ã€ŠThe Girl He Craves novel (Sophie and Aiden)ã€‹


 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1

    Chapter 1

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Come on live a little Sophie. I promise it won¡¯t be weird as soon as you get used to it.¡± M said with a

    teasing grin on her face.

    With wide eyes, I lean towards her, my eyes darting everywhere in case there were listening ears and

    said in a hushed tone. ¡°Do you know what you¡¯re telling me to do M!?¡±

    I burned bright red just thinking about what she was trying to have me do.

    Mocking me by leaning forward too, M says cheekily. ¡°It¡¯s just masturbating. What¡¯s the worst that

    can happen?¡±

    M was my best friend since I moved here five years ago. Her mother was my foster mother¡¯s friend

    and they thought since we were closer in age, we¡¯d click.

    They were right

    Seeing my hesitation, M sighs. ¡°Sophie, that¡¯s the only way you can relieve that frustration. Just find

    a quiet ce and you know

    Her eyes drop to stare at my front teasingly and she makes a clicking sound.

    I was seventeen and in myst year of high school, yet I have never had a boyfriend or done anything

    sexually. Recently I¡¯ve been curious about the opposite sex and especially sex.

    It might have to do with the fact I heard Aiden Xavier having sex with a girlst week in the girls¡¯

    bathroom. I don¡¯t really know, but it was just something about the way he grunted while fucking the girl

    that turned me on.

    Since then I had been frustrated. Sexually frustrated.

    I only asked M for help because, well I was new to this kind of frustration and didn¡¯t know how to

    relieve it without having to do the act of sex itself.

    I was not only annoyed by my frustration but especially with the person who caused it.

    Aiden Xavier.

    He was not only the biggest bully in the school, but he was also my personal bully. I mean personal, by

    him always seeming to pick on me more than others.

    So you can see why I was annoyed with my frustration. Because it took hearing him, to set something

    that was dormant on fire.

    A guy that was not only annoying but an egotistical asshole.

    ¡°Get a quiet room, preferably dark and watch some porn. Easy peasy.¡± M giggled lowly.

    I felt the heat on my cheeks get even hotter.

    Puffing my cheeks in embarrassment, I whined. ¡°I¡¯m not talking about this anymore. I¡¯ll see you after

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    ss.¡± | closed the locker and with my phone and books in my hand, I turned around to leave.

    ¡°Oomph.¡± I let out as I collide with a very hard body. My books and phone are on the floor in seconds;

    the sounds of them hitting the tiles disturbing my ears.

    ¡°Sorry. ¡°I apologized quickly without looking at who I collided with. I crouched down, picking up my

    books and praying that my phone screen hadn¡¯t cracked.

    But when my fingers were just inches from my phone, a hand grasp it before I could. My eyes followed

    the hand up to the person they belonged to. And my breath catches in my throat as blue eyes that

    belong to none other than Aiden Xavier stared back at me coldly.

    My heart falls in my stomach though it more felt like it fell into my ass.

    In my shock state, Aiden stood up with my phone in hand, and dusted his shirt. ¡°Hope you didn¡¯t leave

    fleas on me

    puppy.¡±

    His friend Austin and Rndugh at his words.

    Puppy. This was Aiden¡¯s nickname for me. Apparently, I look like a ¡®puppy¡¯.

    Puppies were cute, but I doubted Aiden meant for the nickname to be referring to me as cute.

    I sighed heavily and with the books hugged in my arms, I got up. ¡°Give me back my phone Aiden.¡± I

    pushed out one of my hands with the expectancy of him cing my phone back into them.

    But he doesn¡¯t, only stares at my phone with mocking curiosity. ¡°Should I give it back to her boys?¡± He

    asked his friends that stood beside him.

    They were all so tall and very, very hot. Aiden of course was the hottest of the three and he always

    unted it. His ego was the size of Antarctica.

    Though I will not lie, he was the hottest boy in the school, the most

    good-looking guy actually. With his blue eyes, brown hair, sharp jawline, and dusty pink lips. Aiden

    Xavier was extremely hot. Hot enough to melt a popsicle.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so mate.¡° Rnd grinned, his dimples appearing quickly. ¡°Nah, she doesn¡¯t look like she

    needs it,¡± Austin answered

    ¡°Give her back her phone you ass!¡± M sneered,ing forward to stand beside me.

    Aiden¡¯s blue gaze swept over to her. ¡°Do I even know you?¡± He mocked.

    M takes a step forward but I stop her with my hand on her stomach. ¡°Just give it back to me Aiden.¡±

    Aiden pretends to be thinking and then answers with a grin on his face. ¡°How about.no?¡±

    I gritted my teeth and it satisfies him when he sees my irritation.

    ¡°How about a kick in the balls?¡± M snapped but Aiden ignores her, just keeps his gaze solely on me

    ¡°I¡¯ll see you around puppy.¡± He smirks, winking, and then walks away with my phone still in his hand

    and his friends by his side.

    ¡°You should¡¯ve let me at him, Sophie. I¡¯d rip him a new one.¡± M seethes beside me, turning around to

    watch the three boys walk away. Aiden who probably felt our gazes on his back, raises my phone in his

    hand and shakes it mockingly.

    I rip my gaze away clutching my books closer to me. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t matter if I did. End results would still

    be the same. He¡¯d win like always.¡±

    Aiden was not only the hottest guy in school but was also the grandson of the principal which made him

    get away with practically everything. Including bullying others.

    ¡°Move,¡± I lift up my head to see Aiden staring down at Henry with an irritated re.

    Henry¡¯s smaller frame practically shakes as he stares at Aiden and then at me.

    I begged him using my eyes to not go since by doing so, he¡¯d make Aiden seat beside me. Too close

    forfort.

    ¡°You¡¯re in my seat,¡± Aiden says coldly.

    pressed the point of my pencil on the desk harshly until it broke when Henry gives up quickly and

    scurried away to another empty chair.

    I sighed heavily when Aiden looks satisfied and aplished. He settles in the seat beside me and

    threw his bag on the desk with unnecessary force.

    ¡°Nice to see you again puppy.¡± He chuckles lowly when he catches me ring at him. I did try to not

    make it obvious but clearly, I had failed.

    ¡°Hope you¡¯re going to apologize and give me back my phone.¡± I humphed.

    He raised a thick brow and instead of answering me, kicks his legs up¡­on my desk.

    ¡°Nah I don¡¯t think I will.¡± He crosses his legs, his boots tearing the paper beneath them. My paper.

    Sure I was only doodling on the thing but he still ruined it.

    Without thinking much about it, I pushed his feet off my desk roughly and red at him. Aiden grunts

    when his footnds on the floor and the sound brings me back tost week and back to my frustration.

    My eyes connected with his and I felt my face me. Aiden looks at me in curiosity and I quickly snap

    my gaze forward and tried to avoid his unwavering stare the rest of the ss,

    ¡°Need to get another assignment done today?¡± Mrs. Pa the librariandy in the school asked with a

    smile on her face.

    I nodded and looked away to stare at the bookshelves. I was lying and whenever I lied, I tend to look

    away.

    Mrs. Pa was a very nicedy and I felt super guilty for lying.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be living in a few. Joe is outside, I¡¯ll let him know you¡¯re inside here when I¡¯m going on my way.¡±

    She says.

    Joe was the school¡¯s security.

    I nodded, sending a thankful smile her way. School had ended a good ten minutes ago and practically

    everyone had already left. Including Mali who had an appointment with her therapist.

    I really didn¡¯t feel like going home to do what I wanted to do. My foster parents usually have a group of

    their friends for game night mostly every day. I didn¡¯t think it would be appropriate to masturbate while

    they were downstairs flipping cards and cups.

    Yes, you heard me right. I will take M¡¯s suggestion and just get this over with.

    Hearing Aiden grunt after I pushed his foot off my desk only made the frustration grow. So I had no

    choice but to rip the bandaid and just say fuck it.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be at the back,¡± I informed Mrs. Pa who nodded. I made my way to the back with a history book

    and for the next five minutes pretended that I was doing an ¡®assignment¡¯.

    ¡°I¡¯m off Sophie. Don¡¯t forget to lock the door on your way out.¡± Mrs. Pa yelled.

    ¡°Will do Mrs. Pa!¡± I yelled back, gulping as my heart raced and what I¡¯m about to do sank in. When I

    hear the click of the door closing and the silence that was left, I pulled out myptop.

    I plugged in headphones and assuming there was no one left in the school, opened a new tab and

    typed in porn videos,

    No one usuallyes to the library anyway.

    Pushing the headphones in my ears, I pressed my lips together and clicked on the site. I¡¯m instantly

    pped with

    images of bare sexual parts.

    Gulping, I clicked on a video and jumped at the loudness of the groans and moans. I quickly lowered

    the volume and try to focus on the male who was ramming his rather decent size dick in the female¡¯s

    opening.

    I tilt my head when they¡¯re in a new position, biting my lip as the guy¡¯s moans grow louder.

    Does it not hurt him to ram into her so brutally?

    Suddenly a presence looms behind me and one of my earpieces is pulled out of my ears while a voice

    all too familiar whispers in my ear groggily. ¡°Are you turned on yet puppy?¡±

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2

    Chapter 2

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Hearing Aiden¡¯s voice so close to my ear and feeling his presence loom behind my body had my heart

    dropping in my stomach.

    quickly escape the tab, closed myptop, and rip the other earpiece out of my ear. All while doing so,

    my breath was stuck in my lungs.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re going to stop now,¡± He mocked, his lips brushing against my ear.

    My heart jumps in my throat and starts beating furiously in the cages of my chest as I stood up quickly

    This is embarrassing. On a scale from zero to ten, this was eleven

    Being caught watching porn by your bully was the worst thing that could ever happen

    The one time I actually listen to Mali and I found myself in the worst predicament ever

    A hand on my shoulder stops me from moving away ¡®Sit,¡± Aiden demanded, pushing down on my

    shoulder. Not hard, but in a way that told me I should do as he says.

    My voice. It was no longer capable of pushing out of my mouth. I waspletely stunned and

    humiliated, so I could do nothing but obey Aiden like a puppy.

    With my bum back on the chair, Aiden leans down until his mouth is practically brushing my ears.

    Without warning, I shivered.

    ¡°Now now puppy. You looked like you were really into it. Don¡¯t let my little disturbance stop you from

    watching something so educational.¡± He stressed on the word educational, mocking it and mocking me.

    I could only suck in a sharp breath. Not necessarily because of his words, but by the feel of his hot

    breath fanning behind my ear and so close to my neck

    Aiden¡¯s hand on my shoulder remains there while the other reaches in front of me and peels myptop

    open.

    I watch wordlessly as he uses one hand to search my history and clicked right back on the porn video l

    had been watching in fascination just hours ago

    The two couples go right back to fucking before my eyes. I looked away, now even more embarrassed

    since Aiden chuckled in amusement.

    But he only grips my chin and forces me to look at the screen. ¡°Don¡¯t look away puppy. It¡¯s only going

    to get good from here.¡± He snorted, pinching my chin but not hard enough to cause pain. In fact, it was

    more so as a teasing pinch.

    In a swift move, Aiden shocks me by pulling out the headphones and tossing them on the floor. I gasp

    in rm as the sounds of grunts and moans slutter and disturb the once quiet room.

    I try to reach over to lower orpletely mute the volume but Aiden grips my hands before I could.¡¯

    Bad puppy, wanting to spoil the good show!¡± Aiden teased, chuckling beside my ear.

    gritted my teeth

    ¡®Stop!¡± 1 snapped finally seeming to get my voice back.

    ¡®Stop what?¡± He taunted, forcing my hands back to my sides as he leans even closer.

    ¡°Someone might hear Aiden¡¯ I sputtered out, sweeping my eyes away from the screen inplete

    humiliation.

    ¡°But this is only an educational video, Sophie Just look at all that youve already learned in just a couple

    of minutes. He teased

    Again, it¡¯s not his words that shocked me or had me catching my breath It was the way he said my

    name My real name and not puppy

    Aiden rarely uses my name But when he does, there¡¯s a certain way my name rolls off his tongue that

    sends tingles racing down my spine

    And surprisingly they were the good kind

    Not hearing my response. Aiden chuckles ¡°Dont worry puppy, no one is in the school Joe is outside

    which leaves only the two of us in the room, alone with no one close to hearing range So many

    possibilities

    The sounds of the woman¡¯s loud squeal rouse my attention and I looked at the screen only to look

    away quickly when I saw it was another position that had her so

    Aidenughs amusement clear in his teasing voice when he speaks ¡°Youre as red as a tomato puppy

    Who would¡¯ve thought you would be so¡­naughty

    I snapped my head his way and had not predicted that our eyes would¡¯ve connected. His blue eyes

    were stormy with so many emotions that they almost looked grey

    Yet even with the storm in his eyes my breath catches and my heart thuds. Alden was truly the most

    handsome guy I had ever seen

    Too bad he was aplete dick And he proves it by saying

    ¡°Cat got your tongue puppy? He teased, his eyes dropping to my mouth i dont acknowledge the shift of

    emotions in his stormy gaze nor do I acknowledge how darker they suddenly got,

    Aiden was a maniptor and a big bully. And I refuse to y into his hands today I was just not in the

    mood for his taunting and teasing today

    And perhaps that had to do with the fact that every time he talks, I¡¯m reminded of how he soundedst

    week. The grunts he had let out And it didn¡¯t help that he was really close to me,

    Close enough that I can feel the breath from his parted mouth brushing against my own,

    Letting out an annoyed breath, I turned around and shrugged his hands off me. ¡°Okay enough, I

    grumbled.

    Aiden cleared his throat and then chuckled, but ites out forced.

    ¡°You¡¯ve had enough of watching your porn video puppy?¡± He teased, finally moving away from me

    It was strange for him to back down so easily. In fact, Aiden Xavier never backs down. No, he would¡¯ve

    continued teasing me until I literally resemble a tomato.

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    But no malier, it was a good thing he backed down. The universe must be on my side today.

    quickly escape the tab and shut off myptop before he could stop me this time. ¡°Ah, but you didn¡¯t

    even get to the good part yet.¡± He mocked behind me, but thankfully not close enough anymore.

    I rise from the chair and quickly ced myptop back in my bag. I still can¡¯t believe Aiden had seen

    me watching porn.

    And even forced me to sit back down to watch it¡­.

    He really was a bully

    Turning around to face Aiden, I snapped at him while I red. ¡°You¡¯re a real asshole you know that?!¡±

    Aiden only crosses his arms over his chest and looked at me in amusement. That only irked me even

    more.

    He always treated me like his personal toy he could y with whenever he wanted.

    pointed at his chest and with a furious re, I spat. ¡°You¡¯re a big dick who thinks he can get away with

    everything! You¡¯re nothing but a bully who¡¯s miserable. I fucking hate you Aiden!¡±

    I was breathing heavily by the time I was done with my little speech. And as I try to control my

    breathing while staring into Alden¡¯s really blue stormy eyes, I realized that I didn¡¯t

    I didn¡¯t hate him

    And I should have. I should hate him with all my heart. Because he had been nothing but mean to me

    my entire life. He was my bully

    But I didn¡¯t hate him. I just couldn¡¯t. No matter how many times I¡¯ve tried, hate just never came to me

    when I thought about Aiden Xavier

    It was another emotion entirely.

    Aiden¡¯s brow raised as he stared at me. And then he does something rarely. He smiles.

    But that quickly diminishes when he noticed my shocked stare. Taking a step forward Aiden snorts.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m well aware I have a big dick puppy. No need to remind me.¡±

    He takes another step forward which had me stepping back until the back of my thighs touched the

    wooden surface of the wooden table.

    He sees this and takes a step forward again until he knew he had trapped me. He could easily just

    reach out, and ce his hands on the desk on either side of me and I would have nowhere to go but

    stay in his cage.

    Tilting his head, Aiden stared at me with deep amusement. ¡°But miserable. I don¡¯t think I am. Not when

    I get to see your face every day¡± His mouth curved into a grin and he does what I feared he¡¯d do.

    Hepletely traps me with both hands ced on either side of me. He was so close that I could smell

    his cologne. He smelled of spice and something else. Something more calming. Which was strange for

    a guy like him to emanate off.

    My breath catches in my throat as I leaned away from him, shivering strangely when his body heat

    brushes against the length of my body.

    Aiden dips his head and tilts it slightly until the air from his mouth brushes against my neck. I gasped

    when Aiden grunts. ¡°And hate me. I don¡¯t think you hate me, Sophie,¡±

    Trying to get my voice back, I murmured. ¡°But I do. I really do.¡±

    Suddenly Aiden¡¯s nose is on my skin and he chuckles. ¡°No you don¡¯t. And you want to know how I

    know?¡±

    My hands tremble as they tried to grip the edges of the table. Aiden was way too close. I couldn¡¯t seem

    to think properly when he was this close

    ¡°Aiden

    I started, on the verge of telling him to back off but Aiden had other ns. He removes his face away

    from my skin, to stare down at me.

    And when his stormy eyes stared down at me, I felt my heart rate spike. ¡°Because I know you Sophie,

    more than you think. And I know you don¡¯t have a single bone in your body to ever hate anyone

    I sucked in a sharp breath, staring into his eyes with shock

    ¡°Also,¡± Alden¡¯s lips curt into a smirk in a fast movement, before I could even register what he was about

    to do, Aiden had reached behind me and lugged the scrunchie from my hair

    My long chocte colored tresses fall around my shoulders and my back. So long that they brushed

    my tailbone. With a teasing grin: Aiden

    murmured. ¡°You look way better with your hair down puppy.¡±

 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3

    Chapter 3

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Tinhaled sharply,pletely stunned by how he managed to have caught me off guard.

    Aiden¡¯s grin is stunning andpletely shocks me.

    My heart beat furiously in my chest and my skin tingle by his close proximity. ¡°Aiden

    I stop, luring some air into my lungs.

    What the hell was I doing just standing here and not pushing him away?! I can¡¯t have him have thest

    ¡°Get away from me Aiden! Ever heard of personal space?¡± I snapped and tried to reach for my

    scrunchie but he lifts his hand up and looks down at me tauntingly.

    He was way taller than me and he knew I wouldn¡¯t be able to reach it, even if I tiptoe.

    ¡°Give it back you dick!¡± I snapped impatiently. I just wanted to go home and bury my face in my covers

    and scream out my frustration and humiliation

    He raised a mocking brow. ¡°A very big dick?¡± He clicked his tongue and chuckled when he saw how

    frustrated I got.

    Exhaling out a heavy annoyed breath I murmured, ¡°Why? Why do you always pick on me Aiden? Why

    can¡¯t you just leave me alone and be on your merry way? If you hate me that¡¯s fine, we don¡¯t have to

    acknowledge each other

    ¡°Shut up.¡± Aiden¡¯s face suddenly loses all emotion and gets cold. His stormy eyes pierce through mine.

    Suddenly Aiden¡¯s face is mere inches away from mine, so close that I can see some grey in his eyes

    and also see my reflection through the windows of his soul.

    I gulped. He was way too close. Too close.

    Aiden lifts his hand up and his fingers brush against my neck. I shivered under his touch and felt

    something like fire coiling in my lower stomach.

    ¡°Look, you can tell everyone what you caught me watching, I don¡¯t care. Just leave me alone and let

    me go.¡± I stammered out when his louch seem to have made goosebumps raise on my skin.

    Aiden, whose eyes were on my neck, lifts and connected with mine. ¡°And what if I don¡¯t want to let you

    go puppy?¡± He tilts his head, brushing some of my brown hair behind my shoulder.

    This was the first time Aiden and I was alone and so close to each other. He would either have his

    friends when we cross paths or I would have Mali beside me

    But never were we in the same room, alone and so close it can be considered inappropriate. It was

    strange having him so near.

    I ultered ¡°I will scream the entire roof down if I have to if you don¡¯t get away from me. I¡¯ll even tell Joe

    you were

    I stopped, not wanting to say the word assault when he clearly hadn¡¯t assaulted me. I could get into

    huge trouble.

    Aider¡¯s eyes narrowed on my face with an unimpressed expression. ¡°Is that a threat puppy?¡±

    Putting out air, 1 hufted ¡®Would you stop calling me that!? I have a name for fuck sake.¡±

    Aiden¡¯s eyes narrowed on my mouth. ¡®You know, you have quite a dirty little mouth puppy. Filthy

    actually. Then again, you¡¯re not as innocent as you look.¡±

    His lips spread into a smirk that taunted me. ¡°Shy and very attentive Sophie Bell, watches porn in the

    library after school hours. Hmmm. Teachers pet, I wonder what all those teachers would think of you

    now.¡±

    ¡°Tell me Puppy. Did you like the video? Did you like to watch the quy fuck the girl so hard? I bet you

    wished to be fucked like that.¡± He tsked, pinching the skin on my shoulder

    ring at him, I saw that there was no way I could win an argument with him so I settled for trying to

    reach for my scrunchie. When my actions were futile and met with a chuckle from Aiden

    I decided that enough was enough and stomped on his foot harshly. He yelps, hissing, and drops my

    scrunchie ¡®Fuck¡± He groans, shifting on his foot.

    Now you must be wondering why I¡¯m going through all this trouble for a simple scrunchie, but this was

    my favorite one, and I¡¯d be damned if let Aiden Xavier have it.

    I quickly go to reach for my scrunchie but Aiden is quicker than me. He grabs a hold of my hand and

    pushes me back to the desk.

    gasp as I clumsilynd on the surface. Aiden is fast toe between my legs before I couldpose

    myself

    His hands swiftly grab a hold of my hands when I was about to push him away. His grip around my

    wrist was firm

    ¡°You¡¯re going to pay for that!¡± He sneered, pressing his body closer to mine so there would be no way I

    could escape.

    ¡°You deserved it!¡± I retorted with a sneer of my own.

    ¡°You fucking brat,¡± Aiden growls, his faceing closer to mine. Do you know how

    ¡°Fuck you Aiden.¡± I cut him off. ¡°I¡¯m so done with having to listen to you. Fuck

    With a powerful growl, Aiden¡¯s mouthtches on to mine. I gasp, my heart leaping as he presses his

    lower body closer to me. And it¡¯s then I feel it. That hardness, brushing against my inner thigh.

    He was hard as a rock. So hard that it would seem as though he was like that for more than a few

    seconds.

    I gasp again at the feel of his hardness brushing against my inner thigh. But my actions only had Aiden

    thrusting his tongue into my mouth.

    When our tongues made contact, we both shuddered and I moaned. This was wrong. So so wrong.

    Aiden was an asshole a bully, my bully and I was letting him kiss me.

    But somehow, I didn¡¯t want him to stop. Even though I know I should push

    him away, i couldn¡¯t get myself to

    His tongue slid against mine and he growls in his throat His hands that had captured my wrists, let

    them go only to settle on my bottom and tugged me closer to him until the dress I wore rode up and

    until his hardness brushed against my core.

    i gasped and trembled at the powerful feeling that he invoked inside me. My hands were free to push

    him, they were, but I used them to grab a hold of his shirt, fist them in my hand and pull him closer to

    me.

    This wasn¡¯t me

    I should push him away.

    But as the thought pushed into my mind, my hands only fisted his shirt more firmly and pulled him even

    closer.

    Aiden grunts, squeezing my bottom and starts rubbing his hardness on my core.

    It feels so good.

    The way his hardness rubbed on my throbbing nub to my core. I could already feel the sleekness

    between my thighs. I was wet. Very wet.

    Aiden tilts his head in a way that allowed his tongue to enter deeper into my mouth and I couldn¡¯t stop

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    the moan that fluttered out and joined

    his groan.

    ¡°Sophie,¡± He groans, pulling away from my mouth only to brush his lips at the corner of my mouth and

    trail kisses down my neck.

    I closed my eyes tightly, shivering and moaning while he wets a trail down the curve of my neck

    I shouldn¡¯t like this. I really shouldn¡¯t. We need to stop.

    ¡°Aiden

    Igasp, arching into him when I feel his wet tongue dart out to lick the skin of my neck.

    I bundle his shirt in my fist, pushing more into him, despite my next words. ¡°We can¡¯t- we should sto

    Aiden¡¯s grip on my bottom turns form and he pulls me impossibly closer to him until his hardness was

    no longer just a brush on my core, but until I could actually feel his entire length.

    ¡°God for once Sophie, shut up and just enjoy this.¡± He groans on my neck, lifts his head, and then

    looked down at me.

    My breath catches in my throat at the look in his eyes. Hunger. Did the windows of my soul show the

    same?

    My eyes leave his to drop to stare at his lips. Had I done that? Did I make his lips so red?

    Did mine look the same?

    Aiden seeing that I would no longer protest tilts his head and connects our lips once more.

    One of his hands leaves my bottom, almost reluctantly only to tickle its way to my pussy.

    I began to pant, my breathinging in short puffs, Aiden¡¯s breathing is exactly the same, so rough

    and so

    My mind goes hazy when I feel Aiden¡¯s fingers brushing my core. He presses on my pussy, groaning

    loudly.

    *You¡¯re wel. So fucking wet Sophie.¡± He groans, ripping his mouth away from mine and moving his

    body slightly away so that when he tooked between us, he¡¯d get a perfect view of his hand on my

    pussy.

    My chest rises and falls as I try to catch my breath. But his warm hand that seeps warmth on my core

    wasn¡¯t exactly helping.

    Aiden has a dazed look in his eyes as he stared at his hand on my core. The only thing in our way for

    his fingers to touch my bare pussy was my ckcy panties

    Alden¡¯s bottom lip gets pulled between his teeth as he bites down on the plumpness. ¡°Lace?¡¯ Aiden

    asked, his eyes jumping up to meet mme ¡°Who would ve thought

    ibri my hp, feeling heal settle on my cheek Something Mashes in Aider¡¯s eyes and then so swiftly, his

    fingers tangle in myce panties and rip them off of me before my mind could even register what was

    happening

    When the flimsyce is on the floor, his eyes fall to between my thighs, and Aidon moans. ¡°You have a

    fucking beautiful pussy, Sophie.¡¯ In a Second, Aiden is on tusknees, tus hands cupping my bottom to

    tug me to the edge of the desk, and then his mouth was on my very wet Dussy

 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4

    Chapter 4

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    A strange strangled gasp pushes out of my mouth when his warm lips meet my sensitive nub.

    This, this was wrong.

    We shouldn¡¯t have gone this far.

    But instead of telling Aiden to stop, my hands capture his hair, and I found myself marveling at how soft

    his dark strands were.

    A moan, so sharp yet breathless rolled out of my mouth as his wet tongue pushes out of his mouth and

    tickle my pussy lips.

    My eyes, on their own fall down to stare between my thighs, and my breath hitches. Because here was

    Aiden Xavier with his mouth on my pussy and his tongue swirling between my pussy lips.

    My heart spikes and my hands tremble as I continue to look at him feast on my very sensitive flesh.

    My bully was eating me out in the school¡¯s library!

    I couldn¡¯t grasp on a good enough thought that would reveal to me exactly how we managed to find

    ourselves in this position. Everything that happened prior was almost like a blur.

    How did we end up like this?

    And when the thoughtes into my head, Aiden¡¯s eyes which were closed, opens and our eyes

    connected.

    Brown and blue connect, and everything around us just seems to be blurred out as all I can focus on

    were Aiden¡¯s eyes,

    His lips leave my pussy slightly, his warm breath fanning against the throbbing part of my center. ¡°You

    taste so good.¡± He moaned, hands on my bottom squeezing as he pulls me closer to his mouth.

    His tongue darts out and enters my hole. Igasp loudly, moaning his name which he seemed to love

    because he started to eat me even more.

    My trembling fingers gripped his hair tighter as his eyes never left mine. ¡°So sweet.¡± He groans,

    slipping his tongue in deeper.

    My pussy quivered, my stomach tightens and my breathinges out like short pants as I try to control

    my breathing.

    My heart, never had it beaten so quickly before.

    Aiden continues to eat me out, groaning while he sucked me. He sucked my pussy lips in his mouth,

    moaning, and then let it go, only to push his tongue back into my hole.

    I shuddered. ¡°Aiden,

    My thighs shook. The pleasure that courses through me was too powerful. Not able to take any more of

    it, my thighs were willing to shut, but Aiden had other ns

    He¡¯s quick to grab a hold of my thighs and forces them to stay parted. And to make it worst, he suckled

    me harder and faster until I could no longer take the torture and my body gave up

    I throw my palm over my mouth as a scream lore from my throat. My body convulses and my pussy

    weeps as it contracts and releases.

    I wasing in my Alden¡¯s mouth and he seemed to like it so much that he opens his lips and sucked

    my entire pussy dry.

    My thighs shook, and my entire body trembles. When I thought it was over, Aiden quickly stands up

    and unbutton his jeans. He pushes it down and also pushes his briefs down to his thighs.

    And then hees jerking up. Huge and terrifying. He was also oddly beautiful.

    I watch the veins that run along his length in fascination and gasp when his cock jerks as if saying hello

    to me.

    Aiden settles back between my thighs, his cock gripped by his hand as he guides his massive head

    towards my tiny little pussy.

    I squirm.

    I had the chance to close my legs and I also had the chance to tell him no.

    But somehow my voice had died at the back of my throat and strangely enough, I didn¡¯t want to stop.

    No, I wanted him.

    I wanted him badly.

    I couldn¡¯t tell him to stop even though I knew I should.

    Aiden groans when the head of his cock brushes my pussy lips, and he pushes in forward a little to part

    those said lips that tingled.

    I moan when he starts to enter me slowly.

    One of Aiden¡¯s hands reach behind my neck to hold me in ce and forces me to look down at where

    we were connecting slowly.

    ¡°Look at us Sophie. Look at my cock stretching your little pussy.¡± He grunts pushing in deeper and

    stretching me out.

    I wince slightly. He was big and I was still a virgin.

    ¡°You¡¯re so fucking tight.¡± He growls, rolling his hips when the head of his cock kisses my barrier. One

    more push and Aiden Xavier will take my virginity.

    I should stop.

    Why can¡¯t I stop?

    Why can¡¯t we stop?

    And then it happens. He thrust all the way in, breaking my hymen and locking us together. He was so

    deep. Really deep.

    And the size of him¡­oh God. I¡¯m stretched out to the maximum.

    I let out a whimper as throbbing pain slices through me. If he wasn¡¯t so long and big perhaps I wouldn¡¯t

    be so much in pain. But he was. And he was stretching me out painfully.

    *Oh luck.¡± Aiden hisses, stopping his movements and leaving his very huge dick inside me.

    ¡°So fucking tight.¡± He grils, the hand behind the back of my neck tightens firmly as his hips buck.

    ¡°Shit

    i moan, wincing when his cock jerks and throbs inside me.

    ¡°You okay?¡¯ He asked, shocking me by actually sounding worried,

    I looked up, my breathinging out so harshly. I¡¯m even more stunned by the worried look in his

    eyes. The first emotion I had ever seen he showed me other than anger and annoyance.

    It feels strange to be stretched out so much. There was a slight burning pain but now it was bing

    bearable. In fact, there was a slight tingle of pleasure that was quickly recing the pain the longer he

    stayed inside me.

    The feeling became so intense in a few more seconds that I was unable to hold back and tried to push

    my hips forward; taking more of his length that I thought was already inside me.

    I gasp. How long was he?

    ¡°Sophie,¡± Aiden growls, holding me steady. But I wanted something

    I didn¡¯t know what exactly but that intense pleasure made me want more. ¡°I want

    I stop, dropping my eyes down to stare at where we are connected. His entire cock was inside me now.

    And it looked so good and felt good too.

    ¡°What do you want Sophie?¡± Aiden grunts, rolling his hips slightly. My lips part in a moan as his cock

    kisses every inch of my walls.

    ¡°I want

    I lift my gaze to his eyes and when I saw the hunger in his eyes, I finished. ¡°I want more. Give me more

    Aiden.¡±

    And Aiden does. He groans, pulling all the way until only his head was inside me, just being kissed by

    my lips until he pushes back in.

    My walls tighten around him and he growls. ¡°If you keep squeezing me like that I won¡¯tst, Sophie.¡±

    I gasp he tries to pull out only to get stopped by the gripping of my walls. ¡®Dammit, Soph!¡± He growls

    and reaches between us to start rubbing my pulsing nub.

    I gasp and my pussy rxes.

    He slides out a little only to push back into me. Aiden glides inside me slowly and with the purpose to

    have my pussy quiver.

    And it did.

    I tried to hold in my cries as he fucked me slowly.

    But then when our eyes connected, Aiden¡¯s actions became hasty. He starts thrusting inside me, barely

    making me catch my breath.

    Thai¡¯s what you wanted right? You wanted me to fuck you? Look at me fucking you now Sophie.¡± He

    growled, forcing my head to lower so that my eyes can watch him pull out and enter me.

    ¡®Aiden¡± i pant

    Sophie.¡± He growled and then in a second his lips were on mine and his tongue was inside my mouth.

    His hips push forward, his cock stretching me. The head of cock was so deep inside me that I wasn¡¯t

    sure exactly where he touched.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Take all of me, Sophie.¡± He grunts on my lips as one of his handses to cup my breast

    over the material of my dress and bra He squeezes it while groaning

    ¡°Fuck.¡± He growled, thrusting into me harder. His breathing wasbored as he fed me his cock over

    and over. My toes curled, my thighs tightened around his hips and then it happens.

    I call out his name so many times as my walls mp around him, squeezing him so tightly that he could

    no longer move. I feel him pulse inside me as I came around him.

    Stars fluttered in my vision and the sound of Aiden¡¯s loud growl had metching onto his voice to keep

    me present.

    ¡°Fu-ck!¡± He grunts, quickly pulling out of me when my walls finally loosened around him a little.

    Secondster I felt warmness on my pussy and looked down to see that it was his release.

    He ps his cock on my pussy, grunting as he continued to spurt out the creaminess of his release on

    my sensitive flesh.

    His foreheadnd on mine and he shook his head as he shuddered. ¡°Fuck Sophie.¡± He whispered and

    pecked my lips. When he wasn¡¯t satisfied, he kissed me slowly.

    When he stops and takes a step back, that¡¯s when reality hit me. I looked down at myself and saw a

    little blood and then when I looked at him, I saw a little bit of blood on his cock too.

    I had just given my bully my virginity.

    Gulping in shame and confused as hell, I waited for him to move away from mepletely to start

    putting on his jeans. When he does, jump off the desk, wincing slightly at the pain in between my

    thighs.

    I bend down to grab my ruinedcy panties and then quickly grab my bag. I don¡¯t look back as I run out

    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    of there despite the protest of my vagina.

    I hear his shouts but don¡¯t look back or stop.

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5

    Chapter 5

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I quickly push my flimsy panties into my bag and pushed the front doors open.

    Joe who was just about to open the doors himself, looks at me a bit startled. I stop, not wanting to

    rm him, but I¡¯m toote

    ¡°Sophie?¡±

    He looks behind me a bit rmed and then looks back at me in worry.¡± Are you okay? Is everything

    alright?¡¯

    He looks behind me again, this time his brows knotting in confusion. ¡°Aiden? Why are you here after

    school hours?¡±

    I froze, now sensing his presence just behind me. When did he catch up to me?

    Goosebumps rage on my skin as a quick sh of what happened mere seconds ago shove into my

    mind.

    Aiden¡¯s fingers

    I¡¯m pulled out of those shes by his voice. ¡°I was looking for Sophie to hand her this.¡± Aidenes

    forward until his shoulders brush mine.

    I sucked in a sharp breath and Joe looks at between us in confusion.

    Aiden turns to me, his chest now brushing my arm as he hands me back my phone. ¡°You forgot this.

    Next time make sure you have everything before leaving.¡± He stated coldly.

    I gulped and grabbed my phone from his grasp. He was back to being cold. Had what we had done

    seconds ago not meant something to him?

    Oh who was I kidding? This was Aiden Xavier, my bully. This was perhaps another form of bullying for

    him. To be the first one to enter me. I¡¯m sure he was gloating about it and will tell the entire school how

    he took my virginity without me putting up much of a fight.

    My heart drops at the thought. Had I just made the biggest mistake in my life?

    He doesn¡¯t wait for a response and walks away. I¡¯m left standing there staring at his back, strangely

    hoping he¡¯d turn around.

    He never did.

    ¡®Are you sure you¡¯re okay Sophie?¡± Joe asked in worry, his eyes skimming down my frame. Not in a

    creepy way, but in a way that indicated that he was searching for any signs of harm.

    I smiled shakily at Joe, not wanting him to worry about me. ¡°I¡¯m fine Joe. Was just in a hurry to get

    home.¡±

    Joe doesn¡¯t look convinced and turns to stare at Aiden when he hears the roaring of his car when he

    starts it.

    ¡°Did he do anything to you, Sophie? I know he can be a big bully

    I shook my head and cut him off as I watch Aiden¡¯s car speed down the road. ¡°No. He didn¡¯t do

    anything. I¡¯m okay Joe,¡¯ I sweep my eyes back to Joe and forced out another smile

    it wobbles slightly but I force it to stay as I reassure him. ¡°I¡¯m okay I promise I¡¯ll see you around Joe.¡±

    quickly race down the steps leading to the parking lot and race over to the bus stop all the while with an

    aching core that protested with every slight movement. I was a reminder of what I had done. What we

    had done.

    There was no going back now. Aiden and I had sex and there was no undo button.

    ¡°Hey honey. Did you stay in the library again?¡± My foster mom Ingrid asked with a small smile on her

    face when I entered.

    I closed the door behind me and tucked a few brown strands behind my ears. ¡°Yeah. Had some work to

    catch up to.¡± I lied and prayed she wouldn¡¯t catch my lies.

    She nods and goes back to setting some snack bowls on the coffee table. The friends must be on their

    way. In a few more minutes the house will be disturbed with noise.

    ¡± I don¡¯t like you staying out after school but since it¡¯s for school work I¡¯ll not talk your ear off. Just make

    sure you havepany the next time, okay?¡± Her head lifts and her eyes narrow on my hair.

    ¡°You let your hair down? I thought you hated your hair down?¡± She grins, straightening her spine to

    give me her full attention.

    I nervously shrug and started walking towards the staircase. ¡°Just felt like leaving it down.¡±

    ¡°Are you okay honey?¡± She asked,pletely catching me off guard. I whip my head to her, my hand

    on the handrail. ¡°Huh?¡±

    Her blue eyes drop to stare at my legs. ¡°Did you have a fall? You¡¯re walking funny.¡±

    I felt the mes of embarrassment paint my cheeks and quickly cleared my throat. ¡°I uh-yes. I did. It¡¯s

    nothing to worry about, just need a good soak in some warm water.¡± i forced out augh and quickly,

    well as quickly as I can up the rest of the stairs.

    ¡°Don¡¯t want to go for a check-up to see if you hadn¡¯t dislocated anything?¡± She asked out of concern.

    This was all Aiden¡¯s fault. If he didn¡¯t have such a big dick, I wouldn¡¯t be walking like I had just gotten

    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.

    rammed in.

    Well when you really look at it, Aiden had actually rammed into me.

    ¡°No. I¡¯m okay Ingrid. No need to worry and get those stress lines you hate so much.¡± I stered on a

    smile that somehow convinced her.

    ¡°Well I¡¯ll brew up some ginger tea for you. Heard it¡¯s a natural pain reliever. Hopefully, it will help.¡± She

    said, nodding to herself and already making her way to the kitchen.

    I stare at her back and sighed. Yes hopefully the ginger helps with the pain in my core, but will it help

    with the pain in my heart?

    Sighing heavily, I continued up the stairs and made my way to my room.

    I sank my entire body in the warm water that filled the tub and sighed. It rxed my muscles a lot and

    the ache in between my thighs was being soothed by the caress of the warm water.

    But as I stay there, soaking my limbs up and soaking up the silence, my mind chooses this moment to

    run an entire movie¡¯s length of shes of what happened in the library

    Goosebumps raise on my skin despite how warm the water was. I chewed on my lips, unable to think

    clearly when I kept seeing how Aiden took me over and over again in my head.

    I groan. It¡¯s crazy how Aiden had treated me like crap earlier, only to end up being deep inside me

    hourster.

    I felt a blush crawl on my neck and sank deeper into the water to cool it down.

    ¡°So stupid Sophie. You¡¯re so stupid for not pushing him away.¡± I shook my head, scowling at myself. It

    was of no use. What was done is done.

    ¡°You could¡¯ve stopped him. Tell him to back off. Instead, you loved it. You loved what he had done to

    your body.¡± I groan,pletely feeling like I was going insane.

    It was all Aiden Xavier¡¯s fault.

    I smacked my forehead, grunting as I try to ¡®forcefully¡¯ remove the shes of what happened in the

    library. What he had done to me. What he made me feel.

    Why does my heart skip so much when I think about him? Why did it always do that?

    Before I thought it was because of fear but now, I was beginning to believe it was something entirely

    different¡­..

    And the way he stared at me when he entered me

    A knock tugs me out of my thoughts and Ingrid¡¯s voice flutters in from behind the door. ¡°I ced the

    ginger tea on your dresser. Make sure to drink it warm and not cold.¡±

    Clearing my throat and fixing myself in the tub, I replied. ¡°Thanks, Ingrid.¡±

    When I hear the sounds of her fading footsteps, I sighed and submerge my entire body under the

    water, praying that those shes would stop. I didn¡¯t want to think about him. Not now. Not when I didn¡¯t

    know what to feel about him anymore,

    * Next Morning *

    ¡°Thanks, Ingrid,¡± I said, waving her goodbye and turned around to face the huge school when she

    drives away.

    I hauled in a sharp breath and then let it out through my mouth. This is it. As soon as I walk through the

    halls of East Wood high, everyone would point their fingers and snicker behind my back. Because by

    now surely Aiden has told everyone how he conquered me so easily.

    | gripped the straps of my bag tightly, took in a calm breath, and then made my way towards the huge

    doors.

    When I push through, I expected everyone to turn their heads toward me and start their mockery. But

    everything was normal, I was still invisible.

    Confused at Aiden¡¯s true intentions, I made my way to my locker. A few minutes after putting my books

    in my locker, someone leans beside the locker beside mine.

    ¡°I know what you did.¡±

    My breath halts in my throat, my heart starts pounding and I turn my wide eyes towards Mali who had a

    huge grin spread on her face.

    ¡°Last Summer. We need to watch that movie soon. Movie night at your ce?¡± She borates which

    eases me and I find myself breathing properly now

    1 smiled faintly and continued to put the rest of the books inside my locker. ¡°Not tonight. Friends bailed

    on foster parentsst night and scheduled for tonight. There¡¯s no way we can even watch a movie

    while they are there. We would not be able to hear a single word.¡±

    Mali sighs, crossing her arms over her chest and bangs the back of her head on the locker lightly.

    ¡°You¡¯re probably right. Can¡¯t have you at iny house. So this Friday? We can stay up all night?

    Mali¡¯s mother doesn¡¯t want friends over

    i nodded and smiled Mali grinned back at me, but then her grin falters into a disgusted sneer. ¡°He¡¯s

    such a prick.¡±

    My brows knotted in confusion ¡°Who?¡±

    ¡®Aiden Such a tool. Thate that guy.

    Hearing his name made the little hairs on the back of my head rise. I quickly turn to face where she had

    been ring at and my eyes fall on Aiden with Rnd and Austin by his side.

    He was walking this way, his footsteps powerful. I held my breath, expecting him like usual to say a

    side remark or at least acknowledge me.

    He doesn¡¯t.

    His head is straight forward and he doesn¡¯t even spare me a single nce. It was like I didn¡¯t even

    exist. Even Rnd and Austin shared a confused nce as they pass me without so much as a word

    from Aiden.

    My heart drops and I quickly turned away. ¡°Me too,¡± I murmured, blinking the sting from my eyes.

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6

    Chapter 6

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Mrs. Hamilton was in the middle of her lesson when the door was thrust opened. She lets out an

    annoyed breath, not fancy of being interrupted.

    A very cute boy who had eyes of blue enters with a lost look and a paper in his hand.

    He looks down at the paper, skimming the words andpletely ignoring the confused and calcting

    stares around him.

    ¡°Am I in the right ss? English A?¡± His brows pinched as he looked up from the paper.

    A new student sote into the semester?

    Realizing that the boy was a new student, Mrs. Hamilton puts on one of her fakest of smiles and nods

    ¡°You are.¡± She trailed off, waiting for him to save her from asking him his

    name.

    ¡°Carson. Carson Levi.¡± The tall boy answered quickly, looking relieved that he was in the right ss

    after all.

    Mrs. Hamilton nods and then gestures to the entire ss. ¡°These will be your ssmates until the end

    of the semester. Make friends, but not in my ss. I don¡¯t tolerate any disturbance. You may have a

    seat.¡±

    Her smile had long since gone.

    Carson nods, his eyes shifting in amusement while his hand lifted to his forehead to salute. ¡°Yes,

    Ma¡¯am.¡±

    The entire room is filled withughter when he does so. ¡°I¡¯m Carson by the way.¡± He says loudly,

    introducing himself since Mrs. Hamilton seemed to be more upied with ring at him to introduce

    him to the ss.

    ¡°Have a seat Mr. Levi.¡± Mrs. Hamilton growled in impatience.

    ¡°Will do sir. I mean madame.¡± He sends her a cheeky smile that she responded to with a scowl. The

    entire room burst into another fit ofughter,

    I smiled. This new guy was bold and quite funny. And he was rather cute too. With his dirty blonde hair,

    blue eyes, and lean yet tone body, he was truly a sight

    1 blushed and looked away quickly when his blue eyes met mine. But I was sure he had caught me

    staring by the charming grin set on his tace

    He was cute, but he was not Aiden,

    Want Why would ever think such a thing?

    ¡°Mind if I sit here? His voice fluttered just beside me. I sweep my gaze to him and tried to act

    nonchnt even though I was dying of embarrassment from being caught staring at him.

    ¡°It¡¯s a free country of that¡¯s what you¡¯re asking I shrugged,

    He chuckles and settles down on the empty seat and threw his bag on the desk.

    ¡®My name is Carson by the way¡± He whispered lowly since Mrs Hamilton resumes her lesson.

    I sent him a smile. ¡°I know,¡± I whispered back. He grins cheekily and turns around to face the front.

    I do the same, but I hold my breath when my eyes caught Austin¡¯s gaze. He was looking at me and

    studying the interaction between Carson and me.

    He tears his eyes away when he noticed I have caught him.

    I furrow my brows and try to ignore the lingering suspicion in my mind.

    ¡°Mind showing me to my maths ss pretty girl?¡± Carson asked, leaning closer to my ear.

    Stunned by his closeness, I stepped away a little and looked at him over my shoulder.

    I had literature, and the ssroom was the opposite way of the math ssroom. But since I didn¡¯t want

    to just shrug him off and seem rude, I only smiled and nodded. He didpliment me after all, and I

    haven¡¯t really gotten much of those from the opposite sex much.

    Carson and I talked andughed as we made our way to the maths ssroom.

    ¡°I¡¯ll see you soon pretty girl?¡± He turns around in the doorway and grins down at me.

    ¡°I have a name you know,¡± I said while grinning.

    ¡°Hmmm. I think I like calling you pretty girl. But knowing your name seems fine too.¡± He joked.

    I giggled and answered. ¡°It¡¯s Sophie.¡±

    Carson¡¯s grin widens. ¡°Pretty name for a pretty girl. I like it.¡± He nods.

    Shaking my head at his way of flirting I turned around to leave. ¡°See you around Sophie!¡± Carson said

    loud enough for me to hear.

    I waved at him and then leave.

    The hallway was already emptying since everyone was already in their respective ssrooms. I on the

    other hand had to be generous with my time and now I¡¯m runningte.

    I turned a corner, my steps hastening. But then a door opens right in front of me and a hand quickly

    pulls me into the empty ssroom.

    My mouth open ready to yell, but a palm covers my mouth and stifle any sound I was about to make.

    Whoever tugged me in here was male, I can tell by the bigger hand and the strong grip he held my

    arm. And when he whips me around, my eyes widen

    Aiden?

    His eyes are a stormy blue. The same stormy blue that stared into my soul while he thrusted inside me

    yesterday in the library. But this time, the stormy blue was cold and dark with anger.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Whois he?¡± He hisses backing me up to the closed door. I groan softly when my back touches the door.

    My brows knot Who the hell is he?

    Alden¡¯s emotions p trough the windows of his soul and I¡¯m stunned by how frustrated and angry he

    was at whoever ¡®he¡¯ is.

    Realizing that I couldn¡¯t exactly answer hin with his hand over my mouth, Alden peels his palm from my

    lips and red down at me in inpatience

    ¡°Who the hell is he Sophie?¡± He snapped, his voice edging with the frustration he showed.

    My eyebrows furrow even more in confusion. ¡°Who are you talking about Aiden?¡±

    His jaw popped and he sent me a cold stare. ¡°The fucking guy in the ss, the one who sat beside

    you.¡±

    My mouth parts in an ¡®o¡¯. Ahh, so he¡¯s referring to Carson¡­..

    ¡°Carson?¡± I asked unsurely.

    Aiden snorted, taking a step back as he red down at me. ¡°You¡¯re even on first name basis with the

    guy already?¡±

    What the hell was wrong with him?

    Yes, he always picked on me, but not like this.

    ¡°If you¡¯re just going to talk nonsense in my ears, I¡¯d rather you do it when I don¡¯t actually have to be in

    ss right now. So if you don¡¯t have anything important to say, let me go.¡± I said impatiently.

    I was supposed to be in ss right now. He too. But apparently, he wants to waste both of our time with

    his stupid anger.

    Aiden closes the distance between us, his body pressing up against mine. I held my breath as my heart

    starts to hammer in my chest quickly.

    Goosebumps start to kiss my skin and my lips start to tingle when his eyes drop to stare at them.

    ¡°Would you stop saying that?¡± He murmurs hotly, looking down at my lips in frustration.

    ¡°Saying what?¡± I said breathlessly when his hard toned body presses against mine.

    ¡°Stop telling me to let you go.¡± He groans angrily.

    My eyes dance around his, trying to figure him out. But no one can ever figure out Aiden.

    ¡°Why?¡± Curiosity swirled in my voice and I hoped he¡¯d answer me but a part of me already knew he

    wouldn¡¯t.

    Aiden looks down at me intensely before something crosses in his eyes. I¡¯m toote to figure out the

    emotion before he takes a step back and turns away from me before I could catch a glimpse.

    ¡°Just stay away from that guy Sophie.¡± He grumbles coldly.

    I nched in shock. Aiden had never warned me off of anyone before and this was a first.

    The shock settled in first, but then anger slowly consumed that shock. ¡°You have no right to tell me who

    I should talk to and who I should not! I can be friends with whoever I want Aiden! You can bully me but

    you can¡¯t control my entire life.¡± I snapped.

    How dare he?

    What a big bully

    Why did I ever open my legs for a guy like that?

    Aiden whips around and his eye bore into mine angrily and that¡¯s when I understood why I gave into

    him so easily. It¡¯s because even though his eyes were so angry, his soul, that window in his eyes that

    showed his soul told me that Aiden wasn¡¯t really who he was portraying to be.

    There was just something about him that had my heart skipping every single time

    ¡°Friends?¡± He snorted, ¡°You think the guy wants to only be friends with you Sophiel? He called you

    pretty girl.¡± He raised a brow, daring me to answer him

    I did. ¡°How do you even know he called me pretty girl? And if he did, that has nothing to do with you!¡± I

    snapped.

    ¡°Austin saw and heard everything. Don¡¯t even try to deny it.¡± He sneers.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to deny anything. I hadn¡¯tmitted a crime and neither has he.¡± I snapped, getting

    very frustrated. Why were we even talking about this?

    Aiden looks angry at my response.

    ¡°Why do you even care anyway!?¡± I huffed, throwing my arms out. Why did he care about who I¡¯m

    friends with all of a sudden?

    Aiden doesn¡¯t respond for a few seconds, and when he does, his voice is so cold that I shivered

    slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t. I don¡¯t care.¡±

    Why do his words hurt me when they shouldn¡¯t?

    I opened my mouth to respond but came up with nothing. There¡¯s a sting in my throat and some in my

    eyes. Aiden looks down at me and the coldness in his eyes starts to melt.

    He opens his mouth but whatever words he had wanted to spurt out get cut off by the voice of the

    secretary through the inte above our heads.

    ¡°Aiden Xavier and Sophie Bell to the principal¡¯s office now.¡±

 Chapter 7

    Chapter 7

    Chapter 7

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I nervously looked anywhere but at principal Xavier who hadn¡¯t uttered a word as yet since Aiden and I

    sat down on the two vacant seats before his Mahony desk.

    The only sounds were the ticking of his pen as he hit it on his desk while staring at Alden and I fixedly

    I pulled my bottom lip in my mouth, trying to calm my nerves. This was the first time I had ever been

    called to the office. I was a good student, there was no need for me to ever be called to the office

    What could I have possibly done?!

    I breathed out air through my parted lips, trying to keep my focus on my breathing. I couldn¡¯t have a

    panic attack now

    Not when this could not be anything to worry about ¡°Sophie

    Principal Xavier hadn¡¯t even finished his sentence when I lift my head from the desk and whipped my

    eyes to his quickly

    ¡°Yes sir!¡± I said loudly, too loudly.

    Aiden chuckles beside me and I shift in the seat while looking away from principal Xavier.

    I cleared my throat and then shaked off my nerves. ¡°Yes sir?¡± I asked more calmly while lifting my eyes

    back to stare at his very stern dark eyes.

    With his pen tapping on the desk, principal Xavier eyes narrowed on me. ¡°It hase to my attention

    that you stayed in the library after school hours yesterday?¡±

    My heart starts to pound.

    Did I leave something I shouldn¡¯t have in the library? Was I not allowed to stay after school hours?

    But I never got called out for it before¡­.

    Was I really going to get into trouble because I stupidly had that idea to watch porn in the library?

    I swallowed harshly, shifting my gaze to Aiden sneakily and then ripping it away when I saw his smirk.

    What an ass.

    Straightening my spin, I replied as bravely as I could. ¡°Yes sir.¡±

    I began to feel perspiration decorating my skin when principal Xavier shifts to ce his elbows on the

    desk and his fingers interlocking. ¡®What for?

    Aiden snorted and I red at him as sneakily as I could. But judging by the intensity of principal

    Xavier¡¯s gaze, I knew he had seen it.

    I licked my rather dry lips and answered, not as bravely as I did prior. ¡°I stayed to finish up a project sir.¡±

    Aiden snorts but tries to hide it with a cough.

    Principal Xavier¡¯s brows raised and with the stare he gave me, I knew that he didn¡¯t believe me one bit.

    He hums, shifting his gaze to his grandson before shifting it back to me

    ¡°Funny Joe said you came out running like the fires of hell were nipping at your feet. He was worried,

    especially seeing my grandson over here, right behind you, and was equally running.¡¯ He nudges his

    chin towards Aiden who hadn¡¯t uttered a word as yet.

    But hearing his name join in on the conversation, his slumpy form sits right up. I would¡¯veughed if I

    wasn¡¯t terrified and currently holding a shit I needed to drop.

    Terror can do that to you.

    Principal Xavier ces his chin on his interlock fingers and then said. ¡± With our policy and our concern

    for all students, I had to investigate what may have caused you to run so¡­¡­.quickly like a murderer

    was on the loose. Or so as Joe described it.¡±

    Damn it Joe! Why couldn¡¯t you have left this alone?

    I squeezed my eyes, cursing in my head as my lips starts to wobble.

    If this wasn¡¯t bad he wouldn¡¯t have called me to the office. He wouldn¡¯t have called us both to the office.

    I looked at Aiden at the exact moment he decided to look at me. Our eyes connected like mas and

    I felt my breath catch. My pulse roars in my chest

    I¡¯m the first to break eye contact when principal Xavier continues. ¡°Now to my surprise, I didn¡¯t quite

    expect to see you miss Bell in quite a position. Especially with my grandson.¡±

    I gripped the edges of the chair brutally until my knuckles turned white and until my veins showed

    clearly.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you mean sir,¡± My eyes began to beat quickly as I try to remove the sting from them.

    I didn¡¯t want a taint in my school records.

    ¡°Grandfather

    Aiden starts but he is cut off by principal Xavier. ¡°No need to try to understand. I¡¯ll just show you two, to

    make it easier.¡± Theptop he had shifted on the side when we walked in is now turned to face Aiden

    and me,

    And on the screen. Is us. Fucking.

    In the library

    Thacked out a cough and turned bright red. I wanted to crawl into a hole and die. Perhaps even better

    if the floor would just open up and swallow me whole.

    Anything to save me from this embarrassment I now face.

    To make matters worst, principal Xavier reaches in front of theptop and presses down on the space

    bar. The video resumes and the entire room is filled with the faint sounds of my moaning and Aiden¡¯s

    groaning.

    Principal Xavier quickly pauses the video, looking awkward, and cringes.

    I fell bile rise in my throat and quickly swallowed it down. I thought I would get embarrassed if someone

    caught me watching porn, but practically being in one myself put the icing on the cake.

    ¡°You two must not have known that there are surveince cameras in the library¡± He goes back to

    tangling his fingers together on the desk while he stared at us

    The only difference was the frustration and disappointment in his eyes. ¡°I expected this from Aiden. But

    not from you Sophiel What were you two thing?

    I fiunched at his angry voice +

    ¡°We

    Aiden starts but I cut in quickly.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry sir. It was a stupid mistake. We didn¡¯t know

    ¡°Of course you two didn¡¯t know. There¡¯s a strict rule that says no sexual intercourse between students,

    especially on the premises!¡± He

    snaps.

    I flinched, dropping my gaze to the desk. This was bad. Really bad.

    And embarrassing. Really humiliating.

    ¡°Sophie is right grandfather. This was nothing more than a mistake that will never happen again.¡± Aiden

    said, his voice now really cold.

    With my heart dropping painfully and throbbing, I knew that I didn¡¯t like his words. I shifted in my seat,

    blinking the sting from my eyes.

    I was hurt.

    By his words.

    ¡°We ce rules here and rules are not meant to be broken. It doesn¡¯t matter if this was a ¡®mistake¡¯. It

    has already been done and caused damages. If you burn a piece of paper, you won¡¯t get it back.¡±

    Principal Xavier mocked the word mistake, as if not believing our words.

    Then he clears his throat which drew my attention. His eyes are already on me, watching me like a

    hawk. ¡°Judging by my grandson¡¯s reputation for always teasing you,¡± He turns to give Aiden an

    annoyed re and then turns to face me again.

    ¡°I have to ask to be safe. Did Aiden force you, Sophie?¡± My heart stopped. And suddenly my mouth

    had gone dry.

    ¡°Grandfather! How can you ask such an outrageous question like that? Of course not!¡± Aiden growled

    lowly. I could never force anyone to do what they don¡¯t want to. I would never force myself on anyone.¡±

    Principal Xavier looks annoyed and gave Aiden a pointed look. ¡°You forced her to continue watching

    porn.¡± He said tantly

    His words had a raging blush settling on my cheeks. Oh God. He saw that one too.

    ¡°And Sophie has a voice of her own, especially judging by the video.¡¯ Principal Xavier said with a raised

    brow. ¡°Can you not answer for yourself Sophie?¡±

    ¡°You seemed quite vocal yesterday? No?¡±

    I spurted in shock and humiliation, shyly looking over at Aiden who stared back at me nkly.

    Sweeping my gaze back to principal Xavier, 1 stuttered out. ¡°N-o, he hadn¡¯t forced me in-to doing any

    thing.¡± I shifted in my seat, praying that would get out of here soon.

    Principal Xavier looked at me pointedly. ¡°Which one are you referring to? It was clear he forced you to

    rewatch your porn videos. Or no he didn¡¯t force you to have sex with him?¡±

    | squirmed on the seat and nervously started to shake my foot. ¡°No. He didn¡¯t force me into having sex

    with him.¡±

    Principal Xavier nods and then sighs.¡± You two broke the rules

    Will get punished? Suspended? Expelled?¡± I rushed out, leaning forward with my hands gripping the

    chair handles tightly.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Aiden snorted and again tries to cover it up with augh. ¡°Miss Bell let me finish. Principal Xavier said

    calmly.

    I awkwardly nodded and fixed myself back on the chair, my fingers crossing in hope that I wouldn¡¯t get

    expelled.

    Principal Xavier looks between Aiden and me and grumbled, ¡°You two will serve two weeks of

    detention after school for two hours.¡±

 Chapter 8

    Chapter 8

    Aiden¡¯s POV

    I watch Sophie scramble to get out of the room quickly as soon as Grandfather dismisses her. I¡¯m left staring at her back, fighting the urge to look lower. She always had a pretty perky ass.

    ¡°Aiden, Sergio won¡¯t like that you¡¯re constantly getting into trouble. You¡¯re going to inherit thepany one day. One bad thing on your record and that¡¯s it. You¡¯re done,¡± Grandfather warned, drawing my attention as he rose from his seat.

    Sergio was my mother¡¯s dad and the CEO and chairman of Harrington Co., a very well-known multi-billion dor business around the world. Since Mom didn¡¯t want to inherit the business, it will be passed down to me.

    Mom and Sergio were not really on good terms, especially when Mom married Dad, who was of lower ss. Since then, their rtionship had been strained, and not many people knew that we were rted at all.

    ¡°When have I ever done a bad thing, Grandfather?¡± I asked, lifting my brow and crossing my arms over my chest.

    He raised a brow, looking so much like his son, who was my father. But I suppose I should say his son looked so much like him.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been in more trouble this week than you¡¯ve been in previous weeks before, Aiden. When are you going to stop teasing the girl and tell her how you feel about her?¡± He sighed, walking around the desk anding to stand just before me.

    I looked away. ¡°I don¡¯t look at her in any way.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m your grandfather, Aiden. I also know love when I see it. Quit teasing her and just tell her before it¡¯s toote. She won¡¯t be here forever, nor will she wait for you to man up,¡± he warned.

    My jaw ticked. I hate it when he read straight through me. It made it impossible to hide things from him.

    ¡°I can¡¯t. She hates me,¡± I grumbled.

    Sophie Bell hates my guts, always has. There was no way confessing I liked her would change her perspective on me. To her, I was a spoiled brat who was way too ugly and obnoxious. At least that¡¯s what I remember her saying when I was about to approach her.

    Grandfather snorted, clearly amused. ¡°She hates you enough to have sex with you?¡±

    I winced, turning away from himpletely. ¡°That was different. You heard her anyway; it was a mistake.¡±

    ¡°But it wasn¡¯t for you, Aiden. It¡¯s easier to let out your emotions than to have them build up. You can¡¯t tease her for the rest of her life. You two are seniors, only a few months until you might not see each other again,¡± he advised.

    His words had my heart throbbing painfully. I didn¡¯t want to think about not seeing her again in a few months.

    ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± I snapped, walking away.

    ¡°Why not?¡± he asked behind me. I stopped and sighed. Looking at him over my shoulder, I confessed, ¡°Because I don¡¯t want to get hurt.¡±

    <em>Seven years ago</em>

    I peeked behind the pir, my eyes falling on the pretty new girl. I smiled. Sophie Bell. Even her name was pretty. She was so cute sitting alone and ying with the des of grass. I should introduce myself or at least say hi.

    My heart started to m in my chest as I got ready to move away from the pir and make my way to her. But I stopped quickly when another girl, who I recognized as M, ran over to her. The two seemed to know each other as they began to chat.

    Maybe it wouldn¡¯t be bad to introduce myself now. It would save me from stuttering by having someone else there. Maybe I wouldn¡¯t make a fool out of myself.

    Letting out a breath, I started making my way over to the two girls. But I stopped when I was within hearing range.

    ¡°I think you have an admirer, Sophie,¡± M giggled.

    ¡°What? No, I don¡¯t,¡± Sophie shyly squirmed and tried to use picking the grass as a distraction.

    ¡°Of course you do! Aiden Xavier couldn¡¯t keep his eyes off you the entire ss. He literally looked like he was already nning the wedding,¡± Mughed.

    I felt my heart start to pound when I heard my name being mentioned.

    ¡°The boy with blue eyes, brown shaggy hair, who sat behind me?¡± Sophie asked shyly. Their backs were facing me, so I wasn¡¯t sure what her face portrayed. Was she blushing? Did she look annoyed? Was she passive?

    Eavesdropping wasn¡¯t really my thing, but I wanted to hear more of Sophie¡¯s sweet voice, especially when she was talking about me.

    ¡°Oh my God. Do you have a crush on Aiden Xavier?¡±

    I felt my heart start to pound even faster in my chest, and my palms began to sweat.

    ¡°What! No!¡± Sophie denied, which made my heart pang in hurt.

    ¡°Then why are you blushing?!¡± M teased and yfully shouldered her.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like him, okay? He¡¯s ugly and creepy. Besides, he looks dumb,¡± Sophie rushed out in one breath.

    I staggered back, feeling my throat hurt.

    ¡°And he also looks like a spoiled brat. I don¡¯t like spoiled, obnoxious brats,¡± she continued.

    ¡°Whoa!¡± Mughed. ¡°All of that by just staring at him for the first time?¡±

    Sophie shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m a good judge of character. I don¡¯t have to speak to a person to know them. One look and I can already tell. Aiden isn¡¯t my type.¡±

    M continued tough, but Sophie remained silent.

    Sophie¡¯s words hurt me. So much so that I felt tears brim in my eyes.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s probably a good thing you don¡¯t. Most of the girls in our grade have a huge crush on him; you¡¯d have a lot ofpetition,¡± M giggled.

    Sophie took a while to answer. ¡°I don¡¯t see what they see in him, but I don¡¯t care. I don¡¯t like him,¡± Sophie shrugged, and I thought I¡¯d heard enough.

    I turned around to leave and grit my teeth in anger when the two started tough. They wereughing at me, I was sure.

    I should¡¯ve known a pretty face was only but a mask. I picked up my pace, my footsteps turning into sprints.

    ¡°Hey dude,e check this out!¡± Rnd shouted to grab my attention when he caught a glimpse of me.

    I shook my head, unable to speak as I made my way to the bathroom. Never had I ever felt so much pain and anger before.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± his voice called out, freezing my hand on the door handle.

    ¡°Yes?¡± I sighed, not really in the mood to hear him lecture me again about confessing my feelings for Sophie.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.

    ¡°Keep your bodily fluids to yourself and not in the library or any part of the school. Do you hear me?¡± he said sternly.

    I nodded, embarrassed that he had seen me in this kind of position. He¡¯d probably run his mouth to my parents the second he meets up with them.

    Pinching the bridge of my nose, I left the office in search of Sophie. I wouldn¡¯t confess to her because that would only get me hurt by her a second time. I didn¡¯t want her to straight up say she didn¡¯t want me in front of my face.

    The bell rang, signaling another lesson. Shit. She¡¯s probably on her way to calculus. We weren¡¯t in the same sses. I just needed to see if she was okay. She did leave the office in quite a hurry.

    I plopped down on the chair, my heart racing swiftly in my chest. This cannot be happening to me right now. No. I did not just get served with detention.

    I nted my elbows on the desk and dug my hands into my hair. I didn¡¯t pay any mind to the students who were giving me weird stares as they quickly started to fill the room.

    ¡°We meet again, pretty girl.¡± I lifted my head, my eyes connecting with Carson¡¯s smiling face. I envied his joy, his happiness. Because right now, I was not happy at all.

    I was angry. Frustrated. Annoyed. At him. At Aiden Xavier. He¡¯s the cause of this. He shouldn¡¯t havee into the library. He should¡¯ve never kissed me.

    Carson''s brows furrowed as he made his way over to me. ¡°Well, this wasn¡¯t the reaction I was expecting,¡± he joked and settled himself on the chair beside mine.

    I straightened in the seat and removed my elbows from the desk while trying to smile. ¡°You have calculus too?¡± That was a very stupid question, but I was hoping he¡¯d engage me in a conversation to pull me out of my thoughts about my pending detention.

    He smiled at me with a curved smile. ¡°So we¡¯re going to skip the part where I ask you what¡¯s going on with you?¡±

    I sucked my lower lip into my mouth and fought off a smile. ¡°Yes, we¡¯re going to skip that question.¡±

    I really didn¡¯t want to tell him why I was serving detention.

    Carson nodded and then his eyes swept to the door. His expression changed and his brows furrowed. ¡°Uh, why is this guy giving me the death stare?¡±

    Following his gaze, my heart pounded wildly in my chest. There stood Aiden, with anger in his eyes, staring.

 Chapter 9

    Chapter 9

    Chapter 9

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Who was that guy?¡± Carson asked in curiosity, still keeping his eyes locked on the opened door where

    Aiden was standing just moments ago, ring at him hotly.

    ¡°A bully.¡± I let out without thinking and then corrected myself even though my words were true.

    ¡°He¡¯s also a senior, name Aiden Xavier, the principal¡¯s grandson and somehow I¡¯m always on his

    radar.¡± I shrugged turning to face Carson.

    One of Carson¡¯s brows lifted. ¡°Always on his radar?¡± He asked, seeming to be confused.

    I nodded and looked away. ¡°He always. teases me.¡±

    That was a better way of saying bullying.

    Don¡¯t get me wrong, Aiden had never physically hurt me, nor mentally scarred me. He was just

    annoying by always saying something mean. He was also a guy who thought he could get whatever he

    wants and can get away with anything. I suppose that is true in a sense.

    ¡°Teasing as in he has a crush on you and doesn¡¯t know how to say it?¡± Carson snorted.

    Without warning, a raging heat settle on my cheeks and showcased how Carson¡¯s words raveled my

    brain. ¡°l-what-no-I spurted, puffing out my cheeks and scoffing.

    ¡°Aiden Xavier doesn¡¯t have a crush on me. That guy can never have a crush on someone like me.¡± I

    scoffed in denial.

    There was no way Aiden liked me like that. The guy always looked for ways to tease me. You don¡¯t

    tease people you like. Well.not in the way he does it at

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    least.

    Now it was ¡®Carson¡¯s turn to scoff. ¡°Someone like you? Are you kidding? You¡¯re practically perfect, any

    guy would want to date you.¡±

    I shyly looked away, sensing hispliment. I was never good withpliments.

    Carson¡¯s lips curved into a grin. ¡°Any guy as in me.¡±

    *Lunch Time*

    So who¡¯s this cute guy Sophie?¡¯ M teased as she settles on the chair beside mine. She nudges her

    head towards Carson who gave her a charming grin.

    ¡°Carson Nice to meet you.¡± He narrowed his eyes and tilted his head while

    reaching out his hand for her to take.

    ¡°M,¡± She responded while giggling and shaking his hand. This girl over here best friend.¡± She nudges

    her head toward me and sent me a cheeky wink

    I rolled my eyes yet couldn¡¯t fight off the smile that stretched on my face. ¡®So new kid, where are you

    from?¡± M asked Carson, her eyes narrowing

    Then she pointed a fry his way before he could answer. ¡°Don¡¯t give me that bullshit cliche line and tell

    me you¡¯ve been everywhere around the world 11 so, please excuse me and my best friend, we¡¯ll go to

    thedies room and cry our eyes out ¡¯cause we¡¯ve never traveled before.¡±

    Carson grinned and chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m from Cali but I have traveled to one or two ces before. Does that

    count?¡± He tilted his head with a huge smile splitting his face.

    giggled when M answered with. ¡°Take me with you next time yes?¡± Her eyes had that puppy gleam

    that had her getting exactly what she wanted. ¡°Take me away from this small town. She pleaded.

    Both Carson and Iughed but then suddenly Carson¡¯sugh fades and a shadow looms beside me. It

    wouldn¡¯t take a genius to know that this was Aiden¡¯s presence. He could never go unnoticed.

    I stilled, unsure of what to say or do. Not even sure if to turn around to face him

    Would he tease me about our detention and let everyone know he had conquered me now?

    He was a bully so he¡¯d not care if he humiliate me in front of everyone now.

    What I had not expected was for Aiden¡¯s hand to grab a good amount of my fries. I gasp, whipping my

    head to face him. His face was neutral but his eyes were not on me. They were on Carson, ring into

    his soul.

    Aiden pushes the fries in his mouth, looks down at me, and then just walks away

    ¡°What an ass.¡± M scoffed, taking some of her fries and adding them to my tray. I smiled at her and

    thanked her

    ¡°It¡¯s fine

    ¡°No it¡¯s not. You need to stand up to him Sophie.¡± M scoffed again, this time angrier,

    My smile wavered and I core my eyes away from her. ¡°Only a few months left and I won¡¯t have to see

    his face again.¡± I lift one shoulder in a shrug.

    ¡°So this guy¡­.

    Carson started, looking at me with a questioning gaze.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I told him, seeing as he seemed to have forgotten his name.

    Carson nods and then narrows his eyes. ¡°Are you sure he¡¯s not into you? The guy was literally burying

    me with his eyes.¡±

    ¡°I thought the same too.¡± M snorted. ¡°But that still doesn¡¯t give him the right to bully her.¡±

    Carson turns to face Aiden and I do the same. But then when my gazended on him, something like

    acid run up my throat when I saw Rena, the school¡¯s head cheerleader on hisp.

    His best friends, Rnd and Austin were also seated around their usual table, both upied with girls

    of their own.

    My eyes draw back 10 Aiden and I bit into my lip hard. I tore my eyes away quickly when I noticed he

    was turning my way again.

    1 Taked a snort while feeling his piercing eyes on me. ¡°Aiden Xavier having a crush on me?¡± I let out an

    amusingugh. ¡°That¡¯s the most ndiculous thing I have ever heard.¡±

    M shrugs ¡®Well, sometimes we don¡¯t really know what the guy thinks Sophie. Maybe

    ¡°Maybe nothing. Can we drop that topic please? I¡¯d rather not want to talk about him right now.¡± i

    stated.

    i was already having a hard time fighting the urge to sweep my gaze back to him. I didn¡¯t need to be

    talking about him right now.

    ¡°Okay fine. Then how about we talk about the reason you were called to the principal¡¯s office?¡± M

    asked in curiosity, turning her body to face me to give me her full attention.

    I wince and picked up a fry and throw it in my mouth, M knew I hated talking when I was eating so

    hopefully if I chew slow enough it will buy me enough time to think of a good enough reason as to why

    I¡¯m serving detention after school

    She doesn¡¯t have to know that I was serving with Aiden too. Though she must¡¯ve heard his name being

    mentioned in the inte along with

    mine.

    Dammit. Was I stuck? ¡°I was

    Amotion saved me from answering her

    Everyone¡¯s attention draw to the table in the middle of the room where all the poprs sit. Where Aiden

    and his friends sat

    I was not surprised to see that he was the main reason for themotion but what I was surprised

    about was Rena on the floor, her bottom kissing the dirty tiles under her.

    ¡°What the hell Aiden!¡± She screeched, causing me to wince at how loud her tone was,

    ¡°Next time shut your damn mouth. He growled standing up and stocking out of the room

    Well, detention will surely be fun if he stays with that attitude, I thought sarcastically

    Rena let out a frustrated sound and stands up with the help of a few of her cheerleading friends who

    looked to be trying to ease her

    ¡°That guy has some serious anger issues.¡± Carson snorted and Mali agreed. I on the other hand found

    myself drawing my attention to the door he disappeared from.

    ¡°I think it¡¯s ridiculous for him to serve you with detention for what Aiden did! What an a

    ¡°M!¡± I said hushedly not wanting her to get into trouble by cursing out the principal. God knows how

    many surveince cameras he has around.

    Besides, I lied about the reason I got detention entirely and if word got out about the real reason, M

    would feel betrayed. I didn¡¯t want her to know what I had done with Aiden, what I had given up to him.

    She¡¯d not look at me the same again if she knew.

    So I lied and said Aiden followed me to the library and was teasing me and he managed to throw one

    of the bookshelves when I was trying to get away from him and he was trying to catch me.

    It was a ridiculous lie but M bought it because it was believable Aiden would do something like that

    just to get a rise out of me.

    ¡°Anyway I¡¯ll see you tomorrow, I¡¯m off to therapy.¡¯ M sighed heavily looking like she didn¡¯t want to go

    to therapy at all.

    Nodding we said our goodbyes and I made my way to the detention room. When I got there, I was the

    only one, no signs of Aiden and I was sure he¡¯d not show up. This was Aiden for crying out loud. He

    didn¡¯t have to show up for detention.

    When I settle on the seat right at the back, the door opens. I had expected it would be the teacher but

    i¡¯m surprised when blue eyes shed with mine across the room.

    I shifted on the seat nervously and gripped my bag when Aiden makes his way over to me.

    ¡°Did I not tell you to stay away from him?¡± He growled, making his way over to me with an angry gaze.

    I squirmed yet fight for my chin to stay up. ¡°And I said, you can¡¯t tell me who to be friends with Aiden.¡± I

    grumble.

    He res down at me and was about to take the seat beside mine when the door opens again and Mr.

    Gray walks in, looking sluggish and bored

    He doesn¡¯t even spare us a nce and grumbles. ¡°I want you two far apart. That means to the front

    Aiden.¡± He lifts his head and gives Aiden a pointed look.

    Aiden grits his teeth, huffs and then walks back to the front.

    The rest of detention was rather boring, except for the res Aiden sent my way asionally. Mr. Gray

    kept looking at the clock every second and then when the hands hit five p.m he literally jumps out of his

    seat and grips his briefcase.

    ¡°Tomorrow, same time you two.¡± With those parting words, Mr. Gray leaves us and practically runs out

    of the ssroom and had not once turned back around.

    Now it was just Aiden and me.

    T held my breath as I rose from the chair and grabbed my bag.

    My head was down, but when I hear the clicking of a lock my head snaps up. My mouth parts when I

    realized Aiden had locked us in.

    ¡°What the hell Aiden!?¡± I snapped, my heart mming in my chest.

    He clicks his tongue and pushes off the door. ¡°Well, I thought he¡¯d never leave.¡± A smirk crawls on his

    face and my heart cried for mercy.

 Chapter 10

    Chapter 10

    Chapter 10

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Unlock the door Aiden,¡± I demanded, though the shield I tried to put up was already cracking.

    His arms crossed over his shoulder and he stood in front of the door with a powerful stance. ¡°Make

    me.¡±

    grab my phone from the desk and Aiden¡¯s eyes followed that movement. He raised a brow mockingly.

    ¡°Are you going to call the cops on me?¡±

    ring at him I made my way over to the front. There was no point in staying at the back when my only

    escape root was that door he was currently guarding.

    ¡°If ites to that, then I will.¡± I bluffed and stopped just a few steps before him.

    Aiden¡¯s lips quirked. ¡°I smell bullshit, Sophie.¡±

    Keeping my face neutral was not working. I sighed and red at him in frustration. ¡°Come on Aiden,

    quit it I need to get home.¡±

    Keeping his brow raised, he said slowly as if talking to a child. His tone annoyed me. ¡°And I said make

    me Sophie. You¡¯re not going to listen to me so why should I listen to you?¡±

    I frowned. ¡°What are you on about now?¡±

    Taking a step forward, Aiden¡¯s teasing manner turns to one of frustration and anger. ¡°I told you to stay

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    away from that new guy.¡±

    I let out a frustrated breath. ¡°Are we still on that? Aiden. You barely know Carson and what makes you

    think I¡¯d ever listen to my bully and make him tell me who to be friends with?¡±

    Aiden¡¯s face turned sour and he takes a menacing step forward. I took a step backward and we

    continue this until my bum touched the teacher¡¯s desk.

    ¡°You say I¡¯m your bully huh?¡± He nods, his wordsing out in a snarl as he quickly ces his hands

    on the desk, trapping me in his arms.

    Stunned by being in this position again, my bag slips from my hand and falls to the floor.

    ¡°Aiden 1

    I started but his close proximity had my mind jumping from one thought to another. I couldn¡¯t focus and

    I couldn¡¯t seem to breathe properly now as I started to pant.

    1 ce both my hands on his chest and realized I still had my phone in my grasp. I could easily call the

    cops and tell them Aiden was harassing me. But I didn¡¯t want to go so far even though it was Aiden.

    I would be lying if I didn¡¯t say that his body pressing against mine wasn¡¯t lighting up something that I

    hoped he¡¯d not realize.

    ¡®Aiden don¡¯i,¡± I pleaded. I could easily shout for Joe, who I was sure was outside. If I scream loud

    enough he¡¯d surely hear.

    But why didn¡¯t I want to? And why was i enjoying this?

    Aiden¡¯s angry stormy eyes pierce through mine hotly. ¡°You want to know something about a bully

    Sophie?¡±

    I shook my head Surely whatever he had to say wouldn¡¯t be something nice and worth listening to. I

    was sure it would be an insult.

    He presses his lower half against mine, making me feel him. He was hard. So hard,

    Igasp, my heart racing yet I felt the familiar tingling in my pussy. ¡°Aiden- I began to groan.

    ¡°They always take what they want.¡± He growled and mmed his lips on mine.

    I gasp and Aiden is quicker to slither his tongue into my mouth. When our tongues sh, our moans

    bounced off the walls of the room.

    I cannot believe I was in the exact same situation I was in with him yesterday. But I couldn¡¯t stop.

    I just couldn¡¯t.

    Aiden tilts his head in a way that had his tongue tasting every inch of my mouth. I gripped my phone

    tightly, shuddering and hoping I could fight this and push him away.

    But I can¡¯t.

    Every time his tongue slides against mine, the fight I had in me leaves my body

    And then when Aiden takes a step back and takes me with him, I gasp because his handsnded on

    my bottom and grip the mounds. And then he lifts me and sets me down on the desk.

    Breaking away from my mouth, Aiden¡¯s lips trail down my cheek to my neck. ¡°Is that not what you

    wanted Sophie? You want me to take what I want?¡± Aiden grumbles, squeezing my bottom and pulling

    me forward until I was at the edge of the desk.

    I could only seem to moan as a response. Because this was actually what I wanted. His mouth against

    mine and his body pressing against mine again.

    I had been thinking about him the entire night. The good and the bad. But more of what he had done

    and made me feel.

    I hadn¡¯t slept much because every time I close my eyes I could see him, entering me with his cock

    glistening with my juices.

    I moaned again, my legs parting even more so he could fit snuggly.

    Aiden nips at the skin of my neck and suckled. I arch into him and my fingers tingled to touch him.

    Giving up, I ce my phone behind me and then gripped Aiden¡¯s shirt.

    He chuckles.

    ¡°Shut up,¡± I mumble with a blush crawling on my cheeks.

    He kisses my skin and one of his hands trails up my leg to my thigh, under my dress, and then when

    his fingers reach my core, I began to tremble.

    His fingers burned through the material of myce.

    *You¡¯re already so wet Sophie.¡± He growls, pressing his fingers on my nub and started rubbing me

    through my panties.

    ¡®Aiden¡± i moaned, pushing closer to his hand, needing more. Craving more.

    He grunt and then whipped away from me. I was on the verge of protesting but then when I noticed he

    only pulled away to unbutton his Dants i stop and wait with anticipation

    This was not me mornents ago who wanted to get out of the ssroom and away from Aiden. No. This

    was a different me entirely.

    Aiden keeps te guze on me and pulls down his jeans and briefs. When his cock springs out, big and

    raging, I felt tingles racing through my body

    I was still so surprised by the size and length of him. Why was he so beautiful?

    Aiden settles back between my legs, pulls me closer to the edge of the desk, and then in a swift move

    Aiden pulls my panties to the side.

    I moan when the cool air brushes on my very sensitive and heated pussy.

    ¡°I¡¯m taking what I want Sophie.¡± Aiden grunts and pushes the head of his cock between my pussy lips

    until he started to stretch my tight hole.

    Igasp, opening up to him and allowing him to slip inside me. When he was fully inside me, Aiden

    shuddered and stilled.

    His cock pulsed and the huge organ stretched me outpletely until I was sure his cock touched

    every inch of my walls

    And then.Aiden started fucking me.

    He pulled out and then mmed back in. I arch my back, one of my hands falling behind me to keep

    myself steady while the other still gripped his shirt

    Aiden groans, dropping his head so he could take my lips again with his. He sucked on my lower lip,

    nibbling and nipping and kissed away sting

    He growls in my mouth and picked up his pace.

    ¡°Aiden.¡± I gasped, my eyes rolling back but then I caught a glimpse of the camera.

    My throat ran dry, yet, feeling Aiden pull in and out of me was way too good for me to push him away

    now

    ¡°The camera.¡± The ending of my sentence was a loud moan as Aiden rolled

    his hips and pumped into me.

    ¡°Let¡¯s give the old man a good show.¡± He growls and then moves his lips from mine entirely.

    Still pounding into me from down below, Aiden reaches out and pulls the straps of the dress down my

    shoulders and then pulls the top of t dress down to expose my breasts.

    My nipples harden and rub against thece material of my bra.

    He groans and unsps my bra quickly, and when he throws it somewhere on the floor, Aiden leans

    down and takes my nipple in his mout

    Igasp loudly, fisting his shirt even more as the pleasure he was giving me intensified.

    ¡°Oh God Aiden.¡± Ipant as he suckled my nipple while driving into me. He groans and takes a hold of the

    other breast and squeezes it.

    He pinches my nipple and then when he was done suckling the one he was currently, he goes for the

    other and nipped the harder skin.

    My hand which was on the desk lifts in his hair and I grip his soft strands He grunts and pushes into me

    even harder and faster until I could take it anymore and came.

    My entire body shook as my pussy clenched around his throbbing cock. He jerks into me and lifts his

    head from my nipple to stare into my eyes

    When our eyes connected, Aiden shivers and I felt the unmistakable feel of his warm cum spilling

    inside me.

    ¡°Sophie.¡¯ He moans, shuddering as he pumps his cum inside me.

    I knew it was wrong but I found myself loving the warm thickness of him painting my walls.

    When he was done, he slowly starts to pull out of me and leans down to kiss me but my phone pings

    behind me.

    Thinking it was my foster mom asking about my whereabouts I quickly search for it behind me. Aiden

    stops in his pursuit to kiss me and looks rather annoyed that he was interrupted.

    When I grasp my phone I brought it forward, put it on, and then click on the text before checking who it

    was from.

    It was from Carson.

    Carson-I meant what I said in ss today Sophie. I want a date with you.

    Suddenly my phone is tugged out of my grasp and into Aiden¡¯s. He looks down at the message and his

    jaw ticks.

    He does not look happy one bit.

 Chapter 11

    Chapter 11

    Chapter 11

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°I meant what I said in ss today Sophie. I want a date with you.¡± Aiden read out loud. The words

    came out like acid as he spits them out. I flinched by the quick change in his tone.

    I pull the phone out of his hand and put it off. ¡°It¡¯s not

    ¡°Is that what you meant when you said he only saw you as a friend?¡± He asked sarcastically in the

    same vexed tone

    Getting frustrated by his tone, I snapped. ¡°I never said that!¡±

    Aiden pulls out of me entirely so quickly that I flinched. My walls had mped around him so tightly that

    when he moved out so rapidly, they didn¡¯t have time to adjust to the swiftness of his actions

    I fixed my panties, notfortable with how wet they still were.

    ring down at me angrily he sneers sarcastically. ¡°You sure as hell gave that idea off.

    I lift my hands in exaggeration as he starts to fix his briefs and jeans back. ¡°Why do you care anyway

    Aiden!? Does it really matter how he sees me? And what if I want to go out on a date with him too?¡±

    Of course I was lying. I didn¡¯t really like Carson in that way. Sure he was cute but he didn¡¯t cause my

    heart to skip a beat or raise goosebumps on my skin by just being near.

    So why was I baiting Aiden to see how he¡¯d react to my words? Why did I want him to confess that he

    like me when all day I had been denying it?

    Why do I want this to be more?

    Aiden who was just buttoning his jeans, snaps his neck up and looked at me coldly. His blue eyes were

    stormy with anger. ¡°You know what, I should not expect anything else from you, Sophie. Watch how

    quickly you gave yourself to me without putting much of a fight. That new guy wouldn¡¯t have to work as

    hard 100.¡±

    I flinched at his words, feeling them pping me on my face cruelly. My throat began to burn and my

    eyes stung. I should¡¯ve known this was too good to be true.

    He was still a bully and didn¡¯t care about me. It was only sex for him and nothing more.

    I felt cheap and used.

    This was the meanest he has ever been to me. And I wish he hadn¡¯t.

    I wished he¡¯d take back those words. Apologize and do those cliche cheesy things guys do when they

    liked a girl.

    But Aiden didn¡¯t like me And he definitely would not apologize. Because this was Aiden and I shouldn¡¯t

    expect such ridiculous things like that from him

    ¡°Youre as easy as all the other girls Sophie You¡¯re no one special and he will see that too.¡¯ He sneers

    lowly, burning me with the rage in his eyes and the cruelty of his words

    I felt a sob leave my lips and felt the welness on my cheeks before I jump off the desk and pushed

    Aiden away from mepletely.

    ¡°hale you¡¯ I cried, mming my palms on his chest hard.

    ¡® fucking hate you so much Aiden Xaviert You don¡¯t deserve to be happy! You¡¯re a beast an animal!¡± I

    continued to m my palms on his

    chest and he doesn¡¯t stop me.

    But Aiden doesn¡¯t say a word nor does he stop me. I keep my eyes on his chest as I finally move away

    from him and fixed my dress.

    I bend down to pick up my bra and pushed it into my bag quickly. I would not stay another second in

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    here with him any longer. He was an asshole. A big one. He was a bully.

    Straightening my spine, I made my way over to the door.

    Aiden had not once shifted and not had once murmured anything after he said those cruel words to me.

    No. He doesn¡¯t stop me from reaching the door like I thought he would

    Unlocking the door and opening it, I looked at him over my shoulder. His back was facing me and I

    could see his fisted hands at his sides and see the way his shoulder rise and fall as he breathes

    roughly.

    ¡°I will never let you touch me again Aiden. Whatever this was. I am done.¡¯||

    whispered, not entirely sure he had heard me given my very low tone. But by the stiffness of his back, I

    knew he did.

    I don¡¯t wait for him to reply and run down the hallway, my focus on getting out of here before he

    decided to chase me.

    As soon as I entered inside the house, I hadn¡¯t even bothered to greet anyone, only just raced up the

    stairs despite the yells of my foster mother calling me back down.

    I closed my bedroom door behind me and locked it. I throw my bag somewhere in the corner of my

    room and threw my phone on the bed before I could no longer stand and sat down on my bum.

    I brought my knees to my chest and circled my arms around my leg. The sobs that racked through me

    were painful and somehow I felt like I just lost someone that meant something.

    I wasn¡¯t supposed to even have that mentality about Aiden seeing as he was nothing but a bully to me.

    He wasn¡¯t supposed to feel special or make my heart sing. He wasn¡¯t supposed to make me want him.

    But he did.

    I could taste the saltiness of my tears as they trickled down to my upper lip and down into the space

    between my lips where they crawled into my mouth.

    How could he say those words to me?

    Why would he shatter my heart before even knowing he would own it?

    A knockes at the door behind me but I was in no mood to speak to anyone.

    ¡°Sophie?¡¯ Ingrid¡¯s voice filtered through the door and reaches my ears despite the loudness of my sobs.

    I peeled my face away from my arm, noting how extremely wet my arms were because of my tears. ¡°I

    just want to be alone right now Ingrid.¡±

    My mother dying before I even turned ten had me quickly being ced in the system. It didn¡¯t help that

    I also never knew my dad and he was supposedly dead Rtives didn¡¯t want to take me in and getting

    a home was really hard considering my age.

    But Ingrid and her husband Michael were good people and took me in. They also took in other foster

    kids but those kids don¡¯t stay too long, they usually go back to their parents or when they get someone

    to adopt them.

    Ingrid was like a second mother to me and she treated me like a daughter. But soon I would turn

    eighteen in about a month. That meant would be an adult.

    I would no longer get the benefits from the state and I wasn¡¯t sure Ingrid and Michael would allow me to

    stay longer than that. Yes, they were good people but Michael was on the verge of losing his job and

    Ingrid made handcrafts as a career that barely pays the bills.

    With me under their roof, things have be tough.

    It wouldn¡¯t matter anyway. I was hoping I¡¯d get a schrship to go to Harvard. This was my only

    escape from this town.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be down if you need me.¡± She whispered and I listened to her fading footsteps.

    I resumed my crying when I knew she was out of earshot.

    I was a mess. I felt like a mess.

    I had no idea how long I had been crying for or how long I had been sitting on the cold hard floor. But

    judging by how numb my butt felt. I was there for an hour or two.

    I stand up, using the door handle to help me up since my legs felt a bit strange.

    I hate Aiden. So so much.

    God, why did I let that douchebag touch me? Why did I give him something so precious?

    I walked over to my bed, gritting my teeth as the more I thought about him I grew angry.

    He hadn¡¯t deserved to have been inside me. He hadn¡¯t deserved to kiss me. He was wrong. I was

    special.

    I was.

    I grabbed my phone off my bed, wiped the stray tears off my cheeks and put on my phone. I had yet to

    answer Carson.

    But now I would

    Fuck you Aiden Xavier.

    Sophie- what day do you have in mind? Can¡¯t wait

 Chapter 12

    Chapter 12

    Chapter 12

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°So¡­..¡± Carson drawled out, looking a bit nervous as he ced his hand on the table before him.

    Today was Friday and Carson and I was on our first date. Though I¡¯ll admit I wasn¡¯t quite there tonight.

    My mind had asionally wandered off to¡­him.

    All week he had been colder than usual, especially when seeing Carson talking to me He had yet to

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    have spoken to me since that day in the ssroom after detention.

    Even when detention came, Aiden barely showed and if he did, he¡¯d not spare me a nce. It was safe

    to say that he was still very angry with me after ourst conversation

    Though it should be me who should be angry with him. He was the one out of line, always have been

    out of line when ites to me. It stuns me still that his egotistical self couldn¡¯t see that he was

    extremely wrong, especially this time. Though if I was being honest Aiden was always wrong

    ¡°Your mind seems to be somewhere else.. Carson smiled softly, not wanting to show me that my

    silence and wandering mind were insulting

    him.

    Feeling guilty, I tried to smile but ites out forced. In the few days, I¡¯ve gotten to know Carson made

    me realize he was a far better guy than Aiden concerning his mood. He had yet to show anger whilst

    Aiden showed it constantly

    ¡°Sorry.¡± I apologized, realizing my mind was on the verge of wandering again.

    We were not on a fancy date, and nor did I expect to be. This was my first date after all, and

    expectations were not quite high. Having a date at the little diner where Mali worked wasn¡¯t all bad.

    Carson¡¯s grin is almost infectious and I began to feel a bit bad for ignoring him. ¡°It¡¯s fine. As long as I

    get your unwavering attention now, then I might just buy you some chocte cake for dessert. He

    joked.

    I managed a smile, seeing no point in being rude to him when he was being so nice to me. ¡°Oh, so

    we¡¯re having dessert?¡± I joked, needing to be present and not constantly thinking about Aiden.

    Especially being on a date with another guy.

    Carson scoffed. ¡°I¡¯ll always buy dessert for a pretty girl.¡±

    I raised a brow jokingly. ¡°Oh, so you¡¯ll buy dessert for any pretty girl?¡±

    Carson¡¯s face turned bright red and he began to stutter while scratching the back of his head. ¡°That¡¯s

    not what I meant

    | giggled,pletely aware that I was the cause of his stuttering.

    Realizing that I baited him on purpose, Carson scoffed. ¡°You¡¯re a mean pretty girl.¡±

    I smiled and then the sound of the little bell above the door chimed. It tugs at my attention, especially

    when I hear the giggles and theughs that apanied it

    My heart drops.

    Aiden and his friends rushed in like a parade of elephants,ughing and giggling so carefreely. But it

    wasn¡¯t their joyfulughs that had my heart dropping. It was Aiden¡¯s arm slung over Rena¡¯s shoulder

    that did the trick for me.

    Carson turns to themotion and he furrowed his brows. ¡°Was he not treating that girl like shit just a

    few days ago?¡± He snorted, turning back to face me.

    It wouldn¡¯t take a genius to realize he was referring to Aiden and Rena.

    I shrugged, tearing my eyes off of them when I realized they were making their way over to us.

    1 held my breath when I feel his eyes on me and then shifted ufortably when Aiden sits just

    behind Carson.

    Yes his back was facing me but I knew he would be listening to every single word Carson and I would

    be spitting out.

    I knew Carson wasn¡¯t that bothered by Aiden¡¯s close proximity but I was. I reach out for the menu and

    started to skim my eyes over the different dishes. But I was admittedly not paying attention to the words

    on the menu but paying attention to Rena flirtatious giggles.

    I gritted my teeth, the urge to lift my head to stare at them was far too strong to resist. I found myself

    lifting my head and my eyes fell on her arms around his neck and her body half on top of his.

    I wasn¡¯t sure why, but my heart thudded heavily and the grip I had on the menu was stronger than it

    was mere seconds ago.

    ¡°Did I say or do something wrong?¡± Carson asked, pulling me out of my thoughts temporarily.

    I drew my eyes away from Aiden and Rena reluctantly and focus them on Carson. He had a nervous

    confused look that was adorable in a sense. He was a cute guy, but he wasn¡¯t¡­.Aiden:

    I shook my head. ¡°No. Everything¡¯s fine.¡± I tried to lift my upper lip into a smile, but of course I was sure

    it failed by how Carson did not look convinced.

    ¡°Oh my God Aiden. Shhh. Someone might hear how naughty you are.¡± Rena giggled. She knew she

    was being extra loud and knew that almost everyone at the dinner heard her. Including me.

    I snapped my attention to her and red. Carson who noticed my mood, turns around and noticed I

    had been ring at Rena.

    He looked confused and looks at me questionably.

    ¡°Are you guys ready to order?¡± M¡¯s familiar voice asked beside me. Sure I did jump a little but I was

    so happy that she saved me from answering Carson¡¯s silent question.

    ¡°Yeah. Have you figured out what you want to eat pretty girl? Choose anything you want, let me spoil

    you.¡± Carson grinned cheekily.

    I heard a loud snort behind him and knew it was Aiden. Knowing that we irked him just as he irked me,

    I giggled flirtatiously, hoping I actually sounded cute and not like a gori.

    ¡°How many times must I say my name is Sophie, Carson.¡± I lifted a brow jokingly and spared him

    another flirtatious giggle that was pleasing hun but embarrassing me.

    How low has Aiden made me be?

    To furting with a guy I didn¡¯t like in that way just to get his attention was an all time low for me.

    ¡°Pretty girl Sulls you,¡± Carson smarked and winked

    Smooth Alden sorted lowly but i heard him

    Cafton pard tan no mind but I wasn¡¯t sure Carson knew the words were directed to him specifically

    ¡°You guys are way too cute¡¯ M awed and wted her hand to her chest

    Caroli gwed but I managed an uncontortable unite. Sure I was trying to make Alden jealous tor some

    odd reason but i knew that I would hun Carson he knew

    Carson said his order andia wote il down quickly

    ¡°Table ten M!¡± Her coworker yelled behind the counter.

    ¡°In a minute!¡± She yelled, turns to face me, and sighed heavily. ¡°I swear I¡¯m this close to quitting.¡± She

    grumbles. ¡°What you¡¯re ordering

    Soph?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll just have a burger.¡± I said, not wanting to take anything fancy, despite Carson¡¯s words to ¡®spoil¡¯ me.

    ¡°Anything to wash that down?¡± Carson is the one to question me this time.

    I shrugged. ¡°A milkshake?¡±

    M nods and writes it down. ¡°I¡¯ll be back with your order guys. Have fun on the date.¡± She winks and

    goes to the back.

    Aiden snorts when she said the word date.

    So childish. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

    Aiden and Rena started to whisper and mock Carson and me. My hands fisted on the table, and I

    gritted my teeth until my jaw hurt.

    Looking over at Carson, I¡¯m stunned to see him angry. He must¡¯ve caught on to Aiden¡¯s mocking

    words.

    Rena began to giggle loudly and started to pepper kisses on Aiden¡¯s jaw. He made sure to moan out

    loud like he was enjoying himself.

    Calm down Sophie, don¡¯t get angry.

    But then Rena¡¯s giggles grew and Aiden¡¯s moans also grew to a tone that wasn¡¯t exactly appropriate.

    Suddenly everything turns into a blur.

    Carson turns around and snaps. ¡°Man can¡¯t you two get a room or something!? There are people trying

    to eat and have a good time here!¡±

    My heart began to thud harder. Aiden was someone who would not be afraid to engage in a fight.

    The moans that filtered out of Aiden¡¯s lips stopped and suddenly the angry bad boy turns around to

    spear Carson with a furious re. ¡°The fuck you just said pussy boy?¡±

    ¡°I said get a room. Preferably one far from here.¡± Carson said slowly as if talking to an infant.

    I gulped. With the rage building up in Aiden¡¯s eyes, I knew that he would not back down without a fight.

    A literal fight.

    ¡°Carson it¡¯s fine

    ¡°No it¡¯s not Soph. This guy is ruining our night.¡± Carson said without removing his gaze from Aiden.

    Suddenly Rena is pushed to the side and protests as Aiden slides from the booth. His friends follow

    suit and all three towered over Carson who was still seated,

    I¡¯m ruining your night!? Aiden growls, looking as intimidating as ever. His mere presence had me

    squirming.

    *Aiden

    I started, trying to resolve the issue before it escted. But Aiden being the ass he always was,

    snapped, ¡®Shut up!*

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare talk to my girl like that! Carson sneered, sliding out of the booth and not looking like he

    would back down.

    *Your giri?!¡¯ Aiden spat like the words tasted like acid as they rolled off his tongue.

    And then when he realized his mistake since his face did turn like one of jealousy, he sneered. ¡°And

    what the fuck will you do if I don¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°Carson

    I started but Aiden snaps. ¡°Goddammit Sophie, shut up!¡±

    And that¡¯s when it happened. A fost new towards Aiden¡¯s jaw and barely missed it by inches,

 Chapter 13

    Chapter 13

    Chapter 13

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I gasped when I saw Carson¡¯s fist flying towards Aiden¡¯s jaw. Reacting quickly. Aiden swiftly dodges the

    knuckles and gave one of his own.

    Itnded smack on Carson¡¯s jawbone and I¡¯m quick to slide out of the booth before the two injure me in

    their stupidity.

    Rena and the other girls scream as they scramble out of their booths when the boys began to throw

    fists at each other. The sounds of bones breaking bounced off the walls of the diner.

    ¡°Aiden stop it!¡± I yelled, not sure why I was calling out his name instead of Carson¡¯s

    Realizing my mistake, I shouted. ¡°Carson, please stop!¡±

    Aiden was on top of him, throwing his fist on his jaw and anywhere he could get. He had the upper

    hand and was winning

    His friends, Rnd and Austin stood on the sidelines, both with smirks as they watch their friend beat

    up apletely innocent boy

    Rena and the girls still annoyingly screamed though now put out their phones to video the altercation

    ¡°What the hell is going on here!?¡± M screamed from somewhere in the back. I didn¡¯t want to remove

    my focus on Aiden and Carson so! didn¡¯t quite make sure of where exactly her voice came from.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    ¡°Stop them! Don¡¯t just stand there! Stop them!¡± I yelled at Rnd and Austin while backing away as the

    two boys kept going at it until blood was dripping out of Carson¡¯s nose and a purplish coloring was

    quickly painting under Aiden¡¯s eye.

    Rnd rolls his eyes while Austin smirked and winked at me. ¡°He¡¯s fighting for something he¡¯s been

    needing since forever. I say let the guy for what is his.¡± Was his words as he turned away from me

    His words confused me to the point my brain gave up on interpreting.

    ¡°Break it up you two!¡± M screamed and rushed over to me. She tugs me away just in time before

    Carson fell on top of me.

    ¡°If you two don¡¯t stop right now I¡¯m calling the police! My finger is hovering just above the call button.¡±

    The owner of the diner roared loud enough to crack through the loud grunts the boys gave off.

    Hearing the owner¡¯s words, Rnd and Austin seem to think it was the best time to pull Aiden off

    Carson.

    As soon as they do so, I rushed over to Carson and helped him sit up. ¡°I¡¯ll fucking kill you!¡± Aiden

    roared, thrashing in the hold of his friends.

    Carson spat out the blood from his mouth and smirked up at Aiden. ¡°Fuck you.¡±

    I fall on my knees beside Carson, feelingpletely awful that I may have been the cause of this,

    *I¡¯ll go get a damp cloth to wipe the blood. And some ice.¡± She told me and disappeared to the back

    again.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± I asked and then winced when I realized it was a very stupid question.

    Carson looks at me and I cringe inwardly. Aiden had done a number on him and if this was a match,

    the winner would be pretty clear,

    He grins, showcasing his blood stained teeth. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve felt better before. But I did just defend your

    honor so I¡¯m okay with a little pain.¡±

    I smiled. I suppose he did just defend my honor. Something no male has ever done before.

    It makes me feel bitter that I was pinning over a guy who was nothing but a bully to me. A guy who was

    not worth my time.

    I should feel disgusted that I feel such things for him. And in a way I did, but in another way, I knew I

    might not be able to stop wanting Aiden.

    ¡°Let me go, Rnd. Let me rearrange this motherfucker¡¯s face even more!¡± Aiden growls, thrashing in

    Rnd and Austin¡¯s hold even more until they were literally skidding and trying to dig their heels into

    the floor to have a better grip on Aiden.

    Though if I was being honest, Aiden looked like he was this close to breaking free from their hold

    My smile shakes at Carson. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Carson.¡±

    Carson shook his head. ¡°You really have nothing to apologize for. This wasn¡¯t your fault and besides,

    there are plenty of ways you can make this up to me.¡± He grinned again and I resist the urge to gag. I

    was never a fan of blood

    Aiden growls, not caring that the owner again shouts that he would call the cops if he continues the

    fight.

    I tried to ignore him as best as I could as I try to focus on Carson¡¯s words. ¡°What do you mean?¡± I

    asked shyly when his eyes fell on my lips

    They don¡¯t tingle like how they had done when Aiden¡¯s stormy eyes are on them but I try to push those

    thoughts out of my mind.

    Suddenly Carson looks a bit nervous.¡± I know today is our first date and it barely progressed. But I¡¯m

    usually right with these things and my gut is telling me to ask you this question I saved up for the

    ending minutes of our date.¡±

    My heart began to pick up its pace. I had an inkling of what that question was and I knew I wasn¡¯t

    ready. But I also didn¡¯t want to hurt Carson¡¯s feelings especially when he could¡¯ve gotten seriously hurt

    taking on Aiden to defend my honor.

    Carson draws in a breath and for the second time for today¡­..everything goes in a blur.

    ¡°Be my girlfriend?¡± Carson asked,pletely stunning me and everyone around us, though I should

    have expected it.

    As soon as those words are out of his mouth, my eyes shot up on their own to face Aiden. His eyes are

    angry, no they are furious as they red down at Carson in pure hatred.

    His friends looked shocked by Carson¡¯s words.

    ¡°You know since I did defend your honor and all. I think I have proven that I can be a good boyfriend.

    Carson joked when he heard nothing but crickets.

    ¡°Oh my God Aiden! Are you okay baby?¡± Renaes rushing towards Aiden¡¯s side with a very visible

    overly worried look.

    She quickly wrapped her arms around him and started fussing over his darkening purplish under eye.

    Aiden doesn¡¯t push her away, no, his focus was solely on Carson and killing him by using his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m

    fine.¡± He growled.

    Seeing this had something like jealousy surging through me until all i can focus on was that emotion

    specifically. It clouded my mind and my judgment and that led me to respond to Carson¡¯s question

    monotone.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯d love to be your girlfriend Carson.¡±

    I said all those words while looking directly at Aiden with a fierce look. His gaze turned even a darker

    color of anger and disbelief. In fact, he was sporting many different emotions. But the fury outweighed

    them all.

    ¡°Really? Carson asked in disbelief yet sounded happy. I nodded, not really paying attention to him but

    keeping my eyes on Aiden to gauge more of his reaction

    Somehow, deep deep down, I loved that I was hurting him as much as he had hurt me. I loved how the

    look of hurt shed in his eyes when I agreed to be Carson¡¯s girlfriend,

    And as sick as it sounded, I was satisfied that I wasn¡¯t the only jealous one.

    ¡°Fuck this.¡± Aiden snarls, ring at both Carson and me, and pushed his way out of Rnd and

    Austin¡¯s grip. He storms out of the diner with Rena on his tail, calling out to him. The bell chimes loudly

    as he makes his grand exit.

    ¡°Where did ass hat run off to?¡± M asked in confusion finallying back into the room.

    I shrugged acting like I didn¡¯t care about Aiden at all and take the damp cloth from her outstretched

    hand when she reaches beside me.

    I didn¡¯t fail to notice Rnd and Austin shake their heads in disappointment before leaving to catch up

    with their pissed off friend.

 Chapter 14

    Chapter 14

    Chapter 14

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Thank you,¡± I said when Carson slowed down beside the curb.

    I still couldn¡¯t believe what I had agreed to and the entire ride, I had been nothing but silent with no

    intention of wanting to be involved in a conversation.

    When the car came to a stop beside my house, I began to get a bit nervous. I knew what wasing

    before I step out of the car. He¡¯d want to kiss me.

    Because apparently, we were now a thing.

    I didn¡¯t think I was ready for that. Neither did I think I made the right decision in epting his proposal.

    Especially when I had feelings for Aiden and none for him.

    But rejecting him now, especially since I did agree to be his girlfriend in front of Aiden and his friends

    would not only be mean but would hurt him.

    I didn¡¯t want to hurt anyone else today.

    Now that my anger had dropped a bit, I couldn¡¯t help but feel rather regretful for what I had just done,

    especially to Aiden. And I know ! shouldn¡¯t, but now I do.

    Carson has a nervous yet excited gleam in his eyes when he turns to face me. ¡°Do you have ns

    tomorrow?¡± He bit his bottom lip and I found myself admitting inwardly that Aiden does it better.

    Saturday was usually a boring day for me. But that didn¡¯t mean I¡¯d want to spend that boring day with

    Carson. I was already feeling guilty about what I¡¯m doing to him, which is why I¡¯m even continuing this.

    He¡¯s a nice guy. Perhaps even better than Aiden in every way and maybe just maybe, I might fall for

    him eventually. But that day isn¡¯t here yet and I had no intentions of forcing my heart to ept another

    guy when it fought back to keep only Aiden there.

    ¡°Yeah.¡± I murmured.

    He looks disappointed and I hate that I¡¯m doing this to him. ¡°Sunday?¡±.

    I shook my head. ¡°Busy that day too.¡± Hied. Sundays were equally boring days too. But as I said, I

    wasn¡¯t ready to hang out with Carson as yet. Not when what I had just done was still so fresh.

    He sighs heavily and nods. ¡°Then I guess I¡¯ll pick you up on Monday for school?¡¯ A grin emerges on his

    face. Since I¡¯m your boyfriend and all now, it only makes sense we arrive at school together.¡±

    i nodded. I suppose he was right. He was my boyfriend now and it wouldn¡¯t be weird to arrive at school

    together. And I couldn¡¯t exactly tell him no, he¡¯d be suspicious.

    ¡°Tu see you then I forced out a smile and made a move to get out of the car but Carson grips my arm

    and stops me.

    I turn to him in expectancy though my heart thudded with an inkling of what he would do or say next.

    ¡®Yeah?¡±

    His eyes lowered to stare at my lips and my heart stops. I wasn¡¯t ready for that next step

    ¡®Canibuss you?¡¯ He whispered

    It feels Mke the blood draned from my face when those words slipped out of his mouth.

    I began to stutter i had royally screwed myself by epting a proposal to be a guys girlfriend when I

    had no feelings whatsoever for that said guy

    I had screwed myself indeed

    I smiled nervously and nodded He looks pleased by my answer and leans forward

    When his breath brushed against my lips. I tilted my head a way so that my lips brushed his cheek

    nting a kiss on his cheek, I pulled away quickly and forced a smile ¡®Thanks for the ride Carson and

    the date

    With that, I got out of the car, closed the door, and didn¡¯t wait for him to respond before dashing out of

    here and towards my house

    Monday bettere slowly

    *Monday

    I brushed my palm over my yellow flowery dress while waiting for Carson by the curb

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Today was the day the entire school will know the status of our rtionship And I was a nervous wreck

    My body froze up when I caught the glimpse of his ck car turning around the corner toe here

    Carson was a good guy. He¡¯d treat me well. I¡¯ll grow up to like him more than as a friend someday I

    chanted in my head.

    When he pulls up beside me, I let out the breath I didn¡¯t know I had been holding I stepped towards the

    car, my legs feeling as stiff as a rock the closer i gol

    I shouldn¡¯t be nervous. Carson was my friend before he was my boyfriend. I can trust him.

    I opened the car door and slid inside. ¡°Good morning¡± i cracked a smile and hoped it didn¡¯te out

    like a grimace when I turned to face him.

    I didn¡¯t even have time to close the door when I felt a quick peck on my lips. I stay frozen and in shock.

    Pulling away from me, Carson smiled. ¡°Good morning pretty girl.¡±

    I stared at Carson gobsmacked,pletely confused and stunned by what just happened.

    ¡°Did I catch you off guard?¡± He asked with a cheeky smile.

    It was normal for couples to kiss but I hadn¡¯t been ready to have another guy that wasn¡¯t Aiden kiss me

    as yet. It felt wrong. But I knew it wasn¡¯t

    Alden and I were not a couple. What Carson had done wasn¡¯t wrong.

    Clearing my throat, i passively turned away from him and pretended to fix the seatbelt. ¡°Kind of,¡± I

    answered his pending question and closed the door when I realized I hadn¡¯t even closed it yet.

    I avoided Carson¡¯s gaze so he¡¯d not see how stunned and slightly unpleasant I was.

    He chuckled and started the car. Just thought that little one would make up for the days I hadn¡¯t seen

    you.¡±

    i nodded and the rest of the ride was cold silent.

    When Carson parked in the school¡¯s parking lot, somehow my stomach churned

    I really should not have gone through with this. I should¡¯ve told Carson the truth and exined that it

    was just in the spur of the moment.

    He¡¯d get hurt. I know he will. But it just felt so wrong to be doing this to him.

    ¡°And we¡¯re here,¡± Carson said, killing off the engine and started to unbuckle himself while looking over

    at me.

    I gulped nervously, not sure I can go through with this and hurt him.

    Tunbuckled my seatbelt and opened the door. I sighed when I got out of the car. I felt like I could finally

    start breathing properly.

    But of course, my breathing gets back the same when Carson walks around the car, stops before me

    and outstretched his hand. ¡°Mydy. He gave a curved grin that suited him and my heart didn¡¯t want

    me to make that grin turn into a frown.

    Especially since he was still sporting those bruises from his fight with Aiden when he was fighting for

    my ¡®honor¡¯.

    I smiled softly and ced my hand in his. He gripped my hand firmly and smiled at me while pulling me

    to his side.

    It was weird but I knew that I¡¯d get used to it.

    When we got inside, everyone paid us little attention. I was not really expecting them to. Carson wasn¡¯t

    popr and neither was I.

    We walked towards my lockers, our fingers interlocked. When we reach mine, M is just rushing over

    to me. ¡®Oh you guys are so cute.¡± She squealed and threw her arms around me the second she was

    beside me.

    patted her back awkwardly. Not because she hugged me, but because I didn¡¯t know how to respond to

    her words.

    ¡°Maybe he¡¯ll help with that little frustration.¡± She teased yfully in my ear before pulling away from me.

    I red at her and was just about to pull my hand out of Carson¡¯s grip when I felt him stumble a bit

    forward. He grunts and rights himself quickly

    I look to see who had deliberately brushed his shoulder against his roughly and my stomach pinched

    when I noticed it was Aiden. ¡°Out of my way asshole.¡± He sneers, not even bothering to look back.

 Chapter 15

    Chapter 15

    Chapter 15

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°There was enough room to pass through asshole!¡± M shouted while ring at Aiden¡¯s disappearing

    back.

    Aiden only lifted his middle finger for her and disappeared around the corner. ¡°I hate that guy,¡± M

    grumbles and turned to face Carson and me.

    ¡°He¡¯s a prick,¡± Carson grumbles under his breath and lifted his hand to rub his shoulder where Aiden¡¯s

    own collided against.

    I nodded because it was true, Aiden was definitely a prick.

    The bell rang soon after I ced some books inside my locker and Carson insisted that he would drop

    me off at my first ss. But I refuse and insisted that I could go on my own

    We all said our goodbyes and I made my way to my Spanish ss. The hallways were quickly getting

    empty as everyone rushed to their sses. I on the other hand had my mind too upied to even think

    about getting to ss on time.

    I had royally fucked myself with epting Carson¡¯s proposal and now I was stuck with not knowing

    what to do. Carson was a great guy and I should not have involved him in this mess.

    I sighed heavily and fix the bag strap on my shoulder. But then suddenly there was a presence behind

    me and before I knew it, I was pushed inside the janitor¡¯s closet.

    That scent. Aiden always had a distinct scent.

    I whipped around and tugged my arm out of Aiden¡¯s grip.

    ¡®What the hell Aiden!¡± I snapped,pletely aware that he was way too close to me in this small closet.

    His huge body blocked the door and I had an inkling that it would be impossible to get away from him

    now. He had trapped me in here with him.

    I stared at his face, practically the purplish dark ring under his eye from which he got from the fight he

    had with Carson.

    My skin tingled, aware of our close proximity. I took a step back but Aiden only takes one forward. My

    back touches the wall and I know that there would be no more escaping from there.

    I held my breath when his eyes turned stormy and his body brushes against mine. ¡®Aiden

    I started but he cuts in. ¡®What the fuck was that?¡¯ He growled under his breath while pushing his body

    closer to me and lifting his arms up to ster his hands on the wall beside my head to cage me in.

    I couldn¡¯t seern to tear my eyes away from him even when he was tantly angry. And the intoxicating

    scent of his aftershave was doing Things to my head and body that I didn¡¯t want to happen at the

    moment

    I was a mets We were a mess

    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.

    And then when tus eyee still gleamed with expectancy, I realized he was waiting for my answer. ¡°What

    was what?¡± I asked in a embarrassing breathy tone

    Why did you agree to be thet asshole¡¯s girlfriend Sophie¡¯ He red at me heatedly and I can see his

    hands turn into fists on the wall.

    I squrin Asders had never physically hurt me before and I didn¡¯t think he¡¯d start now But his rage was

    still unnerving. It was the worst it had ever been And Akden asionally had rage

    He must have noticed my uneasiness because his fists unclenched and the storm in his eyes died out

    a little. By a little, I mean by not a lot.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to repeat myself only this once more Sophie. Why did you agree to it!?¡± He snapped, his

    eyes dating around both of mine as if searching for answers that would justify what I had agreed to.

    He¡¯d find none because I didn¡¯t even know those answers myself. ¡°Sophie,¡± He gritted his teeth in

    impatience

    ¡°I don¡¯t know why okay!¡± i sted when his gaze roamed on my face searching for answers,

    He looked like he didn¡¯t believe me and he worded it out. You don¡¯t know why you agreed to be his

    girlfriend?

    I squirmed when he gaze turned stormier than usual. ¡°Tell me Sophie Did he fuck you as good as I

    did?¡± He sneered, lowering his head so his breath fanned against my lips.

    Despite his harsh words, my body shivered and my lips tingled.

    My breathing became shallow and his became rough. Aiden¡¯s eyes drop to stare at my lips and I¡¯m

    betrayed by my heart when the organ began to beat loudly in my ears.

    ¡°Tell me Sophie, did he fuck you as good as me?¡± Aiden groaned, his fingers now on my thighs and

    tickling up under my dress.

    pressed my back more on the wall, and let out a moan. I didn¡¯t mean to and I certainly didn¡¯t mean to

    be enjoying this. But I would be lying if I said his fingers on my skin didn¡¯t feel good.

    ¡°Did he stretch you out like I did?¡± He pants, his head tilting and his lips brushed against my jaw lightly.

    So lightly it felt like a feather touched my skin.

    ¡°Did he suck your pussy as good as I did?¡± He moaned, pressing his body closer to me until I¡¯m aware

    and shocked by how hard he felt on my lower stomach.

    ¡°Aiden.¡± I gasped out, arching my back off the wall. My body betrayed me. I really did try to fight this off

    but it was useless of me to even try.

    Aiden had always set some kind of fire in me when he was near, this time wasn¡¯t any different.

    My mind knew he wasn¡¯t good for me, but my heart was a fool and my body was a bigger one.

    Aiden¡¯s lips opened on my jaw and his tongue darts out to lick my skin slightly.

    I moan and arch into him; my fingers tingling to reach up and grasp a good grip on his shirt to pull him

    even closer.

    ¡°Did you moan out his name like you did mine when I was deep inside you?¡± He groan, kissing my jaw

    and trailing down to my neck.

    Goosebumps rage on my skin like tiny freckles.

    Alden¡¯s fingers had already breached under my dress and was so close to my pussy. A little more and

    he would be touching fabric covering my pussy. And just a tiny push and he would be touching bare

    skin.

    And it¡¯s only then reality knocked me down. His words from thest time he touched me rang in my

    ears and my eyes began to sting. He had no right to do what he was doing now when he had been so

    cold to me since that day.

    He had no right to even touch me anymore; I promised myself he wouldn¡¯t.

    Lifting up my hands to his chest I pushed Aiden away from me. Of course I didn¡¯t have strength to

    surpass Aiden but he must¡¯ve realized that i no longer wanted him so close to me because he moved

    on his own.

    ¡°You¡¯re still a fucking bully, I hissed, ring at him and blinking away the sting in my eyes.

    I will not cry in front of him I will not show him how much he affected me.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have any right to know any of those things! What Carson and I do is none of your business!¡±

    I snapped not caring that I was angering him even more.

    His eyes narrowed, spearing me with anger. ¡°You let him touch what¡¯s mine! I think I have the right to

    know who¡¯s touching what belongs to me.¡± He sneered in fury.

    I flinched. He thought so little of me to even think that I had already slept with Carson. Now he had the

    audacity to say that I belong to him. I was no one¡¯s property and Aiden didn¡¯t have the right to im

    such.

    Narrowing my eyes at him I growled lowly. ¡°I do not belong to anyone. You don¡¯t own me. And I¡¯m not

    yours! Whoever touches me, is none of your business.¡± i lifted my chin to show him that I would not

    back down from my words.

    Aiden¡¯s eyes swirled with raging fury, one that would scare anyone. ¡°Don¡¯t be a whore Sophie.¡± He

    snapped.

    I flinched, his words pping me brutally.

    I was so stupid. To pin over a guy who was nothing but a bully. My bully.

    ¡°Fuck you Aiden.¡± I whispered and side step him to walk over to the door. I don¡¯t turn around to look at

    him.

    His fingers wrap around the bone of my wrist and stopped me before I got to the door. ¡°Break up with

    him Sophie.¡± He demanded.

    I shook my head and let out an emotionlessugh. ¡°Break up with him for what? For you? Thest

    thing I¡¯d ever do is listen to any word you say from now on. You mean nothing to me so whatever you

    have to say means nothing.¡±

    My words must¡¯ve hit him right because he lets go of my wrist like I had burnt him. I took that

    opportunity to get out of the small little closet.

    When I¡¯m a good distance away from him, I lift my fingers to brush under my eyes where a few tears

    trailed.

    I had 10 stop pining over him. He¡¯d never change and he was not good for me.

 Chapter 16

    Chapter 16

    Chapter 16

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I lifted the bottle to my lips and took a sip of the cool water. Coach Ben said we would run threeps

    around the huge field to build ¡®stamina¡¯. There was no way to getting out of this.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to be crying before I reach halfway. I can already see it.¡± M grumbled and puts out her

    hand so I can pass the bottle to her.

    ¡°You¡¯re a psychic now?¡± I giggled and passed her the bottle.

    She shrugs while lifting up her head and started to pour the water down her throat.

    I sighed and looked at the tracks. It was zing hot and the sun threatened everyone to melt their skin

    off their body. I also hated physical education and running.

    So you can imagine how upset I am that I would be doing it in a few.

    Suddenly loud boomingughs neared. Everyone including me turned around. We quickly spot Aiden

    and his friends making their way over here and a few feet behind was Carson whose body looked rigid.

    Oh no. Did Aiden do something to him?

    My body stiffen as I noticed Aiden¡¯s gaze was on me and he was without a doubt heading my way.

    Rnd and Austin had a huge shit eating

    grin on their faces as they patted his back.

    I held my breath. What the hell did he have nned?

    ¡°Why is heing here?¡± M questioned in confusion as she wipes her mouth with the back of her

    hand.

    I don¡¯t answer her because well because my tongue was currently tied. Aiden was making his way over

    to me and I wasn¡¯t sure what he would do. Aiden loved causing a scene.

    Rnd and Austin looked at each other over Aiden¡¯s shoulder and they grinned with a knowing look

    when Aiden stops just before me.

    Don¡¯t even think about it asshole!¡± M snarls and takes a step forward but Rnd blocks her path and

    grabs her and pulls her away.

    M yells and starts to fight him off.

    Aiden reaches behind me and I feel the heaviness of my tresses falling down my back. ¡°I thought I told

    you, you look better with your hair down puppy?¡±

    Thal word. It¡¯s the one to finally snap me out of that trance I had been in. I red at Aiden and took a

    step forward while reaching out to grab the scrunchie he took out of my hair.

    ¡°Give it back Aiden,¡± I demanded

    Aiden Wiltshuis hand up which prevented me from grabbing a hold of the scrunchie. He was taller than

    me and lifting up his hand was now making it impossible for me to take the scrunchie out of his hold

    even if I go on my tip toes.

    ¡°What are you going to do if I don¡¯t puppy?¡¯ He taunted, his eyes twinkling with mirth and something

    else,

    ¡°Don¡¯be an ass ¡°I hissed under my breath

    ¡°Give it back to her, Carson growled behind Aiden. I stiffen I didn¡¯t want another fight to transpire

    because of me.

    Aiden¡¯s eyes swirled with irritation. Smirking, Aiden drops his hand. ¡°The boyfriend speaks. How nice.¡±

    He says without any emotion in his voice,

    Aiden flings the scrunchie to me and it falls at my feet. ¡°Pick it up and be the good little puppy that you

    are.¡±

    red at him furiously and waspletely annoyed that he was doing this in front of everyone.

    Aiden then leans forward so that he could whisper lowly so only I could hear. ¡°Don¡¯t forget you¡¯re my

    bitch and not his.¡± He says with a bit of a chuckle and then pulls away.

    Looking down at me with a crooked smirk Aiden walks away with Austin. Rnd let go of M who

    smacked him on his chest. He hisses but doesn¡¯t say a word as he follows his friends.

    I crouched to pick up the scrunchie and then when I straighten I looked up at Carson.

    He had an odd gleam in his eyes and he looked at me emotionlessly. ¡°Carson?¡± I whispered, not sure if

    he was upset with me or not.

    Carson¡¯s jaw only ticked and he walks past me without uttering a word. I turned around and stared at

    his back in confusion and a bit startled by what he had just done to me.

    M stops beside me, grumbling about how Rnd was a gori in disguise and how annoyed and

    angry she was that he held her back from kicking Aiden in his balls.

    I felt a prating re on the side of my face.

    My eyes left Carson¡¯s back to draw to the re. My eyes meet Aiden¡¯s. He looks at Carson then back

    at me. His eyes shed with triumph and he smirked.

    I gritted my teeth knowing he had definitely said something to Carson to have him treat me so coldly

    now.

    * Minutes before going on the field *

    Carson¡¯s pov

    ¡°Hey man.¡± A guy said beside me on the bench. We were in the changing rooms and getting ready for

    P.E.

    I turned to look at him while tying up thece on my shoes. ¡°Yeah?¡± I arch a brow.

    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.

    He was a ginger head boy and obviously my age. I couldn¡¯t remember his name but knew he was in my

    maths ss.

    I notice you¡¯ve been hanging out with Aiden¡¯s girl.¡± He said, looking behind me nervously.

    slurned to see if it was someone he saw heading over here but there was no one except for another

    boy wito was just throwing a shirt over tus head

    Turnig my allen tion back to the ginger head boy, my brows furrowed when my brain picked up on his

    words. ¡°Aiden¡¯s girl?¡¯ I worded out my confusion

    Gwger read boy rody ¡± Yeah Aidents gut, Soplue Bell She¡¯s off limits and that guy doesn¡¯t like other

    guys around his girl. Warned off everyone from ouching her he may act like an ass to her but everyone

    krows she¡¯s his gui

    Furybuired though my vens The tyd does he mean Sophie is Alden¡¯s quit? She woukinit have agreed to

    be my girlfriend if she wasn¡¯t

    Sophie wasn¡¯t like that

    I shook my head and snorted. ¡°Sophie¡¯s my girlfriend, not Aiden¡¯s. That ass could never score a

    beautiful girl like Sophie.¡±

    Ginger head boy looks like he was shocked by electricity. ¡°Your girlfriend? Man, I just want to warn you

    that Aiden doesn¡¯t like when someone takes what is his. You¡¯re new here and don¡¯t know what that guy

    is capable of. You should stay clear from him and probably dump that girl before it¡¯s toote.¡±

    Irritation stirred my being. Why was everyone afraid of this Aiden?

    ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of him.¡± I snarled. Sure that ass had a mean right hook but it wasn¡¯t the first time I got my

    nose broken.

    Ginger head boy shook his head and sighed heavily. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to warn you of what he¡¯s capable of

    man. That guy loves that girl enough to do anything to get her. Once he nearly broke Samuel¡¯s leg

    because Samuel joked about boning Sophie forcefully because she has a nice tight ass.¡±

    I felt my haw tick. ¡°You mean he¡¯d force himself on her?¡±

    Was this mother fucker Samuel really joking about raping an unwilling girl. How sick can he be?

    Ginger head boy lifted a shoulder in a shrug. ¡°Yeah that was sick of him to joke about stuff like that but

    it was fucking animalistic for Aiden to nearly break the guy¡¯s leg by continuously mming the locker

    on his ankle.¡±

    Suddenly ginger head boy face turned white as a sheet as he glimpse behind me.

    I turned to see who had him looking like a ghost and stiffen when I saw that it was Aiden and his two

    friends.

    They were heading that way. Ginger head boy moves off the bench and literally walks like the fire of

    hell was at his feet.

    ¡°Yow Rob, did you do the science homework? I need you to do mine.¡± Rnd says to the ginger head

    boy who nods.

    ¡°I¡¯ll give you the book after P.E.,¡± He says, dismissing Rob who looked back at me apologetically.

    He didn¡¯t have to be apologetic for being a pussy.

    Scurrying away, Rob only leaves the four of us here. The other boy who was here left seconds before

    Aiden and his friends arrived.

    They had their P.E uniform on already, so I had no clue as to why they came here if not to start more

    trouble with me.

    I pretended to not acknowledge them and continued to tie my shoes since Rob had distracted me.

    ¡°So you hit that huh.¡± Austin snorted opening the locker while Aiden opens another. Rnd only leans

    against the locker opposite to theirs and folded his arms with a smirk across his face.

    Aiden replied in a boasting tone. ¡°Yeah man. She was tight. The best pussy I ever had.¡±

    Rnd and Austinughed and patted Aiden on his back. I rolled my eyes. Who was the girl who gave

    herself to that ass?

    ¡± nutted in her too. First to mark that pussy.¡± He chuckled cockily.

    Rnd chuckled. ¡°Man Sophie Bell let you nut in her?¡±

    Austin roared withughter and mmed his locker shut.

    I hoze That can¡¯t be nght Sophie would never open her legs for a guy like Alden

    ¡°Yeah man. That pussy is mine¡¯ Aiden growls as if in warning,

    Tutted my head and Alden ms his locker shut while turning to face me ¡®Enjoy my sloppy seconds

    pussy boy. With a smirk on his face he leaves with tuis friends, all threeughing

    I fisted my hands and gritted my teeth. How can Sophie give herself to that guy?

 Chapter 17

    Chapter 17

    Chapter 17

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Hey, Carson,¡± I said softly while sitting down on the empty chair beside him. We had history now and

    the teacher wasn¡¯t here yet.

    Carson¡¯s head was faced forward and his face portrayed nothing of what he was currently feeling It

    didn¡¯t have to. I could already sense that he was angry with me or at least disappointed

    What did Aiden say to him to have him ignore me for the rest of the PE ss?

    Carson suddenly sighed heavily and turns around in his seat to face me My heart didn¡¯t leap like it does

    for Alden and I am disappointed

    Aiden was an ass. I couldn¡¯t understand why my heart was so stupid to fall for him

    But for Carson. It didn¡¯t even want to jump, not even a little Carson was a good guy. He¡¯s the kind of

    guy I should be falling for. Not for Aiden who was nothing more than a prick. Especially to me.

    ¡°Do you love him?¡±

    His sudden question had me confused.

    ¡°What?¡± I whispered, gripping my bag on the desk.

    His eyes roamed my face, searching for answers. ¡°Do you love Aiden, Sophie?¡±

    Carson looks scared to hear my reply. He seemed like he even regretted asking it in the first ce.

    His question had me feeling sick. Because no one had ever asked me it. Then why would he?

    ¡®Why are you asking me this?¡± I whispered, looking anywhere but in Carson¡¯s eyes. Why? I wasn¡¯t

    sure.

    ¡°Because he said some words in the changing room before P.E. Words I didn¡¯t want to believe¡± Carson

    confessed and then sighed heavily when my eyes shifted in more confusion yet fear.

    ¡°What did he say, Carson?¡± I asked as my heart pounded in fear. My palms felt mmy and my skin

    dotted with sweat.

    Carson¡¯s eyes lowered as if he was ashamed to be repeating those words.

    ¡°He said he fucked you. Is it true?¡± Carson lifted his gaze, suddenly watching me intently. By the look in

    his eyes, I knew he wanted me to deny sleeping with Aiden. He wanted me to say no.

    And I wanted to say no to

    But how could I when denying it inight just throw me into more hot water than I am already in now?

    So I looked away from his eyes in shame and stered my eyes on his desk. ¡°It¡¯s true.¡± I whispered in

    shame and hope no one was eavesdropping on our conversation

    Carson hauled in a sharp breath and he looks disappointed in me. I felt the weight of shame grow

    heavy within me and tried to justify myself.

    ¡°But it meant nothing. It was just in the spur of the moment. I wasn¡¯t thinking and it just happened. ¡®I

    rushed out.

    How can Aiden tell him something like that? Something so private and something only meant for only

    the two of us to know?

    Did he hate me that much to see me miserable?

    Did he want to hurt me that much?

    Carson looks relieved by my words and nods. ¡°Good. For a second there I thought you only agreed to

    be my girlfriend to make him jealous.¡± He exhaled.

    I froze and felt my heart pinch. If I confess that his words were truer than he even knew then I¡¯d hurt

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    him. I couldn¡¯t hurt such a good guy. He didn¡¯t deserve it. But he didn¡¯t deserve my lies either.

    I looked at Carson and I just didn¡¯t want to see the pain in his eyes. So I lied. ¡°Pssh No way. Making

    Aiden jealous is thest thing on my mind. That guy means nothing to me and will never. What

    happened between us was nothing¡±

    Carson looks even more relieved when I let out those lies. It was a good thing he hadn¡¯t detected them.

    But I still felt incredibly awful that I was lying to him to protect his heart.

    ¡°Okay settle down kids. Sorry, I¡¯mte.¡± The teacher walks in a rush and begins the ss a few

    seconds after she settles herself at her desk.

    *Detention

    I shaded the little white holes on my notebook as I try to kill time and my boredom.

    Mr. Gray was half asleep and Aiden waste. So it was only me and a half asleep Mr. Gray.

    give him another ten seconds and he would be snoring.

    A second after thinking that, a loud snore bounced off the walls. I giggled under my breath and

    continued to color in the white holes.

    I was almost done with the front cover when the door is parted open. Aiden walks in. One nce at Mr.

    Gray and he smirked. Secondster a loud m had Mr. Gray jumping from his sleep and for me to

    wince.

    Mr. Gray wiped the corner of his mouth, removing the bit of drool that trailed down there.

    ¡°Happy for you to join us Mr. Xavier.¡± Mr. Gray grumbles looking still half asleep yet a bit upset that

    Aiden purposely woke him up.

    Aiden ignored him and swept his eyes over to me.

    Though my heart leaped when our eyes connected, I still felt angry that he told Carson he slept with

    me. He was the biggest dick for doing that.

    Aiden walked with authority and like he had no care in the world.

    He purposely sal beside me and to annoy me he lifted one of his legs on my desk.

    I¡¯ll be back you two¡¯ Mr Gray said and walked out of the ssroom while wiping the corners of his

    mouth.

    When it was just the two of us, I turned to Alden and snapped, ¡®Get your feet off the desk Aiden.¡±

    His brows raised in amusement and he leans into the back of the chair while cing his hands behind

    his head.

    ¡°HOW¡¯s lover boy? Stil mad that I was the first to enter you?¡¯ He smirked, his eyes twinkling with more

    amusement when I seethed and red at his sifurkang face

    You le such an asshole for even telling him something that meant nothing,¡¯ I growled under my breath

    while gripping my bag with a steel tike onp

    Aiden¡¯s feet are no longer on my desk but on the floor with a loud thud. He pushes forward and turned

    around so he would be facing me entirely. ¡°It meant nothing?¡± He gritted out, looking furious at my

    words.

    I was way too angry to even care about his feelings right now. I was embarrassed that he told Carson

    about us. Something that should¡¯ve stayed between only Aiden and me.

    ¡°It didn¡¯t mean anything.¡± | spat.

    Aiden looks even more furious and those beautiful eyes of his turned stormy within seconds. ¡°You¡¯re

    telling me those two times fucking you meant nothing to you?¡± He hisses lowly.

    ¡°I just had an itch to scratch Aiden and you just so happened to be there. You mean nothing to me.

    Letting you fuck me was a mistake. Go ahead and tell everyone you conquered me. You already said I

    was a whore. Make them believe so even more.¡± I dared him.

    I don¡¯t care if he told the whole school we had sex anymore. At least I should not. Especially since it

    was so easy for him to tell Carson. I had better be prepared when he told everyone else.

    Aiden looked ready to deny my words but I shook my head. ¡°Don¡¯t even try to deny it Aiden.¡±

    ¡°How low can you even get to tell someone I slept with you? I knew you were an asshole Aiden but I

    didn¡¯t know the extent of how big of one you really are.¡± I shook my head in denial.

    Aiden¡¯s jaw popped and he looked frustrated. ¡°He deserved to know.¡± He hisses.

    I raised my brows. ¡°He deserved to know what?¡±

    Aiden¡¯s eyes roamed my body and my damn body betrayed me. I felt fire burn in my stomach. He

    deserved to know that you belong to me.¡±

    I snorted. The audacity. Aiden saw me as nothing but a puppet. One he can use and dispose of

    whenever he pleases. His words won¡¯t fool me. I knew the lengths he¡¯d go to get what he wants.

    But this time. I would not let him seed.

    ¡°You mean he deserved to know what a huge mistake I made by giving you my virginity? I don¡¯t belong

    to you Aiden, you¡¯re a mistake, one I¡¯d never make again.¡± I murmured and instantly regretted it when I

    saw that sh of hurt he always tried to hide.

    But I sucked it up and turned away from him. ¡°Stay away from me.¡±

    ¡°Okay I¡¯m back kids.¡± Mr. Gray burst through the door, his face dotting with drops of water. He must¡¯ve

    washed his face so he¡¯d wake up better

    ¡°Sophi

    Aiden starts but I shake my head, my throat burning as I try to hold myself together

 Chapter 18

    Chapter 18

    Chapter 18

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Hey guys!¡± M chirped as she ces her lunch on the table. I smiled, a bit ufortable that Carson

    had one of his arms slung over my shoulder the entire time.

    I suppose that¡¯s how couples act, but I didn¡¯t think we were that kind of couple. The awkward ones

    sure. But the lovey dovey, no way.

    Still, I didn¡¯t want to tell him I was ufortable so I let him keep his arm there and besides I could

    feel Aiden¡¯s re on us. I know shouldn¡¯t but I liked that he was visibly jealous and frustrated.

    Mali sits down and stared at us with a small smile.

    ¡°I was just telling Sophie that ginger head boy Rob invited me to his party tonight. Carson said.

    My brows clench. He did? Maybe I was too busy watching Aiden to pay attention to what he was

    saying.

    Guilt weighed heavy in my stomach.

    Mali snorted. ¡°You call him ginger head boy? ssic.¡±

    Carson shrugged and popped a fry in his mouth.¡± It makes him stand out.¡± ¡°And stand out he does.¡¯

    Maliughs lightly.

    ¡°Anyway, I wanted to go. With my girlfriend that is.¡± Carson smiles down at me and I nearly winced. The

    term girlfriend was still so weird. It didn¡¯t help that my heart refused to open up to Carson.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­..¡± I trailed off. It was not like my foster parents won¡¯t allow me. It

    was just that I was never quite interested in partying before.

    ¡°Heard ginger head boy sh Rob throws awesome parties. Don¡¯t mind his innocent look that guy is a

    freak, or so I¡¯ve heard.¡± M winks andughs a bit louder

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Carson chuckles and looks at M and me. ¡°So are we on or¡­.¡± He trails off,

    our answer.

    *I don¡¯t know it¡¯s on a school night.¡± I began unsurely but M cuts me off.

    ¡°Larne people make excuses that it¡¯s a school night babe. Come on this can be a second date for you

    two. You need some wind under your wings Soph, when have you ever been to a party?¡±

    I red at her and then sighed. I can never remain mad at M for too long.

    ¡°Okay fine * I agreed almost biting my tongue since I was this close to changing my mind.

    M ps and then sighed heavily. ¡®Well you two love birds will have to enjoy yourselves without me. I

    have therapy this afternoon and she usually takes forever to finish on Tuesdays.¡±

    1 serrt her a small smile knowing that she couldn¡¯t skip therapy

    ¡®Anyway, send me pictures so I can live through you two¡± Her voice goes back to being chirpy

    ¡°Does this look good Ingrid?¡± I asked, turning around to stare at my reflection in the mirror. I was

    domed in a ck short dress that reached mid thigh.

    Ingrid leans against the doorframe and smiles at me.¡± You look beautiful Sophie. Red lipstick would

    definitely bring out the look. She suggested,

    She smiled at me yet her eyes showed her stress lines and the worry painted in them. Her eyes had

    been like this since afternoon but she hadn¡¯t told me what caused it.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong Ingrid? You¡¯ve been sad since afternoon. And don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re okay I know you¡¯re

    not. A smile can¡¯t hide everything.¡± I toli her, turning around to stare at her.

    Her eyes drop to the floor and her shoulders sagged as if finally relieved that they could let down that

    weight. ¡°He wasid off today.¡±

    She was talking about my foster father.

    My heart drops knowing how much his job meant to him. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry Ingrid. Where is he?¡± I asked

    I hadn¡¯t seen him the entire day and the house was way too quiet for him to be here. His usually always

    watching television or stacking up the cards for when their friends arrived.

    I suppose game night was canceled tonight.

    ¡°You know him Soph. He¡¯s taking it hard and I¡¯m certain he¡¯s at a bar right now. He didn¡¯t want toe

    home yet. She sighs sadly with a shake of her head.

    ¡°I can stay home if you want

    ¡°No! You enjoy yourself tonight! This is your first high-school party after all.¡± She beams and then nods.

    ¡°I have red lipstick in my drawer in the room, I¡¯ll be right back.¡± She leaves quickly before I can protest.

    The bell rang on the door and Ingrid looks at me in excitement. Uh oh, she¡¯s up to something.

    Before I can answer the door Ingrid pries it open. I sighed and walked over to the two.

    ¡°So you¡¯re the boyfriend.¡± Ingrid giggled as she looks at a nervous Carson.

    Carson who noticed I was here, sweeps his gaze to me and I saw the relief in his eyes. I smiled. He

    was so shy.

    And then his gaze roamed over me and his mouth parted. His attention didn¡¯t make my heart thunder in

    my chest neither did I get goosebumps but his attention felt good.

    WowHe said.

    Ingrid leans over to me and whispers ¡®Told you that red lipstick would do the trick.¡±

    i elbowed her lightly and sheughed. ¡°You two have fun!¡¯ She pushes me towards Carson who smiled

    down at me.

    ¡°You look beautiful Sophie¡± He breathed out

    ¡°Thank you¡¯ I smiled, epting hispliment. It wasn¡¯t every day I got told I was beautiful. Pretty yes,

    but beautiful hardly.

    Carson and I started to walk away when Ingrid called out for his attention. We both turned around only

    to see that Ingrid was pointing her fungere at her eyes and then at Carsonie.

    T¡¯m watching you young man You better bring my girl back in one piece.¡± She warned. ¡°Or else I have

    duct tape, garbage bags, and a very sharp knite in the kitchen She threatened

    I giggled in embarrassment while Carson chuckled nervously. He told her shakily that he¡¯d get me

    home safe and then we began to walk towards his car again.

    But when we were inches from the car, Ingrid yells. ¡°I also own a car if you were wondering¡¯ So it will be

    easy to dump the body.

    ¡°Oh my God, please get me out of here.¡± Iughed as I quickened my steps to the passenger¡¯s side

    When we got in Carson turns to me while starting the car ¡°Your mom is freaking scary

    Iughed not correcting him and informing him that Ingrid wasn¡¯t my biological mother but my foster

    mom. It doesn¡¯t matter if we were not rted, she was a mom to me and treated me like a daughter

    Carson held my hand tightly as we drew closer to the door

    The music res louder as we got closer. A thumping that I swore shook the entire two story house.

    Suddenly the door is wrenched open and a girl rushes out to puke in the nearby bushes. I cringe and

    Carson blocks his mouth.

    ¡°Shit.¡± He grumbles, gagging and quickens to enter inside the house while holding me close to him.

    ¡°Wee to mi casa!¡± Rob is the first to greet us since he was just beside the door. In his hand was a

    bowl full of condoms that he threw towards Carson that he refused.

    ¡°Nah man have them, just in case.¡± He winks and then his attention is quickly elsewhere when he hears

    something that sounds like a ss shattering

    ¡°Oh my God, not my mom¡¯s vase!¡± He rushes towards the kitchen, the condoms flying out of the bowl

    with every bounce of his feet.

    The air is rancid with alcohol and teenagers sweat. My nose itched and twitched.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go search for something to drink.¡± Carson said and tugged me to the kitchen area.

    On the way there I could feel a prating stare on my back and turned around. My eyes connected

    with his and he trails his eyes lower. His re is hard as they stare at Carson¡¯s arm around my waist

    and holding me close.

    From here I could see his jaw pop. Aiden was seated don the sofa, his legs parted with Rena on his

    thigh. He had a beer in his hand and lifts it to his mouth to gulp some of the liquid.

    I couldn¡¯t help it when my eyes red at Rena¡¯s hand on his bicep. ¡°Oh there¡¯s soda.¡± Carson says and

    pulls me along with him.

    ¡°Having fun yet?¡± Carson breathed beside my ear. I brought the cup to my lips so that I¡¯d kill time to

    answer him.

    No I was not having fun. The music was too loud, the air smelled like dog¡¯s ass and I was sweating

    buckets when we only just got here ten minutes ago or so.

    So no I was not having fun

    I shrugged and mumbled. ¡°Kind of

    Carson ces his cup down on the countertop. We were still in the kitchen, standing and just staring at

    the partygoers. So that may have added to the boredom.

    He pries my cup out of my hold and then grasps my hands. ¡°Come on have a dance with me. His eyes

    shine.

    I shook my head. ¡°I don¡¯t dance.¡±

    Carson grinned. ¡°Come on Sophie, this is my favorite song.¡± He urged which soon made me agree.

    When we got to the dance floor another couple joined us. And that couple was none other than Aiden

    and Rena.

 Chapter 19

    Chapter 19

    Chapter 19

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Jealousy doesn¡¯t feel too great. Not at all

    Carson chuckled and turned me around when I froze like a statue upon seeing Aiden with Rena on the

    dance floor Carson had no idea why I froze up because Aiden and Rena were justing up behind

    him

    ¡°You¡¯re as stiff as a statue Soph. You werent kidding when you said you don¡¯t dance Carson joked

    I sucked in a sharp breath when Carson¡¯s hands are on my waist, holding me there lightly and pulls me

    to his front. It wasn¡¯t because I liked it there, sure it wasn¡¯t unpleasant but I was just shocked when I

    could feel him rubbing against my bottom. He wasn¡¯t hard but I could still feel him which weirded me

    out

    Thear a flirtatious giggle and from the corner of my eyes, I saw Rena pulling Aiden forward so that

    they¡¯d be just beside Carson and me. My heart leaped.

    Were they doing this on purpose?

    Rena giggled and turned around so her bottom was brushing Aiden¡¯s front. I found myself gritting my

    teeth in annoyance and anger. I know shouldn¡¯t feel that way and had the urge to smack myself for

    even feeling such a way

    Carson¡¯s lips brush my ear. Just rx babe.¡±

    I tried to but when Aiden¡¯s hands grabbed Rena¡¯s waist as she moves to the beat of the music while

    giggling, I could feel nothing but furious jealousy. I hated that feeling and I hated that he gripped her

    waist so much like he liked when her bottom rubbed against his front.

    Gritting my teeth, my eyes rise from watching Aiden¡¯s hands on Rena¡¯s waist to his face and I felt

    irritation surpass that anger. Because Aiden knew exactly what he was doing to me, judging by the

    smirk he was currently showcasing so proudly while he looked at me.

    Asshlole.

    Okay, two can y this game.

    One of my hands curl behind Carson¡¯s neck and I began to rub my bottom against his front while

    moving to the rhythm. ¡°Oh shit.¡± Carson groaned in my ears and gripped my waist more firmly.

    I looked over at Aiden and noted the firmness of his jaw as he clenched his teeth. His eyes are furious

    as he res at Carson¡¯s hand on my waist.

    Good. It doesn¡¯t feel too good to get a taste of your own medicine now, does it?

    I sent him a taunting re and then moved my hips, all the while brushing my bum against Carson¡¯s

    front.

    I¡¯m aware of how tight Carson¡¯s grip on my waist is and I¡¯m also very aware of how rough his breathing

    felt against my neck as he rubs his front against my bottom.

    Carson pulls me closer to him and my grip around his neck tightens as I start to dance more intimately

    when I knew I had Aiden¡¯s unwavering attention

    I sneacked a nce his way and noticed he had bent Rena¡¯s back while she whined on him. Yet his

    gaze was still on me, watching me like a hawk. A very pissed off hawk

    Smirking, I bent over too, my hands on my knees as I rolled my hips. Carson groans, shifting as he

    tries to keep up with me.

    I felt Carson begin to grow stiff and I grew ufortable. But even that didn¡¯t stop me from dancing to

    irritate Aiden even more.

    I straightened my spine and continued to sway my hips as my fingers trail between my breasts while

    my eyes stay glued to Aiden¡¯s.

    His jaw ticks.

    Suddenly Rena yelps and moves away from Aiden, her hand quickly going to hold her waist where he

    held moments ago. ¡°What the hell Aiden?¡± She barks and storms away from him.

    Aiden doesn¡¯t bother to go after her, no he storms away but not before shooting me and Carson a

    furious death stare.

    Smirking in triumph that I won the jealousy battle I turned around to talk to Carson. ¡°Hey I think I need

    to find somewhere quiet to rest for a little. Kind of need to get away from the stench of alcohol and

    sweat¡±

    Carson nods, his eyes gleaming. ¡°I¡¯lle with you.¡± He says and I nod. It would be a good idea to go

    with him since there were drunken teenage boys everywhere.

    Carson grabs a hold of my hand and leads me away from the dance floor and upstairs. I wanted to

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    protest and say that I just wanted to go outside but I don¡¯t.

    I trusted Carson and I knew he would never hurt me.

    So I let him lead me to an empty room and when he closed the door the sound from downstairs gets a

    bit fainter. My eardrums cry in relief.

    ¡°Oh that¡¯s so much better.¡± I sighed and turned around to walk towards the window.

    The room was dark but the glow of the moon shoot through the curtains enough to light up the room

    with a soft glow.

    My fingers brushed against the thin white curtain when I felt Carson¡¯s presence behind me. ¡°I didn¡¯t

    know you could dance like that Soph.¡± He groaned just inches behind me since I could feel his body

    heat.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know I could either,¡± I admitted with a nervous giggle.

    You see even though I trusted Carson, I knew he was still a hot blooded male. And I did recall feeling

    his stiff cock rubbing against my bottom.

    Remembering the feeling had me shivering but not in a good way.

    When I felt his front pressing against my back I stiffen. I know it was normal for couples to engage in

    acts like this but I wasn¡¯t ready. I still had yet to see him as more than a friend.

    I try to rx, especially when he turns me around to face him. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely perfect Sophie.¡±

    Before I could respond 10 hispliment, Carson¡¯s lips are already on mine.

    I try to not pull away as he slowly starts to kiss me. This shouldn¡¯t be weird. He is my boyfriend. This

    should be easy, I shouldn¡¯t feel repulsed and guilty

    Carson¡¯s handsnd on my back his heat seeping through the material of my ck little dress. But

    even that didn¡¯t make me shiver.

    He groans in my mouth and his longue licks a trail on my bottom lip. I opened my mouth reluctantly to

    let him in. I wanted to try to see if he

    could coax my heart and body to give up to hun.

    But as his tongue slipped against mine, the more disgusted i felt Carson wasn¡¯t a terrible kisser. In fact,

    he was a good one.

    It was just, he doesnt awaken the fre feeling I get when Aiden kisses me He doesn¡¯t make me want

    more.

    One of Carson¡¯s handsnded on my thigh and started to trail upwards, i froze. This doesn¡¯t feel good.

    I pulled away from Carson and whispered. ¡®Stop¡¯

    His hand froze just inches from my core. I fought the urge to move his hand away myself.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡¯ He asked, slowly peeling his hand away from my skin.

    I was so stupid to think that the more time I spend with Carson, I¡¯ll magically fall for him. But it doesn¡¯t

    work that way apparently.

    I shook my head and take a step back. ¡°I don¡¯t want to go this far, I admitted and looked for a way to let

    him down easily.

    Carson stays quiet for a bit and I wondered if I had upset him. ¡®Of course you don¡¯t.¡¯ He snorted

    seconds after a minute of silence.

    ¡°What?¡± I asked, wanting him to borate especially when I sensed the anger swirling in his tone.

    ¡°Of course you don¡¯t want me to fuck you, yet you willingly open your legs to your bully.¡¯ He hisses

    under his breath. ¡®Think I didn¡¯t notice that you were trying to make him jealous on the dancefloor!¡±

    I flinched at his words, feeling them like a punch to the face. ¡°I¡¯m your boyfriend, I have the right to

    ¡°Nothing!¡¯ | snarl finally finding my voice. ¡°You have the right to nothing! I choose if I want to give

    someone my body. And I said I don¡¯t want to! Respect my decision!¡±

    I sidestep him and started for the door. And to think I thought he was better than Aiden. He was just as

    bad. ¡°Take me home Carson. I no longer feel the need to ¡®party¡¯. ¡®I snapped, my hand on the door and

    swinging it open.

 Chapter 20

    Chapter 20

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I had ignored Carson the entire ride home and when he dropped me off, I didn¡¯t care to tell him goodbye.

    Ingrid had instantly noticed my mood and had cursed Carson for being a douche even though she didn¡¯t know what he had done or said to me. I reassured her that I was fine and it was nothing and went to my room to sleep.

    Now it was the next day and I was ignoring Carson. Mali realized something was off and asked me about it

    I told her we were just going through a rough patch. What she didn¡¯t know was that I was looking for a way to break up with Carson without hurting him.

    I know what he had said to mest night didn¡¯t call for me to be cautious with breaking up with him, if anything I should just cut the chain off, rip the bandaid off. But I was a good person. As good of a person to lie to him.

    I was at least trying to be a good person.

    So what I did do was avoid him at all cost today and ignore him when he tried to call me. I needed space to think and he wasn¡¯t helping.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    A part of me knew that I was only avoiding him because I was still shocked that he said those words to mest night. A part of me couldn¡¯tprehend how a nice guy like Carson could say such mean stuff to me.

    ¡°I¡¯m off to therapy.¡± M sighed as she drops me off in the detention room. Mr. Gray wasn¡¯t here yet.

    Call youter?¡± I said and looked at her.

    She nods with a smile. ¡°Definitely.¡±

    And then her eyes roamed over my face. ¡°Are you going to avoid Carson forever Soph?¡± She asked softly as if treading on something that could shatter at any moment.

