Aria and her husband, Lucien, sat together in a calm, quiet moment on the couch, the soft rustling of the nearby curtains the only sound in the room besides their own breathing. Aria was gently tending to a fresh wound on Lucien's arm, her expression focused and filled with concern. Carefully, she dabbed at the injury with a piece of cotton soaked in antiseptic."Ah—ouch... that really hurts," Lucien winced for the second time, his voice tinged with both pain and frustration.Without pausing her careful work, Aria responded with a calm but slightly amused tone, “Lucien, this cut isn’t as deep as you think it is. It looks worse than it actually is.” She continued to press the cotton softly against the injured area, trying to stanch the blood that still trickled from the wound.Lucien flinched slightly and looked at her with furrowed brows. “Please be careful,” he said, his voice softer now, both out of love and a touch of discomfort.Aria glanced up at him briefly, her eyes narrowing w
Sophie’s mom stood in the doorway, arms folded tight across her chest. She’d been watching her daughter for several minutes now, silently tracking every frantic step Sophie took across the living room carpet. It was like watching a storm build—tense, unpredictable, exhausting to witness.Finally, she couldn’t hold back anymore. “Sweetheart,” she said softly, trying to keep her voice steady, “what’s going on with you? Is something wrong?”Sophie froze mid-step, her hands balled into fists at her sides. “I… I think Lucien’s in pain,” she said, but it came out all jagged, like she’d been holding it in for too long.Her mother blinked. That wasn’t what she was expecting. “In pain? Why would you think that? He looked fine when I last saw him—actually, better than fine.” She patted the couch cushion next to her. “Come here. Let’s sit down and talk this out.”But Sophie just shook her head and backed away, her whole body tight like a stretched rubber band. “No, Mom. He’s not okay.” Her voice
The morning air was crisp, but it did little to cool the tight knot in Aria’s chest. Her fingers clutched Lucien’s arm as they walked down the sidewalk, the hospital’s entrance looming ahead. She kept glancing behind them, her eyes scanning every passing face, every shifting shadow.“We need to be careful with your stalker, Sophie,” she said, her voice low and tense. “If we’re not… you might end up more hurt than she was last time.”Lucien stopped and turned to face her. Aria’s eyes were wide—haunted, even. He knew that look. She’d worn it since the incident. Since Sophie.Aria wrapped her arms around herself. “I know she’s not here now, but I keep feeling like she’s watching us. Like she’s waiting. I don’t want to see her again, Lucien. I can’t.”He gently cupped her face, forcing her to meet his gaze. “I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe from whatever she’s planning,” he said firmly. “No matter what.”She nodded, though the fear in her eyes didn’t fade. Lucien held her close f
The sky had long since darkened, casting a shadowy veil over the city streets. Most establishments had already begun shutting their doors for the night, their lights dimming one by one, leaving the sidewalks colder and more deserted with each passing minute. A few stragglers rushed home, their footsteps hurried, eager to escape the growing stillness of the evening. Street lamps flickered to life along the roadside, their artificial glow casting pools of yellow light that offered little comfort. The world outside felt unfamiliar and unsettling, cloaked in uneasy silence broken only by distant traffic and hurried steps.Aria stepped out of the hospital doors with visible caution. Her hand instinctively rested on her belly, protective and tender, as though shielding the life growing within her from the darkness around. Each step she took became faster than the last, her pace no longer leisurely but tense and urgent. A chill settled in her bones—not just from the evening air but from a cr
My Mysterious HusbandThe church was stunning—of course it was. Chandeliers dripped crystal from high vaulted ceilings. Golden candlelight danced across the ivory columns, and white petals lined the aisle in painstaking spirals.Aria stood at the altar in her champagne-colored gown, her heart pounding for reasons that had nothing to do with love.“This is ridiculous,” she whispered through clenched teeth. “Is this a prank?”“No, ma’am,” the priest said solemnly, not even blinking. “Mr. Vale has approved all arrangements. Including the proxy.”She looked down again and stared at the puppy.A small, fluffy, absolutely ridiculous golden retriever puppy sat at the altar in a custom-tailored tuxedo, tongue lolling out in pure joy. His leash was held by a man in a suit too sharp to be real, possibly a butler. The dog sneezed adorably.Aria turned to her mother, who stood off to the side dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. “Mom. Seriously. A dog?” she complains.“It’s all symbolic, swee
The sun spilled through the tall windows, soft and golden, casting a warm glow over the luxurious master bedroom. Aria stirred under the silk sheets, her lashes fluttering as she slowly woke from a sleep that felt more like a dream—or maybe a blur.She sat up abruptly.The other side of the bed was untouched. Crisp. Cold.Her brows knit together. He’s gone? She scanned the room. There’s no movement. No sound. Just the distant hum of morning outside the estate’s walls.She slid her legs over the edge of the bed, her feet touching the cool marble floor. A silk robe hung neatly on a nearby chair. She slipped into it as the weight of memory slowly pressed down on her shoulders.“Married. I’m actually married.” She unbelievably reminds herself.The memory of yesterday’s event lingers in her mind, heavy and unresolved. No matter how many times she turns over her husband's explanation about the proxy dog at their wedding, it just doesn’t sit right with her—she simply can’t bring herself to a
