Vera sighed a sigh of relief as she settled into the comfort of her best, ready to retire for the night.She had to force herself to at least get her nighttime skincare routine done, which took all her willpower and her desire to have flawless skin always.It had been quite a hectic day for her, and usually, she would get some work done before bed, but she was making an exception for today just as she had promised Ivan.A smile painted her face brightly as she thought of him and this thing, whatever it was between them.Her feelings for him were like she had never felt for anyone before, and she knew this, part of her even agreed with her assumption that he felt the same way.His smile had matched hers when he came by the office to pick her up after work, just like he had promised, and he came with flowers and a cute little note about how beautiful she was.Bella had cooed sweetly, and waved them goodbye as she zoomed off herself.Vera knew she would not herself the half of it when th
Chapter 75Are's eyes lit as his phone pinged, he said a diligent prayer before picking up the phone, hoping he saw the message he desperately wanted to see.“I could go away, stay low-key somewhere until I have this baby, but I want you in our lives. I cannot do this alone, I would rather not do this alone.”His lips stretched in a smile as he ran a hand through his hair. A heavy sigh of relief escaped his lips as he reread the words.He decided to call her instead of texting, he needed her to say that to him, and he wanted to be certain she wanted this too.The phone rang twice before she answered.“Still with the ring twice rule?” He asked. “Very much so.” Came her curt reply. “What do you want, Ares?” She asked. “I wanted to be certain you wanted this. Are you sure, eve?” He asked concerned. “What can I say, it is not like I have a choice, do I?”“Don’t say it like that” Ares countered.“So long as it is the Maldives or Bali, I am going,” Eve said, subtly hinting where she want
Chapter 76Ivan drove home in silence, his eyes focused on the road.He had known he would regret it the second the words left his lips, yes he had work to do, but he would much rather stay with her.He considered driving back and telling her he had canceled all plans, but it was already too late, and he was far gone from her place.Gripping the stirring until his knuckles turned pale. His teeth grind against each other, producing weird, sharp sounds as he maneuvered through the late evening traffic.Ivan got tired of the silence and reached for the radio, turning it on he winced at the loud sound and reduced it, to barely a hearable volume.His mind was far away from the music, he just needed the extra sound to diminish the effect of the silence.“Who is that?” He asked no one in particular when he saw a strange car parked in his drive.He was not expecting anyone and even if he was, whoever it was was not supposed to park there.Parking just behind the car, he stepped out to inspec
Chapter 77Sara lounged on the balcony with her guitar, she was slowly adapting to being able to perceive light, and she loved every moment of it.Anna had said her vision would clear up definitely, though it might take some time.She had seized all thoughts of Ares, it seemed he wanted to be left alone, so she did exactly that.She had spent her entire morning with Anna, and they had gone to the stores for a bit.Slowly she was beginning to make out shapes, and she experimented by not taking her walking stick along, and everything had gone just fine.Anna had cheered for her, getting her favorite cookies as a reward.She strummed the guitar slowly, humming accordingly.Pinks what about us came to her mind, and she hummed lowly as she played her guitar along to the tune.The event that happened at the store flashed through her mind and she shook it off immediately.It was somewhat off and nerve-wracking to her, but she had just dismissed it as overthinking.They had bumped into someon
Chapter 78Vera woke up to the sound of her phone on her bedside table.She groaned loudly and stretched lazily before reaching for the phone, chuckling lowly as she saw the caller ID.Instantly knowing the reason she called, Bella would only call this early if she needed tea, and tea she definitely would have.“Bella, it's 6:45 am” Vera whined into the phone.“It is never too early to hear some good tea, so spill.” She said commanding.“There is nothing to spill, unfortunately,” Vera said, yawning and scratching at her eyes with the back of her hand.“Come on!” Bella whined. “Okay fine,” Vera said.“Yes,” Bella cheered, “so…”“So he dropped me off yesterday, and I invited him in, but he declined. He had some work to do, so he could not stay.” Vera paused.“And I freshened up, got into bed, and used my vibrator while I thought of him and our weekend together.” She finished and waited for Bella's response.“It is not exactly what I expected but you naughty girl” she chuckled on the ot
Chapter 79Ares laid her gently on the bed, resisting the urge to just toss he in it and take her at once.He wanted this night to be unforgettable for her and himself too, he wanted to awaken every memory of their lovemaking that she might have forgotten.His lips found hers and he continued his sweet ministrationsSara could not help it, all she could be to moan his name and let him do whatever he asked and wanted to do to her.She felt a strong sense of nostalgia as his hands and lips roamed her body. It seemed so familiar, like she had been here before, with him.“Ares” she moaned his name when his kisses went even lower. She felt self-conscious instantly, not wanting him to see those hidden parts of her.“Please let me,” his voice came, pleading and soft.She eased her things away from each breast, giving him the access he needed, her dress was free, so it gave him even more access.He rolled down the length of her t bunching it just above her hips he took in her skin, his finge
