Samara’s resolve felt a little stronger as she finally allowed herself to close her eyes. The weight of the day hadn’t entirely lifted, but Debrah’s words provided a flicker of clarity in the chaos. She needed to stop letting others’ expectations and manipulations shape her decisions.Ethan’s face, etched with innocence and joy, floated into her mind. He was her anchor, her purpose, the one pure thing in all of this mess. She would protect him fiercely—even if it meant standing alone against the storm brewing around her.But as much as she wanted peace, sleep eluded her. Thoughts of Damien, Frederick, and Caroline tangled together, forming a knot of unease in her chest. Debrah’s pointed question lingered too: What’s your plan with Damien?Samara had been dodging the answer. Maybe because deep down, she already knew what it was—she just wasn’t ready to face it.Her phone buzzed again, jolting her upright. The screen illuminated with a message from Damien.Damien: I meant what I said ea
Samara shook her head, trying to dispel the lingering “what ifs.” Dwelling on the past wouldn’t change the reality she now faced. Ethan deserved her full focus, and she couldn’t afford to let her unresolved feelings for Frederick—or the growing cracks in her relationship with Damien—cloud her judgment.Her phone buzzed again. This time, it wasn’t Damien.Debrah: How’s it going? Thought I’d check in after our chat last night. You okay?Samara let out a bitter laugh. Debrah always had a knack for reaching out at just the right—or wrong—moment.Samara: I’ve had better mornings. Frederick just left. Things are… complicated.The reply came almost instantly.Debrah: Complicated doesn’t even begin to describe your life right now. Call me when you’re ready to vent. I’m here.Samara smiled faintly, grateful for her sister’s unwavering support, even when she felt entirely untethered.Her gaze drifted to the table, where her phone displayed Damien’s unanswered text. She hesitated, torn between c
The soldiers came late in the day, grim and unwavering. Everyone had expected them, but their appearances, led by a cold-eyed colonel who has been a terror in the community, was still shocking. The men of the house went out to meet them, while the daughters and their mother stayed back and watched with fear.Samara glanced through the kitchen window with panic. Rafael her brother, lurked just outside the door. He caught her eye and made an urgent gesture, she must hide. She nodded to him, but didn’t budge. She wanted to see everything.“To what do I owe this honor?” Her Father spoke, feigning a smile.The colonel looked at him spitefully, “This is not a pleasant visit”.Samara could see her Father tremble at the colonel’s voice. She felt bad. She has brought this upon her family with her uncouth attitude towards the officers earlier in the day when she had gone to pick oranges. Samara was on her way home when she had heard a sound come in on the wind, voices and a soft mewling. Unab
If he had been asked, Colonel Frederick Smyth could have put his hand on his heart and sworn that he had never met anyone as ravishingly beautiful as Samara Noel. She was beauty personified, from her pretty face, with a bright calling eyes, her well sculpted pointy nose, broad high temple, high cheek bones, curvy luscious lips, and piano keys-like dentition, to her curvy body and very smooth light skin. She was perfection.As a child, Frederick was not a good looking boy. He was chubby, and had a huge round stomach. He was always bullied by his mate. When he became a teenager, he had lost some weight, but his face was filled with acne. He was still taunted and mocked by both boys and girls of his age. No one wanted to be friends with him. Frederick felt so inferior among his mates, that he swore he was going to find a way to measure up, and even get better than them. When an opportunity to join the army came, he grabbed it. He needed so bad to excel at something. And so he did. Frede
NEVER… NEVER… NEVER…Samara kept screaming in her head as she returned home after meeting with the Colonel. She had heard many awful things about the Colonel, but after today she was sure they forgot to mention that he was also a Mad Man. If not, then how on earth did he think of making such a proposal? Or the worst that he expected that she would accept? “Why are you talking to yourself?” Samara looked up to see who had spoken to her. She was totally lost in her thoughts that she didn’t realize she was not alone. A young handsome man stood before her, and she was caught aback for few seconds. He looked like a model, with thick dark brown hair and vivid eyes; Samara remembered thinking that a man with a face like his should be short, just to keep the scales balanced. Instead he was tall and had a casual masculine grace that could draw any feminine eye to him. His looks were wholly masculine. “Why are you talking to me?” She asked after regaining her composure and giving him a good
“Do you even know what effect you’re having on me right now?”Damien said as he leaned in and gently caressed Samara’s lips with his. The softness of her lips took him by surprise. Samara looked up at him with her beautiful eyes, not moving away as her lips parted slightly, inviting him. The touch of their lips kindled something in him as he fully claimed hers and sunk into a deep kiss. The kiss lasted longer than he intended, but he couldn’t pull himself away. Instead he pulled her close, and she willingly gave herself to him. His hands began to slip beneath her dress, feeling the warmth of her bare skin, at this point they were both breathing hard, as he could feel her body trembling as his hands moved higher under her dress, slowly lifting it up, revealing her body to his eager eyes.“Damien! Your breakfast is getting cold”. His mother’s voice from the living room woke him up.Damien opened his eyes, stunned by his dream. His heart was still pounding, as he remained on the bed reel