    I looked away and shrugged.

    ¡®What the hell happened at that party, Sophie? The guy looks miserable while you look sad.¡¯ M says with curiosity in her voice.

    How can I exin this to M without her putting two and two together? How can I avoid mentioning Aiden? It was impossible.

    I blinked the light sting in my eyes and turned to face her. ¡°I did something terrible M.¡± I admitted. Sleeping with Aiden wasn¡¯t really a bad thing, it was just now a bad thing that I had developed feelings for him.

    Feelings I knew were there before he even kissed me.

    M looks at me questionably and in worry since she noticed my uncalm demeanor.

    She¡¯s about to respond to me, perhaps ask me questions when Mr. Gray¡¯s presence nears us. ¡®Chop chop, M. You can¡¯t be here.¡± He warned and looked at me with a stern look

    Inside Mrs. Bell He demanded, M and I said our goodbyes quickly but I noted how her eyes told me that she would find out what terrible thing I had done

    I sighed and settled myself on the chai Secondster the door is pried open and Aiden walks in with his bag strap on one of his shoulders.

    He greets no one and just strolled in

    ¡°The door Mr. Xavier.¡± Mr. Gray says in annoyance.

    Aiden rolled his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m too far now. You get it.¡± He grumbles lowly. ¡°Lazy ass.¡±

    ¡°What did you say Mr. Xavier?!¡± Mr. Gray demanded as he looked at Aiden¡¯s back in suspicion.

    Again ignores him.

    As expected, Aiden settles himself beside me and looks at me. And goes right to pestering me.

    ¡°Pssst.¡±

    I gritted my teeth and ignored his call.

    ¡°Puppy.¡± He called again this time cing his foot on my desk. He was trying to get my attention the entire day and had not seeded.

    I wasn¡¯t going to let him now.

    I turned my head away and ignored himpletely, not even telling him to move his foot off the desk

    ¡°Are you ignoring me puppy?¡± He asked in amusement, purposely crossing his foot over the other.

    When he realized I wouldn¡¯t budge he stops pestering me. Mr. Gray fell asleep halfway and when it was time for detention to be done, he magically seemed to have awaken.

    ¡°See you tomorrow kids.¡± He said opening and closing the door.

    I shook my head when he rushes out of the room without so much as a nce our way.

    sighed and moved off the chair. My hand reached out for my bag. But as I tugged it, Aiden grabs a hold of the other strap. Preventing me from taking my bag.

    ¡°Let go of my bag Aiden.¡± I grumble while tugging the bag.

    He doesn¡¯t let it go. Only stand up and snorted. ¡°And she speaks.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be an ass Aiden. I have no time for games right now. I have somewhere to be.¡± I grumble under my breath.

    ¡°Somewhere as in with that stupid boy Parson what¡¯s his name?¡± He gritted out.

    ¡°He¡¯s not good enough for you Sophie.¡±

    I turned to him fully, angry that he was still giving me shit about Carson when he was parading with Rena. Justst night he had been dancing with her and trying to make me jealous.

    ¡°And you are?¡± I raised a brow in mockery

    My eyes turned like steel as I red at him for all the wrong reasons. One being that I couldn¡¯t stop thinking about him. And another was not being able to stop my heart frorn reacting to his closeness.

    ¡°You¡¯re nothing but a bully Aiden¡¯ Ignitted under my breath

    Carson walked around the desk until he was standing beside me, so close that I could feel his heat. I shivered. This time it was a good shiver.

    His stormy eyes narrowed down on me and I squirmed ¡®That word. You always say that damn word puppy

    He takes a step forward until his front was pressing against mine. I willed my legs to move but they stayed frozen and still

    Sophie, Aiden says softly.

    I fixed my panty while still cursing and grabbed my bag. ¡°Fuck. ¡°I cried and run out of the room before Aiden could even put his jeans back on.

    I can¡¯t believe I did that. Especially when I had yet to break up with Carson. I had just cheated on him. I had to tell him. I can¡¯t lie to him anymore.

    But little did Sophie know, that Carson had witnessed everything.

 Chapter 21

    Chapter 21

    Chapter 21

    Carson¡¯s pov

    I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel while staring at the entrance of the school. I was waiting for

    Sophie to walk through those doors

    I wanted to drive her home and ask her for her forgiveness. I knew I was an ass for what I said to her.

    She had trusted me and I blew it.

    And boy did I pay for it. Shepletely ignored me the entire day and I felt so damn awful.

    I wanted her pretty eyes on me and wanted to feel her hand in my hand again. I didn¡¯t want her to give

    up on us just because of some stupid words I hadn¡¯t meant at all.

    Honestly, I didn¡¯t know what came over me to even tell her those words. I guess was just frustrated she

    was always treating me coldly when I was her boyfriend and Aiden wasn¡¯t.

    I wasn¡¯t stupid to not have noticed how she looked at him and how he looked at her. It was clear as day

    and anyone who didn¡¯t catch the glimpse of it was blind as a bat.

    I groan and scratched at my scalp. I didn¡¯t want her to break up with me, I think what we had was

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    special. And maybe given more time to woo her, would result in her falling for me and forgetting about

    him.

    Aiden Xavier was a huge brick wall between us and I was determined to do anything to get rid of him

    soon.

    But I¡¯ll not focus on that now. I¡¯ll focus on Sophie and how I¡¯d get back into her life. I didn¡¯t want things

    to end how they did, I refuse to quit.

    I continued to tap my fingers on the steering wheel, waiting for her to walk out those doors. I hoped I¡¯d

    surprise her in a good way and I¡¯d hope she would notice my efforts in trying to reconcile.

    .

    It was now a few minutes after the hour five and there were no signs of Sophie. Even the detention

    teacher, Mr. Gray had walked out, though I¡¯d more so as say it as he rushed out of those doors with a

    skip in his steps.

    The man looked happy, ecstatic even to be out of the school. I shook my head in amusement when he

    practically run to his beat up blue car and raised his head to the sky.

    I had an inkling he was thanking the heavens for getting him out of there.

    Mr. Gray soon leaves and I keep my gaze on the empty spot he left.

    What could she possibly be doing that was taking her so long to get out? I thought in frustration.

    Aiden was inside there too, I knew so because he hadn¡¯t walked out.

    I didn¡¯t want that sleaze bag to have a chance with Sophie. I didn¡¯t even want him to talk to her.

    I shook my head. I don¡¯t see what she sees in that guy. He had been nothing but mean to her with

    every chance he got. He was a bully. in and simple

    Then why was Sophie pining over a guy like that?

    I sighed heavily and practically ripped the seat belt off me. I had to see what was taking Sophie so

    damn long to get out of the school. The teacher had already lett, so why was she still inside?

    Unless, Aiden was bullying her again

    An annoyed breath filtered out of my mouth and i grilled my teeth. If I see her getting bullied by him, I¡¯d

    lose my temper. If ites to it, 10

    get another broken nose for her again.

    I opened the car door and stared at Joe the security who walked out of the doors and made his way to

    the back of the building.

    I wasn¡¯t sure if I was allowed to be in the school after hours and especially since I wasn¡¯t one of the

    kids who were in detention. But it was a good thing Joe wasn¡¯t here to see me,

    I closed the door and quickly made my way to the double doors. I looked at where Joe walked to just in

    case he came back and when the coast was clear I entered the school

    The detention room. I hummed as I looked around

    There was once I dropped her off in that room and i knew it was way at the back

    But the closer I got to the detention room, the louder moans and grunts whipped through my ears and i

    froze

    What the fuck?

    My heart on its own started pounding in my chest.

    Why the hell do the moans sound like Sophie?

    And why the fuck do the grunts sound like fucking Aiden Xavier?!

    Anger, hot anger had blinded my vision as I continued my way to the room, my hands fisted at my

    sides.

    My steps were firm, angry and I had never felt so blinded by rage before. A part of me wanted to

    believe that it was just my mind ying tricks on me. That Sophie wasn¡¯t moaning and Aiden wasn¡¯t

    grunting in pleasure.

    But as I am inches from the door and the sounds grew even more. That little part of me died out when I

    carefully took a nce through the little squared ss on the door that made it visible for anyone to

    see inside the ssroom and outside.

    My heart drops painfully when my eyes pin on them¡­..fucking.

    Aiden was taking her like his life depended on it and she was clutching on to him like he was her pir.

    Rage. Anger. Fury. Disappointment. Betrayal.

    She had been ignoring me the entire day, hadn¡¯t even said a word to me. She could¡¯ve voiced out her

    anger for all I cared, I had just wanted her to speak to me. To say at least one damn word.

    I couldn¡¯t believe I felt so awful for saying those things to her at the party

    But this proves that she deserved every word.

    It should¡¯ve been me inside her and throwing my head back in pleasure¡­not him. Not that mother

    fucker who was taking pleasure from my girlfriend.

    gritted my teeth

    This was all his fault. He was in the way

    He was the pir wedged between us and refused to move

    I will just have to move him forcefully

    .

    I can forgive Sophie for what she had done, she was probably torced into having sex with him. I

    wouldn¡¯t put it past Aiden especially judging the way he treated her

    There was no way she¡¯d give herself to him willingly.

    My jaw hurt as I clenched it when Aiden¡¯s entire body trembled and he groaned loudly. I hissed in anger

    when Sophie moaned out his name.

    That should¡¯ve been my name rolling off her tongue, not his.

    I was tempted to burst through the door and punch the living daylights out on that bastard for taking

    and enjoying something that should¡¯ve been mine.

    But I reared my temptation in when Sophie suddenly pushes him away and fixed herself. When I

    noticed she was making a move to head to the door, I quickly entered the ssroom on the opposite

    side and hid behind the door so she¡¯d not see me.

    When she scurried out the door and down the hallway, I waited for that bastard to get out.

    I was going to get rid of him. That was the only way Sophie and I could even have a chance.

    So when I finally saw him leave the ssroom and went the opposite direction from where Sophie run

    to, I followed behind him quietly, hoping I¡¯d get a chance to sneak up on him and teach him a lesson on

    not touching something that wasn¡¯t his.

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    I groan.

    I fucked up again. Like usual i fucked up with her.

    I fixed my jeans and my eyes sweep to the surveince camera. It captured everything, I was sure.

    I didn¡¯t want Sophie to get into trouble again because of me so when I left the ssroom, I headed for

    the little room with all the footage. I¡¯d delete it before anyone got a chance to see it.

    I couldn¡¯t make her feel humiliated again in the presence of my grandfather.

    Maybe I can start with that little thing to have her¡­..

    What, forgive you for all the shit you put her through? My subconscious mocked me.

    I sighed and walked up the stairs, my focus on breaking into the room and removing what the camera

    captured of Sophie and me.

    But when I reached the top of the stairs, someone¡¯s angry voice behind me had me halting.

    ¡°You fucking bastard!

 Chapter 22

    Chapter 22

    Chapter 22

    Alden¡¯s pov

    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.

    I whipped around, stunned to see that asshole who thought it was okay to be with my girl.

    Carson, his name was, was it?

    I narrowed my eyes, unsure of his intentions as he red at me in fury,

    ¡°Tho fuck you just call me?¡± I sneered under my breath. Why was he even here and what the hell was

    he ying at by following me upstairs?

    His blue eyes narrowed on my face, his re brutal but doesn¡¯t upset me one bit. ¡°You heard me

    asshole. You¡¯re a bastard.¡±

    My lips thinned. ¡°Funny. I was about to say the same thing about you.¡± I growled.

    His eyes pinned me with a death stare, something that showed me that he loathed me. Good. Feelings

    were mutual.

    ¡°Stay away from her.¡± He sneers under his breath and took a step forward.

    Was he trying to be menacing? Did he really think he looked intimidating? I wanted tough.

    He looked like a damn catpared to me. He knew he stood no chance against me, I wondered why

    he was even trying

    I knew who he was warning me about and was tempted to tell him that Sophie is and still will be mine.

    But I only acted nonchntly and pretended that I knew nothing of what he was saying.

    ¡°Stay away from who? There are a lot of hers?¡± I taunted, not back away even when he took another

    step forward.

    ¡°You know who I¡¯m talking about dick.¡± He sneers. ¡°Stay away from my girl.¡±

    Now at that, I grew angry. Stay away from his girl? I snorted. Sophie was my girl. Always had been

    even though she didn¡¯t know it yet.

    She probably thought I was joking when I told her she was mine. I had every intention of showing her I

    meant every word.

    ¡°You know I should be the one to tell you that.¡± I took a step forward and noticed the shift of emotions in

    his eyes. He wasn¡¯t sure if to back away or not

    I snorted

    I was right. He was a pussy He only tried to show off in that diner because Sophie was there.

    ¡°You carne walizing in here, ying with something that doesn¡¯t belong to you. Did I not tell you¡­.¡± My

    angry and stormy stare pin down on him. That pussy belongs to me and no one else?¡± I growled.

    Carson looks frustrated and snapped, ¡°You had years to get her and now that I¡¯m with her you¡¯re being

    an ass about it. You lost your chance blo, just stop going after Sophie. Stop bullying her to get her

    attention.¡±

    ¡°Dont fucking call me brol¡± i saged, ring at him.

    I should¡¯ve fucked up his face even more in that diner. Maybe then, Sophie wouldn¡¯t have said yes to

    being his girlfriend.

    ¡°Sophie has a mouth of her own 100. If you¡¯re feeling threatened by me, just say so Stop beating

    around the bush and admit that you know she¡¯s mine and not yours You know I can have her if I want

    10. You know you don¡¯t stand a chance with her. I said bluntly with truth in my words

    Carson¡¯s face looks red with rage and I smirked knowing I was getting to him

    I took a step forward. ¡°And you want to know what I think? I think the only reason she said yes to being

    your girlfriend, was because she knew she¡¯d hurt me. You¡¯re nothing but a pawn Carson. You mean

    absolutely nothing to her.¡±

    My eyes fall to his fisted hands at his sides. ¡°You¡¯re lying bastard! Sophie would never use me just to

    make you jealous.¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± I raised a brow. ¡°I think I know my little Sophie more than you do. I know how she moans when I

    enter her and how she pulls me closer¡­.¡±

    I look at his face and then it clicked. A big smirk emerged on my face. Jackpot. ¡°You heard us, didn¡¯t

    you? I bet you stayed to watch the little show. Were you trying to be a good boyfriend by waiting for her

    after detention? And came looking for her when you didn¡¯t see hering out yet?¡±

    I clicked my tongue in amusement when he sneers,

    I chuckled. ¡°Don¡¯t see why you¡¯re mad about it. Somewhere in the back of your head, you knew that

    this would have happened sooner orter. Sophie and I can¡¯t resist each other.¡±

    What a loser, thinking he can juste here and prance around with my girl. Sophie was mine and not

    his. It would be better for him to understand that now rather thanter.

    After all, I had every intention of confessing to Sophie. I don¡¯t think I would be able to cope if she gets

    with another guy that wasn¡¯t me again. Her being with this ass only proved that I couldn¡¯t take it.

    ¡°Shut the hell up!¡± Carson barks and I chuckled.

    ¡°Let me guess¡­..so after you saw me fucking my girl, you followed me here to warn me off of what

    belongs to me?¡± I snorted, chuckling when Carson grits his teeth.

    ¡°So I am correct then.¡± Iughed.

    ¡°Why are you even after her? You have other girls hanging off your arm every day. Isn¡¯t that enough?

    Why do you need her too?¡± Carson snarled in disgust. ¡°You can get any other girl, why her?¡±

    ¡°Because nonepares to her! None is Sophie! Those girls mean nothing! They never meant

    anything.¡± I roared.

    What will it take for this moron to get it through his thick skull that Sophie was always my girl and even

    if he smiles prettily at her, she¡¯d never

    truly be his?

    ¡°You won¡¯t treat her right. You¡¯re not right for her. I¡¯m not letting go of her just for her to fall into a

    bastard¡¯sp!¡± Carson sneers.

    ¡°That¡¯s the thing, Carson, she already did!¡¯ i sted. I was losing my patience with this fool. ¡°And she¡¯ll

    continue to fall into myp, again and again

    My head snaps to the side when a fist collided with my jaw, I hadn¡¯t had time to react when Carson

    threw fist after fist at my face.

    I could feel the amount of rage he had for me as his knuckles collided against my jawbone. This time I

    had no time to react before his fist met my face

    I was too blinded by the words i was saying to him to have realized his fist wasing toward my face.

    When I felt the blow, i staggered back and then didn¡¯t wait a secondter to retaliate. I was furious,

    enraged, and fucking beyond redemption as I saw turn as someone that was in the way of getting what

    I wanted.

    He had the nerve to kies my gurt Touch what¡¯s mine ande here acting all macho as if I couldn¡¯t see

    right through him. He was a pussy. And the ordy reason he was so transfed by my Sophie was

    because he wanted to luck her

    I could¡¯ve seen it in his eyes and the way he stared at her bottom. He didn¡¯t like her, he didn¡¯t love her.

    Not like I did. And he better realize thatpeting with me for her would be useless for him. I¡¯d always

    win.

    ¡°She¡¯s mine!¡± He roared, colliding his fist on my stomach.

    His words brought on a burning rage I never felt before and before I knew it, my fist had collided with

    his face so hard and powerful, that

 Chapter 23

    Chapter 23

    Chapter 23

    Carson ¡®staggered back clumsily.

    I watch in absolute horror when his fingers slipped from the handrailing and his body tumbles down the

    stairs and stops in an awkward position.

    I rush to the top of the staircase and fist my hair in my hands tightly as I stare at the blood pooling from

    his head. His eyes were still wide open and it wouldn¡¯t take a genius to see that he was dead.

    ¡°Fuck!¡± I yelled, rushing down the stairs with my heart pounding painfully in my chest.

    When I got to his body, there was someone standing at the bottom of the stairs. I turn to see who and

    my heart drops painfully in my stomach. I wanted to vomit.

    Sophie¡¯s eyes are wide in horror and her mouth is parted as if she is on the verge of letting out a

    scream.

    ¡°Aiden¡­. what did you do?¡± She whispered in disbelief and takes a shaky step forward.

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I rushed to the bathroom needing to cool down my face and figure out what I¡¯ll do next. How would I

    exin this to Carson?

    Does he even have to know that I cheated on him with Aiden?

    I can just tell him that things were not working out between us and that we needed to go our separate

    ways

    It was not like it wasn¡¯t true, we were not working out. Things just were not progressing. My heart still

    beat for Aiden and even though I hated that fact, I finally came to terms with it.

    But that didn¡¯t mean I¡¯d let Aiden have his way with me whenever he pleased. I was hell bent on

    staying single and sparing no guy, including Aiden my attention any more. No matter how hard it would

    be to ignore him, I would

    I washed my face and groan.

    If I don¡¯t tell Carson what was really going on, I¡¯d feel even more guilty for not telling him I cheated on

    him with Aiden.

    He deserved to know the truth. He deserved to know. I can¡¯t lie to him any longer.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    I sighed and washed my face again, needing that cool water to wash away the heat on my face. If only

    it could wash away the guilt too.

    When I was done I walked out of the bathroom, hoping to not catch up with Aiden. Had he left already?

    Did he try to look for me? Was he still looking for me?

    Why do I even care?

    I shook my head and made my way to the front doors. It was best to not think about Aiden and focus on

    how I¡¯d tell Carson what I had done.

    done,

    I had betrayed him and betrayed his trust. And even though he said some mean things to mest night,

    it didn¡¯t justify what I dome today. In fact a few minutes ago.

    I could still feel him inside my walls. The wet heat of him¡­.

    I chewed my bottom lip, feeling pity for myself knowing getting over him would be practically

    impossible.

    Why did I allow him to crawl into my heart?

    When did it even happen?

    I chewed on my bottom lip harder as the front door is only a few feet away from me. When I opened the

    door, the first thing I noticed was the tamdiar ck car that belonged to Carson

    My heart sunik and then started beating quickly in my chest. Did he wait for me?

    Now i leel even more awful for what I had just done with Aiden

    How would I break thus down to him? How would I even start?

    I could just go up to him and say I cheated on him with my bully

    id challer tus heart,

    But then again no matter how I say it, i¡¯d shatter his heart either way.

    This was my fault. I should never have pushed him into this mess. I should not have agreed to be his

    girlfriend knowing my heart belonged to someone else.

    I had royally screwed myself. And I would hurt someone who didn¡¯t deserve what I was about to say to

    them.

    I held my breath and started for the car. But as I narrowed my eyes, I realized Carson was nowhere

    inside the car.

    Where was he?

    I stopped and looked around. There was no one around, not even Joe.

    Carson wouldn¡¯t just leave his car here so that wasn¡¯t an option. I pulled out my phone and rang his

    number. His phone is in the car and it res inside.

    Great

    I whipped around to face the school, my hands now feeling mmy as a thought pushed inside my

    head.

    What if Carson was inside?

    What if he was there the entire time?

    What if he had heard Aiden and me?

    What if he saw?

    I chewed on my lower lip nervously and then headed back inside the school,

    Ijump, a bit startled when I hear shouts. The words were not very coherent from where I stood but I can

    make out Carson¡¯s and Aiden¡¯s voice.

    Oh God.

    What have done?

    They were arguing. I can already tell by how rough and loud their voices were.

    Were they fighting too?

    I gripped the phone in my hand tightly and run back down the hallway. The closer I got to the voices the

    louder I can now hear grunts and fists hitting bones.

    They were fighting!

    My heart skipped a bit knowing I was yet the cause of the two boys fighting. I picked up my pace and

    then everything happens so quick i wasn¡¯t sure if it really did happen.

    I wasn¡¯t sure this was reality. It couldn¡¯t be

    I froze, watching in horror as I saw Carson tumbling down the staircase with Aiden looking down at him

    the exact same way I was looking at him in horror

    By Aideri¡¯s stance, I knew he must¡¯ve pushed Carson and I wasn¡¯t sure if it was by ident or not.

    My heart shatters and my mouth parts I could feel a scream wanting to burst through my mouth but

    nothinges. It¡¯s bubbling in my

    throat when Carson finally stops tumbling butnds awkwardly

    Blood so red gushes out of his head and he doesn¡¯t twitch. Carson looked¡­.dead.

    I can¡¯t swallow the lump in my throat, I couldn¡¯t understand what I had just witnessed.

    This wasn¡¯t real. Carson was still here. He wasn¡¯t dead

    He was

    My eyes sweep over to Aiden who let out the word fuck. He rushes down the stairs, his eyes wide in

    horror and the color of his skin ashy white.

    When he reaches beside Carson¡¯s motionless body, he suddenly noticed I was there. He looks ready to

    vomit,

    My throat feels so tight and achy as I whispered while taking a shaky step forward. ¡®Aiden. what did you

    do?¡±

    He doesn¡¯t answer, he looks at a lost for words. Just like I was seconds ago.

    My heart pounds in my chest and I shook my head in disbelief. This didn¡¯t just happen.

    I didn¡¯t just witness my boyfriend¡¯s death.

    Boyfriend

    Now I felt to vomit. I was the cause of this just as much as Aiden.

    I let out a soft cry when I got closer to Carson, forever haunted by his opened eyes. Those eyes that

    had stared at me with happiness now had no light in them.

    ¡°Oh Carson¡­¡± I cried, mourning.

    ¡°Call 911 Sophie!¡± Aiden rushes out and crouches beside Carson¡¯s still body.

    I nodded quickly as I dialed 911 and brought the phone to my ears. I draw in a shaky breath when I

    hear the pinging sound of the phone ringing.

    They answered on the second ring. ¡°911 how may I help you?¡± The dispatcher asked on the other line.

    My bottom lip trembled as I shakily answered. ¡°My boyfriend just fell down a flight of stairs. He¡¯s

    unresponsive,¡±

    Aiden¡¯s head whips up when he hears the word boyfriend and then he quickly looks down at Carson.

    *Please send help quickly.¡± I rushed out and then gave her the name of the school.

    Aiden¡¯s fingers near Carson¡¯s neck where he could feel the pulse. His hands are shaky and I could see

    the fear in his eyes.

    ¡°He has no pulse,¡± He whispered in dread and horror.

    His confirmation that Carson was no longer alive sent pain slicing through me. This was my fault and

    Aidents. We caused this.

    I kneeled beside Carson and reached out to touch his arm. ¡°Oh Carson, I¡¯m so sorry. So so sorry.¡± I

    sobbed knowing I had caused this too.

 Chapter 24

    Chapter 24

    Chapter 24

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I stared at the casket. The casket that confined Carson¡¯s corpse inside.

    My throat burned and every word the priest let out seemed to go on deaf ears.

    The only sounds I can focus on was the sound of the pattering rain that fell on the umbre Ingrid held

    over my head so I¡¯d not get wet

    I think I deserve to get wet. I deserve to feel the cold of the rain. Maybe then I¡¯d start to feel again.

    Since Carson¡¯s death a week and a few days ago, I had be numb. I could not feel anymore

    except for the eating guilt

    Ingrid wrapped one of her arms around my midsection and held me close as Carson¡¯s parents wept

    loudly Their cries were louder than the pattering rain and that did not surprise me.

    M looks over at me and looks at me in sorrow. She stood beside me and grabbed a hold of my hand.

    She squeezes it in reassurance

    She knew everything. I told her everything. And she knew how fucking messed up I was now after what

    happened

    She was the only one who knew why the two boys were fighting that day.

    ¡°Wait. No don¡¯t put my baby in the dirt. Wait no! He¡¯s not dead! He can¡¯t be. I saw himst night. He¡¯s

    not dead. Don¡¯t put him down yet!¡± Carson¡¯s mother screamed and started to thrash in her husband¡¯s

    hold.

    My stomach churns and I feel disgusted to even be in their presence knowing I was the main reason

    they lost their son.

    I didn¡¯t deserve to be here. I didn¡¯t deserve to recieve everyone¡¯s sympathy while Aiden got nothing but

    pitchforks thrown at him. They med him. They called him the devil.

    Everyone turned their backs on him.

    But me, everyone was way too sweet, way too nice to me. I didn¡¯t like it. I hated it. I didn¡¯t deserve their

    words, I didn¡¯t deserve their sympathy. I was the main reason Carson was dead.

    If I hadn¡¯t

    ¡°No my baby boy! Don¡¯t leave us! Please you can¡¯t leave us! You were supposed to grow old Carson,

    give us grandchildren. How can you just leave us so soon?!¡± His mother screamed, tugging forward but

    her husband who was still visibly crying held her back.

    Her words had my heart pinching and my eyes began to water again. I have been crying for so many

    days, for so many hours that I didn¡¯t know i had any tears left to let out.

    But feeling them trail down my cheeks showed me that I still had more than I thought. I wasn¡¯t done

    crying and I didn¡¯t think I would ever stop

    The casket was now being ced down in the hole they had dug up for where he would rest. I felt sick

    to my stomach.

    ¡°Noi Please no Don¡¯t put him down¡¯ He¡¯s okay! He¡¯s here with us! Carson babye out and stop

    ying! Carson please stop giving moma anael Carson! Pleasel Carson!¡¯ Hie inom screamed louder,

    thrashing harder in her husband¡¯s hold.

    ¡°Marge he¡¯s gone Carson¡¯s dad cried, hugging his wife tightly

    Her bottom hip wobble as she looks down at the casket that wos now her son¡¯s bed. She cried louder. I

    promise I¡¯ll make that devil pay for what he did to you Carson I¡¯ll make that bastard pay

    Her words were like a blow to my heart even though they were not directed at me They were directed

    at Aiden but I felt it I felt their force

    And suddenly I couldn¡¯t breathe. I looked up at Ingrid and said shakily with panic ¡°I need to go ¡± I didn¡¯t

    wait for her to respond, I just turned around and aimlessly made my way through the people around us

    ¡°Sorry.¡± I gasped out when I shouldered someone by ident

    ¡°Sophie!¡± I heard M¡¯s voice call out behind me

    I needed to get out of here. I didn¡¯t deserve to be here

    If Aiden was a devil then I was a demon.

    I shook my head, my hair quickly stering to my face and ck dress as the rain shower over me

    The heavens felt my sorrow. They felt my guilt. They felt my pain. The rain¡­.. were my tears

    Oh Carson. If only you had not spoken to me that day. If only you had not called me pretty girl. You

    would¡¯ve still been here

    You would still be in your mother¡¯s arms. Your parents would still have their son

    This was my fault. All of it.

    Not only was one boy dead because of me but another was behind bars and would be going for a

    hearing tomorrow. One that would seal Aiden¡¯s fate.

    They found a lot of evidence that showed that Aiden was always malicious to Carson. And on the

    surveince camera they saw the two boys engaging into a fight.

    They couldn¡¯t hear what they were yelling about but apparently from the angle of the camera, it showed

    Aiden had either punched or pushed Carson down the stairs.

    That was enough to put him behind bars and hold him until his hearing. What made it even worst was

    that Rena recalled Aiden threatening to kill Carson in the diner when they were fighting.

    His friends denied it but the owner of the diner also showed the footage from the surveince camera

    where you could hear loud and clear what Aiden had said to Carson that day. Which did include him

    saying he¡¯d kill him.

    I knew he hadn¡¯t meant it in that kind of way, but with all the evidence and othersing forward to

    speak on how much of an asshole he was 10 Carson, Aiden stood no chance.

    Had I really just ruined two boys future because of my selfish heart and actions?

    I shook my head. Aiden wasn¡¯t the devil. I was

    My legs feltjello and weak and I found myself falling on my bottom beside someone¡¯s tomb.

    I was a good distance away from the funeral but I knew someone had followed me.

    An umbre hovers over my head to block the rain from seeping to my bones. M sat beside me and

    one of her arms hugged me.

    ¡°Everything is going to be okay Soph. I¡¯ll always be here for you no matter what.¡± M whispered,

    kissing my cold cheek

    I stared at the trees off into the distance. I knew the mud was creating a mess behind my dress and I

    knew that I might catch a cold. But I didn¡¯t care

    I could sit here forever. The cold, I wish it could freeze my heart so I¡¯d not feel so much pain.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so M. I¡¯m a monster a huge one for making Aiden take all the fall for what happened.¡±

    My lower lip tremble as I started to cry.

    M shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t you say that Sophie. You were not the one who pushed or punched

    Carson and had him tumbling down the stairs. This was Aiden¡¯s doing, he made that choice. Not you.

    Don¡¯t you dare me yourself.

    I don¡¯t respond to her knowing that she¡¯d always try to make me feel better. But I knew that I was the

    biggest cause for what happened.

    I sighed shakily and just stared off at the trees in the distance. Tomorrow was his hearing and I was

    supposed to take the stand as one of the witnesses.

    I had to say the truth. Even if the truth will hurt Aiden or me.

    *Day of the hearing

    ¡°Would Sophie Bell please take to the stand.¡±

    Hearing my name had my heart dropping in my stomach and a heavy feeling weighing on my chest.

    I rose from the chair and walked up to the stand. When I sat down and took the oath, I felt his eyes on

    me.

    He had been silent as expected to. Bull could tell by his rigid form that he was afraid.

    I took a quick peek at him and my breath catches in my lungs. He looked like he hadn¡¯t slept for days.

    Carson¡¯s familywyer walked up to the stand and started asking me questions that made me feel light

    headed.

    ¡°Miss Bell? It came to our attention that you and Mr. Xavier had a sexual rtionship going on between

    the two of you?¡±

    Her question had me quickly snapping my gaze to Aiden¡¯s. No one knew about our rtionship except

    for Aiden¡¯s grandfather, M, and Aiden himself. Carson did too, but he was no longer here.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Who told

    ¡°Don¡¯t try to deny it. We saw the footage when we went through the surveince cameras.¡¯ She

    continued.

    Ashamed to look at anyone in the crowd of people listening intently, I kept my gaze on the wooden

    parts of the stand.

    I didn¡¯t want to see the look on Marge¡¯s face.

    ¡°Yes We were in a sexual rtionship

 Chapter 25

    Chapter 25

    Chapter 25

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    She nods. ¡°And you two engaged in that sexual rtionship minutes before the altercation between

    Aiden and Carson?¡±

    Oh God, this woman was ruthless. Couldn¡¯t she at least let me take a breather before sting me with

    yet another personal question?

    I looked up, my eyes sweeping 10 Aiden¡¯s. One of his elbows was on the desk and his fingers were

    ying with his chin as he waited for my answer.

    He looked at me emotionlessly but I could see the flicker of betrayal in his eyes. Did he think i betrayed

    him?

    My stomach twisted and I looked away from him, not able to bear the weight of his gaze any longer.

    I started and feeling the weight of others in the crowd, my eyes fall to Marge who looked at me in anger

    and betrayal. It feels like a powerful blow to the chest

    I scan over the crowd and everyone¡¯s gazes were the same, shocked, betrayed, and anger. Pure, pure

    anger.

    The only people who were not looking at me like I was the devil¡¯s wife were M, Ingrid, and her

    husband,

    I tear my gaze away, my throat feeling impossibly tight,

    ¡°Answer the question, Miss Bell.¡± The woman pushed, impatience heavy on her tongue.

    I squeezed my eyes and then opened them before answering shakingly. ¡°Yes. We were.¡±

    This feeling of hate for myself ate up inside me until my breathing feels harsh. I wanted out of this

    ce.

    The woman nods, seeming satisfied that I answered her with the truth. I was sure they saw it too. They

    must¡¯ve. She looked like she knew all those answers to the questions she knew she¡¯d give me.

    I tangled my fingers together and yed with the material of my jeans. That was the only thing that

    could distract me from the res I was currently feeling

    ¡®So, did you know the two boys hated each other Miss Bell?¡± She asked, giving me her unwavering

    attention.

    Something I didn¡¯t want since I felt like nothing more than an ant under a microscope who was getting

    burnt with rays of sunlight.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t

    I shook my head and move my eyes off of hers and focused on the floor. I knew that they were not

    seeing eye to eye.¡± I nodded and without being able to resist, my eyes connected with Aiden¡¯s

    His jow is locked and he looked frustrated. When he noticed my gaze on him, his eyes turned hard as a

    rock. It had my heart-shattering. 1 was hurting him. I knew so

    Buui couldn¡¯t lie

    Lying would only make it worst on both our parts

    The woman nods ¡°Okay, so you udrnit that they were not seeing eye to eye because of you miss. Bell?

    ¡°I didn¡¯t

    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.

    I started unsure of how to answer that question. No matter how I answer it, I would still put both Aiden

    and me in hot water.

    ¡°Objection your honor!¡± Aiden¡¯swyer said to gain the judge¡¯s attention while he red at the woman

    who was seeking my answers.

    The judge shook her head and said. ¡°Overruled.¡±

    ¡°Go ahead and answer the question, Miss Bell.¡±

    I sighed and then opened my mouth to answer. But the door suddenly opens and an older man who

    radiated power strolled into the room with two huge and strongly built men, who I presume were his

    bodyguards,

    The man was dressed in the most expensive of suits and the watch wrapped around his wrist gleamed,

    mocking those who didn¡¯t have the funds to even nce at it.

    He nced at me, his eyes familiar. His mouth sets into a tight line that showed he was displeased to

    be here. I have never seen this man in my life.

    He made his way over to Aiden¡¯s parents who looked rather ufortable.

    I¡¯m pulled out of my thoughts when the woman pushes me to answer. She seemed annoyed and

    frustrated with me. I would be too.

    I swallowed and answered. ¡± I didn¡¯t say that. I may have yed a role in their hate for each other but

    there¡¯s no evidence that I was the cause

    ¡°Oh but there is Miss Bell. There is evidence that you¡¯re the main cause of that fight that led to

    Carson¡¯s death.¡±

    Suddenly the woman presses a button on a small squared remote. The entire room is now filled with

    Carson and Aiden arguing.

    My heart thuds painfully quickly as I listen to their angry voices.

    * You want to know what I think? I think the only reason she said yes to being your girlfriend, was

    because she knew she¡¯d hurt me. You¡¯re nothing but a pawn Carson. You mean absolutely nothing to

    her.¡±

    This was Aiden¡¯s voice.

    My hands fisted on myp as I try to stop my trembling fingers.

    ¡°You¡¯re lying bastard! Sophie would never use me just to make you jealous.¡±

    Carson¡¯s voice had my heart squeezing.

    The conformation that his death was the cause of me had my eyes misting with tears and I sniffle. It

    was truly my fault for ruining the two boys futures. I was the cause

    The woman presses the button again and the room goes silent

    She aites a perfectly arched brow. ¡°Is your name not Sophie Miss Bell?

    i nodded faintly

    ¡®Then I will find it hard to believe that this Sophie¡¯ they¡¯re talking about is not you. Her taunting eyebrow

    mocked me

    ¡°You see, the audio was fued in the footage where we can hear clearly what the two boys were arguing

    about before they fought each other And the way Mr Xaviet worded it out, you belonged to him Does

    that not speak possessiveness Miss. Bell?¡¯ She tilted her head,

    taunting and mocking me with her eyes.

    She knew she had trapped me. One wrong word slipping out of my mouth and I¡¯d be burnt alive.

    Though, I felt like I was already being cooked.

    ¡°Objection your honor!¡± Aiden¡¯swyer seethed as if frustrated that his client was perceived in a very

    bad light.

    ¡°Overruled.¡± The judge responded casually.

    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know,¡± I whispered.

    The woman shook her head in disappointment and turned to face everyone. Of course you don¡¯t. Mr.

    Xavier was jealous and possessive of you. He wanted you all to himself. But Carson was in the way. So

    what did Mr. Xavier do? He got rid of him, correct?

    ¡°Objection your honor,ck of evidence!¡± Aiden¡¯swyer growled.

    ¡°Overruled!¡±

    The woman whipped back to face me and narrowed her eyes on me. ¡°Am I correct Miss. Bell? She

    taunted, her upper lip threatening to lift into a smug grin.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± I snapped, frustrated that she kept asking me questions that were too difficult to answer.

    This time her smirk was visible as she faces the judge. ¡°That will be all for Miss. Bell your honor. She¡¯s

    given me enough to proceed.

    Everything turns into a huge blur as the jury reaches its verdict.

    I try to listen to their responses. My heart pound in my chest and my palms turn mmy.

    Marge, Carson¡¯s mother had been ring at me in hatred the minute I sat down beside M when I got

    off the stand. It was safe to say that she now saw me as a devil just like she saw Aiden as.

    .

    I knew I deserved it.

    My heart drops when the responses were not quite what I wanted to hear, though I should¡¯ve expected

    it.

    M¡¯s hands grabbed mine on myp and she squeezes it almost brutally. She knew I was hurting and

    she knew that whateveres after, would be bad

    When the verdict was done, all I could do was stare at Aiden¡¯s stiff back. They were locking him up for

    five years.

    I let my heart pung. This was my fault

    Suddenly I couldn¡¯t breathe, and every breath I tried to pull into my lungs felt like it wasn¡¯t enough.

    Aldersswyer whispers something in his ear, the exact moment the older man who screamed wealth

    and power rose from his seat and stormed out of the room. His two bodyguards are right behind him

    Alden rose to from his cha, bus body treening when Marge throw disgusting words huis way Then she

    turns to face me, her upper lips pulling up my a snart

    * wou deserve everything bud punt de bain You deserve to rol, not my baby Carson. It should ve been

    both of you, not him!¡±

    Her Husband tries to rush her as the Locurity look ready to intervene just in case things go too far

    Her words to d

    evs vad down frty cheeks

    Upon hearing her words, Aiden turns around just as they ce those ugly handcuffs around his wrists

    His eyes fell in my own and they were so cold that I shivered under their weight

    ¡°You both deserve to rot!¡± Marge screeches just as they push Aiden to move

    He looks at his parents, nods, and then turns around to leave. When he disappears, it feels like he just

    took my heart with him

 Chapter 26

    Chapter 26

    Chapter 26

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    #two monthstert

    M burst through the bathroom door, her eyes wide as she holds up her index finger in a waiting

    gesture.

    She hauls in a breath and lets it out through her nose as she looks over at me seated on the toilet seat.

    With her hand still on the doorknob, she lifts up the brown paper bag.

    ¡°I bought three just in case.¡± She breathed out and closed the door behind her walked in further.

    The closer she got to me, the quicker my heart seemed to pound in my chest. In that brown paper bag

    held three pregnancy tests.

    My hands trembled as I rose from the seat. ¡°Did Ingrid see you?¡± I winced. Ingrid had been very

    concerned with metely, especially seeing as I was always so ¡®sick¡¯ to go to school.

    That was true in a sense but I also wasn¡¯t in the mood for judgemental eyes. Since Aiden¡¯s hearing,

    everyone got to know that I cheated on Carson with him, which led to the fight and also led to

    Carson¡¯s¡­..demise.

    So no one greeted me with sympathy anymore, no, they greeted me with malice.

    M nods, wincing. ¡°She saw the bag. Told her I brought you a gift. It is your birthday today after all.¡±

    ¡°And what an enjoyable birthday it has been indeed,¡± I said sarcastically, feeling pity for myself.

    I had been feeling nauseous since morning and I lost count of how many times I actually vomited this

    week.

    I wasn¡¯t looking forward to my birthday per se but I didn¡¯t n to actually feel nauseous and sick the

    entire day. It didn¡¯t help that I had missed my period. And that¡¯s when the fear kicked in.

    M handed me the bag and sighed. ¡°That damn woman behind the counter gave me the stink eye.

    Can you imagine the nerve of her!?¡± M scoffed and rolled her eyes as she struts over to the

    bathroom countertop.

    She sits on top of the surface and looks at me in confusion. ¡°How many minutes do we have to wait

    again? I can¡¯t remember.¡± She asked.

    I shrugged and removed the boxes out of the brown paper bag. Seeing them in person is one thing, but

    touching them and knowing you¡¯re about to use them is another thing entirely.

    My fingers tremble as I turn the box to read the instructions.

    ¡®About two minutes?¡¯ I gnawed on my lips as I pulled out the sticks from the boxes. My heart ms in

    my chest.

    M nods and then suggested ¡°Don¡¯t you just want to take a cup and pee in it then dip the sticks in?

    Wouldn¡¯t that be easier?¡±

    Right That would be easier. Why hadn¡¯t I thought about that?¡¯ I grumble lowly. Honestly, I hadn¡¯t been

    thinking clearly muchtely.

    It has been two months since the hearing and my heart still feels broken. The pain of being the reason

    two boys¡¯ lives were ruinedpletely took a toll on me I was a miserable person twenty four seven

    M hops down the countertop and turns around to search through the draw ¡®Is there one inside here?¡±

    She rummages through the tiny pill trotules and finds a ornallcup

    Well, this one should do ¡± She murmurs and walks over to me. She ces the cup in my awaiting

    hands and pries the test from my hands.

    ¡°Okay, here you go. She whispered and looked at me, her eyes darting from both of mine. ¡°It will be

    okay Soph There¡¯s nothing wrong with just trying to be sure it will be fine

    She was the one who suggested that I take a test

    I hauled in a breath and let it out through my mouth shakily Okay

    I backed away until my legs touched the toilet, lifted the lid, and then pulled my panties down my legs.

    Lifting up my dress, I fit myself on the toilet sit and then push the cup between my legs

    I looked at M panicking when I dont feel my pee going down ¡°Rx Soph. It will be okay No matter

    what happens next, it will be okay She reassures with a nod to her head

    I try to rx but I just couldnt ¡®Can you just turn on the pipe please?¡± I asked, hoping that hearing the

    water pouring into the drain would help my pee finally stop ying peek-a-boo

    M smiled, nodded, and opened the faucet It takes a good while until I felt my pee entering the cup. I

    would have done a happy dance if i wasn¡¯t so worried about the results

    When I was done, I gave M the cup She cringes ¡®Oh, I love you babe, but touching your piss is a no-

    no. Despite her words, she grasp the cup and ced it on the surface of the countertop

    I rolled my eyes and fixed my clothes and panties back into ce I flushed the toilet and closed the lid,

    I sat back down on the lid and sighed heavily while shaking my legs nervously

    M washed her hands under the running pipe while looking at me Aren¡¯t you going to wash your

    hands, Soph?¡±

    Oh.

    I sheepishly smiled and walked over to the opened pipe. ¡°Are you sure Ingrid isn¡¯t suspicious of what¡¯s

    going on?¡± I asked nervously as washed my hand under the cool running water

    ¡°I can¡¯t really know for sure Soph. But whatever happens, she¡¯ll fully support you no matter what and

    you know that M sighs.

    I closed the pipe and gripped the countertop. ¡®I turned eighteen today. I¡¯m an adult now They no longer

    have to take care of me ording to the state.

    ¡°You know the Simpsons would never do something like that to you Soph. I can¡¯t believe you¡¯d even

    think like that.¡± M scowled.

    I looked down at the sink and sighed. ¡°You¡¯re right. I just don¡¯t see this working out if I¡¯m pregnant Mll,

    it¡¯s already so difficult to make ends meet.¡±

    ¡°Hey! You don¡¯t know if you¡¯re pregnant yet Soph. How about waiting for the results before bursting

    your head about it?¡± M suggested.

    i nodded. She was right. I should really stop worrying so quickly especially when I didn¡¯t have the

    results yet. I could be worrying over nothing really

    But I can¡¯t help but think about how my life would be if I were actually pregnant. How would I be able to

    raise a kid on my own? Aiden was not here to help me.

    I just couldn¡¯t see this working out.

    I had college to think about

    What the hell would I do ifN?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    The two minutes are up now,¡± M whispered, removing the timer off her phone.

    All three tests were beside us, but I had refused to eyen nce at them once. But now that the two

    minutes were up, I didn¡¯t want to look at them at all.

    ¡°Can you look for me?¡± I whispered, my voice shaky.

    M nods and squeezes my hand reassuringly. Of course Soph:

    It¡¯s quiet for a few seconds, but even with theck of noise, I can somehow feel the tension zipping

    through the air.

    ¡°What do they read M?¡± I asked nervously, my skin coating with a thinyer of sweat until the

    material of my dress begins to itch me.

    *All three are¡­ She trails off with a nervous shocked edge. Breathing in sharply she whispers lowly.

    ¡°You¡¯re pregnant Sophie.

    My entire world feels like it¡¯s crashing down around me. I shook my head as tears filled my eyes. She

    was wrong. She must be.

    I whip my eyes to the three tests I had been avoiding looking at. I can¡¯t seem to breathe properly when

    my eyes zeroed in on those two red lines.

    Oh no.

    I shook my head. ¡°This isn¡¯t possible,¡± I started in denial.

    ¡°I can¡¯t be.¡± I whimpered praying that this was all just a nightmare and that I just needed to wake up.

    ¡°I can¡¯t be pregnant M.¡± I cried, digging my fingers into my hair and gripping the strands tightly.

 Chapter 27

    Chapter 27

    Chapter 27

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    M¡¯s words were reassuring. They really were. But they couldn¡¯t break the circle of doubt, fear, and

    shock I was currently feeling at the moment.

    I was pregnant. At least that¡¯s what all three tests read.

    ¡°I just turned eighteen today, I have no job, M. How am I going to do this on my own? Aiden

    I stopped, huping on a sob. Life was unfair to me.

    Did the heavens hate me that much to not give me a break from all those hurdles they flew my way?

    Aiden was behind bars, serving time. And I was a hundred percent sure he hated me with a passion. I

    dream every day about his cold eyes that shone with betrayal when he stared at me that day before

    they took him away.

    In a way, he med me for what happened. He hated me.

    My heart squeezed. I had ced myself in a tight spot and I saw no way to get out of it.

    ¡°You¡¯re not going to be doing this on your own Soph. You have the Simpsons and me. We¡¯ll be here

    every step of the way she reassured me while hugging my body sideways as she wiped my tears.

    ¡°There are other options you know¡­.¡± She trailed off as if unsure if her words would create more harm

    than good.

    I shook my head quickly. ¡°I could never do abortion.¡±

    She shook her head. ¡°I was more leaning on adoption? There are families who crave to have what you

    carry in your womb.

    I wince at her words. She was definitely making this more real for me.

    But¡­..she was right

    There are families who yearn for a child. I had one currently in my womb. I could make some family

    happy. I could give them something they craved for

    But as my eyes drop to my stomach, my heart squeezes. What if I can¡¯t let him or her go when I first

    set my eyes on them? What would I do

    then?

    *I don¡¯t know M. ¡®I trailed off unsurely.

    ¡®it was just an option Soph. You don¡¯t have to think about it so early on.¡¯ She reassures, squeezing me

    to her.

    ¡°And if you do happen to keep the baby, I will be here to help you every step of the way. She beamed.

    My eyes meet hers in the reflection of the mirror. ¡°But what about New York M? Our ns? My

    shoulders sagged.

    Mia and I had already nned to go to New York when we graduate from high school. It was supposed

    to be an exciting new chapter for us. Me to college and her to look for work M had no intentions of

    going back to school.

    Apparently, school and learning just weren¡¯t for her anymore

    We only had a few more months until graduation. And now I had a huge damper on the ns.

    She winces and lets me go while mumbling. ¡°Well, I hadn¡¯t quite thought about that.¡±

    She scratches her chin and paced the entire length of the bathroom before stopping before me.

    ¡°My cousin Ria was willing to let us share her apartment with her. We only need to pay our share of the

    rent. Her mother, my aunt, did suggest Ie and work for her in their little diner. I¡¯m sure that they¡¯ll

    ept both you and me.¡± She rushed out as if finding a solution to the hardest math question.

    I raised my eyebrows in doubt. ¡°They¡¯ll ept a pregnant eighteen year old?¡±

    She nods. ¡°I¡¯m sure they will. My aunt isn¡¯t as strict as my mom. In fact, I once caught her smoking

    marijuana at one of our many family gatherings. She owes me one for not telling her husband she

    rpsed.¡±

    I sighed. This feels too good to be true. How will I make this work when I was supposed to go to college

    and make a better life for myself?

    ¡°Just think about it okay Soph? We can still go to New York and live with my cousin and work for my

    aunt. We can still achieve our dreams, even though they will be postponed for a little bit longer.

    Whatever you choose Soph, will be the best choice. I believe so. And you should too.¡± She pulls me

    into a hug.

    ¡°You got this Sophie. If anyone can do this, it will be you.¡± M squeezed me tighter.

    I cried on her shoulder, holding her tight. ¡°I don¡¯t know M. I¡¯m scared.¡± I admitted.

    I still had a few months left till graduation. By then, I would be sporting a bump.

    The controversies this will bring, I can already see it. Many would be the baby belongs to Aiden while

    the others would think it was Carson¡¯s.

    I would be the talk of the town again. Though my name hadn¡¯t quite died out yet.

    ¡°Are you going to tell him?¡± M asked softly.

    I knew who¡¯he¡¯ was.

    I shook my head. ¡°No. I¡¯m not going to ruin his life even more.¡±

    Mali had left a couple of minutes ago already and I was currently in my room sucking up the courage to

    tell Ingrid that I was expecting.

    After a few minutes of me just pacing across my room, I managed to get that little pep talk to actually

    push me.

    I made my way downstairs where I can hear her ying with the pans and spoons. They rattled and

    disturbed the silence in the house. My fast pace turns into a cruise.

    The air smells like chocle cake and my belly grumbles reminding me that I hadn¡¯t eaten yet. I

    couldn¡¯t keep much down, but boy do I now crave some chocte. Anything chocte would do.

    I found Ingrid in the kitchen like I expected to. She looked very focused on icing that chocte cake.

    When she hears my footsteps nearing, she freezes and looks disappointed

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Darnmit You were not supposed to see this yet.¡± She sighed and continued icing the chocte cake.

    The strong smell had me licking my ups

    ¡°Cover your eyes until I say I¡¯m done¡± She instructed

    Ingrid always went out of her way to see me happy and this is how I repaid her? By getting pregnant so

    young? By causing the death of an

    innocent boy? For causing an innocent boy to take jail?

    I don¡¯t deserve all this.

    ¡°I¡¯m pregnant Ingrid.¡± I stumbled out, my bottom lip already wobbling as I waited for her re and

    scowl.

    Hearing my words, Ingrid freezes,pletely.

    I must¡¯ve disappointed her so badly. I am sure of it.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry Ingrid. We were not being careful and I fully me myself for putting myself in this

    position. I¡¯m so sorry to disappoint you¡¯ll rushed out,ing closer to the counter.

    ¡°When did you find out?¡± She breathed out, staring at me in disbelief.

    ¡°A couple of minutes ago,¡± I admitted afraid that she¡¯ll use me of having an inkling of what was

    going on with me but didn¡¯t tell her. Her eyes tell me that she was putting all those missing pieces

    together.

    She shook her head, her eye misting. ¡°We can barely make ends meet Sophie. You¡¯re still in high

    school and you¡¯re about to head to college Pregnant now?¡± She shook her head as if still in disbelief at

    what I had just said to her,

    Her eyes drop to my stomach and she whispered, ¡°Do you n on keeping the baby?¡±

    I looked away from herpletely. ¡°M suggested that I can give him or her up for adoption. Abortion

    is out of the question.¡±

    Ingrid nods and sighs heavily. ¡°Nine months Sophie. How are you going to go to school and what about

    college?¡±

    I looked down at the floor, now finding it the most fascinating thing. I¡¯m not going.¡±

    ¡°To school or to college?¡± I can just picture her with her brows furrowed in confusion.

    ¡°To college. I¡¯m not going, I¡¯ve made up my mind. I will finish high school and graduate. Not doing so is

    also not an option.¡±

    ¡°But going to college was always your dream Sophie? Are you going to give that up?¡± She whispered in

    worry.

    I shook my head. ¡°No, I¡¯m not. I¡¯ll just take a year off until the baby arrives then I¡¯ll figure out what to do

    then.¡±

    ¡°Figure out what to do?¡± She voiced out in confusion.

    I nodded. ¡°If to put the baby up for adoption or not.¡±

    ¡°So no New York for you as yet then?¡±

    I smiled shakily. ¡°M actually suggested that we could still go, we both could work for her aunt. I think

    it¡¯s a good idea. There¡¯s a lot of opportunities there

    It wasn¡¯t named one of the biggest cities for nothing.

    Ingrid smiles sadly ¡°You seem to have everything figured out. Look at you acting like a grown-up

    already. Come here. She walks around the countertop and opened her arms

    I walked right into them and she squeezed me ¡°I love you, Sophie. You know we¡¯ll support you know

    matter what.¡¯

    Iced softly on her shoulders. Today was a huge change in my life. One that will stay with me forever no

    matter what route I take.

    ¡®What about Aiden? Are you going to tell him and his family?¡±

    ¡°How do you know it¡¯s Aiden¡¯s? ¡°I whispered pulling away from her.

    She grins slightly. ¡°Because I know you, Sophie. You were never in love with that boy Carson. But I do

    remember the way you looked at Aiden. It¡¯s easy to figure out who you trusted with something precious

    to you.¡±

    I blushed brightly and shook my head. ¡°I won¡¯t tell him. I don¡¯t want to make this even harder for him. I

    can do everything on my own.¡±

    ¡°I can do it,¡± I whispered, nodding with determination.

 Chapter 28

    Chapter 28

    Chapter 28

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    * Three yearstert

    ¡°Where are the shoes, where are the shoes!¡± I panicked as I raced back into the room. I crouched

    beside the bed and aimlessly shift my hands under the bed in search of Ash¡¯s shoes.

    Ashton would always ce his shoes and his toys in every crook and cranny of this ce. Honestly, I

    love my little boy, but it was getting exhausting to always go hunting for those things. Especially when I

    was already superte to drop him off at daycare andte for work

    ¡°We¡¯re gonna bete Soph!¡± M yelled.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you guys alwayste?¡± Ria scoffed somewhere in the apartment.

    You¡¯d think rooming with two other girls would be a blessing. But it was anything but that. The

    apartment was constantly a mess, which perhaps had to do with my troublesome twenty seven month

    old toddler. He was in that phase where throwing his toys everywhere was his own personal touch for

    the interior of the apartment.

    And don¡¯t get me started on the smell of burnt food every day. You¡¯d think we were good in the kitchen

    because M and I worked at the diner. You can¡¯t be any more wrong. We were hopeless in the

    kitchen.

    ¡°Gotcha!¡± I shouted in joy when my fingers grab Ash¡¯s favorite shoes. I rise to my feet, brushing off the

    dust that was stuck to my knees. I really do need to clean this room. Actually, the entire apartment

    needs a deep cleaning

    I walked out of the room, my fingers pinching his tiny shoespared to mine.

    I dangle it when I could get a good glimpse of him on M¡¯sp. My heart ms against my chest every

    time his blue gaze sweep over to me.

    He looked so much like Aiden. It was amazing how simr the two look alike. Ash practically had none

    of my features, all Aiden which was scary. The only thing he had which were simr to mine, was his

    ears.

    Apart from that, Ash was an exact copy of Aiden, down to his mischievous ways.

    His blue eyes drop to his shoes that were in my hand and he did that cute thing where he pushed out

    his tongue a little, bit the tip, and smiled. It had everyone fawning over him and falling for his tricks. Ash

    got away with everything.

    ¡°Did you really think I wouldn¡¯t have found it, mister?¡± I narrowed my eyes on his cute face. Gosh, how

    can I ever stay mad at that face?

    Ash giggles.

    ¡°So mischievous¡¯ I giggled, smiling widely when I reach beside him and M. She helps me put on his

    shoes and when we¡¯re done, Ash is quick to tell M to ce him on his feet,

    His exact words were ¡°Mi mi, wank down.¡± That were usually his signature words to tell us that he was

    fed up being carried like a baby.

    ¡°Okay then Mr. Ash¡¯ M giggle and ced him on his feet. ¡°Here you go.¡±

    Ash walks the few steps left to reach me and hugs my legs. ¡°Lek go, mama.¡± His big blue eyes stare up

    at me and I melt.

    My baby was so beautiful even though he didn¡¯t want to be considered a baby anymore since he

    always pouts when we do call him such.

    ¡°My mom¡¯s gonna skin your asses alive for beingte yet again. Ria shorts while entering the living

    room. She quickly wraps her ck ink tresses in a ponytail

    Her tatted arms were one of the first things you notice about her and well, the vulgar words she uses

    often. She wasn¡¯t too hard to point out from the crowd.

    I quickly covered Ash¡¯s ears even though he had already heard and red at Ria. ¡°Dammit, Ria. How

    many times must I tell you no cursing in front of Ash!¡± I snapped.

    She winces and shrugs. ¡°Oops, I always forget okay?¡±

    I red at her and uncovered Ash¡¯s ears.

    ¡°Riri say bad word mama.¡± He pointed at Ria who smiles at all of us sheepishly.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Lifting her hands up in exaggeration, she puffs out. ¡°Hey at least he knows it¡¯s a bad word. Anyway

    don¡¯t you guys have somewhere to be?!¡± She shooed us, gesturing with her hands for us to head to the

    door.

    ¡°Girl we pay more than half the rent here, don¡¯t shoo us out of our own apartment,¡± M says sassily as

    she picks up her bag.

    Ria rolls her eyes knowing M was only joking¡­.kind of. ¡°God, I can¡¯t wait for this peace and quiet

    when you two leave.¡±

    ¡°Three of us ass- I mean dinglebat.¡± M snorted, walking around the couch before I could throw

    something at her.

    ¡°I excluded Ash because he at least I can handle. You two annoy the living hell out of me. Now shoo.

    Be gone. Bye.¡± Ria shooed us again.

    ¡°Love you too bish

    ¡°What?¡± M gulped when I sent her an annoyed re.

    ¡°Bish as in the beach get it?¡± She asked sheepishly. I rolled my eyes and picked up Ash. Grabbing a

    hold of my bag in the other, I turn to Ria.

    I looked at her, narrowing my eyes. ¡°Hey, at least clean the apartment while we¡¯re not here?¡±

    She scoffs but nods. That alone told me she would not even touch the broom. Much less look at it.

    ¡®I have a shoot at two thirty today. If I¡¯m not home when you two get back the key is where we usually

    hide it.¡± She says.

    Ria was an uing model. This season has been generous to her and she¡¯s been getting more and

    more opportunities to do photoshootstely

    Both M and i nodded. We said our goodbyes and walked out of the apartment. We took the stairs.

    We always take the stairs.

    We were convinced the elevator was possessed and it didn¡¯t help the fact that this was a shitty

    apartment building where unconventional things happened quite often

    For example,st night the lights suddenly went out and only came back on a couple of hourster. So

    you see, we didn¡¯t want to get stuck in an elevator for hours

    Ash buries his face in the crook of my neck as I walked down the endless stairs. He hated anything to

    do with heights.

    His little alins squeeze around my neck lightly, almost suffocating me actually. But I don¡¯t tell him to

    loosen his arms.

    I hold then closer to mne, kissing his head and whispering soothing words about how he was going to

    be okay and how we were almost out,

    He nods, snugging closer to me even more smiled

    I wouldn¡¯t vade thus for myting else in the world. He was my ute

    ¡°Hmpth.¡± I let out as I struggled to unbuckle the straps securing Ash in his car seat.

    I sighed in relief when I finally got him out. I grabbed his bag with all his necessary things and hurried

    into the daycare center.

    This was the hardest part. The part where I leave him for hours and not being able to see his face.

    I try to reassure my heart that we would reunite again soon. When I drop him off, I was reluctant to let

    go. I crouched to his level and pepper him with kisses, loving the fresh scent of coconut on him.

    ¡°Mommy will miss you my little Ash bug,¡± I whispered, pressing my lips to his forehead as I try to rx

    my heart.

    ¡°Lah woo, mama.¡± He said, not being able to pronounce the word love and you properly. It still melts my

    heart and I squeeze his little figure to me.

    This little boy was my entire world.

    ¡°I love you so much, Ash. To the stars, to the entire universe.¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t want to let go?¡± M smiled turning to face me when I entered. I closed the door and buckled

    myself securely.

    ¡°No,¡± I admitted. She knew how hard it was for me to part ways with Ashton even if it is just for a little

    bit.

    ¡°Figured as such.¡± Sheughs lightly as my old car roars to life.

 Chapter 29

    Chapter 29

    Chapter 29

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I parked on the side of the curb, my old caring to a stop with a loud screech and a shud der.

    ¡°Dammit.¡± I snarled as I jab at the seatbelt to free myself.

    M burst into fits ofughter as she watches me struggle with the seatbelt.

    ¡°Ha ha. Of course you¡¯re all giddy and amused because at least you¡¯re not stuck.¡± | groaned, jamming

    my fingers on the red release button on the seatbelt.

    M taps her hand on the dashboard. ¡°Mary is really about to give up on us.¡± She snorted.

    I bought that car when I knew I needed my own transportation to bring Ash around. It was al ready old

    and looked ready to copse, but it was at a reasonable price and that was all I could budget. It did the

    job anyway, even though half the time it¡¯s a struggle to get out or startit.

    ¡°You¡¯d think that naming her Mary she¡¯d be lucky.¡± Thuffed, rejoicing silently when the release button

    finally works.

    I was already contemting if to grab a hold of the scissors I had in thepartment and just snip the

    entire seatbelt around me.

    M giggled and then suddenly goes silent. ¡°Uh oh.¡±

    I snapped my head to her in confusion. ¡°What?¡±

    She nudged her chin slightly at the opening of the diner where I could see Ressa, M¡¯s aunt and also

    Ria¡¯s mom, bounding over here. Her ck hair wipes behind her.

    ¡°Oh shit.¡± I winced when she knocks her knuckles on the passenger¡¯s window. M rolls the ss down

    and it makes an awful screeching sound.

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    Ressa¡¯s dark ring eyes are more visible now as the dirty ss goes lower. ¡°You two arete.¡± She

    snaps. ¡°I¡¯m here running this thing on my own. You know how busy this shit gets in the morning.¡±

    ¡°You know we have to drop off Ash first at daycare Ressa. We¡¯re here now.¡± I said while look ing at the

    road behind me to be sure that a car wasn¡¯ting. When it was clear I opened the car quickly and got

    out.

    ¡°Oh right. How¡¯s that little bugger? I haven¡¯t seen him in a while.¡± Ressa chuckled, ¡°I miss his cute face.

    You have to bring him here more often Soph, he attracts me more customers.¡±

    ¡°Leave it to you to still talk about getting more customers. You¡¯re a living bank aunty Ressa.¡± M

    snorted as she got out of the car. The door screeches when she closes it.

    Ressa scoffs. ¡°If I was a bank child I¡¯d already own a mansion. You don¡¯t see mansion print ed on my

    forehead now do you?¡±

    .

    ¡°I don¡¯t see stick up the ass printed on your forehead either, but you sure walk like you have one.¡± M

    retorted with augh.

    I snorted out a giggle when Ressa sent M a death stare that had her throwing her hands on her

    knees andughing even louder.

    were significa ¡°Just get inside you two.¡± She grumbles, walking away from us. My eyes fall to her legs.

    kali pertama. ¡°Hmmm. What do you know? She actually walks like she has one lodged up there.¡± I

    joked, siihen making Mugh even more.

    Ressa opened back the door and the little bell chimes. ¡°Any time now you two!¡±

    M and I pass on amused looks at each other before walking to the diner.

    ¡°Your favorite customer is here.¡± M teased, stopping beside me.

    I looked up from cleaning the table and my eyes dart to where he always sat. Mr. Bernard.

    He was a man nearing age fifty-five and he had been a loyal customer for two years now. He was a

    very nice man and would talk to me about his home and family life. I consider us friends.

    I smiled when his brown eyes meet mine across the room.

    ¡°I swear if that man was younger and not married, I¡¯d definitely give him a chance.¡± M joked, turning

    around to fully face Mr. Bernard.

    I shook my head, grinning. ¡°He can be your dad M.¡±

    She looks at me over her shoulder. ¡°Which is why I said if only he was younger.¡± She snorted stressing

    on the word if.

    ¡°M get back to work!¡± Ressa yelled,ing out from the back where I was sure she was counting the

    money she just made. It was just lunch time and I should be on break in about ten minutes.

    M pokes out her tongue at Ressa and turns to me. ¡°Stick up her buttholedy is forcing me to do her

    bidding.¡± She rolls her eyes and skates away leaving me giggling at her parting words.

    When I was done cleaning up the mess a family of four left on the table, 1 skated over to Bernard who

    was waiting for me patiently. ¡°How¡¯s your day been Sophie?¡± He asked with a cheer ful pitch in his

    voice.

    Bernard thought of me as his daughter, it didn¡¯t help that we looked so much alike. Unfortu nately, I

    would never get to meet her physically since she was no longer alive.

    I took out the little notepad and then pull out the pencil behind my ear to write down his or der. Apart

    from how busy and noisy and a bit stressful working at the diner can be, the friendly and kind

    customers made up for it. One of them happens to be Bernard.

    ¡°Busy. A lot. I got ketchup sprayed on me by a five year old who thought I needed a touch of red.¡± I

    pointed at the red stain that was still so visible on the light pink uniform we were assigned to wear.

    Bernard chuckled while awaking his head. ¡°Kids these days huh?¡±

    I beamed and nodded.

    ¡°Speaking of, how¡¯s Ash? Did he like the bunny I bought him?¡± He asked with high hope. Bernard met

    up with Ash countless times when Ash wasn¡¯t in daycare yet and I had to bring him to work when I got

    no babysitter.

    I nodded and smiled. ¡°You have to stop spoiling him Bernard.¡±.

    Bernard scoffs. ¡°No way. This is nothing Sophie. Ash deserves more than that. I was actually nning

    to buy him those big toy cars he-¡±

    I shook my head quickly. ¡°Oh no no no. You don¡¯t have to keep buying him stuff Bernard, es pecially so

    expensive.

    He then sighs. ¡°I¡¯ve told you many times Sophie, I just want to do this for Ash. There¡¯s no huge dent in

    my bank ount. I¡¯m buying him those cars.¡±

    I narrowed my eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not epting it.¡± I threatened so he¡¯d rethink his decision.

    But Bernard only chuckles and grins, ¡°We¡¯ll see about that.¡±.

    Shaking my head at him, I asked. ¡°Are you ready to ce an order Bernard?¡± I smiled, the point of the

    pencil on the nk paper already.

    ck coffee, four donuts, and some churros. If I knew Bernard as well as I thought, then that will be his

    exact order.

    He nods. ¡°ck coffee, four donuts, and some churros. Give me those churros to go, I need to eat

    something sweet while dealing with that arrogant Ceo today.¡± He huffed.

    Bernard alwaysined about his arrogant boss who supposedly was always so furious and

    nitpicked at everything.

    Everyone hated him, well the males hated him, but the women saw him as nothing more than someone

    who was walking sex on legs. Well, at least that¡¯s how I remembered Bernard de scribed him as.

    I gave him a pity-filled smile not bothering to jot down his order since I¡¯ve already memo rized it.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be back with your order Bernard, soon,¡± I told him and skated away.

    When I got back, Bernard was deep in thought and hadn¡¯t realized I was beside him until i ced his

    order in front of him.

    My brows furrow in worry. ¡°Are you okay Bernard?¡±

    He looks up and his dark gaze swept over my face. ¡°Do you like working here Sophie?¡±

    Confused and startled by his question, it takes me a while to answer him. I nod. ¡°I do. It may not seem

    much, but meeting friendly people is the highlights of my day.¡±

    ¡°But the work?¡± He asked, searching my eyes.

    I look away from him.

    Working for eight hours a day literally on my feet the entire day wasn¡¯t fun. But it was not like I can just

    get up and leave and find a new job.

    Who would hire someone who didn¡¯t go to college and only had a high-school diploma? This was New

    York, I needed more than a high-school diploma to get a decent job that can feed both Ash and I

    properly, pay the bills and provide food on the table.

    It was not like the diner was a bad ce to work at. It was just that, this wasn¡¯t where I envi sioned

    working three years ago.

    The other small jobs around here that would maybe hire me, were not child friendly. By that I mean, I¡¯d

    have to push in more work and not get enough time to spend with Ash.

    I turn to Bernard, extremely confused. He had never asked me those questions before. And by the

    gleam in his eyes, I knew that he wanted to ask me more.

    ¡°Why are you asking me this Bernard?¡±

    He looks nervous but then lets out. ¡°My secretary will be leaving in a week. She¡¯s relocating to another

    state. The spot is vacant Sophie, and I want you to fill it.¡±

 Chapter 30

    Chapter 30

    Chapter 30

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I¡¯mpletely stunned.

    Bernard had a huge position at his workce. As I recall, he mentioned being the CFO of

    Harrington.co. Apany worth billions.

    It was already shocking that he, a high and sessful man woulde here every day, in this small

    run-down diner. But it¡¯s even more shocking that he was asking me to fill in the shoes of his secretary

    I was well aware that I didn¡¯t have the qualifications for that kind of job. Especially for such a huge well-

    knownpany.

    Topened my mouth and then closed it, unsure of how to respond to him.

    Seeing my stunned expression, Bernard continues. ¡°Before you say no, I just want to men tion that if

    you do decide to take the job, you¡¯ll be sitting on a hundred thousand dors annually. That will be

    enough to give a better life for you and Ash Sophie. Just think about it okay?¡±

    This was a huge opportunity, it really was. But what about the people who actually deserved this

    opportunity and had the qualifications for it? Was that not snubbing them of this opportunity that could

    change their lives to?

    2

    ¡°Aren¡¯t there others waiting in line for this opportunity Bernard?¡± Ignawed on my lips and slid into the

    chair mirroring his.

    I prayed Ressa won¡¯t notice me ¡®sitting¡¯ on the job.

    Bernard shook his head. ¡°No. I never sent out word that I was in need of a new secretary. I left this

    empty spot for you specifically Sophie.¡± He reaches over and squeezes my hand that was on the table.

    ¡°I¡¯ve noticed your tired eyes and I¡¯ve seen how stressed you¡¯ve beentely. I want to help you, Sophie.

    I want to help both you and Ash. Alice will help you with everything on what to do before she leaves.

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    That is, if you do agree?¡± His eyes shine with hope.

    Above eight thousand a month sounds really good. I could give Ash a better life. But at what cost?

    ¡°I don¡¯t know Bernard¡­¡± I trailed off. What if I wasn¡¯t cut out for the job?

    Bernard sighs. ¡°Just think about it okay? Here.¡± Bernard pulls a red pen from his pocket and grabs the

    napkin I had given him. He jots down an address I wasn¡¯t familiar with.

    ¡°If you agree. Juste here at eight or before eight. There¡¯s a woman at the front desk named Ba,

    she¡¯ll send you right up to me.¡± He slides me the napkin and rises from the chair.

    My brows furrowed when I noticed he hadn¡¯t taken a bite of anything. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to eat

    anything?¡± I asked.

    He looked down at the donuts and coffee. ¡°As much as I want to finish those, I don¡¯t think I have time to

    today. If you don¡¯t mind, can you bag them all to go, please?¡±

    I nodded, sliding off the chair. ¡°Sure,¡± I said and went to do just that. When I got back, I hand ed him the

    two paper bags and his ck coffee in a foam cup.

    Bernard gives me a thankful smile while taking his order from my grasp. ¡°Thank you Sophie. And

    please, think about it okay? At least before Alice leaves?¡± He chuckles lowly and we say our goodbyes

    before he leaves.

    I roller skated to the front counter, saying excuse me as I swing around the corner and head ed to the

    back where I was sure M was.

    When she sees me she grins. ¡°I got a guy¡¯s phone number. He was hot.¡± She pinched the card

    between her fingers.

    I raised a brow and slow down before I reach her. ¡°Are you even going to call?¡±

    She snorted throwing the card to Skyper, one of the other waitresses. ¡°Here you go skyp. He¡¯s hot. But

    I¡¯d be careful. Sometimes the hot ones are the bad guys.¡± She warned.

    M was never one to care for going on dates and all that kind of stuff. She was more so as that one

    friend who would rather marry herself.

    I stopped beside her and wait for Skyper to leave before telling her. ¡°I think I just got offered a high-

    paying job.¡± I breathed out, still in disbelief as I clench my brows.

    M gives me her full attention. ¡°We talked about this Soph, no to stripping.¡±

    Ismacked her behind her head and she whines. ¡°I¡¯m not talking about stripping M. I¡¯m talk ing about

    Bernard offering me a job at thepany he works at.¡±

    Her brows clench in thought. ¡°Isn¡¯t he like a Chief of something?¡±

    I nodded. ¡°Chief financial officer. He wants me to be his secretary, the one he currently has is ready to

    leave. He says he had that spot waiting for me to fill.¡±

    Her eyes narrowed. ¡°Are you sure that man doesn¡¯t have an eye on you, Soph? I don¡¯t want you to go

    and work for some creepy psycho.¡±

    I shook my head. ¡°Bernard has never looked at me in any sexual way, treats me like his daughter, and

    has been kind enough to buy Ashton gifts.¡±

    M nods. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±

    ¡°And besides, I didn¡¯t say yes, I¡¯m not sure about this. Being a secretary even for the CFO sounds like

    a tough job. Especially for a hugepany like Harrington.co.¡±

    M nods. ¡°Heard they¡¯re some big shotpany too but I don¡¯t really like gossip about business

    people. They make me feel miserable for living on medium wage.¡±

    Trolled my eyes and was about to respond to her when she cuts in before I could. ¡°But. If were you I¡¯d

    do it. This is a huge opportunity, Soph. You can give Ash the life you¡¯ve always want ed to provide for

    him.¡±

    Ignawed on my bottom lip. ¡°I don¡¯t know. It sounds too good to be true and I don¡¯t think I¡¯m qualified

    enough.¡±

    M rolls her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s a secretary job, how hard can it be?¡±

    The door suddenly burst open and Ressa¡¯s re was lethal. ¡°Back to work you two!¡±

    I crossed my arms smugly. ¡°I¡¯m on my break now Ressa.¡±

    Rolling her eyes she turns to M.¡± You. Back to work!¡± She barks.

    M salutes her and gives me a joking re. ¡°I¡¯d do anything to switch ces with you right now.¡±

    ¡°M!¡± Ressa screeched,

    Rolling her eyes, M turns around and skates over to Ressa, ¡°Okay I¡¯ming stick up your ass

    woman!¡±

    I snorted out a giggle when Ressa smacks a whining M.

    Sighing when I¡¯m now alone, my mind wanders back to the opportunity Bernard was nice enough to

    give me.

    Should I pass this opportunity up or should I delve into it?

    Trubbed at my temples. I was way too sleep deprived to think about this right now.

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    ¡°Good morning sir!¡±

    I briefly look over to my right to see my beaming secretary

    Her brown eyes gleamed with desire as they rack over my form. I push my hands into the front pockets

    of my expensive suit and nodded stiffly at her as I pass by.

    Being in jail for an entire year had changed me into a very cold man. I had no feelings left. I only felt

    anger and more anger. Mixed with frustration of course.

    It has since been three years and some months since the altercation with Carson in which mostly

    everyone I knew turned their backs on me. Including her.

    The girl who frustratingly still lives in my mind to this day.

    Topened the door and as expected, I am greeted by my grandfather. I noticed his body guards on my

    waying here so I wasn¡¯t surprised to see him in my office.

    Sergio Harrington. Chairman of Harrington.co and my grandfather.

    ¡°Grandfather.¡± | greeted him as I closed the door and walked over to my desk that over looked the city.

    ¡°You¡¯rete.¡± He stated with narrowed eyes.

    Sighing heavily I asked while settling myself on the chair. ¡°What brings you here to my office on such

    short notice?¡± I asked stiffly.

    I had to grow up quickly during that year in jail. I owe a lot to him actually, he was the one working

    behind the scenes to make me get a lesser sentence. Whatever he did or said worked because I came

    out of jail within a year.

    I was not proud to admit this, but the first thing I did when I got out was to look for¡­her.

    But apparently, she left town with her best friend M and no one knew where to.

    Knowing that everyone hated me, I didn¡¯t bother to ask her foster parents or speak to them for that

    matter. I had an inkling they wouldn¡¯t have told me where to find her.

    Now it¡¯s been two years since I¡¯ve be Ceo of Harrington.co and I¡¯m convinced I have gotten over

    her.

    Sergio fixed himself in the seat. ¡°So I can¡¯te to check up on my grandson?¡±

    | snorted. ¡°What do you want old man?¡±

 Chapter 31

    Chapter 31

    Chapter 31

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    I leaned back into the chair as I waited for what he had to say.

    His eyes were piercing me across the desk. It feels ufortable but I don¡¯t waver under his stare.

    Sergio was a man who loved feeling superior, even at his age. For thest two years, I have been in

    the presence of men who were just like him, sharks, waiting for the best opportunity to bite

    Thave grown used to it and I was not ashamed to admit that I had turned out to be just like them.

    X

    Perhaps this is why the finances skyrocketed when I turned CEO of thepany. I was by far worst

    than Sergio.

    And as I remember correctly, they called me the blue-eyed devil.

    ¡± Aiden, it hase to my attention that you have quite a reputation in the business tabloidstely.¡±

    Sergio started.

    | stiffen already having an inkling of where this conversation would lead to.

    I tangled my fingers together, and regarded him over the desk. He didn¡¯t look pleased. But then again,

    Sergio was never pleased.

    ¡°Yes, I am very popr with those tabloids.¡± I nodded, acting indifferent

    The tick of his jaw showed how frustrated he was with my indifference. I felt the corners of my lips lift

    slightly

    I always liked to annoy the old man.

    ¡°Don¡¯t act so mighty. The tabloids have only bad things to say about you, that¡¯s nothing to be proud of.¡±

    He grits, his steeling eyes ring at me.

    I lift my shoulder in a barely there shrug. ¡°Because there¡¯s nothing good to say. I don¡¯t care about their

    opinions, They¡¯re just useless people living off on the rich.¡±

    Sergio¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°They¡¯re calling you a cold hearted man-whore who can¡¯t keep it in his pants

    for at least two seconds. With your reputation, they¡¯re saying that you may not be fo cused on running

    thepany but running after every model with long legs.¡±

    | snorted. ¡°They must not have seen the spike in the business recently.¡±

    ¡°This is no time to joke around Aiden! Ourpany¡¯s reputation is on the line because of your reckless

    ways!¡± Sergio hissed, looking very frustrated and angry.

    Well, hopefully, the old man doesn¡¯t pop a vein there.

    I cocked a brow. What they wrote about me wasn¡¯t anything new. I don¡¯t see the point in bringing up

    something that didn¡¯t really matter in my world.

    In his perhaps, but in mine¡­.I couldn¡¯t give a fuck what they thought.

    ¡°What do you want me to do about it, Sergio? My reputation perceives me. Though they¡¯re not correct

    about myck of focus on running the business. Perhaps if they stopped following me around so much

    they¡¯d notice the spike we got recently.¡± I said sarcastically.

    Sergio¡¯s eyes turned into slits. ¡°They didn¡¯t lie about you sleeping around with different wom en. That

    alone is enough to put you in a bad light. I passed down thispany to you in hopes that you¡¯ll be the

    man your father never was

    My hands fisted as ! popped my jaw. ¡°Don¡¯t put my father into this.¡± I snarled, leaning for ward as I

    looked at him coldly.

    Sergio narrowed his eyes at my tone and breathed out fire.¡± These tabloids don¡¯t care about a sudden

    spike in a business, or how well the business is doing. They care about gossip and you¡¯re giving it to

    them by dangling a different woman off your arm every damn day!¡±

    | seethed silently. It was way too damn early to get a lecture from Sergio who I was sure, wasn¡¯t as

    innocent when he was my age.

    A damn year without a woman¡¯s body, her body, and I had fallen into the rabbit hole of frus tration and

    anger. I did what any sane man would do¡­I fucked any willing woman to ease my frustration, Praying

    and hoping that one of them would make me forget about¡­.her.

    ¡°You owe me a lot Aiden. And though we don¡¯t see eye to eye much, I care for you as a grandfather

    should. I¡¯ve done all I can to help you, it¡¯s time you start pulling your own weight around here. I want

    those tabloids to see you as a changed man. This attention that you¡¯re get ting isn¡¯t good if they find out

    about your past.¡± He warned.

    Pulling my own weight around here? Wasn¡¯t I the one who pushed thepany to the next level and

    earned us a billion dors in the first year I filled in his shoes?

    For a guy who didn¡¯t go to college and get that business degree, I was doing well on my own. What

    more weight does he need me to start pulling?

    I continued to stare at his cold face and can sense something was brewing, especially with the gleam in

    his eyes. What the hell was he ying at?

    ¡°What are you getting at old man? Spill and quit beating around the bush.¡± | snapped. I was losing

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    patience with him.

    Sergio crossed his legs and looked at me cooly as he leaned back on the chair. ¡°I think it¡¯s time you

    settle down Aiden. Find someone you can marry.¡±

 Chapter 32

    Chapter 32

    Chapter 32

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    I kissed Ash¡¯s head as I walked up the endless stairs. He¡¯s asleep and the soft snores that pass

    between his partly parted lips were cute.

    M is breathing heavily behind me. ¡°Those stairs are killers. I need a long ass shower as soon as I get

    inside.¡± She groaned, holding the handrails and using them to pull herself up those stairs.

    ¡°M!¡± I hissed, covering Ash¡¯s ears with my hand. The other was already pressed on my shoulder.

    ¡°What? He¡¯s asleep, it¡¯s not like he can hear me.¡± She argued; she sounded breathless as hell.

    ¡°He might subconsciously,¡± I argued back and thanked the heavens that the stairs were final lying

    to an end. Ash¡¯s weight was really something else. My arm was starting to feel numb.

    We made our way to the apartment and M brushes her fingers on top of the doorframe where Ria

    usually leaves the keys.

    When she unlocks the door, the first thing we did was kick off our shoes and sighed.

    ¡°Do you smell that?¡± M stuck her nose up and sniffed the air.

    I sniffed the air too and shifted Ash¡¯s weight on my arm when I throw my bag on the sofa.

    ¡°Is that air freshener?¡± I snorted, looking around the entire living area.

    M nods andughed lightly to not wake up Ash. ¡°Seems like Ria bathed the entire apart

    ment with it and thought it would magically have the apartment clean. I don¡¯t think she knows what a

    broom and mop are.¡±

    We both giggled.

    ¡°She even left dirty dishes in the sink.¡± M pointed at the sink that we could see from here.

    ¡°Your turn,¡± I said quickly, already walking away.

    ¡°Ohe on, I did it thest time she left it there too. And I¡¯m tired!¡± She whined behind me.

    I giggled. ¡°Sorry, M but I don¡¯t feel like it. Besides I want a long shower before Ash bug wakes up.

    You know how moody and troublesome he gets when he just wakes up.¡±

    ¡°Ugh fine. But next time, it¡¯s your turn!¡± She sighs.

    Inodded and made my way to my bedroom. Setting Ash down on the bed gently, I straighten up and

    just stare at him.

    Hisshes brush along his cheeks and his cute pouty mouth was parted. He was adorable and

    someone I created with Aiden. He was the best thing that ever came out of us.

    ¨C Not being able to resist, 1 bend over to kiss his cheek. He makes a cute sound and I smiled. Pulling

    away I looked at him and sighed.

    He did deserve the world. And I promised him that the moment Iid my eyes on him for the very first

    time.

    He deserved more than what I am able to afford now.

    Digging into the small pocket in the uniform, I pulled out the napkin. I read the address. It was a twenty

    minute drive from here. I¡¯ll have M cover up for me at work and head there first thing as soon as I

    drop off Ashton at the daycare.

    Sweeping my gaze back to my little boy, I whispered. ¡°I¡¯ll give you the life you deserve Ash. I promise.¡±

 Chapter 33

    Chapter 33

    Chapter 33

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    As soon as the door closed behind Sergio, my anger got the best of me and in a matter of a few

    seconds, everything that had been on the desk, is now on the floor.

    Igritted my teeth.

    I was fucking twenty one! Getting married at such a young age? Was he out of his damn

    mind!?

    I mmed my fist on the desk, hard, managing to crack the surface.

    Seething in anger and frustration, I dialed my secretary. She answers on the first ring.

    ¡°How can I help you sir?¡± She purrs in my ears. I had no time for this shit right now

    ¡°Get me a damn new desk!¡± | snarled and cut the line. Beyond angry and frustrated, I send the phone

    flying and it smashes on the wall.

    Groaning, I got off the chair and stormed my way to the door. Opening it, I sted out know ing my

    secretary would be able to hear my voice. ¡°Get me a fucking new phone whilst you are at

    I banged the door and stormed back to my desk. Sergio must be fucking mad if he thinks I¡¯ll marry

    anyone at this age.

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°I¡¯ll see youter Ash bug,¡± I whispered kissing his forehead before leaving.

    Sitting down in my car, I struggled to start it.

    Just great.

    I groaned.

    It was eight thirty and as I remembered, Bernard told me to get to Harrington.co at eight. I was already

    sote. This wasn¡¯t a good start,

    I rolled down the window, already feeling so hot and sweaty. I was dressed in a white long sleeved

    blouse and a dark brown leather pencil skirt that was way too tight for me.

    They belonged to Ria and the blouse was something I had way down deep into my closet. It had tiny

    yellow stains but it wasn¡¯t that visible to the naked eye unless they take a really good look at it.

    I turned on the ignition again, curses spitting out of my mouth one after the other.

    This wasn¡¯t a good ce to let out profanities since it was after all beside the daycare.

    My phone buzzed

    ¡°Ugh.¡± | groan, knocking my hand on the steering wheel in frustration when my car refuses to move.

    I looked down at the caller and pinched the bridge of my nose.

    This really wasn¡¯t a good time to call Ingrid.

    Even though I loved when she called to check up on me and Ash, right now I was frustrated and

    needed to be somewhere at the moment. Ingrid took an entire day on the phone.

    I contemted if to answer her call or not.

    The ringing stops and I feel bad. But as soon as my fingers near the call back button, the ringing starts

    again. I answer quickly and put her on speaker.

    ¡°Ingrid.¡±

    ¡°Oh darling I thought I called you at the wrong time.¡± Ingrid¡¯s warm voice filters through the other end.

    You have no idea.

    But instead of voicing that out, I replied. ¡°No not at all.¡±

    ¡°Are you off to work right now? Where¡¯s Ashton? Is he at the daycare already? Oh no did I miss him?¡± I

    can already hear the pout in her voice when I¡¯m about to tell her that I just dropped off Ash.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m not going to work today. And I actually just got out from the daycare. I¡¯m just about to head off

    I stopped, wondering if I should tell her about the opportunity Bernard thrust into myp. I didn¡¯t want to

    give her false hope, especially if I wasn¡¯t sure whether I can actually do the work that they would

    bestow on me or not.

    ¡°Shanks. Ugh, I knew I should¡¯ve called earlier. I miss hearing his voice.¡± Ingridined.

    I snorted. ¡°You video called himst night.¡±

    Ingrid argued. ¡°That was twelve hours ago. That¡¯s half a day Sophie!¡±

    I rolled my eyes yet a smile spread across my face.

    ¡°You said you¡¯re not going to work today? Is something wrong, are you feeling okay?¡± She asked

    quickly with concern. ¡°I¡¯ve told you many times to drink a hot cup of tea every morning be fore going to

    work.¡±

    I sighed. Oh God, not another lecture from her.

    ¡°I did drink some tea earlier on. I¡¯m not sick Ingrid so don¡¯t fuss over me. I¡¯m just going to run some

    errands.¡± I lied smoothly. I deserve a pat on the back honestly.

    She sighed in relief. ¡°Good. Then if you¡¯re busy, I¡¯ll let you be on your way. I¡¯ll call back when ¨C you and

    Ash are home.¡± She promises.

    After a few other words passed between us, we said our goodbyes and Ingrid ends the call.

    I swear she only calls to talk to Ash and not me. I smiled at that thought and went back to starting my

    car.

    The sound of the engine roaring had me yelling out a yes as I moved out of the parking lot.

    Twenty minutester, I¡¯m pulling up to Harrington.co building. It¡¯s huge. That¡¯s the first thing I noticed

    about it. The second was the huge sign that spelled out their business name.

    I stare in awe and then looked down at my attire. I frowned. I didn¡¯t look good enough to even step foot

    in here.

    I smoothed out the blouse, cursing at the barely visible yellow stains. I cleary looked like a homeless

    person who was just ying dress up.

    Igroan and mmed my forehead on the steering wheel. It beeps loudly and I¡¯m quick to lift my head. I

    smiled in embarrassment when everyone who was roaming about, stared at me.

    I sink into the seats.

    Maybe I should forget about this. I don¡¯t deserve to be here. I¡¯m already embarrassing my self as it is.

    What if I get in there and act more of a fool?

    I whimper and then sighed.

    Yes, I should definitely just call it a day and leave. I¡¯m not cut out for this life.

    Fixing myself back into my seat, my fingers brush the keys when my eyes sweep to his pic ture stuck

    on my dashboard.

    Ash.

    Twas doing this for Ash.

    I can¡¯t give up yet.

    Not so soon.

    Nodding with a new sense of hope and determination, I unbuckled myself thanking the heav ens that it

    came out easier than yesterday.

    Topened the door and put out one of my legs. The heels I had on belonged to Ria and it was way too

    high for me to handle. But the others were higher, so I had no choice but to take this one.

    It was a fancy ck stiletto and was the only thing that actually looked like it belonged here.

    I got out fully, not allowing myself to chicken out again and really call it a day. I closed the door, wincing

    at the loud screech it made through the burstling area.

    Many eyes snapped toward me, but this time I didn¡¯t allow them to make me ufortable. I kept my

    chin up and strut toward the building.

    There are two bulky men dressed in ck suits on either side of the entrance door. They look serious

    and honestly, scary.

    I gathered the courage to walk up to them, greeted them politely and they replied with a stiff nod,

    I let out a shaky breath as I stop and looked at the ss doors. Nodding to myself and re ceiving weird

    looks from the security guards, I step in when they opened automatically.

    The air is cooler here than outside where the sun was already kissing everyone¡¯s skin. The cool air is

    well weed.

    My eyes scan the area and my mouth parts in awe. I thought the outside was magnificent, but the

    inside was extraordinarily beautiful. Everything looked spotless from the floors to the ceiling.

    ¡°Ooph.¡± I let out when someone shouldered me by ident. I turned around.

    ¡°Don¡¯t stand up in the damn way next time.¡± The woman hisses as she continues to walk away with her

    phone beside her ear.

    Wow, how rude. I thought with my brows furrowing.

    Shaking my head, I continued to look for the reception area. When I saw it, I sighed in relief.

    ¡®I headed over there and beamed at the woman who looked to be in her early twenties. ¡°Hi there.¡± I

    smiled politely but her blue eyes only left mine to focus on theputer screen before her.

    I frowned. Was everyone here so rude and unweing?

    Shaking my thoughts out of my head, I tried again. There was no harm in trying again right?

    ¡°You don¡¯t happen to be Ba?¡± I asked, hoping she¡¯d acknowledge me this time.

    The woman rolls her eyes and mine drop to the name tag pinned to her dark blue blouse.

    Katie.

    Well, that was definitely not Ba.

    Wincing at my mistake, I opened my mouth to apologize but a very familiar voice, belonging to a male,

    cut in loudly and made me freeze instantly.¡± Sophie.¡±

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I whipped around, my eyes wide at how loud he shouted my name.

    Bernard grins and steps out of the elevator. He struts over to me quickly, his eyes crinkling at the

    corners when he stands before me.

    ¡°You came.¡± He looks stunned yet pleased. ¡°I knew you would.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Beckam

    The receptionist started but Bernard cuts her off with a wave of his hand.

    ¡°I will take it from here,¡± He told her cooly and turned around. ¡°Follow me, Sophie.¡±

    I do as I was told, making sure to stay close to Bernard but not too close as he heads back to the

    elevator.

    ¡°How did you know I was in the lobby?¡± I asked when we entered the elevator.

    He turns to face me with a smile on his face. ¡°I was waiting for you, Sophie. Alice was very concerned

    when she saw me so close to the ss overlooking the city, hoping to catch a glimpse of your car.¡±

    ¡°She was very relieved when I saw you.¡± He chuckled, stressing on the word very.

    I didn¡¯t know how to respond to him. This just proves how interested Bernard was in giving me this job.

    Was he that eager to hire me?

    I didn¡¯t understand how I could be so lucky to have him as a friend. for him to go to those ex treme

    lengths for me was crazy.

    | smiled. There were only a few people in my life who would go this extreme to help me. Now Bernard

    counted as one of them.

    The elevator stops and the doors slide open. In came a few well dressed businessmen and women.

    None seemed to realize I was here. Which was probably a good thing.

    Bernard and I remain quiet until the doors open again and this time he ushers me to follow him.

    Looking at me sideways with an arched brow as we walked down the endless hall, Bernard clicked his

    tongue. ¡°I thought I said at eight or before that time?¡± He joked.

    I blushed brightly and looked at the floor. Those tiles must be expensive. Everything in here looks

    expensive.

    ¡°I woke up a bitte and Ash had been giving me a bit of trouble. He hid his shoes again.¡± | smiled as I

    remembered how naughty he had been this morning.

    Bernard chuckles knowing how troublesome and mischievous Ashton can be since on one

    of our many talks I mentioned it quite often.

    Then my eyes narrowed as I turn to give him a joking re. ¡°And did you not tell me Ba would be at

    the front desk?¡±

    Bernard nodded, chuckling a bit. ¡°I did. But Ba clocked out thirty minutes ago. You would¡¯ve caught

    her if you had been earlier.¡± He stressed on the word earlier and it feels like I¡¯m

    getting scowled by my father.

    I giggle in embarrassment. If I do say yes to this job, I need to be on time. This was a whole new

    different lifestyle and I had to fit in quickly. Tardiness wasn¡¯t going to be forgiven here.

    Bernard opens a ss door leading to a huge office and ushers me to enter. The woman who had

    been lounging on the chair inside the office, straightens her spine quickly and rises to her feet just as

    swiftly.

    She looks at Bernard then at me and smiles. I almost sighed in relief. This was the first warm smile I

    received from someone other than Bernard in here.

    ¡°This must be Sophie?¡± The woman asked, politely jutting out her hand for me to shake.

    My eyes fall to her name tag, this time not wanting to embarrass myself by saying the wrong name.

    Alice.

    I quickly take her hand in mine and received a firm shake from her. I smiled.

    Alice looked to be in her thirties and had the shiniest ck hair I had ever seen. It was a short bob

    haircut with the ends tickling her jawline. It went well with her small face and green eyes.

    I was almost jealous of how good she looked. While I looked like a blob of pooppared to her.

    ¡°My name is Alice, it¡¯s so nice to finally meet you, Sophie. Mr. Beckam has said nothing but good things

    about you. He praises you actually.¡± She shes Bernard and me a grin.

    ¡°Alice you know how I hate when you call me by my surname. Bernard is just fine. We¡¯ve known each

    other for ten years.¡± Bernard puffed out a heavy breath and walks around what I pre sume was his

    desk. It¡¯s littered with papers.

    ¡°This man will have me ending up insane with the amount of paperwork he has me going through so

    early.¡± Bernard groaned, shifting through the papers and attempting to make his desk look neater.

    aan

    I gave Alice a confused look which she answered with an amused smile.¡± The CEO is hell bent on

    making everyone work hard for the amount of money he pays us¡¯. Or so as he puts it.¡±

    Poor Bernard.

    He looks up from his endless paperwork and grins at me in embarrassment. ¡°Sorry for the mess

    Sophie. I had the time to clean it up but I was too busy looking out the ss to remember.¡±

    ¡°I told you to do it remember? But who was the one who said he had enough time to clean up before

    Sophie gets here?¡± Alice whips while crossing her arms.

    I giggled.

    Bernard looks flushed as he was put on the spot. ¡°If I have you two teaming up against me I¡¯ll be

    finished. It¡¯s a good thing you¡¯re leaving Alice.¡± He joked.

    He then drops his eyes to the desk and then hummed. ¡°I think my PA should be done with printing out

    the contract. I¡¯ll call her now.¡±

    His fingers inch closer to the phone when a light knock came from the door. Bernard lifts his gaze to the

    door. ¡°Ahh must be her.¡±

    Bernard calls out. ¡°Come in.¡±

    It clicks open a second after and in walks a young woman with xseed colored hair. She looked to be

    a little bit older than me and if I were to guess, I¡¯d say she was twenty five or twenty six.

    Her eyes scan over me and she smiles politely before scurrying over to Bernard and handed him a

    dark blue file. ¡°Here Mr. Beckam. The contract is ready.¡±

    Bernard nods, prying the file from her hands. ¡°Thank you Lisa.¡±

    Lisa scurried out of the room before Bernard could even ce the file on top of the messy desk.

    He opens it and draws out a piece of paper. He scans over the words and nods. ¡°Okay. This looks good

    enough.¡±

    Lifting up his head, he nudges his chin to the chair in front of the desk. ¡°Have a seat Sophie. Sorry I

    hadn¡¯t told you to earlier.¡± He murmurs sheepishly.

    I settle myself on the seat and Alice walks to the side of the desk. Bernard hands me the pa per which I

    assume was the contract. ¡°Read it thoroughly. If you agree to the terms you¡¯ll sign at the bottom. I¡¯m

    really hoping you would.¡±

    I nodded and scan over the words. My eyes widen a bit at the amount of money he was will ing to pay

    me annually. ¡°I-I thought you said a hundred thousand dors annually and not one hundred and thirty

    thousand?¡± I asked confused.

    If I was correct with my calctions, I¡¯d be receiving ten thousand eight hundred and thirty three dors

    every month,

    This was way too much for someone who didn¡¯t have a college degree.

    Bernard nodded. ¡°I did, didn¡¯t I? But I¡¯ve changed my mind. I believe you deserve this amount Sophie

    and Alice would show you everything you need to know.¡±

    Alice spoke up. ¡°I see potential in you just as Bernard sees in you. I¡¯m willing to do my best to show you

    the ropes before I leave. If you agree to the terms and conditions, I can start showing you today.¡± She

    smiled.

    My eyes widen. Today?

    Living on more than 10k a month sounds really good. I can afford to buy Ashton everything

    he needs. I can buy a new car. Rent somewhere safer¡­..

    I can do lots of things.

    ¡°Work days are usually Monday to Fridays from eight to four-thirty. Bernard mentioned that you have a

    son who¡¯s in daycare?¡± Alice asked.

    I nod.

    She nods. ¡°So we shifted around the times to make it morepatible for you. Work will end around

    three.¡±

    I nodded, gnawing on my lips. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the contract. Every thing

    seems peachy and mindblowing to me still. So there was no reason for me to say no.

    ¡°So what do you say, Soph? Are you going to be my new secretary?¡± Bernard smiles¡¯ at me brightly.

    This man was really going out of his way to help me.

    I didn¡¯t want to disappoint him by rejecting his offer.

    ¡°Do you happen to have a pen?¡± I smiled.

    I¡¯m going to give you that better life Ash bug, just you wait.

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    W

    As soon as I signed the contract, Alice was very excited to show me the ropes.

    ¡°You¡¯re a natural.¡± Aliceplimented me when I followed all her instructions without any trouble.

    I grinned, thanking her.

    The job wasn¡¯t hard and I was sure I¡¯d adapt to it very quickly.

    The phone rang and Alice ushered me to answer it. She gave me a proud look the entire time Thad

    been on the phone.

    Handing me the notepad, she had me write down the caller¡¯s information and their purpose of calling

    She grins brightly when I put the phone down. ¡°You¡¯re very good at this Sophie. I can see why

    Bernard¡¯s been speaking so highly of you.¡±

    I smiled.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind me asking, I¡¯ve noticed you¡¯re quite young¡­.. how old were you when you had your

    son?¡± Her question wasn¡¯t annoying but it did catch me off guard.

    It wasn¡¯t the first time I have been asked this sort of question before. Mostly everyone had been

    skeptical of my age the moment they knew I had a child.

    Society frowned upon young mothers, especially those who are teen moms.

    Though eighteen is considered an adult, I was still a teen in many people¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°I was eighteen when I had him,¡± I answered truthfully, seeing no point in lying to her. Alice was only

    curious, she didn¡¯t mean for the question to be impolite and rude.

    She nodded. ¡°How old is he?¡± She asked in curiosity.

    ¡°He¡¯s twenty-seven months. His name is Ashton but I love calling him Ash for short.¡± I told her his name

    just in case she asked me for it next.

    She nodded and smiled. ¡°I¡¯m impressed.¡±!

    My brows clench. She was impressed with what?

    ¡°With what?¡± I voiced out my confusion.

    Sheughed lightly. ¡°I¡¯m impressed you kept him and havee this far. You¡¯re a deter mined mother, I

    could¡¯ve sensed it the moment you stepped foot in Bernard¡¯s office.¡±

    She continued on. ¡°Most girls at that age, eighteen or even younger than that, usually give the child up

    for adoption. It¡¯s rare that I meet a once teen mom nowadays.¡± Alice said making me a bit

    ufortable being pushed into the spotlight.

    Nearly three years of being a mother and I still haven¡¯t gotten used to it. Far-less being plimented

    as one.

    I smiled awkwardly. Seeming to sense my change of mood, Alice resumes teaching me how to arrange

    the documents.

    We go through the files until it was twelve. Alice told me to take a break and have lunch. I thanked her

    and headed for Bernard¡¯s office before going.

    My knuckles mmed on his door lightly.

    ¡°Come in.¡± Bernard¡¯s voice filters through the door and reaches my ears.

    Topened the door and peeked behind it. Bernard is at his desk, his sses on, and looks very focused

    on the papers in his hands.

    He lifts up his head when he hears the door open. He beams. ¡°Oh Sophiee in,e in.¡± He

    ushers me in with his hand doing the motion.

    Tentered the office but don¡¯t bother closing the door knowing that I was heading back out in a minute.

    ¡°I just came to say that I¡¯m going for lunch. Do you need anything?¡±

    ¡°Always looking out for me. But no, I have too much work on my te to even consider eat ing right

    now. You enjoy your lunch.¡± He smiled and then asked.

    ¡°How¡¯s it going so far with Alice? Are you grasping everything quickly?¡±

    Inodded. ¡°Everything is going fine, she¡¯s the best teacher,¡± I said truthfully with a smile.

    He looks rather pleased with my response and he nods. ¡°I¡¯m so happy you took this opportu nity,

    Sophie. I¡¯m d to have you here.¡±

    I could hear the honesty in his voice and it has my heart warming. Bernard really showed how much he

    cared about me today and for that, I too am d I took this opportunity. I had a good feeling about this

    and promise myself that I would not disappoint him.

    ¡°I am too Bernard,¡± I admitted. We exchanged a few other words and then I leave.

    I waved at Alice and headed for the elevators. I stopped short in the hall when I realized I had no idea

    where I was going to eat.

    Alice is busy typing something on theputer and Bernard is really busy in his office. I did n¡¯t want to

    disturb them by asking about where the staff canteen was or if they had somece special for the

    workers to eat.

    I wasn¡¯t really a worker as yet but I was certain I could eat here right? Or should I leave the building

    and look around for a diner or restaurant?

    Around here, food must be expensive and I currently only have twenty dors sitting in my old wallet.

    A food truck must be nearby? This was New York, I was sure I¡¯d get somewhere to eat. But would I

    have enough money?

    I sighed and just decided I should at least look for the staff canteen and if I wouldn¡¯t be al lowed in

    there, I¡¯d figure it out.

    There are two elevators, one on the left and one on the right. They¡¯re mirroring each other.

    I walked around the left corner and made my way over to the closest elevator.

    I pressed the button. The doors slide open. I hear the doors opening on the other elevator and I furrow

    my brows when I feel a piercing stare on my back before I entered the elevator. It¡¯s strange and has

    goosebumps raising on my skin.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    I turn around to face who had their unwavering gaze on my back, but by the time I do, the doors are

    already sealed shut.

    Who could¡¯ve been watching me so intensely that my body reacted the way it did?

    I shivered

    The stare felt so familiar¡­

 Chapter 34

    Chapter 34

    Chapter 34

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    ¡°Yes right there.¡± I gritted out while pointing at the empty space that once had the desk.

    The two men brought in the new desk, struggling underneath its weight.

    I rolled my eyes when they ced it too far. I needed it in the middle. How hard can it be to follow damn

    instructions!?

    ¨C

    ¡°You ipetent fools!¡± I snarled, having them jumping out of their skin.

    They looked over at me in fear. ¡°S-ir we th-ought you s-aid h-ere

    One of them stumbled on his words like the dumb fool he was.

    ¡°Just ce the damn desk where I told you to ce it. ce it right,¡± I lifted my finger and pointed at

    the spot again. ¡°Here.¡±

    This was the second new desk in thest two days, or should I say hours?

    My secretary did a shitty job with getting me a very dark walnut-stained desk when I asked for honey

    maple stain.

    I was tempted to fire her but I didn¡¯t feel like interviewing another set of potential secre taries, I had her

    redeem herself today.

    The desk came in a bitte, seeing as it was already noon. But that probably had to do with it being

    shipped from China.

    The workers nodded quickly and finally set the desk exactly where I wanted it.

    I don¡¯t bother to thank them, only fixed my tie in frustration, ¡°Get out.¡± | gritted, not wanting to be in the

    presence of ipetent fools any longer.

    When they leave, I walked out of my office a few secondster and made my way to my sec

    retary. She¡¯s busy fixing her lipstick while looking at herself in the small mirror she held in her hand.

    When she hears me approaching, she¡¯s quick to push the lipstick and mirror into her opened purse.

    She looks at me nervously while brushing her palms down her shirt.

    ¡°Mr. Xavier. Do you like the new desk

    ¡°Give me the paperwork I told Cindy to print out. I¡¯m going to hand them to the CFO.¡± | stretched out my

    hand for her to hand me the file.

    Cindy was my personal assistant but wasn¡¯t here today due to her feeling unwell.

    Noel passes the file to me quickly. ¡°Sir I can go with you if you want

    I red at her. ¡°I¡¯m not a child. I think I can speak to Beckham on my own.¡±

    Usually, Cindy was always beside me during important meetings and etc just to write down notes and

    help me if needed.

    Tdidn¡¯t need Noel to fill her shoes. Especially when she couldn¡¯t stop staring at me like she wanted to

    go on her knees and beg me to let her suck my cock.

    Noel¡¯s face turned bright red. I walked away from her and entered the elevator. I pressed the 34th floor

    where Bernard Beckham had his office.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    When the elevator doors ding open, I feel the breath leave my very lungs.

    There stood a woman d in a very tight brown leather skirt and white blouse. Her hair was blonde and

    she had it in a very tight bun.

    My eyes fall to her bottom again and my cock shifts in my pants.

 Chapter 35

    Chapter 35

    Chapter 35

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    Something was very familiar with this woman. The way her bottom was shaped. The way she stood.

    I stumbled out of the elevator when a thought mmed into my head.

    No, it can¡¯t be her.

    What would Sophie Bell be doing in New York? Especially at Harrington.co?

    She was probably sitting in her dorm room in college, talking to her roommate about weird shit.

    This woman wasn¡¯t Sophie. She couldn¡¯t possibly be her.

    Besides Sophie had brown chocte hair and she had less hips. Though those legs were long just like

    hers¡­..

    I shake my head while watching the woman enter the elevator. When the doors close behind her, I¡¯m

    convinced that I was going mad.

    Was I still so obsessed with Sophie that I was now thinking a stranger was her?

    | grunt and decided to forget about this mysterious woman. She was no one, she was not Sophie. And

    if she was, I wouldn¡¯t care anyway.

    Sophie Bell has been dead to me for three years.

    I stormed my to Bernard¡¯s office, frustrated that I even thought this woman was Sophie.

    ¡°Mr. Xavier,¡± Bernard¡¯s secretary, Alice rose from her seat. She looks shocked to see me, or perhaps it

    was the invisible steaming out of my ears that had her so stunned.

    I ignored her and went straight for Bernard¡¯s office without knocking.

    As soon as I enter. I¡¯m hit with a familiar scent. It was a floral scent, but the scent was very faint. It

    reminded me of¡­..her.

    What. The. Fuck.

    I shook my head. I was really going mad today.

    Bernard lifts his head from the mess of paperwork on his desk. He raised a brow. Of all my employees,

    Bernard was the only one who didn¡¯t cower under my cold stare. I could give the old man props for that.

    ¡°Aiden

    I red at him and he stops. He knows how much I hate when he calls me by my given name. That

    name was only supposed to slip past the lips of those close to me.

    Not because Bernard has been working for Harrington.co and was a trusted employee as

    Sergio has mentioned, meant we were close.

    ¡°Mr. Xavier. What do I owe the pleasure

    ¡± Here are the reports I want you to look into.¡± I m the file on his desk, frustrated that the light floral

    scent was still troubling my nose.

    ¡°Mr. Xavier

    ¡°Have them done by tomorrow.¡± Usually, I would have a more than five minute talk with him about the

    finances concerning thepany, but I found myself itching to get out of the room and away from that

    scent.

    I stormed out of his office.

    ¡°Mr. Xavier,¡± Alice nods when I stormed by. I don¡¯t acknowledge her, needing to get out of where

    quickly

    When I entered the elevator and pushed in my floor number, 38, I sighed in relief.

    LE

    As soon as the doors slide back close, I could finally breathe. But the frustration was still there.

    Sophie Bell.

    It was clear she was still haunting my mind to this day.

    Igroaned. I slept with so many willing women to forget about her and it takes one mysteri ous woman

    that reminded me of her to have my entireposure crumbling at my feet.

    I felt like that same high school boy who was so obsessed and in love with her that I¡¯d do anything.

    I was no longer that boy. I refuse to be that ¡®boy¡¯ again.

    I will continue to force her out of my mind. No matter how long and how many women it would take to

    forget about her.

    Because I was sure Sophie Bell forgot all about me.

    She sure did, with not even bothering to call me when I was locked up for an entire year.

    | gritted my teeth harshly when the thought mmed into my head. I didn¡¯t want to think about her any

    longer. Didn¡¯t even want to care about her whereabouts.

    The elevator dings open and I walked out.

    Noel is seated at her desk, her red lipstick is one of the first things you¡¯d notice about her.

    She¡¯ll do. I¡¯ll finally put her to use.

    When she hears me approaching, her gaze sweeps up quickly and her eyes hold that glint of desire in

    them.

    ¡°Come,¡± I demanded and walked away. She¡¯s quick to stand up and follow behind me like a puppy.

    Earlier she looked like she was desperate to get on her knees for me, I¡¯d make her wishese true

    today.

    Bernard¡¯s pov

    I looked at the door Aiden had just stormed out of in confusion. He sure looked flustered and a bit

    ufortable before storming out.

    The door opens a secondter and Alice enters. ¡°Saw Mr. Xavier storming out. Is something wrong?¡±

    She asked in concern.

    I shook my head while reaching out for the file he ced on the desk. ¡°Not that I know of. He looked

    already pissed off the moment he entered.¡± I answered.

    And then shrugged. ¡°Honestly it¡¯s the blue-eyed devil we¡¯re talking about. It doesn¡¯t take much to anger

    him. I¡¯m sure it¡¯s nothing.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right, Mr. Xavier is always pissed off,¡± Alice said.

    ¡°By the way Bernard, you were right about Sophie. She¡¯s very hardworking and can grasp anything

    quickly. She¡¯s the right fit for the job.¡± Alice utters.

    job. Alice utta

    ¡°She also resembles your daughter a lot. Almost the exact replica. They could even be mis taken as

    twins.¡±.

    I looked down at the photo frame on my desk, almost buried by the amount of paperwork currently

    around it.

    It was a photo of Mya, my dead daughter and my wife. We took that photo at a resort, not knowing that

    it would be thest time our daughter would be living and breathing. She was only seventeen then and

    had her whole life ahead of her.

    That was five years ago.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Seeing Sophie in that diner that day, two years ago brought back memories I shared with my daughter.

    It was like I was staring at my daughter again, and seeing her smiling again.

    From then, Sophie had be someone I held dear even though the girl wasn¡¯t my biologi cal

    daughter.

    I nodded, ¡°She does, doesn¡¯t she? The exact replica.¡±

    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t surprise me if she actually was your long-lost daughter you never knew about. Or at least a

    rtive.¡± Alice voiced out.

    I snorted, ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous, Alice. I had only one biological daughter. And even conceiving her with

    my wife was hard. I wasn¡¯t a man who spread my seed everywhere.¡±

    ¡°Ooh Ash would love those.¡± | squealed lowly as I pushed small chocte cupcakes inside the foam

    container.

    My eyes dance around the cute desserts.

    It wasn¡¯t really hard to find the staff canteen and I was proud to say that I found it in five min utes. But

    maybe that was because I asked for directions from the receptionist who didn¡¯t seem to be in a bad

    mood again.

    I stuffed my foam container with endless desserts knowing I¡¯d have to share with M and Ria when I

    got home.

    I should really start eating healthy¡­..

    My tongue licks a trail on my bottom lip when my eyes fall on a red velvet cake.

    But how can I eat healthy when they showcase all those unhealthy foods here? I moaned. This was

    torture.

    I forced myself to walk away from the pleasant aroma and even more pleasant looking food. I will not

    be tempted today Satan!

    I refuse to be Eve!

    | dragged my feet to an empty circr table and chair, smiling awkwardly when some work ers who

    were eating around a circr table turned to stare at me.

    Why was everyone staring at me today? Sure I was a new face here, but was one look not enough?

    Why won¡¯t they look away?

    I brushed the sides of my head, hoping it wasn¡¯t the little flyaway hairs pulling in their atten tion.

    Did I have something on my face?

    Or maybe they saw me gawking at the endless sweets and desserts seconds ago?

    I tear my gaze away from them.

    At least their stares didn¡¯t trouble me like the one I felt on my back earlier before entering the elevator.

    No, that stare was different than these, I could feel the intensity of it.

    Ignawed on my lips as I remembered how tingles brushed on my skin quickly when that per son¡¯s eyes

    pierced on my back.

    My body ever only reacted to one person like that¡­..

    And that person was Aiden¡­..

    I shook my head, scowling at myself inwardly. I was stupid to even think that stare belonged to him.

    He was in jail for goodness sake!

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Have a good rest of the day Sophie!¡± Alice said and waved at me before putting her hands out for a

    taxi.

    ¡°You too Alice!¡± I called out just as a taxi pulled up beside her.

    I watch her leave before sighing and walking over to my old car. I winced at the mustard col or that

    stood out. I had been meaning to give it a good paint job but money was always so low.

    But now that I had a new job, I can finally just say screw it and buy a new car that wouldn¡¯t stop on me

    or refuse to start. And keep me hostage with its seatbelt.

    I smiled. I smelled freedom. Hell, I was starting to see through those rose colored sses.

    ¡°You hear that Mary¡­.I¡¯m going to get rid of you.¡± My hand patted the mustard color hood as I made

    my way to the driver¡¯s side.

    Feeling a little droplet on my cheek, I lift my head to the sky. I closed my eyes and smiled as the rain

    belt over me. I even removed that tight bun in my hair and let my hair down. I was even tempted to

    dance.

    People must think I was crazy to stand in the rain. But right now I didn¡¯t care.

    .

    The heavens were showering me with blessings.

    I entered the car when my white blouse was getting a bit see through. There was no way I¡¯d have

    anyone see the red bra I have on.

    I closed the door, wincing a bit by the screech, I put my seatbelt on and then stared at the huge

    building.

    Harrington.co.

    I couldn¡¯t help but grin.

    Who would¡¯ve thought I¡¯d ever be one of the employees working here?

    I¡¯d let you in on a little secret¡­

    I never thought I¡¯d ever get a good paying job like this. Not when I didn¡¯t have the qualifica tions for it or

    anything close to it.

    But that wasn¡¯t really a secret now was it?

    I was damn lucky that was for sure.

    Grinning at the building onest time, I kicked Mary to start. She roared and jerked.

    * You better work for me you dumbass, I need to pick up my son.¡± I hissed at the damn car and started

    it again.

    When she roars and finallyes back to life I yelled out a thank you Jesus before driving

    off slowly.

    But I knew my luck would run out soon enough.

    Mary came to an abrupt and jerking halt.

    In the middle of the exit of Harrington.co parking lot.

    Great.

    Just great.

    Not only was I stuck, but now I was in the way of everyone who wanted to pass through.

    ¡°Mary you dumb-¡°Igroan, curses whipping off my tongue as I try to start her again.

    and was tired of me alwaysining about her suck

    Maybe Mary had enough ish services.

    Horns re behind me and I cringe. This was bad. Really bad. And humiliating, don¡¯t forget that.

    ¡°Sorry!¡± I yelled even though the rain was way too overpowering for anyone to hear my apolo

    ¡°Oh don¡¯t be like that Mary. You know I love you. We¡¯ve been through thick and thin together. I was

    joking when I said I was going to get rid of you.¡± I moaned and tried again.

    She doesn¡¯t budge.

    ih

    ¡°Ugh you useless mother

    I started, only to scream when I hear someone¡¯s voice really close to me.

    ¡°Are you okay ma¡¯am?¡±

    My head whips around to see a man d in a ck suit beside my car. He looked to be just a bit older

    than me. And with the hat on his head, he looked to be a chauffeur.

    ¡°Tuh

    I started,pletely embarrassed that Mary wasn¡¯t roaring to life.

    D

    ¡°I¡¯m just having a bit of trouble with my car,¡± I said sheepishly, afraid to look behind me to see the cars

    lined up with their impatient drivers mming their hands on the horn.

    ¡°Do you need help miss?¡± The man questioned, leaning down to level his eyes with mine.

    ¡°Tuh

    I stop, unsure of how to reply to him.

    I smiled awkwardly.

    ¡°No, uh that¡¯s fine. She¡¯ll roar back to life¡­.¡± The smile leaving my face when I tear my gaze away from

    his face, ¡°Well, I sure hope so.¡±

    ¡°I beg your pardon miss? Who¡¯s she?¡± I can hear his voice clear with confusion over the

    sound of the rain.

    I smile awkwardly when I brought back my attention to him, not wanting to look rude by not giving him

    my full. ¡°Uh, it¡¯s my car. I¡¯ll get her started. Just give me a

    Mary roars back to life like I predicted she would.

    I smiled brightly, my mood switching from zero to a hundred really quickly. ¡°Thank you, sir.¡± || thanked

    him for being the only good enough person to walk in the rain to offer me help.

    He tips his head and walks away.

    I frown when I started to drive away.

    I could¡¯ve sworn I felt the same intense eyes on me when I was speaking to that man back

    there.

    I peeked in the rearview mirror o see a huge ck Nissan SUV driving the opposite way. I hummed.

    Why do I feel that intense stareing from that SUV just now?

    poving

 Chapter 36

    Chapter 36

    Chapter 36

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    ¡°Mr. Xavier are you leaving now?¡± Noel asked behind her desk with a sultry smile.

    My eyes fall to her lips and I cringe. Those felt like a vacuum around my cock and it didn¡¯t feel that

    great.

    Having her suck me off earlier was a huge mistake. And not only that, she hadn¡¯t quite helped me

    forget about, her. I refuse to say her name.

    10247

    I gave her a curt nod.

    I was leaving earlier than I usually did but I was itching to have a bath after Noel had her lips around

    my dick.

    ¡°Do you want me toe with you so we can finish what we star

    She starts to purr but I cut her off coldy while walking away. ¡°No.¡±

    When I entered the elevator and turned around, before the doors slid closed, I caught a glimpse of her

    shocked and humiliated face.

    Great. I had just made things awkward. I should perhaps consider looking for a new secre tary now.

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    Arriving on the first floor, everyone scurried out of my way. I pushed my hands into the front pockets of

    my pants as I walk to the entrance door with authority in my every step.

    Mitch should be here already.

    ¡°Mr. Xavier,¡± A woman purred when I passed beside her. Dressed in a red blouse with a tight skirt, I

    recognize her instantly as Bernard¡¯s personal assistant.

    I ignored her and watch her face crumble in humiliation as mostly everyone saw how I ig nored her. I

    don¡¯t feel bad. Why would I feel bad for a woman I barely knew?

    I made my way to the entrance, nodding and the security stationed there. ¡°Boss.¡± They nod ded.

    A huge ck SUV stops just a few feet away from the entrance. I entered and Mitch, my chauffeur

    greets me. ¡°Penthouse in Manhattan or Alpine? Or are you going to your mansion in Brookville?¡± He

    asked me while looking at me through the rearview mirror.

    ¡°Penthouse in Manhattan,¡± I said and pulled out my phone in my pocket.

    ¡°Yes sir,¡± Mitch answered and started the car.

    It was so weird hearing him call me sir when he was only six years my senior.

    I scrolled through my messages when the rain started pouring. I looked out the window and then

    returned to my phone when the cares to an abrupt halt suddenly.

    Tjerk a bit, confused yet irritated by the sudden stop.

    I am about to ask Mitch what the problem was when my eyes spot the old car in front of us.

    I narrowed my eyes at the old car.

    Mitch res the horn but the car doesn¡¯t move.

    I clenched my teeth.

    What the hell is the reason for this hold-up?

    This piece of shit is lucky that it¡¯s raining cats and dogs at the moment or else I would¡¯ve stormed over

    there and make them pay for wasting my time.

    But then as I continue to curse at the driver inwardly, my eyes finally adjust enough to see the wisp of

    blonde hair.

    My heart ms. Is that the mysterious woman in the elevator?

 Chapter 37

    Chapter 37

    Chapter 37

    Mitch res the horn again and looks at me through the rearview mirror. ¡°Sorry sir about the hold-up.¡±

    He apologized even though it wasn¡¯t his fault.

    I looked back at the old car in front of us. The woman looks to be frustrated in there.

    .

    ¡°I think thedy is in a bit of trouble. I¡¯ll go have a look.¡± Mitch suggested and I nod.

    I didn¡¯t care if she was in trouble or not, I just wanted to get out of here soon.

    Mitch gets out of the car and walks over to the old mustard colored car in the pouring rain.

    Twinced at the color. It stood out like a sour thumb and looked ready to copse. I wouldn¡¯t be

    surprised if she was facing trouble with starting that thing. Perhaps this is why she hadn¡¯t driv en off

    yet.

    Tcontinued to stare at her, admitting that the mysterious woman had managed to tug my at tention,

    which was very rare nowadays.

    I couldn¡¯t see her face, but I could tell she was talking to Mitch. For a second, just a second, I itched to

    get out of the car and see her face myself. I was even admittedly a bit annoyed that Mitch saw her face

    before I could.

    Why was so intrigued by this woman?

    Igroan, brushing my hand down my face.

    What the hell was wrong with me today?

    Thuffed in frustration,pletely aware that one of the reasons why I was so intrigued by this woman¡¯s

    presence was because she reminded me of someone I had tried to forget.

    After a few seconds, her car starts and Mitch makes his way back to me. He enters and moves his

    soaked hat on his head. ¡°Her car had been giving her a few issues but it¡¯s working back now. So we

    should be on our way now sir.¡±

    I was tempted to ask Mitch about the mysterious woman but I bit my tongue and just nod ded.

    She drove cautiously and when she was finally on the main road, I find myself turning around to stare

    at her car.

    Who was this woman and why does she feel so familiar to me? Why does just seeing a glimpse of her,

    even though it¡¯s the back of her, make me feel so strange?

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°We¡¯re home Ash bug,¡± I said happily. His little hands that were around my neck holding me tightly,

    loosens.

    The sweater I had on my wet blouse was starting to get a little wet so it was a good thing we reached

    home in time. I sure didn¡¯t want that wetness to seep to Ash¡¯s clothes.

    ¡°Home mama.¡± He giggles as I opened the door and enter.

    As soon as I do, Mes rushing down the little hallway leading to the rooms. Her eyes are wide

    and her hair whips behind her.

    ¡°Details Sophie!I need details! How was it? Is the building huge? Is the pay good? Am I going to have a

    rich best friend now?¡± She rushes out when she reaches me.

    She reaches out for Ash who giggles and hand him to her. ¡°I missed you little bug.¡± She squeals and

    peppers him with kisses on his chubby cheeks.

    ¡°Miss you.¡± Ash replied.

    ¡°d to know that I wasn¡¯t missed.¡± I rolled my eyes and smiled at the two of them.

    M rolls her eyes at me while ying with Ash¡¯s little fingers. ¡°Your mama is jealous. Huh Ashy boy?¡±

    Ash smiled brightly. ¡°Mama jealous.¡±

    Ismiled. His talking voice was so cute.

    M turns to face me and raised a brow. ¡°Well? Answer the questions girl! You barely an swered them

    when I was texting you.¡±

    I sighed while kicking off my shoes. ¡°I couldn¡¯t really text you back because I was busy learn ing where

    to ce the documents on theputer.¡±

    ¡°And I texted you back at lunchtime,¡± I told her. ¡°Speaking of, I saved you guys some sweet desserts.¡±

    ¡°Yeah you did but itcked details. Which is why I¡¯m asking you for them now.¡± She snorted.

    Ash yawns and rests his head on M¡¯s shoulder. I smiled. Ash always got tired after a car ride.

    ¡°Awe looks like someone¡¯s tired.¡± M cooed as she rocks Ash from side to side.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make him sleep and you can have that shower I know you desperately want.¡± She said softly to not

    disturb a sleepy Ashton.

    I looked at her like she was a life saver, which she was. ¡°Oh thank you M

    M¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°But you¡¯ll have to tell me everything when you get out. And no skip ping details.¡±

    She warns.

    ¡°I promise.¡± I nodded and leaned down to kiss Ash¡¯s cheeks. ¡°Mommy¡¯s going to have a quick shower

    my little bug. I¡¯ll be back.¡± I whispered, staring into his tired blue eyes.

    My heart leaps when I see Aiden in him and remember how I thought I felt Aiden¡¯s presence

    at Harrington.co.

    I walked away quickly, needing a cold shower desperately to help mee back to reality. Because

    there was no way Aiden was in New York, far less in Harrington.co building.

    But st

    1 who 1. VIIY

    does my body react when that certain stare fell on me? But the better question was why that certain

    stare felt so much like Aiden¡¯s.

    ¡°When did he fall asleep?¡± I asked walking into the living room while patting my hair dry.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    M¡¯s gaze tear from the movie on the television to stare at me.¡± Around two minutes after you left to

    have a shower. Did you know he makes that cute snoring sound when he¡¯s asleep?¡±

    I nodded and giggled. ¡°It¡¯s adorable.¡±

    M nods in agreement and mutes the sound on the TV when we hear someone shuffling behind the

    door.

    The door to the apartment is suddenly thrust open. Ria walks in, cursing at the umbre that refused to

    close. She shakes it, causing the water droplets to fall on the floor.

    ¡°This damn thing.¡± She groans and decided to just throw it in the corner.

    ¡°I need some hot chocte.¡± She grunts, walking over to the kitchen.

    ¡°Wee back home. A hi would be appreciated you old hag.¡± M jabbed at Ria who flipped her off.

    ¡°Does this look old to you?¡± She squeezes her butt and smacked it.

    ¡°Yeah, saggy in fact.¡± M retorted with a snort. ¡°Might want to start heading back to the gym.¡±

    Ria whips around and res at M.¡±How dare you! Especially when you¡¯re the one with the pot belly!¡±

    M gasped, shooting Ria furious res. ¡°You bit

    ¡°Would you two be quiet before you manage to wake up Ash?¡± I hissed, getting annoyed at their

    bickering.

    ¡°She started it!¡± Both said simultaneously.

    I rolled my eyes and went to sit beside M.

    Ria grabs the ice cream in the freezer and digs for a huge spoon.

    ¡°I thought you said you wanted hot chocte?¡± M asked sarcastically.

    Ria¡¯s eyes narrowed on her. ¡°Well, I changed my mind!¡± She res at M and walks over to us. She

    sits beside me and the two red at each other.

    I rolled my eyes already sensing another minute or two of them bickering.

    But surprisingly Ria only turns to face me while digging in the ice cream tub. ¡°So how did it go Soph?¡±

    I told them everything and decided to leave the part where I thought I sensed Aiden¡¯s pres ence at

    Harrington.co.

    I didn¡¯t think they¡¯d believe me; they¡¯d probably think I was going insane. Besides, I didn¡¯t catch the

    face of whoever had been staring at me. I can¡¯t just say it¡¯s him when I wasn¡¯t a hun dred percent sure

    it was.

    Goosebumps raise on my skin when I remembered how the gaze had been intense on my back. I didn¡¯t

    understand how a simple gaze can have me overthinking so much.

 Chapter 38

    Chapter 38

    Chapter 38

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    I tilt my head, hoping to get a better view of her or at least her face but it would be impossi ble to with

    how far she was and the brutal way the rain was pouring down.

    Mitch res the horn again and looks at me through the rearview mirror. ¡°Sorry sir about the hold-up.¡±

    He apologized even though it wasn¡¯t his fault.

    I looked back at the old car in front of us. The woman looks to be frustrated in there.

    .

    ¡°I think thedy is in a bit of trouble. I¡¯ll go have a look.¡± Mitch suggested and I nod.

    I didn¡¯t care if she was in trouble or not, I just wanted to get out of here soon.

    Mitch gets out of the car and walks over to the old mustard colored car in the pouring rain.

    Twinced at the color. It stood out like a sour thumb and looked ready to copse. I wouldn¡¯t be

    surprised if she was facing trouble with starting that thing. Perhaps this is why she hadn¡¯t driv en off

    yet.

    Tcontinued to stare at her, admitting that the mysterious woman had managed to tug my at tention,

    which was very rare nowadays.

    I couldn¡¯t see her face, but I could tell she was talking to Mitch. For a second, just a second, I itched to

    get out of the car and see her face myself. I was even admittedly a bit annoyed that Mitch saw her face

    before I could.

    Why was so intrigued by this woman?

    Igroan, brushing my hand down my face.

    What the hell was wrong with me today?

    Thuffed in frustration,pletely aware that one of the reasons why I was so intrigued by this woman¡¯s

    presence was because she reminded me of someone I had tried to forget.

    After a few seconds, her car starts and Mitch makes his way back to me. He enters and moves his

    soaked hat on his head. ¡°Her car had been giving her a few issues but it¡¯s working back now. So we

    should be on our way now sir.¡±

    I was tempted to ask Mitch about the mysterious woman but I bit my tongue and just nod ded.

    She drove cautiously and when she was finally on the main road, I find myself turning around to stare

    at her car.

    Who was this woman and why does she feel so familiar to me? Why does just seeing a glimpse of her,

    even though it¡¯s the back of her, make me feel so strange?

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°We¡¯re home Ash bug,¡± I said happily. His little hands that were around my neck holding me tightly,

    loosens.

    The sweater I had on my wet blouse was starting to get a little wet so it was a good thing we reached

    home in time. I sure didn¡¯t want that wetness to seep to Ash¡¯s clothes.

    ¡°Home mama.¡± He giggles as I opened the door and enter.

    As soon as I do, Mes rushing down the little hallway leading to the rooms. Her eyes are wide

    and her hair whips behind her.

    ¡°Details Sophie!I need details! How was it? Is the building huge? Is the pay good? Am I going to have a

    rich best friend now?¡± She rushes out when she reaches me.

    She reaches out for Ash who giggles and hand him to her. ¡°I missed you little bug.¡± She squeals and

    peppers him with kisses on his chubby cheeks.

    ¡°Miss you.¡± Ash replied.

    ¡°d to know that I wasn¡¯t missed.¡± I rolled my eyes and smiled at the two of them.

    M rolls her eyes at me while ying with Ash¡¯s little fingers. ¡°Your mama is jealous. Huh Ashy boy?¡±

    Ash smiled brightly. ¡°Mama jealous.¡±

    Ismiled. His talking voice was so cute.

    M turns to face me and raised a brow. ¡°Well? Answer the questions girl! You barely an swered them

    when I was texting you.¡±

    I sighed while kicking off my shoes. ¡°I couldn¡¯t really text you back because I was busy learn ing where

    to ce the documents on theputer.¡±

    ¡°And I texted you back at lunchtime,¡± I told her. ¡°Speaking of, I saved you guys some sweet desserts.¡±

    ¡°Yeah you did but itcked details. Which is why I¡¯m asking you for them now.¡± She snorted.

    Ash yawns and rests his head on M¡¯s shoulder. I smiled. Ash always got tired after a car ride.

    ¡°Awe looks like someone¡¯s tired.¡± M cooed as she rocks Ash from side to side.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make him sleep and you can have that shower I know you desperately want.¡± She said softly to not

    disturb a sleepy Ashton.

    I looked at her like she was a life saver, which she was. ¡°Oh thank you M

    M¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°But you¡¯ll have to tell me everything when you get out. And no skip ping details.¡±

    She warns.

    ¡°I promise.¡± I nodded and leaned down to kiss Ash¡¯s cheeks. ¡°Mommy¡¯s going to have a quick shower

    my little bug. I¡¯ll be back.¡± I whispered, staring into his tired blue eyes.

    My heart leaps when I see Aiden in him and remember how I thought I felt Aiden¡¯s presence

    at Harrington.co.

    I walked away quickly, needing a cold shower desperately to help mee back to reality. Because

    there was no way Aiden was in New York, far less in Harrington.co building.

    But st

    1 who 1. VIIY

    does my body react when that certain stare fell on me? But the better question was why that certain

    stare felt so much like Aiden¡¯s.

    ¡°When did he fall asleep?¡± I asked walking into the living room while patting my hair dry.

    M¡¯s gaze tear from the movie on the television to stare at me.¡± Around two minutes after you left to

    have a shower. Did you know he makes that cute snoring sound when he¡¯s asleep?¡±

    I nodded and giggled. ¡°It¡¯s adorable.¡±

    M nods in agreement and mutes the sound on the TV when we hear someone shuffling behind the

    door.

    The door to the apartment is suddenly thrust open. Ria walks in, cursing at the umbre that refused to

    close. She shakes it, causing the water droplets to fall on the floor.

    ¡°This damn thing.¡± She groans and decided to just throw it in the corner.

    ¡°I need some hot chocte.¡± She grunts, walking over to the kitchen.

    ¡°Wee back home. A hi would be appreciated you old hag.¡± M jabbed at Ria who flipped her off.

    ¡°Does this look old to you?¡± She squeezes her butt and smacked it.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    ¡°Yeah, saggy in fact.¡± M retorted with a snort. ¡°Might want to start heading back to the gym.¡±

    Ria whips around and res at M.¡±How dare you! Especially when you¡¯re the one with the pot belly!¡±

    M gasped, shooting Ria furious res. ¡°You bit

    ¡°Would you two be quiet before you manage to wake up Ash?¡± I hissed, getting annoyed at their

    bickering.

    ¡°She started it!¡± Both said simultaneously.

    I rolled my eyes and went to sit beside M.

    Ria grabs the ice cream in the freezer and digs for a huge spoon.

    ¡°I thought you said you wanted hot chocte?¡± M asked sarcastically.

    Ria¡¯s eyes narrowed on her. ¡°Well, I changed my mind!¡± She res at M and walks over to us. She

    sits beside me and the two red at each other.

    I rolled my eyes already sensing another minute or two of them bickering.

    But surprisingly Ria only turns to face me while digging in the ice cream tub. ¡°So how did it go Soph?¡±

    I told them everything and decided to leave the part where I thought I sensed Aiden¡¯s pres ence at

    Harrington.co.

    I didn¡¯t think they¡¯d believe me; they¡¯d probably think I was going insane. Besides, I didn¡¯t catch the

    face of whoever had been staring at me. I can¡¯t just say it¡¯s him when I wasn¡¯t a hun dred percent sure

    it was.

    Goosebumps raise on my skin when I remembered how the gaze had been intense on my back. I didn¡¯t

    understand how a simple gaze can have me overthinking so much.

 Chapter 39

    Chapter 39

    Chapter 39

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    There are a million thoughts storming through my mind at this moment. Some didn¡¯t even make sense.

    Who¡¯s standing before me didn¡¯t make sense.

    Was I even making sense?

    My throat feels tight, emotions go haywire in my body. My heart is thumping loudly. I can¡¯t think

    properly.

    Standing before me, dressed in an expensive suit was Aiden Xavier. My high school bully, the guy I

    love, the guy who was supposed to be in jail. Ashton¡¯s father¡­

    I gulped.

    He still looked the same after all those years. His blue eyes were still so beautiful, though I noted a

    strange look in them. They were dead.

    And his lips. So straight, stiff, and unsmiling.

    The power that radiated off of him had me squirming.

    Aiden was even more handsome now with his hair shaved at the sides neatly and his body was even

    more toned with muscles that bulged under his suit.

    My mouth feels dry

    He changed. Something was different about him.

    He froze when he heard my voice and when his cold eyes fell into mine just like they always had done

    before, I felt heat swim in between my thighs.

    He could still get a reaction out of me without even trying.

    I guess I shouldn¡¯t be surprised about that.

    But what I was surprised about was Aiden ripping his eyes away from mine and continuing to speak on

    the phone while ignoring mepletely.

    | shifted on my feet nervously as I stare at the side of his face.

    Why was his eyes so cold when they stared into mine? Why did he stare at me nkly? Did he not

    remember me?

    My heart mmed in my chest harshly. Can he really forget me so quickly?

    Maybe he was still angry with me for taking the stand three years ago? For confessing about our

    sexual rtionship¡­..

    I stare intensely at the side of his face, my heart singing. Three years. Three years without seeing his

    face and being in his presence, and he still had my heart pounding.

    Aiden keeps his face forward, his voice angry as he practically spits through the phone. I feel bad for

    the person on the other line.

    My fingers itch to touch him, just to make sure that I wasn¡¯t dreaming and that this was reali ty. That

    Aiden was really here. Mere feet away from me. So close that I can smell his alluring cologne.

    I breathed it in, my pulse roaring at our close proximity yet knowing that I shouldn¡¯t give in to temptation

    and touch him. He had ignored me like he didn¡¯t know me. Like he didn¡¯t remember the moments we

    shared.

    I blinked.

    It takes a while for me to realize he was speaking to me.

    ¡°Huh?¡± I asked confused, my heart mming and sweat coating my skin. Why were we act ing like

    strangers?

    ¡°Are you not getting out now?¡± He nudges his head to the opened elevator doors and I smiled shakily in

    embarrassment as I walked out of the lift.

    I turn around, my eyes connecting with his blue eyes. There¡¯s no recognition in them, no emotion. So

    cold.

    He tears his gaze away and punched the button almost urgently as the elevator doors closed and rid

    me of the powerful handsome sight of him.

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    I stand there, gnawing on my lips.

    How did he get out of jail earlier than the five years they sentenced him to serve?

    Did he break out of jail? I shook my head at the ridiculous thought. Aiden was many things, but he was

    not a criminal.

    Though it did seem like he had changed a lot and perhaps I didn¡¯t know him as much as / thought I did.

    I felt cold suddenly when I remembered the huge secret I¡¯ve kept from him.

    I must have shit luck if I managed to bump into Aiden out of all people in New York. What was Aiden

    even doing in New York!?

    I was confused, So confused about everything.

    I didn¡¯t know how long I just stood there and stared at the elevator until the door slides open again and

    Lisa, Bernard¡¯s PA walks out of the lift,

    Her brows are furrowed as she stares at me in confusion. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    Snapping out of it, I nodded shakily even though I felt far from okay. It feels like a rug was just swept

    out from under my feet as realization hits me.

    The intense familiar stare was indeed actually Aiden after all. It had been him all along.

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    ¡°Just get me the damn files byter today.¡± I hissed on the phone as I stormed my way to the elevator

    with one hand in my front pocket and the other gripping the phone brutally. I red at the floor in

    frustration and anger.

    I pushed my hand between the almost closing doors and stepped in the lift.

    ¡°Aiden?¡±

    A breathy familiar tone flutters to my ears and I feel my heart squeeze. I was hearing a ghost. There

    was no way Sophie out of all people was actually here.

    In three years no one, not a single person had managed to make me nervous or shift myposure.

    But when my eyes connected with hers, I can feel the shaking in my fingers as they struggle to hold the

    phone to my ear.

    Sophie?

    Sophie Bell?

    I felt my heart m in the cages of my chest as I gawk at her.

    She was still so beautiful. Her features were the same, except that her cheeks got a little chubby which

    made her look adorable. Her hair was also now blonde.

    She looked fucking hot!

    And her body¡­.

    I almost fet out a groan. She filled in nicely over the three years.

    But instead of pulling her into my arms like I desperately wanted to l ignored her and sted Cindy on

    the other line.

    I didn¡¯t care that she wasn¡¯t feeling ¡®well¡¯, she should¡¯ve done her job properly if she didn¡¯t want me to

    hold her ountable right now for her mistakes.

    I stood beside Sophie, feeling incredibly stiff. Her presence was fucking with my head and her scent,

    God her scent.

    What was I even sting to Cindy again?

    I gritted my teeth, hating that Sophie was still affecting me. Ignore her. Ignore her like she had done to

    you the entire year you were in jail.

    Pretend like she doesn¡¯t even exist like she had done to you after you were pushed behind bars. My

    mind reminded me while fighting my body¡¯s need to have Sophie there and then.

    She doesn¡¯t exist. She doesn¡¯t exist.

    It¡¯s been three years. Why was God fucking with me now by having her here? Why was she even

    here?

    swallowed wanting to ask her why she was in my building but I refuse to even look at her much less

    ask her anything.

    I could feel her stare on the side of my face. She was confused, surprised, and needed an swers, I

    could tell.

    I wanted to smack myself behind my head as realization hit me like a ton of bricks. Of course the

    woman in the elevator was her. I should¡¯ve known. No woman had ever stirred me in the way that

    Sophie unfortunately still does.

    I shake my head, gripping the phone tightly.

    You hate her remember? You hate her for abandoning you for years. She never tried to con tact you.

    Never tried to visit. Never even looked for you. Never cared enough to even ask about your

    whereabouts. You should loathe her. My mind pushed my need aside and restored it with anger and

    hate for Sophie.

    My conscious was right. I should hate her. I didn¡¯t want anything to do with her.

    Sophie was dead to me. Even though she¡¯s standing in the flesh just inches from my tingling fingers.

    When the elevator doors open, I nearly sighed aloud in relief.

    But Sophie doesn¡¯t get out even though it was obvious it was the floor number she pressed.

    ¡°Are you not getting out now?¡± I asked turning to face her and ignoring Cindy¡¯s words in my ears as she

    tries to justify herself.

    Sophie looks lost. It¡¯s adorable. I m that ridiculous thought out of my head quickly.

    I said it again until she finally snaps out of it.

    ¡°Huh?¡± She asked, still looking so lost. It was a huge mistake to look into her pretty eyes.

    ¡°Are you not getting out now?¡± I said for the third time and fought the amused grin tugging at my lips.

    She smiles shakily and I could see the embarrassment in her gaze before she steps out of the lift. She

    turns around as I punch the button quickly, needing to desperately get out of her presence before I do

    something I¡¯d regret.

    When the door closed, I let out a huge sigh of relief while cursing at my luck right now.

    Fuck.

 Chapter 40

    Chapter 40

    Chapter 40

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    My fingers tremble as I dialed M¡¯s number. She was probably already on her shift but right now I

    wasn¡¯t thinking clearly.

    I brought the phone to my ears and lifted my thumb to my mouth to bite on my nails. Anxiety was eating

    me alive right now, and I needed to hear a familiar voice to ease me and hold me down to reality.

    Because right now, I was convinced that this was a crazy dream and that I hadn¡¯t actually seen Aiden.

    Because there was no way in hell Aiden would ever ignore me after all those years. He would at least

    want to give me a piece of his mind or at least say my name, right?

    Why was I even frustrated that he hadn¡¯t acknowledged me?

    I groaned and chewed on my nails. This really was a bad habit I should stop.

    M answers on the fourth ring. ¡°You caught me on a bad time Soph

    ¡°Sorry. I uh-I think I just saw Aiden M.¡± I breathed out in a rush as an image of Aiden in the elevator

    with me pushes into my mind.

    He was so cold in there. He didn¡¯t even spare me another nce after I said his name. He hadn¡¯t even

    acknowledged that his name tumbled out of my lips.

    ¡°What?¡± M breathed out in both shock and confusion. ¡°Did you say Aiden? As in Aiden Xavier? You

    saw him?¡±

    ¡°1

    Oh God M, I wasn¡¯t even sure what I saw in the first ce. Maybe it was another guy alto gether and

    he hadn¡¯t answered me because he wasn¡¯t Aiden in the first ce.

    Maybe my stupid mind just ced Aiden¡¯s image onto the guy¡¯s face. Yes, that seems about right, I

    didn¡¯t see Aiden, that was only my imagination.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure M. He

    I sighed. Why can¡¯t leven speak properly now? Gosh, I¡¯m literally still tongue-tied.

    ¡°What do you mean you aren¡¯t sure? Soph

    M¡¯s words are cut off by Lisa calling out my name to grab my attention. I look up. ashamed that I was

    caught on my phone during what was supposed to be my work hours.

    ¡°M I¡¯ll call you back.¡± I rushed out and end the call quickly. I shifted in the seat and looked at Lisa like

    I was constipated. My first day and I was caught doing something I shouldn¡¯t be do ing

    Would she report me to Bernard?

    ¡°Yes? | asked sheepishly while cringing inwardly. Great first impression Sophie. I scowled at

    myself.

    Lisa smiled politely and outstretched her hand over the desk. ¡°I¡¯m Lisa, Bernard¡¯s PA. Wele to

    Harrington.co. I had meant to greet you earlier but you looked out of it.¡±

    | smiled awkwardly and took her hand in mine. She shakes my hand firmly. ¡°I¡¯m Sophie. Bernard¡¯s new

    secretary. Sorry about earlier, I thought I just saw¡­

    I trailed off unsure of what to say without sounding crazy.

    ¡°I thought I saw a ghost.¡±

    Really Sophie? A ghost doesn¡¯t make you sound crazy at all. My conscious mocked me sar castically.

    I wanted to groan out loud. I must sound like aplete nut job right now.

    Lisa¡¯s brows furrowed but she doesn¡¯t push me to borate. Instead, she changes the sub ject, which I

    was more than grateful for.

    ¡°Bernard has asked me to show you around thepany. I¡¯m free now and would love to give you a

    tour.¡± She smiled.

    A tour? Right now?

    What if I bump into him again?

    I shook my head. I thought I was convinced that the guy wasn¡¯t truly Aiden but a fragment of my

    imagination?

    ¡°Is Bernard okay with you showing me around right now?¡± I asked, concerned.

    This was my first day and it would be best to leave a good impression. Sure Bernard and I were

    friends, but there was a line drawn when ites to work.

    Lisa nodded. ¡°He was the one who suggested it.¡±

    ¡°Oh okay then,¡± I said and rose to my feet. Lisa and I walked over to the elevator.

    ¡°Mr. Beckam has really spoken highly of you Sophie. I¡¯m really excited to work alongside you.¡± She

    admitted and pressed the button for the elevator to open.

    We stepped in and for a few seconds, we spoke about nonsense until the doors slid open and we step

    out.

    ¡°Okay, so this is the first floor. You should already be familiar with here. This is usually where the

    reception¡­.

    Lisa continued and I tried my best to look interested or at least listen to every word that slipped out of

    her mouth. But I would be lying if I didn¡¯t admit that I was on the lookout for him again.

    ¡°So this is thest floor we can view. The CEO¡¯s floor is off limits unless it¡¯s for a business meeting or

    you¡¯re one of the higher-ups.¡± Lisa said as she stepped out of the lift. I followed her and was about to

    answer her when someone calls her,

    She waved and told me to tag along.

    ¡°Ooh, who¡¯s this?¡± A young woman with blonde hair and bright blue eyes covered with ss es grinned

    at me.

    ¡°This is Mr. Beckam¡¯s new secretary, Sophie. Sophie this is Emliss.¡± She introduced us. A younger man

    named Gregges to join in on the conversation.

    He was tall and lean with brown hair and cute dimples when he smiled. ¡°Hey.¡± He smiled at me and

    outstretched his hand. ¡°I¡¯m Gregg.¡± The corner of his lips lifted into a curved smirk.

    ¡°Gregg you damn flirt.¡± Emliss snorted and smacked the back of her hand on his chest. ¡°Don¡¯t even

    think about it.¡± She warned him.

    Gregg pouted. ¡°I wasn¡¯t nning to try my luck with her.¡± He denied but I could sense his lie and

    giggled when Emliss said sure sarcastically.

    A few others came to join in on the conversation and I¡¯m introduced to everyone until sud denly another

    rushed our way.

    The unknown girl looked confused and nervous. ¡°The CEO just made an urgent meeting. All staff must

    attend.¡± She rushed out in one breath.

    ¡°A staff meeting on such a short notice? What time is this meeting?¡± Lisa asked in confusion.

    ¡°In ten minutes. He said everyone needs to attend.¡±

    Lisa looks nervous and worried.¡± Thest time he held a staff meeting, he fired half of the workers. Now

    holding one on such short notice, I can¡¯t help but be worried for what¡¯s toe.¡±

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    As soon as I stepped into my office, I loosened my tie. For some reason, it was scorching hot even

    though the Ac was on full st.

    I raked a hand through my hair in frustration.

    She stopped on Bernard¡¯s floor. Does that mean she works for him?

    She dressed formally so it was obvious she worked here.

    When did she even start?

    I¡¯m the CEO, I should¡¯ve known about everything that¡¯s going on here.

    Why was I even thinking about her?

    What am I even getting frustrated for? She was now one of my employees, which meant she was

    under me. I could just fire her. Bernard would have no say in the matter.

    sat down on the chair and looked out the huge ss wall and red at the skyscraper buildings No,

    that would be too easy to do. I won¡¯t fire her just yet. I want her squirming in my presence more for

    what she did to me.

    I want her to feel frustrated just as I felt

    I groan and mmed my fingers on the numbers. I dialed Austin. He answers on the fifth

    ring.

    ¡°Hey man.¡± He said groggily. He must¡¯ve gone to a party against night.

    I clenched my jaw feeling left out. Austin and Rnd were in college, doing what college kids do, drink,

    smoke, and have sex. While I was here running a multi-billion dor business. Sure the job wasn¡¯t bad,

    but I can¡¯t help but feel jealous that Rnd and Austin were getting to experience college life.

    ¡°Oi Rnd wake up man, Aiden¡¯s on the phone.¡± I heard a smack and groan.

    ¡°Dude I need rest.¡± Rnd¡¯s voice flutters from the other line. I rolled my eyes. Lazy assholes.

    ¡°What¡¯s up Aiden man?¡± Austin asked. Austin and Rnd were the only two who stood be side me

    through all of the shit I went through that one year in jail. My parents too, but I knew they were

    disappointed about what happened.

    I pulled air into my lungs before speaking, ¡°I think I just saw Sophie Bell in my building. If not her then

    it¡¯s her ghost.¡±

    Austin snorted. ¡°Sophie ain¡¯t dead man. Well I don¡¯t think so. Still, how crazy is that, that you run into

    her? What the hell is Sophie Bell doing in New York?¡±

    I sighed and raked a hand through my hair again. ¡± That¡¯s exactly what I was asking myself. What¡¯s

    even crazier is that she¡¯s working here, I¡¯m sure of it.¡±

    ¡°Oh shit.¡± Austin chuckled. ¡°Office romance nice.¡±

    ¡ª ¡°There will be no office romance here. I¡¯m over her.¡± | gritted out, loosening my tie even

    more. Why the hell was it so hot in here?

    ¡°I call bullshit. What did you do when you saw her? Did you pull her into your arms?¡± Rnd asked

    sounding more awake now.

    ¡°lignored her,¡± I stated bluntly while unbuttoning the first button on my shirt.

    ¡°I pretended like she didn¡¯t even exist.¡±

    ¡°Ouch cold.¡± Austin chuckled. ¡°Did she say anything to you? I bet she was shocked when she saw

    you.¡±

    ¡°She was. And no, I think seeing me tied her tongue. I¡¯m finding it hard to believe that she hadn¡¯t known

    I was the CEO of Harrington.co. But if she did know, she¡¯d definitely not be as stunned to see me as I

    was seeing her.¡± I said, furrowing my brows as I thought about how con fused and shocked she was.

    She definitely didn¡¯t know I would be here.

    ¡°Man you lucky bastard. To run into your ex

    ¡°She was never my ex. We weren¡¯t together.¡± I corrected quickly.

    ¡°Yeah well, you still love her.¡±

    I snorted. ¡°And watch where that got me. In jail for a vear. If Sergio didn¡¯t work his magic

    be there for four more. And besides, Sophie is dead to me. I loathe her, I don¡¯t love her anymore, 1

    have since forgotten about her.¡±

    ¡°Whatever you say man. Just don¡¯t call the next time to announce that you two are getting married and

    have a baby on the way.¡± Rnd joked.

    I snorted. Me getting married to Sophie and possibly having a kid with her went down the drain the

    moment she turned her back on me like everyone else.

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    The three long-time friends continued to talk until Rnd had to bring up Sophie again.

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    ¡°So what are you going to do about Sophie?¡± Rnd asked. I pinched the bridge of my nose in

    frustration. Why did he have to bring her up again?

    I was already forgetting about her¡­..well kind of.

    ¡°Nothing. Absolutely nothing.¡± I said dryly

    What did he want me to do? Firing her now would only show her that she was still affecting me. I didn¡¯t

    want to look weak.

    ¡°I say you take out your revenge on her for what she put you through. You were a mess man.¡± Austin

    said and Rnd agreed.

    They were right. I was a mess that entire year she hadn¡¯t checked up on me. And thosest three

    years, she still had the nerve to haunt me in my mind.

    I was so exhausted.

    Revenge sounded sweet. But I wouldn¡¯t know where to start.

    ¡°She¡¯s in the financial department working with Bernard I think. Not sure what she does there but I n

    on finding out. Revenge sounds easy especially since I¡¯m the one making her have food on the table

    for now.¡±

    ¡°For now?¡± Austin asked in a confused tone.

    ¡°I n on firing her when I¡¯m done with her,¡± I said coldly.

    The three of us spoke for a good while, with the two suggesting ways on how to take re venge on

    Sophie. Soon the time caught up to them and Austin and Rnd had to leave for their ss.

    After the boys told him they were heading out for their first ss of the day, they said their goodbyes

    and ended the call.

    I reached for the new phone my secretary bought and rang her. She answers quickly. ¡°Set a staff

    meeting for ten thirty today. I want everyone to attend. ¡°I said nonchntly.

    ¡°But sir it¡¯s already ten twenty?¡± Noel voiced out with concern.

    Igritted my teeth. Was everyone working for me so ipetent to do as I say?

    en thirty. Later than that is uneptable. Remember, every one must attend. Failing to do so and

    they¡¯ll leave with a box on their damn head with their be longings.¡± I snarled and mmed the phone

    down, cut the call.

    I feel my jaw pop as I red out of the ss wall overlooking the city.

