Another time skip 👀 Enjoy!

1 Month Later

"Hey Mini Milk." I giggled, rubbing my bump in front of the mirror.

At 17 weeks, I finally had a bump forming. It wasn't that big yet, but you could see it if you looked.

"Did you have a good sleep?" I whispered, studying my stomach. "I did. But I'm missing your papa."

Costa had been gone for the last couple of weeks in Europe. He stopped in Sicily first and then flew to Serbia to meet with the Petrovic Family. We were making really good progress with the war against Kozlov, but Costa still insisted it wasn't time to try and kill him.

He said we only had one chance and we had to time it perfectly.

Part of me wanted to go back to Sicily with him since it had been a month since I was last there. But now that my family knew about my pregnancy, I was actually enjoying being in New York. Even with Costa gone, I was busy every day with Damian and Julius or my mother.

I was still stood in front of the mirror when I pursed my lips, now with the most important thing on my mind. "You want pastries for breakfast too, don't you?"

Whenever foods randomly popped into my head, I believed it was my baby telling me to eat them. And we liked the same foods. I could already tell this was the start of a best-friendship.

"Let's go then. We'll get pastries then I have to go to work. Although, I think we'd both be happier in bed today. Right, Mini Milk?"

The silence in the room was a yes.

I started calling my little unborn baby Mini Milk after Costa started calling me Milkshake - although Principessa was still his favourite.

I thought Mini Milk was cute considering how much my baby also loved milkshakes. It's been proven by the number of times I randomly think about milkshakes - Reese's flavour to be exact. I never used to drink Reese's milkshakes before I was pregnant which is how I knew it my was baby.

My Mini Milk loves Reese's milkshakes.

My morning routine was the same ever since Costa left. I spoke to my Mini Milk the entire time while I got ready for work. Then I asked my driver to stop and get breakfast before heading to the office.

Unfortunately, while I would be hoping to start reducing my workload soon, My CFO, CMO and COO - all suggested by Costa - were ready to take on even more work.

"I don't know." I sighed, sifting through the financial projections in front of me. "If we go ahead with an expansion, we risk losing control of what we've already built - of what I've already built. With me leaving in a few months, it could-"

"Millie, if I may-" my new Chief Finance Officer spoke up. "-I think this will be a good thing for the company. You've built a strong foundation, and we're ready to take it further. Your husband has put together the dream team, so to speak."

Costa had helped me to form the best team that were qualified, not only to run my publishing company in my absence, but to take it to new heights. He also made sure they knew they answered to me, so there would never be a risk of anyone trying to push me out for more control.

The problem was that with putting together such a dynamic team with years of experience, they all wanted to achieve way more than just working for an up-and-coming publishing company.

They wanted to expand and make it bigger and better, but I was scared about that.

"Let us handle it. We know what we're doing." He spoke with such a reassuring tone with his years of experience in this field.

"I know you can do it." I said, glancing at the rest of the team. "But this isn't just about getting bigger and better. It's about maintaining the vision and culture I've spent years creating."

The Chief Marketing Officer leaned forward, his tone reassuring. "We understand that, Millie. We know we weren't here when you first built this company. But we can see the work you put in. We can see your values and your commitments. We know what this company stands for and what it means to you and we'll make sure to continue that as we expand."

"I know you do." I replied, my voice softening. "But being so far away, I worry about losing touch with the day-to-day operations and the nuances that make this company unique. Expanding will exacerbate this."

"We've set up a robust communication system." My Chief Operating Officer chimed in. "You'll receive daily updates and have real-time access to all meetings and decision-making processes. We'll ensure you're never out of the loop."

"I want to believe that." I admitted, feeling a pang of anxiety. "But there are so many moving parts with an upcoming expansion - the new hires, the change in direction, all the new authors and books-"

"Millie, we'll be prepared. We have time to prepare before you leave and while you're away we can always talk."

I nodded, trying to absorb their confidence. "It's just hard to let go. This company is my baby, and now, with my actual baby on the way..."

"We know it's a big step." My CFO acknowledged. "But you'll always be in control, even from Sicily. And the team and I will make sure everything runs smoothly here in New York."

