light.


    ¡°Take a look at that article, for example, son. Look at the kind of rumors and scandals running wild on the inte and within the press. You involved with your brother¡¯s ex-wife?!¡± Richard looked displeased. ¡°You know how people think, especially when ites to you, Chase. I don¡¯t want your reputation, or that of Mackenzie to be ruined with these rumors. These ideas they¡¯re getting are oundish.¡±


    Chase¡¯s jaw was clenched, and he was ring daggers at the opposite wall.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about whatever ideas they get. They can think whatever they damn want.¡±


    Richard was so startled by the raw resoluteness in Chase¡¯s tone, that he had to pause in his response and take a much closer look at his son. With his heart slowly pounding, he saw the fierce protectiveness in his eyes, and the tenseness of his broad shoulders.


    This was not the bodynguage of a man casually talking about his brother¡¯s controversial ex-wife. This was a bodynguage of a man being protective of his woman.


    Slow realization dawned on Richard, and his lips dropped open. There was no way¡­


    Carefully, Richard broke the silence. ¡°Chase. You are just trying to help Mackenzie because she is your brother¡¯s ex-wife, right? In that picture on the article, you were only saving her from being harassed, not because of any other reason asides regr kindness, right? Son, tell me it¡¯s not what I¡¯m thinking right now..¡±


    Chase turned to him, fully, taking a couple of steps close set till they were both staring at each other. Richard¡¯s eyes held disbelief and confusion, Chase¡¯s held hard determination.


    ¡°It¡¯s exactly what you¡¯re thinking, dad. I¡¯m interested in Mackenzie. And it¡¯s not just something fleeting.¡±


    For a moment, Richard did not know how to react to such a bombshell. Never in a million years did he expect to hear something like that. He blinked, and let out a huff,


    ¡°What? What in the world are you saying, Chase? This is so out of the blue, you can¡¯t say things like that. It¡¯s your brother¡¯s ex-wife we¡¯re talking about here.¡± Richard frowned. ¡°Can you really hear yourself  Chase? What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°I can hear myself and I know what I am saying. I want her.¡± Chase deadpanned.


    Richard looked absolutely thrown off-course. He stared at his son, met his defiant stare and then let out a deep breath, pinching the skin between his eyebrows in exasperation.


    ¡°Son, I know it seems like you have been ending up with the wrong women, but Mackenzie isn¡¯t the right choice for you either. It¡¯s not right, she used to be your family before the divorce! There are already two scandals of you right now, what do you think will happen if the world finds out what you have just told me?


    ¡°People will talk! Listen Chase, don¡¯t get involved with Mackenzie. It¡¯s not even moral of you to have something with the same woman that was once your brother¡¯s wife. That¡¯s like turning the fire out there into a wild inferno. Jeffrey will not stay still either, watching his brother and ex-wife together.


    ¡°Put yourself in Jeffrey¡¯s shoes, son-¡±


    Chase clenched his fists, angrily cutting in. ¡°Stop mentioning that piece of shit¡¯s name here, father. He has no fucking right to question anything between Mackenzie and I. Do you know what he did to her, dad? He fucking made her sign the pre-nuptial without her understanding the terms written there. That in itself is a fucking vition.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°When she was sick and alone with no one to take care of her but her old father back in their home town, technically, she and Jeffrey were still married. He did not show up there once, or even sent anything to support her as her husband. Instead, he divorced her and left her with nothing.


    ¡°Everything she worked for under the Axford name, was all gone. Her efforts she put into the family throughout the marriage went unappreciated and thepensation and security she was entitled to as wife, and now a divorcee, was never given to her. Her ounts and privileges were all confiscated by him and Eleanor, when she needed it the most.¡±


    Richard¡¯s face was white as a sheet as he listened to the things Chase revealed to him. He was in so much shock, realizing how blind he had been all these years for not even realizing what Mackenzie had been through.


    ¡°So, dad. Don¡¯t tell me anything about Jeffrey, because his opinions mean jack shit to me. I do not care about him, or what he thinks. He can go to hell for all I care-¡±


    ¡°No, Chase, no. He is your brother. A woman should note between the both of you. And I¡¯m certain that whatever you feel for Mackenzie is fleeting. It will pass after a while, so don¡¯t turn your brother into an enemy because of it.¡± Richard said.


    Chase let out a humorless smile. ¡°Fleeting? I have been interested in her for over four damn years. Even when she was miles away in North Dakota.¡±


    ¡°How?¡± Richard sounded extremely concerned at this point, ¡°What are you saying, Chase? None of this makes sense to me. You can¡¯t be with her. Don¡¯t you understand that it is not right? And are you trying to say that you were with her even before her divorce?¡±

 CHAPTER 61 – YOURE HIM

    Richard shook his head like he was trying the untangle his thoughts. He looked back at Chase with an horrified expression,


    ¡°This just keeps getting even worse. You mean this has been going on since she was still married? That¡¯s all the more worse! Chase, what are you doing with a woman like that? What are you doing with women who cheat? Is that some kind of twisted preference of yours, son?¡±


    Chase ignored his father¡¯s frantic reaction and responded, ¡°Selene cheated on me with Jeffrey and Mackenzie found out about it. She did not even tell me even when she knew all along. She saw them herself¡­¡±


    Richard could not listen to any more. The barrage of information he had received in the past ten minutes alone made him feel dizzy. He slowly moved to sit on a chair, shaking his head slowly. Chase sighed, brushing a hand through his hair.


    ¡°You should not be hearing all of this right now, dad. Please don¡¯t think about it. Your focus should only be on your treatment and getting better. Besides, you need to be in top shape for your surgery, not needlessly worrying about other things.¡±


    A knock filtered in through the closed door, and Chase told whoever it was toe in. The door swung open, to reveal Eleanor, standing in the doorway.


    *********


    Mackenzie had finally arrived at the hospital, and she could barely  contain her relief as pushed open the door to Mrs Weston¡¯s ward to see Calista and Cameron sitting on a couch, watching TV. More like Calista was watching the kids show on TV, while Cameron messed around with some toys.


    ¡°You¡¯re finally here!¡± Charlotte¡¯s mom said from her bed, ¡°I hope the traffic was not too bad?¡±


    Felicity turned, ¡°She¡¯s here now, and that¡¯s all that matters.¡±


    Mackenzie nodded and went to crouch in front of her kids, instinctively checking them over to make sure they were really okay. Calista gave a bright grin, ¡°Mommy!¡±


    Mackenzie pulled both of them into a hug, pressing soft kisses on their heads.  She pulled away and worriedly asked, ¡°Are you okay, sweetie? Hm, Cameron? I told you both not to run off. Don¡¯t run off like that again, okay?¡±


    Cameron nodded, but Mackenzie noticed that Calista was barely even listening, which was unusual since she was the most attentive one of the two.


    ¡°Cali? Are you okay? Is something wrong?¡± She asked.


    Calista answered, ¡°No, mommy. I met a good stranger today, he was a very kind person.¡±


    Mackenzie sighed in disapproval. ¡°No, Cali. What did I tell you about talking to strangers?¡±


    ¡°But mommy, he was very nice. He told me about his wife, and I told him about my daddy.¡± Immediately Calista uttered thosest words, the entire room fell silent.


    And the silence was filled with sudden tension between the adults in the room. Mackenzie went cold, and just as Cameron registered the word, daddy, he lost interest in his toys and asked Calista,


    ¡°What about daddy, Cali?¡±


    Mackenzie cleared her throat and quickly spoke up before the twins could say any more. ¡°Remember I told you he¡¯sing soon? Don¡¯t worry, sweeties. Just be a little more patient and you¡¯ll meet him. Okay?¡±


    Calista pouted up at Mackenzie, ¡°But mommy, Emily¡¯s daddyes home everyday!¡±


    Cameron nodded, his blue eyes shining up at Mackenzie. ¡°Jeremy told me his daddy travels a lot, but hees home once in a week, or sometimes once in a month. But at least hees home and brings many gifts and toys for Jeremy. But I have not seen our daddy in a very long time, mommy.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s cheeks had gone cold and drained. She felt so incapable and helpless, especially when her kids were asking for their father in front of Felicity and Mrs. Weston. What could she do about this situation? Each day, the kids find a new way to ask for their father.


    Their curiosity seemed to increase each passing day.


    She let out a sigh of frustration, not knowing what else to say to her two babies hopefully looking up at her for answers.


    Felicity felt Mackenzie¡¯s difort and helplessness, so she stepped forward and smiled at the twins, ¡°You both can continue this conversation with your momter, I have something important to tell her now, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Mackenzie let out a small breath of relief as Felicity led her to another side of the room. ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s nothing, Kenzie. By the way, I really do have something important to tell you.¡±


    She perked up, ¡°That¡¯s right. That¡¯s why you sounded so elusive on the phone. What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Felicity started, ¡°Remember the nice stranger Cali was talking about? That¡¯s the same man that helped us find her when she got lost. He  noticed that Calista has an issue with her eyesight.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°She is shortsighted, Mackenzie. I realized it after the man pointed it out. The good news is, he has offered to foot all the bills and additional expenses involved in getting Calista the eye care she needs here in Axford Medicals.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes went round. ¡°What? Wait. This is too much information all at once. What do you mean my baby has an eyesight issue and I didn¡¯t even notice?¡±


    She moved back to Calista and held her hand, leading her off the couch and over to the window. She asked, pointing to a building in the distance, ¡°Can you see that?¡±


    Calista looked in the general direction she was pointing to and squinted, straining for a long time to make sense if the images in her vision, but after a moment, she answered, ¡°I can¡¯t see it, mommy. It¡¯s blurry.¡±


    Mackenzie gave her a soft hug, ¡°Oh my poor baby, I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t notice this sooner. We¡¯ll get you better, okay?¡± She looked at Felicity and Mrs. Weston. ¡°I¡¯ll take her to the eye department right away. Felicity, when you get in touch with the nice man who noticed this, please call me so I can personally give him my thanks.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Felicity nodded.


    *****


    Chase excused himself from his father¡¯s ward the moment Eleanor showed up. As he strode down the hallway, he almost felt sorry for his father, wondering how he was going to spin his reason for keeping his illness away from his wife.


    If Eleanor could show up unannounced like this, then there are fat chances that she had discovered that Richard had cancer. Chase could not be surprised. He had always known that Eleanor was too cunning to stay put in the house without trying to meddle in everyone¡¯s business.


    Brushing off his growing annoyance from thinking about it, he stopped by the door to Mrs. Weston¡¯s ward and knocked.


    He had checked the text on his phone from Nora, telling him Mackenzie had left the office to attend to an emergency. He could only think of Mrs. Weston being the cause of the emergency. But if that were truly the case, he should know by now¡­


    He heard the voice of a nurse telling him toe in, and he opened the door. Mrs. Weston wasying on her bed, with a nurse fiddling around with an IV on her wrist.


    The nurse spotted Chase first, and was startled and flustered all at once. ¡°Hello, sir!¡±


    That made Mrs. Weston look in his direction. Her eyes lighted up with something Chase could not understand. She was looking at him like she was impressed about something, but he simply ignored it and politely said hello to her.


    She smiled. ¡°Hello. Mackenzie was here a while ago, I¡¯m sure you came to see her.¡±


    Chase knew the only times he had seen Mrs. Weston was when she was still unconscious and in a critical state, so there was no way she could know him. Even if Mackenzie and he friends had told her about him, she still should not be able to recognize him at first nce since they had not officially met yet.


    But from the look in her eyes, it seemed like she knew exactly who he was.


    ¡°Do you know me, ma¡¯am?¡±


    Sheughed, ¡°Of course, I do know you! Just from your face I know you¡¯re him.¡±


    Him?


    He raised his eyebrow, and she quickly brushed it off with augh, ¡°Oh, don¡¯t mind me, senile talk. I must be growing old.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that, you¡¯re not that old, Mrs. Weston.¡±


    Sheughed at that, and he asked, ¡°How are things with you? Was there an emergency?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m getting better just fine. And I have you to thank for everything, of course.¡±This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it, ma¡¯am. I¡¯ll take my leave now.¡± He turned back to the door. ¡°Take care!¡± She called our after him, and he stepped out, shutting the door behind him.


    Outside the ward, he paused, wondering what emergency Mackenzie could have told Nora about since Mrs. Weston was obviously doing fine. ording to the text, Mackenzie had really been panicking, so what could have happened?


    Besides, Mrs. Weston was talking slightly strange, but he did not want to dwell on that when he still had to find Mackenzie.

 CHAPTER 62 – CAMILIA AXFORD

    Chase stopped on his tracks and turned to take onest look at Mrs. Weston¡¯s door. He was still perplexed, seeing as Mrs. Weston seemed to be doing fine. He pulled his phone out of his side pocket and quickly ced a call across to Nora.


    He called to ask if Mackenzie had returned to the office, but found out she had not. He thanked her for her time and ended the call.


    He slipped his phone into his pocket and continued his stroll around the hospital. As he walked, his mind wandered back to Eleanor and his father. Once again, he felt pity for the old man.


    Just as he was about to walk past the hospital¡¯s exit door, his eyes caught a familiar figure standing in the hallway, right in front of the door he knew belonged to eye patients, he had walked the corridors of the hospital long enough to know every nook and cranny.


    Chase paused, and tilted his neck to take a closer look at the woman. He spotted the wave of curls that poured down her back after she tied them in a low bun. She folded her arms across her chest in a posture he knew far too well. Still watching her, he noted how she tilted her neck to the side, eyes fixed on the door.


    Mackenzie.


    He could spot her in a crowd of a million people.


    d in a ck suit pants and a peach long sleeved shirt, Chase could tell she hade directly from the office. She should have been sitting down, not standing and staring at the door. His brows furrow as he starts to walk towards her.


    Why was she here? Was she waiting for someone? If yes, who could she be waiting for?


    He was only a few meters away from her when he caught sight of the poster that had stolen her attention.


    A picture of Doctor Camilia, his mother, was pasted on the door. Chase¡¯s jaw clenched as he stared into his mother¡¯s bright eyes. She was an opthalmologist, and the poster in front of the door was made by her foundation, Camilia Axford Foundation for Eye care, in honour of her. The foundation was geared towards enlightening and helping people with eye defects.


    ¡°Eye care is underated. Have you checked your eyes today?¡± He read the inscription on the poster in his head. He focuses on his mother¡¯s face, but his gaze continually shifts to Mackenzie.


    She had not noticed him yet, engrossed in the poster in front of her. Chase narrowed his eyes on her. He found the interest strange and confusing. He could swear Mackenzie had never seen that face before.


    ¡°Do you know her?¡± He asked, speaking up for the first time since he stood by her side.


    The voice drew Mackenzie out of her dazed state, she was more than aware of who it belonged to, but it didn¡¯t make her any less surprised. She jerked up in shock, and made a quick spin to catch a glimpse of the man behind her.


    She blinked sporadically when she found Chase Axford peering down at her. She had not expected to run into him at that point in time. How did he manage to find her?


    She dropped her gaze to his lips, then tore her eyes away from him almost immediately.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Chase managed to tear his eyes away from her for a split second to look at his mother¡¯s photo, before he turned back to her.


    ¡°You are staring at the picture as though you know her.¡± He replied, and Mackenzie shook her head in response.


    ¡°Not at all. On the contrary, I have never seen her before. But her name¡­¡± She stopped speaking and cast another nce at the poster. She squinted her brows, taking a closer look at the name on the poster.


    ¡°Her name here says Camilia Axford.¡±


    She returned her eyes to him and found him looking at the poster, but not with the same surprise she did. In that moment, Mackenzie seemed to forget the fact that she had tried to hide from this man, and she still had a huge secret behind that door, one that she hoped to keep away from him for as long as she could.


    She forgot the fact that he was the one man she was supposed to stay away from, and allowed herself bask in the aura of his presence.


    Mackenzie dropped her hands to her sides. She found herself clutching the fabric of her pants.


    He looked so handsome standing beside her. He always did, but there was something about him when his suit jacket was off, and his dark hair was scattered all over his head ¨C a sharp contrast to his usual gelled andid back style ¨C she noticed the stuble underneath his chin. The messier he was supposed to look, the sexier he found him.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s  right.¡± He finally spoke, a dry chuckle escaped his lips.


    He was looking at her again.


    ¡°She¡¯s my mother.¡±


    The statement hit Mackenzie like a shockwave. She could feel her jaw almost drop to the ground as she gaped at him.


    ¡°I had no idea.¡± She said aloud, still visibly and internally shocked.


    ¡°Yeah, I know.¡± He slid his hands into his pockets as he looked at her.


    ¡°You were never exactly curious.¡± He continued, and Mackenzie sighed.


    ¡°I mean, it¡¯s not like I was never curious, but I had never seen a picture of her anywhere. I had always known Eleanor was not your biological mother, she couldn¡¯t be, but I just never had an idea of who your biological mother was. There was never a painting, a potrait¡­¡± She threw her hands in the air, and allowed them fall freely.


    ¡°¡­ basically nothing.¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Chase could understand her point, he did. Pictures and every item that evoked memories of his mother had been stashed away, under the orders of¡­ who else?


    ¡°Yes. My father took away every picture, portrait, and memory of my mother that existed after she died. From clothes, to Jewelry, to fragnances, he took everything away. I couldn¡¯t me him. He was going bat shit crazy, slowly losing his mind with every passing day.¡± As much as he hated to admit, talking to Mackenzie about the worst part of his life yet, seemed easy.


    It almost felt like he had nothing to hide, like he could be his true self around her, and she would stare at him with the concerned doe eyes she held up at that moment. They were so beautiful, as sparkling as pearls underneath bright lights. She was beautiful, so beautiful.


    Mackenzie had never seen him like that before. There was a new aura of vulnerability she had never seen. Chase Axford was like a gift hidden behind so manyyers of gift wrappers. As he stood beside her, she could feel a strong pull towards him, like he had taken oneyer of the wrap away, all by himself.


    ¡°Was she an eye doctor?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Chase replied curtly, slowly returning to his old self.


    ¡°She was short-sighted, and missed her way quite easily. My father always teased her for her funny sense of direction.¡± As he spoke, a smile crept up to his cheeks, and brightened his dark blue eyes.


    Mackenzie was shocked to see him smile. It was not something he did often, nor was it a sight she was ustomed to seeing. But she was certain she could never get used to how charming he was when he smiled.


    Chase¡¯s smile also surprised him. The memory was not a pleasant one, but with Mackenzie, he could see the light in the dark  tunnel he had fought hard to escape for most of his life.


    ¡°You know, I found a girl today, in this hospital. She reminded me so much of my mother. Just like her, she didn¡¯t seem to have good eyesight, or a good sense of direction either.¡± His mind wandered back to the little girl his father had showed to him.


    The striking resemnce between his mother and her was something he could not forget very easily, or at all.


    Mackenzie hummed and turned away from him. She fixed her eyes on the poster once more.


    The woman¡¯s golden-blonde hair was so much like Calista¡¯s. The sparkling blue eyes that couldn¡¯t see from a far distance, the sense of direction, it was clear as crystal that Calista was Camilia¡¯s grandchild. Mackenzie wondered what had happened to her.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Mackenzie dared to ask. However, when he stood straight and frowned, she wished she had not.


    ¡°I must return to the office now.¡± He pushed the question aside, and Mackenzie lowered her gaze to the ground.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± She looked up at him again.


    ¡°I really shouldn¡¯t have¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t give me that look, Sunshine. I just need to return to the office.¡± He stopped speaking, then squinted his brows as he looked at her.


    ¡°What are you doing here anyway?¡±


    She had expected the question soon, but it did not make her prepared for it.


    Mackenzie parted her lips to speak, even as her heart began thrumming in her chest.


    ¡°I¡­ uhmm, I¡­¡±


    The door in front of them opened, and a nurse stepped out, clutching a note pad as she smiled at Mackenzie.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, we are done now. You can join your daughter inside.¡±

 CHAPTER 63 – WILD PANIC

    She can join her daughter inside? Surely there had to be a mistake somewhere. Mackenzie did not have a child.


    Or did she?


    Mackenzie thought she would die from how fast her heart was racing.


    ¡°He knows, he knows, he knows.¡± She repeated the phrase over and over again in her head. Everytime she did, it was scarier than thest.


    ¡°You should leave now, Mr. Axford.¡±


    She was doing it again, Chase noted, with an arched brow. A small frown formed on his face. She was running into her shell again.


    ¡°Are you the father, Mr. Axford?¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes widened. Her heart threatened to jump out of her chest, and she fought the urge to clutch the cor of her shirt with trembling hands.


    Chase, on the other hand, had still not been able to find his tongue.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°What nonsense. Chase Axford doesn¡¯t have a child, at least not yet.¡±


    The voice was enough to steal their attention. Mackenzie was grateful for the doctor¡¯s presence, Chase had finally been able to take his eyes off her.


    ¡°Forgive her, Mr. Axford. She is still new to the hospital and is not familiar with your family yet. Please return inside, miss Garett.¡± The doctor spoke to the nurse.


    In that fleeting moment, Chase took another look at Mackenzie. Why wasn¡¯t she denying it?


    A daughter? How was that even possible? She had looked into his eyes and told him she didn¡¯t have kids. Could she have been lying?


    She was fighting hard to avoid his gaze, but he continued to leer at her.


    She lied. She lied to him.


    ¡°Mr Chase, is something the matter? You¡¯re here to see your father?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m his worker.¡± Mackenzie cut in. The doctor turned to look at her, and she continued to stutter.


    ¡°He just came to¡­ I am¡­ it¡¯s nothing you should worry about, doctor.¡±


    Chase narrowed his eyes on her. The question had been directed to him. What the fuck was she doing?


    She could call it guilty conscience, but she found it impossible to stay still after the doctor had asked that question, knowing that Chase was the real father of the child.


    ¡°Hmmm.¡± Even the doctor seemed lost, so he did not speak at all. He returned his attention to Chase, and smiled at him.


    ¡°May I see you to the door, Mr. Chase?¡±


    Chase finally looked away from Mackenzie. His head was starting to spin, and he needed to be away from her, he needed time to think about what he had just heard.


    ¡°How is your father doing? We have been doing our best, and you can be sure that after the surgery, he would be well, and be able to return home in no time¡­¡±


    He continued to speak, but Chase was far gone.


    Mackenzie has a daughter.


    He repeated the sentence in his head over and over again, but it made less sense with every passing second.


    ~~


    He was gone.


    She finally breathed a sigh of relief when his back disappeared from the corridor.


    It¡¯s gameover, her subconscious taunted.


    She was awfully terrified. The secret she had worked so hard to keep had blown up in her face.


    She turned to look at the door once more, and swallowed hard.


    Chase was aware of the fact that she had a daughter, and if Calista had stepped out, he would have known in an instant that the child was his.


    She squeezed the fabric of her trousers and pressed her eyes shut.


    She was in shit, deep shit.


    Mackenzie shook her head, opened her eyes, and pushed the door open. She walked into the dimly lit room to find Calista seated on a small bed.


    The doctor weed her with a smile and offered her a seat close to her daughter.


    ¡°Is she alright?¡± Mackenzie asked. Her voice was shaking, but she managed to keep herself together.


    ¡°Yes, she is. It is just a case of myopia. Little Calista here is short sighted, and is too young to use contact lenses. So, I prescribed this¡­¡± She reached for a pink glittering ss case on her table, and held it out for Mackenzie to see.


    Mackenzie took a short look at it.


    ¡°How old does she need to be before she can start using contact lenses?¡±


    ¡°She needs to grow older. In the meantime, there is no serious cause for rm. There are many more kids who are short-sighted, and many of them have lost the ability to see from far at all. We can hope that with these sses, little Calista¡¯s eyes defect would be stopped from getting worse. It¡¯s a good thing we figured it out this early. She should use the sses under strict supervision. If she is left alone, she might miss her way more often than usual.¡±


    Mackenzie made sure to listen and payplete attention to the doctor. Some eyedrops were also rmended, and she was given a meal n to help with Calista¡¯s eyes too.


    When they were done, Mackenzie thanked the doctor and left, holding Calista¡¯s right hand as they walked down the corridor.


    ¡°Is something wrong with me, mummy?¡± Calista asked. Mackenzie pulled herself back to the present, all she had been able to think about since Chase found out, was the fact that Chase had found out.


    ¡°What? No!¡± She forced a smile as she looked down at her precious daughter.


    ¡°Of course not. You¡¯repletely fine, baby. These sses,¡± she brought the lense out of the ss case, and lowered herself to ce the sses on Calista¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°This is going to help you see from afar. Come on, tell me what you think. Can you see that poster over there?¡± Mackenzie pointed in the direction of a ¡°stages of childbirth¡± chart, five doors away from them.


    Calista started to squint her brows, but she stopped immediately. A broad smile spread out through her cheeks. She threw her hands into the air and screamed.


    ¡°I can see it mummy! I can see all the pictures! All the letters!¡±


    Mackenzie smiled back. The joy in her daughter¡¯s eyes was a thing she would give anything to see, anything to protect. She did not regret keeping her and Cameron away from the Axfords, and she would do it all over again if she had to.


    Mackenzie stood straight and held on to Calista again.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go find your brother now, shall we?¡±


    Calista nodded, and they continued their walk out of the hospital.


    When they got to the garden, Mackenzie looked around and spotted Felicity. She would have moved to her best friend, but her best friend was not alone.


    Someone was there with her, and the sight of him caused Mackenzie to freeze.


    Chase Axford, in all his over six feet glory, stood beside Felicity with a smile on his face.


    Mackenzie¡¯s throat ran dry as she watched him talk and shake Felicity¡¯s hand. He did not look like the man who had walked away from her a few minutes ago. He was apletely different person, with apletely different aura.


    She tore her eyes away from him and looked to the distal end of the garden. Cameron was there,ing out of a corner and jumping towards Felicity and Chase.


    ¡°Oh, no you don¡¯t.¡± She said to herself in wild panic.


    She turned to Calista and asked her baby girl to wait for her at that spot, then rushed over to grab Cameron from where he was.


    Once she had secured both of her children, she left the hospital through the backdoor, before she sent a text message to Felicity, telling her she had left and needed to return to work.


    She hoped her friend would see it early ande to her rescue. Mackenzie could not afford to let anything go wrong anymore.

 CHAPTER 64 – UNNECESSARY LIE

    Chase had to fight to stop his curiosity from getting the better of him. He thought of asking Felicity, Mackenzie¡¯s friend, about Mackenzie¡¯s daughter when he saw her, but he quickly pushed the thought to the back of his mind.


    If there was anything he needed to know, Mackenzie was the one who could tell him.


    He bid Felicity goodbye, and made his way to the hospital¡¯s garage. As he walked, he busied himself with taking in the sight of everything around him, from posters to colorful chairs, and happy families. Anything to stop him from thinking.


    He found his security details and driver in the hospital¡¯s parking lot. Without hesitation, Chase climbed into his ck Cadic, and allowed himself to sink into the luxury leather seat.


    He had thought his major problem would be what his father thought about his rtionship with Mackenzie, but that had been debunked by the news of Mackenzie¡¯s child.


    Tightening his fists on top of his thighs, he frowned at the road. The more he thought about it, the more confused he was.


    Why did she have to lie to him about the child? He had asked her, and she lied to his face. Chase heaved a sigh and raised his right hand to his forehead.


    The child belonged to someone else.


    Jeffery. It was definitely Jefferys¡¯.


    That was why she had been avoiding him.


    Bile rose from Chase¡¯s stomach to his throat. His anger began to boil in the pit of his stomach. The thought that Mackenzie was pregnant for a man like his step-brother made him sick to his fucking stomach.


    ¡°Are you okay, sir?¡± The driver asked, watching him from the rearview mirror.


    Chase waved absentmindedly and nodded.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Lies. He wasn¡¯t.


    He thought about the time he had asked about the children he saw, and he remembered how she had tactfully evaded the question. And how happy she was when she stepped into her house? The child must have been the reason she was so excited that day. How had he been so blind not to see it?


    He reclined farther into his seat and heaved an exasperated sigh. He was tired, her reason for lying still didn¡¯t make any sense to him.


    Chase started to search in his side pockets for phone. He needed to call West. His cousin was just the person he needed to speak to.


    No matter what, Mackenzie should never had lied to him. She had more than enough opportunities to tell him the truth, but she had chosen not to.


    ¡°Chase! Never thought I¡¯ll hear from you at this time of the day, what¡¯s up?¡±


    Chase rolled his eyes. He loved his ever eager cousin, but West could be far too much sometimes.


    ¡°Yeah. Meet me at uson¡¯s in ten minutes.¡±


    ¡°Ten minutes? Bro, I¡­¡±


    ¡°Ten minutes, West. Don¡¯t bete.¡± He breathed in.


    ¡°Please.¡±


    Just as he had expected, West was fifteen minuteste, but it didn¡¯t matter. Chase was three shots down by the time he arrived.


    West was surprised to find Chase in that state. It was rare to find Chase in a bar during the day, seemingly drunk at that.


    West started to order his drinks, but Chase cut him off halfway, a stern re in his eyes.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to drink too much, or at all. You¡¯ll be¡­ you¡¯ll be driving me home.¡±


    West pouted and frowned at Chase.


    ¡°How is that even fair? Can¡¯t believe you called me here just to watch you enjoy yourself.¡±


    Chase chuckled, and West frowned.


    ¡°It¡¯s not funny man.¡±


    But he wasn¡¯tughing because of Chase, not at all. Something more ironic was on his mind.


    ¡°You know, I wonder if you¡¯re drinking by this time of the day because your home is empty and bare. You really should have someone at home to open her arms and wee you whenever you return home. Someone to make your day colorful. You¡¯re getting old, you know.¡± West taunted him, and he did it on purpose. Chase was drunk, so he could not give one of his usual sarcastic replies.


    Chase coughed, almost choking on his vodka, before he sat up straight and stared into his cousin¡¯s bright eyes.


    ¡°How would you feel, West, if you were ever lied to by someone you love? Someone you would do anything for? And get this straight¡­ the lie waspletely unnecessary.¡±


    West narrowed his gaze on his cousin. Something wasn¡¯t right with him. He had known from the beginning, but he had never thought it would be emotional.


    ¡°Yeah, you see, the thing is I don¡¯t exactly get attached, so I¡¯ve never put myself in the position to feel like that.¡± He leaned into his chair, before he continued to speak.


    ¡°By the way,st I checked, I learnt my art of detachment from you. So what¡¯s with the mushy feelings all of a sudden. And please, Chase, please tell me it¡¯s not what I am thinking.¡± West had a feeling this had to do with Mackenzie. He hoped, more than anything, that Chase would prove him wrong.


    His cousin¡¯s silence did otherwise. Chase did not speak. There was nothing to deny, because it was the truth.


    Mackenzie was the one who had him wasted.


    ¡°Fuck no! It is what I¡¯m thinking!¡± West banged his palms on the table, and raised his right hand to cover his mouth. His eyes widened in shock, threatening to pop out of his sockets.


    ¡°I cannot believe this, man. Mackenzie? Mackenzie! You¡¯re really serious with her?¡±


    ¡°For a long time, man. You have no idea.¡± Chase replied, reclining into his seat. West could not close his mouth. Of all the women in the world? West was sure Chase Axford was the wet dream of every woman in Greenville. Then why Mackenzie, for fuck¡¯s sake!


    Chase was crazy if he thought this was not going to blow up in both he and Mackenzie¡¯s face. And here he was, thinking he was the Axford that made the worst decisions!


    ¡°Let me guess, she¡¯s the one who lied to you. About what, exactly?¡± He pressed, but Chase did not reply.


    ¡°I just need to go home, man.¡± Was all Chase said. West said nothing more. It was certainly not in his ce to do so.


    Chase returned home to his empty and cold house, as West had called it. He had never felt as lonely as he did when he walked through the huge front doors, and made his way to his minibar, where he picked out his favorite bottle of whiskey. No ss, he was going to drink it from the bottle and drown his confusion and anger along with the strong liquid.


    All he could think about, as he slumped into his couch, was Mackenzie¡¯s lie.


    He would have done anything for her. He would have done anything for her and her child. He would have protected them, taken care of them, and even adopted them if that was what she wanted.


    Tired at midnight, Chase dragged himself up from his couch and forced himself into his room. He quickly took a shower and went to sleep, hoping he could put thoughts of Mackenzie away from his mind when he woke up.


    ~~


    A FEW DAYS LATER


    ~~


    Just as the doctor instructed, Mackenzie made sure Calista was never left alone. And to do that, she got her baby girl the puppy she had wanted. The dog became Calista¡¯s number twopanion after her twin brother, and Mackenzie was pleased to see her baby happy.


    There was still one thing that bothered her, and that was the fact that she had barely seen Chase since thest time at the hospital. She could not say he was ignoring her, she just never saw him at the office.


    When she inquired from Nora, she was told he had traveled for a few days to attend a business meeting. Yet, Mackenzie was not settled. Something was wrong, and she could feel it.


    At lunch break, on the fifth day of his absense, Mackenzie spotted Nora in the cafeteria, and held her meal tray in her hands as she walked to her.


    She stood beside the table, and Nora looked up at her. A smile formed on the woman¡¯s face, and it helped put Mackenzie at ease. She smiled back, and settled into the bench, beside Nora.


    She had some questions to ask, and Nora was the one in the position to answer them.


    ¡°So,¡± Mackenzie started, fiddling with her fork.


    ¡°Do you know what¡¯s wrong with CEO. He is barely in the office these days, and when he is, he is quite distant from everyone.¡±


    By ¡°everyone¡± she meant herself, and Nora knew this.


    Thedy hid her smile, then turned to look at Mackenzie.


    ¡°It seems like you¡¯re really worried about him. In that case, you are in the best position to ask him.¡± She replied.


    The statement threw Mackenzie off guard by how direct she was. Nora was asking her to talk to Chase, she knew what was going on between them.


    ¡°Oh. You¡­ you know.¡± It was meant to be a whisper, but Nora heard it.


    She dropped her spoon and turned her focus away from her food, to Mackenzie.


    ¡°I am not one to judge, okay? But what I can say for a fact, is that Mr. Axford never lets anyone or anything get close to him, not even his own father. So, if something happened between you two, and it¡¯s affected him this way, you should really speak to him yourself.¡± She didn¡¯t even bother to beat around the bush. She looked like a straightforward person so Mackenzie wasn¡¯t surprised.


    Mackenzie buried her gaze into her te of pasta.


    ¡°I can¡¯t.¡± She blurted out. How could she face him? What would she say? She thought back to the look in his eyes when he found out. He had never looked at her that way before.


    ¡°Well, you have a lot of time to cook up your morale. He would not be around for a couple of days, perhaps a week.¡±


    Mackenzie turned sharply in Nora¡¯s direction.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the anniversary of his mother¡¯s death next week. He normally takes one week off for it. So, do what you need to do with the time.¡± She smiled.


    ¡°I¡¯m rooting for you.¡± She continued.


    Mackenzie sank into the bench, thoughtful. She needed to see Chase, they needed to talk. She would go to his home to meet him if that was what it took.


    Yes. She decided she would look for him.

 CHAPTER 65 – FOR COURTESY SAKE

    She did not go to him that day, not the next, not even the next after that.


    Mackenzie waited throughout the weekend, telling herself ¨C hour after hour ¨C that if he did note to work, she would go to him herself.


    It was a good thing he had not told anyone of the true nature of their rtionship yet. It was easy to keep her thoughts together that way.


    That weekend, Charlotte decided to celebrate her liberation from unemployment, and invitation to work in the most sessfulpany in Greensville, Axfordpany.


    It was to be a pic at the beach, thergest and most exquisite one in all of Greensville, Sandstone.


    Yes, she stood pride in saying she could afford such trips and many more, now that she had a job.


    Felicity and Charlotte made sure Mackenzie took time off her busy schedule to apany them to the beach. They had noticed the worry constantly etched on their friend¡¯s face, and how distant she seemed to be sometimes.


    Mackenzie told them everything. There was no reason to hide anything from the two women she could trust with her life.


    Charlotte and Felicity listened carefully, drinking in every detail, and every expression on their friend¡¯s face, and in her eyes. Mackenzie¡¯s countenance often determined the nature of  advise one could give her.


    ¡°In my opinion, you should really put yourself together and tell Chase the goddamn truth.¡± Charlotte spoke up, chewing on her pop tart.


    Felicity shed her a stern look, before she turned to Mackenzie. As they sat on the beach sand, she reached for Mackenzie¡¯s hands and held them in hers.


    ¡°Listen, Mackenzie. It¡¯s really only a matter of time. You cannot keep this secret forever, you know that.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes dropped to her sandy feet.


    She had intended to keep the secret forever. The twins were safer that way.


    ¡°What¡¯s the point of hiding the truth? You know Chase Axford more than we do, and we know that he would do anything to protect the children, his children.¡±


    Mackenzie heaved a sigh as she watched Felicity¡¯s concerned doe eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell him, okay? After this weekend, when the time is right.¡±


    The weekend passed, and Mackenzie still had mixed feelings. While she dreaded having the conversation, she looked forward to seeing Chase. She had not known she would miss him so much until she could barely catch a glimpse of him.


    As she walked into the Axford Hotel building, her heart began to hammer in her chest. She clutched her ck leather bag in her right hand, and walked into the reception hall.


    The image on the longscreen at the top of the wall caught her eyes.


    The woman¡¯s smile had the power to capture her, to seize her attention, no matter where she found it.


    Mackenzie stood still and kept her eyes glued on the screen.


    Camilia Axford stared back at her, sapphire blue eyes piercing into her heart, reminding her of the secret she was keeping from Chase.


    Her pictures had never been put up on the screen before, Mackenzie thought.


    What has changed?


    ¡°In loving Memory of Camilia Axford. 1979-1999.¡± was disyed on the screen, along with beautiful pictures of the elegant woman.


    Mackenzie quickly tore her eyes from the image. It was like looking at an elderly version of Calista. She wasn¡¯t sure how she could deal with that.


    She started to walk towards the elevator when she got a call. Mackenzie picked her phone out of her bag and found the project supervisor¡¯s called ID on her phone screen.


    She was told they had to deliver some materials to the hotel for the C. E. O to review it.


    She had barely gotten off the call when Nora jumped on her from behind.


    ¡°Miss Torsney! Goodness, I¡¯ve been looking everywhere for you!¡±


    Mackenzie turned sharply in the direction of Nora¡¯s voice. She found her trying to catch her breath, as though she had been running.


    A small smile formed on Mackenzie¡¯s face as she looked at her.


    ¡°Please call me Mackenzie. How are you, Nora?¡±


    Nora briefly returned the smile and nodded her head.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, but there¡¯s an emergency.¡±


    Emergency.


    Mackenzie¡¯s shoulders grew tense immediately. Her heart jumped in her chest at the mention of the word.


    Did something happen to¡­


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Nora? Did something happen to Chase?¡±


    It was only when the question slipped off her tongue, that she caught herself. Mackenzie dropped her gaze to her feet and interlocked her fingers in front of her.


    ¡°I mean, the C. E. O. Did something happen to him?¡± Even as she tried to feign a calm stance, her worry was still evident in her eyes.


    Nora stared at her with amusementced in her orbs, hidden behind ss lenses. She would have shed Mackenzie a smirk if the situation at hand wasn¡¯t very serious.


    ¡°No,¡± Nora started to speak.


    ¡°Nothing is wrong with the C. E. O, but something would happen to us if we don¡¯t find him right now.¡±


    Mackenzie narrowed her eyes on Nora. She noticed Nora had been fidgeting since they started speaking. She could barely keep any of her feet stamped on the ground.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Look, the president of the United States, our president, ising to Greensville.¡±


    ¡°Okay?¡±


    ¡°And he wishes to stay here! In our very own Axford!¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes brightened with a smile almost immediately. That was goodnews! Why then did Nora act as though thepany was on the brink of doom?


    ¡°I know, I know, you think it¡¯s great. I do too. The C. E. O helped the president¡¯s child in another country, so he has decided to return the favour, how gracious of him. This is goodnews, because with the news of scandal flying about in tabloids and papers, the stock prices of thepany went down drastically. This¡­this is a good opportunity, Mackenzie, and being a good businessman, I know that the C. E. O would not want to miss out on this.¡±


    As Nora continued to speak, Mackenzie watched her in silence. She was talking so fast, yet with so much passion. She was pleased to know that Chase had someone who cared a lot about hispany, by his side. The fire with which Nora spoke was unmatchable, even for her.


    ¡°¡­ the only problem now is that I can¡¯t reach him! I mean, I know that he should be working from home this week, we all know. But this is really important, we need him.¡±


    That sounded really urgent. Mackenzie cleared her throat and straightened her stance.


    ¡°Well, have you tried calling him?¡±


    Nora red at her with a look that screamed, ¡°really?¡±, as though she could not believe Mackenzie had asked the question.


    ¡°I have every means to reach him. His home number, his cell number, his private number, everything. But he isn¡¯t answering any of his calls. His private number normally goes through whenever he is on his one week hiatus, but that is currently unreachable.¡±


    Mackenzie opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, Nora cut in again. Sweat began to gather on her forehead, and Mackenzie was growing worried about her.


    ¡°We have to get the C. E. O. Courtesy demands that he is avable to wee the president on his arrival. The image of he and the president would give the tabloids something else to talk about, and might help reduce the dent on his image.¡± Nora continued to press on.


    Mackenzie saw how tight she gripped her notepad, and looked up at her face. She did not know what was going on, or anything about the inner workings of corporate life. What she knew was that this was important to Chase, and if this gave her an opportunity to help him, then she was willing to do it with all her heart. She also needs to speak with him, and has been hoping he would show up at work.


    However, she cannot deny how nervous she feels about being in his presence again.


    Something about him always seemed to drain energy from her, break down every wall she had worked very hard to build around herself.


    ¡°Please, Mackenzie.¡± Nora started to plead.


    ¡°You have to find a way to get him. If he doesn¡¯te, Jeffery would have to meet with the president instead! Trust me, none of us wants that to happen!¡±


    Yes. Mackenzie could not bear the thought of having Jeffery take Chase¡¯s ce ¨C in anything at all.


    She looked around the room, before turning to Nora.


    ¡°I was kind of hoping he¡¯lle today.¡± It was Mackenzie¡¯s turn to fiddle with the fabric of her suit skirt.


