~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
~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
~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
~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
~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.
~Sophia The moment I stepped out of the car, I could feel the shift in the air. The towering glass building stood tall and imposing, gleaming under the morning sun. Nathaniel’s empire. And for now, I was the one running it. The security at the entrance straightened the moment they saw me, greeting me politely. “Good morning, Mrs. James.” I gave them a nod and walked in, my heels clicking against the marble floor. Employees moved swiftly around the spacious lobby, some engaged in quiet conversations, others hurrying to their destinations. As I made my way to the elevators, heads turned, whispers followed, but I ignored them. My personal assistant, Laura, was already waiting for me by the elevators, holding my briefcase. “Good morning, Mrs. James,” she said with a bright smile. I nodded. “Morning, Laura. Let’s go.” She followed me into the elevator, pressing the button for the top floor. “Everything is set for you,” Laura informed me as the elevator doors closed. “Your o
~EthanThe car was quiet as we drove back from the church, the weight of the upcoming wedding pressing on me. A week. Just one week, and I'd be married to Sarah. It wasn't a decision born out of love. Hell, if anything, it was born out of obligation, something to fix the mess we’d gotten ourselves into. She was pregnant. And marriage was supposed to be about love, not just some fix for a problem. Was I doing the right thing? Was I really going to marry her?I glanced at Sarah as she sat next to me, her hand resting on her stomach. The same stomach that carried a child—our child, at least, that’s what I had thought. But now, with my mother’s words ringing in my ears, I wasn’t so sure.She caught my eye and smiled, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts. "The priest said everything is set for next week. We'll sign the documents, and it’s official. You’ll be my husband, and I’ll be your wife."I smiled weakly back at her, but the words didn’t hold the warmth I’d hoped they'd have. "Yea
~EthanThe whiskey burned my throat as I took another swig, my fingers tightening around the glass. The garden was quiet except for the chirping of crickets and the occasional rustling of leaves in the night breeze. The same garden where, years ago, I used to sit with Sophia, laughing, planning a future together—one I’d thrown away for Sarah. I scoffed bitterly at the memory, shaking my head. I deserved this. I deserved every ounce of pain Sarah had put me through. I had left Sophia, shattered her heart, and for what? A woman who was now carrying another man’s child. My best friend’s child. I closed my eyes, trying to drown out the memories, but they came rushing back, stronger than ever. Sophia. I had loved her—deeply, foolishly. She had been my safe place, the one person who truly saw me. And I had betrayed her. Sarah had been nothing more than a temptation, a sin I had indulged in. She had known exactly how to lure me in—her touches, her whispers, her games. At first, it
~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