~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.
~SophiaSitting in the car with Nathaniel, I was still excited at the movie we just watched, Then he popped the question. “Do you know the song ‘Masked Shakira’?” My heart skipped a beat. For a split second, my entire world froze. Did he know? Had he pieced it together? My palms grew clammy as I turned to him. “What… what did you say?” I stammered. He repeated, “Masked Shakira. Ever heard of it?” I scrambled for words, keeping my face as neutral as possible. “Uh… I think I’ve heard the name before, but I didn’t know it was a song.” He smiled casually. “Oh, never mind. I came across it on Apple Music. It’s pretty catchy.” Relief washed over me, and I tried to calm my nerves. So, he didn’t know. Not yet. The rest of the ride home was uneventful, but my mind kept circling back. Was I being paranoid, or was Nathaniel getting closer to my secret? The next morning, I was running down the stairs to prepare Lily’s breakfast when I heard Nathaniel’s groggy voice from the bedr
~NathanielThe drive back from the park was peaceful. Lily was in the backseat, her face glowing with excitement after the ice cream and countless slides she had insisted on going down. Her laughter was music to my ears, and for the first time in years, I felt something stirring inside me—a sense of completeness. Her laugh… her smile… that birthmark on her back that I’d glimpsed when she lifted her shirt to show me the scrape from the slide. It was shaped exactly like mine, a faint crescent moon near her shoulder blade. Could she really be my daughter? I’d been piecing it together for a while now. Sophia and Martha’s nervous reactions to my question about Masked Shakira had all but confirmed it. Sophia might be trying to keep it hidden, she could be protecting her sister's secret, but I wasn’t blind. Lily looked too much like me, even more than her supposed mother, Martha. As we pulled into the driveway, I parked the car and sat for a moment, watching Lily hum a tune to hersel
~SophiaThe sun was warm on my back as I stood beside Martha in the backyard, a laundry basket at my feet. We worked in silence for a few moments, hanging the wet clothes on the line. The fresh smell of detergent mixed with the faint scent of blooming flowers from Martha's garden. She broke the silence first. “So… were you able to find out anything about Nathaniel?” I shook my head, my hands busy pinning one of Lily’s dresses to the line. “Nothing. I’m so confused, Martha. I don’t know what to do.” Martha raised an eyebrow. “Confused how?” “I’m scared he knows something,” I admitted, biting my lip. “But he’s not saying anything outright. It’s like he’s waiting for me to slip up or something.” Martha glanced at me, her hands pausing mid-motion. “Just keep an eye on him for now. Watch how he reacts to certain things. We’ll figure it out.” I nodded, grateful for her steady reassurance. Then she grinned mischievously. “But we need to be fast. Truth or Dare is starting in a few
~NathanielThe moon was full, casting its silver light over the sprawling mansion. I stood on the balcony, staring into the night. It was our last evening in Canada, and while I should have been packing or reminiscing about our incredible vacation, my mind was a chaotic mess. This month had been one for the books. From hiking in the Rockies with Alex's terrible jokes keeping us entertained to canoeing on tranquil lakes and bonding with Lily over her fascination with wildlife, every moment was memorable. Alex and Martha had been the perfect hosts, their hospitality making our stay unforgettable. Yet, ever since I’d pieced together Martha’s connection to my past, I’d been restless around her. I couldn’t shake the vivid memories of those nights years ago. She used to dance for me at the club, her movements hypnotic, before one thing led to another, and we had sex. It was reckless and intense, and now, here she was, engaged to Alex.And Lily... she had changed me. Her laughter, her c
~SophiaIt was a bright morning, the kind where the sun seemed to be mocking my pounding headache. I rubbed my temples, trying to shake off the fog in my head. The last thing I remembered from last night was Alex and Martha deciding to dance to celebrate their engagement. After that, everything was a blur. I glanced at Nathaniel, who was busy arranging our luggage. He looked calm, focused, but there was something in his eyes—a spark I couldn’t quite place. "Everything set?" he asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Yeah, just need to say goodbye to everyone." We walked out to the living room, where Alex and Martha were waiting with Lily. My heart tightened at the thought of leaving. This past month had been... incredible. It wasn’t just the beautiful sights of Canada or the activities we’d enjoyed; it was the warmth of this home, the laughter, the love. Martha pulled me into a tight hug. "I’m going to miss you, Sophia. You’ve been such a blessing to have here." I smiled,
