~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
~Ethan I carried the small tray with my mother’s pills balanced in one hand, a glass of water in the other. I’d made this same trip every day since she came back, but today felt different. This morning, she’d looked pale and fragile, like someone made of glass. She’d barely said a word when I checked on her earlier, lying there under the covers, barely moving. But now... The moment I opened the door to her room, I froze. There she was, sitting on the edge of her bed, brushing her hair with deliberate care. But she didn’t look like the mother I’d grown used to these past two days. No, this version of her was something else entirely—alive, radiant, like she’d stepped straight out of a memory from 25 years ago. Her skin glowed, her hair shimmered like spun gold, and the dark circles that had clung to her eyes were gone. She looked... young. Beautiful. Not like the woman who had stumbled back into our lives, broken and distant. The tray in my hands wobbled. She noticed me t
~NathanielThe faint hum of the air conditioning filled my office, blending with the rhythmic tapping of my fingers on the mahogany desk. Jeremy, my assistant, sat across from me, a notepad in his hand and that perpetually eager look on his face. "Sir, we’ve confirmed the deal with Harrington Enterprises. The papers just need your signature," he said, sliding the folder toward me. I flipped it open, scanning the pages. "Good. This partnership has been long overdue. Anything else on the agenda?" Jeremy cleared his throat. "There’s also the charity gala next week. Mrs. James asked if you’d be willing to give the opening speech." I couldn’t help but smile at the mention of Sophia. "Of course. Let her know I’ll handle it." Jeremy nodded, scribbling on his notepad. "And about the—" The door swung open suddenly, cutting him off. My gaze darted up, and there she was—Isabella. She stepped in like she owned the room, her hips swaying with deliberate confidence. Her figure was wra
~EthanI stood in the parking lot, hands stuffed into my pockets, trying to steady my nerves. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the house. Nathaniel had just arrived home, stepping out of his sleek black car when I called out to him. “Dad,” I said, my voice firm. “I need to talk to you.” Nathaniel raised a brow, shutting his car door with a thud. “Sounds serious.” “It is.” He studied me for a moment before nodding. “Alright. Let’s talk inside.” I followed him into the house, my heart pounding with every step. I had been waiting for this conversation for a long time. Waiting for the truth. We stepped into the living room, but just as I opened my mouth to speak, my breath caught in my throat. Sophia. She was walking down the grand staircase, her soft curls bouncing with each step, her delicate hands brushing against the railing. But that wasn’t what made my heart stop. It was the dress. A silky, emerald-green dress that fit her perfectly. A dress I
~SophiaI stood outside, tapping my foot against the tiled porch, my arms crossed as I glared at the empty backyard. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the mansion, but I was too irritated to enjoy the view. The maids had forgotten—again—to take Lily’s clothes out of the laundry before closing for the day. I huffed, mumbling under my breath as I bent down to pick up the small basket of half-dried clothes. “I swear, if I have to remind them one more time—” A gust of wind blew past me, making one of Lily’s tiny dresses slip from the basket. It was almost on the ground when— A hand caught it. I froze. My eyes followed the hand, trailing up the long fingers, the muscular arm, the broad chest… until I met a pair of familiar hazel eyes. Ethan. My grip on the basket tightened. Of all the people I expected to see here, he was the last. I stepped forward and yanked the dress from his hand. “I’ve got it,” I muttered. Ignoring him, I continued gathering Lily’s cl
~NathanielIf it were up to me, this dinner wouldn't be happening. But I didn’t have the luxury of making that choice—not when the entire city expected it. A powerful man like me couldn’t afford to be seen as ungrateful, especially when my ex-wife—no, my wife—had returned after years of absence. The public had to see this as a joyous reunion, a celebration of family. So here I was, hosting an elaborate dinner party in honor of Isabella’s return, putting on a show for the world. The grand dining hall was alight with golden chandeliers, their crystals glinting in the soft glow of candlelight centerpieces. Laughter and chatter filled the air, accompanied by the soft melody of a string quartet playing in the corner. Guests dressed in their finest attire mingled, sipping wine and exchanging pleasantries. The scent of roasted lamb, honey-glazed vegetables, and freshly baked bread wafted through the room, mingling with the rich aroma of aged wine. And then, there was Sophia. Dressed in
~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
~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
~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