Pushing open the door, I was immediately greeted by the warm, fragrant scent of flowers. It was almost overwhelming at first, like stepping into a garden that had been bottled up and released all at once. The air was thick with the sweet, earthy smell of roses, the crisp freshness of lilies, and something sugary that I couldn’t quite place. It reminded me of spring mornings, where everything felt hopeful and alive.The shop itself was cozy and inviting, with sunlight streaming through the large windows, casting soft patterns on the wooden floor. Bouquets of flowers filled nearly every available space, arranged in tall glass vases and wrapped in brown paper tied with twine. The colors were almost too much to take in at once—bright red roses with their velvety petals, soft pastel pink peonies, sunny yellow sunflowers, and delicate white lilies. Even the shelves were decorated with smaller potted plants, succulents, and cacti, their deep green hues providing a nice contrast to the more v
I jumped a little, startled, and turned around quickly. There stood Elliot, holding a single white lily in his hand, his lips curled into a warm, easygoing smile. My heartbeat quickened, but not in the anxious way it did with Kai. Instead, it was a comforting, gentle flutter, almost like a reminder that not everything was as heavy as it seemed. “Oh! I didn’t hear you come up,” I admitted, trying to hide my embarrassment. He chuckled, the sound light and pleasant. “Sorry, didn’t mean to sneak up on you,” he said, offering me the lily. His fingers brushed mine briefly, and I couldn’t help but notice how soft his touch was. “This one reminded me of you—beautiful and delicate.” My cheeks flushed, and I couldn’t help but smile as I took the flower from him. “Thank you. It’s really pretty.” Elliot’s curls were a little messy, probably from a busy morning moving flowers around. He looked effortlessly charming in a simple white top that hugged his toned frame just right, paired with s
I looked down at the lily in my hand, turning it gently between my fingers. The petals felt so soft, almost like silk, and the delicate fragrance wrapped around me, calming my frayed nerves. I couldn’t help but smile a little. It was such a small, simple thing, but it made me feel a bit lighter, almost like I could breathe easier. For the first time that day, I felt like I wasn’t drowning in my thoughts.Lost in the softness of the petals, I barely noticed when Elliot moved closer until his warm hand gently covered mine, stilling my fingers. His touch was comforting—steady and gentle. I looked up, meeting his calm, reassuring gaze.“Hey,” he said softly, his voice soothing, like a balm to my wounded heart. He gave my hand a gentle squeeze, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “Everything’s going to be alright. I promise. You don’t have to carry it all on your own.”His words were simple, but they carried a weight that made my chest feel a little less tight. I didn’t trust myself to sp
For a moment, I let myself just exist—no worries, no stress, no overwhelming thoughts—just the soft rustling of leaves from the potted plants by the window and the faint hum of the radio playing a soothing melody in the background. The shop was like a little haven, filled with vibrant colors and the earthy, floral scent that wrapped around me like a comforting blanket.I glanced around, my eyes drawn to the different flower arrangements that Elliot had set on the counter. Each bouquet seemed to tell a story—the elegant roses paired with delicate baby’s breath, the wild assortment of sunflowers mixed with daisies, and a more subtle blend of lavender and white lilies. I reached out to trace the petals of a daisy, my fingertip brushing the soft, velvety texture. The simple beauty of it made my heart feel lighter, even just a bit.I couldn’t help but let my mind wander, thinking of how I usually played it safe, always trying to make the right decisions. Maybe it was time to do something a
“You’re such a whore,” my fiancé, Damian yelled, his face twisted with disgust and rage. The sharp edge of his words cut straight through me, leaving me breathless. I couldn’t even find the strength to respond. How could I? His accusation felt like a slap, even before his hand actually struck me.“I can’t believe you slept with someone else and got pregnant,” he added, his voice rising with each word.Pregnant? I couldn’t understand it. It didn’t make sense. I was saving myself for him, for our wedding night. I had never even been with anyone, let alone slept with them. I was a virgin. How could I be pregnant? There had to be a mistake. The positive pregnancy test lying on the floor from where he had thrown it had to be a mistake.“I didn’t sleep with anyone,” I finally stammered, my voice trembling. “I’m not pregnant.”My words barely escaped my lips before my stepmother’s sharp, icy tone cut me off.“You’re a cheap prostitute, just like your mother,” she spat, her eyes narrowing wi
Her laughter echoed in the night, cold and heartless. “You heard me. It wasn’t that hard, really. A little money and a lot of persuasion can make anything happen. And now, everyone thinks you’re the little whore I’ve painted you to be.”I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. The ground felt like it was crumbling beneath me. My hands shook as I tried to grasp what she had done.“But why?” I asked again, my voice barely above a whisper.Her expression hardened, the mask of fake sweetness falling away. “Because I wanted Damien for myself,” she said bluntly. “He deserves someone better than you. Someone like me. And now, thanks to me, he’ll see you for the fraud you are. He already does.”Her words were like daggers, piercing me again and again. She had stolen my life, my future, all because of her jealousy and greed.Oriana stepped closer, leaning down until her face was inches from mine. “You’ll thank me one day,” she said, her voice filled with venom. “For showing everyone who you really a
The words hit me like a freight train, knocking the air out of my lungs. I froze, my mind scrambling to process what he had just said. Father? How could this man—this stranger—claim to be the father of a baby I hadn’t even known I was carrying until a few hours ago? “What are you talking about?” I finally managed to whisper, my voice trembling as I fought to keep my emotions in check. Kai stepped closer, and his presence seemed to fill the room, making it feel smaller, suffocating. I instinctively pulled the thin hospital blanket closer to my chest, as though it could shield me from his overpowering intensity. “The sperm that was implanted in you,” he said, his tone unwavering and matter-of-fact, “it’s mine.” Shock coursed through me, leaving me dizzy and lightheaded. My hands instinctively went to my belly, a feeble attempt to shield the life growing inside me from the storm of emotions swirling around us. How had this happened? How had he found me? And why was he here now?