"I trust you." I said, looking around at their determined faces. "I trust all of you. Just promise me you'll keep the communication lines open and stay true to the values I've built here."

"We promise." They said in unison, their commitment evident.

I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "Alright, let's go through your expansion plans then."

And just like that we spent the next three hours going through the presentation they initially brought me.

Of course, since I was 17 weeks pregnant, we paused for a couple of bathroom breaks and a snack.

One thing I've struggled with in my pregnancy is needing to pee, all the fucking time.

I always believed it only became a problem when your baby becomes so big it pushes on your bladder. But apparently, it's possible to pee like Niagara Falls all the way through the second trimester too.

While my COO was speaking, a movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention.

I turned my head, my heart skipping a beat when I saw Costa standing in the foyer outside my office. The floor-to-ceiling windows gave me the perfect view of his tall, domineering figure clad in one of his classic Brioni suits.

My lips parted in shock while he flashed me a dazzling smile, holding the most beautiful bouquet of red roses.

After being away in Europe for weeks to work with the Serbian Mafia, he was finally back - and he appeared in the most unexpected way.

"Millie?"

"Hm?" I forced my eyes away from my husband and back to the three highest managers of my company.

"I asked you what you thought of my suggestion? For the employee review? On page fourteen."

"Oh...uh..." I looked down at my papers, trying to make it to page fourteen because for some reason I was still on page three. "It's...let me just find it."

But I couldn't concentrate. Not with my husband only a mere 20 feet away outside my office.

He completely caught me off guard.

When my eyes drifted over to my highly amused husband who could apparently tell I was stumbling like an idiot in front of my senior staff, they finally understood.

"Maybe we should conclude for today." My COO smiled, pushing her chair back. "It seems you have other things on your mind."

"I'm really sorry." How unprofessional was it? I was the CEO and I was letting my husband's sudden appearance turn me into a mess.

"It's no problem. We've been at this for hours. We'll catch up with you later, Millie."

"Thank you." I smiled, watching them file out. They passed Costa on their way out, each of them greeting him respectfully.

Then he came into my office, coming over to where I stood in the middle. I opened my arms for a hug, stepping up on my tip toes since he would always be way taller than me, even in heels.

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek as I hugged him.

"I missed you." I whispered, feeling him wrap his arms around my waist.

"I missed you too, Principessa." He nuzzled his face into my hair, releasing a long breath of tension.

After a long few moments he released me just enough so he could kiss me. It was short and sweet and he only just managed to pull away before a commotion in the foyer caught my attention.

"Ow!" I recognised my assistant's voice.

"Sorry! I'll make it better." And Giovanni.

Fucking Giovanni.

"Don't touch me." My assistant growled and I sighed, letting go of my husband to deal with the mess. Or, to let Costa deal with the mess.

"Get them away from her." I spoke through gritted teeth while my husband sighed. He handed me the roses before going out into the foyer to drag those idiots into my office.

At least he left me with my roses so I could admire them and hopefully calm myself down.

"I told you not to do anything stupid."

"We didn't." Aidan scoffed, limping into my office. "He did."

"It's not my fault she couldn't follow instructions. I told her to sit still while I adjusted her chair, but she kept moving around! I wanted to make her more comfortable."

I took a deep breath, trying to channel my irritation into a calm, measured response.

I'm a boss bitch mother now. We have to be calm.

"If you ever cause chaos in my office again, I will leave you both with permanent scars. Do you understand?"

That was calm, right?

Their eyes widened at my threat while Costa chuckled to himself.

Then my husband stepped forward, flashing his twin cousins a look. "I apologise for them, Millie. I did tell them not to do anything stupid."

"Like that?" I nodded towards Giovanni who was now picking up a glass ornament off my shelf. It was a wedding gift from one of my distance relatives.

"Cool." He murmured, handling the heavy ornament.

"Put it down." Costa snapped, annoyance biting into his tone. "Now."

"Fine." Gio sighed exaggeratedly, carefully putting it back on the shelf.

Once Costa was sure they weren't about to smash anything of importance to me, again, he turned back to me.

"I'm sorry, I need to go. I need to take Aidan to the doctor. Apparently, I broke his ribs when I helped him sit down earlier."

