The lock clicked familiarly as Jason turned his key, the sound resonating in the vacant house. Entering the house, he was welcomed by a quietness in the dimly-lit interior that felt eerily unnatural. The quietness was noticeably different from the turmoil in his head, a whirlwind of thoughts spinning as he moved through the rooms.He shouted, his voice sounding tense and empty. “Kendall? Are you here?”The only response was the hollow echo of his voice. He walked around the living room, searching the areas he remembered she often visited, feeling his heart drop at each vacant spot. He checked the kitchen quickly, barely looking at the clean dishes, before heading upstairs.Jason paused outside Kendall's door at the top of the staircase. His fingers made contact with the wooden surface as he gently pushed it open, the sound of the hinges creaking cutting through the quietness. The room appeared exactly as he recalled - tidy, yet giving off an abandoned atmosphere. The bed was made, but
Kendall opened the front door with a feeling of relief. The quietness of the house felt overwhelming compared to the recent chaos of the past weeks. With a gentle click, she shut the door and her shoulders drooped a little. The well-known sound of the door seemed to amplify the significance of her arrival back. Quietly walking across the shiny wooden floor, she headed towards the kitchen.In the kitchen, she poured water into a glass, observing as the refreshing liquid spun inside the glass. The simple sound of the faucet provided a momentary calm amid her overwhelming emotions. Having a slow, intentional sip, she allowed the chill to calm her anxiety, even if just for a brief moment. She looked around the kitchen, noticing the everyday things like the tidy mail and the spotless countertops. It was a stark difference from the turmoil that appeared to be swirling inside her.After finishing the glass, Kendall sank onto the sofa in the living room. The soft cushions offered a temporary
Kendall felt her heart beating rapidly in her chest while she looked at Jason, her thoughts swirling with disbelief. Bringing up the baby was one aspect of their situation, however, Jason's composed attitude and his manner of discussing it left her feeling trapped in a whirlwind of emotions. She inquired, her voice shaking, “How did you discover?”Jason reached into his pocket and extracted a tiny, transparent pouch. Within the pouch was a pregnancy test strip, with its outcome clearly visible, a stark and undeniable fact. Jason interrupted, his voice firm but not unkind. “I was worried. I returned, and it was as if you had disappeared. I had to find out what was happening. I didn’t mean to invade your privacy, but this...” He motioned towards the test strip, "...was something I had to comprehend, something I needed to understand for myself.”Kendall averted her eyes, looking down at the floor, avoiding making eye contact with Jason. "I will..." She confessed to being scared, speaking
The silence of the living room was shattered by Kendall's phone ringing. Looking at the screen, she noticed Alicia's name shining. She felt a wave of relief when she saw her best friend's name, bringing comfort amidst her turmoil. She responded by swiping, feeling a slight relief as she recognized Alicia's voice on the phone. “Alicia! Kendall expressed her relief and weariness, which she was unable to completely hide, when she said, "I'm glad to hear from you." Alicia's soothing voice was like a warm and comforting balm on a stressful day. Hello, Kendall! Lately, you've been on my mind a lot. How are you managing? I acknowledge that you have been experiencing a difficult period. Kendall let out a deep sigh, trying to manage her feelings. I'm thrilled that you chose to reach out to me by phone. I have several pieces of information to share with you - some are positive while others are negative. It's truly been a crazy adventure, I must say. I was uncertain about where to find assi
Kendall and Jason strolled together towards the art gallery, relishing the invigorating cool autumn breeze while holding hands. The city streets were painted in a golden glow by the setting sun, showcasing the vibrant autumn leaves. Kendall sneaked a peek at Jason, feeling a blend of curiosity and anxiety in her heart. Since Jason's sudden change in behavior, every interaction with him seemed like a fresh installment in their intricate narrative.As they neared the massive entrance of the museum, its grand columns and detailed exterior towering above them, Jason gazed at Kendall with a gentle, almost soothing grin. "I believed spending the day here would be pleasant," he remarked softly. "I understand that things have been difficult recently, so I wanted to try out something new, something that could provide us with a brief break from everything."Kendall was shocked, her eyes widening in surprise. "An art gallery?" "Do you mean a location to showcase historical objects and artistic p
Kendall awoke to the soft, insistent voice of the maid through the door. “Miss Kendall, breakfast is ready. Sir Jason would like to have breakfast with you.”Still enveloped in the comfort of the early hours, Kendall extended her body and rose from bed, her thoughts already returning to the enjoyable moments from the museum the day before. She descended with light, eager steps. The table is filled with different types of fresh berries, sliced oranges, and apples were neatly organized on plates together with whole-grain toast and avocado. Additional choices consisted of yogurt parfaits featuring granola and a selection of nuts, all customized to align with her nutritional requirements.Jason was already sitting at the table in a relaxed manner, holding a newspaper. Upon Kendall's arrival, he looked up and a warm smile spread across his face. "Good morning, Kendall," he warmly greeted with sincerity in his voice.Kendall returned the smile, yet her eyes betrayed a touch of anxiety. “G
Kendall admired the gorgeous midnight-blue gown that hung so gracefully over her body as she stood in front of the mirror. The soft sheen of the material highlighted her lovely features and curves. Her face was framed by the sweetheart neckline, and the gown's short train gave it a sophisticated touch. She put on the delicate necklace and matching earrings with care, their sparkle perfectly completing the outfit. Despite their elegant appearance, the heels were manageably comfortable, enabling her to move with ease. As Kendall stroked her fingertips over the material, she had a mixture of anxiety and excitement. She inhaled deeply before beginning her journey down the grand staircase. Her shoes clicking on the marble steps resonated down the hall. When she got to the bottom, she saw Jason standing near the door with his back to her. There was a tangible sense of expectation. When Jason turned around, his reaction was immediate and expressive. His mouth dropped open when he noti
The atmosphere was light and cozy, with lots of conversation on the trip home from the restaurant. The gentle hum of the car's engine blended with the talk between Jason and Kendall. Their faces were softly glowing as the city lights poured by. With every word Kendall said, Jason's curiosity about her grew. He cast a quick glance at her. "I had no idea you were so passionate about art," he said, his eyes showing real curiosity. "It's obvious that it resonates deeply with you." With a little giggle, Kendall's eyes glistened with anticipation. It's something I've cherished forever. The emotions and stories that art can portray are often too strong for words to fully capture. It offers a window into the mind and a glimpse into the world of another person.Jason nodded, clearly intrigued. That fascinates me. You have this really perceptive and novel way of looking at the world. It's among the qualities of you that I now find admirable. As he spoke, Kendall's heart began to race. She fe
He inhaled deeply, running a hand down his face. For once, he wanted peace. He extended his arm to grab his phone and called Kendall's number, feeling a slight slump in his shoulders as it rang. “Jason?” Kendall spoke softly with a hint of anxiety in her voice. “Hey.” His tone softened instantly, a contrast to the edge he’d carried all evening. “I’m heading home early. I thought it would be nice to spend some time with you. She hesitated briefly before responding, her voice uncertain. “That’s… unexpected.” "Is now not a good time?" he inquired, furrowing his brows. "She quickly said, "No, no." “I just—never mind. I’ll see you soon.” Jason frowned at the odd tension in her voice but chose not to press. “Alright. I’ll be there soon. Let’s order in or do something low-key.” “That sounds good,” Kendall said, but the tremor in her tone didn’t escape him. Hanging up, Jason pocketed his phone and stepped out. The journey back felt extended, as every traffic light allowed him to p
"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