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
Jason was in the hallway looking at Kendall's bedroom door. The residue of their previous dialogue lingered in his thoughts, each brief word and anguished look imprinted in his memory. He didn't intend to harm her - he never did - but his struggle to communicate effectively was causing their relationship to fall apart.He took a deep breath before pushing away from the wall and heading towards her door. His hand hovered in the air, uncertain, until he eventually knocked.Kendall's cautious, soft voice could be heard from the opposite side. “Come in.”Upon entering, Jason felt the gravity of the moment hanging in the air. With her hands clenched in her lap, Kendall perched on the edge of the bed. Despite having a blank expression on her face, she was clearly looking fearfully into his eyes. He was aware that she was waiting for him to provide an explanation for the coldness and distance.He shut the door and then leaned on it briefly. There was a heavy silence filled with unspoken word
Thane remained seated in his home, absentmindedly swishing a glass of whiskey as he gazed out at the city skyline. The tall structures spread out below him in a never-ending labyrinth, their lights twinkling in the night sky. Typically, the vista provided him with a feeling of authority, a cue of his status as superior to everything below. However, this evening, the room's subdued buzz felt overwhelming, his thoughts bearing down on him like a gradual suffocation.His investigation into Jason had stalled. Every lead, every question he had thrown into the shadows of his brother’s life had come back empty, and each dead end felt like a personal failure. Jason had always been slippery, but now—especially after the sudden marriage—something didn’t sit right. It was as if Jason had anticipated every move Thane would make, leaving nothing for him to find. He tightened his jaw as he considered it.However, he was unable to release it. As time progressed, his frustration increased. The more J
Thane’s car weaved through the early evening traffic, his grip tight on the steering wheel as he navigated the familiar route to Jason’s office. The cityscape blurred around him, but his mind was sharp, fixed on one goal—getting the truth. Jason had slipped through his fingers too many times, and now, with Isabella’s words still ringing in his ears, Thane felt the urgency boiling in his chest. His step brother's wedding, Kendall's pregnancy - everything seemed confusing, but tonight he was set on making Jason slip up.Upon arriving at the building, Thane's stomach twisted with excitement. Stepping out of the car, the chill of the night air against his skin couldn't extinguish the fire of his frustration. He entered the building with purpose, his fast strides ignoring the receptionist's nervous smile. Thane had visited enough times before - this wasn't for socializing, and everyone understood not to inquire when he was in this state.The elevator journey to Jason's floor seemed never-e
Kendall's heart raced as she stood at the new hospital's entrance. The bright, white hallways seemed distant and uninviting, in stark contrast to the comforting atmosphere she used to experience at Doctor Sophia's office. Taking a deep breath, she attempted to calm herself, yet the burden of it all - the deceit, the hidden truths, the disloyalty - weighed heavily on her chest.She didn't desire to depart from Doctor Sophia, but with the turn of events, there was no possibility of returning. The doctor's confession had ruined the fragile sense of security Kendall had clung to during her pregnancy. Now she was left with nothing but uncertainty, the trust she had built over months shattered in an instant.As she approached the reception desk, Kendall’s nerves tingle. Her discomfort only increased in the sterile surroundings.She greeted the receptionist with a polite smile, saying "Good morning." My appointment is with Dr. Rosen.The receptionist barely glanced at her, quickly typing in
As she opened the door, Kendall gripped her hands tightly together, trying to hide the little tremor in her fingers. The space was neat and comfortable, with beautiful sunlight streaming in from a nearby window. Dr. Rosen, a middle-aged woman with cropped hair and a peaceful attitude, was seated at a spacious desk. She made eye contact with Kendall and motioned for her to take a seat. Dr. Rosen greeted Mrs. Carter with a professional smile, expressing his pleasure in meeting her. "I have examined your documents and acknowledge that this is your initial appointment with me, so let's allocate some time to discuss your well-being and plan for the future." Kendall gave a nod, her heart pounding in her chest as she settled into the chair across from the doctor. The strong scent of antiseptic in the air only increased her feeling of discomfort. As Dr. Rosen began discussing her prenatal health, Kendall’s mind drifted to the whirlwind of events that had led her here—Doctor Sophia’s confes
Catherine’s heels clicked rhythmically against the pristine hospital floor, echoing through the maternity ward as she walked with her usual air of control. Her PA, a step behind, carried a tablet filled with today’s tasks, her fingers flying over the screen to keep pace with Catherine’s agenda. As they passed rows of patients and nurses, Catherine’s sharp eyes took in everything—the young mothers cradling their newborns, the nurses bustling around, and the sterile, gleaming white tiles beneath her feet.Today’s visit was about charity. Donations to the maternity ward—a cause she found to be rewarding and one that fit perfectly with the polished image she maintained. Helping new mothers provided her with a feeling of purpose, not only because it was a noble cause but also because it solidified her role as a influential and caring woman. It was imperative for everything to be flawless, and in Catherine's opinion, it was."Mrs. Catherine," her PA’s voice interrupted her thoughts, "the do
Catherine walked back and forth in the tiny waiting room by the conference room, her high heels making loud sounds on the shiny floors, increasing her nerves. The hospital's flickering bright lights shone above her, lighting up her way but failing to lift her spirits. She had instructed her Personal Assistant to go on a secretive task, leaving her with nothing else to do but wait. Every moment the clock ticked was a signal of the chaos whirling in her head.How could Jason keep something like this from her? Racing thoughts filled her mind as she remembered the sight of Kendall, her small baby bump clearly visible under her dress. A slight excitement surged within her at the thought of becoming a grandmother, yet it was soon consumed by a wave of anger. What was the reason for his failure to inform her? They had always been very close, sharing everything, but not anymore. It seemed like a betrayal, causing a gnawing pain in her stomach."Is everything okay, Mrs. Catherine?” Her PA’s vo
"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