Samantha’s POV:In the evening, while we were having family Christmas dinner at the dining table, my phone pinged. I glanced at the screen and saw a text from my art studio landlord. My heart sank as I read the message: "If you don't pay up by the end of the week, I’ll have to start the eviction process. This is your final warning."I felt the weight of the words pressing down on me. Just when I thought everything was falling into place, this happened. I was so close to showcasing my art for the holiday season, and now I might lose the chance.Julian noticed the look on my face and turned to me. “What’s wrong? You look pale.”I quickly put my phone down, trying to hide my anxiety. “It’s nothing. Everything’s fine,” I lied, forcing a smile.Julian raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced. “Are you sure? You looked kind of pale just now. Did something happen?”I shook my head quickly, trying to brush it off. “No, really. It’s just... I guess I’m just a little tired. That’s all.”He s
Julian’s POV:After my conversation with Samantha, I stood up from the bed, feeling a surge of determination. I grabbed my coat, which I had left hanging by the door, and slipped my phone into my pocket. It was freezing outside, but I wasn’t concerned about the cold. I had a mission now something I needed to do for Samantha.I didn’t want anyone overhearing my conversation with Fred, my personal assistant. Samantha had enough on her plate, and I wasn’t about to add any more stress by letting her know I was making arrangements for her art showcase without her input.I quietly slipped out of the house, making sure to close the door gently behind me. The house was peaceful, still basking in the glow of the Christmas lights, but I needed some space to think and make a few calls.I walked toward the garden where we had held Rachel’s wedding earlier, the same spot where I had watched Samantha smiling, lost in the moment. I sat down on one of the benches near the tree, taking a deep bre
Samantha’s POV:The next morning, we prepared our bags to travel back home. I had a lot of work to do to set up my art at Julian’s department store before New Year’s Eve.Once we were packed and ready, Julian helped carry my bags downstairs. As we reached the living room, my mother was already there, holding a small package in her hands.“Aww… sweetheart, I wish you’d stay till the New Year,” she said, her face showing her disappointment as she looked at me.I walked up to her and hugged her tightly, resting my head on her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Mum, but I need to take care of something really important before the New Year. I promise I’ll visit again soon.”She sighed, pulling back slightly but keeping her hands on my shoulders. “I know, dear. You’ve got your dreams to chase. But don’t forget, this will always be your home.”“I won’t forget, Mum,” I said with a smile, trying to reassure her.She handed me the package she was holding. “Here, this is for you. Open it when you get back ho
Julian’s POV:After I had dropped Samantha off, I got out of her apartment building and looked up, smiling.This new feeling of having someone I could share my heart with felt so new and beautiful, and I never wanted it to end.I got into my car and drove to my house. When I arrived at the building, I entered the elevator, which took me up to the penthouse. When I got there, I inputted my password and opened the door, only to find Fred inside my apartment, waiting for me.“Sir, I’ve done as you requested,” he said, standing up. “I’ve created a space for Samantha to showcase her art before New Year’s Eve.”I smiled, dropping my bag and sinking onto the couch, exhausted after the long drive. “Thank you, Fred. I appreciate it.”“Um… sir, I still have a few concerns. It’s not about the art showcase, but about your involvement with Samantha,” he said, sitting down across from me. “Are you sure you’re ready to pursue a relationship with her? I mean, after all, you guys started as fake boyf
Samantha’s POV:When I saw Fredrick’s text, I froze again. What the hell does he want, and why does he want to see me after all this time?I placed my phone down, trying to steady my breathing. “Ignore it,” I muttered to myself. “Just act like it never happened.” I turned away, determined to focus on anything else.But when I went to my room and began unwrapping my luggage, my mind betrayed me. The words of the text echoed in my head, pulling me back to memories I’d worked so hard to leave behind. Why now? What could he possibly want after all this time?No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t shake the unease settling in my chest. Ignoring it seemed like the right thing to do, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t that simple.I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the half-unpacked suitcase, my hands resting on my lap. The weight of Fredrick’s message lingered, pressing down on me. My mind raced with questions. Why now? What did he want to discuss? And most importantly, could I even ha
Julian’s POV:The sunlight streamed through the blinds as I woke up the next morning. My first instinct was to reach for my phone on the bedside table.Unlocking it, I went straight to my messages, scrolling to Samantha's name.Still nothing.I sighed deeply, running a hand through my messy hair. “Why didn’t she reply yesterday? Didn’t she see my text?” I muttered to myself, frustration and concern bubbling up inside me.Sitting up in bed, I stared at the screen for a few moments, debating whether to send another message. But I stopped myself. I didn’t want to seem desperate or overwhelming. Maybe she was caught up in her work or her art preparations it was a busy time for her.After all, I had promised myself to give her space.I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up, heading to the bathroom to get ready for the day. As I went through my morning routine, my thoughts kept drifting back to her. I couldn’t help but wonder if something was wrong.By the time I arrived at
