She watched, a pang of guilt and regret shot through her heart. She knew that her father's suffering was a direct result of her own actions and her involvement with the Hill family.Sarah's eyes welled up with tears. She turned away from the window, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for an escape from her emotions. But there was no escape, only the haunting feeling that she had brought shame and pain to her loved one.Sarah's body felt heavy, weighed down by the burden of her guilt. She knew she had to make things right, to find a way to heal the wounds she had inflicted on her family. But for now, she could only stand there, frozen in her sorrow, her heart aching with regret.Sarah's gaze was still fixed on the floor when she heard a faint knock on the window. She turned to see Arthur, her friend and neighbor, standing at the window of his house, his face etched with concern.Arthur gestured to her, asking silently what was wrong. Sarah's eyes welled up with tears as she hes
Nicholas tossed and turned in bed, his mind racing with thoughts of Sarah's father, Joseph. In his mind's eye, he saw a future where Joseph, defeated and humiliated, took his own life. The thought sent a chill down Nicholas's spine. He couldn't let that happen. He had to act. Nicholas threw off the covers and got out of bed. He paced back and forth in his room, trying to think of a way to prevent the tragedy from occurring. He knew he had to protect Joseph, no matter what it took.As he walked, Nicholas's mind replayed the events of a few hours ago. Nicholas's mind was racing with thoughts of how to protect Joseph and Sarah from his father's wrath. He knew that James Hill would stop at nothing to get what he wanted, and Nicholas couldn't let that happen."I won't let you hurt them, Father," Nicholas whispered to himself, his eyes blazing with determination. "I'll protect them, no matter what it takes."**************************************Elizabeth walked into the garden, the cool n
The group took their seats, and the professor began the lesson. But Nicholas's mind was elsewhere, thinking about the Moratti family and his father's involvement in their downfall.The English class was in full swing, with the professor discussing the nuances of Shakespeare's sonnets. Nicholas sat at his desk, his mind a thousand miles away, lost in thought. He was still reeling from the conversation about the Moratti family and his father's involvement in their downfall.As the professor droned on, the classroom door opened, and Sarah walked in, followed by her friend Julia. Sarah's eyes scanned the room, searching for Nicholas, but he didn't notice her. This was unusual, as Nicholas always made it a point to catch Sarah's eye and exchange a warm smile whenever she entered the room.But today, Nicholas was too caught up in his own thoughts to notice Sarah's arrival. He didn't even flinch when she sat down in the empty chair beside him; her presence is usually a source of comfort a
The classroom fell silent, with all eyes on Sarah. Professor Laurence nodded thoughtfully, a small smile playing on his lips. "Very good, Sarah. You've clearly been paying attention."Nicholas, who had been watching the exchange, felt a pang of admiration for Sarah. She had answered the question with confidence and clarity and had even managed to impress the professor.Nicholas felt a surge of pride as he listened to Sarah's response. He had always known she was intelligent, but hearing her articulate thoughts on Shakespeare's sonnet made him feel proud to know her. And not just because of her intelligence—he had to admit, he had feelings for her. He loved the way she thought, the way she spoke, and the way she carried herself with confidence and grace.As Professor Laurence nodded his approval, Nicholas couldn't help but feel a sense of joy. He was happy to see Sarah shine, and he knew that she deserved it. He felt a pang of regret for not being able to answer the question himself
Professor Thompson walked into the psychology class, his eyes scanning the room as he greeted the students. "Good morning, everyone. I hope you're all doing well today."As he began to unpack his notes and set up the presentation, Sarah raised her hand, catching his attention. "Excuse me, Professor? May I ask something?"Professor Thompson smiled, nodding for her to proceed. "Of course, Sarah. What's on your mind?"Sarah hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "I was wondering if you've heard anything about Griffin? I know he's not been in class lately, and I... I just wanted to know if he's okay."Nicholas, sitting behind Sarah, looked up from his phone, intrigued by her question. He hadn't noticed Griffin's absence, but then again, he hadn't really paid attention to Griffin at all.Professor Thompson's expression turned somber, and he nodded thoughtfully. "Ah, Griffin. Yes, I'm afraid he's been going through a tough time. His family's been dealing with some personal issues,
The others guffawed, and Nicholas's blood began to boil. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. How dare they humiliate Joseph like that? And what was wrong with them, talking about Sarah like she was some kind of joke? He had rejected her proposal, but that didn't mean she was worthless.And to make matters worse, his father had scolded Joseph for Sarah's actions, making him feel like he was to blame for his daughter's mistake. Now, his colleagues were making fun of him, and Nicholas had had enough.He quickened his pace, his fists clenched at his sides. The group didn't notice him approaching, too caught up in their own laughter and mockery.But when Nicholas reached them, he didn't hesitate. He grabbed the tall, lanky man by the collar and slammed him against the wall, his face inches from his."Apologize," Nicholas growled, his voice low and menacing. "Apologize to Joseph, right now."The man's eyes went wide, and he stuttered, "I-I'm sorry..."Nicholas's grip tightened. "
