Christine dropped Ethan off at school. Her little angel had been in a gloomy mood for days, and his sadness tugged at her heartstrings. She was determined to find a solution to cheer him up. However, the situation bothered her so much that it became challenging for her to focus on her work. There was nothing she couldn't endure, except for watching her precious boy feel so low spirited. It broke her heart into pieces and made her question her abilities as a mother. She believed that Ethan's classmates must have caused him harm again. Children can be ruthless when adults fail to educate them properly. Exiting the car, Christine walked over to open the door for Ethan. She crouched down in front of him, gently lifting his chin with her fingers. "Look, baby, what do you say if we invite all your classmates to a garden party after school? Our backyard is large enough to host even a wedding, and it's Friday, after all. I'll take half a day off from work since I've had a busy week anyway,"
It was already Monday morning, and Hunter had a jam-packed schedule for the day. However, his mind was elsewhere, flooded with memories from the garden party. The image of a loving family tugged at his heartstrings, a long-held aspiration that had remained unresolved. His previous marriage had ended before he could fulfill his deepest desire, and Martha was never inclined towards it either. But then Christine entered his life with her adorable and intelligent son, becoming a precious gift bestowed upon him. If only she would accept him. Last Friday had been a teaser, offering a glimpse of the blissful life he could have. The boy, the flowers he had given Christine, the shared kiss—they all left a memorable impression on him. The warmth of Christine's body mixed with the subtle tremor he had felt while holding her in his arms was incredibly intimate, consuming his thoughts. The combination of anger and desire reflected in her eyes was evidence of the passion that burned within her, a
In her room, Christine was meticulously applying her makeup as she prepared for her date with Hunter's brother. She had a feeling that she would be scrutinized closely before leaving the house, so she decided to give extra attention to her appearance, not wanting to disappoint. Once she was fully satisfied, she stepped into her cropped jeans and black tank top, taking another appreciative glance in the mirror. It was a refreshing change to wear something age-appropriate, and she had Simon to thank for that. His casual style had convinced her to forgo her usual stiff business attire, and in that moment, she felt youthful again. After all, she was in her twenties. "Mommy, Mommy, are you really dating my uncle?" Ethan burst into her room, visibly agitated, his face furrowed with concern. "Sweetheart, Mommy is just having dinner with a friend," she declared, soothingly running her fingers through his soft hair in an attempt to calm him down. However, he remained unsettled. "How could y
Simon noticed the shift in her demeanor, a hint of concern flashing in his eyes. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine worry. "Ethan," she replied, her own voice sounding foreign and weak to her ears. The shock of the news left her feeling numb. Guilt consumed her, tearing at her insides. She labeled herself a bad mother, overwhelmed by the realization that she had been enjoying a date while her son was in pain. Had he been suffering even before she had left home? How could she have failed to notice? The thought tortured her, shattering her self-perception as a responsible and attentive parent. "What happened to Ethan?" Simon pressed, his concern deepening. "I need to go," she declared, her voice trembling with urgency, as she swiftly made her way off the yacht and toward her car, ignoring Simon's presence. "Wait! I'll drive!" he called after her, reaching out to grab her wrist. Her body trembled slightly, not from his touch, but from the overwhelming emotions c
Night melted into morning, and the time had come for Ethan to be discharged from the hospital. He had slept peacefully, like the angelic child he was, satisfied that his plan had worked like a charm. However, his Mommy, Christine, hadn't been as fortunate. Restlessness consumed her, her emotions a turbulent mix of distress, fleeting moments of ease, and torment. Despite her attempts to brush it away, she couldn't shake the feeling that Ethan had orchestrated his illness on purpose. And then there was Hunter's presence, intoxicating yet accompanied by painful memories. Some of those memories weren't entirely painful, but she kept that locked away as her own secret. Hunter, perhaps even more overjoyed than Ethan, stole glances at Christine whenever the opportunity presented itself, unaware that she did the same when he wasn't looking. Being in her company, along with her child, felt undeniably right to him. The intimate setup brought him immense pleasure, even amidst the troubling cir
Christine was the first to arrive at the restaurant, a sense of unease creeping over her. Simon had been so eager to take her out, so why wasn't he here waiting for her? "The table for Simon Gray?" she asked the receptionist, scanning the surroundings with a curious gaze. "Please follow me," the receptionist responded, leading her to their designated table. Simon had texted her the location a few hours ago. Due to a meeting, they had decided to meet directly at "The Artist," the chosen venue for their second date. It was an exquisite establishment, exuding just the right amount of coziness and pretentious allure. With its romantic and elegant ambiance, bathed in shades of black and white and embraced by an expensive fragrance, it was an alluring choice. "Would you like to place an order, miss?" the waiter interrupted her thoughts. Christine politely declined. "No, I'll wait for the other person to arrive," she replied with a hint of anticipation. Time ticked away, stretching into
The sunlight streamed through the curtains as Hunter entered Simon's room, delivering news in a demanding tone. "Pack your things, we're moving out today!" A wide grin spread across Simon's face. "Having a rough day, brother?" he taunted, relishing in the reaction he provoked. "Why would you say that? No, it's just time to return home," Hunter responded, the dark circles under his eyes betraying his lack of sleep. His brother found amusement in this, his smile growing triumphant. "But I've heard they haven't finished setting up the smart home technology we were supposed to test. Why the rush?" Simon probed. "I believe we've overstayed our welcome at Loukas' place. We don't want to push our luck, do we?" Hunter's words didn't align with the sudden decision, and both of them knew it. "Are you sure that's all there is to it? Or does it have something to do with my date last night?" Simon pushed further, testing his brother's limits. "Simon!!!" Hunter growled, his eyes flashing with
Simon was a seasoned teaser of his brother, but even he could not overlook the tender feelings Christine seemed to harbor for Hunter, nor the adoration her son showed for his sibling. Simon understood he must act quickly or risk losing any opportunity he might have. He believed that the key to Christine's heart lay with her child — a notion he imagined applied universally to all mothers. So, a stroke of genius came to him, a grand surprise designed to win over the young boy. His heart pounded as he watched Christine savoring her coffee. He had asked her to meet for breakfast before work and she had agreed. When he had moved out, she never bid him goodbye, she was too caught up in the sorrow of Hunter's departure and Ethan's outbursts. "I have a surprise for you." Simon's sly smirk and the playful glint in his eyes prompted a mixture of curiosity and anxiety within her. She arched an eyebrow at him. "Do tell." "I've booked us a trip to Disneyland California for the weekend. We're