Bernice I sighed, rubbing my temples. I should have expected her to come running at the first sign of trouble, her precious baby boy's defender to the end. "Elina," I greeted coldly. "How kind of you to join us. I'm afraid you've caught us at a rather awkward moment." She sneered, her heavily made-up face twisting into an ugly mask. "I'll say. Airing your dirty laundry for all the world to see, trying to paint my boy as some kind of monster. If you were a better wife, he wouldn't need to seek comfort elsewhere." How funny. She said the exact same words last life, totally different situation. But thanks for that. I reached for the medical file on the coffee table, flipping it open to the relevant page. "Interesting theory, Elina. But according to my latest physical, I'm in perfect health. No issues with fertility or wifely duties, I'm afraid." I smiled, all sharp edges and vicious satisfaction. "Perhaps you should start worrying about your son's performance instead. Considerin
Bernice I woke with a lightness in my chest that I hadn't felt in years the morning after. The sun streamed through the windows of Cathy's guest room, painting the walls in warm honey tones that seemed to reflect the sweet taste of freedom on my tongue. I stretched languorously, relishing the simple pleasure of waking on my own terms, without the weight of dread and anxiety that had become my constant bedfellows in my marital home. As I padded into the kitchen, the rich aroma of coffee enveloped me like a comforting hug. Cathy stood at the counter, her fiery curls sleep-tousled as she poured two steaming mugs. "Morning, sunshine," she greeted, her voice still husky with sleep. "I figured you could use a little pick-me-up after your big day yesterday." I accepted the mug gratefully, inhaling the fragrant steam. "You're a lifesaver, Cat. I don't know what I'd do without you." She grinned, her eyes sparkling. "Probably subsist entirely on pop-tarts and instant ramen." I laug
BerniceThe second day passed in a blur of activity. I met with Donald to finalize the sale of the house, ensuring that everything was in order. He was professional and efficient, understanding the urgency of the situation ."It's a beautiful property," Donald remarked as we went over the final details. "It won't stay on the market for long.""Thank you, Donald," I said, appreciating his professionalism. "The sooner it sells, the better."
BerniceI took a deep breath as I strode into the gleaming lobby of Stephen Corporation, the family business I was about to take an active role in for the first time. My heels clicked on the polished marble floor, a staccato beat in time with my racing heart.As I walked into the conference room at Stephen Corporation, I felt a flutter of nerves and anticipation. The executives were already seated around the large mahogany table, their faces a mix of curiosity and skepticism as they eyed me.
Bernice As the newly appointed project leader, I knew I had my work cut out for me. The bid for the municipal government's old urban area renovation project was a massive undertaking, and I was determined to prove myself worthy of the role. But more than that, I was on a mission to uncover the traitor within Stephen Corporation, the mole who had brought the company to its knees in my previous life. I dove headfirst into the project details, poring over every document and report I could get my hands on. I spent long hours in my office, analyzing data and crafting strategies, much to the amusement of my colleagues. "Working late again, Bernice?" Martin teased one evening, poking his head into my office. "You keep this up, and you'll make the rest of us look bad." I looked up from my computer, blinking away the fatigue. "Just trying to stay on top of things," I said with a wry smile. "This project is too important to leave anything to chance." Martin nodded, settling into the chair a
Bernice Whoa. Tabloid headlines blared at me, each one more sensational than the last. "Bernice Miller: The Scheming Seductress!" "Gold Digger Exposed: The Sordid Past of a Society Wife," "Exclusive Photos Inside Bernice’s Secret Love Nest!" My stomach churned as I scrolled through the articles, but when I saw the photos of me with Taylor, I almost choked on my coffee. Cathy had called it—this was Fed’s revenge. I could picture his smug face, thinking he had outsmarted me. I scrolled through the articles with a mixture of morbid fascination and mounting amusement. According to these so-called journalists, I was a woman with a checkered past, a manipulative social climber who had used her sexuality to snag a wealthy husband. I truly wish this woman is me, because I am sure that Fed would run away from me as fast as he can, no matter in my former life or this. “Bernice, have you seen these?” Cathy’s voice crackled over the phone. “Yeah, I’ve seen it. It’s ridiculous,” I said,
Bernice The fallout from Fed's disastrous press conference was swift. Within hours, the story had gone viral, splashed across every news outlet and social media platform. Now the names on newspapers became him."Businessman's Sordid Past Expose","Miller Empire Crumbles Amid Scandal!" Tbh, My lips can't help curling into a smirk as I scrolled through the endless stream of articles and posts. But even as I reveled in my victory, I knew it was only a matter of time before Fed struck back. He was a wounded animal now, desperate. And desperate men were capable of desperate measures. I was in my office, poring over the latest project reports, when a knock sounded at the door. I glanced up, my brow furrowing when I saw my father standing in the doorway, his face grave. "Dad," I said, rising from my chair. "What are you doing here? Is everything okay?" He stepped into the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click. "Bernie," he said, his voice heavy with emotion. "I think it's
