I paused briefly, debating whether to share my thoughts with her. However, her compassionate gaze persuaded me otherwise. After a nod, I sipped my tea and began to reveal my concerns."I...I had a moment of weakness and slept with my ex-fiancé, Elijah, last night," I confessed, overwhelmed by guilt.Betty's face remained stoic, though I could detect a hint of surprise."But aren't you engaged to Marcus now?" she inquired cautiously.With a deep breath, I explained, "Yes, I am, and I regret my actions. Elijah has been causing issues for Marcus and me, and I thought that by giving in to him once, he would stop bothering us."Without any delay, we were startled by the sound of tiny footsteps racing down the staircase. In an instant, Marco burst into the kitchen, his face radiating with joy."Mommy, mommy! Look what I discovered in the backyard!"he exclaimed, proudly displaying a small, grimy object in his hands.Despite the slight interruption, I couldn't resist smiling at his contagious
I inhaled deeply, attempting to compose myself."He mentioned being upset that I ended things with him to be with Marcus. He's threatening to tarnish my name." Betty shook her head in disbelief."That's absolutely twisted. Have you spoken to Sir Marcus?" I shook my head."No, I don't want to drag him into this." Betty sighed."I get it, but you can't let Elijah off the hook. You need to stand up for yourself."I knew she was right, but I couldn't shake off the fear and vulnerability."What if he follows through? What if he damages my career and business?" I questioned, my voice quivering.Betty reached out and held my hand."I understand it's frightening, but you can't let him dictate your life. We can go to the authorities and file a report. And I'll ensure Sir Marcus is informed of the truth." I nodded, thankful to have Betty's support."No, Betty. That's not a wise decision," I objected.“What do you plan to do, Ma'am Samantha?” Betty inquired, her voice filled with worry.“I'm not
The following day, I awoke with a sense of unease and anxiety. The feeling that something was amiss lingered within me. As I descended the stairs, Betty urgently called out to me."Ma'am!"I responded, "Yes, Betty?""Have you checked your social media?" she asked, her voice filled with panic.Confused, I unlocked my phone and was bombarded with numerous notifications. My heart sank as I discovered that my intimate photos were being shared across various social platforms. I couldn't fathom what I was witnessing. How could this be happening?"What in the world is going on, Betty?" I inquired, my voice trembling with fear."It's Elijah. He's spreading your explicit images all over the internet," she explained, her tone laced with anger."He actually went through with it. I never expected him to sink this low," I muttered, my eyes welling up with tears."He's a twisted monster. We can't let him get away with this," Betty declared, her voice filled with resolve.Deep down, I knew she was r
As my secretary spoke, my heart sank. The judgment and gossip spreading among my colleagues and employees echoed in my mind.I ended the call, feeling the weight of the situation on my shoulders. Marcus, who had been watching me with concern, asked what was wrong."Marcus, I need to talk to Elijah again. My nude photos have spread throughout the entire company. My reputation is ruined," I said, fighting back tears."I'll come with you," he offered."Please trust me this time," I pleaded.Tears streamed down my face as I drove to my apartment. I felt humiliated and exposed, overwhelmed by questions. How did Elijah get those photos? Why would he do this to me? And most importantly, how would I handle this situation?When I arrived at my mansion, I saw Elijah holding his luggage. I immediately called out to him."Elijah!" I shouted.He laughed and responded, "Yes, my love?""What's so funny, Elijah? How could you do this to me?" I yelled into the phone."Why?" he asked, pretending to be
Mr. Harper made it clear that he was committed to ensuring that Elijah faced the consequences of his actions. He assured me that we would take legal action against him for cyber labeling and oral defamation, and that we had sufficient evidence to build a strong case.The following morning, we sat in Mr. Harper's office, discussing the specifics of the case. I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Finally, I was taking a stand against the person who had caused me immense pain and embarrassment. While I knew it wouldn't undo what had already transpired, it was a step towards achieving justice.Curious about our plan of action, I asked, "What are the next steps?"Mr. Harper responded, flipping through some documents on his desk, "First, we will file a restraining order against Elijah to prevent him from contacting you or sharing any more of your photos online.""That's a good starting point," I acknowledged, feeling a newfound sense of security, knowing that he wouldn't be able to ha
I felt my heart skip a beat upon hearing his words. Daddy Elijah? The man who was once my fiancé, the man who betrayed me and made my life a living hell? It was hard to believe what I was hearing. He had relentlessly bothered me, even going as far as spreading my nude photos on social media. "Where?!""He was outside our window, waving at me!" Marco exclaimed, his smile fading as he noticed the worry on my face.Taking a deep breath, I tried to regain control over my overwhelming emotions."What do you mean, baby?" I asked, attempting to keep my voice steady."I really saw him!" he insisted."Marco, my love, Daddy Elijah is not here. He's far away," I reassured my son, hoping to ease his concerns."But I witnessed him, Mom! He was dressed in a suit and had a wide grin on his face," Marco insisted, his little face contorting with confusion.I crouched down in front of him, clasping his hands in mine."Sweetheart, Daddy Elijah is not a good person. He caused Mommy a lot of pain, and we
I stormed out of the conference room, my mind racing with frustration and disappointment. The meeting with the investors had not gone as well as I had hoped. The problems with our sales were becoming a major obstacle for our company, and I couldn't help but feel responsible for it.As I exited the building, the sense of defeat lingered. I had put in so much effort alongside Marcus to establish this company, and witnessing its struggles was disheartening. I needed a moment to clear my thoughts and devise a strategy for a turnaround.Before heading home, I decided to make a brief stop at my mansion. Changing into more casual attire and being in my own space always helped me think more clearly.Upon opening the door to my mansion, I was shocked to find Elijah in my living room. Anger surged within me."What are you doing here?"I snapped, my tone sharp and filled with irritation.Elijah rose to his feet, a smirk dancing on his lips. "Well, well, well, look who we have here. Samantha, my d
"Mommy, daddy, are you awake?"I heard Marco's voice from the other side of the door.I quickly nudged Marcus awake and whispered, "Quick, we need to get dressed. Marco is at the door."Marcus groaned and rubbed his eyes before getting up to put on some clothes. I quickly grabbed my robe and put it on, trying to cover up as much skin as I could. Just as we were both decent, Marcus opened the door to let Marco in."Good morning, mommy and daddy,"Marco said cheerfully as he walked into the room."Good morning, sweetheart,"I replied, trying to act as casual as possible."Did you guys sleep well?"he asked innocently.Marcus nodded in agreement, giving me a subtle smile.I blushed and quickly changed the subject. 'What do you feel like doing today, Marco?'"I want to go to the park!"he exclaimed, bouncing with excitement.I grinned at his enthusiasm. "That's a fantastic idea. We can have a picnic and play some games.""Yay!"Marco cheered, dashing out of the room to prepare.I breathed a sig
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