Coerced

Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Mara POV

I see my husband getting down the stairs smart and handsome like always in his three piece business suit with a few files resting in his hands. Kneeling down in front of my daughter I was applying the final touches of make-up to her face. Today is Amaira's fancy dress competition as the mermaid.

"Daddy, how do I look?" Our daughter holds her long gown and twirls around to show her father. 

"You look beautiful, princess." Shannon kisses her cheek and lifts her into his arms. 

Amaira pouts. "Daddy I am not the princess today. I am a mermaid." 

Shannon gives a soft smile kissing her hair. "Princess, you will always be my little princess but today you look beautiful like a little mermaid too."

He puts her down and runs a hand sensually on my back in an inconspicuous endearment. However the second I peek into his optics, the affection outpouring is so intense that it would never fail to make my toes curl. 

"Daddy, will you be coming to my school to watch my performance?" Amaira asks him expectantly. 

"Of course princess, I am invited to your school as a chief guest but I wouldn't be able to spare much time because I am very busy today. I will be there to witness your performance though."

We finish the breakfast in fun and laughter. Shannon picks up his coat that was hanging on one of the peg stands beside the dining table and places both his hands on my shoulders. "Take care of yourself.” He tells me softly. 

“I have three meetings continuously lined up today. No sooner I finish them I will come to the school and join you both." He assures me and runs his hands from my collar bone to wrists playing with the platinum bracelet for a few seconds that was resting on my right hand. It was the kind of tenderness in his actions that was obscure yet so acute that keeps my heart leap with an ache of need.

It was the same bracelet he gave me almost a decade ago during the initial period of our relationship. According to Shannon's wishes I never parted with the little piece of jewelry along with the bracelet my parents in law gifted on the day of our marriage. 

Somehow the platinum brought me a feeling of togetherness even when we fell apart reminding me of his sweet memories. He places a discreet kiss on my lips without our daughter knowing and leaves for his office. 

I get ready and both of us leave to Amaira’s school. Two hours later at the exact time Shannon joins us and watches her perform. He presides the school as the chief guest.

After Shannon's address I take Amaira to one of the dressing rooms allotted to children. No sooner has she changed Mr Stalin; Amaira's class teacher comes to us and congratulates me with an eerie handshake. 

He tells me about Amaira winning the first place in the fancy dress. Shannon suddenly stood beside me and picked Amaira into his arms.

His eyes were absolutely icy at the teacher. "Mr Stalin, the compliments are better deserved by Amaira than her mom. Now if you grant us some space…” He gestures to my hand that was kneaded by him in a creepy grip and frees it of his hold forcefully. 

I let out a breath I did not know I was holding and walked out with my husband and our daughter in his arms. My joy knew no bounds at Amaira’s success.

Shannon's phone buzzed in his pants pocket and he picked up the call with the same austere tone. "If the address associated with the phone number was invalid trace him out through the other sources. Should I have to teach you all the ways and means to reach the bastard?"