Less than an hour passed, and Teresa arrived. The room filled with warmth Sabrina hadn't known she desperately needed, sitting with Teresa at the kitchen table, and unspoken words hung in the air between them.Moments passed and Teresa reached out to take Sabrina's hands across the table.. Her eyes were soft with concern. "Sabrina, my dear. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for all the pain Benedict has put you through.".Sabrina's lips trembled as the words of Teresa pierced through the walls she built around her heart. She turned her eyes downward so that Teresa would not see those tears form in her eyes. But Teresa gently prodded up her chin, making her look at her."You do not deserve this, Sabrina," Teresa said, and now her voice cracked with emotion. "I don't know how to begin to explain just how embarrassed I am because he is my son, and I brought him to you. I raised my son to be better than this – to love the woman I'd chosen to stand by him. And yet. Forcing him on you had made him a
After her emotional talk with Benedict's mom, Sabrina spent most of her day planting flowers in the garden. It was her way of trying to forget the stress and emotional turmoil she felt because of Benedict. As evening fell, she found herself alone again. She never expected Benedict to come home just to have dinner with her. After everything that happened last night, when they were together in the shower, she thought he despised her. To him, she was just a maid, and he saw no feelings involved, only lust. But for Sabrina, it was different, as she loved him deeply.She took a warm shower and changed into a nightgown, hoping for some peace. But around midnight, she heard the doorbell ring. Everyone was asleep, so she had to go downstairs to know who it was. And it was Benedict, but this time he was drunk. He had been drinking much lately, perhaps owing to the problems at his company, but he never spoke to her about it.The door creaked into her nostrils with a strong whiff of alcohol. No
She tilted her head to his face, dark eyes, hard face, but none of the vulnerability she so desperately wanted to see reflected anywhere on his face."Benedict," she stuttered, a little voice shaking. "What… what are you doing?"He burst into a laugh, humorless as it was, and at the same time reeking of bitterness."What are you doing, Sabrina? Isn't that exactly what you agreed on, the doting wife for me to command when so pleased, no need for questions?Sabrina blushes, but she isn't embarrassed; more rage is burning within. All these months, she kept carrying it inside of herself; she allowed all the twisting to seethe like a burning fire in the pit of her abdomen."So you really think that is all I am?"She said low, but firm as she could muster the strength for."A convenience to you?"Benedict raised an eyebrow. He rolled his eyes, disgust clear in his face. "What else would you be here for, Sabrina? You're not exactly my first choice." Each of his words stung her, sharper than
Sabrina waited, her phone glued to her eyes, almost as if it were to magically flash a message from Benedict. Every passing hour without one only grew the ache inside her chest. She found herself occupied cleaning up the garden, reorganizing closets. Anything to not feel the chasm of silence stretching between them. But with each task accomplished, she could only see that she was alone in a marriage she was promised to feel treasured for.With night again falling two days running, Sabrina could no longer wait up for him to come back home. She settled down by the edge of their bed; her fingers played over the phone on her lap for what felt like the millionth time, as the calls to his number hadn't received an answer once, the messages she tried to send went unanswered - they'd gotten more panicky than ever, one every few minutes."I'm your wife, Benedict. Don't I at least deserve an explanation?""I'm here, waiting for you. Please just come home. We can talk."But the messages sat on h
Almost 5days had gone by, and not a single word, message, or call from his end. The deafening silence on the other end of the line was more agonizing than anything he could have hurled at her as Sabrina walked across the living room, clutching her phone in hand with unanswered calls and messages piling up.She kept replaying the argument in her head and trying to understand the whole situation. She had bared her soul before him, hoping that he would see her pain and understand that she needed him to see her as a partner. He shrugged off everything, leaving her to drown in the echo of her own desperation. Just as she was starting to believe that no one had returned, the front door clicked open. Sabrina froze, her heart racing with every beat as Benedict strode into the room, his face blank and indifferent as he dropped his keys on the table. He didn't even look or glance at her, walking past her as if she wasn't even there and never existed. "Benedict," she whispered, trying to keep
Weeks have gone by since Sabrina last saw Benedict. Barely able to decide what to feel-hurt , anger , or maybe just numbness-Sabrina didn't know how to handle the pain. Its absence had grown so ordinary that it almost felt easier to bear the load when he was not around, but loneliness weighed heavily on her during quiet mornings. She had grown accustomed to the sound of silence, but now it felt louder than ever.Recently, something else had changed. She hadn't been feeling well. Almost every morning, nausea greeted her, making it hard to keep anything down. She was exhausted, too, as if she were carrying a weight she couldn't see. At first, she dismissed it, thinking it was just the stress of everything with Benedict. Then her period didn't come. Days turned into weeks.With each passing morning as the cars rolled down the driveway while she lay there, she grew worried about whether she had to see where his car was or wasn't. She felt both a flicker of hope and a chill of fear at what
