~SophiaThe evening began with a whirlwind of preparation. The servants were bustling around, ironing dresses, shining shoes, and fussing over every little detail to ensure Nathaniel and I looked like royalty. Standing in front of the gilded mirror in my walk-in closet, I admired the way my gown hugged my body. The navy-blue fabric shimmered with every move, its delicate beading catching the light. It was the kind of dress that made you feel like you owned the world—or at least a small part of it. Behind me, one of the maids carefully adjusted my necklace, a diamond choker that Nathaniel had given me on the day he proposed. “Miss Sophia, you look like a goddess,” she said, her voice filled with awe. I smiled at her through the mirror. “Thank you, Clara. But let’s not overdo it.” She shook her head fervently. “No, I mean it! Mr. Nathaniel won’t be able to take his eyes off you.” As if summoned by her words, Nathaniel appeared in the doorway. He was dressed in a classic black
~SophiaThe cool breeze caressed my skin as I sat in the garden, savoring the serene evening. The faint rustling of leaves provided a calming backdrop to my thoughts. Roses in full bloom surrounded me, their scent mingling with the earthy freshness of the grass. The air carried a crispness that hinted at the approach of night, making the glass of red wine in my hand feel even warmer against my palm. The wrought-iron table in front of me was cluttered with papers, my wedding planner sprawled open. Across from me sat Caroline, my event coordinator, scribbling notes as she spoke. Caroline was meticulous to a fault. Her fiery red hair was pulled into a tight bun, and her tailored blazer screamed authority. “So, the venue has confirmed the seating arrangements,” Caroline said, her eyes scanning a checklist. “The caterers will arrive three hours before the ceremony, but we’re still waiting on confirmation from the florist about the gold roses for the centerpiece.” I frowned, swirling
~SophiaThe morning sunlight filtered through the large bay windows, casting a golden glow on the lavish dressing room. I sat in the center of it all, perched on a plush chair draped in silk, while a team of professionals buzzed around me like diligent bees. My wedding dress, an exquisite masterpiece of lace and pearls, hung nearby, its shimmering fabric almost outshining the glimmering chandelier overhead. “Hold still, Miss Sophia,” the makeup artist, Yvette, said as she delicately swept a brush over my cheekbones. “I am holding still,” I retorted, glancing at my phone and dialing Caroline for the fifth time that morning. “Caroline,” I barked the moment she picked up. “Tell me everything's in order.” “Most of it is,” she replied, her voice slightly strained. “The guests are arriving, the seating arrangements are finalized, but there’s still a small hiccup with the cake—” “What hiccup?” I snapped, narrowing my eyes at the reflection of Yvette, who winced as she continued ble
~NathanielI adjusted the cuff of my suit jacket for what felt like the hundredth time, pacing in the foyer as my driver waited outside. Everything was ready. The rings were the only thing left, and I should’ve picked them up yesterday, but work had consumed my time. Now, it was the morning of my wedding, and I was stuck waiting for Ethan. I glanced at my watch again. Almost an hour late. He had one job—be on time and accompany me to pick up the rings. Was that so hard? With a frustrated sigh, I stepped into the car, settling into the backseat as the driver sat up front, politely silent. I pulled out my phone, scrolling through emails before deciding enough was enough. I brought up Ethan’s contact and prepared to call him. Just as I was about to press the dial button, the front door of the house opened. Ethan emerged, his face set in a scowl, his tie askew like he’d gotten dressed in a hurry. He trudged down the stairs, dragging his feet as if walking was the hardest thing he’d
~NathanielThe morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, its golden rays dancing across the bed. I stretched, feeling a satisfying ache in my muscles from the night before. The wedding had been a whirlwind of emotions, dancing, drinking, and celebrating. But what topped it all was the fact that I was now married to Sophia—the love of my life. I glanced over at her, her bare shoulders peeking out from beneath the blanket, her hair cascading in messy waves over the pillow. She looked peaceful, like an angel. I smiled to myself, my chest swelling with happiness. I couldn’t believe she was mine. Quietly, I slid out of bed, careful not to wake her. I needed to make this morning special for the newest Mrs. James. “Alright, Nathaniel,” I muttered under my breath as I padded toward the bathroom. “Time to show your wife that chivalry isn’t dead.” After brushing my teeth and splashing cold water on my face to shake off the lingering grogginess, I grabbed my phone from the nightsta
~SophiaI sat at the table, picking at the last bits of the delicious breakfast Nathaniel had prepared. My mind raced, wondering what surprise he had up his sleeve this time. Nathaniel was always full of surprises, but the glint in his eyes earlier told me this one was special. I shoved a forkful of food into my mouth, barely chewing as I stared at him. My cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk, and I knew I looked ridiculous. Nathaniel’s laugh echoed in the room, hearty and amused. “Seriously, Sophia,” he said, shaking his head, “you look like a squirrel storing nuts for winter.” I tried to say something witty, but with all the food in my mouth, it came out as an unintelligible mumble. Nathaniel doubled over, laughing even harder. “Don’t choke, please,” he teased. I grabbed my glass of water, gulping it down to help with the digestion. But the liquid went the wrong way, and I started coughing uncontrollably. Nathaniel was beside me in an instant, patting my back gently. “Take
~SophiaThe morning sunlight poured in through the wide glass windows of James Enterprises, illuminating the pristine white marble floors and gleaming metal accents that decorated the office space. I stepped out of the elevator onto the executive floor, the soft hum of productivity filling the air. My heels clicked against the floor, each sound a reminder of the new chapter I was stepping into. Today was my first day as Head of Marketing, and my nerves were a jumbled mess of excitement and fear. Nathaniel’s faith in me felt overwhelming at times. Did I deserve this? Would I be able to prove him right? These thoughts had swirled in my mind since last night, but now, standing here, I forced myself to push them aside. I clutched my briefcase tightly, walking toward the office that Nathaniel had personally shown me two days ago. The gold plaque on the door glinted in the sunlight, reading: Sophia James, Head of Marketing. I stopped for a moment, just staring at it. My name. My title.
