“No, no,” Mrs. Simmons sputtered, her bravado cracking. “Just pay our debts, then. We can’t afford it. You can’t leave us like this. We’re family. Please Cole, we love you like our son.” Cole’s face was a mask of cold fury. “You should’ve thought about that before you spent money you didn’t have,”
Nicola Taylor"I can't believe you married into my insane life." Cole sounded almost upset, his tone heavy with frustration. He leaned back on the couch, rubbing his temples like he couldn’t quite shake off the mess that came with his past.Sitting beside him in our cozy living room, I tried to keep
Nicola TaylorThe backyard was a vision straight out of a fairy tale. The decorations sparkled under the warm afternoon sun, turning the space into a magical wonderland for Arabella’s birthday. Twinkling fairy lights wrapped around tree trunks and hung from branches, casting a gentle glow.Pastel-co
Nicola TaylorIt was 10 p.m. when Lucas and I found ourselves sitting in the den, the remnants of Arabella's birthday party still lingering in the air—the faint scent of cake, the soft flicker of lights. Cole stood a few feet away, pacing slightly, deep in thought. He had decided to hold off telling
Then, he whispered the name, as if the realization had just clawed its way into his mind. “Courtney.”My heart sank as I saw the raw pain flash in his eyes. He remembered her now. The love of his life, his high school sweetheart, the mother of his child. The woman who had left a gaping hole in his h
Nicola TaylorI hadn’t slept the whole night, too terrified of the conversation I was about to have with Cole. The knot of dread twisted tighter in my stomach with every thought. Pacing the kitchen, I clutched my coffee mug like it was the only thing anchoring me to reality. What was I going to say?
Nicola TaylorCole was watching me like I had sprouted a second head. "How do you know my mother?" he asked, completely perplexed. His eyes darted between me and the phone. "Wait—why are you crying so much?"I exhaled shakily, unable to answer, as tears streamed down my face. Ten agonizing minutes l
Without thinking, I threw myself into his arms, colliding with his bare chest. He caught me easily, his grip tightening around my waist in a way that felt a little too natural, like his hands had been there before and knew exactly how to hold me. His skin was warm against mine, and I could feel the