Laura “What will happen now?” I asked my husband when he and I were about to go to sleep that night. The day with the family had been incredible after Annie's return; we had been talking, playing board games, we saw a movie in the cinema right there at home, we went to dinner, and now everyone was
Annie “Your mom and I think you need to take a few days off,” my dad said. “Your teachers are aware of what is happening; they even advised you to take time for yourself. For me, we could go on a family trip; how about that? They say Venice is very beautiful at this time of year.” He was smiling a
Annie Mom and Dad left my room after our conversation; they had daily chores to do. I also needed to go to school. Mom offered me a ride and said that before I finished getting ready, I should go and meet her downstairs as she was waiting for me to take me to school. When I was alone, I unboxed m
Laura I was hugging my daughter and wishing her a great day back to school. “You heard what I said, right? Anything you need, don't hesitate to call me or your dad,” I told her while stroking her hair. She nodded. “Okay, mom. I’ll call you anything,” she replied with a smile. I left a warm kiss
I still remembered when I started working with my old partner, the late Richard Carter, and then I met that whole team and I also met her, so she got to know my daughter from that time when Annie was still a baby. Her concern was understandable because years had passed and despite everything that ha
Annie As soon as we arrived at the school door, my Mom gave me a hug so nice that it made me lose the desire to leave her. “Have a great day at school, my dear,” she said. “Anything you need, don’t hesitate to call me or your dad, and we’ll come running, okay?” She held my face with her hands, lo
Annie “We waited for you, Annie,” Abby said in a sullen voice. At that moment, she, Caleb and I were sitting on benches in the school yard. Classes hadn't started yet that day, and even if they did, I wouldn't be able to concentrate on the activities without talking to those two first. I mean, wh
Laura “Excuse me, Mrs. Davies. You have a call,” Zoey, my secretary, said on the other end of the intercom. “Really?” I asked in surprise. “Send it to me, please.” “Alright,” the girl replied. It was almost the end of work that day; in a little while I was leaving the office to go home. Annie h
As we walked, I thought about what Abby had said. It wasn't Caleb who mattered; it was the betrayal of a friendship I thought would last forever. The pain of losing that trust was still fresh, and perhaps that was why I didn't want to think about Caleb at all. But at the same time, there was a part
Annie POV I watched my parents' car drive away with a sense of sadness; part of me wanted to go with them and give up on everything, but I was also excited to start a new life at Oxwell. The sound of the engine fading into the distance seemed to carry away a piece of my childhood, leaving me with a
Jason POV We were in the Oxwell campus parking lot, giving our final hugs before heading back home. Annie was practically engulfed in our embrace, hugging us tightly and saying she would miss us, even though she knew she could come home every weekend. Her hug was a mix of farewell and beginning, so
Jason POV "Look here, boys, this is the central courtyard where your mom and I spent many afternoons studying for exams," I said, my voice echoing with nostalgic pride as I showed Stephen and Daniel around the Oxwell campus. "And that building over there, that's where I had my first economics class
Annie POV When I saw Abby walking into the dorm, I recoiled, all the happiness of that day cooling instantly. So Abby would be the girl to take the third room? My mother and Abby's mother went to have a private conversation, leaving us girls alone. Abby and I stared at each other impassively, with
Laura POV After helping Annie arrange her new room, we went together to help Summer as well. The flat was starting to feel like a home, full of personality and expectations. We finished up and sat in the living room while I waited for Jason and the twins to return. Summer, with her natural enthusi
Laura POV The next morning, the sun was shining brightly as Jason and I prepared the car to take Annie and Summer to the campus of Oxwell University. The air was thick with a mix of excitement and nostalgia. It was an immense pleasure for both of us to accompany our first daughter on the same path
Annie POV After dinner, Summer and I returned to my room. Night was falling, and a fresh sense of expectation seemed to settle in with the darkness. The lamp next to my bed gave the room a soft, almost magical glow. "Let's do a skincare session before we go to bed?" Summer suggested, already getti
Annie POV We were called for dinner, and as we went downstairs, I found my parents in the dining room with the twins. "Sit here next to me, Summer," Daniel invited with a little smirk, patting the chair beside him. "No, sit next to me; it's better, beautiful," Stephen also invited her, making poo