Sarah sat in her bedroom, surrounded by soft cushions and warm lighting, with Griffin's notes scattered across her lap. As she flipped through the pages, her eyes landed on a section filled with poetry. The words danced across the paper, written in Griffin's familiar scribble.At first, Sarah thought they were just random musings, but as she delved deeper, she realized the poems were about a person's beauty. The descriptions were vivid and captivating, speaking of sparkling eyes, radiant skin, and luscious hair.Sarah's curiosity piqued. Who was this mysterious person Griffin had written about with such passion and adoration? She wondered if it was someone he had met, someone he had fallen in love with.As she read on, Sarah felt a pang of jealousy. Who was this girl that Griffin had seen fit to immortalize in his poetry? Was she someone from his past, or perhaps someone he had met in secret?The poems spoke of a beauty that was both inner and outer, a beauty that shone like a bea
James sneered. "He questioned me in front of my employees. He has no idea what he's talking about, but he thinks he knows better."Olivia's voice was calm. "Maybe he was just trying to understand, James."James laughed. "Understand? He's not even trying to understand. He's too busy being influenced by that girl, Sarah."Olivia's eyes narrowed. "What does Sarah have to do with anything?"James's expression turned sinister. "Everything. He's already rebelling against his own family because of her. Think what will happen when she becomes a part of his life."Maria discreetly slipped away, sensing the tension was escalating.Olivia's face paled. "James, that's not fair. Nicholas is just trying to find his own way."James's anger boiled over. "His own way? His own way is going to destroy everything we've built. I won't let that happen."The sound of silverware clinking against fine china came from the dining room, a stark contrast to the anger filling the air."Dinner is served, s
The weekend passed in a blur of quality time with Nicholas and romantic moments with Sarah.On Monday morning, Nicholas reminded Sarah of an upcoming family business party."Next Saturday, we need to attend the Smith's annual gala," Nicholas said, sipping his coffee.Sarah nodded, checking her calendar. "I remember. It's a big event for your family's business."Nicholas smiled. "We'll make it a family affair. Mom, Jace, and us."Sarah's eyes sparkled. "I'll make sure to get a new dress."Nicholas chuckled. "You'll stun them all."***************************The day of the party arrived. Nicholas and Jace waited in the living room, dressed to impress.Jace, in a miniature tuxedo, giggled as Nicholas tied his own bow tie."Daddy's going to be the most handsome man there," Nicholas whispered, making Jace chuckle.Sarah emerged from their bedroom, breathtaking in a red evening gown.Nicholas's jaw dropped. "Wow."Jace cooed, reaching out for Sarah.Sarah smiled, taking Jace from Nicholas.
Every Saturday and Sunday, Olivia, Nicholas's mother, visited Jace.She'd spend hours cuddling, playing, and reading to her beloved grandson.Olivia's eyes sparkled as she entered the nursery, filled with toys and colorful mobiles."Hello, my little prince!" she exclaimed, scooping up Jace in her arms.Jace giggled, and Olivia's heart melted.Nicholas and Sarah watched, smiling, as Olivia showered Jace with love."Mom, you're spoiling him rotten," Nicholas teased.Olivia chuckled. "That's what grandmas are for!"Sarah laughed. "We don't mind. Jace loves his grandma time."As Olivia played with Jace, Nicholas couldn't help but notice the resemblance between his mother and son.The same bright smile.The same sparkling eyes."Mom, do you remember Dad's stories?" Nicholas asked, his voice filled with nostalgia.Olivia's expression softened. "Of course, sweetie. Your father was an amazing storyteller."Nicholas smiled. "I want to pass those stories down to Jace."Olivia's eyes welled up w
Nicholas and Sarah sat in their opulent living room, surrounded by plush furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline. Baby books and prenatal guides littered the coffee table, a testament to their excitement. They had just confirmed the pregnancy, and the air was electric.Sarah's hands cradled her barely visible bump, a soft smile on her face. "We're going to be parents."Nicholas's eyes sparkled, his hand covering hers. "We're going to be amazing parents."Their luxurious lifestyle ensured every possible comfort for their growing family.Their private estate, nestled in the heart of the city, would soon welcome its newest member.But as the reality of parenthood set in, anxiety crept in.Sarah worried about balancing her thriving art career and motherhood. "What if I'm not good enough?"Nicholas reassured her, "You'll be an incredible mom. We'll figure it out together. We'll hire the best nannies and staff to support us."Nicholas, meanwhile, fretted about
