Kendall was seated in her bedroom, holding her phone in her hands as she mindlessly looked through old text messages. The words exchanged with Alicia served as a reminder of happier days, preceding the tension that had damaged their friendship. She felt pain in her heart as she thought back to the recent confrontation, understanding she had reacted excessively. Alicia didn't deserve the severity of her treatment, especially considering their shared experiences.The loneliness was intolerable. Jason was distant, locked in his world of secrets and business, leaving Kendall to fend for herself emotionally. Alicia had always been reliable and dependable, the person she could always trust—until this moment. Kendall sighed deeply as she looked at Alicia's last message, the one she hadn't responded to: "I apologize for all that has happened.” Can we talk?"She had ignored it out of pride, but now that message felt like a lifeline. Kendall's lack of trust was also to blame for the rift, not j
Kendall leaned back in her seat, holding her cup of juice in her hands to let the chills soothe her fingers. Opposite her, Alicia remained silent, looking down with her eyes and fiddling with the corner of her napkin. The conflict had lessened between them following their first apologies, yet there remained many unspoken words. The presence of their unexpressed fears, secrets, and insecurities hung in the atmosphere, serving as a cue that further healing was needed.Kendall softly coughed, breaking the silence. Alicia, we said sorry, but I believe there are additional topics we should discuss. I no longer want us to be cautious with each other. To progress, we must be honest about everything. No more hiding."Alicia looked up, her eyes shadowed with guilt and hesitation. She gave a slow nod, taking a deep breath. "You are correct." I've held back from discussing because I didn't want to burden you with my problems. You've been really busy dealing with Jason, the scandal, and everythin
Kendall reclined in her seat, the weight of their discussion lingering in the space around them. It felt like a barrier had been removed, exposing only pure truthfulness. She gazed at Alicia, who had gathered composure following their mutual confessions, her eyes still a little red but brimming with a determination Kendall hadn't witnessed in her previously. "We must improve for one another," Kendall started, her voice calm yet resolute. I have made errors, and you have made errors, but that is just part of life. We are human. The important thing now is the way we proceed. Alicia agreed, her hands firmly holding onto the table as if it was keeping her secure. I don't want to stop being friends with you, Kendall. I didn't understand the extent of my need for you until things began to deteriorate. You’re like… family to me.” Alicia's words had a tender effect on Kendall's heart. She had always thought of Alicia as a close friend, but this conversation was showing her the depth of the
Jason sat on the edge of his bed, the silence of his room weighing heavily around him. He’d said too much, let his anger speak for him when it should have stayed locked away. *It’s just a contract, nothing more,* he’d reminded Kendall earlier, but the words now tasted bitter in his mouth. He was frustrated, yes—but not with her. With himself, with the situation they were in. He didn't intend to react angrily, but the stress had built up and he couldn't control it. He had hurt her, yet the feeling of remorse burdened his chest.Resting against the headboard, he stared up at the ceiling, remembering the disagreement they had. Kendall had noticed her facial expression change and her eyes fill with hidden hurt when he spoke those words. It disturbed him more than it was supposed to. He was accustomed to controlling his emotions and situations, but recently, his control was waning with Kendall.He released a lengthy exhale, sweeping his hands over his face. This was not how it was intended
A couple of days afterwards, Jason found himself near the window of his room, gazing at the darkening skyline. His memories played back the stressful situations with Kendall, her emotional state from their recent talk still on his mind. He felt a strange weight in his chest, a growing concern that wasn't just about their contract marriage. It was something more, something he didn’t know how to handle.His daydream was interrupted by a gentle tap on his door.“Jason?” Kendall spoke softly, almost unsure.He glanced over to find her standing by the entrance, with one hand softly resting on her expanding stomach. The view stirred a deep feeling within him. He was reluctant to acknowledge it, but witnessing her in this state—bearing their offspring—felt changed at this moment."May I enter?" she inquired, speaking just above a whisper.Jason agreed by nodding and moved to the side to allow her to enter. “Of course.”Kendall entered, her steps slower than usual. She looked weary, exhausted
As the sun began to drop through the wide windows, Kendall unwinds on the living room couch and leisurely traces her fingertips along the edge of the pillow. She felt anxious and unsettled in the unusually quiet house. She hadn’t seen Jason much today, and part of her felt relieved. But another part, the part she was less willing to admit, missed him. Jason walked in just as Kendall was lost in her thoughts, his presence catching her off guard. He looked different tonight—less guarded, more at ease, but there was still something simmering beneath the surface, a tension neither of them knew how to address.“Kendall,” Jason said quietly, almost unsure of his own voice as he approached the couch. He didn’t sit immediately, instead standing a few feet away, as if testing the waters. Kendall quickly looked at him, giving a small, careful smile. “Hey.”The silence lingered between them, both acknowledging it but uncertain of how to break it. Jason finally sat down next to her, closer than
