The morning light spilled across the cottage floor, warming the wooden planks and bathing the room in a golden glow. I sat at the kitchen table, a steaming mug of coffee in my hands, watching the sun rise over the grove of trees outside. The smell of freshly baked muffins wafted from the oven, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, I felt at peace.Lucas’s laughter carried from the living room, where he and William were busy constructing a makeshift fort from blankets and chairs. Their bond had strengthened over the past few weeks, and seeing them together filled me with a bittersweet mixture of relief and longing.Relief that Lucas was happy again. Longing for the kind of connection William and I had once shared.“Mommy!” Lucas’s voice rang out, pulling me from my thoughts. He peeked around the corner, his face flushed with excitement. “Come see our fort! Daddy William says it’s the best one yet!”I set down my mug and followed him into the living room, where William st
The air in Vancouver had grown crisp, the kind of chill that hinted at the coming winter. William, Lucas, and I had settled into a comfortable rhythm over the past weeks, rediscovering what it meant to be a family. There was still tension at times, unspoken questions and lingering wounds, but for the most part, we were healing.Today, we decided to take Lucas to a park near the bustling city center. It was one of those sprawling urban green spaces, with wide paths for walking, a sparkling lake with ducks, and a playground teeming with children. Lucas had been ecstatic about the idea, and his excitement was contagious.“Mommy, watch me!” Lucas called, his voice brimming with joy as he climbed the ladder of a play structure. He waved enthusiastically before sliding down, his laughter filling the crisp autumn air.William chuckled beside me. “He’s got your energy.”“Or your determination,” I replied with a small smile, watching Lucas dart toward the swings.As Lucas played, William and I
A few days had passed since that unsettling encounter at the park. Life had returned to a semblance of normalcy, but the sight of Richard and Sarah had left an indelible mark on my thoughts. William, ever protective, had brushed it off as a coincidence, but deep down, I knew it was more.I tried to distract myself with routine tasks, one of which brought me to the local supermarket late in the afternoon. Lucas was at home with William, and I had planned to grab a few groceries before heading back. The fluorescent lights of the store buzzed softly overhead as I wandered through the aisles, mindlessly adding items to my cart.Turning a corner, I stopped abruptly.There he was—Richard.He was standing in the produce section, examining a bundle of kale with the kind of intensity one might reserve for life-or-death decisions. For a moment, I considered backing away before he noticed me, but it was too late.His gaze lifted, and our eyes met.“Margarette,” he said, his voice low and steady.
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains as I stood in the kitchen, preparing Lucas’s favorite breakfast. William had already left early for an urgent business trip, his goodbye kiss a fleeting moment before he disappeared out the door.“I’ll only be gone for three days,” he had reassured me. “But if anything comes up, call me immediately.”“Don’t worry,” I had replied, mustering a smile. “Lucas and I will be fine.”Now, as I watched Lucas happily munch on his pancakes, his little legs swinging beneath the table, I felt a pang of longing for the normalcy of William’s presence. But Lucas’s giggles quickly distracted me.“Mama, can we go to the park later?” he asked, his big, hopeful eyes lighting up his cherubic face.“Maybe,” I said, ruffling his hair. “Let’s see how the day goes.”By mid-afternoon, however, something was clearly wrong.Lucas, who had been running around the living room playing with his toy cars, suddenly sat down, clutching his stomach.“Mama, I don’t feel
I recline my body serenely on the plush bed. My garments lay discarded on the floor.As I stood there unclothed, my skin adorned with a multitude of passionate imprints of his. My legs felt slightly slick, a lingering reminder of the passion we had just shared.My ebony locks cascaded gracefully down my small frame, exuding an air of elegance and sophistication. All for his eyes. Although I appeared calm and composed, being in his presence still brings me nothing but a tingling thrill."What's the matter, Marga?"A firm grip enveloped my delicate waist from behind. His calloused fingers caressed my skin as he skillfully reached down.I simply adored it when Justin affectionately referred to me by that nickname of mine, especially when he whispered it gently in my ear. It seemed incredibly captivating, causing ny heart to skip a beat. Justin's eyes fluttered open, taking in the sight of my body. Yet, his hands continued to move without pause. He was filled with an irresistible allure.
