Samara sat on the couch, a soft blanket draped over her lap, absently flipping through the pages of a book she wasn’t reading. The knock on the door made her pause. She glanced at the clock—Damien.She stood, her nerves prickling as she made her way to the door. Opening it, she was greeted by Frederick’s warm yet hesitant smile instead.“Hey,” he said softly, holding a small toy truck in his hand.“Frederick, i didn't know you were coming around.” Samara said, stepping aside to let him in. “And you didn’t have to bring anything.”He shrugged, walking into the living room. “I was in the area and decided to drop by." He handed her the toy, "It’s for Ethan. I figured he might like it.”Samara smiled faintly, appreciating the gesture. “He would. He’s asleep now, but I’ll make sure he gets it in the morning.”Frederick nodded, his gaze drifting toward a framed photo of Ethan on the mantle. “He’s growing so fast. Every time I see him, he’s bigger, smarter, more curious.”Samara sat down, g
Frederick’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Caroline, your mother has never been shy about voicing her opinions, but why now? What’s changed?”Caroline took a seat on the couch across from him, her tone softening. “She thinks it’s the best way to stabilize things—for Ella and for us. She’s worried about how things might look to the outside world. And honestly… I can’t say she’s wrong.”Frederick leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening. “So, she thinks rushing into marriage is the solution to everything?”“It’s not just about appearances, Frederick,” Caroline said, her eyes pleading. “It’s about giving Ella the stability she needs. Don’t you want that for her?”Frederick’s gaze softened at the mention of Ella. “Of course I do. But marriage isn’t something to be decided because of external pressure. It’s something we should want for ourselves, not just for others.”Caroline leaned forward, placing a hand on his knee. “I want this, Frederick. I want us to be a family, to raise Ella togethe
Frederick hesitated, searching for the right words. “It’s not about what you need to do, Caroline. It’s about us being honest with ourselves—and each other. We’ve been trying to force something that maybe… isn’t meant to be.”Caroline’s eyes widened, and for a moment, her calm facade cracked. “You don’t mean that,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “You can’t mean that.”“I don’t want to hurt you,” Frederick said gently. “But we can’t keep pretending everything is fine when it’s not. And your mother pushing for marriage—it’s just another layer of pressure we don’t need right now.”Caroline stared at him, her lips pressing into a thin line as tears welled in her eyes. “So that’s it? You’re giving up on us?”Frederick reached for her hand, but she pulled away. “I’m not giving up,” he said, his voice firm. “I’m saying we need to face the truth. Whatever that may be.”Caroline stood abruptly, her face hardening. “The truth? The truth is you’re still hung up on Samara. You can’t let her
As the door closed behind him, Samara turned to Damien, her eyes blazing. “What the hell was that, Damien?”“What was that?” Damien shot back. “You’re the one who invited him over. What were you thinking?”“I was thinking about Ethan,” she said, her voice rising. “Not that it’s any of your business.”Damien’s expression hardened, and he took a step closer. “It is my business, Samara. I am Ethan's father too, you need to decide where your loyalties lie.”Samara stared at him, her chest heaving with anger. “Maybe you should start by asking yourself the same question.”Without waiting for a response, she stormed off to her bedroom, leaving Damien standing alone in the living room, his fists clenched and his jaw tight.-----Damien paced the living room, still seething from the argument with Frederick and Samara. His hand trembled slightly as he picked up his phone and dialed Caroline’s number. It rang twice before she answered, her voice cautious but curious. “Damien, what’s going on?”
Later that evening, Samara sat on her bed, her emotions in turmoil. Caroline’s visit had left her feeling shaken and uncertain. She stared at her phone for a moment before finally dialing her sister Debrah’s number. It rang twice before Debrah picked up. “Samara!” Debrah’s cheerful voice came through. “Hey, what’s up? It’s been a while since you called me this late. Everything okay?” Samara sighed deeply. “Debrah, I don’t even know where to start. Everything feels like it’s spiraling out of control.” Debrah’s tone immediately shifted to concern. “What happened? Is it about Frederick?” “Yeah,” Samara admitted, her voice trembling. “There’s so much going on, Debrah. I don’t even know who to trust anymore.” “Start from the beginning,” Debrah said gently. “I’m here. Just talk to me.” Samara took a deep breath and began recounting everything. She told Debrah about Frederick’s visit earlier that day, their emotional conversation, and the kiss they’d shared. She confessed how c
A few days later, Samara and Damien sat together on the couch in the living room, the air between them was lighter than it had been in days, the weight of past conversations momentarily pushed aside.“Thanks for staying, Damien,” Samara said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ve been feeling... lost lately. It helps having someone to talk to.”Damien offered her a small smile. “I told you, I’ll always be here for you. Whatever you need.”She looked at him, her gaze softening. “You’ve been so patient with me. I don’t know how you do it.”He chuckled, leaning back. “You’re worth it, Samara. Even if you don’t see it yet, I do.”The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say. She looked down at her hands, trying to gather her thoughts.“I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said,” she admitted. “About us. About letting go of the past.”“And?” Damien asked, his voice gentle but hopeful.Samara sighed, lifting her gaze to meet his.