    I¡¯m going to show Sophie my ruthless side. I want her squirming in my presence. I want her beneath

    me¡­.

    I brushed a hand over my face in frustration. Not that beneath! I want her beneath my foot so I can

    squish her like the annoying bug that she was.

    I need to show her that she was no one to me. She didn¡¯t affect me. That I had forgotten about her

    three years ago. That she holds no value in my life anymore.

    ¡°Fucking Sophie Bell. Why the hell did you have toe to Harrington.co?¡± | groaned, tempt ed to call

    my secretary and demand her to order the strongest rum.

    I needed something strong to get her out of my mind. Unfortunately, I couldn¡¯t get drunk on the job.

 Chapter 41

    Chapter 41

    Chapter 41

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    : I smiled at the woman beside me as I sat down on the chair beside hers. She smiles politely back

    even though she didn¡¯t know me.

    Lisa sits to my right and sighed. ¡°I¡¯m nervous.¡± She admitted, her feet bouncing on the floor.

    I noticed everyone was on edge as I scan my eyes through the crowd of people waiting for this CEO to

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    show up.

    Was the CEO that bad?

    ¡°Is he that bad? The CEO I mean?¡± I asked, turning to her. If everyone was so on edge, I can¡¯t help but

    feel like I should be nervous too.

    Maybe I should be shitting my pants right now.

    Lisa nods. ¡°Oh yeah. He wasn¡¯t named the blue-eyed devil for nothing. He¡¯s the Chairman¡¯s grandson

    and when he took over thepany everyone thought that finally, they wouldn¡¯t have to work under a

    hard and cold man anymore. Turns out that he was even worst than his grandfa ther. Bummer because

    he¡¯s so young and handsome. Makes one wonder what he went through to turn out like that.¡±

    Blue-eyed devil?

    Well, that was surely a name to set fear into someone.

    I gulped. If he acted like the devil they named him as then I did have to fear.

    ¡°He sounds¡­.

    I drawled out.

    ¡°Scary I know.¡± Lisa nods. ¡°Even though he¡¯s so cold, women still flock towards him. I mean if you saw

    that face and body, you¡¯d be too.¡±

    I highly doubt it. Men are thest thing on my mind right now and the only male that was, was my little

    Ash bug, And Aiden. But that was because I couldn¡¯t stop thinking about him when our son was his

    exact replica.

    Speaking of¡­

    I scan my eyes over the mass of heads around me in search of him. There were no signs of him. I

    puffed out an annoyed breath.

    It wasn¡¯t him Sophie. Just your mind ying tricks on you.

    ¡°But I should warn you. Don¡¯t let those good looks fool you. He¡¯s a womanizer and rumor has it that the

    chairman is fed up with his womanizing ways.¡± Lisa snorted. ¡°I think he slept with most of his

    secretaries and most women working here¡­well excluding me of course.¡±

    Wow, that CEO sounds like a piece of work and disgusting.

    ¡°How young is he?¡± I asked out of curiosity.

    Lisa¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°He should be in his early twenties. I heard he likes to keep his past a secret. No

    one knows anything about him personally.¡±

    I furrowed my brows. The more she describes this guy, the more I feel repulsed and con fused. He was

    a womanizer yet private? Could he be any more clich¨¦?

    Bernard waves at us as he makes his way to the front row. We waved back. ¡°I thank God ev ery day

    that I got Bernard as my boss instead of working as the CEO¡¯s PA. His current one is un der a lot of

    stress. He doesn¡¯t even care that she¡¯s sick.¡±

    ¡°Wow. He sounds like an awful human being.¡± | nodded, already making up my mind that hated this

    man.

    Lisa nods. ¡°Yeah, but at least his looks make up for it.¡± She snorted with a giggle.

    I smiled. ¡°I don¡¯t think his looks will save him. If he¡¯s an awful person from the inside then it will show

    from the outside.¡±

    Lisa suddenly breathed out. ¡°Oh God, he¡¯s here.¡±

    My brows clench. Judgment day has arrived. God was here?

    ¡°God¡¯s here?¡± I voiced out. My Ash bug

    Lisa shook her head. ¡°No I meant to say the CEO is here. Look. He¡¯s making his way to the stage.¡± She

    nudges her head to the left and I quickly follow her gaze. Only for the air to get stuck in my lungs.

    My heart ms in my chest harshly.

    ¡°Aiden?¡± I breathed out.

    ¡°Yeah, Aiden Xavier. Do you know him personally? If you don¡¯t, I¡¯d suggest you to not call him by his

    first name, he doesn¡¯t like it and it¡¯s unprofessional.¡± Lisa suggested.

    I started but I can¡¯t even think properly much less speak. Was this a joke?

    Oh God, I was hallucinating again.

    There was no way Aiden was the Ceo of Harrington.co. How was this even possible?

    ¡°Is he- uhm- is he the CEO?¡± I breathed out shakily as I watched him walk to the stage with powerful

    strides.

    He looked so good.

    My lower belly swirls with heat despite knowing I shouldn¡¯t be feeling such a way in a crowd ed area.

    ¡°In the flesh. But as I said, don¡¯t make his handsome features fool you, he¡¯s a womanizer and sleeps

    around. I don¡¯t want you to be his next victim so you should stay clear of him.¡± Lisa warned.

    Oh Lisa, if only you knew how much of a victim I had been to his charms. I even have a full lit tle

    human to show for it.

    I shook my head. Reality was biting me in the ass and I didn¡¯t quite like it.

    Aiden walks up the steps leading to the stage and strolled slowly to the front. His hands were in the

    front pockets of his expensive pants and his eyes were cold, freezing everyone in the room.

    But as if like mas, those blue storms swept over to me and connected with mine. I held my breath

    and squirmed in the seat at the intensity of his gaze.

 Chapter 42

    Chapter 42

    Chapter 42

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Fifty-five employees.

    In the ten minutes we were here, Aiden has managed to boot fifty-five employees.

    I was still stunned by the number and yes I was counting, who wouldn¡¯t when every second there¡¯s an

    employee standing up and making that walk of shame out of the room?

    He was ruthless. Extremely ruthless. And scary.

    He was way worst than how he was in high school.

    I gulped. To fire fifty-five employees without batting ash was crazy. Aiden had grown cold.

    But that shouldn¡¯t have been a shocker. This was Aiden after all.

    The woman beside me suddenly stands up and I look over at her in confusion until I realize that she

    had just been fired. The mist of iing tears in her eyes said as much.

    She quickly hurried out of the room, her gaze lowered and her shoulders hunched.

    Aiden was cruel.

    ¡°Oh crap,¡± Lisa whispered with a pitch of fear in her voice. One that had my stomach churn ing.

    I turn to face her, my eyes a bit wide. ¡°What is it?¡±

    Had they fired her too and I had not heard?

    ¡°He¡¯s looking at you.¡± She whispered, wincing.

    I froze, my stomach churning even more. Was about to say goodbye to ten thousand dolrs a month?

    I slowly brought my gaze forward and sure enough, Aiden had his intense gaze on me. Such a stormy

    blue. Those blue eyes I fell in love with. The same blue our son shared.

    His eyes turned furious but he was quick to ce on a veil that had everyone fooled. But ! saw right

    through him. He was furious at me.

    I held my breath, waiting for him to just pull the rug beneath my feet again and fire me. He was the Ceo

    after all and even though I was technically working as Bernard¡¯s secretary, I was still Aiden¡¯s employee.

    He could do whatever he wanted.

    My lungs burned as I held my breath but I don¡¯t let it go until Aiden surprises me by tearing his gaze

    away and focussing those stormy blues on someone else behind.

    I was too busy pulling the air into my lungs to even care to look behind me to see who unfor tunately

    was misiled with his darkened gaze,

    He fired the poor man who cried and begged to keep his job. Aiden wasn¡¯t having it and had two bulky

    security men escort the wailing man out of the building.

    Aiden was as cruel as they said he was. He really was the blue eyed devil.

    ¡°This was the most intense staff meeting I¡¯ve ever been in. And he fired a hundred and twen ty-two

    employees in one day! That¡¯s a new record even for him.¡± Lisa sighed as soon as the ele vator doors

    close behind us.

    I nodded agreeing with herpletely. Aiden was like a cold monster, firing people left and right.

    He didn¡¯t even seem to care that half of these people were begging him to keep them be cause they

    had kids to feed. Every single one of those people he fired today had a family, I was sure.

    I can¡¯t help but think that maybe it was a good thing I kept our son away from him. If he was that cruel

    to people who had kids to feed, how would he treat me and his son?

    Thave to protect Ash from this monster.

    ¡°I swear he was picking people by ying eenie meenie miney mo. It¡¯s crazy how he only had to say

    their names and automatically they knew they were getting fired.¡± Lisa shook her head as we walked

    down the corridor.

    I didn¡¯t think it was crazy at all, with the cold way he practically spat out their names, I¡¯d think I was

    getting fired too.

    ¡°He¡¯s a dick.¡± I nodded, praying my Ash bug doesn¡¯t turn out to be like his father. No, my little Ash will

    be friendly, would have manners, and would be grateful for those who will do things for him.

    Lisa snorted and quickly ced her palm over her mouth to stifle the sound. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I swear I don¡¯t

    sound like a pig half the time.¡±

    I shook my head with a smile, not seeing her point in apologizing for something that was hu man of her

    to do.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, we all do it. Hey, do you know where Bernard is? I hadn¡¯t noticed him after everyone left the

    room.¡± I asked.

    I could¡¯ve missed Bernard seeing as there were too many heads in my eyesight as everyone scurried

    out of the room the second the meeting was over. They resembled headless chickens as they hurried

    out of the room like the fires of hell were at their feet.

    Lisa lifted a shoulder in a barely there shrug. ¡°Must¡¯ve stayed back to speak to the Ceo. Mr. Xavier did

    give him some files again to go through over the weekend. Bernard thought he would have had time to

    finish it but with so much workload, he, unfortunately, didn¡¯t. I¡¯m sure Mr. Xavier is currently chewing

    him and spitting him out.¡±

    I winced. Aiden showed he was cruel enough to not care that Bernard had way too much on his te to

    finish those files. I only hope he wouldn¡¯t give him the boot next. Then no more ten thousand dors a

    month for me for sure.

    Lisa and I soon walked to our assigned ce. Me a couple feet away from Bernard¡¯s office with my

    own private desk and chair and Lisa in her own private sectioned office.

    A good ten minutes had passed by when my ears pick up on not one but three sounds of footfalls in the

    corridor. One was a distinct sound of heels.

    Knowing that at any second they would show their presence, my back straightened and I waited with

    battered breath to greet whoever was making their way over here.

    What I did not expect was Aiden a few inches away from Bernard with a pretty woman at his heels.

    There were many files in her hands.

    Goosebumps rage war on my skin when I watch his powerful strides. His hands were tucked in his front

    pockets and his head was faced forward.

    ¡°Sophie.¡± Bernard greeted me with a smile and a nod when he passed by.

    ¡°Mr.Beckam,¡± I answered with a smile of my own.

    But as my eyes sweep back to Aiden, my throat grew a lump. ¡°Mr. Xa-vier.¡± | greeted with a stutter as I

    nod.

    Aiden doesn¡¯t spare me a nce and If I didn¡¯t know any better I¡¯d say that he hadn¡¯t heard me. But by

    the stiffness of his shoulders and then the pop of his jaw, I knew he did.

    Without thinking much about it, I breathed in his intoxicating scent as he strides past without

    acknowledging that I was here.

    His tant ignoration of my presence had something like anger and frustration churning in my belly:

    Why was he acting like he didn¡¯t remember me?

    Why wasn¡¯t he acknowledging me?

    Was I really that forgetful? Igritted my teeth as I red at his powerful back.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Maybe I should like the fact that he did. Because maybe just maybe he forgot that I had basi cally

    ruined his life.

    But how can you forget about someone you bullied and had sex with?

    How can you forget about someone who caused you to go to jail at such a young age?

    The woman behind him turns around to send me a re and I¡¯m baffled. Why was she r ing at me

    when I hadn¡¯t done anything to her?

    When all three disappeared behind Bernard¡¯s office door, I can finally breathe again properly.

    After a few minutes, the door to the office is pried open again and Aiden strides out with the woman at

    his heels,

    Mr. Xavier,¡± I said politely again while nodding my head. He ignored me and walked even faster. I

    gritted my teeth and sent daggers at his back.

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    I pressed the elevator button roughly while gritting my teeth.

    So she¡¯s Bernard¡¯s secretary¡­¡­

    Did she have to sound so breathless when greeting me?

    And why did my cock stir when I heard her voice?

    Immed my fingers on the button a bit rougher, forcing the doors to slide open faster.

    Entering the lift, Noel follows right behind me. She insisted on following me since my PA wasn¡¯t here.

    If only she knew I was contemting firing her soon.

    The doors were just about to close when a hand with red painted long nails halts them.

    ¡°Sorry sir, Mr. Beckam told me to tag along with you so you¡¯d give me the rest of the files?¡± Bernard¡¯s

    PA said with unsureness and fear in her quivering voice.

    I don¡¯t bother replying, in fact, Ipletely ignore her. Taking this as a good sign, she steps into the lift,

    awkwardly shifting away from me,

    I rolled my eyes. It¡¯s total silence in the lift until Lisa, judging by the name on her tag decided to break it,

    unfortunately.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a great day so far hasn¡¯t it?¡±

    | spared her a cold nce that she squirmed under in fear.

    She was a nice girl I suppose but she failed inparison to her. I gritted my teeth. Why was I still

    thinking about that damn woman?

    I¡¯m supposed to be thinking about my revenge, notparing women to her beauty.

    ¡°How long has she been working here?¡± I asked tightly while ripping my attention off the squirming PA.

    She could be of use to me. Especially since she would be closer to Sophie. I could use her to my

    advantage.

    ¡°I beg your pardon, sir?¡± She asked with a nervous edge in her voice and from the corner of my eye, I

    can see her looking back at Noel as if she would borate on my words.

    Noel stayed quiet, even more clueless than Lisa.

    ¡°Sophie Bell. How long has she been working for Harrington.co?¡± I asked coldly while gritting my teeth.

    I turn to her and her features lit in realization.

    ¡°Oh, Mr. Beckam¡¯s new secretary? Today is her first day but she was herest week learning a few

    things before she started. She¡¯s a nice young girl

    ¡°I didn¡¯t ask if she¡¯s a nice girl.¡± I sneered, cutting her off. She didn¡¯t have to remind me that Sophie Bell

    was a nice girl. I already knew that part.

    Lisa nearly jumped out of her skin and apologized quickly. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry sir.¡±

    The elevator doors open and we step out of the lift. ¡°I want you to do something for me Lisa.¡± | grumble,

    striding to my office.

    Both women stay close to my heels and I almost breathe out fire in irritation.

    ¡°And what is that sir?¡± Lisa asked with a pitch of fear and intrigue.

    ¡°Simple. I want you to keep an eye on Sophie Bell during office hours.¡± I stated bluntly.

    ¡°Uh what do you mean by that sir?¡± She asked and I knew she was now sporting a perplexed

    expression on her face.

    I breathed out through my nose in annoyance. Why was it so hard for her to understand sim ple words?

    Would I have to invest in a dictionary and thesaurus for my staff?

    ¡°I mean. I want to know her whereabouts during office hours. I want to know what she¡¯s do ing and

    what time she¡¯s doing it. Do you understand now?¡±

    I arch a brow while sparing her a nce. She squirms yet looked at me confused. ¡°Yes sir, I

    understand.¡±

    I nod.¡± Keep this between us do you understand Lisa?¡± | narrowed my eyes into slits on her face.

    She nodded quickly. We stepped into my office where I handed her the files for Bernard.

    When she leaves Noel is still standing in my office. I lift my head from the paperwork I was skimming

    through.

    Raising my brow in expectation I looked at her. ¡°Yes?¡±

    Noel¡¯s gaze wavers but then as if getting a push, she suddenly straightens her spine and looks at me

    head on.

    I don¡¯t like her disrespect and sudden boost of confidence.

    ¡°Why do you want to know the whereabouts of that woman Mr. Xavier? I noticed how she looked at you

    when we passed beside her. She looked like she knew you

    ¡°Is that why you turned around and red at her?¡± I asked cooly with a cold tone.

    She looks stunned that I had noticed her rudeness to Sophie. The thing is, when ites to Sophie I

    always seem to have eyes behind my head too.

    ¡°How di-d you.¡± She spurted out and I shook my head.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter how I manage to notice your rude manner. I think you have this mistaken Noel. What

    happened a few days ago was nothing. So don¡¯t expect anything from me.¡± I said coldly without

    emotion in my voice.

    Her eyes misted and I gritted my teeth. I really do need to fire her but I was dreading the long hours of

    interviewing people who were fit and not fit for the job.

    ¡°But Aiden I thought

    I shook my head, on the verge of losing my patience.¡± You thought by sucking my cock we¡¯d magically

    be a couple. Being in a rtionship is thest thing on my mind. And being with you was something I

    regret.¡± I admitted.

    ¡°And don¡¯t ever call me by my first name again. We are not on first name basis.¡± I snapped in

    annoyance and then breathed out to rx.

    ¡°Now go on and do your job before you embarrass yourself further.¡± I nudged my head to my closed

    door that she hurried out of the second my words ended.

    I hated clingy women.

 Chapter 43

    Chapter 43

    Chapter 43

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I know after I had Ash, my baby weight stayed a little. I still had hips and my breasts were vis ibly

    bigger. My bottom also had more cushion in there.

    And sure my hair was now dyed blonde but was that really a drastic change for Aiden to not realize that

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    it was me?

    Did he find me now unattractive and didn¡¯t want to acknowledge that he was once inside me? I guess

    that was years ago but still¡­

    M said I got even hotter after I had Ash, she called me a milf. Did she lie?

    I groaned, dropping my head between my arms on the desk. This was torture. Why was even still

    thinking about him? Why do I even care that he found me unattractive?

    It¡¯s not like I want him to acknowledge me or find me hot. Besides, he apparently had been busy getting

    his cock wet in every willing hole. I should hate him, hell I should loathe him with my entire being.

    What happened between me and him was in the past, I should stop thinking about it. I should stop

    thinking about him altogether.

    He¡¯s been on my mind for hours and honestly, I was getting exhausted by my mind always gued by

    him more than usual.

    Over those three years, I thought about him, and wondered if he was okay. But I was scared of

    reaching out to him in jail, fearing he¡¯d st me and hate me even more.

    Turns out, after three years, he forgot about me altogether.

    I need a drink, I hadn¡¯t tasted wine in a few months now. And now my tastebuds were cray ing the rich

    liquid on my tongue.

    I looked at the clock. It was twelve now. Lunchtime.

    There was something better than wine at the moment I could drink and that was ck cof

    fee. I needed my brain to wake up from the fog of Aiden.

    I called Bernard¡¯s office and told him I was heading out for lunch and asked him if he needed anything.

    ¡°No, no you go ahead and have a good lunch, Sophie. Don¡¯t worry about me, I¡¯m not even hungry.¡±

    When we cut the line, I made a mental note to bring some coffee for him too, and maybe some donuts

    if there are any. Last time I was here, there was a tray full of zed donuts that looked delicious.

    Knowing that I was heading only to the staff canteen, I didn¡¯t bother bringing my bag with me and just

    headed out.

    When I was near Lisa¡¯s office door, she opens the door. ¡°Where are you heading to Sophie?¡±

    With my brows furrowed, I answered. ¡°To the staff canteen, it¡¯s lunchtime. Do you need any thing or are

    you tagging along?¡±

    She looked at me silently for a few then shook her head. ¡°No, I have to help Bernard with a few of the

    files. Just bring up some cupcakes for me please.¡±

    ¡°You want nothing to wash it down?¡± I asked and she shook her head. After a few more words I head to

    the elevator.

    I could feel her eyes on me the entire time I walked towards the elevator.

    Lisa is acting a bit strange¡­. I shook my head.

    Great, now my mind was convinced Lisa was acting differently just because she was looking at me. My

    mind needed to calm down.

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    My office phone res. I answered on the second ring.

    ¡°What?¡± I asked impatiently as I signed some important documents.

    ¡°Sir I just wanted to inform you that Sophie is just heading out for lunch,¡± Lisa said quickly through the

    other line.

    I ced the pen down and leaned back in my leather chair.

    ¡°Do you know where she¡¯s having lunch?¡± I asked while fixing my hair.

    I didn¡¯t know why I was going to such lengths to look presentable in her presence.

    ¡°She¡¯s heading to the staff canteen. She left just seconds ago.¡± Lisa informed.

    ¡°Is that so¡­.¡± I drawled out.

    ¡°Thank you for informing me, Lisa,¡± I said and cut the line while my eyes sweep over to the clock

    hanging on the wall.

    Taking a little break won¡¯t hurt. Especially if it pays off by making Sophie squirm in my pres ence. I was

    making her ufortable and mad that I was not acknowledging her and I loved it.

    A smirk crawls on my face as I rise from my chair and make my way to the door.

    ¡°Are you heading off to lunch Mr. Xavier? Did you not want me to order you some lunch like usual?¡±

    Noel asked when I pace past her. Her eyes were red which led me to believe that she had been crying.

    I rolled my eyes. Women expect too much from nothing.

    ¡°No need,¡± I said bluntly.

 Chapter 44

    Chapter 44

    Chapter 44

    Sophie¡¯s pov When I ordered a cup of coffee the woman serving me looked at me a bit strangely.

    Was it weird that I felt for coffee at this hour? I mean people usually drank coffee in the morning but it

    wasn¡¯t that crazy to see someone drink coffee at noon.

    But maybe it wasn¡¯t weird to me because I worked at a diner where most customers or dered coffee at

    any time of the day.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± I thanked the woman as I try to hold the box of donuts, the box of cupcakes, and the two

    cups of ck coffee in my arms. It was a bit of a struggle to fit them all but I man aged.

    I was heading back to the office, I saw no point in staying in the staff canteen when I had to drop off

    stuff for Lisa and Bernard.

    I tilted my head slightly away from the pile in my arms so I could see where I was heading off to. On the

    way to the elevator, I got stopped by Gregg. I didn¡¯t want to be impolite so I stopped to talk to him.

    ¡°Sophie right?¡± He feigned a look of confusion as his eyes roamed over me.

    His lips quirked into a smirk that didn¡¯t quite suit his innocent baby face. Then again, that guy didn¡¯t

    seem the least bit innocent.

    I nodded, wanting to tell him that I was currently struggling under the weight of the stuff in my arms so I

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    needed to go. But me being the nice person that I am, I bit my tongue and stayed quiet.

    ¡°You look breathtaking today,¡± Gregg smirked. He was flirting, well trying to, that much was obvious.

    ¡°Thank you Gregg, you don¡¯t look too dashing. I mean too bad yourself.¡± | giggled in embar rassment.

    Gregg chuckled. ¡°I get that a lot. Hey, do you by any chance have any free time to grab din ner or lunch

    tomorrow

    ¡°No.¡±

    The startling word came from beside me and I quickly spun around, forgetting that my arms were

    currently full to the brim and I was holding hot coffee. Two of them at that.

    gasped in shock when I collided with someone¡¯s hard chest. Everything that was in my hold seconds

    ago is now on the man¡¯s suit and on the floor. The man hissed as the hot coffee drenched his suit and

    perhaps touched his skin.

    ¡°Oh my God, I¡¯m so sor-¡°My eyes lift and the words die out on my tongue when stormy blue eyes

    pierced through me angrily.

    Aiden.

    Oh fuck. My luck was really shit today.

    Suddenly it feels as if everyone around us just stopped moving as they watch what was hap pening. I

    was going to get humiliated and then fired.

    Goodbye, ten thousand dors.

    ¡°Sir- Mr. Xavier¡­¡± I squirmed and bend down to grab some of the napkins that were in the donut box.

    * I¡¯m so sorry. I hadn¡¯t known you were there. I-¡± I rushed out in a shaky voice while trying to ¡®pat him

    dry using the napkins. This was clearly not helping and Aiden¡¯s re was darkening even more.

    This suit must have cost more than the ten thousand dors Bernard was generously offer ing to give

    me a month. Now that I was sure I¡¯d get fired, I don¡¯t think I¡¯d even be able to afford to pay him back for

    ruining his suit.

    The thought left a bitter taste on my tongue as if I had just drank the rich coffee I spilled on him

    seconds ago.

    Without thinking mu ch, I gripped Aiden¡¯s arm and tug him back to the elevator. I heard the shocked

    gasp behind me and the whispers that stormed around.

    No one expected me to touch Aiden much less grab a hold of him and tug him.

    But right now I wasn¡¯t even a hundred percent thinking properly to realize what I was doing. ¡°I¡¯ll get you

    cleaned off Mr. Xavier.¡± I rushed out as I punched the button for the elevator doors to open.

    Aiden was awfully quiet which made me believe that he was too stunned by what was hap pening to

    even st me with furious words,

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry Mr. Xavier, I promise to clean off the mess I made,¡± I said quickly and tugged Aiden into

    the lift.

    I pressed the button to his floor, remembering that Lisa had mentioned his floor number.

    She also mentioned that I wasn¡¯t allowed there but Aiden had yet to protest so I took it as a good sign.

    The doors hadn¡¯t even closed yet when I began to dab at the wet jacket. ¡°Did the hot coffee burn your

    skin sir?¡± I asked, wincing inwardly at the damage I had caused and would have to pay for.

    When I didn¡¯t get a response from him my eyes lifted up and I¡¯m instantly pinned under his hard stare.

    The air get stuck in my lungs as his stormy gaze turned a familiar shade. Hunger.

    My heart leapt. Had he remembered me now?

    Before I could ask him anything, the doors slide open and we¡¯re on his floor.

    Shaking my head to remove my thoughts, I tugged Aiden out of the lift and onto his floor. ¡°Sir do you

    have a room where I can check for injuries?¡± I asked as I looked around.

    His floor was practically empty, with only a few separate and private offices.

    The woman that was at his heels earlier was stationed behind the desk and instantly I realize she was

    his secretary.

    When she noticed us approaching, she stands up quickly. ¡°Mr. Xavier. What happened!?¡± She asked

    rapidly her eyes falling on the hand I had wrapped around Aiden¡¯s arm.

    ¡°It was an ident. I¡¯ll help clean him up.¡± I rushed out. ¡°Can you point me to a room I can use

    The woman shook her head. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. I¡¯ll take over

    ¡°Sit down Noel.¡± Aiden¡¯s gruff voice said. His voice had a shiver brushing down my spine and I stiffen,

    The woman, Noel sits back down on her bum quickly but red at me.

    ¡°Come,¡± Aiden said, moving out of my hold easily which made me realize that if he really wanted to

    move out of my hold earlier, he would¡¯ve done it a long time ago.

    I followed after him, my head down a little. When he opened the door which I assume was leading to

    his office, he stops abruptly which caused me to run smack into his muscled back.

    Trubbed my forehead as I step away from him rapidly. ¡°I am really sorry Mr. Xavier.¡±

    Aiden stiffens but doesn¡¯t answer. He steps into his huge office fully and not knowing what to do, I

    followed after him.

    ¡°Close the door.¡± He said, speaking to me with the same tone he used with everyone else. Cold and

    unemotional.

    I pushed the door closed, now aware that I had walked right into the lion¡¯s den.

    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry Mr. Xavier

    I stopped, pulling a sharp breath into my lungs when Aiden turns around while peeling off his jacket.

    ¡°You wanted to check for injuries right?¡± He asked, his stormy gaze pinning me from across the room

    as he started unbuttoning his shirt and revealing smooth skin every second.

    Oh, God.

 Chapter 45

    Chapter 45

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I shouldn¡¯t havee here¡­..

    Aiden¡¯s eyes are set on me, unwavering as he unbuttons his shirt slowly. My fingers curl into fists at my

    sides as I felt the tingling urge to be the one to remove his shirt.

    My eyes drink in every ripple of his taut muscle and I swallowed. This was very unprofessional but so

    was tugging him into an elevator.

    I wasn¡¯t thinking then, and clearly, I wasn¡¯t thinking properly now too. Not with his upper half naked.

    Aiden ces his white button-down shirt on his desk and leaned on his desk while looking at me with a

    raised brow.

    He looked like a model.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going toe closer to check for those injuries miss¡­.¡± He drawled in a heavy husky tone

    as he waits for me to say my name.

    I flinched. Did he really not remember me?

    I feel nauseous as I uttered. ¡°Sophie Bell.¡±

    His eyes don¡¯t flicker with recognition when my name rolls off my tongue in disappointment. He was

    either really good at hiding his real emotions or Aiden had forgotten all about me.

    Why did I want to cry?

    Why did I want to wail and ask him why he couldn¡¯t remember me?

    Why was this hurting so much?

    Because you still love him, Sophie. After all these years, after all that happened with Carson you¡¯re still

    madly in love with Aiden Xavier. My mind reminded me.

    Aiden nods and motioned me toe forward with his index finger.

    Despite my disappointment and sadness of him practically forgetting about me entirely, I felt desire

    swirl in my lower regions. There was a heat there that was building up slowly.

    My feet move on their own and I¡¯m before Aiden in a few nerve-wracking seconds.

    His scent is stronger here and I¡¯m more aware of the tingling in my pussy by me just standing close to

    him

    ¡°Did you note here to look for injuries?¡± Aiden suddenly asked with a heavy thick tone that

    bounced off the walls of the office and made my insides melt.

    God Aiden, after all those years, you still manage to affect me without trying much.

    Inod, gnawing on my lips.

    Aiden raised a brow and tilted his head. ¡°Then why are you not looking?¡± I could see the way his lips

    tried to quirk up and my stomach knotted despite his teasing.

    ¡°Uh yes, sorry Mr. Xavier.¡± My eyes fall to his chest and I can¡¯t help but feel aroused.

    When we had sex in high school, we were neverpletely bare. This was the first time I¡¯ve seen his

    chest up close.

    But when my eyes noticed the soft red irritated skin, my concern overpowered that desire and I

    My fingers touch his irritated skin. I noticed howpletely still he got as soon as my fingers touched

    him.

    ¡°Oh no. The hot coffee must¡¯ve caused this Mr. Xavier. I¡¯m really truly sorry, I¡¯ll go get a wet cloth to

    soothe the irritated skin.¡± I rushed out and turned around to actually look for that wet cloth but Aiden¡¯s

    hand wrapping around my arm had me halting.

    ¡°I¡¯ll get Noel to bring the wet cloth.¡± Aiden¡¯s emotionless voice utters.

    I turn around when he peels his hands off me so quickly that one would think I had burnt him. His

    action had my heart squeezing painfully and despite how cold he was treating me, I missed his touch.

    His eyes are dark, stormy, and blue. They¡¯re setting me on fire without even knowing.

    Aiden casually reaches for the phone on the desk while still keeping his stormy gaze on me. I squirmed

    at the intensity. It almost feels as though he was doing it on purpose.

    ¡°Bring a wet cloth.¡± He ends the call as abruptly as he started it.

    We stand there in silence, him just staring at me without any flickering emotion and me squirming and

    having the urge to back away.

    It only takes about a minute before Noeles fushing in, panting and all. Her face was red and she

    looked like she was on the verge of fainting.

    But of course Aiden seems to not care about her flustered face and demands her to bring the wet cloth

    over quickly.

    ¡°Hand it to her.¡± He nudges his chin a little toward me and I¡¯m met with the annoyed stare of Noel,

    ¡°Thank you,¡± I thanked her even though she was currently burying me six feet under with the weight of

    her stare.

    She pushes the damp cloth in my hand not too kindly and looks over at Aiden. Completely ignoring my

    presence.¡±Do you need anything else, Mr. Xavier?¡±

    ¡°No Miss Bell will take it from here.¡± He said. She nodded barely and walked away with slightly slumped

    shoulders,

    When it was only Alden and me in the room again, I nervously smiled. ¡°This should cool off the

    irritated skin a bit. Though I¡¯ll rmend you to get an ointment for that.¡± | winced when I realized I

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    should be the one to buy that ointment for him since it was me who caused his skin irritation in the first

    ce.

    Aiden remains quiet, observing, and his stare is unnerving. It had me squirming.

    I awkwardly smiled and started patting the damp cloth on his irritated skin. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry about this

    Mr. Xavier.¡± I winced. My luck today had really screwed me over.

    ¡°I hadn¡¯t seen you were so close to me,¡± I said quietly as I looked at his irritated skin and refuse to look

    into his stormy gaze again.

    Looking into his blue gaze only brought on memories of the past and he made it clear that he had

    forgotten about them.

    ¡°Of course you hadn¡¯t Miss Bell, you were too busy flirting with your colleague to notice that you were

    obstructing the way.¡± He said coldly with a sharp edge in his voice.

    My hand froze. I was obstructing the way? If I do recall, I was far from blocking anyone¡¯s path.

    ¡°Sir.¡± I lift my gaze and almost instantly regretted it when his cold eyes froze me on the spot.

    Squirming under his gaze again, I stuttered out. ¡°I wa-s not flir-ting.¡±

    Gregg was flirting, I on the other hand was trying toe up with a way to let him down easily.

    But of course, I had to make a fool out of myself in the Ceo¡¯s presence.

    ¡°You were not?¡± Aiden cocked one of his well groomed brows and his blue eyes pierced through mine

    hotly. My heart leaps, because despite his cold gaze, there was warmth flickering underneath. Warm of

    desire.

    Between my thighs throbbed and I am aware of the sleek heat traveling down to drench my panties. I

    was getting wet.

    My nipples bud as his fingers brushed against my hand that held the cool damp cloth/rag on his chest. I

    sucked in a sharp breath through my nose and I shivered.

    Aiden¡¯s head dipped and I held my breath when the tip of his nose nearly brushes against mine. I could

    feel the hot breath fanning from his parted lips on mine and I nearly moaned.

    What was happening?

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I breathed out in a whisper. I probably shouldn¡¯t have, because now he¡¯d ask how I knew his

    name since he apparently didn¡¯t remember me.

    His blue eyes dart between the both of mine and then like someone throwing water on a flickering fire,

    it dies out. There¡¯s nothing but coldness now in his gaze.

    ¡°Let¡¯s make one thing clear here Miss Bell. No one is allowed to say my name during and after office

    hours. Especially those who don¡¯t have the privilege to.¡± He said coldly without any emotion in his

    husky tone.

    His words had me flinching and my stomach twisted as they brought me pain. Aiden pulis his head

    away from mine and looks down at me as coldly as his voice.

    I squirmed under the intensity of his gaze but kept my chin up. I was heartbroken that he refused to

    remember me. It has only been three years! How can he forget me so quickly? It doesn¡¯t make sense.

    Unless¡­. when he was in jail he got injured and got amnesia?

    Regret for not checking up on him while he was in jail made my stomach heavy. I should¡¯ve called,

    even though he would¡¯ve spit out angry words in my ear, I should¡¯ve called. Now I was regretting it.

    This was a poor decision on my part and now, I had the biggest secret I kept from him. How would he

    forgive me if he finds out about Ash?

    If he has amnesia, then he¡¯d probably say that Ash wasn¡¯t his.

    My throat hurt.

    My poor decisions really screwed me over. Now I was stuck and didn¡¯t know what to do.

    O

    ¡°Mr. Xavier¡­.¡± I drawled out, gnawing on my lips. ¡°Can I ask you something?¡± I whispered.

    I wanted to ask him if he remembered me. If he forgot about what happened three years ago.

    But all those questions died out when he scowled. ¡°No. I don¡¯t feel like engaging in a conversation with

    you. You may take your leave, Noel will finish what you started.¡±

    My heart drops in the pit of my stomach as his words pped me across my face. Wow, just to wow.

    Aiden was even a bigger jerk than when he was in high school.

    I bit the inside of my cheek as I pushed the damp rag on his chest and gritted out. ¡°Fine.¡± I turned

    around to leave but when I opened the door his next words stopped me.

    ¡°One more thing miss Bell. Office hours are strictly for work. It¡¯s not for getting your next fling. We don¡¯t

    tolerate whores around here.¡±

    I clenched the door handle in my hands while seething. The nerve of that asshole! How dare he call me

    a whore!?

    The mother of his child!

    But he doesn¡¯t know you have his son Sophie. My conscious reminded me which made the rage ! had,

    simmer down a bit.

    I don¡¯t bother answering Aiden, I just stepped out of his office with my chin up.

    And to think I thought we were about to have a moment in his office. What a Dick.

 Chapter 46

    Chapter 46

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    Maybe I shouldn¡¯t have been so harsh to her¡­¡­

    groan, rubbing a hand down my face as I red at the door she just stepped out of. She left something

    here, her scent.

    That damn woman was hell bent on making me miserable.

    I marched across the room and fling the door wide open, hoping her smell will follow her and leave me

    alone. For three years she tormented me in my head now her being here was making things worst

    I should hate her. I shouldn¡¯t even be regretting the words I said to her just moments ago. She

    deserved it.

    ?She deserved even more for what she put me through.

    I stormed back to my desk, ringing Noel.

    ¡°Bring some damn air freshener¡± | growled through the phone the second she answered the call.

    Sophie¡¯s scent wasn¡¯t leaving as quickly as I hoped it would even though the door was opened fully.

    Damn woman.

    I should¡¯ve stayed in my office. Maybe if I had done so, I wouldn¡¯t have overheard the conversation she

    was having with that fucking guy.

    My fingers itch to ring that asshole and fire him for even having the audacity to flirt with her.

    But then I remembered, that I didn¡¯t have the right to even be angry or jealous. Sophie wasn¡¯t mine,

    she had made it clear three years ago when she agreed to be Carson¡¯s girlfriend. When she stood by

    his parents instead of standing by mine.

    ¡°Sir I brought the air freshener!¡± Noel squealed as she rushed in. She looked around the room and her

    nose twitched. ¡°Did that woman leave an old smell behind sir?¡±

    Igritted my teeth wanting to defend Sophie from her words but then I realized that defending Sophie

    wouldn¡¯t be a good thing. I should hate her.

    So I just barked instead. ¡°Just spray the entire bottle if you have to. I want the office drenched with that

    scent and nothing else.

    Noel nodded quickly and started spraying the entire office while her eyes roam my half naked chest.

    * What about your injuries Mr. Xavier? Do you want me to help you with those?¡± She asked, her voice

    dropping into one I think was supposed to sound seductive. She sounded like those witches in cartoon

    movies.

    And when her eyes drop down to stare at my crotch, I knew she wanted to help me in other ways.

    I looked down and cursed under my breath. Of course, I was left hard. Her scent and the way her pretty

    doe eyes looked at me moments ago. The way her ass swayed.

    I bit my lower lip to stop the moan that threatened toe out of my throat. Sophie had filled in nicely.

    Her breasts looked bigger and her ass¡­.damn I can just imagine how it would feel to smack them

    while fucking her from behind. While reaching for her breast¡­¡­

    ¡°I can help you with that Mr. Xavier,¡± Noel suggested, looking at me beneath hershes.

    But she could nevere close to looking as seductive as Sophie did. Sophie didn¡¯t have to do much

    to get me hard and panting after her. No other woman could ever aplish that.

    I looked at Noel and contemted if I wanted to feel a vacuum right now.

    Nah. I think I¡¯ll pass.

    I actually feel nauseous just by thinking about her lips around my cock instead of Sophie¡¯s.

    ¡°When you¡¯re done here, close the door on your way out,¡± I said stiffly and grabbed my shirt.

    ¡°Also, buy me a new suit and get it here before one,¡± I grumble, holding the ruined suit and walking out

    of my office.

    I blocked my visible hard cock straining through the pants with the button-down shirt and jacket while

    making my way to a private bathroom.

    I need to wank off before my cock falls off by how much it throbbed for Sophie.

    Damn you Sophie Bell.

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I stormed out of the elevator and made my way to my desk. On the way there, Lisa noticed me and

    stepped out of her small office.

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re back.¡± She smiled tightly and looked at my empty hands in confusion.¡± The canteen has no

    cupcakes? Since when.¡± She voiced out.

    ¡°Sorry Lisa, I had a little ident andpletely forgotten about them. If you want I can go back down

    I really didn¡¯t want to go back down there. I was still so humiliated by what happened. And even more

    so that mostly everyone down there saw me tugging their Ceo in the elevator like I had the right to

    touch him.

    ¡°No that would be unnecessary. ident? Are you okay Sophie?¡± Lisa asked in worry.

    I nodded, ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just humiliated myself in front of everyone including the Ceo. I spilled some coffee

    on him. I made quite a mess actually.¡± I cringe remembering how I ruined his expensive looking suit.

    I¡¯m surprised Aiden hadn¡¯t sued me for that. Or demanded that I buy a new one for him, twice my

    paycheck.

    Lisa stiffened and her eyes widen slightly. ¡°You spilled coffee on the Ceo?! Did he not fire you on the

    spot?¡±

    I shook my head, now finding it a bit surprising that he hadn¡¯t. He seemed to be that kind of boss who

    fired others for no particr reason. So why hadn¡¯t he given me the boot like he had done to others?

    Whatever game Aiden was ying at, ¡®I didn¡¯t want to y it. Not when he was treating me even worst

    than he was when we were in high school.

    Lisa looked at me in disbelief. ¡°He didn¡¯t? Wow, that¡¯s really surprising. He fired that new girl working in

    the marketing departmentst week because she bumped into him by ident. Girl left in tears, almost

    flooded the entire building with them actually.¡±

    I wince. Poor girl. To get fired for such a little mistake¡­..

    Aiden really was a blue-eyed devil.

    Lisa and I spoke for a few before I went back to where I was stationed. Behind a desk with my chin in

    the palm of my hand as I thought hard about what to do.

    He dismissed me so coldly and casually. There was no regret in his tone. No recognition in his eyes.

    {? Sure his eyes flickered with the heat of desire but as Lisa had mentioned, Aiden was a

    manwhore. Always had been, so him wanting to fuck me wasn¡¯t surprising.

    But as soon as I said his name¡­.

    The look in his eyes, the fire had died and was reced by ice. He didn¡¯t like that I called him by his

    given name.

    Oh Aiden¡­.

    What are you really ying at? Did you really forget me or do you still hate me so much that you refuse

    to acknowledge that we ever knew each other?

    I sighed, rubbing my forehead. Would I be thinking about him every day while at work? Would he haunt

    my mind every day now? More than usual?

    Sophie your luck today really ced you in a pit hole, didn¡¯t it?

    I was so tired. I was exhausted.

    Of hearing his voice, of seeing his face everywhere. I was tired of his presence.

    The entire rest of the day, Aiden taunted me by calling my line just to tell me that he had meant to ring

    Bernard privately. He did this five times. Five damn times!

    And he kept calling me Miss Bell. So formal. Like we wereplete strangers. That only fed my

    irritation and I had to bite my tongue before I could say anything.

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    And when I went down to the staff canteen for a snack because I was famished for not eating lunch

    earlier, Aiden showed up again. Thankfully there were no embarrassing moments and no spills.

    Everyone had their gazes locked on us, waiting for something to happen. But Aiden ignored me

    came in a few minutester to again ¡®talk¡¯ with Bernard.

    It was like he was trying to irritate me by ignoring me. He didn¡¯t answer my greetings and didn¡¯t even

    care to say the reason he needed to speak with Bernard. But I suppose I didn¡¯t need to know. He was

    the Ceo after all.

    I huffed, ring at his back as he sauntered away with those powerful strides.

    ¨C I was so damn tired of seeing Aiden every hour or so that I was starting to think I would go mad.

    His mere presence was taunting me and troubling my mind.

    Could I really handle working here knowing that I would have to see him every day? I didn¡¯t think I

    could. I don¡¯t think I could easily forget the past and him as he did so easily.

 Chapter 47

    Chapter 47

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Okay so you have to tell me

    I ce my finger on my lips and shush her. M cringes and mouths sorry before walking out of the

    room.

    I looked down at Ash and sighed. He had fallen asleep the second he rest his head on my shoulder

    while we walked up the stairs leading to the apartment.

    I wasn¡¯t surprised that he was always so tired now, they did say he was a bit of a troublemaker and

    could never sit still. He reminded me of, him!

    I brush my finger down his soft cheek and blinked. Oh Ash, if only you knew how hard this is for me. I¡¯m

    so sorry I¡¯m letting you down bug. I just can¡¯t stand being ignored by your dad, it just hurts too much.

    I kissed his cheeks and then walked out of the room. M is already waiting for me on the sofa and I

    make a bee-line for the kitchen. I need a drink. I hadn¡¯t tasted wine in months. I needed it now.

    Especially because of the day I had.

    ¡°You look like crap.¡± M pointed out as she twisted around to look at me.

    1 Igrab a wine bottle from the cupboard and was a bit surprised that it was actually still full. With

    Ria here, it was rare to actually have wine that wasn¡¯t half empty already.

    ¡°Thanks, I needed that.¡± I snorted, struggling to open the wine bottle.

    M winces. ¡°Sorry, I was just

    I nod. ¡°Being honest. I know I look like crap, I feel like it. And if you¡¯re about to ask about my first day of

    work, then to answer you short. It was crap. in and simple. Today was awful.¡±

    Finally opening the bottle, I grab a ss and fill it with red wine. The aroma is pleasant and my

    tastebuds tingle in anticipation.

    M¡¯s brows furrowed as she got up from the sofa and walked over to me. ¡°Was Bernard a bad boss

    I shook my head quickly. ¡°Oh no, Bernard was a sweetheart. Poor man barely had enough time to have

    a break. It¡¯s the monster of a Ceo who¡¯s the problem.¡± I said and lifted the ss to my lips. I sniffed the

    smoky aroma and took a sip.

    God, I needed that.

    M looks even more confused by my words. ¡°Who¡¯s the Ceo?¡±

    I snorted and took another sip of the wine before I answered her. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t believe who M,¡± I

    regarded me,

    ¡°Come on, tell me.¡± M urged while eyeing my ss of wine. She knew that I wasn¡¯t one to drink and

    also knew that it would take a lot to crumble myposure.

    I looked at her above the rim of the ss and breathed out. ¡°It¡¯s Aiden. Aiden Xavier. Crazy right?¡±

    M¡¯s eyes widen and she leans forward. ¡°Come again?¡±

    I rolled my eyes. ¡°It¡¯s Aiden M. Aiden¡¯s the Ceo of Harrington.co. When I saw him in the elevator, I

    thought perhaps my eyes were deceiving me. Turns out, my eyes aren¡¯t as shitty as I thought they

    were.¡±

    M¡¯s mouth opens and then closes. She resembles a fish about now.

    ¡°You¡¯re kidding right? Aiden as in Aiden Xavier who got put in jail for identally causing your ex

    Carson¡¯s death?¡± She asked in disbelief. I don¡¯t me her, I couldn¡¯t believe it also.

    In fact, a little part of my head still thought that this was all a dream and soon I¡¯d wake up.

    I nod. ¡°And also Ashton¡¯s dad, don¡¯t forget that.¡±

    ¡°Shit.¡± M cursed.

    I nod. Shit indeed.

    ¡°Shit.¡± She cursed again and nudged her chin to the ss in my hand.

    ¡°Pour me a ss too, I need this shit to help soak up your words.¡± She shook her head in disbelief.

    | ce my ss down on the counter and went to fetch another ss for her.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t he supposed to still be in jail? How the hell is he out? And how the hell is he a Ceo?! Especially

    for a bigpany like Harrington.co?¡¯ She voiced out with incredulity.

    I shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been asking myself the entire day. ¡°I said while pouring the red wine into

    the ss.

    ET

    Handing it to her, M has a skeptical look on her face, ¡°This shit doesn¡¯t add up.¡± She shook her head

    and took a big gulp of the red liquid.

    ¡°When you said you thought you had seen him, I thought no way, must be a doubleganger. Aiden¡¯s not

    supposed to be out of jail yet. Are you sure it¡¯s him? It can be his long lost twin or something?¡± She

    asked while rubbing her temple. 1 snorted, ¡°Oh it¡¯s him alright. I know Aiden and that¡¯s him.¡±

    Besides, he acknowledged that it was his name when he told me to not call him by it during and after

    office hours,

    M narrows her eyes, ¡°Of course you do.¡± She snorted.

    ¡°Anyway, what did he say when he saw you? Did he get angry and yell at you for not calling him while

    he was in jail?¡±

    I took a sip of the wine before answering. ¡± Nothing. Absolutely nothing. He didn¡¯t acknowledge me.

    Completely ignored me like I wasn¡¯t even in the room. It¡¯s like he doesn¡¯t even remember me.¡±

    M snorted at that, her eyes already glistening. M was always a lightweight and would get tipsy

    quickly. ¡°Not remember you? Oh please! The guy bullied you all throughout high school, fucked the

    living shit out of you and got you pregnant, and then identally caused the death of Carson. How the

    hell can he forget that?!¡± She shook her head in disbelief.

    I cringe. ¡°He doesn¡¯t know about Ash, remember? And Carson is to be med too, he shouldn¡¯t have

    thrown the first punch especially knowing Aiden¡¯s temper.¡±

    My gaze lowered as I swirled the wine in my ss. I can¡¯t believe I was defending Aiden.

    ¡°In fact, I was the one to be med in all of this. shouldn¡¯t have yed with Carson¡¯s heart knowing

    that I was in love with Aiden. I shouldn¡¯t have said yes to being his girlfriend. ¡°I said lowly while looking

    at my reflection in the mirror.

    M shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t start ming yourself again Soph. It¡¯s no one¡¯s fault. It just happened. It

    was tragic but it happened and it¡¯s now in the past. You¡¯ve forgiven yourself remember?¡±

    I sighed and nodded. ¡°It¡¯s just so strange he acted like we were strangers. It fucking hurt.¡± || whispered

    and took a sip of the wine. It tastes even bitter now for some reason.¡¯

    ¡°He treated me so coldly. I didn¡¯t know it would hurt this bad.¡± I shook my head while cing the ss

    down on the countertop.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I can do it M,¡± My voice cracked as my eyes burned. ¡°I don¡¯t think I can pretend like I

    don¡¯t know him. Pretend that we never had a past. I just can¡¯t see myself doing it.¡± My lower lip

    trembled.

    ¡°Oh Soph. Aiden¡¯s always been an ass but acting like he doesn¡¯t know you is the lowest he¡¯s ever

    gone. I¡¯m sure he¡¯s only doing this to spite you for not calling him when he was in jail.¡± M sighed and

    walked around the counter to pull me in her arms.

    Ycried on her shoulder, huping. I had no right to feel this way. I wasn¡¯t exactly innocent, I had

    not called him when he was in jail and didn¡¯t tell him I was pregnant with his baby. I was keeping

    something from him, so I had no right to even feel pity for myself because he was ignoring me.

    But I just can¡¯t see myself continuing like we don¡¯t know each other. I can¡¯t pass him in the corridors

    and not look at him. I can¡¯t stop my heart from beating in his presence.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    I just can¡¯t.

    ¡°I think I¡¯m going to resign. Bernard¡¯s going to be disappointed but I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll find someone better. I

    just can¡¯t be in the same ce as Aiden and act neutral. ¡± I whispered while pulling away from M.

    She looks at me in shock. ¡°You¡¯re going to quit?¡±

    I nodded, ¡°I just see no other way. I don¡¯t want to be taunted by his presence anymore.¡±

    ¡°Oh Soph, I don¡¯t think quitting will help you. Your mind will still remind you that he¡¯s just minutes

    away. Eventually, you¡¯ll want to talk to him. And what about Ash? What are you going to do?¡±

    I sighed heavily, ¡°Well at least I won¡¯t see what an even bigger manwhore he has be. I don¡¯t want

    to feel the pain of jealousy when the other women hang on his arms. And about Ash, I don¡¯t know what

    I¡¯m going to do yet. If I tell Aiden about Ashton, I¡¯m afraid he¡¯ll bring me to court to take custody, he

    clearly has the links to win. He also canpletely ignore both Ash and me. I don¡¯t think Aiden will

    want Ash and me in his life.

    M shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know Soph. I just hope you choose the right choice this time.¡±

    I turned around from her so she¡¯d not see my pained look and I shrug. ¡°Either way, I¡¯m still quitting.¡±

 Chapter 48

    Chapter 48

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I was nervous.

    For Bernard¡¯s reaction. I knew he would feel disappointed that I was leaving. Especially since I had no

    other reason to quit other than Aiden.

    Ignawed on my lips as I approached the entryway of Harrington.co. I greeted the two buff security men

    and they greeted me back politely.

    I was going to let that ten thousand dors a month go today. I would only do the rest of the day and I

    won¡¯te back tomorrow.

    I feel awful for leaving Bernard on such short notice but I knew that I just won¡¯t be able to handle seeing

    Aiden anymore, especially with other women. I couldn¡¯t handle being ignored by him.

    I greeted everyone I passed before entering the lift. When I¡¯m inside I let out the breath I didn¡¯t know I

    was holding. Nerves bubbled in my stomach when the elevator door slides open. I step out and head to

    where I¡¯m stationed.

    Bernard mentioned being a littlete today, so I wasn¡¯t expecting him to be here yet. When I¡¯m settled

    in my chair I take out the folder I had the resignation letter tucked in. I ced it neatly on the desk, my

    stomach knotting.

    Was I really about to pass up this great opportunity to give Ashton a better life because his father was

    being a huge jerk and I couldn¡¯t handle the pain of knowing that he had forgotten about me?

    Wasl a bad mother for making this decision?

    I sighed and rubbed my forehead.

    If I do stay¡­.Would I be able to handle seeing Aiden with other women? My stomach twisted. No. I

    wouldn¡¯t

    I shook my head, pressing my palm on my forehead. Why did Aiden have to be the Ceo of

    Harrington.co? In fact, why hadn¡¯t I searched up Harrington.co before even agreeing toe here?

    And what would I tell Bernard when he questions me on why I wanted to quit? I can¡¯t exactly tell him

    that Alden and I had a past and I refuse to let it torment me even more.

    ¡°Uhh.¡± 1 groan and mmed my head on the desk. A little louder and harder than I had nned.

    ¡°Ouch that must¡¯ve hurt.¡± A soft feminine voice said. I lift my head while rubbing the tender spot | had

    just abused on my forehead,

    I smiled in embarrassment when Lisa smiled at me politely. ¡°What made you want to do that to

    yourself?¡± She nudged her head to the desk.

    ¡°Tuh, no practical reason, just was in the mood I guess.¡± Iughed lightly and it didn¡¯t look like she

    believed me.

    Honestly, I wouldn¡¯t believe me too.

    She nods and looks at me with concern. I sighed heavily.

    Maybe I should tell her what I n to do, maybe then she¡¯d give me advice.

    I rip my gaze from her and straightened in my chair. ¡°Actually I¡¯m nning to turn in my resignation

    letter today.¡± I whispered, afraid to look at her.

    I mean I¡¯d be crazy to pass on this opportunity. She must think I¡¯ve gone mad.

    ¡°What?!¡± She says in shock and I hear the sound of her heels clicking on the floor as she approaches

    my desk. Crazy how I didn¡¯t hear her heels a while ago, this just proves how deep had been in my

    thoughts.

    I find the courage to look at her and I¡¯m surprised she isn¡¯t judging me for wanting to pass on this

    opportunity. No, she¡¯s staring at me in puzzlement, surprise, and calction.

    ¡°Do you not like working here? Do you find the job too difficult

    I shook my head quickly. ¡°No. It¡¯s none of that, I just¡­..this ce reminds me of my past too much.¡±

    And I can¡¯t face them right now. In fact, I don¡¯t want to let go of the past and pretend like I have

    forgotten all about it. I just can¡¯t be like Aiden right now.

    ¡°Oh.¡± She murmurs and looks at me with even more confusion. ¡°Well, that¡¯s a bummer. I know Bernard

    loves you working here and I too enjoy yourpany. But I understand if you want to leave.¡± She tries

    to smile but it doesn¡¯t quite reach her eyes.

    ¡°Are you leaving as soon as you give it to him or do you have a specific day?¡± She questioned.

    | answered. ¡°No, I¡¯m going to do the full day today and then tomorrow I won¡¯te to work. I¡¯m really

    sorry about this short notice.¡±

    She shook her head. ¡°No it¡¯s fine really, it¡¯s your choice and I respect it. I guess it was nice knowing you

    for that little while, Sophie.¡± She pushes out her hand for me to shake.

    ¡°And it was nice being your acquaintance for a little while, Lisa.¡± I smiled and shook her hand firmly.

    Letting my hand go, she then points at the back of her. ¡°Well then, I have to get some stuff done before

    Bernard shows up for today. I¡¯ll see you around Sophie.¡± She smiled and waved before heading to her

    office,

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    1 had barely sat down on my chair when my office phone res. I grit my teeth in frustration. I barely

    got enough sleepst night and I was really not in the damn mood to hear any whiny voice in my ear

    right now.

    I let the phone ring for a good minute or two while fixing my tie before answering the phone.

    ¡°What!?¡± I growled pissed off. Last night she gued my mind more than she had ever done before

    and that was saying something since Sophie has always gued my mind.

    ¡°Sir I have some news about Sophie.¡± Lisa¡¯s voice squeaked through the line.

    Hearing her name had me freezing.

    Clearing my throat I asked. ¡°What is it?¡±,

    ¡°She¡¯s nning to turn in her resignation letter today sir

    Lisa didn¡¯t even have time to finish the rest of her words before I end the call and called Bernard¡¯s

    private office phone. It rings and when no one picks up, I dialed his phone number.

    He answers on the third ring.¡± Mr. Xavier?¡± He asked in confusion since I barely call him privately like

    this. But this was an urgent matter.

    ¡°Where are you? Why didn¡¯t you pick up your office phone?¡± I snapped, rising from my chair as I swipe

    my hand through my hair.

    Damn Sophie Bell. Why the hell does she want to resign? I still have to get my revenge on her, 1

    wasn¡¯t done with her yet¡­.

    ILI

    ¡°I¡¯m not in my office as yet. I¡¯m just walking to the elevator

    ¡°I don¡¯t care. Alll care about is that you don¡¯t ept Sophie Bell¡¯s resignation letter. If you do, I¡¯ll fire

    you and rece you with the snap of my fingers.¡± I threatened and end the call before he could ask

    further questions.

    pinched the bridge of my nose as 1 paced the entire length of my office. That damn woman was giving

    me a headache.

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I lift my gaze when I heard footsteps approaching. Finding Bernard approaching, I smiled. ¡°Oh wasn¡¯t

    expecting you so early Bernard

    ¡°I can¡¯t ept your resignation letter, Sophie.¡± Bernard cuts me off as he walks toward me. Baffled and

    confused, I breathed out. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°How did you know about¡­.¡± I trailed off. Did Lisa call him? He shook his head, his fingers clutching his

    briefcase. ¡°I don¡¯t know why you want to quit Sophie, but I can¡¯t let you leave.¡±

    I looked at him shocked. He was going to keep me working here without my will?

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Why?¡± I breathed out still puzzled by what was going on.

    ¡°I got a surprising call from Mr. Xavier just a while ago. He threatened to fire me if I ept your

    resignation letter.¡± He told me, looking at me confused.

    ¡°What?!¡± I shout in shock.

    Aiden was the one refusing to let me go? He was threatening to fire Bernard if he epts my

    resignation letter?

    How dare he! He ignored me and now he had the nerve to stop me from leaving?

    How did he even know¡­.

    Lisa¡­.

    Did she tell him? If so, why would she tell him?

    Before I knew it, burning anger clouded my mind and vision and before I could think properly, I¡¯m on my

    feet with my resignation letter in my grasp and storming to the elevator.

    ¡°Sophie where are you going?¡± Bernard asked in concern.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to shove this letter down the Ceo¡¯s throat until he epts it.¡± I snapped over my shoulder

    and red at Lisa who peeked behind her door. She squirms and closes the door quickly.

    I was leaving here whether Aiden likes it or not.

 Chapter 49

    Chapter 49

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Fury. Burning fury. That¡¯s all I felt when I punched in his floor number brutally. I wasn¡¯t allowed up there,

    but right now I didn¡¯t care.

    I had nothing to lose anymore.

    Aiden only gave me more than enough reason to leave.

    As soon as the elevator doors slid open, I stepped out of the lift seething as my heels mmed against

    the floor with the harsh and stormy way I walked.

    If Aiden was the storm then I was going to be the hurricane today

    I was going to give him a piece of my mind.

    Ceo or not, he does not get to be my bully anymore.

    He¡¯ll not bully me into staying.

    I clutched the paper in my grasp tightly, my anger burning in my belly hotly.

    The woman, Noel, I suppose is her name, lifts her head quickly when she hears my loud storming

    footfalls.

    Her brows rise in surprise but she swiftly regains herposure and stands up.

    ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to be in here Noel started with a scowl, but I pinned her with one of my own.

    ¡°Shut up you damn parrot.¡± I snapped and stormed past her with the paper clutched in my hand.

    She looked stunned by my hostility and flinched when I passed her without ncing at her.

    ¡°You¡¯re not allowed here you wench!¡± She snarled behind me and I¡¯m well aware of her quick footsteps

    behind me.

    Wench? Are we in the 19th century? I ignored her and walked faster.

    I swung the door open before she could stop me, my eyes falling on the guy who was always running

    through my mind without warning.

    The guy who was now causing me distress and anger.

    Aiden.

    He seemed to have been pacing his floor, because as soon as the door thrust open he whips around,

    angry with cold furious eyes.

    But when he noticed it was me standing in his doorway, seething like a kettle, the anger slowly

    diminishes in his eyes.

    ¡°You!¡± I start with a seethe on my tongue as I red at him.

    I knew I was disrespecting my boss and surely I could really pay for it.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    But at the moment, I didn¡¯t care.

    ¡°Mr.

    Xavier, I¡¯m so sorry.

    I tried to stop her but Noel rushed in, shouldering me harshly.

    I turn my re to her, praying that it would cause some damage.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine.

    Excuse us, Noel.¡± Aiden said without emotion, waving a hand casually before cing them in his front

    pockets.

    He seems unfazed by my anger and it irks me.

    I want to throttle him and probably kick him where the sun doesn¡¯t shine.

    But I hold in my anger until Noel is out of the door and we were the only two left in the room.

    As soon as the door closes behind her, I turn my furious gaze to the ¡®Ceo

    He still looks unfazed by my anger and that resulted in me taking a step forward.

    ¡°What makes you think you have a say in what I want to do Mr Xavier? I want to resign from my post,

    and I¡¯m going to do it whether you like it or not I took another step forward when he leaned on his desk,

    crossing his ankles and crossing his arms over his chest Aiden¡¯s stormy gaze sweeps over my body,

    lingering on my lips that tingled.

    ¡°That¡¯s not happening.¡± He said coldly I nched in shock.

    Was he really going to keep me here against my will?

    What the hell was his problem? ¡°You¡¯re threatening an innocent man just to get your way.

    What you¡¯re doing is wrong, you can¡¯t keep me here against my will.

    This is preposterous!¡± I huffed, flinging my arms out in frustration

    Aiden¡¯s brow lifts and he looks at me with a tiny gleam of amusement that had me gritting my teeth.

    Was this some kind of entertainment to him? Was some kind of joke?

    | mmed my heels on the floor, and sure it was childish to do so, but I wanted my frustration toe

    across.

    ¡°You¡¯re unbelievable.¡± I shook my head.

    What would it take for hisposure to crumble? Aiden lifted one of his shoulders in a barely there

    shrug, the corner of his mouth lifting.

    My stomach knotted.

    I hated how much he still affected me.

    ¡°Throwing a tantrum Miss.

    Bell?¡± He taunted, staring at me dead in the eye.

    I ripped my gaze away quickly, not wanting him to pin me there.

    Aiden wasn¡¯t going to lose hisposure that much was clear.

    Coming here and speaking to him was of no use.

    He¡¯d just get exactly what he wanted.

    To frustrate me.

    I shook my head.

    He was still a bully.

    Still the same bully that couldn¡¯t take no for an answer and thought he could get away with everything.

    I¡¯m so done with having to listen to him.

    Straightening my spine, I approached him.

    He looks stunned by my boldness, with both his brows lifted a bit and his eyes wavering to my mouth.

    I breathed out through my parted lips and stiffen when I can take the scent of his cologne from here.

    My stomach twisted.

    I shake my head.

    Get a hold of yourself Soph.

    Show him he doesn¡¯t affect you the slightest.

    I ce the resignation letter on his desk, look at him with a re, and said.

    ¡°Here.¡± I turn around to leave, my knees feeling a little shaky as the reality of what I had just done hit

    me.

    I was really leaving My thoughts froze when I felt Aiden¡¯s warm fingers wrapping around my upper arm

    and turning me around to face him.

    His eyes are a stormier blue and the way they pierced through mine made my inner thighs tingle.

    ! could already feel the sleek heat brushing down my folds by just the intensity of his gaze

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t done talking.¡± He said coldly, his fingers around my arm growing even firmer.

    My eyes fall to his fingers around my arm and then my eyes flickered back up.

    ¡°Let go of me.¡± I said stiffly I needed him to let me go as soon as possible.

    It wasn¡¯t because his hold was rming, but because his close proximity and touch was sending

    unwanted signals to my body.

    But instead of doing as I ask, Aiden¡¯s head dips and his blue storm levels with mine.

    They had me sucking in a very sharp breath through my mouth, one I knew he heard because his gaze

    moved from mine to stare at my lips.

    I could feel my nipples turning into peaks and rubbing against thece of my bra.

    ¡°You know that¡¯s something I cannot do.¡± He said with his tone husky, his head dipping even more until

    his warm breath feathers against my lips.

    They part in anticipation and my heart roars in my chest.

    I¡¯m a panting mess in just a few seconds.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I breathed out,pletely lost about where my anger went and was now reced with this

    itching desire to have him kiss me.

    Three years.

    Three years without his lips against mine and now I realized how much I really did miss them

    connected with mine.

    ¡°I told you to not call me that.¡± He growled lowly and in a shocking second, his free hand is behind my

    head, pulling me closer until that breath apart was no more.

    Igasp, shocked to feel the first brush of his lips against mine.

    But it didn¡¯tst just a brush, no.

    As soon as our lips touched Alden pressed his lips harder on mine almost brutally.

    He pulled me closer, tilting my head before swiping his tongue over my bottom lip.

 Chapter 50

    Chapter 50

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    He groans in the kiss as if hearing my thoughts and answering me. I sighed, three years and his kiss

    still taste and feel the same.

    Aiden¡¯s hand that was on my arm, slithers down to the middle of my waist where he presses harder so

    which resulted in me pressing even closer to him.

    | gasp when I felt the unmistakable hardness of him on my belly.

    So hard, so evident.

    My pussy clenched as the sleek heat began to drench my panties.

    My heart mmed and my belly swirled with butterflies.

    There was only one guy in the world who could make me feel this way.

    And that guy was Aiden.

    ¡°Hmm.¡± | moan, allowing him to make his hand snake down to my bottom where he gripped and

    groaned.

    His hands were desperately gripping my bottom, and his mouth moved against mine like he was

    starving.

    The kiss was different than all those we¡¯d shared before.

    This one had more fire, more longing, more need.

    I didn¡¯t know we could be this hungry for each other.

    Didn¡¯t know he would want to even touch me But here he was touching me all over again.

    Something I realized I had missed for three years.

    Aiden turns us around until I¡¯m the one pressed to his desk.

    ¡°Fuck.¡± He groans in my mouth, his hands sliding down to the back of my thighs until he lifts me on the

    desk.

    I¡¯m quick to part my thighs, itching to have him so close to me after three long years.

    God, I missed feeling him so close to me.

    I missed his kisses, his touch, the feel of him.

    I didn¡¯t know desperation until I had to wait so long for a guy who I was still in love with.

    My skirt hunches up to my thighs and Aiden sees to push it until my ck panties were showing.

    I moaned, letting the heels slide from my feet.

    Aiden pushes against me so that his hardness brushes against my inner thigh.

    I shivered, loving the feel of him.

    Arching my back, I began to unbutton his shirt with shaky fingers while he leaves my mouth only to

    feather me with open mouth kisses and taste my skin with his tongue.

    His breath is hot on my skin while he pants and grunts in hunger.

    I have yet to see how dark his gaze is right now, but I knew that they were the darkest of storms.

    I can tell by how hard he felt against my moist center that was covered by my panties and a thin nude

    pantyhose that I now wished I hadn¡¯t worn today, Aiden traps the skin of my neck between his teeth

    and bites down.

    I shudder as shes of how he did the same thing to me three years ago..

    Licking where he bit, he kisses the skin and groans while his fingers skim up my thighs, curve to trail up

    to my wet pussy.

    ¡°Aiden.¡± I groan and this time I¡¯m surprised he doesn¡¯t demand me to stop calling him by his name.

    No, instead he groans and in a second I hear the tearing of my pantyhose.

    I jerked back slightly when I felt his warm fingers on my covered pussy, pressing into my soft flesh.

    He moans, licking my neck with his tongue.

    ¡°You¡¯re soaked.¡± He whispers on a husky breath.

    I push my lower half to him, itching to feel more of his warm finger on my pussy.

    The heat of his fingers seeped through the material of my panties until meeting the heat of my center.

    I could feel just how wet I had be by just his slight touch.

    I can only imagine how it would feel when his fingers touch the bareness of my pussy.

    I craved it.

    No, I craved him.

    And by his actions, he craved me too.

    Aiden pulls away from my neck, and slowly brings his eyes to connect with mine.

    And as soon as he does so, I¡¯m surprised by how dark his eyes are.

    They¡¯re the darkest I¡¯ve ever seen them.

    Storming need, desire, longing, craving.

    Were mine showcasing the exact same thing? Because I felt all those emotions too.

    Can he see how desperate I had been for him all along?

    With his gaze locked on mine, I felt and hear the tearing of my panties until I could feel the cool breeze

    on my core.

    I¡¯m shivering under his stare and my pussy is quivering in anticipation.

    I could already feel him diving into me.

    And God, how I missed this feeling.

    Aiden¡¯s gaze dips to between my thighs and he stuns me by kneeling on his knees.

    I had not expected him to given that he was dressed in one of the most expensive suits.

    With his gaze still locked with mine, Aiden starts to tug his navy colored tie until it loosens around his

    neck.

    I¡¯m breathing heavily and my lids feel heavy.

    I can¡¯t seem to breathe properly.

    With all this fire burning inside me fiercely.

    I need air into my lungs desperately, but the ache for him to put his lips on me outweighed it all.

    My lungs could burn, and I could be gasping for air, but I would not care.

    I was staying rooted here, waiting for his mouth on any part of my body.

    Especially between my thighs.

    He had ripped everything that blocked my bare pussy.

    Now I was just a hot sticky mess waiting for him to devour with nothing in the way.

    My little cunt clenched in anticipation.

    And then I felt it, his hands circling around my thighs, tugging me to the edge of his desk and nudging

    me to open my legs further.

    And then his head dips, his eyes glued to my own, and then his breath fanned against my wet little

    pussy, desperately crying for him.

    I moaned before his lips even touched my pussy.

    I moaned before his tongue even brushed against my throbbing flesh.

    I moaned before he even began to suck.

    And when his tongue dart out to brush just the tip of my lips, I felt like I had gone to heaven¡­..or

    maybe it was hell for the burning heat I felt.

    ¡°Hmmmm.¡± | moaned, not even caring that moments ago I was hell-bent on leaving thepany with

    or without his approval.

    But now, all I wanted was for him to eat me out and bury his cock inside me.

    I wanted to feel his again.

    Three years was way too long to crave someone.

    I would not be able to sleep tonight if I don¡¯t feel him moving inside me today.

    Aiden hums on my pussy, closing his eyes as if savoring the taste of me.

    The tip of his tongue And when that stormy gaze peeled open and connected with mine, an emotion so

    strong passes through those beautiful eyes.

    ¡°Sophie.¡± He grunts in longing and need as he hums while pressing his lips on my pulsing nub.

    Hearing him say my name shocks me, my thighs stiffen and I held my breath.

    I¡¯m looking at him between my thighs like he was some kind of ghost.

    Did he really say my name? Did the name Sophie roll off his tongue?

    Was this real?

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Am I imagining this?

    Aiden seems to have noticed my confused, questioning gaze because he chuckles on my pussy,

    pulling away a little bit.

    His eyes are stormy, but there¡¯s a tinge of amusement in his eyes.

    His lips quirked and my pussy clenched in need.

    I¡¯m so wet for Aiden, I could fill a bucket.

    And when those next words slip out of his mouth, I¡¯m convinced I might flood the entire room.

 Chapter 51

    Chapter 51

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Yo-you remember me?¡± I breathed out in surprise. He had been ignoring me all along, pretending he

    didn¡¯t remember me and now he was confirming that he knew it was me.

    Was he really trying to mess with my head right now?

    Instead of responding to my question, Aiden only winks at me and dives his tongue between my

    throbbing wet pussy lips that were listening with my juices.

    He seems to love the taste because he hums in pleasure, closing his eyes again.

    ¡°Still taste so fucking good.¡± He hums, dipping his tongue into my hole he had imed three years ago.

    He sighs, groaning as he swirled the tip of his tongue in my hole before kissing my pussy softly.

    With his torturous tongue and mouth on my quivering pussy, my mind grew back foggy and the

    questions I had for him are now nked out of my mind.

    I needed him, desperately so.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I moaned, my fingers threading in his silky hair.

    God, I had even missed gripping his hair.

    How desperately could one have missed someone to the point that they were losing their sanity? My

    stomach knotted and swirled with heat as his fingers glides up to my inner thighs to join the wetness his

    tongue waspping at hungrily.

    I shudder, my nails nearly scraping his scalp as I tugged at his head toe closer.

    ¡°Oh Aiden.¡± | pant, throwing one of my legs over his shoulder as the tips of his fingers nudge between

    my wet pussy lips.

    He parts them apart so that his tongue could lick up every inch of my cunt.

    He groans, tilting his head in a way so his tongue could touch every inch that was possible for him to

    reach.

    A delicious sensation passes through my core all the way to my fingertips.

    I shudder, moaning out his name again as he sucks my nub before dipping one of his fingers in my

    opening.

    My pussy weed him home, easing around his finger as he curls it inside me before adding the

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    other

    I squirmed a bit.

    Three years without having any sex and it was a bit ufortable to feel his thick fingers inside me.

    He noticed my squirming and stops and lets me adjust to his intrusion.

    I can only imagine how it would feel to have him stretch me out again.

    It¡¯s been so long¡­.

    Sucking my nub a little harder, I¡¯m instantly overflowing and drenching his fingers.

    Aiden grunts and starts to slowly move his fingers in and out of me.

    I looked at him between my thighs and my breath bes a bit rougher as he slowly feels around

    my walls.

    My skin is slicked with sweat and I¡¯m making a mess between my thighs.

    I¡¯m so hot and desperate for more that I start to move my hips.

    Aiden grunts in satisfaction but instead of continuing fucking me with his fingers he pulls them out and

    patted my center as if teasing me.

    Igroan in frustration, wanting to tell him to push them back in but Aiden detaches his mouth from my

    core entirely and groans in frustration.

    He stands up between my thighs, his stormy dark eyes on me as I watch his fingers listening with my

    juices, fumbling with his tie before he starts to unbutton his shirt.

    Knowing what that meant, my thighs are already quivering in anticipation and desperation.

    I¡¯m dripping so much that I¡¯m certain I¡¯m leaking onto the desk.

    ¡°Three years.¡± He groans while shaking his head, ¡°I¡¯m not waiting another second.¡± He says huskily

    while throwing his shirt on the floor while going to quickly unbuttoning his pants.

    I¡¯m a wet, sticky, trembling mess on his desk with my thighs parted and my pussy quivering to feel his

    hardness inside me again.

    I¡¯m well aware that this was highly inappropriate to have sex with the boss at work.

    But, dammit, just couldn¡¯t seem to stop wanting him.

    In fact, I didn¡¯t think I can go on my day without aligning with him today.

    Aiden pushes his pants down to just above his ankles and his briefs slide right down too.

    Even his briefs looked expensive.

    His cock sprang out, raging and demanding entry, God, I forgot how really huge he was.

    He fisted himself and I watch in fascination and hunger when the familiar creaminess of his white

    precum leaks out the tip of his delicious cock.

    My tongue pushes out of my parted lips and licks a trail over my lower lip in hunger.

    My entire body buzzed with need and desire, itching to have him inside me after three long years.

    I¡¯m so hungry for him that my hips are already drawing forward, my pussy tingling so strongly that I¡¯m

    literally trembling.

    Aiden grunts and runs his hands over the length of his huge cock before fitting himself more

    ¡°Aiden I groan, a bit impatient as he pushes the head of his cock closer to my wet opening.

    ¡°Hmmmm.¡± I moan when he holds my waist with one hand while the other guides his cock into my

    entrance.

    I¡¯m shivering as I looked up into his stormy gaze that has not pulled away from my face.

    He¡¯s watching me like a hawk, studying me intensely as the head of his cock pushes inside my tight

    opening.

    My lips parted at his intrusion, while my pussy opened up around him.

    Aiden sucks in a sharp breath, his stormy gaze falling to look at his cock prating me.

    My eyes follow where he¡¯s looking and I moan.

    His thick cock pushing through my folds looked so good.

    So yummy.

    ¡°Fuck Sophie.

    You¡¯re tight as hell.¡± He grounded out as he pushes into me until the head of his cock was so deep

    inside me.

    ¡°Oh Aiden,¡± I whined, my legs locking around his hips to keep him inside me.

    Three long years and finally he¡¯s back where he imed.

    Gripping my thighs, Aiden slowly pulls out of me while letting out a raptured groan that had my toes

    curling.

    He was so big, stretching me out so much that I was sure he was now a part of me.

    I had honestly forgotten how much he stretches me out.

    Aiden throws his head in the crook of my neck, breathing heavily as he pushes back in slowly.

    My thighs tremble as he thrust into me until I swore he robbed me of my breath.

    ¡°God, I had missed this.¡± He groaned, darting out his tongue to lick my neck.

    My pussy gripped around his length, kissing the smooth skin and rubbing the veins running along the

    length of his cock, he¡¯s so deep that his balls brush against my bottom.

    He feels incredible.

    He feels amazing.

    ¡°Me too.¡± I breathed out, not caring that I was admitting that I had missed him.

    Aiden groans, kissing my neck before tickling his mouth up my neck to my jaw where he peppered with

    kisses and licks.

    When he reached the corner of my mouth, he teased me by poking his tongue out and yfully lick

    there, I moan, turning my head so our lips would connect.

    Aiden grins and slowly connects our mouths.

    He kisses me slowly, slower than he had done minutes ago.

    He¡¯s tasting my lips and when he can¡¯t seem to get enough just like me, he licks my lips for entry.

    I¡¯m quick to allow him and sigh in satisfaction when our tongues tangle in a passionate dance.

    He swelled inside me even more.

    The feeling of my walls around him had a lightning sensation zapping through my lower belly to my

    core where I was sure he could feel it too.

    I moan and Aiden groans in response as he thrust into me with the same rhythm with his tongue.

    Pulling away to murmur on my lips with a promise.

 Chapter 52

    Chapter 52

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    And that he did. Aiden grip my hips, slowly pulling out of me only to m back in with a force that had

    me gasping for air.

    I¡¯m soaked.

    I can feel how wet I am.

    I can hear how wet I am.

    Aiden ms into me harder and faster, his cock stretching me until I nearly came around him.

    I¡¯m breathing heavily as his lips meet mine again.

    I¡¯m losing air, but I did not care.

    My tongue licks his bottom lip, nibbling on the softness | missed for three years.

    I moaned.

    He still tasted the same.

    Still felt the same.

    Only difference was that his fucking was rougher, more desperate, more hungry.

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    He was like a machine.

    A huge powerful machine I didn¡¯t know ! had missed so much.

    My walls mp around him in just as much desperation as he

    pounds into me relentlessly.

    I¡¯m clinging to his arms, my nails pressing into his skin.

    He¡¯s panting, parting my lips with his tongue and diving in sleekly.

    I moan, arching my back, my hands skimming up his arms, marveling at how toned they were.

    His cock is pounding into me from down below, drawing out moans from my lips.

    He¡¯s loving this.

    I knew so by how his cock swelled and jerked inside me.

    His tongue slip against mine, massaging mine in a way that I knew he was speaking using it.

    He had missed this too.

    My fingers dance along his shoulder des, and his back shake on a shudder.

    He groans in the kiss, his tongue speaking to me.

    His fingertips dig into my hips as he rolled his hips, the head of his cock nearly out of my pussy

    My pussy lips are brushing over the head of his pulsing cock.

    ¡°Ah hmmm.¡± I moaned when he glided right back in.

    My walls mp and squeezed around him in greeting which made him let out the most satisfying

    groan.

    I¡¯m fighting for air, but I don¡¯t want to part from him even for a

    second.

    It feels like Aiden to doesn¡¯t want to part but he forces himself to detach his lips from mine reluctantly to

    allow me air.

    His lips make work to ce open mouth kisses on the side of my mouth to my jaw where he yfully

    bit.

    ¡°I bet you missed my cock inside you Sophie.¡± He murmurs on my skin, kissing my jaw and teasingly

    lets his lips brush along my jaw slowly.

    Oh Aiden.

    You have no idea how much.

    ¡°I bet no one evenpared to how good I make you feel.¡± He grunts, thrusting into that tight yet soft

    heat of my body.

    There was no one topare.

    I really did want to say that, but right now even though I had missed Aiden so much.

    I didn¡¯t want him to be cocky knowing | never truly gotten over him to even look at any other guy.

    What would be the point when my heart would only beat for him?

    Just thinking about him thosest three years and my heart still beat without having to see his face or

    hear his voice.

    I¡¯m a lost cause when ites to Aiden.

    I¡¯ll always be madly in love with him.

    That was something I already came to terms with.

    One of Aiden¡¯s handse to rub my nub between my thighs.

    Fire coils in my stomach and my walls gift him with another powerful squeeze that made the powerful

    man shudder.

    ¡°Shit.¡± He groans, his mouth falling to my neck and he kissed the skin there softly before trapping it

    between his teeth.

    He sucks hard on my skin, undoubtedly marking me with his actions.

    I¡¯m shivering, arching more into him as I clutched onto his shoulders in desperation.

    Aiden¡¯s panting as he leaves the skin of my neck to trail over to my corbone.

    ¡°Aiden.¡± I moaned, arching into him as his fingers yfully tease my clit.

    ¡°You like that?¡± He groaned, tilting his hips in a way that allowed the head of his cock to brush a tender

    spot that I didn¡¯t know existed.

    My mouth parted in surprise as he instantly has me on the edge of cumming with just that small action.

    Aiden smirks on my skin and lifts his head up so our eyes would be leveled.

    Such a stormy blue.

    Without thinking much of it, I lift my hand and cup his sharp jawline.

    My fingers brush along the sharp bone and my eyes fall to his lips then lift back to stare into his eyes.

    S¨® handsome.

    My heart leaped when those storms lighten with another emotion he was fighting to keep caged.

    My fingers trail over to his chin then up to his lips where Aiden captured between his teeth and bit

    lightly.

    I moan.

    He groans.

    I was sure the entire floor could hear us.

    If they couldn¡¯t then they must be deaf because both Aiden and I were a bit too loud.

    Sucking my finger into his mouth, Aiden tilted his hips in that way again while mming into me.

    I squealed loudly, trembling as I try to mp my thighs around his hips.

    He wasn¡¯t having it and pushes my thighs apart.

    ¡°Take me.¡± He demanded when he dropped my finger from his mouth.

    He tilted his hips again and watched me fixedly, slowly pulling out until the head of his cock only

    brushed my pussy lips and mmed back into my opening again and again until my stomach tightens.

    | squealed as he kept hitting that tender spot that had me itching to close my legs by the amount of

    pleasure I was feeling all at once.

    | gripped his shoulders my nails digging into his skin.

    He hisses but doesn¡¯t protest.

    One of my hands left his shoulders to skim down his powerful rigid back and then when I reached his

    bottom.

    I gripped him and squeezed.

    Aiden jerks into me, his cock jerking.

    He hisses out a curse under his breath and then resumes fucking me.

    This time, he slowly glides in, pushing into me slowly so that I would feel every inch of him.

    His hips tilt again, his grip on my hips turn brutal, his cock pulsed, his jaw steeled, his eyes storm.

    He pushes in, gliding into my walls.

    I¡¯m squealing as my thighs start to shake when the head of his cock brushes and nudges against the

    tender spot on my walls.

    I burn.

    I¡¯m caught on fire.

    He sets me aze.

    I¡¯m trembling, clinging to his shoulder and butt as he rolls his hips, his cock embedded deep inside me..

    ¡°Cum for me Sophie.¡± Aiden grunts, gripping my hips and pulling me closer to him so his cock could go

    de¨¦per.

    I gasped, moaning out his name on my tongue.

    And I came.

    Around him.

    Gripping him so tightly that Aiden¡¯s jaw popped, his eyes roll back and shaky curses slip out of his

    mouth.

    ¡°Fuck Soph.¡± He growls, his hips jerking forward and then I felt it.

    That familiar warmth spreading through every inch of my walls.

    He¡¯s bathing me in his cum.

    Filling me.

    And I¡¯m loving it.

    My pussy sucks everyst drop from him as he pumps them into me.

    He¡¯s groaning, his forehead falling on my own as he lets out a curse.

    My heart is racing and as my eyes fall to his neck, I can see just how quick his pulse was racing too.

    Our scents are mixed just like we are aligned from down below.

    His back is sweaty and I¡¯m still burning.

    It got worst when he spilled his warmth into me.

    I¡¯m trying to catch my breath and it¡¯s obvious that Aiden is too.

    I¡¯m still clinging to him, not wanting to let him go.

    Not wanting to part from him.

    Not wanting to let go of feeling him inside me again after so long.

    And when he does pull out and move out of me, I wished he hadn¡¯t.

    Because something shifts in the air.

    It¡¯s storming.

    There¡¯s a buzz in the air.

    And when his next words slip out of his mouth, I feel like someone had just ripped my heart out of my

    chest.

    ¡°This was a mistake.¡± He clenched his eyes tightly, running a hand through his hair in frustration as his

    jaw pops.

    ¡°You were a mistake.¡± His eyes open, pinning me down and making me grow cold.

    No more fire.

    No flickering of heat.

    I¡¯m frozen.

    I¡¯m cold.

 Chapter 53

    Chapter 53

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°What?¡± I breathed out, confused. I was a mistake?

    What we did was a mistake?

    There was a huge blow to my chest as I felt those words and my fingers clutch the material of my

    blouse where I could feel my heart beat erratically.

    My bottom lip wobble a bit ad I stare at him.

    He¡¯s not looking at me anymore as he fixes his suit.

    I¡¯m the only dumb one still there with my mouth parted and my skirt still hunched up.

    I¡¯m the only one who got used, yet again.

    And I had stupidly fallen for his charms.

    I stupidly made my heart choose only for him to disappoint me yet again.

    Anger starts to pull at my sadness taking out every string until that anger consumed me.

    My lips curl back into a sneer.

    ¡°You¡¯re still that huge asshole.

    Why am I even surprised?¡± I slide off his desk, quickly fixing my skirt.

    My panties were obviously ruined so there was no going back for them.

    Aiden lifts his head, those storms shooting through me like lightning.

    ¡°Watch your mouth.¡± He snapped.

    ¡°Watch my mouth? Is that all you can say to me after three years?¡± I cursed myself inwardly when I felt

    the sting of iing tears in my eyes.

    Stay firm, Sophie.

    He doesn¡¯t deserve your tears anymore.

    His eyes grow colder, making my insides feel cold.

    I¡¯m fixing my blouse and my skirt because I don¡¯t want to walk the walk of humiliation out of his office.

    ¡°What more do you want from me, Sophie? Another fuck?¡± Aiden sneers under his breath while fixing

    his tie.

    His hair is a mess from his hands running through it over and over when he told me I was a mistake.

    I flinched at his words which pped me brutally across my face.

    I want to hurt him too.

    Hurt him with my words the same way he has hurt me.

    But I can¡¯t bring myself to.

    Because I¡¯m still in love with him.

    And I can¡¯t hurt the father of my child.

    Ash¡­..

    Ash wasn¡¯t a mistake.

    I don¡¯t want Aiden¡¯s cruel words to scar him too.

    I refuse to let Aiden hurt him just as he was hurting me now.

    I had made the right choice after all.

    ¡°You¡¯re being cruel Aiden.¡± I shake my head, trapping my lower lip between my teeth.

    Maybe if I bite into my lip hard enough I¡¯ll feel enough pain there to distract me from the pain in my

    chest.

    ¡°Three years Aiden.

    Three long years and you¡¯re still so bitter towards me.¡± I let out shakily.

    Aiden ground his teeth, his jaw popping.

    He was furious, that was obvious.

    ¡± What the hell did you want me to do Sophie!? Throw a fucking wee party and hold you like the

    diamond that you are? Well, guess what Sophie! You¡¯re not a fucking diamond and those three years

    without seeing you, touching you, feeling you, were the best years of my life.¡± He seethed, taking a

    powerful step forward.

    Tears are already rolling down my cheeks and I¡¯m shaking while a few sobs slip past my lips.

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡°You said you missed this Aiden.

    You said you missed me.¡± | whispered, my chest hurting with every breath I try to pull into my lungs.

    Aiden¡¯s lips curl cruelly and his next words are just as cruel.

    ¡°A guy says what a girl wants to hear to get in between her thighs.

    Did you think you were that special for me to miss you, Sophie? All you have ever brought into my life

    was chaos.

    Nothing good ever happens when you¡¯re here.¡± He says lowly, bending his head down so that our eyes

    are leveled.

    I¡¯m breathing heavily, but not in desire like earlier.

    I¡¯m breathing heavily because I can¡¯t seem to breathe properly as his words stab through my heart

    ¡°Fucking you was just to remind you of how easy you still are after all these years.

    I can only imagine how many guys passed there whilst I was rotting in jail.¡± He snarls, pinning me down

    with daggers of fury.

    I staggered back at his words, my eyes widening.

    Did he really think I was a whore? ¡°You¡¯re so cruel, don¡¯t say things you know nothing about,¡± I

    whispered.

    My fingers are curling into fists at my side, my lips wobbly.

    I want to bawl my eyes out because his words are hitting me painfully.

    His eyes scan my face and his lips curl into an even nastier snarl.

    ¡°Haven¡¯t you heard? I¡¯m a murderer remember? A devil.

    So what do you expect? For me to be nice to you Sophie? Murderers aren¡¯t nice Sophie, they¡¯re cruel.¡±

    ¡°And besides, if you really were that special I wouldn¡¯t have fucked so many girls after you.

    And they were more¡­.delicious.¡± He smirked, his eyes holding no emotion in them.

    I shake my head unable to take being in his presence anymore.

    I need air.

    I need to get out of here as soon as possible.

    ¡°Fuck you Aiden,¡± I whispered.

    ¡°Did I not just do that? And I sure as hell don¡¯t want to do it again.¡± He sneers, rolling his eyes over me

    in disgust.

    I bit my bottom lip, nodded, and picked up my heels.

    I looked at him onest time before saying.

    ¡± This is thest time I ever let my guard down when ites to you again.

    And I mean it this time Aiden.¡± | step away from him and began to walk away.

    I¡¯m forcing myself to not crumble before him, to not cry.

    I didn¡¯t want to be that girl anymore.

    I didn¡¯t want to be that same girl from high school anymore.

    I had to be strong for Ash, because who would if I wasn¡¯t?

    It was clear Aiden would not like the fact he shared a part of him with me.

    And though guilt was eating me alive for those three years for not telling him about my pregnancy,

    about Aiden, now I realized that perhaps it was a good thing I didn¡¯t.

    My hands on the door froze when his next words reach my ears before I opened the door.

    ¡°Running away is what you¡¯re good at Sophie, so no surprise there either.¡±

    He was right, I always run away.

    But I sure as hell won¡¯t listen to his cruel words anymore.

    I refuse to crawl back to him.

    Not this time.

    He¡¯s causing too much damage.

    I opened the door while staying muted and walked out with my heels in my hand.

    I don¡¯t close the door behind me and don¡¯t bother staring at Noel who was ring at me while I walked

    past.

    Pressing the button on the elevator I stepped into the lift when the doors slid open.

    A part of me wished he¡¯de running to me and apologize.

    Tell me he didn¡¯t mean any of what he just said.

    But I knew that was only wishful thinking.

    Aiden didn¡¯t care about me, and once again like that same high school girl three years ago, I fell into

    his trap and let him crawl back into my heart.

    Only for him to shatter my hopes.

    I looked at my reflection on the elevator doors and cringe.

    I looked like someone who had just gotten fucked.

    Aiden¡¯s pov I¡¯m tugging at my hair, seething as I red at the door she walked out of.

    Somewhere in the back of my mind, I want her to walk back into the office.

    To apologize for not calling me when I was rotting in jail.

    For moving on without an issue.

    paced my floor, snarling under my breath as I throw the files

    on my desk and the phone Noel bought recently.

    That¡¯s not enough.

    I ripped theputer off my desk and fling it over to the wall.

    It¡¯s destroyed in seconds, making a huge crashing sound that had Noel running into the room.

    ¡°What happened sir ¡°Get the fuck out!¡± | barked, turning to re at her.

    She squirms out of the room like her ass was lit on fire.

    ¡°Damn Sophie Bell)¡± | growled under my breath as I paced the floor.

    Kissing her wasn¡¯t supposed to happen.

    Fucking her wasn¡¯t supposed to happen.

    I had let my guard down.

    groan passing my hand down my face in frustration.

    Why did she have to taste so good and feel so good? She even tastes and feels even better after those

    three years.

    God, Sophie was messing with my head.

    This wasn¡¯t supposed to happen.

    I¡¯m itching to go after her and pull her back into my arms.

    But instead of doing that, I march over to the door and mmed it shut.

    ¡°Fuck this.

    Fuck her and fuck what I¡¯m feeling.

    I¡¯m over her.¡± Yeah sure you are, my conscience mocked me.

    As soon as your cock dipped into her pussy, you knew you were yet again, a goner.

    ¡°Shut the fuck up.¡± I sneered, kicking my door.

    I can¡¯t believe Sophie had me fighting with my own head.

    I¡¯ve been over her for years.

    I no longer love her.

    She¡¯s nothing to me but a pawn.

    I just want revenge, that¡¯s all.

    She¡¯s nothing.

 Chapter 54

    Chapter 54

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    As soon as I entered Mary, the tears I tried to desperately holdes flowing out like a river.

    I¡¯m a huping mess in a matter of a few seconds.

    I sobbed, gripping the steering wheel and throwing my head on the horn.

    It res by ident but I don¡¯t care.

    I hate him.

    I hate him for doing this to me.

    Why does he always have to hurt me? I¡¯m not sure how long I¡¯ve been crying, all I know is that my

    throat is dry and throbbing by the time I¡¯m done.

    And having his essence still inside me was making this all the more worst.

    It¡¯s reminding me every second of him and what we did up there in his office.

    It¡¯s reminding me of what happened after.

    Suddenly there¡¯s a knock on the ss window and I stop crying altogether and freeze.

    Was it Aiden? My heart ms against my chest as I lift my head and quickly wiped under my nose as I

    looked at who knocked on my ss.

    I¡¯m relieved yet disappointed that it wasn¡¯t him, but an unfamiliardy.

    I rolled down the window which made a tiny screeching sound.

    I cringed inwardly, already knowing how horrible I look right now.

    ¡°Yes?¡± I asked politely even though I wanted to drive away and not look back because of how

    embarrassed I was about how | currently look.

    She smiled just as politely.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    I¡¯m sorry to disturb but I couldn¡¯t help but notice that you were upset.

    I just wanted to check up and see if you were okay?¡±

    How sweet of her.

    I nod and with a gentle smile, I respond.

    ¡°Yes, I am.¡± I lied smoothly.

    ¡°I¡¯m okay, don¡¯t worry.¡± God, I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll ever be okay.

    The woman nods but doesn¡¯t look like she believed me.

    ¡°Okay.

    If it helps, everything gets better after a while.¡± With a smile, the woman leaves and I watch her walk

    into the SUV parked beside my old car and drive away.

    I can¡¯t help but think about her parting words.

    I didn¡¯t think things would get better.

    It was clear Aiden was still the same guy from high school.

    And no matter how much my heart still craves for him, I knew that we would never happen.

    Aiden didn¡¯t know how to love, he only knew how to hurt

    And I refuse to let him hurt our son.

    I started Mary, thanking her that today she worked better than yesterday.

    I looked at Harrington.co onest time and drive off.

    He was right, I liked to run away.

    But if running away meant protecting my son, then that I will do.

    I fling the keys on the counter, kicked off my heels, and started unbuttoning my blouse.

    I had yet to call Bernard to tell him what was going on.

    I didn¡¯t think he¡¯d understand and I didn¡¯t know where to even begin.

    He deserved better than what I did today.

    I left without saying anything to him.

    I was wrong to do so, especially since he did go out of his way to get me that job.

    A job I clearly didn¡¯t deserve.

    Then again, I didn¡¯t think it would be appropriate to look like the mess I was after leaving Aiden¡¯s office

    to go speak to Bernard.

    I¡¯ll just call himter on, or maybe tomorrow.

    Or the day after that.

    How exactly am I supposed to tell him everything that happened without looking like the bad guy? I

    really didn¡¯t want him to see me as a monster for keeping Ashton away from Aiden.

    For all I know, he¡¯d force me to tell Aiden or he would tell Aiden himself.

    I felt cold as the thought rang through my head.

    Aiden would probably hate me even more if he found out.

    He¡¯d deny Ash, deny ever being with me.

    Or he¡¯d want custody.

    Now that thought had me running to the bathroom and I barely made it to the toilet before barfing.

    I¡¯m clutching the seat while throwing up and crying.

    If Aiden ever finds out about Ash, would he fight me for

    custody? Because it was clear he didn¡¯t want me in his life.

    Suddenly fear swirled in my stomach.

    Maybe it wouldn¡¯t be such a good idea to tell Bernard about Aiden being Ash¡¯s father.

    I flushed the toilet and walked to the sink and looked at my reflection in the mirror while wincing.

    I look like a terrible mess.

    And felt like it too.

    I opened the faucet and cupped my hand under the running water.

    Washing out the vomit from my mouth, I kicked the edge of the door so it would close.

    I need a long shower and probably need to go through Ria¡¯s stash of n b packets she always has in

    her drawer.

    She wouldn¡¯t notice one missing, right? I sighed, closed the faucet, and peeled off everyyer of

    clothes I had on me.

    Aiden was ying me into a trap after all, and I fell right into it.

    He first pretended to forget me and then knew exactly what to do to bait me into going to his office.

    And I embarrassed myself by giving myself to him yet again and allowing him to mark me by cumming

    inside me.

    I shake my head at my reflection, disappointed that I so easily yed right into his palm.

    I texted M to pick up Ash today from daycare seeing as Mary was giving a bit of trouble on the way

    here and I wasn¡¯t really in the right frame of mind to be on the road.

    I was a mess, both inside and out.

    Showering and staying under the warm sprinkle of water did no justice.

    I still looked miserable and felt it.

    When I got the text from M who agreed to pick up Ash, I set my phone down and walked over to the

    freezer.

    M might kill me for this but I really did need that ice cream tub more than her at the moment.

    I pulled the ice cream tub out of the freezer and fetched a huge spoon.

    For the next hour and more, I drown my sadness and frustration in cookies and cream ice cream while

    watching the notebook.

    I fell asleep when I was more than halfway through the tub and only woke up when I heard the door

    opening.

    Aiden¡¯s pov A knock sounds at the door and I pinched the bridge of my nose.

    I wanted to yell at Noel to leave me the hell alone.

    Was she not getting it that I didn¡¯t want to speak to anyone right now?

    ¡°Mr.

    Xavier, Mr.

    Beckam is here

    ¡°Enter,¡± I said, cutting her off.

    The door swings open and Bernard steps into my office.

    Noel quickly closed the door behind him and when her footfalls fade he approached my desk.

    I¡¯m sitting on my leather chair, my legs kicked up on the desk, my ankles crossed, and a pen clicking

    beside my ear.

    The noise was irritating, but it was the only thing that was keeping my mind off of Sophie.

    Well, a little bit.

    ¡°What do you want?¡± | asked nonchntly.

    Was he going to ask me why Sophie came back to his office probably in tears?

    ¡°Aiden- I mean Mr.

    Xavier.

    I¡¯ve worked for thispany for more than twenty years.

    I love thispany, perhaps even more than you¡­..

    I raised my brow, where was he going with this? Bernard doesn¡¯t sit on the chair mirroring mine, he

    only clutches the top of it and looks at me.

    ¡°I have nothing but respect for thispany, and you.

    I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on between you and Sophie but I can vouch for her being a good person.

    If she has upset you in any way, Mr.

    Xavier, I am sure she hadn¡¯t meant it.¡± I narrowed my eyes at the older man.

    The way he spoke of Sophie.

    It was like he knew her personally.

    He spoke of her fondly.

    Was Bernard into Sophie? My jaw locked and I fight off my swirling anger.

    Bernard was way too old for Sophie, but those old fucks liked younger pretty women¡­¡­

    And Sophie was damn gorgeous.

    Of course she would attract any male at any age.

    ¡°I can assure you that Sophie hasn¡¯t upset me.

    Did she tell you she upset me, Bernard?¡± I asked, moving my feet off the desk.

    Bernard looks down at me.

    ¡°Sophie didn¡¯te back Mr.

    Xavier.

    She left the building.

    I don¡¯t know where she took off to.¡± My eyes widen slightly and my brows raised.

    She left the building? The nerve of her after I specifically said that I was not epting her resignation

    letter!

    ¡°Are you sure about that Bernard?¡± I asked, my voice a bit tight.

    He nods.

    ¡°Saw her myself.

    My office overlooks the parking lot.¡± When I find that woman, I¡¯ll make her miserable for even thinking

    she can just quit without me firing her first.

    I wasn¡¯t done with her yet.

    I got up from my chair, my jaw ticking.

    This woman was giving me a damn headache.

    ¡°Bernard, if you can excuse me, I have something important to do at the moment.

    ¡°I said tightly.

    Bernard nods, knowing that I wanted him out.

    As soon as the door closes behind him, I take out my phone from my pocket and dialed my personal

    private investigator.

    I was going to find out where she lives and I am going to go over there and drag her back to

    Harrington.co myself.

 Chapter 55

    Chapter 55

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    ¡°Just give me her address as soon as possible. ¡°I told Johnny, my private investigator.

    Johnny promised to get me Sophie¡¯s address within the hour and when that hour dide, Sophie¡¯s

    address was written down on a piece of paper in my handwriting.

    I ced the pen down on the paper smirking in triumph.

    Sophie¡¯s address.

    Maybe when I get there I¡¯d spank her ass for even thinking she could just leave like that.

    | shake my head.

    What the hell was wrong with me? I¡¯m supposed to be angry at her, not turned on by her defiance.

    I picked up the paper and took my jacket.

    I¡¯m going there right away.

    I don¡¯t even care if she¡¯s home or not.

    I¡¯ll wait for her if I have to I was in the midst of fixing my jacket when a knock sounds at my door.

    ¡°Sir?¡± Noel¡¯s tiny voice flutters through the door.

    I groan lowly and rolled my eyes.

    ¡°Come in,¡± I said loud enough for her to hear She opens the door slowly, probably still threatened when

    I flung the files at her earlier.

    It was her dang fault for not cleaning up the mess fast enough.

    I know I was being extreme today and that was all because of that pretty fucking woman that was still

    messing with my head even though I am supposed to hate her with my entire being.

    ¡°Oh you¡¯re all ready Mr.

    Xavier.

    Good.¡± She nods.¡± They¡¯re already waiting for you in the meeting room.¡±

    I froze.

    Who the hell was she talking about? ¡°Who¡¯s waiting for me?¡± I asked, already getting irritated that

    Sophie consumed my mind so much that I perhaps had forgotten about a meeting I was supposed to

    be having today.

    ¡°The Groupon Tech Ceo and his men.¡± Noel said while jotting down something on a notepad.

    ¡°Reschedule,¡± I said tightly.

    I was going to Sophie¡¯s apartment, I don¡¯t have time to sit around and listen to men talk for more than

    half the day.

    ¡°I can¡¯t sir.

    We rescheduledst week and they¡¯vee all the way from Taiwan.

    If you miss this one, the chairman will not be as forgiving and happy.¡±

    gritted my teeth.

    Great, fucking great.

    It looks like I would have to wait to go over to Sophie¡¯s.

    I nodded stiffly and for more than five hours listened to business ideas and how Harrington.co would

    benefit from coborating with Groupon Tech.

    | admit, most of the time I was up in my head, thinking about Sophie and how I was going to drag her

    back to Harrington.co even though by the time I get there, office hours might be closed.

    Sophie¡¯s pov ¡°We¡¯re home!¡± M sang and I peeled my eyes open, groaning as I wiped off the drool

    trailing down the corner of my mouth.

    I stretched, muting the movie that probably had reyed more than five times.

    If M was here then that meant it was already three in the afternoon.

    I slept long.

    I turn around in the chair, beaming as my eyes fell on Ashton¡¯s cute little face.

    He notices me right away and his tiny lips split into a cute smile.

    My heart squeezes as he looks so much like Aiden while smiling.

    ¡°Mama!¡± He squealed.

    ¡°Ash bug,¡± I said fondly, getting off the sofa.

    ¡°Ash down.¡± He told M so that she¡¯d ce him down on his feet.

    He quickly runs over to me, giggling with his arms open.

    ¡°Careful Ash,¡± M shout as he nearly trips over the rug.

    My heart jumps and I quickly meet him halfway before he manages to trip again.

    When he¡¯s in my arms, I hold him close and buried my nose in his hair.

    He smells so good.

    He smells like coconut.

    SILI ¡°I love you bug,¡± I whispered kissing his hair.

    He giggles, throwing his arms around my neck.

    He may be the exact replica of his father, but Ash was going to be better than Aiden.

    And I was going to make sure of it.

    ¡°Woah.

    What happened to you? You look like poop?¡± M asked, removing the scrunchie in her hair.

    ¡°Bad day.¡± I sighed heavily while picking up Ash even though he protested.

    He was still my baby whether he liked it or not.

    M winced.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t go well?¡±

    I shook my head no.

    ¡°Bernard didn¡¯t ept the resignation letter.¡±

    M looks confused.

    ¡°What? Why? Did you not tell him why you wanted to quit?¡±

    I shook my head, hugging Ash to me.

    God, I love my little bug.

    ¡°No.

    I couldn¡¯t exactly tell him my kid¡¯s father was his boss and I was ufortable with working in the

    same building with him.

    Besides, it wouldn¡¯t matter, I don¡¯t think he¡¯d ept it anyway.¡± | sighed, rubbing my palm on Ashton¡¯s

    back.

    ¡°And why the hell not? If you want to quit, then he should let you.

    It¡¯s absurd that he¡¯s not epting the resignation letter.¡± M flung her hands outically.

    I tear my gaze away from her and wince.¡± It¡¯s not exactly him who¡¯s not epting the resignation letter.

    It¡¯s Aiden.¡±

    M¡¯s eyes widen.

    ¡°Aiden!? I thought he didn¡¯t remember you?¡± I gave out a little snort.

    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought until I went to his office with the intent of shoving the letter down his throat.¡±

    M looked at me in amusement and snorted.

    ¡°What?¡± I asked her.

    ¡°Oh nothing.

    But shoving a letter down his throat? Where is my best friend that condemns these kinds of things?¡±

    She asked in tant amusement.

    I rolled my eyes and smiled.

    ¡°Well did you shove it down his throat? Or at least tell him a piece of your mind?¡± She asked.

    I cringe.

    ¡°No I didn¡¯t shove it down his throat, but I did try to give him a piece of my mind,¡± I admitted.

    I did try, until Aiden kissed me and everything just flew out of the window.

    M looks at me fixedly, searching my eyes for answers.

    ¡°So, then, what happened when you did?¡± I rip my gaze from hers and settle them on the white wall.

    It looks like it needs a fresh coat of paint.

    I can feel the heat of a blush crawling up my neck to settle in my cheeks and knew I must look as bright

    as a fire truck right now.

    ¡°Oh, you didn¡¯t¡­

    did you¡­.¡± M trailed off in confusion before her tone turned into usation.

    ¡°Oh my God! You did!¡± She sted loudly.

    I wince, covering Ash¡¯s ears at her loud tone.

    ¡°M, too loud!¡± |

    hissed.

    She cringed but approaches me and Ash with wide confused and questioning gaze.

    ¡°You naughty girl.

    You slept with him?¡± I winced, still covering Ash¡¯s ears.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    He didn¡¯t need to hear about his mommy sleeping with his daddy.

    ¡°Well?¡± M asked impatiently.

    I nodded while wincing.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    M looks stunned.

    ¡°Well, I knew this would happen eventually but not so soon!¡± She giggles but when she sees that I

    hadn¡¯t joined her, her brows furrowed.

    ¡°But why aren¡¯t you happy about it? I mean I¡¯m not a fan of Aiden, especially with all the crap he put

    you through in high school, but now you three can be a family I snorted, my voice sad as I cut her off.

    ¡°When we were done, he told me I was a mistake.

    Also said I was still easy.¡± M¡¯s face switched to anger and hatred.

    ¡°That asshole.¡± I gave her a pointed look and she cringed while murmuring an apology.

    ¡°But seriously what a D.I.C.

    K.

    ¡°She spelled out the word in hopes that it would pass my scrutiny.

    I rolled my eyes yet nodded in agreement.

    Aiden was after all, the biggest dick.

    I mean his dick was big but did his personality have to be such a huge one? Perhaps, I should probably

    stop thinking about his dick The door handle suddenly shifts and both M and I turn our heads to face

    it.

    Must be Ria back from her photoshoot.

    The door swings open and my heart drops in my stomach painfully.

    Because behind Ria, stood a very tall and powerful Aiden.

    ¡°There¡¯s a hot guy here for you Sophie!¡± She chirped, swinging the door even wider so he¡¯d enter, while

    she moves the keys out of the keyhole in the door.

    My tongue gets tied and I¡¯m rooted right where I stood with fear in my soul.

    Because as soon as Ria said those words, Aiden¡¯s gaze automatically fell on me and then on Ashton.

 Chapter 56

    Chapter 56

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    ¡°Mr. Xavier are you sure you¡¯ll be okay to go out here alone?¡± Mitch asked as he looked around the

    neighborhood skeptically.

    We were in a bad part of town.

    I looked down at my expensive watch and read three forty.

    The meeting took longer than I expected but at least it didn¡¯t take the whole day.

    I lifted my gaze and scan it around the area.

    An ambnce siren res as it zooms past us in a hurry.

    There were children ying on the street, kicking the ball on the open road, not caring about the

    moving cars.

    There were also some men a few blocks away that I remember were ying hoops.

    They were littered with tattoos and seemed dangerous.

    But that would just be reading the book by its cover.

    I knew better than to judge someone by their outer appearance.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine Mitch.

    I¡¯ll be in and out as quickly as I can.¡± I said, lowering my head and lifting my gaze to face the run-down

    old building.

    So this is where she stays? Mitch looks at me through the rearview mirror, his eyes stoned in worry.

    ¡°Be careful Mr.

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    Xavier.

    If there¡¯s anything you need, I¡¯m just one ring away.¡± I nod, slightly amused that he was uneasy around

    here.

    I got out of the SUV, sliding my phone into my pocket while closing the door.

    I tilt my head up to look at the building with a tiny smirk.

    I was going to drag her back to work whether she likes it or not.

    I pulled out the paper with her address and apartment number while approaching the entrance door.

    It¡¯s old and the red paint looks cheap.

    I step in, heading towards the elevator.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t do that if I were you!¡± Someone yells to get my attention.

    I turn around and see that it was a young woman.

    She¡¯s pretty but she¡¯s no way as close to being as beautiful as my Sophie.

    Wait, what the hell? Why did I say mine? I raised a brow as I pressed the button for the elevator.

    ¡°Pardon?¡± I asked.

    The young woman points a finger at the elevator.

    ¡°It¡¯s possessed.

    Not safe to ride it, better to walk up the stairs.¡± She smiles.

    My eyes sweep over to the stairs and I groan inwardly.

    When was thest time I walked up so many steps?

    Despite not at all excited to walk up the stairs, I nod in thanks and strut over there.

    The young woman follows me, right behind me.

    ¡°You must be new here because I¡¯ve never seen your face around here before.¡± She voiced out.

    ¡°Are you our new neighbor?¡± I was in no mood to chat with anyone today but the girl probably just

    saved my life.

    The least I could do was answer her.

    With my hand in my pocket, I started up the stairs.

    ¡°No.

    I¡¯m just here to see someone who lives here.¡± ¡°I figured.

    With the way you dress, you definitely don¡¯t live in this area.¡±

    I turn around slightly to see her nod at her words.

    I shake my head.

    What a nosey woman.

    ¡°Good observation,¡± I said curtly, walking faster so that she¡¯d not ask any more questions.

    ¡°I¡¯m Ria by the way.¡± She chirps behind me, seeming to want to engage in a conversation.

    Something I was avoiding.

    Dammit when will those stairs end!? ¡°Nice name,¡± I answered vaguely hoping she¡¯d take the hint that I

    didn¡¯t want to speak to her right now.

    She must have realized this because she stays quiet until the stairs finally end and we¡¯re on the floor of

    Sophie¡¯s apartment.

    Noticing that perhaps I was going the same way as her she decides to try her luck again.

    ¡°You said you¡¯vee here for someone¡­¡± She trailed off, either wanting me to give her my name or,

    wanting me to tell her who I was here for exactly.

    I don¡¯t think neither is her business.

    I don¡¯t answer her and just kept walking while looking at the numbers on the doors.

    Ria is right behind me and I can feel her stare on my back.

    The stare isn¡¯t unnerving, just irritating.

    I¡¯m gritting my teeth, looking for Sophie¡¯s apartment number.

    When I finally saw it, I halt beside it.

    Only for Ria to crash into my back.

    My jaw ticks.

    I really wasn¡¯t in the mood to snap at anyone that wasn¡¯t Sophie.

    I was saving all my anger for her.

    But this Ria woman was getting on myst nerve.

    I turn around slowly and pinned her with a re.

    She surprises me by not flinching or squirming, only looking at me with a raised brow and uttering.

    ¡°You¡¯re blocking my way.

    This is where I stay.¡± She nudges her head to the door.

    My brows knot.

    Does Sophie share an apartment with her? Something must¡¯ve clicked in her head because she gasps

    lowly.

    ¡°Wait! Are you here for one of my roommates? Is it M or Sophie?¡±

    gritted my teeth.

    Just great that I would unfortunately be in this woman¡¯s presence longer.

    ¡°I¡¯m here for Sophie.¡± I gritted out, turning away from her and facing the door.

    Since she¡¯s here and it¡¯s obvious that this is also her apartment, I¡¯ll wait for her to open the door.

    ¡°Woah, go Sophie! Who would¡¯ve thought mama bear would score a hunk like you.¡± She giggled lowly

    while fishing her keys in her bag.

    Mamabear? As soon as she fetches the keys, she¡¯s quick to open the door, seeming to be excited as

    she chirped.

    ¡°There¡¯s a hot guy here for you Sophie!¡± The door opens wider and my gaze moves from the door to

    stare at, her.

    Her eyes are wide in shock.

    I feel like the air was pushed out of my lungs when my eyes drop to the toddler in her arms.

    His head is on Sophie¡¯s shoulder and his blue eyes are piercing through mine in wonder.

    Sophie¡¯s holding him warmly and as soon as my eyes fell on the little boy, her hold tighten in

    protectiveness.

    My heart ms against my chest, the words Ria is spitting out not registering as I stare in stunned

    silence at the little boy in Sophie¡¯s hold.

    I wasn¡¯t stunned to see Sophie holding a little boy, I was stunned to see the little boy looking like the

    exact replica of me.

    He had the eyes, the hair, and everything.

    He was basically my mini version.

    Anger slowly consumed that confusion as everything clicked into ce.

    This boy was mine.

    Undoubtedly my son.

    And she kept this from me! I move my eyes off the little boy and pinned them on the woman who I

    couldn¡¯t help but feel fury towards.

    ¡°What the fuck is this Sophie!?¡± Sophie¡¯s pov ¡°What the fuck is this Sophie!?¡± Aiden snarls as he steps

    into the apartment.

    Ria had let in the blue-eyed devil.

    My heart is pounding into my chest so furiously that I feared I was close to having a heart attack.

    1

    II

    ¡°Oh shit,¡± M whispers under her breath.

    Ria looks at Aiden and me in confusion.

    She darts her eyes between Aiden and Ashton and her eyes widen in realization.

    Ash moves his head off my shoulder and looks at Aiden¡¯s seething form.

    ¡°Mama, man here angry.¡± He points a cute finger toward his father.

    ¡°I uh

    I start, not sure what to say.

    I¡¯m lost, I¡¯m confused, I¡¯m terrified.

    ¡°I¡¯ll let you two talk in private.

    Give him to me Soph.¡± M whispered, outstretching her hand to grab Ash.

    He goes into her arms, giggling unaware of the hurricane that would soon destroy the apartment.

    M looks over at a furious Aiden who hadn¡¯t moved his angry eyes off me once and called out to Ria.

    ¡°Let¡¯s give them space to talk in private Ria.¡± Ria cringes and nods while quickly scurrying away.

    M follows after her, Ash staring at Aiden in curiosity until he disappears with M into her room.

    As soon as we¡¯re alone, Aiden ms the door closed roughly and I wince.

    ¡°What are you doing here Aiden?¡± I whispered, my voice shaky.

    He raised a taunting brow, sending daggers of anger my way.

 Chapter 57

    Chapter 57

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I¡¯m trembling in his presence, scared of his anger and what he¡¯d say or do. I knew he would not

    physically hurt me but mentally, he just might I try to push up my armor around my heart before it¡¯s too

    Because whatever I say now, would only push me into more hot water.

    ¡°Aiden I started with a low tone but he cut me off with anger.

    ¡°Exin why I have a son that I never knew about Sophie!¡± He roared, storming towards me.

    He¡¯s seething and raging and his anger is validated.

    I can see the storm in his blue eyes already, eyes simr to the little boy we shared.

    But there¡¯s also hurt and confusion in those depths that made my stomach twist.

    I have hurt him.

    I¡¯m looking at him lost, not sure how I can exin myself without being the viin.

    But I was always the viin in our story and I couldn¡¯t convince anyone otherwise.

    Aiden stops a couple of feet away from me.

    His lips are curled into a snarl and he looks like he could burn the entire house down with his anger.

    I have royally screwed myself.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to exin yourself, Sophie!?¡± He sted rolling his eyes over my figure.

    I¡¯m in sweats and my high bun is flopping down the side of my head.

    I look a mess.

    He looks at me in disgust and I feel it shatter that armor I thought I ced properly.

    I should¡¯ve known that it was feeble and that I didn¡¯t ce it on correctly.

    I still haven¡¯t gotten over the spat we had in the office yet and now that he pulled the rug under my feet,

    I wasn¡¯t sure I would be able toe up after that.

    Aiden snorts when I don¡¯t respond.

    ¡± And just imagine how many more years you¡¯d keep him a secret from me if I didn¡¯t show up here.¡± ¡±

    How many more years do you think it would take for him to ask about his daddy?¡± He snarled, his

    hands fisting at his sides.

    I flinched.

    He had every right to be angry, hell he should be even more furious.

    ¡°Were you ever going to tell me about him, Sophie?¡± His question had my fingers trembling so I had no

    choice but to cross my arms.

    I look down at his expensive shoes and whispered the truth.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    Hearing my words Aidenughed loudly.

    There¡¯s no emotion.¡± Great.

    Fucking just great! You don¡¯t know? That¡¯s hrious, fucking amusing.¡± I cringe at his use ofnguage.

    He was spitting them out so loudly that I know Ash could hear.

    ¡°Shhh Aiden, can you at least keep your voice down? I don¡¯t want Ash familiar with profanities.¡± I

    whispered harshly.

    ¡°You¡¯re concerned about the volume of my voice instead of exining to me why you kept him away

    from me?!¡± He snapped but I¡¯m at least relieved that the volume of his voice was admittedly lower.

    I bit my lower lip and shifted on the heels of my feet.

    Aiden was intimidating and when angered like this, I was a bit unsure if it was a good idea to try to

    make him not see me as the monster | was sure he was painting in his head about me.

    | sighed heavily.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    I couldn¡¯t avoid this, he needed my exnation.

    And I didn¡¯t think he¡¯d leave until he had it.

    ¡°Can we talk about this calmly? I don¡¯t want Ashton scared.

    He gets frightened by loud voices.¡± I said softly, tucking a few stray hairs behind my ear nervously.

    Whatever I would say to him would obviously still leave me in a bad light in his eyes.

    I was just scared of what he¡¯d do after.

    Would he want to take me to court? I¡¯m trembling slightly by the thought but put on a brave face though

    inwardly I was crumbling with fear.

    Aiden is seething lowly, his chest rising and falling which confirms how truly angry he was.

    He looks at me coldly and then nods.

    I let out a shaky breath and then started.

    ¡± I found out I was pregnant a few months after your sentencing.

    I didn¡¯t know what to do then Aiden, you were angry at me, everyone hated me and sure I had my

    foster parents and M, I was still going to be on that journey alone.

    I had to grow up quicker.¡± I looked at him nervously as I continued.

    He¡¯s silent and though his eyes are still storming angrily, he¡¯s listening.

    ¡°After what happened with Carson and the results after court¡­.I knew that I couldn¡¯t fathom the

    thought of ruining your life again with news of my pregnancy.

    I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d want to talk to me far less like the news of being pregnant.¡±

    I tore my eyes away from him and whispered.

    ¡°So I decided to

    keep this away from you.

    I began to regret my decision but it was already toote.

    I thought you were still in jail and I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d ever want to see me now ¡°That¡¯s the thing with you

    Sophie,¡± He seethed lowly with fire of hatred as he eats the space between us.

    He¡¯s now so close that I can feel his body heat and take the whiff of his cologne.

    ¡°You never think of the consequences your decisions cause afterward.

    You just decide for yourself not caring about anyone else but your fucking self.¡±

    I flinched as he lowered his head, ring at me in resentment.¡± Was this a punishment for causing

    Carson¡¯s death? Did you resent me so much that you kept my son away from me?¡± I feel my heart

    shatter by his words.

    How can he say something like that? I shook my head.

    ¡°This had nothing to do with Carson Aiden.it was my decision because I was scared of the way you

    would react.

    You were in jail, furious at everyone.

    There was no way you¡¯d like the news of someone you hate pregnant for you!¡±

    Aiden grips my arm and seethes.¡± You know why I was furious at everyone? Because they fucking

    abandoned me! Everyone turned against me including you.

    That¡¯s why I fucking hate you so damn much Sophie.

    When I needed you the most, you fucking abandoned me! And now I loathe you with a passion for

    keeping this away from me.¡± | flinched, my bottom lip trembling even though I knew that I deserved his

    harsh words.

    Aiden¡¯s voice cracks and I can feel it in my heart.

    ¡°You made me miss his first walk, his first word, his first smile.

    You¡¯re the cruel person here Sophie and here I thought it was me.

    You fucking disgust me.¡± Tears trail down my cheeks as I sobbed.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.

    I¡¯m so sorry.

    I didn¡¯t mean to Aiden wrenches his hand away from me in disgust and takes a step back.

    ¡°Sorry isn¡¯t going to give me the years I missed out on my son¡¯s life.

    Sorry isn¡¯t going to fix this Sophie,¡± He raged on with anger spitting out of his mouth and showing in his

    eyes.

    ¡°I thought you were in jail Aiden!¡± I croaked out.

    ¡°That still isn¡¯t an excuse to not have told me of your pregnancy Sophie.

    You could¡¯ve told me today, yesterday! But you chose to keep him a secret from me!¡± He snaps, the

    veins in his neck popping out even more.

    He was right.

    I was wrong for doing this.

    I had made the worst decision in my life and now I was paying for it daily.

    ¡°I feared you¡¯d not ept him Aiden.

    You made it clear you regret what we¡¯ve shared in the past and recently.¡± I whispered in a low cracking

    voice.

    Aiden pinned me down with a furious re.¡± Let¡¯s make one thing clear here Sophie.

    I¡¯d never consider my son as a mistake or regret anything when ites to him, even though his

    mother is you.¡±

    He shakes his head and looks at me in disgust.

    ¡°I cannot stay here in your presence any longer,¡± He spat and turned around to storm towards the

    hallway.

    An rm went off in my head, and I¡¯m quick on his heels.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± I asked, my voice breaking.

    Was he going to take Ash? My heart drops at the thought.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to see my son.¡± He says coldly in a tight voice while keeping his head straight ahead.

 Chapter 58

    Chapter 58

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    All I feel is anger as I storm to where I saw M taking my son.

    I can¡¯t believe she was trying to justify herself for keeping my son¡¯s existence away from me. I gritted

    my teeth.

    For three years I¡¯ve thought about her and cared about her even though I was trying so hard not to.

    Only for her to be the viin in all of this.

    I push the door open, causing M to jump in fright. She clutches my son closer, looking at me in rm.

    Her eyes are wide and she looks ready to jump into action if she has to.

    Did she really think I came here to hurt my son?

    My eyes fall to the little boy on herp, enveloped by her arms protectively. His resemnce to me is

    quite scary. You¡¯d be a fool to not notice.

    His blue eyes, if not the same as mine at least simr are gazing up at me with a gleam of intrigue. My

    heart warms.

    I had never considered having children, especially when I

    obviously hadn¡¯t got the woman I wanted to have those children with. But turns out that, that woman

    had already had my kid, only to not have told me.

    There¡¯s a sinking feeling of betrayal weighing down my belly. I want to punch a hole in the wall, and

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    scream at her for betraying me once more.

    But I don¡¯t want to scare that innocent face that was staring at me with twinkling blue eyes. He was

    beautiful. And he was mine.

    And I missed out on years of his life. Because of her.

    I¡¯m instantly angry as hell. I¡¯m breathing erratic and I¡¯m ring down at M who¡¯s holding him like I

    was going to take him away from her and walk out of the apartment.

    The thought crossed my mind but I wouldn¡¯t do something like that to Sophie no matter how much she

    hurt me.

    ¡°Aiden

    Her soft voice fluttered behind me, making me grit my teeth at how much she had a shiver crawling

    down my spine despite how angry I am at her right now.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t think

    I shake my head, stepping into the room and having M rise to her feet with my little boy in her arms.

    He giggles. And that sound has my heart mming in my chest.

    I am a dad.

    ¡°Give him to me.¡± The words rolled off my tongue as my eyes glued to my mini me.

    He was a beautiful boy and even though the ends of his hair curled on top of his ear, I noticed that he

    had his mom¡¯s ears.

    Cute.

    M held him tighter, looking at me like I was the devil. I grit my teeth and red at her in fury. She was

    getting on myst nerves.

    ¡°Give me my son M.¡± I snapped in frustration. I¡¯m this close to losing my patience and this close to

    taking him from her myself.

    But I didn¡¯t want to scare him and have him terrified of me. So I controlled my anger and only red at

    M in impatience.

    She looks at Sophie behind me and she nods a few secondster. Walking up to me, she red at me.

    ¡°If you hurt them, I¡¯ll skewer you alive.¡± She warned and finally pass my little boy to me.

    1025

    He¡¯s tinypared to me and surprisingly hees without a fight. He seems almost excited, cheerful

    and he was adorable. My heart is warming, yet getting filled with anger and resentment for what Sophie

    had done to me.

    I turn around with him in my arms and my eyes fall on his mother leaning against the doorframe. Her

    eyes are red and misty. She¡¯s crying.

    But even though my heart panged knowing I had caused this, don¡¯t apologize. She deserved it. At least

    in my book.

    M passes her and squeezes her arm on her way out. Now it was only the three of us.

    I¡¯m trying my best to ignore her as I focus on my son in my arms. His head falls on my shoulder and I

    hear the soft adorable sigh of a yawn tumble out his mouth.

    My fingers are trembling as I ce my hand on his back.

    ¡°He usually takes a nap around this time,¡± Sophie whispered and I lift my head just in time to see her

    wipe a few trailing tears off her cheeks.

    I tear my gaze away. I¡¯m supposed to be even more furious with her for what she did. But of course, the

    woman can cause the most severe damage to me and I¡¯d still want her.

    1029 1

    ¡°How old is he?¡± I asked, trying to calcte his age in my head.

    ¡°Twenty-seven months,¡± She whispered crossing her arms under her breast. By doing so she manages

    to lift her breast and the creamy skin nearly spilled at the top of her tank top.

    I lick my lips and move my gaze away quickly.

    Sophie must be a demon for her to still affect me even though | am furious at her with yet another of

    her decisions.

    ¡°So I missed twenty-seven months of my son¡¯s life. I missed his first birthday¡­. did you even have a

    party for him Sophie? Of course, you did and I¡¯m sure not once did you feel guilty that I wasn¡¯t there.¡± I

    gritted lowly, not wanting to raise my voice to disturb a sleepy Ash.

    Sophie looks frustrated and pushes off the doorframe. ¡°Even though I would have told you Aiden, you¡¯d

    still miss his birth, his first word, his firstugh, his first birthday, because you were still in jail!¡±

    ¡°And who do you think caused that in the first ce?! Who do you think caused me to go to jail!?¡± I

    snapped, loud, startling Ash. He starts to cry and Sophie quickly runs over to us.

    I try to rock him to stop him from crying but he only cries louder. I feel useless.

    1028 1

    Sophie pries him out of my hold and I rake a hand through my hair in frustration when he quiets down

    when he¡¯s in her embrace.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay Ashton.¡± She cooed, looking up at me.

    My son saw me as nothing but a stranger.

    I feel nothing but more anger towards Sophie. Even though I was in jail for that one year, I could¡¯ve still

    been there for Ash. I could¡¯ve still had that father and son bond with him.

    She took that away from me. Without even giving me a chance.

    ¡°You hate me.¡± I narrowed my eyes on her gorgeous face. Even though I¡¯m undoubtedly furious at her, I

    still acknowledge how breathless she can make me with just her features.

    She looks surprised as she brushes a hand through our son¡¯s hair. ¡°What?¡±

    I nod. ¡°You hate me so much for teasing you in high school, that you wanted to get even by doing this.¡±

    | gritted out lowly while shaking my head.

    ¡°Tell me, Sophie. What did you think you¡¯d aplish by keeping my son away from me?¡±

    Sophie shakes her head. ¡°You¡¯re not serious Aiden. You call

    1028 1

    what you did to me in high school teasing? That was bullying. There was nothing teasing about what

    you did to me. And even though you made my high school years miserable, I wouldn¡¯t ever try to get

    even with you. Not in this way.¡±

    Her words pped me across my face.

    ¡°Miserable? What do you think I¡¯m feeling right now that I have a son that doesn¡¯t know I¡¯m his dad? He

    looks at me like I¡¯m a stranger Sophie. I feel helpless, I feel miserable Sophie. My son doesn¡¯t know

    who I am.¡± I whispered, looking down at his sleepy face.

    I want to reach down and kiss his cheeks. But I fear he¡¯d burst into tears again.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Aiden. My decisions weren¡¯t the best and I¡¯m sorry | did this to you

    I shake my head. ¡°Sorry isn¡¯t going to fix this Sophie.¡± I cut her off and raked a hand through my hair.

    I wasn¡¯t sure what to do now. I was confused about what to do. On one hand, I still wanted her to pay

    for abandoning me in jail and now for not telling me about Ash¡¯s existence. But another part wanted me

    to move on and make the best of the situation.

    I still have so much hate in my heart for what she has done that I think I won¡¯t be able to forgive her so

    easily.

    ¡°You¡¯ll be hearing from me soon.¡± I gritted out and started to walk away from her.

    ¡°What?¡± She breathed out.

    I turn around before I¡¯m out the door.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to be in my son¡¯s life whether you like it or not. I¡¯m not missing out on another second of his

    life Sophie.¡± I grumble, dropping my eyes to look at Ash in her arms. His eyes are fluttering closed and

    his lips are pouted.

    He definitely got that from his mom. I remember how adorable she looked when she fell asleep in math

    ss. She pouts in her sleep.

    Sophie looks scared at my words and I shake my head. Did she really want me out of his life so bad?

    | grit my teeth and stormed out of the room and apartment, ignoring M and Ria who were peeking

    behind a door.

    Whether Sophie liked it or not, I¡¯m going to be in both hers and Ash¡¯s life from now on.

    1029

 Chapter 59

    Chapter 59

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    I¡¯m marching down the lengthy staircase, cursing every living thing I can think of.

    I¡¯m frustrated. I¡¯m confused. I¡¯m hurt.

    Thad not expected something like this from Sophie. Not the innocent girl I painted in my head years

    ago.

    But then I remembered how she abandoned me in jail and then I realized Sophie was never the

    innocent girl I portrayed her to be.

    I opened the old door, shouldering a woman who was just entering. I¡¯m too angered and frustrated to

    apologize. She curses me and I ignore her as I march over to the SUV waiting for me.

    Mitch is ducked in a way that you¡¯d not notice him at first nce. And though the sight is rather

    amusing, I don¡¯tugh nor smile.

    The only thing I feel is anger. Towards Sophie. Burning rage.

    Mitch notices me and fixes himself on the seat and unlocks the door. I open the door and got in. I¡¯m

    breathing heavily and literally breathing out fire.

    Mitch looks at me through the rearview mirror and looks confused and worried. ¡°Are you okay Mr.

    Xavier?¡±

    I ran my shaky hand through my nose and looked at the apartment. I shake my head in disbelief.

    ¡°I have a son.¡± I breathed out slowly in disbelief. Now saying it out loud, I can¡¯t help but think that

    maybe I had gone mad.

    Maybe I didn¡¯t have a son and this was all an illusion.

    I shake my head. That was impossible.

    Ashton was as real as anyone. I felt him, I held him in my arms. He¡¯s mine. He¡¯s my son. He¡¯s not a

    hallucination and a fragmen of my imagination.

    He was real.

    I groan in frustration and anger. Him being really made it all the more hurtful that Sophie didn¡¯t tell me

    about him.

    ¡°Pardon Mr. Xavier?¡± Mitch asked, looking at me confused.

    I shake my head and passed a hand over my face. ¡°I have a son Mitch. A fucking son that I didn¡¯t know

    about.¡± I groaned.

    Mitch looks stunned by my revtion and then winces. ¡°You

    didn¡¯t know about him?¡±

    I shook my head no. ¡°I didn¡¯t. She kept his existence from me.¡±

    Mitch shakes his head. ¡°Well that¡¯s not good. What are you going to do about it, sir?¡± He asked and

    then rushed out. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind me asking sir.¡±

    I shake my head and looked at the apartment onest time and then looked at Mitch. My eyes met his

    but they also met the familiar old car that she owned through the mirror rearview mirror.

    It¡¯s so old that the poor thing looks ready to copse at any time.

    There is no way in hell I¡¯ll have her driving around with my son on that old death trap everywhere.

    I¡¯m getting her a new one tomorrow morning as soon as possible.

    Maybe by tomorrow or tonight, I¡¯ll have a functioning brain and know what to do. Because right now, all

    I want to do is punch a damn wall.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. All i know is that I¡¯ll never let her keep him away from me any longer. Whether she likes it

    or not, I¡¯m now in my son¡¯s life. And there¡¯s nothing she can do about it.¡± I said and after a few more

    words passed between us, I told him to drive me over to the closest hotel from here.

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Tears are trailing down my cheeks like a river. Ashton¡¯s head is on my shoulder and by the soft little

    sounds that came from his lips, I knew he had fallen asleep.

    I would¡¯ve been a sobbing mess if I didn¡¯t want him to have that nap. When I¡¯m sure he had fallen

    asleeppletely, I put him to rest.

    He shifts a bit but goes right back to sleep.

    My heart aches.

    Aiden was right, I was a demon for keeping Ashton¡¯s existence away from his knowledge.

    My fear of him rejecting Ash the same way he rejected me and hurt me messed me up enough to make

    the worst decision in my life.

    And now I was about to pay the price.

    It was clear that Aiden would try to take Ashton away from me. He had the money and clearly, he had

    the links to do whatever he pleased.

    I can notpete with him. He was superior in every way.

    I was nothingpared to him and I¡¯ll lose the case. Not only was I clearly not financially stable

    enough to care for Ash and me, but I also couldn¡¯t afford awyer.

    I sobbed lowly, ying in Ashton¡¯s soft curls.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    My baby boy.

    My heart.

    My everything.

    Would your father be this cruel to take you away from me?

    shbacks of how Aiden treated me when we were still in high school rang through my head like a

    storm.

    My heart is tearing apart the more I realized that Aiden could be this cruel enough to not care about me

    and take Ashton away.

    ¡°Soph?¡± M called out softly.

    I lift my head at the sound of her voice and turn toward the door. She¡¯s standing in the doorway, her

    gaze on a sleeping Ash in worry.

    Ria creeps up behind her, peeking behind her head to look

    around.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± I whispered, shaking my head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you two had to hear all of that.¡±

    M¡¯s brows raised in shock. ¡°You¡¯re apologizing?¡± She gasped as if in disbelief that I actually was. She

    steps into the room and walks over to me. She crouched beside the bed, her hands going to my knees.

    M shakes her head. ¡°You have absolutely nothing to apologize for Soph. If anything, Ria¡¯s the one

    who should apologize to you for allowing that asshat to enter our home.¡±

    M turns around to give Ria a pointed look.

    Ria is quick to defend herself. ¡°How was I supposed to know he was Ashton¡¯s dad? The guy was

    brooding and Ash is cuddly and cute. I didn¡¯t think they could be rted.¡± She waved her hands at her

    sides frantically.

    M¡¯s eyes narrowed on her face. ¡°The two look exactly alike. You¡¯d be a fool to not put two and two

    together quickly Ria. Ash is the exact replica of Aiden.¡±

    M rolled her eyes over Ria¡¯s frame and snorted. ¡°Then again you were always the dumbest one out

    of the three of us. I¡¯m guessing his handsome features distracted you enough for you to not use your

    brain the correct way.¡±

    Ria blew out a breath, leaning against the doorframe. ¡°Stop slut shaming me M. Sure I found him

    handsome but you¡¯d be fucking blind to think otherwise. In fact, I¡¯m more than a hundred percent sure

    even a blind person can see how hot Aiden is.¡±

    Ria turns to face me and then narrows her eyes. ¡°You really didn¡¯t look like the kind who could fall for

    that bad boy type Soph. I¡¯m not going to lie, you surprise me.¡±

    ¡°What are you implying here Ria? That Sophie can¡¯t score a guy like Aiden?¡± M seethed lowly.

    I rolled my eyes. Great. Those two will be at each other¡¯s throats in a few seconds. In fact, they already

    were.

    ¡°Of course not you prude! All I meant is that Sophie gives off that innocent and doll-like personality.

    She¡¯s cuddly like Ash while Aiden seems¡­..cold and calcting. It¡¯s strange she¡¯s with him.¡± Ria

    shrugged.

    ¡°I was never with Aiden Ria. And you two need to stop your arguing. It¡¯s not going to help the situation.¡±

    I sighed heavily.

    ¡°And I don¡¯t me you for letting Aiden in Ria. At some point, I

    should¡¯ve known that my karma for doing this to him would catch up to me. I just didn¡¯t know it would

    be this soon.¡± || sighed, moving my eyes away from the two of the girls to stare at my little boy

    I thought I was protecting his fragile little heart from his father but turns out I had made him miss out on

    that special bond with his dad.

    What would he feel or say when he grows up and hear of what I had done? Would he resent me for

    ruining his chance with his dad before it even began? Or would he understand that I thought I was

    protecting him?

    I shook my head.

    I should not have been so hasty with my decision to not have told Aiden about Ash.

    Maybe if I did, things would have been different than how they are now.

    ¡°So what you¡¯re going to do now Soph?¡± M whispered, squeezing my leg.

    | sighed heavily not knowing how to respond.

    How can I when I don¡¯t know what happens now?

    Aiden being Aiden has already started the game of chess with me. I didn¡¯t know his next move which

    had me terrified. How can I counter his move when I don¡¯t know where he¡¯ll move first?

 Chapter 60

    Chapter 60

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I woke up with the sound of knuckles hitting my door roughly and my name being yelled.

    ¡°Soph. Wake up!¡± M yelled knocking on the door again.

    Ashton¡¯s little body stirs and my eyes peel open reluctantly.

    Did I oversleep?

    ¡°Soph wake up.

    They¡¯re towing your car!¡± M yells louder.

    L1 My heart skips and I quickly shot up from the bed.

    Ashton stirs and rolls around until he wakes uppletely.

    I rushed to the door, unlocking it and swinging it open quickly.

    ¡°What?!¡± I breathed out in a hast.

    Why would they tow my car? M¡¯s eyes are wide.

    ¡°They¡¯re towing your car.

    Ria¡¯s trying to stop them but they won¡¯t listen.¡± I looked back at a still sleepy Ash and then peeked at

    the small clock on my nightstand It¡¯s six a.m! I look back at M.

    ¡°Keep an eye on him, I¡¯ll be back.¡± She nods, stepping into the room as I rushed out.

    When I¡¯m in the living room, I run towards the window.

    My hair is messy around me, and swings over my face when I opened the window

    From here I can see my car as clear as day.

    And M was right, there stood Ria in nothing but her nightgown and pping her hands wildly as she

    argued with the men currently towing my car.

    ¡°Hey!¡± I screamed loudly for everyone to hear me.

    All heads whip up to face me.

    ¡°What the hell are you doing to my car?!¡± I snapped, my hair whipping around me wildly

    ¡°Someone called us to bring it to the wrecking yard.¡± One of the men yelled back and motioned to the

    other to continue.

    ¡°Wrecking yard!?¡± I yelled in disbelief.

    Who the hell would call these people to get rid of my Mary¡­¡­

    My eyes narrowed on a familiar ck SUV pulling up beside the tow truck.

    Is that Aid The door opens at the back and Aiden gets out.

    He brushes a hand through his hair and closes the door before walking up to one of the men.

    What the hell!? I moved away from the window, breathing hastily as I grew angry.

    Was this Aiden¡¯s doing?

    Of course it was.

    He was the only one to stoop as low as this to get even with me.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Mes jogging from the room with Ashton in her arms.

    ¡°Did they stop?¡± She asked quickly, looking worried.

    I shook my head, my hands fisting at my sides.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill him.¡± I gritted through my teeth.

    M¡¯s brows knot in confusion.

    ¡°Who¡¯s him? Who are we killing?¡± I looked at Ashton and then back at her before replying.

    ¡°Aiden.

    I¡¯m going to rip him a new one for thinking he can just get rid of my car as he pleases.¡±

    M¡¯s brows raised in shock.

    ¡°He¡¯s the one¡­¡±

    I nodded.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be back,¡± I said quickly and scurried out of the room and down the hall.

    I¡¯ve never skipped so many stairs as quickly as I am now.

    I¡¯m actually breaking records.

    By the time I¡¯m almost at the end of the stairs, I am out of breath.

    But I don¡¯t care that my lungs aren¡¯t getting enough air.

    My main focus is getting out before they go with my car.

    I opened the door quickly, the cool moming air kissing my face and waking me up even more if the

    news of my car getting towed didn¡¯t do the trick.

    Aiden¡¯s talking to the men, motioning him to do God knows what.

    Ria is snapping at the other, ring at the tow truck.

    ¡°Hey!¡± I yelled, walking up to Aiden and the man.

    ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing to my car?¡± I snapped, fuming while ring into his blue eyes.

    They¡¯re not that stormy this early but when he senses my anger, the storm starts to brew.

    ¡°I¡¯ll not have you driving our son in that death trap.¡± He says curtly, turns around and ignores me while

    telling the man he¡¯d want my car crushed.

    Anger makes my head foggy as I cursed.

    ¡°Aiden what the fuck do you think you¡¯re doing? You can¡¯t juste here and get rid of my car.

    You have no right, it¡¯s my car!¡± He ignores me and I grow even angrier.

    ¡°You damn bastard.¡± I snarled, shouldering his arm because I wasn¡¯t tall enough to shoulder him

    properly as I step forward to talk to the man who seems in charge.

    ¡°This is my car, you can¡¯t just tow it.¡± I seethed at the man who looks apologetic.

    I gasped when Aiden¡¯s fingers wrap around my arm and tug me away from the man and turns around

    to face me.

    His eyes drop to stare at my tank top.

    ¡°What the hell are you wearing Sophie!?¡± He barks.

    I didn¡¯t have a bra on because I don¡¯t sleep with them when going to bed.

    And not having the opportunity to do so because someone decided to have my car towed, my nipples

    were now on full disy thanks to the cool air.

    I crossed my arms over my chest and red at him.¡± What are you, my dad? If you weren¡¯t having my

    car towed so early in the morning maybe I¡¯d have enough time to be more decent.¡± I snapped, pulling

    away from him roughly.

    He had some nerve.

    Oh that storm in his eyes brewed.

    ¡°Get inside Sophie.¡± Aiden grits, jaw ticking I ignored him and focused on the man.

    ¡°I demand you leave my car or I¡¯ll call the cops,¡± I warned.

    The man shakes his head.

    ¡°Sorry ma¡¯am but the reports showed that the car is in very bad shape and the breaks aren¡¯t working

    properly-¡±

    ¡°What damn reports! This is all this asshole¡¯s doing!¡± I snapped pointing at Aiden.

    Did he really think that now he had a say in anything concerning me?

    ¡°That death trap is in bad shape Sophie.

    It¡¯s old ¡°Your main concern should be Ashton, not me and my car Aiden! I¡¯ll get rid of the car on my

    own.¡± I spat.

    ¡°What the hell do you think I¡¯m doing here Sophie? I¡¯m concerned about my son¡¯s safety when you

    drive that thing.

    Tow the car Shawn.¡± He snarled and reached out for me.

    Grabbing my arm, he tugs me away as Shawn told the other men to

    continue.

    L ¡°Let go of me asshole.¡± I hissed, trying and failing to get my arm out of his grip

    ¡°I¡¯m doing you a favor here Sophie.

    That car needs to be dumped before it gets you into trouble.¡±

    My eyes turn into slits at his face.

    ¡°Since when do you care if I get into trouble? Was it not yesterday you said you loathe? So why now

    care about someone you loathe?¡± I snapped, trying to pull away from him.

    But instead, he stops and tugs me to him.

    I let out a rush of air when my front ms against his.

    He holds me there, leaning down so our eyes would be leveled.

    ¡°And I had every right to say that for what you did to me!¡± He seethed lowly.

    ¡°And you did me worst!¡± I retorted, ring into his eyes.

    ¡°What did I do to you that was worst than keeping someone¡¯s son existence a secret from them

    Sophie!?¡± Aiden growled, lifting his head and pinching the bridge of his nose with his free hand.

    ¡°You¡¯re giving me a damn headache.¡± Sighing he drops his hand at his side but still keeps the other

    locked around my arm.

    ¡°Look, if you pissed about the car be reassured I bought you a new one that

    ¡°I don¡¯t need your charity.¡± I cut off, tugging out of his arm roughly when he least expected it.

    ¡°Why are so damn pissed about this!?¡± Aiden huffed.

    ¡°Many women would be happy at the thought of someone buying them a brand new car

    ¡°I¡¯m clearly not like other women Aiden.

    I don¡¯t need you to buy me anything.

    I¡¯m not some charity case.¡± Aiden¡¯s eyes turned into slits of rage.

    ¡°Sophie, my son will not be getting inside that death trap.

    It¡¯s either you ept the car or he¡¯lle with me.

 Chapter 61

    Chapter 61

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Oh, I know. He¡¯s some CEO, right? We can search him up online I¡¯m sure some business blogs have

    published about him.¡± M suggested, looking at me in question.

    I stopped my pacing I¡¯ve been pacing the living room floor for hours, chewing on my nails.

    It was such a bad habit.

    But it was the only thing that can hold myposure a little bit.

    I was so scared of what Aiden would do next.

    He was always unpredictable.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see what he¡¯s been up to for those three years.¡± M continued and looked over at Ria who

    nodded in agreement.

    ¡°Yes, I agree.

    Let¡¯s see if we also get some dirt on him we can use.¡± She nodded and got up from the sofa.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go get myptop.¡± M looks at me in concem.

    ¡°Come sit beside me, Soph.

    Stop pacing before you leave a hole in the apartment floor.¡±

    I sighed, nodded, and went to sit beside her.

    She hugs me sideways.

    ¡°It¡¯s going to be line.

    If he decides to take you to court we¡¯ll find the bestwyer and we¡¯ll win.

    I refuse to stand by and let Aiden bully you like he had done in high school.¡±

    I looked down at myp.¡± And how are we going to pay for thiswyer M? I¡¯m practically broke.¡± M

    shook her head.

    ¡°We¡¯ll find a way.

    Don¡¯t worry.¡± Ria walks in secondster with herptop in her hand.

    She struts over to us, sits on the rug and ces theptop on the coffee table.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure what we¡¯re looking for online.

    Aiden¡¯s smart enough to not keep his dirtyundry online.¡± I rubbed my forehead.

    It feels like I¡¯ve aged fifty years.

    I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if I woke up with grey hair.

    Ria shrugged, fixing herself on the rug and reaches for a throw pillow.

    ¡°Sometimes the inte can surprise you with how much dirtyundry it can hold.¡±

    Ria starts typing Aiden¡¯s full name after I spelled it out for her.

    ¡°So he took over thepany two years ago.

    Added another billion dors to thepany in just a few months.

    He¡¯s also known as the cold casanova who doesn¡¯t stay in a rtionship for more than a few days.¡± Ria

    read, scrolling through the long article about Aiden.

    His photo pops up on the screen and my heart jumps.

    Even with the stress he had bestowed on me, my stupid heart still beats for him.

    Ria scrolled down again and my eyes narrowed on the image that pops up next.

    It was Aiden who stood beside an older man who was

    familiar

    Both looked so cold.

    There was no warmth in their eyes.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Where have I seen that older man before? Roa continued her scrolling before I could figure out where I

    had seen the older man before.

    ¡°Oh, there¡¯s an interview video.

    ¡± She stops scrolling, hovering the mouse over the video.

    She looks at me.¡± Want to listen?¡± I gnawed on my bottom lip, ying with the ends of my shorts.

    I nod and Ria clicks on the video and erges it until it took over the screen.

    Aiden¡¯s sitting on a very expensive cream colored sofa, his fingers drumming on the armrest, almost in

    impatience.

    He looks like he doesn¡¯t want to be here.

    Mirroring him, sitting on a sofa is a blonde young woman who looks to be in her early thirties.

    She smiling brightly and looks excited to interview Aiden.

    ¡°Mr.

    Casanova,¡± She joked, holding the abundance of papers in her hand.

    ¡°I mean Mr.

    Xavier.¡±

    Aiden stiffens and nod just as stiffly.

    ¡°There are rumors around that you¡¯re dating well-known model, Melissa Sharpe.

    But we all know you don¡¯t keep them on your arms for too long.

    Which has everyone surprised that Melissa Sharpe has caught your eye for more than a week now.

    Do you think that you¡¯ve finally found the one?¡± The interviewer leans forward, as if beyond excited to

    hear Aiden¡¯s response to her question.

    My stomach is knotting in nerves for some reason and my fingers have

    left the material of my shorts to pinch my thigh.

    Aiden¡¯s jaw ticked when he answers.

    ¡°No.¡± The interviewer looks disappointed by his short clipped reply and tries again.¡± There are a lot of

    Xavier Please set their hearts at ease so they¡¯ll know if they still have a chance or if you¡¯ve fallen in

    love with Mrs.

    Sharpe.¡± Aiden¡¯s grip on the armrest is brutal as he turns to face the camera directly.

    ¡°There¡¯s only one woman who I¡¯ve ever loved and she died a long time ago.

    No woman can hold a candle to her.

    I¡¯m not interested in any long term rtionship.

    I don¡¯t do love.¡± His words daggered me in my heart so brutally that I thought I had internal bleeding

    He loved someone?

    My nails have now scrapped the skin of my thigh but I don¡¯t care.

    Turning to the interviewer Aiden said coldly.

    ¡°Is that not what you wanted to hear?¡± M looks at me in concern.

    ¡°We can stop the video Soph.¡± She said, squeezing my hand.

    I shook my head.

    ¡°No, let¡¯s continue.¡± The woman looks shocked at his words but quickly regains herposure.

    ¡°So you¡¯re saying that you¡¯ve been in love before?! I wonder who that lucky woman was.

    She must have been beautiful to make you fall head over heels.¡±

    Aiden nodded.

    ¡°She was.¡± My heart is tearing into pieces and I found myself jealous of a dead woman.

    Was she from New York? She must¡¯ve been a business woman too or maybe a model.

    The woman nods with a smile.

    ¡°I know you¡¯ve just said that you¡¯re not interested in a rtionship but I must ask about starting a family.

    Do you want kids in the future Mr.

    Xavier? You¡¯re still so young and perhaps one day, you¡¯ll be surprised when a womanes close to

    the woman you¡¯ve loved before.¡±

    UL

    ¡°I don¡¯t want children.¡± Came Aiden¡¯s abrupt and cold reply.

    ¡°There¡¯s no room in my life for children.

    I don¡¯t see myself having in the near future or the distant.

    Kids have never been a priority of mine and I have no interest in them.¡±

    ¡°Oh.

    But maybe one day you¡¯ll change your mind ¡°I said I don¡¯t want children.

    I have no room for children.¡± ¡°If a woman you¡¯ve been with in the past shows up with a child that¡¯s

    yours would you tell her the same thing Mr.

    Xavier?¡±

    Aiden leans forward, his eyes angry and stormy.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want children.¡± He hisses and storms away from the interview.

    And just like that hepletely shatters my heart.

    I¡¯m angry at his words angry at the way he was so dismissal of the questions.

    I blinked feeling the tears well up in my eyes.

    M reaches over and pauses the video.

    ¡°Okay that¡¯s enough.

    It shows how much of an asswipe Aiden still is.¡± I nod, rising from the sofa.

    M¡¯s eyes follow me up and she looks worried.

    ¡°Soph?¡±

    I shake my head.

    ¡°You¡¯re right he¡¯s still an asswipe.

    Also shows how he¡¯s not serious about being a father.¡± He doesn¡¯t want children, he has no room for

    kids in his life.

    It¡¯s not

    surprising and it shouldn¡¯t hurt me.

    But it does.

 Chapter 62

    Chapter 62

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Either way, I¡¯m getting what I want

    Those words rang in my head as I looked at Aiden in disbeliel. I tilt my hcad, my eyes zing over as I

    try to decipher if he was serious or not.

    This gaze is unwavering

    ¡°Is that a threat?¡± I breathed out in disbelief when he didn¡¯t apologize and say that he hadn¡¯t meant

    those words.

    Ilis story eyes narrowed down on me. ¡°Call it what you want That death trap still goes.¡±

    I shake my head, the tip of my tongue pushing between my teeth ¡°Typical Aiden Xavier Geis what he

    wants hy bullying and threatening. You¡¯ll never change.¡±

    I said and took a step back ¡°You¡¯re still that same bastard from high school.¡±

    His lips curl up into a snarl. ¡°You weren¡¯t saying that in my orlice yesterday while I was deep inside

    you.¡± Ile sneered lowly so only I can hear

    I flinched and then regained myposure quickly. I can¡¯t show him that I¡¯m weak anymore. That

    would only make him feel like he was still

    superior

    ¡°Don¡¯t bring up a mistake Aiden.¡±

    Ile takes a menacing step forward. ¡°Don¡¯t act like you¡¯d not do that ¡®mistake¡¯ again if I want you to

    puppx;¡±

    My jaw ticked at that name. Here he goes again with that damn name.

    I rolled my eyes and tear them away from him. ¡°Don¡¯t kid yourself. The only rtionship we¡¯ll ever have

    from now onward is taking care of Ashton. That is if you still want to be in his life. I know how you¡¯ve

    never wanted to be a father. No room for kids right?¡±

    ¡°Are you trying to bait me into saying that I don¡¯t want Ashton Sophie? Is this what it really hase

    to? Youre kept his existence from me and now you¡¯re trying your hardest to keep him away from me?¡±

    Aiden snorted in disbelief

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    I let out a heavy breath and run my fingers through my hair. Leave it to Aiden to try and manipte my

    words to make me seem like the only bad guy

    We were both the bad guys in this story:

    ¡°You¡¯re unbelievable.¡± I groaned, turning around and walking away. I don¡¯t know where I nned 10 go.

