Dad.. Or No Dad? Pietro adjusted his tie in the rear-view mirror, making sure he looked presentable for Jared’s school event. He had just seen Sofia off to her school, and now it was time to pick up Jared. As he drove towards Skylar’s house, he rehearsed the advice he planned to give Jared on their way to school, hoping to make a good impression. When he arrived at Skylar’s house, he saw Emilio standing by the driveway with Skylar’s two sons, Jared and Lorenzo. Emilio was helping Lorenzo with his backpack while Jared eagerly looked around for Pietro. “Hey, Pietro!” Jared called out, waving excitedly as Pietro stepped out of the car. “Hey, buddy!” Pietro responded with a warm smile, walking over to ruffle Jared’s hair. “Ready for the big day?” “You bet! Thanks for coming to get me,” Jared replied, his eyes shining with excitement. Skylar appeared at the door, carrying her own bag and a couple of lunch boxes. “Good morning, Pietro. Thanks for picking Jared up today,” she said
Jason’s face flushed with anger and hurt. The class clapped politely, but Jason barely noticed. His son’s words felt like a punch to the gut, and his ego was severely bruised. After the introductions, the parents and children dispersed to different activities. Jason seized the opportunity to confront Pietro again, this time in a quieter corner of the classroom. “I don’t appreciate you stepping into my role,” Jason hissed, keeping his voice low. Pietro met his gaze steadily. “Jason, I’m not trying to replace you. Jared asked me to come today, and I’m here to support him. This isn’t about us; it’s about him.” Jason’s fists clenched at his sides. “He’s my son.” “I’m not denying that,” Pietro replied calmly. “Fighting over him isn’t going to help.” Just then, Jared ran over, clutching a piece of artwork he had made. “Look, Pietro! I made this for you and Mom!” Pietro smiled warmly. “That’s fantastic, Jared! Your mom is going to love it.” Jason stood there, feeling a pang of
Skylar sat at a round table in the break room of the kindergarten, sipping on her lukewarm coffee. The room was cosy, filled with the soft chatter of teachers and the occasional laughter from outside. Tiffany, her friend and co-worker, slid into the chair opposite her with a mischievous grin.“So, Sky, when’s Pietro coming to pick you up again?” Tiffany asked, nudging Skylar’s arm. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen your hot boyfriend around here.”Skylar chuckled, rolling her eyes. “He’ll be here this afternoon, actually. I told him I’d treat him to lunch. My brother is picking Lorenzo up today too, and also to get my car since i wouldn’t need it.”Tiffany’s eyes sparkled. “You’re really living the dream, girl. First Pietro, then your hot brother Emilio a few weeks ago. It’s like you have all the attractive men in the world wrapped around your finger.”Skylar sighed, leaning back in her chair. “Emilio was just doing me a favour because my car was in the shop. Besides, he’s seein
Pietro pulled up in front of Skylar’s house, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the lawn. He turned to her with a soft smile. “I had a great time today.” Skylar leaned over and kissed him gently on the cheek. “Me too. Thank you for joining me for lunch, Pietro.” “Anytime,” he replied. “I’ll wait until you’re inside.” Skylar nodded and stepped out of the car, waving as she walked up to the door. She fumbled with her keys for a moment, then disappeared inside. Pietro waited until he saw the light come on in the entryway before driving off, reassured that she was safely home. Inside, Skylar kicked off her shoes and headed straight upstairs to check on her sons. She knew Jared had had a tough day, and she wanted to make sure he was alright. She found both Jared and Lorenzo, in Valentina’s room. Jared was playing with a set of toy cars while Lorenzo was engrossed in a story book, reading it to Valentina although the words he could read were limited “Hey, guys,” she
The house was eerily quiet when Emilio emerged from the home office. He had been working for hours, absorbed in a project that demanded his full attention. The silence was a welcome change from the chaos of his work, but something felt off. He decided to check on the kids before taking a break. Finding them napping peacefully, he let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding and headed downstairs to the kitchen for a much-needed drink. As he entered the kitchen, he found Skylar sitting on one of the stools, staring into space. A worried frown creased her forehead. Emilio immediately knew something was wrong. “Skylar,” he called softly, but she didn’t respond. He moved closer and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “Skylar, what’s wrong?” Skylar blinked, snapping out of her trance. She looked up at Emilio, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and exhaustion. “Emilio! Sorry, It’s nothing really. At least I think it is. Jason called me a few hours ago.” Emilio’s expression dar
The morning light filtered gently through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the quiet house. It was Saturday, and the usual hustle of the weekday was absent, allowing its occupants a rare moment of stillness. Skylar and Emilio were the first to stir, both reluctant to leave the comfort of their beds after the stressful events of the previous day.Eventually, Skylar rose, wrapping herself in a robe and padding quietly out of her room. As she reached the top of the stairs, she saw Emilio emerging from his own room, looking equally groggy.“Morning,” she mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep.“Morning,” Emilio replied, his tone equally flat. They both knew they needed their morning coffee to kick-start their systems.They descended the stairs together in silence, their footsteps a soft thud on the carpeted steps. In the kitchen, Skylar automatically went to the coffee maker while Emilio started gathering the ingredients for breakfast.As the coffee brewed, filling the kitche
Pietro and Sofia pulled up to Skylar and Emilio’s house, the morning sun casting long shadows across the quiet suburban street. As they approached the front door, Pietro couldn’t help but feel a knot of anxiety in his stomach. Sofia squeezed his hand reassuringly before they rang the doorbell.Skylar answered almost immediately, a tight smile on her face. “Hey, you two. Come on in.”“Morning, Skylar,” Pietro said, stepping inside and giving her a quick hug and a kiss. “How are you holding up?”Skylar’s smile wavered slightly. “As well as can be expected, I guess. Come on, the kids are in the living room.”They walked through the hallway into the cosy living room, where a large fort made of blankets and cushions dominated the space. Inside the fort, Jared, Lorenzo, and Valentina were giggling and whispering to each other, lost in their own world. Emilio emerged from the kitchen, balancing a tray of snacks.“Hey, Pietro, Sofia,” Emilio greeted, setting the tray on the coffee table.
