A/N: My apologizes for not updating at all last week. Life is so freaking hectic! I will try to post more when I have more time writing. Next week perhaps? I made it a goal to finish this story and put 'A King's Heart' on a brief backburner. Once I'm done with this one I will continue with that story. For now, thank you for sticking around and reading the story. I know that last chapter was graphic and I promise you that there won't be anymore more graphic chapters for the remainder of this story. Oh, and I didn't have much time to edit so I apologize for the errors. I'm thinking of editing parts of this chapter in the future because I didn't like how I wrote it. Enjoy!

The Thrill Of It All

A Heartbreaking Choice Part Three

"What do you think you're doing?"

Tiana froze; the blade fell right behind her pillow.

He grew impatient. "Well?"

She closed her eyes, relieved that he didn't notice the blade but had to think of an excuse as to why she was standing over his sleeping form. Just then, an idea came to mind, it made her stomach churn but it was the only way for him to not grow even more suspicious.

Leaning forward she pressed her lips onto his, her tongue teasing his own mouth.

"Mmm…you're plan on seducing me?" He asked with a grin.

She began kissing on his neck.

Jacques groaned, wrapping his arms around her body. "You really know how to properly wake up a man…"

()()()()

Jacques kissed Tiana on the shoulder while rubbing her tummy. "How is our son?"

"It's—he's fine…I suppose." Tiana answered softly, her body had about enough of sex.

He gave her a bear hug. "You know that I didn't mean to cause you any pain."

She didn't say anything.

"My aunt deserved that punch." He then snorted at the memory "I didn't think you had it in you…I have to admit that it was long overdue." He laughed but stopped when he heard a knock on the headboard. "What was that?"

Tiana quickly turned and rested her head on his chest. "I was trying to get comfortable."

He somewhat cringed at the word comfortable as he remembered her crying throughout their first session. Rubbing her derriere he sighed. "The next time we try to…well you know…do what we did I will be gentle. But you were so tight …it reminded me of our wedding night."

She shuddered.

"Are you cold?" He asked.

"Yes." She lied.

He pulled the covers over them, giving her forehead a kiss, wrapping an arm around her. "Is this better?"

She nodded but inside she felt sick to the stomach. Any form of contact from the man made her sick no matter how sincere he was.

"I wasn't too rough was I?"

"Just now?"

"No, our other…session."

"Oh." Tiana said. 'Like you really care about me being hurt or not.' She thought bitterly and accidentally slipped out, "It was painful…" She gasped.

But Jacques simply sighed again. "I let my temper get the best of me. I apologize for that." He said. "I know that it must stop before our son is born. I don't want him growing up seeing me hurt you or him."

Tiana remained quiet.

"I promise to work on my temper."

She closed her eyes, not saying another word.

"Have you thought of any names?" He asked with a small smile. "I know that I've mentioned Jacques, Jr but I don't think I want any child of ours with my name."

Tiana shrugged. "I haven't thought of any names."

"Well we've got plenty of time for figuring out what's for the best. As for now, why don't I take you out for shopping and lunch?"

"I'd like that." She said.

He kissed her once more before getting up. "Then why don't we clean up a bit and enjoy the rest of our day together."

Tiana stretched, her breasts somewhat showing from under the coves.

Jacques smirked, enjoying the view. "You're making it very difficult for me to leave this room."

She blushed, covering herself. "I'll meet you in the bathroom."

He winked at her before leaving for the room.

Once she made sure that he left the room Tiana sat up and lifted her pillows until she found the blade and sighed in relief. Picking up the blade she threw it back on his trousers.

"That plan didn't work."

"What?" Jacques asked from the bathroom.

"Nothing," Tiana answered before joining her husband for a bath.

()()()()

The afternoon was lovely, people of all walks of life were out shopping; greeting one another, children running down the sidewalk and a band could be heard in the background as well as solicitors trying to make a sell. Tiana just finished shopping with her husband who was in a chipper mood despite just losing his cousin hours earlier. She would think he'd at least care for the girl since she was a Montreuil but wasn't surprised that he didn't bring her up as if she never existed.