    ¡°He can¡¯te today. His one week hiatus starts today, but we really need him, Mackenzie. The president would be arriving on his private jet, so it is important for him to be at the roof on the president¡¯s arrival. Honestly, I wish I could be able to get him toe, but nothing I say will be enough to do that. The C. E. O I know won¡¯te out, even if it was Goding to Earth to do business. Everyone knows he is more powerful than the president, but for courtesy¡¯s sake, he has to show up.¡±


    Mackenzie could see that Nora was practically begging her. It could only mean that she understood how hard this was going to be for her.


    She cleared her throat once more, before she asked.


    ¡°When is the main date of the anniversary?¡±


    ¡°Oh the 12th of January, this Wednesday. We are only one day away, Mackenzie. Please, you have to do something right away.¡± Nora would have reached for Mackenzie¡¯s hands if hers weren¡¯t upied by the notepad she was currently squeezing.


    Mackenzie heaved a sigh.


    It seemed she would have to go to him after all. She had pushed it enough.


    ¡°I should try to call him first, before going to his ce.¡± Mackenzie replied.


    Nora¡¯s shoulder¡¯s rxed. The veins that had potruded from the skin of her forehead rxed, and she smiled with gratitude.


    ¡°Thank you so much, Mackenzie. However, I would need you to be discreet about your meeting with him, to avoid anymore¡­issues.¡±


    Issues.


    Mackenzie knew exactly what Nora was talking about. She replied with a curt nod.


    Here goes nothing¡­or everything.

 CHAPTER 66 – HER FIRST

    Jeffery Axford hated unnecessary phone calls, especially when all he wanted was to be alone in his office, and settle into his luxurious chair, while scrolling through his contact list and searching for the perfect whore to suck him off.


    But this call was from someone different, someone he had sent on an assignment. He frowned as he swiped the answer icon up the screen, and pressed the phone¡¯s speaker on his right ear.


    The bastard was several dayste.


    ¡°Finally, you called. I have been trying to reach you for several fucking days! Tell me, you don¡¯t need the money again, do you? Because if you did, you sure as hell wouldn¡¯t have kept me fucking waiting like an idiot.¡±


    He stopped speaking to catch his breath, his frown grew even deeper.


    ¡± You¡¯ve wasted this much time without giving me anything, so you had better have goodnews for me, or I¡¯ll find you and fucking end you.¡± Jeffery spat out, boiling with rage.


    His annoyance had taken a quick turn for the worse, and Jeffery was ready to find the bastard ¨C wherever he would be ¨C and give him a fucking piece of his mind.


    There was a short pause at the end of the line, the only sound Jeffery could hear was the sound of his own ragged breathing.


    Soon, the man spoke up.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°My apologies for the dy, but I had to take my time to track her, and gather as much facts as I could. I have waited for days to get full information on her, and I believe I have found something, or things, that might interested you.¡±


    Jeffery narrowed his eyes on the miniature globe that rested on his table, and frowned.


    ¡°Out with it, then.¡± His grip on the phone tightened, and he shifted ufortably in his chair.


    Mackenzie had haunted his dreams and his every thought since he found out she was back. He had to make sure he knew everything about her. Why she was back, what she was doing in Greenville, every fucking thing.


    ¡°Firstly, she works in the headquarters of Axford Hotels. I have watched here in at day, and leave at night. She has two friends who live with her, and two kids. I had to carry out another investigation to determine who the child belonged to.¡±


    Two kids?


    Jeffery could already feel himself drooling.


    He now knew that she worked at the same ce Chase did.


    Chase.


    Jeffery could taste bile at the tip of his tongue.


    The fucking bastard.


    ¡°Yes, and?¡±


    ¡°I did mail the rest of the document to your home address. I was actually calling to ensure you had received it.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck?!¡± Jeffery banged his free fist on his table, and sprang up from his seat. Even in the air-conditioned office, his back and neck were dripping with sweat.


    The mention of the name, Mackenzie, was more than enough to do that to him.


    ¡°You sent it to my home address?! Why the fuck would you do that? When I gave you the job, did I mail an employment letter to your fucking home address?! I need that file, and I need it right now!¡± He stopped screaming, and began to leave around the office.


    His hands and feet shook violently as he walked. He was burning with so much irritation and sheer anticipation, he thought he would explode.


    The man didn¡¯t say anything for a few seconds, until Jeffery spoke again.


    He tried to suck in a deep breath, but it did nothing to make him feel better.


    ¡°Look, okay? I would pay you double the amount I promised. I just¡­I just need you to tell me something now. I might not be returning home tonight, so I need a scoop¡­¡±


    ¡°Look, I¡­¡±


    ¡°Just a fucking scoop!¡± He cut in, screaming at the top of his already strained lungs.


    The man at the other end of the line heaved a sigh.


    ¡°Very well then. She works at the Axford Hotel headquarters. Shees in by day, and a Te drives her back home at night. And the children are hers.¡±


    The children are hers.


    Four words, one sentence, yet it was powerful enough to send Jeffery staggering backwards, until he fell into his seat.


    ¡°What¡­what did you just fucking say to me?¡±


    ¡°She works at¡­¡±


    ¡°No! About the kids!¡± He snapped back.


    ¡°The children are hers. Twins, a boy and a girl, about four years old.¡±


    Jeffery¡¯s eyes widened, so much that he could feel them threaten to shoot out of his sockets.


    He ended the call immediately and threw his phone on the table. He reclined into the leather seat, and continued to gape at the miniature globe.


    Twins¡­four years old¡­


    She must have been pregnant before their marriage was officially over! Before she left for North Dakota!


    He rose from his seat and resumed his pacing about the room.


    It was finally making sense ¨C or not,  Jeffery thought to himself. He could recall the time he had met Mackenzie at the bar.


    That was why she had ran from him, because she was keeping a secret!


    She was pregnant with his babies!


    Confused, he picked up his phone and his car key, and decided to head to a bar for some drinks.


    He needed to think, and alcohol often made his thought process clearer.


    He got to the bar and ordered five tequ shots to start. He was on the second round of five when he felt his phone vibrate on the top of the table.


    His gaze drifted from the empty ss in front of him, to his phone screen.


    Mum.


    He rolled his eyes and declined the call. He quickly picked up another shot of tequ and gulped it.


    The vibration started again.


    This time, he let out a loud groan as he picked up the phone. He answered the call and pressed the speaker to his right ear.


    ¡°What the hell, mum? Can¡¯t a man get a have sometime to himself for just a fucking day?¡± He spat out, groggy from the alcohol in his system.


    He could not see her, but he could tell Eleanor Axford was frowning at her phone. He knew her far too well.


    ¡°Watch your tone with me, young man. And you better drag yourzy ass back home if you know you love yourself. The type of opportunity that presents itself just once in a lifetime has fallen right into ourps, and you would never have an opportunity like this if you let this one pass you by, because I would singlehandedly end you.¡±


    He danced in his stool, while rubbing his forehead with his right thumb and little finger.


    While Jeffery knew his mother could fuss about literally anything that had to do with him, something about this time felt different, more urgent.


    ¡°What are you talking about, mother? I really have pressing issues to deal with, and¡­¡±


    ¡°Pressing issues? Boy, did I hear you say pressing issues? What issue can possibly be more pressing that the president of the United Statesing to lodge in Axford Hotels?!¡±


    Jeffery¡¯s eyes widened immediately. It seemed like the effects of the alcohol had weared off in that instant.


    ¡°Listen, son. Your father is in the hospital, and Chase is on his one week hiatus for his dead mother, God bless her unfortunate soul. You can step up and be the man you ought to be! The one who wees the president! After all, you are older than Chase, a recognized Axford! The face of Axford in this very important assion. After the president, we can meet with the shareholders.¡±


    Jeffery listened to his mother make all these interesting ns that would have caused his mouth to water on every normal day, but not today.


    Today, there was something else on his mind, and he would be damned if he didn¡¯t let it out.


    ¡°I¡¯m a father, mother! Mackenzie has my kids, twins! And she hid them away from me for four fucking years, mother!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Jeffery heaved a sigh and gulped another shot.


    ¡°I hired a private investigator to follow her around. He got the report and brought it back to me. She¡¯s been working with Chase, and she¡¯s been hiding this, mother. All this fucking time!¡± He banged his fist on the table, and the sses shook.


    The bartender sent him a cautious look, but he only eyed the man with the fury in his eyes.


    ¡°She has twins, mother. She probably got pregnant before she left for North Dakota.¡±


    ¡°Now calm down, son. The children could be for anyone. Mackenzie is a whore, you know that¡­¡±


    That was hisst straw.


    ¡°She is not a whore, mother! For fuck¡¯s sake, I was¡­I was her fucking first. She has my kids and we would have still been together if it wasn¡¯t for you!¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    Jeffery was not willing to hear her speak.


    ¡°You were the one who made me divorce her. You tricked me, mother. You fucking tricked me.¡± His jaw hardened, teeth grinded against themselves.


    ¡°I should never have listened to you.¡±


    There was a short pause from his mother¡¯s side before she continued.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re drunk, even if ¨C for the life of me ¨C I cannot understand why you would be drunk at such an early hour of the day! Do you know how many parking tickets I have had to pay for you, all because of your drunk and reckless driving?! Don¡¯t get me angry, young man, and stay right where you are. I¡¯ll send a driver to pick you up.¡±


    Jeffery hissed and rolled his eyes.


    ¡°How do you know where I am?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s none of your business. Just stay put.¡± The call ended immediately, and Jeffery slipped his phone into his pocket.


    His face dissolved into a frown as he stared at his empty ss.


    ¡°I¡¯ming for you, Mackenzie. I¡¯m getting you back, even if I have to burn the world for you.¡±

 CHAPTER 67 – GAME ON

    The cab stopped Mackenzie in front of Chase Axford¡¯s penthouse. She paid her fare and got down from the vehicle. Mackenzie stood in front of the over ten feet building made up of more ss than bricks, and closed her eyes to suck in a deep breath.


    She was finally here, yet, she did not know how to feel about it. She would be meeting him, Chase, in only a matter of minutes.


    What would she say to him?


    She walked past his fleet of cars, taking note of his Cardic and Lamborghini that stood with pride, mounted next to the Te she knew too well.


    How would she look into his eyes and tell him the truth without getting lost in his piercing orbs?


    An open door led to a long corridor, while an elevator door stood at the distal end of the hexagonal shaped room. Mackenzie did not need a soothsayer to tell her he lived here alone.


    The house felt bare, lonely. Not even the exquisite art sculptures stationed at every end of the room could bring life to the bare white walls.


    Mackenzie heaved a sigh and made her way to the elevator. She shook her head, and shook it hard, as the elevator doors closed in front of her.


    A pang of guilt wed at her chest.


    He wasn¡¯t supposed to be alone, not when he had twin children as adorable, pure, and loving as Cameron and Calista.


    The elevator doors opened up and ushered her into another white room. This time, there were ck luxury couches, about six, centered around a ss table shaped like the number eight. On top of the table was an empty vase.


    Mackenzie caught her thoughts wandering about, and reminded herself why she was here. She was on a mission to get Chase to the office, nothing more, nothing less.


    However, she could not deny ¨C after seeing all the sculptures in the room ¨C that she had known very little about Chase.


    She had certainly not known he was a lover of sculptures, or art in general.


    Or even ss.


    As Mackenzie walked to the metal door that led to the rest of the house, she tried to suck in deep breaths, to keep her mind and heart at ease. But the more she thought about the fact that he was somewhere behind those doors, in all his powerful and sensual glory, the more she was unnerved.


    There had been no opportunity toe here before, even when she was married to Jeffery, she was never allowed to visit this house. Even when his wife had her fancy birthday parties, Eleanor never allowed her mix with the elites. A ¡°poor country girl¡± she always called her.


    A frown stole Mackenzie¡¯s face when she stood in front of the door. She turned to find the number keys, the key to unlock the door, but she did not know the passcode.


    She picked out her phone and dialed Nora¡¯s number quickly.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Nora, hi. Uhmm, I¡¯m at Chase¡¯s house now, and I just wanted to ask if you know the passcode into the house.¡±


    ¡°Oh. That never changes. It¡¯s the twelfth of this month.¡±


    ¡°Thanks a lot.¡± Mackenzie ended the call immediately, and slipped her phone into her handbag. She walked to the keypad and stretched her right hand to press the first number, the doors parted open on their own ord.


    Mackenzie froze on the spot.


    She could neither move her hand forward, nor draw it backwards.


    She was not ready to see him yet. She had not even gotten the chance to mentally prepare for¡­


    ¡°Holy heavens. I was really hoping I was wrong, and it wasn¡¯t you I saw crawling past the doors.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s jaw hardened at the sound of the high pitched voice.


    While her nostrils twitched, she pulled her hand back to her side.


    That wasn¡¯t Chase, it wasn¡¯t even a man.


    It was a woman she knew far too well not to know what she was out here for.


    As Mackenzie tilted her neck and her stance to look at the woman, she found it impossible to hold her frown back.


    Selene and trouble were synonymous.


    d in a ck bodycon dress, Selene stood several inches above Mackenzie, even in low heel Channel sandals.


    The sight of Mackenzie only made her stomach turn. How much more disgusting could one woman possibly get?


    She took three steps closer to Mackenzie, eyeing her from the crown of her head to the sole of her feet, like she was nothing, because that was exactly what she was.


    ¡°How dare you, Mackenzie? The nerve of you to drag your worthless self to this ce. Don¡¯t you know where people like you are supposed to be?¡± When Mackenzie moved her gaze to the door behind them, Selene shifted her body to cover her view.


    All Mackenzie could see was the tall image of perfection standing in front of her, daring to remind her of all the million things shecked.


    Selene¡¯s designer perfume was starting to choke her.


    Selene shrugged her shoulders and folded her arms underneath her chest.


    ¡°I always knew you were a desperate little rat, but I just never thought you would be this desperate, Mackenzie. Just because you were once married into this family by an adopted son, doesn¡¯t give you a ce here. Come to think of it,¡±


    Every sentence, every word that came out of Selene¡¯s mouth only pushed Mackenzie further down the edge of the cliff. She was trying so hard to hold on, but the woman was pushing her real hard.


    ¡°Even he came to his senses and saw you for what you truly are.¡± Selene continued. Mackenzie was slowly losing her mind, she could see it.


    A sinister smile crept up to her cheeks.


    She was loving every bit of it.


    She dared to reach for the curly tip of Mackenzie¡¯s hair, and started to twirl the silk strands around her index finger.


    ¡°Remember your ce, Mackenzie,¡± Selene leaned into her right ear.


    ¡°Or I¡¯ll ruin your life.¡±


    Leaving her a final note of warning, Selene eased her fingers off Mackenzie¡¯s hair, and turned her back to her after shing her a smile.


    She was done with the woman, and Mackenzie would never dare show her face around here again.


    Or so she thought.


    ¡°You know, Selene? I know my ce, and that is why I would never show my face in my ex-husband¡¯s house. Especially not after a divorce as¡­embarrassing as yours.¡±


    The second sentence stemmed out of Mackenzie¡¯s stomach with all the venom she could muster.


    The mannequin had to get a taste of her own medicine.


    Selene paused in her tracks, frowning. She had not expected Mackenzie to have the nerve to talk back to her, but now that she did¡­


    Her frown quickly dissolved into a smile.


    This was going to be so much fun.


    She cackled, before turning sharply in the direction of Mackenzie¡¯s voice.


    ¡°What? Did I hear you just say, embarrassing?¡± She tilted her right hip to the side and threw her hands in the air as sheughed heartily.


    Mackenzie seethed.


    What was so funny to her?


    ¡°You know, I really don¡¯t know what could be as embarrassing as not knowing the different between a prenuptial agreement and a normal agreement. You were taken for a fool and left with nothing. I mean, it¡¯s not like you deserved any more than that, but still¡­¡± She dropped her gaze on Mackenzie, and her smile disappeared at once, like it was never there.


    ¡°Get your ass out of here, Mackenzie. You really don¡¯t want me to deal with you.¡± She started to take slow steps towards her, but Mackenzie stood her ground.


    ¡°You are nothing, and that¡¯s all you would ever be. Speaking to you is a waste of my time, and my God, an insult to my being.¡±


    ¡°Oh really?¡± Mackenzie arched her left brow. It was her turn to grin.


    ¡°Don¡¯t speak to me then, and be on your way. And you talk about being desperate? That¡¯s rich.¡± Mackenzie chuckled, a mocking one, earning her a re from Selene.


    Game on, bitch.


    She folded her arms and looked Selene over, just the same way the woman had dared to look at her.


    ¡°Last I checked, I wasn¡¯t the one Chase Axford had to get a restraining order against. What more do you want from him, after cheating?¡±


    The shame that shed in Selene¡¯s orbs told Mackenzie she had hit a nerve, a very important one. And that was a solid win. But she was not done yet, in fact, she had barely scratched the surface.


    Soon, the shame disappeared, and Selene threw her head back, forcing herself tough.


    ¡°Like I was the only one who cheated.¡± She stoppedughing, and wiped her fake tears ofughter with her manicured pinky finger. She stared down at Mackenzie when she was done. She was smiling, but her smile was more of a warning than anything else.


    ¡°I have said it before, and I hope ¨C for your sake ¨C that I do not say it again. Stay away from Chase, Mackenzie. And go continue acting like a mother hen to your little twin chicks.¡±

 CHAPTER 68 – TIRED OF RUNNING

    Blood drained from Mackenzie¡¯s face. Glued to the ground, she felt as though Selene had pulled the ground from underneath her feet.


    She gaped at her, tongue-tied. Sweat coated her face and neck immediately, despite the working vents in the room.


    This had to be a prank.


    ¡°What?¡± Selene asked, corking her right brow in sheer amusement.


    ¡°You thought I wouldn¡¯t know?¡±


    Mackenzie swallowed hard to dampen her dry throat.


    Yes, that was exactly what she thought. Selene was not supposed to know, no one was!


    Selene watched the expression on Mackenzie¡¯s face. If she ever had doubts of who the children¡¯s real mother was, Mackenzie had erased all the doubt with the look in her eyes.


    The woman stared at her as though she had seen a ghost.


    Mackenzie Torsney had fucking underestimated her, she would pay for it.


    ¡°You really thought I was going to sit still after seeing your picture with my husband scattered all over the inte? My God! You are dumber than you thought.¡± Selene¡¯s jealousy was once again rising from the pit of her stomach.


    She could remember how protective Chase had looked in that photo. He seemed ready to tear the world apart for Mackenzie.


    ¡°You really thought I was going to be quiet?!¡± This time, she was standing barely inches away from Mackenzie, who was already reeling in her own fresh panic and anger.


    ¡°You do not even know what Chase goes through this time every year, you do not know anything about him! I was his wife, I am his wife, and I have every right to be here. But you?¡± Selene eyed Mackenzie furiously and pushed her right shoulder back.


    Mackenzie stood her ground, rooted to the marble tiles. She did not move an inch.


    Selene didn¡¯t have the power to make her move anymore.


    ¡°You do not. You think Jeffery is going to stay quiet? I wonder what he would say and do when he finds out that you¡¯ve been hiding his children from him, in the very city that he is.¡± She tapped her chin repeatedly, as a small smile formed on her face.


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes widened.


    No. She couldn¡¯t let that happen.


    ¡°Or Richard? What would Richard say when he finds out what you¡¯re ying at with both of his sons!¡± A bitterughter escaped Selene¡¯s throat.


    Panic continued to dig its ws into Mackenzie¡¯s chest, threatening to rip her heart out.


    ¡°And Eleanor? Heavens! I can only imagine what she¡¯ll do to you, your miserable father, and your bastard children!¡±


    As Seleneughed, shes of red and ck enveloped Mackenzie¡¯s sight. She clenched and unclenched her fists by her side, yet nothing was enough to keep her calm.


    Selene had already taken few steps back from her, but Mackenzie was not pleased.


    Without a second thought, Mackenzie swiftly closed an inch of the distance between she and Selene. The taller woman arched a brow at her, but before Selene could speak, the resounding echo of the p that filled the room, did the talking.


    Selene screamed.


    Tears burned her left eye, as she pressed her palm to her left cheek and fell to the ground.


    When she looked up at the shorter woman, dreadced her orbs. Mackenzie towered above her, fighting hard to calm her rage by sucking in deep breaths.


    Selene had never seen her like that. She had never thought the woman had it in her.


    Mackenzie lowered herself to look closer at Selene. She narrowed her eyes on her and kept her stern gaze.


    ¡°We were speaking, and you did not hear me say a word against your father, or any member of your family. So don¡¯t you dare, Selene. Don¡¯t you dare speak on matters you know nothing about.¡±


    Mackenzie watched as Selene swallowed hard, and started to move backwards. She caught Selene¡¯s ankle in her right hand, and looked up at her.


    ¡°I know I was a weak woman before, and I let you trample on me and do as you please, but not anymore, Selene. The fact that I have something to protect now means that I have grown stronger. And trust me,¡± her gaze shifted to the mark of her palm that glittered on Selene¡¯s left cheek. Mackenzie¡¯s lips almost parted to make way for a proud smile.


    ¡°You do not want to mess with me this time. You can call your doctors, yourwyers, you can press charges, even sue me, but none of those would be able to keep you away from me, Selene. I woulde for you with everything I have if you dare talk about my family again.¡± Mackenzie released her ankle, and watched as Selene struggled to rise to her feet.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Selene muttered inaudible curses, and moved into the house.


    Still boiling with anger, and trying to fight her panic, Mackenzie held her bag and rushed out of the house.


    Selene knew! Selene knew about her kids.


    She rushed out of the elevator, and past the ss doors of the house. She needed to leave, she needed to breathe, she needed to be far away from this fucking city!


    Tears welled in her eyes as she waited for a cab to pass by. Where would she run now?


    If Selene knew, it was only a matter of time before Jeffery knew.


    And why had Selene not told Chase yet? Did she have a feeling the children were his?


    A cold breeze blew past her cheeks, drying up the tears in her eyes.


    No. Selene had seemed very convinced the children belonged to Jeffery, but she was right about one thing. If Jeffery found out, she and her twins would be in danger.


    Mackenzie thought about running to North Dakota again, but she was tired of running.


    She tilted her neck to look at the house.


    How had she let Selene get to her so much? The woman had cheated on Chase, it was obvious she did not have Chase¡¯s best interest at heart.


    Mackenzie knew she was here for a reason, and she had to finish what she came here for. She made a mental note to tell Chase to change the passcode of his house.


    Selene stomped out of the house. She was on a call, screaming at whoever was on the phone. Mackenzie watched as Selene climbed into an army green Lamborghini, and drove out of the house.


    When she was gone, Mackenzie shook her head, as though the panic would disappear from her mind, and rushed back into the house.


    She was about to type the passcode into the keypad when she got a call from Nora.


    ¡°Miss Torsney, there¡¯s been a change of ns. The C. E. O is no longer at home. He¡¯s at the hospital with his father, Axford Medical. You know it, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Far too well for her own good.


    ¡°Yes, I do.¡± Mackenzie replied. She was visibly worried.


    ¡°Is something wrong? Did something happen to¡­?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but he is there now. I just need you to go into the house and pick out some clothes for him. Take them to the hospital as soon as you can. I sent a cab to his home and it should be there anytime soon. You have about ten to fifteen minutes, so please hurry up.¡±


    Hospital? Mackenzie thought.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Nora ended the call immediately, and Mackenzie unlocked the doors and entered into the house.


    She was taken aback by the luxurious sight of the living room. The ss walls surrounded the room, giving the room a very beautiful view of the sun. The 72-inched t screen TV was built into the wall.


    More sculptures and artworks were stationed at different ends of the room. The couches and sofas were a melodious harmony of ck and white.


    Mackenzie moved past the living room, and found the door of his bedroom.


    She audibly gasped this time, as the sight of his double king-sized bed dressed in white and navy blue sheets, weed her into the room. She couldn¡¯t touch it, but she could tell just from the looks how soft it was.


    The room smelt of Chase, like he was somewhere inside, watching her. He was not around or anywhere in sight, yet, she could feel him everywhere around her.


    Mackenzie felt a tad bit of jealousy, thinking about the fact that Selene used to share the bed in front of her with Chase, made her sick to her stomach.


    She tore her eyes away from the bed and moved to the door beside the room. She found his study.


    Gray walls and tall shelves filled with books. His table had books neatly arranged at the top, beside his Mac book.


    She closed the door gently, and walked back into the room. Another metal door stole her attention, and when she opened it, she was weed by the glorious sight of Chase Axford¡¯s walk-in closet.


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes opened, and so did her mouth.


    As she walked in, she realized she had never seen anything like it. The closet contained his clothes, both corporate and casual, a variety of shoes and essories she could not even begin to count.


    How rich were these people exactly?


    His closet was like a whole mall!


    She had no more time to spare, so she knew she had to pick out his clothes quickly.


    Mackenzie turned to his shirts and picked out a white long sleeve. She thought for a while, wondering what could go with the white shirt.


    Navy blue suit pants.


    Mackenzie smiled to herself and dug her teeth into her lower lip gently. She loved him in white and navy blue. He was always so sexy in that mixture.


    As her cheeks heated up, she moved to pick out a pair of navy blue suit pants and a matching suit jacket, all well pressed.


    Smiling to herself, she raised the clothes to her nostrils and sniffed them.


    The scent of his cologne made her aware of his invisible presence. She could remember his scent when he kissed her, when he touched her, when he held her close to his chest and promised to conquer her in ways she could only allow herself to dream of.


    Mackenzie quickly snapped out of her reverie, and continued her search.


    She took out a pair of ck shoes she liked, a white and blue printed tie ¨C dolce and Gabbana ¨C then his favorite onyx Patek Phillipe ¨C or her favorite ¨C to match.


    Satisfied and grinning like a thirteen year old getting ready for her first highschool dance, Mackenzie found a small suitcase in his closet, and neatly folded the clothes into it.


    ¡°All done.¡± She said to herself, sweating profusely from all the running around, as she walked out of his room, holding the suitcase in her hands.

 CHAPTER 69 – A SILENT ORDER

    Mackenzie had barely gotten out of the house when she felt her phone vibrate in her bag. She had been lost in thoughts, slightly regretting ever hitting Selene. But the woman had iting.


    She frowned as she stepped out of the door, her left hand scrummaging the bag for her phone.


    When she finally found it, she stared at the Caller ID and saw her father¡¯s name disyed on the screen.


    ¡°Pops¡±


    Mackenzie sighed. She thought of ignoring the call, but she knew it would make her dear old father worry. She clicked the ¡°ept¡± icon, and pressed the phone speaker to her right ear.


    ¡°Hello, pops.¡± She greeted. Her voice trembled, but she fought as hard as she could to keep still.


    ¡°Kenzie, dear! Is everything alright? You sound very stressed.¡±This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    She looked ahead and saw the Axfordpany vehicle Nora had sent. She started to walk eagerly towards it.


    ¡°I¡¯m doing fine, pops¡± She pulled the door open and climbed into the ck of the car.


    ¡°How¡¯s mum?¡±


    ¡°Doing just great, everyone over here is doing very well, and it makes me happy. Are you by any chance free to talk, Kenzie?¡±


    Mackenzie narrowed her eyes on nothing in particr. She could tell from the tone of her father¡¯s voice, that there was something bothering him.


    ¡°Uhhh,¡± She looked around the car.


    ¡°Yeah, sure.¡±


    He asked her if she was alright again, and Mackenzieughed and rolled her eyes this time. She assured him that everything was fine, and said she was just stressed from work.


    Lies.


    ¡°Calista and Cameron, how are they?¡±


    More questions.


    ¡°Just great, pops. You asked if I was free to talk¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes. You see, the thing is Mrs. Weston called me some days ago, and she sounded pretty serious. The matter isn¡¯t one she would joke with.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s jaw hardened. She did not know what it was, but she had a feeling it wasn¡¯t very good.


    ¡°What did she say?¡±


    ¡°That she had met with the children¡¯s father. Calista and Cameron¡¯s father is there with them, in Greensville.¡±


    Mackenzie heaved a loud sigh. She caressed her head with her fingers, trying to calm her mind.


    Of course Mrs Weston had met Chase!


    ¡°What are you going to do about that, Mackenzie? If the father is right there with them, why don¡¯t they know about him yet? I know that Jeffery is not the father, but is the man that bad? Are the children in danger?¡±


    Mackenzie thought back to Chase¡¯s kind, yet straight face. No. He was not a bad man, not at all.


    ¡°No, pops. But¡­¡±


    ¡°Then what is going on, Mackenzie? Please, let the children know about their father. If you won¡¯t let them meet him, at least let them know who he is. I¡¯m begging you, Kenzie. They need to know.¡±


    ¡°I know, pops. I know, okay? I was¡­I was thinking ofing back to North Dakota.¡± She finally said it out loud. What scared her the most was the fact that she meant every word.


    There was a small pause after her outburst. Her father continued to speak shortly after.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on, Kenzie?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m tired, pops. I am tired of fighting, tired of running. I just¡­I just want to keep them safe.¡± Tears began to well up in her eyes. She fought to blink them back in, but their force was more powerful.


    ¡°I¡¯ve wanted to tell their father about them, but there¡¯s just been a lot going on, pops. And I need to protect my kids. If they are revealed to the world now, they could be in grave danger, the world¡¯s perception of them would not be a pleasant one. They are innocent, and they shouldn¡¯t suffer for their mother¡¯s sins.¡±


    When she could no longer hold the tears in, she buried her face in her right palm and allowed her tears flow freely.


    The driver parked at the side of the road, and got down from the car, giving her the space she needed.


    ¡°Oh! Darling Kenzie. You really do not have any reason to cry, my love. Listen, you cane back home for sometine if you need to rest. But do note back home if your intention is to run away. A fight you run from today, you would live to fight another day. I understand how you feel, okay Kenzie?¡±


    She nodded like he could see her, and he continued.


    ¡°I just need you to spend more time with the kids. I really hope your new job isn¡¯t taking you away from them. The reason I couldn¡¯t get a job in the city was because I needed to take care of you, fill the gap of both a mother and a father. It¡¯s okay if you don¡¯t want them to know their father now, but you have to make sure you¡¯re never away from them for so long. They need you, Kenzie.¡±


    Soon, the driver returned to the car. He looked at Mackenzie, and she nodded, giving him a silent go-ahead.


    He asked about Charlotte and Felicity, and Mackenzie answered all his questions with a small smile. Her father had always had his way of making her feel better.


    ¡°Watch out for your friends, Kenzie. And never forget to appreciate the people around you, and the things you have, before you lose them.¡±


    She thought about Chase in that moment.


    Mackenzie reyed theirst meeting in her head, the hurt in his eyes which he desperately tried to hide.


    Once they arrived at the hospital, Mackenzie got down from the car and squeezed the hand of the bag. Nora had sent her a text few seconds ago. Chase¡¯s father¡¯s ward was situated on the VVIP ward on the 60th floor.


    She wasted no time in getting into the elevator. Mackenzie watched the numbers as it increased. Her phone vibrated in her hand, and she raised it to her eyes.


    There was a message from Charlotte on the screen. She clicked on the message and found it was a picture of Calista.


    Her baby was in pink sweatshirt and matching joggers, cuddling her new puppy. Mackenzie felt her heart summersault in her chest.


    The elevator doors parted open, and she started to walk towards Richard Axford¡¯s room. Her eyes were glued on the picture of her daughter, until she arrived at the door.


    Mackenzie stood in front of it, and tore her eyes away from her phone. It had been a while since she met Richard Axford, and she was not exactly sure what she would say to him.


    How awkward would their meeting be?


    She was ready to smile at him. He was a good man, but hering to Greenville and working with his son, Chase, was still very suspicious. She had to do her job either way.


    She knocked on the door, and pushed it open slowly. Mackenzie walked into the room, preparing her polite, yet charming smile.


    The smile dwindled immediately she stared at the man seated on the bed in front of her.


    It wasn¡¯t Richard Axford. Richard Axford could never make her heart race in the way that it did. Richard Axford could never make her throat run dry, or her eyes wide at the sight of his right arm in a cast!


    The bag slipped from Mackenzie¡¯s hand, despite how hard she had clutched it. She moved ¨C with a speed that shocked her ¨C to stand beside Chase Axford.


    With wide eyesced with worry, Mackenzie looked over him.


    In a skyblue hoodie, and ck joggers, he was a far cry from his everyday corporate aura. Yet, there was something deliciously messy about how his dark silky strands of hair were scattered all over his head, some falling to his eyes.


    It didn¡¯t take a suit to make her want to drop to her knees. The thought of him alone, was more than enough.


    She didn¡¯t mind the cold blue eyes that stared back at her.


    ¡°What happened to you?¡± She cried out, her eyes dancing all over his handsome frame.


    ¡°I thought you were only here to see your father¡­what¡­how did this happen?¡±


    She reached for the cast, but he moved away from her. It was a silent order, she could not touch him.


    Mackenzie understood. She dropped her hands to her sides, clenching her fist.


    Chase could not deny the fact that he was taken aback. How did she go from lying to his face to caring about him?


    He turned to the nurse on his left and gestured for her to leave the room. She bowed in courtesy and walked away, before Chase returned his gaze to Mackenzie. He looked over her with one swift nce.


    Chase didn¡¯t care that she looked so beautiful in her suit pants, it didn¡¯t make up for the fact that she didn¡¯t trust him.


    ¡°What happened to you, Chase? Did you fall? Did you trip? Say something, I¡­¡±


    ¡°Hold your horses, Mackenzie. I am okay.¡± He cut in, and turned away from her.

 CHAPTER 70 – STRANGELY FAMILIAR

    Mackenzie¡¯s heart sunk in her chest. It was very obvious that he had retreated into his cold shell. His eyes no longer held any form of emotion, and the smile she hade to love so much had disappeared, vanished.


    Could she really me him? She had hurt him by lying, perhaps she deserved it.


    She lowered her eyes to her ts, and shook her head.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± She raised her eyes to look at him. She stared at his cast without saying a word. Words could not describe the ache in her chest.


    ¡°When did this happen?¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. What are you doing here, Mackenzie?¡± Chase asked, without looking at her.


    He could not afford to stay angry at her if he looked at her.


    Her dark curly waves bounced on her shoulders, the same way they had done when they first met.


    He was mad at her, yet he wanted her so bad it took every iota of self control not to pull her to himself.


    When Mackenzie didn¡¯t speak, he turned in her direction and rose from the bed. The more he sat still, the faster he was losing his mind.


    Mackenzie swallowed hard as he towered above her. She raised her head to look at him staring down at her.


    Mackenzie tore her gaze away, feeling heat creep up to her cheeks. She allowed her eyes to dance around the room, fixing them on everything besides Chase¡¯s face.


    ¡°Where is your father?¡±


    ¡°I asked you a question, Mackenzie. What are you doing here?¡±


    Despite the fact that he was mad at her, hearing her name slip from his tongue sent the butterflies in her stomach on a dancing spree.


    She quickly lowered her gaze to the suitcase in her hand. The way he stared at her set her senses aze, she was trying hard to stay sane.


    ¡°I brought your clothes. Nora asked me to bring you clothes to the office, because she¡­¡±


    ¡°I heard.¡± He cut in, the air of nonchnce around him was almost contagious. Mackenzie had to step away from him.


    ¡°The president ising, but I am on my one week hiatus, Mackenzie. I am noting to the office. Leave the bags here and tell Nora to see the president herself.¡±


    Mackenzie blinked twice as she stared at him.


    Nora had said he would be stubborn, but she did not expect him to be this rigid.


    ¡°Chase, I¡¯m sorry I had to interrupt your hiatus, but this is really important for your image, and¡­¡±


    When he chuckled dryly, Mackenzie stopped speaking and looked up at him, tongue-tied.


    ¡°Don¡¯t preach to me, Mackenzie. Go back and do as I¡¯ve said, it¡¯s an order.¡±


    It¡¯s an order?!


    Mackenzie¡¯s concern dissolved into a frown as she watched him.


    Did he not care about his image? She and Nora were only trying to help him, and here he was, acting like a total douche.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t go, Jeffery would have to go see him!¡±


    Chase turned sharply in her direction. He had started to walk away from her, but the mention of his half brother¡¯s name from her lips caused him toe to an abrupt halt.


    Knowing she had gotten his attention, Mackenzie folded her arms underneath her chest and tilted her hips to the right. A stubborn stance to show Chase how determined she was.


    ¡°We both know you do not want that to happen, because you know what would happen once he does.¡±  Mackenzie continued.


    It was Chase¡¯s turn to frown, enough with the emotionless bullshit.


    ¡°Is that why you lied to me? Because you¡¯re scared of Jeffery? Or because what we have¡­what we had, I mean nothing to you, Mackenzie?¡±


    Mackenzie found her knees trembling at his question. Quietly gasping for air, she looked around the room, seemingly searching for a means of support.


    She had really hoped he would not bring it up, at least not then.


    When she finally managed to catch her breath, she turned to look at him and found his eyes peering at her. He had not taken his eyes off her, not even for a second.


    ¡°Chase, I¡¯m sorry. I really didn¡¯t mean to lie to you.¡±


    ¡°But you did.¡±


    She did, and it still hurt.


    She was shaking as he watched her, but he did not make a move to hold her, despite how much he wanted to.


    ¡°And it wasn¡¯t that I didn¡¯t find out, Mackenzie. I questioned you about it, I did. But you chose to look me in the eyes and lie.¡±


    His tone wasced with hurt, deep abysmal hurt reverberated from his voice, yet his eyes were empty. His frown had disappeared, and Mackenzie knew she prefered his frown to the empty eyes she was staring into.


    How could he contain so much hurt?


    He took one step closer to her. She wanted to move away from him, but she felt glued to the ground. Her limbs wouldn¡¯t obey.


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t you trust me? Am I so unreliable that you couldn¡¯t trust me? Haven¡¯t I¡­haven¡¯t I tried to show you that you can trust me?¡±


    Fiery eyes, yet his demeanor was as cold as ice.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m really sorry.¡± She pushed herself backwards, away from him and the domineering presence that threatened to suck her in.


    ¡°I was going to tell you the truth, okay? But a lot has been going on, and I¡­¡±


    ¡°A lot, huh?¡±


    When he scoffed, Mackenzie¡¯s fists clenched by her side.


    ¡°A lot has been going on, and we¡¯ve been together for most of it, Mackenzie. Fuck it. You had a lot of chances to tell me, but you didn¡¯t. Did you think I was going to rat you out to my brother?¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes widened.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    ¡°What? No!¡±


    ¡°Then what was it? Huh? Did you not believe I could protect the kid? She¡¯s not mine, and I know it, but it doesn¡¯t matter. I don¡¯t even care about having kids, but I would have shielded her with everything I have.¡±


    She clutched her suit pants with both hands. Hisst sentence continued to echo in her ears.


    He didn¡¯t want kids. He had just confessed to never wanting kids. Even if he ever met Calista and Cameron, he wouldn¡¯t want them.


    Immediately, Mackenzie straightened her stance, stood with her chin raised, absolutely unapologetic. It was a good thing she did not tell him the truth.


    ¡°Oh¡­ You never wanted kids.¡± She muttered underneath her breath, before turning her eyes to him.


    ¡°I did not want to bother you, Mr. Chase.¡±


    Mr. Chase?


    Chase arched his right brow at her. He was quick to notice the shift in her demeanor, but said nothing about it.


    ¡°There was no need to bother you with my issues. They are my problem, not yours.¡±


    Chase parted his lips to speak, but the sound of Mackenzie¡¯s ringtone seized his attention.


    Mackenzie ignored him and answered the call.


    ¡°Hey, Nora.¡±


    Chase did not give Mackenzie a chance to speak. He snatched the phone from her hand, and she shed him a re, but he ignored her.


    ¡°Nora, this is the CEO¡± He started.


    ¡°Mr. Axford! I¡¯m really sorry we had to cut into your break, but we need you sir. The president ising soon, and it is really important that¡­¡±


    Chase rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Have I not told you that nothing can make me leave?¡±


    ¡°I know you did, sir. But his daughter, whom you helped in Slovenia, ising! And she is on a wheelchair. She already posted on her IG page, saying she ising to Greenville to see her Slovenian hero, Chase Axford. And you were tagged, sir. Please, this is really important.¡±


    Chase heaved a sigh. He raised his left hand to his forehead and caressed it gently.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t do what I did for all this. I don¡¯t want anything from them.¡±


    ¡°I know you don¡¯t, sir. But they are already here, this would help a lot to clear the scandals on ground.¡±


    He heaved another long sigh before cutting her off. His eyes moved to Mackenzie and found her palms pressed together as she pouted and batted hershes at him with her beautiful doe eyes.


    Chase¡¯s heart did a somersault in his chest.


    How could he ever say no to that?


    He rolled his eyes and looked away from her.


    ¡°When will they arrive?¡±


    From the corner of his right eye, Chase saw Mackenzie do a small victory dance.


    ¡°8pm. On the presidential chopper.¡±


    Chase told her he will be there and ended the call. He was told he did not need to go home, because Mackenzie had brought his clothes.


    Chase stared down at the suitcase in Mackenzie¡¯s hand. He was well aware.


    After he ended the call, he stretched the phone to Mackenzie when his eyes caught a picture. She was a hazel-eyed beauty, about four years old, cuddling a small dog.


    Something in his heart skipped a beat. He stared harder, something about the little girl¡¯s smile felt strangely familiar, but Mackenzie snatched it from his hand before he could make anything out of it.


    He had been staring at the picture for too long. She didn¡¯t want him to find any simrities, Mackenzie thought in rm, sliding the phone back into her handbag.


    ¡°You have to start getting ready now, Mr. Axford.¡±


    Yes, he was aware, but¡­ At this point, it was obvious Mackenzie was hiding her child from everyone, and even him. Chase could understand why she was scared, but why would she hide her child from him? He wasn¡¯t Jeffery.


    The way she snatched the phone from him was too much on reflex, or was he overthinking it? He stared at her expectant face and decided to let it go, for now.


    Chase looked down at his cast.


    ¡°I can¡¯t get ready by myself.¡± He muttered, and Mackenzie¡¯s eyes swept over him.


    Of course.


