Jason sat alone in his penthouse, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him like a heavy fog. The lights of the city beyond the massive glass windows were blurry, as if his vision couldn't quite focus. He rubbed his temples, trying to fight off the tension building behind his eyes. Ever since Kendall had broken the rule —- their rule —- everything felt off balance.It wasn't just anger that ate at him; it was clear, a shield from complications, and now it was shattered. Jason had stayed away from home, retreating to the penthouse to try and sort out the storm of emotions swirling inside him.But anger had a way of festering. It twisted inside him like a slow poison turning rational thoughts into jumbled messes. Kendall's image continuously popped up in his thoughts - the way she had been in his bed, the way she had gone too far. He shook his head in an attempt to clear his mind, but it was futile. He couldn't find peace due to a profound and persistent feeling of betrayal.A k
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
A YEAR LATERJason stood on the soft carpet, lifting Liam in the air, his hearty laughter echoing in the warm room. Liam let out a joyful cry, extending his small hands towards his father's face. "Do you find that amusing, eh?" Jason grinned and delicately lowered Liam, placing a kiss on his round cheek. Kendall lounged on the sofa with her legs tucked beneath her, sipping tea as she observed. Her smile was soft but filled with pride. “He loves when you do that. It’s his favorite game now.” Jason looked over at her, his expression tender. Certainly, it is. "He's already seeking thrills, just like his father." “Thrill-seeker?” Kendall arched her eyebrow, placing her cup onto the coffee table. "Do you actually mean stubborn?" He’s definitely inherited that from you.” Jason chuckled, settling Liam into his lap. “I prefer to think of it as determination.” He leaned forward conspiratorially and whispered to Liam, “Don’t let your mom fool you. You get that charm from me too.” Liam
Kendall sensed her muscles were sore and smelled antiseptic about her. A faint discomfort in her stomach was a reminder of the procedures she had undergone. The warm, subdued light of the setting sun illuminated the room, but her vision was cloudy and her thoughts was foggy.A well-known voice called out Kendall's name, filled with relief and a touch of remorse. She blinked, forcing her eyes to focus. Jason was next to her, his usual sharp attitude mellowed by tiredness. His shirt looked wrinkled, his tie was untied, and his face showed signs of countless restless nights. "Jason?" she rasped, her parched throat feeling rough. “What… where am I?” He gently informed her that she was in the hospital, moving closer in the process. You underwent a cesarean section, and the physicians performed surgery for your cervical cancer. You’ve been unconscious for days.” His concerned was evident in the wavering of his voice. She instinctively reached towards her stomach, but he intercepted her
Jason walked back and forth in the clean waiting room of the hospital, his hands tightly clenched by his sides. The remote sound of machines beeping, the soft whispers of doctors in the corridor, and the tap of shoes against the linoleum surface felt excessively clear and intense. The rhythm of his own heart drowned out his thinking.“Why? Why did she wait to tell me?”His thoughts continued to rush, but it was futile. The doctors had rushed Kendall into surgery, explaining everything so quickly that their words became a blur. Cervical cancer. Emergency cesarean. Save both her and the baby. Jason wanted to scream, to tear at something, but instead, he stood frozen, his gaze fixed on the closed doors where Kendall had been taken. He had failed her. How could he not have seen that? For weeks and months on end, he failed to realize that something was amiss. His thoughts constantly went back to their disputes, to the times when she appeared delicate yet remained silent. “Mr. Carter?”J
Kendall stood on Jason's mansion doorstep, holding her coat tightly as her hands shook. The chill of the evening air nipped at her skin, yet it paled in comparison to the frostiness within her. She had to do this. There wasn't any alternative available. Jason had an unreadable expression on his face when the door opened, his eyes looking at her as if she was unfamiliar."Jason..." she said with a voice that cracked, her eyes begging for empathy. He stood silently, observing her, not responding right away, as though anticipating her to say something."I have to speak with you," Kendall murmured, moving closer, feeling her legs wobble beneath her. Jason moved out of the way, allowing her to enter silently, but he still stood rigidly, as if ready for combat. The door closed with a click.Kendall stopped in the foyer, trying to regain her balance. She momentarily lost focus, but quickly blinked to clear her vision. "Jason, I have been foolish," she started softly, her voice now filled
