NoahNeil’s reaction pierced through me like a shard of glass, sharp and unexpected. His small voice carried a weight that shattered something deep within me.I was speechless. Evelyn jumped in, trying to ease the tension. “We’ll be here for the baby, too, Neil. And not every baby has a daddy…” But her attempt only threw fuel on the fire.“I want my daddy back. You drove him away!” Neil shouted, the accusation ringing in the air as he stormed out of the living room. His tiny footsteps echoed like thunder down the hall.I stood there, frozen, still clutching the pajamas I had lovingly picked out for him. The “Big Brother” embroidered on the front now felt like a cruel reminder of how far from ready he was to accept this new reality. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. Was this all a mistake? Had I made the wrong decision, not just about the baby, but about everything?Evelyn gently wheeled closer to me. Her face, etched with concern, softened as my tear-filled eyes met hers
Noah“Wow, that’s… big news, Raymond.” I forced myself to sound calm. “I’ll make arrangements to have the guest room prepared for you. Anything else you need?”“No,” he replied, his tone clipped. “We’ll talk when I get there.”As the call ended, I stood frozen in the hallway just outside of Neil’s bedroom, still clutching the phone. My heart raced. Raymond, here for a week? How was I going to keep this secret—my secret—from him when he’d be living in the same house?I barely had time to process the thought before Neil’s bedroom door creaked open. His little face peeked out, filled with hope.“Mommy, was that Daddy?” he asked, his eyes wide with excitement. “The guest room… does that mean he’s coming home?”“Yes, honey,” I said, trying to sound casual. “But just for a week.”“Oh…” His shoulders sagged in disappointment, and he looked down at the floor. “Maybe Daddy can help us prepare for the baby?”My heart clenched. Oh no. I knelt down to his level, smoothing his hair back with trembl
Noah“No. There has to be another way!” I gasped, feeling as though the very air around me was being sucked away.Raymond looked at me with weary eyes. “I wish there was, Noah. I really do. But I’m running out of options. I have to sell everything—every property, every asset—to pay for the business expansion, hire an investigator to figure out who’s behind this mess, and get a good lawyer. If I don’t do something now… we’ll be bankrupt, Noah.”“Bankrupt?” I echoed, stunned by the gravity of the situation. My stomach twisted in knots, the severity of his predicament finally sinking in. This wasn’t just about selling the mansion—this was about survival.Raymond nodded, his expression dark with frustration and fear. “I’ll start making arrangements tomorrow, getting the place ready for viewings. I’m so sorry about all of this, Noah.”His words had hit me like a sledgehammer. Sell the mansion? Our mansion? The place where I had dreamed of raising my children, where I’d hoped to build a new
NoahSuddenly, everything replayed in my mind like a horror movie, each frame sharp and terrifying. The first time I met Thomas in Vegas flashed before me. The strange glint in his eyes when he found out I was Raymond’s wife. I recalled the eager way he spoke to me, his compliments wrapped in an almost predatory charm. The job offer he extended, with pay that felt excessive for my lack of experience, echoed ominously in my thoughts. His relentless enthusiasm to visit the mansion, a so-called architectural excursion—it all made a grotesque kind of sense now. How could I have been so blind?It was as if a curtain had been pulled back, revealing a sinister play unfolding before me. Thomas had been plotting this since our encounter in Vegas. He wanted to use his unnervingly similar appearance to Raymond to steal not just his identity but also his money and reputation. My heart raced as I grappled with the magnitude of his betrayal. I couldn’t believe it—I felt like I was trapped in a
Noah“What are you doing here?” Thomas asked, eyeing me suspiciously. His posture was rigid and defensive.I took a deep breath, grounding myself against the rising tide of panic. “I could ask you the same question,” I replied, attempting to sound confident and casual. Though my voice wavered slightly.He shifted, visibly uncomfortable. “I, uh, needed to discuss some work matters,” he muttered, avoiding my gaze.“I see…” I said, trying to maintain my composure despite the tension crackling between us. “So did I, but now doesn’t seem like the right time.” My heart raced as I realized just how precarious this moment was. Standing face-to-face with Thomas, it suddenly hit me that he might be dangerous. He had stolen my husband’s identity and a significant amount of money. He had framed him for financial fraud. Who knows what else he might be capable of?The air felt thick with unsaid words. As his eyes studied mine, I was made acutely aware of how much I had rushed into this confrontatio
NoahRaymond shot up from his desk, grabbing his coat with a sense of urgency that sent my heart racing. “We need to find him. Now.”Without wasting another second, we rushed out of the mansion and jumped into the car. The tension between us was palpable. My mind was spinning with fear, guilt and confusion.My hands trembled as I fastened my seatbelt. Neil was missing, and the weight of that reality felt like it could crush me.“Tell me exactly what happened,” Raymond demanded as he revved the engine, his knuckles white on the steering wheel.I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried to steady my voice. “When I got to the school, the caretaker said his father had picked him up about half an hour before.”Raymond’s eyes flickered toward me for a brief moment, his brow furrowed. “But I didn’t—”Suddenly, a cold chill ran down my spine as a terrifying realization hit me. My stomach clenched, and I felt bile rise in my throat. “It could have been… Thomas.” The words came out barely above
NoahRaymond tore open the letter with shaking hands. His jaw was tight with barely contained fury. He began to read aloud, his voice laced with anger.“Surprise! If you’ve found this, you must be looking for your dear son. Unfortunately, there are some rules you must follow if you ever want to see him again. Here is the first: DO NOT contact the authorities or any other powerful connections. I will know. You will find more clues as you continue your search. Warm regards, Thomas.”Raymond’s hands clenched around the letter, crumpling it into a ball. “That son of a—” His words cut off with a snarl as he slammed his fist into the wall.“Wait!” I hurriedly took the paper from his fist, smoothing it out with trembling fingers. “We can’t just destroy it. This is evidence. There could be clues in the text or something useful.”Raymond exhaled sharply, rubbing his forehead. “You’re right. Sorry.”I carefully laid the letter flat on the table, scanning the text. My heart raced as I reread Thom
NoahThe morning sun filtered through the blinds, casting pale streaks of light across the bedroom. I blinked awake, the weight of the previous day crashing down on me. Neil was still missing. I was meant to go to work today. We had to prepare for Mexico, but doubts gnawed at me. What if I was missing something crucial at work? What if Thomas had left more clues? And besides, I owed Grace an explanation. She was too good to be working for a man like Thomas.I got dressed quickly, my mind racing. Could this be a mistake? Could I really afford to waste time at work while Neil was out there somewhere, alone and scared? Still, something in my gut told me I needed to go. Maybe Thomas had left behind a clue in his office, or perhaps it was simply the need to tie up loose ends before heading to Mexico. Either way, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the right move.When I arrived at the office, everything seemed… normal. It was unsettling. People moved about as if nothing had happen
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—