This chapter is dedicated to @KatieLamb26

Your comments mean the world to me and I'm glad to have someone who is as interested in this book as I am.

Please go check out her books and give her a follow if you can!

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Last night was toxically amazing. It wasn't supposed to happen, but it did, and I wouldn't want to change that. Most people only use sex for pleasure, but sometimes it can be used as a way to communicate about unspeakable things. It made me realize that no matter how much I have tried to hide it, my love for her only grows.

The statement "Love hurts" is the most realistic truth that everyone out there needs to believe. Despite what one does as a partner for the other, there is never a form of appreciation shown. I'm telling you from experience, that if you have someone who loves you, doesn't care about how you look after waking up in the morning, and most importantly, if you are comfortable enough to express yourself regardless of how bad the topic is and how scared you are, then keep them. Grasp them in your hands, lock them away, and throw the keys deep down into the ocean, never to be found. Because there are people out there who will do anything to take what you have.

My eyes travel to the person lying on my chest. No one is as beautiful or precious as my angel, and she is never leaving my side until I take my last breath.

Her little snores echo through the walls as I tuck her hair behind her ear. Her head shifts slightly on my chest and she tightens her arm around my body.

Aaliyah has hurt me more deeply than words can account for, but as I look at her face right now, I realize that everything between us can be fixed.

I know Aaliyah may come across as a horrible person when viewed from a different perspective, but when I place myself in her position, I can understand why she made the choices she did.

And yet, the pain persists. It feels like it will never stop hurting. I have a son, and she kept him from me. The things my father failed to do with me, I vowed to do with my child. Yes, I told her I didn't want a child back then, but if she had told me, we wouldn't be in this situation.

Aaliyah's nails dig into my skin as she squirms, moving her leg from side to side.

"No, Aiden is also mine. Only mi-"

"Please, don't take him from me," she murmurs in a tense tone, not finishing her first sentence.

I quickly wrap my arms around her, but it seems to make things worse. Her body starts radiating heat as if she's in the desert, and a warm liquid touches my skin.

What's happening to my baby? She never used to have nightmares.

"No, please. I'll leave Aiden if that's what you want! But Ezra is too innocent," she screams, her breath shaky.

"Ezra, mama is so sorry." A sob breaks through her, and she starts shaking. Her hand tightens its hold around my waist, and I let her, even though it's painful.

After she relaxes for a few seconds, I sit up, pull her with me, and start placing soft kisses on her head while gently patting her back and combing my fingers through her hair. Her body finally relaxes, and her innocent eyes stare at me.

"They want to take him from me, Aiden. Please don't let them," she pleads.

She continues to shiver, and I refrain from interrupting her. I let her rest on me, and after some time, she calms down and gets up, making her way to the bathroom.

I follow her into the bathroom. Despite my persistent questions about her dream, she tells me she isn't ready to talk about it. So, we both shower, and I get ready for work.

Aaliyah looks at my almost-buttoned shirt, raising one eyebrow and tilting her head slightly. She walks over, buttoning it all the way up and tying my tie for me. After, she steps back for a brief second, inspects my clothes and nods with a smile before turning to put on some lip gloss on her lips.

"I'm taking my car," she declares with a serious expression, making me chuckle.

Why is she so stubborn and difficult? Shouldn't it be common sense that we will be going there together now?

I walk closer, and she turns around, folding her arms. I step even closer to be at a distance where I can feel her warm breath, saying, "Don't start with me, Aaliyah. We're going together, whether you like it or not."

She narrows her eyes, and they dart from my lips back to my eyes. Her normally steady breathing has become heavy, and I find myself growing uneasy because of it. I silently urge my nerves not to let the escalating blood pressure lead to an inappropriate situation. But Aaliyah worsens the situation by stepping closer and grabbing my dick, giving it a firm squeeze.

A low growl escapes my mouth, and instinctively, my hand finds her hair. However, before things can escalate further, my phone rings. Aaliyah bites her inner cheek to stifle her frustration at the untimely interruption.

She grabs her handbag and huffs, swaying her hips seductively as she leaves the room.

"What the fuck do you want?" I snap at the caller, not bothering to check the caller ID.

"Are you okay, boss? You sound like you're in pain," the person on the other end asks with curiosity. Of all the people, I can't believe Peter had to be the one to ruin the moment.

"I've been working with you for nearly three and a half years, and you know better than to call unless it's an emergency," I replied tersely.

I don't hesitate to reply, "Okay then, bye. It seems like you don't give a shit about why I called, probably because you were jerking off to Aaliyah. I'm not surprised; it's not the first time it's happened. But here's a little note: make sure to include me in the image you're going to use. I-"

The annoyance building inside me forces my teeth to grit as I interrupt him, "Shut the fuck up. What do you want?"