~SophiaThe sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over Nathaniel’s sprawling estate. The pool shimmered under the evening light, and there he was, effortlessly lounging in the water like some kind of Greek god. His dark hair was slicked back, water droplets clinging to his skin as he sipped from a glass of wine. The sight of him made my breath hitch. Nathaniel had a way of owning any space he was in, and this poolside scene was no exception. He turned his head slightly, catching me watching from the edge of the patio. “Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to join me?” he called out, a playful grin tugging at his lips. I smirked, slipping off my sandals. “Maybe I’m just enjoying the view.” His laugh echoed across the water, rich and deep. “Well, I’m enjoying mine too. So come closer, Mrs. James.” Taking a deep breath, I stepped down the stone path toward the pool, my confidence growing with each step. The bikini I’d chosen for the evening hugged
~Sophia“Hey, baby.”“Hey,” Nathaniel replied, his voice warm. “How’s everything? Is everything okay?”I smiled, though it didn’t reach my eyes. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Just a few little things to deal with. Nothing you need to worry about.”“Alright,” he said, and there was a slight pause. “I can’t wait to come home. I miss you.”“I miss you too,” I said, a genuine smile on my face. “How’s everything on your end?” I asked, my fingers absentmindedly tapping against the kitchen counter as I waited for his to reply. “Everything’s good,” he replied, his voice smooth. “The issue is getting sorted, the team is handling it. We should have everything under control by next week. What about you? How’s Lilly? And the house? Everything alright?”I couldn’t help but smile at his concern. It was one of the things I loved most about him. Despite everything, despite all the days of distance, he still cared. “Lilly’s good. We’re both good, just... trying to keep everything running smoothly here.
~EthanI sat next to Sarah on the bed in my mother’s room, her small, warm hand in mine. The tension in the room was thick enough to slice with a knife. For the past two hours since we returned home, my mother hadn’t said a word. She had been pacing back and forth, her glasses perched on the tip of her nose, deep in thought, completely ignoring us.Sarah, her patience running thin, turned to me with a worried frown. “Is everything alright, Ethan? What’s going on? Why’s she acting like this?” I squeezed her hand, trying to comfort her. “Shh, it’s just... it’s how she is when she’s thinking. You know how she can be. Don’t disturb her. Just let her do her thing.”But even as I said it, I wasn’t sure if I was comforting her or myself. My mind was all over the place. My mother had been acting strange lately, and I couldn’t figure out why she was so insistent on getting me back home tonight.Suddenly, my mother stopped pacing, turned around sharply, and fixed her gaze on Sarah. Her sharp
~EthanI lay there in the dark, staring at the glow of my phone screen. It was late, but I couldn’t sleep. The light from my phone cast strange shadows on the walls of the room. My mind kept racing, replaying everything that had happened over the past few weeks.The phone buzzed in my hand, an incoming message from one of my buddies at the gym. I barely noticed it. My eyes kept flicking back to Sarah, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding her phone up to her ear, arranging something. She’d been acting distant lately, and I hated that feeling of not knowing what was going on with her. Her voice, soft but sharp, broke my thoughts. “Yes, the makeup artist is confirmed. Just make sure she’s there at least two hours before the ceremony. The last thing I need is someone messing up my makeup on my wedding day.” I clenched my jaw, my gaze narrowing as I studied her from across the room. I didn’t know what was bothering me more—the fact that she was so busy with wedding preparati
~NathanielThe boardroom was tense. The air felt thick with unspoken frustration as I sat at the head of the long glass table, my fingers tapping rhythmically against the polished surface. Across from me sat one of our biggest investors, Richard Whitmore, a man in his late fifties with sharp eyes that had seen decades of corporate battles. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his expression unreadable but impatient. “This is a serious issue, Nathaniel,” Richard said, his voice calm but firm. “We’ve got a supply chain crisis on our hands. Our factories in Mexico are experiencing severe delays. If we don’t fix this, we’re looking at millions in losses and possible contract terminations.” I exhaled sharply, already aware of the problem but hating to hear it spoken aloud. “We anticipated some delays, but nothing of this magnitude. What exactly is the holdup?” Richard slid a folder across the table. “Materials. The shipments from our suppliers aren’t making it through customs f
