Page 110 of Choosing Hope
But when she called Sophie and described intimate moments from our past—thankfully ones Sophie and I had already discussed—something in me snapped.
The next morning, I followed through on the plan I’d hoped I wouldn’t have to use. I sent her father the details of her club membership, along with a few carefully selected photos, nothing explicit, just enough to raise questions he’d never asked before.
That was six weeks ago. She hasn’t made contact since. I’m hoping that was enough.
Ten days ago, Sophie, Lily, Nicky and I flew out to the Maldives. It’s paradise.
It took longer than I expected to get the office fully staffed, but we finally brought in the people we needed. With the right team in place, I could step back from the investment business and give more of my time to my girls.
Bringing Nicky with us was an inspired idea. Lily adores her, and Nicky is brilliant with our daughter. Like a second mum.
Her presence here has allowed us all to relax completely, and after the tension of the last few months—well, years really—this is just what Sophie, and I needed.
Today, I’ve arranged for Nicky to take Lily out for the day. This afternoon they’re enrolled in a child’s snorkeling class, and afterward, they’ve taken a change of clothing, to eat pizza with the other kids while watching the children’s entertainer.
Lily’s been learning to swim for almost a year. She’s been making good progress, but before we came out here, she was still very splashy. Under Nicky’s tutelage, she is learning to be calmer. Miraculously, she even taught our daughter to float with a mask on.
Now, Lily’s become a fish addict and is begging for a large fish tank when we get home.
Sophie and I are splitting our time between spending time with Lily and enjoying some time alone as a couple. Today, we’resunbathing on the balcony of our water lodge, and I’ve got a surprise up my sleeve. I just hope I’ve read the situation right, and she loves it.
The ocean villa we’re staying in stands at the end of a weathered teak walkway, rising over the sea. It’s built on pale wooden stilts and hovers above turquoise water so clear we can see stingrays and turtles gliding beneath the surface as if in slow motion. A thatched roof crowns the space, blending luxury with the hush of untouched nature.
Inside, sunlight streams through wide glass doors, with creamy linens and a bed that seems to float above the ocean. Every detail whispers indulgence—the open-air shower with views of the horizon, the glass floor panel near the bath where tiny silver fish flicker by, the scent of salt and frangipani carried in on the breeze.
Out on the private deck, the only sound was the soft hush of the waves brushing the stilts below.
Three days ago, Lily and I were sitting out here, having just come back from a long afternoon playing on the beach. We returned to the villa to rest, shower off the sand, and get ready to meet Sophie and Nicky for dinner at the restaurant.
We spotted a pair of turtles gliding through the water. Their slow, graceful movement captivated Lily—she couldn’t look away. Sophie and Nicky were off at the spa that day, missing the experience entirely.
That night, Lily could hardly wait to tell her mother. Sophie has always loved turtles—and it was obvious how disappointed she was to have missed them. Since then, I’ve made a habit of watching the water whenever I can and spoke to reception about how I could encourage them. They gave me a pot of seaweed to drop into the water, and I’m hoping to coax them back.
Sophie’s lying out here topless while reading on her Kindle. I’m convinced whatever she’s reading is spicy because of her facial expressions and the dirty lilt to her giggles as if they’re forbidden.
A large dark mass swims alongside the lodge, and I pray it’s a turtle coming up for air.
“Sophie,” I hiss with urgency. “Quick. Turtle.”
She leaps off her seat, bolting toward me as quietly as she can. The turtle swims under the deck, but I drop a few pieces of seaweed into the water hoping to attract it back to us, and I’m delighted to see the little fella return to munch on my offering.
A glance at Sophie fills my heart. She’s standing with her hands on the rail. Her naked breasts leaning over the top as she studies the water below.
Her skin is warm and bronzed, her hair loose around her shoulders, and the gentle sea breeze lifts a few strands. She’s glowing with happiness.
For the last few weeks, it’s been a joy to witness her relaxing back into the happy, carefree woman I married. She rises on her tiptoes, leaning further over the rail, her bottom naturally lifting, and the vision of her flawless body in such a perfect pose causes my cock to thicken.
Hoping to hold her attention in that position for a little longer, I scatter the rest of the seaweed into the water.
“That’s cheating,” she complains with a grin.
Placing the cup behind me on a low table, I step behind Sophie, caging her with my hands on either side of the rail.
Seeing her walking around in only a skinny pair of bikini bottoms has been driving me crazy for the last couple of hours. But I’ve made big plans for her this afternoon. I just need to keep her distracted fora few minutes while others set everything up for us. I’m hoping this is going to blow her mind.
Today is our anniversary. It seems a little unreal that we’ve been married for six years. I’m the luckiest man in the world that this woman chose me.
“I love seeing you walking around like this.” I murmur in her ear, purposefully trying to stimulate a response from her. “You are so fucking beautiful.”