Samantha’s POV:When I drove to work at Leclair & Co, I spotted Mr. Jones, who saw me and smiled, waving his hands as I drove past him to park my car.After I turned off the engine, I got out of the car and walked over to greet him.“Miss Taylor, Merry Christmas! You look brighter today. I heard you didn’t come to work on Christmas Day and were absent. I’m guessing you went on holiday?”I smiled at him, recalling the conversation we had before Christmas, his words echoing in my mind.“I always tell my kids, Christmas comes with its own miracles. Who knows? Maybe this year’s your lucky one.”I chuckled dryly and hit the elevator button, glancing back at him. “I wouldn’t count on it, Mr. Jones. Miracles? Christmas? I don’t believe in that kind of thing.”The elevator doors slid open, and as I stepped inside, I heard him call out, “Maybe this Christmas will change your mind, Miss Samantha!”As the doors closed, I sighed, shaking my head. Christmas miracles? I scoffed under my breath, fee
Samantha’s POV:I arrived at the meeting spot where I was supposed to meet Fredrick and sat at a table close to the window.I enjoyed the view of the city from the restaurant, the bustling streets below and the skyline stretching out before me.This place had been Fredrick’s and my favorite spot when we were dating. I would call him, and we’d meet here, order our usual his favorite pasta and my go-to salad and just talk for hours.It was a place full of memories, some happy, some painful, but all too familiar.As I sat there, waiting for him to arrive, my mind raced. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this meeting, but deep down, I knew it was time to have this conversation. I had to confront the past to move forward.The soft hum of conversations around me only made the silence in my mind louder. Would seeing Fredrick again make things harder? Would it pull me back into a past I was trying so hard to escape?I glanced down at my phone, hoping for a message or a call, but there was no
The Proposal:Julian guided Samantha into the softly lit gallery, holding her hand gently. She looked around, her eyebrows drawing together as she recognized the paintings on the walls.“What’s going on, Julian?” she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. “These are my paintings…”“They are,” Julian said softly, a small smile playing on his lips.“I’ve been working on this for a while. It’s all for you.”Her steps faltered as her eyes moved from one piece to the next, taking in the care and detail he’d put into arranging her work. “You did all this? For me?”Julian turned to face her, his expression earnest. “I wanted you to see what I see every day. Your art… your heart… everything you are. You deserve this, Samantha.”Her fingers lightly brushed the edge of a frame, her voice low. “I don’t even know what to say. This is incredible, Julian.”“Come with me,” he said, his tone gentle as he guided her toward the center of the gallery.There, under a soft spotlight, stood a single ease
Julian’s POV:Later That DayI decided to stop by Samantha’s apartment during my lunch break. I couldn’t keep this from her. She needed to know about the DNA test and that I was doing everything I could to protect what we had.When she opened the door, her eyes softened slightly, but I could still sense the lingering tension between us.“Julian,” she said, stepping aside to let me in.“Hey,” I said, keeping my tone gentle. “I wanted to talk to you. I need you to know I’m taking this seriously. I got a DNA sample yesterday, and Fred is handling the test. We’ll have results soon.”Her brows furrowed. “How did you…?”“I played along,” I admitted. “Made her think I was buying into her story. And when Liam finished eating, I got the spoon he used.”Samantha crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. “So, in a few days, we’ll know for sure?”I nodded. “Yeah. I just… I didn’t want you to think I wasn’t doing anything. This matters to me you matter to me.”She sighed, her gaze softening. “
Julian’s POV: She smiled, and I could see the victory in her eyes. She was convinced I was already halfway there, ready to embrace this new “family” she was trying to sell me. I turned to face Liam, forcing a gentle smile as I leaned forward slightly. “What do you like to eat, Liam? Ask away, I’ll get it for you.” Liam looked up at me, his eyes still hesitant, as though unsure whether to trust me or if he could ask for whatever he wanted. He glanced at his mother, seeking her approval. Vanessa, sensing the moment, gently tapped Liam on the shoulder. “Go ahead, sweetheart. Ask him what you want to eat.” Liam’s eyes flickered back to me, and after a long pause, he spoke in a small, shy voice, “Um… can I have some spaghetti? With a lot of cheese?” I nodded, keeping my tone soft and encouraging. “Spaghetti with cheese it is. I’ll make sure you get the best one they’ve got.” Vanessa looked pleased, her smile widening as she watched us. “See, Julian? It’s not so hard to be