Jason’s POV I remember the first time I saw Skylar. It was one of the worst days of my life, a day I wish I could erase from memory. I had just received the devastating news that my grandpa had passed away. We were incredibly close, and losing him felt like losing a part of myself. Numb and disoriented, I found myself sitting on a bench in the library, tears streaming down my face as I tried to process the loss. The library was usually a place of quiet refuge for me, but that day, it felt like the walls were closing in. I was too consumed by grief to care if anyone saw me crying. I must have looked like a mess, lost in my sorrow, when I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. I looked up through tear-blurred eyes and saw a girl sitting next to me. She couldn’t have been much younger than me, with a gentle, sympathetic expression on her face. “Here,” she said softly, handing me a tissue. “Thank you,” I managed to choke out, taking it from her. She didn’t ask why I was crying, which wa
It had been ten years since Jason’s death, and life had moved forward for everyone. Pietro and Skylar, married for nine years now, had another child in addition to Aurelia. Their lives, once marked by turmoil, were now filled with love and growth. Sophia, their eldest at 27, was a successful businesswoman recently engaged to the renowned doctor Lucian Kings. She rivalled the dominant men in her field with ease and confidence. Jared, now 17, was on the brink of graduating high school, having grown into a smart, handsome young man with a heart of gold. Lorenzo, at 13, was the family’s biggest troublemaker. Skylar and Pietro had lost count of the times they’d been called to his school due to his mischievous antics. Yet, beneath his rebellious exterior, Lorenzo was a sweetheart, and fiercely protective of his siblings. Aurelia, at nine— almost ten years old, was the princess of the house. An absolute daddy’s girl, she possessed a level of sass and confidence that often left everyon
The Edge of Redemption Jason had been drifting in and out of consciousness for days. His condition had gradually been improving, and the doctors were hopeful. One afternoon, he finally opened his eyes, groggy and disoriented. The room was dimly lit, the hum of the machines a constant reminder of his fragile state. As reality hit him, Jason felt a surge of panic. He remembered the chaos, the gunshot, the pain. He realized he was still alive, and in his frantic state, he started gasping for air, his breaths coming in short, rapid bursts. His right hand instinctively went to his chest, clawing at the stitches that held his wound together. He tried to lift his left hand too, but the realisation that he had been cuffed, added to his panic. The pain was excruciating, but the emotional torment was even worse. He had survived, and he couldn’t handle the reality of his situation. He didn’t want to live anymore. Why was he still alive? A nurse entered the room to check his vitals, her c
Initially, Skylar had thought it would take time for the children to get used to her attention being divided with the new baby, especially since her kidnapping. She was prepared for tantrums, jealousy, and all the difficulties that often come with a new sibling. However, it came as a shock and a relief when the children seemed to adapt seamlessly to the new routine.Skylar woke up early one morning to the soft cries of baby Aurelia. As she picked her up from the crib, she felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. They were home, safe, and together. Pietro was still asleep beside her, and she smiled as she watched him, knowing how hard he had worked to bring them to this point.Downstairs, the children were already awake and playing quietly. Sophia, was sitting at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of tea and reading a book. Jared, and Lorenzo, were building an elaborate Lego castle on the living room floor.Skylar walked in with Aurelia in her arms. “Good morning, everyone,” she said
James and Catherine Reynolds approached Pietro’s home with heavy hearts. Since her discharge , Skylar has moved in with him. Although, they had already seen her at the hospital, this was the first time they would be visiting her at home. The past few months had been a whirlwind of emotions, and now, standing at Skylar’s doorstep, they felt a profound sense of guilt and sorrow. They had always hoped for a better future for their son, Jason, but his actions had shattered their dreams.Skylar greeted them with a warm, albeit tired, smile. “Come in, please,” she said, stepping aside to let them enter. James and Catherine stepped inside, looking around the home that had once housed a sombre mood, but was now filled with an air of healing and resilience.“We’re so sorry, Skylar,” Catherine began, her voice trembling. “We can’t express how deeply we regret what Jason has done.”Skylar shook her head, leading them to the living room. “Please, sit down. You don’t need to apologize. I k
