Hi, readersI’m thrilled to announce that Breonna’s journey doesn’t end here! A sequel exploring her new life in New York is in the works and will be available soon. Follow Breonna as she navigates the challenges of a new city, a budding career, and unexpected twists that will keep you turning the pages. But don’t worry—Damien and Imogene’s story is far from over. Their journey continues, with new challenges and heartfelt moments. Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for your unwavering support.
Imogene Scott It’s been over two weeks since Breonna’s left and things still aren’t back to normal yet. I still sometimes forget she’s gone and Damien has been trying his best to be “my Breonna.” He’s been doing a pretty terrible job though. Literally nobody can replace Breonna. I’ve managed to FaceTime with her at least ten times in the last two weeks and Damien says he’s worried about me. He thinks I’m obsessed and I should really find a new hobby.There’s less work load at the gallery for now because of the new curator I hired. Sheila Walsh. She’s part timing for now until she finally gets the scholarship she applied for. So technically, she’s also going to leave eventually. I’m trying my best not to bond with her.On the other hand, we’ve had three doctor’s appointments so far and yes, the twins are healthy. But even the doctor wants me to pick up a stress free hobby. Something that helps me clear my mind at the end of the day. Damien thinks country club is the solution so
Imogene Scott “Of course,” Laurel says. “You can’t just walk around in... that.” Her eyes skim over my casual jeans and loose blouse. Being pregnant makes you dress anyhow, it’s the hormones. I want to say no. Really, I do. But something about their effortless confidence makes me falter. “Okay,” I say finally. They lead me to the dressing room, which is as luxurious as everything else—marble countertops, gold accents, and full-length mirrors everywhere. Laurel hands me a set of clothes: a pair of mid-thigh shorts and a polo shirt. I stare at myself in the mirror after changing. The shorts hug my legs in a way I’m not used to, but they’re comfortable. The shirt fits snugly, and for a moment, I can’t help but smile. I haven’t lost it, my figure still holds its shape, even after Lily and the twins. Well, that’s something to fell confident about.“Not bad,” I murmur to myself, smoothing the fabric. When I step out, Emilia whistles. “Well, don’t you clean up nicely.” I roll
Damien Shaw With Breonna gone and everything, Imogene has been a…lot. Still, I’m glad she’s at least trying out this country club thing, even if it’s just to humor me. Honestly, though? I’m mostly in favor because of the uniform. God bless whoever designed it.After drying off, I pull on a pair of shorts and a plain white T-shirt. I rake my fingers through my damp hair, staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror for a moment. My jaw looks tighter than usual. Stress, no doubt. The situation at the office has been eating at me. A senior executive, Alan Walker, someone I trusted was bribed by a rival to leak information about Edge-N, our newest tech. It hasn’t exploded yet, but the fallout is inevitable if I don’t get ahead of it. Pushing the thoughts aside, I head downstairs. The house is quiet except for the faint clatter of dishes coming from the kitchen. The scent of roasted chicken and herbs wafts through the air, drawing me toward the dining room. Imogene is there, se
Imogene Scott I grip the steering wheel a little tighter as I drive through the light morning traffic. Lily’s drop-off went smoothly enough, though her insistence on showing me her latest drawing in the car had nearly made us late. Seel’s Café comes into view. It’s small, rustic sign is swinging slightly in the breeze as usual. I park across the street, grab my purse from the passenger seat, and head inside. I’m meeting Dad here and apparently it’s very urgent. After his call last night, I wondered what it could be about. He hardly calls me without a solid reason. He’s so engulfed in his life with Lila. Not that it means anything to me, I’m happy they’re happy. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods envelops me the moment I step in. I glance around, my eyes landing on the window seat. Dad’s favorite spot. It’s empty. Sliding into the chair, I order a cup of warm milk from the barista. “No sugar, please,” I add with a small smile, then settle in to wait. I
Damien Shaw I don’t thing I’ve ever had such a shitty day in a while. It’s driving me crazy.I lean back in my chair, my eyes fixed on the ceiling. The day has been a complete disaster. The product launch—the one project we’ve poured millions into, the one that was supposed to solidify IMU’s dominance in the market—has backfired. Financial losses looming. My head pounds, and I rub my temples, trying to stave off the dull ache that’s been building since morning. The faint sound of heels clicking against the polished floor outside pulls me back. Kia steps in. She’s been working with me for months already and she’s been doing her job so diligently. She holds a tablet in one hand and a folder in the other. “The investors are all in the boardroom,” she says.I sit up straight, narrowing my eyes. “I didn’t call any meeting.” “They did,” she says, shifting her weight slightly. “It looks like they’ve been talking to each other behind the scenes.” A wave of frustration washes
Imogene Scott After dinner that night, I put Lily to bed and read her a bedtime story. As soon as she falls asleep, I go back to our bedroom. Damien seemed a little off during dinner. Like he had something on his chest he didn’t want to get out. It bothers me. As I walk down the hallway, my phone buzzes in my pocket, breaking the quiet. I glance at the screen: Dad. “Hello?” I answer, keeping my voice low.“Imogene,” my father says. “Hi, Dad.” I lean against the wall, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “How are you?” “I’m fine. How are you? And how are the twins?” “They’re good,” I say. There’s a pause, the kind that makes me press my lips together, bracing for whatever excuse he’s about to give. “I’m sorry I couldn’t make it today,” he says. “Something important came up at work.” “It’s fine,” I reply automatically.“Can we meet tomorrow instead? Same café?” I glance down the hall toward the bedroom, where a faint sliver of light glows beneath the door. “Sure.
