When we reached the van, my eyes lingered on my mother’s still form. She looked so peaceful, almost as if she were merely sleeping.As the van doors closed and we began the drive to the funeral home, I felt a hollow ache in my chest. The world outside the window seemed distant and blurry, like I was watching a scene unfold in someone else’s life.But this was my reality. My mother was gone, and I was left to face the emptiness she left behind.Sansa’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. “Kirsten, we’ll get through this together,” she said, squeezing my hand.I nodded weakly, leaning my head against the window as tears silently streamed down my face.The van rolled to a stop in front of the funeral home, and Sansa gently nudged me, pulling me from my daze. I hadn’t realized we’d arrived. The air felt heavy as I stepped out, my feet hesitant to touch the ground as if doing so would confirm the painful reality I was living.Sansa handed me a handkerchief, her eyes filled with silent suppor
It was as if I couldn’t tear myself away, but I also knew that I needed to step outside, to get some air. For just a moment, I needed to disconnect from the weight of the room.“Okay,” I whispered, standing up with her help.We stepped out into the cool air of the early afternoon, the bustling outside world a stark contrast to the stillness inside. I felt the weight of the grief in my chest, but for now, I focused on the gentle rhythm of our footsteps, the calming presence of Sansa beside me, and the knowledge that, in this moment, I didn’t have to carry everything alone.As we walked in silence, I tried to collect my thoughts, but the overwhelming weight of the loss made it hard to focus. Sansa’s quiet presence beside me was a comfort, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was just drifting, going through the motions.After a while, Sansa broke the silence. “Kirsten,” she said softly, “have you thought about what’s next? What you want to do after... everything settles?”I stopped w
I nodded, the lump in my throat making it difficult to speak further. The quiet support from Mr. Reyes, Lilith, Jacob, and the others was overwhelming, but it was exactly what I needed in that moment. For the first time since my mother’s passing, I felt a small sense of comfort, even if just for a fleeting second.When I finally found the opportunity to speak to Mr. Reyes alone, my thoughts seemed to rush all at once, making my words feel like they were tumbling out faster than I could control. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself as I met his gaze."Mr. Reyes, I... I need to tell you something important," I began, my voice laced with hesitation. "I've been offered a job at Rockwell. They've agreed to cover all my expenses in exchange, and they want to offer me their support during this difficult time. I... I’m sorry, sir. I think I need to take this opportunity."The weight of the words hung in the air between us. It was hard to say, harder still to admit it aloud.Mr. Reyes
I could hear her breathing softly beside me, her presence a constant reminder that I had people who cared, even in my darkest moments.“I’m here, Kirsten,” she said softly, breaking the silence. “You don’t have to go through this alone. We’ll get through it together.”I turned to her, my eyes filled with tears that had long been held back. “Thank you, Sansa. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”She smiled gently, her eyes filled with understanding. “You don’t have to worry about that. You have me, and you have everyone here who cares about you. We’ll help you through this, step by step.”And in that moment, as I sat there surrounded by those who cared, I realized something important. The grief was still there, but it didn’t feel as heavy. With the support of those around me, I could start healing. It wouldn’t be easy, but I would face it, one day at a time.I took a deep breath, feeling the quiet strength that had slowly been building up inside me. My mother had always be
The breeze carried a faint scent of flowers, and I closed my eyes, imagining it was my mother’s embrace one last time.The exhaustion that had lingered for days started to creep in. My body felt heavy, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave yet. I traced the edge of the fresh earth with my fingers, grounding myself to this moment, as if holding onto her presence."Kirsten?" Sansa’s voice broke through the silence, soft and cautious. I turned to see her standing a few steps away, her face filled with concern. She hesitated before continuing, "Everyone's waiting for you. Maybe... it’s time?"I looked at her, then back at the grave. How could it ever be time to leave the person who meant the world to me? But deep down, I knew Sansa was right. My mother would want me to go on, to face life with courage. Wiping the tears from my cheeks, I slowly stood up, feeling the weight of loss in every movement.“I’ll be okay,” I whispered, though I wasn’t sure if I was saying it to Sansa, my mother, or
Her belongings were still exactly where she had left them. Her scarf was draped over the chair by the window, her reading glasses perched on the bedside table, and a neatly folded sweater lay on the bed. My chest tightened as I walked further inside, the weight of her absence pressing down on me.I noticed a small photo frame on the table and picked it up. It was a picture of her during one of her happiest moments—her head tilted back in laughter, her eyes sparkling with joy. Tears blurred my vision as I ran my fingers over the glass, tracing the lines of her face.“Mom…” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Why does it hurt so much?”I sat down on the edge of her bed, clutching the photo to my chest. My mind drifted to all the moments we had shared—her reassuring words when life felt overwhelming, her warm embrace when I needed comfort, and her laughter that could brighten even my darkest days. Each memory was like a thread, pulling me closer to her and yet reminding me of how far away s
