Lilian POVThe music pulsed around us, each beat reverberating in my chest like the very rhythm of our story. I felt like I was on cloud nine, dancing alongside Jensen, surrounded by the glow of the spotlight and the euphoric laughter of people around us. The night was ours, and, for the first time in a long time, I could breathe a sigh of relief, without that feeling of fear that something could ruin our happiness.Jensen grabbed my hand and pulled me closer, the smile on his lips saying everything we needed to know. "I'm going to get more drinks. Stay here, I'll be right back," he whispered in my ear, his voice filled with a lightness that I hadn't seen in a while.Before walking away, he gave me a quick but intense kiss, the kind that makes you forget about the rest of the world. Watching him walk through the crowd was a reminder of how life had gotten us there. After so many ups and downs, we were back, stronger, ready to start again. And now, with the ring on my finger, I was com
Jensen POVWhen I returned to the couch where Lilian was, a smile on her face and two drinks in her hands, the anticipation of toasting our engagement filled me with joy. However, as I got closer, I realized that Lilian was no longer there. Her purse was lying next to the pillow, and this made me conclude that she must have gone to the bathroom. With a slight sigh of relief, I placed the drinks on the table and sat down, waiting for her to return.Minutes passed, and I continued looking around, my gaze getting lost among the people dancing and having fun. The rhythm of the music pulsed like a heart, but my mind was focused only on Lilian. "She should be back soon," I thought, trying to convince myself that everything was fine. But as time passed, the restlessness began to grow.I went to the bar again, hoping that when I returned, she would be back. But when I returned to the couch, I saw no sign of her. I looked towards the bathroom and noticed there was a line at the door. "Maybe it
Lilian POVWhen I returned to the club, my heart was racing. The lights flickered, and the music pulsed around me, but none of that mattered when I couldn't find Jensen. He should have been there, by my side, celebrating our engagement. What could have happened? Panic began to set in as I searched for him among the smiling faces and dancing bodies.I picked up my cell phone and called him, but the call went straight to voicemail. Butterflies in my stomach made me realize something wasn't right. I looked for him once again, past the groups of friends and the dance floor, but there was no sign of Jensen. Desperation began to grow in me.It was then that I spotted Finn again, standing in the corner, looking more worried than usual. He raised his hand and waved, coming towards me with quick steps and a tense expression.“Finn! Have you seen Jensen?” I asked, trying not to show how much my heart was sinking more by the second.He hesitated, his expression changing to something between pity
I was frozen, paralyzed by the shock of seeing Jensen with another woman, so laid-back and relaxed as if nothing had happened between us. The pain in my chest was overwhelming, a mix of shock, humiliation, and a feeling of betrayal so intense it made everything around me seem like a blur. He had promised me love and loyalty, and here he was, destroying everything we had built with a single action. The air felt thick, and I felt intense nausea, as if my body couldn't support the weight of what my eyes were seeing.When Jensen noticed my presence, he staggered toward the bed, eyes wide. “Lilian… I can explain,” he said, his voice breaking. His words seemed empty and cold, a distant echo unable to pierce the barrier of pain that had already enveloped my heart.I stared at him for a few seconds, unable to say a single word. The tears threatened to flow, but I refused to let them fall there, in front of him. I turned and ran down the hallway, desperate to get away from it. I felt crushed,
Lilian POVI couldn't breathe properly, not after what I saw that night. Every time I closed my eyes, the scene came back to me like a wave, swallowing me and suffocating me. I knew I needed to leave—leave everything behind before the pain completely destroyed me. In the midst of the torpor and anguish, I could only think of one thing: leaving.I asked Finn not to leave me alone, and he, without question, walked me back to the hotel. It was hard to believe I had just seen what I saw. Jensen's betrayal hurt like an unexpected blow, like a cold blade piercing my chest. But I knew I couldn't stay there and that I needed to protect my children from all that. I needed to get them away as soon as possible.When we entered the hotel room, I saw Sadie and the children sleeping, oblivious to the chaos that was unfolding. The scene broke me even more because there were people who depended on me. I knew they needed me strong and present, not broken like I felt.I approached their bed and called
Lilian POVI looked out the plane window, watching the clouds shimmer in the pale moonlight. It was early in the morning, and almost all the passengers were asleep. I, however, couldn't close my eyes. My heart was beating fast, and my mind, full of memories of Rome, gave me no peace. In the last few hours, everything had changed so drastically that it was still difficult to assimilate.The children slept next to me, curled up in their chairs, with that peace that only they could have. They were a quiet comfort, but the idea of having to rearrange their lives in Richmond was strange. Even though we had previously lived in Richmond, this city seemed so far away and unfamiliar, and the thought of finding a home for ourselves at the last minute was daunting.Beside me, Finn was awake, and I could feel his gaze on me. He seemed to understand my restlessness, and, even though he was tired, he leaned a little towards me, offering a soft smile."Want to talk a little?" he asked in a low voice
Jensen's POVWhen I woke up, the first thing I felt was a throbbing pain in my head. The light bothered me, and I was lying in an unfamiliar bed, naked, with a heavy body and a foggy mind. Fragments of the previous night came back in flashes. A woman… laughter… glasses clinking. But what jolted me to reality was a name echoing in my head: "Lilian."My heart raced, panic immediately took hold of me, and the images of the night began to piece together like a macabre puzzle. I remembered a red-haired woman, her provocative smile, and a cruel glint in her eyes. My chest tightened. Lilian… I was with another woman, and she saw everything. The memories returned with suffocating clarity, and each detail felt like a punch to the stomach. I had fallen into Kate's trap, and now I had destroyed everything I loved most.I sat up quickly, ignoring the headache, and looked around, searching for something—anything—that would confirm this was a nightmare. But no. There was Kate, sitting in an armchai
Lilian POVI felt completely out of place, as if I was no longer welcome in that place. It was strange being there, in that apartment. That penthouse in the heart of Richmond had been chosen by him with such care, as if he already knew it would be our home. A home that now seemed so far away from me.When we entered, Finn was quick to guide us to the main floor. He smiled at the kids, who were excited about the idea of sleeping in a new place, and I tried to smile back, but something deep in my chest kept me from being genuine. The apartment was huge, the huge windows overlooked the illuminated city, and the decor was impeccable — minimalist, but with that cozy touch that has always enchanted me. But it was when we reached the children's hallway that my heart sank. There was the room, the room that Finn had prepared for them, with three beds, each decorated with fluffy duvet covers, toys scattered around and a mural on the wall with photos that hadn't been taken yet. It was all so pl