Nora's eyes widened in surprise and joy. "What? That's incredible news!" she exclaimed, putting down her coffee and hugging Veronica tightly. "Congratulations, Ronnie! This is amazing!"Veronica smiled, her eyes shimmering with happiness and a touch of apprehension. "Thank you, Nora. It's a whirlwind of emotions right now. But I'm excited."Nora pulled back and looked at her friend, her enthusiasm bubbling. "A baby! You're going to be an amazing mom, Veronica."Veronica laughed, "Well, let's hope so. It's a whole new adventure.""You'll do wonderfully," Nora reassured her, feeling a surge of happiness for her friend. "And now we'll have our little ones growing up together."Veronica nodded a soft smile on her face. "Yes, that's pretty amazing. Two best friends and now future moms together."As they sipped their coffee and chatted about the exciting times ahead, Nora's heart felt lighter. Veronica's initial joy gave way to a sombre expression, her eyes clouding over with a mix of emoti
Nora was momentarily transfixed to the floor, caught off guard by Sebastian's unexpected appearance. The atmosphere grew slightly awkward as he stood at the doorway, unable to enter without her invitation."What are you doing here?" Nora finally managed to ask, finding her voice amidst the surprise and confusion."I've been trying to reach you, Nora. I just came into town and couldn't leave without seeing you," Sebastian explained, his concern evident in his words."Sebastian, if I've been avoiding your calls, it's clear I'm not ready to speak to you," Nora stated calmly, her voice steady and composed, revealing her determination to set boundaries."Nora, I don't understand you. Why are you avoiding me? You've avoided me for the past five years, and I admit I should have asked before showing up. But can we at least talk?" Sebastian asked. Nora looked at Sebastian and said no. Sebastian turned on his heels and walked away.Nora went back to the couch, picked up her tablet, and put it d
Nora could feel Alexander's gaze on her as she entered the sitting room. She knew her choice of outfit had made an impression. With confident strides, she approached the door, expecting Greg's arrival.As she swung the door open, her anticipation was met with the sight of Greg. His eyes widened in appreciation as they fell upon her. The midnight-blue dress clung to her curves in all the right places, highlighting her hourglass figure. Nora greeted Greg with a warm smile, welcoming him into her home.Immediately they walked into the sitting room, Nora turned drew Greg into her arms and hugged him tightly. She felt his body tense and he immediately relaxed and hugged her. Nora released Greg and turned to Alexander, "This is Greg, a friend of mine", she tried gauging his emotions but he simply kept a straight Face. "Greg this is Alexander, my ex-husband. Alexander got up from his seat and Nora didn't know what would happen next. As Alexander rose from his seat, Nora braced herself for a
Nora could sense the urgency in her mother's demeanour. "Mom, what's going on?" she asked, worry etching her voice. Her mom hesitated, then finally spoke, "It's your dad."Alarmed, Nora rushed to her parents' room. There, she found her father lying on the bed. "Dad, what happened?" she asked, her voice full of concern. Her father weakly explained, "I fell from the ladder while trying to put up some items at the shop."Tears welled up in Nora's eyes. "How did this happen?" she questioned, her heart sinking. Her father, wincing in pain, responded, "It's the pain, dear. My hip has been bothering me for some time. While I was on the ladder, the pain intensified, and I lost my balance." The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on Nora as she tried to comfort her father in distress. Nora was both shocked and worried. "Dad, we need to get you to the hospital," she said urgently, her mind racing with what needed to be done. She glanced at her mom, who looked equally concerned. They helpe
When she got to the hospital, Nora went straight to her father's room and his bed was empty. Nora sat right there on the floor and tears rolled down her cheeks. She felt a sting pain in her chest, she could not believe her dad was dead. She walked out to the corridor. Nora's tears continued to flow as her mother found her in the hospital corridor. She held her sleeping daughter close to her chest and struggled to speak. "How did it happen?" Nora choked out between sobs, her mind racing with dark thoughts.Her mother, realizing the misunderstanding, gently comforted her daughter. "Your dad is alive," she said, her voice wavering but filled with relief, "he's being prepped for surgery. I thought he was gone too when I first saw the empty bed, but he's getting the help he needs."Nora's fear began to subside as the weight of dread was lifted off her shoulders. She nodded, tears still glistening in her eyes, and held her mother close."But Mom," Nora said, her voice trembling, "why is he
"I wanted to see you," Alexander replied with a charming smile, "I thought these might brighten your day."The roses were undeniably lovely, their vibrant red petals an exquisite contrast to the awkwardness of the situation. Nora hesitated, torn between politeness and the impending date with Greg. She managed a weak smile and accepted the bouquet, trying to find the right words."I appreciate the gesture, Alexander," Nora said, "but I'm actually in the middle of something important right now. I have a prior engagement."Alexander's smile wavered slightly, and he glanced past Nora as if searching for clues to her earlier excitement. "Oh, I see. I didn't realize you had plans. Maybe another time, then?"Nora nodded, her heart heavy with the complication of the situation. "Yes, another time would be better. I'll call you."With that, she closed the door, the bouquet of roses now a reminder of the tangled threads of her personal life. Nora took a deep breath, pushing her mixed emotions as
