The call had dropped before she reached for her mobile.Yvonne sat on the edge of her bed, now staring blankly at the message from her father. The sudden request to return to the family estate after nearly five years gnawed at her. Her father had banished her for defying his wishes, for daring to live a life outside of the path he had carved out for her. And now, out of nowhere, they wanted to reconnect? It didn’t make sense. Her phone buzzed again, breaking her trance. Her mother was calling.With a reluctant sigh, Yvonne answered, holding the phone up to her ear."Yvonne, sweetheart, did you get your father’s message?" her mother asked, her voice brimming with a strange enthusiasm."I saw it," Yvonne replied tersely, keeping her emotions in check.Her mother took a deep breath, as if preparing for a speech. "This is such a wonderful opportunity to make amends, don’t you think? To fix things between you and your father? We've all made mistakes, but now is the time to come together as
Micheal folded his arms, watching Yvonne's delicate fingers trace the edges of the luxurious box. Though his gaze was on her, his mind wandered elsewhere. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about Yvonne’s sudden summons from her parents. Why now? Why after years of silence? And why did it have to coincide with his mother being in the city? He’d avoided prying into Yvonne’s past out of respect, but now… now he couldn’t help but wonder if his mother had something to do with it.But that thought would have to wait. Right now, all he wanted was to see Yvonne smile."Go on, open it," he urged, a playful smile tugging at his lips. He stepped closer, setting down the bags in front of her—one containing a large, beautifully wrapped box, the other smaller, holding elegant jewelry.Yvonne raised an eyebrow, a small smile forming on her lips as she sat on the couch and pulled the first box toward her. The paper crinkled as she carefully unwrapped it, revealing the contents insi
Micheal strode into the office, his usual commanding aura preceding him as he pushed through the glass doors. His sharp gaze scanned the bustling office to see how the employees are dealing with their work before he arrived at Sandra's desk, seeing her busy on her laptop. He then barked out an order, “In my office. Two minutes.” His voice was ice, cutting through the air, making Sandra jolt in her seat.Sandra had gotten used to his presence over the years, but today was different. Her boss, who had turned into a bit of a slacker since meeting Yvonne, suddenly sounded like the man she used to know, a serious no nonsense man. For a brief moment, panic bubbled up inside her as she recalled the time she had dared to kick him at his leg during that ridiculous farce, pretending to be his tyrant boss. But then, she quickly smoothed her skirt, took a deep breath, and hurried after him, sprinting down the hall with her arms full of paperwork.By the time she reached Micheal's office, she had
As Sandra walked towards her desk, a genuine smile spread across her beautiful face as she replayed her boss's scolding.Perhaps he didn't realize it himself but his attempt to look stern was a failure compared to how effortlessly he made people pee their pants in fright before.What had made Sandra genuinely happy was the fact that Micheal was only upset because his children had stumbled upon her kinky set up. Micheal had truly taken fancy to a woman. Her paranoid boss has finally liked someone. Sandra knew he really needed that step in his life. She had helped out with the children at some delicate point in their growing up, different nannies with twisted agendas and Sandra was there when her cold boss had shattered when the children had been kidnapped.The last shred of trust he had left has been cut loose and Micheal only gives people chances, not trusting them.If he chose a romantic partner, it only meant that he had managed to truly trust someone again.…….Micheal stood outsi
Yvonne immediately knew there was no way Jack had come with all that and gave Micheal a side glance before hugging the children tightly. “You two are my star, my moon, my light. You have made me the best of myself that I've ever been. I love you two so much.” She affectionately kissed their foreheads, making the children giggle in excitement. “Bye daddy.” The children said while waving at their parents and went into the room.“Why is the person who will be with them not coming out?” Yvonne asked.“Don't worry, I have everything sorted.” Micheal assured. He led her out of the building, his hand never leaving hers as they walked down the quiet street toward the sleek, black car waiting by the curb. The night air was cool, a soft breeze brushing against their skin, carrying the scent of evening blooms from nearby gardens.“I hope your boss wouldn't stumble upon you during your personal use of her cars.” Yvonne commented and Micheal just chuckled.Once they were seated in the car, the e
As the night proceeded, Micheal found himself learning all about Yvonne’s past as one explanation linked to the other and she decided to further explain every related aspect in detail till she was done summarizing everything without shedding a single tear.Yvonne would have broken down at little flashbacks, but here she was telling the entire story without tearing up. It was all attributed to the feeling of security she got from the man holding her from behind.Yvonne was done with her story, and Micheal didn't know what to make of it. It was too much for a single person to handle, but Yvonne always managed a way around everything, and when it got to the point she would have totally shattered, Micheal and the twins were there.“Come here.” He pulled back and turned her around to face him before hugging her. “Things will be better from now on, I promise you. I will never let you down and have no expectations from me or the children. We just want your happiness, and you being yourself h
