SIX YEARS LATER
(Allison's POV) As I stepped out of the airport, a rush of memories flooded back, bringing with them everything I left behind in California six years ago. The sights, sounds, even the scent in the air—it all felt just like yesterday. Nothing had truly changed, yet everything had. California had been my home, a place of both pain and love, and while it was a difficult decision to leave, I knew it had been the right one. Moving away allowed me to heal, to shed old wounds, and to reinvent myself in a way I didn’t think was possible. Now, I was here again, but this time as a successful businesswoman who had risen from the ashes of her past. My journey to success hadn’t been the glamorous kind you see in the movies. It was real, gritty, filled with obstacles that felt insurmountable at times. I had to fight, to push myself harder than I ever thought I could. A small voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Mummy!" My son’s voice, clear and filled with excitement, brought me back to the present. His small feet raced toward me, his face lit up with joy, and in that moment, I saw a reflection of Scott in his blue eyes. My secretary, Bonnie, followed him closely, smiling as she approached us, having just returned from the restroom where Liam insisted on going. "Liam!" I grinned, my heart swelling with happiness. As he reached me, I scooped him up, tickling him gently, and his laughter filled the air, bright and contagious. He was my source of strength, the light in my life that kept me going through the toughest times. Moving to New York all those years ago had been challenging—there were moments when I was consumed by doubts, wondering if I had made the right decision. But each time I thought of the baby growing inside me, I found the resolve to move forward. I wanted to give him a world filled with love and possibilities. Today, that tiny life inside me was now a five-year-old boy with his own thoughts and dreams, a little person with a heart so pure and a spirit so strong. "Mummy, is our new house ready?" Liam asked, his eyes wide with curiosity as he looked up at me. I nodded, ruffling his soft hair with affection. "Yes, it’s all ready for us, and guess what? Aunty Hilda and Uncle Alex are so excited to see you," I replied with a warm smile, watching his face light up. "Yay! Let’s go, Mummy. I want to see Uncle Alex so we can play a game together!" he exclaimed eagerly, referring to my younger brother, whom he adored. During my years in New York, Alex and my Aunt Hilda had been a lifeline for us. They visited often, bringing a piece of home with them every time, and Liam had quickly bonded with Alex. They were inseparable, always finding new games and adventures to share. "Why do I feel like you love Uncle Alex more than me?" I teased, pretending to be hurt, watching as Liam’s face turned serious. "That's not true, Mummy. You’ll always be my favorite person," he replied earnestly, leaning forward to kiss my cheek, his sweetness melting my heart. "And you’ll always be Mummy’s favorite person too," I murmured, kissing his cheek in return. His giggle filled the car as Bonnie helped us load our luggage into the trunk. Soon, we were on our way to the new home I had purchased before coming back to California—a fresh start, in a place that felt familiar and yet different. "Uncle Alex!" Liam shouted the moment we arrived, running into Alex’s open arms. "Let’s play a game! I’m going to win this time!" "Are you sure you don’t want to rest first?" Alex chuckled, his eyes warm as he looked at my son. Alex was in his final year of engineering school, nearly ready to graduate and take on the world himself. "No! I want to play, and I’m going to win this time!" Liam insisted, his face filled with determination. Watching them together brought a smile to my face—Liam, so full of life, and Alex, who had always been a calming presence in our lives. While they discussed their games, Aunt Hilda and I unpacked and started settling into the new house. Bonnie had already left to see her family—she too was originally from California, so this return was a reunion of sorts for her as well. "Are you sure you don’t want to live here with me? I have plenty of rooms," I asked Aunt Hilda, hoping she’d consider it. She gave me a gentle smile, shaking her head. "We’ve been through this, Allison. I can’t leave my home. It’s filled with memories of my late husband," she replied softly. I nodded, understanding her perspective. Aunt Hilda was more than an aunt; she was the mother figure who had taken Alex and me in after our parents passed away. She raised