Sammy stood on the balcony of her new home with David, her husband, basking in the gentle evening breeze. Since their marriage, David had showered her with love and affection, making her feel as though an important barrier had finally fallen away in their relationship. Previously a taker, David had become a giver, almost as if he had just truly fallen in love with her. Their home was filled with flowers and gifts, and he still brought her more, always suggesting activities they could do to grow closer as a couple.Sammy was overwhelmed by the attention in a good way. Yet, she couldn't forget how her former classmates had been curious about the lucky man she would marry, only to ridicule her when they learned she was actually married. She recalled the way she had felt that night, and because of that, she couldn't be truly happy until she got back at them.Sammy had been the only female on the technical team at Langston Corporation. She had been selected for her skills, and she wanted t
Yvonne was busy marking her students' attendance when her phone beeped, indicating a new message had arrived. She paused, picked up her phone, and saw that the message was from Micheal.Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. Yvonne had no idea why Micheal always tried to stay as far away from her as possible whenever his children were not present.He emphasized boundaries in their relationship, which Yvonne respected. Things would have been awkward if Micheal acted as close as his children tried to make them. She doubted she would have been as free to interact with the children as she had been. Still, his coldness was sometimes concerning.He often sounded frustrated during their conversations and always ended them quickly. However, now that he had sent her a message of his own accord, Yvonne was suddenly curious about its content.Opening the message, Yvonne’s mind froze for a few seconds. It read: *When was the last time you went to the theater? Would you like to watch a movie with me t
Sitting quietly in his office, Micheal’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. He had just texted Yvonne, asking her out on a date—a gesture driven more by pity for how her life had unraveled than by genuine interest. However, when Yvonne responded by asking if he was hitting on her, Micheal felt an unexpected thrill. He had scoffed at her message but found it difficult to dismiss the idea. For some reason, the notion of keeping her in suspense intrigued him, so he replied, asking if it was a bad idea.Before he knew it, he had spent two hours scrolling through lists of movies showing in the cinemas, searching for something decent enough for their outing. They eventually settled on a romantic comedy that had garnered great reviews.Once the movie was decided, the reality of actually taking her out hit him. How should he treat her without causing a misunderstanding? Could he be kind without scaring her away? Micheal wanted to show Yvonne she was more than just David’s neglected fiancée, b
“Daddy, what does 'rosmantic' mean?” Lily suddenly asked, her face scrunched up in deep thought.“It’s ‘ro-man-tic,’” Jack corrected her with a slight emphasis on each syllable. “And you don’t need to know what it means, Lily. You’re still too young.”Micheal burst out laughing, a sound that was rare to outsiders. “And you’re old?” he teased, raising an eyebrow at his son.“Daddy, tell me!” Lily insisted, her voice taking on a playful, exaggerated whine. She was now more curious than ever after Jack’s refusal.“I said no,” Jack repeated, more firmly this time.Micheal shook his head with a smile. “Jack, you should know better. Where did you even learn that word?” he asked.“I Googled it,” Jack replied innocently.“Googled it? What are you, twelve years old?” Micheal asked, incredulous.“I’m four years old,” Jack corrected.“Almost four, Jack,” Micheal chuckled.“Daddyyy!” Lily pouted, her curiosity now at its peak.“No, Lily. You’re a girl, and you’re still too young,” Jack insisted,
The evening air was crisp as Yvonne stood outside her apartment, waiting for Micheal. She had spent more time than she’d like to admit preparing for this date, despite telling herself it wasn’t anything serious. Her nerves had been on edge all day, and even now, as she stood in the cool twilight, she could feel her heartbeat quickening.She couldn’t help but ponder how the night would unfold. Why had she agreed to this? Her heart raced with nervousness and uncertainty. Was she doing something she shouldn’t?Waiting for another man who wasn’t David—was that wrong? Thoughts tumbled through Yvonne’s mind, but it was too late to turn back now. Curiosity about what Micheal had planned had trapped her in this evening, leaving her no choice but to go along with it.When Micheal pulled up, Yvonne let herself relax, pushing her wandering thoughts to the back of her mind. He stepped out of the car, dressed casually in a navy-blue shirt and dark jeans, yet managing to look effortlessly put toget
Micheal appeared relaxed, as if enjoying his own movie playing out in the form of Yvonne's expressions. Her laughter was electric, sending a jolt of energy straight to his soul.But appearances can be deceiving. Micheal was anything but relaxed. His thoughts raced—about Yvonne, about David, about the delicate balance he needed to maintain tonight. He had promised himself to keep things light, to enjoy the evening without overthinking it. But now that they were here, he couldn’t ignore the weight of the situation.It was spiraling out of his control. Yvonne’s presence was affecting him more than he had anticipated. He had been right to keep his distance all along; spending too much time with her was clearly not a good idea.About halfway through the movie, a particularly sad scene caused Yvonne’s expression to drop. It was the first time Micheal tore his eyes away from her, forcing himself to focus on the screen instead.From then on, he willed himself not to look back at her. He didn’
Yvonne’s chest heaved, her lips slightly parted as if to speak, but the words refused to come. Micheal’s intense gaze locked her in place. “If you’re not ready to be my woman, don’t make me fall in love with you,” he said, his voice low and firm. “There will be no escape if that happens. Absolutely none.”Yvonne blinked rapidly, her lashes trembling as she processed his words. “I’ll… keep that in mind. But we’re too close. Could you step back, please?” she stammered, unable to control the pounding of her heart.Like a true gentleman, Micheal took a few steps back, his expression returning to its usual calm. But Yvonne was far from composed; she looked flustered, almost as if she had just run a marathon.“We could have talked without… all that closeness,” she managed to say, her voice a bit shaky.Micheal’s response was cool and straightforward. “That’s the consequence of all your teasing. I’ve controlled my urges to avoid making things uncomfortable between you and my children.”“Ur
The ride to Yvonne's home was steeped in an eerie silence. Yvonne, lost in her thoughts, stared out the window, refusing to process the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her.Micheal, on the other hand, mentally chastised himself. Why had he let things go so far?He had planned to make her feel special, to help her see how much more she was beyond the shackles of her emotions with David. Yet, in a moment of vulnerability, he’d spilled his own bottled-up feelings.He hadn’t intended to warn her about teasing him along with his children, but his words had spiraled out of control. Now, he feared she might distance herself from him and his children—a thought that filled him with dread.If she pulled away, his children would regress, transforming from the mature, smart kids they were into emotional wrecks. They would throw tantrums, banding together to worry him to death, especially with Lily's fragile heart. The stress could easily land her in the hospital.What had he been thinking?
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