Forever Beloved (Billionaire Love Series Part 2)

By Jessa Eden

HEA Conclusion to Forever Branded

Marla had betrayed me in the worst way...or so I thought.
My version of the past was unraveling, leading me to question everything I knew about the break-up.
The only thing I knew for sure was she was driving me crazy.
I found her maddening. Bewitching. Captivating.
She was still in my blood after all these years.
But I was determined to resist her sweetness until I uncovered every last secret she was hiding from me.
~Beau Shepard

Beau only knew half the secret.
The other half could destroy him.
I knew sooner or later he would figure out the truth and the past would be exposed for what it really was.
A betrayal of the worst kind.
I wasn’t giving up on us, though.
I still loved him. Utterly and Completely.
Fate was giving us another chance.
I could feel it in my bones.
~Marla Matthews

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessa Eden
• Release date: Jul 18, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311074256

Jessa Eden

Over the last couple of years, writing has become a passion of mine. I pour my heart into each one of my stories, letting my characters go wherever they dare to venture. They often surprise and amuse me. I revel in exploring the human condition through the art of storytelling. Nothing gives me more pleasure than drawing you into a world of emotional connection, compelling characters and hopeful adventure, complete with sizzle and sensuality. My goal is to leave you breathless and panting for more... Write me. I love to hear from readers! I'm always looking to get fresh perspective, inspiration and insight to making my stories the best I can make them. I promise I'll write back. Until then, celebrate and savor the magic of romance, good people!

Book preview

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

EPILOGUE

Other Jessa Eden stories:

ABOUT THIS BOOK

A woman can stay with you forever.

No matter how far away you flee.

No matter how much time passes.

Marla Matthews stayed in my bones, day and night, branded on my soul.

I loved her beyond anything I thought possible.

Even after she broke my heart.

So why would you care?

Because that’s not the end of the story.

Not even close.

What you’re about to read is a gritty tale of reclaimed love.

It isn’t pretty.

It isn’t nice.

It’s raw and messy as fate gives us one last shot to get it right.

You up for that?

Then hold the fuck on...

~Beau Shepard

JESUS H. CHRIST.

No fuckin’ way was I a dad.

I did not have a twenty-two year old kid walking around the streets of Baltimore.

Reeling, I tried to shut those thoughts down as I raced toward the exit of the salon, burst out the door and froze for a stunned second, trying to comprehend the reality of seeing Charlie for the first time.

How could I not know?

How could Marla do this to me?

Breathing was suddenly difficult and I put my hands on my knees, like I had sprinted a hundred meter race. I tried to grab onto something real as I struggled to find steady internal ground. It wasn’t easy as I read the signs around me: Frank’s Pet store, Leon’s bakery, Taxes done here, Buy one, get one free.

It didn’t help.

My world had imploded and I could do nothing to stop the destruction busting through every one of my defenses. At this rate, only a shred of my heart would be left.

Desperate to get away from the scene of the crime, I walked aimlessly down the row of shops, trying to wrap my mind around the fact I had a living, breathing kid running around with my DNA.

Charlie Matthews.

It was like coming face to face with a mirror. Our features were almost identical, except he had Marla’s thick, dark, beautiful hair and doe eyes. Everything else was me.

She had named him after my grandfather.

Why would she do that?

It didn’t make sense.

The tightness in my chest suddenly expanded, growing so unbearable, I bolted down the corridor of shops in a full sprint, not caring where I ended up. I just wanted to forget everything pressing down on me.

I came to a park at the end of the block, my breathing labored as I sat down on a metal bench, burying my face in my hands.

What the hell was happening?

My kid.

My fucking kid.

I didn’t know what to feel.

Destroyed.

Betrayed.

Grief stricken.

All for the life I was supposed to have with Charlie and his mother.

I couldn’t believe Marla was now the mother of my child.

A child I didn’t know.

A child who had grown up without his father.

I instantly hated that fact.

What was worse was I couldn’t do anything about it.

It was all too much.

I didn’t want to think about what it meant.

So, I did what I did best.

I checked out.

