The new Micheal received was simple. Rebecca was clean and had indeed just returned to the country and was picked up by one of his mother's security detail from the airport.So far, there wasn't a lie in the woman’s claim. His men that had been tailing her since the previous day also had something to share and it wasn't pleasing at all.The woman was said to be shopping for children's toys as if preparing for a meeting with Lily and Jack. Micheal had vowed to not keep things from Yvonne, hence he had no choice but to share.There was a sense of foreboding in the air, the usual warmth of the family outing muted by the weight of the news Yvonne and Micheal were about to share.Yvonne sat on the carefully laid mat, her fingers nervously tracing circles over the fabric as she waited for Micheal to join her. Her eyes darted around the environment, lingering on the twins, smiling and playing carefree, each memory piercing her heart with an aching fondness. She could hear Micheal’s steady f
The night unfolded with an eerie stillness in the Langston home, broken only by the soft sounds of Yvonne and the twins moving up to bed. Jack and Lily had clung to her since the moment she had comforted them, refusing to let go of her hands as if she were their lifeline. They nestled beside her, each of them burrowing into her arms with a desperation that made Yvonne’s heart ache. She could feel their steady, rhythmic breaths calming, their bodies finally relaxing against her. But she knew the pain still lingered within them, quietly nestled between their small frames and the darkness of the room.As Yvonne lay there, staring into the dim ceiling above, she gently ran her fingers through Lily’s hair, soothing the child until she fell into a deep sleep. Jack’s hand rested on her shoulder, his little fingers curling every now and then, as if needing reassurance she was still there. Every so often, Yvonne could feel a soft hitch in their breaths, the remnants of their earlier tears, and
As dawn crept into Micheal and Yvonne’s home, a soft blush of sunlight spilled through the curtains, casting gentle shadows across the room. But the calm of the early morning was shattered as the door to Micheal’s bedroom opened, and Jack and Lily hurried in, their bare feet making quick, urgent sounds on the floorboards.“Daddy!” Lily’s voice wobbled with worry, her hands clasped tightly together as she peered around the room. Jack, standing close beside her, mirrored her anxious expression, his gaze scanning the bed.Micheal stirred, his sleep-heavy eyes opening as he registered the children’s presence. He sat up, rubbing a hand over his face, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. “What’s wrong?” he asked gently, sensing their unease.Lily’s voice quivered as she explained, “Mommy … she wasn’t there when we woke up.” The simple statement hung in the air, heavy with fear and confusion. Jack nodded silently, his small fists clenched by his sides.Micheal let out a soft sigh, pull
After the conversation, the twins got cooperative and happily eat their food, pleased the situation wouldn't be forced on them. It was their choice and they are sure they wouldn't like anything about a woman that could replace their mother. Micheal and Yvonne took them to school.As the car rolled up to the school, Yvonne glanced back at Jack and Lily, giving them an encouraging smile as they gathered their bags. The twins returned her smile, though there was a lingering flicker of hesitation in their eyes. Yvonne felt a pang, understanding their reluctance after their conversation that morning, but she gently squeezed their hands as they climbed out."You two go have fun, alright?" she said, her voice warm but firm, reassuring them in the way she had promised she would. "I'll be right here when it's time to pick you up."The twins nodded, giving her one last hug before dashing off toward their friends. Yvonne watched until they disappeared through the school doors, her heart both he
Yvonne’s sudden request to visit Rebecca hung in the air between them, and Micheal’s expression shifted from surprise to concern. He turned to face her fully, searching her gaze as if he hadn’t fully understood.“Yvonne…” he began slowly, “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I don’t know enough about Rebecca to feel comfortable with you going alone. I’m not even sure what kind of person she is.”Yvonne met his gaze calmly, her resolve unmistakable. “That’s exactly why I need to meet her, Micheal,” she replied. “Before I let her anywhere near Jack and Lily, I have to know who she is now. What she’s like. I can’t make that judgment without getting to know her myself.”Micheal fell silent, his jaw tensing as he looked away, a mix of frustration and something deeper flickering in his eyes. He let out a slow breath, and when he finally turned back to her, the vulnerability in his expression caught Yvonne off guard.“I feel like… like you’re helping prepare this other woman to take your place
As the lunch wound down, the conversation trailed into silence. Plates cleared and glasses half-empty, Yvonne and Micheal exchanged a quiet glance, their mutual resolve to part from Rebecca finally surfacing.They stood up, ready to say their goodbyes, when Rebecca reached across the table. Her hand, trembling slightly, moved toward Yvonne’s with a mix of hesitation and hope. But before she could make contact, Micheal’s hand shot out, swatting hers away with an almost defensive aggression that startled everyone.Rebecca's face froze, caught somewhere between shock and hurt. For a brief, tense moment, silence hung heavy in the air as Yvonne and Micheal exchanged looks, Yvonne’s eyes widening, a faint apology simmering there. Finally, Rebecca swallowed, regaining her composure, though her expression now seemed more fragile than before.She took a breath, her voice barely above a whisper as she looked at Yvonne, "Please, just… tell me. What are they like? The twins."“After a full stomac
In the days that followed, Yvonne remained silent about Rebecca’s presence to the twins. Instead, she maintained quiet but steady contact with her, encouraging Rebecca’s patience and cautious optimism. They exchanged messages and updates, carefully dancing around the subject of the twins meeting their birth mother. Rebecca’s genuine willingness to wait warmed Yvonne, who sensed a sincerity in Rebecca’s motives.And slowly, as Yvonne suspected, Micheal’s stance softened. He had watched Rebecca from a guarded distance, initially dismissing her as yet another entangled mess in his mother’s web. But over time, seeing her approach with Yvonne as calm and respectful, he began to consider the idea that Rebecca, too, was a casualty of his family’s relentless schemes. Micheal’s subtle acceptance was the signal Yvonne had been hoping for. It was nearly time for the children to meet their mother, and she felt assured in bringing everyone together when the moment was right. But just as she was pr
The following week, Yvonne found herself immersed in a whirlwind of balancing family life, studies, and the intricate task of preparing the children for meeting Rebecca. Micheal had loosened his reservations slightly, though he still held a wary stance. Yvonne sensed his subtle hesitations but also saw that he trusted her instincts, even if he wasn’t yet convinced. She knew he needed this transition as much as the children did, and so, patiently, she let the process unfold without rushing.One afternoon, as Yvonne and Micheal sat at home, Lily and Jack busy with a puzzle nearby, she caught Micheal watching the twins with an intense, protective gaze. She reached over, placing her hand over his. He turned to her, his expression softening."Have you thought about how you’d like to introduce them?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.Yvonne nodded. “Yes, but I think we’ll let them lead the pace. I’ve told Rebecca she should let them approach her in their own time if they choose to
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