"D-David?"

He ignored her.

"David that's enough, you'll kill him!" She yelled. "He's not worth you getting into trouble with the law."

He suspended his hand mid air, then delivered one last punch on the man's face before letting go of him.

"Get out." He growled lowly and the man stood up and scampered for safety with his battered face.

He turned to her. "You okay?"

She nodded.

He had come there to make a quick call and had seen her struggling with the bastard who had had his hands all over her.

"You weren't hurt?" He asked, looking her over, doing his best to avoid staring at the parts of her skin that were exposed.

"No." She replied. "Th-thank you for rescuing me."

"I couldn't just stand there and watch him ravish you, now could I?" He smirked.

"I'm still grateful." She said looking away. Her heartbeat picking up a different pace, one of excitement.

He said nothing and she looked up at him from beneath her lashes. Her heart pounded faster and she found her knees going weak under his gaze.

"I - I never had the chance to thank you for helping us get the contract..."

***

She was fucking beautiful. And she always drove him crazy.

The only person that could easily turn him on even without trying. This woman.

She was saying something but he wasn't listening. He let his eyes roam over her to satiate their urge.

Her milky skin glistened under the moonlight and for a second, he didn't blame the bastard that had tried to force himself on her, for he too felt like burying his face on those creamy exposed shoulders and elegant long neck.

His gaze slid slower, taking in her curves. Even after childbirth, she was still perfect.

The slit. That slit that exposed her thigh gave birth to really dirty thoughts that involved him doing unmentionable things to her.

He found himself wishing he could catch a glimpse of the rose tattoo on her inner thigh then he felt his member go harder than it was few seconds ago.

He finally noticed she had stopped talking and was quietly staring back at him. And she was blushing.

The girl drove him crazy.

But his passion was transient as he remembered she now belonged to another and even had his kids.

He slightly scowled. Angry with himself that she still affected him after all that had happened. Angry with her for not being contented with him, for cheating on him. Angry with her for binding herself with Dominic Samuels forever by bearing his children.

And she was here with him tonight.

"Do be careful whenever you are out on your own," he said drily. "You could never know who's watching and waiting for the right time to strike. And for God's sake, stay close to your date." He spat and made to walk past her.

"David..." She blurted out without thinking and he stopped and turned his face to meet her eyes.

She cleared her throat, not knowing what to say. Why did she have to stop him?

"I...I just wanted to say...thank you and..." She inhaled. "Congratulations on your upcoming wedding."

She saw an emotion flash through his eyes before it was quickly masked.

"Thank you." He nodded stiffly. "I'd advise you go in or get someone to stay with you if you really want to stay out here." He made to walk away again but she stopped him.

"Wait." She took a deep breath when he stopped again. This time he didn't look at her. He kept staring forwards.

"Do you...do you really want to marry her?"

She knew it was the stupidest question ever for her to ask but she couldn't help it. She didn't even know what was wrong with her. Perhaps the drinks she had, had given her the boldness and courage.

"She isn't forcing me into it if that's what you want to know." He replied drily, still facing forward.

She swallowed. Why was she doing this?

"Okay." She said calmly. "I just wanted to be sure that you know what you're doing."

Then he turned to face her.

He slowly walked towards her and her breath seized.

The heady scent of his cologne that has become his signature scent wafted through her nostrils and she fought the urge to close her eyes and pull him closer as he hovered over her.

He stared down into her eyes with an expressionless face for long seconds.

But his eyes were filled with unspoken words. Words that confused her. Words that she couldn't decipher.

"Marrying Chanel could turn out to be one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made." his eyes pierced hers. "But it's a risk I'm willing to take."

He stepped away from her, then walked out of the balcony when he saw Dominic standing at the entrance, brooding.

Annabelle released the breath she had been holding and blinked back the tears that threatened to roll drown her cheeks.

She gave Dominic a halfhearted smile.

"Dominic..."

He raised his hand. "You should have told me you wanted to come see him, Annabelle. You didn't have to use the restroom as an excuse."

"No I did go to the restroom..."

"What is it about him that makes you run to him at every chance you get? What does he have that I don't!?"

Annabelle frowned at the man in front of her. What had gotten into him?

"Dominic what's the matter with..."

"Why do you keep going after him when the man clearly doesn't want you!?" He exclaimed and she stilled.

The blood drained from her face and her heart stopped for a moment.

He just hit a nerve.

Dominic had never talked to her like that before. They had had several misunderstandings in the past but it was never like this.

His words were like a hot knife been pierced into her skin.

She looked at his face, filled with anger, disgust and desperation.

"Dominic..."

"He has rejected you several times but you still do not want to learn! What else do you want? His wedding date shoved into your face? Why do you keep stooping so low where he's concerned!?" Dominic snapped in uncontrollable anger. "You are a total disappointment Annabelle! You are nothing but a disappointment!"

She was shocked at his words. She wanted to scream at him and order him not to talk to her in that manner. She wanted to stand up for herself but she was too tired.

And after all, what he said was the truth. David didn't want her anymore. Never had from the very beginning. And he had made that clear this time.

Then she was suddenly filled with rage.

"Do you have to rub it in!?" She boomed. "I know he doesn't want me but do you have to tell me to my face? I thought you never want to see me hurt!? I thought you always claim to want the best for me? Or have I been blind to your selfishness?"

"How dare you talk to me like that..."

"No!" She shouted. "How dare you talk to me like that? You can not even be compared to David! He's ten times the man that you are and can ever be! He's everything to me that you could never be! He was once my husband! And he is the father of my children! You haven't been able to achieve any of these with me because you are not man enough and you could never be like him!"

She stormed out of the balcony leaving him in shock and gaping after her exit.

She knew she would regret talking to Dominic like that but at the moment she didn't care.

She found her mother and let her know that she was going home early.

That night in bed, she released a flood of tears.

Dominic might have been cruel with his words but everything he said was true.

❤️❤️💎

Ingrid's eyes were still glued to the newspapers she was reading the next morning, even after Annabelle handed her a cup of coffee which made Annabelle curious.

"What is it that you're so engrossed with, mum?" She asked nonchalantly.

Ingrid looked up at her with a weird expression. "Uh, I guess you haven't seen the news this morning?"

Annabelle shook her head. "No, what's up?"

Ingrid sighed deeply. "The media now knows that David is the father of my grandchildren."

❤️❤️