Stephanie Miller.After I literally attack Enzo's lips in the hallway, I enter the room, smiling. Although I can’t stop thinking about my son, this is a slight break from the immense pain I feel.“Oops! What did you do, queen? You’re… blushing.” A mocking Amelia tells me, with her eyebrow raised.Emily looks at me and says, “Something tells me those lips got some action.” I open my eyes wide; I look at them and I can’t help but bring my hands to my cheeks.They laugh, but it is Amelia who says, “Do not blush, nor be ashamed, queen. You two have been wanting each other for months.”“Amelia is right. The sexual tension between you is palpable. Besides, Steph, you need a little happiness in your life.”“Yes, besides, he is a candy man that you can see at any time of the day.” Amelia says sighing.“Give it a chance and give yourself a chance, Steph. He loves you and adores the girls. Do you know how difficult it is to find a man who will accept a woman with children who are not his?“Emily
Stephanie Toussaint.Five years later.“Remember that you can remove your seat belt once the plane has come to a complete stop.”“Electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets and laptops can be used normally. Welcome to New York City. We hope you had a pleasant flight.”I sigh, looking out the plane window, observing that I have returned to the place where I did not set foot on the ground a little over five years ago, the place where I spent the worst moments of my life.“Mommy! I’m very excited to see this place…” I look at the face of my little Catherine or Cat, as we all call her, with her illuminated gaze. God! She is the spitting image of Matt.“Me too Mommy. I like that it’s winter here. Will we be able to see the snow?” Charlotte or Lottie, as we call her, she tells me. She is like me. If Cat’s hair is brown, then Lottie’s is blonde. But they both have the same thing as their father: his incredible blue eyes.I often think about what my son’s face would have been like. Althou
Stephanie Toussaint.Curiosity invades me when I hear Amelia curse. As I follow her gaze, I meet that pair of incredible blue eyes, which accompanied me for much of my life.We stared at each other for a few seconds. Those were the longest of my life. My heart races, my palms sweat, and my mouth feels dry.When I saw him started walking towards where I am, I get nervous and the only thing I can do is turn around and say, “Ame, take me to where my dad is.”Amelia frowns, but says, “Come with me, queen.”And so, we quickly headed towards the pre-op, leaving Enzo in the waiting room. God! I just hope those two don’t argue or fight.The last time those two exchanged words on the phone, they argued. That was five years ago.Matt has changed nothing. He is still the man with an important presence, who looks millionaire and sophisticated. I sigh at the image of my girl’s father.“Amelia, what is Matt doing here? Who is sick?”“Honestly, I do not know. It’s the first time I’ve seen him in ove
Vicenzo Toussaint.Once we returned to New York with my girls, doubts invaded me. Not for me, but for my family. I have worked so hard to achieve everything I have.It was nearly two years of waiting for Steph to become my wife legally, but that doesn’t mean I’ll always feel insecure about her feelings for Matt.I know Steph loves me... but I also know that, despite everything, Matt is her first love. And one that is difficult to forget. Therefore, she will always have feelings for him.For these five years, we have been living in our little family bubble. We create a routine where we are a great team, being a couple and being parents. I love my girls!Returning to New York means that, even though I want to avoid it, at some point, the girls will have to meet Matt again. I just hope the damn idiot has matured.I sigh at the incipient anxiety that comes with being back in this city.Once we’re at the hospital, I listen carefully to what Amelia tells us and I can clearly see how worried
Matthew Anderson.I never thought I would see her again. I said goodbye to her five years ago, the day Vicenzo told me he was with her. Today I had to come to the hospital, since they were going to give me a tour of the main rooms of the hospital. Therefore, having them here took me by surprise.I became a majority partner of this place, because of the mismanagement of the former president of the hospital. I’m actually doing this as a personal favor to Edward, head of surgery.Since the hospital was going bankrupt and this was the first hospital that Steph worked at and Amelia, who is still here, I decided to take over.Although it is the first time that I invest in health, I am dedicated to buying companies that are on the verge of bankruptcy. To save it or to sell it at a higher price.But with the hospital, I am determined to save it. It will remain within my estate for life and in time, I hope Christian will want to manage it.I was absolutely stunned to see her again, kissing ano
Stephanie Toussaint.I stare at the scene unfolding before me. Matt hugs his fiancée, kissing her forehead and holding her to his chest.And to think that five years ago, it was me who he hugged madly. No, Stephanie! Don’t go there. You are a happily married woman with a great family. Missing something you had doesn’t do anyone any good.And on top of that, Matt is an idiot who hasn’t changed a thing. He cheated on you; he has a son and now he’s getting married too.I shake off my confused thoughts when Matt stares at me from the door and, without avoiding it, I hear him say, “Steph, please, can we talk?”Unable to flee the place, I put on my big girl’s clothes: I stand up straight, lift my chin, and look at him straight on, devoid of all emotion. “What do you want, Mr. Anderson?”He stands in front of me, eyes wide, as he says, “Mr. Anderson?”“That’s your name, right? Unless you are going to take your fiancée’s last name. That would be quite progressive.”His gaze darkens and becomes
