"I'm Justin Elfuerto, I'm the manager of the bar,"My heart skipped a beat as anticipation starts to make its way inside my head. "Yes, why? What's the matter?""Madam, you're husband is causing a scene in my bar. He wouldn't stop and keep threatening us. I'm afraid I'm going to have to take further actions if he doesn't stop. It might involve the cops."I pressed a hand on my mouth as I processed his words. "W-What? Where is he? Where is this bar? I'm coming."I immediately went upstairs and changed my clothes. I went to Marco's room, where Betty was trying to put him back to sleep. I whispered a short explanation to Betty, who quickly understood and promised to look after Marco while I'm gone. "Ma'am, I'm going to call the police!" the bar manager told me when things probably escalated."No!" I yelled abruptly. "No, no, you can't do that! My husband has a reputation. A police call would ruin it. So please, I'm begging you not to call anyone. I'm coming."The manager promised to do
The room spun as I climbed the stairs, each step feeling like an insurmountable obstacle in my path. My heart pounded in my chest, a painful rhythm that matched the tumultuous storm raging inside me. I couldn't believe what I had seen on Elijah's message—the image of Marcus, naked, entangled with Sofia. It felt like a dagger through my heart, tearing apart the fragile illusion of happiness I had built with Marcus.But as I reached the top of the stairs and pushed open the door to the VIP room, the reality of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. There they were—Marcus and Sofia, standing together in the center of the room (now fully dressed, thankfully), their faces frozen in shock as they turned to face me."Samantha..." Marcus's voice trailed off, his expression a mix of guilt and desperation. "I can explain."But before he could say another word, I felt a surge of anger boiling up inside me. "Explain?" I spat, my voice dripping with venom. "Explain what, Marcus? That you were
"Mommy?"My head snapped towards the direction of the living room when I heard Marco's voice. I dropped the kitchen knife on the countertop and got out of the kitchen as I wipe my hands. Marco stood by the stairway, his backpack on his hands."Yes, baby?" I approached him and give him a kiss on the cheek. I couldn't help but notice the cast of dark shadown on his face. His eyes are hollow, his lips turned into a slight frown. Under the florescent light, he looks a lot like his father that no DNA test is needed to prove it."Daddy said that he'd drive me to school..." he muttered through a pout. "But he didn't come home last night."It was as though my heart eloped from my chest. I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn't find any words. Instead, I reached for his shoulders and pulled him in to an embrace. My fear is slowly becoming reality. All these time, what I really intend to do is to protect Marco from harm and give him the best life I was deprived of while growing up. I promise
My breath got caught in my throat. I stared at him in disbelief. "What?" I almost whispered, my voice barely audible above the pounding of my own heart. "You... you can't be serious."But Marcus's expression remained unchanged, his eyes burning with a fierce determination. "I am serious, Samantha," he said, his voice firm."I want my son, and I'll do whatever it takes to get him."And as I stood there, my mind reeling with shock and disbelief, I realized that the battle for my son was only just beginning—a battle that would test my strength and resilience in ways I could never have imagined.With a sinking feeling in my chest, I knew that the road ahead would be long and treacherous, filled with obstacles and challenges. But I knew that I would stop at nothing to protect my son—to keep him safe from the man who had once held my heart in his hands.Because in the end, the bond between me and Marco, a mother and her child, is stronger than any betrayal, any heartache, any obstacle
The days that followed were a whirlwind as I frantically searched for legal advice to counter Marcus's custody petition for our son, Marco. Anxiety gnawed at me with each passing hour, threatening to overwhelm me.I had always prided myself on being independent, but now I felt vulnerable and isolated. The idea of losing Marco filled me with dread. I knew I had to fight with all my strength.“Mr. Harper,' I began, my voice shaking with both fear and resolve, I've been seeking your guidance for days, trying to navigate the legal complexities surrounding my son's case.”Mr. Harper, a seasoned professional exuding quiet confidence, sat back in his chair, his gaze fixed on me. “Ms. Monte Verde, I understand the seriousness of your situation. Marcus's custody filing has turned your world upside down.”“I'm scared, Mr. Harper,” I admitted, my voice barely audible. “I can't bear the thought of losing Marco. He means everything to me.”Mr. Harper's demeanor softened, a glimmer of compassion in
As he turned and left, the sound of his footsteps reverberated through the quiet house. I stood there, watching him depart, my heart weighed down by a jumble of feelings. I couldn't help but reminisce about the days when Marcus was a lively and joyful child, his laughter echoing through our home. The guilt consumed me as I thought about the sacrifices Marcus had made for my sake. He had endured countless sleepless nights and shed endless tears, all because I had prioritized my son's safety over his happiness. Now, I had to confront the repercussions of my choices.Despite the guilt and regret, a spark of anger still lingered within me. Marcus had also betrayed me by getting involved with Sofia and getting her pregnant. Although his actions stemmed from desperation, they had inflicted immense pain upon me."It's unjust," I murmured to myself."Why must I bear the weight of our mistakes alone?"Elijah's sudden appearance caught me off guard. I glanced at him as he stood there with a bo
