Summer’s Point of View“Answer me, wife. What can you destroy in my life? How will you do that?”When I understood Steven had me cornered by his question, the fear ran through my veins, and I could feel my heart beating faster and faster. I couldn’t believe I had been so naïve, not realizing he was trying to ensnare me with my own words.“Why do I need to answer you? I will not answer you, for I know it will make you suspicious of me.” I scoffed at him and shoved him away before I said gruffly, “I have some things to do, so I have to go. Bye!”I already turned around and took steps. However, before I could make a distance from him, his breath struck my nape.“Just the typical Summer, nothing to expect.”As my stilettos shuffling against the pavement, I heard his throaty voice behind me, but I hastened away. His movements were quick and calculated, like a beast searching for prey to feast on. I exhaled slowly to slow down the frantic hammering of my heart.Whenever I was with him, I fel
Summer’s Point of View I arrived at the dinner party at 7 pm. As I entered the banquet hall, I could see the glimmering chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The vibrant colors around me made me remember why I had come to this place. Of course, it was because of learning more about my past, but I received news that Steven would attend the party, too. Recalling the moment he told me it was my fault that Amby’s dream had been crushed, I was stirred to come here more.I made my way around, eager to find him. My eyes searched the crowd, and I struggled to find his familiar tall body amongst the sea of unfamiliar faces and figures. It took me half an hour yet I still did not see him. Feeling my feet hurting from walking, I ended up stepping into the garden. Standing at the edge of the garden, I could see the huge outdoor swimming pool and marvel at the clarity of the water. I noticed the few guests standing, their voices carrying across the pool as they chatted with each other. I survey
Summer’s Point of View*Splash*“Shit! Ah!”As I felt the splash of the water after Hailey pushed me into the pool, I couldn't help but scream out in surprise. The cold was so intense that it felt like I could freeze to death in an instant. It was winter, so expect the so much coldness.I tried to swim, but the pool water felt like a viscous liquid, and it seemed to wrap around my body. I could feel my pulse quickening as I stepped further and further away from safety, feeling that death was imminent.“My goodness, Summer! Why did you jump into the pool? Is this your way of getting the sympathy of everyone here?”Hailey's words were becoming increasingly difficult to comprehend. I was too busy focusing on my survival to catch all of what she had said.I tried to float, but I couldn't muster the buoyancy to stay afloat. As I struggled to keep my head above the surface of the water, and the more I fought, the more I felt like I was drowning. I could not touch the bottom of the pool, so d
Amby’s Point of ViewI glanced over at my manager, who was animatedly discussing something with the production team. I could see she was still in a panic. Her eyes couldn’t calm and darting around as if she were trying to determine if I was safe since I was sitting on the ground.Steven stepped onto the set and was met by the frenzied voices of the cast and the chaos of the scene. He walked over to me and I could feel his gaze running over me. “What happened to you? What’s going on?” I opened my mouth, ready to tell him I was okay, when my manager came barreling towards him. Her eyes bulged, and I could feel her desire to be my rescuer. “Mister Carter, please help Hailey!”“What?” Steven plainly asked.“Did you see that woman? It's Georgie Muller!” Georgie was looking at the production crew when my manager pointed her finger in her direction. “She’s an actress. She’s the one who kept causing trouble for Amby whenever they are filming.”"Maggie, let's not make this into a huge drama,"
Summer’s Point of ViewI had a dream — a dream that left me feeling uncertain if it was a pleasant or a frightening experience. But all I was aware of was the blissful feeling that coursed through me when Steven was with me in my dream.“Summer, you don’t know what you're getting yourself into. You'd be wise not to have second thoughts about marrying me, because once the vows are said, there'll be no escape from me.”The pressure of his grip on my waist was comforting, and his eyes were so dark and mesmerizing I felt like I was being pulled in. His voice was low and even, yet each of his sentences was spoken with conviction.I slapped his chest and gave him a small shove, but I still found the nerve to search his eyes, which were overflowing with unknownness. How could the Almighty create a perfect man whose personality was so haughty and daunting it seemed almost divine?My face broke into a smile at what he declared, and then I pulled him close and brushed my lips against his.Our l
Summer’s Point of ViewMy heart thrashed. However, even if I wanted to concentrate on him, I couldn't because a single slight shift of my head would make me see stars.The sound of his name brought a wave of nostalgia that I couldn’t recall, yet not surprise that he was also part of my past. To be honest, it was becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between friend and foe now. Given that I had wronged many people in the past, I often encounter them these days.Today, something happened that differed totally from the norm, as there was someone who didn't express anger towards me. It was surprised to see he was glad to see me and showed genuine concern.“I shouldn’t let him destroy you like this…”“…” I remained quiet. Unfortunately, I was not in a healthy enough state to process any new information linked to my past.The realization that I wasn't prepared to deal with what he was saying seemed to dawn on him, so he quickly shifted the conversation to something else. “Summer, ho
Steven’s Point of ViewAs I went past Harvey, I made my way into the room he had just been in and didn’t spare any glance toward him again. He might have assumed I was on my way to see Summer, since her room was just a few steps away from Amby's.The moment I set foot in the room, the deafening sound of silence filled the air. The only noises that could be heard in the room were the hum of the air conditioning and the ticking of the clock.As soon as I stride, it was apparent that she had a strong sense of security when she struggled to open her eyes and did her best to look in my direction.Moving closer to her, I towered over her, taking in her delicate and unblemished face.Her beauty is so cunning and sly that it has the power to deceive any individual. Who can resist the temptation of a woman who is pretending to be a goddess yet is truly a wicked individual underneath?With a flutter of her eyelashes, she finally opened her eyes. The paleness of her skin did not detract from her
Summer’s Point of ViewI was pressing my fingers into my chest, feeling the ache, when the door opened. Had I thought it was Steven, I would have pretended to be asleep, but I heard Harvey’s and the Doctor’s voices.I set my phone back on the sidetable and paid attention to the two individuals. Harvey nod at me as the doctor started asking question. “Good morning, Missus Carter. How is your feeling now?”“I’m a little better now. Although my body is still in quite dire,” I answered hoarsely.As he did another checkup, he scribbled notes on the paper in his hand. After a few minutes of examination, he concluded, “Missus Carter, you were pushed to your limits this time. Your body is still feeling weak, so you need to recuperate with some rest. You must be more cautious with your health this time after you recently underwent a car accident and then almost drowned.”I sighed and laid my head on the pillow. To be honest, I couldn’t recall the last time I closed my eyes without feeling the
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