    Maybe back to the apartment or maybe take a long walk down the street to clear my head.

    But it¡¯s not like I had time to figure out where I was going to go

    because Aiden¡¯s fingers wrapped around my arm and stopped me from walking any further

    His touch burned through my skin despite how angry I am at him right

    now.

    ¡°Sophie,¡± He sighed, his voice softening but he doesn¡¯t say anything further. Only grips around my arm

    firmer.

    He starts after a few seconds of silence but a ck car rolling up to park just behind the SUV he just

    caine out of drew his attention and he retracts his hand from my arm.

    A young manes out of the ck car with some papers in his hands, Aiden leaves my side and

    approaches the man

    I turn around to look at them in confusion. Ria walks over to me and nudges me using her arm.¡± What¡¯s

    that¡¯s about?¡± She nudges her chin to Aiden and the young man who¡¯s handing him the papers.

    I tilt my head. ¡°I have no idea. But apparently, he bought me a new car.¡± I sighed, looking back at Mary

    who was already hooked to the tow truck

    I chewed my bottom lip in anger. It was clear that whatever I say now would be of no use, Aiden got his

    way like he always did.

    11

    LEHT

    TLF

    The only difference was that I¡¯d not let him get his way as casily as he

    once did.

    ¡°No kidding? Damn, I hope it¡¯s a nice car

    I shake my head. ¡°I don¡¯t care if it¡¯s a nice car or not, I¡¯m not epting

    it.¡±

    Aiden turns around, his hand clutching the papers as he stalks toward

    The younger man stood beside the ck car, looking our way.

    ¡°Ilere,¡± Aiden says and passes me the papers.

    I look at him confused.

    ¡°You need to sign those papers so the car will be on your name.¡± He said and took out a pen from his

    pocket

    At this early Aiden was already dressed in his expensive suit. He stood out like a sour thumb in this

    part of the neighborhood,

    I¡¯m surprised he showed up here in such expensive clothing and without bodyguards.

    I nod, grabbing the paper. His lips lifted into a cocky smirk that irritated me

    Ile thought he had won. I¡¯ll teach that cocky cassanova that he no longer can bend me to his will

    anymore. I was going to stay strong for

    my son, just in case he disappoints and hurts him like he has done to me countless times

    I shed him a fake sinile and then¡­¡­

    The sound of the paper learing filled the air. The second sound was Ria¡¯s shocked gasp and the third

    was the stunned curse word out of her lips as I lling the tom paper toward Aiden¡¯s face.

    Ilis eyes shut and his jaw licked in anger

    ¡°Listen here and listen good Aiden. You can no longer manipte me into doing anything you want

    anymore. Yes, I was wrong for keeping Ash from you but you¡¯d miss out on his firsts anyway! And sure

    you want in his life right now, but that doesn¡¯t mean you can juste into mine and shill around my

    private stuff¡¯ without my permission Keep your damn car, I¡¯ll buy my own¡± I hissed and walked away

    from him before he had the chance to respond

    LE

    I¡¯m storming back inside the apartment building when I hear his rushing licet nearing me Aiden¡¯s hand

    grips my arm stopping me and then he turned me around

    I m into his chest. gasping

    Ile¡¯s ring at me in fury and frustration, ¡°Where is that woman Yesterday who was crying and trying to

    act innoxent? Where¡¯s the whimpering puppy who wanted me to forgive her for keeping my son¡¯s

    existence from me!¡± Ile red ¡°Showing your true colors Sophie?¡±

    I red at him and tugged out of his arm.

    ¡°She died when she realized that she was right to think that she still needed to protect her baby boy¡¯s

    heart from you.¡± I spat.

    Aiden takes a step forward, seething.¡± What the fuck do you mean? Protect his heart from me?¡±

    ¡°All you ever do is shatter hearts wherever you go Aiden. You¡¯ve always been this way. You¡¯ve said that

    you have no room in your life for kids. You don¡¯t want any. What if one day you¡¯ll say that again and just

    decide to leave Ashton? What then? I¡¯d have to pick up the pieces you¡¯ve left behind and inend our

    son¡¯s heart all alone.¡± Tears well up in my eyes as I continued.

    ¡°You must understand that I can¡¯t let my guard down for you casily Aiden. Not when I don¡¯t know your

    true intentions. Not when you¡¯ve already proved you can hurt me. I don¡¯t want my son to go through the

    same thing I won¡¯t stand by it.¡± I lifted my chin in detiance even though tears were currently trailing

    down my cheeks.

    Aiden flinched and I¡¯m not sure if the reaction was caused by my words or the sight of my tears.

    Hekes a step back and brushes a hand down his face. ¡°I won¡¯t ever hurt my son Sophie.¡±

    I shake my head and giggled lowly without emotion. ¡°It¡¯s casier for you to say that than to actually mean

    it Aiden.¡±

    IL FIL

    ¡°Soph?¡± M¡¯s voice is soft and I turn around to see her at the bottom of the stairs with Ash in her arms.

    She looks concerned as she darted her eyes between Aiden and me

    His eyes are a twinkling blue and when he smiles, my breath catches in my throat by how much he

    looks like Aiden.

    ¡°Mama¡± Ash squealed happily

    ¡°He looks so much like me,¡± Aiden said so lowly that my ears barely picked up on it.

 Chapter 63

    Chapter 63

    Chapter 63

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°He does,¡± I whispered in agreement and cut the distance between M and me. Ash leaps into my

    arms quickly and I giggle.

    ¡°How¡¯s my baby boy this morning? Sorry, I woke you up so early bug.¡± I whispered, hugging him to me

    and nted a kiss on his head. He giggles, curling his little arms around my neck to hug me.

    M leans forward to whisper lowly while looking at Aiden behind me. ¡°Are you okay Soph?¡± She asked

    in concern

    I nod, reassuring her softly. ¡°Yes. Just a bit

    ¡°Can I hold him?¡± His voice fluttered behind me so softly that you¡¯d never know he was angry just

    moments ago.

    I whirl around with Ash in my hold and the little bugger giggled. I looked at Aiden but his eyes aren¡¯t on

    me. They¡¯re on his son.

    ¡°Yes,¡± I whispered and handed over Ash gently in his arms.

    Aiden¡¯s so gentle while taking Ash from my hold that it looks rather strange to see this soft side of him.

    It¡¯s odd to see him like this.

    I want to smile at the goofy little smile he sent to Ash to cause him to

    giggle. But I bit my bottom lip and focus on my son.

    ¡°Hi there Ashton. I¡¯m your dad.¡± He whispered causing me to snap my gaze to him in shock.

    Sure we hadn¡¯t talked about how we¡¯d break this down to Ash yet but I would¡¯ve thought he¡¯d at least

    consult me before telling Ash his role in his life.

    Aiden ignores my stare and focuses on his son who looked at him confused before giving him an

    adorable toothy grin that had me jealous.

    ¡°Dada?¡± Ashton said and I fawned inwardly. Even at his age, Ashton was smart enough to understand

    many things.

    I watch in incredible surprise when Aiden¡¯s face flushed. I wasn¡¯t sure if the cause was perhaps the suit

    he wore or Ashton¡¯s words.

    Either way, if I wasn¡¯t so angry and frustrated with him I¡¯d swoon. Inwardly of course.

    He lifted his fingers in Ashton¡¯s hair and brushed through them. ¡°Yes Ash, I¡¯m your dada.¡± He said

    fondly, his eyes glowing.

    Even though the way he stared at Ash melted my heart, I had to remind myself that this was Aiden and

    at any time he can just change his mind and hurt Ashton. And me.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go start on breakfast,¡± M whispered, seeming to want to give us

    some space.

    I looked at her with wide eyes. Begging her to not leave me alone with Aiden and Ashton but she only

    smiles at me reassuringly before running up those stairs I knew for certain would have her out of breath

    in seconds.

    I red at where she left off and froze when Aiden sent a question to me. ¡°What time does he usually

    go to daycare?¡±

    I whip around to face him, my brows furrowing in confusion. ¡°How do you know he¡¯s in daycare?¡±

    Aiden yfully bites Ashton¡¯s little fingers as they try to touch his lips. Ashton giggles loudly with a

    small squeal.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Looking over at me passively, Aiden responds cooly. ¡°Does it matter?¡±

    I shake my head and let out an annoyed breath. He was so damn frustrating

    ¡°Yes it does matter Aiden.¡± I gritted out lowly, crossing my arms under my breasts.

    Aiden pushes out an irritated sigh and answers. ¡°It was just a guess, Sophie. Kids his age are in

    daycare. I just assumed.¡± He answers curtly and yfully nips his son¡¯s yful little fingers.

    I narrowed my eyes on his face, not believing him one bit. I was also a bit confused about how he knew

    where I lived in the first ce.

    Yesterday I didn¡¯t quite think about it then because I was a bit more upied with the thoughts filling

    my head. But now it was a bit suspicious that he knew where I live when not even Bemard knew where

    I stay

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I called out to him, hoping I can take a few seconds of his attention away from his son.

    ¡°Hmmm?¡± He hums, making silly faces at Ashton who giggles.

    Stop squeezing so much stupid heart.

    ¡°How did you know where I

    The loud sharp sound of his phone ringing cuts threw my words. I pressed my lips together.

    Aiden lets some incoherent words out of his mouth but ignores his ringing phone. It goes silent again

    only for a few secondster for the ringing to re even louder.

    ¡°It may be important Aiden,¡± I said and motioned for him to give Ash to me.

    He looks reluctant, very reluctant, but he gives Ashton back to me slowly before digging in his pocket

    and prying his phone out.

    He stares at the screen and I noted how his jaw popped in frustration.

    ¡°Give me a few, I¡¯ll be back.¡± He grumbles under his breath before

    walking a bit further from Ash and me.

    He looks back over at us, his stormy eyes connecting with mine. I held my breath, my stomach knotting

    with something familiar I shouldn¡¯t be feeling right now

    Those storms fall to stare at the little boy we created and they¡¯re lighter. He turns away and puts the

    phone close to his ear.

    By the rigidness of his shoulders and the way he seems to be snapping at whoever was on the other

    line, I knew that he wasn¡¯t exactly pleased to be speaking to whoever was unfortunately at the

    receiving end of his anger.

    ¡°Dada,¡± Ash giggled, pointing at Aiden. I nodded, pressing my lips to his forehead as I whispered. ¡°Yes,

    Ash. Dada.¡±

    I stand there for a few just looking at Aiden¡¯s rigid form and wondering what got him so pissed off.

    I tear my gaze away from him when Ria finally enters through the door. She looks rather chirpy too,

    which raised my suspicion.

    ¡°What got you so happy?¡± I asked in suspicion.

    She was literally skipping over here. I raised a brow when she grinned.

    ¡°Got that hot guy¡¯s number.¡± She chirped when she reached beside me.

    ¡°What hot guy?¡± I asked.

    ¡°The guy who drove your new car over here. His name is Brian.¡± She giggles

    I rolled my eyes. ¡°I didn¡¯t ept the new car so it¡¯s not mine.¡±

    Ria snorted. ¡°Yeah you made quite a scene back there, tearing the paper and throwing it in his face.

    The guy looked ready to blow a fuse. I can see where Ash got his temper from when we take way too

    long to give him some ice cream.¡±

    I snorted. ¡°He deserved that torn paper being thrown on his face for thinking he can juste into my

    life and boss me around like that.¡±

    I red at Aiden¡¯s back. It is still so rigid and tense.

    ¡°I mean he bought you a new one and you were craving to get rid of Mary. I say the universe brought

    you a gift.¡±

    I snorted. ¡°I say the universe brought me a blue eyed devil that would never change. And sure I wanted

    to get rid of Mary. But only on my terms. Aiden had no right to get rid of her without consulting me first.¡±

    Riaughed lightly and pinched Ashton¡¯s chin lightly. ¡°Let¡¯s pray little bug doesn¡¯t take after his father

    and doesn¡¯t get rid of his crush¡¯s car only to buy her a new one. Cause clearly that tactic isn¡¯t

    favorable.¡±

    ¡°Well there¡¯s a huge difference between one being someone¡¯s crush and doing it for the goodness of

    the heart and one wanting to get even and show superiority. Aiden clearly did this to show he had the

    upper hand no matter what.¡± I sighed with a disappointed shake of my head.

    Ria hums and looks over at Aiden. ¡°I don¡¯t know Sophie¡­. maybe it¡¯s too early to judge him. Perhaps

    he¡¯s not as bad

    I snorted, cutting her off. ¡°Trust me Ria, I think I know Aiden more than anyone else here, Aiden is

    nothing but a bully.¡±

    As soon as those words are out of my mouth, Aiden chooses that time to turn around and connect his

    eyes with mine.

    He says something under his breath and cuts the end of the call. Thrusting the phone back into his

    pocket he stalks back toward us.

    .

    ¡°Well I¡¯m off.¡±. Ria says and rushes up the stairs before I can tell her how much of a traitor she was.

    I breathed out a frustrated breath and looked at Aiden as he approaches. He is still so tensed and I

    noted how those storms in his eyes were brewing

    ¡°I¡¯m off to the office. Get dressed by seven forty, I¡¯ll have Mitch pick you two up.¡± Aiden demanded and

    bends over Ash to nt a kiss on his head.

    ¡°I¡¯ll see youter bud.¡± He whispers with promise.

    My brows lift at his words in shock and confusion. ¡°Why?¡± I asked in a stunned breath

    Aiden lifts his eyes to mine and he pulls away from Ashton. Pushing one of his hands in his pockets he

    says cooly. ¡°Mitch will drop Ash at

    the daycare and then will bring you to the office.¡±

 Chapter 64

    Chapter 64

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    ¡°What is it?¡± I hissed under my breath and turned my back to face Sophie.

    ¡°Is that anyway to speak to your grandfather? I know your parents did not raise you right

    ¡°Leave my parents out of this Sergio. What are you calling for?¡± I hissed and run my fingers through my

    hair.

    This man knew how to hit my nerves and get me irritated and furious. I suspected he enjoyed getting

    on my nerves. It was a game to him.

    ¡°I called the office. You didn¡¯t pick up.¡± He said in his usual cold tone.

    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Because I wasn¡¯t there. What did you need Sergio? I¡¯m busy at the moment.¡±

    Having Ashton in my arms felt like home. It felt like a piece of the missing puzzle I was missing in my

    heart. I was missing another and I knew where I could find that other.

    I just didn¡¯t know I could forgive her just yet. Not when I¡¯m so angry at her for what she did.

    ¡°Where are you?¡± Sergio asked with unmistakable tightness in his voice.

    ¡°Are you with one of your whores parading around and making those damn paparazzi catch you in the

    act?¡± He seethed and I could just picture him ring at a nk wall, hoping that that wall could

    magically catch on fire

    ¡°My whereabouts are none of your concern Sergio. But to put your old mind at ease, no I¡¯m not up to

    my usual. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re happy about that.¡± I uttered coldly while squeezing the phone in a death like

    grip.

    ¡°Ecstatic grandson.¡± He said sarcastically.

    I rolled my eyes when I caught his sarcastic tone.

    ¡°Sergio you really caught me at the wrong time. ¡± I said with impatience on my tongue.

    ¡°One hundred and fifty.¡± Sergio grumbles on the other line.

    My brows furrowed. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°One hundred and fifty employees Aiden! You fired one hundred and fifty!? What the hell were you

    thinking?¡± He hissed through the other line.

    I smirked, well took him long enough. I thought he¡¯d never call to st my ear off about this decision of

    mine.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Employees that held no importance,¡± I said casually. ¡°I did thepany a favor by letting go of the

    weak spots.¡±

    ¡°Do you know what those business blogs are writing online about your decision? They¡¯re calling it a

    poor choice and that you might just make thepany go bankrupt if you keep at it.¡±

    ¡°Thought those blogs focused more on my sex life than my business¡­..hmmm who would¡¯ve thought

    this would move them off my ass,¡± I said sarcastically.

    ¡°Aiden this is no time to jester around. Those blogs have recently pinned you under their attention for

    months now. You have to be careful with what you do or you¡¯ll run thepany down

    ¡°Clearly those blogs don¡¯t get their facts right. I sealed a five million deal yesterday, I don¡¯t think the

    employees. ¡°I cut him off with my cool cold tone.

    ¡°You clearly can¡¯t see the big picture Aiden. Having those blogs on your side and saying good things

    about you will boost thepany¡¯s reputation and yours.¡± Sergio grumbles.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need to be on their side Sergio. Those blogs are nothing but pests.¡± I gritted out.

    ¡°Your head is as hard as your mother¡¯s.¡± Sergio sighed in frustration.

    ¡°Don¡¯t talk about my mother Sergio,¡± I warned, getting ready to defend her if needed

    Sergio sighed on the other end and mumbled. ¡°I¡¯ll be sending Derek to the office to collect those data

    files I told you to print out. Have you finished them?¡±

    I popped my jaw. I have been so damn focused on everything Sophie and now everything Sophie and

    Ashton that Ipletely forgot about Sergio¡¯s request.

    I pinched the skin between my eyes and let out a frustrated breath. ¡°I¡¯m on my way to the office now. It

    will be ready in twenty minutes.¡± I said and hung up the phone.

    Whipping around, I walk back over to Sophie and Ashton.

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I gritted my teeth. ¡°I don¡¯t need to get to the office Aiden. I left the job remember?¡±

    Aiden only rolls his eyes.

    AL

    ¡°I didn¡¯t ept the letter remember?¡± He said cooly, a tiny irritating grin curling on his tempting lips.

    39 650

    ¡°Just make sure you get ready on time Sophie.¡± He said tightly when he saw my pissed off re.

    He really thinks he can just enter my life and boss me around. I¡¯ll show him.

    ¡°Fine.¡± I nod, inwardly smirking at the idea of how I¡¯d avoid going to the office.

    Aiden¡¯s eyes narrow on my face before he shakes his head and rips his gaze from mine to focus on his

    son. ¡°Be safe bud.¡± He whispers and then leaves a few secondster.

    Ashton¡¯s eyes are sad while staring at the door Aiden just departed from. ¡°Dada?¡± Ash pointed a finger

    at the door and my heart throbs.

    He¡¯s sad that his dad left¡­¡­..

    ¡°You¡¯ll see him soon bug. Come on let¡¯s go back upstairs to eat some breakfast and then get ready for

    daycare.¡± I said, turning around to walk up the stairs.

    Hopefully, M hadn¡¯t burnt the breakfast like thest time.

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    ¡°Good morning sir.¡± Noel greeted me as I stormed toward my office.

    ¡°You¡¯re fired,¡± I said coldly as I walked past her with my head forward.

    ¡°I beg your pardon, Mr. Xavier?¡± Noel asked in shock while rising to her feet quickly

    ¡°Pack your stuff, I want you out before eight,¡± I said casually and a bit louder in case she hadn¡¯t heard

    me the first time.

    ¡°But sir

    I opened the door and closed it behind me, silencing her voice.

    I loosened my tie and let out a ragged breath. Today had already started on a stressful note.

    I thought Sophie would be more grateful that I got rid of that death trap. But instead she really was

    fighting me on this. She even tore the paper¡­

    ¡°She¡¯ll ept it. I¡¯ll make her ept it.¡± I gritted out, ring at my desk as I walked around it.

    I had to admit that her defiance was hot. Especially with the way she fumed at me. Her face got a bit

    flushed when she was mad and it was sexy the way she red at me¡­

    I brushed my hand over my face in frustration. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m getting a boner right now.

    Her defiance was hot but also irritating as hell, I should also remember

    that.

    Honestly, I didn¡¯t think she¡¯d put up much of a fight.

    She¡¯s changed. And I liked a challenge.

    I smirked. Just wait until she hears the surprise I have for her when she gets here.

    The door to my office thrust open and ines a shocked Noel. ¡°Mr. Xavier I don¡¯t understand

    With my hands now on the desk, I gritted out. ¡± What don¡¯t you understand Noel? You¡¯re fired.¡±

    Her eyes widen and she takes a few steps forward, her face going red and eyes tearing up. ¡°But how,

    why? Sir 1

    ¡°I am no longer in need of your services. This has been long overdue.¡± I said casually while fixing my

    tie and sitting down on my leather chair.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been a loyal employee

    I rolled my eyes. Here we go again. Another whimpering employee trying to guilt trip me.

    Sucking my cock once and she thinks she¡¯s important to me and thepany

    Delusional woman.

    ¡°I already have your recement Noel. She¡¯sing today and soon, so suggest you clean out your

    work area.¡± I said coldly and raised a brow at her. She¡¯s crying and this does not affect me.

    In fact, I should¡¯ve done this sooner.

    Noel res at me and storms out of the office, leaving me rolling my eye at her tantrum.

    Rubbing my fingers on my chin, I smirked.

    Why hadn¡¯t I thought of this sooner?

 Chapter 65

    Chapter 65

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°I really hope to God you know what you¡¯re doing Soph. Aiden seems to be even more powerful now

    than he was when we were in high school.¡± M said with concern in her voice.

    She would be the one dropping Ash off today at the daycare while I stay home and search online for

    job openings before I decide to go back to work at the diner.

    Sure it wasn¡¯t bad to work there but I think it was time for a change.

    ¡°Where¡¯s the girl who would help fight Aiden tooth and nail with me?¡± I asked with a teasing lifted brow

    as I fixed Ashton¡¯s shirt.

    M rolled her eyes while crossing her arms over her chest.¡± She¡¯s still here, just now more cautious.

    He¡¯s powerful Soph, anyone would be afraid of him. Is it that bad that he wants you to still work for

    Bernard? I mean, Bernard is a good man and I¡¯m sure an even better boss¡­.

    She trailed off, looking at me with concern.

    I sighed heavily and picked up Ashton.

    ¡°M I can¡¯t keep bending to his will anymore, not when I have someone¡¯s little heart to protect. I need

    to stand my ground in case one day he decides to hurt us. I¡¯ll protect my son with all I have.¡± I said

    while looking down at Ashton in my hold.

    He¡¯s ying with the truck print on my oversized shirt. I wasn¡¯t kidding when I said I was staying home

    to go job surfing online.

    Aiden can dry out like a prune in his office, he¡¯ll not be seeing my face again at Harrington.co.

    I refuse to be his puppet.

    Sighing heavily my eyes sweep to my phone. I had yet to call Bernard even though he had given me

    more than ten missed calls.

    I was just so unsure of how to tell him everything. Even more unsure of how to tell him that Ashton¡¯s

    dad was none other than the blue-eyed devil.

    How would he react?

    ¡°I just don¡¯t want you to regret another decision Soph. I know you regretted more than anything about

    keeping Ash existence away from Aiden. I don¡¯t want to see you so torn again. It hurts me to see you

    like this.¡± M whispered.

    I licked my suddenly dry lips and brushed my fingers through my hair. ¡°Don¡¯t bring that up M.¡± I

    whispered.

    I didn¡¯t want to be reminded of my poor decisions. I didn¡¯t want to be a crying mess again.

    She nods, looking at me apologetic for bringing it up. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Soph. I just care about you, you know

    that? I know what Aiden can do and how much he can hurt you.¡±

    I nod. ¡°And I get that M. But I know what I¡¯m doing this time. I¡¯m not the same naive school girl that

    doesn¡¯t know how to guard her heart. I know how to fight him now M. I¡¯ll be fine.¡± I promised even

    though I didn¡¯t believe the words I let out of my mouth.

    M nods but I can tell she doesn¡¯t believe my words either. She lifts her wrists to look down at her

    watch. ¡°Well it¡¯s seven thirty, do you think that ¡®Mitch¡¯ man is outside waiting?¡±

    She asked while prying Ash out of my hold and into hers.

    I chewed on my bottom lip and walked to the window. There, parked on | the side of the road was the

    familiar ck SUV.

    He¡¯s on time.

    ¡°He¡¯s out waiting. Remember what I told you to say when he asked about me?¡± I whip around to look at

    her.

    With a wince, she nods. ¡°I¡¯m supposed to tell him to tell Aiden that you¡¯re not bending to his will, right?¡±

    I nod and look down at Ash. ¡°Cover his ears. ¡°I told her.

    When she does so I uttered. ¡°And to also tell Aiden to go eat shit. Make sure you cover Ashton¡¯s ears

    when you tell him that one.¡± I warned.

    She nods quickly and picks up her bag. ¡°Call me if anything¡­¡± She trailed off

    I nod. M was getting worried for nothing. It¡¯s not like Aiden would force me to Harrington.co

    himself¡­..

    After saying our goodbyes and kissing Ash on his head, M walks out of the apartment. I wait beside

    the window, chewing my bottom lip while my heart beat furiously in my chest.

    Aiden would surely blow a fuse when Mitch passes him my message.

    I smirked.

    M¡¯s pov

    ¡°Let¡¯s hope your mama knows what she¡¯s doing Ash,¡± I whispered as I opened the door and walked out

    of the apartment building.

    The ck shiny SUV is parked beside the curb and from here, I couldn¡¯t catch a glimpse of the driver.

    My brows furrowed as I approached the car. Where¡¯s the Mitch guy?

    As I removed the distance separating the SUV and me, I finally caught the glimpse of the driver. He¡¯s

    slumped on the seat and seemed to be trying to make himself appear smaller. Or perhaps invisible.

    I snorted and tried to open the door. It doesn¡¯t budge. Walking over to the driver¡¯s side, I knocked on

    the ss lightly.

    Mitch jumps in startlement, his wide frightened eyesnding on me. When he sees that I meant no

    harm he smiles in embarrassment and unlocks the door.

    Shaking my head, I walked back to the backseat and opened the door. I¡¯m surprised that there¡¯s a car

    seat waiting for Ash already.

    Aiden¡¯s really fast¡­..

    Can it be that this little boy in my arms will change his cold hearted father?

    He does seem different when he¡¯s in Ashton¡¯s presence¡­.

    Tucking Ash in the car seat securely, Mitch spoke up. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that, I nearly dozed off.¡± He said

    and I wanted tough at his ridiculous excuse. The man looked like he was trying to blend with the car

    seat.

    Doze off my ass.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Sure¡­.¡± I trailed off while entering the car after making sure Ash was secure and safe.

    Closing the door, I catch the glimpse of Mitch¡¯s confused stare through the rearview mirror.

    ¡°Is Miss. Bell noting?¡± He asked.

    I shook my head. ¡°Nope, I¡¯ll be the one to drop off Ash at daycare. But she did leave a message for

    your boss that she hope you¡¯ll pass over to him.¡±

    Mitch looks at me even more confused.¡±

    ¡°Tell Aiden Xavier that Sophie Bell said she will no longer bend to his will and that he should eat shit,¡± I

    smirked when Mitch¡¯s eyes widen in surprise.

    ¡°Shit?¡± Ash¡¯s cute voice murmured in curiosity.

    Oh shit.

    Sophie¡¯s going to kill me.

    Turning the sheet of a ghost I whispered to Mitch. ¡°You should probably drive.¡±

    Mitch nods, still lookingpletely stunned and confused by my words.

    ¡°Shit?¡± Ash said again. I groaned. How the hell am I going to fix this without having to pass through a

    mother hen¡¯s furry?

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    I probably should¡¯ve made that damn woman Noel do those data papers before firing her.

    I hissed, mming my hands on the printer. That damn thing needs recing

    I checked the time on my watch.

    Seven thirty-eight

    I smirked. Soon Sophie will be here.

    Soon.

    My phone suddenly res in my pocket.

    Grunting in annoyance, I took it out of my pocket and answered it quickly when I saw it was Mitch.

    ¡°What is it? Did something happen to Ashton? Sophie?¡± I asked urgently as my heart pumped into my

    chest quickly.

    Mitch answers, his words stumbling out of his mouth. ¡°No Mr. Xa-vier. Ash-ton is fine and had just been

    dropped off at daycare. Miss. Bell on the other ha-nd¡­.¡±

    He trailed off unsurely.

    I felt my jaw pop in irritation. ¡°What about Miss. Bell Mitch?¡±

    ¡°She didn¡¯te.¡±

    I stiffen, my hands gripping the phone in a brutal grip when I heard his words.

    MIT

    ¡°What?¡± I barked through the line. Damn you Sophie Bell.

    This woman was a headache.

    ¡°Her exact words were that you can no longer bend her to your will and that you should eat shit sir.¡±

    Mitch said reluctantly.

    ring at the printer, I snarled. ¡°Get to Harrington.co Mitch.¡±

    ¡°Sir?¡± Mitch asked in fear.

    ¡°Just get here soon.¡± I snapped and cut off the phone.

    Fisting it in my hands brutally, I mmed my hand on the printer.

    Sophie Bell. I¡¯ll show you how much I¡¯ll bend you to my will. Just you wait.

 Chapter 66

    Chapter 66

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    | dried my hands with the kitchen towel and neatly ced it back on the hanger while looking out the

    window.

    I haven¡¯t been like this in a while. Out of a job I mean.

    I¡¯ve always tired myself out at the diner and when I had an off day I¡¯d spend it with Ash as much as I

    can.

    | sighed, hoping I made the right decision in not going back to Harrington.co.

    Aiden would probably be an even bigger bully if I did.

    Shaking my head I blow the stray hairs tickling down my forehead and walked to the living room area.

    Ria left herptop here for me to use and left to do anoth er photoshoot downtown. She¡¯s been booked

    recently and in her words, her life was finally falling into ce.

    Sitting down on the fuzzy rug, I swiped my finger over the touchpad and theptop screen lights up.

    Opening google, I began to search for avable jobs in my city.

    Thirty minutester my eyes stung by the torturous light of the screen and the migraine lurking behind

    my lids. Every thing required a master¡¯s degree and something higher than a high school degree.

    In other words, I was royally fucked for now.

    Suddenly my phone res on the coffee table. My heart

    0.00%

    leaps thinking it was him.

    But where would Aiden get my number?

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    Don¡¯t be ridiculous Sophie, it¡¯s Aiden we¡¯re talking about.

    I reached out for my phone, sucking in a calming breath before looking at the caller.

    Relief washed out of my lungs when I saw it was Bernard.

    I winced.

    I had been ignoring his calls since leaving Aiden¡¯s office. He must be worried sick.

    Gnawing on my bottom I answered the call and ced the phone beside my ear. .

    ¡°Oh Sophie, I¡¯ve been worried sick about you!¡± Bernard rushed through the phone as soon as I ced

    it beside my ear.

    I wince. How would I even exin this to him?

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for not answering your calls Bernard and sorry about leaving Harrington.co without telling you

    anything. I was just so upset and needed to clear my head before talking to you. Before you ask, yes

    I¡¯m okay, please don¡¯t worry.¡± | breathed out and rise to my feet because my bum was cur rently humb

    from sitting for so long.

    Bernard stays quiet for a few moments, perhaps drinking in my words before he responds. ¡°I don¡¯t need

    to know what happened when you went to Aiden¡¯s office, Sophie. All I want to know is that you¡¯re okay

    and that he hadn¡¯t done anything bad to you.¡±

    I run a hand down my hair. I had my tresses dropped so they could air dry after washing them in the

    shower an hour or so ago.

    I¡¯m at least relieved he didn¡¯t want to know what hap pened in Aiden¡¯s office because I really wasn¡¯t

    ready to tell him about Aiden being. Ash¡¯s dad yet.

    ¡°We said some stuff that we shouldn¡¯t have and I left. I¡¯m sorry Bernard, I don¡¯t think I¡¯ming back to

    Harrington.co.¡± I sighed, hoping he¡¯d not be too disappointed.

    ¡°Well, I figured when you didn¡¯t show up today.¡± He chuckled.

    I felt awful for doing this especially when Bernard had lit erally outstretched a hand to give me an

    opportunity I clearly would only get once in a lifetime.

    But I couldn¡¯t for the life of me feel okay to be working in the same ce as Aiden. Hell Aiden was the

    boss so it would n¡¯t be bizarre that I¡¯d be seeing him way too much.

    I don¡¯t think my heart can take that as yet.

    Bernard sighs. ¡°As long as you¡¯re happy Sophie and safe. I know something happened between you

    and Aiden in that of fice and I hope one day you¡¯d want to tell me. I¡¯m just happy you¡¯re okay now.¡±

    He stops and then lured in a sharp breath. ¡°Can we meet for coffeeter

    A knock sounds at the door and I whip my head to face the front door.

    What the hell?

    Was Ria expecting someone? Or maybe she came back from the shoot earlier than expected?

    But why would she knock on the door when she had the key?

    Another harder knock sounded through the door again and I quickly told Bernard that I¡¯d call him back.

    When he says okay, I end the call and looked at the door in confusion. i

    Did Ria forget her keys?

    I wait to hear her call out to me like she¡¯d usually do when she forgets her keys but Ria¡¯s voice doesn¡¯t

    filter through the door but another knock does.

    I walked to the door and unlocked it then slowly opened it, expecting maybe a lost kid. But who stood in

    front of me seething like a kettle and towering over me with many inches had my heart pummeling in

    my chest harshly.

    Aiden.

    My eyes widen and I sort to close the door but he stuck his foot out and allows himself in.

    ¡°Aiden what the hell are you

    I started as I backed away from him when he mmed the door close with rage.

    ¡°You think this is amusing Sophie? I told you to be ready by seven thirty and get your pretty ass in my

    office before eight. Now imagine my surprise when my chauffeur called to tell me that the mother of my

    child did not show up and in

    stead left a message for me to eat shit.¡± He growled, his eyes narrowing as he takes a menacing step

    forward.

    ¡°I

    ¡°I left my office unattended because of you Sophie

    Now those words irritated me. ¡°I did not tell you to do that Aiden! I didn¡¯t tell you to do anything! Why

    are you even here!?¡± | snapped crossing my arms under my chest.

    I am well aware that I¡¯m in nothing but a tank top and some soft cotton shorts. I didn¡¯t n to have

    ¡°Why do you think I¡¯m here Sophie?¡± He asked while tak ing a step forward which led me to take a step

    back.

    With his eyes narrowing on my face, his gaze dipped to my lips. ¡± I¡¯m bringing you to my office whether

    you like it or

    not.¡±

    | stared at him in shock. ¡°You¡¯re kidding right?¡±

    He would not force me to go with him, would he?

    Did he reallye all the way over here to drag me to Harrington.co?

    Aiden¡¯s jaw popped. ¡°I don¡¯t kid Sophie.¡±

    My eyes narrowed at his attitude. ¡°I¡¯m not going any where with you Aiden so you came all the way

    over here for nothing.¡± I snapped turning around and walking away.

    He follows after me and whirls me around. His eyes are

    zing with frustration and he looks beyond irritated. ¡°Why are you trying to make this difficult Sophie!?

    I¡¯m still offering you a job and you¡¯re acting like I¡¯m about to feed you nails.¡± He sneered.

    I tug away from him and red at his face. This was ex actly why I didn¡¯t want to work with him, he

    always wanted his

    way.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need you to offer me anything Aiden! I can look out for myself, you only have to look out for

    Ash.¡±

    His eyes turned stormy and I regretted opening my mouth the second they did. ¡°Clearly you can¡¯t look

    after yourself if you¡¯re swimming in five thousand dors of debt!¡±

    I flinched.

    How did he find out about that? With Mary always giving me trouble, I had to take a small loan to

    somewhat fix her a couple of months ago. But things got costly and I still hadn¡¯t paid off the loan yet.

    Still, how did Aiden find out about that?

    My eyes narrowed as I look at him.¡± You¡¯re keeping tabs on me.¡± I breathed out with a shake of my

    head.

    Of course, it all makes sense now how he knew exactly where I was staying. Aiden had been keeping

    tabs.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter where I got the information from, what matters is that you¡¯re in desperate need of

    money, and clean ing houses or working at a diner wouldn¡¯t get you that money as fast as working in

    Harrington.co would.¡±

    I shake my head. Aiden was still the same bully that want ed his way.

    ¡°I¡¯ll find a job Aiden, like I said I don¡¯t need you. You¡¯vee all this way, ooph.¡± | yelp as Aiden

    surprised me by quickly picking me up and swinging me over his shoulder.

    I¡¯m dangling like a sack of potatoes with my hair brushing his bottom. ¡°Aiden! What the hell!?¡± |

    screeched and tried to wiggle off him but he only tightens his hold and smacks my bottom.

    My¡¯eyes widen and I gasp in shock.

    ¡°Stop wiggling. Now if you don¡¯t stay still i¡¯ll not put you down.¡± He warned.

    I gasped. The nerve of him!

    ¡°Aiden you let me down this instant!¡± | snapped and wig gled around.

    ¡°I warned you and now I¡¯m not going to put you down.¡± He snorted, turned around, and started walking.

    ¡°Where are you taking me?¡± | rushed out and tried to move his hands off me. But I was literally nothing

    ¡°Where I said I¡¯d take you kicking and screaming. To my office.¡± He said and opened the front door and

    stepped out with me in his hold.

 Chapter 67

    Chapter 67

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Aiden!¡± | screeched when he closed the door behind him. He was serious!

    With a chuckle, Aiden starts to walk down the hall leading to the stairs. ¡°Aiden put me down! I¡¯ll scream

    if you don¡¯t.¡± | warned.

    If he can threaten me then surely I can do the same to him.

    He stops abruptly, making my head bounce a little. I hated being upside down. Now I can¡¯t see shit but

    his bottom to his

    shoes to the floor.

    .: Don¡¯t get me wrong, his bottom was quite a good view, great actually but that was one of the main

    reasons I didn¡¯t want to be upside down, I couldn¡¯t stop staring.

    And don¡¯t get me started on how in between my thighs felt when his palmnded on my bottom.

    ¡°Okay I¡¯ll put you down,¡± Aiden uttered after a few silent moments. I¡¯m nearly celebrating my victory

    only to bite my tongue when he continues.

    ¡°But.¡± He started, gripping me tighter. ¡°If I do put you down know that Bernard will be getting fired.

    You¡¯d not want

    him to lose his job because of you now, would you?¡±

    | sucked in a breath, my anger boiling in my stomach. Was he really threatening a man¡¯s job to get his

    way?

    Why am I even surprised?

    Aiden would stoop as low as he can to get his way.

    I stopped fighting him and gritted out.¡± I hate you.¡±

    He stays silent for a few and then responds coldly.¡± know.¡±

    I stay muted and Aiden continued his path down the stairs with me in his hold.

    :: ¡°I can walk you know. You¡¯ve made it clear that if I don¡¯te with you Bernard would suffer, so

    obviously I won¡¯t fight you on this anymore.¡± I said after a few tense silent moments.

    I didn¡¯t like being dangled upside down like this especially when he was going down a flight of stairs.

    Aiden stays silent and doesn¡¯t respond.

    I knew he had heard me, the way his grip had grown firmer said so. He was choosing to ignore me.

    ¡°At least let me get dressed more appropriately,¡± I said

    and felt flush as I remembered that I was dressed in nothing but lounge clothing.

    I surely can¡¯t go to Harrington.co like this. Especially with out any shoes to d my feet.

    That would be so embarrassing to enter the building look ing like I just woke up.

    Aiden ignored me and only when I smacked his back did he respond.

    ¡°I¡¯ll have someone buy something for you when we get there.¡± He answered gruffly.

    ¡°You can¡¯t seriously have me enter the building like this, Aiden.¡± I screeched in disbelief.

    He was joking, surely he was joking.

    ¡°You should have thought of that before making that de cision to note when I told you to.¡± He said

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    bluntly.

    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious. Aiden!¡± | snapped, pping his back. He was so annoying. So damn frustrating.

    ¡°I thought you said you won¡¯t fight me again?¡± He snorted.

    ¡°I hate you,¡± | grumble and Aiden answered bluntly. ¡°You¡¯ve said that one already.¡±

    I stay quiet until Aiden walked out of the building. There are others walking up and down the streets

    and I¡¯m sure their eyes were set on us.

    I was way too embarrassed to even look to see if anyone had their attention on us. But by the sounds

    of whispering, it was confirmed.

    Aiden suddenly set me on my feet and I take a few sec onds to regroup. When I amposed, I

    looked at his emo tionless face and smacked him on his chest.

    Csl.

    ¡°You¡¯re a brute!¡± | snapped ring at him.

    Aiden only raised his brow and take a step back to open the back door of the SUV. ¡°Get in,¡± He nudged

    his head and looked at me like he was waiting for me to disagree.

    With a re, I entered crossing my arms as soon as my bum was on the seat. I¡¯m so angry and

    frustrated at him that I wanted to scream. But I bit my tongue instead.

    My eyes caught the gaze of his chauffeur, the same man who was kind enough to ask me if I needed

    help that day Mary embarrassed me in the parking lot.

    He looked at me in embarrassment and tore his eyes away quickly.

    I shake my head and stiffen when Aiden slides beside me,

    his thighs touching mine.

    When he closes the door and nods his head for his chauf feur, 1 mumble. ¡°Ever heard of personal

    space?¡±

    . There was no space for me to shift to get away from his heat. He was the one who needed to move

    away.

    But instead of doing so, Aiden only pushes closer to me until I was nearly squeezed between him and

    the door.

    gritted my teeth. It was clear he just wanted to irritate me and I¡¯d not give him the satisfaction of seeing

    me irritated.

    I looked over and saw that there was enough space on the other side. Making up my mind, I lift myself

    off the seat and try to pass over Aiden to get to the other side.

    | gasp, my eyes widening when his swift hands mp around my waist and push me down on hisp.

    I¡¯m so stunned that no wordes out of my mouth as yet. His hands on my waist burn through the

    material of my tank top and seep through my skin to heat up my lower stom ach and between my

    thighs.

    1 bit into my lower lip, fighting off this powerful feeling he was forcing me to endure. The chauffeur

    drives off and Aiden¡¯s hands tighten to secure me.

    With my bum on hisp and my center literally brushing against his front, I couldn¡¯t breathe properly.

    My fingers go to his hands on my waist and I try to calm my racing heart as I suck in a breath. I¡¯m

    breathing so quickly, my chest rising and falling.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± | whispered, trying to move his hands off my waist.

    But instead of doing so, Aiden¡¯s hold grows even more firm.

    ¡°Let go of me Aiden,¡± | grumble. Why was he trying to make me ufortable by keeping me on his

    ¡°No.¡± He responded bluntly.

    I froze when something beneath me stirs.

    His cock.

    | clench my thighs tightly together, my pussy already throbbing as I felt his cock grow stiff under me.

    His breath is brushing against the back of my neck. My heart beat in my chest more furiously.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I breathed out and I was embarrassed that it came out sounding like a moan.

    I quickly look over at the rearview mirror, hoping that the chauffeur hadn¡¯t heard me. If he did, he acted

    neutral because his gaze was fixated on the road and not on me and Aiden.

    I lean back against him, my back pressing on Aiden¡¯s chest when one of his hands left my waist to trail

    down to my thigh.

    I¡¯m breathing so heavily, and tiny goosebumps raise on my skin quickly. I gnawed on my lips, fighting

    the sounds that wanted to push out of my mouth.

    Sophie.

    Don¡¯t you dare fall for his tricks again.

    You were supposed to fight this.

    You were supposed to not want him so much anymore.

    | gripped Aiden¡¯s hands tightly when his fingers quickly sneak between my thighs and cup me between

    my legs.

    His lips touched my neck and he groaned lowly. I bit into my bottom lip until I felt the skin tear.

    ¡°You want me to let you go, yet your body says otherwise, Sophie.¡± He whispered, cupping me more

    firmly until the heat of his palm burned through the material of my shorts and kissed my pussy.

 Chapter 68

    Chapter 68

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Even though my body burned with heat and was in need of him to continue, at least my mind told me to

    stop. It screamed it actually.

    I couldn¡¯t fall for his tricks anymore, I had to be strong for my son and focus on him. Not my feelings for

    his father that always

    hurt me.

    ¡°Stop,¡± | whispered clutching his hand and peeling them away from me. Aiden stiffens, perhaps

    surprised that I told him to stop his advances.

    He¡¯s still breathing roughly in my ear and I clench my eyes tightly before turning around to face him and

    whispered so only he alone can hear

    ¡°Don¡¯t think that you can use me as you please now that we have a son together. I¡¯ll never let you touch

    me again Aiden.¡±

    I stopped feeling the soft feathering of his hot breath brush

    ing against my neck and behind my ear. It seems Aiden had stopped breathing altogether.

    I wait for him to tell me something that would hurt me like he¡¯d usually do when he retaliated. But

    nothinges out.

    He only grips my waist with both hands and pushes me off hisp to sit beside him. He scoots away,

    taking his warmth with him.

    I gnaw on my lips as I look over at him beneath myshes. I feel cold with him being far away from me

    but I know it is for the best.

    Saying no to him once was already so much effort, saying no to him twice¡­..I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d be able to.

    Not with the way he still manages to make my heart pound with just one look.

    Aiden¡¯s jaw is clenched hard and his gaze was faced for ward. He clearly was not in the mood to look

    over at me even though I knew he could sense my gaze.

    I tore my gaze away when his jaw popped again.

    The drive to Harrington.co was silent but so awkward that was practically itching to get out and away

    from him.

    When we pulled up into the huge private driveway, I nearly thanked God aloud. Because even though I

    was currently not dressed to be seen outside, at least I would finally breathe prop erly now that Aiden

    and I won¡¯t have to be so close anymore.

    As soon as the SUV stopped and was parked, I got ready to literally jump out of the car. But when my

    fingers touched the door handle, his warm fingers wrapped around my arm and stopped me.

    ¡°Wait in here.¡± He said stiffly which had my brows furrowing

    in confusion.

    Did he change his mind about making me be seen in these lounge clothes? Did he finallye to his

    senses?

    Feeling eager that perhaps he would ask the chauffeur to

    turn back around and bring me back home, I nodded.

    Aiden opened the door and got out which fill my confusion even more. My eyes followed him as he

    walked around the car

    and got to my side.

    My brows pinched when he stops and then when he opens the door realization hit me.

    He didn¡¯t tell me to stay in the car because he finally got to his senses and would tell his driver to bring

    me back home. No. Aiden just wanted to seem like a gentleman.

    Gentleman my ass.

    He outstretched his hand for me to take and I red at it in

    anger.

    How dare he get my hopes up.

    With a defiant tilt of my chin, I stepped out of the car without taking his hand. My bare feet touch the

    pavement and I wince.

    Aiden really brought me here looking like a damn homeless person.

    He snorted when I didn¡¯t acknowledge his waiting hand and then closed the door.

    I turned around to look at my reflection through the ss and cringe at how messy my hair looked.

    Thank God I at least show ered.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to make you pay for this Aiden,¡± I promised, turn ing around to re at him.

    With a raised brow. ¡°Have you not made me pay enough?¡±

    I flinched feeling like he just pped me. I knew what he was

    getting at. And knew that he got the exact reaction he needed

    from me.

    He would always hold this against me, that I knew for certain. I can¡¯t really me him, what I did was

    awful and I¡¯m surprised he hadn¡¯t pulled me to a courthouse the second he saw Ash.

    Turning around he motioned with his finger for me to follow after him. ¡°Come.¡±

    Sending death res at his back, I followed after him, hop ping a bit because of the scorching heat of

    the pavement under

    my feet.

    I hissed when my feet nearly melted on the pavement. Damn you sun.

    Aiden must¡¯ve heard me because he turns around, his eyes quickly falling on my feet which didn¡¯t

    surprise me because of the way I was tiptoeing.

    I¡¯m stunned by the concerned look painted on his features. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± He asked and quickly

    With a re, I answered him bluntly. ¡°What¡¯s wrong is that someone didn¡¯t make me put on shoes

    before throwing me over their shoulder like a damn caveman.¡±

    Aiden rolled his eyes and looked down at my feet and then swept his gaze back to mine. ¡°Okaye

    on.¡± He said and out stretched his hands to grab a hold of me.

    I backed away quickly, my eyes widening. ¡°What are you do ing?¡±

    Hadn¡¯t he embarrassed me enough today?

    ¡°You obviously can¡¯t walk so I¡¯ll carry you into the building,

    Sophie.¡± He answered vaguely as if I should¡¯ve known the an

    swer already

    I shook my head and looked around. The two security men were stationed at the entrance of the

    building, nodding stiffly as well dressed men and women stepped into the building.

    I was the least dressed there and the least appropriately dressed too. I can only imagine the talks that

    will go around when

    everyone gets word that their blue eyed devil Ceo carried me into the building.

    Imagine the embarrassment I¡¯ll face when I get into the build

    ing.

    ¡°No. I can walk.¡± | said and sidestep him. I¡¯m tip-toeing and wincing while cursing inwardly.

    ¡°Clearly not,¡± Aiden said behind me before I feel hime up behind me and swept me into his arms

    before I could move

    away!

    I gasp, my eyes widening as I snap my eyes to his. ¡°Aiden what the

    He gives me a pointed look while fixing me in his arms, tight ening them around me God forbid,

    protectively.

    ¡°Don¡¯t fight me on this Sophie. Just stay quiet.¡± He said and tore his gaze away from mine to focus on

    the entryway of the building.

    We managed to gather everyone¡¯s attention as soon as they saw us approaching. Some looked

    confused, their gazes on me and the arms that held me protectively.

    I buried my head on Aiden¡¯s chest, wishing the ground would

    open up and swallow me whole.

    Oh God. Why did he have to embarrass me today?

    When we got to the entry, the two security men stationed there, straightened and nodded their heads at

    us. ¡°Mr. Xavier.¡±

    Even though they greeted their boss, their gazes were set on me in confusion and surprise. Perhaps by

    my appearance and the fact that Aiden was currently holding me like I was some inpetent child.

    Aiden nodded and stepped into the building with me still in his arms. As soon as we entered, eyes drew

    to us like moths to a me.

    I squirm under their heavy weight and whisper. ¡°You can ce me back on my feet now Aiden.¡±

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Aiden continues to walk, ignoring the stares and the hush whispers that roamed around.

    I squirmed even more. Was he really hell bent on embarrass ing me in front of everyone?

    ¡°Does under your feet still hurt from the heat?¡± He asked

    tightly suddenly.

    I lift my confused gaze to him, my brows furrowing. ¡°A bit.¡±

    The heat under my feet still stung a bit but it was bearable.

    Aiden nod stiffly. ¡°Then I¡¯ll ce you back on your feet when they don¡¯t hurt anymore.¡±

 Chapter 69

    Chapter 69

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    I wasn¡¯t sure why I was holding her like she was a fragile doll. I wasn¡¯t sure why holding her felt

    so¡­.good. Why it almost feels like a necessity to have her in my arms¡­..

    I shook my head. I¡¯m thinking way too much recently, especially when ites to her.

    She shifts in my arms, her sweet smell reaching my nose, and unashamed, I took in a long whiff.

    I¡¯m aware that most if not all of my employees eyes were suddenly very keen on me. They were no

    doubt shocked to see me carrying her inside the building.

    With the way I carried myself around, cold and bossy, it didn¡¯t surprise me by their sudden reaction.

    Honestly, I was expecting it.

    I just didn¡¯t care what they thought, I was the one paying them anyway so it would be best if they keep

    their thoughts and gossip to themselves.

    ¡°Okay, my feet feel much better now.¡± Sophie said when we stop inches from the elevator.

    A smirk tug on my lips when I press the button and waited for the doors to slide open while keeping her

    in my arms still.

    Sure I was doing this to annoy her but I also didn¡¯t want to let her go yet.

    Sophie and I may not see eye to eye at the moment but it¡¯s clear that I am still attracted to her even

    after everything that went down between us.

    I stepped into the empty elevator and pressed my floor button.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± Sophie, huffs, looking up at me with a re.

    I peer down at her when the elevator doors ding shut. With a curving grin on my face, I asked. ¡°What?¡±

    I yed dumbfounded and nearly chuckled when her eyes grew dark with irritation.

    ¡°I said my feet are better now and I can be ced down on the floor, thank you.¡± She huffed.

    I let her re at me for a couple more seconds, enjoying this way too much than I should.

    There was just something about that sudden spark of fire Sophie now had that both intrigued and

    turned me on even more than before. Which I thought was impossible to gain such a feeling and

    reaction when she did something so cruel to me.

    It was still crazy to think that we shared a whole human being. We created one. Me and her.

    I would¡¯ve probably been more out of the fucking moon, happy as hell about sharing genes with her if

    she hadn¡¯t decided to keep him away from my knowledge.

    Don¡¯t get me wrong, even though she did something so cruel to me, she was still the only woman I¡¯d

    ever actually want to

    have my kid.

    Teenager Aiden was still inside me after all. I was still mad at her, furious about her decision.

    But there was nothing that could be done now about it, and at some point, I would have to move on

    from the fact that she had done this to me. But for now, I should still make her pay a¡¯ little bit.

    Not too extreme now that she is the mother of my child. But make her pay nheless for practically

    betraying me.

    ¡°What are you smirking about?¡± She asked with an using tone.

    I hadn¡¯t realized that I was smirking until she pointed it out.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    ¡°Nothing,¡± I said with a shrug and ce her down on her feet before she could skim for more.

    questions.

    She was always a curious little thing which was one of the reasons I teased her in high school, aside

    from the fact that just always needed to talk to her.

    Her nose does that cute wiggle thing and she rolled her eyes yet doesn¡¯t question me about it again.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you actually forced me here when I¡¯m looking like a bozo.¡± She whined when she

    caught her reflection on the elevator door.

    She looked hot to me. Sexy with the way the shorts fit her snuggly and don¡¯t get me started on the way

    that top squished her boobs that got even bigger now after high school.

    100

    Now I know why she had more ass, more hips, and more breasts. Sophie had my kid. I nearly damn

    chuckle out loud when it hit me that what I dreamed of in high school when I thought about her came

    true. I smiled at the thought of how my sixteen year old self would be jumping up and down right now.

    Only that¡­.

    :

    The smile left my face when I remembered that she still chose to keep him away from me.

    ¡°Seriously, you really could have made me change my clothes Aiden. I look like someone who just got

    out of bed! And everyone was looking at us.¡± She continued to whine. ¡°Just imagine what they¡¯re

    saying now.¡±

    Her words pulled me out of my draining thoughts and I looked over at her when the elevator doors slide

    open.

    ¡°You¡¯re overdramatic. d to see much hasn¡¯t changed.¡± | snorted and stepped out.

    Feeling her burning re on my back I turned around and raised a brow. ¡°Do you want me to hold your

    hand to step out?¡± I asked with a bit of a tease in my voice.

    I¡¯m clearly losing the act of being extremely angry with her. The more I try to force myself to hate her

    the more | just¡­..can¡¯t.

    Sophie¡¯s re turned darker and she rolled her eyes. ¡°Of course not. I¡¯m not a child.¡± She snapped and

    stepped out of the lift.

    She walks past me and I couldn¡¯t resist when my eyes fell on her round cute ass. Damn. She really

    filled out in all the right ces.

    I snorted. ¡°You act like one. Who throws a tantrum when they¡¯re being gifted a new car?¡±

    She whirls around to shoot a death stare my way.

    She may have thought she looked intimidating. But she looked far from it. Sophie was cute, angry or

    not, she was one of those girls who couldn¡¯t look ugly even if they tried.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t gift me that car! You got rid of my car without my permission and thought you can just

    rece it like I don¡¯t have a say in anything!¡± She snapped.

    Well she really did a lot of snapping today.

    Iughed at her angry face inwardly and started to walk away while taunting over my shoulder.

    ¡°And here you go again, throwing another tantrum. Such a little kid.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t refer to me as a kid Aiden! I¡¯m not a child!¡± She sneered and I heard her soft padding footsteps

    following behind me closely. I had an inkling she was contemting if to m her palm on my shoulder

    or not.

    I turned around, my hand in my pockets. She halts abruptly, almost knocking into me.

    I tilt my head as I studied her, my eyes roaming her figure slowly as I drink in the sight of her. Her

    breasts were pushing against the top and her legs were long and creamy.

    Ismirked when I lift my eyes and they connected with hers. ¡°You¡¯re right, you don¡¯t look like a kid.¡±

    I took a step forward and leaned down. ¡°But I can still be your daddy.¡±

 Chapter 70

    Chapter 70

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    His eyes grow stormy as they pierce through mine. I shivered under the weight of his gaze and feel the

    thumping of my heart in my chest as I continue to just stare at him.

    It¡¯s amazing how much he can affect me by just staring at me. And even more amazing that he has my

    heart thumping so quickly despite the resistance I tried to put up.

    My tongue darted out to lick across my bottom lip and Aiden follows the movement like a hawk, his

    eyes darkening.

    The air grows thick and it feels like electricity is buzzing through the entire room.

    I slowly found my voice but the wordse out like a whisper. ¡°Daddy?¡±

    Aiden arched his brow and took a step forward while leaning down even more. ¡°Yes daddy,¡± He

    reaches out, one of his fingers curling in the top, between my breasts and pulls the material away from

    my skin ever so slightly.

    His bottom lip is soon trailed by the wetness of his tongue as his eyes drop to stare at my cleavage. ¡°I¡¯ll

    be your daddy Sophie.¡±

    His words had my stomach twisting with fire that coiled furiously in its depths. I knew what he was

    getting at, I was not dumb.

    Aiden¡­..

    My lips part a little as I try to focus on my breathing as ! looked at his face.

    This was a game, Sophie. He¡¯ll disappoint you like he has always managed to aplish.

    You cannot let down your guard because of a few words and a heated look that had your stomach

    cramping with heat.

    I took a step back and pped his hands away from my top. ¡°The only ¡®daddy¡¯ you¡¯ll be is a daddy to

    Ashton.¡± I huffed and watch him retract his hand with a tiny smirk on his lips.

    He loved getting on my nerves.

    He chuckled and turned around to say over his shoulder. ¡°I have a special position for you Sophie.¡± He

    said while walking away.

    I¡¯m still rooted where I stood and looked at his back with my brows knotting in confusion. Why did I not

    like the sound of this?

    What special position can he have for me?

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± | asked as I finally got my legs to move so I can follow behind him.

    He doesn¡¯t respond and I take note that his floor was rather empty. Where was that bitch of his

    secretary?

    Aiden still doesn¡¯t respond but continues to walk.

    I let out an irritated breath. ¡°Aiden!¡± I called out to him annoyed that he wasn¡¯t telling me why he

    brought me on his floor and about that special position.

    It was one thing to force me back to Harrington.co and another to have me questioning what¡¯s the

    reason why I¡¯m even on his floor.

    Was I not supposed to be on Bernard¡¯s floor?

    ¡°You¡¯re always so curious Sophie.¡± Aiden clicked his tongue and entered his office.

    He opened the door, turned to face me, and ushered me inside.

    I rolled my eyes and stepped foot and gnaw on my lips when he closed the door behind me.

    Well then¡­..

    Heart you better stop it.

    He walks around me and approaches his desk, turned around, and leaned against it while crossing his

    arms over his chest. His muscles flexed through his tight jacket.

    I looked at his desk and shes of thest time I was there bombarded my mind. I¡¯m soaking my

    panties in seconds and I¡¯m gnawing on my lips more brutally to help my mind wander away from these

    thoughts.

    Aiden¡¯srge cock sinking into me¡­.

    His fingers digging into my thighs as he pushed into my folds¡­.

    The way the sounds that fluttered out of our mouths bounced off the walls and wrapped around the

    entire room¡­.

    The way our breaths mingled and the way our lips met so softly¡­..

    There was a tickling of heat crawling up my neck to settle in my cheeks the moment I realized Aiden

    was watching me intensely from across the room.

    He¡¯s pinning me with his stare and I squirm. Crossing my arms under my breasts I said. ¡°What?¡±

    His eyes rolled over my body from head to toe and when they are leveled with mine a grin tugs on his

    lips.¡± What are you thinking about in that pretty little head of yours mama bear?¡±

    Pretty little head? Mama bear?

    My heart thuds quickly.

    Why was he doing this to me?

    \scratched my arms as I try to stop myself from tingling under his stare. One look and I have

    sumbed to these feelings and reactions.

    ¡°I¡¯m n-ot thinking ab-out any-thing.¡± The wordse out like a bbering mess that made a twinkle of

    mirth cross through those stormy eyes.

    ¡°Really?¡± He asked, one of his brows arching.

    I nod.

    Why can¡¯t he just drop this? I feel the heat in my cheeks worsen and curse at myself inwardly. Stop

    acting like a damn high school girl Sophie.

    You¡¯re not the same person who still fell for him even though he treated you like shit.

    ¡°I think you¡¯re lying little mama bear. Especially when you¡¯re so red.¡± He taunted, the corners of his

    mouth lifting into a grin.

    Tacted nonchntly by popping my hips and rolling my eyes. ¡°I¡¯m red because it¡¯s hot in here.¡±

    Aiden snorted. ¡°The AC is on full st, you have a spaghetti tank top and shorts that barely cover your

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    ass. If you¡¯re hot then you must not be feeling well.¡±

    | gritted my teeth a little. ¡°Well, I do feel a little under the weather.¡±I lied.

    Aiden had the audacity to chuckle in amusement, mocking me. ¡°Now why do I think that, that¡¯s an even

    bigger lie?¡±

    I red at him and all he did was smirk. He was so infuriating.

    ¡°I¡¯m not lying!¡± | snapped.

    Why was I even arguing with him about this? In fact why were we even talking about this?

    ¡°Then I should call my private doctor and have hime to check on you¡­¡± He trailed off as he

    reaches into his pocket to retrieve his phone. ¡°Don¡¯t want you sick while taking care of our son.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± I sted. If he calls his doctor here then his doctor would surely call me out on my bullshit.

    Aiden stops and looks at me with a raised brow. Oh he

    definitely knew what he was doing.

    ¡°Suddenly feeling well?¡± He taunted.

    With a re and and grit to my teeth, I snapped. ¡°You¡¯re so annoying.¡±

    Aiden smirks and pushes off the desk. His hand touches the , smooth surface of the desk and he

    looked at me with heated eyes that had me rooted where I am with panties soaking even more.

    ¡°Was it on here?¡± He whispered, watching me intensely.

    ¡°Was it on here what?¡± I murmured, scratching my arms even more so I can distract my brain and my

    heart. Both were betraying me badly.

    Aiden¡¯s voice turned husky and deep. ¡°Was it on here I fucked

    you?¡±

 Chapter 71

    Chapter 71

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Suddenly I do find that the room is a little hot. And I¡¯m this close to telling him to put the AC on a little

    higher even though seconds ago a chill run down my spine.

    Then again I wasn¡¯t sure if it was because of the coldness of the AC or the stare Aiden pinned me

    down with.

    His gaze is unwavering and they¡¯re piercing through the windows of my soul.

    I¡¯m pinching my arms because it feels like he has ced me under his spell. I can¡¯t move, I can¡¯t think

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    properly. I can only just breathe.

    Breathe like my life depended on it.

    The tip of my tongue crawled out of my mouth to lick a trail across my bottom lip as I suddenly feel like

    they were dry.

    They were not.

    Aiden¡¯s fingers continued to skim across the surface of the desk and as I looked down at where his

    fingers syed across, I realize he hit the hammer on the nail on the right ce. Because where he

    was touching was that exact spot he ced me on and spread my legs¡­¡­.then entered me.

    The exact same ce he fucked me.

    ¡°Smooth surface. Smooth enough to ce you on there and fuck you. At least that¡¯s how I remember

    it.¡± He said deeply

    and peeked at me from across the room.

    The way he said those words¡­..

    It was like he was inviting me to do ¡®it¡¯ again.

    I sucked in a sharp breath and tried to regain my senses.

    I can¡¯t allow myself to fall for him yet again. I can¡¯t let him hurt me again.

    I was supposed to be strong. Strong for Ash. Strong for¡­.me. I will be.

    I shook my head and answered without any emotion in my voice. ¡°And said I was a mistake. What we

    did was a mistake after you came inside me. At least that¡¯s how I remembered

    it.¡±

    Something sharp passes through my heart. It seems my words hurt me more than they hurt him.

    Aiden flinches when the words tumble out of my mouth which was a surprising reaction, but I wouldn¡¯t

    be fooled anymore by him.

    ¡°Sophie-¡± He started, his fingers sliding off the surface of the desk.

    I shook my head and willed my feet to move and bring me to the expensive looking lounge sofa on the

    left side of his desk.

    I sat down and pretended to be nonchnt. ¡°It¡¯s in the past, just like everything else that happened

    between us. Now tell me what I¡¯m here for exactly or better yet assign me something so I can remove

    myself from your presence.¡±

    He looks a bit surprised by my words or perhaps my cold tone.

    Did you really think you were the only one who can act cold Mr. Xavier?

    I taunted inwardly as I stared at him without batting ash.

    But he regains hisposure quickly, something I expected from the cold hearted Ceo he portrayed

    himself to be.

    Aiden leans back on his desk and looks at me silently before opening his mouth to speak. ¡°I fired Noel

    a few hours ago.¡± He started looking at me to gauge my reaction.

    I am not at all surprised that he fired her since he apparently fires people like it was a game to him.

    But what I didn¡¯t get and got confused by was that he was telling me this information as if it was

    supposed to mean something to me.

    ¡°Why are you telling me this Aiden?¡± | narrowed my eyes on his handsome face and nearly melted like

    butter on his expensive lounge sofa when he grinned charmingly.

    Calm down heart, it¡¯s only a grin.

    Tilting his head, his eyes gleamed with something I recognize as amusement. ¡°Because you¡¯ll be the

    one to rece her Sophie.¡±

    I stopped breathing for a second. Wasn¡¯t sure what was the culprit for theck of air into my lungs.

    Was it his words or the thought of me having to basically be on the same floor as him?

    With working with Bernard at least I could try to avoid him as best as I could.

    But now with having to work under him directly¡­..

    Why am I thinking about being under him?

    My mind is so corrupted.

    I shook my head trying to grasp reality before I make a fool out of myself. He¡¯s staring at me, his eyes

    not once leaving my face.

    It¡¯s almost like he¡¯s transfixed and captured in his own mind too.

    Which was weird because he had that odd gleam in his eyes again that had my stomach twisting in a

    good way.

    Focus Sophie.

    Need to focus now!

    I shook my head again and then whispered. ¡°What?¡±

    Aiden blinks and then that gleam in his eyes disappears. He nods, crossing his arms over his chest.

    ¡°You¡¯ll be my new secretary

    I hold out my hand for him to stop and my brows pinch as I cut him off. ¡°But I was Bernard¡¯s secretary

    Aiden,¡± I said confused.

    ¡°You were. Now you¡¯re mine.¡± He said bluntly.

    I moved off the sofa, my brows knotting in even more

    confusion.¡± Wait. Why the sudden change of position Aiden? You of all people know I¡¯m not qualified to

    be a Ceo¡¯s secretary. There are more deserving people who would fit the role better

    Aiden nodded, looking uninterested in my little runt. ¡°You¡¯re right, there are more qualified candidates

    for the job, but I want you.¡±

    But I want you. Why did it sound like his words had double meaning behind them?

    I crossed my arms under my breasts and looked at him intensely. What was he up to?

    Why would he switch my position? Why would he want me to work for him?

    Did he not make it clear that he hated me for keeping Ashton¡¯s existence from him? .

    Then why¡­..

    Unless¡­.

    He was doing this to take revenge. He was trying to bend me to his will. It was so obvious and right in

    my face that it was absurd I missed it.

    Aiden wasn¡¯t doing this because he wanted me in a good way, he wanted me near him so he can turn

    and twist me however he chooses.

    The thought leaves a bitter feeling in my chest.

    He¡¯ll always be a bully.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want this position Aiden,¡± I grumble under my breath as I red at him.

    I know what you¡¯re up to and I¡¯m not going to make you bend me however you want. Not anymore.

    Aiden shakes his head, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. ¡°You don¡¯t have a choice in the

    matter.¡±

 Chapter 72

    Chapter 72

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Fury began to bubble within me as I drink in his words.

    He didn¡¯t seem fazed, or cared about how arrogant he came across. He¡¯s acting like what he said

    wasn¡¯t at all disrespectful.

    Arrogant, annoying ass.

    ¡°What do you mean I don¡¯t have a choice in this Aiden!?¡± I snapped ring at him. If only it was

    possible to bury him.

    with such a stare.

    Aiden¡¯s nonchnt face doesn¡¯t move. ¡°I mean you don¡¯t have a say in being my secretary Sophie. Is

    that so hard for you to understand?¡± One of his brows slicks up in a taunting lift.

    I throw my hands up in frustration. ¡°No, I don¡¯t understand! Why would you make me your secretary

    Aiden!?¡±

    He crossed his ankles and with the way his teeth trapped his bottom lip for a second, I knew that he

    was on the verge of smiling.

    ¡°Why else would I make you my secretary Sophie? If not to keep you close to me?¡±

    He was baiting me. I was sure of it. The way his eyes twinkled showed me so.

    ¡°So you admit you just want to keep an eye out on me then? Why?¡± I seethed in annoyance.

    ¡°Why?¡± He tilted his head and looked at me in amusement. Was he really taking me as his source of

    entertainment?

    He pretended to think. ¡°Why would I want to keep the mother of my child close to me?¡± He hums,

    tapping his index finger on his cheek in a thinking manner.

    ¡°Don¡¯t try to make this about Ashton Aiden. You and I both know that¡¯s not why you¡¯re forcing me to be

    your secretary. You want revenge on what I did to you and that¡¯s an easy way to do it if I¡¯m going to be

    at your every beck and call.¡± I snapped, frustration boiling and simmering with that anger inside me.

    Aiden¡¯s lips curled into a smirk and the storm in his gaze turn hazy. ¡°Revenge? Now, who said anything

    about revenge?¡± He chuckled.

    I have to give him props for acting so indifferent and pretending to not have a clue of where I¡¯m trying to

    get at.

    I shook my head. It was obvious he¡¯d not admit that he wanted revenge on me. Aiden was after all way

    too smart to fall into a trap like this.

    ¡°You¡¯re frustrating! I don¡¯t want to be your secretary Aiden! I¡¯ll go back to work with Bernard but I don¡¯t

    want to be your secretary.¡± I huffed.

    The storm in his eyes turns cold and then darkens. I feared I had just woken up the lion from his

    slumber.

    He pinned me down with that stare and a shiver so cold and electrifying curled down my spine.

    His jaw clench and popped and I knew that my words had upset him. Because gone was the indifferent

    look and now hello to the angry look.

    ¡°Are you fucking him?¡± He asked through clenched teeth. If this was a cartoon show, Aiden would have

    smokeing out of his ears.

    I nched in shock. What the hell?

    ¡°What?¡± I asked, my eyes widening in shock.

    ¡°Are you fucking Bernard Sophie? Why is it that you¡¯re so close to the damn man that you¡¯d do

    anything to not get him fired?!¡± He sneered with fury curling on his tongue.

    I looked at him in stunned silence. Completely shocked that he¡¯d think this of me.

    Why would he even ask such a question? He was trying to fire an innocent man so of course I¡¯d do

    anything to be the reason that man can¡¯t feed his family!

    But when I continued to stare at Aiden, something shes in his eyes. A moment that the mask in his

    eyes cracked.

    Jealousy.

    He was jealous.

    Was he jealous of Bernard?

    Out of all people, Aiden Xavier was jealous of Bernard!

    I didn¡¯t know if tough or be annoyed that he had the audacity to ask me such a question because of

    his jealousy.

    ¡°You¡¯re jealous.¡± I used with a snort and watch him quickly hide the look of jealousy that had been

    gleaming under the veil of his eyes.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    He huffed tearing his eyes away from me. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous why would I be jealous of that old man?¡±

    Him ripping his gaze away from me only showed me that he indeed was jealous.

    ¡°Then why would you ask such a stupid question?¡± I huffed.

    He turns back to face me, his features back to showing that he was indifferent. ¡°Was the question that

    hard to answer Sophie? It¡¯s a simple yes and no question.¡±

    I raised a brow. Was he really trying to make a U-turn back to his question so he¡¯d not have to answer

    mine?

    I rolled my eyes. His arrogance.was suffocating.

    ¡°I don¡¯t see why you need to know the answer to that question Aiden. You¡¯re not obligated to know who

    I sleep with and don¡¯t sleep with. Let¡¯s keep you as Ashton¡¯s father and nothing more.

    His eyes shift in irritation. ¡°And that¡¯s exactly why I need to know if there¡¯s another man in your life

    Sophie. I need to know if another man will try to take my spot

    ¡°Wait.¡± I cut in his angry rant. ¡°What spot are you talking about because I just told you, the only spot

    you have in my life is being Ashton¡¯s father. That doesn¡¯t mean you need to know who I sleep with. And

    God Aiden, no one can take your spot as Ashton¡¯s father

    ¡°Yet if I were to have never found out about him and you got yourself a man, then what would have

    be of that situation Sophie? Would that bastard not have raised my son instead of me?! Would he

    have not taken my spot!?¡± He spat cutting me off.

    I shook my head and threw my hands up in frustration. ¡°No one would¡¯ve taken your spot Aiden

    because there¡¯s no one to take it then and now! I¡¯m not fucking anyone not that it¡¯s your business to

    know anyway. But would you stop throwing my mistake in my face every damn conversation we

    have?!¡±

    I¡¯m seething and I¡¯m angry and I don¡¯t give a damn how loud my voice is. I breathed out and tried to

    rx while rubbing at my temples.

    Every conversation I have with him, I get a migraine lurking behind my lids. He was always frustrating

    in high school and now he was even more so.

    ¡°I know I screwed up Aiden and for the rest of my life, I¡¯ll regret and remember what stupid decision I

    made by keeping him away from you. But God, for once can you keep it out of the conversation?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Aiden responded bluntly.

 Chapter 73

    Chapter 73

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    No?

    I looked up at him and peered into his eyes. There¡¯s no trace of any emotion that would tell me what he

    was thinking in his head right now.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to stop bringing it up. I¡¯m going to keep saying it until I no longer feel anger every time I

    think about it, Sophie.¡± He grumbles.

    ¡°Don¡¯t act like you don¡¯t know why I did what I did Aiden! At that time I thought I was making the right

    choice. I¡¯ve always put Ashton¡¯s best interest before mine

    ¡°Putting his best interest by keeping him away from his father. Is that what you call putting his best

    interest, Sophie!?¡± He barked, the veins in his neck more visible.

    ¡°I did what I thought was right! You¡¯ve always hurt me, I thought you¡¯d hurt him too! I wanted to protect

    him Aiden. You can¡¯t be mad that I thought you¡¯d not love him, especially with the way you treated me

    for years.¡±

    My chest rose and fell as I breathed heavily and quickly.

    Aiden remains quiet but his stormy gaze is still on me. And then he spoke up after a couple of stifling

    seconds.

    ¡°What makes you think I wouldn¡¯t have loved him, Sophie? Was I that much of a viin in your story

    that you thought I¡¯d not love my own son?¡±

    I peered at him and then Iughed.

    But ites out dry and dried out of emotion. ¡°Viin? Aiden you must¡¯ve forgotten how you treated

    me during high school. But don¡¯t worry, you¡¯re not the only viin in my story. I¡¯m also a viin. So I

    guess we¡¯re both viins. So don¡¯t act like what you¡¯ve done to me is any better than what I¡¯ve done to

    you. We both screwed up.¡±

    Aiden looked at me and then shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not going to argue with you right now Sophie.

    Especially when we both might say something the other will regret.¡±

    ¡°Good because I don¡¯t feel like arguing right now either. I¡¯m tired of arguing with you today. Let¡¯s focus

    on the main issue at hand right now. I refuse to be your secretary if you only want revenge Aiden.¡± I

    said sending a pointed look his way.

    Aiden snorted. ¡°You really don¡¯t have a choice in this Sophie. But.¡± He stops and reaches for the phone

    on his desk.

    ¡°Revenge is thest thing on my mind.¡± He finishes and I didn¡¯t believe a single word he just said.

    If Aiden was the same guy from high school then revenge was definitely on his mind. It would be the

    first!

    Seeing as there was no way out of this I stayed silent. What would be the point in continuing to fight

    him on this when he would only threaten me with Bernard again?

    And of course, I wouldn¡¯t risk Bernard getting fired because of me so I would agree and he¡¯d get

    exactly what he wanted.

    Eyeing him curiously as he punched in a few numbers I asked.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Am I dismissed then boss?¡± I asked him sarcastically.

    Since I had a new role in being the Ceo¡¯s secretary then I might as well go to see where I was

    stationed to work.

    Aiden looks up from the phone, shook his head no then lifted his finger to silence me and tell me to

    wait.

    A woman¡¯s voice filters through the office secondster and I stiffen.

    ¡°Yes Mr. Xavier?¡± The woman coughed a bit.

    Looking at me without batting ash, Aiden said. ¡°Get the best women¡¯s brand office clothes in my

    office in less than thirty minutes.¡± He ordered.

    ¡°Size sir?¡± The woman squeaked through the phone.

    Was that his personal assistant? Was she not sick?

    Aiden¡¯s eyes roamed over my figure before he responds cooly. I watch in shock as he says my exact

    size and I squirm when his eyes practically feast on my breasts.

    I sat back down on the sofa awkwardly because that was the only way I could get his eyes to move off

    my breasts without acting foolish.

    But his eyes just followed and I red at him. Noticing my re, he had the nerve to smirk and wink.

    I let out an annoyed breath. One minute we were down each other¡¯s throats the next Aiden was flirting

    with me and I was fighting the urge to jump his bones.

    When he ends the call with the woman I asked in curiosity. ¡°How do you know my size?¡±

    His eyes went back to roaming my figure and they stopped yet again on my breasts. I blew out a breath

    through my nose.

    ¡°Eyes up here Aiden!¡± I snapped and he had the audacity to chuckle.

    His eyes snapped back up to mine and he smirked, and answered my pending question. ¡°I got my

    measurements from thest time you were in my office.¡±

    My brows drew together as I rake my brain. What was he talking about?

    How did he get my measurements from thest time I was here¡­..

    Noticing my confused questioning gaze Aiden replied. ¡°I measured your size by feeling you with my

    hands thest time you were inside here. You know the day we

    ¡°Okay okay, I get it!¡± I cut him off before he reminds me of the day I supposedly was meant to make

    him eat that resignation letter. Only for me to be on his desk with my legs spread wide open a few

    minutes after entering his office.

    I was still embarrassed about being so easy that day. Then again I was always easy to fall for his

    charms. Something I¡¯m still working on.

    Aiden chuckled and pushes off his desk. I rose from the sofa when he started walking forward.

    Aiden struts over to the door with one hand in his pocket. I

    was beginning to think this was his signature. He would always have his hands in his pockets.

    Opening the door, he looked at me over his shoulder and smirked when I looked at him confused. He

    opens the door wider and motions for me to pass through.

    ¡°Ladies first.¡± He smirked.

    Trolled my eyes and approached him. ¡°Since when are you such a gentleman?¡± | mocked him

    sarcastically.

    Aiden was no gentleman, especially when that smirk was printed on his face.

    Why do I feel like I was getting into yet another trap of his?

    Aiden chuckles and leans down to breathe beside my ear when I am beside him. I stiffen as a shiver

    rakes down my spine.

    ¡°I¡¯m only a gentleman when ites to you mama bear.¡± He breathed out, his warm breath tickling my

    ear.

 Chapter 74

    Chapter 74

    74

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Goosebumps raise on my skin like tiny water droplets. I¡¯m shivering but it¡¯s not from the cold.

    It¡¯s from the tone of his voice and the way his warm breath feathered against my ear.

    I fisted my hands at my sides while my stomach twisted.

    My heart is pumping quickly, my mind is racing. I press my lips together and then walk away.

    It¡¯s much harder than I thought. My body misses his warmth and I want nothing more than to go back to

    him.

    But instead of listening to my heart and body, I stepped out of the office and heard him chuckle behind

    me.

    I waited for him, seeing as I wasn¡¯t sure where he was tak- ing me to.

    Aiden stops beside me, causing my breath to hitch. But thank God he starts walking ahead a second

    I followed behind him, my fingers pinching at the ends of my shorts. I peer at his back, so rigid. Can he

    feel my stare? Just as I was always able to feel his?

    I gnawed on my lips and almost collided into his back. when he suddenly halts.

    I brushed my fingers through my hair awkwardly when he

    turns around with an eyebrow arched in amusement.

    ¡°What?¡± I asked with a bit of attitude. Could he stop look- ing at me like that?

    He chuckled and scanned my figure in a suggestive way. ¡°Were you looking at my ass in those pants

    Sophie?¡±

    My eyes widen in shock, not expecting him to ask some- thing like that.

    When his eyes twinkled in mirth, I scoffed. He was really trying his hardest to make me ufortable.

    ¡°Don¡¯t think so highly of yourself Aiden.¡± I scoffed and rolled my eyes.

    Aidenughs and winks. ¡°If you wanted to grab a hold of it, all you had to do was ask mama bear.¡± He

    teased.

    Huffing in annoyance I crossed my arms under my breasts and red at him. ¡°I¡¯d much rather kick it

    instead. ¡±

    Aiden snorts and had the nerve to reach forward and pinch the tip of my nose. I squeaked in shock, not

    expecting him to do something like that.

    He grins, his eyes creasing at the corners a little. I¡¯m rather stunned to see him like this. Especially with

    the storm in his eyes dying and getting reced by a sparkling light that he rarely showed.

    I only saw that light when he stared at Ashton, our son.

    And now he was staring at me with that same light which was rather shocking and confusing.

    ¡°Now now mama bear, no time to be naughty to your boss.¡± He chuckled and then turned around to

    p his hands on the surface of the desk and that¡¯s when I realized that we were standing where his

    former secretary was positioned.

    ¡°Here¡¯s where you¡¯ll sit your pretty little ass mama bear,¡± He chuckled making my stomach twist with

    crippling heat.

    He sweeps his eyes over to me and his upper lip curl until it revealed a charming grin. ¡°I¡¯m sure you

    already know what to do as a secretary.¡± He mocked lightly and pped the desk again.

    ¡°Now go on and get used to your new work section while I get some work done.¡± He said with a smirk

    and then started walking away.

    But before he disappeared around the corner he turns back around. ¡°Oh and please ster on a smile

    Sophie. I did- n¡¯t hire the grinch.¡± And with a chuckle he walked away leav- ing me to re at his back.

    ¡°Stupid asshole.¡± I grumble under my breath and then sweep my eyes over to where I would be

    apparently sitting my pretty little ass on.

    On its own, my face heats up with a flush.

    ¡°Ohe on Sophie, you¡¯re a grown woman now. You can¡¯t keep blushing for stupid things like this.¡± I

    scowled as I walked around the huge desk and skimmed my eyes around the work station.

    It was neat. Not a spec of dust.

    Almost looked new even.

    I brushed my fingers over the smooth surface of the desk as I opened one of the drawers.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    There¡¯s nothing in here too.

    Wouldn¡¯t she at least leave some files behind?

    I sighed and sat down on the desk chair. Gosh, I feel like a kid sitting behind this huge desk.

    Smiling I swiveled around and giggled.

    Maybe this wouldn¡¯t be so bad working here if I get to swivel on the chair often.

    Though perhaps not if I have a blue eyed devil breathing down my neck every day.

    I shivered. But it was for all the wrong reasons.

    ¡°Stop it Sophie. You better not make a few words and touches make you go back on your word. He

    hasn¡¯t changed and will disappoint you sooner orter like he usually does.¡± I murmured under my

    breath while my heart squeezed.

    I wish our past were not getting in the way of us raising Ashton better. But because of that past, I can¡¯t

    trust him to not hurt our son someday¡­.

    Aiden was after all unpredictable and it was hard to tell what was going through his head.

    Me not being able to trust him made it difficult for me to see that he¡¯d be good to our little boy.

    I let out a breath and run my hands through my hair.

    I should stop thinking about this right now. This will only make me get an even bigger headache than I

    currently have.

    I leaned back against the chair and then went through the span of events that happened today.

    From him getting rid of my car to him forcing me back to work. He really was an arrogant ass, I huffed.

    Wait until M hears about this-

    Wait my phone! Shit, he took me off guard with throwing me over his shoulder that I forgot to grab my

    phone before he hurled my ass out of the apartment.

    I smacked my forehead.

    I need to get a hold of her or Ria to let them know Aiden dragged me out of the apartment before they

    got home and thought I was missing and then file a missing person report.

    I had enough problems as it is.

    I scanned the desk for the phone that should¡¯ve been there. There was no phone.

    I looked down and felt relieved when I saw the phone line but furrow my brows when I noticed that the

    phone must¡¯ve been in one of the drawers.

    Did she really put the phone in there?

    That Noel woman was certainly something¡­..

    I opened the drawer and sure enough, the phone was there. I grabbed it and pulled it out but froze

    when my eyes fell on the redcy thong that had been tucked under the

    phone.

    note.

    But that wasn¡¯t the only thing there. There was also a

    I leaned forward, not wanting to touch the note or the rather bright thong, and read.

    Thanks for the amazing fuck yesterday Mr. Xavier. I left a gift for you to remember me by. Call me if you

    change your mind.

    Xoxo Noel.

 Chapter 75

    Chapter 75

    75

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I feel the blood drain from my face as I read the note over and over again.

    And every single time, I felt nausea crawl up my throat and feel the squeezing of my heart.

    It¡¯s painful.

    Knowing he slept with her brought on pain, it hurt me so badly that I couldn¡¯t breathe properly. I shakily

    closed the draw in disgust, my eyes filling up with tears.

    Did he fuck her before he fucked me or after?

    My heart squeezed even more as the thought hit me.

    I gripped the phone harshly, my fingers trembling.

    I bit into my bottom lip, nearly splitting it in the process.

    This hurts.

    And I know it shouldn¡¯t.

    I breathed out a shaky breath, blinking but that only re- sulted in the tears to roll down my cheeks.

    My lungs burn and I shakily ce the phone on the desk.

    Come on Sophie. Get a grip!

    He has hurt you before, you knew he was a manwhore. Nothing has changed. Why are you still making

    this hurt you?

    I let out shaky breaths, hoping to ease my heart and stop the burning in my throat.

    I was supposed to be strong when ites to him and yet I am still the girl who gets butt hurt when

    Aiden does things like this.

    I gripped the edge of the desk and pushed the chair back a little and buried my face in my hands.

    ¡°God I hate him,¡± I whispered, soaking my palms with my

    tears.

    This was again all my fault for making him hurt me when he clearly didn¡¯t have to try much.

    I sobbed lowly, feeling my heart ache.

    Come on Soph, get a grip on yourself! If M was here she¡¯d surely smack you across your head or yell

    at you to pull your shit together.

    I tried tofort myself but instead, the tears kept flow- ing because inwardly I knew that my stupid

    heart still loved Aiden. Even after all these years I still love him.

    But that didn¡¯t mean that I had to sumb to these feel- ings.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    I thought we were over crying over him, Sophie? My con- science reminded me.

    He clearly doesn¡¯t deserve you and it¡¯s not like you two were ever a thing. You were never a thing in

    high school, sure- ly you¡¯ll never be a thing now¡­

    Aiden would only hurt you and keep hurting you. Protect

    your heart from him, Sophie. My conscience reminded me and I sniffle.

    My conscience was right. Aiden would always hurt me. And I should¡¯ve seen thising, even if it was

    unintentional- ly this time.

    I should¡¯ve guarded my heart for this. I was stupid. Those little words he just said to me messed with

    my head and my heart again and I unknowingly opened my heart for him again, not knowing that it

    would get stabbed again so soon.

    Enough is enough Sophie. You knew this would happen sooner orter. Now pull yourself together and

    show him that you don¡¯t care for him at all.

    That you don¡¯t care about what he does or who he¡¯s with.

    I wiped my eyes, straightening my spine.

    I got this.

    Not bothering to look at the nasty redce thong I mmed the draw closed.

    Ashton. Focus on Ashton. Not his asshole of a dad.

    I brushed my hand through my hair and then wiped the remaining tears that wetted my cheeks.

    When I am sure my eyes and cheeks are dry, I make sure the phone is working and dialed M¡¯s

    number.

    It rings five times before her curious and confused voice fluttered through the other end. ¡°Uhm hello,

    who¡¯s this?¡±

    I can hear tes knocking on each other and winced. Did I

    catch her at a bad time?

    I cleared my throat. ¡°M it¡¯s me,¡±

    ¡°Girl whose phone did you steal because¡­.¡± She drawled out jokingly.

    I clenched my eyes tightly before opening them to con- fess. ¡°I¡¯m at Harrington.co right now. Aiden-¡±

    I clenched the phone in my hand brutally, my throat hurt- ing when I said his name.

    ¡°What did he do?¡± M rushed out in slight anger.

    I pinched the skin between my eyes as I felt a migraine lurk behind my lids. ¡°He uhm¡­.¡± Sighing I

    continued. ¡°He kind of forced me toe back to work.¡±

    I left out the part where Aiden threw me over his shoulder and literally didn¡¯t let me go until we got into

    the SUV.

    I didn¡¯t want to tell her that part in case she got here with- in shockingly only ten minutes with cops and

    a baseball bat strictly for Aiden.

    She was that crazy.

    ¡°But isn¡¯t that a good thing? You still got your job and-

    I shook my head even though she couldn¡¯t exactly see me. ¡°He gave me a new position M. He

    assigned me as his new secretary.¡±¡±

    I felt my throat tighten when I remember what happened between him and hisst secretary Noel.

    Did he kiss her how he kisses me?

    I groan lowly in frustration. Why am I still thinking about this?

    ¡°Woah!¡± M gasped. ¡°Like his secretary, secretary?¡± She

    asked.

    I rolled my eyes. ¡°What other secretary is there M?¡±

    ¡°Right.¡± Sheughed and then sobered up.

    ¡°Is it that bad though Soph? I mean I hate the guy for what he has done to you in the past but maybe

    this is a good thing to get closer to him and know him better-

    ¡°I don¡¯t need to know him better. I don¡¯t need to know him. at all honestly.¡± I grumble. I think I already

    knew Aiden Xavier.

    A big bully and a manwhore who will never love again be- cause apparently, his one true love died.

    ¡°You must actually try to get to know him, Soph. Not only for you but for Ashton too. You can¡¯t keep

    having that strain on your rtionship with him when you two share a son and it¡¯s clear Aiden isn¡¯t

    going anywhere.¡± M said softly.

    I clenched my eyes tightly. I knew she was only trying to make me see the bigger picture but I didn¡¯t

    want to see that bigger picture now.

    Especially after I just saw that nasty thing in the drawer.

    ¡°I know this isn¡¯t what you want to hear but both of you are not in high school anymore. You two are

    grown and it is about time you both talk to each other and see how you two can coexist in your son¡¯s

    life without being at each other¡¯s

    throats all the time.¡± M whispered.

    My throat tightens. God M, I didn¡¯t want to hear this right now.

    ¡°Hey Mil?¡± I cleared my throat and leaned a bit over the desk as I said. ¡°I have to go, I¡¯ll call you back.

    But do me a fa- vor and text Ria that I¡¯m not in the apartment.¡±

    ¡°Oka-

    I ce the phone down, cutting it offpletely. With a heavy sigh, I rubbed a hand down my face.

    I lift my head when I hear the iing footfalls and look up to see Aiden¡¯s powerful form heading my

    way. And sud- denly all the emotions I¡¯m trying so hard to bury resurface quickly.

    ¡°Getting settled in your new work station mama bear?¡± He asked while shing me a crooked grin.

 Chapter 76

    Chapter 76

    76

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    My stomach knots and my throat hurts. I swallowed the lump tickling in my throat and stared at his

    arrogant face.

    He¡¯s looking at me with a raised brow, his eyes growing confused when I hadn¡¯t answered him right

    away.

    Did he cum inside her too?

    Did he stare into her eyes like he did me?

    Did he moan her name?

    I tore my eyes away from him and cleared my throat while rising to my feet. ¡°If you¡¯ll excuse me I need

    to use the bath- room.¡±

    I moved around the desk ready to walk away from him but fingers warm and long wrap around my

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    upper arm and stopped me.

    I keep my head away from his face, not wanting to look into the eyes I¡¯ve drowned into many times.

    His eyes are piercing through the side of my face and I hold in my shiver. I gnaw on my lips and waited

    with battered breath to see what he would do or say next. With Aiden, things were a bit unpredictable.

    He steps closer to me, his stomach brushing against my upper arm. I stiffen, my heart skyrocketing.

    ¡°Sophie,¡± He breathed out my name above my head.

    His grip around my arm tightens. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    I clenched my eyes tightly, coaxing my heart to stop beat- ing so quickly for him, and then answered

    while peeling my

    eyes open.

    ¡°Nothing. Nothing is wrong. I just need to use the bath-

    room.¡±

    I lied straight through my teeth and honestly I had a feel- ing Aiden knew that I was not telling the truth

    with the way his grip around my arm turned even more firm.

    ¡°Sophie,¡± His tone has a warning to it. One I don¡¯t take heed of and pull my arm out of his grasp. He

    doesn¡¯t budge.

    ¡°Let me go,¡± I murmured lowly, my back to my neck filling with goosebumps when his head dips and his

    lips brush against my ear.

    ¡°Not until you tell me what¡¯s wrong with you.¡±

    My stomach does many flips that had me almost queasy. His lips are still brushing my ear and his

    breath feathering against it.

    Those goosebumps are in no rush to leave my skin.

    I ground my teeth, clenching my eyes tightly while I prayed that I can get a hold of myself.

    Suddenly the image of the red thong and the words writ- ten on the paper had me remembering why I

    shouldn¡¯t be feeling this way for him.

    I breathed out through my nose and then peeled my eyes open. ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with me Aiden.

    Now let me go.¡±

    His grip only hardens and he grumbles. ¡°I know when something is wrong with you Sophie. Do you

    really think that I am a fool?¡±

    I take a few seconds before answering with a nod. ¡°Yes, I do take you as a fool. A really big one to be

    exact. Now if you don¡¯t want pee on your shiny marble floors, I would let go of me if I were you.¡±

    Aiden sighed and after a few seconds peel his hand off me. I¡¯m relieved because if he held me any

    longer, my heart and mind would go back to fawning over his touch and soak- ing up in his heat.

    I walked away with my head held high and my fist clench- ing at my sides. I didn¡¯t even want to pee,

    this was a tactic to not talk to him for longer than necessary.

    I didn¡¯t want to be in his presence right now when I was so damn angry with him when I know I

    shouldn¡¯t be.

    ¡°You¡¯re going the wrong way.¡± Aiden¡¯s gruff voice mut- tered loud enough for me to hear him.

    I stopped, clenching my eyes, and then peeled them. open. Turning to face Aiden I asked tightly.

    ¡°Would you mind pointing me in the right direction of the bathroom then Mr. Xavier?¡±

    Aiden raises a brow when I called him Mr. Xavier and then nods stiffly. He gives me directions and I

    leave soon after.

    When I am in the bathroom, I rush to the sink and open the faucet. I let the water run for a little and

    clench the edge of the counter while staring at myself in the mirror.

    76

    shes of the red thong and the note bombard my mind

    and I grit my teeth. ¡°He hasn¡¯t changed one bit.¡± I gritted out and cupped my hand under the running

    water and bend down to throw it over my face.

    When I was done, I stared at my reflection for God knows how long until I heard the faint sound of

    knuckles kissing the surface of the door.

    I closed the faucet and turned to the door when I heard his voice fluttering in. ¡°Sophie. Are you okay in

    there?¡± Aiden asked with a surprising hint of concern in his voice.

    I cleared my throat a little and answered. ¡°Yes. I¡¯m fine.¡± I lied and looked at myself onest time in the

    mirror before walking towards the door and pulled it open.

    One of his arms is leaning against the doorframe while the other clutches a few papers. He¡¯s leaning

    forward a little and not quite expecting him to be so close had me taking a surprising step back.

    His stormy gaze eyes me in curiosity. ¡°You¡¯ve been in here for quite some time Sophie. Are you sure

    you¡¯re okay?¡±

    I let out a breath. ¡°God Aiden, yes I am fine,¡± I said and side step him.

    ¡°Clearly you¡¯re not if you¡¯re spending so long in the bath- room with the faucet open the entire time.

    And your eyes-

    I whipped around and red at him. ¡°What do you want to hear Aiden? You want to hear that I am not

    okay? That I am not fine? Is that what you want to hear!?¡± I snapped.

    His jaw ticked and he approaches me.¡± I want to hear

    76

    what¡¯s bothering you.¡±

    My jaw clenched. ¡°I¡¯m not obligated to tell you anything. You¡¯re my boss and not-

    ¡°I¡¯m the father of your child Sophie. I think I need to know what has upset the mother of my child. Don¡¯t

    you think?¡± He cuts me off in an annoyed tone.

    I shake my head. ¡°And I¡¯ve answered you already. I¡¯m okay.¡±

    Aiden snorted and red at me in impatience. ¡°And obvi- ously that¡¯s a lie. Has anyone told you that

    you¡¯re not a good liar?¡±

    I narrowed my eyes and seeing as I wouldn¡¯t win this bat- tle with him, I decided to leave before it

    esctes.

    I throw my hands up and huffed out in irritation. ¡°| thought we were done arguing for today?! Jeez,

    Aiden can we act professional for once?¡±

    I turned around to leave but again his fingers wrap around my hand and tug me back.

    I gasp when he spins me around. His name is on the tip of my tongue, ready for me to tell him off when

    I felt his warm soft lips capture mine.

 Chapter 77

    Chapter 77

    77

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    His lips are warm¡­.soft. So soft.

    They taste good too. Like sweet orange. But there¡¯s also a minty burst of vor.

    My heart is beating like a drum in my chest, my fingers shook and I¡¯m this close to melting.

    His lips move against mine tenderly yet rough. It was al- most like a punishment yet a reward.

    His hands mp around the back of my neck, his fingers gripping me there.

    His mouth moves against mine so sweet and so good that I¡¯m lost in his world, his touch, his heat, his

    taste.

    I¡¯m confused. I am meant to fight him on this. Pull away. Tell him to stop.

    Yet¡­.

    I¡¯m melting. I¡¯m melting into his kiss, drowning in his taste and wishing I had the will to stop.

    I can¡¯t.

    Not when he has tilted his head to kiss me deeper. Not when his grip around my neck is more firm. Not

    when his lips are desperate against mine.

    0.00%

    But then his tongue dart out to lick and nip at my bottom

    lip, and then reality mmed into me.

    This was wrong.

    Aiden groans in impatience, his fingers around my neck forcing me to tilt my head up so he would be

    able to delve in deeper when I opened my mouth.

    But it was toote, reality had already struck me and I had no choice but to pull away despite my body

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    not wanting to move away from him.

    He groans in disappointment but I try to not make my heart persuade me to connect our lips once

    more.

    I was no fool and I knew that Aiden would not change. Giving into him wasn¡¯t a good idea. Especially

    so early.

    Not with how things turned out thest time I did.

    ¡°Don¡¯t do that again Aiden. Like I said let¡¯s keep this pro- fessional between us.¡± I said once I got my

    breathing under control.

    He was about to open his mouth but I shook my head and spoke before he could. ¡°At least for Ashton¡¯s

    sake. We can¡¯t risk messing this up. The main focus should be him and not

    me.¡±

    Aiden looks like he was on the verge to protest but stops when we hear the sound of the elevator

    dinging.

    He looks at me silently for a few and decided to turn. around and leave without saying another word to

    me.

    I wait for a few after he left to follow behind him. When I¡¯m rearing around the corner I¡¯m stunned to see

    two women

    rolling in a clothing rack and one with a few shoe boxes in her arms. She could barely see what was

    ahead of her.

    There are many suits and dresses I can spot. Many that looked worth way more than my one-year

    sry. I almost choked.

    Was he serious?

    I can¡¯t wear such expensive clothing I can¡¯t even dream to afford any time!

    I looked over at Aiden who was speaking to one of the women and pointed her to his private office.

    My eyes follow the two women and when they disappear inside his office, I turn to face his back.

    ¡°Aiden I can¡¯t ept these clothes-

    I¡¯m cut off by his exaggerated sigh.

    ¡°Are you going to go on a rant again? It¡¯s either you want to stay in the clothes you have on now or

    ept one of these.¡± He grumbles coldly and strides over to his office with- out turning around to look

    at me.

    He must be upset that I stopped him. Why else would he be so cold now?

    I shook my head.

    Men get angry when they can¡¯t have what they want.

    I was not obligated to kiss him and give him what he

    wanted.

    I followed after him and when I do enter his office I felt al- most ustrophobic when everyone¡¯s eyes

    sweep over to me.

    I shifted on my feet and smiled at the women who brought in the clothes rack.

    ¡°We brought many options for you miss.¡± One of the women said as she rolled her eyes over my figure.

    I shifted a bit, ufortable at her judgemental stare.

    ¡°We¡¯ll take them all, you three may leave,¡± Aiden grumbles and red at the woman who looked at me

    like I had just crawled out of the gutter.

    They scurried out of the office and I turned to Aiden, my eyes wide and my brows lifted. ¡°Aiden¡­.you

    cannot be seri- ous. Why would you take them all? I can¡¯t possibly pay you back after-

    Aiden¡¯s stormy gaze falls on me and I stopped breathing altogether when I see the frustration and

    anger in his voice.

    ¡°Who said you had to pay me back Sophie? Can I not just gift my son¡¯s mother some clothes and a

    car? Why is it so dif- ficult to ept a gift from me?!¡± He scowls.

    I flinched but then lifted my chin up and red at him. ¡°Because I want to be independent Aiden! Why

    is it so hard for you to understand that I don¡¯t need nor want your help? Sure you¡¯re Ashton¡¯s dad but I

    don¡¯t need your help, he does but not me.¡±

    Aiden¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°The car would benefit Ashton too, it¡¯s not only you. And was it not you that

    wasining about leaving your apartment looking like¡­.what was the

    name¡­.a bozo?¡±

    51.19%

    ¡°Yes but I was not expecting you to actually buy all these clothes Aiden!¡± I throw my hands up in

    frustration.

    Aiden shook his head. ¡°Look. I think we¡¯ve argued way too much today Sophie and I know you don¡¯t

    like that as much as I do. Just choose any of the suits or dresses and you can go back to work.¡±

    A knock sounds at his door before I can respond and he tells whoever to enter.

    A man with a very serious face pushes the door open and looks at Aiden expectantly.

    him.

    ¡°You¡¯rete.¡± Aiden grits out to the man and approaches

    He hands out the papers in his hand to the serious-look- ing man and nodded. ¡°Tell Sergio all is in

    there.¡±

    The man nods and leaves the office soon after.

    Aiden closed the door after the man leaves and turns around slowly. When he noticed that I was just

    standing there, his brow arched and he asked. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to pick one of the clothes Sophie? Or

    are you waiting for me to demand you to strip?¡±

    Aiden chuckles when he sees my shocked expression and walks over to the clothes rack. ¡°Or maybe

    you¡¯re waiting for me to choose one for you¡­.hmmm let me see. What will suit mama bear¡­¡± He

    trailed off while shifting through the endless clothes on the rack.

    It¡¯s amazing how he can switch off his anger one moment and the next he can be someonepletely

    different¡­..

    74.03

    Aiden pulls out a cream-colored dress that had a high split to the side. It was beautiful.

    He looks over at me, his eyes shining. ¡°I think this will suit your curves well mama bear. Definitely will

    hug you in all the right ces.¡± He teased while walking over to me with the dress in his hand.

 Chapter 78

    Chapter 78

    78

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    With a cheeky smile that made my heart flutter, Aiden teased. ¡°Do you want me to strip you myself or

    are you going to take the dress from my hands?¡±

    I sent him a death re and then took the dress from him. ¡°Now if you¡¯ll excuse me.¡± I snapped and

    whirled around to leave his office.

    ¡°You can stay here to strip Sophie. Nothing I haven¡¯t seen. before.¡± Aiden teased.

    I grit my teeth, my hands on the door. ¡°Don¡¯t remind me.¡± I hissed, opened the door and stepped out.

    I wiped at my forehead when I closed the door behind me.

    Today has been quite eventful¡­..

    And it was still so early.

    I let out a puff of air and walked to the bathroom I had juste out of minutes ago.

    For the next five minutes, I put on the dress and brushed my hand down the material.

    Aiden was right. It hugged my curves. But for an office at- tire, that split was a bit too high¡­.

    I piled up my clothes and then with them in my hands I made my way back k to his office.

    Now I need to choose one of those shoes in the boxes be- cause obviously, I cannot prance around

    barefoot.

    I don¡¯t knock on his door or ask him permission to enter. I just do.

    He¡¯s on the phone, his back facing me. When he hears the door open, he whirls around in his chair.

    He stops. Stares.

    And gulps.

    His eyes were raking over my form in that heated way that had tiny goosebumps raging on my skin.

    I try to y cool and act like he wasn¡¯t currently eye fuck- ing me. Even though I can feel his stare burn

    through me.

    ¡°Do you have a bag that I can put my clothes in¡­.¡± I trailed off, my brows knotting when I noticed his

    eyes were zed and he had that daydreaming look.

    ¡°Aiden?¡± I called out his name.

    His eyes widen slightly and he clears his throat. ¡°I¡¯ll call you back.¡± He said to whoever was on the

    other line.

    I gnaw on my lips, my face flush with the attention he was spewing on me moments ago.

    When he ces the phone down, he rakes his eyes over me and a pleasant grin emerges on his face.

    ¡°You look hot mama bear.¡± He winks.

    How many others have he told the same thing?

    I shake my head and said. ¡°I need a bag to put my clothes¡­¡± Ipletely ignore hispliment even

    though I was clearly flushed by his words.

    Aiden stares at me for a few then nods. He points at the lounge sofa. ¡°Just rest it on the sofa.¡±

    I nod and ce my clothes neatly on the sofa. I straight- ened my spine and brush my hand down the

    front of the dress.

    ¡°I¡¯ll try to pay back for this dress and-

    ¡°Do you have twenty thousand? How about fifty? That¡¯s how much those are worth Sophie. Take them

    as a gift from me.¡± He states and then looked down at my feet.

    He¡¯s right I can¡¯t afford them¡­

    ¡°You can¡¯t continue walking around barefoot. Go on and choose one of the heels in one of those

    boxes.¡± He pointed to the boxes on the side of the rack.

    I nod and silently make my way over to the boxes. Bend- ing over I hear the sharp intake of breath

    I look over at him and he is quick to rip his eyes away from me. Only that I had already seen his eyes

    glued to my bottom.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    I sucked my bottom lip between my teeth and quickly skim through the boxes. All were high heel

    stilettos but I took the nude-colored one.

    ¡°Nice choice,¡± Aiden said. I straightened my spine and made my way toward the door.

    35.46%

    ¡°Love a woman in heels.¡± He smirked and I froze before I

    left his office.

    I turn to face him, my features darkening as I shoot him daggers of anger. ¡°I¡¯m sure you do. By the way,

    there¡¯s a dirty redce thong Noel left in the draw along with a note. I guess your motto is to fire them

    after you¡¯ve fucked them right?¡±

    That smirk on his face turned into a bitter line. ¡°What are you talking about Sophie?¡± He asked tightly

    as he fixed him- self on his chair and out of that slouch position he was in sec- onds ago.

    I guess I¡¯m back to Sophie now and not ¡®mama bear.¡¯

    I turn to him, the heels clutched in my hand. He really looked confused. But that look can¡¯t fool me.

    I saw that red thong and I saw those words written on that sloppy note. I also knew his reputation which

    was not at all

    clean.

    Aiden had definitely fucked that girl and even though it shouldn¡¯t hurt, I¡¯m boiling with jealousy and

    anger.

    Especially when there was a chance he fucked her before or after he fucked me.

    ¡°You heard me blue-eyed devil,¡± His eyes narrowed when I called him that name everyone referred to

    him as. ¡± When did you fuck her? Was it after or before me? When did you fuck her yesterday?¡±

    Aiden¡¯s face turned gloomy and sour. ¡°I fucked no one af- ter and before you yesterday. The only pussy

    I¡¯ve been deep in yesterday is yours, don¡¯t get it twisted.¡±

    I looked at him and sure enough, he looked serious. But Aiden might as well get into acting because he

    was that good at it. He was a mastermind at lying and it came to him easily.

    You could never tell when he was speaking the truth or not. But this time, I knew he wasn¡¯t. Given his

    reputation and

    all.

    My lips curl into a smirk and I snort dryly. ¡°If you think I believe you one bit then you¡¯re dead wrong. I

    know you Aiden and you made it perfectly clear yesterday that I was nothing. Besides, fucking every

    willing hole was always your favorite sport since high school. Was she delicious at least? Did you get

    the deliciousness you craved yesterday?¡± I taunted ¡°Be- cause yesterday you said they were all more

    delicious than me.¡±

    My heart squeezed after saying those words. I hate when I hurt myself more than I hurt him.

    Aiden¡¯s face turns cold and he leans forward, his eyes fuming. ¡°I¡¯m not sure what the fuck you saw

    Sophie but I know that I had not fucked anyone yesterday other than you. Not that I need to reassure

    you that. Also, if you were not more delicious and felt better than them, then I wouldn¡¯t have came

    inside you. That¡¯s obviously something I haven¡¯t done to anyone else.¡±

 Chapter 79

    Chapter 79

    79

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Aiden puffs out a frustrated breath and continued. ¡°I lied yesterday. And I lied about a lot of things. But

    what I am not lying about is sleeping with Noel. I never fucked her.¡±

    ¡°But you obviously did something with her for that grown woman to ce a thong with a note in the

    drawer as a parting gift.¡± I used while not letting up my re.

    Aiden looks annoyed and groans. ¡°The woman sucked me off once. How am I supposed to know that

    she¡¯d leave a note in a draw with a thong? She¡¯s delusional.¡±

    She sucked him off¡­.

    That told me all I needed to know.

    Because even if he hadn¡¯t ¡®fucked¡¯ her he still made her suck him off. And who knows when that

    happened? Maybe after I walked out. She went straight to his office tofort him with a good old

    cock sucking.

    I hope she at least tasted me on his cock yesterday. I hope she knew I was wrapped around him first

    before she got to taste him if she did suck him off after I left.

    ¡°Thanks for letting me know. ¡± I nodded stiffly and turned around. Opening the door, I stopped and

    looked at him over my shoulder.

    ¡°By the way you were right. It doesn¡¯t concern me what you do or what hole you dip into. Do what you

    want Aiden I¡¯m not stopping you and you sure as hell don¡¯t need to give me

    an exnation. But pleasee and get rid of that dirty thong in the drawer, it does belong to you after

    all.¡±

    After I said those words, I quickly step out of his office and ignored his calls.

    If I get him irritated enough maybe he¡¯ll fire me¡­

    I made my way back to the desk and wiggle my nose as I remember that the dirty thong was still in

    there.

    ¡°Sophie!¡± Aiden growls behind me, his footsteps heavy as he rushed to catch up. I walk faster, not

    wanting him to stop me like he usually did.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare walk away from me.¡± He snapped in frus- tration.

    I snorted and said over my shoulder. ¡°And what will you do if I defy you ¡®boss¡¯?¡±

    I nearly did a happy dance when I reached the desk and had time to sit down on the chair before he

    reached me.

    He mmed his palm on the surface of the desk and I flinched a bit. He sneers, his eyes stormy.

    ¡°When I tell you to stop, you stop. Do you hear me?¡±

    I narrowed my eyes. I don¡¯t quite like that tone.

    ¡°And I say if you don¡¯t like me defying you. Which I will do Aiden. I will defy you every single chance I

    get. I will defy you. So the best solution to this is you firing me before I give you grey hairs before your

    time.¡± I smirked coldly and his eyes are the ones to narrow now.

    21.04%

    ¡°Defy me all the fuck you want, I¡¯m still going to get what I

    want because guess what Sophie? I¡¯m the boss here and I say when I¡¯m done talking or not¡­.. and I

    wasn¡¯t done talking to you.¡± He seethed leaning forward.

    I leaned back in the chair even though he was still far away from me and scowled. ¡°I think the

    conversation was done.¡±

    He shook his head and grumble. ¡°You always do this shit. Always run away and can never face your

    problems head on. You¡¯ve been running away blindly from me for years and you still haven¡¯t realized

    that I¡¯m not the bad guy.¡±

    I raised a brow ying it cool and collected even though he was sending shots that were clearly hitting

    the target. ¡°I have not been running away from you Aiden-

    Aiden snorted. ¡°Right. And I guess that¡¯s why we have ended up the way we are now. Aren¡¯t you done

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    with running away from me Sophie? When will you stop? When will you re- alize-

    He stops and runs a hand through his hair while letting out a frustrated breath. ¡°Look. I didn¡¯t have to

    follow you back here and I don¡¯t have to tell you this but I will. I have not fucked another woman

    yesterday other than you. And Noel meant nothing, would never mean anything. I was frustrated and

    she was there. It happened and I regretted it-

    Now it was my turn to snort and cut him off. ¡°Of course she meant nothing. Don¡¯t you say the same

    thing to every sin- gle woman you¡¯ve fucked? That they meant nothing? Isn¡¯t that right Mr. Xavier?¡±

    I didn¡¯t know I was on the verge of crying until my eyes misted.

    ¡°Sophie,¡± Aiden gritted out in frustration. ¡°You may choose to believe me or not but I know that I have

    not slept with Noel-

    I shook my head and cut him off. ¡°It¡¯s honestly not my business if you did or not Mr. Xavier. Let¡¯s keep

    this profes- sional between us. Sorry for using you, I had no right to. Whatever you do with your

    body is your business. Now if you¡¯ll excuse me I¡¯ll get familiar with my work station.¡±

    I needed him to go away. I can¡¯t think properly when he was so close to me. Besides, I feared I would

    believe him if he continue¡­..

    Aiden sighs in irritation and looks at me silently for a few before straightening and fixing his tie. ¡°Fine, if

    that¡¯s what you want I¡¯ll leave.¡± He grumbles and then looks down at me.

    ¡°Where is that thong and note?¡± He asked suddenly.

    My heart skipped and then squeezed painfully.

    Did he want to see the note? Did he want to keep that thong?

    I should¡¯ve known.

    Pressing my lips together and holding in my emotions, I pulled the drawer open and revealed the red

    thong and note. Aiden walks around the desk and stands beside me. I stiffen at our close proximity.

    I fisted my hands on myp while biting the inside of my lower lip when he reaches down to grasp the

    thong and note.

    66.99%

    I want to barf and I want to hit and yell at him.

    Calm down, Sophie.

    I watch Aiden fixedly as he fisted the thongs and note in his hand and started walking away from me.

    Each step he took felt like he was slowly causing damage to my heart as it cracks little by little.

    And then¡­..he throws the note and thong in the trash just in the little corner before this office. ¡°Trash.

    That¡¯s what it is, that¡¯s where it belongs.¡± He grumbles loud enough for me to hear.

    He turns to face me, his features not as stiff and tight as it was seconds ago. ¡± By the way Sophie, your

    jealousy is rather cute.¡± With a smirk and a brush through his hair, he disap- pears into his office

    leaving me staring at the closed door with a slightly parted mouth.

 Chapter 80

    Chapter 80

    80

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    In my office alone I reach out for the phone and dialed Austin¡¯s number.

    I needed to speak to one of them. Last night I spent an unconsiderable time chatting with them about

    Sophie and Ashton.

    They were the ones who advised me to build a bit of a re-tionship with Sophie so that we can raise

    Ashton better.

    But I wanted a bit of revenge for what she did to me.

    But now¡­¡­I wasn¡¯t sure.

    There were clearly too many emotions in me when I was handling Sophie. Revenge didn¡¯t sound as

    sweet as it once sounded years ago when we were in high school.

    Before, revenge was a way for her to notice me and for me to have an excuse to talk to her.

    But now, revenge would undoubtedly push her away from me and make her fears she had of me with

    Ashton worst.

    I didn¡¯t want to screw up.

    I had a chance to turn the tide around and perhaps get what I always wanted in the first ce. What

    would be the point of getting revenge for such a small thing that can now be fixed?

    I can¡¯t dare to make her see me as a huge enemy. I want

    her to see me as¡­.

    ¡°Oi Aiden, was just about to head to ss. What¡¯s up man? How¡¯s everything going with Sophie and

    Ashton? Can¡¯t believe you¡¯re actually a dad now.¡± Austin snorted out.

    I couldn¡¯t believe it either. I never saw myself as a father as yet. Especially when Sophie hadn¡¯t been in

    my life for a while.

    Crazy how life turned out.

    I got to father Sophie¡¯s kid but something told me that Sophie didn¡¯t like that it was me. And as much as

    I hated that thought, loathed it with a passion, I could understand why.

    I was after all her bully in high school, something I wasn¡¯t proud of and was forced into that role

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    because of the hatred I had for what she said about me, even though I still clearly

    wanted her attention then too.

    ¡°Yeah I can¡¯t believe it either. Ashton¡¯s great.¡± I smiled. I hadn¡¯t known my son for more than 48 hours

    yet but he had already taken the spot of the person I most loved in the world.

    Then my smile faltered when I remembered that Sophie hadn¡¯t really warmed up to me with Ashton. I

    could sense it.

    Was I doing something wrong to persuade her that I was good for her and Ashton?

    I bought her a brand new car and saved both her and our son from driving in that wrecked death trap.

    Most women would throw a party if they were gifted with something so ex- pensive yet Sophie only

    showed me hostility.

    16.50%

    And then I bought her expensive clothes and shoes and all she could think about was paying me back!

    How can I show her that I was able to take care of both her and Ashton if she keeps sweeping my gifts

    to the side and not acknowledging that I was doing this with the kindness of my heart?

    You see even though my mind had been riddled with the need for revenge for what she did to me, I still

    wanted¡­.her.

    I did all of this today to show her that I can take care of her and Ashton. Why could she not see that?

    Why was she still fighting me?

    ¡°It¡¯s just that,¡± I brush a hand through my hair in annoy- ance and frustration. I wanted to show Sophie

    that I can take care of both Ash and her through my actions.

    She would obviously not believe me if I just straight up said that I wanted us to be a family. I had to

    show her. She¡¯d not believe my words, especially with our past. Words were not going to fix this,

    actions would.

    ¡°I bought her a car today man. A brand new car and she tore the paper and threw it in my face. And

    then I bought her new clothes too and the first thing she thought was to pay me back.¡± I rubbed my

    forehead, frustration showing on my face by my forehead beading with sweat.

    ¡°I can¡¯t win when ites to her,¡± I grumble lowly in an- noyance.

    Austin stays quiet for a few and then chuckled. ¡°Man if Rnd was here he¡¯d call you a dumbass. But

    I¡¯ll do it for him.

    Aiden Xavier, you¡¯re a fucking dumbass.¡± Austin chuckled louder which fueled my irritation.

    I gritted my teeth. ¡°That¡¯s not funny man. I don¡¯t know what to do. She¡¯s difficult. I mean, I know why

    she¡¯s difficult. but you¡¯d think she¡¯d cut me some ck.¡±

    ¡°Why would she do that when you¡¯ve been a menace in her life? She would not trust you so soon

    Aiden. shing all those nice things at her so early will only make her think you¡¯re shing your wealth

    and showing her that you¡¯re bet- ter than her.¡± Austin snorted.

    I admit, he had a point. I wasn¡¯t thinking clearly then.

    ¡°Was giving her a job to fill as my secretary a bad deci- sion? I just wanted her near¡­. for revenge of

    course.¡±

    Austin snorted like a pig in disbelief. ¡°Sure for revenge. Last night I remember you were so mad and

    spitting about re- venge and shit. Now your tone is different and you want to get in her good graces.

    You finally see that you can never be mad at that woman for too long.¡±

    I pinched the skin between my brows. Him pping the truth at my face wasn¡¯t quite helping me at the

    moment. It was only feeding my irritation.

    And that damn bitch Noel. How dare she leave her dirty thong in the drawer.

    She must have had an inkling Sophie would take her spot. And even if she didn¡¯t know it would be

    Sophie herself, then she purposely left that thong in that drawer for the next sec- retary to see.

    Dirty woman trying to im something that wasn¡¯t hers. I should¡¯ve never touched that vacuum. Well in

    better words, I should¡¯ve never let the vacuum touch me.

    ¡°Are you going to remind me of how much of a miserable ass I am when ites to her? Or guide me

    on a way to get into her good graces? I need this to work Austin. I can finally get what I¡¯ve always

    wanted.¡± I said.

    Maybe this was the universe¡¯s way of showing us that we did belong together after all. Why else would

    we magically end up in the same ce after years? Why would Sophie have my kid?

    This was meant to be. And maybe it was time I stopped ying around and get what I¡¯ve been craving

    for so long.

    I want her. I wanted us to be a family.

    Austin chuckled. ¡°Yeah man I¡¯ll help you but you shouldn¡¯t be so impulsive next time. Take things

    slowly, she¡¯s skittish at the moment. She doesn¡¯t trust you which is one of the main reasons why she

    chose to keep Ashton from your knowledge.. You need her to warm up to you and show her that you¡¯ve

    changed. By the way, making her your secretary was a good idea. Keep your woman close that¡¯s the

    main focus.¡±

 Chapter 81

    Chapter 81

    81

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    Austin gave me many pointers that I would definitely use.

    Don¡¯t rush.

    Don¡¯t be too impulsive.

    Don¡¯t get angry at her much.

    Give her time to warm up to the idea of her not being the only one to take care of Ashton alone.

    Give her reasons to trust me.

    Treat her with respect.

    I can do those simple things¡­.

    Except, maybe I¡¯d have a little trouble with moving slowly with her. I¡¯ve always wanted that woman, I

    craved that woman for years. Now that we would always be tied together forever because of our son,

    there was nothing that can be in my way to get her.

    Well except for her heart and mind. This two had a vindic- tive over me, I was sure.

    I shake my head. Of course I had to get her heart first if I even want her¡­

    I looked over at the clock. It was almost twelve. Almost noon. Lunchtime.

    This was a nice way to do something for her. Maybe if I buy her lunch she¡¯d not be so angry. Though

    she had a good reason to be. She did see that dirty thong in the drawer and that stupid note that

    suggested I had sex with Noel. Which I did not!

    Women¡­.

    Some can be snakes when they want to. I¡¯ll have that bitch pay dearly. I will leave a bad review for her

    and spoil her name. I want to see if she can get herself a new job and get herself out of the gutter.

    I would feed her, her karma personally.

    She should¡¯ve known I¡¯d retaliate after she pulled that stunt and made Sophie build back those walls I

    was trying to break. And sure it wasn¡¯t close to breaking but it did crack a bit when I pulled her into my

    arms and kissed her.

    I felt her melt into me. Her mouth had turned soft and she definitely kissed me back.

    She was still attracted to me, especially with how she gave in to me yesterday. And sure I said

    something nasty and un- forgiving to her but I hope that she would someday find it in her to forgive me

    for my stupid words.

    Sometimes I believe I should have a filter or a damn tape on my mouth. I say the stupidest shit at the

    wrong time and now it has cost me more.

    My words had scarred her into not trusting herself to give in to me. I had a lot to fight against but I

    wasn¡¯t one to back down.

    I don¡¯t care how long it takes, Sophie will be mine and we will be a family.

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    I just need to tread these waters carefully and hopefully, she¡¯d open up to me and weaken those walls.

    For now, I need to work on making her trust me.

    I picked up the phone and dialed her. She picks up quickly and her soft voice sends a shock to my cock

    that stirred.

    That¡¯s something I need to work on too. When ites to her my cock doesn¡¯t really know when to

    calm down.

    ¡°Sophie,¡± I breathed out while fixing myself on the chair in hopes that my cock would calm down.

    ¡°Mr. Xavier.¡± She answers bluntly.

    I winced. I couldn¡¯t exactly be mad at her for her cold emotionless tone. But I would admit seeing her

    jealous flush

    was rather cute.

    I picked up the pen, my heart racing. It feels like I am a teenager all over again. How embarrassing.

    I¡¯m literally sweating buckets, nerves wrecking mypo- sure. She¡¯s not even here in the room and

    I¡¯m a nervous wreck. Embarrassing indeed.

    ¡°It¡¯s noon now. Are you hungry?¡± As soon as I asked that question I leaned forward in anticipation of

    her answer.

    She takes a few seconds to respond. ¡°Famished actually. I was just about to head to your office to ask

    for permission to leave for lunch-

    36.50%

    My palm m against the desk lightly as I rushed out.

    ¡°No!¡±

    I heard her sharp intake of breath. Obviously, she was stunned by my sudden outburst.

    I cleared my throat and scratched the back of my head in embarrassment. Great. I fucked up already.

    Again.

    I cleared my throat.

    ¡°I mean no, no need to leave for lunch. I¡¯ll order some- thing to eat and you cane to the office to

    eat here. What do you crave for?¡± I asked nervously.

    To my disappointment and not so much shock, Sophie denied. ¡°No that¡¯s fine Mr. Xavier. No need to

    order me lunch, I¡¯ll just head to the staff canteen and look for something there like the rest of your

    employees.¡±

    I gritted my teeth. I hated that she referred to me as ¡®Mr. Xavier¡¯ as if we were strangers. We had a son,

    we were- pletely far from being strangers.

    ¡°No, I insist Sophie. We need to talk about Ashton any- way. All we¡¯ve done since morning was argue

    and more argu- ing. I think it would be good to talk about Ashton over lunch. That way we both would

    be more rxed.¡±

    I felt a bit guilty putting my son into my mess in trying to get his mother to have lunch with me privately,

    but I had to do something or else her stubbornness would surely win.

    I gnaw on my lips as I waited for her answer. She took longer than I thought and I began to itch. I

    loosened my tie and swallowed.

    Shit. This woman still gets me nervous as fuck after all these years. And here I thought I had gotten

    over her. Just thinking about it had me snorting.

    Get over her my ass. I¡¯m literally sweating and on the verge of a heart attack by just waiting for her

    answer.

    And then she let out a puff of air and breathed out reluc- tantly. ¡°Okay fine. But only about Ashton. Also,

    I actually crave some hawaiian pizza.¡±

    I could literally hear the smile in her voice when she men- tioned what she craved for. A little part of me

    hoped she¡¯d say she craved for me. But that part was just horny.

    Pizza was a fast good and wasn¡¯t healthy but I didn¡¯t want to sound like a prude and tell her that her

    choice of food was- n¡¯t good for her.

    So instead of telling her to add some veggies in there, I smiled and nodded even though she couldn¡¯t

    see me.

    ¡°Okay then mama bear,ing right up,¡± I said and smiled so big that I feared my lips were about to

    split my en- tire face in half. I loved calling her mama bear, it suited her well.

    This was good. This was a good step forward. She¡¯d have lunch with me and maybe if I y my cards

    right, I can crack a few of those walls she built up.

 Chapter 82

    Chapter 82

    82

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    She¡¯s sitting across the room on the lounge sofa while chewing on the pizza slowly.

    Almost nervously actually.

    The corner of my lips tugs slightly. It was cute and also entertaining to see her this way. Nervous and

    squirmish in my

    presence.

    ¡°Are you scared that I have poisoned the pizza or are you scared to be alone with me?¡± I teased her

    while leaning back

    on the chair.

    I would¡¯ve rathered if she was closer to me, right across the desk perhaps, or even on myp which

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    would¡¯ve been far better.

    She was too damn far away for my liking.

    Her eyes snap up from staring at the pizza in her hand and she answered unseriously.

    ¡°Both. I don¡¯t underestimate your capabilities.¡±

    I snorted and picked up a pizza from the box. I didn¡¯t like. pizza and would much rather a healthier

    meal, but it was the only source of food on hand right now. Besides I¡¯m trying to impress her.

    0.00%

    Which wasn¡¯t working out obviously.

    ¡°Do you really think I¡¯d ever poison you mama bear?¡± I

    joked and bit into the pizza.

    It tastes good. Not the best even though I specifically asked for the best. But it would do.

    I munched on it slowly as I stared her down.

    She was damn beautiful. Easily the most beautiful woman in the world.

    ¡°Hmmm. Then if so we¡¯ll both die.¡± I lifted the pizza into a cheers gesture and winked at her flushed

    face.

    ¡°And why are you scared to be alone with me? Is it be- cause¡­¡± I trailed off, my eyes falling to her

    thighs that are clenched tightly. She was trying to hide the fact that her pussy was quivering for me.

    I smirked.

    Even though she hated me, it¡¯s a good thing she¡¯s still at- tracted to me. It will help to break down those

    walls if I use it right.

    ¡°You¡¯re currently wet between your thighs and you know that you can¡¯t resist me?¡± I baited and loved

    the way her cheeks flushed with red.

    She looked cute as hell. And tempting.

    It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve dipped my tongue in her pussy¡­..

    Was it not a few hours ago? A day ago?

    That was way too long.

    1577

    Aiden take your damn time with her. Not everything is supposed to be sexual. The better part of my

    mind reminded

    But she always looks so enticing¡­

    Sophie blew out some air from her mouth which drew me to those tempting luscious lips.

    I was having the worst time having to resist her. It was nearly impossible but I keep in mind that it would

    be worth it in the end.

    A little flirting won¡¯t hurt from time to time.

    ¡°Aiden, be serious. Besides, are we not supposed to be talking about our son?¡± She asked.

    I grinned. She was trying really hard to pretend that I was- n¡¯t getting under her skin. Oh but I knew I

    was getting under her skin. Especially when her thighs clenched even more when the words rolled off

    my tongue.

    I bet she¡¯s extra wet between her thighs, so wet that she has managed to drench her panties.

    My tongue darts out to lick across my lips, already tasting her on my tongue.

    I bit into the pizza, trying to clench my hunger for her by doing so. It doesn¡¯t quite help seeing as

    Sophie was in the same room and her alluring fragrance was fluttering through the air.

    I nod to answer her pending question, swallowed, and grinned slightly. ¡°Right. I invited you for lunch to

    talk about

    our son. Speaking of Ashton, what time does he get off day- care?¡±

    I missed holding him already. He was adorable and his scent smelled like home. He felt like home.

    ¡°Around three why?¡± Her eyes narrowed slightly.

    I lifted a shoulder in barely there shrug. ¡°Because we will go together to pick him up mama bear. Just

    imagine his little face when he sees both his parentsing to pick him up.¡± | smiled.

    She shifted around on the seat and then nodded slowly. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±

    I know I¡¯m right. I¡¯m always right.

    I¡¯m going to make my son love me as much as it was clear he loved his mother.

    ¡°Also about hisst name, it needs to switch to Xavier. I¡¯m in the picture now so it makes no sense to

    not put it.¡± I said and watch her intensely to see her reaction.

    She stiffens and she looks at me in stunned silence. Was it really shocking that I wanted my son to sign

    myst name?

    But surprisingly she doesn¡¯t argue like I thought she would, instead she tore her eyes away and with a

    nod mur- murs. ¡°You¡¯re right. We¡¯ll get it done whenever you¡¯re ready.¡±

    My lips lifted. I kind of missed the little spitfire that always argued with me.

    ¡°You¡¯re my secretary now, schedule a date.¡±

    51 27

    Her eyes snapped to mine quickly and she stuttered out. ¡°A da-te?¡±

    I nod, amused that her mind had wandered off some- where else. ¡°Yes, a date to switch hisst name. I

    have to be present right?¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± She murmurs in embarrassment and then nods. ¡°Yes. I¡¯ll get that done.¡±

    I smiled. She definitely thought I was speaking about something different.

    For the next thirty minutes, we continued to talk about our son, what he likes, and what he doesn¡¯t. His

    birthday, his favorite food. Even his favorite shirt which was a blue polo with a bear on the left side of

    his chest.

    I memorized everything down to his fear of heights.

    My mom was scared of heights so I believe she passed the torch down. I chuckled inwardly.

    When she left the office and went back to work I thought of ways I could make here back. But then

    I figured it would be too suspicious and I perhaps should give her a chance to be familiar with being my

    secretary.

    My PA would being back to work in three days so at least she¡¯ll get some help.

    For now, I¡¯ll try to take it easy on her.

    When it was two thirty on the dot, I packed my stuff. A bit excited to see my son once again.

    Strange how knowing him for only one day and he hadpletely taken over my life with his cute self.

    I throw the jacket over my arm and stepped out of the of- fice.

    When I approached Sophie, her eyes are down on a few papers I gave her to study. Those were the

    papers Noel left behind. They detailed everything she needed to know and all the appointments and

    meetings I had to attend.

    ¡°Mama bear,¡± I said to get her attention.

    Her eyes snap up and she blushed. ¡°Is it two already¡­¡± She trailed off and looked at the small square

    clock on the desk.

    ¡°Oh,¡± She murmured.

    I nod and grinned at her. ¡°Time to get off work. It¡¯s now time to pick up our son.¡±

    Our son.

    I loved the sound of that.

 Chapter 83

    Chapter 83

    83

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I¡¯m skimming through the printed words on the paper Aiden gave to me an hour ago or so.

    He mentioned that it was also on theputer stored in a private file but I found it better to read on

    paper.

    When I heard his footfalls nearing I press my lips together to stop from smiling.

    The talk with him in the office about our son was one of

    the best conversations I had ever had with him.

    He was attentive and seemed to be drinking in every word I said about Ashton. He chuckled a bit when

    I mentioned that our son was a bit fearful of heights and said he must¡¯ve got- ten that fear from his

    mother, because she too was scared of heights.

    I had smiled then. Ashton really took all of Aiden¡¯s genes and down to his personality and none of

    mine. Except for the scrunching up of the nose when we get irritated.

    I never thought in a million years that Aiden and I would be talking about Ashton with so much

    giddiness and warmth.

    In fact I never thought we could stay in the same room with each other for longer than five minutes

    without aiming for each other¡¯s throat or aiming to get rid of each other¡¯s clothes.

    But we managed to avoid both.

    And dare I say it, I loved talking to him about our son. He also looked like he loved hearing about his

    son which made me fawn inwardly.

    I never saw him so warm and attentive before.

    It was so strange for me to enjoy a meaningful conversa- tion with him. And I¡¯m even more stunned

    when our conversa- tions remained warm and giddy the entire time. Not once did we try to argue or

    disagree.

    From quarreling in the morning to now was such a huge difference that it felt weird that this all

    happened in one day.

    In a few hours to be exact.

    ¡°Mama bear,¡±

    I sharp shiver run down my spine whenever he called me that. I felt a blush paint on my cheeks, red.

    I lift my head up and see that he was looking at me in amusement. His jacket was draped over his arm

    and he looked as ready as ever with a gleam of excitement roaming in his eyes as well.

    ¡°Is it two already¡­¡± I trailed off and looked down at the small clock on the desk. It¡¯s two thirty.

    ¡°Oh,¡±

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    I looked back over at Aiden to see that he was grinning from ear to ear.

    ¡°Time to get off work. It¡¯s now time to pick up our son.¡± He said and then I couldn¡¯t help but fawn over

    the way he said

    our son.

    Where was that woman who would hold her guard up with him to protect her son? My conscience

    mocked me.

    She¡¯s still there, just less uptight about it. I think it would be better to give Aiden a chance to prove me

    wrong. To prove that he¡¯ll not disappoint Ash like he¡¯s done to me countless. times.

    There¡¯s no harm in giving him that chance to prove him- self before I burn him at the stake.

    Besides, he looked interested in raising his son with all those questions he spewed at me I¡¯m the office

    earlier have to couch for that.

    Just let me clean up,¡± I said as I quickly ce the file in one of the drawers and some of the papers

    scattered a bit on the desk.

    When I¡¯m done, I stood up and walked around the desk to stand beside him. He ushers for me to walk

    ahead and I do so.

    When we stood beside the elevator and waited for the doors to open, Aiden is suddenly beside me, so

    close that I can feel his heat brushing against my skin.

    I sucked in a sharp breath when his palm rest on the small of my back, the second the elevator doors

    slide open.

    His palm heat burn through the material of the dress and when he nudges me forward I found my feet

    feeling a bit wobbly.

    I¡¯m surprised I hadn¡¯t embarrassed myself by slipping to the floor.

    We turn around, his hands still on the small of my back.

    There¡¯s no way he doesn¡¯t know what he¡¯s doing to me. I can practically hear my own rough breathing

    in this small confined space, there¡¯s no way he couldn¡¯t hear too.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the other suits and dresses. I¡¯ll have someone drop them over at your ceter on

    today. ¡± Aiden said and finally peeled his hand off the small of my back.

    Finally, I can breathe properly.

    I shifted away from him a little and I can practically feel his frown at my action.

    ¡°You really didn¡¯t have to buy all of that Aiden-

    ¡°Please don¡¯t start another argument, Sophie. Just ept it.¡± He sighed.

    I winced inwardly. Okay, we¡¯re back to Sophie so that meant he was irritated.

    I nod and stayed silent. When the doors finally slide open, I froze when there are employees still

    roaming the first floor.

    Well Sophie it¡¯s not even three yet so of course they¡¯ll still be here. My conscience reminded me and

    made me feel stupid.

    ¡°Come on,¡± Aiden said, a secondter his hand is back on the small of my back, pressing into the

    material as if purpose- ly trying to reach my skin.

    I breathed in through my nose and stepped out of the ele- vator. With him so close and with his hand

    on the small of my back we had garnered everyone¡¯s attention.

    With Aiden inviting me to lunch today in his office saved me from all those questioning stares. But now I

    had an inkling that they¡¯ll be ready to question me about him tomorrow.

    They wouldn¡¯t dare try to question me about him in his

    presence.

    ¡°Everyone¡¯s staring Aiden,¡± I whispered for only him to hear as I nervously dart my eyes away from the

    prying eyes.

    ¡°Let them stare Sophie. Let them stare at the beautiful woman I have beside me.¡± He grumbles,

    pressing his palm more into my back.

    His words had my heart leaping and I nearly tripped on my feet but his steady hands reached out in

    time to keep me sturdy.

    Aiden chuckles, his arm now looping around my waist. ¡°I should probably keep you even closer if

    you¡¯re tripping over my words mama bear. Don¡¯t want you to fall and hurt your- self, our son won¡¯t

    forgive me I¡¯m afraid.¡± He jokes, squeezing me to him.

    Oh, Aiden. What are you up to?

    Why are you ying with my heart?

 Chapter 84

    Chapter 84

    84

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    When Aiden leaves, I plop down on the chair with a sigh while lifting Ashton onto myp.

    I let him y with my fingers as I look at my M who sat on the loveseat mirroring the sofa I sat on.

    She¡¯s staring at me in confusion and shock.

    ¡°Sophie¡­.¡± She trailed off in a stunned tone.

    Knowing what she was going to say I nodded. ¡°Yes I know. I¡¯m shocked too. Even more confused.¡± I

    admitted.

    She saw how Aiden acted with Ashton just a few minutes ago. He was warmer, more friendlier, and

    calmer than he had been years ago.

    It stunned us all.

    ¡°From how bossy, arrogant, and intimidating he was earli- er to now warm, smiley and friendly is a huge

    leap within hours. He was so stern this morning and then in his office he

    was-

    I stopped and blushed furiously as I yed with Ashton¡¯s tiny fingers.

    M¡¯s eyes narrowed as her brows lift and she stared at me in amusement. ¡°He was what?¡± Her lips

    tug up as if she was fighting a smile or augh.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°Yeah. He was what Soph?¡± Ria teased as she walked over with three mugs filled with coffee on a

    tter. She gives one

    to M and then walks over to me to give me one.

    ¡°Nothing,¡± I blushed and lifted the rim of the mug to my lips, and took a sip of the coffee.

    I winced. It was way too sweet but I knew better than to tell Ria that her coffee making skills were not

    top notch.

    Unfortunately, M didn¡¯t have the same thoughts as me.

    ¡°Ria you added way too much sugar in this coffee.¡± M cringes as she wipes her top lip.

    Ria res at her as she plops down on the other loveseat on the left.

    ¡°Well then you should have done your own coffee bitch.¡± She snapped.

    I shot her a furious re that she winced to and mumbled an apology.

    I sighed and then brushed some of Ashton¡¯s hair.

    ¡°I seriously thought you had been kidnapped Soph when I got here and you were nowhere in sight. M

    sent me that text seconds before I was about to dial 9-1-1.¡± Ria grumbles.

    I winced. ¡°Sorry. It¡¯s not like I had a choice too. Aiden be- ing Aiden threatened an innocent man¡¯s job.

    He literally threw me across his shoulder and left the apartment with me kicking and screaming.¡±

    I need to call Bernardter and set a date for coffee so we could talk about what¡¯s been happening

    between Aiden and me. He deserved that much for going out of his way to help.

    M rolled her eyes. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be Aiden if he hadn¡¯t threatened you.¡±

    Ria snorted. ¡°Was he always like this in high school?¡±

    I nodded. ¡°Annoying, rude and bossy then yes. A bully too.¡± I grumble and then looked down at Ashton.

    Sighing heavily I admitted. ¡°But I¡¯ve considered giving him the benefit of the doubt and will let him have

    a chance to show me if he truly cares about Ash at all. Tonight he showed he did. Hopefully, he¡¯ll

    continue to show me and convince me that he has changed.¡±

    M nods. ¡°I agree. Give him a chance maybe he has changed. I also saw the way he looked at you

    two, especially you Soph-

    I shook my head and cut her off. ¡°No. Don¡¯t go there, M. We both know how it ends up when I give

    him a chance back in my heart. I¡¯m not going to let my guard down so easily be- cause of a few stares

    here and there. I¡¯m tougher now.¡±

    Well I hoped I was tougher now.

    M nods and looked at Ria.

    I knew they were thinking the same. They were doubting that I can resist Aiden.

    Especially with the way he looked at me tonight while he was ying with Ashton on the rug.

    But I¡¯m about to prove them wrong.

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    I tried to move the tie off my neck as I closed the door be-

    hind me.

    That business dinner took longer than I thought but I managed to make that woman agree to sign the

    contract.

    I scanned my eyes over the living room and stopped as I felt the heaviness in my heart.

    The room was clean. Spotless. Quiet.

    A few days ago I loved all three. But now, the room looked like it was missing something.

    Maybe it missed toys scattered messily on the floor. Maybe it missed coffee stains on the couch.

    My gaze sweep over to the couch. It was way too white.

    My eyes fall to the rug. It was way too neat.

    The penthouse way too quiet. Way too clean. Way too spotless. Way too lonely.

    I¡¯ve never felt so lonely in my life until I came to the pent- house tonight and found every room spotless

    and quiet.

    There were no sharp happy giggles from my son as I tick- led him lightly on his stomach.

    There were no soft gigglesing from his mother as she stared at us. As she watched me y with

    our son with a soft smile on her face.

    I had hope then that I was reaching her. That it wouldn¡¯t

    take long to get into her heart and hopefully make her forgive me for all the shit I put her through.

    I was not only doing this to get into her good graces. I re- ally did want Sophie and Ashton in my life.

    And clearly¡­

    I scan over the empty living room space.

    I wanted them to live with me too.

    But I wasn¡¯t stupid to not know that she would definitely give me hell before she agrees.

    In fact, there was a huge possibility that she¡¯d never agree. She¡¯d never want to leave her friends, and

    the apart- ment she¡¯s known for years to live with someone she doesn¡¯t

    trust.

    I had more work to do if I wanted us to be a family. That

    much was clear,

    I sighed and walked over to the huge sectional sofa.

    Ashton would really love it here¡­.

    I fling the tie somewhere on the sofa and throw my head back and watched the ceiling.

    I really hate this feeling of loneliness. I hated how so quiet it was right now.

    I crave to hear them in here. To see them in here. To wake up to them here.

    74.72

    My phone suddenly res in my pocket and I fished it

    out.

    My jaw clenched when I saw the caller ID.

    Sergio.

    I swipe my thumb over the answer button and lift the phone to my ear. ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m calling to let you know that I¡¯ve received the files. Al- so, I want to have a word with you.¡± Sergio

    said over the phone.

    I pinched between my brows.

    He must want me to go to another business meeting to negotiate.

    ¡°What is it?¡± I asked tightly.

    I had a family to fight for, I didn¡¯t need him to stress me out right now.

    ¡°I think I found you a wife.¡±

 Chapter 85

    Chapter 85

    85

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Bernard is sitting across from me, his gaze swirling with deep confusion and shock.

    ¡°Wait. So Ashton¡¯s father is Aiden Xavier?¡± He asked with a perplexed expression.

    I figured it wouldn¡¯t make sense to not tell him the truth. Bernard has after all done so much for me and

    Ashton.

    I couldn¡¯t bare to lie to his face.

    So I told him everything.

    From how Aiden and I were in high school. The reason why I wanted to leave the job. The reason why

    Aiden threat- ened his job.

    I told him that Aiden was Ashton¡¯s dad. I told him every- thing¡­.

    I nodded, wincing as I brought the cup of coffee to my lips.

    We¡¯re at the diner, the very same one I have worked at for

    years.

    After dropping Ashton off at daycare, I came here to have coffee with Bernard and to tell him

    everything.

    M approaches us.

    ¡°Do you two need anything else? A croissant?¡± M asked.

    I shook my head. We were actuallyte for work and I¡¯m surprised Aiden hasn¡¯t called my phone as yet

    to ask me about my whereabouts.

    Sure he called to speak to Ash, but there was a different edge in his voice when he spoke to me this

    morning.

    ¡°No. I¡¯m going in a few. Runningte.¡± I said to M with a

    smile.

    Bernard also declined anything else other than a coffee.

    M walks away soon after.

    ¡°Now I understand why he reacted that way when I said you left the building.¡± Bernard nods.

    I sighed. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry I pulled you into that mess with Aiden, Bernard. He had no right to threaten your

    job. But don¡¯t worry I won¡¯t let him fire you.¡± I reassured.

    Those years Bernard visited the diner, those talks with me let me know that he loved his job.

    I would not make a little disagreement with Aiden cost the innocent man his job. I¡¯ll not be the cause of

    his downfall.

    Bernard smiled softly. ¡°Honestly this wasn¡¯t the first time Aiden has threatened my position. But that

    time he meant it. He would¡¯ve done anything to keep you by his side. I don¡¯t know if to worry about this

    man¡¯s determination or give him his props.¡±

    I press my lips together as I frowned. Bernard was right.

    Aiden was determined to get what he wanted and he al- ways got it. But was that something to fear?

    Yes. Was it some-

    thing to give him his props for? Probably.

    The man can achieve anything. It was clear so when he got out of jail earlier when he was supposed to

    serve five.

    He was powerful. And that was something to both fear and look up to.

    The only problem with that was that he was determined to leave me by his side even before he knew

    about Ashton.

    What was his purpose then?

    Bernard looks at his watch wrapped around his wrist. ¡°We should head to work now. We¡¯re running a

    bitte. ¡± He said and lift his gaze to mine.

    ¡°I¡¯m sad you¡¯re no longer working in my department So- phie but I¡¯m happy you got an even bigger

    position. I just hope Aiden treats you well and with respect.¡±

    I nodded with a tight smile.

    I hope he treats me well too.

    We¡¯re making our way into the building when eyes like marbles roll over to me.

    One happens to be Gregg.

    My footsteps quickened when I noticed that he was ap- proaching me.

    Please make it be Bernard he¡¯sing over here for. I silently pray in my head.

    36.06

    ¡°Sophie!¡± He calls out, waving at me.

    I sighed heavily in my head, looking over at Bernard in a silent way to tell me to help me escape.

    He shook his head and smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll see youter on So- phie.¡±

    He leaves me quickly after and all I could do was re at his back. What a traitor.

    I stopped, crossing my arms as Gregg stops before me. His eyes are raking down my form.

    Suggestively and making me ufortable.

    ¡°Rumor has it that you¡¯re one of the Ceo¡¯s whores.¡±

    I flinched at his bluntness and cruel words.

    I knew that the rumors would not have been forgiving but damn, I thought they¡¯d at least not be so cruel

    about it.

    I opened my mouth to respond to him but he smirked and speaks before I got a word in.

    ¡°I¡¯m just here to warn you that our Ceo has never settled for one girl before. Holding your hopes for him

    to only see you is a far-fetched dream. You¡¯re better off with a normal guy. He won¡¯t make you happy.¡±

    Okay I¡¯m done with hearing this.

    ring at him, I spat lowly. ¡°Gregg, why did you waste my time? Whatever is happening with the CEO

    and me isn¡¯t any- one¡¯s business and certainly not yours. Please don¡¯t stop me again for some

    nonsense.¡±

    52 55%

    Gregg¡¯s face is a mixture of shock and disbelief. He clearly had not expected me to counter him back

    with anger and irri-

    tation.

    I left him standing there mouth gapped in shock.

    When I entered the elevator and the doors slid closed, I breathed out a sigh.

    I knew the rumors would be cruel. It¡¯s not like it was a shock that they thought I was one of Aiden¡¯s

    whores.

    My brows knot.

    How many whores did he normally bring here?

    Why am I even thinking about this?

    It¡¯s not like I should care at all.

    He¡¯s a yboy, always has been. Seeing him with a wom- an, well me, obviously, they¡¯d think we had

    something going

    Well didn¡¯t you two have something going on? My con- science mocked me.

    Now is seriously not the time conscience. I¡¯m trying to hold my head above the rough waters of the

    storm. I have no time to think about Aiden and me.

    We were only parents to a cute boy named Ashton. And of course, to co-parent we had to get along.

    There¡¯s nothing going on between us. And probably would never.

    The elevator doors ding open and I walked out.

    I need to tell Aiden about those rumors. Give him a heads- up that his employees thought we were a

    thing.

    Well, thetest thing since he can¡¯t stay with a woman for more than a day.

    I march over to his office after setting my bag on the desk. My heels clicked loudly and when I thrust

    that door open without knocking, I wanted a hole to swallow me whole.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Because in the room, with a stern expression was the old- er man I saw in court.

    That same old powerful man.

    Aiden whose expression looks irritated and angry stands up from his chair and points over to me.

    ¡°Grandfather, this is the woman I was talking about. She¡¯s my fiance.¡±

 Chapter 86

    Chapter 86

    86

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    The old man, who now I know was Aiden¡¯s grandfather, swirled in his chair so he can get a better look

    at me.

    His eyes are cold. Dead. And annoyed.

    Aiden¡¯s words had rendered me speechless so much so that I hadpletely turned a blind eye to the

    two bulky men standing in the far corner.

    Must be Aiden¡¯s grandfather¡¯s bodyguards.

    They stood with their hands tightly mped together at their front, their posture stock.

    I looked at Aiden, muted, confused, and stunned.

    Did I really hear him right?

    Did he just call me his fiance?

    My fingers clutching the door handle tremble.

    I have no idea what to say. How to react.

    I¡¯m lost.

    ¡°A fiance with no ring?¡± Aiden¡¯s grandfather grumbles tightly, eyes sweeping down to stare at my hand.

    My hand that¡¯s bared of any ring.

    My heart ms. Maybe this wasn¡¯t a dream. Maybe this was actually happening and Aiden had just

    called me his fi-

    ance.

    ¡°I¡¯m still searching for that perfect ring. My woman de- serves the best after all.¡± Aiden answers bluntly

    and walks around his desk and approaches me with a look that told me to y along.

    But what the hell was he ying at?

    Aidenes to stand beside me, his arm rooting around my waist. ¡°Sergio meet Sophie, my fiance,

    Sophie meet Ser- gio, my grandfather and chairman of Harrington.co.¡±

    My eyes widen.

    Chairman!

    Aiden¡¯s grip around my waist gets more firm, as if warn- ng me to not screw up.

    I forced out a smile, unsure if I really wanted to y this game or not. Especially when I had no clue

    why we were y- ng it.

    This was the chairman of Harrington.co, this man was >owerful.

    Do I really want to lie to his face?

    Aiden squeezed me closer, another warning.

    Sergio was indeed powerful, that you can notice on his ace, but his grandson was not far behind.

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    I was forced into a small box, unsure of how I¡¯ll get out.

    ¡°Sophie,¡± Aiden grits lowly in warning, low for me alone to

    hear.

    I sweep my gaze over to the side of his face. He¡¯s wearing a grin on his handsome face but I was not

    fooled by it.

    This was a forced grin and for whatever reason, he need- ed me to lie with him.

    I sighed.

    This was trouble.

    I turn back to Sergio, smiling faintly. ¡°Nice to meet you Mr. Xavier.¡±

    Sergio¡¯s features darkened. ¡°It¡¯s Harrington. Aiden¡¯s fa- ther is not my son, his mother is my daughter.

    Hence, he doesn¡¯t have myst name.¡± He responded bitterly.

    I reddened. Embarrassed beyond belief.

    ¡°I¡¯m so so-rry Mr. Harring-ton. Please forgive my mis- take.¡± I stuttered.

    Sergio¡¯s eyes sweep over to Aiden and he asked tightly. ¡°Does your fiance have a speech issue?¡±

    This time I really did want the floor to open up and swal- low me whole. I made a fool out of myself and

    clearly, Sergio didn¡¯t like me.

    Aiden¡¯s arms tighten around my waist like steel as he an- swers Sergio with blunt irritation.

    ¡°Sophie has no speech issues. She¡¯s a very intelligent woman and would be your future

    granddaughter-inw. Please respect her.¡±¡±

    Himing to my defense was both shocking and con- fusing. But then I remembered that we were

    ying a role. And that role made himmit to defending me. If he want- ed Sergio to be convinced

    that is.

    Sergio looks at the both of us, his eyes showing that he did not believe us.

    Perhaps it was my stiff posture as Aiden kept me close. You couldn¡¯t me me, Aiden being close to

    me did things to my body I didn¡¯t want to admit.

    And surely I did not want to feel these things with an au- dience, one being his grandfather in the same

    room.

    Sergio¡¯s eyes narrowed on my face and I can almost see all those bad things he thought about me.

    I squirmed under his stare, feeling vited by the furious displeasure and disgust swimming through

    his eyes as they pinned me down.

    ¡°When did you two get engaged?¡± His eyes swang over to Aiden who grows stiff beside me.

    ¡°Sergio, I did not know this was twenty questions about my rtionship,¡± Aiden says stiffly.

    I can literally feel the irritation rolling off his pores.

    Sergio¡¯s brows lift and he regarded Aiden with a cool ex- pression.

    Seriously¡­.what have I gotten myself into?

    ¡°I¡¯m your grandfather. Don¡¯t you think I deserve to know when my grandson gets engaged?¡±

    I swore I could literally hear the gritting of Aiden¡¯s teeth as he answered. ¡°I only got engagedst night.

    Must¡¯ve slipped my mind to tell you Sergio.¡±

    Sergio does not look convinced. In fact he looked like Aiden¡¯s words had left a bad taste in his mouth.

    His face wrings with displeasure and soon he voiced it. ¡°It must¡¯ve slipped your mind when I told you

    the call.¡±

    ry?

    A bride?

    My heart ms in my chest harshly.

    Was this the reason Aiden forced me into this lie?

    His grandfather had found him a bride? Someone, to mar-

    My heartbeat quickens.

    I feel¡­¡­angry. Jealous.

    A bitterness crawled into my being.

    Who was this bride he found for Aiden? And why does this news upset me so much?

    ¡°Bad connection,¡± Aiden said bluntly and obviously was lying.

    Sergio knew so and sent him an irritated re.

    His eyes left Aiden¡¯s and sweep over to me.

    Again, I¡¯m squirming under the weight of hatred and dis- pleasure. ¡°You seem familiar Sophie.¡± He

    drawled looking at me in thought.

    I felt my bones freeze, my heart freeze, the air in my lungs¡­..my entire body froze.

    I¡¯m lost. I don¡¯t know what to do or say.

    He saw me, in that courtroom. Sure his eyes swept over to me for just a few but he saw me when I

    admitted-

    I sighed heavily in my head.

    I was the reason his grandson had been put into jail a few years ago. Surely if he knew I was that same

    girl on the stand, he¡¯d find more reason to hate me.

    Aiden saves me from answering and I let out a breath of relief. My body unstiffening.

    ¡±

    You must¡¯ve seen the picture I have of her in one of my penthouses. You once asked me who¡¯s that

    woman. Well she¡¯s now standing in front of you grandfather.¡± Aiden said and my knees nearly buckled.

    He has a picture of me in one of his penthouses?

 Chapter 87

    Chapter 87

    87

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Why does he have a picture of me in his penthouse?

    My mind is racing. Thoughts of possible reasons he¡¯d have my photo up.

    None made sense.

    Aiden¡¯s hold ckens a bit and I knew he sensed my ques- tioning stare.

    I¡¯m loss, a standstill.

    My thoughts are creating havoc in my mind and all I can do was pray that he¡¯d tell me what I wanted to

    know before I go insane.

    But knowing Aiden, he¡¯d beat around the bush before telling me anything.

    Sergio¡¯s eyes dipped to Aiden¡¯s hold around my waist, his eyes flickering with irritation.

    This man really didn¡¯t know me yet seemed to sneer at my sight like I had done something to him¡­.