~SophiaTwo days had passed since we returned home, and life was slowly slipping back into routine. I stood by my car, running a hand over the hood. Nathaniel had insisted on fixing it after Ethan’s little stunt, and now it looked good as new. “Good as new,” I muttered to myself, though the memory of that red spray paint still lingered. I sighed, shaking my head. Well, maybe I deserved it. I did the same to his car. The thought brought a smirk to my lips. Ethan had it coming. He was the one who started this ridiculous war when he hired someone to sabotage my marriage with Nathaniel. How did he even know I was behind it? I frowned. Maybe one of the maids finally cracked and spilled the truth. Or maybe someone saw me that day. My gaze drifted across the parking lot to where Ethan’s car was parked. It looked brand new too, every scratch and dent gone. “Oh, so the bastard used his entire savings to fix it,” I muttered under my breath. “Good for him.” Just as I reached for my c
~SophiaThe phone rested between my shoulder and ear as I paced the living room, trying to organize the mess of toys Lily had scattered everywhere. Martha’s voice crackled on the other end. "So, how are you feeling about it? I mean... Nathaniel’s ex-wife is back. That’s a lot to deal with," Martha asked, her voice laced with curiosity and concern. I rolled my eyes, placing one of Lily’s stuffed bears on the shelf. "I’m unbothered, honestly. I know why she’s here, Martha. It’s obvious she’s here to fight me, but she’s wasting her time." "You think so?" Martha’s skepticism was evident. "I thought they said she went missing years ago?" I sighed, picking up another stuffed animal from the floor. "That’s the story they told everyone, but Nathaniel told me the truth. She left on her own, Martha. She just walked out on him—no warning, no explanation. It was never his fault. And now she’s back, probably because she found out that I’m married to Nathaniel now. And you know the craziest
~NathanielThe morning sunlight streamed into the dining room, highlighting the polished surface of the table set for breakfast. Sophia sat to my right, Lily to my left, her small legs swinging back and forth as the maids moved swiftly, placing dishes of food before us. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, warm pastries, and sizzling bacon filled the air. Lily clapped her hands in excitement as her plate was set down. “Pancakes!” she squealed, her smile lighting up the room. I chuckled, watching her dig in. “Do you like them, princess?” I asked, cutting into my own stack of pancakes. “I love them!” she said between bites. “Uncle Nate, can we have these every day?” I grinned. “If that’s what you want, consider it done. What about the clothes I got for you yesterday? Did you like those too?” Her eyes lit up, syrup dripping from her fork. “Yes! Especially the sparkly shoes. I felt like a princess!” I laughed, feeling a sense of pride swell in my chest. “Well, you are a princes
~NathanielI clenched my fists at my sides, the words catching in my throat. She was playing a game—she always played games—but I wasn’t the same man she used to manipulate. Still, seeing her here in my home, addressing me as if nothing had happened, had me completely off balance. "I’ll ask you again," I said, my voice low and sharp this time. "What are you doing here?" I stood there, my feet planted firmly on the hardwood floor, watching Isabella’s lips curl into a smile that had once made my world spin. Now, it felt like a dagger piercing the calm I had finally built in my life. "What are you doing in my house, Isabella?" I asked again, my voice sharper this time. She didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she stood, staring at me with an unreadable expression, the silence stretching until it became unbearable. Then, with a slow, deliberate turn, she headed for the door. I frowned, following her movement as she opened it and gestured outside. Moments later, a man in a black s
~NathanielThe water cascaded over my skin as I stood in the shower, letting the warmth wash away the remnants of sleep. But today, it wasn’t just another morning. Today, I felt a joy I couldn’t describe. A deep, overwhelming happiness that wrapped itself around my chest and refused to let go. Lily was mine. My daughter. I tilted my head back, letting the water stream over my face. “Thank you, God,” I muttered, the words echoing in the tiled space. “Thank you for bringing them into my life. Sophia and Lily. I don’t know what I did to deserve them, but I’m grateful.” I couldn’t help but smile. What were the odds? Of all the women I could have married, I ended up with Sophia—a woman tied to my past in ways I never expected. It felt like fate, like the universe had been waiting for this moment to bring us together. “Such a small world,” I said to myself, running a hand through my hair. Now that I knew the truth, there was no time to waste. The years I’d missed with Lily couldn’
