What Happened to Lilly: The Darkside of Love, #1

By Iris Deorre

Sophia Fitzgerald had married the wrong man and was now stuck with two children her husband Blake never wanted. Blake, her now ex has walked out of his family, leaving her to pick up the pieces and work through the pain of it all. Through it all, she has her adoptive parents support who love her very much.

One day, her father, Edwin Fitzgerald sets her up with a man he thinks would be perfect. Oscar is the kind of man Edwin would love as a son in law and would do anything to make it happen. Before signing a business deal with Oscar, Edwin asks him to take his daughter, Sophia on a date. It’s an odd request, but Oscar decides that it would be worth it, once he got the business he wouldn’t have to entertain Edwin’s daughter anymore. But that all changes when Oscar meets Sophia. Not only is she beautiful and hard to ignore, she’s about to pop with a second child. It’s the oddest paring, but it almost seems perfect. Oscar, never married, no children and no prospects of doing so, thinks things might just work out. And things do turn out so well that the pair get together, and he becomes stepfather to the new baby, Lilly.

Sophia is living her fairy life. When she thought love had abandoned her, Oscar showed her that it was possible to find love again. But the fairy tale is short lived when on a very special day, Lilly disappears from their lives. It could be anyone, but no one is talking and everyone is looking. What the hell happened to Lilly?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Iris Deorre
• Release date: Aug 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386693741

Iris Deorre

Iris Deorre is not only an Author but she is also an Entrepreneur. She loves to write erotic stories, weaving difficult love triangles with exciting and daring sex. Iris loves to mix her erotica with paranormal. You’ll find Shapeshifters, werewolves, vampires, to name a few. When Iris is not writing, you'll find her spending time with her daughter, taking long walks in the country or you will find her spending time with good friends and good wine.

Book preview

This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations and incidents are products of author’s imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales or events is entirely coincidental.

PART ONE

Chapter One

The scene replayed over in Sophia’s mind as she ran through the woods that was part of her land. The rain began to fall harder, making it harder for her to see clearly, but she didn’t care. Nothing in that moment was as important as her thoughts. Thoughts that tortured her every day since the dreadful day. The day her husband of twelve years walked out on her.

It was all about the baby she was carrying. While she ran, there were moment when she put her hand to the growing belly. Blake didn’t want another child. He’d made that clear after they had had Alice, a child he hadn’t wanted either, but had accepted. It had been made very clear at the beginning of the relationship that Blake didn’t want to be a father. At the time, Sophia believed she didn’t want children too, she had convinced herself of the fact, because Blake was her dream man. She had hoped that with time he would change his mind. That he would want to have children, but as the years went by that didn’t change, and so it was three years later into the relationship that she had her first surprise pregnancy.

Blake was certain she had set him up, but decided to let it go and told her that no more children. Sophia promised. When Alice was born she was over joyed and was convinced some time later, Blake would once again accept another child. But this time it wasn’t going to happen. It had been a horrible fight the moment the pregnancy was revealed. Blake was furious! He had shouted, screamed in fact and had scared Alice, who was nine years old.

‘I don’t want another child! I told you this from the beginning! Get rid of it or we’re done!’ he’d said.

‘You don’t mean that.’ She had tried to get through to him, but this time he wasn’t having it. This time he wasn’t going to be a part of it.

The words stung as she replayed them in her mind. Tears streamed down her face but it wasn’t as visible because of the rain. Blake had been the love her life, or so she had thought. He’d been the man she’d given up everything for even after her mother had told her not to do that. Sophia had ignored all the red flags and thought by being the best person she could be, Blake would give her what she wanted. Sophia had been adamant that things would work out. She’d been wrong. She couldn’t control Blake, even though she’d thought she had.