    Well, you did cause his grandson to go to jail¡­.

    He doesn¡¯t remember me though. Well, hopefully, he doesn¡¯t.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Sergio said dryly. ¡°How can I forget? You have it in the Manhattan penthouse right?¡±

    Aiden nods.

    Sergio lifted his hands to his chin and rubbed his skin in thought. ¡°Justst week you were with

    countless women. Women I couldn¡¯t count only on my fingers, I had to add my toes too. And now you

    want me to believe you¡¯re in love with. this woman?¡±

    I stiffen.

    I should bail the ship. I should remove myself from this sit- uation before it esctes. Nothing good will

    This man looked sharp. He was not one to be messed with.

    Yet, something let my mouth remain muted.

    ¡°We were going through a rough patch for a few weeks. It took her leaving me, for me to realize I

    couldn¡¯t do without her. We¡¯re now engaged, I have no craving for other women only her now. ¡± Aiden

    said cliply.

    My heart skips a beat.

    Aiden was so good at pretending and lying that I almost believed his words.

    Sergio looks at us like a hawk. A very sharp look in his eyes. This man was not easily fooled. It was

    that obvious.

    What made Aiden think we can fool him?

    And how long does he want to fool him?!

    I had not signed up to pretend to be his secretary nor did I

    sign up to be his fake fiance.

    Sergio nod and then rises off the chair while fixing his tie. ¡°I have an important meeting to attend and

    have no time to waste. Aiden,¡±

    Aiden mutters a yes coldly, which was a bit shocking. Isn¡¯t Sergio his grandfather?

    What¡¯s with the cold dead tone he¡¯s been regarding him

    with the entire conversation?

    These two do not seem like they see eye to eye. Which was probably the reason why Aiden decided to

    lie about us.

    ¡°I will schedule a lunch date so I can get to know your fi- ance a little bit better. We¡¯re strangers and

    we¡¯re supposed to be family. I would at least want to see her as a daughter be- fore you two wed.¡±

    Sergio said without any trace of emotion in his voice.

    He was lying. He didn¡¯t want to get to know me. He didn¡¯t want to see me as a daughter. This man

    didn¡¯t like me.

    He was acting along with us.

    ¡°Yes. Any time that I¡¯m free-

    Sergio cuts in. ¡°No. You wille when I call, free or not.¡±

    Aiden grows stiff beside me and something tells me that he wants to argue but surprisingly he bites his

    tongue.

    Hmmm. Aiden has someone he doesn¡¯t win with after all.

    Sergio looks at his bodyguards who hadn¡¯t said a word and then looks back at Aiden with a sternness

    that made me

    33 40%

    squirm.

    ¡°I will schedule a date soon. In the meantime get the ne- gotiation running with Sullytec. They¡¯re a good

    investment and you¡¯d not want to miss out on this opportunity.¡± Sergio said approaching us.

    Aiden lets me go and moves out of the way.

    I quickly do the same when Sergio walked with a poise. that showed he¡¯d run through me like a train if I

    hadn¡¯t moved.

    ¡°I will keep in touch,¡± Sergio said coldly and disappeared out of the door.

    The bodyguards followed after him and as soon as the door closed behind them, my arms fold under

    my breasts as turn to Aiden with a furious re.

    ¡°What the fuck is going on Aiden!?¡± I hissed.

    I couldn¡¯t believe he put me on the spot like that with his grandfather sh chairman of Harrington.co!

    Aiden¡¯s stormy gaze snapped to mine and he looks irritat- ed and pissed off. But those emotions are

    not aimed at me.

    ¡°What else do you think is going on Sophie?¡± He answered bluntly./

    Oh no. I wouldn¡¯t allow him to push me into a mess and act like it was no big deal when it clearly was!

    I scowled at him and march over to him until I was mere inches away from his intimidating form. He¡¯s

    towering over me and obviously more powerful but that doesn¡¯t stop me

    from poking the bear.

    ¡°No. You don¡¯t get to pretend that this is not a big deal when it is Aiden! You said I was your fiance to

    your grandfa- ther! Do you not see how crazy this is!? Why would you even say something like that!?¡± I

    snapped, poking him more.

    His hand grasps my finger and he stops my actions. ¡°Sit down and calm down. I¡¯ll exin everything to

    you. But first you need to stop plotting my murder in your pretty little head.¡± He pokes the middle of my

    forehead and I swat at his hand.

    He grins, drops my finger, and then walks away.

    I¡¯m silently seething hating that I managed to get myself in a pickle yet again with Aiden.

    Aiden walks over to his desk and chair and sits down like we were not in an intense conversation with

    his grandfather a few minutes ago.

    How can he change those switches so quickly? He has a real talent for changing his mood with a snap

    of his fingers.

    Seeing that he wouldn¡¯t tell me anything unless I have a seat, I made my way over to the lounge sofa

    and sit down slowly while looking at him in expectation.

    He better give me a good exnation as to why I am sud- denly his fiance to his grandfather.

    Or else I¡¯m removing those heels and nting them on his forehead. I promised to myself as I fixed

    myself on the sofa.

    One of Aiden¡¯s elbows is on his desk, his fingers rub

    against each other as he looks at me intensely.

    My grandfather found me someone to marry.¡± Aiden suddenly said, breaking the tense atmosphere.

 Chapter 88

    Chapter 88

    88

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I¡¯ve heard those words more than once now and it still

    leaves a bitter feeling in my chest.

    Was this how the rich actually is? I thought those only. happened in books and movies.

    But I suppose I was wrong.

    Aiden continues when he sees that I was not willing to cut him off.¡± He wants me to marry the daughter

    of our business partner to tie the twopanies together. Doing so would benefit bothpanies.¡±

    My heart feels heavy. Did he want to marry this girl? If so why did he force me to act like I was his

    fiance?

    Aiden looks at me for a few before saying. ¡°But I refused. As you¡¯ve noticed by his aura Sergio is a very

    powerful man who always gets what he wants. He wouldn¡¯t stop until I settle down. Especially with his

    need to fix the public view of me, given my reputation. There was only one way that could get him off

    my back.¡±

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    He looks at me silently, gauging for my reaction.

    ¡°And that way was for you to say that I am your fiance.¡± | nod, now understanding.

    Aiden nods, looking pleased that I hadn¡¯t yelled at him.

    And boy was he wrong to rejoice so soon.

    My gaze switched from understanding to fury. ¡°Aiden are you fucking insane!?¡±

    ¡°I assure you that I am not.¡± His lips tug upwards into a grin.

    This man was finding amusement in this fucked up situa- tion. I don¡¯t know if to be surprised or not.

    My eyes burn with fury as I shoot him daggers across the room. ¡°You can¡¯t just say that I am your

    fiance and catch me off guard like that! I had no choice but to y along to your stupid game. If this is

    about your reputation all you had to do was go on a pussy cleanse. I¡¯m sure your grandfather would

    stay off your back and the public eye too.¡± I ranted in a screech of anger.

    Did he seriously get me into this mess because of his pub- lic reputation?

    He could¡¯ve kept his dick out of every hole he wanted to dip into.

    Now I¡¯m pulled into a mess I didn¡¯t want to partake in.

    Aiden¡¯s eyes narrowed on my face. ¡°You must not know how tabloids work Sophie. I can be seen in a

    business meeting with a woman and automatically it¡¯s my new ytoy for the day. Even if I take that

    ¡®pussy cleanse¡¯ those tabloids will find it in their way to create a false story to show that I¡¯m still keeping

    up with my old ways.¡±

    I stay silent, seething inwardly when I realized that I might be doomed. How will I get out of this when I

    yed along with Aiden¡¯s damn story?

    Was there even a way out?

    Aiden sighs brushing a hand down his face in frustration. ¡°So you see this was the only way I could

    truly win this. You being my fiance will make those tabloids think I¡¯m finally set- tling down. Sergio will

    also be pleased and hop off my back.¡±

    I shook my head.

    He can¡¯t possibly not see how much shit we will be in when everyone would find out that we were

    acting.

    Going with this absurdity would push me into the public eye too. Something I never wanted and never

    will now.

    Ashton¡­

    Did Aiden not think of Ashton at all?

    What would happen when those cameras switch on our rtionship? What would happen when they

    find out that I had a son?

    What would happen when they see the sparkling uncanny resemnce between Aiden and Ashton?!

    What would his grandfather say too? He already clearly hated me. Would he treat Ashton any

    differently?

    ¡°With all your stupid nning did you not think of our son and what the public would say about him?

    Did you not think at all Aiden!? We can¡¯t drag an innocent child into your mess! You should¡¯ve kept your

    dick tucked and not wave hello to ev- ery woman using that dang thing!¡± I yelled.

    My fingers are itching to remove my heels and fling them at him. He deserves a knot or two.

    So much for us finally seeing a little eye to eye. Now we¡¯re

    back on square one.

    Fucking fantastic.

    Did Aiden really have to ruin it?

    Could he not have found another solution?

    Why did I not stop it when I had the chance? I could¡¯ve called him out on his bullshit.

    But instead I yed along with him.

    Stupid stupid Sophie.

    What have you done?

    Aiden winced which told me I was right. He hadn¡¯t thought of the cons when making that stupid n.

    He rubs a hand down his face and mutters the word fuck.

    Yes Aiden. Fuck indeed.

    You¡¯ve royally screwed us both and it seems for the first time you¡¯ve now noticed your wrongs.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t have time to think of another solution Sophie. You were the only option. It was either you or get

    dragged into settling down with a woman I don¡¯t love just for the sake of thepany.¡± He grumbles.

    I shook my head and pped my hand lightly. ¡°Wow Aiden Xavier, the big bad blue eyed devil didn¡¯t

    have other so- lutions to unscrew himself and decided to pull his child¡¯s mother in his mess too.¡±

    Aiden red at me in annoyance.

    the truth Sophie. I didn¡¯t have a choice-

    You know that¡¯s not

    I held my palm up and shook my head. ¡°No Aiden. That¡¯s where you¡¯re wrong. You always have a

    choice but you never choose right. Can¡¯t you see this will only benefit you? Your reputation will be

    clean while mine, God knows what they¡¯ll say about me especially when they find out about my back-

    ground. ¡±

    Iughed dryly as I cracked. ¡°Just imagine their reaction when they find out I got pregnant as a

    teenager. And imagine their faces when they know that I got pregnant fby you. What would you do then

    Aiden? What would you tell them? And what if they dig so much they find about-

    I stopped my heart growing heavy. I hate thinking about Carson. I always feel sick to my stomach.

    Aiden¡¯s gaze grow cold as if knowing what I was about to say. He probably did.

    ¡°They don¡¯t have to know about your past Sophie. There are ways I can hide them from the public eye.

    The same way I hid that I served jail time for a crime I did notmit.¡± He said in a cold voice that

    ¡°Then why don¡¯t you hide your yboy ways from the public eye Aiden instead of thinking about this

    absurd idea?!¡± I huffed.

    No wonder there were no records of his past in high school when I searched online. He cleaned out his

    records.

    Aiden snorted and leaned back in the chair. ¡°You see So- phie, I can hide what the public eye has no

    knowledge of, but I

    can¡¯t hide something they¡¯ve seen already. I was quick to clean off my record before I turned Ceo.

    Before they even knew the name Aiden Xavier.¡±

 Chapter 89

    Chapter 89

    89

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I shook my head.

    He wasn¡¯t getting it.

    This was far too dangerous. We can¡¯t go through with this.

    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t matter if you scrap everything about me Aiden. It wouldn¡¯t leave out the fact that we have a

    son to- gether. They will piece together everything and will know that I was a teen mother. What am I

    suppose to say when they ask why Ashton was never seen with you?¡± I threw up my hands in

    exasperation.

    ¡°Would this not ruin your reputation? Will this not-

    He cuts me off.¡± Then wee up with a n to make him known to the public on our terms.¡±¡±

    I rise to my feet, breathing out fire. ¡°My son will not be in some gossip tabloids Aiden! I don¡¯t want that

    kind of life for

    him!¡±

    Aiden¡¯s gaze turned stormy, he was angry. ¡°He¡¯s my son too Sophie! I¡¯m a CEO, the richest in New

    York. Every tabloid hangs off on every word I say, every move I make. It wouldn¡¯t be long until they find

    out about him. He will be in the public eye no matter how much we fight this.¡±

    I¡¯m seething. Angry. Furious at his words.

    I knew he was right but I didn¡¯t want him to be.

    ¡°Over my dead body Aiden. Our son will have a normal life. And for your information I will not agree to

    be your fake fiance. You go down that rabbit hole yourself. I¡¯ll not be doomed along with you.¡± I hissed

    and stormed my way out of his office, mming the door on my way out.

    I don¡¯t care if he¡¯s my boss or not. He should never have ced me in such a position that I was too

    dumbfounded to know better.

    I ruffled my hair, not even caring that I was messing it up. Damn him for putting me in this position.

    What did I expect anyway? This was Aiden we were talk- ing about.

    The guy only thinks for himself and what would benefit him, not caring about the other people he¡¯ll put

    in the cross- fire.

    For the next hour or so I¡¯m doing my best to work effi- ciently. But my mind keep straying to the huge

    problem Aiden and I was about to face.

    I pretended to be his fiance in front of his grandfather who was a powerful man. What would happen

    when he finds out we lied?

    I rubbed my forehead and sighed.

    If I could rip Aiden a new one I¡¯d do it in a heartbeat.

    ¡°What are you still doing seated?¡± Aiden¡¯s voice grumbles above me.

    I snapped my head up. I was slouched and had my fore-

    head on my opened palm as I thought of possible ways to get out of this situation.

    I didn¡¯t even pick up on his footsteps.

    I winced and straightened my spine.

    Is he going to be that boss who¡¯s uptight and rude when they find their employees cking off?

    Especially with the way I sted him in his office earlier.

    ¡°Sorry. Was deep-

    Aiden cuts in before I am done making up an excuse.¡± We need to be on our way to that interview.¡± He

    lifts his hand, his eyes falling on his watch around his wrist. ¡°We should get. there in the next thirty

    minutes or so.¡±

    My brows knot. Am I missing something?

    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind me asking Aiden. But what interview are we heading to? And why do I need to tag

    along?¡±

    Are secretaries allowed to even tag along with their boss for interviews?

    Aiden looks at me like I have grown a second head.

    ¡°My PA isn¡¯t here yet so that leaves you to be the one to take her ce for now. Also did you not read

    the file I gave you yesterday? It clearly stated everything I have to do today and the rest of the week.¡±

    He said with a slight shake of his head before his eyes narrowed down on me.

    ¡°If you¡¯ve already forgotten about that, I imagine you¡¯ve forgotten that you¡¯re supposed to bring along

    optional suits

    for me to wear for the said interview?¡± His eyes sh in

    amusement.

    My eyes widen.

    I was?

    Aiden chuckles when he sees my expression and pulls out his phone from his pocket.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    He dials a number and then ces the phone to his ear. ¡°Olivia, would you please send suits-

    He walks away leaving me a bit angry that he was calling Olivia instead of just giving me the numbers

    for the stores. I could call them too Aiden!

    I red at his back only for him to catch me in the act when he turns around to lift his brows. ¡°Aren¡¯t

    you tagging along mama bear?¡±

    I nod, standing up.

    ¡°Oh and bring that file along. You need a bit more study- ing it seems.¡± He said with a teasing smirk

    stered on his face.

    I red at him and he chuckled, turned around and con- tinued to speak on the phone with this Olivia

    woman.

    ¡°It seems you pick your days when you want to be a devil Aiden,¡± I gritted while taking the bag and

    following after him.

    If he thinks I¡¯ll bring that file he had another thinging.

    ¡°Mr. Xavier!¡± A woman with a head-worn condenser mi- crophone shouts and sses shouts across

    the room, waving her hand to catch Aiden¡¯s attention.

    She¡¯s beaming with a look of awe as she rushes over to

    Aiden.

    ¡°Mr. Xavier I¡¯ve been asked to show you to your private changing room. Follow me.¡± She chirps after

    giving Aiden a very seductive look andpletely ignores me like everyone else.

    As soon as we got on set, no one and I mean no one seem to acknowledge that I was standing beside

    Aiden. Everyone seemed to be so transfixed by him that you¡¯d think he was some kind of God and not

    the blue-eyed devil his employees

    deem him to be.

    The woman brought us to a private dressing room.

    ¡°So you can wait here until the interviewer arrives. She¡¯s running a bitte today. There¡¯s water in the

    mini fridge and a few drinks. But it would be wise to stay clear-headed for your interview.¡± She chirps.

    How can someone be so chirpy so early?

    I mean it was eleven forty but it was way too early to be

    chirpy.

    Or maybe you¡¯re just angry because no one has yet to look at you and all those women are sending all

    these sugges- tive looks Aiden¡¯s way.

    ¡°I¡¯ll see you soon Mr. Xavier.¡± The woman grins and then leaves soon after.

    72.20%

    When she was gone, I red at Aiden. You have them falling at your feet like dominoes.¡±

    Aiden tugs on his tie as he settles himself on the chair in front of the mirror. He looks at me through his

    reflection in the mirror, his lips curving into a grin.

    ¡°Are you jealous mama bear?¡±

    I snorted. ¡°Of course not.¡± I denied.

    He shakes his head and with a chuckle murmurs. ¡°You see you wouldn¡¯t have been if you agreed to be

    my fake fiance. At least then you¡¯d have a right to tell them off.¡± He winks.

 Chapter 90

    Chapter 90

    90

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I¡¯m gritting my teeth and clenching my fist. I¡¯m so frus- trated and angry.

    The interviewer, a woman with pretty blonde hair and big blue eyes had been nothing but flirty with

    Aiden the entire time.

    And it doesn¡¯t help that Aiden¡¯s grin is radiant. I even feel jealous and want to be in her position right

    now.

    I know I shouldn¡¯t be but I am. I¡¯m angry and frustrated and wish for this interview to hurry up and

    finish.

    My prayers are answered soon after and both Aiden and I found ourselves back inside the dressing

    room in a couple of

    minutes.

    ¡°You¡¯re pissed.¡± Aiden cracked the silence with his amused words when I closed the door.

    I grit my teeth. So he did notice my res across the room after all.

    ¡°I¡¯m not.¡± I denied.

    Aiden snorts and I¡¯m tempted to hurl my bag at his back.

    Cocky piece of shit.

    He turns around, one of his brows raised. ¡°You have that cute frown on your face, Sophie. It¡¯s not that

    hard for one to notice that you¡¯re not pleased. Save yourself the trouble of

    denying it.¡±

    My brows pinch.

    Cute.

    When he says cute words like that it¡¯s hard to not want to bury him six feet under.

    I¡¯m about to answer him but there¡¯s a knock on the door.

    Aiden looks just as confused as I am.

    The interview was done so there was no need for him any- more. Yet, who was at the door?

    He hadn¡¯t even have to saye in, whoever was at the door barged in without a care in the world.

    I stiffen when it¡¯s that same blonde interviewer woman. She¡¯s smiling widely, seductively but when her

    eyes fell on me, her face turned bitter.

    I nearly rolled my eyes.

    She must think I give a damn about how she looks at me.

    Her gaze swept over to Aiden who stood there confused and a little startled.

    She beamed, her eyes dancing with happiness and her lips splitting into a seductive grin. ¡°Mr. Xavier.

    I¡¯m happy to have caught you still here. I want to have a word with you in private.¡±

    She looked at me with a slight re that I did roll my eyes

    Of course she wants to ¡®have a word¡¯ with him in private.

    I¡¯m sure this is how this is normally yed out.

    I look over at Aiden who grows stiff.

    I¡¯m confused by his reaction. Isn¡¯t this what he wanted?

    With those charming smiles he sent her way, I would¡¯ve thought he was counting down the seconds

    until she came here.

    But his next words both confused and startled me. ¡°I don¡¯t do private chats with someone I don¡¯t know

    Miss. Wan- ton. We¡¯re strangers, I don¡¯t hold private conversations with that sort.¡± He says stiffly.

    The woman flinched slightly, her eyes dimming with em- barrassment. But like any fox with

    determination, she giggles. ¡°But you can¡¯t consider us strangers Mr. Xavier after that in- terview.¡±

    Aiden looks annoyed which was entertaining and a bit confusing. I would have thought he¡¯d love this

    attention.

    Or maybe he¡¯s just acting this way since I am in the same

    room?

    ¡°Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of her.¡± He nudged his chin towards me.

    The woman¡¯s face twisted with displeasure.

    I really could care less about her attitude or how she cur- rently feels right now, but I would be

    embarrassed if I were in her shoes. That alone nearly made me have sympathy for her.

    Sighing heavily after a few tense silent moments, she murmurs. ¡°Fine.¡±

    Aiden lifted a single brow, looking rather impatient as he crossed his arm over his chest and looked at

    her in expecta-

    tion.

    The woman was taller than me and just an inch shorter than Aiden. She owed most of her height to the

    high heels she wore right now.

    So when she walked further into the room and stood in front of Aiden, she purposely blocked me from

    seeing his face clearly.

    I didn¡¯t want to seem desperate so I stayed glued to where I was. But I was sure she could feel that

    re I was cur- rently shooting at her back.

    ¡°Mr. Xavier,¡± She purred her hands lifting.

    What is she doing?

    I¡¯m tempted to move to the side to have a look but I don¡¯t want to seem like I¡¯m desperate or jealous.

    But then suddenly I hear buttons falling on the floor and my eyes widen.

    Did she just?

    This time I did move to the side so I can see what she had just done.

    I¡¯m ready to barf.

    Did she have no respect for herself?

    The woman managed to rip open her white blouse and had the buttons flying to the floor.

    ¡°Take me Mr. Xavier. I¡¯ve heard so many good things. about how good you fuck. It¡¯s fine if we have

    spectors. Your assistant won¡¯t mind a few moans would she?¡± She winks, pushing her hand into her

    bra and pulling it down to show her nipples.

    I gag.

    Was she really going this far to get Aiden to fuck her?

    Rage and jealousy burn through me.

    I looked over at Aiden. He¡¯s standing there with an irritat- ed re on his face, shooting daggers at the

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    woman.

    His lips curled into a bitter sneer. ¡°Cover up and get out.¡±

    There¡¯s nothing better than seeing her face drop and the shade of embarrassment coloring on her

    cheeks.

    ¡°But Mr. Xavier. Everyone said you like your women des- perate and wanton. I came over to show you

    how desperate I am.¡± She pinched her nipples, not even caring that I was in the

    room.

    I cover my mouth, disgusted by her actions.

    I would never have thought this well poised woman would stoop this low to get a man to sleep with her.

    ¡°You heard wrong now get out. You¡¯re embarrassing yourself in front of my fiance.¡± Aiden sneered

    angrily at the woman whose eyes widen upon hearing his words.

    Mine did too. But not because his yell was loud, but be- cause he called me his fiance.

    He said it with so much honesty that anyone would think

    it was true.

    The woman takes a stumbling step back as she quickly fixed her breasts back into her bra.

    ¡°Your fiance? I didn¡¯t know you had a fiance.¡± She squeaked, avoiding looking over at me.

    ¡°Yes my fiance. We¡¯re keeping it on the down low for now. That¡¯s why you had yet to know about it.

    Now I suggest you remove yourself from the room to save any dignity you have left.¡± He says with

    seriousness as he looked at the woman dis- tastefully.

    Oh Aiden, why are you digging us into a bigger hole?

 Chapter 91

    Chapter 91

    91

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    The woman turns around, her face so red and her eyes so misty. She seems to be on a mission to

    avoid my gaze as she tries and fails to cover her overspilling breasts and rushes out of the room

    without another word.

    When she¡¯s gone, I turn to Aiden, my eyes wide in surprise and difort at what just happened mere

    seconds ago.

    ¡°You¡¯re mad,¡± I shook my head in disbelief.

    Aiden loosens his tie and spared me a nce. He doesn¡¯t even look the least bit affected by what just

    happened. Was that a normal thing to happen to him?

    If so then I wasn¡¯t surprised.

    ¡°How so?¡± He asked with an amused arched in his brow.

    I shake my head and stomp over to him. ¡°Why would you tell her that I am your fiance Aiden? Can you

    not see how you¡¯ve royally screwed us!?¡±

    I jabbed at his chest.

    He was absolutely crazy. Why would he mess around with that word so easily?

    ¡°That woman would not have left if I hadn¡¯t said that to her. She was desperate enough to stay.¡± He

    defended as he pulled the tie off his neck and threw it on the dresser.

    He walks to the clothes rack with different suits Olivia

    managed to get there less than ten minutes before his inter- view.

    ¡°You could¡¯ve said anything else Aiden, anything else but you chose to say that I¡¯m your fiance?¡± I

    red at his back. while he was unbuttoning his shirt to change.

    ¡°It was the first thing that came to mind.¡± He shrugged nonchntly and removed the shirt from his

    body.

    I tore my eyes away, biting into my lips as I grumble. ¡°You not seeing how messed up this is, is

    rming.¡±

    I felt his eyes on me, on the side of my face. ¡°You¡¯ve seen my body naked before Sophie, why act shy

    now?¡±

    I felt a blush crawl up my neck and settle on my cheeks. ¡°Because it¡¯s inappropriate to stare at your

    boss while he¡¯s changing Aiden,¡± I grumble while crossing my arms and pinching my skin.

    Aiden snorted.

    I turn around, fully blocking any view of him.

    I hear his footfalls and secondster feel his chest press- ing into my back.

    I stiffen.

    ¡°Am I only your boss mama bear?¡± He says lowly, his lips. brushing the back of my ear.

    I shivered and moved away from him quickly as I felt the unmistakable feeling of my pussy clenching.

    He was arousing me with just simple words. I should be ashamed of myself.

    ¡°And apparently my fiance too.¡± I snapped sarcastically, pushing up my anger to drown out my arousal.

    I whirled around, flushing when I¡¯m met with his bare

    chest.

    ¡°Are you that pissed about this Sophie?¡± Aiden groaned in frustration which sessfully pulled me out

    of my gapping.

    I shook my head. ¡°What?¡± I asked confused.

    What were we talking about again?

    Aiden¡¯s lips curved up in a smile and said. ¡°You don¡¯t only have to stare mama bear, you can touch

    too.¡±

    My eyes narrowed and then I huffed. It seems that my anger can never stay long enough when I¡¯m

    dealing with him. I always go back to fawning.

    ¡°You¡¯re so annoying,¡± I grumble and turned around.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Aiden called out in amusement.

    I opened the door while snapping. ¡°Away from you. I¡¯ll meet you outside.¡±

    I don¡¯t care that he¡¯s my boss. If he fires me then even

    better.

    I mmed the door behind me, huffed and walked away.

    Everyone¡¯s eyes slowly sweep over to me as I walked by.

    Some are in groups, whispering amongst themselves as they pinned me with confused and questioning

    gazes.

    They reminded me of teenage girls who had nothing bet- ter to do than gossip.

    I held my bag closer and ruffled my hair nervously.

    Did that woman tell everyone what Aiden said?

    Or maybe they heard him. He was pretty loud when he shouted at her¡­.

    I walked quicker.

    This was so embarrassing.

    ¡°Omph.¡± I pushed out of my mouth when I stumbled on my feet andnded on my knees.

    It scraped and I hissed.

    ¡°Are you okay Miss?¡± A husky voice says above me sud- denly which startled me a bit.

    I whip my head up, my eyes widening.

    Grey eyes, strong jaw and thin lips.

    This man was handsome and with the suit that donned his body made me know he was wealthy.

    He was no regr person like me.

    His eyes crinkled at the corners as he outstretched his hand. ¡°You must be careful when you¡¯re

    walking.¡± He grinned charmingly.

    I smiled in embarrassment and took his hand. He helps me up and his eyes shifting in concern. ¡°Are

    you okay Miss?¡±

    I smiled awkwardly and with a nod and an embarrassedugh, I answered. ¡°Yes. It¡¯s nothing.¡±

    His eyes fall to my knees. ¡°You¡¯re bleeding. Do you need help-

    I shook my head and awkwardly pull my hand out of his grasp that he held on for longer than

    necessary. ¡°No. It¡¯s real- ly not a big deal.¡±

    He opened his mouth to speak but someone interrupted him. ¡°Mr. Muralo your interview will start soon.

    Please let me show you to the private dressing room for you to get ready.¡±

    Mr. Murolo? He must be important if he¡¯s being inter- viewed today. This interview is specifically for

    businessmen and was supposed to focus on how they managed to push up the market.

    ¡°|-

    He looks at me and stops when I shake my head and tell him to go on ahead.

    I smiled when he gave me onest concerned look.

    He seems friendly enough.

    Keeping my head down in humiliation, I continued on my way until I got outside and found myself

    beside the Suv.

    ¡°Did Mr. Xavier stay back?¡± Mitch asked when I entered

    the back.

    He must be confused that Aiden wasn¡¯t beside me.

    I shook my head. ¡°He was getting dressed. I needed to get

    out of there, was way too stuffy. Hey, do you have some tis- sue?¡± I asked.

    Yes, stuffy with the heat of desire.

    Mitch nods and opened thepartment and then sent me the roll of tissue.

    caught it and then tore a piece.

    I can¡¯t believe he would just let out that I¡¯m his fiance so casually as if this wasn¡¯t a big deal.

    Pressing the tissue onto the cut on my knee, I hissed.

    Mitch looks at me in the rearview mirror. ¡°Are you okay

    Miss?¡±

    I nodded quickly and with a grimace I said. ¡°Yes I am fine. Just a small scratch.¡±

    He looks worried but nods.

    Focusing back on the task at hand, I pressed the tissue more on the scratch only to jump a little in

    startlement when the door suddenly opens.

    I looked over at Aiden, his face is tight with irritation or is it anger? Perhaps both.

    My brows knot.

    What¡¯s with him?

    ¡°Let¡¯s have lunch.¡± He grumbles, gets in and ms the door so hard I flinched.

 Chapter 92

    Chapter 92

    92

    I knew better than to get on his nerves when he was that

    irritated.

    At least I¡¯m relieved I wasn¡¯t the cause of his anger this time. If I was, then why would he want to have

    lunch with me?

    When Mitch drives away onto the main road, Aiden¡¯s eyes suddenly fall to my knees.

    His eyes stare hard on my fingers clutching the tissue to my knees.

    His brows knot into a frown.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with your knee?¡± He questioned.

    ¡°Nothing, just a scratch. Seriously I¡¯m okay.¡± I assured him. when his eyes deepened with raw concern.

    Suddenly his hand is on the hand I had on my knee and he pries it away to get a better look at my

    knee.

    ¡°It¡¯s still bleeding.¡± He grumbles, almost as if mad that I got a scratch.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± I murmured.

    He shook his head and in a rapid move had my leg on hisp. He didn¡¯t even care that I had heels on

    and could poten- tially ruin his expensive pants.

    ¡°Aiden!¡± I gasped.

    ¡°Shut up.¡± He grumbles, tearing a piece of tissue and swatting my hand away from my knee.

    ¡°Mitch take us to the nearest store to get some bandaids and rubbing alcohol,¡± Aiden demanded.

    ¡°Yes sir,¡± Mitch said and swang on another road.

    I shook my head. ¡°You really didn¡¯t have to Aiden. It¡¯s not a big deal. The scratch isn¡¯t even bleeding

    much-

    ¡°You talk way too much Sophie. presses the tissue to my scratch.

    Aiden grumbles and

    I let out a huff, crossing my arms, annoyed as hell know- ing he wouldn¡¯t let up. There was no way I¡¯d

    win this so it would be best if I just shut up and let him do what he wanted.

    When we pulled up to the grocery store a good ten min- utes or soter, Aiden is the only one who

    actually goes inside the store. He ordered me to stay inside the Suv and insisted that I was better off

    sitting than walking.

    He must think that little scratch had made me immobile.

    I rolled my eyes and watch him disappear inside the store.

    ¡°Your boss is such a prick Mitch.¡± I said, ring at the store he disappeared inside of.

    I wanted some chips but my pride would not allow me to tell him to buy them for me. And seeing as he

    would perhaps make a fuss if he sees me enter the store, there really was no way I can get my chips in

    peace.

    I can survive without chips.

    We were going for lunch anyway¡­

    Well hopefully we still were. I fear he¡¯d think I was too ¡®in- jured¡¯ to have lunch.

    Mitch chuckles lightly. ¡°I don¡¯t know Miss. Mr. Xavier has never cared for another woman the way he

    does for you.¡±

    His words had me haling back.

    Sophie you better not make Aiden¡¯s chauffeur get you to crack those walls around your heart. You

    better seal them right up.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure which rubbing alcohol was the best so I took three different brands,¡± Aiden said as he

    hopped back

    into the car.

    He closed the door and shift through the stuff he bought. He takes out a small bag of cotton balls and

    the three rubbing alcohol bottles.

    He really did buy three rubbing alcohol bottles¡­.

    ¡°Thedy at the counter said this one worked the best. But the man behind me said all worked the

    same. Didn¡¯t know who to trust so bought all three.¡± He grinned sheepishly when I looked at him in

    disbelief.

    I sighed. He was doing way too much for a tiny scratch. ¡°You honestly didn¡¯t have to buy the alcohol

    Aiden. A ban- dage would¡¯ve been just fine.¡±

    Not even a bandage¡­.my scratch was so tiny that having a bandage would beical. But I don¡¯t say

    that because I¡¯m

    sure he would debate with me.

    ¡°Oh right the bandage,¡± He grumbles while shifting through the bag once more and pulling out-

    ¡°Is that Dora The Explora bandages Aiden?¡±

    He grinned. ¡°They were the only ones left in the store.¡±

    My eyes narrowed on his face. Somehow I don¡¯t believe a single word he just said.

    Aiden reaches for my leg again and throws it over his thigh.

    I turn bright red, because this time he managed to open my legs so vast that I was sure my panties

    were on full disy for him.

    I just hope I didn¡¯t have a wet patch down there from ear- lier when I was in his dressing room and he

    was undressing¡­..

    Aiden poured the alcohol on the cotton ball and then dabbed the wet ball on my scratch.

    I hissed. For a small scratch, it hurt like a bitch when the

    alcohol touched it.

    Shy Aideyes lift to my face, darting everywhere to see if I

    showed signs of pain. ¡°Are you okay? Does it hurt? Do you need to go to the hospital?¡± He rushes out,

    his voice thick with

    concern.

    I would¡¯veughed at his questions if my heart was not currently throbbing at his show of raw concern.

    ¡°I¡¯m okay Aiden. It just stung a little.¡± I said softly and he

    sighed in relief.

    ¡°Don¡¯t scare me like that Sophie,¡± He whispered.

    My brows furrowed. Did this little scratch really have him so concerned?

    About fifteen minutester Mitch pulled up beside a very expensive restaurant.

    My eyes widen.

    ¡°Are we going to have lunch here?¡± I whispered.

    I was not properly dressed for an expensive ce like this, especially with a Dora The Explora

    bandage on my knee. The skirt I wore definitely was not covering that.

    Also, this ce was always filled with rich socialites and I clearly was not one of them. I would stick out

    like a sour thumb among these people. Like I was already just by sitting beside Aiden.

    Aiden looks at me confused. ¡°Yes?¡±

    I winced. ¡°This restaurant is very expensive Aiden. I don¡¯t belong here.¡±

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Aiden¡¯s eyes turned stormy. ¡°You¡¯re worth more than that restaurant Sophie. Now keep that pretty

    mouth shut before I shut it myself.¡±

    He opened the door. ¡°We¡¯ll be back in thirty Mitch. If you want you can drive around the block.¡± Aiden

    said while get- ting down.

    I pushed closer to the door, gnawing on my lips and got. out when Aiden shot me a stare that told me to

    get the fuck out or else he¡¯ll force me out himself.

    Coming to stand beside him, he closed the door while I fixed my blouse and skirt to look more

    presentable.

    I froze when I felt his arm sling around my waist and pull me close. ¡°You¡¯ll still be the most beautiful

    woman in that restaurant even if you were in rags. Nowe on mama bear, let¡¯s get you fed.¡±

 Chapter 93

    Chapter 93

    93

    ¡°Loosen up Sophie. You¡¯re as stiff as a rock.¡± Aiden whis- pered beside my ear, his lips tickling my skin.

    His hands run down the small of my back, his warmth. seeping through and rxing me as we walked

    to our table.

    I sighed in relief when we finally took our seats but I prayed that maybe, just maybe all these rich fancy

    people would stop staring at us like we were the most fascinating thing they¡¯ve seen in a while.

    The stares literally burned through me when they saw Aiden pulling the chair back for me to sit. And

    when I fixed that chair and he stayed beside me for longer than necessary, their stares had turned

    hotter.

    Seriously you could have brought me to any fast food ce. I¡¯d be happy to eat oily fries and a cheesy

    burger.¡± I grumble as I darted my eyes around as slick as I could.

    ¡°Those fast food ces aren¡¯t good enough for you. You deserve the best,¡± He grinned. My stomach

    knotted.

    Smooth.

    I stared at him across the table. This feels intimate. Just us

    two having lunch in a fancy restaurant.

    It almost looks like we were on a date. That must be why everyone could not stop looking our way.

    Or perhaps it was the shock to see the young bachelor

    with a woman who looked like she swam in the sewer.

    Aiden seems to be staring at me deeply too. It¡¯s quite nerve-wracking actually.

    I needed to distract him before the waiter arrives. Be-

    cause obviously if he keeps staring at me like I was the meal, I was not sure I can handle myself. Or

    my feelings.

    ¡°So you have a photo of me in one of your penthouses?¡± | asked in curiosity.

    Honestly, I had been dying to ask him this question the moment his grandfather confirmed it.

    Aiden started hacking out a cough.

    I looked at him in concern.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± I asked as I watch him block his mouth. His face was heating up with a blush.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Cough. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±

    He clears his throat, looking a bit flustered. ¡°No, I actually don¡¯t. Sergio doesn¡¯t have a great memory,

    so I knew exactly what to tell him to get him off my back.¡±

    I¡¯m a little disappointed. ¡°Oh,¡± I whispered, my shoulders. sagging in displeasure.

    He clears his throat and I suppose was about to say some- thing else but the waiteres over to

    hand us the menu po- litely.

    ¡°I wille back to get your orders in five minutes Mr. Xavier.¡± He said and left seconds after. When he

    does, my at-

    tention goes back to Aiden.

    I still had no idea why he could not have just told Sergio he didn¡¯t want to get married. Why would he

    go through so much trouble to try to convince his grandfather I was his fi- ance?

    He was a grown man, he could say no. Couldn¡¯t he?

    Unless his grandfather was threatening him with some- thing he couldn¡¯t win over?

    Aiden notices my curious gaze and he lifted a brow ques- tioningly. ¡°Why do I feel like you¡¯re about to

    go nancy drew right now?¡±

    ¡°Why did you not just say no?¡± I asked him, stunning him. for a few moments before he regains his

    He opens his mouth to speak but I cut in before he could get a word in.

    ¡°And don¡¯t think about lying Aiden. Tell me the truth.¡± I warned, eyes narrowing on his face.

    Maybe it was time I listen to him without judging right

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    away.

    Sure him telling his grandfather and then telling that in- terviewer woman that we were engaged was

    absurd with him not giving me a warning beforehand or at least my permis-

    sion.

    But perhaps Aiden had his reasons and it was time I hear them out.

    He is silent for a few, staring at me intently before he

    sighs and starts.

    Sergio is threatening to get me back into jail if I don¡¯t get married and settle down before the year

    ends.¡±

    He says the words with a bitterness that shocked me.

    I gasped, eyes widening slightly. Was it that serious for Aiden to get married? So serious that he had to

    hang the jail card over Aiden¡¯s head?

    ¡°Bu-t he can¡¯t do th-at can he?¡± I stuttered out in a rush of emotions. The main one was fright.

    Even though I didn¡¯t trust Aiden yet, it was clear he loved his son and it took only a couple of days for

    me to see that. Ashton just got to know his dad, he wasn¡¯t ready to lose him¡­.and neither did I.

    It took a lot for me to admit but I didn¡¯t want to lose

 Chapter 94

    Chapter 94

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡®I agree, perhaps I should have talked to you about it before surprising you the way I did this morning.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    But he came over to the office unexpectedly,¡± Aiden murmurs when I didn¡¯t respond.

    I shook my head slightly. ¡°I still don¡¯t get it Aiden. Why me?¡±

    He drags out a sigh, tore his stormy gaze away from and then shift them back to me. This time, they¡¯re

    deep with emotion. Vulnerability.

    ¡°Because you¡¯re the only one I trust Sophie. I can¡¯t ask anyone else, there¡¯s no other woman I¡¯d want to

    parade on my arm other than you,¡± He says with such shocking honesty, I gulped.

    My tongue feels heavy and I¡¯m not sure how I am supposed to answer him.

    He shakes his head,ughs dryly and clears his throat. ¡°I can¡¯t go back to jail Sophie, not when I just

    got to know my son,¡±

    My heart squeezes.

    ¡°I can¡¯t leave him like that. I need to be there for him.¡± He croaked out with heavy emotion.

    ¡°You¡¯re powerful too Aiden, can¡¯t you fight him on this?¡± I whispered. He was the CEO of one of the

    biggestpanies in New York. There was really nothing he can¡¯t do.

    I froze.

    Pregnant fiance?

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I whispered in disbelief. ¡°Did you tell your grandfather I was pregnant?¡±

    Was that the reason Sergio kept looking at me from head to toe?

    I had originally thought Aiden had thrown us in hot water but he threw us in the burning pit instead.

    He looks at me guiltily and sheepishly. ¡°I did. But this was the only way for him to ept this. Like I

    said, he¡¯d look like the bad guy in the situation, not me. But if I were to threaten him with telling the

    media about his n to find a way to send me back into jail, I¡¯d also raise questions as to why I was in

    jail in the first ce.¡±

    Aiden breathed out and tore his eyes away from me. ¡°As you can see Sophie, I was backed into a

    corner and this was the only way out. I did it for my son and you.¡±

    He brought his eyes back to me, his face flushing. ¡°I cannot leave you and Ash alone. I have missed

    out on way too much

    as it is.¡±

    I let out a shaky breath. I understood him and why he said what he said. But pregnancy?

    How could we pull this off when I was a hundred percent sure I was not pregnant?

    I looked at Aiden across the table and suddenly all I could feel was pity. How can his own grandfather

    threaten him so badly

    that he had to sort for ways to stay in his son¡¯s life?

    He was doing this for Ashton and he needed my help.

    And how can I not?

    My son just got his father in his life and even though we clearly still have problems seeing eye to eye, I

    wasn¡¯t about to make the same mistake twice and ruin his chance with his son,

    again.

    I¡¯m about to speak but the waiter returns and asked us if we have chosen our meal.

    Aiden grumbles something that starts with a T and not

    knowing what it was and also guilty because I had not once looked at the menu I told the waiter I

    wanted whatever Aiden just ordered.

    When he leaves and promises to bring us a ss of water while we wait, Aiden spoke up. ¡°I don¡¯t think

    you¡¯re going to like what you just ordered there Sophie,¡± His lips tug into a

    smile.

    I snorted lightly. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous, there¡¯s nothing I don¡¯t

    eat.¡±

    He smiles and nods.

    I got serious, gnawing on my lips and then sighed. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll pretend to be your pregnant fiance. I have

    no idea how we¡¯re going to pull this off especially seeing as I¡¯m not pregnant but I won¡¯t have you go

    back to jail Aiden.¡±

    I shook my head and whispered. ¡°You didn¡¯t deserve to take jail in the first ce. You also didn¡¯t

    deserve not knowing your

    son for a few years and I¡¯ll be damned if I make the same mistake again. So yes Aiden Xavier, I¡¯ll be

    your fiance.¡±

    Aiden¡¯s eyes widen slightly in shock. He must not have expected me to agree or he perhaps thought I¡¯d

    put up more of a fight.

    But then when he realized I was speaking the truth, his lips parted into a beaming smile. ¡°There¡¯s a way

    you can actually get pregnant-

    ¡°Don¡¯t even start.¡± I huffed in annoyance.

    He chuckled.

    Aiden was right about the meal. I couldn¡¯t eat it and nearly barf at the sight of the snails.

    I can¡¯t believe people actually eat those¡­

    I shivered in disgust just thinking about it.

    Aiden¡¯s hand is on the small of my back as we head for the exit. But suddenly his phone buzzes.

    He quickly snatches it out of his pocket and answered swiftly.

    ¡°What is it Mitch? We¡¯re on our way-¡±

    He stops and suddenly stiffens. His hand on the small of my back snake around my waist to hold me

    firmly to his side.

    His jaw ticked and he grumbles through the phone. ¡°We¡¯ll be out in a few. Don¡¯t panic.¡±

    When he ces his phone back into his pocket, I asked with a bit of hesitancy. ¡°Is everything okay?¡±

    ¡°There are paparazzi surrounding the entire restaurant. They¡¯re blocking Mitch¡¯s path.¡±

    The blood drains from my face. ¡°Paparazzi?¡± I murmured in

    shock.

    He nods stiffly and grits out. ¡°Yes. They¡¯re here to take photos of the newly engaged couple.¡±

 Chapter 95

    Chapter 95

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Paparazzi.

    I wasn¡¯t ready for that yet. Especially when Aiden and I had yet toy down the rules of this fake

    engagement. We had yet to even discuss anything other than me having to pretend to be his pregnant

    fiance.

    How did the paparazzi even know we were there? How did they know we were ¡®engaged¡¯?

    Unless¡­

    Was it that interviewer woman?

    Was it Aiden¡¯s grandfather?

    Aiden¡¯s warmth seeped through me as he tugged me closer and gave me a reassuring squeeze. ¡°I¡¯m

    right here Sophie. All you have to do is keep your head down, and ignore their words until we¡¯re

    actually ready to talk.¡±

    I pull in a lungful of air, trying my best to rx my nerves. I¡¯ve never done this before, never even seen

    a paparazzi in my life before so I had no idea what to expect.

    ¡°Ready?¡± Aiden asked and I nodded slowly.

    I was obviously not ready. My stomach was cramping with knots and I thought I was on the verge of

    having a heart attack. This did not scream ready, this screamed the opposite.

    Aiden sensed my hesitation and leans down to whisper in my ears reassuringly. ¡°I¡¯m not going to make

    anything happen to you Sophie. I¡¯ll be by your side always.¡±

    My heart skipped abeat or two.

    His words warmed me and made me feel better, especially with the honest tone he used when he said

    he would always be by my side.

    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m ready,¡± I breathed out, and after a few more

    lungfuls of air to calm my nerves, Aiden and I walked out of the restaurant.

    I squint, cringing slightly as shes and the sound of clicking, runs through the air. Aiden¡¯s hand around

    my waist grows hard with firmness and with a slight tug he began to pull me through the throng of

    paparazzi who was thankfully giving us room to pass through.

    ¡°Miss how did you and Mr. Xavier meet?¡± One asked loudly, trying to get her question through the

    numerous others.

    ¡°Miss, why have we never seen you with Mr. Xavier before?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s your name miss?¡±

    ¡°How did you manage to get the yboy bachelor tomit to you?¡±

    ¡°How did Mr. Xavier propose?¡±

    ¡°What do you do as your career?¡±

    ¡°Miss can you say a few words, Miss!¡±

    I winced. So many questions pped me left and right as we made our way to the SUV. Thankfully

    they were so upied with us, they were slowly dispersing around the SUV.

    I keep my head down slightly as Aiden guided me towards the Suv quickly. My heart was beating in my

    chest like a drum and I was surprised it didn¡¯t surpass the sound of the clicks from the cameras.

    When we reached the Suv and Aiden opened the door quickly a question had him freezing.

    ¡°Mr. Xavier is this the woman who has your heart?¡±

    I could¡¯ve gone inside and ignored the question. I could¡¯ve ignored the beating of my heart as I waited

    with battered breath for his answer. But I stopped and waited for what he would do or say.

    Aiden turns around and answered whoever asked the question. ¡°Yes,¡±

    And with that he nudged me to get into the SUV and with my body going numb from his words, I

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    stumbled in ungracefully.

    When I¡¯m seated, I stare forward,pletely mute and confused. Stunned.

    Did he just-

    I shook my head. I was reading way too much into this. We were supposedly engaged so he had to say

    yes. He didn¡¯t mean them, this was an act.

    When Aiden got in I licked my suddenly dry lips and shifted slightly, feeling awkward.

    ¡°How the fuck did they know we were here?¡± He growled after mming the door close and drowning

    out the voices and the clicks of the cameras outside.

    ¡°They showed up suddenly sir,¡± Mitch said.

    ¡°Get us out of here Mitch,¡± Aiden demanded while ring at the paparazzi as they made a fuss outside.

    Mitch nodded and quickly drove out of the parking space.

    Aiden sighs, leaning back in the seat as he brushed a hand down his face.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about this Sophie. I know how they can take

    someone off guard. Especially when that someone was not expecting them to show up. I don¡¯t know

    how they even knew I was here¡­¡± He huffed.

    My brows furrowed and I looked at him.¡± They knew about the engagement so it¡¯s either your

    grandfather or that interviewer,¡± I said as I thought about it.

    These were the only two people who even knew about our ¡®engagement. It really doesn¡¯t take much to

    know that it was either of the two.

    But what confused me though, was that the paparazzi knew where Aiden and I were. Who gave them

    the heads up?

    ¡°My money is on that interviewer. She probably followed us. Who knows. Or maybe it was one of the

    celebrities in the restaurant. These insta models always have a damn phone in their hands. Could be

    one of them too.¡± He grumbles in annoyance. ¡°I don¡¯t know. But I¡¯m sure it was not Sergio.¡±

    My brow raised. ¡°What makes you think it was not him?¡±

    Aiden turns to face me. ¡°Because darling, my grandfather is a businessman. Every step, he takes with

    caution. He would not randomly let the media know I¡¯m engaged so abruptly. Besides, that woman

    probably did this for money. They sell anything nowadays. Our engagement is a hot topic, she would

    not miss this opportunity.¡±

    I searched his face and then nod. ¡°What are we going to do now that it¡¯s out there that we are

    engaged?¡±

    By now social media must be swimming with things about us.

    Aiden sighs and looks at me fixedly. ¡°We act engaged.¡±

    I gnaw on my lips, my stomach knotting when he answered my silent questions.

    ¡°That means we act like a couple when the cameras are on us, when Sergio is in the same room or

    anyone else. We have to sell it, Sophie.¡± He whispered.

    I bit into my bottom lip harshly. Acting like an engaged couple meant that we would have to hold hands

    in public, and do all those things a loving couple does¡­.

    Could my stupid heart remain calm and not fall for him during that time? Especially when I still didn¡¯t

    even know how long we had to act like we were a couple to be wed.

    ¡°How long must we pretend for Aiden?¡± I whispered, now getting extremely nervous when I realized

    what I signed up for.

    ¡°As long as it takes.¡±

 Chapter 96

    Chapter 96

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I¡¯m panicking inwardly while Aiden makes calls beside me.

    He¡¯s talking so aggressively while rubbing his forehead. It was clear that what happened to us threw

    some stress onto his shoulders.

    I let out some air through my nose and took out my phone from the bag. I quickly searched up Aiden¡¯s

    name, only to not be surprised that our images were everywhere.

    My heart mmed in my chest.

    There are even articles written about us already¡­.

    Gnawing on my lips I clicked on one, cringing slightly when it was a horrible picture of Aiden and me

    walking out of the

    restaurant.

    I scrolled down, my eyes darting around every word.

    ¡®With a well poised handsome man like Mr. Xavier, you¡¯d expect a properly dressed woman beside him.

    But do not mind her appearance for Aiden Xavier did not seem to care. Our bachelor yboy is now a

    one-woman¡¯s man. This mysteriousdy has managed to capture what many women strived for. The

    heart of Aiden Xavier. Let the wedding bells ring!

    My stomach twisted with unease and I felt sick to my

    stomach.

    I shakily lift my hand to my face to pull some of my strands behind my ear.

    Don¡¯t mind her appearance¡­

    I know I was nowhere close to Aiden¡¯s standards but you¡¯d think they would at least wait to throw their

    judgments.

    I quickly put off my phone, sliding it into my bag. My throat burned with stifling emotion.

    I know I shouldn¡¯t let the media get to me but I couldn¡¯t help it. My face was sttered everywhere and

    I was sure there was nothing good said about me.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Aiden asked which surprised me.

    I thought he was on the phone?

    I turn to face him. ¡°Nothing is wrong.¡± I lied hoping he could not see in my eyes that I did.

    He doesn¡¯t look convinced and moves the phone away from his ear, his attention staying on me.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong Sophie? You¡¯re not going to change your mind are you?¡± He asked with a bit of concern.

    I shook my head. ¡°Of course not. I¡¯m just a bit shaken about what happened. This is the first time I have

    had this many cameras on my face. ¡°I admitted.

    His eyes shift in understanding and his handes to rest on my hand on my thigh. I held my breath

    when the heat of his palm burn me with tingles. ¡°Everything will be fine. We¡¯ll get them under control.¡±

    I nod.

    I don¡¯t believe we could get them under control. The media was something not even Aiden can control.

    They were vicious when they were after something they wanted. And I was a hundred percent sure

    they wanted every detail about Aiden and my engagement.

    ¡°Where are we going now?¡± I asked softly.

    He breathed out a sigh while pushing his phone into his pocket. ¡°We need to get you an engagement

    ring as soon as possible.¡±

    I nod, my hands wringing with nerves on myp.

    I¡¯m scared of what I had just pushed myself into, and even more, scared of what this will do to Ashton.

    Mitch pulled up beside a fancy jewelry store and I turn to look at Aiden. ¡°You don¡¯t have to buy me an

    expensive ring, Aiden,¡± I told him.

    This was a fake engagement and having an expensive ring would be practically useless.

    But instead of agreeing Aiden lifted his brow and shook his head slightly. ¡°Only the best for my woman.¡±

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    I froze, my heart mming in my chest.

    If it was anything else, I¡¯d say that he meant it. But then I remembered we were to act like we were

    engaged so perhaps

    it would be best if he got the best for his ¡®woman¡¯

    I smiled shakily, a bit unsure of how to respond to him. He opens the door and gets out while

    outstretching his hand out for me to take.

    His hand is warm when they sp around mine as he gently helps me out.

    We walked to the entrance of the store, my eyes nervously darting around to see if any of the

    paparazzi had followed us.

    ¡°You¡¯re on edge,¡± Aiden noted as he pushed the door open and gestured for me to enter.

    The cool air from the A.C in the store calms my rather heated

    skin.

    ¡°Can you me me? It hasn¡¯t been a whole twenty-four hours yet and everyone knows about our

    engagement.¡± I whispered.

    ¡°Well it¡¯s not like they wouldn¡¯t have known. They just got to know sooner than we expected.¡± He

    grumbles, capturing my hand with his again.

    My own gets mmy.

    It felt so strange to hold him so intimately like this.

    ¡°And I wonder whose fault this is?¡± I asked sarcastically.

    The man behind the ss disy desk showcasing the many expensive rings, looked like he was

    about to faint when he saw Aiden approaching.

    His beady eyes sweep over to me and his eyes widen slightly

    in surprise. ¡°Mr. Xavier, I have not seen you here in a while.¡±

    ¡°Well, I came here for something important,¡± Aiden responded when we neared the man.

    ¡°Then, by all means, tell me how I can be of assistance Mr. Xavier.¡±

    I looked at his name tag.

    Frank Gordon.

    Aiden¡¯s fingers around my hand tighten. ¡°I¡¯m looking for the best wedding ring for my fiance.¡± He turns

    to me when says fiance and I squirm slightly under his weighted gaze.

    ¡°Find us something that will match her beautiful eyes.¡± Aiden continued not knowing that his words

    were messing with my

    head.

    Calm down Sophie. It¡¯s just pretending. He has to y the part and so do you. My conscience

    reminded me.

    The man¡¯s eyes widen slightly in surprise as he looks at me and quickly nods.

    ¡°Will do Mr.Xavier,¡± Frank said and then lifted a finger. ¡°I think I have the best one for her. Ring size?¡±

    ¡°Five,¡± Aiden answered before I could. Frank nods and leaves our side. When he¡¯s far from hearing

    range I turn to Aiden, my brows furrowing. ¡°How do you know my ring size?¡±

    He lifts my hand, the same one tangled with his fingers, and whispered. ¡°There are a lot of things I

    know about you, Sophie.¡±

    I dart my eyes between his, trying to see if I can read him. There¡¯s an emotion hidden behind that veil

    in his stormy gaze. A strong emotion that had my heart fluttering quickly.

    ¡°Aiden-

    I got cut off when Frank came back.

    I bit my tongue, ripping my eyes away from Aiden, and shook my head slightly.

    Don¡¯t be ridiculous Sophie, you didn¡¯t see that emotion in his eyes.

    This was all your imagination doing. Because why would

    Aiden Xavier look at you with such fondness that you almost forgot how to breathe?

 Chapter 97

    Chapter 97

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Aiden asked me if I wanted to put the ring in the jewelry store or somewhere more private.

    I wasn¡¯t sure which to choose seeing as I was so stunned by the sight of the sapphire diamond ring that

    was worth 1.2 million dors.

    That¡¯s enough to buy at least two mansions. Enough to feed a good bit of poor people too. I didn¡¯t want

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    him to spend this much money on me. Not when I clearly did not deserve it.

    ¡°Aiden you can¡¯t spend so much on me,¡± I whispered so only he could hear me as he observed the ring

    for ws. His eyes were set on the ring so fixedly that I thought he was way too into it to even have

    heard me.

    His mouth tugs into a grin a secondter. He heard me.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, darling. Like I¡¯ve mentioned,¡± He turns. to me with the ring pinched between his

    fingers. ¡°Only the best for my woman,¡± He whispered, leaning forward.

    For his woman¡­.

    Focus Sophie!

    y it cool. You¡¯re supposed to pretend too, don¡¯t forget that. Don¡¯t forget that this is all for show.

    Everyone¡¯s watching, be calm.

    Aiden leans forward even more, his eyes falling to my lips.

    I held my breath because he was getting so close that I can feel the warm air from his nose on my face.

    But then the tension cracks when he lifted his hand between us and asked. ¡°Do you like it?¡±

    My eyes crossed as I looked at the ring between us. It was sterling silver, and those pretty sapphire

    diamonds shone brightly.

    They were not meant for someone like me.

    A beautiful ring that should not be wrapped around my finger.

    I felt like a fraud. Aiden was supposed to give a woman he loves this beautiful, expensive ring. Not

    someone who was supposed to act like his fiance just to get him out of trouble.

    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful,¡± I answered, smiling lightly. Frank had his eyes on us like a hawk. One disagreement and

    I was sure he¡¯d run to the media and say how I¡¯m a selfish and unsatisfied bitch.

    Aiden grins and asked me again in a low voice that I alone could hear. ¡°Where do you want to put it

    on?¡± He asked and then his eyes shifted to somewhere in the room and his jaw clenched.

    He looks back over at me and leans forward and then draws his mouth over to my ear to murmur

    tightly. ¡°Don¡¯t look but there are two employees mumbling together. One has a phone and the other is

    watching us fixedly. We have to act ordingly.¡±

    I¡¯m confused until I got what he meant when he suddenly got

    on his knee before me.

    My heart jumps in my throat and then resumes its beating, only that it was beating so quickly that it was

    rming.

    I know this was all part of the game we were ying at but that still did not help my poor heart.

    Seeing Aiden on one knee, holding up the ring with shaky fingers, a sloppy nervous grin, and an even

    more edgy look shing in his eyes made this all too real.

    I¡¯m trembling, especially my fingers that I try to fist to help not make it obvious how jittery I was at the

    moment with the father of my child down on his knees for me.

    ¡°Sophie Bell-

    He started and gulped, and my heart skyrocketed.

    Aiden was definitely an actor in his past life because he currently was making this look too real.

    But that¡¯s what the two of you are striving for Sophie, to make this look all the more real. My

    conscience reminded me.

    But even though it warned me to not read into this too much, my heart was not heeding the warning.

    Especially with the way he was currently watching me, it had the foolish organ beating rapidly.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never fallen in love with someone so much to the point I cannot breathe if I think of losing them.

    You¡¯ve managed to capture my heart Sophie, you¡¯ve captured it a long time ago-

    I sucked in a sharp breath at his words. What did he mean?

    Was he just saying that to make it more believable?

    Aiden continues, looking as nervous as ever as if I had a choice to say no. Maybe I did, but I was not

    going to. Because maybe some part of me secretly wants this to be real.

    Farfetched I know. But one can¡¯t me me. I have loved this man for years even through the bullying.

    Don¡¯t judge me, sometimes the heart doesn¡¯t choose who to fall in love with. It just happens.

    ¡°I¡¯ve realized that my life was iplete when you were not in it and when you showed up again, you

    have no idea how much you filled that void. I love you with every breath I take, every single breath. And

    I want to love you until the day that I can no longer breathe. I want to love you forever. I want you to be

    my wife.¡± He shes me a shaky smile, his eyes misting.

    The emotions in his eyes were pure and I could not focus on anyone else inside this store but Aiden.

    He had trapped me in his gaze. A gaze that seemed all too real. I realized, with every breath I took, that

    I was still madly in love with Aiden.

    I was still so madly in love with him that my heart didn¡¯t know the difference between his facade and the

    real side.

    My eyes fogged with tears, ready to flow. Every worker had their eyes set on us. But they didn¡¯t matter.

    Their phones in their hands didn¡¯t matter. Their murmurs didn¡¯t matter.

    It was the man with the stormy gaze I had known for years that mattered. Always did.

    ¡°Let me love you Sophie Bell. Let me take care of you for the rest of our lives. Give me the honor to be

    by your side. Let me

    love you until death do us part. Will you marry me? ¡± He whispered, looking jittery as he waited for my

    response.

    My heart was beating wildly, my fingers were shaky. Fisting them did not help.

    The longer I take to respond the more nervous he got. One would think that this act was true¡­.

    It was what we were striving for so I suppose that was a goo thing. But was it good for my foolish

    heart? Probably not.

    I nod, my shaky hand pushing over to him. ¡°Yes.

 Chapter 98

    Chapter 98

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    There¡¯s cheering around, but my eyes can¡¯t move away from Aiden to see those who were cheering.

    I knew that it was the people in the store who saw and heard everything. I didn¡¯t need to know more.

    He smiles brightly in relief and slips the ring on my trembling fingers. His fingers were warm, and

    gentle.

    ¡°The color matches your eyes,¡± He whispered and looked up at me with a grin.

    I nod agreeing with him even though I didn¡¯t even hear a word he just said. My mind was a bit too hazy

    with what just happened. I could not focus a hundred percent yet.

    Hees closer, his bigger body almost pressing against mine. My heart is beating in my chest when

    one of his arms slip around my waist and hold me firmly.

    He leans down and kissed my cheek and whispered. ¡°Nice acting.¡±

    His words had cold water sshing across my body, freezing me and pushing reality in my face.

    Acting.

    We were just acting.

    Stupid Sophie. Of course the two of you were acting.

    He didn¡¯t mean a single word that came out of his mouth.

    ¡°We need to show them that you¡¯re extremely happy. We both are.¡± He whispered, kissing my cheeks

    again. His lips on my skin burned through me and heated my veins.

    I ignored the feeling, setting cold ice in my heart instead. ¡°How are we supposed to do that?¡± I

    whispered, my heart aching knowing those beautiful words he said had no true meaning behind them.

    What a waste of beautiful words.

    ¡°Easy,¡± He murmurs, his heading forward.

    His hand at the back of my head, his fingers tangled in my hair, his head leaning down, my eyes on his

    lips, and then a gasp¡­.

    Our lips mold, perfectly even though we both were imperfect.

    He moved them against mine softly, tenderly as one would do to his lover. Someone he loves.

    My foolish heart flutters in my chest again like a bird pping its wings.

    He moans, drawing me closer to him. The way he gripped the back of my head and the way his lips

    sucked my lower lip in his mouth, Aiden definitely had forgotten where we were until I pulled away.

    We were in a store with many eyes on us, we didn¡¯t need to kiss like we were about to fuck in front of

    everyone.

    Aiden pecks my lips and brushes some of my hair behind my ear. His actions were ying with my

    heart but I was allowing him to.

    Great he saw me looking at myself like a weirdo.

    Looking away from the rearview mirror, I decided to scoot a little further to the door and fetch my

    buzzing phone.

    My brows furrowed when I noticed that it was M¡¯s picture

    on the screen.

    Why was she calling me now? Did something happen?

    I quickly slide my thumb over the answer button and brought the phone to my ear.

    ¡°Hey-

    I didn¡¯t even get a good greeting in before she cuts in like a whip.

    ¡°Sophie fucking Bell!¡± She growled sounding angry as hell.

    Oh crap. What did I do?

    ¡°Yeah?¡± I winced. Did I leave the bathroom pipe open?

    What¡¯s going on?

    ¡°Why in the fucking ass am I hearing that you¡¯re engaged to fucking Aiden Xavier through some dumb

    popr online celebrity gossip site?!¡± She barked and I can hear Ria¡¯s mother in the background

    asking her to get off the phone and get back to work.

    I cringe. So many fucks in one sentence. Oh she¡¯s pissed alright.

    ¡°M,¡± I whispered hoping to calm her down.

    ¡°Don¡¯t M me! How can you not tell your best friend about this before the whole entire world knew?¡±

    She snapped.

    I pinched my eyes closed for a few seconds. ¡°M there are things I cannot exin to you over the

    phone. I know you¡¯re angry and want an exnation but right now I can¡¯t give that to you,¡± I opened my

    eyes and breathed out.

    ¡°I¡¯ll exin everything when we¡¯re home. I promise that I¡¯ll clear everything up.¡± I whispered looking

    over at Aiden who I felt his eyes on me the entire time I was on the phone.

    His phone was still buzzing but he had yet to pick it up.

    ¡°Fine. But you have to tell me everything. Every single thing you hear me!?¡±

    I nod even though she could not exactly see me. ¡°Yes. I promise.¡± I mumbled, tearing my eyes away

    from Aiden¡¯s.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    We said our goodbyes and I end the call. Looking over at Aiden with furrowed brows I opened my

    mouth to speak.

    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you picking up the calls?¡± I asked in puzzlement.

    ¡°Because I know who¡¯s calling and I am not ready to speak with him.¡± He admitted tightly, his jaw

    clenching.

    ¡°Sergio?¡± I asked, already having an inkling it was him.

    Aiden¡¯s stiff nod and grunt answered me without him having to say words.

    ¡°What if it¡¯s important Aiden?¡± I asked, gnawing on my lips.

    Aiden sighed heavily and answered the phone. ¡°What?¡± He

    sneered coldly and then stiffened.

    ¡°They¡¯re quicker than I gave them credit for.¡± He gritted, his hands fisting on hisp.

    My brows knot. Whatever Sergio said to Aiden managed to upset him so this definitely was not good.

    Suddenly my phone res, startling me. I looked at the calle I.d and my heart pummels to the pit of my

    stomach.

    Why was Ashton¡¯s daycare calling me at this time?

    I answered it quickly, nerves bubbling in my stomach when I brought it to my ear.

    ¡°Hello?¡±

    ¡°Miss. Bell, it¡¯s about your son, he¡¯s-¡±

 Chapter 99

    Chapter 99

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°What is it? What¡¯s wrong with him!?¡± I rushed out, my heart aching while beating furiously in my chest.

    Not a goodbination.

    My hands get mmy as I looked at Aiden in rm. He must¡¯ve noticed the tone of my voice and my

    panic stare because he turned to me with furrowed brows and a worried

    gaze.

    ¡°I¡¯ll call you back Sergio.¡± He said and cut the line. He¡¯s sending me worried looks that asked for

    answers that I couldn¡¯t give as yet. Not until I know what¡¯s wrong myself.

    ¡°Ashton seems to have caught something. His nose is runny and he keeps calling for his mommy. Can

    youe to pick him up please?¡± The woman said on the other line worriedly.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    My heart sinks.

    Oh my poor baby.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be there in a few. Please tell him I¡¯m on my way,¡± I said quickly while brushing my trembling fingers

    in my hair.

    ¡°Will do Miss.Bell.¡± The woman promised and then end the call.

    I didn¡¯t even have time to ce my phone down when Aiden asked in a rush. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is it

    Ashton?¡± His voice had a tone of worry and fear.

    ¡°He isn¡¯t feeling well. Can you drop me off at the daycare?¡± I asked, gnawing on my lips. He was my

    boss after all and it would be wise to ask him permission.

    ¡°Of course. Mitch forget about bringing me to the office today, take us to Ashton¡¯s daycare.¡± Aiden

    demanded and looked at me with a worried re in his eyes.

    ¡°Is it bad? Anything to raise a concern?¡±

    ¡°She didn¡¯t say. But she did mention that his nose is runny. My baby must¡¯ve caught a cold.¡± I bit into

    my bottom lip worriedly.

    My poor baby must be fussy. He¡¯s always fussy when he¡¯s sick.

    ¡°Our baby,¡± Aiden corrected softly and I nod. ¡°Right,¡± I murmured.

    I lift my hand to my mouth to bite my nails as I got more worried.

    Suddenly my hand is pried from my mouth and is engulfed in Aiden¡¯s warm one. His touch eases me

    more than I¡¯d like to

    admit.

    ¡°He¡¯ll be okay mama bear,¡± He murmured, drawing our connected hands to the space between us on

    the seat.

    For the rest of the drive he did not let my hand go, not even once. Not even when his phone rang and

    he answered it.

    But when we stopped beside the daycare, I realized I didn¡¯t want to let go. His hand wasforting.

    Warm and eased my worries without him having to do much.

    And with every five minutes that passed, Aiden would squeeze my hand. As if reassuring me that

    everything would be okay.

    It was a reallyforting feeling I never knew I¡¯d get from him.

    ¡°I¡¯ll call you back,¡± He said curtly to whoever was on the other line and ends the call.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have toe in with me. I can go on my own-

    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous Sophie. I¡¯ming with you to get our son.¡± He grumbles as if annoyed that I even

    suggested that he could stay.

    I nod and untangle my fingers from his. His eyes shot down as if surprised that we were still holding

    hands and a surprising flush crawled on his cheeks.

    He clears his throat, opened the door and got out. He helps me out and I¡¯m a bit dampened that he

    didn¡¯t keep my hands

    in his.

    I miss his warmth but I was not going to make a fool out of myself.

    So I let out a breath and started for the building with him close behind me.

    When we entered and walked over to the woman I had spoken to, I can¡¯t help but see that her eyes

    were not on me but on someone behind me.

    That someone was Aiden.

    fire shooting from my nose.

    Mrs. Georgia who was only just a couple of years older than me, looks over at me irritated and nodded

    stiffly.

    The nerve of this woman.

    She has always treated me warmly, which was one of the main reasons why I trusted my most prize

    possession, Ashton in her

    care.

    But one look at Aiden and the woman looks at me in spite.

    She turns around, purposely swaying her hips in a way that had her blessed bottom jiggle.

    I¡¯m trembling with anger as I red at her back and followed after her.

    ¡°Mrs. Georgia, I forgot to ask¡­how is your husband doing? Thest time I saw him was in the diner.¡± I

    throw at her, making sure I remind her that she was a married woman and to also warn Aiden that she

    was.

    I mean I was saving him from doing a mistake¡­

    I didn¡¯t care if he fucked her¡­

    Mrs. Georgia who was once walking with such poise, shoulders dropped and her footsteps quickened

    once she heard my words.

    ¡°Nathan is doing okay,¡± She whispered in defeat and shame, making my shoulders straighten in

    triumph.

    I¡¯m still ring at her as I followed after her, when suddenly

    an arm circled around my waist and pull me closer. Aiden¡¯s lips feather against my ear as he

    whispered. ¡°You look so hot when you¡¯re jealous mama bear.¡±

 Chapter 100

    Chapter 100

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Oh my baby bug,¡± I rushed over to Ashton who was ying with building blocks on the mat.

    As Mrs. Georgia had mentioned, Miss. Greene was right beside Ashton, helping him build what I

    suppose was a castle¡­.

    When he heard my voice his beautiful blue eyes shot up and he beamed. His eyes were glossy and his

    nose was red. His cheeks were also flushed.

    My heart throbbed. He was sick.

    ¡°Moma,¡± He said and struggled to get to his feet.

    ¡°Mommy is here baby,¡± I whispered as I scooted down and picked him up in my arms.

    I hug his smaller body to mine, kissing his cheek and whispering soothing words to reassure him that

    he was going to be fine.

    I noted how his body temperature was a bit off.

    Aidenes to stand beside us and rubs Ashton¡¯s back while looking down at him in clear concern.

    ¡°Do you know what could have made him sick?¡± He asked one of the women

    whose eyes were on the three of us.

    They shook their heads while one answered. ¡°He seemed okay earlier but suddenly started sneezing

    and his nose got runny.

    Might be a small bug or a cold.¡±

    Ashton¡¯s head dropped on my shoulder and I lift the back of my hand to his forehead. He¡¯s burning up.

    ¡°He has a fever Aiden,¡± I said rapidly, scared that this was serious.

    Aiden¡¯s eyes watch his son with deep worry and said. ¡°We¡¯ll take him to the doctor baby, don¡¯t worry

    okay?¡± He said, lifting his eyes to mine in reassurance.

    I nodded, my brain too fumbled to realize what he called me at the moment.

    Miss. Greene brought over Aiden¡¯s little bag and Aiden and I walked out of the building with Ashton in

    my arms in a few.

    When we got inside the Suv, I had Ashton tucked in my arms, holding him close as I run my fingers

    through his hair gently.

    My eyes misted. ¡°I don¡¯t understand how this could¡¯ve happened,¡± I said shakily, my voice filled with

    emotion.

    I hated when Ashton got sick. Which was rarely.

    ¡°He seemed fine this morning,¡± My voice cracked.

    I¡¯m startled slightly when Aiden¡¯s handnds on mine that was wrapped around Ashton¡¯s middle. He

    squeezes my hand.

    ¡°He¡¯ll be okay Sophie. It¡¯s nothing to fret about.¡± He said calmly though when I looked over at him he

    was just as worried as me. Perhaps even more.

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    I nod and kissed the top of Ashton¡¯s head. He was burning up

    even more now.

    ¡°He¡¯s burning up,¡± I whispered with a pitch of fear in my tone.

    Aiden¡¯s hand left mine to rest on his son¡¯s head and his face

    twisted with more concern.

    ¡°Mitch can you step on the gas?¡± He said to Mitch urgently.

    When we got to the hospital, Aiden insisted that he¡¯d hold Ashton since his legs were longer than mine

    and would get inside the building before I could.

    But I was certain he only wanted to hold his son in his arms to help ease his worries.

    We both rushed to the ER. Aiden being the Ceo that he was used his superiority and demanded that

    they check Ash right

    away.

    The woman behind the front desk looked faint when she took note of Aiden¡¯s unflickering impatient

    voice.

    ¡°Aiden..¡± I whispered not sure if being rude and demanding would make them give Ashton the best

    care.

    Even though there were not many patients in the waiting area waiting for their names to be called, it

    was still rude to cut through them.

    ¡°Sir please have a seat and I¡¯ll see if the doctor has clocked in

    yet-

    ¡°What the fuck are you talking about? Get me a fucking

    doctor for my son.¡± He hissed, holding Ashton¡¯s much smaller body than his to him protectively.

    I wince at his curse words but don¡¯t scold him.

    The woman gulps, looking like she was at any moment about to faint by how the blood drained from

    her face.

    I reached out and grabbed Aiden¡¯s arm. ¡°Aiden it¡¯s fine we can wait for a few,¡± I said and nodded at the

    woman who

    looked relieved that I intervened.

    Aiden did not look pleased with my words but after a few nods and grits out. ¡°Fine.¡±

    We both walked to the waiting area and Aiden takes a seat while making sure that Ashton was curled

    arm.

    I sat beside him and reach over to brush the back of my hand on Ashton¡¯s forehead.

    ¡°He¡¯s less hot than he was a few minutes ago. The fever must be calming down.¡± I whispered with a bit

    of relief.

    ¡°You should¡¯ve let me get the doctor to check up on him as soon as possible,¡± Aiden grumbles while

    hugging Ash to him.

    I sighed heavily knowing he was upset that I intervened. ¡°Aiden. You can¡¯t go around demanding that

    the woman get the doctor right away. Especially if that said doctor has yet to clock in. And don¡¯t forget

    that there are still others waiting on the doctor. It wouldn¡¯t be right-

    ¡°I don¡¯t care. My son is my number one priority and seeing him get better soon was all I could think

    about. I don¡¯t care

    about anyone else.¡± He grumbles, kissing Ashton¡¯s head.

    I smiled faintly knowing what he meant. He wanted to see his son get better as soon as possible and

    one couldn¡¯t get mad at him for that. Looking down at Ash I noticed that his eyes were slowly closing.

    He must be tired.

    Suddenly hush voices grew and I had nearly forgotten that we were in the waiting room and that there

    were others beside

    I looked around, noticing how all eyes were on us.

    One bold and brave woman who seemed to be a few years younger than me, fishes for Aiden¡¯s

    attention. ¡°Are you Aiden Xavier? The CEO of Harrington.co?¡±

    Aiden looked over at her a bit irritated but nodded

    nheless.

    The girl picks up her phone off herp and looked between us when she put her phone on. She clicks

    on something and suddenly the words Aiden recited earlier to me at the jewelry store sted through

    her phone.

    ¡°I knew you two looked familiar! That was such a beautiful proposal,¡± She smiled and turned the phone

    screen to face us. And sure enough, it was a video of Aiden and me in the store. Aiden¡¯s on his knees,

    holding out the ring to me.

    From the angle the video is taken, it was definitely from one of the workers working there.

    ¡°Can I take a picture with you two? You two are going viral on

    social media.¡± She chirped.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous Queeny, can¡¯t you see this is a bad time?!¡± An older woman beside her scold her.

    ¡°But-

    She started only to get cut off by a sweet feminine voice calling out Ashton¡¯s name.

    The doctor.

    Aiden and I stood up. Aiden turns around with Ash in his arms and was about to walk but suddenly he

    froze.

    I looked at the doctor whose heels cked on the tiles, her head down as she jots something down.

    When her head lifted, her eyes widen slightly in surprise. ¡°Aiden Xavier?¡± She asked, her red lips

    splitting into a bright smile.

 Chapter 101

    Chapter 101

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I looked at the pretty blonde doctor. Her hair was shiny, her eyes were blue, winged with eyeliner. She

    was a beautiful woman and looked to be my age or a tad bit older.

    I looked over at Aiden and he seemed to have lost some color

    in his cheeks.

    Did he know this woman?

    Of course he did. Just look at the recognition in his gaze and the way he reacted Sophie. Even a dumb

    person would know

    that.

    ¡°Aiden?¡± I whispered and seem to have broken him out of whatever thoughts had trapped him inwardly.

    He cleared his throat a little and approached the doctor. ¡°Lillian I didn¡¯t know you worked in this

    hospital,¡± He grumbled.

    First name basis.

    They definitely knew each other.

    I looked at the doctor again, and eyed her sharply. She was definitely his type.

    Great.

    They must¡¯ve been lovers.

    But judging by the way Aiden usually did things, the two must

    have just had a one-night stand.

    Or maybe¡­.

    She was lucky to have two or more nights.

    She smiled brightly, her eyes dancing. She was happy to see Aiden, that much was obvious.

    ¡°I got transferred here a couple of days ago. It¡¯s a good thing, I¡¯m now closer to my father and brother.¡±

    She answered and then her eyes drew down and she finally noticed Ashton tucked in Aiden¡¯s arms

    proactively.

    ¡°Ashton Bell?¡± She asked, nudging her head to Ash.

    Aiden nods. ¡°Yes my son. He¡¯s sick.¡±

    I¡¯m actually surprised he said Ashton was his son. I didn¡¯t know why I expected him to deny it and say

    that Ashton was his friend¡¯s kid or something. Perhaps even his brother.

    I mean he didn¡¯t tell his grandfather for whatever reasons unknown to me. But judging by how his

    grandfather operated, I¡¯d rather he not know about Ashton as yet too.

    God only knew what he¡¯d say when he finds out.

    The woman¡¯s eyes widen slightly in shock and she looks at Ashton and then at Aiden. ¡°Your son?!¡± She

    gasped in surprise.

    Aiden nods and then shifted slightly to reveal me. ¡°And this is his mother and my fiance.¡± He

    murmured.

    The woman¡¯s eyes widen even more and I¡¯m stunned to see

    the color drain from her face. She actually looked quite sick after hearing his words.

    Her eyes dart to me and she stares at me in stunned silence before faking a smile and outstretching

    her hand. ¡°Nice to meet you, miss¡­.

    ¡°Sophie Bell,¡± I took her hand in mine, and with a firm shake, she lets go of my hand quickly as if I had

    just burnt her.

    Her eyes dart back down to Ashton and she smiles shakily. ¡°Well let¡¯s see what¡¯s up with this little

    bugger,¡±

    I grit my teeth. Hating her calling my kid bugger as if she has known him for years.

    Calm down Sophie, she¡¯s a doctor¡­she may have called endless kids the same name.

    It is after all a very popr nickname.

    ¡°Follow me,¡± She told us and turned around, walking away without bothering to see if we followed after

    her.

    She led us to an empty room and told Aiden to ce Ashton on the bed.

    ¡°The nurse actually came in here. She was so scared, ranting about a tall intimidating man who was

    demanding that she fetch me for his sick son. I just had to see who was such a brave man. When I saw

    that it was you Aiden, I wasn¡¯t surprised.¡± She teased and looked at Aiden over her shoulder while she

    checked Ashton¡¯s pulse.

    I know she was checking on my son, but I couldn¡¯t help but hate the aura she gave off.

    Ashton¡¯s eyes fluttered open when she touched his forehead. ¡°Oh hey there buddy. I¡¯m doctor Muralo

    and I¡¯ll be the one to take care of you and see what¡¯s wrong.¡± She smiled at Ashton.

    ¡°He has your eyes Aiden. He has everything of you,¡± She murmured in awe and turned around to look

    at a stiff Aiden

    standing a few inches away from me.

    He was on edge and I wasn¡¯t sure if it was because of Ashton¡¯s condition or if it was because of the

    blonde doctor

    checking our son.

    The second one didn¡¯t sit right with me.

    They talk as if they¡¯ve known each other for years. And with the way Aiden reacted when seeing her

    and her when seeing him, the two had history.

    And that didn¡¯t sit right with me at all.

    Turns out Ashton had a mild cold that should go away in a few days. She advised us to give him plenty

    of fluids and citrus fruits to help fight it. She also advised that we keep him home for those few days

    until he was better.

    ¡°I want the day off Aiden,¡± I said as soon as we entered the SUV. ¡°There¡¯s no one I can leave Ashton

    with. Ria¡¯s at a shoot

    and M is at work.¡±

    Aiden nods and orders Mitch to bring us to my apartment.

    When we got there, I held a sleepy Ashton, turned around to look to see if a car was approaching and

    opened the door.

    I got out, quickly walking around the huge SUV. Aiden is out, holding my bag.

    ¡°Do you want me to hold him?¡± He asked, looking down at Ashton who had fallen asleep right after Dr.

    Muralo gave him some pink liquid to drink. She mentioned that it would help with the fever.

    Ashton weighed a ton, especially when he was dead asleep. And seeing as we had to walk all those

    stairs to get to the apartment, I didn¡¯t think my back could take it.

    So I nod and passed Ashton over to him and took my bag from his hand.

    When we¡¯re inside the building, walking up the stairs I finally crack the tense silence we had been

    drowning in since leaving the hospital room.

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡°You knew that doctor. Lillian is it?¡± I asked and looked at his back. The muscles in his back tighten.

    After a few silent moments passed between us, he finally responded vaguely. ¡°I know many people.¡±

    I pressed my lips together in disappointment, not liking the fact that he avoided answering the question.

    I stay muted the rest of the way until I opened the apartment and showed him to my room, even though

    he was familiar with it from thest time he was there.

    I can recall that it was the same day he found out about Ashton.

    Watching him ce Ash gently on the bed and kiss his

 Chapter 102

    Chapter 102

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°I really am sorry Aiden.¡± I winced while holding the frozen pack of peas on his crotch.

    ¡°I swear I didn¡¯t see that you were there and-

    I stopped and pressed the frozen peas harder on his crotch.

    He looks down at me in pain, hissing.

    Now you might be wondering how we ended up in this position. Well to tell you, I¡¯d have to rewind¡­..

    *a couple of hours prior*

    I¡¯ve been staring at Aiden for the longest as he barked over the phone. When he was done, he

    loosened his tie and without looking over at me he mumbled.

    ¡°Your past is being erased.¡±

    My brows furrowed and I ce the cup down on the counter. ¡°What?¡±

    He looks over at me, slinging his tie on the couch. ¡°I¡¯ve hired someone to erase your past. Everything is

    squeaky clean. The media won¡¯t know anything about you.¡±

    I nod. ¡°Except being a teen mom.¡±

    He shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s something you can¡¯t erase. They¡¯ll do the math when they see him. Which they

    will at some point. I don¡¯t n to hide my son.¡±

    I gnaw on my lips, looking away from him and let out a huge sigh. ¡°We don¡¯t have to introduce him to

    this kind of world yet right?¡± I asked nervously.

    Ashton was still a little kid. He wasn¡¯t even three years old yet. He was not ready for this kind of world

    yet.

    Aiden looked at me intensely. ¡°We¡¯ll go on your own terms mama bear.¡± He said honestly and the relief

    I felt when I heard those words was out of this world.

    I nod, smiling thankfully.

    ¡°All they¡¯ll know is that you¡¯re my fiance.¡± He said with a shrug and starts to unbutton his shirt.

    ¡°And that I¡¯m apparently pregnant,¡± I added and took the cup and brought the rim to my lips.

    Aiden¡¯s lips curved with a grin. ¡°I¡¯ve told you many times, there¡¯s a way that you can actually get

    pregnant.¡±

    I nearly choked on the water I was sipping and red at him over the rim.

    Pulling the cup away from my lips, I voiced. ¡°You¡¯re annoying.¡±

    He chuckles. ¡°Women never call me annoying before. Only you mama bear.¡±

    My eyes narrowed, feeling the bitter sting of jealousy. ¡°Well then I¡¯m d I¡¯m the first to tell you how

    much of an annoying prick you are.¡±

    He smiled, chuckling like I had just said the funniest thing, and then got serious. ¡°We need to talk about

    the engagement and

    the living situation.¡±

    My heart skips. Living situation?

    I nervously chew on my lower lip and then asked with a slight wince in my features. ¡°What living

    situation are you talking about?¡±

    His eyes held mine when he responds. ¡°We are supposedly engaged. Engaged couples live together.¡±

    My mind rattled, my heart roared and the blood in my veins dance in my ears.

    His words startled me even though they perhaps shouldn¡¯t.

    I try to calm my racing heart and swallowed twice so I can regain my speech.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Engaged couples live together-

    ¡°I heard you the first time,¡± I cut him off and walked around the kitchen counter to find myself almost

    beside the sofa he

    sat on.

    ¡°Aiden¡­.¡± I started. ¡°I can¡¯t live with you,¡±

    His eyes turn like steel when he heard my words. ¡°I¡¯m not a monster you know Sophie. Besides, it will

    look bad if we live separately.¡±

    ¡°I never said you were a monster Aiden. Things are just going a little too fast okay? I still have yet to

    swallow all that happened today. I need a break to at least think. Our son is

    sick and my face is everywhere. I just need a break. ¡°I sighed, raking my fingers through my hair. I met

    tangles and tugged.

    His eyes shifted in understanding and he looked at me with guilt. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for thrusting this kind of

    responsibility on you Sophie. If I had another way to get out of this without involving you, I would.¡±

    I looked at him silently, staring into his eyes. He felt sorry.

    Sighing, I breathed out. ¡°My head is pounding, I¡¯m going to have a rest. You can help yourself to

    anything in the fridge. ¡±

    I wasn¡¯t lying. My temples ached and that migraine that lurked behind my lids was not letting up.

    Everything that happened from the moment Aiden walked back into my life, or should I say I walked

    into his, all that stress just weighed on me today.

    The paparazzi. The pressure of having to act like his fiance. The fear of knowing that his grandfather

    was powerful enough to make things work in his favor and send Aiden back to jail. And Ash¡­my poor

    baby was sick.

    All this was stressful and I really did need to sleep it off.

    Aiden nods, looking at me with a look of guilt.

    I left him in the living room silently letting out a string of curses knowing that when I wake up I¡¯d have to

    go through another stressful situation with M and Ria.

    Especially with M.

    How in the hell was I supposed to tell them everything?

    I shook my head and entered the room. Ashton was still asleep, curled into a ball on the bed.

    I smiled and strutted over to the bed. I settled beside him, curving my arm around his small body and

    tucking him closer

    to me.

    I sighed and kissed his head. Hmm the fever has lessened.

    ¡°Your dad is so much trouble Ash. I really hope you won¡¯t be the same way when you grow up.¡± I

    whispered, kissing his head again and resting my head on the pillow.

    Soon after, sleep finally took over my body and I found myself in the dark space of my mind.

    I woke up to the sudden urge to pee. In my drowsy state, I got off the bed slowly to not wake up Ash

    and rub my eyes to move the sleep.

    But then instead of my foot meeting wood, it met something soft.

    A loud painful groan soon followed after a string of curses.

    I stopped rubbing my eyes and looked down.

    My eyes widen when I saw Aiden on the floor with a throw pillow under his head. His face is wrinkled

    with pain.

    I look down at my foot, gasping sharply when I noticed it was on his crotch. I removed my foot off his

    crotch rapidly.

    Oh fuck.

    ¡°Aiden?¡± I said half awake and half panicked.

    What the hell was he doing here? Especially so close to the bed.

    Aiden doesn¡¯t answer me yet, only cups his crotch and curls into a ball while letting any imaginable

    cuss word out there.

 Chapter 103

    Chapter 103

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Oh my God!¡± I let out as I crouched beside him, my heart beating quickly as sleep finally left my eyes

    and I realized that I had perhaps squished Aiden¡¯s dick.

    My hand goes on his dick. ¡°Is it okay? Does it hurt? Of course it hurts!¡± I scowled at myself, pping

    my forehead.

    ¡°Fuck,¡± Aiden groans, his face a bit red.

    Feeling guilty, I massaged his dick and noted that he now wore sweats. When did he change? Where

    did he get the clothes to change into?

    I don¡¯t voice out my confusion though, I leave it forter and focus on helping him.

    His eyes narrowed on my face. ¡°Did you really try to

    dismember me, Sophie? Fuck. If you didn¡¯t want more kids all you had to do was say so.¡±

    ¡°If you hadn¡¯t been beside the bed, specifically on the floor this would not have happened. You have

    yourself to me for this.¡± I chewed out, ring down at his wincing face.

    ¡°I had to get away from your roommates before they buried me alive with their res. So I decided I¡¯d

    I let out an irritated groan. ¡°You could¡¯ve slept a bit further away from the bed Aiden. In fact, there was

    space on the bed

    beside Ashton.¡±

    Aiden groans, mumbling a few curses before responding. ¡°I think you¡¯d still step on my dick no matter

    how far I was from the bed.¡±

    ¡°Do you think I intentionally stepped on your crotch?¡±

    I can¡¯t believe he¡¯d use me like that. Sure he was annoying as hell and gave me some hell in my life

    too, but still, I wouldn¡¯t want to dismember him. Especially when I loved that specific member that gave

    me my most precious gift.

    ¡°Yes I think you stepped on my cock intentionally. And rubbing my cock doesn¡¯t help with the pain by

    the way,¡± He grunted.

    I moved my hands quickly off his crotch and looked at him sheepishly. ¡°Sorry I thought it would help.¡±

    I rose to my feet and looked over at Ashton. He¡¯s still asleep.

    ¡°Wait here I¡¯ll be back with some ice,¡± I told Aiden, and walked over him. I didn¡¯t fail to notice how he

    held his crotch tighter when my feet swang over him.

    I stepped out of the room, cringing slightly at the situation. I can¡¯t believe I stepped on his dick.

    I shivered. That must have hurt a ton. Especially with how hard I stepped on the poor thing. I really

    hope it will be able to work again.

    When I entered the living room area, M is seated on the couch and Ria is on the rug. Both looked

    over at me when I approached.

    ¡°Please tell me you killed him in there,¡± M snorted.

    Ria gasped, smacking her knee. ¡°M don¡¯t wish for things. like that.¡±

    M snorted. ¡°Serves him right for forcing her into a fake engagement to save himself from marrying

    someone.¡±

    I winced.. Aiden must have told her, but she had it all wrong.

    But exining to her properly will have to wait, I needed to save Aiden¡¯s dick first.

    I walked quickly to the kitchen while responding. ¡°Actually I stepped on his dick by ident.¡±

    ¡°You did what!?¡± Both M and Ria shout in unison.

    I opened the fridge and scanned for the ice.

    M suddenly started cackling and Ria soon joined in.

    ¡°Guys this isn¡¯t funny, he¡¯s in pain,¡± I whined and took the frozen pack of peas out of the freezer. This

    will have to do.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, seems funny to me.¡± M snorted and goes on another cackle ofughter.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Soph but I have to agree with M on this one.¡± Ria snorted.

    I rolled my eyes and quickly padded across the room heading back towards my room and said on the

    way. ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon to tell you two what¡¯s going on.¡±

    ¡°Oh you don¡¯t have to tell us, babe, your soon to be hubby

    told us all we needed to know.¡± Ria chuckles.

    ¡°Yes and I don¡¯t agree with you having to face his burden to Sophie. You should¡¯ve said no.¡± M

    worded out with

    frustration and anger.

    I stopped and turned around to face the two. ¡°You have it all wrong. I agreed to make sure my son has

    a future with his dad.¡± I sighed. ¡°Like I said I¡¯ll be back when I¡¯m done helping Aiden. I¡¯ll exin

    everything.¡±

    M and Ria looked at each other in confusion and when they looked back at me they nodded.

    I left them and quickly went to Aiden who was still on the floor, looking up at the ceiling in pain.

    I winced and closed the door. ¡°You should probably try getting up. Maybe sit on the edge of the bed.¡± I

    told him.

    His head rolls to face me and his eyes fall to the frozen peas packet in my hand and he winces.

    ¡°You aren¡¯t trying to finish the job are you?¡± He asked, his voice hitching with a bit of fear.

    I rolled my eyes while closing the door behind me and walked further into the room.

    ¡°Of course not Aiden. It was an ident at first. Like I said

    you should not have been sleeping so close to the bed.¡± I said

    1

    as I approached him.

    He winces and sits up then tries to get up.

    He fails a couple of times but with my help, he manages to

    finally sit on the edge of the bed.

    I put the frozen pack of peas on his dick and he hisses, letting out strings of curses. My brows knotted

    in concern. ¡°Do you want to go to the hospital?¡± I asked.

    He shakes his head no and mumbles.

    ¡°And tell them that my fiance stomped on my cock? No thanks, I¡¯ll survive.¡± He winced.

    I crouched down in front of him.

    *present time*

    ¡°I really am sorry Aiden.¡± I winced while holding the frozen pack of peas on his crotch.

    ¡°I swear I didn¡¯t see that you were there and-

    I stopped and pressed the frozen peas harder on his crotch.

    He looks down at me in pain, hissing.

    ¡°I think you¡¯ll freeze my dick off if you keep pressing that frozen pack of peas harder on my crotch.¡± He

    grumbles. ¡°Or maybe that¡¯s what you want.¡±

    I looked up at him, narrowing my eyes on his face. ¡°Would you at least be grateful that I¡¯m trying to

    help?!¡±

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    Aiden suddenly chuckles at my irritated face. ¡°There¡¯s another way you can help.¡± He said huskily, his

    voice dropping into a suggestive tone.

 Chapter 104

    Chapter 104

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Is he seriously trying to get down and dirty with an aching dick?

    I looked at Aiden like he hadpletely lost his mind.

    Honestly, I think he did. How can he think of sex in his situation?

    Suddenly Aiden snorted and chuckled louder. ¡°Your mind had wandered to that ce where you¡¯re

    moaning didn¡¯t it?¡± He asked in amusement.

    Realizing that he was only joking, I smacked his thigh. ¡°Be fucking serious for once Aiden!¡± I snapped

    and rolled my eyes yet bit the inside of my bottom lip to stop myself from smiling.

    He shrugged. ¡°I had to crack that tension somehow.¡±

    I rolled my eyes and told him to hold the pack of peas when Ashton starts to stir.

    Aiden turns around to watch me and his son on the bed with a

    small smile on his face.

    I was trying to get Ashton to go back to sleep.

    But when I noticed Aiden¡¯s stare, I got nervous and asked. ¡°What?¡±

    I tucked my hair behind my ear and ripped my gaze from his.

    ¡°You¡¯re a good mom.¡± He said with honesty swimming in his

    voice.

    His words had my heart fluttering lightly.

    I blushed because of his words and the weight of his stare.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± I whispered.

    Suddenly he questioned. ¡°Was it hard raising him alone?¡±

    I had not expected his question and it rendered me a bit speechless. I¡¯m trying to regain my speech as

    his eyes had not once left my face.

    I took in a calming breath and answered him honestly. ¡°At first. I was a new mom and I didn¡¯t know

    what to do. My foster mom who never had a baby of her own wasn¡¯t that much educated in the

    breastfeeding department. It took a lot of trial and errors to get it right. A few months after giving birth to

    him was the worst. My body changed, my hormones, and I found myself going through postpartum

    depression.¡±

    I looked at him and continued. ¡°It didn¡¯t help that I couldn¡¯t work to help with the bills and food. M and

    Ria did it all on their own. It was kind of difficult to save for pampers and necessities at a point.

    Newborn stuff was really expensive. It was hard to get everything he needed. ¡±

    I tore my eyes away from his when his eyes began to storm. I knew I shouldn¡¯t have told him those

    parts. Now he¡¯d be even angrier at me for keeping Ashton¡¯s existence from him.

    ¡°But those few months were also the best. I got to learn many things about being a mom. What it takes

    to be one. It wasn¡¯t

    an easy job,¡± My eyes fall on my sleeping son, and I rake my fingers through his soft hair.

    ¡°But it was rewarding. Especially having to see his happy face every day. Ashton was not a fussy baby

    and he made the journey easier.¡± I smiled at my son who was the exact replica of his father who sat

    watching us without a flicker of his eyes.

    My heart panged and I let out a heavy breath while sweeping my gaze back to him. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry I

    made you miss all those times Aiden. If I could go back in time I would. I now know what a huge

    mistake I made in the past and promise to not do it again.¡±

    Aiden looks at me intensely for a silent few and then

    murmured. ¡°You¡¯re a strong woman Sophie. Especially having to take care of Ashton all on your own as

    a teen mother. There are things I regret in my past, but being with you and creating him was not one of

    them. I¡¯m happy it¡¯s with you and not anyone else.¡± He admitted, his eyes falling on Ashton.

    His words had my heart halting in its beats for a while and I nearly fainted there and then.

    I had not expected them. A lot of his words thiste afternoon I had not expected.

    But these were by far the most shocking.

    ¡°Aiden-

    Ashton stirs and I stop. I try to put him back to sleep but this time he wasn¡¯t having it.

    With his drowsy little self crawling onto myp, I kissed his

    forehead and looked at his father who stared at us fondly.

    His stare had my cheeks flushing.

    ¡°I think he¡¯s hungry,¡± I said, getting off the bed with Ashton in my arms. He¡¯s still a little sleepy and rests

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    his head on my

    chest.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be back-

    ¡°Can I hold him?¡± Aiden suddenly asked, his eyes not flitting away from Ashton who yawned cutely.

    I looked down at his crotch and he pulled the frozen pack of peas away from his dick. It leaves a wet

    patch on his sweats.

    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re able to? Ashton likes to kick when he¡¯s a bit exhausted and wants to fight his

    sleep. I don¡¯t want him injuring you again. ¡± I voiced out my concern, wincing slightly.

    Aiden nods, looking down at his son in amusement. ¡°Guess he took that from me too. And I¡¯m fine

    enough to hold him, Sophie.¡±

    When he sees that I don¡¯t look convinced he utters.

    ¡°My dick feels better so I don¡¯t think I¡¯m in need of this anymore.¡± He holds out the packet of peas my

    way.

    Gnawing on my lips, I nod and pass Ashton to him while I took the frozen pack of peas.

    ¡°By the way, when did you change? In fact, where did you get the extra clothes?¡± I asked in curiosity as

    I watch him hold Ash close to him and made sure to not have him touch the wet

    patch on his sweats.

    Aiden responded without lifting his head. ¡°I had Mitch bring some extra clothes for me when you were

    asleep. I¡¯m

    spending the night as well.¡±

    I shook my head, not even bothering to ask him why he just decided to stay over. I knew that he¡¯d just

    end up getting his

    way anyway.

    Trailing his fingers down Ashton¡¯s cheeks, he looks up and grins happily. ¡°I still can¡¯t believe we made a

    little human Soph,¡± He whispered in awe, looking back down at Ash who smiled up at Aiden sleepily as

    if knowing exactly what his father had just said.

    I smiled fondly at the clear affection he had for Ashton. ¡°A little human who¡¯s your exact replica.¡±

    Aiden lifts his gaze, eyes connected with mine, and with a wink, he jokes. ¡°I think I pumped you too

    much of me.¡±

    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Oh my God, you can¡¯t be serious for once,¡± I said in exasperation, turning around to

    leave the room.

    Aidenughs and when I closed the door behind me, I couldn¡¯t stop the wide smile from spreading on

    my cheeks.

    I love this side of Aiden much more than the devilish side.

 Chapter 105

    Chapter 105

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    After warming up some canned soup for Ashton, I returned to the room and passed the small bowl to

    Aiden who insisted that he would feed him.

    I left the two to bond and went back to the living room to talk to M and Ria.

    They both looked at me, silently asking me why I came back without the bowl and Ashton.

    ¡°I left him with Aiden who insisted on feeding him himself,¡± | said and plopped on one of the sofas.

    Ria smiled. ¡°He¡¯s trying to bond with him. How cute.¡±

    I couldn¡¯t help but agree with her. Aiden was trying really hard and the doubts I had about him were

    slowly starting to

    disperse.

    ¡°How did Ashe down with the cold anyway?¡± M asked

    in concern.

    I let out a sigh. ¡°I have no idea, M. They called me to pick him up. When we got there, he had a fever

    so Aiden and I brought him to the hospital.¡±

    ¡°Did the fever go down at least?¡± M asked with concern ringing in her voice.

    I nod. ¡°His body temperature is almost back to normal.¡±

    M looks relieved.

    ¡°What about Aiden? Is he sleeping over? When we got there, that Mitch guy had just given him a duffel

    bag.¡± Ria worded.

    I nervously bit my lip. They were my roommates and it was to be expected of me to warn them about a

    guest staying over. That guest just so happens to be Aiden who wasn¡¯t anyone¡¯s favorite person right

    now.

    I nod when the two looked at me, waiting for my response.

    ¡°Yes. He didn¡¯t want to leave Ashton.¡± I admitted, awkwardly looking away from them.

    ¡°And you too,¡± Ria added with a snort.

    ¡°How¡¯s his dick by the way?¡± She asked with a little chuckle at the end.

    My face heated up with a slight flush. ¡°Good I think. He doesn¡¯t look like he¡¯s thrashing in pain

    anymore.¡±

    Ria nods. ¡°Good. That¡¯s a really good thing. Hopefully, it still works so we can get another cute baby

    like Ash.¡±

    My eyes widen slightly and I looked at her in shock. She smirks. ¡°Aren¡¯t you two engaged? Babies

    hole.

    I started coughing up like an old hag.

    Riaughs and Mes to my rescue by scolding Ria. ¡°It¡¯s a fake engagement, Ria. That means

    their rtionship will be fake, no sex,¡± She then looks at me, her eyes dimming with

    doubt. ¡°Right?¡±

    My eyes widen and I coughed even more. These two were making it difficult for me to breathe properly.

    Ria burst into a fit of giggles. ¡°See how she¡¯s coughing and taking her longest to answer? Our little

    Sophie is right on her way to getting pregnant.¡±

    If it were possible my eyes widened even more and the coughs began to get louder. M rushes to

    grab a ss of water and passes it over to me and pats my back as I gulped down the water.

    ¡°If he hurts you again Soph we¡¯re not ying with him this time. He¡¯ll wish he was never born.¡± M

    promised, seeming to already make up her mind that Aiden and I would be getting together for real.

    Pulling the cup away from my lips, I said.¡± Guys, can we stop talking about this please?¡± I whined.

    Ria¡¯s eyes crinkled at the corners. ¡°See how she didn¡¯t deny it, M? Get your money ready for a baby

    shower.¡±

    I started coughing again and Riaughed louder while M smacked the middle of my back. ¡°Ria would

    you leave her alone? These coughs are brutal, watch how they shake our Sophie¡¯s tiny body.¡± M

    joked.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    I turned around to smack her hand away and red at her. ¡°Would you two stop!?¡±

    ¡°No I don¡¯t think so. Your reactions are priceless.¡± Ria snorted and the two continue to tease me about

    Aiden until they got

    serious and asked about the fake engagement.

    I told them everything, not leaving out any detail knowing I could trust them.

    When I was done, M¡¯s eyes are wide and Ria looks stunned.

    ¡°Is Sergio Harrington that wicked?¡± M asked with disgust.

    I nod. ¡°Yes. Apparently to get what he wants he¡¯ll do anything.¡±

    M looks worried. ¡°I¡¯d be careful if I were you Soph. He sounds dangerous.¡±

    I nodded. ¡°He is. But I¡¯m doing this for my son.¡±

    Ria¡¯s eyes narrowed on my face. ¡°You¡¯re doing this for your son and for yourself. It¡¯s not hard to read

    between the lines Soph. You¡¯re falling for him all over again.¡± Ria pointed out.

    ¡°I¡¯m with Ria on this. For once I agree with her. You¡¯re still in love with Aiden Soph. And I can¡¯t believe

    I¡¯m about to say this but maybe your two should try out being a family. If it doesn¡¯t work out, at least you

    know you¡¯ve tried.¡± M voiced.

    I groaned, burying my face in my hands. ¡°Was it that obvious?¡±

    ¡°Yes. But hey, I don¡¯t think you¡¯re the only one in love Soph. Just take things slow and you¡¯ll see.

    Maybe Aiden Xavier had always loved you and never stopped.¡± M responded thoughtfully.

    Now it was my turn to snort as I lift my head and stared at the two. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. Aiden has

    never loved me.¡±

    ¡°I suppose you¡¯ve never looked into his eyes when we were in high school. It was obvious then and it¡¯s

    even more obvious now. Yes, I hate him for how he treated you but I can¡¯t deny that the guy is trying

    his best to make things work out with you now.¡± M continued.

    I shook my head. ¡°Can we move off this topic, please? It¡¯s embarrassing enough that I made a promise

    to not love him again only to be called out on my bullshit by you two. I don¡¯t think my heart even tried to

    stop loving him.¡± I grumble.

    ¡°Sometimes the heart doesn¡¯t choose who to beat for Soph. It just happens.¡± M whispered and Ria

    nodded in agreement.

    The three of us spoke for some more until the clock struck seven p.m. It¡¯s been a good hour, Ashton

    should be done by

    now.

    I got up to leave and strutted towards my room. When I opened the door I¡¯m greeted with a

    heartwarming sight.

    Aiden is fast asleep with Ashton also fast asleep on his chest. His strong arms are around Ash

    protectively.

    I noted that he got rid of his sweats and was now in his briefs. I giggled and walked over to them,

    treading on the floors lightly.

    When I¡¯m hovering over the two, I stared down at Aiden and I couldn¡¯t help but smile.

    His eyes fluttered open suddenly which startled me.

    A sleepy smile curved on his mouth. ¡°When are youing to bed mama bear?¡±

 Chapter 106

    Chapter 106

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    His words had my breath hitching and I nervously looked away. ¡°I uh, I¡¯ll bring the bowl in the kitchen

    and I¡¯lle back.¡±

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    His smile widened when I had not protested toe to bed and join him and Ashton.

    I took the bowl and walked out of the room quickly, my heart pounding. I lift my hand and ce it on my

    chest. When he says things like that and looks at me the way he does, how can my foolish heart not

    beat and melt for him?

    I let out a shaky breath and continued on my journey to the

    kitchen.

    ¡°Why are you so red?¡± M questioned when she saw me.

    I walked towards the kitchen quickly and ced the empty bowl in the sink while answering her. ¡°It¡¯s

    really hot in the room, forgot to put on the fan,¡± I lied and turned around.

    ¡°Anyway guys, I¡¯m going to bed,¡± I uttered, already nearing the hallway.

    ¡°So early?¡± Ria questioned in confusion.

    I nodded and faked a yawn. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m still so exhausted from all that happened today. Goodnight.¡± I said

    with a wave and scurried away before they ask more questions.

    How can I tell them and confess that I wanted to sleep beside

    Aiden and Ashton with a desperation I didn¡¯t know existed?

    I entered the room, which is to be expected seeing as my two boys were fast asleep.

    My two boys?

    Oh Sophie, you¡¯re in trouble¡­..yet again.

    I closed the door softly to not disturb their sleep. Aiden turns to face me, his eyes connecting with my

    own.

    ¡°I thought you had fallen back asleep.¡± I voiced my thoughts as I walked further into the room and

    approached the bed.

    He sends me a sleepy smile. ¡°I was waiting for you.¡±

    My heart leaped and I couldn¡¯t help but send him a tiny smile.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to,¡± I murmured as I crawled onto the bed and slept facing him.

    Aiden rolls to face me and his mouth curved.

    I reach over and touched Ashton¡¯s back. His body temperature seemed to have gone back to normal.

    Aiden peers at me silently until I began to flush.

    ¡°What?¡± I breathed out shyly.

    He grins tiredly. ¡°I¡¯ve always wondered how you¡¯d look sleeping beside me,¡± He admitted with a yawn,

    eyes fluttering.

    My heart jumps into my throat.

    ¡°Really?¡± I whispered as my pulse roared.

    He nods lightly. ¡°Yes. For years,¡± He yawns again and his eyes fluttered close before I could ask him

    more questions.

    Even with him fast asleep, he grips Ash protectively so he¡¯d not roll and fall off the edge.

    I looked at the two and couldn¡¯t help but smile softly. I¡¯d never in a million years think Aiden Xavier, my

    high school bully would be in my bed, our son on his chest and me just beside

    him.

    Never in a million years would I think that he¡¯d say those words too¡­

    What did he mean by them anyway?

    My brows furrowed as I stared at his peaceful face as I pondered on his words.

    What did he mean when he said he wondered how I would look sleeping beside him?

    And for him to admit he¡¯s been wondering it for years was a bit shocking and confusing altogether.

    Perhaps it was the exhaustion speaking¡­..

    But why would he say that when he was exhausted? Why would he confess something like this?

    Why would he lie?

    Unless¡­he was actually saying the truth¡­.

    I looked at his peaceful face. There were no hard lines, no frown, no mean on his face. His face was

    rxed. It was nice

    seeing him like this.

    ¡°Oh Aiden, why are you confusing my heart and my mind?¡± | whispered and looked down at the ring he

    ced on my finger earlier.

    His words then rang through my head and I lift my fingers to brush against my bottom lip.

    He kissed me so softly. The way he held me today. So protectively.

    The way he looked at me.

    This could not have been my imagination, could it?

    Was M right?

    Did Aiden love me just as much as I love him?

    Or was this just wishful thinking?

    I sighed heavily, studying the beautiful ring that was worth more than five mansions.

    Why did he buy me such an expensive ring when we were only faking this engagement?

    I groaned lowly and wanted to smack my head for yet again trapping me inside thoughts that I shouldn¡¯t

    be thinking. about right now.

    I sighed and returned my gaze back to Aiden whose brows began to knot, twitch and clench.

    Was he having a nightmare?

    His brows twitched again and so did his nose.

    His lips then parted and he murmured. ¡°I love you Sophie.¡±¡±

    My heart stopped and then sped again. My palms sweat and I¡¯m not sure if I heard him right.

    Did he just¡­.

    Was he talking in his sleep?

    ¡°Aiden?¡± I called out, my heart still running a marathon in my chest.

    Breathing was a bit erratic too.

    His brows twitch, his eyes shifted a bit under his closed lids and he murmurs a bit softer this time.

    ¡°I love you Sophie,¡±

    My heart lurches in my throat now that I came to the quick realization that this was not my imagination

    but Aiden had definitely said those words.

    Were they gibberish?

    Or did he mean them?

    How can I take them seriously when he murmured them in his sleep?

    I chewed on my lower lip and kept my gaze on him to see if he would murmur anything again.

    He doesn¡¯t, only light snores push out his slightly parted lips.

    My belly knotted while my heart still sped.

    I love you, Sophie.

    Those words¡­.why did it sound and feel like he meant them?

    I¡¯m tempted to wake him up and ask him about it but didn¡¯t want to make my foolish heart embarrass

    me.

    So I buried my questions on my tongue and forced myself to sleep it off.

    The sound of ringing rouses me awake. I stir and felt my pillow shift under my head.

    When did my pillow start to move?

    My eyes snapped open only for them to fall on Aiden¡¯s sharp jawline.

    My brows knotted as I looked down and realized I had curled to Aiden¡¯s side and held both him and

    Ashton who was still on

    his chest.

    The ringing stops only to start again. Aiden¡¯s head suddenly turns to face me and the arm under my

    head pulls me closer.

    I¡¯m so close to him that I can feel his warm breath on my lips.

    My heart rate spikes.

    Suddenly stormy eyes trapped mine and soft pillowy lips tipped into a small smile. ¡°Good morning

    mama bear.¡±

 Chapter 107

    Chapter 107

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    My eyes widen and I quickly pulled away from him, coughing a little as I flustered with embarrassment.

    ¡°Sorry, I must¡¯ve rolled there in the middle of the night.¡± I made an excuse.

    Aiden¡¯s brow cockedzily and the small smile on his lips spread wider.

    ¡°You¡¯re cute when you¡¯re embarrassed mama bear.¡±

    I rolled my eyes and pretended that his words did not mess with my heart and lifted my hand to brush

    against my messy hair. I must look like a hot mess right now.

    The ringing stops again only to re secondster.

    Whoever was calling him needed to get ahold of him desperately it seems.

    ¡°Are you going to answer that?¡± I asked him nudging my head to his phone he left on the dresser

    beside his head.

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    He grunted. ¡°It¡¯s way too damn early.¡±

    ¡°It can be important. Whoever is trying to get a hold of you rang the phone three times in a span of five

    minutes. I think it would be good to at least check who¡¯s calling.¡±

    Aiden doesn¡¯t look like he was in the mood to speak to

    anyone but then sighed heavily, held Ashton¡¯s sleeping form

    with his other hand, and reached out for the phone on the

    dresser.

    His features shifted in irritation when he saw the caller ID.

    Intrigued to know who made him react that way, yet not wanting to seem nosy, I joked. ¡°Do you

    normally re at a phone screen early in the morning?¡±

    Aiden spares me a nce and then shifted his stormy eyes back to the ringing phone.

    ¡°No. Just those that irritate me. Sergio¡¯s the one calling,¡± He rolled his eyes and let the phone continue

    to ring until it

    stops.

    He looked relieved only for his features to tighten back in irritation. His jaw clenched and he looked

    ready to hurl the phone away.

    Ashton stirs on his chest and he holds him tightly before sighing in defeat and answering the phone.

    ¡°What!?¡± He barked lowly. ¡°It¡¯s just six a.m in the morning, Sergio. You better have a good valid reason

    for calling me this early.¡±

    I watch him intensely as he listened to what his grandfather said over the phone. Secondster his face

    turned the color of ash.

    ¡°What?¡±

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    ¡°I¡¯ve gotten used to your tongue boy but that doesn¡¯t mean I will stand for the disrespect.¡± Sergio snaps

    and coughs.

    I had an inkling he was smoking a cigar. That man could not live without it.

    I stayed silent, not wanting to argue with him while Ashton was fast asleep on my chest.

    ¡°Anyway, I called because a little birdy told me you had a son. By little birdy I mean the inte. A

    picture of your son is floating around, especially on Instagram.¡±

    My heart drops in the pit of my stomach and I felt the blood drain from my face. ¡°What?¡±

    I didn¡¯t want Ashton on social media as yet, especially with how nasty people can be on there.

    He was not ready for this and Sophie was not ready to have questions flown at her as yet.

    Everything was going way too fast¡­

    What did you expect to happen when you said so loud and proudly that she was your fiance mostly

    everywhere you

    went?

    So of course things wouldn¡¯t have gone slow.

    My conscience mocked me.

    ¡°I am disappointed that you had not told me you had a son Aiden. Do your parents even know? The

    mother of your child is the same girl at the office right? Your fiance? The picture showed more of the

    little boy but I could spot her features

    and yours.¡±

    I raked my brain trying to figure out where they saw Sophie, Ashton, and me, to take that dang photo.

    There were no paparazzi after Sophie and I left the restaurant¡­..

    Did someone photograph us in the hospital?

    Was it that damn girl who asked for a photo?

    I clenched my teeth.

    Fuck.

    ¡°Yes it¡¯s her,¡± I admitted tightly. ¡°And no, no one knows about him. Well, no one knew about him until

    whoever posted that photo.¡± I gritted out.

    I¡¯ll make sure to sue whoever posted it without my consent.

    Sergio hums on the other line. ¡°Well, then I guess this calls for a meeting. I should get to your

    Manhattan penthouse at about nine a.m. Skip a few hours of office time to let your grandfather get to

    know the little family you started in secret.¡±

    My eyes sweep over to Sophie who¡¯s staring at me with

    concern.

    ¡°He¡¯s sick with the cold,¡± I said coldly, hoping he¡¯d change his mind about wanting to meet Ashton.

    Telling him straight up no wouldn¡¯t be good, he¡¯d just find a way to see him forcefully.

    ¡°That¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll wear a mask.¡± Sergio persisted.

    ¡°It has also been a while since I¡¯ve visited your penthouse. Hope your fiance added her little touch to

    the ce. She¡¯s living with you correct? Of course she is, it would be strange for her not to.¡±

    He was trying to bait me to see if I would slip up. That old man would have to try harder than that.

    My jaw hurt from how much I clenched it tightly. This old man was not letting up.

    ¡°Yes she is. You¡¯ll be there by nine right?¡± I asked tightly, seething and gripping the phone.

    ¡°Yes. Maybe a tad bit earlier. I¡¯d not want to miss breakfast. I need to see if my granddaughter inw

    knows her way around the kitchen. You know the saying grandson. A way to a man¡¯s heart is his belly.¡±

    Sergio taunted the word granddaughter inw.

    Great, then I¡¯ll see you then.¡± I hung up before he could say another word.

    ¡°Fuck.¡± I hiss lowly, closing my eyes tightly.

    Sergio knew what he was doing. He wanted to inspect Sophie and I¡¯s rtionship. And now that he

    found out about Ashton, he¡¯ll dig more for the loopholes.

    ¡°Aiden?¡± Sophie whispered lowly in worry.

    I peeled my eyes open and they connected with hers quickly. ¡°Are you okay?¡± She asked in worry.

    I wanted to wake up better than this with her. I wanted to stare into her pretty eyes longer and hold my

    son for longer before he woke up.

    But I suppose ns change when there¡¯s a snake slithering in my life.

    ¡°We need to get to my penthouse now. I¡¯ll call Mitch, pack up some clothes for both you and Ashton.¡±

    In the corner of his room, Sergio ced his phone in his pocket and brought the cigar to his lips as he

    stared out the huge wall window.

    A smirk crawls on his lips as he draws in a puff.

    His grandson was smart, but surely was not smart enough to win against him.

    Sergio will let him y this little game longer until he grew bored.

    He didn¡¯t let his daughter marry that man because she fell pregnant with Aiden. But he¡¯ll surely bend

    Aiden to his will and not make that grave mistake again.

    His family will only marry the best. And that girl¡­was not the best. Great grandson and currently

    pregnant would not make Sergio¡¯s heart fond. This girl had to go. And with all her baggage.

 Chapter 108

    Chapter 108

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°What?¡± I asked with a perplexed expression on my face.

    Did I hear him wrong?

    Aiden sighs, looking a bit unsettled as he looked at me. ¡°I¡¯m sorry mama bear but someone leaked a

    photo of Ash on Instagram and it¡¯s circting around. I¡¯ll have them take it down as soon as possible

    but Sergio knows about him and wants to meet him today.¡±

    My heart dropped in the pit of my stomach.

    How did they get a photo of Ashton?

    I feel the blood drain from my face as I quickly throw the covers off my body and rolled off the bed.

    I began to pace the floor, my hands in my hair.

    My poor baby was now vulnerable to the world. The mean side of social media.

    I can only imagine what they¡¯re saying about him.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    About me¡­

    Wait, do they even know I¡¯m his mother?

    I stopped pacing and looked at Aiden with the tip of my thumb in my mouth as I bit the nail.

    ¡°Do they know I¡¯m his mother? How did they get the photo

    I was not ready for these strangers to know about Ashton as yet, far less know that I was a teen

    mother.

    The nasty words they would spur out¡­I can only imagine.

    Ashton stirs and wakes up. I walk over to Aiden and lift Ash off Aiden¡¯s chest to hold him in my arms.

    Aiden sits up, running a hand through his hair and utters. ¡°Sergio mentioned that he could recognize

    you from the angle. He¡¯s a smart man and has put two and two together. The media isn¡¯t dumb Sophie,

    they¡¯ll also figure it out.¡±

    I covered Ashton¡¯s ears while making him rest his head on my chest. ¡°Fuck!¡± I sts.

    Aiden¡¯s eyebrows lifted in surprise. ¡°Now baby, we need to be calm about this,¡± He whispered, rolling

    off the bed andnding on his feet.

    I was so angry that I didn¡¯t even realize he called me baby.

    He walks over to us.

    ¡°How can I be calm Aiden? These beasts are circting our son¡¯s photo everywhere and God knows

    what they¡¯re saying about him and me.¡± My eyes misted as I kissed the top of Ashton¡¯s head.

    4

    He was way too young to be going through this.

    We were supposed to show him on our terms. Protect him better from the harshness of social media.

    When Aiden reaches me, his hands cup my face, stopping the shaking of my head. ¡°Hey, hey, calm

    down Soph. I¡¯ll get them to take it down. Everything¡¯s going to be okay, I promise.¡± He reassured,

    staring into my eyes deeply.

    I admit, him staring into my eyes the way he did, rxed me a

    lot.

    ¡°But they¡¯ve already seen him and already set their judgments on him,¡± I whispered in defeat. ¡°When he

    grows up, just imagine what he¡¯ll read about himself.¡±

    Aiden¡¯s eyes suddenly stormed with anger. But it is not directed at me. ¡°Listen to me Soph. Whatever

    they say doesn¡¯t matter. Their words hold no value. Nothing. Ashton is my life as he is yours. And that¡¯s

    all he needs to know growing up. He won¡¯t care what the world says about him, because he¡¯ll know

    he¡¯s already perfect in his own way.¡±

    With foggy eyes, I nod slowly in defeat.

    ¡°Now we need to get to my apartment before Sergio gets there. He¡¯s probably on his way.¡± Aiden sighs

    looking at me like he wished things had turned out differently. I wished too.

    I looked down at Ash and then I sighed. I was doing this for him. Everything I do now is for him.

    Sweeping my gaze back to Aiden I nod.

    ¡°Okay,¡± I said, holding Ash close to me as if this would protect him from the world.

    Aiden cups my cheek, brushing his thumb over my skin.¡± I promise I¡¯ll fix this Sophie.¡± He then leans

    down to kiss

    ¡°I¡¯ll protect you little bugger,¡± He whispered, his eyes then lifting to connect with mine. ¡°I¡¯ll protect the

    both of you.¡±

    The promise in his eyes and voice was strong. Something I can hold hope for and trust.

    ¡°So this is it,¡± Aiden said when he opened the door that lead to his penthouse.

    His arms opened wide to showcase the penthouse but his voice rocked nerves.

    I stepped in, holding a curious Ashton in my arms. His eyes glowed when they rolled over his dad¡¯s

    penthouse.

    I can just tell the excitement to dirty and mess up everywhere running through his head right now.

    ¡°Wow,¡± I can only whisper as I looked around the ce. The living room was the size of the entire living

    space of M, Ria¡¯s and my apartment, and the kitchen wasn¡¯t far behind.

    There was a huge sectional sofa situated in the middle of the living room area, a big t screen TV

    mounted on the wall before it and tall ss sliding doors lined the entire length of the living room,

    leading to a huge deck with a lengthy pool.

    I was not surprised by the expensive tang of the air or the look of the penthouse. After all, Aiden was a

    Ceo.

    I was only surprised by how neat and clean it was. Well maybe I shouldn¡¯t be, with a rich Ceo like

    Aiden, he can definitely hire

    personal maids.

    Aiden closed the door and with one hand grabbing both his duffel bag and the one I packed for Ashton

    and me, he

    walked further into the room.

    When he took a step down into the living room area he turns around to look at me nervously. ¡°Do you

    like it? It¡¯s a bit vague because I don¡¯t usuallye to this one. Only recently have I started living

    here.¡±

    He lifted his free hand into his hair and scratched the back of

    his head.

    I smiled.

    He was acting like a teenage boy who wanted to impress his crush.

    How can I not fall for him all over again?

    ¡°I love it,¡± I said honestly and walked in further.

    Ashton wiggles in my arms, wanting to get down.

    ¡°Moma, down. Ash down.¡± He said, wiggling even more.

    I held him tighter, not wanting him to shatter any of the expensive vases or destroy that neat sectional

    sofa.

    ¡°No bug, you can¡¯t go-

    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous Sophie.¡± His eyes drop to his son and they crinkled at the corners by how wide ?he

    smiled. ¡°What¡¯s mine is yours. Come on little bugger, this is your ce too.¡±

    I looked at him a little worriedly and he soothes my nerves.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry mama bear, I¡¯ll keep a good eye on him. Let me just put those bags in the room and you

    can have your shower. I¡¯ll look after Ash while you do.¡± He grinned, lifting up the bags.

    I looked at him a bit hesitant but nodded and set Ash on his

    feet. As soon as he was on the floor, he run to the sofa.

    I shook my head with a little smile on my face.

    You¡¯d never think Ashton was sick yesterday with how active he was currently.

    I watch him throw the throw pillows on the floor and swept my eyes to Aiden with an amused eyebrow

    lifted with the look of, ¡®I told you so¡¯.

 Chapter 109

    Chapter 109

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Aiden showed me to the shower while he clutched Ashton¡¯s hand so he would follow us.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have feminine products, but I can get someone to

    send-

    I turned around to see Aiden bbering, a faint flush crawling on his cheeks and settling there.

    I shook my head no, smiling. ¡°No, that¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll be quick.

    I said and crouched down to level with Ashton who was fascinated by the fancy knobs on the bathroom

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    cabs.

    ¡°Hey bug, you be good for daddy while mommy has her shower okay?¡± I asked, pinching the front of

    his shirt.

    Ashton didn¡¯t look the least bit interested in listening to what I had to say. He was too preupied with

    trying to pull the draws open.

    I giggle and raise my eyes to meet Aiden¡¯s who¡¯s staring at me with an emotion that has my gut

    twisting.

    ¡°Be careful with this little one, he¡¯s a destroyer.¡± I ruffled Ashton¡¯s hair and rise to my feet while smiling

    brightly at

    Aiden.

    Never had I ever felt so happy with just us three in the same room together. All my worries about the

    media and whatever was going on behind the scenes, seem to evaporate when I¡¯m

    with Aiden and our son.

    Aiden grins, his eyes falling on my lips. There is an intense heated look that passes through his eyes

    that had my thighs. begging to clench to have a bit of friction.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care if he destroys anything. These are just material things that can be reced easily. They

    don¡¯t hold much weight in my life. Ashton on the other hand is my life and no one can rece him.¡± He

    whispers with honesty.

    The amount of honesty in his voice and that swirled in his eyes had me catching my breath. He talked

    so fondly of his son, his voice filled with pure love. It had my heart pounding and I couldn¡¯t help but

    smile.

    He clears his throat, looking away awkwardly. ¡°Okay, then I suppose Ash and I will leave you to it,¡± His

    upper lips tug up. ¡°Come on little bugger, let¡¯s give your mommy some privacy,¡± He stoops down to pick

    up Ashton and holds him in his arms.

    I nod, biting the inside of my cheek to stop from smiling so widely. But even that doesn¡¯t help and I

    found myself grinning like the cat that got the milk.

    It also didn¡¯t help that Aiden looked more and more flustered and nervous while staring at me. He

    looked to have been contemting if to go or not. Which was rather amusing.

    When the two left, it was just me alone in the huge suite bathroom that was bigger than my room.

    I started stripping and only had my panties and bra on to get rid of when the door burst open.

    I gasped, covering my cleavage as I whip around. Aiden is standing there, stunned and silent, his eyes

    on my legs. They roamed up my body, lingering on between my thighs before crawling up and stopping

    on my eyes. He gulps.

    ¡°Forgot to give you a towel,¡± He whispered hoarsely, lifting up his hand with the towel.

    The other was holding our son as he yed in Aiden¡¯s hair,pletely transfixed and not caring about

    his surroundings to witness his father gawking at his mother¡¯s half-naked body.

    I reach out to take it from his hand, my body heating up while my face reddened with a blush. ¡°Thank

    you,¡± I murmur and covered my body with the towel.

    He looks a bit displeased when I do so but he doesn¡¯t word it out. He leaves soon, leaving me alone

    staring at my flushed reflection in the mirror.

    The way he looked at my body with pure heated desire. It sent electricity swirling into my stomach,

    causing the sensitive flesh between my thighs to ache with need.

    I lifted a finger and pointed it at my reflection in the mirror. ¡°Stop it Sophie. Don¡¯t you dare just give in to

    him so early. Let him work a little harder this time.¡± I warned myself and then felt like a fool five seconds

    reflection.

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    ¡°I think I have my small ball somewhere here bugger,¡± I said to

    my son, tickling him when he tried to grab a hold of my hair again.

    If I let his hands grab a hold of my strands, then this time my hair would surely move out from the roots.

    He had a strong grip and an even stronger pull.

    He giggled, squealing a bit which made a huge grin emerge on my face.

    I loved hearing the sound of hisughs and I love it even more when I get to hold him. He also had his

    mother¡¯s alluring scent which wasforting.

    I opened the drawer and pulled out the little orange ball I had since I was a kid. That was the only past

    object from my childhood that I brought with me to new york and brought it everywhere with me.

    It reminded me of how peaceful my life was and how happy I was when my father gifted it to me for

    Christmas.

    I gave it to Ashton, smiling widely when he looked excited when the orange ball came into his view. I

    squat down to his level, yfully poking his stomach.

    Staring into the eyes that were the exact same as mine, I questioned him. ¡°Do you know who I am little

    bugger?¡±

    Ashton looks at me with a little tilt of his head and shocked me by mumbling with such certainty.

    ¡°Dada.¡±

    My heart literally melted. ¡°Yes bugger,¡± I nearly yelled with happiness as I pull him to my chest, hugging

    him and kissing the top of his head.

    He squealed, throwing his little arms around my neck and hugged me too. I got up with him in my arms

    and walked back to my room. I can hear that the shower was still on, and waited with anticipation and

    nearly bounced on the balls of my feet with the happiness I felt at the moment.

    When the sound of the water running stopped, I bit Ashton¡¯s cheeks yfully, making him squeal. The

    door to the

    bathroom opens and I sweep my gaze to the woman who still held my heart unknowingly.

    A towel was wrapped around her, her hair wet and sticking to her back. She looks surprised to see me

    and Ashton here.

    I just couldn¡¯t contain my happiness so I had to spur it out.

    ¡°He said dada. He called me dada Sophie. He knows who I am!¡± I said happily, my voice so loud and

    unexpected that made Sophie jump back in shock.

    But then when the words I said registered in her head, she grins hugely, looking equally as happy as I

    felt now.

    ¡°That¡¯s really-

    She takes a step forward and the towel that is wrapped around her drops to the floor. She¡¯s now stark

    naked in front

    of me.

    Ashton is too busy ying with the orange ball to realize that I¡¯m eye fucking his mother.

    Sophie gasped and quickly and clumsily reached for her towel to wrap back around her, her face so red

    with a blush. The sound of the buzzer goes off secondster.

    Sergio.

 Chapter 110

    Chapter 110

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I can¡¯t believe my towel saw fit to embarrass me in front of Aiden and my son. And sure my son hadn¡¯t

    seen it because he was preupied with the small orange ball.

    But Aiden had seen everything, every inch of my wet exposed skin. He also saw my tight nipples

    because I couldn¡¯t stop thinking about how much I wanted to ride him when I saw the pure happiness

    on his face when he recited what Ashton called him.

    There was nothing more attractive than seeing him happy because Ashton called him ¡®dada¡¯.

    But then my towel had to spoil it by unraveling and embarrassing me.

    I quickly scramble around, trying to wrap it back around my naked wet flesh.

    Aiden¡¯s eyes are still on my breasts even though they¡¯re now covered. A buzzer goes off and suddenly

    he stiffens.

    His jaw clenched.

    ¡°Sergio must be here already,¡± Aiden said stiffly, removing his eyes off my breasts and me entirely.

    My eyes widen and panic starts to kick in. I¡¯m sure to keep it inwardly and not have Aiden realize that I

    was nearing a panic attack.

    The buzzer goes off again Aiden rolls his eyes. ¡°That man can never be patient.¡±

    He looks over at me, sweeping his gaze over my form and then mumbled. ¡°I¡¯ll meet him by the door,

    you get ready.¡±

    I blushed furiously under the weight of his gaze and nod.

    He leaves with Ashton in his arms and I quickly went over to lock the door so I could get ready without

    having the fear of anyone barging in unannounced.

    I let my wet hair down and dressed in that pretty red floral dress I brought. I looked at myself onest

    time in the mirror and left to greet Sergio.

    My hands are wringing together nervously as I hear their voices.

    Sergio is talking in that animated tone to Ashton and Aiden is answering all the questions that are

    thrown at him.

    ¡°So where is your lovely fiance?¡± Sergio questioned as I neared.

    I grew even more nervous hearing the fake curiosity in his voice. He didn¡¯t care to know about my

    whereabouts.

    ¡°She¡¯s-

    ¡°Good morning,¡± I saiding from the shadows of the hallway and entering the living room area

    where Sergio and Aiden stood. Aiden still held Ash in his arms and Sergio was a

    couple of inches away from the two.

    He ignored my greeting and pretended to be interested in

    Ashton. He reached out for him, clutching his small hand.

    ¡°You look just like your father,¡± Sergio said in an animated

    tone.

    Aiden¡¯s jaw tightened.

    ¡°Sophie greeted you Sergio.¡± He bit out, looking at Sergio so coldly that I¡¯m stunned he was not frozen

    on the spot.

    I approached them cautiously, hoping they won¡¯t argue in front of Ashton.

    Sergio¡¯s eyes tore from Ashton¡¯s face and he looks over at me, eyes with deep resentment.

    ¡°The bride to be and apparently soon to be mother of two. How are you dear?¡± His eyes drop to my

    stomach as he stretched on the word dear.

    I can literally taste the resentment in the word too.

    My smile shook in nerves as I eat up the distance between us. ¡°I¡¯m fine Mr. Harrington. Hope you had a

    blessed morning?¡± I asked, outstretching my hands out when I¡¯m a few breaths distance away from

    him.

    Sergio looks at my hand like it was the dirt at the bottom of his shoes. Secondster his hand captures

    mine but only for a brush of a second and lets me go like I had shocked him with electricity.

    I pulled my hands back to my side awkwardly, pinching the material of my dress.

    Sergio wiped his palms on his fancy suit and yed it off with

    a chuckle. ¡°You two have been at it like rabbits.¡±

    I turned bright red at his words and perhaps sensing my awkwardness, Aiden loops his arm around my

    waist and pulls me to his side.

    ¡°Sergio why don¡¯t you have a sit and stop interrogating Sophie,¡± Aiden suggested cooly.

    Sergio smirks and nodded. He turns around and looks around. His hand suddenly goes to his stomach.

    ¡°I came all the way here, so early, and expected breakfast from my soon to be grand daughter inw.¡±

    He gives me a side look that made me want to run and hide behind the couch. Which was silly

    considering I was a big girl now and shouldn¡¯t be scared of an older man whose re was lethal.

    Though, that older man was one of the most powerful men in New York and probably the whole world.

    Sergio sits down on the sectional sofa, crossing one leg over the other and lounged back.

    ¡°Sophie be a dear and make some breakfast for this old man. ¡°He shifts the tie around his neck and

    looks at me with a re that said I was his least favorite person.

    Aidenes to my aid. ¡°Sophie just woke up and-

    ¡°Sophie can speak for herself. Unless¡­.she¡¯s an illiterate.¡± Sergio cuts in before Aiden could finish.

    His words had Aiden¡¯s hand tightening around my waist and I

    winced.

    ¡°Watch your mouth when you¡¯re speaking about Sophie, Sergio,¡± Aiden warned and meant it.

    Sergio seeming to love the reaction he got from Aiden and smirks then snakes his eyes down to stare

    at the arm Aiden ng around my midriff.

    His bushy white brow lifted. ¡°Any harder and you¡¯ll manage to have her miscarry.¡±

    Upon hearing Sergio¡¯s words, Aiden¡¯s gripped loosened considerably, making Sergio chuckle.

    ¡°You must be careful with her son. Especially when she¡¯s¡­¡± He drawled, tapping a finger on his knee.

    ¡°Fragile at the

    moment.¡±

    ¡°Sergio-

    Aiden started but I had to cut in before an argument surfaced because of me.

    It was nice that Aiden wasing to my defense but perhaps it would not be best to provoke the old

    man who literally had his future in the palm of his hands.

    ¡°I¡¯ll get on with breakfast then. Hope you like eggs, Sergio.¡± I smiled, well tried to. But I was sure it

    came out like a wince.

    Sergio grinned but it did not reach his eyes. ¡°Great. I can¡¯t wait to feast. And yes, I like scrambled,

    boiled, omelet, whatever you wish to do with it.¡±

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    I nod and touched Aiden¡¯s chest and could literally feel the tension in his body when I do. ¡°It¡¯s fine

    Aiden. I¡¯ll make breakfast.¡± I whispered, trying to break his re from his

    grandfather.

    His stormy gaze fall on me and he looked at me with concern. ¡°Are you sure? You don¡¯t have to

    Sophie.¡±

    I nod and reached up to kiss his cheek and kissed Ashton¡¯s. ¡°What¡¯s the worst that can happen? It¡¯s

    only breakfast.¡±

    Only breakfast? Oh please Sophie, you can¡¯t even cook! What makes you think you can make

    scrambled eggs?!

    I gulped.

 Chapter 111

    Chapter 111

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I¡¯m whisking the eggs in the bowl when I heard Sergio converse with Aiden.

    ¡°Your fiance seems a bit tensed in my presence. If we are to be family, she needs to warm up a bit.¡±

    Well of course I was tense! You were burying me with your re.

    I bit my tongue and tried to focus on the task at hand which was a bit difficult.

    I could be wrong but I think I added way too much salt.

    ¡°She¡¯s tense because you¡¯re an old miserable man whose life mission is to destroy any form of

    happiness in your family. Why would she be warm and weing in the presence of the devil?¡± Aiden

    bit out and I can just hear that he was holding back because of Ashton.

    I bit the inside of my lower lip, inwardly pping my forehead. Aiden had really done it this time. Now

    the man would be furious.

    But instead of being furious, Sergio chuckled and for the first time, it rang with emotion, amusement.

    ¡°Now grandson, that name is only for you, or so I¡¯ve heard. Is it the blue-eyed devil our employees call

    you?¡± Sergio retorted

    with amusement.

    Aiden who I could see was seething all the way here, answered in a clipped tone. ¡°What can I say, I

    learned from the best.¡±

    Sergio nods. ¡°Yes, your father.¡±

    My heart pounds. Sergio had reached an all-time low and I feared there was nothing I can do to stop

    them from arguing

    now.

    But to my surprise, Aiden managed to control his anger and only managed to say bitterly. ¡°My father is

    by far a better man than you¡¯ll ever wish to be Sergio. Keep his name out of your mouth.¡±

    Sergio¡¯s eyes lift to mine and I can sense the irritation in his gaze when he noticed that I was

    eavesdropping on their conversation.

    I rip my gaze away from his quickly, feeling the unsettling feeling of embarrassment stiffen my body.

    ¡°Speaking of your father. Do your parents even know that their son had been secretly starting a family

    under their nose?¡± Sergio asked with a pinch of curiosity but the rest was filled with bitterness.

    I swallowed and waited with battered breath to hear Aiden¡¯s response. We both know that his parents

    don¡¯t know about me or Ashton.

    ¡°Yes. Why would I keep this secret away from them?¡± Aiden said with such honesty that you¡¯d think he

    was speaking the truth.

    I lift my eyes to Sergio to notice the slight surprise look on his face. But then he chuckled and regained

    hisposure. ¡°Oh, then I suppose I¡¯m the only one who was left out in the dark¡­like usual. I perhaps

    would¡¯ve stayed in the dark if I hadn¡¯t brought up marriage.¡±

    Aiden stiffly nods. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you deserved to know about my personal life.¡±

    Sergio¡¯s gaze darkened and I trembled at the weight of it. Poor little Ash was oblivious to the tension

    swirling in the air and was busy ying with that small orange ball on his father¡¯sp.

    ¡°Am I not your grandfather Aiden? Did I not deserve to know about such things?¡± He asked tightly and

    then dropped his stare on Ashton.

    ¡°He looks like you. A lot. Hopefully, the other one on the way has your genes, the Harrighton genes are

    strong.¡±

    Aiden grows stiff and Ashton finally noticing the tension in his father¡¯s body, tries to have his dad y

    with the ball. It was rather cute seeing him trying to cheer up Aiden.

    ¡°What are you implying here Sergio?¡± Aiden asked tightly while trying to distract himself with Ashton on

    hisp.

    Sergio lifted his gaze, capturing mine and a smirk so cold froze me in ce. ¡°I¡¯m just saying that our

    genes aren¡¯t hard to notice. I was not implying anything¡­unless, of course, there¡¯s something you want

    to be known?¡±

    He then called out to me. ¡°How is it going over there, Sophie is it? Care to join in on the conversation

    instead of making

    breakfast? You seem to already be so into it.¡±

    I tore my gaze away, feeling hot with humiliation. ¡°No that¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll just-¡± I stopped before I humiliate

    myself more and continued on with ¡®cooking¡¯ breakfast.

    When I was done, I looked at the tes and winced. The scrambled eggs looked a bit burnt and the

    entire penthouse smelt like it. I also tried to do pancakes and they came out a mess and some were not

    even cooked properly.

    And don¡¯t get me started on the bacon pieces that were ck and way too hard.

    I failed at doing a simple breakfast even though I tried so hard.

    Aiden gave me a few concerned looks every time I yelped when the oil sshed and dotted on my

    skin. But I told him with my eyes that I was fine. Which I was, I was just failing miserably.

    I poured some orange juice into a ss and ced the tes on the dining table. When I had ced

    everything there, I called Sergio and Aiden for breakfast.

    Aiden was the first to get up with Ashton in his hold and sat around the table with Ash still in hisp. He

    looked at the te, a small grin lifting at the corners of his mouth and his eyes snapped up to mine.

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Looks delicious,¡± He grinned, amusement swirling in his eyes.

    I chew on my bottom lip in embarrassment and quickly take a seat myself. ¡°I¡¯m not the best cook,¡± I

    admitted, blushing even

    more furiously when he chuckled.

    Sergio joins us, his features tightening into one of disgust and repulse as he takes a sit around the

    table. He looks down at the te, disgusts now permanent on his face.

    He picks up the fork, his cold eyes lifting to mine.¡± Breakfast looks great.¡± He said sarcastically and

    reluctantly took some of the scrambled eggs. When he brought the fork to his mouth and pushed the

    eggs inside his mouth to taste, his face shifted in distate.

    He spits out the egg on the te and picks up the napkin I had set beside the te. He wipes his

    mouth while grumbling. ¡°These eggs have too much salt.¡±

    Feeling humiliated, I picked up some eggs and pushed the fork into my mouth. I had to force myself to

    swallow it because Sergio was right¡­.the eggs were way too salty. In fact you can only taste salt and

    nothing else.

    Sergio shook his head and set the napkin down on the table. ¡® A woman who doesn¡¯t know how to

    cook. How are you going to be a wife and feed your husband and kids?¡±

    My shoulders sagged, my lips wobbled and the fork falls on the te. It tters.

    ¡°Sergio-

    Aiden bit out under his breath but suddenly scramble eggs are flung toward Sergio¡¯s face and suit,

    stunning the old man and everyone in the room which was only Aiden and me.

    I looked at the culprit who was giggling on his father¡¯sp, his

    hands still messy with the eggs.

    ¡°Ashton!¡± I gasped.

 Chapter 112

    Chapter 112

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Oh my gosh Mr. Harrighton, I am so sorry,¡± I rushed out and grabbed my napkin, and got up to walk

    over to Aiden and Ashton so I can wipe his hands.

    Aiden looked like he was fighting hard to notugh while Ashton on the other hand giggled loudly.

    The chair makes a sharp noise when Sergio rises to his feet and pushes it back. His face is tight with

    irritation and he looks ready to scowl at Ashton but decided against it and scowled at me instead.

    ¡°You must not have trained him properly,¡± Sergio snaps, taking the napkin he just wiped with his mouth,

    to now wipe his expensive suit and face.

    I stopped wiping Ash¡¯s hands and froze. Sergio could say anything about me and to my face but I

    refuse to make him speak ill like that about Ashton.

    Straightening my spine I looked at the disgruntled man.¡± My son is not a dog. He can¡¯t be ¡®trained.¡¯

    Sergio is surprised by my words and he isn¡¯t the only one. Aiden is looking at me with a stunned

    expression but then a proud smile emerged on his face, making me feel a bit giddy that I made him

    proud.

    Sergio whose face twisted with displeasure, dropped the napkin on the table messily and scowled at

    me. ¡°It seems I¡¯m not in the mood for breakfast anymore. I¡¯ll see myself out.¡±

    Fixing his tie, he looked at Ashton and said. ¡°I¡¯ll see you some other time, hopefully then you¡¯d have

    more manners. As for you Aiden, I¡¯ll speak to you soon.¡±

    He doesn¡¯t wait for a response, just walks away. When he closes the door behind him with a slight

    bang, I looked at Aiden horrified by what just happened.

    Had I screwed up everything?

    ¡°Aiden, I¡¯m so sorry. About the breakfast and everything else afterward. ¡°I rushed out and reached out

    for Ashton.

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    Aiden¡¯s brow lifted and amusement shed in his eyes. ¡± You shouldn¡¯t be apologizing Sophie.

    Everything was perfect, you got rid of him. If anything, you should¡¯ve done more,¡± Aiden snorted and

    rose to his feet.

    I shook my head. ¡°He hates me even more now.¡±

    I looked down at Ashton and winced. ¡°And Ash threw the eggs on his expensive suit,¡± I groaned. ¡°Can

    he press charges?¡± I asked with a bit of fear.

    Aiden looks at me for a few, trying to see if I had grown another head or two beforeughing loudly

    while holding his belly.

    ¡°It¡¯s not funny Aiden! He looked really angry and I¡¯m scared. ¡°I admitted with a huff, ring at his

    He wasn¡¯t taking this seriously. Sergio looked annoyed as hell and angry too. Who knows what that old

    man had in mind when he left?

    Aiden sensing the fear trembling in my voice finally took me

    seriously and ceased hisughing fit. He eats up the distance between us and put both his hand out to

    cup my face.

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯ll not let him do anything to you or Ashton, okay? I¡¯ll protect you both,¡± He promised with

    honesty in his voice.

    Hearing the honesty and the way he looked down at me, I calmed down, nodding slightly.

    His lips tug up into an amused smile. ¡± Now you have to admit that Ashton throwing the scramble eggs

    at his suit was the highlight of the morning. Never had I ever seen such

    displeasure on Sergios¡¯ face before. It was the best thing to witness,¡±

    I shook my head but couldn¡¯t help but smile. It was funny the way Sergio jumped back a little when the

    eggs smacked on his suit and face. He wasn¡¯t expecting it but no one was.

    ¡°Aiden it¡¯s really not funny, ¡°I huffed with a lie but couldn¡¯t help but giggle. ¡± His face was funny wasn¡¯t

    it?¡± I snorted.

    Aiden nods, chuckling and pinched his son¡¯s cheeks. ¡°You my little bugger are one of the best things to

    ever be in my life.¡± His eyes snapped up and connected with mine.¡± The other is your mother,¡± He

    whispered truthfully.

    I sucked in a very sharp breath, his words causing my heart to leap many times. I don¡¯t know how to

    react or how to answer him. Especially when I can feel those walls I built around my heart crumbling

    little by little.

    My hands are fumbling to ce them back but I can¡¯t, not when he¡¯s staring at me with such strong

    emotions.

    So I did what I do best, I avoid his gaze and asked. ¡°Are you going to get ready to head to the office

    now?¡±

    I turned around, chewing on my bottom lip while waiting for his answer. I have no clue where I am

    heading. Or what I¡¯m supposed to do when he goes to work.

    Would I have to stay in his penthouse or would he drop me back at the apartment?

    ¡°Office? I¡¯m the boss Sophie, I don¡¯t have to show up if I don¡¯t want to. I can work from here. ¡± Aiden

    snorted behind me. ¡°It will be the three of us today mama bear. All my attention is on you two today and

    no one else.¡±

    Aiden had made a promise to have his attention only on Ashton and me today and he didn¡¯t go back on

    his word. He spent every second of his time, talking with me and ying with Ashton. It wasforting

    and kind of strange seeing this side of him.

    But when Ashton fell asleep and Aiden went to tuck him in, I grew a bit anxious. It was already six in

    the afternoon and by the looks of it, I would be staying the night. Well, Ash and I

    would.

    This wasn¡¯t the apartment where the girls could barge in at any time. No. This was Aiden¡¯s penthouse

    and now that Ashton was asleep, we were now left alone.

    I busied myself with washing the pl¨¢tes that were dirty from the ordered food we just ate.

    ¡°He even sleeps like me,¡± Aiden joked when he returned, a

    huge beam on his face. It made me smile.

    ¡°He got everything from you. ¡± I voiced with a small pout on my lips.

    Aiden chuckles and approaches me.¡± Well, that¡¯s not true. He got your tiny cute ears. He also does that

    twitchy thing you do with your nose. And let¡¯s not forget how red his cheeks get when he smiles or

    I stopped scrubbing the te and set it down in the water as turn to Aiden with a stunned expression.

    ¡°You noticed.¡± I breathed out in shock. These were little things. How did he notice them?

    Aiden steps closer until I could feel his body heat. He looks down at me with such vulnerability that I¡¯m

    shocked that this was the same Aiden years ago.

    ¡°I always noticed Sophie. Those words I said to you when I was down on one knee¡­.I meant them.

    Every single one of them.¡± He confessed, his hands reaching up to tuck a few stray hairs behind my

    ears.

 Chapter 113

    Chapter 113

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I¡¯m a bit lost for words. A bit startled. A bit dumbfounded. I¡¯m not sure what I should say. Or what I

    should do.

    I¡¯m lost.

    I¡¯m confused.

    But my heart leaped, twice, three times. I draw air into my lungs and continued to stare into his stormy

    gaze.

    Was he speaking the truth?

    The hard veil that had concealed all his emotions behind was torn. Vulnerability.

    He was vulnerable.

    Which meant, those words were true.

    I gasped. Finally, my mind was working back, my body, my reaction. Late reaction, but can you me

    me?

    For a second there I thought he had frozen mepletely.

    ¡°Wha-t?¡± Stammering words¡­..

    He takes a step forward, eating up any bit of space that was left between us. My wet hands are fisted

    by my sides and my eyes have not left his face not once.

    I want to see every emotion that crosses over. I needed to see them.

    Because if there is one little flicker of dishonesty and lies, I would be shattered. My heart would not be

    the same.

    His thumb, so hot on my skin brushed over my cheek softly. His head dipped a little so our eyes would

    be leveled and he whispered. ¡°I¡¯ve loved you for years Sophie Bell. Even as teenagers. I¡¯ve loved you

    since I first set my eyes on you.¡±

    His words had me pulling in a shaky breath. My tongue is tied, but my heart beats like a drum in my

    chest by his confession.

    My brain is foggy though, I¡¯m finding it difficult to hold air into my lungs. My knees are also weak, and I

    fear I might topple to them soon if I don¡¯t get a hold of my emotions.

    Aiden¡¯s eyes bored into my own, searching for anything.¡¯ Please say something,¡± He whispered.

    My breath hitches and then as I stared into his unwavering eyes, words finally formed on my tongue.

    ¡°Why are you telling me this now?¡± I asked in soft tone that was undoubtedly filled with curiosity and

    doubt.

    If he loved me this long, why did he wait now to tell me so? Why did he bully me in high school if he

    loved me?

    This wasn¡¯t making any sense.

    Aiden thumb brushed my jaw bone and he uttered. ¡°Because I can¡¯t keep it to myself anymore. They

    told me to go slow with you Sophie, but every time I¡¯m in your presence I can¡¯t think properly and I fall

    even harder. It¡¯s impossible to breathe when you¡¯re near. It¡¯s impossible to think properly.¡±

    His eyes are soft. Softer than they¡¯ve ever been while staring

    at me.

    My heartbeat spikes in my chest and my stomach fluttered with tiny butterflies.

    ¡°Then why did you bully me all those years ago?¡± I asked, my eyes fogging.

    If he had confessed this long ago, maybe then we wouldn¡¯t have gone through so much. Maybe we

    could¡¯ve been together long before what happened. Maybe then¡­that tragedy wouldn¡¯t have happened

    in the first ce.

    I am a bit angry that he made me go through all this instead of confessing. Yet his confession had me

    melting and my heartbeat rapid.

    I didn¡¯t know which emotion totch on to.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    Aiden sighs his gaze dimming with regret. ¡°Because I loved you then but wanted to hate you. I was

    angry at you. Those words you said to M that day¡­..it haunted me. I didn¡¯t know they held so much

    weight, but they did. And they turned me into a monster I¡¯m not proud of, but want to get rid of.¡±

    ¡°Soph, those high school years weren¡¯t the best and I wasn¡¯t my best then. I was someone you

    should¡¯ve hated, hell loathed. I was a fucking bully. You had every right to hate me and keep hating me.

    Those things I said to you and did were things I regret with my entire being. But there were times where

    I thought I could change. Like the times with you.¡± His thumb brushing my cheeks tenderly.

    ¡°When we kissed, when I got to be with you, when we

    conceived Ashton. Those days were the best. And sure

    tragedy happened soon after, but I realize that was the karma I got for all those times bullying you and I

    fully epted that.¡± He stared into my eyes,

    ¡°I no longer hold resentment for what happened. I no longer me you or myself for what happened. I

    realized life is too short to hold such an emotion. I¡¯ve wasted enough time as it is, I don¡¯t want to waste

    any longer. Which is why I¡¯m confessing to you what I¡¯ve failed to have courage to do years ago. I love

    you Sophie,¡± He sighs shakily and continues.

    ¡°When I saw you that first time at Harrington.co, I had so many emotions running through me at once.

    Resentment, longing, love¡­.I hadn¡¯t known which emotion totch onto then. Sure I had nned for

    revenge but I was stupid to think that I could go on with it when all I wanted was for you to love me.

    Being with you were one of my dreams for years. I¡¯m not going to waste any more time. I want you as

    my woman Sophie. I¡¯m not hiding my feelings any longer,¡± He breathed out and grabbed my hand.

    My heart is beating so rapidly in my chest when he puts my opened palm on his chest where I could

    feel his heartbeat as fast as mine. Perhaps even quicker.

    Aiden eyes bored into mine, showing warmth and longing. The emotions had my breath hitching.

    ¡°I can no longer hide those feelings Sophie. I can no longer pretend that I have not loved you for years.

    I¡¯m tired of hiding, I¡¯m tired of wasting time. I love you and I want to be with you. And it¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t

    feel the same way¡­¡± He smiles shakily.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make it my mission to make you fall in love with me too.

