Lincoln's POV

When Chris signed the dotted line I smiled knowing that everything was falling into place. I now had the controlling shares of the company he so believed was still his. Mel's timing couldn't have been more perfect when she barged into my office doing the one thing I had wanted to do for a while now. Her lips were as enticing as she crashed them against mine. Parting her lips after I begged her with my tongue. It took all the willpower I had to pull away from her before we got carried away.

Christopher's expression was priceless as I pulled her onto my lap and introduced him to her. I loved her being in my arms. This is where she belonged.

"You really should take up acting Mr Shields," she stated bringing me out of my thoughts.
"So should you," I smiled looking down at her.
"Oh please," she laughed. "Stop being modest," she gushed as we blended with the traffic.
"He seemed pissed off when I held you in my arms."
"Well good for him, that will show him what he lost," she murmured looking outside and enjoying the scenery.

"You do look lovely today sweetheart," I hold her softly.
"Thank you," she whispered looking at me with a smile.
"Green does suit you."
"It is my favourite colour, you of all people should know that," she said getting out of the car.
"Yes I remember," I said taking her arm and leading her into the theatre at Zachary's school.

----

"You were great out there baby," Mel gushed over her son.
"I agree with mommy, you were very good," Linc smiled handing him over to his mother's waiting arms.
"Thank you mommy. Thank you uncle Linc," Zach said cheerfully.
Lincoln excused himself to talk with the school principal about some ongoing projects.
"Can we go get some ice...? Daddy!" Zach yelled out making her turn in the direction he was looking at as he forgot about his ice cream request.

Chris walked up to her greeting them before taking his son into his arms.
"How have you been son?"
"I miss you, daddy. Mommy said we can't see you anymore."
"You can always com toe see me, right Mel."
"Well, I guess so. Maybe this weekend."
"This weekend will be fine," she said looking at her son who approved with a head nod.
Chris quickly scurried away before Lincoln returned.

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"I will come and fetch you tomorrow baby. You be a good boy for your dad right?"
"Yes, mommy. See you tomorrow," he said close to tears.
"So does lover boy know that I am his father?"
"No, all I told him is that Zach is visiting his grandmother. I would like to keep it that way," she said in a venomous tone that made him flinch in surprise.

Leaving him with his father she ran back into the car. This was the first time she was away from her son. Having grown up in an abusive home, her son's safety was always her top priority before even her own needs.

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"He will be alright sweetheart. Let's get you home so you can rest," I told her as we pulled away from the building.
"This isn't right," she mumbled as I tried my best to take her mind off worrying.

Arriving back at the manor I found my parents' car parked out front. Walking into the house my mother was the first to speak.
"Lincoln Shields get your butt in this room before I beat you black and blue for forgetting your family."
"Here we go," I mumbled under my breath as I pulled Mel to the living room.
"What is the meaning of....?" His mother said becoming silent when she saw Mel.

"Hello mother," I said engulfing her in a warm hug.
"Hello son," she said with pure joy before releasing him to greet his younger siblings.
"Everyone this is Melinda, my fiancé," I stated pulling her into my arms as everyone stood stunned.
This was the first time they were all silent in one room.

"Nice to meet you, Melinda," Charles his father broke the silence pulling her into a hug followed by his sister Megan, his brother Ethan and lastly his mother Rebecca who all greeted her warmly.
They all had black hair paired with blue eyes. One could see who had the dominant gene pool in this family as they all had a striking resemblance to their father, only getting their mother's straight nose and fair skin tone. Charles's aristocratic jawline leans more towards his son.
"I see my brother couldn't resist his chocolate," Ethan sniggered earning a slap on the head from his mother and a pinch from his sister.
"Behave boy. Lincoln is this the Melinda you always spoke of?"
Linc nodded his head answering her question.
"Well, it's lovely to finally put a face to the name. Lincoln always spoke of your days in the orphanage. But you look like you have been crying is everything alright?" She questioned sending a glare toward me.
"I am fine thank you, Mrs Shields. It's a pleasure to finally meet Lincoln's family. He has told me so much about you all," she said with a weak smile.

