IvannaAfter five days of shitty isolation, it feels great to be back home. I have never stayed away from home for so long before, as far as I can realise. That's definitely crazy. Our vacations used to be short ones. Maximum three days due to our crazy work schedules. I look around the room properly with an automatic smile. The room is decorated differently with fresh flowers and some updated photograph collages on the wall. It doesn't take me much time to believe Christian did all this when he wasn't in the hospital last night. It was quite surprising to me since he never left me at night but last night he sent Flora to be near me. And he wasn't there even in the morning. I knew he must be doing some random sweet stuff at home. I squirm against the headboard to sit comfortably and stare around the room in bliss. "Yeah, I'll talk to him about that. Hanging up now", Christian cuts the call after a long conversation on the phone and turns to me.Our eyes immediately meet. "You rea
TheaJohn walks me inside the mansion in a wheelchair when I hear the loud noise of footsteps rushing towards me. "What's this noise?" I exclaim, trying to look back, tilting my head at John. He just smiles. Before he could say anything, the noise became even louder."Mom!"I turn back right away and spot Ryan and Kevin running down the stairs. In no time, they surge faster towards me and hug me tightly.I was so unprepared for that. It takes me a while to react. "Mom! How are you now?" Ryan squeals."I'm fine", I mutter, not really trying to move my hand. "God! We missed you so much. Why didn't you talk to us?" Kevin's voice is a bit heavier when he complains. And surprisingly, that doesn't irritate me at all.I was thinking that I would freak out when they would start being clingy. "I didn't want to worry you both", I say and smile at the same time, slowly moving my hands to touch their backs.They tighten the grip around me even more. "We missed you so much", Ryan starts sobbi
Christian"Spring Valley is just a few miles away from the city", Emily says. "It's safe, beautiful and definitely a better place to spend a vacation"We laugh together, sitting in my study room while we discuss the recent changes in Chrissie's treatment procedure. I'm almost done with half of the things and I can't wait to start afresh everything about Chrissie. "Hopefully. Well, how much time is it gonna take for the complete setup? Michael is ready to call Dr Decker. He's ready to perform the surgery and observe the rest of the process. He's one of the most capable child cancer specialists""Yeah. I heard about him a lot", she closes the files and takes a moment before adding. "Christian, are you sure about changing the whole dynamic of her treatment? I mean— leaving Texas! And you're agreeing to move to Spring Valley for the whole thing", her eyes tense along with her voice. "I mean that's huge. And I'm just worried. I— I really did my best to find the best for Chrisanna but—" "
TheaMy eyes widen at the sight of hers and I was jump-scared. Her eyes are cold, darted at me, with a smirk lingering on her face. However, it scares me when I realise the entire room is dark and I can see her only through the blue lights. "What are you doing here?" I force my voice to come out while trying to turn the lights on, stretching my hand towards the bedside table. But the switch isn't working.The lights were on when I closed my eyes. How can everything change so drastically within a minute? How can she come inside my room without letting me know? More than that, how can she stand on her own feet? I feel scared for no reason. Everything seems to be different and weird. Eerie. I gulp down as my throat dries up. She has been staring at me without even blinking which makes it more uncomfortable for me. She doesn't even speak a word. "I asked you what you're doing here", I screech, trying my best to be loud. However, my voice isn't even that loud right now. It seems like I
TheaTiffany pauses, eyeing me for a couple of seconds. "Why?""Because I told you to", I snap. "I wanna know how Chrisanna is. They didn't even bother to come to me after that day. Chrisanna needed that bone marrow and they should have come to me again. They just didn't. If you are saying that I'm a terrible mother, they are definitely no less. If they cared so much about her, they would definitely give it another shot. I would fucking agree to donate. That was my whole motive. I would definitely accept the defeat", I blurt out in a breath. "Wow!" She sighs, rolling her eyes and takes her phone out of her jeans pocket. "I thought there would be some genuine change but you're literally blaming them for not coming to you"There are reasons. Maybe, some more. That I can't figure out myself. But if blaming them makes it a bit easier for me, I'll keep doing that. "It's switched off", Tiffany tells me."What?" I exclaim. "Switched off!" She repeats. "Why the hell would she switch her p
