Lilian POV Finn had ordered a breakfast consisting of coffee, waffles, toast, pastries, fruit and juice. Everything looked appetizing, but I had no desire to eat. I had my face down, embarrassed to face the people who were there, as they were throwing dismayed looks in my direction since the one who was destroying everything they knew as home was my ex-husband, a man who, despite everything that had happened, I had welcomed him into my home. “To be honest, I never bought that man's act,” April said after taking a sip of her coffee. “That talk of him being sorry and playing nice was nothing more than a fucking act. I'm sure he only got closer to Lilian because he wanted to investigate the people closely. People never really change.” I swallowed hard at her words. It was so uncomfortable, I mean, and I felt like a complete fool for believing in Jensen so easily and letting myself get so carried away. I was so ashamed of myself. “He must be laughing at my stupid face right now,” I
Lilian POV Finn's plan brought a breath of hope. The idea of fighting for our little town, Rustburg, gave me a renewed energy that I hadn't felt in a while. In the last few days, despair had taken over me, draining all the strength I had to continue. But now, with the possibility of mobilizing the population and resisting the attack from the mayor and Jensen, something inside me lit up. It was already Monday morning, and the first thing I did was open my flower shop, which, despite the problems, was still my refuge. The air was thick in the city, and there were rumors that some people had already sold their homes and were preparing to leave. Seeing our little town being dismantled little by little was too painful. I knew that if we didn't act soon, Rustburg would be swallowed up by the money and greed of those who only saw figures and profitable land where we saw homes, memories and lives built. As I arranged the flowers on the counter, my mind wandered to what Finn was doing at
Lilian POV The door of the flower shop closed with a click, and the presence of that disgusting man finally disappeared. The fresh scent of flowers around me was a futile attempt to bring some peace to my tumultuous mind. The sweet smell of roses mixed with the light citrus touch of oranges created an environment that, in other circumstances, could be comforting. But now, the beauty of the place only highlighted the emotional chaos that consumed me. Jensen, in turn, fixed his worried gaze immediately on me. “Lilian, are you okay?” His voice was soft, but there was an urgency that made the moment even heavier. He came closer, but I hesitated, the space between us was thick with tension, like a rope about to snap. The morning sunlight streamed in through the windows, filtering through the flower petals and creating a play of shadows that danced around us, reflecting the confusion of feelings that I could barely contain. I was internally grateful for him for saving me, but the anger
Lilian POV When Jensen left, it was like the floor had collapsed beneath my feet. I remained there, standing in the center of the flower shop, my arms crossed as if they could somehow protect me from the emptiness that settled in my chest. The surrounding sounds—the soft tinkling of the bell on the door, the rustle of flowers on the shelves—became distant and muffled, as if the world were leaving me behind. The tears I had been holding back for so long finally escaped, hot and incessant, streaming down my face without any restraint. The loneliness that took over me was suffocating. I sat on one of the wooden benches we kept by the window, my legs too weak to support me. The scent of the surrounding flowers, which had always brought a sense of peace, now seemed cloying, as if reminding me of what I had lost—of Jensen, of recent memories, of the things that could have been. I asked myself, for the thousandth time, what I had done wrong. Was I too harsh? Or maybe too weak? It didn't
Jensen POV The hotel room was almost completely silent, except for the faint hum of the air conditioning and the occasional sound of a car passing on the road outside. The heavy curtains blocked out most of the moonlight, leaving the space in a suffocating gloom. I was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at the empty glass I had abandoned on the nightstand. The faint reflection of the glass reminded me of how empty everything felt now. Just like me. The drinking wasn't helping me, but I didn't know what else to do. Ever since I left Lilian's house, my mind has been in a whirlwind. I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened, about the harsh words she said to me, about the kids looking at me with those confused eyes. Rory, Ryan, and Ruby. My little ones. I knew they liked me. I wanted to see them growing up, asking me to play rugby, tell stories, or just be around, like a family. Family. This word has always been something I wanted, but never knew exactly how to construct.
