They held each other’s gaze for a long moment. Finally, Darcy gave an awkward smile, breaking the silence.“You have not changed at all,” he said with a faint sigh. “It feels like I just stepped back ten years.”Anastasia returned his smile warmly. “It is good to see you, Mr. Callahan.”Summer was watching the exchange with a frown and looked between them. “Darcy, do you know her?”Due to their past, she was very careful about the people who would try to come closer to people. Today was a coincidence, was it or not? She was usually a kind woman but her husband was her bottomline. Darcy chuckled, nodding. He knew what was going through his wife’s head at the moment anf said, “Yes, my dear wife. This is Anastasia Spencer. Remember Fiona? My old friend? Well, Anastasia here is her daughter.”Summer’s eyes lit up as the connection came together. Oh, she knew Fiona. She liked FIona a lot. That woman was a quirky and an interesting woman. “Oh! Didn’t Fiona’s daughter used to date…” She t
At that moment, Summer gave her husband’s shoulder a reassuring pat and signaled Eliza to join her in the kitchen while giving Darcy and Anastasia a little space to catch up. As the two women left, Darcy and Anastasia continued their conversation, sharing updates and memories. As Summer and Eliza worked quietly in the kitchen, they exchanged knowing glances as they listened to the soft murmur of Darcy and Anastasia’s conversation from the other room.Eliza sighed. “Who would have thought Darcy would meet his daughter-in-law by chance like this?”Summer nodded thoughtfully. “He misses his family more than he lets on. He can’t see Damien, but at least through her, he can get some peace of mind.”Eliza shook her head, her tone somber. “It is tragic. Darcy left an unhappy marriage, and now his family uses that against him. To hold such a grudge, it is just cruel. Everyone has a chance to have a happy life. He waited for eighteen years for his son. Carolyn did not even love him yet he st
Suddenly, they heard the knocking of something on the ground. They turned to see a little girl with tousled hair, holding a comforter and a giraffe stuffed toy and standing with a scowl.Darcy muttered, “Well, meet our little princess or as we like to call her, the little tornado. Destiny Callahan.”Anastasia’s eyes widened as she took in the sight of the little girl with big green eyes, so much like her husband’s. When Destiny scowled, the resemblance was uncanny and Anastasia couldn’t resist the urge to pinch her chubby cheeks. Destiny, however, ran straight to her father while huffing at Anastasia as though guarding her daddy from being taken away.“Dessie, weren’t you sleeping?” Darcy asked, smiling helplessly as he lifted his little tornado onto his thigh. Destiny hugged his neck tightly, mumbling, “Des Des missed Dada.”“Oh, did you?” he asked, amused.The little girl nodded earnestly.“Dessie,” Darcy said, gesturing toward Anastasia, “This is your sister-in-law. Remember I told
On the other hand, Adeline was still buzzing with excitement of what happened just now. "That was terrific," she said, her voice full of energy.Anastasia nodded, a warm smile spreading across her face. She gently tucked a strand of hair behind Adeline’s ear. “I will never force you to go out again like that. I got so scared.”Adeline gave a small and understanding nod. “Honestly, I feel so comfortable at your home. I feel like me and the baby are always surrounded by love and security there. I’m not scared there. Everyone cares for me so much and I can walk around and enjoy the estate. But I can’t take risks like that again.”Anastasia’s heart softened and she pulled Adeline into a gentle hug. “I’m so sorry, Addy. I never thought something like that would happen.”Adeline returned the hug and sighed. “It’s not your fault. My body is changing so much all of a sudden, I can’t even keep track of it.”They finally made their way home. When they arrived, Adeline greeted Damien and then re
When Damien woke up the next day, he noticed Caleb trailing his wife around the house like a little shadow. It was Sunday, so she had no work, and Caleb had no school. She was in the kitchen preparing breakfast, and Caleb was right beside her, helping with small tasks.He overheard Caleb say, “Anna, we have a program at school where we have to bring a family member. I’m participating. Will you come with me?”Anna looked at him, amused. “What exactly do I have to do?”“We have to dance,” he explained, his tone serious. “We will be a pair. Everyone is bringing someone. Aunt and Grandma are too old and I have no one else.”She teased him, “Ouch, Caleb, so you are only asking me because they couldn’t join?”He quickly responded, “No! No! I only want you.” Then, realizing he had given himself away, he mumbled, “I… can you please come?”Anna laughed but nodded. “Okay. I will come with you.”Caleb’s face lit up with excitement.“I will help you serve breakfast,” he offered, eyeing the bowl o
“What are you guys talking about?” Anastasia asked, joining the two of them on the terrace.“Ah…nothing much,” Austin replied with a smile, trying to subtly hide his glass of alcohol but unfortunately, it was too late, as the bottle was still open on the table. She gave him a look, then glanced at her husband, who was holding a glass of fruit juice. Oh she was satisfied with what she saw. Choosing not to comment on Austin’s drink, she noticed how troubled he looked and didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable around her. Instead, she wanted to create space for him to share his thoughts if he wished. After all, that is what friends for, right? “Want to talk about something?” she asked gently.“Probably some other day?” Austin replied.Understanding, she simply nodded. After a moment, she added, “Would you like to pause your drinking session and have breakfast with us? Adeline would be happy to see you.”Austin set down his glass and nodded. “Okay.” Standing up, he added, “I wil go see h
