CarolineI stepped through the front door, feeling so tired after a long day at work. I just wanted to relax and find my husband, Jeffrey. But when I walked into the living room, I was stunned with what i saw.There he was, laughing with another woman on our matrimonial bed."Babe, what’s happening here?" I blurted out, my voice shaking as I tried to make sense of the scene before me.Jeffrey turned, his face hardening as if I was a stranger in my own home. "What does this look like to you?"he snapped, rising from the bed with a fierce look in his eyes. He walked toward me, gripping a piece of paper as if it held all the power in the world. "Sign the divorce papers!"he said, shoving the document toward me like it was a blunt instrument. "B... but babe!!" I stammered, my mind racing with disbelief."Will you shut up and just do it already?" His voice was ice-cold, cutting through my confusion like a knife. Each word stabbed at my heart, making me feel like I was on the verge of fallin
Caroline's povI walked away from the counter and tried to get my bearings when a man approached me. "Hey there," he said softly, leaning closer so I could hear him over the thumping music in the bar. "Do you need a ride?"At first, I felt confused but also curious. I blinked at him, shaking my head to clear the fog. "Who are you?"I asked, my voice slightly shaky."Just someone who wants to help," he replied, flashing a warm smile that, despite my hesitation, made me feel a little more at ease. "Let’s get you out of here."I looked around, seeing the lights and the crowd still lost in their party excitement. I felt out of place. With his support, I took a deep breath and made my way to a sleek black car parked nearby.He opened the door for me, and I slid into the soft leather seat. It enveloped me, making me feel both comfortable and a little uneasy at the same time. I watched him get in next to me, his presence strong and reassuring."Where are we going?"I whispered, trying to sou
Caroline's PovAfter having a good taste of the coffee,i paid and walked down the streets to get a cab.I flagged down a taxi, sliding into the back seat with trembling hands. “Where to?” the driver asked, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.I hesitated, my mind blank. Where do I go from here? I had no home to return to .Jeffrey had made that painfully clear. My life had been ripped apart, and I had no idea how to pick up the pieces. Finally, I gave the driver an address, not my own but a friend’s, someone I hoped would understand.I entered the and the taxi pulled away from the curb, I leaned my head against the window, watching the pedestrians along the streets. My mind raced with a thousand thoughts, each one more painful than the last. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, willing myself to find that strength. I had to. Because if I didn’t, Jeffrey’s betrayal would define me, and I wouldn’t let him have that power over me anymore. The taxi came to a stop in front of my
Caroline I think it’s best if you leave now," she said quietly, glancing away. "I’m sorry, Caroline. I really am. But this is your mess to sort out."My heart broke into a thousand pieces as I turned, stumbling down the steps of Maralyn’s porch. My entire world felt like it was crumbling around me, piece by agonizing piece. The one person I had trusted to help me pick up the pieces had slammed the door in my face. ‘‘Barren?"The accusation rang in my ears like a cruel bell.I walked away from Maralyn’s house, the shock gave way to a rising tide of anger and despair.My body moved in a weak way,my mind spinning with confusion. I had nothing left,no home, no husband, no friends. Everything I thought I could depend on was gone.I reached the corner of the street and paused, feeling the last of my strength drain away. My body shook with silent sobs, the grief and betrayal crashing down on me all at once. I wanted to scream, to cry out, but all I could do was stand there, trembling and
Caroline The doctor was so kind, but I wasn't sure if he was right. Maybe I was just imagining things. I'd been through so much lately, maybe I was just making things up. An hour later, after waiting for the test results, the doctor came back. He looked at me, his face serious. He was holding some papers in his hands."Caroline," he said, "I think I know why you haven't been feeling well."My heart jumped. "Is it serious?" I asked, my voice shaky. He sat down in front of me and said, "Not serious, but really unexpected. You're pregnant."The words felt like a punch to the gut. Pregnant? It couldn't be right. My mind was spinning, trying to make sense of it all. "I'm…pregnant?" I asked, still confused."Yes," the doctor confirmed. "You're about a month pregnant. And there's more…"My hands were shaking. "More?"He looked at the papers and said, "You're having triplets." My world stopped. Triplets? The word echoed in my mind, bringing back all the bad memories of Jeffrey. He had al
The Next Morning "Ugh"... my eyelids felt like they were glued shut. The sun was trying to peek through the curtains, but it was just a sliver of light, like a tiny flashlight shining through a crack in the door. It was a cold morning, like someone had forgotten to turn on the heater and left the window open all night. I snuggled deeper under the covers, trying to pull the warmth closer to me. My tummy felt like a giant, round rock, and my legs were all wobbly and weak. I wanted to stay in bed all day. I tried to move my arm, but it felt like I was dragging a whole log. My head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and my brain was super slow. I tried to remember what I was supposed to do today, but all I could think about was how cozy and warm it was under the covers. Maybe I could just close my eyes for a few more minutes. Just a few more minutes of sleep.I stumbled out of bed, my legs feeling like jelly, and went to the window. The city was already awake, a cacophony of honkin
