The apartment buzzed with laughter and joy as Micheal took center stage, holding a deck of cards. Jack and Lily sat cross-legged on the floor with their friends, wide-eyed and eager to see what their father had in store.“Alright, who’s ready for some magic?” Micheal asked, grinning as he shuffled the cards with a showy flair.Yvonne fought so hard to keep her laughter in at the ridiculous costume Micheal was putting on.The children shouted, “We are!”With an exaggerated flick of his wrist, Micheal made the top card disappear, only to pull it out from behind Lily’s ear. She gasped, clapping her hands in amazement, while the rest of the children erupted in laughter.“Daddy! Do it again!” Jack demanded, bouncing on his knees.Micheal winked and launched into more tricks—turning handkerchiefs into flowers, making coins vanish and reappear, and even conjuring a stuffed animal that he presented to a delighted Lily.Meanwhile, Yvonne had enlisted Amy, Sandra, and the two bodyguards to perf
The birthday festivities carried on well into the night, the villa buzzing with laughter, games, and music. The sprawling garden was lit by paper lanterns swaying in the breeze, casting a soft glow over the grounds. Jack and Lily raced across the lawn with their friends, playing tag under the watchful gaze of Yvonne and Micheal. The villa was a wonderland of delights—flower-lined pathways, a small fountain, and a children’s playground nestled at the edge of the estate.Micheal had promised Yvonne a tour of their new home the next day, but the sheer beauty of the villa was already overwhelming for her. Every corner seemed to hold something special, and as she watched the children run through the gardens, her heart swelled with a mixture of joy and disbelief.The villa’s guests seemed reluctant to leave, especially the children, who had grown attached to the twins over the course of the evening. As parents arrived to began gathering their little ones, cries of protest filled the air.“I
The villa was quiet now, save for the soft murmur of conversation between Yvonne, Micheal, and Amy as they gathered near the front door. The night air was cool and crisp, and the sky was dotted with twinkling stars.“Thank you for today,” Amy said, wrapping Yvonne in a tight hug. “This was exactly what I needed—and I think your twins needed it, too.”Yvonne smiled, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for her friend. “You’re always welcome here, Amy. Anytime.”Micheal shook Mark’s hand and gave Amy a nod of appreciation. “We’ll have to do this again soon. The twins are already planning their next adventure with Aunt Amy.” Micheal said, finding himself easing more to people than usual. Amy laughed softly, glancing at the twins, who were now half-asleep on the couch, their heads resting on each other’s shoulders. “I think I’ve been adopted,” she said with a grin.Yvonne and Micheal chuckled, their hearts full as they stood together on the porch, watching their friends drive off into the n
The early morning light streamed through the gauzy curtains, casting a warm, golden hue across the room. Yvonne stirred slowly, the softness of the mattress cradling her body. For a moment, she lay still, the events of the previous day floating dreamily in her mind. She wasn’t in her old apartment, and she wasn’t alone. Her eyes fluttered open, and the first thing she saw was Micheal’s face mere inches from hers. His dark brown eyes glimmered with a quiet warmth, and his lips curved into a soft, contented smile. He was awake, lying on his side with one arm tucked under his head, watching her as if nothing else in the world existed. “Good morning,” he whispered, his voice low and tender. Yvonne’s lips twitched into a lazy smile. “Were you watching me sleep?” she teased, her voice husky from sleep. Micheal chuckled, brushing a stray curl from her cheek. “Guilty. But in my defense, you look beautiful when you sleep. I couldn’t resist.” Yvonne rolled her eyes playfully, but her heart
The morning sunlight bathed the villa in a soft glow as Micheal led Yvonne down the winding staircase. Their hands were clasped, fingers interwoven as they descended the grand steps. Yvonne’s eyes roamed over every inch of the house that would now become their permanent residence—a place where memories would be made, challenges faced, and love nurtured.Micheal glanced down at her, his lips quirking into a fond smile. "Ready for the grand tour?"Yvonne smiled back, excitement fluttering in her chest. “Lead the way.”Micheal guided Yvonne through the first floor, which opened into a spacious living room with high ceilings. The walls were painted in soft cream hues, adorned with framed artwork, and plush armchairs were arranged around a stone fireplace. A grand piano stood near a bay window, hinting at the possibility of cozy evenings filled with music.“This will be the main gathering room,” Micheal said as they paused by the window. “The kids can practice their piano lessons here. I k
“I will never make you regret taking this step with me, baby.” Micheal said, his happiness overflowing. Yvonne smiled at him. “I know.” She said and shut her eyes as he pressed his lips to her forehead. “I love you so much it's driving me insane.” He said against her skin before hugging her tightly.‘And I love you too, very much, I couldn't believe I am still capable of feeling this way’ Yvonne said in her mind but only hugged Micheal back.“Now let's take a look at the outside. You will love it.’Outside, Micheal guided her through the villa’s grounds, which stretched far beyond what Yvonne had imagined. They strolled through well-manicured gardens bursting with vibrant flowers, winding stone paths, and a small koi pond with colourful fish swimming lazily beneath the surface.“There’s a greenhouse too,” Micheal pointed out as they passed a glass structure filled with herbs and exotic plants. “The gardener told me he’d love your input if you have any favourite flowers or plants.”T
Micheal’s words hung in the air between them, and Yvonne stared at him, her heart racing with disbelief.“You met my father?” she whispered, her voice tinged with surprise and suspicion.Micheal gave a slow, affirming nod. Before she could fully process his admission, her mind spiraled into conclusions, and the words left her mouth in a rush.“So that’s why he came—because you threatened him?” she snapped, frustration bubbling to the surface. The thought that her father’s apology could have been coerced left her feeling raw. A part of her that was glad he felt sorry shattered.Micheal didn’t flinch at her accusation. Instead, he stepped closer and gently wrapped his arms around her. “Come here,” he murmured softly, holding her against his chest.His warmth, steady and grounding, fought against the storm of emotions swirling inside her. He guided her back into the building, where they sat together on the couch in the living room. Micheal tucked her against his side, rubbing soothing ci
It was a crisp, sunny afternoon as Yvonne stepped out of the car, smoothing the hem of her sleek, white dress. She adjusted the strap of her handbag over her shoulder and looked up at the towering Langston Enterprises building.This time, the place held a different meaning for her. Gone were the days of coming over with packed lunches for the ungrateful David, hoping to catch his attention between meetings. Now, she stood outside the same entrance as Mrs. Yvonne Langston—Micheal’s wife. There would be no guards turning her away, no whispers or sidelong glances mocking her presence.She inhaled deeply as the glass doors slid open, the click of her heels echoing on the polished marble floor.Yvonne was heading towards the reception desk when she saw a familiar figure glide into her path: Sammy, the woman David had left her for. Dressed in a tight red dress and a coat slung over one shoulder, Sammy’s gaze narrowed the instant she recognized Yvonne.Yvonne would have forgotten what Sammy
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