To say Skylar and Jason were surprised when the boys, who had until now always wanted to go out with their parents, opted to stay indoors and bake, was an understatement. “Mom, Dad, we want to bake something special with you today!” Jared declared, his voice filled with excitement.Skylar and Jason exchanged curious glances, intrigued by their sons’ sudden enthusiasm. “What do you have in mind, boys?” Skylar asked, a smile tugging at her lips.Lorenzo, clapped his hands together. “Cookies! With chocolate chips!”Skylar’s heart swelled with affection as she looked at her sons. “That sounds wonderful, sweetheart. Let’s get started!”Jason chuckled, ruffling Lorenzo’s messy hair. “Alright, let’s get baking then!”As they gathered ingredients and preheated the oven, Jason couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation building in the air. There was something about the way their sons looked at them, with eyes full of hope and love, that stirred emotions long forgotten. The boys chat
Skylar watched as Jason walked away, his shoulders slumped, his usual bright smile replaced by a look of hurt. She clenched her fists, trying to push down the fluttering emotions in her chest. She couldn’t let herself get carried away again. Not after what happened the last time.Jason, on the other hand, couldn’t understand what had changed her mind. He had felt like they were building something together, or had he misunderstood. He had decided to go to his apartment tonight, and currently, he was sat in his driveway, just reminiscing the events of the past hours. God! He was so utterly in love with Skylar. He didn’t even know he was crying until something wet rolled over his lips. He brought his fingers to trace his lips, still feeling the ghost of the kiss. The mere memory of it, bringing a small smile to his face. He took a few moments to gather himself, before leaving his car, locking it and trudging his way to his front door.Meanwhile, Jared ran back to his room, his little
Jared’s heart pounded in his chest as he watched his little brother, Lorenzo, collapse to the ground. Time seemed to slow down as he saw the white foam spilling from Lorenzo’s mouth, his small body convulsing with each breath. A horrified scream tore from Jared’s lips, shattering the joyful atmosphere of Lorenzo’s 4th birthday party.“Mom! Dad!” Jared’s cry pierced the air, drawing the attention of his parents and the other party guests. Panic spread like wildfire as everyone rushed to Lorenzo’s side, their faces etched with concern and fear.“What’s happening?!” Skylar, exclaimed, dropping to her knees beside Lorenzo. She gently cradled his head in her arms, her hands trembling with worry.“Dad, is Lorenzo okay?” Jared’s voice shook as he looked up at his father, who knelt beside them, his expression grave.“We need to call an ambulance, now!” Jason’s voice was urgent as he reached for his phone, his fingers fumbling with the buttons in his haste.Meanwhile, Jared’s grandmother
Lorenzo blinked groggily as he regained consciousness, the anaesthesia slowly wearing off. Confusion swept over him as he found himself in a hospital bed, surrounded by the sterile scent of antiseptic. His parents and brother were by his side, their faces etched with concern.“Dad? Mom?” Lorenzo’s voice trembled as he tried to make sense of his surroundings.Skylar leaned in, her eyes filled with relief. “Lorenzo, you’re awake.”Lorenzo’s heart pounded with fear as he struggled to remember what had happened. “What’s going on? Why am I here?”His father, took his hand, his voice gentle but firm. “You had to go through detox, buddy. But you’re going to be okay now.”Memories of his birthday party flooded back to Lorenzo, accompanied by a sense of dread. “Detox? But I don’t understand...”Skylar brushed a strand of hair from Lorenzo’s forehead, her voice trembling. “It’s because of the drink you had at your birthday party, sweetheart. It made you very sick.”Lorenzo’s eyes widene
As the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the suburban street, the air inside Lorenzo’s home was fraught with tension. The recent drugging incident at his birthday party had left everyone on edge, especially Skylar. With the police stumped and Skylar feeling unwell, the atmosphere was heavy with uncertainty.Emilio had embarked on another work trip, a couple of days after Lorenzo was discharged, leaving Skylar to care for Valentina, Jared, and Lorenzo. Unfortunately, fate dealt a cruel blow as Skylar fell ill a day after.“I’m sorry, kids. Mommy isn’t feeling well today,” Skylar rasped, her voice hoarse as she tucked herself under the covers.Valentina, ever the responsible elder cousin, stepped up to the plate. “It’s okay, Auntie Skylar. I’ll take care of you and the boys.”Jared nodded eagerly, his eyes wide with concern. “Yeah, we’ll make you feel better, Mom!”Lorenzo, sensing the sombre mood, toddled over to Skylar’s bedside, clutching his favourite
Skylar lay on the couch, her fever slowly subsiding, while her mind replayed the recent birthday incident involving Lorenzo. The paranoia lingered, a constant shadow over her thoughts.A knock at the door startled her, and she slowly got up to open the door. At this point, she wasn’t even surprised to find Jason at the door. He had been a welcome presence in the house, in the absence of Emilio.“Hey, Skylar. How are you feeling?” Jason’s tone was like that of a doting mother, and it made Skylar’s heart bit a little faster.He made his way into the house, putting down the breakfast he had picked up for them and the kids, before moving to the loving. He found Skylar cocooned in blankets and he could help but smile. She looked so adorable with her puffy bread cheeks and a small pout on her face as she navigated the channels on the TV. “I’m feeling better now, Jason. I told you this when you called last night. I also remember telling you that you don’t have to come over today. I’m su
Jason sat nervously in his car outside Skylar’s house, rehearsing what he was going to say over and over again. After his talk with Emilio a few days ago, he had realized that he was in fact wrong for challenging her skills, especially when he had in fact ripped her of the opportunity to be a parent. He knew he had messed up, and he couldn’t bear the weight of guilt any longer. He had to apologize, even if it meant risking his pride.Taking a deep breath, he gathered his courage and stepped out of the car. He approached Skylar’s front door and knocked softly, his heart pounding in his chest.Skylar opened the door, her expression curious, but it immediately turned cold upon seeing him. “Jason? What are you doing here?”“Can we talk, Skylar? Please?” Jason’s voice trembled slightly as he spoke.Skylar hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Sure, come on in.”They sat down in the living room, facing each other awkwardly. Jason struggled to find the right words, his throat sudden
In the dimly lit confines of her small New York City apartment, Alexandra paced back and forth, her mind consumed by a tumultuous storm of emotions. With each step, the weight of her failed attempts to sabotage Jason and Skylar’s relationship bore down upon her like a leaden cloak.“Why can’t you see, Jason?” she muttered to herself, her voice laced with frustration. “She’s not right for you. You belong with me.”Her hands trembled as she reached for the photographs adorning the walls, images of Jason and Skylar frozen in moments of happiness that felt like knives twisting in her heart. With a primal scream of rage, she tore them down, their glossy surfaces crumpling beneath her fingers.“You’re mine, Jason!” she cried out, her voice raw with desperation. “You’re supposed to be with me!”With each photograph she destroyed, Alexandra’s anguish grew, a seething cauldron of resentment and envy bubbling within her chest. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she stumbled across the room