They spent the next hour building sandcastles, with Jack and Lily directing the construction with a seriousness that made Yvonne giggle. “This is going to be the biggest sandcastle ever!” Lily declared, her small hands patting the sand into place.“You’re doing an amazing job, Princess,” Micheal praised, kneeling beside her to help. Yvonne watched Micheal’s tender interaction with the children, the way he guided them with patience and love, and felt her heart flutter. He was a good father, the kind who was present in every moment, and that made her admiration for him grow even more.As the day progressed, the family moved up the beach to a quieter spot where they spread out a large blanket, unpacking snacks and drinks. Micheal made sure everyone had what they needed before settling down himself, glancing at Yvonne with a soft, unspoken question in his eyes. She met his gaze, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still between them. The warmth of the sun, the sound of the waves, and t
Yvonne’s mind raced, trying to piece together the timeline. She vaguely recalled hearing her door close earlier that morning while she was on a call with Amy. At the time, she’d assumed it was the wind or her imagination, too lost in her emotions to give it much thought. Could Micheal have been there? And if so, had he overheard her conversation with Amy? The thought made her cheeks warm with embarrassment. What exactly had Micheal heard? She replayed her conversation in her mind, wondering if her words had given away more than she’d intended. In truth, Micheal had only heard the worrisome part. The other half of Yvonne’s conversation further explored her growing feelings for Micheal. The problem still remained that she wasn’t sure if things would turn out well in the end or if those feelings were true. Amy had poked her thoughts and made Yvonne see things clearer, but Micheal hadn’t heard those parts. He only heard the part where she was full of doubts and insecurities. Yvonn
The new Langston family of four headed into the city, finding themselves in a lively district filled with street vendors, bright lights, and the cheerful hum of people enjoying their evening. The area was bustling with small attractions—coin-operated games and fun machines set up outside various shops, each beckoning with colorful lights and sounds.“Whoa, look at all the games!” Jack exclaimed, his eyes widening with excitement. “Can we play, Mommy? Daddy?”“Of course,” Micheal said, fishing out some coins from his pocket. “We’ll try as many as you want.”They moved from vendor to vendor, each new game offering a different kind of fun. Jack and Lily squealed with delight as they ran to a claw machine, eager to try their luck at winning a plush toy. Yvonne watched with a smile, coaching them gently.The children are enthusiastic and had an independent personality to them. While some kids are cheering for their father to catch their plush toys, Lily and Jack seek guidance instead and s
As soon as Micheal stepped outside the apartment building, a luxurious SUV was waiting for him, one of his personal security team members in the driver's seat.Micheal wore a scowl as he impatiently drummed his fingers on the car window. He could handle his mother, but he knew how stubborn she could be. A lot of damage could be done before he could send her back to where she had come from. He didn’t want anything or anyone to jeopardize his progress with Yvonne.In less than 20 minutes, they arrived at the estate where his mother’s property now stood. It was a beautiful, luxurious villa.Micheal was at the door in no time and pushed the doorbell, his blood boiling as the confrontation drew near.Soon, an elegant, middle-aged woman opened the door. Although she was almost 50, she looked as though she was still in her thirties. The madam of the Langston Group was a proud woman who stood tall and imposing. She radiated wealth, and her beauty had caused chaos in social circles during her
Micheal stood rigid, his jaw clenched as he stared down his mother. "Mrs. Langston, I have said my piece. I do not care about the past. Lily and Jack are my children, and I do not require your help in securing a future for them. I can do that with or without the Langston group. Don't tempt me, Mother. I've reached my limit of tolerating you." His voice, low and unwavering, echoed through the room like a final verdict.He turned on his heel and strode out, his steps measured, controlled—a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside him. For a fleeting moment, Mrs. Langston caught a glimpse of the man her son had become: a father, a protector, someone no longer willing to bend to the will of the Langston legacy.Mrs. Langston's face hardened as the door closed behind Micheal. Her hands, clasped tightly in front of her, trembled with barely contained rage. This was not the obedient son she had raised, the one who was supposed to safeguard the family's legacy. No, this was a man who dared
Micheal walked towards Yvonne sitting on the couch, clearly waiting for him. As he took his seat beside her, he asked, "Why are you still awake? And how did the kids behave while I was away?"Yvonne let out a sigh, her expression a mix of exhaustion and amusement. "Oh, Micheal, the kids… they were something tonight. I don't know where their energy came from." She shook her head, unable to hold back a small laugh. "I should probably tell you about the… incident." Yvonne said with a dramatic expression. Micheal raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Incident?""Yes," Yvonne began, trying to find the right words. "So, there was this room in the apartment—one that looked like it was set up for a honeymoon or something. The master bedroom apparently. Rose petals everywhere, dim lighting, candles, and... other things." She glanced at him, her face a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "It was beautiful but also… well, very private, very adult."Micheal’s eyes widened slightly. "Okay… and?" He said
“And you’ve changed your mind?” Yvonne asked, struggling to hold his gaze. She wanted to study his expression, to read the emotions that words sometimes failed to convey.Micheal remained silent for a moment, his eyes searching hers before letting out a deep sigh. He looked ready to speak, but his hesitation felt like a heavy silence to Yvonne.She took it as a sign. She had spent over four years pretending not to notice when she wasn't cared for, and she wasn’t about to build another relationship on similar terms with Micheal. The curiosity about his gift still lingered, but she was prepared to let it go if he was uncertain.Yvonne felt a sting of embarrassment that he had overheard her conversation with Amy, though she didn’t know Micheal had only caught part of it before leaving her room. “It’s okay, Micheal. I understand,” she said quietly and stood up, ready to retreat to one of the many rooms in the luxurious place someone who claimed to be just a driver had effortlessly arrange
Micheal wasn’t sure how he managed to find an empty room amid the noise in his head. His mind was a chaotic whirlwind of disbelief and regret."You just had to lose your mind and confess to her. And then what? You made it seem unimportant!"He had been a man of control all his life. Even when his parents tried to make decisions for him, he was always one step ahead, secretly planning his own path. But ever since Yvonne came into his life, he had lost that firm grip on his emotions. Her presence seemed to unravel him in ways he never anticipated.Yvonne had been hurt before; he knew that much. He had to be careful around her, but he found himself constantly questioning what constituted ‘careful’ and when it crossed the line into 'too much.' He was unsure of the balance between showing her he cared and giving her the space she might need.Earlier at the beach, he had exercised every ounce of self-control. Her body had mesmerized him, but half his mind was focused on his children, who we