The wedding reception was in full swing, with laughter and music filling the air as couples twirled around the dance floor. Yvonne and Micheal had been inseparable, dancing through the night, their shared moments filled with an unspoken connection. But as the evening wore on, the tables began to turn.Micheal’s striking presence hadn’t gone unnoticed, and it wasn’t long before a group of women started to gravitate toward him, eager to steal a dance with the handsome man who had been glued to Yvonne’s side all night. They hovered at the edges, their eyes fixed on Micheal with coy smiles and fluttering lashes, each waiting for a chance to approach.Yvonne, who had been enjoying the rhythm of their dance, suddenly felt a wave of unease as the first woman made her way over. She was tall, with flowing auburn hair and a confident smile. “Micheal, isn’t it?” she asked, her tone sweet and inviting. “Would you care to dance?”Yvonne’s grip on Micheal’s arm tightened instinctively. She tried to
The evening was drawing to a close, and guests gathered to bid farewell to Amy and Mark as they prepared to leave for their honeymoon. Yvonne stood close to Micheal, feeling content but tired after the long day of festivities. Just as the bride and groom made their way toward the waiting car, Amy turned with a mischievous grin and, without warning, tossed her bouquet of flowers directly toward Yvonne.The bouquet sailed through the air, heading straight for Yvonne’s head. Micheal’s reflexes were quick, his arm shooting out to catch the flowers just before they could smack into her. He held them out to Yvonne, who blinked in astonishment, caught off guard by the sudden attention. Laughter and claps erupted from the crowd, but none were as loud as the excited slap of Lily and Jack’s hands as they clapped and cheered.“Way to go, Dad! Good catch!” Jack shouted, his face lighting up with excitement.“Miss Yvonne, you’re next! You will marry daddy.” Lily giggled, clapping her hands togethe
Micheal sat on the edge of the couch, his eyes locked on Yvonne as she took a deep breath, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. He had imagined many scenarios, many ways she might respond to his proposal, but none compared to the surreal moment unfolding before him.“I’m ready, Micheal,” Yvonne began softly, her voice steady but tinged with vulnerability. “I’m ready to be the mother of your children.”Micheal’s heart surged with a sensational feeling, an overwhelming mix of joy and relief that he hadn’t dared to imagine. His mind raced, caught between disbelief and the sweet reality of Yvonne’s acceptance. It was as if every ounce of hope he had buried was suddenly blossoming with her words, filling him with a lightness that was almost unbearable. His eyes shimmered with gratitude, the corners of his lips twitching into a smile as he fought the urge to reach out and embrace her.But before he could speak, Yvonne continued, her gaze shifting to the floor as if gathering the coura
Micheal stared at the laptop screen, his eyes carefully scanning the changes Yvonne had made to the contract. Every adjustment she made revolved around Jack and Lily—provisions ensuring their education, health, and overall happiness. It was clear that Yvonne had only taken this step with his children in mind. But the sections about him, about their potential relationship, were left untouched. Micheal frowned, feeling a mix of gratitude and disappointment."Yvonne," he said, his voice edged with determination, "we need to talk about this. These changes are great, but I also have some revisions to make."Yvonne blinked, taken aback, fighting the urge to burst into laughter as she pretended not to catch his drift. “Micheal, I thought this was about the children. I’m ready to be their mother, but—”“It’s not just about them,” Micheal interrupted, his tone gentle but firm. “I wrote this contract at a time when I still... I disliked women. I had my reasons.”Yvonne chuckled, her eyes twinkl
Micheal paused for a few moments, enjoying the feel of her body against his own. He loved how open minded she was to the progress of their relationship and how warm being with her made him feel in his heart. Micheal couldn't explained the situation properly without giving away his identity, so he decided to summarize his experience in a way that wouldn't raise her suspicion. Micheal explained to her how he had grown up in a family that believed in cementing relationships through betrothal. It is a world where his value was assessed by his looks and family name, paraded like a work of art at every social events. The comments on his appearance, the constant matchmaking—everything felt like a trap he couldn’t escape. His mind flashed back to the faces of girls he’d been pushed toward—some barely able to walk, others older, with expectations thrust upon them that neither of them understood. “Ever since I was a kid, I was showcased like some prized trophy,” Micheal continued, his voice
Yvonne agreed to Micheal’s decision for them to get married the following day. Their contracted relationship would officially begin, and the thought of living under the same roof as a family made their hearts race with excitement. Yvonne’s mind wandered to the everyday moments she’d share with Jack and Lily. She imagined bathing the children, a task that would likely be a daily adventure—especially with Jack, who always insisted he was a “big boy” and could do everything himself. She smiled, picturing their playful banter about how he was still just a baby in her eyes, much to his dismay, while Lily giggled at her brother’s mock frustration.She also imagined cooking for them every day, finally able to pour her heart into meals for people who truly appreciated her. The thought of Jack and Lily sitting at the table, enjoying every bite with happy smiles, filled her with warmth. They were her little family now, and she knew her cooking would be one way she could show them love.Micheal
The morning air was filled with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the soft sounds of laughter echoing through the kitchen. Micheal, Yvonne, Jack, and Lily were all gathered around, ready to make breakfast together in celebration of the day ahead. It was more than just another morning; it was the start of their new life as a family.Jack and Lily eagerly volunteered to help, their faces bright with excitement. Jack, ever the enthusiastic helper, insisted on cracking the eggs, while Lily focused on mixing the batter for pancakes, her tiny hands gripping the whisk with determination.“Careful there, buddy,” Micheal warned as Jack nearly missed the bowl, spilling a bit of egg on the counter. But the little boy just grinned up at his father, his eyes shining with mischief.“I got it, Daddy! It’s my special recipe,” Jack boasted, standing on his toes to get a better angle. “You just wait—it’s gonna be the best scrambled eggs ever!”Micheal chuckled, giving his son an affectionate pat o
The new family of four returned to their apartment, the air filled with laughter and lighthearted chatter. Jack and Lily were on a mission, squeezing “Mommy” into every sentence they could muster, from the most mundane to the utterly nonsensical. “Mommy, do you think the stars will be out tonight?” Jack asked suddenly, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Mommy, can we have ice cream after dinner?” Lily chimed in, barely waiting for her brother to finish his question. Yvonne’s heart swelled each time she heard the word, the warmth of it soothing her in ways she never imagined. She turned her head from the backseat to look at them, her smile radiating pure joy. “We’ll see about the stars, sweetheart. And we just might have some ice cream if you’re good,” she said, her voice brimming with affection. “My little starlight and sunshine.” Micheal’s heart fluttered as he watched from the front seat, unable to hide his proud smile. He had always known Yvonne would make a wonderful mother
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