“How dare you speak to Mr Andrews in that manner?” A middle aged woman suddenly appeared and slapped Aiden across the face. “Do you know who he is? Do you think you both share the same status?”
“Mother-” Aiden stared to speak but another slap on his face interrupted him.“And who are you calling mother? I don’t have a son like you. Instead of being rude you should grovel at his feet and hope that he favors you but no, you simply have to cause a scene.” Ruby Reyes, Aiden’s supposed mother in law who appeared at the scene looked enraged, not even giving him a chance to speak. “Why should I beg for his favor, I don’t need it?” There was an unyielding expression on Aiden’s face, he didn’t not intend to back down.Everyone burst into laughter, Amelia most especially. “Did I hear you correctly?”“Yes!” Aiden replied.“You couldn’t even afford to get my aunt a proper present, your presence here was just because we didn’t want it to seem like you were being cast aside.” Amelia rolled her eyes as she placed one of her hands on Blaise chest. “Amelia-” A petite, short woman approached them, as she walked over the crowd parted to make way for her. “No matter what, Aiden here is still your husband, you shouldn’t look down on him irrespective of his status.”“Aunt Bella,” Amelia called out softly before walking to the woman, holding one of her hand. “He doesn’t seem to understand, he doesn’t even have a proper job and he’s living off my money but then he’s being arrogant.”“Shhh, don’t let it become public that we don’t take proper care of members of our family,” Aunt Bella chastised her niece gently, in her heart, she couldn’t help but feel repulsed. If she had her way, she wouldn’t have let her only niece get tied to a marriage that she never wanted. “Aiden, there is a lot of food, you can help yourself to some and even ask the waiters to pack some for you on your way out.” Someone in the crowd said, a lot of people snickered at his words.“Yes! You don’t have to pay for it, it’s completely free.”Aiden felt his face burn in embarrassment, it was continuously made known to him how he doesn’t fit in upper society lifestyle. A lot of people who were present wore professional suit while sitting in their offices strategizing, making huge amount of money every passing minutes, but also sometimes changed into elegant clothes in order to hold up a wine glass, chat cheerfully and wittily under mutual deception or make alliances with people of the similar social status. “I don’t need freebies, thanks for the offer.” Aiden lets out after a moment of silence. “Mother, Aunt Bella, I would take my leave now.” He nodded at both women, pretending not to notice his mother in law’s darkened face. It was a big party and a lot of people who were invited to the party took this chance to show off their wealth, in order to impress others. “Not so fast, I think you should first apologize to Mr Andrews for your earlier words.” Amelia had a smile on her face but it didn’t reach her eyes, she was indeed a beauty, the blue gown she was wearing had a long train behind it, it hugged her figure greatly, the V neck was deep enough to reveal real sight of her breast.She was an actual model to every lady who saw her at the party and a real sight for the men to behold. Ladies tend to fawn around her, giving compliments each minutes to get in her good side. “Yes, I’m sure Andrews would give me some face and not hold it against you.” Aunt Bella smiled at Blaise.“Anything for you auntie, just an apology would suffice.”“And what if I say no? I don’t think I need to apologize to him.”“Such arrogance.” Blaise commented as his eyes darkened in anger, it was obvious that he won’t let Aiden off so easily.“My arrogance is a type of self protection while yours is practically digging your own grave.” With that, Aiden started to walk away, his daughter Zia was ignorant of the commotion and had already fallen asleep in his arms.“Wait!” Amelia called out to him.Aiden stopped walking midway. “I suppose its time I told you that our marriage would be ending soon.”“Really?” There was no emotions in Aiden’s voice, and no change in his expressionless face as if he was expecting it. “Yeah. So I hope you are prepared to sign the divorce papers and finally let me have my freedom.”“Your grandfather-”“My grandfather has already agreed to this so there’s no need to bring him up.” Amelia rudely interrupted him.“Finally, the queen of our hearts would be single once again.” “Hurry up and get rid of this gold digging bastard!”