us as her own, filling our lives with love and stability even as she carried her own sorrows. "Don’t worry, dear. I’ll be here all the time to help you settle in," she assured me, and we shared a warm hug. Days passed quickly as we settled back into California life. I enrolled Liam in one of the best schools, and I threw myself into preparing for the official launch of my company. It had always been my dream to own a clothing line, a company that stood for creativity, confidence, and empowerment. To see that dream take form was thrilling. "Everything is ready for the launch, Allison," Bonnie informed me, passing over a few documents for me to sign. Her excitement was contagious, and I knew we were onto something incredible. Later, when it was time to pick Liam up from school, I decided to surprise him with some of his favorite chocolates. I made a quick stop at the store and was browsing through the candy aisle, trying to pick out Liam's chocolate when a familiar voice startled me. "A box of chocolates" I froze. That voice—it was unmistakable, one that had once meant the world to me and later shattered it. I took a step forward, but my feet faltered when I saw Scott paying for a box of chocolates that had just been handed to him. He had a smile on his face, one that reminded me of Liam's whenever I gave him a box of chocolates. Before I could turn on my heels and leave, Scott's eyes met mine, and his smile vanished, replaced by an expression of shock at seeing me again after six long years. The box of chocolates slipped from his hands as he stared at me. "A--Allie?" he muttered under his breath.(Allison's POV) "Allie." A soft shiver ran down my spine as I heard him call me that. It had been six years since he last used that name, and it still sounded so different coming from his lips. I shook my head slightly, reminding myself that this was the man who shattered my heart and nearly ruined me. He stared at me, shock written all over his face. I knew I needed to leave, but as soon as I turned away, Scott rushed forward and grabbed my wrist. His grip was warm—just as it used to be. But I refused to let myself fall for him again. I pulled my hand free. "What do you want?" I asked, feigning ignorance. His jaw dropped slightly, but what did he expect? That I’d fall back into his arms after everything he did to me? "Allie… it’s me, Scott," he said, his voice uncertain, as if I needed reminding who he was—my ex-boyfriend, the man I once loved. "I know it’s you, Scott. But what gives you the right to grab my hand like that?" I replied, my voice sharp. Guilt flickered inside
(Allison's POV) Liam kept grinning at me, waiting for an answer to his question. He was always so eager to know who his dad was, but I always find a way to dodge the topic. I didn’t want to tell Liam about Scott—it would only remind me of the pain he caused and how heartlessly he abandoned me without a second thought. “Is he my daddy?” Liam asked again, his eyes full of hope. My tongue felt tied as I hesitated, still calculating what to say. “Hi, little man, I am your—” “He is not your daddy,” I interrupted Scott sharply. I knew exactly what he was about to say. He’d tell Liam he was his father, forgetting how he never wanted him in the first place. If he had, he wouldn’t have told me to get rid of him when he was still a fetus. Scott shot me a disappointed look, but I glared at him angrily, forcing him to lower his head as the weight of his past words sank in. “I thought he was going to be my daddy. Mommy, when am I going to see my daddy? All my classmates talk about their
(Allison's POV) I came out of Liam's room after he had fallen asleep. He dozed off while I was reading him a storybook. Judging by the cold weather tonight, I bundled him up in a big hoodie. One thing Liam inherited from me was the inability to tolerate cold. "Is Liam asleep already?" Aunt Hilda asked, emerging from the kitchen with a glass of milk. She decided to spend the night at my house after the launch of my clothing line ended. Alex had gone back to school because he needed to prepare for an exam. "Yes, he is," I replied, sitting at the dining table with my arms wrapped around myself for warmth, even though I was wearing a hoodie that practically swallowed me. Aunt Hilda sat in the chair next to me, sipping her milk slowly as she stared at me. "Do you have something to say? You keep staring at me," I asked. "Now that you asked, I'm going to let the cat out of the bag," she said, pausing briefly. "What was Scott doing at your clothing line launch?" she asked suddenly,