~Nathaniel “What are you talking about? What lies?” Sophia’s voice was tinged with confusion, her brow furrowed as she sat up straighter in bed, looking at me like I’d lost my mind. I blinked, realizing what I’d just blurted out. Damn it, Nathaniel. Get a grip. This wasn’t how I wanted her to find out the truth. Not like this. “I…” I trailed off, running a hand through my hair as I tried to compose myself. “I was just lost in thought.” “About what?” she asked, crossing her arms. Her gaze was sharp, skeptical. She wasn’t letting me off the hook that easily. “My PA,” I said quickly, grasping at the first excuse that came to mind. “Jeremy. He lies so much, it drives me insane sometimes.” Sophia’s expression softened slightly, though her confusion remained. “Jeremy? What’s he lying about?” “Everything,” I said with a forced chuckle, trying to shift the mood. “You could ask him what he had for breakfast, and he’d probably tell you he skipped it—even though he’s hiding a donut
~Nathaniel I closed the door to my study and grabbed my phone, scrolling to Dr. Harris’s number. The moment he picked up, his warm yet professional tone greeted me. “Mr. James, good evening. How can I help you?” “Good evening, Dr. Harris,” I said, pacing the room. “I just wanted to check if you received the sample my assistant dropped off earlier today.” “Yes, I did,” he replied. “We’re already working on the DNA test. The results should be ready in a few days.” I exhaled, gripping the back of the chair. “Thank you, Harris. I appreciate it.” “It’s no problem. But Nathaniel… are you sure you want to do this? From the way you’ve described things, you already seem convinced.” I hesitated, then nodded as if he could see me. “I need it to be official. For her sake. For mine.” He sighed. “Fair enough. I’ll let you know as soon as we have the results.” “Thanks again.” The call ended, and I set my phone down on the desk. My shoulders felt heavy, but it wasn’t because I doubt
~SophiaTwo days had passed since we returned home, and life was slowly slipping back into routine. I stood by my car, running a hand over the hood. Nathaniel had insisted on fixing it after Ethan’s little stunt, and now it looked good as new. “Good as new,” I muttered to myself, though the memory of that red spray paint still lingered. I sighed, shaking my head. Well, maybe I deserved it. I did the same to his car. The thought brought a smirk to my lips. Ethan had it coming. He was the one who started this ridiculous war when he hired someone to sabotage my marriage with Nathaniel. How did he even know I was behind it? I frowned. Maybe one of the maids finally cracked and spilled the truth. Or maybe someone saw me that day. My gaze drifted across the parking lot to where Ethan’s car was parked. It looked brand new too, every scratch and dent gone. “Oh, so the bastard used his entire savings to fix it,” I muttered under my breath. “Good for him.” Just as I reached for my c
~SophiaIt was a bright morning, the kind where the sun seemed to be mocking my pounding headache. I rubbed my temples, trying to shake off the fog in my head. The last thing I remembered from last night was Alex and Martha deciding to dance to celebrate their engagement. After that, everything was a blur. I glanced at Nathaniel, who was busy arranging our luggage. He looked calm, focused, but there was something in his eyes—a spark I couldn’t quite place. "Everything set?" he asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Yeah, just need to say goodbye to everyone." We walked out to the living room, where Alex and Martha were waiting with Lily. My heart tightened at the thought of leaving. This past month had been... incredible. It wasn’t just the beautiful sights of Canada or the activities we’d enjoyed; it was the warmth of this home, the laughter, the love. Martha pulled me into a tight hug. "I’m going to miss you, Sophia. You’ve been such a blessing to have here." I smiled,
~NathanielThe moon was full, casting its silver light over the sprawling mansion. I stood on the balcony, staring into the night. It was our last evening in Canada, and while I should have been packing or reminiscing about our incredible vacation, my mind was a chaotic mess. This month had been one for the books. From hiking in the Rockies with Alex's terrible jokes keeping us entertained to canoeing on tranquil lakes and bonding with Lily over her fascination with wildlife, every moment was memorable. Alex and Martha had been the perfect hosts, their hospitality making our stay unforgettable. Yet, ever since I’d pieced together Martha’s connection to my past, I’d been restless around her. I couldn’t shake the vivid memories of those nights years ago. She used to dance for me at the club, her movements hypnotic, before one thing led to another, and we had sex. It was reckless and intense, and now, here she was, engaged to Alex.And Lily... she had changed me. Her laughter, her c