VERA’S CHEEKS WERE still burning as she stormed out of the canteen. ‘I can’t believe Vince said that,' she thought, her mind racing. 'Genesis? My crush? No way!’She shook her head, trying to push away the idea. Sure, she admired Genesis, but it wasn’t a crush. Or was it? Her face turned even redder at the thought, and she groaned in frustration.It’s not true, she told herself. ‘I don’t like him like that. He’s just… he’s just cool, that’s all.’But the more she tried to convince herself, the more confused she felt. ‘Why does Vince have to tease me like that?’As she hurried out of the canteen, trying to escape her brother’s teasing, something caught her attention. A group of boys stood near the entrance, crowding around a smaller girl. The girl looked terrified, clutching her lunch tray as one of the boys tried to snatch it from her.“Come on, just give it to us!” one of the boys jeered, shoving the girl lightly. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she held onto her tray tighter, r
AFTER THE BULLIES left, Vince, Vera, and Genesis turned their attention to the crying girl. She was still sniffling, her shoulders shaking as she tried to calm herself down. Vince knelt beside her while Genesis and Vera stood by, watching.“What’s your name?” Vince asked gently, trying not to scare her any further.The girl wiped her nose with the back of her hand and whispered, “Maesei.”Genesis leaned in a little closer, trying to understand her through the sobs. “Maesei, huh? That’s a nice name. Why were those boys picking on you?” he asked, though it was pretty obvious.Maesei just shook her head, unable to get the words out as fresh tears welled up in her eyes. Her small hands clutched the sides of her uniform tightly, and it was clear she was still too upset to talk.Vince sighed softly and looked at Vera. “Vera, what happened? Maybe you can explain since she’s too upset to speak.”Vera crossed her arms, frowning as she recalled the scene. “I saw those boys take her lunch. Th
VIVIENNEAs Ezekiel parked the car outside the school, I spotted the kids waiting by the entrance. My eyes landed on Vince and Vera, but then I noticed Genesis standing beside them, talking and laughing with my twins. I raised an eyebrow, a bit puzzled. Why was Genesis with them? I remembered Vince had been upset with Genesis after the party, so seeing them together made me wonder if they had worked things out… or if something else had happened today.Ezekiel stepped out of the car, walking around to open my door. Just as I got out, Vera came running over, her face beaming with excitement. “Mom! Dad! Guess what?” she exclaimed, practically bouncing on her toes. “We helped a crying girl today!”Vera took a deep breath, her eyes wide as she tried to fit everything into one sentence. “Okay, so there was this girl—her name is Maesei—and she was crying because these mean boys stole her lunch, and they were all picking on her! So, we came over and told them to stop, and then Vince told
VIVIENNE No matter how much I tried to be a good mother, there were times I’d fail without even meaning to. It wasn’t that I didn’t care or wasn’t paying attention. I really did my best every day. But being a mom was hard, and sometimes I fell short. This was one of those times. I knew I’d failed Vince when I didn’t believe him. I couldn’t shake the guilt, no matter how much I told myself that everyone made mistakes. Vince was my son, and he deserved to feel trusted and heard. I’d brushed off his words as if they didn’t matter, and that weighed heavily on my heart.As we walked into the house, Ezekiel leaned close, looking over to make sure Vince was out of earshot. He lowered his voice to a quiet whisper. “You know,” he began using his gentle tone, “I think you owe him an apology.”I sighed, feeling the weight of his words settle on my shoulders. “I know,” I murmured back. “I just… I feel terrible. I don’t even know how to begin.”Ezekiel gave me a small, encouraging smile. “Jus
GENESIS ARRIVED AT Vivienne’s house just as Vince and Vera were waiting at the front door. They both waved at him as he stepped out of his father’s car. “Hey, Genesis!” Vera greeted cheerfully. “Ready for some science?”“Definitely,” Genesis replied with a grin, adjusting his backpack. “Vince, I’ll need all the help I can get.”Vince gave him a nod, looking pleased to help. “Let’s go inside. We’ve got everything set up at the table.”Vince was no longer mad at Genesis after all that happened last time. All the anger and competition faded the moment Genesis had apologized, not just to him, but also to his parents. That apology meant a lot because it showed Vince that Genesis respected him and was sincere in making things right. He remembered how it used to bug him when people compared the two of them, both being smart and quick learners. But now, Vince felt that the pressure to be the best had eased up. He could finally see Genesis as a friend instead of a rival,Ezekiel’s words ha
EZEKIELI held Vivienne’s hand, playing with her fingers as we stood on the deck, waiting for the night’s big event to begin. I couldn’t take my eyes off her in that gown. She looked like she belonged in the spotlight.“You know, you’re the most beautiful woman here,” I said while grinning. “You’ve outshone everyone, Vienne.”Vivienne laughed softly and her eyes sparkled the same way the city lights did around the Harbor Night Cruise where we were in. “Zeke, you’re just saying that. But thank you.”Her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink, and I couldn’t help but feel lucky to be here with her. We were on this incredible cruise for a special awards night, and it was even more breathtaking than I expected. The city lights twinkled over the water, and the whole scene felt magical, like something out of a movie. “So… any nerves?” I asked, holding her hand a little tighter. She looked at me and shook her head, smiling. “Not at all. I’m just happy to be here. Really, the nomination is mo
VIVIENNESoaking in the hot tub, I leaned back, letting the warm water ease the tension from my shoulders. My mind kept replaying the events of the night, and it all felt like a dream. Me? Winning “Best Designer of the Year”? I still couldn’t believe it. Ending Aton’s 11-year streak felt unreal, like something out of a story. A small part of me had always respected his work and his legacy, and I never thought I’d even come close to matching it, let alone surpassing it. But tonight, it happened. It felt strange, almost too big to grasp.The soft knock at the door broke my thoughts. Before I could respond, the door swung open, and there was Ezekiel. He was wrapped in only a towel around his waist, his chest still damp from his own shower. I wouldn’t deny. He looked so damn hot. His gaze was everywhere but on me as he entered, clearly embarrassed. He rubbed the back of his neck, a shy smile slipping onto his face.“Uh, hey,” he stammered, eyes still not quite meeting mine. “I was jus
VIVIENNE STOOD BACKSTAGE, adjusting the collar of her sleek black dress. A look of worry was etched on her face. Tonight was her biggest night yet—a fashion showcase dedicated exclusively to her designs. She had poured her heart and soul into every piece since last year, yet she still couldn’t help but feel pressured and doubtful. Everyone's expectations skyrocketed after winning the “Best Designer of the Year” award. And now, with the entire industry watching, she felt more pressure than ever.“Are we set? Is everything good?” Vivienne asked, scanning the organizers. It was evident in her voice that she was stressed. She glanced around the venue, which was nearly ready, bustling with the final touches on the seating, lights, and sound. It all needed to be flawless because, to her, any mistake would feel like a personal failure. Each time she heard a minor sound or noticed a change in lighting, she was right there, asking if it was okay. She didn’t want anything overlooked.One by
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