NoahI didn't know what to say to Raymond's invitation.He got injured protecting me, so it was my duty to take care of him. I knew his offer to stay at his home was made with kindness. But since we were both single, moving into his villa would raise some eyebrows. Raymond was the CEO of the biggest company in town. If journalists found out there was a strange woman living with him, they would be all over it. It would make us both get into a storm of public attention and opinions. I tried to think of a reason to refuse. When Raymond said he would feel bad if I had to travel the distance every day, I realized he was right. It would get exhausting to look after him all day and drive back home late at night. It was quite a far drive. I supposed we could find a compromise. “Thank you for the offer, Raymond. I’m considering moving in for a little while. But I don't want the press all over us. They would find a way to turn it into the scandal of the month.” I said.Raymond smiled knowingl
NoahBecause I was left at the orphanage as a baby without any information, I didn't know my date of birth. The day I was adopted by Owen’s family became my birthday.Lisa made a sculpture for me, as my first ever birthday gift. It was a delicate female figure with leaves in her hair and butterflies covering her body. It represented mother earth. Lisa must’ve intuited how much I loved nature.It was very important to me. It represented the first time someone cared enough about me to give me something so precious and meaningful.How could I have been so careless? I tried to call Owen to ask when I could come over. He refused to answer.The next morning, I had a long, hot shower. I braided my hair and decided to wear an elegant, sapphire blue dress.I made my way to the kitchen and prepared an extensive English breakfast for Raymond and myself.Raymond came in through the back door, wearing only his swimming trunks and a towel hung over his shoulder. His hair was wet and dripping onto th
NoahI cried the whole way back. What was wrong with Josie? How could she be so mean and manipulative? What did I ever do to her?Was it jealousy, because I got out of the orphanage early and left her behind? Because I went to a rich family and she was barely getting by? Then why did she pretend to be my best friend for so long? Did she plan to steal my husband, my home and my life all along? When I arrived at Raymond's mansion, I found him sitting on the sofa. I didn’t want him to see me so fragile and vulnerable. I wiped away my tears.Raymond noticed me wiping my cheeks and saw the mascara stains. “What’s wrong? Noah?”“Nothing… It's just… I went over to my old place to collect something very special to me. A statue given to me by my nanny Lisa. It meant a lot to me. I can't believe I forgot it,” I explained. “But when I arrived there, it was broken.”“Oh, that's terrible Noah. I'm so sorry to hear it.” He replied, walking over to me. He looked like he was about to give me a hug, b
Noah“Wh… What?” I was speechless. A car accident? I couldn’t believe it. I just had dinner with Lisa a few days ago. “I'm sorry mam. Mrs. Smith is in intensive care at the moment. At this point it's uncertain if she'll make it. We are doing all we can.” The doctor explained.“Uhm… Okay… Thank you, doctor.” I replied, barely aware of what I was saying.I ended the call and started sobbing. Raymond heard me and ran into the lounge. “What happened, Noah?”I told him about Lisa's accident. This time, he didn't hesitate. He wrapped his strong arms around me. “Oh, Noah. I'm so sorry.”I hid away in his arms and cried my eyes out. It felt like all the pain and shock of the last weeks had built up and now the dam had broken. It overflowed. It was so overwhelming. Raymond's embrace was the only thing keeping me from totally falling apart.Raymond led me to the couch and helped me sit down. “I’m going to make you some tea, Noah. Don’t go anywhere.”Where would I go? I couldn’t even think right
NoahI couldn’t accept Lisa’s death. This was just too much. I felt weak and dizzy. The people and the waiting room in front of me became more and more blurred, until I lost consciousness.Visions of the happy times I had with Lisa came over me. Childhood memories of baking cookies and pancakes together, laughing at each others’ silly faces, Lisa teaching me how to ride a bicycle and comforting me when I fell… We shared so many sweet moments. She never made me feel different because I was an orphan. She treated me with love, care and respect.Suddenly, I was in a vast, dark space. A light appeared in the distance. As it got closer, I could see it was Lisa’s silhouette walking - or floating - over to me. She was glowing and looked 10 years younger. Her gentle smile and warm eyes felt vivid and real.She hugged me tenderly and said, “Noah, take good care of yourself. I have to go now. It is my time. This is how it was meant to be.”“Where are you going? Lisa… Please, don’t leave me.” I
OwenWhen I was 7, I was kidnapped at the supermarket. My parents went ahead to the next aisle. I was still trying to decide which chocolate bar I wanted. Suddenly, a pair of gloved hands held a strong smelling napkin over my nose and mouth. I lost consciousness.Next thing I knew, a masked man was carrying me along a dark alley. Two other guys were with him.They were talking among themselves, “This kid is gonna make us so much money. His parents are loaded.” They were planning to blackmail my parents. Money, or my life.I kept still, pretending I was still asleep. “Little dude's getting heavy. Can I pass ‘m to you?” the man who was carrying me said. This was my chance.As he released me to pass me over, I flung my arms around wildly and screamed. They were startled for a moment. I ran as fast as I could.One of them almost caught up to me. He got close enough to spray me with pepper spray. Only some of it reached my eyes, but it was enough to blind me. It hurt like crazy. I screame
OwenThe girl called Noah explained that she heard a boy scream on her way to collect groceries for her age group. She told me and my parents exactly what happened. This convinced me that it was her. She was the girl who saved me.When my parents told her they wanted to adopt her, Noah was over the moon. She couldn’t believe she would finally have a family and a home. It was her biggest dream come true.We grew up together and got closer and closer with the years. We had our first kiss that one magical evening, when we were 18. I finally admitted to her how I felt. I was the happiest man in the world when we got married. We had such a happy life together. But everything changed when we went to Josie’s place for a dinner party.Noah and I usually invited Josie over to our villa. Josie never had a long term place of her own. When she finally bought her own apartment, she invited us to her housewarming party. It was a cozy night with lots of laughter.When I went to the toilet, I took th
NoahEver since Lisa's death, Raymond hired a housekeeper to do the cooking, cleaning and laundry. I only assisted with his medical care. Even though I felt bad for not helping more, I was grateful. I felt so weak and tired to the bone.The grief hurt so much. It felt like the loss of Lisa had knocked a huge gaping hole in my being. The emptiness felt dark, painful and raw. I spent most of my days in bed or on the wooden terrace, staring out over the lake.Death was an inevitable part of life. I learned that lesson as a young girl, growing up without my parents. I had always known that death could come at any moment. But this was the first time I experienced a loved one’s death consciously, as an adult. It hurt more than I ever imagined.On the morning of Lisa's funeral, Raymond and I had a light breakfast together, although I wasn’t hungry and felt queasy. We both got dressed in black and took his BMW to the funeral.The season was turning to winter. The weather outside was gloomy. T
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—