Stephanie Toussaint.After the awkward conversation with Matt, I headed to the waiting room. Enzo was calmly waiting for me there. If he’s ever felt intimidated by the memory of Matt, I hope today has shown him it’s just that. A memory.We waited four hours, until, finally; we saw Amelia come out. Quickly, we stand up, eager to hear her.“The operation was a success, Steph. Your dad is already in his room, resting. Before coming to tell you the good news, I waited for him to come out of the anesthesia. He is alright. Breathe easy, friend.”“Thank you, Ame!” I hug her tightly while kissing her cheek.Enzo approaches her and hugs her too, while saying, “Good job, sis. We never doubted your skill.”Amelia laughs and hits him on the arm. “Yes, I know. I am amazing. This hospital should pay me more.”We all laughed at her comment. Then she says, “queen, I’m going to go lie down for a while. I’m on call today and has been a long one. Let’s talk tomorrow?”“Sure, Ame. Hey, can we go to dad’s
Stephanie Toussaint.I take little Christian’s hand and we walk slowly through the restaurant. This allows me to observe the place, and it is truly exquisite. At the entrance, I can see many people waiting at the bar for a table to be free and there is a line of people waiting outside just to enter the bar area.“Do you remember where you were sitting?”“Hum… I just remember that we entered, and the lady led us down a hallway.”I frown, trying to remember the hallway. “Was there something else where you went? Anything that caught your attention?”“I do not remember.” I see how the little one lowers his gaze as a sign of sadness. Oh, my God! He’s so adorable. It makes me want to hug him and shower him with kisses!I tell him, “Don’t worry, honey. We will find your parents.”He looks up and says, “I don’t have a mom. And I don’t like dad’s girlfriend. She shouts a lot.” He frowns after saying it.I sigh, as I realize how lucky my girls are. Enzo loves them madly and would be incapable of
Stephanie Toussaint.After the conversation with the judge in her office, we went out through the hallway. I watched as Matt continued walking towards the courtroom and Enzo stopped me by taking my hand. He said, “Babe, you need to go home.”I frowned and said, “But I don’t want to leave you alone, Enzo. Not after what happened in that office. You’ll have to face that horrible lawyer. He’s a real jerk.”Enzo gave me a tender smile as he said, “Don’t worry, babe. Now, the most important thing is you and the babies. We did all this to prevent you from being here. There’s no point in you staying and you know it.”I sighed deeply because I know Enzo is right, as he always is. I reluctantly agreed. He kissed my lips and walked into the courtroom behind Matt. I saw how the two most important men in my life walked away from me.I turned my head and saw that Taylor was waiting for me. I approached him and said, “Let me guess. Matt asked you to take me home.”“Both. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Toussa
Matthew Anderson.True to his word, Enzo arrived twenty minutes after I did. I waited in my car until my security team showed up at the scene. All this so I don’t have to deal with unpleasant pushes or hits. Journalists can become actual sons of bitches when they want to, all to get the news first.Once inside, I politely greeted Enzo and Steph. Every day I feel prouder of myself since I have learned to manage my jealousy and my possessiveness. In these moments, I know Enzo cares for her and loves her just like I do, and she, although she doesn’t recognize it, I know she loves us both. God! I didn’t think I’d be able to share, but being close to Steph, I’ll take any piece she wants to give me.The three of us headed to Judge Barrett’s office, who was waiting for us. The prosecutor knocks on the door and quickly welcomes us. We were instructed that only he and Steph could talk. Marie sent her a certificate saying that she cannot subject herself to high levels of stress, since her pregn
Matthew Anderson.Two weeks have passed since the altercation with Antonella in my office. Since that day, I haven’t seen her anywhere. Not even at her precious social events that she loves to attend so much. They say that she has been confined to her mansion in the company of her family, preparing for the trial.My uncle Tom has been the first victim of this entire battle. He separated from his husband. Apparently, Raul made him choose between his family and us. My uncle, like any good Anderson, hates ultimatums and threats and, leaving no room for discussion, he took his belongings and left.I honestly hate all of this. Tom is a great man who deserves all the happiness in the world. I feel terrible that his husband made him choose. Stephanie tried to talk about it, but Tom immediately cut her off. He says he doesn’t feel like talking about it. He has stayed at my house ever since.The prosecution has called me to be a witness. They wanted to call Steph too, but I flatly refused. The