Lilian POV Morning light filtered through the curtains, illuminating my room as I woke up. The phone vibrated on the bedside table, breaking the silence of my refuge. I answered the call, and Finn's familiar voice greeted me enthusiastically. "Good morning, Lilian! All ready to start collecting signatures!" He looked so excited that I couldn't help but smile. "Hi, Finn! I'm almost ready. I'm going to get ready and be right out," I replied, feeling a wave of relief upon hearing his warm voice. Finn had this ability to make everything seem better, even when everything around me was in disarray. As soon as I hung up, I quickly got ready, choosing a light blouse and comfortable pants. It was a hot day, and I wanted to feel good as we began our mission. A few minutes later, I heard the familiar sound of Finn's police car pulling up in front of the flower shop. When I left, I found Finn with a big smile on his face, brightening up the sunny day even more. He was in his uniform, but
Lilian POV I looked at the sun setting over the fields of Rustburg, with the shadows lengthening on the streets we knew so well. The little town seemed peaceful, as if everything was at peace, but I knew it was far from that. On that first day of collecting signatures, reality hit us hard. Finn, April and I had begun our mission with renewed confidence. We thought it would be easy to convince people to sign the petition against the mayor's plan to evict entire families and turn the city into a luxury tourism zone. After all, who would want to be expelled from their home, their land, and everything they knew? But to our surprise, many of the people we approached seemed hesitant, and some even excited about the idea of leaving. Our first stop was at Miss Sharon's house, the city's best-known hairdresser. I had always seen her as a figure of resistance, someone who valued the simplicity of Rustburg and its traditions. However, she greeted us with a warm but disconcerting smile. "P
Jensen POV The sound of the working telegraph echoed in the background as I leafed through some papers in the city hall office. I spent the morning discussing the details of the work with the mayor, reviewing contracts and deadlines, while trying to stay informed about the status of Lilian and her friends' petition. Each new piece of information confirmed that they were gathering signatures to block the project. I knew Lilian wouldn't give up easily, and part of me respected that. She was determined and strong, but also... stubborn. It was this trait that I loved about her, but now it was the biggest obstacle to my plans. As I thought about this, a familiar tightness in my chest bothered me. The triplets. I hadn't seen them in weeks, and their absence was affecting me in ways I hadn't anticipated. I missed hearing their voices, seeing their smiles running around the house. The distance was slowly destroying me inside. "Enough," I muttered to myself, dropping the papers on the t
JensenThe restaurant was small and discreet, with soft lighting and the unmistakable smell of Italian food wafting through the air. I sat there, my head spinning and my nerves on edge. I wasn't sure what to expect, but the invitation gave me no choice: “I need to talk about Rome. Come alone; let's meet at Mamma Zu.”When she walked in, I couldn't hide the anger that rose in my throat. That red-haired woman. The woman I only knew as the one responsible for making my life hell. I stood up immediately, the table shaking with the impact of my abrupt movement. The other customers in the restaurant looked on curiously, but I didn't care. I just wanted to know what she had to say.I stared at her, not knowing what to feel. The anger, the disgust, everything seemed mixed up inside me. I had no idea how to react, but anger prevailed.“You!” My voice was louder than I wanted, drawing the attention of those at the surrounding tables. “You're the damn woman who destroyed everything!”She didn't
Sadie POVThe wedding party was incredible. Everything seemed like something out of a fairy tale. The lights, the soft sound of music, people's laughter... It was as if everyone there was having the best day of their lives. I was busy, as always, taking care of the triplets. Ruby, Rory, and Ryan were so excited, running around.“Ms. Lilian, they are running again!" I warned, trying to keep my voice controlled, but she just smiled. “Sadie, you're doing an amazing job. Just relax a little and enjoy the party too, okay?”I nodded but remained attentive. Working for Mrs. Lilian was more than just a job. I liked them like they were my family. But that night, something different happened.As I ran after Ryan, who was trying to reach one of the sweets on the dessert table, I noticed a boy looking at me. He was standing on the other side of the room, with a smile that seemed a little shy and full of curiosity. He wasn't much older than me, maybe my age, or close to it.I felt my face heat up
Lilian POVMy hand instinctively rested on my 9-week-old's belly as I admired the party. The dance floor was an organized chaos. The colored lights flashed over everyone, reflecting on the polished floor, while children ran from side to side, trying to imitate the adults' steps. Ruby led the steps, spinning with a smile of pure joy, and Rory tried hard to follow, imitating everything she did but with exaggerated animation. Ryan, of course, was in his own world, doing acrobatics and improvised dance moves with his arms raised as if he were preparing for a big show. "Ms. Lilian, have you ever thought about signing them up for a dance group?" Sadie commented from beside me, smiling as she watched the three of them. “If I can convince them to rehearse and behave at home, maybe,” I replied, with a soft smile. "Or at least Ryan," Sadie added, watching the boy with an amused expression. "He definitely seems like he has uncontrollable energy." “No doubt,” he said, laughing. "But it's