Jacques interrupted her musing when he asked her about the new diamond bracelet he bought her.

"It's beautiful. I love it," Tiana answered, not really caring about the jewelry.

Jacques pulled out another box and handed it to her. "I saw you eying the matching earrings and I couldn't help myself."

She faked a gasp, opening the box to see the beautiful pair glistening. "Oh thank you!" She rewarded him with a hug.

He laughed, returning the hug. "Anything for the love of my life. Just imagine how spoiled our son will be!"

"I see it as our son being blessed for having you as his father." Tiana smiled.

Jacques' heart actually skipped a beat at that. He caressed her face with his hand. "Blessed?"

She nodded her head. Hoping she didn't say the wrong thing.

"Well I know that I'm blessed for having you for a wife." He pressed his lips onto hers.

Tiana was relieved so she deepened the kiss.

"Aw look at the lovebirds," teased a man.

Jacques smirked when he heard the voice. "Derek!"

Tiana refused to look at the man.

Jacques shook hands with the man and noticed a young lady by his side. "Who is this pretty young lady?"

"My wife." Derek introduced.

Jacques' eyes widen. "Your wife? You got hitched?"

"We eloped." He smiled, looking over at Tiana. "I was hoping that Tiana and…Tonya could get better acquainted."

"Darling?" Tiana heard her husband call her and mentally rolled her eyes before facing the three. "Hello Tonya."

The shy young woman smiled. "Hello."

"There now…," Derek pushed the woman over to Tiana. "…you two talk while my friend and I catch up." He eyed Tiana up and down. "You look very good Tiana."

Tiana ignored him and smiled at Tonya. "Come on…" she began walking, the woman followed.

"She looks exactly like Tiana." Jacques could be heard from a distance. Tiana sighed before sitting on a bench; Tonya joined her on her right side.

"So you really married Derek?"

The woman blushed, looking down at her hands. Tiana could tell the woman didn't have many social skills but in her defense she too wasn't use to very social before marrying Jacques. She still hated going to the formal dinners they were invited to because she had to talk to people who obviously looked down at her. "So Tonya…when did you marry Derek?"

The woman answered but Tiana couldn't really hear her. "Excuse me I missed that?"

"I said we married last week in front of a judge." Tonya answered, a bit louder that time.

"Oh…" Tiana put her hand on her right ear.

"Are you all right?" The woman asked.

"I'm fine…um…" Tiana put on a weak smile and saw Naveen walk right pass her. "…can you excuse me?" She rose up about to head in the prince's direction.

"Tiana where are you going?" Jacques stopped her.

She turned to see her husband and Derek walking over.

"I was feeling a little…sick." She lied, putting her hand on her tummy.

Jacques rested a hand on her lower back. "Would you like to go home?"

"I'm fine now." She looked over at Naveen who was shaking hands with several gentlemen.

"Well I hope we all meet for dinner sometime in the future." Derek smiled, taking his wife's hand. "We…" He stopped to look at a young lady walking pass them. "Hello beautiful…"

Tonya pretended as if nothing was going on.

Tiana remembered those days and actually pitied the woman. Derek was an even bigger whore than Jacques and was surprised he never caught any of the sexual diseases that were out there.

She was more than relieved when the couple left but disappointed to no longer see Naveen.

"Are you hungry?" Jacques asked her. "We could stop by Duke's and pick up something greasy for you. I know that you've been craving everything that dipped in salt or grease."

She laughed. "No thank you."

He smiled, bringing her in his arms. "Well I've got to keep my wife and unborn son happy." He pressed his lips onto hers.

Naveen saw the couple kissing and grew jealous. 'She doesn't look very depressed.' And noticed a promiscuous looking woman nearing them.

"Our son will be a ladies man thanks to your good looks," Jacques caressed Tiana's face.

"No, he will inherit his father's handsome features and overall confidence." She said, knowing that would please him, but was thinking of Naveen while saying this.

Jacques was pleased with her comment and grinned like a little boy. "This will certainly be a perfect child thanks to us."

