Stefani's grip tightened on the paper bag containing Jacob's food as she shot him an intense glare. "Stop being so sarcastic with me."Jacob remained unfazed, which only served to further irritate Stefani. Determined, she marched over to his desk and forcefully placed the bag down. "Fine, I apologize for bothering you. But you should at least appreciate the fact that I made you breakfast!""I never asked you to do that. Next time, don't do things that aren't genuine. I don't want to owe you anything."Stefani's heart sank at his cold words, and he didn't even acknowledge the bag she had brought, causing her even more pain."Why are you like this?" Stefani asked, her voice trembling with the threat of tears."Like this?" Jacob sneered. "Isn't this what you wanted? To not interfere in each other's lives. Why are you acting as if you're being bullied again?"Stefani gritted her teeth and took a deep breath before whispering, "Caring about you was a mistake. I shouldn't have."Upon hearin
Jacob's mind snapped back to reality when Primo asked his question.He took a deep breath before calmly walking towards the chair in the center of the room. With a composed demeanor, he replied, "I have a wife. My life is already established in New York.""You can leave it all behind," Primo suggested. "The Hansley family can offer you a better life. And as for your wife, she can come along too."Jacob's eyes locked with Primo's, his words filled with a mix of shock and determination. "It's easier said than done. Seeing you, someone who knows more about me than I know myself, it's unsettling. But I can't just abandon this city. What I can promise you is a successful partnership with our company, nothing more.""But isn't it better to discover who you truly are instead of living in the shadow of the Carter family? I'm sure you're tired of hearing that your position is only due to being orphaned by them," Primo countered."You're not wrong," Jacob admitted.Primo's words lingered in Jac
Stefani wiped the perspiration off her forehead, using her apron to dry her hands. She glanced at the simmering pork soup on the stove, realizing that she had moved beyond simply watching online cooking videos. She had taken the leap and enrolled in culinary school."Alright! Once you're finished preparing, have your partners taste it and let them provide feedback on your dish. Their opinions will account for 30% of your score, while mine, as your teacher, will make up the remaining 70%," the teacher announced.The room erupted in cheers at the teacher's words. She continued, "Remember, their comments will reflect your honesty, and their praise will determine your grades."Stefani's heart raced as she wondered how Jacob would react to her cooking. Lost in her thoughts and the excitement of her classmates, she suddenly noticed someone raising their hand."But Ma'am, what if I don't have a partner?" the student asked.Laughter filled the room, and Stefani furrowed her brow as she tried
The door was slammed multiple times like it was about to break. Piolo grabbed her hair tightly, making her feel her hair was about to be removed from her scalp.“Ahh!” Her scream filled the room when Piolo angrily clenched her arms, making her feel the excruciating pain.In one slam, the door opened like it was about to break, Stefani glanced at the man-built and hope was obvious in her face when she noticed it was Jacob. Her eyes widened as her tears continued flowing down her cheek when their eyes met.Jacob's cheeks were pinkish in fury when he saw her condition. Her sobbed turned louder, until it was the only sound that they could hear inside the room.Piolo was stunned, he was about to turn his back to face Jacob when a punch landed on his face. Piolo was thrown and laid down on the floor.“J-Jacob...” Stefani uttered with hope. Her lips quivered because of panic. She didn't do anything but stand and watch Jacob from going to Piolo once again.“Y-You, how dare you touch her?!”
Jacob stormed into the room, his anger evident as he forcefully pulled Stefani out. It wasn't until they reached the parking lot that he finally released his grip on her. His silence spoke volumes, his furious expression sending shivers down Stefani's spine. She was terrified of him, feeling his piercing gaze as if it could pierce through her very being."When are you going to admit that you're involved with that scumbag?!" he bellowed, his voice thundering through the air.Stefani's demeanor shifted, her eyes widening in shock as she looked at him. "No, no. P-please, we have no relationship! You know I only attend that class to learn about cooking. Please, believe me!"Jacob's face twisted into a menacing smirk, clearly indicating that he wasn't buying her words. He sneered, "So, you expect me to believe that he just happens to be in the same class as you? Why didn't you tell me about it?"Tears welled up in Stefani's eyes as her heart sank. "B-because I didn't think it was important
Shaira's emotions slowly settled as she processed Stefani's words. Without hesitation, she rushed to join her on the ground, gripping onto her arms tightly.The questions poured out of her one after the other, desperate for the truth. "Are you being honest? Do you truly not love him? Are you considering a divorce?"Stefani's expression turned sorrowful as she nodded slowly. Her voice trembled and tears streamed down her cheeks as she responded, "Y-yes. I'm not lying... I... I will take over the company and learn about it, and then I will d-divorce him."Just the mention of divorce shattered Stefani's heart into a million pieces. She didn't want this to happen, but she also didn't want to be the cause of someone's suffering.Shaira's anger subsided, and she immediately embraced Stefani. "Thank you for telling me the truth! I'm sorry for slapping you! If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have let my anger take control!"Stefani bit her lower lip, swallowing the lump in her throat even tho
The following day, Stefani made her way to her parents' house. As she entered, she noticed their head corporate lawyer engaged in a discussion with them in the living room. Instantly, a sense of unease washed over her as she observed their expressions.The lawyer stood up and addressed her parents, "I'll be taking my leave now, Mr. and Mrs. Carter." He then turned towards Stefani, acknowledging her presence with a nod. "I'll be on my way, Mrs. Hansley.""Thank you for your time, Mr. Ramirez. Keep us updated if there are any further developments," Steven said, rising from his seat."I will. But I hope you take into consideration what I've told you," Mr. Ramirez replied.Once the lawyer had left, Stefani looked at her parents with confusion. She placed her bag on the sofa and took a seat. "Why was Mr. Ramirez here? Is something wrong with the company?"Steven sat beside Summer, wrapping his arm around her waist and showering her with affectionate kisses on her cheek. He responded to Ste
Jacob's desk was now adorned with a large stack of files. However, this time it was Stefani who occupied the chair, not him. As she stared at the papers before her, a profound disappointment filled her eyes, and the mere sight of them made her feel weary.She picked up one of the papers and began to read it. After a moment, she returned it to its place and let out a sigh. "I can't make sense of any of these documents...""But Missus Hansley, Missus Carter said you can't leave the office without submitting a report," Liam interjected, placing the final papers on the desk. "Should I inform them that you're unable to fulfill this task?"Stefani immediately shook her head and grabbed the folder, ready to start reading. "This is the new project, correct?"Liam nodded. "Yes. Mister Hansley was supposed to review them, provide feedback, and sign off on them. However, since he's not here, they're still pending. If you're not confident in approving them, you can leave them as they are.""I und
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