Marcus POVIn the dim twilight of my once-beloved home, I found myself engulfed in a whirlwind of emotions. My heart weighed heavy with a mixture of sorrow and determination. With trembling hands, I carefully packed my belongings, each item serving as a silent reminder of the shattered dreams scattered across the floor.Betty, our faithful maid, approached me cautiously, her eyes filled with concern."Sir Marcus, where are you headed?"I swallowed hard, the taste of betrayal lingering on my tongue. "I am leaving for Sofia."Her jaw dropped in shock. "Sofia? But... why?"Taking a deep breath, I prepared myself for the inevitable confrontation."I am going to be a father to her child."A mixture of pity and understanding softened Betty's gaze. "I know things have been difficult between you and Madam Samantha, but surely there must be another solution...""No, Betty," I interrupted, my voice weary beyond my years. "I cannot bear to witness her with Elijah in this house any longer. It is
I embraced Marco tightly, cherishing the moment. I had longed for him so deeply. He meant the world to me."Daddy, can we come home with you?" Marco inquired.I paused briefly. I was aware that Samantha might not approve of me taking Marco without her consent. However, I couldn't stand the idea of being separated from him any longer."Of course, sweetheart," I replied. "We'll go home with Daddy."I lifted Marco into my arms and headed towards my car. Betty trailed behind, wearing a worried expression."Sir Marcus, are you certain this is wise?" she questioned."Madam Samantha may not be pleased.""I know," I acknowledged."But I can't bear to be apart from my son any longer."Betty reluctantly nodded."I understand," she conceded."Just please be careful, Sir.""I appreciate it, Betty," I expressed my gratitude."Where are we headed, Daddy?"he inquired, his voice gentle and drowsy."We're going to the park, Marco," I responded."Remember, the place where we used to have fun?"A wide s
After days had gone by, Marcus had fully recovered from the car accident. Samantha's promise to stand by him had filled him with a sense of warmth and comfort. She had vowed to never believe Elijah's lies again, after he had cunningly framed Marcus and made him believe he was the father of Sofia's child. This revelation had caused Samantha and Marcus to break up, but now they both realized that Sofia and Elijah had manipulated their lives out of an unhealthy obsession.One evening, as Marcus and Samantha sat together in their old house, the doorbell rang. Samantha got up to answer it, and when she opened the door, she was met with the sight of Elijah standing on the doorstep.“What do you want?” Samantha asked, frowning.“I need to talk to you,” Elijah said, his voice filled with desperation.“There's nothing to talk about,” Samantha replied.“You've already caused enough damage.”“Please, just give me a chance to explain,” Elijah pleaded.Samantha hesitated, her eyes fixed on Elijah
AUTHOR’S POVSamantha's face twisted in a mix of confusion and anger as she stormed out of bed towards the door, her heart pounding with emotion. When she laid eyes on Sofia, a sharp word escaped her lips."What brings you here, Sofia?"she demanded, her tone dripping with frustration.Sofia met her gaze, her eyes betraying a sense of remorse."I came to talk to Marcus," she murmured softly."I know what went down."Samantha's anger flared even more."Why are you even here?" she pressed, her voice rising."You know exactly why. You and Elijah orchestrated that whole mess, making Marcus think he cheated on me and got you pregnant. How could you do something like that?"Sofia's gaze dropped, tears welling up."I'm truly sorry, Samantha," she whispered, her voice trembling."None of this was supposed to happen. Elijah and I just wanted to split you and Marcus up. We never imagined it would spiral out of control like this. I never wanted to cause you or Marcus any pain."As Samantha absorb
As I diced onions for dinner, my thoughts drifted to the day's events. The presentation went smoothly, and I couldn't wait to celebrate with Elijah over a delicious meal. The scent of garlic cooking promised a tasty dinner.Just as I grabbed the salt, my phone rang, interrupting my focus. The unknown number made me pause, expecting a sales call. But a gut feeling urged me to answer.“Hello?”I answered cautiously.“Is this Mr. Johnson’s wife ?” a woman's voice inquired urgently.“Marcus Johnson?” I clarified, feeling a sudden unease.“Yes. I'm calling from Mercy Hospital. Your husband, Marcus Johnson, was in a car accident and is in critical condition.”The news hit me like a ton of bricks. 'What?' I gasped, barely able to speak. “Marcus?”“Yes, Ms. Johnson. He's in the ER with serious injuries. We stabilized him, but he needs surgery.”Tears welled up as panic set in. 'I'll be there,' I managed to say, my hands trembling.“Third floor operating room. Come to the front desk,” the nurse