Sophia stopped a moment and leaned against a tree breathing heavily. She held onto her growing belly, the baby she refused to give up, and instead had to let her husband go. It hurt so much, but she had to keep going. Sophia ran most mornings, she’d been doing it since she was seventeen. She’d ran through her pregnancy with Alice, so this was no different, except for the fact she was a lot older. Running kept her sane, it especially worked for stressful times like this. As she caught her breath, the scenes of a few months ago kept coming back, and each time it felt like yesterday.

Blake had removed the suitcase from his side of the walk-in closet. She had begged him not to leave, but he threw his clothes into the case. It was as if the marriage had meant nothing to him.

‘Is there someone else?’

‘You know why I’m doing this.’

‘But you didn’t do it with Alice.’

‘Because I thought it was a one off. I thought you understood my feelings about all of this. But again, it has fallen on deaf ears. You only do things that benefit you.’

‘That is not true! I gave up everything for you!’

‘I never asked you to.’ After that he’d shut the suitcase and started towards the stairs. ‘I will have someone pick up the rest of my things.’

‘Is that it? You’re throwing away years of our marriage.’

‘I didn’t, you did.’ He started down the steps.

She pleaded but he wasn’t having it. Alice had heard the commotion, had run to her father and asked him not to leave her.

‘I’ll come and see you, I promise.’

‘Don’t you love me!’ she cried.

‘Of course, I do.’

‘Then why are you leaving me.’

‘I’m not leaving you. I’m leaving your mother.’

‘Why?’ she cried. ‘I don’t understand.

He had glanced over at Sophia briefly, then leaned forward to give Alice a kiss on the forehead. Soon after that he left.

‘Mummy what did you do?’ Alice screamed.

Sophia held onto her stomach as she bent over crying in the rain. It had been so hard and she just couldn’t seem to move forward. She was stuck in the hope that just maybe he would realise his mistake, but he didn’t. Blake wasn’t coming back, he’d left three months ago and hadn’t mentioned he’d do any such thing.

She straightened up, took a deep breath and continued the run. She had to get back before Alice left for school. With the strength she had left within, Sophia pushed herself home.

****

Alice had just finished her breakfast when Sophia got back. Her mother Anna-Marie was drinking a coffee and scanning the Guardian.

‘This world has gone mad,’ she said without lifting her head from the paper.

‘I didn’t know you were coming today mum. You don’t have to come here every day.’ She kissed her mother on the cheek, and then her daughter before heading for the fridge to get one of her homemade smoothie.

‘I don’t trust you to look after yourself dear. Ever since that creep of a man left, I have no choice but to look after my own.’

‘Mum.’ She warned. She didn’t want Alice to resent her father.

Alice rolled her eyes.

‘The child should know the truth about her father.’

‘Mother please.’ She warned again.

Sophia loved her mother, she was the only mother she knew. Sophia was black but her parents were white. She’d been adopted from birth. She had an older brother, Liam, who was their only biological child. Sophia wasn’t treated any differently, except by those who could never understand why she had white parents. She had inherited a big chunk of money from her parents just like her brother had. It was one of the reasons she was living in luxury. Anna-Marie had never wanted her daughter to marry a middle-class banker, but Sophia was in love and there was nothing Anna-Marie could say or do to pursued her daughter otherwise. Her parents had to get with the program if they wanted to continue to see her. Her brother had chosen well, both parents had approved of his wife. But they loved both their children and so they had to accept Blake as part of the family.

Anna-Marie was delighted that Blake had decided to leave. Now she could enjoy her daughter and granddaughter without any disruption. She had never liked Blake, and she was glad that he was gone. This was something she didn’t want to change. This meant that her daughter would inherit her share without having to share it with Blake.

The family owned land and properties all over the world. The money was known as old money. It had always been this way in their lives, and Sophia had been brought up this way.

‘Darling, you’re a Fitzgerald, so is Alice and so is the baby that’s coming.’ Her mother felt proud. It was like her to be possessive about her children and grandchildren. Sophia was never allowed to take her husband’s name, if she had she would’ve lost her inheritance. Sophia did like her name and her family. They were well known and her family name got her into places not many people could get into. Blake had been forced to sign a prenup before he could marry Sophia. Sophia had insisted that it wasn’t necessary, but he wanted to do it because he loved her, not her money. He also wanted to prove that it was never about their money. He did love Sophia. Had loved her, but not enough to have children with her.