Each item I touched carried a memory, a piece of her, but instead of bringing tears, it brought a sense of peace.By the end of the day, I was exhausted but content. Standing in the middle of the living room, I looked around at the tidy, warm space that still felt like home.It was a small step, but it was a step forward.As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of amber and pink, I found myself sitting at the small wooden desk in my bedroom. My fingers absentmindedly traced the edge of a photo frame, my thoughts drifting between memories of my mother and the uncertain path ahead.Then, as if a lightbulb went off in my mind, I remembered something—Vincent's calling card. The sleek, elegant piece of paper that had seemed so unimportant in the whirlwind of grief now felt like a lifeline, a possible first step toward rebuilding my life.I stood, my heart beating a little faster, and began searching. Where had I put it? My room was still in disarray from the c
“Thank you for the opportunity,” I replied, meeting his gaze. “I’m ready to contribute in any way I can.”Vincent nodded, sliding a folder across the table toward me. “This contains the job details. It’s a position in our events and catering division—an area where your skills and experience can truly shine. We’ll be hosting high-profile clients, so attention to detail and professionalism will be crucial.”I opened the folder, scanning the contents. The role sounded challenging yet exciting, a chance to push myself and grow.“You’re also welcome to ask questions or share concerns,” Vincent added, his tone encouraging.I hesitated for a moment before speaking. “I appreciate the support Rockwell has offered me. But may I ask—why me? There are so many more experienced professionals out there.”Vincent’s expression softened. “Because I see potential in you, Kirsten. Sometimes, it’s not about experience but about heart and determination. You’ve faced challenges, yet you’re here, ready to re
If he noticed I hadn’t been home last night, there would be hell to pay. But maybe, just maybe, he wouldn’t realize it. After all, he hadn’t cared much about where I was before. But fate wasn’t on my side today. The moment I opened the door to the house, I froze. Vincent was standing in the living room, his eyes instantly locking onto me. The sharp intensity of his glare sent a chill down my spine. He didn’t need to say a word—I could already tell he knew. “Where were you?” he asked, his voice low and laced with suspicion. I swallowed hard, struggling to come up with an excuse, but the words wouldn’t come. My heart raced as he stepped closer, his gaze narrowing, demanding an answer. “Well?” he pressed, his tone now sharper. “You think I wouldn’t notice you sneaking out and not coming home last night?” I opened my mouth to respond, but no excuse could cover the guilt I felt. My silence only fueled his anger. I stood there frozen, my mind scrambling for an answer that wouldn’t wo
"Relax, my love," he whispered, his lips brushing your ear, sending shivers down my spine. "Let me pleasure you." His fingers reached the apex of my thighs, and I instinctively parted my legs, offering myself to him. His breath caught as he gazed at my glistening core, his eyes dark with desire. "So beautiful," he murmured, his voice hoarse. "So ready for me." His fingers traced my folds, gathering my essence, and I gasped at the sensation, my hips bucking involuntarily. He teased my clit, circling it slowly, making me squirm and beg for more. "Please," I pleaded, my voice breathless. "I need you." He chuckled, the sound low and sensual. "Patience, my sweet. I want to make this unforgettable." His mouth replaced his fingers, his tongue sliding through my wetness, sending shocks of pleasure through my body. He lapped at my sensitive bundle of nerves, sucking gently, then flicking it with the tip of his tongue, driving me to the brink of ecstasy. My hands clutched the sheet
Did I walk on my own? Or had he carried me? The details were lost in the fog of my mind, clouded by alcohol and emotion.All I knew was the present. The here and now.We were in a room—an unfamiliar, opulent space. The luxurious decor was nothing like anything I’d ever seen before. It wasn’t his home, at least not one I recognized. Perhaps it was a hotel, though even that felt like a distant thought in the back of my mind. The soft glow of golden light bathed the room, casting shadows on the walls that seemed to flicker and dance.He was with me, his lips trailing over mine with a mixture of tenderness and intensity. His kisses were careful yet demanding, like he was holding himself back but couldn’t quite stop himself from indulging in me. It was a contradiction that left me breathless and confused, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst from my chest.His hands moved over me, tracing the curves of my body with an almost reverent touch. Yet there was a hunger in his mo