In the days that followed, Caroline moved through the house with a sense of triumph. She hummed softly to herself as she set the table for dinner. This dinner was special, as they were going to announce to her mother about their engagement.She quickly glanced toward the living room where Frederick sat, seemingly lost in thought. His agreement to marry her had filled her with a newfound confidence, and she was determined to ensure nothing disrupted their path forward.As the aroma of roasted chicken filled the air, Caroline adjusted the centerpiece on the dining table for the third time, ensuring everything was perfect. Tonight’s dinner wasn’t just about the engagement announcement—it was about solidifying her place in Frederick’s life and earning her mother’s approval.In the living room, Frederick sat in silence, staring at a framed photo of Ella on the mantle. His mind was miles away, replaying the scene of Samara and Damien’s kiss over and over. Though he had agreed to marry Carol
The next morning, Frederick stood on the balcony of his house, sipping his coffee as the sun rose. The fresh air did little to clear his mind, which was still tangled in memories of Samara and Damien. Their passionate kiss still haunted him.Caroline suddenly joined him, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind. “Good morning,” she said softly.“Morning,” he replied, his tone distant.She stepped beside him, placing a hand on his arm. "Dinner last night went perfectly, don't you think?"Frederick nodded, offering her a small smile. "Your mother seemed pleased."Caroline sighed, her expression softening. “Frederick, I know it’s not easy letting go of the past. But I’m here, and I’ll do everything I can to make this work. I promise, we're going to build something beautiful together.”He looked at her, the weight of her words pressing down on him. “I hope so, Caroline. For Ella’s sake, if nothing else.”Her smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. “It’s not just for
As Caroline stared blankly at the bubbling pot, her mind raced with possible solutions. She quickly grabbed her phone again, hesitating for only a second before scrolling to Damien’s number.Damien always knew how to handle delicate situations. If anyone could help her deal with Harry, it was him. She pressed the call button and brought the phone to her ear, her heartbeat pounding in sync with the dial tone.“Caroline,” Damien’s smooth voice answered on the third ring. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”She swallowed hard, glancing toward the dining room to ensure Frederick hadn’t wandered in. “Damien, I need your help. It’s urgent.”There was a pause on the other end before Damien replied, his tone calm but laced with curiosity. “What’s going on?”“It’s… Harry, Ella's biological father,” Caroline said, her voice barely above a whisper. “He’s threatening me.”Damien let out a low hum, his voice steady as he responded. “What kind of threats?”“The kind I can’t afford to ignore,” she admi
Frederick adjusted his cufflinks as he sat at the dining table, a pile of wedding brochures and planners spread out before him. The house was quiet except for the faint hum of classical music playing in the background. Caroline entered the room, her face alight with excitement, holding a glossy catalog in one hand and her phone in the other.“Frederick,” she said, her tone laced with enthusiasm. “You won’t believe the venue I just found. It’s perfect—absolutely perfect.”Frederick glanced up, offering a polite smile. “Another one? You’ve already shown me five ‘perfect’ venues this week, Caroline.”Caroline waved her hand dismissively. “No, no, this one is different. Imagine this—a sprawling vineyard estate, with an open-air ceremony under a canopy of wisteria, followed by a reception in the grand ballroom. It screams elegance and exclusivity.”Frederick leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “Sounds… elaborate. I thought we agreed to a simple wedding?”Caroline’s smile faltered f
Caroline's breath hitched as Harry’s declaration settled in the air like a storm cloud. His unwavering gaze bore into her, rekindling the unease she had worked so hard to suppress. “She doesn’t even know you,” Caroline said, her voice sharp and steady despite the turmoil in her chest. “You have no right to waltz back into my life and make demands.” Harry leaned back, his posture casual, but his eyes betrayed his intent. “I have every right. She’s my flesh and blood. I may have made mistakes in the past, but I’m here now.” Caroline crossed her arms tightly, her nails digging into her skin as she tried to maintain control. “Ella doesn’t need you, Harry. She has everything she needs—stability, a future. Don’t you dare try to disrupt that.” “Stability?” Harry scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. “With a man who doesn’t even know she's not his daughter? How long do you think you can keep that charade up, Caroline? Frederick’s no fool. Secrets like this don’t stay buried.” H