(Allison's POV) "Who is he?" Scott asked, a frown tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I don't see how that concerns you, Scott," I replied with a sharp tone, narrowing my eyes. Without waiting for his response, I turned and strode towards Stefan, who was eagerly waiting for me. "How have you been, Allison?" Stefan asked, his smile still in place. I nodded in reply before asking. "What brings you to California, Stefan?" "I have a conference meeting to attend here," he explained casually. "And you didn't think to inform me about it?" I asked, feigning annoyance. Stefan flashed a playful smile at me. "I wanted to surprise you. Aren't you surprised to see me?" He asked, a teasing glint in his eyes. I couldn’t help but smile. "Yes, I am." "It’s been a while, Allison. I missed you," Stefan continued, ruffling my hair in a familiar, affectionate gesture. As he did so, I caught the tightness in Scott's expression. I noticed he tensed up as soon as Stefan made the gesture. T
(Allison's POV) "Is he your ex, the one you told me about?" Stefan asked as he drove me to Aunt Hilda's house. Aunt Hilda was the one who picked up Liam from school, so he was at her place. "Allison?" He called my name when I didn't respond. I slowly looked at him and nodded. Though I had once told Stefan about Scott and how he had shattered me, this was the first time they've met. I met Stefan when I was still in New York, and he has been a wonderful friend to me. He is an author of children's books and loves children a lot. We became friends after Liam, who was two years old at the time, became captivated by his book. Liam didn't know how to read, but as long as there were lots of pictures, he'd love it. I still remember how Liam cried, saying he wanted to take one of Stefan's storybooks home, and Stefan offered it to him. He has always been kind and loves Liam like his own son. "Is he giving you a hard time?" Stefan asked, his eyes fixed on me. I shook my head again, resting m
(Scott's POV) "He's my fiancé." Those words echoed in my mind, relentless and maddening. I slammed my fist against the wall of my office, feeling the sting in my knuckles. The punch should have gone to Stefan’s face, for daring to touch what was once mine, but I had to hold myself back. I had no right to act out, and Allison would only be more upset with me, pushing me further away from the woman I still loved, and I wasn’t ready to lose her completely. When she told me she was engaged, I felt a deep pang of doubt and disbelief. But now, seeing her fiancé for the first time, that doubt had turned into a rage so powerful it consumed me. I had always been a jealous lover, and Allison knew this well. Six years ago, I had tried to protect her from every other man who dared to look her way. Her beauty had always attracted attention, and I wasn’t about to let anyone else get close to her. She always avoided their advances out of love for me. I wasn’t a toxic boyfriend, though. I just lov
(Scott's POV) Jenna? What in the world was she doing in my house? How did she even get in? The last time I saw her, was after cheated on me and moved in with another man in London. "Nice house you’ve got here, Scott," Jenna said, her voice dripping with feigned sweetness as she stood up from the couch and walked toward me. "I should've known you'd be successful one day. A mansion, a company—I'm sorry I ever doubted you." She reached out to touch me, but I immediately stepped back, brushing her hand off with a sharp motion. "How did you get in here?" I asked, my voice edged with anger. Jenna smiled, unfazed by my tone. "The maids let me in... I told them I was your girlfriend, and they let me in," she said, flashing a smile at me, trying to act all sweet. "Girlfriend?" I repeated, incredulous. "Have you lost your mind?" "No," she replied, her expression softening. "I know I messed up by cheating on you. But now, I realize my mistake. You're a good man, Scott, and I shouldn't hav
(Allison's POV) I slowly turned to look at Scott after he said he had a reason for breaking up with me six years ago. Curiosity and confusion were etched on my face as I stared at him, waiting for him to explain. “What was your reason for breaking up with me?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly as he remained silent, just staring at me. Scott exhaled deeply, like he was preparing himself before speaking to me. “I had to move to London,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “My father... he promised to sponsor my dreams if I leave.” “So you asked me to abort Liam just because you wanted to go to London?” I asked, struggling to make sense of his words. “Allie, I—” He took a step forward, but stopped when I instinctively took a step back. “I just asked a question, Scott, and I need an answer,” I said firmly, but there was a weight in my chest that made my words crack. “I was so confused back then, Allie. I know I never told you about my family, but I wasn’t accepted by my
