As soon as the elevator doors slid shut, the adrenaline drained from Yvonne’s body, leaving her shaky and overwhelmed. She pressed her back against the cold metal wall, her chest tightening with every breath. Her heart pounded relentlessly, and she clenched her fists to stop them from trembling.The encounter with Sammy had shaken her more than she cared to admit. The sudden violence, the sharp tug of her hair, the onlookers whose stares she could still feel—it was too much."Did I embarrass Micheal?" The thought gnawed at her, dragging her further into the spiral of worry. "What if word spreads? What if the employees saw everything and judged me? What if Sammy twists the story and make her a nuisance in front of the employees of the man she was supposed to lead beside?The familiar weight of overthinking settled heavily on her shoulders. She couldn’t bear the idea of being the cause of gossip in Micheal’s company lobby. He must have worked so hard to create a space of respect and pro
Yvonne sat on the plush leather chair near his desk, clutching her handbag tightly in her lap. The encounter with Sammy had unsettled her far more than she cared to admit, and now, with Micheal pacing the room, radiating fury, she felt a knot of guilt twist tighter in her stomach.She had insisted that nothing had happened and Micheal wasn't pleased at the guarded expression on Yvonne’s face.Micheal stopped in front of her once again, crouching to meet her gaze. His dark eyes softened for a moment, one large hand reaching up to tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “Tell me everything please or I will launch an investigation and make sure whoever makes you work up will pay dearly. So last chance love, if you want them having it easier, tell me now. He urged gently, through a storm simmered beneath his calm exterior.Yvonne inhaled slowly, still hesitant to burden him with the confrontation. “It was nothing, Micheal. Just Sammy being… being an idiot, you know Sammy …. the g
The moment Sammy stepped out of Micheal’s office, her heart pounded with a storm of rage and humiliation. Her polished heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she strode toward the elevator. She couldn’t believe how quickly things had spiraled out of her control, nor could she forget the protective anger in Micheal’s eyes when he called Yvonne his woman. The word echoed in her mind, each repetition stoking her fury.By the time the elevator doors slid open on her department floor, Sammy was fuming, her anger threatening to boil over. As she stepped out, she nearly collided with David, who was anxiously pacing back and forth in front of the elevator."Sammy!" David’s face, usually so composed, was drawn with worry. He reached out, gripping her shoulders tightly. "What happened? Are you okay?"For a moment, Sammy basked in his concern. His fingers were warm, his tone soft and almost tender—the kind of attention she’d longed for. But the reminder of what had just happened soure
The moment Yvonne returned to Micheal’s office, the atmosphere was light and warm, filled with the gentle scent of the food she'd brought. They settled around a small round table in the corner of Micheal’s spacious and sophisticated office. The large window allowed sunlight to flood in, reflecting off the glass, highlighting the carefully chosen decor—dark mahogany shelves lined with sleek books and tasteful art pieces. The room's modern elegance exuded authority and a hint of intimacy, softened by the presence of Yvonne.As they settled down to eat, Micheal couldn’t contain his happiness. “You have no idea how much it means to me to have you here, in my space,” he said warmly, his voice almost vulnerable as he watched her unwrap the food she’d carefully prepared. Yvonne’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink, and she ducked her head.“I just… wanted it to be a surprise,” she admitted shyly, smiling as she served him a generous portion. Her fingers brushed against his hand, lingering a
David stormed into the house, slamming the door behind him with a force that made the walls tremble. The living room was dim, shadows stretching across the floor, and Sammy barely looked up from her place on the sofa. Her eyes followed him as he tossed his jacket onto a chair and loosened his tie, his face tight with frustration.“Rough day?” she asked casually, though she already knew the answer. It was a question she often posed, hoping he would share something—anything—but not her. Not Yvonne. David’s only response was a grunt as he headed to the kitchen to pour himself a drink. Sammy’s gaze returned to the magazine she’d been pretending to read, but the tension in her jaw betrayed her own frustration. She knew why he was upset; she’d seen the change in him over the past weeks, the way his mood darkened after every encounter or mention of Yvonne. It was always Yvonne—whether spoken or unspoken, she was the ghost that haunted their marriage.Although he speaks about her with resent
The weekend morning at the villa was quiet, the kind of calm that had settled over Yvonne, Micheal, and the twins as they finally embraced a semblance of family life. The children’s laughter echoed faintly from the garden, mingling with the sound of distant birdsong. Yvonne and Micheal had spent the previous evening reading stories to Jack and Lily, drifting off together in a contented haze.That peace shattered when a knock came at the door of the master bedroom, urgent enough to jolt them from sleep. Micheal's eyes flickered open, and Yvonne stirred beside him, rubbing her eyes in confusion.“Mr. Langston, sir,” a deep voice called from the hallway. Micheal sat up, already feeling a thread of unease unraveling the morning. He knew his staff rarely disturbed him without good reason.A guard, one of the villa’s longtime employees, stood just outside the door, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. “There’s... a woman at the gate,” he said carefully, hesitating. “She claims to be... the m
The hallway leading back to the master bedroom felt longer than Yvonne remembered. The villa’s elegant decor, usually so warm and comforting, seemed cold and distant. Her legs wobbled, her knees buckling beneath her as they moved. She felt the walls closing in on her, the weight of what had just happened crashing down like a wave she couldn’t outrun.Suddenly, the ground tilted, and Yvonne’s vision blurred. Before she could hit the floor, strong arms encircled her waist, pulling her back from the brink of collapse. Micheal’s grip was firm and steady, holding her close as she struggled to catch her breath."Yvonne," he said urgently, his voice a low, worried murmur. "Are you okay?"She couldn’t speak. Her throat felt tight, and the world spun as she clung to him. Her eyes were wide, unseeing, her mind trapped in a whirlpool of fear and doubt. Micheal’s heartbeat thundered against her chest as he held her, refusing to let go.Without waiting for an answer, Micheal swept her off her feet
Yvonne steadied herself, determination flashing in her eyes. She pulled back from Micheal’s embrace, her hands lingering on his shoulders as she looked deeply into his worried gaze. She could read his vulnerability, the silent fear that perhaps she would decide to blame him, to distance herself. But she knew better — they didn’t need to fear each other. The real threat was out there.She took a steadying breath and reached for his hand, her voice calm yet resolute. “Micheal, before we make any drastic decisions, we need to verify her claim.”He hesitated, his fingers tightening in her grip. “Are you sure we need to do that?” he asked, almost in a whisper. “I already sent someone to follow her. It’d be easier to make her… disappear. I don’t want her interfering in our lives.”Yvonne’s gaze hardened, her tone unyielding. “No one is disappearing, Micheal. We can’t just brush her off without knowing the truth.”Micheal sighed, his shoulders tense as he tried to argue, but Yvonne shook her
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