Laughter comes from his end of the line, only serving to further irritate me. This guy has a knack for pushing my buttons, and I've had enough, especially at a time like this.

"Alright, I've found the location of the person behind all of this. I traced their number to the places based on the Wi-Fi they were using. They are actually very close to your location. But it's evident that one of the addresses is where they live because they spend more time there." He proceeds to share all the information he's gathered, and I can't help but feel shocked when I learn who's behind all of this.

I ended the call without thanking Peter. However, just seconds later, he sends another message: "Say thank you or else I'm going to tell Aaliyah all the creepy stuff you tell me about her."

This guy can be more infuriating than Aaliyah at times. But, still, he pushes my buttons. Reluctantly, I reply to his message with a begrudging "thank you!" accompanied by a middle finger emoji before putting my phone back in my pocket.

How could someone she trusts with everything do this to her? How did they even get their hands on our private videos and pictures? No one had ever seen those except for Aaliyah and me.

If ensuring that this person suffers is the last thing I do before I die, I'll make sure it happens. They'll rot in prison, and the only companions they'll have in their prison cell are the rodents and bugs they befriend during their sentence.

When I reach the downstairs area, Aaliyah is nowhere to be found. I search the house back and forth, but she's not in sight. Not this again.

A growing sense of worry churns in my stomach as I head to the car, hoping to find her there.

I let out a relieved sigh as I find Aaliyah sitting in the driver's seat, waiting for me. My heart rate gradually returns to normal, and instead of losing my temper as I often do, I say to her, "Get out of my seat."

She giggles, her ears perking up slightly, and she starts bouncing in the seat like a five-year-old who's just been rewarded with a toy for good behaviour. "Say please."

My jaw clenches, and a surge of heat wells up in my chest, coursing through my body and settling in my abdomen. However, my scowl only seems to increase the smile on her face.

"Fine, please," I mutter, shifting uncomfortably.

"Huh?" She looks at the back of the seat. "Did you guys hear anything?"

'What the fuck is wrong with her?'

I clench my hands into fists to keep from lashing out, and I request once more, "Please?"

"Good boy. Now get in the car before we're late." She starts the car, presses the clutch all the way down, and shifts into reverse.

My shoulders shrug involuntarily. This girl is really pushing her luck.

"Are you coming or not?"

Left with little choice, I get into the passenger seat. Just before she begins to drive, I ask her to stop and input the address Peter sent me.

"Follow the directions it gives you."

She looks at the phone and shakes her head, refusing, "That is not the directions to work." She hasn't even worked at the company for a month, and she already remembers the address.

"For once in your life, don't question it and let's go." She rolls her eyes but starts driving.

After fifteen minutes, we arrive at our destination and park on the side. She looks at me and asks, "Out of all the places here, you brought me here?"

It's a moment of truth or concealment, but I opt to share what I know rather than proceeding to work while pretending I haven't identified the person behind all this.

I take her hand in mine, and her eyebrows furrow in concern. She shifts all her attention to me. "Peter was the one who called this morning. He found out who is behind all of this, and the person is in the house. I'm not saying it's whoever is in there, but we have to check, or else, we'll never know. And I don't want them to keep pursuing you."

"I'm telling you, they have nothing to do with this." She laughs slightly, attempting to downplay her unease.

She turns off the car, and we both exit, making our way to the house. After ringing the doorbell twice, she finally opens it. Cora steps back, her body instantly going rigid, but she manages to conjure a smile, feigning happiness.

"Oh my God. What are you doing here?" She doesn't let go of the door when she hugs Aaliyah. It is almost as though she doesn't want us to come in.

Aaliyah forces a smile on her face, "Can we come in?"

Cora turns back and looks inside, "Umm, I have a visitor. Not that I don't want both of you here."

"Oh come on. I have missed you and I don't care who your visitor is." Aaliyah forces her way into the door, and I follow behind.

Cora screams, drawing both our attention. "I said get the fuck out."

Aaliyah's body shivers, shocked by her best friend's actions. The air grows heavy with tension as we stand in the doorway, confusion and anxiety painted across Aaliyah's face. Cora, on the other hand, appears to be on the brink of an emotional storm, her eyes brimming with unspoken words.

"Why don't you understand that not everything is about you?" Cora yells louder, and another pair of feet strolls into the room.

All three pairs of eyes turn to look at the unexpected person.

"Sebastian?" Aaliyah whispers, unable to hide her confused expression. I share her bewilderment, wondering why Sebastian is here. It was clear that Cora was behind all of this, but Sebastian's presence adds another layer of mystery.

Sebastian's eyes widen, nearly coming out of their sockets. His hand instantly goes to his towel, clutching it tighter.

"Oh shit." His gaze darts around the room, avoiding Aaliyah's eyes. The atmosphere is thick with tension and unspoken secrets.

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A long chapter for all my besties who has stuck with this book😘😘