(Scott's POV) "Daddy!" Liam ran toward me, his little arms outstretched, when he realized I was the one at the door. I had just finished my meeting with a client, and I couldn't wait to see him. The meeting had dragged on longer than I anticipated, but I rushed over the moment I could, with the added excuse of wanting to see Allison too. "Where's your Mummy?" I asked as I scooped him up into my arms, feeling the warmth of his small body against mine. Before Liam could respond, Allison approached us. "Liam, I thought I told you never to open the door on your own," she said, her tone firm yet caring. She definitely fit the role of a mother. Six years ago, with her cute and innocent demeanor, it would’ve been hard to believe she could take on such a responsibility. But damn, she nailed it. "I'm sorry, Mummy," Liam quickly apologized. "You told me Daddy was coming, so that's why I opened the door when I heard the bell ring." "Even so, Liam," Allison said softly but firmly, "Yo
(Allison's POV) I tried to pull away from the kiss, but I couldn’t because Scott held me firmly with his strength. His lips were rough against mine, filled with an intensity that felt more like punishment than passion. It was as though he was venting his frustrations on me, forcing his emotions into this unwelcome moment. Desperately needing to escape, I stomped hard on his toe. His grip faltered as he winced in pain, allowing me the opportunity to break free. Without hesitation, I added to his pain by slapping him squarely across the face. “How dare you kiss me unannounced?” I yelled, my voice trembling with anger. Scott stood still, his blue eyes burning with emotions I couldn’t decipher. He rubbed his jaw where my hand had struck him, but instead of lashing out, he stared at me with a mixture of hurt and defiance. “What’s your problem, Scott?” I continued, my voice rising in pitch as I momentarily forgot Liam was just in the living room and might overhear us. “What’s my prob
(Scott's POV) As I stepped into my mansion, a surge of happiness spread through me. No, it wasn’t just happiness—it was pure elation. Allison wasn’t engaged to Stefan. The relief that washed over me felt like a weight lifted from my chest, and for the first time in what seemed like forever, I felt like I could truly breathe again. Earlier, I’d lost control and kissed her, and even though it earned me a slap, I’d do it all over again without hesitation. Her lips… they felt just the same as they always had—warm, soft, and intoxicatingly sweet. I’d spent countless nights remembering those lips, wishing I could feel them against mine again. I missed her. I missed everything about her—the way she’d let me kiss her endlessly, the way she used to surrender to me completely, body and soul. I missed those quiet moments under the duvet when the world outside didn’t matter, when it was just the two of us, wrapped up in each other. Some nights, we’d cuddle and talk about our dreams; other n
(Scott's POV) "Mummy isn't breathing." Those words echoed endlessly in my ears as I drove at breakneck speed toward Allison's house. My heart pounded so loudly it felt as if it might burst out of my chest. Even with the car's air conditioning on full blast, my fear was so intense that I could feel the heat on my face. Allison had been perfectly fine when we spoke last night—no signs of illness, no complaints of feeling unwell. So what in the world could have happened? I pressed harder on the gas pedal, silently wishing I could grow wings and fly to her this instant. The memory of the last time Allison got sick flooded my mind; that was seven years ago, before our break up. She had been bedridden for two long, agonizing months, unable to speak or move much. It was the first time in my life I cried so miserably, thinking I might lose her. And now, with Liam's panicked call ringing in my ears, telling me she "isn't breathing," my eyes stung with unshed tears. I love her. I fucking
(Allison's POV) "Mummy," Liam hugged me tightly when I woke up, his small hands clutching me in a way that made it clear he was scared. Earlier, I had gone to the kitchen to make cereal but felt dizzy and fainted. Ever since I allowed Scott to be part of Liam's life, I’ve been constantly scared—scared that my family might find out the truth. Even though I don’t say it out loud, it consumes me. I badly want to tell them, but I don’t know where to begin. They resent Scott so much and don’t want him involved in Liam’s life. But it’s just too unfair to keep dragging an innocent child into a conflict he doesn’t even know about.. "Mummy, are you okay?" Liam asked, touching my face with his little hands. I nodded with a smile. "Mummy is fine. I’m sorry if I scared you." "I was so scared, Mummy. But now that you’re smiling at me, I’m not scared anymore." I smiled, caressing his hair, but then stopped midway when I realized I was in my room. I vividly remembered fainting in the kitche
(Allison's POV) I quickly crouched beside Liam, caressing his face with a made-up smile. "Your Daddy is busy, Liam, and he can't spend the night here. He has lots of documents to handle, and that's why he needs to go home," I said to him, but Liam shook his head in disapproval. "Are you saying his work is more important than us?" he asked, wearing that sad face that always tempts me to give in to whatever he said. I won’t blame him anyway; he got that attitude from me. But allowing Scott to spend the night here was not something I could allow. "Daddy, is your work more important than Mummy and me?" Liam asked, still maintaining the sad look on his face. Scott looked at me before turning back to Liam, trying to figure out how to respond. "You love your work more than us?" Liam asked again, his voice heavy with sadness. Scott crouched beside him, and I could feel his skin brush against mine since we were both crouching. I subtly shifted away from him. "Of course not, Liam. D
