“Do you think that this is a mistake?” Kendall’s voice was shaky as she held onto Alicia’s hands. “No, darling,” Alicia responded briefly and focused on arranging the pearls on the flowing white dress. It was already so perfect, but she wanted her best friend to shine like a diamond. “But I don't know if this will fall back to my face or even make me hate myself or...”“Leave.” Alicia’s directive to the makeup artist and her minions was blunt. She bowed and walked out her pallets and brushes, leaving the two ladies to deal with their troubles. “Kendi, breathe in...” she instructed her, abandoning the pearl project for a moment to focus on her dear friend. "... and out.”Kendall exhaled, feeling the same, but she flashed a fake smile to make her friend feel like her therapy section worked. "You have more than enough money, my darling,” she began, holding Kendall’s shoulders. "A handsome man to wake up to every morning, though grumpy,” she added. "Your surgery isn't a bother anym
Kendall's breath hitched in her throat when Thane's voice disrupted the peaceful ambiance of the chapel. The interruption caused the room to quiver, as though the atmosphere had turned to ice. She made eye contact with Jason, who was standing at the altar, his face showing a blend of puzzlement and worry. The visitors whispered, their voices fluctuating in volume like far-off thunder. Thane held up the wedding card, its glossy surface catching the light streaming through the stained glass. His lips curved into a curious smile as he spoke again, louder now, his eyes never leaving Kendall. “Kendall *Gomez*, huh? Interesting choice of name.” Isabella stood next to him, her hand gently placed on his arm, her eyes sparkling mischievously. She appeared to enjoy the spotlight, like a hunter enjoying the excitement of the chase. Her grin grew bigger, as if she had planned this moment to reveal a secret. Kendall's heart rate increased. She found it difficult to control her emotions, making
The softly glowing table lamp in the dimly lit room cast elongated shadows on the walls. Thane leaned back in his leather chair, giving his full attention to the individual before him. Isabella sat with a relaxed posture, legs crossed, her sharp gaze and a slight smirk on her lips. The atmosphere in the room was heavy with the electric excitement of their joint ideas.Thane stated in a low and measured voice that everything was arranged. He tapped a folder on the table, containing information known only to him and Isabella. Jason has executed his part flawlessly, while Kendall has served as a flawless pawn in the game.Isabella raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her curiosity. "What specifically do you plan to do to solve their marriage issues?”Thane’s lips curled into a sinister smile. “The goal is to create enough chaos that their marriage falls apart under its own weight. The fissures already exist; we just have to make them larger.Isabella's eyes sparked with a predatory shine. I'm
The large dining room seemed incredibly spacious, with a heavy silence as Jason and Kendall sat facing each other on the lengthy mahogany table. The candlelight flickered between them, creating elongated shadows on the walls, but they paid little attention. The marriage had been formalized, vows were declared, rings were swapped, yet the unspoken truth of their commitment lingered in the atmosphere.Kendall had not said a word since the ceremony. The weight of the day had penetrated deep within her, causing her to feel isolated and disconnected from her surroundings. Examining the ring on her finger, which seemed to represent more of a transaction than a token of affection, she doubted her capability to handle the circumstances.Jason broke the silence first, his voice cool but not unkind. “We need to talk about what comes next.”She lifted her head and locked eyes with him. Despite his calm appearance, she was able to sense the tension beneath his surface. Both of them were exploring
Kendall walked back and forth in Alicia's living room, her movements fast and agitated. The message she discovered earlier was still tightly held in her hand. Seated on the couch, Alicia watched her with a mix of concern and determination on her face."I'm not sure what to do," Kendall stated, with her voice shaking. “I found this note at the house today. It says, ‘I know your secret.’ What if someone really knows something? What if they’re out to get me or Jason?”Alicia stood up and approached Kendall, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder. Kendall, listen carefully to my words. You need to stay calm. This note might be just an attempt to scare you. We’ve worked hard on our plan, and this doesn’t change that. You have to trust that we’re prepared.”Kendall looked scared with her wide eyes. What if it is more than just a warning? What if someone actually knows about the baby? If that gets out, it could ruin everything. "Jason is completely unaware, and I cannot take the chance of
Isabella visited Jason and Kendall's house with a particular plan in mind. With her confident and charismatic aura, she wore a revealing dress and high heels. Her objective was apparent: to allure Jason and potentially sway him, all while concealing her motives from Thane. She was aware that Jason possessed the majority of wealth and was committed to finding a way to capitalize on that.Upon opening the door, Kendall noticed Isabella's smile momentarily wavered, but she quickly composed herself again. “Hello, Kendall. I was hoping to see Jason. Is he home?”Kendall hesitated, noting Isabella’s provocative attire and the way she carried herself. “Jason is still at work. He will be gone for a long time. Is there anything I can assist you with?Isabella's smile remained unwavering as her eyes narrowed a bit. “Actually, yes. I was hoping to discuss a few things with him. May I come in and wait?”Kendall was wary, but she moved out of the way to allow Isabella to come in. Upon Isabella's a
Kendall felt an increasing unease as she noticed the sprawling estate appeared especially cold and its grandeur seemed diminished. Her footfalls echoed loudly on the marble floors and high ceilings of the vast halls, with each step seeming to taunt her solitude. She had become adept at hiding her pregnancy, camouflaging it with baggy clothes and a rehearsed attitude. Nevertheless, despite her efforts, the weight of her secret continued to increase.Kendall carefully arranged her clothing to hide her condition. Everyday, she dressed in big shirts, baggy skirts, and airy dresses to conceal her growing midsection. Each garment was carefully selected to conceal her pregnancy as best as it could, yet the reality of her situation could not be entirely disguised. She started wearing a specific large, dark coat even in the heat to cover her expanding belly from curious looks.The spacious wardrobe in her room appeared to be her safe haven. It was filled with an array of garments—each one stra
Jason walked through the mansion, a rare brightness in his eyes. The deal he had been chasing for months was finally secured. The mansion, usually a backdrop to their emotionally barren marriage, now seemed to shimmer with his success.As soon as he stepped into the foyer, he called out "Kendall!" with a voice full of joy that echoed around. "You will be amazed!” The deal is done!”Kendall emerged from the kitchen, her face carefully masked with a smile. “That’s amazing news, Jason! I’ve been waiting to hear it.”Jason approached her with enthusiasm, giving her a quick, almost mechanical hug. “I’m thrilled! This calls for a celebration. Let’s make it special.”Kendall’s smile remained, though it felt strained. “Absolutely. Let’s make this night memorable.”They moved to the dining area, where Kendall had prepared a modest meal. As they began to eat, Jason’s excitement was evident. “You wouldn’t believe the tension. We were on the edge of losing it, but I managed to pull it off.”Kenda
"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