That explains why Aidan was limping.

"You did! I can barely move." Aidan winced dramatically, clutching his side. "He shoved me on the private jet and I fell over. Now my ribs are broken, Millie."

"I was helping you sit down." Costa rolled his eyes, ignoring the way I rose an eyebrow at him. "And if your ribs were actually broken, you wouldn't be able to stand up straight. Stop being so melodramatic."

I couldn't help but smile at their exchange. As much as I enjoyed the peace and quiet while Costa took the twins to Europe with him, I did miss their presence.

Turning back to me, Costa's eyes softened. "I'll handle this then I promise I'll cook dinner for you tonight. We'll have the penthouse to ourselves, and I'll make it special. Just you and me."

"That sounds perfect. Thank you, Costa."

He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips. "I'll see you tonight. Try to finish up early and rest, okay?"

"I will." I assured him, watching as he guided a limping Aidan and grinning Giovanni out of the office.

As the door closed behind them, I took a deep breath, letting the calm return to my space. I sat back down at my desk, the bouquet of roses brightening my mood.

I spent the next few hours tying up loose ends, delegating tasks, and reading through a new manuscript sent by an author.

Then it was finally time to go home.

Gathering my things, I made my way to the car waiting for me in the underground parking garage as usual.

It didn't take long for my security team to get me back into the underground garage of Costa's building. Surprisingly, traffic was relatively light which was unheard of for Manhattan at this time of the evening.

The elevator doors of the penthouse opened and I walked in to the smell of something delicious wafting from the kitchen.

Costa said he was going to be cooking for our date night tonight and the thought had been on my mind ever since he left my office.

Costantino Accardi is one of the best cooks I've ever met. It was definitely a skill I didn't expect from him, but I loved taking advantage of it. Especially for date nights like this.

A smile crept onto my face, and my tiredness from the long day at work began to melt away. I couldn't wait to see him and catch up properly after being apart for so many weeks.

But as I stepped into my usually immaculate living area, my smile faltered.

An unfamiliar bag and shoes lay discarded on the couch, a sight that didn't make any sense to me. My heart skipped a beat, a gnawing unease starting to build in my stomach.

Was another woman here?

I walked further into the open plan area, my eyes scanning for some kind of answer. The kitchen was abandoned, the food still on the stove in the saucepans probably to stay warm.

But Costa was nowhere in sight.

The sound of someone coming down the stairs caused me to spin around.

There she was, standing in the hallway with wet hair clinging to her shoulders, barefoot, and wearing one of Costa's shirts. She looked like she had just stepped out of the shower. My stomach churned, and a lump formed in my throat.

"Hey, Millie." Zari flashed me a casual smirk, as if she hadn't just completely shattered my world. "Just needed to freshen up."

My mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. My hands shook as I placed my bag on the kitchen island, my heart pounding in my chest.

~ Zari's POV ~

The elevator doors opened and I stepped into the penthouse. Since it was all open plan, my gaze immediately caught on to the movement across the room in the kitchen.

Costa, Millie's husband, was standing behind the kitchen island stirring something in a pot.

There's just something about this man that makes me do crazy things.

I had timed my arrival perfectly, slipping in just as Costa was prepping for his date night with Millie. It wasn't hard to find out their evening plans. I just had to message Millie's assistant, claiming I had a surprise for her tonight. I'd been keeping tabs on them anyway, and today was the first day Costa was back in New York.

So I might get a little crazy when it comes to the men I want. But who can blame me? This man is everything. Millie shouldn't get to keep him to herself, not when she knows I like powerful, dominant men.

If she was a good friend she would have offered to share him. I dropped enough hints about the kind of man I like and she had one all that time.

The anticipation thrummed through my veins as I approached. I knew Costa would be expecting Millie any moment, which made the whole thing even more thrilling.

That little bitch deserved to lose him.

The movement caught his attention and his head snapped up, his eyes immediately landing on me. The way his green eyes darkened sent shivers down my spine - the good kind of shivers.

Definitely the good kind.

"Zari? What the hell are you doing here?"

"Is Millie around?" I smiled, putting my purse on the white couch in the centre of the open plan area. "She said I could borrow something."

