Yvonne’s hand froze on the ignition. Her heart pounded as the weight of her decision pressed down on her chest.Her children. Her children.Tears welled up again, spilling freely down her cheeks as she whispered the words aloud. "Jack… Lily…" They were hers. Her babies.Her chest tightened as the flood of memories crashed over her—Lily’s shy hugs, Jack’s mischievous grin. Every laugh, every tender moment—it had all been with her children, her flesh and blood.But instead of joy, a torrent of anguish poured over her. She couldn’t feel happy. Not now. Not when the truth was tangled in betrayal and cruelty. Not when Micheal, the man she had trusted, had stolen everything from her.Her hand gripped the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white. What if she was wrong? What if leaving was a mistake?But staying felt impossible too. She was suffocating, torn between her love for the children and the hatred she felt for the man who had kept them from her. The man she believed to have bui
Michael Langston was back in the city, his mind preoccupied with the monumental task ahead. The weeks of packing and preparing to take over his family's sprawling corporation had passed in a blur. Now, there was another equally pressing matter on his mind. His children needed a mother, and he needed a contracted wife who would love them unconditionally. His solution? A pragmatic one: enlist his personal assistant, Sandra, to find a suitable candidate. Michael had given Sandra explicit instructions. The ideal wife should be kind-hearted, compassionate, and, above all, genuinely affectionate towards his children without being swayed by his wealth and status. Another important part of the deal was the fact the woman will be his wife in name only. No marital affairs will be necessary between them, but all motherly affairs will be needed for his children. When he found that most of the candidates were interested in his wealth more than his children, Michael decided to hide his real iden
Michael Langston walked into his office to start with the day's activities, but his mind was still preoccupied with the earlier encounter with Yvonne. He found Sandra, his efficient personal assistant, engrossed in her work at her desk. When Sandra noticed her boss, she was taken aback that Micheal had arrived at the office instead of being with the woman she had arranged to meet with him. Without having to say a word, Sandra knew her boss needed some answers and quickly got up and followed him to his office. Once they were in, Micheal removed his suit jacket and took a seat at his desk, before his deep blue eyes glanced up at Sandra. "Where is the woman you arranged for me to meet?" he asked, his voice tinged with impatience and slight annoyance. Sandra looked up, a puzzled expression crossing her face. "Didn't you meet her?" "No, I didn't," Michael replied. "I even mistook someone else for her." Sandra frowned, quickly flipping through her phone to once again confirm th
Later that evening, Yvonne waited outside the small apartment building she shared with David. Her intentions were simple; she needed explanations for the way he treated her that morning.Soon enough, he arrived in a surprisingly luxurious car. Someone had driven him over, but Yvonne couldn't see through the tinted window. The sleek vehicle, a sharp contrast to their modest lifestyle, hinted at secrets David had been keeping from her.She watched as David's sweet smile towards the person in the car turned into a scowl as he caught sight of her. The transformation was jarring, a painful reminder of the emotional distance that had grown between them.David sighed in exasperation. “Women should greet their men in sexy clothing,” he muttered under his breath, clearly irritated. Yvonne, however, preferred simplicity. She wore a simple knee-length floral-pattern pyjama set, comfortable and familiar.David mentally scoffed, comparing Yvonne to his soon-to-be wife, who went to any length to lo
Yvonne Lawrence stared out the classroom window, her eyes following the gentle sway of the playground swings. The kindergarten was quiet now, the laughter and chatter of children replaced by the soft hum of the air conditioning. The children she had been watching over had all been picked up, except for two. Lily and Jack sat at a small table, coloring patiently.Despite her resolve the previous night, here she was again reminiscing. Yvonne sighed, her thoughts drifting back to the past. Life had not been kind to her. She had worked tirelessly to support her fiancé, David, juggling three part-time jobs alongside her modest salary as a kindergarten teacher. She had always believed in their future, but since David had started working at the big company, things had changed.There was a time when David loved everything she cooked, savoring every meal she prepared. But those days seemed like a distant memory now. He had become distant and critical, his once affectionate demeanor replaced by
Yvonne felt her cheeks burn in embarrassment as she recalled the scene of her frantically packing up spilt food from the floor in front of one of the most extravagant companies in town. She vividly remembered the man who had helped her, witnessing her most shameful moment.“Is he their father?” she wondered, glancing at the two sleeping children nearby. Their nanny usually picked them up ever since she started teaching at the school, so she was surprised to see him here.Michael struggled to break from his trance. Thoughts roamed his mind, including an understanding of how Yvonne could carry such a pleasant aura around her. She deals with children. He recalled his kids adoring a certain teacher in their kindergarten, and he didn't need confirmation to know this was the woman they liked so much.Suddenly, Yvonne frowned at him, causing Michael's heart to skip a beat, wondering what she found unpleasant about him.“You're their father, correct?” she inquired.Michael walked further in a