As the sun's rays gently filtered through the curtains, the room was bathed in a comforting warmth. Slowly awakening from my slumber, I couldn't shake off the heaviness in my chest. The absence of my son, Marco, was a constant ache that lingered within me. However, today was a new day, and I was determined to mend things with Sofia.Quietly slipping out of bed, I made my way to the kitchen, where the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. Sofia was already there, her lustrous dark hair flowing over her shoulders as she poured herself a cup."Good morning," I greeted her softly, stepping closer.She turned towards me, her eyes reflecting a mix of concern and warmth."Good morning, Marcus.""I've prepared breakfast," I announced, motioning towards the table."I hope you have an appetite."A smile graced Sofia's lips. "That's incredibly considerate of you."We took our seats at the table, and I observed her as she savored her meal, her eyes gleaming with pure satisfactio
1 month laterAs we arrived at our new home nestled in a charming countryside town, a mix of emotions flooded my heart. I had taken a leap of faith, leaving behind my painful past to embrace a fresh start in this unfamiliar land, accompanied by Elijah and my son.I couldn't help but notice a change in Marco's demeanor - a distant gaze and a loss of appetite. As he stepped out of the car, his small hand reaching for Elijah's, a wave of concern washed over me, gnawing at my thoughts."Are you alright, my love?" I asked, gently running my fingers through his hair.He looked up at me, his eyes holding a glimmer of sadness."I miss Daddy Marcus," he whispered.My heart sank at his words."I understand, sweetheart," I replied, trying to offer reassurance."But remember, Daddy will come to visit us soon, alright?" I fibbed, hoping to ease his longing.Marco's slow nod indicated that my attempt to console him had fallen short. Unloading the car, the contrast between our new home and the one
SAMANTHA POVFrom my veranda, I observed Marcus's car starting up outside the gate. A pang of envy hit me when I remembered he was staying at Sofia's place.Feeling bitter, I walked to my son Marco's room. He was sitting at his desk, deep in thought."Marco, honey," I started, "Did your daddy leave already? Are you finished playing?"Looking at me with his innocent eyes, Marco replied, "Yes, Mom. Mommy Sofia is sick in the hospital. That's why Daddy had to go."I was taken aback by a sudden wave of astonishment. "In the hospital? Why? What happened?"Marco nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders. "I have no idea," he replied."Daddy didn't give me any details. But he assured me he'll be back soon."The gravity of the news hit me like a ton of bricks. Sofia, in the hospital? What could have transpired? Could it be a grave matter? Countless thoughts raced through my mind. Is the baby safe and sound?With a hint of uncertainty, Marco added, "He promised to call me later."The days stretched
As I hunched down, fingertips brushing against the edge of Marco's bed, the muted chuckles of my son resonated in the room, a melody of happiness in our modest abode."Marco!" I shouted, excitement coursing through me as I awaited his reply.The game of Marco Polo commenced, each call and response a ballet between father and son, a fleeting moment of joy amidst life's chaos.Suddenly, My phone buzzed persistently in my pocket.“Hello, who’s this?”I inquired."Mr.Johnson?" The voice on the other end was composed, yet tinged with urgency."This is Doctor Thompson from St. Michael’s Hospital. I’m calling about your wife, Sofia."Dread twisted in my stomach, a frigid wave of fear washing over me as I prepared for the worst."She’s not my wife but what happened? Is she okay?" I demanded, my voice betraying the turmoil within."She’s in the hospital. Your baby is unstable now," Doctor Nurse Thompson explained."Sofia was brought in a short while ago. We’re still evaluating her condition, bu
And now, as I watched Marco cry in anguish, I questioned whether it was right to uproot his life just to keep him away from his father. I’m so very confused at those times, torn between my anger and resentment towards Marcus and love for my son.Marcus had no right to be Marco's father after he impregnated Sofia. The words echoed in my mind, a bitter reminder of the pain and betrayal that had torn our family apart.I trusted him so much that he won’t going to cheat but he betrayed that trust, destroying everything we had built together.But even as I grappled with my anger and resentment, a part of me couldn't help but wonder if forgiveness was possible. Could I ever find it in my heart to forgive Marcus for his indiscretions? Could I let go of the pain and anger that had consumed me for so long, and move forward with my life?"It's okay, baby," I murmured, my voice trembling with emotion. "We'll figure this out together, I promise."Marco looked up at me with tear-filled eyes, his sm
Elijah's concern lingered in the air, weighing heavily on my mind as I sat at the migration office, diligently completing the necessary paperwork for myself, Marco, and Elijah. The pen felt like a burden in my hand, each stroke of ink a testament to the life-altering decision I was making.Leaning against the counter, Elijah observed me with a mixture of worry and curiosity. His voice pierced through the silence, cutting through my thoughts like a sharp knife."Are you absolutely certain about this, Sam?"His question hung in the air, laden with implications. Was I truly sure? It was a question that had plagued me for the past week, ever since I discovered that Marcus had impregnated Sofia. I couldn't bear the thought of him being near Marco while harboring a child with another woman."Yes, Elijah. I am sure," I responded, my voice unwavering despite the uncertainty that swirled within me."This is something I need. It's something we all need."I could see the worry etched on Elijah's