Amaliah's brows furrowed as she caught Sheila staring intently at her, head cocked to the side. "What?" She asked. "I've been trying to ignore your eyes boring holes in the side of my face, but I can't do it anymore. What is it?" "You tell me," Sheila replied with a smile. "I have nothing to say," Amaliah shrugged. "Are you sure?" Sheila arched a skeptical brow. "Forgive me for bringing this up, but it's been a week since Courtney Norman showed up to ruin what I thought was Rafael's perfect image, and you look like you couldn't care less that he'd cheated on you," She stated. Amaliah sighed. It wasn't that she didn't care that Rafael had been unfaithful to her; she just wasn't ready to face it yet. Maybe next year or five years from now. "Liah?" Sheila probed. "I do care that he cheated on me. I just... I'm not ready to put a name to whatever it is I'm feeling." Amaliah replied. "Out of sight, out of mind." "Are you sure?" Sheila looked concerned. "It's okay to talk about it, y
Driving up with speed and rounding the water fountain, Caesar narrowly missed hitting the red car parked haphazardly in the driveway. Swerving at the right moment and applying the brakes, he stared at the car in shock, breathing heavily as he tried to compose himself, wondering who was stupid enough to park their car that way.Parked in the spot was an Audi R8, and there was only one person he knew who couldn't care less about how things were done, only about her own feelings: Anastasia Knight. She gracefully alighted from the driver's seat, waved at him, and shut the door. Caesar unfastened his seatbelt, opened his door, and stepped out of the car, slamming the door shut before stalking over to her, eyes blazing with barely controlled fury."I must not have made myself clear before, Anastasia," He growled. "I told you never to show up here again.""Oh please," She snorted. "I know you're still angry, but it's been almost two weeks, and I've let you be. I want to come back."Caesar s
"Where the hell is she?" Caesar wondered as he stared at the elevator doors for the umpteenth time, clutching a bottle of greek yogurt in his hand. Granted, the last time he spoke to Amaliah had been a coincidence and that had been two weeks ago. They'd not made any arrangements to meet here on the rooftop but he'd been hoping that a miracle would bring her back up here again. He had nothing to share with her, but the idea of simply sitting together, gazing at HavenHill Central's skyline, crossed his mind. He wondered when she might trust him enough to let her guard down. "Maybe never," A voice chimed in his head. "Rafael's lies could be deeply ingrained in her mind about you. Forget it." "You," An unamused female voice interrupted him from behind. Caesar turned, surprised and relieved to see Amaliah. She was here! He masked his excitement and cleared his throat. "Hi," He greeted. "This isn't a coincidence," She stated, suspicion narrowing her eyes. Amaliah was adorned in a m
Two weeks laterHe missed her and it felt as though a part of him had been severed, causing him pain. The irony lay in the fact that they weren't even friends; he had regarded her as such, but she had merely tolerated him to avoid appearing distant. No longer visiting the rooftop, he strived to conceal his emotions from Bryan, believing he had succeeded. However, Bryan barged into his office with a determined expression on his face.He realized that his illusion of control had shattered, as Bryan, the perceptive genius, had sensed his distress. Had he inadvertently revealed himself during the morning meeting with the department heads? His preoccupation had caused him to miss his own name being called until Bryan intervened with a tap. Yes, undoubtedly, it stemmed from the events of that morning."That's enough," Bryan declared, his patience worn thin. "I've given you ample time to brood. I refuse to leave until you spill the beans. It's not like you're going through a midlife crisis
Amaliah's opportunity for a discussion with Caesar was thwarted when Mark Robles, the office gossip, informed her of Caesar's one-week trip to Belize. She hadn't asked him, but he had willingly offered the information when she accidentally mentioned going up to the executive floor to see Caesar.If she were someone else, she knew he would have bombarded her with questions until he was satisfied."Why do you want to see Mr. Masterson?" Mark questioned, his raised eyebrow nearly vanishing into his hairline. "You two are seeing each other, aren't you?"Despite knowing his tactlessness and lack of a filter between his brain and mouth, she still felt offended by his assumption. She was starting to show, and office rumors were circulating about the real identity of the biological father of her baby. She knew the entire situation originated with Mark as the source, yet she hadn't bothered confronting him as she deemed it a waste of time. After all, he would only twist her words when recount
Amaliah clenched her hands, her fingers digging into her palms as the elevator ascended rather slowly to the rooftop. She was content with the slow pace, as it gave her time to think. She didn't want whatever was happening with Caesar to turn into something more than friendship. She knew that Rafael would be sorely disappointed with her for even talking to Caesar, let alone considering becoming his friend. However, even if Rafael were still alive and she had learned of his infidelity as she now knew, he wouldn't have been in a position to dictate whom she could befriend.She couldn't tell him about it either, as that would be like admitting she'd been thinking about it a lot, and he would definitely tease her. Before she could change her mind and press another button, the elevator arrived at the rooftop. The doors swished open, forcing her to step out, and then they closed behind her. Caesar stood there with his hands in his pockets, staring at the vast sky. He must have sensed her
