“I’m not free,” I state firmly, but Steph waves me off. “No, she’s kidding. She’s free. She’s just going to go home, watch television, and then maybe prepare for tomorrow.” She betrays me in a heartbeat as she happily tells the man I don’t want to marry my very boring schedule. I sigh inwardly,
Nicola Taylor “Alright, your car is fixed. No need to take it to a mechanic.” I sigh in relief as soon as I hear Cole’s words, knowing the car repairman would have charged me a lot. I turn around to see Cole entering my house all sweaty and greasy, making my cheeks heat up as my gaze betrays me as
Um that is big. "I showered while you were fixing my car," I mumble, my hands gripping his t-shirt, trying to steady myself against the onslaught of sensations. "Speaking of which, how are you going to pay me back for fixing your car?" he asks, his voice low and husky. I hiss as his teeth graze th
Nicola Taylor After dinner, as we cleared the plates and loaded them into the dishwasher, I couldn't help but feel a sense of companionship that was so rare for me. It was comforting having someone around, someone to talk to, share a meal with, and simply be present with. Cole's phone interrupted t
"Hello, Mr. Harrington, of course. It’s not a problem," I replied, trying to match his formality while inwardly hoping I wasn't making a fool of myself. Amelia then intervened, her tone carrying concern. "Your daughter is in her room and refuses to come out," she informed Cole as she invited us ins
Nicola Taylor "Miss Taylor," a small, timid voice broke through the quiet hum of conversation, prompting me to set my tea down. I smiled warmly as Arabella hurried over and enveloped me in a gentle hug. Her sweetness never failed to touch my heart, though I couldn't quite fathom why she held me i
"Is this a fucking joke?" I yell at Cole softly as soon as we step out of Arabella's room. "Language. She's sleeping," Cole replies just as softly, though a smile tugs at his lips. I punch him lightly in the arm, making him chuckle. “What are you up to?” I ask, exasperated, as he leads me through
Nicola Taylor “No, no, no,” I yell, covering my eyes as I step out of the bathroom, only to see Cole Harrington standing beside the bed, shirtless in just his joggers. “You cannot sleep shirtless around me. Are you trying to seduce me? Do you think this is how you get me to marry you?” I ask, movi
Nicola Taylor I sat in the car, gripping the steering wheel tightly, staring at the entrance of Cole’s office building. I felt utterly defeated. Six years ago, my life had crumbled in his absence. And now, here I was again, stuck in an endless loop, except this time, I wasn’t competing with the
Cole Harrington I watched Nicola walk off, her retreating figure stirring something uneasy in my chest. The weight of the day’s events pressed down on me like a storm cloud refusing to dissipate. I felt suffocated, torn between what was happening and what I was inadvertently doing to the woman I c
Nicola Taylor The weight of her words hit like a tidal wave. I felt my chest tighten as I realized what she’d sacrificed, and I could see the shift in Cole’s expression. The anger in his eyes dimmed, replaced by something closer to heartbreak. “And you just… agreed to that?” he asked, his voice b
“Because I knew you wouldn’t let me go,” she said simply. “You would’ve fought him, and he would’ve come after you too. After Arabella. I couldn’t risk it. I couldn’t let him hurt you the way he wanted to hurt me.” The three of us stood in silence, the weight of Courtney’s confession hanging heavy
Nicola Taylor Arabella went back inside, her small figure disappearing into the house with a frustrated sigh. The heavy front door creaked as it closed, leaving just the three of us standing in the cool morning air. Silence settled over the driveway, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves i
Nicola Taylor The night was a restless blur. Aaron’s small, trembling body pressed against mine as he cried himself to sleep, his tears soaking through my shirt. I stayed with him, stroking his hair and whispering soft reassurances until his breathing evened out. Even then, I couldn’t bring myself
Nicola Taylor As I sat on Emma’s worn but cozy couch, “I think I should head home now,” I said, breaking the comfortable silence between us. “I miss my kids, and I can’t keep running away. If I stay away much longer, Cole might do something drastic to track me down.” The thought made my stomach ch
Cole Harrington “Where is she?” my mom screamed, her voice cutting through the thick tension in the room as her glare landed on Courtney. Courtney shrank back, but she didn’t respond, her face pale and drawn. My mother had never been a fan of Courtney—not openly hostile, but certainly not warm. S
Nicola Taylor Her apartment was modest but surprisingly clean. A small living room with a sagging couch and mismatched furniture opened into a kitchenette. A door to the left likely led to her bedroom, and there was a pile of laundry in one corner. The faint smell of lavender hung in the air, mixi