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
Regina left the Spencer mansion feeling emotionally charged, barely holding back her tears. But the moment she got into her car, they spilled over, uncontrollable and raw. She drove to her usual bar, the one place she knew she could let herself fall apart and ordered her regular drink. As she took a sip, trying to drown her feelings, a familiar voice cut through her thoughts.“Isn’t it a little early to be drunk, Miss Spencer?” came the smug tone.With bloodshot eyes, she spat, “Not today, Abel!”Ignoring her warning, Abel slid into the seat beside her. “So, what has got you down today? Finally realized you’re not perfect?”“Fuck off,” she muttered, but he persisted, pushing her buttons as he always did, testing her limits.Just then, her phone rang. “Miss Spencer, something has happened!” her assistant Ela’s panicked voice filled the line. “Please come to the office right now.”Regina, tipsy but trying to pull herself together, grumbled, “Did they mess up the new project? It’s fine,
say we couldn’t be seen together?”Claire stood before her and said in frustration and exasperation. “I told you not to come here. What part of that didn’t you understand?”Eleanor crossed her arms defiantly. “Why can’t I come? You don’t get to lecture me about this, Claire. You have kept me locked up in that house for months! I came here on my merit.”Claire’s eyes flashed. “If I hadn’t locked you up, you would have been punished far worse. Do you have any idea what you have done? Picking a fight with Anastasia and her friend was reckless!”Eleanor rolled her eyes. “Reckless? I was standing up for myself. They are not untouchable, Claire.”Claire’s voice dropped to a sharp whisper. “You don’t understand the consequences of your actions.”Eleanor’s defiance wavered, but she masked it with a glare. “Maybe you should stop underestimating me.”Claire sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “You don’t get it, do you? It’s not about underestimating you. It’s about protecting you—from your
“Abel and I are going to the courthouse tomorrow to get married. Would you like to be my witness?” Regina asked casually, as though she had just invited Anastasia for coffee. Her tone was like she and Anastasia had been a pair of best sisters all these years. Well, what was she supposed to do with the fact that Anastasia was no longer her half-sister? They shared the same parents. This made them full siblings. She had nothing to fight with this woman, right? Anastasia was annoying but she could do with it. Anastasia’s jaw dropped. “You are getting married? To Abel? And you want me to be your witness? Tell me the truth, were you smoking pot, Regina?”Regina burst out laughing. “Trust me, my life story is smoking pot.” She wiped a tear of amusement from her eye before adding, “Yes, I’m marrying Abel. He is a nice guy. I’m not looking for love. Giving a stable home to our kids before they arrive feels like the responsible thing to do. And if the marriage doesn’t last, that is okay too.
Anastasia stepped out of the banquet hall and found Regina sitting on a bench in the expansive garden of the Callahan mansion. Regina who was usually poised and sophisticated held a paper plate with a large slice of chocolate cake and was eating it with an unabashed delight that seemed out of character.For a moment, Anastasia simply stared at her but her curiosity was piqued by the rare sight.Regina’s gaze lifted and when she noticed Anastasia, she extended the plate with her used plastic fork. “Destiny was right. The birthday cake was awful, but this—” she gestured toward the cake with a satisfied sigh, “This tastes like heaven.”Anastasia raised an eyebrow.Regina grinned and said, “I walked an entire mile in these heels to get this cake from a bakery. The reviews didn’t lie. It’s worth every step.”Anastasia gaped. “You walked a mile? In those heels? Why didn’t you just tell Abel?”Regina shrugged nonchalantly. “I didn’t want to disturb him. He was with his friends. Besides, I ne
Regina replied softly, “I wish I could answer that.”Abel’s expression tightened as he whispered, “Claire isn’t your birth mother?”What on earth did he just see? Wait, she let him see this information? Did it mean, she really trust him with her life? Before he could get happy, she began saying. Regina shook her head. The DNA test had confirmed what she never imagined—Claire was not her birth mother. She didn’t know how to process it.She said, “The doctor told me there was a possibility I was adopted. Since I recently did a DNA test with my dad, I was certain that Harold is my biological father. All my life, Claire told me Harold wasn’t my father when they both knew the truth. Then suddenly, the doctor pointed out that with their blood types, they couldn’t have had a child with AB+. I was racking my brain, trying to figure it all out. Finally, I decided to test my DNA against the rest of my family.”Regina took a deep breath before continuing. “My DNA matched with my father... but, s
