Adrian sat in his office, staring blankly at the papers on his desk. The weight of everything that had happened in the last few weeks pressed heavily on him. Rita was distant, her trust in him fractured, and their future uncertain. Every attempt to bridge the growing gap between them seemed futile. He had made a mess of things with Sophie, and now, with the baby on the way, everything seemed to be spiraling out of his control.He rubbed his temples, trying to stave off the headache that was threatening to take over, when suddenly, his phone rang. The caller ID flashed: Father.Adrian froze. His father. The one person he had been trying to avoid, the one person whose approval he had always sought but never received. He took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself, and then answered the call."Adrian," his father's stern voice came through the phone, sending a chill down his spine. "We need to talk."Adrian’s stomach churned. He had known this moment would come. He knew it had been in
Adrian stood by the window of his study, his eyes fixed on the cloudy horizon. His mind wasn’t on the view—it was a storm within him that raged harder than the weather outside. The conversation with his father from the previous day had already left him drained, but it was nothing compared to the call he had just ended.This time, his father hadn’t just been stern—he had been livid."You’ve made decisions on your own before, Adrian," his father’s voice had thundered through the phone. "You walked away from the family business like it meant nothing. We let that go because you wanted to 'find yourself.' But this—this is not something I will tolerate."Adrian had barely gotten a word in before the older man continued."You think you can just disgrace the family name? A union with the Walkers—Sophie’s family—was not just about tradition. It was business, legacy, power. You’re a grown man, yet you throw all that away for a woman we know nothing about? And now, you’re living with her, claimi
Adrian got out and walked up to the door, every step heavy with uncertainty.When he opened it, he found Rita sitting quietly in the living room, wrapped in a soft blanket, a book unopened on her lap. She looked up at him, her eyes distant, wary."You're back," she said simply, her voice carrying no emotion.Adrian stepped inside and closed the door behind him carefully, like if he slammed it, it would shatter the fragile peace between them."I am," he said, his voice low. "And I'm not going anywhere again, Rita. Not without you."She said nothing, her eyes dropping back to the book she clearly wasn’t reading.Adrian walked over slowly, then knelt down in front of her, placing his hands gently over her knees."Rita," he said, "I know I should have told you everything about Sophie. I should have told you the moment we got serious. But I was scared... scared that my past would ruin the best thing that's ever happened to me."She finally looked at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tea
The soft rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor filled the room, a steady pulse of life in an otherwise tense and fragile silence. The morning sun filtered through the pale curtains, casting gentle streaks of gold across the hospital floor.Rita stirred slightly.Adrian looked up, his eyes bloodshot from staying awake all night. He had barely moved from her side, watching her, whispering apologies, regretting every moment he hadn’t spoken the truth.“Rita?” he leaned closer, his heart suddenly racing with anticipation and fear.Her lashes fluttered, slowly revealing her eyes — red-rimmed, dull, and unreadable.He smiled faintly, relieved. “You’re awake… thank God.”But Rita didn’t smile. She didn’t speak. She simply blinked, and her gaze drifted away from him, toward the ceiling.Adrian’s throat tightened.“Rita… I was so scared. I thought I—”“Why didn’t you tell me?” Her voice was hoarse but carried enough weight to silence him instantly.Adrian froze. “I… I didn’t know how. I was af
Rita’s heart raced as the doctor’s words echoed in her ears, a melody she had longed to hear for years. She was pregnant. After endless nights of silent prayers and hidden tears, the universe had finally answered. She imagined the joy lighting up James’ face as she shared the news, a spark to revive their crumbling marriage.Clutching the ultrasound picture close to her chest, Rita hurried home, her heels clicking against the dusty path leading to the farmhouse. The faint smell of freshly tilled soil lingered in the air. For the first time in months, her footsteps felt lighter, her lips trembling into a smile she could no longer suppress.“James!” she called as she pushed open the front door, her voice filled with eager anticipation. The house was strangely silent. The curtains, partially drawn, cast eerie shadows across the living room.Her instincts urged caution, but excitement propelled her forward. She headed to their bedroom, her mind rehearsing the words she had longed to say.
