~SophiaThe airport was buzzing with life—families hugging goodbye, travelers dragging suitcases, and announcements echoing through the massive space. Nathaniel and I walked hand in hand through the crowd, his firm grip on my hand a grounding force. I tried to focus on the excitement of the trip, but my stomach was in knots. We checked in and made our way to the boarding gate. Nathaniel looked as calm as ever, his usual confident self, while I was quietly praying this trip wouldn’t turn into a disaster. Once our boarding group was called, we walked onto the plane. Nathaniel led the way, and I followed, expecting to be directed to the economy section, as he had joked the day before. But when we stopped in the business class cabin, my jaw dropped. “Wait,” I whispered, tugging on his arm. “This isn’t economy.” Nathaniel grinned, his boyish charm lighting up his face. “Did you really think I’d let my wife fly economy? I just wanted to see your reaction.” “You’re unbelievable!” I
~SophiaAs I sat there, trembling with the cold barrel of a gun pressed into my side, I found myself silently speaking to God. God, if this is your way of stopping me from going to Canada, if this is your way of keeping my secret safe from Nathaniel, then I don’t care anymore. Ruin everything if you must. But please, save us. My life, Nathaniel’s life—they’re what matter now. “Shut up,” the robber snapped, his voice sharp and filled with menace. My eyes widened. Had I spoken aloud? His glare made my blood run cold, and I swallowed the lump in my throat, nodding quickly to show my compliance. The sudden sound of hurried footsteps brought hope, and I turned my head just enough to see one of the officers who had likely been transporting the prisoner approach. Relief and frustration warred in my chest. “Well, look who finally woke up from his slumber,” I muttered under my breath, bitterness lacing my voice. The officer glared at me briefly before focusing on the robber. He rai
~SophiaThe car glided smoothly through the snow-covered streets, the city lights casting a soft glow on the frost-covered windows. I stared outside, my heart racing with every passing second. My fingers toyed nervously with the strap of my bag as I silently prayed that Martha had received my text and told Lily not to call me “Mommy.” The thought of Nathaniel finding out I lied, sent shivers through me—not from the cold, but from fear. “What are you thinking about so hard?” Nathaniel’s voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. I turned to him, forcing a smile. “Nothing, just… everything, I guess.” He reached over, his hand warm as it rested on mine. “Sophia, I’m sorry for putting you through that stress on the plane. If we had just used the private jet, none of this would’ve happened.” I shook my head, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. “Nathaniel, it’s fine. The most important thing is that we’re both okay. We made it out alive.” He gave me a small
~SophiaAfter settling into our room, I turned to Nathaniel, who was busy unpacking. “I need to catch up with Martha and Lily,” I said, trying to keep my voice casual. He looked up, his brow furrowing slightly. “You sure you're okay?” He asked the twentieth time.“Yeah, of course,” I lied, forcing a smile. “Just want to make up for lost time.” He nodded, but his eyes lingered on me for a moment longer before he turned back to his task. I slipped outside, letting the cool evening air wash over me as I walked along the stone pathway that wound through the garden. The mansion’s exterior lights cast a warm glow on the perfectly manicured lawn, but the beauty of my surroundings did little to soothe the storm brewing inside me. I hated myself. I hated how selfish I’d been, how I’d let my own fear and shame dictate my actions. Not telling Lily I was getting married? Forcing her to see me as her aunt instead of her mother? What kind of person does that? What kind of mother does that
~SophiaThe morning light streamed through the curtains as I tied my apron, standing in the kitchen with more determination than I’d felt in a long time. Today was going to be different. Today, I was going to fix things with Lily. I’d woken up before anyone else, nervous and excited. If there was one thing Lily loved, it was her favorite dish: mini pancakes shaped like animals, served with strawberries, whipped cream, and chocolate drizzle. I could already picture her smile—bright, sweet, and slightly mischievous. It was the smile that could always melt my heart. I hummed softly as I mixed the pancake batter, pouring it carefully into molds shaped like bunnies, cats, and bears. The sizzle of batter hitting the pan was oddly soothing. Once the pancakes were golden and fluffy, I added the finishing touches: sliced strawberries, a dollop of whipped cream, and just enough chocolate drizzle to make it look irresistible. “Perfect,” I whispered to myself, stepping back to admire my wor