~SophiaThe warm water sloshed gently as I poured it over Lily’s tiny shoulders, watching as it trickled down her soft skin. She giggled, splashing her hands against the water’s surface, making tiny ripples in the tub. "Mommy, look! The water is dancing!" she exclaimed, eyes twinkling with delight. I smiled, amused by her imagination. "It sure is, sweetheart. But let’s try not to get it all over the floor, okay?" She grinned mischievously, then picked up her rubber duck and held it up dramatically. "Sir Quacksalot is on a mission! He must save the princess from the evil sea monster!" I chuckled, shaking my head. "Oh no, not the sea monster again! Where did it come from this time?" Lily’s eyes widened as she pointed to a floating shampoo bottle. "It lives in the deep, dark ocean and steals all the bubbles!" "Well, we can’t let that happen, can we?" I dipped my hand into the water and swirled it around, creating more bubbles. "Here, Sir Quacksalot, take these magical bubbles
~EthanI sat there, watching Sarah, arms crossed, trying to hide the annoyance creeping up my neck. I wasn’t in the mood for this. At all. But somehow, Sarah had convinced me to come with her to the spa. I didn’t know how she did it. Maybe it was that innocent smile of hers, the one that always got me, or maybe it was the way she bathed me in that guilt trip. “Come on, babe,” she’d said, dragging me out of the house. “It’s just for an hour. You could use the relaxation.” I had argued. Told her I wasn’t in the mood for a massage, not with everything on my mind. But there I was, sitting in the corner of the waiting area, tapping my foot impatiently. Sarah was already on the massage table, face down, completely relaxed. I watched her as the masseuse worked her magic on her shoulders. She sighed in contentment, her body melting under the skilled hands. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy. How could she be so calm when my entire world was spinning out of control? Her soft, stea
~EthanThe car ride home felt like a never-ending nightmare. Sarah, sitting beside me, was buzzing with excitement, her voice loud and sharp as she rambled about our upcoming wedding. I barely had time to process what I had just done—agreeing to marry her—before she started calling everyone she knew, making grand announcements like she had won the damn lottery. "I can't believe it! Finally, I'm going to be Mrs. Sarah James!" she squealed, clapping her hands together. I gritted my teeth, my fingers tightening on the steering wheel. "Sarah, can you lower your voice?" She ignored me completely, pulling out her phone and dialing someone. "Jessica! Oh my God, you won't believe it! Ethan just proposed!" She paused, giggling like a high school girl. "Yes, girl! A huge diamond ring, you should see it! Of course, it's big—he’s a billionaire, duh!" I exhaled sharply, rolling my eyes. If only she knew that I hadn’t done this out of love. I had no other choice. She was pregnant, and I c
~SophiaNathaniel and I stepped out of the bathroom, warmth still clinging to our damp skin, laughter tumbling from our lips. He reached for a towel, ruffling his wet hair as I playfully nudged him. “You’re impossible,” I murmured, smiling. He smirked, his golden eyes flickering with mischief. “And yet, here you are. Still hopelessly in love with me.” I rolled my eyes, pretending to scoff, but my cheeks were still flushed—not just from the heat of the shower but from him. The way he had touched me, kissed me… made love to me. My body still hummed with the memory. I turned toward the bed, ready to fall into his arms again, when something—or rather someone—caught my attention. I froze. Sitting casually in one of the chairs, legs crossed with eerie elegance, was Isabella. Nathaniel’s hand, still loosely wrapped around mine, went rigid. For a moment, I thought I was imagining things. That maybe I had been too caught up in my bubble of happiness, that my mind was playing tr
~NathanielThe moment I stepped into my bedroom, I loosened my tie, exhaling deeply. The dinner had been exhausting—hours of forced smiles, polite greetings, and pretending I gave a damn about Isabella’s grand return. If it were up to me, I would have canceled the entire affair. But appearances had to be maintained. The public expected it. The media expected it. And most of all, Isabella expected it. But none of that mattered now. Because as I stood there, unbuttoning the top of my shirt, she walked in. Sophia. Still draped in that orange gown that had my entire world tilting on its axis. My eyes followed her every move, drinking her in like a man starved. The way the dress hugged her curves, the way her hips swayed ever so slightly with each step—it was like she knew exactly what she was doing to me. Damn her. She glanced at me, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "What?" I smirked, tossing my tie onto the chair. "You know what." Her laughter was soft, teasing. "I