Benedict sat in his sleek office, with papers all over the top of his desk, completely consumed by the stack of contracts in front of him. The phone buzzed once more, but he didn't answer. He had reached a point where all the business dealings, mergers, and partnerships had taken over his life. It had taken months, but finally his company was back on track. The bankruptcy was a distant memory, and now he had an empire flourishing with partnerships coming in and investors clamoring at the door.But as his business grew, something inside him changed. The hollow hollowness that had plagued him after Sabrina left had begun to recede into a dull ache, an ache that he learned to ignore. His world was centered on success - on his success - with little room for regret or thoughts of the past. That was all before the call came. He glanced at the screen of his phone and saw the name of his attorney. A strange, unfamiliar tightness spread across his chest. He hesitated, his fingers lingering
Teresa sat in the living room of her house in the quiet darkness of the evening, a glass of wine sitting untouched on the table before her. The soft ticking of the clock on the wall filled the only remaining silence in the room, but in her mind, there was no silence; she had just gotten off the phone with Benedict, and the finalized divorce news still weighed at the center of her heart.She loved Sabrina like her daughter. She had always seen in Sabrina all the warmth, kindness, and grace she had hoped for in a daughter-in-law. Now, it was all gone. Sabrina was taken out of their family, and with her, the future of that grandchild becomes worrisome.Teresa took the wine glass, but did not drink from it. She simply let her eyes lose themselves in the space inside the glass as if lost in a thought. Sabrina came from humble beginnings. Teresa knew that raising a child on her own, without the security of having Benedict, without the financial backing that protecting and advancing her fami
Sabrina was a thousand miles away from everything Benedict knew. For her, Paris was an refuge, a place of peace, of healing. The city had wrapped arms of surprise around her, and she had thrown herself into work, into a life for herself and her child.But despite all these new beginnings, there were still moments when loneliness crept in. The desire for the family she would have once wanted, for Benedict. She still loved him, despite everything. She couldn't help but return that love she had for him, no matter what. But the pain of betrayal, of simply being treated as an afterthought in their lives, was too deep to handle. Thus, she left.Now, as the due date approached, Sabrina started thinking about the future—not the one she had envision with Benedict, but one she was going to create on her own, for her child.Her baby deserved better than a broken home. Her baby deserved love, security, and a family, even if it wasn't the one she once hoped for.But as much as Sabrina wanted to sl
Standing there, with the outside world slowly fading away from her, Sabrina felt an intensity of clarity beyond anything she had ever felt. The dim hum of hospital monitors and the soft glow of lights emanating into her window from the city were all muted by the profound silence of the moment. She clutched Saben close, his small body warm against her chest, soft breaths a reassuring reminder of the life she had made—one that depended entirely upon her.Her heart swelled as she studied his delicate features. His tiny hands curled into fists, his lashes brushing against his rosy cheeks, and the faint hint of a smile that tugged at his lips even in sleep. He was perfect. A pure, untainted blessing born from the chaos of her past. In his innocent face, she saw her strength, her resilience, reflected back at her."I have everything I will ever need, that's you, my baby," she whispered, her voice shaking with a mixture of thankfulness and determination. Pressing her lips to his soft forehea
Her words seemed logical, but only made it worse for Benedict. He closed his eyes, and visions of Sabrina danced through his mind: the way she used to wait for him every night, her hopeful eyes, the quiet strength she had always shown despite his coldness. In fact, he had not only lost Sabrina but driven her away.And the baby," Teresa said quietly, her voice trembling a little. "Can't help but think about Benedict, my grandchild. They must be out there somewhere, growing and living.and I cannot even see them, know them.Her words were like a knife cutting through him. Benedict straightened, his jaw compressing. He didn't even want to admit it, but he had avoided thinking about the child. The possibility of fatherhood was something he'd just settled for another day. Now, seeing that his child was out there, it became an awful emptiness."I never thought I'd say this," Teresa continued, her voice heavy with emotion, "but I'm angry with you, Benedict. Angry that you let this happen. Sab
The weight of his promise settled over him, heavier than the silence that had enveloped his life since Sabrina left. The city below pulsed with life, oblivious to his turmoil, a stark contrast to the emptiness he felt within. He knew that simply finding her wouldn't be enough. He would have to prove to Sabrina that he had changed—not with words, but through his actions.And the hours bled into one another as his mind replayed every moment he'd failed her and every time he'd dismissed her love and every time she waited for him, only to find him indifferent to it all.The regret was suffocating. And it was fuel.He rose from his chair, took up a notepad, and began jotting down ideas-ways to rebuild what he'd broken. He would find Sabrina, but when he did he would not be the man she left behind. He would be the man she and their child deserved.Across the ocean, Sabrina sat in the nursery she set up for Saben, rocking him gently in her arms. Gently lit with the nightlight, the room was w
