~CharlotteI woke up from Ephraim's room, my heart heavy with guilt and shame."Mummy, why are you angry?" Ephraim's sweet voice asked. "Is my daddy stressing you?"I smiled at him, trying to hide my pain. "No, sweetheart," I said, ruffling his hair. "I'm just tired, that's all."But Ephraim knew me too well, just a few months of playing mother to him was enough for him to have learnt more about me. "Are you sure, mummy?" he asked, his eyes searching mine.I closed my eyes, tears threatening to fall."I'm sure, sweetheart," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "I'm just...I'm just struggling with something."Ephraim wrapped his arms around me, his small body warm against mine. "I'm sorry, mummy," he said, his voice full of concern. "Can I help you?"I smiled, my heart breaking as I held him close. "No, baby," I said, my voice thick with tears. "You just keep being your beautiful, perfect self."My heart was full of love for Ephraim, but it was also filled with guilt and shame. I knew
~CharlotteThe tension between Eleanor and I was palpable, but I kept my head held high as we made our way back to the house.Once we arrived, Eleanor was all smiles, acting as if she was Adam's wife. Everyone welcomed us, Albert, Dylan, Noah, even the maids.Eleanor walked around like she owned the place, her laughter and jokes making me feel small and invisible."I can't wait to spend more time with my husband and my son," she trilled, shooting me a mocking look as she twirled around the room.I tried to ignore her, focusing instead on the baby in her arms.He was beautiful, his tiny fingers curled around Eleanor's thumb as he slept peacefully.But no matter how hard I tried to focus on the baby, Eleanor's voice cut through the air like a knife, her laughter and teasing making me feel more and more invisible."Adam, darling," she cooed, batting her eyelashes as she looked at him. "I'm so glad we finally have a family together. You and me and our beautiful baby boy."Adam took my ha
~AdamThe next day, I woke up to the sound of silence. Charlotte and I were acting like mere housemates, our love buried beneath the weight of our problem.I cleared my throat, desperate to break the silence, but Charlotte shot me a warning glance."Please," she said, her voice low and pained. "If I stay here, I'll go mad."She shook her head, her eyes filled with sadness."Can I leave?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. "It's only a month before our contract expires. I can't stay here anymore."I pleaded with her, desperate to keep her by my side."Please, Charlotte," I begged. "Stay. I'll sort out the Eleanor problem, I promise. I can't live without you. And Ephraim? He's already gotten used to calling you mom. He'd miss you so much."Charlotte didn't say anything, but I knew her silence meant yes.I took her hands in mine, kissing them gently as I whispered, "I promise I'll fix everything. And if you still want me after this, maybe we can get married for real."Charlotte's eye
~CharlotteI was sitting in the living room, my thoughts still heavy with the morning's events when the phone rang, pulling me out of my reverie."Charlotte?" the voice on the other end of the line said, urgency coloring their words. "It's your mother. She's in a critical condition. You need to come home right now."I felt like the air had been sucked out of my lungs as panic began to creep up on me."W-what happened?" I stammered, my hands shaking as I tried to wrap my head around what was happening."I can't tell you over the phone," the voice continued, their words filled with fear and dread. "You need to come home right now. It's urgent."I leapt to my feet, my mind racing as I rushed to my closet and pulled out the first things I could find.Slipping into my clothes, I grabbed my car keys and rushed out the door, the words "critical condition" echoing in my mind as I climbed into my Lamborghini and sped off towards home, my heart beating wildly in my chest.The road stretched out
~Adam I strode into Charlotte's office, my mind focused on the day ahead, only to find it empty. She was supposed to be here already, but there was no sign of her. Frowning, I pulled out my phone to call her, but it just kept ringing, no answer. I felt a knot of unease tighten in my gut. I walked back to my office, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of Charlotte's absence. As I settled behind my desk, I heard a knock on the door. I looked up, expecting to see one of my employees, but was met with the sight of Marco standing in the doorway. My heart skipped a beat as my eyes narrowed. "What do you want?" I asked, my voice sharp and demanding. I didn't trust Marco, not after the way he'd betrayed me in the past. Marco took a step forward, his face serious. "Adam, you need to be careful," he said, his voice low and urgent. "Gonzalez's son is out for your blood. He already killed my wife, and he's threatened to come after you and your family." I scoffed, crossing my arms over
~AdamWe arrived home from the hospital, the house looming in front of us like a dark and foreboding presence, the pain of Charlotte's mother's passing still fresh in her heart.As we stepped through the front door, Charlotte's gaze swept over the house, taking in the sight of several security guards stationed around the property, their eyes fixed and alert."What's going on?" she asked, her voice a whisper as she turned to face me, her eyes searching my face for answers.I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, my voice low and reassuring as I spoke."I'll explain everything later, Charlotte," I said, my voice calm and even as I guided her towards the living room. "For now, I just want to make sure you're okay. You've been through enough today."She nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line as she sank down onto the couch, her body shaking as she tried to hold back her tears.As Charlotte sat on the couch, her body shaking with sobs, the door to the living room opened and Dylan steppe
