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 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
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