(Scott's POV) While waiting for Allison to come out of the room, I prayed that the rain wouldn't stop anytime soon so I could spend some time with her. It felt selfish to always want her around, especially since I had taken those moments for granted before. I sat down in the wine cellar, slowly sipping a glass of wine, when Allison finally emerged from the room. She was already putting on my hoodie, which reminded me of the countless times she'd worn my clothes whenever she visited me. She was so funny back then. When she came to visit me at my condo before our breakup, she won't purposely bring her own clothes just so she could wear mine. "I love the way your clothes smell on me," she'd always say, jumping on me because she knew I would catch her. I missed those moments—when I could freely wrap my arms around her slender waist, scoop her up, and kiss her until we were both breathless. I missed the days I could claim her without her trying to stop me. But now, I couldn’t do any of
(Allison's POV) Scott's eyes were on me as we drove toward his house. I would have said no when he asked me to drop him off, but I didn't know why I had agreed. Maybe I was just returning the favor for how he always walked me home when we were together. The way he had pulled me away from that celebrity replayed in my mind, and I sighed, unsure if it had come out loud. I didn't mean to lash out at Scott like that. He was never a controlling boyfriend; I said it in anger, wanting him to know I was no longer the lovesick girl trying to please him. We weren't together anymore, and he had no right to meddle in who I interacted with. I wanted him to understand that. "Stop looking at me, Scott. I'm not comfortable with how you're staring at me," I said, finally shifting my gaze from the road to him. "I can't help it, Allie. You've always been beautiful, but you look especially stunning tonight," he said, his eyes refusing to leave mine. I was tempted to blush at his words, but I held bac
(Writer's POV)"Ahhhghhh!" Jenna screamed angrily, throwing a glass of wine against the wall. The glass shattered into tiny pieces. Lydia, her friend, who had heard the scream, rushed out of the room immediately."What's wrong, Jenna? Why are you screaming, and why did you throw a glass at the wall?" Lydia asked, noticing Jenna was still fuming."I'm so angry I feel like killing someone right now!" Jenna spat. The veins in her neck were visible, indicating her rage."Relax, girl. No one is dying, and you're not going to kill anyone. What’s making you so pissed off? You were in a good mood just a few minutes ago," Lydia said, trying to understand why her friend had suddenly turned from cheerful to a furious tigress ready to pounce."I was in a good mood because I thought Scott was going to come here.""Scott? The guy you went to London with but ended up cheating on?" Lydia asked."You don't have to remind me of that, Lydia!" Jenna glared at her."Fine. I'm sorry. I was just trying to c
(Scott's POV) "You don't mind us dancing," I heard him say with a smile as I got closer to them. Allison nodded, returning the smile. The man stretched out his hand, and just as Allison was about to accept it, I held her hand, making her stand up. "She isn't going to dance with you," I said, my voice cold, just like the way I was glaring at him. "What are you doing?" Allison asked, trying to take her hand from me, but I held it tightly. "Scott Stiles," the man smiled at me. "I didn't know you come to parties like this." "Yes, I do. You should find someone else to dance with. She is with me," I said icingly, not caring if he was smiling at me. I'm always protective of the things I love, and Allison is at the top of that list. Before Allison could protest that she didn't come with me, I pulled her away from the man to a quiet area in the hall. "What was that for, Scott?" she asked. "I should be asking you that, Allie. Why would you agree to dance with him?" I asked, keeping my v
