The paramedics loaded her into the ambulance, and I followed, feeling like I was walking through a fog. I sat beside her, my hand never leaving hers, as the lights of the ambulance flashed in the darkness. The hum of the engine and the rush of their movements seemed so distant, yet so close to my heart.“Don’t leave me, Mom,” I whispered softly, the words escaping my lips in a prayer. My heart ached with each breath I took, desperate for her to wake up, to say something—anything—just to show me she was still with me.As the ambulance raced toward the hospital, I couldn’t stop the flood of emotions overwhelming me. The tears came, finally, as I let myself feel the full weight of the fear that had been pressing down on me since I found her on the floor. I held her hand tighter, squeezing as if my love could bring her back to me.Please, don’t let it end like this. Not now, not when we’ve only just begun to have a chance.I could feel my heartbeat in my throat, pounding, louder than the
I watched her closely, trying to hide the guilt that gnawed at me. The weight of lying to her felt like a heavy burden I couldn’t shake. But what else could I do? I couldn’t let her see how hard things had become. She needed to believe I was managing everything—school, work, life—because she had already given so much to me. She deserved peace, even if it meant hiding the truth from her.I placed the meal in front of her and watched as she slowly started to eat, her eyes still studying me with quiet concern.“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked again, her voice soft but insistent. “You’ve been so quiet lately. It worries me.”I nodded quickly, avoiding her gaze. “I’m fine, Mom. Just tired. Work’s been busy, that’s all.”The lie came too easily. I was tired, yes, but not because of work. It was the constant worry, the pressure of juggling everything and trying to keep us afloat. But I couldn’t let her see that. I couldn’t let her know how close I was to breaking.She seemed to accept m
“Back again so soon?” she teased, her voice barely above a whisper, fragile but carrying a faint echo of her old self.“Always,” I replied softly, offering a small, reassuring smile as I placed a bag of warm soup on the bedside table. “You’re stuck with me, Mom. No escape now.”She chuckled weakly, the sound so faint it might have gone unnoticed if I wasn’t holding on to every bit of hope her voice gave me. That small laugh felt like a victory, a reminder that she was still fighting, still here with me.I pulled a chair closer to her bedside, my eyes fixed on her as she adjusted the blanket around her frail frame. We talked—about anything and everything. Memories of her teaching me how to ride a bike, stories of her youthful dreams, and plans for a future we were determined to reach. Each word felt like a lifeline, pulling us away from the suffocating weight of her illness.As I watched her take small sips of the soup, her hands trembling slightly, I felt a pang in my chest. It hurt t
Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but I would face them head on. Because she was worth it. She was worth everything."Good morning, Kirsten. How’s your mother doing?” Mr. Reyes greeted warmly as he entered the kitchen, his presence as steady and reliable as ever.I offered him a grateful smile while I focused on preparing the fresh ingredients for the day’s menu. The familiar rhythm of chopping and slicing was soothing, a small reprieve from the worries that clouded my mind. “Good morning, Mr. Reyes. She’s doing much better, thank you for asking,” I replied sincerely. “And… thank you so much for the help. The money you gave us has been a huge blessing. It’s made things easier for her—and for me.”Mr. Reyes crossed his arms, leaning against the counter with a fatherly air. “I’m glad to hear that, Kirsten. Your mother’s health is what matters most. You’ve been working so hard, and you deserve a little support.” His expression softened as he added, “If you ever find yourself in need a
Pushing open the door, I found my mother sitting on the bed, her eyes heavy with concern but her face lighting up the moment she saw me.“Kirsten,” she whispered, her voice a mix of relief and exhaustion. “You’re here.”I knelt beside her, taking her hands in mine. “I’m here, Mom. I’m here.”And as I held her trembling hands, I realized once again that no matter how tough things got, this was where I belonged—by her side, fighting for the life we still had. “Thank you for taking care of her every time I’m gone, Sansa,” I said softly, my voice laced with gratitude as I glanced at my mother, now peacefully asleep on the couch. The sight of her resting brought me a small measure of relief, knowing she was in safe hands during my long hours at work.Sansa, my ever-reliable neighbor and a dear friend, gave me a warm smile and shook her head. “There’s no need to thank me, Kirsten. It’s the least I can do,” she replied, her voice gentle yet firm. “Your mother is like family to me, and I’m a
I turned to see my mother stirring, her eyes fluttering open.“Kirsten?” she murmured, her voice faint but filled with warmth.“I’m here, Mom,” I said quickly, moving to her side. “Do you need anything? Water? Another blanket?”She shook her head slowly, a small smile playing on her lips. “No, sweetheart. I just… I wanted to see you. You’ve been working so hard. Are you okay?”Her concern for me, even in her condition, made my chest ache. I forced a smile, brushing a stray hair from her face. “I’m fine, Mom. Don’t worry about me. You’re the one who needs to rest.”She reached for my hand, her grip weak but full of love. “I’m proud of you, Kirsten. I don’t say it enough, but I am. You’re doing so much for us, and I’m so lucky to have you.”Her words shattered the fragile wall I’d been holding up all day. I bent down, pressing my forehead to her hand, tears slipping silently down my cheeks.“You’re my everything, Mom,” I whispered. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you’re okay. I
The walk to the restaurant was brisk, the cool breeze a welcome distraction from the weight of my thoughts. By the time I arrived, the kitchen was already buzzing with activity. Mr. Reyes was waiting for me, clipboard in hand.“Kirsten! Perfect timing,” he said, motioning for me to follow him. “I wanted to go over the catering details with you.”I nodded, falling into step beside him as he led me to his office. The conversation was straightforward—small events, manageable menus, and flexible hours that could accommodate my current workload. By the end of it, I felt a renewed sense of purpose.“Thank you for trusting me with this,” I said earnestly, clutching the folder of notes he had given me.Mr. Reyes smiled warmly. “You’ve more than earned it, Kirsten. I’ve seen how dedicated you are, not just here but to your family. You’ve got the heart for this kind of work.”His words stayed with me throughout the day, fueling my determination as I navigated the usual rush of customers. By the
I missed the way their staff recognized me, smiling warmly and treating me like I was part of their team, even if only tangentially.But what I missed most—oddly enough—was the fleeting, almost intangible connection to the CEO of the company.I’d never spoken to him directly, never exchanged more than polite nods or the occasional acknowledgment and I never see him around the company. And yet, there was something about his presence that lingered in my mind. The way he carried himself—confident, poised, exuding a quiet authority that seemed effortless.Every time I entered that building, I couldn’t help but feel a spark of admiration. To reach the heights he had achieved, to command such respect and success—it was inspiring. It made me wonder about the journey he had taken to get there. What struggles had he faced? What sacrifices had he made?The mystery of who he really was intrigued me. Was he as composed behind closed doors as he appeared in public? Did he carry the weight of his p
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,