The house's open windows let in a gentle breeze, adding to the peaceful atmosphere of the evening. Kendall drank tea while seated at the kitchen table, her mind racing with ideas she wanted to ignore. Jason had been aloof following their almost intimate moment, and while she comprehended the reason, it still hurt. She couldn't rid herself of the sense that there had been a change in their relationship, a change that went beyond the contract they agreed upon.Soft echoes of footsteps resonated in the hallway, catching her eye as Jason walked in. Despite his unreadable facial expression, there was a feeling of weight in his movements, as if he was fighting against an immovable burden. His gaze lingered on her briefly as he paused by the kitchen entrance, before moving towards the counter to fetch a glass of water."Having trouble sleeping?" he inquired softly, his voice shattering the quietness.Kendall nodded her head, her grip on the cozy mug increasing. "I have a lot on my mind," she
Jason's phone vibrated for the fifth time that afternoon, diverting his attention from the project he had been having difficulty concentrating on. Looking at the screen with a sigh, he saw another message from his assistant, reminding him about the evening meeting with investors. Jason massaged his forehead, sensing the burden of his obligations accumulating once more. It wasn't only his job that bothered him; there was a deeper discomfort that had grown stronger after talking to Kendall.The instant they had shared, when he first revealed his past, remained in his thoughts. He didn't intend to reveal that much to her. He hadn’t meant to let her in. But the way she’d listened, the way her touch had comforted him—it had all felt so... right. And that scared him. This was not expected to occur. Their connection was expected to be based on practicality, rather than emotions.Kendall walked into the living room, her footsteps soft but enough to draw his attention. She looked tired, the su
"Unloved?"“Dismissed?”Thane's expression showed intense anger and feeling of being let down, his gaze focused on Isabella. Every word she spoke felt like a blade piercing his chest, and the burden of her falsehoods appeared to bear down on him, suffocating him with the harsh truth that he had simply been a pawn in her scheme. "Thinking about it now, all along you've been giving me reasons why we couldn't schedule a date, why you required more time for your 'career.'" His voice was thick with anger, a brittle edge that bordered on disbelief. “Were you ever planning on marrying me, Isabella? Or was I just some convenient distraction?”Isabella's expression contorted in annoyance, her usual sweet demeanor completely disappearing. "Oh, stop being so morally superior, Thane. You think I delayed the wedding for fun?” Defiance sparkled in her eyes as she raised her chin. I was ensuring my future. It's not my responsibility that you were unable to perceive what was directly in front of
Thane remained immobile, his thoughts battling to comprehend the unfolding situation in front of him. His gaze filled with betrayal and disbelief as it focused on Isabella. This was not the woman he thought he knew.“Isabella?” he finally managed, his voice low, laced with the sting of betrayal. “You… you’re pregnant? With Jason’s child?”Isabella’s jaw clenched, her gaze flickering briefly as she weighed her response. But her silence spoke volumes.Jason seized the moment, his expression resolute as he stepped forward. “Thane, you deserve to know the whole story. This has gone on long enough.” He pulled out his phone, his fingers tapping a few buttons before holding it out to Thane. “See for yourself.”Thane looked at Jason, a trace of wariness in his gaze, before reluctantly accepting the phone. The video started, and as it played, Thane’s face grew pale. Isabella was on the screen, putting something into Jason's drink and throwing herself on him with a cunning expression, looking a
Jason was focused on his report, combing through the details with his usual meticulous precision, when the office door swung open without warning. The abrupt intrusion jolted him, his concentration snapping as he looked up to see Isabella standing in the doorway, her expression stormy and unrestrained."Hi Jason," she said in a harsh voice, filling the room with hatred. He didn't try to hide his annoyance. Isabella. Why are you here? Ignoring his query, she walked fully into his office, and Jane, his assistant, was close after her, evidently flustered.“Ms. Isabella, Mr. Carter is busy with meetings today. You really need to—”“I’m not here for you, Jane,” Isabella said curtly, not even sparing the assistant a glance. Her focus was locked on Jason, her gaze steely, unyielding. “Jason and I need to talk. Alone.”Jason let out a resigned sigh, gesturing to Jane to leave. “It’s fine, Jane. I’ll handle this.”Isabella's tension was noticeable as soon as the door closed behind her, her e