With Anastasia, things were different. She was much like her mother who was open with her emotions, unafraid to show anger, frustration, love, or hate. Her outbursts and honest expressions made her easy for Harold to accept. Regina, however, mirrored Harold too closely. She was guarded and reserved, just like him. She was unable to express her concern freely and equally uncomfortable receiving it. Their similarities only created a silent barrier between them.As Regina and Harold shared breakfast, she hesitated before asking, “Father, did Mother change the chef?”Harold shook his head. “No, still the same incompetent staff. They can't get a single thing right.”Regina didn’t respond immediately, though she noticed the food was somehow better than usual. With Claire away, she felt compelled to bridge the gap herself, to find some way to converse with her father.Harold watched Regina buttering her bread and asked, “I thought you didn’t like butter.”Regina murmured, “Well, I do like it
Harold smiled a rare and almost tender smile, as though he had been waiting for this moment all his life. “Because she is trying to win against a ghost. A ghost from her past that she resented so deeply that she is trying to live all her unfulfilled fantasies through you.”Regina’s face went rigid. “What are you saying?”“Faye…” Harold whispered the name. “You know this figure in your field, don’t you?”Regina nodded, her mind reeling. Of course, she knew of Faye, the legend she aspired to become. But being like Faye was a distant dream as history didn’t repeat itself.Harold continued, “Faye was none other than Fiona Watson.”The realization hit Regina like death. For a while, she ate in a daze, her mind elsewhere. When she finally regained her composure, she asked, “Why are you telling me this? I think this is the first time in twenty-eight years you have spoken this much to me. And now that you are finally talking, it is all against my mom. She loves you so much and never says any
Damien studied him for a moment before speaking. “I’m going to ask you something, and I need you to be honest with me. Can you do that?” Ronan opened his eyes, hesitant, but eventually nodded. “Do you love Regina? Not as a friend, but as a romantic partner?” Damien’s tone was firm and curious. “What?” Ronan looked startled. “Be honest, Ronan.” Ronan was quick to respond, his voice firm and sincere. “I don’t! I don’t see her that way at all. She is like the sister I never had. A little sister. I love her a lot, but not romantically.” He paused, his voice softening. “But she means the world to me. She has been there for me through everything, good and bad. She is someone I share my heart and soul with. Damien, I don’t love her as a romantic partner, but she is still my soulmate. I know it sounds strange, but it’s the truth.” Damien tilted his head while being intrigued. “If you marry someone in the future, how will you fit Regina into that dynamic?” Ronan met his gaze whi
Damien arrived at an abandoned property on the outskirts of town. The place looked abandoned, the kind of place one would pass without a second glance. He walked up to the door and rang the bell. Once. Twice. Ten times. Finally, the door creaked open, revealing a dishevelled Ronan. “You look like shit,” Damien said, tossing a bottle of whiskey to him. Ronan caught it instinctively and rasped, “What are you doing here?” “Came to find you, asshole,” Damien replied, brushing past him to step inside. Oh, the inside of the house was not as bad as the inside. Someone had made it livable. Ronan, too exhausted to argue, stared at the bottle in his hands. “Are you gonna drink this?” Damien rolled his eyes. “Anna would kill me first before diabetes would kill me, if I did drink it.” Ronan chuckled dryly and asked, “Why are you so scared of your girlfriend?” Damien smirked. “Actually, she is my wife.” Ronan blinked, his momentary exhaustion was replaced by shock. “What… when? How
Mr. Arnello slammed his hand against the table, crashing the decorations to the floor. He was so angry and Delilah, who was used to his anger, did not flinch. “How dare she!” he roared, his fury directed at Anastasia Spencer and her father. The thought of being humiliated and forced to pay five million because of them burned like acid in his chest. “That crippled old man and his brat of a daughter, unbelievable!” “Matt!” Delilah’s voice cut through his tirade. He turned to her, his face twisted with anger. “Did you see what happened today?” “I did,” she said firmly, crossing her arms. “And maybe if you weren’t so biased, you would see the bigger picture too!” Matteo’s jaw clenched. “That little Spencer girl—” he began, his voice was a venomous snarl. “How dare she cause a rift between our families! She—” The shrill ring of the home phone interrupted him. Delilah moved to answer it, her face paled slightly as she listened to the voice on the other end. “Matt,” she said, ha
