Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
But who?
We get along with all our neighbors. I don’t have any jealous ex-girlfriends, and Tiana has no romantic past.
Karlin Makarov wouldn’t bother with something so trivial. The man didn’t even want Tiana in a sexual way.
So who the fuck is trying to mess with us?
I go through my list of enemies as I open the door and enter the courtyard.
It could be any of the nine men I tortured to pay up.
Jesus, it’s going to take a while to work through all of them.
“Mamma?” I hear Tiana call. “Is that you?”
When I appear in the doorway of the kitchen, Tiana drops a pan she is drying. “Jesus!” Her hand slaps over her heart. “You scared me.” She lets out a sigh of relief and comes to kiss me. “You’re home early?”
Her eyes drift over me, then they lock on the box in my hand.
I watch as the blood drains from her face, and before I can set her at ease, she rambles, “It’s all lies. I’d never do that to you. I have no idea who sent it. I’m so sorry.” Fear trickles into her eyes. “I promise, Armani. I haven’t been unfaithful to you.”
When I lift my hand to pull her to my chest, she flinches and stumbles a step back.
I drop the box, and grabbing hold of her, I yank her to my chest and engulf her in my arms. “Calm down, bella. I know you have nothing to do with this. I believe you.”
A sob is ripped from her, her body trembling hard. “I don’t understand…what’s happening.”
I rub a hand up and down her back to comfort her. “I know, bella. I’ll get to the bottom of it and deal with the fucker.”
She calms down, and when she pulls back, she gives me a pleading look. “I’ve only been with you. I love you. I’d never do anything to jeopardize what we have.”
“Shh,” I hush her as I wipe the tears from her cheeks. “I know, bella.”
When I press a kiss to her lips, she throws her arms around my neck and deepens it, devouring me with so much fucking desperation that the box is soon forgotten, and we’re ripping each other’s clothes off.
Chapter 33
Tiana
Since we received the second package, I’ve been on edge. Whenever I go to the store or out to do anything, I find myself checking over my shoulder.
Armani said he’d find out who’s sending the gifts, but it’s been two weeks since I got the earrings, and we’re no closer to getting to the bottom of it. He’s even put up a security camera, hoping if the person brings another gift, we’ll see what they look like.
I have no idea who would do this to me, and it’s making me feel sick to my stomach.
Armani has made it clear he won’t tolerate infidelity. What if they keep sending gifts, and he starts to believe the lie?
I love him so much it would kill me if he didn’t trust me.
I hope whoever’s behind this just disappears.
I bring the cup of coffee to my lips, but my stomach rolls at the smell. Getting up from where I was sitting at the kitchen table, I pour the caramel liquid down the drain and rinse the cup.
Enough thinking about the bastard.
Gathering all the ingredients I’ll need, I start to make red velvet cupcakes. They’re Armani’s favorite, and there’s only one left from the previous batch.
My phone starts to ring, and I grab the device from the counter and pin it between my ear and shoulder so I can keep beating the eggs.
“Hello?” I don’t hear anything. “Hello?”
The silence continues for a few seconds before the call cuts out.
I check the number, and not recognizing it, I set the device down and continue with my work.
Besides the extremely inconvenient gifts, things between Armani and me are perfect. The past two and a half months have been the happiest of my life.
I’ve added my touch all over the house. Flowers in the living room. Red throw pillows to add color. Framed photos of our wedding and one of Misha and Aurora, as well.
I finally have the home I’ve always wanted.
And so much more.
Instead of being married to an abuser, I’m married to a man who loves me and treats me like a queen.
I’ve given Armani everything I have. I love him like no other.
The muscles in my shoulders relax as I relive the past two and a half months of my life.
It’s crazy when I think about how much everything’s changed. I never knew such happiness existed.
I mean, I even get along with my mother-in-law. How many women can say that?
My stomach rolls again, and when I feel so sick that I’m sure I might vomit, I set the bowl down and rush to the bathroom.
Dropping to my knees by the toilet, I wait, but nothing comes up.