I finished my latte, the bitter taste lingering on my tongue, and I knew I had to move on. I had to find a way to navigate this new world, this world where I was both a stranger and a visitor, all at the same time.When I finally reached the biggest and most expensive restaurant in the country, I walked in, feeling a little out of place in my baggy jeans and faded t-shirt. The place buzzed with a high-energy vibe, the clatter of dishes and the chatter of diners creating a symphony of urban life.I approached the counter and nervously asked for the manager. The guy behind the counter, a skinny guy with slicked-back hair and a smirk that never left his face, looked me up and down like I was some strange specimen."He's not around," he said, his voice dripping with a kind of bored arrogance that made my skin crawl. "But you can leave your details. He'll be back tomorrow. I'll make sure he gets them." I handed him a piece of paper with my name and number scribbled on it. He glanced at i
Another bright dayCaroline I groaned and pulled the covers over my head, trying to block out the light and the cold that seeped into my bones. My tummy felt like a big, round rock, and my legs were all wobbly. I felt like a giant, floppy marshmallow.I was so tired. I tried to move my arm, but it felt like I was dragging a whole log. My head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and my brain was super slow. I tried to remember what I was supposed to do today, but all I could think about was how cozy and warm it was under the covers. Maybe I could just close my eyes for a few more minutes. Just a few more minutes of sleep...Then my phone buzzed. I grabbed it, my fingers clumsy from sleep. It was a message from the restaurant manager. My heart jumped. It said, “Caroline, you got the job!”I sat up in bed, my eyes wide. The cleaning job! I got it! I was so happy, tears welled up in my eyes. I looked up at the ceiling and whispered, “Thank you, God.”I needed this job. I needed it mo
Marco didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped out into the open, his hand hovering near his holster. The car door opened, and Ric stepped out, looking nervous and out of place.“Marco,” Ric said, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. “Boss sent me.”Marco frowned. “What for?”“To make sure everything’s... under control,” Ric said, glancing at Caroline. His eyes darted nervously, betraying the lie.“Stay out of this, Ric,” Marco growled. “You’ve done enough damage.”Caroline stepped forward, her patience wearing thin. “What’s going on here? Ancelotti sent you both? Why?”Marco didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he turned to Ric, his expression hard. “Go back to the car. Now.”“But—”“Now!” Marco barked, and Ric flinched before retreating.Caroline crossed her arms, glaring at Marco. “Start talking.”Marco sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. “Ancelotti doesn’t trust Jeffrey. And right now, he’s not sure if he can trust you either.”Caroline’s expression hardened. “After everything I
Jeffrey was charming, there was no denying that, but his charm was a double-edged sword.“I’m glad you decided to meet with me,” Jeffrey said, his smile smooth as silk. “I know this situation with Ancelotti is...complicated.”Caroline raised an eyebrow. “Complicated is an understatement.”Jeffrey leaned forward, his tone conspiratorial. “He’s losing his grip, Caroline. You can see that, can’t you? The mistakes, the outbursts—it’s only a matter of time before it all comes crashing down.”Caroline didn’t respond immediately. She swirled her wine glass, watching the liquid catch the light. “And you think you’re the better option?”“I’m not just an option,” Jeffrey said confidently. “I’m the solution.”Caroline tilted her head, a small smile playing on her lips. Back in the office, Ancelotti sat amidst the chaos he had created. The overturned desk, the shattered lamp, the scattered papers—all of it mirrored the turmoil in his mind. He buried his face in his hands, his earlier anger now r
Jane gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "What? Are you serious? Is he… is he okay?" "I don’t know," Caroline said, pacing back and forth. "They took him to the hospital. I need to go back, but I just— I needed a moment to breathe." "Oh my god! Caroline, you're back. I was so worried!" she said, her voice shaking.Caroline chuckled and hugged her back. "Hey, I'm okay. Sorry for making you worry." she said.Jane pulled away and looked at Caroline. "What happened? Why were you acting like that?" she asked.Caroline sighed and patted her on the head. "I'll tell you everything. But first, let's go inside. I'm so tired, I just want to sit down.”They both went inside, and Jane closed the door, her curiosity was at its peak. She was ready to hear everything, she was ready to listen, and she was ready to finally know what was going on in Caroline’s life. She couldn't wait for Caroline to explain everything, and she was determined to help her friend, no matter what.Caroline threw he
