Abigail’s voice broke through my thoughts, as she chatted with Owen. “No, seriously, this is the best birthday I’ve ever had!” She grinning, her excitement genuine, her eyes sparkling with something I hadn’t expected. I raised an eyebrow, “It’s your birthday today?” She blinked, clearly taken ab
Lauren I had just gotten Abigail into the car when the weight of what she’d said hit me. The moment I saw Alexander’s face, something inside me snapped. I knew I’d have to answer questions, navigate the tension, and shield my daughter from the chaos unraveling around us. I mumbled a lame excuse
Owen’s small, trembling voice broke the silence. “I’m sorry. Don’t blame Abigail.” His words left like the small hand on my sleeve. This tiny boy, already trying to shoulder blame he didn’t deserve, carried a weight no child should bear. My heart ached for him. Taking a steadying breath, I leane
Lauren The lights flickered, then went out, plunging the elevator into darkness. The sudden silence felt suffocating, broken only by the groan of the stalled elevator. I gasped, my hands instinctively reaching for balance as the space seemed to shrink around me. “Are you okay?” Alexander’s voice
His steady gaze sent irritation—and something else—creeping up my neck. “I’m just Owen’s doctor,” I reminded him coldly. “You don’t need to waste your time on me.” Instead, he leaned back, infuriatingly casual, one arm draped over the chair. His lips curved—not quite a smile, but something sharper
Lauren I was back on my feet soon after being discharged, the hospital buzzing as always with hurried footsteps and beeping machines. But today, the air felt heavier, thick with tension I couldn’t shake. Every glance, every whisper seemed aimed at me, and the weight of their judgment pressed hard
A chill ran down my spine. Then, the unmistakable click of the door behind me slamming shut, followed by the cold, metallic scrape of the lock falling into place, rang through the room. The sound was so final, so deliberate, it made my blood run cold. I spun around, my heart racing, my hands sha
Alexander's POV Seeing Lauren crumpled on the cold floor, pale and trembling, hit me harder than I could have imagined. My knees buckled as I dropped down beside her, my hands finding their way into her soft hair, cradling her head as if that alone could hold her together. Her chest rose and fel
“Sophia,” he said, his voice shaking. “She… she’s awful. A horrible mom. She—she threatened me.” “What?” I leaned forward, my heart pounding. “She said if I didn’t do what she wanted, she’d…” His voice cracked, and he buried his face in his little hands. “Take your time,” I said softly, trying
Lauren's POV The news was on in the background, the chatter of the anchors blending with the occasional giggle from Abigail as she colored on the living room floor. I had half an ear on the TV, more focused on sorting through the mountain of laundry I’d been ignoring for days. But then a familiar
Her hand landed on my shoulder, and I stiffened. The room fell silent, and I could feel every single eye on me, their gazes like lasers boring into my skin. “He’s the light of our lives,” Sophia said, her voice full of practiced affection. I resisted the urge to laugh—or maybe cry. Light of thei
Owen's POV One gala, right into another. This one felt less like an event and more like a loud, glittering outdoor carnival masquerading as high society. The kind of place where you had to squint—not just from the blinding sunlight reflecting off sequins, but from the overwhelming brightness of
He leaned forward, finally looking me in the eyes, his expression unreadable. “Sophia, I’m not firing her. You need to let this go. It’s between you and our…son.” My hands clenched into fists at my sides. “You’re really not going to do anything?” I asked, my voice a dangerous whisper. “You’re just
Sophia's POV I was furious. No, that wasn’t even the right word. Fury was too simple, too tame. What I felt was something darker, more visceral. The kind of rage that settled deep in your chest and burned through your veins until all you could see was red. It wasn’t just anger anymore—it was a n
Owen's POV The ballroom was everything I imagined it would be: glittering chandeliers dripping with crystals, walls covered in gold trim, and tables set with so many forks it made me wonder if anyone actually knew how to use them all. Grown-ups in fancy clothes laughed too loudly and carried gla
The line went silent for a moment, and I could almost hear his trembling on the other end. Good. He should be nervous. But his silence only fueled my anger. “You’re useless,” I continued, my voice colder now. “But, I’m not done with you yet, Doctor. Keep close.” “Yes, ma’am.” his voice replied q
Sophia's POV The soft click of my heels against the linoleum was muffled as I stepped into the shadows of the adjacent hallway, positioning myself just out of sight of Alexander’s hospital office. The air was almost too clean, and it made me wrinkle my nose in disdain. Hospitals always had that