~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
~SophiaLaughter echoed through the living room as I chased Lily around, her tiny feet pattering against the floor as she squealed with joy. Her curls bounced wildly as she tried to dodge my grasp, giggling uncontrollably. “Mommy, you can’t catch me!” she teased, sticking her tongue out playfully. “Oh really?” I smirked, lunging forward. She let out a delighted scream as I caught her around the waist and spun her in the air. She clung to my neck, laughing breathlessly as I tickled her. Just then, a knock came at the door. I barely noticed it at first, too caught up in our game, but when it came again—louder this time—I paused. “Martha!” I called out, still holding Lily in my arms. “Someone’s at the door!” “Coming!” she shouted from the kitchen. Lily wriggled in my hold, and I placed her down gently. “Alright, go on,” I told her. “One more round, and then we rest.” She clapped excitedly and took off running again. Martha emerged from the kitchen, drying her hands on a
~NathanielI woke up to an empty bed. The cold sheets beside me were undisturbed, a painful reminder that Sophia was no longer here. Ever since we got married, she had always been the first thing I saw every morning, her warmth and scent lingering in the air. Now, all that remained was a hollow space that felt like an open wound. I stared at the empty side of the bed, running my fingers over the spot where she used to sleep. My chest tightened. "I’ll wait forever," I muttered to myself. "No matter how long it takes." I sighed and sat up, rubbing a hand over my face. My head was already pounding, and the day hadn’t even started. I reached for my phone and checked the time. My eyes widened. "Shit." I had a meeting with the board of directors in less than an hour. I had planned to wake up earlier and prepare, but yesterday's conversation with Sophia had drained every ounce of energy I had. I barely got any sleep. Cursing under my breath, I forced myself to move. I took a quic
~SophiaAs I pulled up to the house, my fingers tightened around the steering wheel. Nathaniel’s car was already in the driveway. He was home. Good. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. This wasn’t supposed to be difficult—I was just here to pick up Lily’s things. In and out. No unnecessary conversations, no emotions. But as I stepped out of the car and walked toward the house, my heart pounded harder than I wanted to admit. I pushed open the front door, my heels clicking against the marble floor as I stepped inside. The scent of something rich and flavorful filled the air—garlic, butter, something warm and inviting. Cooking? My brows furrowed as I followed the scent toward the kitchen, my stomach tightening with every step. Then I saw her. Isabella. She was standing by the counter, laughing with the maids as they worked together, her long, manicured fingers slicing vegetables while one of the maids stirred something on the stove. She looked… happy. Comfort
~EthanI woke up to a pounding headache, my temples throbbing from last night’s drinking. The room was dimly lit, curtains drawn to keep out the morning sun, and I could still taste the stale bitterness of alcohol on my tongue. My body ached, muscles sore from whatever reckless partying I had indulged in. I groaned, turning over, burying my face into the pillow, trying to drown out the world for just a little longer. Then, I felt it. A hand on my leg. I ignored it at first, thinking it was just my imagination or a lingering sensation from a dream. But then, suddenly— SMACK! Pain shot through my calf as I jolted awake, sitting up with a start. “What the hell?!” I shouted, gripping my leg, still half-dazed. My vision adjusted to the dim light, and standing there, arms crossed, face full of disapproval, was my mother. Isabella. I blinked, still trying to process what was happening. “Mom? Why the hell would you hit me like that?!” She scoffed. “Sober up, Ethan. Get into th
~SophiaI folded another dress and placed it neatly into the open suitcase lying on my bed. My hands moved on instinct, but my mind was restless. Was I really doing this? Packing up my things and taking Lily back to him? Back to Nathaniel's house? A bitter chuckle escaped my lips. Life had a cruel way of making a fool out of me. I shook my head and reached for another blouse, only to stop mid-motion when my bedroom door swung open. “What’s going on Soph, why are you packing?” I turned to see Martha standing there, her brown eyes wide, mouth slightly open. Her gaze darted from my half-packed suitcase to the pile of clothes on my bed, then back to me, as if trying to confirm what she was seeing was real. I sighed, leaving the dress in my hands and turning fully to face her. “I’ve decided to go back to Nathaniel.” For a moment, she just stood there, processing my words. Then, out of nowhere, she squealed. Before I could react, she rushed toward me and threw her arms around me
~SophiaI lay on the bed, watching as she moved around the room, placing her clothes in the closet and stacking some neatly into the drawers. There was something mesmerizing about the way she moved—graceful, precise, yet distant. Because that was exactly what she was doing to me right now. Keeping her distance. She hadn't said much to me since she arrived. Even when I asked about the drive, her replies were short and clipped. It was driving me insane. “Sophia…” I tried again, leaning on my elbow as I watched her take out another dress from her suitcase. “How was the drive? I hope Lily didn’t tire you out with her usual curiosity.” Nothing. Not even a glance my way. I sighed. “Sophia, come on. Are we going to keep doing this? You’ve barely spoken to me since you got here.” She let out a small, almost annoyed sigh but didn’t stop what she was doing. “The drive was fine, Nathaniel. Lily slept for most of it.” Finally, a full sentence. Progress. I sat up, watching h
~SophiaThe dining room was silent. Uncomfortably so. The large mahogany table, polished to perfection, reflected the golden glow of the chandelier above. Around it, Nathaniel , Ethan, Isabella, and Lily sat, each absorbed in their own thoughts, their own emotions. Lily, sitting beside me, poked at her food absentmindedly, her small fingers twirling the fork between bites. Nathaniel sat across from us, his expression unreadable, while Isabella, seated at his left, stabbed at her food with unnecessary force. Ethan, next to her, looked lost in thought, his fork barely scraping against his plate. Despite the tension, the breakfast before us was nothing short of a feast. The maids had prepared a lavish spread: golden brown pancakes stacked high, drizzled with maple syrup and topped with fresh strawberries; crispy bacon that curled at the edges; scrambled eggs cooked to perfection, fluffy and seasoned with herbs. There were croissants, their buttery scent filling the room, a plate of f
~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