When Yvonne heard his question, a sincere smile graced her face.“Hmm. That was a hell of an experience. To be honest, I was so drawn to them that I cannot explain it with words.It wasn’t just because they’re good kids, although many children have their own mindset shaped by their upbringing. What truly caught my attention with Lily was her personality. She’s timid, but when she’s with her brother, she’s the opposite. I started to wonder, is it instinctual? Or is she mature beyond her years, able to handle herself so well?She’s barely four, and yet she can switch her demeanor like a pro. But if you look deep into her eyes, there’s a defiant fire burning within whenever she pretends to be timid in front of the other children’s teasing.And then there’s Jack. A fine young boy who always seems unbothered compared to his sister when others are around, but when he’s alone, he shows his sadness. Yet, whenever they’re both present during the teasing, he becomes emotional, standing up to pr
With her emotions stirred, Yvonne couldn’t help but delve deeper into the painful memories related to children. She had never truly expressed how she felt about that day.“I’m not insane, Mr. Langston,” she whispered softly.“I know you’re not,” Micheal replied, pushing aside his thoughts to focus on the woman beside him.“I saw it in Amy’s eyes. I saw it in David’s eyes. They were on the verge of taking me to a psychiatric hospital. If Amy hadn’t been so close to me, maybe that would’ve happened.What did they expect? I carried my baby for nine long months. I had bags full of clothes, a closet stacked with toys I bought with every penny I had. I was fully prepared to be a mother. My boyfriend grew distant after I conceived, so I talked to my baby every day. I assured my child that once David met them, he would be the proudest dad in the world.I spent every day of my pregnancy creating a bond with my child. At first, it felt like I was talking to myself, but then I started getting re
Yvonne's emotions washed over her in relentless waves. Images of David and Sammy's wedding haunted her memory, replaying over and over, and all she wanted was to shut them out. She preferred the numbness to the pain of remembering what had happened.Yvonne’s mind had conjured countless images of her baby. She imagined a fair-skinned boy or a dark-skinned girl, trying to create a picture in her mind as she desperately sought any way to remember her lost child. These hallucinations were her only connection to the child she had never been able to hold.She had known David her entire youth, and she vividly recalled how he had been there for her during her mourning period. She slowly leaned on his comfort, and when she realized her attempts to picture their baby were making him uneasy, she buried the pain deep within herself. Yvonne focused all the love she had left on David, giving him everything, including her life.Those years were spent nurturing his career. After their loss, his futur
Yvonne knew deep down that David was right. She had endured everything she noticed about him because she couldn’t imagine any life other than the one they had built together. He was also the only person who connected her to her baby. Perhaps she had been selfish, and now she was paying the price.But it hurt. Yvonne felt shattered, yet Micheal's words had reached her. Moreover, she now had two little angels in her life, and in just a few hours, they would be at her hospital ward to visit her.The thought of the children worrying about her brought a small sense of calm. Slowly, Yvonne unfolded from her fetal position and buried her face in the pillow, sobbing bitterly.“You’ll be fine,” she heard Micheal say softly, but her sobs only grew louder.A few hours later, the security guards, usually discreetly protecting the twins, were tasked with picking them up from school and bringing them to the hospital. When Yvonne saw the children, her pain was momentarily eased.Lily, sweet as alway
Finally alone in her room, Yvonne did a lot of thinking. Many of her conclusions were positive because, at the end of the day, Lily and Jack still loved her deeply.She could feel their love, and she loved them just as much. Yvonne freshened up and got ready to leave her apartment.Later in the afternoon, a lone silhouette stood outside the towering Langston Corporation building. Her auburn hair was loose, flowing gracefully down either side of her face. Her slender figure radiated sadness and melancholy, yet there was a warmth and allure about her that drew the eyes of passersby.She exuded an aura of serenity that piqued curiosity, inviting others to wonder about the personality hidden behind it. Dressed in loose black pants and a simple white blouse, the contrast between the blouse's snug fit and the loose trousers that further accentuated her hips drew attention.Many people walked in and out of the Langston building, some standing nearby as Yvonne did. But she stood out nonethele
“Is that it? Is that all you care about? And you have the audacity to come to my office, shedding your crocodile tears. I'm sure you're as disappointed in yourself as I am in you, Yvonne. You have no idea how many nights I stared at your stomach, wishing to end it all, but I had to wake up every day and pretend to be happy, all because I loved you.” David’s chest heaved with frustration, but the smile on Yvonne's face never wavered.She looked like nothing he said mattered anymore.“Are you even listening to me? I hate that smile on your face. If you were a man, I swear to God, I’d—”“You’d what?” Yvonne asked, looking up into his eyes with eerie calm. “Hit me?” She chuckled softly, wiping her tears away.“David, if you’ve harbored all this nonsense in your head, you had over four years to let it out, but you didn’t. I don’t care about the grievances of another woman's husband. You’ve punished me enough by keeping the fact that I had a son from me.All it would have taken was a single
Standing in front of the washroom mirror, Sammy stared at the red palm print on her delicate neck, which was growing more vivid with each passing minute. She winced as sharp pain radiated from her lower body, the memory of David pinning her down and taking what he wanted flashing through her mind.Her eyes hardened with malicious intent as she wished she could see Yvonne at that moment—she would have done far worse to her to vent her anger. Even after their marriage, Yvonne still haunted their lives. When would it end? She was done feeling guilty for using Yvonne in her schemes. If the situation affected her marriage, she was determined to ruin Yvonne beyond recognition.Meanwhile, David had finally calmed down and was grappling with the reality of what he had done in his anger. He couldn’t believe how far he’d gone. Seeing Yvonne’s indifferent reaction to his shocking revelation had cut him deeply. She was supposed to cry, to demand answers, and he wanted to savor that moment of powe
Micheal didn’t keep Yvonne waiting long. He soon arrived at the spot where she was waiting, noticing her lost in thought, a faint smile playing on her lips. It wasn’t the kind of smile that spoke of joy, but rather one that seemed to carry the weight of bittersweet realization.It was a smile that left Micheal both curious and concerned. He watched her for a moment, admiring the way the sunlight danced across her features, highlighting the gentle curve of her lips. But as much as he wanted to join her in that moment of contemplation, he also felt a strange hesitation. What could she be thinking about so deeply?Hadn’t she just confronted the man who made her miserable for the past few days? Clearing his throat to get her attention, he hoped to break the spell she seemed to be under. Yvonne looked up, startled slightly, and quickly composed herself, the smile fading from her face. For a split second, he wished he hadn’t interrupted her. There was something beautiful about seeing her l
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