Noah
That night, beneath the Caribbean stars, Raymond and I finally gave in to the love that had been simmering between us. The sound of the ocean waves was our only witness as we moved together, slow and deliberate. Each touch ignited a fire within.
He took off his shirt, revealing his tanned, muscular torso. The moon and candle light accentuated the magnificent curvature of his six pack, chest and biceps. He took me in his arms and undressed me slowly. He savored every inch of my body with his intense hazel eyes.
In his charming Australian accent, he whispered, “You are so incredibly beautiful, my Noah.”
NoahSeeing Owen with my son made my heart race with anxiety. I hadn't expected to find him holding Neil so casually. Neil, on the other hand, looked delighted. He was oblivious to Owen’s significance in my life.I paced towards them. The atmosphere between Owen and me was thick with unease. But Neil’s innocence shone through.Neil beamed up at me, "Mom, I like this uncle. He’s my new friend! Look, he gave me this!" He held up a miniature airplane.I forced a smile, trying to hide my discomfort. "That's nice, sweetheart. But remember, don't leave when I ask you to stay, okay? I get worried.""Okay, mommy. I promise." He grinned, his little face lighti
OwenSince I learned the truth six years ago, I've lived with constant self-reprimand. Every day, I regret hurting the one who loved me most. I even killed Noah’s unborn baby by accident. She must have suffered extreme pain!Raymond had warned me to cherish Noah, but I abandoned her myself. How stupid! I've been so blind! I didn’t realize how much I loved Noah until I completely lost her.The day the hospital called me with the news that Josie had awakened, just after Noah had left Edendale with Raymond, I told them I was too busy to collect her.She arrived home in a taxi. When she saw me in the living room, she looked shocked.“Honey?! Y
OwenRaymond transferred me out of the head office to be the most ordinary employee as punishment. I accepted it without protest. I had to pay for what I had done. I tried to drown my remorse and pain through hard work, but I still couldn’t forgive myself.Since Noah left, I tried many ways to find her, but it was in vain. She must have been protected by Raymond so that no one could bother her. I imagined meeting her again many times, but I never expected that I would meet her son first.I was about to go abroad for a business trip when my flight was canceled. Deciding to head home, I noticed a cute boy alone at the airport. More importantly, his appearance caught my eye. He looked so much like Noah! I couldn&rsqu
NoahI was shocked by Owen’s words and subconsciously stopped in my tracks. For as long as I could remember, I had believed my mother was dead. My father, Bob, had told me that she died in childbirth. But now, Owen was suggesting she might be alive?“Owen, what are you talking about? Where did you get this news?” I demanded, my heart pounding in my chest.Owen took a deep breath. “After Raymond transferred me to a remote subsidiary as an ordinary employee, I decided to focus on my work to escape the pain and guilt. Over time, I got promoted to manager. During that time, I built a cooperation with a female client. After I assisted her for a few months, we became familiar with each other. She lost her cat one day, and I helped her find it.”I listened intently, my curiosity piqued. “Go on.”“The woman recently told me she had lost her daughter 31 years ago,” Owen continued.“Her ex-husband was a gambler and owed a lot of money. When she gave birth to their daughter, he refused to raise
NoahArriving back at the mansion in Edendale brought a flood of emotions. The last time I stood here, I was consumed by grief and loss. My heart was shattered by the miscarriage. But now, as I stepped out of the car with Neil, I felt a bittersweet blend of sadness and gratitude.The mansion looked just as grand and imposing as I remembered. But it no longer seemed daunting. Neil’s small hand in mine anchored me to the present, reminding me of the life and love I now had. He gazed up at the mansion with wide eyes.“This is where you used to live, Mommy?” Neil asked, his voice filled with awe.I nodded, my throat tight with emotion. “Yes, Neil. This was my home for a long time.”We walked towards the entrance, and I couldn’t help but glance at the garden where so many memories, both happy and painful, lingered. The roses were in full bloom. Their fragrance mingled with the crisp air. I took a deep breath, allowing the scent to soothe my nerves.Inside, the familiar warmth of the mansio
NoahI stood by the window, gazing at the woman who might be my mother. My heart was pounding in my chest. Suddenly, she turned around and her blue eyes met mine.In that instant, something deep and ancient stirred within me. It was as if I was being pulled back in time. To a place so distant, yet oddly familiar. The room around me faded. All I could see were those piercing blue eyes, so much like my own.Suddenly, I was somewhere else entirely. The world around me was blurry and unfocused. I could hear muffled voices. A shadowy figure leaned over me, her face coming into view. I saw a pair of blue eyes, brimming with love and warmth. "My beautiful baby girl," her voice whispered, soft and full of emotion. "I love you..."The voice was like a lullaby, soothing and familiar. I felt a warmth in my chest, a sense of belonging I had never known. The memory was fleeting, but it left a profound impression on me. It was as if a part of me, buried deep within, had been awakened. I snapped b
Noah“Who are you?” Evelyn’s words echoed through my mind. My heart pounded in my chest. Searching for the courage to speak, I considered my options. Should I deny it? Or should I tell her the truth? But… What was the truth? Was I even sure she was my mother?I looked into her eyes. They were exactly the same as my own. Even the way her brow creased into an inquisitive frown reminded me of myself. Deep down, I knew. She was my mother. I was her daughter. There was no doubt about it.“I… I believe I am your daughter,” I admitted, my voice trembling. “I’ve always been told my mother died in childbirth.” Tears welled up in her eyes as she continued to touch the birthmark, tracing its unique shape. “Noah,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “It’s you. You’re my daughter.”The room seemed to spin around me. I sank into the chair, overwhelmed by the revelation. Evelyn—my mother—pulled me into a gentle embrace, her tears mingling with mine. “I’ve looked for you for so long,” she sobbed. “I
RaymondNoah said she would visit her mother today and come back before 6 p.m. But now it was 7:30 p.m., and she still wasn’t home. I had been trying to call her, but her phone was powered off. I had a bad feeling about this. But I had to be there for my son. I made dinner for three, hoping Noah would come home soon.“Where’s mommy?” Neil asked over his plate of pasta. A worried frown contorted his sweet little face. “You said she’d be home for dinner, Daddy. Didn’t you?”“Don’t worry, my son. She’s with uncle Owen. She’ll be home soon,” I replied with a reassuring smile.When she still didn’t arrive after dinner, I got really worried. I reassured myself that she was with Owen. He would know what happened. I called him.“Hello, Owen,” I said, my voice tense as he answered. “Is Noah with you now?”“Noah? Didn’t she come home already? She left 2 hours ago,” Owen’s confusion was palpable. “Wait, I have a bad feeling about this... Raymond, we must find her!”Anger surged through me. I had
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—