His mansion. The words hung in the air between us, distant and foreign. I had never imagined my life would take this turn, that I would find myself married to a man like him, living in his mansion. My mind still buzzed with the shock of everything that had happened—the pregnancy, his sudden appearance, the stark reality of my new life. But in the pit of my stomach, something told me this was my only chance for survival, for a future where I could at least keep my baby safe. I nodded, taking a shaky breath. “Okay,” I said, though I wasn't sure what 'okay' meant anymore. As we exited the hospital, a sleek black car pulled up to the curb. The driver stepped out, opening the door with a professional nod.Kai stood beside me, his commanding presence impossible to ignore. “Get in,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.I hesitated for a moment, glancing at him before sliding into the backseat. My hands trembled slightly as I clasped them tightly in my lap, trying to anchor myse
For a moment, I let myself just exist—no worries, no stress, no overwhelming thoughts—just the soft rustling of leaves from the potted plants by the window and the faint hum of the radio playing a soothing melody in the background. The shop was like a little haven, filled with vibrant colors and the earthy, floral scent that wrapped around me like a comforting blanket.I glanced around, my eyes drawn to the different flower arrangements that Elliot had set on the counter. Each bouquet seemed to tell a story—the elegant roses paired with delicate baby’s breath, the wild assortment of sunflowers mixed with daisies, and a more subtle blend of lavender and white lilies. I reached out to trace the petals of a daisy, my fingertip brushing the soft, velvety texture. The simple beauty of it made my heart feel lighter, even just a bit.I couldn’t help but let my mind wander, thinking of how I usually played it safe, always trying to make the right decisions. Maybe it was time to do something a
I looked down at the lily in my hand, turning it gently between my fingers. The petals felt so soft, almost like silk, and the delicate fragrance wrapped around me, calming my frayed nerves. I couldn’t help but smile a little. It was such a small, simple thing, but it made me feel a bit lighter, almost like I could breathe easier. For the first time that day, I felt like I wasn’t drowning in my thoughts.Lost in the softness of the petals, I barely noticed when Elliot moved closer until his warm hand gently covered mine, stilling my fingers. His touch was comforting—steady and gentle. I looked up, meeting his calm, reassuring gaze.“Hey,” he said softly, his voice soothing, like a balm to my wounded heart. He gave my hand a gentle squeeze, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “Everything’s going to be alright. I promise. You don’t have to carry it all on your own.”His words were simple, but they carried a weight that made my chest feel a little less tight. I didn’t trust myself to sp
I jumped a little, startled, and turned around quickly. There stood Elliot, holding a single white lily in his hand, his lips curled into a warm, easygoing smile. My heartbeat quickened, but not in the anxious way it did with Kai. Instead, it was a comforting, gentle flutter, almost like a reminder that not everything was as heavy as it seemed. “Oh! I didn’t hear you come up,” I admitted, trying to hide my embarrassment. He chuckled, the sound light and pleasant. “Sorry, didn’t mean to sneak up on you,” he said, offering me the lily. His fingers brushed mine briefly, and I couldn’t help but notice how soft his touch was. “This one reminded me of you—beautiful and delicate.” My cheeks flushed, and I couldn’t help but smile as I took the flower from him. “Thank you. It’s really pretty.” Elliot’s curls were a little messy, probably from a busy morning moving flowers around. He looked effortlessly charming in a simple white top that hugged his toned frame just right, paired with s
Pushing open the door, I was immediately greeted by the warm, fragrant scent of flowers. It was almost overwhelming at first, like stepping into a garden that had been bottled up and released all at once. The air was thick with the sweet, earthy smell of roses, the crisp freshness of lilies, and something sugary that I couldn’t quite place. It reminded me of spring mornings, where everything felt hopeful and alive.The shop itself was cozy and inviting, with sunlight streaming through the large windows, casting soft patterns on the wooden floor. Bouquets of flowers filled nearly every available space, arranged in tall glass vases and wrapped in brown paper tied with twine. The colors were almost too much to take in at once—bright red roses with their velvety petals, soft pastel pink peonies, sunny yellow sunflowers, and delicate white lilies. Even the shelves were decorated with smaller potted plants, succulents, and cacti, their deep green hues providing a nice contrast to the more v
