Sophia sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone. Her friend Garcia had texted her earlier, practically begging her to come to a fan meeting for one of her favourite actresses.**Gracie💜“Sophia, please! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance. She’s my all-time favourite actress from Italy, and she’s in New York for her new movie. Can we please go?”Sophia sighed and texted back, agreeing to go. She hadn’t bothered to ask Garcia about the actress. She was mostly doing this as a favour to her friend, and the idea of seeing her friend happy made her feel good.“Dad,” Sophia called, walking down the stairs. “Can I go to a fan meeting with Garcia? It’s for her favourite actress or something.”Pietro looked up from his laptop, smiling. “Of course, Sophia. Just be careful, okay?”“Thanks, Dad!” She grabbed her jacket and headed out the door, meeting Garcia at the bus station. They chatted excitedly on the way to the venue, Sophia’s thoughts far from the actress they were about to
The days following Sophia’s emotional breakthrough were marked by a subtle yet significant shift in the family dynamic. Sophia had begun to address Skylar as “Mom,” a change that did not go unnoticed by Jared and Lorenzo. While seven-year-old Jared could grasp the concept, his younger brother, four-year-old Lorenzo, was bewildered. He couldn’t understand why Sophia was addressing Skylar that way. Was she trying to steal his mom?One sunny afternoon, as Sophia arrived at Skylar’s house for a visit, Lorenzo approached her, his face set in determination. “Sophia, why are you calling my mom ‘Mom’?” he asked, his young voice tinged with confusion and a hint of accusation.Sophia picked him up, cuddling him as she thought to try explaining to him. “Lorenzo, your mom is with my dad now, and they love each other very much. One day, they might get married, and we’ll all be a family. That’s why I’m calling her Mom.”Lorenzo furrowed his brow, pondering her words. Despite Sophia’s gentle expl
Over the next few weeks, the three children adapted seamlessly to calling Pietro “Dad” and Skylar “Mom.” Their new family dynamic brought joy and stability to everyone involved. Life was going seemingly undisturbed and it brought relief to everyone.One Friday evening, Pietro came visiting with a spring in his step, his excitement palpable. He had secured a major deal at his company, and he wanted to celebrate this milestone with his family.“Guess what, everyone?” Pietro called out, beaming as he walked through the front door.The children ran to him, their faces lighting up at the sight of their dad. Skylar followed, curious about the cause of his exuberance.“What’s the news?” Skylar asked, smiling.“I closed a major deal today. It’s a huge win for the company,” Pietro announced, his grin widening. “And to celebrate, I want to take all of you out to dinner at a high-end restaurant.”Cheers erupted from the children. “Where are we going, Dad?” Jared asked eagerly.“There’s a
Despite Pietro’s repeated attempts to shut down Alessia’s attempts at building a relationship with their daughter Sophia, she remained persistent. Alessia had managed to find out the address of Pietro’s company and wouldn’t stop coming in, requesting an audience with him. She had even managed to get his home address and had shown up one evening when Skylar and the boys were over. Her appearance had everybody on edge, especially Skylar.That evening had been a quiet one, with everyone gathered in the living room. Jared and Lorenzo were playing with their toys on the floor, while Sophia was reading a book on the couch next to Skylar. Pietro was in the kitchen, preparing snacks for everyone.The doorbell rang, startling everyone. Pietro wiped his hands on a towel and went to answer it. When he opened the door, his expression immediately soured. “Alessia, what are you doing here?”Skylar’s heart sank as she saw Alessia standing in the doorway, her confident demeanour a stark contrast t
The next time Skylar initiated intimacy, Pietro didn’t hesitate. They moved slowly, each touch and kiss a reaffirmation of their bond. The world outside their bedroom faded away, leaving only the two of them, united in their love.Afterward, as they lay in each other’s arms, Skylar felt a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in weeks. She looked at Pietro, her eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you for understanding.”Pietro kissed her forehead. “I’ll always understand, Sky. We’re in this together.”The following days were a mix of normalcy and underlying tension. Alessia continued her attempts to reach out, but Pietro remained steadfast in his refusal to let her disrupt their lives.One afternoon, while Skylar was at work, she found herself alone with her thoughts. The classroom was quiet, the children were out for sports and the stillness allowed her mind to wander. She walked through the room, tidying up and prepping for the next lesson, memories of happier times flooding her.That
The Calm Before the Storm The weeks had gone by, and with each passing day, the worries about Jason’s whereabouts and Alessia’s presence started to dissipate. Skylar and Pietro had been enjoying the new phase of their relationship. The intimacy had unlocked a deeper connection, and they were basking in the bliss of it. The children had adapted well to the changes, and the household felt more like a united family every day. It was a calm afternoon, and Skylar was fed up with having to stay indoors since she had come down with a stomach bug a few days ago. Her illness had kept her confined to the house, much to her frustration. Today, however, she was in the company of Evelyn, Sophia, and Valentina. The boys and Emilio were at the park and planned to spend the night at Pietro’s house. As Evelyn, Sophia, and Valentina busied themselves in the kitchen, preparing dinner, Skylar decided she needed some fresh air. The urge to break free from the confines of the house was too strong to r
Days turned into an agonizing blur as Skylar remained trapped in the cold, dark basement. The small window that allowed a sliver of daylight into the room mocked her confinement, a constant reminder of the freedom just out of reach. Her stomach bug persisted, making her weak and dampening her determination to escape. Each day that passed, she felt the grip of fear and emptiness tighten around her heart.She missed her sons, Jared and Lorenzo. Their laughter, their hugs, their endless questions—everything about them seemed so distant now. She missed her brother Emilio and little Valentina, the way their presence brought warmth and comfort to her life. She even missed Emily and Liam, who had become an unexpected part of her family. And, of course, she missed Sophia, Evelyn, James, and Catherine, whose support had been unwavering.Most of all, she missed Pietro. She missed his warm smile, his comforting hugs, his tender kisses, and the way his presence made her feel safe and cherished.
Skylar huddled in the corner of the cold basement, wrapping the thin blanket tighter around her shoulders. The concrete floor beneath her offered no comfort, and the chill of the room seeped into her bones. It had been weeks, maybe even a month since Jason had kidnapped her. Time had blurred into a monotonous haze, marked only by Jason’s sporadic visits and the infrequent, meagre meals he brought her. Her body had been feeling strange for the past few days. At first, she thought it was just the stress and the ever persistent stomach bug , but a nagging suspicion had been growing in the back of her mind. She counted the days as best as she could and realized she should have gone through her monthly cycle by now. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, but not from the cold. Could she be pregnant? Skylar’s hand instinctively moved to her stomach, her heart racing. If she was pregnant, it could only be Pietro’s child. A rush of mixed emotions flooded her: hope, fear, excitement, and