NoahThe luxurious glamping tent was a scene straight out of a romantic film. The large fire bowl burned brightly, casting a warm, flickering glow over the cove. The stars above us shimmered with an intensity that only the darkness of deserted places could offer. The rhythmic sound of lapping waves and the chirp of crickets added to the atmosphere. It would’ve been incredibly romantic—if it weren’t for Alejandro.I was alone with him, in the middle of nowhere. Every part of me wanted to be anywhere but here. The secluded spot, the setup, it all screamed luxury and romance. But it felt like a trap. I had expected to be home by now, with my family, in the comfort of my own space. But Alejandro had made it clear that wasn’t an option. He said that Raymond knew I wasn’t coming home.But how? Had Alejandro used my phone? The thought made me shiver. I was spiraling deeper into a situation that was both terrifying and surreal.We sat by the fire. Alejandro’s gaze was unsettlingly intense a
Noah“Raymond? Clara?” My voice cracked with shock and anger as I stood in the doorway. The sight of them curled up together on the couch was too much to handle. My emotions surged, and I could barely keep myself steady.“Noah… It’s not what it looks like,” Raymond said, his voice tinged with panic as he quickly pushed Clara away and leaped to his feet. His eyes were wide, desperate.I turned on my heel, heading for the door. Raymond followed me, his footsteps echoing in the empty villa. Outside, the cool morning air did little to calm the storm inside me. I was hyperventilating, my breaths coming in ragged gasps.“You lied to me, Raymond!” I shouted, my voice breaking. “The kiss, Clara’s advances—everything was real. You made me believe you, and give you another chance… But you’ve been seeing Clara all along, haven’t you?!”“Noah, no, it’s not like that,” Raymond pleaded, reaching out to me.“Please, don’t try that again,” I snapped, turning to face him with a bitter glare. “I won’t f
Noah“Oh my God,” I muttered under my breath, my heart racing. I quickly diverted Neil’s attention from the glaring magazine covers in the store. "Hey, Neil, look at this! Why don’t we get some extra snacks for the trip back home?" My voice sounded too high-pitched, even to me. He smiled, happily distracted, and dashed off towards the candy aisle.I glanced back at the magazines. A lady nearby had noticed it too, her eyes flicking from the cover to me with thinly veiled judgment. She didn’t even bother to hide the disdain on her face. I could feel my chest tighten as embarrassment and rage battled within me. I needed to get out of there.With Neil trailing beside me, we hurried to the cashier. The line seemed endless. My skin crawled under the weight of whispered gossip. Were they talking about me? Did they recognize me from the magazine? My mind was racing. How did this happen? Did Alejandro set this up, hiring paparazzi to catch us in compromising situations? What would he get out
NoahI stared at Clara with contempt. My patience was fraying with every word she spat out. "Me? I stole Alejandro from you? You have a lot of nerve, Clara." My voice was sharp, laced with the anger bubbling inside me.Clara's eyes narrowed. She crossed her arms, tilting her head to the side as if she were truly puzzled. "Excuse me? These pictures are crystal clear to me. You had a lovely date with my boyfriend." Her tone was dismissive, as though this whole situation was a mild inconvenience to her."Clara," I began, trying to keep my voice steady. Though my hands shook with the effort, "Don’t play innocent with me. I’m done believing your lies."She stared at me with wide eyes. A feigned look of shock was plastered on her face. It was almost impressive how convincingly she could act. Almost."We have given you everything, supported you when your life was falling apart. And what do you give us in return? You break up our marriage and destroy our family." My voice trembled with the wei
NoahThe embarrassment, the shame—it was all too much. I couldn’t believe the paparazzi would harass our family like this. That they would ask such questions, especially in front of our innocent son. But then again, they would sell their souls for a juicy story. I supposed it wasn’t surprising they jumped onto this scandal like leeches.We pushed through the crowd as quickly as we could, the walls of people closing in on us with every step. “I should’ve had bodyguards ready,” Raymond shouted over the noise. “Sorry, Noah, I didn’t expect this.”I lifted Neil up into my arms. He tucked his head into my neck, hiding away from the noise and flashing cameras. “Sorry buddy,” I whispered in his ear. “We’ll be home soon.”As we reached the car, I glanced back and noticed Clara whispering something to a paparazzo. Then she started posing for pictures. My blood ran cold. I needed to get rid of her as soon as possible.I waded back through the crowd and grabbed her by the wrist. “Ow!” she feigne
NoahI looked at Raymond, feeling the weight of everything that had transpired. The mix of hope and hurt in his eyes was undeniable. I could see how deeply this situation was affecting him. I hesitated for a moment. I couldn’t bear the thought of breaking up our family. But he had broken my heart and shattered my trust."I... I don’t know, Raymond. I need time to think,” I said honestly. “I think I should move out for a bit, and go back to my old penthouse. We both need some time and space, to cool off and reconsider everything."His face fell. A mix of sadness and resignation clouded his features. “I understand,” he said, his voice heavy. Despite his acceptance, I could see the strain in his eyes. It was clear that he was hurting, but I had to do what was right for myself. The betrayal was still fresh. It was clear that Raymond had cheated on me. And while Clara's manipulations had played a role, Raymond’s actions were his own responsibility.As I wrestled with my thoughts, a messa
