The music began; the overture played with power, and the melody was so lively that little Jonathan couldn't help but move his feet to the rhythm. He was filled with excitement—it was his first time seeing it live on stage. It was the first time for all of them.
The curtain rose, and the play began.
As Daniel had explained to Naomi, there were dialogues, fortunately in their own language. The lyrical parts, however, were in German, but at least they could understand what the story was about.
And then she appeared…
Beautiful, radiant, powerful. Wearing a white period dress, a smile on her lips, and strength in her voice. The first notes left everyone in suspense, and as the first act unfolded, the energy in the theater became
Once again, the game of glances, where they spoke thousands of words without saying a thing. The unspoken body language, the small smiles, the hands casually brushing through hair or resting on arms, the subtle movements, the magical feeling of creating an invisible tension in the air that connected them. Daniel’s blood was starting to boil, yet he still couldn’t take a single step toward her.His expressionless face sent one message, but the fire in his eyes sent another. Deanna didn’t understand—was it because of Beverly? Could her fear be true? That he no longer loved her? She bit her lip, hesitating. Why had he come, then? To show her that his love had died and that now he had another woman by his side, someone more suitable?Hours passed, but there was still no reaction from him. She felt her soul slipping a
“But…”“But what, Crusher?”“You and her…”“Oh, please!” He threw his arms up. “Do you think that if we were together, I’d be telling you all this? Yes, I love her… But not that kind of love… I just want her to be happy, and it looks like her happiness is with you…”Daniel watched him, then looked toward the dressing room doors.“Are you still going to hesitate?”“Are you… letting her go?”“I will never let her go! I’m not with her like everyon
Deanna wasn't at all happy with what Harry was proposing. He had to be crazy to come up with such an idea."What you're saying makes zero sense. Did you hit your head before coming here?""I know, but we need your help. I don't know who else to ask."Harry's girlfriend, Laura, wasn't saying anything, but she was getting more nervous by the minute.Their situation wasn't good - they were still in school, they were young, madly in love, but they'd been careless. Laura had confirmed her pregnancy just three days ago."I get where you're coming from, Harry, but no one's going to buy it. Your family doesn't even know me.""But I talked to my brother and he agreed. Please Deanna, help us."Laura finally spoke up, her eyes full of tears."We wouldn't ask this if it wasn't so important to us. Our families are really strict about this stuff. They won't let Harry marry me if his older brother is still single. And my family won't let me keep the baby unless I'm married."Seeing Laura so distress
Daniel Crusher had been a widower for 5 years. His wife had died from a heart condition shortly after giving birth to their youngest son. She left him alone with 3 kids and a deep sadness in a house that suddenly felt too big.He had no intentions of remarrying, even though he was one of the most eligible bachelors and was known to have had a few brief relationships. He could raise his children alone, or at least that's what he thought.And then his younger brother comes along, backs him into a corner with a completely unthinkable proposal. When he found out why, he exploded in fury."How can you be so irresponsible?!"But Daniel couldn't leave his brother and Laura to their fate. Much less abandon the little one on the way. Behind the ice shield he'd built around himself, there was still a warm-hearted man."Who is she?" he had asked.And again, he hit the roof when Harry told him about Deanna."But if she goes to university with you, that means... she's your age?""Yes, she's 25 lik
Daniel was the first to arrive at the apartment. He'd been there a few times over the years, but this time Laura's presence was noticeable in little things throughout the house. It was clear they'd been sharing the place for a while. For some reason, he felt nervous; this situation was very similar to when his mother set him up with her friends' daughters, except this time he came willingly. Maybe because this was the first time he was the one waiting for approval. A few minutes later, the doorbell rang - it was Deanna. The moment he saw her cross the threshold, he knew this would be harder than he'd thought. She entered with a huge smile and within seconds filled the place with her energy, as if radiating some kind of warm light. She wore her hair down, the abundant caramel-colored mane covering her shoulders. Daniel's first reaction was to stand up immediately, as if pushed by an invisible force. Upon seeing him, Deanna didn't hesitate to approach and stand before the tall, dark-h
The next day, Daniel met with his parents. He needed to stay as calm as possible and tell them the news naturally; without wavering while following the story to the letter, or no one would believe the charade."Well, we're here son. What did you want to talk to us about?" his mother asked."I'm getting married.""What do you mean you're getting married? What are you talking about, Daniel?" His father was a bit surprised, it was something he never expected to hear from him again."I'm getting married in a few weeks, Dad, and I want the whole family to meet her.""Wait a moment son, wait... Who exactly are you marrying?""Deanna.""Who? Who is Deanna?"He knew his mother would flood him with questions. She wanted her grandchildren to have a woman's presence while growing up besides herself or Susan, but this was too sudden. Neither of them was prepared to hear what Daniel had to say."Deanna is Harry's university classmate. We've been dating for several months now and I've decided to ma
Laura knocked on her apartment door; Deanna wasn't expecting her. Classes had been canceled that day, and she'd taken advantage of it to organize and do some cleaning; otherwise, she wouldn't be back until late afternoon. She was supposed to finish her degree with Harry this year; now she'd have to wait a bit longer."Sorry to bother you today.""Not at all, Laura, come in... It's a bit messy because I was cleaning up.""Thanks. I'm here on a mission.""A mission?""Yes, my brother-in-law gave me his credit card and today we're going shopping together.""I guess the family meeting is already planned.""Yes.""Well, I'll do my best.""Really, Deanna, I don't know how to thank you for what you're doing. I know you didn't get a good impression of Daniel the other night, and you'll have to postpone your studies for us. But you don't know what this means to me." She placed both hands on her belly."I'm more than happy to help, don't be silly. That little seed growing inside you will have t
