A/N I normally do this at the end of a chapter, but I wanted to let you all know that I meant to upload this chapter sooner. I just kept re writing it, because the first drafts were not feeling good enough. Also my own website is finally ready! I'm very proud of it, after working on it for months (also note that I am the least technical person there is lol!), so if you'd like you can check it out. www.theromancequeen.nl (instagram is @ theromancequeennl) The link is also in my bio. This story will be up there, but also some of my poems and other stories will be up there too in the near future as I am probably quitting Wattpad after I finish this story here.

Then to the story, all I want to say is a big thank you to all of you who stick with me!! This chapter is a very important one for the rest of the story and will also reveal some things some of you have been asking for. Please let me know what you think in the comments and don't forget to vote :)

Song: I only have eyes for you- The Flamingos

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Chapter 26

Today was the day my mom would be released from the hospital. Although my work is crazy (as always) I asked Mr. Hensly if I could leave a little earlier.
I knew my father said it wouldn't be necessary to come with him, when he would pick her up, but I still wanted to see her.
I didn't know if I could make it to her this weekend and just a phone call felt wrong.
After the nice time we had at the hospital I think I also wanted to hold onto that feeling. I think it was a rare moment that I truly felt connected to her.
The way she joked, thinking about it made me smile again. It was something I wasn't used to. Maybe it was the medication that made her like that, but if that was the case, it was proof they were working.
I arrived at the hospital a little earlier in case my mom needed help with packing her last things.
A knock on the door notified my arrival and made my mom turn around.
"Hi mom", I said with a friendly smile on my face.
"Mira!"
The look on her face was priceless. She looked so happy to see me.
"I didn't expect to see you here", a big smile was plastered on her face.
With open arms she came walking towards me and as she reached me she placed both of her hands on my cheeks. She then kissed me on my forehead and hugged me.
At that moment my father walked in. He looked just as surprised as my mother when he saw me, maybe even more.
To be honest, I wasn't sure how he would react to me being here, despite him saying it wasn't necessary.
The first thing he did was walk up to my mother and placed a kiss on her cheek. Then he turned towards me.
"I didn't expect you to be here, but I am actually glad you are."
I heaved a sigh of relief.
"Where is Julian?", I asked.
"He's at home, making sure your mother will be as comfortable as possible when she gets home."
"Do you have everything mom?", I asked as I looked around her room.
"Yes, dear, I think so."
My dad gave me a nod and signed with his face, to make sure I would check everything. So I did.
In the meanwhile the nurse came by to talk the last things over and make sure she had enough medicine for the first days at home.
Lastly the doctor came.
"Ms Prasad, it's finally time to go home."
He smiled and in his arms he held a clipboard.
"Yes, finally! I can't wait to get out of here", my mother said.
We all laughed at her face, she looked so annoyed.
"You should be sure to take your medicine and try to go out at least once a day."
My mother nodded her head in understanding.
"I see you have some people to take care of you", he said as he looked at me and my father.
I gave a small smile when his eyes met mine.
"That's my daughter, she will be with me as much as she can, right Mira?", she said with pride in her voice.
"I will mom."
The doctor smiled, then turned to my father to let him sign some papers.
In the meanwhile I grabbed her overnight bag, so my dad didn't have to carry the most heavy one.
"That's it then, I want you to come back in two weeks again, so we can evaluate how it's going. Good luck."
He then shook our hands and left the room.
"Mira, after we get home, would you do me a favor and get me these?"
My father had a recipe for my mother's medicine.
"Sure", I whispered.
"Come Rani, let's go."
My dad crossed arms with my mother, I walked behind them. Seeing them walking like that, together made my heart warm. Although my relationship with my parents wasn't always the best, I knew they cared about each other. I knew how much my father loved my mother and how much it hurt him when she was depressed or having psychoses.
I don't know how many times he has been through this process of her being in and out of the hospital, but this time I really hoped it would be the last and she would finally get over the shame of taking medicine.
While I waited with my mom for my dad to get his car, I kept feeling my phone buzzing.
"Shouldn't you get that?", my mom asked, looking at my coat.
"No, you have my full attention mom."
"Mira, we're outside waiting, I'm finally enjoying some cold fresh air on my face. Just see who needs you, it might be your boss."
She convinced me to at least look, so I took off my glove and pulled my phone out of my pocket.

Max Woods calling

As soon as I saw his name I put it back in my pocket.
"Well, who was it?"she asked, curious as always.
"No one, ma."
"Then it must have been that Max."
I gave her a look.
"There is dad. Come, let me help you."
Carefully I helped my mother to get to the car and get in, while my dad got out and grabbed the luggage.
My dad closed the trunk and turned towards me to give me a hug.
"Thank you for coming Mira", he whispered while he held me.
"It's no problem dad", I said while we slowly let go of each other.
"Let's get mom home. After that I will go straight to the pharmacy to get her medicine."
While my parents went ahead I walked towards my car, being called again. As I glanced at my screen I saw he had called me 10 times before.
When I sat in my car I decided to send him a text.

