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
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