Imogene Scott I place the note on the dining table and exhale. My breath is a little shaky as I head toward Lily’s room. She’s still asleep, her little chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. I pull the door shut quietly behind me and head for my bedroom.I rush through a shower and by the time I step out of the bath, the ache in my chest has dulled. I barely have time to wrap the towel around me before the doorbell rings. My heart stutters. Is it him?I walk to the door, the tiles cold under my bare feet. When I open it, there he is—Damien. His shirt is a little wrinkled and his hair is tousled. He’s probably been running his hands through it, stressing out about how to apologize. “Good morning,” he says.I don’t respond. He clears his throat. “About the flowers… Did you get them?”I cross my arms over my chest, the towel slipping slightly. “I had them dropped off at the hospital,”His brow furrows. “Why?”“Because I want us to have a real conversation, Damien,” I say.
Damien Shaw Imogene has been busy working with Keith for the last couple of days and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t pissing me off. I just don’t like the idea of those two together but then again, I trust Imogene.But do I trust Keith though?After Imogene and I settled the little misunderstanding we had, we’ve barely been able to spend time together. She’s heavily consumed by work and so am I. But I make sure to visit her and Lily every night after leaving my office.God, things would’ve been much easier if she would just move in with me. We’re engaged so what’s the hold up? I want to have to wake up beside her everyday and stare into her sleepy face. I want to be able to kiss her goodnight and watch her fall asleep next to me.The random sleepovers aren’t cutting it anymore. And then there’s the wedding. We haven’t talked about it since I proposed. Is she hesitating? Is she afraid of stepping into a life long commitment with me again? Or maybe she’s afraid I’ll fuck up like
Imogene Scott “At this rate, I might just let this project take my life and swallow me whole.” I grunt as I lean back in my seat. “God, I’ve barely had time for anyone, or even myself.”Keith grunts as he watches me from across the room. He’s across me in my office and he’s now lying on the cushion around a pile of paperworks.“I wouldn’t have taken this job if I knew there was so much paperworks involved.” he adds.I frown. “You could have any of your assistants do it for you.”“Where’s the fun in that?” he sits up. “This way I get to spend time with you. Platonically of course.”I smile. This project is taking more of my time than I expected. I’ve barely got time to spend with Damien and Lily. I was supposed to take my little girl for her routine checkup today. But I couldn’t because of work. Damien took her instead and we’d agreed he’d take Lily over to his place after. I’m going to go pick her up from there after work, or stay the night. I’m not sure yet.I’m glad I have Dami
Imogene Scott I hate the idea of Kia tagging along for Lily’s check-up. It feels… wrong. It makes me feel like she’s stepping into a role that’s supposed to be mine. I grab my bag, heading out of the gallery. I instruct Emmett and Breonna to close up when I’m gone but deep down, I’m praying they don’t murder each other. I step into the cool night and into my car. As I drive, my grip tightens on the steering wheel, and my mind is racing, practicing how I’m going to tell Damien that no other woman should ever act like Lily’s mother. I’m her mother. Kia may be family, but this… My heart pounds with unease. It’s silly, I know that. But I can’t help feeling like Kia’s slowly encroaching on things that matter too much to me. Maybe it’s just insecurity rearing its ugly head, but I hate it. The drive feels longer than usual, and by the time I pull up to Damien’s house, I’m already rehearsing the conversation in my head for the hundredth time. I step out, nerves buzzing under my skin
So, I was wondering if y'all want me to dive a little into Breonna and Emmett's story. Or not?
