The day after my conversation with William, I received a message from my publicist about an upcoming press conference. It was organized by the studio to promote the film, but they’d be opening the floor to any questions the press might have about the recent engagement between me and William or the scandal. Part of me dreaded the entire affair, but another part knew this was necessary. After everything that happened, it was crucial to show that I wasn’t hiding from the spotlight—or from the truth. I arrived early, the room already buzzing with reporters setting up their equipment and fans gathering outside, hoping for a glimpse of the cast. My eyes scanned the rows of chairs and the raised platform where we’d be seated, and I tried to calm my nerves.“Margarette!” My publicist, Tina, called from the corner, waving me over. “Quick, before the others get here. I want to go over a few things.”I nodded, grateful for her organization as she quickly briefed me on potential questions and r
A FEW WEEKS AFTER...The day began like any other, except for the excitement in Lucas’s eyes as he pulled me down the hallway."Mommy! Look!" he squealed, pointing to the plane tickets William held, smiling wide. “We’re going to the theme park!”My eyes widened, looking from Lucas to William, who simply shrugged with a mischievous grin. “Thought we all deserved a bit of fun,” he said. I couldn’t hold back a laugh, my surprise quickly turning to excitement. “Thank you, William. This is… beyond words.”The three of us boarded the plane, Lucas chattering nonstop as we took off. I could already feel a lightness, a sense of joy I hadn’t felt in so long. Lucas held my hand, eyes wide with wonder as we soared over the clouds. The theme park awaited, but the journey there felt like a gift all on its own.When we arrived, Lucas ran ahead, practically pulling us toward the entrance. We took in the vibrant sights and sounds of the park, the colorful lights reflecting in Lucas’s eyes as he marve
As we returned home from the theme park, life fell back into its usual ways, although there was an unmistakable change between William and me. We still had a long way to go, but that night on the balcony had laid a new beginning—one built on mutual hope and a shared desire for happiness, both for us and for Lucas. A few days passed in a blur of rehearsals and meetings, a routine I welcomed for its predictability. Lucas had returned to school, and I found myself back on set, diving into my work with a renewed sense of purpose. Despite the hectic schedule, William and I made time for each other in small, meaningful ways. He would bring me coffee in the morning, his smile a reminder of the warmth that had started to bloom between us.Sometimes, he would surprise Lucas with little notes in his lunchbox or pick him up after school, small gestures that showed just how much he wanted to be a father figure in Lucas’s life.One afternoon, William sent me a message just as I was wrapping up a
ONE YEAR LATERA year had passed since William and I had gotten engaged, and in that time, life had taken on a new glow, filled with moments that made me believe in happiness again. From the beginning, William never once tried to overshadow Leon’s place in my heart. He knew how deeply that history had shaped me, and he respected it in a way that felt both genuine and reassuring. He had his own unique way of loving me, and day by day, he proved himself, not only as a loving partner to me but as a devoted father figure to Lucas.With William, I had been given space to heal, to laugh, and to slowly open myself up again. Our relationship grew beautifully, with no rush or pressure—just a gentle unfolding of love. William had seamlessly integrated into our lives, creating a warmth around our home that Lucas noticed and enjoyed. Lucas had grown fond of him, and seeing them together brought me a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in years.One of the most defining moments that solidified my love a
The days had blurred into a peaceful routine since my engagement to William. It felt surreal to have reached this calm place in my life, a place of love and purpose, especially after the chaos of the past few years. Now, as I prepared to make my return to the screen, the excitement of a new project was tempered with a bittersweet feeling. This was the first role I’d take on without Leon’s support, but the unwavering encouragement I now had from William and Lucas gave me strength.The morning was quiet, sunlight streaming through the windows as I sat with my coffee, contemplating the script and mentally preparing myself for the whirlwind that would come with the film’s production. My thoughts were interrupted by a message from Jack, an old friend and one of the few people who had been around during the turbulent years of my civil case against Justin. He had texted, saying he’d be in town and wanted to stop by to catch up. I hadn’t seen him in a while, so I agreed, grateful for the ch
After Jack’s visit, my thoughts were tangled with memories and decisions I wasn’t prepared to face. He’d reminded me of everything I left behind in Anacortes—both the memories I wanted to preserve and the battles I was desperate to put to rest. Over the days that followed, the idea of returning grew stronger, no matter how much I tried to push it aside. I needed to settle things with Wilma’s meddling in those properties that were no longer owned by the Montefalcos and finally put an end to the loose threads Justin left behind.I was so undecided until, one afternoon, when Aunt Lou surprised me by stopping by for tea. I hadn’t seen her in person for weeks, and the familiarity of her presence brought an immediate sense of comfort. She looked at me, noticing the weight on my shoulders that I couldn’t seem to hide.“It’s written all over your face, Margarette,” she said, taking a sip from her mug. “I can tell something’s bothering you. Tell me all about it.”I hesitated at first, the wo
The following day, I began working on my purpose for coming back in Anacortes. And it was to met Jack in his office first thing in the morning. As I entered Jack’s office in Anacortes, a quiet tension settled over me. The familiarity of the space, the faint smell of leather and polished wood, triggered memories I’d long tried to leave behind. Jack stood from behind his desk when he saw me, his expression a mix of relief and seriousness that made my stomach tighten.I braced myself for whatever news he had; I already suspected it would be unpleasant.Jack’s face was tight, his brow creased with concern as he fiddled with a stack of papers. When he finally looked up, his expression was troubled.“Margarette, it’s good to see you. Please have a seat.” he greeted, extending a hand as I settled into the chair across from him.“You too, Jack,” I replied with a small, tight smile as I took in my seat. “Though, I have a feeling this isn’t going to be a pleasant conversation.”He gave a somber
A bright morning greeted me as I stepped outside, feeling the weight of my recent conversation with Jack begin to lift, at least for now. As for today, Lena happily accompanied me, eager as ever, her light-hearted demeanor a perfect contrast to my own tightly guarded thoughts. We decided to explore the town, visit some of the spots that held many memories. It felt strange, seeing Anacortes again in this light—as a place to simply enjoy. Two elite bodyguards accompanied us, blending discreetly into the surroundings, trained to remain inconspicuous yet alert. Their presence reminded me of the stakes, but I pushed that aside, hoping today would just be a simple day out.We started with a café in town, where I indulged in a strong coffee and Lena ordered a pastry that looked too delicate to eat. For a while, we just laughed, talking about her plans, her classes, and the people in her life. It was nice, grounding in a way I’d been missing since I came back.As lunchtime approached, Lena s