“Wait, Alice…!” Casey pleaded, even leaning into the security guard's arms when she try to turn her back on him “I… I'm a different man now, after everything that happened. I learned my lesson about falling into the traps of women who only want my money. If you give me another chance, I'm ready to treat you and Millicent like you both always deserved and I haven't been able to see.” Casey whined, only making her angrier “We don't even need to get there that fast, if you're not ready for it. Just being your friend is enough for me. All I want is to fix the situation that bitch Kendra left you in, after taking advantage of my weakness…”
“Really, Casey? Do you still think I’m still married to Massimo because someone is forcing me?”
“Anyone can see that man is not right for you, Alice.
“Get back here you fucking whore!” Kendra snapped, the alcohol still on her mind making a little difficult for her to keep up with Amber's rush to running away from her.“Dad!” that idiot screamed, the moment they reached the Living Room and Roger appeared there, pathetic and useless as always “Dad, help me! She’s doing it again!”“Stop it, Kendra!” the idiot snorted, although he didn't seem too concerned about protecting his own daughter, even when she ran for cover behind his back “You trying to make Amber's life hell all the time isn't going to change the facts. We would all gain a lot more if you stopped drinking and tried to reconnect with the ties that were lost at that damn party!”“And you think I didn’t try?!” she growled, w
“Do you still believe that scene I said he did at their wedding?” Amber countered “He doesn’t consider that child his! This is all just an attempt to convince his shareholders that he can have an heir, even if it is one without his blood…!”“Of course you would be in denial. I stayed too.” Casey mumbled dejectedly “But the more I think about it, the more things add up, especially the resemblance between the two of them. Well, at least I can have the satisfaction of being the first to tell you that, just as you went around sleeping with every committed man you could find, your sister appears to have been the only woman to actually get the man you always wanted.” he accused, staring at Amber as if he didn't want to miss any of her reactions.“What are you talking about, Casey?” Kendra tried to calm the situation, although a part of her mind was already in overdri
“And this is Fluttershy. She's cute and kind, that's why she reminds me of mommy. But she doesn't fly like Rainbow Dash because she is an earth pony. Only pegasus fly, unless the pony becomes an Alicorn, if he is really nice and uses the magic of friendship.” Millie continued talking without stopping for a single minute, holding up the new colorful ponies that Micah had bought for her and that were almost her height.“Uh…” Ruby, who was listening to all this next to Micah, just blinked, a little dumbfounded “Of course, of course…”“Grandpa and I watched my favorite episodes when I went to his house last week! Have you seen the huge aquarium he has there? It's very beautiful! But fish can't roll over and paw like Lady, so I still prefer dogs, even though dogs can't be red or blue.” Millicent continued
“Mommy… Grandpa is going to heaven? Just like you said Grandma Elise was, when you were a baby?” Millicent murmured softly, worried and scared, but Massimo interceded before Alice could find the strength in her dazed mind to respond.“You shouldn’t ask that kind of question at a time like this, piccola.” he answered her in the same low and solemn tone, as they walked hurriedly through the hospital corridors “Your mother is worried and having to answer something like that could hurt her. So, when we get to your great-grandfather, let's just stay silent and let her talk to him a little, okay?”“Calm down, dear.” Micah tried to comfort Alice, stroking her shoulder as he guided her to Lucas's room “Maybe it's nothing that serious…”"No
“What…?” Alice gasped, barely able to believe the words he had just said “How did you...?”“I think it's best to take Millicent outside. You guys clearly need to talk about this alone.” Massimo murmured, even though he was clearly upset about having to leave Alice there alone “But, I'll be on the other side of the door, love. Just call and I will be here, no matter what the reason.” He narrowed his eyes in Kendra's direction, but all she did was smile defiantly at him.“Don’t worry, Massimo. We both know that Alice is not in the habit of considering your opinion as important, not even when hiding your child, right?”“Shut up, Kendra!” Micah spat, while Massimo hugged Millie closer, hiding her from Kendra’s eyes “Don&rsqu