    No matter how long it will take, you¡¯ll always be worth it for me mama bear.¡±

    Those tears that misted my eyes began to trickle down my cheeks. Aiden¡¯s eyes shifted uneasily and

    he began to panic.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did I say something-

    I shook my head and stood on my tip toes. I loop my arms around his neck and force him to bend

    down.

    His eyes are so warm, it makes my inside feel like goo.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I whispered and seeing as words could not tell him how much his words meant to me, I

    showed him. I pulled him all the way down and connected our lips.

    He pull me against him, his hand on my waist gripping me almost possessively.

    ¡°What took you so long?¡± I whispered on his lips.

 Chapter 114

    Chapter 114

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°I don¡¯t know baby. But I¡¯m not wasting anymore time.¡± He breathed out and connected our lips once

    more.

    His lips are soft against mine, brushing over my bottom lip smoothly. Wet with his taste.

    I gasped, my fingers tickling the ends of his hair and then gripped the strands when he suddenly

    pushes me back.

    My back touched the edge of the counter, not sharply so I was not hurt.

    ¡°Oh Sophie¡­.¡± Aiden moaned, his hands leaving my waist to snake down to my bottom where he

    brushed over them softly as if trying to remember every curve.

    And when those palmsnd underneath my bottom, those fingers dig into my mounds and gripped

    them.

    I moaned, arching into him.

    ¡°I waited too damn long for you Soph. Forgive me for being an idiot all those years baby.¡± He panted,

    biting my bottom lip and drawing it out.

    I could only moan, clenching my thighs together as I felt the wetness between my thighs grow. It

    soaked my panties and oddly, I wanted those panties wet with his cum and not my

    wetness.

    I nodded, and murmured happily when he lets my bottom lip

    ¡°You¡¯re forgiven.¡±

    His grin is radiant and causes me to also beam. My heart is beating so rapidly in my chest but I don¡¯t

    care if I¡¯m close to getting a heart attack. The man I¡¯ve always loved admitted to loving me all along.

    Sure I was still mad about him not confessing sooner but I will focus on the now and worry about that

    He goes for another kiss, but I stop him by cing my index finger on his lips. Tilting my head and

    narrowing my eyes, I asked. ¡°Does that mean I¡¯m now your girlfriend?¡±

    I bit the inside of my lower lip to stop from blushing under his gaze when I realized the words the

    fluttered out of my mouth.

    Aiden smile deepened, and his eyes twinkled. Those storms were now cleared, and all that was

    remained was the blue that reminded me of the ocean.

    I remove my fingers off his lips awkwardly and he takes this opportunity to push his head forward. His

    hot breath feathered against my lips as he tilted his head.

    ¡°Girlfriend is too little of a word to describe what you are to me now Soph,¡± He said smiling cheerily as

    one of his hand left my bottom to hold my arm and brush over to my fingers.

    His fingers yed with the ring he slipped on my finger. ¡°How about fiance?¡±

    My eyes widen a bit and my heart leapt so sharply I thought it had reached into my throat.

    I gulped, shifting my eyes between those blues that warmed

    my insides. ¡°Like for real?¡±

    I wanted to smack myself behind my head. Who says like for real? I¡¯m no damn teenager anymore.

    He nodded, the smile slipping from his face slowly, only for a serious look to now paint it. ¡°For real

    mama bear.¡±

    He captured my lips again, kissing me slowly as he held my finger with one hand whilst the other

    stayed on my bottom.

    He presses into me, causing me to press into the counter a little more. It didn¡¯t hurt so I didn¡¯tin.

    I break away to stop my running thoughts and voiced out my concerns. ¡°Wait.¡± I said, my eyes still

    closed. ¡°Aren¡¯t we moving too fast?¡±

    ¡°I think we¡¯re moving too slow. I want you now Soph, all of you. Now can we skip the talking for now? I

    want to show you how much I want you.¡± He grunted and smashed his lips on mine. I moan, fingers

    knotting in his hair more.

    His hand holding my finger drops it, only tond on my thigh and snake up.

    They¡¯re hot against my skin, making me feel like I was burning from within.

    It feels good, so good.

    I whimper when his fingers crawl higher¡­.higher until they shifted under my dress.

    My breath hitched and he takes my gasp in his mouth when those eagerly searching fingers touched

    my panties.

    He groaned in my mouth. ¡°You¡¯re so fucking wet.¡±

    His fingers pressed into me, pushing between my legs, making me part them so he can have his way.

    He detached his lips from mine, but they find my jaw and kissed down my neck.

    I tilt my head back, my eyes rolling at the back of my head when he started to run circles on my

    throbbing clit covered by my soaked panties.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± My breath hitched sharply when his fingers no longer were gentle but furious and more eager.

    ¡°I waited too damn long baby. Fuck.¡± He groaned, sucking my

    neck.

    My fingers dig into his scalp and he grunted.

    ¡°I should¡¯ve showed you how much I can love you a long time ago. I should¡¯ve man up and told you

    how I felt.¡± He grunted, his fingers now peeling the soaked material off my throbbing wet pussy.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry baby. I¡¯m so sorry about everything,¡± He groaned, kissing my neck where he sucked on

    furiously.

    Aiden was apologizing while ying with my pussy and kissing my neck like a starved man¡­¡­.

    I could only nod, because words could not seem toe to me at the moment. My brain was top foggy

    with pleasure for me to even speak.

    But when his fingers dipped into my entrance, I saw stars

    behind my closed lids. ¡°Oh,¡± finally I was not mute anymore.

    He pushed his fingers in deeper. ¡°Oh how I¡¯ve missed your pussy.¡± He panted, curling them inside me

    until he hit my g spot and had me buckling towards him.

    ¡°It has only been a few days,¡± I whispered as my pussy walls eased around his thick fingers and allow

    them to push into me deeper.

    ¡°A few days is far too long. I¡¯d wear you like a glove if it was possible and walk around with you

    wrapped around my dick. That¡¯s how much your pussy has turned me into a crazed man. You¡¯ve

    be an addiction I don¡¯t want to get tired of.¡± He hisses and starts pumping his fingers into me.

    I gasped loudly, not only because he was fucking me with his fingers but because his words turned me

    on to a point of insanity. I suppose Aiden wasn¡¯t the only crazed one here¡­.

    It seems I have be a crazed woman too.

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to dive into that sweet little pussy Sophie,¡± He panted, sucking my neck while pumping his

    fingers into me from down below.

    ¡°You¡¯ll milk my cock tonight and I¡¯ll wear you around for hours until your pussy drips of my cum.¡±

 Chapter 115

    Chapter 115

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I can feel my juices drip down his fingers, making a huge mess. He took this as encouragement though

    and pumped those thick long fingers into me harder and faster.

    At that point my pussy gave up. This was way too much pleasure and with the furious pumps he gave

    me, my pussy walls just could not keep up.

    It mped around his thick fingers, stopping his urgent movements and then I let out a cry.

    I was cummimg, buckling and whimpering as my walls mp around him like the glove he wanted.

    ¡°Oh fuck,¡± Aiden grunted, pulling away from my neck he brutalized with his kisses, his suckling and

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    biting.

    ¡°Tight, fucking tight.¡± He hisses, trying to move his fingers in and out but to no avail. My walls were not

    done mping around him and I was not done cumming around his fingers.

    ¡°Oh Aiden,¡± I squealed when he used his thumb to rub circles around my nub when my walls wouldn¡¯t

    let up.

    It seems Aiden had a mission to exhaust my little pussy

    tonight.

    I came again, trembling as I cried. I¡¯m shaking so furiously. My knees were also weak and I could no

    longer hold up.

    Aiden is quick to steel his arm around my waist to hold me up

    and rubbed those dangerous circles on my clit even more rapidly until all I could see was stars.

    I was ready to tap out and tell him that he won, even though this was not apetition. But then

    somehow he managed to pull his fingers out of my tight little pussy and turned me around so that my

    stomach was now pressing against the

    counter.

    My eyes peeled open tiredly and I¡¯m still trembling. I keep my hand on the counter, trying to not topple

    to the floor.

    Aiden¡¯s palm suddenly press onto the small of my back and he guides me to dip my back.

    Izily did, because I was so tired from that first time cumming. The second one took me out too. I can

    only imagine

    what the third will do.

    He then lifts the dress and exposed my ass and my dripping pussy. He tore my panties and threw them

    on the floor.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see how long your tight little pussy willst against my cock.¡± He grunted.

    He massaged my ass and then suddenly a loud p bounced off the walls. I gasp, eyes widening.

    Well shit, that woke me up.

    I could feel my pussy trickle with more of my juices, seeming to praise him for smacking my ass.

    ¡°You naughty girl¡­you¡¯re dripping all over my floor.¡± He chuckled and massaged the sting away.

    Another smack to my other ass had me yelping, yet my ass stuck out more as if asking him to do it

    again. And to make matters worst, my little pussy was quivering and dripping more of my juices.

    ¡°You like when I do that don¡¯t you mama bear?¡± He grunted, squeezing and kneading the asscheek he

    had just marked with his palm.

    I nodded, and gasped when he suddenly pushed three fingers into my dripping hole and finger fucked

    me.

    ¡°Oh,¡± I gasped, spreading my legs as I let Aiden finger me from the back while his other hand still

    massaged my ass.

    The air smelt like sex and the only sounds you could hear was the pleasing sound of his fingers dipping

    in and out of my pussy furiously.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I squealed when his palmnd on my ass, rough and brutal. I flinched but pushed back onto

    his fingers.

    My pussy tightened, quivering and I was sure I was on the verge of getting off again but before I could

    get relief, Aiden pulls out his fingers and mmed his palm on my ass again.

    ¡°The next time you¡¯re going to cum is around my cock.¡± He grunted and all of a sudden I could feel the

    head of his cock at my entrance.

    His hand that was smacking my ass crawled up to grip my waist while the other guided his cock to my

    entrance.

    I tremble when he rubbed the head of his cock on my wet slit and rolled it against my pussy lips,

    wetting his own cock.

    ¡°You have me hard as a rock baby,¡± Aiden panted and pushed the head of his cock into my entrance

    slowly.

    I¡¯m on my tip toes, arching my back and pushing my ass closer to him as I took his girthy raging

    monster inside me.

    I tremble. Fuck. It feels like I¡¯m a virgin all over again, him stretching my tight walls and pushing his

    huge cock inside me. while my little pussy try to amodate him.

    This wasn¡¯t the first time he has entered me, yet, I was so damn tight and he was just way too big.

    Tonight, his cock even felt bigger for some odd reason. Felt harder too.

    ¡°Oh God Soph, you¡¯re extra tight tonight.¡± Aiden grunts, rolling his hips while his hande between

    my thighs to rub my throbbing clit.

    I moaned, thighs tightening as I jerked forward.

    ¡°Fuck,¡± Aiden groaned, pulling me back to him. By doing so my little pussy swallowed another inch of

    his cock.

    ¡°Come on baby, take me. I want toe home,¡± He whispered easing in little by little.

    I gasped, my eyes rolling back as he stretched me. My walls hugged him quickly and kissed around his

    length.

    He pants behind me, rubbing my clit more furiously and then when I least expected it he pushed all the

    way in.

    I squealed, going higher on my tip toes and pushing my ass to

    him.

    ¡°Fuck.¡± We both said simultaneously.

    He stays still inside me, his cock throbbing so deep. He was definitely touching my womb. I swore I

    could feel him inside my tummy.

    I hauled in a few breaths as I try to adjust to his size.

    After a couple of seconds had passed, Aiden asked with concern swirling in his husky tone. ¡°Did I hurt

    you baby?¡±

    My pussy squeezed around him as if answering his question and telling him no, he hadn¡¯t hurt me.

    ¡°No,¡± I breathed out, knees almost buckling when he started rolling his hips.

    ¡°Good, ¡¯cause I¡¯m going to fuck you raw and hard and spill every pent up cum I had holding for you for

    days.¡± He groaned. I gasped at his words and then moaned when he bends over me, his chest

    touching my back.

    His lips brush the back of my neck and he grunts. ¡°I¡¯m going to make that pussy quiver for all those

    years I missed.¡±

 Chapter 116

    Chapter 116

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I arch into him when those words rolled off his tongue and

    brushed my ears.

    Damn. Was he trying to get me off by just talking? Because it was working.

    Aiden¡¯s fingers between my thighs yed on my clit like the violin until I¡¯m literally panting.

    The sweat on his skin seeped through the material of my dress causing it to stick to me like a second

    skin.

    Our breaths mingled in the air, the panting breaths that swam out of our lips. The air smelt like sex too,

    tasted like it.

    Aiden started pulling out of me slowly, the sharp gasp that came out of my mouth was loud as he drew

    his huge cock out of my reluctant pussy.

    Aiden¡¯s free hand tickled my sides, and brushed against the curve of my breast and then higher until

    those fingers

    feathered against my neck where he gripped into a chokehold.

    My neck tilt back as I gasp.

    He gripped my neck firmly, not tight to actually choke me, but firm enough to bend me to his will.

    He squeezed a little the moment the head of his cock was inches away from moving out of my pussy.

    ¡°Hold your breath,¡± He demanded and I do just that, trusting

    him.

    In one quick move, Aiden dove back into me, hard and deep.

    That breath I held came out like a little scream as the head of his cock buried deep inside my pussy.

    ¡°Fuck!¡± He hissed the fingers he had between my legs and rubbing my clit, pulling away only tond on

    the top of my dress.

    He grip the material, clenching it between his fingers and then tugged harshly. He revealed my bra and

    then also did the same until my bare breast was revealed.

    My nippled perked tightly as the cool wind brush against them. Aiden cups one breast and then with his

    hand wrapped wound my neck, he started pounding into me.

    I moaned, pushing back on to him even though the force of the thrust had my knees weakening even

    more.

    It takes a lot for me to not fall on to my knees. If it wasn¡¯t for Aiden hand around my neck and way he

    held on to me will driving his huge cock into my wet walls then I¡¯d not be able to hold myself up.

    ¡°Oh baby¡­.you feel so good,¡± He panted, mming into me harder until my ass shook with his force.

    ¡°Ahhh Aiden,¡± Was all I was able to slip out of my mouth.

    The sound of his front pping against my ass mixed with the sounds we made was the only thing you

    can hear inside the penthouse.

    I really hope we have not woken Ash up.

    I was loud and Aiden¡¯s grunts and groans were not the least bit silent either.

    Aiden tilted his hips and dove into me, the head of his cock searching for that tender spot that made it

    impossible to note undone.

    With long furious strokes, the head of his cock finally found that tender spot. I squealed as he

    tormented it. Thrusting purposely, aiming purposely until I am at his mercy.

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    Tonight my cock felt like a rock. Perhaps harder than a rock. It felt like steel.

    It¡¯s the most painful hard I¡¯ve ever been.

    Her standing up to Sergio sparked the fire first but when I saw her washing those dishes, I don¡¯t know

    something, I wasn¡¯t sure what it was¡­.but she looked damn hot while doing it.

    It also helped that she was doing it in my penthouse, under my roof¡­.

    Shit. She really felt like mine then.

    And then when she turned around and smiled at me when I told her Ash slept just like me, I could no

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    longer hold my tongue back.

    I confessed.

    All those years bottling it up inside me, I let it out freely.

    And that was the best decision of my life.

    Because not only did a huge shit load of weight moved off my shoulders, but she epted my feelings

    and now we ended up here¡­..

    With me deep inside her sweet tight little cunt.

    She¡¯s warm, wet and felt like home.

    That was what I missed for years. That was what I should¡¯ve fought for instead of being a jerk to her for

    hurting my pride.

    I wasted too many years being a fucking idiot to waste any more time. She was mine tonight. And mine

    every other day after.

    She maybe didn¡¯t know how much I meant those words yet, but I¡¯ll show her. Every day, I will show her

    that she¡¯s my life. Both her and our son.

    And soon to be other kid. I was going to fill her womb tonight and I was going to make sure her womb

    would overflow with

    If she protested then of course I¡¯ll not creampie her, obviously it was her body and she was the one

    who¡¯ll give me the go.

    And I was ready when she will, I was ready to be there for her for all those times I missed. For all those

    first I missed with

    Ashton.

    I¡¯d make it up to her, to them, when I fill her womb with my kid.

    Others might say we were going way too fast but I think we¡¯ve gone way too slow.

    When you¡¯ve loved someone for years and yearned for them, then nothing is too fast.

    I pant, pushing into her pussy. Her walls were wet and felt like silk around me, yet tight as fuck.

    It took a lot to not cum there and then as I¡¯m buried in her warm tightness.

    She wraps around me like a glove, a glove I¡¯d want to have around me forever. But that was

    impossibly¡­

    Having her juices coating every inch of my cock and not washing it off would have to do.

    I slid up inside her wetness, pulled out and then slither back in like a hungry snake. I made sure the

    head of my cock pushed against her g spot and smirked when her pussy quivered and clenched

    around me.

    Naughty little thing was begging me for more.

    I gripped her neck more firmly, making sure to not harm her as I pounded into her from behind. Her

    juicy ass jiggled and I¡¯m tempted to p them.

    But I still wanted to y with those hard little pebbles¡­.

    I¡¯ll be quick¡­

    I smacked her ass and rubbed the sting. She gasped and I¡¯m in bliss.

    The best pussy I¡¯ve ever had the pleasure of being in¡­and it¡¯s nowpletely mine. All of her was

    mine.

    ¡°Oh yes daddy,¡±

    I froze,pletely stunned. Did little Sophie just call me daddy while I was fucking her?

    I smirked. Mama bear was a naughty little thing indeed.

 Chapter 117

    Chapter 117

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    My cock throbs even more inside her sweet tight snatch.

    ¡°Daddy huh,¡± I smirked removing my fingers off her slim neck and to bury them in her hair.

    I gripped those soft strands tightly and tugged until her neck tilted back and a shuddering gasp slip out

    of her mouth when I start to pull my cock out of her weeping pussy.

    ¡°I like it,¡± I ground out and mmed into her, hard and fast. I could see her mouth part as I tilt my head

    in a way to get a view of her. But nothinges out of her mouth.

    I smirk in satisfaction. Good. I stole her breath.

    ¡°Say it again.¡± I demanded gruffly as I gripped her hair as I pound into her addicting snatch. So wet.

    The sound of her juices as my cock push into her over and over was one of the best sounds I¡¯ve ever

    heard. That and the sound of Ashton¡¯s giggles. Hers too.

    ¡°Daddy,¡± She moaned sweetly while she pushed her ass back swallowing my pulsing cock.

    Fuck.

    She was taking what she wanted.

    My smirk widened. There was nothing hotter than seeing Sophie fuck herself on my cock. I was

    enjoying this side of

    My eyes roll down her back, a bit upset that I had not removed the dress off her body first before taking

    her.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    I¡¯d love to see her bare skin one of these days, her bare skin sliding and touching mine.

    Maybeter on. Or maybe another day¡­.

    I¡¯d fulfill that desire and make sure I take it slow with her when

    I do.

    But tonight. Hell, I was not joking when I told her I was a crazed man for her. Having blue balls for days

    while she gave me a bit of hell was only fueling the fire.

    So now getting to finally get some relief and I was like a mad man. Desperation was at an all time high.

    Only Sophie Bell can rouse that kind of emotion in me.

    She was a force to be reckoned with. Only if she knew how much power she had over me.

    I¡¯d show her though¡­

    I¡¯ll show her how much she meant to me.

    I bite back a groan when she continues to fuck herself on my cock, taking me deeper into her sweet

    snatch.

    I should¡¯ve feasted on her pussy before.

    I withdraw my hips and drove back into her her. Her walls mp around me and she squealed.

    I don¡¯t stop. I keep fucking her like my life depended on it. It did.

    I angled my hips in a way that aimed the head of my cock just inches away from that sweet spot inside

    of her that made her purr like a little kitten.

    I thrust, holding myself inside her, the head of my cock brushing the sweet tender spot.

    And she purrs, fueling my desire and craving for her. I pound into her over and over, pushing and

    brushing against that tender spot that made her pussy weep and lick around my length.

    Her moans turn to a higher pitch that told me all what I needed to know. She was close and I was doing

    my job.

    ¡°Baby,¡± I pant, one of my hands sliding down the length of her leg.

    She hums, wing at the counter as if this would help the torture of my fucking.

    I smirked and then guided her to lift her knee on the counter. ¡°I want you to feel my cock as deep as I

    can get inside you.¡± I grunt, gripping her hair with one hand while the other move off her leg to grip her

    slim waist.

    I withdraw my cock, all the way out and the little fucker jerked as if protesting.

    Easy fucker, you¡¯ll get back inside soon.

    ¡°Soph,¡± I grunt trying to catch her attention.

    She was still purring as if she still had my cock inside her. I hope she can still feel me inside her even

    though I¡¯m not.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± She mewled, throwing her ass back as if searching for my eager dick that had not stopped

    jerking in search of her tight little hole.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to fuck you harder and deeper now¡­.¡± I warned, angling my hips in a way that it would be

    easier for my cock to slip in her weeping pussy without me having to hold and guide it.

    Sophie moan in response to my words, and eagerly pushed

    her ass closer to me.

    Fuck.

    That little pussy must be as hungry as my cock.

    ¡°Yes please,¡± She mewled, searching for my cock. I was deliberately evading her tight little hole,

    wanting to make her suffer a little bit for those days of arguments and toture.

    I thought it was only fair for her to feel a little ounce of the pain I felt for a couple of days now.

    Especially when she argued with me.

    Now those times were the worst. Fighting with my mind and dick was a difficult task and I barely made

    it out

    alive¡­..literally.

    I would spot blue balls once I got to the penthouse, and jacking off wasn¡¯t really much of a relief then¡­

    Going slow to make her fall for me clearly wasn¡¯t working, especially if my dick would fall off by the time

    I actually had

    gotten her to realize I loved her then and love her now.

    So thank fuck my mouth decided to spill and confess to her about everything.

    Slow was never my role, and I suppose it was worth not being slow this time around.

    Because.now Sophie was my woman for real. Something I dreamt about for years.

    She was mine.

    ¡°Yes please who?¡± I whispered leaning forward to whisper behind her neck.

    I heard her sharp intake of breath and felt her shudder.

    ¡°Yes daddy,¡± She purred, sticking her ass out and basically begging me to slip back inside her and

    finish the job.

    A smirk crawled on my face and I made a promise there and then to always show Sophie how much

    she meant to me.

    I will promise to worship that body that brought my son into this world. That body that brought me

    pleasure. I¡¯ll worship her every day if I have to.

    And I¡¯ll love her every day too.

    I¡¯ll get on my knees, kiss her feet, pamper her, show her how much the love I have for her was real

    from the start.

    I¡¯ll make her see me in a better light. And not the Aiden I was a few years ago in high school. But the

    Aiden I want to be for

    her and our son.

    ¡°That¡¯s right baby, I¡¯m your daddy,¡± I purred, kissing the back

    of her neck as my cock like a ma, slipped into her hole with one try as I draw my hips forward.

 Chapter 118

    Chapter 118

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    I gripped her strands, pushing into her to the hilt and aiming for her tender spot.

    She shook, wing at the counter but when she finds that it is not enough, she reaches for my hand on

    her waist.

    ¡°I¡¯m your tover,¡± I grunt, withdrawing my cock until the tip was brushing the entrance of her pussy and

    then thrust back in, drawing out a long moan from her lips and a powerful grunt from mine.

    ¡°I¡¯m the man who¡¯s heart is in your hands.¡± I draw out of her soaked pussy, reveling in the feel of her

    walls tugging me back in.

    She felt so damn good. Addictive. How will I be able to stop?

    I thrust back in, letting her scream a little.

    ¡°I¡¯m yours. All of me.¡± I breathed, pulling out only to thrust back in, hard.

    I robbed her of her breath. I can very well hear the sharp intake she took. But she hadn¡¯t breathed out

    yet.

    Until, I picked up my pace and relentlessly pounded into her tight little snatch that gripped me like a

    band of steel.

    ¡°Oh God baby, you¡¯re taking me so good.¡± I said in awe as I work myself inside her tight walls that

    suckled me in.

    Warm. So warm.

    Tight. So tight.

    Addictive. So fucking addictive.

    I withdraw until the tip only tickled the entrance and gave her no time to breathe before ramming into

    her harder.

    ¡°Aiden¡± She moaned. ¡°Oh please keep fucking me.¡±

    I gripped her hair, making her snap her head back and she groaned. Perhaps in pain but she didn¡¯t

    protest so I didn¡¯t stop.

    ¡°What did I tell you to call me?¡± I growled, ramming into her and thrusting on her sweet spot until her

    pussy was quivering in defeat.

    ¡°Eeee!¡± Sophie squealed, reaching behind her for my ass.

    I moved my hand on her waist and smacked the juicy flesh of her ass. ¡°What did I tell you to call me

    Sophie!?¡± I growled, angling my hips, brought my hand back to her waist and m into her like a real

    crazed man.

    ¡°Daddy!¡± She yelped, her other hand wing at the counter helplessly as if this would save her from my

    elerating

    movements.

    ¡°Daddy!¡± She moaned again, her body shuddering.

    ¡°That¡¯s right baby, take my cock!¡± I growled.

    With the tip of my cock purposely brushing her g spot, Sophie¡¯s moans were growing loudly. So loud

    that it was a bit

    concerning. I didn¡¯t want us to wake up Ashton.

    Especially if I wasn¡¯t so sure I would be able to stop pounding his mother to allow her to check up on

    him.

    Our little bug will have to sleep through our noise.

    My hand on her waist move and I reach around her to cup her mouth.

    Her moans are muffled but they¡¯re uneven now as I ram my cock into her harder.

    We¡¯re both trembling.

    Sweating.

    Shuddering with pleasure. But I can¡¯t stop taking her. And I¡¯m actually shocked that my cock has held

    up for this long.

    Because the first feel of Sophie¡¯s pussy had my balls tugging already. I¡¯m just surprised I had not cum

    inside her as yet.

    My dick knew how to act tonight. The fucker wanted to stay inside her as long as we can.

    And I can¡¯t be mad about that. Hell, I hope that damn thing will hold up like this every night. Because

    when we put our son to sleep, I¡¯m sliding first thing back inside my warm home.

    I¡¯m going to get coocooned and I don¡¯t give a fuck if this would be an unhealthy amount of fucking for

    just starting our rtionship.

    Fuck that shit. I¡¯m taking my woman every night. Slow isn¡¯t in our dictionary.

    Fast on the other hand¡­

    ¡°Daddy!¡± Sophie muffled voice was clear enough for me to hear her call me daddy.

    A shot of pleasure crawl down my spine, curling inside my body until it reached the base of my balls.

    Fuck.

    And just as I was praising this fucker for not giving up on me early into the fight. Here he goes, ready to

    give up the fight and surrender to Sophie¡¯s addictive pussy.

    I moaned, pounding into her so hard and deep that there was literally nothing else of me to give. I was

    buried within her. Deep. Deep.

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    Fuck!

    ¡°Sophie,¡± I growled, my balls tightening. Fuck hold up you fucker.

    Her tight little snatch squeeze around me as if answering me.

    I let her mouth go, slowing down my strokes until I was literally massaging her pussy walls.

    She¡¯s beginning to tremble, her pussy was relentlessly clenching around me too¡­.

    She was close.

    Close to the heaven I wanted to bring us both.

    ¡°Ohh you¡¯re so deep,¡± She said gasping as I stroked inside

    her, rolling my hips and tilting up so that I can bury to the hilt.

    ¡°I want to cum in your womb Sophie,¡± I confessed, clutching her waist as if in fear she¡¯d literally run

    away now that my voice is giving away what I really want to do.

    She moaned, pushing her ass back. ¡°Then do it,¡± She purred, baiting me, coaxing me to milk her

    insides with my load.

    My heart spikes. She¡¯s giving me permission¡­.

    But first I need to make sure she understands what I want to

    ¡°I want you round and ripe with me. That¡¯s why I want to cum in your womb Soph. If you don¡¯t want

    that, now is the time to say so.¡± I warned her, my teeth clenching when a sharp tingle of pleasure crawl

    down my spine and to meet my balls once again.

    Sophie moaned, wing at the counter helplessly.

    I looked down between us, watching in satisfaction and pleasure as my cock gleamed with her pussy

    juice when I withdraw from her gripping cunt.

    My balls tug.

    Oh I¡¯m fucking close. She needs to answer now or I¡¯m not sure I can hold off any longer.

    1 stroke inside her, throwing my head back and clenching my eyes and jaw when her pussy gripped me

    and then¡­

    ¡°Feed me everyst drop. Full me until I no longer have any room left.¡± She panted, her hands curling

    behind her and

    searching for my ass. She gripped it, pulling me into her.

    ¡°Fuck!¡± I roared mming into her so hard, so rough she could only gasp. I buried deep, my tip rubbing

    against her

    womb.

    I buried deeper until there was no more left to bury. I gripped her hair and then grunt. ¡°You¡¯re my

    woman Sophie.¡±

    My cock jerked and hot shoots of my cum pour into her like a fucking hose fulling a bucket. And when

    her pussy purred around my length, suckling me as she came around me, I shoot another load into her,

    my legs shaking furiously.

    I full her so much so that my hot shoots of cum is now trickling out of her.

 Chapter 119

    Chapter 119

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    My upper body copse onto the countertop, my palms spread on either side of my head as I try to

    breathe properly.

    I feel like butter¡­.

    I don¡¯t even feel my bones.

    Aiden had fucked me so hard that all I could feel was him and my beating heart. The rest¡­. I wasn¡¯t

    even sure if my legs now work.

    The only thing holding me up was Aiden pressing into me with his cock still buried deep inside me.

    His cock was still, after a minute has passed, shooting cum inside me. I wasn¡¯t sure his balls could

    have held so much until I literally felt full and heavy.

    I sighed as he leans over me, not crushing me, but close enough so that I can feel the heat of his body.

    I¡¯m not sure why I had agreed to let him cum inside me and potentially get pregnant for him¡­.

    It was way to fast and we only just started this rtionship only an hour ago.

    Hell, we just started trying, we hadn¡¯t even have a proper date

    yet.

    But even with all those red annoying signs that people

    normally raise¡­.I didn¡¯t care.

    I simply didn¡¯t care.

    I didn¡¯t care that we were going fast.

    I didn¡¯t care if we went on a damn date yet. We¡¯ve already. skipped to second base anyway.

    I didn¡¯t care that I might get pregnant.

    Everyone¡¯s rtionship was different and somehow that seems to work out for Aiden and I.

    Besides, I wanted his seed too.

    ¡°Mama bear¡­.you have quite a pussy,¡± Aiden joked and kissed my shoulder and pushed off of my

    back.

    He slowly started to pull out his cock from my pussy and I

    moan.

    When he was all the way out, I could feel that he had taken some of his seed with him.

    I heard the faint sound of it falling on the tiled floor.

    Aiden groans and I gasped when his fingers suddenly started painting on my pussy lips and entrance.

    Was he really trying to push the cum back inside?

    I smiled sleepily.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I breathed out.

    He hums as if a bit preupied at the moment. He was too

    15 504

    10410

    busy pushing his cum back inside my pussy.

    I wanted to roll my eyes but I felt sozy too. Damn, Aiden really did a number on me this time.

    ¡°I think you¡¯ve poured a lot into me already. I don¡¯t think it would be an issue if some slip out a bit.¡± I

    joked only to moaned when he pped my clit lightly. I jerked forward a little when he does it again.

    ¡°Keep my cum inside your pussy would you?¡± He grumble, smacking my clit again so softly that it felt

    like being touched by a feather.

    ¡°My cum only belong in your pussy and no where else.¡± He continued and went back to ¡®pushing the

    cum back¡¯ inside

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I groaned.

    ¡°I have a confession to make Sophie,¡± Aiden said when he was done pushing his cum back inside me.

    His words piqued my interest and I peel my upper half off the counter and looked at him over my

    shoulder.

    His face screamed it.

    ¡°You know, when I fucked you in the office at Harrington.co. I purposely came inside you and I¡¯m sorry

    for that. In my mind, I wanted revenge but my dick had other ns of iming you and impregnating

    you. I know I was wrong in doing that without your permission.¡± He confessed sheepishly.

    I narrowed my eyes and turn around to face him fully. He cringes slightly as if knowing I was about to

    scold him.

    ¡°You also treated me like shit that day too,¡± I grumble usingly which made him wince, his eyes

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    swirling with regret.

    I remember how hurt I had been when he had said those words to me and I still feel a bit saddened by

    them.

    His eyes dimmed. The look of regret swirling deeply in his

    irises.

    ¡°Soph, dammit,¡± He groaned and lifted his hand in his hair to tug his strands.

    ¡°I hadn¡¯t meant a single word I said that day. I was still furious with what happened and didn¡¯t think

    properly before saying those dumb words.¡± He said.

    He takes a step forward until he¡¯s pressing to me and my back presses against the counter.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry about everything I said to you in the past Soph. I hadn¡¯t meant them. It¡¯s easy to say sorry

    but it¡¯s hard to earn forgiveness. I¡¯ll work every day to show you that those words I said tonight hold

    more weight than those mean words I said to you in the past.¡± He said with a heavy tone of regret and

    promise.

    ¡°I love you baby, I want to wipe those mean words clean out of your head. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s impossible

    to, but I will start tonight.¡± He murmurs and pushes off of me a little.

    ¡°Come on, give me a good sock.¡± He said and lifted his hand and tapped his finger on his cheek.

    My brows knot. Confused.

    ¡°What?¡± I voiced out my confusion.

    He leaned his head and tapped his cheek again. ¡°Punch me Sophie. I deserve it for those words I told

    you that day in the office.¡±

    My eyes widen.

    Was he crazy?

    ¡°What!? No!¡± I shook my head.

    ¡°Do it Soph. I know you¡¯ve wanted to do that since high school. I want you to do it now. It¡¯s just a little

    I shook my head while fixing my clothes back in ce.

    Aiden was a crazed man for real if he thought I¡¯d punch him.

    ¡°Do it Sophie. I deserve it. For all those words I told you in the past. Hell, I said some nasty shit to you

    in the office just a couple of days ago. I deserve worst than a punch to the face. I deserve hell.¡± Aiden

    said staring at me deeply.

    ¡°Do it Soph,¡± He whispered when I shook my head no.

    I shook my head again.

    ¡°Fucking do it Sophie,¡± He grunts.

    He repeats until I grow frustrated, pull my fisted hand back and then connected it with his jaw and lip.

    His head throw back and he grunts.

    My eyes widen. Oh shit.

    ¡°Aiden!?¡± I began to panic as he cups his mouth and whines.

    ¡°Fuck mama bear, you have a mean right hook.¡± He groans, pulling his hand away and looks down at

    his fingers.

    They were coated with blood.

    I cupped his hand and stared at his busted lip, fear crawling in my body. Oh God, what did I do?

    ¡°I told you I didn¡¯t want to do it.¡± I panicked, leaving him and running towards the fridge while his cum

    drops out of me.

    I pulled the freezer open and looked for something frozen. There were some frozen strawberries in a

    packet so I took it

    and rushed back over to Aiden.

    He had washed the blood off when I got there and when I ce the frozen pack of strawberries on his

    lip to his jaw, he

    chuckles.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take more punches from you if I get to have you take care of me and fuss over me like this,¡± He

    winked.

 Chapter 120

    Chapter 120

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    After I helped Aiden with his bruised jaw and burst open lip, we both took a warm shower together after

    checking up on Ashton.

    When we were done, we both crawled into the bed, Aiden behind me while I¡¯m beside Ash.

    Aiden¡¯s arm slings around my middle and he holds my stomach, his thumb flickering soothing circles on

    my skin.

    ¡°Sophie.¡± He whispered, his hot breath hitting the nape of my neck.

    Little tiny goosebumps raise on my skin.

    ¡°Yeah?¡± I replied lowly as he pulled me closer to him and ced his mouth at the back of my neck.

    ¡°Is it crazy that I¡¯ve fallen madly in love with you all over again. tonight?¡± He asked, his voice rocking

    with all the emotions I

    wanted to hear.

    Love was clear in his voice. That one stood out the most.

    I smiled, my heart leaping. ¡°No. It¡¯s not crazy at all¡­.because I¡¯ve fallen in love with you all over again

    too.¡± I admitted.

    There was just something about tonight. His words, the look in his eyes, the vulnerability, the way he

    took my body¡­.

    Something was different, a good different.

    ¡°I love you Sophie,¡± He whispered kissing my neck.

    I closed my eyes for a few, reveling in the sensation of his

    tender kiss.

    ¡°I love you too Aiden,¡± Those three words I have never said to any other man tumbled out of my mouth.

    They felt right. They felt true.

    Aiden pulls me even closer, spooning me and kisses my neck again. ¡°I love it when you smell like me.¡±

    He confessed with a tiny moan.

    I cracked a grin. I had no shower gel or shampoo that I brought with me because I didn¡¯t know I¡¯d

    spend the night here. So I had to use his.

    And now I smell like Aiden.

    Weirdly, I think I love smelling like him too.

    Secondster after his confession a light snore slipped out his throat. He had fallen asleep.

    And I was close too. With a grin still curving my lips, I fell asleep right after Aiden and woke up by the

    crack of dawn.

    Aiden arm was still looped around me when I woke up. Ashton had managed to roll a bit further away

    from us which wasn¡¯t much of a surprise. Somehow he loved sleeping close to edge but magically

    never topple to the floor.

    Aiden¡¯s arm suddenly tightened around my stomach and he groan softly. ¡°Go back to sleep mama

    bear.¡±

    It was like hismand took over my body because soon after I fell back asleep and woke up when

    the sun was streaming through the half open blinds.

    I narrowed my eyes and rolled over then froze when I saw the bedpletely empty. No signs of

    Ashton or Aiden.

    My heart leapt rapidly.

    In a bit of a haze from being a little bit exhausted still, I got off the bed, not even wincing when my bare

    feet touched the cold tiles and sped out the door.

    When I¡¯m nearing the living and kitchen area, I can hear a few giggles and Aiden¡¯sughter and my

    heart calmed down a bit.

    I didn¡¯t want to admit it outloud, nor was I proud that, that ugly thought of him leaving me and taking

    Ash crossed my mind.

    I felt terrible of assuming such. Ashamed that my thoughts had trailed in that direction.

    I slowed down so I can give my heart a bit of time to get under control before facing him.

    When I do however appear in the kitchen, Aiden¡¯s eyes were the first to meet mine. They shone

    brightly. Not stormy and fogged with anger.

    But bright with happiness and love.

    They make my breath hitch.

    Aiden points a finger at me and look down at Ashton who was seated on the counter with a ss bowl

    with eggs between

    his legs. His little fingers clutch around a huge wooden spoon as he tries to stir the eggs.

    ¡°Look little bugger. Mama hase to join us and help with making breakfast.¡± Aiden uttered, smiling

    widely as he swept his gaze back over to me.

    ¡°Now I know you¡¯re not the best chef, but daddy will help you learn to at least make scramble eggs.¡± He

    joked, winking at

    I smiled, walking further into the kitchen and then when I am beside them, I lean down to kiss Ashton¡¯s

    head. ¡°Good morning little bug,¡± I whispered, but little Ash was too busy ¡®stirring¡¯ the eggs to even

    spare me a nce far less answer

    Straightening, I am suddenly tugged by the ends of Aiden¡¯s huge shirt swallowing my body towards him

    until my front is pressing aagainst his.

    ¡°Hey, where is my good morning kiss?¡± Aiden pouted.

    I giggled, my smile widening.

    I reach on my tip toes, my arms looping around his neck, his hands go to my waist, digging into my skin

    and burning me with his touch.

    I sighed.

    I loved this feeling.

    Aiden leans down and I lift on my tip toes so I can connect my lips with his half way.

    The kiss is sweet and short, making my toes curl.

    I pulled away and looked at him beneath myshes.

    ¡°Goodmorning, daddy,¡± I stretched on the word daddy, knowing very well what I was doing to him when

    I felt the jerking of his cock on my stomach.

    His mouth curved into a smirk and he draw his lips to my ear, whispering. ¡°You¡¯re naughty little Soph.¡±

    He bit my earlobe lightly.

    ¡°Behave in front of our son.¡± He pinched my waist lightly and pulled away from me after giving me a

    peck on my nose.

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    I giggled and Aiden pecked my lips before joking. ¡°Nowe on, let daddy show you how to make

    some eggs.¡±

    His face reared a very radiant grin that somehow made him look even more handsome than he already

    was.

    He nudged his head to Ash and the bowl. ¡°We already have a little helper. Hopefully he didn¡¯t add too

    much salt like his moma did.¡± Aiden snorted and took a step back just seconds before I try to smack his

    chest.

    I rolled my eyes yet giggled.

    For the next ten minutes or so, Aiden, Ash and I prepared breakfast which was some scrambled eggs,

    some sd, sausage and toast.

    It was a basic breakfast yet the process was fun and only made me fall in love with Aiden even more

    with the way he acted with Ashton. You could spot the pure look of love on his face, his eyes shinning

    brightly whenever they fell on his son.

    I didn¡¯t know it was even possible to fall more in love with someone. But Aiden proved me wrong.

 Chapter 121

    Chapter 121

    Sophie pov

    ¡°What?¡± I asked shyly, as I looked at him beneath myshes while forking through some scrambled

    eggs.

    Aiden¡¯s staring at me with an awe look for five minutes straight already. Even Ash has been trying to

    get his attention but to no avail.

    Aiden¡¯s eyes were practically glued on me.

    ¡°You¡¯re so damn beautiful Sophie. How did I get this lucky?¡± He asked in a bit of a whisper, his head

    tilting.

    ¡°Why did I wait this long?¡± He murmured shaking his head as if a bit bbergasted that he waited this

    long to tell me how he felt.

    I tucked some hair behind my ears and looked at him a bit flustered. Okay a lot flustered. My cheeks

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    were so hot I could fry an egg on them.

    I was exaggerating but don¡¯t we all once in a while?

    I¡¯m about to answer him, probably make a fool out of myself when his phone rang.

    I rose to my feet and walked over to him and Ash and pried Ash from his hands so Aiden would be able

    to take the phone with no problem.

    I kiss Ashton¡¯s head and returned to my seat. Aiden answers the phone and talks roughly to whomever

    was on the

    receiving end.

    I wince inwardly.

    With how he treated me and Ash, especially me yesterday arst night all to now, made me forget that

    he was supposedly the blue eyed devil everyone feared.

    I stared at him and tilted my head slightly as I pondered on my thoughts.

    I wonder what made him turn out to be this way?

    Yes he was always ruled by his emotions and was always one to get frustrated quickly but he was

    never this bad before.

    He almost seemed frustrated to be the Ceo.

    I could not help but notice this the few days I got to work wit him.

    Speaking about work¡­

    Aiden ends the call and let out a frustrated breath, seeming t be peeved about something.

    ¡°About work?¡± I asked softly, wishing I could relieve some of that tension I could somehow sense

    weighing down on his shoulders.

    Aiden¡¯s blue eyes lift to mine, I¡¯m surprised they¡¯re still warm yet, there¡¯s a hint of irritation. But I know

    that emotion was not for me, so I didn¡¯t feel upset about it.

    ¡°Yes. I can¡¯t catch a break.¡± He grumbles, pushing the phone back in his pocket and outstretched his

    hands, silently telling

    me to give Ashton back to him.

    I have noticed something about Aiden recently, especially when it concerns Ashton, he never seems to

    want to part ways. He always wants Ash close to him.

    That was something I can¡¯t help but fond over. It was adorable and such a trait anyone would want a

    dad to have.

    ¡°What time do you leave for work? I¡¯ll try to pack up Ash and I¡¯s clothes quickly and you can drop us off

    at the apartment on your way.¡± I said as I got up and gave Ash to him.

    Ashton hugs his dad as if finally happy to be back in his arms. My eyes narrowed.

    What a little traitor. I¡¯m already reced.

    ¡°No. I¡¯m not going to the office today and you¡¯re not either. We will spend the day together again.¡±

    Aiden said and had my ears perking up and my mouth gaping.

    ¡°But don¡¯t you need to be at Harrington.co today for that important meeting with the Xio¡¯s?¡± I asked in

    worry.

    Missing such a meeting didn¡¯t sound like a good idea.

    Aiden¡¯s brow lifted and his eyes twinkled with amusement. ¡°Look who¡¯s been doing her homework. I¡¯m

    impressed mama bear.¡± He joked, winking at the end of his teasing words.

    I rolled my eyes, huffed and walked back to my seat. ¡°Well my arrogant annoying boss made sure to

    tell me to study every single thing on that paper and memorize it.¡±

    Aidenughs and winked. ¡°Well then you didn¡¯t disappoint.¡±

    I rolled my eyes and then sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t think it would be a good idea to miss this meeting Aiden. We

    can spend another day some other time.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m spending the day with my little family Sophie. You twoe first. Always. I won¡¯t change my mind

    so drop it.¡± Aiden replied.

    I let out a breath, knowing fully well that he meant every word and there was no possible way for me to

    persuade him otherwise.

    *Sergio¡¯s pov*

    ¡°Come in,¡± I said as I drawled out a puff of smoke from the cigar and took a step back from the ss

    wall and turned around when the door thrust open.

    I stared at my professional personal private investigator.

    It¡¯s early in the morning, not even six thirty yet. He better have something good for me foring at my

    house so early.

    My eyes fall to the file in his hand and approach him.

    ¡°Did you get what I asked for?¡± I asked and lift the cigar to my lips to draw another puff of smoke.

    He nod, and outstretched his hand with the file. ¡°There is everything you need to know about Sophie

    Bell in this file.¡±

    He said and gave me the said file.

    I opened it while locking the the cigar between my teeth and

    pried one of the papers. It was a birth certificate. Sophie Bell¡¯s birth certificate.

    I walked to the desk in my study and ce the paper on the surface and shift through the others.

    When I grasp the fourth paper, it wasn¡¯t a paper. It was a photo.

    A photo taken a few years ago.

    I remember that day like it was yesterday. Such an embarrassment for the family. Aiden was lucky I

    had saved him from such a fate.

    I stared closely at the girl on the stand and I froze.

    Now I know why she seemed so familiar¡­

    Of course, why am I not surprised? Now a lot made sense, especially how old the child looked to be.

    Sophie Bell was the one who caused Aiden to be sentence in jail at such a young age. She was the

    one who caused everything.

    And now she¡¯s back in his life¡­

    I clench the photo in my hand tightly until the blood drained from my fingers.

    Why was she back?

    Why was she here?

    Did shee to ruin him more?

    Did shee to destroy him and thepany?

    That girl was a walking karmic being who destroyed two teenage boys life.

    Now she¡¯s back in one of their lives, and nothing good will obviouslye out of it.

    That whore must¡¯ve seen those tabloids about Aiden online, recognized him and came to New York to

    get a piece of Harrington.co and tie Aiden down.

    Or¡­.

    She came to finish the job and destroy his life for good.

    ¡°That¡¯s the only photo we could get from that day or the ident in general. Your grandson was smart

    enough to clear out the clutter quickly. But I was quicker.¡± Ned said.

    I grit my teeth and barked. ¡°Get me Rodrigo, I need him to call Aiden and get him to his office now!¡±

 Chapter 122

    Chapter 122

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    We continued to eat breakfast only for a few minutester for his phone to start ringing again.

    This time Aiden grunted a low curse which made me shoot

    him an angry dagger. He winces and pulls out his phone while avoiding my angry gaze.

    ¡°What?¡± He barked.

    He stays silent for a few but then his eyes began to swirl with that storm I thought he had gotten rid of.

    I shiver, feeling sorry for the person on the other line.

    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll be there in a few.¡± He hissed angrily and ends the

    call.

    My stomach drops a little with disappointment at his words but then I realized I shouldn¡¯t be. He was

    after all the boss and should always be present at the workce.

    Aiden looks at me apologetically. ¡°I¡¯m sorry mama bear, there¡¯s a bit of trouble at the office I need to

    see to. I promise to get back as soon as possible. Do you mind waiting for me here baby?¡±

    His eyes softened considerably when his focus was on me. Gone was the storm, but irritation still

    swirled through his blue pools.

    He looked to hold a bit fear that I would say no.

    Which was a bit mindblowing that he truly wanted to spend time with Ash and I so much.

    I nod. ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll call the girls to let them know I won¡¯t being today.¡±

    A grin smeared on his face, one that had my stomach twisting with tiny wild butterflies.

    ¡°Spend the night too.¡± His bottom lip draws between his teeth and he bites down on the plump flesh.

    I bit the inside of my bottom lip. ¡°I don¡¯t know Aiden¡­¡± I drawled.

    We were already moving so quickly and I would be lying if I¡¯ didn¡¯t feel a bit scared that this won¡¯t work

    out with the speed we were going at.

    Aiden¡¯s eyes dimmed a bit but he still held that warm soft tone when he utters. ¡°I want us to be a family

    Soph. You, Ashton and me. I want us to live together too.¡±

    His eyes fall on my stomach area. ¡°I want to be there for you this time around. Every step of the way. I

    don¡¯t want to miss a single thing.¡±

    I chewed on my lips.

    ¡°Aiden. What if-

    ¡°If you¡¯re going to say what if this doesn¡¯t work out, don¡¯t. This will work out Sophie. I¡¯ve been dreaming

    about you for years, and now that I finally got you. I will do everything and I mean everything in my

    power to make sure that I keep you.¡± He promised, his eyes portraying such.

    My heart thuds loudly.

    There is no reason for me to not believe him, especially with the way his eyes portrayed such honesty.

    Eyes were the windows of his soul, and if it showed so much honesty then who am I to say it¡¯s false?

    ¡°Okay,¡± I breathed out, blushing under his heavy stare.

    He rose to his feet, holding Ash and approached me. He ces Ash on myp and then leaned down

    to give me a chaste sweet peck on my lips.

    ¡°I love you Soph. And I¡¯m going to repeat those words for the rest of my life.¡± He murmurs.

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    My stomach was heavy with regret foring to Harrington.co instead of staying with my little family.

    Hell, I rather stay at the penthouse the entire week with Sophie and Aiden instead ofing back here.

    Those two¡­.they brought me more pleasure and sanity than that damn business Sergio forced me

    into.

    And sure money made the world go round but I didn¡¯t lie to Sophie when I said they meant more to me

    than paper.

    In all honesty if I had the choice to quit being the Ceo of thepany I would. But with Sergio down my

    neck and the remembrance of those papers I signed to get out of jail

    early¡­..there was no possible way to step down unless I go through thew.

    Which would be on Sergio¡¯s side.

    My jaw tightened as I burst through the door to my office and mmed it shut.

    Those damn fuckers messed up some legal documents that could put the business in trouble.

    If they hadn¡¯t messed up I would have still been with my little family¡­.enjoying their presence and

    getting great pleasure by just staring at them.

    My little family¡­.

    I wonder what they were doing now that I¡¯m not there¡­

    My penthouse was a bit boring, like how my life was when she was not in the picture.

    But now that she was here to stay, I would hope she¡¯d ssh a few of her personality in the penthouse.

    Like I told her before I left, I wanted her and Ashton to stay

    with me.

    I wanted to see them before I go to sleep, before the break of dawn, when I got home, before I

    leave¡­..I want to be able to smell their scent in the air inside the penthouse. I wanted their scent to

    follow me wherever I go.

    That¡¯s how bad I loved and craved my little family. They were my life.

    A sudden thought pushed into my head and I scratched my chin thoughtfully.

    Maybe I can persuade her to stay for more than a night. Maybe I can persuade her to live with me.

    I took the phone out of my pocket and dialed the best flower shop in New York.

    ¡°Good day, how may we be of assistance?¡± A woman asked on the other end.

    ¡°I¡¯d like to ce an order of a hundred red roses to be delivered at-¡± I told them my address and the

    building where I reside.

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Woah you guys are moving fast!¡± M gasped after I told her that Aiden had confessed that he loved

    me all along.

    I also told her that I told him how I felt too and that we were trying out to be a family like she suggested.

    She was happy about this¡­

    But was a bit shocked when I mentioned that he wanted a baby, we both did and that he asked me to

    stay with him. I also told her about him mentioning that the engagement was real¡­

    Now that stunned her.

    I winced at her words and shifted Ashton on my hip while

    holding the phone between my ear and shoulder, while the other hand opened the draw in Aiden¡¯s

    room so I could ce my clothes in there.

    But when I did and looked down, my heart skipped a beat when my eyes peer down at a picture frame.

    That picture was of me¡­in highschool. It was an unexpected photo and I don¡¯t remember taking it.

    It looked like someone took it without my knowledge as I sat under a tree while studying. You could

    only see the side of my face but anyone who knew me would notice it was me right away.

    ¡°Hey M, I¡¯ll call you back.¡± I said.

    ¡°Okay. Ria and I will visitter this afternoon. See you then.¡±

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°See youter.¡± I respond and end the call.

    I picked up the picture frame, my brows pinching. Ashton¡¯s hand smacked against the ss lightly.

    ¡°Did your dad take this photo of me Ash?¡± I asked in confusion while I looked down at the photo.

    Was this the photo Sergio was referring to? If so¡­why did Aiden lie to me?

 Chapter 123

    Chapter 123

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Dada take photo,¡± Ashton giggles smacking his palm on the photo frame.

    He smacked it again, giggling louder.

    I gnaw on my lips as I continue to scrutinize the photo.

    My hair had been left in a bit of messy curls that day and I had tuck a few behind my ears, revealing th

    side of my face he captured.

    ¡°I suppose he did Ash,¡± I whispered, not sure how to feel about this.

    I remember this day specifically. It was my birthday and Aiden had taunted me about how much of a

    baby I was when he threw my cupcake M brought for me and I cried.

    I hadter gone to the field and sat down to study to take my mind off his taunts and the fact that I

    hadn¡¯t gotten a chance to taste M¡¯s cupcake.

    I knew I felt a peircing stare on me the entire time, but didn¡¯t bother to turn to look. I was after all on the

    field and it could¡¯ve been any one of the boys.

    Turns out¡­.it was Aiden after all.

    I wonder why he took that photo?

    And even more confused on why he kept it with him. He even framed it.

    I ce the picture frame back in the draw and closed it. Lifting my hand, I bit the ends of my nails as I

    contemted if to call him and ask him about this or not.

    I shook my head.

    No¡­

    I probably shouldn¡¯t. He did mention there was a crisis at work, I shouldn¡¯t disturb him for such trivial

    things.

    But then¡­

    He hasn¡¯t called yet to notify me that he got there safe and it has been more than thirty minutes since

    he left¡­.

    I groan.

    Did he really need to notify me about such things though?

    We are a couple, and couples do these things right?

    I smacked my head, startling Ashton.

    He then giggles at me and I smiled.

    ¡°I guess it won¡¯t be bad to check up on your dad Ash bug.¡± I said and took my phone.

    My thumb had just hovered over the call button when I heard the sound of the buzzer.

    My brows knot.

    Was someone at the door?

    It goes off again and I took a step back while looking at

    Ashton in confusion.

    Was Aiden expecting someone over? If so, why didn¡¯t he inform me?

    ¡°Let¡¯s see who¡¯s at the door bug.¡± I said, fixing him on my hip and walking out of the room and headed

    for the entrance door.

    I peer through the little peephole and my brows knot even more when I saw an unfamiliar man holding

    a bouquet of red roses in his hand.

    Was he lost?

    Not wanting to seem rude by ignoring him, I opened the door and smiled at him politely.

    ¡°Yes?¡± I asked with a tilt of my head when I noticed him looking to his left.

    I try to discreetly look to the left too but the man asked. ¡°Sophie Bell?¡±

    I snap my eyes back over to him, my brows furrowing more when the guy knew my name.

    ¡°Yes that¡¯s me.¡±

    The man smiled brightly, shing his pearly white teeth.¡± These are for you.¡± He stretched out his hand

    and hands me the bouquet of red roses.

    ¡°Oh,¡± I murmured in surprise, only to be stunned by his next words.

    ¡°And these are also for you,¡± He stepped aside and a

    woman steps forward with another bouquet of red roses. These were in a pretty ss vase.

    Was she the one he stared at? She dide from the left.

    Not able to hold them all with one hand, I took a step back and nudged the door to open it wider.

    ¡°You can ce them-

    I stopped when another man with another ss vase filled with those same red roses came over and

    ced the vase on the floor. Another man came after him with the same roses in his hand and did the

    same.

    After a good ten minutes or so, red roses filled the entire living space of Aiden¡¯s penthouse, stunning

    me into silence.

    The air smelled like roses, the bright red was like an ocean in the living room space.

    The man who handed me the first bouquet of roses, smiled at me brightly showcasing those whites that

    I grew jealous of.

    Bell.¡±

    ¡°Hope you loved this sweet surprise from your fiance Mrs.

    My heart skips. I had an inkling it was Aiden who did such a sweet thing. My eyes misted as I nod.

    The man and I suppose his coworkers left soon after, clos- ing the door behind them. After I went over

    to lock the door, I turned around to stare at the red, roses that filled the entire

    area.

    It really did look like a red sea.

    My heart squeezes, gushing at Aiden¡¯s sweet surprise.

    I chew on my lips as I brush through the little space I have left to walk, gawking at the flowers and

    smiled silly.

    ¡°Oh Ash, look at what your daddy surprised me with!¡± I giggled making Ash giggle too.

    I bend down a little to pry one of the roses from the vase and brought it to my nose. I inhaled the sweet

    aroma, smiling happily.

    Who would¡¯ve thought Aiden was such a romantic guy.

    I never took him as one honestly. He seemed so cold be- fore, so angry all the time.

    But he showed me that he had a different side of him. One that I have fallen even more in love with.

    I brought the rose to Ashton¡¯s nose as I fix him on my hip. ¡°Take a whiff of it baby.¡± I instructed him and

    twirled him

    around.

    We bothughed with joy.

    I had never felt so happy before. Never felt so carefree.

    ¡°Does it smell good Ash?¡± I asked as I stopped spinning us around.

    Ash nods. ¡°Uh hum,¡± And tries to grab the rose from my hand.

    I give it to him, smiling brightly when his eyes lightened

    I looked around, smiling so wide my cheeks hurt. But then in a vase ced in the far corner of the

    room, was what looked like a white note tucked between the red buds.

    ¡°Did your daddy give me a love note Ash bug?!¡± I nearly screamed, my heart thudding.

    It may sound silly but I never went through all of those ro- mantic gestures before.

    I only had one boyfriend before and that was Carson. Bless his heart and may he rest in peace. But, he

    was never this romantic during our very short rtionship that should have never happened in the first

    ce.

    Aiden was the first to do this, something my silly heart craved for one day. And I¡¯m d it¡¯s him. I¡¯m

    d he¡¯s the one doing this.

    I found my way through the roses and when I got to that note, I picked it up with trembling fingers and

    lift it so I could read what¡¯s written.

    It¡¯s a pretty cursive writing, and beautiful words that made a few tears trail down my cheeks.

    ¡®You¡¯ve managed to crawl into my heart Sophie, a long time ago. And I¡¯ll have you in my heart forever.

    Love Aiden.¡¯

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    I smiled goofily.

    ¡°Oh Aiden I love you too.¡± I whispered but then suddenly another buzz cracked through the silence.

    My brows furrowed.

    Is it another surprise?

    I began to smile again and made my way to the door, this time not bothering peeking through the

    peephole and opened the door.

    Only for my smile to slip and for my heart to stop.

    Standing in front of me was Sergio with his two body- guards by his side.

 Chapter 124

    Chapter 124

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Mr. Harring-ton?¡± I stuttered, a bit baffled to see him

    here.

    I nervously looked at his stoic cold face, my insides freez- ing by the mere weight of it.

    Gosh that man really doesn¡¯t like me.

    ¡°Stuttering like an idiot. Are you going to let me in or gaze at me like an illiterate?¡± He said curtly with

    no emotion in his voice.

    I blinked. And then blinked again.

    I had an option to send him away for being rude to me and expect a good greeting in return.

    But then I stupidly thought that maybe if I spoke to him nicely and acted nicely, perhaps maybe the old

    man would grow to like me and would support Aiden and I¡¯s rtionship.

    But boy was I wrong¡­.

    I forced on a smile though it cracked with fakeness as I opened the door and ushered him toe in.

    He looks around the living room area and his nose turned up as he took a step in.

    ¡°In here has an odd stench.¡± He said bluntly and closed the door behind him.

    I looked at him a bit confused. ¡°Oh, aren¡¯t you inviting the two men toe in too?¡±

    No. They¡¯re my bodyguards, I don¡¯t need them in here.¡± Sergio said, skimming his cold eyes over my

    figure.

    His eyes stopped on Ashton who was busy ying with the rose in his hand. Sergio looked displeased.

    ¡°The child didn¡¯t go to school.¡± His tone held a scowl and his face tightened.

    I smiled awkwardly, the coldness in his tone and gaze get- ting to me a little. ¡°No. The teacher

    suggested that we leave him home for a few days to get a hundred percent.¡±

    Sergio nods, his lips curling and he red at me.

    ¡°Sorry toe on such a short notice.¡±

    He didn¡¯t sound sorry at all. Especially with the way he looked at me in disgust.

    Still, my foster mother taught me to respect my elders, so I answered him without hostility, very

    opposite of how he spoke to me. ¡°No that¡¯s fine. Though I will let you know that Aiden isn¡¯t here, he

    went to the office.¡±

    Sergio nose turned up in a snotty way. ¡°That¡¯s fine, I didn¡¯te for Aiden.¡±

    The smile left my face as my brows furrowed in clueless- ness. ¡°Oh,¡±

    Sergio looks around, ring at the red roses.

    If it was possible, his stare would¡¯ve killed those roses in

    seconds.

    ¡°About yesterday¡¯s breakfast Mr. Harrington. I am truly sorry for how I responded to you after Ashton

    threw those-

    I stopped when those steely eyes fall on me and daggered me with irritation and held back fury.

    Okay then¡­..he didn¡¯t like to be reminded of what hap- pened and what was said.

    I bit my tongue and looked away from him awkwardly and a bit on alert since he didn¡¯te here for

    Aiden.

    There were two buff men outside and I held Ash in my arms. There was no way I could fight off free

    men, Aiden¡¯s grandfather included.

    I know my thoughts had drifted into a dark ce but it was clear Sergio hated me. A powerful man like

    Sergio who despised someone could do anything without getting caught.

    I was alone.

    ¡°Sophie Bell,¡± His lips curved into a smirk when he got the reaction he wanted. I froze.

    ¡°Went to the same high school as my grandson¡­.¡± He trailed off and looked around the room again,

    and scowled.

    My heart thuds as the blood drained from my face.

    I knew Sergio was smart and powerful enough to put two and two together quickly. I just didn¡¯t know

    that he would¡¯ve been this quick.

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Red roses, my grandson overdid himself. How many ros-

    es are there?¡± He asked in an uninterested tone.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I said softly as I hold Ashton more firmly.

    Suddenly my phone rings in the pocket of the shorts I thankfully ced on after the shower I had

    earlier.

    I¡¯m a bit reluctant to answer it, not knowing what Sergio

    would do if I did.

    His eyes grew cold and he pushes his hands in the pocket of his expensive dressed pants.

    ¡°See who¡¯s calling you.¡± He instructed, nudging his head at my lower half.

    I bit the inside of my lips and fished out my phone. My heart leapt when I saw that it was Aiden.

    ¡°It¡¯s Aiden.¡± I whispered.

    ¡°Answer it and don¡¯t mention that I¡¯m here.¡± Sergio said

    steely.

    I lift my gaze to his and see that he was staring at me with no emotion. How can a man be so cold? He

    was worst than

    how Aiden had been.

    ¡°Why?¡± I asked softly.

    Why did he not want me to tell Aiden that he was here¡­unless¡­.he nned to do something bad to

    me¡­.

    My body grew cold at such a tainted thought.

    Sergio brow lifted. ¡°You are in no position to ask me such questions orphan.¡± He spat.

    That jab hit right home, robbing me of my breath for a lit- tle until the phone stopped ringing.

    Sergio looks at me annoyed. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the truth? Why are you surprised that I got to know that you are

    parentless?¡±

    My phone red again, pulling me out of my frozen state.

    ¡°Answer the phone. I know you¡¯re not the brightest but surely you can act calmly?¡± Sergio taunted.

    I press my lips together and looked down at Ash who was still ying with the rose, oblivious to the

    tension around him.

    It would be better to listen to Sergio, I didn¡¯t want to act tough now when my son was in my arms and

    vulnerable.

    So I answered the call and brought the phone to my ears.

    His happy tone made me want to tell him what¡¯s happen- ing right now, but one look at Sergio and I

    knew that would

    not be the best choice.

    ¡°Baby. Did you get the roses I sent you? Do you like them?¡± Aiden¡¯s tone shook a little at the end with a

    bit of ner-

    vousness.

    I looked at Sergio and his eyes narrowed, warning me that I should y it cool.

    esty.

    ¡°Yes,¡± I breathed out. ¡°They were beautiful.¡± I said in hon-

    A few moments before Sergio got here, I was in the best mood, happy as ever as I sniffed the flowers

    surrounding me and reading Aiden¡¯s sweet note.

    Now¡­.

    I feel sick and uneasy, but knew I had to y along to whatever game Sergio was ying at.

    Just the look he sent me told me so.

    ¡°Not more than you mama bear. I miss you. I miss you and Ash.¡± He admitted, sounding a bit regretful

    that he went to the office.

    I miss him too.

    Especially now.

    I wish he was here to protect me and Ash from his grand- father.

    ¡°I miss you too.¡± I admitted, tearing my eyes from Sergio¡¯s disgusted features.

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait toe home.¡± He breathed out.

    I sneaked a nce at Sergio who¡¯s staring at me hardly.

    ¡°Me too.¡± I muttered, removing my eyes from Sergio¡¯s in- tense steely eyes.

    Suddenly there are some voices in the background and Aiden sighs heavily. ¡°I¡¯ll have to call you back

    in a few mama bear. I love you.¡±

    My heart skips. ¡°I love you too.¡±

    When Aiden and I said our goodbyes I pushed the phone back in my pocket and looked at Sergio.

    His lips curled with disgust. ¡°Yes. You loved him enough to make him end up in jail because of your

    whorish ways.¡±

    My heart drops in the pit of my stomach as a trickle of cold sweat crawled down my spine.

    He knew about that too.

 Chapter 125

    Chapter 125

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°What?¡± Sergio taunted, leaning his upper half forward and mocked me. ¡°Surprised that I know about

    this one too?¡±

    My heart was beating ufortable, and painfully.

    ¡°No,¡± I finally answered, trying to make it seem like he did- n¡¯t have me close to having my legs feel like

    jello with fear.

    ¡°I¡¯m not surprised at all. You¡¯re Sergio Harrington after all. A very powerful man. Powerful enough to try

    to control your grandson¡¯s life.¡± I said, removing all fake friendly emotion in my voice.

    What was the point in talking to him nicely when he was not returning the favor?

    Sergio loathed me, it was clear as day. And now that he knew I was the girl who stupidly made Aiden

    end up in jail¡­.he had no reason to ever like me.

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    ¡°I¡¯m trying to make sure my grandson has the best future and doesn¡¯t screw things up like his mother

    had done,¡± He snarled lowly, rolling his eyes over my figure in distaste.

    ¡°But clearly I was toote. Seeing as he ended up with an orphan street rat like you.¡± He sneered

    looking around the room and ring angrily at the roses.

    ¡°Your kind doesn¡¯t deserve this kind of gesture.¡± He spat.

    His words hurt and I will admit my heart felt heavy when they mmed against it.

    I know I shouldn¡¯t take his words to heart.

    I was not weak. Well not anymore.

    But the man was still Aiden¡¯s grandfather, and my stupid heart still held a little, just a tinge of hope that

    someday I could change his mind about me.

    Because I knew deep in my soul that he wouldn¡¯t let Aiden and me bw in peace if he hated me to the

    core. But if he liked me¡­.just a little bit more, maybe just maybe he¡¯d stop pester- ing us and give us a

    break.

    ¡°And what is my kind Mr. Harrington? Have I ever disre- spected you in any way to have youe all

    the way here to disrespect me? I love your grandson and yes I am an orphan who got taken in by a

    lovely couple who sees me as their own child. I wouldn¡¯t trade this for anything else. You using this

    against me, won¡¯t work.¡± I responded bluntly.

    Sergio¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Why did youe back?¡± He asked, sweeping his gaze down to Ashton.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking about this the entire ride here. I¡¯ve been asking myself why would a girl who ruined

    her lovers lifee to New York to sort for one of them? Now of course you can¡¯t sort for the other

    because that poor boy is rotting in the ground.¡± Sergio snorted and rocked on his heels as he waited for

    my response.

    Something told me Sergio loved this. He loved getting un- der my skin and loved that he had no one to

    stop him from telling me all what he wanted to say to me from the begin- ning.

    He hadn¡¯t fooled me the first time when we saw each oth-

    He hated me instantly.

    Heughed emotionless, throwing his back slightly.¡± But then I remembered that you have a son for

    Aiden and every- thing clicked.¡± He stopped rocking on his heels and looked at me coldly. ¡°You¡¯re a

    gold digger. You want money. If I lived in that ratty old apartment building and working at a diner serv-

    ing costumers, I would too.¡±

    His eyes then narrowed on my face and then his eyes drop to stare at Ashton. I want to protect

    Ashton¡¯s innocent self away from that vile man.

    ¡°I¡¯m also trying to figure out when you got pregnant but then judging by Ashton¡¯s birth certificate¡­..you

    were a teen mother. And got pregnant probably the same time you caused a boy to lose his life and

    nearly ruined Aiden¡¯s life. Did you know about Harrington.co then? Were you nning this all along?¡±

    His eyes then fall to my t stomach. ¡°And let me guess. The first kid didn¡¯t trap him enough because

    you were still struggling to make ends meet. So you trapped him by getting pregnant for the second

    time. Tell me, did you threaten him to go to the press if he didn¡¯t marry you?¡±

    His words angered me. Completely irritated me.

    He had made up a character in his head that was all wrong and not me at all.

    For how smart he was¡­.he wasn¡¯t smart enough to know the truth.

    I bit my tongue, trying to not curse him out.

    ¡°I am not a gold digger and don¡¯t care about money or fancy things. Like I said, I love your grandson

    and didn¡¯t get pregnant for him to trap him into marrying me. Money means nothing to me. What

    happened with Carson and Aiden was an ident that shouldn¡¯t have happened. But I havee to

    terms that things happen and I cannot go back in time to change what happened.¡±

    I looked down at Ash whose eyes are now on Sergio. Your version about me is false. Everything you¡¯re

    thinking I am, is false.¡±

    Sergio snorted. ¡°False you say? Would you say it¡¯s false that I know that you were keeping Ashton

    away from Aiden¡¯s knowledge?¡±

    I froze, my eyes widening. He pieced everything together so quickly?

    Sergio¡¯s lips curve into a smirk. ¡°Don¡¯t try to deny this one because your reaction confirmed it. You¡¯re

    not so smart So- phie Bell. I¡¯ve been baiting you and you hadn¡¯t even realized it.¡±

    I could only swallow.

    He would run to the media and tell this bit of knowledge. They¡¯ll throw me under the bus and drag my

    name, probably Ash too,

    He shook his head. ¡± It all makes sense now why you were poor and struggling those few years. If

    Aiden had known, he would¡¯ve helped. But then you saw how well off Aiden was and you decided to

    find a job at Harrington.co just to tell him about his son. Now you¡¯ve trapped him into an engagement

    he doesn¡¯t want. Or maybe you slept with him first before

    telling him about Ashton and got pregnant. No that wouldn¡¯t be right because you can¡¯t get pregnant so

    fast. You¡¯d have to have slept with him weeks before you got to Harrington.co. Well, which is it? Which

    one did you go with to trap my grand- son?¡±

    I shook my head, my throat tightening. ¡°Stop. Stop us- ing me of something you don¡¯t know about. I

    never-

    ¡°Save it. Save your lies.¡± He spat in frustration.

    ¡°I only came here to tell you that I know why you¡¯vee back into Aiden¡¯s life. And I¡¯m here to tell you

    that it won¡¯t work. I¡¯ll not let Aiden end up like his mother.¡±

    Sergio¡¯s eyes drop to Ashton and even though he didn¡¯t look at Ash in despise, he looked at him in

    disappointment.

    ¡°Your son could be raised better if you left him with Aiden and get out of their lives. You can also

    consider aborting that baby in your womb. I don¡¯t want any more tainted blood in the Harrington family.¡±

    Sergio sneered as his eyes fall to my

    stomach.

    ¡°My son¡¯s blood is not tainted-

    ¡°Like I said, save it. I came here to say what I had to say and now I¡¯m leaving. If I were you, I¡¯d think

    about what I just said. ¡°Sergio barks and then turns around to leave.

    He stop when he¡¯s beside the door. ¡°Oh and let¡¯s keep this little meeting between us. No need to inform

    Aiden about it. Because if you do Sophie,¡± He turns around to look at me over his shoulder.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go to the press and show them Aiden¡¯s jail information

    and show them who caused it. The inte can be a very mean ce Sophie. I¡¯d be smart if I were you

    and keep my mouth shut. Now have a good day.¡± He said, opened the door and leaves.

 Chapter 126

    Chapter 126

    Chapter 126

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I¡¯m still bbergasted by what transpired only a few seconds ago.

    Feeling Ashton¡¯s small little hands on my cheeks, as if silently reassuring me everything was okay, was

    what made me finally remove my eyes off the door to stare into his wide blue eyes simr to his dad¡¯s.

    They stared at me deeply, as if knowing that I was upset. I smile shakily at him, and hugged him to me.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to hear that bug,¡± I whispered, kissing his forehead a couple of times before he

    started to giggle and unfreeze my heart again.

    I sighed and looked around the room, Sergio¡¯s words ringing. in my head. I wish things were easier,

    where there was nothing standing in the way of Aiden¡¯s and I¡¯s rtionship.

    But it seems we would always go through trials¡­.this one so happens to be the most powerful man in

    New York.

    I chewed on my lips, a cold shiver running down my spine and I had to clutch Ashton more firmly to

    reassure myself that everything would actually be okay.

    There was a warning in Sergio¡¯s tone when he left. One that should shake me to the core. And it did.

    It showed me that he had the upper hand. And would probably always have the upper hand.

    I felt sick to my stomach by his words, especially the threat that hanged in the air.

    But what could I do?

    I could tell Aiden about it, but risk his past being in the media. They¡¯ll nder him, and me. They¡¯ll turn

    their backs on him.

    Like Sergio said, the inte was a very cruel ce.

    I could only imagine how others would react oustide of the inte.

    I shook my head.

    No. I can¡¯t risk Sergio ruining Aiden¡¯s reputation.

    I bit my tongue and then looked down at Ashton in my arms. ¡°We don¡¯t speak about this, okay bug?¡±

    Crazy how I¡¯m telling my toddler son to not tell his father about his great grandfathering over and

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ndering his mother.

    It¡¯s not like Ash could actually tell Aiden¡­.

    ¡°How about we smell more of those roses your daddy surprised us with?¡± I smiled warmly at my son

    and tried to distract myself from Sergio¡¯s words.

    I¡¯ll not let them weigh me down or push me into a corner.

    For the next couple of hours Ashton and I busied ourselves watching movies on the huge t screen tv,

    and then when he fell asleep, I tried to fix the roses out of the way and give more room to walk around.

    There were at least a hundred of them, and even though his penthouse was huge, they covered the

    floor like a red ocean.

    I was huffing and puffing while tucking thest rose bouquet in the corner, away from the entrance

    when my phone res.

    I perked up, my heart mming against my chest wondering if it was Aiden who was calling.

    He did say he¡¯d call a bitter after all.

    I rushed over to the coffee table, trying my hardest to not knock down the ss vase with the roses on

    my way.

    I bit into my bottom lip when I saw the caller on the screen.

    I was right. It was Aiden..

    Anxiety pushed to the front of my body.

    How am I supposed to act with him now that I¡¯m holding yet another secret from him?

    Though this time around, this one really is to his benefit.

    Ohe on Soph just act natural and stop thinking about Sergio or you¡¯ll feel even more guilty.

    I sighed and picked up the phone at thest second before the ringing could stop.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I breathed out, raking a shaky hand through my hair.

    ¡°Why do you sound so breathless mama bear?¡± He asked and I could hear the shuffling of papers in

    the background.

    ¡°Thanks to you I was trying to clean up a hundred roses to make room so you¡¯d be able to walk through

    the area better,¡± I said in half truth and half lie.

    If only he knew that the main reason for me being breathless was because of my anxiety of knowing I

    have to keep Sergio¡¯s sudden visit away from his knowledge¡­..

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry baby, I wasn¡¯t thinking when I ordered a hundred. What you want to do with them is your

    choice. I just wanted to impress you,¡± He admitted, his voice warm.

    I bit into my bottom lip to stop from smiling goofily.

    ¡°Did it work?¡± He whispered, his voice going from soft to husky.

    I nodded and then realized that he couldn¡¯t exactly see me, so I voiced it out. ¡°Yes. You really did.

    Didn¡¯t know you had a romantic bone in you body.¡± I joked, swapping my tongue over my bottom lip as I

    turned around to stare at the endless bouquet of roses.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know either but I¡¯vee to realize I¡¯m someone different when ites to you Soph.¡°¡± He

    whispered with honesty.

    His words has my heart skipping a beat and I literally skipped to the roses and plucked out one and

    brought it to my nose to sniff.

    ¡°I like this side of you,¡± I admit, smiling widely.

    ¡°Me too,¡± He chuckled. ¡°Though Rnd and Austin will joke about me bing a sap.¡±

    I giggled.

    ¡°But for you, I¡¯ll be the biggest sap and I won¡¯t give a single fuck.¡± Aiden snorted making me

    I just love how he could somehow change my mood. Whether it was in a good or bad way. He could

    always switch my emotions. And I¡¯m thankfully his words was distracting me from the huge elephant in

    the room¡­..

    ¡°Where¡¯s my little bugger, can I speak to him. I miss you both.¡± Aiden uttered.

    ¡°He¡¯s asleep. Fell asleep about ten minutes ago actually.¡±

    Aiden groans in disappointment. ¡°Dammit I missed him. Those fuckers are taking longer than expected

    to fix the issue. Speaking of baby, I might being hometer than I nned. I need to try to get the

    problem fix as soon as possible.¡±

    Shoulders sagging in disappointment, I sighed and answered. ¡°It¡¯s fine Aiden. I understand. I miss you

    too by the way.¡±

    Aiden chuckled. ¡°Of course you do, I¡¯m your man, you should.¡± He joked.

    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Is the cocky Aidening back?¡±

    Heughed. ¡°Maybe.¡±

    He then sobered up and his next words froze me on the spot.

    ¡°Sophie, when I called you earlier, I could¡¯ve somehow sense your uneasiness. Was something wrong

    then?¡± He asked, a bit tightly.

    I breathed out in relief when someone in the background saved me from answering him.

    ¡°I¡¯ll call youter on baby. Be safe and lock the front door. * Give Ashton a kiss on his cheek for me. It

    would also be nice if you send a photo of you and him. I want to hold you two everywhere I go from

    now on.¡± He said and made my heart grow for him even more.

    If his mission was for me to fall madly more in love with him, then it was working.

 Chapter 127

    Chapter 127

    127

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    When we end the call, my heart pangs.

    It fucking pangs in pain. I missed them a lot.

    I looked at Bernard who¡¯s staring at me like I¡¯m some sort of weirdo or something.

    He was helping me fix this issue since he had more knowledge about it than everyone else in this

    apartment.

    ¡°What?¡± I asked a bit irritated that he disturbed me from talking more to my woman.

    Her voice had calmed me down a good deal since seconds before I called her, I was breathing fire and

    flinging anything I could get at the employees who couldn¡¯t sort out the issue sooner.

    I needed to see my woman and my son goddammit and they were too damn slow.

    ¡°Nothing. Just haven¡¯t seen this side of you Mr. Xavier.¡± Bernard admitted.

    I shrugged and ced my phone in the pocket of my pants. ¡°This side is only for her. Don¡¯t get too

    Bernard¡¯s eyes widen and his brows lifted. ¡°Wife?¡±

    I sighed, realizing my little slip¡­.though when you really think about it, Sophie will be my wife one day.

    So it wouldn¡¯t be wrong to refer her as my wife.

    ¡°What¡¯s with the twenty questions Bernard? Let¡¯s get on with it.¡± I snapped, walking around my desk

    and approached him.

    He looks at me stunned. ¡°You¡¯ve really changed Mr. Xavier.¡± He whispered in surprise.

    I huffed and opened the door and got out. This man was acting so surprised as if he has never seen a

    man in love like this. So what if I change when I¡¯m talking to Sophie or in her presence?

    Did everyone really think I¡¯m some blue eyed devil without a heart?

    My phone pings and I fish it out of my pocket and when I saw the message, which was a photo of

    Sophie beside a sleeping Ash, my heart warmed and I couldn¡¯t help but smile widely at my little family.

    Finally I was doing something right.

    Finally I got everything I¡¯ve ever wanted.

    I don¡¯t care if I go through hell many times. I don¡¯t care if I get ndered, just as long as she¡¯s beside

    me and will stay beside me. I¡¯ll fight for her. Because she was and still is worth it in the end.

    She¡¯s everything to me.

    Both her and Ash.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    I end up having that grin the entire way.

    For a couple of hours Bernard and I and a few other employees busied ourselves trying to fix the

    problem. We ended up fixing itte, four thirty.

    During those times, I made sure to check up on Sophie and Ash and ordered them some food and had

    them send it over.

    My girl couldn¡¯t cook so I didn¡¯t want any idents in the kitchen.

    I smiled at the very thought of how her scrambled eggs had turnt out. She was so disappointed with it,

    you could see it on her face.

    But then that asshole had to ruin it even more like everything he does.

    I clench my fist remembering his words to her.

    Sergio really cared for no one but himself and thepany. And let¡¯s not forget that he always wants to

    be seen like an angel to the media.

    I snorted.

    Only if they knew that he was the real devil.

    ¡°We did it Mr. Xavier!¡± Bernard said and sighed in relief.

    The man looked exhausted. We were after all trying to fix this an entire day.

    I nod, still a bit upset that it took so long to fix it. I could¡¯ve been with Soph and Ash. Perhaps with my

    head on herp like I was envisioning while being here for hours.

    So as soon as Bernard told me they were done and the problem was fixed, I literally jumped off the

    chair and hurried out the room while calling Soph.

    She picks up on the second ring, breathing out my name just the way I liked it.

    Though earlier¡­the way she breathed it out was a bit worrying¡­.

    I¡¯ll talk to her when I get home about it.

    ¡°Just got done. I¡¯ll be home soon baby. ¡°I breathed out, smiling until the corners of my mouth protested.

    ¡°Did you manage to fix the issue? When will you get home?¡± She asked in concern, making me

    chuckle.

    ¡°Yes we did,¡± I looked down at the watch around my wrist. ¡°I¡¯ll be home in the next thirty minutes or so.

    Did you miss me?¡±

    I smiled like a damn high school boy getting his crush¡¯s number for the first time.

    Sophie really did turn me into a sap. Austin and Rnd will have a field day about this.

    They were already joking about the engagement video this morning when called me on my way over to

    Harrington.co¡­..and I spilled everything to them.

    Austin joked about me being impatient since he did tell me to take my time with things.

    If only he knew that when it came to Sophie, I was never patient.

    In fact, when I really look back at it¡­I was way too patient to not have confessed to her sooner.

    Or perhaps the better word was stubborn.

    ¡°You know I did.¡± She said and I could just picture that sweet blush on her cheeks.

    I bit my lip, excited to have her in my arms soon.

    ¡°I¡¯ll call you when I¡¯m on my way¡­or maybe I¡¯ll surprise you.¡± I chuckled. ¡°Tell Ash daddy¡¯sing

    home soon.¡±

    After we said our goodbyes, I tucked the phone back into my pocket.

    Crazy how we were already acting like a family when we only just started our rtionship.

    It was like we were never apart.

    The goofy smile on my face remained as I head for my office so I can put those files there and get my

    stuff to leave.

    But when I opened the door, the smile I wore on my face slipped.

    Her ankles are crossed as she leaned against my desk, her white suit blinding me.

    Her eyes shine brightly when they fell on me and she pushes off my desk and approaches me.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± Lillian smiled, her red painted lips pulling apart to show her teeth.

    Frozen with shock, she takes this opportunity to wrap her arms around me and suffocat¨¦ me with her

    floral scent.

    My body stiffen up even more.

    What the fuck was she doing here?

    ¡°I wanted to hug you at the hospital. But she was there.¡± Her tone had a specific tinge of bitterness

    when she said the word she.

 Chapter 128

    Chapter 128

    128

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    It only takes seconds for my body to register the alien feeling of Lillian wrapping her slimy arms around

    me.

    Repulse. That¡¯s all my body breathed while being wrapped around her arms.

    I act quick, not wanting to give her the wrong idea.

    Though I perhaps had given her the wrong idea long ago.

    But surely the girl could¡¯ve taken the hint that she was only just a one night stand. I didn¡¯t even call her

    the following day.

    I step back, pushing her arms away from me when she tries to grab a hold of me again.

    lite.

    She was always so damn clingy.

    ¡°What are you doing here Lillian?¡± I asked trying to be po-

    It was already weird she got back to New York the second Sergio wanted to merge the twopanies.

    Did she really think I would agree to that absurd idea?

    I shivered in disgust by the thought.

    I felt relieved, knowing that God was at least on my side by bringing Sophie back into my life.

    If I hadn¡¯te up with the idea that we were engaged, then I¡¯d probably would have been forced to

    marry that clingy lizard.

    It didn¡¯t help that one night stand with her in the past made her even more clingy.

    I had a suspicion she had been rejoicing when she heard that her father and Sergio thirsted for the two

    ¡°Can¡¯t Ie to see my close friend?¡± She asked inno- cently, looking at me beneath hershes as

    though I¡¯d melt.

    I walked around her and approached the desk.

    ¡°We haven¡¯t been friends in a long time. Far less being ¡®close.¡® I grumble, loosening my tie and setting

    the file in my draw.

    Lillian whirls around. ¡°Why are you regarding me with such repulse? At the hospital you were nice to

    me.¡±

    I could hear it in her voice, she hadn¡¯t expected my cold tone.

    My eyes snap up to stare at her.

    Don¡¯t get me wrong, Lillian was a pretty woman, just not as beautiful as my Sophie. In the past she

    could have never reced Sophie, and she won¡¯t now either.

    ¡°Yes because you were checking up on my son,¡± I said and then breathed out in annoyance when her

    eyes drop in sad-ness.

    ¡°Lillian.¡± I grit out. ¡°What we had onlysted for a couple of hours, you know what a one night stand

    means right?¡±

    I resisted the urge to pinch the skin between my brows.

    Lillian whispered. ¡°My brother knows about it Aiden. My father too. That¡¯s why they thought it would¡¯ve

    been best for us to get married-

    ¡°You remember the beautiful woman that was by my side? The mother of my child? Or maybe you¡¯ve

    seen the blogs post about my newly engaged status to her. She¡¯s my woman Lillian, mine. I love her

    enough to not care about mergingpanies.¡± I sneered lowly.

    I was rude, but she left me no choice but to be so.

    ¡°And I don¡¯t give a fuck if your brother or your father knows about our once sexual entanglement. It was

    in the past and it was clearly a mistake. Get over it Lillian, nothing Sergio, you, your brother or your dad

    will do, will make me leave So- phie.¡±

    I rolled my eyes when her eyes misted with fresh tears.

    ¡°I didn¡¯te here to fight Aiden,¡± She whispered but I ignored her.

    Packing up my stuff, I looked at the time and walked around my desk.

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    I walked around her and opened the door, turning around to tell her to get out since she looked like her

    feet were nt- ed there.

    ¡°I¡¯m closing up my office Lillian.¡± I said curtly.

    She turns around, her misty eyes snapping to mine.

    I would have felt bad if I didn¡¯t know Lillian¡¯s tricks./

    She was the spoilt brat of her family and she was used to getting what she wanted.

    Now that she knew she couldn¡¯t get me, she resorted to the tactic of being the crybaby to try to lure me

    into a trap.

    It won¡¯t work.

    She searches my eyes and then nods.

    I push the door wider and ushered her out.

    We walked in silence, which was weing.

    But when we stepped into the elevator I wished I had made her go inside on her own, because now her

    floral scent was suffocating me.

    ¡°How¡¯s your son by the way? I forgot to ask.¡± She uttered, her head snapping to stare at the side of my

    face.

    I pushed my hands in my pocket, counting down the min- utes until those doors slide open and help me

    out of this hell.

    ¡°He¡¯s doing much better.¡± I responded curtly rocking on my heels back and forth in impatience.

    If I had known that sleeping with this woman months ago would make her this clingy, I would¡¯ve never.

    This is what I get for sleeping around just because I was desperate to forget Sophie.

    And clearly it was pointless seeing as I didn¡¯t forget her at all.

    ¡°I could pass by and see how he¡¯s doing if you want.¡± Lil- lian suggested.

    I shook my head and sighed inwardly when the doors slide open. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary, his mother

    is taking good care of him.¡±

    I stepped out of the elevator without waiting for her re- sponse and red at the nosey employees that

    I was itching to fire.

    If only they spent more time doing their work instead of gossiping about others.

    But that was just wishful thinking.

    I hadpletely forgotten about Lillian and only remem- bered she was behind me when I stepped

    outside of the building and she called out my name.

    ¡°Aiden,¡±

    I rolled my eyes and ignored her while greeting the two bodyguards stationed at either side of the

    building.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± Lillian grips my elbow trying to stop me from walking further.

    I halt, taking a step back in shock.

    I didn¡¯t stop because she held my elbow, I stopped be- cause suddenly a white van skidded and

    stopped in front of me.

    Secondster the back door opens rapidly and a swarm of paparazzi came out with cameras shing

    and questions p- ping across my face.

    ¡°Oh my, Aiden,¡± Lillian squealed,ing beside me, grips my arm and pushes them between her

    boobs as she presses herself to me.

    ¡°There are so many!¡± She yelped, pushing herself closer to me.

    I lift my hands up, blocking my eyes from the shes as I try to shrug her off.

    Fuck.

    Just great.

 Chapter 129

    Chapter 129

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°So you¡¯re saying that Aiden Xavier. Thee Aiden Xavier bought you a hundred red roses and wrote you

    a love note?¡± M asked, looking baffled as she looked around the apart- ment that was still¡­.littered

    with red roses.

    I had better clean them up but my heart didn¡¯t want to get rid of them.

    I was in a tug war, one side knew I had to get rid of a good amount because I can¡¯t possibly have so

    many in one room¡­.yet the other part want to see them everyday even when they¡¯ll be wilted.

    That¡¯s how much I want to cherish these roses Aiden had given to me. Such a sweet surprise¡­..one

    that made him break down any remaining walls I had left around my heart.

    I chewed on my nails and nod while trying to fight a smile.

    M¡¯s eyes widen. ¡°You¡¯re kidding. This cannot be the same Aiden in high school.¡± She gasped looking

    around the entire room that still looked like the red sea even though I tried my best to push the roses to

    one side.

    ¡°You¡¯re so lucky Soph. Aiden¡¯s a charmer and a romantic. Lucky bit-¡± Ria stopped when I sent her a

    re that told her to shut it before she said the bad word.

    She smiles shakily and looks down at Ash who was curled -in her arms.

    He had woken up a few minutes after Aiden¡¯s second call

    We had resumed to watching some television and then yed a little with the orange small ball Aiden

    had gifted to him. We had been at it for hours until the girls arrived.

    But now in Ria¡¯s hold, my baby looked exhausted.

    Ria rocked him and pointed at the outside deck, telling me silently that she¡¯d be over there with Ash.

    I nod and she¡¯s quick to rush away from my re.

    ¡°I still can¡¯t believe it.¡± M said in awe as she crotched down and brushed her fingers over the red

    petals.

    ¡°I¡¯d never take Aiden for that kind of guy¡­.but I¡¯ll admit he is trying.¡± She tilted her head up and smiled

    at me happily.

    ¡°As long as you are happy Soph, I¡¯m happy.¡± The creases lined the corner of her eyes deepened as

    she smiled widely.

    I sighed and fell onto the sofa, breathing out lightly as I tilt my head up to the ceiling. ¡°It feels like a

    dream M.¡± I ad- mitted.

    ¡°A really good dream that I don¡¯t want to ever wake up from. It¡¯s crazy that we were arguing just a few

    days ago and now we¡¯re together. Trying out something we were once scared to admit we wanted to try

    out.¡± I sighed and snapped my head down to hers.

    She¡¯s still crotched down and skimming her fingers over the petals in awe.

    It takes a lot to impress M and this seemed to have -done the trick.

    Aiden had definitely yed his cards right. Getting my best friend¡¯s approval was something he seem

    to be on his way aplishing.

    ¡°I always knew he loved you Soph. I saw it back then in his eyes and I¡¯m seeing it now,¡± She stands up

    and looks down at me. N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°I think you made the right choice by trying this out,¡± Her grin then starts to curled into a teasing smirk

    that had me groaning inwardly.

    ¡°Sophie Bell, hmmm the girl who¡¯s aplishing what many others have failed to aplish before

    her.¡± M teased and walked over to the sofa and plopped beside me.

    I looked at her a but confused, until she beamed. ¡°You¡¯ve aplished making the blue eyed devil

    cold heart beat. You¡¯ve done the unthinkable.¡± She snorted and pulled me into a hug.

    ¡°Can we now call you the blue eyed devil¡¯s wife?¡± M joked earning her a slight push from me.

    She giggles and I join her.

    When we¡¯re both sobered up, she sighs and then mur- murs. ¡°I¡¯m really happy for you Sophie. You

    deserve this. You deserve even more happiness.¡±

    ¡°But-

    She stops and I freeze when I hear the word but. That word is never good when it is used.

    And now she had used it¡­.anxiety kicks in.

    M draws in a breath and lets it out.

    ¡°I can¡¯t help but be worried that you two are moving way too fast. First the engagement being real and

    now you two wanting to try out for baby number two? Sophie¡­..are you even sure you want these

    things now? I don¡¯t want to see you get hurt if you regret doing those things down the line.¡± M

    whispered looking down at me in worry.

    Like any normal friend, she was worried about the fast pace Aiden and I were going at.

    I tore my eyes away from hers and then swept them over to the little boy in Ria¡¯s arms.

    ¡°I thought about it a lot today actually,st night too, a lit- tle. And then as I thought about the cons¡­I

    realized that there were more pros. You see M,¡± I started softly, gulping the lump in my throat.

    ¡°There was absolutely nothing I¡¯ve ever done with Aiden that I¡¯ve regretted. The only thing I wasn¡¯t

    happy about was the fact that we could¡¯ve been together sooner and avoided such a tragedy. But

    everything else¡­.I have never regretted and would do again in a heart beat. I love him M. I always

    have¡­.and it¡¯s about time we both stop running away from each other.¡± I whispered with honesty.

    M looks at me fixedly, searching my eyes and then nods. She smiles and pulls me in her arms to hug

    me tightly. Then I¡¯ll support you Soph.¡±

    Sergio¡¯s pov

    I tapped the cigar bud and let the ashes fall on the tray.

    I smirked, whirling in my chair and kicking up my legs on the desk. Crossing my ankles, I brought the

    cigar to my mouth and took in a huge puff.

    When I breathed it out, my door swings open.

    ¡°Is it published?¡± I asked, removing the cigar and tapping the bud again.

    ¡°Yes Mr. Harrington. I¡¯ve also sent your request to Barwick and he has agreed to it. He has promised to

    not, on any con- dition, remove the post on any tform until you give him the go.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± I waved my hand to tell him to get out as I draw the cigar back to my lips and take another lung

    full of smoke.

    I smirked when I withdraw the cigar away from my mouth.

    Ah Aiden and Sophie¡­.

    Let¡¯s see how long you two wouldst.

    It¡¯s time for grandpa to y chess.

 Chapter 130

    Chapter 130

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°How are you holding up by the way?¡± M questioned as my head rolled on her shoulder.

    ¡°I know the media has been shittely towards you and now that they had Ashton¡¯s picture circting

    around¡­.I can only imagine the stress it has brought on for both you and Aiden.¡± M murmured.

    I nod, moving my head off her shoulder and mumble. ¡°It doesn¡¯t feel great to be in the public eye but

    with Aiden al- ways being the hot topic for blogs, it¡¯s not surprising that they¡¯re trying to get into

    everything they can about us.¡±

    M looks over at me in worry. ¡°These paparazzi and so- cial media scare me. This is why I stay far

    away from social media. The way they could spin any false story out of control makes me sick to my

    stomach.¡±

    I nod, agreeing with her.

    Suddenly my phone buzzes on the table, catching our at- tention. I picked it up, staring at the caller and

    a smile spread on my face.

    Ingrid.

    I haven¡¯t heard from her in a hot minute and decided to call her today¡­only that she hadn¡¯t answered

    when I did.

    0.001

    I¡¯m relieved that she was at least okay.

    I answered the video call quickly, lifting the phone to my face.

    When her face emerge on the screen, I couldn¡¯t help but be worried. There were visible stress lines on

    her face.

    ¡°Ingrid?¡± I smiled. ¡°I tried calling earlier. Haven¡¯t heard from you an entire day.¡±

    I shifted around so the camera could also be on M who waved at Ingrid. ¡°The girls are here.¡± I said

    and then switch the camera to show Ria who was rocking Ashton back and forth to make him fall

    asleep.

    Ria waves at Ingrid but Ash head was faced away and was resting on her shoulder, no doubt already

    sleeping.

    Switching the camera back on me, I looked at Ingrid in deep worry when she hadn¡¯t answered as yet.

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    ¡°Ingrid?¡± I asked, a little more worried now that she seemed out of it.

    M sent me a confused and concerned stare and I only shrugged in response because I was also lost.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Ingrid finally answers but her voice is low. Very low.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I asked in deep concern. ¡°Is it Michael?¡± | questioned, my voice a bit shaky with

    nerves and fear.

    She shook her head in denial and cracked out a forced smile. ¡°No nothing is wrong Soph. Don¡¯t worry

    about us.¡±

    Her eyes then looked around and her brows pinched. ¡°Where are you? This doesn¡¯t look like the

    apartment.¡±

    Her question had me chewing on my lips and I nervously looked at M who gave me an encouraging

    nod.

    ¡°I uh-

    I sighed and confessed. ¡°Aiden and I are trying out this family thing. I¡¯m at his apartment.¡±

    I tucked some stray strands behind my ears as I wait for her scolding.

    There was no way she¡¯d encourage me to move in with Aiden so soon, especially with ourst

    conversation about him being a dick.

    But she surprised me by nodding and smiled. ¡°Great.¡±

    Both M and looked at each other in confusion.

    And we voiced it out simultaneously. ¡°Are you sure you are okay Ingrid?¡±

    She takes a while to answer but she lets out a breath and spoke up. ¡°I¡¯ve just been worried about you

    Sophietely. The media is getting to everyone in town and people are talking over here.¡±

    There are some truth to her words but I do notice that this is not the main thing that has her so worried.

    Something was going on and she didn¡¯t want me to be concerned about it.

    But her words do make my lips press in displeasure.

    I knew people back home would have a lot to say. Given that the town was small and everyone knew

    each other, it wasn¡¯t surprising if they remembered what happened two years ago.

    God only knew what they were saying about Aiden and me.

    News travel fast back home and I was pretty sure the en- tire town knew about Aiden and me.

    Carson¡¯s parents¡­..

    I shake my head to not think about them, especially the hostility they always sent me whenever I

    crossed paths with them back home.

    My brows pinch in worry for Ingrid and Michael. Since I was not back home they were probably getting

    the brunt of the gossip that I was certain were not great.

    ¡°They aren¡¯t mean to you and Michael are they?¡± I asked, chewing on my lower lip in worry.

    Ingrid smiled reassuringly.

    ¡±

    It¡¯s nothing we can¡¯t handle

    Soph. Just focus on you and your little family. Gossip back here will notst and by next week everyone

    will focus on something else to gossip about.¡±

    After talking for five minutes or so, a cough in the back- ground had Ingrid¡¯s eyes widening a bit.

    She quickly told us she had to go and ends the call before we could tell her goodbye.

    This was so not like her. Her mood wasn¡¯t chirpy like it usually was. Those smile too had not reached

    her eyes.

    I had not failed to notice the tension in her eyes.

    ¡°Well that was weird.¡± M voiced out and I couldn¡¯t help but agree.

    ¡°Something is definitely going on and it¡¯s not only the gossip that¡¯s going around back home.¡± I

    murmured and ced the phone back on the coffee table, my brows furrow- ing.

    ¡°What¡¯s even more worrying is that she had taken this long to call me back when I called her earlier.¡±

    M hums. ¡°You¡¯re right, it doesn¡¯t sound like Ingrid at all. But I think whatever is going on, she doesn¡¯t

    want you to wor- ry about it. Give her time, maybe she¡¯ll tell you when she¡¯s ready.¡± She shrugged.

    I let out a heavy breath and groaned. ¡°Honestly it¡¯s a bit toote for that. I¡¯m already worried.¡±

    M is about to respond but Ria interrupts her by return- ing to the living room while dodging the roses

    so she¡¯d not have them fall.

    ¡°He fell asleep. Where can I put him to rest?¡± She asked when she reached beside us.

    I gave her instruction to Aiden¡¯s room and then watch her leave.

    M and I continued our conversation while Ria went to ce Ashton to rest.

    But when she returned her eyes were wide and her foot- falls were hasty. She even managed to knock

    down one of the vases, the roses falling out along with the water.

    Her gaze were strictly on the phone she had grasped tightly in her hand.

    M and I stood up quickly, panicking by her hasty ac-tions.

    ¡°Ria, what¡¯s wrong?¡± I asked urgently.

    She lifts her gaze, approaching us quickly as she turns the phone screen facing us.

    ¡°I just got a notification from this popr New York gos- sip forum. It¡¯s about Aiden and some woman.¡±

    When I¡¯m actually able to see the picture, my heart drops in the pit of my stomach.

 Chapter 131

    Chapter 131

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I grab Ria¡¯s phone, my stomach knotting as I stared at the photo.

    I would¡¯ve probably said this was an old photo if I didn¡¯t recognize the same suit he wore today.

    But I also recognize that same doctor with pretty hair.

    My mouth pressed together as I realized how cozy the two looked. With one of Aiden¡¯s arms secured in

    her hold and pushed between her boobs, her lips wide with a radiant happy smile as she poses.

    Something bitter crawls in my belly and I want to toss the phone back to Ria and scrub my eyeballs out.

    But I scrolled down instead, which ended up being a stupid decision.

    ¡®Aiden Xavier seemed to have quickly gone back to his yboy ways. The billionaire casanova is seen

    with the beau- tiful Lillian Muralo. The two seemed to be cozied up-

    I stopped reading, closing my eyes as I outstretched my hands. ¡°Take it Ria. Just take it.¡± I gritted out,

    anger already boiling in my being.

    The picture was taken today and probably a few minutes ago given that the media was always so quick

    with thetest news.

    I also hadn¡¯t failed to notice that the picture was definitely taken in front of Harrington.co.

    What the hell was that woman doing there in the first ce?

    Why were they so close?

    And the better question was why did Aiden allow her to hold his hand and press it to her boobs?

    My eyes sting and I opened them, only to stare into the worried eyes of my friends.

    ¡°I¡¯ll kill him Soph.¡± M promised with an angry look quickly simmering in her eyes.

    I shook my head, my voice cracking as I grumbled out. ¡°Not before I kill him first.¡±

    ¡°Woah guys maybe calm down a bit before we go this ex- treme? You know how these gossip forums

    operate, some- times they¡¯re false.¡± Ria said quickly.

    I snorted and plopped back down on the couch.

    ¡°Did you not see the picture Ria? That woman¡¯s holding Aiden like they¡¯re lovers.¡± I grunted, feeling

    sick to my stom- ach by the thought of him already cheating so early in our just¨Cbloomed rtionship.

    It hasn¡¯t even been three days yet and he¡¯s already parad- ing with someone else.

    Was he not supposed to show the media that he was seri- ous about the engagement?

    What if this was another ploy of Aiden¡¯s n to take re-venge on me? What if he hadn¡¯t forgotten and

    forgiven me like he said he did?

    What if he just wanted to embarrass me in front of the media?

    I shook my head¡­.

    No, those words sounded so trueing out of his mouth when he said them to me.

    Or maybe that¡¯s what he wanted me to believe. He want- ed me to be gullible and ept his words so

    he can hurt me in the end.

    Why else would he have not told me about that woman when I asked him about her?

    ¡°I saw it. But I also saw his face. He didn¡¯t look too happy and kind of looked repulsed.¡± Ria pointed out.

    I gave her a deadpan look. ¡°Yeah, he looked repulsed be- cause he got caught.¡±

    Ria shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t think so Soph. This just seems a bit strange. He sent you a hundred roses

    and confessed his love for you. Why would he do all of those things and parade with another woman

    the same day?¡±

    My mouth pressed together in a t line and then I an- swered tightly. ¡°For revenge. He wanted to hurt

    me like I hurt him years ago.¡±

    Ria sighed and looked over at M for help. M shrugged.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. The only person who could un¨Cbury himself is Aiden. He should have a good exnation

    for this. And if he doesn¡¯t, I have trash bags, knives and a taser. We can make this work.¡±

    Ria lifted her head to the ceiling and let out a loud breath. ¡°Did I really take two murderers as my

    roommates? What was I thinking?¡±

    M rolls her eyes. ¡°We¡¯re not murderers. If we were you¡¯d be six feet under for being the most

    annoying roommate ev-er.¡±

    Ria gasped, her hands going on her chest as she red at M. ¡°And to think I epted your ass

    inside my apartment. The disrespect!¡±

    The two continued to bicker until the door to the apart- ment opens up and Aiden steps inside, his eyes

    searching un- til theynded on me.

    The girls grow quiet, staring at me with wide eyes.

    He smiled widely, his eyes warm as he breathed out. ¡°I¡¯m home baby.¡±

    My heart rate spikes which makes it difficult to stay mad at him.

    I tore my eyes away from him when the girls said they should be on their way.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡±

    M hugs me. Don¡¯t make him break you again Soph. You¡¯re stronger now.¡± She whispered and pulls

    away.

    Giving me a warm smile, the twoter leave not before greeting Aiden on their way out. Aiden asked

    them if they wanted him to call Mitch to drop them off but they declined.

    When the door closes behind them, Aiden looks over at me and tugs at his tie. ¡°Didn¡¯t know the girls

    were here. Did you have a good time?¡± He starts to walk over to me but I quickly got up and walked

    away from him while ignoring him.

    ¡°Soph?¡± Aiden called out, his voice shaking with confu- sion and worry.

    Be tough Sophie.

    I ignored him and walked over to the kitchen.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Ash?¡± Aiden¡¯s voice is now softer.

    ¡±

    He¡¯s asleep,¡± I said curtly, avoiding his gaze as I take a ss from the cupboards.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go check up on him,¡± Aiden said and then leaves me.

    I let out the breath I didn¡¯t know I was holding and filled the ss with water.

    When I was done I walked out into the chill of the night, onto the deck, and stared down at the pool.

    Ignoring Aiden seemed harder than I thought.

    But hopefully, he¡¯d know that I was upset with him and confess to me about what happened with that

    woman and him.

    After a few minutes of me just staring into the pool, Aiden¡¯s voice snapped behind me.

    66.80%

    ¡°Goddammit, Soph! What the hell is wrong? Why are you treating me like I¡¯m some stranger right

    now!?¡±

    Anger swirled in my body as his words irritated me.

    I whipped around, shooting him death stares.

    ¡°You¡¯re so full of shit Aiden!¡± I sneered. ¡°You¡¯re smart, why else would I treat you the way I do now?

    Come on Mr CEO, think.¡±

    He stopped by the edge of the pool, making me turn my body to face him. His brows are knotted but

    then they rxed in understanding.

    ¡°It¡¯s on social media now isn¡¯t it?¡± He gritted, looking an-gry.

    ¡°These dumb paparazzi ambushed me-

    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Of course they did. They caught you and that woman cozying it up¡­. as they put it.¡±

    Aiden¡¯s brows go back to being knotted and he looked at me in confusion. ¡°You can¡¯t possibly think this

    is true baby. Lillian and I were not ¡®cozying¡® it up.¡±

    ¡°I think they were right to use the word cozying up since you two did look like you were.¡± I spat and got

    ready to leave but Aiden stops me by taking a hold of my elbow.

    ¡°We were not Sophie! At least let me exin-

    ¡°Let go of me!¡± I snapped and pushed at him. But it back- fired and we both ended up in the pool

    seconds after.

 Chapter 132

    Chapter 132

    132

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    When I thought about ways this could end, I never thought I¡¯d be submerged in cold water.

    One of Aiden¡¯s arms wrap around my midriff and I kicked up my legs together with his until we emerge

    out of the water.

    I take a huge gasp of air, coughing as I lift my hand to move the wet strands stering to my face.

    ¡°You okay baby?¡± Aiden asked with worry on his tongue.

    I¡¯m still coughing, trying to move the water out of my lungs. Opening my eyes only to fall into the trap of

    his stare.

    His eyes are warm, not stormy at all¡­.warm and filled with

    concern.

    The stare had me tearing my eyes away dropping them to his wet shirt that clung to his skin.

    ¡°Let me go,¡± I whispered, my palmsnding on his hard chest and trying yet failing to push him away

    from me.

    My body was also betraying me and was reluctant to move away from him.

    But I had to hold it together, I was still after all angry at him.

    ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Aiden said with a stubborn edge in his voice, his arm around my middle tightening.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I growled under my breath, a bit more vexed by my body¡¯s response to him than his

    stubbornness to let me go.

    ¡°Sophie,¡± Aiden snapped, his head dipping so they could level with mine.

    ¡°I¡¯m not letting you go. I¡¯m not screwing up this time around.¡± He hissed, water droplets from his brows

    curving down his

    nose.

    My eyes narrowed as he pushed us to the edge of the pool until my back was pressed to the edge.

    ¡°You¡¯ve already screwed up the moment you set your eyes on her at the hospital but yet refused to tell

    me your rtionship with her.¡± I barked, ring at him.

    I felt betrayed.

    It feels like he purposely kept what she was to him away from my knowledge. Even though we were not

    a couple when I first met Lillian, it still hurt to know that he hadn¡¯t told me about his rtionship with

    her.

    And seeing those two so close and the way Lillian smirked at the camera taunted me.

    I wanted nothing more but to find the bitch and pull out her hair. Strand by strand. That¡¯s how badly I

    was livid with anger and jealousy.

    Aiden groaned lowly. ¡°I didn¡¯t tell you because she was not worth it, she¡¯s nothing to me. But I see now

    that I should¡¯ve. I¡¯m sorry Sophie. I should¡¯ve told you sooner. I don¡¯t want to keep anything from you

    from now on.¡±

    His eyes stared at me fixedly and deeply as he confessed. ¡°Lillian Muralo is the woman Sergio chose

    as my wife. Her father is one of our business partners and Sergio thought it would be a good idea to

    merge the twopanies to gain more profit.¡±

    Those swirls of blue flickered between my brown pools, searching for something I wasn¡¯t sure of.

    ¡°I hadn¡¯t seen her for months until the day at the hospital. I was stunned to see her because thest

    time I saw her, we didn¡¯t quite leave on good terms,¡± He mumbled.

    My brows furrowed. They didn¡¯t leave on good terms?

    Aiden notices my confused stare and tore his eyes away from mine to keep them on my cheek. ¡°She

    was clingy after we slept together.¡±

    My heart stopped even though I should¡¯ve expected his confession.

    But as soon as my heart stopped, fury began to boil in my veins. ¡°Of course you two did. Were you

    catching up at the office?¡± I sneered, pping his chest with my palm.

    Aiden¡¯s free hand wrap around my wrist, stopping my actions.

    ¡°She came to my office to talk, it was nothing like you¡¯re thinking right now Sophie. I wouldn¡¯t do that to

    you, nor did I want to. Lillian came to talk, I spoke back to her coldly. There was nothing going on in

    that office,¡± Aiden gritted out, seeming to be frustrated.

    My eyes narrowed like hot slits of anger as I asked bitterly. ¡±

    What about outside the office? When you two were photographed together? Any exnation as to why

    you two were so close and why she had your arm between her bosom?¡±

    The tilt of Aiden¡¯s lips at the corners of his mouth irritated me and had me pping his chest with my

    free hand. ¡°What is so funny?¡± I snapped.

    His mouth tilts even more until he was grinning from ear to ear. ¡°Your jealousy mama bear. It¡¯s alluring.

    Also the word bosom, never heard of it since the neenth century.¡± He admitted, his eyes twinkling

    with amusement.

    I huffed, frustrated that we were supposed to be arguing yet he was having a field day with my jealous

    and angry state. I tore my eyes away from him, feeling the heated swirls of a blush snaking up my neck

    like a predator.

    ¡°Of course, I can¡¯t expect you to be serious,¡± I murmured in disappointment.

    Aiden pushes closer to me, his wet fingers brushing along my cheeks. ¡°It hurts me to know that you

    think so lowly of me Soph. But I understand I had not gained enough trust for you to think otherwise.¡±

    My eyes draw back to his when he began to speak.

    ¡°I wasing home to you. My thoughts were on you when the paparazzi just pulled up in front of me.

    Being in a state of shock, Lillian took this opportunity to grab my arm and get close to me. I assure you

    that after that photo was taken, I pushed her off. But of course the media will not show this one and

    would rather spin this out of proportion.¡± Aiden

    rolled his eyes after he said those words.

    His fingers cupped under my chin and he tilted my head up when my eyes flicker down to his neck.

    ¡°There are security cameras at the front of the building. I can show you the footage if you want. I can

    even show you the footage in my office if you want even more reassurance.¡± He murmured.

    I gnaw on my lips, staring at him to see if he was lying. He wasn¡¯t. He spoke with honesty.

    I embarrassingly rip my eyes away from his as I murmured. ¡°So you didn¡¯t allow her to keep your arm

    between her breasts?¡±

    Suddenly I felt a flicker on my forehead and brought my gaze back to Aiden who was smiling widely.

    ¡°No you silly girl, why would I jeopardize my rtionship with you when I¡¯ve wanted you all my life? Do

    you really think I¡¯d risk losing you for someone who doesn¡¯t mean anything to me?¡±

    I shyly stared up into his eyes and he dipped his head until his nose brushed against mine.

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    ¡°I only have eyes for you mama bear, my heart only belongs to you. Always have.¡± Aiden murmurs and

    tilted his head so his lips would meet mine.

 Chapter 133

    Chapter 133

    133

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    His kiss is tender and soft, pulling me into a blissful state.

    I sighed, opening my mouth slightly to slide against his.

    He still taste like the peppermint candy he sucked on this morning before leaving to go to

    Harrington.co.

    He still taste addictive.

    His tongue teasingly slicked up my lower lip to dip and brush the inside of my upper lip.

    I moan, my heart pounding in my chest.

    ¡°Silly, silly girl,¡± Aiden murmurs, dipping his tongue in my mouth while one of his hand tangle in the

    roots of my hair.

    He pulled his tongue out. ¡°How can I risk losing this for a mere nobody?¡±

    I moan, arching into him as he presses me more into the marble edge of the pool.

    Aiden press his lips to mine again, kissing me a bit harder now until I had no choice but to fist his wet

    shirt in my hands.

    I can feel his heart beat on my knuckles. The organ beat furiously and rapidly.

    It matched the same beat as mine. Or perhaps his heartbeat was a bit faster than mine.

    No¡­.

    They beat in sync.

    His skin is warm despite the cold water of the pool and as he presses to me, something hard and

    equally warm presses on my stomach.

    4

    I clench between my thighs. That little tingling throbbing nub soon be a nuisance and I had to

    clench my thighs together to help relieve it.

    The tip of his tongue dart to slither over my teeth, then he dipped it into my mouth, where he met my

    tongue.

    He groaned, low in his throat, huskily.

    The sound of it traveled on my tongue, down my throat until bursting inside my body.

    My veins warm with heat then flickered with fire when his tongue swirled against mine.

    I pant into his mouth and he grunted, pressing his tongue against my own.

    His fingers in my hair tighten, gripping the strands roughly. I¡¯m clutching his soaked shirt trying to

    anchor myself so I¡¯d not melt into the water.

    Aiden tilted my head up and tilted his mouth, his tongue going in deeper inside my mouth, tickling the

    roof of my mouth and then swirled around my tongue.

    I can¡¯t help it, I draw out a loud moan. One that he ate up.

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    His other handnd on my waist, up his huge shirt so his fingertips can brush against my skin.

    When his fingertips did, all I could do was take in a loud sharp

    gasp.

    My lungs burned for air but not even theck of air in my lungs would be able to stop me from enjoying

    this kind of bliss.

    Aiden nibbled on my lower lip, his teeth capturing my bottom lip and pulling it out a little.

    I moaned.

    He dropped my lower lip and attack the corner of my mouth, allowing me to draw in air and breathe

    properly.

    ¡°Do you not know how special you are to me Sophie?¡± He murmured,ying soft kisses on my cheeks

    and drawing them over my jawbone tenderly.

    ¡°Do you know how much I¡¯ve prayed for you? How much I¡¯ve needed you for years?¡± He whispered,

    groaning as he traveled his lips down to my neck.

    I tilt my head up, giving him more room to do as he pleases.

    I moaned, shuddering as he sucked the sensitive skin of my neck.

    His hands on my waist crawl higher, higher¡­.

    Even with the cold water beating against my flesh, I can feel the heat under his fingertips, burning me

    from out and within.

    I¡¯m on fire.

    And the cold water of the pool cannot quench me.

    Aiden¡¯s fingers travel all the way up until he cupped my breast over my bra.

    My nipples were already beaded against the material because of the chilly water, so when his palms

    pressed against thece, I was sure he could feel my hard nipples.

    Aiden groaned and palmed me, the heat of his palm burning through my skin.

    I gasped, my hands now needing something more than his shirt to anchor me.

    I let his wet shirt go and then snake my hands up until they got behind his neck where my fingers

    crawled up onto the nape of his neck and gripped the soft silky strands.

    He grunted, kissing my neck softly and pushed his tongue out to lick a trail across my neck.

    I shivered and it was not because of the cold pool water we were currently wrapped around in.

    He nibbled on my neck, sucking it hard and I am certain that he had left his mark.

    ¡°You silly girl¡­¡± He murmured when he let my flesh go, only to blow against it and kisses it softly. ¡°You

    have no idea how much I treasure you, why would I ever want to screw this up?¡±

    He groaned and then pushed his lower half on my stomach. When it seems this did not satisfy him, he

    grunts and both his

    hand grip under my bottom.

    He somehow manages to lift me higher and guides me to wrap my legs around his torso.

    He then presses to me until I could feel his hardness between my thighs, causing me sigh.

    ¡°Silly silly girl,¡± He murmured, biting my neck lightly and then pulled away and leveled his head with

    mine.

    Our eyes connected and the blue in his eyes are admittedly lighter. And when he grins at me widely, his

    eyes twinkled and my heart jumped.

    ¡°My jealous girl. How could you not see that I love you? How can you not see that I only love you and

    only you?¡± He whispered, his tone filled with love.

    I tear my eyes away from him in shame that I fell for the media¡¯s schemes.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. For jumping to conclusions so quickly.¡± I whispered with shame.

    ¡°I don¡¯t me you Soph, the media has a way of manipting things to their benefit. Just next time, at

    least hear me out first, okay?¡±

    I brought my eyes back to his, and nod.

    He smiled in relief.

    Aiden had been good to me and I nearly screwed it up this evening.

    Next time I¡¯ll be sure to make him exin before jumping to conclusions like I did this evening.

    The sun was setting, and the yellow orangish glow shone on my face.

    Aiden gasped, his eyes staring at me tenderly. ¡°You¡¯re so beautiful Sophie. Absolutely stunning.¡± He

    whispered, his eyes flickering down to my lips. They felt swollen from his kisses.

    ¡°I can stare into your eyes forever. Drown into them.¡± He murmured, one of his hands leaving my

    bottom to cup my jaw.

    His fingers brush against my cheeks, wetting them again.

    ¡°I love you Sophie.¡± Aiden whispered.

    ¡°And I¡¯m going to show you how much I do right now.¡± He grunted and with one hand, he surprisingly

    pushes me up and out of the water until my bottom is on the tiles.

    His fingers quickly go to the waistband of my shorts, clutch it and tug them down along with my soaked

    panties that was both wet from the water and my juices.

 Chapter 134

    Chapter 134

    134

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    With the way the setting sunlight gleamed over her face and brought out those golden flecks in her

    eyes, all I could have done was gasp and stare at her in awe.

    But then those pretty eyes tugged and pooled me into their golden pools and I drowned. I drowned with

    heat, my cock jerking at the thought of sinking into her while staring into those eyes.

    I was a man who had many sexual encounters, many that I¡¯ve lost count of and don¡¯t remember

    anyway.

    But in all those regretted encounters, Sophie was the only one to have my heart pound into the cages

    of my chest so roughly and fiercely. She was the only one who could make me feel

    this way.

    She felt like home and she was the treasure I should¡¯ve dug up a long time ago.

    No matter, she was here now and I¡¯ll treasure her for eternity.

    When I ced her on the tiles and pulled the shorts and panties off her, all I could do was stare down

    at the flesh that was addictive.

    ¡°Open wide for me baby,¡± I breathed out, staring at her pretty pussy in awe.

    And when those legs part, thighs gave way to the pretty pink pussy I love diving into, my cock jerked,

    my heart mmed

    and my mouth watered.

    Jesus.

    She¡¯ll be the death of me.

    I gawked at the wet flesh between her thighs, watching the glistening of the pearly whites of her juices

    sipping out of her pussy lips.

    With the yellow gleam of the sunset on her, her pussy looked like a painting.

    I licked my bottom lip, feeling starved.

    I¡¯m hungry.

    I¡¯m fucking hungry for her.

    And I¡¯m going to feast until my heart is content and until we¡¯re both writhing in pleasure.

    Her pussy clenched as her eyes followed the movements of my tongue on my lips.

    The action had my cock jerking against my wet pants.

    I¡¯m tempted to free myself and just sink into her.

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    But I wanted to also feast on her as long as I can. I¡¯ve been so hungry for her taste again.

    Last night I went hard and possessive.

    This evening, I want to worship her body and show her how much she truly means to me.

    Slow and sensual. Tender until she felt every inch, every pump, every suck¡­..

    Until she feel me.

    I¡¯d make her see. I¡¯d make her feel. I¡¯d make her know how

    much I feel.

    Until the breath that flutters out of her tempting lips is trembling with my name.

    Until she¡¯s panting, sweating out my essence that¡¯s mixing with her own in her body.

    Until I¡¯m moving in and out within her, marking every curve and corner of her walls.

    Until Aiden is the only name she knows.

    I gawk at the pretty pink flower, glistening in the sunset light.

    Fuck.

    Such a pretty little thing.

    I¡¯m actually in awe of it. I could literally stay here for hours, just staring at her pussy that looked like an

    art piece.

    Hell, I¡¯m not a good drawer and definitely can¡¯t consider myself an artist but I was a hundred percent

    sure that if one was to give me a brush, a canvas and some paint, I would be able to paint a startling

    replica of her pussy.

    Pretty, pink, wet, dripping with her juices. Or better yet my

    cum.

    I kid you not. That¡¯s how much my brain has saved an image

    of her pussy enough to send directions to my hands to help in recreating such a master piece.

    And fuck it do I want to actually do that someday.

    But today is not that day. Today is reserved for feasting.

    On her body.

    ¡°Oh Sophie, you¡¯re such a sight.¡± I moaned, my fingers. pressing into the soft skin of her thighs as I

    bring her closer to the edge until her pussy is mere inches from my face.

    I dipped my head, my body buzzing with desire.

    When I¡¯m leveled with her pussy, I pushed my face closer to the little wet flesh my cock dipped intost

    night.

    I can¡¯t help it.

    I bury my nose in her pussy and sniff.

    And she fucking smells amazing. My favorite aroma.

    ¡°Aiden!¡± She squealed trying to pull herself away from me.

    Not today. I¡¯m in my glory and she will not take this away from

    me.

    I gripped her thighs, fingers biting into her flesh but not hard enough to leave any marks.

    ¡°Stay,¡± I grunted, pulling her closer until the tip of my nose very well brushed against her entrance and

    perhaps had dipped into it a little.

    I draw in the alluring sweet smell of her, my body shuddering with hunger and pleasure.

    I moaned gripping her thighs tighter.

    ¡°You smell so good Sophie. You smell like home.¡± I breathed out, taking in her scent again until my

    body buzzed with even more pleasure.

    My cock throbbed and my heart leapt.

    Fuck.

    If I keep this up I¡¯lle undone by just her scent alone. Something that has never happened to me

    before, but with Sophie things I thought that were not possible seemed possible now.

    ¡°Soph,¡± I whispered and I heard a sweet sounde out of her mouth that resembled the sound of a

    purr.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to feast on you. Just a warning. I¡¯m not going to stop even when you¡¯re shaking

    uncontrobly.¡± I murmured and don¡¯t wait for her to respond and dart my tongue out and licked from

    her entrance to her nub.

    She jerks, gasping.

    I groan, my eyes squeezing shut as the sweet addictive taste swirled on my taste buds.

    I¡¯m in heaven.

    This blue eyed devil was in heaven.

    Sweet sweet heaven.

    And I don¡¯t want to ever leave.

    ¡°Sweet. Sweet. Sophie,¡± I groaned, my lips wrapping lightly around the nub. So lightly it would feel as

    though it was a

    feather tickling that tingling flesh.

    Sophie lets out a shaky breath, then said my name like a sitent prayer.

    I wrapped my lips around her nub harder and, suckled. And suckled. Then suckled until she was

    panting with soft squeals of pleasure rolling off her tongue.

    But soon that wasn¡¯t enough. Soon my mouth left the nub to kiss down her pussy lips until my tongue

    decided it wanted toe out to y too.

    And I let it.

    It pushes out my mouth, flickering softly against her wet lips. She purrs, wiggling her bottom.

    But then my tongue got impatient and hungry, and dipped into her entrance where her taste was even

    stronger there. All I could do was moan as I swirled my tongue in her yummy

    cunt.

    If Sophie¡¯s pussy would be thest meal I would have on this earth before perishing, then I¡¯d die a

    happy man.

 Chapter 135

    Chapter 135

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    Her taste was like sweet wine, sweet yet had me addicted so much so that I feel drugged.

    I groaned, my tonguepping at her overflowing juices.

    She was wet.

    Really fucking wet.

    Which was a good thing.

    A very very good thing.

    I gripped her harder and pulled her closer to the edge until her bum was nearly hovering over the pool.

    She jerked, a silent scream leaving her mouth. She sounds so good and even tastes better.

    I moved my tongue out of her hole, but lick and suck her lips softly. I¡¯m humming in pleasure, my body

    buzzing with euphoria.

    This feels like one of those dreams I had of her when I was a teenage boy and living it felt even better.

    Tasted better too.

    My tongue glides over to the side of her pussy, licking up the droplets of water from the pool. I¡¯m

    famished, and I¡¯m taking everything I get from her.

    Hell I¡¯d take a straw and push it in her pussy just to sip on her juices. That¡¯s how insane I was when it

    came to her.

    She mewled out my name like a silent plea and I go back to her pussy, my lips on her wetness sucking

    her sweetness.

    Cream baby cream.

    I groan, digging the tip of my tongue in her tight little hole and rolled it around, searching for a spot that

    will make her go even crazier than she was right now.

    When I dipped in deeper and curled the tip of my tongue upwards, Sophie screamed into the evening.

    I smirked.

    Found the little sweet spot.

    I rubbed the tip of my tongue on that spot, holding it there while I held Sophie still.

    Well try to.

    My little mama bear was thrashing about and wiggling her cute ass, trying to get away from my tongue.

    I wouldn¡¯t let her though. She¡¯s going to stay there until she creams on my tongue.

    And then¡­

    Well, she¡¯s going to cream even more, only this time I¡¯ll be deep inside her, joining our body¡¯s, our

    souls.

    I grunt, flickering my tongue inside her and pressed back on that spot that had her jerking closer to me.

    The action only made my tongue go in deeper and I moaned

    by the burst of sweetness on my taste buds.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± Sophie groans, and suddenly I feel her fingers w at the strands of my hair like a kitten

    wanting attention.

    She must want more.

    I pulled my tongue back, suckling her lips, tugging them while humming at the sweet tang, then dipped

    my tongue back into her hole.

    She squeals, her nails digging into my scalp.

    ¡°Oh I am hmmmm,¡± She moaned, griping my hair so tightly I thought she¡¯d snatch me bald.

    I don¡¯t care anyway, she can do as she please, snatch me bald as she please. As long as I am eating

    her out and giving her pleasure then nothing else mattered.

    I pushed my tongue in and out of her, testing the waters to see if I can get another sweet spot.

    My cock at this point was furious with me and if it had the choice, it would have already been deep

    inside her, sheathed by her tight warm walls.

    I can already imagine it. Her wrapped around me as I sink into her over and over¡­.

    Sometimes I wonder how on earth had I been able to live without her for those years¡­.

    But then I realized, I couldn¡¯t.

    Perhaps that¡¯s why I tried so hard to rece her by sleeping with so many women.

    Only to end up being a fool thinking I really could.

    Who can rece a woman like Sophie Bell?

    No one.

    No fucking one cane close.

    No one ever could.

    I really wished things had turned out differently from the start.

    I wished I had summoned enough courage to tell her how I felt in high school.

    Perhaps then tragedy would not have knocked on our door.

    But things happen for a reason and as crazy as it sounds¡­.I wouldn¡¯t have it any other way.

    ¡°Oh Aiden, Oh!¡± Sophie moaned, scrapping at my scalp.

    I hiss, and curled my tongue inside her. The tip rubbed off on the same sweet spot that had her purring

    like a kitten.

    When I couldn¡¯t seem to get enough, my hands scrap over her skin, fingers brushing along the soft

    creaminess and gripped under her bottom.

    I lifted her to my mouth, and sighed inwardly in pleasure when she cried lovely.

    Her taste exploded on my tongue as I dipped it in and out of her, collecting the sweetness that tasted

    like pure honey.

    My tongue curled into her pink hole, burying as deep as it could go. I¡¯m trying to push my front on the

    wall of the pool, trying to ease the throbbing of my cock.

    It won¡¯t let up, only the rubbing and squeezing of her pussy walls could ease that kind of torture.

    But I¡¯ll wait.

    I can wait right?

    Surely I can wait?

    My tongue continued to spear into her pussy over and over, pressing and caressing the sweet spot that

    had her wing at my hair and purring.

    I pulled my tongue out her hole,shing it against her lips and dragged it up to her clit.

    She screamed into the evening as night crept in.

    Her body feels like butter under my hold and as I grip her luscious bottom to pull her up to my mouth,

    she melts into my hold, making me mold her how I want to.

    I groan, pressing my jerking throbbing cock on the inside of the pool, praying that this would ease the

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    tension of fired arousal that gripped me in a choke hold.

    Fuck.

    But I needed to make this good for her. Slow and tender, show her how much I truly appreciate her and

    see her as more than just a warm body.

    I want to use my body to show her, in the way I fuck her¡­.

    In the way I make love to her.

    ¡°Oh Aiden,¡± Sophie sighed as I suckled on her clit and blew against the hard nub.

    When I got a bit impatient, I set her bottom back on the tiles and then one of my hands skim up her

    thighs, curving up higher to the treasured spot I am about to manipte with my fingers.

    With the tips of my fingers brushing along her smooth soft skin, I suckled her clit and lips until those

    fingers touched the soft wet spot of her folds.

    And then I dipped.

    She gasped, her bottom lifting off the tiles as my digits screw into her tight little hole.

 Chapter 136

    Chapter 136

    136

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    His fingers are inside me.

    Two digits.

    Buried deep.

    Curling upward.

    Massaging that sweet spot.

    I can only cry out. Words don¡¯t form, only mumbles, incoherent mumblings of nonsense.

    ¡°You¡¯re so wet.¡± Aiden groaned, his voice sounding thick with arousal.

    I¡¯m bending to his will and I could care less about how I¡¯m so helpless to his torture.

    My cl*t throbs, tingling so much. Aiden sucks on the hard nub, making my lips part to draw out a sharp

    moan.

    I¡¯m arching my back, euphoria zapping through my veins as he sucked harder and pulled his fingers

    out.

    And then he mmed them back in, curling them and rubbing the tips exactly where he knew I¡¯d shake.

    And that I did.

    I tremble.

    He groaned, pushing his finger in and out of me, swirling, f*cking.

    I loved the feeling of his fingers practically kissing their way through my walls, testing the waters, and

    letting my p*ssy know of an iing bigger intrusion.

    Aiden moved his fingers in and out.

    In and out.

    Pulling his mouth away from my throbbing c*it, Aiden groans.

    ¡°I know it has only been a day, perhaps not even. But G*d have I missed the feel of you wrapped

    around me.¡±

    His words had my body zapping with fire, tickling through my veins and driving me mad with desire.

    I want him to rece those fingers he has curled inside with his c*ck.

    I want to feel him, but I suspect he wanted to torture me a little more first.

    So I lie down relentlessly to his torture and taking everything he gives me.

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to sink inside you baby,¡± Aiden moans and I opened my eyes to peer at him.

    Our eyes sh, blue and brown. Fired passion zap between us, fogging the air around us with desire.

    I can¡¯t wait until he does exactly what he say he would do too.

    But when I¡¯m about to say those words, Aiden pulls his fingers out and then the words buried on my

    tongue when he adds another finger, pushing now three into me.

    My eyes flickered just before seeing his eyes tearing from mine to look at his fingers pushing into my

    p*ssy. I had not miss the pure look of awe on his face nor did I miss the swirls of desire in his eyes.

    I was so wet I could hear it, especially when he started to pump his fingers into me relentlessly until my

    walls around him burned.

    And when he grunted and his fingers curled, tips brushing my sweet spot, I moaned, back arching of

    the tiles as my stomach tightened.

    My eyes snapped open, fire from his fingers burning inside my p*ssy, making the poor thing weep as I

    came undone.

    I called out his name many times until I wasn¡¯t even sure I was saying his name right.

    The hands of pleasure gripped me as my walls suckled his fingers in, the same way it nned to

    suckle his length inside me.

    My lips were parted, gasps of moans leaving them, my eyes were dotted with tiny white stars smearing

    in my vision.

    I was c*mming.

    Aiden was groaning.

    My fingers grip around his wrist, my body trembling. I gripped harder, lifting up my upper body as I

    looked at his fingers sheathed inside my walls.

    The sight of it had me shuddering even more. Pure pleasure.

    I lift my eyes and they sh with his.

    He is staring at me in awe, watching me as I crumble in his hands.

    ¡°You¡¯re so f*cking beautiful Soph,¡± He murmurs and leans forward. I lean up too, making it easier for

    him to kiss me.

    My p*ssy still has his fingers in a lock, winding around him and refusing to let him go while he stares

    into my eyes deeply.

    My body flickered with more heated desire, fire coiling in my belly hotly.

    My heart pounds in my chest rapidly, my body yearning for him. His touch, the feel of him.

    His fingers were now not enough and I knew exactly what I wanted. A part of him that would make me

    be able to feel all of him and connect our souls.

    A groan deep within his throat bubbled out of his mouth when my p*ssy gave him onest squeeze

    before releasing him.

    He pulled his fingers out, his eyes not once leaving my face.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to make love to you now Sophie Bell. Something I should¡¯ve done from the start.¡± He

    promised, fingers soaked with my glistening juices lifting to his lips.

    His words, that promise, it had me shivering.

    His tongue dart out, his eyes peering into mine, and he licks, groaning as his eyes fluttered a bit in pure

    pleasure.

    I cannot resist another shudder.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I murmured, staring at him with need as desire washes over me.

    His eyes peeled open, those blues like the ocean falling into the trap of my chocte eyes.

    ¡°I think from now on I¡¯ll make sure to have a taste of your juices every day. You taste like a drug. And

    that¡¯s an addiction I¡¯ll keep.¡± He murmurs, pushing the rest of his fingers inside his mouth and sucks

    them dry.

    I¡¯m trembling by the sight of it and trembling more with anticipation for what was about toe.

    Aiden keeps his heated leer on me as he rips his shirt open, revealing his wet toned upper half.

    He disposes the wet torn shirt on the tiles beside my hips and then he jumped out of the water and

    stopped beside me, his body wetting the tiles even more.

    His hands go to his pants.

    A smirk crawled on the side of his face, making my heart leap by how boyish he looked.

    ¡°Want me to make love to you here or do you want to take it inside?¡± His brow c*cked up as if he was

    actually letting me choose.

    I knew he¡¯d have his way with me anywhere he wanted, surely he wouldn¡¯t care for my answer.

    Besides¡­.

    I wanted him now and care little of where he would take me.

    So I voiced it out.

    ¡°I want you now. I crave for you now.¡±¡±

    That tiny smirk smeared into a dazzling grin that set fire in my body that curled in my stomach.

    ¡°Then I will appease your craving mama bear. ¡± Aiden bit his bottom lip and tugged it a bit as he rid

    himself of his pants

    It feels like a wild fire soaring through my body by just this action he had just done.

    And something told me Aiden knew exactly what he had caused, because that look in his eyes

    promises me that he will help with that fire.

    I just didn¡¯t know if he¡¯ll help quench it or set it more aze.

    But when he freed his c*ck and the beautiful o*gan bounced heavy and pulsing, I knew he was only

    going to set me on fire.

 Chapter 137

    Chapter 137

    137

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I keep my eyes on his jerking c*ck, watching in awe at the red tip that dripped some precum.

    I could just taste him right now. Salty and sweet, bursting on my tongue.

    I grow hungry.

    ¡°If you keep looking at my c*ck like you want to eat it then I will notst. And I n tost as long as I

    can. You¡¯re not getting away from me easily.¡± Aiden grunted making me lift. my eyes to his.

    The orange hue of the golden sunset had his face looking like he was carved by the G*d¡¯s to

    perfection.

    I¡¯m mesmerized by how handsome he looked and felt a bit unsure of how a man like him can say he

    love me.

    For years at that.

    Aiden was handsome and he was definitely out of my league He was always an extrovert while I was

    the opposite, and don¡¯t get me started on how much others are drawn to him.

    Hell, women flock towards him like birds and I was sure this was still happening even though the whole

    world knew we were engaged and was about to be wed.

    So why was this masterpiece in love with me?

    What did he see in me that he convinced himself that he fell madly in love with?

    I was no one special. Just a girl who had his kid¡­in secret.

    Aiden must¡¯ve seen the dimming light in my eyes because his features hardened a bit with worry.

    ¡°What have you so baby?¡± He asked, crouching beside me, hand going on my thigh and tugs my thighs

    to the right, silently telling me to turn. I do.

    With his eyes staring deeply in my soul he murmurs. ¡°What¡¯s bothering you Sophie? If you¡¯re worried

    about going at it for hours, I can take breaks in between.¡±

    He smiled, trying to ease me a bit to have me tell him the truth.

    I did. N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    ¡°How can you love someone like me Aiden? I¡¯m no one special.¡± I murmured, my eyes tearing away

    from his.

    I can feel my heart pang at the thought of him not actually loving me.

    Was this all too good to be true?

    Can I really trust that he actually loves me?

    I have no clue as to how my thoughts had managed to sway to this dark side but I wanted out and his

    response alone would un-cuff me from the bounds of these dark ugly thoughts.

    Theugh lines at the corner of his eyes eased and the light in his eyes dimmed.

    I want to curse myself for ruining such a beautiful moment and try to retract my words.

    But he answered before I could.

    ¡°Sophie,¡±

    His hand go to my cheek, brushing against my skin tenderly as he stared down at me with yearning.

    ¡°I have nothing to gain by lying about my feelings. Loving someone is something I¡¯ll not lie about, nor

    will I ever dare y with that word. My parents knew the true meaning of the word and they made sure

    to teach me about it. I can never disrespect that word by using it so lightly. Sophie¡­.¡±

    He leaned down, his mouth hovering over mine as he now fixed himself to fit between my legs that I

    part for him.

    ¡°When I say I love you. I mean it with every fibre of my being.¡± He cradles his body between my thighs,

    getting himself until the head of his c*ck brushed against the side of my thigh, tickling up until it brushed

    my wet folds.

    ¡°Sophie,¡± He breathed out, his chest now pressing against mine where I could feel the pounding of his

    heart.

    It feels rapid.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to worry about my love. You¡¯ve had my heart for years and that won¡¯t ever change.¡±

    He whispered.

    ¡°Let my heart speak for me.¡± He murmurs while his lips brushed against mine softly.

    ¡°Listen to my heart Sophie, feel it. Let it tell you how much I love you,¡± He breathed out just as he

    pushed his hips forward, his c*ck entering me in one go, stretching me deliciously.

    My mouth part on a gasp as he expands my walls to fit around him snuggly. When he is sheathed

    inside my p*ssy, Aiden lets out a tortured groan that tumble out of his throat.

    ¡°If my words can¡¯t reassure you then my body will,¡± He grunted, pushing in further and filling me to the

    brim.

    The tip of his c*ck is tickling my womb, making my walls give him a weing squeeze that had a

    groan low in his throat pushing out.

    I wrap my hands around his shoulders that tensed under my fingertips.

    Aiden tilts his head slightly, his lips now brushing the corner of my mouth. He nted a tender kiss

    there lingering his lips for a few before murmuring.

    ¡°I¡¯ll show you how much I love you by using my body Sophie. I¡¯ll show you by using my soul.¡± He

    whispered, his mouth now curving back to mine and captured my lips with his.

    The mere feel of his lips felt like he had burnt me a thousand times. I couldn¡¯t imagine a better feeling,

    a better person to make me feel this kind of way.

    Heat so hot spiraled low in my belly, burning me alive just like the feel of his lips against mine right now.

    He moved them against mine so smoothly, tenderly, like he was touching the perfect petal of a rose.

    His tongue dipped into my mouth to caress my own as his hand cradle my face in his hands delicately.

    His touch is amazing.

    He wasn¡¯t even moving inside me yet and I feel like I was ready to burst and fall off the edge.

    And then he started to move¡­.

    He glided into my slick folds, breathing heavily in my mouth. as he kissed me passionately. He kissed

    me more passionately than he didst night which had my toes curling.

    My lower belly burned with fire as the tip of his tongue brushed my womb with every single thrust.

    My legs fell apart even more, sp*cing out to fit his bigger body morefortably.

    He grunted, angling his hips in a way and glide into me slowly.

    I gasp, my nails digging in his shoulders as he filled me over and over.

    Never had I ever thought him taking me so slowly and passionately would ignite a fire so strong. I was

    on the edge of the cliff, dangling helplessly.

    The pleasure I felt exhrated as he moved within me while capturing my moans in his mouth.

    My body felt alive under him.

    ¡°Feel that?¡± He murmured, his thumb brushing my skin and fire spread wildly beneath his fingertips.

    ¡°That¡¯s my body showing you how much I love you Sophie.¡± He murmured on my mouth and captured

    my lips again.

 Chapter 138

    Chapter 138

    138

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Fire swirled in my body, burning inside my veins hotly as Aiden dove inside me over and over, slowly.

    The passion I felt through the movement of his body had me shuddering with rhapsody that had my

    entire body tingling.

    A raptured groan left Aiden¡¯s lips, stumbling on mine as he still keep his mouth on mine, sucking and

    dipping his tongue inside my mouth.

    ¡°I¡¯m crazy for you Sophie, always have been,¡± Aiden groaned on my mouth, his hot breath fanning

    against my wet lips. He¡¯s still slipping inside me and pulling out slowly.

    ¡°Feel my heart beat for you. Feel me inside you. I¡¯m bearing out my soul for you baby,¡± Aiden grunted,

    kissing the corner of my mouth. ¡°I¡¯m giving you all my heart Sophie,¡±

    Hisst words had my heart beating harder in my chest as he took me over and over. His tone was

    filled with a vulnerability that shook me to my core.

    He lifts his head, our eyes sh and I hadn¡¯t realized I was crying until he lifted his hand and brushed

    the pad of his thumb over the skin under my eyes.

    Staring deeply into my eyes, Aiden murmurs with honesty. Last time I failed to show you that love. But

    this time I¡¯m giving it my all. This time I¡¯m showing you who really owns my heart.¡±

    His head dips, his nose brushing against mine as his blue eyes drown me in their intense stare. ¡°And

    that person who owns my heart is only you Sophie Bell,¡± He kissed my nose and pushed into me

    between the cradle of my thighs.

    He stretched me so deliciously and with every inch of him brushing within me felt like heaven.

    ¡°Take me baby. Feel me,¡± He breathed out and tilted his head to kiss my cheeks and then kissed the

    corner of my mouth.

    I breathed out his name as he continued to love me slowly, deliberately making the head of his c*ck

    brush along the sensitive sweet spot that nearly had me creaming around him.

    Aiden moaned, panting as he brought his lips back on mine while rocking between my legs.

    I can indeed feel him. And oddly I can feel his soul too.

    His body spoke to me. His heart too.

    I can still feel the o*gan beat furiously as his chest squished against mine. Like a beat of a drum, only

    that this one raced furiously.

    Aiden took me slow, gliding in and out of me until I was panting while trying to get air into my lungs.

    And then when his mouth trails down to my neck and he starts to kiss the skin, I shuddered, opening

    my legs to him as I moaned his name like a plea.

    His movements hasten a bit, his fingers biting into the side of my hips as his back muscles tense under

    my fingertips.

    ¡°Oh Aiden,¡± I breathed out as he pushed into me over and over, determined to make me feel his love

    and for me to feel his soul.

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    My c*ck is sheathed inside her tight warm p*ssy, getting licked every inch by her warm juices.

    Her cries under me sound so good and I never knew those kind of sounds would make me so hard.

    Only Sophie can have my c*ck in an uproar like this. I yearn for her.

    For years I¡¯ve yearned for her. It took me too d*mn long to get her, she¡¯ll be a fool to think I¡¯d ever let

    her go so easily.

    As if I¡¯d ever make the media spoil what I¡¯ve been dying for for years.

    D*mn them all with what they think. What they do, or what they say.

    Words can¡¯t describe how much Sophie meant to me¡­.but right now as I¡¯m deep inside her and feeling

    her and searching for her soul so I can connect with her, I was hell bent on showing her how much she

    means to me.

    ¡°F*ck,¡± a low growl came out of my throat as I push into her tight opening.

    She really does feel like heaven and d*mmit, I swore every single time I take her¡­it gets better and

    better.

    I feel Sophie tremble under me as I worked my c*ck into her, angling the throbbing o*gan where I knew

    she squirms and shatter. Her sweet spot.

    She mewled like a kitten, raking her nails over the course of my back. I grunt, weing the pain and

    pleasure of her nails marking me.

    That¡¯s right mama bear, mark daddy.

    I suckled the skin of her neck, tasting her while I dove in and out of her delicious p*ssy.

    Her cries grow louder, her nails digging harder and soon her hips were lifting up to meet my every

    thrust.

    My balls tighten, my c*ck pulsed inside her, expanding inside her walls and having her moan my name

    on her tongue prettily.

    ¡°I love you Sophie,¡± I whispered on her neck and brought my mouth back on hers.

    I capture her sweet addictive lips and kissed her until she was basically wing at my back as I rolled

    my hips and entered her.

    Her p*ssy tightened even more until it was almost difficult to move within her.

    I grunt. Saying every possible curse word in my head as that sort of pleasure brought me closer to

    exploding inside her.

    I had no choice but to pull my lips away from her and lift my upper half off her, hold myself on my

    forearm and bury my hand between us in search of her cl*t.

    When I got the nub I circled my fingers on it, causing her to gasp and arch her back.

    I stared down at the beauty, marveling out how much I love this woman for years and only managed to

    man up now.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    Her brows pinch together in concentration, her lips press into a lovely s*xy pout and her eyes closing

    was the most alluring sight I had ever seen before.

    She was my undoing.

    And I was hers.

    I rolled my fingers more furiously until she released around me to allow me to move again.

    And that I did.

    I moved, in and out, applying pressure to that sweet spot of hers that drove her wild. She panted my

    name, her eyes flickering open until my eyes shed with hers.

    My heart throbs and I whispered. ¡°I love you so much Sophie. And don¡¯t you ever forget it.¡±

    Her breath hitches the moment I feel her p*ssy walls contract around me, branding my c*ck with her

    warm juices.

    I moaned, pumping into her slowly as I came inside her, shuddering on top of her while staring

    intensely into her eyes.

    ¡°I love you,¡± I murmured and kissed the tip of her nose just as the sun set and darkness loomed around

    us.

 Chapter 139

    Chapter 139

    139

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    My body felt a bit sore when I awoke. I took note that Ash and Aiden¡¯s presence wasn¡¯t beside me on

    the bed.

    My missing guys were either in the kitchen making breakfast like thest time, or judging by the faint

    sound of the television ying, was watching some cartoon show.

    I rolled around, my body aching.

    My body was sore because Aiden and I made love for a good couple of hours before retiring to bed.

    I shifted around, sniffling as my nose throbbed a little.

    Was Iing down with a cold?

    I groaned, stretching my arms up, moaning as I felt my stiff back groan and c*ack.

    I was definitelying down with something.

    I sneezed, and quickly rolled out of the bed and strolled to the bathroom lousily to get some tissue to

    clean my nose.

    I stared at my reflection in the mirror, wincing when my eyes zoomed in on my red nose and messy

    hair.

    I had caught a cold and it was perhaps because of the cold pool water yesterday and being taken on

    the tiles that were not warm either.

    I sniffed and cleaned up my nose. Throwing the tissue in the toilet, I flushed it down.

    Even though I caught a cold, I didn¡¯t regret anything yesterday. Aiden had held up to his promise to

    show me how much he loved me. And oddly I felt it.

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    I¡¯m not sure how to exin it, but I could feel his love through his movements, the way he stared into

    my eyes deeply, and the way he murmured soothing words.

    My insides tingled with the images that gued my mind. Even now I could feel him. The sweet ache

    between my thighs.

    I walked out of the bathroom and made my way to the bed.

    The sound of the door clicking open had my head snapping to the door and I felt flushed under the

    weight of his loving stare.

    With Ash in his hold, Aiden steps into the room fully.

    ¡°Oh you¡¯re awake, good morning baby. Made some breakfas-

    He stopped and stared at my face for a little before his eyes darken with worry.

    ¡°Are you feeling well mama bear?¡± He asked, concern swirling in his voice as he approached me. I plop

    on the bed, tempted to go under the covers and sleep but choose to stay seated instead.

    I opened my arms for Ash while answering Aiden. ¡°I think I caught a cold,¡± I murmured.

    He gives me Ash who loops his little arms around my neck

    and hugs me. I kissed his head. ¡°Good morning my sweet boy,¡±

    He giggles and I peered up at his father who looked at me in worry. ¡°Is it bad? Do you want me to call

    the doctor?¡±

    I shook my head, smiling a little. ¡°No, it¡¯s just a mild cold. Probably will go in a day or two.¡±

    Aiden nods and leans down to kiss me on my lips. ¡°I don¡¯t care if it¡¯s contagious, nothing will stop me

    from having my drug.¡± He murmurs on my lips when he pulls away.

    I shake my head, giggling a little when he pecked my lips several times. ¡°I¡¯m going to stay home and

    take care of you.¡± He murmurs on my lips.

    My brows knot. ¡°That¡¯s not a good idea Aiden, aren¡¯t you needed at the office? And I probably should

    get back to the apartment-

    Aiden pulls away, his eyes narrowing down on me. ¡°I can¡¯t have my little family living in such a situation

    Sophie. The ce isn¡¯t safe and isn¡¯t there a haunted elevator?¡±

    I wince. He was right. The ce wasn¡¯t safe, but it had been our home for a few years.

    Aiden squat before me and Ashton. He ces his hand on Ashton¡¯s small leg and stared up at me, his

    eyes filled with strong emotion.

    ¡°I want to be able to protect you and Ash twenty four seven mama bear. I can¡¯t do that if you¡¯re an hour

    away. How will I be able to sleep at night if you two aren¡¯t beside me?¡± He sighed, looking lost and

    saddened. .

    ¡°I can¡¯t bear to be without you two,¡± He admitted. ¡°I can¡¯t. stand a single thought of being away from

    you both for even a second far less for hours. Those two days waking up with you both here with me is

    one of the best days of my life.¡±

    I stared into his eyes deeply. His eyes showed that he spoke the truth but I can¡¯t help have a lingering

    thought of reluctance.

    I¡¯ve never stayed with a man before, all alone. Well Ashton will also be there, but it will be different than

    living with the girls¡­.

    I gnawed on my bottom lip, sniffling a bit as I contemted. This wouldn¡¯t be a bad thing, here was an

    undoubtedly safer ce for Ashton. He would also get more time to bond with his father, something I

    robbed him of.

    So I did what I thought was right. I agreed.

    ¡°Okay,¡± I breathed out and Aiden jumped to his feet and hugged both Ashton and me. Ashton squealed,

    giggling as Aiden yfully squished us both in his hold.

    ¡°You will not regret this mama bear. I promise,¡± He said,ughing and then kissed my forehead and

    then Ashton¡¯s.

    ¡°I have to tell the girls,¡± I said between a few giggles. His happiness was was rubbing off on me.

    ¡°I¡¯ll have someone pick up your stuff-

    ¡°Hey now Mr. Xavier. No one is going to rummage through my stuff except me.¡± My eyes narrowed on

    his face.

    The corner of his lips lift into a grin..¡±Right. There are somecey panties that are only for my eyes to

    see. I¡¯ll go pick up your stuff.¡±

    My eyes narrowed into slits. ¡°I can pick up my stuff on my own Aiden,¡± I red.

    He chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re unwell baby-

    ¡°I can walk and my hands work fine. I¡¯m not on my death bed.¡± I retorted with a snort.

    Aiden¡¯s smirk widen in amusement. ¡°What are you hiding? Do you have some kind of s*x toy you don¡¯t

    want me to see mama bear?¡±

    I gasped, quickly covering Ashton¡¯s ears as I scowled at his father. ¡°Don¡¯t talk so crudely in front of

    Ash.¡±

    Aiden lifted his hands up in surrender and then my eyes narrowed as I remembered something.

    I contemted if to ask him or not, but then my tongue decided for me, and before I knew it words roll

    out of my mouth.

    ¡°Speaking about hiding something. I found the picture frame in your drawer Aiden. A picture of me.¡±

    Aiden stiffened, his smile dimming when those words tumbled out of my mouth.

 Chapter 140

    Chapter 140

    140

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Aiden looked stunned for a few seconds until his face flushed with red and he awkwardly lifted his hand

    in his hair.

    He scratches the back of his head and tore his gaze away from mine before clearing his throat.

    ¡°I¡¯m not a stalker Sophie, I swear I¡¯m not some kind of creep.¡± He then brought that hand to his chin

    and scratched it as he brought his eyes back to mine.

    He looked as awkward as ever, face bright with red.

    He cleared his throat a couple of times andughed awkwardly. ¡°I suppose I should exin why I have

    a picture of you in my drawer.¡±

    I nod, holding Ash on myp as he yed with my tresses.

    Aiden sighed and started. ¡°I had it for good luck. I couldn¡¯t have you in my life so I resorted for-

    He then winces. ¡°Come to think of it, I do sound a bit creepy.¡±

    He groaned, lifting his head to the ceiling. ¡°I swear when ites to you Sophie I never think properly.¡±

    He then looks back at me, looking embarrassed. ¡°I¡¯m not even sure where to start to exin to you why

    I have a picture of you in my drawer.¡± He scratched his ears.

    He was squirming and for the first time, Aiden wasn¡¯tposed. He was awkward and I found it oddly

    adorable.

    To tease him more and make him even more awkward, I lift a brow and said. ¡°How about you start by

    exining to me where you got that picture?¡±

    I tilt my head and stared into the ocean swirls that warmed my belly. ¡°I don¡¯t recall taking it.¡±

    He cringed and looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here. His awkward state had me biting my

    bottom lip to stop from smiling and giggling.

    Finally I can manage to make Aiden squirm.

    He groaned and sat down beside me, turning his body in a way to face me. His hand reached out to

    hold my arm and he clears his throat.

    ¡°Okay before I tell you everything. Promise to not look at me any differently. I maye out a bit

    creepy but I swear I had no bad intentions.¡±

    My eyes drop to his hand that held my arm. I noted how his fingertips burned my skin.

