When I finally regained consciousness, the world was a blur of sterile white lights and soft beeping sounds. My body ached in ways I never thought possible, and it took a moment for me to remember what had happened.The car.Rachel and Alex.It all came flooding back, and with it, a wave of pain that was far deeper than the physical injuries. I groaned softly, my throat dry, and blinked, trying to make sense of my surroundings. I was in a hospital room, the faint scent of antiseptic in the air. My body felt weighed down, and I realized there were bandages wrapped around my arms and legs, a dull throbbing in my side.I tried to sit up, but the pain flared, and I fell back against the pillows, letting out a small cry. Almost immediately, the door to my room creaked open, and a nurse stepped in, her face soft with concern."You're awake," she said gently, moving to my side. "You've been through quite an ordeal, but you're going to be okay."I tried to nod, but it felt like even the small
The next morning, I awoke to the sound of soft footsteps entering my room. My body still ached, but the sharpness had dulled, replaced by a constant, steady throb. I blinked my eyes open to see the nurse from the day before standing by my bedside, a gentle smile on her face."Good morning," she said softly, checking the machines beside me. "How are you feeling today?""Sore," I replied, my voice still hoarse."Are you okay?" she asked again, noticing the pain in my voice.I nodded weakly, even though I wasn't sure if I was okay. How could I be? The weight of everything felt even heavier now—Jack, my mother, Rachel, Alex, and now this baby. I didn’t know how to feel, what to think. My whole life had just been turned upside down again."Want to talk about your pregnancy?" the nurse asked, her voice full of concern.I shook my head."I know it's a lot to take in," the nurse said kindly, patting my arm. "But you're stron
As I sat there, the reality of my situation settled in, heavier than I had imagined. The thought of being a mother was terrifying. I didn’t feel ready, especially not now, when my whole world seemed to be crumbling. My mind drifted to Jack and my mother, their happiness, and how I had been left behind. My fingers instinctively brushed against my stomach, and I wondered what kind of future this baby would have, what kind of mother I would become, and most especially how Jack would react to all of this when he finds out. What would he say? Would he want to be involved?The elderly man cleared his throat softly, pulling me back to the present. "I know it's overwhelming," he said, his voice gentle. "But you'll figure it out. You don’t have to have all the answers right now."I nodded, appreciating his words. He was right—everything didn’t have to be decided today. But the thought of telling Jack about the pregnancy, or even my mother, filled me with dread. What would they say? How would t
I stared at the photograph, my mind racing. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Jefferson, the man who had hit me with his car, the man who had taken me in, was in a picture with my mother. But how could this be? They lived worlds apart, their paths never crossing.I traced the lines of my mother's face, the same smile that had been so rare in recent years. The woman in the photo was full of life, her eyes sparkling with joy. It was a stark contrast to the woman married to Jack now.Footsteps approached from behind, and I turned to see the elderly man standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable. His eyes followed my gaze to the photograph, and he sighed deeply, his shoulders sagging as if a burden had just been laid on them."That was my fiancee." he said softly. "Her name is Karen."My heart ached. I had never heard my mother speak about my father, let alone a fiance. "Why didn't you get married?" I askes, still not sure of my suspicions."We were very young, head over heels
As I lay on the bed, exhaustion tugging at my body, my mind continued racing. The pieces of this strange puzzle were falling into place, but too slowly. I closed my eyes, willing myself to rest, but sleep felt impossible with so many questions swirling in my head.Who was Jefferson really to my mother? Why had she kept him a secret for so long? What did it mean that I was here, in his house, at this very moment? The timing felt too coincidental, almost like some unseen force had guided me here to discover this long-buried truth.After what felt like hours of tossing and turning, I decided to get up and walk around the house. The moonlight filtered through the windows, casting long shadows across the floor. The silence of the house felt both comforting and eerie, as though it held secrets it wasn’t yet ready to reveal.I made my way back to the living room, where the photograph still sat on the mantel. I couldn’t resist looking at it again. My mother’s smiling face stared back at me, s
I woke early the next morning, the first rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains. The house was still quiet, almost too quiet, but I didn’t have time to dwell on the strange emptiness. Today was the day. I would go home, face my mother, and demand the answers I deserved. There was no avoiding it anymore.After a quick shower, I packed my things, slipping the small photograph from the mantel into my bag. I wasn’t sure why I took it—maybe I just needed proof, something tangible to hold on to when the questions felt too overwhelming.As I walked down the stairs, Jefferson was already in the kitchen, pouring himself a cup of coffee. His eyes met mine, and for a brief moment, I saw the same sadness from the night before. But there was also a quiet acceptance, as if he knew what was coming.“Leaving already?” he asked, his voice soft.“Yeah. I think it’s time,” I replied, glancing down at my bag. “I need to talk to her.”He nodded, taking a sip from his mug. “I figured as much. I wi
