Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 69488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
“Yes, but—”
“But nothing. Daimon is a fierce and loving husband who would protect me and our future family from anything that could harm me or our children. What woman wouldn’t want that?” Addie questioned.
“But isn’t true that Daimon’s business dealing—”
“What my husband does and how he does it makes him the brilliant business man he is now. I will not involve myself in how he decides to deal with his companies and employees.” Addie looked the reporter square in the eye, almost beckoning him to try something else.
“You can turn it off. After I said that, he kind of folded and ended the interview.” I was so engrossed with the interview that I hadn’t noticed Addie had walked in and stood near the end of the foyer.
“You didn’t leave me?” I signed in relief.
“Why would I?” she asked.
“After everything…fuck, Addie, I mean I wouldn’t blame you…” My voice cracked and my body shook as I watched her carefully, hoping to fucking God, she wasn’t some sort of mirage that I made up in a desperate moment.
“Daimon, you may be an asshole… Wait, scratch that, you are an asshole. You drive me crazy and yes, living with you isn’t easy, but Daimon, I love you. Like you said, it’s you and me. Me and you. I can’t turn my back on you. You created that stupid contract to save me because you love me. Now it was my turn to save you, because I love you. I love you more than ever.” She headed closer to me.
“Say it again,” I begged as I rose and met her halfway.
“Say what? That you’re an asshole?” she laughed quietly.
“Addie?”
“I love you, Daimon. You’re my family. I promised I wouldn’t leave you and I won’t,” she said effortlessly, reached for my face and held me. The warmth of her hands soothed the angst threatening to overwhelm my frayed nerves. Her very being eased the heart that had begun to fucking break at the thought of her leaving me. Had I been the Daimon I was before, I would have conned her into staying, forced her with money. Anything to keep her, but she changed me and I realized there was nothing I could do to make her mine unless she wanted to be.
“I love you,” I said roughly, as I took her face and brought it closer to me mine. “God, I fucking love you.”
Epilogue: Addie
“Daimon,” I cried out as I watched him trying to tease Sofia as she sat with her fellow doctors. A couple of years ago, I watched a young Sofia receive her short coat and entering pre-med. As I watched my little sister graduate and become a full-fledged doctor, I couldn’t have been prouder. “Daimon, for God’s sake, stop!” I hissed quietly, pulling on his suit jacket.
“Oh, come off it. She loves it.” He laughed.
“Can’t you turn off your asshole self for one day and just be nice? What am I saying?” I said as I shook my head.
“I don’t know, beloved. I thought after all this time you knew better, but then again, you didn’t graduate from an Ivy League school,” Daimon taunted.
“No, I didn’t, asshole, but my business is thriving and I can say I’m making enough to almost match you,” I teased. I knew it wasn’t really true, but with both Elissa’s business degree and Chantal’s know how, the three of us opened up an auction house that was really making headway.
“Who knew that my little Addie was so smart. I was right to buy you when I did,” Daimon mocked.
“You’re right. Because right now, I’m worth a whole lot,” I jeered.
I turned toward my sister. “Congrats, little shit.” I reached for her and held her tightly.
“Thank God, you graduated. Now I’m done paying for you.” Daimon laughed.
“Shut up!” Sofia shouted.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make him pay when I get him home,” I assured her.
“Where’s Daddy?” she asked as she looked around.
“Oh, he’s coming,” I said to her.
“There he is!” She waved frantically as she ran to him.
I turned and watched as Sofia took little Ilyas into her arms and began humming to him. He was six months old and I was completely in love. When I first found out I was pregnant, I kept it to myself until the three months were up and then told Daimon. He wasn’t too happy I kept it from him, but he understood why I did, so didn’t press the matter Daimon-style.
Daimon was there with me, every step. He happily watched my belly grow, holding it and rubbing it. He’d play for our son who wasn’t yet born. Each song he created was a perfect melody of heavy and soaring notes. A wondrous harmony of warmth—gentle and at times edgy sounds. It was so beautiful to hear him when he played.
When the day came for Ilyas to be born, Daimon was at my side. Never once wavering. He held my hand and was my strength as I brought our son into the world. It was worth everything to see our baby in Daimon’s arms. I cried. Not because I had given birth, but because my family had grown, and in the arms of my lover, my husband and friend, was our child, who was now protected by his father’s embrace.