Rita stumbled out of the farmhouse, the bitter taste of betrayal lingering in her mouth. The cool evening breeze kissed her tear-streaked face, but it offered no comfort. Her heart was shattered, and her mind was a chaotic whirlpool of emotions. The world she had sacrificed everything for had turned its back on her, leaving her alone in the dark.She walked aimlessly, her heels digging into the dirt road as the sound of distant laughter from the house echoed behind her. Her mother-in-law, Linet, and even James, now all strangers to her. Rita clenched her fists, trying to suppress the sobs rising in her throat. She wouldn’t cry for them, not anymore.The small bar at the edge of town came into view. Its dim neon sign flickered faintly, barely illuminating the cracked walls and rusted door. Rita had never set foot in such a place before, but tonight, she didn’t care. She just needed something—anything—to numb the pain.Inside, the bar was dimly lit and crowded with locals. The smell of
The morning sun painted the sky with hues of orange and gold, but its warmth barely reached Rita’s heart as she sat by the roadside, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. The events of the past 24 hours felt like a cruel blur. Her body ached from the cold night under the bridge, and her spirit was bruised from the betrayal she had endured. But as the dawn broke, so did a spark of determination within her.For the first time in years, Rita allowed herself to think about the life she had left behind, the life she had hidden from James and his family. She had walked away from luxury, wealth, and a powerful family name, all in pursuit of love and simplicity. But that love had proven to be nothing more than a mirage, leaving her stranded and broken.No more, she thought. No more hiding. No more sacrificing herself for people who didn’t deserve her. It was time to reclaim the life she had abandoned.Rita looked around, spotting a woman sweeping the dusty roadside in front of a small kios
As Rita was ushered into the mansion, she was overwhelmed by the sight that awaited her. The grand foyer, adorned with crystal chandeliers and intricate carvings, was decorated with fresh flowers. The dining hall was transformed into a festive space, with a long table laden with sumptuous dishes. The aroma of roasted meats, freshly baked bread, and exotic spices filled the air.The staff had prepared a feast fit for royalty a testament to how much they adored her. Rita’s heart swelled with gratitude, but a pang of guilt lingered. She had left all of this behind, and yet they welcomed her back without hesitation.Her mother, elegantly dressed and radiant as ever, appeared at the top of the staircase. Her eyes filled with tears as she descended, her steps quickening until she reached Rita. “My darling girl,” she whispered, pulling Rita into a tight embrace. “You’re home. You’re finally home.”“I’m so sorry, Mama,” Rita choked out, her voice breaking. “I shouldn’t have left. I shouldn’t
The soft rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor filled the room, a steady pulse of life in an otherwise tense and fragile silence. The morning sun filtered through the pale curtains, casting gentle streaks of gold across the hospital floor.Rita stirred slightly.Adrian looked up, his eyes bloodshot from staying awake all night. He had barely moved from her side, watching her, whispering apologies, regretting every moment he hadn’t spoken the truth.“Rita?” he leaned closer, his heart suddenly racing with anticipation and fear.Her lashes fluttered, slowly revealing her eyes — red-rimmed, dull, and unreadable.He smiled faintly, relieved. “You’re awake… thank God.”But Rita didn’t smile. She didn’t speak. She simply blinked, and her gaze drifted away from him, toward the ceiling.Adrian’s throat tightened.“Rita… I was so scared. I thought I—”“Why didn’t you tell me?” Her voice was hoarse but carried enough weight to silence him instantly.Adrian froze. “I… I didn’t know how. I was af
Adrian got out and walked up to the door, every step heavy with uncertainty.When he opened it, he found Rita sitting quietly in the living room, wrapped in a soft blanket, a book unopened on her lap. She looked up at him, her eyes distant, wary."You're back," she said simply, her voice carrying no emotion.Adrian stepped inside and closed the door behind him carefully, like if he slammed it, it would shatter the fragile peace between them."I am," he said, his voice low. "And I'm not going anywhere again, Rita. Not without you."She said nothing, her eyes dropping back to the book she clearly wasn’t reading.Adrian walked over slowly, then knelt down in front of her, placing his hands gently over her knees."Rita," he said, "I know I should have told you everything about Sophie. I should have told you the moment we got serious. But I was scared... scared that my past would ruin the best thing that's ever happened to me."She finally looked at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tea
Adrian stood by the window of his study, his eyes fixed on the cloudy horizon. His mind wasn’t on the view—it was a storm within him that raged harder than the weather outside. The conversation with his father from the previous day had already left him drained, but it was nothing compared to the call he had just ended.This time, his father hadn’t just been stern—he had been livid."You’ve made decisions on your own before, Adrian," his father’s voice had thundered through the phone. "You walked away from the family business like it meant nothing. We let that go because you wanted to 'find yourself.' But this—this is not something I will tolerate."Adrian had barely gotten a word in before the older man continued."You think you can just disgrace the family name? A union with the Walkers—Sophie’s family—was not just about tradition. It was business, legacy, power. You’re a grown man, yet you throw all that away for a woman we know nothing about? And now, you’re living with her, claimi