I had initially graduated with a degree in acting. After I tied the knot with Justin Montefalco, I have decided to let go of my dreams of pursuing a career in the entertainment industry.Additionally, possessing an air of innocence and irresistible charm, I've already heard that I was the object of desire for many in the entertainment industry. But of course, Justin preferred to keep his possessions out of the reach of others which was why I couldn't be able to pursue it.And since now that they were ending this marriage, there was no need for him to be so spiteful."Alright, once the divorce is finalized, I'll make sure Hector helps you get in the industry much easier," Justin said, assuring me. "With your exceptional talents, it won't be long before you achieve widespread recognition as an actress, my little rabbit." Justin Montefalco's voice exuded a touch of frostiness.He was determined to go through with it. Meanwhile, it left me torn between conflicting emotions.I couldn't be
Justin hurried his footsteps outside just as after he saw from the screen that it was Regina calling. Cautiously avoiding letting me hear whatever conversation they would have. Of course, I pretended I didn’t know it was her. Following their conversation, Justin returned and promptly headed towards the walk-in closet adjacent to our bed to get some new clothes.“Who called you just now?” I asked, pretending I was not aware it was Regina.Anyone would easily say that I look so pathetic given how I actually tried to act like it’s fine when it’s not.“There is something I need to see at the office.” Justin replied.“In this early morning?” I asked with a soft grin on my face.He was such a pretty bad liar. But even as a bad liar, I found myself always swayed by his figure that was just extremely perfect. His broad shoulders and his narrow waist. The muscles on Justin’s body were just the right amount, and he exuded sexiness. His extremely handsome appearance made him the dream lover o
It was impossible for Doctor Lou to contain her shock. My parents were her teachers. Since the time that they had passed away, Doctor Lou had received very little information regarding me.Surprisingly, upon our unexpected reunion, I found myself in the midst of marriage and pregnancy. To complicate matters further, I now had to approach her with a delicate request - to keep my impending pregnancy a secret.She asked, “Why?”“I intend to retain custody of this child even though I am divorcing my husband. I refuse to entrust this child to my husband or anyone else.” I let Doctor Lou delicately place her hand on my stomach, her eyes brimming with the tenderness of a shared motherhood."You naive young thing. It is not solely your responsibility to care for the child. Furthermore, your husband is obligated to accept responsibility of the child too. Are you aware of how challenging it can be for a woman to lead a child after she has been divorced?” Doctor Lou's heart was filled with sorr
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains as I stood in the kitchen, preparing Lucas’s favorite breakfast. William had already left early for an urgent business trip, his goodbye kiss a fleeting moment before he disappeared out the door.“I’ll only be gone for three days,” he had reassured me. “But if anything comes up, call me immediately.”“Don’t worry,” I had replied, mustering a smile. “Lucas and I will be fine.”Now, as I watched Lucas happily munch on his pancakes, his little legs swinging beneath the table, I felt a pang of longing for the normalcy of William’s presence. But Lucas’s giggles quickly distracted me.“Mama, can we go to the park later?” he asked, his big, hopeful eyes lighting up his cherubic face.“Maybe,” I said, ruffling his hair. “Let’s see how the day goes.”By mid-afternoon, however, something was clearly wrong.Lucas, who had been running around the living room playing with his toy cars, suddenly sat down, clutching his stomach.“Mama, I don’t feel
A few days had passed since that unsettling encounter at the park. Life had returned to a semblance of normalcy, but the sight of Richard and Sarah had left an indelible mark on my thoughts. William, ever protective, had brushed it off as a coincidence, but deep down, I knew it was more.I tried to distract myself with routine tasks, one of which brought me to the local supermarket late in the afternoon. Lucas was at home with William, and I had planned to grab a few groceries before heading back. The fluorescent lights of the store buzzed softly overhead as I wandered through the aisles, mindlessly adding items to my cart.Turning a corner, I stopped abruptly.There he was—Richard.He was standing in the produce section, examining a bundle of kale with the kind of intensity one might reserve for life-or-death decisions. For a moment, I considered backing away before he noticed me, but it was too late.His gaze lifted, and our eyes met.“Margarette,” he said, his voice low and steady.
