Alice wiped the spit-up from Charlie's chin, smiling despite her tiredness. "There you go, little man. All clean."Charlie gurgled happily, waving his tiny fists. At three months old, he was becoming more active every day.Alice's phone buzzed. It was a message from her new client, the bakery owner. "Great job on the quarterly report! Can we meet next week to discuss?"A warm feeling of pride spread through Alice's chest. She was doing it. She was building a life for herself and Charlie.As she typed out a reply, Alice's mind wandered. She wondered what Carson was doing right now...---Carson stood in front of the mirror, tugging at his tie. Two days. Just two more days until the wedding."You look handsome, darling," Margaret said, coming up behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her chin on his shoulder.Carson forced a smile. "Thanks. You excited for the big day?"Margaret beamed. "Of course! It's going to be perfect. Everything's ready - the venue, the flowers
,Carson woke up with a heavy feeling in his stomach. He looked at the calendar on his bedside table. One day left. Just one more day until he married Margaret.He should be excited. Happy. Instead, he felt... scared? Unsure? He couldn't quite put his finger on the feeling.As he got dressed, Carson caught sight of himself in the mirror. He looked tired. Worried. Not like a happy groom-to-be at all."Pull yourself together," he muttered to his reflection. "This is what you're supposed to want."Downstairs, the house was buzzing with activity. Wedding planners rushed around, carrying flowers and checking lists. Carson's sisters chattered excitedly, their voices high and happy."There's the groom!" his mother called, spotting him at the bottom of the stairs. She hurried over, straightening his tie. "How are you feeling, darling? Excited?"Carson forced a smile. "Sure, Mom. Excited."His mother frowned, studying his face. "You look pale. Are you feeling alright?""I'm fine," Carson said
His mom stood there with a big smile on her face that went away as soon as she saw how scared her son was. "Hello, sweetheart! Prepared for the big day? Trust everything is okay?Carson tried hard to smile, but he knew he had to find another way out now that he had to face everyone. Margaret should be the first person he talks to. How are you, Mom? In fact, I need a little more time to rest"His mother's smile went away and was replaced by a worried look. "How are you feeling? You have a pale look.Immediately he said,"I'm fine". "I guess I'm just nervous. Could you give me an hour? I promise I'll be ready a while later.His mother looked at him for a moment and then gave him a nod. No problem, sweetheart. Allow yourself rest well Before leaving, she gave him a soft kiss on the face.Carson caught a deep breath as the door shut behind her. He went to the window and looked out at the garden, where the wedding after party would be held soon.It seemed like everything was fine. Numerous
Carson stood outside the dining room and took a big breath. Inside, his family and the Thompsons were talking excitedly about the wedding. His heart was beating so fast that he thought it might jump out of his chest. His hands were shaking."You can do this," he told himself quickly. "You have to do this."He opened the door and went inside. Everyone in the room stopped talking and looked at him.His mom gave him a smile. "Hey there, sweetheart! The last thing we talked about was—"Carson spoke up: "I have something to say." Even though his voice was shaking, he kept going. "I... I can't marry Margaret."The room was filled with noise. Everyone spoke at the same time.His dad yelled, "What do you mean?"His sister told him, "Carson, this isn't funny."It looked like Mrs. Thompson was going to pass out.Carson put his hands up. "Please, let me explain."The room slowly became quiet again. Everyone was looking at him."I'm really sorry," Carson said. "I understand how shocking this is.
