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
NoahHis father’s stern expression softened just a fraction. He nodded, a hint of approval in his eyes. “Very well. I needed to be sure.”I knew Raymond would do everything in his power to minimize any pain that might come my way. That’s why I answered so firmly when his father questioned me. I needed to show my resolve. To prove that my love for Raymond was real. That my dedication to our family was unwavering.Raymond looked startled, even frightened, by my declaration. His father's gaze remained unreadable. He stated that he had something to discuss with me alone. Raymond immediately protested. His protective instincts kicked in. I gently squeezed his hand, offering a reassuring smile.“It’s okay,” I whispered, hoping to ease his worry. “I’ll be fine.”Reluctantly, Raymond let go of my hand. His concern was evident in his eyes. I followed his father to the study. The room was dimly lit. Shelves lined with books and a large mahogany desk dominated the space. The air was thick with u