My mother’s eyes met mine, and for a split second, I saw the fear in her expression—the fear of truths she had buried for years finally coming to light. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but no words came out. Jefferson stood there, silent, giving her the space to respond. He seemed to know that this moment wasn’t his to control, that it was between her and me now.“I…” My mother faltered, glancing at Jack as if unsure how much to say in front of him.“Mom,” I urged, my voice firmer. “Why didn’t you tell me about him? Who is Jefferson to you?”She shook her head slowly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I… I didn’t want you to know. I didn’t want to dredge up the past.”Jack took a step back, his hand falling from her shoulder. “Karen, what’s going on?” His voice had softened, but the confusion was still clear. “What does this man have to do with our family?”My mother turned to Jack, her expression pained. “Jefferson… he’s someone I knew a long time ago, before I met you.”H
As I sat on my bed, emotions swirling, a fresh wave of anxiety washed over me. My secret weighed heavily, pressing down with an intensity I could hardly bear. The pregnancy had been my private burden, something I hadn't yet come to terms with myself, let alone shared with anyone else. And now, with my mother's secrets unraveling downstairs, my own truth felt even more daunting.I hugged a pillow to my chest, my mind drifting back to the moment I first found out. The shock, the panic, the uncertainty—it had all come crashing down, leaving me feeling more alone than ever. And now, as much as I longed for clarity from my family, I was afraid of what they’d say when my own truth came out. My mother would likely be furious, disappointed, and Jack… I can only but wonder how would react when he discovers I am pregnant with his child.The faint murmur of voices drifted up from downstairs, but they were too low for me to make out. I felt a pang of frustration as I imagined them discussing life
I narrowed my eyes at Jack, trying to decipher the hidden meaning behind his words. "You're being cryptic," I accused, though a smile tugged at my lips. Jack chuckled, tightening his arms around me. "Patience, love," he murmured, pressing a lingering kiss to my cheek. "I promise you’ll like it." Before I could probe further, my mother interrupted, tugging at our hands. "You both need to dance! The DJ just switched to a slower song, and we can’t let all this romance go to waste!" I laughed as she pulled us toward the dance floor, Jack trailing behind with amusement in his eyes. The soft melody of a love song filled the air, and couples swayed in each other’s arms. Soon I caught sight of Jefferson and my mother moving together, whispering to one another as if the rest of the world had faded away. Seeing them like this—so in love—made my heart swell. For years, my mother had held onto the pain of losing Jefferson, believing they were never meant to be. But fate had given them
The night was still young, and the wedding reception carried on in full swing. The music had shifted from soft jazz to more upbeat tunes, encouraging guests onto the dance floor. Laughter and clinking glasses filled the air, and the love between Jack and Sophie was evident in the way they moved together, whispering to each other, lost in their own world.But amidst the celebration, Jefferson had only one thing on his mind.Karen.She stood a few feet away, laughing with Sophie and another guest, her golden dress shimmering under the warm lights. The way she tilted her head back when she laughed, the way her eyes sparkled—it was mesmerizing.Fate had pulled them apart for years, but now, here they were, together again.And he wasn’t about to waste another second.Jefferson had spent too many nights wondering what could have been, too many years regretting the time they had lost. Their love had once been a force of nature—passionate, intense, and all-consuming. But life had taken them d
The wedding reception was nothing short of magical.The grand ballroom sparkled under the glow of golden chandeliers, casting a warm, romantic ambiance. Tables were adorned with elegant floral centerpieces, soft candlelight flickering between the crystal glasses and silverware. The scent of fresh roses and vanilla from the wedding cake lingered in the air, blending with the laughter and music.Jack and I sat at the beautifully decorated sweetheart table, watching as our guests mingled, sipped champagne, and danced to the soft jazz melody filling the room. The energy was electric, a perfect blend of sophistication and celebration.“I still can’t believe we’re finally married,” I whispered to Jack, squeezing his hand.He turned to me, his blue eyes filled with warmth. “Believe it my darling wife.”A rush of happiness coursed through me. “I love the sound of that.”Jack chuckled. “Get used to it.”We had just finished our first dance as husband and wife, and everything felt like a dream.
