He allowed Summer to explain, his expression a mixture of concern and empathy. "We broke up," she began, her voice shaky. "He's always hurting me. He cheated on me, many times. I guess this is my karma after what I've done to you." Osiris listened quietly, his gaze unwavering as she spoke. Her words struck a chord within him, a reminder of their shared history and the pain they had both endured. As she continued, he felt a mixture of emotions – sympathy for her pain, understanding of her regrets, and a hint of something else he couldn't quite put into words. When she finally looked up at him, her eyes filled with sincerity, Osiris felt a heaviness in his chest. Her apology held weight, and he sensed the genuine remorse in her voice. But his heart remained guarded, still uncertain of whether he could fully open himself up to her again. "Summer," he began, his voice steady. "I appreciate your honesty and your apology. But I need you to understand that things have changed since then."
"Get some rest," Osiris said, his concern still evident as he lingered at the doorway.She nodded, offering him a weary smile. "I will."With a final reassuring glance, Osiris left her to find some semblance of peace in her solitude. Summer closed the door behind her and let out a sigh, sinking onto the comfortable bed. The events of the day weighed heavily on her mind, each moment replaying in her thoughts.As she lay there, the sound of rain against the window became a soothing backdrop. The emotions she had suppressed for so long bubbled to the surface, and tears began to slide down her cheeks. She wiped them away, her heart heavy with a mix of pain, anger, and confusion.Outside, Osiris paced the hallway, his thoughts consumed by the events that had unfolded. He was grateful that Summer had agreed to stay the night, relieved that she was safe for now. But he couldn't shake the anger he felt towards the person who had hurt her, the rage that simmered beneath his calm exterior.He k
As the night wore on, both Summer and Osiris found themselves lost in their own thoughts, grappling with the challenges that life had thrown their way. The rain outside eventually began to subside, the sound of droplets gradually fading into the background.In the guest room, Summer's exhaustion finally caught up with her, and her eyes grew heavy as she drifted into a restless sleep.With the morning sun streaming in through the windows, Osiris woke up to an empty space beside him. Without Martha by his side, he got out of bed and made his way downstairs. His initial intention was to find Summer, but she was nowhere in the guest room as he had hoped.Down the stairs he went, his footsteps echoing through the house until he reached the kitchen. There, Martha was busy cooking something on the stove. Concern etched his features as he approached her. "Have you seen Summer?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry.Martha looked up from her task, surprise evident in her eyes. It stung to rea
The weight of Martha's revelation hung in the air like a heavy secret, casting a shadow over their conversation. The lively sounds of the cafe seemed to recede into the background, creating an intimate space for their words to unfurl.Summer's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and concern flickering across her features. "A fake marriage contract?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.Martha nodded solemnly, her gaze fixed on her hands that clenched the edge of the table. "Yes," she confirmed, her voice carrying a tinge of bitterness. "The marriage between Osiris and me was nothing more than an arrangement, again, a charade orchestrated by Mr. Cesar."The realization settled over Summer like a heavy curtain, shrouding the two friends in a moment of shared disbelief. "Why? Why would he do that?" Summer asked, her voice laced with both confusion and outrage.Martha let out a sigh, her gaze lifting to meet Summer's as she recounted the web of circumstances that had led to the
Summer, her eyes brimming with tears of joy, stood nearby, offering a silent presence of support and celebration."Look at you, Luca," Martha murmured, her voice filled with a mixture of awe and tenderness. "You're here, and you're loved beyond measure."As if in response, Luca let out a soft, contented sigh, his tiny chest rising and falling in a rhythmic pattern. Martha's heart swelled even more, realizing that this was just the beginning of a lifetime of shared moments, a journey filled with joy, challenges, and the unfaltering bond between a mother and her child.A knock at the door brought their reverie to a gentle pause, and the doctor entered with a warm smile. "How's our new mom doing?" she inquired, her gaze alternating between Martha and Luca.Martha's smile was radiant as she looked up at the doctor. "I'm doing wonderfully, and I have Luca to thank for that."The doctor nodded approvingly, her eyes softening as she observed the new family. "You did an amazing job, Martha. L
The sky was a canvas of muted gray, a reflection of the somber atmosphere that enveloped the cemetery. Friends and family gathered under the protective shelter of umbrellas, their expressions a mixture of sorrow and quiet contemplation. The rain that fell from the heavens seemed to echo the collective tears that flowed, a poignant reminder of the emotions that the day held.As the mourners stood in hushed silence, their eyes fixed on the casket adorned with flowers, memories of Martha filled the air like whispered secrets. She had been a woman of strength and resilience, a presence that had left an indelible mark on those who had known her. The eulogies spoken were a heartfelt tribute to her life, a mosaic of anecdotes that painted a vivid picture of a woman who had lived passionately and loved fiercely.Osiris stood near the gravesite, his face etched with a profound sadness. The weight of Martha's absence bore down on him, a heavy burden that threatened to engulf his very being. Her
Osiris turned, his eyes lighting up as he saw Summer standing there, a knowing smile curving her lips. His own lips curled into a grin as he retorted, "Oh, yeah? And it seems my chef master didn't change either. She's still here, watching the way I cook and probably doubting my culinary skills in her mind."Summer chuckled, her laughter carrying a warmth that filled the room. "Some habits die hard, I guess."Their banter flowed seamlessly, an easy closeness that belied the complexities of their shared history. As Osiris plated the dish he had prepared, he glanced over at Summer, a question lacing his words. "Baby Luca? How's he?""Don't worry, he's sleeping safe and sound," Summer reassured, her voice holding a sense of assurance that Osiris found comforting.With a nod of gratitude, Osiris set the plate on the table, the colors and textures of the dish a testament to his dedication to both the process and the person he was cooking for. Summer settled into a chair, her gaze unwavering
One evening, as Osiris and Summer sat on the couch, watching Luca sleep peacefully in his crib, a sense of gratitude washed over them. "You know, I never thought I'd be a single parent," Osiris admitted, his voice tinged with vulnerability.Summer placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Life has a way of throwing us curveballs. But you're stepping up, Osiris. You're showing Luca what it means to be strong and resilient."Osiris smiled, his gaze fixed on his sleeping son. "I'll do whatever it takes to give him a good life, to honor Martha's memory."As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, Osiris began to find his footing as a single father. He sought advice from books, online forums, and even reached out to fellow parents for guidance. With each passing day, he grew more confident in his ability to care for Luca, to provide him with love, guidance, and a sense of belonging.The journey was not without its challenges, but Osiris embraced them with a newfound sense of