Lilian POVI was in the bridal room, holding hands with April, watching her with a look full of affection and admiration. She looked stunning in her wedding dress, with the veil delicately falling over her shoulders and the radiant smile that only she had. I felt a pang in my heart. We were there, together, in that special moment, but there was a touch of melancholy in her words."I really hoped you and Jensen were getting married too," April said, her eyes shining with a mix of joy and sadness. "You know, how we agreed... on Christmas Eve, together... I dreamed about this so much."I knew that the episode in Rome had ruined a lot of what we had planned. All of us, April, Phillip, Jensen and I, had been arguing for years about how much it would mean to get married together, but life had other plans. I wanted to say something to comfort her, but the words didn't come easily. Instead, I hugged her tightly."I know, honey. I know... But you and Phillip are here, and that's what matters r
Jensen POVIn the last few days, my routine has completely changed. After work, I went straight to Lilian's house. I went there for the kids and also because being there gave me a sense of normalcy that I hadn't felt in years. Something about seeing the three of them running around the room, laughing and fighting, brought me a peace I didn't even know I needed. When I parked that afternoon, Ruby was the first to greet me. She opened the door before I even knocked, as if she knew I was there. "You're here, Daddy!" he exclaimed, jumping into my arms with so much energy that I almost lost my balance. "I'm here, my sunshine," I replied, laughing and lifting her into the air. "How was your day?" "Well... but Rory ate almost all of Mom's cookies, and now she's mad at him." "Really? Is he hiding again?" Ruby nodded with a knowing smile and pointed down the hall. "There in the room. I think he knows what he did wrong." Ryan appeared soon after, crossing his arms like a little ju
Kate Nash POVThe door to my house slammed behind me with such force that it made the entrance frame rattle. The sound echoed, accompanying the throbbing in my head. I was on the verge of a breakdown. Jensen had dared to reject me once again, as if I meant nothing. I hurried across the room, throwing my bag on the couch, not caring where it landed. The normally spotless space felt oppressive at that moment. It all felt like a reminder that despite all my effort, nothing was working as it should. The bar was my immediate destination. My hands shook as I reached for the bottle of whiskey. The golden liquid glistened in the lamplight, almost mocking me. "After everything I've done," I muttered as I poured the alcohol into the crystal glass. The feeling of failure was suffocating. From the beginning, my goal was clear: to get Lilian away from Jensen and make sure he finally saw that I was the only one for him. But he remained blind, trapped in a ridiculous idea of morality and loy
Jensen POVDriving home after talking to Lilian was like going through a storm. My hands on the steering wheel were tense, and my thoughts were a mess. I respected her decision, but that didn't mean it was easy to accept. I still loved Lilian deeply, and the idea that she no longer saw us as a couple cut me to the core. As soon as I got home, I threw my keys on the counter and sat on the couch for a moment, trying to collect my thoughts. Lilian needed space, and I would do whatever it took to give her that. But giving up on her? Never. After a few minutes, I went up to my room. All I wanted was a hot shower and the chance to erase this day from my mind, even if just for a few hours. But as soon as I pushed the door open, I stopped in place, my entire body tense. "Kate?" My voice was low, but filled with disbelief. She was lying on my bed, wearing nothing but red lace lingerie, clearly waiting for me. His smile was calculated, almost predatory. "Hi, Jensen," she said, her voice
Lilian POVThe garden was silent, but my mind was anything but. Jensen was sitting next to me, visibly excited today after my talk with Finn."Good God, that guy doesn't get real, right," he was commenting. "Why doesn't he realize straight away that he's never going to have anything to do with you? You don't even like him, he acts desperate, he even went so far as to lie that he was the father of the baby you're expecting. See if he can do that!" He laughed with a shrug, as if he finally felt like he had the upper hand now."Well, you've also done a lot of crazy things to be able to be with me," I reminded him. Jensen wasn't innocent, right? He had done so much to have me in his control. I still vaguely remembered Rustburg...He was giggling awkwardly now. "You're right, Lilie. I did a lot, yes, but it was all because I always knew you loved me, that's why you never gave up." He looked at me with a charming smile. "That's why to this day I don't give up on you."I sighed, feeling the
Lilian POVAfter the children left for school, the house became calmer, but no less tense. Jensen went to the living room, playing on his cell phone, while Finn remained in the kitchen, finishing his coffee. I knew that conversation with Finn couldn't be postponed. The time was now. I took a deep breath before calling him, “Finn, we need to talk. Can it be in private?” He looked up in surprise and hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. “Of course, Lilian.” I led him to the back garden, where the fresh air helped calm my nerves. I leaned against the porch railing as he stood a few steps away, hands in his pockets. “Finn,” I began, choosing my words carefully. “I want to understand why you lied to Jensen about the baby. Why did you say you are the father?” He looked away, clearly uncomfortable. He ran his hand through his hair before answering. “Lilian, I did this to protect you.” "Protect?" My voice was louder than I intended, and I crossed my arms, trying to remain calm.