Sabrina sat alone in the dim light of early morning, shaking in her hands, clutching a positive pregnancy test. She stared at it and just could not understand what this little line meant to her. After all, she should have been experienced with this happenstance, bubbling over and full to the brim with delight. When she thought of being pregnant, it was under very different circumstances—sharing news with a husband who loved her, supported her, and cherished her. Now, the reality stared her in the face: she would bring this child into a world of broken silence with a man who hardly glanced at her, viewing her as an inconvenience. Hours later, Sabrina finally resolved to call Benedict again. She dialed his number, her heart pounding with the hope that somehow, someday, it would be enough to finally reach whatever small portion of his heart remained. This time, though, the ringing went straight to voicemail, and she whispered a message she had no hope of him ever hearing. "Benedict, it'
Sabrina is riding in the back of the car as it pulls toward Thompson Mansion, the grand estate her husband's family calls home. She stands out against the magnificent mansion, framed by tall gates and meandering grounds, like some castle where, honestly, she never really belonged. But tonight, dusk settling in a golden haze, Sabrina felt more disconnected than ever. Her world has shrunk, grown quiet. Benedict's absence cast a dark shadow over her life.She hadn't wanted to burden her mother-in-law, Teresa Thompson, with the news just yet. But with her mother, Leila, egging her on to tell Teresa, Sabrina knew it was time. Time to face the truth, and maybe, just maybe, seek a little solace.The car pulled up, and Sabrina stepped out, her body heavy with the weight of everything she hadn't shared. She hadn't expected this day to go smoothly. Nothing about her life seemed to go the way she wanted anymore.Leila was sitting on the porch, a calm smile on her face. She welcomed Sabrina into
One evening, when the setting sun painted the sky with soft hues of orange and pink, Benedict realized it was time to do something more to prove himself to Sabrina. Though he had been patient in giving her space, as she needed it, he felt the load of time. He wanted her to know that this was not a joke; he had serious intentions about them-that is, rebuilding their family. He fussed in front of the mirror over the knotting of his tie. Tonight had to be flawless; tonight was only one stop on the journey for that future he was setting to build with her.He took a deep breath and checked his time; his message was sent-simple as could be: "Would you go on a date with me? A real one this time. Just the two of us. I'll take care of everything. Sabrina’s response came a few minutes later: “Okay, Benedict. I’ll be there.” The thrill of anticipation coursed through him. It wasn’t just another dinner or a casual outing. This was his chance to show her that he was committed to more than just bei
"Everyone has a breaking point," she said to herself, a fierce determination in her voice. "And I’ll find theirs. With a steadying breath, she reached for her phone and dialed a number she hadn’t called in years.When someone finally picked up, she spoke in a chilling, calculated tone. "I need your help," she said. "It's personal, and I'm willing to pay—no questions asked." Then, there was a silence before the voice responded with, "What are you looking for?" Clara's obsession had finally peaked and had reached its dangerous point where all the calculated moves were going into desperation. She was storming around her apartment, with her anger barely under control. Her fingers tapped out on her phone as she scrolled through contacts with fury. "I need someone ruthless," she whispered to herself, narrowing her eyes at the number. Dialing fast, she tapped her foot impatiently. When the line clicked, a gruff voice answered, "Who is this?""It's Clara Hemp," she said coldly. "I have a job f
That evening, as they went back in the house, Benedict extended his hand toward Sabrina. She was hesitant for that moment, between uncertainty and hope, and then let her fingers intertwine with his. But warmth of his touch sent down shivers on her spine, reviving long buried feelings. The house was silent, the only sounds coming from the refrigerator humming in the kitchen and the gentle patter of Saben playing with his toys in the living room. Benedict looked into Sabrina's eyes; they were filled with warmth. "Thanks for trusting me today," he whispered softly."I know it's not easy."Sabrina sat there in silence, feeling the full weight of his words. She just looked at their joined hands and felt this nostalgic feeling. She was reminiscing about the early days when they were together and their relationship so carefree and easygoing. It included all of the laughter and whispering promises but how he looked at her as if she was the world. "Benedict," she started, her voice breaking."I