“Amelia would you give me a chance, I promise to get you a diamond ring!” Most of Amelia’s admirers who were present in the crowd were overjoyed by this announcement. “Are you serious about this, Dearest Amelia?” Blaise asked once again for confirmation.“Yes. My daughter would finally have a chance to choose a man of her choice. No one would be allowed to interfere this time.” Ruby, Amelia’s mother responded. Her words were clearly heard by everyone present. “Aiden if you need anything in the future, you can always come to me, I’ll be happy to assist you in any way I can.” Aunt Bella said, she seemed to be concerned about his welfare but Aiden knew that she was actually rejoicing that he would be out of the picture soon.Aiden chuckled coldly, his heart hardened against the Reyes family. “Good luck, I hope you don’t regret your decisions in the future.” He slowly exhaled before he sauntered off without a backward glance.As soon as he left, the party resumed it’s usual glamour, Aiden was pushed to the back of the minds of everyone, no one really cared about him as there were no benefits attached. As Aiden walked away with nothing but Zia in his arms, no one could tell what he was thinking from his expressionless face, one of his hands were clenched in anger and frustration. Upon arriving outside the venue, he quickly flagged down a taxi wanting to be away from the place immediately. He entered the taxi with his daughter and gave the driver his address. Getting home, he quickly ran a bath for his daughter and soon tucked her in bed. “Daddy,” Zia called out to him with a smile as Aiden tucked her in.“Yes darling.”“Is mummy going to come see me?” she inquired with an hopeful look on her face.“Mummy has to be somewhere else right now but I’m sure she’ll come see you when she returns.” Aiden had no choice but to lie to his daughter seeing the expectant look on her face, he couldn’t bear to crush he
The next day, Aiden tried to avoid everyone in the house, some of the people who he unfortunately came across gave him strange looks and threw harsh comments at him but he was completely indifferent about this, ignoring their words and trying not to act on his emotions. He knew that something was brewing and decided to go with the flow of things. He spent the day in his daughter’s room, telling her stories and playing with her, he only left when he had to get breakfast and lunch for the both of them which led to encounters with Amelia’s cousins.“Look who’s here?” A young boy in his teens laughed boisterously and extended his arm out, blocking Aiden as he was stepping out of the kitchen. “So you are Aiden, my cousin’s husband?” His tone was condescending. “I am. Liam A good dog doesn’t block the path, if there’s nothing else, please step aside.”“How dare you speak to me that way, you are nothing but my family’s servant.” Liam leaned forward, wanting to mock him more but this was
Aiden frowned at her words, but it quickly disappeared before it was seen. It was dark and raining heavily, there was no way he could leave since he didn’t have a car and hasn’t thought of place to stay, there was only one place he could run to but he wasn’t sure if it was still safe. He turned to the patriarch who was still looking in his direction with indifference. “I have to leave right away?” Aiden inquired.The man nodded his head. “The five years are up and from now onwards, you would no longer be a part of our family so it is only right that you leave immediately. I won’t pursue what you did to my grandson.”Aiden felt conflicted. “But it’s late-”“And what does that got to do with us, why don’t you hurry out of here, we don’t have forever.” Ruby, his ex mother in law interrupted him. She couldn’t wait for him to leave.“My mother is right. Could you take your daughter and leave my house, and you must never return here.” Amelia said. “Okay, I hope you don’t regret your ac
Aiden opened the door, the room was clean but it was very obvious that no one had lived there for a long time but it was very warm and cozy. Aiden helped Zia out of her wet clothes and wrapped her up in a clean blanket. “Sweetie, I’m going to run you a hot bath, do not move an inch from here.”“Yes Daddy.” Zia had already stopped crying, she was shivering from the cold and Aiden had wrapped her up like a burrito to warm her up. Her eyes were red and swollen and she was in a daze, completely traumatized by what had happened earlier. Nothing went wrong and soon Aiden tucked Zia in bed for the second time. “Daddy, are you okay?” She finally asked. Throughout the time Aiden bathed and dressed her up, she was still in a daze, like a puppet. Aiden didn’t know what to say or how to reassure her. “Yes honey, I’m fine,” She lied to her once again and she seemed to buy it. “We would stay here for a while and wait-” “Mummy isn’t coming.” Zia announced all of a sudden, catching her father unaw