The morning air was sterile and humming with the rhythm of heart monitors, distant footsteps, and the low murmur of busy medics. St. Gabriel’s Hospital was alive again, and so was she—or at least pretending to be. Her long white coat fluttered slightly behind her as she strode past the nurse’s station, dark hair pulled back into a no-nonsense bun, her ID badge catching the light with every step.It had been three weeks since her last surgery. Three weeks since she’d left for her wedding.Three weeks since she married a man she barely knew.“Dr. Thorne!” called a voice, chipper and annoyingly familiar."Actually, it's Dr. Vale now," the other one chimed in with a mischievous grin, correcting her last name as if she'd just made a rookie mistake.Aria slowed, brows tightening with a sigh before glancing sideways. Lila, the resident nurse with too much curiosity and too little filter, leaned across the counter with a wide grin.“You’re glowing! Married life suits you.”Behind her, two oth
The key clicked in the lock with a soft clink, and Aria Vale pushed the door open with her shoulder, a heavy yawn escaping her lips. Her heels echoed against the wooden floor as she stepped inside, setting her bag down with a tired sigh. The house was dark — not just dim, but untouched.She paused.Not a single light on. No jacket hung over the back of the chair, no second pair of shoes near the door, no faint smell of cologne or cooking. Everything sat exactly as she had left it that morning — as if time had frozen, or as if no one had come home at all.Aria flipped the switch by the entryway. Warm light bathed the space, but it only made the silence louder.Her brows furrowed. "Not even a note..." she whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the hallway bulb.She walked further in, scanning the apartment with practiced eyes. Nothing. No sign of her husband. No trace that he ever considered this place — their place — his home.A dry laugh escaped her lips. Of course.She
The sky had long since darkened, casting a shadowy veil over the city streets. Most establishments had already begun shutting their doors for the night, their lights dimming one by one, leaving the sidewalks colder and more deserted with each passing minute. A few stragglers rushed home, their footsteps hurried, eager to escape the growing stillness of the evening. Street lamps flickered to life along the roadside, their artificial glow casting pools of yellow light that offered little comfort. The world outside felt unfamiliar and unsettling, cloaked in uneasy silence broken only by distant traffic and hurried steps.Aria stepped out of the hospital doors with visible caution. Her hand instinctively rested on her belly, protective and tender, as though shielding the life growing within her from the darkness around. Each step she took became faster than the last, her pace no longer leisurely but tense and urgent. A chill settled in her bones—not just from the evening air but from a cr
The morning air was crisp, but it did little to cool the tight knot in Aria’s chest. Her fingers clutched Lucien’s arm as they walked down the sidewalk, the hospital’s entrance looming ahead. She kept glancing behind them, her eyes scanning every passing face, every shifting shadow.“We need to be careful with your stalker, Sophie,” she said, her voice low and tense. “If we’re not… you might end up more hurt than she was last time.”Lucien stopped and turned to face her. Aria’s eyes were wide—haunted, even. He knew that look. She’d worn it since the incident. Since Sophie.Aria wrapped her arms around herself. “I know she’s not here now, but I keep feeling like she’s watching us. Like she’s waiting. I don’t want to see her again, Lucien. I can’t.”He gently cupped her face, forcing her to meet his gaze. “I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe from whatever she’s planning,” he said firmly. “No matter what.”She nodded, though the fear in her eyes didn’t fade. Lucien held her close f
Sophie’s mom stood in the doorway, arms folded tight across her chest. She’d been watching her daughter for several minutes now, silently tracking every frantic step Sophie took across the living room carpet. It was like watching a storm build—tense, unpredictable, exhausting to witness.Finally, she couldn’t hold back anymore. “Sweetheart,” she said softly, trying to keep her voice steady, “what’s going on with you? Is something wrong?”Sophie froze mid-step, her hands balled into fists at her sides. “I… I think Lucien’s in pain,” she said, but it came out all jagged, like she’d been holding it in for too long.Her mother blinked. That wasn’t what she was expecting. “In pain? Why would you think that? He looked fine when I last saw him—actually, better than fine.” She patted the couch cushion next to her. “Come here. Let’s sit down and talk this out.”But Sophie just shook her head and backed away, her whole body tight like a stretched rubber band. “No, Mom. He’s not okay.” Her voice