NoahI stared at Raymond, my heart pounding as his words sank in. “Oh…” I struggled to find the right words. “When… when are you leaving?”His face fell, a look of disappointment crossing his hazel eyes. I could see that my choice of words, “when are you leaving” instead of “when are we leaving,” had hurt him deeply. The realization that I was speaking in terms of separation rather than unity stung. I felt a pang of regret, wishing I could take back my words.“I’m not leaving without you, Noah,” Raymond said, his voice laden with sincerity. After a long pause, he continued, “Take as long as you need to consider it.”“Okay… I’ll think about it…” I said, my voice breaking. Tears welled up in my eyes, making it hard to see clearly. “Goodbye, Raymond.” I could barely get the words out before the tears began to spill over. Neil had decided to stay behind until I was settled in. He ran up to me, his small face crumpling with sadness.“Goodbye, Mommy,” Neil cried, his voice trembling.“I’ll
RaymondAfter Noah left, I was a shell of myself. The mansion had turned into a place of suffocating despair. I tried to hold it together for Neil’s sake, but the effort was exhausting. I worked from home, unable to bear the thought of walking into the office. My reflection in the mirror was a ghost of its former self. My unshaved stubble and eyes heavy with sleepless nights, were nothing like the man I had been only a week ago. I was losing myself in the despair of losing the love of my life.Every day, I replayed the events over and over, searching for some clarity. I wished I could explain to Noah that nothing significant happened with Clara. But the more I replayed it, the more I doubted myself. Clara’s ‘accidental’ kiss—why hadn’t I pulled away sooner? And the incident at the tennis court, when Clara leaned into me, making me uncomfortable—why did I let it go that far? The night we spent on the couch, watching that movie, why didn’t I just go to bed? Not only that, my belief in
NoahI opened the box, and there it was—a delicate golden necklace with a teardrop-shaped ruby nestled at the center. It caught the light with a soft, familiar glow.“Wait a minute… Is this…?”Raymond’s smile widened. “The necklace Owen gave you after you saved his life as a child? It sure is.”I shook my head in disbelief, my fingers brushing over the ruby’s multifaceted surface. This was the necklace that had started it all—the one that ended my relationship with Owen, fractured my friendship with Josie, and, in the end, brought Raymond and me together.“No way… Where did you find it?” I asked breathlessly.He took my hand. “I went to Josie’s apartment after she passed away and found it tucked away in a jewelry box. I remembered the story you told me about it. I just knew you should have it back.”Overwhelmed, I looked up at him, my eyes filling with gratitude. He held my gaze, and we shared a lingering, tender kiss. One that was filled with years of love and unspoken promises. As
NoahThe grand hall was resplendent, draped in soft whites, blush pinks, and touches of gold. Chandeliers sparkled overhead, and the orchestra played a melody that filled the air with romance and elegance. I took a deep breath, looking out over the sea of familiar faces, and then my eyes found Raymond’s.He stood at the end of the aisle, his gaze fixed on me, his smile both proud and tender. The love in his eyes was so deep, so steady, that my nerves began to melt away, replaced by a warmth that filled my entire being.With every step, my heart beat faster, the anticipation building with each note of the music. Raymond’s gaze never wavered, and as I drew closer, I could see the emotion glistening in his eyes.Finally, we reached him. My mother released my hand and turned to Raymond, her own eyes shimmering. She placed my hand in his, her voice choked with emotion. “Take good care of her,” she said softly, her words laced with love and a hint of the strength that had carried us both.Ra
NoahAs I looked at Evelyn, her gentle smile seemed to melt the tension in my shoulders. Her eyes, always so full of determination, held a glimmer of joy as she spoke.“Don’t worry, Noah. It’s good news.”A breath I hadn’t realized I was holding escaped me. “Good news?” My voice was barely a whisper.She nodded, a spark of excitement lighting up her face. “The doctor said… well, they said there’s a chance I’ll walk again. The prognosis is good if I keep exercising, eating healthy, and pushing myself.”My relief quickly turned into a grin as the magnitude of her words hit me. “Mom, that’s amazing!”She wheeled closer, her hand finding mine. Her touch was warm and filled with the quiet strength that I’d come to admire even more through her recovery. “I know, right?” She laughed, her voice tinged with the thrill of newfound hope. “I can’t wait for the day I can pick up Rosie all on my own, to hold her without limits.”We sat there, both smiling, both overwhelmed by the idea that she migh
