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
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
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
Stephanie Miller met a boy when he was eight years old. It was the first day of spring, the one in which a soft fresh breeze accompanies the sun’s rays, and it is possible to observe the first flower buds. The colors are bright and invite you to enjoy the environment. She was visiting with her mother at the state park in downtown Manhattan. While she was playing with her little wooden boat in the lagoon, this boy sat next to her and placed his boat into the water. Then he turns around and watches her with amusement, his big blue eyes shining. He tells her confidently, “I really like boats a lot. What about you?” Steph, without being able to articulate a single word to her tender six years, looked at him open-mouthed and just smiled shyly at him, blushing, while she nodded at his words in complete silence. He smiles back at her, even bigger than before, as he says, “My name is Matthew, but everyone calls me Matt. What’s yours?” Almost inaudibly, she tells him, “Stephanie, but ever
Stephanie Miller. I open my eyes and the light hits my vision. I look at the time and sit bolt upright in bed, knowing I’ll be late for work because I stayed up late at night with Matt. We have wanted to become parents since we have been together for almost twenty years. The good thing is that, despite the time, we continue to love and desire each other with the same intensity. First, we had agreed to finish our careers. Then, to be able to establish ourselves and prosper in our positions. And so it has been. So, a while ago, I stopped taking the pill, and we practiced making babies every single night. “Come on, dear, stay with me a little longer.” “No, Matt, I have to get up. I can’t be late today. I have an important operation early now.” “Ugh! Your patient’s brain tumor will still be there, even if you are a little late.” I open my eyes wide, turn around and tell him. “Wow, that was dark. Come on! Stop being so lazy. You also have important meetings early. Didn’t you want
Stephanie Miller.I sped out of there. I hid behind the house so that no one would see me, so I could calm all the emotions that were overwhelming me. What the fuck was that? With my sister? Is he cheating on me with my sister? Isn’t he supposed to hate her, or was all a lie?I sigh at the million questions forming in my head. I take a deep breath and try to maintain my composure. I won’t make a scene. Even though my heart is breaking into a thousand pieces, I refuse to give them satisfaction.I swallow the lump in my throat, fix my clothes and walk slowly upright, as I always do, proud of myself, but my face shows no emotion. I get to where everyone is and head towards dad.“Dad, I must go. I’m exhausted. It was an eternal day because I had so many operations.”“My dear, you shouldn’t work so hard. You don’t need it!” my father says with concern in his eyes. I smile faintly as I take his hands. “Dad, you have raised a professional daughter who is brilliant in her field. I will not
Stephanie Miller.Two weeks later…I returned home after having a long and exhausting shift at the hospital. It was a very hard day, on which I didn’t even have time to have lunch. My last patient died during the operation, because of cardiac arrest. By the time Amelia arrived in the operating room, it was too late.So, I really need a warm soak in the tub, a glass of wine, and to sleep for the rest of the night. When I enter the apartment, the lights are off and many candles illuminate the place. Standing next to the hallway, Matt is waiting for me with an enormous bouquet of white roses, my favorites.“What is all this, my love? Did you prepare it?”“Well, yes, although I must admit that I received a little help. Remind me to say thank you to Emily.”“Oh! That’s why she wasn’t at the hospital around three.”Matt smiles at me happily as he approaches me. He takes me by the waist while he tells me with his hoarse and seductive voice, “Happy twenty years of knowing each other, dear.”
Matthew Anderson. After Liam told me that Stella was somehow involved in the mysterious calls received by both Steph and me, I felt my blood boil. I became livid! But I must admit that it doesn't surprise me at all. She has always envied Stephanie, for her family, for her life, and for me. One night, before the kissing incident two weeks ago, when we stayed at his father's house, she got into my bed, offering herself as if she were a prostitute. I said to her, “Stella, for the sake of the family and to protect your reputation, disappear from my sight! You don’t want to find me in a bad mood.""And out of the deep love I have for your sister, I won’t say what you’re trying to do. But listen to me carefully, child.""You approach me like this again and I swear I will expose you in front of the entire society, like the whore that you are. Stay away from us and, above all, stay away from my fiancée!” After the kissing incident, Steph banned me for a week. She talked to Stella and in t
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