EvelynI drew in a deep breath, feeling the thick silence that had settled over the room. Jacob and I had discussed this trip to Italy at the café earlier, and although nerves hummed beneath my skin, a larger part of me was thrilled. Going back would be a fresh start, a chance for us to be together without the cloud of past events hanging over us. Last time, circumstances hadn’t allowed for much happiness, and yet here we were, hoping to rewrite that story.This trip could be really be different and thousand percent better.But there was one catch: my dad.He’d always been protective, and after everything that happened there, I knew he might see this as a risk—a trip he wouldn’t want me to take, not so soon. I glanced at Jacob, feeling his hand give mine a small, reassuring squeeze under the table as Dad emitted a long sigh. He reached for more veggies, placing them on his plate with a practiced calm, chewing as though he hadn’t heard the question Jacob had asked moments earlier.Was
Evelyn"Black suits you better," Jacob said, his voice a low murmur, "That peach one was far too plain.""Fine," I relented, handing the black dress to the sales assistant, who’d practically become our shopping partner at this point. Jacob and I had been here for the past hour, and just when I thought we were done, he'd find something else—matching shoes, bags, accessories, even items I knew would just sit in my closet collecting dust."I want to see the blue one," he directed at the assistant, who promptly retrieved it."More?" I protested, glancing at the growing pile of bags. "Jacob, I’m running out of closet space. Where am I supposed to keep all this?"His lips curved into that irresistible, teasing smile. "Better figure it out, baby, because I’m not done yet. Now, go try this one too.""Jacob—""Go, Evelyn.""Fine. But if I never wear half of these, it’s on you."He laughed softly, and I felt myself fighting a smile, masking it with a glare as I stepped into the dressing room. T
Evelyn“God, you are beautiful,” Jacob murmured, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. I snuggled closer to him under the umbrella on the chaise lounge, wrapped in his warmth and the safety of his arms. This was, what, the third time he’d told me this today? I couldn’t lie; I loved every word, every look he’d been giving me. Lately, it was like he couldn’t get enough of me, like he was falling all over again, and if I claimed not to enjoy it, I’d be the biggest liar. Well, I was a liar at times but when it came to Jacob, or anything about him, I’d was nothing but honest.“Careful there,” I giggled, glancing up at him. “You’re becoming obsessed with me.”“Too late for that, Evie. I’ve been obsessed with you for as long as I can remember.”“Oh, really?” I teased, brushing my nose against his.Just then, Jennie’s groan cut through our bubble. “Please, stop. I’ve been watching this for the last hour, and if I have to see any more of this lovey-dovey nonsense, I’m going to need another drink. L
Evelyn “Welcome back.” Jacob scooped me up the moment I stepped inside the apartment, spinning us around before I even had a chance to take a step on my own. I laughed, holding on tighter as he twirled us, our laughter filling the familiar space.“Silly,” I whispered as he settled us on the couch, cradling me in his lap like a baby. Jacob always treated me like one, and honestly, I didn’t mind being spoiled. After the long flight, I should’ve felt tired, but the moment we breathed in the air of Italy, any exhaustion disappeared. And being back in this apartment, where we’d built so many memories—the good, the hard, the unforgettable—felt as sweet as it was bittersweet.“You have no idea how empty this place felt after you left,” Jacob murmured, his eyes scanning my face as if memorizing every detail. “It was like I was dying a little every day. The silence, missing your warmth, your scent, the soft sound of your footsteps… it all just killed me, baby. I love you.” His forehead presse
Sometimes, just when you think you’ve finally reached solid ground, life finds a way to pull the rug out from under you. One moment, everything seems to be falling into place, and the next, it's unraveling faster than you can hold it together. Evelyn and Jacob are bracing for the fiercest storm they've ever faced—a storm that will test them in ways they never imagined. This isn't just another bump in the road; it’s a plunge into depths they’ve never explored. Get ready, because this time, they’re on a rollercoaster that’s about to dive even deeper, with twists and turns they may not come back from unchanged. It’s time to dive deeper. *** “You’re too young for a child, Evelyn. Don’t you get it?” Jacob’s voice thundered. “You can’t have that baby.” “Why not?!” I shot back, defiant and trembling. “I have a say in this too! This is my choice. I’m keeping the baby, Jacob, whether you like it or not.” Jacob groaned, running a frustrated hand through his hair. “Evelyn, I really don’t h
Evelyn “We’re already late,” I sighed, resting my chin against his chest. “We really need to get up and head to Bianca’s, or she’s going to kill us.”“We can be a little late,” he murmured, effortlessly flipping us so I was on my back, with him hovering above me. Slowly, he buried his nose in the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply. “God, you smell so good.”“Dummy,” I chuckled, threading my fingers through his hair and massaging his scalp. “It’s already past breakfast time. If we don’t get there soon, she’ll be plotting our deaths.”He hummed, pressing a kiss to the spot between my neck and shoulder before trailing his nose along my jawline. “Trust me, baby. Since she invited us for breakfast, she probably has a secret dinner planned too. Besides, she knows us.”“She knows us?” I raised an eyebrow, gently grabbing his jaw and making him look at me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”“What I mean,” he began, his left hand slipping under the duvet and tracing my inner thigh, “is that she k
