Jason’s expression darkened. “Send her in.”While he anticipated her arrival, the comforting warmth he had felt earlier was suddenly replaced by a chilling sensation. He could feel the approaching storm that would soon disturb the fragile peace he had worked tirelessly to establish. However, Kendall's messages stayed on his screen for the time being, untouched, providing reassurance of the world he was working on creating with her, despite another aspect of his life posing a threat to it. Isabella entered the office with her typical grace, her heels making a clicking sound on the shiny floor as the door opened. She stopped at the entrance, looking around the room with a slight, mysterious grin before focusing on him. “Isabella,” Jason’s voice was clipped, his jaw tight. “I wasn’t expecting you.”"Obviously," she responded, closing the door with a relaxed flick of her wrist, acting like she belonged there and disregarding his boundaries. "What is it that you desire?" he inquired, hi
After the door closed with a click, Jason sank into his seat and gazed emptily at the scattered papers on his desk. The typically consistent pace of work, a safe haven he could consistently depend on, now seemed unfamiliar, spoiled by the discussion that had just occurred. He couldn't stop thinking about Isabella's threats, with each word causing more pain and increasing the anger inside him. He took a deep breath before opening his phone to see Kendall's name illuminated on the screen as he scrolled through recent messages. Her response from earlier was simple, cheerful, but it hit him harder than he’d expected: *Miss you too. Can’t wait to see you tonight.*He paused, fingers poised over the keyboard, before quickly typing a message. *Awaiting the hours,* he responded nervously, feeling his heart race as he sent it. The hollow words were said in a desperate attempt to reassure her, and maybe himself, that everything was okay. That he could keep this under control.However, as he pu
Jason hadn’t expected much from lunch today, just a brief escape from the mounting pressures at the office and the situation Isabella had imposed on him. Yet, even as he settled into his usual corner at the upscale restaurant, his nerves were frayed, and he found it difficult to fully immerse himself in the brief quiet of the meal. The sounds of muted laughter, the clinking of silverware around him—everything felt oddly distant, almost surreal.He pushed the food around his plate, glancing at his phone every few moments as if he were anticipating something. Right on time, a fresh message popped up. He could tell who it was without needing to read the name. The words were teasingly straightforward, steeped in her typical air of superiority: “Have you come to a decision yet?” Jason inhaled sharply, the familiar rush of irritation washing over him. *Of course, she couldn’t just let things be,* he thought. With a controlled sigh, he quickly tapped out a response: *Conference room after l
Every footfall he made along the peaceful corridor weighed more than the previous one, showing the heavy load he now bore. Upon his return to his office, the fading light of the late afternoon created shadows on his desk, providing a moment of peace as he briefly ignored all that had happened. However, when he gazed at the stack of papers in front of him, he could hardly process the content written on them. His thoughts were too loud, drowning out the text with echoes of Isabella's voice and the threat veiled behind her sickly-sweet tone.Pushing back his frustration, he forced himself to focus, skimming through figures and contracts, initialing where necessary, his hand moving in practiced motions. Isabella’s claims echoed in the back of his mind, her accusations mixing with the slight pang of guilt he felt when he thought of Kendall.After an hour of numbing paperwork, Jason leaned back, his hand rubbing his temple as he tried to shake off the fatigue settling into his bones. He g
Kendall’s eyes softened, and she reached up, brushing her hand over his cheek. For a moment, Jason forgot everything—Isabella, the complications, the secrets he was keeping. Right now, there was only Kendall, and the connection that seemed to be growing stronger each day, filling the empty spaces in his life.“Thank you,” she murmured, her voice almost a whisper. “For letting me in.”He pressed a kiss to her forehead, his heart tugging with emotions he wasn’t quite ready to name. But he knew one thing for sure—whatever challenges lay ahead, he would do everything in his power to keep this, to protect her.As the evening grew later, and the weight of the day began to settle once more, Jason couldn’t shake the feeling that this was where he belonged. And no matter the secrets he kept, or the lies he had to maintain, he would hold onto this—hold onto Kendall—because she was worth every sacrifice he would have to make.---Jason felt the weight of secrets pressing in on him more heavily w
Jason spent his day with a calm determination, focused on one goal - having a relaxing evening with Kendall, free from the burdens of their everyday responsibilities. Upon exiting work, he took a short diversion to an elegant store, selecting a dress he believed would complement her well, one that would make her feel valued and beautiful. The dress was simple but elegant, a soft blue that would accentuate her shape and subtly display the tiny baby bump she was pregnant with. This evening, he wanted her to feel valued, free from the burdens that usually surrounded them.When he arrived home, Jason found Kendall in the living room, nestled with a book. She looked up at him, her eyes showing curiosity, as he handed her the meticulously wrapped dress. "Jason, what is this?" she inquired, a slight smile playing at the corners of her mouth while she accepted the package. "Something I thought you might enjoy," he answered with a smile. Tonight we have an invitation, and I thought you might
Isabella leisurely strolled around her new apartment. A cunning grin formed on her lips as she admired the opulent decor. The abundant natural light from the high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows highlighted the hardwood floors as she walked on marble countertops. The lounge area featured a luxurious navy velvet couch, with its cushions neatly arranged, encouraging her to relax in cozy luxury. One wall was dominated by a vibrant abstract painting, reflecting the sunset colors streaming through the glass. Walking to the kitchen, she noticed the modern appliances gleaming like jewels next to the light gray cabinets. The lasting scent of new paint was a reminder of the new beginning she was entering. In one corner, there was a chic dining table crafted from recycled wood, paired with elegant chairs, perfect for intimate meals and lively chats. She imagined having friends over, the sound of glasses clinking and soft music in the background, the apartment being filled with warm
Felicia walked back and forth in the small office, with each footstep making a soft echo against the cold, sterile walls. The faint light created shadows that twirled around her, mirroring her increasing irritation. Feeling trapped and pressured, she was now left with only one possible escape route. Her eyes were focused on Doctor Sophia as she spoke in a low but determined voice, every word filled with urgency and determination. "She insisted to Sophia that she needed additional funds, her voice cutting through the quiet like a sharp object." "This cannot be negotiated." Sophia reclined against her desk, with her arms defensively crossed over her chest. Despite her calm expression, there was a hint of concern in her eyes, a subtle sign of tension. Felicia, I have already provided you with all that I am able to give. The budget is tight, and—”“Tight?” Felicia cut her off, her voice raising a fraction, just enough to convey her disbelief. She took a step closer, her eyes blazing. “Y
"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