Susan sat in the lavish sitting room of the Langston estate, her nerves frayed as she waited. The room, adorned with expensive art and elegant decor, screamed wealth and power—symbols of the family she desperately wanted to be a part of. She adjusted her dress, tugging at the hem as she tried to calm her racing heart. This meeting was her last hope. If Mrs. Langston didn’t help her, she had nowhere else to turn to.The sound of heels clicking against the polished marble floor pulled Susan from her thoughts. Mrs. Langston entered the room, her presence commanding and icy. Her husband followed, though less intimidating, his face marked with a frown of disapproval. They exchanged brief pleasantries, but Susan could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating.“What’s so urgent, Susan?” Mrs. Langston asked, her voice sharp and impatient. “I’ve been busy, and I don’t have time for nonsense.”Susan swallowed hard, steeling herself. “Micheal stopped me from working as the children’s n
Mr. and Mrs. Langston retreated to their private study, a richly furnished room lined with dark mahogany shelves and filled with the scent of old leather and expensive cigars. It was their sanctuary, a place where business was conducted, and schemes were hatched. As Mrs. Langston paced the room, her sharp heels clicking against the polished floor, her husband sat silently, nursing a glass of whiskey. He watched her with a weary gaze, accustomed to the intensity of her ambitions yet growing increasingly tired of their effects.“This is all Susan’s fault,” Mrs. Langston muttered, her voice laced with frustration. “I thought she was strong enough to seduce Micheal, to make him see reason, but she’s just as useless as the one I sent before, who ended up doing more harm than good. Two women, and neither of them could handle my son.”Mr. Langston sighed, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “Maybe that’s because Micheal doesn’t need handling,” he said quietly, his tone calm but firm. “He
The sun bathed the lush garden in a warm, golden light, casting a dreamy glow over the picturesque setting of Amy’s wedding. Flowers of every colour lined the aisle, a fragrant path leading to the elegantly decorated arch where Amy and Mark would soon exchange their vows. Guests filled the rows of white chairs, murmuring softly as the excitement of the day bubbled in the air. For Amy, this was the day she had always dreamed of, and she couldn’t have asked for a more perfect backdrop.Yvonne stood beside Amy, a radiant smile gracing her lips as she adjusted the delicate lace on Amy’s veil. She wore a stunning emerald-green satin dress that clung to her figure in all the right places, the soft fabric cascading down to her feet with an elegant, subtle shimmer that caught the sunlight. The dress was sleeveless, with a plunging neckline that was both tasteful and alluring, highlighting her graceful neck and the soft glow of her skin. Her hair was styled in loose waves, pinned on one side w
The wedding reception was in full swing, with laughter and music filling the air as couples twirled around the dance floor. Yvonne and Micheal had been inseparable, dancing through the night, their shared moments filled with an unspoken connection. But as the evening wore on, the tables began to turn.Micheal’s striking presence hadn’t gone unnoticed, and it wasn’t long before a group of women started to gravitate toward him, eager to steal a dance with the handsome man who had been glued to Yvonne’s side all night. They hovered at the edges, their eyes fixed on Micheal with coy smiles and fluttering lashes, each waiting for a chance to approach.Yvonne, who had been enjoying the rhythm of their dance, suddenly felt a wave of unease as the first woman made her way over. She was tall, with flowing auburn hair and a confident smile. “Micheal, isn’t it?” she asked, her tone sweet and inviting. “Would you care to dance?”Yvonne’s grip on Micheal’s arm tightened instinctively. She tried to
The evening was drawing to a close, and guests gathered to bid farewell to Amy and Mark as they prepared to leave for their honeymoon. Yvonne stood close to Micheal, feeling content but tired after the long day of festivities. Just as the bride and groom made their way toward the waiting car, Amy turned with a mischievous grin and, without warning, tossed her bouquet of flowers directly toward Yvonne.The bouquet sailed through the air, heading straight for Yvonne’s head. Micheal’s reflexes were quick, his arm shooting out to catch the flowers just before they could smack into her. He held them out to Yvonne, who blinked in astonishment, caught off guard by the sudden attention. Laughter and claps erupted from the crowd, but none were as loud as the excited slap of Lily and Jack’s hands as they clapped and cheered.“Way to go, Dad! Good catch!” Jack shouted, his face lighting up with excitement.“Miss Yvonne, you’re next! You will marry daddy.” Lily giggled, clapping her hands togethe
Micheal sat on the edge of the couch, his eyes locked on Yvonne as she took a deep breath, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. He had imagined many scenarios, many ways she might respond to his proposal, but none compared to the surreal moment unfolding before him.“I’m ready, Micheal,” Yvonne began softly, her voice steady but tinged with vulnerability. “I’m ready to be the mother of your children.”Micheal’s heart surged with a sensational feeling, an overwhelming mix of joy and relief that he hadn’t dared to imagine. His mind raced, caught between disbelief and the sweet reality of Yvonne’s acceptance. It was as if every ounce of hope he had buried was suddenly blossoming with her words, filling him with a lightness that was almost unbearable. His eyes shimmered with gratitude, the corners of his lips twitching into a smile as he fought the urge to reach out and embrace her.But before he could speak, Yvonne continued, her gaze shifting to the floor as if gathering the coura
