Steven’s Point of View“What do you mean I looked like your dad?” I asked, lowering into a deeper squat. “Have you already seen your dad?”“That’s what Mom said.”“What did she say, exactly?” I urged, my heart brimming with confusion. “She said he’s tall and handsome, looking like a prince,” came the reply. “Just like how Mister looks!”I let out a sigh of disappointment. ‘So, that’s what she meant…’“Mister looks so princely and tall! And you’re also wealthy!” She clasped her hands over her cheeks and closed her eyes, swaying her body dreamily. “Just like how my mom described my dad’s appearance.”I shut myself off, experiencing the intense agony that pierced through my chest. But soon after, I reopened my eyes and flashed a smile at her. “Absolutely not. I don’t want to resemble your father!”Her pouted lips and furrowed brows presented her displeasure. “And why is that?”“Because I’m taller and better-looking! I bet your dad isn’t as good-looking as I am!”“No, my daddy is more han
Steven’s Point of View We had arrived at the school and Summer had already gotten out of the car before I could open the door for her. However, Stefani remained seated, even though her mom had already opened the door for her. As I walked towards the door and stood next to Summer to see what was going on, Stefani suddenly pouted. “Mommy and Mister should come with me until I reach my room,” she insisted, glancing at the other students walking with both of their parents. “They might tease me if they see that I only have my mom with me.” Summer appeared surprised by what was said and retorted, “But didn’t you claim to be a grown woman who can handle things on her own? Was that not true?” Stefani stood still and swayed her little feet as she spoke, “I never said that I don’t want a dad...” “Stefani!“ This time, Summer’s voice rose. “How many times do I have to tell you not to mention him whenever—” “Why?!” She suddenly burst into tears and yelled, “Why do you always tell me not to me
Summer’s Point of ViewThe rain was coming down heavily, and I was relieved that Steven had picked up Stefani before the downpour. However, it was already midnight, and he still hadn’t returned. Stefani and I were in the kitchen, and I was making her a snack since she mentioned being hungry. I decided to prepare a sandwich and juice for her.“Mommy, why is Mister coming home late? Can’t we have dinner together?” asked Stefani, seated on a chair in front of the table.“I told you to stop bothering Steven because he’s busy.”She rested her chin on the table and gazed at the door, remarking, “Mister seems really down.”I halted my hand as it was about to apply the spread to my sandwich. I gazed at it with a dumbfounded expression and asked in a subdued tone. “Why?”“Although he is working hard, his wife left him. Don’t you also feel sad when dad left us?”I was about to explain something to her, but I abruptly stopped when we heard the sound of the door opening. Stefani quickly interrupte
Summer’s Point of ViewOpen his heart to love again.Open his heart to love again...I had lost count of how many times I had replayed these words in my head. The weight and emptiness of the thought that he might eventually choose to marry Amby or someone else was all-consuming. Was I prepared to witness him falling in love with another woman and me finally releasing him without revealing that Stefani was his daughter?How could our love be so self-centered? The love we thought we shared was nothing but agony. Was it truly love or were we simply holding onto this sentiment because we were both hurting and alone?“Mommy, are you paying attention to me?”My deep thinking was interrupted by Stefani shaking my hand, causing me to jolt. I redirected my focus to her and noticed she was pouting.“I’m sorry, sweetie. What’s wrong?” I asked, while packing her spare clothes into her little backpack.“Nevermind! I’ll ask Mister instead!” She fled through the doorway, donning her little white and
Summer’s Point of ViewAfter I expressed my feelings, he simply left without a word. I tried to remain composed and pinched my fingers once again. As I gazed upward, I bit my lower lip to hold back the tears that were on the brink of falling.After I had calmed down, I turned around and was surprised to see Senior Carter going towards me. I stayed where I was and waited for him to reach me. He was alone, without his nurse. When he stopped in front of me, he greeted me with a smile.“Summer,” he called out, “I heard from Steven that you want to rebuild your shop after it was burned down in Sweden.”“Yes, Senior. With that option, I will be able to save for both Stefani and myself.”“Why? You can ask money to Steven—”“Steven and I are no longer with relationship,” I said and smiled. “You know that we’re only legally married, and if he ever proposed a divorce, I’d be willing to oblige.”“But what about Stefani?” he asked, glancing back at where Steven and Stefani were running. “You can’
Summer’s Point of ViewAfter Senior Carter had left to rest, I walked over to Steven, who was sitting on the sofa next to Stefani, watching... SpongeBob.In my wildest dreams, I never imagined seeing Steven in this light. He appeared less like a ruthless husband and businessman, and more like a loving father who cherished spending quality time with his children.Although I didn’t intend to spoil their moment, I inadvertently blocked their view by standing in front of the television. They both gave me a quizzical look, which perfectly exemplified the typical Carter father-daughter dynamic.“Excuse me, my King and dear Princess, but I hate to interrupt. However, I must inform you that you, my dear Princess, have an assignment to complete.” I crossed my arms and directed my gaze towards them. “Why didn’t you let me know about this earlier?”“It’s not homework,” Stefani insisted, holding onto Steven’s arm, who was sitting with his legs crossed and back straight. “I already submitted our p