I decided to call Elliot to see if we could meet now. My fingers felt a little shaky as I pulled my phone out and dialed his number. I wasn’t sure why I was nervous—maybe because I hadn’t really made any new friends lately, and he seemed like such a nice guy. I took a deep breath as the phone rang, trying to calm myself down.After a few rings, Elliot picked up. “Hello?” His voice sounded cheerful, and I couldn’t help but feel a little relieved.“Hey, Elliot, it’s me,” I said, trying to sound upbeat. “I was just wondering if we could meet now to check out the flower designs?”“Oh, absolutely!” he replied, sounding genuinely happy to hear from me. “I’ve got the arrangements ready for you to take a look at. Are you free now?”“Yeah, I’m already in town,” I answered. “Just tell me where your flower shop is, and I’ll head over.”“Great! It’s called ‘Bloom & Bliss,’ on Maple Street. You can’t miss it—the sign’s painted bright yellow, and there’s a big display of sunflowers outside,” he exp
Finally, he stepped aside, and I hurried past him, not daring to look back. I needed to get as far away from him as possible before I completely broke down. My chest felt tight, and my eyes stung, but I refused to cry in front of him.As I walked down the path leading away from the house, I forced myself to take deep, calming breaths. The morning air was cool against my skin, and the soft rustling of leaves overhead was almost comforting. I needed this moment of peace, away from the tension and the ache in my chest. I tried to focus on the steady rhythm of my footsteps, one after the other, moving me farther from the mansion and all the confusion that came with it.My thoughts kept drifting back to Kai, no matter how hard I tried to push them away. I couldn’t get the image of him and Zara out of my head. The way he kissed her with so much passion made my heart ache. I bit my lip to stop the tears that threatened to fall. I didn’t want to cry anymore. I was tired of feeling hurt and co
When I got to Kai’s room, I hesitated at the door for a moment. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting—maybe to find him there, waiting to talk, or maybe still asleep. But when I pushed the door open, the room was empty. A strange mix of relief and disappointment washed over me. I let out a small sigh and stepped inside, gently closing the door behind me.The room looked just as I had left it earlier. The bed was still a bit messy, the sheets rumpled from where I had been lying down. The faint scent of Kai lingered in the air—a comforting, familiar smell that made my chest tighten. I didn’t want to think about him right now, but it was hard not to when everything in this room reminded me of him.I walked over to the window, pushing the curtains aside to let the sunlight in. The morning light spilled across the floor, brightening up the space. I glanced out at the view of the garden below, watching the breeze make the flowers sway. It was peaceful—too peaceful compared to the storm of emot
We continued walking along the path, taking our time. The sun was climbing higher in the sky, warming the cool morning air, and the smell of pine and wildflowers filled the breeze. I couldn’t help but feel a bit lighter after talking to Mer, even though the ache in my chest was still there. Just having her by my side made things a little more bearable.The sound of birds singing softly in the trees seemed to match the rhythm of our steps. I noticed how the sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled patterns on the ground. Mer and I walked in comfortable silence for a while, both of us just soaking in the calm of the morning.Then my phone buzzed, startling me out of my thoughts. I pulled it out of my pocket, glancing at the screen. The name "Elliot" flashed across it, and I hesitated for a second before answering.“Hello?” I greeted, trying to keep my voice steady despite the unexpected call.“Hey, Lily! It’s Elliot,” came his cheerful, upbeat voice. I could almost pictur
Lily’s POV But then I had seen him kissing Zara. My heart had shattered right there in his office, and I couldn’t shake the image from my mind. It hurt so much. I felt embarrassed, stupid even, for letting myself hope that Kai might choose me over her.Mer was still looking at me, her eyes full of concern. I bit my lip and shook my head slowly. “It’s nothing,” I whispered, but the crack in my voice gave me away.Mer’s expression softened, and she pulled me into a tight hug, not saying anything. I closed my eyes, leaning into her, grateful for the comfort even if I couldn’t tell her the whole truth.It was too much. I felt like such a fool for thinking Kai could ever put me first. Of course, he still loved Zara. She was everything I wasn’t—beautiful, confident, and most of all, someone Kai had always protected. I was just... there.I couldn’t help the small sob that escaped, and Mer rubbed my back soothingly. “It’s okay,” she murmured. “You don’t have to talk about it if you’re not re