Micheal stared at the laptop screen, his eyes carefully scanning the changes Yvonne had made to the contract. Every adjustment she made revolved around Jack and Lily—provisions ensuring their education, health, and overall happiness. It was clear that Yvonne had only taken this step with his children in mind. But the sections about him, about their potential relationship, were left untouched. Micheal frowned, feeling a mix of gratitude and disappointment."Yvonne," he said, his voice edged with determination, "we need to talk about this. These changes are great, but I also have some revisions to make."Yvonne blinked, taken aback, fighting the urge to burst into laughter as she pretended not to catch his drift. “Micheal, I thought this was about the children. I’m ready to be their mother, but—”“It’s not just about them,” Micheal interrupted, his tone gentle but firm. “I wrote this contract at a time when I still... I disliked women. I had my reasons.”Yvonne chuckled, her eyes twinkl
Micheal paused for a few moments, enjoying the feel of her body against his own. He loved how open minded she was to the progress of their relationship and how warm being with her made him feel in his heart. Micheal couldn't explained the situation properly without giving away his identity, so he decided to summarize his experience in a way that wouldn't raise her suspicion. Micheal explained to her how he had grown up in a family that believed in cementing relationships through betrothal. It is a world where his value was assessed by his looks and family name, paraded like a work of art at every social events. The comments on his appearance, the constant matchmaking—everything felt like a trap he couldn’t escape. His mind flashed back to the faces of girls he’d been pushed toward—some barely able to walk, others older, with expectations thrust upon them that neither of them understood. “Ever since I was a kid, I was showcased like some prized trophy,” Micheal continued, his voice
A Father's RedemptionThe embrace lingered for a few precious moments, a silent exchange of love and reassurance before Micheal kissed the twins' foreheads. He pulled back gently, his hands cupping their small faces as he gazed into their wide, trusting eyes. Before speaking, he subtly wiped away the remnants of his tears, determined to steady himself."What I want you two to know is that your mother loves you so much," Micheal said firmly, his voice carrying the weight of his emotions. "She was super sad and sick when she thought she lost you two. So, have it in mind that she would never, under any circumstances, leave you again."Jack and Lily nodded, their tiny faces etched with a seriousness that melted Micheal’s heart. He would have smiled at their cuteness if not for the crushing despair that lingered in his chest. What he was about to say next mattered more than anything.He took a deep breath. "So, what I want to say is… if you two want to go to her now, she won’t say no. But
The Weight of Truth The morning light filtering through the curtains should have felt warm, comforting even, but it did nothing to ease the cold tension hanging in the room. Rebecca’s finger hovered over the call button, her pulse quickening as she struggled to think of another way to handle the children’s sudden withdrawal. The silence from the twins was suffocating, their usual bright energy drained into something distant and unreadable. Just as she was about to press the dial, a deep, weary voice stopped her. "Don’t call her." Rebecca jolted, her grip on the phone tightening. She turned swiftly, her gaze landing on Micheal, who stood at the doorway, his face shadowed with exhaustion. His usually sharp eyes were dim, weighed down by sleeplessness and something much deeper—regret. Without another word, Rebecca ended the call, slipping the phone into her pocket as she stepped aside. She recognized the authority in Micheal’s voice; this was a conversation meant only for him and his
The night stretched on, thick with unease, shadows pressing against the walls of Micheal’s home. He sat in his dimly lit study, the amber glow of his whiskey swirling in the glass he hadn’t taken a sip from. His hands clenched the armrests of his chair, knuckles white from the pressure.He was drowning in emotions too intense, too suffocating.Anger, at the sheer audacity of David and Sammy—the realization that Yvonne’s misery had been orchestrated for a business deal.Confusion, at how he had been placed at the centre of it all without his knowledge.And above all else—fear.Fear of what this truth meant. Fear of the possibility that he had unknowingly been the reason Yvonne’s life had unravelled. The woman he loved. The woman he had vowed to protect.Was he her nightmare?He wanted to reject it, to push the thoughts away, but they wrapped around his mind like chains, dragging him deeper into torment.He needed answers.If his mother had orchestrated this, then she was not above lyin