Aria and her husband, Lucien, sat together in a calm, quiet moment on the couch, the soft rustling of the nearby curtains the only sound in the room besides their own breathing. Aria was gently tending to a fresh wound on Lucien's arm, her expression focused and filled with concern. Carefully, she dabbed at the injury with a piece of cotton soaked in antiseptic."Ah—ouch... that really hurts," Lucien winced for the second time, his voice tinged with both pain and frustration.Without pausing her careful work, Aria responded with a calm but slightly amused tone, “Lucien, this cut isn’t as deep as you think it is. It looks worse than it actually is.” She continued to press the cotton softly against the injured area, trying to stanch the blood that still trickled from the wound.Lucien flinched slightly and looked at her with furrowed brows. “Please be careful,” he said, his voice softer now, both out of love and a touch of discomfort.Aria glanced up at him briefly, her eyes narrowing w
Lucien had become a softer, more devoted man, pouring his love into every little thing he did for Aria. He tended to her with quiet care—preparing her meals, doing the laundry, and making sure her every need was met. With him by her side, life felt effortless, wrapped in the warmth of his steady presence. Each morning, he rose before the sun, visiting the market to gather the freshest ingredients. He cooked with love, crafting wholesome meals and nourishing drinks to keep both Aria and their growing baby healthy and strong.“Good morning, my love,” he whispered, brushing a tender kiss across her forehead. “Breakfast is ready.”She slowly opened her heavy eyes, blinking up at her husband with a soft, sleepy smile that hinted at the peace she felt in his presence. “Good morning,” she murmured, sitting up in bed and wrapping her arms around him in a warm, lingering embrace. “Thank you for being such a wonderful father to our child.”Lucien’s eyes softened as he returned the hug. “It’s th
“Congratulations,” Harold announced with a dramatic flair, slicing through the heavy silence that had settled over the room. “You’re pregnant.”The words seemed to freeze time. A sudden, almost sacred stillness swept through the room like a blanket. Aria stared blankly ahead, her eyes wide, unblinking, as if her mind couldn’t quite grasp the meaning behind the statement. Lucien, seated beside her, was already smiling, quietly observing his wife's stunned reaction with gentle amusement and anticipation.Aria slowly blinked and let out a breathy, incredulous laugh. “You’ve got to be joking, Dr. Harold. Since when did you switch specialties? You’re a cardiologist, not a gynecologist,” she said, her voice tinged with disbelief and light sarcasm. “Did you suddenly decide to take up a new career overnight?”Harold sighed dramatically and turned toward Lucien, as if seeking moral support. “Mr. Vale, have you seen your wife’s attitude?” he asked in mock frustration. “You really ought to teach
Lately, Aria had been waking up feeling unwell, and this morning was no exception. As the first rays of sunlight filtered through her curtains, she stirred under the covers, a wave of dizziness washing over her the moment she tried to sit up. A nauseous feeling clung to her like a heavy fog, and a dull ache cramped her lower abdomen, making it difficult to move. With a soft groan, she slowly opened her eyes, squinting against the light, and attempted to swing her legs over the edge of the bed. But before she could fully stand, a violent lurch in her stomach made her freeze. It felt as if her insides were twisting and turning uncontrollably, sending her sprinting to the bathroom.Once there, she barely had time to kneel before the toilet before her body convulsed and she vomited. The sensation left her shaky and pale, clutching the cool porcelain for support. After a few moments, she rinsed her mouth and gargled with cold water from the sink, trying to steady her breathing.“I don’t re
It had been two days since Lucien hadn’t come home. Aria was growing increasingly worried—there was still no word from him, and she had no clue where he might have gone.“Dr. Aria, is everything alright? If you need to take a break, just let us know. You know we can’t afford to have anyone else sick around here besides the patients,” the head nurse, Liezel, joked lightly.“I’m fine, Liz,” Aria replied casually.“Coffee, maybe? It might help clear your head,” Liezel offered, concerned.“No, thanks,” Aria declined, then headed into her office. She tried to keep herself occupied with paperwork, reviewing patients’ lab results, but her mind kept drifting back to Lucien. Leaning back in her swivel chair, she let out a deep sigh.“What’s going on with you, doctor?” Harold suddenly appeared at the door, stepping inside. “I heard you were a little down today, so I brought cupcakes,” he said, holding up a box of small, cute treats.“Is this from a new admirer?” she teased with a chuckle, sitti
Fabian’s face crumpled with sorrow, tears carving silent paths down his cheeks. His eyes were hollow, lost. “What happened?” Aria asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Lucien’s voice was heavy with sadness. “What did she say to you?” Fabian shook his head, a tremor in his breath. “She told me… to stop waiting for her.” The words struck like a dagger. In that instant, Fabian’s world came crashing down. His heart splintered, the pain surging through him like a wave too strong to withstand. His knees buckled beneath the weight of it all, and yet he forced himself to walk away. Each step was a battle, every movement a struggle against the gravity of heartbreak. He staggered toward his car, the air thick with silence, trying not to fall apart before the door closed behind him.“Why…?” he whispered, barely able to hear his own voice over the sound of his heartbeat pounding in his ears. His hands trembled on the steering wheel, knuckles white, as tears streamed relentlessly down h