Julian’s POV:The next day, I got dressed in a simple pair of jeans and a white shirt, my hair combed neatly. I sprayed a light cologne, aiming for a casual look not one that screamed billionaire, but one that said I was there simply to meet someone, not knowing I was walking into a mission.Operation get the DNA sample. Prove to Vanessa that I wasn’t stupid and wouldn’t fall for her manipulative trap.But I also knew that if I was going to get what I wanted, I had to play it cool. I needed to make her believe that her plan had worked, that I was considering starting a life with her and her son. I had to make her think that I had fallen into her trap.It was a weekend, so I drove to the café close to my office, a quiet little place that seemed unassuming. I parked my car and walked inside, scanning the room for any sign of Vanessa. I chose a seat by the window, knowing she’d be able to see me right away when she walked in.The waiter came over almost immediately, asking if I was r
Julian’s POV:“How did it go with Samantha?” Fred asked as I sank onto my couch, exhausted from the weight of everything that had transpired.“Bad,” I replied with a heavy sigh. “She told me to leave and give her some time to think. She looked so disappointed, Fred. Like I’d broken her trust.”Fred tilted his head, his expression softening. “What did you expect? It’s a lot to process.”“I know, but I tried to explain to her,” I continued, running a hand through my hair in frustration. “I told her I just found out recently. Whatever Vanessa and I had it’s ancient history. But Samantha… she didn’t want to hear it. I don’t blame her, but I don’t know what else I can say to make this better.”Fred stayed quiet, letting me vent.“My life is such a mess,” I muttered, leaning back on the couch, staring at the ceiling. “How did I not know Vanessa was pregnant? And now she’s using this, this supposed son to trap me into being with her. She’s dreaming if she thinks that’s going to happen.”Fr
Samantha’s POV: After Julian walked out of my apartment, I leaned on the door, my back pressed against it as I tried to process the shocking news he had just revealed to me. My mind raced, trying to make sense of it all. A child? Julian was the father of some child Vanessa had kept hidden all these years? I could hardly wrap my head around it. Rosy, who had been sitting inside when Julian came, had overheard the entire conversation. She stepped out cautiously, her eyes wide with concern as she noticed me standing frozen by the door. “Are… you okay?” she asked, her voice soft but full of knowing. It was obvious from the look on my face that I wasn’t okay, but she still needed to ask. I stared at her for a moment, not sure how to respond. The weight of the news was still sinking in, and the hurt of it all was so fresh. “I don’t know,” I finally managed, my voice shaking. “How am I supposed to be okay after hearing something like that?” Rosy stepped closer, her expression softe
Julian’s POV:That evening, I couldn't focus on anything. The weight of the situation was heavy, and my thoughts kept circling back to how I was going to tell Samantha about the possibility of me having a son with Vanessa.I sat at my desk, staring at the papers in front of me, but my mind was a million miles away. The images of the birth certificate, the photographs—those damn photographs kept replaying in my mind. How had I not seen this coming? Yeah, Vanessa and I had hooked up a lot back in school, but she had always been so careful. We were always cautious when it came to sex. She was the one who insisted we use protection, the one who said she didn’t want a child to ruin her "chance of a happy, free life."So, how the hell was she now telling me she had a child for me? It didn’t make sense. The entire thing felt like a bad joke. My mind refused to believe it, but the evidence was right in front of me, like some twisted reality I couldn't escape from.I leaned back in my chai
Julian’s POV:As I drove back to my office, my mind raced with a thousand possibilities, each one worse than the last.The picture of the boy kept flashing in my head his wide brown eyes, the shape of his nose, the faint shadow of something familiar in his expression.Was it possible? Could Vanessa be telling the truth, or was this just another one of her twisted games to claw her way back into my life?When I arrived at the office, Fred was already waiting for me. His face was serious as he held his tablet, likely already compiling information. I hadn’t even stepped fully into the room before he started.“Boss, I’ve got my guy working on a background check on Vanessa,” Fred said, following me into my office. “We’re trying to trace her movements for the past few years. If she’s been living with a kid or has any connection to the boy, we’ll find out soon.”“Good,” I said, taking off my coat and throwing it over a chair. I sat down behind my desk, but I couldn’t bring myself to focus
Julian’s POV:When Samantha texted me about Vanessa, a surge of frustration hit me. What was Vanessa playing at? First, she tries to stir up trouble at dinner, called me that she wanted us to see and talk and now she’s harassing Samantha at work?I leaned back in my office chair, staring at the screen. I needed to put a stop to this before Vanessa took things too far.Fred knocked on the door, poking his head in. “You ready for the meeting boss?”I didn’t respond as I was thinking about what Samantha just told me.“You okay, boss? You look like you’re about to punch something.” he asked as he entered my office and closed the door.I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “It’s Vanessa. She went to Samantha’s work today.”Fred’s face twisted in disgust. “What is wrong with that woman? She’s like a bad penny that keeps showing up.”“She’s testing boundaries,” I muttered. “Trying to see how far she can go. But I’m not letting her mess with Samantha. Not again.”Fred crossed his arms, l