Jacob and Stefani returned to their home, but Stefani did not feel well. She felt nauseous and dizzy every day, sleeping all day until Jacob came back from work.Today, Jacob could not bear seeing her like this anymore so he suggested, "You're like this every day. Don't you want to consult with a doctor? I know one."Stefani furrowed her brow while leaning against the headboard, still feeling unwell. "Why do we need to see another one? We have a family doctor who can just come here and check on me."Jacob pursed his lips. He knew that their family doctor could do the check-up, but he wanted to personally go to an ob-gyne to confirm if Stefani was pregnant. He was afraid that she might not actually be pregnant and might be sick instead.Jacob let out a sigh. "Honey, can't we just go in person? After all, it's been weeks since you've gone out. We should also go on dates because it's been a while since we've had one."Stefani blushed when Jacob called her by their endearment. Even though
As days passed, Jacob and Stefani cameback at Carter's mansion, for reasons that Stefani couldn't quite explain, she wanted to stay there longer. It felt like they had wasted so much time together and staying at the mansion reminded her of their childhood memories. However, their stay at the Carter's mansion wasn't easy for Jacob.There were times when Stefani would suddenly be in a bad mood and wouldn't let Jacob into her room. In the mornings, he could hear her throwing up but he couldn't help her because her door was locked.Luckily, in the past few days, Stefani has been in a good mood and allowed Jacob to sleep beside her.Jacob had just come home from work when he saw Stefani sleeping soundly. He slowly approached and sat on the bed to kiss her. However, no matter how gentle he was, Stefani still woke up.She smiled as she faced him. "What time is it? I fell asleep waiting for you."Jacob returned her smile and kissed her forehead. "It's dawn. Go back to sleep."Stefani sat up an
The morning was cool, and Stefani stood in front of the mirror, tenderly caressing her growing belly. Her pregnancy had filled her life with new light and a deep joy shared by both Stefani and Jacob. On this day, she felt an extra spring in her step as she prepared to surprise him at his office. Spending a lot of time alone in recent times was a rare thing, and she knew how much he wanted to see her.The drive from their house to Jacob's office was serene; the city bustled with its usual rhythm. As the sleek office building came in view, Stefani took a deep breath, feeling both excited and a gentle flutter from life growing inside. She smiled as she stepped out of the car and thanked the driver before heading inside.The lobby was grand, as usual, but today it felt especially so. Stefani moved with grace, her hand set protectively over her belly, as she glided towards the elevator. It wasn't until the doors closed that a surge of anticipation washed over her. She couldn't wait to see
Jacob was finishing up his work for the evening when a knock came at the door of his study. He turned to see the driver enter, his face somber. Jacob could sense tension in his face and immediately experienced a knot begin to form in his stomach. Something was wrong."Mr. Jacob, sir, may I have a word with you?" he asked respectfully, though his voice showed traces of concern."Of course," Jacob answered, ushering him inside. "What's wrong?"The chauffeur stepped inside and closed the door behind him, standing erect yet with eyes that shared in the gravity of what he had to say. "Sir, earlier today when I went to pick up Mrs. Stefani from your office… she was being followed by a man."Jacob's face darkened. He leaned forward as his voice emerged steady, laced with steel. "Followed? Are you sure?"The driver nodded. His eyes didn't waver. "Yes, sir. I saw him once she exited the building. He kept his distance but was definitely following her. That is why I hastened towards her and ushe
Stefani awoke gradually; the soft morning light filtered through the curtain. Instinctively, she reached out for the security of Jacob's presence lying beside her, but her hand pressed onto cool nothingness on his side of the bed. Frowning, she turned upright and looked around the room, peering through with the response of unease. The room was too quiet without Jacob there to fill it.She slipped out of bed, and the chill of the wooden floor made her shiver. As she went downstairs, unease filled her more and more. The house was silent-much too quiet. Where could Jacob have gone so early in the morning without telling her?As she entered the kitchen, she was greeted by the fresh, unmistakable aroma of just-brewed coffee; however, it did little for her brittle nerves. She found one of the maids cleaning the countertops."Good morning, Mrs. Stefani," the maid greeted her cordially with a courteous smile.Stefani just as politely smiled back, though it seemed rather forced. "Good morning.
Jacob sat alone in the darkened underground room, his fists still clenched from the encounter he had with the stalker. The thoughts which were juggling in his mind comprised Stefani, her safety, and the horrific truth he had just came across. The rage which had driven him some minutes ago was still broiling in his mind but was gradually ebbing and was replaced by a gnawing concern.He pulled out his phone; the screen lit his grim-looking face. A few taps later, the call log was full of missed calls and voicemails from Stefani. His heart ached as he thought about how worried she must be. Jacob took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, and hit play on the first voicemail."Hey Jacob, it's me. I woke up and you were gone. Please call me when you get this. I'm worried."Her voice came out soft and laced with anxiety, cutting through his anger like a knife. The anger that had burned within him, a fury directed at Shaira, the stalker, and everyone involved in this twisted plot, seemed t
Stefani stood in the kitchen, placing her hands on her growing belly, a soft smile playing on her lips. The sun shone brightly through the window, waves of soft light dancing across the countertop. She watched as Marta, the maid, chopped vegetables efficiently and confidently.“Marta,” Stefani said, breaking the comfortable silence, “do you think you could teach me how to make a new dish today? I want to surprise Jacob when he comes home from work.”Marta looked up, her eyes crinkling with a warm smile. “Of course, Mrs. Stefani. What do you have in mind? Something special for Mr. Jacob?”Stefani nodded energetically, the excitement just bursting inside her. “Yes, something that will really make him smile. I want him to know how much I appreciate him.”Marta chuckled, then gently wiped her hands with an apron. “How about a classic beef stew? It’s warm and comforting—just what we need for this type of weather. I’m sure Mr. Jacob will like it.”Stefani nodded in complete agreement, and t
The next morning, Stefani sat alongside Jacob at the breakfast table. The soft morning light seeped through the curtains. They shared a serene moment filled with the scent of fresh coffee and toast. Stefani took a mouthful and smiled, enjoying how simple the morning routine had become with Jacob by her side.Just as she was about to take another bite, her phone rang. Stefani peered at the screen and saw that it was Shaina, Shaira's sister. A faint furrow creased her forehead as she received the call with some second thoughts."Shaina?" Stefani's voice was clear, but an edge of surprise betrayed her tone. Rarely did Shaina call her."Hello, Stefani," Shaina said once she answered, the tenor of her voice just a tad guarded. "I hope I am not disturbing you.""Not at all," Stefani said, laying her fork down. "Is everything all right?"Shaina let out a soft sigh on the other end. "I just wanted to inform you that Shaira is leaving New York. She thought best to get away for some time."Stef
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