The room was thick with silence—so heavy it felt suffocating. The air itself seemed to pause, unwilling to carry the weight of Yvonne’s confession any further.Yvonne had just summarised everything she had been through, leaving out the fact that Micheal happened to be the man who had been the catalyst of her horror. The man had unknowingly become a tool to ruin her life.Across from her, her parents sat frozen, their expressions carved from pure shock. Her mother’s lips trembled, her eyes wide and unblinking, while her father’s face had lost all its color, drained of warmth, of disbelief, of every ounce of composure he once held.Two minutes passed. Not a single word was spoken.Then, like a fragile thread snapping under unbearable tension, her mother let out a heart-wrenching sob. She clutched her chest, shaking her head as if she could somehow will away the truth. Tears streamed down her face, and with a broken cry, she lurched toward Yvonne, wrapping her in the fiercest, most despe
The moment Yvonne stepped through the grand gates of her family’s estate, a heavy weight settled onto her chest, pressing down like an invisible force threatening to suffocate her. The sight of the familiar stone pathways, the towering oak trees lining the driveway, and the grand house standing against the twilight sky—all of it should have been comforting. But instead, it shattered her. This was home. The place where she had once felt safe, loved, untouchable. And yet, it had also been the place where she had been cast aside, left to fend for herself in a world that had swallowed her whole. Her legs barely carried her as she stepped into the house, the familiar scent of lavender and aged wood filling her lungs. The warmth of the golden lights did nothing to chase away the chill in her bones. She was trembling, her hands clutching her coat as if it could shield her from the memories clawing at the edges of her mind. Her mother was the first to see her. “Yvonne?” The voice was s
A lot had happened in one day.Micheal paced his study, his hands trembling as he replayed the events of the evening in his mind. The image of David’s smug face, the sound of his own fist connecting with David’s jaw, and the suffocating fury that had consumed him—it all played on a loop. He paused, his fists clenching at his sides as his chest heaved.What had come over him? Why had he let his anger drive him to such an impulsive act when he had the resources to destroy David in a hundred calculated ways?He sank onto the edge of the couch, his head in his hands, disbelief washing over him. He was Micheal Langston, a man who prided himself on control and strategy. Yet tonight, he had thrown that all away."Yvonne..." he whispered her name, his voice breaking as his mind wandered to her. She had suffered enough, and now, David’s cruel revelations had reopened old wounds. Micheal felt his blood boil.The past had haunted him long enough. If Yvonne truly was the woman he had slept with f
The silence after Micheal’s departure was suffocating. The sound of the door slamming shut echoed in the grand foyer of David’s villa, leaving Sammy and David alone in a thick tension that hung in the air like a storm cloud.Sammy’s chest heaved as she stood frozen, staring at David, who leaned against the wall, clutching his bruised side and dabbing at the blood on his split lip. The sight of him—disheveled, angry, and utterly unbothered by the disaster he had just ignited—sent a surge of fury coursing through her veins.“What the hell is wrong with you?” she shrieked, her voice trembling with fear and rage as she stormed toward him. Her fists came down hard on his chest, again and again, with a strength born of desperation. “Are you trying to ruin us? Is that it? Do you want us to lose everything we’ve worked for?”David winced but made no move to stop her, his eyes blazing with defiance. “I’m not the one ruining anything! That bastard Micheal—”“Don’t you dare blame him for your id
The silence in the car was deafening, broken only by the faint hum of the tires against the asphalt. Yvonne gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles white from the pressure. She didn’t know where she was heading initially, but as the skyline of the city blurred past, one destination solidified in her mind: her parents' house. She hadn’t willingly stepped foot there in years, but something about tonight—about everything—pulled her back. She just wants warmth and her mind couldn’t help but drift back to when she was still little and doted on by her parents.They had expressed regret for what they had done and although Yvonne still couldn't bring herself to forgive them, she needed that warmth.Amy is miles away and not in the condition to shoulder her burden with her. She has no one else to reach out to. Her phone buzzed on the passenger seat, jolting her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the screen. It was Micheal. Her first instinct was to ignore it, but then she thought ab
Yvonne ended the call with Amy, her heart pounding as the words replayed in her mind. She glanced at the dashboard clock—barely an hour had passed since her confrontation with David, but it felt like an eternity. The silence in the car was oppressive, the faint hum of the engine doing little to soothe her nerves.Her grip on the steering wheel tightened as she pulled onto the main road, the familiar route to “Micheal’s” house filling her with dread. It wasn’t home anymore—or was it? Her thoughts spiraled as her breathing grew shallow.The children. Jack and Lily.She could picture them now, curled up in their beds, innocent and blissfully unaware of the chaos that had consumed her life. They were hers. The realization still felt unreal, like an out-of-body experience. Her chest ached at the thought of them waking up to find her gone.“I can’t leave them,” she whispered, her voice trembling. However she didn't want her children to see the pathetic side of her either.Additionally the t