BerniceI stared at the screen in front of me, my heart pounding in my chest. The leaked documents, the ones I had carefully crafted and distributed, stared back at me, the evidence undeniable. The unique markings, the specific budget figures - they all pointed to one person.Martin.I sat back in my chair, my mind reeling. Martin, the man who had been my staunchest ally since I joined the company, the one who had championed my appointment as project leader. It didn't make sense. Why would he do this? What could possibly motivate him to betray my father, to betray the company he had served for so long?I thought back to all the times he had offered me his support, his guidance. The way he had welcomed me with open arms, making me feel like I belonged. Had it all been a lie? A manipulation tactic to keep me under his thumb, to blind me to his true intentions?Anger surged through me, hot and bitter. I wanted to march into his office right then and there, to demand answers and unleash m
BerniceThe gentle sea breeze ruffled my hair as I stood on the balcony of our Hamptons beach house, watching the sun dip below the horizon. Ten years had passed since that first charity gala, a decade filled with more love, laughter, and fulfillment than I could have ever imagined."Penny for your thoughts?" Christian's voice came from behind me, as familiar and comforting as ever.I turned, smiling as he handed me a glass of wine. "Just reflecting. It's hard to believe it's been ten years."Christian nodded, leaning against the railing beside me. "Ten amazing years. And you know what? I have a feeling the best is still to come."As if on cue, the sound of children's laughter floated up from the beach below. I looked down to see Hope, now fourteen, chasing her younger siblings, seven-year-old Ethan and five-year-old Olivia, through the surf. Melissa and Alex's twins, eight-year-old Sophie and Lucas, were building an elaborate sandcastle nearby."Should we call them in for dinner?" I
BerniceThe grand ballroom of the Plaza Hotel buzzed with excitement as New York's elite mingled, their designer gowns and tuxedos glittering under the chandeliers. I smoothed down the front of my own gown - a midnight blue creation that Cathy had insisted I wear - and scanned the room, making sure everything was in place for our charity gala."Relax, Bernie," Christian murmured in my ear, his hand warm on the small of my back. "Everything looks perfect."I turned to him, drinking in the sight of him in his tuxedo. Even after all these years, he still took my breath away. "I know, I know. I just want tonight to be perfect. We've worked so hard on this."Christian smiled, pressing a quick kiss to my temple. "It will be perfect. The Edward Hamilton Foundation's first major fundraiser - how could it be anything but?"I nodded, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves. We had spent months planning this gala, bringing together all our friends and family to support the foundation's mission of
BerniceThe soft spring breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers through Central Park as I watched Melissa and Alex stroll hand in hand ahead of me. Christian walked beside me, pushing Hope's stroller as our daughter babbled happily, pointing at the colorful tulips lining the path."They look happy," I murmured to Christian, nodding towards Melissa and Alex.Christian smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "They do. It's nice to see Melissa like this, isn't it? So carefree and content."I nodded, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. After everything Melissa had been through, seeing her find happiness with Alex felt like a small miracle.As we approached the Bethesda Fountain, I noticed Alex becoming increasingly fidgety. He kept reaching into his pocket, his face a mix of nervousness and excitement. I nudged Christian, raising an eyebrow in silent question. He nodded, a knowing smile playing on his lips."You knew, didn't you?" I whispered accusingly.Christian shrugged,
BerniceThe shrill ring of my phone pierced through the peaceful silence of our bedroom at an ungodly hour. I fumbled for it, nearly knocking over the lamp in my sleep-addled state."Hello?" I mumbled, squinting at the too-bright screen."BERNICE!" Cathy's voice exploded through the speaker, causing me to jerk the phone away from my ear. "I need you! It's an emergency! "I sat up, instantly alert. "Cathy? What's wrong? Is Lily okay?""Lily? Oh, she's fine. Sleeping like an angel, the little traitor," Cathy huffed. "No, it's much worse. I'm filing for divorce!"I blinked, trying to process this information. "Divorce?! Cathy, what are you talking about?""I'm leaving Taylor!" she wailed dramatically. "I can't take it anymore, Bernie. He's driving me insane! Do you know what he did?""What did he do?" I asked cautiously, already suspecting this was going to be something ridiculous."He left his socks on the floor. AGAIN!" Cathy's voice rose to a pitch that I'm sure only dogs could hear.