“Forgive you?” Kendra clenched her teeth, and, to her surprise, Alice saw genuine anger and pain in her expression, something so intense that, if the circumstances were different, it would certainly have made her feel pity for that woman “Is that it? You belittle me, fuck with my entire life and, just because you want to die in peace, you want to force me to forgive you too?” she laughs full of bitterness “Well, I don't even know why I'm surprised. It's like you said. You never learned to stop being selfish, much less to ask for forgiveness.”“I'm sorry, Kendra. I really am.” Lucas grunted, as if there was a weight on him “But me realizing that I was responsible for you becoming this way doesn't change the things you've done. While I was blind thinking that I was doing the best for you by exploring your potential and giving you every possible opportunit
“Grandpa…” Alice murmured, approaching the gurney when Kendra slammed the door behind them, leaving her, her father and Lucas alone “Are you okay…?”“I don’t think I still have the right or the ability to be okay.” he smiled ruefully “But, it's not like I didn't already expect it. Even if she never forgives me for being a terrible father, I couldn't die without asking for forgiveness first. And, if like Kendra, you are not able to forgive the things I did…” his eyes slowly rose, until they met hers, making it very clear that his strength was running out “I will understand. Being able to see your face at a moment like this is enough for me.”“I just… I can't understand…” Alice wiped away her tears, trying to force herself to remain calm “You wan
“Please, Mrs. Bianchi, make yourself comfortable. Mr. Schulz is just preparing the papers and will be here in a minute.” the secretary said, with a friendly smile as she handed Alice a cup of coffee.“Thank you. We will be here.” She tried hard to be kind, even though that morning's cold seemed to have settled inside her bones, after her grandfather's funeral.“That was ridiculously fast.” Massimo grumbled, after the secretary left the room they were in “Will readings shouldn't happen on the same day as the funeral. Even someone like Emma was able to respect the memory of a dead person and wait a few weeks before talking about inheritance after my father died.”“I'd like to wait too, but apparently, as my grandfather's primary heir and only living daughter, Kendr
“Look! Here comes our lovely bride!”At the sound of her aunt's cheerful and even slightly emotional voice, Millicent forced a smile, trying to look as light and happy as possible as she walked towards them, as any bride should be. Around her, the engagement party continued exactly as she had left it, flawless with drinks being served to smiling guests and the decor without a single flower petal out of place. Everything was perfect and she could see that everyone there, especially her family, also thought the same.And knowing that almost made her regret what they were about to witness.“You look so beautiful, Millie…” her Aunt Heidi was the first to come over, wrapping her in a warm hug “God, I can hardly believe that soon we will actually see you in a wedding dress and walking into a church...”“You look like you were a little girl just a few hours ago…” Thea, who had been her nanny throughout her childhood, took another tissue from the almost empty box on her lap “And now you are go
Today is officially the last day of publications and, for that, I have a lot to thank all of you for!This was my first story to get an official rating and also my first story to get over 30k (I hope it can reach 50k over time) and I owe it all to you. Thank you so much for commenting, sending gifts, gems and leaving reviews! A part of this story was written by you too, because I wouldn't have been able to get this far without all of your encouragement. I really hope to see you all in my next stories S2 S2 S2Thank you to Shelyn, Lhyn, Sabrina Philemon, Guille C, Rachel, Shantel Osgood and Penny Zagrafidis for always leaving comments. It was always wonderful to wait to read what you thought of the story, as well as all the other amazing people who left a comment.Many thanks to Abc Xyz, Lhyn, Irene Kibanya, Shanna-deen Knight, fizztae45, Arabella, Sarah, Lin Que, Kathrin Kähler, Moonlit tales, Shelyn, tina, Sabrina Philemon, Gabrielle, Blue_Hisbiscus, KayJay, Rachel, essstj, Guille C,
“You look so beautiful, Debbie... Isn't it amazing how that dress makes your hair color pop?” Evangeline hummed, and, even though she struggled, Deborah had her chin held and was forced to look at her own reflection in the mirror before them. “You… You really think so?” she swallowed nervously. “Of course! This will be perfect to shut up all those mean girls who are always talking about how this beautiful red is a mark of the God of Discord. Oh, I would give anything to have hair like that too...” Evangeline sighed, running her fingers through her perfectly straight, snow-white hair. "Do not say that. Your hair is perfect. How could it not be? It is a symbol of the Moon Goddess.” Deborah turned to face her cousin, intertwining their hands “And, don’t worry. I know that before I was always wetting your shoulder with my tears because of this, but... Iron is always saying that my hair is beautiful, so... I have no reason to cry anymore. Whenever he tells me I'm completely perfect...