Carson woke up early the next morning, his head pounding and his heart heavy. The events of yesterday felt like a blur, but the reality of what he'd done was starting to sink in. He'd called off his wedding. He'd turned his whole life upside down.While he laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, Carson's mind skipped. There was so much to do, so many people to talk to. He felt overwhelmed, but also strangely calm. For the first time in months, maybe even years, he felt like he was doing the right thing.With a deep sigh, Carson swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat up. He grabbed his phone from the nightstand and stared at it for a long moment. Then, with shaking fingers, he started to type out a message:"Dear friends and family,I regret to inform you that the wedding between Margaret and myself has been cancelled. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Your understanding during this difficult time is greatly appreciated.Sincerely,Carson MacPherson"Carson's thu
"Come on, Charlie. Open up for mummy"Alice said, making swooping noises as she guided a small spoon of mashed banana towards her son's mouth.Charlie, now eight months old, giggled and clapped his chubby hands, his big blue eyes - so much like Carson's - twinkling with delight. He opened his mouth wide, accepting the spoonful of banana with a happy smile."That's my good boy," Alice smiled, wiping a bit of banana from Charlie's chin. "You're getting so big!"Baby toys were scattered across the floor, and a pile of job applications littered on the coffee table. It wasn't much, but it was alot.Alice glanced at the clock on the wall and sighed. She had a busy day ahead - looking at daycares, job hunting, and somehow managing to keep Charlie fed, changed, and happy through it all. Being a single mom wasn't easy, but looking at Charlie's smiling face, she knew it was worth every challenge."Alright, little man," Alice said, lifting Charlie out of his high chair. "Let's get you cleaned up
Carson:Carson stared at his phone, willing it to ring. He'd been trying Alice's number for the past hour, but it kept going straight to voicemail. With each failed attempt, his heart sank a little more."Come on, Alice," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Where are you?"He looked around his hotel room, which was a mess of clothes and papers. A half-packed suitcase lay open on the bed. Carson had never been the best at organizing, and his current emotional state wasn't helping.With a sigh, he tossed his phone onto the bed and went back to packing. As he folded a shirt (badly), his mind wandered to Alice and Charlie. His son. A little boy he'd never even met. The guilt hit him like a punch to the gut."I'm going to make this right," he said to the empty room. "I have to."Carson knew it was a long shot, but he had a plan. Alice had once mentioned that her family lived in Manchester. It wasn't much to go on, but it was a start. He'd booked a flight for the next morning, ho
Carson lay in the unfamiliar hotel bed, staring at the ceiling. The room was dark, but the glow from the street lights outside seeped through the thin curtains, casting strange shadows on the walls. He'd been trying to sleep for hours, but his mind wouldn't quiet down.He turned to look at the digital clock on the bedside table. 11:47 PM. Carson sighed. It was going to be a long night.Sitting up, he switched on the lamp. The sudden light made him squint. The room came into focus - a small, tidy space with bland hotel art on the walls and a desk in the corner. His suitcase sat unopened by the door, a reminder that he was far from home.Carson got up and walked to the window. He pulled back the curtain and looked out at the Manchester night. The city was still alive, even at this late hour. Cars moved along the streets below, their headlights cutting through the darkness. In the distance, he could see the lights of tall buildings, each one a possible home to hundreds of people. Was Ali
Nine months seemed to fly by for Alice and Carson. They spent the time getting ready for their new baby, turning the guest room into a pretty nursery with soft yellow walls and cute animal pictures. Charlie was excited to be a big brother and would often talk to Alice's growing tummy.On a warm spring day, Alice felt the first signs that the baby was coming. Carson rushed her to the hospital, his heart beating fast with excitement and worry. After many hours of waiting and Alice being very brave, they finally heard the sound they had been waiting for - the cry of their new baby."It's a girl!" the doctor said, holding up the tiny, pink bundle.Alice and Carson looked at each other with tears in their eyes. Their baby girl was here, and she was perfect."What should we name her?" Carson asked softly, as he held his daughter for the first time.Alice smiled, remembering a name they had talked about. "How about Hope? Because she brings us so much hope and joy."Carson nodded, his eyes sh
After their wonderful honeymoon, Alice and Carson came back home feeling happy and relaxed. They were excited to start their new life together in their new house in London. It was a pretty house with white walls and a red door. The best part was the big garden in the back, perfect for their little son Charlie to play in.On their first day in the new house, Alice and Carson walked through each room, holding hands and smiling. Charlie toddled along behind them, his little eyes wide as he looked at his new home."What do you think, buddy?" Carson asked, picking Charlie up. "Do you like our new house?"Charlie giggled and pointed at the big windows. "Big!" he said, one of the few words he knew.Alice laughed. "That's right, sweetie. The windows are big. And look at the garden!" She carried Charlie to the back door to show him the green grass and colorful flowers.For the next few weeks, Alice and Carson were busy making the house feel like home. They painted the walls in pretty colors, h
