The Stolen Bride

Michael's Hidden Burden

Michael packed up his work laptop and hit the intercom in his office. "Jenny, I'm going home early to check on my family. If you need me, you can call my cell. I'm bringing the reports home. Cancel my last appointment for the day, reschedule if you have to."

"Yes, Michael. Have a good day."

"You too." Michael grabbed his briefcase and walked out.

After Michael got in his Lexus, he drove until he got to the gate of his father's mansion. He showed his ID to the guard at the gate.

"Mr. Wraith, welcome home." John, the newest guard, said.

"Call me Michael, John, would you?"

"Yes, sir, all clear," John said.

The gate was opened, and Michael drove into the driveway of the mansion. He looked at the guard in front of the door.

"Is Mr. Robin with you, sir?" the guard asked.

"No, he's still working. He won't be back until ten or eleven, you know that. Has my father returned from his trip?"

"Yes, sir, your father said he wants to see his granddaughter right away, sir. I was just about to tell the fourth-floor guards. Oh, and your wife requested your presence, sir."

"Which one Thomas?"

"Christy Sir."

"I hate that cunt. For what?"

"Some of your dad's partners and her father are having a dinner party here at the house tonight."

"Oh god, is that tonight at seven? Okay, tell her I didn't forget, I'm going to check on my family, and I'll be right there."

"Yes sir." Thomas, the guard said.

Michael went up to the elevator.

A guard that stood in front of it said, "Going up, sir?"

"Yes, I am."

"Go right in, sir."

Michael went in the elevator and arrived at the fourth floor.

Michael went and saw more guards in front of the panel and inside the camera station.

One guard came up to him and handed him a piece of paper. "He's been good today, but he made a weird request."

"What kind"

"School, sir. He wants Emma to go to school."

Michael handed the guard a card. "Open the door."

"Sir, we need your handprint."

Michael placed his hand on the panel, and it lit up green, then the door opened.

A four-year-old Emma with blonde hair blue eyes, wearing a light blue dress, began to run to the door, screeching and grabbing onto Michael's legs. "Daddy's home, mommy, daddy's home."

Michael's eyes stared at Matthew as he continued putting a book away. Why is he always hiding that diary from me, as if I can't see what's doing at all times from watching the cameras? "Maddie, you are her mother. Did you forget the rules about the door?"

Matthew was still trying to put his diary away. "Get away from the door, Emma, get away."

"But daddy's here."

Matthew grabbed her back and stood up tall.

Michael snarled as he stared at Matthew. His lip is still busted from our last fight. He is mine. I just knew he was mine, and I didn't need to see his swollen, bruised, purplish eye and busted lip to tell he was mine. "Emma, obey your momma."