The air in Vancouver had grown crisp, the kind of chill that hinted at the coming winter. William, Lucas, and I had settled into a comfortable rhythm over the past weeks, rediscovering what it meant to be a family. There was still tension at times, unspoken questions and lingering wounds, but for the most part, we were healing.Today, we decided to take Lucas to a park near the bustling city center. It was one of those sprawling urban green spaces, with wide paths for walking, a sparkling lake with ducks, and a playground teeming with children. Lucas had been ecstatic about the idea, and his excitement was contagious.“Mommy, watch me!” Lucas called, his voice brimming with joy as he climbed the ladder of a play structure. He waved enthusiastically before sliding down, his laughter filling the crisp autumn air.William chuckled beside me. “He’s got your energy.”“Or your determination,” I replied with a small smile, watching Lucas dart toward the swings.As Lucas played, William and I
The morning light spilled across the cottage floor, warming the wooden planks and bathing the room in a golden glow. I sat at the kitchen table, a steaming mug of coffee in my hands, watching the sun rise over the grove of trees outside. The smell of freshly baked muffins wafted from the oven, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, I felt at peace.Lucas’s laughter carried from the living room, where he and William were busy constructing a makeshift fort from blankets and chairs. Their bond had strengthened over the past few weeks, and seeing them together filled me with a bittersweet mixture of relief and longing.Relief that Lucas was happy again. Longing for the kind of connection William and I had once shared.“Mommy!” Lucas’s voice rang out, pulling me from my thoughts. He peeked around the corner, his face flushed with excitement. “Come see our fort! Daddy William says it’s the best one yet!”I set down my mug and followed him into the living room, where William st
I stayed in William’s arms for what felt like forever, the warmth of his embrace slowly thawing the coldness I had built around my heart. His steady heartbeat against my ear was a quiet reminder of all the moments we had shared, the trust we had once built, and the love that still lingered between us despite the pain and misunderstanding.When I finally pulled away, I wiped my tears, feeling a mix of vulnerability and relief. William’s hand lingered on my shoulder, his thumb brushing lightly against my skin.“Margarette,” he began softly, “I’ll spend as long as it takes to rebuild what we’ve lost. But I need to know…do you think we can try again? Not just for Lucas, but for us?”I met his gaze, and for the first time in weeks, I let myself really look at him—not through the lens of doubt or fear, but with the eyes of the woman who had fallen in love with him in the first place. He looked tired, but his expression was open and raw, filled with an honesty I couldn’t ignore.“I don’t kno
The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the Vancouver skyline in hues of orange and pink. The warmth of the day lingered in the air, but my thoughts felt as cold as a winter wind. I sat in the living room, absently watching Lucas build a tower with his wooden blocks. His little giggles filled the room, but my heart was heavy with the burden of unresolved emotions.Aunt Lou was in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared tea. The tranquility of the scene was disrupted by the buzzing of my phone. My heart sank when I saw the name flashing on the screen: William.I stared at the phone, debating whether to answer, but ultimately let it go to voicemail. I had made it clear I needed time. Yet, a part of me wondered if I was avoiding him not because of anger, but because of fear—fear that his explanation might force me to confront the possibility that I’d been wrong.The next morning, as sunlight streamed through the kitchen windows, Aunt Lou set down two steaming mugs of coffee and sat
The following day dawned with a heaviness that I couldn’t shake. Aunt Lou’s advice lingered in my mind like a persistent whisper: Start with yourself. But how could I, when the weight of everything felt so unbearable?I stood in the kitchen, idly stirring a pot of oatmeal for Lucas. He sat at the table, coloring a picture of what he proudly told me was “Mommy and me at the park.” His innocent smile tugged at my heart, reminding me that no matter how chaotic my life felt, Lucas deserved a mother who was present and strong.As the oatmeal bubbled, Aunt Lou appeared in the doorway, holding a newspaper in one hand and her ever-present mug of tea in the other.“Good morning, dear,” she said, setting the paper on the counter. “How are you feeling today?”“Same as yesterday,” I admitted, sighing. “Confused, tired, unsure about everything.”She nodded knowingly. “It’s a process, Margarette. You’re doing the best you can, and that’s all anyone can ask.”Lucas looked up from his drawing. “Mommy
The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of Aunt Lou’s cozy living room, casting soft patterns across the wooden floors. I sat cross-legged on the couch, a mug of tea warming my hands. Across from me, Aunt Lou watched me intently, her eyes full of concern and patience.“It’s been days, Margarette,” she said softly, breaking the silence. “You’ve barely talked about what’s going on.”I sighed, staring into the swirling tea. “There’s not much to say,” I murmured, though the knot in my chest told a different story. “I saw William with that woman, Aunt Lou. She was fixing his tie, laughing like they shared some private joke. And William... he didn’t even look guilty.”Aunt Lou leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “But did you hear his explanation? Maybe it wasn’t what it looked like.”I shook my head. “I left before he could say anything. And now, the more I think about it, the more I feel like no explanation would change how I felt in that moment. My gut tells me so
The evening air was heavy with the scent of cedar as I stepped into my house in Anacortes. The soft yellow glow of the lamps couldn’t ease the turmoil inside me. My hands trembled as I closed the door behind me, my heart still racing from everything I’d witnessed earlier at William’s office.“Lena?” I called out, my voice wavering as I made my way down the hallway.“In here!” came her cheerful reply from the living room.When I stepped inside, Lena was lounging on the couch, her laptop balanced on her knees. She looked up at me, her face immediately clouding with concern.“What’s wrong?” she asked, setting her laptop aside and standing.I didn’t have the energy to answer her question directly. Instead, I blurted out, “I need your help packing.”Lena’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Packing? For what?”“I’ve booked a flight to Vancouver tomorrow morning,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “We’re going home.”Lena stared at me, wide-eyed. “Wait, what? Home? Why? What’s going on?