Jason’s POVEmilio has fully recovered and has started taking part in meetings and site inspections and our projects together is finally finished. We’ll be launching in a couple of days and he took the workers out to celebrate, after which, he asked to speak with me in his car. The atmosphere in the car is odd to put it simply. It’s quite for a few minutes and I know he wants to talk about Skylar. I’m nervous though. ‘Does he want to tell me to stay away from his sister?’ I’m just about to go off in my head on reasons he would want to talk to me, when he clears his throat.“Jason, you’ve been a wonderful partner and I’m thankful I could do this with your help..” I give him a tight smile in acknowledgement, trying to not give away how nervous I am. “However, that is not why I’ve called to speak with you. You see, four years ago, when Sky first came to me, I didn’t know she was newly divorced or that she was even a mother. She was really attached to Valentina, and at first I thoug
The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Skylar stirred in her bed, slowly awakening to the gentle sounds of birds chirping outside her window. It was Saturday, her one day to sleep in and relax after a long week of work. She stretched lazily, enjoying the comfort of her cosy bed for a few more moments. But just as she was about to drift back into sleep, she heard a faint giggle coming from the next room. Skylar smiled to herself, recognizing the sound immediately. It was her three-year-old son, Lorenzo. He must have woken up early, as he often did on weekends, full of energy and excitement for the day ahead. With a soft sigh, Skylar reluctantly pushed back the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and padded across the hallway to Lorenzo’s room. As she pushed open the door, she was greeted by the sight of her son bouncing on his bed, a wide grin plastered across his face. “Good morning,
The words hit him like a ton of bricks. His hands trembled as he listened to her. He could see the tears falling from her eyes, but he was to overcome by the feeling of betrayal to care. From the corner of his eyes, he watched Emilio pick up Lorenzo and take Val’s hand, leading the kids elsewhere.“I didn’t tell you because I was scared, Jason. Scared of what it would mean for us, for our future. But mostly for me. Somehow I knew that if you found out, you wouldn’t let me leave. I thought you’d take him away from me just like you ripped Jared from me. I was so scared to lose my baby to you, so o didn’t say anything.”Jason’s emotions swirled inside him – anger, confusion, regret. How could she keep something like this from him? A child, his child, had been growing inside her, and he had been completely unaware.“I’m sorry I lied. When you asked who his father was, I panicked and I said the first thing that came to mind.” Skylar continued, “I honestly didn’t think you’d buy the lie,
Skylar’s POVI woke up with an eager flutter in my heart, anticipating another day of joy, laughter, and discovery in my kindergarten classroom. As I sipped her morning coffee, making small talk with Emilio- who had been up since three in the morning, I imagined the vibrant faces of my young students and the boundless energy they would bring.Emilio and I hurried through our morning routine and coffee, ready to tackle the task of getting Lorenzo and Valentina ready for school. With Lorenzo, the energetic three-year-old, we engaged in a playful game of “get ready” to make dressing a fun adventure. Emilio pretended to be a superhero, swooping in to help Lorenzo put on his tiny shoes while I guided him through brushing his teeth with silly songs and exaggerated gestures.Meanwhile, Valentina, the responsible ten-year-old, efficiently packed her backpack and double-checked her homework assignments. I praised her organizational skills while Emilio teased her about being a “little a
It was finally the date for the playdate reunion at the park. Jason and Skylar had briefly touched on the subject with the children the night before, and while Jared was excited to meet his mom and even more excited to meet his younger brother he’d just learned about, Lorenzo had not really cared about the situation. Simply being an oblivious three year old with no care in the world. Only understanding that he was going to play at the park and meet Daddy- whoever that was.That day proved to be mildly rough because as soon as they were done with breakfast and Skylar and Lorenzo had gotten dressed to leave at midday, Valentina threw a tantrum, wanting to go with them. Skylar felt torn when the girl started shedding desperate tears, but she had suggested bringing her along, but later on, during the course of her discussion with Jason, they concluded that the two brothers should meet each other first and get acquainted, before meeting any other family members.Val’s tantrum had delayed
As the sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the park, Jason watched with a sense of contentment as his sons, chased each other through the grass. It was a day filled with laughter, reminiscing, and the joy of seeing loved ones reunite. Jason’s heart swelled with pride as he looked at his boys, their faces flushed with excitement, their laughter ringing through the air.“Hey, Dad, watch this!” Jared called out, his small frame darting across the field.Jason chuckled and nodded, his eyes following his eldest son’s every move. It had been a while since he had seen Jared so carefree, so full of life. And it was moments like these that reminded him of the importance of family, of cherishing every precious moment spent together.Skylar, sat next to him, watching the the boys play fondly and calling them back for a water break or snacks. Despite how badly things had ended between them, Jason was grateful for the amicable relationship they had managed to establish.
On a crisp Monday morning, after the usual rush and grumbling, Emilio and Skylar separated with a kid in tow. Emilio, as usual with Valentina and Skylar with Lorenzo. Emilio bid farewell to his daughter as she bounded into her school, backpack slung over her shoulder. With a quick wave, he headed off to work, leaving Valentina to navigate the bustling halls of her educational haven.As recess time approached, the kids were let out into the schoolyard, Valentina’s keen eyes spotted a familiar figure among the throng of children. It was Jared, her younger cousin by a few years, though she had only recently discovered this familial connection. Determined to forge a bond with him, she strode purposefully toward him, a smile playing on her lips.“Hi, Jared!” Valentina exclaimed, catching the younger boy’s attention. Jared, taken aback by her sudden appearance, returned her smile tentatively. He hadn’t seen her before.“Hi,” Jared replied shyly, adjusting his grip on his toy car.“I’m
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
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