Skylar and Pietro finally had a moment alone, a brief respite from the whirlwind of emotions and visitors that had surrounded them since her rescue. The hospital room was quiet, with only the gentle beeping of monitors filling the space. Pietro pulled a chair close to Skylar’s bed, taking her hand in his.“I’m so sorry, Pietro,” Skylar began, her voice trembling. “I should have listened to everyone. I should have stayed inside and rested, especially knowing the danger I was in. But I didn’t, and look what happened.”Pietro shook his head, his eyes softening with love. “No, Skylar. You don’t need to apologize. What happened wasn’t your fault. Jason’s actions were unpredictable. The important thing is that you’re safe now.”Skylar looked down, tears pooling in her eyes. “But I feel so guilty. I put our baby at risk. I- I didn’t even know I was pregnant. And I wasn’t there for our family.”Pietro gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Skylar, stop. None of this is yo
After the initial shock of the entire situation, Pietro and Emilio began to process the reality that Skylar had been pregnant and had just given birth. The weight of this revelation hit them as they stood in the hospital nursery, staring at the tiny incubator where Skylar’s premature daughter was squirming around. Emilio approached Pietro, who was leaning against the glass, his eyes fixed on the little one. “She’s so tiny,” Emilio whispered, awe and sadness mingling in his voice.Pietro nodded, his gaze never leaving his daughter. “Yeah, she is. I can’t believe she went through all of this alone.”Emilio placed a comforting hand on Pietro’s shoulder. “None of us knew. If we had, we would have been there for her.”“I know,” Pietro said softly, his voice breaking. “I just wish I could’ve been there. I should’ve protected her.”“We all feel that way,” Emilio replied. “But right now, Skylar needs us to be strong for her and the baby.”Pietro turned to face his friend and hopefully,
When the police received Elena’s call and address, they immediately set out to arrest Jason. Detective Harrison, leading the operation, instructed Emilio and Pietro to stay inside the car while they attempted to communicate with Jason. The sirens blared, causing Jason to panic. His fear intensified as the police called out to him with their megaphone, ordering him to surrender. Pietro’s impatience got the best of him. Elena had informed the police that Jason was armed, but as time dragged on, Pietro’s worry for Skylar overwhelmed his caution. Ignoring Detective Harrison’s orders, he made his way into the house. The security alarm and locks had been disengaged by Elena, allowing Pietro easy entry. As he stepped into the living room, he was met with a horrifying sight. Elena and Skylar were covered in blood. Pietro’s heart sank, fearing the worst, until Skylar let out a groan. His eyes landed on the very obvious bump she was sporting. At the same time, her eyes found his, and Pietro
Skylar doubled over as another contraction rippled through her body. She had tried to keep calm, telling herself that these were just Braxton Hicks contractions. Her baby wasn’t due for another month, but the pain was increasing, and panic was setting in. She clutched her stomach, her breathing ragged. When Jason stormed into the house, Skylar’s pained groans stopped him in his tracks. He frowned, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he demanded. “I’m having contractions,” Skylar gasped. “I think the baby’s coming.” Jason’s suspicion deepened. “Nice try. You think I’m stupid? Trying to distract me while the cops get closer? You called them, didn’t you?” He grabbed a bag, shoving clothes and essentials into it. “We’re leaving.” “No, Jason, please! I’m not lying. The baby’s coming!” Her voice was frantic, tears streaming down her face. She completely disregarded the last of his words. “Shut up!” he barked, dragging her to the car. He threw the b
Skylar reclined on the worn-out couch in the small cabin, her hands gently resting on her swollen belly. Each kick, each flutter of her baby provided her with a glimmer of hope. Despite the dire circumstances, the signs of life within her reassured her that her child was still fighting, just as she was.Jason had become more attentive as her pregnancy progressed. His paranoia seemed to have ebbed, replaced by a strange kind of domesticity. He cooked for her, brought her water, and insisted she rest more often. It was a disconcerting shift, but Skylar took advantage of his softened demeanour to conserve her strength and protect her baby.One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Skylar sat on the porch, gently rocking back and forth. Jason had gone into town to get supplies, leaving her alone for the first time in weeks. She closed her eyes, listening to the rustle of the leaves and the distant call of birds.A sharp kick jolted h