'Am at the hospital. Going to my parental house. Call you later.
x'

I buried my phone inside my jacket pocket and started my car. It was cold so it took me a few times before the engine ran.
Max finally stopped calling me, I always find it very distracting when I feel or hear my phone buzz while I'm driving.
The way from the hospital to my parental house was a good 40 minute drive and by the time I was almost there it got darker and darker.
I felt like I didn't enjoy this years autumn enough, not as much as the years before anyway. By the looks of it, it wouldn't take long before the final leaves would break loose from the trees and make the world look hars and cold. Winter was my least favourite season.
All these thoughts were just a distraction from thinking about Max and wondering where the hell he went when he suddenly left his own house, without saying anything to me.
My conversation with Claire a few days ago, after we went out for drinks, didn't help either. While phoning her, for a second I thought I heard Max in the background, but I guess I was wrong. I mean if he was with her, he would have told me, I know for sure.
Thoughts of them together had tortured me for days and nights now. I just couldn't let go of the picture in my head of the two of them kissing and having sex. Her facial expressions said everything when she spoke about him. The thought of her still being into him was creeping up on me.
I decided to go to Max after I went to the pharmacy for my mother.
Finally I arrived at my parents house and I had something else to keep my mind occupied.
"I'm here!", I exclaimed as I closed the door behind me.
"We're upstairs Mira!"
I walked up the stairs to my parents bedroom.
"Hi Mira", my brother greeted me.
"Hi Juul. Did everything work out okay?", I asked.
"Yes, it did. I made sure mom would be as comfortable as possible."
"You guys know I don't need to lay in bed all day right?", my mother laughed.
We all turned towards her.
I placed myself on the edge of the bed, grabbing her hand and pinching it carefully.
"Of course we know mom, but for now you need to rest. Julian did his best, right?"
She nodded in agreement and stroked my cheek.
"Now you get some rest momma", Julian said.
"I'll go and get your medicine. I'll be back before dinner, okay?", I tried to sound convincing so she wouldn't worry.
She gazed outside the window into the dark skies for a few seconds, then turned her head towards me and said; "Be careful honey. I think a storm is coming."
"Mira will be careful, right?", my dad said as he looked at me.
"Always am. Now rest."
We all walked out of the room, my dad left the door open a bit, a beam of light placed itself through a crack, on the floor.
"Do you want me to make dinner after I come back?", I asked walking down the stairs.
"That won't be necessary, I already took care of that", Julian answered.
"You know, I hope you guys can keep this up", my dad said.
"Keep what up?" Julian and I looked at each other quizzically.
"Well, this, you two not fighting, but actually getting along."
"As long as she keeps that Max away, I'm fine."
"Julian...", my dad's voice sounded exactly the same as we were kids and Julian tried to get a snack before dinner.
"I was just kidding. It's all about mom right now."
"As long as we keep that in mind everything will be fine", said my dad.
"I'll try to be here as much as I can, maybe take her on a walk every other day."
My dad and Julian nodded their heads, then Julian walked to the kitchen area. The wind picked up again and I saw my dad's worried face as he peeked through the window.
"Don't worry dad, I'll be back before you know it, it's just a bit windy."
Then I grabbed my stuff and headed to my car. Just when I stepped outside it started to rain. I quickened my pace and jumped into my car.
Luckily for me the pharmacy wasn't far from my parents' place.
Arriving there the rain was worse than when I left. Unfortunately there was no parking space on the side of the pharmacy. I made a quick run to the other side. The roof of the pharmacy stuck out a bit, which made a good shelter for me.
When I got the medicine I paced back. It was still raining so I quickly ran to the front door of my parents house and went inside.
After dinner I decided to go back home. I was exhausted from all of this, plus I still had to call Max to see if we could meet.