Isabella stood at the entrance to Thane's estate, holding her luggage tightly, afraid she might drop it. The large house stood in front of her, its impressive exterior highlighting the void she felt within. She had no other place to go, but she was determined not to give up. Not now. Not after everything.With fingers trembling, she pressed the doorbell, fighting to stay standing despite her overwhelming desperation. Before too much time had passed, the door swung open and Thane appeared, his expression devoid of any warmth. He hesitated before inviting her in, staring at her for a moment too long. Isabella swallowed, attempting to maintain her composure. "I—Thane," she began, her voice faltering, "I—I don’t know where else to go. Jason... he left me. He—he doesn’t care about me. "I have no one else to go to but you." She began to cry as her voice broke, allowing the tears to fill her eyes. She wished they appeared authentic; she wished he would trust her. Thane didn’t budge. His
Jason sat at his desk, gazing at the mountains of paperwork that had grown over the previous few days. The workstation was buzzing with activity, from phone calls to hushed chats, yet he remained calm and composed. His mind was elsewhere—on her. On Kendall."Mr. Carter?" A voice snapped him out of his thoughts.Jason looked over and saw Jane, his assistant, standing at the doorway with a pile of papers. She paused, observing the absent-minded expression in his eyes. She mentioned that you requested to be informed once the DNA test results are received. Jason’s pulse quickened. He stood up, walking briskly toward her. "Hand them over to me." Passing him the envelope, he impatiently tore it open. As he opened the papers, his heart raced while he quickly looked over the results. He breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the confirmation that Isabella is not expecting. "He whispered, relieved as the tension he had been holding onto for days finally lifted." However, the feeling of reli
Tension grew in his jaw as he tightly gripped the doorframe with his hand. "Why on earth are you here?" Isabella stood at the entrance, her lips curling into a smug grin. She entered with a sense of ownership, her heels making a sharp clicking noise on the tiled floor. Jason remained still, obstructing her way deeper into the house. "Wow, that's not a very hospitable greeting," she remarked, but still pushed past him. "Is that how you say hello to the mother of your soon-to-be-born baby?" Jason's expression turned menacing, his hands tightening at his sides. “Cut the act, Isabella. What do you want?” "Regarding what is owed to me," she answered calmly, pivoting to confront him with a self-assured lift of her chin. With Kendall conveniently gone, I am ready to take my rightful position. For our child’s sake, of course.” He let out a cold, humorless laugh, his eyes narrowing. “Rightful place? You mean as a liar and manipulator? Spare me your theatrics.” Her smile faltered brief
Jason was positioned at the top of the lengthy meeting table, sitting with perfect posture in his crisp suit, though his thoughts were elsewhere. The board members' voices became a blur as he focused on the charts and projections on the screen. Jason’s gaze lingered on his tablet, his jaw tight. “Mr. Carter, do you agree?” His head snapped up, piercing eyes scanning the room. A beat passed as he composed himself, erasing any trace of distraction. “Yes,” he replied curtly, his voice steady, though he had no idea what they had asked. “Proceed as outlined.” An approving murmur spread through the room, but Jason paid little attention. He couldn't stop thinking about Kendall, remembering her tearful face and the vulnerability in her voice when she said his name. He moved around in his chair, tightening his jaw. “Concentrate, for crying out loud. This isn’t the time to be weak.” But no matter how much he willed himself to concentrate, the image lingered, seared into his thoughts. "
Jason was in his study with a half-empty decanter of whiskey providing him with some bitter comfort on the table. Thane's words echoed in his mind like a disturbing tune, preventing him from finding peace. His teeth gritted and his hand gripped the crystal glass tightly, causing the liquid inside to shake. He whispered to himself, pondering, his tone a mix of anger and hopelessness. "What happens if the child is not mine?" His mother's unwavering belief in him reverberated in his thoughts, her defense against his father and Thane's relentless pressure lingering in his memory. Catherine Carter always saw the best in Jason, even when he couldn't see it himself. But was he worthy of that faith now? He finished the remaining drink, the sensation of burning in his throat a harsh diversion from the pain in his chest. Kendall's tear-streaked face and trembling voice, pleading for his understanding, came back to his memory once more, but he couldn't find the empathy. Jason slammed the g