EvelynAfter what felt like an hour of relentless bickering and a barely controlled wrestling match, Jacob and Bianca finally collapsed onto the couch. Both were panting, disheveled, and bruised—though we all knew Jacob had gone easy on her. Let’s be real: one solid punch from him could probably send ten Evelyns and ten Biancas straight to heaven."Are you two done now?" I asked, trying—and failing—not to laugh. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined I’d witness two grown adults behaving like this."Yeah," they grumbled in unison, their synchronized reply only making my lips twitch with amusement."Great," I said, standing up. "Once you two finish catching your breath, we’re setting the table together. I’m starving, and I’m sure you are too."Jacob, of course, couldn’t help himself. "Well, I doubt we can eat if Bianca cooked."Bianca’s head snapped up like she’d been personally insulted by the gods. "Excuse me, you absolute piece of shit in the name of human! If you don’t want to e
Evelyn"Honey, you look absolutely ravishing in this dress," Eliot declared as he ran his fingers through his green hair—a habitual gesture he repeated every two minutes without fail. His lips curled into a grin as he added, "God! You’re a freaking goddess!" He pressed his fingers against his lips dramatically, as if silencing his own awe.A soft chuckle escaped me as I reached out to ruffle his hair. "Thanks, Ellie.""You’re most welcome, Evie," he replied before turning to his assistant, who had already begun packing up their tools and supplies.I shifted my gaze to the mirror, unable to suppress a small smile at my reflection. The black, one-shoulder evening gown shimmered subtly, hugging my curves in all the right places. My hair, neatly styled into an elegant bun, paired perfectly with the understated nude makeup that complemented my skin tone. The black heels added a touch of height, accentuating my posture and elongating my frame.Well, I looked really pretty today.No one else
Samuel"You're too young for a baby, Evelyn!""Jacob's right—you should abort it!""No, you can't have a kid when you're still a kid yourself!""I'm going to kill that bastard!""Evelyn, think it through!"A hundred pleas, a hundred desperate arguments—none of them mattered. She was hell-bent on having this baby. And truth be told, I couldn't force her. Danica and I had her when we were young too. Questioning her now would mean admitting we thought she was less capable than we had been.And I refused to do that. My daughter could handle this. I knew she could.As shocking as the news was, my bigger concern was Jacob. That piece of shit's reaction. I knew what this meant for him—how the word father terrified him, how much he hated himself for the blood that ran through his veins.He didn't think he was capable of being a father because he was convinced he'd fail. I'd seen it in him for years—his greatest fear."Do you think Jacob's going to agree to this?" Clara asked, worry lacing her
EvelynThe soft sound of someone shifting and moving around the room pulled me from the depths of sleep. My eyes blinked open, heavy with lingering grogginess, and I saw Jacob getting ready—probably for the office, judging by his sharp suit.Dragging myself up despite the weight of sleep threatening to drag me back into the sea of the mattress, I yawned. Maybe it was just another side effect of pregnancy—this constant, consuming need to rest.“What are you doing?” I mumbled, voice thick with sleep.Jacob froze mid-motion, his hand hesitating as he fastened his watch. He turned toward me, his gaze softening as he abandoned the task and approached the bed. “Sorry, baby, did I wake you up?” he murmured, leaning down to caress my cheek.“Not really.” I let out another yawn. “But why are you leaving so early? You usually head out much later than this.”A small chuckle escaped him as he caught my hands, preventing me from rubbing the sleep from my eyes. “Don’t do that,” he teased. “If you w
EvelynIt was noon when I couldn’t stand the silence any longer. It was suffocating, eating away at me, and I had no idea how to face it. So, I did the only thing I could—opened the damn door and walked out.Jacob was sitting on the couch, his head lowered, eyes fixed on his hands, clenching them together like they could somehow hold him together. The sound of my footsteps must have pulled him from his haze because his gaze shifted to me, and I saw the tension in his shoulders ease. A quiet sigh escaped his lips.He didn’t say a word, just stood as I walked toward him, stopping just a breath away. My chest tightened. Tears were threatening to spill, and worse—he could see it. That made it worse, because now I couldn’t hide it. The lump in my throat grew with each passing second.Before I could say anything, he raised his hands, cupping my face gently. His touch shattered whatever restraint I had left, and my chin trembled, fighting to hold back the flood of tears.He seemed to feel it
