"You are just teasing me," I said with a laugh, feeling grateful for his thoughtfulness. Vince's eyes twinkled as he replied, "Maybe a little, but I did miss having you around." "You are different from the girls I knew," he continued, his expression softening. "If I were your man, I would take responsibility for you." I felt some heat on my cheeks as his words caught me off guard. "You are just telling me that because you just knew me," I replied, avoiding his glances. Vince chuckled softly, his gaze unwavering. "Maybe so, but I mean it," he said earnestly. I couldn't help but smile at his sincerity, feeling a sense of comfort in his presence. I didn't realize that my fear had disappeared and that I was keeping up with Vince's nonsense. I stared at him; even though you couldn't see his eyes clearly, you could only see from the smile on his lips and laughter that he was a good person. "I forgot to tell you, I won't sleep in my house tonight. Can you drive to my friend's house?" I
I went outside my office and rode the elevator to go to Trence's office. I saw Ms. Cobb at her table, talking to someone on her phone. As soon as she saw me, her eyes widened, and she immediately ended the call. She awkwardly smiled at me while fixing her table. "Ms. Marviz, what brings you here?" I replied with a smile. "I'm here to speak with Trence about some important matters. Is he available?" Ms. Cobb hesitated for a moment. "I'm just going to call, sir." I nodded, watching as she quickly dialed Trence's extension. After a brief conversation, she turned back to me and said, "I'm sorry, miss, but Mr. Lee is currently busy." I thanked Ms. Cobb for checking and asked if there was a better time to come back. She suggested coming back in the afternoon when Trence would likely be available. I agreed and thanked her before leaving the office. I saw Julia come out of Trence's open door as I was about to leave the floor. She was grinning broadly, but her smile quickly turned to a sm
The doctor came back and said I could go home. He said that there was no problem with my baby, but he told me not to think too much because it could harm the child. Someone paid for my hospital bills. I asked who it was, but they didn't want to say it. My things are in the office, and I must go back. How can I come back? I can't find my clothes; maybe I brought my phone when they rushed me here. I'll have to figure out how to get back to the office and retrieve my belongings. Maybe I can call a friend or a cab to give me a ride, but I don't memorize Loiue's number. While my eyes were looking around my bed to see if my clothes were there, I caught a glimpse of a paper bag on the side of the bed. Curious, I reached for the paper bag and saw that it contained my phone and a simple white dress. Relieved, I quickly dialled Louie's number, and his number could not be reached. I tried to call him again, but no one answered. I don't have money on my e-wallet. Frustration mounted as I real
The car suddenly stopped, and I almost knocked on the window. Eyes wide, I turned to look at Vince, who was now staring at me with a mix of concern and confusion. I knew I should have kept my mouth shut, but the words had already left my lips. "Bloodstain?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. I nodded, feeling a shiver run down my spine as I recounted the chilling sight that had haunted me all day. "You said that you don't know what happened to you; what if the blood is yours? Maybe you collapsed while working." As he turned the car back on and resumed driving, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just crossed a line, revealing a dangerous secret that should have remained buried. My heart pounded in my chest as we continued in an uncomfortable silence, the weight of my confession hanging heavily in the air. "Does the doctor let you go home?" Vince asked, breaking the tension. "Yes, she said that my baby was alright," I said, still thinking about that blood. "I'm gl
When all your decisions are shattered into multiple pieces, the world becomes a fragmented mosaic of uncertainties. That morning, as the soft light filtered through the curtains, I found myself waking in the warmth of Trence's embrace. His steady breaths and the gentle rise and fall of his chest offered a brief respite from the chaos that had consumed me. But as I stirred, the weight of reality came crashing back with crushing force. The events of the previous night flooded my mind like a torrential downpour, threatening to drown me in their wake. How did I end up here, tangled in the arms of a man who wasn't mine to hold? Guilt gnawed at the edges of my conscience as I untangled myself from Trence's embrace, careful not to disturb his slumber. His features softened in the morning light—a fleeting glimpse of the man I once thought I knew. But the truth remained: our connection was built on a foundation of lies and deceit, a fragile facade that threatened to crumble at any moment. A
Vince smiled, his gaze filled with unwavering support. "Then that's what we'll find for you, Friah. Somewhere you can leave behind the past and embrace the future." As the plane soared through the clouds, leaving behind the familiar comforts of home, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation coursing through my veins. The possibilities stretched out before me like an open road, each moment filled with the promise of something new. Lost in my thoughts, I leaned back in my seat, the gentle hum of the engines lulling me into a sense of calm. Beside me, Vince remained a steadfast presence, his unwavering support a constant source of strength. As the hours passed and the landscape below shifted from bustling cities to rolling countryside, I found myself filled with a sense of wonder at the world unfolding before me. The journey ahead would be filled with challenges, of which I was certain, but with Vince by my side, I knew that together we could face whatever lay ahead. As the