(Allison's POV) "Allison, when you called last night, we were unable to answer because Alex and I were busy attending to the customers at the restaurant. Before we could get back to you, it was late, so Alex and I decided to come over this morning to see if you're alright," Aunt Hilda said. She was trying to explain why she and Alex were unable to pick up when Liam called last night, but that wasn’t my problem right now. Scott was still sleeping in Liam’s room. What if he came out, unaware of my family’s visit? They’d be shocked, and the secret I’ve kept hidden would be revealed before I muster the courage to tell them. They might also think I’m back together with Scott, which isn’t true. "Sis, are you alright?" my brother asked, noticing my nervousness. "Yes… I am… fine," I stammered, forcing out a smile. "You don’t look like yourself this morning, Allison. Normally, you’d have welcomed us with open arms, but you’re not doing that. It’s as if you don’t want us to enter your ho
(Allison's POV) "Alex!" I rushed toward him, quickly standing by the door to prevent him from entering Liam's room. "You should go back to your food, Alex. You said you have a class to go to," I said, forcing a smile. "That can wait, Sis. I need to check what fell down from Liam's room," Alex said. It was obvious he suspected I was hiding something, which is why he was so determined to enter Liam's room. "There's nothing there, Alex," I said, clinging to the door. But Alex pulled me aside and entered Liam's room, his eyes moving around as if searching for something or someone. My gaze darted to the wardrobe, but Scott wasn’t there. Where could he have hidden? Nevertheless, I used the opportunity to distract Alex. "I told you it was nothing. Why are you doubting me?" I asked. "Because you're not acting like yourself today, and it makes me suspicious," Alex responded, then quickly walked to the bathroom. He opened the door with full force, as if he was trying to find someone inside
(Writer's POV) "What's going on here, Allison?" Stefan asked, as surprise washed over him. He had come to California to give Allison a surprise visit, only to be surprised himself. He just couldn't believe what he had seen. "Stefan... I can explain," Allison stammered, feeling guilty. She had been thinking of how to tell Stefan that she had finally decided to give Scott a second chance. However, she didn't know how to go about it because she knew Stefan had been patiently waiting for her to love him back. "What do you want to explain, Allison? I already saw everything," Stefan said, his voice sounding so heartbroken. "Stefan, listen to me, I—" Before Allison could complete her sentence, Stefan stormed out of the house. "Stefan!" Allison screamed, trying to go after him, but Scott held her hand. "Allie," he whispered her name, and she turned to look at him with misty eyes. "Let's talk later, Scott. I need to explain things to Stefan," she sniffled. "I'll come with you," Scot
(Allison's POV) "What the heck are you doing here?" Bonnie asked harshly when she opened the door and saw me standing at her doorstep. "I came to see you so we can talk, Bonnie," I replied calmly. She had submitted her resignation letter, just like she said she would. I hadn't had the chance to talk to her about it because of what happened to Aunt Hilda. If not for Scott, who dropped the case against Jason so Michael would drop the case against my aunt, I don't think I would have been able to live properly—because she wasn't just my aunt, but a mother to me as well. "We have nothing to talk about, Allison. Didn't you see my resignation letter? What more do you want me to say?" Bonnie shot back harshly. I still couldn't believe she was acting this way because of a man. I understood that she was in love, but I thought she had always said, "Sisters before misters." "Bonnie, you can't be doing this. We've been friends for five years. You can't just cut off our friendship like
(Scott's POV) "How are you feeling, Clara?" I asked two weeks later. She had woken up, but the doctor said she needed to be hospitalized for a few more days. "I'm feeling better, uncle. I should be discharged already." "Discharged? Have you seen yourself in the mirror?" I asked. "Yes, I have. They're just bruises, I can manage," she smiled. "Was that why you came to California without letting me know? I send you an allowance every week, yet you never once called to say you were in California," I scolded. "Don't scold me, uncle. You didn't call me either. If you had called, maybe I would have told you about it." "Don't turn the table on me," I said, and she grinned. I reached for her head and patted her hair. "Are you really okay?" I muttered with worry. Clara took my hand away from her hair with a sigh. "I'm okay, uncle. Have you forgotten I'm strong like a rock?" she said in a funny way, and I smiled, caressing her hand. "I'm sorry I couldn't push through with the
