The school auditorium buzzed with excitement, filled with the soft murmur of parents, teachers, and children waiting for the talent show to begin. Stefani sat beside Jacob in the front row, her heart racing with a mix of pride and anticipation. She held Jacob’s hand tightly, glancing at the small stage where, in just a few moments, Ethan and Elara would perform in their first-ever talent show.The twins, now five years old, had been practicing for weeks. Every day after school, Stefani and Jacob would find them in the living room, dancing, singing, and occasionally arguing over who got to lead. It had been a rollercoaster of giggles, minor frustrations, and endless rehearsals. Now, the big day had finally arrived.Stefani shifted in her seat, excitement bubbling in her chest as she watched the children backstage. "I can't believe our babies are up there," she whispered to Jacob, her voice filled with awe. "It feels like just yesterday they were learning to walk."Jacob smiled, squeezi
The sun was just starting to rise, casting a golden glow over the city, but Stefani had been up for hours. Her heart raced with a mixture of excitement and nerves as she stood in front of the mirror, brushing her hair and making final adjustments to her outfit. Today was the day. After years of dreaming, planning, and putting it off for her family, she was about to open her very own bakery.Stefani had always loved baking. It was more than a hobby for her; it was a passion, a way to express her creativity and share joy with others. From the time she was little, she would spend hours in the kitchen, covered in flour and experimenting with different flavors. But as life moved forward—marriage, children, and all the responsibilities that came with them—her dream of opening her own bakery had taken a back seat.Until now.Jacob had been her biggest supporter, urging her to follow her heart and make this dream a reality. He’d helped her find the perfect location for the bakery—a charming l
Stefani’s heart fluttered with excitement as she paced the living room, her phone clutched tightly in her hand. She glanced at the clock for the hundredth time, mentally calculating the minutes left before Jacob was supposed to arrive. The house had been transformed into a celebration space, a labor of love that had taken weeks of planning and countless late nights spent coordinating with friends and family. The air was thick with anticipation, and the only thing left to do was wait for the guest of honor to walk through the door.Jacob had reached a major milestone in his career—winning a prestigious award for excellence in business management, something that had been his goal for years. It was a recognition of his hard work, long hours, and dedication, but more than that, it was a symbol of how far he had come. Stefani had watched him pour his heart and soul into his work, even though he once lost sight of their family.So, when she heard about the award, Stefani knew she had to cel
The warm sunlight streamed through the curtains as Stefani stretched, listening to the excited giggles from down the hall. Today was a special day, one she had been anticipating for weeks—Ethan and Elara's fifth birthday. Five years. Stefani could hardly believe how quickly time had flown. It felt like just yesterday she was cradling two tiny newborns in her arms, overwhelmed with love and exhaustion. Now, they were running around the house, full of energy and life, growing faster than she ever thought possible.The house buzzed with activity as Stefani got ready. Balloons lined the walls, colorful streamers were draped across the ceiling, and the smell of freshly baked cake filled the air. Today wasn’t just about celebrating the twins; it was also about celebrating how far their family had come—through sleepless nights, laughter-filled days, and moments that had tested them but ultimately brought them closer.“Mommy!” Elara’s voice echoed down the hallway, followed by the sound of li
The house was aglow with festive cheer. Warm lights twinkled on the Christmas tree, and the scent of cinnamon, pine, and freshly baked cookies filled the air. Stefani stood in the kitchen, putting the final touches on a tray of cupcakes. The sound of laughter and chatter echoed through the living room, where both sides of the family—hers and Jacob’s—had gathered for the holidays.This was exactly how she had always imagined it—a full house, filled with the people she loved most. The twins, Elara and Ethan, were playing with their new toys, their excitement bubbling over as they showed their grandparents everything Santa had brought. Stefani glanced over at them and smiled softly, feeling a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the fire crackling in the fireplace.It was Christmas, and in just a few days, it would be New Year’s Eve. A fresh start. Stefani couldn't help but reflect on how much had changed since the last holiday season. The ups and downs, the struggles, the tri
Summer’s Point of ViewI married the youngest handsome rich guy like I've ever dreamed of.It was our third year anniversary and yet this was the gift he gave me. A divorce paper.I used to think that my life would be complete when he would choose to stay with me, but I was wrong. Those three years “together” felt hollow, as our relationship could not be considered a genuine marriage, since he never gave us the opportunity to build a family together.Why did he marry me again? Oh, I already had forgotten.He is rarely in my presence. Most of the time, I only hear about him on the TV news.[Breaking News! Steven Carter was spotted having dinner with Amby Black, a famous model and actress at a VIP Premium restaurant. It was widely believed that the two of them had had an intimate connection since childhood. Could this possibly be a suggestion that the feelings we believed had been extinguished will be reignited?]The news I heard didn't seem to register in my mind.In the darkness of my
Summer’s Point of View [One Month Later] “Just don’t push yourself too much. I am confident that you will make a speedy recovery.” I was relieved when the doctor told me the news and I couldn't help but smile, feeling the pain in my head subside. For the initial weeks following my awakening, it felt like my brain was being freshly plucked from my head and the pain was unremitting. The doctor told me that this was one effect of the memory loss I experienced from the trauma of the accident. To tell the truth, I didn't remember the details of how I got into the accident or what caused it. But I saw messages on my phone. “Thank you, Doc,” I replied to the female doctor, then returned her with a small smile. She smiled at me in return and then went on her way. The moment she stepped out of the room, I picked up my damaged phone again and swiped it open, reading the message that still left me baffled and confused. [I’m going home tonight and by the time I get home you should have
Summer's Point of ViewA heavy stillness descended upon us, so loud it felt like a deafening silence. My ears felt as though they were completely numb, and I could practically hear the chirping of crickets. The phrase that I shared with him was like a moment of enlightenment. Not even a trace of surprise was visible in his eyes anymore, but his expression had become a bit more gentle. Even though it seemed unlikely, I still held onto a spark of hope that perhaps what Celine had said about my husband was all made up and that the news had been twisted, intending to damage his reputation.Nonetheless, my hope dwindled to nothing when he asked me with a much colder and callous question, "When?"The once complete heart I had has been slowly breaking apart, leaving it more and more fragmented. My head was wrapped in thick gauze and I couldn't move because of the casts on my hand and foot. He turned a blind eye to my current situation. He had not bothered to ask a word about it since ente