He inquired, "What's between you and Elijah?!""I happen to be your investor in your company. Why do you ask in such a manner? Elijah and I share a strong friendship and a purely professional relationship. There is nothing more to it!"The words that reached my ears left me in disbelief. I had convinced myself that there was an unspoken connection between them, especially considering how Hannah had been behaving around Elijah. However, if her words were true, then I had clearly misjudged the situation.A sense of relief washed over me, knowing that my suspicions were baseless."I apologize, Hannah. I suppose I was just being overly suspicious," I confessed, feeling a tinge of embarrassment."Don't worry, Samantha. I understand. It must be challenging for you to witness someone you care about in such a state," Hannah responded sympathetically.With a grateful nod, I appreciated her understanding. Once our conversation concluded, I returned to Elijah's room, enveloped in a serene sense
But doubts had begun to seep into my mind. The nagging feeling that Marcus might have been right started to take hold. I knew I had to confront Elijah and seek some answers.I hurried to the hospital where Elijah was recovering from a car accident. Stepping into his room, a rush of emotions overwhelmed me. Seeing him lying there, pale and battered, brought back a flood of memories from our past. It was hard to fathom that this man could betray me.Our eyes met, and I could sense the guilt and fear in his gaze. He tried to speak, but I couldn't bear to face the situation any longer. I fled from the room, unable to confront him.I found solace in the hospital garden, attempting to make sense of the chaos unfolding around me. Caught between my ex-husband and my fiancé, I struggled to determine who to trust. It felt as though I was being pulled in conflicting directions.Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly heard footsteps approaching. I glanced up to find Marcus standing before me, a deep fro
As Marcus exited the room, a sigh of relief escaped me. However, the tension between Elijah and me remained palpable. He faced me, his eyes reflecting hurt and anger."I can't believe you would trust him, after all he's done to you," Elijah snapped, his voice laced with threat.Realizing the need to be cautious with my words, I took a deep breath and attempted to explain."Elijah, he is still the father of my child,"I reasoned."But that doesn't mean I believe in him."Elijah's anger continued to simmer, unable to comprehend why I still cared for Marcus. Yet, I knew it wasn't as straightforward as he thought. I had to acknowledge that Marcus would always have a special place in my heart, despite our tumultuous history."Is that so? By showing faith in him, you're doubting me, Samantha!" he retorted.Elijah's anger was palpable as he confronted me, accusing, "Do you still have feelings for Marcus, Samantha?" Surprised by his sudden outburst, I faced him.Confused, I replied, "What do y
What is that?" I inquired."He mentioned to avoid conversing with Marcus unless absolutely necessary or about Marco," he informed.I understood the difficulty of the request, but I agreed to honor it for Elijah. I didn't want anything to jeopardize our relationship. Sitting beside him, I felt a pang of guilt. It would be challenging to avoid Marcus, especially since we had a child together.However, I recognized that Elijah's plea stemmed from a place of love and concern. He simply wanted to shield us from any potential conflict. Observing Elijah's anxious expression, I empathized with the hardships he had endured, particularly after his recent accident.I was committed to doing all I could to uplift his spirits."Rest assured, I'll make sure to limit my interactions with Marcus," I assured him, placing a tender kiss on his forehead.Elijah beamed and pulled me nearer. I felt his warmth and love surrounding me."Thank you, Samantha. You have no idea how much this means to me," he conv
"I’m really sorry but I can’t agree to that,” he responded, his voice barely audible. “Especially now that I’m still recovering in the hospital and I don’t think I’m up for a trip right now.”I could sense the anguish in his eyes and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. However, our son’s celebration was approaching and I couldn’t imagine Elijah missing out.“Please, sweet heart. Marco has been eagerly anticipating this trip for weeks. It’s just a short weekend getaway, nothing too strenuous,” I pleaded.Elijah’s face turned stern.“Sweet heart, you know I can’t be civil to your ex-husband after what he did to me,” he stated, his voice tinged with resentment.“He accused me of betraying you, and you know that’s not true. How can I face him after that?”As the tension grew stronger between us, I explained to Elijah why I needed him by my side."It's crucial for you to be there, Elijah, to prove that we're content and moving forward. We can't let his accusations get to us," I plead
I glanced at Marcus, sensing the tension between us. Despite sitting at opposite ends of the couch, the unspoken emotions lingered in the air. It was clear that we both felt it, but for the sake of our son's happiness, we chose to push it aside.As we discussed our son's upcoming birthday plans, my mind wandered to the past, to the hurt and betrayal. Elijah's affair with Hannah still haunted me, but I knew I had to focus on the present. With a forced smile, I agreed to Marcus' suggestions."Sounds like a wonderful idea," I replied, trying to mask my inner turmoil. However, Marcus saw through my facade."Samantha, are you really okay? You seem distant," he inquired, his eyes filled with concern.I inhaled deeply, forcing a smile onto my face. "I'm alright. Just a bit exhausted," I fibbed. I didn't want to burden him with my own troubles.However, Marcus remained unconvinced. "I know you too well, Samantha. Something is troubling you. Please, don't shut Elijah out. I understand it's dif
I understand that I need to put my ego and pride aside because Marco's happiness on his birthday is what truly matters.As he quickly jotted down the names of his friends, Marcus and I continued to finalize the party plans. We were determined to make Marco's birthday celebration absolutely perfect. "Mom, Dad, I finished!" Marco exclaimed, rushing back to us with his list in hand."Well done, champ," Marcus commended him, tousling his hair affectionately."Let me see," I said, taking the list from him. "Ah, these are all your school buddies, right?""Yes, and I also want to invite Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins from next door," Marco chimed in, pointing to the names at the end of the list."What a thoughtful idea, Marco,"I replied, beaming with pride. "They're wonderful neighbors, and I'm sure they'd be thrilled to join in the fun at your party."Marco's excitement was contagious as he bounced around the room, exclaiming, 'Woohoo!' This party was definitely going to be one for the books!After
As we wandered hand in hand, the park unfolded its wonders before us. The vibrant colors of the flowers and the lush greenery created a mesmerizing scene. Laughter filled the air, lifting our spirits with its carefree melody. The scent of fresh grass and blooming roses enveloped us, awakening our senses.Marco and I found ourselves at the playground, greeted by swings and slides beckoning us to play. With childlike glee, we took turns on the swings, feeling the wind dance around us. The feeling of weightlessness brought back memories of carefree days, filling us with happiness.Moving on to the slide, we eagerly climbed up, hearts racing with anticipation. From the top, the world seemed to open up before us, inviting us to explore its wonders."Ready for an adventure,mom?" Marco asked mischievously."Absolutely," I whispered, excitement bubbling within me.As we played, I couldn't help but marvel at how much he had grown and how swiftly time was slipping away."Mommy, can we go on the
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