‘I want to see daddy!’ Alice interjected.

‘Oh darling, you don’t need your daddy. You’ll see your grandad over the weekend.’

‘Mother please! One more insult and I will have to ask you to leave.’ Sophia had to warn her mother every now and then.

‘Sorry darling. I’m sorry my sweet Alice, I am sure your daddy will come and see you very soon.’ Even though she didn’t want him to. She felt that they were all better off if he stayed away.

‘What are your plans today, love?’ asked her mother.

‘Taking Alice to school and then just sorting out a few things in the house.’

‘Not busy then.’

‘Mum.’

‘Darling I want to take my only daughter shopping. You could do with a few more clothes.’

‘Is that your nice way of saying I’m getting fat.’

‘Not fat love, you’re just carrying a baby. It will quickly come off you.’

Sophia laughed lightly. She was so used to her mother’s comments and snobbery.

‘We can go shopping at about eleven, if that’s okay.’

‘Perfect.’

That had been her morning. It had been hard, like every other morning since Blake had left. It had been hard trying to get through the day without the love of her life. It was even worse when she went for her first scan alone. It stung that he wasn’t there, but she couldn’t force him back. He had made up his mind.

Sophia glanced at her watch. ‘I’ll have quick shower, then I’ll take Alice to school.’ She left them before her mother could say anymore.

****

Oscar put on his suit and turned from side to side. He was impressed with the way he looked and he was looking forward to meeting Mr. Fitzgerald. He’d been a fan of him for a long time. He’d finally worked himself to a level that Edwin Fitzgerald would even consider him in business. It had finally happened. Not only would he meet with the man himself, he’d received an invite to the Fitzgerald annual charity ball at their expensive home. Oscar felt that he’d made it. He couldn’t wait to meet the man himself.

Oscar was an attractive man. Tall with black hair and grey eyes. He had a smile that could charm any woman and yet he’d made a choice to remain single. If he had engaged in relationships, they would’ve dissuaded him from his goal of success. He was glad he had stuck to his guns, because now he was meeting his hero.

The jaguar waited outside the massive house he had acquired. The driver opened the door and he slid in. They headed for the Fitzgerald headquarters.

Upon arrival, he was greeted and treated like royalty. A drink and biscuits was offered while he waited for the man himself. It was a good thirty minutes before Edwin’s PA directed Oscar into his office.

‘Ah, Mr. Johnson. It’s nice to finally meet you.’ Edwin proffered his hand as he stood up from behind his desk.  

‘Sit,’ said Edwin with a slight smile.

Oscar undid the button to his suit and sat down. He was in awe of the man he had admired for so long.

‘I have something I would like you to do,’ Edwin cut to the chase.

‘Certainly.’ He was too eager for his own good.

‘I would like you to entertain my daughter. She’s very precious to me and could do with some cheering up.’

‘Sir?’ He deflated a little. This wasn’t why he wanted to meet the man. ‘I thought this was a meeting about my business proposal.’

‘Young man. My family didn’t get to the top without making sacrifices, but if you’re not the type of man to go the extra mile, then I am afraid we have no further business.’

This was odd. He’d never experienced this in his life. He’d worked hard to get to where he was. He’d built a company from scratch and was very successful, but he had hit a wall. He wanted to take the business to another level, but that wouldn’t happen without the type of influence that Edwin had.

‘I would be honoured to entertain your daughter.’ He realised that he had entered a different world. A world where favours were the norm to get ahead.

‘That’s what I like to hear. Now. About your business proposal. I think you and I will work well together. You’re a quick learner.’

‘Yes, sir I am.’

Edwin smiled satisfied. It was then that they began to talk about what Oscar had originally came for.

****

Sophia put the shopping