Damien Shaw After my dinner with Imogene, the next few days have been a blur of work for her, and I’ve been trying my best to be patient. I know how important this project is for her, how much she’s poured into her gallery. But it’s hard, hard not to feel a little left behind. She’s barely been home, so Breonna has gone back to babysitting Lily again after school. Breonna and Lily mostly stays at my place because Imogene is never home on time. And anytime she is, she’s too exhausted to do much more than crash on the bed. It’s like I’m watching her slip further into this world of deadlines and meetings, while I stand on the sidelines, waiting for her to come back to me.I sit at the kitchen table, it’s almost 11pm. Lily is asleep upstairs in one of the rooms and Breonna is with her. Probably asleep too, I’m not sure. I glance at my phone, half-expecting a text from Imogene saying she’s running late again as usual. Nothing.I take a sip of my coffee—it's gone lukewarm by now—and ru
Imogene Scott If I knew this was going to be so much work, I would never had agreed to do the project with Keith. It’s exhausting and the only thing that’s keeping going is how much more successful my gallery is going to be of this project turns out to be a success.I’ve barely had time for Lily and Damien and I can’t even remember the last time I went back to my apartment. Lily’s staying at Damien and I mostly go back to his place after work. But I’m too tired to do anything else with him whenever we’re together.I basically just sleep like a log and get up too early the next day. I’m sooo drained and I think Keith can see it from the way he’s glaring at me right now. God, I feel like a puppet being held up by invisible strings.“I’m sorry, Imogene,” Keith says suddenly. “I didn’t know it’d be this intense. If I did, I wouldn’t have pulled you into this.”I glance up at him. “It’s fine, Keith. The end result is going to be worth it. I know it.”He doesn’t look convinced. Inst
Imogene ScottDamien's father.The words keep echoing in my mind, but don’t flake sense. I stare at the man sitting across from me. His hunched frame and the way his eyes dart around. His resemblance to Damien is undeniable. Though, there’s something in the shape of his face, the line of his jaw. But that still doesn’t make sense. Damien’s father? The father who abandoned him and his mother before he was even born? Damien never speaks about him. I’ve only heard parts of the story from Breonna and from Damien’s rare moments of openness. How his father was gone before he ever had a chance to meet him, leaving his mother to raise him alone. Damien despises the man. He doesn’t even say his name. And now, here he is. Sitting in front of me. Why did he come to me of all people?I swallow hard. “Why… why are you here? What do you want?”The man shifts in his seat. “I want to reconnect with my son.” His voice cracks, as if even saying those words costs him something.I give him a lo
Damien Shaw Imogene is being stubborn. She never listens to me. She doesn’t even want to. She just does things her own way like the world hasn’t changed around her. Like she’s not carrying our children. Like she’s not unraveling right in front of me.She’s refusing to see a doctor. Refusing to take a test. And now the media’s tearing her apart like she’s some kind of villain in a tabloid drama. The image of her—of us—is deteriorating. And the worst part is, she doesn’t even seem to care. Or maybe she’s just too far gone to show that she does.I shut my laptop, the screen darkening with a soft hum, and grab my blazer from the back of my chair. I’m about to call it a day, maybe head home and try again to talk to her, really talk to her, when I hear a knock on the glass wall.“Mr. Shaw,” Kia says, “One of the biggest shareholders is waiting for you in the boardroom. He said it’s urgent.”I already know who it is before she finishes the sentence.Mr. Baker.This can’t be good.“T
Damien Shaw Imogene is being stubborn. She never listens to me. She doesn’t even want to. She just does things her own way like the world hasn’t changed around her. Like she’s not carrying our children. Like she’s not unraveling right in front of me.She’s refusing to see a doctor. Refusing to take a test. And now the media’s tearing her apart like she’s some kind of villain in a tabloid drama. The image of her—of us—is deteriorating. And the worst part is, she doesn’t even seem to care. Or maybe she’s just too far gone to show that she does.I shut my laptop, the screen darkening with a soft hum, and grab my blazer from the back of my chair. I’m about to call it a day, maybe head home and try again to talk to her, really talk to her, when I hear a knock on the glass wall.“Mr. Shaw,” Kia says, “One of the biggest shareholders is waiting for you in the boardroom. He said it’s urgent.”I already know who it is before she finishes the sentence.Mr. Baker.This can’t be good.“T
Imogene Scott I sit in the salon, my heart pounding so hard that I can feel it in my throat. The hum of the overhead lights, the soft chatter of a few people here for their own quiet escapes, all of it feels distant, like I’m listening through water. Gracie tells me to take a deep breath, that I’m safe now. I try, but the breath gets caught somewhere in my chest. My hands are still shaking.I glance around at the worn leather chairs. It should feel comforting, but instead, it’s just another layer to the storm that’s brewing inside me. I try to focus on it, on how the warmth of the place is supposed to soothe me. It doesn't. Gracie’s voice brings me back. “Business is slow today,” she says with a smile that tries to hide the concern in her eyes. It doesn’t fool me. I can feel her watching me as I try to steady myself. “Yeah,” I murmur. “Thanks for letting me in. I didn’t know where else to go.”She nods. “I’ve seen it all over the news, Imogene.” she’s careful not to make it s
Imogene Scott The first thing I notice when I wake up is the empty space beside me. The sheets are still warm, carrying the faint scent of Damien’s cologne, but he’s already gone. I sit up slowly, rubbing my eyes. The morning light filters through the curtains. The scent of something cooking drifts through the air—eggs, maybe omelets. I push the duvet off and slide my feet into my flip-flops. As I walk out of the bedroom and down the stairs, the soft sounds of laughter and clinking utensils become clearer. In the kitchen, Damien is standing by the stove, a spatula in one hand and an apron lazily tied around his waist. Lily is perched on a high chair, her small hands clapping together as she cheers him on. “Good morning, Mummy!” she says excitedly when she sees me. A tired smile pulls at my lips as I walk over. “Good morning, baby. How are you feeling?” I gently brush a strand of hair out of her face, studying her carefully. “I feel better now!” she announces proudly, her
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