As they walked back to their office, Mark stated, "I don't know if it is just me, but I think the boss didn't like your presentation, Amaliah. Did something happen between the two of you?"Feigning ignorance, Amaliah replied, "Something like what?""Did you have a falling out of sorts?" Mark inquired with a frown."We were never..." Amaliah paused, catching herself just in time as she wondered why she had been about to explain whatever had happened in the conference room. "It wasn't just me. He was clearly in a bad mood." She responded."Uh huh," Mark nodded, looking unconvinced."Ms. Rivers?" Francine Rodriguez, their boss, called from behind them.Mark and Amaliah both turned around to look at her. Francine had an indescribable expression on her face that didn't bode well for Amaliah. Whatever had happened in the conference room wasn't Amaliah's fault but Caesar's. He had interrupted her halfway through her presentation and called on Mark to continue with it. The presentation she h
Caesar felt like a complete failure as he watched Amaliah sleep. It was his fault she was lying there, and the weight of guilt pressed heavily on him. He doubted he could ever forgive himself for hurting her so deeply. He had to admit, she had been right all along. He had convinced himself that he could handle her rejection, but the reality had hit him far harder than he expected. Even Anastasia's indifference, the way she treated him like he wasn’t worth her time, hadn’t stung as much as this. He reminded himself that Amaliah still belonged to someone else—her late husband. Despite the man being gone, her love for him lingered, and Caesar knew he could never force her to feel the same way about him. She was carrying her husband’s babies, a constant reminder that Caesar had no place in her heart or her future. He paced the room, his eyes never leaving her face as he anxiously waited for the doctor. The pain etched on her face when he’d first brought her in had disappeared, replaced
“Dearly beloved,” began Amaliah’s father, the officiant, his voice warm and full of grace. “We are gathered here today to witness and celebrate one of life’s most cherished moments—the union of two souls in marriage. This is more than a ceremony; it is a promise. A vow of love, trust, and choosing one another—every day, for the rest of their lives.”He turned his gaze to Caesar and Amaliah, a soft smile on his face. “Caesar and Amaliah, your story is one of resilience. Of finding light in darkness. Of healing side by side. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter—not as two, but as one.”With a gentle nod, he said, “Caesar, you may now share your vows.”Caesar turned to Amaliah, taking her hands into his. The garden courtyard seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them suspended in the moment.“Amaliah… from the moment I met you, I saw light in a world that had long been shadowed. You weren’t mine to love then, but my heart chose you anyway.I watched you give your love even
Five months laterThe garden courtyard behind the church had been transformed into a dream suspended in early spring. Wisteria vines curled lazily around the old stone arches, and fresh blossoms peeked out from the hedges as if drawn to the soft notes of the piano drifting through the air. Above, strings of fairy lights hung like stars waiting for dusk, and the scent of roses lingered with every breeze.At the entrance to the garden, a welcome table had been set — rustic wood topped with vintage frames holding photographs of Amaliah and Caesar through the years. A hand-painted sign rested beside them, reading “Welcome to the beginning of forever,” in soft cursive. A nearby chair had been decorated with florals — a quiet tribute to someone dear, watching from heaven.Rows of wooden chairs, draped in ivory fabric and tied with sage ribbons, faced a grand floral arch that stood proudly at the far end of the courtyard. It was built from natural wood and wrapped in cascading arrangements
The night bloomed like a dream—soft music floated in the air, and laughter danced through the garden blending with the soft music in the background. The long table was adorned with Caesar’s favorite dishes: grilled lamb skewers, fragrant saffron rice, creamy sweet corn soufflé, and decadent chocolate mousse waiting for dessert to end the evening. The girls played freely on the lawn, their giggles mixing with the sound of glasses clinking, while the adults relaxed beneath strings of glowing fairy lights.But Caesar’s mind wasn’t on the food, or the lights, or the laughter. His eyes kept drifting to her.“I actually have a surprise too,” he said suddenly, turning to Amaliah.Amaliah turned toward him, curiosity lighting up her features. “You do?”He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Yes.”“What is it?” she asked, scanning the garden for a hint.As the music slowed and the stars shimmered brighter overhead, Caesar stood up. The chatter faded. Gently, he took Amaliah’s hand, pr