Imogene Scott The next day, I meet Dad at the cafe again. I just hope he shows up this time. I push open the door to the café. I pause just inside, glancing around the cozy space. Dad is already seated at his usual table by the window. I sigh, he really showed up. Early, at that.He’s reading the newspaper, his glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. For a moment, I study him from a distance—the way he’s dressed impeccably in a dark suit, his hair silver but neatly combed, his posture as straight as ever. The last time I saw him was at the wedding in Hong Kong. I only told him about the twins on the phone.I take a deep breath and walk over, my boots clicking softly against the floor. "Morning, Dad," I say, sliding into the chair across from him. He looks up. "Imogene," he folds the newspaper and settles it aside. "You’re glowing. How are the twins treating you today?" I chuckle lightly, resting my hands on the table. "They’re active, as usual. I feel like I’m carrying a pair
Imogene Scott I slept through the night for the first time in weeks. No jolting awake. No sweat-slicked skin. No dreams of drowning in shadows. Just silence. Stillness. Peace.My eyes open slowly, blinking into the quiet morning light spilling through the gauzy white curtains. The ocean breeze flows in from the slightly open window. My head doesn’t feel like it’s been split in two.I pull the blanket down and sit up, cradling my growing belly with both hands. The twins will be here in a few weeks. Two heartbeats fluttering beneath my skin. Two tiny souls I haven't even met, but already love with an intensity that’s terrifying and beautiful all at once.My fingers press gently into the bump. “You two are going to be okay,” I whisper. “We’re all going to be okay.”A soft smile pulls at my lips. It’s real this time. Not the kind I force at dinner tables or mirror reflections. No, this one is real.“What are you smiling about?”Damien’s voice startles me. I look up as he steps into
Damien Shaw The sun spills through the curtains as my eyes flutter open. I groan, registering the soreness in my bones. I rub at my face, letting my hand fall onto the bed beside me…It’s empty.My heart kicks up, a sudden thrum against my ribs.Imogene is not here.The sheets are still warm, faintly scented with her shampoo and her pillow’s half-squashed. She couldn’t have gone far. But still… my throat tightens as I sit up fast, pushing the blanket off. My bare feet hit the cool wood floor and I stand, eyes scanning the quiet bedroom.I don’t call out. Not yet. My gut twists like it always does when she disappears from my line of sight. I step into the hallway, and I’m immediately hit with a warm, sweet and smoky smell.Pancakes?I follow the scent into the kitchen, tension loosening slightly with each step. And then I see her.She’s standing by the stove, her back to me, swaying ever so slightly to some melody in her head. She’s barefoot, in nothing but my oversized black T-shir
Imogene Scott“Mummy, how long are you going to be gone?” Lily’s small voice floats toward me.I pause, my hand hovering over the zipper of my suitcase. The last dress is folded neatly inside and I press it down before turning to face her. She’s standing by the edge of the bed.“Mummy will be back in a few days,” I say gently, kneeling in front of her and smoothing her curls with my palm. She looks at me like she’s studying me, trying to see if I’m telling the truth or just saying what I think she wants to hear.“Will Mummy be better by then?” she asks.My breath catches.Better.I nod, brushing my thumb across her cheek.“Yes, baby. Mummy will be fine.”Lily thinks about that for a second, then smiles. “Yes, then Mummy can go. Anty Kia will take good care of me.”A soft knock sounds on the door just as I press a kiss to Lily’s forehead. Sheila steps in. “Is there anything else you want to take to the water park, Lily?” she says.Before Lily can answer, Kia walks in right behind
Imogene Scott When I open my eyes, it’s dark outside.The ceiling fan spins slowly above me. My body feels warm as I place my palm on my forehead and try to register what time it is on the wall clock across the room. But my vision’s a little blurry and I can’t make out the numbers, so I sit up instead, blinking away the sleep.I swing my legs off the bed and the cold wooden floor kisses my bare feet. I tug Damien’s hoodie tighter around me before padding to the door. I didn’t mean to sleep that long. I was just going to close my eyes for a few minutes.The hallway is dim. I make my way down slowly, hand on the banister. My joints still feel a little stiff from laying in one position for too long.When I reach the last step, I spot him.Damien’s seated at the dining table, one elbow propped up, his head resting in his palm. His hair’s tousled like he’s run his hand through it a hundred times tonight.“Hey there,” I say, softly.His head snaps up.“You’re awake?” His voice is low.
