"Oh yes, your babies are healthy. Look at those strong heartbeats," The Gynecologist cooed as she moved the transducer around Adele's stomach, the pulses of sound waves turned into images on the monitor.
And yes, Adele was here for an ultrasound scan, but unlike the other time, she was here with Elijah. And please don't even ask how they got to this point.
Story short, she had been taking care of her mother Angelica now that she was disabled and unable to get off the bed. Adele couldn't tell what exactly happened except that she felt dizzy and the next, she found herself on the hospital bed with Elijah by her side. It turns out that she lacks iron in her diet and while the doctor wrote her a prescription, along with diet changes, he still wasn't convinced that everything was alright and forced her to go for a scan.
Now, here they are. Elijah must as well have told her that he was simply anxious to see his children because there was a great deal of emotion on his face as he stared at the monitor. Adele felt her stomach flutter and though she tried to deny it, it was nice to know that he actually cared about the children.
She didn't know what kind of relationship they had right now but knowing he was sincere about being there for the kids - starting a family with her - melted an inch of her cold heart. At least both of them had something to look forward to in this marriage, and it was the children. Romance was simply out of the picture... or was it?
No, Adele pushed the foolish thought out of her head. Elijah was simply marrying her out of obligation and not because he wanted her. He never wanted her, anyway. He planned to use her and get Arianna out, then dump her crudely. Adele wasn't sure she couldn't get past that reality enough to even think that he might have had real feelings for her at that time. She could not trust him, ever.
They were to get married at the end of this month since there was no more time - her stomach was showing - and the stress of planning a wedding was not advisable in the later months. Although it was going to be a small occasion with just the gathering of both families. Not that Adele was excited about it anyway, she just it to be over already so she can sit back and watch what life has in store for them.
The babies were the only legit connection they had right now and Adele wondered how long the connection would last. In the later years, that is if the both of them last till then, would Elijah fall in love with another woman and push her aside?
Would she be miserable just like Benjamin's wife whose husband preferred a mistress - her mother, Angelica - over her? Adele had always pitied Benjamin's wife who felt chained in the marriage and only stayed because of her children, who knew that she - Adele - would be in the same situation years later?
Perhaps this was karma paying her Angelica back for interfering in another person's marriage? Except in this case, her sins are being passed over to her, Adele - the second generation. Hopefully, the third generation would be spared from such a fate. She would rather suffer it all.
"T-these are them... my kids?" Elijah choked out a response.
"Yes, they are." The Gynecologist smiled at him before explaining to him about the type of Quadruplets they are and pointed out their body parts as well. By the time the woman was done, Elijah was awed and close to tears while Adele couldn't wait to get out of there.
She felt vulnerable and annoyed. Adele had expected Elijah wouldn't be dedicated to this pregnancy but he was showing more enthusiasm than she liked. If he had treated her pregnancy insignificantly, then it would have given her more reasons to hate him. But no, he was too vested in her well-being, and it made lifting her walls around him tenuous. Difficult. Knowing deep down that she craved love and attention.
Hence, the second the doctor was done, Adele had already stomped out of the office with Elijah right on her heel.
"Adele! Adele! Wait -!" He cornered her when she wouldn't stop to answer him.
She had no choice but to stop and shot him a glare that took him aback.
"I don't understand," Elijah frowned, "Did I do something or say something wrong in there?" He wanted to know so he could apologize.
"That's the problem," Her voice was higher than usual, "You shouldn't have done anything at all!"
"Adele...?" Elijah didn't understand.
She spat viciously, "Why act like you care when you don't? You're just a liar and a selfish prick!"
Elijah said, "Why do I feel like there is more to this conversation than meets the eye? Not to mention a lot of pent-up anger?" He looked around the hallway and attempted to touch her arm, "We can't have this conversation here -"
"Don't touch me!" Adele hissed at him as if his hand was poison. As if she was scared of falling under his touch again.
Left speechless, Elijah was about to say something when Adele's phone rang and she pulled it from her purse with a huff of annoyance. However, he noticed the way the blood drained from her face aftewards and wondered who was it only to hear her say,
"Hello, Daniel."
Oh no, his blood ran cold. What does that bastard want from his wife? Whoa, slow down, they weren't married yet, even though they were about to be. Fine, whatever.
"You're alive," Adele said with such poison in her voice that she would have murdered the bastard had he been close by. If only he had been there when they found Marcel, she would have finished him with her own hands.
"Sorry to disappoint but I am."
"Well then, let's meet and I promise to change that."
"I'm sorry, Adele."
Adele blinked, taken aback by that confession. But her heart hardened immediately, no amount of apology would reverse what happened to her mother. Daniel must pay the price.
"Yes, I know and that's why I'll be taking the responsibility off your shoulder."
"What?" She was left confused once again. But there, there was an uncomfortable feeling settling low in her belly. Some sort of dread as it dawned on her that Daniel would never call to chitchat.
"I have to pay for what I did Adele and that is why your mother is my burden to bear now. I promise to get her back on her feet again."
Cold fear penetrated her bones.
Oh no, her heart plummeted.
Without a word, Adele took off in the direction of her mother's ward. There was no that Daniel took her, that was impossible! It can't be!
And yet when Adele stumbled into her room, her mother was not there. Her bedding was arranged in such a way it seemed like nobody ever resided there in the first place.
It dawned on Adele, Angelica was gone.
Daniel took her, again.
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Goodnews! I have finally finished plotting the new book and it's staring on the first of April. As I said previously, there has been lots of changes. And finally, here is the title :Mated To The Cruel Prince.
Sypnosis :
All Islinda ever wanted was to escape her small village and her evil stepmother with her daughters. They made her life a misery, so when she stumbled upon the handsome injured man in the forest, she helped him knowing that he could change her life.
But to her disappointment, he was Fae. Not just an ordinary fae, but Prince Valeria of the summer court, heir and crown prince to the throne of Astaria!
Humans barely tolerated the Fae while the Fae looked down on the humans, thinking of them as lesser creatures.
They should not be together because they were worlds apart, yet that did not stop the both of them from falling in love. Unfortunately, Prince Valerie couldn't stay in the human realm forever and had to return to his kingdom with a promise to come back for her. And she believed him.
But then, the other one comes instead.
Dark, broody, ruthless yet dangerously handsome, eveyone feared Prince Aldric. Even as a fierce warrior and son to the king of Astaria, Prince Aldric is denied his right to the throne and cursed never to take his place because of his dark heritage.
Twisted from the inside and starved of affection, Prince Aldric does what he is best at, causing misery. He captured her - the woman who has drawn his brother's attention. He stole her from her home for his cruel purpose. If he couldn't have the throne, he could atleast play around with his brother's love interest. His new prize.
Islinda hated him. Loathed him for taking away eveything that she could have had with the summer prince. He's the villain. Now she has been dragged into the middle of the dirty politics played in the courts of Astaria, not to mention survive the cold games played by the other princes.
But all hope wasn't lost because the cruel prince could tempt her all he wants but he was never going to get the one thing he wants the most. To be loved. He would never have her heart!
Or could he?
________
"What can you offer me little human," He grinned, slow and cruel. She would make such a wonderful play thing.
Want a magical adventure? Come in for the ride
Note: This is a dark fantasy book, so don't expect fluffy romance. What to expect? Death, gore, thick sexual tension and explicit scenes.
Come have a wild ride!
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The cover is also out in the comment section. You can tell me what you think of it. Is it your cup of tea or not 🤷?