Jason sat in the conference room, watching the projector screen attentively while one of his managers went over the quarterly reports in a monotonous tone. The numbers became hazy in front of him, constantly shifting in clarity. He had examined the information numerous times, yet on this day, his thoughts refused to calm down. Every few minutes, he caught himself thinking about Kendall. That morning, she was quiet and slightly more timid as she stood in the doorway, observing him as he picked up his coat. He still recalled how her face softened, a silent message in her eyes as she bid him farewell for the day. The memory stuck with him, unwilling to disappear. As the presentation droned on, he checked his phone out of habit, noticing a few missed messages from Isabella. He dismissed them with a swipe, his attention drifting back to the last glimpse he’d had of Kendall. He found himself wondering if she was alright, hoping she was feeling better after their recent challenges. It wasn
"Thane," Kendall greeted, her voice a forced calm, though a tight smile barely softened the edge of her unease. "Jason isn’t here."“That’s fine.” He spoke quickly and showed little interest. His eyes quickly scanned over her, sharp and evaluating, pausing to scrutinize the room's details as if looking for a hidden object. "I am here to have a conversation with you." A strange dread settled in her stomach. She dismissed the maid with a quick nod, hoping to mask her discomfort. As the maid retreated, Kendall gestured reluctantly for Thane to enter. His presence was unsettling, a dark cloud clouding the safety of her home, and every step he took seemed to carry a weight that filled the room.“Would you like something to drink?” she offered, hoping to fill the heavy silence with something—anything—to distract from his cold intensity.“No need.” He settled onto the couch without waiting for her invitation, his air of entitlement unmistakable. His gaze remained fixed on her, unwavering. "
Jason woke up to the soft light coming in through the curtains, creating gentle shadows in the room. Looking at Kendall next to him, he glanced over and saw her resting peacefully with a relaxed expression on her face. Her being there soothed him unexpectedly, providing a peaceful reassurance that was both fresh and recognizable. He briefly observed her, feeling warmth in his chest, surprised by the sudden appearance of this feeling. Kendall awoke, her eyes opening slowly, and when she looked at him, a faint smile formed on her lips, showing how tired she still was. She whispered "Good morning," in a gentle and sleepy voice. "Jason responded, his smile soft, mirroring the warmth in his eyes, saying, 'Morning!'" “How are you feeling? Still tired?”Kendall paused to breathe, moving a piece of hair from her face. "She actually admitted she was doing better, stretching out her arms." “I think I just needed a good rest… and maybe some company,” she added with a light laugh, though her e
Jason’s laughter filled the cozy living room as he poured two glasses of champagne, his smile easy and unguarded. Kendall observed him, feeling a warmth envelop her as she noticed the uncommon, easygoing side of him. Their festive dinner was a modest yet sincere event, filled with soft dialogue, exchanged looks, and a tacit comprehension lingering in the atmosphere. "To fresh starts," Jason remarked, raising his glass in her direction. Kendall raised hers in reply, locking eyes with him, and they tapped their glasses together. "To new beginnings," she repeated, a gentle smile dancing on her lips. While they drank, Kendall started to sense a slight wave of tiredness washing over her, more intense than normal. She dismissed it, not wishing to spoil the moment. Jason inclined his body forward, his eyes fixed as he observed her expression. “Are you okay?” he inquired, his tone reflecting a hint of worry. “You seem… tired.”Kendall shook her head, smiling reassuringly. “I’m fine, just…
Jason’s office hummed with subdued anticipation, his team moving restlessly in the background, gazes glued to the phone as they waited for the official announcement. Jason was at his desk, attempting to look composed, yet his fingers drummed a constant beat on the edge, revealing his eagerness. Kendall faced him, her gaze supportive and kind as she observed him. A sharp ring cut through the room. Jason’s assistant, Jane picked up, a hint of excitement flashing in her eyes as she turned to him. “Mr. Carter, it’s the call.”He nodded, inhaling deeply to calm himself. Kendall offered him a supportive smile, silently saying, "You can do it." Jason felt a surge of comfort from her being there. He lifted the receiver, his voice calm, yet there was a hint of something else—a subtle assurance. “Hello, yes, speaking.”The conversation began with formalities, and Jason’s responses remained professional, yet Kendall noticed how his shoulders gradually relaxed, a subtle shift in his expression
When the long-awaited day finally came, the big hall was filled with happy chatter and the sound of youngsters laughing blended with soft background music. Bright balloons, animated streamers, and tables brimming with toys adorned the location. Kendall strolled next to Jason, her eyes absorbing the vibrant scene with a gentle, caring look.A little girl tugged on her dress, drawing her attention. She bent down, meeting the child’s curious eyes. “Hi there! What’s your name?”The girl blinked shyly, hiding her face for a moment. “Lily.”Kendall’s smile brightened as she offered her hand. “Well, Lily, I’m Kendall. “Could you please show me which toys are your favorites?” The girl's expression brightened as she agreed, grasping Kendall's hand and guiding her to a table filled with stuffed animals and vivid blocks. Jason observed the situation from a short distance, his face relaxing as he noticed Kendall laughing and conversing effortlessly with Lily. “You’re really good with kids,” Jas