But before the family meeting, Daniel needed to make sure his future wife passed "quality control." He was very aware that Deanna wasn't used to moving in his social circles, and although he cared little about that, he knew his family would notice the smallest detail.So he talked to Harry and asked him to let Deanna know they'd be having dinner alone."Why don't you call her yourself?""Because I don't have her number.""You should have asked for it when you took her home, brother.""I didn't think it necessary. Call her for me and tell her I'll pick her up at 8."It wasn't the first time he'd gone to dinner with a woman, nor the first time he'd picked one up at her home. However, like the day he met her, Daniel again had this strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. But this time, since they were going to a nice restaurant, he went back to his usual three-piece suit. The vest was always a must in his suits, which set him apart from other businessmen with his elegance.Deanna had t
“But…”“But what, Crusher?”“You and her…”“Oh, please!” He threw his arms up. “Do you think that if we were together, I’d be telling you all this? Yes, I love her… But not that kind of love… I just want her to be happy, and it looks like her happiness is with you…”Daniel watched him, then looked toward the dressing room doors.“Are you still going to hesitate?”“Are you… letting her go?”“I will never let her go! I’m not with her like everyon
Once again, the game of glances, where they spoke thousands of words without saying a thing. The unspoken body language, the small smiles, the hands casually brushing through hair or resting on arms, the subtle movements, the magical feeling of creating an invisible tension in the air that connected them. Daniel’s blood was starting to boil, yet he still couldn’t take a single step toward her.His expressionless face sent one message, but the fire in his eyes sent another. Deanna didn’t understand—was it because of Beverly? Could her fear be true? That he no longer loved her? She bit her lip, hesitating. Why had he come, then? To show her that his love had died and that now he had another woman by his side, someone more suitable?Hours passed, but there was still no reaction from him. She felt her soul slipping a
The music began; the overture played with power, and the melody was so lively that little Jonathan couldn't help but move his feet to the rhythm. He was filled with excitement—it was his first time seeing it live on stage. It was the first time for all of them.The curtain rose, and the play began.As Daniel had explained to Naomi, there were dialogues, fortunately in their own language. The lyrical parts, however, were in German, but at least they could understand what the story was about.And then she appeared…Beautiful, radiant, powerful. Wearing a white period dress, a smile on her lips, and strength in her voice. The first notes left everyone in suspense, and as the first act unfolded, the energy in the theater became
Opera night was no longer what it used to be in the old days, when it was an occasion for ostentation and a gathering of respected members of society. Now, anyone who could afford a ticket could step into the magical world of the theater. But just this once, every single guest would be an ostentatious, respected member of society. Just this once.That was Leonard’s doing—he had made sure Deanna’s debut in her hometown would be done the old-fashioned way. He had sent invitations to those he deemed influential, to the trendsetters, to political figures—anyone who needed to see her sing. He was proud, and he wanted to share that pride with all those who had once whispered behind her back while watching her.Tonight, they would stand and applaud. They would congratulate her at the after-party. Because he and Marcus ha
Daniel was also getting ready, but in a very different way. For him, that night was going to be tough and painful—tough because he’d have to endure seeing her with Leonard, and painful because he’d have to fight the urge to hold her. He didn’t know how much he could take and was trying to prepare himself to keep his impulses in check. Ever since he had met her, everything had been a whirlwind of madness for him. She had turned his life upside down, making him fall in love like a foolish boy.The cold man, hidden in his sorrow, imposing and unshakable, had disappeared a long time ago. Only the facade remained—inside, he had completely crumbled. Just seeing her again was enough to make everything around him falter, because to Daniel, she was a violent gust of wind that knocked him down with nothing but her presence. That’s how in love he was, and that&rsq
Friends are supposed to be unconditional companions that life places in our path so we can share both joys and sorrows. They’re there to lift our spirits when we’re at our lowest or to join us on an adventure. They’re the ears that listen to our dreams and hopes, knowing they’ll tell us the truth, no matter how painful it is. Some even go beyond friendship and become family—the family we choose.Deanna had always been that kind of friend: the reliable one who would listen to you until late at night and then hug you to comfort you. She wouldn’t hesitate to follow you to the ends of the earth in search of the pot of gold, even knowing it didn’t exist. She would marry your brother just to help you build a happy family and would give up many important things just because she considered you even more indispensable. And never, ever, would she betray you
She felt cornered. Why was he suddenly threatening her like that? Everything they had done, they had done for the same purpose. What had changed? But Leonard was right—if she revealed to Daniel how things had actually happened, she would lose him forever."Why are you doing this now?""Because I need to know what happened, in full detail… Everything… and you're going to tell me, baby. Remember, you're gambling with more than just that idiot—think about his career, your ambitions…""You're a bastard…""I know, I know… You just have to tell me what I want, and you can leave in peace. I have my reasons, and I’m not going to explain them to you… You'll understand…"
Naomi paced back and forth from the door to the window, anxious. Ethan had sat down with Jonathan, and they were getting dizzy just watching her. Daniel pretended to read some papers, peering over his glasses at the girl, clearly nervous. Beverly stood on the stairs with her arms crossed, wearing an expression of pure displeasure."Naomi, enough already... for God's sake," Ethan said."When is she going to get here?""She'll be here soon. Why are you so anxious? It's just a dress...""You don't understand anything..."Ethan rolled his eyes. He wasn't excited about shopping in the least; he just wanted to go out with Deanna and spend the day together. The little one watched her go back and f