The nurse gave him an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry but there’s nothing I can do about it.”“Is this your hospital policy? That anyone who comes here should be refused treatment?” Aiden’s face was expressionless but on the inside he was breaking. He glanced at his daughter who was still unconscious and pale in his arms, clearly she was in a lot of pain. “Please do something, I can foot the bills.” “Are you sure about that?” A familiar person said in a sarcastic tone of voice, Caspian returned with a smirk on his face. “Do you think you’ll be able to pay for your daughter’s treatment now that you have no money?”Aiden was itching to throw a punch at him to wipe the sarcastic smile off his face but he restrained himself. “What did you do?”“Nothing much, just spoke to some people here, that’s all,” Then he burst into laughter. “Do you think I was simply going to let you off after what you did, it’s unfortunate that it’s a little girl’s life that’s on the line now. Tsk.”“I would take
The sole purpose of the veil was to avoid drawing attention to herself and keep her identity a secret. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the front door.Aiden was surprised when he heard the knock, he wasn’t expecting anyone and he doubted if anyone knew him. Leaving Zia in the living room, he was in the bathroom to check his injuries. His sides were black and bruised as a result of the broken ribs. “Zia, check who’s at the door!”Zia stood up obediently upon hearing her father’s words. When she approached the door, she realized something. “Daddy, I can’t reach it.”Outside the door, the woman chuckled upon hearing Zia’s soft voice that sounded aggrieved. Aiden, left with no other option, wore a shirt and stepped out to meet his daughter. “Come here sweetie. Up.” He lifted Zia in his arms, softly hissing in pain.“Are you okay, Daddy?” Zia placed a finger in her mouth and pouted, a rare look of maturity on her face. “Yes, Daddy is fine.” Aiden reassured her before opening the doo
Hours passed and Zia no longer had a fever by the time it was afternoon. She was sleeping peacefully so Aiden was finally relieved, he began to wonder about the woman’s identity and how she was aware of Zia’s illness. After making a lot of guesses, none of them seemed correct so he pushed the matter to the back of his mind. Opening his phone and checking his bank balance, there was just a measly three figure sum left which was only enough to get him and his daughter through one more day. “What do I do?” He placed his hands over his face in contemplation.There was a lot of things he hadn’t put into consideration. He couldn’t get a job without having someone look after Zia and even if he got one, Aiden wasn’t comfortable leaving Zia in the care of others. He had learnt the hard easy from the past and wasn’t willing to repeat the same mistake. He had to find a means to work from home.Like a light bulb brightened in his mind, Aiden grabbed his phone to check the stock market and starte
The detective would cough blood in anger if he heard how the old man referred to him. “Aiden Romanov. That’s my name” Aiden smiled, for years he had been searching for his true identity, even though he had limited means. “I’m Lorenzo Romanov, the CEO and chairman of Romanov conglomerate.” Aiden was stunned, he blinked his eyes a few times. Even though he didn’t watch the news, Aiden had heard a few things about the prestigious families in New York, with Romanov as the number one. “Cool right?” The old man laughed in happiness, seeing the stunned expression on his grandson’s face. “I guess that’s why he needs a lot of bodyguards.” Aiden thought out loud, seeing the darkened expression on Lorenzo’s face, he gasped. “Oops. I didn’t mean-”“You brat!” Lorenzo was fuming as he got to his feet. “Since I’ve found you, I can now retire to my private island and leave all the responsibilities to you.” The way Lorenzo’s expression could change in seconds amused Aiden. One minute he could be