Excusing herself she went to the kitchen.
"Was it something I said?" My mother asked perplexed.
Sighing in exasperation I told them what was happening, aside from the fact that our engagement was fake and only for her to fulfil her revenge. Heading towards my office to take care of a few calls my father waltzed into my office closing the door behind him.

-------

"If you want to fool your mother next time make sure there is an engagement ring on the girl's finger to make it seem official. Besides one can see you are the one smitten and not her."
"How did you...? Never mind," he sighed knowing his father could always read him better than anyone else.
"Does she know you are in love with her?"
"No. Not really. I am helping her get revenge on her ex-husband."
"Remember to deal your cards carefully in a game of revenge. Or else your opponent will win the game."
"Yes, dad I know."

"You better take care of that girl, I can see she is hiding all her pain within," his mother said after barging into his office a few minutes later.
"Yes mother," I said becoming annoyed at being talked to like a child. "Please excuse me."
Getting up I left my office in search of Mel finding her laughing with his brother and sister.

---

"I am serious," these ladies were fighting for a dance with me after I turned each of them down. I mean just a dance what more if it was an invitation back to my place. It was hilarious I tell you, but what can I say, I was born a babe magnet," Ethan said with a smirk.
"Enough of your stories, we all know you were the one fighting for the girls' attention," Megan said rolling her eyes, making Mel laugh.
"Andre do you need any help, I am tired of these two's stories."
"No mam, everything is already prepared," he said before instructing his kitchen staff on what to do.

"What do you mean you are tired of my stories, I haven't even started. Oh, I should tell you about the time Megan slapped and dumped her drink on this famous actor."
"No, she didn't. Which actor?" She asked her eyes widening.
"I don't know some famous bloke, had to fight off the bodyguard I tell you. Thank God for these big guns he said kissing each of his biceps," as Megan rolled her eyes.

"Which guns," Lincoln asked walking into the room.
"These ones bro," Ethan said showing off his muscles.
"You mean those chicken wings," Megan scoffed.
"I'm telling mom," Ethan whined.
"Yes Mr macho, run to mommy," Lincoln said making everyone laugh.

"Mel can I talk to you for a minute," he said taking her hand and leading her out to the garden. "There is something I have to give you," he said pulling her down onto the bench.
Retrieving something from his pocket he knelt before her.
"Will you marry me, to aid in any way possible, to be your pillar in times of weakness," he asked her sincerely.
"Yes," she said with a smile.

Slipping the ring onto her finger she pulled him into a hug thanking him for his help.

---

Dinner was in full swing when Lincoln's phone rang. Excusing himself he picked up the call not recognizing the number.
"Uncle Linc," Zach whispered crying.

Visibly becoming pale, he asked, "Zach what's the matter?"
Everyone become silent upon hearing his worried tone.
"Linc what is wrong?" she asked him as he sprung up from his seat making the chair fall.

Taking hold of her hand he pulled her towards the waiting car ordering Walter to drive them towards Chris's house. His family stayed behind puzzled by his actions wondering what was going on.

"Zach is in trouble, he just called me. We are going there to get him now," he said pulling her into his arms as she started crying mumbling, "I shouldn't have left him with them."
"Sshhh everything will be alright love," he cooed.

-----

"You have to stay in the car or else our charade will be blown," she told him when he gripped the door handle ready to jump out of the car.
Understanding her he instructed Walter to stay by her side at all times. The security team having secured the area they headed straight to the private elevator shooting up straight to the penthouse in record time.
"Zach, baby where are you!" Melinda cried out panicking.
"Look for the child," Walter ordered his men.
Chris came down the stairs drunk and angrily shouting, "What is the meaning of this Melinda? You have no right to come into my house without my permission!"

"We found him!" one of the guards called out making them all head towards his direction.
Zach was under the bed, his eyes red from crying as he clutched his wrist.
"Mommy," he whispered as fresh tears fell down his cheeks as she pulled him from under the bed.
"What have you done to my son?" Mel screamed lashing out towards him making him lose his balance as he fell. She felt large hands around her waist pulling her away from Chris.
"Zach needs you, ma'am," Walter said softly guiding her towards her son.

Picking him up gently he nestled his head in the crook of her neck. Turning towards Chris she hissed, "By the time I am done with you, you will regret ever cheating on me or laying a hand on my son."