I can hear her.

Her muffled voice.

She's trying hard not to scream but..... She's a screamer. I know that.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her.

She thinks she can get away from me. But she's so wrong. She will never be able to get away from me. Never. Ever.

Again, I hear her struggling. I know what she is doing in the bathroom, and she has been doing this frequently, which is not helping her. She needs help… And, I can help her, but her pride is too much. It's not like I don't understand our relationship dynamics. I am very well aware of our complicated status, where there is a high chance of her leaving me.

Yes, she can leave me, despite being in love with me. One thing, Theo has executed perfectly, his presence and withdrawal, gave my wife the glimpse of being in power. She has now tasted how it feels to have the upper hand in any relationship. And, she has been set out to maintain that current conditions. She has denied my sexual advance multiple times, and I am guilty of forcing myself on her… Considering my hideous acts.

I knocked.

She doesn't need to masturbate, I can help her. I need her. Maybe we can help each other.

She stopped.

Sometimes, I question, who taught her masturbating? Because she acted like a virgin whenever I take. She doesn't even know how to spread legs for me.

“James?” She questioned, timidly. “Is that you?” Her tired voice reached my ears.

“Do you need help?” I attempted to open the door. I have to take her… Now.

“Nah… I am good.” I heard her opening the faucet. It took her a while before she opened the door.

Wearing the ankle-length, lavender cotton nightie, she looked like every other woman. The only difference is, she's my woman. She hasn't worn our wedding ring, but that doesn't matter. I don't need that validation to claim my wife… All I need is her consent.

“Is everything fine?” She looked confused… And concern. “Do you need help?” Looking at my feet, “are they hurting? You have been so busy with kids that you are missing your therapy. Can you walk?” She asked.

“I can walk. I have started exercising at home with the army of Carter.” Pushing gently to her inside the bathroom, I locked the door. “But my question is, do you need help?” I turned to look at her.

She is still confused, but she is not afraid. I am thrilled to see her standing in front of me, confident… With trust in me. I can call it one of our baby steps towards our future together.

Taking steps towards her, I noticed her facial expression. No change at all. “I heard you..... What were you doing?”

Widening her bare eyes without glasses, she looked down at my manhood and gulped loud enough for me to hear. Presently, I am praying, she doesn't assume that I would be forcing her. Her consent is important. “Nothing that concerns you.” She scoffed with confidence.

Before I could realise what I'm doing, I rushed to her and pulled Her into a kiss. Those warm, soft lips, always looked kissable, but I had to control myself. The destruction we faced together was enough to teach me, that she will pass her values to my daughters and if she is quiet, submissive, takes my shits like an obedient wife then my daughter could get that. I don't want my daughters to be like that. They should be a better version of my wife. Strong. Confident..... Patience.

“I can take care of myself.” Pushing me, she was about to walk, but I stopped her. “Once kids are awake, you won't be able to care for yourself,” I smirked when she shivered with my offer.

Turning, she sighed and attacked me with her kiss. I gladly took her. I aimed to consume her, to ease Theo from her memory.

As she started to push me to the Jacuzzi, I took off my shirt. “Calm down, Mrs Carter.” I attempted to catch my breath. She's feisty.

“Shut up.” She growled and pushed me into the empty jacuzzi. Her demand aroused me. And, I admire her taking off her oversized nightie. Damn! Seeing those stretch marks… I realised it doesn't matter. What matter is her..... Only her.

“You are perfect,” I mumbled and opened my arms for her to sit on my lap.

“Your shorts.” Rolling her eyes, she entered into the empty Jacuzzi but didn't join me. She sat at the edge for me to get naked and watched me while taking off her underwear.

I obliged. My wife is something demanding and I have to take care of that. That's my business. Once, she was ready to join me, I pulled her into the jacuzzi and laid her. She fit perfectly, and I climbed on top of her.

“What are you doing?” She glared at me.

“Taking care of my business,” I mumbled and kissed her while entering her. She gasped but didn't stop me.

Travelling deep into her, slowly, I feel her every inch. She's perfect. She feels perfect. I never realized what Norma was doing is not normal. I grew up under her shadow. To me, that was normal.

“Finish it.” She hit me, and that's when I started to thrust her, like I am supposed to do.

“Dad, please come home.” I heard Dean's cries echoing in my office. I just hope nobody hears this in the house. Although, I am sure everyone is sleeping, who knows? This House is full of active kids.

Dean has been a brave child since day one, but today, he is broken. I have been getting his voice mail a lot. For him, I was his father… His real father is busy with the other family. I don't like that man, especially learning what his sister is doing with my sister's fiancé. I haven't confronted the family because I am aware of the disinterest of Jess in Nicholas. She was marrying Nicholas because mom suggested a merger.