    ¡°Should I get a nurse for you?¡±


    Chase raised his right brow at her. He moved closer to her, closing the distance between them, until she could breathe in the air he let out.


    ¡°Would you really want some other random woman seeing me bare, Mackenzie?¡±


    Her eyes looked over him once more. His dark hair tousled all over his head, sea blue eyes, and pale red lips that struggled to fight back their smirk.


    She swallowed¡­hard.


    ¡°I guess not.¡±


    It came out as a whimper.


    Chase smiled to himself and settled into the bed. When he spread his free hand out, and his legs apart, looking at her, Mackenzie knew it was an invitation.


    Slowly, she allowed her feet to control her, until she was standing between his legs.

 CHAPTER 71 – A LOT HAD CHANGED

    Chase breathed in the scent of her hair. As she stood between his legs, his hands brushing the skin of her hips, the fire that ignited within him wasn¡¯t one he could deny.


    He had missed her so much.


    Standing so close to him, barely inches away, until she could suck in the same air he was letting out, Mackenzie did not know how to feel. She should have tried to keep her distance, especially now that he was mad at her, yet, all she wanted to do was be with him.


    She reached for the hem of his hoodie and slowly pulled it up to his neck. Chase did not struggle, he let her take his hoodie off, slowly revealing the tanned skin of his abs; all eight of them.


    Mackenzie adored every single one with her eyes, drinking in and relishing in the beautiful sight. She traced her gaze up to his shoulder. The cast rested over his right shoulder de. She traced the veins that traveled from his shoulder to his neck, stopping beneath his bearded jaw.


    She dared to look above the jaw, up to his lips that slowly parted to suck in air.


    The anticipation was killing him. He had wanted her for so long. Watching her stare at his lips with needy eyes sent his arousal shooting through the roof.


    Her throat was dry, she gulped down her saliva to dampen it.


    He was too much, being with him was far too much.


    ¡°What happened to you?¡± She asked. Her voice was ragged and husky. It was all the sign Chase needed to know that she wanted him, just as badly as he wanted her.


    So why did she hold back?


    He took the hint and wrapped his hands around her slender waist, pulling her closer to him. He was going to keeping to her if she didn¡¯te to him. He didn¡¯t care how long it would take.


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes widened for a brief moment as she stared down at him. His fingers brushed the curve of her backside, causing her to sigh.


    ¡°I slipped and fell in the shower, nothing serious.¡±


    She didn¡¯t say a thing. She pulled away from him and reached for the suitcase. When she bent over, Chase found it impossible to tear his eyes away from her backside. It had been so long since he¡­


    He stopped his trail of thoughts when he saw her pull out a white long sleeved shirt. He caught sight of the wristwatch and his lips thinned into a smile.


    How did she know him so well?


    It was one of the many things that had pulled him to her. Her attentiveness, ability to pay attention to the smallest things. In a way, her simplicity and her down to earth nature, made her the most elegant woman he had ever met.


    Mackenzie helped him put on the shirt. As she toyed with his buttons, Chase looked up at her.


    Damn. He could feel what they shared threaten to burst from within him, so why did she try to hide hers?


    ¡°I know you feel it too, Mackenzie.¡±


    She fastened the third button, before her eyes danced up to his face. He cupped her waistline, drawing her into his arms.


    She was trying to resist, but she wasn¡¯t sure how much longer she could hold back.


    ¡°Do you have something against men? Mackenzie¡­¡± he reached for the skin of her right cheek, and cupped it with his palm. His thumb stroked the back of her right ear gently. Mackenzie felt herself slowly melt into his arms.


    ¡°I am not Jeffery, you know that.¡±


    Yes, he was nothing like him. Jeffery could never make her feel the way he made her feel.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re not Jeffrey. I could never think you were Jeffrey. You¡¯re¡­you¡¯re nothing like him.¡±


    ¡°Why then?¡±


    Mackenzie dared to look at his lips, the ones she desperately needed to kiss.


    ¡°Why what?¡± She whimpered.


    Shit! She was almost breathless.


    ¡°Why are you holding back? Why can¡¯t you trust me?¡±


    She was tongue-tied. How did he go from emotionless to so full of fire in a matter of minutes?


    Mackenzie parted her lips to speak, but the sound of Chase¡¯s ringtone filled the room first. She wriggled free from Chase¡¯s arms, since it was obvious he would not let her go, and helped him get his phone.


    She answered the call and pressed the speaker to his right ear.


    ¡°Mr. Chase,¡± Chase narrowed his eyes on the space in front of him. It was his father¡¯s aid.


    ¡°Miss¡­¡±


    ¡°Chase, I am downstairs now with the security details. I and the rest of the family are waiting on you, could you get dressed a bit faster? You¡¯re not ady?¡± His father¡¯s voice rang through the speaker.


    Mackenzie held back herugh, and helped move the phone to his left hand. She helped him put on his suit pants while he continued the call.


    Visibly surprised, Chase shifted ufortably in the bed, before he spoke.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to see the president, father? Your surgery is tomorrow for heaven¡¯s sake!¡±


    As he yelled, Mackenzie looked up at him. He sent her a stern look, one quick one that told her it was confidential. She nodded in silence and focused on getting his suit pants up to his waist.


    Chase heard his fatherugh at the other end of the line.


    ¡°Is he okay?¡± He asked, directing the question you his father¡¯s aid.


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Chase, he is. And he will be fine, the doctors gave him some shots for the pain, there is nothing to worry about.¡±


    Chase wanted to be assured. He hoped ¨C for all their sakes ¨C that thedy was right.


    By the time he was done, Mackenzie had fully dressed him. She helped knot his tie while he stopped himself from taking her to the bed and taking her there and then.


    Soon, he was all dressed up. Both he and Mackenzie took the elevator down to meet the rest of the Axfords.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Mackenzie asked, looking over at him. He had not said a word since they got out of the ward, and it had only been a few minutes, but she had missed hearing his voice.


    Chase turned to look at her. There were so many hidden emotions in his night blue eyes, she wished he wouldy his heart out to her.


    ¡°Yeah, I am¡­hey!¡±


    He had turned to look away from her, and the horror in his eyes caused her to tilt her head in his direction.


    A little boy, about five, had tripped over a stic ball and fallen with his face on the ground, a few inches from them.


    Chase did not hesitate for a second longer. He rushed to the little boy and helped him up with his free hand.


    Mackenzie watched as he went down on his right knee, reducing himself to the boy¡¯s height ¨C well, almost. Chase reached for the boy¡¯s right hand and examined it throughly.


    The little boy had tears in his eyes, but he quickly brushed them away when Chase smiled at him, tapping his right shoulder.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t get any injuries, big guy.¡± He dusted his red hair, and Mackenzie¡¯s intestines tied into a knot in her stomach.


    How was he so sweet without making an effort? She had learned that rich people are the most ruthless and heartless, but Chase is different.


    Seeing him with the little boy, she knew he would be great with Calista and Cameron. He would love them with everything he had.


    ¡°Where is your mum?¡± Chase held onto the boy as he looked around.


    Mackenzie¡¯s heart sank into her chest.


    Will her children ever get to taste of the love he had in his heart?


    Will he ever ept them?


    She squeezed her suit pants with her clenched fists.


    Will the world ept them?


    The scandal was bound to ruin their childhood, was it worth the risk?


    Chase didn¡¯t let the boy leave until a slender red-haired woman appeared in front of them. She was very ted to see him and scolded him for running off, but Chase was able to pacify both mother and son. Mackenzie watched him, speechless.


    ¡°Shall we?¡± When he turned to her, his smile was gone¡­again.


    She walked beside him until they arrived at the hospital¡¯s exit.


    Mackenzie was not ¨C not even in a million light years ready for the entourage that awaited her outside.


    She came face to face with Richard Axford, Eleanor and Jeffrey Axford, for the first time in four years.


    Jeffery and Eleanor stood side by side, while Mackenzie kept her feet glued to Chase¡¯s side. Her heart thrummed in her chest, beating at an rming rate that made it almost impossible for her to breathe.


    When she looked at Eleanor, the woman gave her a condescending smile.


    Jeffery¡¯s eyes were fixed on her, boring into her skin. She tore her gaze away from them and turned to face Richard Axford.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°Good to see you, Mr. Richard.¡±


    ¡°The pleasure is all mine, miss Torsney.¡± He replied dryly, very unlike the Richard she knew. But a lot had changed in four years, had it not?


    ¡°Oh! Chase! However did you hurt your hand, my boy?¡± It was Eleanor¡¯s screeching that filled Mackenzie¡¯s ears next.


    She rushed to Chase¡¯s side and looked over him with concern in her eyes.


    When she spared Mackenzie a nce, a pitiful smile swept across her cheeks.


    ¡°Miss Torsney, it¡¯s so good to see you. It¡¯s been so long, has it not?¡± Eleanor looked away from her and turned to her son.


    ¡± Jeffery, my boy,e say hi to Mackenzie, dear.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s orbs traveled to Jeffery once more, and she felt her heart stop the second he took one step towards her.

 CHAPTER 72 – A BETTER SON

    ¡°Heavens, Mackenzie! It hurts that you did not bother to inform us of your arrival at Greenville, or the fact that you now work for Chase here. He¡¯s such a sweet soul, is he not?¡± As Eleanorughed and brushed Chase¡¯s chest, Chase turned to look at Mackenzie.


    She was still on her feet, which was more than he had expected of her. He tilted his neck to find Jeffrey staring at Mackenzie, but not with the rage and anger he had expected.


    There was something different about his half brother, something softer. He looked at Mackenzie with a deep sense of longing in his eyes.


    Chase wasn¡¯tfortable, at all.


    ¡°This family loves you so much, Mackenzie. It¡¯s so good to see you.¡±


    Mackenzie watched Eleanor radiate with her elegant smile. If she didn¡¯t know better, she would have thought Eleanor was genuinely happy to see her.


    The person she did not understand was Jeffrey. She had thought he would have grabbed her and held her by her neck. Instead, he was walking towards her with a soft look in his eyes.


    He was barely inches away from her when Chase sprang up in front of her, putting a bridge between her and Jeffrey. It was one she was grateful for. She wasn¡¯t sure if she could keep herself standing if Jeffrey came close to her.


    Jeffrey took one nce at Chase, before looking over his shoulder to Mackenzie.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to see you again, Kenzie.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s jaw clenched. He was calling her by her nickname. What did that even mean?


    ¡°There is no time, father. We should get moving. The president would be there soon,¡±


    He looked up at the evening sky.


    ¡°It¡¯s already getting dark.¡± Chase continued,  still standing between Jeffrey and Mackenzie. Hell would have to freeze over before he allowed Jeffrey get anywhere close to her.


    ¡°Yes, yes, of course.¡± Richard replied, smiling to his family.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get going everyone. We will save the pleasantries forter.¡±


    Jeffrey took a step backwards, but Eleanor moved to Mackenzie and pulled her in for a hug.


    Mackenzie froze. Eleanor¡¯s hug was tight, too tight to be genuine.


    Chase saw Mackenzie stiffen, and wished he had been quick enough to protect that contact too.


    His heart tugged at his chest. She was stronger than he had thought she would be.


    Jeffery and Eleanor took Eleanor¡¯s army green Range Rover, while Chase and Richard rode the ck Te. Mackenzie, as a staff, was put in a different vehicle.


    Chase settled into the car, but could not stop himself from ncing at the driver¡¯s side mirror every ten seconds.


    ¡°She¡¯s not going to disappear, you know? You don¡¯t have to try to suck her in with your eyes.¡± Chase heard his father say.


    He shrugged and looked away from the mirror, before he turned to his father.


    ¡°You¡¯re one to talk, father. Did you really have toe with me? Or get the whole family? I would have done this on my own.¡±


    Richard smiled at his son. He could understand Chase¡¯s worry, but he knew that his son was also worried about something¡­no, someone else.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, you¡¯re right. But, we have to respect authorities. The president ising with his family, wife and child, it is only polite that Ie with mine. Sending you to address the president¡¯s family alone when mine is present in this same city would be an insult. And the Axfords do not insult power, it¡¯s what makes us so powerful.¡±


    Richard reached for his son¡¯s right shoulder and tapped it gently. Chase continued to watch his father smile. When Richard turned away from him, Chase tore his gaze from his father¡¯s face and stared down at the phone in his hands.


    *****


    It was cold in the car, but not cold enough to quench the fire she could feel burning on her head and beneath her feet.


    All of Mackenzie¡¯s efforts to stay calm had proven futile. The two people she had fought hard to avoid were with her tonight, and she would have to get through one evening with them. They knew she was in Greenville now, how long would it be until they knew everything else?


    Her fingers shook violently even as she pressed them against her thighs.


    When her phone chimed on herp, Mackenzie reached for it with a speed that shocked her. She nced at the screen and found a message from Chase.


    ¡°I¡¯m here, Mackenzie. And I¡¯m proud of you.¡±This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    A smile stole across her cheeks. For some reason, knowing he was by her side gave he the boldness to fight. She raised her head and looked ahead. Her smile broadened when she caught sight of his car.


    She knew he was in there, and he was thinking about her.


    ******


    Meanwhile, Jeffrey remained quiet for most of the journey. He could not get Mackenzie¡¯s beautiful image out of his head, no matter how hard he tried.


    Eleanor turned to her son and found him staring absentmindedly at his shoes. She should have been annoyed ¨C perhaps she was ¨C but she was more amused.


    She threw her head back inughter, and Jeffrey turned to look at her, his right brow corked in a silent query.


    ¡°You know, I had thought you would raise hell to earth after seeing Mackenzie stand beside that bulldozer of a brother you have. I had never imagined that you would melt like ice in a desert, looking at her like a lost puppy drenched in rain. Absolutely ridiculous.¡± She waved her right hand at the absurdity of it all while sheughed.


    Jeffrey still did not speak. He ignored his mother¡¯s teasing and turned to the window.


    Eleanor was not impressed by her son¡¯s silence, not in the slightest bit.


    Herughter died in a matter of seconds.


    ¡°Look, Jeffrey. You have to be clear on something so I can know what I am doing. Do you want the kids or Mackenzie? For heaven¡¯s sake, son, do you even know what you want?!¡±


    ¡°I want both, mother!¡±


    Eleanor gasped and fell backwards on reflex. She had not expected the sudden outburst, especially as he had been very silent.


    ¡°I want both my kids and Mackenzie. I am so mad, mother. I am so angry that she kept my children away from me for so long, but how can I me her?¡± He buried his head in both his palms.


    Eleanor watched her son¡¯s shoulders fall.


    ¡°It¡¯s all my fault. I was terrible to her, and it¡¯s all because of you, mother.¡± He raised his head and red at his mother.


    ¡°You were the one who made me do all those things mother. I should have treated her better.¡±


    Eleanor rolled her eyes and folded her arms underneath her chest.


    ¡°Can you be a man for once in your life, Jeffrey? You were supposed to be the one by your father¡¯s side in this meeting, and not Chase! But you never ever take advantage of the opportunities that I create for you!¡±


    Eleanor found it very annoying. She was doing everything she could to give him a ce in the family, yet he was worried about a peasant and her bastard children.


    Jeffrey¡¯s hard eyes softened immediately. He reached for his mother¡¯s hands and held them firmly. Eleanor red at him, her eyes searched his and she found him pleading, begging.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be a better son to you, mother. I swear I¡¯ll do whatever you want me to do. But you need to help me get Mackenzie and my kids back, you need to.¡±


    It seemed as though he was hell bent on making her furious. Eleanor pulled her hands away from his, a deep scowl on her face.


    ¡°Can you even hear yourself, Jeffrey Axford? You want to get Mackenzie back? How do you think that would happen with your brother hovering above her like a mother eagle, huh?¡±


    She paused to catch her breath, and because she needed to calm herself. There was nothing she hated more than having to yell.


    ¡°Chase is interested in Mackenzie, son. I can see the me that burns in his eyes when he looks at her. Why do you think you have a chance?¡±


    ¡°I know Mackenzie, mother. She is too prude to get in a rtionship with her ex-husband¡¯s brother. I was her first, remember?¡±


    Eleanor hissed and looked away from him. The faith he had in Mackenzie made her sick to her stomach.


    ¡°Chase can chase her around for years toe, but she would never heed. I know Mackenzie, she¡¯s too good for that. And I¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s enough!¡± Eleanor cried out.


    She had heard enough. One more mention of Mackenzie from Jeffrey, and she was certain her ears would begin to bleed.


    She sucked in a deep breath before she continued.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard enough. Let¡¯s just start from the kids first, okay? Perhaps Richard would give you the ten percent he promised when we get them.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about that, mother. I just want my kids back.¡±


    ¡°Have you lost your mind, boy?¡± Eleanor peered at him.


    Jeffrey stubbornly pouted.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t know anything anymore, besides the fact that I want¡­I need Mackenzie.¡±


    Eleanor ignored hisst statement and continued speaking.


    ¡°I will call my P. I team.¡± She reached into her bag for her phone.


    ¡°I need to conduct a DNA test on both the kids. Before you start a fight, you need to know who you¡¯re fighting and what you¡¯re fighting for, my boy.¡±


    She started to type on her phone and Jeffrey watched her in silence.


    ¡°When we have proof that the kids are yours, we cane to an agreement with Mackenzie. If she refuses, then we can imply force.¡±


    Jeffrey, on the other hand, believed they could try to talk it out with Mackenzie. He made it clear to his mother that he had ns to get closer to Mackenzie through the kids, but Eleanor paid him no mind.


    She called her team andid out instructions. She wanted a DNA test ran on the twins with Jeffrey¡¯s DNA, and she wanted the result in two days.


    When that was settled, she ended the call and turned to look at her son. He squinted his brows at her.


    ¡°You knew about the kids already?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I did. I just thought they were her bastards.¡±


    Jeffrey¡¯s fists and jaw clenched.


    ¡°Now you know better, mother. So do not address them as bastards. The kids are mine, and Mackenzie is mine.¡± He thought back to Chase, and his frown deepened.


    ¡°All mine.¡±


    Eleanor scoffed and shook her head.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t you be like your mother for once? You¡¯re getting more like your father everyday, and I¡¯ll be lying if I don¡¯t say it¡¯s getting me pissed, boy, real pissed.¡±


    Jeffrey did not bother to speak. He turned to his window and stayed silent, while Eleanor heaved a sigh and sank into her seat.

 CHAPTER 73 – ELEANOR AXFORD

    The Axfords met the president of the United States,


    Alexander Montgomery, and his family at the rooftop of Axford Hotel.


    Richard Axford was more than delighted to meet him, and so was Eleanor. He was with his wife and daughter, Christen and Sarah Montgomery.


    Mackenzie stood behind the Axfords, along with every other important staff in Axford Hotel. Nora was present to ensure the smooth wee of the president and his family.


    They were ushered into a banquet hall, with a dinning table of ten set for them. A live ssical band was stationed at the end of the room for live entertainment. Stewards were present behind ever chair to serve each and every person on the table.


    Chase and the president walked ahead of the rest of them. The president was not a boring old man like Chase had thought, he was full of jokes and pleasantries, and Chase found himself smiling at regr intervals.


    Until they were all seated around the table, and Mackenzie was nowhere to be found.


    He took out his phone from his pocket and sent a message to Nora, asking where Mackenzie was.


    ¡°So, Mr. Chase, my daughter told me all that you did for her in Slovenia. I must say, she considers you a hero.¡± Mrs. Christen Montgomery started to speak.


    Chase tore his eyes away from his phone and forced a smile at the president¡¯s wife.


    ¡°It was nothing serious, your excellency.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Do not listen to him, mother! It was more than serious. A lot of things would have happened to me if Mr. Chase did not show up. I was lost in a strange city with anguage I could neither speak nor understand, and he helped me get back to my hotel. There were so many things that could have gone wrong.¡±


    Chase turned to look at the young girl. She must have been in her early twenties, bright blue eyes and sunny blonde hair.


    Richard leaned into Chase and whispered something that caused him to scoff.


    ¡°She definitely has a crush on you, son.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous, father. She is the president¡¯s daughter.¡±


    ¡°So what? Imagine marrying into the president¡¯s family.¡± Richard sat up straight and sipped from his champagne flute.


    Chase looked at the younger girl and found her cheeks darkening. His attention was immediately stolen by the sound of his phone¡¯s chiming.


    He picked up phone in a rush and checked Nora¡¯s message.


    ¡°She took a quick break to the bathroom, sir. I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll be back soon.¡±


    He heaved a sigh of relief and ced the phone on the table. His father pinched his knee and Chase raised his eyes to re at his old man. Richard¡¯s eyes dropped to his phone, then gestured for Chase to put it away.


    Chase rolled his eyes and slipped the phone into his pocket, still keeping an eye out for Mackenzie.


    He picked his phone and texted Mackenzie to ask of her location. She hadn¡¯t read it yet, so there was no reply.


    ¡°Mr. President, it is a pleasure to have you here in Axford Hotels.¡± Eleanor started to speak. Jeffrey was seated beside his mother, yet the only thing he cared about was speaking to Mackenzie.


    ¡°My son here, Jeffrey, is a big fan of what you¡¯re doing in Ashville state. The speed subways are a very important investment, and as a businessman, he has a lot of light he can shed on the project n.¡± She turned to look at Jeffrey.


    ¡°Jeffrey, tell the president all about it!¡± Eleanor called out, quite excited that she had cleared the floor for her son to speak.


    Perhaps she should have informed him seconds earlier. When Jeffrey snapped out of his reverie, he was as clueless as a deer stung by headlights.


    Chase could barely contain hisughter. He picked up his flute and sipped his champagne slowly.


    ¡°I guess the power¡¯s been cut.¡±


    Richard and the presidentughed heartily. They seemed to be the only ones who caught the joke quickly. The president¡¯s wife and daughter followed secondster, while Eleanor struggled to recover from the embarrassment. Yet, Jeffrey didn¡¯t seem to care. He continued to count the seconds when Mackenzie would join them at the table.


    ***


    Mackenzie stood in front of the sink. Her right hand gripped the body of the sink, while the left squeezed her lower abdomen.


    She had been walking beside Nora when her stomach began to hurt. She quickly excused herself and rushed to the bathroom. It was only then she remembered it was her time of the month.


    A frown stole across her face as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She had to find a way to excuse herself from the rest of the meeting, and go home to rest.


    She turned the faucet, and ced her hand under the running tap. When she raised her head, the image of her ex mother-inw caused her heart to skip.


    Mackenzie turned off the tap quickly, and turned to look at Eleanor.


    Eleanor made sure to open all the bathroom stalls, just to make sure there was no one who could listen in on her conversation.


    There was a lot she had to say to Mackenzie Torsney, and none of it was good.


    Mackenzie swallowed hard and fought to stand her ground. She was not going to he detered by Eleanor¡¯s words. She wasn¡¯t the helpless daughter-inw Eleanor could toss about four years ago, she was stronger now, and she was determined to show it.


    Eleanor Axford slowly cat-walked towards Mackenzie. The woman had not aged at all in four years. Her brte bob was straightened to her broad shoulders. Her ck dress clung to the slender curves of her body like a second skin. Mackenzie could not deny it, the woman was an epitome of beauty, elegance, and raw danger.


    ¡°Mackenzie sweet Torsney,¡± Eleanor started to speak. As she smiled, Mackenzie took note of the beauty of her white set of teeth against her blood red lipstick.


    ¡°I hope today was enough to show you that you do not belong in the Axford family. The gap between us would just never be covered, no matter how many times you sleep with both Axford sons.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s heart skipped in her chest. Eleanor Axford swore to stop at nothing to break her down.


    ¡°All you can do is work for us, work under us, ve away for us.¡± As she spoke, she walked in circles around Mackenzie.


    ¡°We are just too good for you. We will always be. Don¡¯t you get it yet, my dear?¡±


    She stood in front of Mackenzie, a feigned sad smile crept up to her cheeks.


    ¡°You should return home to your father, to your little town in North Dakota. Stay there, farm with him, grow crops like the farmer¡¯a daughter you are. You¡¯ll have more purpose there then here, darling.¡±


    Tears threatened to rush from Mackenzie¡¯s eyes, but there was no way she was letting the woman have her way.


    She fought to gather her thoughts together, before forcing a smile that matched Eleanor¡¯s fake one.


    ¡°Is this really the way you want to say hi to your daughter-inw? After four years? Tsk.¡± Mackenzie kissed her teeth and pouted.


    ¡°You wound me.¡±


    Eleanor¡¯s smile dissolved into a re.


    Surely, the country rat had not dared to talk back at her, or did she?


    She bursted intoughter, a mocking, cruel one, before fixing her gaze on Mackenzie again.


    ¡°You really think Chase would take you seriously, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s throat ran dry at the mention of Chase. Eleanor saw the look in her eyes, the wishing, the longing.


    ¡°Oh! You really do. That exins the nerve you have to throw words back at me.¡± She took one step closer to Mackenzie.


    Mackenzie tried to move backwards, but her waist collided with the edge of the sink.


    ¡°You should listen to me, Mackenzie Torsney. You should runaway, or I would make a thorough mess of everything you¡¯ve ever cherished.¡±Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Eleanor reached for Mackenzie¡¯s right cheek and caressed her skin with her thumb. She looked the younger woman dead in the eyes, so Mackenzie knew she wasn¡¯t bluffing.


    ¡°You know me too well, Mackenzie. You know I don¡¯t make empty threats. Go away, disappear, don¡¯t make us cross paths again, or I would squash you between my fingers like the insect you are.¡± Eleanor leaned into her and blew a kiss past her right ear. She pulled herself away and turned her back to Mackenzie, swaying her hips as she glided out of the bathroom.


    Mackenzie let out a long sigh. She was not aware how long she had held her breath until Eleanor was out of the bathroom.


    She rushed out of the female bathroom, suddenly feeling the walls close in around her, and made her way to the general door.


    She was tired, so tired. These were the same people she had fought hard to stay away from. How did she end up here?


    What if Eleanor found out about the children?


    What would she do then?


    Panic wed at Mackenzie¡¯s chest, as tears rushed down her eyes.


    She held onto a sink and bowed her head, sobbing, her shoulder shook and her fingers trembled.


    She hated how weak she was, how helpless she was when it came to the Axfords. She hated the fact that she could not hide her children away from them.


    She hated the fact that¡­


    Her shoulders tensed once she felt a firm hand sp the right de.


    Mackenzie did not need to look up to know who it was.

 CHAPTER 74 – LIKE A STENCH

    She stiffened beneath his touch, and it was more than enough indication to let Chase know she wasn¡¯t okay.


    Mackenzie raised her head and turned sharply to look at him. She found him there, his blue suit jacket was off, and his white sleeves were rolled all the way up to his elbows, she caught sight of the cast on his right hand. His lips glittered with oil, and she could tell he had eaten more than enough.


    Who would have thought a man with a broken hand could eat to his full?


    She tried to smile at the thought, but it didn¡¯t happen, not with the burden in her heart.


    Chase saw the tears in her eyes before her brave attempt to wipe it away like it was nothing. He squinted his brows at her and looked over her.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on, Mackenzie?¡± He reached for her right cheek and brushed it gently. Mackenzie stood stiff once more. It was the same ce Eleanor had touched her before threatening her life.


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes darted from the floor, up to his face.


    Chase Axford.


    His piercing sapphire blue eyes peered at her. She could see the sincerity of his worry in them. He looked a lot like Cameron when he was this worried about her. It would have been so easy to crumble into his arms and tell him everything. He would shield her, he would protect her. But she was done being dependent.


    Her dependence on Jeffrey only left her in disarray.


    Yes. Chase was different, he cared about her. But what if he suddenly stopped? What would she do then?


    With that thought, she straightened her stance and cleaned her eyes. She fetched a smile from the sides of her face and disyed it in front of him.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing, Chase. I just,¡± She wiped her palms against her pants.


    ¡°I just have to return home, that¡¯s all.¡±


    She tried to move past him, but he blocked her way. Even with his one hand, he was still very strong and fast.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on, Mackenzie? Tell me.¡± His eyes danced around her face as he pressed on.


    Why wouldn¡¯t she open up to him?


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing Chase, I told you. I am just, uhh, having cramps.¡±


    Chase dropped his left arm by his side and tilted his neck to the side.


    ¡°Cramps?¡±


    Mackenzie nodded.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    He was confused.


    He looked down at her feet and asked.


    ¡°Leg cramps?¡±


    Mackenzie shook her head as a sign for no. He could see her genuine smile slowly light her eyes up again. Chase¡¯s heart warmed up in his chest. It was just how he liked her, smiling.


    ¡°Knee cramps?¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°Your head?¡±


    ¡°No, Chase.¡± Sheughed softly this time, and his heart was filled with a sensation he couldn¡¯t exin.


    ¡°Then which is it?¡±


    ¡°Monthly cramps, okay?¡±


    Oh. Shit.


    He scratched the back of his head, clueless of the next question to ask her. He hadn¡¯t ever had to discuss the female cycle with anyone before.


    ¡°Uhh, does it hurt that much? I mean, to make you cry?¡± He started moving closer to her, but Mackenzie stepped backwards.


    ¡°How bad is it? You¡¯re not crying because of Jeffrey and his mother anymore, are you?¡±


    Mackenzie had found his shy stature funny, especially with the kind of man he was perceived to be. However, the mention of Jeffrey and his mother pped her smile off her face.


    ¡°No, no. My tummy just hurt a lot, that¡¯s all. It¡¯s worse than this sometimes, but it¡¯s nothing you should worry about. I¡¯ll just go home, take my bath and I¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°Let me take you home.¡±


    Mackenzie red at him.


    ¡°What? No, no you cannot take me home, Chase. The president of the country is out there to see you in your own hotel and you just want to leave?¡± Mackenzie stretched her right hand, gesturing at the door.


    Chase rolled his eyes.


    ¡°My father is there, the rest of my family is there. He has seen me enough, okay? Say what you want, but there is no way I am letting you go home alone.¡±


    Chase didn¡¯t give her another chance to speak before he grabbed her right hand with his left and led her out of the bathroom. Mackenzie returned to Nora to take her bag, and found twelve missed calls from uncle Maverick.


    After a ten seconds panic attack, she decided to return one of his calls. She found Chase waiting for her at the hotel¡¯s corridor, and uncle Maverick picked up on the first ring.


    ¡°Hey, uncle!¡±


    The glee in her eyes and voice caused Chase to turn to her.


    Who was she speaking to that made her so happy?


    ¡°Kenzie, I just returned to town and heard you are now working for the Axfords. Charlotte and Felicity told me all about it.¡±


    Mackenzie sighed.


    ¡°Uncle¡­¡±


    ¡°We would talk about this when we get home. Where are you? Axford Hotel right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡­¡±


    ¡°Good, I¡¯m outside, and I¡¯m waiting for you.¡±


    Mackenzie was shocked to know uncle Maverick wasn¡¯t bluffing. He stood outside, beside his ck car.


    She smiled and shook her head when she saw him.


    Chase, on the other hand, did not seem to share her sentiment. He frowned at the man, and his grip on Mackenzie¡¯s hand tightened.


    He recognized him, and he didn¡¯t like him at all.


    Maverick found Mackenzie and Chase standing together and stomped to them. He wasted no time in grabbing Mackenzie¡¯s hand and pulling her away from Chase¡¯s grip.


    Chase¡¯s re was powerful enough to put three bullets in his skull, only if eyes could kill.


    ¡°It¡¯s you again.¡± Chase spoke, his tone low and defiant. He ced his hand on Mackenzie¡¯s shoulder and softly pulled her back to him.


    Maverick was going to reach for Mackenzie again, but she was tired of being tossed between them.


    ¡°Uncle Maverick, you¡¯re back!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mackenzie. I am. So let¡¯s go home. We need to go home and talk.¡±


    Home.


    Chase¡¯s frown deepened. He hated the fact that the man was rubbing it in his face. He could not ask Mackenzie toe home. He wondered if he would ever get the opportunity to say those words to her.


    ¡°Mackenzie is still working, and I¡¯m her boss. So she can¡¯t go anywhere, not now.¡±


    It was Maverick¡¯s turn to re at Chase. He had tried to ignore him before, but the Axford was stepping on all of his toes. It was only a matter of time before he would be forced to drive his fist into the man¡¯s face.


    ¡°Mackenzie is no longer working here. From today, she would seize to be a member of your staff.¡± He threw his hands into air andughed bitterly.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe this! After everything this family did to you. You turn around and you work for them?! How dare you even ce your hands on her?!¡± His second question was directed at Chase who sneered at him.


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°Uncle Maverick, please be calm. I¡¯ll being home, okay?¡±


    ¡°No, Kenzie. Let¡¯s leave now. None of these people deserve you. You have so much to protect, Mackenzie. So much.¡±


    Chase¡¯s heart sunk in his chest. To know that not only Mackenzie, but this man viewed his feelings and intentions for her in the same light as that of his brother. It was like a stench he would never get rid of.


    Still, he wasn¡¯t going to let this man take Mackenzie away.


    ¡°She would be going home alright, but not with you. If she¡¯s going to leave here tonight, it¡¯ll be with me. You can follow us behind.¡± Chase spat out.


    Maverick was seething, reeling in his anger. Mackenzie¡¯s eyes pleaded with him, the only things strong enough to keep him calm.


    ¡°Please uncle, I¡¯ll be fine. Just go home, alright? We¡¯ll meet at home.¡±


    Uncle Maverick finally agreed to leave first, but not without eyeing Chase with fury in his eyes. Chase and Mackenzie watched him walk away from them.


    He ushered Mackenzie to the car, which Maxwell, his oldest and most trusted security detail, was to drive.


    ¡°Take us to miss Torsney¡¯s house.¡±


    Once they were settled into the car, Chase turned to Mackenzie.


    ¡°How bad is it? The cramps?¡±


    Mackenzie stared at him for a while, she had forgotten all about it.


    ¡°Oh, uh, I just want to get home fast and change.¡±


    Chase nodded and looked away from her, he turned to the driver and met his eyes in the rearview mirror.


    ¡°Stop us at the next convenience store.¡±


    Mackenzie turned to look at him.


    What could be on his mind now?


    He couldn¡¯t help but notice  Mackenzie looking pale. He sat beside her and reached for her right hand.


    Did cramps always make women this sad?


    ¡°If you need a massage, you could alwayse to my ce. It¡¯s open for you, you know the password.¡±


    ¡°Sounds no nice, I¡¯m tempted already.¡± Mackenzie threw over her shoulder, with a beautiful smile.


    Chase pressed on.


    ¡°I mean it, Mackenzie. I could give you the massage myself.¡±


    Mackenzie smiled and returned her eyes to her phone.


    When they got to the store, Chase got down from the car and headed into it. He had no clue what he was going there to do, but he knew he woulde out sessful.


    He found the sanitary section of the store, and sighted a long line of sanitary pads on one shelf. So many different brands and colours. Red, green, yellow, blue, indigo. Which was he to pick?


    He started to take one of each, until he had picked every colour and brand on the shelf. The girls behind him giggled and blushed as they watched him. Every woman¡¯s eyes seemed to be on him. Even the cashier was surprised to see him pull out a ck card for a trolley filled with pads.


    Chase paid for some painkillers as prescribed by the pharmacist in the drug section, and held the bag in his hands as he walked out of the store.


    He handed the bag over to her, and Mackenzie stared at him wide-eyed.


    ¡°What are these?¡±  She asked, searching the bag. Chase¡¯s cheeks turned a dark shade of red.


    ¡°You can use them when you get home.¡±


    The colorful disy in the bag caused her to smile. She wanted tough, but she didn¡¯t know how to. Shaking her head, she looked up at him and rested her head against the window.


    The cramps and everything else that happened that night had worn her out.


    He had been nothing but nice to her, perhaps it was time to let him know the truth. She could bring the kids to see him the next day, since they would both be free.


    ¡°What are you doing tomorrow?¡±


    Chase thought about it. Tomorrow was supposed to be his father¡¯s surgery, but it couldn¡¯t be anymore. The man needed time to rest.


    He told Mackenzie this, and she nodded absentmindedly.


    ¡°I am supposed to be alone on the 12th, but it¡¯ll be my father¡¯s surgery, so I¡¯ll have to be with him.¡±


    ¡°And the day after that?¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes brightened as she watched him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be free but still around the hospital, why?¡± Chase eyed her suspiciously.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Mackenzie heaved a sigh of relief and sunk into her seat. There would be no need for much exnation, he might never forgive her but she hoped he would understand why she tried so hard to keep them away this long.


    She would bring the kids to him and let him see the truth for himself.

 CHAPTER 75 – LIKE HIS MOTHER

    The hours rolled by, and the 12th sneaked up on them, both father and son.


    Richard Axford was dressed in a bright skyblue hospital dress with the words ¡°Axford Medical¡± printed in dark blue upper case letters on the stomach region.


    Chase Axford stood beside him. His hands in his pocket ¨C now that his right hand had almost healed ¨C as he watched the bright blue sky from his father¡¯s window.


    ¡°So, if I do not make it today, I¡¯ll be dying the same day as the love of my life.¡±


    Chase¡¯s ears jerked up. He turned sharply in his father¡¯s direction and frowned at him.


    ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean, dad?¡±


    He was waiting for the doctors toe in, and every second they spent away left him with nothing but crippling anxiety.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry son, but I can¡¯t help it.¡±


    Chase watched his old mean lean into bed, and lock his hands together.


    ¡°If anything happens today, you¡¯ll be the only one who¡¯ll truly mourn me. I mean, all these years on Earth, and there is no big family left behind. It just makes me so depressed when I think about it. I thought that I was doing myself good, but now¡­¡±


    Chase let out a disgruntled sigh.


    He ced his right hand on his forehead and rolled his eyes.


    ¡°You know what? Stop. Okay. Please just stop.¡± Chase cut in.


    The knock on the door came almost immediately.


    His father¡¯s oncologist stepped in. Chase searched for an expression on the man¡¯s face, but he betrayed nothing.


    Doctors were so good at keeping poker faces, weren¡¯t they?


    ¡°Mr. Chase Axford. I¡¯ll like to see you outside.¡±


    Chase exchanged uncertain looks with his father, before he turned to look at the man.


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to speak to my son in private, doctor Martinez. You can say what you want to say to me. The cancer isn¡¯t looking good, is it?¡± Richard blurted out.


    Both his son and doctor tilted their necks to look at him. He scoffed and shook his head, a sad smile crept up to his cheeks.


    ¡°I know my own body, and I know how I feel. I¡¯ve been feeling worsetely.¡±


    ¡°And you didn¡¯t think to say something? Goodness, dad! Why would you hide something like that?¡± Chase¡¯s frustration was getting the better of him. His frustration and fear were both gnawing at him, and he was so terrified to show any of it.


    ¡°You would have to undergo chemotherapy for a longer while, Mr. Axford. Either that or we get the surgery done immediately. We would have to do one of the two.¡±


    When the doctor finished speaking, Chase stayed silent, waiting on his father¡¯s reply. It was his call now.


    Richard Axford sighed and looked up at the doctor.


    ¡°Can I have sometime alone with my son.¡±


    Oh! He had to be kidding.


    ¡°Sometime alone? What is it with you, father? We¡¯re talking about saving your life here, we don¡¯t have time anymore, for heaven¡¯s sake.¡±


    He moved closer to his father and ced a soft hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°You have to decide now, father. Or should we make a decision for you?¡±


    Chase swallowed hard. Couldn¡¯t his father see he just wanted what was best for him?


    ¡°Seriously, Chase. Can we be together for today, just today? The cancer hasn¡¯t killed me all this while, it can¡¯t possibly end me today.¡±


    ¡°Stop, dad. Okay? Just stop saying all of that. Heavens.¡± Chase pulled away from his father and turned his back to him, sucking in deep breaths.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, son. I wish I had a stronger body, but I clearly don¡¯t. I just¡­I just want us to be together today. I don¡¯t know why I feel this way, but I just want to be with you today, my son. Please.¡±


    Chase blinked, hard, as though he was fighting back something.


    He turned to look at his father and moved to the bed where he sat.


    ¡°I would always be here, father. Okay?¡±


    Richard smiled to himself. As he searched his son¡¯s eyes, he could see that he was getting more and more matured. The Chase of a few months back would not have understood, and would have left him alone.


    ¡°There is somewhere I need to go, my boy. Can you take me there?¡±


    Chase squinted his brows at his father. What was he up to now?


    ¡°Where?¡±


    ¡°Just say you¡¯ll take me there.¡±


    Chase rolled his eyes. When his father smiled, he could not fight back his own.


    He picked his phone and called Maxwell, giving him instructions to drive to the hospital¡¯s exit. Chase helped his father down the floors, to the exit of the hospital after helping him change into regr clothes.


    The door was pulled open, and Chase helped Richard climb into the car. He sat beside his father and watched as he continued to smile to himself. Maxwell had already gotten into the car, and wasted no time in starting the car¡¯s engine.


    ¡°Where are we going to, dad?¡±


    When Richard wouldn¡¯t give him any reply other than a smile, Chase turned his attention to Maxwell.


    ¡°Do you even know where we are going?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± The man replied with a proud smile.


    ¡°The boss told me all about it.¡±


    ¡°I told you, son. Be calm.¡±


    Chase felt himself rx when his father¡¯s hand rested on his left knee.


    He was almost rxed, until he heard his phone chime in his pocket. Chase reached for it and held it up to his face.


    It was a message from Nora.


    ¡°You have to see this sir.¡± It read, with a link underneath.


    Chase narrowed his eyes at the words on the screen.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    What could be so important that Nora had to reach him, even though he had told her ¨C very firmly ¨C that he did not want to be disturbed?


    Still, she did sound urgent. Chase had to know what was going on.


    He clicked the link immediately, and it only took less than four nanoseconds to open.


    SHOCKING NEWS: YOUNG BILLIONAIRE AND BUSINESS TYCOON, CHASE AXFORD HAS BEEN HIDING HIS TWO ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN HE HAD WITH HIS BROTHER¡¯S EX-WIFE FOR FOUR YEARS!


    The roof over his head began to spin immediately. His eyes widened, and his attempt to breathe resulted in him being strangled by his own oxygen.


    Chase coughed, violently. He struggled to clutch the phone in his right hand, but when he caught sight of the number of views ¨C two million. Posted thirty minutes ago ¨C the world around him crumbled into shards.