I was on my phone before I could even contemplate what I was doing. Hey, it’s me. I’m having a party. Let everybody know. Bring the good stuff, I told a concierge of sorts, who could hook up a party in the blink of an eye.

I knew in thirty minutes my penthouse would be full of beautiful people, who would only care about the booze and entertainment I offered and wouldn’t give a shit about my emotional issues. Just what I needed.

The chance to forget.

HAD I REALLY chased away my son and the love of my life?

Was this worst-case scenario really happening?

What a freakin’ nightmare.

I stayed rooted to the spot where Beau had left me, in the middle of the hallway of Casa Oschun. I wiped away the tears as memories came at me so fast, it was as if they had happened yesterday.

Two weeks after I sent Beau packing, I found out I was pregnant.

I had been feeling a little queasy, but I chalked it up to the heartbreak I was enduring. I was barely functioning, just enough to take care of Emma.

I ignored everything else. The apartment was a mess and I had a hard time remembering what day it was. I was afraid I would never come out of the fog surrounding me.

However, everything changed when Stacy showed up one day unannounced in mid-August.

Where have you been, girl? I’ve been worried about you, she said, waltzing in past all the clutter, which had accumulated in the last week.

I shrugged half-heartedly, not really caring. Sorry. I haven’t been myself lately.

She shoved the newspapers off the couch and took a seat. I know. I heard about you and Beau. Wanna tell me about it? Her blue-green gaze was kind and open.

I would have loved to confide in her, but the truth was if I talked about what happened with Beau, I would come undone.

So I sadly shook my head no as tears formed in my eyes. I can’t. It hurts too badly.

Oh, Marla. I thought you were happy with him, she sympathized.

I was.

So what went wrong?

I shook my head again as my stomach suddenly roiled, the heat of the day taking its toll. Excuse me! I yelled, running for the bathroom.

I got there just in time to barf up what was left of my meager breakfast.

Oh, honey. Are you pregnant? she asked from the doorway.

What? No, I can’t be, I said, hanging my head over the toilet.

I’m going to make you an appointment at the free clinic where I get my birth control.

I don’t know. I don’t think I could deal with it.

I’m not taking no for an answer. You need to see a doctor and get checked out. At least, do it for Emma. You look awful.

She was right. I owed it to my sister to make sure I was okay.

I nodded yes, as I battled my nausea, wondering if I was going to have another go-around with the porcelain god.

Okay. I’m calling the clinic now, Stacy said as she walked toward the phone.

She made the appointment, while I cleaned myself up and walked back out to the living room. Without being asked, she tidied up the apartment as I sat on the couch in a stupor. I didn’t have the energy to stop her.

I don’t like seeing you like this. Are you going to be okay? she asked as she put a new liner in the kitchen trash can.

Eventually, I’ll pull it together. I have Emma to look out for and guardianship should be coming through soon. I can’t afford to be a mess for too much longer. Thankfully, Ms. Adelaide was keeping Emma for the day.

Stacy walked over and sat next me on the worn couch. You’re the strongest bitch I know. You’ll get through this, she said, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug.

I appreciated her support. I hope so. I don’t like who I am right now. Heartbreak sucks.

Her gaze flickered with wariness as we broke apart. That’s why I’m going to keep things light and casual in college.

I tilted my head sideways as I shot her a sympathetic glance. Oh, Stacy. I wouldn’t trade my time with Beau. I had the best time with him. You can’t let my heartache scare you away from a serious relationship.

You’re telling me that after all this, you still believe in love?

Oh, yeah. Without a doubt. I will love Beau the rest of my life.

That’s crazy, Marla.

I know. But he’s my true love.

Any chance you’ll get back together?

The tears caught me by surprise as they fell down my cheeks. No, probably not.

Oh, honey. I can’t stand leaving you like this.

I wiped at my eyes, trying to smile through my tears. I’ll be all right. Like you said, I’m a strong bitch.

She laughed as her blue-green eyes glistened. You’re amazing and I’m going to miss you.

I’ll miss you like crazy, too, but we’ll keep in touch.