“Okay, honey. Now… Open your eyes.” Alice asked and, when Millicent opened her eyes and looked at her reflection in the mirror, the smile that appeared on her face made her mother's heart more than happy. “That’s amazing, Mom!” Millie smiled to herself, moving closer to the reflection to observe in more detail the way Alice had painted her eyelids “I’m… I’m pretty, right?” she asked with a shy smile, as her hands nervously twisted the hem of the dark green dress, the same color as her eyes, that she was wearing. “You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, honey.” Alice sniffled, holding her daughter's face, unable to stop the tears from flowing. “Mom, please… Don’t cry again.” her daughter asked, hugging her. "Sorry. It’s just… One day you were my little girl, running around the house wanting to play with your dolls and now… You’re a 16 year old girl, almost as tall as me and getting ready for your first date.” she had to stop once again to stop herself from bursting int
“And this is the role of fibroblasts in the healing process.” Alice spoke on the phone, as she took her pie out of the oven, happy to see that the dough had turned golden and crispy, exactly how her husband liked it “You can read more about this in the Cell Biology book. Any other questions, Lindsey?”“No, Alice.” the freshman sighed on the other end of the line, clearly relieved “You saved my life. And thank you for letting me record our conversation, it will help me a lot to review all of this for the next test. I just hope it’s not as killer as the last one.” she lamented “Mrs. Doherty was right. You are the best monitor we could ask for.” “It’s just my job.” Alice laughed, opening the cabinet doors where the dishes were “Now, if you don't have any more questions, I'll hang up now, okay? And, if any of your friends comment they tried to contact me this weekend and couldn't, can you let them know that I'm busy? And also remind them that my work as a monitor can only take place dur
“I… I’m sorry if your father isn’t a good father.” Millicent said, feeling like it wasn't right to leave him alone there, even though he clearly wanted that "My mother also had very bad parents and they hurt her a lot, until she found out they had lied and were not her real parents…”“I don’t think I’ll be that lucky.” he grumbled, not looking at her.“Well, that's bad, but that's not what I was going to suggest. When I was very little, mommy… I mean, my Mom told me that bad parents make their children wonder what they did wrong to be treated badly. But the real question should be: how can a father or mother be so mean to their own child? Never let the bad words of your family get to you. Just because a person is your family, doesn't mean he or she is right about yoy.” Millicent recited, although the memories of her mother's words were a little blurry, coming from the time when they still lived in that small room in the Dawsey mansion and she didn't even know her father existed.“That
“Okay, class. We are already accommodating your parents in the main auditorium.” Mrs. Keeley, one of the 3rd grade teachers, clapped her hands as she entered the classroom full of children, quickly grabbing the basket full of cookies that was on the table "Everything is ready, so Miss Shepherd will be calling you any moment, okay? Don't forget the chorus of the song and much less the part reserved just for your father. I’m counting on you!” she said, her voice so fast it was almost difficult to understand, as she left the room once again, practically running towards the auditorium where the Father's Day performance would take place. “You shouldn’t have left putting those bows on the brownies at the last possible moment, Poppy!” Cassie grumbled, but still didn't stop applying the glue stick to the glittery paper bows. “It’s not my fault!” Poppy whimpered, desperately trying to glue the bows onto the cellophane of the brownies she was giving her father as a gift “Mom told me she would
“And, as a last question, Mrs. Bianchi, how do you feel, as the creator, seeing your social project come so far and reach so many people positively?” the reporter asked, turning the microphone towards her as the cameras were turned towards them. “It’s a wonderful feeling. Every day, we receive several families who are unable to even obtain a loan to pay their medical expenses and, here, we are able to serve them in the best possible way, often restoring the quality of life that they had lost a long time ago. It's teamwork from a fantastic team of not only nurses, but also doctors and other healthcare professionals, who I was very lucky to be able to bring together here to support this initiative. My expectations for the future are that we can further expand our capabilities and be able to serve oncology and kidney patients soon.” “That’s great to hear.” the reporter said, his excessively white teeth gleaming against the sun as he smiled at the camera. “And that was our interview with
“Elise?” His voice cracked, sounding almost as if all the air had been stolen from his lungs."Are you okay?" she murmured, moving even closer to him to caress his face, her hands feeling as soft as he remembered “Did you have a nightmare? You were talking in your sleep, but I couldn’t understand…”“Elise?! Is it really you?” Micah sat up with a start, but only managed to feel even more confused when he realized he was lying on a bed, in Elise's youthful room, with the same lilac wallpaper and one of the walls covered in sheet music, next to her grand piano. A few meters away from the bed was the balcony, with the glass doors ajar, where he used to sneak into her room after climbing the large empress tree that was right next to it.“Of course it's me…” her eyebrows furrowed more and more “Are you sure you're okay, Micah? I know you spent the whole day helping your father prune the trees in the garden. If you want to go home and get some rest, I don't mind. We can do it another night…”