Stefani found herself standing in front of the imposing hospital building. Her hands trembled and perspired, overwhelmed by a mix of fear and anxiety. Though she longed to flee, all she could do was succumb to her nerves.As the sun beat down on her face, Stefani mustered the courage to enter the hospital and approached the front desk to inquire about Shaira's room."Miss Miller is currently in the emergency room. Please proceed to the second floor," the front desk attendant informed her."Thank you," Stefani replied, her response barely audible. Doubt began to creep in, eroding her confidence. She couldn't help but feel responsible for Shaira's current condition.Ascending to the second floor, Stefani was immediately greeted by the presence of Emily, Frederick, and... Jacob.Initially taken aback, as Jacob had mentioned he would be meeting her mother, Stefani and Jacob locked eyes. Surprise was evident in both their gazes.For a moment, they remained frozen, until the doctor emerged
Jacob clenched his teeth and jaw, his gaze fixed on Stefani in his peripheral vision. Although he wanted to decline without hesitation, he hesitated at the thought of upsetting Stefani by leaving with her. He sighed, feeling the weight of Emily and Frederick's anticipation for his response. Meanwhile, Stefani regained her composure and took hold of Jacob's hand, her heart heavy and her breaths labored."Aunt," she began, her voice heavy with emotion. "I want to help you, but sharing my husband with her is not only a mistake in the eyes of society but also in the eyes of God. I would consider it if we only had to convince Shaira, but asking Jacob to pretend to love her is beyond what I can accept."Emily grew anxious, fearing that Stefani would back out despite her apparent willingness. "But it's just an act, Stef—"Stefani cut her off, her tone sharp. "That doesn't give you the right to disrespect me! How could you make such a request knowing that I am his wife? I thought you would su
Stefani let out her 10th sigh in a row as she set down her documents. She nibbled on her lower lip and glanced over at Jacob, who was already looking at her with warm, concerned eyes. Despite his worried expression, she simply flashed him a smile and was about to return to her reading when he suddenly got up and walked towards her.Placing a chair next to her, he gently lifted her chin so she would meet his gaze. Locking eyes with her, he inquired, "You've been sighing a lot today. I noticed you seemed distracted during the meeting earlier. Is everything okay?"Stefani averted her eyes, nervously playing with her fingers as she recalled Shaira's words. She knew she shouldn't let those thoughts bother her, but an unsettling fear gripped her heart. What if Jacob forgot about her...Deciding it was too absurd to bring up with Jacob, she simply shook her head. "Nothing... I just have a headache and can't focus."Jacob studied her carefully, clearly not convinced by her explanation. Changi
The night sky was engulfed in darkness as the towering skyscrapers illuminated the city. Stefani and Jacob reached their destination without any issues, yet Stefani couldn't shake off her unease. It felt as though someone was observing them, despite her attempts to dismiss these concerns.Upon entering the room, Jacob inquired, "Are you okay?"Stefani halted in front of the wide-open door, surveying her surroundings with cautious eyes. She contemplated speaking up but ultimately decided that her worries were trivial. She closed her mouth, shook her head, and replied, "It's nothing."As Stefani sat on the bed and observed Jacob's stance, she couldn't help but ponder a question that had been weighing heavily on her mind. "Jacob… is it possible for someone to forget someone they truly love? And if so, can't the heart recognize who it truly… loves?"Jacob stood frozen, slowly turning his head to face Stefani, who appeared distant and lost. He responded, "Certainly, the heart and mind can
Stefani and Jacob strolled through the city, killing time with a bit of shopping before their evening meeting. Passersby couldn't help but glance their way, captivated not only by Jacob's presence but also by Stefani's.Upon realizing the attention, Jacob swiftly pulled Stefani and wrapped his arm around her waist, shooting a cold look at the onlookers. As soon as they caught his gaze, they averted their eyes and hurried off as if nothing had happened.Stefani, engrossed in her phone, was taken aback by Jacob's sudden move. She didn’t notice the other people because she was busy scrolling through a post, reading it, and finally connected the dots, realizing what happening was all part of Shaira's plan.[Shaira Miller, a successful businesswoman in the corporate world, is working on a new project. She is currently in Indonesia, where she is in the process of negotiating a long-term proposal with large companies.]‘I knew it! This woman is really clever!’ She thought in herself. Despite
Jacob and Stefani spent the entire day exploring various tourist attractions. They had a great time until it was time for the meeting. "I'll drop you off at the hotel first so you can rest," Jacob said, holding the shopping bags they had accumulated throughout the day. "Okay," Stefani replied, feeling a bit disappointed. As she got into the car, she couldn't help but sulk. She didn't like the idea of Jacob and Shaira being in the same space or room, even though she knew there would be someone else with them. It made her feel anxious and a little angry. Throughout the entire journey, Jacob observed Stefani's changing mood. When they arrived back in front of the hotel, Stefani didn't move from her seat. Instead, she turned her head towards the window, gazing at the city lights and the bustling crowd. "Let's go. I'll take you to your room," Jacob suggested, preparing to unbuckle his seatbelt. "No," Stefani responded firmly, leaving Jacob confused. "You said you were tired. We're ba
Jacob gazed at Stefani's face, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "What?" he asked, still taken aback.Stefani's smile widened as she repeated herself. "Mango. I want mango."Jacob walked over to the bed, gently pulling Stefani onto his lap as he spoke softly. "Honey, it's late. There are no stores or sellers available at this hour.""How can you be so sure if you haven't even looked outside yet!" Stefani responded irritably, pointing towards the balcony. "Just look, there are still plenty of people out there."Jacob began to explain, "Just because there are people doesn't necessarily mean—"Before he could finish his sentence, Stefani's eyes welled up with tears and they streamed down her cheeks. Panic filled Jacob's eyes as they widened. "Shh! I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, please don't cry. I'll go outside and find mangoes for you, alright?"He gently wiped away Stefani's tears and held her close, planting a kiss on her cheek. "Okay, just wait for me and I'll go find them for you."Jac
Jacob gazed at Stefani, who was devouring the mango he had purchased, without pause. A smile graced his lips as he admired her. When Stefani noticed his gaze, annoyance washed over her."Why are you staring at me like that? It's so creepy!" she blurted out without thinking.Jacob's mouth dropped open in response to her words, but she paid no attention and continued eating. Jacob hoped she would retract her statement, but she simply ignored him as if he were invisible."Hey..." he called out softly."What?" she responded, annoyance evident in her tone. When she realized the mangoes were already gone, she looked at him coldly. "Look! The mangoes are gone because of you!""What? Why are you blaming me?" Jacob was completely taken aback. "I... I didn't even touch them because I bought them just for you."Stefani glanced at him indifferently, washed her hands, and didn't bother replying. She simply returned to bed. However, before closing her eyes, she turned to him and glared. "Don't slee
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