"No." His tone was hard, his brow furrowing in confusion. "She's not here. You should go."

"But she promised she'd be back by now." I frowned, approaching the island where he stood. I made sure to swing my hips, my movements sultry and alluring. I pouted my lips, tilting my head to the side. "She said you guys were having a date night?"

I threw in that piece of information for a very specific reason. Costa wouldn't expect me to know that unless Millie told me herself. And if he thought she told me, then he'd think we were on good terms again.

So his guard would come down. And it did.

"You're cooking? That's sweet. I like a man who knows how to cook." I used my favourite flirty tone - the one that always lands me the man I'm after. "Do you need any help?"

"No. I was just finishing. What do you need from her?" He went back to stirring the food one last time before switching off the heat on the stove.

"She said I could borrow a dress. I have a date tonight." I smiled, following his movements carefully. The way those tattooed hands worked in the kitchen...damn.

"But I can just wait until she comes home. I don't mind." I shrugged, heading around the island to his side. I leaned against the counter, making sure to get close enough that he could smell the expensive perfume I picked out just for him.

"Maybe you should wait over there?" He murmured, refusing to meet my gaze as he put some used dishes in the sink. "Wouldn't want to get dirty or anything before your date."

"Oh, you seem pretty skilled. I doubt you'd splash me or anything." I laughed, edging a little closer. "Although, you do have some sauce on your shirt."

For emphasis I lifted my hand, tracing my fingers over the stain on his white dress shirt. He glanced down at my hand before grabbing it, moving it back to my side.

"Maybe I'm not that skilled then. You should be careful." So dangerous. So alluring.

"Oh. I'm sure you are." I smirked, lowering my voice. "Skilled in many ways."

"What dress do you need?" He suddenly stepped away, putting the lid on the saucepan to keep the food warm. "I'll get it for you."

"Oh, that's so kind of you. It's the black one." I smiled, watching as he wiped his hands with a cloth.

"Black one?" He frowned, that typical male cluelessness appearing. "She has a lot of black dresses."

And that's what I was banking on.

"It's the one with the straps." He still stared at me with a blank expression. "The top is a corset style. She said it would make my boobs look good."

For emphasis I placed a hand on my breast, purposely drawing his attention to my chest. His eyes only stayed on my boobs for a split second before he averted his gaze away, clearing his throat.

"Maybe she left it out? She knew I was meant to stop by tonight." I suggested.

"I'll go and find it." He muttered, storming past me. The tension in his body caused me to smirk as I watched him ascend the stairs.

Damn he's hot.

I let him look for the imaginary dress for a few moments, taking off my shoes to leave them next to my purse by the couch.

Then I quietly headed up the stairs, going into their bedroom. It even smelled like him. Although, her scent was there too and it kind of ruined it.

"Did you find it?" I called, watching him emerge from the closet.

"No." He shook his head, irritation lacing his tone. "You should go. I'll let her know you stopped by."

"Oh, just let me find it. No offence, Costa, but you're a guy. You probably just missed it."

"I'm not letting you go through my wife's things without her permission." I can't lie, his assertiveness was making me wet.

If only he'd bend me over and show me just how assertive he could really be.

"It won't take me long to find it. I know where-"

"No, Zari. Just go. She'll be home any minute and I need to get ready. If you want, you can wait in the parking garage or something for all I care." As he spoke, he headed over to the bedroom door, holding it open for emphasis.

"Fine." I sighed, going to the door. "But, you know, she's going to say I could have just grabbed it. This is unnecessary."

"Maybe." Was his response as he followed me out of the bedroom. He watched from the top of the stairs as I headed to the couch to get my things.

I was definitely feeling irritated when he waited for me to get in the fucking elevator like he didn't trust me to leave.

Well, he was right to wait, but still. He was making it more difficult for me to get what I wanted.

No matter.

The chase is often the fun part.

Knowing he wouldn't wait forever, I got in the elevator and waited inside for a few minutes. Then I went back inside, putting my things back just the way they were before. This time, I tossed my shoes apart to make it look a little more rushed.

Then I quietly headed back upstairs to the bedroom, smirking when I heard the shower running.