But even as regret flickered in her heart, Clara's pride refused to let her admit defeat. Every failure only fueled her desperation, and her obsession with Benedict and Sabrina grew darker. If she couldn't have Benedict, then she would ensure he couldn't be happy with Sabrina. She planned something ugly in her mind to spoil the fragile peace. Her hatred was a clouding judgment that she convinced herself that she had nothing left to lose.Sabrina and Saben became the obstacles on her path to vengeance, and she intended to remove them. Week after week passed since Clara stalked Sabrina, Benedict, and Saben, watching their daily habits through school drop-offs, a family outing, seeing him chuckle with Saben and hold Sabrina's hand. The sight alone inflamed her blood with those moments. It wasn't envy; it was something within herself-a sore that she could never seem to let heal. One evening, Clara sat in her dimly lit apartment, pouring over photos she had secretly taken. Images of the ha
As Clara stormed out, defeated, Sabrina turned to Benedict. She saw, for the first time, not the man who had hurt her but the man who had grown-a man who was willing to fight, to change, and to put his family above everything else. His transformation was undeniable, and in his eyes, she saw sincerity and regret mingled with hope. For a moment, the weight of their shared past pressed down on her chest, but alongside it came a newfound lightness. She didn't fully trust him yet, but she couldn't deny the shift in her heart.The walls she had built so carefully were beginning to crumble—not in an explosion of emotion, but in slow, deliberate cracks that allowed just enough room for forgiveness to seep through. He looked into her, his expression relaxing. "Sabrina," he murmured softly, coming closer. "Thank you for sticking up for me out there. I know that was no easy feat." "Yes,Sabrina." she said in barely audible tones, her voice strained with emotion. "But it wasn't just about you. It
The lies were vicious but gained currency quickly; soon an onslaught by trolls online threatened Sabrina's character. Sabrina wanted to and tried to tune out some of the comments, not easy. One evening, tearing through her phone, it brought tears to her eyes; Benedict found her in the living room tightly clutching her device: "Don't read that crap," he took the phone from her face. "None of that is ever true." "I know," Sabrina whispered, her voice trembling. "But it still hurts.". Benedict pulled her into his arms, holding her close. “We’ll get through this, Sabrina. Together.”Despite Clara’s relentless efforts, Benedict and Sabrina refused to crumble under the weight of her schemes. Each attack only solidified their resolve to protect their family. Late-night conversations, whispered promises, and shared moments with Saben began to fill the cracks in their fractured relationship. Benedict was no longer the man Sabrina had known once. He had transformed into a devoted father and man
Clara paced in her dimly lit apartment, her manicured nails tapping rhythmically against the glass of wine in her hand. Her world was crumbling; her reputation lay in shambles and the career she had fought so hard for was now in ruin.The press conference held by Benedict absolved Sabrina from all accusations and portrayed Clara as a liar. It was simply humiliating. “This isn’t over,” Clara hissed to herself, her lips curling into a bitter smile.“Sabrina might think she’s won, but I’ll make her pay. I’ll make them all pay.” She retrieved her phone and started frittering through social media, where anger gave fingers to tremble as there would be pictures of Benedict with Sabrina and Saben in the park. And they looked happy, glowing, as if nothing ever could touch their perfect family. It was sick."They'll regret this," Clara murmured, her voice venomous. She opened a new folder on her laptop titled Justice and began gathering information. Photos, old messages, any scrap of detail she
Gradually, Sabrina began to discover another Benedict. He had come off of that workaholic, snobbish man she was acquainted with earlier. He proved to be patient, attentive, and truly committed to amends. Whether helping Saben build a treehouse in the backyard or volunteering to cook family dinners – much though his culinary skills left many things to be desired - actions were louder than words for Benedict.One evening, as Benedict tucked Saben into bed, Sabrina stood by the door, quietly observing. Saben had his giggles as Benedict attempted to read him the bedtime story in funny voices, his deep baritone an amusing contrast for the whimsical characters."Goodnight, Daddy.""Goodnight, champ," replied Benedict, leaning forward to kiss his forehead.And then Benedict turned and met Sabrina's gaze. Some things said no word. But in the expression exchanged, forgiveness did not shine. Still, there was some sort of acknowledgment made here—a tiny baby step toward mutual comprehension.Ben
From then on, Benedict accepted fatherhood with a vengeance in him. He set out and, for the first time ever in his life, chose to be in Saben's life. The same corporate head who used to pride himself on contracts signed, profits generated, and profits accounted for now stood beside those he had never meant for anything.Each morning, Benedict made it a point to drive to the Taylor mansion to have breakfast with Saben. The first time he arrived, the boy’s face lit up with pure delight. “You’re here, Daddy!” Saben exclaimed, running into Benedict’s arms. It was a moment Benedict would never forget—the simple yet profound joy of his son’s embrace.Benedict started planning his days around Saben, such that he was there for every milestone that occurred. Whether it was school events or homework, he was also there to cheer him through soccer practice.“Daddy, look!” Saben called one afternoon, holding up a drawing he had made of their family. It was a colorful crayon illustration of Saben,