Stefani was taken aback by Shaira’s words. She stared at her in shock, unable to move as she processed what had just been said. Meanwhile, Shaira eagerly awaited her response, knowing that she couldn’t refuse. Stefani and Shaira weren’t as close as Shaina, but they had a strong bond. However, Shaira often boasted about how well Jacob treated her, which sometimes made Stefani feel distant. This became one of the reasons she hated Jacob. She believed he was intentionally trying to make her feel insecure while treating her cousin well. She desperately wanted to divorce him, but now that she had a valid reason to remove him from her life, her heart suddenly felt heavy. She was at a loss for how to respond to Shaira. “Stefani, you know, Jacob used to be willing to cancel all our plans whenever you asked him to stay home. I must admit, I used to dislike it when you would suddenly request his presence on our dates...” Shaira’s smile grew as she reminisced about the past. “But now, seeing
Shaira's heart skipped a jealousy as she witnessed Jacob's possessive gesture, his hand firmly clasping Stefani's waist. In that moment, she realized that their bond had transcended mere siblinghood and evolved into something deeper and more profound. Something more...The upcoming days had Shaira filled with anticipation for Sunday. She had a plan in mind - to convince Jacob to stay the night. In order to make that happen, she needed to take action. Shaira grabbed her phone and dialed Stefani's number. After a few rings, Stefani answered the call."Shaira?" Stefani said, confirming her identity."Hey, Stefani! How have you been lately? I went to Aunt Summer's and Uncle Steven's villa, but they mentioned that you no longer live with them. I was wondering where you're staying now," Shaira asked cheerfully.Stefani, feeling a sense of panic on the other end of the line, didn't know how to respond. "Uh... why do you want to know?""What do you mean why? Wouldn't it be great if we could
Stefani's mind was in a state of chaos. She felt annoyed by Shaira's persistence, and as she contemplated her personality, she couldn't help but reflect on the movie she had just watched. In the story, there was a happy ending, but the female protagonist didn't receive the ending she deserved. Instead, the male lead ended up with the second female character. The reason behind this outcome was that the second female character consistently expressed her love for the male lead.... just like what Shaira was doing these past few days.Stefani shook her head and let out a sigh as she returned her phone to her bag. "There's no point in comparing, Stefani. You're not living in some romance novel, you fool!" she scolded herself.Stefani decided to visit her parents.Upon arriving at her parents' villa, she was greeted only by the maids and fortunately, the twins. She immediately sought out Betsy and asked, "Where is mom and dad?"Betsy, the cold and nerdy girl, simply shrugged her shoulder
Summer, Steven, and Shaira's parents had always been close. And when Senior Carter passed away, their bond grew even stronger. Unfortunately, due to the fact that the Miller family, Shaira and Shaina's dad, was not originally from this city, they lost touch before. It was their mother, who was originally from New York and a Carter by birth, that brought them back together.They finally reunited when Stefani turned twelve years old, and that's when she first met Shaira and Shaina. Shaina was the same age as Stefani, while Shaira was nineteen years old, the same age as Jacob. Perhaps one of the reasons the two became so close was because they shared the same mindset, being of similar ages. "Mom, Dad!" Shaira called out, capturing the attention of the elders. "Auntie, Uncle!" Her parents were taken aback as they saw her and asked, "Shaira? Why are you here?" Summer, who was also a little confused, glanced at Stefani, who had fallen silent. When she turned her attention back to Shair
Stefani tugged at her mother's hand, silently pleading with her to stop talking. Summer, however, suddenly felt a pang of guilt for her daughter. She knew Stefani could be stubborn, but just like her, she had a kind heart. She always considered others' feelings before her own."Shaira, you're mistaken," Summer said, her voice dripping with coldness.Shaira felt a shiver run down her spine as she saw the icy glare from Summer. She had heard rumors about how cruel Summer Ramey Carter could be, and now that she was on the receiving end of her wrath, she had no idea how to respond."W-what do you mean, Aunt Summer?" Shaira nervously asked, desperately trying to maintain the smile on her face.Summer was about to speak, but Stefani pulled her hand again, silently pleading with her through her eyes. "Mom... Please, no."Shaira looked between Summer and Stefani, utterly confused about what was happening, until Steven stepped forward."Is something wrong, sweetheart?" he asked Stefani.Stefan
Stefani glared at Jacob with contempt and forcefully pushed him away, her anger boiling over because he had interrupted her. She then shifted her attention to Shaira's parents, her expression filled with remorse. However, the elders only responded with a sad smile and shook their heads, absolving her of any blame."Get away from me!" Stefani forcefully shoved Jacob once again.But Jacob refused to let her go, his gaze shifting towards Summer and Steven, silently conveying that they were leaving. He no longer waited for their response and forcefully dragged Stefani out of the villa.Stefani struggled to break free, but Jacob was growing increasingly irritated by her behavior."I said let me go! Can't you hear me? Look at what you've done! You're ruining everything again!" Stefani shouted.Jacob's grip on her wrist tightened, and he forcefully pushed her into the car, shooting her a cold glance. He then slammed the door shut and took his place in the driver's seat. As Stefani felt his a
Stefani swiftly shut the car door as soon as it came to a halt, eager to escape the confines of the vehicle. Without waiting for Jacob any longer, she made a beeline for their room. Settling herself on the bed, she glanced at her phone screen, hoping to find a message from Shaira. However, instead of Shaira's message, an unfamiliar number appeared.[It's me, Piolo. Sorry for not messaging you much earlier, I've been swamped. How have you been?] the text read.Stefani felt a wave of indifference wash over her upon reading the message. Nevertheless, she knew it would be impolite not to respond. She pondered for a moment before typing a brief reply.[I'm fine! I've been busy too.]Her response felt lacking, as she had no clue what else to say. Just as her phone vibrated again, the door swung open. Paying no attention to the arrival, assuming it was Jacob, she continued to focus on her phone. Little did she know, Jacob's eyes fell upon her device.His fist clenched tightly, he refrained f
Stefani gazed intently at Jacob's injury, deep in thought about the question he had asked. As she contemplated, she couldn't help but yearn to experience a love that was all-encompassing."If that person truly wants me, I want them to witness my flaws from the start. Only then, if they still find those imperfections endearing, will I allow them to remain by my side," Stefani expressed, gently tending to Jacob's wound. "After all, everyone deserves a companion who embraces them wholeheartedly, even during their darkest moments."“And what if the person you've been searching for all along is right in front of you? And what if that person is blind to your imperfections because all they see is your perfection?” Jacob's words hit home, resonating deep within Stefani. "Sometimes, we're so caught up in other things that we fail to notice what's right in front of us."Stefani couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement upon hearing Jacob's words. She scolded herself for entertaining such t
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