Summer’s Point of ViewSince the day Steven and I had our confrontation, he never visited me again nor inquired about my health. I spent my days fixated on the door, hoping it would open and he would enter, but instead, it was always someone else - either the doctor, the nurse, or Nana - disappointing me every time.Two weeks had passed, yet he didn’t appear before me. Although Nana was punctual, visiting me every day with food and medicine, and occasionally Brandon would ask if I needed any help, but neither of them was the one I yearned for. Having wasted those two weeks, the two months in the contract had elapsed, and all the connections and emotions we had developed had vanished in a moment due to my actions. I achieved my goal. Hailey was imprisoned because she had pushed me that caused an accident regardless of what I had told her that day. However, I couldn’t experience the satisfaction or happiness that I had anticipated from seeking revenge.Instead of experiencing the joy
Summer’s Point of ViewI found myself caught between two raging storms, unsure which tempest to surrender to—to the wild symphony of my heart, a frenzied orchestra of beats, or the seductive whisper that called my name. My throat became as parched as a desert, for I had absolutely no capability to engage in conversation with him. The mere thought of our previous encounter, which was still as vivid as a freshly painted canvas in my mind, left a bitter taste in my mouth. I could imagine it in his eyes, a burning disdain that could rival the intensity of a thousand suns — as if a storm of loathing was brewing just beneath the surface. It was crystal clear that he harbored an undeniable aversion towards me.Taking a deep breath, I clutched onto the bedcovers as if I was drawing energy from them. As the call reached the two-minute mark, his voice, dark and cold, spoke once more.“I’m going to hang up the phone now if you have nothing else to say.”A heavy stone plummeted from the depths of
Summer’s Point of ViewI left the restaurant right away upon seeing them and didn’t bother waiting for my food. I simply messaged Celine to get it for me and settle the bill. My previous hunger dissipated, and I felt lightheaded. The thought of them laughing together while I dined alone made me queasy, to the point where even my unborn child seemed to share my discomfort. It was as if my baby didn’t approve of its father having an escort while its mother was left to fend for herself, hoping for even the slightest bit of attention.Upon my arrival at the house, it was already 9:30 in the evening. I quietly settled onto the sofa in the living room, opting not to turn on any lights. Nana may have already retired for the night, since I had failed to notify anyone of my impromptu return home.I kept staring into the abyss of darkness, feeling its emptiness engulf me. The misery of what I had witnessed was all-consuming, and I couldn’t bring myself to shut my eyes. Every time I did, their im
Summer’s Point of View “Miss Summer, I’m begging you to eat this,” Celine pleaded, carrying the bed table while I lay on my side, staring out at an unfamiliar window. “You’ve been here for thirteen days now and you’ve hardly eaten anything. I’m becoming concerned about your significant weight loss.” “I’m not hungry, Celine—” “You’ve been repeating that, but have you taken a look at yourself in the mirror?” She placed down whatever she was holding and sat behind me, gently brushing her hand on my back as I heard her let out a small sob. “Please, stop putting yourself through this. I understand you want to protect your baby, but how will you manage that when your body is devoid of essential nutrients? I’m here to support you through all of this, yet I feel so useless in your presence.” Gradually, I shifted from my supine posture and faced her. I felt weak, damaged, and utterly devastated. These were the only words that could define my current state. Upon leaving the
Summer’s Point of View“Oh, Summer! I have to go pick up Stefani now!” Celine exclaimed as she hurriedly ran out of our store. “I’ll only be gone for a few minutes. I’ll be back in no time!”As she vanished from my sight, I shouted after her, “Take care! No worries!”As I squinted into my shop, a deep sigh escaped my lips. The mess inside was devastating, because I had to clean it up. In addition to that, I had to tailor more suits and gowns for the students who had placed their orders. Their prom was just around the corner, and I had received a multitude of requests today. I couldn’t afford to turn them down, as the money I would earn would be added to my savings. After all, Stefani would start elementary school in a year, and I needed to be prepared for it.It’s been four years since we left New York and settled in Sweden. Initially, adjusting wasn’t easy - it was a whole different world. Different people, different places, and different experiences awaited us. The memory and the in
Summer’s Point of View“Mommy!” As Stefani ran towards me, a bright beam of happiness shone on her lips. She wrapped her arms around my legs and presented me with a small flower, holding a small piece of paper. “Mom, I miss you! I have a gift for you!” she exclaimed.“Wow! What is it?” I asked, attempting to ease my nerves under the fierce gaze that was fixated on me. In the depths of my memories, there lived a haunting image - a familiar stalking eye that once preyed upon my very being.“My teacher requested us to give a flower as a token of appreciation to someone we are thankful for. It serves as a thank you gift.”“R-really? T-then, thank you.”My eyes were wide open, and soon enough, Celine followed suit. At first, she didn’t notice Steven, but her smile turned to fear when she saw him. She looked at me, perplexed, but I gave her a subtle shake of my head. As she walked past him, I could feel him freeze in place, his gaze fixed on the spot where Stefani had been.Slowly, he turne
Steven’s Point of View[4 years ago]“What?! Why can’t you take down this article?” I roared, glaring at my iPad as it kept popping up with articles about me getting engaged to Amby. “Just hunt down the bastard who spread this fake news and send him to jail, or do whatever needs to be done to stop this fucking fake news!”“Mister Carter, I’m afraid we haven’t been able to locate the original IP address. Despite our efforts to delete the articles, new ones keep popping up and circulating. I apologize for the inconvenience,” Brandon explained, taking a step back from the table. “As for Missus Carter, we haven’t been able to find any CCTV footage of her whereabouts since she left the mansion.”“What?!” This time, my voice thundered and reverberated throughout the entire room, echoing off each wall. “I can’t understand why you can’t even manage the simple task of checking my wife’s location!”“Mister Carter, I did everything in my power. However, it appears that someone else is involved b
Summer’s Point of View“And they lived happily ever after,” I muttered as I gazed down at the serene young woman who had already drifted off to sleep.I shut the book and ran my fingers through her sleek black hair. After planting a kiss, I got up and left, closing the door behind me. As I stepped out, Celine, who was standing by the bar table, turned to me with a faint smile on her face. However, I could tell she was also hurt by what she had witnessed. She took a gulp from her beer can and swallowed it down hard.“Is she already sleeping?” she asked.“Hm-mn. She dozed off right after I put her down, but I continued telling her the story just to be certain she wouldn’t stir awake.” As soon as that, a wave of exhaustion hit me, and I reached her for a warm embrace, and mumbled, tears threatening to fall, “I feel more resilient now. Stronger than before. Stronger than anyone…”“Yes, Summer,” she comforted, patting my back gently before stepping away from our embrace. “You’re stronger n
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