My house was an absolute mess. I really needed to clean up, but not now. First things first, I had to call Max.
"Hey it's me."
"Hey beautiful."
"Can I come over to your place?", I asked.
"Sure I'll pick you up."
"That won't be necessary, I have a car Max."
"I'll be there in five."
He then hung up.
"Okay, weird."
It wasn't even five minutes when I heard a knock on my door.
"Wow that was fast", I mumbled. While making my way to open the door for him I tried to stash away some nicknacks that were laying around.
You would say I'd get tired of seeing him in his suit, but I wasn't. I still thought it was sexy.
The fancy coat he had on, was also a good look on him, I love how he knows to dress to impress.
He didn't greet me, or well he did but not with words. As soon as he saw me he grabbed my face and pressed his lips on mine.
"Hello to you too", I said as he let go.
"Are you ready to leave?", he asked looking around.
I felt a blush coming on to my cheeks, because I knew he saw what a mess my house was. I pushed the door a bit so he couldn't see the whole living room anymore.
"I'll just have to get my coat."
"You don't have to be ashamed of your house, baby girl", his deep voice spoke comfortingly.
"I know, it's just...I didn't have time to clean anything. I have been busy all week."
"Let's go, I'm ready."
We left for his house, on the way I talked to him about my mother and how things were with my dad and Julian.
"I am just so happy that we could all get along. You know, maybe if things stay this way, I could introduce you to them."
His head craned my way, a cheeky smile appeared on his face.
"Does this mean we are officially going out?", he teased.
"Maybe..."
'But first I need to clear some things up', I thought to myself.
As we arrived at his home, I finally felt less awkward to be there as I did before. I got a little bit more used to the size of his house and the luxury that came with it.
"We need to talk", I said as he took my coat like a true gentleman. I wondered if that would still be the same if we'd ever take the next step.
"I figured. Let's go to the dining room."
"I already ate and besides, how could you know I wanted to talk?"
We walked to the dining room, he took my seat out and made sure I sat comfortable, before he took a seat across from me.
"I know you and Claire have been talking", his tone switched to a more serious note.
"Did she really tattletale on me?"
"Calm down, there's no need to get upset."
"I am calm and I am not upset. I just can't believe she talked to you behind my back. And I can't believe you didn't tell me right away."
"I tried calling you, for a few days now, but you didn't pick up."
Okay, that was actually true. I was avoiding him and very busy with work and my mother.
"I understand you have some questions and you need some answers, so I will try to be as honest with you as I can."
"But why did she reach out to you? I really don't understand."
"It seems that she now works for Raymond and she wanted to ask me a few things about him, said she had a surprise for him."
I nodded my head for him to continue.
"So we met at a coffee shop yesterday. After she had the information she needed she started talking about your meet up and what you talked about."
He stayed silent for a few moments.
"I understand if you're maybe insecure. Claire can get in your head like that."
I was actually glad he acknowledged that she could be a bit manipulative.
"But why did you actually meet up with her? I mean you could have done this over the phone easily."
"Maybe you're right."
"Max, I really think she still wants you."
He laughed it off.
"Max, I'm serious."
"Baby, don't let her get to you."
"I don't. You didn't see her face when she..", my voice echoed away.
I bowed my head and heaved a sigh.
He got up and walked towards me. His tall body hovered over me, he pulled my chair back and grabbed my hand, forcing me to get up.
With his thumb and index finger he pushed my head up to make sure I would look him in the eye.
"Even if she wants me, I don't want her. I only have eyes for you."
My dark brown eyes met his baby blues, our stare was getting intense and a warm glow traveled through my body.
He leaned in to kiss me.
I stood on my tip toes, trying to keep my balance. He swept me up and I wrapped my arms and legs around his body.
Carefully he placed me on the table and I let go of him. He was still standing in front of me, letting his hands leaning on the table top.
"I mean, look at you", his deep voice whispered as he looked me up and down. "How could I ever choose her over you?"
"Well there was a time you were into her."
He backed up a bit, leaving some space between us.
"That's in the past." He unbuttoned the navy blue jacket of his suit and put it on the back of his chair.
"What is it that made you so insecure all of a sudden?", he asked, walking back to me.
I let myself slip down from the table top, contemplating whether I should tell him about the explicit conversation we had.
"The look in her eyes and on her face when she talked about you making love to her, I could see she wanted that back."
"Well, I have to say I'm not surprised by that", he winked.
"Oh sure, you must be the only man that's good in bed", I teased.
His demeanor changed, he kept staring at me while he came closer.
"Well, miss Prasad", he spoke dominant. "Let me prove that to you."
Just as he wanted to kiss me I stepped aside. I smirked.
"Wouldn't you want that, huh?", I smirked. "But Max please, please believe me."
"I do, honey don't worry, okay?"
"I won't, but I don't like how she acts right now."
"Maybe we should go to the living room. I'll get us a drink, you make yourself comfortable."
"I know we once talked about your ex wife, but you never mentioned her again, although she was a big part of you and Claire having an affair."
In the meanwhile he had taken off his vest and tie. He fired up the fireplace and dimmed the lights. Then he took a seat next to me.
"She was a big part of that, but not only her...", his words floated around the room while I waited for him to continue.
"What do you mean?"