(Scott's POV) I arrived at Naomi's birthday party even before Allison did. I saw her get out of her car, looking so beautiful in the dress she was wearing. She wasn't the celebrant, but to me, she stole the show. Even when I entered the grand hall without her knowledge, I could see her eyes moving around as if she was looking for someone. I couldn't help but think she was looking for me. When Naomi invited me to her birthday party, I didn't want to attend—not because I felt I didn't belong, but because I don't fancy parties. However, when she told me my Allie was coming, I didn't hesitate to accept her invitation. I wanted to see her beautiful face, and I didn’t regret coming. While seated, I noticed her eyes drifting to the entrance of the hall with every passing second. She was definitely looking for me, and I was a hundred percent sure of that. I got up from where I was sitting and approached her with a rose. She had always been a lover of roses, and she would light up with joy
(Allison's POV) "You look so beautiful, Mummy," Liam complimented my dress. "You think so?" I asked with a smile. "I don’t just think so, Mummy; I know so. You may not be a celebrity, but those celebrities can’t come close to your beauty," Liam praised me again. I crouched down to his height, playfully ruffling his hair. "You're so good with words! Where did you learn that?" I asked, and he grinned. "Because you're beautiful, Mummy. I'm just speaking the truth." "Thanks for the compliment, son," I smiled at him. "Come and have your dinner, Liam," Aunt Hilda said, emerging from the kitchen as she set the table for Liam's meal. Liam rushed to the dining room and sat down in one of the chairs while I walked towards Aunt Hilda. "Aunt Hilda," I called, and she lifted her head from the table to look at me. "You haven't left yet? I thought you would be at the party by now," she said. "I was just receiving some compliments from my son," I replied, and Aunt Hilda chuckled
(Allison's POV) Days later, I met up with Naomi Holt, and she was so excited about the dress I designed for her. "I love it, Allison. You did a great job. Scott wasn't kidding when he said you're the best at what you do. He had so much confidence in you, and you nailed it. Thank you so much, Allison. To be honest, I wasn't expecting the outcome of my birthday dress to be so beautiful," Naomi said. Her excitement was clearly detectable in her voice, and I was so happy she loved the dress. I dedicated my time into making the dress, not because I wanted to be appreciated for it, but for Scott as well. He recommended me to Naomi, and I didn't want to disappoint him because, according to Naomi, he bragged about me being the best designer ever. "I'm glad you like it, Naomi," I said with a smile. "I don't just like it. I love it! You are the best," she said, giving me a high thumb-up, and I was so proud of myself. "Thanks, Naomi." She nodded her head, dipped her hand into her han
"Is this some kind of joke?!" I demanded, glaring at my dad, who was seated comfortably on my couch, as if he owns not just my life but my house as well. "Jenna is right, Scott. We've already fixed a date for your wedding. You both just have to get yourselves prepared for it," my dad said, and Jenna smiled. "What gives you the right to arrange my marriage for me?!" I yelled at him. I was trying my best to control my anger because, even though I resent him so much, he is still my dad. "I'm your father, Scott. So I have every right to arrange your wedding with anyone that would be beneficial to us," he said. "Beneficial to us?" I scoffed before continuing. "Don't include me in that because I'm not part of your family." "Your last name is Stiles, so how are you not part of our family?" he asked, standing up, his face showing just how angry he was. Back then, I’d have apologized immediately, but not anymore—not when I am no longer the man he could push around and call a mistak
(Scott's POV) As I crawled out of bed, I couldn't stop myself from laughing. At first, hiding from Allison's family wasn't something I wanted to do, but for Allison's sake, I decided to. Now, it felt kind of funny. Allison and I were like two teenage kids hiding our relationship from their parents. "What's so funny?" Allison asked, folding her arms across her chest. "Isn't it amusing how we're playing hide and seek with your family? We’re like two teenagers keeping our relationship a secret, and when we were almost caught, you made me hide to avoid being seen," I said, grinning. But Allison kept a straight face, which made me wonder if it wasn’t amusing to her. "You don't find it funny?" I asked, my grin slowly fading. "Give me one reason why I should find what you just said funny, Scott. My family completely trusts me, but I'm hiding a huge secret from them. They think we haven't seen or spoken to each other, but they don't know that we're on speaking terms and that I have given