Steven’s Point of ViewI couldn't believe I didn’t notice the striking resemblance between Stefani and me. I couldn’t possibly have been oblivious to it. Despite my intense scrutiny, Summer remained silent. I expected her to deny it, but she didn’t meet my eyes. I didn’t want to confront her about it because I knew it would only lead to an argument and possibly bring up unpleasant memories. Also, I couldn’t shake off the nagging feeling that the doctor had lied to me about my baby’s death since she didn’t provide any proof.Back then, I was incredibly hurt and gullible. I believed any word that was said to me was always true and real. While examining Stefani’s arm, I noticed a birthmark that looked similar to mine. Although I had a birthmark too, it was always covered up by my office clothes, so no one was aware of its existence.My heart began to race and my fingertips trembled, as if my mind had shut down. After contemplating for a while, I eventually picked up my phone and dialed B
Steven’s Point of ViewI picked up her call and listened to her voice, but all I could hear was sobbing. It wasn’t a new experience for me, as she often did this when she was upset about something. I let out a sigh, knowing that she needed help. I had suggested therapy and a check-up for her, but she always insisted that she was fine and that I didn’t need to worry about her. However, her behavior had become increasingly concerning. She had started cutting her wrist and hurting herself, and I knew she needed professional help.“Steven, I need you…. Please,” she sobbed, her voice trembling as the sound of the bottle clinking echoed through the phone.I descended the stairs and grabbed my keys to head to her apartment, where she was residing. As I was about to leave through the door, I quickly looked over and spotted Summer standing there, her eyes reflecting a sense of sadness and detachment. Just as I was about to approach her, my phone beeped with an incoming message.Without taking
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
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
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 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
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 gentle breeze rolled off the sea, carrying with it the salty freshness of the ocean. The sun hung low on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the pristine sands of the island they had just arrived on. It felt surreal to Stefani—the beauty of the place, the laughter of her children echoing in the air as Ethan and Elara chased each other down the shore. This island was nothing like anywhere they had been before, and for the first time in a long while, Stefani felt the worries of everyday life slip away.Jacob stood beside her, his eyes locked on the twins with a soft smile tugging at his lips. “It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?” he asked, his voice warm.Stefani nodded, her fingers lacing through his as she leaned into him. “It’s perfect,” she whispered. “I can’t believe we’re actually here. No work, no stress—just us.”He glanced down at her, something unreadable in his expression. “That’s exactly what I wanted, Stef. Just us. We’ve been through a lot, and I thought we could use so
It was a Wednesday afternoon when Stefani sat by the window, staring out at the garden while Elara and Ethan played outside. Their laughter echoed through the yard, but Stefani couldn’t find it in herself to join in. Her mind was miles away, consumed by the growing distance between her and Jacob.Days had turned into weeks since their last conversation about his workaholic tendencies, and though Jacob had apologized and promised to do better, nothing had changed. He was still coming home late, still missing family dinners, and still buried in projects that seemed more important than their family.The door opened, and Jacob walked in, looking as exhausted as ever. His tie hung loosely around his neck, and his shirt was wrinkled from a long day at the office. He glanced at Stefani, his eyes filled with that same apologetic look she had grown used to."Hey," he greeted her, dropping his briefcase by the door. "Sorry I'm late again. The meeting ran longer than expected."Stefani sighed, h
Stefani sat at the dinner table, her eyes tracing the empty seat across from her. The warm glow from the chandelier above felt dim compared to the brightness that used to fill their family meals. It wasn’t the first night Jacob had missed dinner, but it felt like the hundredth. His absence weighed heavily on her heart, an unspoken distance growing between them.Elara and Ethan, now five, chatted animatedly as they poked at their food, their little voices filling the silence Jacob had left behind. Stefani tried to focus on their laughter, their joy, but her mind kept drifting back to the clock on the wall, ticking louder and louder with every passing second. Each tick felt like a reminder that Jacob was missing yet another evening with his family.“Mommy, when is Daddy coming home?” Ethan’s soft voice cut through her thoughts. His big brown eyes were filled with innocent hope, the kind that still believed his father would walk through the door at any moment.Stefani’s heart clenched. S
Stefani sat by the window in their bedroom, watching the sunset as the soft orange hues danced across the horizon. The house was unusually quiet, save for the distant laughter of their children playing in the living room with their grandparents. She sighed, clutching her phone as her thumb hovered over Jacob’s contact.It had only been a few hours since she last saw him. He had left early in the morning for a meeting, and now the day was fading into night, with no sign of him returning. She knew Jacob loved her deeply, and she had no reason to doubt his loyalty. But still, the whisper of insecurities crawled into her mind ever since Olivia started working in his office.Despite Jacob’s reassurances and the fact that Olivia no longer bothered him, Stefani couldn't help but feel unsettled. She had always been confident in their relationship, but lately, small things seemed to gnaw at her sense of security. The little voice in her head was louder than usual.What if Olivia is still aroun