After the cake-cutting ceremony, Regina stood far away from the crowd when a little girl approached her with a plate full of cake slices. The girl stopped near her and said, “Hello, this is for you.”Regina looked at the little princess, who had become the apple of everyone’s eye tonight. She crouched down to the girl’s level and said, “Thank you. Did you bring this for me?”Destiny turned around and pointed at Anastasia. “Anna asked me to give cake to everyone who didn’t get any.”Regina asked, “Did you give cake to everyone?”Destiny shook her head. “No, just you.”Regina chuckled. “Thank you.” She took the cake and bit into it. “Oh, it’s delicious.”Destiny made a face and said, “No, it’s not.” Leaning closer, she whispered in Regina’s ear, “My mommy makes cakes with real sugar and cream. This one has fake sugar and cream.”Regina laughed again. The cake was low-fat and low-sugar, but since she rarely had sugar or dairy, she didn’t notice the difference. She said, “I will try a real
“Why is she here?” Anastasia asked, her voice low but sharp as her eyes fixed on Eleanor standing confidently in the hall. The nerve of that woman to show up at her house after trying to hurt her family.Damien leaned in slightly, keeping his tone casual. “She is Chris’s plus one.”Anastasia exhaled, quickly understanding the situation. “Okay. I will be on my best behaviour.”Though she wasn’t one to bow to others’ opinions, Anastasia had been making extra efforts lately. Damien’s family hadn’t fully warmed up to her, and for her husband’s sake, she was resolved to leave them with no reason to criticise. She wasn’t naturally a people-pleaser, but she knew that making peace with his relatives meant comfort for him and that mattered.Damien wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into a side hug. “My wife is always on her best behaviour. It is just other people who know how to get under her skin.”Anastasia smiled faintly, conceding, “You are not wrong.”He chuckled, then flagged down a
The sound of laughter and clinking glasses filled the air as more guests arrived and the mansion came alive with enthusiasm of the guests. Abel walked alongside Regina, his hand resting lightly on her lower back for support. She looked radiant in a sleek black evening gown, her poise and grace masking any signs of her pregnancy. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor, commanding attention with every step.“If you are not feeling well, we can leave,” Abel said, his tone laced with concern. His eyes lingered on her, searching for any sign of discomfort.“I’m fine, Abel,” Regina reassured him with a faint smile. Despite her visible effort to appear composed, Abel remained unconvinced.“You have been pushing yourself too hard,” he pressed. “I don’t want you getting sick again.”Regina’s gaze softened as she turned to him. She understood his worry as the past month had been challenging. Her health had taken a toll, resulting his mother to insist she stay with them until she rega
Grandmother sighed and said, “They didn’t listen to us when we didn’t want them to get married. They went ahead and did it anyway. Now, when we ask them to marry, they are ignoring us again.”Suddenly, Adeline added while trying to get under someone’s skin, “What about having the ceremony on their wedding anniversary?”Claire and Carolyn shot Adeline sharp looks but Grandmother seemed pleased by the idea. “That sounds like a nice idea,” she said eagerly.Damien and Anastasia exchanged glances before responding, “We will give you an answer soon.”Grandmother nodded, a hopeful smile on her face. “Hopefully, it will be a good answer.”At that moment, there was a bit of commotion in the party and a maid quietly whispered into the old lady’s ear, “Mr. Callahan is here.”The old lady’s eyes sparkled as she turned to see her son entering the room, accompanied by his wife and daughter. He looked just as he had ten years ago. Perhaps even more cheerful now. His presence was as captivating as e
It was the 80th birthday of Matriarch Callahan, and dignitaries from across the globe had flown in to celebrate the grand occasion. The weight of organizing such a significant gala rested on the capable shoulders of Damien and Anastasia, leaving them with no room for error.In the backseat of the luxury car, Claire sat poised like the picture-perfect wife, adorned in the finest clothes and glittering jewels. Her carefully composed demeanour, however, was a façade.Harold glanced at her sternly. “Be on your best behaviour tonight.”If not for the important gala tonight, she would still be in the lock-up at Spencer's house. He could not come to Anastasia’s in-law's house without his picture-perfect wife by his side. This would raise questions among people of their high society. Claire pouted, leaning toward him in offence. “Hubby, don’t you trust me?”He didn’t hesitate. “Not after what you did to Regina. No.”Her expression hardened but she quickly masked it with a fake smile. “I was