BerniceThe familiar New York skyline greeted us as our car wound its way through the city streets. After the rugged beauty of Scotland, the urban landscape felt both jarring and comforting. Hope was fast asleep in her car seat, her new stuffed highland cow clutched tightly to her chest."Home sweet home," Christian murmured, his hand finding mine in the space between us.As we pulled up to our building, I saw the doorman, George, step forward to help with our luggage. His familiar face broke into a warm smile as he saw us."Welcome back, Mr. and Mrs. Miller," he said, opening the car door. "How was your trip?""Wonderful, George, thank you," Christian replied, carefully lifting the still-sleeping Hope from her car seat. "But it's good to be home."I followed them into the building, my mind already racing with all the things we needed to do. Unpack, sort through mail, check in with work... The list seemed endless.As we entered our apartment, the silence enveloped us. After the bustle
BerniceThe early morning sun streamed through the windows of our Paris apartment, casting a golden glow over the scattered suitcases and travel documents strewn across the bed. I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my blouse and taking a deep breath. Today was the day we'd been planning for weeks - our family trip to Scotland, to Christian's ancestral home."Mama! Mama!" Hope's excited voice preceded her as she toddled into the room, her little arms outstretched. I scooped her up, pressing a kiss to her chubby cheek."Are you ready for our big adventure, sweetheart?" I asked, smoothing down her unruly curls.Hope nodded enthusiastically. "See sheep!" she declared, her face lighting up with joy.I laughed, remembering the picture books of Scotland we'd been reading to her. "That's right, we're going to see lots of sheep. And castles, and lochs, and maybe even a highland cow or two."Christian appeared in the doorway, looking handsome in a casual sweater and jeans. The pendant I'd
BerniceThe soft glow of my desk lamp cast shadows across the scattered sketches and gemstones before me. It was well past midnight, but sleep eluded me. I was searching for a way to help Christian through his mourning.I picked up a rough sapphire, turning it over in my palm. Its deep blue reminded me of Edward's eyes, always twinkling with mischief and kindness. An idea began to form in my mind, a way to capture a piece of Edward's spirit in something tangible that Christian could carry with him.With renewed energy, I began to sketch. The design took shape under my pencil - a simple yet elegant pendant. A teardrop-shaped sapphire, surrounded by a delicate filigree of white gold, designed to look like the intertwining branches of a family tree. At the base of the pendant, almost hidden within the metalwork, I planned to engrave Edward's initials and the coordinates of his favorite spot in Paris - a bench in the Jardin des Tuileries where he used to take Christian as a boy.As the fi
BerniceIt was a moment of pure magic, tinged with the bittersweet knowledge that it might be one of Edward's last.The night stretched on, marked by Edward's labored breathing and occasional coughs. His skin had taken on a grayish pallor, and his cheeks seemed more sunken than ever. Every so often, his eyes would flutter open, unfocused and glassy, before closing again.Dr. Fournier entered the room for what felt like the hundredth time that night. He checked Edward's vitals with practiced efficiency, his brow furrowing as he noted the dropping blood pressure and weakening pulse. "We've increased his morphine dosage," he murmured to Christian. "He shouldn't be in any pain now."Edward's fingers twitched sporadically against the bedsheet, and his breathing became more irregular - sometimes rapid and shallow, then pausing for long, terrifying moments before resuming. The oxygen mask fogged rhythmically with each exhale, a visual reminder of his continuing fight.As dawn approached, Edw
BerniceChristian rushed in, followed closely by Dr. Fournier. For the next few minutes, the room was a flurry of activity as the doctor checked Edward's vitals and responses.Slowly, miraculously, Edward's eyes fluttered open. They were unfocused at first, but then they found Christian's face."Chris... Christian," he rasped, his voice barely audible around the breathing tube.Christian's face broke into a smile, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I'm here, Grandfather. I'm right here."Dr. Fournier quickly removed the breathing tube, replacing it with an oxygen mask. "Mr. Hamilton," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "Try not to speak too much. You've been through quite an ordeal."Edward nodded weakly, his eyes never leaving Christian's face. He lifted a shaky hand, which Christian immediately grasped."I'm sorry," Edward whispered. "I'm so sorry."Christian frowned, confused. "Sorry? Grandfather, you have nothing to be sorry for. You're going to be okay. You're going to get better