"Well, wouldn't you just love to know that?" He retorted playfully. There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, before Martha responded. "Actually, yes, I would. I'm curious to know who this woman is, who's willing to involve herself with a man she presumes to be married. You haven't broken our agreement, I trust?" He rolled his eyes in exasperation. "I haven't." "So she's the kind who would throw herself at a married man then?" Hunter's irritation mounted by the second. Martha's probing questions were pushing him to the edge. "I don't owe you any explanations. And let's not forget who's truly responsible for our divorce." When he'd married her, he'd been in love. But she hadn't turned out to be the woman he thought she was. Her demeanor changed subtly day by day until he couldn't recognize the woman he had married. It felt as if she'd been wearing a masterfully designed mask the whole time. In fact, she might have been. His most cherished memory of her was from their w
For Christine, motherhood took precedence over all else. It was her first, second, and third priority, with everything else demoted to a distant fourth. Being separated from her son was a heartache she never enjoyed, even if Ethan could be a handful - a trait that seemed to have amplified since he'd met Hunter. For the moment, she had to content herself with communicating with him over the phone. "Grandpa's spoiling me, but I miss you so much, Mommy!" Ethan's endearing voice was like a tug on her heartstrings, eliciting an ache within her that echoed the profound longing she felt for him. "Oh, my sweet angel, I miss you too! How I wish I could return home tonight!" "Mommy, did something happen? Is Daddy not treating you well?" Ethan's concern was palpable, and Christine could practically envision the worried frown creasing his small face. A soft sigh escaped Christine's lips, followed by a gentle smile that she was grateful Ethan couldn't see. His delight at her potential union wi
'What exactly is she implying?' Hunter puzzled over her words. The woman's tone seemed complimentary, but a bitter undertone laced her expression. 'She must know something about Christine, a secret perhaps.' His curiosity was shared by others in the crowd, who, engaged in hushed conversations, directed their undivided attention towards Christine. "Doesn't that sound a bit fishy to you?" one guest mused aloud, catching the attention of a nearby group. "I thought I was the only one who noticed," another chimed in, clearly relieved he wasn't the only one with lingering questions. "Do you think they're hiding something?" a woman in an elegant gown murmured, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "How did such a young woman manage to build a successful business? It's almost unnatural," an older gentleman stated, skepticism clearly evident in his tone. "What's her backstory? I feel like there's more to Christine Blaine than meets the eye," another guest wondered aloud, further fueling the poo
Early in the morning, Eric signed the contract for the new Smart Home Project, a venture destined for success. The mere thought of increasing his financial return tenfold in just a few years incited a dance of joy in his mind. Physically, he remained composed - he was Eric Black, after all, one of the world's wealthiest individuals. But who would resist the allure of accumulating more wealth and prestige? His eager gaze landed on Christine, observing her with an intensity that bordered on longing. "I was disappointed when you left early last night," he voiced, his tone tinged with genuine regret. And he was disappointed, though only for about ten minutes before he found comfort in the company of a blonde, a woman whose striking attributes could turn heads in both heaven and hell. Eric's wife was often away on extensive travels, presumably seeking refuge from his affairs and the accompanying social scandal. Or perhaps she was entangled in her own complications; no one knew. "I'm sor
Martha's heart pounded wildly, echoing through her ears like a raging drum. She could swear she was on the verge of a heart attack, but it was merely a panic attack, fueled by her spiraling thoughts. Rage surged from her core, spreading to the furthest edges of her being. Her blood simmered, bubbling with an intoxicating mix of fear and anger. The fear of losing everything was unbearable. Her image, her prosperous career, the sizable monthly alimony Hunter had generously provided after their divorce—all threatened to slip away from her grasp. Her palms were slick with sweat, her face flushed and feverish, her mind teetering on the brink of madness. All because of Christine. Christine, the unending thorn in her flesh, her perpetual tormentor. Always outshining her with her radiant beauty, her effervescent charm, and her razor-sharp intellect. A constant specter casting an impenetrable shadow over Martha, rendering her invisible by comparison. "Martha, you're next! You need to go in!"
The car pulled up to the house, and Christine spotted Ethan peering out from his bedroom window, likely waiting impatiently for her return. The moment his eyes fell on her, he darted down the stairs and out the door, making a beeline for the car where she stood. "Mommy!" He wrapped his arms around her legs with all the strength his small body could muster. 'So this is what pure happiness feels like!' Christine thought to herself, a surge of joy washing over her. She scooped Ethan up into her arms, pressing a lingering kiss on his forehead. It seemed as though the scent of his hair alone had the power to erase her worries. Despite all her problems, he was her greatest blessing. "Oh, baby, you're getting so big! I can barely lift you!" She feigned a disappointed tone. A wide grin spread across Ethan's face, his smile revealing a few missing teeth. He had never looked more endearing, his joy radiating from his eyes. "Yes, Mommy, I'm not a kid anymore!" She chuckled. "I see that. I'
A sudden wave of panic squeezed Christine's heart, causing it to beat against her ribcage like a trapped bird. She pressed her eyes shut simultaneously as she tightened her hold on Ethan, pulling him closer into the safety of her embrace. "Mommy!" The frightened call from her son brought her back, his voice laced with a heart-wrenching mix of fear and worry. "Daddy... Daddy's hurt!" Her eyes sprang open, widening in shock and terror at the sight before her. Hunter sprawled on the ground, Simon standing nearby, his expression one of pure torment. From the looks of it, Hunter had shoved Simon out of harm's way, receiving the full impact himself. "No, sweetheart! He's fine, just...just resting a bit," she managed to stammer out, her voice sounding alien even to her own ears. "Mommy!" "You'll see, sweetheart! You'll see!" She tried to reassure him, her own heart trembling with fear. The driver appeared ghostly pale, yanking at his own hair in distress. "I didn't do anything, I didn't
Standing face-to-face with her stepmother after all these years felt surreal, almost alien. She had rehearsed this moment in her mind countless times, her imagination always casting Elenora as a formidable, intimidating figure - the woman who had stolen her father, her inheritance, her life. Yet the reality before her was starkly different from her mental renderings. Elenora, who once exuded arrogance and a domineering confidence that loudly echoed power, now seemed... diminished. Perhaps it wasn't so much Elenora changing, but Christine herself who had grown stronger, more resilient over the years. The once daunting stepmother no longer wielded the power to terrorize her as she once did. Those days were long gone, relegated to the dusty corners of the past. A tableau of disbelief and shock etched itself onto Elenora's face as she absorbed Christine's presence, her eyes widening almost comically. Gone was the timid, vulnerable girl who once trembled beneath her tyrannical shadow, re