Novels by Vivah_writes

Samara shook her head, trying to dispel the lingering “what ifs.” Dwelling on the past wouldn’t change the reality she now faced. Ethan deserved her full focus, and she couldn’t afford to let her unresolved feelings for Frederick—or the growing cracks in her relationship with Damien—cloud her judgment.Her phone buzzed again. This time, it wasn’t Damien.Debrah: How’s it going? Thought I’d check in after our chat last night. You okay?Samara let out a bitter laugh. Debrah always had a knack for reaching out at just the right—or wrong—moment.Samara: I’ve had better mornings. Frederick just left. Things are… complicated.The reply came almost instantly.Debrah: Complicated doesn’t even begin to describe your life right now. Call me when you’re ready to vent. I’m here.Samara smiled faintly, grateful for her sister’s unwavering support, even when she felt entirely untethered.Her gaze drifted to the table, where her phone displayed Damien’s unanswered text. She hesitated, torn between c

Samara’s resolve felt a little stronger as she finally allowed herself to close her eyes. The weight of the day hadn’t entirely lifted, but Debrah’s words provided a flicker of clarity in the chaos. She needed to stop letting others’ expectations and manipulations shape her decisions.Ethan’s face, etched with innocence and joy, floated into her mind. He was her anchor, her purpose, the one pure thing in all of this mess. She would protect him fiercely—even if it meant standing alone against the storm brewing around her.But as much as she wanted peace, sleep eluded her. Thoughts of Damien, Frederick, and Caroline tangled together, forming a knot of unease in her chest. Debrah’s pointed question lingered too: What’s your plan with Damien?Samara had been dodging the answer. Maybe because deep down, she already knew what it was—she just wasn’t ready to face it.Her phone buzzed again, jolting her upright. The screen illuminated with a message from Damien.Damien: I meant what I said ea

At home, Samara sank onto the couch, her head in her hands. Her phone buzzed on the table, and she hesitated before picking it up.Caroline: I hope you took my advice to heart. Frederick and I are stronger than ever, and I’d hate for anything—or anyone—to come between that.Samara stared at the message, her grip tightening around the phone. Caroline’s words echoed in her mind, stirring a mixture of anger, frustration, and something she didn’t want to admit—doubt.Her fingers tightened around the phone, her frustration boiling over. For the first time, she allowed herself to feel the full weight of the tangled mess her life had become.Samara stared at the message, Caroline’s words echoed in her mind, stirring a mixture of anger, frustration, and something she didn’t want to admit—doubt.Her jaw clenched as she dropped the phone onto the couch and stood, pacing the small living room. The audacity of Caroline to send such a message infuriated her. It wasn’t just the words—it was the thi

The next day, sunlight streamed through the hospital window, its warmth doing little to ease the chill in Samara’s chest. She sat by Ethan’s bedside, watching him stir awake with a weak but comforting smile.“Good morning, sweetheart,” she whispered, brushing his hair back.Ethan’s small hand reached out, and she held it gently. “Mama’s here,” she reassured him.A knock at the door broke the moment. Samara turned, expecting Damien or a nurse, but instead, Caroline walked in, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor.Samara tensed. “Caroline. I wasn’t expecting you.”Caroline offered a polite smile, but her eyes gleamed with a sharpness that made Samara uneasy. “Good morning, Samara. I hope I’m not intruding.”Samara gestured vaguely. “It’s fine. Is Frederick with you?”“No, he’s at work,” Caroline replied, moving closer. Her gaze flickered briefly to Ethan before settling on Samara. “I thought I’d stop by and see how Ethan is doing.”“He’s stable,” Samara answered cautiously.

