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 clutched the phone to my ear, my knuckles white, as I paced across the penthouse floor. “Don’t lie to me, Raymond. I know Clara was with you,” I demanded. My voice was tight with frustration and lingering betrayal.“Noah, no… Clara’s visit was unsolicited. I immediately sent her away,” Raymond’s voice came through, calm but tinged with desperation. He sounded sincere. But how many times had I trusted his words only to be hurt again?I hesitated. My anger wavered as a soft, uncertain “Oh…” slipped from my lips. I wanted to believe him. But the image of Clara in our home gnawed at me. “I hope you’re telling me the truth, Raymond,” I said, my voice softening despite myself.“I promise you I am, Noah,” Raymond insisted, his tone even more earnest. “She was only here for two minutes. Ask Neil if you want to fact-check.”I let out a slow breath, some of the tension draining from my shoulders. “Okay… Sorry for freaking out, Raymond.” My words were quiet, almost a whisper. It felt str
Noah“Hi, Mr. Weston. It’s so good to hear from you. How is my mother? Is she okay?” I tried to keep the panic out of my voice, though my heart raced with anxiety.“Evelyn is finally out of quarantine, Noah. You can visit her now,” he answered, relief and warmth evident in his voice.“Oh, thank God! Thank you so much for letting me know. Neil and I will visit you both tomorrow.”As I hung up the phone, a wave of emotions crashed over me. I had waited so long for this moment. To finally reunite with my mother. To introduce her to Neil, the grandson she had never met. The thought of seeing her again brought tears to my eyes, but they were tears of relief and gratitude.“Neil,” I called, turning to my son, who was watching the fish in the zoo’s aquarium. “Guess what? You’re going to meet Grandma tomorrow!”Neil’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Really, Mommy? I finally get to meet Grandma?”I smiled at his enthusiasm. “Yes you will, darling. And we want to make a good impression.”The next
NoahMr. Weston, Evelyn and Neil all looked at me with expectant faces. I didn’t know what to say. I hesitated, the question cutting deep. The painful look in my eyes must have given away my inner turmoil.“Raymond, uh… Things are a bit… complicated right now,” I replied, my voice tight with emotion.Evelyn noticed my distress immediately and changed the subject. She turned to Neil with a warm smile. “So, Neil, how are things in school?”Neil started chatting away about his friends and teachers, and proudly announced he got the best grade in his class this semester. “That's amazing, Neil. You must make your mommy very proud,” Evelyn said with a warm smile.“He sure does,” I replied, smiling gratefully at Evelyn for the smooth distraction. A little later, she asked if I wanted to take a walk through the garden with her. While Neil was playing fetch with the little dog on the other side of the lawn, we strolled through her quaint vegetable and herb garden. The air was filled with the s
NoahThe sound of Cassandra's excited voice filled the air as she spun around, a whirlwind of energy and enthusiasm. I watched her with a mix of amusement and hesitation. Vegas? I wasn’t sure if I could. My heart was still heavy, weighed down by everything that had happened with Raymond. The idea of celebrating anything just felt… wrong.“I know you’re my maid of honor, Noah, so traditionally you would be in charge of organizing my bachelorette party. But with everything you’re going through… I thought I’d take it on myself,” Cassandra explained, her smile bright and infectious.I opened my mouth to protest, to tell her that I wasn’t up for it. My mind was a fog of confusion and sadness. The last thing I felt capable of right now was partying in Las Vegas.“Oh… I don’t know, Cass… I’m not really in the best space right now,” I began, trying to find the right words to let her down gently. “Exactly,” she interjected, her tone firm yet gentle. “This will be the perfect distraction, Noah
NoahThe policeman, tall and broad-shouldered, pulled me up against him. “You are under arrest for being too beautiful tonight,” he said, his voice low and playful.Oh no… Suddenly, it dawned on me. Did Cassandra hire a stripper for me?! The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt my face flush with mortification. I glanced over at Cassandra, who was laughing so hard she could barely stand. The other girls joined in. Their laughter echoed in my ears, making my embarrassment even more unbearable.I couldn’t believe this was happening. How did I go from dealing with marital chaos, to being the center of a bachelorette party gone wild in Las Vegas? I wanted to disappear. To melt into the floor and escape the humiliation. This wasn’t me. I wasn’t the kind of person who enjoyed this kind of attention. Especially not from a complete stranger who was only here because he was paid to be.The other stripper, equally as muscular but with a charming grin, focused on Cassandra. “Good e
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—