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
Jason’s POV I remember the first guy who approached Skylar romantically. His name was Mark, a smooth-talking guy from our economics class. Skylar, being the kind person she is, tried to let him down gently when he first asked her out, saying she wasn’t interested in any relationship. But Mark was persistent, and after a while, she finally agreed to go on a date, probably hoping it would make him back off or give her some closure. When she told our friend group about the date, I felt a surge of anger that I could barely contain. It was like a fire igniting inside me, burning hotter with every word she spoke. I masked it with a tight-lipped smile, but inside, I was seething. How could she even consider someone like Mark? “Yeah, so I’m going out with Mark this Friday,” Skylar said casually, not noticing my reaction. “That’s great, Skylar,” one of our friends said, clearly happy for her. “He seems like a nice guy.” I forced myself to join the chorus of congratulations, but my min
Jason’s POV I never intended for Alexandra to become such an integral part of my life. When we first got together, it was purely physical. Our relationship started and continued for one reason alone—sex. I was in college, young, and hopelessly infatuated with Skylar, a girl who consumed my thoughts day and night. But I could never find the courage to tell her how I felt. “Jason, are you even listening?” Alexandra’s voice broke through my reverie. “Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking,” I replied, forcing a smile. “About what?” she asked, her eyes probing mine for a deeper connection. “Just... random stuff,” I lied. In reality, I was thinking about Skylar, as I often did. Even after two years with Alexandra, Skylar’s memory haunted me. I had graduated from college, and with it, any hope of confessing my feelings to Skylar had disappeared. I couldn’t even bring myself to speak to her once. Graduation brought a harsh sense of finality. Realizing that Skylar was out of reach, I tri
Jason’s POV I thought I could get on with the life I had built with Alexandra. It was a comfortable life, filled with luxuries and stability. She was kind, beautiful, and supportive. Yet, beneath the surface, there was a tension between us that never seemed to go away. “Jason, why do you keep avoiding the topic of marriage?” Alexandra asked one evening as we sat in the dining room of my penthouse. The table was set with a gourmet meal, prepared by the private chef I had hired to make the evening special. “I don’t know, Alexandra. I guess I just don’t feel ready yet,” I replied, avoiding her gaze. “You’ve been saying that for years. What are you really afraid of?” she pressed, her voice tinged with frustration. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. How could I tell her that I wanted kids, but she couldn’t provide that? How could I tell her that her constant pressure for marriage only made me feel more trapped? “It’s complicated,” I said finally. “I just need more time.”
The weeks that followed were eerily uneventful. It was as though Jason had dropped off the face of the earth after his unsettling threats to become a happy family with Skylar, and their sons. Skylar settled back into her routine, trying to push the memory of Jason’s sudden reappearance and determination to the back of her mind. She focused on her children, her job, and her budding relationship with Pietro, who had been a comforting presence through it all. One Thursday, Skylar decided to invite Jason’s parents over. She wanted to catch up with them and inform them about Jason’s unexpected advance and sudden retreat. It was a rare sunny day in New York, and Skylar had set up a lovely spread in the backyard. With Emilio at work, the boys and Valentina were playing on the lawn, as it was a school holiday, their laughter filling the air, a stark contrast to the turmoil Skylar felt inside. “Mom, Dad, thank you so much for coming,” Skylar greeted warmly as James and Catherine stepped int
A couple of days later, Skylar finally managed to reconnect with Megan, a close friend from college. The reunion was filled with excitement as Megan hauled Skylar to her home, where her husband, Tom, another member of their college friend circle, greeted her warmly, their two years old son, on his hips. “Skylar! It’s so good to see you after all these years!” Megan exclaimed, hugging her tightly again as they settled down in the living room. Skylar smiled, feeling a comforting wave of nostalgia. “It’s great to see you too, Megan. And you, Tom. Who’s this cutie?” Tom grinned. “It’s been too long. This is Taylor, our fourth child and the only boy. The others are out with their uncle. So, what have you been up to since we graduated? How have been?” Skylar kept her response simple, although her smile dampened a little at the reminder of what her life had become. “Well, I got married but divorced four years ago. I have two boys from that marriage. They’re the best things that have h
A couple of days later, Skylar finally managed to reconnect with Megan, a close friend from college. The reunion was filled with excitement as Megan hauled Skylar to her home, where her husband, Tom, another member of their college friend circle, greeted her warmly, their two years old son, on his hips. “Skylar! It’s so good to see you after all these years!” Megan exclaimed, hugging her tightly again as they settled down in the living room. Skylar smiled, feeling a comforting wave of nostalgia. “It’s great to see you too, Megan. And you, Tom. Who’s this cutie?” Tom grinned. “It’s been too long. This is Taylor, our fourth child and the only boy. The others are out with their uncle. So, what have you been up to since we graduated? How have been?” Skylar kept her response simple, although her smile dampened a little at the reminder of what her life had become. “Well, I got married but divorced four years ago. I have two boys from that marriage. They’re the best things that ha
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