~Charlotte The days since my mother's burial had been a blur, the pain and emptiness that filled my heart so overwhelming that it was all I could do to breathe, to get out of bed each day. I stood at the balcony of our home, my eyes scanning the landscape as the wind rustled through my hair, the chill of the evening air a stark reminder of the numbness that had consumed me. Then, I felt a warmth at my back, a familiar presence that wrapped around me like a protective shield. Adam. He pressed a gentle kiss to my lips, his voice soft and concerned. "What are you doing out here, Charlotte?" he asked, his tone filled with worry as he turned me to face him. But I couldn't speak, couldn't find the words to express the grief that weighed down on my heart. Instead, I simply let the tears fall, my body shaking with silent sobs as I let the sorrow consume me. Adam's arms tightened around me, his lips pressing against my forehead as he held me close, offering me the strength that I ne
~ChatlotteI opened my eyes, the soft morning light already streaming through the curtains as I turned to face Charlotte, her sleeping form so peaceful and serene that it made my heart swell with love.I slipped out of bed, eager to start the day and treat Charlotte to a delicious breakfast that would hopefully bring some light to our otherwise darkened lives. As I closed the bedroom door behind me, I thought about the menu for the day, my mind racing with ideas.I made my way downstairs, my feet carrying me towards the kitchen as my mind focused on the ingredients that I would need. It was going to be a surprise for Charlotte, and I wanted it to be perfect.I opened the fridge, my eyes quickly scanning the contents as I pulled out the eggs, bacon, and fresh herbs that I would need. The air was still and quiet, the only sound my own breathing and the soft click of the refrigerator door closing as I laid the ingredients out on the counter.My hands moved quickly and deftly, cracking th
~DylanThe drive home was uneventful, but my thoughts were anything but calm. The night had gone surprisingly well until Noah showed up like a bad rash. I gripped the steering wheel tighter, the weight of the evening pressing down on me. The headlights of the car illuminated the long driveway as I pulled up to the mansion. The place was quiet, the kind of silence that came with late hours and everyone being asleep—or so I thought. As I stepped out of the car, stretching to shake off the stiffness of sitting too long, my eyes caught a faint glow in the distance. The guest house. I frowned. The light was still on. That bastard. I exhaled sharply through my nose, my anger bubbling just beneath the surface. Did he think I was joking when I told him to leave? I squared my shoulders and headed toward the guest house, the cool night air doing little to soothe my irritation. “Noah,” I muttered under my breath, my strides long and purposeful. “Of all the people Adam keeps around, it
~AdamThe sun was barely up, but my day was already in full swing. My phone was practically glued to my hand, its screen lighting up every other second with messages, calls, and reminders. A week to go until the wedding, and everything had to be perfect. No exceptions.“Morning, Mr. Groom-to-be,” teased Tom, my best man and oldest friend, when I answered his call.“Tom, don’t start. It’s too early for your nonsense,” I muttered, scrolling through my schedule.“Too early? Dude, it’s practically noon,” he quipped. “But seriously, do you need anything? Last-minute freak-outs? Dress code issues? Cold feet?”I groaned. “No, Tom. Everything’s under control.”“We’ll see about that,” he said, laughter in his voice. “Anyway, don’t forget tonight. The bachelor’s eve is sacred. No excuses.”“Yeah, yeah. I’ll be there,” I replied, already tuning him out as I started another round of calls.The rest of the morning flew by in a blur of logistics. First, I confirmed the catering. Then the florist. T
~Charlotte The hum of the car engine was almost soothing as I steered through the morning traffic. The city was just waking up, and the streets were already bustling with life—coffee carts on corners, joggers navigating sidewalks, and cars weaving in and out of lanes like an intricate dance. I should have been thinking about the tasks waiting for me at the office, but my mind was miles away, trapped in a storm of unease. Then it hit me like a slap. Noah and Dylan. Their stares. They hadn’t said anything outright, but the way they watched Adam and me recently—especially now that we were on cloud nine—felt like a storm brewing. Their eyes held something sinister, like they knew something that could shatter the fragile peace I had built with Adam. My hands tightened on the wheel. The thought planted a seed of panic in my chest, and I couldn’t shake it. What if they were going to reveal my secret? The one thing I’d buried deep, swearing never to let it see the light of
CharlotteThe engine hummed softly beneath me as I gripped the steering wheel, my knuckles white against the leather. The sun was low in the sky, casting golden streaks across the horizon, but I couldn’t appreciate its beauty. My mind was far too cluttered with thoughts of Dylan and his incessant calls. “What does he even expect me to do?” I muttered, my voice sharp in the enclosed space of the car. “Choose him over Adam?” A bitter laugh escaped my lips. The idea was absurd. Adam, with his unwavering kindness, his protective nature, and the way he made me feel like I was the center of his world, was everything Dylan never was. “He chose Eleanor over me,” I spat, the memory burning like acid in my chest. “He didn’t know then, but now he wants to come back and ruin the best thing that’s ever happened to me?” The words hung in the air, filling the car with tension as if I could argue with my own thoughts. I pressed harder on the gas pedal, the car speeding down the empty road.
