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 ScottIt’s midnight, and I still can’t sleep. I lie on my back, staring at the ceiling because my mind refuses to quiet down. The room is dark except for the faint glow of moonlight seeping through the curtains. The house is silent. I curl my arms around my stomach, my fingers lightly tracing the curve of my belly. Two months. That’s all the time I have before the twins arrive, and yet I don’t feel ready. I barely feel capable of handling Lily some days. How am I supposed to take care of two more babies? I exhale slowly, willing the thoughts away, but they keep creeping back in. Damien was right about one thing—I’ve been forgetful lately. Not just little things like where I left my phone or if I locked the front door, but important things. I should have cleaned up the broken glass earlier. I should have been more careful. What if it had been worse? What if Lily had gotten seriously hurt because of me? My throat tightens. I know I should see a doctor, but the very
Damien ShawI let out a slow breath, my fingers pressing against my temples as I watch Imogene walk out of the room. The door doesn’t slam, but the sound of it clicking shut is just as final. My jaw tightens. Of course, she walked away. That’s what she does when she doesn’t want to hear something, shuts down, closes herself off. I loosen my tie, feeling the frustration settle in my chest. I hadn’t meant to start an argument. But how could she act like this wasn’t serious? It’s not just about her anymore. She’s been forgetting things more and more lately, and now Lily’s gotten hurt because of it. Just a small cut, sure. But what if it had been worse? What if she had stepped on something deeper, something that couldn’t be patched up with a bandage and a sticker? I exhale through my nose, rubbing a hand down my face. Fighting with Imogene never gets me anywhere. She’s stubborn. Too stubborn. But damn it, I don’t want to wake up one day and realize something terrible has happened be
Imogene Scott I carefully press the small, pastel-colored sticker onto the bandage covering Lily’s tiny foot. A smiling cartoon bear grins back at me, as if that alone can erase my guilt. I kiss her forehead, inhaling the soft, baby-powder scent of her hair. "I'm sorry, baby," I whisper, brushing a stray curl away from her face. Lily shifts on the couch, pulling the plush blanket over her lap. "It's not Mummy’s fault," she says in her small, serious voice. "Lily wasn’t careful." My heart clenches. Even at four, she’s trying to take the blame for something that’s entirely mine. I should’ve cleaned up the glass right away. I should’ve been more careful. I lift her tiny hand to my lips and kiss it. "Do you want me to get you anything?" Lily’s eyes brighten. "Chocolates!" I shake my head, smiling despite myself. "You know you can’t have sweets past seven, baby. It’s almost eight." "Please, Mummy?" She pouts, her big brown eyes glaring at me.I sigh. "Fine," I relent,
Imogene ScottI jolt awake, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. For a moment, I don’t know where I am. The room is dimly lit, the heavy curtains keeping most of the daylight out. My heart is racing, my body damp with sweat. I sit up slowly, pressing a hand to my chest. The dream is already slipping away, but I know what it was about. Georgia. It’s always Georgia. My dreams are always about her. Mostly about that night she died.I exhale shakily and push a damp strand of hair from my face. My nightgown clings to my back, sticky with sweat. The dream lingers, making my skin prickle with unease. Why won’t these nightmares stop?I reach for the glass of water on my nightstand, desperate for something to soothe my dry throat, but my hand meets empty space. I blink, frowning. It’s always there. I always leave it there. And then I remember—I moved the jug before my nap. But where? I try to picture it, but my mind feels sluggish, foggy. Did I put it in the kitchen? On the dr
