Book One: Chapter 35: Bonus Chapter
Book One: Chapter 35: Bonus Chapter
Her phone buzzed loudly alerting Katherine of new notifications. Groggily she stirred sitting up and
rested her back against the padded headboard of the hotel bed. Beside her Frederick snored loudly as
he lay like a starfish passed out. She sighed out of irritation and disgust. Her ass ached from his rough,
alcohol-fueled lovemaking.
How had her life come to this?
As Augustus foretold, her parents filed for bankruptcy. They had been forced to sell off their properties,
vacation homes, cars, artwork and even their entire hotel chain. Unfortunately, or perhaps expectedly,
Augustus’s influence was at work and they not only sold their assets for far less than market value but
fell well short of making enough to pay back their creditors. The IRS had started proceedings for a
detailed audit as well. Despite the fact her parents faced possible incarceration Katherine had very little
concern for them. She was too worried about her own future.
After news of Julius’s public proposal broke Frederick sought her out. No doubt he hoped to comfort
her and perhaps help himself to Julius’s spoils. Knowing a prime opportunity when she saw one she
cried her eyes out earning his dedicated sympathy and attention as he encouraged her to drown her
sorrows. It hadn’t taken much to get him up to her room after that. Their first night had been sloppy and
he passed out half way through but it was enough to start rumors making them a couple.
After that everything proceeded as Katherine planned except for one thing. Frederick was rough in bed
constantly smacking her butt and insisting on all sorts of dirty talk. But it was treatment she was willing
to put up with to secure her future. She had begun her fertility treatments again so it was only a matter
of time before she properly secured Frederick’s proposal.
With a sigh she reached for her phone with some trepidation. Three months ago she had screamed
when she saw the front page headline showcasing Julius and Macey’s ceremony. As with their wedding
it was a private affair with an exclusive guest list. The included photos were provided by the DaLair’s
wedding photographer.
Macey looked stunning in her one of a kind dress that did absolutely nothing to hide her growing belly.
Julius stood beside her with an adoring gaze. His hand always seemed to rest on her stomach when it
wasn’t occupied with one or both of the twins. Every article she read included high praise for the twins
claiming them to be rare and genius talents. Not surprisingly with news of the wedding, the twins
officially recognized as heirs as well as Julius’s successful business ventures overseas the DaLair
company stock soared and their quarterly earnings were the highest it had ever been in ten years.
The fact that Macey was M. Gray and the twins were musical progenies also had a surprising effect in
elevating the DaLair’s reputation not just in terms of business but also in terms of connoisseurs of the
art world. Steeling herself Katherine opened the notifications but the headline almost made her toss her
phone across the room.
February 15th
New York Times
IT’S A BOY!
At five o’clock this morning (Paris time) Julius and Macey DaLair welcomed their third child into the
world. At five pounds four ounces, Coda Jules DaLair surprised his family by arriving two weeks early.
The birth was attended by not just the DaLair patriarch but the entire DaLair family who all flew out to
Paris on a late night flight.
Mother and son are healthy and doing well.
We are told the father also survived.
The article was accompanied by several photos. The first featured a proud and overwhelmed Julius
holding the baby to his chest with the twins crowding on either side. Another showed a tired Macey
cradling the newborn with Caden on one side and Julius holding Aria on the other. A third presented
the DaLair patriarch himself holding the infant like a proud grandfather. No doubt the DaLair stocks
would see another jump in value soon.
Succumbing to her frustration Katherine shrieked and tossed her phone away. It should have been her!
If only it wasn’t for that bitch she could have had everything she deserved.
“W-what?”
Frederick stirred. He glanced around the room as if trying to remember the previous night. Groggily he
looked at her and in a rare lucid moment noticed her dark expression.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.”
“Oh, don’t be like that. Tell me what’s got you upset?”
“Julius and that bitch had their baby. It’s a boy.”
“Is that all?” Frederick chuckled. “Well, I know the cure for that. Come here.”
He dragged her to his side of the bed. Pulling her legs over the edge he stood and rolled her over.
Obediently Katherine propped herself up and braced herself as he rammed her from behind. Frederick
grunted in satisfaction as he pulled out and rammed her harder with each stroke. This is from NôvelDrama.Org.
“You know you like this,” he slapped her ass as he worked her harder and faster. Katherine bit back her
frustration and humiliation letting it blend with the pain into something almost like pleasure.
“Come on. Let me hear it! Tell me how much you like it!”
“Harder, daddy!” she shouted to his delight. “Faster daddy, faster!”
“That’s right. Daddy knows what you like!”
* * *
Augustus sighed his tired gaze settled on the baby asleep in the hospital cradle placed beside Macey’s
bed. In Europe hospitals encouraged mothers to breastfeed and care for their infants immediately if
there were no worrying complications preventing it. It was a mentality American hospitals, largely
concerned with sanitation, were slowly beginning to adopt.
