Summer’s Point of ViewAfter staring at her for a while, I let out a deep sigh. “I already told you, Steven’s got a lot on his plate and we can’t always bother on him.”“But he didn’t come home last night, and he also didn’t pick me up. Does Mister… hate me?”My eyes widened in response to her words and I found myself swallowing hard, feeling a sudden rush of panic. “N-No. Why would you even think that?”“Someone in my class told me I don’t have a father because he hates me,” she said, raising her head and steadying her resolute gaze. “Is it true? Is he not coming back because he doesn’t want me?”As I knelt before her, tears streamed down my face and I tightly embraced her. “That’s not true,” I muttered. “Your dad loves you. He loves you more than you know.”“Then, does Mister like me?”“Steven definitely likes you. It’s impossible not to appreciate a girl as kind and pretty as you. You are truly lovable, don’t forget that!” As I finished speaking, I gently pulled away from our embra
Summer’s Point of ViewI found myself rooted to the spot when she posed the question. Attempting to maintain my composure, I parted my lips to respond, but instead, they involuntarily closed. Her eyes met mine, filled with curiosity as she awaited my answer. Feeling the sweat accumulate in my palm and on my forehead, I tightened my grip, preparing to at least present her with the idea of my past, since I couldn’t bury it any longer.“Uhm... Stefani—”*ting*“Mister!”My heart leaped when the elevator opened, and Steven was standing in front of it. I was unsure if it was a positive thing that he rescued me from the dire circumstance of Stefani discovering the truth or if I should feel guilty for not being able to tell her the truth myself. As I glanced at Steven, I noticed his expression of shock as Stefani embraced his legs. If Brandon hadn’t been standing behind him, I would have let them enjoy their moment. Brandon cleared his throat and greeted me with a polite, “Good afternoon,
Summer’s Point of View“No, Steven! You can’t do this to me. I was with you when that bitch cheated on you!” she growled, as she tried to reach me.I winced as I felt a sharp pain in my cheek caused by her scratching it while pulling my hair.“If you don’t leave immediately, I’ll have no choice but to call the authorities to escort you out,” Steven said coldly. “You’re aware of my capabilities, Amby. Trust me, you don’t want me to handle this on my own.”“Why are you doing this, S-Steven?” she asked. She tried to approach us again, but Steven blocked her. Tears streamed down her face. “I was there for you when you were heartbroken. You even… slept with me, and I thought you loved me too.”“Shut up!” Steven ground his teeth and tightened his jaw. “You’d better keep quiet before—”“Was that also a lie? You fucking slept with me! You fucked me!”As soon as I heard Amby’s words, I instinctively placed my hands over Stefani’s to prevent her from hearing them. However, a heavy, burning sens
Summer’s Point of ViewSuddenly Celine appeared by Harvey’s side, her face contorted with anger. “Did Mr. Carter hurt you again? I told you it was a mistake living with him! If it weren’t for the fact that he’s Stefani’s father—”“Celine!” I let out a roar before fixing a cold gaze on her. “It’s too late. The incident has already occurred. Since all he needs is me, it’s best if Stefani stays here, especially after that woman caused such a commotion.”“Amby did what?” Harvey’s voice was irritated as he asked, “Did that woman do something to you again?”Without giving me a chance to respond, Celine exclaimed, “She did something to you again! Just look at your face! There’s a scar on it.”I let out a sigh. “Let’s not dwell on it. I’ll keep Stefani here and make sure she gets to school every morning.”“Mommy, are we not going back to Mister’s house?” Stefani asked while gently holding my cheeks and turning my face towards her. “I actually like it more there...”I gazed at her with an apol
Steven’s Point of ViewI had too much to drink and ended up sleeping with Amby. It wasn’t my plan, but I was heartbroken after Summer left me, so I turned to alcohol to ease the pain. Unfortunately, I became so consumed by it I neglected my work, causing a decline in sales data. I continued to drink heavily, to the point where reality and illusion became blurred.One night, while I was drunk, Amby showed up at my house without warning. The next thing I knew, we were both naked, and she was sleeping beside me the next morning. However, I couldn’t comprehend the feeling. I felt disgusted with myself for cheating in Summer, and since I couldn’t recall anything, I didn’t know what to say to her.If she hadn’t mentioned it earlier, I would have completely forgotten about it.I was on the verge of drowning myself in liquor once again, but then I remembered that disgusting past and decided to call Summer repeatedly. However, to my surprise, it was Stefani who picked up the phone.Following o
Steven’s Point of ViewI fulfilled my commitment to Stefani and Summer by escorting Stefani to school and overseeing the construction of Summer’s shop. Nevertheless, Summer continued to keep her distance from me. Although it had only been three days since they returned home, she appeared to be even more distant than before.I leaned back in my chair and rubbed my eyes, pondering the events that had transpired. Suddenly, the door burst open, causing me to jump. Brandon rushed in, looking both excited and nervous. Just as I was about to scold him for his sudden entrance, my gaze was drawn to the envelope he was clutching tightly in his hand. My heart began to race with anticipation.“Sir! Good news!” Brandon started. “The hospital assured me they would process the DNA promptly, and to my surprise, everything went smoothly. Consequently, I went to collect the results today.”I rose from my seat and accepted the envelope from him. In an instant, my hands trembled, and I felt a lump in my
Summer’s Point of ViewAs the curry bubbled on the stove, I checked the time - it was already 4 pm and I was in the midst of preparing dinner. However, I couldn’t help but worry about Steven and Stefani who had yet to return. Despite my numerous attempts to reach them, neither of them nor even Brandon had responded. As a mother and wife, my instincts told me that something terrible might have happened to them.I was just about to switch on the TV to catch up on the news when my phone rang. I quickly fished it out of my pocket, hoping it would be Steven calling, but to my dismay, it was Harvey on the other end. I let out a deep sigh before I heard him chuckle.“What’s with the long sigh?” he inquired.“I thought it was Steven. Why did you call?”“Steven?” His voice sounded as if he was taken aback. “Didn’t you go on a trip with him?”“Trip?” My brows furrowed as I responded, “He did mention it, but he said he would travel with me and Stefani. Why?”“Oh… it’s weird. My secretary intends
Steven’s Point of ViewAs I gazed upon the sorrowful sight, her tears flowed like a torrential downpour, each droplet a painful reminder of her anguish. In that moment, it felt as though a piercing arrow had found its mark, lodging itself deep within the chambers of my heart, leaving me gasping for breath. The depths of her sorrow were etched upon her delicate features, like a haunting melody that lingered in the air. No longer could she conceal the misery that coursed through her veins, for it had become an indelible part of her existence. And my heart ached as I witnessed her in this state of vulnerability, like a fragile butterfly struggling to emerge from its cocoon. As if guided by an ancient force, my limbs moved with a primal urgency, encircling her delicate form.I should have done this a long time ago. It pained me to think of how much I regret not embracing her in my arms, holding her tightly, and never letting her slip away from my grasp all those years ago. It should have
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