Yvonne got into a sitting position, her body still wrapped in a comforting cocoon of warmth from the bedcovers. As her eyes adjusted to the morning light filtering in through the curtains, her gaze fell on a small but carefully arranged makeshift dining table at the edge of the bed. Her lips curled into a soft smile at the sight, momentarily allowing her to forget the lingering disappointment she had been holding onto.Micheal, as sweet and considerate as ever, had gone to great lengths to make her comfortable, yet he still had those walls—those reservations about her. It was almost as if he believed she could ever do something to hurt the children. That thought, even unspoken, gnawed at her, but she quickly shook her head, dismissing it before it could take root and sour her mood.She wasn’t ready to confront whatever answer lay behind Micheal's cautious demeanor, not when the night they had shared was still so fresh in her mind, its warmth still spreading through her body.With a si
Yvonne stepped out of the restroom, her cheeks still a bit pink from their earlier exchange, but she felt more refreshed now. As she walked back to the small table Micheal had prepared, she found him waiting patiently, his eyes watching her with a soft, lingering gaze.He pulled a chair out for her, a playful grin on his face. “You look a bit more alive now,” he teased lightly. “All set to enjoy the feast?”Yvonne smiled, trying to brush off her lingering shyness. “I’m not sure if I can eat all this. But I’ll try,” she replied, sitting down gracefully.Micheal leaned over, pouring her a glass of the refreshing mango-lime juice before sitting beside her. “You deserve a royal treatment after last night. I’ll be here to make sure you’re taken care of,” he said softly, his tone playful but caring.Yvonne chuckled, shaking her head at his sweetness. She picked up her fork, taking a bite of the saffron-infused lamb. The flavors burst on her tongue, rich and aromatic. “Mmm… Micheal, this is
Yvonne’s grip on the steering wheel tightened as she drove, her thoughts tumbling over one another in a chaotic spiral. Rebecca’s words echoed relentlessly in her mind, each revelation a fresh jab at her sanity. Her mother-in-law’s scheming mentality, the involvement of Sammy, and Rebecca’s initial role in the plot — it was too much to bear.Her stomach churned violently, nausea clawing at her insides. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead as she struggled to maintain her composure. She took a shaky breath, but the bile rising in her throat was impossible to suppress.Spotting an empty stretch of road, Yvonne veered her car to the side and flung the door open. She leaned out just in time as her stomach revolted, expelling everything inside. Her body trembled as the wave of nausea subsided, leaving her weak and disoriented. She sat there for a moment, head resting against the steering wheel, trying to steady her ragged breathing."You fool! You idiot!" she muttered through gritted teeth,
The soft chime of his phone disrupted Micheal’s focus. He glanced at the screen, his brow furrowing as he read the message from one of the guards stationed at home:Something happened between Rebecca and Yvonne. She doesn’t look well.Micheal’s grip on the phone tightened, his jaw clenching. A wave of unease washed over him, and he leaned back in his chair, staring at the text. Had he made a mistake? She could still recall Yvonne’s fear from the previous night.He had allowed Yvonne to have her way, insisting Rebecca should be given a chance to integrate into their lives for the children’s sake. Micheal had been reluctant, sensing the complexities of Rebecca’s intentions, but Yvonne’s kindhearted nature had won out.Now, he wondered if his trust had been misplaced.Without wasting another moment, he dialed the guard’s number. The line clicked, and the guard answered immediately.“What happened?” Micheal’s tone was sharp, leaving no room for ambiguity.The guard hesitated briefly. “Sir
The weight of Rebecca’s revelation hung heavily in the air, leaving Yvonne utterly speechless.Her mind swirled with questions, each one louder than the last. What baffled her most was the audacity of Rebecca’s confession. Why would she admit this so confidently? Did she not realize that Yvonne held the power to banish her from their lives entirely?Yvonne’s lips parted, a shaky breath escaping as she tried to gather her thoughts. Finally, she managed to stammer, “What are... are you saying?” Her voice trembled, her wide eyes searching Rebecca’s face for clarity.Rebecca exhaled deeply, her gaze flicking toward the kitchen door as if she expected someone to burst in. “It’s a long story,” she murmured, her tone steady but tinged with weariness. “And it’s not fair to keep the kids waiting.”Her eyes returned to Yvonne, filled with an unexpected vulnerability. “I told you this because I can’t do it anymore, Yvonne. I can’t laugh with the children, play the part of their loving aunt, know