Back at Damien’s mansionWhen Damien arrived home, the house felt unusually quiet. Neither his wife nor Adeline was there. Mrs. Luna informed him that Anastasia hadn’t returned from the office yet, and Adeline had gone out for work. Left alone, he decided to head to the gym, where he found Caleb practicing the moves he had taught him during their last session.Atleast, someone was home. “Hey, buddy. When did you get here?” Damien asked, his voice warm. He had grown so accustomed to Caleb’s presence in his home that, without realizing it, he had embraced the role of a father figure. Caleb, for his part, already saw Anastasia as a mother. Finally, Caleb was keeping the fences around his heart down and letting these two people come inside. “I came after school,” Caleb replied with a shrug. “I missed you guys.” Damien suppressed a smile and nodded. “Alright, let’s practice some more.” As they worked out, Caleb paused and asked, “When will Anna and Addy be back?” Damien sighed, wi
Eleanor scoffed, pulling out her phone. “I don’t care who your ‘Madam’ is!” She dialled quickly and said, “Daddy, please come. Someone is bullying me.” Within minutes, chaos erupted as Politician Scuderi arrived, followed by national commandos and an entourage of security. Alongside them, Mr. Arnello and his guards entered the scene with matching intensity. Delilah, watching from a distance, sighed deeply. This is about to turn into a massive mess, she thought, deciding once again to stay out of it. “Daddy, she has hurting my friend!” Eleanor whined, pointing a trembling finger at Anastasia, who still had a firm grip on Ceecee’s hair. Politician Scuderi’s expression darkened as he turned to Anastasia. “Young lady, release her now, or I will have you arrested!” Anastasia met his threat with cold defiance. “I dare you.” “Guards! Remove her this instant!” Mr. Arnello commanded. Martial artists emerged from the shadows and advanced toward Anastasia. But before they could rea
“Anastasia Spencer?” “Mrs. Arnello?” Anastasia recognized her immediately. “You know Delilah?” Adeline asked, her tone curious. “She is Ronan’s mom,” Anastasia explained. “Oh…” Adeline’s expression shifted into something unreadable. Anastasia’s focus sharpened. “Did you say Eleanor Scuderi pushed you?” Adeline nodded, frustration was evident on her face. “Not directly. It was her sidekick. She deliberately knocked into me, and when I asked her to be careful, she flipped it around and blamed me. Then she started insulting me, calling me fat and even accusing me of sleeping with producers and directors to get jobs.” Anastasia’s fists clenched. “And then?” She was going to beat up those bitches for hurting her best friend. Adeline was not just her bestfriend but family. These days, she had been overly protected of Adeline too and if one danger come to the latter, Anna goes whole mom mode. Adeline’s voice hardened. “I slapped her. She deserved it. But then she shoved me ag
Moments later, a middle-aged woman entered and noticed the young woman shivering in the corner. Concerned, she approached her carefully while kneeling down. “Are you okay?” she asked softly. Adeline looked up with tear-streaked eyes, unable to hold back her emotions. She didn’t know why, but in that moment, she missed Poppy and Austin so much. She also longed for Anastasia. She felt utterly shaken and vulnerable at this moment. The middle-aged woman placed a comforting hand on Adeline’s shoulder. “Child, are you okay?” she repeated gently. She saw that Adeline was not looking fine and as a woman, she felt that it was her duty to help a person in need. Overcome with emotion, Adeline clung to the woman’s leg while tears streaming down her face. With one arm, she hugged the woman’s leg tightly, while the other cradled her stomach protectively. Fear overwhelmed her. Why hadn’t she listened to her intuition and stayed home? She could have lost her baby just now. “Dear, are you with
“Anna!” “Yes, Addy?” Anastasia replied as Adeline, who was in the living room, came looking for her best friend. Adeline said, “My agent just called me. She wants me to meet this client.” Anastasia frowned. “Didn’t you say you were not taking any projects for the time being?” Adeline muttered, “I wish, but my agent wants to utilize my time as much as possible. I mean, I have done a few projects that will be released by the end of this month. After that, I haven’t signed any contracts. You know how it is every day, there is someone more interesting and beautiful. I will be irrelevant by the end of my pregnancy if I am not active.” Anastasia nodded, understanding her situation. “I get your concerns. It would be so unfair if you had to leave your career because of your pregnancy. But the question is, do you want to announce your pregnancy? I have seen celebrities getting even more famous while pregnant.” Adeline sighed. “Anna, I have this bad feeling. If I tell more people abo
Abel rubbed the back of his neck and continued, “I brought her to the Spencers’ home, but when I saw your car parked there, I knew she would snap. Seeing you and Anna together would break her completely, and that’s exactly what happened. She ran out, crying and falling apart.” Taking a deep breath, he added, “She begged me not to take her back to her place, so I didn’t. I took her to my apartment. We drank more while trying to drown it all out. And then…” Damien’s patience snapped. “Fuck you, Abel!” he yelled, his voice reverberating through the room. Anger and disbelief flashed within him as he stared at his friend while barely able to contain his frustration. Regina was the last woman on planet that he should have touched. Not because of his own equation with her because of the complications that surround her. Damien’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. “Have you completely lost your goddamn mind? We have always understood you, Abel, always respected your decisions, b