Lilian POV When 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 bet
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 crushe
Lilian POV I 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
Lilian POV I 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 lo
Jensen's POV When 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 ar
Lilian POV I 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
Jensen POV When I finally set foot on the jet, my head was spinning. The whole way back, the only thing running through my mind was how I had let things get out of control like that. How was I able to throw everything we built away? This question echoed over and over again, accompanied by a constant pain in the chest, a weight that seemed to double every second. Once the plane landed, I wasted no time. I got in the car as quickly as I could and drove to the mansion. I was so focused that if someone had crossed my path, I wouldn't have even noticed. Likewise, I sped up without caring about the traffic or the safety signs. In my mind, nothing seemed to matter other than getting to Lilian and the kids. Finally, I opened the door to the house. A dead silence greeted me. An almost frightening emptiness. The soft sound of children's laughter and Lilian's perfume were absent. Everything felt... wrong. Very wrong. "Lillian!" I shouted, feeling my voice echo through the empty hallways.
Lilian POV The studio was the only place I could find peace, even if it was momentary. Between colorful fabrics, scattered patterns and doodles of new designs, I could immerse myself in what was still mine alone. But that day, work had to take a backseat. I had called Jensen for a chat. It was difficult to confront the memories. I still remembered the day he kneeled in front of me with that nervous smile, holding a small box with a ring that seemed to shine brighter than the light in the room. The marriage proposal seemed like something out of a dream. We both laughed, and everything seemed perfect... until we went to that nightclub. He arrived on time, as usual. He knocked on the door before entering and found me standing, leaning against the desk, arms crossed in a defensive gesture. I didn't know how to start, but something in the look in his eyes told me he already knew what was coming. “Thank you for calling me, Lilian,” Jensen began, trying to soften the weight that h
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.