NoahCassandra’s labor dragged on, stretching through two long days. I felt every minute of it from my room. My worry and helplessness coiled tighter with each update. The doctor had ordered me to stay in bed. Although it felt good to rest, I hated that I couldn’t be there for her. She’d been such a support to me during my own labor with Rosie. Her words had steadied me through every contraction and every wave of pain. Now, here I was, stuck in bed while she struggled on her own.Little Rosie was my solace. Every time I looked at her, I felt a soft warmth spread through me, all the worry and exhaustion melting away. She was a tiny, perfect miracle with her miniature fingers and rosy cheeks. I couldn't stop staring at her. Raymond was wonderful too. He moved back and forth between rooms to check on Cassandra and then back to me, sharing gentle updates that kept me grounded.On his fourth or fifth return, Raymond’s expression was strained. He sat by my bed, taking my hand gently. “She
NoahThe words fell like a stone in the room. My heart stuttered as I looked between her and Raymond, my grip tightening around his hand. “What… what kind of complication?”The midwife took a steadying breath. “It seems your baby may be in a posterior position—facing up, rather than down. This can make labor slower and a bit more challenging.”A wave of worry swept over me, and I felt my breaths quicken. Cassandra placed a steadying hand on my shoulder. “Hey, Noah, breathe. She didn’t say impossible—just more challenging.”The midwife nodded, her tone reassuring. “We’ll try some different positions, some movements that might help encourage her to turn. This happens often enough, and there are ways we can support the process.”I nodded, feeling the tension ease a fraction as I met Raymond’s eyes. He gave me a brave smile, squeezing my hand. “We’ve got this,” he murmured. “We’ll help her get into position, and soon, we’ll be meeting our little girl.”The midwife guided me through some po
NoahI stared, slightly panicked, down at the small puddle forming beneath me. Cassandra brought her hand to rest gently on my arm. “It will be fine, Noah. Looks like your little girl has her own schedule,” she said with a reassuring smile. Her voice was calm and warm. Her words broke through my anxiety. I managed a shaky laugh, nodding in agreement.An employee approached, casting an understanding look at the situation. “Don’t worry about a thing—we’ll clean it up,” she said, a gentle smile on her face. “Good luck!” She gave a supportive nod as we carefully made our way out of the store. Cassandra held my arm to steady me.Once we were outside, Cassandra reminded me, “You don’t need to rush to the hospital just yet. They usually want you to wait until active labor is in full swing.” Her calm certainty helped, but I still felt jittery. I immediately grabbed my phone, dialing Raymond’s number. He picked up after the first ring.“Raymond?” I began, my voice trembling slightly. “It’s ha
NoahThe room erupted in cheers and joyful shouts as pink confetti rained down around us. It took a second to sink in: we were having a girl. Barely containing my smile, I felt Raymond’s strong arms wrap around me from behind. He leaned his head close, his voice a low, gentle murmur. “A little girl, Noah… our little girl.”My heart swelled as I looked at Neil, who was watching the confetti with wide eyes. He had a look of pure wonder on his face. It was the brightest smile I’d seen on him since everything that happened, and I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. He was still healing. But moments like these, surrounded by love, felt like the very first steps toward a new beginning.Evelyn rolled over, her eyes filled with emotion as she held out her hands to us. Slowly but surely, she was regaining control over her muscles. I leaned down to her, and she wrapped her arms around both Neil and me. “Oh, a little girl,” she whispered, her voice thick with joy. “Our family just keeps grow
NoahThe house buzzed with excitement and laughter as we invited everyone inside. Each new arrival was greeted with hugs and cheers. Cassandra's friends—Harper, Lila, and Gia—were here, their faces lighting up when they spotted me. Our trip to Vegas and Cass’s wedding had bonded us. Seeing them again brought a sense of closeness, comfort and normality after recent events. Raymond’s colleagues filled the space with their lively energy, and Simon’s friends mingled easily with Raymond’s parents, whose faces were aglow with anticipation.Neil quickly spotted his friends from school, darting over to hug a small girl with a sweet smile. I couldn’t help but smile knowingly; he’d mentioned her more than once—his little primary school girlfriend. Seeing him run and laugh, his face bright with joy despite the shadows of recent events, filled me with a deep, almost overwhelming sense of gratitude. After everything he had endured, there was hope that he might find his way back to himself. Seei
Noah“Oh, Raymond…” I murmured, my heart brimming with emotion as he knelt before me, the words barely forming in my mouth, tangled up with a happiness that felt almost surreal.He waited patiently, still on one knee. His hazel eyes sparkled with flecks of gold in the bright sunlight. His hand was steady, holding out the ring as if it were a promise. A reminder of how far we’d come. I glanced at my old engagement ring. My fingers trembled as I noticed the way this new ring was designed to nestle perfectly against the first one. It was so unmistakably Raymond—thoughtful, detailed, crafted to fit me like a missing piece.“Yes,” I finally said, smiling through my tears. “Of course, I will marry you… again.”His face lit up with a joy I hadn’t seen in years. He slid the ring into place, its sleek band clicking softly as it nestled against my old ring. The two pieces formed a sparkling whole. As the diamonds caught the golden glow of sunset, it felt like the most perfect reflection of us—