The tension in the air lingered long after Damien left the room, his footsteps echoing down the corridor. Samara stood frozen, tears blurring her vision as she looked at Ethan, who was now peacefully asleep.Her mind raced, replaying the events of the night. Damien’s words, Frederick’s hurt expression, and Ethan’s fragile smile all swirled together in a maelstrom of emotions. She sank into the chair beside Ethan’s bed, resting her head in her hands, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.A soft knock at the door startled her, and she quickly wiped her tears. Frederick stood there, hesitant but resolute.“Can I come in?” he asked softly.She nodded, her voice barely audible. “Of course.”Frederick stepped inside, his gaze immediately drawn to Ethan. His face softened, a blend of awe and heartbreak etched into his features. He pulled up a chair and sat beside her, the silence between them heavy but not unwelcome.“I’m sorry for earlier,” Frederick began, his voice quiet. “I didn’t mean

The hours after Ethan’s transfusion stretched on, filled with tense silences and fleeting moments of fragile hope. Samara sat beside Ethan’s hospital bed, watching him sleep, the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest the only reassurance she had. Damien stood by the window, his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the cityscape outside, though his mind was elsewhere.Frederick’s words echoed in Samara’s head: He’s my son. The finality of the statement rattled her, each syllable hammering into her heart with unrelenting force. She had spent years building a life with Damien, but this moment had shattered the illusion that their life was complete.Her eyes flit to Frederick, who sat silently across the hallway. He leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, as his gaze meet hers through the glass.Ethan stir in the bed and soft whimper broke the heavy silence. Samara instantly leaned over him, her voice gentle. “Hey, sweetheart. Mommy’s here.”Ethan blinked up at her, his small hand reaching fo

The air in my room felt suffocating, my mother's confession still hanging thick between us. Her revelation stirred a storm of emotions—shock, confusion, and the tiniest glimmer of guilt. She was questioning her choice to stay with Jack, and all I could think about was how precarious our lives were, balanced on the edge of lies and hidden truths.Karen’s gaze softened as she studied me. “Sophia, I didn’t mean to overwhelm you with all of this tonight. I just... I didn’t want to keep you in the dark anymore.”I nodded faintly, though her words barely registered. My mind was already spinning with the implications of what she’d said. If she was doubting her commitment to Jack, it could mean an escape for both of us. Jack would no longer have to deal with the blackmail, and I could—what? Come clean? Start fresh? And possibly, with Jack by my side.The thought sent a chill down my spine. It wasn’t that simple.Karen reached out, her hand brushing against mine. “I just want us to be okay, So

Inside the house, the tension was suffocating. Karen stormed upstairs without another word, her heels echoing on the wooden staircase. Jack lingered in the living room, his phone clutched in his hand. His shoulders slumped as though the weight of his secrets had finally become unbearable. I stood by the door, unsure whether to follow my mother or seize the opportunity and talk to Jack. My thoughts were spinning, but one thing was clear—this was spiraling out of control.Jack turned toward me, his face a mix of exhaustion and frustration. “Sophia, we need to talk.”The words sent a jolt through me. Slowly, I nodded, and he motioned for me to follow him into his study.The room was dimly lit, the faint smell of leather and cigar smoke clinging to the air. Jack closed the door behind us and sat heavily in the chair behind his desk. He gestured for me to sit across from him, but I remained standing, my arms crossed defensively.“What's the 20 million dollars about?” I asked, my voice sha

"Your time is almost up, Jack. $20 million, or the truth comes out. You have until midnight."“Jack…” Karen’s voice was barely a whisper, trembling with disbelief. “What is this? Who’s blackmailing you?”Jack slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden halt at the side of the road. The tires screeched, and my heart lurched in my chest. “Karen, give me the phone,” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.“No.” Karen held the phone tightly, her eyes blazing with anger now. “You’re being blackmailed for twenty million dollars? What truth are they threatening to expose?”“This isn’t the place,” Jack snapped, his voice taut with frustration. “We’ll talk about it when we get home.”“No!” Karen’s voice rose, her anger boiling over. “We’ll talk about it now, Jack. What are you hiding? What truth could possibly be worth twenty million dollars?”I shrank back in my seat, my heart pounding as I watched the scene unfold. Jack’s face was a mask of barely contained fury, and Karen’s determ