The courtroom was quiet, too quiet. It wasn’t the silence of peace—it was the silence of something long-awaited. Heavy. Sharp-edged.Rafael Rivers stood at the defendant’s table, clad in a neatly pressed gray suit that hung a little looser than it used to. He’d lost weight. His face, once charming and confident, had hardened into something unrecognizable.Beside him, his attorney murmured something low under his breath, but Rafael didn’t respond. His eyes were fixed straight ahead—on the bench, on Judge Danetta Myles, the woman who held his fate in her hands.She shuffled a few papers, adjusted her glasses, and looked up with that same piercing calm she’d maintained throughout the trial. “This court is now in session.”The murmur in the gallery faded instantly. Cameras weren’t allowed, but that didn’t stop the press from flooding the hallways outside. The name Rafael Rivers had gone from business columns to crime headlines. Today, that name would be sealed in court records—attached to
It was late afternoon when the door to Amaliah’s hospital room creaked open once more. Caesar turned from his chair beside her bed, where he’d been quietly watching her and the twins sleep. Standing in the doorway was his mother, Charlotte Masterson, her eyes already misty before she even stepped inside.“Oh, my stars,” she whispered, placing a gloved hand over her chest. “Are those my grandsons?”Amaliah stirred at the sound of her voice, smiling sleepily. “Hi, Charlotte.”After the heartfelt conversation Caesar had with his mother not long ago, he’d introduced her to Amaliah. Surprisingly, the two women had clicked instantly—a connection that filled Caesar with joy. Since then, Amaliah, Carlotta, and Charlotte had become regulars on long three-way phone calls, their bond growing stronger by the day.Charlotte stepped forward, making no attempt to hide the tears now slipping freely down her cheeks. “You two… you’ve done something extraordinary.”The twins lay nestled in their bassin
Two weeks after the baby shower and just days before Rafael’s second trial, Caesar pulled into the circular driveway of his house and turned off the engine.“We’re here,” he said, glancing at Amaliah with a soft smile.She gave him a curious look. “Okay… but why the secrecy?”“You’ll see. Come on.”He helped her out of the car and led her inside, one hand gently supporting the small of her back. They walked through the quiet halls and up the grand staircase.“Caesar…” she started, but he just shook his head with a teasing grin.“No peeking,” he said, stopping in front of a closed white door. He turned the handle slowly and pushed it open.Amaliah’s breath caught in her throat.The room was bathed in soft, natural light from the large windows. The walls were painted a calming shade of sky blue with tiny golden stars scattered across the ceiling. Two white cribs stood side by side against one wall, each draped with a sheer canopy. Above them, wooden name signs read Noah and Nathaniel.
A few weeks later At Caesar’s gentle insistence, Amaliah began her maternity leave. She’d tied up the final details of her project, sent the report to his office, and quietly stepped away from work — a pause she hadn't realized she needed until now. As always, the temporary driver Caesar had arranged was waiting to take her home, punctual and discreet, a small part of the care he wrapped around her like a second skin.Today felt different — brighter, softer, like something beautiful was waiting just around the corner. Sheila had planned a surprise baby shower for her, carefully stitching joy and love into every detail. What Sheila didn’t know was that Amaliah had already found out… and she was quietly, deeply moved.Her hand rested on the swell of her belly, feeling the gentle rhythm of the two little lives growing inside her. They were her miracles — unexpected, overwhelming, and loved more than words could hold. And Caesar… he had been there through every moment, steady and unwav
Caesar had just climbed out of the pool, water still dripping from his frame, when one of the maids approached to announce his mother's arrival. Surprised—but genuinely delighted—he grabbed a towel, dried off quickly, and darted into the house.Taking the stairs two at a time, he changed clothes in record time and was racing downstairs like an excited child. Barely five minutes had passed when he burst into the living room.His mother was just setting her teacup down on its saucer when he entered. Her face lit up with a warm smile as she rose gracefully to her feet, opening her arms. He didn’t hesitate—he pulled her into a tight embrace."How are you doing, darling?" she asked, pressing soft kisses to his cheeks."I'm good, Mom. This is a pleasant surprise," he replied, settling beside her on the sofa. "But I’m happy to see you.""Well, it’s been a while since you left the hospital," Charlotte said. "We’ve only talked over the phone. I happened to be in the area and thought I’d drop b
Amaliah sat stiffly behind the glass, her fingers curled tightly around the pendant Caesar had given her, clutching it like a talisman. Two weeks had passed since the first trial, and Rafael had been requesting to see her ever since. Both Caesar and Sheila had warned her against it, urging her not to go. But her mother’s voice echoed in her head—“Just see him one last time.”Caesar had postponed an important meeting just to drive her to the correctional facility. He was waiting outside, unwilling to let her face this alone. Knowing he was nearby gave her the strength to remain seated as the door buzzed open and Rafael was led in, handcuffed and flanked by an officer.He sat across from her, the cold metal chair screeching as he pulled it out. For a moment, he simply stared at her before reaching for the phone mounted beside the glass. Amaliah hesitated, then mirrored his action, pressing the receiver to her ear."I'm here. What could you possibly have to say that hasn’t already been