NoahThe moment I heard Don’s voice on the phone, I knew something terrible had happened. His usually calm tone was shaky, uncertain. As if the weight of the world had suddenly dropped on his shoulders.“Noah... Evelyn had a stroke while we were in the room with her.”My heart dropped. The words hit me like a freight train, and for a second, I couldn't breathe.“Is she… is she okay?” I managed to ask, even though I could already sense the answer.“She made it through, but…” Don hesitated, his voice breaking. “Her entire body is paralyzed. She’s conscious, but… she can’t move, Noah.”Tears welled up in my eyes as I stood frozen in the middle of the room. “Oh, Don… I’m relieved she’s alive, but… that’s devastating. I’m so sorry.”Neil sat cross-legged on the floor nearby, helping me unpack our boxes. He looked up at me, sensing my distress. “Mommy? Is it news about Granny Eve?”I knelt down beside him, struggling to find the right words. His innocent face gazed at me, full of trust. It s
Noah“Do you mean… as a date? You’re my boss, Thomas. I don’t think—”“No, no, no!” Thomas interrupted quickly, his hand raised as if to ward off the idea. “Just as friends, Noah. To get your mind off Raymond and... whatever it is you two are going through.”I studied him for a moment. His smile was a little too wide, his eyes a little too sharp. Still, he wasn’t pushing anything overt. And he was my boss. Turning him down outright seemed rude, unprofessional even.“I see…” I replied, still hesitant, unsure if I could trust his intentions.“And there’s something to celebrate too!” He smiled wider, his eyes gleaming with a touch of excitement.“To celebrate?” My brow furrowed in curiosity.“I won’t say too much,” he said, leaning back against my office door with a mysterious air. “It’s a surprise, but it has to do with your excellent work performance.”“Oh,” I muttered, feeling cornered. Now it really seemed rude to decline. “Okay… sure.”“Excellent!” Thomas clapped his hands together,
Noah“What?! You’re pregnant too?” I gasped, my heart nearly leaping out of my chest. I could hardly believe it. My best friend and I were going through this life-changing experience together. It was surreal.“Yes!” she laughed, her excitement palpable even over the phone.“Cass, that’s amazing! I’m so excited for you! Soon, we’ll be able to bump baby bumps,” I joked, a grin spreading across my face. It felt good to be laughing and sharing something positive amidst all the chaos in my life. The tension that had been weighing on me all day seemed to lift a little with the news.“Yep! I can’t wait for all the baby shopping and nursery planning,” she said, her voice brimming with joy. “And of course, you know I’m here for you through everything. We’re in this together.”We chatted a little longer, exchanging ideas about baby names and joking about the cravings we’d start to get. I felt lighter after the conversation, but the relief was short-lived. The weight of the next evening's plans
NoahThe house felt eerie in the stillness. My footsteps echoed across the marble floors as I searched for Thomas. Where could he have gone? The mansion was enormous, with countless rooms and corridors where someone could easily disappear. I began to feel uneasy. The silence was stretching too long. “Thomas?!” I called out as I started searching the rooms around the bathroom.Then, I heard the soft creak of the staircase behind me. I turned around, my heart racing.“Noah, sorry to keep you waiting,” Thomas’ voice was calm, almost too calm, as he descended the stairs.Relief washed over me for a moment, but it didn’t last long. I eyed him suspiciously. “Where did you go?” My tone was sharper than I intended, but something didn’t sit right.Thomas smiled, clutching his blazer tightly against his chest. "I didn’t mean to wander off like that. I just remembered the glass dome upstairs—the one with the stunning skylight—and I couldn’t resist taking a closer look. I hope you don’t mind. I e
RaymondLying in my new bed, in the huge master bedroom of my new villa, I was staring blankly at the screen of my phone. The brightness illuminated the darkened room. But the images that scrolled past brought no comfort. It was the thousandth time I had gone through these photos—pictures of Noah. Of the two of us laughing, holding hands, looking so blissfully in love.My heart twisted painfully. “Oh, Noah, I miss you,” I sighed.I couldn’t shake her from my mind, no matter how far I tried to run. Brayford was supposed to be a fresh start—a city thriving with opportunity. The business world here was alive, full of energy. I should have been focusing on building connections, making deals, meeting new people. But all of it felt hollow without her.My fingers paused on a photo of us by the beach, her hair blowing in the wind, her laughter echoing in my memory. I rubbed my eyes, feeling the exhaustion deep in my bones. How had everything gone so wrong?I knew now what had driven Noah awa
NoahThe train station was bustling with activity, a constant hum of voices and footsteps filling the air. I knelt down to hug Neil tightly, feeling the familiar sting of tears well up in my eyes. He wrapped his small arms around my neck with the same fervor, as if neither of us wanted to let go.“You be good, okay? Listen to your dad and have fun,” I said softly, forcing a smile as I kissed his forehead.He nodded but looked up at me with wide eyes, a little hesitant. “You’ll call me every day, right, Mommy?”“Every day, my boy,” I assured him, ruffling his hair. "You’ll be back before you know it."The chaperone, our trusted maid, stood beside us, ready to escort Neil to the train. The whistle sounded, signaling that the train was about to leave. My heart clenched. I hated these moments of separation.“Okay, time to go, sweetheart,” I said, my voice faltering slightly. I straightened up, watching as Neil gave one final wave before walking toward the train with the chaperone.As the
NoahWe had planned to go out for lunch after the scan—a celebratory meal to mark another milestone in our pregnancies. But after the unsettling news about Cassandra’s baby, any appetite for celebration had evaporated. Simon and Cassandra looked shaken as they left the hospital. They wanted nothing more than to go home and process what they had just heard. I didn’t blame them at all.“Call me if you need anything,” I had said softly, hugging Cassandra before we parted ways.As I drove home, my mind whirled with worry. The image of Cassandra’s pale face, the doctor’s ominous words, kept replaying in my head. I could feel the tension knotting in my shoulders.A thousand fears danced in my thoughts—what if the same thing happened to my baby? I shook my head, trying to focus on the road. But it was hard to keep the anxiety at bay.When I arrived at the mansion, the familiar sight of my mother in her new automatic wheelchair greeted me in the kitchen. She was in her element, instructing th
NoahWhy did he sound so panicked? The unease crept through me like a spreading chill. I sat there for a moment, gripping the phone, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Whatever was going on with him was clearly serious.“Can you go to my study, please? I need some documents,” he asked. There was a tension in his voice that made my stomach tighten.I walked quickly up the stairs, a sense of urgency pulling me forward. My thoughts swirled—what kind of trouble had he gotten himself into? And why did he need his passport now?“I’m here,” I said after a while, slightly out of breath as I stood in the middle of the study. My gaze swept across the room, but nothing seemed out of place. It was just as he had left it, organized in the way that only Raymond would appreciate.“Thanks, Noah, sorry to bother you. Can you look in the top right drawer? My passport should be in there, as well as a spare bank card,” Raymond’s voice came through the phone again, his anxiety leaking through each word.I
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—