Yvonne’s heart pounded in her chest as she quietly slipped through the hallway, the suffocating air of the house pressing down on her with each step. She needed to get out—now. The walls seemed to close in, a flood of old emotions threatening to drown her. But as she stepped into the living room, her blood ran cold.Her parents were already seated, waiting for her.Her father, Andrew Lawrence, leaned back in his chair, his steely gaze locked onto her, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He had known she would try to leave. Yvonne’s mother, Maria, sat beside him, her hands folded neatly on her lap, a tight smile stretching across her face as if she was forcing herself to act composed. But Yvonne could see the tension in her mother's stiff posture, the flicker of something unreadable in her eyes.A cold sweat broke across Yvonne’s back. Her throat tightened as panic surged within her. She had tried to escape the torrent of emotions that this house—the people in this house—brough
Yvonne’s pulse quickened as her eyes locked onto the elegantly dressed woman who had just been escorted into the room. The clacking of heels against the polished floor seemed to echo with every step. The woman stood tall, poised, with an air of confidence that immediately commanded attention. Yvonne's heart sank when she realized who she was staring at. She shared a resemblance to Micheal and Jack. Aurora Langston. She could almost hear Micheal's voice in her mind, warning her about the manipulative tendencies of the woman now standing just a few feet away. Despite the carefully constructed facade of elegance and grace, there was something off about her presence. The sharp glint in Aurora's eyes betrayed the softness in her smile—a predator assessing her prey. For a moment, the room was silent. Even the air felt stifling, as if the presence of Aurora had stolen all the oxygen. Yvonne’s gaze flicked briefly toward her parents. Her father’s posture was still rigid, his eyes fixed on t
No one had expected the sudden violence from Aurora Langston. To the onlookers, it seemed irrational, but they had no idea of the storm raging in her mind at that moment. They didn’t know the truth—the carefully concealed truth—that had now been pulled to the surface.Aurora had been struck with a haunting familiarity when she first saw Yvonne at the beach, standing beside Micheal and the children. Something about her face, her presence, had tickled a distant, forgotten memory. It was only after overhearing Yvonne’s confrontation with her father, Andrew, that the fog in Aurora’s mind lifted. The pieces finally clicked together.This woman. Yvonne. She knew her.Yvonne was not just some random woman Micheal had taken a liking to. No. She was the woman at the center of the conspiracy that had rocked their lives years ago. The woman whose pregnancy had changed everything.The woman who unknowingly had given them the opportunity to bring Micheal back and take over his role as family head.
Yvonne’s footsteps echoed against the quiet street as she stepped out of the estate gates, the cool evening air brushing against her skin. Her heart still pounded from the confrontation with her mother, the lingering pain in her scalp a reminder of the violent outburst. Her thoughts were a tangled mess, but one thing was clear—she had to get out of there, away from the suffocating atmosphere of the Lawrence estate.Spotting a taxi, she waved it down, her hand trembling slightly. The driver pulled up, and she climbed inside with a quick breath."Where to, miss?" the driver asked, his voice gruff yet uninterested.Yvonne hesitated, patting her sides, searching for her bag. Her heart dropped when she realized it wasn’t with her. I left it in the dining room.She leaned forward slightly, trying to keep her voice steady despite the turmoil swirling inside her. "I need to get back to my place… but I left my wallet inside the estate. I can run up and get money for you once we arrive."The dr
The night air was still, thick with the weight of all that had been left unsaid. Yvonne sat at the bus stop, her knees hugged to her chest as she stared vacantly into the distance, the coolness of the evening seeping into her bones. The streetlights bathed her in a pale glow, casting shadows across her hollowed eyes and rigid posture.Micheal’s car screeched to a halt a few feet away from her, his heart pounding as he spotted her fragile figure. Without thinking, he threw open the door and rushed toward her. His legs carried him to her in a sprint, his breath heavy with both relief and dread."Yvonne," he called softly, crouching in front of her. His voice cracked, his hands trembling as he gently lifted her chin, tilting her face towards him. Her skin was icy under his touch, her cheeks pale except for the redness that marred her right side.Her eyes, dull and lifeless, barely registered his presence."Baby," he whispered, slipping his jacket off and wrapping it around her shoulders.
At the door to Micheal’s room, Yvonne paused, her back to him. She hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice strained. "Are the children asleep?"Micheal nodded, even though she wasn’t looking at him. "They are," he replied softly.Yvonne started toward her own room, but Micheal followed closely behind, unwilling to let her go so easily. When she reached the door, she turned to face him, her eyes filled with exhaustion and pain. "Go, Micheal," she said quietly, her voice firm but brittle. "I need to be alone."But Micheal shook his head, his chest tightening as he spoke. "No, I can’t leave you like this." His voice was thick with emotion, and for the first time, he refused to grant her the space she so often demanded. "I’m not letting you cry yourself to sleep tonight, Yvonne. Not alone. I want to be here for you, whether you want me here or not. Let me be with you through these moments of confusion.”“Guess who had contributed to that confusion, you!” She said with a cold ton
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’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