But as I glanced around, trying to spot Sansa, I realized she was nowhere to be found. Determined not to let her absence dampen my mood, I wandered through the crowd, my steps unsteady and my vision slightly blurred. That’s when I saw him. At the bar, sitting alone, was Vincent. My breath hitched, and my heart raced uncontrollably. I stopped in my tracks, staring at him. He looked different—tired, almost defeated. His shoulders slumped as he cradled a glass in his hand, his gaze distant. For a moment, he didn’t notice me, but then his eyes flicked in my direction. Our gazes locked. His entire body stiffened as if caught off guard, and he quickly turned away, fixing his eyes on his drink. That one gesture—it was so unlike him. Gone was the intimidating, commanding Vincent who always seemed to have control over every situation. This man looked… human. Vulnerable. A swirl of emotions coursed through me—fear, confusion, anger—but what surprised me most was the flicker of somet
I looked up to see her waving as she approached, her smile as bright as ever. She looked effortlessly chic in her casual outfit, exuding the confidence and warmth I always admired about her.“Sansa,” I said, standing up to hug her tightly. The moment her arms wrapped around me, a wave of comfort washed over me, and for a brief moment, I felt like everything might be okay.“It’s been ages! I missed you,” she said as she pulled away, her eyes scanning my face with concern. “But you… you look tired, Kirsten. What’s been going on?”I tried to smile, but it faltered. “Let’s order first. I don’t want to ruin the mood right away,” I said with a weak chuckle, avoiding her gaze.She nodded knowingly, not pressing further. We ordered our meals, and once the food arrived, she leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand as she waited patiently for me to start.After a long pause, I finally spoke. “Sansa, my life’s been... suffocating. I don’t even recognize it anymore. Vincent—” My voice cracked
The road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but it was time to start healing. It was time to take back control of my life. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I knew I had to try. Because if I didn’t, I would lose myself completely. And so, with one last glance back, I walked away. Not just from Vincent, but from the version of myself that had let him control my life for so long. It was time to find who I truly was again. I threw myself into work, hoping to drown out the pain of what I had seen. If I kept myself busy enough, maybe I could forget the image of Vincent with that woman—the way he smiled at her, the way he looked so carefree, as if I had never existed in his life. But no matter how hard I tried, the memory haunted me, replaying over and over like a cruel reminder of what I had lost. There was no escape for me, no freedom in sight. I was bound to him, not by love anymore but by the weight of my obligations. I couldn’t leave until I had repaid every ounce of the help he had
I couldn't rely on rumors or second-hand stories—I had to see it with my own eyes. Only then would I be able to fully accept the reality of our relationship and force myself to move on. The thought of him with another woman, the possibility that he had already moved on, was eating away at me. But the fear of facing it was almost paralyzing. I knew that if I didn’t see it for myself, I would never truly be able to convince myself to leave. The love I had for him still lingered, haunting me, keeping me tethered to him even though I knew deep down that I deserved more. The past few days had been a blur, spent in a constant state of inner turmoil. I would find myself staring into space, lost in thoughts of him, wondering if he was out there with someone new, wondering if he had already replaced me. The days passed in a haze as I fought with my own emotions. I couldn’t focus on work, couldn’t shake the image of him with another woman from my mind. Every moment felt like I was slowly su
Part of me wanted to cling to the memories of the man he used to be, to hold onto the hope that he might change, that he might find his way back to the person I fell in love with. But the other part of me—the part that had endured his cruelty, his indifference, his toxic hold over me—knew better. I couldn’t deny it any longer: this was not love. This was control. This was manipulation. This was not the life I had dreamed of, and this was not the man I had thought I would spend my life with. Tears burned in my eyes as I struggled to keep my composure. In that moment, amidst the pain and the heartbreak, a small, defiant spark flickered within me. It whispered that I deserved better, that I deserved to be free, to be happy, to live a life that was truly mine. It was faint, but it was there—a glimmer of hope, a reminder that no matter how lost I felt, there was still a way out. I just had to find the strength to take it. I don’t know how I managed to survive the fierce argument. All I
I stood, my heart pounding in my chest. “Where have you been, Vincent?” My voice was steady, but I could feel the anger bubbling beneath the surface.He frowned, clearly caught off guard by my question. “Out. Busy with work,” he said, his tone dismissive.“Don’t lie to me,” I snapped, taking a step closer to him. “I know where you’ve been. I know about her.”His eyes widened for a split second before narrowing into a glare. “What are you talking about?”“Don’t play dumb, Vincent!” I shouted, my voice breaking with emotion. “Jacob saw you. He saw you with another woman, kissing her! Is that why you’re never home? Is that why you’ve been treating me like garbage?”He didn’t say anything at first, but the silence was enough to confirm what I already knew. I felt my heart shatter all over again.“Fine,” he said at last, his voice cold. “So what if I was? Does it even matter?"His words felt like a slap to the face. “What did I expect?” I repeated, my voice trembling. “I expected loyalty,