Macey intended to breastfeed the new baby just as she had with the twins even though she struggled
to provide enough for the pair. Since this was her second birth her body seemed better prepared and
with only one to feed the process should be easier to maintain.
Though it was still early everyone finally left to try and rest. March, Rose and Jude headed to a nearby
hotel while Victoria, Dillon and Paul retreated to their respective homes. The baby’s early arrival had
taken them all by surprise. Augustus still remembered the panic in Julius’s voice over the phone.
It was two in the afternoon in New York, which meant it was eight in Paris, when Julius informed him
they were on their way to the hospital. Augustus immediately called March and Rose while Stephen
made arrangements with the airport to secure departure time for their private jet. Jude raced to make it
home in time to join them. They barely arrived in Paris before the baby.
Macey was asleep resting peacefully and no one deserved rest more than her. Caden lay beside her,
his head resting on her shoulder, also sound asleep. It had been a long night for all of them. Augustus
was amazed the twins managed to stay awake the entire night. His gaze drifted to the reclining chair on
the other side of the baby’s cradle where Julius slept, passed out with Aria cuddled in his lap.
It had been a long night for him too. Since he missed the twins’ birth this was his first time experiencing
the existential dread that often struck fathers during their partner’s labor but he never left Macey’s side
and proudly held his new baby boy before anyone else aside from the hospital staff. His joy was
evident from the start and the twins were excited to finally meet their baby brother.
The only one who could not muster such rapture was Paul. From very early on Augustus realized Paul
was in love with Macey and he was equally aware she was oblivious. The twins seemed to sense
Paul’s feelings for their mother and maintained a cool distance from him as well. Even so Augustus
was apprehensive about the other man while his son remained estranged from his family but he dared
not interfere directly as that would have incurred Victoria’s wrath.
Augustus still recalled their first conversation almost six years ago when he found himself confessing to
Victoria his hope of reuniting Macey and Julius. Victoria had been against it from the beginning. Having
never met Julius she hated the thought of Macey being hurt again. At the same time Victoria did not
fully support Paul’s clumsy approach either knowing it was too soon for Macey to be giving her heart
away again.
As time passed Victoria very quickly realized Macey’s feelings for Julius were as steadfast and true as
ever. Learning about Julius through Macey’s stories Victoria even developed a soft spot for the man
she never met recognizing him as one who had been oblivious to what was in front of him. At the very
least she was willing to reserve final judgment until she met him in person much to Augustus’s relief.
Whether Julius knew it or not he had cleared a major hurtle in renewing his relationship with Macey by
earning Victoria’s graciousness.
Julius must have left a promising impression because Victoria offered no protests when he proposed.
Her only concern seemed to be losing her friend and the twins as it was likely they would eventually
relocate to the America. So far the family chose to remain in Paris but Victoria was already making
plans of her own. Still unbeknownst to Macey she signed a contract with Kleinfeld ensuring she would
be splitting her time between Paris and New York from now on.
Paul, on the other hand, distanced himself. Though he was genuinely happy for Macey he could not
shake his jealousy towards Julius. Not only possessing intimate knowledge of Macey’s preferences, as
the pregnancy progressed Julius became an ever attentive partner. He readily assisted her in whatever
capacity she needed from chores to cooking to massaging her feet without complaint. It became more
and more clear to Paul they were perfectly matched.
Macey was still oblivious to his feelings towards her and Paul did not want to disrupt her happiness with
Julius and the twins. He just couldn’t bear to watch another man fulfill the role he coveted. So he kept
his distance. It was best for everyone.
Victoria was supportive and helped him come up with excuses for missing events. Julius undoubtedly
knew the real reason but said nothing. Macey remained blissfully unaware and that was the way Paul
wanted it. One day he would be able to forget his feelings and just be a friend…eventually. Until then
he would watch from afar.
As long as his family was not disrupted Augustus was content and saw no reason to interfere. He
basked in this quiet success. Finally both of his sons knew the happiness he had always wanted for
them. In the end it had all been worth it.
“Sir.”
Augustus looked up as Stephen handed him his phone.
“I don’t know if you wanted to see this but it is proceeding as you predicted.”
Augustus took the phone reading the headline and scanning through the images of Frederick and
Katherine. They seemed to be making quite the spectacle of themselves now that Julius was beyond
their collective reaches.
“And it is confirmed she has started fertility treatments again.”
“Proceed as planned. You know what to do.”
“Yes sir.”
Augustus nodded letting his gaze return to the sleeping family unaware of the actions he took on their
behalf. There was no need to involve them. The baby would need a lot of care and attention and it was
best for Julius and Macey to focus on their family. Augustus would handle the rest. No one crossed a
DaLair.
Fin.
(For real this time)