VIVIENNEI couldn’t believe it. How could I have run into Ezekiel here, of all places? My heart was beating so fast in my chest, and my hands felt clammy. Just a moment ago, I had been on my way to pick up Vera and Vince from Vera’s dance class. I was thinking about what to make for dinner and if Vince had finished his homework so I wasn’t paying attention on my way until I saw Ezekiel. I couldn’t believe my luck—bad luck, that is. Running into Ezekiel at the dance studio was the last thing I expected. I was lucky I hadn’t fetched the kids yet when he saw me. I wasn’t ready for that. Introducing my children to their real father wasn’t something I was prepared for. Not yet.I needed a place to think, to breathe. I found a nearby restaurant and decided to wait for the kids there. I quickly called Vince.“Hey, Vince,” I said as soon as he picked up. “Hi, Mom.”“Are you there with your sister?”“Yeah, I’m here.” “Listen, I need you to bring Vera to the restaurant around the corner af
ALEX SAT AT THE BAR, holding a glass of whiskey. The dancing LED lights that were were making her dizzy but she didn’t care anymore. She had come to this bar to escape, to drown her frustrations with the use of alcohol. The place was loud with a lot of people dancing and drinking and smoking, probably, their problems away. Beside her sat Albert, an old flame from a past she had tried to forget."Why are you drinking alone, Alex?" Albert asked, his voice smooth and filled with curiosity. “Really? You called me here just to watch you drink? Where’s your boyfriend, anyway? Don’t tell me you two broke up already?” Alex sighed.With Alex’s reaction, Albert let out a devilish smirk. “You two broke up? I told you. You should have just chosen me.” Alex rolled her eyes, taking a sip of her drink before answering. "We didn’t break up, Albert. Don’t get the wrong idea. I’ll never let go of Kiel. Not when someone’s obviously waiting for me to do it so she could take my man.” Alex gritted her
VIVIENNE“You are warmly invited to a luxurious poolside soirée exclusively for the crème de la crème of the fashion industry. Join us for an evening of elegance at the stunning rooftop pool of The Landcaster Paris,” Piper read the invitation sent by Alex. Our forehead wrinkled as I heard that it mentioned my father’s hotel. “This is bullshit. Is she out of her mind?!” Piper reacted as she gave me back my phone. As usual, she was in my studio again, ready for some tea. I called her after I had a hard time thinking about what was going on in Alex's mind when I finally read the invitation she sent me. The pool party was going to be held at my father’s hotel in Paris. I sat with my friend Piper, trying to make sense of Alex’s plan.“What do you think she’s up to?” I asked since even after hours of thinking, I couldn’t pinpoint what Alex was planning.Piper caressed her chin for a moment, then looked at me with a raised eyebrow. “Does she know you two are cousins?”Well, given that s
VIVIENNEJeremy and I arrived at a luxurious restaurant in Paris and the whole time, I couldn’t help but examine him. He was sweet, as always, holding the door open for me and guiding me to our reserved table. But that was just the bare minimum so it didn’t really affect me that much. He had good taste in choosing a restaurant. I commended him for that. The warm lighting and soft music in the restaurant we were in created a cozy atmosphere, perfect for a night like this. “Remember the days back in fashion school?” Jeremy asked with a nostalgic smile as we looked over the menus. “I used to ask you out all the time, but you always turned me down.”I laughed softly, thinking back to those hectic days. “I had to go home early to take care of my toddlers. Vera and Vince needed me, and there was no time for anything else,” I told him the truth since there was no need for me to lie anymore. Jeremy nodded, understanding in his eyes. “I get that. But I never stopped liking you, Vivienne.
