Yvonne got into a sitting position, her body still wrapped in a comforting cocoon of warmth from the bedcovers. As her eyes adjusted to the morning light filtering in through the curtains, her gaze fell on a small but carefully arranged makeshift dining table at the edge of the bed. Her lips curled into a soft smile at the sight, momentarily allowing her to forget the lingering disappointment she had been holding onto.Micheal, as sweet and considerate as ever, had gone to great lengths to make her comfortable, yet he still had those walls—those reservations about her. It was almost as if he believed she could ever do something to hurt the children. That thought, even unspoken, gnawed at her, but she quickly shook her head, dismissing it before it could take root and sour her mood.She wasn’t ready to confront whatever answer lay behind Micheal's cautious demeanor, not when the night they had shared was still so fresh in her mind, its warmth still spreading through her body.With a si
Yvonne stepped out of the restroom, her cheeks still a bit pink from their earlier exchange, but she felt more refreshed now. As she walked back to the small table Micheal had prepared, she found him waiting patiently, his eyes watching her with a soft, lingering gaze.He pulled a chair out for her, a playful grin on his face. “You look a bit more alive now,” he teased lightly. “All set to enjoy the feast?”Yvonne smiled, trying to brush off her lingering shyness. “I’m not sure if I can eat all this. But I’ll try,” she replied, sitting down gracefully.Micheal leaned over, pouring her a glass of the refreshing mango-lime juice before sitting beside her. “You deserve a royal treatment after last night. I’ll be here to make sure you’re taken care of,” he said softly, his tone playful but caring.Yvonne chuckled, shaking her head at his sweetness. She picked up her fork, taking a bite of the saffron-infused lamb. The flavors burst on her tongue, rich and aromatic. “Mmm… Micheal, this is
A week had passed with the new family having grown closer and were in full acceptance that they hadn't been dreaming of everything that had changed in their lives.The plan to move together was being discussed because they had only recently signed a change of ownership contract with the building management, but for the meantime, they had managed to transition Micheal’s apartment into a bedroom and Yvonne’s own was used as their living room. Yvonne only used her bedroom when she wanted to be alone with Micheal.She refused to admit to him that she had started to fall in love with him, but their intimacy had no such delay.They take every chance to kiss and just hold each other. Micheal didn't press her for verbal assurance, as her full submission to him had been clear enough that she wanted him as much as he wanted her.They had found a suitable expensive school for the children, as Micheal wasn't taking chances this time.He had secretly made his influence known to the higher up of th
The walk to the school was a pleasant one, though Yvonne’s nerves fluttered with each step, worried since she wouldn't be there to look after them. Jack, holding her hand in one of his, sprinted ahead occasionally, only to return to her side, bragging about how fast he could run. Lily was more composed, swinging Yvonne’s other hand playfully as they walked, occasionally glancing up at her mother. "Do you think the teacher will be as nice as you?" Lily asked suddenly, her voice curious but with a hint of worry. That was where Yvonne's true worries lies.The teachers had let the kids have their way, with the claim that they are just kids. Yvonne smiled down at her daughter, feeling her heart swell with love. "I’m sure she will be. Teachers are there to help you, just like I do." Micheal walked quietly beside them, listening to the twins' chatter but mostly observing Yvonne. She was trying her best to remain calm, but he could see the telltale signs of overthinking written on her
The house was quiet after the children had gone to school. Yvonne stood by the window, absentmindedly tracing circles on the glass with her fingertips. Her mind wandered, not only to the children or their day at school, but to her father's unexpected summons and impending vist. It had been nearly five years since she had last set foot at the family estate, and even longer since she had heard from him.She sighed deeply, her thoughts once again clouded with a mix of anger, confusion, and a faint, lingering sadness. What could he possibly want after all these years of silence? And why now, when she was just starting to rebuild her life?This had been Yvonne’s inner turmoil whenever she was left alone after her father's message had come.Micheal entered the room quietly, his eyes immediately catching the distant look on her face. He watched her for a moment, hesitant to interrupt the storm of thoughts swirling in her mind. But as her silence stretched, he finally spoke up.He just decide
With a sigh, he sat at his desk and opened the file, scanning the pages with increasing irritation. Her father, Andrew Lawrence, was still the same cold and calculating man he had always been—a man who valued appearances and control above all else. Micheal couldn’t understand why Yvonne had been summoned back, especially after her family had exiled her so cruelly.According to the file, their life had been running smoothly. They had a few hiccups with allies recently but that had been immediately resolved. Businesses had their ups and down, so Micheal didn't think too far into that. If he could have his way, he would let them go bankrupt, come crawling to Yvonne for forgiveness and let them rebuild from scratch.He tapped his fingers restlessly on the desk, his mind racing. Something wasn’t right. The timing of this sudden summons, the fact that Yvonne had been kept at arm’s length for so long—it felt suspicious. And then there was his own family to worry about, his mother in particu
The classroom buzzed with excitement as Jack and Lily stepped inside, their small hands still clutching each other's for reassurance. Their teacher, Mrs. Bloom, greeted them with a warm smile, sensing their nerves but also the curiosity behind their eyes.“Class, we have two new students today,” Mrs. Bloom announced, her voice gentle yet commanding enough to gain the attention of the room. “This is Jack and Lily, and they’ll be joining us from now on. Let’s all give them a warm welcome!”The class clapped enthusiastically, far more welcoming than the students at their previous school. Jack and Lily exchanged relieved glances before moving to their assigned desks, their anxiety slowly dissolving in the friendly atmosphere.Mrs. Bloom continued, “Now, we’re going to do something we always do once we have a new student. Let’s each share something about ourselves! Who wants to go first?”Hands shot up around the room, and soon the children were sharing their names, favorite hobbies, and i
Yvonne stood at the entrance of the VIP meeting room, her hands gripping the strap of her purse tightly as she took a deep breath. The room before her was extravagant—polished marble floors glistened under the soft glow of chandeliers, walls adorned with intricate gold trimmings, and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked a lush garden. The room radiated wealth, sophistication, and beauty, but to Yvonne, it felt as cold and stifling as ever.She had grown up in a similar luxurious setting, surrounded by the same sort of opulence, but she had never felt at home in it. The grandeur, the endless need for perfection—it had suffocated her, and now, standing here again, those old feelings crept up her spine, making her feel out of place despite the familiarity.She straightened her shoulders, pushing away the tension. No matter what, she would face this moment without letting it show how much her nerves rattled. She was no longer the fragile girl they had banished years ago. She had a new