    I try my best to ignore that feeling and lift my gaze to his.

    I nod, reassuring him that I would not see him any differently.

    He gives me a crooked awkward smile and began.

    ¡°I took that photo Sophie,¡± His neck crawled with a fiery blush that spotted on his cheeks. ¡°You were so

    beautiful that day and I just couldn¡¯t help myself. I know it was creepy to just take a photo of you

    without your permission but there was

    just something with the way you looked that day that made me want to capture it. I kept that photo ever

    since. Bringing it along wherever I go. I¡¯m convinced it brought me luck so t kept it.¡±

    He then scratched the nape of his neck and looked away from me awkwardly. ¡°Besides, I loved staring

    at you. It brought mefort in jail and during those bad times. It gave me hope.¡±

    I licked my suddenly dry lips and stared at the side of his face. He was embarrassed to look at me,

    perhaps thinking I was judging him and thinking of him as a creep.

    But little did he know that knowing that I broughtfort and hope to him was the sweetest and one of

    the best things he had ever said to me.

    But still, I liked to see him squirm and decided to tease him even more.

    Liking the way I was making Aiden squirm wasn¡¯t a bad thing at all.

    ¡°I think I remember that outfit I wore. It was my birthday and someone threw the cupcake M made for

    me. I was angry and sad and went on the field. Little did I know a stalker was lurking. Even though that

    said stalker was the one who tossed my cupcake.¡± I taunted and got the reaction I wanted.

    Aiden¡¯s head snapped to my eyes, his cheeks redder than it was seconds ago. He looked ready to

    crawl into a hole.

    I bit into my bottom lip and continued to tease him.¡± Who would¡¯ve thought your daddy was a stalker

    then Ash. A mean stalker who ruined mommy¡¯s birthday cupcake.¡±

    Aiden winced and coughed. ¡°A stalker is a bit of a stretch baby¡­.I was simply checking to see if you

    were okay. You looked beautiful and I couldn¡¯t resist capturing the moment.¡± He shrugged trying to

    sound nonchnt but of course I knew he was just embarrassed.

    I raised a brow and snorted. ¡°Checking to see if I was okay after causing my somber mood is

    ¡°And besides, you didn¡¯t check up on me, only stated at me from afar and took a picture of me.¡± I rolled

    my eyes.

    ¡°I had to keep the bully appearance baby. I couldn¡¯t show you I was simping over you.¡± He scratched

    his chin.

    ¡°Maybe you didn¡¯t have to be a bully at all.¡± I shook my head in disappointment. ¡°And I¡¯m still not over

    my ruined cupcake.¡±I pouted.

    Aiden cringed, scratching his chin. ¡°I was a real jerk back then huh?¡±

    I narrowed my eyes. ¡°Is that even a question? You were the biggest one and you still are.¡±

    Aiden looked battered. ¡°Damm baby, ease up on this old guy would you? I was a kid back then-

    ¡°It has only been a few years and you¡¯re not even that old. ¡°I deadpanned.

    He winced and then got off the bed. ¡°Okay, wait here, I¡¯ll be right back.¡± He said and lifted a finger to tell

    me to ¡®wait!

    My brows furrowed.

    What can he be up to now?

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°Aiden? What are you nning?¡± I asked in curiosity. I know that look¡­he was up to something.

    ¡°It¡¯s a surprise. Wait here.¡± He winks and quickly leaves the room.

    I groan and looked down at Ash.

    ¡°Oh Ash, what is daddy nning now? Last time he surprised me, the entire living room to kitchen area

    was filled with roses.¡± I sighed as I brushed through his hair.

    I don¡¯t think I¡¯m ready for another surprise yet, especially since I haven¡¯t cleaned up all those roses.

    Sergio¡¯s pov

    That Sophie girl must¡¯ve kept her mouth shut like I warned her too. If she had squealed, Aiden would

    have surely shown his face here by now.

    I smirked, good, at least the b*tch was smart a little.

    I pulled out the phone from my pocket and scrolled through my contacts.

    My thumb hovered over her name.

    It¡¯s been a good while since I spoke with her.

    My mouth twisted into a t line as I tapped the call button.

    The phone rings for a good couple of minutes and on thest ring, she ends up picking it up before it

    stops.

    ¡°Father.¡±

    I don¡¯t acknowledge her cold tone and spoke.

    ¡°Did you know about your son¡¯s secret child with the girl he is now engaged to?¡±

 Chapter 141

    Chapter 141

    141

    Meredith¡¯s pov

    I ce the phone down on the counter, my head a bit hazy.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong baby?¡± My husband walked into the kitchen and noticed my change of mood.

    I looked over at him, still a bit confused by the conversation I just had with my father.

    He noticed my confused and concerned stare and his brows knot as he approaches me. ¡°That man

    called you, didn¡¯t he?¡± He spat,ing closer and holding me.

    I nod, looking at him. ¡°He mentioned that our son has a fiance and a son. He also proposed to fly us

    out to surprise Aiden.¡± I voiced out, still a bit m*ffled by the whole situation.

    Surely our son would have told us he had started his own little family?

    Why were we just hearing about this now? Especiallying from my father?

    A man known to not care about his blood more than money?

    How does he know and I didn¡¯t?

    I sighed inwardly. Perhaps if I had been on the inte more, then maybe I would¡¯ve stumbled upon the

    article and photo of my apparent grandson as father told me.

    Grant and i were never into social media stuff and always

    stayed clear of it.

    This time around I suppose staying away from it wasn¡¯t a

    good thing. Strangers knew about my son being engaged and a father¡­¡­before Grant and me.

    Grant pulls away from me, looking down at me with even more confusion than I had stered on my

    face.

    ¡°What?¡± He voiced out his confusion and took a step back as he scanned my face for any insincerity.

    When he finds none his brows furrowed even more.

    ¡°You¡¯re joking?¡± He asked, looking at me perplexed.

    I shook my head and stared at my phone. ¡°I kid you not Grant, my father just called and told me that

    Aiden is a father and now a fiance. I¡¯m still lost myself.¡±

    Grant scratched his head and looked out the window, staring into nothing while I could see the gears in

    his head shift.

    ¡°Your father is a lying b*stard Mer, what if he is lying about this too? Why would Aiden keep such a

    secret from us?¡± Grant groaned, shaking his head as if not believing my words still.

    I chewed on my lips, raking my brain for a possible reason that would exin why Aiden would not

    have told us such an important matter in his life.

    But I could find none.

    ¡°What do you suggest we do Grant? What if he¡¯s not ready to tell us? How will we know if my father is

    lying or not?¡± I asked, confused and lost.

    Grant shook his head and leaned against the counter.

    ¡°We raised Aiden better than this. We are his parents, this is something we should have known before

    anyone else.¡± Grant answered tightly with disappointment.

    He sighed, still staring out of the window and said. ¡°The only way we can be sure that Sergio isn¡¯t lying

    is by visiting Aiden ourselves.¡±

    He looks over at me. ¡°We should surprise Aiden with a visit soon. Pack your bags baby we¡¯re going on

    a trip.¡±

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    My belly growls and Ashton lifts his eyes to mine in surprise. I raised a brow, giggling lightly.

    ¡°Mom is hungry Ash.¡± I said and looked at the pillow beside me. ¡°And tired.¡±

    It¡¯s been a good twenty minutes since Aiden had left the room. And like an obedient person, I stayed

    put as he told me to.

    But now hunger was literally eating me alive and I needed something to eat.

    Looking down at Ash I murmured. ¡°What could your father be possibly doing for twenty minutes?¡±

    I sighed and sniffled. At least my nose wasn¡¯t runny anymore, only a slight ache on the bridge of my

    nose was left.

    My belly growls again and Ashton¡¯s expression is hrious. I giggled and yfully rub my nose against

    his. He squealed, pulling away.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get something to eat Ash or I may just die of starvation.¡±

    I got up with him in my arms and strolled over to the door. He¡¯s ying with my hair as I opened the

    door and stepped out.

    The sweet smell of chocte hit me and my belly grumbles even more.

    My brows knot and I looked down at Ashton. ¡°Is the surprise chocte Ash?¡± I asked knowing fully well

    that Ashton had no clue about what I was talking about.

    But he smiles nheless, those ocean blue eyes simr to his dad¡¯s brighten as he answered. ¡°Moma

    loves chocte,¡±

    A huge grin smeared on my face, hugging him to me, I breathed in his calming c*conut smell. ¡°Yes Ash,

    moma loves chocte.¡±

    ¡°Sh*t,¡± Aiden hissed and soon it was followed by a tter.

    I pulled away from Ash and looked down the long hallway, my brows furrowing with concern. ¡°Looks

    like your dad is having a bit of trouble.¡±

    I started down the hallway, the smell of the chocte getting stronger the closer I get to the living room

    and kitchen area.

    When I appeared I noted how the area was cleaned of the roses except for one on the coffee table and

    dining table.

    ¡°You cleaned up the roses?¡± I asked.

    My eyes shift to Aiden who is in the kitchen and I freeze. And he freezes.

    We both froze and even little Ash froze.

    There standing with an apron and a cupcake before him was Aiden. In his hand was a piping bag and

    he seemed to have been busy icing the cupcake.

    His shoulders sag and he sighed. ¡°I thought I told you to stay still until I get back?¡±

    Finally getting back down to reality, I lift a shoulder into a light shrug. ¡°I grew hungry. Where¡¯s that

    breakfast you said you did?¡±

    My belly growls just as I finished my words.

    Aiden¡¯s neck flushed pink and it crawled up to his face. He grinned sheepishly. ¡°Sorry mama bear. I

    forgot to feed you huh?¡±

    I nodded and drop my eyes back down to the cupcake. He noticed my stare and grunted lightly.

    ¡°I guess it¡¯s not much of a surprise now is it?¡± He squeezes the piping bag and it pushes out chocte

    icing onto the cake.

    H*cked my lips.

    ¡°You made a cupcake?¡± I whispered in awe.

    He nods and sets the piping bag down. He lifts his hand in his

    hair and he shyly scratches at his scalp. ¡± Yeah. I figured I¡¯d make up for what I did to you on your

    birthday. If I remember correctly it was a chocte cupcake, right?¡±

    His face reddened even more.

    I¡¯m stunned that he remembered.¡± How did you remember¡­..¡± I trailed off in surprise.

    The corner of his mouth tugs. ¡°I remember everything about you, Sophie. Down to the pink nail polish

    on your toes that day.¡±

    My heart leaps and I stare at him a bit stunned.

    He really remembered.

    My mouth pull and I find myself smiling. ¡°You really were a stalker,¡± I joked, making him snort and

    shrug.

    ¡°That¡¯s the thing baby, with you I do anything without thinking much of it. You say stalker but I say,

    protector. I was looking over you like a guardian angel.¡± He joked, chuckling slightly.

    I snorted. ¡°More like devil.¡±

    Aiden¡¯s eyes twi*kled. ¡°I¡¯m good with being the devil as long as you¡¯re my angel.¡±

    I blushed, flustered by his words.

    Aiden¡¯s grin widened when he sees my flustered state and he calls me over with a curl of his finger.

    I approached him, a blush heavy on my face. When I am

    beside him, he turns to face me, his eyes bright as the ocean on a clear day. He curled that same

    finger under my chin and tip my head.

    ¡°You¡¯re so beautiful when you blush Sophie,¡± He whispered and gave me a sweet kiss that had my toes

    curling.

    When he pulls away he smiles down at me and ruffles Ashton¡¯s hair.

    ¡°Let¡¯s ce the candle in the cake buddie,¡± Aiden said an pried Ashton out of my hold.

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    He and Ashton pushed a blue single candle through the middle of the cupcake and Aiden then gave

    me Ashton back to light up the candle.

    ¡°It¡¯s not my birthday yet,¡± I said shyly.

    Aiden looks at me with a strong emotion of love. ¡°This is to make up for that cupcake I ruined on your

    birthday these years ago. This time, I want you to make that wish I robbed you of.¡±

    Hees behind me and turns me around to face the cake. With his hands on my waist, Aiden¡¯s lips

    brush along my ear and he whispers. ¡°Make a wish mama bear and blow out your candle.¡±

 Chapter 142

    Chapter 142

    142

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    They always say there is a kind soul in.a once cold heart. But maybe that was my own saying, but I

    sure as hell believed it

    now.

    As Aiden¡¯s words brush against my eardrums, my body sang with warmth. His once cold heart would

    never be able to do this, nor will he ever say such words so warmly.

    I closed my eyes for a few, savoring the feel of his warm fingers on my waist and then leaned down,

    Ashton¡¯s head going forward as well.

    I puckered up my lip and then said a wish inwardly before blowing out the candle. Today wasn¡¯t my

    birthday but this was one of the sweetest surprises I had ever gotten.

    Aiden keeps surprising me with these gestures.

    Peeling my eyes open, I straightened and turned around in his arms. He hugs me and Ash, kissing my

    head and leaving his nose buried in my hair. I can hear him sniff and he murmured above my head.

    ¡°You smell like home,¡± He kissed my head again, lingering his lips there.

    His words had my heart racing and had tingles running down my spine. I rest my head on his chest,

    holding Ash on my hip. We stayed like this for a few until Aiden hears the rude rumbling of my stomach.

    He pulls away. ¡°Forgive me for forgetting about your stomach. baby. Let me te some of those waffles

    and strawberries for you quickly.¡±

    I nod and he leaves to do just that.

    ¡°Have a taste of the cupcake baby and tell me what you think.¡±

    I turn back to the cupcake and pulled the candle out of it. Setting the candle down, I picked up the

    cupcake and bit into

    it.

    The sweet taste of the chocte icing was the first thing my taste buds picked up on, and then the

    vor of the cake burst on my tomgue¡­.

    I forced myself to swallow it and looked at Aiden whose back is mirroring me. His toned back muscles

    flexed and I had to force my eyes away from his back to focus.

    I cleared my throat, licking up the chocte icing on my lips to save me from the bitter t*ng of too much

    baking soda.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I called out, biting into the inside of my bottom lip.

    He turns around with the te in his hand, a concern frown between his brows.

    ¡°Yes baby?¡±

    I almost didn¡¯t want to tell him that his cake skills were not

    top-notch, but I knew that he would ask questions if I didn¡¯t finish the cupcake.

    So I told him.

    ¡°I love your surprise baby but I can¡¯t finish eating the cupcake.¡± I admitted feeling awful that I had to tell

    him this.

    His brow c*cked up. ¡°Baby huh?¡±

    His bottom lip snuck between his teeth and he bites down on the plumpness.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, I prefer the word daddy. But I guess that will only be used for the bedroom. So I guess

    baby works fine.¡± He

    winks.

    I nearly want to groan. How can he only hear the word baby and not have registered the others?

    But even though I was slightly annoyed, a st*pid blush smeared on my cheeks. ¡°Shut up.¡±

    He chuckles and approaches me and Ashton with the te in his hand. My belly growls seeing the

    strawberries and waffles, smeared with honey.

    He may not be a cake maker but he was definitely good at making breakfast.

    When he¡¯s before me, he ces the te on the countertop and stared down at me with a look of

    interest.

    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you able to finish eating the cupcake?¡± He looked down at the cupcake as he questioned

    me.

    At least he heard that part too.

    I looked at him for a bit and contemted if I actually wanted to be the one to pull the rug under his feet

    and confess to him that the little surprise he just gave me taste like sh*t.

    I wince.

    I should just rip the bandage off.

    ¡°I can¡¯t eat it because it doesn¡¯t taste that great,¡± I stared at his surprise face and rushed out. ¡°But it¡¯s

    the thought that counts Aiden. I don¡¯t care if it taste bad or good.¡±

    Aiden¡¯s brows knot as he stared down at the cupcake. ¡°You¡¯re kidding?¡± He pries the cupcake from my

    hands, surprising me when he takes a bite.

    It only takes a few seconds and he rushes to the bin and spits it out. ¡°F*ck.¡±

    ¡°Aiden!¡± I scowled, quickly blocking Ashton¡¯s ears even though the word was said and done.

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    He winces, either from my scolding or the taste of the cupcake.

    He throws the rest of the cupcake in the bin and looks over at me sheepishly. ¡°At least you got your

    wish.¡±

    I giggled.

    He approaches me.¡±Baking cakes are not my strong point but your man can sure whip up something

    when ites to breakfast, lunch and dinner.¡±

    He jokes and pulls me in his arms. He kisses my forehead as I giggled and bend down to kiss Ashton¡¯s

    head. ¡°I¡¯d gobble down that breakfast if I were you. To get rid of that cupcake aftertaste.¡±

    I can hear the cringe in his voice and giggled even more.

    ¡°I know what I want to suck and eat out to get rid of mine.¡± He murmurs, his lips nearing my ear.

    His words sent shivers raking through my body and when he spoke again, huskily as ever, my knees

    weakened and I nearly melt.

    ¡°But those words aren¡¯t meant for our son to hear,¡± His hot breath feathered on my ear, sparking a fire

    that courses through my veins quickly.

    Suddenly his phone buzzes on the countertop and he pulls away from me.

    I turn around to re at the phone for disturbing us, but the surprise I received had my heart dropping.

    Caller I.D. was Lillian. The doctor they spotted him with yesterday.

    My lips press into a t line and I wait for what Aiden would do.

    I looked up at him and noticed his tight face. I also noted the storm of irritation in his gaze. His lips were

    lined with a nasty scowl and the re that pointed directly at the phone worried me that it would set it

    on fire.

    ¡°Why is this d*mn woman calling me?¡± He gritted while still ring at the phone.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to answer it to find out?¡± I said and hadn¡¯t meant for my words to give away my bitter

    jealousy.

    Aiden took note of it and sweep his gaze back to mine. The storm that brewed in his eyespletely

    let up. ¡°Why would I

    waste my time to answer a woman that¡¯s not important when I have my life in front of me?¡±

    He lifts his finger and brushed it along my cheek. ¡°Your jealousy is cute mama bear but there is no

    reason to be jealous when ites to her.¡± His hand wraps around the back of my head and he pulls

    my head forward.

    He kissed my head and murmured. ¡°I thought I showed you thatst night but I suppose I have more

    cut out for me.¡±

    When the phone stops, after a few seconds it res again. I pull away from him and swallowed my

    pride. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s important Aiden.¡±

    Aiden groaned and looked down at his phone. His expression lightened up.

    ¡°Oh, I need to take that one.¡± He said and I turned around to see someone else¡¯s name shing on his

    phone.

    He picks up his phone and brought it to his ear while staring down at me. ¡°Did you manage to do it?¡±

    His face painted with fury secondster when I suppose he got a response he didn¡¯t like.

    ¡°What the hell do you mean they are not agreeing to take the d*mn post down?!¡± Aiden barked into the

    phone, fury burning through his gaze.

 Chapter 143

    Chapter 143

    143

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Whatever the other person was saying on the other line was not sitting right with Aiden. He looked

    extremely p*ssed off every second that passed.

    However, the conversation seemed important as I picked up

    words like ¡®sue¡¯ and ¡®court¡¯.

    And when he got off the phone and mmed it down on the counter harshly, I got startled and jumped

    a little.

    He¡¯s breathing roughly, a storm wrecking through those ocean blues. I miss the calm.

    ¡°Aiden?¡± I called his name out softly, rmed by his sudden mood change.

    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± I asked after a pregnant pause of silence after I said his name.

    His sharp blue eyes flick to mine, and he stares at me silently, seething silently. His anger was not

    directed at me, but it still shook me to the core.

    With the way he had been so warm and attentive to me, forgotten about that side of him that once

    scared me.

    ¡°It will be when I get my hands around Sergio¡¯s neck,¡± He grumbled.

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    I had

    I know that b*stard is behind this.

    Who would be so cu*ning to see his way and irritate me other than him?

    Besides, he is good friends with the owner of the blog. It wouldn¡¯t take a genius to know that he had a

    role to y in this absurdity.

    ¡°We tried all ways, Mr. Xavier, but he is refusing to move the posts,¡± Theo said on the other line.

    ¡°And there¡¯s als¨® one more thing¡­¡± He trailed off, and I can almost hear him gulp through the phone.

    I gripped the phone tighter until I swore I could hear it cracking slowly.

    ¡°What is it?¡± I grit lowly, fighting off the impulse of throwing the phone at the wall. I didn¡¯t want to startle

    Sophie and

    Ashton.

    And I knew my girl had her eyes on me in worry already, didn¡¯t

    want her to be even more.

    I hear Theo take in a sharp, shaky breath of unease before speaking. ¡°They posted something else just

    a few minutes ago. It¡¯s about Mrs. Muralo and you, sir. Miss Bell is also involved. And it doesn¡¯t look

    good.¡±

    Fury swam in my veins, and my jaw popped.

    I¡¯m picturing my hands around Sergio¡¯s neck and the d*mn owner of the blog.

    But even that couldn¡¯t give me satisfaction enough to ease

    my anger.

    ¡°What is it about Theo?¡± I hissed, ring at the countertop.

    It was way too d*mn early to hear about this.

    ¡°Sir, it¡¯s a post about you and Mrs. Muralo being in love. But you dumped her for Miss Bell, sir. They¡¯re

    calling Miss Bell a homewrecker.¡± He said in one breath and stayed silent when I did not respond as

    yet.

    I had not responded yet because I froze, my insides feeling like ice despite the burning fury racing

    through my veins.

    My jaw ticked.

    Sophie.

    They were calling her a homewrecker?

    Where the hell did they even get that false information about Lillian and me being in love?

    Is that why that woman was trying to get a hold of me? Did she see the post as well?

    I¡¯m tempted even more to hurl the phone at the wall as I grow even angrier.

    If Sophie stumbled on a post like that, she will be torn. She¡¯ll feel awful, and I didn¡¯t want my woman to

    feel even a pinch of sadness.

    G*ddamm*t!

    I just wanted to live happily with my little family. Is that so

    much to ask for!?

    I want to drive over to Sergio and the owner of the blog house and strangle them both.

    ¡°Are you sure there¡¯s no way to make them take down both posts, Theo?¡± I asked tightly, my chest

    tightening with held back anger.

    I assume if they are unwilling to remove the first post about Lillian and me, then they would not be as

    willing to move the second.

    I pinched the bridge of my nose.

    I should¡¯ve tried to have them take it downst night the second I got home, but I was a bit upied

    with savoring and loving my woman andpletely forgotten about it.

    It was only earlier before Sophie woke up did I remember that Lillian and I¡¯s photo was running through

    social media.

    The same photo that upset Sophie.

    I obviously had to make sure it would be taken down immediately to not upset her even more.

    But it seems Sergio was behind this and perhaps I shouldn¡¯t have been surprised. It was clear he didn¡¯t

    like Sophie and would do all in his power to see that we part ways.

    That f*cker was so money hungry he would not even care about Ashton or Sophie¡¯s invisible fake

    pregnancy.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid not, sir. They are not budging.¡± Theo responded.

    A groan bubbled in my throat.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to bring these f*ckers to court. I¡¯m going to sue their a*s and-

    ¡°Mr.Xavier with all due respect, suing and bringing them to court will take about an entire month or two.

    By then, that article will be up for everyone to see.¡± Theo cuts in, his voice shaky and faint at thest

    second.

    I don¡¯t give a f*ck about how many people see the article, I only care about one person not seeing it.

    I was hell-bent on making my woman happy for as long as I can. I didn¡¯t want her upset, it f*cking hurts

    me when she is.

    ¡°Keep trying to get them to take all down and don¡¯t call me back until you seed,¡± I said curtly and

    end the call.

    I¡¯m seething, seeing red until she tore me out of the haze of fury.

    ¡°Aiden?¡±

    Her voice went straight to my heart and I felt nothing but pain knowing that I brought such an innocent

    person like her into my cruel world.

    I can already see all those negative things written about her after others have seen the two posts:

    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± Her voice is low and shaky.

    I was scaring her but it was hard to not feel so angry.

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    I sweep my gaze to her and answered after a pause.

    ¡°It will be when I get my hands around Sergio¡¯s neck,¡± I grumbled, meaning every word.

    Her eyes widen slightly in rm. ¡°What?¡± She breathed out.

    Noticing I have really worried and scared her, I tried to ease

    her.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing mama bear. Just the usual tactics of Sergio.¡± I pinched her chin yfully. ¡°Eat your

    breakfast. I need to make an important call, I¡¯ll be back soon. ¡±

    She doesn¡¯t look relieved but still nods. I leave her and went to one of the guest rooms further from the

    kitchen area so she¡¯d not hear me.

    I red at my phone as my thumb hovered over his number. I tapped on it and brought it to my ear.

    He answers on the third ring.

    ¡°Is the earth about to explode? It¡¯s so rare to hear from you-

    ¡°Cut the bul*sh*t Sergio. Make them take down those d*mn posts.¡± I barked, f*sting my hand at my

    side.

 Chapter 144

    Chapter 144

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    ¡°Now now, Aiden. Is it not too early to give me such an attitude-

    ¡°Sergio, you¡¯re getting on myst d*mn nerves. I know you¡¯re behind this sh*t. Get them to take down

    that post.¡± I snarled, gripping the phone tightly while imagining it as Sergio¡¯s neck.

    There¡¯s a heavy pause until he answered. ¡°What post are you referring to, Aiden?¡±

    He was ying the oblivious card but I knew better than to think that he was innocent in all this.

    He had a hand to y with Lillian being shifted here and he also had a part to y with the papara*zi

    getting to Harrington.co just as Lillian and I were heading out.

    It was not a coincidence, and I was not dumb enough to think that she also had no part to y in this

    as well.

    ¡°You¡¯re seventy Sergio. You¡¯re an old man. When are you going to stop ying those silly games? You

    know what you did, at least man up to it and admit what you have done.¡± I hissed lowly and spared the

    closed door a nce.

    I was trying my best to keep my voice even so Sophie would not take wind of it, but Sergio ying

    dumb was pping more fury in my body.

    There is so much I could take until I snap.

    Sergio was treading on myst nerves. And he should really tread lightly.

    Heughs on the other end, dryly. ¡°The way you speak to your grandfather worries me Aiden. What will

    be of your son? Will he regard your father the-

    ¡°Old man,¡± I barked, feeling the veins on my neck protrude. ¡°Do not bring my son and father into your

    nonsense. You¡¯re beating around the bush, trying to move away from the elephant in the room. I know

    what you¡¯re capable of Sergio and I know you have a part to y with that d*mn article.¡±

    My voice is so loud it booms against the walls and surely had reached Sophie¡¯s ears.

    A few ticking secondster I get confirmation when her sweet voice bubbles through the door, easing

    my anger slightly.

    ¡°Aiden?¡± She knocked on the door lightly.

    ¡°Dada,¡± Ash murmurs softly after his mother and my heart

    shatters.

    I didn¡¯t want him to hear or see this part of me.

    I pinched my eyes tightly, and sighed. ¡°It¡¯s nothing to worry about Soph. I¡¯ll be done soon.¡± I tried to

    reassure her but we both know this was utter bull*hit.

    Her soft okay makes my belly sink and her fading footfalls urge me to go after her and pull both her and

    Ashton in my

    arms.

    But I resist that strong pull and cemented myself there until I was done with Sergio.

    ¡°Such a sweet girl.¡± Sergio¡¯s voice brought me back, and the subsiding fury nearly consumed me again.

    My jaw tick, my re burning on the wall as I let him continue.

    Last time I saw her we didn¡¯t get much time to talk. It would surely be a pleasure to get to know her

    more. I was admittedly harsh thest time-

    ¡°Sergio what the f*ck are you on about?¡± I cut in harshly,

    turning around to look at the walls as I¡¯m tempted to hurl the phone at their smooth surface.

    He chuckles dryly. ¡°I want to invite you and your little family for lunch tomorrow-

    ¡°Sophie¡¯s sick, we can¡¯t make it.¡± I grit out, fis*ing my hands at my sides.

    ¡°Too bad, and here I thought we could strike a deal.¡± He clicked his tongue and I got confirmation that

    the old man had been up to something to get his way.

    I straightened my spine and breathed out hot air of rage as I tried to y along. ¡°Deal?¡±

    He chuckles, seeming to be pleased with himself that he had caught my attention.

    ¡°It hase to my attention that there was an article written about you and Lillian Muralo,¡± Sergio

    draws out and I can just imagine the b*stard with a smirk on his face.

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    ¡°You slimy b*stard-

    I started but he cuts in.

    ¡°Calling me names will not help your predicament.¡±

    My teeth throb with the amount of pressure I applied to them because of the rage that bubbled in my

    veins. I knew this old b*stard had a part to y in this.

    ¡°What do you want Sergio?¡± I sighed, exhausted by this old

    man tactics.

    He chuckles, pleased with himself.

    ¡°Simple. I get them to take down the post that really does not look too good for your image and you in

    returne over with your family for lunch. ¡±

    Little does he know I care little about my image and how the world sees me. I only care about Sophie

    and Aiden. And right now the world was burning her alive.

    I had promised myself to protect her in this world and protect her I will. I would walk through the hells of

    fire to protect my family if I had to.

    So I epted the devil¡¯s invite.

    When I got off the phone with the demon clothed in humans skin, I pinched the skin between my brows

    in frustration.

    I had a feeling Sergio had yed a part in this but a small part

    wished this wasn¡¯t his doing.

    of

    me

    The old man cared little for his family so I suppose this shouldn¡¯t have surprised me.

    I waited a few more seconds in the room, ring at the article until it showed that the page was no

    longer avable.

    57.169

    I refreshed it to be sure and checked the other one with the photo of Lillian and me. Both were

    I grit my teeth.

    So that old man was ying dirty after all.

    I slipped the phone in my pocket, let out an annoyed breath and walked over to the door.

    I have to tell Sophie we¡¯re going for lunch at Sergio¡¯s tomorrow. But how will I say it without sounding

    like I want to tear the man¡¯s limbs from his body?

    She would obviously sense something was off and would question why I agreed to the lunch knowing I

    wasn¡¯t pleased with Sergio.

    Questions would lead to me telling her about the article and I didn¡¯t want to see her mood dampen. I

    refuse to have her upset.

    I was going to protect her in every way I can.

    When I stepped out of the room and strut back over to the kitchen area, Sophie is standing there, eyes

    down on her te as Ashton twirls her hair between his fingers.

    For a few seconds I just stop there and stare at them both. My heart throbs with love and a smile

    c*acks on my face.

    My annoyance from early suddenly dissipates and warmth

    blooms inside me.

    With the smile still on my face, I approach the two quietly. Her back was facing me so she would not

    notice me approaching.

    She stiffens when I wrap my arms around her but quickly melts in my hold.

    ¡°I hope breakfast tasted better than the cupcake,¡± I murmured and kissed her cheek while pulling in a

    lungful of her amazing scent to calm me even more.

 Chapter 145

    Chapter 145

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    It wasn¡¯t good to eavesdrop and I felt awful for it. But the way Aiden¡¯s voiced boomed through the walls

    startled and

    terrified me enough to make me push all my morals to the side and eavesdrop on his conversation.

    It was obvious he was talking to Sergio, he had that special angry tone he held only for that weasel

    man.

    Sergio had done or said something to upset Aiden, his voice had more fury than I¡¯ve ever heard it

    swirled with before.

    Ash makes a little noise and I quickly put my finger on his mouth and told him to shush in a soft tone.

    Of course we were not directly by the door, I would not be so foolish to stay so close and get caught.

    Aiden¡¯s voice was loud enough to travel a few feet away. So there I stood with our naughty boy in my

    arms.

    I called him naughty because apparently little Ash was trying his best to make his father know we were

    eavesdropping on

    his conversation.

    I pouted, cooing at him to behave and keep quiet as he made a fuss to move my finger off his lips.

    Ash finally stopped making a fuss and only looked at me like I was a confusing alien. If I was in his

    position, I would think that too.

    It¡¯s not every day you see someone ying the part of a spy.

    Though I will admit, being a ¡®spy¡¯ wasn¡¯t for me. Especially when I had this little boy in my arms.

    My ears tried to pick up on his words but after a few minutes Aiden¡¯s voice calmed down to the point I

    can only hear

    murmurs.

    I made a move to go closer to the door but then the naughty boy in my arms made a little loud sound

    that I m*ffled

    quickly.

    ¡°You naughty boy,¡± My eyes narrowed on a little Aiden whose eyes light with mirth.

    Ashton definitely knew what he was doing.

    I huffed and called it quits. It was better to end this before Ashton get us both caught.

    I walked away from the door reluctantly, my shoulders slumped.

    ¡°I swear you¡¯re just like your dad.¡± I huffed, pouting as I stomped my way back to the kitchen.

    I didn¡¯t have time to pick up on anything good. Ashton made sure to have prevented me from doing so.

    I picked up the fork and stabbed the waffles and lifted my eyes to the ceiling.

    ¡°Thank you a lot G*d for giving me two Aiden¡¯s as if one wasn¡¯t enough.¡± I sighed and then looked

    down at the little boy who giggled.

    My heart squeezed.

    ¡°Nevermind, I wouldn¡¯t want it any other way. I can have even more Aiden¡¯s, either way I¡¯m blessed.¡± I

    whispered and lifted my finger to brush along Ashton¡¯s cheek.

    He smiles and I smile.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been a naughty little boy Ash. Preventing mama from eavesdropping.¡± I pouted and he giggled

    as if knowing exactly what I meant.

    ¡°Mama naughty,¡± Ashton giggles.

    My mouth part and then my eyes narrowed on his cute face. ¡°No. You¡¯re the only naughty one here

    mister.¡±

    Ashton squealed a little, and giggled.

    When I heard the door of the room open, my eyes widen and I whispered. ¡°Act cool Ash.¡±

    Ashton, as if understanding mepletely starts ying with my hair and ceases his giggles.

    I on the other hand picked up the fork and stabbed it through the waffles. I ate it and waited for Aiden to

    approach.

    I stiffened when I suddenly felt his arms around me but melted in his hold secondster. I hadn¡¯t heard

    when he came behind me.

    ¡°I hope breakfast tasted better than the cupcake,¡± He murmured and kissed my cheek.

    I close my eyes to savor the feeling then peeled my eyes open and opened my mouth to respond. ¡°Yes.

    It does.¡±

    ¡°Mama naughty.¡± Ashton suddenly giggled and I freeze.

    This kid was definitely plotting to sell me out.

    Iughed it off, tickling him and earning a sweetugh from his throat.

    Aiden who thankfully hadn¡¯t really pried deep into his son¡¯s words, lifted his lips to my ear.

    His hot breath tickles the lobe, his lips just brushing against it. I freeze, my heart leaping.

    ¡°Naughty huh?¡± Aiden breathed beside my ear, making my inside tickle with tingles. ¡°I think I like when

    you¡¯re naughty.¡± His teeth trap my earlobe and bit down on it gently.

    I force my throat to hold in the moan, not wanting to let out such a sound in front of Ashton.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I breathed out, my core tightening, despite my will to try to stop my tant need for him.

    ¡°Ashton,¡± I murmured and willed my body to step out of his hold.

    Aiden was definitely trying to distract me from asking him about what had upset him.

    I should not make him distract me so easily.

    Turning to face him, I¡¯m surprised he wasn¡¯t avoiding my gaze but kept his eyes directly on me.

    They were warm and loving, totally opposite of how they were before he went to the room.

    And I was certain they were not warm when he was speaking to Sergio.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I said, looking at him with a tilt of my head.

    He raised one single brow in expectation and reached forward to grab a hold of the shirt and tug me

    forward until he was hugging both Ashton and me.

    I try not to melt so much in his hold and dug my heels on the

    tiled floor.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I asked lowly, trying to keep my voice leveled so he¡¯d not get irritated at my prying.

    Knowing what I was referring to, Aiden tries to smile to reassure me but of course, I am not fooled by

    such a look

    anymore.

    I heard his tone in there. And I heard it when he was in the kitchen. Whatever tactics Sergio was at

    again, stirred outrage in Aiden.

    He lifted his hand up and rubbed his fingers between my brows. ¡°Don¡¯t worry my little mama bear.

    Everything¡¯s fine. Trust me.¡± He whispered and curled his hand behind my head and pulled me to him.

    He kisses my forehead.

    ¡°I¡¯ll always protect you and Ash mama bear. In every way.¡± He whispered, kissing my forehead again

    and sighs.

    His words were reassuring and did warm my insides.

    But I also caught his words perfectly and knew that whatever

    made him angry had something to do with ¡®protecting me.

    I was not dumb and could read between the lines.

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    But I also knew Aiden had no intention of telling me what was going on. Though I hold hope that he

    would eventually tell

    me.

    I allow that thought to ease my mind and melt into him. Ash giggles between us and I can¡¯t help but

    think that now being in Aiden¡¯s arms was perfect and was where we were meant to be.

    Protected by him.

 Chapter 146

    Chapter 146

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    The mild cold felt like it had finally given me a break a few hourster. I was no longer sniffling, and my

    nose didn¡¯t feel stuffy anymore.

    Aiden had done his best to take care of me even though I kept reassuring him that I am not immobile.

    He refused for me to just stretch over and take the remote for goodness sake!

    It almost felt like I was on my deathbed because Aiden refused to make me do anything for myself.

    So when my cold symptoms let me go from its mild clutches | praised G*d and nearly went on my

    knees.

    But of course, I didn¡¯t want to seem dramatic.

    It was now way past twelve and Aiden was cooking up something on the stove when a buzzing sound

    disturbed the somewhat silence.

    I looked over at Aiden while fixing Ashton on the sofa.

    ¡°Someone must be at the door,¡± I told him, asking him silently if I should get the door myself, but he

    wipes his hands and tells me he will be back.

    When he did return, I was not expecting him to return with a huge heart shape piece of sculpture made

    with roses, wheeled in by two men. It looked like the roses were in what I

    presume was resin.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I gapped at the huge heart shape sculpture as the two men wheeled it in front of me.

    I looked over at Aiden, who was staring keenly at my face, waiting for a reaction. He smiled and

    seemed to be pleased with my reaction.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t think I¡¯d get rid of your first gift from me, did you?¡± He teased and looked at the roses, his

    white teeth shing, making my heart sing.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I breathed out, rising to my feet in awe as I stared at the heart shape sculpture.

    The two men smiled at me and quickly departs from the room.

    ¡°I made them put every single one of them in resin baby. It shouldst you a lifetime.¡± He said and

    looked over at me with a very pleased look.

    I approached him, my eyes gawking at the heart shaped sculpture and back at his face.

    I can¡¯t believe this was the same guy in high school.

    If someone would¡¯ve told me Aiden would be this sweet and caring, I would¡¯veughed in their faces.

    But now, staring at him and witnessing the warmth in his gaze made all doubts that this was just a

    dream to move away from my mind.

    ¡°Aiden, I can¡¯t-

    He hadn¡¯t told me what he had done to the flowers, I just

    assumed that he got rid of them because they were crowding his entire living area.

    But I was wrong and nothing could¡¯ve prepared me for this sweet surprise.

    And I thought yesterday surprise was something, this one, especially one that canst me a lifetime,

    was something out of this world.

    My heart thrums, my fingertips tingle and the blood in my veins whoosh.

    How can I not love Aiden? Especially when he was going out of his way to prove to me that he loved

    me.

    ¡°Do you like it?¡± He asked with a slight nervous edge in his tone. My silence must have made his mind

    wander to that little ce he doubted he did something right.

    If only he knew how much I appreciate this.

    I turn to him and throw my arms around his neck, catching him off guard a little to make him take an

    abrupt step back.

    ¡°I love it Aiden.¡± I whispered, hugging him tighter.

    He wraps his arms around my middle, bringing me closer to him as he murmured just beside my ear. ¡°I

    just want to make you happy Soph.¡±

    I shivered at the heavy tone of sincerity. His honesty somehow managed to make me fall even deeper

    in love with him.

    He kisses my head, burying his nose in my hair for a few

    seconds to breathe in my scent.

    It¡¯sforting how he holds me protectively in his arms, and the way he breathes in my scent calms

    me oddly.

    Every time he does it, it feels like a rope that tugs us closer.

    He pulls away and I lift my head and tip on my toe to nt my lips on his.

    It¡¯s a swift soft kiss but it still manages to make me melt and for my toes to curl.

    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re happy with it baby?¡± He asked me after he pulled away.

    I nodded shyly. The way he stared at me with so much love in his eyes was still a bit too much for me

    to bear head on.

    It had me reddening like crazy and that only made him tease me about it.

    ¡°I love it,¡± I said again and moved out of his hold to brush fingertips on the smooth resin.

    my

    My eyes gawk at the red roses inside, and I stare at them in

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    awe.

    Aiden leaves my side and walks over to Ashton on the sofa. He picks him up as I turn around to ask

    him.

    ¡°Are these all the roses?¡±

    He nod, fixing Ashton in his arms and approaches me. ¡°Yes.¡±

    I turn back to the rose heart shape sculpture. ¡°It¡¯s huge.¡±

    Aiden replies. ¡°That¡¯s not the only thing that¡¯s huge.¡±

    I turn to him, narrowing my eyes on his smirking face. ¡°Ashton is here, you better not say what I think

    you¡¯re about to say.¡± | warned and red at him.

    Aiden¡¯s smirk widened and he threw one of his arms around my shoulder and pull me to his side.

    ¡°I was going to say my love for you is also huge Sophie. Where did your naughty mind run off to?¡± He

    joked and stared down at me in amusement.

    I burned brightly under his gaze and tear my eyes away from him. ¡°You¡¯re annoying.¡±

    He chuckles and kisses my head.

    It seems Aiden could not get tired of kissing me, whether it was my head or lips.

    He would kiss me at every chance he gets.

    That alone buried even more of the doubt of him truly loving me out of my head.

    Looking at the sculpture, Aiden¡¯s hold suddenly tighten and I swore I felt the air shift.

    And then he spoke.

    ¡°Sophie.¡±

    I looked up at him, my eyes curious on his face.

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    He sighed and rip his gaze from mine. ¡°Sergio invited us for lunch tomorrow. I epted his invitation. I

    know you are notfortable in his presence but I promise you that we will not stay for long.¡±

    His words had my heart dropping in the pit of my stomach

    heavily.

 Chapter 147

    Chapter 147

    147

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°What?¡± I breathed out stunned.

    Just a few moments ago I could hear the pure rage in his voice when he had spoken to Sergio over the

    phone.

    And now he agreed to have lunch with the man?

    I can¡¯t help but feel a little annoyed that he agreed without my consent. Then again perhaps it would be

    best to act neutral, especially if I were to keep my tongue tied about Sergio¡¯s visit and his ugly words.

    Aiden still refuses to look at my face and moves away from me while scratching his chin.

    ¡°He invited us to lunch tomorrow Sophie. If you¡¯re still feeling unwell then we can cancel.¡± He looks at

    me then, eyes bared of emotion.

    I had options, good. I can say I was still feeling like c*ap tomorrow and Aiden would cancel.

    But what if that¡¯s what that old vile man was hoping for?

    He wanted to test out if I was weak and afraid of him.

    What better way to shock that old man than to ept his invitation and walk into his home with a

    straight back and a confidently pointed chin?

    I can suffer a couple of minutes even an hour in Sergio¡¯s presence if it were to cause the man to be

    displeased.

    ¡°Okay. I see nothing wrong with going to lunch at Sergio¡¯s.¡± I said, a shoulder lifted into a slight shrug.

    I looked down at Ash. ¡°But¡­¡±

    I drawled.

    I can take all that old man¡¯s nasty words but I refuse to have him set his eyes on Ashton again,

    especially up close.

    ¡°I will have M and Ria babysit Ashton. We will not be going to lunch with him at Sergio¡¯s. ¡°I said with

    a pitch that told Aiden I will not retract that statement.

    Aiden looks at me then at his son and then nods. ¡°Fine with me.¡±

    We talked for a few, about the heart shaped sculpture and then Aiden went back to the kitchen to

    prepare lunch.

    Now seated on the sofa with Ash beside me, I stared at the television nkly.

    I tried every way I could to make Aiden spill about what was going on. But he remained tight-lipped and

    refuse to even look me dead in the eye when he responds.

    Can things really be this bad for him to not tell me about whatever upset him?

    I press my lips together and my stomach twisted uneasily.

    It¡¯s so easy to call the kettle ck when I was keeping something from him too.

    Given the fact that I was keeping this away from him for his own protection, perhaps Aiden was doing

    the same.

    He did mention that he was going to protect Ashton and me.

    But was it so bad that I was curious to know what he was protecting me from now?

    I shake my head and sighed. Why bother when Aiden was very good at keeping secrets? I mean the

    guy kept his love for me for years and hide it so well that I thought those stares were the opposite.

    After a few minutes, the sizzling in the pan subsides and Aiden looks over at me and Ash.

    ¡°Lunch is ready. Want anything to drink with it?¡±

    I nod and ask for some sparkling water.

    When all three of us are around the dining table, Aiden lifted his gaze and they pierce through mine.

    ¡°We¡¯ll go pick up your stuff in a while.¡± He gauges for my reaction.

    I froze.

    I had yet to tell the girls that I and Ash would be moving in with Aiden.

    I was still figuring out how to tell them.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t told the girls yet¡­¡± I trailed off and took the ss of sparkling water and lifted it to my lips as I

    looked over at Aiden.

    ¡°You¡¯ll tell them when we get there.¡± He shrugged as he pushed the spaghetti inside his mouth.

    I narrowed my eyes and set the ss down on the table. ¡°I can¡¯t just tell them something like that in

    that way Aiden. I have to give them a heads up.¡± N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    Aiden¡¯s eyes shed a bit with frustration.¡± Then give them a heads up Sophie.¡±

    I let out a huff. ¡°It¡¯s still too abrupt to tell them. We¡¯ll get my stuff tomorrow orter on.¡±

    I would be lying if I didn¡¯t say that I was avoiding telling the girls because I was scared that they would

    tell me I was moving too fast.

    Though, they were already saying as such.

    I was basically dreading the conversation I would have with M who was always more level headed

    and would see the cons before the pros.

    Aiden on the other hand must¡¯ve seen my want for pushing the move back as a sign that I didn¡¯t really

    want this because his eyes dimmed and his back slouched a bit.

    ¡°Okay,¡± He murmured and avoided my gaze.

    Seeing how he looked like a sad puppy who didn¡¯t get his way, I sighed and gave up. ¡°I¡¯ll call them as

    soon as I¡¯m done eating.¡±

    Aiden¡¯s eyes flick back to mine and that light swims in his

    eyes once more. My stomach tightens. There was something about pleasing him that felt good to me.

    He was trying to make me happy, the least I could do was participate and make it easier for him.

    When we were done with lunch, Aiden went to ce a

    sleeping Ashton in the room. He had fallen asleep half way through lunch and had been dozing off on

    his dad¡¯s shoulder ever since.

    I cleaned up the te and strut over to the kitchen sink. Aiden had prepared lunch, so I was going to do

    the dishes.

    When I was on the third te he walks back in, a radiant smile on his face. ¡°He looks just like me when

    he¡¯s asleep.¡±

    I lift my gaze from the te I was washing and raised a brow at him. ¡°He looks like you always.¡± I

    huffed.

    Aiden¡¯s grin widens, turning into one that is yful.

    ¡°Well what you say is true¡­¡± He chuckles and approaches me with a walk that resembled a sly

    predator.

    Hees behind me and wraps his hands on my waist, his chin on the top of my shoulder. ¡°Why are

    you doing the dishes? Aren¡¯t you still a bit sick?¡± A concerned edge in his voice made me feel warm.

    ¡°You cooked lunch. It¡¯s only fair that I at least do the dishes. And no, I¡¯m not feeling sick anymore.¡± I

    turn in his hold slightly to stare at him better. ¡°Told you it was a mild cold. Perhaps not even. Maybe it

    was sinus.¡± I shrug carelessly.

    ¡°Whatever it was, I¡¯m just happy you¡¯re not sick anymore.¡±

    Aiden sighed and pecked me on the lips.

    ¡°Now that our son is asleep, maybe it¡¯s best if we do something in the meantime until he wakes up.¡±

    Aiden murmurs, his lips dragging up my neck, causing me to shiver.

    ¡°What do you have in mind?¡± I breathed out shakily, biting into my bottom lip to stop the moan from

    slipping.

    ¡°The taste of that cupcake is still on my tongue. I want to dip my tongue in something sweet to get rid of

    it.¡± He groaned, lips now feathering on my jawline.

 Chapter 148

    Chapter 148

    148

    ¡°You don¡¯t want daddy to wait now, do you?¡± His teeth mped my earlobe as he ce the te back

    in the sink.

    His words had me moaning and I tilt my head back, my eyes closing. His words alone had me

    practically purring in his hold.

    With one hand on my waist, Aiden pulls me back while he backs away. The other hand he took the

    te out of my hold, he uses it to tease on my thigh.

    My thighs clench as Aiden¡¯s fingers crawl up.

    My core is already dripping with anticipation and the same essence he wants on his tongue.

    I¡¯m shivering at the thought of his hot mouth on me again.

    ¡°You¡¯re wet aren¡¯t you?¡± His husky tone kissed my eardrums, just as his hot breath kissed my skin.

    His fingers inched upwards until they tickled under his huge shirt I still had on.

    His fingers found between my thighs, making my breath hitch and my body tremble in his hold.

    ne

    He groans when he feels the wetness on my panties. I was drenched. I knew I was. I could practically

    feel my panties stick to my wet c*nt like a second skin.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I breathed out his name like a trembling plea as his fingers brushed along my panties featherly.

    He sucked in a breath and one of my hands clutch the one he had on my waist.

    He¡¯s breathing roughly in my ear, his breath beating against my eardrums.

    His fingers for a few just trace over my panties,thering his pads with my sticky wetness.

    ¡°How long have you been so wet baby?¡± He hums in my ear, breathing down roughly like a silent

    appraisal.

    My core clench, my slit drip with more wetness. I¡¯m also breathing roughly, my mind hazy.

    Dishes long forgotten as I surrender myself to him.

    ¡°I bet you were wet the moment I told you I want to taste you.¡± He grunted, teeth yfully biting my

    earlobe.

    His fingertips stop just at my entrance and he teasingly pumps his fingers in, despite the material in the

    way.

    ¡°You¡¯re so wet mama bear,¡± He groaned and then turns me around.

    His mouthnd on mine quickly, his tongue dipping in. His hand grip one of my breasts and his body

    pushes me to the edge of the counter.

    He¡¯s groaning in my mouth, tongue swirling around my tongue.

    He gives my breast a firm squeeze and my nipples bead under his hot palm.

    I moaned, tilting my head up so his tongue could go in deeper. I tip toed when his hand cupped

    between my thighs and his finger probs between my lips through my soaked

    2

    panties.

    ¡°My Sophie,¡± He moaned on my mouth, both of his hands nowtching themselves on my waist then

    snake down to my hips.

    They curled around the hump of my a*s and in one swift move gripped my bottom and lifted me onto

    the countertop.

    I gasped as he hunched up the huge shirt so now the cold surface of the countertop bit into my round

    flesh.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    Somehow the feeling of the cool surface on my heated skin sent a shockwave feeling from my a*s to

    my core and finally settled in my nub. It tingled as if the cold had somehow awakened it.

    I shudder as Aiden¡¯s handsnd on my thigh, his fingertips biting into my soft skin. I opened my legs

    like a newly budded flower and Aiden maed his lower half between my legs, his hardening c*ck

    brutally teasing me over my panties.

    He groaned, the blue in his eyes swirling with unrestrained fired longing as he peered into me.

    I let out a shaky breath while his blue eyes make me drown myself in them. It¡¯s like my entire body is

    wrapped inside the currents of his eyes and he¡¯s pulling me deeper and deeper.

    Usually one would want to get away and swim to the surface. But not me.

    I want to get pulled further down in the ocean, I want the current to drag me under so I can see the

    depths of his soul.

    I want to be able to read him more clearly, feel him more and love him more.

    I want him to drown me in his feelings so I¡¯d never resurface again.

    I shudder as his stare burn even more into my soul until hetches on it and tug me to his. I don¡¯t need

    to search for his soul anymore, he bared it to me.

    One of his hand move off my thigh and lift to my face. His thumb trace my cheek and then feathered

    over to my bottom lip.

    He brushed over the plumpness, his eyes darkening as they followed his movements.

    ¡°You¡¯re so beautiful Sophie. I still can¡¯t believe you are here.¡± He whispered in awe, his eyes flickering

    up to mine.

    They pierce through me and my stomach rage with butterflies.

    My lips tug into a soft shy smile that made him grin.

    My stomach clench and wetness pooled between my thighs.

    His hand leaves my lips to curl behind my head and he pulls me flush to him, our nose brushing.

    He yfully and slowly rubbed our noses together, making my breath hitch by just how sweet of a

    gesture it is.

    ¡°But then when I touch you, feel you, taste you, I know that this can¡¯t be a dream. And you know how I

    know it¡¯s not?¡± He breathed on my lips, his head tilting so now his nose was on my cheek and his lips

    were brushing against my lips.

    ¡°How?¡± I shuddered when he pressed closer.

    ¡°Because you taste so divine Sophie. You taste better. I¡¯ve had many dreams of you, all felt real. But

    nothinges close to how you taste and feel when we¡¯re not in my dreams.¡± He whispered.

    ¡°One more thing,¡± He murmured, pressing impossibly closer to me. ¡°When I¡¯m inside you, Ie alive.

    Every pulse in my being roars to life. There¡¯s no fabrication of it. This is real, my body tells me so. And

    it has never lied before.¡±

 Chapter 149

    Chapter 149

    149

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°You¡¯ve dreamt of me?¡± Was all I can murmur out.

    You can¡¯t me me, I was still so heavily under his spell of desire that my brain couldn¡¯t think of any

    good responses.

    Aiden could do that to people. But for me it¡¯s somehow worst. He can literally have me fumbling over

    my words and sometimes I admit, I have no clue as to what I was saying.

    I call it the Aiden effect.

    But he¡¯ll be c*cky about it if he knew how much he affected me.

    Aiden kissed me softly for a few and then pull away. He smirked, eyes dancing.

    ¡°Yes you silly girl. I dreamt of you thousands of times. And to feed your little curious mind, they were

    not innocent dreams.¡± His smirk widened when he noticed that his words had me flushed.

    I almost tore my eyes away from his but with his finger now under my chin, tilting my head up, he

    forces me to keep my gaze directly on his face.

    I had a feeling one flicker of mine and he¡¯d do something that would turn me even redder than I am

    now.

    So I kept my gaze on his and draw my lower lip between my teeth.

    ¡°Want to know some of the dreams I had of you?¡± He questioned with a tilt of his head and a sly tilt of

    his lips.

    I nod even though I knew that he might have me blushing even in my toes.

    His sly smirk had me shivering. He looked like a Cheshire cat. One that got thest milk.

    ¡°There was one with you in nothing but lingerie. Red lingerie,¡± His lips quirk, his eyes shed and then

    they dip to my chest where he could see the rise and fall of it.

    ¡°You were on my bed, calling to me like a vixen.¡± His eyes snap back to mine and they swirled with

    deep desire.

    ¡°Now that was a s*xy dream. Especially with the way you stared at me while I dove into you over and

    over.¡± He said huskily.

    I moaned, arching into him as if he was doing the exact same thing he had just said to me. I swore I

    could feel him do .exactly that right now.

    I tremble.

    His eyes dip to my lips that parted on the moan.

    ¡°But you know what dream that had me so hard the next morning for you?¡± He whispered, head dipping

    again, harsh breath beating against my mouth and tangled with my own air.

    ¡°What?¡± I moaned, getting turned on more by his recalling of his dreams.

    He grunt. ¡°When you had nothing on. You werepletely bare to my gaze. You were f*cking exposed

    on my bed. Legs open and waiting for me to feast on you before I f*ck you. I remember how glistening

    your little p*ssy was. Clenching as it noticed my stare. F*ck I can see it ying right in my head again.¡±

    My breathing is so furious right now, my fingertips tingling, my p*ssy tingling. G*d, I¡¯m losing it.

    Is that my heart trying to get out of my chest?

    Can he hear it beat for him?

    Or is it my ears alone that can pick up on the furiously beating o*gan?

    Aiden¡¯s fingers now crawl to the waistline of my panties and I gasp as he gave me that heated look that

    made my toes curl.

    This look was devilish.

    ¡°But I think I rather the real thing. Right now.¡± His tongue pushed out of his lips and it swept over the

    plump bottom.

    In a second my drenched panties are ripped away from me. Tornpletely.

    ¡°Aiden!¡± I gasped, staring at my torn panties around Aiden¡¯s fingers.

    He raised a brow, as if silently telling me that he did nothing wrong.

    C*cky impatient blue eyed devil.

    ¡°I told you I wanted to eat you. You should¡¯ve been a good girl and moved out of them the moment I

    said so. Or this,¡± He span the torn material around his finger, his grin broadening.

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t have happened.¡±

    I want to re and moan. I can¡¯t f*cking choose which one.

    So I do both.

    His grin widened, showcasing how pleased he was by my reaction.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t want the others to suffer the same fate baby, I do suggest that you either go bare,¡± He

    flings the torn material on the floor and I watch helplessly at my once un- torn panty.

    What a devil. I should¡¯ve known he was up to no good with that look in his eyes and that grin he

    sported around.

    ¡°Or, take it off when I tell you you¡¯re going to be my next meal.¡± He grunted, his big hands now

    mping my waist and tugging me to the edge of the counter until half my a*s cheeks were hovering.

    I gasped, my earlier irritation for what he had done to my panties long forgotten when Aiden¡¯s eyes

    bore into mine as he slowly started to dip.

    My breath gets stuck in my throat, my insides feeling like they were lit on fire. I¡¯m f*cking burning. And

    Aiden is the only one who can help me quench this fire.

    He knows this. That grin that is stered on his face showed me so.

    His eyes leave mine, they drop to that tingling flesh that begged for him. His eyes get darker,

    smoldering my p*ssy with the look of hunger.

    He looked like he was excited to feast on me.

    ¡°I¡¯m starving.¡± He muttered, his eyes drowning on my p*ssy.

    In response, my p*ssy clenched making him grin wider.

    ¡°Looks like my meal is ready to get devoured.¡± His Cheshire cat grin slowly disappear into a serious

    look of hunger as he gave me no heads up and dipped his mouth to my dripping p*ssy.

    I gasped, my hands quicklytching on his hair when his tongue dart out to lick from my slit to my

    throbbing nub.

    ¡°Uh hum,¡± Aiden made a pleasing sound at the back of his throat and the vibration went straight to my

    p*ssy and all the way to my toes.

    I shudder, gripping him tighter.

    I think I saw heaven.

    ¡°Sweet. So deliciously sweet.¡± He groaned and dipped his tongue into my hole, swirling and then

    pushed out to tease my lips.

    ¡°And all mine!¡± He growled.

 Chapter 150

    Chapter 150

    Chapter 150

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    The possessiveness in his tone had me shuddering with pleasure.

    It should have irked me. But it didn¡¯t.

    My body knew it belonged to him, even before we agreed to try this out.

    And at the back of my mind I knew so too. I knew I be- longed to him but I was stubborn to move on

    and pretend like he doesn¡¯t exist.

    But sometimes life does this funny thing where you think everything is falling apart but it doesn¡¯t.

    You see¡­when Aiden found out about Ashton before I could tell him myself, the first thing that came to

    my mind. right away was that I would lose my son.

    Aiden was powerful, wealthy and had more connections. I had nothing.

    And we were not on good terms too. So that also added to my anxiety.

    But then things fell in ce and surprisingly it didn¡¯t take long to put the pieces together. Aiden and I

    eventually got along to the point that he confessed everything.

    0.00%

    Maybe this was how things were supposed to happen.

    This was how we were meant to find each other again and

    stop going around each other in circles.

    We both were not bold enough to confess our feelings before, but now¡­..

    ¡°Oh Aiden,¡± I moaned when his tongue flickered against my nub. The sensation traveled to my

    stomach, a sharp sen- sation that had my juices overflowing.

    He groaned in satisfaction, praising me silently to keep feeding him what he wanted.

    His hand curled around my thigh gripping me tightly as his tongue beat against my sensitive wet flesh.

    He¡¯s moaning on my p*ssy, his eyes closing as if he was savoring the taste of me.

    His fingers bit into my skin and my skin flushed with heat.

    A whimper so loud tumble out of my mouth, his eyes open and he stares at me with heated yearning.

    The longing, the pure hunger in his eyes were unbearable, my thighs tighten and my p*ssy cried for

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    mercy.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I panted, gasping as he swirled his tongue over me slowly, savoring my taste.

    I¡¯m helpless to his torture and I¡¯m under his spell, weak- ened by his delicious touches.

    I want more, G*d I want more.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I moaned, fingers locking in his hair.

    So soft.

    Just like his lips on my p*ssy.

    He groans, the vibration trembling on my throbbing nub. The poor thing was weak from Aiden¡¯s

    continuous flicks of his

    tongue.

    ¡°Aiden, Aiden,¡± I whispered his name like a silent prayer, feeling the way it rolled off my tongue nicely.

    He gripped my thighs, drawing me closer as heshed his tongue over my nub and lips.

    I¡¯m trembling so furiously now. My mind muddled with pleasure.

    I can¡¯t seem to think properly when he¡¯s going down on me, and when he¡¯s inside me, moving and

    loving me slowly or roughly, Ipletely lost any sanity I had left.

    Aiden could do that to someone. Make them go mad with lust and love.

    I¡¯m practically swimming in it, unable totch on to the strays of sanity.

    ¡°Sophie,¡± Aiden moans, brushing a feathering breath against my hot center.

    My walls clench, silently telling him that he was missing inside me, begging him to slip in.

    I shudder.

    ¡°You¡¯re so sweet my little Soph. My favorite aroma, my fa- vorite taste.¡± He groaned and suckled my

    lips.

    36 12%

    My thighs shook, unable to withstand this kind of bliss.

    His mouth was working magic on me like never before.

    I¡¯m panting on the counter, my vision blurring with white tiny specs of what I would call as stars.

    For a second I thought I was on the verge of passing out from the amount of pleasure, but then a sharp

    clench in my lower stomach, a raging grip on my thighs and I was c*m- ming.

    I called out his name, my fingerstching in those soft strands for an anchor.

    More stars dot my vision making me gasp as I felt like I was falling off a cliff.

    His groans painted in my head, the way his tongue licked me like I was some kind of sweet lollipop

    drawn in my mind and printed on my body.

    When the feeling of falling subsides and my vision goes back to normal, Aiden reluctantly detaches his

    lips from be- tween my thighs.

    With heavy-lidded eyes, I stared at my blue eyed man who had a satisfied smirk on his glistening lips.

    ¡°My sweet Sophie,¡± He grinned, his darkened eyes on my face. ¡°I could eat you all day.¡± His sleek

    tongue darts out to lick up all my remaining essence on his lips.

    His teeth snagged his bottom lip, biting down on the plumpness that had been seconds ago on me,

    kissing me and sucking.

    I shivered. Even though his mouth was no longer on my

    p*ssy, I could somehow still feel him there.

    ¡°You taste so sweet,¡± He groaned and dipping to catch mine in soft kiss.

    Aiden then fumbles with his pants and pushes it down his legs after he detaches his mouth from mine.

    ¡°I know I only said I¡¯d feast on you but my c*ck is jealous of my mouth and wants the same sweet

    treat.¡± Aiden¡¯s lips lifted in a smirk as he pulled down his briefs along with his

    pants.

    His c*ck came jerking out, the tip pointing directly at me. My mouth watered and my legs parted further,

    tempting him toe between them and settle there.

    And that he did, his darkened hungry gaze on me as he pushes his hips forward until the tip of his

    raging c*ck was brushing my p*ssy lips.

    I jerk, squirming at the pleasant sensation.

    His hand lift, thumb pressing my bottom lip and pushes into my mouth slightly. I sucked in a sharp

    stilling breath, tracing the tip of my tongue on the tip of his thumb that brushed my teeth.

    His eyes grow darker, smoldering with hunger. My eyes drop to his mouth and I licked the tip of his

    thumb again.

    He draws his hips forward, one hand gripping my waist while the head of his c*ck slowly dipped

    between my lips and poked at my entrance.

    ¡°Eyes on me while I enter you.¡± He demanded, pushing in

    further and stealing my breath with every inch he pushes into me until I¡¯m so full of him I cannot tell the

    difference between

    him and I.

 Chapter 151

    Chapter 151

    Chapter 151-Sophie¡¯s pov

    I looked at my reflection in the mirror and I could see the worry in my gaze. It was deep and dark and if

    I didn¡¯t remove it from the windows of my soul soon, then Aiden would defi- nitely notice.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    I sighed.

    We were to head to Sergio¡¯s ce in just a few and I was nervous. Sergio clearly was trying to break

    Aiden and I apart and I was a hundred percent sure he had some kind of n up his sleeves today.

    I was scared to see whatever he had nned unfold be- fore my eyes. But knew I needed to show a

    backbone so he¡¯d not think I was easily threatened.

    I try to relieve my shoulders of the anxiety weighing them down when I heard the approaching of his

    heavy footfalls.

    ¡°You ready mama bear? ¡± Aiden walks into the room and my eyes fall on his figure through the mirror.

    He stops in the doorway, his eyes on my back and then they skim down my length. They stop on my

    bottom and he bit into his lower lip.

    ¡°Sophie,¡± He groaned and approached me, his footfalls heavy yet slow as he walked towards me like a

    predator.

    I whirl around and lift my gaze to his eyes. The dazzling blue made my stomach knot with butterflies.

    He stops inches from me and sucks in a sharp breath while he lets his eyes drink me in.

    ¡°You look breathtakingly beautiful,¡± He whispered, his eyes snapping up to hold me into his intense

    stare.

    I smiled, a pleasant smile as I drink in his words. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Aiden takes a step forward and h*oks his finger under my chin. He tilts my head up, his gaze dark with

    hunger. It¡¯s crazy how we¡¯ve had sex more than eight times in less than 48 hours and he still wants

    more.

    ¡°And I can¡¯t wait to take this dress off you when we get back,¡± He groans and dips his head to kiss me.

    We kiss for a few, slow and then when he tries to domi- nate me, I push at his chest lightly. He was

    messing up my lip- stick and I had no motivation to redo it.

    ¡°Aiden, my lipstick,¡± I whined and he chuckles, stealing yet another kiss from me.

    When he pulls away, I make sure to wipe the red stains on his lips. He smirks. ¡°Leave it, I want

    everyone to see that you¡¯ve marked me in this way.¡±

    I smiled. He must¡¯ve sensed my uneasiness and was trying to lighten the mood. I will admit that he was

    sessful in do- ing so.

    ¡°You want everyone to see that you have red lipstick on your lips?¡± I giggled while cleaning off the

    excess.

    ¡°As long as that red lipstick came from kissing you then

    yes, I want them to see it.¡± He grinned, shing his white teeth.

    I giggled but I was somewhat pleased to know that he wanted others to see my ¡®mark¡¯ on him. Aiden

    was saying the right words for me to fall even harder in love with him.

    I stared at him fondly, the same way his eyes bored into

    mine.

    lip.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± I whispered, brushing my thumb over his top

    ¡°For what?¡± He breathed out, his eyes tw*nkling with the light of adoration.

    I smile wider.¡± For trying to ease my worries and for loving me.¡± I shyly looked away, feeling his stare

    burn at the side of my face.

    His finger push under my chin and he draws my face back to face him.

    ¡°Why are you saying sorry baby? I¡¯m your fiance, it¡¯s my job to make you happy at all times. Besides,¡±

    He tilt my head up and my eyes snap to his. They connect with his lovely blue and my insides warmed

    up.

    ¡°I should be the one thanking you for giving me another chance even though I screwed up plenty of

    times. I should be on my knees right now.¡± He whispered and nted a soft kiss on my lips.

    The kiss turns heated quickly and Aiden backs me until the back of my legs touched the wood of the

    bed. ¡°Aiden,¡± I whispered, moaning when he licks my lower lip.

    I pull away. If we don¡¯t stop, we will bete.

    ¡°We need to go,¡± I whispered and Aiden groaned.

    ¡°I knew I shouldn¡¯t have a quick taste of you, ¡± He grunted, biting my bottom lip and pulling away slowly,

    reluctantly. ¡°Be- cause now I want more.¡±

    I want more too.

    But I want to get this lunch with Sergio over with so I can get back here.

    Pulling away from himpletely, I smacked his chest yfully and pushed him away lightly.

    ¡°Okay Mr. Smooth. That¡¯s enough.¡± I giggled and he re- luctantly takes a step back, but keeps his

    hands on my waist which draws me with him.

    ¡°Just a little taste mama bear. I swear I¡¯ll be quick.¡± He moaned, dipping his head and aiming for my

    mouth.

    Iugh heartily, pushing my face away before his lips could capture my own. ¡°Thest time you said it

    would be quick, we had sex and itsted for an entire hour. If Ashton had not woken up, I know you

    would have kept going at it.¡±

    Aiden groaned when his lipsnded on my cheek instead of my mouth and he chuckled at my words.¡±

    Is it so bad that I love your p*ssy Sophie? I¡¯m addicted,¡± He shrugged, his hand on my waist going

    lower to cup my bottom.

    I gasp as he pulls me flush to him.

    ¡°You know you¡¯re a drug Sophie.¡± He kisses my cheeks, trailing his soft lips on my jawline. Such a

    feather touch that

    had my stomach raging with wild butterflies.

    If he keeps this up, I may not be able to resist.

    ¡°But you¡¯re also the cure. And right now, I need that cure before I go insane.¡± He groaned, biting my

    jawline.

    ¡°You¡¯ll get that cure when we get back,¡± I said breathlessly while fighting off the moan in my throat. I

    swallowed it back, pping myself inwardly for not being able to resist Aiden

    more.

    ¡°But I want that cure now,¡± He practically whined, pushing his front on mine until I felt his hard length

    rubbing against

    mine.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I sighed. ¡°We¡¯re going to bete. Sergio might be upset.¡±

    Oh he definitely will be.

    ¡°F*ck Sergio. That as*hole can wait for hours, what I can¡¯t wait for is getting a taste of you Sophie. You

    have a grown man begging, jeez-

    His words stop when I am suddenly on my knees while tucking my hair behind my neck.

    He looks down at me in confusion, but I can see the hot longing in his eyes. ¡°Why are you on your

    knees baby?¡± He licked his bottom lip, looking at me like he was seconds away from lifting me in his

    arms and having his way with me.

    ¡°You can¡¯t leave here with a huge tent in your pants Aiden. I¡¯m going to take care of it.¡± I answered with

    my eyes dropping to his c*otch.

    Aiden chuckles.¡±And how are you going to do that?¡±

    I lift my eyes to his, c*cking my brow. ¡°I am on my knees Aiden. Are you going to pull out your c*ck and

    push it in my mouth or are you going to keep asking questions?¡±

 Chapter 152

    Chapter 152

    Chapter 152-Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°F*ck,¡± Aiden breathed out, staring at me like I¡¯m some kind of newly created specie.

    The corner of his lips tilt up, his smirk showcasing and making my heart stutter.

    ¡°What have I turned you into mama bear?¡± He joked tilting his head and staring at me heatedly.

    I looked at him under myshes, making sure to give him that look that make him want to f*ck me

    anywhere.

    He sucks in sharp breath, his eyes darkening to a smokey color. ¡°Sophie,¡± He groaned, jaw tickling as if

    restraining him- self.

    ¡°What? Don¡¯t you want me to wrap my lips around you?¡± I. pushed up my breast, knowing my cleavage

    showed enough to entice him.

    I was right, Aiden gulped and looked at me helplessly.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to kill me Soph,¡± He breathed out, harshly letting out a breath.

    ¡°Suck the soul out of you?¡± I tilt my head with a smirk knowing exactly what they would do to him. I bit

    my tongue to notugh at my words and his expression.

    He hadn¡¯t expected my words and neither did I.

    But they seem to have done the trick because Aiden start-

    ed to fumble with his zipper and button, trying to desperately get rid of his pants.

    Never had I seen him this eager.

    When his c*ck is dangling above my head, I gasped. I haven¡¯t seen that monster from this point of view

    before and I will admit that it looked bigger than I have seen it.

    And for a split second I wonder inwardly how that girthy, lengthy flesh managed to enter me without

    tearing me in half.

    ¡°Was it always this big?¡± I said breathily, my eyes widen- ing when I realized that I had asked this

    outloud.

    I looked up at Aiden to see the smirk on his face and groan inwardly.

    Great, another thing for him to gloat about.

    ¡°I suppose it has always been this big,¡± He joked.

    I rolled my eyes and drop my gaze back to his c*ck. It jerks, the tip spilling some pre c*m.

    ¡°But it fits perfectly inside you. It¡¯s almost as if G*d had made you exactly for me.¡± He hums pushing his

    hips forward. ¡°Now were you not suppose to suck out my soul little Soph?¡±

    I flick my eyes back up to his blue stormy gaze and my p*ssy clench. This was only supposed to end

    with me getting him off and then we would leave. But I was doubting I can stay this wantonly for long

    without making hime inside me before leaving.

    I grabbed him, curling my fingers around his girth. The tips of my fingers barely connecting which

    showed me just

    how much he stretches me out when he enters me.

    Aiden groans, looking at me with heat of desire and ado- ration.

    ¡°I¡¯ve dreamt about you like this. On your knees, your small fingers around my d*ck. Your mouth around

    my tip.¡± Aiden grunted, throbbing in my hand.

    I can feel his veins pulse in my hand and feel his pulse.

    He feels so warm, so good. I know exactly how good he feels, especially when he is inside me.

    ¡°Nothing canpare to how it feels now that this is real and I¡¯m not imagining it. ¡°He continued, eyes

    boring into my gaze. He holds me in his heated gaze, making my heart pump quickly.

    ¡°Sophie,¡± He murmured, hands reaching out to brush his finger down my cheek. He seemed to be

    checking if I was re- ally here and I was not just a fragment of his imagination.

    ¡°Please ease this painful throbbing,¡± He breathed out, just as I opened my mouth and licked the pre

    c*m off his tip. It had made my mouth water at tbe sight of it and I couldn¡¯t wait another second to have

    a taste of it.

    His taste burst on my tongue the moment he groaned and jerked forward. This made the tip of his c*ck

    brush my lips.

    I moan as his taste swirled on my tongue. He tasted salty but something else made his taste all the

    more addictive.

    The need for more of his taste had my fingers practically shaking as I brought my mouth forward, part

    my lips and take

    in his tip into my opened mouth.

    Aiden grunts, yelling out the word sh*t as I swirled my tongue around his tip in search for more of his

    c*m.

    ¡°F*ck, f*ck, f*ck,¡± He breathed out as he pulsed inside my

    mouth.

    I moaned, trying to take more of his length inside my mouth.

    Aiden grips my hair, wrapping my hair around his hand and draw my head closer as he jerks his hips

    forward until my mouth had no choice but to expand around his entire length.

    I gag, feeling the tip of his c*ck hit the back of my throat.

    I pulled back only to take him back into my mouth again because I was truthfully addicted to his taste.

    Was this what he meant when he said he was addicted to my taste?

    I just could not seem to get enough of him.

    Aiden groans above me, gripping my hair tightly as I suck- led him like I would do to a lollipop.

    ¡°F*ck, Sophie,¡± Aiden groaned, thrusting into my mouth slightly until he was ramming into my mouth the

    same way he would do when he was between my legs and snuggled be- tween my folds.

    I took every thrust he gave, sucking him until he was puls- ing so badly I just knew he was close to

    c*mming.

    I sucked harder, wanting, no, needing the taste of his c*m

    to burst on my tongue.

    ¡°Sophie,¡± He grunted, f*cking my mouth. I gagged, rub- bing my hands up and down his length.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to c*m. F*ck!¡± He roared loudly and boy am I d we had dropped Ashton off at M and

    Ria¡¯s already.

    I let go of his c*ck to brace my hands on his hips as he jerks into my mouth. His c*ck is heavy on my

    tongue, pulsing as he is on the verge of c*mming.

    I sucked hard, eyes slowly meeting his and staring at him beneath myshes until he groaned loudly

    and shuddered as he came inside my mouth.

    His taste burst on my tongue, thick spurts sliding down my throat as I drink everyst drop.

    When he is done, he pulls his c*ck out of my mouth, I¡¯m still slurping thest remaining drops and lift

    my finger to wipe those that slipped on my lips. I pushed it back into my mouth, sucking my finger until

    it was dry of his essence.

    He looks at me in amazement, his finger brushing my bot- tom lip. ¡°You¡¯ll be the death of me, Sophie

    Bell.¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

 Chapter 153

    Chapter 153

    Chapter 153

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I run my fingers through my hair, trying to fix the frays that were reluctant to go back in ce.

    Aiden snorts beside me as he reaches for the buzzer. ¡°Your hair looks perfect baby, no need to fix it ten

    times.¡±

    I shot him a re. If it wasn¡¯t for him, my hair would still be perfectly curled.

    But no, his horny self had to appear right before we had to head out to Sergio¡¯s.

    ¡°This is your fault by the way.¡± I retorted, huffing as I con- tinue to fix my hair.

    Aiden raised a thick brow, his twinkling eyes shooting me with amusement. ¡°It¡¯s actually yours. You

    know better than to look so hot in my presence,¡± His eyes rolled eyes over my body and he cleared his

    throat, lifting his hand to fix his tie.

    ¡±

    Though you turn me on no matter what you wear. But you know I prefer when you wear nothing at all.¡±

    He winks, making me flustered within seconds.

    I scowled. ¡°Aiden. Would you act appropriately now? We¡¯re at Sergio¡¯s.¡±

    Aiden rolled his eyes, and threw an arm over my shoul- der. ¡°Don¡¯t remind me.¡±

    He then dips his head quickly, catching me off guard when his lipsnded on mine. He kisses me softly,

    murmuring

    0001

    on my lips how beautiful I am.

    The huge door parts, making us both pull away from each other reluctantly.

    My eyes sweep to the door, the knots that were in my bel- ly before, now mmed right back in,

    making me nauseous

    and nervous.

    His grin is wide, but his eyes told different. They were cold, freezing and hateful.

    ¡°You two arete.¡± Sergio said, opening his huge door

    wider to let us in.

    Aiden stiffened and guided us in. ¡°Traffic.¡± He answered Sergio curtly.

    We both knew that it wasn¡¯t the traffic that made uste

    but what we had done before leaving the penthouse.

    Sergio turns around, his face tightening as if knowing Aiden had slipped in a lie.

    But instead of voicing out his displeasure he swept his eyes over us and noted. ¡°Ashton is not with

    you.¡±

    I looked at Aiden when he answered Sergio roughly. ¡°I do not want my son entering an unweing

    house.¡±

    Sergio¡¯s gaze darkened.¡± Now Aiden, this is no way to talk to your host.¡±

    I shrugged Aiden¡¯s arm off my shoulder as I took a step forward. ¡°Mr. Harrington, I brought you

    something.¡± I said, trying to ease the tension before the two got into an argu-

    ment.

    I pushed out my hand that held the bottle of wine, hoping that this little gift would distract him from

    being so vile.

    Sergio¡¯s cold eyes left Aiden¡¯s and they drop to the bottle in my hand. He looks reluctant to take it, but

    still does.

    He read thebel and sneered lowly. ¡°Cheap wine. I don¡¯t drink cheap wine. Margo!¡±

    I flinched, not from his loud tone but from his words. What a cruel man.

    Anyone would appreciate anything someone gave to them, but I should not be surprised by Sergio¡¯s

    actions.

    A woman scurried from somewhere and barrels towards Sergio, her eyes wide with fear. ¡°Yes, Mr.

    Harrington?¡±

    ¡°Take this and share with the maids.¡± He passes the bottle of wine I had just given him to Margo who

    quickly took the bottle and practically ran away.

    Aiden takes a step forward to say something to Sergio, but I swiftly stop him by gripping his hand and

    giving it a squeeze that silently told him not to provoke Sergio.

    Aiden is stiff beside me, undoubtedly angry that I stopped him from arguing with Sergio.

    I looked at him, noting the storm in his gaze. It¡¯s furious and annoyed.

    Sergio smacked his hands together and looked between Aiden and I. It was clear that the man was

    trying to get on Aiden¡¯s nerves.

    32 432

    Which makes me wonder why Aiden epted his invita-

    tion, knowing he and Sergio never got along.

    ¡°I am sure you two are famished. Margo set up a nice ta- ble for us under the gazebo, shall we?¡± He

    makes a motion with his hand to tell Aiden to go on forward.

    I looked over at Aiden when he had yet to shift and walk away. His jaw was tight and he was ring at

    Sergio hotly.

    Sergio smirked and started walking ahead. Not before pointing at Aiden¡¯s lips. ¡°This red stain is rather

    ugly on your lips grandson, wipe it off.¡±

    Aiden tries to take a step forward, his face red with fury. But I quickly pull him back, shaking my head

    no. He gives me a scowl but doesn¡¯t say anything.

    I lift my hand to wipe off the red stain on his lips, murmur- ing reassuringly. ¡°It¡¯s only for a few hours

    right? You can hold off your anger until then?¡±

    Aiden¡¯s eyes flickered to where Sergio disappeared to and his jaw clenched. ¡°I can¡¯t promise anything

    Sophie. I want to wrap my hands around his neck until his face turns red. It¡¯s a good thing we didn¡¯t

    bring Ash.¡± He huffed.

    I patted his chest. ¡°Come on my macho man, let¡¯s get this over with so we can head on home,¡± I leaned

    forward to whis- per. ¡°And I can finish where we left off.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    I winked and peel myself away from him and started heading in the direction Sergio disappeared.

    Aiden catches up quickly, his fingers tangling through mine. He leans beside my ear and I fight off a

    shiver when he began to speak.

    ¡°You can¡¯t just say something like that Sophie, especially when we¡¯re not home. And especially when

    you know I¡¯m al- ways ready for you.¡±

    ¡°Behave,¡± I warned him, sucking my bottom lip between my teeth as I lightly jab him in his stomach.

    Aiden coughs and chuckles while guiding me through Sergio¡¯s huge house to the outside patio.

    Sergio is already seated down around a long wooden ta- ble, filled with different dishes. It looks like he

    was about to have a feast and not only a simple lunch.

    The gazebo shades him from the sun and with the huge pool just a few feet away from the wooden

    structure, it almost seems surreal for a man like him to have such a beautiful backyard. I would have

    pictured something nasty to match his personality.

    But I am surprised by how lovely everything looks.

    Aiden and I took a sit while Sergio watches us like a hawk. A grin crawls on his lips, his eyes taunting

    me from across the table. ¡°I forgot to thank you for the cheap wine, Sophie. I am sure my maids will

    love it.¡±

    ¡°Sergio,¡± Aiden growled under his breath in warning. His knuckles whiten on the table as he clenched

    his hands into

    fists.

    Sergio smirked and picked up a ss and a bottle of wine. He pours the wine and flicks his eyes to

    mine. ¡°Do you want some Sophie? I assure you this one taste better.¡±

    Aiden is so stiff beside me, brewing with fury.

    I rest my hand on his fisted hand and give it a reassuring squeeze while flickering my eyes to his. I

    smiled reassuringly

    at him.

    Moving my gaze off his when he is visibly rxed, I sweep them to Sergio.

    He¡¯s looking between Aiden and I coldly, ring at me.

    Margo suddenlyes rushing over, her hands nervously wringing together. ¡°Mr. Harrigton, your guest

    has arrived.¡±

    Sergio sets the ss on the table, letting out an ah sound as a smirk forms on his mouth. ¡°Let them in

    Margo.¡±

    I looked at Aiden confused, only to see that he was spot- ting the same expression as me.

    ¡°Can¡¯t wait for you two to see our special guest,¡± Sergio chuckled, a hidden intent behind his words.

 Chapter 154

    Chapter 154

    Chapter 154

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Guests?¡± Aiden asked tightly, his jaw popping.

    Sergio suddenly rises to his feet, looking over at where Margo disappeared off to.

    ¡°Yes guests. Did I not mention it yesterday?¡± Sergio chuckled while fixing his tie and tilted his head.

    ¡°Forgive me grandson, must have slipped my mind.¡± He apologized.

    It was very evident that Sergio was not sorry at all and that he had nned to surprise Aiden and me.

    I can feel the knots in my belly worsen.

    ¡°What guests Sergio? Who have you invited?¡± Aiden asked, his face mirroring the vexation he currently

    felt.

    Sergio face showcased a smirk that didn¡¯t sit well with me. But instead of answering Aiden¡¯s question,

    he only pushed out his hand and pointed at Margo who wasing back over here.

    But behind her is a familiar man, tall and brooding. When he nears and shifts slightly is when I realize

    Lillian Muralo is a couple feet away from the tall brooding man.

    ¡°Aiden?¡± I voiced out in confusion, my hand gripping his.

    ¡°We can leave-

    ¡°Now now Aiden, that would be rude to our guests. Christopher hasn¡¯t seen you in a while. And Lillian

    just got

    here, stay a few and let¡¯s catch up. Besides, don¡¯t forget what we discussed yesterday.¡± Sergio snorted,

    walking over to Lil- lian and Christopher Muralo.

    ¨ª looked over at Aiden, confused more than ever. ¡°What you two discussed?¡±

    Aiden shakes his head, squeezing my hand reassuringly. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, don¡¯t worry.¡±

    I was not reassured.

    It was making more and more sense why Aiden had agreed to have lunch with Sergio.

    Sergio had definitely baited him with something and I am

    curious with what.

    ¡°Christopher and Lillian dear! You two made it.¡± Sergio chirped with a tone I did not think he had in him.

    It was far from the hostility he normally portrays.

    Christopher grinned brightly as he shook hands with Ser- gio and patted his back. He then turned to

    face Aiden and I and I noted how Aiden stiffened.

    ¡°Xavier,¡± Christopher nod, losing the grin he once sported for Sergio.

    ¡°Muralo,¡± Aiden answered tightly and threw his arms over the back of my chair.

    Christopher Muralo¡¯s grey eyes swept to me and his brows knot as if trying to figure out who I am.

    ¡°I made chicken casserole and some stewed pork. I know you love chicken casserole Mr. Harrington,¡±

    Lillian said, push-

    ing her hand forward to give Sergio the two trays she held in her hands.

    Her chirpy sweet voice made me grit my teeth.

    ¡°Oh Lillian. You¡¯re such a sweet girl. And please call me Sergio, you¡¯re not a stranger.¡± Sergio

    answered, the crow lines by his eyes deepening and now more visible as he smiles at Lillian brightly.

    Sergio motions for Margo to take the two trays from Lil- lian as he chuckled. ¡°A girl who cooks. You¡¯d

    make a perfect housewife. Who wouldn¡¯t want toe home to a girl like you?¡±

    Irritation and anger boiled in my veins as Sergio¡¯s words pped me across my face.

    Lillian giggled. ¡°You tter me Sergio.¡±

    ¡°Calm down my little Sophie, you look like you¡¯re about to p her with your fist,¡± Aiden whispered in

    my ear as he leaned closer to me.

    His hand covered mine, squeezing my fisted hand on myp.

    ¡°I think I much rather my woman with little knowledge on the cooking part. This way I can teach her

    myself and would- n¡¯t that be great.¡± Aiden chuckled.

    ¡°Aiden!¡± Lillian chirped, her gaze swinging from Aiden and

    Aiden pulled away from me after letting out a little an- noyed grunt. His eyes disinterestedly swiping

    over to her. He

    nod. ¡°Lillian,¡±

    Lillian¡¯s bright smile nearly blind me by how happy she was when Aiden acknowledge her. It fueled my

    annoyance at the chirpy blonde.

    ¡°Have a seat, have a seat,¡± Sergio urged while nting. himself back in his chair.

    Lillian happily sat down, her chair mirroring Aiden¡¯s while Christopher sat mirroring mine. He had yet to

    move his curi- ous eyes off me which tickled my nerves. I shifted uneasily, trying to stay polite and not

    tell him to move his stare off me.

    ¡°Have we met before?¡± Christopher questioned, a grin curling on his mouth as he tilted his head while

    studying me across the table.

    I gasped as Aiden suddenly pulls my chair closer to him, until I was stered to his side.

    Christopher¡¯s eyes shift in amusement.

    ¡°You probably saw her in that video that had been circling around not too long ago. You know, when I

    proposed to her and she said yes,¡± Aiden said, his dominating tone seeping through his words.

    I almost rolled my eyes at his tant jealousy.

    Christopher chuckled, fixing himself on the chair. ¡°No. I must have missed that video. But I think I

    remember those pretty eyes,¡± he snapped his fingers, his eyes glowing in recognition.

    ¡°You¡¯re that woman who fell that day when I had that in-

    terview. How are your knees?¡± He smiled, looking pleased that he remembered me. I preferred if he

    had not. Because now I had a brooding Aiden beside me, his aura alone fanned out his distaste after

    hearing Christopher¡¯s words.

    ¡°You two met?¡± Aiden asked tightly.

    Christopher nods, his smirk growing into one that was cocky and ugly. ¡°Yes. I helped her up. She took a

    nasty fall, but of course she refused any further assistance from me.¡± His eyes snap to mine. ¡°I forgot to

    catch your name that day. I would¡¯ve liked a number too-

    ¡°The fuck you just say?¡± Aiden growled, shifting to get up.

    I quickly gripped his arm. ¡°Aiden don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Now boys, calm down.¡± Sergio chuckled. ¡°Christopher, you know how Harrington blood boils red with

    anger quickly, I suggest you do not provoke a hot tempered Aiden.¡±

    Christopherughed, seeming to not be surprised by Aiden¡¯s temper nor was he fazed. ¡°Ease up

    Xavier, I only want- ed her number to ask if she was okay. You know Lillian is a doctor-

    ¡°If my girl needed help and assistance it would be only from me. You and I both know what you meant

    Muralo, don¡¯t hide behind your words.¡± Aiden spat, gripping the edges of the table.

    Christopher¡¯s smirk only widened as he lounged back in his chair. ¡°Still so hot tempered Xavier. I see

    nothing has changed.¡±

    ¡°Yes. And I see that crooked nose I gave you hasn¡¯t

    changed either. All it needs is a good socking again and it just might shift back into ce.¡± Aiden

    hissed, ring fire at Christopher.

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    Christopher¡¯s eyes narrowed, the smirk on his face drop- ping and lining into a frown.

    ¡°Margo will you pour them some wine? I think the kids need to cool off.¡± Sergio chuckled, leaning back

    while tapping his finger on the table.

    Margo quickly nods, quicklying over to pour Christo- pher and Aiden wine.

    Across the table, staring at me coldly with a smirk just as coldly smearing on his face is Sergio. That

    look alone told me he nned for this lunch to turn south and it was quickly tip- ping in his favor.

 Chapter 155

    Chapter 155

    Chapter 155

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I whispered, trying to draw his attention away from Christopher Muralo.

    It was obvious that the two despise each other and invit- ing the Muralo¡¯s was all Sergio¡¯s n to get

    on Aiden and I¡¯s nerves.

    Aiden removed his steeling re from Christopher and brought them to meet mine. They soften and

    with a sigh, he rxes in his seat.

    My shoulders sagged, thankful that I would not witness a blood bath.

    ¡°I am so d you could make it Lillian and Christopher. I invited your father but he said he could not

    Christopher fixed his tie and jacket and for a second I wonder if all businessmen liked to wear suits

    even at

    lunch.

    simple

    ¡°Yes. He¡¯s been busy these days. You know he was ex- pecting to help with wedding nning but

    things did not go as nned.¡± Christopher said dryly, looking at Aiden with an annoyed expression.

    Aiden stiffened with held back fury as he sent a sharp re at Christopher.

    I looked over at Lillian to see her cheeks were flushed with

    a bit of red as she stares at Aiden.

    I wrap my hand around Aiden¡¯s arm, pressing myself to his side as I voiced out. ¡°Oh that¡¯s too bad.

    nning a wed- ding is so fun, isn¡¯t that right baby?¡± I asked, tightening my hold around Aiden¡¯s arm as

    I looked at him with a look that told him he should answer correctly or things won¡¯t be good for him

    He seems to get it because a tiny grin painted on his lips as he answered. ¡°Yes. It¡¯s the best.¡±

    Aiden lips feathered against my ear seconds after. Your jealousy is enticing.¡± He chuckled lowly and

    peeled away when he got the reaction he wanted when I shivered.

    ¡°You two are nning already? The youth are so hasty, aren¡¯t they Margo?¡± Sergio asked tightly,

    looking over at me with an annoyed glower.

    Margo nods quickly, her eyes wide with fear as she an- swers. ¡°Yes Mr. Harrington.¡±

    I rolled my eyes.

    ¡°Sophie is looking rather famished. Pour her some wine.¡± Sergio demanded, smirking at me over the

    rim of his ss.

    ¡°No. That¡¯s fine. I don¡¯t care to drink.¡± I cut in before Mar-

    go could get over to me.

    Sergio chuckled and lifted his hand with the ss, point- ing it at me. ¡°And how are we supposed to

    toast to the great news of your engagement to my grandson?¡±

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t want to drink Sergio. Leave it.¡± Aiden snapped.

    155

    Lillian looked between the two, her eyes darting quickly.

    I think Sophie¡¯s decision to not drink is a good thing, she is pregnant after all, right?¡±

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    Now it was my turn to stiffen. I feel the blood drain from my face, my belly churning.

    The public had yet to know about the pregnancy, they only knew about the engagement.

    Sergio must have told her. There was no ther person who would.

    ¡°Right.¡± Sergio chuckled and ced his ss down. ¡°Ipletely forgot about that. Forgive me,

    Sophie.¡±

    With the quick re that shed in his eyes told me all I needed to know.

    Sergio had invited us for lunch to bait me into spilling the truth about Aiden and I¡¯s non-existent

    pregnancy.

    ¡°Um, I need to use the restroom.¡± I said while getting up.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go with you,¡± Aiden said on the verge of standing up but I shook my head and reassured him. ¡°No

    need, I will be back soon.¡±

    His brows knot with worried lines. ¡± Are you sure mama bear?¡±

    From the corner of my eye, I saw Lillian quickly take her ss of wine and downed it in one gulp.

    I nodded, smiling reassuringly. ¡°I¡¯ll be back.¡±

    He reluctantly agrees to let me go alone.

    I looked over at Margo. ¡°Can you show me the way to the bathroom?¡±

    She tipped her chin down.¡±Yes, Miss. Follow me.¡±

    I nodded and went to follow her but Sergio¡¯s taunting words stopped me. ¡°We will wait until you get

    back to start the feast. You¡¯re now eating for two after all, you wouldn¡¯t want to miss out on any of the

    dishes. Especially Lillian¡¯s fa- mous chicken casserole.¡±

    I grit my teeth, fisting my hands at my sides.

    Old fucking fart.

    I let out a puff of air and left without a response.

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    I stared at Sophie¡¯s back until she disappears inside the house.

    As soon as there is no sight of her, I turn my fiery re at Sergio.

    ¡°What the fuck are you ying at Sergio?¡±

    I can feel the anger swim in my veins, heating up my blood. I had never wanted to wring someone¡¯s

    neck as badly as I wanted to Sergio.

    The satisfaction I would get¡­.

    Sergio lifted a hand to his chest and feigned an offended look. ¡°Me? I y no games, grandson. I just

    wanted to have

    lunch with you and your soon to be wife. Is that such a bad thing?¡±

    My lips curled up into a snarl as I swept my gaze to Christopher. ¡°And you invited them?¡± I barked

    coldly, my eyes drifting back to Sergio¡¯s. ¡°Do you take me for a fool to not no- tice that you invited them

    to spite Sophie and I?¡±

    That fucker Christopher looked at my girl in a way that did not sit right with me. If Sophie hadn¡¯t held

    me back, his nose would¡¯ve been crooked again but this time I was sure to rear- range his face more.

    Christopher let out a dryugh that drew my attention back to him. ¡°Same old Aiden. He thinks

    everything is to spite him, to get an upper hand. Do you ever get off that high horse of yours? You¡¯re

    not that important.

    ¡°If I was not important, you wouldn¡¯t be wishing you were me Muralo. Let¡¯s not forget how you got that

    crooked nose.¡± I snarled.

    Sophie wasn¡¯t here to hold me back this time, it would be best if he watch his words.

    My fists were ready to meet skin and bones.

    Christopher¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°I think it would be my turn to give you a crooked nose Xavier. You slept

    with my baby sis- ter and left her the next morning. Fucking yboy. Does So- phie know about your

    yboy ways? Come to think about it, I am surprised that you¡¯re willing to settle down.¡±

    ¡°Chris,¡± Lillian cut in while tugging her brother¡¯s arm.

    ¡°Am I not speaking the truth, Lillian? This fucker used you

    like he used all the other girls. I say you dodged a bullet by not having to marry him.¡± Christopher

    sneered.

    I snorted. ¡°I think you¡¯re pissed off I didn¡¯t choose your ¡®baby sister¡¯. Why else would you willinglye

    over with her to y this dumb game Sergio called you for?¡±

    I turn to Lillian and murmured dryly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I am sure you¡¯ll find the right guy. But that guy isn¡¯t

    me. I belong to someone else, even before you knew me.¡±

    She is visibly upset and swallows. ¡°If you will excuse me, I think I need to use the bathroom.¡± She

    muttered while getting

    Christopher res at me across the table. ¡°You fucking bastard. She¡¯s upset because of you.¡±

    ¡°Then go wipe her fucking tears,¡± I said unapologetically.

    ¡°Now now, settle down boys. Lunch hasn¡¯t even started yet, we should at least eat first before the

    drama.¡± Sergio chuckled.

 Chapter 156

    Chapter 156

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¦°

    Right this way miss,¡± Margo uttered while guiding me through Sergio¡¯s huge house. I try to memorize

    the curves and corners so I would not get lost on my way back.

    It¡¯s difficult when all rooms look the same. But I don¡¯t dare utter my confusion to Margo.

    She stopped beside a huge door, turning towards me as she wrenches it open. ¡°Here you go,¡± She

    smiles politely and I¡¯m grateful that not everyone is as vile as Sergio in this house.

    ¡°Thank you, Margo,¡± I thanked her with a smile of my own and entered the bathroom. I closed the door

    and leaned against it until I heard her fading footfalls.

    When I was sure I was alone, I peeled myself away from the door and strut over to the wall mirror and

    the sink.

    I looked at my reflection and sighed.

    There¡¯s worry in my gaze, buried deep but I can detect it.

    The worry mounted when Lillian brought up the pregnancy. For a second there I forgot about it and one

    wrong move would have made everything crumble down.

    I let out a breath through my parted lips. ¡°Oh Sophie, what had you got yourself into?¡± I shook my head

    and opened the faucet.

    I washed my hands, leaning over the sink to pour some water over my face. Closing the faucet, I lift my

    eyes up and they connect with my reflection.

    I cannot make Sergio push me in a corner and boast his triumph of finally cracking the barriers I held

    around me.

    I will not make him seed in trying to push Aiden and I apart.

    Patting my face with some tissue, I tossed it in the toilet bowl and flushed. Gawking at my reflection

    ¡®one least time, I let out a strained breath and opened the door.

    I jerk slightly in surprise when my eyesnd on Lillian leaning against the opposite wall, a cold

    expression on her face.

    I stepped out of the room, in means to avoid her but she stops me.

    ¡°Sophie. How is Ashton?¡±

    I clicked my tongue, annoyed that she was trying to converse with me when we both knew she didn¡¯t

    like me. That re she sent across the table straight at me when Aiden whispered in my ear told me all

    I needed to know.

    I heard the ck of her heels and knew she had peeled off the wall.

    Turning around, I crossed my arms under my chest, staring at her nkly.

    ¡°He¡¯s doing well. Better.¡± I answered her tightly.

    She nod, her eyes rolling up to the ceiling as she sters on a thoughtful look. ¡°Yes, I think Aiden

    mentioned it when we spoke. He¡¯s such a good father.¡±

    Her voice was sweet but I could sense the hostility swimming at the bottom, struggling to stay clear of

    the surface.

    I narrowed my eyes, unpleased by her tactic to get on my nerves.

    He is. And he¡¯s also a great fiance.¡± I aired in a sickly fake sweet voice that she caught right away

    because the chirpy sweet blonde was no longer hiding her resentment.

    She lets out a fake shortugh, stepping forward. ¡°Is that so?¡±

    She tilts her head, her eyes sending sharp daggers my way. ¡°I remember how sweet he can be. He has

    always been this way, especially to me. You know, everyone thought Aiden and I would be the ones

    getting married.¡±

    I let out a dry giggle. ¡°Well then that¡¯s too bad things didn¡¯t work out that way. It must be so sad that

    your father didn¡¯t get to experience what a joy it is to n a wedding. I am sure someday he will.¡±

    Lillian¡¯s eyes narrowed, pleasing me that I got on her nerves. Serves the bitch right for trying to feed

    more onto my annoyance.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, things always work out in my favor and I always get what I want,¡± She then fakes a smile,

    beaming at me.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that post by the way. I know how awful you might have felt when you read it. The

    media can be such a bitch sometimes.¡± She rolled her eyes, letting out a breath, feigning being upset.

    My brows furrowed. What post is she referring to?

    She must have seen my confusion because she was quick to borate to her own benefit.

    ¡°They wrote an article about you being the homewrecker in Aiden¡¯s and I rtionship,¡± She shrugged,

    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    tucking her hair behind her ear. ¡°Told you everyone thought we would be the ones getting married.¡±

    I¡¯m stunned and speechless as I stare at her. Aiden hadn¡¯t mentioned an article. Nor had I seen such

    an article.

    I want to vomit. The media was ying me out to be the bad guy.

    Lillian reaches out, her fingers touching my arm gently. ¡°But don¡¯t worry, the article was magically taken

    down quickly. I mean, I¡¯m sure millions of people had read it before it was taken down, it was published

    by a popr blog-

    I wrenched my arm away from her touch, my eyes dropping to the floor. I need some air.

    I turn around, my eyes darting across the floor as I try to not feel so nauseous. I can only imagine what

    people thought of me now. What they wrote, the nder I was receiving.

    Did Aiden know about it?

    Why didn¡¯t he tell me anything?

    You¡¯ll get used to it Sophie. The media can be a very bad ce but that¡¯s something you have to

    endure in our world.¡± Lillian yelled behind me to catch my attention. This time, I didn¡¯t bother giving it to

    her.

    I walked away, trying to keep my shoulders up until I disappeared from her sight. And when her cold

    eyes were no longer on my back, my shoulders drop in defeat.

    I know I shouldn¡¯t care about what others thought or what they wrote on social media. They were just

    people hiding behind a screen and keyboards. In person, most of them can¡¯t even utter a word.

    But this doesn¡¯t ease up the nauseating feeling. This doesn¡¯t ease my mind.

    I want to scream in frustration.

    Not long ago, no one knew who I was. No one knew me.

    But now, being involved with Aiden had thrown me into the toxicity that was social media. And I had

    dragged my son in with me. What would they start to say about him? They were already quick to judge

    me and say bad false things about me. What would they say about my son?

    I stumbled out of the door and made my way to the gazebo. Aiden and Christopher were yelling,

    arguing. But right now, I didn¡¯t care enough to tell them to stop.

    ¡°Ah Sophie, you came-

    Sergio started but I paid him no mind and focused my gaze on Aiden.

    When his stormy gaze sweeps to mine, his brows knot in concern. ¡°Baby? What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Did you know?¡± I whispered, not shifting to sit.

    Aiden¡¯s brows furrowed even more. ¡°Know about what Soph?¡±

    ¡°About an article naming me a homewrecker?¡±

 Chapter 157

    Chapter 157

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Aiden mouth parts, the lines between his brows deepening as he stares at me confused and startled.

    ¡°Aiden?¡± I called out his name when he seems to be in deep thought.

    He shakes his head slightly as ifing out of a daydream. ¡°Sophie-¡± He started, his tone sounding

    apologetic.

    I shake my head, backing away. I cannot believe he knew about it and didn¡¯t tell me.

    ¡°I want to leave,¡± I blurted out, causing Aiden to rise to his feet.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t tell you about it to protect you, Sophie.¡± Aiden voiced, gripping my arm to stop me and spin me

    around to face him.

    My eyes slowly meet his and his gaze darkened with pain. Hist hand lift to my face, the pads of his

    thumb brushing along my cheek as he leaned forward. ¡°This is exactly why I didn¡¯t tell you about it,

    Soph. I hate to see you upset.¡±

    I sighed. I was not mad at him, just mad about the whole situation. I didn¡¯t want to find out about it this

    way and wished he had told

    me sooner.

    ¡°You should have told me about it Aiden. I didn¡¯t want to hear it from her,¡± I mumbled, shifting my eyes

    away from his.

    He sighed, his hand going behind my head and bringing my head to his chest.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Sophie. You¡¯re right, I should¡¯ve told you.¡± He whispered

    into

    while kissing my head.

    ¡°Lovers spat or is this your normal way of showing affection?¡± Sergio drawled causing Aiden and I to

    break apart.

    Aiden tangled our fingers together, and turned to face Sergio. ¡°We¡¯re leaving,¡± Aiden said coldly.

    Sergio rises to his feet, his eyes shifting from cockiness to displeasure and irritation.

    ¡°We have not had lunch yet. The food should not go to waste.¡± He insisted, sending me an annoyed

    glower.

    Aiden gripped me tighter. ¡°Sophie doesn¡¯t feel weed here and you invited two other guests. I

    believe they can eat everything Margo have prepared.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous Aiden. I have been trying my best to please Sophie. I even made Margo bake a

    lemon cake.¡± Sergio argued, his eyes narrowing.

    Aiden grits his teeth, sending daggers at Sergio¡¯s tight face. ¡°Don¡¯t think for a second that I am stupid to

    not have guessed what you were ying at Sergio. Our deal is off, she knows anyway.¡±

    Deal?

    Did Aiden make a deal with Sergio regarding the article that painted me in a bad light?

    Was this why he epted Sergio¡¯s invitation to have lunch?

    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    Was Sergio behind the article?

    I wouldn¡¯t put it past him¡­

    ¡°Aiden-

    Divides now

    Sergio started, his eyes darkening in vexation.

    Aiden turned around and began to tug me away.

    ¡°See you soon beautiful, maybe next time I¡¯ll get that number,¡± Christopher chuckled boldly behind us.

    Aiden freezes, and I gulp.

    Oh no.

    ¡°Aiden-

    I whispered when he tugs his hand away from me and marches back over to Christopher.

    I stared at the two, unsure of what to do.

    Christopher¡¯s grin widens, his white teeth showcasing even more.

    ¡°Forgot something, Xavier?¡± He questioned cockily, lounging back.

    Aiden doesn¡¯t respond, only mming his fist on Christopher¡¯s nose, who lets out a loud yell. With the

    force of the blow, poor Christopher topples over, breaking the wooden chair into pieces undef him.

    Aiden shakes his hand and walked back over to me while fixing his

    suit.

    ¡°Aiden.¡± I aired, taking his hand in mine. I lift it to my face, inspecting the damage.

    His skin is torn a bit and his knuckles are red. One would think he had continuously mmed his

    knuckles on Christopher¡¯s nose.

    ¡°Your hand!¡± I gasped while rubbing my thumb around his red knuckles.

    Dividing into pages now

    ¡°It¡¯s fine baby, nothing to worry about.¡±

    I red up at him. ¡°Did you have to punch him!?¡±

    Aiden¡¯s fingers find beneath my chin and tilt my head up. ¡°Listen to me Sophie,¡±

    He leaned forward, ignoring the curses thrown at him from Christopher¡¯s whiny self on the floor.

    ¡°Yes I did. And I don¡¯t regret it one bit. In fact, I think I should¡¯ve broken his jaw too,¡± He huffed, turning

    around to go do just that, but I quickly clutch his hand, tugging him back.

    ¡°Aiden, don¡¯t. Let¡¯s just go home please.¡± I begged, interlocking our fingers and tugging him away from

    a whining Christopher.

    My eyes sweep over to Sergio. His eyes are dead set on us, colder than usual. But he makes no move

    to help Christopher nor does he say anything as Aiden and I walk away.

    ¡°Aiden! You¡¯re leaving so soon?!¡± Lillian¡¯s chirpy tone returned, her eyes brightly fixated on Aiden as

    she quickly santers down the stairs.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Aiden gritted, hands now going to my waist and holding me close.

    Her eyes drop to his arm around my waist and her eyes blurred with jealousy.

    She rips her eyes away from his hand and focus them on his face. ¡°At least stay for some chicken

    casserole?¡±

    Aiden walked quicker, practically dragging me since my shorter legs were finding it difficult to keep up

    with him. ¡°No thanks. But do get some ice for your brother. He may need it.¡±

    With thosest parting words, Aiden and I walked away. I can feel her re on my back, burning my

    skin. I smiled, pushing closer to Aiden, unfazed by her jealousy.

    Sergio¡¯s pov

    I roughly sat down on the chair, ring at Aiden and Sophie¡¯s backs.

    ¡°Get me my cigars, Margo,¡± I demanded and swept my gaze down to Christopher.

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Harrington,¡± Margo said quickly.

    ¡°Stop whining,¡± I grumble, picking up the ss of wine.

    I tried many ways to get on Sophie¡¯s nerves, and make her sell herself out by epting the drink, but

    she was tough as nails, I¡¯ll give her that.

    But it would only be a matter of time until she cracks. Aiden can¡¯t protect her forever.

    ¡°I¡¯ll kill him,¡± Christopher growled, pinching his nose and tipping his head back.

    I rolled my eyes.

    I knew my grandson well enough to know that Christopher wasn¡¯t man enough to beat him.

    But he had a weakness.

    And that weakness was his son and Sophie.

    His son was out of the question, I would not willingly hurt the

    innocent child. But his mother, on the other hand, that gold digger needed to get out of the picture.

    ¡°Brother!¡± Lillian yelled across the yard, barreling over with a concerned expression.

    Inviting the two was good, it got Aiden annoyed and made Sophie ufortable.

    ¡°Your nose. It¡¯s bleeding!¡± Lillian screeched as she kneeled beside her brother.

    ¡°That fucker caught me off guard. I¡¯ll make sure he pays this time. I¡¯ll kill him with my own bare hands!¡±

    Christopher growled hotly.

    ¡°No, you can¡¯t do that! We¡¯re supposed to get married. You can¡¯t hurt him!¡±

    ¡°I have a better idea,¡± I stated, leaning back as I watch the two siblings.

    Christopher and Lillian looked at me in question.

    ¡°File aint against him, have him arrested.¡±

 Chapter 158

    Chapter 158

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°M and Ria wants Ash to spend the night. They¡¯ve missed him.¡± I voiced as I flung the purse on the

    countertop and kicked off my shoes.

    ¡°Okay,¡± Aiden said behind me.

    I texted M to tell her that Aiden agreed when Aiden suddenlyes behind me and hugs me.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been quiet the entire ride home. Are you still upset?¡± He whispered on my neck and nted a

    kiss.

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    I shrugged out of his hold and ced my phone down. ¡°You need ice for your hand.¡±

    I opened the fridge and searched for some ice. I could only get frozen peas.

    ¡°My hand is fine Sophie. What I know is not okay, is you. Argue with me, hit me, hell give me a damn

    concussion, but don¡¯t treat me so coldly. I can¡¯t handle it.¡±

    I sighed, cing the pack of peas on the countertop.

    ¡°What are we doing Aiden? What kind of dangerous game are we in?¡± I looked up at him for the first

    time since we left Sergio¡¯s ce.

    He looks at me for a few before responding.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡±

    He shook his head. ¡°For bringing you into this mess Sophie.¡±

    Dividing into pages now

    My vision blurred.

    Aiden looks wrenched and quickly walks around the countertop to be by my side. He pulls me in his

    arms, hugging me tightly as I sobbed into his shirt.

    ¡°He hates me.¡± I cried in a broken voice.

    ¡°Everyone hates me. Just imagine what they¡¯re saying about me.¡± I sobbed, clutching his shirt more

    firmly.

    It¡¯s a good thing Ash was not here, Aiden didn¡¯t want him to see his mummy upset.

    ¡°Shhh Sophie, please don¡¯t cry baby. You know I hate to see you upset.¡± Aidenforted. ¡°I don¡¯t care

    who hates you, I love you. No one else¡¯s opinion matters.¡±

    I fisted his shirt. ¡°I don¡¯t belong in this world Aiden. I don¡¯t belong here.¡±

    Aiden takes a step back, his fingers going under my chin and tilting my head up.

    His eyes shed with intensity, one that showcased his love. The air in my lungs gets snagged by just

    this stare.

    ¡°That¡¯s fine baby, because I don¡¯t belong here either. I only belong with you. I only belong in your world

    while you belong in mine. Money, luxury things¡­.these aren¡¯t my world. My world is you and our son.¡±

    He whispered with sincerity.

    My heart jolts and pounds quickly.

    ¡°Aiden-

    I breathed but he stops me with a chaste kiss on my lips.

    ¡°I can give all this up easily for you, Sophie. I would give everything up just for you.¡± Aiden whispered

    on my lips.

    My heart beats furiously.

    I didn¡¯t want him to give up anything for me and certainly not his job.

    The few days I worked at Harrington.co, I havee to realize that Aiden was a tough boss because

    he took his job seriously.

    He was sessful because he worked his ass off.

    He loved thepany.

    It was obvious.

    So there was no way I would want him to lose all of that for me.

    In his tone, I knew that he would actually do this, for me. But I didn¡¯t want that kind of guiltter down

    that line.

    I didn¡¯t want him to give up something that he clearly love for me.

    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± I whispered, lifting my hand to cup his jaw. There¡¯s a slight stubble there that I somehow love to

    feel under my palm and fingertips.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare give up anything Aiden.¡± I breathed, staring at him underneath myshes.

    His stare is prating and causing all those strong shivers to run down my spine.

    It¡¯s a good feeling, a weing one that showed me how much he affected me.

    ¡°All I want you to do is love me.¡± I flicked my finger over his cheek

    Dividing into pages now while keeping my eyes on his so that he could feel exactly what I was saying.

    ¡°Tonight,¡± I whispered. ¡°Tomorrow,¡± My eyes fall on his lips. ¡°And every other day after that. That¡¯s all I

    want, Aiden. Everything else, we¡¯ll figure out one day at a time.¡±

    He leans into my touch. ¡°Sophie.¡± I voiced tenderly. ¡°Loving you is all I know.¡±

    He kissed my palm. ¡°And loving you is all I will ever need to know.¡±

    I sucked in a sharp breath, tingles that tickle run over my palm.

    ¡°Why did we fight this for so long?¡± I asked. ¡°Why had we not confessed our love sooner?¡±

    Aiden murmured. ¡°Because I was an ass who couldn¡¯t see much from his ass. But hey, at least I¡¯m not

    so much of an ass anymore, right?¡±

    Iughed lightly and Aiden joins me. After our littleughing fit that lightened our mood, Aiden¡¯s

    forehead falls on my own.

    And he whispered. ¡°Thank you for stealing my heart a long time ago, mama bear. There¡¯s no one else

    I¡¯d want to have it.¡±

    My lips curled into a smile. ¡°I love you Aiden.¡±

    He captured my lips, softly, tasting me as he swipes his tongue on my bottom lip to ask me entrance.

    I give it to him, burning under his kiss and his touch. His hands, they roam down my body to clutch my

    bottom.

    I gasp, making his tongue swirl around my own. A deep moan wrenched from his throat, prating

    me in ways that I couldn¡¯t have imagined.

    ¡°Remember when I said I couldn¡¯t wait to take this dress off you when we got back?¡± He breathed on

    my lips, hot and heavy.

    I nodded, my skin tickling with heat. I want him to rip this dress off

    ¡°Bedroom, kitchen, living room?¡± He asked in a husky tone.

    ¡°Anywhere. As long as you¡¯re inside me soon.¡± I breathed out, my voice low and heavy with need.

    ¡°Living room it is then.¡± He grunted, squeezing my bottom and lifting me up in his arms.

    I squealed a little as my dress rides up and my front pressing directly on his bulging member. He

    groaned, low in his throat.

    The sound made me shiver and I loop my arms around his neck, my fingers tickling the nape of his

    neck, brushing through the short soft strands.

    He walked us to the sofa where he sat down so I¡¯d straddle him.

    His huge hands, warm and protectivetch on my waist where he guided me to sit down on hisp,

    directly on his bulge.

    He then moves me to grind on him while groaning in my mouth. I sighed in pleasure as my core rub

    against his crotch.

    I squealed, jerking slightly when he suddenly smacked my ass.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to ride me tonight.¡±

 Chapter 159

    Chapter 159

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    He unzipped the dress, taking his time doing so and deliberately let his fingers skim down my spine. I

    shivered, drawing closer to him.

    When he¡¯s done, his fingers finds the ends of the dress.

    Aiden¡¯s fingers clutch the ends of my dress rolling it up until my ass is exposed to the chill of air.

    ¡°I would¡¯ve ripped it off you, but I want to see you wear that sexy red dress more than once.¡± He

    grunted as he helped me out of it.

    He flings it to the side and quickly unhook my bra. He pulls away from me to stare into my eyes.

    ¡°Where did you learn to suck like that?¡± He questioned with curiosity as he flings the bra away from me.

    My breasts are exposed and my nipples bead.

    I raised a brow. ¡°Are you going to ask me where I learned to suck dick or are you going to fuck me?¡±

    Aiden¡¯s eyes darken and they drop to peer at my lips. His fingers lift to my face, brushing along my

    bottom lip.

    ¡°You now have a very dirty mouth Sophie,¡± He uttered and smirked, his stormy gaze filled with fire

    snapping up to connect with mine.

    ¡°Is that my doing?¡±

    I bite my bottom lip and he slowly pulls it away from the trap of my teeth.

    ¡°I guess that¡¯s a yes.¡± He chuckled, his eyes dropping to stare at my lips once more.

    ¡°Are you going to answer the question?¡± He asked hoarsely.

    I looked at him under myshes, my chest heaving. ¡°Why is the answer so important?¡±

    His eyes flickered up, the storm quickly turning into a hurricane of emotion. ¡°Because I want to know if I

    have to beat up some guy for having the nerve to be in that little pretty mouth of yours. That¡¯s why it¡¯s

    important Sophie.¡±

    ¡°The answer is no.¡± I confessed after a few lungfuls of air.

    His words seemed have ignited more of a fire within me instead of letting it out. Somehow I loved his

    possessive tone even.

    ¡°No other guys dick has been inside my mouth. Now can you fuck me?¡± I let out a sigh as I started

    unbuttoned his shirt slowly.

    He gripped my hands, stopping me. I looked at him in confusion. ¡°Don¡¯t say that word Sophie. You and

    I both know I don¡¯t do fucking when ites to you. I make love to you and that¡¯s different.¡±

    With a sudden tug of his hand, he draws me closer until our noses brushed.

    It¡¯s somehow lovely to stare into his eyes this closely. It feels like I¡¯m looking directly at his soul.

    ¡°I possess your mind, body and soul. I don¡¯t fuck you, I make love to you, I possess you my little Soph.¡±

    He whispered and tilted his head, molding our lips.

    I breathed a sigh into his mouth, moaning when he gripped my

    bottom, squeezing it.

    I grind on him, feeling him harden even more under me. He grunts. into my mouth, a low hot rumble

    from his throat.

    My fingers clutch his buttons, fumbling with them to reveal his skin. But I can¡¯t take how much time it

    takes for me to see him

    bare.

    So I ripped his shirt open, pulling away from his lips to look down at his ripped shirt that revealed his

    toned flesh.

    Those six pack abs were very noticeable.

    I bit my lower lip.

    ¡°You ripped my shirt.¡± His voice coats with shock.

    I lift my eyes to his.

    ¡°Yes. I did.¡± I raised a brow. ¡°Have a problem with that?¡±

    His smirk returned. ¡°I don¡¯t. I find it fucking hot. You should do it more often.¡± He winked.

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    ¡°Oh yeah?¡± I whispered, hand going behind his neck and fingers. tangling in his hair.

    My other hand go between us, rubbing against his harden member through his pants. He sucks in a

    very sharp breath, pupils dting

    I tugged the ends of his hair, gripping it hard and pulled it. His head tilt back, showcasing his neck.

    I leaned forward, my hot breath on his neck.

    I felt him shiver and smirked.

    I dart my tongue out and licked his neck. He practically tremble.

    ¡°Fuck.¡± He whispered.

    ¡°Should I do this more often too?¡± I bite his neck, sucking on the soft flesh.

    His fingers grip my bottom harder.

    ¡°You definitely should.¡± He groaned, thrusting his hips up.

    ¡°I need inside you Sophie. I can¡¯t wait any longer.¡± He hissed when I grind harder on him.

    He lifted me up slightly, released his cock and slid my panties to the side.

    ¡°Ride me.¡± He demanded, his fingers squeezing my waist.

    I gripped around his cock, making him hiss out a curse.

    I sank onto him, taking him slowly inside me.

    My eyes rolled behind my lids when he stretched me open, filling me inch by inch.

    ¡°Oh God you feel so damn good.¡± He moaned when he¡¯s fully lodged inside me.

    I hugged his neck, my lips pressing to his slightly stubble cheek as I lift and fall on him, riding him

    slowly.

    He¡¯d groan, gripping my waist and whispered hot filthy things in my ear, kiss my neck and thrust up

    inside me when he could no longer take my slow torture.

    And that¡¯s when he gave it to me, he held my waist, gripped it so tightly I moaned. And then he

    hammered inside me, thrusting up

    Dividing into pages now until I¡¯m unable to hold in my screams and let them tear out of my throat.

    ¡°Like that little Soph?¡± He whispered whole staring at me heatedly. I can¡¯t remove my gaze from his. It

    feels forbidden to.

    I nod, biting my lip as he continues to ram into me over and over, each time managing to snag the air

    out of my lungs.

    I¡¯m so wet I know I¡¯m dripping around him. I can practically hear our fluids meeting. It sounds fucking

    amazing.

    ¡°You like when I thrust into you like that?¡± He groaned,tching his lips on my bouncing breasts.

    He sucks my skin, undoubtedly leaving his mark behind.

    ¡°You taste so damn good. You feel so damn good around my cock. Tell me Sophie¡­¡± He hissed,

    gripping my hair and bringing his mouth to my ear. ¡°Is there anything you¡¯re not good at?¡±

    I panted, moaning out his name.

    He bites my earlobe gently, now slowing his pace as his cock pulsed inside me.

    His grip on my hair tighten, tugging which caused me to arch my back and tilt my head back.

    ¡°Loving you is a pleasure I will always need.¡±

 Chapter 160

    Chapter 160

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    We woke up happy,pletely swiping our minds of what happened the day prior with Sergio and the

    siblings.

    But sometimes, happiness is short lived. Especially when there are cops at your door, demanding to

    see the love of your life.

    What¡¯s even worse is that they¡¯re arresting him next and dragging him out the door. He¡¯s trying to resist

    because he sees the look on your face and everyone else he holds dear.

    He¡¯spletely gutted because there¡¯s nothing he can do.

    You¡¯re crying, trying totch onto his hands but they won¡¯t let you. They push you away. They tell you to

    back off.

    The love of your life tells you silently with his eyes that everything will be okay, but you don¡¯t believe it

    for one second.

    He tells you it¡¯s okay to let go because he will be back, but you can¡¯t let go. But they¡¯re tugging him

    away.

    He¡¯s slipping through your fingers and all you can do is cry and call out to him.

    You¡¯re demanding those officers to let him go. You¡¯re asking them questions but they refuse to say a

    word. Only mutter the same damn sentence over and over.

    To get out of their way.

    And you do this time.

    Why?

    Divalinanja nades now

    Because your son is watching his father being tugged away from his mommy and you need to be there

    for him too. Because even though he is still young, he is smart enough to know that something is

    amiss.

    So you promise the love of your life that you¡¯ll be beside him soon and you¡¯ll get him out. And then you

    watch them tug him away the moment your son is in your hold and you¡¯re hugging him tightly.

    You see, when life throws you lemons, they always say to make lemonade. But I want to squeeze it in

    someone¡¯s fucking eyes instead. I want to squeeze it in the eyes of whoever caused this.

    ¡°Daddy will be okay Ash bug. ¡± I whispered as I clutched and hugged his body to me. ¡°He¡¯ll be okay.¡±

    *Three hours prior*

    ¡°Aiden!¡± I squealed as I ran around the sofa to get away from him.

    He was trying to catch me because I had painted his face with the pancake batter.

    ¡°I just want to give you a kiss baby. Come here.¡±

    I rolled my eyes, giggling. ¡°You must think I¡¯m daft to fall for that bullshit. Kiss my ass. You want to ruin

    my hair and my face.¡±

    On his fingers are the same batter I used to swipe that long paint on his face.

    ¡°The only thing I want to ruin is your pussy with my cum. I wouldn¡¯t dare y by your face or your hair!¡±

    I pouted. ¡°That¡¯s not fair. You¡¯re trying to turn me on so I¡¯d stop running away from you ande

    willingly into your arms.¡±

    He smirked.¡± Is it that obvious?¡±

    I nod.

    He chuckled and seconds after, the buzzer goes off.

    ¡°Must be M and Ria dropping off Ash.¡± I stated while fixing Aiden¡¯s shirt on me.

    I know I look unpresentable right now but you can¡¯t me me, I just woke up and haven¡¯t even

    showered yet.

    ¡°I miss that little bugger.¡± Aiden¡¯s huge grin is contagious.

    ¡°And I¡¯m sure he missed you.¡± I giggled. For the few days we¡¯ve been at Aiden¡¯s, Ashton has

    undoubtedly grown into a daddy¡¯s boy.

    He¡¯d want Aiden to put him to bed, feed and bathe him.

    ¡°I¡¯ll get it.¡± Aiden stated happily as he rushes over to the door.

    He opens it quickly while using his hand with the batter.

    ¡°Aiden your-¡± I sighed, it was already toote. Batter was everywhere.¡±Nevermind.¡±

    ¡°Morning.¡± M greeted with a smile as she hands over Ashton to an eager and happy Aiden.

    ¡°Did you miss daddy?¡± Aiden asked while kissing his head and tickling his stomach lightly.

    Ashton giggled and nodded happily.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    Aiden beams and my heart melts.

    ¡°He was such a little angelst night. Slept all night through.¡± M told me while handing me the bag

    with his clothed and necessities.

    I smiled. ¡°Where¡¯s Ria?¡± I asked while looking behind her.

    ¡°She¡¯s off to an early gig. Apparently this one pays a lot.¡± M shrugged.

    ¡°We¡¯re just making breakfast M, you going to have to wait a little if you want some.¡± Aiden says over

    his shoulder while walking towards the kitchen with a giggling Ash.

    ¡°No that¡¯s fine. My aunt¡¯s making mee early today, I¡¯ll get something there.¡± She told him and set

    her focus on me.

    ¡°You look awfully glowy this bright and early morning. And judging by that huge shirt you have on, you

    have a good enough reason to look like you¡¯re on cloud nine.¡± She smirked.

    ¡°M,¡± I whined softly, my cheeks warming.

    She chuckles and says her goodbye. After waving Ash goodbye and blowing him a kiss, M walks out

    the door.

    I turn around, yfully ring at my son who looked ratherfortable on his father¡¯s shoulders.

    ¡°Am I no longer acknowledgable?¡± I frowned yfully.

    Ashton gives me a toothy grin.

    ¡°Uh oh, mama¡¯s jealous Ashton. ¡± Aiden snorted with a chuckle.

    I red at his back. ¡°He¡¯s still a mama¡¯s boy.¡± I retorted.

    ¡°Whatever makes you sleep at night baby.¡± Aiden whistles.

    I rolled my eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll go put the bag in the room and will be back

    Dividing into panes now soon.¡±

    ¡°Hurry, I already miss you.¡± Aiden responded seriously.

    I smiled and hurried to the room to set the bag down on the bed. I¡¯ll pack Ashton¡¯s stuff when we¡¯re

    done making breakfast and I have eaten.

    I¡¯m way too starved to pack anything.

    I wiped off the batter on Aiden¡¯s cheeks, giggling lightly. ¡°You looked way better with that batter on.¡± I

    joked.

    His eyes narrowed down on me. ¡°You¡¯re lucky Ashton¡¯s in my hold.¡±

    I lift a mocking brow. ¡°And if he wasn¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s not y that game Sophie. You know how it ends up.¡± He sends me a warning stare that let me

    know exactly what he was referring to. I shivered, blushing under his stare.

    ¡°Come on Ash bug, let¡¯s leave daddy to do the cooking.¡± I outstretched my hands for Ashton and he

    jumps into my arms.

    I kissed his head and turned around to head to the living room when I felt a firm smack on my bottom.

    ¡°You¡¯ll pay for that batter tonight. Just know that soon to be miss Xavier.¡± Aiden promised, his tone

    hefty with fire.

    I trembled, biting my bottom lip.

    I am about to respond when the buzzer goes off.

    Aiden looks confused and I spotted the same expression.

    ¡°Maybe M forgot something.¡± I voiced with a shrug and made my way over to the door.

    As I pried the door open, my eyes fall into brown eyes. I¡¯m stunned to see her. And she¡¯s even more

    stunned to see me.

    ¡°Sophie?¡± Mrs. Xavier uttered in shock taking a step forward out of her husband¡¯s arms.

    ¡°Who¡¯s at the door baby?¡± Aiden calls out but I¡¯m too stunned to speak. I hear his footfalls nearing and

    then slowed when he must¡¯ve seen his parents.

    ¡°Mom? Dad?¡±

 Chapter 161

    Chapter 161

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°What are you two doing here?¡± Aiden asked as he struts over until he was beside me and Ashton.

    His mother¡¯s eyes left mine and Ashton¡¯s to peer at her son. They glisten:

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me we have a grandson Aiden?¡± She whispered brokenly, making my heart ache.

    ¡°Mom I-

    Aiden¡¯s voice is shaky with surprise and pain.

    ¡°Love,¡± Aiden¡¯s dad called out to his wife and enveloped her in a warm hug. He sends Aiden a

    disapproving stare.

    She sniffles. ¡°I¡¯m fine Grant.¡± She reassured him even though the sound of her voice said otherwise.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± His father starts, his voice tight with disapproval. ¡°You better exin this mess!¡±

    Aiden lookspletely lost, his eyes sweeping from my mortified expression to his father¡¯s tight and

    disapproving stare.

    ¡°|-

    ¡°It¡¯s my fault.¡± I butted in quickly before Aiden could tell them anything. I knew he¡¯d take the fault for my

    stupid decision so I had to do something.

    I couldn¡¯t stand there and act innocent.

    His mother pulls away from her husband to peer at me in confusion.

    ¡°Sophie-

    Aiden warned, looking at me fixedly and telling me silently to keep my mouth sealed.

    I tear my eyes away from his and focus them on his parents.

    ¡°I¡¯m the reason he hadn¡¯t told anyone about Ashton. He also hadn¡¯t known about him until a couple of

    days ago.¡± I rip my gaze from Mrs. Xavier and set them on the floor in shame as I continued.

    ¡°I kept the knowledge of his son away from him. If there¡¯s anyone to be med, it should be me.¡±

    It¡¯s so quiet after my words that you would be able to hear the sound of a pin dropping to the floor.

    It¡¯s silent and awkward for a few, making me shift on my feet, praying for someone to break the

    ufortable silence. My prayers are answered a few seconds after.

    ¡°Well then,¡± Mrs. Xavier breathed out. ¡°Now that we got this out of the way. I¡¯m sure you already know

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    me Sophie, I¡¯m Meredith but you can just call me Mere.¡±

    An outstretched handes into my vision. I¡¯m stunned not only by her passiveness but by the fact

    she hadn¡¯t asked why I kept Ashton from Aiden.

    ¡°I had an inkling the mother of my grandchild would have been you Sophie. I just knew it in my bones.¡±

    Her voice wasn¡¯t shaky like it was minutes ago. Now it was lighter, more airy and filled with a bit of

    happiness.

    I can¡¯t seem to fathom the fact that she even has a bit of happiness to see me. Thest time we saw

    each other, I was on the stand and she was in the crowd with tears in her eyes.

    I thought she would hate me. Loathe me and not want to be in the same room with me, but she was

    proving me wrong.

    Aiden nudged me a little with his elbow and I let out a light giggle and took her outstretched hand.

    ¡°Ohe here you,¡± She voiced when her hands clutched mine. She tugged me into a hug, Ash in the

    middle of us.

    He squeals and Meredith pulls away. ¡°And what¡¯s this little handsome boy¡¯s name? Please don¡¯t let it

    be Grant junior.¡± She asked while ying with Ashton¡¯s finger.

    I couldn¡¯t help but smile at hearing her ted tone. ¡°It¡¯s Ashton.¡±

    ¡°Oh thank God. Such a handsome name for a handsome boy.¡± She cooed and pinched Ashton¡¯s

    cheeks. ¡°Thank God you weren¡¯t named Grant huh?¡± She joked, blowing him strawberries.

    ¡°Hey! I thought you loved my name!?¡± Mr. Xavier whined, yfully ring at his wife¡¯s back as she

    cooed at Ashton.

    ¡°You have it all wrong my handsome. I love you, not your name.¡± She corrected him without sparing

    him a nce.

    Mr. Xavier rolled his eyes and settled his irritated re on Aiden and me. ¡°You two still need to exin

    why you decided not to tell us sooner about Ashton. ¡®

    ¡°Oh leave them be Grant. They¡¯re young, God alone knows the drama and trials we went through to be

    what we are today. We wouldn¡¯t be Xavier¡¯s if we didn¡¯t have a bit of drama in our lives.¡± Meredith

    winked at me.

    ¡°Besides your son is a pain in the butt just like you. Poor Sophie must¡¯ve gone through so much.¡±

    Meredith sighed.

    ¡°Thanks a lot mom for thinking the worst about me and not being on my side.¡± Aiden uttered

    sarcastically as he looped his arm around my waist.

    ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± Meredith grinned widely making me giggle.

    ¡°Dad a little help here?¡± Aiden looked at his father for some help. Mr Xavier walks over to Aiden and

    taps him on the shoulder.

    ¡°At least you got the girl son.¡±

    Aiden beamed, his shoulders straightening and his chest puffing out. ¡°She was a bit difficult to catch

    but I managed to get her.¡± He said while winking down at me.

    ¡°Men and their ego.¡± Meredith uttered with a roll of her eyes.

    ¡°Come on Sophie let¡¯s talk about wedding ns.¡± Meredith winked, clutching my hand and practically

    dragging me away from Aiden and his father.

    ¡°Poor Sophie,¡± I heard Mr. Xavier uttered behind me softly while his wife guided me to the sofa.

    We spoke about wedding ns for a few hours, and though. Meredith had not taken a single breather, I

    kind of weirdly enjoyed talking to her about it.

    She was eager to see me wed her son, I could tell by her voice and the way she looked at me.

    ¡°Son by this rate your mother will have you bankrupt.¡± Mr. Xavier

    joked as he took a sip of the beer Aiden gave him.

    ¡°Oh hush Grant! Our baby will only be married once to the love of his life. Everything must be grand!¡±

    Meredith argued, sending a sharp scowl at her husband who looked at her amused.

    ¡°Grand isn¡¯t always good. The kids may want a small wedding love.¡± Mr. Xavier voiced.

    ¡°I forbid!¡± Meredith argued.

    I looked at Aiden who shrugged, a smile ying on his lips.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to have a grand wedding Sophie. I promise.¡± Meredith reaches over to squeeze my hand.

    Ashton¡¯s on herp, looking at everyone like we were some kind of aliens from out of space.

    From his point of view, perhaps I cannot me him. We looked like a crazy family.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± I whispered, moving my eyes off her hand to peer into her eyes. ¡°For not hating me.¡±

    She tilts her head, looking confused. ¡°For what sweetie? Why would I hate you?¡±

    I looked down at Ashton.¡± For what happened in the past with Aiden and-

    I stopped, not able to say it. I swallowed.

    ¡°Oh that. You wasn¡¯t the cause of anything Sophie. It was an ident. You can¡¯t me yourself for

    something that was an ident.¡± She squeezed my hand again.

    ¡°How can I ever hate the girl who my son had been in love with for

    years? The girl who manages to make him smile. You know, he hadn¡¯t smiled in a while.¡±

    I flick my gaze back to hers.

    ¡°Thank you foring back into his life and giving me back my son.¡± She whispered, a grateful one

    that made me feel warm.

    I¡¯m about to respond, emotions bubbled in my throat. But before I could, the buzzer goes off.

    ¡°I¡¯ll get it.¡± Mr. Xavier dered and stalks over to the door.

    I looked over at Aiden. We both were not expecting anyone.

    Who else is here to surprise us?

    Sergio perhaps?

    The door pries open and I brought my gaze back to the door.

    The air gets snagged in my lungs.

    ¡°Aiden Xavier?¡± The police officer steps into the room, the other four following after him.

 Chapter 162

    Chapter 162

    162

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I feel lost.

    Completely and utterly lost.

    I¡¯m unsure of what to do next as they tug him away, his eyes on us helplessly.

    I feel my heart throb as he disappears from our sight.

    ¡°Dada?¡± Ashton calls out softly. Even at his age, I was sure he could sense something was off. His

    voice was so little, so unsure, so scared.

    I gripped him like my life depended on it. ¡°He¡¯ll be back soon little bug.¡± I kissed his forehead, my blurry

    eyes on the hallway, waiting for him toe back with those cops and say it was just a terrible joke. A

    mistake.

    But hearing Meredith¡¯s sobs beside me as her husbandforts her this seems all to real.

    ¡°I need to go to him.¡± Panic started to kick in again when my realized that this was not a game but real.

    brain

    I turned around with Ashton in my arms, heading for the room so I can change into a more appropriate

    attire.

    ¡°Sophie.¡± Grant called out, his voice confused yet a bit angry.

    I halt.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why did they arrest him for assault? Who did Aiden assault?¡±

    I turned around and looked at the pained features of them both. I sighed shakily, trying to get those

    answers to those questions myself.

    ¡°|-

    I raked my brain, trying to do this as fast as I can so I could go to Aiden as soon as possible.

    There was only one person who¡¯d have them arrest Aiden for assault and that person was none other

    than Sergio.

    But that¡¯s not quite right. Aiden hadn¡¯t assaulted him. But he did assault someone else.

    Christopher Muralo.

    ¡°Do you two mind if Ashton stays with you while I go to Aiden?¡± I asked, looking between them.

    ¡°Of course we can.¡± Meredith sniffles.

    ¡°Thank you-

    ¡°But don¡¯t leave us in the dark again Sophie. Tell us what¡¯s happening.¡± She continued, looking at me

    pointedly.

    I swallowed. I wasn¡¯t sure if Aiden would want me to tell his parents that he got into a physical

    altercation with Christian Muralo.

    But seeing Meredith stern expression made me spill everything without thinking much about it.

    By the end of my words, she looked like she was furious. At Aiden, at Christopher at Sergio. I wasn¡¯t

    sure who.

    He¡¯s at it again isn¡¯t he?¡± She gritted out in frustration.

    My brows clench and she borated. ¡°My father. He¡¯s a bitter man. Happiness seems unpleasant for

    him. He hates it so much that he refuse to see an ounce of it.¡± She shook her head.

    ¡°You go to Aiden Sophie and leave Ashton here with us.¡± She nods and walks over to me. She pries

    Ashton out of my grip.

    ¡°Bring my son back to me Sophie. Please,¡± She cracked.

    I squeezed her shoulder in reassurance even though I was not a hundred percent sure I would be able

    to get Aiden out of there.

    But I will try.

    He¡¯d go to extreme lengths to get me out if it was me in there, I will bring my son¡¯s father back to him.

    ¡°Will do Meredith.¡± I said and quickly left to change into more appropriate attire.

    ¡°What are you saying officer Peter?¡± I said tightly, my fisted hands on the desk. My nails were digging

    into my palm, hurting me but I didn¡¯t care.

    Officer Peter lounges back in his seat.

    ¡°Aiden Xavier can only get out if theint is taken back. For now, he will stay the night in the cell

    and will be granted bail by tomorrow.¡±

    I clenched my teeth. ¡°Aiden had not assaulted anyone.¡± I spat.

    Officer Peter raised a brow. ¡°That¡¯s not how Mr. Muralo voiced it. His face showed what Aiden Xavier

    left on his face. There¡¯s a video showing evidence.¡±

    My heart dropped.

    Had Sergio nned this out from the start?

    Of course he had!

    What a cruel man. A conniving snake!

    I swallowed. If Sergio nned this out, it may not be as easy as I thought to get Aiden out. I had to

    think, and I had to think fast.

    ¡°Let me see him,¡± I demanded, tipping my chin up to portray as though I was braver than I actually feel.

    Officer Peter looked me over unsurely and then after a few minutes, gave me a single nod while rising

    to his feet. ¡°Follow me,¡±

    He was pacing the floor when I caught sight of him, his hands in his hair, tugging at his strands in

    frustration. There are two unruly men seated on an old wooden bench behind him, both looked

    dangerous which made me shiver.

    ¡°Mr. Xavier, someone is here to see you,¡± Officer Peter voiced, catching Aiden¡¯s attention.

    Aiden snapped his head towards us, his eyes easing with relief and happiness when they spot me.

    ¡°You only have about six minutes and nothing more,¡± He warned and left Aiden and me.

    I rushed up to the bars, my fingers wrapping around the band of steel.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I breathe out, checking him for any signs of injuries.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine baby.¡± He reassured with a smile.

    My eyes got teary. ¡°How can you say you¡¯re okay when you¡¯re in here?¡±

    Through the spaces of the steel bars, Aiden lifted his hands to wipe under my eyes. ¡°Hey, hey,¡± He

    shushed. ¡°Don¡¯t cry baby. You know I hate when you look so torn,¡± His voice breaks with emotion.

    I nod, biting my lip to stop crying.

    ¡°How¡¯s Ash? My parents?¡± He then winces. ¡± They¡¯re mad aren¡¯t they?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re not mad at you. Just mad at who caused this.¡± I move my eyes away from his and settle them

    on his nose. ¡°I told them what transpired between you and Christopher.¡±

    Aiden grunted. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have-

    ¡°They¡¯re your parents, I think they deserved to know what¡¯s been going on.¡±

    ¡°I can handle things on my own-

    I shook my head, cutting him off.¡± You don¡¯t have to anymore Aiden. I¡¯m here now.¡±

    He peered at me with fondness. ¡°I know baby. I know. But I can¡¯t put that weight on your shoulders

    Sophie. You¡¯re not supposed to fight my battles.¡±

    I lift my hand and cupped his hands that held my face tenderly. ¡°Your battles are mine too Aiden, and I¡¯ll

    fight them beside you.¡±

    His eyes peered into my soul, telling me how much he loved me without saying it out loud.

    It warms my heart.

    ¡°What are you going to do?¡± I asked him after a while of us just staring at each other. We both wanted

    to make out and with those bars between us, it was impossible.

    So I needed to stray our conversation to a more important route.

    ¡°How do you n on getting out of here Aiden?¡±

    He knows exactly what I¡¯m referring to.

    He sighs.

    ¡°I¡¯ll call mywyer-

    ¡°They¡¯re not going to give you bail until tomorrow, Aiden. And by the looks of it,Sergio yed a part in

    this too. It will not be easy to get out today.¡±

    Aiden¡¯s jaw clenched in frustration and anger.

    I tore my gaze away from his as I uttered.¡±There¡¯s only one way we could possibly get you out today.¡±

    I turn to him, already stiffening myself for his anger. ¡°And that¡¯s by me going to Christopher and asking

    him to withdraw theint.¡±

 Chapter 163

    Chapter 163

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Aiden stared at me for a few seconds, each second my heart skipped a beat, waiting for his anger.

    But then heughed instead. A short dry chuckle that made my bones chill.

    ¡°Who¡¯s going to ¡®talk¡¯ to Christopher?¡± By the tone of his voice, I knew he was holding back his anger.

    I would rather he not, because sensing it was by far worst than living it.

    This made me reluctant to respond to him. But I did.

    ¡°Me. I will be the on-

    I had not even finished my sentence when Aiden pulls away from me, his head shaking in disbelief as

    he made his distate known.

    ¡°Over my dead body Sophie. You¡¯re not going over to talk to that fucker. I¡¯ll call mywyer and-

    ¡°Aiden!¡± I hissed in frustration as I watch him pace the floor like a mad man.

    He stops and stares at me.

    ¡°What if they refuse to budge Aiden? Not even you are above thew, they have evidence of you hitting

    Christopher.¡±

    His jaw pop, his teeth grit and if it were possible I was sure steam or fire would be waving out of his

    nose and ears.

    Gosh he was angry, no furious. The other two men looked at him warily which just proves how much

    power and domination that rubbed off Aiden.

    He storms back over to the bars and gripped them in a tight hold lock. His fingers turned white, his

    veins on his neck pulsing, his eyes aze with fury.

    I was making him more angry or perhaps it was the situation. Both. It was both.

    ¡°Fuck thew and fuck the evidence. You¡¯re not going to go see that bastard you hear me?¡± He spat,

    eyes sending daggers at me.

    Despite how unsettling scared I was by his anger, I knew he would never hurt me, which is why I lift my

    chin and stared him head on.

    ¡°I¡¯m a grown woman Aiden. You can¡¯t tell me what to do.¡±

    His stormy gaze rolled down my body, slowly, lingering on my breast and my thighs. He pushes his

    head closer to the bars, lowering his voice. ¡°Don¡¯t you think I know you¡¯re all woman Sophie?¡±

    His eyes snap back up, the fury returning in his gaze.

    ¡°But that doesn¡¯t mean you jump straight into the fucking fire and danger. You¡¯re not going and that¡¯s

    the end of it!¡± He barked.

    Crossing my arms under my chest and ring at him I let out an annoyed breath through my nose.

    He was not letting up. He wouldn¡¯t.

    ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡± I said and turned around.

    His stare is like angry fire on my back, nipping at my heels with every step I took.

    ¡°Sophie. You better not go there.¡± He growled, his tone swirling with fury.

    ¡°Or what?¡± I said over my shoulder without turning around to look at him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t get me mad Sophie.¡±

    I rolled my eyes. ¡°You¡¯re already mad Aiden. I¡¯ll get you out I promise.¡± Those were myst parting

    words as I stepped out.

    ¡°Sophie!¡± His frustrated yell died out when I closed the door.

    The further I walked from him, the more I felt absolutely unsure of my decision. But then a sh of

    Sergio¡¯s smirk in my head and I was again hell bent on going to Christopher.

    But first, I would have to go to Sergio. I had no clue as to where Christopher lived or where I can expect

    to meet up with him. Sergio would know, after all Christopher was one of his little devil. workers.

    I sighed when I stepped out of the station, my mind hazy in how I would go about this and actually

    make Christopher agree to take back his statement.

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    I¡¯ll figure it out on the way.

    I pulled out my phone and dialed Mitch. He answered on the third ring.

    ¡°Miss-

    I cut him off by telling him toe pick me up and bring me to Sergio¡¯s ce.

    He was reluctant but soon agreed.

    When we did pull up to the familiar house, Mitch turned around in his seat and looked me over with

    unsureness.

    ¡°Are you sure Miss? Mr. Xavier-

    ¡°Agreed to let me go.¡± I lied through my teeth.

    Mitch catches on quick but didn¡¯t say anything but gave a single nod.

    I looked out the window at the huge mansion, my body stiffening and getting ready for the unpleasant

    conversation I would have with Sergio.

    Het out a heavy sigh through my parted lips.

    ¡°Be careful. Mr.Harrington is someone who¡¯s very uptight.¡± Mitch warned the second my handstch on

    the door to open it.

    ¡°I know.¡± I answered with a sigh. ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon.

    I opened the door and stepped out. Chewing my lips I began my short journey to the huge front door.

    My phone rang on the way.

    ¡°M,¡±

    ¡°What the hell is going on Sophie!? I saw the news, Ria forwarded it to me. When did this happen? It¡¯s

    everywhere.¡± She said in one breath.

    I winced.

    It¡¯s everywhere on social media.

    ¡°It looks bad but Aiden hadn¡¯t assaulted anyone¡­.well kinda. He punched Christopher Muralo

    yesterday at that stupid lunch at Sergio¡¯s. He filed aint and had cops arrest Aiden. They don¡¯t

    want to give him bail M.¡± I whispered.

    Looking up at Sergio¡¯s huge mansion I whispered when the cameras just inches higher up the huge

    door suddenly turned to me. ¡°But I have a n to get him out sooner.¡±

    I can hear M¡¯s confusion when she responded. ¡°What are you nning Sophie? Don¡¯t do anything

    that will get you into trouble.¡±

    Suddenly the huge door parts and a maid stands in the doorway, looking at me like she was expecting

    me. I had no doubt she was.

    ¡°I¡¯m at Sergio¡¯s. I¡¯ll call you backter. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡± I said and end the call.

    I pushed the phone back into the bag and strolled over to the opened door.

    ¡°Hello,¡± I said. ¡°Is Sergio home?¡±

    She nod, her dead eyes on me and unshifting. ¡°Yes. He has been expecting you.¡±

    She shifts to give me room to pass and motioned me to enter.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure he has.¡± I muttered under my breath.

    Turning around the woman spoke.¡±Follow me.¡±

    I do. I followed her upstairs and into a room to the left. When she opened the door, she motioned for

    me to step in.

    I can spot Sergio right away, he¡¯s by the window, overlooking the view and smoking a cigar.

    Letting out a puff, he shifts and turns around.

    His cold eyes automatically snapped to mine and a forced cruel smirk sters on his lips.

    ¡°Sophie. Didn¡¯t expect to see you back so soon! Came for a drink?¡±

    He gives a curt nod to the maid and she quickly leaves and closes the door behind her.

    ¡°Give me Christopher Muralo¡¯s address Sergio.¡± I spat, stepping further into the room with a set re

    on his cruel face.

    He tilts his head, eyeing me. ¡°Not even a hello to your grandfather inw?¡±

    My eyes narrowed. ¡°You¡¯re no one to me.¡±

 Chapter 164

    Chapter 164

    164

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Sergio¡¯s handnd on his chest, he takes a step back and whines. ¡°Oh that just stabbed me right in the

    heart Sophie.¡±

    The smirk reformed on his mouth, a colder look gracing his face. He looked like those viins in movies

    and he was not far from the description. If anything I think I described him perfectly, he was after all, the

    viin in my story.

    He chuckled dryly and brought the cigar to his mouth. He took in a puff and let it out slowly while eyeing

    me across the room.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d have a single rude bone in your body Sophie. Never took you for what do they call

    those things again¡­.¡± He drawled as he struts to his desk and chair and plop down smoothly.

    I red at him, fisting my hands at my sides. I¡¯m tempted to storm his way and smack him right in the

    face.

    His smirk widened as he lounged back. ¡°Oh I remember the word now,¡±

    ¡°A bitch.¡± He stated chuckling with humor.

    I did not find it funny, but I didn¡¯t care to waste my breath by arguing with him.

    I only came here for one thing, and one thing only.

    To get Christopher Muralo¡¯s address and get Aiden out of jail soon.

    I took a step forward. ¡°You know what I came here for Harrington. Give me his address.¡±

    Topanow

    Sergio raised a brow, arching it in a way that was mocking. ¡°Who are we talking about here? Who¡¯s

    address do you want? Who is ¡®he¡¯?¡±

    Was he seriously pretending like he hadn¡¯t heard me the first time?

    My eyes narrowed. ¡°You know Sergio, I don¡¯t get it. You act like you hate me, yet, you continue to do

    something to get under my skin. You know, my mom once told me, those who secretly like you, pretend

    to hate you.¡±

    He looks surprised for a second but then his expression changed.

    He snorted. ¡°When did she tell you that? Right before she died?¡±

    I instantly grew cold.

    Noticing my stunned expression Sergio continued. ¡°What? Didn¡¯t think I¡¯d find out about you Sophie

    Bell? Your past? Those who took you under their wing-

    I stepped forward. ¡°If you do anything to them-

    He waved a careless hand. ¡°I don¡¯t hurt the innocent.¡±

    My jaw hurts as I clench it brutally.

    ¡°Unlike someone who caused an innocent death,¡±

    My body stiffened, my blood freezing, my heart throbbing with both pain and fear of where this

    conversation would lead.

    ¡°Caused an innocent person to be ced behind bars. Poor innocent Aiden. Was such a fool back

    then-

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare say anything about him!¡± I spat, my hands fisting and ready to m into bones and

    skin.

    But instead of shutting up, he continued.

    ¡°But he¡¯s an even bigger fool now. Someone smart would not make the same mistake twice. Hell,

    anyone would not make the same mistake twice except for a fool.¡±

    I stormed towards him, anger leading my way.

    Sergio got up swiftly when I¡¯m on the opposite side of him, the only thing separating us was the huge

    oak desk.

    His hands m on the surface, hard. I willed myself to not jump or back away and sent daggers his

    way.

    He¡¯s not fazed.

    ¡°And you know what¡¯s funny Sophie Bell? I righted your wrongs.¡± He stressed on the word righted and

    wrong, peering at me such coldly that I actually shivered.

    ¡°I fixed what you broke.¡± Again he stressed on the words fixed and broke.

    He then pointed a finger at me. ¡°He should be on his knees right now. Thanking me for making him the

    man he is today.

    He snorted and shook his head.¡± But instead you, a lowly peasant whore who couldn¡¯t keep her legs

    shut trapped him in something that he¡¯s too stupid to get out of.¡±

    I¡¯m breathing roughly because of the anger I was holding back. It was burning me all the way to the

    core of my soul.

    ¡°You act like you¡¯re some kind of God.¡± I hissed.

    ¡°I might as well be.¡± Sergio responded with a careless shrug and walked around the desk.

    I turned around, now facing him and only inches away from the cold man who stood before me.

    ¡°You¡¯re nothing but a devil. You¡¯re no God and you¡¯ll never be. You¡¯re evil to the core. Rotten. You must

    have never experienced love in your life before.¡± I snorted.

    His jaw ticked which showed me that I had sessfully gotten under his skin.

    ¡°You¡¯re nothing but a lonely man who¡¯s miserable inside. Pushing your family in the fire only to have a

    special ce waiting for you in hell.¡±

    His eyes darken with anger and I inwardly gloat. It felt nice to get under his skin for once.

    But then it didn¡¯tst long, his features turned, surprise removed from his eyes and the nasty cold man

    returned.

    ¡°Remind me why you¡¯re in my house?¡± He asked through tight lips, a frown marring his face.

    I looked around his study. Spotless clean like the rest of his house. There were no photographs of his

    family. Nothing. Nada. I realized how truly lonely this man was.

    It almost made me feel bad for him. Key word being almost.

    ¡°You did it, didn¡¯t you? You nned all this.¡± I uttered while bringing my gaze back to his.

    He opened his mouth. I beat him to it.

    ¡°Don¡¯t try to weasel your way out of it. You set Aiden up.¡± I used.

    He didn¡¯t seem fazed only answered dryly. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±

    I narrowed my eyes on the cunning old man. ¡°You know exactly what I¡¯m talking about. Do you hate me

    that much to hurt Aiden this way?¡±

    He snorted. ¡°You think so highly of yourself it¡¯s amusing Sophie. Did youe all the way over here to

    use an innocent man?¡±

    I let out a puff of air realizing I was getting no where with him.

    Sergio had done this for years and perhaps that was how he survived in this kind of world. By being a

    cold hearted person.

    I was nothing like Sergio and my Aiden was not even close.

    ¡°Since it¡¯s no use in talking this out with you, I¡¯d like to speak to the one who got Aiden arrested in the

    first ce. Give me Christopher Muralo¡¯s address.¡±

    Sergio turns around to head over to the window overlooking the garden. I red at his back, gritting my

    teeth.

    Was he not going to answer me?

    Was he really this cruel to watch Aiden stay in jail tonight?

    He takes a puff of his cigar and gives me the address a few seconds after he lets out that toxic fumes.

    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    I don¡¯t thank him and turn around to leave.

    My hands are on the door when I¡¯m stopped.

    ¡°Sophie.¡±

    I don¡¯t turn around.

    ¡°Soon Aiden will realize you only bring chaos into his life. And soon, you¡¯ll be just like me.¡±

    I clench the door handle.

    ¡°Lonely.¡±

    That single word mmed into me and suddenly fear tickled my heart. I shake off the unwanted feeling

    and walked out of the door while listening to his cold knowingugh.

    Deep in my gut I feared that his words woulde true.

 Chapter 165

    Chapter 165

    165

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°You should think this through. I don¡¯t think Mr. Xavier would like that you¡¯re here.¡± Mitch warned, head

    tilting in a way to look at the huge building.

