Summer’s Point of ViewI was torn between whether or not to tell him. On the other hand, I didn’t want to break his trust and give him the impression that I couldn’t rely on him after all the help he had given me. I absentmindedly played with the book resting on my lap, biting the bottom of my lip in thought. Despite not meeting his eyes, I could sense his stare fixed upon me.Experiencing the familiarity of people who know you so well is an unparalleled feeling. You cannot escape their sympathy when you try to endure the brunt of life’s bullets alone. However, they stand by you, catching the shots, and sharing your grief. During the short time that I spent with Harvey, I experienced these emotions very strongly, something that Steven did not make me feel. It was clear he knew what it was like to weather a storm.After a moment of contemplation, I lifted my head and spoke honestly. “Steven and I made an agreement. If you happen to know Celine - she’s my secretary,” I paused briefly,
Summer’s Point of ViewMy heart was beating so fiercely like a stampede of horses galloping through it. With every tick of the clock, I could feel my breaths becoming shallower and faster while my palms were becoming slick with sweat. As I watched the doorknob turn, my heart burned with anticipation. Slowly, the door creaked open, and I braced myself for what was to come. But then, as I saw who entered the room, it was as if a hundred thorns were suddenly plucked from my chest.At first, I assumed it was Steven who arrived, but to my surprise, it was Nana Tere who came carrying baskets of food. “Missus Carter, eat your breakfast and then take your medicine.”After placing her belongings on a nearby table, she turned to face me. However, upon catching sight of the man standing beside me, her eyes narrowed. “I’m sorry,” she said, her tone slightly guarded. “I didn’t know you had a visitor.”To prevent any misunderstandings, I extended my palm to introduce them to each other. I wanted to
Summer’s Point of ViewMaggie’s face flushed with shame, leaving her speechless. In contrast, Amby remained still and quiet, determined to make amends for a wrongdoing she had not committed.In less than a minute, the door opened once again, revealing a man with an air of grandeur. Though I had not turned yet, the fragrance of his perfume was unmistakable and immediately recognisable.Maggie and I both turned to look in his direction. He briefly glanced at me before his attention fell on Amby, who was still bowing.“Oh.” As soon as I understood the situation, I burst out laughing uncontrollably. It was funny to think that I had fallen into this second trap. If someone were to see us without knowing the context, they would surely think that I was bullying the Disney Princess.Steven’s expression turned sour, but I simply shook my head, suppressing my laughter. It was odd, really, how I couldn’t help but laugh even when there was nothing particularly funny happening. After my giggles su
Summer’s Point of ViewAs the afternoon sun beat down on the window, another visitor came.“Celine!” As soon as she entered, I greeted her with joy. However, my happiness turned to sorrow when I noticed how much weight she had lost. Upon further examination, I observed bruises and wounds all over her body, causing me to feel guilty. “I’m sorry,” I said, unable to contain my remorse.With a shake of her head, she hurried to my side and took my hand, giving it a comforting squeeze before offering me a smile. “You have no fault, so you have nothing to apologise for,” she reassured me. Then, she scanned me and asked in a modest tone, “What happened to you? Why are you here in the hospital again?”In order to prevent her from worrying, I put on a smile and lied. “It’s nothing serious, just a fever. The doctor told me it’s normal considering I was in a car accident. Please don’t worry about me.”She stared at me as tears streamed down her cheeks. “Missus Carter, you’re lying. I know the tru
Summer’s Point of ViewI chose not to answer Celine’s question. I didn’t want her to worry about my situation, especially since my accident and recovery had already burdened her so much in the past. Additionally, I couldn’t forget that I had dragged her into my messy past, leading to her imprisonment. I didn’t want to put her through those painful experiences again. At the moment, she was the only person I had left.Fortunately, she picked up on my reluctance and refrained from asking for further details. Instead, we conversed for a few hours. When evening arrived, I urged her to return home so she could rest. Although she initially resisted, I insisted.Alone in the room once again, I no longer felt the weight of sadness that had consumed me. Thoughts of Celine’s release from prison had brought a sense of relief to my mind. However, as I gazed up at the ceiling, a different sensation began to take hold - hunger. My eyes shifted towards my phone, and a sudden idea struck me.I dialed
Summer’s Point of View“Then, what is it?” He loosened his necktie without taking his eyes off me.Taking a deep breath, I looked deeply into his ocean eyes that devoid of nothingness. “Before I answer that, I want to clarify everything,” I began, my voice steady but with a hint of apprehension. “I know I did a lot of bad things in my past, and even though I don’t remember all of that yet, I already regret it a lot.” I paused, feeling the weight of my words as my eyes searching for understanding. “And even though I desire to change and correct everything, I don’t have a time machine to do that.” “I’m glad you’re aware of that,” he commented coldly.I nod, feeling genuine remorse for my past actions. “And despite my mistakes, I am grateful that you never wished for me to die—”Before I could finish my sentence, he interrupted me, his voice laced with fury. “Then why did you keep insisting I wanted you to die?” he bellowed, causing my ears to ring with the force of his words. “Who tol
Summer’s Point of ViewIn an elegant and suave manner, he leaned in towards my face, squinting his eyes in a way that was both alluring and refined. Then, he asked, “Why?”“What do you mean why?” I replied calmly, even though my heart skipped from his sudden movement. “I meant what I said. Let’s give this marriage a chance for three months, and if it doesn’t work out, then I’ll give you the divorce you’ve wanted for a long time.”“There are more important things you can ask than this—”“Like what?”“Money. Shares from the company. Everything,” he coldly spat.“And what’s wrong with wanting this?” My eyes fixated on him as I could see his clear hesitation towards the suggestion I had made.“Although it's not too heavy for me, the burden of your request might be too much for you to bear. The odds are against you, and failure seems likely.”“And so?”“This wasn't the best option. You could've chosen a better choice.”“I know that.”“Are you sure you want this?”“I do.”“I'm offering you
Summer's Point of ViewDespite his sarcastic tone, I tried to remain positive and not let it affect our conversation. Instead of looking at him, my focus was on the table, where the empty pasta box he had brought me sat. As I admired the gift, I couldn’t help but wonder how I could capture his undivided attention. I wanted him to be at my beck and call, always ready to bring me food and answer my every request. I longed for him to behave like a devoted husband, willing to do anything to please me.As I shifted my eyes back to him, my eyes scanned his face, taking in the slight crease in his forehead and the lift of one eyebrow. His features were flawlessly chiseled, radiating a striking aura from every angle. I couldn’t help but wonder if this man had saved the world in a past life, as he seemed to be blessed with an incredible stroke of luck in this present one. His chiseled features were so captivating that a loud clearing of the throat was needed to snap me back to reality. I coul
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