Nora had a lot on her mind as she put Graycen to bed. Her thoughts were jumbled, and she couldn't help but think about the recent encounter with Alexander and the unusual restraint he had shown. She was relieved that things hadn't escalated.Her thoughts then drifted to a birthday party she and Alexander had attended together, along with Greg's friend Sebastian. He had walked out with a redhead with big boobs that were almost spilling out of her clothes. When he came back and saw her talking and laughing with his friend Sebastian. He had gotten jealous and had thrown a glass against the wall, shattering it, and leaving her taken aback.Nora couldn't help but be impressed by Alexander's unexpectedly calm demeanour when he encountered her having a date with Greg. It was a stark contrast to the fiery temper she had witnessed in the past. This change in behaviour left her intrigued and relieved that there might be a new understanding between them.The male figure approached Greg's car and
Alexander replied, his gaze steady, "I understand why you might think that, but no, it's not about buying forgiveness. I genuinely want to make amends and be there for Nora and Graycen. The surgery was the right thing to do, and I'm not expecting anything in return. I'm well aware of the mistakes I've made in the past."Nora's father studied Alexander's face for a moment, assessing the sincerity in his words. After a pause, he nodded, "Well, actions speak louder than words. Time will tell."Nora's mom got up, "deserts anyone?", Amanda asked in a bid to release the tension in the room. "Let me help you get it", Nora said as she got up and followed her mother to the kitchen. "Mom why is Dad making everything weird", Nora asked as she brought out the cake knife. "Your father is right in asking him questions. He can't just waltz in here like nothing happened, hoping to pick up from where he left off", Amanda stated. The conversation shifted back to lighter topics, and they all continue
Before Nora's wedding, Nora had followed Greg to New York to see his family. Nora could see that they were really happy to finally meet her. One afternoon, she decided to spend time with Veronica, who was staying at her parents' home. As they sipped on glasses of apple juice, Nora expressed disbelief, "I can't believe they put you on bed rest."Veronica, reclining on the couch with her feet up, sighed, "Hmm, it's best to be safe than sorry. I can't wait to hold my baby in my arms." Suddenly, Veronica screamed, causing Nora to jump. "Are you okay?" Nora asked, hastily setting the glass down.Veronica, a mix of excitement and panic on her face, managed to say, "Call my mom, Nora. My water just broke."Nora's heart lurched in her chest as Veronica's panicked cry echoed through the room. The calm afternoon chat was shattered, replaced by a sudden urgency. Springing into action, Nora grabbed her phone and dialled Veronica's mother's number."Mom! It's Nora," she said, her voice trembling
Nora felt a rush of emotions. She hadn't expected this, and the genuine love in Greg's eyes overwhelmed her. "Yes, Greg, a thousand times yes," she replied with tears of joy in her eyes. Greg slid the ring onto her finger, and they sealed the moment with a tender kiss.Nora and Greg spent the rest of the night enjoying each other's body. Greg was such a passionate and creative lover. Later in the night, he brought in a bowl of ice cream, by the time they were done, Nora knew she would always blush anytime she thought of ice cream. The things they did, Greg licked the ice cream off her nipples and Nora heard herself moaning his name out loud. Early in the morning at about five in the morning, Nora was driving back to her parent's home. She didn't want Graycen waking up to her absence. As she turned the steering wheel, her eyes rested briefly on her ring. It was so beautiful, so exquisite. Greg had great taste.Nora remembered how she had mailed Alexander's ring back to him after the
In the hushed atmosphere of the doctor's office, Alexander and Nora found themselves ensconced in an uneasy quiet. The ticking of the clock echoed with the rhythm of their anxious hearts as they awaited the revelation that would connect the threads of their lives to an unseen benefactorThe sterile walls, adorned with medical charts and diplomas, seemed to amplify the gravity of the situation. Nora's fingers absentmindedly traced patterns on the armrest of her chair, a nervous habit that betrayed the storm of emotions brewing within her. Alexander, ever the stoic figure, sat beside her, his eyes fixated on the door as if willing it to open and unveil the secret they had been yearning to unravel.The doctor, a composed figure in a white coat, entered the room. Her demeanour carried a blend of empathy and professionalism, a delicate balance that bespoke her years of dealing with the intricacies of life and death. She explained the procedure they were about to undergo, the potential outco
