~THE END~
He jogs to it and spends minutes reading the papers over and over again. I stand there, watching him, and waiting for his reaction.
He switched to stare at the ultrasound of a small life. A life he and I created.
“So?” I ask carefully. “What do you think?”
“You’re pregnant.” He stares between me and the ultrasound as if to make sure.
“Yes, Aiden.” I cradle my stomach. “I’m carrying your baby.”
“You’re carrying my baby,” he repeats, slowly approaching me.
When he’s within touching distance, I take his hand and place it on my stomach.
It’s still flat, but I can feel the life humming inside me. I can already feel the connection.
He stares at his hand and slowly strokes my stomach.
“We created a life, Aiden,” I murmur. “Are you happy?”
He rips his gaze from my stomach to meet my eyes. “Are you?”
“I’m over the moon. This is the best gift you could’ve given me.” I press my lips to his. “I love you.”
He wraps his arms around me and I squeal as he lifts me off the ground and hugs me. My arms wind around him as he kisses my mouth, my cheeks, my nose, and my forehead.
“You’re the best gift I’ve ever been given, my queen.”
“And you’re mine, my king.”
“Why are you tired?”
“I’m—”
Before I can say anything, he slams his palm on the middle of my chest.
“Aiden!” I watch our surroundings. I know he’s just checking my heartbeat — like he does every day. Actually, he sometimes sleeps with his head on my heart to make sure it’s working properly.
“I told you to check my wrist pulse when we’re in public,” I whisper. “People are watching.”
“Fuck people. I’ll check my wife’s pulse any way I like.”
They go on and on. The audience are watching the two titans clash with gaped mouths. Even the president doesn’t dare to say anything.
Me on the other hand? I’m done watching two sociopaths trying to outsmart one another.
As Asher goes on and on about legal texts and whatnot, I squeeze Aiden’s hand and whisper, “I’m tired. Let’s go home.”
He doesn’t even stop to consider it.
Still clutching my hand, he stands, taking me up with him and cuts off Asher. “My wife needs to rest.”
“Loser,” Asher mutters.
Aiden smirks. “I’m taking a rain check.”
“I’ll be here,” Asher calls to our backs as we head to the door. “Now, where was I?”
He launches into a long, one-sided argument.
“Why are you even friends with him?” I ask as soon as we’re alone.
“Because he’s fun, sweetheart. We need fun people who aren’t politically correct.”
“You mean sociopaths.”
“Every society needs old-fashioned villains.”
“You went to Ethan’s house,” he says. It’s not a question which means he’s still watching me.
Shocker.
“I did,” I say, just to be a dick.
"There is a sadistic pleasure in watching a sub shaking and whimpering in pain that she’s bravely enduring for me."
The work lights burned back to life overhead. The first- and second-years shrank away from Colborne’s unfamiliar face. He came slowly forward from his place beside the line sets, watching James as if there were nobody else in the world. “Well,” he said. “We couldn’t play make-believe forever. Are you ready to tell me the truth?”
James wavered beside me, opened his mouth to speak. Before he could make a sound I moved forward, the decision already made, made in the same instant it flashed into existence.
“Yes,” I said. Colborne turned toward me in disbelief. “Yes,” I said again. “I am.”
Act 5, Scene 6Kitabı okudu
We all know someone who subscribes to a particular conspiracy theory, whether they are driven by political ideology or were just innocently watching YouTube videos and got sucked in. But conspiracy theories are as old as human civilization itself; for as long as the powerless and disenchanted have resented being kept in the dark, they have speculated about matters they do not comprehend. Though they may truly have been lied to and deceived, it is just as likely that their theories are completely unfounded. And this is not to say that anyone who believes a particular conspiracy theory is simply not smart enough to see through it. Many intelligent and otherwise well-informed people may have valid reasons for believing in something that is not true, whether it’s because of a legitimate distrust of authority based on some past experience or simply because they don’t have access to all the facts. In this case, it does no good telling them they are wrong because they are not clever enough to see the truth. They will feel exactly the same way about you.
He wipes the slight injury with his thumb slowly then stares at it as if it’s a wonder.
Or a curse.
“You and I are over, King,” I announce loud enough for everyone in our surroundings to hear. “Stop being a clingy, annoying ex.”
A few gasps erupt around us.
While he’s still watching the blood on his thumb, I hit my shoulder against his and walk out with my head held high.
Elsa-Aiden.Kitabı okudu
I remembered being passionate about bat watching and horror novels as a child. Kids and adults alike had chided me for being too “weird” and “hyper” about those interests. I was “too much” in so many ways. To other people, my tears were immature tantrums and my opinions were condescending diatribes. As I grew up, I learned to be less intense, less embarrassing—less me.
JACKS VIBE VERİYOR.
“Lillian’s waiting for me.” She turned to face the garden gates. “There, inside the garden.” The locked garden.
“And how do you intend to get in?” Again, the most aggravating amusement stirred in his voice. “Climb up the ivy? I think I might enjoy watching that.”