IvannaI feel the soft touch of small fingertips on my eyelids. It makes me smile as I finch underneath the sheets, taking time to get over the morning hangover. The touch of tiny fingertips trails down my cheeks when I hear the small giggles. Without opening my eyes, I pull my arm out of the blanket and wrap it around Chrisanna, pulling her inside the sheets. She gasps right away, breaking into giggles. "Mama!" She squeals. I hug her tightly, taking her into my arms."Who is here to disturb me?" I mumble."It's me!" She says. "You just pulled me like a monster swallows little babies"She tilts her head towards me as I open my eyes smiling at her. It's not easy to start every passing morning to watch her change. For the worst definitely. Her face turns paler with each passing day. And she gets skinnier than the previous day. The dark spots under her eyes get deeper and deeper. The only thing which remains the same is her adorable smile. The confidence in her eyes that even I don't
Ivanna"Ivanna!" Stella literally screams as soon as she picks up the call. I flinch a bit and immediately try to reply but she doesn't give me the chance. "Long time, girl. Long time. How did you even remember me? I thought you suffered from memory loss", she groans, making me cackle a bit. But she doesn't just stop there. "It's been years. Like I didn't even see you after the PhD programme. I know Emily has always been close to you. But I was too. No?" Her voice comes a bit low. As always. Sentimental Stella. "You didn't even change at all", I laugh. "But you must have forgotten that you were the one to leave the USA for like four years right after achieving the doctorate", I tell her.She goes silent for a while."Yeah. Yeah. But still—""Okay. Let's put the complaints aside. How are you doing these days?" I ask."Working my ass off. Dealing with my pathetic dumbass husband. The divorce procedure is going on", she groans."Ah! I'm sorry", I mutter."Don't be sorry. Please congrat
IvannaSpring Valley is not really far away from the town. It took us a few hours to reach that village. I had never been here before but the village beside this one on a college trip. The place is calmer than the town and as soon as we reach there, an air of freshness hits us. Seems like a nice time to start all the good and positive things. I have always looked for a new environment to start afresh. Be it 11 years ago, when I was eighteen and left Dallas. I went to Texas City for a new life. Then I again went back to Dallas for another new start. Which started with Christian. Maybe, it's always been like that with me. I'm confident about talking to Christian about filing a lawsuit. I know this shouldn't be something to be nervous about. But I don't know why I'm feeling like he's not gonna take it that seriously. I have a gut feeling that Christian will not go for it.It's not like I will ever force any of my decisions on him. But I badly want him to do something for himself, carin
JohnGetting married in the 50s isn't that strange anymore. But for me, it was— for a man who believed his marriage would last forever and then believed he would never marry again. I stood before the mirror as Ryan helped other groomsmen with their last fit."You all look pretty handsome. Ready to leave. But I wish Kevin had that time to get a good fit. Your suit sucks!""I feel better anyway", Kevin snarls. I chuckle while fixing my bow tie, watching my sons in their 20s still fighting like toddlers. It's been a blessing for me to have a family which didn't break even after the biggest disaster. And maybe it was because, in our family, it had always been us. Me and my two boys. Their mother wasn't there. The death was just a formality. I didn't really change that much. My boys were happier than ever after she died. It's really mean of me to think that way but it was the truth. They were traumatised because they were kids. As they grew up, I realised they had a better and healthier
It's been a while since I updated this book. However, I have delayed letting you know that I'm writing a book on Samuel and Chrisanna titled "Dispute Marriage" You'll find it on my goodnovel profile. This book is a bit different from others which don't have a forced marriage trope or any abusive family since you are already familiar with both families.The story revolves around two childhood friends Samuel and Chrisanna and their sudden marriage after Samuel disappears from Chrisanna's life for eight years. The book deals with heavy mental issues and a dark past. Slow burn. Please give that book a try and let me know if you like it. And I would like to know if you would want a short portion of John and Georgia's story or a direct epilogue to close the book.