    The phone slipped from his hands and fell on hisp.


    What in the world was going on?


    Breathe Chase, breathe.


    He repeated the words in his head over and over again, but it seemed harder to do every time.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, son? Is everything alright?¡±


    No. No nothing was alright!


    There was fire, an entire burning bush over his head, and with no means of cooling it down.


    Children¡­four years¡­Mackenzie¡­


    He could barely connect the dots himself!


    ¡°Yes, father. Everything¡¯s fine.¡±


    His father had enough to worry about with his health, this was something Chase had to handle by himself.


    With trembling fingers, Chase picked up his phone and dialed Nora¡¯s number. His assistant picked up on the first ring, and Chase did not give her a second to speak.


    ¡°Nora, what the hell is going on?!¡±


    ¡°Sir¡­¡±


    ¡°You know this is false, yet to chose to make me look at it. It¡¯s reached two million views in less than an hour. Don¡¯t you know you have to contact the IT team and make sure this is taken down? Don¡¯t you know your job? Am I supposed to teach you that all of a sudden?¡± Chase could barely hear himself, or catch his breath. He had intended to yell, but he could barely find his voice.


    ¡°I know sir, I know. But there¡¯s¡­uhh¡­there¡¯s a photo going around now of a little girl who they say is your daughter. Imagesparing her with your mother are all over. They say she has a twin brother, and¡­¡±


    His grip on the phone tightened. Chase¡¯s jaw clenched.


    ¡°What the fuck are you saying, Nora?¡± His knees felt numb, he could barely stop his feet from tapping away on the floor of the car.


    Richard was worried, but his son wouldn¡¯t let him in.


    ¡°The child is Miss Torsney¡¯s child, sir. The girl, and the boy. They are miss Torsney¡¯s children.¡±


    Chase swallowed hard. What was Nora saying?


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir. I have contacted the IT team, they are currently tracing the IP address of the person who posted it. But I have sent you the picture, sir. And you can just¡­please just take a look at it.¡±


    Chase opened his mouth to speak, but the call ended immediately. Shocked, Chase stared at his phone¡¯s screen.


    Nora surely did not just end the call on him, did she?


    An image popped up on his screen, and Chase narrowed his eyes on the girl¡¯s image.


    Hazel eyes stared back at him, a bright smile on her face.


    He knew her¡­or the picture. He had seen the same picture in Mackenzie¡¯s phone at the hospital.


    The same picture with the same orange colored puppy.


    He felt as though his brain and heart took turns to do somersaults in his head and heart.


    This was Mackenzie¡¯s daughter, and the daughter is Jeffrey¡¯s.


    So what was his rtionship with her? And why did she look so much like his mother?

 CHAPTER 76 – THE WICKED TRUTH

    He could remember when Mackenzie dragged the phone from his hands. This was the exact picture on the screen, her daughter!


    Chase¡¯s heart and mind raced with a speed that made it impossible for him to think straight, or breathe.


    He needed an exnation, and he needed it immediately.


    As if the one image he saw had not done more than enough damage, he got a notification. Nora had sent in three more.


    Chase didn¡¯t want to look at them. Once he saw the photos, he wasn¡¯t sure what he will find, but his curiosity got the better of him.


    He swiped on his screen and continued to go through the rest of the images.


    They were DNA tests.


    Chase squinted his brows and pulled his phone closer to his eyes. He clicked on the first image.


    Cameron Torsney and Chase Axford. Result¡­99. 9% match {MATCHED}


    Cameron¡­Torsney¡­what¡­?!


    With his heart in his other hand, he scrolled and found the second image.


    Calista Torsney and Chase Axford.


    Result¡­99. 9% match. {MATCHED}


    SUSPECTED RELATIONSHIP: FATHER AND DAUGHTER


    Father and daughter?!


    He felt lightheaded. The walls of the car were closing in on him. He needed¡­. he needed air.


    The next message was a text from Nora.


    ¡°These images are authentic, sir. Our tech team verified them. They¡¯re genuine shots of both individuals.¡±


    Chase leaned back in his seat, still holding his phone in his right hand.


    ¡°Chase, are you alright?¡± Richard had been observing his son for the past five minutes, sensing that something was amiss. There was an unsettling aura around Chase that was hard to ignore.


    Even now, when his father was calling out to him, Chase seemed distant, almost as if he couldn¡¯t hear properly.


    Richard peered at Chase¡¯s phone screen and recognized the little girl¡¯s smiling face. It didn¡¯t take long for the memory to resurface  he had encountered her before.


    ¡°This is the photo of the little girl I met at the hospital garden, Chase. I remember! Do you¡­ know her mother or someone rted?¡± Richard inquired, looking up at his son for an exnation.


    Chase¡¯s gaze remained fixed on the image, hisplexion turning pale, as if the blood had drained from his face.


    ¡°Yes, I can¡¯t be mistaken. That¡¯s the same little girl, the one who I thought resembled your mother. But why¡­ why are you so affected by this, Chase? She¡¯s a clever one, she even wears sses.¡±


    Chase¡¯s attention remained transfixed on the photograph, causing Richard¡¯s concern to intensify.


    ¡°Is something troubling you, my boy? Did you discover who she¡¯s connected to? Chase?¡±


    Suddenly, Chase turned sharply toward his father¡¯s voice. He swallowed hard, struggling to maintain hisposure.


    ¡°Father, could you do something for me?¡±


    Richard let out a sigh. ¡°What do you need, son?¡±


    ¡°I know where we need to go, Sandstone Park.¡±


    Richard almost chuckled at Chase¡¯s quick deduction. ¡°How did you figure that out?¡±


    Chase dismissed the question, his urgency palpable. ¡°Please, just head there. I¡¯ll meet you there.¡±


    ¡°Chase?¡±


    ¡°Stop the car, Maxwell.¡±


    The driverplied, parking at the nearest avable spot. Chase swung the door open and stepped out of the car. Despite his father¡¯s inquiries, Chase didn¡¯t spare him another nce.


    He crossed the road, hailed a taxi, and hopped in.


    ¡°134A, Greenwich Avenue,¡± he instructed the driver.


    The driver nodded and sped off. Chase dialed Nora¡¯s number on his phone.


    ¡°I need one of my drivers at Miss Torsney¡¯s residence within fifteen minutes. Can you arrange that for me?¡± His voice was cold and controlled.


    ¡°Her ce is a bit far, about thirty minutes away, sir.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s urgent. Aim for twenty minutes, Nora.¡± Chase ended the call, still fixated on his phone¡¯s screen, grappling with his thoughts and emotions.


    ¡°We¡¯ve arrived, sir,¡± the driver¡¯s voice broke his reverie. Chase lifted his head and gazed out the window, his mind swirling with a storm of thoughts and uncertainties.


    Today was her day off, so she should be at home. It was the reason he had not stormed straight to the office.


    Chase prayed to everything he knew, that he would see Mackenzie at home and she would tell him the inte was ying another prank on him.


    That this was another revenge ploy by Selene, to get back at him.


    A smallugh erupted from his throat.


    Of course, it had to be a prank. Mackenzie would have never kept it away from him if it were true.


    Hisughter disappeared and made way for a frown.


    She wouldn¡¯t dare.


    Chase got down from the taxi and started to head towards her door. Behind the metal doory the answer to all his questions.


    ¡°Excuse me, sir. Your fare!¡±


    Chase halted in his tracks. He turned around and reached for his wallet, took out a wad of cash and handed it to the driver. He was on his way to Mackenzie¡¯s door once again.


    ¡°Sir! It¡¯s more than! Your change!¡±


    Oh! For the love of¡­


    Chase turned to re at the driver, and the man shed him a nervous smile before leaning back into his seat.


    ¡°Thank you sir!¡± He called out, and drove away immediately.


    He got to the front porch and stared at the tiny door of Mackenzie¡¯s home. Chase wanted nothing more than to kick the door off its hinges, grab Mackenzie, and ask her what the fuck was going on.


    The adrenaline that coursed through his veins, mixed with his confusion and brewing rage.


    He tried to stay calm and rang the doorbell instead. No one answered on the first ring, he tried again, and still no answer.


    He banged the door for the third time, before he heard a voice call from inside.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?! I¡¯ming!¡±


    Chase counted the seconds in his head until the door opened. He found Felicity, and she found him too.


    Her eyes widened, visibly taken aback by his presence. However, the shock in her eyes soon dissolved and made way for an emotion he knew too well; fear.


    She knew why he was here.


    ¡°Hello, miss Weston.¡±


    Oh! Shit!


    Felicity managed a smile, even though her legs and every joint in her body was starting to tremble.


    She had been trying to reach Mackenzie since she read the article an hour ago. It had already reached over three million people, so how was he not to find out?!


    She was only happy Mackenzie¡¯s face hadn¡¯t shown, but her identity and name was smeared all over the article.


    ¡°Where is Mackenzie? Today is her day off, and I know she¡¯ll be at home.¡± Chase looked over Felicity¡¯s shoulder, a stern frown on his face.


    Felicity swallowed hard.


    ¡°She went to¡­she took the¡­. uhmmm¡­¡± She shook her head, as though trying to organize her thoughts.


    ¡°She took the kids to Sandstone park about an hour ago, and¡­¡±


    Chase turned his back to her before she could finish her sentence. Thepany¡¯s car pulled up in front of Mackenzie¡¯s house, and he hurried towards it.


    The driver tried to pull the door, but Chase was faster. He jumped into the car, and gave the driver orders to take him to Sandstone park, as quickly as he could.


    The one hour drive to the parksted for a million years as far as Chase was concerned. Once he got to the park, he alighted from the vehicle and walked straight towards the gate.


    The crowd around gasped when they saw him. The security at the gates did not bother asking for entrance fee. They knew who he was, and possibly the hell he was about to raise if he caught sight of Mackenzie.


    ¡°What is he doing here?¡±


    ¡°Did you read the article?¡±


    ¡°Oh! My! Scandalous!¡±


    Chase had never been one to pay attention to gossip or whispers that never made it to the front of his face, but this time, it struck a chord within him, and the wrong one.


    His phone rang, and he picked the call when he saw it was his father.


    ¡°Where are you, my boy?¡±


    ¡°At Sandstone park. Where are you?¡±


    ¡°Underneath a beautiful coconut tree. I¡¯m d Maxwell had some old clothes in his trunk. I am sitting on one now. Hurry up, boy. Come enjoy the view with your old man. Sitting here alone is beginning to bore me out.¡±


    Chase heaved a sigh. His eyes did a quick spin around him.


    ¡°I¡¯ming, father. You¡¯ll see me soon.¡±


    ¡°Oh! For heaven¡¯s sake, Chase! Come on over here and¡­hey there little fe! Be careful now¡­don¡¯t fall, here you go. That¡¯s a good¡­ Chase? Are you there?¡±


    His father must have been distracted by someone, or something.


    ¡°Yes, I am.¡±


    ¡°Get over here right now.¡±


    That was not the voice of a bored old man, the tremor in his voice sent chills down his spine.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be there in a minute.¡±


    As Chase walked, he tried to call Mackenzie over and over again. The phone continued to ring, but Mackenzie wouldn¡¯t pick up.


    Chase stopped trying. He needed to focus on finding his father. He didn¡¯t know if something was wrong with his father. As long as Mackenzie was in this park, in this city, he was sure to find her, no matter how long she tried to avoid him.


    From a distance, he caught sight of his father holding on to someone. The closer Chase got, the more he could clearly see that his father was holding onto a child.


    When had the mighty Richard Axford gotten so good with children? His father had always been careful with children whenever they got to this pack.


    First, the girl at the hospital, and now, this little boy.


    He got close enough to call out to his father, looking over him to see if he was in pain.


    ¡°Dad, what¡¯s wrong? Are you alright?¡±


    The little boy in Richard¡¯s arms turned in the direction of Chase¡¯s voice.


    Once their gazes locked, Chase froze.


    His limbs, his muscles, they all failed him in split seconds. He continued to stare at the little boy while his throat ran dry.


    Richard was the next to look up at Chase. He had been as shocked as his son was, it was the exact reason he had called Chase.


    ¡°Son, what¡¯s going on? Isn¡¯t this¡­¡±


    ¡°Cameron! Where are you?!¡±


    The little boy was alerted by the voice. He picked up an action figure from the ground and smiled at Richard.


    ¡°Thanks for helping me find my daddy toy.¡±


    ¡°Your daddy toy?¡± Chase asked. His eyes continued to dance from the boy¡¯s face, to the toy in his hands.


    The boy was like a mini version of him!


    Richard cleared his throat and tried to pull himself together.


    ¡°You are Cameron?¡±


    The boy nodded. He turned to the little girl screaming his name, and smiled.


    ¡°Calista! I¡¯m here!¡±


    From afar, a little girl ran towards them, beside her was an orange puppy dog. Her two pigtails kissed the wind as she ran, and the closer she got, the deeper Chase¡¯s heart sunk in his chest.


    The little girl found her brother and held his hand.


    ¡°Where did you run off to? Mummy was searching for you! She wants to get us ice cream.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    The girl in the photo was holding onto her brother.


    His limbs could not hold him up. He lowered himself and clutched his knees with both palms.


    He did not need a DNA test to confirm anything. The truth was staring at him, in the form of his twin four year olds.


    Calista turned to look at Richard, a bright smile stole across her cheeks immediately.


    ¡°Hey! I know you! You¡¯re the nice man from the hospital!¡±


    Richard forced a smile.


    ¡°You do? I remember you too!¡±


    While his father tried to act normal, Chase knew he could not. His heart squeezed in his chest, and he found himself falling to his knees. But not without pulling the two confused kids to himself and hugging them so fiercely, he feared their bones might snap.


    The moment of truth, wicked truth that pped him across the face.


    He knew, from the second he looked at the boy.


    When he hugged the children, a stray drop of tear ran down his right eye.

 CHAPTER 77 – HIS CHILDREN

    Chase Axford felt the children fight to free themselves from his grip. His eyes opened, and he looked down at their heads, it was only then he realized he would crush their bones if he didn¡¯t let them be.


    He allowed them wriggle free, and Calista, his daughter, staggered backwards. Her gaze rested on his and Chase saw the fear in her eyes.


    She didn¡¯t know him, she didn¡¯t want him to hug her.


    Her brother grabbed his sister¡¯s hand and nted himself in front of her. He red at Chase, sending him a warning; don¡¯t touch her, or us, or I¡¯ll scream.


    Chase could see it in his eyes.


    He was their father, but they didn¡¯t know him. They were¡­scared of him.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Calista turned to look at Richard. She narrowed her eyes on the elderly man, before pointing at Chase.


    ¡°Sir, why does this man look a lot like my brother?¡±


    Richard could not deny he was puzzled by the question. Even as little as she was, she was able to note the striking resemnce between them.


    He swallowed hard and looked up at Chase, not knowing what to say.


    But Calista continued to stare at him, waiting for her response. Richard knew he could not evade the question, not with the piercing stare he was getting from the little girl.


    ¡°It¡¯s because¡­it¡¯s¡­it can be that¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because he¡¯s your dad!¡±


    The sound of the familiar female voice from behind them, sent all their heads turning in the direction of the voice.


    Calista and Cameron both rushed to their mother, grateful for her presence. They spread their arms wide and started running to her. Mackenzie¡¯s heart was squeezed in her chest when she saw her children. Her eyes sparkled with delight, despite the other nerve wracking feeling deep in her gut. The feeling did not let her dare to look at Chase.


    She lowered her stance and pulled her children to her chest, locking them in a tight embrace.


    Earlier on, when she had seen Chase hugging the children, and Richard by his side, Mackenzie¡¯s entire world crashed to the ground, leaving her frozen on the spot.


    He knew. She knew from how firmly Chase gripped the children, that he knew.


    So after Calista asked the question, she knew that she had to say something quickly. She had to talk before he did.


    ¡°Daddy is finally here, Calista. Just like I always promised.¡± She said, a nervous chuckle escaped her lips.


    The children gasped aloud, their gazes danced from Chase, to Richard, and back to their mother.


    ¡°Do you mean our father? Like our daddy? I have a daddy¡­like¡­like Emily?!¡± Calista¡¯s hazel eyes sparkled as she pressed her tiny palms together. Both her eyes twitched, itching to hear the goodnews.


    ¡°And Jeremy too! I have a daddy like Jeremy?¡± It was Cameron¡¯s turn to speak now. Mackenzie looked up at him and noticed how his eyes threatened to pop out from their sockets.


    Mackenzie nodded, speechless.


    Chase kept his focus on the twins. The more he knelt there, the more his heart sunk into his chest. He ced his hands on his thighs and squeezed the fabric. Hot tears scorched the sides of his eyes, but he fought to keep them in.


    He could not believe it. He wished, more than anything, that he was dreaming. But this was a dream he did not want to end.


    Chase shook his head, as though all the anger he felt in his heart towards Mackenzie would dissolve. He forced a smile as he watched his children.


    ¡°Now that you know, can daddy get a hug?¡± He called out.


    Both Chase and Calista turned their heads to look at him. The fear in their eyes was gone, leaving a glistering innocence, and orbs as bright as the sun.


    Calista did not hesitate to run into his arms. The force of their collision almost sent his back hurling to the ground.


    Chaseughed. With all the pain in his heart, heughed.


    She flung her arms around his neck, and her brother soon joined in. Cameron held his sister and his father, and struggled to make space for himself between them.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay big boy, there¡¯s more than enough room for everyone.¡± Chase said aloud,ughing to himself.


    A wave of happiness rippled through his bones, a form of joy he had never experienced before.


    They were his. This time, when he embraced them, they didn¡¯t run. They didn¡¯t try to leave him.


    It all still a shock to him, he did not understand anything that had happened in the past three hours, all he knew was that he was a father.


    He has been a father for four years, and yet he had no idea. No idea!


    ¡°Where have you been, daddy?¡± Calista mumbled against his neck.


    He had been right there, just a phone call away all these years, but he had not known about them.


    Calista pulled away from the embrace. A small frown stole her smile away.


    ¡°We have been waiting for you. Mummy kept on saying you¡¯lle soon, and soon, and soon, but why didn¡¯t youe sooner?¡±


    She pouted, her eyes danced around his face, eagerly searching for an answer.


    Chase¡¯s jaw hardened. He cupped Calista¡¯s right cheek, and she leaned her face into his palm. Chase could see how much his daughter had craved the touch of her father.


    The mix of anger and excitement was strange, even for him.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, princess. But I¡¯m here now, okay? I¡¯m here with you and I¡¯m never going anywhere.¡±


    Calista narrowed her eyes on him.


    ¡°Really daddy? Never?¡±


    Damn. Did she not believe him?


    Chase forced a smile. His tears were tugging at his lids with full force, but he had vowed not to let them fall, not in front of her.


    ¡°Never.¡±


    It was Cameron¡¯s turn to ask the questions.


    The boy could barely keep his leg firm on the ground. He stood on his tiptoes and bounced, a gesture Mackenzie had noted he did whenever he was bursting with excitement.


    ¡°Sooo, does this mean we can get piggy back rides?¡±


    Chaseughed.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯ll carry us on your shoulders?¡±


    Chase nodded with a smile.


    Calista turned to look at Mackenzie. She could swear she had never seen her daughter smile so much, that her ears joined in the smile.


    ¡°So daddy would follow us home, right?¡±


    The little girl pressed her palms together and shed her mother her cute ¡°puppy eyed¡± face.


    ¡°Please mummy?¡±


    God no. Please no.


    Mackenzie forced a smile and chuckled.


    ¡°Of course, yes.¡±


    As she smiled, the tears she had fought to hide for so long casually streamed down her eyes.


    She was in trouble.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Brother and sister eximed simultaneously, hugging each other. As they giggled, Chase found himself smiling.


    What mattered is that they were happy to see him.


    ¡°Daddy would sleep on my bed! And now that he¡¯s here, I don¡¯t need my daddy toy anymore.¡± The second sentence rolled off his tongue with a deep sense of pride.


    Mackenzie watched her son ce both hands in his hips and stick his nose into the air, and sheughed.


    Chase leered at Mackenzie. He frowned at the ease with which sheughed.


    He wished he could make the carefree sound she was, but there was nothing funny about anything the children had said.


    If anything, it was heart wrenching for him.


    He nced at the toy Cameron clutched in his left hand.


    Daddy toy.


    For four years, a toy had stayed by his son¡¯s side, a toy had given him hope.


    How was that funny?


    Sighing, he rose to his feet.


    Little Calista held on to his hand, reluctant to let him go.


    ¡°Daddy, have you seen my brother? My new brother?¡± She asked, pulling him by his hand.


    Chase wanted to speak, but Richard was faster.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t Cameron your brother?¡±


    ¡°Yes! Cameron is my brother, but Rony¡­¡± she pointed at the Pormeranian puppy.


    ¡°¡­ is my new brother! And I love him so much.¡±


    The old manughed heartily.


    ¡°That¡¯s really good, Calista. So you know who I am now, right?¡±


    The two children shook their heads, exchanging confused nces.


    They did not know.


    Richard sighed.


    ¡°I am your grandpa.¡±


    Calista gasped, using both her hands to cover her mouth. She and her brother looked at Mackenzie. Both squinted their brows at their mother.


    ¡°We already have a grandpa, mum. Can we have another one?¡±


    Mackenzie could only wish the ground would open up and swallow her. How did everything she had carefully nned and plotted manage to blow up in her face in such a way? She was not even given a chance to think of what to say.


    ¡°Of course, sweetie. This is your daddy¡¯s dad, so he is also your grandpa.¡±


    Calista held her brother¡¯s hand as they smiled at each other.


    Chase enjoyed watching the both of them. He was impressed by how much they loved and supported each other. It was something he didn¡¯t share with his own half sibling.


    He was happy to see it between his children.


    His Children.


    The phrase was still strange to even think about.


    How could Mackenzie have kept such a thing away from him? She had not only lied once, but twice!


    ¡°Sweet!¡±


    ¡°I like it! Today is the best day of my life, mummy!¡± Cameron screamed aloud, filled with glee.


    ¡°So, why don¡¯t youe give grandpa a hug?¡± Richard called out to the children, and they rushed to embrace him.


    He stole a nce at his son, and another at Mackenzie.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we give mummy and daddy sometime alone? I¡¯m sure there is a lot they need to talk about.¡±


    He gestured to Chase to speak to Mackenzie, and Chase looked away from him. He could not bear to look at Mackenzie once more, not even to spare her a second nce.


    What was he supposed to say to her?

 CHAPTER 78 – NO EXCUSES

    He tried to stop his fingers from trembling, tried to stop himself from tapping away on his legs, tried to hide the mes that spread from his mind and poisoned every part of him, but it was impossible to.


    His children had been asking of him for years, missed him for years, even after they had returned to Greenville. Yet she kept him away from them.


    How dare she? What could have possibly given her the audacity to do that to him?! After everything¡­everything?


    The more Chase thought about it, the less sense it made. And the less sense it made, the more his heart broke.


    He was stunned and irritated by her audacity. To think that she had somehow believed she could hide his children away from him forever, in his own city. Why? How did they get here?


    She cut ofmunication with everyone in Greenville after leaving for North Dakota, which hepletely understood. But after she was back, they would have never met ¨C she would have nevere look for him ¨C if he had not found her and lured her to Axford Hotels. She never nned to tell him about the children.


    His children.


    Chase watched from the corner of his eyes as his father struggled to rise from the ground. He held onto the children¡¯s hands and shed him a soft smile, one that Chase did not return.


    He still could not believe he had children, twins! No matter what had happened, no matter how wrong the situation would seem like to the rest of the world, he deserved to know his children.


    Fuck the rest of the world.


    Chase sniffed in air and struggled to straighten his stance. He took time to gatherposure, he needed it, and slipped his hands into his pockets to hide how firmly his fists were clenched.


    He took a step closer to the kids and ran his hands through their hair. Cameronughed, but Calista did not seem very pleased. Chase had a feeling his daughter didn¡¯t like people getting her hair rough, but his son didn¡¯t seem to care.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back big boy. Don¡¯t miss me too much princess.¡± He spoke to both Cameron and Calista respectively.


    He lowered himself to ce kisses on their forehead. The feeling was new, yet it filled him with pure bliss.


    ¡°I¡¯m here, Chase. I¡¯ll be here with them till you get back.¡± His father called out to him.


    Chase met his father¡¯s gaze and forced a smile. He was not looking forward to speaking to Mackenzie, yet he was bursting with so may questions that needed answers.


    ¡°So, Calista, Cameron, shall we get ice cream?¡±


    ¡°Grandpa, would youe home with us? My aunt, Felicity, makes the best apple pies! And they are so delicious.¡± Cameron licked his lips as he spoke, and Richardughed.


    ¡°You don¡¯t say? I would really love to taste your aunt¡¯s apple pies. Let¡¯s go for a walk, and you can tell me all about your favorite pies.¡±


    ¡°Mine is cranberry¡­¡± The rest of Calista¡¯s statement grew more inaudible the farther they walked away.


    Richard helped Calista hold her puppy and adjust her sses on the tip of her nose, and continued their journey to the ice cream stand.


    Chase and Mackenzie walked side by side in silence, both quietly searching for a spot that would give them the privacy they needed.


    It was a weekday, so the park was not crowded. Still, Chase could not afford to take any chances. He had already had his name blown once, he could not afford to allow any bit of his conversation with Mackenzie go public.


    He tilted his neck to nce at his father. Richard Axford was a totally different man from the man he had met in the hospital. He was no longer in his depressed mood, sighing andining about everything. The man behind Chase was bubbly, happy, almost contended. It was the happiest he had seen his father in years.


    How could Mackenzie hide such a source of joy away from them? Away from his family?


    His rage lit up like a match in his stomach again, and he fought to suck in deep breaths to put the tiny me out before it turned into a whole burning bush.


    Chase stopped by the sea shore and stared into the horizon. The soft wind blew past his face, the breeze rustled his silk locs of hair, along with the leaves on the trees. The sun above was setting and looked  beautiful. It was like every normal bright and sunny day.


    Everything was normal beside him. He had lost control of the match in his stomach, and now he was a furious burning mess, seeking to drive his clenched fist into something, and watch it fall and break into pieces like his shattered heart.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s bted, Chase, but I¡¯m so sorry¡­¡±


    His right nostril twitched at the sound of her voice. Did she not think she was several yearste?


    ¡°I was going to tell you, I swear. When I asked you about your day the other night, I was going to bring the kids to you, to tell you. Honestly, I thought hard about it. I am so¡­so sorry.¡±


    Chase did not respond. He could barely look at her face, talk more of looking into her eyes. She had lied to him twice¡­twice. How was he supposed to move on from that?


    ¡°Chase, please¡­¡± the plea in her voice was too raw to ignore.


    ¡°Please just look at me.¡±


    Mackenzie had wanted him to look at her, but she was not prepared for what she saw when he did.


    His eyes were bloodshot red. She could sense the rage oozing from his skin, could see his pain dance in his deep blue orbs.


    Her heart shrunk in her chest. She had never seen him like that; broken, hurt.


    What had she done?


    He turned swiftly, away from her, as though he could not bear the sight of her.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Chase. But you have to know I did not mean for any of this to happen. I am¡­I am shocked too.¡± She could feel herself begin to hyperventte.


    ¡°My children¡¯s information are on tabloids all over the world. I¡­I¡­just can¡¯t¡­¡± Mackenzie broke into tears, clutching the sleeves of her cashmere sweater. She tried to sniff in her tears, but the harder she tried, the more they poured out with ease.


    Chase dipped his hand into his pocket and stretched a handkerchief to her.


    Mackenzie snatched the blue soft and silky fabric from his hands with her shaking fingers, and wiped her tears dry. She blew her running nose, before she got the opportunity to sniff in the sweet scent of the handkerchief.


    She closed her eyes to savour the scent of him.


    ¡°I¡¯m still waiting for your reason, Mackenzie.¡±


    She dropped her hands and raised her eyes to look at him.


    ¡°There has to be a reason you kept the children a secret from me, and I¡¯m hoping to God¡­I¡¯m really hoping that it¡¯s a good enough one.¡±  He stopped speaking and paused to catch his breath.


    Chasebed his hair with his fingers, a disgruntled sigh escaped his lips.


    ¡°Chase¡­¡±


    ¡°Because it¡¯s not making any sense, Mackenzie. I¡¯ve gone through it in my head, over and over again, but I cannot seem to phantom why. Did you¡­did you think I would not be able to protect my children?¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    He was not yelling at her. God, no!


    Frankly, Mackenzie would have preferred he yelled, screamed, threw his hands into the air dramatically. She would have preferred anything besides the icy stare he gave her, and the deadly quiet tone his anger settled in.


    Goosebumps flooded the surface of her skin whenever he parted his lips to speak.


    ¡°You say you were thinking about it?¡± A bitter chuckle escaped his lips.


    ¡°What was your n, Mackenzie? To think for how long? Twenty? Thirty? Did you n to ponder until you were old and gray haired? Perhaps you would have told them the truth as a parting gift?¡±


    Mackenzie shook her head, but he continued.


    ¡°Did you n to spend all the days of your life weighing your options, wondering what the world would say, without putting my feelings into consideration?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± She had meant to say, but it came out as a bare whimper.


    He turned to face her and took one step closer to her. He peered deep into her eyes, making sure he seized her gaze with his.


    ¡°How would you feel if I take them away from you right now, and rob you of just a year of their lives? Put yourself in my shoes, Mackenzie. Why don¡¯t we be even?¡±


    Mackenzie shivered at the thought. When she tried to speak, she ended up sobbing again.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Chase. I swear that it wasn¡¯t my intention. I¡­I was scared that your family¡­that Jeffrey¡­¡±


    Oh! For the love of God. Chase rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Excuses, Mackenzie. You would always make excuses. This time, I¡¯m not willing to hear them.¡±


    ¡°Chase¡­¡± She sniffed, ¡°Please¡­¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re leaving.¡±


    He turned his back to Mackenzie without another word, and headed back to the tree he had left his father.

 CHAPTER 79 – NEVER GOING ANYWHERE

    Chase returned to the tree he had left his father and the children, but they were nowhere to be found. Heaving a sigh, he reached for his phone and dialed his father¡¯s number.


    Richard picked up at the first ring, and Chase found himself rxing his shoulders.


    ¡°Where are you, father?¡±


    ¡°We had to get some ice cream, son. Where are you? You know we have to head to the hospital to prepare for the surgery.¡±


    A small smile formed on Chase¡¯s face, it had to. He slid his phone back into his pocket and started to make his way to the ice cream truck, searching for his father.


    He was happy to see that his father who felt as though the world was going to crumble into shards light up with happiness all of a sudden.


    Chase tilted his neck to watch three children run around a ferrous wheel. He could feel the happiness that followed having kids around, now that he knew he had kids of his own. He could tell his father was feeling it too.


    His father was now willing to have the surgery, and would go into the room with a sound mind, hope and happiness, with something ¨C or rather, twins ¨C to look forward to, which was very important if the surgery was going to be sessful. Chase was both relieved and delighted for that reason.


    Chase knew Mackenzie was walking behind him. The wind that blew past his nostrils carried her scent along with it, but he did not turn to look at her. He couldn¡¯t bear it.


    He slid his hands into his pockets and bit his lower lip, hard.


    She had betrayed him, even when she knew that he would have done anything and everything for her. The whole world had found out about his children before him, what did she think she could say that would justify her selfishness?


    Still on that thought, he took out his phone and dialed Nora¡¯s number.


    ¡°Yes, sir?¡±


    ¡°Nora,¡± Chase started to speak, through bared teeth.


    ¡°I need you to track the identities of the people who released the news, the DNA results, the pictures, everything. I am going to sue every single person responsible for this bullshit. Do you understand me? Not one person must be spared.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Chase sucked in a deep breath, but he wasn¡¯t finished yet. Not nearly.


    ¡°Make sure the pictures, videos, and every single blog post about this is taken down immediately. Summon the entire tech team if you must, but this news must be as good as non-existent in less than an hour, one hour tops.¡± He found himself squeezing his phone harder than normal as his footsteps quickened.


    ¡°Do you understand me?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    ¡°I would sue anyone who dares to put any of the pictures or the news up, anywhere in the world.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir. But sir, have you found Mackenzie?¡±


    Chase¡¯s gnashed his teeth at the sound of her name.


    ¡°Thank you, Nora,¡± He stopped speaking when he caught sight of his father and the twins in front of a pink truck.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you in the office tomorrow.¡± He concluded, before ending the call.


    From afar, Chase watched as his daughter ravaged her chocte ice cream, smearing little bits all over her mouth, even beneath her nostrils. Cameron held a mixture of vors in his hand, one Chase assumed to be peanut butter ¨C from the aroma ¨C and strawberry ¨C from the bright shade of pink beside the brown.


    He finally stood before them, and his children¡¯s eyes sparkled with ecstacy, and an innocence that caused Chase¡¯s heart to squeeze in his chest.


    Calista moved to hold Chase¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Our family isplete now! We have a daddy, and we have a mummy!¡± She giggled and pointed a finger at Mackenzie, who still stood in silence behind Chase.


    Richard cleared his throat and started to speak.


    ¡°Do you kids want more ice cream?¡±


    Both Calista and Cameron shook their heads, a collective sign for ¡°no.¡±


    Calista let go of Chase¡¯s hand and rushed to hold Mackenzie¡¯s. Mackenzie let out a deep breath, she had no idea how long she had held that in, until she felt her daughter¡¯s rxing touch.


    Mackenzie smiled down at Calista, but the little girl squinted her brows at her mother.


    ¡°Are you okay, mummy?¡±


    ¡°Of course, baby. Mummy¡¯s doing great.¡±


    Lies.


    Chase stretched his hand to Calista and beckoned on her. Excited to be with her father, she slipped away from Mackenzie and ran back to Chase. He carried her in his left arm, while he held Cameron with his right.


    Mackenzie took it upon herself to hold onto the puppy¡¯s belt.


    There was silence, but only between Chase and Mackenzie. The children could not stop talking. Both of them wanted to fill Chase on all that he had missed in the past four years of their lives, and they wanted to know what they had missed too. They asked questions, answered questions, Chase could not stop smiling at them.


    When they finally arrived in the parking lot, the sun had began to set. The sky above them was no longer bright, but a dark orange colour.


    Richard was the first topliment the sky. He walked to his car and pulled the door open before Maxwell could get to him.


    ¡°Maxwell can take me to the hospital, Chase.¡± He tore his gaze away from his son and smiled at the children.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you two big kids tomorrow, ayy?¡±


    Calista pouted. She didn¡¯t want to see him go yet. She opened her arms and ran to hug him, Cameron followed suit.


    ¡°Do you really have to go, grandpa?¡±


    Richard pressed a kiss on her forehead.


    ¡°I wish I didn¡¯t, sunshine.¡±


    ¡°We will see you tomorrow, right?¡±


    He ruffled Cameron¡¯s hair with his fingers.


    ¡°Of course, little man. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡±


    Maxwell ushered Richard into the car and closed the door for him. Calista and Cameron did not stop looking at him, until Mackenzie ced her hand on both their shoulders.


    The driver of the Te led them to the ck vehicle waiting at the side of a coconut tree.  The puppy was buckled to the front seat, while Mackenzie carried Cameron on herps, while Chase carried Calista.


    ¡°Where are we going, daddy?¡± Calista asked. Chase held both her hands.


    ¡°We are going home, princess.¡±


    ¡°Home? But I didn¡¯t want to go home.¡± Cameron pouted, folding his arms underneath his chest.


    ¡°I wanted to y handball with some kids at the park.¡±


    Mackenzie parted her lips to speak, but Chase was faster.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about that, big boy. We can alwayse back to y together, we will.¡±


    ¡°Really daddy?¡± He stretched his little arms wide and yawned.


    Chase nodded with a smile.


    Cameron rested his head on Mackenzie¡¯s chest and she wrapped her arms around his small body. Calista was starting to feel sleepy, so she melted into her father¡¯s hold. Immediately her head came in contact with his chest, Chase could feel his heart threaten to burst his chest open. The feeling was soothing and exciting, a mix of emotions he had never experienced before.


    ¡°Daddy?¡± She called out, her tone groggy from the sleep she could not avoid.


    ¡°Hmmm?¡±


    ¡°Are you going to leave us again?¡±


    Shit.


    Chase¡¯s heart seized for a second. It started to sink to the bottom of his chest with a pace he could not help.


    How would he ever make it up to them?


    ¡°I never left you and Cameron, sweety? I only went¡­I only went on a journey, and now I¡¯m back.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯ll never leave us again?¡± She gripped the fabric of his shirt in her small palm.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be here?¡±


    Chase nodded, the hurt in his chest caused tears to burn the sides of his eyes.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m never going anywhere.¡±


    ¡°Would youe with us to school? We would love to show you to our friends. All my friends in school bring their dads to school. But now that you¡¯re here, you¡¯ll alwayse to school.¡±  Cameron called out from Mackenzie¡¯sp. He must have been listening to everything his sister had said.


    Chase was pleased, but surprised by how quick they had epted him, Calista in particr.


    Soon, Chase heard Calista¡¯s light snores. She had fallen asleep.


    He smiled to himself as he continued to tap her back gently. He would be putting his princess to sleep for the first time.


    It made him feel fulfilled.

 CHAPTER 80 – LEGAL MATTERS

    Mackenzie tore her eyes away from Chase and Calista. She also found herself twirling her son¡¯s hair with her index finger.


    She stared outside the window, trying to keep all her thoughts in one ce, but it was almost of no use.


    ¡°Would the kids be going to school tomorrow?¡± It was Chase¡¯s voice that snapped her out of her reverie, the voice had always been strong enough to do many things to her.


    She sniffed in and shook her head.


    ¡°No. They are¡­uhmm, actually on a break throughout this week.¡±


    ¡°I see. I have to be in the office tomorrow, and I will also need to go to the hospital for my father¡¯s surgery.¡± Chase replied. He did not sound furious or ice cold anymore, but Mackenzie knew better than to make any assumptions.


    ¡°Should I bring them to the hospital tomorrow?¡±


    Chase looked down at sleeping Calista. His heart danced to the rhythm of her slow breaths.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to do that. I would like for them to be away from the public eye for now. They might be in danger, with how the news broke out. I¡­I would send some security details to be on standby at all times.¡± Chase reclined into the leather seat.


    ¡°I would have loved for them toe to my ce, but I know I can¡¯t be there all the time. After my father¡¯s surgery, we can discuss the legal matters.¡±


    Legal matters.


    Her heart started to sink into her chest once it realized it couldn¡¯t jump out.


    She squeezed the hem of her dress and closed her eyes firmly, allowing a short and sharp sigh escape her throat.


    Did she really think she could eat her cake and still have it?


    They arrived at the house soon enough. Chase still held Calista in his arms, while Mackenzie held Cameron. She tried to reach for Calista, but Chase corked his right brow at her, as though asking her what she was doing.


    ¡°I need take them in and put them to bed.¡± She said, without looking at him.


    He scoffed. She couldn¡¯t tell his mood, she really wished she could.


    ¡°No. I¡¯ll tuck them in today.¡±


    Mackenzie did not argue with him, there was no need to. She stepped out of the car with Cameron and started her journey towards the door. Cameron opened his eyes halfway, and the little boy looked to find his mother holding him.


    Cameron frowned, his brows squinted at his mother.


    ¡°Where is daddy, mummy? Did he go again?¡±


    Chase, who was behind them, wanted nothing more than to reach for his son, hold him tight and swear that he would never go anywhere ever again.


    ¡°I¡¯m here big boy!¡± Chase called out instead. Cameron¡¯s eyes widened on seeing him. The boy¡¯s frown dissolved into a smile, showing off his beautiful dentition.


    The sound of Chase¡¯s voice must have woken Calista up. She turned her head left and right, before flicking her eyes open. Her feeble arms went around Chase¡¯s neck, and she buried her right cheek into the skin of his neck.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t go anywhere daddy.¡± She mumbled.


    ¡°I¡¯m here, sweetie. I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡± He pressed a kiss on her forehead and continued his journey to the front door.


    Mackenzie pressed the bell just once, before turning the knob open. She stepped into the living room first, making way for Chase, and closed the door behind them.


    The aroma of steaming hot and fresh apple pie graced all their nostrils at once. The scent wasing from somewhere in the house, Chase could tell.


    The living room was small, almost the size of his walk-in closet. There were many doors around them, each he knew led to somewhere in the house.


    One of the doors opened, and Charlotte and Felicity stepped out of it.


    ¡°Who could be¡­?¡± Charlotte¡¯s sentence hung midair. Her jaw almost dropped to the ground when she saw Chase holding onto Calista.


    Felicity was not left out of the surprise.


    They stared at Chase as though he had fallen from the sky, like they were looking at his ghost and not him.


    ¡°Charlotte, could you take Cameron inside please?¡± Mackenzie called out, pulling her friends out of their trance.


    Charlotte jerked up at the mention of her name and forced a nervous smile.


    ¡°Oh! Hi, Mr. Chase. I¡¯ll just get little Calista over here. Felicity, could you get Cameron?¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure, why not?¡±


    Both women turned to Mackenzie and shot her questioning res. To her earnest surprise, Mackenzie blushed. Charlotte and Felicity took Calista and Cameron into the house.


    Chase and Mackenzie followed them behind. Chase took his time to drink in the sight of the small apartment. Despite the size, it was neat, cosy andfortable. He had to give Mackenzie and her friends credit for that.


    The children¡¯s bedroom was almost as big as the sitting room.


    Calista looked at her father with pride in her eyes as she spoke.


    ¡°Daddy, would you want to look at my paintings?¡±


    Chase narrowed his eyes on her.


    ¡°Paintings? You paint?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± She smiled, throwing both her hands into the air.


    ¡°Did mummy not tell you about them?¡±


    Apparently, she didn¡¯t tell him anything.


    He forced a smile and smacked the back of his head with his right hand.


    ¡°Oh! Silly me, I forgot.¡±


    Calista shook her head andughed, and Chase joined in with a nervous one of his own.


    ¡°Well, there they are.¡± Calista called out, pointing to the top of the wall beside her bed.


    Chase¡¯s gaze travelled to the pictures on the wall. The first was one of her puppy, drawn and painted with so much talent. He would have never believed it was the work four-year-old if he did not know better.


