I walked through the home Richard and I built, my heart heavy. There was no trace of Sarah left, our cleaners ensured it. Yet I could still feel her here. I wondered if the scars she left would ever fade.I was trembling as I sat down on the sofa, still reeling from the news that was released about her. Countless affairs, and irrefutable proof that the child she was carrying was not Richard's.Climbing her way to the top like that...I never would have expected that. I couldn't wrap my mind around it. It was like I never really knew her at all, and it made me feel even worse for sacrificing so much for her.I felt like an idiot, and I was ashamed of my subservience. I catered to her all our lives, feeling guilty for having had the childhood she'd always wanted, when it was obvious that she lacked for nothing.She'd always had this way of making me feel inferior, and if not for Richard, I never would've been able to untangle myself from her web. I didn't even dare think about what would
My heart was pounding wildly as I led Elena to the helicopter that was waiting for us. I had negotiated more multi-million dollar deals than I could count, and never before have I felt fear like I felt today.“Are you okay?" she asked as I buckled her in. “You're so quiet."I nodded, unable to suppress my nerves as I sat down next to her."Where are we going?" Elena asked through the headphones.I beamed at her. “You'll see.”I held her hand tightly as we flied toward the cabin where our story started. I knew that there was no point in pondering on what-ifs, but lately I couldn't help but wish things had played out differently.What if I'd drank a little less and actually remembered my night with Elena? Would we have been happily married years ago? We'd have made so many more memories together, and we'd both have saved each other from so much pain."Wow!" Elena pointed out the window, a huge smile on her face when she saw the hundreds of flowers spread across the lawn...She was so rid
I slipped into my wife's dressing room and leaned back against the wall, taking a moment to just watch her. Her makeup artist was putting the final touches on her, and she looked fucking magnificent. Tonight, her long hair was loose and wild, spread all over her body, accentuating the blazing-white gown she was wearing.It was the same gown I watched her draw on Sarah's birthday. Seeing it on her tonight was surreal. Her creativity knew no bounds, and I couldn't be more proud of her.Her eyes lit up when she saw me, and I pushed off the wall. I grinned when she dismissed everyone in her room, no doubt reading the look in my eyes.“Richy," she said, smiling. I would never tire of the way she said my name. On her lips, it was simultaneously a prayer and a sin."Baby," I whispered. "You look far too fucking beautiful in this. I can't take this. I can already imagine what all your pervs will have to say about the photos of this book launch." She chuckled. “It's the last one, my love," she
“The nerve of that jerk!” Talia screamed as she stormed into my office, slamming the door hard behind her. I dropped my pen and swiftly stuffed the journal I'd been scribbling plot points for my next book into my handbag. Dragging my eyes up, I exhaled softly, mentally preparing myself for what I was sure was to be another one of Talia's tireless rants.I wondered who it would be about this time.After a couple of months, I woke up this morning with a vague idea of what my next book would be about. And as I wrote that idea down, I was pleased to find out that my writer's block was now completely gone, everything seamlessly falling into place. I knew the exact direction I wanted my next book to go and was pumped to figure out a lot more as I wrote, but with my best friend here, there was no way that would be be happening soon.“Not the best of mornings, I presume, babe?” I chuckled in greeting. There was only one person who could rile her up like this, and I had no doubt that whatever
“What on Earth does he want from you this time?” Talia scoffed, her eyes narrowed as I hung up and placed the phone back down on the table.“Uh...” I trailed off, forcing a tight smile. I knew she wouldn't be pleased with what I was about to tell. “Sarah's birthday anniversary comes up in a few days. He needs me to accompany him to the store so he can get a present for her.”Talia snorts, gritting her teeth. “And you blindly agreed? What the hell is wrong with you, Elena?” She exhaled, running a hand through her hair, and when she spoke again, her tone was lighter. “You know what, call him up right now and tell him you won't be coming. She's his girlfriend, and he can always figure out what she'd love as a birthday gift. Why do you have to help him?”“It's not a big deal, Tee,” I said, even though I wasn't sure if it wasn't. It's been years, and I still give in to his wishes no matter what. I could disappoint anyone else but him. That goes to show how head-over-heels in love with him
An hour later, at exactly three o'clock, I received Richard's text informing me of his arrival. I was done with plotting, drawing up character arcs for my book, and had been waiting eagerly. The second I got the notification, I stood up and took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself to see him again. My chest was suddenly on fire, goosebumps spreading all over my body. Good goosebumps. I didn't head outside immediately, waiting back for a few minutes. Grabbing my purse, I locked my office and headed toward the entrance, sighting him from far off as he leaned against his car, fiddling with his phone. He'd brought his Lexus today. With each step I took, my heart raced faster and faster, the sound growing louder and louder, drowning me in it.How could a man look...so out of this world? So fucking perfect?Every time I saw him felt like the first.I pause for a minute, and inhale deeply, taking him in. I'd memorized his soft features like the back of my hand. That silky blonde hair,
A flash of light, followed by the sound of a camera click startled us both, and I turned to my side to find a paparazoo that had been stalking my lately smirking at me. “What the fuck,” Richard gritted out, taking a step toward him, but the paparazoo bolted off, quicker than lightening. “That idiot — ”I held onto Richard's arm, preventing him from going after him. “Leave him. He's not worth it. Let's just... let's just go inside. Come on.”He exhaled, placing a hand on the small of my back, causing me to look up at him. “This is all my fault, Elena. I should've known that taking you to public places would result to this. I'm so sorry. That picture will never see the pages of a magazine or tabloid, I promise.”I shook my head, and we began walking toward the entrance of the store. “It's nothing, really. I've become used to it over the past few months. I can't stop living my life because I'm afraid of getting photographed all the time. It used to annoy me, you know? The public always
“I'm not sure I'll take Sarah's advice to invite the Krashingdowns to the wedding ceremony,” Mom said. “Their daughter, Eloise, has been Sarah's nemesis right from when they were little. It gets even worse because Eloise works in the same hospital with Sarah, and I'm sure she tries her best to outshine your sister. Not that she's ever successful. Sarah is that surgeon everyone trusts and wants to handle their cases. She's a star.”I gasped, looking up from the book I was reading. “Eloise now works at Elysium Healthcare?” I asked, surprised. How could that be? Eloise and I were pretty close. She was a sweet soul, and one of my best friends, and there was never a time I remember her disliking or even talking about Sarah. Yes, they weren't the best of friends, but Eloise kept to her lane. I wouldn't be surprised if Sarah had been feeding Mother lies about Eloise because she felt insecure. Eloise was also a hot-shot surgeon who knew her work quite well, and if she'd moved to Elysium Healt