NoahA week passed, but it felt like I was drifting through time in a haze. I hadn’t told anyone about the appointment. Not Cassandra, not even my mother. The weight of the decision loomed over me like a dark cloud I couldn’t escape.By the time I arrived at the clinic, my hands were shaking. The sound of my own heartbeat was thunderous in my ears. The waiting room was quiet. The walls were a pale, clinical white. A few women sat scattered around. Their faces were downcast, their eyes fixed on magazines they weren’t really reading. I took a seat, wrapping my coat tighter around me as if it could shield me from everything that was about to happen.“Noah?” a soft voice called my name.I looked up to see a kind-looking gynecologist standing in the doorway. A young woman with warm brown eyes and a gentle smile. Her presence should’ve been comforting. But it only made me more aware of the gravity of what I was about to do.“Let’s have a look, shall we?” she said once we were inside the ex
NoahShould I answer? My thumb hovered over the screen, indecision swirling through me like a storm. Raymond had respected my wish for space. He hadn’t tried to contact me for weeks. So why now? My heart pounded, and my mind immediately jumped to Neil. What if something had happened to him?I swallowed hard and finally pressed the button, raising the phone to my ear. "H-hello?" My voice came out shaky, betraying the emotions I tried to suppress.“Noah, hi.” His voice was calm, but there was an underlying tension I couldn’t place.There was a long pause, filled only with the distant sound of traffic and my heartbeat thudding in my ears. I clenched my free hand, waiting for him to speak, my pulse racing with dread.“Is everything okay?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.“Yeah, uh... I just opened the mail and saw Simon and Cassandra’s wedding invitation.”I blinked, surprised by the turn in the conversation. That was what this was about? “Oh,” I said, not sure what to make of it.
NoahI sprinted up the stairs. My heart was pounding in my chest, dread curling in my stomach. “Neil, are you okay?!” My voice echoed off the walls, sharp with panic. “Who’s there?”A dozen scenarios raced through my mind. Could it be my mother again, making one of her surprise visits? She had a habit of appearing unannounced. But something in my gut told me this wasn’t her. The air was thick with a tension that chilled me to the bone.Almost at the top of the stairs, I heard it—a voice, familiar yet unexpected.“Hey, Neil!”It was soft, sugary. The kind of voice that felt out of place here, in my sanctuary.“Auntie Clara! You gave me such a fright!” Neil’s excited voice cut through the tension.Clara.My pulse quickened. My hands curled into fists at my sides as I reached the landing. What the hell was she doing here, showing up at my home uninvited?I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself before turning the corner. When I finally stepped into the hallway, I saw her standing by th
NoahClara’s eyes locked onto mine, her expression unreadable. Her smile was slightly too wide to be genuine. I could almost see the gears turning behind her pretty facade. But what exactly was she up to? “Why do you ask?” I replied, my voice sharp. She studied me for a moment before finally speaking.“Well…” she began, her voice soft and deliberate, “I think I lost a necklace at the mansion. It might still be in the guest room, where I used to stay.” Her lips were curled into a thin smile, but the gleam in her eyes sent a shiver down my spine. “I don’t want to go when Raymond is there. Maybe... one day, when he’s out, you could take me there and I can look for it?”Her words were simple enough. But something about her tone, the way her gaze lingered on me, made me uneasy. Why would she only remember that necklace now? And why the mansion, of all places?I forced a smile, though every instinct screamed at me not to trust her. “I, uh, unfortunately don’t have a key to the mansion anym
NoahThe wedding was everything Cassandra had dreamed of—a true fairytale brought to life. The venue was set on a sprawling estate, surrounded by lush gardens that seemed to stretch on forever. Twinkling lights were woven through the trees, casting a soft, romantic glow across the scene. Rows of white chairs lined the path to the altar, draped in delicate lace and adorned with blush-colored roses. The air was warm, carrying the sweet scent of flowers mixed with the faint aroma of champagne. It was breathtaking—luxurious, romantic, and undeniably perfect for Cassandra.I stood by the aisle, my heart beating faster with every passing moment. As Cassandra’s maid of honor, I had the best view of everything—the guests arriving, the intricate floral arrangements, the beautiful way the sunset painted the sky with pink and orange hues. But my thoughts kept drifting, tugging me in a direction I wasn’t prepared to face.Raymond.As the best man, he stood directly across from me. He was facing
NoahRaymond watched me approach from the fountain, his expression unreadable. Though there was something pensive in the way his eyes tracked my movements. I could feel the weight of unspoken words between us, thickening the air. The quiet buzz of the wedding reception faded into the background as my heart pounded in my chest. Each step I took toward him felt heavier, filled with the dread of what was to come.His gaze didn’t waver. It wasn’t the same Raymond I had once known—there was a sadness behind his usual confidence. A vulnerability that caught me off guard. As I drew closer, I steeled myself, summoning the courage to tell him the news.“Can we talk? Privately?” I asked, my voice steady but brittle. He didn’t respond right away. He just gave a small nod, then stood up. The way he carried himself, shoulders slightly hunched, told me this conversation wasn’t going to be easy.We walked in silence toward the garden at the back of the estate. The lights twinkled softly above us, c
RaymondI buried myself in my new career plans, convincing myself that focusing on my work would help me escape the reality I wasn’t ready to face. At the wedding, Noah had seemed on the brink of asking for a divorce—what else could she have wanted to talk about? Part of me was bracing for that final blow. But to my surprise, she didn’t. Instead, she accepted my offer to give us some space.I was relieved, but it wasn’t over. We hadn’t fixed anything—just put a bandage over a deep wound. The issues that had driven a wedge between us still lingered in the background, unresolved. I thought time apart would help. That giving each other room to breathe would somehow make everything better.But when Noah said goodbye, something inside me cracked. A dull, numbing ache spread through me. The reality of my decision—to leave her, to walk away from our life together—finally hit home. This was it. There was no turning back now.I stood there, watching her for a moment, searching for something—
NoahAfter hanging up the phone, I sat frozen. I stared at the screen as if the answers to my swirling questions would magically appear. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this meeting was going to be more than just a casual farewell. Did he change his mind about leaving? Would this be another chance to tell him the truth?The reality of my situation came crashing back—time was slipping away, and I had to make one of the biggest decisions of my life. My time to decide about the pregnancy was running out. If I didn’t act soon, it would be too late for an abortion. I had been pushing the decision aside. The weight of it all felt suffocating. I knew I was stalling, afraid of what the future held. I was terrified of making the wrong choice.There was one person I hadn’t told about the pregnancy. My mother. She had always been my rock, supporting me through every storm. But this wasn’t just any news; this was life-altering, earth-shattering. I needed her, and I couldn’t delay any longer.
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—