    But he did, and he knew that his child possessed impable talent.


    From her puppy, to a gold fish, them a scary looking shark. Calista took her father on a tour around her side of the room, and all her works of art on disy. Chase continued to smile from ear to ear. To say he was proud would be an understatement.


    ¡°Daddy, you can take a look at my baseball gear too!¡±


    Mackenzieughed as Cameron called for his father¡¯s attention. It was obvious the boy did not want to be left behind.


    Chase found the jersey and ball tossed in a corner by the side of his bed. He immediately tilted his neck to nce at Mackenzie.


    ¡°Cameron ys baseball?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he does, and¡­¡±


    ¡°But mummy doesn¡¯te to my games. No one everes to my games, because mum is always busy at work.¡±


    Chase¡¯s nce turned into a stare, an angry stare. He rolled his fists into balls at his sides, and sucked in a deep breath, anything to hide his annoyance, which was slowly brewing in the pit of his stomach again.


    Mackenzie, knowing it was only a matter of time until her knees buckled under Chase¡¯s stare, had to think of a way to lighten the mood. She moved to her pouting son, lowered herself and kissed his cheek, ignoring Chase¡¯s re.


    ¡°Okay! It¡¯s time to brush our teeth, take a shower, and get ready for bed!¡± Mackenzie was excited, or she tried to be, but her son did not share in his sentiment.


    He wriggled out of his mother¡¯s hold and stamped his feet on the ground, folding his arms underneath his chest in a stubborn and defiant stance. It was obviously something his father could do.


    ¡°No, mummy. I don¡¯t want to get to bed!¡±


    Mackenzie let out a helpless sigh. She parted her lips to speak, but Chase was faster.


    ¡°Say, how about you get ready for the night and then, you can tell me all about your baseball games?¡±


    Now that seemed like something Cameron was interested in.


    With wide eyes, his cheeks spread out in a very broad smile.


    ¡°Really daddy?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°And I can tell you about all my paintings too?¡± Calista was squeezing his hand now. Felicity and Charlotte stood at a corner of the room, smiling. Even though they still had a lot of unanswered questions.


    ¡°Sure, yes.¡±  Chase replied.


    Mackenzie managed a smile at him, grateful for his help. The children could be a handful sometimes.


    She took out their pyjamas, undressed them and led them into the bathroom. Chase tried to step in with them, but the size of the bathroom forced him to lean against the door frame.


    Everything in the house seemed to be three sizes too small.


    ¡°Where would you sleep tonight, daddy? In Cameron¡¯s bed?¡± Calista asked him. Mackenzie poured some water on her head, and she giggled.


    Chase¡¯s heart soared with love.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry your pretty head about it. Daddy¡¯s going to be just fine.¡±


    Chase Axford watched his twins with all the love in his heart. They were the most adorable beings he had ever seen. Mackenzie finished bathing them, and Chase offered to help get Cameron dressed. Calista had fallen asleep halfway through the bath, and Mackenzie had to take extra caution not to wake her up.


    She had not wanted to fall asleep, he could see her struggle to fight it, but after he kissed her forehead and promised to return the next day with a lot of stories, books and paints and brush, young Calista¡¯s mind was put at ease. After jumping with excitement, she had managed to fall asleep. As he watched Mackenzie put them to sleep in their various beds, Chase could barely take his eyes off them.


    At that moment, Chase knew deep in his heart, that he would do anything to protect them, it did not matter what he would have to sacrifice, he would give it up in a heartbeat.

 CHAPTER 81 – SYMBOL OF THEIR PASSION

    Mackenzie pulled the duvet over her daughter¡¯s body and leaned in to kiss her forehead. She found herself squeezing the part of the wooden bed her hands could touch.


    Chase was just behind her, and she could feel his stare burn through the skin of her neck. She had felt as though she had been walking on eggshells since he arrived, yet there was a part of her overjoyed to have him there, to have him with her kids, and with her.


    She turned to look at him and found him staring at her, his hands tucked into his pocket. He did not wear a smile on his face, but there was something rxed about him, an air of joy she had not sensed before.


    ¡°There, they are both asleep.¡± She spoke, a nervous chuckle escaped her lips, and he smiled as he watched them.


    Heavens! He was so¡­charming.


    ¡°Yeah, they both needed it. It¡¯s been a long day.¡±


    Mackenzie nodded, saying nothing.


    The next thirty seconds was spent in silence. Mackenzie locked her fingers together behind her back. She was suddenly aware of the fact that it was just the both of them in the cubic room. She was not sure how it made her feel.


    ¡°Can I have sometime alone, with them?¡± Chase asked. Mackenzie could hear the hurt, his voice was not as smooth as it always was.


    She shed him a small smile, before walking out of the room, making sure to close the door behind her. However, she made sure she took a small peep at him first, and that was when she saw him grip the children¡¯s bed. His shoulders trembled.


    Mackenzie tore her eyes away and closed the door. She could not bear to watch him like that, not when it was her fault.


    Chase could no longer hold back the urge to cry. He had held it in from the second his eyes met the boy¡¯s, but not anymore.


    He couldn¡¯t believe it. He had not shed a tear since his mother died, but this was different. The joy of meeting them, and the pain from all the years he had lost. Their first walk, their first words, their first cries, he had missed everything.


    He struggled to stand straight, but his limbs seemed unable to carry his weight. He moved to the wall and leaned against it, struggling to keep his tears at bay. The more he tried, the more they rushed out of his eyes.


    He cried until he swore he had no more tears left in his eyes. He opened the door and moved to the living room where Mackenzie was seated.


    She jumped from the couch immediately she caught sight of him. His bloodshot red eyes were sunken, deep into his sockets. With the wrenching pain in her chest, she wanted nothing more than to rush to him and hug him, to pull him into a tight embrace and apologize as many times as it was necessary to make him forgive her. But she couldn¡¯t. She wasn¡¯t sure it was time yet.


    ¡°Are you¡­¡± She stopped speaking to clear her throat.


    ¡°Are you okay? Do you need anything?¡±


    Chase sniffed and shook his head.


    ¡°No, I¡¯ll be fine. I just¡­can I see photos of the children? Good memories?¡± He chuckled, and Mackenzie¡¯s cheeks spread out in a smile.


    ¡°Sure¡­¡± She caught herself staring at him and shook her head vehemently.


    ¡°Yeah, sure. I¡¯ll get it.¡±


    She moved to where he stood and brushed past him to get to the door. Chase¡¯s nostrils caught the scent of her hair, the aroma of her cologne smeared on loose sleeves. He tilted his neck to look at her. She was merely inches away from him. If he reached for her hand, he could catch her and pull her to himself. He could hold her and never let her go.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Chase turned his face away with so much force he thought his neck would snap.


    How could he be so mad at her, yet want her so much? There was so much going on in his head and heart, he needed her.


    No matter how he wanted to stay mad at her forever, he knew it wasn¡¯t possible. He had been filled with unconditional love for her ¨C he was still filled with love for her.


    Knowing she was the mother of his children just seemed to make his feelings for her stronger. They shared a bond now, with two adorable humans as the symbol of their passion.


    She returned with a red photo album less than ten minutester, and Chase took his time to admire all the photos. Their first walk, their first birthdays, outings at the park, school functions Mackenzie had found time to attend.


    He asked about each of their first words, and she told him.


    Cameron called his grandpa first, while Calista¡¯s first word was ¡°milk.¡±


    Chaseughed when he heard it.


    When they were done, Mackenzie closed the book and tucked it under her arm, while Chase heaved a sigh and reclined into the couch. She knew that there was a lot he had to say, so she stood quietly, waiting for him to speak.


    ¡°Since the children already answer yourst name, I¡¯m guessing I would have to adopt them legally, so they can have my name.¡± Chase started to speak, rubbing his forehead with his right fingers.


    Mackenzie nodded in silence. They were his after all, and he had missed them. She was filled with regrets when she heard him sob. She had stayed back to listen, because she couldn¡¯t help herself.


    He had said what he wanted, it was her time to speak.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, once again.¡±


    Chase sucked in a deep breath.


    ¡°Mackenzie¡­¡±


    ¡°Look, okay? I know that I have said that more times than I can count today, but I mean it. I could not just throw the news of the children at you.¡± When she was certain she had gotten his full attention, his eyes were fixed on her, she let out a long sigh and continued.


    ¡°When I first got pregnant, I wasn¡¯t even sure who the father was, as weird as that might sound. I was ashamed of that, very ashamed. I had not told you when I was pregnant, so returning four years after and telling you about your kids would have been me throwing the news at your face and I¡­I didn¡¯t want that.¡± She was talking so fast she could barely catch her breath.


    It was the only way she would be able to say all the things on her mind without freezing underneath his stare.


    ¡°I know, it¡¯s not a good enough excuse, like you said. But it was a decision I made, it was what I believed was best for my children. I had the n to be on my own and take care of them on my own. But that was¡­¡± Her eyes softened as she watched him shift in the couch, eyes filled with anticipation.


    ¡°But that was until I returned and I met you again. Believe me when I say I started to rethink a lot of things, Chase. I genuinely wanted to show the kids to you, and I¡¯m sorry that it took me this long. The children mean the world to me, Chase.¡±


    She looked away from him and blinked rapidly, trying to hold back her tears, but it was of no use.


    ¡°I raised them with all the love in my heart, Chase. I really did. I knew that I was going to bring them to you one day, but it never stopped me from doing my best.¡±


    He nodded, saying nothing. He had noticed how much the children loved each other, the people around them, the things around them, their mother.  How they clung and held on to each other with care.


    Thest time he had seen or experienced such love was when his mother was still alive.


    ¡°They are my whole life,¡± she continued.


    ¡°And I would not try to deny the fact that I was really scared for the kids. Eleanor is a scary person, and I¡¯m sorry to call you step mother scary, but it¡¯s the truth. I¡¯m really sorry Chase, and I hope¡­I really hope we can fix this.¡±


    This.


    Chase held back the questions that were heavy on his tongue.


    He rose from the couch and slid his hands into his pockets, an act he was very fond of.


    He could understand her fear, her confusion, still¡­


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you around, Mackenzie.¡± Was all he said, before seeing himself to the front door.


    Once the door was shut, Mackenzie fell into the couch Chase had previously sat on. She sank into the scent of his cologne that rested on every inch of the couch.


    She stared at the door before letting out a deep sigh.


    She was tired, so tired.

 CHAPTER 82 – DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?

    Chase Axford turned to look at the door behind him one


    st time, before he picked out his phone from his pocket.


    The cold night breeze swept past his face with force, causing him to sneeze. He dialed his father¡¯s number immediately.


    Chase tapped his right foot on the ground absentmindedly, until his father answered the call.


    ¡°Chase my boy!¡±


    He sighed wigh relief once he heard his father¡¯s voice.


    ¡°How are you doing dad?¡±


    ¡°Nothing much, my boy. Just getting prepared for the big surgery.¡± An easyugh escaped his throat.


    ¡°The doctor says I¡¯ll be able to do it at midnight. I can¡¯t exactly say I¡¯m looking forward to it, but I just want this to be over.¡±


    Chase clutched his phone in his right hand.


    ¡°Midnight? I¡¯ll be on my way dad, I¡­¡±


    ¡°No, no. Go home and rest, Chase. You really need the rest. Today has been way too much for anyone, I¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    He narrowed his eyes on his vehicle. He wanted to believe all that his father had said, but he was too worried to do so.


    ¡°Are you sure, dad?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, do you believe in miracles, Chase?¡±


    Chase corked his right brow.


    ¡°What?¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°I said, do you believe in miracles?¡±


    Chase scoffed. He shrugged his shoulders and continued the walk to his car.


    ¡°What do you mean, father?¡±


    ¡°Thest time I cried was when your mother died, but today¡­today changed something in me. I cried when I saw the twins today, my grand children, for the first time. Ever since I lost your mother, the love of my life, there has been this dark cloud over me. But today, when I saw the little girl that looked so much like my beautiful Camilia, I suddenly believed in miracles. They are possible, they can happen, my boy.¡±


    Chase¡¯s heart skipped more beats than once. He knew, he knew because he had felt the same rush of joy and pain, and cried as well.


    He pulled the car door open and climbed into his vehicle. His father continued to speak.


    ¡°I strongly feel like today, being the 12th of January, your mother, after twenty four years, brought this miracle to us. On the exact day of her death, Chase. If this isn¡¯t a miracle, then I don¡¯t know what it is.¡± Another heartyugh cut his sentence short.


    ¡°It is definitely a miracle, Chase. I mean, seeing my grand children today of all days gives me a good feeling. I won¡¯t be dying anytime soon, my boy. The kids have shown me how beautiful life can actually be.¡±


    Chase sniffed in his tears and managed a smile. Hearing his father speak like that was all he had ever wanted.


    ¡°I have spoken to the doctors, Chase. I want to live, I do not want to die. I want to live and be with my grand kids, to spend a lot of time with them, and watch them grow into beautiful people.¡±


    ¡°Dad¡­¡±


    ¡°Chase, please don¡¯t be too mad at Mackenzie. She is a mother, and mothers go to every length to protect their children, even though they might seem helpless. They are more protective, more than the fathers even. Fathers might think they are strong so they are more protective, but that isn¡¯t true. It is the mother¡¯s that feel the urge, so strong.¡±


    Chase tucked his free hand into his pocket and bit his lower lip gently.


    ¡°That¡¯s not an excuse, dad.¡±


    ¡°Of course it¡¯s not. Listen, I¡¯m not saying you should forgive her immediately. I¡¯m just asking you not to hate her, or be mad at her for long. But, I¡¯m sure I do not have to worry about that.¡±


    Chase frowned. Did his father underestimate his power to remain pissed?


    ¡°Why do you say so, dad?¡±


    ¡°When people are in love, they are very generous. So even if you decide to remain mad at her, I know that it would not be for very long, trust me. You can¡¯t stay mad at someone you love forever.¡±


    Chase¡¯s frown dissolved into a smile, and he chuckled lightly. His father had taken his thoughts right out of his head and formed it into words.


    ¡°You know far too much, dad. But you should rest.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes. The surgery would be done before tomorrow morning, so I should wake up. When you¡¯reing, please bring with you my grand kids.¡±


    Chase smiled and looked over at a tree in a neighbors house. They were yet to take down their Christmas lights.


    ¡°Yes, father.¡±


    ¡°But don¡¯t let them be seen, please.¡±


    Chase heaved a sigh. He found himself squeezing his left knee as he spoke.


    ¡°I would make arrangements so that they are not seen by anyone.¡± The venom in the word ¡°anyone¡± was loud enough for even Chase to hear. His father understood the double meaning of the word immediately.


    ¡°I promise you, Chase. I would take care of Jeffrey and his mother. You have your old man¡¯s word.¡±


    ¡°Worry about your surgery, dad.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the things that I need to take care of.¡± Chase sucked in a deep breath and massaged his forehead with his right fingers.


    ¡°I fell in love with his wife while they were still married, it is my cross to bear.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯ll be a lot of criticism, Chase. But I figure it¡¯s best to focus on the good in everything, especially with Mackenzie and the kids, am I right?¡±


    Chase squinted his brows at nothing in particr.


    ¡°Yes, yes, of course.¡±


    He was fairly surprised at how fast his father had epted everything about the situation.


    Richard Axford was so happy, he didn¡¯t seem to care about what anyone else has to say, what the world thought. His joy had blessed him with a care free spirit.


    His father¡¯s mind was able to have a 360 degree change in less than twenty four hours.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, father. I have to go now, do take care.¡±


    ¡°Certainly, and if you were about to storm out of the house without saying goodbye, I suggest you turn around and speak to her before you leave, okay?¡±


    Chase blinked twice in mild shock. Surely his father had not be some kind of psychic?


    ¡°Of¡­of course. Goodnight, dad.¡±


    ¡°Goodnight, my boy.¡±


    He ended the call, held his phone in his right hand, and turned around to look at the door.


    Perhaps his father was right. He had walked out of the conversation in the wrong way before.


    He walked back into the house. He pushed the door open slowly, and found her seated on the couch he had left.


    He moved to her and nted himself in front of her.


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving now, Mackenzie.¡±


    She raised her head from between her palms and nodded. Chase examined her face in the split second she looked at him.


    He could see that she had been crying. Her swollen lids and glisteringshes soaked with tears were more than enough evidence.


    His heart squeezed in his chest, but he had made up his mind to pay her no mind, at least for today. He walked to the door and stepped out of the house again, closing the door behind him.


    However, Chase knew he couldn¡¯t take one step further knowing Mackenzie was not alright.


    ¡°Fuck it.¡± He breathed out.


    He pushed the door open, walked back in and headed straight for Mackenzie. In one swift motion, he pulled her up from the chair and brought her into his arms.


    Once her head came in contact with his chest, Mackenzie bursted into tears. She sobbed bitterly, holding onto his shirt.


    Chase¡¯s heart did a nerve wracking somersault in his chest. He was fully aware of just how much he had missed holding her when he finally held her.


    He wrapped his arms around her, locked his fingers around her waist and pulled her closer to himself. He was right where he wanted to be, where he felt most at ease; with her.


    He buried his nose into the skin of her neck and sniffed her scent in. His hands palmed her back, allowing her to melt into his hold.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think this fight is yours alone, Mackenzie. It¡¯s us against the world. It is the both of us that went against every moral code in the book of marriage. I won¡¯t let you suffer alone anymore, I won¡¯t let you fight alone anymore, because you¡¯re mine, Mackenzie. Do you hear me?¡± He brushed her chin with his fingers and she nodded, trying to sniff in her running nose.


    Chase shed her a small smile. Even with her red and swollen eyes, she was still so beautiful.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have anymore tissues for you, Mackenzie. You might as well just use my shirt.¡±


    She coughed out a smallughger despite her tears.


    ¡°Your Louis Vuitton? Hell no. My tears don¡¯t cost quarter the price of the shirt.¡±


    ¡°Who cares? I¡¯ll get all the LV shirts in the world for you to wipe your eyes with. Impractical but that¡¯s what I can do.¡± Chase added.


    Mackenzie¡¯s lips spread out into a smile as she looked at him. Her grip on his shirt tightened, and he let her squeeze as much as she wanted to.


    He would let her hold on as long as she wanted to.

 CHAPTER 83 – DEAREST MACKENZIE

    Chase Axford made sure to drag himself to work the next morning, even though he had not initially nned to be there.


    He climbed down from his Te and strolled into the building with all the positive energy he could muster ¨C every iota that flowed through his veins. There was a new and different glow about him, he could feel it, he could see it, and he sure as hell wasn¡¯t the only one.


    He noticed the stares from the doormen, and even the receptionist as they greeted him. He nodded in response, not with a smile, but he was certain they could tell he was more energetic than ever before.


    Chase smiled to himself and shook his head as the elevator doors opened up and he took the first step into his office corridor, tucking both hands into the pockets of his army green suit pants.


    He had barely gotten to his office door when his personal assistant, Nora, ran up to him. The sight of the young female running in stiletto heels while trying to keep her sses on her nose bridge made him cork his right brow.


    ¡°Mr Axford! Have you seen¡­?¡± She greeted when she finally got to him, holding onto her chest as she drew in quick and long breaths.


    Chase groaned and rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Oh! For the love of heaven, Nora. What is it I need to see this time?¡± When he looked down at her, he had a frown on his face.


    ¡°Tell me everything has been taken down.¡±


    Nora started to nod before she said anything.


    ¡°Yes, yes sir. Just as you instructed.¡±


    ¡°Good. I checked this morning and couldn¡¯t find anything on it. But we have to be on the lookout, just incase anyone else decides they want to y games.¡±


    He watched her through squinted brows and saw her nodding away. There was something else, Chase thought. He clenched his fists in his pockets.


    ¡°Yes sir. I understand, but that¡¯s not the issue.¡± She pulled out her iPad without any further words, and turned the screen to Chase¡¯s eyes.


    It was video, Chase noted.


    Nora clicked on the ¡°y¡± icon, and Selene¡¯s dollface filled the screen immediately.


    It appeared to be a live recording of a Livestream session on Instagram. Only his ex-wife ¨C was not her usual dolled up self.


    Sure, her makeup was still stered all over her face, and her lips were her favorite cherry red colour, but her falseshes were off and her eyes were red and swollen. Tears poured down her cheeks as she cried and mumbled words he could not hear, addressing her followers. She blew her nose into a handkerchief from time to time, before breaking down into another hrious series of tears.


    He scoffed, and shrugged his shoulders.


    ¡°You know, if I didn¡¯t know her, I would think this is all real.¡±


    Nora looked up at him, but she said nothing.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe he would do that to me, guys!¡± He heard Selene say, it was the first sentence he had heard since the video started to y.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe it. This was the reason he wanted a divorce. He was sleeping with her behind my back! I¡¯m so¡­¡± She resumed her shrieking.


    ¡°I¡¯m so heartbroken. I don¡¯t know what to do!¡±


    Chase¡¯s scowl deepened. The longer he stared at the screen, the more his irritation brewed within him.


    ¡°Nora, I can¡¯t look at this.¡± He started to push the screen off his face, but she seemed reluctant to let him go.


    ¡°This is a serious problem sir. People are starting to talk. Her fans, the Selene nation, or whatever she calls them, are scary and they really believe her and sympathize with her. I¡¯m afraid they might start doing some crazy things.¡±


    Chase red at Nora. The thought of anyone hurting Mackenzie was more than enough to keep his mind at alert.


    Nora heaved a sigh and stood straight. She pressed the pause icon, and tucked her iPad underneath her right arm, adjusting her sses once more.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid Mackenzie isn¡¯t safe, sir.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve sent my security details to be on guard at all times. For now, she would not being to work. I have told her to remain at home with the kids until further notice.¡± Chase replied, in a rather stern tone. He would never take the safety of Mackenzie or his kids lightly.


    Nora, once again, straightened and smiled at him.


    ¡°Congrattions, sir.¡±


    For the first time since she had known her boss, Chase Axford¡¯s lips spread into a broad smile. His eyes sparkled with a glint she had never seen before.


    ¡°You too, Nora.¡±


    Chase¡¯s eyes dropped to the iPad tucked underneath Nora¡¯s arm. Selene¡¯s face and her tears shed in his mind and he let out a disgruntled sigh, a ring sign of his mix of frustration and irritation.


    ¡°Selene¡¯s just too dramatic for her own good. Send a word to mywyers. I want Selene sued for defamation of character.¡±


    He started to walk away from Nora, but she walked briskly behind him, calling out for his attention. Chase pushed his office door open and stepped into the hexagonal walls of his own space, before he turned to look at Nora.


    She stopped walking and cleared her throat.


    ¡°Sir! Uhmm¡­I¡¯m afraid that would cause a lot more stir. She might show it to her fans and they¡¯ll get even more enraged. I think we should¡­I think we should do this more diplomatically.¡±


    Chase sucked in a deep breath and started to speak.


    ¡°Nora¡­¡±


    ¡°Sir, in all honesty, there is nothing you can say to the public right now that would make them understand. They have decided to paint you and miss Torsney as the viins, and to them, Selene is the¡­¡± Nora sighed. It was tiresome to even think about.


    ¡°Selene is the victim who got hurt by your act. They are calling Mackenzie an adulteress, and all other sorts of names I can¡¯t even mention. Sir, it¡¯s¡­¡±


    Chase raised his right index finger to Nora¡¯s face, a silent request for her silence. Nora understood and stayed quiet.


    He reached into his pocket for his phone and started to dial Mackenzie¡¯s number.


    The phone was answered on the first dial, and Chase¡¯s heart soared in anticipation to hear her speak. It had only been a few hours, but he had missed her subtle voice.


    ¡°Mackenzie?¡±


    ¡°She isn¡¯t here right now.¡±


    Chase¡¯s anticipation crashed to the ground almost immediately. His grip on his phone grew tighter as a frown formed on his face.


    The voice at the other end of the line was one who knew too well enough to know how much he despised it.


    What the hell was he doing with Mackenzie¡¯s phone?


    ¡°I would love to speak to the owner of the phone.¡± Chase let out through gritted teeth.


    The man at the end of the line chuckled, it was a bitter one.


    ¡°That¡¯s funny, you see. Well, because of a certain someone my dearest Mackenzie cannot make use of her phone today. We cannot allow her to use her phone today, and it¡¯s all because of you.¡±


    Chase¡¯s fist clenched into a tight ball. His right nostril twitched relentlessly, a visible sign of his annoyance.


    ¡°Give Mackenzie the phone, or I¡¯ming over.¡±


    ¡°You might want to ease up on the threats, rich boy. She¡¯s not here, you can do as you please. Which reminds me, shouldn¡¯t you be doing your best to stay far away from her at this time? You shouldn¡¯t be calling her, don¡¯t try to call her again.¡±


    Chase parted his lips to speak, but the line went dead before he could utter another word.


    Molten rage coursed through his veins. He dropped his hand to his side, with his fingers and palms firmly wrapped around the phone. He squeezed it, hard, threatening to shatter the phone to pieces with his bare hand.


    His upper jaw grinded against the lower, fuming while his thoughts ran wild.


    That silly uncle Maverick, or whatever the fuck his name was. What the fuck was he doing in the house?!


    ¡°Shit.¡± Chase cursed out, underneath his breath.


    He needed to get Mackenzie as far away from that creep as he could.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    It annoyed him how easy it was for the man to breeze in and out whenever he pleased.


    There were three women in the house for heaven¡¯s sake! Who the fuck gave him the right toe in and out whenever he pleased?!


    ¡°Sir, is everything okay?¡± Nora, who was still stationed in front of his table, asked him, concern etched in her gaze.


    Without sparing her a nce, Chase picked up his keys and stomped past her. He merely made it to the door when he turned around to face Nora.


    ¡°Do you know any other way I could reach Mackenzie, besides through her phone?¡±


    ¡°I do have her home number.¡± Nora replied. Chase hurried to Nora, she called the number and he dialed it immediately, pacing about his office.


    The dial tone graced Chase¡¯s ears for more than thirty seconds. He continued to walk around the office, unable to stand still or keep calm. No one was answering the phone.


    After three failed tries, Chase dropped the phone and looked at Nora.


    ¡°How many documents do I have to sign today? I need to get to the hospital as soon as I can.¡± He asked.


    Without speaking, she pointed to the stack of files on his desk.


    Chase¡¯s eyes widened for a split second. He groaned and shook his head vehemently, as though everything would be a lot easier once he did. He needed to tell Mackenzie to stay away from her phone for at least that day, but he couldn¡¯t reach her without going to her house, and going to see her at such a critical period was definitely not ideal.


    Chase raked his fingers through his dark hair.


    It was a relief that the kids were going to have a school free week. He could not imagine what it would have been like if they had toe out to the public at this point.


    He quickly signed the documents and prepared himself to leave for the hospital to be with his father.


    The surgery was a ten-hour procedure that had started in the middle of the night. He wanted to be by his father¡¯s side when it was all over, so he made it his point of duty to leave Nora with all the necessary instructions for the rest of the day. Meanwhile, somewhere at the back of his mind, he hoped and prayed that Mackenzie had listened and stayed with the kids, just as he had asked her to.


    ¡°Sir, what are you going to do about Selene?¡± Nora asked, while packing up the files on his desk.


    Chase scoffed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of her myself.¡±


    His assistant narrowed her eyes on him.


    ¡°Please sir, no suing. It¡¯s really important that you listen to me.¡±


    Chase looked over Nora, before speaking.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry, Nora. Awsuit would be too much of a merciful deed for what she¡¯s doing.¡± He paused for a moment, before he spoke again.


    ¡°Have you been able to track down the IP address of the one who leaked the news?¡±


    Nora assured him that they had. And they were making arrangements to report the person to the police authorities for cyber bullying. But Chase could not trust the police with such a personal matter.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go to the police, Nora. Just make sure you found the right person, find out why he or she did it, and if he or she was paid by anyone. Do you understand?¡±


    Nora was not sure, but she knew better than to question his decisions. She managed a smile and nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    Chase¡¯s lips thinned into a smile. He knew exactly what he wanted to do.

 CHAPTER 84 – EVIDENCE OF INFIDELITY

    Eleanor pushed her son¡¯s door open with one swift kick. The sound of sswares crashing against the marble tiles was powerful enough to draw her attention.


    Once the door was open, she caught Jeffrey swinging a bat against the screen of his LED TV. Eleanor flinched once the ss screen shattered into pieces all over the floor.


    Jeffrey clenched the bat in his fists, shoulders trembling and sweat pouring from his head to his bare chest as he shivered. It wasn¡¯t from the cold temperature, but from the boiling anger that brewed within him. The muscles of his back threatened to tear his skin open.


    Eleanor¡¯s lips thinned in disgust. She held the door open and stepped into his room. Her right foot stepped on shard of ss and she groaned in frustration.


    His room was a total mess. He had thrown his books and shelves to the ground. His sheets and pillowcases were in shambles. His TV screen was shattered, all his favorite sculptures he collected to show off his father¡¯s wealth were nothing but broken pieces on the ground. Jeffrey stood in the middle of the room as the biggest mess of them all.


    A quivering, boiling mess.


    Eleanor rolled her eyes and threw her hands into the air dramatically. She was sick¡­so sick of him, and she did not hesitate to let him know.


    ¡°I am sick of your silly and childish attitude, young man. When in the world are you going to fucking grow up?!¡± She yelled, knowing he would not hear her from all the breaking he was doing if she didn¡¯t yell.


    Jeffrey seized to move. His mother¡¯s words echoed in his ears and sent unpleasant chills down his spine. Bile rose from his stomach to his throat. He could taste it, the bitter taste of defeat, and he hated it.


    He turned to her, slowly, calcting his every move, until his bloodshot eyes locked with hers.


    ¡°Grow up?¡± He muttered through gritted teeth.


    ¡°Grow up?! Grow up?!¡± He flung the bat in his hands to his window, shattering the ss as well. He watched as his mother cringed at the sound.


    His chest rose and fell as he forced in heavy breaths. He was not done with her, not nearly.


    ¡°You reveal everything that way, and you expect me to grow up? Fuck this! Fuck growing up? Who bloody cares if I don¡¯t? Who gives a fuck about me?!¡±


    Eleanor¡¯s eyes swept through her son¡¯s pitiful appearance. While he stomped towards her as though he was about to pick her up from the ground and toss her out of the window, she stood still and looked him straight in the eyes.


    She retained her calm stance; not yelling, not frowning. She closed her eyes to heave a sigh, before she opened it and red at Jeffrey.


    ¡°Mackenzie cheated on you, Jeffrey. Have you suddenly forgotten that?¡± She took a step closer to him, and he stood still.


    ¡°Yes, perhaps you cheated on her a few times, but there is no evidence to prove that, my boy. But she cheated on you, and her two piglets are the evidence,  right in the faces of everyone, for the entire world to see.¡± Eleanor paused for a few seconds, allowing her sentence to sink into her son¡¯s head.


    ¡°Why would I stay still, Jeffrey? Why would I stay still when I ought to crush her to her veryst bone?¡±


    ¡°How could you, mother?! How could you expose it that way?!¡± Jeffrey retorted, telling at her.


    Eleanor blinked twice, fairly surprised by her son¡¯s outburst. With everything she had gone through for him, she would have expected him to be a tad bit more grateful.


    ¡°What are you saying, Jeffrey? It was very clear that those kids are not yours. I have DNA test to prove that!¡±


    ¡°Well fuck the tests, mother!¡± He threw his fist to the wall in front of him and punched it, hard.


    Eleanor winced.


    He was being stubborn, but she was willing to exin things to him no matter how irritated she was. He was all she had, she would do anything for him.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t sit down and be quiet about it, darling. I just couldn¡¯t. How do you expect me to fold my arms and act like everything is okay, when Chase has two heirs?  Two heirs from your ex-wife, Jeffrey!¡±


    Jeffrey hissed, kissing his teeth, and looked away from his mother, panting heavily.


    ¡°And what do you have, Jeff? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.¡±


    Eleanor looked over him. She felt a strong gush of mockery, pity and love sweep through her heart at the same time. Her son had the ability to drive her mad with many emotions at once.


    As he continued to pace about the room, shaking with rage, Eleanor swallowed hard and continued to speak. Her eyes followed him from one end of the room to the other.


    ¡°What am I going to do with you? What have I not done for you, Jeffrey? I have put you on every path I know is good for you, but you insist on straying away everytime. Why? And now¡­now you¡¯re treating me like the enemy¡­¡±


    ¡°Because that¡¯s what you end up being all the time, mother! How the fuck am I supposed to get Mackenzie back now?¡±


    He turned to her, and she could see the raw anger brimming in his eyes. He had never looked at her that way before, with so much disdain.


    ¡°You only made Chase and Mackenzie grow closer with that stupid article of yours! If you really care about me like you say, you should have at least told me! Would it kill you to do that?¡±


    Eleanor narrowed her eyes on him. Her heart sunk down her chest. All she had ever done for him, but his ungrateful ass never for once appreciated her. She¡­she¡¯d had enough.


    ¡°And what would you have done if I had told you first? Huh? Answer me, boy?¡± She snapped back.


    Jeffrey, still fuming, took a step backwards. He lowered his eyes to the ground and clenched his fists by his side.


    Eleanor allowed a mocking chuckle escape her throat.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right. I thought so. You would have done nothing. There is nothing else you know how to do than beat up workers, drink like a hoodlum and stack packing tickets for me to clear for your silly ass. You are just so fucking brainless, I lose my mind just thinking about it.¡±


    Eleanor had both hands in her hips as she thoroughly scolded her son.


    Jeffrey, on the other hand, did not care about anything his mother had said, or anything she had left to say.


    He turned his back to his mother and shook his head. There was only one thing he cared about.


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t matter, none of it does. Mackenzie¡­I would not let Mackenzie get away with any of this.¡± He tapped his fingers on his legs as he walked.


    ¡°I would not let Mackenzie or Chase get away with cheating on me, and keeping the seed of her infidelity.¡±


    His intestines twisted in his stomach just thinking about it. He was hurt in ways he could not begin to describe or exin.


    ¡°So, what are you going to do?¡± Eleanor asked from behind him.


    Jeffrey turned sharply to look at her.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to get Mackenzie back, mum. The kids are mine byw. They were conceived when I was still married to her. I would get her back, I¡¯ll make sure of it.¡±


    Eleanor rolled her eyes, before raising her right hand to caress her forehead.


    ¡°I still don¡¯t understand why you would want to fight Chase. He would crush you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I need you, mother.¡± Jeffrey rushed to her and held her by her wrist.


    Eleanor¡¯s eyes widened for a split second. His eyes were filled with pleas, as though he had not tried to yell the roof down on her seconds ago.


    ¡°Please, mother. Do not let them do this to me and go scot-free. I need you, mother. I really do.¡±This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Eleanor heaved a sigh and shook her head.


    ¡°You did not have to beg me, son. There is no way I would let Mackenzie live happily-ever-after after hiding the result of her betrayal, and with Chase?¡± She shrugged her shoulders.


    ¡°I would see to it that the world hates her. I would make sure she hates herself.¡± She looked up at her son and squinted her brows on him.


    ¡°The best way to get her back is to make Chase hate her. Once Chase hates her, she would run back into your arms. Remember how much she loved you?¡±


    A small smile crept up to Jeffrey¡¯s face immediately.


    ¡°Yes, yes, that¡¯s true.¡± He nodded eagerly, his eyes like those of a love struck puppy.


    ¡°So, can you put up a new article right now, mother?¡±


    Eleanor scowled.


    How dense could he possibly be?


    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly, boy. I know Chase is already tracking down the ones we posted before. Our PI would have to think of a way to block the address.¡± Eleanor wriggled free of her son¡¯s grip and shook her head.


    ¡°Chase is smart, Jeffrey. Our lives would have been better if you were half as smart as he is.¡±


    ¡°Mother¡­¡±


    ¡°And know that I am not doing this for you. I am doing it for myself. I mean, how can that nobody think she can outsmart me? Some nerve she has.¡± Eleanor dropped her hands by her side and clutched the sides of her sea blue dress as she forced a chuckle.


    Her smile soon dwindled and she sent Jeffrey a re.


    ¡°Get someone to clean this mess up. And make sure to take a shower, you stink.¡±


    Jeffrey looked down at his under arms, and Eleanor hissed, turned away from him and walked out of the room.

 CHAPTER 85 – THE NEWS

    ¡°Hey, hey, baby.¡± Mackenzie called out to her baby girl, squatting before her and patting the back of her head.


    Calista¡¯s tear filled eyes looked up at her, and Mackenzie swallowed hard. They had just finished breakfast, and Mackenzie was only half done with clearing the dishes when Calista began asking for her father.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to cry, baby.¡± She kissed Calista¡¯s right cheek, but it did not seem to be enough.


    The little girl continued to stare at her with sad eyes.


    ¡°I had a dreamst night, and I saw daddy. Did I really see my daddy yesterday?¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s heart twisted in her chest, a sharp and painful twist. She cupped Calista¡¯s cheeks and smiled sweetly at her.


    ¡°Of course baby, you saw your daddy. He spent the whole day with you and Cameron, and even tucked you to sleep.¡±


    ¡°But he didn¡¯t sleep on Cameron¡¯s bed, so where is he?¡± Calista replied, stubbornly.


    Mackenzie heaved a sigh, and looked around the small dining room before she said anything.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry baby, okay? Daddy would be here in no time. He just has a lot of work to do, but as soon as he is done, I promise he woulde, okay?¡±


    Calista sniffed in her tears and nodded her head. Mackenzie¡¯s smile broadened. She kissed her daughter¡¯s forehead, and turned to look at her puppy.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you y with Rony? I can tell he misses you.¡± Mackenzie asked Calista. She watched as the little girl¡¯s eyes softened at her puppy. Calista climbed down from the chair and knelt beside Rony.


    As her hand rubbed her dog¡¯s body, Mackenzie watched her with flushed cheeks. She ced a hand on Calista¡¯s shoulder, and Calista turned to look at her.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we do something in the yard for daddy, before hees?¡±


    Calista¡¯s hazel eyes sparkled with delight.


    ¡°Really mummy?¡±


    ¡°For sure.¡± Mackenzie chuckled.


    Mackenzie had to keep the children busy one way or the other. She had asked Charlotte to keep Cameronpany, and make sure he watches as many TV shows as possible to take his mind off everything. As for Calista, she intended to keep her daughter¡¯s mind and hands busy, until she could fall asleep.


    Mackenzie took her daughter to the yard and spent hours working on her wood work with her. Calista assisted her in bringing materials, picking up nails from the ground and putting it into the trash can. Mother and daughter talked andughed as they worked.


    ~~


    Uncle Maverick, hearing all that had happened, knew he needed to see Mackenzie.


    When he got to her home, he met Charlotte and Cameron in the living room. The little boy¡¯sugh threatened to tear the walls down.


    Maverick was happy to see him that way, especially with all that was happening. He asked after Mackenzie, and Charlotte told him she was in the yard with Calista.


    Maverick spoke to Cameron for a short while, before he walked into the house to look around, before going to the yard.


    It was then he saw Mackenzie¡¯s phone ring. It was the Axford bastard calling again. What the fuck did he want from Mackenzie that his family had not already taken?


    He ended the call as soon as he could, and made his way to Mackenzie¡¯s small workshop in the yard.


    Calista and Mackenzie were there, just as Charlotte had said. Calista was the the first to catch sight of him. Her cheeks spread into a broad smile as she threw her arms wide open and ran towards him.


    ¡°Uncle Maverick!¡±


    Maverick picked her up from the ground and twirled her around. Sheughed, blushing as she closed her eyes.


    ¡°Cameron needs you inside, my darling. He wants to show you something on the TV.¡± Maverick spoke, when he ced her feet on the ground.


    ¡°Okay!¡± Calista called out happily and dashed into the house, leaving him and Mackenzie all alone. Mackenzie was still smiling, seated on a stool, hands covered in ck gloves, with a dusty yellow apron tied around her neck.


    He sucked in a deep breath before he walked up to her. Mackenzie¡¯s smile did not dwindle, not even after he met her eyes with a scowl.


    ¡°What are you doing here, Mackenzie?¡±


    It was in that moment she corked her left brown in query.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± He repeated, mimicking her voice.


    ¡°You¡¯re really calm, after everything that happened, in the middle of all that¡¯s happening.¡±


    Mackenzie rolled her eyes and shook her head as she smiled. He was always one to worry, even much more than her.


    ¡°Uncle Maverick, over here,¡± she gestured to a stool beside her. ¡°Come, have a seat.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t sit, Mackenzie. I was overwhelmed with work, and that¡¯s why I couldn¡¯te yesterday. And when I called Charlotte, she said you had gone to the park with the kids!¡±


    ¡°Maverick¡­¡±


    ¡°How can you be so nonchnt, Mackenzie? This family is ready to take your kids, everything, just like they did before. Is that¡­ is that what you want?¡± Maverick¡¯s voice quivered as he spoke, a mix of concern and frustration evident in his demeanor. Mackenzie could sense that he was genuinely worried about her, and she felt grateful for his concern.


    She let out a sigh and settled deeper into the stool. ¡°Maverick, you¡¯ve always known that I intended to tell Chase. The father of the children deserves to know they are his. There¡¯s no point in hiding it any longer. He knows now, and he¡¯ll have to protect his children alongside me.¡± She set down the mallet she had been holding and folded her hands beneath her chest.


    ¡°Protect the kids with you?¡± Maverick scoffed.


    ¡°Mackenzie, you have no idea. How can you blindly trust a man like him?¡± He took a few steps closer to her, his gaze intense. ¡°Listen to me, Mackenzie. The wealthy can be ruthless. I¡¯ve worked with them countless times. They¡¯re ruthless, selfish, and callous. They don¡¯t care.¡± His tone was urgent, as if he was pleading for her to see reason.


    ¡°Since the children are his, he might take them away and leave you with nothing. We need to leave right away!¡±


    Mackenzie blinked rapidly, her confusion evident. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Kenzie. Listen to me. I¡¯ve made some arrangements. You¡¯ll be safe. We won¡¯t go to North Dakota. I¡¯ve rented an apartment in another city. They¡¯ll never find you there.¡±


    She stared at him for a moment, her thoughts racing. He had caught her off guard.


    ¡°Come on, Mackenzie. Say something.¡±


    She was about to respond, but his words had left her speechless.