VIVIENNE COULDN’T CALM down her hammering heart. Not with her ex-husband was sending her dagger-eyes stare. What was his problem? Was there something wrong with dating Jeremy? And really? Of all places, she crossed paths with him again? Those were the questions that popped into her head while she was trying to keep her eyes on her date. But when she couldn’t take it any longer, Vivienne excused herself from the table, telling Jeremy she needed to freshen up. "I'll be back in a few minutes," she said with a smile.Jeremy nodded, smiling back. "Take your time."Vivienne walked to the toilettes, taking a deep breath as she entered. She needed a moment to collect her thoughts. She splashed some water on her face and looked at herself in the mirror, taking a few calming breaths. After a few minutes, she felt ready to return to the table.As she stepped out, she was startled to find Ezekiel waiting outside. His presence caught her off guard.She wanted to curse because of shock. Who tol
VIVIENNE Despite wondering whether my parents’ arrival in Paris was connected to Alex’s plan, I still couldn’t help be feel happy after knowing that they were finally here. I hadn't seen them in a while, and I missed them already. So much. There were lots of passengers at the airport, but then I saw them, surrounded by a small army of security.My parents walked towards me with the grace and poise that always seemed to follow them. As the richest couple in the world, their presence seemed pretty hard not to notice and the security detail only amplified it. But at that moment, they were just my parents, and I couldn't wait to hug them."Mom! Dad!" I called out, waving my hand. They spotted me, and their faces lit up with joy. My mother reached me first, pulling me for a warm, tight hug. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. "Oh, Vivienne, it's so good to see you," she said, her voice full of emotion."Dad," I said, turning to my father as he stepped forward. He wrapped his
ALEX STOOD IN the bright living room, talking to Albert. "Everything is set for today, Albert. Just make sure it goes smoothly," she said.Albert nodded and smiled at her. "Don't worry, Alex. I've got it covered,” he replied. “Just don’t forget to pay back.” For a moment, they looked at each other. Albert even dared to lick his lower lip, hinting at Alex the payment that he wanted. Just then, the door opened, and Ezekiel walked in. As an instinct, Alex moved away from Albert. Still, Ezekiel’s eyes locked onto Albert, glaring. Albert noticed and quickly excused himself. "I'll let you two talk," he said, leaving the room.‘They were together again.’ That was what Ezekiel thought of. The memory of seeing Alex and Albert together at the bar a few nights ago flashed in Ezekiel’s mind. They had been sitting close, talking in low voices, Albert leaning in, his eyes fixed on Alex in that same unsettling way. Alex turned to Ezekiel. She completely hid the nervousness in her expression an
VIVIENNE ARRIVED AT the ballroom, and immediately, all eyes turned to her. She was wearing a stunning, elegant dress that highlighted her natural grace. The room was filled with whispers and admiration as she made her way through the crowd. Even the most famous fashion designer in the world, Aton, noticed her.Aton, known for his discerning eye and impeccable taste, approached Vivienne with a warm smile. "Vivienne, or should I say, Viatrix? It's an honor to finally meet you in person."Vivienne smiled back, a bit surprised that someone like him knew her but pleased. "Thank you, Aton. It's an honor to meet you as well. I've always admired your work."Aton nodded, his eyes twinkling with genuine admiration. "Your rise in the industry has been nothing short of extraordinary. Your designs are fresh, innovative, and inspiring. The way you've captured the core of modern fashion is commendable."Vivienne blushed slightly, feeling both flattered and humbled. "That means a lot coming from yo
EZEKIEL NEVER THOUGHT he’d feel so nervous, yet here he was. He couldn’t help but pace back and forth in the hospital room while Vivienne lay on the bed, breathing deeply as another contraction hit. His palms were sweaty and his heart was racing so damn fast. He couldn’t even sit down for a second. This was nothing like the business meetings, nothing like the deals he’d spent his life preparing for. This was something else. He’d missed the birth of the twins, and he knew he couldn’t miss a second of this moment with Vivienne.He’d missed the birth of the twins, and he knew he couldn’t miss a second of this moment with Vivienne. Back then, he hadn’t been there to hold her hand, to see the twins take their first breaths. This time, he’d promised himself he’d be present, no matter how terrifying it felt. Vivienne noticed his restless pacing and reached out to catch his hand, tugging gently. “Zeke, calm down,” she said, chuckling despite her pain.He stopped, looking down at her, his
VINCE WAS SITTING alone in the school canteen while he was lost in his own thoughts. Unlike his twin sister, he wasn’t worried at all about having a new sibling. In fact, he was excited. He couldn’t wait to have someone younger around to teach things to, especially about computers and coding. He’d already planned it out in his head that he’d show their new sibling all the basics, and someday, they’d be able to talk about complex stuff too. Just the thought of it made him smile.As he stared into space while planning all the lessons he’d someday teach, someone placed a small box in front of him. Vince blinked when his train of thought was interrupted. He looked down at the box, noticing it was wrapped neatly with a bow on top. Then he looked up and saw Maesei, the little girl he, Vera, and Genesis had helped when she was being bullied a while back.Maesei was standing there, looking shy and nervous. Her cheeks were red and she avoided his gaze, looking down at the table instead.Vin
GENESIS SPOTTED VERA sitting alone on the bleachers, looking lost in thought as she watched Vince at his soccer practice. She was unusually quiet, her small frame slumped forward, and her chin rested on her hands. Genesis found this strange. Usually, Vera was energetic and loud, always cheering for her brother or chatting away.With a grin, Genesis walked over and sat down beside her. “Hey,” he said, nudging her gently. “Why do you look so sad? Thinking too hard?”To his surprise, Vera’s lip started to tremble, and before he knew it, tears spilled down her cheeks. She let out a small, choked sob, and then it came—all the tears she had held back, spilling out in big, messy drops.Genesis's eyes widened and he instantly panicked. “Whoa, hey, hey—what’s wrong, Vera?” He fumbled, trying to figure out what to do. He’d never seen her cry like this before. “Did something happen?”Vera shook her head but kept crying, covering her face with her hands. Feeling helpless, Genesis reached over