If Damien Kesley could make a wish, he would wish that the clock spin backwards to when he met her. A shiver rolled through him, rattling the spikes along his spine as he pictured her face. She is a natural beauty, with her shiny jet black hair and killer figure, her softly upturned nose and stunning hazel eyes. But it’s not just her looks. She has a sharp wit too, beauty and brain.Damien shook his head in disbelief as he sat by a tree just by the same spot he had met her yesterday. If he had ever been told that he would be this anxious just to meet a woman again, he would have doubted it. Under normal circumstances, this shouldn't bother him, he was the one who usually had such effect on people and not the other way round. This time though it was different, she was different.Tall, dark and handsome, Damien Kesley was the type of man that got ladies drooling. He has never put effort into getting or wooing a woman. They all came to him themselves. But she was different. The beautifu
As Samara Noel walked down the aisle arm in arm with her father, she struggled not to breakdown in tears. She looked very beautiful with her hair arranged in an elaborate style on top of her head, and her immaculate white wedding gown swished almost silently on the carpet aisle.The whole setting was breathtaking and close to perfect. It was like something cut out of her romance novels. The church was beautifully decorated with red and white roses. Her younger sister Callista was busy sprinkling some of the rose petals on the aisle, while her bridesmaid stood with huge smiles on their faces, looking gorgeous in their flowing scarlet knee length dresses.Samara tried to mirror their smiles, but found herself crying instead, as the tears she fought to hold back slipped down her eyes silently. Everything was perfect except for the man she was getting married to. Colonel Frederick Smyth was the last man on earth she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. She thought as she finally let
Samara shook her head, trying to dispel the lingering “what ifs.” Dwelling on the past wouldn’t change the reality she now faced. Ethan deserved her full focus, and she couldn’t afford to let her unresolved feelings for Frederick—or the growing cracks in her relationship with Damien—cloud her judgment.Her phone buzzed again. This time, it wasn’t Damien.Debrah: How’s it going? Thought I’d check in after our chat last night. You okay?Samara let out a bitter laugh. Debrah always had a knack for reaching out at just the right—or wrong—moment.Samara: I’ve had better mornings. Frederick just left. Things are… complicated.The reply came almost instantly.Debrah: Complicated doesn’t even begin to describe your life right now. Call me when you’re ready to vent. I’m here.Samara smiled faintly, grateful for her sister’s unwavering support, even when she felt entirely untethered.Her gaze drifted to the table, where her phone displayed Damien’s unanswered text. She hesitated, torn between c
Samara’s resolve felt a little stronger as she finally allowed herself to close her eyes. The weight of the day hadn’t entirely lifted, but Debrah’s words provided a flicker of clarity in the chaos. She needed to stop letting others’ expectations and manipulations shape her decisions.Ethan’s face, etched with innocence and joy, floated into her mind. He was her anchor, her purpose, the one pure thing in all of this mess. She would protect him fiercely—even if it meant standing alone against the storm brewing around her.But as much as she wanted peace, sleep eluded her. Thoughts of Damien, Frederick, and Caroline tangled together, forming a knot of unease in her chest. Debrah’s pointed question lingered too: What’s your plan with Damien?Samara had been dodging the answer. Maybe because deep down, she already knew what it was—she just wasn’t ready to face it.Her phone buzzed again, jolting her upright. The screen illuminated with a message from Damien.Damien: I meant what I said ea
At home, Samara sank onto the couch, her head in her hands. Her phone buzzed on the table, and she hesitated before picking it up.Caroline: I hope you took my advice to heart. Frederick and I are stronger than ever, and I’d hate for anything—or anyone—to come between that.Samara stared at the message, her grip tightening around the phone. Caroline’s words echoed in her mind, stirring a mixture of anger, frustration, and something she didn’t want to admit—doubt.Her fingers tightened around the phone, her frustration boiling over. For the first time, she allowed herself to feel the full weight of the tangled mess her life had become.Samara stared at the message, Caroline’s words echoed in her mind, stirring a mixture of anger, frustration, and something she didn’t want to admit—doubt.Her jaw clenched as she dropped the phone onto the couch and stood, pacing the small living room. The audacity of Caroline to send such a message infuriated her. It wasn’t just the words—it was the thi
The next day, sunlight streamed through the hospital window, its warmth doing little to ease the chill in Samara’s chest. She sat by Ethan’s bedside, watching him stir awake with a weak but comforting smile.“Good morning, sweetheart,” she whispered, brushing his hair back.Ethan’s small hand reached out, and she held it gently. “Mama’s here,” she reassured him.A knock at the door broke the moment. Samara turned, expecting Damien or a nurse, but instead, Caroline walked in, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor.Samara tensed. “Caroline. I wasn’t expecting you.”Caroline offered a polite smile, but her eyes gleamed with a sharpness that made Samara uneasy. “Good morning, Samara. I hope I’m not intruding.”Samara gestured vaguely. “It’s fine. Is Frederick with you?”“No, he’s at work,” Caroline replied, moving closer. Her gaze flickered briefly to Ethan before settling on Samara. “I thought I’d stop by and see how Ethan is doing.”“He’s stable,” Samara answered cautiously.