    I don¡¯t respond, only chewed on my lips in thought.

    I was doing this not only for Aiden but for our son. He looked scared when they took his father away.

    No child should have to witness that.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine Mitch. Wait for me here, I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± I let out a breath and stepped out of the vehicle.

    I walked into the hotel and went straight to the front desk. I asked the receptionist for Christopher¡¯s

    room number and she took a few to search for his room number on theputer.

    ¡°Room 205. Fourth floor.¡±

    I nod, smiling in thanks.

    It only took a couple of minutes to reach his room thanks to the use of an elevator and the quickness of

    my legs.

    When I stood before the door, a tickling urge to turn back around made me rethink my decision.

    Aiden would be furious.

    But on the other hand, what if this works? What if I do get Christopher to retract hisint?

    Aiden would be a free man and would be out of jail.

    That alone made me push that unsettling urge at the back of my mind and go forward with my original

    n.

    The first time I saw Christopher he hadn¡¯t seemed like a bad guy. It was obvious there was some bad

    blood between him and Aiden but there would be no reason for him to treat me bad.

    I knocked on the door and waited for a response.

    And then I knocked again when I hadn¡¯t gotten any.

    There¡¯s shifting on the other side of the door before it is pried open.

    Christopher Muralo looks a bit surprised to see me. But that could be fake.

    ¡°Aiden¡¯s girl right?¡± He yed the oblivious card.

    I narrowed my eyes. ¡°Yes. I came over to have a word with you.¡±

    A smile cracked on his lips. ¡°I¡¯m not taking back myint sweetheart.¡±

    I bit my bottom lip roughly to not cuss him out.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to.¡± I said bluntly. I didn¡¯t know how I would make him do it, but I will find a way.

    A sleek brow raised and the smile grew on his face. His eyes sh with amusement.

    ¡°And how are you going to make me sweetheart?¡± He questioned in amusement, chuckling slightly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that.¡± I sneered and brushed past him and entered the hotel room without an invite.

    He¡¯s surprised and turns around after closing the door.

    ¡°I don¡¯t remember inviting you in Sophie.¡±

    I whirl around, not at all stunned to hear him say my name. I knew the bastard knew it and he was just

    ying the fool.

    ¡°I invited myself in Mr. Muralo.¡± I said dryly, arching a brow and daring him to throw me out.

    He only chuckled in response, a shake of his head making me grow even more irritated.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think your fiance would like that you invited yourself in another man¡¯s hotel room. What would

    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    the press say?¡± He drawled, taking a step forward.

    Okay.

    I hadn¡¯t quite thought about the press. I was more focused on getting Aiden out of there and as soon as

    possible.

    The media didn¡¯t quite flick in my mind until now.

    Still, even though I didn¡¯t know how to get an upper hand on Christopher and Sergio, I knew I had to

    act tough.

    ¡°Is that a threat?¡± I questioned with a lift of my chin.

    His lips tilt into a smirk. ¡°No sweetheart, that¡¯s not a threat at all. I¡¯m just concerned. You know how the

    media always wrongly interpret stuff. I just don¡¯t want to see you get hurt.¡±

    His eyes held nopassion, no fucking emotion for me to believe him.

    He was filled with as much bullshit as Sergio.

    ¡°I told you, don¡¯t fucking call me that!¡± I barked.

    His eyes widen and he barked withughter. ¡°Aiden had definitely taught his bitch well. What a filthy

    mouth you have. Could seriously go to use.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a bastard.¡± I retorted.

    ¡°Now now, that is no way to speak to the one who you need help from.¡± He drawled while taking a step

    forward.

    His eyes gleamed nastily and rm shed in my head.

    I really had not thought this through.

    ¡°Stay back.¡± I warned as I took a step back.

    His head tilt.

    ¡°You¡¯re dull up there aren¡¯t you?¡± He tapped his head. ¡°Who walks into a strangers room on their own?¡±

    He smirks.

    His eyes roam my figure. ¡°I suppose I was wrong. Aiden had not taught his bitch right.¡±

    I sneered but said nothing as I continue to back away. But then a wall behind me stops any further

    movement and by then, Christopher was already in front of me.

    His hands cage me before I could push him away and his body press to me roughly.

    I could feel every hard contour of his body pressing to mine and I was disgusted. Reproached.

    I want to vomit.

    ¡°Get the fuck away from me!¡± I shout, my palms on his chest trying

    and failing to push him away.

    I had walked myself into this one.

    I had stupidly walked myself into this!

    Tears brim and turned my vision foggy.

    Aiden will be furious with me if something happened to me.

    ¡°That filthy mouth. I¡¯ll take pleasure in training Aiden¡¯s bitch properly.¡± Christopher chuckled.

    How could I ever had thought that this man was not as bad as Sergio?

    Turns out he was more sinister, cruel.

    Had this all been nned and I had stupidly walked into it?

    I should¡¯ve listened to Aiden.

    ¡°Let me go.¡± I hashed out as I started to fight my way through, punching his chest and anywhere my fist

    could meet.

    But this man was pure male, pure muscle and had power enough to break me if he wanted.

    He had no trouble with capturing my wrists with one hand, gripping them so tightly that I cried out in

    pain.

    ¡°Look at my nose.¡± He demanded and my eyes fell on his noticeable broken nose.

    ¡°Your stupid fucking fiance did that shit. So why don¡¯t you be a good little bitch and kiss it better?¡± He

    sneered, smirk moving off his face and eyes now ring into my soul.

    Oh Sophie.

    When will you ever learn?

    I yelped when his grip around my wrists grew harder.

    ¡°Kiss it better you whore!¡± He yelled in my face making my eyes widen and my head press into the wall,

    hoping I could move away from him, even if it¡¯s just an inch.

    And then something suddenly happened.

    He roughly mmed his nasty lips on mine, surprising me.

 Chapter 166

    Chapter 166

    166

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    It onlysted a second but it felt way too long.

    His mouth had pressed to mine so roughly that I could¡¯ve tasted the bitterness of his breath and saliva.

    My stomach churn and my heart beat with fear.

    I lift my hand the second he moved away and smacked him right across the face. ¡°You bastard! I¡¯ll

    make you pay for that!¡± I roared, tears stinging my eyes from how vulnerable I had just been.

    I feel the worst knowing that I didn¡¯t have the strength to push him away and avoid this.

    His face which had tilted sideways because of the force of my p slowly straightened. His eyes

    gleamed.

    ¡°Why so upset? I¡¯ll give you your reward. I¡¯ll take theint back.¡± He smirked, leaning forward.

    This time I¡¯m quick to push my head to the side, his lipsnding on my cheek. I push at his chest but he

    doesn¡¯t budge.

    ¡°Please stop.¡± I let go, showing my weakness. I really did try to put up a brave face but feeling helpless

    wasn¡¯t helping.

    His breathing is rough on my skin and I could distinctly feel the hardness of his dick on my belly.

    Nausea crawled up my throat and I wrenched.

    ¡°You will not say what happened here. Because if you do, no one will believe you. You willingly entered

    the room, you willingly kissed me.¡±

    I sobbed, shaking my head. ¡°I did no such thing.¡±

    ¡°Ah but you did. You moaned under my mouth and tried to force me to have sex with you so I could

    take theint back. Isn¡¯t that right, sweetheart?¡± Christopher¡¯s voice is mocking and made a chill

    run down my spine.

    ¡°You lying asshole. You¡¯re the devil.¡± I cried.

    He chuckled dryly. ¡°No. But I know who really is. And you¡¯re sleeping right beside him. ¡±

    ¡°Fuck you!¡± I hissed, bringing my teary eyes to his. ¡°I¡¯ll tell Aiden what you¡¯re doing to me. He knows I

    came here.¡±

    I prayed that if he knew Aiden knew that I was here with him then maybe he would back away and I

    could escape from his nasty clutches.

    But no such luck.

    Christopher seems to enjoy toying with me.

    A sly smirk stered on his mouth. ¡°Even better sweetheart. He¡¯ll know exactly how naughty his bitch

    is.¡±

    My heart mmed in my throat.

    Was he going to tell Aiden lies?

    ¡°He won¡¯t believe you.¡± I whispered, a bit unsure if I truly believed my own words.

    I had walked right into a trap and I was certain that I would not get out of it. Winning this fight seemed

    hopeless at this point.

    Christopher smirk widened. ¡°Oh but he will sweetheart.¡±

    My heart throbs because I know how bad this will look in Aiden¡¯s eyes and he would most likely believe

    Christopher.

    He pulls away from mepletely and looks down at his crotch. ¡°If you want you can kiss that better

    too.¡±

    I red at him and pushed away from the wall, not trusting him to not do that again.

    ¡°You sexually assaulted me.¡± I said in disbelief.

    Christopher snorted. ¡°All you did was kiss me better so I can take back theint. You can¡¯t get

    everything you want by simply just asking Sophie. You need to give something in return.¡±

    I shake my head, my eyes zeroing in on the door. ¡°I¡¯ll tell everyone what really happened.¡±

    He chuckled dryly and outstretched his hands. ¡°Go ahead sweetheart and see who believes you. It¡¯s

    your word against mine. Everyone saw how desperate you were to get Aiden out, desperate enough to

    do anything.¡±

    Tears leaked out of my eyes. ¡°I did nothing to you. Why did you do this to me?¡±

    I asked while slowly creeping away from him so I can make a run for it. I didn¡¯t trust him to let me go

    this easily.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing personal against you sweetheart. Let¡¯s just say I had a bone to pick with your fiance.

    Especially with what he did to my sister. You¡¯re just at the wrong ce at the right time.¡± He winked.

    ¡°Now you can see yourself out. I¡¯ll take theint back, but you keep your mouth shut about what

    happened here. If you

    78 Vouchers

    squeal, Aiden will be visiting the jail cell again. This time I don¡¯t guarantee his return.¡±

    My blood runs cold.

    The threat that lingered in the air made me understand that Christopher had something in store for

    Aiden.

    ¡°You won¡¯t get away with this.¡± I spat.

    ¡°I already have sweetheart.¡± He blew me a kiss and I nearly vomited.

    He nudged his head towards the door. ¡°Have a good day with your family today. You never know what

    will suddenly happen.¡±

    He chuckled and walked away. I stared at him until he entered the room.

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    It was kind of weird that he kissed me and let me go. It made me believe that there was more he

    wanted to do.

    What had he and Sergio nned?

    I wiped my lips and rushed towards the door before he changed his mind in me leaving and forces

    himself on me again.

    This time I wasn¡¯t sure he¡¯d stop on a kiss.

    I run down the hallway, stopping midway to barf into a trashcan in the corner.

    1 could still taste him on my lips. Still feel his disgusting body pressed to mine.

    My mind rushes and I could somehow hear my very heart beat in my ears.

    I could not think of what to do. How to tell Aiden.

    Christopher made it very clear that if I do squeal, Aiden would be going back into the jail cell.

    God alone knows what they have on Aiden.

    My fingers shook.

    And what if I tell the cops about the assault? Will they believe me? Will they do anything?

    What if this only causes Aiden to be in more trouble?

    I wrenched in the trashcan again, crying loudly until a maid passed by and asked if I was okay.

    I lied to her and told her I was.

    Christopher¡¯s pov

    ¡°Did you get it?¡± I asked Lillian as I stepped into the room.

    She was swiping on her phone and turned the screen to face me, smirk on her lips.

    ¡°We did it.¡± She nearly squealed but I shush her and told her to keep quiet until I heard the m of the

    door, indicating that Sophie had gone out.

    I grabbed Lillian¡¯s phone out of her hand and stared at the picture of Sophie and I kissing. From this

    angle it didn¡¯t seem like it was forced.

    I smirked.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get someone out of jail and have a little more fun.¡±

    and have

 Chapter 167

    Chapter 167

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Mitch asked in worry, his eyes peering at me through the rearview mirror.

    I know I looked like I had seen a ghost and was probably as white as a sheet.

    I was still trembling too and clutched my clothes to stop my fingers from shaking.

    ¡°In fine. Just feel a little unwell. Can you bring me back to the station?¡± I move my eyes off his, resting

    my head on the window as I looked outside.

    My thoughts hold me prisoner in my mind and I¡¯m lost wandering in the dark of my mind.

    I have no clue what to do.

    On how to get myself out of this messy situation.

    Mitch doesn¡¯t say another word and drives away. My mind fumbles.

    Should I tell Aiden?

    He¡¯ll be furious with me for putting myself in that situation in the first ce. He¡¯d probably not forgive

    me too.

    And what of Christopher¡¯s threat?

    What will happen if I tell Aiden or the police? What does he have on Aiden to put him back in jail for a

    long time?

    Tears trickle down my cheeks as I watch the scenery as we pass by.

    ¡°There are reporters up ahead.¡±

    I tilted my head and looked out through the windshield. He was right, reporters were lining the front of

    the police station.

    A few police officers were trying to push them away.

    I winced.

    Doing this on my own without Aiden nearly had the air in my lungs get stuck.

    I felt fear crawling up my spine.

    ¡°Can you find another entryway?¡± I asked Mitch nervously. I didn¡¯t think I would know what to tell the

    reporters. Aiden would always be the one to respond, and sometimes he didn¡¯t.

    If I were to not respond, there was a possibility that they would paint me in an even worse light.

    I gnawed on my lips nervously, wringing my fingers.

    ¡°No. Sorry.¡± Mitch apologize while peering at me through the rearview mirror.

    I give him a shaky smile. ¡°Then I guess I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± I breathed and counted to five in my head

    before opening the door.

    Mitch had parked just beside the curb, so as soon as I was out, the reporters swarmed me.

    I shrink.

    I was sure I looked like crap from what happened previously and now that they were sending questions

    upon questions my way, I was certain I had that deer caught in headlights look.

    Great.

    I walked faster as the cops try to push them away from me.

    ¡°Miss, why was Mr. Xavier arrested?¡±

    ¡°Does the arrest have anything to do with you?¡±

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    ¡°What did Mr. Xavier do to Mr.Muralo?¡±

    I pinched my eyes closed briefly and answered. ¡°Questions will only be getting answered by Mr. Xavier

    himself.¡±

    I entered the building swiftly after that, breathing out a sigh of relief when the cops managed to stop the

    swarm of reporters at the door.

    I strut over to the woman behind the desk and asked her permission to see officer Peter. She sends me

    to him right away.

    When I did step into the room I¡¯m surprised to see Aiden lounging back in a chair mirroring Officer

    Peter. His back was facing me so he hadn¡¯t realized I had entered.

    But I did not fail to notice a tall man standing beside Aiden. A very authoritative figure.

    ¡°Aiden?¡± I breathed out in disbelief, taking a step forward.

    Hearing my voice, he stood up and whirled around. His frosty stormy gaze calmed down exceptionally

    when they connected with mine.

    ¡°Soph.¡± He cracked a charming smile, walking around the tall man and strutting over to me quickly.

    He pulls me in his arms, kissing my neck. ¡°I told you I would get out. I called mywyer. Everything

    worked out.¡±

    My heart dropped and my blood run cold.

    So it wasn¡¯t Christopher who took back hisint?

    I want to throw up.

    Did I really go to Sergio and Christopher for nothing?

    My heart began to jam in my chest.

    What had I done?

    What had I stupidly done!

    Aiden breathes in the scent of me and lets out a breath. ¡°I missed you

    so damn much. I missed holding you, kissing you-

    He lift his head, ready to capture my lips but I swipe my head away, swallowing the huge lumps in my

    throat.

    I had yet to wash my mouth and I felt cheap, disgusting, every fucking bad word you can think of.

    But above all, I felt like I had betrayed Aiden.

    And my soul was restless.

    His confuse gaze pierced through the side of my face and I nervously looked at him. I smiled, it was

    forced and I was certain he could notice it.

    ¡°There are others in the room.¡± I whispered.

    He doesn¡¯t look convinced that this was the reason I had rejected his kiss but instead of questioning my

    actions, he only kissed my cheek.

    ¡°Mr. Xavier as I was saying.¡± Officer Peter collected Aiden¡¯s attention away from me.

    He turned around, holding me in his hold as he stared coldly at the officer.

    I¡¯m stunned to see officer Peter squirm under Aiden¡¯s unwavering frosty stare.

    He cleared his throat and continued. ¡°You do well to stay out of trouble Mr. Xavier. Avoid Mr. Muralo

    and keep your fist to yourself.¡±

    Aiden eyes narrowed. ¡°With all due respect officer, I cannot guarantee either.¡±

    Officer Peter looked to have expected Aiden¡¯s response and shakes his head in disappointment. ¡°Stay

    clear of trouble Mr. Xavier. You may leave.¡±

    Aiden opens his mouth to utter something but the tall man who I assume was hiswyer gave him a

    look that told him to shut his mouth.

    With a grunt and a roll of his eyes, Aiden turned me in his arms and tugs me with him toward the door.

    I feel nasty and itchy.

    I want to scratch off the skin where Christopher¡¯s clutches held.

    I want to brush my teeth a hundred times until I could no longer feel and tastes his disgusting breath.

    I bit into my bottom lip, tears stinging my eyes.

    I should have trusted Aiden in the first ce. I should have trusted that he had everything under

    control.

    And now¡­..

    We stepped out of the room, Aiden holding me closely. I could tell he wanted to say something,

    perhaps ask me about my sudden damp mood.

    But he seemed scared to.

    ¡°Aiden.¡±

    We turn around, the tall man rushing over to us. ¡°You heard officer Peter. Avoid trouble. Sergio isn¡¯t one

    to be messed with. It was almost difficult to get you out.¡±

    Aiden nod. ¡°I know Greg. Thanks man.¡± He smacked the man¡¯s shoulder and then introduced us. After

    a brief talk, Greg excused himself and left Aiden and I to sign some papers.

    ¡°Baby-

    Aiden started but stopped when his phone gave off a buzz.

    He pulled it out and swept his thumb over the screen.

    He stiffens.

    I looked up at him, stunned to see how cold he became in just a second.

    ¡°Sophie.¡± He growled under his breath, grip tightening around me.

    ¡°What the fuck is the meaning of this!?¡± He sneered, turning the phone screen to face me.

    The very breath in my lungs gets snagged this time around and I grew as cold as he daggers me with

    icy res.

    It was a picture of Christopher and me kissing.

 Chapter 168

    Chapter 168

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I stumble out of his hold. Well I try to.

    Aiden¡¯s grip on me is so tight that I don¡¯t really move much.

    It¡¯s not tight to be brutal but tight to be considered firm.

    He¡¯s ring down at me, his gaze asking me silently for answers.

    My tongue is knotted, a lump hard in my throat. I can¡¯t swallow it because it feels painful.

    There¡¯s a throb in my chest that I want to rub away but can¡¯t even lift my hand to grab my chest, far

    less soothe the pain of my heart.

    I don¡¯t want the ground to open up and swallow me whole, because I think I deserve to feel the feeling

    of humiliation and pain.

    Why?

    Because I did this to myself for not trusting Aiden enough to handle things on his own.

    I opened my mouth, my eyes teary and fogging up the image of him.

    He¡¯s asking me for answers.

    He¡¯s fucking begging me to answer them.

    But I am mute.

    I have lost my voice.

    ¡°You better-¡± He takes in a huge lungful of air and breathed it out. ¡°You better have a fucking good

    exnation for this.¡± He grips the phone brutally, gritting his teeth.

    ¡°Aiden-

    A tinges from his phone again, drawing his attention away from

    He looks down at the screen, and I have never seen him so furious

    before. His eyes were so dark yet fogged with a storm that I squirmed and let out a tiny barely

    noticeable yelp.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill this fucker.¡± He roared, catching every police officer¡¯s attention.

    My eyes widen and I quickly stopped him by pressing my palm to his chest. His eyes snapped down to

    mine and I shook my head.

    ¡°Calm down Aiden.¡± I finally cracked through my lips and looked at the police officers.

    ¡°He¡¯s just angry, he doesn¡¯t know what he¡¯s saying.¡± I smiled reassuringly to them. ¡°Nothing a cup of

    coffee won¡¯t calm down.¡±

    They went right back to work,pletely ignoring Aiden and I.

    ¡°You¡¯re wrong. I know exactly what I¡¯m saying.¡± His voice is now low, which is even scarier. It had me

    shivering.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to bury Muralo today.¡±

    I swallowed hard.

    ¡°Aiden-¡± I stopped when he wrenches himself away from me.

    A sharp jab goes straight to my heart when he does so.

    A tear trickled down my cheek.

    ¡°Tell me what happened when you went to him.¡± He demanded.

    I looked around nervously.

    ¡°People are watching Aiden. I think you two should talk this out in private.¡± Suddenly Greg¡¯s voice

    greets us from behind Aiden.

    Aiden grits his teeth.

    ¡°Fine.¡±

    He clutches my hand and practically drags me out of the station.

    The reporters outside wasted no time bombarding him with questions but Aiden wasn¡¯t having it today.

    ¡°Get out of my fucking way!¡± He roared, pushing one of the reporters away.

    She yelps, stumbling back and crashing into the others.

    My eyes widen.

    Oh, he¡¯s mad.

    He¡¯s really mad.

    ¡°Aiden!¡± I voiced in concern while looking back at the startled woman.

    He opened the door. ¡°Get in.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to push her like that.¡± I voiced when we were both in.

    ¡°d to see you out, Mr. Xavier.¡± Mitch said, his eyes wrinkling at the corners as he grinned happily at

    Aiden through the rearview mirror.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be returning soon.¡± Aiden answered cliply which made Mitch grow wary and confused.

    ¡°Drive.¡± Aiden grunted and turned his attention back on me.

    I wish he hadn¡¯t.

    I squirm:

    ¡°Sophie,¡± He growled.

    ¡°I-

    I started and swallowed.

    His eyes turned even stormier.

    ¡°You made him touch you. Kiss you.¡± He snapped.

    Mitch looked at us in concern, eyeing me through the rearview mirror.

    Aiden¡¯s eyes narrowed on my lips and he lift his hand to grip my chin. ¡°Did I not tell you these lips are

    only for me?¡± He snapped making me flinch.

    ¡°He kissed me, okay!¡± I finally confessed. ¡°I didn¡¯t kiss him back! I tried to push him away.¡±

    Aiden¡¯s eyes snapped back up, narrowing on my face. ¡°Tried?¡± He rolled that word off his tongue like it

    tasted bitter.

    I ripped my teary eyes away from his in shame. ¡°I should¡¯ve listened to you. I went over there thinking I

    could help you. But turns out, I didn¡¯t.¡±

    I let out a shaky unstilled breath.

    ¡®If you squeal, Aiden will be visiting the jail cell again. This time I don¡¯t guarantee his return.¡¯

    Those words smacked right in my head again and I feel the blood drain from my face for the third time

    today..

    I was this close to telling Aiden that Christopher forced himself on me. This close to telling the truth.

    But at what cost?

    What will it cost when I tell Aiden what really happened?

    I feel cold just thinking about what Christopher and Sergio had nned up their sleeves.

    I looked at Aiden.

    His eyes were stormy, a storm I grew ustomed to.

    The swirls of fury were dancing in his eyes, but so was love. The love had not gone out of the window

    to his soul. It still shone for me.

    It made me feel relieved and also made me realize how much I should put my trust in Aiden a little

    more.

    I was done keeping things away from him, done not trusting him fully.

    So I let it out. I told the truth. I told him everything to Christopher¡¯s threats to keep him in jail.

    By the end of it, I was breathing roughly, trying to catch my breath.

    But Aiden, he looked like he was ready to kill someone. His face was red, the veins on his neck more

    prominent.

    It was scary.

    ¡°Did I not tell you to not go over there!?¡± He snarled.¡± Dammit Sophie! You should have listened! What

    if he had not stopped!? Fuck!¡± He roared loudly, mming his hand on the seat before him.

    The loud ring of his voice startled me and Mitch who zig zagged in the road.

    ¡°Sorry.¡± Mitch apologizes quickly.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± I whispered and tore my gaze away from Aiden¡¯s.

    ¡°Give me his address.¡± Aiden demanded, gripping the car seat harshly.

    ¡°What? Why?¡± I asked.

    He snapped his furious gaze to mine and I froze on the spot. ¡°So I can rip his fucking tongue out of his

    mouth and chop him into a million. fucking pieces.¡±

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    I swallowed.

    ¡°No one forces themselves on my woman. No one will ever hurt you when I¡¯m still breathing Sophie. No

    one will darey a fucking finger on you ever again when I¡¯m done with that bastard!¡±

 Chapter 169

    Chapter 169

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    My heart lurches in my throat, not because I was scared for Aiden, but because I was scared for

    Christopher.

    ¡°Aiden, you can¡¯t.¡± I whispered while shaking my head.

    He tore his eyes away from mine and growled at Mitch. ¡°Bring me to him Mitch.¡±

    Mitch nodded, his eyes wide with alert.

    I grasp Aiden¡¯s fisted hands, and swallowed harshly. ¡°You can¡¯t please. I don¡¯t want them to lock you up

    again.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a bit toote for that Sophie. He touched you. He forced himself on you. That bastard needs to be

    taught a lesson before he¡¯s put into jail.¡± Aiden muttered under his breath which was way scarier than

    him sting off.

    I gripped his hands harder. ¡°Aiden, please think this through.¡±

    I was now thinking that perhaps telling Aiden was not the best choice. Now he may actually have blood

    on his hands, and I would be the cause of it, yet again.

    I feel my tummy twist and churn by the very thought.

    ¡°Mitch.¡± Aiden gritted, ring at the seat. ¡°Step on it.¡±

    My heart drops. It seems that no matter what I say now, Aiden would not change his mind.

    We were nearing where I met up with Christopher and I gripped Aiden¡¯s hand tightly. ¡°Aiden.¡±

    Mitch stopped beside the curb and looked at Aiden through the rearview mirror. ¡°We¡¯re here.¡±

    Aiden nods, peeling himself away from me.

    He gets out, looking at me. ¡°It¡¯s either you bring me to him or I find him myself.¡±

    I shook my head. ¡°I¡¯m not going to risk losing you.¡±

    The coldness in his eyes dimmed and he looked at me tenderly. ¡°Soph. I¡¯ll do anything for you, you

    know that. But what I can¡¯t do is sit here and let someone mistreat you like that. I swore to protect you,

    and that I will do.¡±

    My heart jumps.

    My eyes move off his. ¡°I know Aiden. But that doesn¡¯t mean you have to risk your life for me. So no I

    refuse to bring you to that asshole.¡±

    I prayed my defiance would make him see my point of view but I suppose it didn¡¯t.

    ¡°That¡¯s a risk I¡¯ll always take Sophie. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±

    Aiden leaves me open mouthed as I peer at his storming form. He enters the building, leaving me

    stunned in the car.

    This will not end well.

    I looked over at Mitch, ring at him slightly. ¡°Could you not have taken a wrong route? Or perhaps

    drive slow until I could figure out a way to change his mind?¡±

    I knew he wasn¡¯t at fault and he was only doing his job but I was frustrated and he was the only one

    nearby to pass it all on.

    Which is really awful of me to think about it.

    Mitch winced. ¡°Sorry. Aiden¡¯s my boss and I can¡¯t exactly disobey him.¡±

    I breathed out a sigh, pushing myself closer to the door. ¡°I know. I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll be back.¡±

    I stepped out of the car, my short legs surprisingly racing towards the building I came out of an hour

    ago. ¨C

    I found Aiden by the receptionist, mming his palm on the countertop. The woman flinched, eyes wide

    with terror.

    Never had I seen Aiden this furious before.

    It was quite terrifying.

    ¡°Aiden.¡± I grasp his elbow, pulling him away from the startled woman.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t going to help. You can¡¯t do this like this.¡± I whispered under my breath as he raked a

    frustrating hand through his hair.

    ¡°That sleazy bastard must¡¯ve known I wasing for his ass. He went to hide like the fuckingpdog

    he is. ¡± He sneered, pulling away from my hold so roughly I stumbled back.

    ¡°Are you sure Christopher Muralo isn¡¯t here anymore? ¡°He barked at the woman again, terrifying her

    enough to have her visibly shake like a leaf in the wind.

    She shook her head no.

    ¡°He clocked out thirty minutes ago with a woman. But he did leave a note for Sophie?¡± She looks over

    at me questioningly.

    I looked at Aiden warily when I noticed him stiffening like a board.

    My eyes drop to his hand, they¡¯re fisting and scaring me.

    ¡°Give it to me,¡± Aiden demanded her.

    She nervously shook her head, backing away. ¡°He said to specifically give it to Sophi-

    ¡°Give it to me goddammit!¡± Aiden roared, his voice so loud attracted many eyes and ears.

    I winced, rushing over to the front desk and smiling shakily for the woman. ¡°I¡¯m Sophie. You can give it

    to me.¡±

    She nods, looking relieved, and quickly took a small note under a hardcover book.

    She hands it to me.

    Aidenes behind me, his aura making me squirm as I slip the paper and read the words.

    I grew rigid with disgust and anger.

    You taste sweet, now I know why Xavier can¡¯t seem to stay away from you. See you soon beautiful X-

    Christopher

    Aiden rips the paper away from my grasp and storms away.

    ¡°Aiden!¡± I called out in shock.

    I looked back at the woman apologetically. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about this.¡±

    With that, I whirl around and followed after a very swift Aiden.

    ¡°Where are you going?!¡±

    With that kind of walk and form, it would honestly be shocking if he was going home.

    He was definitely nning to go after Christopher.

    ¡°To pay an old man a visit.¡± He hissed under his breath.

    E

    My eyes slightly widen.

    Was he going to pay a visit to Sergio?

    ¡°Sergio?¡± I voiced out.

    He opens the door and helps me in while climbing in after me

    ¡°Yes Sergio. That fucker is the only one who would know where that sleazy fucker is. ¡±

    Aiden was really hell bent on making Christopher pay with his own hands.

    ¡°Aiden I don¡¯t like this. Let¡¯s just leave it to the cops please.¡±

    ¡°Sophie. I¡¯ll only leave it to the cops when I¡¯m done with the two.¡±

    I don¡¯t say anything after that. What would be the point to?

    He¡¯d not listen anyway.

    We stay silent the entire ride until we got to Sergio¡¯s mansion. Aiden was already out of the car before

    Mitch even stopped the moving vehicle.

 Chapter 170

    Chapter 170

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I didn¡¯t quite understand what was happening until I saw Aiden¡¯s fist flying towards Sergio¡¯s cocky face.

    The first sound of bone snapping made me squirm and gasped.

    ¡°Aiden!¡± I yelled just as Sergio¡¯s body crumbled to the floor.

    * Ten minutes before*

    ¡°Sergio, you bastard. Come out and talk to me like a grown man!¡± Aiden roared through the house,

    pushing past the maid who scurried to the side in fear.

    I don¡¯t me her, Aiden¡¯s loud tone was pretty terrifying.

    I¡¯m rushing behind him, but it¡¯s difficult to keep up with his long ass

    strides.

    ¡°Grandson?¡± Sergio¡¯s smooth voicees from upstairs.

    His hand is gliding down the railing as he takes his precious time withing down the stairs.

    He was so calm,pletely unfazed by Aiden¡¯s furious untamed state.

    ¡°To what do I owe the pleasu-

    ¡°Cut the bullshit old man. Tell me where your little rat Muralo is?!¡± Aiden storms toward Sergio before

    he even got to thest step.

    His fingers fist the evil man¡¯s shirt.

    He still looks unfazed.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid you just missed him. He should be on the next flight to Korea. I heard there are many

    beautiful women there.¡± Sergio smirked.

    Aiden¡¯s jaw popped in frustration. ¡°You fucking bastard. Did you tell him to force himself on Sophie?

    You filthy fucker, I bet you were the one who told him to do it. I wouldn¡¯t put it past you.¡±

    Sergio¡¯s dead eyes swept over to me carelessly. ¡°I¡¯m sure Sophie quite enjoyed her time from what I

    heard.¡±

    Now it¡¯s my turn to feel anger. I wanted to punch the living daylights out of him, make him bleed with

    my fists.

    But I didn¡¯t think that would be such a good idea.

    Aiden tugged him harshly towards him, startling him on his feet and nearly had him stumbling forward.

    ¡°Calm down.¡± Sergio huffed, his hand reaching up to grasp around

    Aiden¡¯s wrists.

    He fails to remove Aiden¡¯s grasp on his shirt.

    The chuckle that rang out of Aiden¡¯s mouth next was dry and quite scary.

    ¡°You want me to calm down now old man?¡±

    Sergio¡¯s gaze swept over to mine. ¡°All this hostility towards your grandfather for someone like her? You

    disappoint me Aiden.¡± He shook his head.

    Aiden pulled him closer, sneering into his face. ¡°Someone like her? borate on that I dare you, you

    sick fuck.¡±

    Sergio pulled his head away, gaze now dimming with hesitation as Aiden¡¯s posture stiffen with more

    fury.

    I¡¯m not sure I could stop Aiden even if I wanted to.

    ¡°If I were you I¡¯d back away.¡± Sergio uttered confidently.

    A second ago, he looked like he was about to piss his pants.

    ¡°Aiden,¡± I called out to him.

    Even though I hated Sergio to the bone, didn¡¯t mean I would want Aiden

    to get into a physical fight with his grandfather.

    They were family, they shouldn¡¯t be fighting because of me.

    Aiden doesn¡¯t let go of Sergio but only grips him tighter. ¡°And why would I?¡± He snarled in Sergio¡¯s

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    face.

    Sergio remains unfazed which is surprising seeing as just a second ago he was ready to tuck his tail

    between his legs.

    He must have something up his sleeve. That¡¯s the only reason for his nonchnt behavior while being

    cornered by a raging Aiden.

    ¡°Because Aiden, you have other things to worry about.¡± A satisfied grin emerged on his face when he

    noted Aiden¡¯s confusion.

    ¡°What have you done Sergio?¡± Aiden used. ¡°What else have you fucking done!?¡± He barked,

    pushing him away roughly.

    My heart jolts.

    Thankfully Sergio doesn¡¯t fall on the steps but had time right himself by gripping the handrail.

    ¡°Calm down and I¡¯ll tell you. I¡¯ll even give you a hint on where to find Christopher. But like I¡¯ve said,¡± He

    tilts his head, chuckling lowly while he shrug. ¡°You have other things to worry about.¡±

    I walked up to the two, finally eating up the distance seeing as Aiden

    calmed down a bit.

    I wrap my hand around Aiden¡¯s and tugged him. ¡°Aiden.¡±

    He looked at me and finally noticed the fear swirling in the depths of my eyes. His eyes warmed and he

    sighed.

    Looking at Sergio sharply, he gritted. ¡°Fine. But you only have about five minutes before I knock your

    teeth in.¡±

    The warning in Aiden¡¯s tone made me shiver.

    I saw the quick sh of rm in Sergio¡¯s eyes before he reces it with a cold and cool manner.

    With a dry chuckle, he pushes his hand out. ¡°Let¡¯s have a sit shall we?¡±

    He sidestepped Aiden and me and strut away.

    ¡°I swear I¡¯ll kill him with my bare hands Soph.¡± Aiden hissed under his breath.

    I push closer to him, hugging his arm. ¡°Let¡¯s hear him out. Don¡¯t do anything you¡¯d regretter on.¡±

    He let out an annoyed breath, looks at me tenderly then nods.

    We followed Sergio to the dining area where Margo stood behind him with a file in her hands.

    He¡¯s already seated at the table, his fingers tapping on the surface while a huge ass shitting grin paints

    his features.

    Aiden res at him in hatred and sits down.

    ¡°Speak.¡± Aiden demanded coldly.

    Sergio chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re always so impatient Aiden. Can I offer you something to drink? Some wine

    perhaps?¡±

    He looks at me. I¡¯m behind Aiden, gripping his shoulder in support. ¡°What about you Sophie? Care for a

    drink? I know you¡¯re expecting.¡± His eyes drop to my stomach. ¡°So how about some orange juice?¡±

    ¡°Stop fucking ying games!¡± Aiden roared, gripping one of the empty sses on the table and

    throwing it to the floor.

    It shatters and I jump, startled.

    Aiden was far from being calm.

    Sergio looked at his broken ss and makes a ticking sound with his tongue.

    With a sigh he curled his finger and beckoned Margo forward. ¡°Give him the documents Margo.¡±

    He lounged back when Margo nodded and she struts over to us, her eyes darting between Aiden and I

    in pity.

    Something was up.

    Something was definitely wrong.

    Aiden harshly pries the file out of her grip, not being gentle with opening it either.

    But when he pulled out the paper, he was rather silent as he read it inwardly.

    There¡¯s something about his silence that unnerves me because even though he utters not a single

    word, I could feel the.growing tension in his body.

    Tugged by curiosity, my eyes drop to the paper in his hand.

    The blood drains from my face, my veins grow cold.

    It¡¯s a document about an agreement between the Muralo¡¯s and Mr. Harrington. It¡¯s an agreement for

    marriage between Aiden and Lillian.

    The gut-wrenching part of it all is that Aiden¡¯s signature is sitting bright and boldy at the bottom.

    He had sealed his fate with another.

 Chapter 171

    Chapter 171

    171

    Sophie''s pov

    Aiden''s cold eyes red at the paper, his knuckles turning paper white.

    The tick in his jaw only meant one thing, he was furious.

    ¡¯What.* He takes in an inhale.

    ¡¯The. Fuck. Is. This?* Aiden sneered lowly, the veins in his neck bing more and more visible the

    more he red at the paper.

    And then his eyes snapped up, a furious re full of hatred stabbed Sergio right across the table.

    But Sergio reaming unfazed. If anything the old man grew even cockier.

    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    ¡¯You''ve read it. I know you''re an intelligent young man Aiden." He responded cooly.

    I have so many emotions running through me right now that I was unsure on which totch on to.

    There was anger, pain, frustration, heartache.

    Did Aiden really sign these papers?

    Did he really agree to marry her?

    But why was he acting like he had seen this for the first time?

    ¡¯Aiden?" I whispered softly. Soft enough for him to not have heard or perhaps he just didn''t have it in

    him to answer me.

    Either way, I feel sick to my stomach.

    A sudden dry and humorless chuckle sings through the room. Even his shoulders shook as if Sergio''s

    words were humorous.

    I didn''t think it was funny at all, I think it was the opposite.

    ¡¯You''re fucking with me?¡¯ Aiden drawled in a cold tone.

    Sergio brow sleeked up, unimpressed. "Reread the contract if you have doubts Aiden. I''m sure you''ll

    notice your signature is not forged."

    Aiden chuckled dryly, colder that before. It scares me.

    The sound of paper ripping slices through the air sharply and I gawk at Aiden stunned as the paper is

    now torn in half.

    He flings it towards Sergio with force, his shoulders stiff yet rising and falling so quickly I know he was

    holding back the extent of his fury.

    The torn paper falls limpy on the middle of the huge table.

    Sergio doesn¡¯t flinch, doesn''t portray anything actually. His eyes are stoked on Aiden, dead. Then his

    cold eyes swept down to the tom paper and his lips lift.

    *l thought you would do that. That''s why I thought to do a few more copies. How many do you think

    you''ll be able to tear beforeing to the realization that they''ve set your fate?¡¯

    Sergio tapped his fingers on the table, looking at Aiden in triumph.

    I shook my head.

    I didn''t think Sergio would stoop so low to get Aiden to bid to his will.

    I knew he was cruel but this?

    I can''t help but feel pity for Aiden for having Sergio as his grandfather.

    Aiden suddenly rises to his feet, his posture rigid.

    Without another response, he storms towards Sedgio.

    I didn''t quite understand what was happening until I saw Aiden''s fist flying towards Sergio''s cocky face.

    The first sound of bone snapping made me squirm and gasped.

    ¡¯Aiden!" I yelled just as Sergio''s body crumbled to the floor.

    But he didn''t listen, he crouched over Sergio¡¯s stunned figure and reared his hand back.

    Crunch.

    I winced, rushing over to the two.

    If Aiden keeps this up he¡¯d surely rearrange Sergio¡¯s features.

    Sure the old man deserved it, but I didn''t want Aiden to go back to jail.

    So before he could send the third punch flying towards Sergio''s bloody face, I grabbed his hand.

    He jerks in my hold but I grip him harder.

    ¡¯Don''t. It''s not worth it."

    I can hear Aiden''s rough breathing from here, it''s like he''s breathing out fire.

    I shivered by the pure fury radiating off of him in waves.

    His other hand gripped Sergio''s color and by the old man''s reddening face, I knew he was practically

    choking him.

    ¡¯I''ll make you pay for this you fucking bastard.'' Aiden''s voice is low and deadly.

    Sergio¡¯s eyelids are heavy as he tries to fight for his consciousness.

    But a bloody smile surfaces on his burst up lip. "I wasn''t the one who signed the contract. It was you,

    Aiden."

    Aiden tried to shrug me off as he''s served down at Sergio with contempt.

    But I wouldn''t let him. If I did, I wasn''t sure Sergio would have the same face.

    ¡¯Aiden, let''s leave him please. You don''t need to get into more trouble.* I whispered, my heart

    throbbing.

    Sergio''s smile widened, showing the crimson on his teeth. I could even smell the tang of copper waving

    off of him.

    It made my stomach churn as I''m brought back to that day. The day Aiden and my life changed.

    shes of the blood oozing out of his head, the dead look in his eyes.......

    My heart races and I feel nauseous.

    ¡¯Listen to your baby mama Aiden. Because that''s all she¡¯s going to be." Sergio chuckled.

    ¡¯You fucking piece of shit!¡¯ Aiden snarled, this time he manages to shrug me off. But that may have to

    do with my hold already loosening.

    The popping sound smacks on the walls, stiffening my bones in terror. But I can''t seem to stop Aiden

    now because I''m frozen on the spot. Seeing someone other than Sergio.

    Someone bloodier.

    Someone dead.

    ¡¯Carson?" I breathed put in shock, haunted by the sight of him fabricated in my mind.

    I stumble back, shaking my head.

    I''m dimly aware that Aiden stopped punching Sergio and let him go. The old man falls to the floor

    ungracefully.

    But Aiden''s attention is no longer on him.

    It is on me.

    ¡¯Soph," He said worriedly, the dark bitter fury in his eyes long gone and is reced with a concerned

    re.

    I shook my head, my fingers shaking.

    I think I''m having a panic attack.

    Aiden noticed this and eats up the space between us and pulls me in his arms. They wound around

    me,forting me.

    One of his hands press behind my head, pushing me forward so my head could rest on his chest.

    His heart is beating furiously under my ear. I grip him tightly.

    ''You''re okay baby. I''m sorry. I''m so sorry I scared you." He whispered with regret on his tongue.

    He''s reassuring me every second, kissing my head and rubbing my back soothingly until little by little

    I''m relieved.

    ¡¯Mr. Harrington the cops are on their way."

 Chapter 172

    Chapter 172

    Sophie''s pov

    I pull away just in time to see Margo sprinting over to Sergio. The old man is drowsily getting up by

    himself using his elbows and the push of his palms.

    He pushes Margo away, arrogantly trying to help himself on his own.

    I snapped my gaze to Aiden¡¯s in fear, clutching him tighter.

    They were trying to take him away from me again.

    My eyes filled with tears.

    Aiden¡¯s hard expression breaks and he lifts a hand to tenderly swipe some of my hair off my face.

    ¡¯Don''t cry my love, I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡¯ He reassured.

    But it does the opposite, especially when Sergio chuckled.

    My bottom lip wobble. "But-

    Aiden shakes his head, his thumb and index finger tenderly pinching my chin. "No buts. There¡¯s not a

    chance I''ll leave my little family Soph. Especially without seeing you walking down that aisle towards

    me."

    He caressed his thumb over my cheek and kissed me without a bother. As if his name had not been

    signed on a contract to marry another.

    ¡¯You''re stuck with me baby, whether you like it or not." He smiled on my lips, pulled away and looked

    over at Margo and Sergio.

    Sergio was seated up, nursing his bloody mouth and bruised jaw.

    His bruises looked painful.

    Margo who noticed Aiden¡¯s gaze had shifted back to his grandfather, shifted on her feet nervously and

    threatened. ¡¯The cops are on the way Mr. Xavier. If you want to evade them I suggest you leave at this

    moment."

    I stiffened when Aiden responded to her threat cooly. "Why should I try to evade? Maybe it would be

    better for them toe here so they could see the scum that¡¯s my grandfather. Maybe I can also tell

    them that he forged my signature on a contract. Maybe then everyone would see the real face of

    Sergio."

    Margo looks between the two in hesitation.

    Sergio chuckles, wiping off the blood cooling down his mouth with the back of his hand. "You still think

    it is forged? If so then bring it to yourwyer. Either way, you lose," His cold eyes tore from Aiden¡¯s

    stormy ones and fell into mine. "And I win."

    Aiden shook his head, a cruel smirk painting on his face. "Margo didn''t call the cops, did she? If she

    did, they would¡¯ve been on their way by now. No signs of sirens nearby."

    Margo''s face paled like a ghost.

    Aiden had hit the nail right on the head.

    He chuckled. "And as for that contract. I''ll see you in court.¡¯ With a cold smirk that would''ve chilled my

    bones on the spot, Aiden interlocks our fingers and guides me away.

    ¡¯May the best man win then!" Sergio yelled after us and winced. Margo¡¯s frantic voicees seconds

    I curled to Aiden¡¯s side as we stride towards the front door. I peeked up at him, seeing that he was still

    clenching his jaw. And by the firm grip he had on my hand, I knew he must be nning Sergio''s death

    in his head.

    ¡¯Do you really think she hadn¡¯t called the cops?" I questioned with uncertainty.

    I didn''t want the cops to take Aiden away again.

    Being away from him, even for just a few hours was torture enough.

    Aiden looked down at me while opening the door. He drops my hand, only to swing his arm over my

    shoulder and pull me in closer.

    He kisses my forehead as we head for the car.

    ¡¯You worry too much my love.¡¯

    My brows draw in worry. ¡¯How can I not when you go on a rampage like that?"

    Aiden sighed, kissing my head again and murmured in my hair. "I know. I''m sorry I scared you. I just

    can''t think straight when ites to you. I don''t want anyone to hurt you.¡¯

    My heart flutters in my chest.

    I knew he was telling the truth, I can hear it in his voice.

    But even though I''mforted by the thought of him wanting to protect me. I''m terrified that he''dnd

    himself back in jail because of me.

    ¡¯Just don''t let your anger get the best of you next time."

    He nodded. ¡®I''ll try to baby, but you know I''ve always had issues holding back my anger."

    Don''t I know it.

    We hopped in the car, Mitch anxious eyes eyeing us through the rearview mirror.

    ¡¯No one died Mitch." I reassured him and saw his face visibly rxe.

    He started the car.

    ¡¯God, I wanted to strangle that bastard with my own hands." Aiden grunted, clenching his fist on his

    thigh.

    I interlock our fingers, squeezing his hand. "Remember. Control that anger." I reminded him.

    He nodded, pulling me closer in his arms. I rest my head on his shoulder, relieved that he was here in

    the flesh sitting beside me and not in a murky cell, but scared that I would lose him to Lillian.

    Sergio already proved that he was a powerful man. If I were Aiden I would be terrified to go toe to toe

    with a man so powerful.

    But Aiden was intimidating on his own, and I was more than certain he could hold his own against

    Sergio.

    But that still didn''t ease my worries.

    ¡¯Aiden," I whispered, tilting my head up so I could get a clear view of him.

    His jaw looks even sharper from this point of view.

    He looks down, humming to silently tell me I had his attention.

    ¡¯What about the contract?¡¯ I questioned while ying with his shirt.

    Aiden had been rxed until I brought up the contract again. I winced inwardly. I probably should have

    kept my mouth shut on this one until we got home.

    But even with his restlessness, Aiden responded."It''s forged Soph. I''ll deal with it in court with that

    piece of scum."

    I gnawed on my lips in doubt. "And what if you can''t? What if your fate is really sealed with, her?''

    I can''t help but feel bitterness and resentment towards Lillian.

    Aiden looked at me softly before uttering. "Do you really think I¡¯d let myself get tied up with that bitch

    willingly without a fight? You''re the one who''s going to wear my ring Soph, not her.¡¯

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    His words made my heart warm, and I smiled at him shyly.

    But my smile fade when his phone red.

    I saw the caller before he did when he pulled out his phone.

    Lillian.

    I gritted my teeth.

    She had great timing indeed.

    I''m just about to tell him to stop the call when he swipes his thumb over the answer button.

    "Lillian."

 Chapter 173

    Chapter 173

    Sophie''s pov

    I wasn''t quite sure what happened to me but I got that sudden urge to do something that would irk

    Lillian.

    When I knew she would be able to hear me, I seize his shirt in my fisted hands and before he could

    question me, my mouth is attached to his.

    I kissed him roughly, biting his lip to earn myself a hot moan from his mouth.

    He grabbed the back of my head, allowing me domination for a little while.

    I smirked, kissing him harder and dipped my tongue in his mouth. I moaned at his tang, sweet yet a bit

    faint with mint.

    I moaned loudly, hoping the bitch would be able to hear me.

    "Sophie," He groaned my name.

    Smiling in satisfaction I snatched his phone out of his hold before he could protest and end the call.

    Pulling away from him, I red into his eyes. "Don''t talk to that bitch."

    His brows lifted in shock, his eyes still a bit dazed. But then his lips lift into a smug smile. You''re hot

    when you''re jealous."

    He chuckled when he saw my pout.

    I try to pull away from him but he doesn''t let me. Instead he shifts me to sit on hisp.

    I flushed, peeking at Mitch through the rearview mirror. Thankfully his eyes are on the road.

    Aiden must''ve sensed my shyness because he chuckled, his chest shaking. You kissed me so furiously

    a second ago. You didn''t care that he would hear your moan. Now you''re acting shy?" He teased,

    pinching my waist lightly.

    I swatted at his hand, sending him an annoyed glower. "I did it so she''d hear. So she would know you

    belong to me." I huffed, crossing my arms under my bust.

    Aiden squeezed me lovingly, his chin falling on my shoulder as he whispered. "Possessive. I like it."

    He kissed my neck and I bit into my lower lip to stop the gurgle of moans that wanted toe out.

    He interlocks our fingers, his bruised knuckles showing and the sight of his torn knuckles making me

    squirmish.

    I brushed my hand around it, biting harder into my lower lip. "We need to ice this as soon as we get

    home."

    Aiden sighed, breathing in my scent." I can''t wait to see our little boy. My mom and dad are probably

    worried about me, huh?"

    I nod. "Ash too. I should''ve called to tell them you¡¯re out."

    He squeezed my hand. ¡®Don''t worry about it, I''ll just surprise them."

    I sighed and sank into his warmth as we drove passed huge skyscraper buildings. The city was

    buzzing.

    The silence wasforting but left strays of thoughts to rummage through my head.

    ¡®Do you think she called about the contract?" I asked softly while ying with his fingers.

    He nods on my shoulder, sighing. "I was trying to hear what she was about to say but my little woman

    couldn''t keep her ws off me."

    Chuckling he bit my shoulder yfully.

    I yelp a little and yfully smacked his forehead.

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    "You shouldn¡¯t have answered that bitch''s call in the first ce. "I huffed annoyed.

    Aidenughed heartily. "Your jealousy is fucking adorable sweetheart. But there''s no need for it. No

    woman can step in your shoes. No one canpare to you. I answered that call to hear what she¡¯d

    say. If she would pretend like she didn''t know about the contract or if she did."

    I''m about to respond to him, and say something snarky but the ringing of his phone cut me off before I

    could get a word out.

    He pulled it out and studied the caller I.D.

    It was unknown.

    Lillian''s pov

    My jaw feels painful as I clenched it when I heard her moans and his breathy groans.

    I grit my teeth in rage.

    That whore.

    Kissing what belonged to me!

    I mmed the phone down on the table when the phone call ends.

    Did he fucking answer it purposely to rub it in my face that a whore was touching him?

    Aiden knew he was mine!

    "Woah there sis, what got you ring at the phone in anger?" Christopher chuckled while fixing his tie.

    "I don''t think that photo helped get rid of her." I sneered, ring at my phone.

    Christopher removes his eyes from his reflection in the mirror. "Of course it didn''t Lilli. Aiden Xavier is a

    very smart man. He wouldn''t have been fooled by these photos. He clearly is in love with Sophie-

    ¡®He''s not in love with her!" I snarled cutting him off angrily.

    Christopher tears his gaze away from mine and brings it back to the mirror. He resumes fixing his tie

    while muttering.

    ''Anyway what I was about to say is that. He knew she wouldn''t cheat on him so it was obvious this

    wouldn''t have worked." Christopher shrugged.

    My eyes narrowed on him, upset by his words. "If you knew it wasn''t going to work in the first ce,

    why did we have to go through with it?! We could''ve just murdered the whore there and then!''

    Christopher''s eyes snapped to mine through the mirror. ''Because Sergio wouldn''t have allowed it. And

    besides, everyone would''ve found it suspicious that she v/ent over to us and died Lilli. Anyway, what

    are you getting worked up for? We still got a reaction from Aiden." He smirked.

    I rolled my eyes. "It wasn''t enough and it wasn''t what I was expecting. I need him to leave that whore

    ande to me."

    Christopher chuckled and flicks his still untied tie. "Would you mind?"

    Huffing and with a roll of my eyes I stride over to him. "How long are we supposed to stay clear of

    Aiden?" I questioned as I fixed his tie properly.

    Christopher smirked. "Until the contract can''t be broken. Don''t forget the guy has a bone to pick with

    me for forcefully kissing his fiance. I can''t exactly show my face yet."

    My lips curled up in a sneer. "You should''ve done more to her. You should''ve raped her. Ruin her."

    Christopher''s grin widened and he lifted a hand to caress my face. "Lilli I promise to make sure you get

    everything you want. Just have a little patience okay?"

    I looked up into his eyes." I''m impatient to have him Chris. I want him."

    Christopher nods in understanding. "I know. But for now you have me." He whispered while brushing a

    finger over my cheek tenderly. He then lean down to capture my lips in a hard kiss.

    I groan, wrapping my arms around his neck as he pushes me towards the bed.

 Chapter 174

    Chapter 174

    Sophie''s pov

    ''Who was it?" I questioned when Aiden ends the call and pushes the phone back into his pocket.

    ''No one important, just a damn reporter. They asked for information about my arrest." His jaw popped

    when he responded stiffly.

    I sighed, resting my head on his shoulder. ''At least they haven''t asked you about your alleged marriage

    contract to Lillian.¡¯ I grumble bitterly.

    He kissed my head. "Don''t worry about that stupid fraudulent contract baby, I promise to fix it. And then

    we''ll get married." He squeezed my hand, kissing my head again.

    *1 can''t wait to see you walk down the aisle. I''ve been dreaming about this day since I first set my eyes

    on you back then." He brushes his fingers through my hair tenderly.

    We were so calm here you''d think that Aiden had not juste back from a fight with Sergio and he

    had not just been out of jail.

    When we were in each other''s arms, I realized that nothing truly mattered. There was always some

    kind of peace between us.

    Something that could ease me.

    With another kiss on my head, I fell asleep in his hold.

    I woke up when Aiden breathed beside my ear lightly. "We''re home baby."

    It takes me a second to realize I am already in his arms and we were already in front of the door.

    I blinked.

    I didn''t even feel when he put me in his arms.....

    ¡¯Was I sleeping for long?" I questioned embarrassed.

    With all that went on today, I had the audacity to fall asleep.......

    Aiden smiled down at me warmly, kissing the tip of my nose. "I love hearing your light snores.¡¯ He

    teased. "But you do weigh a ton." He chuckled.

    I red at him yfully. ¡¯ Put me down."

    He chuckles and set me back down on my feet.

    He fixes my hair, peering down at me in adoration. ¡®I''ll make sure I make him pay for forcefully kissing

    you Soph."

    ¡¯I know you will Aiden. But maybe it''s time you don''t take these things on your own and involve the

    cops."

    He tucks some stands behind my ear, sighing. "Cops won''t help much if we have no evidence over

    these bastards. Sergio is also a part of this so it won''t be easy to get the cops on our side, unless we

    take these fuckers down on our own."

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    He looks away, his eyes far. "I''ll have a private investigator search into the Muralo''s, their business

    can''t be as clean as they''re portraying. There was a rumor once-

    The door opens, cutting Aiden off.

    "Son!" Meredith threw her arms around Aiden, making him stumble a little.

    ¡¯I''m so d Sophie managed to get you out!" She cried kissing all over his face.

    I bit my lip to stop from giggling at Aiden''s red embarrassed face. "Mom." He whined eyes pinched and

    face tight with a wince.

    ''Meredith give the boy some room to breathe." Aiden''s dad chuckled, in his hold is Ashton whose eyes

    brightened when he saw me.

    Meredith argued. ''I gave birth to this face I have every right to kiss it whenever I want. ¡ö

    Ashton hands shot out, his finger squeezing with a motion to tell me to take him. I smiled my heart

    warming.

    ¡¯Did you miss me baby?¡¯ I cooed as I pried him from Aiden''s dad¡¯s hold.

    ¡¯He was such a good boy. You two are raising him right.* Mr. Xavierplimented.

    ''Oh he was a little sweetheart! Didn''t give trouble at all." Meredith finally let her son go, who was bright

    red in the face.

    I giggled and we all stepped into the penthouse.

    We talked for a few and Aiden and I told them everything that''s been going on.

    At the end of our words, Meredith looked like she was ready to strangle someone and Mr. Xavier

    looked absolutely livid.

    Shaking her head in disbelief, Mary sneered. "Father has gone far this time. Why is he so hellbent on

    us marrying into that family!"

    Aiden ce Ashton on hisp. "In his eyes, the Muralo''s are a great partnership with the Harrington''s.

    Joining the families will make us invisible to our enemies. He wants that kind of power."

    Meredith looks upset. "My father always craved power. He''d do anything to obtain it. Even sacrificing

    his family. But forging a contract to bond Lillian Muralo with

    you.................................................................. he

    had never stooped so low to gain what he wants."

    Mr. Xavier interlocks their fingers and squeezes her hand in reassurance. We''ll find a way around this

    Meredith-

    ¡¯No dad, I''ll find a way. I don''t want you two involved in this mess-

    ''We''re already in this mess the moment he tried to force you to marry that girl. I can talk to him Aiden-

    Aiden cuts off his mother. "No! You won''t go near that man."

    I''m startled by his loud tone and even Ashton who wailed. Aiden looks broken when his son cries

    loudly.

    He tries to calm him down but Ashton reaches out for me. Aiden looks hurt but passes him overt? me.

    ¡¯I''m sorry little man, I didn¡¯t mean to startle you.¡¯ He cooes at Ashton, brushing a finger over his cheek

    in aforting manner.

    ¡¯I may understand your frustration and anger Aiden, but I am still your mother. Do not ever raise that

    tone with me again young man.¡¯ Meredith warns, scowling at Aiden who winced.

    ¡¯Sorry mom.¡¯ He apologize.

    Meredith looks pleased by her son''s apology and then rises to her feet. Her sudden action had us all

    looking up at her in confusion.

    Let''s go hunny, we need to visit a bastard." She tells her husband who looked at her baffled.

    ¡¯Who?" He drawled in confusion and stood up.

    ''My father." Meredith grumble and with a re at Aiden to tell him he should not argue about this, the

    two leave.

    Aiden groans loudly, throwing his head back.

    I looked at him in concern. ''I don''t think Sergio will hurt his daughter Aiden."

    He sighs. "I know. But I''m not worried about that. I''m worried that she will hurt him."

    My brows knot.

    He borates after he notices my confused stare.

    ¡¯My mother is the only one who could truly hurt Sergio. Once before, my mother was his world. Until

    she married my father. Let''s just say a hurt Sergio is far worse than an angry one.¡¯

    I nod in understanding and brush my fingers through Ashton''s hair.

    ''You were about to tell me something about the Muralo siblings before you were interrupted. I''m

    intrigued."

    Aiden looks at me, chewing his lips before answering. ¡¯There was a rumor once that the Muralo siblings

    were involved with each other."

    Was he saying what I think he was?

    ¡¯They were involved with incest. Or so one of their bodyguards said a few years back. Apparently he

    walked in on them but that rumor was quickly squished and that bodyguard had yet to be seen since."

 Chapter 175

    Chapter 175

    Sophie''s pov

    My eyes bulged in shock.

    If there was one thing I''d think the Morale''s were guilty of, it would not have been incest.

    I shivered, my skin crawling. I''m disgusted.

    Perhaps I was overreacting since it is but a rumor. But if it were....why would the said bodyguard

    disappear and have never been seen again after iming such?

    People usually disappear when they''ve seen something they shouldn''t because either the acting

    parties have paid them off or the acting parties have done something bad to them.

    Either way....I can''t help but have an inkling that the statement is true.

    ¡¯Do you think it''s true?"

    Aiden hums, shrugging a bit. "Christopher has always been really close with his sister, the two are

    considered inseparable. He¡¯d do anything for her. He sees her as his prized jewel. Everyone knew

    that.But if they do have a sexual rtionship going on, they''re doing a good job in hiding it from the

    public."

    If Christopher saw Lillian as his prized jewel then that would mean that he would be very upset if

    anyone hurt Lillian in any way.

    Is that why Aiden slept with her and tossed her like she was used tissue?

    Did he do that to get on Christopher''s nerves?

    Or did he just do it for just the thrill of it?

    I bit the inside of my cheek and then voiced out my thoughts. "Is that why you slept with her? Did you

    want to get one up on him? How did you two even be rivals?"

    My brows furrowed as I thought about it.

    Christopher and Aiden were like two princes battling for the throne. Only one could conquer such a

    high position.

    Aiden looks away, his face flushed with embarrassment. "Yes. It was to irritate him. I regret doing that

    and can''t justify myself. I was an asshole. in and simple. I''m not going to try to make you feel like

    you need to forgive me. Be upset with me all you want, as long as you still love me, I can take it."

    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    ¡¯I''m not upset with you about it, well not anymore. If anything, I was jealous that you slept with others.

    But it''s all in the past now and I don''t see it doing any good to hold on to such feelings anymore." I

    admitted while ying with Ashton''s fingers.

    He had quieted down and was now bubbling with slight giggles.

    Aiden looked at me in guilt, his face twisting with pain. "I''m sorry Soph. There are so many mistakes I

    had done in the past, mistakes that brought you pain. I wished I could go back and rewrite them."

    He shifts closer to Ash and me and loops his arm over my shoulder. He tucks me closer until I had no

    choice but to rest on his shoulder. "But let me make one thing clear to you Sophie Bell, no other girl,

    woman, no one could everpare to you. You''ve been it for me before you even knew. There''s no

    need to be jealous of anyone. Not when my heart only beats for you my love."

    He kisses my head tenderly and interlocks our fingers. He sighed, as if the feeling of being close

    brought him some peace with his raging thoughts. I knew his thoughts were scattered, especially with

    what happened to him today, there was no way he was not overthinking.

    I''m happy that I could at least bring some sense of peace to his thoughts.

    ¡¯I promise to fix this. I promise." He sighed, hugging me and Ash closer as if the mere thought of us

    being farther away made him sick.

    I squeezed his hand because I believed him. If anyone had to fight Sergio and had a chance, it would

    be Aiden.

    There was nothing more strong willed than a man who had been threatened to lose his family. Aiden

    was not willing to give us up easy, and neither was I going to give him up.

    No more.

    No one will get in between our future again.

    No one.

    Aiden pulls away reluctantly while murmuring. "I''ll be back, baby. I need to make a few calls and I will

    be back."

    The way he spoke I knew he was going to make calls to his private investigator. Aiden was ready to go

    on the offense.

    Meredith''s pov

    I stormed my way to the huge door.

    ¡¯Hunny, are you sure about this?" Grant rushed behind me.

    Grant never liked confrontation.

    But I have Harrington in my blood, we love confrontation. We crave winning an argument.

    "This has to stop today Grant. I can''t have him hurt our boy. He finally found his peace, a family, and

    the love of his life. I can''t let father make those beautiful things slip through Aiden''s fingers for his own

    selfish gain." I grit as I pound my fists on the door.

    It shook, surprising Grant with how much power I possess.

    The door rattles for a few until a young maid pries it open. Her eyes are bulged with fear and shock.

    ¡¯Get out of my way." I snapped, brushing passed her while yelling. "Father!"

    "Miss! Miss. Miss!" The young maid rushes towards me, trying to stop my advances.

    I shrugged her off. ¡¯Move out of my way girl, I came here to speak to my father." I snapped.

    "Hunny, maybe you should calm down," Grant suggested.

    ¡¯I will not calm down until I see him.'' I sneered, resuming my way to the top floor.

    "Miss, he''s not here-

    I snorted. *0h please darling, I know my father is here. His favorite coat is still hung by the door."

    She looks surprised and then her shoulders sagged.

    ¡¯Fine. I will bring you to him."

    She walks past me and Grant and I followed her to a tall thick wooden door.

    shes of a young girl knocking on that same door, begging her papa to y with her made my heart

    ache.

    That young girl was me.

    A very long time ago.

    A time when I thought dads were supposed to protect their kids no matter what.

    The young maid pushes the door open, revealing a huge office.

    Father is there and Margo. He''s seated at his desk while Margo nurses the wounds on his face.

    When his eyes fell on me, a grin paints on his face. ¡®My sweet daughter. You finally came.

 Chapter 176

    Chapter 176

    Meredith''s pov

    The young girl shuts the door behind Grant and me, leaving us in the presence of my father and Margo,

    who had been working here since I was young.

    She beamed when she noticed me, her features lighting. "Meredith dear.¡¯

    She looked a bit peeved that she could note over to me and had to remain positioned by father to

    nurse his wounds.

    I looked at his wounds closely, smiling as I took a further step.

    ¡¯Did Aiden do that to you?" I pointed at his nose and jaw. He looked like he had gotten punched

    relentlessly.

    Father pushed Margo¡¯s hand away from his lips. She had been dabbing a cloth on the split flesh.

    ¡¯What do you think?¡¯ He questioned, lounging back in his chair casually as though his face did not pain

    him. I didn¡¯t miss the slight wince.

    I grinned. I guess you deserve it, father. You are, after all, trying to ruin his life."

    His grin widened. "I haven''t tasted my own copper blood in years.¡± He licked his split lip. "I''ve missed

    the tang.¡±

    I shook my head and walked over to the huge bookshelf. My fingers skim the backs and stopped on the

    huge book he used to read to me when I was younger.

    He still had it.

    I took it from the shelf, opening it to that page I knew was important. Grant leans over me protectively.

    I smiled warmly at him, reassuring him with my eyes that my father would not hurt me.

    He wasn''t convinced.

    ¡¯Grant, son. It''s been a while. Sorry I hadn''t seen you at first."

    ''Don''t act like you like my presence here Sergio,¡¯ Grant grunted, leaning against the shelf.

    Father''s eyes narrowed. "How has work been, still scrapping for money?"

    I stiffen. Father always med Grant for me ending the agreement marriage with the Muralo''s. He

    didn''t understand that love was far greater than a simple agreement for more power.

    Perhaps before he understood love...

    But now.

    I looked down at the photo, brushing my fingers over her face. "She wouldn''t have approved of this

    father."

    I cast my gaze back to him, he''s frozen. He heard me.

    I took a step forward but Grant stops me. I looked up into his concerned eyes and lift my hand to brush

    my fingers over his stubble jaw in affection.

    I reassured him with a smile and the silence of my soul mirroring in my eyes.

    He sighed and reluctantly let me go.

    I continued my stroll toward father who motioned for Margo to get out of the room.

    She looks at him reluctantly and nods. When she walks passed me she smiled tenderly. ''It''s good to

    see you, Meredith."

    I nod, smiling at her warmly. Margo was a few years older than me and actually grew up here. Her

    mom had been working for my grandparents and then my father before she passed away.

    So Margo and I were friends before I left.

    "It''s good to see you too Margo."

    When she leaves, father looked at Grant over my shoulder. "I would like to speak to my daughter in

    private Grant."

    My eyes narrowed. ¡¯He¡¯s family. Whatever we speak about, he will be included."

    Father''s eyes narrowed.

    There''s one thing I got from this man, and it was stubbornness. We didn''t like to give up easily.

    "Fine.¡¯ He muttered, his voice casting with displeasure.

    I ced the photo on the desk, right before him while looking into his swollen eyes.

    Aiden had done a number on him.

    Though I feel bad about it, I knew he deserved it.

    ''Remember this?¡¯ I whispered, keeping my eyes focused on him to see his reaction.

    He stiffened, his bony fingers reaching out for the photo.

    A rare smile paints on his face and I feel relieved. The man still had some humanity and wasn''t all the

    way cold to the bone.

    ¡¯How can I forget?¡¯ His watery smile made my heart ache.

    The photo he''s staring at with tears brimming in his eyes is thest family photo we took with mom.

    She had been awfully sick here but she was the one who prodded for onest family photo.

    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    I was about twelve here I think. Those days were always a huge blur. It was because I was trying to

    forget them seeing as they were so painful to remember.

    A couple of days after that photo was taken, mom died. She died happy though, with a smile on her

    face onest time.

    She had been happy to leave, but we were not ready for her to go.

    It was selfish of us, she suffered through the pain for years. And she didn''t want to fight it anymore.

    So she gave up.

    We were angry, especially father.

    He loved her so dearly, he was the first man to ever love me too.

    When she died though, father went into a dark gloomy hole and never really came out.

    He thought love was painful, it was bitter and it left a hole in your heart.

    The father who would spin mom around to make her giggle or lift me on his broad strong shoulders was

    no longer here.

    He had gone into his cold shell. He never loved another after her. He didn''t do love anymore.

    Mom was his soulmate he once said.

    Mom was his life.

    And when she died, she took his life with her.

    When I was a certain age to understand, he tore all my dreams of finding someone who looked at me

    the way he looked at mom.

    He engraved in my mind that love was painful. Love was evil and selfish. Love was not worth all the

    hassle.

    Marriage shouldn''t be about love.

    In his now corrupted mind, he wanted to protect me from the heartache he suffered when mom died.

    And I understood him.

    Until I met Grant.

    I couldn''t stop my heart from beating for him. I couldn''t stop those butterflies in my belly. I couldn''t stop

    my fall and when I did fall in love with Grant. I already knew. He was the one. The only one.

    So I took a chance. I took a chance to get that love father and mom once shared. And I''ve never

    regretted it since.

    ¡¯She wouldn''t like this father. Mom wouldn''t like what you''re doing right now." I whispered, my voice

    cracking.

 Chapter 177

    Chapter 177

    Meredith''s pov

    He hauled in a shaky breath, his eyes swimming with sadness. I had hit him with the past, something

    that could potentially bring out the man he once was.

    ¡¯She¡¯s dead." He whispered, pushing the photo away. "The dead can''t speak.''"

    I blinked in sadness, pitying the man he is now today. "But they can still see and hear. If mom was

    here, she''d smack you upside your head and then nurse your wounds."

    He clenched his fists, turning away from mepletely." Is this why you came here? To remind me of

    why I''m actually doing what I''m doing? Look at me, Meredith." His eyes snapped up to mine suddenly

    and I had to take in a very sharp inhale as emotions swam through the windows of his soul.

    Father was in more pain than I realized.

    ¡¯I''m a shell of a man because of her. I can love no other, I have a permanent hole in my heart because

    of her. Love is selfish Meredith, the pain is unbearable. I tried to save you from it too," He looked over

    my shoulder at Grant.

    He continued. "But I was toote. I need to save my grandson before it''s toote."

    I shook my head, reaching out for him. My heart ached for my father. A man who once believed love

    was the answer to everything now made love his enemy. It was painful and tormenting to watch him

    be this person.

    When my fingers touched his hand, he flinched. His eyes swept to mine in shock. I don''t remember the

    After mom died, our father-daughter rtionship was swept up and tom into shreds. He woulde

    homete from work, smell of booze, and trash the entire ce.

    I can recall listening to a few bottles shattering on the wall. I can even remember the feeling of that

    broken ss piercing through my heel one of those mornings after his rampage.

    He didn''t even flinch when I cried out in pain, he looked at me dead in the eyes that day, his soulless

    eyes, and told the maid to help me. He didn''te to see me that day too.

    Instead, he had me stay up alone in my room, crying my eyes out. My foot wasn''t the only thing that

    hurt that day, my heart was too.

    That day I came to terms with the fact that I lost my father the same day I lost my mother.

    From that day, we regarded each other coldly, like we were not father and daughter at all. I did what he

    asked and made sure to not upset him.

    But of course, I met Grant and everything changed.

    "You''re wrong dad,¡¯ I whispered.

    I hadn''t called him dad in a while too. Always regarded him as father.

    He looks surprised when he heard my words. There''s a flicker in his gaze, a flicker that reminded me of

    the past and the way he looked at me before mom passed away.

    ¡¯Love is beautiful. It''s worth it. Those years you shared with mom, I was sure were the happiest you''ve

    ever been. Do you regret meeting her? Sharing life with her? Making life with her?¡¯

    I watch his adam''s apple bob as he swallowed and croaked out. "No. I don''t regret anything when it

    ¡¯If I had to go back I''d do it all over again." He whispered. ¡°I''d choose her all over again. ¡ö

    My heart squeezed. I could hear the raw emotions ying in his voice.

    ''Don''t you think you''re hurting her now that you''re trying to hurt her grandson dad? He has a son, a

    woman who he loves dearly. You''re trying to tear his family apart. Why do you think this is a good idea?

    Why do you want to hurt him?"

    He snapped his eyes to me. "Don''t you see I''m trying to help him Meredith? Yes. I love your mother

    and would choose her all over again, but the pain of losing her is unbearable. Love is painful."

    I let go of his hand, growing angry now that he was trying to justify his absurd mental thinking. "Love is

    beautiful. Every bit of it is beautiful. Every single emotion is beautiful. Stop hurting Aiden because of

    what I had done."

    When I fell in love with Grant, my father had tried his best to change my mind so I could marry into the

    Muralo''s. But Grant and I run away and never turned back. In a way, he thinks that I had abandoned

    him.

    But he didn''t realize that it was his actions that drove me to do such a thing.

    He lost his wife and then he lost his daughter.

    In a way, I understood his loneliness and how a dead mind and heart can really turn someone insane to

    think any action they take, is really for the best.

    Tears blurred my vision as I cracked. ¡®I''m sorry for leaving you the way I did. I''m sorry I didn''t leave a

    letter. I''m sorry I stayed years not checking up on you dad. But please, you can''t hurt Aiden because of

    me. He''s my son and I want to see him happy. He deserves to feel happy. Don''t tear him away from his

    family. If you truly don''t want him to get hurt by love, then don''t ruin his happiness. Because either way,

    you will end up hurting him.¡¯

    He looks away, swallowing before whispering. ''That girl....she reminds me of you. She''s strong-willed."

    A watery smile appeared on my face as I nod. ¡¯Which is why she''s perfect for my son. Let them enjoy

    love dad. Let them go through the stages of it. Let them learn and grow. Don''t tear them apart. Let

    them love."

    I reached out for his hand again, squeezed it and whispered. "Whatever action you take now will be the

    start of your future, either go with this absurd n and lose your family or fix that bond with your family

    and forget about gaining more power."

    With that, I left him in his sturdy looking at thest family photo we took with mom.

    Grant swung his arm over my shoulder and pulled me closer. ¡¯You did well my love. I¡¯m proud of you."

    I smiled shakily at him. "Let''s hope he''ll do the right thing from now on."

    Sergio stared deep at the photo, clutching it tightly. A tear streaked down his face as he peered into her

    eyes.

    ¡¯Am I really ruining their lives Jenai?" He croaked out into the silence of the room.

    His heart hurt, his mind a jumbled mess.

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    He knew exactly what response histe wife would give him and he can''t help but feel like aplete

    asshole.

    Was he wrong from trying to protect his family from heartache?

    Sergio ce the photo down on the desk and reached out for the phone.

    The phone rang for a few before Christopher answered.

    ¡¯Sergio I was just about to-

    ¡¯It''s off. Aiden will not be marrying Lillian."

 Chapter 178

    Chapter 178

    178

    Christopher buttons up his shirt, a smirk on his lips as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. Lillian

    had marked him.

    He chuckled, brushing off her ruby red lipstick stain off his jaw. She left a good bit of ruby red stains all

    over his body.

    ¡¯Now sis, could you not have been a little less eager?¡¯ His eyes shed with mischief as he peered at

    her through the mirror.

    She rises off the bed using her elbow, her hair messy, her lips red but not from the lipstick but from her

    brother s kisses.

    Her eyes are heavy lidded, tired and spent as she leers at him." I''m angry. You know how I get when

    I''m angry.¡¯ She mewled as she moved out of the messy bed.

    She''s stark naked, her breast on disy. On her skin is dotted with a few of his own marks on her.

    Christopher smirked. ¡¯Are you trying to go for another round sis?"

    Lillian rolled her eyes, stalked over to him and hugged him from behind. "Do you think he¡¯ll love me

    eventually when we get married?" Her soft voice made Christopher stop his pursuit of finishing up tying

    his tie.

    He sighed.

    His sister was really in love with that fucker Aiden. He wasn''t sure what she really saw in him but he

    was always one to get his sister everything she wants.

    So if she wants Aiden then Christopher will do everything to get her what she desires.

    But he cannot guarantee that Aiden will love Lillian. Not when Sophie was still in the picture.

    But he didn''t have the heart to tell her no.

    If he did, she will ask why. Telling her that Sophie will always be the woman Aiden loves will make his

    sister insane.

    Insane enough to take matters into her own hands.

    Christopher didn''t want that.

    He didn''t want his beautiful sister''s hand to be tainted with blood. No, he wouldn¡¯t be able to bear it.

    He¡¯d rather taint his own.

    Thankfully, his phone rang and saved him from answering her pending question. He really didn''t want

    to make her sad again.

    He moved out of her arms and picked up his phone on the dresser. Seeing Sergio''s name sh on the

    screen, he answered.

    ¡¯Sergio I was just about to-

    Christopher is cut off before he could even finish his sentence. It irked him.

    ¡¯It''s off. Aiden will not be marrying Lillian."

    Christopher thought he heard wrong and questioned the old man again.

    ¡¯I no longer wish to force Aiden to marry Lillian. The contract is broken. Muralos and Harrighton will not

    be joined."

    Christopher stiffened.

    He didn''t really care about joining forces with Harrighton, though the old man was powerful,

    Christopher knew he and Aiden would never see eye to eye. He would have rathered that little shit to

    not join his family.

    But...

    Lillian wanted the fucker and who was he to tell his sister no?

    Christopher gritted his teeth. This old man just put him in a predicament.

    ¡¯Sergio," He growled lowly. Lillian ears perked and she looked at him in question.

    He reaches over to smooth her frown.

    ¡¯It''s toote forthat. The contract has already been set-

    "The contract was fabricated by me. Therefore, I can destroy it if I please. I stand on my word. I no

    longer care to force my grandson to marry your sister."

    Christopher¡¯s fury bubbled in his veins. Did the old man think he can just do as he pleases?

    Grounding his teeth together, he snarled over the phone. "Mr. Harrighton, with all due respect-

    Christopher heard the beeping on the other end, cutting him off.

    The fucking old bastard ended the call.

    How dare he!?

    Feeling engraged, Christopher threw the phone directly at the wall. It shatters and Lillian gasped.

    She looked at her brother/lover in shock.

    ¡¯What the hell Chris?! What''s going on?"

    She stared wide eyes at the quick rise and fall of her brother''s shoulders and her curiosity grew. What

    did Sergio say to him to make him this angry?

    She''s never seen him this upset.

    He looked ready to strangle someone with his own bare hands. It shocked her.

    He turned away from her, running a hand through his hair. "That fucking old bastard called off the n

    to get Aiden to marry you.¡¯

    His words stunned her.

    What the hell?

    Her heart squeezes painfully.

    What did that mean? Would Aiden and her not get married anymore?

    She stumbled back, her eyes blurring as she shook her head in denial.

    ¡¯He can''t do that can he? Chris, he can''t do that! He promised he''d make me get Aiden!" Lillian cried,

    her body shaking with sobs.

    Christopher''s head shake only made her cry more.

    ¡¯Shhh Lillian, I''ll find a way okay?"He tried to calm her down. When Lillian was upset she¡¯d turn into

    someone he didn''t really know.

    Lillian shook her head, stumbling away from him. "Why would he do that?" She screamed, hands going

    in her hair to tug strongly at her strands.

    Christopher rushed over to his sister and held her in his arms as he tries to shush her and ease her

    worries.

    ¡¯Shh Lillian. I will make this work. I will get you Aiden. Don¡¯t worry about it." Christopher tries to coax

    her to listen to him.

    As much as he hated that bastard Aiden, he wanted to see his sister happy. He would do anything and

    everything in his power to get her that piece of shit. As long as she was happy he didn''t care how he¡¯d

    feel.

    She shrugged out of his hold and cried louder. "How are we going to make this work Chris! Sergio

    pulled out, he''s the only one who would be able to get Aiden to marry me by force!"

    She fell onto her knees and the sight of her shoulders falling up and down tore Christopher into pieces.

    He hated when she cried.

    He crouched and reached for her face.

    "Did you take your medication Lillian?"

    Lillian had severe anger issues and took medications to calm her down.

    She smacked his hands away and red up at him. "This isn''t the time to ask that question Chris! get

    me Aiden! Get Sergio to change his mind!" She snapped.

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    Christopher sighed and rose to his feet. There was no way to calm Lillian fully, unless he do as she

    says.

    ¡¯Get dressed."

    Her brows furrowed into a frown.

    ¡¯Why?" She huped.

    Because sis, our vacation is cut short. Let¡¯s go over to Sergio''s and renegotiate the n."

    Her bottom lip wobbled. ¡¯But what if he doesn''t? What if he says no?"

    Christopher looked away from her eyes. "Then I''ll take matters into my own hands."

    His fingers itch knowing exactly what color it would be painted if he and Lillian didn''t get their way.

 Chapter 179

    Chapter 179

    Lillian''s pov

    ''Everything will be okay Lillian." Christopher¡¯s hands reach out to touch my fisted hands on my thighs. I

    moved them away from his touch and looked out the window.

    ¡¯ You can''t guarantee that Chris,* I grumble under my breath.

    I could feel Aiden slipping through my fingers.

    And I was very certain it was all because of that whore Sophie. Why did she have to have his baby?

    If I had known, I would''ve faked a pregnancy sooner. But now it''s toote to act pregnant for him. The

    someone, but Aiden wasn¡¯t stupid.

    I grit my teeth.

    Christopher sighed, patting my fisted hand. "Calm down."

    I can''t calm down. I want to gauge that whore''s eyeballs from her socket.

    ''Dad''sing back tonight. You up for a family dinner tonight?¡¯ He asked, trying to stray the

    conversation away from the current topic.

    ¡¯If my shift ends early at the hospital then yes," I grumble.

    ''Good. I think we can cheer you up."

    I fisted my hands tightly as I sneered. "Why would you two need to cheer me up? You know Sergio

    won''t change his mind, don''t you?" I turn to sh him a re.

    If I can''t have Aiden then that whore Sophie won''t either.

    I''ll make sure of it.

    Christopher exhaled a breath. "Sis you really need to calm down. Did I not promise you that you and

    Aiden will get married? I have always held up to my promises to you, haven''t I?¡¯

    ¡¯We''re going against the Harrington family Chris, what makes you think we can force them to do

    anything? Sergio was the only capable one to achieve this."

    Christopher chuckled. ¡¯You really underestimate your brother Lillian. Just sit back and watch the show

    unfold okay? I promise to make sure you get your happily ever after."

    He promised with a wink.

    I sighed and nodded. I could always trust Chris.

    His smirk widened as he slowed down beside Sergio''s mansion. ¡¯And you must''ve forgotten who dad

    is. He¡¯s not one to upset.¡¯

    I shivered. He was right, dad isn¡¯t someone to mess with when angry.

    I stormed out of the house, ignoring Chris''s calls for me to calm down. How can I calm down when that

    old fart still refuses to go on with the n!?

    How am I supposed to get Aiden when we have nothing against him to ckmail him with!?

    Sergio knew how, and now that he refused to budge and go forth with the n, my future with Aiden

    was practically none existent. I couldn¡¯t let that bitch Sophie win and gain the future I dreamed about.

    Before I swung the door open, I looked at Chris over the roof of the car. ¡¯How can you tell me to calm

    down right now? You heard that old fucker in there! He''s not going to give me Aiden!" I snarled,

    opening the door harshly, entered, and closed it with a loud rattling bang.

    Chris entered after me, turning to look at me with a slight re. "I said to calm the fuck down Lillian

    because we Muralos don''t fucking back down from a fight. Don''t you think I have another n up my

    fucking sleeves!? I only went to speak with that old man to see if he''d make it easier for both him and

    Aiden. Now that he refused to go on with the n, it will make it easier for me and dad to go on with

    ours."

    I frowned. "You and dad?" I asked him in confusion.

    He reaches out, his fingers brushing my cheek. "Do you really think we''d make someone hurt our

    princess? We re going to make sure that you get him, Lillian. Just rx, and look pretty for tonight''s

    dinner." He flicked my lower lip and started the car.

    Driving off, my thoughts calm down. Perhaps Chris and dad can actually win this for me. I really hope

    they can get rid of that bitch Sophie. I wouldn''t mind being Ashton''s mommy. I''d be a better one

    anyway.

    * Family Dinner*

    Back straight Lillian," Chris murmured softly as his hand rested on the small of my back.

    I wore a skin-tight red silk dress, dad''s favorite color on me.

    He opened the door and we entered the house. It was empty of maids. Dad usually didn''t have them

    around when we came to visit.

    ¡¯Do you think he''d like the wine I bought him?" I asked while lifting the wine bottle. It was a costly wine.

    Dad loved anything with an expensive taste.

    Chris chuckled. ¡¯I don''t think the wine would be the main focus for tonight."

    I chewed on my lips as we entered the dining area. The table is already set with food the maids

    must''ve already ced before dad sent them off.

    At the head of the table is where dad sat. He grins at me brightly.

    ¡¯My darling daughter.¡¯

    I smiled and walked out of Chris''s hold to stroll over to him. I hugged and kissed his cheek. He smells

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    like mint and itforted me.

    ¡¯I missed you.¡¯ I giggled, nting another kiss on his cheek.

    His eyes shed with that familiar look. "I know you do hunny. How''s work been? Christopher, were you

    taking care of our princess while I was away?¡±

    His eyes swept over to Christopher who grinned. ¡¯ Don''t worry dad, I made sure to look after her when

    you were not here. How was your flight? ¡¯

    Dad''s eyes narrowed. "A little jegged. If you say you were looking after her, why did you let them

    upset our princess?¡¯

    Christopher sighed, raking a hand through his hair. "I didn''t think Sergio would go back on his word."

    Dad shook his head and brought his attention back to me. * We will talk about itter on. For now I

    need to put my attention on our little princess. It''s been so long."

    I giggled. "It''s only been a few weeks daddy."

    His eyes shed and they fell on my legs. A few weeks too long. Are you already wet?¡¯

    I nodded and ced the wine I bought him on the table. "I bought you this. I hope you like this one."

    He looked over at the wine and me. ¡®Spread your legs open for me on the table and let me see how wet

    you are for daddy. If you''re wet enough I''ll drink the wine from your pussy."

    I grinned as he scooted his chair back so I could pass. I fixed myself in front of him and hunched up my

    dress. Sitting on the edge of the table, I spread my legs and let him push my panties to the side.

    ¡¯You came in your sister a few minutes ago, didn''t you Chris?" Dad smirked as he watches Chris''s cum

    drip from my hole.

    ¡¯I had to cheer her up somehow,¡¯ Chris smirked as dad pushed his finger inside my pussy.

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    snippets etc

 Chapter 180

    Chapter 180

    The Girl He Craves Chapter 180

    Christopher¡¯s pov

    I lift the rim of the ss to my lips, inhaling the warm smell of the whiskey. I looked over at Dad who

    was pouring himself a ss.

    ¡°Lillian really wants that piece of crap,¡± I grumble.

    I really didn¡¯t see what she saw in Aiden Xavier other than his good looks and money.

    Still, did we really have to go through so much trouble to get the bastard?

    Dad looked over at me casually. ¡°She does. Whatever she wants we¡¯ll get her.¡±

    I shook my head and took a sip of that burning liquor. Lillian just got in the shower so dad and I stayed

    here after we used and satisfied her.

    ¡°He¡¯s not good enough for her.¡± I let out an ahh sigh and ce the ss down.

    Dad shook his head. ¡°Let¡¯s be honest Christopher, no one is good enough for our princess. But she

    loves Aiden. And I¡¯ve already told you, there¡¯s no possibility of you and your sister getting married.¡±

    I red at the table. ¡°I know that dad. But I don¡¯t think he¡¯d treat her right. Not the way we treat her.

    Forcing him will only make him resent her. I can¡¯t bear to see Lillian hurt or in pain because of that

    fucker. ¡±

    I clenched the ss brutally in my hold just thinking about Aiden Xavier hurting Lillian. He¡¯s an ass, he

    didn¡¯t deserve her.

    ¡°He won¡¯t hurt her Christopher. Not when we are around.¡± He grumbled and looked up the stairs.

    ¡°She¡¯s precious to us, why would we sit back and let them hurt her?¡±

    I tapped the ss and lounged back, narrowing my eyes, I questioned, ¡°So. what are we going to do

    about Sergio? I don¡¯t reckon he will change his mind.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll invite him for a business meeting tomorrow. If he manages toe, we¡¯ll take it from there. No one

    tells my daughter no. His bitch of a daughter left me hanging when it was our time, I¡¯m not letting the

    same thing happen to my daughter. Feelings are involved. Aiden and Lillian will be getting married.¡±

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    I stepped out of the bathroom, smiling shyly at Aiden who was on the bed with his hand under his head,

    his upper half naked.

    His eyes shed happily when he saw me.

    This is the first night we¡¯re sleeping without our little bugger in the bed with us. His grandparents

    wanted him to spend the night with them. They¡¯re only a few rooms down from us.

    I tip-toed and rushed toward the bed.

    Aiden chuckled when I covered myself quickly.

    I was in my nightwear, which was a short silk dress that barely covered my butt. Even though I wore it

    for him tonight to get his mind off what¡¯s happening, I still felt shy.

    Which was really ridiculous considering that Aiden had already seen everything.

    He turned around to face me fully, his hand under his head. ¡°Why are you hiding from me my little

    Soph?¡± He whispered, reaching over to brush his

    finger down my cheek.

    I flushed and shrugged.

    He chuckled in amusement. Bringing his head on my chest, he sighed while wrapping his arms around

    me protectively.

    I held him, brushing my fingers through his hair.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± He suddenly cracks through theforting silence.

    His voice is filled with emotion. It makes my heart throb.

    He was going through so much to make sure he wouldn¡¯t lose Ashton and me. If only he knew he

    would never. No matter the oue. I will stay by

    his side.

    ¡°For what?¡± I whispered while ying with his silky strands.

    He lifted his head slightly so he could see my face. His eyes are glistening and it makes my heart

    break.

    Aiden doesn¡¯t usually cry or show emotion. But I¡¯ve noticed that he has been open with me. He didn¡¯t

    care to stay in his cold persona when it came to me and his son. And that alone made me fall in love

    with him

    even more.

    ¡°For bringing you into this mess. I should have never gotten with her. Never should¡¯ve wasted my time

    with others. Especially since I knew that I would never love another the way I do you.¡±

    I shook my head, ying with the ends of his hair. ¡± Whatever happened, it¡¯s in the past.¡±

    He shook his head. ¡°I should¡¯ve protected you more my little Sophie,¡± His voice breaks. ¡°I should have

    protected you more from Sergio, the

    Muralos-

    He gripped me tighter as if I was slipping away from him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I failed you Soph. I swear I¡¯ll do

    better. I swear it.¡±

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    His eyes are filled with emotions. Emotions that made my throat clog up. He was still beating himself up

    about what happened.

    Aiden had warned me to not go. I did it on my own. I should have never been naive to not realize that I

    was walking into danger. I trusted that friendly smile and thought he was a good person. But he turned

    out to be a vile pervert.

    Thinking about it, my skin began crawling in disgust. I swallowed.

    Aiden notices quickly and lifts from my chest. He stared at me with concern. ¡°What is it? Do you feel

    sick?¡±

    I swallowed again, remembering how his slimy hands held me. I looked at Aiden in rm. ¡°Make me

    forget.¡± I rushed out, pushing myself up on my

    elbows.

    He looks at me confused before his eyes sparked with realization. ¡°I¡¯ll make that bastard pay for what

    he did to you Soph. Jail is too little of a punishment for a piece of shit like that.¡± He growled.

    I nodded and pushed myself closer to him. ¡°Okay, you will. Now would you please make me forget

    about him?¡± I whispered in a rush as I wrap my hand around his neck and pull him closer.

    He nodded, his eyes falling on my lips. He lifted his hand and pinched my chin lightly.

    ¡°After I¡¯m done with you tonight, you¡¯ll only remember me, got it baby? You won¡¯t feel his disgusting lips

    on yours. You won¡¯t remember how bitter he tasted. I¡¯m going to make sure of it.¡± He whispered and

    captured my lips in a sweet yet furious kiss.

    He gripped the sheets and threw them away from my body. Detaching his lips slightly, he breathed.

    ¡°You won¡¯t need these, I¡¯ll warm you tonight myself.¡±

 Chapter 181

    Chapter 181

    The Girl He Craves Chapter 181

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    My heart felt heavy for hours now and no matter how many times I rubbed over the ache, it wouldn¡¯t go

    away.

    I knew why it was here. It¡¯s because I still felt like crap. I hadn¡¯t been there for her. What if that

    motherfucker did more than forcefully kiss her?

    I wouldn¡¯t have been there to stop him.

    He could¡¯ve seriously hurt her.

    Just the thought of him doing more than kissing her made that ache grow I felt fucking powerless for

    the first time. I wasn¡¯t there to protect her from him. I wasn¡¯t fucking there.

    Not only was Sergio giving me hell, those fucking Muralo siblings were more trouble than I thought.

    The door to the bathroom swung open slowly, pulling me away from my thoughts.

    Her flushed face made the ache in my heart ease a good bit. And when she shyly rushed over to the

    bed, I couldn¡¯t help but smile at her adorableness.

    Shit. Is it possible to fall more and more in love with her?

    She crawled under the covers, hiding her body entirely from my vision. I raised a brow looking down at

    her while she tuck the covers under her chin.

    I didn¡¯t fail to notice that she wore something more revealing tonight. Chuckling I decided to tease her

    and then brought my head on her chest.

    I sighed.

    Something bad could¡¯ve happened to her today. And it would have been all because of me.

    I had pulled her into my world because I was selfish to let her go. What about Ashton? How far will

    these people go to hurt my little family to get me?

    My heart races at the thought.

    I gripped her tighter, my voice cracking. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡±

    Her fingers yed in my hair and it wasforting but in thatforting silence, my thoughts seem to

    pull me into that dark hole.

    I listened to the steady beat of her heart, letting the sound relieve me a bit.

    ¡°For what?¡± She whispered while still ying with my hair.

    I clenched my eyes tightly for a little, my heart aching. Sophie was too innocent for my kind of world. I

    knew that the moment I realized I was in love with her years ago. But of course, I was selfish and

    always had a problem letting things go.

    I lift my head and peered into her sweet innocent eyes. My heart hurt. Why am I causing this sweet little

    angel to go through such terrible things in life?

    Why can¡¯t I protect her enough? Why can¡¯t we be in peace for once?

    My vision fogs as my throat burned.

    I didn¡¯t deserve her. I know I didn¡¯t.

    ¡°For bringing you into this mess. I should have never gotten with her. Never should¡¯ve wasted my time

    with others. Especially since I knew that I would never love another the way I do you.¡± I said truthfully.

    I screwed up the moment I gave those other women what belonged to her. I should have never touched

    them, especially Lillian. Perhaps if I hadn¡¯t she wouldn¡¯t be this obsessed with marrying me.

    Maybe then, we wouldn¡¯t be going through all of this. A fucking mess. That¡¯s what our world has

    be. A huge fucking mess.

    Sophie shook her head and continued to y with my hair.

    Whatever happened, it¡¯s in the past.¡±

    She didn¡¯t understand that my actions in the past stirred the pot into what

    it is now.

    I shook my head. ¡°I should¡¯ve protected you more my little Sophie,¡± My voice cracks in my throat and

    it¡¯s painful.

    ¡°I should have protected you more from Sergio, the Muralos-

    I gripped her tighter, feeling immense pain at the thought of them hurting her again.

    The fucked up part was that I couldn¡¯t promise her that they wouldn¡¯t try to hurt her again. I couldn¡¯t

    reassure her that those evil sons of bitches wouldn¡¯t try to harm her because of me.

    And fuck if this is not heartbreaking and gut-wrenching.

    But what I can do is promise her to do better in protecting her from them.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I failed you, Soph. I swear I¡¯ll do better. I swear it.¡±

    I don¡¯t want to feel this kind of way again. Powerless.

    This isn¡¯t what dad taught me. He taught me to be strong enough to protect the ones that meant a lot to

    me. Those that I love.

    I stared at her and noticed her eyes had that slight fear look in them. She

    looked like she was sick.

    I sat up beside her, peering down at her smaller figure in concern. ¡°What is it? Do you feel sick?¡±

    Her eyes glistened with rm, making my heart skip a beat?

    ¡°Make me forget.¡± She rushed out in one breath while she pushed herself up on her elbows.

    I stared at her closely until I realized why she looked so distraught. She was thinking about that

    motherfucker, wasn¡¯t she? She was remembering how he felt. Fuck. I shouldn¡¯t have brought them up.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make that bastard pay for what he did to you Soph. Jail is too little of a punishment for a piece of

    shit like that.¡± I growled.

    Christopher Muralo wouldn¡¯t get off this easily after pulling that shit with my woman. He made a

    mistake when he thought to touch and kiss her.

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    The clock is ticking for him.

    As soon as I get that call¡­¡­

    Sophie nodded quickly, pushing herself closer to me.

    ¡°Okay, you will. Now would you please make me forget about him?¡±She whispered in a rush. She was

    desperate to forget about him and I will dly fulfill her wish.

    I nodded, my eyes falling on her lips.

    I won¡¯t allow that piece of shit to give my baby nightmares or have her distraught.

    I lifted my hand and pinched her chin lightly.

    I¡¯ll do better in protecting her. The next time I will be ready. No one is

    going to touch a single hair on her or Ashton¡¯s head.

    I can¡¯t promise her that they won¡¯t try, they can. But I will promise her that they won¡¯t seed.

    ¡°After I¡¯m done with you tonight, you¡¯ll only remember me, got it baby? You won¡¯t feel his disgusting lips

    on yours. You won¡¯t remember how bitter he tasted. I¡¯m going to make sure of it.¡± I promised and

    captured her soft lips with mine.

    I will erase any lingering memory of that bastard on her lips. I¡¯ll make sure that her body remembers

    only me from now on. She¡¯s going to sleep peacefully tonight.

    I grip the sheets and threw them off her body. I crawled on top of her, pressing my body on hers.

    Detaching my lips slightly I breathed. ¡°You won¡¯t need these, I¡¯ll warm you tonight myself.¡±

    I¡¯ll make sure she can only feel my heat. She will only be going to bed satisfied and at peace. That evil

    bastard Muralo will not haunt her dreams tonight or any other night.

 Chapter 182

    Chapter 182

    The Girl He Craves Chapter 182

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Aiden¡¯s fingers run over my arm, tenderly. He kisses me softly, moaning in my mouth as he presses

    closer to me.

    He moves his lips down the corner of my mouth, leaving sweet open mouth kisses wherever his lips

    touched. He moved lower, kissing down my neck and on my pulse. I moaned.

    I could feel his body heat and itforted me. It calmed down the fear that tickled up my spine when

    those dreadful thoughts span back into my head.

    I didn¡¯t know what Christopher did to me earlier would rouse so much fear in my heart. I was angry at

    what he did and scared in the moment, but I didn¡¯t know the lingering of that fear would remain.

    It feels awful and I pity the women who go through this regrly. How powerless they felt, how terrified

    they are in the moment. What happens after? Do they even survive this?

    I was lucky to have not been forced into anything else. Christopher was much bigger and stronger than

    me so I stood no chance against him strength wise.

    What if he didn¡¯t stop there? What if he wanted more than a kiss?

    I shivered, trembling under Aiden.

    I yelped suddenly when Aiden bit down on my shoulder. He lifted his head, a sloppy cute grin on his

    mouth. ¡°Don¡¯t think about him. Focus on

    With one hand holding his weight besides my head, the other crawled between us. He yfully runs his

    fingers down between my breasts,

    gliding down to my belly button.

    My back arches as his hand thread under my nightwear that rode up when I lifted my leg.

    My nipples rub against the fabric as it hardened and tingled. I could feel the silkiness of need between

    my thighs, soaking the thin fabric of my panties. I was very certain he could have felt it when he was

    pressing his hardness against me a few moments ago.

    His fingers brush against my hip bone and I sucked in a breath.

    ¡°Sophie,¡± He whispered, lifting himself slightly. His eyes bored into mine as his fingers teasingly trace

    the lining of my panty. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely beautiful, you know that?¡±

    I draw my bottom lip between my teeth and sucked the plump flesh as I shyly look away from him. I

    was still not used to himplimenting me.

    I flushed.

    ¡°Hey baby,¡± He whispered. ¡°Look at me.¡± He prodded.

    I shyly brought my eyes back to his and his eyes softened. ¡°Don¡¯t ever hide those pretty eyes from me

    again. Okay?¡±

    I nodded, smiling while flushing under his stare. He grins at my shyness and leans down to softly

    capture my lips.

    He bit my lip softly and rasp his tongue over the flesh. I opened my mouth and he delved his tongue in

    deep.

    It tangled with my own and I buried my fingers in his hair. He groaned in my mouth while teasing his

    fingers over my lips and clit.

    I arched my back, opening my legs even more to allow his bigger body to fit directly between them.

    I sighed in his mouth when his hardness rubbed against my throbbing pussy.

    Aiden pulls away a little to murmur on my mouth. ¡°You¡¯re so wet, you¡¯re soaking through my sweats.¡±

    He chuckled and nibbled my bottom lip.

    I felt a rush of heat sneak up my neck to settle in my checks. Flustered I bit into my lower lip. He

    chuckles and swipes his tongue over my teeth.

    ¡°Release your lips my love. I¡¯m the only one who¡¯s allowed to bite it,¡± He rasped out while peeling my

    panties to the side. His fingers brush along my wet lips, curling up to my clit.

    My thighs shook and my heart pounds. A delicious tightening started in my belly. Aiden captures my

    lips again, this time so slowly it made my toes/curl.

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    And then he pushes his finger knuckle deep inside me. I push out a gasp and he pushed his tongue

    inside my mouth.

    He fucks me with his finger until he added another digit. I bit his tongue and he groaned then chuckled.

    Pulling his fingers out, he whispered on my mouth. ¡°Want my cock instead little Sophie?¡±

    I nodded, burning brightly. He chuckled at my sudden shyness. ¡°You¡¯re acting so shy tonight as if I had

    never been inside you.¡±

    I bit my bottom lip and looked at him under myshes, he sucked in a sharp breath and murmured the

    word fuck. He lifts off me a little and grips my panties in his hand. He slides it off my body while peering

    into my eyes deeply.

    I lift my bum a little so he¡¯d be able to take it offpletely.

    He tosses it off the bed and kneels on the bed. With dark hungry eyes, Aiden curled his fingers in a

    motion to tell me to sit up.

    I do, and he smirked. He pushes his sweats off him and releases hismember from his briefs. My mouth

    watered.

    Aiden then removes my nightwear slowly, deliberately making his fingertips brush along the sides of my

    breasts while doing so.

    My nipples throb when the cold air kiss them sharply. Aiden throws my nightwear off the bed too.

    He smiled at me and reaches for me. His palms press on the small of my back, his hardness pressing

    between us and his precum wetting a small patch of skin on my stomach. My breasts pressed against

    his hard toned chest.

    We both moaned at the incredible feeling of being so close. ¡°I love you Soph.¡± He whispered and slowly

    turned us around.

    He sits on the bed and pulls me closer. I yelp when he lifts me up a little and fixes me on hisp. His

    cock brushes between my thighs until the tip presses against my core.

    I gasp, my nails digging into his shoulder des.

    He presses his forehead against mine, the tips of our nose brushing, our lips near, hot breath fanning

    against the flesh. Our breathing is hasty and uneven.

    Aiden pushes my hips down, while his hips push up. We both gasp as he entered me. ¡°I love you so

    much Sophie.¡± He moaned as I sank onto him.

    I kissed his lips softly, hugging him around his neck as he fills me. ¡°I love you too Aiden.¡±

 Chapter 183

    Chapter 183

    The Girl He Craves Chapter 183

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    I shook my bum a little, trying to make sure I took all of him. He groaned, pressing his forehead against

    mine.

    He yfully brushes his lips against mine, teasingly licking my lips slightly as I breathed out a moan.

    Aiden gripped my hips, and kissing me softly, he guided me to move up and down his length.

    The smell of sex intoxicated the air and it smelt so good and right. I panted, pushing down him.

    ¡°Soph.¡± He whispered on my lips, digging his nails into my hips.

    ¡°Aiden.¡± I sighed, rolling my hips as I descend on him.

    He fills me as I rode him.

    I could feel his cock pulsing inside me. It¡¯s hot and arousing.

    ¡°Do you feel me?¡± He panted on my mouth as he once in a while kissed me softly.

    I nodded, closing my eyes when he somehow managed to prate in deeper.

    Oh, God.

    My nails pierce through his shoulder and he hisses.

    ¡°All of me?¡± He moaned, guiding my hips up and down his length more furiously and quickly.

    ¡°Yes.¡± I moaned.

    ¡°Only me?¡± He hisses, now hands on my ass and squeezing the mounds tightly.

    I nodded quickly. ¡°Only you Aiden.¡±

    I gasped when he flipped us. I gripped his shoulders tightly as he now furiously pounds into me.

    A scream bubbled in my throat and I bit my tongue to stop myself from letting it out.

    Aiden must have noticed because he smirked and pressed his hand on my mouth while diving into me

    deeper.

    I squirmed.

    He leaned down, his lips beside my ear. ¡°Shhh. Don¡¯t want my parents to know that I¡¯m fucking their

    daughter inw right now.¡±

    My eyes rolled back as his strokes grow long and deep. I could hear the sound of our skin pping

    every single time he thrust into me.

    ¡°Sophie.¡± He gasped, groaning as he glided in long slow strokes.

    I ground my hips to the rhythm he set, moaning as he took over my soul.

    Skin to skin.

    We gasped in unison.

    He praised me. How tight I felt. How good I felt around him.

    He whispered filthy words in my ears, pushing me closer and closer to the edge.

    I¡¯m panting underneath his weight as he drives me insane.

    The pleasure was intense. Every thrust. Every gasp. Every feeling of him filling me.

    ¡°Aiden.¡± I gasped when he removed his palm off my mouth.

    He grunted lowly, dropping his forehead on my own.

    We stared into each other¡¯s eyes deeply.

    Something about tonight felt raw.

    Emotional.

    We were intoxicated by each other.

    His fingers brush along my arm, causing a rage of goosebumps to raise in their wake.

    ¡°You¡¯ve always had my heart, my little Soph.¡± He whispered, staring into my eyes with adoration in his

    gaze.

    ¡°And you have always had mine,¡± I whispered back, arching my back off the bed to ster my chest

    against his.

    My hard nipples brush against his hard-toned chest, reveling in the feeling of his hot skin against mine.

    He felt so good-pressed to me. The smell of him was intoxicating.

    He pushed in deeper, rolling his hips.

    Then he lifts off me slightly and presses his burning palm on my lower stomach lightly. The slight

    pressure had something inside my belly knotting.

    ¡°You drive me insane.¡± He gasped as I clenched around him.

    I called out his name in a low breath.

    ¡°That¡¯s it, Soph. Cum around me.¡± He groaned hoarsely.

    I scratched at his back as my walls wrap tightly around him. He hisses, sloppily thrusting his hips

    forward as I grip him with no intentions of

    letting go as yet..

    He mmed his lips on mine, eating up my moans to stifle the loud sound a bit.

    I¡¯m breathing roughly under him as I try toe back down from my high. But little did I know, Aiden

    wasn¡¯t done yet.

    I yelp when he pushes his hand under my back and held me to him. With his cock still inside me Aiden

    uses his strength to hurl me up with him.

    I wrap my legs around him as he slides off the bed, one hand holding my ass while the other on my

    back.

    I¡¯m tired and spent from just cumming seconds ago.

    I rest my head on his chest.

    ¡°I¡¯m not done with you yet my little Soph.¡± He grunted as he walked to the huge ss wall overlooking

    the busy city. Aiden had the best view in the building.

    lift my head.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I can stand on my legs,¡± I said sheepishly as he pulled out and set me on my feet in front

    of the ss wall.

    My legs felt like jello. It took a lot to even stand on them right now.

    He smirked, holding me close and letting his still hard wet cock brush press between us.

    ¡°You won¡¯t need to worry about that. I¡¯ll hold your weight.¡± He kisses the tip of my nose and turns me

    around. I gasp, my palmsying t on the ss wall. It¡¯s cold as I press my breasts on the smooth

    surface.

    It shes with the heat of my skin.

    Aiden grips my hips, holding most of my weight as he settles his hard wet length between my ass.

    I pant, the hot air from my lips fogging up the ss.

    For a second I wondered if someone could spot us from the other building but then I thought about it

    and I really didn¡¯t care if they did.

    When I¡¯m with Aiden, everything just feels better and I don¡¯t really care about anything else.

    Aiden makes me tip my back and then with one push, he was inside my pussy. We both gasped as he

    stretched and filled me.

    And when he started fucking me against the ss, those stars in the night sky tripled in my vision. I

    could feel him pulsing inside me as he fucked me from behind. My moans choked me, making tears

    blur my vision as I sumb to the pleasure he was giving me.

    And when he came. He came, hard. Grunting out my name like a chorus as he spilled every drop of his

    cum inside my walls. He whispered beside my ear to make sure not a single drop gets out as he pulled

    out of me slowly.

    He lifted my tired body in his arms and walked back to the bed. He ce me down softly and pull the

    covers over my body when he got behind me. He held me close to his chest, whispering how much he

    loved me as he kissed my head and lips tenderly.

    I drifted off into sleep, content.

    Who would¡¯ve thought my once bully would have my heart fully and chase the demons in my head?

 Chapter 184

    Chapter 184

    The Girl He Craves Chapter 184

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    I rest my head on my palm while my fingers brush her soft hair off her face.

    I stared at her. My heart throbbing.

    ¡°I love you so much my Soph. And I¡¯ll keep telling you that every single day for the rest of our lives.¡± I

    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    whispered while my fingers trace along her cheeks delicately.

    She shifts closer to me in her sleep, a soft sigh leaving her lips.

    I smiled.

    How did I get so lucky?

    How did I manage to still get her after all the shit I did?

    God. I can¡¯t thank you enough. And I can¡¯t thank her enough for giving me a second chance.

    ¡°I promise we¡¯ll get our happy ending Sophie. That¡¯s the least I could do to make up for waiting for me

    for so long.¡± I murmured and leaned over to nt a soft chaste kiss on her cheeks.

    I took in a whiff of her. Memorizing her scent tonight. She smelt yummy, addictive. Gosh if she wasn¡¯t

    tired and already asleep¡­¡­

    My phone makes a soft ping sound on the dresser.

    I pulled away from her and turned around to pick it up.

    It¡¯s the text I¡¯ve been waiting for from my private investigator:

    He sent me whole lot of pictures. Pictures that made me want to hurl.

    I shivered.

    And to think I went there¡­.

    God.

    This family is sick.

    Aiden: Did the security spot you?

    Private investigator: No. No one saw me. I managed to get through them.

    Aiden: Good.

    I looked at the disgusting pictures again and shook my head in disbelief. Everyone knew the Muralo¡¯s

    were close but no one knew that the family were that close.

    I moved off the photos.

    At least I got the evidence I needed to take them down one by one. Or perhaps I¡¯ll just do all three at

    once.

    The media will have a field day with this.

    But tonight is reserved for someone special. Tonight I¡¯ll make him pay.

    Aiden: Did you follow that bastard Christopher?

    Private investigator: I¡¯m currently tailing him. He just dropped off his sister a couple of minutes ago.

    I looked over at Sophie. She was still fast asleep. I didn¡¯t want to leave her tonight but I had to take

    care of that asshole before he escapes.

    There¡¯s not a better time to do this.

    Aiden: Good. Send me your location.

    When he sent me his location I got out of bed. Putting on my shirt I looked at a sleeping Sophie.

    I was going to do whatever it takes to make sure Sophie doesn¡¯t get hurt again.

    They won¡¯t mess with my family.

    Leaning over after I put on my clothes, I kissed her cheeks softly. She sighs, shifting closer to where I

    had been a few minutes ago. Her hand searches for my body.

    I smile and take my pillow to ce beside her. She wraps her arm around it and squeeze it to her.

    I didn¡¯t know I would feel jealous of a pillow, but I do now.

    I sighed, leaning down to kiss her cheek again. I couldn¡¯t resist.

    ¡°Keep the bed warm for me until I get back baby. I promise I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± With onest kiss on her

    cheek I stepped out of the room.

    ¡°Where are you off to, son?¡±

    I froze, turning around to face my dad on the sofa.

    He¡¯s seated with a mug in his hold.

    I hadn¡¯t noticed he was there.

    My brows furrowed. ¡°What are you doing here dad? Couldn¡¯t sleep?¡±

    He lifted one shoulder into a shrug. ¡°Your son sleeps like you, you know.¡± He chuckles and takes a sip

    of whatever was in the mug.

    I smirked. Ashton does in fact sleep like me. We tend to take up all the space in the bed and leave little

    for others. But with Sophie and him usually sleeping beside me, I don¡¯t stretch as much.

    It helped that my bed was huge and enough to fit all three of us. Besides, I usually spoon Sophie while

    Ashton is curled beside her.

    The best sleeps of my life were with my little family.

    But even though Ashton usually stirs and takes up all the space, I highly doubt he kicked out dad.

    That worry set deep in his gaze told me that there was something more.

    ¡°You¡¯re avoiding the question dad. What¡¯s keeping you up?¡±

    He sighed and ce the mug down on the coffee table.

    ¡°It¡¯s about Sergio. I can¡¯t help but think that I¡¯m the reason he¡¯s giving you hell.¡±

    I shook my head. ¡°Sergio is just a lonely bastard. You¡¯re not the reason he¡¯s doing what he¡¯s doing to

    me. Get some rest dad. I¡¯ll fix this.¡±

    He looked up at me with concern. ¡°You¡¯re not going to do anything bad son? Right?¡±

    I pressed my lips together in a t line.

    Dad sighs, shaking his head. ¡°You have a family, Aiden. Don¡¯t do anything to jeopardize that.¡±

    I looked away from him. ¡°That¡¯s exactly why I¡¯m doing it. I need to protect them dad. I can¡¯t just sit

    back.¡±

    He looked at me with deep worry. ¡°I know that son. But sometimes you need to just take a step back

    and let the cops do their job-

    I let out a frustrated exhale and pass my fingers through my hair. ¡°What do you think the police will do

    when they have no evidence on those bastards? Christopher will go scorch free. The only evidence I

    have against them now is the nastiness that goes behind closed doors. That will

    only make the public look at them wrongly. Might spend a couple of years in jail for incest but that¡¯s it.¡±

    I looked away from him. ¡°I want him to suffer more dad. No one hurts my wife and goes around acting

    like they didn¡¯t do anything wrong. I¡¯m taking justice into my own hands.¡±

    ¡°Incest?¡± Dad uttered in surprise.

    I cringe, nodding. ¡°Yeah. Had a private investigator follow them around. He got pictures from a huge

    window. I¡¯m nning to give those pictures to the media tomorrow. Should¡¯ve ruined that fanily earlier

    when I suspected that they were more than ¡®close¡¯ but I was ying nice. Now not anymore.¡±

    Dad scratched his chin, wincing. ¡°Corrupted family. Just be careful son. And don¡¯t do anything that will

    get you into trouble.¡±

    I nod and told him I¡¯d be back home soon.

    I sent a quick text to my private investigator when I stepped out of the building. He didn¡¯t respond.

 Chapter 185

    Chapter 185

    The Girl He Craves Chapter 185

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    Mitch¡¯s tired eyes looked at me when I entered the car.

    ¡°I told you, you didn¡¯t have toe.¡± I grumble.

    All he had to do was drop off the car here earlier and I could do what I have to do without involving him.

    But he refused and wanted to tag along.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t let you go on your own sir.¡± He said while rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

    I didn¡¯t want him to tag along just incase things go south. But I knew he¡¯d still end up following me if I

    told him no.

    ¡°So where are we going sir?¡± He asked while peering at me through the rearview mirror.

    ¡°I¡¯m waiting for a text back from the private investigator.¡± I uttered while. keeping the conversation

    open.

    I texted him again. After a couple of minutes passed by it showed two blue check marks.

    He got the message. I¡¯m just confused on why he had yet to respond.

    Ten minutester it finally showed that he was typing.

    Ping.

    Private investigator: Meet me here.

    He then sent me his location.

    Telling Mitch the location, we set on the road.

    Thirty minutester and we were pulling up to the location. I looked down at my phone, texted the

    investigator back but didn¡¯t get a response.

    ¡°Something is off.¡± I said as I looked around the dead street.

    The only car up ahead is a ck jeep that¡¯s parked in the middle of the road.

    It¡¯s strange.

    Mitch looks at me through the rearview mirror.

    ¡°Do you think something must¡¯ve happened sir? Perhaps that¡¯s why¡­.

    I looked back down at my phone. It shows that thest message I sent has been received. Yet there

    are no blue ticks this time.

    Something was definitely strange about this.

    Something in my gut told me something was wrong.

    I dialed the investigators number. It rang until it ended without him picking up.

    ¡°Mitch-

    I was just about to tell Mitch to turn back around when a bloody hand from that parked jeep pushes out

    of the window.

    What the bloody fuck?.

    ¡°Sir- Mitch looked at me with widen rmed eyes.

    I shook my head and put my finger on my mouth to tell him to shush as I observe around.

    There was no one about but I wasn¡¯t sure if the coast was actually clear or not.

    Someone could very well be hiding somewhere and waiting for me to get out.

    The bloody hand waved up and down, as if signaling for help.

    Mitch looked ready to shit his pants.

    ¡°Sir, I think we should call the co-

    He¡¯s cut off by a loud groan that came from the clearly injured person who opened the door and fell

    down with a thud on the cold ground.

    ¡°Shit.¡± I hissed as I opened the door.

    It was my private investigator Tenney.

    He¡¯s on his back, holding his chest as he grunts loudly.

    ¡°Sir!¡± Mitch yelled in rm when I jumped out of the car and rushed over to Tenney without a second

    thought.

    I was the reason he was in this position.

    Christopher must have caught on to him tailing.

    ¡°Fuck Tenney.¡± I grunted as I kneeled beside him and searched his body.

    He was either shot or stabbed in the chest. Crimson painted his entire shirt. Luckily he wasn¡¯t.dead yet.

    ¡°Call 911 Mitch!¡± I yelled at Mitch who was visibly shaken about the current situation.

    Tenney coughs out blood. ¡°Chris-

    ¡°Don¡¯t speak. Try to focus on your breathing instead.¡± I uttered and pressed my hands to his wound.

    He was bleeding profusely, rming my worry.

    When his eyes fluttered close all I could yell was. ¡°Fuck!¡±

    Christopher¡¯s pov

    ¡°Someone¡¯s been tailing you for a few hours now Chris.¡± Lillian said in my ear when she hugged me

    goodnight.

    I stiffen.

    ¡°How do you know?¡± I asked, shifting my eyes to the left.

    ¡°That same ck jeep is somehow always where we were today. I¡¯ve marked the number te and it¡¯s

    the same. Someone sent someone to spy on us.¡± She said, giggling to not make it obvious.

    ¡°Where?¡± I gritted, tightening my hold around her.

    ¡°To your right. Don¡¯t make it obvious.¡± She whispered and pulled away.

    Lifting her hand to my face, she whispered. ¡°Be careful. I think it¡¯s Aiden who sent whoever it is in that

    jeep.¡±

    I nod and bid her goodnight before waking away. ncing at my right slightly, I do notice a ck jeep

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    hidden by the shadows.

    Aiden fucking Xavier..

    Was it him?

    Or did he send someone to spy on me?

    Getting into my car, I made a few calls.

    Sliding the phone in my pocket, I nce through the rearview mirror with a smirk.

    Whether it¡¯s him or someone else, they¡¯re toast.

    I made a sharp turn and looked through the rearview mirror. The jeep was still tailing behind me.

    Smirking I stepped on the gas.

    Taking the phone out of my pocket I dialed dad¡¯s number. He answered on the second ring.

    ¡°Where are you?¡± I asked while pecking through the mirror every second to make sure the jeep was still

    following me.

    ¡°Right behind that fucker.¡±

    Smirking I slowed down.

    ¡°The streets are empty we should do it here.¡± I told him.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Dad respond and I abruptly stopped the car in the middle of the road which caused the jeep to

    slow down.

    Grinning, I began to back away.

    Dad¡¯s white car is right behind the jeep.

    Seeing that he had no where to go, he had no choice but to stop seeing as I blocked his path from

    ahead and dad blocked his path from behind.

    Stopping the car before it hit the front of the jeep, I got out and stormed towards the driver¡¯s side.

    I heard the sharp sound of dad closing his door before I fisted my hand and punched through the ss.

    The man yelled, closing his eyes as the ss shards flew everywhere.

    I gripped his shirt, barking. ¡°Who the fuck sent you, you bastard!?¡±

    ¡°Get him out.¡± Dad demanded just as I saw the silver gleam of an object in the guy¡¯s hand.

    I ducked, wincing when it popped off beside my ear.

    Rushing footsteps and the sound of another gun going off filled the cold night. The guy yells in pain.

 Chapter 186

    Chapter 186

    The Girl He Craves Chapter 186

    Christopher¡¯s pov

    Dad managed to disarm the guy and calls me over as the guy¡¯s shirt quickly soak with his blood.

    ¡°Find out who sent him.¡± Dad grunted as he opened the door and held the guy in a choke hold.

    ¡°How am I suppose to do that if you¡¯re choking him!¡± I yelled and looked around.

    Someone must have heard those gunshots. There¡¯s no way no one would¡¯ve heard.

    Unless everyone leaving in those buildings are deaf.

    ¡°Get his phone.¡± Dad urged as a soft ping soundes from the guys now lit up pocket.

    He¡¯s groaning in pain, coughing up his own blood but still struggles.

    ¡°If I were you, I¡¯d stop struggling boy.¡± Dad hissed in his ear and nudged his chin to the guy¡¯s pocket.

    ¡°Hurry up Christopher so we can get out of here.¡±

    I quickly took out his phone.

    ¡°Fingerprint.¡± I grumble, fighting with the guy to grab his hand.

    When I do, I pinched his finger and ced it on his screen. The phone unlocks and I quickly tapped on

    the text.

    ¡°That asshole! I knew Aiden was behind this shit!¡± I sneered as I read the messages between Aiden

    Xavier and the guy.

    ¡°Fuck!¡± I roared and mmed my fist on the jeep roof.

    ¡°What is it!?¡± Dad looked at me.

    I shook my head, running my fingers through my hair in frustration. ¡°He had this piece of shit follow us.¡±

    I pointed at the guy who looked like he was about to pass out soon. Or maybe he was about to die.

    Either way he deserved it.

    ¡°He somehow managed to get passed security at your ce. Took photos of us fucking Lillian.¡± I

    sneered, mming my fist again, this time on the hood.

    ¡°Shit. Did he send it to Aiden?!¡±

    I nod.

    ¡°Fuck!¡± Dad roared and mmed his fist on the guy¡¯s jaw.

    He groaned, nursing his wound and now nose.

    Dad looks furious but also confused on what to do.

    I looked down at the phone again and scrolled down. There¡¯s a text from Aiden.

    ¡°Aiden asked for his location.¡± I exhaled and looked around. It was still quiet and the streets were still

    dead. There were no sounds of sirens so no one had called the cops.

    ¡°Give it to him,¡± Dad grunted.

    I snapped my eyes back to his and looked at the guy who seemed to be Woozy.

    ¡°What? Are you crazy!?

    Dad¡¯s angry eyes snapped to mine furiously. ¡°Just fucking give it to him

    goddammit!¡± He roared, pushing the guy¡¯s now limp body away.

    He mmed the door closed and walked over to me.

    ¡°If we give it to him, he¡¯ll see what we¡¯ve done,¡± I nudged my chin to the wounded guy.

    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    ¡°That¡¯s exactly why we¡¯re going to tell him. Let him see that the guy he sent was easily taken down by

    us. That should scare him off a bit. He¡¯ll not want toe after us after seeing how far we go.¡±

    I shook my head. ¡°I don¡¯t know dad. He might retaliate by posting those photos online or he might give

    them to the media. Either way we are screwed.

    ¡°Anyone can edit a fucking photo nowadays son. Who do you think controls the media? Why do you

    think I had been in Russia for a few weeks? We have links now Christopher. More links than Sergio.¡±

    I sighed. ¡°I sure hope you know what you¡¯re doing, dad.¡±

    ¡°Trust me son.¡± He patted my back and nudged his chin at the phone. ¡°Text him back and give him the

    location. We¡¯ll be long gone when he gets here and calls the cops.¡±

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    I pace the floor, my heart racing.

    The smell of the hospital was sickening. I hated the stench. But I hated my racing thoughts now.

    I put someone¡¯s life on the line. Keeney was fighting for his life in there because of me.

    I underestimated those Muralo sick fucks.

    ¡°Sir can you please stop pacing for a second?¡± Mitch exhaled.

    I must be worrying him even more.

    I sighed and went to sit down on one of the empty chairs.

    After Mitch called 911, I told him to call my dad to make sure they were still safe.

    Someone had obviously used Tenney¡¯s phone to text me the location.

    And I was betting it on Christopher. Who knew how far those fuckers would go tonight.

    After reassuring me that everyone was still safe and sound, I was relieved.

    When the cops arrived at the scene, I told them everything. From sending the private investigator to the

    photos he managed to take.

    The Muralo¡¯s were now under investigation.

    ¡°How sick are those people Mitch? Shit.¡± I run my fingers through my hair in frustration.

    If I had know things were going to end uo like this tonight, I wouldn¡¯t have hired a private investigator.

    ¡°It¡¯s not like you¡¯d know about them sir. From the outside they look like a normal family.¡± Mitch sighed

    and patted my back.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be too hard on yourself Mr. Xavier, what happened tonight wasn¡¯t your fault.¡±

    I snorted and shook my head. When I¡¯m about to tell him something, the doctor suddenly steps out of

    the room.

    I stood up and so does Mitch.

    ¡°How is he?¡± I asked.

    Tenney and I were not friends, just acquaintances, but I put the man¡¯s life in danger and now he was

    fighting for his life in there.

    I wasn¡¯t even sure if he had a family or not.

    The doctor shook his head, his face tight. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Mr. Xavier-

    I closed the door behind me, swallowing the lump in my throat. Apparently Tenney had a family.

    And I just took those kids dad from them.

    Yes, I know I wasn¡¯t the one who shot Tenney but I was the one who put him in harms way. I might as

    well me myself for this too.

    The light suddenly turns on.

    I blinked trying to adjust my vision to the sudden re.

    ¡°Aiden!¡± Sophie¡¯s sudden gasp made me snap my eyes to hers.

    They fell on my shirt and the blood drains from her face.

    I looked down at my shirt. Blood stained my shirt. I exhaled. ¡°It¡¯s not my blood.¡±

 Chapter 187

    Chapter 187

    Lillian¡¯s pov

    I wait for Christopher to drive off before stepping out of the house.

    It waste.

    And probably way passed that old man¡¯s bedtime. But I had a mission to aplish.

    And the mission was to get Aiden to marry me.

    I got into my car and drove off.

    Christopher didn¡¯t need to know what I had nned, neither did dad.

    I¡¯ll tell them if everything goes as nned.

    When I got to Sergio¡¯s ce, I pulled up beside the house. The guards stationed at the entrance let me

    in after a lot of begging on my part.

    Apparently Sergio told them to let me in.

    I sighed, pushing my hair behind my ears. I opened thepartment and took the small silver object.

    Pressing my lips together, I push the

    knife in my bag and got out of the car.

    I knocked on the door and this time Sergio was the one who opened up for me and not his maid.

    ¡°Mr. Harrington.¡±

    ¡°What are you doing here sote Lillian? Does your brother know you¡¯re here?¡± Sergio¡¯s brows pinched

    as he let me in.

    I shook my head and gave him a polite smile. ¡°No. I came to speak to you Mr. Harrington. My brother

    and I acted a bit out of order earlier. We were angry. I came here to apologize. I wouldn¡¯t be able to

    sleep tonight if I didn¡¯t. ¡±

    He nods stiffly. This was the first time I saw the old geezer without a suit and tie. He was dressed in his

    pajamas.

    ¡°Do you care for some coffee?¡± He asked as he gestured me to the kitchen.

    I smiled and nod. ¡°Yes please.¡±

    We strut to the kitchen, me ring at his back.

    It was unlikely that he would change his mind. My dad once said this man was stubborn as a bull. But

    at least I had to try.

    Dad and Christopher¡¯s way might cause Aiden harm. I didn¡¯t want one little hair touched on my future

    husband¡¯s head.

    ¡°No maids around?¡± I asked as I looked around the empty ce.

    ¡°I don¡¯t let anyone stay the night here. I rather be alone.¡± He responded while making a beeline for the

    coffee machine.

    ¡°Lillian, I didn¡¯t turn you away because I have known you since when you were little. If you were anyone

    else, I wouldn¡¯t make you enter my premises at this time of the night.¡±

    I sighed and ced my bag on the countertop. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Mr. Harrington. I really didn¡¯t mean toe

    here to disturb your sleep-

    He snorted. ¡°Sleep? I haven¡¯t been getting much of those. ¡±

    He turned around, his eyes on me intently. ¡°Why are you here Lillian? If this is about Aiden. It¡¯s still a

    no. I won¡¯t change my mind.¡±

    My hands fists.

    ¡°Mr. Harrington-.

    ¡°Lillian,¡± He cuts me off and takes a step forward.

    He¡¯s face to face with me now, only the kitchen ind separating us.

    He reaches out for my hand and squeezes it. ¡°This path. This sick path. This sick obsession you have

    with Aiden. It will only make you do things you¡¯ll regret. You need to let him go, Lillian. This isn¡¯t

    healthy.¡±

    I pulled my hand out under his as if he had burnt me. It fucking felt like

    ¡°Aiden, and I are meant to be. Sophie¡¯s just a stupid pir in the way. You¡¯ll see, he¡¯ll toss her aside

    soon. He¡¯ll marry me, not her.¡±

    Sergio shook his head, his head dipping. ¡°I should¡¯ve seen how far this obsession you have with my

    grandson is. I fed you more hope. And I¡¯m sorry for that Lillian. But you must know. Aiden¡­.¡±

    He looked directly into my eyes. The pity stare made my skin crawl and fueled my fury. ¡°He will never

    love you. He loves her. Don¡¯t try to fight your way between them Lillian. You¡¯ll be the one to get hurt. A

    love like theirs doesn¡¯t easily break.¡±

    I gritted my teeth scowling at the old fart as I reach for my bag. ¡°What do you know about love, you old

    geezer? You¡¯ve never been in love! You don¡¯t know anything! Aiden doesn¡¯t love her!¡± I snarled as I

    saw red.

    My head pounded, a voice in my head pushing me to that edge. That dangerous edge.

    Sergio shook his head sadly. ¡°I do. I do know what love is. And it¡¯s not what you¡¯re feeling for him,

    Lillian. I only epted you tonight so I could try to talk some sense into you without your brother

    breathing down your neck. You need to seek help, Lillian.¡±

    I red at him and whipped around.

    ¡°I no longer feel for your coffee.¡± I sneered, digging through my bag.

    ¡°That¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll walk you to the door. I hope you¡¯ll think about what I just said. I don¡¯t want to see you be

    disappointed when he continues to choose her.¡±

    I can hear the sound of his footfalls nearing and clutched the edge of the knife in my hand.

    I slowed down so he¡¯d catch up and when he¡¯s close enough, I fished out the knife and turned around.

    I enjoyed the sound of his painful gasp as the edge of the sharp silver de puncture through his heart.

    His eyes widen in shock, his face quickly turning ghostly.

    I bet he was kicking himself for allowing me into his home. He should¡¯ve sent me away.

    I want tough. I want to fucking giggle for joy.

    But I still feel anger.

    Anger.

    Anger.

    And more anger.

    ¡°You know nothing! You¡¯re going to die like the lying pig that you are. And I¡¯ll dance on your grave with

    my wedding band wrapped around my finger. The one Aiden will put around my finger.¡±

    His shaky wrinkly fingers clutch my hand but the man had no power to push me away.

    He looked at me like I betrayed him.

    Funny. He was the one who betrayed me first!

    I can slowly see the light slipping out of his eyes. It was a beautiful sight.

    Being a doctor, I always got the pleasure to see the light dim from my patients eyes. Those who were

    sick, or suffered the most finally got their peace.

    It was a bittersweet moment.

    But with Sergio.

    I felt a different kind of pleasure as I saw him crumble to the cold floor. He was my enemy and love

    seeing him fall.

    He was nothing but someone whose soul was slipping away. And slipping away quickly

    ¡°You won¡¯t get away with this Lillian.¡± He coughed out blood as I took my knife out of his chest.

    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    I wiped the blood on his shirt.

    ¡°I already have.¡±

 Chapter 188

    Chapter 188

    Aiden¡¯s pov

    Sophie rushes over to me, cupping my face in her hands as she inspects. me for injuries.

    I didn¡¯t want her to see me like this.

    I thought I would be able to sneak back into bed without waking her up.

    I wrapped my hands around her wrists. ¡°It¡¯s not my blood baby.¡± I reassured her again.

    ¡°I woke up without you by my side. I was so scared Aiden.¡± Her eyes blurred. ¡°What did you do? Who¡¯s

    blood is this? Please tell me you didn¡¯t.¡±

    Content held by N?velDrama.Org.

    She shook her head, her voice cracking.

    I gripped around her wrists more firmly. ¡°Shh shh. I¡¯m sorry. Don¡¯t cry. Please don¡¯t-

    My heart clenched painfully when she starts to sob, tears streaming down her cheeks like a river.

    I hated when I¡¯m the cause of those tears.

    I want to m my head on a damn brick for causing them yet again. I promised that I would be thest

    to ever make her cry. And if I did, those tears would be happy trails on her cheeks.

    But it had only been a few hours and I have failed to hold up my end of my promise.

    ¡°What did you do Aiden? When your dad came to check up on me, knew something was off. I was

    going to call you but he said it wouldn¡¯t be

    flicker of anger. She moved her hands off my face only tond her palm on my chest.

    ¡°See Aiden? This is why I told you to not take justice into your own hands! Look at what happened!

    What if you were in Tenney¡¯s ce!? Huh?¡± She pushed at my chest, her voice cracking painfully.

    I flinched but reached out for her and grabbed her hands. The fear poured out of her pores like a

    stench that made me feel awful.

    Fuck

    Making her scared was thest thing I wanted to do.

    Hell.

    It was the opposite I wanted to do.

    I thought that everything would work out the way I wanted. I had everything set.

    Tenney was one of the best in his field. I took the best.

    I didn¡¯t understand how they caught on to him. But I can¡¯t think about that now. It¡¯s not like I could

    retrace my steps and see what we did wrong. He was already gone.

    There was nothing I could do to bring him back to his family.

    I gripped around Sophie¡¯s wrists, pulling her closer to me. She tries to push me away again, crying

    hysterically.

    ¡°I could have lost you tonight Aiden. Do you not think when making decisions on your own!?¡± She

    sobbed,now gripping my shirt in her hands tightly.

    My heart breaks and my throat aches.

    Fuck. I did this to her.

    ¡°I know I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m sorry Soph. Shit.¡± Iforted her, lifting one of her hands to my face. ¡°Look. I¡¯m

    not dead. See? I¡¯m still here. Standing before you. I¡¯m okay. I¡¯m okay. Shhh baby.¡± I lift my hand to wipe

    under her eyes.

    She shakes her head. ¡°Are you even okay Aiden? Are we okay? The Muralo¡¯s have gone far. We¡¯re

    surrounded by them and Sergio. I don¡¯t see a way out of this.¡± She sobs, her eyes red from crying.

    I don¡¯t like when she¡¯s crying.

    I fucking hate it.

    ¡°Trust me Soph.¡±

    She wrenches away. ¡°Trust you Aiden? Look at what you did tonight. How can I trust that you won¡¯t put

    yourself in harms way for the sake of me again? I lost you once, I don¡¯t want to lose you again.¡±

    I swallowed, reaching for her again.

    I need her tonight. And though she had every right to be angry with me, I didn¡¯t think I could take it. I

    want her warmth tonight after the shit that just happened.

    ¡°You won¡¯t Soph. God. Soph. I can¡¯t stand it when you¡¯re angry with me. I made a mistake tonight. One

    that cost someone their life. I need you tonight. Tomorrow you can be angry with me all you want. But

    tonight. I need you to not be so angry with me Soph. I need to hold you tonight.¡± I begged, my voice

    cracking with emotion.

    After I showered I entered the room. Soph was already in bed, her back facing me. I crawled in behind

    her, pressing close to her and holding her to me.

    She turns around, her fisted hands pressing to my chest. ¡°I don¡¯t want to lose you Aiden. But I feel you

    slipping through my fingers. When will they stop? What about Ash? I¡¯m supposed to bring him to

    daycare tomorrow. I can¡¯t do that if there¡¯s a threat around us.

    I sighed and held her closer. ¡°You won¡¯t lose me Sophie. I can¡¯t answer those other questions you

    asked baby. But I do know I¡¯ll do everything I can to protect you and Ashton.¡±

    The next morning we got the news that Sergio was found dead in his home. The culprit.

    Lillian Muralo.

 Chapter 189

    Chapter 189

    189

    Lillian¡¯s pov

    My head whips to the side violently, my breathing quickening as I felt the powerful blow of his palm on

    my cheek.

    ¡°Dad.¡± Christopher uttered and stopped dad from pping me across my face again.

    I slowly brought my hand to my burning inmed cheek and turn to face my visibly furious father.

    I blinked. Tears now streaming down my face.

    ¡°Look at what you¡¯ve done!¡± He snarled and pointed at the TV.

    The news channel showcased a photo of Sergio Harrington. One of his maids found him dead on the

    cold hard floor where I left him.

    The picture of Sergio is reced with a short footage of my car entering his premises.

    It zoomed in, showing my side profile. When I turned my entire face was on full disy.

    Though the footage was ck and white, even a fool would know it was me who entered his housest

    and before he was presumed dead.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t thinking dad. I went to his ce only to speak. I swear by it. He just got me so angry-

    A loud echoing p on my cheeks made my head whip to the side again. My cheek stung terribly.

    ¡°You should have taken your medication Lillian! Now you have all three of us in hiding!¡± He roared and

    pushed Christopher away who was trying to stop him from pping me again.

    ¡°You caused this too! You dropped her off! You were suppsed to make sude she was okay!¡± He

    sneered angrily and pointed at Christopher.

    We were on a private jet, escaping the chaos we left behind to an ind where it was safe. I didn¡¯t

    know how long we were going to stay on that ind until things died out and until dad manage to fix

    things.

    But I already missed Aiden so much. I was certain he¡¯d forgive me for killing Sergio.

    It¡¯s not like he liked Sergio that much. He¡¯ll see that I only moved an obstacle in our path.

    Sergio was preventing us from being together. He¡¯ll see that. He will.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know she¡¯d fucking go on a hunt for blood! She looked fine to me when I dropped her off!¡±

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    Christopher snapped furiously.

    Iughed. It was dry and mocking. ¡°You two are acting all innocent. Didn¡¯t you kill a manst night too?¡±

    Dad¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°We had this one under control. No one would¡¯ve known it was us. We cleaned

    up after ourselves. You see even if Aiden went to the cops, they would find nothing on us. But you. You

    didn¡¯t think!¡±

    I huffed, leaning back into the leather seats. ¡°Don¡¯t me me for this. I told you I wanted Aiden but you

    keep pushing it back. I had to take matters into my own hands.¡±

    ¡°Yeah by getting caught.¡± Dad hissed.

    ¡°Do you know in what difficult situation you put me in? And what about those damn photos Aiden got of

    us three? Do you know how much cleanup I have to do with the media?¡± Dad barked.

    My brows furrowed. ¡°Photos?¡±

    Christopher snorted. ¡°Oh right we forgot to mention to you that the private investigator manage to

    sneak into the premises and got photos of dad and I fucking you. He sent it to Aiden. He knows Lillian.¡±

    Blood drains from my face. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me sooner?¡±

    ¡°Maybe because we were too busy trying to escape before the cops got you?¡± Christopher uttered

    sarcastically.

    I squirmed.

    ¡°He¡¯ll love me either way. I know it. This doesn¡¯t change anything.¡± I whispered.

    ¡°I¡¯m not dirty. He¡¯ll love me even better. I¡¯m not dirty.¡± I repeated, lifting up my knees to my chest and

    wrapping my arms around my knees.

    ¡°You just lost your doctor¡¯s license. Lost your reputation and you care about the public seeing us

    fucking you.¡± Dad snorted. ¡°You should fucking care about actually being able to step foot on America¡¯s

    soil again after the shit you just pulled. You fucking ruined the ns.¡±

    He groaned and brushed a hand down his face. Taking his ss of brandy he rose to his feet. ¡°I need a

    fucking rest. Take care of your sister Chris. Try to not make her kill someone again.¡±

    He walks away and enters the door leading to a private room.

    We were lucky to have escaped America before the cops got us.

    My nails dig into my arms. ¡°Dad hates me.¡±

    Christopher sighs andes to sit beside me. ¡°He¡¯s just mad Lillian. You did something that risked our

    entire family. You put us in a predicament because you were impatient to get what you want.¡±

    I sobbed. ¡°I just want Aiden Chris. That¡¯s all I want.¡±

    Christopher sighed heavily. ¡°And you¡¯ll get him. But with your actions, you¡¯ve pushed us back. This time

    you¡¯re going to have to trust us Lillian. Don¡¯t take things into your own hands again.¡±

    ¡°Ma¡¯am?¡± The flight attendant poked for my attention. I looked up. She¡¯s holding out a bottle of pills for

    me and a water bottle.

    ¡°Your father told me to give you those. Take two as described.¡±

    I took the pills and bottle and nod in thanks.

    ¡°Drink up Lillian. We need you better and in the right state of mind.

    ¡°I just want Aiden.¡± I whispered again.

    Chris nod. ¡°And you will get him. Now drink up.¡±

    I popped the pills in my mouth and washed it down with some water.

    After a few minutes my body rxed.

    ¡°Good girl.¡± Chris praised and reaches over to squeeze my hand. ¡°We¡¯ll fix this. Don¡¯t worry.¡±

 Chapter 190

    Chapter 190

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    Aiden got the call early in the morning. Apparently Sergio was found dead in his home.

    Margo found him lying on the cold hard floor, in his own pool of blood.

    The news of his passing broke Meredith into pieces. She cried her eyes out.

    Even though Sergio was a bastard, I did feel pity for him.

    Someone murdered him.

    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.

    And the culprit was someone we¡¯d least expect. Lillian.

    Margo retrieved a footage collected by the camera that showed Lillian entering the home. Sergio

    allowed her in and she was thest to see him alive.

    Fingers pointed at her.

    The Muralo¡¯s were the number one discussion around the world. Their shares were going down,

    everyone pulled away from them.

    Apanied by Aiden releasing those nasty photos of them into the world, the Muralo¡¯s reputation

    had dwindled in one day.

    But the problem was¡­..no one knew where they were.

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    *2 monthster*

    It¡¯s been exactly two months since thest time the Muralo¡¯s have been heard from or seen.

    No one knew where they had gone off to. Where they were hiding.

    What they had done to both Sergio and Tenney was dying out. The first month was scaling hot with

    topics about the gruesome. murder of Sergio and the incest that was happening in the family.

    As for Tenney. We wished he got his justice.

    The cops found no evidence that it was one of the Muralo¡¯s who had killed him in cold blood. And I

    suspected if Margo didn¡¯t retrieve that footage of Lillian, she would¡¯ve gone scorched free too.

    Not that they caught her anyway. So I suppose she did go scorch free.

    And as for the incestuous photographs the media paraded around for an entire month, it was also dying

    out. New jaw dropping news was far better I suppose.

    ¡°Aw my little Ash bug.¡± I giggled as I bent down to pinch his cheeks.

    He was in a cute ck and white tux.

    ¡°He was so fussy to let me put him in that tux. I don¡¯t think he wants to give you to his dad. This little

    bugger wants you all to himself.¡± M giggled and pinched his cheeks.

    Ashton smacks her hand away and my lips part. ¡°Ash!¡± I scolded yfully.

    He was definitely in a mood.

    I giggled. ¡°Do you not want momma to marry daddy?¡±

    The door suddenly opened. ¡°Guys we gotta leave in ten if we want your hair to get done in time.¡± Ria

    uttered.

    In her hand is my beautiful white wedding dress.

    Yes, you heard right.

    Aiden and I are going to get married today.

    We were waiting on news about the Muralo¡¯s before we could, but Aiden got impatient and wanted to

    see his wedding ring around my finger.

    ¡®I need you to be Mrs. Xavier soon my little Soph. I can¡¯t wait no longer.¡¯ Were his words.

    So we took a little faith and decided to get married today. It was a bit of a rush but as long as Aiden,

    Ash and those we hold dear present, then everything will be perfect.

    ¡°The boys already left. Aiden looks constipated.¡± Ria snorted.

    My heart sinks and the smile leaves my face as I straighten up. ¡°Oh. Do you guys think he¡¯s having

    second thoughts about marrying me?¡±

    Ria snorted. ¡°Bitch please. Aiden having second thoughts? Don¡¯t make meugh. The guy looks

    constipated because he is actually scared you will call off the wedding.¡±

    My, brows, furrowed.

    She shrugged. ¡°Overheard them talking. By the way his friends are hot.¡± She looks over at M with a

    smirk. ¡°One looked like he was ready to pounce on M. That guy sure has an eye on you.¡±

    M blushed furiously and tries to busy herself with fixing Ashton¡¯s tie. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking

    about Ria.¡± She yed oblivious and fought to keep her eyes away from us.

    I smiled. ¡°Let me guess, is it Rnd?¡±

    M¡¯s blush darkened. I giggled.

    ¡°I knew it was him!! You two always argued back in high school but I knew it had something to do with

    sexual tension.¡± I snorted.

    M tries to hide her face. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. I never had a crush on Rnd.¡±

    Ria snorted.¡± Well if you didn¡¯t before, you do now. I saw the way you looked at him too you little whore-

    She winces when she catches my irritated re. ¡°Sorry? I meant you little female dog in heat?¡±

    M rolls her eyes. ¡°Shut up you guys. I¡¯m not supposed to look red.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d look hot red. I bet Rnd would be itching to bend you over and have his way with you.¡± Ria

    giggled.

    I bend over to block Ashton¡¯s ears. ¡°Ria! Don¡¯t say those things in front of Ash.¡± I scowled.

    She rolled her eyes. ¡°He¡¯s a kid. He doesn¡¯t know what I¡¯m referring to. His mind is filled with baby

    shark, he doesn¡¯t have room to think about anything else.¡±

    I rolled my eyes.

    ¡°And besides don¡¯t act like you and Aiden are innocent. You two definitely flirt in front of your son.¡± She

    pointed out which made me flush.

    ¡°Yeah but it isn¡¯t that bad.¡± I argued and unblocked Ashton¡¯s ears.

    ¡°Right. He just whispers it into your ear instead.¡± She rolls her eyes and then pointed at the door.

    ¡°Anyway we should head out now if we want to get to the church in time. Your mom inw, Ingrid and

    my mom are already waiting in the limousine.¡±

    Hours after the news of Sergio¡¯s passing and it being broadcasted everywhere on the news channels,

    Ingrid called me after acting strangely for the past prior days.

    She confessed Sergio had forced her to tell him about myte mother and about my past. Being guilty

    and ashamed for telling him, she couldn¡¯t bear to talk or see me. She mentioned being indecisive on

    telling me the truth, scared of Sergio threatening her even more.

    But when she saw the news she couldn¡¯t hold it in anymore. We talked it out and I told her she had no

    reason to feel guilty because I forgave her.

    ¡°Right.¡± I let out a shaky breath as I held Ashton¡¯s little hands.

    M¡¯s eyes narrowed on me.¡± You¡¯re not getting cold feet are you?¡±

    I shook my head. ¡°No. Just butterflies. I¡¯m finally going to marry the love of my life M. I just didn¡¯t

    know this day would ever happen after what we went through.¡±

    M smiled back at me warmly. ¡°You deserve all the happiness in the world Soph.¡±

    I smiled.

    ¡°Okay then, guys, let¡¯s go.¡± R¨ªa pped, and we headed on out.

    Ten minutes into the drive, and Meredith decided to grace us with the smell and sound of her fart.

    ¡°Ooph, sorry guys, must¡¯ve eaten something bad.¡±

    I blocked my nose, giggling.

    Even Ashton blocked his little nose.

    ¡°Oh my gosh, Meredith, you¡¯re about to kill us in here!¡± Ria coughed as she told the driver to open the

    windows.

    ¡°Gosh, I knew I should¡¯ve taken that dump before going.¡± Meredith sighed and wiped her brow.

    ¡°I think there¡¯s a bathroom in the church-

    Ingrid¡¯s words are cut off by the loud screeching sounds of tires. Suddenly, the limousine jerks to a

    sharp halt.

    I throw my hands over Ashton in protection.

    Everyone gasped in shock.

    I looked around when the sound of doors closing and opening reached my ears.

    I turned ghostly when I saw many figures dress in ck rushing over to us. Their faces covered with a

    mask.

    I froze, my heart beating quickly.

    ¡°Drive away now!¡± Meredith yelled at the driver who looked around helplessly. Many cars blocked his

    path. There was no way out.

 Chapter 191

    Chapter 191

    Sophie¡¯s pov

    My heart jams in my chest as the masked men reach the limousine.

    I protected Ashton by covering his little body as the ss shatters after one of the men mmed his

    elbow directly into the window.

    Everyone screamed and Ashton¡¯s sharp cry pierces through the air.

    Being roughly taken while trying to protect my son and everyone else was challenging.

    ¡°Let her go you fucker!¡± M yelled as she throws her fists at the man who held me. Anotheres to

    help and soon everyone¡¯s attempts to get me away from the mask men went fruitless.

    Thest thing I saw was ck as they quickly threw something over my head, cutting off my vision.

    I screamed as they pulled me away and cried when I felt something like a needle pierce through my

    arm.

    Seconds. It only took seconds to feel numb and lose the fight in me. It only took seconds to go into the

    darkness of my head. Seconds to feel hopeless and scared.

    I winced when I came back to consciousness. There¡¯s a bit of pain in my temples, an ufortable

    pressure.

    I groan.

    Peeling my eyes open and I¡¯m greeted with the same darkness.

    Fear reared its ugly head back in my body and I whimpered when I felt rope biting into my wrists.

    My arms are pulled back, around a chair, and my ankles¡­.I shifted them, well tried to. They were both

    tied too.

    Suddenly someone harshly pulls the bag off my head. I winced, squinting as I try to adjust my vision.

    ¡°Rise and shine sleepy head!¡±

    I winced as my ears rang from the loud tone he used. I squinted, lifting my head.

    I still saw a bit blurry but I could make out the figure and face of the person who captured me.

    Christopher.

    I spotted the satisfied smirk on his face the second the slight blurriness left my vision.

    My heart drops in the pit of my stomach. I had an inkling it was their sick family, I just hoped that

    perhaps I would be wrong.

    ¡°What the hell are you up to Christopher?¡± I sneered, ring at him.

    I flinched away when he roughly grips the chair handle and leans forward. ¡°I¡¯m upset you didn¡¯t send

    me an invite to your wedding Sophie.¡±

    Aiden and I¡¯s wedding ceremony was tight-lipped and was supposed to be private. No one, not even

    the media knew about it. The Muralos may have been keeping an eye out on us more than we thought.

    ¡°After all what we shared too? This just broke my heart.¡± He chuckled and blew me a kiss.

    Feeling disgusted by the sight of him and his words, I scowled. ¡°Aiden¡¯s going to kill you this time. The

    cops are probably on their way.¡±

    Christopher rolled his eyes and pushes away from me. ¡°You and Aiden had a field day two months ago

    huh? Spoiled our name, tried to put the me on us for Sergio¡¯s death-

    ¡°There¡¯s evidence that it was your crazy sister-

    I gasped when he pped me harshly across my face. I could taste the coppery tang of my blood when

    I swiped the tip of my tongue across my split lip.

    ¡°Don¡¯t call my sister crazy. She¡¯s more of a woman than you¡¯ll ever be.¡± He said icily.

    I red at the dirty floors. He brought me to an old unfinished building. That much I could tell by the

    unpainted walls and concrete floors. The ce had an odd stench of piss too.

    I brought my gaze back to his, and red at him in hatred.¡± You holding me here just proves how senile

    she is. In fact, all of you are a bunch of crazy nasty assholes.¡±

    His re intensified.

    ¡°And of course you¡¯d think she¡¯s more woman than I am, aren¡¯t you fucking her, you sick fuck? You¡¯re

    sleeping with your own sister-¡±

    Another furious p echoed.

    My eyes sting but my cheeks stung even more. I let out a painful gasp.

    ¡°Aiden should¡¯ve put a nuzzle on your mouth.¡± He sneered.

    I red at him, seething. ¡°Why do you have me here Christopher? What are you and your sister

    nning to do?¡±

    The fury in his eyes dissipates and is reced with an evil sinister look. ¡°The bride is curious.¡± He

    snorted and then walks around me. I stiffened when he is behind me, breathing down my neck.

    He makes the little hairs on my neck stand on end and makes a sharp shiver of fear crawl down my

    spine.

    His cold fingers skim my wrists. ¡°I bet you want to get free of this.¡± His fingers wrap around my wrists,

    directly on the rope. He squeezes brutally.

    I let out a groan. If he applies more pressure I fear he¡¯ll snap my wrists.

    ¡°Stop,¡± I whimpered.

    ¡°What? Not so tough now you whore?¡± He hisses beside my ear.

    I press my lips tightly, my heart racing in my chest.

    He lets my wrists go and walks back around me to now stand in front of me. He smirks down at me.

    ¡°You want to know why you are here Sophie?¡± He chuckles.

    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    I don¡¯t reply and he chuckles even more. I tore my eyes away from his, my mind racing. I need to get

    out of here. But I had a feeling I wouldn¡¯t be able to.

    Those masked men might still be here, surrounding this old unfinished building.

    Christopher crouches and unties the rope around my ankles while he answers my silent question. ¡°If

    you try to escape there are

    twenty men waiting for you outside. Once they see you out, they¡¯ll shoot. You won¡¯te out of here

    alive if you try anything funny.¡±

    His words had my feet frozen as he moves the ropes off. He straightens and walks back around me.

    ¡°We also have your son in another room. Anything funny, and he¡¯s dead.¡± He whispers behind my

    head, chilling me to the bone.

    Ashton.

    Tears welled in my eyes. ¡°What do you want from us? Please let my son go.¡± I cracked hoarsely.

    Christopher loosens the ropes around my wrists. If he had done it before he told me about Ash, I may

    have fought him to be free. But now that he confessed they had Ashton, I had to be cautious.

    He forces me onto my feet. My legs felt jello.

    ¡°Walk.¡± He grunted and pushed me forward. With his hand brutally wrapped around my forearm and

    guiding me toward another room, all I could feel was fear.

    He pushes me in and my shoulder ms against the concrete wall. I grunt.

    The room is a lot smaller than the one I had been in.

    Christopher digs into his pocket and pulls out something tiny and white. I could feel the blood drain

    from my face when I realized what was in his grasp.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to take this.¡± He sends it to me and it falls on the floor.

    ¡°Why?¡± I whispered as I looked down at the pregnancy test.

    Christopher tilts his head and smirks. ¡°Pee on the stick Sophie.¡±

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