"I'm certain that Montreuil heir will also be as handsome as his father," said a woman.

Both Tiana and Jacques turned to see an attractive older woman who looked to be in her late thirties to early forties standing before them with one hand on her hip wearing a red dress. It hugged her figure like a glove with her full breasts practically falling out of the dress.

"Mona?" Jacques tightened his hold around Tiana's waist.

The woman laughed. "I won't hurt ya fragile little wife…" She looked Tiana up and down. "…who is far from mousy."

"What the hell are you doing here?" He barked, clearly annoyed.

"I came to see you! I am your wife when you come see me in Savannah," The woman said with confidence and looked over at Tiana. "But if ya willin' to share him honey then I'm more than ready for some fun. Jacques and myself shared women more than plenty of times." She laughed.

"You were never my wife you drunken whore." He let go of Tiana. "Darling, wait in the car for me. I have some unfinished business to deal with."

Tiana saw his jaws clenched and knew he was angered so she obediently followed orders, returning to the car. As she passed an alley she saw Naveen approaching his own car, his driver opening the back seat of the car for him. Looking back at Jacques who was in a heated conversation with his mistress, Tiana hurried across the street to her love.

"Naveen!" She called out.

He turned to see Tiana nearing him. "Tiana? What are you doing here—

"Let's talk inside." She quickly got into the car. Naveen looked down the street to see Jacques and a woman in a heated verbal fight before slipping inside the vehicle himself.

"Had fun with your husband?" He teased.

She rolled her eyes in response. "Now you know the answer to that."

He shrugged his shoulders. "I never know with you anymore."

"Naveen..."

"But enough of that. I'm leaving this evening."

"This evening?" Tiana asked, shocked "But I thought that you were leaving tomorrow?"

"I thought so until this morning. The next ship that leaves for Maldonia is this evening. The one leaving tomorrow is heading the opposite direction and there won't be anymore ships leaving for my country until the end of the month."

"Take me with you." She blurted out, not wanting to lose him

"Are you sure about that?" He asked with a skeptical look on his handsome face.

She nodded.

"Are you certain?" He wanted to be sure.

"I'm certain."

Naveen sighed and caressed a thumb over her full lips. "Not even if it'll ruin your happy marriage?"

Her stomach churned at that comment. "You know that my marriage is furthest from ever being happy."

"That's not what I saw minutes ago," Naveen said.

"Then what did you see, Naveen? You know how I feel about Jacques."

"You've already accepted him being the father of this child and returned to him countless times. How else am I supposed to feel? Do you even realize why you return to him?"

Tiana hugged herself. "I don't know why…fear? Attachment? Guilt?…" She wanted to cry but wouldn't let the tears leave her eyes. "I almost killed him today."

Naveen was taken aback by her confession but quickly recovered. "You did?"

She nodded and told him all that happened, every last detail that left him wanting to kill the man himself.

"He isn't worth it, Naveen," Tiana said. "If I did succeed then where would that leave my baby?" She rested her hands on her stomach. "I would go to jail, get the electric chair since Jacques is a Montreuil which leaves my child under the wing of the last person I want raising it, Celestine. I know she'll brainwash it with hate for me and for the less fortunate." She balled her fists. "I would kill her before I'd let that woman touch my child."

Just then, the chauffeur opened the car door. "We are here, sir. Looks like people are already boarding the ship"

Tiana's eyes widen. "Where are we?"

Naveen took her hand. "You said that you wanted to leave with me Tiana."

"But I don't have anything to wear. I didn't think that it would be so soon…" Tiana was terrified. "How long will this ride take to get to Maldonia?"

"Four to five days…" He smiled, looking at her attire. "And you should be fine. I have a few dresses somewhere in my suite."

Tiana suddenly felt this rush within her. "Then we better get on that ship."

Naveen pulled her into a hug. "Mi benita…" He showered her with kisses. "I never thought..my love, my Tiana."

She laughed. "Naveen we better get on that ship before they leave us."