Caroline stepped into the house, her heels clicking against the polished wooden floor. She was still basking in the glow of her successful meeting with Damien, a triumphant smile tugging at her lips. Everything was falling into place—Frederick was hers, and Samara was out of the picture.The sound of clinking dishes drew her toward the kitchen. There, her mother, Eleanor, stood at the counter, slicing lemons with an air of quiet contemplation.“Mother,” Caroline said, setting her purse on the kitchen island. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”Eleanor turned, her expression unreadable. “Caroline, we need to talk.”The tone of her voice made Caroline pause. Her mother’s usual warmth was tinged with something heavier—concern? Dread? Caroline couldn’t quite place it.“What is it?” she asked, her brow furrowing.Eleanor set the knife down, wiping her hands on a dish towel before meeting Caroline’s gaze. “Harry’s back in town.”The name hit Caroline like a slap to the face. She felt the blo
Samara sat at a small table in a quiet café, nervously drumming her fingers against her cup of tea. Across from her, Frederick sat with his arm crossed, his coffee untouched. The air between them was heavy with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. She had finally found the courage to call him, but just to discuss co-parenting schedule for Ethan.“I appreciate you meeting me,” she began cautiously, her voice soft , breaking the awkward silence. Frederick nodded, his eyes flicking toward the window. “It’s important. Ethan's well-being has to come first, and we need to figure out a co-parenting schedule that works for both of us.”She sighed, pulling out a small notebook. “I was thinking we could alternate weeks. That way Ethan has time to adjust without feeling like he’s constantly being shuffled back and forth, and we both get equal time with him.”Frederick mulled it over, his expression unreadable. “That could work. I’ll make sure my schedule accommodates it, and make sure it's s
The next morning, Frederick stood on the balcony of his house, sipping his coffee as the sun rose. The fresh air did little to clear his mind, which was still tangled in memories of Samara and Damien. Their passionate kiss still haunted him.Caroline suddenly joined him, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind. “Good morning,” she said softly.“Morning,” he replied, his tone distant.She stepped beside him, placing a hand on his arm. "Dinner last night went perfectly, don't you think?"Frederick nodded, offering her a small smile. "Your mother seemed pleased."Caroline sighed, her expression softening. “Frederick, I know it’s not easy letting go of the past. But I’m here, and I’ll do everything I can to make this work. I promise, we're going to build something beautiful together.”He looked at her, the weight of her words pressing down on him. “I hope so, Caroline. For Ella’s sake, if nothing else.”Her smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. “It’s not just for
In the days that followed, Caroline moved through the house with a sense of triumph. She hummed softly to herself as she set the table for dinner. This dinner was special, as they were going to announce to her mother about their engagement.She quickly glanced toward the living room where Frederick sat, seemingly lost in thought. His agreement to marry her had filled her with a newfound confidence, and she was determined to ensure nothing disrupted their path forward.As the aroma of roasted chicken filled the air, Caroline adjusted the centerpiece on the dining table for the third time, ensuring everything was perfect. Tonight’s dinner wasn’t just about the engagement announcement—it was about solidifying her place in Frederick’s life and earning her mother’s approval.In the living room, Frederick sat in silence, staring at a framed photo of Ella on the mantle. His mind was miles away, replaying the scene of Samara and Damien’s kiss over and over. Though he had agreed to marry Carol
A few days later, Samara and Damien sat together on the couch in the living room, the air between them was lighter than it had been in days, the weight of past conversations momentarily pushed aside.“Thanks for staying, Damien,” Samara said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ve been feeling... lost lately. It helps having someone to talk to.”Damien offered her a small smile. “I told you, I’ll always be here for you. Whatever you need.”She looked at him, her gaze softening. “You’ve been so patient with me. I don’t know how you do it.”He chuckled, leaning back. “You’re worth it, Samara. Even if you don’t see it yet, I do.”The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say. She looked down at her hands, trying to gather her thoughts.“I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said,” she admitted. “About us. About letting go of the past.”“And?” Damien asked, his voice gentle but hopeful.Samara sighed, lifting her gaze to meet his.
Later that evening, Samara sat on her bed, her emotions in turmoil. Caroline’s visit had left her feeling shaken and uncertain. She stared at her phone for a moment before finally dialing her sister Debrah’s number. It rang twice before Debrah picked up. “Samara!” Debrah’s cheerful voice came through. “Hey, what’s up? It’s been a while since you called me this late. Everything okay?” Samara sighed deeply. “Debrah, I don’t even know where to start. Everything feels like it’s spiraling out of control.” Debrah’s tone immediately shifted to concern. “What happened? Is it about Frederick?” “Yeah,” Samara admitted, her voice trembling. “There’s so much going on, Debrah. I don’t even know who to trust anymore.” “Start from the beginning,” Debrah said gently. “I’m here. Just talk to me.” Samara took a deep breath and began recounting everything. She told Debrah about Frederick’s visit earlier that day, their emotional conversation, and the kiss they’d shared. She confessed how c