(Writer's POV) Loud laughter filled the room as they all celebrated their victory in getting Jason out of jail. "Didn't I tell you Scott would drop the case the moment you hurt that woman or her family?" Jenna said with a smirk. "We owe it all to you, Jenna. And also to Michael and his girlfriend for pulling off their roles," Gwen said with a smile as she caressed Jason's hair, who clung to her like a child. "Jason is my friend. So when Uncle Hugo came with the offer to pull such an act, I couldn't say no. Thank you, babe, for pretending to be unconscious the whole time," Michael said, and his girlfriend kissed him. "It's nothing, babe. Anything for you," she smiled. "So Scott is still so much in love with that woman?" Hugo asked, not sounding happy about it. "Of course he is. If he wasn't crazy about her, he wouldn't have easily dropped the case against Jason," Jenna answered. Jason smirked, stood up, and sat beside Jenna, who quickly looked at him with irritation. "What the
(Allison's POV) "Are you deaf? Didn't you just hear what I said? Let her see her aunt this instant," Scott demanded in a deep voice. Even Alex was stunned by Scott's sudden transformation since he had always known him to be the calm type. "I wasn't instructed not to let them see her," the officer stuttered. "So it clearly means you're not even following the laws of the county but acting according to someone's instructions. Even murderers have a chance to receive visitors, so you better let them see their aunt, or I assure you—you will lose your job," Scott snarled. The officer was terrified by his threat, and I was sure Scott wouldn’t have threatened him if he wasn’t capable of carrying it out. Should I be thankful for the decision he made six years ago? Feeling threatened by Scott’s words, the officer allowed us to see my aunt. Scott didn’t go in with us because he felt she wouldn’t be happy to see him. Aunt Hilda rushed to us in tears when she was brought in. "Alli
(Allison's POV) "Are you sure you're not the only one dating yourself in this so-called relationship with your boyfriend?" Elena asked after Bonnie finished explaining her situation with Peter. We were seated together in a coffee shop, enjoying some time to ourselves since none of us had anything to do at our respective workplaces. "Peter is a really nice guy," Bonnie defended him, but this wasn't the first time I'd heard her do so. She was always quick to defend him, and I couldn't blame her—she just loved him too much. Moreover, I had met Peter before, and he did seem like a nice guy. "It's not always about being nice, Bonnie. Men can be nice just to cover up the fact that they're cheating on you," Elena said. "Peter isn't cheating on me. I'm the only woman he loves," Bonnie insisted. "Then why has he been so distant from you? Like you said, he doesn't answer your calls, and when you text him, he doesn’t reply or even try to call you back when he misses your calls," El
(Writer's POV) Gwen angrily walked into Hugo's study room and dropped a letter for him on the table. "What's this?" he asked. "It's a letter from the court. Scott is pushing through with the case. If Jason is taken to court, we're going to lose because all the evidence about what he did is on Clara's body. We need to do something about this, Hugo!" Gwen said loudly. "I'm trying." "No, you're not! If you're trying like you said, my son wouldn't still be in jail! He's crying every day. My son has lost so much weight! This is all your fault! If you hadn't had a one-night stand with a woman, Scott wouldn't have come into existence!" she spat. "Can you stop? It's already in the past. I don't acknowledge him as my son. Isn't that enough for you?" Hugo questioned. "No! It's not enough for me, Hugo! All I want is for you to get my son out of jail and make sure he doesn't appear in court. Speak sense into Scott, make him do what you want! You've always been good at that!" "That was six
(Writer's POV) Skye's eyes widened in shock as Alex kissed her. She hadn't seen it coming—not after how he had rejected her. She got her thoughts straight, and just when she was about to kiss him back, Alex broke the kiss. Realizing what he had just done, he ran his hands through his hair. "Why did you kiss me, Alex?" Skye asked with a smile. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to kiss you, Skye. I'm so sorry," he apologized, and the smile on her face turned into sadness. "What do you mean you didn't mean to kiss me? You kissed me out of the blue, so what the heck are you saying, Alex?" Skye asked, her voice strained. She thought the kiss meant something to Alex. She had hoped maybe he was finally starting to like her and that was why he kissed her—only for her hopes to be crushed by his apology. "I wasn't thinking when I kissed you." "I still don't understand you, Alex." "I'm sorry, Skye. I shouldn't have kissed you out of the blue. I just had a misunderstanding with the woman I love,
(Writer's POV) Alex pushed his luggage into the condo with a smile on his face. He had just moved into the condo he rented. It was a small apartment, but it was enough since he'd be the only one living in it. "It just needs a little fixing, and it will be perfect," he smiled to himself. Just when he was about to get to work, the doorbell rang. "Is Allison here already?" he muttered, then went to open the door. To his surprise, it turned out to be Bonnie. "Congratulations, Alex!" she exclaimed, spraying confetti on him. "Bonnie? What are you doing here?" he asked, surprised to see her at his doorstep. "Can you let me in first?" she grinned. Alex moved aside so she could enter. "Whoa! The apartment looks nice," Bonnie complimented, her eyes moving around. "You're already inside. Can you answer my question? Allison was supposed to be here." "I know. But she had a lot of work at the company, so she’s taking care of it. I volunteered to come help you settle in," Bonnie