Ivan woke up tired, turning to look at the clock, he gasped when he saw it read 10:45 he had not planned to sleep this late, and he had work.Jumping out of bed and scurrying into the bathroom, he did his usual morning rituals.Brushing his teeth hurriedly, and cleansing his mouth.He dashed into the shower, turning on the cold water and letting out a soft Yelp as the sprinkles fell on his naked skin.It was safe to say that was his most hurriedly taken shower in so long.As he stepped into the bedroom with a towel hanging loosely on his waist, he turned to his room and bumped into Artemis.“Good morning” she cooed“Good morning” he replied and walked to the dresser.“Sleep well?” She asked as she sashayed to him. “Why didn't you wake me up early?” He asked, ignoring her question.“You looked so peaceful when I left you, I did not have the heart to wake you up from that.” She said, her fingers on his shoulders.“When you left me?” Ivan asked confused.“Yes, is there a problem?” She a
Ares groaned as he turned to look at the owner of the little hand that wrapped itself around his torso.He rubbed at his eyes for a second and shook his head to clear his foggy brain before focusing his eyes on her again.“Sara” he whispered slowly to himself, recalling the event of the previous night.A wide smile stretched his lips and he ran his fingertips along the edges of her face.She looked, so peaceful, sleeping like a baby overdose and high on breast milk, he liked to see her like this, wanted to see her more like this.He hovered there for a few more minutes, admiring her beauty and innocence when her eyes opened to him.“You are staring,” she said simply “I cannot help myself, you are gorgeous” he gushed at her.“Good morning” she greeted, lowering her face into his chest to hide her blushing face. “Good morning, beautiful, I saw that blush,” Ares said chuckling.She hit his chest playfully, burying herself even deeper into the crook of his neck.They lay like that for s
Chapter 190Ivan peeked at the back from where her seat every two seconds, he was a nervous wreck but tried his best to conceal that fact.His bride was yet to come, and with each passing minute, he wondered if she had changed her mind.Hermes patted his shoulders in reassurance, but his mind still was not settled.Ivan turned to look at the door again, this time his eyes met with Ares, who was beside his fiancé, Sara.Ares gave him a curt nod and a smile, while Sara waved enthusiastically.Ivan returned the item Ave and a nod before turning to face the judge.He and Vera had decided on a simple court wedding with close friends and loved ones. She had adamantly refused to have a big wedding as according to her, she was already too heavy, and organizing one would drain her.She was a perfectionist, so organizing a big event would mean going all out, and she was already too heavy for that.Ivan understood her more than anyone, they were expecting their little one anytime now, as Vera w
Chapter 189Sara sighed in relief when they all walked out of the Hamilton's house and headed for the car.This was the happiest she had been in a long time, it seemed like she had found a missing piece of herself in that little girl.They looked alike in so many aspects, and Sara would be lying if she said she did not see fragments of herself In that little girl.Her eyes, just like hers are big, brown, and Beautiful. Ushering on win into its beautiful depths.Holding so much emotion even for someone as young as her, and Sara felt like she had the trophy when she held her in her arms.When she had let Sara hug her, Sara had sobbed holding her in her arms, she smelt like heaven, felt like paradise and when she smiled, Sara compared the brightness on her face to the stars in the Galaxy.And although Sara had not told her who she was, she felt Aria could sense it, from how much they looked so alike to each other and something deeper The girl had her eyes trained on Sara the whole time
Chapter 188Catherine was glad that she was able to convince Marilyn, otherwise. The other woman, while she may seem like a softie, was a hard nut to crack.But Catherine had done it all, all by herself. Slowly, Marilyn was becoming her usual cheerful and outgoing self.Catherine could remember when Marilyn had started therapy a few days ago and had told her she had an idea.Her genius idea was to reopen the case of Steve Anderson's death and the missing of her husband.Catherine had stopped in her tracks while staring at Marilyn with surprise.This was the same woman who had argued with her when she recommended taking the case further.Catherine had disagreed the very minute the words had left Marilyn's mouth.She could not let her friends go ahead with a plan, a very dangerous one that could endanger her.What if whoever killed Steve was out there, what if they watched her take them internationally, and then she became their new target?She was unable to let it, and will not let it