Vicenzo Toussaint.With each passing day, I feel like Steph is moving further away from me. Maybe it’s just an assumption on my part, but there’s nothing that can take away the feeling that I’m losing her. She is extremely volatile, everything I say to her makes her angry and I honestly don’t know how to get to her. I don’t know how to approach her without her trying to rip my head off.It’s like Stephanie has put up an enormous wall separating her from me. I have always characterized myself as a self-confident man, however, this woman is my downfall. Since I met her, life has become a constant movement, always changing. I must be attentive all the time because I know that at any moment someone can take her away from me.Stephanie is one in a million. There is no quality about her I don’t love, even those that drive me crazy. I wouldn’t change any part of her. I love her just the way she is. Together with the girls, they have become my entire world. I would sacrifice my life to protec
Stephanie Toussaint.After hanging out with Matt during the afternoon, I returned home. Enzo was waiting for me, angry, in the office. Not wanting to argue with him again, I decided to take a nap, therefore; I headed without delay to the comfort of my room.Today it was Matt’s turn to pick up the kids, and we agreed he would return the girls at dinner time. That gave me exactly almost two hours to sleep and try to bury the dramas of my life, if only for a moment.I lay down on the bed and almost immediately, sleep came to me. It was like I was walking through the incredible vineyards of Italy. Everything around me was green, while the evening sun sheltered my bare shoulders. The view was simply extraordinary.Majestic mountains rose before me, while in the distance, an old house housed the laughter of children playing in the surroundings. A whisper in my ear brought me out of my shocked state. “I love you, dear.”I turned my face, and Matt was there. His black hair was disheveled by t
Stephanie Toussaint.When I felt Matt’s fingers on my chin, it sent a shiver down my spine. Feeling his perfume with wood tones, and seeing his incredible blue eyes staring at me, for a moment, I lost myself. I don’t know if it’s the pregnancy hormones or if it was really me, but at that moment, I wanted him.I wanted so much for him to kiss me, to take me in his arms, sit me on his desk and make love to me like he did years ago. Oh, how I wanted to feel his cock inside my pussy again! How I needed to see him leave marks on my skin, eyewitnesses that I belong to him!But what the fuck is wrong with me? Since when have I become unfaithful? This has to stop, Steph! Nothing good will come of all this. You are a MARRIED woman! You can’t go around hurting those around you. I can’t do to Enzo what Matt did to me.And there it was. The intrinsic reminder of what happened the day before my failed marriage. An infidelity so painful that, even though years have passed, it feels just as fresh. I
Matthew Anderson.Two weeks later.After a week of intense searching, Stephanie and I found the perfect school for the three children. In honor of me being able to get close to the girls, we agreed that we’ll take turns picking them up so I can spend time with them without scaring them away.A few days ago, Stephanie mentioned to me she wanted to go back to work, but Enzo got furious with her for telling me. Honestly, I don’t know what problems they both have, but I’m secretly glad they do. It may sound selfish, but my love for her has not diminished at all in all these years. It has only increased.Every day that I can spend a few minutes with her, talk to her, or just see her smile makes my day considerably better. I find myself smiling more and being nicer to everyone. She makes me be and want to be a better person.“Matt?”I shake my head, turn my chair and there I see her. Radiant, beautiful and perfect, stopped at the door with her smile on her face and her bright green eyes, lo
Stephanie Toussaint.Christian’s question stuck in my soul. Damn kids! I forgot how cruel they can be to those who are different from them. Thank God, I have never had these types of problems with the girls, since they know how to defend themselves. Most likely, if they were here, they would take revenge on the children who made Christian suffer.I hug him tighter, protecting him against my chest. I look up and tell Enzo, “Call Matt. He has to know this.”He sighs, nods silently, takes out his cell phone and calls Matt. The director quickly approaches me, saying, “But Mrs. Toussaint, there is no need to bother Matt with this.”I frown, enraged, as I say, “Are you serious? You, being an educator, don’t you consider this to be serious? That children tell him this is not childish or something about age. This makes up school abuse. I presume you have protocols to address these types of situations. Right?”The director widens his eyes and stammers a “Yes.”“Do you mind explaining them to m
Stephanie Toussaint.After the conversation I had with Matt, about what almost happened to him, and adding the stupid pregnancy hormones to that, I felt more confused than ever. It’s as if the years had not passed and the butterflies that I feel every time he is around have been reactivated.After I got home, I went out with Enzo to have our love affair. And as always, it was great. However, the little voice in the back of my head kept telling me how much I would like to feel Matt’s lips on mine again. What? What the fuck am I thinking? Get out of there, Stephanie! It’s just the hormones making me hornier than usual.I sigh, thinking about all this, as I look out the car window. “Babe, we’re here.” Enzo’s husky and velvety voice interrupts my thoughts.I look around and realize that we are indeed already at Saint George’s School. We get off. Enzo takes my hand, and we enter the building.It has ancient architecture, with fine finishes. In the hallways, you can see some children from a