Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Epilogue

The rain was pouring down heavily outside of my office building. I regret parking a bit further today but in my defense, someone took my parking spot and I couldn't do anything about it. I took the elevator down and decided to go home. It has been a long day and I can't wait to get home.

When I got down I ran into John, our company's PRO. John and I were good friends back in the day, but after he found out I was getting married two years ago, he kept his distance and I never had the energy to ask him why. My colleague Natalie told me that John liked me before he knew I had a fiance. Part of me didn't want to believe that because the only thing assistants do when they are together is gossip and Natalie is the gang leader. "Hi Liz, I thought you left already," John said. "Hi there, no I am still here. I parked a bit far today and I was waiting for the rain to stop." I replied briefly.

" Time to go home to my husband and daughter, "I said to myself before putting the car in gear. Part of me is always looking forward to going home because my husband Evan always makes my day. On the other hand, there is my daughter Laura who does not like me. She is not my daughter, she is my stepdaughter from Evan's previous relationship. I do love her as a daughter but her mother filled her head with nonsense before she came to live with us so she has decided to make it a mission to remind me every day that she is not my biological daughter.

Sometimes I feel sorry for her, she has gone through a lot for someone who is 12 but the fact that she thinks I am the reason her parents are not together always put us on different pages. I pulled up into the garage and headed into the house. Evan's car was not parked outside so that was a sign he was not home yet. When I got to the lounge, I found Laura and her friends doing their homework. I had chocolates in my handbag so I handed them one each. To my surprise, Laura took it without saying anything about me trying to kill her. Yes, she tells me that to my face and I don't even bother giving her the satisfaction by starting an argument.

As I was heading upstairs, she called me. "Lizzy, dad called that he is working late so don't wait up. " She said. Before I could respond she was already a conversation with one of her friends Sarah so I went to my room to change.

A few minutes later, I came back down so I start preparing dinner. Halfway through cutting vegetables, my phone rang so I had to pause the chopping to answer. Being a Managing director of a company is not easy, work follows you at home so I would not be surprised if it was my boss calling. Turns out it was Erastus calling. Erastus is my best friend. Yes, my best friend is a guy. He and I met in high school and we have been the best of friends ever since.

Before I got married, the idea of making Erastus my man of honor crossed my mind but since marriage is a union of two families and not just two people who love each other, I didn't. I knew the elders would not like that so I had to forget about it. He and Evan don't like each other which is not surprising at all. They just get along for my sake. Erastus thinks Evan is not good for me, that I deserve better. I don't know about that because Evan is one of the best people I have ever met in my life and I am grateful. Evan on the other hand has a problem with Erastus because of how I would cancel on lunch or date night just because Erastus needed me. That is true, but I just look at who needs me the most. A date can be rescheduled but a friend with a problem needs you at that time and you have to be there. Friends are very important to me. To me, friends are family, and good ones are hard to find. And when you have met some very good people, you make sure you keep them in your life for good.

"Hi, there!"I said when I picked up." Hey Liz, you know that my birthday is coming up and I have this crazy idea that you cannot say no to." he said. Erastus gets excited sometimes and says things I don't get but that is just Erastus." Yes, I know your birthday is coming up and I plan your birthday parties. What is that crazy idea? "I asked impatiently. Erastus remained silent for a while before he suggested that we talk about it over lunch the following day."Sorry can't do, I have a meeting with the board about the products we are launching at the end of the month," I told him. I suggested we go for lunch the day after tomorrow instead and he agreed. I hung up and went back to cooking.

An hour later, I was done cooking. I called Laura to come to eat but she said she was going to wait for her father. She is afraid that I might poison her. I got myself used to that a long time ago, so I don't even try convincing her otherwise. Laura came to live with us immediately after Evan and I got married because her mother started using and brings her many boyfriends home so it was not a good environment for a child to grow up in. It was not too long before I heard Evan's pulling outside. Laura ran outside to her dad and I started making the table so we all have dinner together. Seconds later they entered the house hand in hand. Evan kissed me and went upstairs to change. He came back down and we all had dinner.

Evan went straight to bed after dinner because he was tired and I had to clean up the kitchen before I join him. Laura washed the dishes and left without saying a word, which is something I am used to by now.