The tension in the air lingered long after Damien left the room, his footsteps echoing down the corridor. Samara stood frozen, tears blurring her vision as she looked at Ethan, who was now peacefully asleep.Her mind raced, replaying the events of the night. Damien’s words, Frederick’s hurt expression, and Ethan’s fragile smile all swirled together in a maelstrom of emotions. She sank into the chair beside Ethan’s bed, resting her head in her hands, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.A soft knock at the door startled her, and she quickly wiped her tears. Frederick stood there, hesitant but resolute.“Can I come in?” he asked softly.She nodded, her voice barely audible. “Of course.”Frederick stepped inside, his gaze immediately drawn to Ethan. His face softened, a blend of awe and heartbreak etched into his features. He pulled up a chair and sat beside her, the silence between them heavy but not unwelcome.“I’m sorry for earlier,” Frederick began, his voice quiet. “I didn’t mean
The hours after Ethan’s transfusion stretched on, filled with tense silences and fleeting moments of fragile hope. Samara sat beside Ethan’s hospital bed, watching him sleep, the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest the only reassurance she had. Damien stood by the window, his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the cityscape outside, though his mind was elsewhere.Frederick’s words echoed in Samara’s head: He’s my son. The finality of the statement rattled her, each syllable hammering into her heart with unrelenting force. She had spent years building a life with Damien, but this moment had shattered the illusion that their life was complete.Her eyes flit to Frederick, who sat silently across the hallway. He leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, as his gaze meet hers through the glass.Ethan stir in the bed and soft whimper broke the heavy silence. Samara instantly leaned over him, her voice gentle. “Hey, sweetheart. Mommy’s here.”Ethan blinked up at her, his small hand reaching fo
Samara’s hands trembled as she fumbled for her phone. Damien’s words echoed in her ears, each syllable slicing through her already frazzled mind. Frederick? After all this time? She hadn’t spoken to him in years, not since she had chosen to move forward with Damien.“Samara, we don’t have time,” Damien urged, his voice strained. His usual calm demeanor had been replaced with sheer desperation.She nodded, her fingers unsteady as she dialed the number she had sworn never to call again. The ringing felt endless, each tone heightening her anxiety.Finally, a familiar voice answered. “Samara?”Her breath caught. Hearing Frederick’s voice after so long sent an unwelcome pang through her chest. “Frederick,” she managed, her voice breaking. “I… I need your help. It’s my son, Ethan. He’s in the hospital. They say neither Damien nor I are a match for a blood transfusion. You… you might be.”There was silence on the other end of the line, and for a moment, she thought he might hang up. Then his
Two Years LaterThe morning sun filtered through the drapes of the room, casting a golden glow on Samara as she stood before the mirror in her bridal gown. She turned slightly, smoothing the lace sleeves and adjusting the delicate veil cascading down her back. Her heart swelled with a mix of excitement and nerves—today was the day she’d officially start a new chapter with Damien, the man who had been her rock for the past two years.In the adjoining room, Damien fussed with his tie, a rare grin lighting up his face. He glanced at the reflection in the mirror and chuckled softly to himself. The past two years had been a whirlwind—but today he finally gets what he wanted, everything felt perfect."Samara," he called out, stepping into the room where she stood. "You look breathtaking. Are you ready to finally make this official?"She turned, her smile radiant. “I’ve been ready, Damien. Let’s do this.”Their moment was interrupted by the patter of small feet. Their two-year-old son, Ethan,
Damien nodded, pulling her into his arms, offering her a safe space to release the emotions that had been building up inside her. She allowed herself to cry, feeling the catharsis of finally letting go of the past and the heartbreak that had accompanied it. Damien held her, his presence steady and reassuring.After a while, they moved inside, and he guided her to sit down with him on the couch. “You’ve been through so much, Samara. And now that it’s all out in the open, maybe… maybe it’s time to focus on building something new. For you, for the baby.”She looked at him, wiping her tears. “It feels surreal, letting go of something I held onto so tightly. I thought Frederick would be the one by my side through all of this, but… I guess life has its own plans.”Damien brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. “Sometimes, what we need isn’t what we think it is. I’ll be here for you, however you need me. I know we’ve both made mistakes, but I’m ready to be there for you and our baby if y