After a long flight, Alice and Carson finally arrived at their honeymoon destination. It was a beautiful island with white sandy beaches and clear blue water. As they stepped out of the airport, they felt the warm sun on their faces and smelled the salty sea air."We're here!" Alice said excitedly, squeezing Carson's hand.Carson grinned at her. "Let the honeymoon begin, Mrs. MacPherson!"They took a taxi to their hotel, which was right on the beach. When they walked into their room, they gasped. It was gorgeous, with a big bed, a balcony overlooking the ocean, and even a little hot tub."Oh, Carson, it's perfect!" Alice said, rushing to the balcony to look at the view.Carson came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Not as perfect as you," he said, kissing her cheek.They spent the rest of that day relaxing by the hotel pool, sipping fruity drinks with little umbrellas in them. They were both tired from the long trip, but too excited to sleep.The next morning, they
After the beautiful ceremony in the garden, everyone went to a big party to celebrate Alice and Carson's marriage. The party was at a fancy hotel nearby. When Alice and Carson arrived, they were amazed at how pretty everything looked.The room was decorated with white and pink flowers, just like at the wedding. There were twinkling lights everywhere, making the room look magical. Big round tables were set up for all the guests, with white tablecloths and shiny silverware.As Alice and Carson walked in, everyone stood up and clapped. They felt so special, like a prince and princess in a fairy tale. They couldn't stop smiling as they made their way to the main table at the front of the room.Once everyone was seated, it was time for dinner. The food was delicious, just as Alice and Carson had hoped when they picked it out. There was the yummy chicken dish they both loved, and the tasty vegetable pasta. For the guests who didn't eat meat, there was a special vegetarian meal too.Alice an
The sun was just starting to come up when Alice opened her eyes. For a moment, she wondered why she felt so excited. Then she remembered - it was her wedding day! She sat up in bed, a big smile on her face.There was a soft knock on her door. "Alice? Are you awake?" It was her mom, Sarah."Yes, Mom! Come in!" Alice called out.Sarah came in, followed by Carson's sisters - Karen, Mia, Ava, and Alexis. They were all smiling and looking very happy."It's time to get ready!" Karen said, clapping her hands. "We have a bride to make beautiful!"Alice laughed. "Okay, okay! I'm ready!"They all went downstairs to have a quick breakfast. Alice was too excited to eat much, but her mom made her have some toast and fruit."You need energy for your big day," Sarah said, patting Alice's hand.After breakfast, it was time to start getting ready. They went to Alice's room, where her beautiful white dress was hanging up."Oh, Alice," Mia sighed. "Your dress is so pretty!"Alice smiled, running her han
Alice and Carson were very busy getting ready for their big day. They had picked a pretty garden for their wedding. It had lots of green grass, colorful flowers, and big trees. When they first saw it, they both knew it was perfect.Alice's mom, Sarah, was so happy to help with the plans. She and Alice's sisters, Emma and Lily, spent many days talking about all the little details. They looked at lots of magazines and websites to get ideas."What kind of flowers do you want, Alice?" Emma asked one day. They were sitting in Alice's living room, surrounded by pictures of different flowers.Alice thought for a moment. "I like roses," she said. "But I also like daisies. They're so happy and bright.""Why not have both?" Lily suggested. "We could have roses for the fancy parts and daisies for the fun parts."Alice smiled. "That's a great idea! Carson likes both of those flowers too."They decided on white roses for the serious parts of the wedding, like the ceremony. For the party after, the
A few weeks after the trial, Alice was feeling much better. The bad memories were starting to fade, and she was looking forward to good things again. One morning, Carson came to her with a big smile on his face."Alice, my love," he said, "I think it's time we started planning our wedding again. What do you think?"Alice's face lit up. "Really? You still want to marry me after everything that's happened?"Carson hugged her tight. "Of course I do. I love you more than ever. Nothing could change that."Alice felt so happy. She had been worried that all the bad stuff might have changed things between them. But Carson's love was as strong as ever."Okay," she said, smiling. "Let's do it. Let's plan our wedding."But first, the MacPhersons wanted to talk to Alice. They asked her to come to their big house for dinner. Alice was a little nervous, but Carson held her hand and told her it would be okay.When they got to the house, Mr. and Mrs. MacPherson were waiting for them. They looked very
A few days after Alice's rescue, the police were still working hard to understand everything that had happened. They talked to many people and looked at lots of clues. One day, a police officer came to see Alice and Carson at the hospital."Miss Smit," the officer said, "we need to talk to you about something important. We found out that someone else was involved in your kidnapping."Alice sat up in her bed, holding Carson's hand tight. "Who?" she asked.The officer looked serious. "It's Margaret, Mr. MacPherson's ex-fiancée. We have proof that she helped plan your kidnapping with Maxwell."Alice and Carson were shocked. They knew Margaret didn't like Alice, but they never thought she would do something so bad."Are you sure?" Carson asked, his voice shaky.The officer nodded. "Yes, we're sure. We found messages between her and Maxwell. She told him where to find Alice and helped him plan everything."Alice felt sick. She remembered seeing Margaret at the warehouse after her rescue. N
Maxwell paced back and forth in the old warehouse, looking at his watch every few minutes. Alice sat in the corner, tied up, her once-pretty wedding dress now dirty and torn. She watched Maxwell, feeling scared and sad for him, wondering how her friend had become this scary, desperate man.There was a knock at the door. Maxwell's head jerked up, his eyes wide. "Finally," he muttered, hurrying to open it.An old man in priest clothes stood there, looking nervous and confused. "Mr. Johnson? I'm Father Thomas. I got your... strange request."Maxwell pulled the priest inside, quickly closing the door. "Yes, thank you for coming, Father. Like I said, this is a special situation."Father Thomas's eyes got big when he saw the room - the dirty warehouse, the tied-up woman in a wedding dress, the jumpy man who had called him. "Young man, what's going on here?" he asked, his voice shaky."Father, please help me!" Alice cried out. "He took me. He's trying to make me marry him!"The priest steppe