Damien Shaw I’m at my desk, working through a contract revision when Kia steps into my office. I don’t look up immediately, still focused on the document in front of me. “Sir, someone’s here to see you,” she says. I finally glance up, rubbing the bridge of my nose. The first thought that comes to mind is the damn principal. I hope he hasn’t shown up here to grovel in person. I already made it clear—either they fix their behavior toward Lily, or I pull every last cent I’ve donated to that school. I don’t need another pointless apology. But when the door opens wider, it’s not the principal. It’s Sheila. I frown, leaning back in my chair as I take her in. She looks… fine. Not sick. But Imogene told me Sheila was unwell and wouldn’t be coming in for a few days. So what the hell is she doing here? “Sheila,” I say, watching her carefully. “Mr. Shaw.” She nods in greeting. “What are you doing here?” My tone is sharp.She offers a small smile, shifting on her feet. “I was
Imogene ScottI take my time getting Lily ready for school the next morning. With Sheila still sick and not coming in, the task is entirely mine, and I don’t mind. I cherish these moments—though today, my mind feels sluggish. I’m bothered by Georgia’s bracelet I found yesterday and the strange sense of forgetfulness creeping into my life lately. Lily sits on the edge of my bed, swinging her little legs back and forth as I button up her white blouse. She tilts her head back to look up at me.“Mommy, what’s wrong?” she asks. I pause for a second, startled. “Nothing, baby.” I smooth down her collar, making sure it sits perfectly. “I just want to remind you that if anything happens at school, if you feel sick or if someone makes you uncomfortable, you have to tell me, okay?” Lily nods, her curls bouncing with the movement. “Yes, Mommy.” “That’s my good girl.” I kiss the top of her head and take her small hand in mine, as I lead her out of the house. The drive to school is fi
Imogene Scott Lily giggles as she picks at the last piece of her banana pancake. Her tiny fingers are sticky with syrup. I watch her as I rest my head against the back of the chair. But my mind is somewhere else. The bracelet. I close my eyes and tilt my head back, staring up at the ceiling as if the answer is hidden somewhere in the cracks. Did I put it there? Had I forgotten? That’s the only logical explanation. Lately, I’ve been forgetful—missing appointments, losing track of time, misplacing things. Maybe this is just another slip, another thing lost in the chaos of my mind. But it doesn’t feel right. I inhale deeply, my fingers curling into my lap. I need to see it again. “Lily, baby, I’ll be right back,” I say, pushing my chair back. She nods, too focused on her food to question me. I walk upstairs slowly, each step. When I reach my bedroom, I hesitate for a moment before stepping inside. The room is dim. I make my way to the dresser. The drawer creaks
Imogene Scott Lily swings her legs under the table, her tiny feet barely brushing the ground as she happily digs into her mint chocolate ice cream. A small smear of green is at the corner of her mouth. She hums quietly as she eats, completely lost in her own little world. I should be able to enjoy this moment. Watching her be this happy should bring me peace, but it doesn’t. My stomach twists as I stare at her even though my own ice cream is melting in the cup. This is my fault. I shouldn’t have let things get this far. I shouldn’t have let my past mistakes bleed into Lily’s life. She’s just a child, my child, and she deserves to grow up without the weight of my sins pressing down on her. She looks up suddenly, “Mommy, are you okay?” I force a smile, even though my face feels stiff. “Of course, baby.” Lily nods, satisfied with my answer, and goes back to her ice cream. “Very good, Mommy,” she says in her soft, sweet voice before taking another spoonful. I w
Imogene Scott I pull back from Damien’s embrace. He exhales heavily, brushing his fingers over my cheek before saying, "I need to get back to work. I’ll see you at home tonight."I frown. "You don’t think you should go home first? Shower, change?"He smirks, rubbing his jaw. "It’s already midday, I’ll do everything later tonight."I shake my head, wrapping my arms around him again despite the sweat and stress clinging to his skin. "I want to hug you all day even though you smell so bad.""No, I don’t," he scoffs, tightening his hold on me. "You’re just being mean."I smile against his chest, inhaling deeply before stepping back. "Where are you headed now?" he asks, brushing a stray lock of hair behind my ear."Lily’s school."His expression shifts. "Something wrong?"I open my mouth to say no—because I don’t want to worry him, because I know how he gets—but then I remember: no more secrets. That’s what we promised each other.I press my lips together and nod. "One of Lily’s clas