    ¡°Look, Uncle Maverick, I truly appreciate everything you¡¯ve done for the children and me. But why are you so concerned? To the point of renting an apartment and¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you know, Mackenzie?¡±


    Her question hung in the air as he cut her off, his gaze intensifying. He closed the distance between them and settled onto the stool he had initially declined.


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes flitted over his face, avoiding his prating stare.


    ¡°Know what?¡± She whispered.


    Maverick chuckled softly, his hand reaching out to touch hers. ¡°You¡¯re the one I¡¯ve always wanted, Mackenzie. Even before you met Jeffrey, that jerk¡­¡±


    Her heart raced, and instinctively, she started to pull away, but he continued speaking.


    ¡°I¡¯ve loved you for a long time, Mackenzie. I kept it to myself, waiting for the right moment, the right time. You always referred to me as your uncle, even before we were family. I just wanted to give you space to¡­ grow, to go through college, to flourish.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s pulse quickened, and she shifted ufortably in her seat, her eyes avoiding his gaze. This revtion had caught her off guard, leaving her at a loss for words.


    Mackenzie started to speak, but her lips felt too heavy to move. She continued to bat hershes at him, stull awestruck by his confession.


    When she finally found her voice, she rose from the stool and looked down at him.


    ¡°Uncle Maverick,¡±


    ¡°That title again.¡± He muttered underneath his breath, but it was loud enough for her to hear.


    ¡°You have always been like an uncle to me, even though we are not rted. I have always seen you like that, and I am not sure I can see you as anything else. Honestly, I am not going to lead you on, but it would never work between us.¡±


    ¡°And you think it¡¯ll work between you and Chase?¡± He fired back, rising from his stool so that he towered above her.


    Mackenzie stepped backwards.


    She looked over him once more, before she replied.


    ¡°Even though it doesn¡¯t work between him and I, I would never see you as a love interest. I¡­I just can¡¯t.¡±


    Maverick did not say another word. His broad shoulders, hidden underneath his ck T-shirt, fell. The hurt that glittered in his brown eyes could not be missed. He kissed his teeth, raising his right hand to rake his fingers through his brown hair.


    She had hurt him, but there was nothing she could do. Mackenzie couldn¡¯t help but wonder if things would have been different, had he confessed his feelings to her before she met Jeffrey. She could remember having a crush on him when she was eleven. He was older and very handsome, but she had soon outgrown it.


    She wanted to reach for him, but decided against it. She cared about him, but not in the way he wanted, never in the way he wanted.


    ¡°I am willing to try, Mackenzie. Okay? I can¡¯t give up just yet. I have been waiting for all these years, Kenzie. All these years you were with Jeffrey, and I saw it as my own personal miracle when you came back.¡±


    Mackenzie sighed and looked away from him.


    ¡°You were hurt, so I knew I had to wait. I cannot let some other persone and take you away from me now, I just can¡¯t.¡± He continued to plead.


    Mackenzie didn¡¯t know when she had begun to frown, but when she met his eyes again, hers held a subtle warning.


    ¡°Uncle Maverick, this isn¡¯t right. I have promised Chase that I would stay put, I can¡¯t just up and leave!¡±


    ¡°The children, what if they are in danger?¡±


    ¡°Some security details would being to guard the house soon. And when they leave for school, they¡¯ll be guarded as well.¡± Mackenzie bit back.


    ¡°I would protect my children as I have been protecting them. I am not relying on Chase, but I know that he would do anything to keep them safe.¡± When she saw him scoff, she dared to take a step closer to him.


    ¡°Look, uncle Maverick. I appreciate everything you¡¯ve done for the kids and I, I really do. I really want to pay you back, believe me. But I can¡¯t give you what you want.¡±


    Maverick dropped his gaze to the ground and sighed.


    ¡°You have no idea what these people are capable of doing, Mackenzie.


    ¡°Uncle¡­¡± He turned his back to her and walked out of the small workshop. Mackenzie stood still and watched him walk back to his car.


    While the children called after him, Charlotte and Felicity rushed to Mackenzie. They had heard everything.


    They met her on her feet, stupefied.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mackenzie.¡± Charlotte patted her shoulders gently.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°I have always known.¡±


    Mackenzie sent her a stern re, and Charlotte raised her hands in surrender.


    ¡°No, no, don¡¯t get me wrong. I am not pushing you to him. I just never expected him toe out to you.¡±


    Felicity watched Charlotte speak. She made sure not to say a thing. Mackenzie fell into her stool and continued to speak to Charlotte and Felicity. She was tired.


    ¡°Mummy, mummy!¡± Calista¡¯s voice caught the attention of the three women.


    ¡°There¡¯s something on the news!¡± She pointed at the house.


    The threedies exchanged questioning looks.


    Mackenzie¡¯s heart sunk into her chest.


    The news.

 CHAPTER 86 – BY YOUR SIDE

    Mackenzie squeezed the cor of her shirt and tore her apron off her in the process. She needed to breathe.


    Charlotte, on the other hand, moved to the littke girl. She lowered her body in a squat and cupped Calista¡¯s cheeks.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, sweety? You were supposed to be watching cartoons with Cameron. Did something happen?¡±


    Calista shook her head, a silent sign for no. She raised her eyes to spare her mother a short nce, but Charlotte remained in front of her, patiently waiting for an exnation.


    ¡°Cameron changed channels by ident, aunt Charlotte, and the news came up. Mummy, you need to see this! Our new grandpa is on TV mummy!¡± Calista cried out again. This time, she walked past Charlotte and held her mother¡¯s right leg firmly, pulling and urging Mackenzie to go with her.


    Mackenzie¡¯s heart skipped ten beats at once. At the mention of Richard, Chase¡¯s father, she sprang up from her stool and picked Calista up from the ground. She held her daughter in her arms and rushed into the house. Charlotte and Felicity followed her behind. They were curious to know what had happened.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Just as Calista had said, Richard¡¯s Axford¡¯s face was all over the TV. At the right side, there was a dashing picture of him in a royal blue tuxedo. On the left was a video of him in a hospital gown, a weak and tired.


    She dropped her gaze to the headline at the bottom of the TV screen.


    Richard Axford, founder of Axford Conglomerate, survives his ten-hour cancer surgery.


    ¡°I am well, and I have never felt more alive¡± ¨C Richard Axford.


    Mackenzie squeezed Calista in a tight hug. She settled into the couch beside her, and sank into the leather. She shut her eyes tight, parting her lips to suck in deep breaths. She did not want to cry, but the tears of joy that burned the sides of her eyes did not share in her sentiment.


    She sniffed in her tears over and over again. As many times as it would take to keep them at bay.


    Cameron climbed down from his couch and walked up to her.


    ¡°What happened to grandpa, mummy?¡± The sight of Richard in a hospital gown must have troubled him. The man did not seem well.


    ¡°Can we go and see grandpa, please?¡± Cameron pleaded, pressing his palms together as he whined.


    Mackenzie looked down at him and forced a smile.


    ¡°Your grandpa is alright, baby. Nothing happened to him.¡± She reached for her son¡¯s right cheek and caressed it gently.


    Charlotte and Felicity stood behind her. Charlotte moved closer and tapped her shoulder, and Mackenzie raised her head to look at her best friend.


    ¡°Have you heard from Chase? Just to know what¡¯s going on.¡±


    Mackenzie shook her head. Felicity¡¯s eyes darted to the door that led to Mackenzie¡¯s room, before looking back at Mackenzie.


    She did not need a soothsayer to tell her what her friends were saying. She had been thinking about the same thing too. Hell! It was all she had been able to think about since she woke up, except for the time uncle Maverick arrived with his explosive confession.


    Mackenzie put Calista down on the couch, and pleaded with Charlotte to stay beside her. She did not need to ask twice for Charlotte to agree. Mackenzie rushed into her room, reached for her phone on the bed, and found three missed calls from Chase.


    ¡°Oh God.¡± She breathed out. Trembling fingers dialed Chase¡¯s number, while her wobbling feet paced about the room restless, waiting for him to pick up.


    He answered the phone after a few seconds, and Mackenzie sighed with relief.


    ¡°Chase¡­¡±


    ¡°Where were you? Where did you leave your phone, Mackenzie?¡±


    She was taken aback by the urgency in his voice, but she replied him either way.


    ¡°I had some work to do at home. Listen,  Calista has been crying and asking of you since she had breakfast this morning. I had to take her to the outhouse to cheer her up a little.¡±


    There was a brief ten seconds of silence, before Chase spoke again. This time, a tad bit calmer.


    ¡°Tell them I¡¯ll being to see them tonight.¡±


    Mackenzie nodded, as though he could see her. She was about to speak to him when he continued his scolding.


    ¡°Still, you shouldn¡¯t have left your phone unattended to. I called, time and time again, and there was no response. In such a crucial time, Mackenzie. Are you even aware of all the things that could go wrong?¡±


    Mackenzie rolled her eyes.


    It was sweet to hear him worry about her, but why couldn¡¯t he trust that she was fine?


    In no mood to argue with him, she pushed the question aside and hit him with one of her own.


    ¡°Where are you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m at the hospital.¡± He replied calmly.


    Mackenzie too was more rxed knowing he was with his father.


    ¡°I just saw the news. There was news about Richard. Wasn¡¯t it supposed to be confidential?¡±


    ¡°It was supposed to.¡± The spite in Chase¡¯s voice had returned.


    ¡°The news leaked out the same way that of the children did. I¡¯ve instructed my team to find the identity of the person who¡¯s sabotaging us. I¡¯ll find out as soon as possible. We are already working on it.¡±


    Mackenzie turned around, aplete 360 degrees spin, tapping her fingers on her hips.


    ¡°The children are worried about you, Chase. They really want to see you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be with them soon, Mackenzie, believe me. In the meantime, please stop them from watching the news channel for now. There might be more news about us ining days, until we can get to the bottom of this. We can deal with articles and blogs, but not the news on the TV screen.¡±


    Mackenzie bit her lower lip hard. She had already seen the evidence of that.


    ¡°It¡¯s already a headline on most channels, even in other cities. We have reached out to them to put it down, but some are just so stubborn.¡± Chase continued.


    Mackenzie did pity him. She could hear the growing frustration in his voice.


    And the fatigue too. He was tired.


    ¡°Alright then. Just¡­do take it easy, Chase.¡±


    She heard him suck in a deep breath.


    ¡°Yes, I will. Meanwhile the security details would be with you soon. I have given them instructions on what to do incase you need to leave the house.¡±


    Mackenzie nodded, listening intently.


    ¡°If you are going toe to the hospital with the kids, it¡¯ll have to beter in the evening, when it¡¯s dark, because¡­¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry, Chase.¡± Mackenzie cut in, in a soft tone she hoped would keep him calm.


    ¡°We would be fine as long as we have the security details. We areing to the hospital. Richard needs the children around right now.¡± She clutched the phone tigher, a sad smile crept up to her cheeks.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Chase. I had no idea it was this serious. I am supposed to be by your side now, but I¡¯m not. You shouldn¡¯t be alone right now. You don¡¯t deserve to be alone.¡± She did not want to admit it, but she yearned for him.


    ¡°How are you doing? How¡¯s Richard?¡± She finally asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m holding on, but he¡¯s doing well. He is conscious now. That¡¯s a good thing.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Mackenzie nodded.


    ¡°It really is. Just keep holding on, the kids and I would be on our way soon.¡±


    ¡°Mackenzie¡­¡±


    ¡°No, Chase. Don¡¯t think about telling me not to.¡± She cut in. Her defiant tone must have told him there was no use arguing with her.


    He heaved a tired sigh.


    ¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll see you.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm. I¡¯ll see you. Bye.¡± Mackenzie¡¯s cheeks flushed at the thought of the three words she would have loved to hear him say.


    I love you.


    ¡°Bye.¡± He replied.


    The line went dead immediately.

 CHAPTER 87 – LAST LAUGH

    The bartender poured her drink into a ss, picked up the ss with a professional delicacy and delivered it to her side of the table. Selene did not so much as look at him, not even tomend his effort.


    She reached for the ss and drowned the sour liquid down her throat with one swift gulp. She dropped the empty ss on the table before she nced at the gold customized Rolex wristwatch that adorned her left wrist.


    Forty-five minutes, she hissed. Tapping her right foot on the ground, visibly restless, she continued to look at the door of the bar, then around her, just to see if the silly man had crawled into the bar while she was looking away from the door, and was currently searching for her.


    There were only a few people in the exquisite lounge, so he shouldn¡¯t have been so hard to find. The fact that he was, only meant he had not arrived yet, and Selene¡¯s patience was currently hanging on a thin thread, which five more minutes of his absense was sure to snap.


    Selene tore her eyes away from the door and peeped into her phone. Still not a message or missed call from him.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°When is this bastard going to arrive? How can he keep me waiting for almost an hour for fuck¡¯s sake?¡± She hissed underneath her breath. She thought of calling a waiter for another drink, but decided against it. She needed to be in her clear mind when she faced the bastard.


    A disgruntled sigh escaped her lips as she reclined into the couch, crossed her right leg over her left and buried her eyes into the screen of her phone.


    ¡°Selene?¡±


    She jerked up at the sound of the voice, looking up to find Jeffrey with sunken eyes and his hair in a disheveled mess, and not the sexy sort.


    Selene shifted ufortably in the couch as he settled in next to her. She was the first to get to the bar, but the stench of whiskey that oozed from him was repulsive.


    ¡°Holy Moses!¡± She eximed, ever so dramatically.


    ¡°You look like you just stepped out of a zombie movie.¡± She continued, her scrutinizing gaze drinking in his sorry sight.


    Jeffrey turned to look at her, he shrugged his shoulders before he reached for her empty ss on the table.


    ¡°I would have preferred being a zombie in a world filled with zombies to my current reality. This is a much worse nightmare.¡± He tried to drink the drop of whiskey that remained in her ss, but she seized it from his hand and dropped it beside her.


    Selene¡¯s eyes nced around the room, trying to make sure no one had seen him embarrass her.


    Jeffrey scoffed and threw his head backwards, leaning further into the sofa.


    Selene rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Oh! Stop sulking. You¡¯re not the only one affected.¡±


    ¡°Am I not?¡± He snapped, slowly tilting his neck to look at her.


    ¡°Are you affected, Selene? You divorced Chase, didn¡¯t you? Do you love Chase?¡±


    Selene hissed and shook her head. Her silence was a loud enough answer for Jeffrey.


    ¡°You don¡¯t.¡± He concluded.


    Selene, on the other hand, stared at him with amusement lurking in her eyes. Surely, she had not just heard him utter the word, love. The man wouldn¡¯t know love even if it pped him in the face.


    ¡°And you love Mackenzie?¡± She asked, chuckling.


    It was only when she caught sight of his love struck eyes that she bursted outughing, holding on to her stomach.


    ¡°Oh! Please, Jeffrey, cut it out, okay? You can pretend around everyone else in this world, but you can¡¯t do that with me.¡±


    Jeffrey frowned as he watched herugh him to scorn. He pulled himself up and turned fully to look at her.


    ¡°You see, this is the problem with you, Selene.¡±


    ¡°Oh,e on,¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t ever know when someone is actually being serious, because you are so fucking twisted. Your brain, your mind, it¡¯s so fucked up.¡±


    Herughter ceased immediately. She narrowed her eyes on him, and Jeffrey leaned back once more.


    ¡°I¡¯ve had and heard enough, okay? We didn¡¯te here to share each other¡¯s feelings, did we?¡± Jeffrey continued.


    Selene have a mock shudder, as though the thought of sharing her feelings was abominable.


    ¡°Of course not. We have to do something. We cannot let Chase and Mackenzie shame us this way.¡±


    ¡°Chase has more power though.¡± Jeffrey chipped in. It was a realization his mother opened his eyes too, and even if he did not want to say what his mother¡¯s ns were, he had to remind Selene of that fact as well.


    ¡°All I just want is Mackenzie, and the kids too.¡±


    Selene groaned and threw her hands into the air dramatically. She could not phantom the depth of Jeffrey¡¯s stupidity. It seemed to deepen with every passing second.


    ¡°The kids are not yours, dumbass! Don¡¯t you know what¡¯s happening? Can¡¯t you see Jeffrey? The DNA results clearly show that Chase is the father of the kids, and they are real!¡± She paused her speech and sat up, hoping he would take her more seriously when she was staring into his eyes.


    ¡°I have seen Chase¡¯s son from afar, and he is the exact replica of Chase. You do not even need a DNA test to know it¡¯s his son once you see him!¡±


    ¡°But I was married to Mackenzie when she got pregnant ¡± It was Jeffrey¡¯s turn to snap, and Selene shifted backwards.


    ¡°My mother went to see the doctor, and Mackenzie told him not to tell anyone about the pregnancy. So you see, she did not even intend to tell Chase about it.¡±


    Selene blinked twice, utterly in shock by what she had heard. She gasped and melted into the sofa.


    ¡°Oh my God! That Mackenzie! She¡¯s a fucking sly bitch!¡± Selene clenched her fists as she raged.


    ¡°If she wanted to keep it a fucking secret, she could have done so till she goes to her fucking grave. Why couldn¡¯t she just stay the hell away from all of us?¡±


    Jeffrey groaned and raised his right hand to his head, caressing his forehead with his fingers to ease his headache. He paused and turned to look at her once more.


    ¡°Why am I here, Selene? All you have done isin. You are yet to suggest a solution.¡±


    ¡°A solution?¡± Selene scoffed bitterly and sat up to look at him.


    ¡°I want to make Mackenzie¡¯s life miserable.¡±


    Jeffrey fought hard not to roll his eyes.


    ¡°There is already someone working on that. What else do you want to do?¡±


    Selene corked her left brow in query.


    ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s none of your business, Selene.¡±


    ¡°But I want to y a part.¡± She pushed further, moving closer to him.


    ¡°Allow me, Jeffrey.¡± She continued, reaching for his right thigh. He moved away from her and Selene sighed.


    ¡°Why are you so keen? We both cheated too, didn¡¯t we? We¡¯re not any saints, Selene.¡±


    She blinked twice, staring at him with disbeliefced in her eyes, as if she could not believe he was the one speaking.


    ¡°Have you gone all soft, Jeff? Do you have any idea what an evidence means? The absence of evidence is the evidence of absence! Evidence erases arguments, Jeffrey. There is no evidence of what we¡­¡± She allowed her index finger to travel in the space between both of them.


    ¡°¡­ did, but there is evidence of what Mackenzie and Chase did. Not just rumors, not pictures or videos, but two children, Jeffrey. Two healthy, living and breathing children who look exactly like Chase!¡± She scoffed and looked away.


    ¡°That isn¡¯t fair. If Mackenzie was going to y the game we yed, she should have erased her own evidence. Since she couldn¡¯t, I¡¯ll do it for her.¡±


    Jeffrey sighed and looked away from her.


    ¡°When you have something, let me know. Maybe then we can exchange information. But you mustn¡¯t touch Mackenzie or the children.¡±


    He rose from the sofa and turned to her.


    ¡°Do whatever you wish to do with humiliating her, but don¡¯t touch her life or the life of the kids. If I¡¯m going to have thestugh, I¡¯m going to need to have her in her arms while Iugh.¡±


    Without waiting for another word from her, Jeffrey turned his back to her and walked away.

 CHAPTER 88 – AT THE HOSPITAL

    Mackenzie had both her children dressed in thick ck coats ¨C a small preparation for the cold outside ¨C by the time the security details arrived at her front door.


    It had been warm for a few days, but the weather that afternoon could almost be described as freezing. Calista wore around her neck, a red and ck printed muffler, the red matching the color of the frame of her sses. Cameron loved the dark blue color, so his muffler was dark blue.


    Tucked under Calista¡¯s right arm was a painting, specially done by her, of the sun and the garden they had met. She was certain her grandfather was going to love it.


    The security details helped put Cameron and Calista in the back seat of the car with Mackenzie. The driver turned on the car¡¯s heater before he started the engine. They started the journey to the hospital.


    The car came to a halt at the hospital¡¯s exit door.


    Chase had stationed himself at the hospital¡¯s exit, making sure it was well guarded. His most trusted guards, yet youngest guards,  Jax and Freeman roamed around the exit, watching out for any reporters who might have gotten lucky enough to get past Chase.


    Mackenzie caught sight of the armed guards beside him. Both were not less than six feet and four inches tall. The first wore his long hair in a ponytail at the back of his head, while the second had a baseball cap on, short strands of his blonde hair freed themselves at the back.


    Once her eyes found Chase, it was impossible for her to look away. d in a ck long sleeved shirt that clung to his muscles like second skin, and bright white suit pants, he was as handsome as ever with strands of his disheveled raven colored hair falling to the sides of his eyes.


    He was walking towards her, his keen gaze fixed on her hazel eyes. She swallowed hard, knowing that seeing him would always put her on an edge, yet rx her at the same time. It was a mix of emotions she had still not gotten used to.


    ¡°Mummy, daddy is here!¡± Calista called out, peeping from her window. Cameron joined his sister and rested on his knees, he stretched his hand out of the window, calling out to Chase.


    He smiled as he waved at the kids.


    Mackenzie looked away from him and focused on freeing Cameron from the seatbelt she had carefully strapped him in. The door beside her opened, and Chase did same for Calista, who threw her arms around her father before he could utter a word.


    ¡°Daddy!¡± She screamed at the top of her lungs.


    ¡°We missed you so much, daddy! I thought I was never going to see you again,¡± by the time Chase has freed her from her seatbelt, she was already stapped around his waist.


    ¡°Where did you go? You shouldn¡¯t have left us.¡±


    Chase¡¯s heart melted in his chest. His eyes found Mackenzie¡¯s sad smile, and he chuckled, tapping Calista¡¯s small back gently.


    ¡°Hold on, princess. One question at a time, okay? I would answer every one of them.¡± He pressed a kiss on top of her head, and she giggled, tightening her grip around his neck.


    ¡°I¡¯ll always be with you, princess. I¡¯m never going anywhere, ever again. Any day you wake up, and before you go to sleep, I¡¯ll be there.¡±


    Mackenzie watched him in silence, holding Cameron in her arms. Chase was doing so well with the children. She was amazed by how much he loved them, how much they meant to him.


    Calista blushed as he spoke, and Cameron tried to jump from Mackenzie¡¯s arms. Laughing, she set his feet on the ground and watched as he ran to meet Chase.


    ¡°I¡¯m here too, Daddy!¡±


    Cameron called out, throwing his arms into the air. Chase held on to his right hand and picked the boy from the ground with one swing.


    ¡°Big boy!¡±


    He nibbled on Cameron¡¯s right ear, and the boy giggled, smiling from ear to ear.


    ¡°I hear your sister was crying this morning. You know you should have told her daddy would alwayse back, right?¡±


    Cameron nodded, a proud smile formed on his face as he spoke.


    ¡°I saw you leavest night, daddy. And I heard you say you were going toe back, so I didn¡¯t cry.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me then?¡± Calista whined, pouting amd frowning at him with her hands crossed underneath her chest.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Calista. I forgot.¡± Cameron apologized. Calista shook her head and looked away from him.


    At that moment, Chase smiled and his eyes wandered off from the children to their mother. He was right on time, because she had her eyes on him too.


    She looked so beautiful.


    Her sky blue jeans highlighted the ck color of her turtle neck top that was tucked into the waistline. Her coat was a matching blue color with her shirt. Her full waves of hair flowed freely down her shoulders, and her lips shimmered with the pale pink lipgloss she had used.


    ¡°Shall we?¡± Chase managed to speak, leading Mackenzie and the children into the hospital building. Jax and Freeman followed them behind.


    They took an elevator up to Richard¡¯s ward. He had instructed the hospital staff not to let anyone use that particr elevator until he had received his visitors ¨C Mackenzie and the kids.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    He needed them to be as safe as possible.


    They found their way to Richard¡¯s exquisite ward, the room he liked to call ¡°heaven¡±, seeing as he could see the clouds from every angle of his room, courtesy of his ss walls.


    The children¡¯s eyes lit up with so much excitement once they saw him. Richard managed a weak smile at them. Calista screamed at the top of her voice and tried to run to him, but Mackenzie held her back and helped her out of her coat. Cameron was next after her.


    ¡°Grandpa!¡± Brother and sister yelled simultaneously as they hurried to his side with their little legs. Mackenzie, amused by the sight, struggled to hold herughter.


    Calista had held her paintibg throughout the journey, even till that very moment. With pride, she held it up for Richard to see clearly.


    ¡°Look at what I made for you, Grandpa! A picture of the ce we met for the first time, remember?¡±


    Richard looked over the painting, amazed by her skill. He took it from her hand and hugged it tight, causing Calista to blush. However, her blush soon faded from her face, leaving behind a grim worried look.


    ¡°What happened to you, grandpa? I saw you on the news, they said you were sick. Are you sick?¡±


    ¡°But they said he isn¡¯t sick anymore on the TV Calista, remember?¡± Cameron chipped in.


    Richard watched the both of them exchange a few more words before heughed, tapping both their heads gently.


    ¡°I¡¯m getting better, Cali. I am not very sick anymore.¡±


    She batted hershes at him, before speaking.


    ¡°So you¡¯re going to be fine soon?¡±


    ¡°You bet!¡± Richard replied, enthusiastic.


    ¡°And when I¡¯m better and on my feet, we would go home together, you¡¯ll see. I¡¯ll show you our home.¡±


    She corked her right brow at him for a split second, before her smile spread to both her ears. Cameron wasn¡¯t left behind in the celebration.


    ¡°You¡¯lle live in our house? But where would you stay, grandpa? Aunty Charlotte and Aunt Felicity already have the other rooms. Cameron and I share a room with mummy,¡±


    Richard¡¯s gaze rose to meet Chase¡¯s dim ones. Mackenzie stood beside him, silently wishing the ground would open up and swallow her.


    ¡°Oh! I have an idea!¡± Calista screamed, raising her right hand to the sky as she jumped. Richard looked down at her again.


    ¡°What would that be, princess?¡±


    ¡°Well, daddy could stay in Cameron¡¯s bed with him, and you could stay in mine, with me!¡±


    Richard shook his head,ughing. He was starting to feel better now that the kids were with him. Laughter was really the best medicine after all.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t your bed a tad bit too small for me?¡±


    ¡°It really isn¡¯t, grandpa. Mummy sleeps in my bed too sometimes.¡± Calista replied. The confidence and the carriage she held whenever she spoke was one that Richard had tomend. She had her father¡¯s charisma.


    ¡°Come on, Cali. You know better than to disturb grandpa. He has juste out of a very stressful treatment, and he needs his rest.¡± Mackenzie finally spoke up as she started her walk to where her children sat beside their grandfather.


    Richard, whom she had tried to save, only pulled the children closer to himself.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about me, Mackenzie. I had missed them so much.¡± He dished each of them kisses all over their cheeks.


    Calista, stillughing, reached for her painting on his body and held it up for him.


    ¡°You can put it above your bed, grandpa. It¡¯ll make you feel better all the time. Whenever you miss Cameron and I, you can just look at it, and we¡¯ll be with you.¡± She continued.


    Richard sought tough, but he was too weak to do so. She was a little girl with such a deep soul, how could he not love her? How could anyone not love her?


    Chase and Mackenzie exchanged nces while Cameron and Calista took turns to kiss Richard¡¯s cheeks.


    From where she stood, Mackenzie felt warm, yet a rough hand sp around her right wrist. Her senses were ignited immediately, the fire that lit up under her skin was not one she could easily ignore.


    Swallowing hard, she turned sharply to meet Chase¡¯s blue eyes boring into hers.


    ¡°They¡¯ll be fine, Kenzie. He¡¯s had more than enough rest this past few days. Come on, let¡¯s go get them some hot chocte.¡± He looked away from her, giving her ample time to catch her breath.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you like that, kids?¡±


    There was no reply from the two munchkins. They were both so busy ying with their grandpa¡¯s face and hair.


    ¡°Calista really likes hot chocte from the little I remember.¡±


    Mackenzie shook her head andughed, she found Chase¡¯s eyes again, but did nothing to look away this time.


    ¡°Very well then. I guess hot chocte wouldn¡¯t hurt after all.¡± Mackenzie replied. Chase let go of her hand as he turned his back to usher her out of the room.

 CHAPTER 89 – SUNSHINE

    Chase and Mackenzie strolled out of Richard¡¯s ward into the quiet hospital corridor. As they walked, Mackenzie found herself tucking her fingers into her coat at seconds intervals. The weather on its own was cold, but being close to Chase seemed to heat her up, causing all the cold to rush to the tip of her fingers.


    ¡°Uhh. Why don¡¯t we just order a coffee?¡± She asked. There was a nervous edge to her voice, one she hoped Chase wouldn¡¯t notice.


    He did.


    He looked down at her and managed a small smile. Mackenzie knew she should have looked away in that moment, from his eyes that always threatened to suck her in, but she didn¡¯t. It wouldn¡¯t hurt once to let her guard down and bepletely drowned in his gaze, would it?


    ¡°I just wanted time alone with you.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes widened, sparkling with delight. Her stomach churned from thousands of  butterflies. She turned away immediately, chuckling from the shivers that rushed down her spine.


    ¡°I guess that much.¡± She replied, digging her teeth into her lower lip gently.


    Chase reached out for her right hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. Mackenzie¡¯s head jerked up to look at him. She stared down at the hand he held, and back up at him again.


    The hairs on her skin stood erect, and it was not from the cold, rather, the heat that coursed through her body as he touched her. She was not aware of how much she had secretly yearned for that one touch until now.


    ¡°I miss you, Chase.¡± Mackenzie blurted out, careless of whatever consequences she had made up in her head.


    Chase looked down at her. He wanted to say the words, he wanted to tell her how badly he had missed her, but all that came out was a growl underneath his breath.


    ¡°Then if you miss me, do pick your calls, please.¡±


    ¡°Chase¡­¡± Her doe hazel eyes found his again.


    ¡°No, Mackenzie. You have no idea how worried, how mad I get when I call you, and another voice picks up the call. I just¡­I just want to snap somebody¡¯s bones.¡±


    If you don¡¯t snap mine first, Mackenzie thought to herself. Seeing how hard he was squeezing her knuckles, someone must have really gotten him pissed off. And it was no news that the only person who could rile Chase up like that, and how could answer her phone was¡­


    Mackenzie narrowed her eyes on him.


    ¡°Hold on a minute.¡± She paused, causing him to stop in his tracks. She turned, a 180 degree spin, to look at him.


    ¡°You spoke to uncle Maverick today?¡±


    Chase rolled his eyes in response.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Seriously, why does he have the right toe into your home how he wants? It¡¯s extremely ufortable, Mackenzie. If he continues to do that, I¡¯ll have to get you and the kids out of the house.¡±


    Mackenzie stared at him, eyes widened in rm. She suddenly remembered all uncle Maverick had said to her that afternoon. Her shoulders fell as she turned away from Chase.


    ¡°You know.¡± She blurted out.


    Chase scoffed. Like hell he did.


    ¡°Oh. He finally confessed, right? He finally grew some balls.¡± Chase hissed, kissing his teeth with his tongue.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe that motherfucker.¡±


    ¡°Language, Chase.¡± Mackenzie chided. It was meant to be a joke, but Chase did not seem to be in the mood for jokes. He red at her for a split second, before tearing his eyes away and continuing his journey down the hall, leaving a giggling Mackenzie behind him.


    She had no idea how funny annoying him could be.


    ¡°Hey! Chase, wait up!¡± She called after him. She hurried to where he was and locked her right arm in his left, causing him to look down at her.


    ¡°Move in with me, Mackenzie.¡±


    Mackenzie dropped her gaze to the floor, her cheeks reddened. Chase continued to speak.


    ¡°Knowing that I have a family of my own is the best thing that has ever happened to me. When are you going to move in? When are you going toe to me, Mackenzie?¡± As he spoke, heced his fingers with hers, locking their hold tight.


    She looked up at him. Her heart melted in her chest as she heard him speak. She longed to be with him, longed to have their children with him, but everything had to be done in due time.


    ¡°I know, Chase.¡± She tapped his elbow with all the love in her heart.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure the children would want to be with you too. I¡­I want to be with you too.¡±


    ¡°But?¡± He had heard the silent but in her statement. Chase prefered to ask her, he wanted to know.


    Mackenzie chuckled lightly as she looked away from him.


    ¡°Perhaps we should take it slow, and not do it so abruptly, you know.¡±


    ¡°So, when then?¡± Chase asked. He was willing to be patient, for as long as she wasfortable with. He only wanted her to know how much he really needed her around.


    ¡°Chase.¡± Mackenzie breathed out again. He stopped walking and turned to look at her, holding both of her hands as he looked into her beautiful hazel eyes.


    He was reminded of how much he loved the woman, there was no other who could ever make him feel the same way.


    ¡°My house is big and empty, Mackenzie. Do you always want me returning to an empty home? Listen, okay?¡±


    She heaved a sigh, and he continued to speak.


    ¡°I have already ordered some people to bring in furniture for the kids. I want to decorate their room myself. By this weekend, it would all be sorted out. I really want you and the kids to befortable. We could go shopping for Cameron¡¯s new baseball gear, and I promised Calista colors¡­¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes danced around his face as he spoke with so much passion. She tried to hold back herughter, but she could not. She had never seen him like this about anything order than work. There was so much depth and life to him, so much glee that brightened his usually grim and dark eyes.


    ¡°Chase, you really don¡¯t need to¡­¡±


    ¡°And canvases too.¡± He cut in with enthusiasm, ignoring her words. He needed to, he wanted to.


    ¡°Things have just been so hectic, but they were always on my mind. I know I tend to forget things easily¡­¡±


    ¡°Right¡­¡±


    ¡°But these two things have been on my mind. I thought about them day and night and I never forgot. I have just not had the time to run around and get them, but I definitely will.¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± Mackenzie replied, pulling herself closer to him.


    ¡°You might just be in luck.¡±


    When Chase corked his right brow in query, she blushed and continued to speak.


    ¡°It¡¯s almost the weekend already. We coulde to your ce this weekend, move the kids things in. And after day care on Monday, the kids could move in permanently.¡±


    Chase¡¯s heart swelled with joy. For the first time in a long while, he smiled. And it wasn¡¯t just any smile, but the type that spread from his left ear to his right.


    ¡°You really mean it, Sunshine?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± She called out, but Chase wasn¡¯t sure yet. He had to make sure he had in no negative way, influenced her decision.


    ¡°Are you sure, Mackenzie? I do not want to make you do anything you do not want to. I do not want to force you to be with me because of the kids. Do you¡­¡± He held up her hands, caressed her knuckles with the tip of his thumb, and peered into her orbs.


    ¡°Do you really want to, Sunshine?¡± His tone was soft, as soft as his heart always was when he was around her.


    Mackenzie blushed, staring into the depth of his eyes. She made no attempt to alter their eye contact. She wanted him to know that when she said it, she meant it.


    ¡°Definitely, Chase. I want to, I really want to.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not just that.¡± He breathed out.


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits as she examined his face.


    ¡°What else?¡±


    Chase looked down at her lips, before his gaze shifted back to her eyes.


    ¡°My father wants to know when he can meet yours. I want meet him too. Perhaps we can travel to North Dakota and¡­¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s cheeks spread into a broad smile as she nodded eagerly.


    ¡°Yes, Chase! Yes! Oh! I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll love to meet you!¡±


    With no further words, Chase pulled her into his arms, engulfing her in a tight and warm embrace. She was so close she could hear his heart scream for joy in his chest.


    She could no longer feel the cold, not when his touch had sent warmth all over her body, and her thoughts of him spiraling out of control.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure the kids are waiting for their chocte.¡± She mumbled against his chest.


    Her words called Chase back to order. He had almost forgotten all about the reason they had left his father¡¯s ward in the first ce.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    She chuckled.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go get them the chocte please.¡± She wriggled out of his hug and held his right hand, shing him a bright smile.

 CHAPTER 90 – NOT WORTH IT

    Mackenzie and Chase returned to the Richard¡¯s ward,ughing with a cup of hot chocte in each hand. As Chase moved to push the door open, Mackenzie started to walk in, stillughing. Herughter came to an abrupt halt immediately she caught sight of Eleanor in the room.


    She was seated on the bed, beside Richard, running her fingers through Calista¡¯s blonde hair. Eleanor smiled as Calista continued to yfully pinch Richard¡¯s bearded chin.


    Mackenzie stared at Eleanor, her blood drained from her face, and her limbscked the ability to move. She hated seeing her daughter with the old and conniving woman. Innocent Calista was not aware of how callous the woman was. She turned and smiled at her innocently as they chatted on.


    ¡°The shareholders are thinking of revolting, Richard. The stock prices are plummeting, what are you going to do about it?¡±


    When Richard remained silent, Eleanor made sure to continue.


    ¡°Thepany needs a better leader, Richard. Listen, I know Chase is the rightful owner, but¡­¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by rightful owner, Eleanor?¡± Richard finally spoke up, silencing his wife.


    ¡°Chase has been taking care of thepany since I retired. And you¡¯re saying he¡¯s the rightful owner? I never saw him as the rightful owner, but the only personpetent enough for the job. Chase and Jeffery are both my sons.


    Eleanor heaved a sigh and continued.


    ¡°I understand, Richard, I do. But we have to remove sentiments. We can¡¯t afford to be emotional about this while our family business crumbles.¡± Richard narrowed his eyes on her, and she shed him a sympathetic smile.


    ¡°I know that the children are a disgrace, a stain to our reputation, to the Axford name. But they are just kids, they do not know anything.¡± She tapped Calista¡¯s head as she smiled.


    ¡°Still, you should remember that the children are illegitimate, and in our world, with our social status, children like this are not epted.¡±


    Eleanor turned to smile at Cameron and Calista, they seemed too engrossed in Calista¡¯s painting of the sun. The little girl was taking her time to exin shades and colors to her brother like a true artist.


    Mackenzie¡¯s jaw hardened from where she stood. With her clenched jaw, she rolled her fists into balls and threatened to burst into the room. Before she took take one step forward, Chase¡¯s palm wrapped around her wrist. She looked up at him and found him shaking her head, urging her to be still.


    ¡°She¡¯s not worth it.¡± He mumbled.


    She knew. She had tried to convince herself of that fact several times, but it didn¡¯t make the woman¡¯s venom sting any less.


    ¡°The kids are there, Chase. How can she say such things in front of them!¡± She whispered, fairly rmed.


    Mackenzie closed her eyes and allowed a breathless sigh escape her lips.


    Chase looked over Mackenzie to Calista and Cameron. He let out a small smile before moving closer to Mackenzie. As her shoulders trembled with anger, he ced both his hands on them, before raising his right to cup her rosy right cheek.


    She looked up at him, her tears caused her hazel eyes to glitter. He leaned into her and kissed the top of her eyelids.


    ¡°My father won¡¯t let her getaway with it. I trust him.¡± He whispered softly. Mackenzie closed her eyes, breathless from his touch, she allowed a sigh escape her parted lips.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you ever speak about my grandkids in that manner again.¡± They heard Richard bite back, and Mackenzie¡¯s heart softened a tad bit, at least Richard was on their side.


    ¡°See?¡± Chase smiled at her, holding her hand.


    ¡°I told you. Let¡¯s go in, I think she¡¯s had enough fun already.¡± He continued.


    When Mackenzie nodded, Chase pushed the door openpletely and walked into the room, startling Eleanor.


    ¡°Chase!¡± She called out, reeking of fake enthusiasm as she kept her smile stered on her face.


    ¡°We were just talking about you.¡±


    She rose from the bed and started to walk to him.


    ¡°How are you? I know that it must be a lot for you, with everything that¡¯s going on. You get what I mean, right?¡± She reached for his shoulders but he politely moved away.


    ¡°I know that there must be a lot of things going on in your mind, so I am just trying to suggest what¡¯s best for the family.¡± Shepletely ignored Mackenzie¡¯s presence when their eyes met, and returned her focus to her husband.


    ¡°Richard, darling. I really should go home and get your some fruits. I know how much you love oranges.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry yourself, Eleanor. I¡¯m doing just fine. The hospital staff are taking care of me.¡± Richard mumbled, sounding tired.


    Was Eleanor aware that Richard needed as much rest as possible? How could she bring up subjects like these when he looked so sick?


    ¡°I¡¯m here too, Eleanor. You do not have to worry your pretty head about anything.¡± Chase chipped in, sarcasm dripping from his voice, his lips spread into a thin line.


    Mackenzie looked down at her hand and felt his grip grow firmer. The muscles on his hands had flexed up, and she was only just aware of how much he truly despised Eleanor.


    ¡°Alright then!¡± She called out, a fruityugh followed her exmation. She walked to pick up her back from his bedside drawer, and held it in her right arm.


    ¡°Since everyone is doing well, I guess it¡¯s time to take my leave. I have a pedicure and manicure appointment in a matter of minutes anyway.¡± She turned her back to her husband and walked past Chase, only stopping when she stood in front of Mackenzie.


    Thetter woman swallowed hard, and Eleanor looked over at her.


    ¡°I just say, Mackenzie. The children are so adorable. Thank you,¡± She held up Mackenzie¡¯s free hand and smiled at her.


    ¡°Thank you so much for bringing these bundle of joy to our family.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s heart froze in her chest. Even though Eleanor had a smile stered on her face, Mackenzie could not see past everything she had done, everything she was capable of doing.


    Seeing Eleanor now, Chase couldn¡¯t ignore the feeling in his gut. He knew that the identity of the person who has revealed the news of the childreny between Selene and Eleanor. However, he was more convinced it was Eleanor because he had discovered some shady businesses she ran underground. She was the only one with the brains and resources to pull something like that off.


    He could not tell his father yet, but only because he was waiting for the right time.


    He pulled Mackenzie closer to him to help ease her anxiety. He had started to investigate her movements two years ago, but she had been smart enough to know he was on to her, and did her best to cover her tracks.


    Chase continued to watch as Eleanor blew kisses to both of Mackenzie¡¯s cheeks before strolling out of the ward.


    It was the same way he had found out what they had done to Mackenzie. How they made her sign the prenup when she did not know what it actually was.