Her question lingered in the air, each word slicing through the tension like a blade. My throat tightened, and I struggled to meet her gaze. Was there something I wasn’t telling her? Everything, in fact. The affair. The secrets. The baby. My entire world felt like it was unraveling at the seams, and I was the thread pulling it apart.“I…” My voice faltered. Jack’s gaze was burning into me, silent but commanding. His grip on his glass tightened to the point I thought it might shatter. Karen’s eyes were pleading yet sharp, searching for an answer she probably didn’t want to hear. I swallowed hard, trying to gather the courage to speak.“Nothing, Mom,” I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I just feel overwhelmed. That’s all.”Karen leaned back slightly, her lips pressing into a thin line. She didn’t seem convinced, and the weight of her disappointment crushed me. “Overwhelmed?” she echoed, her tone tinged with disbelief. “Sophia, if something is going on, I need you to tell

The restaurant was elegant, dimly lit, with soft jazz music playing in the background. Jack sat at the head of the table, his eyes flickering between I and my mother. Karen had called him at the office to inform him of the dinner date she had made reservation for the family.“I thought it would be nice,” Karen said, her voice a little too sweet, “for the three of us to have dinner together. To, you know, clear the air. A lot has happened lately.”Jack forced a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Had Sophia said something? Has she told Karen the truth? —No, Sophia wouldn't. His mind drifts back to his main worry. Twenty million dollars? Time was ticking, and he still didn't know what to do.Sitting to Jack's right, I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. The tension tonight was unbearable. My mother's impromptu dinner date has given me a cause to worry. Did she know the truth? Has she found out?My eyes flickered nervously between Jack and Karen, but I stayed silent, opting to let the co

Alex's expression hardens, and he leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Sophia, you're playing with fire. Do you really think you can control this? That Jack can?"I swallow hard, my hands gripping the edge of my chair. "I don't have a choice right now, Alex. Everything is so... tangled. If I tell her the truth now, it'll destroy her."His eyes narrow, and for a moment, he just stares at me, his jaw tightening. "And what about when she finds out on her own? Because she will. Secrets like this don’t stay buried forever."I look away, the weight of his words sinking into my chest like stones. "I know that," I whisper. "I know how messy this is. Don't tell her. Please, Alex."He leans back, crossing his arms, his expression unreadable. "I owe you no loyalty, Sophia . I have done the best I can for you. Jack's not my biological father, but he is still a very wealthy man." He trails off, a smirk forming on his face.I flinch at the sharpness in his tone but keep my gaze steady.

Victoria’s declaration hung in the air like a thunderclap. Nelson’s eyes widened, and his lips curled into a satisfied smirk, but she caught a flash of something darker—triumph.“Finally,” he murmured, his voice low and steady. “You’re making the right choice, Toria. Gerald doesn’t deserve you or your loyalty.”“He doesn't,” she repeated, her voice shaking. “I need to take control of my life, my future. And my daughter’s.”Nelson stepped closer, his expression softening. “And I’ll be by your side every step of the way. Whatever you need.”But Victoria wasn’t ready to let her guard down. She stepped back, clutching the envelope like a shield. “I’ll handle this myself. I need to get custody of my baby, Nelson.”He nodded his head in agreement with het. “Of course. Whatever you want. I will get you the best lawyer.”Victoria looked away, her thoughts racing. The photograph in her hand was damning, and it gave her the ammunition she needed against Gerald. But it also raised more questions