Aiden turned to Silvana, who was watching with a soft smile. "And for you," he said, walking over to her and enveloping her in a warm hug. Silvana teased him, her eyes twinkling. "I hope you brought me cookies too, or I might just cry." Aiden laughed, pulling out a bag of freshly extracted fruit juices and some snacks. "I’ve got something even better." Silvana's smile widened as she took the bag. "Good for you," she said, playfully nudging him. "You know how to keep a girl happy." They all laughed together, the tension of the past few days momentarily forgotten. They headed inside, the mansion's grandeur welcoming them as they settled in for dinner. The dining room was warm and enchanting, with soft candlelight and the rich aroma of roasted vegetables and seasoned meats. The long, elegant table was adorned with their favorite dishes, carefully prepared to bring comfort. As they sat down, Zia’s face was alight with excitement. "Daddy, guess what happened at school today!" Zia's v
As the call disconnected, Aiden felt the familiar pressure of stress weighing heavily on his mind. He pushed himself up from his chair, hoping that a brief break might help clear his thoughts. He walked purposefully out of his office and onto the balcony, his steps echoing lightly on the polished floor.The office balcony offered a stunning view of the city, a mosaic of lights and movement. Aiden inhaled deeply, the crisp air filling his lungs. The architectural beauty of the building he was in, with its intricate designs and modern touches, was a small solace amidst the turmoil of the past days.He gazed out at the sprawling cityscape, taking in the bustling streets below and the towering skyscrapers that reached for the sky. The fresh air and the scenic view provided a momentary escape from the chaos that had surrounded him. He allowed himself a few moments of peace, letting the calmness wash over him.After a while, Aiden turned to head back inside, but something caught his eye. A
Zain’s face twisted with frustration. “please do, thank you. I’ll have to find other ways too. I can’t just let him rot in jail.”“Do what you must Zain. At this point, anything is better than nothing. I’ll take my leave now.”Both men shared a handshake, and Zain watched the Lawyer head for the door.Zain reached for his phone, his hand trembling slightly with a mix of anger and desperation. It was time to pull every string he had.Zain dialed the number of his old friend, Senator Marshall, a man with considerable influence. The phone rang twice before a smooth, familiar voice answered.“Marshall speaking.”“Senator, it’s Zain Romanov. I need a favor,” Zain began, trying to keep his voice steady.“Zain, it’s been a while. What can I do for you?” Marshall’s tone was friendly, but Zain could sense the underlying caution.“My son, Bryden, has been arrested. I need you to use your influence to get him out. The situation looks bad, but I know you can help.”There was a long pause on the o
For a moment, there was only the sound of their heavy breathing, the aftermath of their heated encounter settling around them. Aiden’s mind slowly began to clear, the weight of what had just happened pressing down on him.Amelia, sensing his return to reality, pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “See?” she whispered. “You still want me, Aiden, you always have, and I do too. You know how to make my body tremble right at your feet.”Aiden’s heart ached with conflicting emotions. He knew he had betrayed Silvana whom he truly loved, and yet he couldn’t deny the powerful pull Amelia still had over him. His mind was a maelstrom of guilt and desire, leaving him adrift in a sea of confusion.Amelia’s voice broke through his thoughts, a seductive promise in her tone. “You don’t have to choose, Aiden. We can keep this between us. No one has to know.”Aiden was not planning on telling anyone, especially as it could hurt Silvana so much. He knew he had done wrong, but he could not deny that his body
