Chapter 23
-NAOMI
My knees are weak as I am met with the intense gaze and elegant essence coming from the Mccains. A family that indeed carries great legacy
My eyes first pick Lillan McCain, slender tall and a pretty brunette, sitting at the end of the living room couch and staring at me with some intense but welcoming gaze. She is Circeon’s step sister and they have no relationship or any ounce of likings for each other.
a full beads up about the McCains, a perfect description following their pictures.
I’m so glad Caren had Ralph give me a
A stayed up a bit last night studying them all.
“Welcome” An ashy voice breaks the awkward intakes and I notice it coming from a woman who looks like she is in her prime with the brightest blue eyeshadow hollowing her eyelids like a crime.
I recognize her immediately.
She is Jessica McCain, Circens’s stepmother, the woman who has significantly impacted Circenn’s father’s life
Following the passing of Circenn’s mother, his father remarried Jessica in a remarkably brief period of just three days.
And the swift union not only revealed his father’s prior cheating ass but also demonstrated a callous disregard for Circenn’s feelings and his late wife, suggesting that his father’s priorities Lay elsewhere.
Ralph has done well to explain that and it being the reason why Circenn hates every entirety of his father. And only treat him like a business partner, nothing else.
Jessica shakes my hand and my body gues cold, because hers is super cold.
“We’ve all been waiting. Gosh, you look ten times prettier in person. I can’t believe I had to watch your wedding behind a TV screen,” Jessica shakes her head and turns to Circenn who doesn’t pay attention to her.
“Are those my nephews!” Lilian gets up from where she is seated with a gasp, walking up to my boys
“Naomi, I am so delighted to meet you
Circenn’s father, Eddie walks up to me. He is warm and kind and just like he was during our wedding.
“I’m really glad you’ve now become part of us,” He adds and 1 beam.
An older man walks up to us, dressed in an extravagant sun and a walking aid stick.
“Dad” Eddie says and takes a step back for the old man to approach me.
“Is it truly Naomi that I’ve heard all about?” The man asks, his voice steady and commanding
I guess authoritative voices run in their blood.
“I am. Hello” I try to sound polite and warm.
He drops his sick and pulls me into a hug immediately.
It takes me by surprise but I hug him too
“Oh dear, you have no idea how much I’ve wanted Circena to be with someone again. Nobody deserves loneliness. Bless your sweet heart”
Again!
“Thank you,” I say carefully
If only he knows how this is all a contract. The only real thing is our boys. I feel sorry for him already.
The welcoming is nice and I feel like have truly landed home.
Here’s a rephrased version with a more polished tone:
As we leave the living area, Circen leads us to à se from the main house
separate wing of the mansion, a self–contained residence that is both connected to and distinct
11:32 AM
Chapter 23
I can’t believe we are to make this stunning space our home, and I am utterly amazed.
The sheer interior of this mini–mansion leaves me speechless, its extraordinary decor and meticulously curated artwork evoking the feeling of a museums rather than a house.
Every detail is carefully crafted, leaving me awestruck and struggling to find the words to describe its beauty.
From the gigantic tall and white walls with glassy marbles fixed on it. It feels like heaven.
The twins start to run around happily and I turn to Circenn who starts to speak
“We have approximately sixty seven maids that will come to your aid whenever you need them. There will be an app that will be on your phone to wmmon them for any needed solution for the house’s inconveniences. I don’t like it here but for the sake of the contract and my kids, we’ll be here together”
“Why don’t you like it here?” I am surprised it is the first thing 1 ask.
He glowers at me.
“You’re a very curious person.” He says. “And it’s personal”
“Sorry” I say dryly.
“It holds too many memories but well my kids are here so it will change a lot of insights” He nods
I don’t question him again and continue to look around.
As I walk around the open space. I start to feel elated.
The truck moving our luggages arrives and Circenn leaves the house to go attend to the movers.
I can’t suddenly contain how peaceful and happy
I feel.
Now my kids will know the joy of being co–parented.
And I love how the news of Circean having secret babies has lost its newness and waves. Ever since our wedding. People mostly congratulated us and Ralph got this reporter that wrote a whole fake story about how Circenn and I have been childhood lovers but life ripped us apart but then we met again. Fell in love. I got pregnant for him and didn’t tell him because I had to go meet my mom who was sick back at home, and then told him. about my kids who he has been supporting from the city. Until I arrived here.
It was a pretty shitty story that people bought well.
Well now that that’s over, I can finally Channel with my peace
I feel like everything will finally work out well for me now,
I mean it already has.
And to mention the company’s project I managed to bag
I am over the moon.
I don’t care if Mr. Charles Dickson is interested in me or not.
I am a married woman and I will not be taking to heart what Maggie says.
After getting our luggage ready and fixed, which took about four hours
Circenn comes back to show us to our rooms, Jake and Blake share a room, which has already become a lair tailored to their preferences.
The room features blue paintings, two separate beds positioned close together, a toy tow truck at the foot of the bed, and a huge kiddies car that
runs on batteries.
The twins erupt in excitement as they see their new room, thrilled with the space that has been prepared for them.
Tum to Circent “Don’t you think you’re spoiling them way too much”
He scoffs, “This is nothing.”
Tigh
Chapter 23
view, He proceeds to the next door and graciously opens it, allowing me to have a clear vi
The room is spacious and features a king–sized bed. Its white color and large size create a sense of grandeur. The highlight of the room is the floor- to–ceiling glass door, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, whether it’s the morning sun, a picturesque sunset, or a captivating
night scene
“This is our rooms” Ciren begins
“Our!” The words make me shudder.
1 step inside.
“Is there a problem with sharing a room with me?” He asks
I turn around and see him leaning against the frame of the door.
“No, not really. I mean we’re not really married so it might be awkward sharing a room with you-
s gaze makes it more difficult for me to produce more words because his grim stare is making me feel smaller than usual,
As I speak. His p
“If you’re thinking anything might happen, it won’t” His words are stern. “And only two rooms occupy this part of the mansion so we have no choice.
I sigh. “Okay, B-
“Like I said, nothing will happen. I will never be interested in you. You are not my type and will never be He interrupts.
I don’t know why his words hurt but it does.
I don’t even want to be his type
But no woman wants to be indirectly called unattractive.
is
“Don’t worry, you’re not mine either. I’ve seen better men” I say and it is a lic
Circenn almost feels made–up. Sometimes he doesn’t look real.
His brows go up and I breathe in an air of satisfaction seeing my words take an effect on him.
“I’m glad we’re on the same train here” He says.
“Feel at home, a maid will be coming for your aid.”
And with that he leaves
What the hell.
He called me unattractive first so why is he suddenly mad!
I take a seat on the bed and the door instantly bursts open.
I am thinking it is Circen but Lilian stands still outside.
She looks different
“Hey sis” she beams.
She and Creen aren’t even related my blood
She walks in and close the door behind her
Why is the bare!
She sight and trucks her curly hair behind her ears
not give you the rights to run this
I was waiting until Circean left. I just wanted to make a few things clear. Getting married to Carcean will not giv mansion.
I am deeply confined.
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Chapter 23
“You’re just a pawn in Circenn’s game. A trophy wife that can win him the black empire. But you and your horrible kids are not going to ruin the plan my mother and I have been cooking up for years. And you do not try to reveal this conversation with anyone. Because if you do. The three of you will get it, especially the quiet little one”
And with that Lilian leaves the room.
I am still, standing straight and trying to understand what the fuck just happened.
