Summer’s Point of ViewMrs. Turner placed the bottle of vino on the polished marble bar counter with a thud. The small sound echoed in the dimly lit room. She poured a generous amount of the ruby-red liquid into her glass, and the sweet aroma of grapes and oak filled the air. She stirred the wine with her index finger while her movements were slow, lost in thought. Suddenly, she lifted the glass to her lips and downed it in a single gulp, her throat contracting as the liquid slid down. She locked eyes with me, but the emotions she had displayed earlier had disappeared, leaving a blank expression on her face.“You know, Summer,” she started, her voice raspy and laced with emotion. “I still remember how I felt years ago when I first met you. I was thrilled at the prospect of your parents agreeing to set you up with my son. But you were as stubborn as a mule - headstrong and fiercely independent. We talked about your future, but you were determined to make your own decisions and forge yo
Summer’s Point of View Stepping out the door, I felt like a lost ship adrift in a vast ocean, unsure of where my port of call should be. As I processed the information, my mind felt like a tornado of thoughts, whirling around and around. It was as if a spotlight was shining down on me, exposing twenty percent of my life to the world. What should be my first thought? What emotions should I ultimately feel? These questions swirled around in my mind, leaving me feeling lost and confused.Despite my marriage to Steven, Senior Carter didn’t harbor any animosity towards me. In fact, his dislike was not directed towards me personally, but rather towards the hate that had taken root in his heart. I realized that my presence served as a painful reminder of a past that they were unable to forget. It hurt them to see me walking around, seemingly oblivious to their pain.Although the truth was out, Steven's animosity towards me remained unchanged. Perhaps he was asking for a divorce because, fi
Summer's Point of View“Well, what's new? Remember when she stole that rare jewelry when her family business was going downhill?”“Yeah, I remember it well. She lost everything and was unable to keep up with her expenses like she used to. It was even worse when she started lying, thinking that someone would believe her.”The cacophony of voices around me was overwhelming as people whispered and gossiped, not bothering to conceal their disdain towards me. Their eyes darted towards me with a mixture of contempt and ridicule, making me feel like a spectacle on display. The surrounding was suffocating atmosphere as I tried to find the courage to defend myself. However, my tongue felt tied, and I was left feeling helpless in the face of their harsh words. To make matters worse, I had no allies to lean on and support me.“I didn’t steal it, I swear….” I poured all my effort into those words, but they still came out sounding feeble. The girl folded her arms and gave a stink eye before raisi
Summer’s Point of View As opposed to dwelling on the current predicament, my thoughts were instantly consumed by her words. With a look of disbelief, I gazed up at her. Could it be true that she was Mateo’s sister? It’s no surprise that she was angry with me and set me up… My mind snapped back to reality when Steven directed his calm gaze at me and motioned for me to hand over my bag. I nervously bit my lower lip and reluctantly surrendered it to him. But before he could even open it, his eyes turned cold as he turned to face Megan. Speaking with a deep and intimidating voice, he demanded, “Maxine, if I don’t find it here, what will you offer in compensation for the humiliation my wife has endured?” Maxine looked bewildered as Steven grabbed my wrist and pulled me beside him. “Compensation? I’m sure she has it—” “I’m sorry, Miss Maxine,” I interrupted, quickly taking three steps towards her and removing Steven’s hand from my arm. “My husband isn’t questioning whether or not I to
Summer’s Point of View Maxine’s countenance was overwhelmed with surprise, causing her to decline walking ahead of me. The two other young ladies had already expressed remorse and hung their heads in shame, yet Maxine’s demeanor persisted unaltered. A few of the other pointed fingers at her, asking why they also need to apologize to me and even ridiculing her. However, I chose to disregard their words and patiently waited for their apologies, which eventually came forth because Steven was standing beside me. After everyone in the area had apologized, my gaze landed on Maxine. With a cold tone, I asked her, “What now? You started this whole mess. I’m innocent, and you should be held responsible for spreading false information. You should’ve searched for your necklace on the third floor.” Although Maxine had not yet moved into her own place, she was now glaring at me. It was only when Steven spoke I understood why. “Megan,” he said, “I was considerate of you, given what your brother d
Summer’s Point of ViewAfter sensing his grip loosen, I pulled my hand away and strode into the house. He didn’t try to follow and, to be honest, it felt like a weight had been lifted from my heart. By simply expressing those few words, I was able to articulate the thing that had been weighing me down.After entering our bedroom, I scanned both sides of the room, wondering where exactly in this vast space I had experienced excruciating pain and cried myself to sleep in the past. Who had been there for me when the world unleashed its wrath upon me? I couldn’t fathom the agony of my former self, who had lost her parents, everything she held dear, and had been coerced into marrying a man who viewed her as a mere tool for his vengeance. Nevertheless, I couldn’t shake off the thought that after three years of being married to me, didn’t he begin to love me, even just a little bit? As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I pictured Amby playing the piano. But let’s be honest, he was real
Summer’s Point of ViewHe came to a halt while sampling his meal. Gradually, he glanced up at me, seemingly seeking an explanation for my sudden proposal. On the other hand, I refrained from eating until he responded to me. Luckily, he spoke up just in time to prevent the food from getting cold. “Don't you think it would be too much trouble for you?”He got back from scooping up a spoonful of the food, brought it to his lips, and savored the taste before placing it back on the plate. His eyes then turned to me, and I couldn’t help but notice how regal he appeared, even while engaging in conversation with me. He fixed his attention forward, and I felt a sense of anticipation rise within me.I waved my head in return to his question. “I will not kick the bucket if I get moving, Steven,” I said, chuckling. “Though I may appear fragile, I’m capable of doing plenty. Cooking and delivering your meals wouldn’t be too much of a hassle, as what use am I to you if I can’t handle these small task
Summer’s Point of ViewAfter Steven spoke, he promptly stood up without waiting for me. I watched as his figure receded into the distance, contemplating his words. Although I intended to reply, my thoughts deserted me, leaving me speechless.As I lowered my head, I muttered under my breath, convinced that he couldn’t hear me. “Please, don’t make me cry again. Let me just smile next to you and don’t let my tears fall once more.”After a few minutes of enjoying the peaceful silence, I got up and tidied the table before heading straight to our room. However, to my surprise, he wasn’t on the bed. Instead, I spotted him on the balcony, clad only in pants and puffing on a cigarette. His back was turned towards me, so I couldn’t see his face, but I could tell he was gazing up at the sky, his body leaning casually against the railing.I stared at his sun-kissed, broad back, admiring every inch of it. After my eyes had their fill, I decided to hit the sack. But as I drifted off to sleep, I hea
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