Yvonne let the quiet lull her, her thoughts swirling with everything Micheal had done to make her birthday special. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had gone to such lengths for her, and Micheal’s thoughtfulness filled her with a warmth she hadn’t felt in years. She glanced sideways at him, noting the way he stared out at the city, his profile softened by the dim light. She could see the hints of vulnerability in his eyes, a gentleness that was always there beneath his protective nature. “Why do you do it?” she asked suddenly, breaking the silence. “Go through all this trouble for me?” Micheal turned to her, caught off guard by the question. He considered his answer, choosing his words carefully. “Because you matter, Yvonne. You’ve been through a lot, and I wanted you to have a day where you didn’t have to think about anything except how special you are.” Yvonne’s heart tightened at his words. She bit her lip, overwhelmed by the sincerity in his voice. “I never knew you
Micheal’s heart raced as he watched Yvonne beside him, her face glowing softly under the moonlight. She looked peaceful yet vulnerable, and for a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to imagine what it would be like to share more than just these quiet nights. He hadn’t meant for their conversation to turn personal, hadn’t intended to lay bare the hopes he’d harbored secretly. But with Yvonne, his guard always seemed to slip, and he found himself speaking from a place he usually kept hidden.Micheal knew he couldn’t afford to be selfish. His children had grown attached to Yvonne, often whispering in his ear their dreams of calling her “Mommy.” He’d seen it in their eyes, a silent wish they were too young to articulate fully but that radiated every time they were near her. Yvonne had become more than a friend or a caregiver; she was their safe haven, the piece of their family puzzle they didn’t know they needed until she arrived.He glanced at Yvonne, watching her shift slightly in her s
Yvonne rushed into her room, half-running, and collapsed onto the floor as soon as the door clicked shut behind her. The brave front she had put up moments ago crumbled, leaving her reeling from the chaos of her emotions. Her stomach still fluttered with the ghost of their shared kiss, a sensation that sent shivers through her body. She had always considered herself reserved, composed—a woman who kept her emotions tightly controlled. But in Micheal’s arms, she had melted, completely losing herself in the heat of the moment. She kissed him back, her body responding in a way she hadn’t allowed in years. His body had felt solid, warm, and grounding. His lips… “Oh my God!” Yvonne gasped, her voice shaking with disbelief. She pressed her hands against her cheeks, feeling the heat that still lingered. How could she have finalized her relationship with one man and kissed another all on the same day? Her heart twisted in her chest as she grappled with the weight of her actions. The truth
While Yvonne revisited the moments of their unexpected kiss, Micheal stood by his bedroom window, lost in his thoughts, unaware of the soft smile that had settled on his lips. The kiss lingered in his mind, its warmth still fresh on his skin. As far as he could remember, it was the first time he had truly initiated a kiss. There were no memories of tender embraces or sweet beginnings with the woman who had given birth to his children—only the lost memory of one night and then the news of him having children after they were birth by a woman who died afterwards. Micheal couldn't recall the circumstances that had led to their union. Drugged? Manipulated? He suspected his parents had orchestrated it all, ensuring an heir at any cost. It was a mystery that he never dwelled on too deeply, a chapter of his life he had long buried. But kissing Yvonne—it felt like a first. A real, conscious choice, untainted by deceit or obligation.Micheal hadn’t expected Yvonne to respond as she did. He had
Susan sat in the lavish sitting room of the Langston estate, her nerves frayed as she waited. The room, adorned with expensive art and elegant decor, screamed wealth and power—symbols of the family she desperately wanted to be a part of. She adjusted her dress, tugging at the hem as she tried to calm her racing heart. This meeting was her last hope. If Mrs. Langston didn’t help her, she had nowhere else to turn to.The sound of heels clicking against the polished marble floor pulled Susan from her thoughts. Mrs. Langston entered the room, her presence commanding and icy. Her husband followed, though less intimidating, his face marked with a frown of disapproval. They exchanged brief pleasantries, but Susan could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating.“What’s so urgent, Susan?” Mrs. Langston asked, her voice sharp and impatient. “I’ve been busy, and I don’t have time for nonsense.”Susan swallowed hard, steeling herself. “Micheal stopped me from working as the children’s n
Mr. and Mrs. Langston retreated to their private study, a richly furnished room lined with dark mahogany shelves and filled with the scent of old leather and expensive cigars. It was their sanctuary, a place where business was conducted, and schemes were hatched. As Mrs. Langston paced the room, her sharp heels clicking against the polished floor, her husband sat silently, nursing a glass of whiskey. He watched her with a weary gaze, accustomed to the intensity of her ambitions yet growing increasingly tired of their effects.“This is all Susan’s fault,” Mrs. Langston muttered, her voice laced with frustration. “I thought she was strong enough to seduce Micheal, to make him see reason, but she’s just as useless as the one I sent before, who ended up doing more harm than good. Two women, and neither of them could handle my son.”Mr. Langston sighed, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “Maybe that’s because Micheal doesn’t need handling,” he said quietly, his tone calm but firm. “He
The sun bathed the lush garden in a warm, golden light, casting a dreamy glow over the picturesque setting of Amy’s wedding. Flowers of every colour lined the aisle, a fragrant path leading to the elegantly decorated arch where Amy and Mark would soon exchange their vows. Guests filled the rows of white chairs, murmuring softly as the excitement of the day bubbled in the air. For Amy, this was the day she had always dreamed of, and she couldn’t have asked for a more perfect backdrop.Yvonne stood beside Amy, a radiant smile gracing her lips as she adjusted the delicate lace on Amy’s veil. She wore a stunning emerald-green satin dress that clung to her figure in all the right places, the soft fabric cascading down to her feet with an elegant, subtle shimmer that caught the sunlight. The dress was sleeveless, with a plunging neckline that was both tasteful and alluring, highlighting her graceful neck and the soft glow of her skin. Her hair was styled in loose waves, pinned on one side w
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