Every day that passed, Benedict's heart grew heavier. He had spent all his waking hours searching for Sabrina, visiting every possible place she might have gone. He revisited the cafés, the quiet parks she often frequented, and even the hospital where they first met. All those searches proved futile, and the desperation in him only grew more with each day that passed. He even reached out to his mother, Teresa, hoping to connect with her as a mother figure. But Sabrina's phone number was disconnected, and the hometown she spoke of long ago seemed to have vanished from Teresa's memory. All he clutched for light was nothing but sand slipping away.One evening, Teresa discovered him sitting alone in the dimly lit study, staring blankly at a photograph of Sabrina he had kept on his desk. She laid a soft hand on his shoulder and looked into his face, filled with sympathy and concern. "Perhaps she doesn't want to be found right now. People need their space sometimes, don’t they?" she whisper
As the two stood before the splendor of the estate, Sabrina smiled tentatively down at her mother, Leila.She was Wendy Taylor, the new person in their lives, who revealed herself as Sabrina's grandmother. She was providing them with much more than just a roof over their heads; she was offering them an opportunity to heal, rebuild, and start anew - without the hurt and disappointments the past represented.There stood Wendy, the powerful magnate known for her empire of real estate and lending companies across America, with her head held high but her gaze soft. In a warm voice, she addressed both of them. "This is your home now," Wendy said gently, squeezing Sabrina's hand as she reached out. "I should have been there for both of you sooner—for my son and for you, Leila and Sabrina. I can't change the past, but I can give you a future—one with security and peace that was never meant to be enjoyed by my son. You both deserve nothing less." Sabrina breathed deeply. Her mother's hand ste
It was just one quiet morning, with sunbeams streaming through the kitchen windows as they took their seats around the breakfast table. Sabrina suddenly felt a wave of nausea, her stomach turning over in shock as she covered her mouth, paling. It wasn't that either of them couldn't tell, even from across the table. Wendy's eyes narrowed to slits immediately, with a mix of concern and curiosity written all over her face."Do you think you might possibly be pregnant, Sabrina, darling?" Wendy asked softly, putting down her teacup. Sabrina's face flushed, and her eyes looked down at the plate, unable to confront her grandmother. She sat patiently, and after a few seconds of silence, Sabrina nodded softly into her plate. "It might work. Things were crazy with Benedict, but I got out before it became clear."With a deep sigh, Wendy reached over, her hand resting warmly on Sabrina's. "Well then," she said, "now it's my turn to hear everything. I want to know about life with the Thompsons an
The excitement in Wendy's voice was infectious as she gathered her daughter-in-law Leila and granddaughter Sabrina for the shopping spree. The next morning, after breakfast, Wendy could not wait any longer; after all, she had already mentally listed everything that they would need—not only for Sabrina but for the baby as well."Come on girls, Wendy cheered, applauding with outstretched arms and beaming with excitement. Today is all about new beginnings! We are going to pack this house with all the love and joy that comes with preparing a baby. We're going to get you some clothes, Sabrina, pick up everything the baby will need, Leila and get you some lovely things, things you deserve!"Sabrina smiled to herself in bewilderment at the depth of her grandmother's enthusiasm, feeling a warmth in the middle of her chest. It was far removed from when she had started to feel so isolated and alone. She was surrounded now by the loving arms of Wendy and Leila, so she was ready to face the new c
Benedict sat in his office, staring blankly at the mountain of papers he had to get through. His mind was churning with increasing dilemmas over his company: whispers and murmurs had filled the boardroom with tension-filled conversations—a presentation of financial strain and uncertainty that grew more raucous day by day. Benedict was a perfectionist; it was the pride he took in his ability to maintain control and be efficient.The final blow had come from an unsuspected quarter—a member of his board of directors had been embezzling funds. However, the control he had once exercised over circumstances slipped through his fingers, and he was powerless to stop it.It was a shock and a betrayal. Benedict had placed his trust in the individual, never for a moment suspecting that they had been siphoning off large chunks of money from the company accounts for months. The company faced massive debts, but now its reputation was at stake as well.Now, what used to be the measure of success and p
Benedict stormed into his office with his fists securely clenched at his side. The events of the previous hours had left him, and certainly placed him, in a roaring fit of rage. His mind whirled with the enormity of the infidelity by one of his board members and the irresponsibility of his accounting staff, which had failed to notice the discrepancy now threatening to bring him and all his business crashing down. Every fiber within him wanted to scream at that moment, but he needed to remain calm. He closed the door behind him, now feeling the room even tinier, more claustrophobic. His assistant, Elena, was standing by the door, her lily-pure complexion evident on her pale face because she knew he was about to show rage through his eyes."Mr. Thompson, I—I called an emergency meeting with the accounting department," she said softly, her voice laced with hesitation."Cancel it," Benedict snapped, his tone sharp and dangerous. "This isn't something we need to discuss. This is something
With the place hushed, as he stands in his office, thoughts start to sway in the mind of Benedict—ideas, plans, desperate attempts to find an outlet to crawl out of a mess that threatens to consume him. His mind recalled the long hours he had dedicated to this company, the relationships he had sacrificed, and all the things he had put aside. He clenched his fists, regretting more than just his business, as it also cut deep into his personal psyche.At that moment, Benedict's phone vibrated on the table. He reached to pick it up, thinking it might be another update from Darren or the accounting team. But when he opened the screen, he felt a shock in his heart upon seeing a woman he did not want to talk to—a woman who might unsettle him again: his mother, Teresa. He hadn't called her in days, ashamed of how much of a mess his life had become.He hesitated for a moment before answering, "Hi, Mom.""Benedict," her voice was warm but laced with concern. "Are you all right? You sound tired.
Benedict was standing in a boardroom that was now vacant; silence settled around him like a heavy weight. It was a moment to contemplate what was going to happen next, the outcomes of today's decisions, and the reality of some damage that had been done. So much needed to be repaired, and he was very clear it was about trust, integrity, and a way to mend the broken parts of life. He knew that nothing he could do now would simply undo the situation. The company, after all, was already in shambles, with heavy losses incurred not only financially but also in human terms. People had been harmed by what he hadn't done, or even by what he had done. But Benedict was not one to give up on a challenge. It really hurt to lose it all, but it was not just the company that hurt him; it was the people he knew as part of his life—employees, his team, and maybe Sabrina. He thought of her—Sabrina, the one he had let slip through his fingers, the one he had turned away from when she needed him there
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,