NoahI was frightened by Raymond’s words. My heart pounded as I tried to process his sudden proposal. He knelt there, holding a stunning diamond ring that sparkled under the hospital lights. The world seemed to blur around me. “Raymond, I... I need some time to consider this,” I said with an unsteady voice.Raymond noticed my hesitation and the worry etched on my face. He gently rose to his feet, his eyes never leaving mine. “Noah, I love you more than anything. My feelings for you have only grown stronger. I want to be here for you and our baby. Please, believe in my sincerity,” he said. His words touched me deeply. My heart wavered. Could I give us a chance? I wondered silently.Raymond carefully helped me to sit up, treating me as if I were fragile porcelain. “You’re not alone in this, Noah. I want to take care of you,” he said, his tone soft yet determined.Raymond was understanding and told me to take as long as I needed. But he insisted on cohabitation. He was worried about me l
NoahI woke up to loud noises outside. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I rushed over to the bathroom to throw up. I couldn't wait for this nausea to be over… What in the world was going on outside?It sounded like hundreds of voices shouting in the distance. I quickly got dressed in a simple yet chic outfit: a cream blouse, tailored black trousers, an elegant cashmere turtleneck sweater and a pair of comfortable boots.I walked outside to see what was going on. At the end of the long driveway, a crowd had gathered at Raymond’s gate. Cameras were flashing incessantly. The harsh winter air bit at my cheeks as I stepped out. What were all those people doing here?Within seconds, Raymond app
NoahWhen I got married to Owen, I quit my job to focus on my life with him. But now, I had to find a way to support myself and my baby.Raymond was a billionaire, but I couldn't rely on him. I needed to ensure I had my own income. I had learnt that lesson the hard way. I couldn’t count on a husband to provide for me - you never know what might happen.I sat on the terrace overlooking the lake, contemplating my options. Raymond joined me, bringing a warm cup of tea."I've been thinking about finding a job," I said, looking out at the water. "I need to make sure I have enough money to raise our baby."Raymond nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I understand. What are yo
NoahI sat across from Ava in the quaint café. The warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods filled the air. Despite the comforting setting, my mind was miles away.Ava’s words from earlier still echoed in my ears. I found it hard to focus. Ava noticed my distraction. She paused mid-sentence and looked at me intently."Noah, is something bothering you?" she asked.I snapped back to reality, trying to muster a smile. "No, I’m just... tired, I guess."Ava leaned forward, her eyes piercing through me. "I’ve seen the newspapers and magazines, you know. I know who you are. I know Raymond has someone else in his heart."
NoahI avoided Raymond as much as possible in the big mansion. The vast hallways and numerous rooms made it easy to keep my distance. Although I should probably talk to him about Ava, I felt too nervous and insecure.What if he only married me out of obligation? What if he told me he would choose Ava over me?I decided to go shopping for pregnancy clothes. Trying on different outfits would be a good distraction from my troubled thoughts.In the fitting room of a luxury boutique, I slipped into a soft, flowy, sky blue dress. The color matched my eyes. It accentuated my growing belly. The fabric was light and airy, perfect for the warm spring and summer days ahead.Anoth
NoahThe morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. I stretched and slowly got out of bed, ready to face another day.Today, I had an appointment with a new client for my jewelry design business. It felt good to have a purpose and something to focus on besides my confusing feelings about Raymond and Ava.Ava’s words still lingered in my mind. How long had Raymond known her? If he was aware of her intentions, why hadn’t he told me? Raymond was my baby’s father and my husband. But our marriage felt like a temporary arrangement. Was I keeping him from finding true love?Hundreds of questions gnawed at me, making me anxious and restless. I decided I needed to talk to Raymond tonight. I couldn’t keep all these doubts bottled up inside me.After a quick breakfast, I dressed in a simple yet elegant outfit. My new light blue dress accentuated my growing belly. I brushed my hair into loose waves and added a touch of makeup to highlight my features. Feeling
RaymondSeveral days ago, I got a call from my father, the previous owner of Elite Vision Enterprises. He had left the business to me when he retired. Despite his age, he was still a powerful and impressive man. I respected him and was slightly intimidated by him. I grew up in Australia with my mother, so he and I were never very close. We discussed business, but kept private matters to ourselves.“Hello, Father. It’s good to hear from you. How is retirement in the Maldives?” I answered the phone."Raymond, hi. It’s lovely here. But I’m planning a trip home soon,” he replied.“Oh, great. I look forward to seeing you again,” I said. He didn’t contact me often - I was curious to hear the reason for his call.“I have an interesting proposition for you, Raymond. The Davis family wants to arrange a business marriage. They’re a rich and powerful family. Being tied to them would be great for our company. You’ve been single for so long now. It’s about time you settled down,” he said. “You’re
NoahRaymond's words shocked me. His father knew about our marriage. My mind raced. What should I do? I turned to Raymond, who was sitting on the edge of my bed. It was late at night, but his words got me wide awake. I asked, my voice barely a whisper, “How does he know?”Raymond hesitated. His eyes locked with mine for a brief moment before he spoke. He explained that his father wanted him to marry Ava Davis to secure a business alliance. Raymond had no choice but to confess our love. It was the only way to refuse the marriage.He reached for my hand, his grip warm and reassuring. “I’m sorry, Noah. I had to tell him. I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Not with anyone else. Please, forgive me.”I didn’t know how to respond. A part of me was upset, but another part was relieved. I couldn’t deny that I had grown to care deeply for Raymond. Maybe I was even in love with him. The realization made my heart race. I nodded slowly, “I understand. I think… I think I lo
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—