Tiffany Emery runs to Sebastian. "Da—dy"And he immediately drives his eyes down and takes her in his arms. They both look at me lovingly. Now, I don't feel bad about pushing the wedding. This feeling would not be the same if we got married before Emery came. Ryan and Kevin walk beside me to the aisle. I wanted them to do this honour because if there's anyone in this world I still love more than Sebastian and Emery, My eyes become teary as I walk to them. Sebastian spreads his arm at me and I immediately dig into his chest.He leans closer to my ear."My beautiful bride"I smile against his chest and look up. He takes my hand and leads me to the centre. I take a look at every one. John, Mr Ryder, Gary, Myra, Christian, Ivanna and the recent teenager Chrisanna. Everything feels so complete and beautiful. Mr Ryder comes and takes Emery from Sebastian even though she doesn't wanna go. With the pastor's words, Sebastian and I looked into each other's eyes deeply. "I, Sebastian Ry
TiffanyI can't figure out how to react and what it's all about because I don't wanna assume anything unreasonable. He's on his knees with a damn ring.It means— God! I can't— comprehend it. My eyes flutter open at his handsome face. No words come out of my mouth. I'm at a loss of words."I know you're shocked! And I'm sorry if I scared you with this sudden—" he doesn't complete, yet keeps his eyes straight into mine. "But I couldn't keep this longer inside me, Tiffany. I had known a long time ago that I needed you in my life. Forever! And I'm not scared to ask you that—"With that pause, my heartbeat stops and my entire body shivers when I wait for him to complete."Will you marry me?" I feel goosebumps littering all over me with those words. Did he really ask me for marriage? It takes me a while to process. His eyes are full of fear and hope and I'm left in shock. Never in my wildest dreams, I had imagined he would propose to me. I hear some people around cheering up and root
TiffanyTime indeed flies like air and it happened in my case in a better way. In the best way, actually. I started my job in the daycare centre with all the lovely kids around which made my life less monotonous after Ryan and Kevin left. They are doing good in their new school and John has also settled into his new office over there. I and Sebastian balanced our life beautifully, supporting each other. As days and weeks passed, our love grew stronger. Among everything, I was happy with the fact that I have my identity now. A good identity. My salary doubled in just three months after joining for my good service and the way all the kids related to me. In a year, I was promoted to manager of the daycare centre, life couldn't be any less beautiful. It's been two years, I and Sebastian are together and we are living our best life. We hardly argued and most of the time it was just silly. He loves to tease me and I go along with it. Sebastian has become the most demanding lawyer in the
TiffanyWe spent the last two days painting the house and I can't describe how beautiful it came out. We did some changes like replacing the furniture and donating some. If everything goes well, I'll be here in less than three days.John has finished all the preparations in Hong Kong and he's leaving the day after we decided to move in. It all happened so fast but I'm glad that John is recovering. It's been eight months since the tragedy and I know it's gonna take years for him to overcome this. I'm happy for him but I would be happier if there was any chance that he finds someone to love him as much as all of us found a person to love.It sucks and I hate the fact that all his life he never found someone like that.I and Sebastian carry the portrayal I had in my room for years. It's a huge one and Sebastian suggested we should place it in the living room because it's beautiful. It's a painting I got from an art summit years back, featuring a mother and her small daughter, surviving
Sebastian"Really, Sebastian? I have never seen you this excited before", Georgia says as I show her some themes I'm confused with and I end up telling her the whole plan. "Isn't it something to be excited about?" I blurt out. "She's moving in with me. Isn't it amazing? People can't even go past dating and we are really moving in!" I tell her and she smiles wider, sitting in front of my desk."That's true", she says. "I'm just wondering what you would do once you guys announce the marriage!" she laughs but on a serious note, it makes my heart stop for a while.She pauses, looking at me. "Sorry. I should not have said that?"I chuckle. "Nah! Nothing like that. I just spaced out when you talked about marriage""Ah! So, that means you're thinking about it", she leans to the desk. I scratch the back of my head with an awkward smile. "I could marry her the moment I saw her! But hell! I'm not repeating any mistakes from the past. Maybe, I'll wait for a while before proposing to her. And t
Tiffany We stop by the nursery. It's one of the biggest nurseries in the city which I can completely believe by the way it looks. The boys run into the green surrounding and I and Sebastian slowly walk to see the plants. One of the workers accompany us, showing us all the kinds of plants we could use for decor. "I want the real ones", he says as I scan those plants which need no sunlight. They would be perfect for indoors."These are real ones too. These are just indoors", I say, watching his expression change. "But I still don't find the realness in them. You can take these. I'll look for others", he walks away to find his REAL plants as I shake my head at him in disbelief.We load all the plants we have got for the decor and Ryan and Kevin took two small ones to plant in the yard. Even though they won't be staying here, they wish to see it all grown up when they would occasionally visit. After that, we stop by a restaurant to have lunch. Surprisingly, Sebastian didn't suggest h
Tiffany We talked a lot today. I'm glad that I took this whole day out for him because we needed to have this conversation. I have finally decided to move in with him. Nonetheless, it'll come with more challenges and I'm ready for it. This decision will not only make our relationship stronger but also give me a world of my own. I can't wait to finally live my life in my own conditions and happiness. Sebastian asked me if he could help me anyway. But I refused to take any help from him as I did with John. It's my call to explore and look for opportunities which I'll be doing from today. I'm thinking about having a conversation with John again. I want him to change his decision of holding back until I settle down. Because that's impossible. I'll need a lot of time to clean the mess and organise my life and I think I'll surely do it if I have Sebastian.I'm glad that Sebastian understood me and more than that he trusted me enough. I'm scrolling through my phone to research the jobs I t