Chapter 13.2

"I have been keeping this with me ever since I first met you. I knew you were the one for me, the only thing I needed to hear from you was that you felt the same way before I did this. So Joanna Powell, will you make me the happiest man alive by becoming my wife, my friend and partner in life, business and anything else you can think of. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to grow old with you querida. I love you with every inch of my being. I want Ethan to be my son, I'm sure you have noticed but he already sees me as his father. I want to apart of both your lives."

With tears rolling down her eyes all she could do was mumble a yes.

"I love you too Mikey," she said as he slipped the ring on her finger.

"Mama, what's wrong?"

"Oh nothing baby, come here," she said holding him in her arms.

"What do you think of Michael becoming your papa?"

"But isn't he my daddy?"

Laughing she replied, "Yes, yes he is," as tears ran down her cheeks.

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Jo woke up to the splitting of wood and following the sound she found Michael out back chopping some firewood. His muscles flexed, contacting and relaxing with each swing of his axe. Mesmerized she just stood there watching him work, his upper body exposed for her entertainment. It wasn't until he stopped to wipe of some sweat from his brow did he look up to find her staring at him.

His hearty laugh brought her out of her daze as he came towards her.

"You do know it's rude to stare, querida."

"Just admiring the scene," she said in a sultry voice.

"Take your time mi amor, this is all yours," he told her indicating his body which made her blush as she turned to head back into the house.

He stopped her by wrapping his arms around her and pulled her into his chest. A shiver ran up her spine at the close contact.

"You don't have to run away mi amore, you can touch if you want," he said turning her in his arms.

She placed her hand on his chest and ran her fingers down his happy trail until his hand stopped her.

"Don't start something you cannot finish," he growled huskily.

Looking into his eyes she could see they were clouded with desire. With a small smile she stood up on her toes to kiss him on his chin.

"You should put on a sweater its cold out here."

"After that little stunt mi amore, I can take a cold shower out here and still be warm," he said in a husky voice.

Her mouth formed an 'o' before she quickly dashed back into the house.

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"I should be heading back to work Mikey."

"No you cannot go, you are not well enough," he said with a frown on his face.

Looking towards Ethan she got up and took him to bed. After giving him his bath and tucking him in she found Michael in his own room.

"Michael, I have to head back to my office. You have no right to refuse me such. It is my company and my life after all. Besides I am not going back full time, I just need to check if things are going well," she reasoned.

"I don't care if you are not staying there for long. You are not well, hence you will not go back. Now that's final."

"You must be joking. Who do you think you are!"

"Your fianc?? of course!" He shouted.

"You said it yourself, fianc??, not husband. In fact no fianc?? or husband of mine, will treat me like some property. If you want me, know that my job is also part of the package," she told him removing the ring. "When you decide to accept my work life call me," she said leaving his room whilst he glared at her not moving an inch.

"Ethan, come on baby we are going back home," she said as she woke up her son.

Getting into her car which Jonathan had brought for her she buckled Ethan into his car seat and pulled out of the driveway.

"I don't want a controlling husband, or else my life will never be the same again. It pains me to leave the love of my life but he needs to see that he cannot and will never control me. He has to know to separate his work from his family," she thought to herself as tears blinded her vision.

She drove for what seemed like forever and could make out the city lights ahead. As fresh tears poured out she was blinded by strong headlights then heard a sickening thud as her car was hit. Her first thought was her son followed by Michael as she was thrown out of the car.