Adrian sat in his office, staring blankly at the papers on his desk. The weight of everything that had happened in the last few weeks pressed heavily on him. Rita was distant, her trust in him fractured, and their future uncertain. Every attempt to bridge the growing gap between them seemed futile. He had made a mess of things with Sophie, and now, with the baby on the way, everything seemed to be spiraling out of his control.He rubbed his temples, trying to stave off the headache that was threatening to take over, when suddenly, his phone rang. The caller ID flashed: Father.Adrian froze. His father. The one person he had been trying to avoid, the one person whose approval he had always sought but never received. He took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself, and then answered the call."Adrian," his father's stern voice came through the phone, sending a chill down his spine. "We need to talk."Adrian’s stomach churned. He had known this moment would come. He knew it had been in
And with that, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the apartment, leaving Adrian standing in the doorway, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.He had made his choice. He had to. And he would face whatever consequences came with it. But one thing was certain — he would not let Sophie stand in the way of his future with Rita. Not anymore.Rita sat on the edge of their bed, staring out of the window, her thoughts heavy and clouded. The days seemed to blur together, and the weight in her chest only grew with each passing one. She had always prided herself on being strong, on knowing when something was wrong, but this time, she felt like she was drowning in uncertainty.Since the confrontation with Sophie, something had shifted. Adrian was different — distant, more withdrawn. The tenderness that had once marked his every action towards her had become scarce, replaced with a cool formality. It was subtle at first, the small things — the lack of the playful touches, the absen
Adrian sat in the quiet of the living room, his thoughts swirling in a storm of confusion, guilt, and frustration. He had never once wanted Sophie in his life. The engagement had been arranged by their families years ago, long before he even met Rita. At first, it had been a simple, distant arrangement, one he never took seriously. But Sophie? She took it all too seriously. She clung to him, her arrogance and entitlement clouding every interaction, while he did everything he could to avoid her.His parents, especially his mother, had never stopped pressing him about Sophie, reminding him of the "important alliance" it would solidify. They saw the marriage as a business arrangement — a union that could strengthen their family’s standing, a way to bring in wealth, influence, and connections. But for Adrian, it was never about that. He had no interest in Sophie’s social status or her family’s power. What he wanted, what he had always wanted, was a life of his own, a life built on passion
Rita had barely rubbed the sleep from her eyes when the sharp knock echoed through the apartment. She glanced at the clock — 7:30 AM. It was too early for a visit, especially after the strange thoughts from last night still weighed on her mind. Who could it be?Pushing herself up from the couch, Rita shuffled towards the door, her bare feet against the cold floor. As she reached for the handle, the door swung open with force, and before she could react, a woman stepped past her, brushing Rita aside as if she didn’t exist."Excuse me!" Rita snapped, her heart racing with a mix of confusion and irritation. She wasn’t used to being treated this way in her own home.The woman was tall, with sharp features and an air of arrogance that made Rita’s blood boil. Her eyes scanned the living room dismissively before landing back on Rita."I’m Sophie," the woman said, her voice dripping with disdain as she stood in the middle of the living room. "I’m here to see Adrian. Where is he?"Rita’s jaw t
The days were warm and tender, colored with laughter, gentle music, and the soft rustling of baby clothes being arranged in drawers. Rita was glowing. Her belly had blossomed into full roundness, and her steps were slower, but graceful. Her cheeks were fuller, her eyes softer, and her smile — oh, her smile could light up their entire home.To everyone, it seemed like a perfect time. Rita was safe, happy, loved. But for Adrian, a storm brewed beneath the still surface.He would watch her from across the room — one hand on her belly, the other flipping through a baby book, her eyes twinkling with anticipation — and guilt would claw at his chest.He should have told her long ago. He should have come clean before the baby’s kicks grew stronger, before they painted the nursery, before she wrote down a list of names and laughed when he jokingly added "Thor."But every time he tried, the words failed him. He'd open his mouth, but her joy was too precious, too pure — he couldn’t bear to dim i
The plane touched down in the early hours of the morning, the golden rays of sunrise stretching lazily across the horizon as if to welcome Rita and Adrian back to their quiet corner of the world. The past weeks had been nothing short of stormy — Antony’s funeral, the uncovering of betrayal, the chaos at the company — and though they had held each other through it all, they were both silently craving the peace of home.As they stepped out of the cab and onto the familiar cobbled pathway of their apartment block, the cool breeze of the city wrapped around them like a long-lost friend. Rita clutched her small suitcase in one hand and instinctively reached for Adrian’s with the other. Her baby bump, now more visible than before, was the quiet promise of new beginnings.She had barely opened the gate when she heard it:"Miss Rita! You're back!" a small voice shrieked.Rita turned just in time to see little Naomi — the bubbly seven-year-old from next door — sprinting toward her in her pajam