Chapter 187Ares smiled into the mirror as he buttoned the last part of had shirt, carefully tucking it into his pants.He had been smiling since he left Sara's, it was like that one kiss with Sara had brought back the spark in his life back to him.His eyes were not so dull, his skin looked revived, and the bags under his eyes were less visible.Running his fingers in his hair to smoothen it down, Ares picked up his key and dashed out of the room.Ares drove out of the driveway with a new-found hope, meeting with Sara had given him a strength he never knew he lacked.They had agreed to meet Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton again, but this time with Sara in their company.He hoped she would keep the same energy as she had before they parted ways last night.Parking the car, he walked into the house you get Sara, they were already running late, and he still had to fetch Anna before they left.“Hey, I am here for Sara.” Ares said when he saw Hermes stepping out of the house just as he went in to k
Chapter 186Sara sighed as she looked around the hospital room one last time. As much as she hated it here, she would miss these walls.These blank white walls that she had stared at all those nights when she could not sleep from all the pain that coursed through her, body and soul.Tuning to a waiting Hermes, she gave him a curt nod to signify she was ready to leave.Hermes patted her shoulders in reassurance, guiding the wheelchair out of the room and into the Hallway.Sara smiled and waved at the few patients whose faces she could remember, she would miss them.Not so much, though, but they had contributed one way or the other to her journey of recovery.As they wheeled out of the hospital, she sighed in satisfaction as fresh air hit her face, greeting her and the sunlight cast its warm glow on her skin.The fresh air she felt was a giant contrast to the sterile air inside the hospital, one she had slowly grown accustomed to but was now leaving behind.The scent of fresh air mingle
Eve stared into the evening sky, smiling as she gazed at the stars that glittered in the distant galaxies.She felt she had every reason to smile, things had surprisingly been working out for her and Gede.They finally moved into their place all with the blessing of his family, and she had made peace with her friends.Carmen had not taken her decision to settle in Bali very lightly, threatening to come get her every day.But Eve knew that they knew not to come and get her, she liked it here, scratch that, she loved it here.Oliver, on the other hand, had been the last person to forgive her. Eve could not blame her, she loved her more than anyone else in the friend group.Of course, she was the most hurt, it broke Eve's heart when she thought about what she did to her or how she might have felt.But what had been done had already been done, she had made the mistake, and it could not be taken back.Kira, sweet old Kira was the least disturbed, she had just shrugged and said she knew and
Chapter 184Keeping her little family private was not exactly a choice that Athena had chosen for herself, but it was what seemed to be right at the time.She had made a family, a small, beautiful one with a mortal whom she had bared herself to.Alex was the one man who had seen beyond her mortality, and even more understood her when she explained who she was.They had met downtown when Ares had sent her on an errand. They had bumped into each other while she was trying to cover her tracks.Something had clicked between them ever since, and Athena could not resist it.Of course, they had met again, and again, and again. By the third time they met, they were stumbling into his little apartment.Lips locked, hands all over each other, and clothes flying off their bodies. Stumbling and quickly, they had found the bed and Athena was unable to remember a more passionate night for her.They had made sweet love, with his hands and mouth on every inch of her body.Athena knew then that she wo
Chapter 183The rest of the ride was quiet, and soon they were there, parked in front of the house, with Ares too skeptical to walk up to the door.“You know we can't just sit here in the car and stare at the door all day,” Anna said, sighing in frustration.“Yeah, I know, it's just… I don't know Anna.” Ares said, his fingers gripping the steering wheel tightly, Ares exhaled a long breath.“Ares, we should go.” Anna urged him, “Let's go, come on.” Anna said, stepping out of the car and peeking in to give him a stern look.“Come on Ares,” Anna said as she walked towards the door.It was evening already, and Anna hoped with everything in her that they were in and would be willing to let them see the child.Ares finally gathered enough courage to step outside the car and all towards the door.Anna had already rang the bell, so she stood aside and waited for the door to open.Walking over to stand behind her, Anna turned to give him a reassuring look before ringing the bell again.This ti
Athena sighed as she rolled over in bed, it was one of those days when she would rather not in bed than get up for any reason But she had plans, and with the company being her sole responsibility now since Ares embarked on the journey of finding his child, she needed to be at the office.Rubbing her eyes for a few minutes, Athena finally rolled out, sitting at the edge of the bed and contemplating if all this was really worth it.Or perhaps she could ditch work and everything else for the day, fall back into her bed, and pretend none of it even existed.Scolding herself, she pushed off the bed and headed for the bathroom to get ready.Getting right into it, she did her morning business. Brushing her teeth lazily as she sat on the toilet bowl.Tearing her pajamas off her body when she was done, she trudged into the shower Putting on and letting the cold shower cascade down her back. Exhaling sharply as the cold cut through her skin, giving her goosebumps. It was precisely what she n