The wedding hall was a vision of elegance—golden chandeliers casting a warm glow, ivory drapes flowing like soft clouds, and the scent of fresh roses and peonies filling the air. Guests were already seated, their murmurs blending with the soft melody of a string quartet playing in the background.I walked through the corridors, my wedding gown trailing behind me, the intricate lace shimmering under the warm lights. Every step I took felt heavier than the last, not because of hesitation, but because of the weight of the moment.This was it.The moment I had dreamed of since I was a little girl.The moment I had planned for months, agonizing over every detail—the flowers, the venue, the dress, the guest list. And yet, it wasn’t the aesthetics that made this moment important. It was the man waiting for me at the altar. Jack.My mother held my hand gently as we reached the bridal suite. “Are you okay?” she asked, her gaze searching mine.I swallowed, nodding. “I’m fine.”But my voice wave
The garden terrace was tucked away behind the grand wedding venue, a quiet, secluded spot where guests would later mingle during cocktail hour. The scent of jasmine and fresh roses lingered in the air, the soft rustling of leaves the only sound as I stepped onto the stone pathway.Alex was already there.Dressed in a sharp suit, his dark hair still styled the way I remembered, he turned at the sound of my footsteps. His gaze swept over me, and for a moment, there was something unreadable in his eyes.“You came,” he said.I folded my hands in front of me, keeping my voice steady. “What do you want, Alex?”He let out a slow breath. “I needed to see you. Before you marry him.”Anger flared in my chest. “You’ve had months to see me. You waited until my wedding day?”His jaw tightened. “I know. And maybe I don’t deserve this moment. But I had to try.”“Try what, exactly?”His eyes darkened. “To tell you I still love you.”Silence crashed between us.I clenched my fists. “You don’t get to s
The wedding was just two days away, and every second felt like a blur of last-minute preparations. The venue was set, the guests had confirmed their attendance, and my dress was finally hanging in my room, ready for the big day.Yet, despite all the excitement, an undercurrent of nerves buzzed beneath my skin.I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My heart pounded against my ribs, a mix of anticipation and anxiety.Karen, always attuned to my moods, plopped down beside me. “Alright, spill. What’s going on in that overthinking brain of yours?”I hesitated before sighing. “It just feels surreal, you know? After everything that’s happened, I can’t believe I’m actually getting my happily ever after.”Karen softened, squeezing my hand. “You deserve this, Sophie. Jack loves you. And after all the hell Rachel put you through, this wedding is your fresh start.”I nodded, exhaling slowly. “I know. I just—I want it to go perfectly.”She grinned. “Trust me, it will
Rachel groaned as the officers restrained her, pressing her wounded shoulder against the cold concrete. Her eyes burned with hatred as she glared up at me. "This isn't over," she spat, her voice shaking. "You think you’ve won? You haven’t. I’ll—"Jack stepped forward, his face an unreadable mask of fury. "You're done, Rachel," he said coldly. "You kidnapped Sophie, held her hostage, and threatened her life. You’re not getting out of this."Rachel’s lips trembled, her breathing uneven. "Jack, I—""Save it," Jefferson cut in, his voice as sharp as a blade. He nodded toward the officers. "Get her out of here."The police yanked Rachel to her feet, dragging her toward the exit. As she passed me, she leaned in, her voice a venomous whisper. "Enjoy this while it lasts, Sophie. Because sooner or later, your perfect little world will come crashing down."I didn’t flinch. I simply held her gaze, unshaken. "Goodbye, Rachel."And with that, they took her away.---Outside the warehouse, the cold
I forced myself to stay calm, pushing past the terror threatening to consume me. Rachel had lost everything—her pride, her so-called love, her future. That made her dangerous.But I refused to let her win.I flexed my wrists again, twisting my fingers in slow, careful movements against the rough rope. Every second counted. Every movement had to be precise.The man who had taunted me walked away, leaving me under the watch of another. He was younger, hesitant, his grip on his gun less confident than the others.A weakness.Rachel turned back to me, her arms crossed as she smirked. "You know, Sophie, I thought about just killing you and being done with it."A shiver ran down my spine, but I didn’t let my fear show."But then," Rachel continued, pacing in front of me, "I realized something. Killing you would be too easy. Too quick." She leaned down, her face inches from mine. "I want you to suffer first. I want you to know what it feels like to lose everything."I glared at her, refusing
My knees nearly buckled beneath me. I stared at Rachel, my mind struggling to process the sight before me. The girl who once shared my secrets, my laughter, my life—now stood before me as my captor, her arms crossed with a cruel smirk playing on her lips.“Surprised?” she taunted, tilting her head slightly. “You shouldn’t be. You had to know I wasn’t going to just sit back and watch you get everything you ever wanted.”My mouth went dry. “Rachel…” My voice came out barely above a whisper, filled with disbelief and betrayal. “Why?”Her smirk widened. “Oh, Sophie… Do you really need me to spell it out for you?” She took a slow, deliberate step toward me. “Jack was supposed to be mine. Your mother promised me, but you stole him from me.”I recoiled as if she had struck me. “That’s not true! You two were never together! Jack never loved you!”Rachel’s face twisted with rage. “That’s what you tell yourself, isn’t it?” she sneered. “Well, a deal is a deal.” Her nostrils flared as she clench