Three years had gone by since Sabrina left, and Benedict channeled all his energy into his work, determined to rebuild everything he'd lost. His company, which nearly collapsed, was slowly regaining its reputation and steadily climbing back to where it once was. This was a blur of meetings, contracts, and late nights in the office. The work was grueling but kept him focused, drowning out the ache in his chest that had never quite gone away.But no matter how much he repeated to himself that success was enough, it was not. He still woke up in the middle of the night haunted by the memory of Sabrina's face-the look she gave when leaving with their child. His son, Saben—he was turning two now, and Benedict had never been able to hold him, to tell him he loved him or see his first steps. Being without his son was a pain he could not think about too much without going over the edge into despair.His office was now filled with documents, ledgers, and new partnership proposals. His team was w
Clara had closed the door behind her before Benedict stood there transfixed, staring out the window. The city spread beneath him, lights catching like glistening jewels at the possibility that opened before him now. Clara's words struck in his mind like a sharp ragged knife cutting through the noise in his head.He couldn't erase the mistakes of the past. The guilt, the lost opportunities, the broken promises, were part of him now, but they defined who he could still become. And Sabrina - the love, the passion, the child he'd never met - all the memories and feelings she invoked stirred something deep within him.He had been hiding behind his work for years, building walls around himself, convinced that success and money would fill in the hole inside. But Clara made him see reality-nothing could replace what he lost. Nothing could bring him peace but a chance at making things right. His phone was ringing inside his pocket, startling him out of his dreaminess. He pulled it out, his fi
He nodded, acknowledging her view. "Okay, let it be short. We cannot lose much time. Now let us go back to project timelines and what needs to be done this week.""Yeah, I am on that now," Andrea replied, feeling much lighter. The tension between them had lightened up, and she was set to move forward with work.As they turned their attention to the project plans, he couldn't help but wonder whether keeping abreast of what was happening could indeed prove useful. It was a sensitive balance, but with Andrea's passion and knowledge, perhaps they could find a way to blend both worlds successfully.She stepped into Benedict's office, her heels clicking softly on the polished floor, poise as usual. She scanned the room, eyes finally settling on him with intent and focus.Benedict, still engrossed in his thoughts from the earlier conversation with Andrea, hadn't noticed her. He was bent over a heap of papers, his brow furrowed in concentration as he made some notes on a report. He tried to m
Benedict sat at the top of the headboard table, his attention was acut, keen as his staff presented their latest financial reports. He's fully immersed in the numbers, the figures, and the strategies. He does not have time for distractions and space for anything but the work that needs to be done.In the meantime, Andrea was quietly surfing on her phone under the table; she was one of the junior staff members. She had always been a fashion enthusiast, and today she could not resist checking the news—especially with the recent buzz about Sabrina Auburn. Andrea saw her name everywhere recently; from the launch of Sabrina Ultra bags to announcing her collaboration with Maison d'Étoiles. She was becoming a bright star in the fashion world, and Andrea was eager to know more about her.She didn't know the full backstory—she didn't even know that Sabrina was Benedict's ex-wife. To Andrea, Sabrina was just an inspiring designer who was making waves in a completely different world from the cor
We want them to see not only the products but the journey," Sabrina said during the brainstorming session. "Our designs reflect resilience, empowerment, and the beauty of individuality. Let's make that shine."Her words revitalized the team, and they spent their creativity on this project. When the day of the meeting finally approached, Sabrina was ready and confident to present her brand to the global world.Maison d'Étoiles headquarters was elegance itself, with its grand marble entrance, towering glass walls, and artful displays of their iconic designs. Sabrina walked in, dressed in a tailored white suit that exuded sophistication, her signature bag slung gracefully over her shoulder.The creative director, Margaux Laurent, a charismatic woman, greeted her warmly. "Ms. Auburn, it's so great to finally meet you. Your work has taken the world of fashion by storm."The pleasure's mine, Sabrina replied, smiling with an expression that seemed altogether sincere. "Maison d'Étoiles has al