~DylanI paced back and forth in my apartment, the phone pressed tightly against my ear. Each ring felt like a hammer pounding against my chest, the sound mocking me as it echoed through the silence. “Pick up, Charlotte,” I muttered under my breath. My thumb hovered over the call button again, ready to redial her number for what must have been the tenth time this morning. Ever since I heard the news of Charlotte and Adam’s engagement, I hadn’t known a moment of peace. The thought of losing her—truly losing her—was suffocating. When I first found out their marriage was just a business arrangement, it was like a lifeline. I told myself I still had a chance, that I could fix things between us, that she would see reason. But now? Now they were planning to get married for real. That was it. That would be the end of us. I ran a hand through my hair, tugging at the strands in frustration. The image of Charlotte wearing Adam’s ring, standing by his side, looking at him with the same s
~CharlotteAdam’s arm was draped across my waist, his chest rising and falling rhythmically as he slept beside me. The soft morning light streamed through the curtains, bathing the room in a golden glow. I turned my head to look at him, his face serene, lips slightly parted as he breathed deeply. For the past week, our lives had been blissfully quiet. Ever since he proposed, it felt like nothing in the world could touch us. The entire family had been stunned when we revealed the truth about our previous wedding being a mere facade, orchestrated for business purposes. Naturally, there were plenty of whispers and judgments when we shared it with the public. Some called us frauds, while others admired our honesty and the love that had blossomed despite the circumstances. But none of it mattered. Not when Adam looked at me the way he did. Not when he held me like I was the most precious thing in his life. I reached out, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead, smiling as I pressed
~Charlotte The warm Mediterranean breeze brushed against my face as I stood on the balcony of our suite, gazing out at the stunning Amalfi Coast. The sapphire-blue waters sparkled under the golden sunlight, and the faint hum of laughter and clinking glasses drifted up from the piazza below. It had been a week since Adam and I reconciled, and true to his word, he’d been doing everything to show me how much he cared. This trip to Positano was his way of making up for lost time, and though I was hesitant at first, I couldn’t deny how magical it felt to be here with him. “Charlotte,” Adam called from inside, his voice warm and light. “Are you going to stare at the view all day, or will you come have breakfast with me?” I turned to find him leaning against the doorframe, his eyes crinkled with that boyish smile of his. He looked relaxed, wearing a white linen shirt and beige shorts, the coastal sun highlighting the golden tones in his hair. “I was just enjoying the view,” I said,
~CharlotteJasmine and I sat on her worn yet cozy couch, the smell of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the faint lavender scent of her candles. The TV played Adam’s press conference on loop, his voice echoing in the room. “And finally,” Adam said, his tone heavy with emotion, “to Charlotte. I owe you the biggest apology of all. I was blind to the truth, and in doing so, I hurt the one person who has always been my light.” My heart fluttered, and my chest tightened as I watched him look directly at the camera, his gaze filled with sincerity. “I’m sorry for all the pain I caused. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I’ll spend the rest of my life proving to you that I can be the man you thought I was. I love you, Charlotte.” I felt a lump form in my throat, tears threatening to spill as his words replayed in my mind. Jasmine nudged me, her grin wide. “Well, well, well, looks like someone is a lovebird again.” “Stop it, Jasmine,” I said, wiping the corner of my eye quickl
~AdamBy the time I arrived at the press conference venue, the weight on my shoulders felt unbearable. The room was already filling with reporters, their chatter loud and insistent, like vultures circling a fresh carcass. My security detail cleared a path through the sea of flashing cameras and eager eyes, and I forced myself to maintain a steady gait despite the turmoil churning inside me. The event staff had set up a podium at the front of the room. Its presence seemed both unassuming and daunting, as though it were waiting to swallow me whole. I climbed the small steps leading to the stage, adjusted my tie, and stepped behind the podium. My hands rested on the edges, gripping them tightly to stop the slight tremor in my fingers. The room was stifling, the air heavy with tension. My throat felt dry, and I reached for the glass of water placed on the stand beside me. I took a quick sip, the coolness a momentary relief. Then, I adjusted the microphone, scanning the room filled wit