When you try to distance yourself from the mess you made, fate has other plans. As the morning light filtered through the curtains, I found myself waking in the unfamiliar surroundings of Vince's mansion. The events of the previous night rushed back to me in a flood of memories, each moment etched into my mind with painful clarity. But as I lay there, my thoughts consumed by doubt and uncertainty, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that lingered in the pit of my stomach. Could I trust Vince, knowing that he was Trence's brother? Could I believe in the sincerity of his words, knowing the tangled web of deceit that had brought us to this moment? Pushing aside the covers, I rose from the bed, the cool touch of the hardwood floor grounding me in the reality of my situation. Vince had offered me his support, his reassurance ringing in my ears like a distant echo. But could I truly rely on him to see me through the storm that lay ahead? As I made my way through the empty halls of the m
Many days had passed since I first arrived at Vince's mansion, seeking refuge from the storm that had engulfed my life. At that time, a sense of comfort and familiarity had settled between us, the walls of uncertainty gradually crumbling to reveal the foundation of trust and understanding that lay beneath. With each passing day, Vince and I grew more comfortable in each other's presence, our conversations flowing effortlessly as we shared stories and laughter. The weight of the secrets we carried seemed to grow lighter with each passing moment, replaced by a sense of camaraderie that bound us together. And as the days turned into weeks, I found myself drawn to the warmth of Vince's presence, the kindness in his eyes, a beacon of hope in the darkness that still lingered within me. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, I knew that with him by my side, I could face whatever the future held with courage and resilience. It was during one of our late-night conversations that Vince made
We all thought that after meeting someone who would cherish us, love us, respect us, and protect us, it'd all have a happy ending, but I learned that sometimes people come into our lives to teach us valuable lessons and help us grow, even if they are not meant to stay forever.I was sitting on the edge of my bed, absentmindedly tracing the patterns on my quilt. The room was so quiet that I could hear the distant hum of traffic outside my window. Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the sharp ring of my phone. Glancing at the screen, I saw my attorney's name. My heart skipped a beat as I answered."Friah," his voice came through the line, heavy with gravity. "I have some news. Drenver has been found guilty of murder. The jury has sentenced him to life in prison for the murder of Julia."I felt like I couldn't breathe. Even though I'd been bracing myself for this moment, the reality of it hit me like a tidal wave. "I... I don't know what to say," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
"I take Maxine Marviz to be my daughter." His eyes were filled with tears as he looked at her. He slowly turned to me.Our world was finally at peace. I was standing here in front of him, trying not to ruin my makeup behind this facade of calmness. His words were a balm to my soul, bringing closure to years of uncertainty and fear."As I finally marry her mother, who captured my heart through the years—the woman who makes me go crazy, loves me, and changes me to be a better person—together, we will create a new chapter in our lives filled with love, happiness, and unity. Our family is now complete with Maxine as our daughter, bound by love and commitment." His voice cracked with emotion as he reached out to hold my hand. As I looked into his eyes, I knew that all of the challenges we had faced together had led us to this moment of pure happiness and love.With tears in my eyes, I whispered, "I love you," and felt his grip on my hand tighten, solidifying our bond forever."Thank you fo
"I want my daughter back, Friah," Drenver said with a determined edge to his voice, his eyes flickering with mixed emotions. We were alone in the kitchen. I told Trence I could talk and face Drenver because I knew he was just in the house if something happened. "Whose daughter are you talking about?" I asked without leaving his stare. "You have no daughter here." Drenver was leaning on the sink. "I know you already know what I'm talking about. Trence was not the father of Maxine," he said. He slowly walked towards me. I stepped back as he went near me. "I am," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "And I'll do whatever it takes to get her.""No, I would never let you take her away from us," I said firmly, my heart racing with fear and anger. Drenver's eyes darkened as he reached out to grab me, but I quickly dodged his touch. "Get out of my house," I firmly said. Drenver's face twisted into a sinister grin as he backed away, his eyes never leaving mine. "You can try to stop me,
Days went by, and the doctors told me that I could already be discharged from the hospital. I was relieved to finally be able to go home and see my daughter, whom I missed dearly during my time in the hospital. I couldn't wait to hold her in my arms and make up for lost time."Are you sure you are okay already?" Trence asked concern etched on his face. I assured him that I was feeling much better and couldn't wait to get back to our normal routine with our daughter by our side.I nodded. He guided me towards the wheelchair. Trence wheeled me out of the room; the tension in the air was palpable, overshadowing the relief of finally leaving the hospital. My heart skipped a beat as I heard the urgent call from the doctor, the words "code red" sending a shiver down my spine. They were running towards the ICU.I exchanged a worried glance with Trence, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on both of us. Could it be? Julia? The thought sent a wave of mixed emotions crashing over me.