Sarah's face fell as she told Nicholas about the betrayal. "The head of my project, Alex, sold all the details to our rival company, Bluebird. And on the same night of your accident, Bluebird's owner, Marcus, burned down Alex's house and killed him and his family."Nicholas's eyes widened in shock. "What? Why didn't anyone do anything?"Sarah shook her head. "Andrew investigated, but there wasn't enough evidence to prove anything. Hill Cop suffered huge losses and is now bankrupt."Nicholas sighed, feeling a sense of responsibility. "I wasn't there to prevent it. This is why Hill Cop fell."Sarah looked crestfallen, but Nicholas took her hand. "Hey, business is like this. We'll start something new. How about a new cafe chain?"Sarah's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea! We can make it happen."Nicholas smiled. "We will. We'll make it bigger and better than Hill Cop. And we'll do it together."Sarah nodded, a determined look on her face. "Let's do it. Let's show them that we won't give
Dr. Smith's eyes locked onto Sarah's, his expression empathetic. "Sarah, what Nicholas experienced is called confabulation. It's a phenomenon where the brain creates false memories or stories, often due to traumatic brain injury or other forms of brain damage."Sarah's brow furrowed, her eyes filled with concern. "So, you're saying Nicholas's memories weren't real?"Dr. Smith nodded. "Exactly. When Nicholas suffered the accident, his brain's ability to process and store memories was affected. As a result, his brain started to fill in gaps in his memory with fictional information, creating false narratives that he believed to be true."Sarah's gaze drifted to Nicholas, her heart aching. "But why? Why would his brain do that?"Dr. Smith's expression softened. "Confabulation is a coping mechanism. The brain tries to make sense of missing information by creating new stories. In Nicholas's case, his brain wove a tale of time travel, a son, and a future that never existed. It was his brain'
Sarah's thoughts drifted back to the past, to the accident that had changed everything. She had forgotten her resentment towards Nicholas's family; her anger and hurt were replaced by a deep concern for him. She missed him, his laughter, his teasing, and his flirtatious smile. She missed the way he made her feel, like she was the only person in the world.As she sat there, lost in thought, Sarah realized that she had been unfair to James and Olivia. They, too, had suffered, waiting for their son to wake up. They, too, had been hurt by her harsh words, but they never retaliated. They had borne it all, for Nicholas's sake.Sarah's gaze fell on her father's grave, and she felt a sense of peace wash over her. Time heals all wounds, she thought. And who am I to hold onto grudges when the person I love is fighting for his life?With a newfound sense of resolve, Sarah decided to let go of the past. She would forgive James and Olivia and start anew. For Nicholas's sake, for their sake, she wo
Nicholas's eyes fluttered open to the sound of beeping machines. He groggily sat up on the hospital bed, his mind foggy and disoriented. The nurse standing beside him took a step back, her eyes widening in surprise."Mr. Nicholas, you're awake!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with a mix of shock and curiosity.Nicholas rubbed his temples, trying to clear the haze from his mind. He looked around the hospital room, but nothing seemed familiar. He was already confused, and the nurse's reaction only added to his bewilderment."Wha...what happened?" Nicholas stammered, his throat dry and sore.The nurse's expression turned from surprise to concern. "You've been in an accident, Mr. Nicholas. You need to lie back down."But Nicholas was already throwing off the covers, his mind racing with questions. Had he traveled back in time again? Was this some kind of déjà vu?The nurse rushed to his side, trying to gently push him back onto the bed. "Mr. Nicholas, please, you need to rest."But Nichol
Griffin's eyes darted wildly, and he swiftly opened the drawer, pulling out a gun. He pointed it at the group, his hand shaking with desperation. "Stay back! I won't let you take him from me!"Sarah's eyes widened in horror, her voice trembling. "Griffin, please. Don't do this. You're scaring me."Griffin's gaze locked onto Sarah, his eyes pleading. "You don't understand, Sarah. I won't lose him. I won't lose Jace."Sarah took a step forward, her hands outstretched. "Griffin, listen to me. This isn't you. You're not a monster. You're kind, gentle...my friend."Griffin's face twisted, his voice cracking. "You don't know me, Sarah. You never knew me."Leena sneered. "Yes, Griffin, you're a monster. You kidnapped Jace, and now you're threatening us with a gun."Griffin's attention was focused on Sarah; his gun was still trained on the group. He didn't notice Nicholas slowly creeping up behind him, his eyes fixed on the gun.Sarah's words were a distraction, a diversion. And Griffin, blin
Griffin sat on the couch, playing with Jace's toy cars, completely absorbed in the little boy's world. He had never felt this way before, so carefree and happy. Jace's laughter and smiles had captured him, and for the first time in his life, he felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.Griffin's mind wandered back to his plans for revenge against Nicholas. But for the first time, he felt a twinge of doubt. Was it really worth it? Was his desire for revenge more important than the happiness he felt in this moment?Jace looked up at him, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Griffin, look! I built a castle!"Griffin smiled, feeling his heart melt. "That's amazing, Jace. You're so talented."Griffin realized he had forgotten all about his plans for revenge. He had forgotten about Nicholas, forgotten about the past, forgotten about everything except for this little boy and the joy he brought him.But little did Griffin know, his world was about to be turned upside down. Nicholas a