Yeah, we will, she sighed, getting teary-eyed over our farewell.

I want you to have the best time. Just keep your heart open and see what happens, I encouraged softly.

Her eyes pooled with an unfamiliar vulnerability. I’ve never been very good at that.

I know, but you are such an incredible person and I want you to have what I had.

So you want me to get my heart ripped out?

I just shook my head as I laughed. No, you silly bitch, I want you to experience love that will last a lifetime.

She grinned. I’m not making any promises.

You don’t have to. I know you’re going to have a fabulous time in college.

I’m planning to.

We talked a little longer and she filled me in on her plans to become a hard-hitting journalist. I admired the fact that her path seemed so clear. Mine was a big, fat question mark with a possible baby on the way.

But I wished her well as we hugged again and said goodbye. She left for college a couple of days later.

The silence was deafening.

I was truly on my own.

No boyfriend and no friends.

What can I say?

It was a truly shitty time in my life.

I honored the appointment Stacy made for me, trying to be brave and face the truth. Sitting in a hot, humid room with the paper of the exam table sticking to my bare legs at the free clinic, I listened to the overworked doctor announce, You are definitely pregnant. I’d say about two months along.

I shook my head. No, no. I can’t be pregnant.

Have you been sexually active?

Yes.

Have you been practicing safe sex?

Um...sometimes.

Well, there you have it. You’re pregnant, he answered dismissively, writing something on my chart.

Oh god, I breathed out, the reality almost too much to bear.

You’ll need to make another appointment and start taking some prenatal vitamins, unless you want to schedule an abortion. Do you know what you want to do? he questioned, as if he were asking if I wanted ketchup or mustard on a burger.

I had thought about the possibility of being pregnant for a week, even as I wanted to deny it.

There wasn’t a question in my mind. I’m keeping my baby.

He shut my chart. Okay, then. Schedule an appointment with Georgia on your way out.

As I got dressed and left the crowded clinic, I wondered how I was going to handle a baby and a ten-year-old all by myself. It wasn’t going to be easy. That was for sure.

Grief and pregnancy turned out to be a diabolical combination. I cried myself to sleep most nights, at least for the first three months. I would throw up, then cry, then throw up again.

A magical process, I tell you.

Somehow, by the grace of God, I got through the worst of it.

Four months after Beau left, I was awarded full guardianship of Emma, which only brought me a little relief. By then, I was also six months pregnant and scared out of my flippin’ mind Beau’s dad would find out. I didn’t know what he would do if he knew about the baby.

Nothing good, that’s for sure.

He was the grandfather of my child and I didn’t want anything to do with him. But I loved his son desperately, more, it seemed, with each passing day.

The littlest things set me off, like the morning I ate the last of the Shredded Wheat he loved so much. I cried as I tasted the sweet crunch and milk together, remembering how he had touched the box, enjoyed the cereal and laughed at the table as we had breakfast together.

I wrote him a dozen letters, all begging him to come back to me. I never sent them; they just piled up in my dresser drawer, taunting me until I couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t give them to Beau, but I could get them one-step closer to him.

With that in mind, I decided to reach out to Beau’s granddad. He was the only one I trusted. He was my last connection to Beau and I knew instinctively he would keep my secret.

He turned out to be a lifesaver.

I showed up one Sunday morning at the big house, following a hunch that James Shepard would be on his way to church. I’d watched him leave and quickly located Charly out back in the garden of their colossal mansion.

He put his spade down and stood up, breaking into a wide grin. It’s good to see you, Marla.

He said it so sweetly, I burst into tears.

Honey, what’s wrong? he asked, throwing his shovel into the ground.

I’m pregnant, I blurted out, patting my growing belly.

I can see that, he said kindly. Whatever are we going to do?

I’m going to have this baby, I said resolutely. It’s the only thing I have left of Beau.

You know Bubba’s daddy didn’t tell me what he did, but I figured he had something to do with the way Bubba left. Beau was heartbroken when he got on that plane for training camp.

I know. Tears slid down my face, the pain still fresh.