Again, I am sure it's Norma.

What a manipulative woman Norma was. We wanted to punish her, but she collapsed that same day while my wife demanded Justice, now, she is in hospital… In mental asylum. Even though she claims that mom escaped from the hospital willingly, I find it hard to believe. Even Mark confirms mom escaped with no one's help, but I believe someone must have implanted the idea. And that someone is Norma.

Norma lived a life like a royal. Her empire…. And we were her slave. My biological parents lost their lives, my family was ruined because of her. And, Daniel… I feel bad for him. He knew Norma is the habitual liar, but he never assumed she is a psycho.

Knock.

Knock.

I didn't wait and jogged to the door to open the door. It's late, and I am sure it must be, my feisty wife. Maybe she needs more of me.

But as I opened the door, it was my daughter, Cherish.

I looked at the watch.

It's 1.40 A.M.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Just your son has been harassing me.” She yawned and passed me her tablet. “He is what… 12 or 13. Who gives him this idea? Every time I block him, he creates a new email ID. First, it was social media now email. If he calls me….” She pointed her finger at me. “I don't know what I'll do. Maybe Uncle Geo will help me.”

I sighed and read the email. Dean is out of control. I do want to talk to him, but Anna said, he is not my responsibility. But I love Dean. He is my boy.

Opening the door, I invited Cherish for a father-daughter conversation. I have done this multiple times, only to face rejection. But I can't help with it. I don't know where this power comes to me, but I am willing to face this rejection from them multiple times until they genuinely ask me to leave.

She glared at me and her hand rested on her waist. “What games you are playing?”

“I want to interact with you.”

“Is there any reason for this?”

“I don't need a reason to interact with you.” I smiled.

She rolled her eyes and stomped to my seat. No one dares to do that… That's my seat. I earned it. I worked hard for it. Started with nothing, yes, I accepted that I was given the empire by my father, but I expanded it with effort.

“You have to earn that seat,” I said.

“But mom will give it to me.” She shrugged off.

“To secure your future, but if you keep this attitude, you could lose it.”

“Then why did you give it to her?”

“Because she contributed to my success.”

“I think, you gave that credit to ANNA.” She taunted me.

I sighed, knowing that she was right. Anna has been my best friend. And, I will always be thankful to her. But it's my wife, who is a real champion. I was working because I knew my wife is taking care of my family.

“Both Anna are the reason for my success,” I admitted.

“Then you should give a few of your empire to her as well.” She is angry.

“I am sorry.” I apologize. I know, I should have had this conversation long back, but I couldn't. Maybe I was so focused on my wife that I forget that Cherish needs that attention too.

“For what?” She faked confusion.

“For everything… For my absence. For Dean.” I rushed to her side and kneel in front of her. “To me, Norma was so normal. I didn't realize what she is doing is unusual.”

“I know what she did.” Her words left me off guard. I thought she is not aware of the reality, but she knows. “Norma gave me her diaries. I read them.” She added.

“She was a mother figure to me.” Breaking into tears, I let my daughter see what an excuse of a man I am.

She rubbed my shoulder, assuring me. “Even I thought that's normal. For us, it was normal. Jamie is too young to remember that. But for mom, twins, it wasn't. I think, Mom subconsciously knew Norma is off… Occasionally, she indirectly challenged her. As if, she's endeavouring to prove that she is the queen. But twins, they really never liked her. When twins say they don't like someone, trust them.”

“If you know all this, then why did you behave like this with me?”

“Because you looking comfort in someone else's arm has nothing to do with this. Norma never told you that. Reading her thoughts, I realized… Her plans backfired. That's why she never included anyone. But you… You were a fool. You run away from the problem, instead of facing them.”

“I.....”

“Cherish.....” My wife's voice interrupted us. Did she hear us? “I am not forcing you, but you should stop judging someone from their past.” Walking inside, she approached us.

“It means you are giving him the chance.” With anger, Cherish got up.

Say yes, Mrs Carter.

“That's for me to decide.” she politely answered.

“He threw me in the boarding school. He took you from me.” Cherish is about to cry.

I couldn't help but hug my sweet daughter. “Everything will be fine.”

“Why did you do that?” my daughter cried out.

“I am so sorry.” Hugging us, My wife let me and my daughter have our moment.

“I want Dean out of my life.” Suddenly, Cherish snapped and breaks the hug. She didn't forget to break her tablet before leaving.

“What's wrong with her?” I was confused with that behaviour. What just happened?

“It's hard to be the father of a daughter.” My wife started to pick the pieces. “Don't bring her new tablet. She needs to learn the importance of things.”

“Do you think she will forgive me?” I asked.

“Forgiveness is a journey.” She said.

.