Chapter One

Two years earlier…

    Blackson pulled his blacked out Escalade into the three car garage of his home. Christmas decorations adorned the entirety of the outside of his home. It was beautifully decorated on the inside as well. He smiled revealing his pearly whites as he grabbed the gift he had for his wife. He moved his 6’4 frame packed with just the right amount of muscles through the door inside the garage.

    As soon as he bent the corner he noticed his wife dressed in a beautiful green sequin dress. It hit her mid-thigh. Her hair was swept in array of beautiful curls. She had done her makeup and she looked beautiful. 

    A glass of wine was in her hand as he approached her. The coy smirk on her face let him know she was ready for some serious fucking tonight. As he towered over her she reached up and smoothed the fabric of his expensive tie.

    “Merry Christmas, baby.” She smiled warmly.

    “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”

    “Have a seat and get comfortable. Let me serve my husband on this beautiful night.”

    Blackson had a seat at the beautifully decorated dining table. Red and white candles were lit with rose petals spread out on the table. He had to admit there was something different about her tonight. For the last few months they had been arguing about him wanting kids and her not wanting any kids Maybe this was her having a change of heart. He was thirty-six years old and he was ready. In fact he was ready a year after their marriage seven years ago.

    He loosened his tie and got comfortable. After dinner he was going to give her the gift he had gotten her. Seconds later she was serving him a meal of stuffed duck with wild rice and asparagus. She made him a glass of red wine to go along with his meal.

    Jayla placed her plate on the table, taking a seat next to her loving husband. She watched him as he took bites of the food she had prepared. Her appetite was nonexistent at this very moment. She wanted to know what he thought of the meal she had made.

    “How is everything?”

    “Baby everything is delicious. Thank you for this. I have something for you after dinner.” He winked.

    “Oh I can’t wait.”

    She took a few bites of her food so it wouldn’t look suspicious. Conversation flowed perfectly. Blackson had finished his entire plate, leaning back in his chair. He rubbed his well defined abs appreciating the meal.

    Blackson noticed over the last few months he was feeling differently throughout his body. He assumed it was all the grueling business deals he was tied in over the last few months. Tonight things felt different. His body felt different. He became hot and tingly. It was like he couldn’t feel his entire left side. Was he having a stroke? He couldn’t speak as he tried to reach out and say something to Jayla. His vision was beginning to get a little blurry.

    He gripped his throat with his right hand as he stood. Dishes and the candles fell to the floor causing immediate flames to rip through. In his weak demise he noticed another figure standing beside his wife. He clawed and reached for anything while holding his throat. 

    “My dear sweet husband, I hate it had to come to this, but this was the only way. Now I can go be with my man and my unborn son. It was all about the money for me.” She laughed like a maniac.

    As the flames took course Blackson knew this was sure to be the end of him on Christmas day. And to think he had upgraded her ring to beautiful pear-shaped rock with a matching bracelet. How the fuck had he missed the damn signs? If he was able to survive this he would never be the same Blackson Yuletide.

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Chapter Two

One year earlier…

    Noel had just completed the finishing touches of her makeup. It was Christmas Eve and her and Mark was going to a party. The red dress hugged her thick curves in all the right places. Her creamy chocolate skin looked radiant. When Mark walked in he ran the length of her luscious body. All he could do was lick his lips at how beautiful his girl was. 

    He was finally able to give her the shit she deserved. Noel just didn’t realize it was going to cost them more than they would know. In all honesty Mark let greed get in the way, but he wanted what he wanted no matter the consequences.

    “Babe you ready to go?” Mark asked.

    “Yes,” Noel replied.

    They walked out with Mark’s hand on the small of her back. He helped her into his newly purchased Charger. He hopped into the driver’s side before hastily pulling away for their upscale condo. Tonight was going to be a good night or so Noel thought.

    Once they arrived at the party eyes were already on them. Mostly Mark. He was trying to play it cool, but his nerves were on edge. He drank and turned up with his beautiful lady until the party was coming to an end. They drunkenly walked out into the dark cold winter night. As soon as they approached his car footsteps could be heard on the wet pavement behind them.

    Mark helped Noel inside because she was so drunk. Everything around her she was oblivious to. As soon as Mark turned to go around the back of the car silent bullets pierced his muscular frame. Noel heard scuffling just when Mark’s body dropped. She staggered from the car to see his chest filled with multiple gunshot wounds. Blood seeped from his body and from his mouth. The perpetrator fled leaving Noel rooted where she stood staring at her boyfriend’s dead body. She was too afraid to move. Hell she couldn’t even scream if she wanted to. Five minutes later people filed out of nowhere asking a barrage of questions—questions she didn’t have the answers to. 

    She could hear people talking, but it all sounded like white noise. Noel wasn’t hearing or comprehending anything around her. From this very moment she knew her life had changed and things would never be the same. Never!