“We were married for five years, Aiden,” she murmured, leaning closer, her breath warm against his ear. “You just met Silvana. She can’t possibly know you the way I do. I know you love exploring my body, you love it when you bend me over, or have my legs hung on your shoulders.”Aiden’s resolve was crumbling, piece by piece, under the weight of her words and the relentless onslaught of desire. For as long as he could remember, for the past five years of his life as husband to Amelia, there was no day he did not worship her body. He had never seen a woman as beautiful as she was until he met her. How could he forget all the things she made him love when they made love or had random sex, especially during her pregnancy with Zia.Aiden could not deny it, Amelia had a body he had known too well. The curves, the bends, everything. It was for this reason it killed him more than treating him like trash when she went around sleeping with anyone who wasn’t him. She knew how to make him beg he
“Amelia, please stop,” he said, his voice strained. She ignored him, her movements growing more frantic. “I can’t... I can’t do this alone,” she cried. “I need... I need...” Aiden moved closer, his heart pounding. He wanted to comfort her, to help her, but he was torn between his love for Silvana and his desire to alleviate her suffering. “Amelia, let me help you.” Her eyes locked onto his, filled with a mixture of desperation and hope. “You can’t help me, Aiden. Not in the way I need.” Aiden reached out, his hand trembling, and gently took her hand in his. “I can try. Please, let me try.” Amelia’s body shook with sobs as she leaned into him. Aiden had plans only on holding her close and comforting her that way, but before he knew it, his tongue was in her mouth, searching it’s depth. As his hand rested in between her legs, it dawned on Aiden that he was about to do more than he should have. He knew he no longer loved Amelia as much as he did some years back, not with Silvana i
“Mr. Romanov, we have a warrant to bring Bryden in for questioning regarding his possible involvement in Daniel’s death,” one of the officers stated, handing Zain the official document.Zain’s face flushed with anger. “This is preposterous! My son has nothing to do with any of this. I will not allow you to take him.”“Sir, we are just doing our job. Please do not obstruct justice,” the other officer replied calmly, unperturbed by Zain’s outburst.Realizing that his influence was failing to sway the officers, Zain watched helplessly as they proceeded to handcuff Bryden and escort him out of the mansion. Bryden’s expression was a mix of fear and resignation as he was led away.Once the officers were out of sight, Zain hurriedly pulled out his phone and called his lawyer, pacing the length of the living room. “This is unacceptable. Bryden has been arrested. I need you to do whatever it takes to get him out,” he barked into the phone.After ending the call with his lawyer, Zain dialed Pat
Sam scribbled down notes, his mind piecing together the events. “Mr. Benson, a person was murdered, and your car was seen near the scene. We’re trying to find the culprit, and it seems your car might be involved.”Carl’s eyes widened. “Murdered? My God... I had no idea.”Sam leaned forward, his tone reassuring. “Don’t worry. As long as you cooperate, you’ll be fine. Do you remember anything else? Anything that might help us identify this man?”Carl seemed to hesitate, then his eyes lit up with a sudden recollection. “Wait, there is something. When he tried to grab my car keys, we struggled a bit. I managed to hit him on his left arm, and he winced in pain. It looked like he had a pretty bad wound there.”Sam noted this down with keen interest. “That’s very helpful, Mr. Benson. Thank you. If you think of anything else, no matter how small, please let me know.”Carl nodded, looking relieved to have contributed something useful. “I will, Mr. Larson. I just hope they catch whoever did thi
“I saw the email come in,” Sam replied. “I was about to call you, actually. We’ve managed to trace the engineer who disappeared after your parents’ crash. He’s been living in the Caribbean under a new identity.”Aiden’s pulse quickened. “Are you sure it’s him?”“Positive. We’ve verified his identity through multiple sources. I wanted to confirm with you before involving the local authorities.”“Do it,” Aiden said decisively. “And also run a check on the plate number from the footage. We need to know who owns that car.”“On it,” Sam replied, his tone crisp with determination.The next day, Aiden’s phone buzzed early in the morning. It was Sam, and his voice carried a note of urgency.“Aiden, we’ve got him. The engineer, Dan, has been arrested and is currently in custody.”“That’s great news,” Aiden said, feeling a mix of relief and tension. “What about the interrogation?”“It’s just started. I’ll keep you updated,” Sam promised.Hours crawled by as Aiden paced his study, the weight of