Victoria awoke the next morning to an empty bed. The space beside her was cold, the sheets undisturbed, as though Nelson had been gone for hours. Her body ached—a reminder of the night before—but her mind was restless. The unanswered questions from the text thread she’d glimpsed now gnawed at her thoughts.She reached for her phone, only to find Nelson’s still sitting on the nightstand. Her heart raced. He’d never leave it behind.Temptation won.Unlocking it with the code, she scrolled back to the messages with Mildred. The words on the screen froze her in place:Mildred: Don’t forget our agreement. You need to talk to Gerald.Her blood ran cold. What agreement? What were they hiding? And what does Gerald have to do with all of this?Nelson’s voice startled her, breaking the silence. “Looking for something?”Victoria turned to see him leaning casually against the doorframe, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes were sharp, watching her ever

Victoria stepped out of the coffee shop, her heart heavy and her mind a swirl of emotions. Gerald’s words clung to her like a shadow, each step away from him feeling like a betrayal of the love they once shared.Her phone buzzed again. She pulled it from her bag, half expecting another message from Gerald. Instead, it was Nelson.Nelson: Back early. Dinner tonight?She hesitated before replying. Being with Nelson had become a way to escape her pain, but now it felt hollow. Her thumb hovered over the keyboard before she typed a short reply:Victoria: Sure.As she slipped the phone back into her bag, her thoughts returned to the strained conversation at the café. Gerald’s pain was raw and real, but his accusations still stung. How could he claim to still love her after what he’d done?The chill in the air bit at her cheeks as she walked toward her apartment. She needed to clear her head, to sort through the chaos.---Nelson was waiting for her when she got home, a bottle of wine open o

The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting golden streaks across the room. Victoria stirred in Nelson's arms, her mind tugged from the haze of sleep by the familiar pang of unease. The warmth of his body beside her was comforting, yet her thoughts drifted back to Gerald—the heartbreak etched into his face as he stood in the doorway.She untangled herself carefully, not wanting to wake Nelson, and padded barefoot to the window. The city below bustled with life, oblivious to the turmoil in her heart. She wrapped her arms around herself, the chill of uncertainty seeping into her bones. Despite the sizziling sex she had with Nelson last night, it couldn't still take Gerald out of her thoughts. It felt odd to be here and not with Gerald.A soft rustle behind her made her turn. Nelson was awake, his dark eyes watching her with a mix of concern and longing. "You're up early," he said, his voice husky from sleep."I couldn’t sleep," she admitted, her gaze dropping to the floor.Nel

Victoria sat by the window of Nelson's apartment, her fingers gripping the warm mug of tea he’d handed her hours ago. The skyline outside was a blur of lights, but her mind was somewhere else—stuck in the doorway where Gerald had stood, pleading with her. His voice still echoed in her ears, raw and broken.Nelson moved quietly in the background, and stood behind her. He had sensed her unease since Gerald’s departure, and though he didn’t say much, his presence was comforting. She appreciated it—but it didn’t stop the storm brewing in her chest.Finally, she set the mug down and turned toward him. “Make me forget him, please?”Nelson looked at her, his eyes darkened with lust. The vulnerability in her voice struck him deeply, stirring something primal within him. He stepped closer, his hands finding her shoulders. "I'm not only going to make you forget him, but also male sure you never forget me again, Toria" he said with a hoarse voice that made Toria shiver. She nodded, her breath

Gerald’s car screeched to a halt in front of Nelson’s building. His heart raced, panic gripping his chest. The thought of Victoria inside with Nelson twisted his insides, a vicious knot tightening with each passing second. He had to make her see reason.He parked quickly and rushed out of the car, his footsteps echoing as he approached the entrance. He tried calling her one more time, but it went straight to voicemail. “Damn it,” he muttered, clenching his fists as his mind raced with thoughts of what might be happening inside—Victoria, vulnerable, angry, and in the arms of the man he had always feared would take her from him.He didn’t care about leaving messages. He needed to act now.As the elevator ascended, Gerald’s heart pounded louder in his chest. He could feel the walls closing in around him. When the doors finally opened, he stepped out, his eyes scanning the hallway. There were only a few doors, but he knew where she would be, and he wasn’t about to let Nelson have her. He