Once they're ready, we hurry back to the lobby and check out of the hotel. I glance around, half-expecting to see someone watching us, but I can't sense any immediate threat. We hail a taxi and head to the airport.The taxi comes to a halt at the entrance of the airport, and we hastily step out onto the curb. My heart races as I look around frantically. The cool breeze blows through my hair, and I shiver despite the warmth of the sun."Mommy, why are you so agitated?" Evan asks, tugging at my hand. His big eyes were filled with concern. "Is it because of the man at the wedding? Are we in danger? Do you know Mr. George?"His question catches me off guard and irritates me further. It is all because of his adventurous mind that we are in trouble."Who asked you to leave the hotel without informing me?" I scold him. "You could have fallen into danger. And you, little girl." I turn my sharp glare at Barbe. "Why didn’t you tell me? Do you enjoy troubling your mother?"Barbe pouts, her eyes
I am even more taken aback when I hear him plead with me. I will never make the same mistake of putting my faith in him, and going back to him is not an option. Using all my strength, I pull my arm back and level the glare with him."I am not going to fall into your trap again," I snarl. "So, stop fooling me and leave me alone."I try to walk away, only to be pulled back to him. George towers over me, and his piercing eyes seem to bore into my very soul. I can feel his gaze lingering on me, making my skin crawl with discomfort."Do you think you can get away from me?" he asks menacingly. "Take a look around you, sweetheart."I glance around with apprehension. It is only at this point that I notice several men in black suits stationed here and there in the terminal. I am sure his men are also inside the airport.I feel a wave of despair washes over me, threatening to consume me whole. My thoughts are a jumble of fear and uncertainty.George is right. I can’t escape him, no matter how h
I have been watching Evan and Barbe play in the garden, which is when a familiar voice from the hall catches my attention."George… Where are you hiding? Come out right away.""Grandma!" My eyebrows crease slightly. Hearing her angry roar, I can tell how furious she is.Of course, she will be mad at me. I did something today that would anger everyone in the family. But what could I do other than cancel the wedding?I had yet to let go of Vivian’s memory, even though I couldn’t find her all those years. Still, I believed that I would find her out someday. That belief, however, started to waver as time passed, and Megan continued to urge me to marry her. So, I thought I should move on and start over with Megan. Deep down, I yearned for Vivian.How could I just marry Megan when Vivian appeared in front of me? This time, she brought two kids—my kids. I could never let her go. I will do anything to keep them by my side."George… Do you think you can hide from me after what you did?" Grandm
Several days later…The news of George leaving his bride on the altar and canceling the wedding has sent shockwaves through social media, and it seems like everyone is talking about it. Entertainment magazines are having a field day, speculating about the reasons behind his decision and painting elaborate scenarios of what might have driven him to leave his bride-to-be high and dry.But I am not interested. I have better things to do than waste my time on gossip and hearsay. My focus is on my work, and I need to keep my mind sharp and focused in order to meet the deadlines looming ahead of me.I don’t care what people have been saying about George or Megan. All I am looking for is the right moment to get away from here. Until then, I will keep my focus on my work.I take a deep breath and try to concentrate on the task at hand, but my mind keeps wandering back to the news that has captured everyone's attention. I can't understand why people are so fascinated by the personal lives of c
I came to meet my parents at their house, where I had spent my childhood.Standing in front of my childhood home, a mixture of nostalgia and apprehension fills me. The house, once a haven of comfort and security, seems to carry the weight of time itself. It's a silent witness to the joys and sorrows that have shaped my life.Taking each step slowly, I approach the familiar structure. The memories from my past rush to greet me like long-lost friends. The laughter of my childhood, the tears shed in times of distress—they all come flooding back, washing over me in waves of emotions.The once-lush greenery of the courtyard has given way to a tangled mess of weeds and overgrown grass, a testament to the passage of time. The wooden fence that once marked the boundaries of my world now shows the effects of weather and age.I can almost feel the texture of the wood under my fingers as I recall the countless times I leaned against it, lost in my thoughts. Time has cast its spell on everything
Mom walks over to the door, her eyes never leaving me."Our grandchildren… Evan and Barbe." Dad pulls Evan and Barbe in front of my mom, joy evident on his face.It is only at this point that Mom looks away from me and glances down at the kids. She grins through her tears. The joy in her eyes is evident as she kneels and envelopes them in a warm embrace."You two are absolutely adorable," she murmurs, her voice thick with emotion."Mom…" My voice is a fragile thread, an apology that holds years of remorse within it.She looks up, her eyes connecting with mine, a mixture of emotions swirling within them. "Vivian, you have children!" The surprise and hurt are evident in her tone. "You didn’t let us know about them all those years," she complains."I am sorry," I can only apologize, guilt overwhelming me. The tears in her eyes are a mirror of my own emotions."Aren't you going to invite them inside, Clara?" Dad chimes in. "They must be tired and hungry. Come inside, kiddos. We will sit,
I'm stuck in a living nightmare. My children and I are being kidnapped by a group of masked men, and I'm powerless to stop it. We've been dragged out of the house and thrown into the backseat of a black car.My hands and legs are tied, and a rag has been stuffed into my mouth to silence me. I can't even comfort my children, who are cowering in fear beside me.As I look around, I can see that we're surrounded by darkness. The windows are tinted, blocking out any light from outside. The only illumination comes from a small overhead lamp, casting eerie shadows on the interior of the car. It feels like we're in a tomb, trapped and helpless.My heart breaks as I watch my children tremble with fear. Evan and Barbe cling to each other, their eyes wide with terror. I try to reassure them with a gentle nod, hoping they'll sense my love and support despite our dire situation. They lean into me, seeking refuge in my embrace, and I do my best to comfort them, my own fear and panic threatening to
Relief floods through me, washing away the fear and hopelessness that have threatened to consume me. My lips part, ready to form words of gratitude, but they remain stuck, unable to voice the emotions swirling inside me."Don't worry, Vivian... I'm here. I'll get you out of this," he says, his voice filled with conviction. My heart leaps with joy, my spirit lifts, and a newfound courage takes hold of me.At this moment, everything changes. A glimmer of hope appears as the darkness fades. My children's grasp on me loosens, their faces brightening with renewed trust. They believe in George, and so do I. Together, we will overcome this ordeal, emerging stronger and more united than ever before.I feel a surge of energy coursing through my veins. My limbs regain their strength, my senses heighten, and my resolve solidifies. I straighten my back, squaring my shoulders.The cement may have imprisoned us, but it cannot break our spirits. We will rise above it, triumphant and resilient.Georg