Once inside, I was quick with my work. I undressed, deliberately leaving a trail of clothes on the floor.

I left my jeans and shirt on the floor and my bra hanging off the edge of the bed. But my favourite part was my thong. I left it as a little treat for my best friend to find.

I yanked the sheets off the bed, tangling them messily and tossing the cushions and pillows around. I wanted it to look like something had happened here, something intimate and chaotic.

I stepped back to admire my work, a wicked smile spreading across my face at the sight.

Then my eyes landed on the bathroom door.

My heart pounded with excitement as I tiptoed to the door, quietly opening it. Costa was behind the frosted glass of the shower, steam clouding the bathroom. The sight of him, so powerful and commanding, made my breath catch.

With one last breath, I stepped past the glass and inside the shower behind him.

By now he knew someone was there. His movements froze and his back muscle became taught. So I tentatively pressed myself against him from behind. I wrapped my arms around him and running my hands over his chest.

It just felt so fucking right.

But as soon as he saw my hands, I guess he knew I wasn't his stupid little wife.

Costa suddenly turned, his green eyes blazing with the most sexy fire. He seethed, stepping closer to me threateningly. "Get the fuck out, Zari."

"You know you want this." The heat of his anger ignited my desire for him even more. I stood under the water with him, trailing my eyes over his naked body.

And he didn't disappoint.

"Just once." I whispered, stepping closer to the object of my desire, glancing down at his impressive tool.

Then he suddenly shoved me up against the wall, his hand wrapping tightly around my throat.

"I'll kill you right fucking here. I mean it, get the fuck out while you still have a chance to keep your life." He squeezed my throat harder causing a soft moan to escape my lips.

How did he know I liked it rough and hard?

At first it was sexy. But then the pressure got stronger. And stronger.

Before I knew it, panic rose up inside me. I wheezed, trying to grab his hand. Black dots started clouding my vision when he finally released me. I violently coughed, struggling to catch my breath.

My previous confidence wavered, and a cold knot of fear formed in my stomach. I backed away before rushing out of the bathroom. I paused for a second, struggling to find something to wear.

So I grabbed the first thing I could find - his shirt - and threw it on. I felt a mix of fear and thrill as I hurried downstairs, my heart pounding.

I paused, midway up the stairs when my eyes landed on her.

And suddenly a sense of satisfaction filled me.

If I couldn't get what I wanted, at least she wouldn't either.

I watched Zari descend the stairs, dripping wet and wrapped in Costa's shirt.

"What did you do?" I demanded, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. I was holding on for dear life not to tear her to pieces.

I have no idea what I ever did to Zari to make her so determined to ruin my marriage. But she did.

Zari shrugged nonchalantly, her smirk never wavering. "Just had a quick shower. You don't mind, right?"

She said it as if that was a perfectly normal thing to do in someone else's home.

I tried to keep my composure, but inside, I was seething.

"What happened to your neck?" I stepped closer to the stairs, eyeing the deep purple mark around her throat. Her hand immediately went up to her throat, her smirk never wavering.

"Who knew your husband had a choking kink? God, he's so dominant. I loved every second."

I couldn't take it anymore. I ran past her on the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest.

I came to a sudden stop in the doorway to our room - the room that was supposed to be our sanctuary. My heart fell to the pit of my stomach when I saw the state of it - clothes strewn everywhere, the sheets tangled and thrown about.

I instinctively held my tiny little bump, struggling to process what was going on through the pain in my heart.

Then Costa emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. His eyes landed on me first then he followed my gaze, taking in the state of the room as if it was the first time he was seeing it.

Then his expression turned to one of fury. He clenched his jaw before storming over to me, almost like he suddenly realised just how bad this truly was.

"Millie, I can explain," His voice was tense with anger and frustration. "Zari...she tried something. I told her to get out."

Tears streamed down my face. I was silent, but a storm of emotions was raging inside me. He tried to take my hand but I instinctively pulled away, looking back at the way our bedsheets were so messy.

Her bra was on the bed.

"You...in our bed?" I whispered. My voice broke, more tears streaming down my cheeks.

"No. Fuck no, baby." He came closer again, this time with more determination.

