Yvonne lay curled on her bed, wrapped tightly in her thoughts, her head racing through possibilities. She couldn’t escape the whirlpool of emotions and betrayals that left her drained. The weight of Micheal's deceit, though now understood in parts, clung to her like a heavy fog. Her chest tightened with fear and sadness, but in the midst of it all, she remembered her breathing training with Lily.The last thing she wanted was to cause Lily another panic attack. The image of her precious children crying for her flashed in her mind, stirring her resolve. Yvonne had promised herself that she wouldn’t be the source of their worry again. She took in deep, steady breaths, slowly releasing them, the way she had taught Lily. It didn't erase the pain, but it grounded her, just enough to keep her from spiraling further.Tears streamed down her cheeks despite her efforts, but Yvonne kept her breathing even. She was hurt, so deeply hurt by Micheal’s lies. Yet, there was a part of her that underst
There was so much to eat as the things she saw on the table were just tips of the iceberg. Micheal asked in addition, setting in before her eyes the dining table could barely fit everything. She knew they wouldn't be able to finish everything in two days. There are so many varieties of things and according to the kids, Micheal had single handedly made everything. Yvonne love good food and perhaps because the trio knew how much of a big deal it was for her when Micheal assisted in making anything. She just loves seeing him in an apron and the attentiveness he puts into preparing food for them. She usually eats till her stomach screams at her to stop.Micheal was saying something about how she had woken at the perfect timing and other engaging topics, but she will cautiously ignore him and address an answer to his question into a sentence for the children and just like that, he brushes him off and avoids talking to him or meeting his eyes.Soon, Yvonne sat at the table, her gaze fixed
Yvonne froze for a moment, startled by the simple observation. She forced a smile, turning to Lily. “Oh, I just—” She faltered, feeling the weight of her daughter’s gaze, so innocent yet so piercing. “I forgot, sweetie. I’m sorry.”But even as she spoke, her hand moved to push more food from her plate onto Lily’s, as if by reflex. She couldn’t seem to bring herself to eat, her appetite drained by the tension she was trying so hard to ignore.Jack, always the more observant of the two, set down his fork, his small face serious. “Mommy,” he said quietly, “you didn’t eat Daddy’s food. You’re giving it to us.”Yvonne’s hand stilled again, caught mid-motion as she transferred a piece of chicken to Jack’s plate. Her heart skipped a beat at the quiet accusation in his tone, the innocent truth that cut through her like a knife.“You told us to always say thank you when someone is kind to us,” Jack continued, his voice steady and calm, “but you didn’t say it to Daddy this time. You’re not happ
Yvonne’s footsteps quickened as she tried to retreat into her room, her mind whirling with unresolved emotions. Her heart ached, not just from Micheal’s deception but from the thought that he, of all people, had kept something so essential from her."Yvonne, wait..." Micheal’s voice carried a mix of desperation and guilt.She stiffened, her hand already on the doorknob. "I don’t want to hear your excuses, Micheal. No explanation will change what you did," Yvonne said firmly, keeping her back to him. "You know how much transparency means to me... You knew, and yet you chose to hide who you are."The weight of her words hung in the air, raw and heavy. Yvonne had no intention of letting her walls crumble, not after what she had just learned. She felt trapped between her hurt and her love for him and the kids. It was suffocating.Micheal's hand reached out, gently but firmly, wrapping around her wrist before she could open the door. His voice, low and pained, made her heart falter. "Yvonn
Micheal shook his head, “You're going to lock the door like you did the previous night. Baby we have to discuss this.” he said with reluctance, unwilling to let the problem fester. “I will wait for you.” She said and he nodded before leaving the room to check on the twins who just as they had claimed were studying. “Daddy, did mommy forgive you?” Jack asked, their hopeful eyes staring up at their father. “She wants me to check up on you. I will go to her now and we will talk, so don't worry, okay?” Micheal said and the children nodded. Micheal kissed their foreheads before returning to Yvonne’s room. She had stepped into her room, but the door wasn't locked. He heaved a sigh of relief and immediately walked in. Yvonne’s thoughts were spinning as she stood before Micheal, her emotions tangled in a web of doubt, anger, and longing. The night before, lying in bed alone, she had tried to convince herself that she would be okay without him. But the truth was that she missed him—miss
Micheal’s shoulders sagged, and he took another step closer, as though the physical distance between them was too much to bear. “Yvonne, it was never about keeping it from you forever. I just… I didn’t want to lose you. I was afraid that if you knew, you’d walk away before I had a chance to show you how much I care. I worry you wouldn't be able to handle the fact that David works for me. I could fire him if you want but I know you, baby. You wouldn’t want that. You will rather distance the source than to allow that and I can't lose you. I will lose my mind if you walk out of my life, baby.”His voice softened as he reached for her hand, pressing it to his chest. His heartbeat was steady beneath her palm, but Yvonne could feel the vulnerability in his gesture, the way his fingers trembled slightly as he held on to her. “You, Jack, Lily… you’re everything to me. I was ready to give up everything else just to be with you. If I have to, I’ll dump the company, give up the luxury, and live
Micheal’s heart raced at her words. Relief and excitement coursed through him, making his pulse throb in his ears. “I promise you, baby, from now on, no more secrets. No more hesitation.”A smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he gazed at her, overwhelmed by her forgiveness. He hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Can I kiss you?”Yvonne’s cheeks flushed with warmth. “Don’t be dramatic,” she murmured, tilting her head slightly, but before she could finish her teasing reply, Micheal’s hands cupped her face, and his lips crashed against hers with a force that left her breathless.The kiss was raw, hungry—desperate. His lips devoured hers as if he'd been starved of her touch for years, not merely a single night. Yvonne’s entire body trembled under the intensity, her knees weakening as Micheal pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. She could feel the heat radiating from him, igniting a fire in her that she'd been trying to suppress since they had fought.She moaned into his mouth, he
Yvonne lay breathless against Micheal, her body humming with satisfaction as she tried to calm her racing heart. Her legs still trembled from the intensity of their lovemaking, but the heat between them had yet to dissipate. She could feel Micheal’s desire for her still pulsating, his hands tracing her curves as if he couldn’t get enough.His lips moved to her neck again, placing feather-light kisses that sent shivers down her spine. “I want you again,” Micheal’s deep, husky voice rumbled against her skin.Yvonne’s breath hitched, her body responding to his words, but she managed to muster the last shred of self-control she had left. “Micheal…” She whispered, trying to sound firm but failing to mask the tremor of desire in her voice. “We can’t… the food, the children…”He groaned softly, his hands sliding up her sides, teasing her already oversensitive skin. “They can wait a little longer, baby. I need you again.”Yvonne gasped as his lips found hers, kissing her deeply, igniting the
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