Jason's recollections of the brief encounter returned, intense and persistent. The night had been forgotten for months, hidden deep within his memories. However, it fought its way back, tormenting him as if it were a spirit. It all began innocently—or so he convinced himself. He had been at the bar, trying to cope with the disappointments of yet another unsuccessful business transaction, another day where he felt overwhelmed by the pressures of life. His typical assurance wavered, traded for a dull pain gnawing at his chest. That’s when he saw her—Kendall. Only, he hadn’t known her name then. She had been sitting alone, her posture stiff and her eyes distant, swirling the amber liquid in her glass like it could somehow solve her problems. Jason, though he had gone by *Damien* that night, had been drawn to her immediately. Something about the sadness in her gaze called to him, an emotion he recognized in himself. “Easy, damsel,” Damien had smirked as he approached her, his voice l
Kendall rested against the kitchen counter, her voice slightly shaking as she talked on the phone. "Alicia, I'm unsure of what steps to take.” I did everything we talked about. I followed the plan to the letter, and now... now Jason’s gone."At the opposite side of the call, Alicia spoke in a gentle yet firm manner, providing a sense of peace amidst Kendall's turbulent feelings. "What happened? Did he—did he react badly?"Kendall's gaze shifted to the few unopened letters resting on the dining table, serving as a vivid reminder of the routine she had attempted to change. “He went ballistic, Alicia. He came home after I’d... you know, set everything up. I anticipated his anger, but his level of rage caught me off guard. He yelled and insulted me with every possible name. And then he simply walked away. A week has passed. An entire week has passed, and he still hasn't returned. Not even a text. Nothing.”Alicia let out a deep sigh filled with compassion. I apologize, Kendall. I underst
Kendall gazed at her phone, feeling her heart race as she dialed Jason's number once more. The ringing call tone echoed, each sound hitting her chest like a hammer. She was filled with thoughts of what she wished to express, trying to find a way to make him comprehend.Upon hearing the voicemail notification, she paused to take a deep breath in an attempt to maintain a steady voice. "Jason, this is Kendall," she said, her voice shaking. I understand you may still be upset, and I don't hold it against you. I simply require a conversation with you.Please call me back. I’m really sorry for what happened.”She ended the call, feeling a cold sweat on her brow. Her fingers fumbled as she redialed immediately, hoping this time would be different. The phone rang again, each tone echoing her desperation. The voicemail picked up once more. Jason, I'm at a loss for words. I acknowledge my mistake, but I would like the chance to explain myself. I apologize for violating our agreement. I was tho
Kendall's hands shook a little while she twisted the doorknob to Dr. Sophia's office. The room was perfumed with the clean smell of antiseptic, mixing with the subtle lavender aroma from the essential oil diffuser in the corner. As she walked, her heart raced with growing anxiety.Dr. Sophia glanced away from her desk, her smile welcoming yet her gaze observant. “Kendall, come in. How are you feeling today?”Kendall forced a tight smile as she sank into the chair across from the doctor, her fingers curling into the fabric of her purse. “Nervous, to be honest. It’s been a rough week.”Dr. Sophia’s expression softened with understanding. "I'm certain that it has." However, we should proceed gradually, focusing on each step individually. Our first step will be to conduct a checkup and assess the progress.The doctor guided Kendall to the medical room, where the familiar process of taking vital signs and listening to the baby's heartbeat commenced. Kendall reclined on the exam table, hand
The sounds of Kendall's footsteps reverberated through the empty hallway, each one filled with the gravity of her recent discussion. The unease from Dr. Sophia's office wrapped around her like a cloak. As she approached the exit, Dr. Sophia’s voice cut through the tension.“Kendall, wait a moment.”“Kendal,” Doctor Sophia called out, her voice tinged with an unusual gravity.Kendall halted abruptly, turning to face her with a weary smile. “Doctor Sophia, what’s the matter?”Doctor Sophia’s expression hardened as she approached. I have something crucial to discuss with you. It’s regarding your IVF treatment.”Kendall’s brow furrowed. “Is there another problem?”Doctor Sophia looked around, as though seeking reassurance from the empty hallway. She inhaled deeply. "The sperm used in your IVF cycle has been confused."Kendall felt a chill down her back. She attempted to comprehend the words, but they appeared to spiral and curve like a maze. "What are you saying, a confusion?” Whose sperm
The words of Doctor Sophia hung in the air, sending a chill of fear down Kendall's spine. She fought to maintain a steady voice, but the words quivered as they barely slipped from her lips. "What are you trying to say?"Sophia's face displayed a profound, pained look, her eyes avoiding Kendall's stare. “I... I paid someone to take your place. To pretend to be you when Thane asked for the lady whose sperm he used.”Kendall's heart pounded rapidly, with each beat intensifying feelings of betrayal. But you just said you didn't have the courage to "What reason do you have for doing that?" She spoke in a barely audible voice, her emotions causing her voice to crack.Sophia paused to take a deep breath, nervously playing with the hem of her sleeve. I felt fear. Worried about the potential consequences if the truth was revealed. A feeling of panic swept over at that instant. I thought... I thought it would be easier this way.”The space appeared to shrink, the atmosphere growing heavier by t
Thane's steps echoed through the deserted parking lot, each footfall a sign of his unwavering chase. As he walked towards the hospital entrance, the gloomy skies reflected his somber mood.His thoughts were a storm of anger and worry, driven by the disturbing rumor he needed to confirm. He had briefly seen Kendall from afar, just a silhouette, which was enough to make him feel uneasy.He rushed through the hospital's clean hallways, his expression filled with resolute seriousness. The hospital was strangely silent, with the usual noise and activity dampened, as though the structure itself understood the importance of his task. As he reached Doctor Sophia’s office, he didn’t bother with formalities. He pushed the door open sharply and entered, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto the woman behind the desk.Doctor Sophia looked up from her paperwork, her expression shifting from surprise to a carefully managed calm. Her hands, resting on the desk, tightened slightly, betraying a moment
The lock clicked familiarly as Jason turned his key, the sound resonating in the vacant house. Entering the house, he was welcomed by a quietness in the dimly-lit interior that felt eerily unnatural. The quietness was noticeably different from the turmoil in his head, a whirlwind of thoughts spinning as he moved through the rooms.He shouted, his voice sounding tense and empty. “Kendall? Are you here?”The only response was the hollow echo of his voice. He walked around the living room, searching the areas he remembered she often visited, feeling his heart drop at each vacant spot. He checked the kitchen quickly, barely looking at the clean dishes, before heading upstairs.Jason paused outside Kendall's door at the top of the staircase. His fingers made contact with the wooden surface as he gently pushed it open, the sound of the hinges creaking cutting through the quietness. The room appeared exactly as he recalled - tidy, yet giving off an abandoned atmosphere. The bed was made, but