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
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
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