    Once she was out to the room, Mackenzie drifted her gaze to Chase. He could see the dread in her eyes and he wanted nothing more than to pull her and enclose his arms around her, to hide her in his arms forever.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mackenzie.¡± He said, cupping her cheeks.


    ¡°Everything would be fine.¡±This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Tears welled up in Mackenzie¡¯s eyes. Chase wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his embrace. She didn¡¯t want to cry knowing the kids were going to see her.


    She sniffed her tears in, and Chase continued to pat her back.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure of it. She would never be able to hurt you or the kids again.¡± He whispered into her right ear, and Mackenzie believed him. She trusted him.

 CHAPTER 91 – SWEET BABIES

    FEW DAYS LATER


    That morning, Mackenzie dropped the kids at the door of their daycare center, as was part of her regr morning routine on weekdays.


    The security details had escorted them to the school premises on Chase¡¯s orders, to make sure they were safe at every step of the way.


    She lowered herself by squatting and held both their hands. Both Calista and Cameron blinked rapidly as they smiled at her.


    ¡°Your daddy has promised toe pick you up from daycare today.¡± She said to them. Both the kids jumped up in glee, oval eyes glittering with delight as they embraced their mother and followed their teacher into the building.


    Mackenzie also made sure to show the teacher a picture of Chase, letting her know he would be the one to pick the kids up from the daycareter that day. Chase had told her he wanted to know what it felt like to pick his kids from daycare.


    ¡°He¡¯ll be here a few minutes after the kids close, so they can¡¯t leave with anyone that isn¡¯t him.¡± Mackenzie instructed, putting her phone back into her bag.


    Thedy looked both at Calista and Cameron as they walked hand in hand into the building, before turning to smile at Mackenzie.


    ¡°Yes ma¡¯am. I am well aware of who he is. We would be expecting him.¡± She replied.


    Mackenzie felt heat creep up to her cheeks as she blushed softly. She was starting to feel more like Chase¡¯s woman, and not just the mother of his kids.


    It wasn¡¯t just her. Mackenzie had a feeling everyone around her knew, but chose not to speak about it. As she looked around, she could see other mother cast her long stares before turning away. Side nces from every corner, she could not tell if they were approving or disapproving.


    As she walked back to the car, she continued to think about Chase. He was going to round off with work earlier than usual and pick them up. She was also aware of the fact that he had asked Nora to interview somedies for the position of a nanny. Since they had both decided to work, they could hire a nanny and take care of the children together.


    She ignored their stares, got into the car and allowed the driver take her back home.


    There was a lot to do at home, especially with the expected arrival of her father and Beatrice. Harvest season was over in North Dakota, and her father thought it was best for him toe to Greenville, instead of the other way round.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    After all, Beatrice wanted to see her dear Felicity ¨C as she liked to call her.


    She sighed and reclined into her seat. Felicity was waiting for her back at home. They needed to work together, as Felicity opted to use her channel to publisize Mackenzie¡¯s work. Mackenzie knew she would have to break out of Axford at some point to achieve her dreams and goals of bing her own boss.


    She also knew she would have to make more time for the kids, and working in Axford wasn¡¯t helping her do that. Chase had been trying his best. Amidst his demanding job, he had still found time to take the kids to a baseball game and spend time with them during the weekend.


    She had been busy working on content for publicity that weekend, so she could not apany them, but the kids couldn¡¯t stop talking about all the fun they had with their father.


    Mackenzie couldn¡¯t help but smile as she thought about it. The children were so excited to be with him. He also promised to attend Calista¡¯s next appointment with her doctor, and helped her move all her beautiful paintings to his home.


    The adoption documents were being processed. Chase was working overtime to put everything in order, and it only made her love him and want to support him more.


    She trusted him, and knew that he would do anythibg for their family ¨C she could call it that, right?


    Mackenzie finally arrived at her small apartment. Charlotte had gone to work, and Mackenzie could not help but be proud of her friend. Both her friends were doing very well, and even had ns to move into the heart of the city after receiving their first pay checks.


    Mackenzie had also told them she would be moving in with Chase, and she could still remember the smirk on Felicity and Charlotte¡¯s faces.


    ¡°Hey girl!¡± She called out to Felicity, leaning against her door frame and peeping into the room. Felicity looked away from her tripod stand and turned sharply in her direction.


    ¡°Mackenzie! You¡¯re back! Come take a look at this.¡± Felicity replied, beckoning on Mackenzie¡¯s presence with her right hand. Mackenzie moved closer to her and peeped into her phone screen. She found a video of a small aloevera nt ying on the screen.


    ¡°Wow. Did you shoot this?¡±


    ¡°I tried my best.¡± Felicity replied, a hinge of pride in her voice.


    ¡°It¡¯s really amazing!¡± Mackenzie was visibly in awe of her best friend¡¯s creation. The nt looked more beautiful than any aloevera she had ever set her eyes on.


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s it. Let¡¯s get to work, we have a lot to do.¡± Felicity pulled Mackenzie by her right hand and made her settle into her work chair.


    The twodies began their work in an instant. nning content, video editing strategies and social media promotion strategies. Everything needed to be properly nned for.


    After that, they moved to the woodwork. Felicity busied herself with making the video, while Mackenzie had to work with the camera in her face.


    Sweating profusely, she looked up at Felicity.


    ¡°It¡¯s not bad that I¡¯m soaked with sweat, right?¡±


    ¡°Of course it isn¡¯t.¡± Felicity replied.


    ¡°As a matter of fact, it¡¯s good that you are sweating. At least people can get to know that you are actually working.¡±


    Mackenzie rolled her eyes and shook her head.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous, Felicity.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not trying to joke, Mackenzie, really. The fact that it is going on social media doesn¡¯t mean it has to be fake orck authenticity. You are soaked with sweat while doing the job you know how to do best, no one else is doing it for you.¡±


    Mackenzie did see truth in what Felicity had said, and continued with her work. She was going to be working on children toys this time, beautiful and sweet figurines, tables, and little chairs.


    She made sure she put her prospective audience through the process of everything. From start to finish, she left nothing out.


    In the middle of the her work,  Mackenzie heard her phone ring. Felicity offered to help her get it, and when she did, she handed the phone over to Mackenzie.


    Mackenzie stared at the caller ID with narrowed eyes. It wasn¡¯t a number she knew. As a matter of fact, there was no number disyed on the screen at all.


    She answered the call, dropped her mallet and held the phone in her right hand.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Miss Torsney.¡± The voice that spoke at the other end of the line was distorted. She could not tell if it belonged to a man or a woman. It sounded more like aputer system than a human being. The voice texture had been tampered with.


    Panic wed at Mackenzie¡¯s chest.


    Who the hell was this?


    ¡°Mackenzie, you have sixty minutes to pack your things and leave Greenville for good, with your two children.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes widened as her grip on her phone tightened.


    ¡°Who is this? Who the hell is¡­?¡±


    ¡°Your sweet daughter is already in danger, Mackenzie. Don¡¯t go to North Dakota, you can disappear into another city, where no one would ever find you.¡±


    Dread filled eyes nced up at Felicity who stared at her with a million questions in her eyes. Mackenzie tried to speak, but her tongue was tied by the mention of her daughter.


    Calista was in danger. The sweat that poured from her face doubled in quantity, soaking even her palms this time.


    ¡°A car would be waiting outside your door. If you take the car, I would assume that you are not ready to lose your child. The car would drive you to another city, another home, where you can be free to do whatever you want to do.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s heart pounded against the muscr walls of her chest. She could barely breathe. Whoever was on the line knew far too much about her.


    She thought about calling to warn Chase, he had to know what was happening.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even bother to call Chase.¡± The voice chipped in.


    ¡°Your phone has been tapped, and if you try to call him, your sweet babies would be gone faster than you can say their names.¡±


    Mackenzie sprang up from her seat immediately. The fear that sliced through her chest with sharp ws had pulled her off her seat.


    ¡°Hello? Who¡¯s this? How much do you want?!¡± Tears gathered in her eyes as she cried. Felicity rushed to meet her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t hang up! Tell me what you want!¡± She continued to scream.


    Felicity tried to pull her in for a hug, but Mackenzie remained rigid, nted to the ground.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening, Mackenzie?¡± Felicity asked. Her eyes searching Mackenzie¡¯s face.


    Mackenzie rushed into the house, pacing about with both hands on her head. Felicity probed her more, until Mackenzie answered her. She told her everything, stuttering at regr intervals because she was too scared to speak.


    ¡°What do I do Felicity? Do I run?¡± Mackenzie cried out. Before Felicity could speak, she continued.


    ¡± I have to¡­I have to tell Chase.¡±


    ¡°No, Kenzie! They said your phone is tapped. Not to scare you any further, but they could be close to Calista.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes. But they¡¯ll only know if I try to call him with my phone. We can use your number¡­¡±


    ¡°Mackenzie¡­¡± Felicity slowly shook her head, trying to move to her, but Mackenzie was too paranoid to listen.


    ¡°Please, Felicity! I¡­¡± she was interrupted by the sound of her ringtone.


    Mackenzie rushed to grab her phone from her pocket and ced it on her right ear.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Am I on to miss Torsney?¡± A female voice said.


    ¡°Yes, yes.¡± Mackenzie swallowed hard, her heart hammering in her chest.


    ¡°There¡¯s been a fire in your children¡¯s school¡­¡±


    ¡°A what?!¡± Mackenzie screamed at the top of her voice. Crumbling into the couch behind her.


    ¡°Everyone is safe, but ma¡¯am, we can¡¯t seem to find your daughter, Calista Torsney.¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s blood drained from her face. She couldn¡¯t speak. Her daughter¡­her daughter was missing?!


    Felicity took the phone from her hand and helped round off the call. She ced the phone next to Mackenzie again, saying nothing other than trying to assure Mackenzie it¡¯ll be alright, while trying to get her to call Chase¡¯s number.


    Mackenzie¡¯s phone rang again, and even if she was terrified to answer it, she knew she had no choice. The person who had called earlier prob had her daughter right now.


    ¡°Hello?¡± She called out, her voice trembling with tears.


    ¡°If anyone calls to ask, let them know Calista is alright. She would be as long as you do what we ask you to. Don¡¯t you dare make a scene.¡±

 CHAPTER 92 – PLAYING ALONG

    Mackenzie sprang up to her feet immediately, ignoring her wobbling knees and the dire urge in the pit of her stomach to puke. Her mind was racing fast ¨C too fast for her own good, and there was nothing she could do stop it.


    She paced about the tiny living room, tapping her trembling fingers against her hips continuously.


    ¡°What am I going to do?¡± She cried.


    ¡°What should I do?¡± She turned to look at Felicity. Her friend stood at the distal end of the room, saying nothing. Felicity¡¯s round eyes held a lot of sympathy, but that was thest thing Mackenzie needed.


    She was on the verge of losing her daughter, her entire life was slowly falling apart.


    ¡°Breathe,¡± Mackenzie advised herself, sucking in a deep breath.


    She stood still, closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh.


    ¡°My kids need me right now. I can¡¯t¡­I can¡¯t afford to mess things up.¡±


    ¡°Mackenzie,¡± Felicity walked to her and ced both hands on her shoulders. Mackenzie chuckled dryly, forcing herself to swallow the lump in her throat.


    ¡°What are you going to do, Kenzie?¡± Felicity asked, her curious eyes danced all over her best friend¡¯s face.


    ¡°Should I call Chase?¡±


    Mackenzie shook her head, and pulled away from Felicity¡¯s hold. She buried her head between her palms, resisting the urge to scream until the walls around her tore down to pieces.


    ¡°Calista could be in serious danger. I need¡­I need to y along.¡±


    ¡°Mackenzie-¡±


    ¡°I have a feeling I know who is doing this, Felicity. I have to y along.¡± Slowly, her tears escaped her eyelids and rushed down her cheeks.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a choice. I can¡¯t gamble with my daughter¡¯s life, I can¡¯t.¡±


    She turned her back to Felicity, clutching the sides of her apron firmly with both hands.


    ¡°But I have to call Chase too, I have to let him know. If I don¡¯t trust him this time around, he would never forgive me.¡± Mackenzie spoke through ragged breaths.


    Her heart pounded against the muscr walls of her chest with every step she took. There were a million possibilities in her head, a million things that could be happening to Calista right now and there was nothing she could do to save her.


    No, at least not yet. But she would think of something. Mackenzie was determined to never go down without a fight, no matter how bloody it got.


    She turned sharply towards Felicity. The speed of her spin had surprised even her friend.


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes widened, an idea had shed through her mind with the speed of lightning. She was certain it would help.


    ¡°Felicity, there¡¯s a phonebooth across the road. Do you¡­do you have a quarter?¡±


    Felicity reached for her pocket and dipped her hands into it, when she pulled out empty hands, she looked towards the door of her room. Mackenzie, panting, anticipated her response.


    ¡°Yes, I do. I¡¯m sure it¡¯s on my dressing table somewhere. I could go¡­¡± before Felicity couldplete the rest of her statement, Mackenzie was pushing through her room door.


    ¡°How many minutes do I have left?!¡± Mackenzie screamed over her shoulder while in Felicity¡¯s room. Felicity nced at the her wristwatch and squinted her brows.


    ¡°About fifty six minutes!¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s shoulders fell.


    ¡°My God.¡± She continued to search Felicity¡¯s drawer for the coins.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think too much about it. You¡¯ll make it, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    Mackenzie pulled the first drawer open, and the shimmering silver coin was the first thing she set her eyes on. She grabbed hold of it immediately, rose up to her feet, and turned around. She took hold of Felicity¡¯s right hand and ced the coin into her palm.


    ¡°Please, get to the phone booth,¡± Mackenzie started to speak. Her words were beginning to fail her, her head was spinning but she was trying so hard to keep it together.


    ¡°Tell him I need his men. Tell him Calista is in trouble, and I¡­I¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mackenzie.¡± Felicity replied, holding her friend¡¯s shivering hands in a bid to reassure her.


    ¡°I know what to tell Chase, alright? Just do what you have to do. Start packing, okay? Right now.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes.¡± Mackenzie agreed with a nod of her head. She rushed out of Felicity¡¯s room and into her own. She pulled open her wardrobe filled with her clothes and the children¡¯s clothes.


    Confusion coursed through her muscles and heightened her fear.


    ¡°Where am I supposed to start from?¡± She muttered underneath her breath, her lips quivered as she cried.


    ¡°Fuck it!¡± She spat out, and reached for an empty bag at the top of the wardrobe.


    What did she need to pack for? She was only ying along. There was no way on earth she was leaving the city without telling Chase, or without her children.


    She took whatever clothing sheid eyes on and threw it into the travel bag. She did not bother to rid the clothes of the hangers they rested on. Once the box was full, she zipped it and stood it up. A slight nce at her frenzied image in the mirror made her see how horrible she looked with her smeared mascara and dusty apron, but Mackenzie didn¡¯t care.


    She stomped out of the room, pulling her travel box.


    The children¡¯s daycare was normally a walkable distance, but there was nothing normal about her situation.


    She gged down a taxi as quick as she could and jumped into the car in a rush.


    ¡°Hudson daycare, quick!¡± She called out, tapping on the driver¡¯s seat impatiently. The man nced at her from the rearview mirror. He must have heard the news and understood she was a mother, because he drove as fast as he could until they arrived at the gates of the daycare.


    Mackenzie hopped down from the taxi as quickly as she had thrown herself in, even more.


    She looked around, lost in a crowd of crying children and frantic parents. The taxi drove away, leaving her fixated at the spot, confused and scared.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Where would she begin to search from?


    Without another thought, she stormed into the crowd, running about, with reckless abandon, while screaming her son¡¯s name at the top of her lungs with tears in her eyes.


    ¡°Cameron! Cameron?!¡±


    She came to a quick halt when she finally found him.


    Mackenzie let out a relieved sigh. Hot tears rushed down her cheek. An odd mix of happiness and fear rippled through her bones simultaneously, and she ran to him.


    ¡°Mummy!¡± He cried out on seeing her, jumping to his feet and rushing down the stairs.


    He was wrapped in his blue coat, seated on the stairs that led to the administrative building. In his right hand, he held his blue bag pack, and in his left¡­


    Mackenzie¡¯s breath hitched in a sharp gasp. She paused on her tracks immediately. Her hands flew to her mouth, she pressed her palm against her lips as she cried.


    Calista¡¯s sses, cracked.


    Calista was without her sses, how would she see?!


    ¡°Calista can¡¯t see without her sses, she¡¯ll be so scared.¡± Mackenzie said to herself, walking briskly towards her son with her heart threatening to burst out of her chest.


    Merely inches away from Cameron, she saw her son¡¯s legs leave the ground as a masculine hand picked him up from his waistline.


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes widened. She prepared herself to scream and throw herself at the stranger. They had already taken one child from her, she wasn¡¯t going to lose another today.


    However, when she raised her eyes to look at the owner of the rough fingers, she found Chase¡¯s dark eyes staring back at her.


    Mackenzie¡¯s feet shook with the relief that flooded her in that instant. She picked up her pace once more and ran into Chase¡¯s arms.


    He spread his right hand open, while holding Cameron in the left. Mackenzie crashed her face against his chest and threw her arms around his waist. She sobbed into his shirt as she tapped her son¡¯s back gently.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry Chase. I¡¯m so sorry.¡± She mumbled. She felt his chest harden, before he put his left arm around her.


    ¡°Daddy, mummy.¡± When Cameron started to cry, Mackenzie pulled away from Chase to wipe her son¡¯s tears off his eyes.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t find Cally, mummy. She left her sses, and someone stepped on her sses. I was holding her hand, I was¡­someone dragged her mummy¡­and we were running, but she left, and the smoke¡­I can¡¯t¡­she¡¯s gone¡­Cally, mummy!¡±


    ¡°Oh, my baby!¡± Mackenzie bursted out in tears, wrapping her arms around Cameron.


    ¡°She was screaming my name, mummy. She was calling out to me. But I couldn¡¯t¡­I couldn¡¯t hear her, mummy. I couldn¡¯t help her.¡±


    Chase frowned. He could barely contain the anger that burned in his eyes. He swore ¨C oh! He swore that if he set his eyes or hands in whoever was responsible for this, he would never let the soul live to tell the story.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, my boy.¡± He tapped Cameron¡¯s back as Mackenzie held wiped his tears from his cheeks.


    ¡°We are going to bring Calista back, okay? She¡¯ll be fine, don¡¯t you worry. Cally would want you to be strong, okay?¡±


    Cameron sniffed in his tears and the mucus in his nose that apanied it.


    Mackenzie nced at Chase. She was grateful, so grateful to have him by her side. He always made everything easier, made her stronger. She was right to trust him.


    She looked back at Cameron. Chase had ced him on the ground, and she pulled her son into her arms and ced kisses all over his face.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you worry, okay? Mummy and daddy are here now. And nothing, absolutely nothing wrong would happen. You trust us, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes mummy. I do,¡± he started crying again, and Mackenzie locked him in a tight embrace. She was never going to let him go, never.


    She felt Chase¡¯s hand on her right shoulder. It was in that moment Mackenzie¡¯s eyes opened.


    Don¡¯t call Chase. Don¡¯t try to y smart.


    Her eyes widened as she sprang up to her feet immediately.


    ¡°Oh my God!¡± She cried out.


    ¡°What?!¡± Chase put his hands around her immediately, his dark eyes searching hers for the cause of her worry,  but Mackenzie softly pushed him away.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be here, Chase! Calista is going to be in danger!¡± She turned her back to him and searched for her travel box while reaching for Cameron¡¯s hand.


    ¡°I should¡­I should go.¡±


    Chase saw red. He caught hold of her right wrist and spun her around, so that she was facing him. He caught both her cheeks in his palms, causing her to look up at him. Her teary eyes stared at his, almost hopeless. Bile rose from his stomach to his throat. His rage was spreading to every part of him like a poisonous snake¡¯s venom, tampering with his calm nature and sense of reasoning.


    Chase Axford was far from calm. Someone had dared to mess with his family, and by God! He would not rest until he put an end to theirs.

 CHAPTER 93 – TRUSTING

    He brushed her loose strands of hair to the back of her eyes. With his thumbs, he erased her tears from her cheeks, and tilted her face up with her chin, so he could kiss her cheeks without going too low.


    ¡°We are searching for the people who took Calista away right now. My men are on to them. I was in the office when I was called that the kids school was on fire, and the CCTV camera caught someone taking Calista.¡±


    ¡°Oh my God!¡± Mackenzie eximed. Her hands flew to her mouth as she cried. Chase¡¯s heart shrunk in his chest. She had no idea how it broke him to see her like that.


    He held her hands and pulled them away from her face.This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Look at me, Kenzie.¡± But she couldn¡¯t, not when her both eyes were flooded with tears.


    ¡°We caught sight of the te number, and my men are tailing the car down as we speak. We would get Cally back, Mackenzie. I promise you.¡±


    She wanted, no¡­she needed to trust him, and she knew this. He was hurting as much as she did, she could tell from the redness of his eyes. Even as he tried to stay calm and still, his grip on her hands was firm and tight. The veins on his forehead potruded, threatening to burst through the skin of his forehead.


    The sound of his ragged breathing, the way his eyes searched her face, everything told her that he needed her just as much as she needed him.


    Mackenzie was about to say something, but Chase wouldn¡¯t give her the chance. In one swift move, he pulled both Cameron and Mackenzie to himself, saying nothing. He wrapped his arms around them, locking the both of them in the tightest embrace they had ever been in. His heart bled knowing Calista wasn¡¯t there with them, but he had hope knowing he would find her soon.


    He sniffed in the scent of wood dust on Mackenzie¡¯s hair, and stered a small smile on his face. He kissed her forehead gently, before lowering his lips to the back of her right ear. Amidst the chaos, Mackenzie¡¯s body stood erect at his touch, she wished she could tiptoe and kiss him out there, in the open.


    She could reserve the kiss forter, after they found their daughter.


    ¡°We will find our daughter, I promise you.¡± Chase spoke once more, as though reading her thoughts.


    She raised her head to look up at him. She caught sight of the pure emotions that flickered in his eyes. The concern, the care, the love, the angst.


    Watching his emotions rage in his eyes, while he fought to keep calm for them made her love him all the more.


    ¡°We would find our princess. You don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll do whatever I have to. Thank you for trusting me, thank you for deciding to stay, for not running away.¡±


    She could never, not with how much she and the kids loved him.


    Once they disengaged from the hug, Chase¡¯s eyes swept around the garden their nearest environs in a scrutinizing nce. He returned his eyes to Mackenzie¡¯s when he was done.


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s go get the bastards that dared to pull this shitty prank on us.¡±


    He kept the ¡°I¡¯ll cut their hands off for daring to touch her¡± silent.


    A ck range Rover pulled up in front of them, and Chase turned to see his driver, Maxwell, seated in the driver¡¯s seat. He held Mackenzie¡¯s waist with his right hand, and Cameron¡¯s hand with his left while ushering them to the car.


    He pulled the door open for Mackenzie and helped her get into the car, before he climbed in beside her, and ced Cameron on hisp.


    Chase could see how firmly Cameron was holding onto his sister¡¯s sses. He clutched it in his left hand, reluctant to let it go. The boy was tired, it was evident in his eyes, but he refused to close his eyes for fear that Calista¡¯s sses would leave him, just like her.


    Chase kissed the back of his head, and Cameron sniffed.


    ¡°You cany on my body and sleep if you want to, big boy, okay?¡±


    Cameron turned to look at him, and Chase¡¯s heart broke into a million pieces. His eyes were bloodshot red, and his sunken deep into his sockets.


    ¡°What about Calista?¡±


    Chase heard Mackenzie strangle her sob in her throat. It dawned on him, in that very moment, that he had to find Calista as soon as possible. There was no way they would survive it as a family if she didn¡¯t.


    ¡°We would get her soon, okay? Just get some rest, she¡¯ll be here by the time you wake up.¡± Chase didn¡¯t want to admit it, but it took him a lot of courage to reassure the boy, and even himself.


    Chase busied himself with holding Cameron and staring out of the window until Cameron fell asleep. Mackenzie, on the other hand, continued to remain frantic, not that anyone could me her.


    She tapped her feet on the floor of the car continuously, lost herself while staring out of the window, and jumping at the sight of every ck car, as though she knew the colour of the car Calista¡¯s kidnapper had used.


    Chase ced Cameron¡¯s head gently on his body, before looking up at the rearview mirror.


    ¡°Hand me my tablet, Maxwell.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    The man reached for the gadget beside him, and stretched it towards Chase. Chase took it and turned it on. He narrowed his eyes on his screen as he swiped past footages, pictures and short videos.


    Mackenzie drew closer to him out of sheer curiosity. She moved closer, and he shifted the tablet towards her to enhance her view.


    ¡°What is that?¡± She asked.


    ¡°Camera footages of the car that took Calista away.¡± Chase replied. Mackenzie¡¯s eyes widened in shock and faint relief. She moved further, until there was no space between them, and examined the car carefully.


    ¡°I have sent the te number to my team of private investigators.¡± Chase continued, looking over at her.


    ¡°We will find out who the owner of the car is soon.¡±


    He heard her heave a sigh, but this was of relief. She held her chest and reclined into the seat of the car. She had found hope, and it made him happy.


    ¡°I have also tracked  the IP address of the person who leaked the photos.¡±


    Her relief washed away in that instant. She jerked up and turned sharply in the direction of his voice.


    ¡°What?!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I did. I mean, at first, the person was really good at covering tracks. But just a minor slip up on their part, and we were able to infiltrate and gather the information we needed. The name was James Lowe.¡±


    Mackenzie stared at him, blinking in confusion.


    ¡°James Lowe?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± He replied. He didn¡¯t expect her to know him, but he did. He knew the name far too well. James Lowe was none other than Eleanor¡¯s ex-husband, Jeffrey¡¯s biological father.


    ¡°Who is that? I mean, why¡­¡± Mackenzie started to ask, but her questions ceased immediately she felt her phone vibrate on her thighs. She looked down at it and saw it was ringing, the familiar unknown number was disyed on the screen.


    Her heart jumped in her chest. That number had never carried any goodnews for her.


    She raised her eyes to look at Chase, and he nodded in approval, squeezing her hand gently to calm her.


    Mackenzie swallowed the lump that gathered in her throat, before she answered the call and pressed the phone to her right ear. She turned, uncertain, to look at Chase and he shed her a reassuring smile.


    I¡¯m with you every step of the way. She could see it.


    ¡°Hello?¡± She breathed out, shaking with fear.


    ¡°Well, well, well. You couldn¡¯t obey simple instruction, could you? You are dumber than I thought. But that¡¯s on you, I cannot be med for whatever takes ce after now.¡±


    Blood drained from Mackenzie¡¯s face, turning her cheeks pale white and frozen.


    ¡°You killed your child.¡± The distorted voice continued.


    Mackenzie¡¯s heart sunk in her chest.


    Chase¡¯s eyes darkened at the speaker¡¯s arrogance. The phone had not been on loud speaker, but he was able to hear thest sentence very clearly. He snatched the phone from a pale Mackenzie, and held it to his right ear.


    ¡°Now listen to me, and listen bloody well,¡± he fought hard not scream, no matter how badly he wanted to.


    ¡°Runaway or disappear, whoever you are. But don¡¯t let me find you, do not let me get my hands on you by ident because I swear I would single handedly drag you through the gates of hell and watch you beg for your own death. Don¡¯t fucking test me.¡± Chase seethed. He ended the call immediately, and ced the phone on Mackenzie¡¯s open hands.

 CHAPTER 94 – END OF THE EARTH

    Mackenzie¡¯s jaw dropped in horror. She nced down at the phone that rested on her thighs, before raising her gaze to meet with Chase¡¯s dark ones. Her throat had gone dry immediately she heard the mention of death and daughter IN THE SAME SENTENCE.


    She held the phone up and frowned at Chase, panicking.


    ¡°Why did you end the call? We could have been able to¡­¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t track the call. Whoever it is, the person was smart enough to make use of a burner phone.¡± Chase replied, turning to look at her. He could see her panic stricken eyes dance all over his face. She was losing her mind, and he knew it. He needed to hold himself together for her, for Cameron too. Only the heavens knew how badly he wanted to punch the ss windows of his car until they all shattered into pieces.


    ¡°Oh God.¡± She muttered underneath her breath, throwing her head against her seat and sinking further into the leather. Chase sucked in a deep breath, before cing his right hand on hers. He squeezed her knuckles gently, and when she turned to look at him, tears glittered in her now dim hazel eyes.


    ¡°We are going to find her, Kenzie. Please trust me.¡± His tone was beginning to wobble too.


    Mackenzie struggled to nod. She had to trust him, it was the only way she would be able to remain sane.


    She nodded and looked away from him to stare at the window as they drove past other cars on the bridge.


    Chase reached for his phone in his right pocket and dialed Nora¡¯s number. She picked up at the first ring.


    ¡°Mr Chase! Oh my God, sir. I was just about to call you! What¡¯s happening sir?¡± Even she seemed overwhelmed by all that was happening.


    ¡°The men are still on him, but the speed at which he is running is very dangerous, especially with the child in the car!¡± The fear in her tone was more than evident. Chase knew Mackenzie could hear him, so he tightened his grip on her hand, a silent reassurance. It was all he could offer to her at that moment.


    ¡°Remain on his tail. I¡¯ll inform my men to stop following him. But track him, I do not care if he runs to the end of the Earth.¡± His jaw hardened. ¡°Don¡¯t fucking lose him.¡±


    Mackenzie clutched her phone in her right hand, so hard that she could almost break it into pieces.


    Chase ended the call with Nora and pulled Mackenzie closer to himself. She turned to look up at him as tears strolled down her cheeks. Chase¡¯s heart shrunk in his chest. He reached for her face and cupped both cheeks with his bare palms. With his trembling thumbs, he wiped her tears away, but there came a fresh wave to rece every one he swept away.


    To see her like that, in so much pain, was fucking destroying him.


    ¡°Everything is going to be fine, Kenzie. Please, I need you to trust me.¡±


    But she didn¡¯t speak, she couldn¡¯t. Chase cursed underneath his breath and pulled his phone out again. He needed to take more drastic steps to get Calista back as soon as possible.


    He knew that she had been taken to a dpidated building, Nora had sent him the location a few seconds after their call. He immediately contacted his PI team through Nora, and ordered that they get thepany¡¯s chopper ready for extraction.


    ¡°We have pinned his location down. Get the chopper, get me a SWAT team. I need this to remain as private as possible.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir!¡±


    ¡°Drive faster!¡± Chase called out, tapping the driver¡¯s seat.


    Maxwell risked a nce at Chase¡¯s scowling face through the rearview mirror and knew better than to ask any questions. He pushed his feet against the elerator, revving the car¡¯s engine.


    The car sped up, and Chase¡¯s heart pounded in his chest. He knew how dangerous the mission was. One wrong move, and he could lose Calista forever. He had to be fast and very careful at the same time, it was driving him nuts.


    He settled into his seat and looked down at his sleeping son. His rage quickened once more, boiling in the pit of his stomach. Calista, his little princess was in danger, he could only imagine how scared she must be feeling.


    ¡°Allow me go, Mackenzie.¡± Chase breathed out.


    ¡°Allow me get the bastard.¡± He turned away from Cameron and looked at her.


    ¡°No,¡± Mackenzie replied, shaking her head frantically.


    She sniffed in her tears before she continued to speak.


    ¡°I can¡¯t let you go there alone. I¡­I need to be with my baby when we get him. She must be¡­she must be so confused and scared and¡­¡± Her eyes were swarmed with tears once again. As Chase reached for her cheeks, she pulled away from him and sniffed them in, wiping her eyes with the back of her palms.


    ¡°I¡¯m not crying. I¡¯m not crying, but I swear on every muscle in my body that I¡¯ll tear the bastard from limb to every freaking limb!¡±


    Her sorrow, her pain, raw and fresh, undiluted rage made Chase¡¯s heart bleed. He tried to put his free arm around her, but she was stiff with anger.


    He knew the feeling far too well, and knew that she had every reason to be.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Another call from Nora had him grabbing his phone from his side.


    ¡°Tell me you have good news.¡± He sneered.


    ¡°And goodnews I have, sir.¡± Nora sounded ted, almost relieved. But there was another strange hint in her voice. However, it didn¡¯t stop him from jerking up, but not hard enough to wake Cameron up.


    ¡°Thepany¡¯s chopper has located the kidnapper. But there¡¯s a problem, sir.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck is it?¡± He whispered through barred teeth.


    ¡°The car is headed towards a rink, sir.¡±


    Chase¡¯s eyes flew open. His fingers gripped the phone with so much force his knuckles hurt.


    ¡°What did you say?¡±


    Mackenzie sat up, ring at him. He made sure to avoid her gaze.


    ¡°It¡¯s very dangerous sir, the car is sure to sink in the middle if he goes any further.¡±


    ¡°Nora, what the hell are we going to¡­¡±


    ¡°I have contacted 911 already, and I have arranged for a truck. If the car starts to sink, we will be¡­oh shit!¡±


    Chase pulled the phone away from his ear to re at the screen, before cing it back.


    ¡°What the fuck is happening, Nora? Fucking talk to me!¡±


    ¡°The man is out of the car, sir! He just ran out now. He must have figured he was in danger. The car¡­the car sir¡­¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s heart hammered in her chest. She couldn¡¯t breathe. She brought down the ss of the window by her side, and tried to suck in air through deep and quick breaths from her mouth, yet the air was not enough.


    ¡°Nora, please stop the riddles and tell me exactly what¡¯s happening.¡± Chase muttered underneath his breath. His rage would not let him scream, it was spreading to all parts of his body, faster than any poison.


    ¡°Chase, she¡­she¡­¡± Mackenzie stuttered, unable to speak properly.


    ¡°The car is sinking, sir. And I¡¯m afraid Calista might be in it.¡±

 CHAPTER 95 – NO MERCY

    The world around Mackenzie was crumbling at an rming rate. She tried to hold onto something ¨C Chase¡¯s legs, the window, the driver¡¯s seat, but nothing was enough. She sat up, forcing herself to suck in deep breaths while Chase continued to bark orders into his phone¡¯s speaker.


    The roof of the car began to spin around her head. The car was moving so fast, she thought she would have to throw her head out of the window and puke on the road.


    Hyperventting while tears burned her eyes, she didn¡¯t know what to do. She buried her face into her palms and fought hard to muffle her scream. Sweat poured from her face and formed a nasty pool on her neck. She threw her head backwards and closed her eyes, parted her lips and forced herself to suck in air.


    ¡°Chase¡­what are we going to do? You¡­you heard them¡­¡± Her trembling fingers reached for his right leg and she tapped on it continuously. He turned to look at her, his eyes were a dark shade of red, and she could see his tears glitter in them.


    Mackenzie shut her eyelids close, allowing her tears to pour down her cheeks.


    ¡°Kenzie,¡± Chase called out, softly. He intertwined his fingers with hers as a smile formed on his face.


    ¡°We would not lose our baby girl, Kenzie. Believe me.¡± She watched as he patted Cameron to sleep while speaking to her. All the yelling had caused him to open his eyes, but his eyes were shut now and he was slowly drifting back to sleep.


    Mackenzie allowed her gaze dance back to Chase with only one thought in her mind; how could he afford to be so sure?


    He seemed resolute, without a single doubt or gleam of anxiety in his eyes.


    Mackenzie threw herself towards him and held onto him. She squeezed his hand tight and ced her head on his shoulder while weeping bitterly.


    Chase got on the call with Nora and the team, and asked that a man follow the kidnapper who had tried to escape.


    They arrived at the scene, the car did park a few meters away from the rink, but Mackenzie could see the ck car very clearly.


    Chase jumped out of the car and tried to close the door behind him, but Mackenzie held it open. He red at her.


    ¡°Stay inside, Kenzie. Let me handle this.¡±


    She scoffed, it was a bitter one.


    ¡°Like hell I would.¡± She sneered sarcastically.


    ¡°You want me to sit pretty in the car while my baby girl is out there? I can¡¯t, and I won¡¯t!¡±


    Chase heaved a sigh. There was no use fighting with a grieving mother. He pulled the door open and hissed underneath his breath. He was worried for her, but she seemed like she would be able to handle herself just fine.


    He turned to Maxwell who sat on the driver¡¯s seat and squinted his brows at the man.


    ¡°Look after my son, Maxwell, do you understand?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir.¡± The man nodded.


    ¡°Do not leave here, not for any reason at all.¡± Chase warned.


    ¡°I understand, sir.¡±


    He called two more security details, Jax and Aaron, and instructed them to guard his son in the car. Once they arrived, he held onto Mackenzie¡¯s right hand, and the both of them ran closer to the rink.


    The police (911) were already arriving at the scene. The ice underneath the car had broken, along with other surrounding areas. The car was fast sinking into the mud underneath the ice, but the rescue team had already arrived.


    ¡°Oh my God, Chase!¡± Mackenzie breathed out, covering her lips with her hands as tears rushed down her eyes. Chase pulled Mackenzie closer to him and put his right arm around her.


    The chopper had arrived as well. They hovered around the car, and couldn¡¯tnd. The mud underneath the ice was made of sinking sand, attempting tond would be a disaster.


    ¡°Load it up!¡± They heard one of the pilots scream.


    Ropes with hooks were loaded from the choppers towards the car almost immediately.


    Some of Chase¡¯s men had already gone after the captor, but Chase was determined to get his daughter out of that car faster than ever.


    With dark eyes and clenched fists, he eased his arm from Mackenzie and spoke without looking at her.


    ¡°I have to go, I have to get her.¡±


    ¡°No, wait!¡± Her scream attracted other safety officials around. Chase threw his suit jacket off his body, regardless of the cold, and was about to run into the rink when he was held back by three sturdy men.


    Chase saw red, watching the pilots attempt to lift the car from the ground.


    ¡°Let me go!¡± He screamed, kicking and pushing as his heart pounded in his chest.


    ¡°Let me fucking go! That is my daughter in there! My daughter is in danger!¡±


    ¡°Please remain calm, Mr. Axford. We are doing our best to get her out safe, you can¡¯t go in there without a n.¡±


    ¡°Are you even listening to your¡­let me go!¡±


    Mackenzie continued to cry from where she stood. She wished he would listen, she wished he would stop. She had almost lost Calista, she would not be able to live with herself if anything happened to him.


    The windows of the car had been shattered by the hooks, as the pilots tried to lift the car up, Mackenzie heard the shrill scream of a familiar voice.


    ¡°Mummy! Mummy!¡±


    She turned away from Chase and stared at the car. Calista held her head out of the window and screamed with tears in her eyes. Her eyes were narrowed into slits, Mackenzie knew her baby could barely see. She couldn¡¯t see them!


    ¡°Mummy! Are you there mummy! Please help me! Save me!¡±


    The sound of Calista¡¯s voice was more than enough to throw Chase over the edge of madness. With his newly found strength, and the adrenaline that coursed through his veins, he broke off the hold of the men and ran in a frenzy towards the rink. He felt a hand grip the back of his shirt and he swung around swiftly andnded a damaging blow on the man¡¯s nose, freeing himself.


    It was only a matter of time before three trucks, an ambnce and a new chopped arrived at the scene. The noise andmotion caused Chase to step backwards. He looked to one of the men who had tried to hold him back, for an exnation.


    ¡°We called for back up. The situation was too critical.¡±


    More ropes were thrown towards the car from the chopper.


    There were now six ropes in total; three on the Axford chopper, and three from the ambnce¡¯s chopper.


    The harder they pulled, the more it seemed as though the sand would swallow the car whole.


    Chase was losing his mind.


    ¡°Let me go! I need to do something! I can¡¯t just stand here!¡± Four police officers had already surrounded him, refusing him to move an inch.


    ¡°Please be patient and stay put, Mr. Axford. She would be out soon.¡±


    ¡°Oh God.¡± Mackenzie cried, shaking violently where she stood. She moved towards him and reached for his hand. Once she touched him, he turned to look at her.


    She was so tired, her eyes had sank deep into her sockets.


    ¡°Chase please, please be calm.¡± Her soft voice begged him. She was the only one strong enough to keep him calm. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug, while she melted into his embrace.


    With tears in his eyes, he pressed a kiss on Mackenzie¡¯s head.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Kenzie. It was all my fault,¡±


    Mackenzie shook her head to disagree, but Chase would have none of it.


    ¡°It¡¯s all my fault. I should have kept her safe, I should have done more. I¡¯m so sorry, Kenzie. I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Mackenzie held his hands and shook her head to disagree.


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, it¡¯s mine. I should have gotten there earlier, I should have¡­oh!¡± She couldn¡¯t continue, and Chase ced her head on his chest as they watched the rescue team together with their hearts in their mouths.


    A third chopper joined the rescue team. They continued to fight to pull the car out of the mud. Calista continued to scream at the top of her voice, calling for her parents. Themotion must have confused her.


    Mackenzie tried to scream, to tell her she was here, but she wasn¡¯t sure she could be heard over all the noise.


    Two private jets from Axford joined the rescue team ten minutester. The news had already spread like wildfire, and reporters soon started to flood the rink in their numbers. The police made sure to keep them far away from the scene.


    The car was soon lifted from the ground into the air, and Mackenzie cried out with relief. She could see Calista start to kick the door of the car, screaming out. She had screamed and cried to the extent that her voice had turned hoarse.


    The choppers carried the car out of the ice and slowly ced it on the ground. Chase and Mackenzie exchanged urgent looks before running towards the car. The pilots worked on easing the hooks off the car.


    Chase¡¯s heart swelled with joy when his eyes met his daughter¡¯s bulging and teary ones.


    She sat up immediately, her eyes bright with hope as she screamed.


    ¡°I¡¯ming, princess! Hang on!¡± Chase called out. He tried to pull the door open, but it wouldn¡¯t budge.


    Impatient, he frowned at the door and looked up at Mackenzie. He forced a soft smile as he spoke to her.


    ¡°Can you hear me, baby?¡± She nodded, and Chase broke out in a smile.


    ¡°Move back honey, okay?¡±


    Calista nodded and obeyed.


    The forensics team busied themselves with searching for a key to open the door, but Chase did not have that time. He locked his fists and punched the ss. He continued to punch the ss, over and over again, until it cracked in the middle. He did not think about the consequences it would have on his knuckles before he punched the middle of the ss, causing it to shatter into pieces.