EvelynSunlight filtered through the small gap between the curtains, landing softly on my face. I squeezed my eyes shut, determined not to wake up, but it only lasted a moment before I gave in. Panic shot through every one of my veins as I opened my eyes and saw the empty space beside me.Sitting up hurriedly, I scanned the room.Did he not come home last night?I slipped on my slippers, ready to search for him, when a realization stopped me in my tracks. I'd fallen asleep on the sofa, waiting for him. Yet here I was, waking up in bed. The memory hit me then—his strong arms carrying me to bed, his warmth enveloping me as he held me close.I stepped out of the bedroom, my ears catching the soft clatter of utensils. Following the sounds to the kitchen, I found him there, cooking breakfast.A sigh of relief escaped me at the sight. He stood at the stove, relaxed and focused, as if the weight of our troubles didn't exist. As if we didn't have a situation to handle. As if we both weren't w
JacobI sat in my office, drenched in sweat, my breath shallow and quick. Dread crawled under my skin, seeping into my bones, invading every inch of me until I was cold. The air around me felt thick, suffocating, and each breath I managed to draw seemed to take all my strength. It was suddenly a chore to keep breathing and stay alive.I paced back and forth, running a hand through my hair, the dim light above the ceiling the only thing cutting through the darkness. I couldn’t bear to be in complete darkness right now. I needed to see something, anything, just to remind myself I was still here."Calm down," I muttered, trying to steady my shaking hands, clenching them into fists at my sides. "Fucking calm down."It had been years—years since I’d felt like this.The last time was when I was fifteen.I thought I'd outgrown it, that I had put all of it behind me. The fear. The pain. The panic. Why now? Why was it coming back?"He's dead," I breathed out, burying my face in my hands. The w
EvelynI stepped out of the doctor's office, my heart heavy and light all at once. It thudded violently against my ribs, my breath coming in shallow bursts. My skin felt cold, and tears prickled at the corners of my eyes. The feelings surged, intensifying with every second, creeping into every cell of my body.I felt lost. Hopeless. Overwhelmed.Was I ready to be a mother?I didn't know.Was it too soon? Maybe.But not once, in the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in my mind, did the idea of harming the tiny soul growing inside me cross my mind. My decision had already been made before I even realized there was one to make. I knew what I was going to do.I just didn't know how.Two and a half months. Probably from our time in America. And yet, until two days ago, the thought hadn't even occurred to me.Lost in thought, I pushed open the door to our apartment. The evening light filtered through the large windows, casting a warm glow. I froze when I spotted Jacob. He stood facing the mirr
EvelynIt took time to calm my racing thoughts, but even now, I had no answers. Still nothing but a plain sheet of blank covering my whole mind. Every corner.I needed to hear it from Jacob—his opinion, his view. This wasn’t just my decision or a race alone. It was ours.We had to face this situation together…For….Our baby.“I’ve looked into a few venues,” Jacob murmured, brushing his thumb over my ring. The moonlight caught it, making it gleam. “I liked some, but a few need a closer look. You should come with me,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to the side of my head, “Well, you are coming with me.”His warmth lulled me for a moment, my eyes fluttering shut.“So, no more secrets like everything else?” I teased, a soft chuckle escaping as I leaned back against him. His chest met my back, his warmth hugging me and his nose grazed my neck as he inhaled deeply. “If I could keep it a secret, I would,” he deadpanned, making me laugh again. “But I want the venue to be your choice. Besides
EvelynTwo days had passed since the excitement of Jacob's proposal, but something else had been gnawing at me like a relentless leech. One nagging, soul-crushing question: Was I even on the pill?The fact that I couldn't remember was maddening. It felt like trying to grasp smoke. I needed to know—desperately. And worse, there was no one I could ask. Who else would know about my pregnancy precautions? That was my responsibility. Solely mine. And I had failed. Miserably.I bit the inside of my cheek, shutting my eyes tightly, trying to will the memory back. Nothing. Just a hazy void where clarity should have been.The only person who might help? Nancy.Jacob was still in the shower, so I had time to call her. My fingers fumbled over my phone as I pulled up her contact and hit FaceTime.The call rang. And rang. Anxiety surged like a tidal wave, crashing harder with each unanswered ring."Pick up, you stupid bitch," I muttered under my breath, pacing the room. "Come on, I need you! Pick
EvelynThe morning came but my excitement didn’t fade. Overjoyed, I called Clara.Sitting on the bed, I held my phone up for FaceTime, the ringing tone filling the room as I waited for her to pick up. My heart was still soaring, and I couldn't help but smile, practically glowing.I mean, come on! I was engaged.This was no less than a dream, and I clung to it with everything I had, even though I knew Jacob would never let anyone or anything take it away. He was here—right here, beside me, forever.“Why isn’t she picking up?” Jacob’s voice broke through my thoughts. His chin rested on my shoulder, his arms wrapped securely around me as he pulled me closer making me meet his body warmth. A frown creased his brow. “Do you think they’re, I don’t know...making babies?”I gasped, turning my head to gape at him. “What’s wrong with you?!”“What?” He shrugged, his smirk growing infuriatingly. “It’s a plausible reason. Your dad can’t be trusted, you know.”“Excuse me?” I jabbed my finger into h