~NathanielI took a slow sip of my wine, letting the rich, velvety taste coat my tongue as I leaned against the balcony railing, staring at the city lights. The night breeze was cool, but it did little to ease the frustration boiling inside me. Isabella’s voice rang through the house like an unbearable alarm clock, sharp and grating, pulling me from my moment of peace. “I told you, Linda, I’m back in my husband’s house! Can you believe those snakes thought they could get rid of me? Ha! As if! I own this house. This marriage is far from over.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, exhaling slowly. Two weeks. It had been two weeks since I returned, expecting my lawyer to have the divorce papers ready. Yet, here I was, still enduring Isabella’s endless rants, her dramatic speeches to her friends, and her shameless declarations of a marriage that was already six feet under. If only I could just kick her out myself. But no—laws, procedures, formalities. Bullshit. I gripped my gl
~NathanielI sighed and ran a hand through my hair before stepping down the stairs. Isabella was still on the floor, one hand on her ankle, the other gripping the railing like she had just survived a near-death experience. "Can you stand?" I asked, my voice neutral. She shook her head dramatically. "No… the pain… it's too much." I clenched my jaw. This woman was unbelievable. Biting back my frustration, I bent down and scooped her up in my arms. She gasped, clutching my shirt. "You could be a little more gentle!" she whined. I ignored her, carrying her to the sitting room and placing her carefully onto the plush chair. She let out a dramatic sigh, as if she had just been through war. I turned to the maids standing nearby. "Get the first-aid kit and some ice." They nodded and rushed off. I was about to step back when Isabella suddenly arched slightly in her seat, pressing a hand against her waist. "Ouch… my back. Nathaniel, help me," she breathed. I froze. Help
~SophiaI walked into the room, my arms crossed tightly over my chest as I turned to face Nathaniel. He stood near the door, his lips slightly parted, but no words came out. I tapped my foot impatiently. “Well?” I prompted. Nothing. Nathaniel ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. Then, as if coming to a decision, he walked up to me, gently taking my hands in his. “Sophia…” His voice was quiet, hesitant. “Please, sit.” I frowned, but I let him guide me to the bed. My heart was hammering now. There was something in his voice—something heavy. Something that made me nervous. He crouched in front of me, his hands still holding mine. He opened his mouth, then shut it again. A long silence stretched between us. I stared at him. Nathaniel didn’t just look hesitant. He looked—scared. I had never seen him like this before. “Nathaniel,” I said, my voice firmer now. “Just say it.” His jaw tightened. His grip on my hands grew warmer, almost desperate. “
~NathanielI drove home like a madman, my fingers gripping the wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. My heart was still hammering in my chest, the weight of everything that had happened pressing down on me like an avalanche. Sophia knew the truth now. And I had no idea what she was going to do with it. I kept replaying the moment over and over in my head—the way her eyes widened in disbelief, the way her body shook when I told her, the way she pushed me away like I was the most disgusting thing she had ever seen. The pain in her voice when she asked me to leave. I had begged. I had pleaded. But it wasn’t enough. I pulled into the driveway, my mind racing with a thousand different ways I could fix this. Maybe if I just talked to her again, made her understand, I could— My thoughts came to a screeching halt when I saw her. Sophia was outside, standing by her car, shoving a bag into the trunk. My stomach clenched. No. No, no, no. I barely registered the actio
~SophiaThe road blurred as I drove, the tears falling faster than I could wipe them away. The headlights of my car stretched into the darkness ahead, but no amount of distance would ease the pain inside. I had never felt so defeated, so lost. Nathaniel was the love of my life—he was—and yet, everything was crumbling around me. My grip on the steering wheel was so tight my hands ached, but it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered. I just needed to get away. Lily, poor sweet Lily, sat beside me, her little face scrunched in confusion and worry. She didn’t fully understand why we were leaving. She didn’t understand why I was so upset, or why Nathaniel and I had argued. But she could feel it. Children always can. And as much as I tried to hold it together for her, the dam broke, and the tears came, steady and relentless."Mom!”Lily’s sudden scream pulled me from my spiraling thoughts, and before I could react, a small fist landed on my arm. Then another."You tried to kill Uncle Nate!" she y
~NathanielI stood there in the driveway, my heart pounding in my chest as the taillights of Sophia’s car disappeared into the night. The two people I loved the most had just walked out of my life, and I had never felt so empty. The weight of the night settled on my shoulders as I dragged myself back into the house, shutting the door behind me. The silence felt suffocating, the absence of Sophia’s laughter and Lily’s cheerful voice making the place feel hollow. I loosened my tie, ran a frustrated hand through my hair, and walked up the stairs to my bedroom. My mind was a mess—rage, regret, and guilt all clashing inside me like a raging storm. I had no idea how to fix this. I didn’t even know if I could. With a heavy sigh, I pushed open the door to my room and flicked on the light. And there she was. Isabella. Lying on my bed in a black lace lingerie that she probably thought was seductive. But to me? It was revolting. Disgusting. I clenched my jaw as I took in the smug
~SophiaI stood at the doorway of the room Martha had prepared for Lily and me, taking in the cozy space. The walls were painted a soft cream, the scent of fresh linen filling the air. Two beds sat neatly on opposite sides of the room—one small, with a pink blanket and stuffed animals, and the other larger, obviously meant for me. Before I could absorb it all, Lily let out a delighted squeal. "Fluffy!" she cried, darting toward the bed. Her tiny hands grabbed the well-loved teddy bear sitting against the pillows, and she hugged it so tightly I thought she might squeeze the stuffing out of it. The bear’s fur was worn from years of love, its button eyes gleaming under the warm glow of the bedside lamp. "Oh, Fluffy," she whispered, pressing her cheek against its fuzzy head. "I missed you so much!" She pulled back slightly, tilting her head as if listening. Then she nodded solemnly. "I know! Mommy and I have been through a lot, but we’re okay now." I exchanged glances with Mar
~NathanielThe night air was chilly, but I barely noticed as I stood outside, watching the chaos unfold in front of me. Boxes, discarded clothes, and the remnants of Isabella’s things were scattered all over the driveway.Ethan stood off to the side, arms crossed, his eyes scanning the scene with an unreadable expression"Let her stay, Dad," Ethan said, his voice steady, but with a hint of pleading. "We can work something out.”I clenched my jaw, trying to fight the overwhelming frustration that surged through me. He was my son, and I loved him, but I couldn’t allow this madness from his mother to continue. Not now. Not after everything that had happened.Before I could respond, Isabella came rushing over, her feet stumbling in her desperation. Without warning, she dropped to her knees in front of me, her fingers clenching at the fabric of my trousers like a desperate woman clinging to the last thing that could save her."Please, Nathaniel," she begged, her voice breaking with emotion
~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