"She was wearing your shirt! She was all wet." She was in our bedroom and she was in the shower with him - that much was obvious.

"I would never cheat on you. Just let me get changed and I'll explain. Please."

Costa had a reputation before we got married. For months I had no idea if he was sleeping with other women while we weren't talking.

I knew he could do it if he wanted to.

But my gut was telling me he didn't do it.

When it came down to it, I trusted him with all my heart. I wanted to trust him. Even when all the evidence pointed to it - Zari all wet and wearing his shirt, our bedroom a mess and her clothes everywhere and Costa coming out of the shower at the same time.

Maybe I was right to trust him, or maybe I was a fool for ignoring the evidence.

"Okay." I nodded, my voice still barely audible. "Get changed."

I stayed rooted in the same spot, waiting for him to change into some sweatpants. Then he came out, rushing right back over to me.

"I was finishing the cooking when she came into the penthouse. She said you told her she could borrow a dress. I didn't believe her until she mentioned our date night."

"I didn't tell her." I shook my head, wiping away the tears from my cheeks. "I blocked her number after that night at your club when we told Julius and Damian about the baby."

"Well, somehow she knew. She made it out like you guys were friends and since I've been away, I didn't know if it was true. I came up here to find the dress but when I couldn't, I told her to leave. I watched her leave into the elevator, Millie."

He was frowning, desperation seeping into his tone as he explained what happened.

"She came back while I was taking a shower. She did all of this and then she..." He pointed at the bedroom and then he hesitated, clearly not wanting to tell me the rest.

"What?"

"She came into the shower...naked. I told her to leave before I killed her. I choked her to get the message across and it seemed to do the trick. She ran. She must have put my shirt on, I left it in here."

That part I believed because my husband had a habit of leaving his clothes on the floor in our room.

I once told him not to leave them on the floor in the bathroom, so the bedroom floor became his new laundry hamper.

Anger, hurt, confusion, and relief battled within me. Costa stepped closer, his arms wrapping around me. "I promise you, Millie, nothing happened. I love you."

I looked into his eyes, searching for any hint of deceit, but all I saw was sincerity and anger. Lots of anger.

"I believe you." I whispered, my voice shaking. I rested my head on his chest, still struggling to get my emotions under control.

When I came home, this was the last thing I expected to walk into.

"It's all ruined." I sniffled. "Our evening is ruined."

He kissed my forehead, his touch gentle and comforting. "It's not ruined, baby. I'll call someone to come and clean up here while we have dinner. Just you and me, okay?"

I nodded, my heart slowly calming, only because of him. "Okay. But make sure they leave no trace of her."

"It'll be brand new. I promise."

After another moment in his arms, I finally stepped away so I could go and change into some comfortable clothes for our dinner.

Usually, even if we ate together at home, we'd make an effort to dress up. But tonight just wasn't the night for that. So, Costa would get to sit with me while I was dressed in an oversized T-shirt, make up free and my hair up in a messy bun.

I headed downstairs while he made a phone call, trying to shake off the lingering tension. It was time to feed my Mini Milk who had absolutely no idea what was going on outside.

I set the table in the kitchen, lighting a small candle to make it at least a little fancier. I needed to focus on the good, on the love that Costa and I shared. Zari's actions couldn't take that away from us.

Costa joined me a few minutes later, his expression softening as he saw the table where I'd laid the food out.

"Someone is coming to clean our bedroom. They'll do any other rooms you want too. Thank you for believing me." He whispered the last part, pulling me into a gentle kiss.

"You're welcome." I chose to move on from it, just for that one night. Then afterwards, I was going to decide how to deal with Zari and what she did.

But that was a problem for tomorrow.

"Now, let's get down to business. Did you get dessert? We want dessert, Costa." I placed a hand on my baby bump, glaring at my husband.

"Sì, it's all in the fridge. Don't worry, you'll get your dessert."

"Good." I nodded, taking my seat across from him. "If you didn't get us dessert we would have kicked your ass."

"I don't doubt it, Principessa." He chuckled, relaxing back into his chair.

So many of you thought Costa had a past with Zari 👀 Can you believe what she did? 🫢

Thank you for reading!