    He slipped his hand into the window and reached for Calista. He held her underarms and pulled her out of the car. Mackenzie screamed, her heart threatened to jump out of her chest. Calista¡¯s eyes filled with tears as she cried out.


    ¡°Daddy! Mummy!¡±


    Mackenzie rushed to hold her and kissed all over her face. Chase could not hold his tears back. He kissed the parts of her hand that he could before looking up at her.


    ¡°I thought I was going to lose you, princess.¡± He was not aware of how scared he had been until she was right in front of him, safe and sound.


    ¡°Daddy loves you so much.¡± He ced her head on his chest and wrapped her small body with his huge arms.


    ¡°I promise I would never let anything like this happen to you. Daddy loves you, daddy would take care of you. You would never have to experience anything like this again, I swear on my life.¡±


    Mackenzie wept. Both of them surrounded their daughter, holding her close to their bodies. One of the paramedics appeared with a towel and ced it around Calista¡¯s body. The girl had been shivering from the cold.


    ¡°She needs toe with us, let¡¯s check her for injuries.¡± Thedy said to them.


    Chase lifted Calista from the ground and held her in his arms. She was ced on a stretcher in the ambnce while the nurse examined her.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°I would advise we take her to the hospital right away to check for any internal injuries and consequences of shock. We should drive to the hospital immediately.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, of course.¡± Chase replied, squeezing Mackenzie¡¯s hand. He called his security details ¨C the ones with Cameron ¨C and instructed them to drive to the hospital, behind the ambnce.


    ¡°Head to Axford Medical, it¡¯s my family¡¯s hospital.¡± He said to the nurse. The woman looked at him and nodded. She turned around and reached for a phone on a small table beside her.


    ¡°I should call Axford Medicals and make sure that their emergency ward is¡­¡±


    ¡°Just fucking drive to Axford.¡± Chase snapped. Thedy was shocked at first, but she nodded without another word.


    ¡°Axford Medical.¡± She said to the driver.


    Chase looked down at his daughter and moved to hold her once more.


    Nothing would evere close to hurting her again, and as for the one who had dared to touch her¡­


    Chase swallowed hard. He would show no mercy.

 CHAPTER 96 – CROSSED THE LINE

    They arrived at the hospital less than twenty minutester and Calista was rushed to the ER on a stretcher. Chase and Mackenzie remained by her side every step of the way, not leaving her for a single second. While Chase held her right hand and stood by her right, Mackenzie held on to her left hand.


    She still had tears in her eyes, and despite the huge brown nket worn over her shoulders, shook violently with cold. While she was being examinded by the doctor for any external injuries or after effects of the shock, Mackenzie could no longer hold back the tears in her eyes.


    Sure, Calista was with them now, but what if¡­what if they had failed? What if she had been taken away? What if something bad had happened?


    Her father always said having a child means having your heart on legs. She fully understood his words now.


    Chase noticed this and put his hand over her shoulder. He pulled her closer to himself and rubbed his nose against the skin of her neck, soothing her, calming her.


    He took her right hand in his left and intertwined their knuckles. Mackenzie¡¯s tears did not stop flowing, but this time, they were for joy. Deep down, she knew that she had a man she could always count on.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to cry anymore, sunshine.¡± Chase muttered. He turned to face her and cupped her cheeks with hisrge palms. At the mention of the name only he called her, Mackenzie coughed out a shortugh, and Chase smiled.


    ¡°That¡¯s more like it.¡± He spoke softly, wiping her tears off her cheeks with his callous,rge thumb.


    ¡°I love you so much, you know that, right?¡± Mackenzie blurted out, staring into his eyes with her tear zed ones. Chase¡¯s eyes widened in that instant. His heart swelled with joy, and he¡­he was utterly speechless.


    Mackenzie found herself giggling like a young teenage girl. She looked away from him, feeling the heat in her stomach rise in her cheeks. She could tell in that very moment, that she was as red as a fresh fucking tomato.


    ¡°I mean, you should know that, I thought I told¡­¡± The rest of her words were stuck in her throat when he pulled her into his arms and embraced her.


    Hot, sultry, passionate, these were just words to them. Nothing¡­nothingposed by man and thrown into the book called ¡°the dictionary¡± could exin everything they felt as they clung to each other at that moment. Only one word was near; heaven, and all the bliss that apanied it.


    Mackenzie¡¯s phone vibrated in the pocket of her trousers, and she wriggled free from his hold, biting her lower lip gently when Chase smirked, and reached for her phone.


    It was Felicity. She looked up at Chase.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got to take this.¡±


    Chase replied with a nod and turned to the doctor and Calista, while Mackenzie turned her back to them to answer the call.


    ¡°Felicity?¡±


    ¡°Hey! I saw the news! I¡¯m on my way to Axford Medical right now! Charlotte would have been there too, but she¡¯s held up at a client¡¯s meeting. I¡¯m so¡­I¡¯m so happy you found her, Kenzie.¡±


    From the tone of her voice, Mackenzie could tell her friend had been crying. Felicity had always been a sweetheart, it was no wonder why they were best friends.


    ¡°How did you know we would be at Axford Medical though?¡± She couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± Felicity spat out.


    ¡°I know your man.¡± She continued.


    Mackenzie found herselfughing, while blushing at the thought that Chase was her man. She turned around to see him kissing all over Calista¡¯s face. The butterflies in her stomach were let lose on a ceremonious dance.


    ¡°Yes, I guess you can call him that.¡±


    Felicity ended the call a few secondster, and Mackenzie returned to stand beside Chase.


    The doctor stood up straight and turned to the couple.


    ¡°She is doing fine. There have been no signs of internal bleeding, and the results of her head scan would be here in a couple of hours, so if you could wait for a while¡­¡±


    ¡°Can we go see grandpa? He is here in the hospital, right?¡± Calista cut in.


    Mackenzie and Chase exchanged nces, before smiling down at her.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Chase stretched both his hands to her and picked her up from the bed. Calista smiled and locked her fingers behind his neck.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go see grandpa.¡±


    ~~


    Richard Axford squeezed his remote control on his palm as he red at the television screen. Somehow, the news of Calista¡¯s kidnap and rescue had been published all over the news, and he was d, because he got to see the action firsthand. And he also got the opportunity to see Eleanor¡¯s handwriting all over it.


    It could only be her who would be heartless enough toe up with something like that. Jeffrey wasn¡¯t smart enough, and Selene didn¡¯t have the balls. Eleanor was the one with the balls, the brains, and an empty chest.


    He had known of her attempts to swindle and defraud both he and Chase of Axford Conglomerate a long time ago. Most of the partners she trusted in her shady deals owed him their loyalty, all of which they showed in full. He had enough evidence to pin her down; files, video and audio recording, and he had wanted to do it in silence. But since she had chosen the hard way out, she was going to be dished the hard way out.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Without a single penny from him.


    He turned towards his door when the door slid open, and found Chase, Calista, Cameron and Mackenzie entering into his ward.


    ¡°Grandpa!¡± From her father¡¯s shoulder, Calista cried out, esctatic, and reached for him. Richard sat up straight, his eyes beamed with the tears of happiness that gathered in them. He spread his arms wide and Chase ced Calista on his body. Cameron struggled to climb up to his bed, and Mackenzie helped him up.


    Richard pulled both his grand children to him. The news of the fire, the live footage of Calista¡¯s extraction, all of it had put so much fear in him. He had not been able to call Chase because the doctors had kept his phone away from him, knowing him and the nature of heart condition.


    No matter how many times he kissed both their foreheads, even though he could sniff in the mild citrus scent of their hair, they did not seem real to him. To know that he was holding them in his arms even after everything that had happened to them today made him want to cry from sheer relief.


    Chase¡¯s phone rang in that moment, and he excused himself to answer the call, seeing it was Nora.


    ¡°Mr. Axford!¡± Nora called out at the other end of line, exasperated. Chase narrowed his eyes on nothing in particr, and frowned.


    ¡°Tell me you have good news for me, Nora.¡±


    ¡°Trust me, Mr. Axford, it¡¯s as good as it gets. We caught the man who ditched the car. James Lowe, just as you expected. He was quick to confess to a lot of things and call names immediately ourwyers promised him lesser jail time.¡±


    Chase¡¯s scowl deepened. He would have wanted the bastard to be hung the old fashioned way, but getting the names of the mastermind behind this was by far a better deal.


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°I made sure to tape the session. I would send the video to you right now¡­¡±


    Chase heard a beep on his phone and knew it was the iing message. His heart felt like ice.


    ¡°Alright, Nora. I¡¯ll see you¡­¡±


    ¡°One more thing, Mr. Axford.¡±


    Chase heaved a sigh.


    ¡°What is it, Nora?¡±


    ¡°An ambnce picked up West not quite long ago, sent him to Axford Medical¡­¡±


    Chase winced, standing straight, and clutched his phone tighter.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡±


    ¡°It seemed like he was tailing a car that was tailing you and got caught. At least, that¡¯s what he said with bruised lips when the men found him.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t he call me?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps because he couldn¡¯t? I¡¯m sure he was just trying to help.¡±


    Chase nodded. She was right. West had always been an odd man, but his heart was always in the right ce.


    ¡°Get back to finding just how many people are in on this. I want every name, no matter how little they contributed, including the person who set the school on fire. Everybody has to go down.¡± Chase spat out, and Nora replied, ¡°on it, sir.¡±


    With that, he ended the call and returned to his father¡¯s ward to find him cuddling Calista and Cameron, singing sweet songs in their ears, while the both of them closed their eyes to sleep. He could tell they were very tired, especially Calista.


    Immediately she saw him, Mackenzie got up from the couch she had been resting on. Her keen eyes looked over his expression.


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡±


    Chase did not reply. Instead, he held out his phone screen for her and yed the audio recording Nora sent to him. His phone¡¯s volume was loud enough for Richard to hear, even while putting the kids to sleep.


    ¡°It was all Eleanor, damn it. She told me the n was clean cut. My dear son also promised me a fortune. I mean, who says no to a fortune¡­¡± The recording ended with a maliciousughter, and Mackenzie copsed into the couch with her heart in her hands, anger boiling in the pit of her stomach.


    Richard pressed his eyelids shut, grinding his jaw.


    Chase frowned. He was enraged, but he didn¡¯t want anyone crying for the snake of a woman, she did not deserve this.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to trouble your mind, father. We just need to make her pay, and as fast as possible.¡±


    ¡°Send that tape recording to the police.¡± Richard breathed out, turning to look at Chase.


    The pain in his heart was unimaginable. He had hoped, deep down, that he would be wrong. He did not want to believe the woman he had kept underneath his roof for so long was capable of such¡­evil.


    She had crossed the line when she touched his grandkids.


    ¡°I want her out of my house, and out of my life in chains. Get mywyers too.¡± He was going to make sure she¡¯s left with nothing for daring to touch his grandkids.


    Chase¡¯s scowl dissolved as he sucked in a deep breath.


    ¡°Father¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m kicking her son out as well and stripping him of everything thates with being an Axford. Those ungrateful bastards.¡± He cursed underneath his breath, before looking down at Calista and Cameron once more.

 CHAPTER 97 – LET HER FLY

    The next few minutes were spent trying to convince Chase to move Mackenzie and the kids over to Axford Vi.


    Now that Eleanor and Jeffrey would be leaving, Richard did not want to be left alone, especially with the scent of their betrayal still fresh. If he was ever going to get over it, he needed his family ¨C the one that truly loved him, and the one he could trust, by his side.


    s, after seeing the true pain his father was in, and knowing Eleanor and Jeffrey would no longer be present, and receiving a nod of agreement from Mackenzie ¨C of course ¨C Chase agreed to his father¡¯s wishes and decided he would head back to his pent house and pack their things as soon as he was done seeing West.


    Felicity arrived in the hospital and stayed with Mackenzie and the kids while Chase left to speak to his cousin. Calista was sleeping in Mackenzie¡¯s arms while Cameron shared the bed with his grand father.


    ¡°So, I guess you¡¯ll be moving in with him now, one big family.¡± Felicity said aloud, causing Mackenzie to smile.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing like that¡­¡±


    ¡°Yet.¡± Felicity cut in, and Mackenzie looked away from her, rolling her eyes as she blushed.


    ¡°You want it to be, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°I love the man. I always have, and I know¡­I know I always will, Felicity. I know that he wants to be with me and the kids, but with everything that¡¯s going on¡­¡±


    ¡°No, sweetheart.¡±  Felicity reached for Mackenzie¡¯s right shoulder and tapped it gently.


    ¡°We are not going to do that, okay? I¡¯m not going to let you second guess everything because I know that Chase Axford loves you to death, and the kids too. He would burn the world and himself, if it means you, Calista, and Cameron get to be kept safe. There is nothing that man wouldn¡¯t do for you, don¡¯t forget that.¡±


    When Chase returned with a lot of kisses for Mackenzie, she convinced herself in her heart and mind, that all Felicity had said was true.


    They received Calista¡¯s result from the doctor together, and were ted to know that she was okay. Their daughter was perfectly fine!


    Mackenzie jumped on Chase¡¯s body, ecstatic, and he held her close to him and kissed her with all the love in his heart.


    Richard was to be discharged the next day, so Chase decided that he and Mackenzie could return to the pent house to begin moving their things today, so they could be done with moving by the next day.


    As they drove back to the penthouse, none of them said a word to each other, their eyes held all the words that needed to be said. With asional nces that promised love and sincerity forever, both of them knew that they had all they could and would ever want.


    After packing thest of the children¡¯s clothes into their suitcase, Mackenzie rolled the box up and carried it out of the room. From the foot of the stairs, Chase caught sight of her and rushed up the stairs to take the box from her hands.


    Mackenzie couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    ¡°Chase, you don¡¯t really need to¡­¡±


    ¡°Shhhh.¡± He leaned in to kiss her right cheek, and she bit her lower lip gently.


    ¡°I can carry my bags my¡­¡±


    ¡°I know you are a strong woman, sunshine.¡± He held her right hand in his left, and held the box in his right while walking down the stairs.


    ¡°But you would never have to do anything yourself when I¡¯m around.¡±


    Mackenzie chuckled and held his hand even tighter when they reached the foot of the stairs. She turned to look at him.


    ¡°Should I be worried about that?¡± She asked, and Chase¡¯s lips spread out in a thin smirk.


    ¡°Yes, you should, because I intend to be around for a very long time.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm. How long?¡± Mackenzie probed further, slowly closing the distance between them.


    ¡°How does forever sound?¡±


    Mackenzie¡¯s cheeks were flushed, and her lips parted to reveal her beautiful dentition when she smiled. Chase kissed her forehead, feeling her melt into his arms.


    ¡°What would you do with this penthouse now that we are moving in with your dad?¡± Mackenzie asked, while she wrapped her arms around his waist.


    Chase raised his head to look around.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be our secret spot. Where we cane to get away from everything, together.¡±


    Mackenzie blushed as she looked up at him.


    ¡°The kids too?¡±


    Chase looked thoughful for a brief second.


    ¡°I love the kids, sunshine, but yes, the kids too.¡±


    She loved his honesty, she thought to herself, while bursting intoughter. Hand in hand, they walked out of the penthouse and into the car.


    The drive to the Axford mansion was a quick one, and Chase ordered the stewards to take their luggages in, while he held Mackenzie¡¯s hand and led her to the back of the house.


    ¡°Chase, where are we going?¡± She asked, half curious and half excited.


    ¡°Juste with me, will you?¡± He replied over his shoulder, and Mackenzie rolled her eyes while giggling.


    Chase didn¡¯t stop until they stood in front of the wooden doors of her old workshop, her first ever, before Eleanor had closed it down permanently because she wanted to keep her ¡°in check.¡± She had epted it in good faith then, telling herself that it wasn¡¯t wrong for her mother-inw to want her to focus on her son, especially since they were trying for a baby.


    However, she had learnt that a man who loved her was never going to cut her wings. No!


    He was going to apud her as she took off, and be right where she needed him if she ever felt she would fall.


    And that was all Chase had done so far, encouraged her to fly.


    ¡°What are we doing here, Chase?¡± She asked in a shaky voice as she looked up at him.


    Chase let out a small smile.


    ¡°I know how much you want to be your own woman, Mackenzie, and I love that about you.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Chase¡­¡±


    ¡°So, I want to make this promise to you. This ce, your workshop would be renovated and equipped with all the materials you need, sunshine. I know that you don¡¯t need me to do that, but I just want to. I want to watch you soar to heights you¡¯ve always dreamed off, Kenzie. Let me do this for you.¡±


    With tears in her eyes, she melted into him, wrapping her arms around him. It was official, she loved him with everything, and she would never let him go.


    Chase pulled away from her and reached for his phone when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.


    He brought out the phone and examined the caller ID. It was Nora.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Sunshine. I need to take this.¡±


    Mackenzie nodded and watched him walk away. She moved towards the door and pushed it open. The room was dusty, and she could catch a small glimpse of all her equipment. Sheughed as she stood still, looking back at how her life had been with Jeffrey, to the woman she was now, with Chase.


    When she was done, she stepped out of the dusty room and headed towards the main house. Chase was still nowhere to be found. Perhaps there was something that needed his urgent attention.


    She walked past the ss doors of the mansion and into the mini bar filled with shelves stacked with drinks.


    Mackenzie was about to grab a fizz drink for herself when she heard a familiar voice scream from the living room.


    ¡°Let me go, you bastards! I swear that if I get out of this cuffs and get a hold of you¡­you would hear from mywyers and I would¡­!¡±


    Mackenzie cleared her throat as she leaned against the door frame. She was not aware of how much satisfaction seeing Eleanor in cuffs would give her, until she was there, seeing Eleanor in cuffs.


    ¡°Excuse me, officers.¡± She called out.


    The two police officers, a man and a woman came to a halt letting go of Eleanor¡¯s arms.


    ¡°Miss Torsney, are you sure?¡± The auburn haired woman asked, and Mackenzie forced a smile.


    ¡°Of course. I¡¯m thedy of this house, and I would love to have a word with my darling ex mother-inw.¡±


    The officers moved away from Eleanor and excused Mackenzie by walking out of the house.


    ¡°We will be outside if you need us, miss Torsney.¡±


    Mackenzie nodded and thedy closed the door behind her.


    Mackenzie chuckled bitterly as she moved to Eleanor, the older woman red at her, rage, jealousy and shame rushed through her at the same time.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think this is over, Mackenzie. You¡¯re probably smiling now, thinking that you¡¯ve won, but I would not be so fast to celebrate if I were¡­¡±


    The resounding p that resonated from the walls of the room hung Eleanor¡¯s sentence midair.


    Mackenzie flung her right palm against Eleanor¡¯s cheek, throwing her face towards the right with a harsh p.


    Eleanor¡¯s left eye and cheek burned as she turned sharply to leer at Mackenzie.


    ¡°You twart! How dare you?!¡± She seethed.


    Mackenzie looked over her with disdain. She stood straight and ced her hands on her hips.


    ¡°What are you going to do? Hit me? Oh. You can¡¯t.¡± Mackenzie¡¯s eyes dropped to her cuffed hands.


    ¡°Not with your hands cuffed like that. So sorry, Eleanor. But contrary to what you¡¯ve made yourself believe, I have won, while you¡­¡± She moved closer to Eleanor, fuming with anger as she recalled all that had happened in the past few hours.


    ¡°¡­ you would rot in jail with nothing, nothing! You dared to hurt my babies!¡± Mackenzie pped Eleanor again, across her right cheek this time, causing the woman to fall to the ground with a cry for help.


    Mackenzie gathered a fistful of Eleanor¡¯s hair and pulled it, biting her lower lip in anger.


    Eleanor screamed and cried, and it was only a matter of time before the police officers and Chase came rushing in.


    Chase managed to pull Mackenzie off Eleanor, while the officers pulled Eleanor up and led her out of the house.


    Mackenzie fought to wriggle free of Chase¡¯s hold. She wished she could tear her into pieces with her bare hands.


    ¡°Stay calm, Sunshine. Please¡­¡±


    ¡°I hope you die! I hope you rot in jail, and you greed eats you from inside!¡± Mackenzie continued to scream, while Chase pulled her closer to himself.


    ¡°Sunshine, stay calm¡­¡±


    ¡°I hope she¡­I hope she¡­¡± Mackenzie¡¯s heart twisted in her chest as she fell into Chase¡¯s arms, tears falling from her cheeks freely.

 CHAPTER 98 – A CASANOVA

    As expected, Richard was discharged from the hospital the next day. He returned to meet the children, Mackenzie and Chase at home.


    Mackenzie had prepared lunch just in time for his arrival, and had made sure to prepare his favorite dish;sagna. She was happy, for the first time in forever, her family was together, and she could be sure that she was safe.


    The children spent a greater part of their day helping their father and other stewards arrange their room. This time, Chase made sure Calista and Cameron got separate beds and wardrobes, enough room for all their things.


    While Cameron picked out a blue bed frame, and wanted his part of the room painted blue and furnished with blue furniture, Calista picked the color white for everything. Chase was happy to join in the painting, so the kids had to stay in the new y room while waiting for their walls to dry.


    At noon, Chase drove to the hospital to pick up his father and West. He was seated at the back seat of his car when he got a call from Nora.


    Chase heaved a long sigh before he clicked on the ¡°answer icon¡± of his phone.


    ¡°Nora, is this something new or should I get used to you calling at the best of hours?¡±


    She chuckled at her end of the line.


    ¡°My apologies, Mr. Axford. I do hope I wasn¡¯t interrupting anything.¡±


    Chase smirked.


    ¡°Not yet, but at the rate which you are calling, I have a feeling you would interrupt something soon.¡±


    He heard her giggle, and he could tell she was shaking her head wherever she was.


    ¡°Well, I called with news for you. Turns out James Lowe, Eleanor and Jeffrey weren¡¯t the only ones in on the kidnap. The one who set the school on fire was paid by Selene, your ex-wife.¡±


    Chase sat up and shifted in his seat. His eyes darkened as he red at his image in the rearview mirror.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡±


    ¡°James Lowe called a few more names, and when they were interrogated, they confessed to being paid huge sums of money by Selene. Lucky for us, she wasn¡¯t smart enough to cover her tracks. There are receipts of text messages, and proof of transfer ofrge sums of money. We have everything we need to take her down, sir. I wanted to let you know, and to ask how we can get on it.¡±


    Chase¡¯s frown dissolved into a smile. Selene had crossed the line this time. He had been fine with letting her off easy before, but not anymore.


    ¡°You have all the proof right?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir. Including an audio tape of the confession.¡±


    Chase¡¯s smile broadened even more.


    ¡°Very good. We would use her biggest asset against her. Get the news on every social media tform and make sure she is tagged. Her entire career would be dragged to dust before she knows what¡¯sing for her.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°One more thing, Nora. The flight I asked you to prepare for Mr. and Mrs. Torsney, have you gotten to it?¡±


    ¡°Of course. I was able to contact themst night, I exined everything to them, and they would be on the first ne that leaves at noon tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°And you told them it¡¯s a surprise, so they shouldn¡¯t let Mackenzie know they¡¯ll being?¡± Chase asked again. That part was also very important.


    ¡°Yes sir. I did that.¡±


    ¡°Alright then, thank you very much.¡±


    Nora responded to his greeting and Chase ended the call immediately. When he got to the hospital, Richard was dressed and set to return home, West on the other hand seemed a bit reluctant, he seemed to have been ¡°kicking it¡± with a red-haired nurse, and Chase couldn¡¯t help but chuckle as he watched his cousin¡¯s rather stiff attempt at being a Casanova.


    By the time they returned home, Calista and Cameron were stationed at the door, anticipating their return. Immediately they caught sight of their father and grandfather, they rose from the floor ¨C not minding to clear their toys ¨C and ran towards them.


    ¡°Daddy!¡±


    ¡°Grandpa!¡±


    Calista and Cameron cried out simultaneously. Chase spread his arms open for Calista, while Cameron jumped into his grandfather¡¯s arms.


    West stood behind them, smiling at the cute little versions of Chase.


    Chase turned to West and smiled at Calista.


    ¡°Princess, this is my cousin and your uncle, West. Say hello to uncle West.¡±


    Calista blushed, quite shy, and waved at him.


    ¡°Hello, uncle West.¡±


    Richard also introduced Cameron to West, and was certain West had fallen in love with the children at first sight.


    But they were not the only people who caught West¡¯s eyes that afternoon. When they arrived at the door post, West couldn¡¯t help but notice the youngdy at the door. She wasn¡¯t a maid, no, she was dressed too well for that.


    She gathered the children¡¯s toys in her hand and stood up straight, smiling at Chase and Richard. Calista and Cameron called out to her, and it was at that moment West understood why she looked awfully familiar.


    He had seen her before! A long time ago, but they had met nevertheless, and boy! She was even more beautiful than the evening he saw her at the bar.


    ¡°Richard, Chase, you¡¯re back.¡± Felicity started to speak.


    ¡°Aunty Felicity, meet Uncle West!¡± Calista said, giggling and pping her hands. She seemed really excited to show her aunty to her uncle, little did she know that the two knew themselves quite well.


    Felicity¡¯s eyes danced over to West¡¯s bruised face, a small smile spread across her cheeks.


    ¡°Hello, uncle West.¡± She stretched her hand for a handshake and West took her hand in his. Felicity had heard what he had done for Chase and Mackenzie, and she had to hand it to him. Perhaps he was not the spoilt, self centered and bratty rich boy she thought he was. Maybe, maybe there was more.


    There was certainly more to her than a sharp mouthed evasive¡­well, bitch. And he was determined to try to know her again, it did not matter if she chased him away this time.


    ¡°Okay! I¡¯m sure we can alle in and have lunch now!¡± Mackenzie¡¯s voice was the only thing that snapped West and Felicity out of their range of thoughts. Neither of them had even seen here.


    Felicity snatched her hand from West¡¯s, her cheeks flushed. She turned to look at Mackenzie and stered a smile on her face.


    ¡°Yes, by all means. Let¡¯s go in.¡±


    Felicity led the way, and Richard walked in with Cameron in his arms, while Chase set Calista¡¯s feet on the ground.


    As Mackenzie turned to step in, Chase caught her left wrist in his. Mackenzie turned to look at him, her eyes glittered with a bright smile.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°What are you doing, Chase? I have to serve lunch.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm.¡± He kissed her face. ¡°I know, I know.¡± He put his hands around her slender waist and stared into her eyes.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go out tomorrow evening, shall we?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow evening, you and I. Clear your schedule, I¡¯ll handle everything else.¡±


    Mackenzie blushed, flustered. She looked into the house before turning to him.


    ¡°That¡¯s lovely, Chase. But the children¡­¡±


    ¡°Would be just fine with Felicity and Charlotte around. Calista seems to really like West too.¡± Chase cut in, and Mackenzie giggled.


    ¡°Please, sunshine?¡±


    Mackenzie moved closer to him and locked her fingers behind his neck as she stood on  her toe.


    ¡°I can¡¯t really say no to you now, can I?¡±


    Chase smirked.


    ¡°No. You absolutely cannot.¡±

 CHAPTER 99 – A BLESSING

    Thest few hours had been nothing but pure bliss for Mackenzie. She had never thought ¨C not in ten light years ¨C that she would be under the same roof with both her children, and the man she loved with everything, Chase, and they would be regarded as one¡­a family.


    She had always dreamed of it, but had given herself a million reasons to believe it could never happen. This time was different. This time, she was going to wallow in all the love she could get, because she absolutely deserved it all.


    As she sat on the stool and dapped her cheeks with her powder, she nced over to her side and watched the video ying on her screen. It was from a local news tabloid, saying Selene had been arrested in her penthouse that morning, with charges of kidnap, arson and other criminal activities. She shook her head and looked back at her beautiful face.


    The mourous emerald pendant that rested on her neck helped to highlight the hazel brown of her eyes, and Mackenzie found herself lost in her own gaze. She jerked up when she heard the sound of the door opening.


    It was Chase, d in an army green tuxedo that matched with Mackenzie¡¯s dress. It had been his idea to wear matching colours, and Mackenzie didn¡¯t understand why. She had never pegged him to be the type of man who wanted matching outfits, but he found a new way to surprise her everyday.


    ¡°This is the tenth time you have gone over that video.¡± Chase said aloud as his gaze shifted from the screen of Mackenzie¡¯s phone. He ced both hands on her shoulders and leaned in to kiss her right cheek. Mackenzie touched his right hand and stroked it gently. His strong scent tickled her nostrils, and she closed her eyes to savour it.


    ¡°I just can¡¯t believe it. Everything feels so surreal, Chase. Like it¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°Too good to be true?¡±


    Mackenzie looked up at him with a blush.


    ¡°Yeah, almost like that.¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± he held his hand out to her and helped her rise from the stool, pulling her into his arms as he did so.


    ¡°Everything¡­¡± He paused to push her hair to the back of her shoulder, and lowered his lips beneath her right ear. He ced a soft kiss there, and Mackenzie shuddered. Her grip on his biceps tightened, the hairs on her skin stood erect at his kiss.


    ¡°¡­ Is very much¡­¡± He tilted his neck to the left and kissed her left ear. Mackenzie¡¯s teeth dug into her lower lip, allowing a small moan escape from the back of her throat.


    He was driving her crazy. So fucking crazy.


    ¡°Chase¡­¡± Mackenzie whispered, holding onto him. Chase did not speak, he pulled her closer, until her breasts pressed against his hard chest, and lowered his hands to the curve of her ass. He squeezed¡­tight.


    Mackenzie threw her head backwards. Her lower lip escaped her teeth, letting out a breathless sigh.


    Chase¡¯s eyes darkened at the sound. The sound of her raw, pure and evident need. There was nothing like it, there would never be.This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Oh, Sunshine.¡± He breathed out. His right hand cuffed her throat with a gentle grip as he pressed his lips on hers, seizing control of her every move, her every thought.


    She was his. He knew from the moment she locked her fingers around his neck and called out his name in between kisses.


    His cock hardened in his pants. He reached for the zipper of her dress and pulled it down with haste. Mackenzie chuckled, face as red and hot as hot sauce itself.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t we supposed to have dinner in ten minutes?¡± She giggled, while Chase pulled her dress down her shoulder, and down her stomach, exposing her round and firm breasts to his hungry gaze.


    Chase could barely take his eyes off the beauty in front of him, and when he finally did, it was to smirk at her.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t mind dessert before the main course, would you?¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Mackenzie¡¯s smile broadened as she pulled him by his tie. Her hands dropped to his hard crotch and she stroked him gently, causing Chase to stand on his damn toes.


    ¡°I thought desserts normallye after the main course.¡±


    Chase gritted his teeth, slowly pulling his tuxedo off him. The anticipation and desire building up in him was slowly driving him mad. He cupped her ass cheeks again, harder than before, and Mackenzie groaned with pleasure. He said nothing more, there was no more need for words.


    In one swift move, he picked her up from the ground andid her gently on the bed. Her dress had rolled up to her hips, exposing her whitece panties, soaked with the juice from her wet pussy. Chase growled like a fucking animal and snatched the waistline, pulling it and tearing it off her.


    Mackenzie arousal doubled ¨C no, trippled. She had no idea how much she wanted him until that very moment. She spread her legs open, willing, needy. Chase closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath.


    ¡°Oh, Kenzie. You have no idea what you do to me.¡±


    She raised her right leg to his face, and her toes caressed his cheeks. Chase¡¯s eyes dropped to her swollen clit ¨C a very visible evidence of her desire for him. What the fuck was he still waiting for?


    He reached for his belt and unbuckled it in a haste. He pulled down his zipper, and dropped his pants to his knees, his boxer briefs followed shortly.


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes widened at the magnificent sight. He was gorgeous, big, glorious. She couldn¡¯t forget the first night she had spent with him. It was embedded into her memory, and even now that they were together again, shes of that night still flooded her mind.


    ¡°You¡¯re mine, Mackenzie.¡± He breathed out, leaning into her face to kiss her.


    Mackenzie closed her eyes. With every inch he drew closer, her heart pounded in her chest. When he was finally inside her, she gasped in shock and her eyes flew open. First came the natural pain ¨C it had been quite long ago ¨C but the pain soon dissolved to leave nothing but endless waves of pleasure as he thrust his cock deeper into her insides.


    Mackenzie wrapped her legs around his hips, urging him deeper.


    ¡°Oh fuck!¡± She screamed. Her nails dug into the skin of his back as she embraced him, anything to have him inside her skin.


    Chase gave her everything he had, and she took everything he had to give. He kissed her face, her lips, her hair, every inch of her body his lips would allow him. He worshipped her body, fucked her like it was the only thing that mattered to him.


    s, they came together and Chase rolled off her to his side of the bed, both panting heavily with broad smiles on their faces. Mackenzie turned to look at Chase, and found him staring at her already. His dark eyes danced all over her face, and he reached for her right cheek. She felt heat creep up from her stomach once he touched her again.


    Could she ever get used to his touch?


    No. The answer was no.


    As Chase watched her pant heavily, he could feel his heart pound against the muscr walls of his chest. He had wanted to save this for their outing, but¡­


    ¡°Marry me, Mackenzie.¡± He blurted out.


    The room around Mackenzie¡¯s head began to spin. She sat up immediately, narrowing her eyes at him as she frowned.


    ¡°Stop ying with me, Chase. This isn¡¯t a joke.¡±


    Good, Chase thought, because he was never one to joke.


    He sat up beside her, and reached for his bedside drawer. He pulled the first cab open, and held out a green box for her to see.


    Mackenzie¡¯s eyes felt as though they would pop out of her sockets.


    ¡°How long had that been there?!¡± She eximed.


    ¡°Since tonight. I was going to do this at the dinner, but¡­¡±


    Tears gathered in Mackenzie¡¯s eyes as her heart swelled in her chest. She knew she was going to burst at any moment if she continued to sit next to him.


    Was this real?


    ¡°Chase,¡±


    ¡°Please, Mackenzie.¡± Chase casually strolled down from the bed and propped himself up on his right knee. Her hands flew to her mouth as she let out a shocked gasp.


    ¡°Every moment with you has been the most colorful moment of my life. Your bravery and strength, and the love you have for our children, our babies, have inspired me greatly. There has never been any woman like you, and there would never be. So, that is why I want you to do me the honor of being my wife.¡± Chase swallowed hard. He had never thought he could be nervous, but Mackenzie had always made him feel things he never thought he was capable of feeling.


    ¡°Oh Chase! Of course I¡¯ll marry you!¡±


    How could she say no to the love of her life?


    Chase sprang up from the ground and locked his arms around her. He couldn¡¯t stop himself from kissing all over her face and lips, before he finally slid the heart shaped 24-karat diamond ring into her finger.


    Mackenzie could barely breathe. It was so beautiful, she just had to keep on crying.


    After another hour of holding onto each other with promises they both knew they were willing to keep, Mackenzie and Chase got ready again and headed out of the room.


    Mackenzie had still not been able to breathe down. The night had carried a lot of surprises, but she was not ready ¨C not at all ¨C for thest one Chase had in store for her.


    At the foot of the stairs that led to the living room stood a tall man, slender and fair, with bright brown eyes and a messy brown hair. It was the man she had known all her life, the one who had raised her with all the love in his heart.


    Mackenzie¡¯s jaw dropped to the ground on sight of him. Calista and Cameron stood by his side, fingers intertwined with his.


    Mackenzie threw her arms wide open and ran down the stairs.


    ¡°Daddy!¡± When she flung herself into his arms, she forgot she was the mother of four-year-old twins, she forgot she had just promised the rest of her days to the man after her heart. At that moment, she was nothing but his daughter, his baby girl.


    When he locked his arms around her and kissed her forehead, tears rushed down Mackenzie¡¯s cheeks, and in that moment, she knew that everything she would ever wish for, would forever be right in front of her.


    She decided to have their little dinner at home ¨C which had been Chase¡¯s n from the beginning, just to get her dressed up. She wanted to have everyone she loved around her on that special night.


    Felicity, Beatrice, Charlotte, Richard, her father, and even West, hovered around her, constantly peeping at the ring on her finger.


    Surrounded by everyone they knew they could love and trust, Mackenzie and Chase realized ¨C once again ¨C that having somewhere to go is home, having someone to love is family, and having both is a blessing.


    And boy! They were blessed.

 CHAPTER 100 – EPILOGUE

    TWO YEARS LATER


    ~~


    ¡°Five! Four! Three! Two! One! Happy New year!¡± Calista and Cameron screamed at the top of their lungs, jumping and huggoing each other while bursting with excitement.


    Chase and Mackenzie were not left out of the celebration. Chase hugged Mackenzie tight as they stood on the balcony of their cottage ¨C the family¡¯stest property in North Dakota ¨C watching the fire works light up the sky.


    Little baby Emily cried in Mackenzie¡¯s arms. Mackenzie looked down at her daughter¡¯s dark eyes and blew her kisses. Soon, the baby started to smile.


    ¡°Mummy, do you think Emily would have loved to scream with us?¡± Calista asked, tiptoeing just so she could see her little sister.


    Cameron turned to look at everyone, and stood beside his father. The more he grew, the more he turned into a spitting image of Chase. His father had often joked that by the time Cameron was Chase¡¯s present age, they wouldn¡¯t be able to tell their pictures apart.


    Emily was the only one who had resemnce to Mackenzie, even at that, she still had the colour of her father¡¯s eyes.


    Chase had often taunted her about how strong his genes were, and Mackenzie would alwaysugh about it.


    ¡°Of course, princess. One day, Emily would be old enough to scream too, and she can join us all on the balcony.¡± Chase replied. He held both Calista and Cameron and led them back into the house. It was freezing outside despite their coats and gloves.


    ¡°By the way, grandpa and grandma would be here soon, and aunt Felicity and uncle West as well. We all have to join mummy to set the dinner table, because team work¡­¡±


    ¡°Makes the dream work!¡± Calista and Cameron chorused. Brother and sister ¡°fist bumped¡± themselves, beforending their father a solid high five.


    Mackenzie watched from the balcony with a smile on her face.


    How had she gotten this lucky and blessed again?


    Two years ago, she and Chase had gotten married on an ind, somewhere in the Maldives. Yes, they both had their ups and downs, individually and together, but knowing that she would always return home to find him, to their family, gave her the strength to face everything head on. And she was sure it did the same for him too.


    Eleanor and Jeffrey were still in prison, and had not been granted bail for any reason. The case had gone to court, and they were both found guilty of numerous charges, including fraud.


    Selene, on the other hand, had disappeared after her online melt down. While some said she was hiding somewhere in Europe from the American police, there were other nasty rumours, many of which Mackenzie did not want to bother herself about.


    They were happy now, and she wanted to enjoy every bit of it.


    Richard could have been there with them if he did not have an urgent meeting to attend to. Charlotte was also out for a work conference in China, so she had to celebrate new year¡¯s there.


    Mackenzie heaved a sigh. She couldn¡¯t wait for everyone to be back in the country again. She told herself she would make sure they all went on a vacation outside the country. No work, just family and friends spending quality time together.


    Chase and the kids helped set the table. The sauced turkey being the main dish attraction for the night. Less than two hourster, Mackenzie¡¯s father and Beatrice arrived. Felicty and West followed shortly after, and even if they arrived together, Felicity was willing to swear on her life that she did note along with him.


    The way she blushed everytime Mackenzie raised the topic as a joke made Mackenzie smile. Her friend was slowly falling for the Axford brat after all ¨C as Felicity liked to call him ¨C and she had no idea, at least not yet.


    They all had dinner in less than thirty minutes, with jokes and lots of wine in between. The children stuck to orange and apple juice of course. After that, they all gathered at the firece, while West and Felicity decided to put on a show for everyone.


    ¡°¡­ I knew I loved you then, but I never showed! I held it back cause I was scared of letting go¡­¡± As Felicity and West screamed their drunken heads off in the name of karaoke, Mackenzie sat on the floor by the fire ce, baby Emilyy on herp asleep.


    Chase busied himself with ying cards with Calista and Cameron, but he also kept his eyes on his cousin and Felicity.


    ¡°They are in love, aren¡¯t they?¡± Beautrice said aloud.


    Mackenzie blushed as she turned to the older woman.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Trust me, Felicity would deny it with her entire existence. Girl forgets we can see through her sometimes.¡±


    ¡°The West boy seems like a good boy too, don¡¯t you think?¡± Pops spoke this time, slowly sipping on his cup of steaming hot chocte. Chase smiled at his cousin.


    ¡°Daddy, it¡¯s your time to y!¡± Cameron called out, and Chase snapped out of his reverie. He ced a card on the floor, and saw Calista and Cameron throw their hands in the air, celebrating.


    ¡°We won daddy! We won daddy!¡±


    It was only when Chase looked down at the cards on the floor that he understood the reason for their happiness.


    He shook his head with a smile stered on his face and looked back at West.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got to say, West can be very difficult sometimes, but believe me when I say his heart is always in the right ce.¡±


    After three hours of pure torture, West and Felicity finally fell asleep beside each other on the rug. Chase went into the room and got separate nkets for each of them.


    Pops and Beautrice had retired into the bedroom reserved for them, and so did the kids ¨C including Emily, thankfully, leaving Chase and Mackenzie downstairs to cater to Felicity and West.


    As Mackenzie put a nket over Felicity, Chase did the same for West.


    When they were done, Mackenzie and Chase exchanged knowing nces, wide smirks spread across both their cheeks.


    ¡°What do you think is going to happen when they wake up and find themselves together, on the floor?¡± Mackenzie asked, and Chase took her hand in his before he replied.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we go to bed now, so we can wake up early enough to find out?¡±


    Mackenzie appeared thoughtful for a while, before she looked down at Felicity¡¯s sleeping face, and up at Chase¡¯s smiling one again.


    ¡°That sounds like a good n.¡± She allowed him hold her hand and lead her out of the living room.


    ¡°That¡¯s because it is.¡±


    ¡°Oh, get over yourself, Mr. Axford.¡±


    Chase pulled her closer by her waist, and Mackenzie blushed.


    ¡°Admit it, Mrs. Chase Axford, you love it when I gloat.¡±


    Mackenzie threw her head backwards in a resoundingughter, and Chase joined in as they walked hand in hand to their bedroom, satisfied by the end of another new year, and looking forward to an eternity together.


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