I'm holding my son's hand while we are walking the path filled with roses. The sun was shining brightly overhead, casting a warm glow on the vibrant flowers. I couldn't help but smile as I watched my son's eyes light up with wonder at the beauty surrounding us. The sweet scent of the roses filled the air, creating a peaceful atmosphere as we strolled together. At that moment, I felt grateful for this simple yet precious moment with my son."'Mommy, it's time," Max said. "Maxine was waiting for you." I knelt to hug my son, feeling a mix of pride and sadness as he prepared to let go of my hand. With a bittersweet smile, I whispered, "I love you, Max.""I love you, Mom," he whispered back.He let go of me and started running away from me. As I watched him go, all I could think was that he would run like that with Maxine by his side. He left me in the middle of the field. I stood there, not knowing where to go next, feeling a sense of emptiness. The sun began to set, casting a warm glow o
"I already talked to the security. He can't go near you again." Trence said. He laid me down on the bed, leaning on his chest. I could feel his heartbeat against my back—steady and reassuring. Trence gently ran his fingers through my hair, soothing me with his touch. I closed my eyes, feeling safe and protected in his arms."He said something," I whispered, my voice barely audible. Trence paused, his fingers stilling in my hair as he waited for me to continue. "He said that he was Maxine's father."Trence's grip on my waist slightly tightened, his expression turning serious. "Maxine's father?" he repeated, his voice laced with concern. I nodded."We never did it, even when we were in a relationship. I don't know how this could have happened." Trence pulled me closer, his embrace providing comfort and support."Should I believe him?" I could feel his heart beating against mine, a steady rhythm that reassured me. "I don't know," Trence finally said, his voice soft but firm."Maybe he's
Our moment was interrupted by a sudden call, but neither of us wanted to let go. "Ignore it," he mumbled against my lips, his hands moving with urgency. I couldn't resist him any longer, giving in completely to the passion that consumed us both.The call wouldn't stop ringing, and eventually, we had to reluctantly pull away, both of us breathless and wanting more. "We'll continue this later," he promised, his eyes filled with desire as he finally answered the call.As he spoke on the phone, his facial expression changed from desire to annoyance, clearly irritated by someone he was talking to."What do you mean, he was out?" Trence exclaimed, his voice rising in frustration. His body tensed as he listened to the response, and I could see the anger building in his eyes.I could tell he was struggling to keep his composure; his jaw clenched tightly as he tried to maintain control. After hanging up the phone, he turned to me with a forced smile, but I could see the tension still lingering
I run, trying to find my daughter, my heart pounding in my chest. Panic set in as I called out her name, the fear of the unknown creeping up on me. I asked her nanny where she was, but when she pointed out where Maxine was, she was not there.I felt my breath quicken as I frantically searched every corner of the room, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. The realization that my daughter was missing sent a wave of pure terror through me, causing me to break out in a cold sweat."Why did you leave your sight with her?" I demanded, my voice shaking with a mixture of anger and fear. The nanny's apologetic expression only fueled my panic further, as I struggled to keep my emotions in check while desperately trying to think of where she could have gone.Trence walked towards me. "What's happening?" he asked when he saw the look of distress on my face."I can't find my daughter." I could feel tears welling up in my eyes as I anxiously explained the situation to him, my heart pounding in
We picked a restaurant and decided to eat there. Maxine was the one to pick it up, and she decided to go to a place where my favorite foods were. The last time I ate here was when I ate with Drenver. The place never changed, but the memories flooded back as we sat down at our table. Maxine looked up at me with a small smile and a silent apology in her eyes. I reached out and squeezed her hand. Trence smiled warmly at her."Mommy, this was your favorite, right?" She showed me the burger the same size as her face. She used both of her hands to pick it up.She knows because when I was unpacking some of my things, she saw different pictures; one of them was of this restaurant while I was eating with Drenver. The guy she said that she talked to was Drenver, but it was not true; maybe it was just her imagination.I smiled and nodded. Her nanny took the burger and sliced it into smaller pieces so she could eat it. The table was silent as we all enjoyed our meal. My daughter's eyes lit up wit