Valerie"What?" Mr. Johnson stood up in disbelief."I swear to god, that I have never been with anyone other than my wife for the past twenty-seven years," Mr. Johnson insisted, his voice trembling with emotion. I could see the fear in his eyes, the uncertainty as he faced down my father's rage.The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife, each word spoken dripping with accusation and disbelief. Mr. Johnson's declaration echoed in my ears, his voice desperate and pleading as he swore on the life of his daughter that he had never been unfaithful to his wife. But my father's anger burned bright, a wildfire consuming everything in its path as he stood, fists clenched at his sides, ready to strike out at the man before him.But my father was having none of it. "Don't you dare fucking lie!" he roared, his voice a thunderous boom that shook the walls of the room. I could feel the weight of his anger bearing down on me, threatening to suffocate me beneath its intensity."Lie
Valerie "I don't know her," he sighed. "I have no idea who she is and I swear on my daughter that I had never seen her." The tension in the room dissipated like a storm passing, leaving behind a sense of eerie calmness. Mr. Johnson's words echoed in my mind, his declaration of innocence a small ray of hope in the midst of chaos. I turned to look at my father, whose expression mirrored my own sense of relief, his shoulders slumping in defeat as he acknowledged the truth. "However," he paused as he took a good look at me. "I think I now understand why your father thinks that I'm the man your mother cheated with," Mr. Johnson continued, his voice tinged with resignation. I felt a surge of anger rise within me at his audacity, at the way he seemed to revel in the chaos he had caused. But I held my tongue, knowing that lashing out would only escalate the situation further. He pulled out his phone, his fingers moving with practiced ease as he searched for something. I watched him with
Valerie The weight of the truth settled over me like a suffocating blanket, pressing down on my chest and stealing the air from my lungs. As Mr. Johnson revealed the identity of my potential biological father, I felt a surge of conflicting emotions wash over me. Relief mingled with uncertainty, gratitude mixed with resentment, leaving me reeling in a whirlwind of confusion. "Please don't tell him about me," I pleaded, my voice trembling with emotion as tears glistened in my eyes. The thought of confronting my potential twin brother, of shattering the illusion of the family I had known for so long, filled me with a sense of dread I couldn't shake. I couldn't replace my father, not with a man who seemed to come with such a colorful and tumultuous history. The idea of losing the father-daughter bond we had fought so hard to revive filled me with a sense of despair I couldn't bear. My dad's and Mr. Johnson's eyes softened as they took in my tear-stained face, their expressions reflecti
Aiden The room was cast in shadows, the dim light filtering through the curtains giving the space an ethereal quality. I lay there, tangled in the sheets, still lost in the remnants of a dream that felt too real. Her words echoed in my mind, haunting me with their sweetness. "I love you," she had said. Her hazel eyes bore into mine, a depth of emotion that left me breathless. Her light brown hair spilled over the pillow, framing her delicate features. Her lips, red and puffy, begged for a connection, a taste of something more profound. I was buried deep inside her, our bodies entwined in a dance of passion. In that moment, it felt like the universe had conspired to bring us together. But then, the dream took a cruel turn. The hazel eyes that had held so much love transformed into cold, indifferent blue. The lips I had longed to kiss turned thin and unfamiliar. The woman beneath me was no longer the one who made my heart race, the one I craved with a desperate longing. Guilt and
Aiden I felt an instant relief when I saw Drew's name flashed on the screen, and I groaned inwardly. I had no desire to speak to that bastard. Ignoring the call, I let it ring until it finally stopped. But it wasn't long before it rang again, persistent and annoying. With a resigned sigh, I reluctantly answered. "Just hear me out before you turn me down," Drew's voice came through the line, urgent and rushed. I remained silent, not willing to give him any indication that I was willing to listen. "It's about Laura, her health," he continued, his words catching my attention despite my reluctance. I felt a knot form in my stomach. Laura's health had always been fragile, her heart condition a constant source of worry for those who cared about her, myself included. If anything were to upset her, it could have dire consequences. "The doctor has warned us countless times that any news that upsets her could land her back in the hospital," Drew explained, his tone heavy with concern. "But
Aiden I had reluctantly promised Drew that I would talk to Val, but deep down, I knew it was a promise I might not be able to keep. I had made the call but my call had gone straight to decline and I knew she had my number on the block. I did try for other phones and landlines but none of my calls were picked. Val was a force to be reckoned with, the polar opposite of Laura in so many ways. She didn't take nonsense from anyone and had a tendency to shoot straight, right between the eyes. That fierce independence was what made her special, and it was also what made confronting her such a daunting task. Despite the challenges, the thought of Laura's fragile health deteriorating due to the revelation of the truth scared me enough to muster the courage to face Val. I loved them both, and the internal conflict tore me apart every time Val crossed my mind. I had inflicted more pain upon her than Drew ever did. Those words I uttered in the club, dismissing her feelings and revealing the cru
Valerie As I stood there in the reception area, the weight of guilt pressed upon my heart like a relentless force. I was doing this for Laura and Val both. It wasn't just because of Laura that I was seeing her. "Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist asked, her voice snapping me back to the present moment. "No, I am her... boyfriend," I replied, the words feeling heavy and awkward as they left my lips. I could sense the smile on the receptionist's face falter slightly at my response. She didn't look much pleased at all. "Give me a second," she said, her tone shifting slightly as she reached for the phone and dialed a number. While she engaged in hushed conversation, I stood there awkwardly, my gaze drifting toward the entrance to the inner offices where Val's workspace resided. "Sir, why don't you sit down? Someone will be with you shortly. Ms. Caulfield is currently with a client," the receptionist informed me, her tone now tinged with a hint of reservation. Oblivious t
Valerie As I sat there in the upscale cafe, occupying a window seat with a view of the bustling street outside, I couldn't shake off the heavy weight of regret that hung over me like a dark cloud. This wasn't just any cafe; it was the kind where reservations were made months in advance, where the ambiance was refined, and where money spoke volumes. But none of that mattered to me in that moment. All I wanted was a chance to speak to Val, to make things right between us, or at least to let her know about Laura's condition. I glanced around the cafe, taking in the elegant decor and the laughter of diners enjoying their meals. A young couple passed by the window, their laughter and easy camaraderie reminding me of happier times with Val. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to indulge in memories of our short-lived happiness, of the moments when we were truly content in each other's company. But those moments were fleeting, replaced once again by the heavy burden of guilt that weighed