"Raymond, he was a part of it too."
My eyes grew big and I placed my drink at the side table. "I'm not sure what you mean?"
He heaved a sigh looking at the fire, avoiding my look. I could see this was hard for him to talk about. I put my hand on his knee to comfort him and let him know I understood.
"What happened between them?"
"I knew for a long time that, Denise wanted to have children. I didn't and we fought about that a lot. Maybe Claire told you this too."
I nodded my head in understanding. The only thing he didn't know was that I never knew the name of his ex wife. Not even Claire told me that.
He continued; "In the period that my affair with Claire started she and Raymond grew closer to each other. We all used to be very close and I always had a great bond with my brother."
He slowly twirled his whiskey glass and emptied it with one sip. His eyes still focused on the fireplace. Avoiding my gaze.
"Well, until I found out she was cheating on me with him and got pregnant with his child", he stood up and poured himself another glass of whiskey which he also pounded back. He stayed there, standing in front of this side table where he used to keep his whiskey and glasses, his back facing me, hands in his pocket.
"Max... I..." I didn't really know what to say.
What he did was wrong and in no way justified, but his brother impregnating his wife must have felt like the biggest betrayal ever.
"That changed the whole dynamic and from there it went down hill. I started drinking heavily, I was using Claire just for sex and I almost lost my company."
He turned around, his eyes looked sad, I had never seen him this way.
"Yes, Claire and I had a lot of sex, but to me it had nothing to do with love. I never loved her."
His words were harsh, this was probably the worst time in his life.
"I just, you know, fucked her", he shrugged and then poured himself another glass.
I stood up, surprised by the words he used. I never heard him talk like that, never seen him this vulnerable. To me he always was this dominant, in control, smart and sexy man.
I took the glass out of his hand, before he could drink it all at once and placed it back on the glass table. "Don't."
"What I feel for you, I have never felt for anyone, Mira. Not even Denise."
"Is that why you don't want Raymond near me?", I asked, showing sympathy in my voice.
"You can't trust him Mira. He screwed my wife and he screwed me over too."
He sounded angry, this was a side of him he almost never showed me. Not in this way.
"I'm so so sorry. Come let's sit down."
We took place on the couch again.
"Mira, he's dangerous. When I found out that Denise was pregnant with him, of course I got mad. I went to his house when I knew she was there and I wanted to speak to her."
"What happened?"
"She came to the door and I started shouting at her, she started shouting at me about Claire and we got in this fight."
"Were you drunk?", I asked.
"Yes, I was", he admitted a bit ashamed.
"Raymond must have heard us screaming at each other and he showed up at the door, pointing a gun at me. He told me to leave them alone."
"So you left right?"
He didn't say anything. He just sat there, he threw his head back, leaning on the edge of the couch. Then he looked at me, his eyes were watery.
"She lost the baby, Mira. She lost it because I yelled at her."
The guilt was all over his face and I could see he had been struggling with this for years.
I moved towards him and kissed his lips. "It's not your fault. You can't just lose a baby because you are in a fight." Then I kissed him again, letting my hands go through his hair, trying to sooth him.
"You don't know that. Maybe it was my fault. At least she and Raymond blame me. Just promise me you stay away from him."
"I promise, I will", I reassured him.
"I know this might make you doubt if you want to be with me, but I am not that man anymore. I changed."
"I know, I know", I said kissing him and crawling onto his lap.
"I know", I said between our kisses who got more and more intense.
I slowly started to unbutton his shirt while I kissed his neck, my tongue swirling around making him moan and grab my butt firmly.
Making my way down to his chest he took off my waistcoat and ripped my blouse open. I stopped and stared at him, but the look in his eyes only made me want him more, he set me on fire.
Our faces collided into something that was more than a passionate kiss, our hands were everywhere. He removed my blouse and undid my bra.
His face was buried in my chest, as moans escaped from my mouth into his ears. "I want you", I whispered.
It made him growl and he swept me up into his arms and took me upstairs. In the meanwhile we kept kissing and exchanging the most intense, sexy looks.
Carefully he laid me down on his king size bed. The storm outside was gone, but inside me a storm of hormones and lust were raging. The full moon lit up the better half of his room, making light enough for me to see his sexy silhouette coming towards me.
He crawled onto the bed where I was breathing heavily, my chest going up and down, waiting for him to enchant me.
The rough and heavy mood in which we were just a few minutes ago seemed to have driven away, like the clouds outside.
Before he pressed his lips on mine, he looked at me, sweetly brushing my hair to the side. "You are even prettier in the moonlight", he whispered.
He then kissed me and traveled down, from my neck to my chest, then undoing my pants. We kept kissing and touching each other until we were both naked.
And let me tell you this, he didn't disappoint. After he made sure I was more than satisfied, he kept his hands stroking my body, while he got protection out of his drawer.
Moans and groans, looks and feelings twirled around the room, while we made sweet love in the moonlight. Drops of sweat glistening on our bodies, making them sparkle like the stars outside.
Whispers of sweet, edgy words, kisses and strokes, they seemed endlessly flowing, taking us higher and higher until we couldn't float no more. Until our souls collided and nothing else was important anymore.
"I love you."