THE AFTER-PARTY was winding down and Piper was more than a little tipsy. She leaned heavily on Jeremy, her bubbly personality even more vibrant after a few too many glasses of champagne. Jeremy sighed, his arm steady around her as he led her through the crowded room.“Come on, Piper,” he said while rying to sound patient. “Let’s get you home.”Piper let out a laugh as she rolled her eyes. “Oh, Jeremy, you’re so lame! Why didn’t you drink anything tonight? There were bottles of wine that cost more than you’d make in a month! You could’ve at least had one!”Jeremy shook his head, guiding her carefully through the doorway. “I don’t drink much. Besides, someone had to be responsible for you,” he said in a calm voice. She threw him a mock offended look, then smirked. “Oh, please. Responsible? You’re missing out! Once-in-a-blue-moon kind of party, and you’re just standing there, drinking water. So boring.”He just nodded, too tired to argue. He knew she was half-joking, half-serious, but
EZEKIELForgiving isn’t easy. It’s one of the hardest things you can do, especially when the person who hurt you is someone you once trusted, someone you loved deeply. I’d always respected people who could forgive the ones who wronged them, who could find it in their hearts to let go of pain and bitterness. And tonight, watching Vivienne, I felt my admiration for her grow even more.I thought I’d reached the limit of how much I could love her, but seeing her forgive my mother—that changed things. Vivienne had already forgiven me before, a forgiveness I never thought I deserved but clung to, knowing how lucky I was to have it. And now, she was doing the same for my mother. I looked at Vivienne, her calm expression, her steady gaze, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful. She was truly incredible, a woman who could forgive despite the hurt, and in that moment, I knew I was the luckiest man alive.After my mother’s apology, we found a quieter spot away from everyone else. I turned to V
VIVIENNEIt was never too late to rise up again after you’ve hit rock bottom. I’d learned that lesson over and over, but standing here now, it finally felt real. So many times, I thought that scandal with Aton would destroy everything I’d worked for. I worried people would only ever see me as the woman caught up in a messy scheme, but here I was, with a new chapter in front of me. This was my second chance—not just to clear my name, but to make it stronger than ever. Viatrix. That name still had power, still had life.I looked around the room, taking in all the smiles and congratulatory handshakes. Ezekiel and I had just launched our fashion line that we had been working on, and the event couldn’t have gone any better. Everywhere I turned, there were people celebrating with us, praising the collection, the designs, the way we had merged our ideas and brought something beautiful to life. For the first time in a long time, I felt truly proud of myself and what I had accomplished ag
EZEKIELIt was never too late to change. I knew that now. I wouldn’t deny to myself or to anyone else that I had made mistakes before. Too many to count, honestly. I’d been an ass. I didn’t know what I really wanted back then. I wasn’t sure of what the right thing was or how to treat Vivienne the way she deserved. I’d lost sight of things, caught up in my own mess, letting my insecurities and past hold me back. But now, standing here in Switzerland, away from the noise and all the misunderstandings, I felt something I’d never felt before—a clear sense of certainty. I loved her. I loved Vivienne in a way that was different, in a way that wasn’t clouded by doubt or fear. She was the woman I wanted to spend my life with, and I’d failed to see that in the past. But I had the chance to make it right, and I wasn’t going to let it slip by.The soft breeze carried the scent of lilies as I stood at the end of the aisle, waiting for Vivienne. My heart pounded, and I could feel the tears gather
VIVIENNEBefore, I was just dreaming of a good husband. A husband who would love me, who would prioritize me, who would stand by my side no matter what. It felt like a faraway wish, something I’d only imagine late at night. When I first married Ezekiel, it wasn’t like that at all. He only married me because he felt he had to; it was a shotgun marriage after all, coming right after the surprise of my pregnancy.Back then, Ezekiel couldn’t even get over his ex, Alex. I knew it. Everyone knew it. I always felt like a stand-in, a shadow, never really the one he wanted. I was just a substitute. But now, looking at him today—seeing him boldly defend me, even against his own parents—I can’t ignore how deeply he’s changed. Before, Ezekiel always followed his parents’ words without question, like he was bound by some invisible chain. They had such a hold over him, and I’d come to accept that their influence would always come first. So now, seeing him stand up to them—for my sake, no less—fe
EZEKIELMy fists balled as I scanned through each line of conversation on Vince’s laptop. Each word felt like a punch. And I gritted my teeth, trying to contain the anger boiling within me. Genesis had been right. It was real that the contents from Aton’s phone had transferred over. Everything was here—messages, plans, and schemes that Aton and my own fucking father had discussed. Each message was worse than the last, detailing how they intended to bring down Vivienne and tarnish everything she’d worked for. I could feel Alice and Ronaldo leaning in, reading over my shoulder. Alice gasped, covering her mouth as her face turned pale. She shook her head. “I can’t believe they could plan something so evil,” she whispered, horrified.Ronaldo’s expression darkened, his eyes sharp and filled with rage. “This won’t slide,” he said firmly, his voice low and steady. “I won’t let them get away with this.”His words fueled my resolve. I nodded, swallowing hard, though my mind was racing. Ju