He gave her one more kiss before pulling away with a grin on his lips. "Or before you change your mind again." He joked, getting out of the car. Tiana happily followed.

()()()()

By the time they made it to the ship and in their suite Tiana's stomach began forming knots. She was actually leaving behind New Orleans, Jacques, that god awful Montreuil clan and her parents…

"My parents!" Tiana gasped. "I can't leave them…"

Naveen gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and said, "They're safe. Even if you didn't leave I made sure that they were safe in my home there. I hired help for them and if needed and gave them contact information to the best coloured medical care. They left your aunt their old home and should be done with the moving arrangements by now"

Tiana rested a hand on her chest. "You did all of that?"

He nodded. "Your family is my family no mater how your mother feels about me. And that plan your father and I thought of originally doing was immediately terminated by Eudora."

"What plan?" She asked.

"Kidnapping you."

She looked shocked.

"Well it would've been for your own good." Naveen let out a laugh. "And giving Jacques a black eye would've been rewarding."

"The first double black eyes weren't good enough for you?" Tiana joked.

He remembered seeing the business man strutting in Tiana's hospital room with his hired officers who turned out to be thugs. "He deserves a lifetime of beatings for his mistreatment of you."

"God will take care of him." Tiana said. "No one ever gets away with wrongdoing."

()()()()

It was soon announced that the ship would be leaving soon and to bid farewell to family and friends.

Naveen and Tiana didn't have anyone to bid farewell to but decided to stand with the other passengers who waved goodbye to their loved ones.

Tiana was surprised to see her father down in the crowd, but he looked to be shouting instead of bidding farewell.

"Tiana! Ya mama—

The ship's horn blocked out whatever else he had to say.

"I love you too, daddy!" Tiana smiled, waving goodbye. "Thank you for everything!"

"Didn't think he would make it on time." Naveen waved at the man while wrapping an arm around Tiana. "Let's go back to our suite."

()()()()

By the time they made it through the crowd and to their suite Tiana laid down to rest. Naveen went to get room service and insist she wait in the room.

While relaxing Tiana felt somewhat sadden for leaving New Orleans on such short notice but couldn't risk losing Naveen for the rest of her life. Resting her hand on her tummy she felt a small bump. She didn't really know how far a long she was. Sure her midwife gave her some estimated results but how could she go by her word if she wasn't sure herself?

Then her eyes gazed down at the beautiful diamond ring that kept her prisoner and she instantly grew depressed. Almost five years as prisoner in a marriage to a man she hated more than the devil himself. Who stole everything from her including her virginity. She thought for certain that he also stole her identity but Naveen helped her retrieve that. She left on her own freewill without force or threats.

"I'm doing what's best for us, baby." She said to her unborn child before slipping the ring from her finger. "We are leaving an old life for one that's filled with love…where we'll finally find happiness…at least I hope we are."

She had to admit that leaving with Naveen was risky just as her marrying Jacques who was gentle with her before marriage and kept a gentlemanly distance from her when he began noticing her. But Naveen wasn't like Jacques so why was she so concerned about him changing once she stepped foot on his country's soil?

Then the worse feeling she could have ever felt crept inside her…guilt. Leaving her husband behind right when he was treating her so well…but didn't he always behave that way before the real Jacques came out? But what if he did change once the baby was born? What if he really was saying goodbye to his mistress? He had to have been looking for her by now.

'I hope he isn't too angry,' she thought with fear.

Naveen walked into the room, closing and locking the door behind him. "Our orders should be here shortly. Until then…" He slipped in the bed to kiss her but notice her playing with the diamond band. "You took off your ring."

She looked at him with a weak smile. "I did…"

He studied her face before asking, "And how do you feel about that?"

"I don't know yet." She answered honestly, putting a hand on his handsome face. "But I do know that I am happy that I made my choice to be with you."

Naveen kissed her hand before holding her in his arms. "I'm also pleased by your choice.

Tiana closed her eyes and hope that this sudden guilt dissipates. 'If I did make the right choice then why do feel so guilty?'

()()()()

A/N: Not done yet! There are at least two to four more chapters remaining!