Caroline ran into the restaurant, panting. She was late. "I'm so sorry!" she said, her voice breathless as she glanced around. Jeffrey was already sitting at their table, smiling at her. "It's okay," Jeffrey said with a small chuckle. "I was just about to order." Caroline smiled back, feeling relieved. She reached for a chair to sit down, but before she could pull it out, a loud sound rang through the air. Bang!For a moment, everything froze. Caroline's heart stopped, and she turned to see Jeffrey falling to the floor. Blood began to spread across his shirt, right over his chest. "Jeffrey!" she screamed, her voice shaking with fear. "Oh my God!" The entire restaurant fell silent. Then chaos erupted. "Somebody help!" Caroline shouted, kneeling beside Jeffrey. Tears streamed down her face as she pressed her hands against the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. The waitresses and other customers rushed over. One of the waitresses quickly pulled out her phone and called for
Ancelotti sat alone in his dark, cluttered office, the faint glow of a desk lamp casting long shadows on the walls. The air was thick with the scent of whiskey, and his glass, half-full, sat on the table in front of him. He leaned back in his leather chair, a sinister grin spreading across his face as he murmured to himself. "Jeffrey," he said, his voice low and amused, "busy waiting for Caroline, thinking he has it all under control." He let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head slowly. "Meanwhile, the unexpected will be expected. Poor fool doesn’t even know what’s coming." Ancelotti reached for his glass, taking a slow sip of whiskey. The liquid burned as it slid down his throat, but he savored it. Every detail of his plan was falling into place, and he relished the thought of how it would all unfold. "Ric," he muttered, tapping his fingers on the armrest. "He’s sharper than I thought. Got Caroline all riled up, didn’t he? Triggered her emotions just enough to set up that sharp
“Maybe,” he thought, a touch of uncertainty creeping into his mind, “Maybe she won’t come back to me right away. Maybe she’s still too hurt, too angry.” He sighed inwardly, he shouldn’t have been such an arrogant jerk back then. But he was young, he was dumb. He was hoping that Caroline would find it in her heart to forgive him. He needed her.He told himself that he had changed. He was ready to be better, he was ready to be the man that she deserved, if only she would give him a chance. He was willing to wait, to prove himself to her. It didn't matter if she didn’t want to be his wife anymore, but maybe, just maybe, they could be close friends. He could be her confidant, her shoulder to cry on, the person she could trust with anything. He would do anything to have her close to him again. Even just as a friend.He imagined long conversations, laughter, and shared secrets. He pictured them going on adventures together, exploring new places, creating new memories. He wanted to have
Jeffrey was practically vibrating with anticipation. His phone had buzzed with a message from the bank, saying Caroline Sterling had been asking about her grandfather's accounts, and that she was demanding answers. Jeffrey had almost choked on his coffee when he read it. After all these weeks, Caroline was finally reaching out again.Or so he thought.A wide grin stretched across his face. He'd always known she would come crawling back. Six years ago, he was the one who had ended things. She was nothing, just a nobody who he had gotten tired of. He had thought she would be nothing without him, he thought that he’s a big fish in this little pond that was her life. He had made her feel inferior. He was a fool. Now, the tables were about to turn. Or so he thought. He had always desired her. He was just too arrogant to admit it back then. He thought that she didn't deserve him, that she was too naive and too pure for his liking.He wanted to be with someone who was like him, someone t
Caroline sat in the living room, absentmindedly flipping through a stack of papers she had brought from the office. Jane was lounging on the couch, scrolling through her phone, occasionally throwing teasing glances at Caroline. “I think I’ll step out in a bit,” Caroline said, breaking the silence. “Maybe head back to the office and check a few things. If I run into Jeffrey, I’ll deal with him.” Jane raised an eyebrow. “You’re really going to face Jeffrey today? You’ve been avoiding him like the plague.” Caroline sighed. “I can’t keep avoiding him, Jane. It’s time I set things straight. He has to understand that I’ve moved on, and there’s nothing left between us.” Jane smirked. “Moved on? Sounds like Ancelotti is doing a great job.” Caroline rolled her eyes. “Please, don’t start. I’m just trying to focus on my life and my kids. Speaking of which, I need to stop by the school and check on the triplets later this week.” As she spoke, her phone vibrated on the coffee table. S
When Maralyn stormed into her house, the door slammed so hard it rattled the frame. Her heels clicked loudly against the floor as she stomped into the living room, muttering angrily to herself. "Unbelievable! Who does she think she is?!" she yelled, throwing her purse onto the couch. It missed and hit the floor with a loud thud, but she didn’t care. She marched over to the coffee table and swept everything off it with one furious motion—magazines, an old mug, and a small vase all crashed to the floor. Pieces scattered everywhere, but Maralyn didn’t stop. She grabbed a pillow from the couch and flung it across the room, hitting the wall with a dull thump. “Stupid, stupid Caroline!” she shouted, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. Her hands flew to her hair, tugging at it in frustration. At one point, she yanked a picture frame off the wall. It was an old photo of her and Caroline, back when they used to be friends. She glared at it for a moment before hurling it to the