The sunlight streaming through the curtains felt warmer than usual, but Yvonne barely noticed it. The house was silent except for the soft padding of her feet down the hallway. Micheal was already gone for work—something he always did on the mornings Rebecca visited. It wasn’t a coincidence, Yvonne knew that much. He loathed being around Rebecca, but his absence meant Yvonne had to deal with her. Today was one of the days Rebecca will come to their house. Yvonne reached the twins’ room, her frustration tempered by the sight of Jack and Lily sleeping soundly. She knelt beside Lily, brushing a stray curl from her face. “Good morning, sweetheart,” she whispered, kissing her temple. Lily stirred, her eyes fluttering open as a small smile stretched across her lips. “Good morning, Mommy.” Jack woke up next, rubbing his eyes groggily. Yvonne pulled him into a brief hug, pressing a kiss to his forehead before helping them both out of bed. She guided them to the bathroom, assisting them a
Yvonne woke up the next morning, her mind tangled with remnants of last night’s conversation with Micheal. She lay still, watching the sunlight filter through the curtains, trying to convince herself that all was well. Micheal’s words had been so reassuring, yet a flicker of doubt still tugged at her. She thought of Rebecca’s presence in their lives. Was it truly harmless, as Micheal had suggested, or was there something more beneath her growing closeness to the kids? Micheal’s confidence had left her feeling comforted, yet it didn’t fully quiet the lingering worry that Rebecca’s bond with Jack and Lily might, over time, change things in ways she hadn’t anticipated. With a sigh, Yvonne reached for her phone. Maybe I’m overthinking this, she thought, dialing Amy’s number. Amy always had a way of seeing things clearly, and even if it was a small thing, Yvonne needed her perspective. Amy picked up after the second ring, her voice warm. “Good morning, Yvonne! You’re up early.” Yvonne g
After spending 20 more minutes to honor Amy, Micheal was signaling to Yvonne that it is time to leave, which Amy caught and teased him with.However she understood that they lived far from her place. If they wait till her husband returns home, they will have to travel late into the night.The family of four bid their farewell and soon they arrived at home.When it was finally time for bed, Yvonne tucked the twins in, their sleepy faces lighting up at her presence. She kissed each of them goodnight, lingering a little longer with Jack, who whispered, “Are you going to tell us more stories tomorrow?”“Of course,” Yvonne replied softly, her heart aching. She turned off the light and closed the door behind her, taking a deep breath to steady herself.Once the children were settled, she joined Micheal in their room. The atmosphere was calm, but Yvonne couldn’t shake her worries. She could feel the tension still lingering between them, and Micheal sensed it too.“Yvonne,” he said softly, mo
The afternoon sun streamed through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow over Yvonne and Amy as they prepared a light meal. The air was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked bread and ripe strawberries, and the sound of laughter echoed from the kids’ playroom. Jack and Lily were busy crafting their imaginary worlds, their giggles a sweet melody that made Yvonne’s heart swell.“Can you believe your graduation is just around the corner?” Amy said, glancing up from chopping vegetables, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “You’ve worked so hard for this, Yvonne. It’s such a big deal!”Yvonne smiled, a mix of pride and anxiety churning within her. “I know! It feels surreal. After everything, I’m finally going to walk across that stage.” She paused, her gaze drifting to the children’s laughter. “But it’s also intimidating. What’s next for me? I want to make sure I don’t let anyone down, especially Micheal and the kids.”“Oh, come on,” Amy said, waving her knife playfully. “
Amy’s grip on Yvonne’s hand tightened, her gaze steady as she continued, “Look, I’m not saying it’ll be easy. The kids already like her, which makes it more complicated. But you have to set boundaries. You can’t let her keep weaving herself in, Yvonne.”Yvonne took a shaky breath, the weight of Amy’s words pressing on her. “You’re right. I was so focused on what was best for Jack and Lily that I forgot… I have a place in this family too. I’ve built this with them, with Micheal.” She paused, feeling a new determination fill her. “Maybe it’s time I start acting like it.”Amy’s expression softened as she nodded. “Exactly. I know how much the kids mean to you, and I understand your instinct to want them happy, but there’s a line. You can still protect what you’ve built with them without being super kind or allowing someone in unnecessarily. You don’t owe anyone access to your family if it makes you uncomfortable.”Yvonne’s shoulders relaxed slightly, feeling the weight shift from her ches
Yvonne stepped out of the car with a faint smile, holding Jack and Lily’s hands as they made their way up to Amy’s front door. It had been too long since they’d had a real conversation. Today was meant to be light-hearted, just a simple visit, but a persistent weight had settled over Yvonne’s heart, one she knew she’d eventually need to unburden to Amy.When the door swung open, Amy’s face immediately lit up with delight as she supported her baby bump with her left hand. “There they are! My favorite little troublemakers,” she grinned, crouching down to greet Jack and Lily with open arms. The twins broke into bright smiles, rushing forward for hugs as they babbled eagerly about their latest adventures and mischief.“Aunt Amy!” Jack exclaimed, eyes twinkling. “Guess what? I learned to ride my bike without training wheels!”“Oh, is that so?” Amy raised an eyebrow, feigning shock. “Next thing I know, you’ll be driving cars! And what about you, Lily? What amazing things have you done this