Damien Shaw I help Imogene off the examination table slowly, my hands gripping her waist. She's light and it unsettles me more than I let on. She sits up and swings her legs over the edge, her fingers resting on my forearm to steady herself."I'm okay," she says softly.She’s not. But I nod anyway. We walk out of the room together and back into the office, where Dr. Rogers is typing something into her computer. The click of the keys fills the silence.She looks up and smiles, though there's a trace of something behind her eyes. Concern, maybe. Caution."Everything looks good so far," she says. "But we’re entering the home stretch now. Just a few more weeks. You both need to be careful, especially you, Imogene."Imogene nods politely. “We will.”I thank her and reach for the door handle, ready to leave. I’m already thinking about the drive home, when Dr Rogers calls out to me. “Damien, could I speak to you for a second?”I stop and glance at Imogene.“I’ll wait in the car,” she
Damien Shaw“You worry too much,” she says. “I’m fine.”I don’t believe her. But I let it slide. For now.I bring her hand to my lips and kiss it gently, holding on a little longer. Then I lean back and press on the gas, taking us the rest of the way.We pull into the hospital’s underground lot. I park, unbuckle, and rush around to open her door. She steps out slowly, her hand finding mine. Her fingers are colder than usual.Inside, the halls are clean, overly bright. We walk in silence to Dr. Roger’s office.She’s waiting when we arrive. “Glad to see Damien’s with you today.”I offer a hand. “Nice to see you too, Doctor.”We sit side-by-side, the chairs squeaking slightly beneath us. Imogene sits with perfect posture, her dress flowing around her legs.“So,” Dr. Roger says gently, “how are you feeling about everything?”“I’m fine,” Imogene says with a small smile.Her hand is in mine. I squeeze it.The doctor nods slowly. “Let’s go to the examination room. I want to check on the tw
Damien Shaw Returning to the living room, something feels...off.Imogene’s still sitting at the dining table, arms wrapped tightly around Lily. Her head turns the moment she hears me, and just like that, she lets go.I step closer. “Everything okay?”She lifts her face and gives me a smile. It's warm but it doesn’t reach her eyes. I see it immediately. “Just feeling a little emotional,” she says.I nod slowly. I don’t push, even though every instinct in me is screaming that something’s not right. “Eat up,” I say instead, nodding toward her plate.She nods and picks up her fork. I head to the counter, grab Lily’s pink backpack, and step outside. The spring air hits me as I open the back door of the car and slide Lily’s bag inside. My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I ignore it. By the time I’m back inside, Imogene’s finished eating. She wipes her lips gently, her eyes briefly flickering up to meet mine. I offer my hand.“Let’s go,” I say.She places her hand in mine. Lily ski
The last chapter has been edited. Read before you proceed. Imogene Scott Sunlight spills across the bed like golden syrup, warm and soft against my skin. I shift under the sheets, groaning quietly as I feel the heat against my eyelids. I blink once, then again, and finally push myself up on my elbow. Damien stands by the window, arms folded, wearing that smug little smile he always wears when he thinks he’s caught me being adorable. He’s already dressed in a gray fitted T-shirt and black joggers. His hair is damp from a shower, and he looks annoyingly refreshed. “Rise and shine, sweetie.” I groan and drag the covers over my head. “Ugh… it’s too early in the morning.” “It’s almost eleven,” he says with a chuckle. I fling the duvet back just enough to peek at him. “How did I sleep for that long?” He walks over, sits on the edge of the bed, and leans in with a playful glint in his eye. “Because I cuddled you in my arms all night.” I snort. “No. You’re not my sleeping pill.” “S
Imogene Scott As soon as Damien walks out the door, I let out a slow breath. It’s soft, almost soundless, like I’m trying not to break something fragile that still lives inside me. Maybe it’s me. Maybe I’m what’s fragile now. He really cares about me. I know that. Every word, every touch, every look tonight, he’s trying. He always has. But the truth is, I’m struggling. I don’t know where I’m at anymore. Everything feels fuzzy, like the world has gone slightly out of focus and I’m squinting to make it make sense again. I sit up slowly, brushing my hair back from my face. It’s still damp from the shower earlier, curling at the ends in soft, stubborn waves. I reach for my slippers and slide my feet in. They make a soft shuffling sound against the hardwood as I walk toward the door. It’s just 8 p.m. The hallway is dim and the air smells faintly of pancakes, probably and something else... cinnamon maybe. Damien must’ve added cinnamon. I smile a little at the thought. He always adds t