The sterile walls of the doctor's office seemed to shrink as Nora and Alexander sat, anticipation hanging heavy in the air. An hour had passed since the doctor's cryptic message, each tick of the clock stretching into an eternity. Finally, the doctor entered, her face unreadable."I have some news," she began, her voice a low hum in the tense silence. "We have a match."Nora's breath hitched. "A match?" she choked out, disbelieving."Yes," the doctor confirmed, a hint of a smile gracing her lips. "We had several potential donors come forward, and we've found a perfect match for your bone marrow transplant, Mr. Steele."Tears welled up in Nora's eyes, blurring the doctor's features. The dam within her broke, and a torrent of emotions cascaded down her cheeks. Relief, joy, disbelief - they all warred within her, leaving her speechless. Alexander, his hand clasped tightly in hers, squeezed gently, a silent echo of the storm raging within him.The doctor reached out, offering a tissue box
The door creaked open, revealing Alexander lying pale against the sterile white sheets. An IV drip snaked its way up his arm, the rhythmic drip-drop the only sound in the otherwise hushed room. Relief washed over Nora like a tidal wave, momentarily erasing the frantic worry that had clawed at her insides all morning. He was alive.Hesitantly, she approached the bedside, her eyes scanning his face for any sign of pain. His features were relaxed, seemingly lost in sleep. But the dark circles beneath his eyes and the pallor of his skin spoke of a battle fought. Tears welled up in Nora's eyes, blurring the image before her.Suddenly, a nurse in crisp blue scrubs appeared at the doorway. "Doctor Thompson would like to see you in her office."Nora nodded, wiping her tears with a shaky hand. She needed answers. What had happened? Was he going to be okay? Following the nurse, her every step echoed with unspoken questions.Doctor Thompson, a woman with kind eyes and a reassuring smile, gesture
Unfortunately, you are not a bone marrow match for Alexander."Nora's heart juddered to a halt, the doctor's words echoing in the sterile void. Her vision blurred, and a choked gasp escaped her lips. Alexander's hand, warm and comforting, found hers, but it did little to soothe the storm raging within. Disappointment, fear, and a flicker of something she couldn't quite place – a cocktail of emotions churned in her stomach, leaving a metallic taste on her tongue.The doctor's voice continued, offering options, hope, but Nora was lost in the world of her own thoughts. Every word blurred into a distant hum, her focus solely on the image of Graycen, small and innocent, asleep in her bed. A pang of unbearable pain tore through Nora's chest, the fear for her daughter's future suffocating.Alexander's nudge brought her back to reality . "Let's go," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. Stepping outside, the chill of the night air barely registered against the cold fear gripping her hea
One week after Nora found out about Alexander's health condition her mind was constantly worried. Alexander was carrying on as if everything was right with the world, he spent every afternoon with his daughter and sometimes Nora would tag along on their little outings. They hadn't discussed the status of their relationship yet and Nora wasn't ready for that talk yet. That was why when Alexander invited her to be his date at an event she found it awkward and difficult to say no to him. As they sat in the back seat of Alexander's Rolls Royce, neither of them spoke to each other. Nora looked exquisite and she knew it, she was wearing one of the designs from her fashion line. It was a pale blue one-shoulder Grecian gown and the pearly bejewelled headpiece she had on matched the bejewelled belt that cinched the gown in at the waist showing off her hourglass shape. John Mason, a renowned hotelier, had just unveiled his five-star masterpiece, and the crème de la crème of New York City were
Alexander's words, calm on the surface but laced with desperation, hung heavy in the air. "I just... I didn't know how to tell you," he stammered, his gaze flickering between Nora and the envelope on the table.Nora's voice, laced with a tremor she couldn't control, cut through the silence. "Didn't know how to tell me you have leukaemia?" she echoed, the words raw and sharp. "But how could you do this, Alexander? How could you keep such a thing from me?"Nora was in a state of shock and so was Veronica. After calling and telling Nora what was written on the test result, she picked up her phone and went through the result again. From the result, Alexander just had a few months left. Veronica shook her head at the futility of life, she couldn't believe that Alexander was sick. The Alexander that used to physically and emotionally abuse Nora wasn't immortal after all. Tears welled up in Nora's eyes, blurring the vision of the envelope clutched in her hand. The medical jargon swam before
Nora couldn't sleep that night. She kept turning in bed, feeling anxious. Each time she called Alexander, he didn't pick up, making her worry even more. Why did he take their daughter to the hospital without telling her?Graycen's innocent words, "Dad took me to the hospital," kept replaying in her mind, making her angrier. She imagined scary scenes of needles and hospital rooms, making her more upset.Underneath her anger, a deeper fear crept in. What if something was seriously wrong with Graycen, and Alexander wasn't telling her? This thought scared her even more, and the quietness in her house made everything heavier.Miles away, Alexander was in a hospital bed, surrounded by machines. He was in a deep sleep because of the medicines, and his body was undergoing a treatment Nora knew nothing about. The machines beeped softly, creating a contrast to the chaos in Nora's heart.As the night went on, Nora's face showed the pain she felt. The questions, fear, and silence became suffocati