A few weeks go by, and Jason has been unable to relay his parents invite to dinner to Skylar due to how packed his schedule has been. It seems as though Alexandra, his ex, has been completely wiped out from existence and it bothers him a lot. Alexandra has never been the kind of woman that loses to anybody, and he’s pretty sure she’s looking for an opportunity to strike back.Jason happens to return early from work and luckily, he has two days of no work. He tries to make the best out of it by resting, but with the insistence of his parents, he finds himself on the balcony in his room, dialling Skylar’s number. As the phone rang, Jason’s heart raced with anticipation and apprehension. He didn’t even know why he was so nervous. “It’s not like I’m inviting my ex wife who my parents love so dearly, for dinner along with her brother and her niece... and a while other child my parents have never seen.. Okay maybe that’s exactly what I’m doing. God! Jason! Get your act together. You’re n
Two weeks had passed since the chilling call from Alexandra, leaving Skylar on edge and yearning to see her eldest son, whom she hadn’t laid eyes on since the dinner. Somehow, she had managed to miss opportunities to see him when she picks Valentina from school. Eventually, after several phone calls at random hours of the day, for the past eight days, Jason had picked up on her unease. Despite Jason’s attempts to reassure her, Skylar’s fear persisted, gnawing at her like a persistent itch.“Jason, I really think I need to see Jared,” Skylar voiced her concerns once more, her voice pleading with him on the phone for the second time today.Jason sighed, not really understanding the depth of Skylar’s anxiety. “Skylar, I know you miss him, but now is not a good time to move about. It’s late out now.”Skylar nodded, despite the fact that he wouldn’t see the gesture over the phone her gaze drifted to the photos she took of Jared and Lorenzo that day at the park. She had framed some of
After that first message from Alexandra, more messages started to come in, all of them implying that Alexandra was keeping a watchful eye on them. As the weekend wore on, the tension in their home grew thicker with each passing hour. Skylar couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that settled over her like a suffocating blanket, knowing that Alexandra’s threats loomed over them like a dark cloud.On Sunday afternoon, as they sat in their living room, trying to distract themselves from the looming threat, Skylar’s phone buzzed with another message from Alexandra. She hesitated for a moment before opening it, her heart pounding in her chest.The message was more chilling than any before, filled with graphic descriptions of the harm she intended to inflict on their children if Skylar didn’t comply with her demands. Skylar paced the living room, her nerves frayed with each new message, she knew she couldn’t bear this burden alone any longer.“Emilio,” Skylar called out, her voice shaking
After three hours of fruitlessly searching the neighbourhood, Jason decides to call Skylar and then the police. His heart pounded as he dialled Skylar’s number, his mind racing with worry for their son, Jared. He hoped she would answer quickly.“Hello?” Skylar’s voice was laced with warmth and an underlying tone of excitement.“Skylar, it’s Jason,” he began, trying to keep his voice steady despite the panic rising within him. He heard her let out a tiny giggle. “I know it’s you silly, I have your number saved on my phone.” Jason momentarily forgot why he was calling, almost melting at the sound of her giggle. “Right, of course.” He replied, sounding out of breath. Skylar immediately picked up on the strain in his voice. “Is everything alright? You sound worried.” She questioned, biting in her bottom lip.Jason felt tears prick his eyes. He took deep breaths, considering how to inform her if the situation before settling on just dropping the bomb. “Jared’s run away. I don’t know
Jason’s heart hammered in his chest as he scanned the words, his mind struggling to comprehend their meaning. Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring the words on the page as his world crumbled around him. He sank to his knees, the weight of the words on the papers finally registering in his mind. His gaze drifted back to Skylar, who was making her way to the car she had driven here.“Skylar, please,” he called out, choking on the words, his throat tight with unshed tears. “Talk to me. Let’s... let’s figure this out together.”Skylar froze in her movements, but remained silent, her eyes fixed on some distant point beyond her reach. Jason’s heart twisted with longing, with a desperate need to bridge the chasm that had opened up between them.“Skylar, please,” he pleaded, reaching out a hand toward her. “Don’t do this.” But she took a breath and stealing a last glance at Jason, got into her car and drive off, and he was left to remember that he had done the same thing to her four year
Jason paced nervously in the waiting room of the law office, his mind swirling with worry and uncertainty. His son Jared meant everything to him, and the thought of losing custody was unbearable. Finally, the receptionist called his name, and he was ushered into the office of Mr. Thompson, the family lawyer he had hired.“Good morning, Jason. Please, have a seat,” Mr. Thompson greeted him warmly. Jason sat down, his heart pounding. “Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Mr. Thompson. I need your help.”“Of course, Jason. What seems to be the problem?” Mr. Thompson asked, leaning back in his chair.“It’s about my son, Jared,” Jason began, his voice trembling slightly. “My ex-wife, Skylar, has filed for sole custody.”Mr. Thompson nodded, gesturing for Jason to continue. “She’s claiming that I’m unfit to take care of Jared because he went missing for a few hours while he was under my watch, a few days ago,” Jason explained, his hands clenching into fists.“I see,” Mr. Thomp
As the court date for the custody hearing loomed closer, Jason and his lawyer, Mr. Thompson, huddled together in Mr. Thompson’s office, pouring over documents and discussing strategy.“Alright, Jason, we need to be prepared for anything,” Mr. Thompson said, his tone serious. “The key is to present a strong case that demonstrates your fitness as a parent and the stability of Jared’s home environment.”Jason nodded, his stomach churning with nerves. “I understand. What do we need to do?”“First, we’ll need to finalize our list of character witnesses,” Mr. Thompson replied, shuffling through a stack of papers on his desk. “We’ve got your parents, your sister, and a few friends who are willing to testify on your behalf. I’ll also be calling in a child psychologist to evaluate Jared’s well-being.”Jason sighed with relief. He was grateful to have such a strong support system behind him. “That sounds good. What else?”“We’ll also need to review your documentation of your relationship
With the custody battle behind them, Skylar, Jared, and her younger son Lorenzo made their way back home, where they would embark on a new chapter of their lives together.Emilio welcomed them with open arms, Valentina eagerly awaiting their arrival. “Jared, it’s so good to have you back,” Emilio said warmly, enveloping his nephew in a hug filled with familial love.Jared’s grin widened, a sense of belonging settling deep within him. “Thanks, Uncle Emilio. I missed you guys.”Valentina stepped forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Hi, Jared! I’m so happy you’re here!” she exclaimed, pulling him into a tight hug.Jared returned the hug with equal enthusiasm. “Hey, Valentina! It’s great to see you again!”As they settled in, Emilio suggested they watch a movie together to celebrate their reunion. Skylar readily agreed, grateful for the opportunity to spend quality time with her children and brother. They gathered on the couch, popcorn in hand, ready to immerse themselves in
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