~NathanielI sat in the sitting room, the soft hum of conversation from the kitchen faintly audible as I turned the page of The Billionaire’s Blueprint. Reading had been a habit I picked up from my father, a man of few words but infinite wisdom. He always said, “Books hold secrets that people won’t tell you.” This one had been particularly insightful, filled with strategies for building wealth and maintaining it. The sound of footsteps broke my concentration, and I looked up to see Alex walking in. He was carrying a cup of coffee, his sharp features relaxed in a way that made him seem younger. “Ah, The Billionaire’s Blueprint,” he said, sitting across from me. “Great book. I’ve read it twice.” I raised an eyebrow, setting the book down. “Twice, huh? No wonder you’ve done so well for yourself. You’ve got the billionaire mindset.” He chuckled, taking a sip of his coffee. “Well, it helps when you apply the principles. It’s one thing to read about discipline and calculated risks;
~NathanielThe ride back home was filled with laughter and chatter as we all shared stories about the game. The women, surprisingly competitive, had managed to hold their own on the course, much to Alex's and my amusement. Lily, who had insisted on tagging along, was bubbling with excitement, chiming in with her perspective on the game. “I still think Sophia cheated on that last hole,” Alex teased, glancing at her from the driver’s seat. Sophia gasped in mock outrage. “Excuse me? That was pure skill! Just admit you’re bitter because you lost to a beginner.” “I didn’t lose,” Alex retorted, smirking. “Nathaniel won. I was second.” “Still counts as losing,” Martha chimed in, giving Alex a playful nudge from the passenger seat. Lily giggled, looking up at me. “Mr. Nice Guy, you’re really good at golf. Can you teach me next time?” I smiled at her enthusiasm. “Of course, Lily. Maybe next time you can beat everyone on the course.” “I’ll hold you to that,” she said, her eyes spa
~NathanielThe crisp morning air did little to settle the chaos in my mind. I had to clear my head, so I decided to take a walk. Pulling on my tracksuit and canvas shoes, I stepped out onto the cobbled path that cut through the property. I hadn’t gone far when I saw her—Martha. She was jogging ahead, her ponytail bouncing with each step. "Perfect timing," I muttered under my breath. I quickened my pace and called out, “Martha!” She slowed, turning to look at me. A smile spread across her face as she said, “Nathaniel? I didn’t know you jogged.” I caught up to her, a little breathless but glad I’d run into her. “I don’t jog much, to be honest. But since we’re on vacation, I figured I’d try something different.” “Good idea,” she replied, wiping a bead of sweat off her brow. “It’s a great way to start the day.” My eyes briefly scanned her frame. She moved with the grace of someone who knew their body well. “No wonder you’ve got an athlete’s body,” I said without thinking.
~Sophia“Eight Months Later”Eight months had flown by in a beautiful blur, and now, here I was, sitting on our bed, cradling our bouncing baby boy in my arms. Nathaniel sat beside me, leaning in, staring at the tiny miracle we had created. His fingers gently traced our son’s little hands, a soft smile tugging at his lips. “He’s perfect,” Nathaniel murmured. I smiled, pressing a soft kiss to the baby’s forehead. “He really is.” But now came the hard part—choosing a name. Nathaniel sighed, stretching his legs out on the bed. “Alright, we need to settle this before he grows up and starts naming himself.” I chuckled. “I mean, he might as well, because we’ve been arguing for days.” Nathaniel smirked. “Well, that’s because your name choices are… questionable.” I gasped, pretending to be offended. “Excuse me? Ezra is a strong, beautiful name!” Nathaniel shook his head. “I’m sorry, but he doesn’t look like an Ezra.” I narrowed my eyes. “Okay, Mr. Perfect, what do you sugg
~EthanShe gave me a knowing smile. “I’ll take that as a compliment.” “Please do,” I said smoothly. “So, where are you from?” “Nigeria.” I blinked in surprise, genuinely impressed. “Wait—Nigeria?” I let out a low whistle. “Damn. I had no idea Nigerian women were this breathtaking.” She chuckled, shaking her head. “You should visit sometime. We have plenty more where I came from.” I smirked. “I doubt any could compare to you. You look like an African goddess.” A light blush dusted her cheeks, and she looked away for a second before meeting my eyes again. “And you don’t look bad yourself. You’ve got that… classic, handsome white-boy charm.” I wasn’t expecting that, and for the first time in a while, I actually felt shy. I cleared my throat, quickly changing the subject. “So… what do you do for a living?” Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “I’m a UI/UX designer for a tech company in the U.S.” I raised my eyebrows. “Damn. Smart and beautiful?” She laughed. “It’s
~EthanThe coconut juice was ice cold, the perfect companion for a warm, salty breeze rolling in from the ocean. I leaned back against my chair, stretching my legs out in the soft golden sand, my sunglasses resting low on my nose as I took a slow sip. Beside me, Lily was doing the same, except she had managed to get half the coconut juice on her shirt rather than in her mouth. “You’re a mess,” I muttered, smirking. Lily rolled her eyes, licking a stray drop from her lips. “Whatever, Ethan.” I glanced at her sideways, raising an eyebrow. “You wanna tell me why you’ve been following me around since we got here? Shouldn’t you be with your parents in their room or something?” Lily groaned dramatically, sinking deeper into her chair. “Ugh. First of all, ew. Why would I want to be trapped in a room with them?” She sat up, turning to face me. “And second, we both know we’d end up around each other eventually, so why fight it?” I chuckled, shaking my head. “You’re unbelievable.”