Sabrina smiled her heart, feeling grateful for the gesture. "I would not have managed without you. You're always there for me even when I did not know which way to go ahead, Mom," she went on as tears welled into her eyes in gratitude. And through the years, she realized her mother and her grandmother Wendy never made a decision in the house without praying and then asking for support in such matters.That night, as she laid Saben in his crib, she sat down beside him for a moment, her heart overflowing with love. She looked at his tiny chest as it rose and fell with peaceful breaths, and calm washed over her. "We've come a long way, haven't we, little one my Saben?" she whispered softly, stroking his cheek.She was lost, drifting in the thoughts of the past—to Benedict, to the pain she had been through and the woman she was before. And she didn't feel any bitterness anymore. She felt clear, and whatever she had passed through brought her into this moment and into this life she had wi
She stood on the big stage, her heart beating in sync with the booming emcee voice throughout the hall. "And the winner of the Elite Fashion Design Competition of this year is… Sabrina Auburn!" The call echoed in the sophisticated auditorium, where it was then answered with an explosion of applause that almost rattled the chandeliers from the ceilings. Sabrina sat back for a split second, feeling the weight of the news. She stood up effortlessly, elegantly smiling, but her poise blazed much brighter than the chandeliers in the room. Her mother, Leila, grasped her grandmother Wendy's arm. Her tears streamed down her cheeks."She did it, Mom," Leila whispered with emotion. "She really did it." "I never doubted her," Wendy replied, her voice steady but her eyes brimming with pride. Sabrina walked towards the stage, her heart pounding with disbelief and triumph. Wearing one of her designs: a perfect harmony of power and femininity—a midnight-blue pantsuit with intricate embroidery, she mo
The night between Clara and Benedict had been chaos—a collision of unspoken emotions, raw tension, and fleeting vulnerability. Benedict had given in to it all—exhaustion, desire, and the appeal of Clara's charm. The haze cleared, though, revealing just another moment to him, releasing him from the suffocating pressures of his life.But for Clara, it was much, much more. She sat on the edge of the bed, her window lit with golden sunlight the next morning. Her lips still tingled from Benedict's kisses, and her skin still thrummed with the imprint of his touch. But as the passion receded, the ache in her heart grew and she missed him so bad.She wanted more—more than stolen moments, more than a night of fleeting intimacy. She wanted Benedict's attention, his affection, and above all, his love. She wanted to replace Sabrina.Benedict, on the other hand, treated the day as if nothing had occurred. His cold, calculating nature was back in place as he walked into the office with his mind alr
She looked up at him, licking her lips, and smiled. His eyes were still closed in concentration, so she stood and grabbed his hand, pulling him to where their bed awaited. Finally, finally, they had arrived. No guests, no neighbours, no stairs.They undressed each other in a hurry, and she lay down, spread her knees, and pulled her legs back. He licked and lapped at her with more passion than he had on the stairs; and he had more room between her thighs now that she was lying back, able to open herself up more fully so that he could make sure no millimetre of her pussy was neglected. She grasped his hands with her own as they clasped her ass, squeezing him, and then pulling gently toward her chest.Benedict didn't need a more direct hint; he rose up and lined his cock up with her soaking entrance, then plunged in. She cried out, and he grunted; he slid into her and she raised her hips; he leaned forward to kiss one breast, and she squeezed and lifted it toward his eager mouth. His lip
He had just turned to leave when he heard the door open behind him."Benedict, wait," Clara called soft but urgent.He stopped in his tracks, his brows drawing down slightly as he turned to face her. Clara stood in the doorway, the light from inside her apartment forming a golden glow around her. Her expression was unreadable, a mix of hesitation and something else—something more intense.Yes?" he asked, sounding unafraid even though he felt a riptide of unease.She took a step toward him and then held his gaze. Her green dress captured the faint breeze. There is something I need to tell you. she said, her voice trembling over the words.Benedict nodded, waiting, feeling his heart pound hard in his chest, eager for her words.But instead of saying anything, Clara stepped closer. Before he could fully register what she intended, she had reached up, resting hands lightly on his shoulders, and pressed her lips to his.The kiss was shocking, a collision of warmth and surprise. Benedict fr
Benedict adjusted his cuff links for the third time in front of the mirror. The navy-colored suit he had picked fit to perfection, making his broad shoulders and sharp frame a perfect outline. Tonight felt different; tonight was different for him because this wasn't just another business engagement, not for him, at least. He looked at his nightstand clock. He was running close to departure time.As Benedict walked into La Rosa Vinea, he came across the restaurant softly lit. Some soft melody of a piano could be heard along with the delicate tones intertwined with the low-hued murmur of conversation in the restaurant. The hostess there welcomed him politely and took him to the table by the window through which the bright glittering cityscape was in full display in all the evening splendor.He hadn't said much about tonight to Clara, except sending her a brief message:"7:30 PM. La Rosa Vinea. A small thank you for your hard work."He kept it professional but there was no getting away f