Michael sat across from his children on the small seating area he had set up in his study for when they insisted on doing their homework in the same space he worked. He indulged their every demand, yet they remained good kids—if you excluded their ongoing mission to find him a wife.Michael chuckled to himself.Jack spoke first, his eyes wide with excitement. "Daddy, we found a wife for you!"Michael's mouth formed an O shape as he raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Oh, really? And who might this lucky lady be?"Lily nodded eagerly, pulling a piece of paper from under her pajamas and handing it to Michael, who took it with curiosity.On the sheet of paper were drawings representing various qualities: a plate of food indicating cooking skills, a showerhead for bathing kids, a ring for marital status, and a family of four holding hands to represent love for the twins. Each criterion was ticked positively, indicating someone had met all their requirements.Michael was confused. It couldn'
The next morning, Michael decided to speak with Yvonne before his children could. He arrived at the kindergarten earlier than usual, hoping to catch her before class started. He found her setting up the classroom, her back turned to him. "Miss Yvonne," he called softly. She turned, surprised to see the tall, imposing figure of Michael behind her. He was dressed in a luxurious, customized suit that framed his athletic build perfectly. "Mr. Langston, is everything alright?" she asked, standing straight and tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear, embarrassed by how striking he looked. Michael fought the urge to follow her hand movement and nodded, stepping closer. Despite her simple outfits, Yvonne's figure always brought out the beauty of whatever she wore—a fact Michael had noticed in their few meetings. But he pushed the thought aside, knowing it wouldn't matter if Yvonne turned out to be manipulative. Michael disliked people who schemed to get what they wanted. "Can we fin
Yvonne’s hand froze on the ignition. Her heart pounded as the weight of her decision pressed down on her chest.Her children. Her children.Tears welled up again, spilling freely down her cheeks as she whispered the words aloud. "Jack… Lily…" They were hers. Her babies.Her chest tightened as the flood of memories crashed over her—Lily’s shy hugs, Jack’s mischievous grin. Every laugh, every tender moment—it had all been with her children, her flesh and blood.But instead of joy, a torrent of anguish poured over her. She couldn’t feel happy. Not now. Not when the truth was tangled in betrayal and cruelty. Not when Micheal, the man she had trusted, had stolen everything from her.Her hand gripped the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white. What if she was wrong? What if leaving was a mistake?But staying felt impossible too. She was suffocating, torn between her love for the children and the hatred she felt for the man who had kept them from her. The man she believed to have bui
The world outside blurred into streaks of light and shadow as Yvonne drove aimlessly. Her grip on the steering wheel was shaky, her breaths shallow and erratic. The tears didn’t stop, flowing freely down her face as her mind replayed David’s words in agonizing detail."Micheal forced himself on you."She shook her head violently, as though the motion could dislodge the thought. But it clung to her, suffocating her like a shroud.No, it can’t be true. It can’t.Yet the pieces fit too perfectly. The sudden changes in David’s behavior five years ago—the distance, the helplessness he tried to mask with anger. The way he avoided certain conversations, especially when it came to the night she had woken up disoriented, with fragmented memories and an overwhelming sense of loss.Her fingers tightened on the steering wheel as a fresh wave of grief crashed over her. The ache in her chest grew unbearable, her sobs choking her until she could barely see the road ahead.She barely noticed the red
One of the receptionists cast a quick glance over her shoulder as Yvonne stood firm at the desk, her gaze unwavering despite the exhaustion she tried to hide. The woman then slipped quietly away, her steps soft on the polished floor, and made her way to a secluded corridor.In hushed tones, she called Sandra, Micheal’s assistant. “Miss Sandra, I thought you should know— the CEO’s wife is here. She’s at the reception, waiting.”Sandra, perched at her desk with a neatly organized tablet, raised an eyebrow. “Mrs Yvonne? Here?” she asked, her surprise evident. “That doesn’t make sense. The CEO left earlier. Are you sure?”“Yes, ma’am. She’s here, and she looks... determined.”Sandra ended the call abruptly, already rising from her seat. As she grabbed her phone, she dialed Micheal’s number, her heels clicking sharply against the tiles as she headed toward the reception.---Meanwhile, on another floor...David’s office phone rang, the shrill tone interrupting his thoughts. He frowned, pic
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