~SophiaAs soon as we stepped into our villa, I was in awe. It was stunning, a perfect blend of luxury and nature. The room was massive, with tall wooden beams stretching across the ceiling, large open windows covered by soft white mosquito nets, and a private pool just a few steps from our bed. From where I stood, I could see the island’s coastline, the waves gently rolling onto the golden sand. The air smelled of salt and fresh flowers, a mix so intoxicating it made my head light. Birds soared in the sky, their songs blending with the sound of the waves, and in the distance, I could see wooden boats floating lazily on the water. “This…” I whispered, placing a hand on my stomach, “is paradise.” Nathaniel walked up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. His lips brushed against my temple. “Do you like it?” he asked, his voice deep and smooth. I turned to face him with a bright smile. “I love it.” He smirked. “Good. Now, let me do all the work while you sit back
~EthanThe hum of the private jet's engines was a steady background noise as I leaned back in my seat, stretching my legs in front of me. Through the large windows, the sky was a vast expanse of blue, painted with streaks of white clouds. Below us, the ocean stretched endlessly, shimmering under the afternoon sun. Beside me, my mother, Isabella, was practically glowing with happiness. “I still can’t believe I was considered for this trip,” she said, her voice soft with emotion. “A family vacation… I never imagined this would happen.” Before I could say anything, Sophia—sitting on the other side of her—reached over and took her hands, squeezing them gently. “Isabella,” Sophia said with a warm smile, “you’re family. And nothing can ever change that.” My mom blinked rapidly, trying to hold back tears. “Oh, Sophia…” Nathaniel, who was sitting across from us, smirked. “If she starts crying, we’ll have to turn the jet around.” Isabella laughed, wiping the corner of her eye.
~EthanI stabbed my fork into a juicy steak, cutting into the tender meat as the aroma of garlic butter filled the dining room. Beside it, creamy mashed potatoes glistened with melted cheese, and a side of steamed vegetables added a pop of color to the plate. Dinner at home had always been this way—luxurious, delicious, and filled with conversation. Across from me, Lily swung her little legs under the table, stuffing a piece of bread into her mouth with excitement. Sophia, sitting beside Nathaniel, was picking at her grilled salmon, her expression relaxed and happy. Nathaniel, however, had that look—the one that meant he had something big to say. I knew my father too well. I took another bite of my steak, waiting for him to drop the bombshell. And then, he did. Nathaniel cleared his throat and set down his fork. His voice was calm but firm when he spoke. “Ethan, Lily… You two are going to have a sibling.” I froze mid-bite, my fork stopping inches from my mouth. Lil
~SophiaThe night was quiet, the kind of silence that should be peaceful, but I felt anything but peace. Lying on the bed, I turned to my side, feeling a strange discomfort in my stomach. A wave of nausea crept up my throat, making me feel dizzy. I groaned softly, shifting slightly, my hand reaching out toward the other side of the bed. My fingers brushed against Nathaniel’s bare chest—warm and steady. He was lying there, his breathing slow and even, completely unaware of my current state of misery. I swallowed thickly, trying to push back the sickness, but it wasn’t working. "Baby," I whispered, my voice weak. Nathaniel didn’t stir. He was still fast asleep, his face relaxed in the dim light of the room. I tried again. "Nathaniel… baby." This time, he shifted slightly before his eyes fluttered open. His gaze was heavy with sleep, but at the sound of my voice, his expression immediately changed. He turned to me, instantly alert. "My love," he murmured, his deep voi
~SophiaFor the first time in what felt like forever, I could finally breathe. No more looking over my shoulder. No more fear of waking up to another nightmare caused by Isabella’s schemes. She had finally turned a new leaf. It felt surreal, almost too good to be true, but for now, I chose to believe it. To believe that she was truly done with her tricks. And, as if life had decided to reward us for enduring so much, Lily was being discharged today. I smiled to myself as I walked toward Nathaniel, who was reading something on his phone near the window. His sharp suit hugged his frame perfectly, and despite all the stress of the past weeks, he still looked as handsome as ever. "You're smiling," Nathaniel said, not looking up. "That’s rare these days." I rolled my eyes, stopping beside him. "I have a reason to." He finally glanced at me, his lips tugging upward slightly. "And what would that be?" I leaned against the table, crossing my arms. "Well, for one, your ex-wif
~IsabellaI sat on the edge of my bed, staring blankly at the wall. My hands trembled in my lap, my body still numb from the events that had just taken place. I had done it. I had broken down in tears. I had begged Nathaniel. Begged Sophia. Begged Ethan. Me. Isabella. The woman who once held her head high with pride, who never admitted to being wrong, who never shed a tear in front of anyone. And yet, tonight, I had collapsed in front of them, stripped bare of all my arrogance, all my anger, all my greed. I couldn’t believe myself. I clenched my fists, shaking my head. What the hell got into me? Was it the fear? The fear of going back to that hellhole of a prison? I had suffered too much to get out of there. I had fought, manipulated, bargained my way out. And now, I couldn’t risk going back. Maybe… maybe I had changed. Overnight. It was ridiculous to even think about it, but something inside me felt different. The money, the properties—the very things