So, you’ve come to me for help, little lady?

I nodded quickly, too distraught to say anything else.

You’re having Bubba’s baby and you’re all alone, aren’t you? he summarized perfectly.

I cried harder. Yes. I don’t want this baby to grow up and not know his daddy’s family.

He patted me on the shoulder. There, there. You’re not alone. We’ll just have to see how we can get to fixin’ this...

Oh, how that was music to my ears. He was willing to help me.

Charlie jumped right in, making sure I had everything I needed while I was pregnant, including the best medical care available. He even drove me to and from my appointments.

We got to know each other on our outings together. He was funny and sassy, reminding me of Beau in so many ways with his thoughtful, kind, and noble heart.

I grew so comfortable with him; I even confided to him what Beau’s dad had done. He didn’t say anything as we’d driven along, but he’d gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white.

That’s how I felt too.

I was just bearing it.

Barely.

In early spring of the next year, nine months pregnant and ready to pop, I woke up feeling funny. There was a weird pressure in my back and I knew my body was preparing for the big moment. I kept calm as I fixed some breakfast, but the pain was growing stronger.

I managed to choke down a few eggs as the contractions took on a life of their own. Building in intensity, they felt like a tight fist clamping down on my uterus.

I didn’t know if I was ready to have this baby. I had planned and pinched every penny, but it was still going to be a rough road. I had hoped to get a job to extend the dwindling savings my mom had left us, but with a baby on the way and no one but me to care for two kids, I had thrown my energy into going to massage school.

I was only half-way through my classes, but the school had agreed to let me take six weeks off for the baby. I wasn’t sure how I was going to work it all out, but at that moment, my attention was on what was happening inside my body.

What’s wrong, Marla? Why do you look like that? Emma asked as I braced myself against a kitchen table chair.

I put my finger up to signal just a minute, pain tearing through me. She watched, enthralled, by my silent struggle. She’d been fascinated with my growing belly and pregnancy since I had told her I was having a baby.

I panted, like the birthing classes I took, had instructed. It wasn’t helping much to relieve the pain. But I made it through the contraction as I let out a big sigh.

I’m getting ready to have the baby, I told Emma with a comforting smile, as soon I could speak.

Her blue eyes grew big. Oh. Does it hurt?

Yes, it does. I haven’t ever felt this kind of pain before.

Do you need to get to the hospital?

I do. But first, I need to take you over to Ms. Adelaide’s. Get your stuff.

Okay. She hustled back to her bedroom to find her pre-packed suitcase while I tried to remember everything I needed to do.

I grabbed my suitcase and dragged it to the living room after donning a purple housecoat—one of the few things that still fit my belly. Trying to be responsible, I checked the stove and the windows, making sure the apartment was safe as I glanced around. Everything seemed to be in order.

Got what you need, kiddo? I asked Emma as we stood by the front door.

Yep, I have everything I need.

You’ve got that phone number I gave you, right? I had given her Charlie’s private number, so she had someone to call if there was an emergency.

Yep, it’s in my suitcase.

We walked the short distance to Ms. Adelaide’s. From there, I intended to waddle down to the bus stop for a quick ride across town to the hospital.

You’re having a baby! I’m so excited! Emma squealed as I tried to walk steadily next to her.

Yay! I agreed, trying to share in her enthusiasm.

Emma banged on Ms. Adelaide’s door as if she was alerting her to a fire.

Emma, she’ll think something is wrong, I scolded, not wanting our neighbor to hurt herself, trying to get to the door.

Nah, she’ll be just as excited as me! Emma boasted.

I grinned at my sister’s pluckiness. She had been my saving grace during this whole, ugly situation. Without her, I didn’t know where I would be.

A couple of seconds later, Ms. Adelaide threw the door open, just as a contraction slammed into me. I think the baby’s coming, I breathed out, grabbing onto the door jam, trying to bear the climaxing pain.

Oh my. How far apart are the contractions? Ms. Adelaide asked as she studied me.

Not very far apart! I panted as the contraction tore through my uterus.

Damn, those hurt.

I sagged