~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 I drove like a madwoman, my eyes glued to the road, heart pounding in my chest, and my hands gripping the steering wheel with a death grip. The sound of the engine roaring as I sped down the highway matched the frantic thumping of my pulse. Ethan's birthday gifts were stacked precariously in the back seat, swaying with every sharp turn and swerve I made. The cake, that perfectly frosted masterpiece, wobbled dangerously close to the edge, threatening to plunge onto the floor at any moment.I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw the cake tilting, dangerously close to disaster. Without thinking, I reached back with one hand, my fingers barely brushing the edge of the cake box, trying to pull it closer to the seat. My focus wavered, eyes flicking between the road and the back seat, anxiety bubbling in my chest. That was when it happened.I heard the screeching of tires, the high-pitched squeal that sent my stomach plummeting. The jarring impact followed immediately, throwing
~SophiaMy heart was in pieces, shattered beyond repair, as I stumbled out of Ethan's apartment. Every step felt heavier than the last, and my body moved on autopilot, numb and disconnected from my racing mind. I didn't even realize I was trembling until my hands struggled to fit the key into the ignition of my car.With a shaky breath, I turned the key, and the engine roared to life. As I drove through the city, the lights and sounds blurred together, creating a dizzying kaleidoscope of colors that matched the chaos swirling inside me. I didn’t know where I was going, but that didn’t matter. All I knew was that I had to get away.Away from the pain. Away from the betrayal that suffocated me, threatening to pull me under.The streets stretched on endlessly, and somewhere in the distance, a neon sign flashed in the night—a club. Without thinking, I swerved into the parking lot, tires screeching against the pavement. I had no plan, no intention other than to drown myself in noise and fo
~ SophiaI woke up to the familiar sound of my phone buzzing on the nightstand. Stretching lazily, I felt surprisingly well-rested despite the emotional chaos of the previous night. Groggily, I grabbed the phone, not expecting to hear my sister’s voice so early."Hey, Sophia! Guess what?" Martha's excited voice burst through the line, "Alex and I are going to the Maldives tomorrow! We're taking his private jet, and we want you to come with us. It’s going to be amazing—what do you say?"My eyes widened as the words sank in. "The Maldives? Are you serious? I’ve always wanted to go there!" My voice rose in excitement. "Of course I’m in!"The moment I hung up the phone, a rush of excitement flooded my body. The Maldives—the dream destination with its pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and luxurious overwater villas—was finally within my grasp. I could hardly believe it.I shot out of bed and made a beeline for my closet, grabbing my suitcase in a frenzy. Dresses,
~NathanielThe wine tasting event was in full swing, the room buzzing with laughter and conversation. Glasses clinked as people swirled, sniffed, and savored the various wines on offer. The air was thick with the rich scents of oak, berries, and aged grapes, each sip offering a different layer of complexity. The atmosphere was alive with energy, as guests mingled, comparing notes on the subtle differences between the reds and whites.Among all the excitement, my attention kept drifting to Sophia. She was effortlessly captivating, her movements graceful and poised. Every time she lifted her glass to her lips, there was a delicate elegance in the way she savored the wine, her expression shifting as she contemplated the flavors. I found myself lost, watching her with an intensity I hadn’t felt in a long time.At one point, she caught me staring. A blush crept across her cheeks, a soft shade of pink that only made her more irresistible. She offered a shy smile before quickly diverting her
~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